bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A new hydrogel for the conservative treatment of meniscal lesions: a randomized controlled study
Authors: Zorzi Claudio , Rigotti Stefano , Screpis Daniele , Giordan Nicola , Piovan Gianluca 
Published: January 2016

Purpose:this study aimed to investigate the efficacy of intra-articular (IA) administration of a hydrogel formulation obtained from a hyaluronic acid (HA) derivative (HYADD4®) in the management of meniscal tears and in meniscal tear repair.
Methods: fifty subjects with degenerative meniscal tears were enrolled into this single-site, observer-blind, parallel-group study. Clinical evaluations were performed at baseline and after 14, 30 and 60 days. Clinical outcomes included: pain reduction (Visual Analog Scale), improvement of knee functionality (WOMAC questionnaire), reduction in length and depth of the meniscal lesion (MRI-confirmed) and SF-36 questionnaire scores. Local tolerability and safety were also investigated.
Results: a significant reduction in VAS pain (p<0.001) in favor of HYADD4® was recorded at day 14 and maintained at all the follow-up assessments. Data on knee functionality were in line with the VAS pain assessment results. A significant reduction in length and depth of the meniscal lesion, assessed using MRI, was found in the HYADD4® group compared to the control group (p<0.001).
Conclusions: the results of this study may indicate a new treatment option in the conservative management of patients complaining of pain due to meniscal tears. The MRI data suggest that the hydrogel formulation of HA used in this study may also play a role in the healing process of the lesion.
Level of evidence: Level I, prospective randomized clinical trial.
The
Challenge of Energy Storage in Europe: Focus on Power to
Fuel
Authors: Koytsoumpa Efthymia Ioanna , Bergins Christian , Buddenberg Torsten , Wu Song , Sigurbjörnsson Ómar , Tran K. C. , Kakaras Emmanouil 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
The energy sector in the European market has been changing significantly over the last years. European Union (EU) energy strategy includes the EU low-carbon roadmap milestone, which indicates for 2020, a 20% reduction in carbon emissions, and a 20% EU-wide share for renewables, and by 2030 a 40% reduction in carbon emissions and 30% EU-wide share for renewables. The increased renewable energy sources (RES) penetration and their intermittent energy production have led to the emerging need for energy storage technologies. Especially in the European energy market, large-scale energy balancing with sustainable technologies with product flexibility and cost-effective operation are being investigated. The carbon capture and utilization (CCU) concept, as a means for low-carbon sustainable industries, is integrated in the energy storage technologies. The present paper addresses the integration of power to fuel concept in the energy storage sector with simultaneous emission reduction. Grid management, the scale, and the efficient operation of electrolyzers are the basis for the implementation of Power to Fuel technology. The use of surplus and/or low-cost electricity via water electrolysis to commute captured CO2 from industrial plants to versatile energy carriers such as methane and methanol is being investigated in the present paper. Shadow operation of fossil fuel power plants under minimum load conditions leads to optimized energy dispatch of the power plants and provides product flexibility in terms of electricity, grid services, and chemical production. The produced fuels can be used in highly efficient and well-established power systems and further used in the transportation sector or for covering heat demands. The energy efficiency of the different processes is presented and a comparison is made in terms of cost effective energy storage solutions via the simultaneous grid management optimization, the reduction of carbon dioxide, and the production of valuable chemicals. The cross-sectorial concept of the Power to Fuel is presented for Steel and Power industry for the case of methane and methanol production. A review of the U.S. and European markets is made for the application of Power to Fuel.
Complete Genome Sequence and Methylome of Salmonella enterica subsp.
enterica
Cerro, a Frequent Dairy Cow Serovar
Authors: Haley Bradd J. , Pirone Cary , Muruvanda Tim , Brown Eric , Allard Marc , Karns Jeffrey S. , Van Kessel Jo Ann S. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT

Salmonella enterica
subsp.
enterica
serovar Cerro is an infrequent pathogen of humans and other mammals but is frequently isolated from the hindgut of asymptomatic cattle in the United States. To further understand the genomic determinants of
S
. Cerro specificity for the bovine hindgut, the genome of isolate CFSAN001588 was fully sequenced and deposited in the GenBank database.
Complete Genome Sequence of
Rehmannia Mosaic Virus
Infecting
Rehmannia glutinosa
in South Korea
Authors: Lim Seungmo , Zhao Fumei , Yoo Ran Hee , Igori Davaajargal , Jeong Jae Cheol , Lee Haeng-Soon , Kwak Sang-Soo , Moon Jae Sun 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT

The complete genome sequence of a South Korean isolate of
Rehmannia mosaic virus
(ReMV) infecting
Rehmannia glutinosa
was determined through next-generation sequencing and Sanger sequencing. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a natural infection of
R. glutinosa
by ReMV in South Korea.
Complete Genomic Sequence of an Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli Strain of Serotype O7:HNT
Authors: Maluta Renato P. , Nicholson Bryon , Logue Catherine M. , Nolan Lisa K. , Rojas Thaís C. G. , Dias da Silveira Wanderley 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT

Avian pathogenic
Escherichia coli
(APEC) is associated with colibacillosis in poultry. Here, we present the first complete sequence of an APEC strain of the O7:HNT serotype and ST73 sequence type, isolated from a broiler with cellulitis. Complete genomes of APEC with distinct genetic backgrounds may be useful for comparative analysis.
Draft Genome Sequence of Klebsiella pneumoniae KGM-IMP216 Harboring
bla
CTX-M-15
,
bla
DHA-1
,
bla
TEM-1B
,
bla
NDM-1
,
bla
SHV-28
, and
bla
OXA-1
, Isolated from a Patient in Lebanon
Authors: Tokajian Sima , Eisen Jonathan A. , Jospin Guillaume , Matar Ghassan , Araj George F. , Coil David A. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT

We present the draft genome of highly drug-resistant
Klebsiella pneumoniae
KGM-IMP216, isolated from a urine sample collected from a patient in Lebanon. The draft genome sequence consisted of 77 contigs, including a combined 5,731,500 bases with 57% G+C content.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Exopolysaccharide-Producing Burkholderia caribensis Type Strain MWAP64
Authors: Pan Yanling , Kong Ka Fai , Tsang Jimmy S. H. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT

We report the complete genome sequence of
Burkholderia caribensis
MWAP64 (LMG 18531), which was isolated from soil for its proficiency in producing large amounts of exopolysaccharide that help form microaggregates in a vertisol. There are four replicons with a total size of 9,032,119 bp.
Complete Genome Sequence of Novel Pseudorabies Virus Strain HNB Isolated in China
Authors: Yu Teng , Chen Fangzhou , Ku Xugang , Zhu Yinxing , Ma Hailong , Li Subei , He Qigai 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT
The complete genome sequence of a novel pseudorabies virus, strain HNB, isolated from a dead weaned pig in China, was determined using next-generation sequencing. The viral genome sequence of HNB shared 90.6% nucleotide similarity with that of the traditional vaccine strain, the Bartha strain.
Complete Genome Sequence of Human Norovirus GII.4_2006b, a Variant of Minerva 2006
Authors: Yang Zhihui , Mammel Mark K. , Kulka Michael 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT
In 2006, the National Calicivirus Laboratory at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed multistate outbreaks of norovirus infection and identified two new GII.4 norovirus strains (Minerva and Laurens) through partial sequencing of the major capsid (VP1) gene. Here, we report the first complete genome sequence of the GII.4 Minerva isolate.
Draft Genome Sequence of a Potential Nitrate-Dependent Fe(II)-Oxidizing Bacterium, Aquabacterium parvum B6
Authors: Zhang Xiaoxin , Ma Fang , Szewzyk Ulrich 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT

Aquabacterium parvum
B6 is a potential nitrate-dependent Fe(II)-oxidizing bacterium. The genes related to its denitrifying mechanism and iron metabolisms were unknown. We present the draft genome of
Aquabacterium parvum
B6, which could provide further insight into the nitrate-dependent Fe(II)-oxidizing mechanism of strain B6.
Corynebacterium accolens Releases Antipneumococcal Free Fatty Acids from Human Nostril and Skin Surface Triacylglycerols
Authors: Bomar Lindsey , Brugger Silvio D. , Yost Brian H. , Davies Sean S. , Lemon Katherine P. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT

Bacterial interspecies interactions play clinically important roles in shaping microbial community composition. We observed that
Corynebacterium
spp. are overrepresented in children free of
Streptococcus pneumoniae
(pneumococcus), a common pediatric nasal colonizer and an important infectious agent.
Corynebacterium accolens
, a benign lipid-requiring species, inhibits pneumococcal growth during
in vitro
cocultivation on medium supplemented with human skin surface triacylglycerols (TAGs) that are likely present in the nostrils. This inhibition depends on LipS1, a TAG lipase necessary for
C. accolens
growth on TAGs such as triolein. We determined that
C. accolens
hydrolysis of triolein releases oleic acid, which inhibits pneumococcus, as do other free fatty acids (FFAs) that might be released by LipS1 from human skin surface TAGs. Our results support a model in which
C. accolens
hydrolyzes skin surface TAGS
in vivo
releasing antipneumococcal FFAs. These data indicate that
C. accolens
may play a beneficial role in sculpting the human microbiome.

IMPORTANCE
Little is known about how harmless
Corynebacterium
species that colonize the human nose and skin might impact pathogen colonization and proliferation at these sites
.
We show that
Corynebacterium accolens
, a common benign nasal bacterium, modifies its local habitat
in vitro
as it inhibits growth of
Streptococcus pneumoniae
by releasing antibacterial free fatty acids from host skin surface triacylglycerols. We further identify the primary
C. accolens
lipase required for this activity. We postulate a model in which higher numbers of
C. accolens
cells deter/limit
S. pneumoniae
nostril colonization, which might partly explain why children without
S. pneumoniae
colonization have higher levels of nasal
Corynebacterium
. This work narrows the gap between descriptive studies and the needed in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms of microbe-microbe interactions that help shape the human microbiome. It also lays the foundation for future
in vivo
studies to determine whether habitat modification by
C. accolens
could be promoted to control pathogen colonization.
Financial accessibility and user fee reforms for maternal healthcare in five sub-Saharan countries: a quasi-experimental analysis
Authors: Leone Tiziana , Cetorelli Valeria , Neal Sarah , Matthews Zoë 
Published: January 2016

ObjectivesEvidence on whether removing fees benefits the poorest is patchy and weak. The aim of this paper is to measure the impact of user fee reforms on the probability of giving birth in an institution or undergoing a caesarean section (CS) in Ghana, Burkina Faso, Zambia, Cameroon and Nigeria for the poorest strata of the population.SettingWomen's experience of user fees in 5 African countries.Primary and secondary outcome measuresUsing quasi-experimental regression analysis we tested the impact of user fee reforms on facilities’ births and CS differentiated by wealth, education and residence in Burkina Faso and Ghana. Mapping of the literature followed by key informant interviews are used to verify details of reform implementation and to confirm and support our countries’ choice.ParticipantsWe analysed data from consecutive surveys in 5 countries: 2 case countries that experienced reforms (Ghana and Burkina Faso) by contrast with 3 that did not experience reforms (Zambia, Cameroon, Nigeria).ResultsUser fee reforms are associated with a significant percentage of the increase in access to facility births (27 percentage points) and to a much lesser extent to CS (0.7 percentage points). Poor (but not the poorest), and non-educated women, and those in rural areas benefitted the most from the reforms. User fees reforms have had a higher impact in Burkina Faso compared with Ghana.ConclusionsFindings show a clear positive impact on access when user fees are removed, but limited evidence for improved availability of CS for those most in need. More women from rural areas and from lower socioeconomic backgrounds give birth in health facilities after fee reform. Speed and quality of implementation might be the key reason behind the differences between the 2 case countries. This calls for more research into the impact of reforms on quality of care.
Effectiveness, safety and costs of thromboembolic prevention in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation: phase I ESC-FA protocol study and baseline characteristics of a cohort from a primary care electronic database
Authors: Giner-Soriano Maria , Vedia Urgell Cristina , Roso-Llorach Albert , Morros Rosa , Capellà Dolors , Castells Xavier , Ferreira-González Ignacio , Troncoso Mariño Amelia , Diògene Eduard , Elorza Josep Mª , Casajuana Marc , Bolíbar Bonaventura , Violan Concepció 
Published: January 2016

PurposeAtrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia. Its management aims to reduce symptoms and to prevent complications through rate and rhythm control, management of concomitant cardiac diseases and prevention of related complications, mainly stroke. The main objective of Effectiveness, Safety and Costs in Atrial Fibrillation (ESC-FA) study is to analyse the drugs used for the management of the disease in real-use conditions, particularly the antithrombotic agents for stroke prevention. The aim of this work is to present the study protocol of phase I of the ESC-FA study and the baseline characteristics of newly diagnosed patients with atrial fibrillation in Catalonia, Spain.ParticipantsThe data source is System for the Improvement of Research in Primary Care (SIDIAP) database. The population included are all patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation diagnosis registered in the electronic health records during 2007–2012.Findings to dateA total of 22 585 patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation were included in the baseline description. Their mean age was 72.8 years and 51.6% were men. The most commonly prescribed antithrombotics were vitamin K antagonists (40.1% of patients) and platelet aggregation inhibitors (32.9%); 25.3% had not been prescribed antithrombotic treatment. Age, gender, comorbidities and co-medication at baseline were similar to those reported for previous studies.Future plansThe next phase in the ESC-FA study will involve assessing the effectiveness and safety of antithrombotic treatments, analysing stroke events and bleeding episodes’ rates in our patients (rest of phase I), describing the current management of the disease and its costs in our setting, and assessing how the introduction of new oral anticoagulants changes the stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation.
ChineseObstetrics & Gynecologyjournal club: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Tsui Ilene K , Dodson William C , Kunselman Allen R , Kuang Hongying , Han Feng-Juan , Legro Richard S , Wu Xiao-Ke 
Published: January 2016

ObjectivesTo assess whether a journal club model could improve comprehension and written and spoken medical English in a population of Chinese medical professionals.Setting and participantsThe study population consisted of 52 medical professionals who were residents or postgraduate master or PhD students in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, China.InterventionAfter a three-part baseline examination to assess medical English comprehension, participants were randomised to either (1) an intensive journal club treatment arm or (2) a self-study group. At the conclusion of the 8-week intervention participants (n=52) were re-tested with new questions.Outcome measuresThe primary outcome was the change in score on a multiple choice examination. Secondary outcomes included change in scores on written and oral examinations which were modelled on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).ResultsBoth groups had improved scores on the multiple choice examination without a statistically significant difference between them (90% power). However, there was a statistically significant difference between the groups in mean improvement in scores for both written (95% CI 1.1 to 5.0; p=0.003) and spoken English (95% CI 0.06 to 3.7; p=0.04) favouring the journal club intervention.ConclusionsInteracting with colleagues and an English-speaking facilitator in a journal club improved both written and spoken medical English in Chinese medical professionals. Journal clubs may be suitable for use as a self-sustainable teaching model to improve fluency in medical English in foreign medical professionals.Trial registration numberNCT01844609.
Activation of the Constitutive Androstane Receptor Increases the Therapeutic Index of CHOP in Lymphoma Treatment
Authors: Hedrich William D. , Xiao Jingwei , Heyward Scott , Zhang Yao , Zhang Junran , Baer Maria R. , Hassan Hazem E. , Wang Hongbing 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
The constitutive androstane receptor (CAR and NR1i3) is a key regulator of CYP2B6, the enzyme predominantly responsible for the biotransformation of cyclophosphamide (CPA) to its pharmacologically active metabolite, 4-hydroxycyclophosphamide (4-OH-CPA). Previous studies from our laboratory illustrated that CAR activation increases the formation of 4-OH-CPA; however, CPA is rarely used clinically outside of combination therapies. Here, we hypothesize that including a selective human CAR activator with the CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) regimen can improve the efficacy without exacerbating off-target toxicity of this regimen in non-Hodgkin lymphoma treatment. In this study, we have developed a novel multiorgan coculture system containing human primary hepatocytes for hepatic metabolism, lymphoma cells as a model target for CHOP, and cardiomyocytes as a major site of off-target toxicity associated with this regimen. We found that a selective human CAR activator, CITCO (6-(4-chlorophenyl)imidazo[2,1-b][1,3]thiazole-5-carbaldehyde-O-(3,4-dichlorobenzyl)oxime), altered expression of key drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters in human hepatocytes, which positively affects the metabolic profile of CHOP. Coadministration of CITCO and CHOP in the coculture model led to significantly enhanced cytotoxicity in lymphoma cells but not in cardiomyocytes. Moreover, the beneficial effects of CITCO were abrogated when CAR knockout HepaRG cells were used in the coculture model. Importantly, synergistic anticancer effects were observed between CITCO and CHOP, in that inclusion of CITCO alongside the CHOP regimen offers comparable antineoplastic activity toward lymphoma cells at significantly reduced drug concentrations, and the decreased CHOP load attenuates cardiotoxicity. Overall, these findings provide a potentially promising novel strategy for facilitating CHOP-based chemotherapy. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(3); 392–401. ©2016 AACR.
Phase I Study of DMOT4039A, an Antibody–Drug Conjugate Targeting Mesothelin, in Patients with Unresectable Pancreatic or Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Weekes Colin D. , Lamberts Laetitia E. , Borad Mitesh J. , Voortman Johannes , McWilliams Robert R. , Diamond Jennifer R. , de Vries Elisabeth G.E. , Verheul Henk M. , Lieu Christopher H. , Kim George P. , Wang Yulei , Scales Suzie J. , Samineni Divya , Brunstein Flavia , Choi YounJeong , Maslyar Daniel J. , Colon-Otero Gerardo 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
DMOT4039A, a humanized anti-mesothelin mAb conjugated to the antimitotic agent monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE), was given to patients with pancreatic and ovarian cancer every 3 weeks (0.2–2.8 mg/kg; q3w) or weekly (0.8–1.2 mg/kg). A 3+3 design was used for dose escalation followed by expansion at the recommended phase II dose (RP2D) to evaluate safety and pharmacokinetics. Antitumor response was evaluated per RECIST 1.1 and serum CA19-9 or CA125 declines. Tumor mesothelin expression was determined by IHC. Seventy-one patients (40 pancreatic cancer; 31 ovarian cancer) were treated with DMOT4039A. For the q3w schedule (n = 54), the MTD and RP2D was 2.4 mg/kg, with dose-limiting toxicities of grade 3 hyperglycemia and grade 3 hypophosphatemia at 2.8 mg/kg. For the weekly schedule (n = 17), the maximum assessed dose was 1.2 mg/kg, with further dose escalations deferred because of toxicities limiting scheduled retreatment in later cycles, and therefore the RP2D level for the weekly regimen was determined to be 1 mg/kg. Across both schedules, the most common toxicities were gastrointestinal and constitutional. Treatment-related serious adverse events occurred in 6 patients; 4 patients continued treatment following dose reductions. Drug exposure as measured by antibody-conjugated MMAE and total antibody was generally dose proportional over all dose levels on both schedules. A total of 6 patients had confirmed partial responses (4 ovarian; 2 pancreatic) with DMOT4039A at 2.4 to 2.8 mg/kg i.v. q3w. DMOT4039A administered at doses up to 2.4 mg/kg q3w and 1.0 mg/kg weekly has a tolerable safety profile and antitumor activity in both pancreatic and ovarian cancer. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(3); 439–47. ©2016 AACR.
Posaconazole, a Second-Generation Triazole Antifungal Drug, Inhibits the Hedgehog Signaling Pathway and Progression of Basal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Chen Baozhi , Trang Vinh , Lee Alex , Williams Noelle S. , Wilson Alexandra N. , Epstein Ervin H. , Tang Jean Y. , Kim James 
Published: January 2016

AbstractDeregulation of Hedgehog (Hh) pathway signaling has been associated with the pathogenesis of various malignancies, including basal cell carcinomas (BCC). Inhibitors of the Hh pathway currently available or under clinical investigation all bind and antagonize Smoothened (SMO), inducing a marked but transient clinical response. Tumor regrowth and therapy failure were attributed to mutations in the binding site of these small-molecule SMO antagonists. The antifungal itraconazole was demonstrated to be a potent SMO antagonist with a distinct mechanism of action from that of current SMO inhibitors. However, itraconazole represents a suboptimal therapeutic option due to its numerous drug–drug interactions. Here, we show that posaconazole, a second-generation triazole antifungal with minimal drug–drug interactions and a favorable side-effect profile, is also a potent inhibitor of the Hh pathway that functions at the level of SMO. We demonstrate that posaconazole inhibits the Hh pathway by a mechanism distinct from that of cyclopamine and other cyclopamine-competitive SMO antagonists but, similar to itraconazole, has robust activity against drug-resistant SMO mutants and inhibits the growth of Hh-dependent BCC in vivo. Our results suggest that posaconazole, alone or in combination with other Hh pathway antagonists, may be readily tested in clinical studies for the treatment of Hh-dependent cancers. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(5); 866–76. ©2016 AACR.