bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Research gaps in viral hepatitis
Authors: Boyd Anders , Duchesne Léa , Lacombe Karine 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIntroductionThe World Health Organization has aimed for global elimination of both hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) by 2030. Treatments available to cure HCV and control HBV, as well as vaccination to prevent HBV infection, have certainly allowed for such bold goals, yet the final steps to usher in elimination require further evidence.DiscussionWe broadly discuss the needs for three major public health approaches. First, an effective vaccine exists for HBV and mass‐vaccination campaigns have resulted in decreases in hepatitis B surface antigen seroprevalence and overall rates of liver‐related morality. Still, HBV vaccination coverage is poor in certain regions of the world, while the reasons for such low coverage require further study. A prophylactic vaccine is probably needed to eliminate HCV, but is not being readily developed. Second, identifying HBV/HCV infected individuals remains a priority to increase awareness of disease status, particularly for key populations. Research evaluating large‐scale implementation of novel, rapid and mobile point‐of‐care tests would be helpful to determine whether increased awareness is achievable in these settings. Third, antiviral therapy allows for strong HBV suppression and HCV cure, while its access depends on financial factors among many others. Although there is strong evidence to treat key populations and specific groups with progressed disease, as stated in current guidelines, the advantages of extending treatment eligibility to decrease onward spread of HBV/HCV infection and prevent further burden of disease are lacking “real world” evidence. Novel anti‐HBV treatments are being developed to target intrahepatocellular HBV replication, but are still in the early phases of clinical development. Each of the strategies mentioned above has specific implications for HIV infection.ConclusionsThere are certainly effective tools to combat the spread of viral hepatitis and treat infected individuals – yet how they are able to reach key populations, and the infrastructure required to do so, continue to represent the largest research gap when evaluating the progress towards elimination. Continuously adapted and informed research is required to establish the priorities in achieving elimination goals.
Treatment advocate tactics to expand access to antiviral therapy for HIV and viral hepatitis C in low‐ to high‐income settings: making sure no one is left behind
Authors: Grillon Céline , Krishtel Priti R , Mellouk Othoman , Basenko Anton , Freeman James , Mendão Luís , Andrieux‐Meyer Isabelle , Morin Sébastien 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIntroductionWorldwide, 71 million people are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), which, without treatment, can lead to liver failure or hepatocellular carcinoma. HCV co‐infection increases liver‐ and AIDS‐related morbidity and mortality among HIV‐positive people, despite ART. A 12‐week course of HCV direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs) usually cures HCV – regardless of HIV status. However, patents and high prices have created access barriers for people living with HCV, especially people who inject drugs (PWID). Inadequate access to and coverage of harm reduction interventions feed the co‐epidemics of HIV and HCV; as a result, the highest prevalence of HCV is found among PWID, who face additional obstacles to treatment (including stigma, discrimination and other structural barriers). The HIV epidemic occurred during globalization of intellectual property rights, and highlighted the relationship between patents and the high prices that prevent access to medicines. Indian generic manufacturers produced affordable generic HIV treatment, enabling global scale‐up. Unlike HIV, donors have yet to step forward to fund HCV programmes, although DAAs can be mass‐produced at a low and sustainable cost. Unfortunately, although voluntary licensing agreements between originators and generic manufacturers enable low‐income (and some lower‐middle income countries) to buy generic versions of HIV and HCV medicines, most middle‐income countries with large burdens of HCV infection and HIV/HCV co‐infection are excluded from these agreements. Our commentary presents tactics from the HIV experience that treatment advocates can use to expand access to DAAs.DiscussionA number of practical actions can help increase access to DAAs, including new research and development (R&D) paradigms; compassionate use, named‐patient and early access programmes; use of TRIPS flexibilities such as compulsory licences and patent oppositions; and parallel importation via buyers’ clubs. Together, these approaches can increase access to antiviral therapy for people living with HIV and viral hepatitis in low‐, middle‐ and high‐income settings.ConclusionsThe HIV example provides helpful parallels for addressing challenges to expanding access to HCV DAAs. HCV treatment access – and harm reduction – should be massively scaled‐up to meet the needs of PWID, and efforts should be made to tackle stigma and discrimination, and stop criminalization of drug use and possession.
Is hepatitis C virus elimination possible among people living with HIV and what will it take to achieve it?
Authors: Martin Natasha K , Boerekamps Anne , Hill Andrew M , Rijnders Bart J A 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIntroductionThe World Health Organization targets for hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination include a 90% reduction in new infections by 2030. Our objective is to review the modelling evidence and cost data surrounding feasibility of HCV elimination among people living with HIV (PLWH), and identify likely components for elimination. We also discuss the real‐world experience of HCV direct acting antiviral (DAA) scale‐up and elimination efforts in the Netherlands.MethodsWe review modelling evidence of what intervention scale‐up is required to achieve WHO HCV elimination targets among HIV‐infected (HIV+) people who inject drugs (PWID) and men who have sex with men (MSM), review cost‐effectiveness of HCV therapy among PLWH and discuss economic implications of elimination. We additionally use the real‐world experience of DAA scale‐up in the Netherlands to illustrate the promise and potential challenges of HCV elimination strategies in MSM. Finally, we summarize key components of the HCV elimination response among PWLH.Results and discussionModelling indicates HCV elimination among HIV+ MSM and PWID is potentially achievable but requires combination treatment and either harm reduction or behavioural risk reductions. Preliminary modelling indicates elimination among HIV+ PWID will require elimination efforts among PWID more broadly. Treatment for PLWH and high‐risk populations (PWID and MSM) is cost‐effective in high‐income countries, but costs of DAAs remain a barrier to scale‐up worldwide despite the potential low production price ($50 per 12 week course). In the Netherlands, universal DAA availability led to rapid uptake among HIV+ MSM in 2015/16, and a 50% reduction in acute HCV incidence among HIV+ MSM from 2014 to 2016 was observed. In addition to HCV treatment, elimination among PLWH globally also likely requires regular HCV testing, development of low‐cost accurate HCV diagnostics, reduced costs of DAA therapy, broad treatment access without restrictions, close monitoring for HCV reinfection and retreatment, and harm reduction and/or behavioural interventions.ConclusionsAchieving WHO HCV Elimination targets is potentially achievable among HIV‐infected populations. Among HIV+ PWID, it likely requires HCV treatment scale‐up combined with harm reduction for both HIV+ and HIV‐ populations. Among HIV+ MSM, elimination likely requires both HCV treatment and behaviour risk reduction among the HIV+ MSM population, the latter of which to date has not been observed. Lower HCV diagnostic and treatment costs will be key to ensuring scale‐up of HCV testing and treatment without restriction, enabling elimination.
Eosinophil and airway nerve interactions in asthma
Authors: Drake Matthew G , Lebold Katherine M , Roth-Carter Quinn R , Pincus Alexandra B , Blum Emily D , Proskocil Becky J , Jacoby David B , Fryer Allison D , Nie Zhenying 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
Airway eosinophils are increased in asthma and are especially abundant around airway nerves. Nerves control bronchoconstiction and in asthma, airway hyperreactivity (where airways contract excessively to inhaled stimuli) develops when eosinophils alter both parasympathetic and sensory nerve function. Eosinophils release major basic protein, which is an antagonist of inhibitory M2 muscarinic receptors on parasympathetic nerves. Loss of M2 receptor inhibition potentiates parasympathetic nerve-mediated bronchoconstriction. Eosinophils also increase sensory nerve responsiveness by lowering neurons’ activation threshold, stimulating nerve growth, and altering neuropeptide expression. Since sensory nerves activate parasympathetic nerves via a central neuronal reflex, eosinophils’ effects on both sensory and parasympathetic nerves potentiate bronchoconstriction. This review explores recent insights into mechanisms and effects of eosinophil and airway nerve interactions in asthma.
Eosinophils are recruited to airway nerves and cause excessive bronchoconstriction in asthma by altering nerve function.
Let's Talk About Race: Evaluating a College Interracial Discussion Group on Race
Authors: Ashby Kimberly M. , Collins Dana L. , Helms Janet E. , Manlove Joshua 
Published: April 2018

The authors evaluate Dialogues on Race, an interracial group intervention in which undergraduate student facilitators led conversations about race with their peers. The evaluation process is described, including developing collaborative relationships, identifying program goals, selecting measures, and analyzing and presenting results. The authors discuss lessons learned about evaluating an interracial dialogue intervention that did not originally include researchers in the hope that this examination will encourage others to evaluate similar campus interventions.Diálogos sobre Raza es una intervención de grupo interracial en la que estudiantes universitarios moderaron conversaciones sobre raza con sus compañeros. Se describe el proceso de evaluación, incluyendo el desarrollo de relaciones de colaboración, la identificación de objetivos del programa, la selección de medidas, y el análisis y presentación de los resultados. Los autores discuten las lecciones aprendidas sobre la evaluación de una intervención interracial dialogada que en principio no incluyó a investigadores con la esperanza de que este examen animará a otros a evaluar intervenciones similares en sus campus.
A case of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in a patient successfully treated by radiofrequency catheter ablation with a severely right‐sided dislocation of the heart after a total right lung excision
Authors: Aoki Ryota , Takemoto Masao , Nakasuga Kazuta , Kang Honsa , Tanaka Atsushi , Mito Takahiro , Antoku Yoshibumi , Matsuo Atsutoshi , Hida Satoru , Okazaki Teiji , Yoshitake Kiyonobu , Tayama Kei‐ichiro , Kosuga Ken‐ichi 
Published: April 2018

AbstractA 72‐year‐old woman with symptomatic and drug‐refractory paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA). She had a history of a total right lung excision. Her chest X‐ray and computed tomography (CT) revealed a severely sight‐sided dislocation of the heart. Thus, the procedure was carefully performed under guidance of a CT, intracardiac echogram, atriography, and 3D mapping system. Finally, the AF was successfully treated by RFCA without any complications.
Chitosan nanoparticles‐loadedCitrus aurantiumessential oil: a novel delivery system for preserving the postharvest quality ofAgaricus bisporus
Authors: Karimirad Roghayeh , Behnamian Mahdi , Dezhsetan Sara , Sonnenberg Anton 
Published: April 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDOne of the main problems in the button mushroom industry is the rapid deterioration of fruit bodies after harvest. Today, nanotechnology has become a more reliable technique to improve the quality of products in food packaging. In the present study, the effectiveness of chitosan nanoparticles containingCitrus aurantiumessential oil on postharvest quality of white button mushroom was examined and compared to essential oil fumigation and control treatments.RESULTSBased on high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering, nanoparticles exhibited a spherical shape of 20–60 nm diameter. The results revealed that the application of chitosan nanoparticles loaded withC. aurantiumoil significantly decelerated the rate of color change, weight loss and firmness compared to fumigation with essential oil and control treatments. Treatment of fruit bodies with chitosan nanoparticles loaded withC. aurantiumoil promoted the accumulation of phenolic compounds and ascorbic acid, and resulted in increases in catalase and superoxide dismutase and a decrease in polyphenol oxidase activities, as the highest antioxidant capacity was observed after 15 days of cold storage.CONCLUSIONThis present research demonstrates that gradual release ofC. aurantiumessential oil from chitosan nanoparticles could be an effective and practical method for extending the shelf life of white button mushroom up to 15 days without significant decrease in antioxidant capacity. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Urea plus nitrate pretreatment of rice and wheat straws enhances degradation and reduces methane production inin vitroruminal culture
Authors: Zhang Xiumin , Wang Min , Wang Rong , Ma Zhiyuan , Long Donglei , Mao Hongxiang , Wen Jiangnan , Bernard Lukuyu A , Beauchemin Karen A , Tan Zhiliang 
Published: April 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDUrea pretreatment of straw damages fiber structure, while nitrate supplementation of ruminal diets inhibits enteric methane production. The study examined the combined effects of these treatments on ruminal substrate biodegradation and methane production using anin vitroincubation system. Rice and wheat straws were pretreated with urea (40 g kg−1straw dry matter, DM) and urea + ammonium nitrate (34 + 6 g kg−1dry matter (DM), respectively), and each straw (control, urea, urea+nitrate) was used in batch culture incubations in three replications (runs).RESULTSUrea pretreatment increased (P < 0.05) neutral‐detergent solubles (NDS) content (+17%) andin vitroDM degradation of rice straw, in comparison with control. Urea+nitrate pretreatment of rice and wheat straws had higher (P < 0.05) NDS content,in vitroDM degradation and propionate molar proportion, and lower (P < 0.05) acetate:propionate ratio and lower methane production with a decline of methanogens, in comparison to control.CONCLUSIONSUrea+nitrate pretreatment combines positive effects of urea pretreatment and nitrate supplementation, and can be a potential strategy to improve ruminal biodegradation, facilitate propionate production and reduce methane production from lignified straws. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Wafer‐scale monolithic hybrid integration of Si‐based IC and III–V epi‐layers—A mass manufacturable approach for active matrix micro‐LED micro‐displays
Authors: Zhang Lei , Ou Fang , Chong Wing Cheung , Chen Yijing , Li Qiming 
Published: April 2018

AbstractHybridization of silicon integrated circuits (ICs) with compound semiconductor device arrays are crucial for making functional hybrid chips, which are found to have enormous applications in many areas. Although widely used in manufacturing hybrid chips, the flip‐chip technology suffers from several limitations that are difficult to overcome, especially when the demand is raised to make functional hybrid chips with higher device array density without sacrificing the chip footprint. To address those issues, Beida Jade Bird Display Limited has developed its unique wafer‐level monolithic hybrid integration technology and demonstrated its advantages in making large‐scale hybrid integration of functional device arrays on Si IC wafers. Active matrix micro‐light‐emitting diode micro‐displays with a resolution of 5000+ pixel per inch were successfully fabricated using Beida Jade Bird Display Limited's monolithic hybrid integration technology. The general fabrication method is described, and the result is presented in this paper. The fabricated monochromatic micro‐light‐emitting diode micro‐displays exhibit improved device performance than do other micro‐display technologies and have great potentials in applications such as portable projectors and near‐to‐eye projection for augmented reality. More importantly, the wafer‐scale monolithic hybrid integration technology offers a clear path for low‐cost mass production of hybrid optoelectronic IC chips.
Mapping tourist consumption behaviour from destination card data: What do sequences of activities reveal?
Authors: Scuderi Raffaele , Dalle Nogare Chiara 
Published: April 2018

AbstractDestination cards are popular means to promote attractions, events, and consumption. This research aims to investigate tourists' preferences by identifying the most common sequences of activities recorded by a destination card. We use pattern recognition and cluster analysis techniques. Evidence shows that most tourists prioritize outdoors moderately engaging activities, that there is a love for variety, and that cultural tourists are the only relevant group characterized by choosing activities belonging to the same type (indoors‐intellectual engagement) along the engagement‐leisure scale.
Evaluation of desert bighorn sheep abundance surveys, southwestern Arizona, USA
Authors: Conroy Michael J. , Harris Grant , Stewart David R. , Butler Matthew J. 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACTDesigning wildlife surveys requires biologists to identify their objectives and the accuracy (i.e., bias and precision) required to inform them. In southwestern Arizona, USA, abundance estimates and trends for desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) rely on detection‐corrected aerial surveys (i.e., group‐size estimator) to inform harvest and assess management actions. The accuracy requirements and trend resolution remain undefined, rendering the surveys ability to address management needs uncertain. We used simulations based on historical surveys to optimize survey efficiency, estimate the accuracy of alternative sampling designs, and evaluate if the accuracy produced by this survey meets management needs. Simulations varied by the amount of area surveyed and temporal frequency. Given annual surveys, we examined trend detection with alternative significance levels (α spanning 0.05–0.30). Our simulations, which accepted the survey assumptions, identified many designs producing unbiased and precise estimates (CV <20%). Alternatives exist for optimizing this survey. For instance, surveying >70% of a Game Management Unit (GMU) provides similar precision to 100% coverage. Population declines ≥12%/year are detectable with annual surveys over a 10‐year period when α = 0.05. Setting α = 0.3 enables detecting declines ≥14%/year within 3 years. This survey assumes constant detection, calculated in 1 GMU 2 decades ago, and applied to 10 other GMUs since. We tested this assumption by estimating group‐size detection from field data in another GMU for 4 years. Bighorn sheep detection varied across GMUs and survey periods. Abundance estimates using the new detection rates were approximately 40% lower than current estimates. Our survey evaluation revealed that differences in abundance of approximately 50% are often not detectable, precision is insufficient to detect large trends in a timely manner (i.e., 40% decline in 7 years), and assuming a fixed detection process remains unfounded. Alternative sampling designs that estimate detectability concomitant with the survey, combined with targeted studies, would better inform management objectives for these desert bighorn sheep. Our assessment demonstrates the problems that occur when survey requirements are vague or mismatch survey design, and that monitoring designs incapable of capturing spatial and temporal variation in detectability will risk misrepresenting animals’ population sizes and trends. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
Rating Scales and Performance‐based Measures for Assessment of Functional Ability in Huntington's Disease: Critique and Recommendations
Authors: Mestre Tiago A. , Busse Monica , Davis Aileen M. , Quinn Lori , Rodrigues Filipe B. , Burgunder Jean‐Marc , Carlozzi Noelle E. , Walker Francis , Ho Aileen K. , Sampaio Cristina , Goetz Christopher G. , Cubo Esther , Martinez‐Martin Pablo , Stebbins Glenn T. ,   the Members of the MDS Committee on Rating Scales Development
Published: April 2018

AbstractLimitation of functional ability is a major feature of Huntington's disease (HD). The International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (MDS) commissioned the appraisal of the use and clinimetric properties of clinical measures of functional ability that have been applied in HD studies and trials to date, to make recommendations regarding their use based on standardized criteria. After a systematic literature search, we included a total of 29 clinical measures grouped into two categories: (1) performance‐based measures (e.g., balance, walking, and reaching/grasping), and (2) rating scales. Three performance‐based measures are rated as “recommended”: the Tinetti Mobility Test for screening of fall risk and for severity assessment of mobility in patients with manifest HD (up to stage III); the Berg Balance Scale for severity of balance impairment; and the Six‐Minute Walk Test for assessment of walking endurance (severity) in HD subjects with preserved ambulation. No rating scale targeting functional ability reached a “recommended” status either for screening or severity measurement.The main challenges identified in this review include applying widely accepted conceptual frameworks to the identified measures, the lack of validation of clinical measures to detect change over time, and absence of validated measures for upper limb function. Furthermore, measures of capacity or ability to perform activities of daily living had ceiling effects in people with early and pre‐manifest HD. We recommend that the MDS prioritize the development of new scales that capture small, but meaningful changes in function over time for outcome assessment in clinical trials, particularly in earlier stages of HD.