bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A survey of current audit practice in occupational health
Authors: Cashman C 
Published: April 2019

Abstract

Background
In the 1990s, challenges were identified in relation to the quality of practice in occupational medicine, including a limited evidence-base and the need to translate good evidence into high-quality practice. Audit has been identified as having an important role to play in addressing the determinants of variations and quality in practice.

Aims
To explore current practice of occupational health (OH) audit and outcome measures.

Methods
A survey of 30 OH conference participants who were affiliated with an OH service or a professional body, from ~2000 attendees at the Triennial Congress of the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH) in Dublin, Ireland, over 2 days in May 2018.

Results
Of the 30 participants, 1 was lost at follow-up and 29 participants gave verbal consent to answer questions in relation to carrying out audit and outcomes. Overall, 25 participants undertook regular audit, 19 on an annual basis, 4 on a monthly basis and 2 every 2 years. Twelve participants confirmed multiple audit outcomes and 13 used audits for internal training purposes only. Four participants did not undertake any audit. Less than 50% confirmed multiple audit outcomes that included internal feedback for training purposes and external publication such as conference poster presentations and peer-reviewed publications.

Conclusions
This limited observational study underscores conclusions of previous research that development of clinical audit guidance and measurement of outcomes in occupational medicine is mostly unpublished.
COMPARATIVE STUDY ON PERFORMANCE OF VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL RADIATION MONITORS
Authors: Tamakuma Y , Yamada R , Suzuki T , Kuroki T , Saga R , Mizuno H , Sasaki H , Iwaoka K , Hosoda M , Tokonami S 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
After the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, the radiation dose for first responders was not evaluated accurately due to lack of the monitoring data. It has been important to evaluate a radiation dose for workers in emergency response at a nuclear accident. In this study, a new device which can evaluate both of external and internal exposure doses was developed and the performance of various environmental radiation monitors including commercially available monitors were tested and compared from the viewpoint of an environmental monitoring at emergency situation. Background counts of the monitors and the ambient dose equivalent rate were measured in Fukushima Prefecture. The detection limit for beta particles was evaluated by the method of ISO11929. The sensitivity for gamma-rays of the dust monitor using a ZnS(Ag) and a plastic scintillator was high, but that of the external exposure monitor using a silicon photodiode with CsI(Tl) crystal was relatively low. The detection limit ranged 190–280 Bq m−3 at 100 μSv h−1, exceeding the detection limit of 100 Bq m−3 in the minimum requirement by the National Regulation Authority in Japan. Use of the shielding with lead is necessary to achieve the minimum requirement. These results indicate that the dust monitor using a ZnS(Ag) scintillator and a plastic scintillator is suitable for the external exposure monitor and the developed internal exposure monitor is for the internal exposure monitor at emergency situation among the evaluated monitors. In the future study, the counting efficiency, the relative uncertainty and the performance of the detection for alpha particles will be evaluated, and it will be considered which type of a monitor is suitable after taking the portability into account.
Head Circumference of Babies at Birth in Nigeria
Authors: Pam Victor Chung , Yilgwan Christopher Sabo , Shwe David Danjuma , Abok IbrahimIshaya , Shehu Nathan , Gomerep Simji Samuel , Ejiji Isa Samson , Ocheke Amaka , Ajang Francis Magaji , Mutihir Josiah Tul , Gurumdimma Nentawe , Egah Daniel , Oguche Stephen 
Published: April 2019

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesMeasuring head circumference (HC) of newborns is an important tool for evaluating intra-uterine brain development. HC reference charts currently in use in Nigeria are not representative of the local population. We thus present locally derived HC reference data for Nigerian infants at birth.Subjects and MethodsWe reviewed birth records of all infants at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) over a 10 year period from January 2006. JUTH is a tertiary care center offering obstetric services to a large population of women in Jos and its environs. All births with gestational age between 28 and 42 weeks were included in the study. STATA version 14 was used to calculate gestational age associated HC percentile measurements.ResultsWe included 18 282 babies to generate the reference values. The mean HC value was 34.4 ± 2.1 cm (M = 34.6 ± 2.16 cm, F = 34.1 ± 2.02 cm, p < 0.001). Our HC reference values significantly differ from the USA and INTERGROWTH-21 charts currently in use in our country. Mean HC was higher in male infants compared with female infants. This difference was uniformly so across all gestational age groups.ConclusionsThe use of our locally derived HC reference values could be more appropriate in defining normal head growth in Nigerian infant populations thereby improving newborn care.
Drug induced methaemoglobinaemia
Authors: Hutton William , Pucci Mark 
Published: April 2019

Summary
Acquired methaemoglobinaemia can be caused by the oxidising effect of a number of different drugs. Prescribed drugs that cause methaemoglobinaemia include local anaesthetics, dapsone, sulphonamides and primaquine. Recreational drugs such as amyl and isobutyl nitrite (‘poppers’) and adulterants in cocaine are also well known to cause methaemoglobinaemia. Low concentrations of methaemoglobin do not require treatment, but higher concentrations can be fatal. When indicated, methylthioninium chloride is the treatment of choice. More complicated cases should be discussed with a local poisons centre.
Preliminary Validation of an Unannounced Telephone Pill Count Protocol to Measure Medication Adherence Among Young Adults With Perinatal HIV Infection
Authors: Bucek Amelia , Raymond Jeannette , Leu Cheng-Shiun , Warne Patricia , Abrams Elaine J. , Dolezal Curtis , Wiznia Andrew , Kalichman Seth , Kalichman Moira , Mellins Claude A. 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
Unannounced telephone pill counts are an objective antiretroviral therapy adherence measurement tool, but this method has not been validated in young adults (YA) living with perinatal HIV infection. Perinatally infected YA, recruited from the Child and Adolescent Self-Awareness and Health Study, agreed to unannounced telephone pill counts to measure medication adherence over 4 months and phlebotomy to measure viral load (VL). Differences in pill count adherence scores among YA with a VL of ≤20 versus >20, and demographic differences were assessed. Participants (N = 62) were, on average, 24 years old; 57% were African American, and 40% were Latino. Participants with VL of ≤20 (60%) had significantly higher adherence scores (85% versus 62%; p = .004). Associations were not significant among older YA (range, 25–28 years) or Latinos. Unannounced telephone pill counts are a valid measure of antiretroviral therapy adherence in YA with perinatal HIV infection. Studies with larger samples are needed.
What Are the Barriers at Home and School to Healthy Eating?: Overweight/Obese Child and Parent Perspectives
Authors: KIM Hee Soon , PARK Jiyoung , MA Yumi , IM Mihae 
Published: April 2019

ABSTRACT

Background:
Most studies that have investigated factors influencing eating habits among obese children have focused mainly on individual or interpersonal factors and applied quantitative research methods.

Purpose:
This study was undertaken to identify the barriers in home and school settings that hamper healthy eating in overweight and obese children in South Korea.

Methods:
Focus group interviews were conducted with 15 overweight/obese children and 15 parents. A standard manual with open-ended questions was developed. Content analysis was used to identify key findings.

Results:
Participants were aware of the importance of home and school environments in shaping children's eating habits. Five major barriers, respectively, at home and at school emerged from the data. At home, the food preferences of parents affected the eating habits of their children. Moreover, parents worried about providing differentiated diets for siblings and about the permissiveness of grandparents toward grandsons. Furthermore, working parents preferred easy-to-prepare instant foods and said that their children ate overly quickly. At school, children cited time pressures, poor cafeteria environments, and ineffective nutrition education as barriers, whereas parents worried about inconsistent management by teachers and the unsafe food environment around the school.

Conclusions:
These environment-related barriers may be resolved through changes in the behavior of children, parents, and teachers as well as through the continued efforts of schools, community stakeholders, and policymakers, all of whose cooperation is essential to fostering a healthy food environment for children.
Improving IBD Transition, Self‐management, and Disease Outcomes With an In‐clinic Transition Coordinator
Authors: Gray Wendy N. , Holbrook Erin , Dykes Dana , Morgan Pamela J. , Saeed Shehzad A. , Denson Lee A. 
Published: April 2019

ABSTRACTObjectives:Deficits in the preparation of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who are transitioning to adult care are known yet studies presenting outcome data of transition interventions in IBD are lacking. We present data evaluating the impact of a transition coordinator on behavioral and clinical transition outcomes.Methods:A retrospective chart review identified 135 patients who had met with our transition coordinator and completed the Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire before, and 1 year after, the intervention. Changes in transition readiness, self‐management skill acquisition, and clinical outcomes (eg, number of patients transferred vs “bounced back” to pediatrics, percentage of patients over age 21, changes in disease remission) were examined and compared with patients who received no intervention.Results:Intervention participants demonstrated a significant increase in transition readiness, F(1, 134) = 24.34, P < 0.001, and self‐management skill acquisition, F(1, 134) = 5.61, P < 0.05. The percentage of patients in remission significantly increased from pre‐ to post‐intervention, χ2(134) = 9.03, P < 0.01. There were no significant changes in the comparison population (Ps > 0.05). Following implementation of our programming, the percentage of patients over age 21 decreased by 33.07%.Conclusions:A 1‐time transition coordinator‐led intervention improved adolescent transition readiness and acquisition of self‐management skills. The proportion of young adult patients retained in pediatric care was reduced. Benefits of hiring a transition coordinator are discussed.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Serological Immune Markers Anti‐Saccharomyces cerevisiae Mannan Antibodies and Outer Membrane Porin C are Potential Biomarkers for Hirschsprung‐associated Enterocolitis
Authors: Frykman Philip K. , Patel Deven C. , Kim Sungjin , Cheng Zhi , Wester Tomas , Nordenskjöld Agneta , Kawaguchi Akemi , Hui Thomas T. , Ehrlich Peter F. , Granström Anna L. , Benliyan Filip ,   HAEC Collaborative Research Group (HCRG)
Published: April 2019

ABSTRACTObjective:Hirschsprung‐associated enterocolitis (HAEC) is the most frequent complication in Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) patients. Currently HAEC is diagnosed clinically, leaving uncertainty in the diagnosis thereby potentially leading to over‐ or undertreatment of patients. The aim of this study was to identify immune biomarkers to aid in the diagnosis of HAEC.Methods:From 2012 to 2017, 43 children with HSCR enrolled in a multicenter study, underwent retrospective evaluation of their medical records, and questionnaire‐directed parent interviews. HAEC status was determined using HAEC score with cutoff ≥4. Plasma was collected and analyzed by ELISA for the inflammatory bowel disease–associated antibodies: anti‐Saccharomyces cerevisiae mannan antibodies (ASCA), outer membrane porin C (OmpC), CBir1, antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies. Data were analyzed using t test, univariate, multivariable, and binomial regression models.Results:Eighteen patients had at least 1 episode of HAEC, 25 had no history of HAEC. The HAEC and NO HAEC groups had similar median ages (3 years) and family histories of HSCR. The HAEC group showed markedly elevated ASCA IgA and OmpC antibody levels compared with the NO HAEC group, whereas CBir1 and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies were similar between the groups. Both univariate and multivariable analysis revealed higher OmpC antibody levels associated with HAEC (odds ratio 1.39, confidence interval 1–1.92, P = 0.048), whereas univariate analysis identified a trend toward elevated IgA and immunoglobulin G ASCA levels with HAEC.Conclusions:We identified elevated OmpC and ASCA serum antibody levels in HAEC patients, and that increased OmpC antibody levels correlated with HAEC occurrence, suggesting HAEC and Crohn disease share gut microbial‐host immune responses. These antibodies may serve as potential biomarkers for HAEC, although prospective study with larger sample size is needed.
Brief Report: Hazardous Cannabis Use and Monocyte Activation Among Methamphetamine Users With Treated HIV Infection
Authors: Vidot Denise C. , Manuzak Jennifer A. , Klatt Nichole R. , Pallikkuth Suresh , Roach Margie , Dilworth Samantha E. , Pahwa Savita , Carrico Adam W. 
Published: April 2019

Background:
The use of stimulants, such as methamphetamine, has been associated with greater immune activation in treated HIV infection. However, relatively little is known about whether concomitant cannabis use is associated with lower immune activation among HIV-positive stimulant users.

Setting:
HIV-positive, sexual minority men with biologically confirmed, recent methamphetamine use were enrolled in San Francisco, CA.

Methods:
In total, 78 methamphetamine-using sexual minority men with an undetectable HIV viral load (<40 copies/mL) completed self-report measures of cannabis use and substance use disorder severity. Plasma biomarkers of monocyte activation (ie, sCD14 and sCD163) and intestinal barrier integrity (iFABP) were measured. The associations of hazardous cannabis use with these measurements were examined after adjusting for substance use disorder severity, age, antiretroviral therapy regimen, CD4+ T-cell count, and interleukin-6.

Results:
Hazardous cannabis users had the highest mean sCD14 levels (2181 ng/mL) compared with nonhazardous users (1991 ng/mL) and nonusers (1859 ng/mL; P = 0.05). In adjusted analyses, greater cannabis use severity was associated with higher sCD14 compared with nonusers (unstandardized beta = 133.6 ng/mL, P = 0.03). Cannabis use severity was not significantly associated with sCD163 or iFABP.

Conclusions:
Hazardous cannabis use is independently associated with elevations in a clinically relevant marker of immune activation in methamphetamine users with treated HIV.
Multiplexed Analysis of the Secretin-like GPCR-RAMP Interactome
Authors: Lorenzen Emily , Dodig-Crnković Tea , Kotliar Ilana B. , Pin Elisa , Ceraudo Emilie , Vaughan Roger D. , Uhlèn Mathias , Huber Thomas , Schwenk Jochen M. , Sakmar Thomas P. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractAlthough receptor activity-modifying proteins (RAMPs) have been shown to modulate the functions of several different G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), potential direct interactions among the three known RAMPs and hundreds of GPCRs has never been investigated. We engineered three epitope-tagged RAMPs and 23 epitope-tagged GPCRs, focusing on the secretin-like family of GPCRs, and developed a suspension bead array (SBA) immunoassay designed to detect RAMP-GPCR complexes. We then used 64 antibodies raised against native RAMPs and GPCRs, along with four antibodies targeting the epitope tags, to multiplex the SBA assay to detect and measure all possible combinations of interaction among the 23 GPCRs and three RAMPs. The results of the SBA assay provide a complete interactome of secretin-like GPCRs with RAMPs. We demonstrate direct interaction of previously reported secretin-like GPCRs whose functions are modulated by RAMPs. We also discovered novel sets of GPCR-RAMP interacting pairs, and found additional secretin-like GPCRs, chemokine receptors and orphan receptors that interact with RAMPs. Using in situ roximity ligation assay, we verified a subset of these novel GPCR-RAMP interactions in cell membranes. In total, we found GPCR-RAMP interactions for the majority of the 23 GPCRs tested. Each GPCR interacted with either all three RAMPs or with RAMP2 and RAMP3, with the exception of one GPCR that interacted with just RAMP3. In summary, we describe an SBA strategy that will be useful to search for GPCR-RAMP interactions in cell lines and tissues, and conclude that GPCR-RAMP interactions are more common than previously appreciated.
Deep transcriptome sequencing of subgenual anterior cingulate cortex reveals disorder-specific expression changes in major psychiatric disorders
Authors: Akula Nirmala , Marenco Stefano , Johnson Kory , Feng Ningping , Cross Joanna , England Bryce , Detera-Wadleigh Sevilla , Xu Qing , Auluck Pavan K. , Ahn Kwangmi , Kramer Robin , Apud Jose , Harris Brent T. , Rhodes C. Harker , Lipska Barbara K. , McMahon Francis J. 
Published: April 2019

ABSTRACTHow do differences in onset, symptoms, and treatment response arise between various mental illnesses despite substantial overlap of genetic risk factors? To address this question, we carried out deep RNA sequencing of human postmortem subgenual anterior cingulate cortex, a key component of limbic circuits linked to mental illness. Samples were obtained from 200 individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or major depression, and controls. Differential expression analysis in cases versus controls detected modest differences that were similar across disorders, although transcript-level differences were more pronounced. Case-case comparisons revealed greater expression differences between disorders, including many genes and transcripts that were expressed in opposite directions in each diagnostic group, compared to controls. Relative transcript abundances were associated with common genetic variants that accounted for disproportionate fractions of diagnosis-specific heritability. Inherited genetic risk factors shape the brain transcriptome and contribute to diagnostic differences between broad classes of mental illness.
A decrease in transcription capacity limits growth rate upon translation inhibition
Authors: Zhang Qing , Brambilla Elisa , Li Rui , Shi Hualin , Lagomarsino Marco Cosentino , Sclavi Bianca 
Published: April 2019

AbstractIn bacterial cells, inhibition of ribosomes by sublethal concentrations of antibiotics leads to a decrease in growth rate despite an increase in ribosome content. The limitation of ribosomal activity results in an increase in the level of expression from ribosomal promoters; this can deplete the pool of RNA polymerase (RNAP) that is available for the expression of non-ribosomal genes. However, the magnitude of this effect remains to be quantified. Here, we use the change in the activity of constitutive promoters with different affinities for RNAP to quantify the change in the concentration of free RNAP. The data are consistent with a significant decrease in the amount of RNAP available for transcription of both ribosomal and non ribosomal genes. Results obtained with different reporter genes reveal an mRNA length dependence on the amount of full-length translated protein, consistent with the decrease in ribosome processivity affecting more strongly the translation of longer genes. The genes coding for the β and β’ subunits of RNAP are amongst the longest genes in theE. coligenome, while the genes coding for ribosomal proteins are among the shortest genes. This can explain the observed decrease in transcription capacity that favors the expression of genes whose promoters have a high affinity for RNAP, such as ribosomal promoters.ImportanceExposure of bacteria to sublethal concentrations of antibiotics can lead to bacterial adaptation and survival at higher doses of inhibitors, which in turn can lead to the emergence of antibiotic resistance. The presence of sublethal concentrations of antibiotics targeting translation results in an increase in the amount of ribosomes per cell and a decrease in the cells’ growth rate. In this work, we have found that inhibition of ribosome activity can result in a decrease in the amount of free RNA polymerase available for transcription, thus limiting the protein expression rate via a different pathway than what was expected. This result can be explained by our observation that long genes, such as those coding for RNA polymerase subunits, have a higher probability of premature translation termination in the presence of ribosome inhibitors, while expression of short ribosomal genes is affected less, consistent with their increased concentration.
Deciphering the protein dynamics and molecular determinants of iPSC-derived neurons
Authors: Varderidou-Minasian Suzy , Schätzle Philipp , Hoogenraad Casper. C. , Pasterkamp R. Jeroen , Altelaar Maarten 
Published: April 2019

SUMMARYNeuronal development is a multistep process with different regulatory programs that shapes neurons to form dendrites, axons and synapses. To date, knowledge on neuronal development is largely based on murine data and largely restricted to the genomic and transcriptomic level. Advances in stem cell differentiation now enable the study of human neuronal development, and here we provide a mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomic signature, at high temporal resolution, of human stem cell-derived neurons. To reveal proteomic changes during neuronal development we make use of two differentiation approaches, either by expression of neurogenin-2 (Ngn2) leading to glutamatergic induced neurons (iN) or via small molecule manipulations, leading to patterned motor neurons. Our analysis revealed key proteins that show significant expression changes (FDR <0.001) during neuronal differentiation. We overlay our proteomics data with available transcriptomic data during neuronal differentiation and show distinct, datatype-specific, signatures. Overall, we provide a rich resource of information on proteins associated with human neuronal development, and moreover, highlight several signaling pathways involved, such as Wnt and Notch.