bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of effectiveness and safety of imipenem/clavulanate-versusmeropenem/clavulanate-containing regimens in the treatment of MDR- and XDR-TB
Authors: Tiberi Simon , Sotgiu Giovanni , D'Ambrosio Lia , Centis Rosella , Abdo Arbex Marcos , Alarcon Arrascue Edith , Alffenaar Jan Willem , Caminero Jose A. , Gaga Mina , Gualano Gina , Skrahina Alena , Solovic Ivan , Sulis Giorgia , Tadolini Marina , Alarcon Guizado Valentina , De Lorenzo Saverio , Roby Arias Aurora Jazmín , Scardigli Anna , Akkerman Onno W. , Aleksa Alena , Artsukevich Janina , Auchynka Vera , Bonini Eduardo Henrique , Chong Marín Félix Antonio , Collahuazo López Lorena , de Vries Gerard , Dore Simone , Kunst Heinke , Matteelli Alberto , Moschos Charalampos , Palmieri Fabrizio , Papavasileiou Apostolos , Payen Marie-Christine , Piana Andrea , Spanevello Antonio , Vargas Vasquez Dante , Viggiani Pietro , White Veronica , Zumla Alimuddin , Migliori Giovanni Battista 
Published: April 2016

No large study to date has ever evaluated the effectiveness, safety and tolerability of imipenem/clavulanateversusmeropenem/clavulanate to treat multidrug- and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR- and XDR-TB). The aim of this observational study was to compare the therapeutic contribution of imipenem/clavulanateversusmeropenem/clavulanate added to background regimens to treat MDR- and XDR-TB cases.84 patients treated with imipenem/clavulanate-containing regimens showed a similar median number of antibiotic resistances (8versus8) but more fluoroquinolone resistance (79.0%versus48.9%, p<0.0001) and higher XDR-TB prevalence (67.9%versus49.0%, p=0.01) in comparison with 96 patients exposed to meropenem/clavulanate-containing regimens. Patients were treated with imipenem/clavulanate- and meropenem/clavulanate-containing regimens for a median (interquartile range) of 187 (60–428)versus85 (49–156) days, respectively.Statistically significant differences were observed on sputum smear and culture conversion rates (79.7%versus94.8%, p=0.02 and 71.9%versus94.8%, p<0.0001, respectively) and on success rates (59.7%versus77.5%, p=0.03). Adverse events to imipenem/clavulanate and meropenem/clavulanate were reported in 5.4% and 6.5% of cases only.Our study suggests that meropenem/clavulanate is more effective than imipenem/clavulanate in treating MDR/XDR-TB patients.
Oxygen desaturation in 6-min walk test is a risk factor for adverse outcomes in COPD
Authors: Waatevik Marie , Johannessen Ane , Gomez Real Francisco , Aanerud Marianne , Hardie Jon Andrew , Bakke Per Sigvald , Lind Eagan Tomas Mikal 
Published: April 2016

The 6-min walk test (6MWT) is an exercise test that measures functional status in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and provides information on oxygen desaturation. We investigated oxygen desaturation during 6MWT as a risk factor for important COPD outcomes: mortality, frequency of exacerbations, decline in lung function and decline in lean body mass.433 COPD patients were included in the Bergen COPD Cohort Study 2006–2009, and followed-up for 3 years. Patients were characterised using spirometry, bioelectrical impedance measurements, Charlson comorbidity score, exacerbation history, smoking and arterial blood gases. 370 patients completed the 6MWT at the baseline of the study. Information on all-cause mortality was collected in 2011.Patients who experienced oxygen desaturation during the 6MWT had an approximately twofold increased risk of death (hazard ratio 2.4, 95% CI 1.2–5.1), a 50% increased risk for experiencing later COPD exacerbations (incidence rate ratio 1.6, 95% CI 1.1–2.2), double the yearly rate of decline in both forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (3.2% and 1.7%versus1.7% and 0.9%, respectively) and manifold increased yearly rate of loss of lean body mass (0.18 kg·m−2versus0.03 kg·m−2among those who did not desaturate).Desaturating COPD patients had a significantly worse prognosis than non-desaturating COPD patients, for multiple important disease outcomes.
Cortical drive to breathe in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a dyspnoea-worsening defence?
Authors: Georges Marjolaine , Morawiec Elise , Raux Mathieu , Gonzalez-Bermejo Jésus , Pradat Pierre-François , Similowski Thomas , Morélot-Panzini Capucine 
Published: April 2016

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease causing diaphragm weakness that can be partially compensated by inspiratory neck muscle recruitment. This disappears during sleep, which is compatible with a cortical contribution to the drive to breathe. We hypothesised that ALS patients with respiratory failure exhibit respiratory-related cortical activity, relieved by noninvasive ventilation (NIV) and related to dyspnoea.We studied 14 ALS patients with respiratory failure. Electroencephalographic recordings (EEGs) and electromyographic recordings of inspiratory neck muscles were performed during spontaneous breathing and NIV. Dyspnoea was evaluated using the Multidimensional Dyspnea Profile.Eight patients exhibited slow EEG negativities preceding inspiration (pre-inspiratory potentials) during spontaneous breathing. Pre-inspiratory potentials were attenuated during NIV (p=0.04). Patients without pre-inspiratory potentials presented more advanced forms of ALS and more severe respiratory impairment, but less severe dyspnoea. Patients with pre-inspiratory potentials had stronger inspiratory neck muscle activation and more severe dyspnoea during spontaneous breathing.ALS-related diaphragm weakness can engage cortical resources to augment the neural drive to breathe. This might reflect a compensatory mechanism, with the intensity of dyspnoea a negative consequence. Disease progression and the corresponding neural loss could abolish this phenomenon. A putative cognitive cost should be investigated.
Predicting drug target interactions using meta-path-based semantic network analysis
Authors: Fu Gang , Ding Ying , Seal Abhik , Chen Bin , Sun Yizhou , Bolton Evan 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
Background
In the context of drug discovery, drug target interactions (DTIs) can be predicted based on observed topological features of a semantic network across the chemical and biological space. In a semantic network, the types of the nodes and links are different. In order to take into account the heterogeneity of the semantic network, meta-path-based topological patterns were investigated for link prediction.

Results
Supervised machine learning models were constructed based on meta-path topological features of an enriched semantic network, which was derived from Chem2Bio2RDF, and was expanded by adding compound and protein similarity neighboring links obtained from the PubChem databases. The additional semantic links significantly improved the predictive performance of the supervised learning models. The binary classification model built upon the enriched feature space using the Random Forest algorithm significantly outperformed an existing semantic link prediction algorithm, Semantic Link Association Prediction (SLAP), to predict unknown links between compounds and protein targets in an evolving network. In addition to link prediction, Random Forest also has an intrinsic feature ranking algorithm, which can be used to select the important topological features that contribute to link prediction.

Conclusions
The proposed framework has been demonstrated as a powerful alternative to SLAP in order to predict DTIs using the semantic network that integrates chemical, pharmacological, genomic, biological, functional, and biomedical information into a unified framework. It offers the flexibility to enrich the feature space by using different normalization processes on the topological features, and it can perform model construction and feature selection at the same time.
How electromagnetic fields can influence adult stem cells: positive and negative impacts
Authors: Maziarz Aleksandra , Kocan Beata , Bester Mariusz , Budzik Sylwia , Cholewa Marian , Ochiya Takahiro , Banas Agnieszka 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe electromagnetic field (EMF) has a great impact on our body. It has been successfully used in physiotherapy for the treatment of bone disorders and osteoarthritis, as well as for cartilage regeneration or pain reduction. Recently, EMFs have also been applied in in vitro experiments on cell/stem cell cultures. Stem cells reside in almost all tissues within the human body, where they exhibit various potential. These cells are of great importance because they control homeostasis, regeneration, and healing. Nevertheless, stem cells when become cancer stem cells, may influence the pathological condition. In this article we review the current knowledge on the effects of EMFs on human adult stem cell biology, such as proliferation, the cell cycle, or differentiation. We present the characteristics of the EMFs used in miscellaneous assays. Most research has so far been performed during osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. It has been demonstrated that the effects of EMF stimulation depend on the intensity and frequency of the EMF and the time of exposure to it. However, other factors may affect these processes, such as growth factors, reactive oxygen species, and so forth. Exploration of this research area may enhance the development of EMF-based technologies used in medical applications and thereby improve stem cell-based therapy and tissue engineering.
Multiple job holding, local labor markets, and the business cycle
Authors: Hirsch Barry T. , Husain Muhammad M. , Winters John V. 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
About 5 % of US workers hold multiple jobs, which can exacerbate or mitigate employment changes over the business cycle. Theory is ambiguous and prior literature is not fully conclusive. We examine the relationship between multiple job holding and local unemployment rates using a large Current Population Survey data set of workers in urban labor markets during 1998–2013. Labor markets with high unemployment have moderately lower rates of multiple job holding. Yet no relationship between multiple job holding and unemployment is found within markets over time, with near-zero estimates being precisely estimated. Multiple job holding is largely acyclic.

JEL Classification: J21
Supporting self-employment and small-scale entrepreneurship: potential programs to improve livelihoods for vulnerable workers
Authors: Cho Yoonyoung , Robalino David , Watson Samantha 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThis paper provides a review of the profiles of the subsistence entrepreneurs and their constraints, and the landscape of current entrepreneurship programs and the evidence on impacts, and discusses the potential role of public policies for the livelihoods of subsistence entrepreneurs. Worldwide over a half of workers are self-employed, but a significant fraction of these self-employed jobs are of low productivity subsistence entrepreneurs. The focus of the entrepreneurship programs to support these self-employed in poverty is to improve their livelihoods rather than promoting cutting-edge innovation and business growth. Evidence of successful programs is limited and program designs often seem ill suited to the needs and characteristics of these subsistence entrepreneurs. Given the market failures faced by subsistence entrepreneurs, interventions that complement safety net programs with well-targeted support to promote productive self-employment may hold some promise.Jel codes: O12, O16, J24
Regional Citrate Anticoagulation in Hemodialysis: An Observational Study of Safety, Efficacy, and Effect on Calcium Balance during Routine Care
Authors: Singer Richard F. , Williams Oliver , Mercado Chari , Chen Bonny , Talaulikar Girish , Walters Giles , Roberts Darren M. 
Published: April 2016

Background: Regional citrate hemodialysis anticoagulation is used when heparin is contraindicated, but most protocols require large infusions of calcium and frequent intradialytic plasma ionized calcium measurements. Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the safety, efficacy, and effect on calcium balance of regional citrate anticoagulation using sparse plasma ionized calcium sampling. Design: The design of this study was observational. Setting: The setting of this study was the hospital hemodialysis center. Patients: The subjects of this study were the hospital hemodialysis patients. Measurements: Dialysate calcium concentration by atomic absorption spectroscopy and total dialysate weight were used as measurements. Methods: Regional citrate anticoagulation was introduced using zero calcium dialysate, pre-dialyzer citrate infusion, and post-dialyzer calcium infusion. Infusions were adjusted based on pre- and post-dialyzer calcium measurements obtained at least twice during a 4-h dialysis. The protocol was simplified after the first 357 sessions to dispense with post-dialyzer calcium measurements. Heparin-anticoagulated sessions were performed using acetate-acidified 1.25 mmol/L calcium or citrate-acidified 1.5 mmol/L calcium dialysate. Calcium balance assessment was by complete dialysate recovery. Safety and efficacy were assessed prospectively using a point-of-care database to record ionized calcium and clinical events. Groups were compared using t test, ANOVA, Wilcoxon rank sum, or Kruskal-Wallis as appropriate. Results: Seventy-five patients received regional citrate-anticoagulated dialysis over 1051 dialysis sessions. Of these, 357 dialysis sessions were performed using the original citrate anticoagulation protocol and 694 using the simplified protocol. Dialysis was effective and safe. Only 3 dialyzers clotted; 1 patient suffered symptomatic hypercalcemia and none suffered symptomatic hypocalcemia. Calcium balance was assessed in 15 regional citrate-anticoagulated dialysis sessions and 30 heparin-anticoagulated sessions. The median calcium loss was 0.8 mmol/h dialyzed in both groups ( p = 0.43), and end of treatment ionized calcium was the same in both groups (1.07 ± 0.04 mmol/L). Limitations: Our findings for calcium balance, efficacy, and safety are valid only for the protocol studied, which excluded patient with severe liver dysfunction. Conclusions: Regional citrate dialysis can be performed safely and effectively using a sparse plasma calcium sampling protocol. The calcium balance induced by this protocol is not different to that seen in standard heparin-anticoagulated dialysis, but in the absence of prospective studies, it is unknown whether this is optimal for patient care.
Reduction in New-Onset Diabetes Mellitus after Renal Transplant with Erythropoietin-Stimulating Agents: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Montada-Atin Tess , Choi Diana , Woo Minna , Retnakaran Ravi , Huang Michael , Prasad G. V. Ramesh , Zaltzman Jeffrey S. 
Published: April 2016

Background: Studies have shown that erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESAs) protect mice against the development of diabetes through direct effects on pancreatic ß cells. However, the effect of ESAs on the incidence of diabetes in humans has not been well studied. It is unknown whether exposure to ESAs is associated with a reduced incidence of new-onset diabetes after transplant (NODAT). Objective: The objective of this study is to examine the relationship between ESA exposure post-renal transplant and the development of NODAT. Design: We performed a single center, retrospective cohort analysis. Patients: We compared patients who received a first live or deceased donor renal allograft, with any exposure to an ESA vs. those without such exposure and who developed NODAT and who did not. Patients with a prior history of diabetes mellitus or multi-organ transplant, including a second renal transplant were excluded. Measurements and methods: NODAT was defined based on the 2008 Canadian Diabetes Association criteria. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine factors independently associated with NODAT. Results: One hundred thirty-two (29 %) patients were exposed to an ESA, four of which developed NODAT compared to 128 who did not develop NODAT ( p < 0.0001). Of those not exposed to an ESA, 15 % (48/319) developed NODAT. By Fisher's exact test, exposure to an ESA at any time post-transplant reduced the risk of developing NODAT; odds ratio (OR) = 0.08, 95 % confidence interval (CI) (0.018–0.352), p = 0.0008. Older age; OR = 1.41, 95 % CI (1.036–1.933), p < 0.02, higher random blood sugar at discharge; OR = 1.30, 95 % CI (1.077–1.57), p < 0.006 and deceased donor; OR 2.18 CI (1.009–4.729), p = 0.04 were associated with an increased risk of NODAT. Limitations: The limitations of this study include its retrospective nature, single center, and homogenous population; thus, generalizability of the results must be approached with caution. Conclusion: ESA exposure may be associated with a reduced incidence of NODAT in the post-renal transplant population. The role of ESA in preventing NODAT requires further investigation.
High-quality draft genome sequence and description of Haemophilus massiliensis sp. nov.
Authors: Lo Cheikh Ibrahima , Sankar Senthil Alias , Fall Bécaye , Sambe-Ba Bissoume , Diawara Silman , Gueye Mamadou Wague , Mediannikov Oleg , Blanc-Tailleur Caroline , Wade Boubacar , Raoult Didier , Fournier Pierre-Edouard , Fenollar Florence 
Published: April 2016

AbstractStrain FF7T was isolated from the peritoneal fluid of a 44-year-old woman who suffered from pelvic peritonitis. This strain exhibited a 16S rRNA sequence similarity of 94.8 % 16S rRNA sequence identity with Haemophilus parasuis, the phylogenetically closest species with a name with standing in nomenclature and a poor MALDI-TOF MS score (1.32 to 1.56) that does not allow any reliable identification. Using a polyphasic study made of phenotypic and genomic analyses, strain FF7T was a Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic rod and member of the family Pasteurellaceae. It exhibited a genome of 2,442,548 bp long genome (one chromosome but no plasmid) contains 2,319 protein-coding and 67 RNA genes, including 6 rRNA operons. On the basis of these data, we propose the creation of Haemophilus massiliensis sp. nov. with strain FF7T (= CSUR P859 = DSM 28247) as the type strain.
Complete genome sequences of Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis strains FNO12, FNO24 and FNO190: a fish pathogen with genomic clonal behavior
Authors: Gonçalves Lucas Amorim , de Castro Soares Siomar , Pereira Felipe Luiz , Dorella Fernanda Alves , de Carvalho Alex Fiorini , de Freitas Almeida Gabriel Magno , Leal Carlos Augusto Gomes , Azevedo Vasco , Figueiredo Henrique César Pereira 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe genus Francisella is composed of Gram-negative, pleomorphic, strictly aerobic and non-motile bacteria, which are capable of infecting a variety of terrestrial and aquatic animals, among which Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis stands out as the causative agent of pyogranulomatous and granulomatous infections in fish. Accordingly, F. noatunensis subsp. orientalis is responsible for high mortality rates in freshwater fish, especially Nile Tilapia. In the current study, we present the genome sequences of F. noatunensis subsp. orientalis strains FNO12, FNO24 and FNO190. The genomes include one circular chromosome of 1,859,720 bp, consisting of 32 % GC content, 1538 coded proteins and 363 pseudogenes for FNO12; one circular chromosome of 1,862,322 bp, consisting of 32 % GC content, 1537 coded proteins and 365 pseudogenes for FNO24; and one circular chromosome of 1,859,595 bp, consisting of 32 % GC content, 1539 coded proteins and 362 pseudogenes for FNO190. All genomes have similar genetic content, implicating a clonal-like behavior for this species.
Cooperative and independent roles of the Drp1 adaptors Mff, MiD49 and MiD51 in mitochondrial fission
Authors: Osellame Laura D. , Singh Abeer P. , Stroud David A. , Palmer Catherine S. , Stojanovski Diana , Ramachandran Rajesh , Ryan Michael T. 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACT
Cytosolic dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1, also known as DNM1L) is required for both mitochondrial and peroxisomal fission. Drp1-dependent division of these organelles is facilitated by a number of adaptor proteins at mitochondrial and peroxisomal surfaces. To investigate the interplay of these adaptor proteins, we used gene-editing technology to create a suite of cell lines lacking the adaptors MiD49 (also known as MIEF2), MiD51 (also known as MIEF1), Mff and Fis1. Increased mitochondrial connectivity was observed following loss of individual adaptors, and this was further enhanced following the combined loss of MiD51 and Mff. Moreover, loss of adaptors also conferred increased resistance of cells to intrinsic apoptotic stimuli, with MiD49 and MiD51 showing the more prominent role. Using a proximity-based biotin labeling approach, we found close associations between MiD51, Mff and Drp1, but not Fis1. Furthermore, we found that MiD51 can suppress Mff-dependent enhancement of Drp1 GTPase activity. Our data indicates that Mff and MiD51 regulate Drp1 in specific ways to promote mitochondrial fission.
Η δικτύωση των κοινωνικών υπηρεσιών και ο ρόλος της Tοπικής Aυτοδιοίκησης
Authors: Κοντιάδης Ξενοφών Ι. 
Published: April 2016

<p>The article aims to highlight the fact that social and economic restructuring and new forms of social solidarity imply a new social role for local government. The working hypothesis is that the fight against social exclusion can be effectively<br />achieved through the activities of social services at the level of local government. The primary reform priority in the field of social policy should not be limited to the planning and financing of new programmes and structures for social protection and employment promotion, but instead should aim at the coordination and networking of existing, fragmented services and activities, in order to address overlapping and occasionally competing interventions, supervised or implemented by different units of central social administration.</p>
The Europeanisation of social protection
Authors: Eichenhofer Eberhard 
Published: April 2016

<p>The present paper argues that the European integration process has eroded the competence of member states in the social policy field. This process is discerned both in primary and secondary legislation, as well as in growing impact of soft policy instruments, such as the open method of coordination (OMC). However, this influence will not result in the formation of a European welfare state, but will be based on strengthened action within a supranational organization.</p>
Να ξανασκεφτούμε τις αξίες της κοινωνικής ασφάλισης
Authors: Στεργίου Άγγελος 
Published: April 2016

<p>Lately, the economy seems cut off from society. Instead of satisfying needs, it is devoted to an endless race for profit increase. Every attempt to recalibrate social insurance is subordinated to this «unified thought». In the absence of a social perspective, reform attempts view social insurance predominantly as a burden for the economy. The present article puts forward a social-centered approach for the reform of social security systems. In order to do so, it is important to focus once<br />again on the values that brought about and strengthened social insurance.</p>