bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Childhood alopecia areata—Data from the National Alopecia Areata Registry
Authors: Wohlmuth‐Wieser Iris , Osei Joyce S. , Norris David , Price Vera , Hordinsky Maria K. , Christiano Angela , Duvic Madeleine 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackground/ObjectivesAlopecia areata may occur at any age and is the third‐most‐common dermatosis in children. The objective of this study was to investigate the clinical and epidemiologic features of children and adolescents with alopecia areata based on the data of the National Alopecia Areata registry on children and adolescents.MethodsTwo thousand two hundred eighteen children and adolescents with alopecia areata self‐enrolled in the National Alopecia Areata Registry and completed a web‐based, self‐administered, short‐intake screening questionnaire (first tier). In the second tier, 643 patients participated in a clinical examination and completed a long‐form questionnaire.ResultsMean age of onset was 5.9 ± 4.1 years. With a female to male ratio of 1.5:1, alopecia areata was more prevalent in girls, but boys were significantly more likely to have a severe type (P = .009). One‐fourth of all children had a positive family history, with 8% having more than three affected relatives. The disease most commonly associated with alopecia areata was atopic dermatitis (32.7%).ConclusionChildhood alopecia areata is more prevalent in girls than in boys, but boys have more extensive alopecia areata. Despite the low prevalence, congenital alopecia areata is an important differential diagnosis for neonatal hair loss. Alopecia areata runs in families, suggesting an underlying genetic background. One‐quarter of the children reported at least one affected first‐degree relative; 8% had more than three affected relatives.
Oxybutynin 3% gel for the treatment of primary focal hyperhidrosis in adolescents and young adults
Authors: Nguyen Nicholas V. , Gralla Jane , Abbott James , Bruckner Anna L. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackground/ObjectivesThere are no reliably effective, well‐tolerated topical agents for the treatment of hyperhidrosis. We sought to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of oxybutynin 3% gel in adolescents and young adults with primary focal hyperhidrosis.MethodsPatients with severe axillary hyperhidrosis were treated with topical oxybutynin 3% gel for 4 weeks. Response to treatment was assessed by calculating change in Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Score from baseline to weeks 1 and 4. Change in health‐related quality of life was assessed using the Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index or the Dermatology Life Quality Index. Adverse effects were evaluated using patient diaries, investigator global review, and physical examination.ResultsOf 10 patients aged 13‐24 enrolled, seven completed the study. Of those who completed the study, four (57.1%) reported reduction in axillary Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Score at week 1 and all seven (100%) at week 4. Six patients (85.7%) reported reduction in Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index or Dermatology Life Quality Index score. Anticholinergic adverse effects were infrequent. The majority of treatment‐related adverse events were mild to moderate in severity. One patient experienced a severe adverse event.ConclusionOxybutynin 3% gel reduced hyperhidrosis severity and improved health‐related quality of life in this small pilot study. Safety and efficacy should be further evaluated in a large, prospective, placebo‐controlled study.
Growth of liver allografts over time in pediatric transplant recipients
Authors: Chaudhry S. G. , Bentley‐Hibbert S. , Stern J. , Lobritto S. , Martinez M. , Vittorio J. , Halazun K. J. , Lee H. T. , Emond J. , Kato T. , Samstein B. , Griesemer A. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe liver's capacity to grow in response to metabolic need is well known. However, long‐term growth of liver allografts in pediatric recipients has not been characterized. A retrospective review of pediatric recipients at a single institution identified patients who had cross‐sectional imaging at 1, 5, and 10 years post‐transplant. Using volumetric calculations, liver allograft size was calculated and percent SLV were compared across the different time points; 18 patients ranging from 0.3 to 17.7 years old were identified that had imaging at 2 or more time points. Measured liver volumes increased by 59% after 5 years and 170% after 10 years. The measured liver volumes compared to calculated %SLV for these patients were 123 ± 37%, 97 ± 19%, and 118 ± 27% at 1, 5, and 10 years after transplant, respectively. Our data suggest that liver allografts in pediatric recipients increase along with overall growth, and reach SLVs for height and weight by 5 years post‐transplantation. Additionally, as pediatric recipients grow, the livers appear to maintain appropriate SLV.
Effect of astaxanthin on the quality of boar sperm stored at 17°C, incubated at 37°C or under in vitro conditions
Authors: Basioura A , Boscos CM , Parrilla I , Tsousis G , Tsakmakidis IA 
Published: January 2018

ContentsThe aim of the study was to investigate the effect of the antioxidant astaxanthin on boar semen. Twenty ejaculates from 10 boars (two ejaculates/boar) were extended and split in three groups: semen control (SC), solvent control (C; semen with dimethyl sulfoxide, the diluent of astaxanthin) and semen with astaxanthin (A) in concentration 0.5 μmol/L. Sperm quality parameters (motility and kinetics, morphology, viability, functional integrity of sperm plasma membrane by Hypo‐Osmotic Swelling Test [HOST] and DNA integrity) were assessed at 0, 24 and 48 hr of storage at 17°C (experiment I), before (0 hr) and after (1 hr) of sperm thermal resistance assay at 37°C (experiment II) and finally before (0 hr) and after (1 hr) sperm in vitro incubation (38.5°C, 5% CO2, maximum humidity [experiment III]). In experiment I, group A performed overall better than group SC and as a tendency better than group C regarding viability. Total motility, rapid spermatozoa and HOST remained constant across time in group A, whereas they decreased in the remaining groups. In experiment II, regarding motility and viability, group A displayed better results across time than the other two groups. In experiment III, viability and total motility decreased in groups SC and C, while in group A, these parameters were not significantly different between the examination time points. In conclusion, astaxanthin has a beneficial and protective effect on boar semen quality under the investigated conditions.
In‐center hemodialysis education: Challenges and innovations in training of fellows in nephrology
Authors: Moist Louise M , Lindsay Robert M 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe in‐center dialysis unit and practice of dialysis, in the current multi‐team approach, requires knowledge and skills in all the domains including medical expert, communicator, collaborator, scholar, health advocate, and leader. We are tasked as a community, to embrace and incentivize new innovations and technology to address these needs for our post graduate trainees. These innovations must address the basic principles of dialysis, quality improvement, technical and procedural skills as well as leadership and administration skills. The teaching methods and innovations must also be challenged to demonstrate the translation into adoption and improvements in practice to demonstrate success. This article will review the current state of the training curriculum in Nephrology for in‐center hemodialysis and address some of the recent innovations.
Tax and inequality in the United States
Authors: Bradley Stephanie L. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractTaxation impacts individuals' lives in significant, and sometimes unequal, ways. While much sociological research examines factors that contribute to economic inequality and policy development, the relationship between inequality and tax policies remains understudied in sociology. In this article, I review extant research highlighting the ways in which taxation is an important site of inequality in the United States. I focus on how some of the most valuable tax policies related to work, marriage, investments, and homeownership contribute to economic inequality with class, gender, and race/ethnicity variation.
The mediation of gay men's lives: A review on gay dating app studies
Authors: Wu Shangwei , Ward Janelle 
Published: January 2018

AbstractA growing body of literature focuses on gay men's use of mobile dating applications or “dating apps.” Running on smartphones and working with GPS, dating apps connect users to others in close geographic proximity and often in real time. These apps allow users to create profiles to present themselves and interact with each other to reach multiple goals, such as casual sex, dating, or networking. Attending to the dynamics between communication technologies and society, this article reviews gay dating app studies that highlight the communicative practices and social relations mediated by dating apps. Using the mediation framework as a starting point, we examine major themes in these studies, including gay men's online self‐presentation and interactions, gay community in the digital era, and gay men's interpersonal relationships. We suggest that future research should pay more attention to the technical development of dating devices and the transformation of gay men's social relations.
Antimicrobial Stewardship: How the Microbiology Laboratory Can Right the Ship
Authors: Morency-Potvin Philippe , Schwartz David N. , Weinstein Robert A. 
Published: January 2018

SUMMARYAntimicrobial stewardship is a bundle of integrated interventions employed to optimize the use of antimicrobials in health care settings. While infectious-disease-trained physicians, with clinical pharmacists, are considered the main leaders of antimicrobial stewardship programs, clinical microbiologists can play a key role in these programs. This review is intended to provide a comprehensive discussion of the different components of antimicrobial stewardship in which microbiology laboratories and clinical microbiologists can make significant contributions, including cumulative antimicrobial susceptibility reports, enhanced culture and susceptibility reports, guidance in the preanalytic phase, rapid diagnostic test availability, provider education, and alert and surveillance systems. In reviewing this material, we emphasize how the rapid, and especially the recent, evolution of clinical microbiology has reinforced the importance of clinical microbiologists' collaboration with antimicrobial stewardship programs.
Point-Counterpoint: Meningitis/Encephalitis Syndromic Testing in the Clinical Laboratory
Authors: Dien Bard Jennifer , Alby Kevin 
Published: January 2018

INTRODUCTION
Syndromic panels were first FDA cleared for detection of respiratory pathogens in 2008. Since then, other panels have been approved by the FDA, and most recently, the FilmArray meningitis/encephalitis panel (BioFire, Salt Lake City, UT) has become available. This assay detects 14 targets within 1 h and includes pathogens that typically cause different manifestations of infection, although they infect the same organ system. Several studies have reported both false-positive and false-negative results with this test, and all agree that the cost is significant. As with other panels, health care systems have adopted different strategies for offering this assay. Some have implemented strategies to limit the use of the test to certain patient populations, others have elected not to offer the test, and others have elected not to offer the test and instead request that providers order specific PCRs for the pathogens that best fit the patient's symptoms. In this Point-Counterpoint, Jennifer Dien Bard of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, and of the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California explains why laboratories should offer these assays without restriction. Kevin Alby of the University of Pennsylvania explains the concerns about the use of these assays as first-line tests and why some limitations on their use might be appropriate.
Clinical Validation of SensiTest Colistin, a Broth Microdilution-Based Method To Evaluate Colistin MICs
Authors: Carretto Edoardo , Brovarone Flavia , Russello Giuseppe , Nardini Paola , El-Bouseary Maisra M. , Aboklaish Ali F. , Walsh Timothy R. , Tyrrell Jonathan M. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT

The global spread of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria has led to the return of colistin for treating severe infections. Recently, different plasmid-mediated genes conferring resistance to this drug were described and reported worldwide. International committees (EUCAST/CLSI) reevaluated inconsistencies surrounding colistin antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST), concluding that broth microdilution (BMD) should serve as the reference method for AST. The development of an accurate, reproducible commercial test based on BMD is therefore highly desirable. SensiTest Colistin (STC), a BMD-based compact 4-test panel containing the lyophilized antibiotic in 7 2-fold dilutions (0.25 to 16 μg/ml) was here compared with the EUCAST-CLSI standard reference method (BMD) and, for some isolates, with the automated Phoenix 100 system (PHX). A total of 353 bacterial strains were evaluated by two different laboratories; 137 isolates were resistant to colistin (19 were intrinsically resistant, 83 harbored the
mcr-1
gene). Essential agreement (EA) between STC and BMD was obtained for 339 out of the 353 strains tested (96.0%). Overall categorical agreement was obtained for 349 out of the 353 strains analyzed (98.9%). Two major errors (MEs; 0.93%) and two very major errors (VMEs; 1.46%) were documented. STC appeared to be a simple but highly reliable test with good reproducibility even with panels stored at room temperature or at 35°C. Moreover, STC showed a good performance with strains carrying the
mcr-1
gene, with a 98.8% EA. As the secondary endpoint of our study, VMEs for PHX were documented for 6 isolates (10%).
Roles of the 5′ Untranslated Region of Nonprimate Hepacivirus in Translation Initiation and Viral Replication
Authors: Tanaka Tomohisa , Otoguro Teruhime , Yamashita Atsuya , Kasai Hirotake , Fukuhara Takasuke , Matsuura Yoshiharu , Moriishi Kohji 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT
The 5′ untranslated region (UTR) of hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is composed of four domains (I, II, III, and IV) and a pseudoknot, is essential for translation and viral replication. Equine nonprimate hepacivirus (EHcV) harbors a 5′ UTR consisting of a large 5′-terminal domain (I); three additional domains (I′, II, and III), which are homologous to domains I, II, and III, respectively, of HCV; and a pseudoknot, in the order listed. In this study, we investigated the roles of the EHcV 5′ UTR in translation and viral replication. The internal ribosome entry site (IRES) activity of the EHcV 5′ UTR was lower than that of the HCV 5′ UTR in several cell lines due to structural differences in domain III. Domains I and III of EHcV were functional in the HCV 5′ UTR in terms of IRES activity and the replication of the subgenomic replicon (SGR), although domain II was not exchangeable between EHcV and HCV for SGR replication. Furthermore, the region spanning domains I and I′ of EHcV (the 5′-proximal EHcV-specific region) improved RNA stability and provided the HCV SGR with microRNA 122 (miR-122)-independent replication capability, while EHcV domain I alone improved SGR replication and RNA stability irrespective of miR-122. These data suggest that the region spanning EHcV domains I and I′ improves RNA stability and viral replication regardless of miR-122 expression. The 5′-proximal EHcV-specific region may represent an inherent mechanism to facilitate viral replication in nonhepatic tissues.

IMPORTANCE
EHcV is the closest viral homolog to HCV among other hepaciviruses. HCV exhibits a narrow host range and liver-specific tropism, while epidemiological reports suggest that EHcV infects the liver and respiratory organs in horses, donkeys, and dogs. However, the mechanism explaining the differences in host or organ tropism between HCV and EHcV is unknown. In this study, our data suggest that the 5′ untranslated region (UTR) of EHcV is composed of an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) element that is functionally exchangeable with HCV IRES elements. Furthermore, the 5′-proximal EHcV-specific region enhances viral replication and RNA stability in a miR-122-independent manner. Our data suggest that the region upstream of domain II in the EHcV 5′ UTR contributes to the differences in tissue tropism observed between these hepaciviruses.
Clostridium sordellii
Pathogenicity Locus Plasmid pCS1-1 Encodes a Novel Clostridial Conjugation Locus
Authors: Vidor Callum J. , Watts Thomas D. , Adams Vicki , Bulach Dieter , Couchman Edward , Rood Julian I. , Fairweather Neil F. , Awad Milena , Lyras Dena 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT

A major virulence factor in
Clostridium sordellii
-mediated infection is the toxin TcsL, which is encoded within a region of the genome called the pathogenicity locus (PaLoc).
C. sordellii
isolates carry the PaLoc on the pCS1 family of plasmids, of which there are four characterized members. Here, we determined the potential mobility of pCS1 plasmids and characterized a fifth unique pCS1 member. Using a derivative of the pCS1-1 plasmid from strain ATCC 9714 which had been marked with the
ermB
erythromycin resistance gene, conjugative transfer into a recipient
C. sordellii
isolate, R28058, was demonstrated. Bioinformatic analysis of pCS1-1 identified a novel conjugation gene cluster defined as the
C. sordellii
transfer (
cst
) locus. Interruption of genes within the
cst
locus resulted in loss of pCS1-1 transfer, which was restored upon complementation in
trans
. These studies provided clear evidence that genes within the
cst
locus are essential for the conjugative transfer of pCS1-1. The
cst
locus is present on all pCS1 subtypes, and homologous loci were identified on toxin-encoding plasmids from
Clostridium perfringens
and
Clostridium botulinum
and also carried within genomes of
Clostridium difficile
isolates, indicating that it is a widespread clostridial conjugation locus. The results of this study have broad implications for the dissemination of toxin genes and, potentially, antibiotic resistance genes among members of a diverse range of clostridial pathogens, providing these microorganisms with a survival advantage within the infected host.

IMPORTANCE
C. sordellii
is a bacterial pathogen that causes severe infections in humans and animals, with high mortality rates. While the pathogenesis of
C. sordellii
infections is not well understood, it is known that the toxin TcsL is an important virulence factor. Here, we have shown the ability of a plasmid carrying the
tcsL
gene to undergo conjugative transfer between distantly related strains of
C. sordellii
, which has far-reaching implications for the ability of
C. sordellii
to acquire the capacity to cause disease. Plasmids that carry
tcsL
encode a previously uncharacterized conjugation locus, and individual genes within this locus were shown to be required for conjugative transfer. Furthermore, homologues on toxin plasmids from other clostridial species were identified, indicating that this region represents a novel clostridial conjugation locus. The results of this study have broad implications for the dissemination of virulence genes among members of a diverse range of clostridial pathogens.
Neighbourhood looking glass: 360º automated characterisation of the built environment for neighbourhood effects research
Authors: Nguyen Quynh C , Sajjadi Mehdi , McCullough Matt , Pham Minh , Nguyen Thu T , Yu Weijun , Meng Hsien-Wen , Wen Ming , Li Feifei , Smith Ken R , Brunisholz Kim , Tasdizen Tolga 
Published: January 2018

BackgroundNeighbourhood quality has been connected with an array of health issues, but neighbourhood research has been limited by the lack of methods to characterise large geographical areas. This study uses innovative computer vision methods and a new big data source of street view images to automatically characterise neighbourhood built environments.MethodsA total of 430 000 images were obtained using Google’s Street View Image API for Salt Lake City, Chicago and Charleston. Convolutional neural networks were used to create indicators of street greenness, crosswalks and building type. We implemented log Poisson regression models to estimate associations between built environment features and individual prevalence of obesity and diabetes in Salt Lake City, controlling for individual-level and zip code-level predisposing characteristics.ResultsComputer vision models had an accuracy of 86%–93% compared with manual annotations. Charleston had the highest percentage of green streets (79%), while Chicago had the highest percentage of crosswalks (23%) and commercial buildings/apartments (59%). Built environment characteristics were categorised into tertiles, with the highest tertile serving as the referent group. Individuals living in zip codes with the most green streets, crosswalks and commercial buildings/apartments had relative obesity prevalences that were 25%–28% lower and relative diabetes prevalences that were 12%–18% lower than individuals living in zip codes with the least abundance of these neighbourhood features.ConclusionNeighbourhood conditions may influence chronic disease outcomes. Google Street View images represent an underused data resource for the construction of built environment features.
Нестандартна інтраопераційна ситуація при оперативному лікуванні пізньої рубцевої стриктури езофагоколоанастомозу після раніше проведеної товстокишкової езофагопластики
Authors: Shaprynskyy V. O. , Kryveckyy V. F. , Polishuk V. I. , Shaprynskyy Y. V. 
Published: January 2018

Резюме. Стаття присвячена клінічному спостереженню нестандартної інтраопераційної ситуації при лікуванні пацієнта з пізньою рубцевою стриктурою езофагоколоанастомозу після проведеної товстокишкової езофагопластики. Метою нашої роботи було виявити особливості діагностики та лікування післяопераційних рубцевих стриктур стравохідно-органних анастомозів та вихід з нестандартної інтраопераційної ситуації. У клініку хірургії № 1 Вінницького національного медичного університету імені М.І. Пирогова був госпіталізований хворий 66 років з клінікою непрохідності стравоходу. У 2009 році йому була виконана субтотальна езофагопластика сегментом ободової кишки зі збереженням кровопостачання за рахунок лівої ободовокишкової артерії з приводу післяопікової стриктури стравоходу. Протягом наступних шести років стан хворого був задовільний. Але у червні 2015 року з’явились скарги на дисфагію, пізніше хворий взагалі не міг їсти тверду їжу. З’явились явища кахексії. Звернувся та був госпіталізований. Хворому виконаний діагностичний алгоритм, проведено рентгенконтрастне дослідження шлунково-кишкового тракту, виявлено стриктуру езофагоколоанастомозу, повну непрохідність стравоходу. Запропоновано оперативне втручання.22.07.15 була виконана операція – циркулярна резекція ділянки стриктури стравоходу (анастомозу) з пластикою «кінець у бік». Після виконання лівобічної цервікотомії була знайдена ділянка супрастенотичного розширення. Дистальніше ділянку стриктури та анастомозу знайти не представлялося можливим (можливо, із-за скорочення кишки). І після тривалого пошуку анастомозу було прийняте рішення виконати поздовжню стернотомію. З технічними труднощами був виділений стравохіднотовстокишковий анастомоз та додатково мобілізований із зрощень товстокишковий трансплантат. Виконали резекцію стравохіднотовстокишкового анастомозу, додатково мобілізувавши товстокишковий трансплантат. Сформували новий езофагоколоанастомоз «кінець у бік» з попереднім заведенням шлункового зонду № 21.В післяопераційному періоді продовжували виконання запропонованої інфузійної терапії протягом 7 діб. Проводили ентеральне харчування сумішшю «Peptamen» через назогастральний зонд. На 16 добу хворий у задовільному стані був виписаний. Таким чином, наведений клінічний приклад ілюструє правильність обраної хірургічної тактики при нестандартній інтраопераційній ситуації, що виникла.