bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clindamycin to reduce preterm birth in a low resource setting: a randomised placebo‐controlled clinical trial
Authors: Bellad MB , Hoffman MK , Mallapur AA , Charantimath US , Katageri GM , Ganachari MS , Kavi A , Ramdurg UY , Bannale SG , Revankar AP , Sloan NL , Kodkany BS , Goudar SS , Derman RJ 
Published: May 2018

ObjectiveTo determine whether oral clindamycin reduces the risk of preterm birth (PTB) in women with abnormal vaginal microflora as evidenced by a vaginal pH ≥5.0.DesignRandomised double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial.SettingRural southern India.PopulationPregnant women with a singleton fetus between 13+0/7 weeks and 20+6/7 weeks.MethodsPregnant women were recruited during prenatal visits in Karnataka, India, from October 2013 to July 2015. Women were required to have a singleton fetus between 13+0/7 weeks and 20+6/7 weeks and an elevated vaginal pH (≥5.0) by colorimetric assessment. Participants were randomised to either oral clindamycin 300 mg twice daily for 5 days or an identical‐appearing placebo.Main outcome measuresThe primary outcome was the incidence of PTB, defined as delivery before 37+0/7 weeks.ResultsOf the 6476 screened women, 1727 women were randomised (block randomised in groups of six; clindamycin n = 866, placebo n = 861). The demographic, reproductive, and anthropomorphometric characteristics of the study groups were similar. Compliance was high, with over 94% of capsules being taken. The rate of PTB before 37 weeks was comparable between the two groups [clindamycin 115/826 (13.9%) versus placebo 111/806 (13.8%), between‐group difference 0.2% (95% CI −3.2 to 3.5%, P = 0.93)], as was PTB at less than 34 weeks [clindamycin 40/826 (4.8%) versus placebo group 37/806 (4.6%), between‐group difference 0.3% (95% CI −1.8 to 2.3%, P = 0.81)]. No differences were detected in the incidence of birthweight of<2500 g, <1500 g, miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death.ConclusionIn this setting, oral clindamycin did not decrease PTB among women with vaginal pH ≥5.0.Tweetable abstractOral clindamycin between 13+0/7 and 20+6/7 weeks does not prevent preterm birth in women with a vaginal pH ≥5.0.
Vaginal microbiome in early pregnancy and subsequent risk of spontaneous preterm birth: a case–control study
Authors: Tabatabaei N , Eren AM , Barreiro LB , Yotova V , Dumaine A , Allard C , Fraser WD 
Published: May 2018

ObjectivesTo explore differences in the vaginal microbiome between preterm and term deliveries.DesignNested case–control study in 3D cohort (design, develop, discover).SettingQuebec, Canada.SampleNinety‐four women with spontaneous preterm birth as cases [17 early (<34 weeks) and 77 late (34–36 weeks) preterm birth] and 356 women as controls with term delivery (≥37 weeks).MethodsTo assess the vaginal microbiome by sequencing the V4 region of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene in swabs self‐collected during early pregnancy.Main outcome measuresComparison of relative abundance of bacterial operational taxonomic units and oligotypes and identifying vaginal community state types (CSTs) in early or late spontaneous preterm and term deliveries.ResultsLactobacillus gasseri/ Lactobacillus johnsonii (coefficient −5.36, 95% CI −8.07 to −2.65), Lactobacillus crispatus (99%)/ Lactobacillus acidophilus (99%) (−4.58, 95% CI −6.20 to −2.96), Lactobacillus iners (99%)/ Ralstonia solanacearum (99%) (−3.98, 95% CI −6.48 to −1.47) and Bifidobacterium longum/ Bifidobacterium breve (−8.84, 95% CI −12.96 to −4.73) were associated with decreased risk of early but not late preterm birth. Six vaginal CSTs were identified: four dominated by Lactobacillus; one with presence of bacterial vaginosis‐associated bacteria (Gardnerella vaginalis, Atopobium vaginae and Veillonellaceae bacterium) (CST IV); and one with nondominance of Lactobacillus (CST VI). CST IV was associated with increased risk of early (4.22, 95% CI 1.24–24.85) but not late (1.63, 95% CI 0.68–5.04) preterm birth, compared with CST VI.ConclusionsLactobacillus gasseri/L. johnsonii, L. crispatus/L. acidophilus, L. iners/R. solanacearum and B. longum/B. breve may be associated with decreased risk of early preterm birth. A bacterial vaginosis‐related vaginal CST versus a CST nondominated by Lactobacillus may be associated with increased risk of early preterm birth.Tweetable abstractLargest study of its kind finds certain species of vaginal Lactobacillus + Bifidobacterium may relate to lower risk of preterm birth.
Getting What We Pay For: How Do Risk‐Based Payments to Medicare Advantage Plans Compare with Alternative Measures of Beneficiary Health Risk?
Authors: Jacobs Paul D. , Kronick Richard 
Published: May 2018

ObjectiveTo estimate the relative health risk of Medicare Advantage (MA) beneficiaries compared to those in Traditional Medicare (TM).Data Sources/Study SettingMedicare claims and enrollment records for the sample of beneficiaries enrolled in Part D between 2008 and 2015.Study DesignWe assigned therapeutic classes to Medicare beneficiaries based on their prescription drug utilization. We then regressed nondrug health spending for TM beneficiaries in 2015 on demographic and therapeutic class identifiers for 2014 and used coefficients from this regression to predict relative risk of both MA and TM beneficiaries.Principal FindingsBased on prescription drug utilization data, beneficiaries enrolled in MA in 2015 had 6.9 percent lower health risk than beneficiaries in TM, but differences based on coded diagnoses suggested MA beneficiaries were 6.2 percent higher risk. The relative health risk based on drug usage of MA beneficiaries compared to those in TM increased by 3.4 p.p. from 2008 to 2015, while the relative risk using diagnoses increased 9.8 p.p.ConclusionsOur results add to a growing body of evidence suggesting MA receives favorable, or, at worst, neutral selection. If MA beneficiaries are no healthier and no sicker than similar beneficiaries in TM, then payments to MA plans exceed what is warranted based on their health status.
Physical Therapy as the First Point of Care to Treat Low Back Pain: An Instrumental Variables Approach to Estimate Impact on Opioid Prescription, Health Care Utilization, and Costs
Authors: Frogner Bianca K. , Harwood Kenneth , Andrilla C. Holly A. , Schwartz Malaika , Pines Jesse M. 
Published: May 2018

ObjectiveTo compare differences in opioid prescription, health care utilization, and costs among patients with low back pain (LBP) who saw a physical therapist (PT) at the first point of care, at any time during the episode or not at all.Data SourcesCommercial health insurance claims data, 2009–2013.Study DesignRetrospective analyses using two‐stage residual inclusion instrumental variable models to estimate rates for opioid prescriptions, imaging services, emergency department visits, hospitalization, and health care costs.Data ExtractionPatients aged 18–64 years with a new primary diagnosis of LBP, living in the northwest United States, were observed over a 1‐year period.Principal FindingsCompared to patients who saw a PT later or never, patients who saw a PT first had lower probability of having an opioid prescription (89.4 percent), any advanced imaging services (27.9 percent), and an Emergency Department visit (14.7 percent), yet 19.3 percent higher probability of hospitalization (all p < .001). These patients also had significantly lower out‐of‐pocket costs, and costs appeared to shift away from outpatient and pharmacy toward provider settings.ConclusionsWhen LBP patients saw a PT first, there was lower utilization of high‐cost medical services as well as lower opioid use, and cost shifts reflecting the change in utilization.
Suppressing tawny crazy ant (Nylanderia fulva) by RNAi technology
Authors: Meng Jia , Lei Jiaxin , Davitt Andrew , Holt Jocelyn R. , Huang Jian , Gold Roger , Vargo Edward L. , Tarone Aaron M. , Zhu‐Salzman Keyan 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe tawny crazy ant (Nylanderia fulva) is a new invasive pest in the United States. At present, its management mainly relies on the use of synthetic insecticides, which are generally ineffective at producing lasting control of the pest, necessitating alternative environmentally friendly measures. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of gene silencing to control this ant species. Six housekeeping genes encoding actin (NfActin), coatomer subunit β (NfCOPβ), arginine kinase (NfArgK), and V‐type proton ATPase subunits A (NfvATPaseA), B (NfvATPaseB) and E (NfvATPaseE) were cloned. Phylogenetic analysis revealed high sequence similarity to homologs from other ant species, particularly the Florida carpenter ant (Camponotus floridanus). To silence these genes, vector L4440 was used to generate six specific RNAi constructs for bacterial expression. Heat‐inactivated, dsRNA‐expressing Escherichia coli were incorporated into artificial diet. Worker ants exhibited reduced endogenous gene expression after feeding on such diet for 9 d. However, only ingestion of dsRNAs of NfCOPβ (a gene involved in protein trafficking) and NfArgK (a cellular energy reserve regulatory gene in invertebrates) caused modest but significantly higher ant mortality than the control. These results suggest that bacterially expressed dsRNA can be orally delivered to ant cells as a mean to target its vulnerabilities. Improved efficacy is necessary for the RNAi‐based approach to be useful in tawny crazy ant management.
DNA barcoding of microgastrine parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) using high‐throughput methods more than doubles the number of species known for Australia
Authors: Fagan‐Jeffries Erinn P. , Cooper Steven J.B. , Bertozzi Terry , Bradford Tessa M. , Austin Andrew D. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe Microgastrinae are a hugely diverse subfamily of endoparasitoid wasps of lepidopteran caterpillars. They are important in agriculture as biological control agents and play a significant ecological role in the regulation of caterpillar populations. Whilst the group has been the focus of intensive rearing and DNA barcoding studies in the Northern Hemisphere, the Australian fauna has received little attention. In total, 99 species have been described from or have been introduced into Australia, but the real species diversity for the region is clearly much larger than this. In this study, museum ethanol samples and recent field collections were mined for hundreds of specimens of microgastrine wasps, which were then barcoded for the COI region, ITS2 ribosomal spacer and the wingless nuclear genes, using a pooled sequencing approach on an Illumina Miseq system. Full COI sequences were obtained for 525 individuals which, when combined with 162 publicly available sequences, represented 417 haplotypes, and a total of 236 species were delimited using a consensus approach. By more than doubling the number of known microgastrine wasp species in Australia, our study highlights the value of DNA barcoding in the context of employing high‐throughput sequencing methods of bulk ethanol museum collections for biodiversity assessment.
Global Emergency Medicine: A Review of the Literature From 2017
Authors: Becker Torben K. , Trehan Indi , Hayward Alison Schroth , Hexom Braden J. , Kivlehan Sean M. , Lunney Kevin M. , Modi Payal , Osei‐Ampofo Maxwell , Pousson Amelia , Cho Daniel K. , Levine Adam C. ,   the Global Emergency Medicine Literature Review (GEMLR) Group
Published: May 2018

AbstractObjectivesThe Global Emergency Medicine Literature Review (GEMLR) conducts an annual search of peer‐reviewed and gray literature relevant to global emergency medicine (EM) to identify, review, and disseminate the most important new research in this field to a global audience of academics and clinical practitioners.MethodsThis year, 17,722 articles written in three languages were identified by our electronic search. These articles were distributed among 20 reviewers for initial screening based on their relevance to the field of global EM. Another two reviewers searched the gray literature, yielding an additional 11 articles. All articles that were deemed appropriate by at least one reviewer and approved by their editor underwent formal scoring of overall quality and importance. Two independent reviewers scored all articles.ResultsA total of 848 articles met our inclusion criteria and underwent full review. Sixty‐three percent were categorized as emergency care in resource‐limited settings, 23% as disaster and humanitarian response, and 14% as EM development. Twenty‐one articles received scores of 18.5 or higher out of a maximum score 20 and were selected for formal summary and critique. Inter‐rater reliability testing between reviewers revealed a Cohen's kappa of 0.344.ConclusionsIn 2017, the total number of articles identified by our search continued to increase. Studies and reviews with a focus on infectious diseases, pediatrics, and trauma represented the majority of top‐scoring articles.
Dehydroepiandrosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels in combat veterans with or without a history of suicide attempt
Authors: Sher L. , Flory J. , Bierer L. , Makotkine I. , Yehuda R. 
Published: May 2018

ObjectiveThe goal of this study was to determine whether combat veterans who have made a suicide attempt postdeployment can be distinguished from combat veterans who have never made a suicide attempt based on differences in psychological and biological variables.MethodsDemographic and clinical parameters of suicide attempters and non‐attempters were assessed. Blood samples were assayed for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS).ResultsSuicide attempters had higher Scale for Suicidal Ideation and Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)—suicidal thoughts item scores in comparison with non‐attempters. There was a trend toward higher MADRS scores in the suicide attempter group compared with non‐attempters. Suicide attempters had significantly lower levels of DHEA and DHEAS compared with non‐attempters. Scale for Suicidal Ideation scores in all study participants combined negatively correlate with DHEA and DHEAS levels. DHEAS levels negatively correlate with Scale for Suicidal Ideation scores in suicide non‐attempters but not in suicide attempters. DHEA/DHEAS ratios positively correlate with total adolescence aggression scores, total adulthood aggression scores, and total aggression scale scores in suicide attempters but not in suicide non‐attempters.ConclusionThere are psychobiological differences between combat veterans with or without a history of suicidal behaviour.
IgG1+ B‐cell immunity predates IgE responses in epicutaneous sensitization to foods
Authors: Jiménez‐Saiz R. , Ellenbogen Y. , Koenig J. F. E. , Gordon M. E. , Walker T. D. , Rosace D. , Spill P. , Bruton K. , Kong J. , Monteiro K. , Wen J. , Tuomanen E. I. , Kolbeck R. , Chu D. K. , Waserman S. , Jordana M. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe generation of IgE‐mediated food allergy in humans is silent and only diagnosed upon manifestation of clinical symptoms. While experimental models have been used to investigate some mechanisms of allergic sensitization, the generation of humoral immunity and memory remains to be elucidated. Here, we defined the evolution of allergen‐specific B‐cell responses during epicutaneous sensitization to foods.MethodsWild‐type and genetic knockout animals, and drug or antibody strategies for cell depletion and immunoglobulin signaling blockade were used to investigate epicutaneous sensitization and disease progression; we analyzed allergen‐specific germinal centers and IgG1+ memory B cells by flow cytometry, evaluated humoral responses, and determined clinical reactivity (anaphylaxis).ResultsEpicutaneous sensitization caused microscopic skin damage, inflammation, and recruitment of activated dendritic cells to the draining lymph nodes. This process generated allergen‐specific IgG1+ germinal center B cells, serum IgG1, and anaphylaxis that was mediated by the alternative pathway. Whether we used peanut and/or ovalbumin from the egg white for sensitization, the allergen‐specific IgG1+ memory compartment predominantly exhibited an immature, pro‐germinal center phenotype (PDL‐2−CD80−CD35+CD73+). Subsequent subclinical exposures to the allergen induced IgE+ germinal center B cells, serum IgE, and likely activated the classical pathway of anaphylaxis.ConclusionsOur data demonstrate that IgG1+ B‐cell immunity against food allergens in epicutaneous sensitization precedes the generation of IgE responses. Therefore, the assessment of allergen‐specific cellular and humoral IgG1+ immunity may help to identify individuals at risk of developing IgE‐mediated food allergy and hence provide a window for therapeutic interventions.
Obesity leads to impairments in the morphology and organization of human skeletal muscle lipid droplets and mitochondrial networks, which are resolved with gastric bypass surgery‐induced improvements in insulin sensitivity
Authors: Kristensen M. D. , Petersen S. M. , Møller K. E. , Lund M. T. , Hansen M. , Hansen C. N , Courraud J. , Helge J. W. , Dela F. , Prats C. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAimsSkeletal muscle lipid stores and mitochondrial function have been appointed as key players in obesity‐induced insulin resistance. However, there are conflicting reports in the literature based on in vitro quantitative measurements. Here, we test the hypothesis that it is not the quantity but the quality that matters.MethodsThis study combines quantitative and qualitative structural measurements of lipid stores and mitochondrial dynamics in skeletal muscle from lean subjects, and subjects with morbid obesity, with and without type 2 diabetes, before and after gastric bypass surgery.ResultsThe structural organization of muscle mitochondrial networks in type II muscle fibres from subjects with morbid obesity is impaired. In addition, the amount of skeletal muscle perilipin 2 protein per intramyocellular lipid is reduced in subjects with morbid obesity, resulting in qualitative alterations in perilipin 2 coat around some lipid droplets. Gastric bypass surgery‐induced weight loss and insulin resistance remission were associated with decreases in intramyocellular lipid stores and, qualitative improvements in lipid droplets’ morphology, perilipin 2 coat and mitochondrial dynamics.ConclusionMorbid obesity leads to severe qualitative alterations of both skeletal muscle lipid stores and mitochondrial networks. The degree of structural improvements after gastric bypass surgery was proportional to the improvements in whole body insulin sensitivity, suggesting an association between these events.
Combination of endoscopic submucosal dissection and transanal minimally invasive surgery for the resection of early rectal cancer with fibrosis after prior partial excision
Authors: Kim Sung Hoo , Yang Dong Hoon , Lim Seok‐Byung 
Published: May 2018

AbstractEndoscopic submucosal dissection is an effective procedure for treating non‐invasive colorectal tumors. However, in cases of severe fibrosis, endoscopic submucosal dissection may be technically difficult, leading to incomplete resection. Here, we describe the case of a 74‐year‐old man who had early rectal cancer along with severe submucosal fibrosis caused by prior local excision. Combination treatment with endoscopic submucosal dissection and transanal minimally invasive surgery successfully enabled complete resection.
Earnings Quality and Market Values of Indonesian Listed Firms
Authors: Hutagaol‐Martowidjojo Yanthi , Valentincic Aljosa , Warganegara Dezie L. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractWe find that earnings quality (EQ) is reliably negatively correlated with the market values of equity of firms listed on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (IDX). The financial reporting process produces earnings viewed as increasingly ‘incomplete’ for valuation purposes by the capital market despite moves towards high‐quality financial reporting standards (IFRS) during the sample period 1995–2015. Time‐series analyses reveal that EQ decreases rather than increases through time. The role of earnings in valuation is replaced by other attributes, most notably net dividends. Firms that pay out dividends are valued significantly higher, and firms that issue equity are valued lower. These results are robust regardless of other accounting, market and governance controls. Large and closely held firms are valued higher than smaller firms, consistent with some aspects of the political cost hypothesis. Shares with higher idiosyncratic risk are valued higher, consistent with option value, as are shares where the volume of shares traded is more volatile. Collectively, the results indicate that the mere adoption of high‐quality accounting standards (IFRS) and other nominal changes in capital market regulations do not automatically increase the quality of the financial reporting process.
Incidence and cost of medication harm in older adults following hospital discharge: a multicentre prospective study in the UK
Authors: Parekh Nikesh , Ali Khalid , Stevenson Jennifer M. , Davies J. Graham , Schiff Rebekah , Van der Cammen Tischa , Harchowal Jatinder , Raftery James , Rajkumar Chakravarthi ,   on behalf of the PRIME study group
Published: May 2018

AimsPolypharmacy is increasingly common in older adults, placing them at risk of medication‐related harm (MRH). Patients are particularly vulnerable to problems with their medications in the period following hospital discharge due to medication changes and poor information transfer between hospital and primary care. The aim of the present study was to investigate the incidence, severity, preventability and cost of MRH in older adults in England postdischarge.MethodsAn observational, multicentre, prospective cohort study recruited 1280 older adults (median age 82 years) from five teaching hospitals in Southern England, UK. Participants were followed up for 8 weeks by senior pharmacists, using three data sources (hospital readmission review, participant telephone interview and primary care records), to identify MRH and associated health service utilization.ResultsOverall, 413 participants (37%) experienced MRH (556 MRH events per 1000 discharges), of which 336 (81%) cases were serious and 214 (52%) potentially preventable. Four participants experienced fatal MRH. The most common MRH events were gastrointestinal (n = 158, 25%) or neurological (n = 111, 18%). The medicine classes associated with the highest risk of MRH were opiates, antibiotics and benzodiazepines. A total of 328 (79%) participants with MRH sought healthcare over the 8‐week follow‐up. The incidence of MRH‐associated hospital readmission was 78 per 1000 discharges. Postdischarge MRH in older adults is estimated to cost the National Health Service £396 million annually, of which £243 million is potentially preventable.ConclusionsMRH is common in older adults following hospital discharge, and results in substantial use of healthcare resources.