bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interspecific visitation of cattle and badgers to fomites: A transmission risk for bovine tuberculosis?
Authors: Campbell Emma L. , Byrne Andrew W. , Menzies Fraser D. , McBride Kathryn R. , McCormick Carl M. , Scantlebury Michael , Reid Neil 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIn Great Britain and Ireland, badgers (Meles meles) are a wildlife reservoir of Mycobacterium bovis and implicated in bovine tuberculosis transmission to domestic cattle. The route of disease transmission is unknown with direct, so‐called “nose‐to‐nose,” contact between hosts being extremely rare. Camera traps were deployed for 64,464 hr on 34 farms to quantify cattle and badger visitation rates in space and time at six farm locations. Badger presence never coincided with cattle presence at the same time, with badger and cattle detection at the same location but at different times being negatively correlated. Badgers were never recorded within farmyards during the present study. Badgers utilized cattle water troughs in fields, but detections were infrequent (equivalent to one badger observed drinking every 87 days). Cattle presence at badger‐associated locations, for example, setts and latrines, were three times more frequent than badger presence at cattle‐associated locations, for example, water troughs. Preventing cattle access to badger setts and latrines and restricting badger access to cattle water troughs may potentially reduce interspecific bTB transmission through reduced indirect contact.
A system for rapid eDNA detection of aquatic invasive species
Authors: Thomas Austen C. , Tank Samantha , Nguyen Phong L. , Ponce Jake , Sinnesael Mieke , Goldberg Caren S. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractEnvironmental DNA (eDNA) detection of aquatic invasive species using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is a powerful tool for resource managers, but qPCR has traditionally been confined to laboratory analysis. Laboratory results often take days or weeks to be produced, limiting options for rapid management response. To circumvent laboratory delay, we combined a purpose‐built eDNA filtration system (Smith‐Root eDNA‐Sampler) with a field DNA extraction and qPCR analysis platform (Biomeme) to form a complete field eDNA sampling and detection process. A controlled laboratory study involving serial dilutions of New Zealand mudsnail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum; Gray, 1843) eDNA was conducted to compare the detection capabilities of the field system with traditional bench qPCR. Additionally, field validation studies were conducted to determine whether field eDNA analysis can be used to map mudsnail eDNA distribution and quantify temporal fluctuations. In the laboratory experiment, both qPCR platforms (Biomeme, bench qPCR) lost the ability to reliably detect mudsnail eDNA at the same dilution level, with starting quantity values as low as 21 DNA copies/reaction. A strong linear relationship was observed between the average quantification cycle values of the two platforms (slope = 1.101, intercept = −1.816, R2 = 0.997, p < 0.001). Of the 80 field samples collected, 44 (55%) tested positive for mudsnail eDNA with Biomeme, and results identified both spatial and temporal fluctuations in mudsnail eDNA/L. However, the average qPCR inhibition rate with Biomeme was 28% for field samples, and up to 39% in the temporal dataset. With additional optimization to reduce inhibition, the eDNA‐Sampler/Biomeme system has potential to be a rapid and highly effective detection/quantification tool for aquatic invasive species.
The pilot results of 47 148 cases of BJ‐DRGs‐based payment in China
Authors: Zeng Jun‐Qun 
Published: July 2019

SummaryPurposeDiagnosis‐related groups (DRGs)‐based payment is an important tool for containment of inpatient expenditure rise in many countries. As a major developing country, China has introduced DRGs in the health reform. Beijing, the capital of China, developed a local DRGs version (BJ‐DRGs) whose performance needs to be evaluated before universal utilization. The objective of this study was to survey the effect of BJ‐DRGs‐based payment on a pilot hospital.MethodsWe surveyed the profit and loss situation of 47 148 cases of hospital discharged patients in 107 groups of pilot BJ‐DRGs‐based payment from December 2011 to July 2018 in certain top tertiary hospital in Beijing.ResultsIn pilot 107 groups of DRGs, there were 77 groups (71.96%) in profit and 30 groups (28.04%) in loss; average length of inpatient stay was 7.47 days, average inpatient expenditure ¥17 821.19, average DRGs standard unit price ¥15 896.83, average self‐pay expenditure ¥1 117.04, and average profit ¥1 849.65; logistic regression showed that whether the pilot hospital of BJ‐DRGs‐based payment was in profit or loss was correlated negatively with inpatient expenditure, length of inpatient stay, drug expenditure, expenditure of medical consumables, and pilot years, and positively with DRGs standard unit price, self‐pay expenditure, and age and gender (P < .0001).ConclusionBJ‐DRGs‐based payment is the first implemented DRGs‐based prospective payment system in China. The current DRGs pilot model made the pilot hospital appear profitable as a whole and its length of inpatient stay decline.
Nanomedicines towards targeting intracellular Mtb for the treatment of tuberculosis
Authors: Donnellan Samantha , Giardiello Marco 
Published: July 2019

AbstractTuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), causes the most human deaths than any other diseases from a single infectious agent. Treatments are long and costly and have many associated side effects. Intracellular bacilli are slow growing and difficult to target, which is augmenting the emergence of multi‐drug resistance. A hallmark trait of TB is the formation of granulomas, chronic cellular aggregates, which limit bacterial growth but provides a survival reservoir where bacilli may disseminate from. Targeting intracellular Mtb is challenging, but nanomedicine may offer a solution. Nanomedicine is a significantly growing research area and offers the potential for specific disease targeting, dosage reduction, and intracellular drug delivery. This review discusses the application of the various forms of nanomedicine towards targeting of Mtb.
Distribution of rotavirus genotypes in the postvaccine introduction era in Ashaiman, Greater Accra Region, Ghana, 2014‐2016
Authors: Letsa Victor , Damanka Susan , Dennis Francis , Lartey Belinda , Armah George E. , Betrapally Naga , Gautam Rashi , Esona Mathew D. , Bowen Michael D. , Quaye Osbourne 
Published: July 2019

AbstractGroup A Rotaviruses (RVAs) are the most important etiological agents of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in children less than 5 years of age. Mortality resulting from RVA gastroenteritis is higher in developing countries than in developed ones, causing a huge public health burden in global regions like Africa and South‐East Asia. This study reports RVA genotypes detected in Ashaiman, Greater Accra Region, Ghana, in the postvaccine introduction era for the period 2014‐2016. Stool samples were collected from children less than 5 years of age who visited Ashaiman Polyclinic with AGE from November 2014 to May 2015 and from December 2015 to June 2016. The samples were tested by enzyme immunoassay (EIA), and one‐step multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was performed on the EIA positive samples for gel‐based binomial genotyping. Of the 369 stool samples collected from children with AGE, 145 (39%) tested positive by EIA. Five VP7 (G1, G3, G9, G10, and G12) and three VP4 (P[4], P[6] and P[8]) genotypes were detected. Eight G/P combinations were identified of which, G3P[6], G12P[8], G1P[8], and G9P[4] were the most prevalent and responsible for 93 (68%) of the AGE cases, and seven mixed‐types were detected which represented 8% of the RVA cases. High prevalence, diversity, and mixed‐types of RVAs were detected from Ashaiman with the emergence of unusual genotypes.
Relationships of varicella zoster virus (VZV)‐specific cell‐mediated immunity and persistence of VZV DNA in saliva and the development of postherpetic neuralgia in patients with herpes zoster
Authors: Park Seong Yeon , Kim Ji Yeun , Kwon Ji‐Soo , Jeon Na Young , Kim Min‐Chul , Chong Yong Pil , Lee Sang‐Oh , Choi Sang‐Ho , Kim Yang Soo , Woo Jun Hee , Kim Sung‐Han 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThere are no surrogate markers for the development of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) in patients with herpes zoster (HZ). All patients with HZ were prospectively enrolled to evaluate the associations of saliva varicella zoster virus (VZV) DNA persistence and VZV‐specific cell‐mediated immunity (CMI) with the development of PHN. Slow clearers were defined if salivary VZV DNA persisted after day 15. Salivary VZV was detected in 60 (85.7%) of a total of 70 patients with HZ on initial presentation. Of 38 patients for whom follow‐up saliva samples were available, 26 (68.4%) were classified as rapid clearers and 12 (31.6%) as slow cleares. Initial VZV‐specific CMI was lower in slow clearers than rapid clearers (median 45 vs 158 spot forming cells/10
6 cells,
P = .02). Of the 70 patients with HZ, 22 (31.4%) eventually developed PHN. Multivariate analysis showed that slow clearers (OR, 15.7,
P = .01) and lower initial VZV‐specific CMI (OR, 13.8,
P = .04) were independent predictors of the development of PHN, after adjustment for age and immunocompromised status. Initial low VZV CMI response and persistence of VZV DNA in saliva may be associated with the development of PHN.
Tendon Biomechanics and Crimp Properties Following Fatigue Loading Are Influenced by Tendon Type and Age in Mice
Authors: Zuskov Andrey , Freedman Benjamin R. , Gordon Joshua A. , Sarver Joseph J. , Buckley Mark R. , Soslowsky Louis J. 
Published: July 2019

ABSTRACTIn tendon, type‐I collagen assembles together into fibrils, fibers, and fascicles that exhibit a wavy or crimped pattern that uncrimps with applied tensile loading. This structural property has been observed across multiple tendons throughout aging and may play an important role in tendon viscoelasticity, response to fatigue loading, healing, and development. Previous work has shown that crimp is permanently altered with the application of fatigue loading. This opens the possibility of evaluating tendon crimp as a clinical surrogate of tissue damage. The purpose of this study was to determine how fatigue loading in tendon affects crimp and mechanical properties throughout aging and between tendon types. Mouse patellar tendons (PT) and flexor digitorum longus (FDL) tendons were fatigue loaded while an integrated plane polariscope simultaneously assessed crimp properties at P150 and P570 days of age to model mature and aged tendon phenotypes (N = 10–11/group). Tendon type, fatigue loading, and aging were found to differentially affect tendon mechanical and crimp properties. FDL tendons had higher modulus and hysteresis, whereas the PT showed more laxity and toe region strain throughout aging. Crimp frequency was consistently higher in FDL compared with PT throughout fatigue loading, whereas the crimp amplitude was cycle dependent. This differential response based on tendon type and age further suggests that the FDL and the PT respond differently to fatigue loading and that this response is age‐dependent. Together, our findings suggest that the mechanical and structural effects of fatigue loading are specific to tendon type and age in mice. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 38:36–42, 2020
Screening of populations at high risk for breast cancer
Authors: Lee Tiffany C. , Reyna Chantal , Shaughnessy Elizabeth , Lewis Jaime D. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe approach to screening patients at high risk for breast cancer has thus far been challenging to standardize, given limited high‐level evidence in this population. The approach has evolved given the development of more effective screening modalities, including digital breast mammography, magnetic resonance imaging, and other emerging technologies. This review will discuss identification of high‐risk patients, approaches to genetic counseling and testing, and evidence behind screening modalities and algorithms in this special population.
Improvement of Surgical Scars by Early Intervention With Carbon Dioxide Fractional Laser
Authors: Zhang Yunsong , Liu Yanhua , Cai Bing , Luo Chengen , Li Dongni , Wang Suijiang , Sun Zhongsheng , Luo Sheng‐Kang 
Published: July 2019

Background and ObjectivesLaser therapy during the early stage of wound healing can reduce surgical scar formation. Previous clinical trials showed that ablative fractional laser (AFL) therapy might have achieved the best outcomes; however, there was no consensus on the laser therapy protocol. The current study investigated the efficacy of early intervention with carbon dioxide FL (CO2 FL) in reducing the surgical scars in patients of all age groups to understand the effects of specific intervention timing, light dose, number of treatments, treatment interval on the therapeutic outcome, and side effects.Study Design/Materials and MethodsWithin 1 week after suture removal, 18 patients received low‐energy CO2 FL therapy on their incisional wounds from facial or neck surgery. The treatments were performed once every 3 months for 1–3 sessions. After the surgical treatment, we applied a topical gel that contained recombinant human epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the incisional wounds to facilitate wound healing. The outcomes were evaluated by the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) and a satisfaction survey (the quartile grading scale) before and 3 months after completing the therapy was conducted. During the same period, 15 patients who had not received any treatment for about one year after face and neck surgery were randomly selected as the untreated control group.ResultsIn the treatment group, 18 patients had no obvious scar marks after the laser therapy. The satisfaction survey showed excellent outcomes in 16 (88.9%) patients and good outcomes in two (11.1%). After treatment, the average VSS scale and satisfaction score of the treatment group were 1.11 and 3.89, respectively; while the average VSS scale of the control group was 3.07 and the satisfaction score was 1.93. There were significant differences in VSS scale and satisfaction score between the treatment group and the control group (P < 0.01). No adverse effects were observed.ConclusionsEarly intervention with CO2 FL on surgical wounds achieved satisfactory outcomes in improving the surgical scars. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hybrid Electroactive Shape Memory Polymer Composites with Room Temperature Deformability
Authors: Sun Yu‐Chen , Chu Marco , Huang Morris , Hegazi Omer , Naguib Hani E. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractPolymeric blend shape memory polymers (SMPs) can be constructed from two immiscible polymeric matrices. The shape recovery behavior of these composite systems can be easily controlled by varying the ratio of the polymer blends. It has been recently discovered that the functionality of SMPs can be further enhanced with electroactive ability through the use of conductive fillers. However, the fillers may negatively interact with the SMPs and cause a reduction in the elongation at failure thereby diminishing the shape recovery performance. It is proposed that a plasticizer can be utilized to alter the microstructure of the SMPs with conductive fillers. In this study, a new hybrid SMP is developed by combining single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) into a poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) SMP system containing poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) plasticizer. The incorporation of PEG is able to lower the activation temperature, while enhancing dispersion of SWCNT. The presence of SWCNT can stabilize the SMP system and significantly enhance the shape‐fixing capability after deformation at room temperature conditions. By carefully controlling the formulation, an electroactive SMP can be created by optimizing the amount of SWCNT and PEG plasticizer.
The impact of frailty on treatment for overactive bladder in older adults
Authors: Suskind Anne M. , Kowalik Casey , Quanstrom Kathryn , Boscardin John , Zhao Shoujun , Reynolds W. Stuart , Mishra Kavita , Finlayson Emily 
Published: July 2019

Aims: To examine the impact of frailty on treatment outcomes for overactive bladder (OAB) in older adults starting pharmacotherapy, onabotulinumtoxinA, and sacral neuromodulation.Methods: This is a prospective study of men and women age ≥60 years starting pharmacotherapy, onabotulinumtoxinA, or sacral neuromodulation. Subjects were administered questionnaires at baseline and again at 1‐ and 3‐months. Frailty was assessed at baseline using the timed up and go test (TUGT), whereby a TUGT time of ≥12 seconds was considered to be slow, or frail. Response to treatment was assessed using the overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS) and the OAB‐q SF (both Bother and HRQOL subscales). Information on side effects/adverse events was also collected. Mixed effects linear modeling was used to model changes in outcomes over time both within and between groups.Results: A total of 45 subjects enrolled in the study, 40% (N = 18) of whom had a TUGT ≥12 seconds. Both TUGT groups demonstrated improvement in OAB symptoms over time and there were no statistically significant differences in these responses per group (all P‐values >.05). Similar trends were found for both OAB‐q SF Bother and OAB‐q SF HRQOL questionnaire responses. Side effects and adverse events were not significantly different between groups (all P's >.05).Conclusions: Adults ≥60 years of age starting second‐ and third‐line treatments for OAB, regardless of TUGT time, demonstrated improvement in OAB symptoms at 3 months. These findings suggest that frail older adults may receive comparable benefit and similar rates of side effects compared with less frail older individuals.
Scientific evidence for pelvic floor devices presented at conferences: An overview
Authors: te Brummelstroete Gerhard H. , Loohuis Anne M. , Wessels Nienke J. , Westers Henriëtte C. , van Summeren Jojanneke J.G.T. , Blanker Marco H. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractAimsAn increasing number of diagnostic and therapeutic medical devices are available to help patients and physicians manage pelvic floor symptoms in women. Many of these are presented at scientific conferences, and in the absence of a gold standard for evaluation, marketing has become more prominent than scientific evaluation. The goal of this study was to (a) provide an overview of pelvic floor devices for women that have been presented at recent annual meetings of leading scientific societies and (b) to summarize and review the scientific evidence underpinning these devices.MethodsManual searches were performed of all abstracts presented in 2016 and 2017 at annual meetings of the International Continence Society, the International Urogynecological Association, the European Association of Urology, and the American Urological Association. The exhibition floor of the 2017 International Continence Society was also searched. Subsequently, literature searches of both the MEDLINE and Embase databases were performed in November 2018 to identify original full‐text publications related to the identified devices.ResultsWe identified 11 devices from these sources, which were mainly used for the control of urinary incontinence. Only seven of these pelvic floor devices were covered by publications, with no full‐text records identified for the remaining four devices.ConclusionsSample sizes were small and there was a lack of convincing evidence for most devices. Despite this, many devices were available in the market. Our findings indicate that the process for introducing these new devices is in stark contrast with the strict requirements for introducing new drug classes.
Dietary intake and micronutrient deficiency in children with cancer
Authors: Morrell Miriam B. G. , Baker Rebecca , Johnson Abigail , Santizo Ruth , Liu Diane , Moody Karen 
Published: July 2019

AbstractData regarding micronutrient deficiencies in children with cancer are lacking. We measured micronutrients in a subset of children with cancer (n = 23) participating in a randomized trial of the neutropenic diet. Ninety‐six percent of children had ≥1 micronutrient deficiency and 39% had ≥3 micronutrient deficiencies. Eighty‐six percent of children had vitamin C deficiency, 87% had 25‐hydroxyvitamin D deficiency, 50% had zinc deficiency, and 13% had vitamin A deficiency. Dietary intake did not correlate with micronutrient deficiency status. More data are needed regarding the prevalence and etiology of micronutrient deficiencies in children with cancer to further understand their implications and treatment.
Containment control of stochastic multiagent systems with semi‐Markovian switching topologies
Authors: Li Ke , Mu Xiaowu 
Published: July 2019

SummaryThe containment control of stochastic multiagent systems with semi‐Markov switching topologies is investigated in this paper. The general case that the distribution function of the sojourn time is dependent on both the current system mode and the target mode is considered. Taking state multiplicative noise into account and using stochastic techniques, sufficient conditions to achieve the containment control in the asymptotic mean square sense are obtained in a form of linear matrix inequalities and the controller design condition is given. Finally, a simulation is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the obtained theoretical results.
Application of Tonsil-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Tissue Regeneration: Concise Review
Authors: Oh Se-Young , Choi Young Min , Kim Ha Yeong , Park Yoon Shin , Jung Sung-Chul , Park Joo-Won , Woo So-Youn , Ryu Kyung-Ha , Kim Han Su , Jo Inho 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Since the discovery of stem cells and multipotency characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), there has been tremendous development in regenerative medicine. MSCs derived from bone marrow have been widely used in various research applications, yet there are limitations such as invasiveness of obtaining samples, low yield and proliferation rate, and questions regarding their practicality in clinical applications. Some have suggested that MSCs from other sources, specifically those derived from palatine tonsil tissues, that is, tonsil-derived MSCs (TMSCs), could be considered as a new potential therapeutic tool in regenerative medicine due to their superior proliferation rate and differentiation capabilities with low immunogenicity and ease of obtaining. Several studies have determined that TMSCs have differentiation potential not only into the mesodermal lineage but also into the endodermal as well as ectodermal lineages, expanding their potential usage and placing them as an appealing option to consider for future studies in regenerative medicine. In this review, the differentiation capacities of TMSCs and their therapeutic competencies from past studies are addressed. Stem Cells 2019;37:1252–1260