bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Can a Higher Inflation Target Reduce Inflation Volatility?
Authors: Karras Georgios 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThis paper investigates the relationship between inflation and inflation volatility. Using monthly data from 1913 to 2013, the results show that U.S. inflation and its volatility have been positively correlated when inflation exceeds a certain value, but negatively correlated when inflation is below this threshold. The evidence also suggests that inflation volatility is minimized between annual inflation rates of 1 and 3.6%, which includes both the 2% inflation target of many central banks, and the 3.5% break point predicted by the New Keynesian model of Coibionet al. (), but not the 4% inflation target recommended by Ball () and Krugman ().
Perioperative management in children with chronic pain
Authors: Brooks Meredith R. , Golianu Brenda 
Published: July 2016

SummaryChildren with chronic pain often undergo surgery and effective perioperative management of their pain can be challenging. Identification of the pediatric chronic pain patient preoperatively and development of a perioperative pain plan may help ensure a safer and more comfortable perioperative course. Successful management usually requires multiple different classes of analgesics, regional anesthesia, and adjunctive nonpharmacological therapies. Neuropathic and oncological pain can be especially difficult to treat and usually requires an individualized approach.
Cultural Validation and Reliability of the Turkish Version of the Geriatric Pain Measure in the Elderly
Authors: Dursun Gulsah , Bektas Hicran 
Published: July 2016

AbstractBackgroundMany pain problems and untreated pain are known to adversely affect the quality of life of the elderly. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Geriatric Pain Measure (GPM) in the elderly.MethodsThis research was carried out on 244 elderly who were recruited from a university hospital. Content validity, criterion validity, and factorial construct validity were used to test the validity stages; internal consistency and item analysis were used to determine the reliability of the Turkish GPM.ResultsFor content validity, the Kendall goodness‐of‐fit correlation test was performed (Kendall's W = 0.275, P = 0.07). The criterion validity of the GPM was determined by item analysis based on the differences between averages of upper–lower group item scores that were significant (t = 38.597, P < 0.005). According to the factor analysis results of the scale, factor loadings were significant, with standardized loadings ranging from 0.40 to 0.87. Cronbach's alpha was found to be reliable for the total scale (0.85), and subscale alpha coefficients ranged from 0.67 to 0.93. The item analysis of the scale showed that all of the correlations between the items of the scale were significant.ConclusionsThe Turkish version of the GPM was found to be a reliable and valid tool to measure the quality and severity of pain in the elderly.
Tacrolimus‐associated hemolytic uremic syndrome in a pediatric heart transplant recipient
Authors: Gray James M. , Ameduri Rebecca K. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractHUS is a well‐known entity primarily associated with bacterial infection and is characterized by a classic triad of anemia, thrombocytopenia, and kidney injury. Its atypical form has been associated with calcineurin inhibitors and has been extensively discussed in renal transplantation. We present a case of tacrolimus‐associated HUS in a pediatric heart transplant recipient, which we believe to be previously unreported in the literature.
Liver transplantation for biliary atresia: A nationwide investigation from 1996 to 2013 in mainland China
Authors: Wan Ping , Xu Dongwei , Zhang Jianjun , Li Qigen , Zhang Ming , Chen Xiaosong , Luo Yi , Shen Conghuan , Han Longzhi , Xia Qiang 
Published: July 2016

AbstractWe investigated the overall situation of LT for BA in mainland China and analyzed their survival outcomes based on data from CLTR. Between January 1996 and December 2013, 509 liver transplants for BA were performed in mainland China and were included in this study. Patients' median age was 9.6 months (range: 4.8–175.2 months). KP was previously performed in 194 cases (38.1%). Grafts from living donors were used in 380 cases (74.7%). Era I (1996.1–2010.12) and era II (2011.1–2013.12) comprised 151 cases (29.7%) and 358 cases (70.3%), respectively. Twenty‐five centers had performed at least one liver transplant for children with BA. Centers from Shanghai (197 cases), Tianjin (143 cases) and Beijing (81 cases) involved 82.7% of the 509 cases. One‐ and five‐yr graft survival rates were 84.7% and 72.6%, respectively. Split grafts, center volume <20, GRWR ≥4.0%, and steroid‐free immunosuppression regimen were independent risk factors for graft survival. In conclusion, the dramatic expansion of pediatric liver transplant programs in mainland China has enabled improved survival for those children affected by this devastating disease. However, screening of BA in neonates should be emphasized throughout the country to enhance early referrals for KP.
High affinity anti‐BSEP antibodies after liver transplantation for PFIC‐2 – Successful treatment with immunoadsorption and B‐cell depletion
Authors: Kubitz Ralf , Dröge Carola , Kluge Stefanie , Stindt Jan , Stross Claudia , Häussinger Dieter , Flechtenmacher Christa , Wenning Daniel , Teufel Ulrike , Schmitt Claus Peter , Engelmann Guido 
Published: July 2016

AbstractPFIC due to BSEP mutations (PFIC type 2) often necessitates OLT. It has recently been recognized that some PFIC‐2 patients develop phenotypic disease recurrence post‐OLT due to the appearance of anti‐BSEP antibodies. Here, we describe a boy who became cholestatic four yr after OLT during modification of immunosuppression. Canalicular antibody deposits were detected in biopsies of the transplant and antibodies specifically reacting with BSEP were identified at high titers in his serum. These antibodies bound extracellular epitopes of BSEP and inhibited BS transport and were assumed to cause disease recurrence. Consequently, anti‐BSEP antibody depletion was pursued by IA and B‐cell depletion by anti‐CD20 antibodies (rituximab) along with a switch of immunosuppression. This treatment resulted in prolonged relief of symptoms. Depletion of pathogenic anti‐BSEP antibodies causing AIBD after OLT in PFIC‐2 patients should be considered as a central therapeutic goal.
Linear and Conic Programming Estimators in High Dimensional Errors-in-variables Models
Authors: Belloni Alexandre , Rosenbaum Mathieu , Tsybakov Alexandre B. 
Published: July 2016

Summary
We consider the linear regression model with observation error in the design. In this setting, we allow the number of covariates to be much larger than the sample size. Several new estimation methods have been recently introduced for this model. Indeed, the standard lasso estimator or Dantzig selector turns out to become unreliable when only noisy regressors are available, which is quite common in practice. In this work, we propose and analyse a new estimator for the errors-in-variables model. Under suitable sparsity assumptions, we show that this estimator attains the minimax efficiency bound. Importantly, this estimator can be written as a second-order cone programming minimization problem which can be solved numerically in polynomial time. Finally, we show that the procedure introduced by Rosenbaum and Tsybakov, which is almost optimal in a minimax sense, can be efficiently computed by a single linear programming problem despite non-convexities.
Stable patients and patients with advanced disease: consensus definitions to support sustained scale up of antiretroviral therapy
Authors: Waldrop Greer , Doherty Meg , Vitoria Marco , Ford Nathan 
Published: July 2016

AbstractObjectiveAs guidelines are evolving towards recommending starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) in all HIV‐positive individuals irrespective of clinical and immunological status, HIV programmes will be challenged to manage an increasingly diverse set of patient needs. To support global guideline recommendations for differentiated service delivery, WHO developed consensus definitions for two distinct patient populations: patients presenting with advanced disease and patients who are stable on ART.MethodsAn expert panel consisting of 73 respondents from 28 countries across all six WHO regions supported the development of these definitions. The panel included clinicians, researchers, programme managers, technical advisors and patient group representatives.ResultsPatients presenting with advanced disease at presentation to care were defined as CD4 count <200 CD4 cells/mm3 or WHO Stage III & IV defining illness. Patients stable on ART were defined as those who were receiving ART for at least 1 year with no adverse drug reactions requiring regular monitoring, no current illnesses or pregnancy, a good understanding of lifelong adherence, and evidence of treatment success. Treatment success was defined as two consecutive undetectable viral load measures or, in the absence of viral load monitoring, rising CD4 counts or CD4 counts above 200 cells/mm3 and an objective adherence measure.ConclusionsPatients who are stable on ART should be offered a less intensive care package that can lead to improved outcomes while saving resources, including less frequent clinic visits, out‐of‐clinic drug refills and reduced laboratory monitoring. This will allow for clinic resources to be directed towards reducing morbidity and mortality among patients presenting with advanced disease.
Impact of ART on the fertility of HIV‐positive women in sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Yeatman Sara , Eaton Jeffrey W. , Beckles Zosia , Benton Lorna , Gregson Simon , Zaba Basia 
Published: July 2016

AbstractObjectiveUnderstanding the fertility of HIV‐positive women is critical to estimating HIV epidemic trends from surveillance data and to planning resource needs and coverage of prevention of mother‐to‐child transmission services in sub‐Saharan Africa. In the light of the considerable scale‐up in antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage over the last decade, we conducted a systematic review of the impact of ART on the fertility outcomes of HIV‐positive women.MethodsWe searched Medline, Embase, Popline, PubMed and African Index Medicus. Studies were included if they were conducted in sub‐Saharan Africa and provided estimates of fertility outcomes (live births or pregnancies) among women on ART relative to a comparison group.ResultsOf 2070 unique references, 18 published papers met all eligibility criteria. Comparisons fell into four categories: fertility of HIV‐positive women relative to HIV‐negative women; fertility of HIV‐positive women on ART compared to those not yet on ART; fertility differences by duration on ART; and temporal trends in fertility among HIV‐positive women. Evidence indicates that fertility increases after approximately the first year on ART and that while the fertility deficit of HIV‐positive women is shrinking, their fertility remains below that of HIV‐negative women. These findings, however, were based on limited data mostly during the period 2005–2010 when ART scaled up.ConclusionsExisting data are insufficient to characterise how ART has affected the fertility of HIV‐positive women in sub‐Saharan Africa. Improving evidence about fertility among women on ART is an urgent priority for planning HIV resource needs and understanding HIV epidemic trends. Alternative data sources such as antenatal clinic data, general population cohorts and population‐based surveys can be harnessed to understand the issue.
Dacryops of the Third Eyelid in a cat
Authors: Sritrakoon Natthanet , Maneesaay Phudit , Karntip Winyu , Thayananuphat Aree 
Published: July 2016

AbstractA 9‐month‐old female Domestic Short‐haired cat was presented with a mass of three‐month duration at the base of the third eyelid of the right eye (OD). Fine‐needle aspiration was carried out at another clinic, revealing clear fluid. The mass soon reformed, and the cat was referred. Ophthalmic examination revealed a pale‐pink, smooth, oval mass under the conjunctiva on the anterior aspect of the third eyelid. Surgical removal of the mass was performed. Histopathology revealed a large dilated cyst together with a number of small cysts lined by simple cuboidal, and low squamous epithelium with some secretory cells. Dacryops of the third eyelid lacrimal gland was diagnosed. The eye healed uneventfully after surgery, and no recurrence was seen during one year of follow‐up.
Comparison between Pentacam‐HR and optical coherence tomographycentral corneal thickness measurements in healthy feline eyes
Authors: Cleymaet Allison M. , Hess Ann M. , Freeman Kate S. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractObjectivesTo measure the central corneal thickness (CCT) in healthy feline eyes with Scheimpflug imaging (Pentacam, Pentacam®‐HR) and to compare these values with those obtained with spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography (OCT, Optovue®iVue).Animals studiedThirty one sedated Domestic Short‐haired cats.ProceduresTwo repeatedCCTmeasurements were obtained from both eyes using Pentacam measured at the pupil center and corneal apex (CCTpupilandCCTapex) and usingSD‐OCT(CCTOCT). Agreement between the imaging modalities forCCTand intradevice repeatability was evaluated with Bland–Altman analysis. Mixed modeling was used to test for a difference between methods.ResultsThe calculated mean ± SD CCTwasCCTOCT = 584.93 ± 39.05 μm,CCTpupil = 608.25 ± 47.26 μm, andCCTapex = 606.41 ± 44.18 μm. There was a statistically significant difference betweenCCTOCTvs.CCTpupil(P < 0.0007) andCCTOCTvs.CCTapex(P < 0.0003) (n = 59 eyes). The 95% limits of agreement (LoA) forCCTOCTvs.CCTpupilwas (–89.57 μm, 40.04 μm) and forCCTOCTvs.CCTapexwas (−79.62 μm, 33.79 μm) (n = 59 eyes). 95% LoA between repeatedCCTmeasurements bySD‐OCTwas (−10.23 μm, 9.32 μm) and by Pentacam was (−22.66 μm, 18.30 μm) at pupil and (−15.81 μm, 16.17 μm) at corneal apex (n = 11 eyes).ConclusionsSD‐OCTand Pentacam provide excellentCCTmeasurement repeatability. Pentacamapexis our recommended clinical setting for use of the Pentacam. The level of agreement betweenSD‐OCTand Pentacam forCCTis good.
Multilocus Sequence Analysis of Close Relatives Vibrio anguillarum and Vibrio ordalii
Authors: Steinum Terje M. , Karataş Süheyla , Martinussen Nora Tandstad , Meirelles Pedro M. , Thompson Fabiano L. , Colquhoun Duncan J. 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACT

The genetic heterogeneity of the close relatives
Vibrio anguillarum
and
Vibrio ordalii
, both serious pathogens of fish causing extensive losses in aquaculture, was studied. Eight housekeeping genes, i.e.,
atpA
,
ftsZ
,
gapA
,
gyrB
,
mreB
,
rpoA
,
topA
, and
pyrH
, were partially sequenced in 116 isolates from diverse fish species and geographical areas. The eight genes appear to be under purifying selection, and the genetic diversity in the total data set was estimated to be 0.767 ± 0.026. Our multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) scheme identified several widespread clonal complexes and resolved the isolates, for the most part, according to serotype. Serotype O2b isolates from diseased cod in Norway, Ireland, and Scotland were found to be extremely homogeneous. Horizontal gene transfer appears to be fairly common within and between clonal complexes. Taken together, MLSA and
in silico
DNA-DNA hybridization (DDH) calculations suggest that some isolates previously characterized as
V
.
ordalii
, i.e., 12B09, FF93, FS144, and FS238, are in fact
V. anguillarum
isolates. The precise taxonomic situation for two isolates from Atlantic cod that display several traits consistent with
V. ordalii
, i.e., NVI 5286 and NVI 5918, and a single environmental strain that was previously considered to represent
V. ordalii
, i.e., FF167, is less clear.

IMPORTANCE
It is still being debated whether
V. anguillarum
and
V
.
ordalii
represent separate bacterial species. Our study addresses this issue and elucidates the degree of genetic variability within this group of closely related bacteria, based on a substantial number of isolates. Our results clearly illustrate the existence of different populations among putative
V
.
ordalii
isolates. On the basis of additional full-length genomic analysis, we conclude that most environmental isolates previously identified as
V
.
ordalii
lie firmly within the species
V. anguillarum
. While
bona fide
fish-pathogenic
V
.
ordalii
isolates display a very close genetic relationship with
V. anguillarum
, they combine a clearly divergent evolutionary pattern with clear phenotypic differences. The study also highlights the need for further characterization of fish-pathogenic isolates from the northern Atlantic region that share phenotypic characteristics with
V. ordalii
but are genetically closer to
V. anguillarum
. The retention of taxonomic distinctions between the phenotypically different groups of bacteria is of practical advantage to microbial ecologists and veterinarians.
(p)ppGpp-Dependent Persisters Increase the Fitness of Escherichia coli Bacteria Deficient in Isoaspartyl Protein Repair
Authors: VandenBerg Kelsey E. , Ahn Sarah , Visick Jonathan E. 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACT

The
l
-isoaspartyl protein carboxyl methyltransferase (PCM) repairs protein damage resulting from spontaneous conversion of aspartyl or asparaginyl residues to isoaspartate and increases long-term stationary-phase survival of
Escherichia coli
under stress. In the course of studies intended to examine PCM function in metabolically inactive cells, we identified
pcm
as a gene whose mutation influences the formation of ofloxacin-tolerant persisters. Specifically, a Δ
pcm
mutant produced persisters for an extended period in stationary phase, and a Δ
glpD
mutation drastically increased persisters in a Δ
pcm
background, reaching 23% of viable cells. The high-persister double mutant showed much higher competitive fitness than the
pcm
mutant in competition with wild type during long-term stationary phase, suggesting a link between persistence and the mitigation of unrepaired protein damage. We hypothesized that reduced metabolism in the high-persister strain might retard protein damage but observed no gross differences in metabolism relative to wild-type or single-mutant strains. However, methylglyoxal, which accumulates in
glpD
mutants, also increased fitness, suggesting a possible mechanism. High-level persister formation in the Δ
pcm
Δ
glpD
mutant was dependent on guanosine pentaphosphate [(p)ppGpp] and polyphosphate. In contrast, persister formation in the Δ
pcm
mutant was (p)ppGpp independent and thus may occur by a distinct pathway. We also observed an increase in conformationally unstable proteins in the high-persister strain and discuss this as a possible trigger for persistence as a response to unrepaired protein damage.

IMPORTANCE
Protein damage is an important factor in the survival and function of cells and organisms. One specific form of protein damage, the formation of the abnormal amino acid isoaspartate, can be repaired by a nearly universally conserved enzyme, PCM. PCM-directed repair is associated with stress survival and longevity in bacteria, insects, worms, plants, mice, and humans, but much remains to be learned about the specific effects of protein damage and repair. This paper identifies an unexpected connection between isoaspartyl protein damage and persisters, subpopulations in bacterial cultures showing increased tolerance to antibiotics. In the absence of PCM, the persister population in
Escherichia coli
bacteria increased, especially if the metabolic gene
glpD
was also mutated. High levels of persisters in
pcm glpD
double mutants correlated with increased fitness of the bacteria in a competition assay, and the fitness was dependent on the signal molecule (p)ppGpp; this may represent an alternative pathway for responding to protein damage.
The Accessory Genome of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Defines a Persistent Colonization Type in Cattle
Authors: Barth Stefanie A. , Menge Christian , Eichhorn Inga , Semmler Torsten , Wieler Lothar H. , Pickard Derek , Belka Ariane , Berens Christian , Geue Lutz 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACT

Shiga toxin-producing
Escherichia coli
(STEC) strains can colonize cattle for several months and may, thus, serve as gene reservoirs for the genesis of highly virulent zoonotic enterohemorrhagic
E. coli
(EHEC). Attempts to reduce the human risk for acquiring EHEC infections should include strategies to control such STEC strains persisting in cattle. We therefore aimed to identify genetic patterns associated with the STEC colonization type in the bovine host. We included 88 persistent colonizing STEC (STEC
per
) (shedding for ≥4 months) and 74 sporadically colonizing STEC (STEC
spo
) (shedding for ≤2 months) isolates from cattle and 16 bovine STEC isolates with unknown colonization types. Genoserotypes and multilocus sequence types (MLSTs) were determined, and the isolates were probed with a DNA microarray for virulence-associated genes (VAGs). All STEC
per
isolates belonged to only four genoserotypes (O26:H11, O156:H25, O165:H25, O182:H25), which formed three genetic clusters (ST21/396/1705, ST300/688, ST119). In contrast, STEC
spo
isolates were scattered among 28 genoserotypes and 30 MLSTs, with O157:H7 (ST11) and O6:H49 (ST1079) being the most prevalent. The microarray analysis identified 139 unique gene patterns that clustered with the genoserotypes and MLSTs of the strains. While the STEC
per
isolates possessed heterogeneous phylogenetic backgrounds, the accessory genome clustered these isolates together, separating them from the STEC
spo
isolates. Given the vast genetic heterogeneity of bovine STEC strains, defining the genetic patterns distinguishing STEC
per
from STEC
spo
isolates will facilitate the targeted design of new intervention strategies to counteract these zoonotic pathogens at the farm level.

IMPORTANCE
Ruminants, especially cattle, are sources of food-borne infections by Shiga toxin-producing
Escherichia coli
(STEC) in humans. Some STEC strains persist in cattle for longer periods of time, while others are detected only sporadically. Persisting strains can serve as gene reservoirs that supply
E. coli
with virulence factors, thereby generating new outbreak strains. Attempts to reduce the human risk for acquiring STEC infections should therefore include strategies to control such persisting STEC strains. By analyzing representative genes of their core and accessory genomes, we show that bovine STEC with a persistent colonization type emerged independently from sporadically colonizing isolates and evolved in parallel evolutionary branches. However, persistent colonizing strains share similar sets of accessory genes. Defining the genetic patterns that distinguish persistent from sporadically colonizing STEC isolates will facilitate the targeted design of new intervention strategies to counteract these zoonotic pathogens at the farm level.