bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transfusion‐transmitted and community‐acquired babesiosis in New York, 2004 to 2015
Authors: Linden Jeanne V. , Prusinski Melissa A. , Crowder Lauren A. , Tonnetti Laura , Stramer Susan L. , Kessler Debra A. , White Jennifer , Shaz Beth , Olkowska Danuta 
Published: January 2018

BACKGROUNDBabesiosis is a potentially life‐threatening zoonotic infection most frequently caused by the intraerythrocytic parasite Babesia microti. The pathogen is usually tickborne, but may also be transfusion or vertically transmitted. Healthy persons, including blood donors, may be asymptomatic and unaware they are infected. Immunocompromised patients are at increased risk for symptomatic disease.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSAll reported community‐acquired babesiosis cases in New York from 2004 to 2015 were evaluated, enumerated, and characterized. All potential transfusion‐transmitted babesiosis (TTB) cases reported through one or more of three public health surveillance systems were investigated to determine the likelihood of transfusion transmission. In addition, host‐seeking ticks were actively collected in public parks and other likely sites of human exposure to B. microti.RESULTSFrom 2004 to 2015, a total of 3799 cases of babesiosis were found; 55 (1.4%) of these were linked to transfusion. The incidence of both community‐acquired babesiosis and TTB increased significantly during the 12‐year study period. The geographic range of both ticks and tickborne infections also expanded. Among TTB cases, 95% of recipients had at least one risk factor for symptomatic disease. Implicated donors resided in five states, including in 10 New York counties. More than half of implicated donors resided in counties known to be B. microti endemic.CONCLUSIONThe increasing incidence of TTB correlated with increases in community‐acquired babesiosis and infection of ticks with B. microti. Surveillance of ticks and community‐acquired cases may aid identification of emerging areas at risk for Babesia transfusion transmission.
The Brazilian experience of nucleic acid testing to detect human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis C virus, and hepatitis B virus infections in blood donors
Authors: Rocha Daniele , Andrade Elisabete , Godoy Daniela T. , Fontana‐Maurell Marcela , Costa Elaine , Ribeiro Marisa , Ferreira Antônio G.P. , Brindeiro Rodrigo , Tanuri Amilcar , Alvarez Patrícia 
Published: January 2018

BACKGROUNDThe history of the development and implementation of the Brazilian nucleic acid testing (NAT) platform to detect and discriminate among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections in blood donors is described here. The results for the sensitivity, reproducibility, and NAT yield of the platform since program implementation are provided.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSThe Brazilian NAT HIV, HCV, and HBV kit was developed and evaluated with regard to analytical sensitivity, specificity, intralot and interlot reproducibility, interfering substances, and genotype and diagnostic sensitivity. Additionally, a sample of identified NAT‐yield cases was characterized with regard to viral load.RESULTSThe 95% limits of detection for HIV, HCV, and HBV were 68.02, 102.35, and 9.08 IU/mL, respectively. All replicates were detected with reproducibility assays between the acceptable values. A total of 13,610,536 blood donors was screened from 2010 to 2016, and 63 HIV‐yield cases and 28 HCV‐yield cases were detected. Among 5,795,424 blood donors screened for HBV from 2014 to 2016, 42 yield cases were found.CONCLUSIONThe Brazilian NAT HIV, HCV, and HBV kit is an automated NAT system suitable for routine blood donor screening in a completely traceable process. The analytical sensitivity as well as the diagnostic sensitivity fulfilled all requirements set by the health ministry for blood donor screening. A significant number of transmission cases were prevented by the implementation of this important program.
Photodegradation of phenol red in the presence of oxyhydroxide of Fe(III) (Goethite) under artificial and a natural light
Authors: Belattar Sara , Debbache Nadra , Ghoul Imen , Sehili Tahar , Abdessemed Ala 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe (α‐FeOOH) Goethite composite is a stable and an efficient catalyst in aqueous suspension under irradiation at 365 nm and by solar light. The photocatalytic activities of this composite were evaluated using Phenol Red (PR) dye (phenolsulfonphthalein class). In the dark, controlling factors, such as the pH and the adsorption of PR on Goethite surface were evaluated (before starting the photochemical experiments). It was found that the system PR‐Goethite present a small decrease in the main band of the dye (435 nm) which was explained by the low rate of adsorption of this dye on the Goethite. Also, we note that 40% of PR decolourisation was obtained after 200 min by the system PR‐Goethite‐hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in dark due to the formation of •OH by thermal decomposition of H2O2 on the surface of Goethite. The effects of various experimental parameters, such as initial dye concentration, pH, photocatalyst amount, tert‐Butyl alcohol effect and H2O2 addition were investigated in the study of photodegradation of the dye. The results showed that the photodegradation of PR under UV‐A (365 nm) irradiation could be enhanced greatly in the presence of H2O2. Natural radiation tests (under sunlight) showed that degradation was faster comparing with that obtained using the artificial one at 365 nm. Studies of the mineralization using total organic carbon method under naturel light certify that this method, compatible with the environment, may be considered in the treatment of wastewater and generally in the process of removal of this kind of pollutant.
Draft Genome Sequences of Three Strains of a Novel
Rhizobiales
Species Isolated from Forest Soil
Authors: Pold Grace , Huntemann Marcel , Pillay Manoj , Mikhailova Natalia , Stamatis Dimitrios , Reddy T. B. K. , Daum Chris , Shapiro Nicole , Kyrpides Nikos , Woyke Tanja , DeAngelis Kristen M. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT

Three strains of a novel
Rhizobiales
species were isolated from temperate deciduous forest soil in central Massachusetts. Their genomes consist of 9.09 to 10.29 Mb over 3 to 4 scaffolds each and indicate that diverse nitrogenous compounds are used by these organisms.
Complete Genome Sequences of
Sweet potato feathery mottle virus
and
Sweet potato virus G
from Brazil
Authors: Souza Caroline A. , Rossato Maurício , Melo Fernando L. , Pereira-Carvalho Rita C. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT

In Brazil,
Potyvirus
species in sweet potatoes have been detected mostly by serology. Here, we report the complete genome sequences of two
Potyvirus
species,
Sweet potato feathery mottle virus
strain (SPFMV-UNB-01) and
Sweet potato virus G
strain (SPVG-UNB-01).
Draft Genome Sequence of
Bacillus altitudinis
Strain KU-skv2(2), Isolated from a Microbial Mat on an Anthropogenic Pipe from Caldera Uzon (Kamchatka, Russia)
Authors: Rozanov Aleksey S. , Korzhuk Anton V. , Shipova Aleksandra A. , Bryanskaya Alla V. , Peltek Sergey E. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT

Bacillus altitudinis
strain KU-skv2(2) was isolated from a microbial mat on an anthropogenic pipe from Caldera Uzon (Kamchatka, Russia, 54°30′0.23″N, 160°0′15.18″E). The sequenced and annotated genome is 3,739,340 bp in size and encodes 3,929 genes.
Functional Optimization of Broadly Neutralizing HIV-1 Antibody 10E8 by Promotion of Membrane Interactions
Authors: Rujas Edurne , Leaman Daniel P. , Insausti Sara , Ortigosa-Pascual Lei , Zhang Lei , Zwick Michael B. , Nieva José L. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT
The 10E8 antibody targets a helical epitope in the membrane-proximal external region (MPER) and transmembrane domain (TMD) of the envelope glycoprotein (Env) subunit gp41 and is among the broadest known neutralizing antibodies against HIV-1. Accordingly, this antibody and its mechanism of action valuably inform the design of effective vaccines and immunotherapies. 10E8 exhibits unusual adaptations to attain specific, high-affinity binding to the MPER at the viral membrane interface. Reversing the charge of the basic paratope surface (from net positive to net negative) reportedly lowered its neutralization potency. Here, we hypothesized that by increasing the net positive charge in similar polar surface patches, the neutralization potency of the antibody may be enhanced. We found that an increased positive charge at this paratope surface strengthened an electrostatic interaction between the antibody and lipid bilayers, enabling 10E8 to interact spontaneously with membranes. Notably, the modified 10E8 antibody did not gain any apparent polyreactivity and neutralized virus with a significantly greater potency. Binding analyses indicated that the optimized 10E8 antibody bound with a higher affinity to the epitope peptide anchored in lipid bilayers and to Env spikes on virions. Overall, our data provide a proof of principle for the rational optimization of 10E8 via manipulation of its interaction with the membrane element of its epitope. However, the observation that a similar mutation strategy did not affect the potency of the first-generation anti-MPER antibody 4E10 shows possible limitations of this principle. Altogether, our results emphasize the crucial role played by the viral membrane in the antigenicity of the MPER-TMD of HIV-1.

IMPORTANCE
The broadly neutralizing antibody 10E8 blocks infection by nearly all HIV-1 isolates, a capacity which vaccine design seeks to reproduce. Engineered versions of this antibody also represent a promising treatment for HIV infection by passive immunization. Understanding its mechanism of action is therefore important to help in developing effective vaccines and biologics to combat HIV/AIDS. 10E8 engages its helical MPER epitope where the base of the envelope spike submerges into the viral membrane. To enable this interaction, this antibody evolved an unusual property: the ability to interact with the membrane surface. Here, we provide evidence that 10E8 can be made more effective by enhancing its interactions with membranes. Our findings strengthen the idea that to elicit antibodies similar to 10E8, vaccines must reproduce the membrane environment where these antibodies perform their function.
Evaluation of a health system strengthening initiative in the Zambian prison system
Authors: Topp Stephanie M , Sharma Anjali , Moonga Clement N , Chileshe Chisele , Magwende George , Henostroza German 
Published: January 2018

IntroductionIn 2013, the Zambian Correctional Service (ZCS) partnered with the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia on the Zambian Prisons Health System Strengthening project, seeking to tackle structural, organisational and cultural weaknesses within the prison health system. We present findings from a nested evaluation of the project impact on high, mid-level and facility-level health governance and health service arrangements in the Zambian Correctional Service .MethodsMixed methods were used, including document review, indepth interviews with ministry (11) and prison facility (6) officials, focus group discussions (12) with male and female inmates in six of the eleven intervention prisons, and participant observation during project workshops and meetings. Ethical clearance and verbal informed consent were obtained for all activities. Analysis incorporated deductive and iterative inductive coding.ResultsOutcomes: Improved knowledge of the prison health system strengthened political and bureaucratic will to materially address prison health needs. This found expression in a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Health (MOH) and Ministry of Community Development, and in the appointment of a permanent liaison between MOH and ZCS. Capacity-building workshops for ZCS Command resulted in strengthened health planning and management outcomes, including doubling ZCS health professional workforce (from 37 to78 between 2014 and 2016), new preservice basic health training for incoming ZCS officers and formation of facility-based prison health committees with a mandate for health promotion and protection.Mechanisms: continuous and facilitated communication among major stakeholders and the emergence of interorganisational trust were critical. Enablingcontextual factorsincluded a permissive political environment, a shift within ZCS from a ‘punitive’ to ‘correctional’ organisational culture, and prevailing political and public health concerns about the spread of HIV and tuberculosis.ConclusionWhile not a panacea, findings demonstrate that a ‘systems’ approach to seemingly intractable prison health system problems yielded a number of short-term tactical and long-term strategic improvements in the Zambian setting. Context-sensitive application of such an approach to other settings may yield positive outcomes.
Socioeconomic deprivation and mode-specific outcomes in patients with chronic heart failure
Authors: Witte Klaus K , Patel Peysh A , Walker Andrew M N , Schechter Clyde B , Drozd Michael , Sengupta Anshuman , Byrom Rowenna , Kearney Lorraine C , Sapsford Robert J , Kearney Mark T , Cubbon Richard M 
Published: January 2018

ObjectiveTo characterise the association between socioeconomic deprivation and adverse outcomes in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).MethodsWe prospectively observed 1802 patients with CHF and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤45%, recruited in four UK hospitals between 2006 and 2014. We assessed the association between deprivation defined by the UK Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) and: mode-specific mortality (mean follow-up 4 years); mode-specific hospitalisation; and the cumulative duration of hospitalisation (after 1 year).ResultsA 45-point difference in mean IMD score was noted between patients residing in the least and most deprived quintiles of geographical regions. Deprivation was associated with age, sex and comorbidity, but not CHF symptoms, LVEF or prescribed drug therapy. IMD score was associated with the risk of age-sex adjusted all-cause mortality (6% higher risk per 10-unit increase in IMD score; 95% CI 2% to 10%; P=0.004), and non-cardiovascular mortality (9% higher risk per 10-unit increase in IMD score; 95% CI 3% to 16%; P=0.003), but not cardiovascular mortality. All-cause, but not heart failure-specific, hospitalisation was also more common in the most deprived patients. Overall, patients spent a cumulative 3.3 days in hospital during 1 year of follow-up, with IMD score being associated with the age-sex adjusted cumulative duration of hospitalisations (4% increase in duration per 10-unit increase in IMD score; 95% CI 3% to 6%; P<0.0005).ConclusionsSocioeconomic deprivation in people with CHF is linked to increased risk of death and hospitalisation due to an excess of non-cardiovascular events.
Associations between cardiac troponin, mortality and subsequent use of cardiovascular services: differences in sex and ethnicity
Authors: Winchester David E , Kline Kristopher , Estel Christopher , Mahtta Dhruv , Taasan Sean , Peacock Franck W 
Published: January 2018

BackgroundThe impact of cardiac troponin (cTn) testing on the downstream use of cardiovascular services is not well understood. We conducted this large-scale single centre cohort study to investigate the patterns of testing that result from the use of cTn.MethodsWe conducted this investigation using data collected between 1 January 2013 and 18 December 2015 from an academically affiliated tertiary care centre. Data from all hospitalised patients evaluated with cTn (Roche Elecsys cTn-T) assay were collected from our integrated data repository and divided into two cohorts: all cTn assays negative (<0.03 µg/L) versus at least one elevated (≥0.03 µg/L). The main outcomes were the frequency of use cardiovascular services and mortality.ResultsAmong 26 663 subjects, 18.6% had at least one elevated cTn assay; acute myocardial infarction was diagnosed in 3.9% overall. More men received cardiac catheterisation and cardiology consultation (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.20 to 1.39 and OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.31 to 1.61) while African-American patients were less likely to have either catheterisation (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.77 to 0.93) or consultation (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.82) performed. Mortality was associated with detectable cTn (HR 2.05, P<0.0001).ConclusionsAmong hospitalised patients evaluated with cTn, we observed patterns of underuse and overuse of cardiovascular services. These patterns may have further relevance when high-sensitivity cTn assays are available in the USA. Sex and race-based disparities in cardiovascular services persist.
LPA Induces Metabolic Reprogramming in Ovarian Cancer via a Pseudohypoxic Response
Authors: Ha Ji Hee , Radhakrishnan Rangasudhagar , Jayaraman Muralidharan , Yan Mingda , Ward Jeremy D. , Fung Kar-Ming , Moxley Katherine , Sood Anil K. , Isidoro Ciro , Mukherjee Priyabrata , Song Yong Sang , Dhanasekaran Danny N. 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
Although hypoxia has been shown to reprogram cancer cells toward glycolytic shift, the identity of extrinsic stimuli that induce metabolic reprogramming independent of hypoxia, especially in ovarian cancer, is largely unknown. In this study, we use patient-derived ovarian cancer cells and high-grade serous ovarian cancer cell lines to demonstrate that lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a lipid growth factor and GPCR ligand whose levels are substantially increased in ovarian cancer patients, triggers glycolytic shift in ovarian cancer cells. Inhibition of the G protein α-subunit Gαi2 disrupted LPA-stimulated aerobic glycolysis. LPA stimulated a pseudohypoxic response via Rac-mediated activation of NADPH oxidase and generation of reactive oxygen species, resulting in activation of HIF1α. HIF1α in turn induced expression of glucose transporter-1 and the glycolytic enzyme hexokinase-2 (HKII). Treatment of mice bearing ovarian cancer xenografts with an HKII inhibitor, 3-bromopyruvate, attenuated tumor growth and conferred a concomitant survival advantage. These studies reveal a critical role for LPA in metabolic reprogramming of ovarian cancer cells and identify this node as a promising therapeutic target in ovarian cancer.
Significance: These findings establish LPA as a potential therapeutic target in ovarian cancer, revealing its role in the activation of HIF1α-mediated metabolic reprogramming in this disease. Cancer Res; 78(8); 1923–34. ©2018 AACR.
Mast Cell–Dependent CD8+ T-cell Recruitment Mediates Immune Surveillance of Intestinal Tumors in ApcMin/+ Mice
Authors: Bodduluri Sobha R. , Mathis Steven , Maturu Paramahamsa , Krishnan Elangovan , Satpathy Shuchismita R. , Chilton Paula M. , Mitchell Thomas C. , Lira Sergio , Locati Massimo , Mantovani Alberto , Jala Venkatakrishna R. , Haribabu Bodduluri 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe presence of mast cells in some human colorectal cancers is a positive prognostic factor, but the basis for this association is incompletely understood. Here, we found that mice with a heterozygous mutation in the adenomatous polyposis coli gene (ApcMin/+) displayed reduced intestinal tumor burdens and increased survival in a chemokine decoy receptor, ACKR2-null background, which led to discovery of a critical role for mast cells in tumor defense. ACKR2–/–ApcMin/+ tumors showed increased infiltration of mast cells, their survival advantage was lost in mast cell–deficient ACKR2–/–SA–/–ApcMin/+ mice as the tumors grew rapidly, and adoptive transfer of mast cells restored control of tumor growth. Mast cells from ACKR2–/– mice showed elevated CCR2 and CCR5 expression and were also efficient in antigen presentation and activation of CD8+ T cells. Mast cell–derived leukotriene B4 (LTB4) was found to be required for CD8+ T lymphocyte recruitment, as mice lacking the LTB4 receptor (ACKR2–/–BLT1–/–ApcMin/+) were highly susceptible to intestinal tumor-induced mortality. Taken together, these data demonstrate that chemokine-mediated recruitment of mast cells is essential for initiating LTB4/BLT1-regulated CD8+ T-cell homing and generation of effective antitumor immunity against intestinal tumors. We speculate that the pathway reported here underlies the positive prognostic significance of mast cells in selected human tumors. Cancer Immunol Res; 6(3); 332–47. ©2018 AACR.
Hospital Variation in Adherence Rates to Secondary Prevention Medications and the Implications on Quality
Authors: Mathews Robin , Wang William , Kaltenbach Lisa A. , Thomas Laine , Shah Rashmee U. , Ali Murtuza , Peterson Eric D. , Wang Tracy Y. 
Published: January 2018

Background:
Medication adherence is important to improve the long-term outcomes after acute myocardial infarction (MI). We hypothesized that there is significant variation among US hospitals in terms of medication adherence after MI, and that patients treated at hospitals with higher medication adherence after MI will have better long-term cardiovascular outcomes.

Methods:
We identified 19 704 Medicare patients discharged after acute MI from 347 US hospitals participating in the ACTION Registry-GWTG (Acute Coronary Treatment and Intervention Outcomes Network Registry-Get With the Guidelines) from January 2, 2007, to October 1, 2010. Using linked Medicare Part D prescription filling data, medication adherence was defined as proportion of days covered >80% within 90 days after discharge. Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to compare 2-year major adverse cardiovascular events among hospitals with high, moderate, and low 90-day medication adherence.

Results:
By 90 days after MI, overall rates of adherence to medications prescribed at discharge were 68% for β-blockers, 63% for statins, 64% for angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, and 72% for thienopyridines. Adherence to these medications up to 90 days varied significantly among hospitals: β-blockers (proportion of days covered >80%; 59% to 75%), statins (55% to 69%), thienopyridines (64% to 77%), and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers (57% to 69%). Compared with hospitals in the lowest quartile of 90-day composite medication adherence, hospitals with the highest adherence had lower unadjusted and adjusted 2-year major adverse cardiovascular event risk (27.5% versus 35.3%; adjusted hazard ratio, 0.88; 95% confidence interval, 0.80–0.96). High-adherence hospitals also had lower adjusted rates of death or readmission (hazard ratio, 0.90; 95% confidence interval, 0.85–0.96), whereas there was no difference in mortality after adjustment.

Conclusions:
Use of secondary prevention medications after discharge varies significantly among US hospitals and is inversely associated with 2-year outcomes. Hospitals may improve medication adherence after discharge and patient outcomes through better coordination of care between inpatient and outpatient settings.