bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Five‐year trends in perioperative red blood cell transfusion from index cases in five surgical specialties: 2011 to 2015
Authors: Mazzeffi Michael A. , See John M. , Williams Brittney , Richards Justin , Zimmerman Darin , Galvagno Samuel , Fontaine Magali , Tanaka Kenichi 
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUNDRed blood cell (RBC) transfusion can be life‐saving; however, the risks of RBC transfusion have been increasingly recognized, and current guidelines recommend restrictive transfusion in most patients. We hypothesized that RBC transfusions are decreasing in surgical patients.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSA retrospective review of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was performed from 2011 to 2015. Index cases in five surgical specialties were studied: neurosurgery, thoracic surgery, gynecologic surgery, orthopedic surgery, and vascular surgery. Patient characteristics, preoperative laboratory values, and surgery details were compared between years. The study's primary outcome was perioperative RBC transfusion, which was compared over the 5‐year period for each specialty. Secondary outcomes were myocardial infarction and renal failure after surgery. In addition, trends in RBC transfusion between low‐risk and high‐risk patients and between emergency and elective surgery were examined.RESULTSRBC transfusion decreased in all surgical specialties except for thoracic and gynecologic surgery. RBC transfusion decreased substantially in orthopedic surgery, falling from 22.4% in 2011 to 6.3% in 2015 (p ≤ 0.0001). High‐risk patients had greater reductions in the receipt of RBC transfusion than low‐risk patients, and there were no increases in myocardial infarction or renal failure after surgery in any specialty.CONCLUSIONRBC transfusion appears to be decreasing across multiple surgical specialties, with no apparent increase in myocardial infarctions or renal failure. This likely represents an important improvement in patient care. Continued efforts are needed to develop patient blood management programs and further reduce RBC transfusion.
How do we manufacture clinical‐grade interleukin‐15–stimulated natural killer cell products for cancer treatment?
Authors: Fernández Lucía , Leivas Alejandra , Valentín Jaime , Escudero Adela , Corral Dolores , de Paz Raquel , Vela Maria , Bueno David , Rodríguez Rebeca , Torres Juan Manuel , Díaz‐Almirón Mariana , López‐Collazo Eduardo , Martinez‐Lopez Joaquin , Pérez‐Martínez Antonio 
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUNDCancer immunotherapy involving natural killer (NK) cells has gained interest. Here we report two methods to obtain interleukin (IL)‐15–activated NK cells for clinical use.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSIL‐15–activated NK cell products were obtained after 1) enrichment from healthy haploidentical donors' peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) collected by nonmobilized apheresis by a two‐step magnetic procedure, depletion of CD3+ cells followed by selection of CD56+ cells and ex vivo overnight stimulation with IL‐15 (NKIL15); and 2) expansion using the K562‐mb15‐41BBL cell line (NKAE), from autologous PBMNCs from patients with multiple myeloma or expansion from healthy haploidentical PBMNCs obtained from whole blood using the same previous cell line. We analyzed the NK cell recovery and expansion, T cell depletion, phenotype, cytotoxicity, safety, and genomic stability of two good manufacturing practices (GMP)–grade IL‐15–activated NK cell products.RESULTSThe number of NK cells obtained from NKIL15 cell and NKAE cell products was similar; however, there were significantly fewer T cells in the NKIL15 cell product. The haploidentical NKAE cell product contained more T cells than the autologous NKAE cell product. The surface expression of the activating receptors CD69, CD25, natural killer group‐2 member D receptor, NKp44, NKp46, NKp30, and DNA accessory molecule 1 was up regulated in both NK cell products. NKIL15 cell and NKAE cell products had significantly higher lytic activity than unstimulated NK cells and showed no lytic activity against PBMNCs from healthy donors. No genetic alterations or potential oncogenic effects were found.CONCLUSIONDifferent GMP‐grade procedures can be used to obtain large numbers of highly IL‐15–activated NK cells with extremely low T cell content for clinical use.
Long‐term social, economic and fiscal effects of immigration into the EU: The role of the integration policy
Authors: Kancs d'Artis , Lecca Patrizio 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe issues of the forced migration on the one side and the integration of refugees in the EU society and labour markets on the other side are high on the policy agenda. Apart from humanitarian aspects, a sustainable integration of accepted asylum seekers is important also for social, economic, budgetary and other reasons. Although the potential socioeconomic consequences of accepted asylum seekers often are being discussed, little scientific evidence has supported the policy debate in the context of the current refugee crisis in the EU so far. This study attempts to shed light on the long‐run social, economic and budgetary effects of the rapidly increasing forced immigration into the EU by performing a holistic analysis of alternative refugee integration scenarios. Our simulation results suggest that, although the refugee integration, for example, by the providing language and professional training, is costly for the public budget, in the medium to long‐run, the social, economic and fiscal benefits may significantly outweigh the short‐run refugee integration costs. Depending on the integration policy scenario and policy financing method, the annual long‐run GDP effect would be 0.2%–1.6% above the baseline growth.
Treatment of spontaneous chronic corneal epithelial defects (SCCEDs) with diamond burr debridement vs combination diamond burr debridement and superficial grid keratotomy
Authors: Wu Doris , Smith Sara M. , M. Stine Jessica , M. Michau Tammy , Miller Thomas R. , Pederson Samantha L. , Freeman Kate S. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of diamond burr debridement (DBD) vs a combination of diamond burr debridement with superficial grid keratotomy (DBD+SGK) for the treatment of spontaneous chronic corneal epithelial defects (SCCEDs) in dogs.ProcedureMedical records of dogs diagnosed with SCCEDs from three different institutions that received a DBD or DBD+SGK between 2003 and 2015 were reviewed. Age, breed, sex, history of a previous SCCED, procedures performed, time to healing, and complications were statistically analyzed.ResultsOne hundred and ninety‐four dogs met the inclusion criteria. Eighty‐two of 106 eyes (77.4%) received a DBD and healed following the first treatment (13.3 ± 4.9 days to recheck, range 2‐27). Sixty‐eight of 88 eyes (77.3%) received a DBD+SGK and healed following the first treatment (15.4 ± 5.0 days to recheck, range 5‐45). No significant difference in healing outcome was found between the two treatments (P = 1). For SCCEDs that healed after a single treatment (n = 150), complications occurred in 13.3% (n = 20) of eyes with no difference in complications between the DBD and DBD+SGK groups (P = .86). Thirty‐five of 44 eyes (80.0%) healed after the second treatment (16 ± 8.2 days from second treatment to third visit, range 5‐47); nine of 44 eyes (20.0%) were not healed (12 ± 6.2 days from second treatment to third visit, range 5‐25). The second treatment method did not influence healing rates (P = .64).ConclusionsDBD and DBD+SGK are equally effective treatment methods for canine SCCEDs. No differences in complication rates after one treatment were observed between DBD and DBD+SGK.
Utility of two‐view vs. three‐view abdominal radiography in canines presenting with acute abdominal signs
Authors: Mavromatis Marina V. , Solano Mauricio , Thelen Michael Y. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThere are clear differences in the normal radiographic appearance of the abdominal organs between a left lateral vs. a right lateral view. While a few veterinary academic institutions have transitioned to a three‐view abdominal radiographic study protocol, obtaining only two views of the canine abdomen remains the current standard in veterinary medicine. In this combined retrospective and prospective, case‐controlled study, 48 canine patients presenting with signs of acute abdomen were recruited. Four board‐certified veterinary radiologists and four general practice veterinarians with greater than 3 years of experience in small animal practice were asked to determine if 10 predetermined findings were present within the set of images and if surgery was recommended based on those findings. Image readers were unaware of the clinical history. Three‐view studies did not yield statistically significantly greater accuracy than two‐view studies when evaluating all readers together. No statistically significant associations between the availability of the third view and increased accuracy or confidence were found in evaluations of general practitioners specifically. Evaluation of three‐view radiographic examination, as compared to two‐view examination, did not have perceived or statistically significantly increased diagnostic utility. Based on our findings, there is no statistically increased utility to justify a standard three‐view abdominal radiographic examination over a two‐view study for canines presenting with signs of acute abdomen.
Can camels disperse seeds of the invasive tree Prosopis juliflora?
Authors: Abbas A M , Mancilla‐Leytón J M , Castillo J M 
Published: March 2018

SummaryEndozoochory has been recognised as the most important dispersal mechanism in invasive Prosopis species, because their sugary, tasty pods attract animals and because some of their seeds remain intact after passing through some animals' digestive systems. In this study, we evaluated the role of the camel (Camelus dromedarius) as a potential disperser of the seeds of invasive tree Prosopis juliflora. Four camels of similar weight (ca. 400 kg) and age (ca. 2 years) were each fed with 70 fruits (1000 seeds approximately) of P. juliflora, which were retrieved from the camels' dung at 24‐h intervals for 4 days. The seeds retrieved were tested for germination and viability, along with seeds not eaten by the camels, with and without pericarp. Less than 3% of the seeds eaten were retrieved from the camels' dung. Most of the seeds (74%) were retrieved between 24 and 72 h after ingestion. The passage through the camel gut significantly accelerated and increased seed germination of P. juliflora in comparison with uneaten seeds covered with pericarp (48–75% and 15% respectively). While gut passage liberated P. juliflora seeds from the pericarp, increasing and accelerating their germination, the viability of seeds which had not germinated after germination trials were decreased (ca. ~20%) relative to uneaten seeds that had also not germinated. Our results show that, despite the low recorded seed recovery, camels can potentially disperse seeds of P. juliflora, which is in line with field observation showing P. juliflora expansion along the camels' routes in Gebel Elba National Park, south‐east Egypt.
Floristic composition and species diversity of weed community after 10 years of different cropping systems and soil tillage in a Mediterranean environment
Authors: Campiglia E , Radicetti E , Mancinelli R 
Published: March 2018

SummarySustainable cropping systems based on low inputs have received much attention, even if they may lead to the establishment of a competitive weed flora. This study, conducted from 2011 to 2014 in a Mediterranean environment, evaluated the changes in weed community composition in two cropping systems [conventional (CONV) and organic (ORG)] with different soil tillage [inversion tillage (IT) and non‐inversion tillage (NoIT)] in a wheat–tomato–chickpea rotation that began in 2000. The treatments were replicated three times according to a randomised complete block design. The organic system was managed according to EU regulations. Inversion tillage consisted of mouldboard ploughing to a depth of 30 cm, while NoIT consisted of subsoiling to a depth of 20 cm. Weed control was based on herbicide application in CONV and mechanical weeding in ORG. The organic non‐inversion system showed the highest weed biomass (134, 128 and 195 g dry matter (DM) m−2 in wheat, tomato and chickpea, respectively) and weed density (66, 77 and 76 plants m−2 in wheat, tomato and chickpea, respectively), as well as community richness. However, ORG always increased weed diversity, even if annual dicotyledon species were abundant in ORG‐IT and perennial dicotyledon species in ORG‐NoIT. The conventional system enhanced the relative frequency of both annual (CONV‐IT) and perennial (CONV‐NoIT) grasses. There was a negative correlation between density of perennial weeds and crop yield (r2 = 0.24, P < 0.001). Therefore, in the Mediterranean environment, combining organic practices with non‐inversion tillage could lead to the establishment of perennial weeds that are difficult to control, thus requiring specific weed management practices.
Peak Age and Performance Progression in World-Class Track-and-Field Athletes
Authors: Haugen Thomas A. , Solberg Paul A. , Foster Carl , Morán-Navarro Ricardo , Breitschädel Felix , Hopkins Will G. 
Published: March 2018

The aim of this study was to quantify peak age and improvements over the preceding years to peak age in elite athletic contestants according to athlete performance level, sex, and discipline. Individual season bests for world-ranked top 100 athletes from 2002 to 2016 (14,937 athletes and 57,049 individual results) were downloaded from the International Association of Athletics Federations’ website. Individual performance trends were generated by fitting a quadratic curve separately to each athlete’s performance and age data using a linear modeling procedure. Mean peak age was typically 25–27 y, but somewhat higher for marathon and male throwers (∼28–29 y). Women reached greater peak age than men in the hurdles and middle- and long-distance running events (mean difference, ±90% CL: 0.6, ±0.3 to 1.9, ±0.3 y: small to moderate). Male throwers had greater peak age than corresponding women (1.3, ±0.3 y: small). Throwers displayed the greatest performance improvements over the 5 y prior to peak age (mean [SD]: 7.0% [2.9%]), clearly ahead of jumpers, long-distance runners, hurdlers, middle-distance runners, and sprinters (3.4, ±0.2% to 5.2, ±0.2%; moderate to large). Similarly, top 10 athletes showed greater improvements than top 11–100 athletes in all events (1.0, ±0.9% to 1.8, ±1.1%; small) except throws. Women improved more than men in all events (0.4, ±0.2% to 2.9, ±0.4%) except sprints. This study provides novel insight on performance development in athletic contestants that are useful for practitioners when setting goals and evaluating strategies for achieving success.
The Association Between Perceived Athletic Competence and Physical Activity: Implications for Low-Income Schoolchildren
Authors: Amin Sarah A. , Duquesnay Paula J. , Wright Catherine M. , Chui Kenneth , Economos Christina D. , Sacheck Jennifer M. 
Published: March 2018

Purpose: Socioeconomic status (SES) may impact children’s physical activity (PA) behaviors and confidence to participate in PA. We examined how SES modifies the relationship between children’s perceived athletic competence (PAC) and moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA). Methods: Children (N = 1157; 45% male; grades 3–4) were recruited for the Fueling Learning through Exercise study. Free/reduced price lunch eligibility was used as an indicator of SES. Seven-day accelerometry (ActiGraph GT3X+) was used to measure daily MVPA, out-of-school MVPA (O-MVPA), and school-time MVPA. PAC was assessed using the Harter’s Self-Perception Profile for Children (6 items, scored 1–4; median split: high and low PAC). Results: MVPA and PAC differed between low-SES [n = 556; 41.6 (17.1) min/d; high PAC = 45%] and middle-SES children [n = 412; 49.6 (22.7) min/d; high PAC = 62%]. There was an interaction between SES and PAC for MVPA (P < .001) and O-MVPA (P < .001), but not for school-time MVPA (P > .05). Middle-SES children with high PAC were more likely to engage in MVPA (β = 6.6 min/d; 95% confidence interval, 3.9 to 9.3; P < .001) and O-MVPA (β = 4.8 min/d; 95% confidence interval, 2.8 to 6.8; P < .001), associations that did not exist for low-SES children (P > .05). Conclusions: PAC was positively associated with daily MVPA and O-MVPA, but not among low-SES children. Research is needed to elucidate the factors that shape the relationship between PAC and MVPA.
Age-Predicted Maximal Heart Rate Equations Are Inaccurate for Use in Youth Male Soccer Players
Authors: Cicone Zackary S. , Sinelnikov Oleg A. , Esco Michael R. 
Published: March 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the differences between measured (MHRobt) and predicted (MHRpred) maximal heart rate (MHR) in youth athletes. Methods: In total, 30 male soccer players [14.6 (0.6) y] volunteered to participate in this study. MHRobt was determined via maximal-effort graded exercise test. Age-predicted MHR (MHRpred) was calculated for each participant using equations by Fox, Tanaka, Shargal, and Nikolaidis. Mean differences were compared using Friedman’s 2-way analysis of variance and post hoc pairwise comparisons. Agreement between MHRobt and MHRpred values was calculated using the Bland–Altman method. Results: There were no significant differences between MHRobt and MHRpred from the Fox (P = .777) and Nikolaidis (P = .037) equations. The Tanaka and Shargal equations significantly underestimated MHRobt (P < .001). All 4 equations produced 95% limits of agreement of ±15.0 beats per minute around the constant error. Conclusions: The results show that the Fox and Nikolaidis equations produced the smallest mean difference in predicting MHRobt. However, the wide limits of agreement suggests that none of the equations adequately account for individual variability in MHRobt. Practitioners should avoid applying these equations in youth athletes and utilize a lab or field testing protocol to obtain MHR.
Genetic Relationships among Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Strains from Humans and Animals
Authors: Hong Yu-Ping , Wang You-Wun , Huang I-Hsiu , Liao Yu-Chieh , Kuo Hung-Chih , Liu Yen-Yi , Tu Yueh-Hua , Chen Bo-Han , Liao Ying-Shu , Chiou Chien-Shun 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT

We identified 20 to 22 resistance genes, carried in four incompatibility groups of plasmids, in each of five genetically closely related
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium strains recovered from humans, pigs, and chickens. The genes conferred resistance to aminoglycosides, chloramphenicol, sulfonamides, trimethoprim, tetracycline, fluoroquinolones, extended-spectrum cephalosporins and cefoxitin, and azithromycin. This study demonstrates the transmission of multidrug-resistant
Salmonella
strains among humans and food animals and may be the first identification of
mphA
in azithromycin-resistant
Salmonella
strains in Taiwan.
Design of a Broad-Range Bacteriophage Cocktail That Reduces Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms and Treats Acute Infections in Two Animal Models
Authors: Forti Francesca , Roach Dwayne R. , Cafora Marco , Pasini Maria E. , Horner David S. , Fiscarelli Ersilia V. , Rossitto Martina , Cariani Lisa , Briani Federica , Debarbieux Laurent , Ghisotti Daniela 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACTThe alarming diffusion of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial strains requires investigations on nonantibiotic therapies. Among such therapies, the use of bacteriophages (phages) as antimicrobial agents, namely, phage therapy, is a promising treatment strategy supported by the findings of recent successful compassionate treatments in Europe and the United States. In this work, we combined host range and genomic information to design a 6-phage cocktail killing several clinical strains ofPseudomonas aeruginosa, including those collected from Italian cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, and analyzed the cocktail performance. We demonstrated that the cocktail composed of four novel phages (PYO2, DEV, E215 and E217) and two previously characterized phages (PAK_P1 and PAK_P4) was able to lyseP. aeruginosaboth in planktonic liquid cultures and in biofilms. In addition, we showed that the phage cocktail could cure acute respiratory infection in mice and treat bacteremia in wax moth (Galleria mellonella) larvae. Furthermore, administration of the cocktail to larvae prior to bacterial infection provided prophylaxis. In this regard, the efficiency of the phage cocktail was found to be unaffected by the MDR or mucoid phenotype of the pseudomonal strain. The cocktail was found to be superior to the individual phages in destroying biofilms and providing a faster treatment in mice. We also found theGallerialarva model to be cost-effective for testing the susceptibility of clinical strains to phages, suggesting that it could be implemented in the frame of developing personalized phage therapies.
Positive Regulation of Hepatitis E Virus Replication by MicroRNA-122
Authors: Haldipur Bangari , Bhukya Prudhvi Lal , Arankalle Vidya , Lole Kavita 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT

The molecular mechanisms of liver pathology and clinical disease in hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection remain unclear. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are known to modulate viral pathogenesis either by directly altering viral gene expression or by enhancing cellular antiviral responses. Given the importance of microRNA-122 (miR-122) in liver pathobiology, we investigated possible role of miR-122 in HEV infection.
In silico
predictions using HEV genotype 1 (HEV-1), HEV-2, HEV-3, and HEV-4 sequences showed that the majority of genomes (203/222) harbor at least one miR-122/microRNA-122-3p (miR-122*) target site. Interestingly, HEV-1 genomes showed a highly (97%) conserved miR-122 target site in the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) region (RdRp
c
). We analyzed the significance of miR-122 target sites in HEV-1/HEV-3 (HEV-1/3) genomes by using a replicon-based cell culture system. HEV infection did not change the basal levels of miR-122 in hepatoma cells. However, transfection of these cells with miR-122 mimics enhanced HEV-1/3 replication and depletion of miR-122 with inhibitors led to suppression of HEV-1/3 replication. Mutant HEV-1 replicons with an altered target RdRp
c
sequence (CACTCC) showed a drastic decrease in virus replication, whereas introduction of alternative miR-122 target sites in mutant replicons rescued viral replication. There was enrichment of HEV-1 RNA and miR-122 molecules in RNA-induced silencing complexes in HEV-infected cells. Furthermore, pulldown of miR-122 molecules from HEV-infected cells resulted in pulldown of HEV genomic RNA along with miR-122 molecules. These observations indicate that miR-122 facilitates HEV-1 replication, probably via direct interaction with a target site in the viral genome. The positive role of miR-122 in viral replication presents novel opportunities for antiviral therapy and management of hepatitis E.

IMPORTANCE
Hepatitis E is a problem in both developing and developed countries. HEV infection in most patients follows a self-limited course; however, 20% to 30% mortality is seen in infected pregnant women. HEV superinfections in patients with chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus infections are associated with adverse clinical outcomes, and both conditions warrant therapy. Chronic HEV infections in immunocompromised transplant recipients are known to rapidly progress into cirrhosis. Currently, off-label use of ribavirin (RBV) and polyethylene glycol-interferon (PEG-IFN) as antiviral therapy has shown promising results in both acute and chronic hepatitis E patients; however, the teratogenicity of RBV limits its use during pregnancy, while alpha IFN (IFN-α) increases the risk of transplant rejections. Experimental data determined with genotype 1 virus in the current study show that miR-122 facilitates HEV replication. These observations present novel opportunities for antiviral therapy and management of hepatitis E.