bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The prevalence of human T‐cell leukemia virus in blood donors in China
Authors: Li Ling , Ou Shanhai , Huang Chengyin , Zhou Xueyong , Ge Hongwei , Li Jianping , Zeng Jinfeng , Zhou Alyssa , He Liu , Xu Quming , Wu Jie , Li Longhuo , Wang Chenghui , Zang Liang , Huang Liqin , Niu Libin , Han Hui , Zhang Gang , Wan Jianhua , Wang Fang , Xu Ting , Zhao Binghai , Qian Liqiong , Wu Yanyun , Liu Zhong 
Published: April 2019

BACKGROUNDChina has not yet incorporated routine human T‐lymphotropic virus (HTLV)‐1/2 blood donor screening, even though HTLV has been reported in the southeastern coastal region. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of HTLV in five major regions across of China.METHODSFrom January 2016 to December 2017, blood samples were collected in 20 blood centers located in different regions of China. These samples were screened for HTLV‐1/2 antibodies using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). If the test samples were reactive, the samples were confirmed with a western blot (WB) assay. If the results of WB were indeterminate, the donor was interviewed after a minimum lapse of 8 weeks. All follow‐up samples from donors were tested for anti–HTLV‐1/2 with ELISA and WB.RESULTSThere were 875,453 donor samples tested for anti–HTLV‐1/2 by ELISA. In all, 365 samples tested negative, 22 samples tested positive by WB, and 14 samples with HTLV status undetermined due to being lost to follow‐up. The prevalences were 11.09, 5.96, 3.16, 2.88 and 0.98 per 100,000 in Xiamen, Changsha, Beijing, Shenzhen, and Nanjing blood center, respectively. The prevalences were 0 per 100,000 for all 15 other blood centers. There was significant differences in the prevalence of HTLV in different regions of China (p = 0.0011).CONCLUSIONIn China, HTLV‐1 confirmed positive donors are mainly from southeastern coastal areas. It may be necessary to conduct HTLV screening in these areas to reduce the risk of transfusion‐transmitted HTLV.
Predictive biomarkers for graft rejection in pig‐to‐non‐human primate corneal xenotransplantation
Authors: Yoon Chang Ho , Choi Se Hyun , Lee Hyun Ju , Kang Hee Jung , Kim Mee Kum 
Published: April 2019

AbstractWe investigated the predictive biomarkers for graft rejection in pig‐to‐non‐human primate (NHP) full‐thickness corneal xenotransplantation (n = 34). The graft score (0‐12) was calculated based on opacity, edema, and vascularization. Scores ≥ 6 were defined as rejection. NHPs were divided into two groups: (a) graft rejection within 6 months; and (b) graft survival until 6 months. In the evaluation of 2‐week biomarkers, none of the NHPs showed rejection within 2 weeks and the 34 NHPs were divided into two groups: (a) entire rejection group (n = 16); and (b) survival group (n = 18). In the evaluation of 4‐week biomarkers, four NHPs showing rejection within 4 weeks were excluded and the remaining 30 NHPs were divided into two groups: (a) late rejection group (n = 12); and (b) survival group (n = 18). Analysis of biomarker candidates included T/B‐cell subsets, levels of anti‐αGal IgG/M, donor‐specific IgG/M from blood, and C3a from plasma and aqueous humor (AH). CD8+IFNγ+ cells at week 2 and AH C3a at week 4 were significantly elevated in the rejection group. Receiver operating characteristic areas under the curve was highest for AH C3a (0.847) followed by CD8+IFNγ+ cells (both the concentration and percentage: 0.715), indicating excellent or acceptable discrimination ability, which suggests that CD8+IFNγ+ cells at week 2 and AH C3a at week 4 are reliable biomarkers for predicting rejection in pig‐to‐NHP corneal xenotransplantation.
Salmonella, Campylobacter, Clostridium difficile, and anti‐microbial resistant Escherichia coli in the faeces of sympatric meso‐mammals in southern Ontario, Canada
Authors: Bondo Kristin J. , Pearl David L. , Janecko Nicol , Reid‐Smith Richard J. , Parmley E. Jane , Weese J. Scott , Rousseau Joyce , Taboada Eduardo , Mutschall Steven , Jardine Claire M. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe role of free‐ranging wildlife in the epidemiology of enteropathogens causing clinical illness in humans and domestic animals is unclear. Salmonella enterica and anti‐microbial resistant bacteria have been detected in the faeces of raccoons (Procyon lotor), but little is known about the carriage of these bacteria in other sympatric meso‐mammals. Our objectives were to: (a) report the prevalence of Salmonella and associated anti‐microbial resistance, Campylobacter spp, Clostridium difficile, and anti‐microbial resistant Escherichia coli in the faeces of striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) and Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana) in southern Ontario; and (b) compare the prevalence of these bacteria in the faeces of these meso‐mammal hosts with raccoons from a previously reported study. Faecal swabs were collected from striped skunks and Virginia opossums on five swine farms and five conservation areas from 2011 to 2013. Salmonella was detected in 41% (9/22) and 5% (5/95) of faecal swabs from Virginia opossums and striped skunks, respectively. None of the Salmonella serovars carried resistance to anti‐microbials. The prevalence of Campylobacter spp., C. difficile, and anti‐microbial resistant E. coli ranged from 6% to 22% in striped skunk and Virginia opossums. Using exact logistic regression, Salmonella was significantly more likely to be detected in faecal swabs of Virginia opossums than skunks and significantly less likely in faecal swabs from skunks than raccoons from a previously reported study. In addition, Campylobacter spp. was significantly more likely to be detected in raccoons than opossums. Salmonella Give was detected in 8/9 (89%) of Salmonella‐positive Virginia opossum faecal swabs. Our results suggest that striped skunks and Virginia opossums have the potential to carry pathogenic enteric bacteria in their faeces. The high prevalence of Salmonella Give in Virginia opossum faecal swabs in this study as well as its common occurrence in other Virginia opossum studies throughout North America suggests Virginia opossums may be reservoirs of this serovar.
A Renewal Weakest-Link Model of Strength Distribution of Polycrystalline Silicon MEMS Structures
Authors: Xu Zhifeng , Ballarini Roberto , Le Jia-Liang 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
Experimental data have made it abundantly clear that the strength of polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) structures exhibits significant variability, which arises from the random distribution of the size and shape of sidewall defects created by the manufacturing process. Test data also indicated that the strength statistics of MEMS structures depends strongly on the structure size. Understanding the size effect on the strength distribution is of paramount importance if experimental data obtained using specimens of one size are to be used with confidence to predict the strength statistics of MEMS devices of other sizes. In this paper, we present a renewal weakest-link statistical model for the failure strength of poly-Si MEMS structures. The model takes into account the detailed statistical information of randomly distributed sidewall defects, including their geometry and spacing, in addition to the local random material strength. The large-size asymptotic behavior of the model is derived based on the stability postulate. Through the comparison with the measured strength distributions of MEMS specimens of different sizes, we show that the model is capable of capturing the size dependence of strength distribution. Based on the properties of simulated random stress field and random number of sidewall defects, a simplified method is developed for efficient computation of strength distribution of MEMS structures.
Arterial Stiffness: Different Metrics, Different Meanings
Authors: Spronck B. , Humphrey J. D. 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
Findings from basic science and clinical studies agree that arterial stiffness is fundamental to both the mechanobiology and the biomechanics that dictate vascular health and disease. There is, therefore, an appropriately growing literature on arterial stiffness. Perusal of the literature reveals, however, that many different methods and metrics are used to quantify arterial stiffness, and reported values often differ by orders of magnitude and have different meanings. Without clear definitions and an understanding of possible inter-relations therein, it is increasingly difficult to integrate results from the literature to glean true understanding. In this paper, we briefly review methods that are used to infer values of arterial stiffness that span studies on isolated cells, excised intact vessels, and clinical assessments. We highlight similarities and differences and identify a single theoretical approach that can be used across scales and applications and thus could help to unify future results. We conclude by emphasizing the need to move toward a synthesis of many disparate reports, for only in this way will we be able to move from our current fragmented understanding to a true appreciation of how vascular cells maintain, remodel, or repair the arteries that are fundamental to cardiovascular properties and function.
Managing health research capacity strengthening consortia: a systematised review of the published literature
Authors: Tagoe Nadia , Molyneux Sassy , Pulford Justin , Murunga Violet I , Kinyanjui Sam 
Published: April 2019

BackgroundLocally relevant research is considered critical for advancing health and development in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Accordingly, health research capacity strengthening (HRCS) efforts have intensified, increasingly through consortia. Yet, the knowledge base for managing such consortia is not well defined. This review aimed to ascertain the scope and quality of published literature on HRCS consortium management processes, management-related factors influencing consortium operations and outcomes, and the knowledge gaps.MethodsGiven the paucity of published HRCS literature, a ‘systematised review’ as outlined by Grant and Booth was conducted, modelling the systematic review process without restriction to research-based publications. A systematic search in PubMed and Scopus was carried out coupled with a manual search for papers using reference checking and citation searching. A quality appraisal of eligible articles using the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool was undertaken. Thematic synthesis was used to analyse the extracted data.ResultsThe search identified 55 papers, made up of 18 empirical papers and 37 commentaries focusing on consortium-based HRCS initiatives involving LMICs and reporting management-related data. The review indicates increasing efforts being made in the HRCS field in reporting consortia outcomes. However, it highlights the dearth of high-quality empirical research on HRCS consortium management and the nascent nature of the field with most papers published after 2010. The available literature highlights the importance of relational management factors such as equity and power relations in influencing consortium success, though these factors were not explored in depth. Operational management processes and their role in the capacity strengthening pathway were rarely examined.ConclusionFindings indicate a weak evidence base for HRCS consortium management both in terms of quantity and conceptual depth, demonstrating the need for an expanded research effort to inform HRCS practice.
Walk, Talk and Listen: a pilot randomised controlled trial targeting functional fitness and loneliness in older adults with hearing loss
Authors: Jones Charlotte A , Siever Jodi , Knuff Kate , Van Bergen Colin , Mick Paul , Little Jonathan , Jones Gareth , Murphy Mary-Ann , Kurtz Donna , Miller Harry 
Published: April 2019

BackgroundAge-related hearing loss (HL) is a prevalent disability associated with loneliness, isolation, declines in cognitive and physical function and premature mortality. Group audiological rehabilitation (GAR) and hearing technologies address communication and cognitive decline. However, the relationship between loneliness, physical function and GAR among older adults with HL has not been studied.ObjectivesExplore the impact of a group exercise and socialisation/health education intervention and GAR on physical function and loneliness among older adults with HL.Trial designA Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA)-based, 10-week, single-blind, pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT).ParticipantsAmbulatory adults aged 65 years or older with self-reported HL.InterventionsSeventy-one participants were screened. Thirty-five were randomised to intervention (strength and resistance exercise, socialisation/health education) and GAR (hearing education, communication strategies, psychosocial support) or control (n=31): GAR only.OutcomesNinety-five per cent of eligible participants were randomised. GAR and exercise adherence rates were 80% and 85%, respectively. 88% of participants completed the study. Intervention group functional fitness improved significantly (gait speed: effect size: 0.57, 30 s Sit to Stand Test: effect size: 0.53). Significant improvements in emotional and social loneliness (effect size: 1.16) and hearing-related quality of life (effect size: 0.76) were related to GAR attendance and poorer baseline hearing-related quality of life. Forty-two per cent of participants increased social contacts outside the study.DiscussionWalk, Talk and Listen was feasible and acceptable. Exercise and socialisation/health education improved loneliness and key fitness measures but provided no additional benefit to GAR only for loneliness. This is the first preliminary evidence about the benefits of exercise on fitness and GAR on loneliness among older adults with HL.ImplicationsThis pilot trial provides key information on the sample size required for a larger, longer term RCT to determine the enduring effects of this holistic intervention addressing the negative psychosocial and musculoskeletal downstream effects of HL among older adults.
Cost-effectiveness of faecal calprotectin used in primary care in the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Zhang Wei , Wong Chiew Hsia , Chavannes Mallory , Mohammadi Tima , Rosenfeld Greg 
Published: April 2019

ObjectiveInflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, autoimmune, gastrointestinal disorder. Canada has one of the highest prevalence and incidence rates of IBD in the world. Diagnosis is challenging due to the similarity of symptoms to functional gastrointestinal disorders. Faecalcalprotectin (FC) is a biomarker for active mucosal inflammation and has proven effective in the diagnosis of IBD. Our study objective was to assess the cost-effectiveness of adding an FC test compared with standard practice (blood test) in primary care among adult patients presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms.DesignWe constructed a decision analytic tree with a 1-year time horizon. The cut-off level of 100 µg/g was used for FC testing. Probabilistic analyses were conducted for the base case and all scenarios.SettingCanadian health sector perspective.PopulationA hypothetical cohort of adult patients presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms in the primary care setting.InterventionsFC test compared with blood test.Main outcome measuresCosts, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of FC test expressed as cost per QALY gained compared with blood test and time to IBD diagnosis.ResultsFC testing is expected to cost more ($C295.1 vs $C273.9) than standard practice but yield little higher QALY (0.751vs0.750). The ICER of FC test was $C20 323 per QALY. Probabilistic analysis demonstrated that at a willingness-to-pay threshold of $C50 000 per QALY, there was 81.3% probability of FC test being cost-effective. The use of FC test in primary care reduced the time to IBD diagnosis by 40.0 days (95% CI 16.3 to 65.3 days), compared with blood testing alone.ConclusionsBased on this analysis of short-term outcomes, screening adult patients in primary care using FC test at a cut-off level of 100 µg/g is expected to be cost-effective in Canada.
Real-world persistence and adherence with oral bisphosphonates for osteoporosis: a systematic review
Authors: Fatoye F , Smith P , Gebrye T , Yeowell G 
Published: April 2019

ObjectivesThis study examined patient adherence and persistence to oral bisphosphonates for the treatment of osteoporosis in real-world settings.MethodsA systematic review was completed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED), Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE), Health Technology Assessment (HTA) and National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database NHS EED) databases were searched for studies published in English language up to April 2018. Prospective and retrospective observational studies that used prescription claim databases or hospital medical records to examine patient adherence and persistence to oral bisphosphonate treatment among adults with osteoporosis were included. The Newcastle–Ottawa quality assessment scale (NOS) was used to assess the quality of included studies.ResultsThe search yielded 540 published studies, of which 89 were deemed relevant and were included in this review. The mean age of patients included within the studies ranged between 53 to 80.8 years, and the follow-up varied from 3 months to 14 years. The mean persistence of oral bisphosphonates for 6 months, 1 year and 2 years ranged from 34.8% to 71.3%, 17.7% to 74.8% and 12.9% to 72.0%, respectively. The mean medication possession ratio ranged from 28.2% to 84.5%, 23% to 50%, 27.2% to 46% over 1 year, 2 years and 3 years, respectively. All studies included scored between 6 to 8 out of 9 on the NOS. The determinants of adherence and persistence to oral bisphosphonates included geographic residence, marital status, tobacco use, educational status, income, hospitalisation, medication type and dosing frequency.ConclusionsWhile a number of studies reported high levels of persistence and adherence, the findings of this review suggest that patient persistence and adherence with oral bisphosphonates medications was poor and reduced notably over time. Overall, adherence was suboptimal. To maximise adherence and persistence to oral bisphosphonates, it is important to consider possible determinants, including characteristics of the patients.
Are changes in physical fitness, body composition and weight associated with exercise attendance and dropout among fitness club members? Longitudinal prospective study
Authors: Gjestvang Christina , Stensrud Trine , Haakstad Lene A H 
Published: April 2019

ObjectivesThe primary aim of the present study was to investigate if changes in physical fitness, body composition and weight are associated with exercise attendance and dropout among fitness club members. Secondary, we wanted to identify motives for fitness club membership and exercise.SettingNew members at 25 fitness clubs in Oslo, Norway.ParticipantsIn total, 125 new fitness club members were recruited. Eligible criteria were <4 weeks of membership, untrained (exercising <60 min once a week) and ≥18 years. At inclusion, and after 3 (n=87) and 12 months (n=64), participants answered a questionnaire (including motives for membership and exercise, and attendance) and performed measurements of maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max), one repetition maximum (bench press and leg press), body composition and weight. In total, 56 participants underwent measurements at all time points. Based on self-reported attendance, participants were divided into three groups: regular attendance (≥2 sessions per week), low attendance (<2 sessions per week) and exercise dropout (no sessions the last month).ResultsAt 3 months, regular attendees had significantly higher VO2maxthan dropout (6.54 mL/min/kg, 95% CI 2.00 to 11.07, p=0.003). At 12 months, a difference in VO2maxof 5.32 mL/min/kg (95% CI −0.08 to 10.72, p=0.054) was found between regular attendees and dropout, and between regular and low exercise attendance (6.17 mL/min/kg, 95% CI 0.19 to 12.15, p=0.042). VO2maxwas the only factor showing an association with attendance. No differences or associations were observed in maximal muscle strength or body composition between the three groups. Primary motive for fitness club membership and exercise was increase in physical fitness (92.8%).ConclusionsVO2maxwas the only factor associated with exercise attendance at two time points. Increased physical fitness was primary motive for fitness club membership and exercise.
Sports-related concussion (SRC) assessment in road cycling: a systematic review and call to action
Authors: Elliott Jonathan , Anderson Richard , Collins Stephen , Heron Neil 
Published: April 2019

BackgroundSports-related concussion (SRC) is a recognised risk in road cycling and can have serious health consequences. Recent high-profile cases of professional road cyclists continuing to participate in races despite suffering obvious SRC have highlighted the difficulties in assessing SRC within road cycling.PurposeTo undertake a systematic review of the literature on SRC assessment in road cycling.Study designSystematic review.MethodsLiterature describing SRC assessment in road cycling was identified by searching MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO and Web of Science. Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts for eligibility and a qualitative analysis was undertaken of included studies.ResultsFrom 94 studies identified, two were included for review. Gordonet aldescribe the presentation of a single case of paediatric concussion following a cycling crash. They highlight the utility of SRC evaluation using the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT) as well as the importance of a stepwise return-to-play protocol. Greve and Modabber discuss a number of traumatic brain injuries that occurred during the 2011 road cycling season and, as a minimum, call for riders to be withdrawn from competition following loss of consciousness or amnesia. Both studies are at high risk of bias and of low quality.ConclusionRoad cycling poses unique challenges for the assessment of SRC. This review illustrates the lack of published evidence to advise effective means of SRC assessment within road cycling. The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) regulations advise the use of SCAT-5 for concussion assessment but this tool is impractical, requiring modification for use in road cycling. We would like to call on the UCI to hold a consensus meeting to establish an evidence-based SRC assessment protocol and return-to-riding protocol for road cycling.