bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Current but not past hepatitis B virus infection is associated with a decreased risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in the Chinese population: A case‐control study with propensity score analysis
Authors: Zhong G. C. , Wu Y. L. , Hao F. B. , Rao X. W. , Yuan X. W. , Zhao Y. , Gong J. P. 
Published: February 2018

SummaryThe relation between hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and fatty liver has been addressed by several observational studies, but their results remain controversial. To date, no study has precisely investigated the association of current and past HBV infection with the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the Chinese population. Therefore, we conducted a hospital‐based case‐control study in southwestern China to clarify this issue. A total of 631 newly ultrasound‐diagnosed NAFLD cases and 2357 controls were selected from 123 243 consecutive patients admitted to a tertiary‐care hospital between January 2015 and December 2016. Multivariate logistic regression was employed to calculate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A propensity score was developed for adjustment and matching. Subgroup analysis was conducted to identify potential effect modifiers. Current and past HBV infection had an overall prevalence of 9.7% and 55.2%, respectively. In the fully adjusted model, current HBV infection was associated with a decreased risk of NAFLD (OR 0.64; 95% CI 0.42‐0.95). A similar inverse association was observed in both propensity‐score‐adjusted (OR 0.58; 95% CI 0.40‐0.86) and propensity‐score‐matched analyses (OR 0.61; 95% CI 0.40‐0.92).The inverse association was stronger in patients with hypertension than in those without (Pinteraction = .018).No significant association between past HBV infection and NAFLD risk was found. In conclusion, current but not past HBV infection is associated with a decreased risk of NAFLD in the Chinese population. The corresponding biological mechanisms remain to be elucidated.
Quality indicators in a community optometrist led cataract shared care scheme
Authors: Bowes Oliver M B , Shah Poonam , Rana Mrinal , Farrell Sarah , Rajan Madhavan S 
Published: February 2018

AbstractPurposeCataract shared care schemes involving community optometrists show wide variation in practice. We report on defined key performance indicators (KPIs) which improve accountability between stakeholders.MethodsIn this prospective study over nine months at a UK public hospital, we evaluated the outcomes of consecutive direct cataract referrals from community optometrists against two KPIs agreed under a service‐level agreement between the Hospital Eye Service and community optometrists: (1) 85% of patients listed for cataract listing at first consultation; and (2) 90% postoperative feedback return rate on patients discharged to community optometrists. A detailed analysis on referral triage, surgical listing and postoperative form return rate is reported in this study.ResultsA total of 733 direct cataract referrals were received using a designated referral form of which 86% were listed for cataract surgery. The predominant reason for not listing was a failure to reach the visual threshold set by the local clinical commissioning guidelines. Out of 569 cataract surgical episodes, 402 (71%) patients were discharged on the same day of surgery to community optometrist follow up. Completed postoperative feedback was returned from 374 patients (93%).ConclusionDirect cataract referrals from accredited community optometrists led to a majority of patients receiving a definitive clinical decision during first consultation. Postoperative community follow up reduced hospital visits and allowed for convenient consultation closer to home following uncomplicated cataract surgery. A service‐level agreement with an accreditation scheme measured against KPIs enhances the accountability of stakeholders involved in the cataract shared care scheme.
Reduced prefrontal hemodynamic response in adult attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder as measured by near‐infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Ueda Shotaro , Ota Toyosaku , Iida Junzo , Yamamuro Kazuhiko , Yoshino Hiroki , Kishimoto Naoko , Kishimoto Toshifumi 
Published: February 2018

AimRecent developments in near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) have enabled non‐invasive clarification of brain functions in psychiatric disorders. In pediatric attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), reduced prefrontal hemodynamic responses have been observed with NIRS repeatedly. However, there are few studies of adult ADHD by multi‐channel NIRS. Therefore, in this study, we used multi‐channel NIRS to examine the characteristics of prefrontal hemodynamic responses during the Stroop Color–Word Task (SCWT) in adult ADHD patients and in age‐ and sex‐matched control subjects.MethodsTwelve treatment‐naïve adults with ADHD and 12 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy control subjects participated in the present study after giving consent. We used 24‐channel NIRS to measure the oxygenated hemoglobin (oxy‐Hb) changes at the frontal lobes of participants during the SCWT. We compared the oxy‐Hb changes between adults with ADHD and control subjects by t‐tests with Bonferroni correction.ResultsDuring the SCWT, the oxy‐Hb changes observed in the ADHD group were significantly smaller than those in the control group in channels 11, 16, 18, 21, 22, 23, and 24, corresponding to the prefrontal cortex. At channels 16, 21, 23, and 24 of the ADHD group, there were negative correlations between the symptomatic severity and the oxy‐Hb changes.ConclusionThe present study suggests that adults with ADHD have reduced prefrontal hemodynamic response as measured by NIRS.
Decreasing hospitalizations in patients on hemodialysis: Time for a paradigm shift
Authors: Golestaneh Ladan 
Published: February 2018

AbstractHospitalizations drive up to 35% of the astronomical costs of care for patients on hemodialysis and are associated with poor outcomes. We describe outpatient care‐sensitive categories of hospitalization risks in an effort to engage stakeholders and patients, as stakeholders, in mitigating hospitalizations. These categories include: (1) fluid (interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) and chronic volume status), (2) infection (vascular access and malnutrition/inflammation resilience), and c) psychosocial (poor social support, poor self‐efficacy, and mood disorders) risks. Barriers to improving hospitalization outcomes, especially as they relate to above risk categories, exist at multiple stakeholder levels and include: (1) dialysis facilities (strict shift changes, personnel challenges), (2) nephrologists (static dialysis prescriptions and protocols based on dialysis facility metrics), and (3) patients (lack of engagement and self‐efficacy). System‐level elements, such as payment models, help to propagate these barriers. In this article, we seek to shift the care paradigm discussion to patient trajectories and long‐term outcomes, and to active engagement of patients as self‐managers, through which we hope to impact on high inpatient resource utilization. We will also focus attention on the complex interplay of practices that have become acceptable care structures, but that may be deleterious to outcomes. Only after thorough consideration of these topics can we hope to impact on this important problem.
How Political Cultures Produce Different Antibiotic Policies in Agriculture: A Historical Comparative Case Study between the United Kingdom and Sweden
Authors: Begemann Stephanie , Perkins Elizabeth , Van Hoyweghen Ine , Christley Robert , Watkins Francine 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe purpose of this article is to provide an understanding of how different countries formulate and regulate antibiotic use in animals raised for human consumption. A comparative case study was undertaken, analysing historical documents from the 1950s to the 1990s from the UK, the first country to produce a scientific report on the public health risks of agricultural antibiotic use; and Sweden, the first country to produce legislation on the growth promotor use of antibiotics in food animals. Sheila Jasanoff's concepts of ‘co‐production’ and ‘political cultures’ have been used to explore how both countries used different styles of scientific reasoning and justification of the risks of agricultural antibiotic use. It will be argued that national dynamics between policy, science and public knowledges co‐produced different risk classifications and patterns of agricultural antibiotic use between both countries. UK's political culture used ‘expert committees’ to remove the issue from public debate and to inform agricultural antibiotic policies. In contrast, the Swedish ‘consensus‐oriented’ political culture made concerns related to agricultural antibiotic use into a cooperative debate that included multiple discourses. Understanding how national policies, science and public knowledges interact with the risks related to agricultural antibiotic use can provide valuable insights in understanding and addressing countries agricultural use of antibiotics.
Still a weak occupational welfare in Southern Europe? Evidence from the Italian case
Authors: Ascoli Ugo , Natali David , Pavolini Emmanuele 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe article focuses on Italy—a typical example of the Southern European model—and the recent evolution of occupational welfare (OW). It first provides up‐to‐date information on the spread of OW in the country. We then explain the persistent limited development of OW and its uneven diffusion—across policy areas (healthcare vs. pensions) and economic sectors (public vs. private sectors). The article focuses on the role of employers, trade unions, and policymakers. The state (as an employer) has not invested in OW for public employees—because of budgetary problems and a traditional lack of interest in the field—while private employers have started to invest in OW in line with broader business strategies. Trade unions have supported occupational health insurance, while they have resisted the spread of occupational pension funds. Such different strategies are related to the different role trade unions play in the two policies. Eventually, policymakers have followed different retrenchment strategies of statutory schemes in different policy fields: the more evident short‐term impact of reforms in healthcare has “crowded‐in” occupational schemes in the area, while the longer phase‐in period of pension reforms has led to the more limited role of occupational pensions.
Transfusion reactions after transfusion of platelets stored in PAS‐B, PAS‐C, or plasma: a nationwide comparison
Authors: van Hout Fabienne M.A. , van der Meer Pieter F. , Wiersum‐Osselton Johanna C. , Middelburg Rutger A. , Schipperus Martin R. , van der Bom Johanna G. , Kerkhoffs Jean‐Louis 
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUNDPlatelets (PLTs) stored in PLT additive solution (PAS) are associated with fewer allergic reactions than plasma‐stored PLTs. However, earlier studies could not provide conclusive evidence on febrile reactions and did not analyze other transfusion reactions separately due to limited sample size. We therefore compared incidences of all transfusion reactions of PAS‐B‐PLTs, PAS‐C‐PLTs, and plasma‐PLTs.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSIn this observational study, all transfusion reactions reported to the national hemovigilance office of the Netherlands from 2006 to 2015 were included.RESULTSDuring the study period, a total of 2407 transfusion reactions after PLT transfusions were reported. In that period 553,267 pooled buffy coat–derived PLT units were issued, of which 83,884 were stored in PAS‐B, 45,728 in PAS‐C, and 423,655 in plasma. Regarding transfusion‐related circulatory overload, transfusion‐related acute lung injury, and “other reactions” no significant differences were observed between the PLT products. When PAS‐B‐PLT transfusions were compared to plasma‐PLT transfusions, the overall relative risk (RR; 95% confidence interval [CI]) of transfusion reactions was 0.99 (0.88‐1.11); for allergic and febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reactions (FNHTRs) it was 0.66 (0.55‐0.80) and 1.54 (1.27‐1.86), respectively. When PAS‐C‐PLTs were compared to plasma‐PLTs, the RR (95% CI) was 0.56 (0.46‐0.68) for all transfusion reactions, 0.38 (0.28‐0.52) for allergic reactions, and 0.82 (0.59‐1.13) for FNHTRs. When PAS‐C‐PLTs were compared to PAS‐B‐PLTs, for all reactions the RR (95% CI) was 0.56 (0.45‐0.70) for allergic reactions 0.58 (0.40‐0.82), and for FNHTRs 0.53 (0.37‐0.75).CONCLUSIONSPAS‐C‐PLTs are associated with fewer transfusion reactions compared to plasma‐PLTs and compared to PAS‐B‐PLTs.
Neospora caninum and Ehrlichia canis co‐infection in a dog with meningoencephalitis
Authors: Aroch Itamar , Baneth Gad , Salant Harold , Nachum‐Biala Yaarit , Berkowitz Asaf , Shamir Merav , Chai Orit 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAn 8‐year‐old mixed‐breed dog was presented for acute, progressive weakness and ataxia, inappetence, and weight loss. The patient was mentally normal, but nonambulatory, with a right head tilt, right positional ventral strabismus, and slight head tremors. A neurologic lesion was localized to the cerebellum and right brainstem. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis showed a markedly increased protein concentration and mixed pleocytosis, with eosinophil predominance (44%), intracytoplasmic inclusions within eosinophils, consistent with Ehrlichia canis (E canis) morulae, and Toxoplasma gondii (T gondii) or Neospora caninum (N caninum) tachyzoites within eosinophils and monocytes. A serum indirect immunofluorescent antibody test was positive for N caninum (titer 1:12 800) and negative for T gondii. Both blood and CSF PCR results were N caninum‐ and E canis‐positive and T gondii‐ and Anaplasma phagocytophilum‐negative, and blood PCR, but not CSF PCR, was Hepatozoon canis‐positive. The dog was treated for 30 days with clindamycin, sulfamethoxazole‐trimethoprim, doxycycline, prednisone, and cephalosporin, but did not improve neurologically, and was euthanized. Brain histopathology showed moderate multifocal, subacute meningoencephalitis with necrosis and gliosis. The neurologic disease was mostly attributed to central nervous system (CNS) neosporosis, with the possible contribution of ehrlichiosis, which was likely a manifestation of blood‐brain barrier disruption. Hepatozoonosis was probably a result or cause of underlying immunosuppression. To our knowledge, this is the first report of CNSN caninum and E canis co‐infection detected by both CSF PCR and cytology and E canis morulae identified within CSF eosinophils.
Effects of High Versus Low Protein Intake on Body Composition and Maximal Strength in Aspiring Female Physique Athletes Engaging in an 8-Week Resistance Training Program
Authors: Campbell Bill I. , Aguilar Danielle , Conlin Laurin , Vargas Andres , Schoenfeld Brad Jon , Corson Amey , Gai Chris , Best Shiva , Galvan Elfego , Couvillion Kaylee 
Published: February 2018

Aspiring female physique athletes are often encouraged to ingest relatively high levels of dietary protein in conjunction with their resistance training programs. However, there is little to no research investigating higher versus lower protein intakes in this population. This study examined the influence of a high versus low-protein diet in conjunction with an 8-week resistance training program in this population. A total of 17 females (21.2 ± 2.1 years; 165.1 ± 5.1 cm; 61 ± 6.1 kg) were randomly assigned to a high-protein diet (HP: 2.5 g·kg−1·day−1; n = 8) or a low-protein diet (LP: 0.9 g·kg−1·day−1, n = 9) and were assessed for body composition and maximal strength prior to and after the 8-week protein intake and exercise intervention. Fat-free mass increased significantly more in the HP group as compared with the LP group (p = .009), going from 47.1 ± 4.5 to 49.2 ± 5.4 kg (+2.1 kg) and from 48.1 ± 2.7 to 48.7 ± 2 kg (+0.6 kg) in the HP and LP groups, respectively. Fat mass significantly decreased over time in the HP group (14.1 ± 3.6 to 13.0 ± 3.3 kg; p < .01), but no change was observed in the LP group (13.2 ± 3.7 to 12.5 ± 3.0 kg). Although maximal strength significantly increased in both groups, there were no differences in strength improvements between the two groups. In aspiring female physique athletes, a higher protein diet is superior to a lower protein diet in terms of increasing fat-free mass in conjunction with a resistance training program.
PccD Regulates Branched-Chain Amino Acid Degradation and Exerts a Negative Effect on Erythromycin Production in Saccharopolyspora erythraea
Authors: Xu Zhen , Liu Yong , Ye Bang-Ce 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACT

Branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) degradation is a major source of propionyl coenzyme A (propionyl-CoA), a key precursor of erythromycin biosynthesis in
Saccharopolyspora erythraea
. In this study, we found that the
bkd
operon, responsible for BCAA degradation, was regulated directly by PccD, a transcriptional regulator of propionyl-CoA carboxylase genes. The transcriptional level of the
bkd
operon was upregulated 5-fold in a
pccD
gene deletion strain (Δ
pccD
strain) and decreased 3-fold in a
pccD
overexpression strain (WT/pIB-
pccD
), demonstrating that PccD was a negative transcriptional regulator of the operon. The deletion of
pccD
significantly improved the Δ
pccD
strain's growth rate, whereas
pccD
overexpression repressed WT/pIB-
pccD
growth rate, in basic Evans medium with 30 mM valine as the sole carbon and nitrogen source. The deletion of
gdhA1
and the BcdhE1 gene (genes in the
bkd
operon) resulted in lower growth rates of Δ
gdhA1
and ΔBcdhE1 strains, respectively, on 30 mM valine, further suggesting that the
bkd
operon is involved in BCAA degradation. Both
bkd
overexpression (WT/pIB-
bkd
) and
pccD
inactivation (Δ
pccD
strain) improve erythromycin production (38% and 64%, respectively), whereas the erythromycin production of strain WT/pIB-
pccD
was decreased by 48%. Lastly, we explored the applications of engineering
pccD
and
bkd
in an industrial high-erythromycin-producing strain.
pccD
deletion in industrial strain
S. erythraea
E3 (E3
pccD
) improved erythromycin production by 20%, and the overexpression of
bkd
in E3Δ
pccD
(E3Δ
pccD
/pIB-
bkd
) increased erythromycin production by 39% compared with
S. erythraea
E3 in an industrial fermentation medium. Addition of 30 mM valine to industrial fermentation medium further improved the erythromycin production by 23%, a 72% increase from the initial strain
S. erythraea
E3.

IMPORTANCE
We describe a
bkd
operon involved in BCAA degradation in
S. erythraea
. The genes of the operon are repressed by a TetR regulator, PccD. The results demonstrated that PccD controlled the supply of precursors for biosynthesis of erythromycin via regulating the BCAA degradation and propionyl-CoA assimilation and exerted a negative effect on erythromycin production. The findings reveal a regulatory mechanism in feeder pathways and provide new strategies for designing metabolic engineering to increase erythromycin yield.
Socioeconomic deprivation, mortality and health of within-city migrants: a population cohort study
Authors: Maheswaran Ravi , Strong Mark , Clifford Phil , Brewins Louise 
Published: February 2018

BackgroundEvidence linking selective migration (the situation where people in good health move from deprived to affluent areas, whilst people in poor health move in the opposite direction) within local areas to mortality is inconclusive.MethodsMortality in within-city migrants was examined using a Sheffield population cohort, adjusted for moves to care homes. The cohort comprised 310 894 people aged 25+ years in 2001 followed up for 9.18 years, with 42 252 (13.6%) deaths. Information on pre-existing medical conditions, socioeconomic indicators and smoking was available from a sample survey.ResultsRelative risks (95% CI) of mortality in migrants from deprived to affluent areas were lower compared with people remaining in deprived areas; 0.53 (0.42 to 0.65), 0.70 (0.61 to 0.80), 0.76 (0.68 to 0.86), 0.93 (0.88 to 1.00) and 0.98 (0.93 to 1.03) in the 25–44, 45–64, 65–74, 75–84 and 85+ year age bands, respectively. They also had lower prevalence ORs (95% CI) for bronchitis (0.59 (0.39 to 0.89)), asthma (0.70 (0.53 to 0.93)), depression (0.59 (0.38 to 0.94)), and were less likely to receive benefits (0.60 (0.47 to 0.76)) and less likely to smoke (0.66 (0.51 to 0.85)).Conversely, mortality relative risks in migrants from affluent to deprived areas were higher compared with people remaining in affluent areas; 1.71 (1.37 to 2.12), 1.59 (1.40 to 1.82), 1.44 (1.26 to 1.63), 1.18 (1.10 to 1.27) and 1.04 (1.00 to 1.09) in the corresponding age groups. They also had higher prevalence odds ratios for long-term illness (2.37 (1.71 to 3.29)), asthma (1.71 (1.25 to 2.35)), diabetes (3.03 (1.70 to 5.41)), depression (2.71 (1.74 to 4.21)), were more likely to receive benefits (2.25 (1.65 to 3.07)) and more likely to smoke (1.51 (1.12 to 2.05)).ConclusionsPeople moving from deprived to affluent areas had lower mortality and better health, and vice versa, especially in the younger age groups. This study provides strong evidence linking selective migration within local areas to mortality.
The Jan Mayen microplate complex and the Wilson cycle
Authors: Schiffer Christian , Peace Alexander , Phethean Jordan , Gernigon Laurent , McCaffrey Ken , Petersen Kenni D. , Foulger Gillian 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
The opening of the North Atlantic region was one of the most important geodynamic events that shaped the present day passive margins of Europe, Greenland and North America. Although well-studied, much remains to be understood about the evolution of the North Atlantic, including the role of the Jan Mayen microplate complex. Geophysical data provide an image of the crustal structure of this microplate and enable a detailed reconstruction of the rifting and spreading history. However, the mechanisms that cause the separation of microplates between conjugate margins are still poorly understood. We assemble recent models of rifting and passive margin formation in the North Atlantic and discuss possible scenarios that may have led to the formation of the Jan Mayen microplate complex. This event was probably triggered by regional plate tectonic reorganizations rejuvenating inherited structures. The axis of rifting and continental break-up and the width of the Jan Mayen microplate complex were controlled by old Caledonian fossil subduction/suture zones. Its length is related to east–west-oriented deformation and fracture zones, possibly linked to rheological heterogeneities inherited from the pre-existing Precambrian terrane boundaries.