bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and causes of hearing impairment in Fundong Health District, North‐West Cameroon
Authors: Ferrite Silvia , Mactaggart Islay , Kuper Hannah , Oye Joseph , Polack Sarah 
Published: January 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo estimate the prevalence and causes of hearing impairment in Fundong Health District, North‐West Cameroon.MethodsWe selected 51 clusters of 80 people (all ages) through probability proportionate to size sampling. Initial hearing screening was undertaken through an otoacoustic emission (OAE) test. Participants aged 4+ years who failed this test in both ears or for whom an OAE reading could not be taken underwent a manual pure‐tone audiometry (PTA) screening. Cases of hearing impairment were defined as those with pure‐tone average ≥41 dBHL in adults and ≥35 dBHL in children in the better ear, or children under age 4 who failed the OAE test in both ears. Each case with hearing loss was examined by an ear, nose and throat nurse who indicated the main likely cause.ResultsWe examined 3567 (86.9%) of 4104 eligible people. The overall prevalence of hearing impairment was 3.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.8–4.6). The prevalence was low in people aged 0–17 (1.1%, 0.7–1.8%) and 18–49 (1.1%, 0.5–2.6%) and then rose sharply in people aged 50+ (14.8%, 11.7–19.1%). Among cases, the majority were classified as moderate (76%), followed by severe (15%) and profound (9%). More than one‐third of cases of hearing impairment were classified as unknown (37%) or conductive (37%) causes, while sensorineural causes were less common (26%).ConclusionsPrevalence of hearing impairment in North‐West Cameroon is in line with the WHO estimate for sub‐Saharan Africa. The majority of cases with known causes are treatable, with impacted wax playing a major role.
High prevalence of diabetes and anthropometric heterogeneity among tuberculosis patients in Pakistan
Authors: Aftab Huma , Ambreen Atiqa , Jamil Mohammad , Garred Peter , Petersen Jørgen H. , Nielsen Susanne D. , Bygbjerg Ib C. , Christensen Dirk L. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBackgroundIn Pakistan, the prevalence of diabetes (DM) among adults is 6.9% and expected to double by 2040. DM may facilitate transmission and halter the elimination of tuberculosis (TB). We aimed to determine the prevalence of DM among patients with TB in Pakistan, and to investigate anthropometric biochemical and haemodynamic associations between TB patients with and without DM.MethodsWe conducted a cross‐sectional study at Gulab Devi Chest Hospital in Lahore, Punjab. A total of 3027 newly diagnosed smear‐positive TB patients ≥25 years of age were screened for DM by HbA1c regardless of previous DM history.ResultsThe prevalence of screen‐detected DM and known DM among the TB participants was 13.5% and 26.1%, respectively, resulting in a combined DM prevalence of 39.6%. Most participants were male (64.4%). Using bivariate analyses, participants with DM were significantly older (49.8 vs. 40.6 years) with higher haemoglobin (men, 12.1 vs. 11.8 g/dl, women 11.5 vs. 10.7 g/dl), body mass index (21.0 vs. 17.6 kg/m2) and waist–hip ratio (men, 0.87 vs. 0.81, women, 0.87 vs. 0.79) (all P < 0.05) than participants without DM. Stratifying by screen‐detected and known DM, these differences remained significant when using multivariate analysis.ConclusionWe report a high prevalence of DM among patients with TB who may be anthropometrically and biochemically distinct from TB patients without DM, and this heterogeneity further transcends the different DM groups.
Corrigendum: Analytic representation theory of Lie groups: general theory and analytic globalizations of Harish-Chandra modules
Authors: Gimperlein Heiko , Krötz Bernhard , Schlichtkrull Henrik 
Published: January 2017

We correct the proof of the main result of the paper, Theorem 5.7. Our corrected proof relies on weaker versions of a number of intermediate results from the paper. The original, more general, versions of these statements are not known to be true.
APPLICABLE LAW TO DISTRIBUTION CONTRACTS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION REGULATION 593/2008 (ROME I)
Authors: Martínez-Luna William Fernando 
Published: January 2017

<p>La ley aplicable al contrato internacional de distribución en la Unión Europea presentó muchas dificultades bajo la aplicación del Convenio de Roma de 1980, pues esta norma jurídica uniforme requería, para establecer la ley aplicable al contrato internacional, identificar la prestación característica de esa relación jurídica. La prestación característica del contrato de distribución no pudo ser determinada de manera uniforme, pues unos tribunales de los Estados parte entendían que la llevaba a cabo el distribuidor; otros sostenían que era el concedente de las mercancías; mientras que otros consideraban que a este contrato no podía establecérsele una prestación característica. El Reglamento Roma I de la Unión Europea ha hecho importantes modificaciones en cuanto a la determinación de la ley aplicable a este contrato, pues ha establecido de manera rígida y directa, que a esta relación jurídica le sea aplicable la ley de la residencia habitual del distribuidor. El presente artículo pretende analizar si la determinación rígida de la ley aplicable al contrato de distribución en el Reglamento de la Unión Europea Roma I logra solucionar los problemas interpretativos presentados en el Convenio de Roma de 1980, para otorgar seguridad jurídica mediante la previsibilidad de la ley aplicable al contrato internacional.</p>
LA CONSTITUCIÓN DEL DERECHO INTERNACIONAL, EL SUEÑO DE UN REDUCTO JURÍDICO OCCIDENTAL
Authors: Benavides-Casals María Angélica 
Published: January 2017

<p>Una discusión —occidental— sobre la existencia de una constitución o constitucionalización del derecho internacional, nos lleva en primer término a plantear el fundamento de validez de ese derecho, que sea plausible según el desarrollo actual de la sociedad internacional, considerando las diferencias entre los ordenamientos jurídicos y culturas de los sujetos que la forman, sumado al fenómeno de la globalización. Luego entramos en una discusión sobre la existencia, la necesidad y la posibilidad de una constitución y constitucionalización del derecho internacional.</p>
RESPONSABILIDAD DEL SUPERIOR JERÁRQUICO Y RESPONSABILIDAD PENAL POR OMISIÓN DE MIEMBROS DE LA FUERZA PÚBLICA EN COLOMBIA: ¿CONVERGENCIA ENTRE EL DERECHO PENAL NACIONAL E INTERNACIONAL?
Authors: Cote-Barco Gustavo Emilio 
Published: January 2017

<p>Desde el 4 de septiembre de 2012, cuando oficialmente inició el proceso de paz entre el gobierno colombiano y las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia, se ha hecho referencia en varios contextos a la doctrina de responsabilidad del superior jerárquico. Sin embargo, es importante diferenciar, por un lado, el ámbito de aplicación de esta doctrina tal como ha sido desarrollada en el Derecho Penal Internacional y, por otro lado, el régimen de responsabilidad por omisión según el Código Penal colombiano (CPC). El presente trabajo explora las formas de responsabilidad penal y las hipótesis fácticas que la doctrina de responsabilidad del superior abarca. También analiza algunas decisiones judiciales colombianas sobre la responsabilidad penal por omisión de miembros de la Fuerza Pública (en especial con relación al artículo 25 CPC) y discute algunos problemas dogmáticos que se han presentado en estos casos. Al respecto, sostiene que la doctrina de responsabilidad del superior y el artículo 25 CPC solo coinciden parcialmente y que en el ordenamiento jurídico interno es necesario recurrir también a tipos penales de omisión propia para cubrir algunas hipótesis que sí podrían ser cubiertas por la doctrina de responsabilidad del superior como ha sido definida, por ejemplo, en el Estatuto de Roma. Finalmente, se llama la atención sobre la importancia de no confundir los dos ámbitos de responsabilidad para no reproducir en el sistema jurídico colombiano algunos de los problemas que se han presentado en el contexto del Derecho Internacional.</p>
Rapid and Specific Detection of the Escherichia coli Sequence Type 648 Complex within Phylogroup F
Authors: Johnson James R. , Johnston Brian D. , Gordon David M. 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACT

The
Escherichia coli
sequence type 648 complex (STc648) is an emerging lineage within phylogroup F—formerly included within phylogroup D—that is associated with multidrug resistance. Here, we designed and validated a novel multiplex PCR-based assay for STc648 that took advantage of (i) four distinctive single-nucleotide polymorphisms in
icd
allele 96 and
gyrB
allele 87, two of the multilocus sequence typing alleles that define ST648; and (ii) the typical absence within STc648 of
uidA
, an
E. coli
-specific gene encoding β-glucuronidase. Within a diverse 212-strain validation set that included 109 STs other than STc648, from phylogroups A, B1, B2, C, D, E, and F, the assay exhibited 100% sensitivity (95% confidence interval [CI], 82% to 100%) and specificity (95% CI, 98% to 100%). It functioned similarly well in two distant laboratories that used boiled lysates or DNAzol-purified DNA as the template DNA. Thus, this novel multiplex PCR-based assay should enable any laboratory equipped for diagnostic PCR to rapidly, accurately, and economically screen
E. coli
isolates for membership in STc648.
Human Rhinovirus Diversity and Evolution: How Strange the Change from Major to Minor
Authors: Lewis-Rogers Nicole , Seger Jon , Adler Frederick R. 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACT
Rhinoviruses are the most common causes of the common cold. Their many distinct lineages fall into “major” and “minor” groups that use different cell surface receptors to enter host cells. Minor-group rhinoviruses are more immunogenic in laboratory studies, although their patterns of transmission and their cold symptoms are broadly similar to those of the major group. Here we present evolutionary evidence that minor-group viruses are also more immunogenic in humans. A key finding is that rates of amino acid substitutions at exposed sites in the capsid proteins VP2, VP3, and VP1 tend to be elevated in minor-group relative to major-group viruses, while rates at buried sites show no consistent differences. A reanalysis of historical virus watch data also indicates a higher immunogenicity of minor-group viruses, consistent with our findings about evolutionary rates at amino acid positions most directly exposed to immune surveillance. The increased immunogenicity and speed of evolution in minor-group lineages may contribute to the very large numbers of rhinovirus serotypes that coexist while differing in virulence.

IMPORTANCE
Most colds are caused by rhinoviruses (RVs). Those caused by a subset known as the minor-group members of rhinovirus species A (RV-A) are correlated with the inception and aggravation of asthma in at-risk populations. Genetically, minor-group viruses are similar to major-group RV-A, from which they were derived, although they tend to elicit stronger immune responses. Differences in their rates and patterns of molecular evolution should be highly relevant to their epidemiology. All RV-A strains show high rates of amino acid substitutions in the capsid proteins at exposed sites not previously identified as being immunogenic, and this increase is significantly greater in minor-group viruses. These findings will inform future studies of the recently discovered RV-C, which also appears to exacerbate asthma in adults and children. In addition, these findings draw attention to the difficult problem of explaining the long-term coexistence of many serotypes of major- and minor-group RVs.
The V3 Loop of HIV-1 Env Determines Viral Susceptibility to IFITM3 Impairment of Viral Infectivity
Authors: Wang Yimeng , Pan Qinghua , Ding Shilei , Wang Zhen , Yu Jingyou , Finzi Andrés , Liu Shan-Lu , Liang Chen 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACT
Interferon-inducible transmembrane proteins (IFITMs) inhibit a broad spectrum of viruses, including HIV-1. IFITM proteins deter HIV-1 entry when expressed in target cells and also impair HIV-1 infectivity when expressed in virus producer cells. However, little is known about how viruses resist IFITM inhibition. In this study, we have investigated the susceptibilities of different primary isolates of HIV-1 to the inhibition of viral infectivity by IFITMs. Our results demonstrate that the infectivity of different HIV-1 primary isolates, including transmitted founder viruses, is diminished by IFITM3 to various levels, with strain AD8-1 exhibiting strong resistance. Further mutagenesis studies revealed that HIV-1 Env, and the V3 loop sequence in particular, determines the extent of inhibition of viral infectivity by IFITM3. IFITM3-sensitive Env proteins are also more susceptible to neutralization by soluble CD4 or the 17b antibody than are IFITM3-resistant Env proteins. Together, data from our study suggest that the propensity of HIV-1 Env to sample CD4-bound-like conformations modulates viral sensitivity to IFITM3 inhibition.

IMPORTANCE
Results of our study have revealed the key features of the HIV-1 envelope protein that are associated with viral resistance to the IFITM3 protein. IFITM proteins are important effectors in interferon-mediated antiviral defense. A variety of viruses are inhibited by IFITMs at the virus entry step. Although it is known that envelope proteins of several different viruses resist IFITM inhibition, the detailed mechanisms are not fully understood. Taking advantage of the fact that envelope proteins of different HIV-1 strains exhibit different degrees of resistance to IFITM3 and that these HIV-1 envelope proteins share the same domain structure and similar sequences, we performed mutagenesis studies and determined the key role of the V3 loop in this viral resistance phenotype. We were also able to associate viral resistance to IFITM3 inhibition with the susceptibility of HIV-1 to inhibition by soluble CD4 and the 17b antibody that recognizes CD4-binding-induced epitopes.
Recombinant Adenoviruses Displaying Matrix 2 Ectodomain Epitopes on Their Fiber Proteins as Universal Influenza Vaccines
Authors: Tang Xinying , Yang Yong , Xia Xiaoli , Zhang Chao , Yang Xi , Song Yufeng , Dai Xinyi , Wang Min , Zhou Dongming 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACT
Influenza is a zoonotic disease that poses severe threats to public health and the global economy. Reemerging influenza pandemics highlight the demand for universal influenza vaccines. We developed a novel virus platform using extracellular domain IV of the matrix 2 protein (M2e), AdC68-F3M2e, by introducing three conserved M2e epitopes into the HI loop of the chimpanzee adenovirus (AdV) fiber protein. The M2e epitopes were expressed sufficiently on the AdV virion surface without affecting fiber trimerization. Additionally, one recombinant adenovirus, AdC68-F3M2e(H1-H5-H7), induced robust M2e-specific antibody responses in BALB/c mice after two sequential vaccinations and conferred efficient protection against homologous and heterologous influenza virus (IV) challenges. We found that the use of AdV with tandem M2e epitopes in fiber is a potential strategy for influenza prevention.

IMPORTANCE
Influenza epidemics and pandemics severely threaten public health. Universal influenza vaccines have increasingly attracted interest in recent years. Here, we describe a new strategy that incorporates triple M2e epitopes into the fiber protein of chimpanzee adenovirus 68. We optimized the process of inserting foreign genes into the AdC68 structural protein by one-step isothermal assembly and demonstrated that this 225-bp HI loop insertion could be well tolerated. Furthermore, two doses of adjuvant-free fiber-modified AdC68 could confer sufficient protection against homologous and heterologous influenza virus infections in mice. Our results show that AdC68-F3M2e could be pursued as a novel universal influenza vaccine.
Household expenditures on pneumonia and diarrhoea treatment in Ethiopia: a facility-based study
Authors: Memirie Solomon Tessema , Metaferia Zewdu Sisay , Norheim Ole F , Levin Carol E , Verguet Stéphane , Johansson Kjell Arne 
Published: January 2017

BackgroundOut-of-pocket (OOP) medical payments can lead to catastrophic health expenditure and impoverishment. We quantified household OOP expenditure for treatment of childhood pneumonia and diarrhoea and its impact on poverty for different socioeconomic groups in Ethiopia.MethodsThis study employs a mix of retrospective and prospective primary household data collection for direct medical and non-medical costs (2013 US$). Data from 345 pneumonia and 341 diarrhoea cases (0–59 months of age) were collected retrospectively through exit interviews from 35 purposively sampled health facilities in Ethiopia. Prospective 2-week follow-up interviews were conducted at the household level using a structured questionnaire.ResultsThe mean total medical expenditures per outpatient visit were US$8 for pneumonia and US$6 for diarrhoea, while the mean for inpatient visits was US$64 for severe pneumonia and US$79 for severe diarrhoea. The mean associated direct non-medical costs (mainly transport costs) were US$2, US$2, US$13 and US$20 respectively. 7% and 6% of the households with a case of severe pneumonia and severe diarrhoea, respectively, were pushed below the extreme poverty threshold of purchasing power parity (PPP) US$1.25 per day. Wealthier and urban households had higher OOP payments, but poorer and rural households were more likely to be impoverished due to medical payments.ConclusionsHouseholds in Ethiopia incur considerable costs for the treatment of childhood diarrhoea and pneumonia with catastrophic consequences and impoverishment. The present circumstances call for revisiting the existing health financing strategy for high-priority services that places a substantial burden of payment on households at the point of care.
Prospective, randomised trial of the time dependent antiplatelet effects of 500 mg and 250 mg acetylsalicylic acid i. v. and 300 mg p. o. in ACS (ACUTE)
Authors: Hohlfeld Thomas , Dahl Jürgen vom , Erbel Raimund , Münzel Thomas , Zahn Ralf , Roitenberg Alexander , Breitenstein Stefanie , Ferenc Pap Ákos , Trenk Dietmar , Zeymer Uwe 
Published: January 2017

SummaryLittle is known about the onset of action after intravenous or oral administration of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The aim of the study was to compare intravenous 250 or 500 mg acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) with oral 300 mg in ASA naïve patients with ACS concerning the onset of antiplatelet effects measured by time dependent thromboxane inhibition. A total of 270 patients with ACS < 24 hours were randomised into one of three treatment arms comprising administration of a single dose of ASA as soon as possible after admission. The primary endpoint was platelet inhibition assessed by measurement of arachidonic acid (AA)-induced platelet thromboxane release (TXB2) 5 minutes (min) after study drug administration. Both 250 mg and 500 mg ASA i. v. inhibited TXB2 formation nearly completely (geometric means: from 581.7 and 573.9 ng/ml at baseline to 3.9 and 3.1 ng/ml at 5 min, respectively) compared to 300 mg oral ASA (geometric means: from 652.0 to 223.7 ng/ml) (p-value, ANCOVA: < 0.0001). Similar results were obtained for inhibition of AA-induced platelet aggregation (Multiplate ASPItest; from means 86.41 and 85.72 U to 23.04 and 20.57 U at 5 min, respectively) compared to 300 mg oral ASA from mean 87.18 to 75.56 U (p-value, ANCOVA: <0.0001). The rate of bleedings was low and comparable between the groups. In summary, the administration of a single dose of 250 or 500 mg ASA IV compared to 300 mg orally is associated with a faster and more complete inhibition of thromboxane generation and platelet aggregation. Bleeding complications were comparable between the groups.Supplementary Material including a list of institutions where work was performed is available online at www.thrombosis-online.com.
Improved anticoagulant effect of fucosylated chondroitin sulfate orally administered as gastroresistant tablets
Authors: Sucupira Isabela D. , Oliveira Stephan Nicollas M.C.G. , Santos Gustavo R.C. , Mourão Paulo A.S. , Fonseca Roberto 
Published: January 2017

SummaryFucosylated chondroitin sulfate (FucCS) is a potent anticoagulant polysaccharide extracted from sea cucumber. Its anticoagulant activity is attributed to the presence of unique branches of sulfated fucose. Although this glycosaminoglycan exerts an antithrombotic effect following oral administration, high doses are necessary to achieve the maximum effect. The diminished activity of FucCS following oral administration is likely due to its degradation in the gastrointestinal tract and its limited ability to cross the intestinal cell membranes. The latter aspect is particularly difficult to overcome. However, gastroresistant tablet formulation may help limit the degradation of FucCS in the gastrointestinal tract. In the present work, we found that the oral administration of FucCS as gastroresistant tablets produces a more potent and prolonged anticoagulant effect compared with its administration as an aqueous solution, with no significant changes in the bleeding tendency or arterial blood pressure. Experiments using animal models of arterial thrombosis initiated by endothelial injury demonstrated that FucCS delivered as gastro-protective tablets produced a potent antithrombotic effect, whereas its aqueous solution was ineffective. However, there was no significant difference between the effects of FucCS delivered as gastroresistant tablets or as aqueous solution in a venous thrombosis model, likely due to the high dose of thromboplastin used. New oral anticoagulants tested in these experimental models for comparison showed significantly increased bleeding tendencies. Our study provides a framework for developing effective oral anticoagulants based on sulfated polysaccharides from marine organisms. The present results suggest that FucCS is a promising oral anticoagulant.Supplementary Material to this article is available online at www.thrombosis-online.com.
Meandering Subtropical Jet and Precipitation over Summertime East Asia and the Northwestern Pacific
Authors: Horinouchi Takeshi , Hayashi Ayumu 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
It has been revealed that in summertime, precipitation is enhanced to the south of the upper-level tropopausal potential vorticity contours, which are accompanied by instantaneous jets, over the eastern coastal region of China to the northwestern Pacific. It is frequently exhibited as precipitation bands ranging in size from over a thousand to several thousands of kilometers long. In this study, an analysis was conducted to quantify the relationship depending on the phase of upper-level disturbances. With composite analysis, it is shown that the enhancement along the contours occurs at all phases; it occurs not only to the east but also to the west of the upper-level troughs, although it is weaker. The midtropospheric distributions of upwelling and the Q-vector convergence are collocated with the precipitation enhancement, suggesting the importance of dynamical induction by geostrophic flow at all phases. The effects of upper-level disturbances and low-level jets (LLJs) with a southerly component are investigated by using an idealized nondimensional quasigeostrophic model supporting latent heating. While upper-level waves induce upwelling and downwelling to the east and west, respectively, of the upper-level troughs, LLJs tend to offset the downwelling, enabling precipitation to the west too. Both in the observational composite and the idealized model with LLJ, confluence and diffluence contribute to the Q-vector convergence to induce upwelling along the subtropical jet irrespective of upper-level disturbance phases. This induction is explained as a general feature of a veered jet where geopotential isolines rotate clockwise with height without requiring wind variation along the jet.