bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phenotypic and Functional Characterization of Circulatory, Splenic, and Hepatic NK Cells in Simian Immunodeficiency Virus–Controlling Macaques
Authors: Vargas-Inchaustegui Diego A. , Helmold Hait Sabrina , Chung Hye Kyung , Narola Jigna , Hoang Tanya , Robert-Guroff Marjorie 
Published: September 2017

Abstract
NK cells are key components of the immune system because of their rapid response potential and their ability to mediate cytotoxic and immunomodulatory functions. Additionally, NK cells have recently been shown to persist for long periods in vivo and to have the capacity to establish immunologic memory. In the current study, we assessed the phenotype and function of circulatory and tissue-resident NK cells in a unique cohort of SIV-controlling rhesus macaques that maintained low to undetectable levels of viremia in the chronic phase of infection. By contrasting NK responses of these macaques with those observed in SIV-noncontrolling and uninfected macaques, we aimed to identify markers and activities of NK subpopulations associated with disease control. We show in this article that most differences among NK cells of the three groups of macaques were observed in tissue-resident cells. Although SIV infection resulted in NK cell dysfunction, double-negative NK cells and those expressing CXCR3, NKG2D, and IL-18Rα were associated with viremia control, as was Ab-dependent cytotoxic function. Our results suggest several novel targets for therapeutic intervention.
Un Recorrido de Estudio e Investigación para el aprendizaje del concepto devariable aleatoria discreta mediante métodos de Monte Carlo
Authors: Estruch Vicente D. , Boigues Francisco J. , Vidal Anna 
Published: September 2017

<p>El concepto de variable aleatoria es un constructo matemático que presenta cierta complejidad teórica. No obstante, el aprendizaje de dicho concepto puede facilitarse si se plantea como el final de un proceso secuencial de modelización de un suceso real. Más concretamente, para aprender el concepto de variable aleatoria discreta, la simulación de Monte Carlo puede ofrecer una herramienta sumamente útil puesto que en el proceso de modelización/simulación podremos abordar el concepto teórico de variable aleatoria, al tiempo que se observa a la variable aleatoria “en acción”. Este trabajo expone un Recorrido de Estudio e Investigación (REI) basado en una serie de actividades relacionadas con variables aleatorias como entrenamiento e introducción de elementos de simulación, presentándose después la construcción de un modelo, que es la parte substancial de la actividad, generando una variable aleatoria y su función de probabilidad. Partiendo de una situación sencilla, relacionada con la reproducción y supervivencia de la camada de un roedor, con componentes aleatorios, se construye, paso a paso, el modelo que representa la situación planteada mediante una variable aleatoria "original". En las etapas intermedias de la construcción del modelo tienen un papel fundamental las distribuciones uniforme discreta y binomial. El recorrido de tales etapas permite reforzar el concepto de variable aleatoria al tiempo que se exploran las posibilidades que ofrecen los métodos de Monte Carlo para simular casos reales y se comprueba la sencillez que supone implementar dichos métodos mediante el lenguaje de programación de Matlab©.</p>
Study of Correlation of Preoperative Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology with Histopathological Examination in Thyroid Swellings
Authors: Bodepudi Sri Lekha , Kalyan KASSN , Peddi Ramarao 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACT
Introduction
Though fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) for thyroid is acclaimed as a gold standard before going for intervention, there are some limitations with respect to tissue availability, technique, skill of performer, etc. So, a cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the accuracy of FNAC in diagnosis of thyroid swelling and to assess the correlation between preoperative cytopathological diagnosis and postoperative histopathological diagnosis.

Materials and methods
Data collected from records in the time period of 3 years, i.e., from August 2012 to August 2015, were evaluated and analyzed.

Results
A total number of 93 cases were included in the study of which majority were females with frequency of 84.94%, most of the incidence of thyroid swellings occur in the age group of 40 to 50 years. Overall mismatch between histopathological examination and FNAC was 43 out of 93 and of which 7 were major and 36 were minor mismatch. Sensitivity of patients having malignancy with positive FNAC is 82.35% from the study and specificity of patients with nonmalignant thyroid disease and positive cytology is 95.18%.

Conclusion
It was observed that FNAC is a reliable, safe, and accurate method as a first line of evaluation in thyroid swelling before the surgery. Fine needle aspiration cytology is more sensitive in detecting thyroid gland malignancy but still correlation is always necessary and therefore, histopathological analysis still remains essential for final diagnosis.

How to cite this article
Bodepudi SL, Kalyan KASSN, Peddi R. Study of Correlation of Preoperative Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology with Histopathological Examination in Thyroid Swellings. Int J Phonosurg Laryngol 2017;7(1):16-19.
False Cord Retractor: An important Tool in diagnosing Posterior Laryngeal Cleft
Authors: Bradoo Renuka , Shah Kshitij 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACT
When the tracheoesophageal septum fails to develop or fuse, a laryngeal cleft is formed. It may or may not be associated with a tracheoesophageal fistula. Diagnosing a laryngeal cleft is not straightforward as was found to be in this case. Here, the cleft was masquerading as a laryngeal polyp, which resulted in misdiagnoses and delay in the management. A false cord retractor was of significant help in diagnosing the cleft. We recommend the use of this instrument during evaluation of laryngobronchoscopy in all patients suspected to have a laryngeal cleft.
How to cite this article
Bradoo R, Dave VJ, Joshi A, Shah K. False Cord Retractor: An important Tool in diagnosing Posterior Laryngeal Cleft. Int J Phonosurg Laryngol 2017;7(1):20-22.
Effects of purslane (&lt;i&gt;Portulaca oleracea&lt;/i&gt; L.) powder on growth performance, blood indices, and antioxidant status in broiler chickens with triiodothyronine-induced ascites
Authors: Habibian Mahmood , Sadeghi Ghorbanali , Karimi Ahmad 
Published: September 2017

Abstract. This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of purslane powder (PP) on performance, blood indices, and antioxidant status in broilers with triiodothyronine (T3)-induced ascites. In total, 240 one-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly assigned to four treatments, with four replicates per treatment and 15 birds per replicate. The experimental diets included (i) a control diet, (ii) a control diet plus 1.5 mg kg−1 of T3 (T3 diet), (iii) a T3 diet with the addition of 1.5 g kg−1 of PP, and (iv) a T3 diet with the addition of 3 g kg−1 of PP. Feed intake and body weight were measured at 10, 24, 39, and 49 days of experiment. Blood and liver samples were collected from two birds in each replicate at 24 and 49 days of experiment. The T3-treated birds had higher (P < 0. 05) right ventricle to total ventricle (RV ∕ TV) ratio and mortality due to ascites compared with the control. In addition, during the entire experimental period (0 to 49 days of experiment) the T3-treated birds had lower (P < 0. 05) feed intake, body weight gain, and production efficiency index and higher (P < 0. 05) feed conversion ratio compared with the control. Dietary supplementation of PP reduced (P < 0. 05) mortality due to ascites and RV ∕ TV ratio, while the production efficiency index was increased (P < 0. 05) by the addition of PP to the diet. The T3-treated birds had higher (P < 0. 05) red blood cell counts, hematocrit percentage, and hemoglobin concentration compared with the control at 24 and 49 days of experiment. Dietary supplementation of PP substantially alleviated (P < 0. 05) the negative effects of T3 on hematocrit and hemoglobin values at both 24 and 49 days of experiment and on red blood cells counts at 49 days of experiment. The T3 birds showed an increase (P < 0. 05) in activities of lactate dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase at 49 days of experiment. However, the detrimental effect of T3 on alanine aminotransferase activity was attenuated (P < 0. 05) by dietary supplementation of PP. The plasma and liver activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase were lower (P < 0. 05) in T3-treated birds compared with the control at 24 and 49 days of experiment, whereas malondialdehyde concentrations were elevated (P < 0. 05) by dietary T3 administration. Dietary supplementation of PP, especially at 3 g kg−1, increased (P < 0. 05) the plasma and liver activities of antioxidant enzymes, and reduced (P < 0. 05) the plasma and liver concentrations of malondialdehyde near to the control levels. It is concluded that the supplementation of 3 g kg−1 of PP in diet improves oxidative status and reduces ascites incidence in broiler chickens without impairing their growth performance.
Use of reflected GNSS SNR data to retrieve either soil moisture or vegetation height from a wheat crop
Authors: Zhang Sibo , Roussel Nicolas , Boniface Karen , Ha Minh Cuong , Frappart Frédéric , Darrozes José , Baup Frédéric , Calvet Jean-Christophe 
Published: September 2017

Abstract. This work aims to estimate soil moisture and vegetation height from Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) data using direct and reflected signals by the land surface surrounding a ground-based antenna. Observations are collected from a rainfed wheat field in southwestern France. Surface soil moisture is retrieved based on SNR phases estimated by the Least Square Estimation method, assuming the relative antenna height is constant. It is found that vegetation growth breaks up the constant relative antenna height assumption. A vegetation-height retrieval algorithm is proposed using the SNR-dominant period (the peak period in the average power spectrum derived from a wavelet analysis of SNR). Soil moisture and vegetation height are retrieved at different time periods (before and after vegetation's significant growth in March). The retrievals are compared with two independent reference data sets: in situ observations of soil moisture and vegetation height, and numerical simulations of soil moisture, vegetation height and above-ground dry biomass from the ISBA (interactions between soil, biosphere and atmosphere) land surface model. Results show that changes in soil moisture mainly affect the multipath phase of the SNR data (assuming the relative antenna height is constant) with little change in the dominant period of the SNR data, whereas changes in vegetation height are more likely to modulate the SNR-dominant period. Surface volumetric soil moisture can be estimated (R2  =  0.74, RMSE  =  0.009 m3 m−3) when the wheat is smaller than one wavelength (∼ 19 cm). The quality of the estimates markedly decreases when the vegetation height increases. This is because the reflected GNSS signal is less affected by the soil. When vegetation replaces soil as the dominant reflecting surface, a wavelet analysis provides an accurate estimation of the wheat crop height (R2  =  0.98, RMSE  =  6.2 cm). The latter correlates with modeled above-ground dry biomass of the wheat from stem elongation to ripening. It is found that the vegetation height retrievals are sensitive to changes in plant height of at least one wavelength. A simple smoothing of the retrieved plant height allows an excellent matching to in situ observations, and to modeled above-ground dry biomass.
Job Engagement as a Mediator of the Relationship between Organizational Agility and Organizational Performance: A Study on Teaching Hospitals in Egypt
Authors: Nafei Wageeh A. 
Published: September 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the moderating significant role of Job Engagement (JE) in the relationship between Organizational Agility (OA) and Organizational Performance (OP).Research Design/Methodology: To assess positive OA, refer to (OA Questionnaire, Jaworski and Kohli 1993), JE (JE Questionnaire, Rich et al., 2010) and OP (OP Questionnaire, Darroch, 2003; Pathirage, et al., 2007; and Chen & Mohamed, 2007). The data of the study was collected from 310 employees at Teaching Hospitals in Egypt. Out of the 357 questionnaires that were distributed to employees at Teaching Hospitals in Egypt, 310 usable questionnaires were returned, a response rate of 86%. Multiple Regression Analysis (MRA) was used to confirm the research hypotheses.Findings: The research has found that there is significant relationship between OA, JE and OP at Teaching Hospitals in Egypt. JE significantly influenced OA and OP. The finding reveals that OA affects OP through JE. Accordingly, the study provided a set of recommendations including the necessity to pay more attention to OA as a key source for organizations to enhance the competitive advantage which is of prime significance for OP through JE.Practical implications: This research helps boost scientific research, particularly in terms of testing the model content, as well as studying the study variables and the factors affecting them. In addition, it pointed to the need for organizations to practice OA in order to be able to meet contemporary intense competition, as this trend is to play an important role in enhancing JE.Originality/value: This research dealt with OA in terms of its concept and dimensions, in addition to dealing with the role of OA in promoting JE at Teaching Hospitals in Egypt.
Rheumatologists’ beliefs about medication barely differ from patients’ medication beliefs
Authors: Van den Bemt Bart , Zwikker Hanneke , Lesuis Nienke , DenBroeder Alfons , Van den Ende Cornelia , Horne Robert , Van Dulmen Sandra 
Published: September 2017

Rationale, aims and objectivesStudies suggest that both healthcare providers’ and patients’ beliefs about medication influence medication adherence. This study aims to describe and compare rheumatologists’ and patients’ beliefs about medication. MethodData were collected in a specialized rheumatology clinic in the Netherlands. An adapted version of the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ) was used to measure beliefs about medication in rheumatologists. (Dichotomized) scores on the BMQ of rheumatologists were compared to RA patients’ scores on the BMQ, using t-tests and two-group tests of proportions with 95% confidence intervals. ResultsTwenty-seven (96% of the eligible) rheumatologists (mean age 42 years, 63% female) and 580 (71% of the eligible) RA patients (mean age 63 years, 68% female) were included. Generally, beliefs about medication did not differ between rheumatologists and patients. Both groups strongly perceived the need to take prescribed medication, but also had significant concerns about the long-term effects of the medication (63% of rheumatologists and 68% of patients expressed concerns). Some differences in beliefs were also present: Fewer rheumatologists worried about the fact that patients have to take medicines (15% versus 44%, respectively) and about the possibility that patients become too dependent on the medicines (15% versus 30%, respectively). ConclusionsThis study indicates that, generally, rheumatologists’ beliefs about medication barely differ from those of patients. However, in some respects, patients do have stronger concerns about medication than rheumatologists. Future research should focus on the interplay between rheumatologists’ and patients’ beliefs about medication and its impact on medication adherence.
Twelve‐year mortality in adults initiating antiretroviral therapy in South Africa
Authors: Cornell Morna , Johnson Leigh F. , Wood Robin , Tanser Frank , Fox Matthew P. , Prozesky Hans , Schomaker Michael , Egger Matthias , Davies Mary‐Ann , Boulle Andrew ,   for the International Epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS‐Southern Africa collaboration
Published: September 2017

AbstractIntroduction: South Africa has the largest number of individuals living with HIV and the largest antiretroviral therapy (ART) programme worldwide. In September 2016, ART eligibility was extended to all 7.1 million HIV‐positive South Africans. To ensure that further expansion of services does not compromise quality of care, long‐term outcomes must be monitored. Few studies have reported long‐term mortality in resource‐constrained settings, where mortality ascertainment is challenging. Combining site records with data linked to the national vital registration system, sites in the International Epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS Southern Africa collaboration can identify >95% of deaths in patients with civil identification numbers (IDs). This study used linked data to explore long‐term mortality and viral suppression among adults starting ART in South Africa.Methods: The study was a cohort analysis of routine data on adults with IDs starting ART 2004–2015 in five large ART cohorts. Mortality was estimated overall and by gender using the Kaplan‐Meier estimator and Cox's proportional hazards regression. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated by dividing observed numbers of deaths by numbers expected if patients had been HIV‐negative. Viral suppression in patients with viral loads (VLs) in their last year of follow‐up was the secondary outcome.Results: Among 72,812 adults followed for 350,376 person years (pyrs), the crude mortality rate was 3.08 (95% CI 3.02–3.14)/100 pyrs. Patients were predominantly female (67%) and the percentage of men initiating ART did not increase. Cumulative mortality 12 years after ART initiation was 23.9% (33.4% male and 19.4% female). Mortality peaked in patients enrolling in 2007–2009 and was higher in men than women at all durations. Observed mortality rates were higher than HIV‐negative mortality, decreasing with duration. By 48 months, observed mortality was close to that in the HIV‐negative population, and SMRs were similar for all baseline CD4 strata. Three‐quarters of patients had VLs in their last year, and 86% of these were virally suppressed.Conclusions: The South African ART programme has shown a remarkable ability to initiate and manage patients successfully over 12 years, despite rapid expansion. With further scale‐up, testing and initiating men on ART must be a national priority.
Multicentre analysis of second‐line antiretroviral treatment in HIV‐infected children: adolescents at high risk of failure
Authors: Boerma Ragna S. , Bunupuradah Torsak , Dow Dorothy , Fokam Joseph , Kariminia Azar , Lehman Dara , Kityo Cissy , Musiime Victor , Palumbo Paul , Schoffelen Annelot , Sophan Sam , Zanoni Brian , Rinke de Wit Tobias F. , Calis Job C.J. , Sigaloff Kim C.E. ,   for the Paediatric Second‐line Study Group
Published: September 2017

AbstractIntroduction: The number of HIV‐infected children and adolescents requiring second‐line antiretroviral treatment (ART) is increasing in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMIC). However, the effectiveness of paediatric second‐line ART and potential risk factors for virologic failure are poorly characterized. We performed an aggregate analysis of second‐line ART outcomes for children and assessed the need for paediatric third‐line ART.Methods: We performed a multicentre analysis by systematically reviewing the literature to identify cohorts of children and adolescents receiving second‐line ART in LMIC, contacting the corresponding study groups and including patient‐level data on virologic and clinical outcomes. Kaplan–Meier survival estimates and Cox proportional hazard models were used to describe cumulative rates and predictors of virologic failure. Virologic failure was defined as two consecutive viral load measurements >1000 copies/ml after at least six months of second‐line treatment.Results: We included 12 cohorts representing 928 children on second‐line protease inhibitor (PI)‐based ART in 14 countries in Asia and sub‐Saharan Africa. After 24 months, 16.4% (95% confidence interval (CI): 13.9–19.4) of children experienced virologic failure. Adolescents (10–18 years) had failure rates of 14.5 (95% CI 11.9–17.6) per 100 person‐years compared to 4.5 (95% CI 3.4–5.8) for younger children (3–9 years). Risk factors for virologic failure were adolescence (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 3.93, p < 0.001) and short duration of first‐line ART before treatment switch (aHR 0.64 and 0.53, p = 0.008, for 24–48 months and >48 months, respectively, compared to <24 months).Conclusions: In LMIC, paediatric PI‐based second‐line ART was associated with relatively low virologic failure rates. However, adolescents showed exceptionally poor virologic outcomes in LMIC, and optimizing their HIV care requires urgent attention. In addition, 16% of children and adolescents failed PI‐based treatment and will require integrase inhibitors to construct salvage regimens. These drugs are currently not available in LMIC.
Estimated effects of implementing an open access policy for grantees at a private foundation
Authors: Strasser Carly , Khare Eesha 
Published: September 2017

BackgroundThe Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation (GBMF) was interested in understanding the potential effects of requiring that grantees publish their peer-reviewed research in open access journals.MethodsWe collected data on more than 2,000 publications in over 500 journals that were generated by GBMF grantees since 2001. We then examined the journal policies to establish how two possible open access policies might have affected grantee publishing habits.ResultsWe found that 99.3% of the articles published by grantees would have complied with a policy that requires open access within 12 months of publication. We also estimated the maximum annual costs to GBMF for covering fees associated with “gold open access” to be between $400,000 and $2,600,000 annually.DiscussionBased in part on this study, GBMF has implemented a new open access policy that requires grantees make peer-reviewed publications fully available within 12 months.
Analysis of Potential for Human Exposure to Aerial Dispersant Application
Authors: Konkel Wolfgang J. 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACT
The response to the Macondo oil well blow-out in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, utilized significant quantities of dispersants. The way dispersants make oil available to natural biodegradation, their environmental effects, and overall benefits in oil spill reponse were well understood by the oil and spill response industries. These materials have been studied and improved for over 40 years. In spill response scenarios like Macondo, the large quantities of dispersant utilized raised concerns regarding human exposures.
This paper provides the following:An analysis of dispersant spray drift from aerial application of oil dispersant.A review of the exclusion zones established by the Region IV and VI Regional Response Teams (RRT’s).Evidence that the controls to protect cleanup workers were effective.
The volume of chemical dispersant utilized in the Macondo response is often presented as an indicator suggesting human exposure. While the volume is interesting, the application, its dilution in the water column, and its environmental persistence are far better measures of the potential for human exposure. Furthermore, the controls that were required by the Federal–On-Scene-Coordinator to ensure responder and public safety are critical considerations. These controls were designed and implemented by Regulators and supported by appropriate health professionals to avoid the possibility of human exposure. These controls were established and published well before the Macondo spill.
Studies were undertaken during the 2010 spill response to examine surface and subsurface waters to determine the presence of dispersant constituents. Spill response worker exposure was evaluated in both offshore and on-shore clean-up areas during dispersant application. The studies found no evidence that response workers were exposed to levels of constituents that approached occupational exposure limits.