bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sweden, the first country to achieve the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)/World Health Organization (WHO) 90‐90‐90 continuum of HIV care targets
Authors: Gisslén M , Svedhem V , Lindborg L , Flamholc L , Norrgren H , Wendahl S , Axelsson M , Sönnerborg A 
Published: August 2016

ObjectivesThe Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)/World Health Organization (WHO) 90‐90‐90 goals propose that 90% of all people living with HIV should know their HIV status, 90% of those diagnosed should receive antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 90% of those should have durable viral suppression. We have estimated the continuum of HIV care for the entire HIV‐1‐infected population in Sweden.MethodsThe Swedish InfCare HIV Cohort Study collects viral loads, CD4 counts, and viral sequences, along with demographic and clinical data, through an electronic clinical decision support system. Almost 100% of those diagnosed with HIV infection are included in the database, corresponding to 6946 diagnosed subjects living with HIV‐1 in Sweden by 31 December 2015.ResultsUsing HIV surveillance data reported to the Public Health Agency of Sweden, it was estimated that 10% of all HIV‐infected subjects in Sweden remain undiagnosed. Among all diagnosed patients, 99.8% were linked to care and 97.1% of those remained in care. On 31 December 2015, 6605 of 6946 patients (95.1%) were on ART. A total of 6395 had been on treatment for at least 6 months and 6053 of those (94.7%) had a viral load < 50 HIV‐1 RNA copies/mL.ConclusionsThe 2014 UNAIDS/WHO 90‐90‐90 goals for HIV care means that > 73% of all patients living with HIV should be virologically suppressed by 2020. Sweden has already achieved this target, with 78% suppression, and is the first country reported to meet all the UNAIDS/WHO 90‐90‐90 goals.
Victor P. Whittaker (1919–2016)
Authors: Zimmermann Herbert , Fonnum Frode 
Published: August 2016

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This Obituary honors Victor P. Whittaker, one of the pioneers in the field of neurochemistry. Victor Whittaker died on 5th July 2016 aged 97 in Cambridge (UK) after a short illness. Victor is best known for his landmark advances in the subcellular fractionation of brain tissue which led to the isolation of synaptosomes and subsequently synaptic vesicles at the beginning of the 1960s and for the cellular and molecular analysis of the cholinergic synapse.
Implementing Dementia Care Mapping to develop person‐centred care: results of a process evaluation within the Leben‐QD II trial
Authors: Quasdorf Tina , Riesner Christine , Dichter Martin Nikolaus , Dortmann Olga , Bartholomeyczik Sabine , Halek Margareta 
Published: August 2016

Aims and objectivesTo evaluate Dementia Care Mapping implementation in nursing homes.BackgroundDementia Care Mapping, an internationally applied method for supporting and enhancing person‐centred care for people with dementia, must be successfully implemented into care practice for its effective use. Various factors influence the implementation of complex interventions such as Dementia Care Mapping; few studies have examined the specific factors influencing Dementia Care Mapping implementation.DesignA convergent parallel mixed‐methods design embedded in a quasi‐experimental trial was used to assess Dementia Care Mapping implementation success and influential factors.MethodsFrom 2011–2013, nine nursing units in nine different nursing homes implemented either Dementia Care Mapping (n = 6) or a periodic quality of life measurement using the dementia‐specific instrument QUALIDEM (n = 3). Diverse data (interviews, n = 27; questionnaires, n = 112; resident records, n = 81; and process documents) were collected. Each data set was separately analysed and then merged to comprehensively portray the implementation process.ResultsFour nursing units implemented the particular intervention without deviating from the preplanned intervention. Translating Dementia Care Mapping results into practice was challenging. Necessary organisational preconditions for Dementia Care Mapping implementation included well‐functioning networks, a dementia‐friendly culture and flexible organisational structures. Involved individuals’ positive attitudes towards Dementia Care Mapping also facilitated implementation. Precisely planning the intervention and its implementation, recruiting champions who supported Dementia Care Mapping implementation and having well‐qualified, experienced project coordinators were essential to the implementation process.ConclusionsFor successful Dementia Care Mapping implementation, it must be embedded in a systematic implementation strategy considering the specific setting. Organisational preconditions may need to be developed before Dementia Care Mapping implementation. Necessary steps may include team building, developing and realising a person‐centred care‐based mission statement or educating staff regarding general dementia care. The implementation strategy may include attracting and involving individuals on different hierarchical levels in Dementia Care Mapping implementation and supporting staff to translate Dementia Care Mapping results into practice.Relevance to clinical practiceThe identified facilitating factors can guide Dementia Care Mapping implementation strategy development.
Can a community‐based peer‐led diabetic self‐management programme be effective: 12‐week evaluation
Authors: Shen Huixia , Wang Yanbo , Edwards Helen 
Published: August 2016

Aims and objectivesTo evaluate a self‐management programme collaborating with communities and mobilising peer leaders for patients with diabetes in mainland China.BackgroundThe rapidly increasing diabetic epidemic is an overwhelming burden in China. Diabetic self‐management programmes that are both effective and feasible despite health resource shortages should be developed and evaluated.DesignQuasi‐experimental.MethodsIn total, 181 patients with diabetes completed the study (89 in the experimental group and 92 in the control group). Diabetic instruction and peer‐led group activities were two major parts of the programme. Outcome variables, including self‐efficacy, social support, self‐management behaviours and quality of life, were measured. Participants' perceptions towards the programme were also collected. anova/ancova and content analysis were used for data analysis.ResultsSocial support, self‐efficacy and self‐management behaviours significantly improved during the study period. Although quality of life did not change significantly, the participants provided positive feedback for the programme.ConclusionsThe effectiveness of this programme was partially verified. The delivery mode, through trained peer leaders and collaboration with communities, appeared to be feasible. Using a cluster randomised controlled design with full cost‐effectiveness analysis would provide a more rigorous examination for this programme.Relevance to clinical practiceThis study adds to the growing evidence of the importance of self‐efficacy and social support as a mechanism for achieving behavioural change. This programme appears to be promising in promoting diabetic self‐management in China and may be applied to individuals with other chronic diseases and dwelling in other regions.
ManLMN is a glucose transporter and central metabolic regulator in Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Fleming Eleanor , Camilli Andrew 
Published: August 2016

SummaryStreptococcus pneumoniae is a common colonizer of the human nasopharynx and a leading cause of bacterial pneumonia and otitis media, among other invasive diseases. During both colonization and invasive disease S. pneumoniae ferments host‐derived carbohydrates as its primary means of generating energy. This pathogen is adept at transporting and metabolizing a wide variety of carbohydrates. We found the highly conserved PTS ManLMN contributes to growth on glucose and is also essential for growth on a variety of nonpreferred carbohydrates, suggesting it is a multisubstrate transporter. Exploration of this phenotype revealed ManLMN is required for inducing expression of downstream metabolic genes in response to carbohydrate stimuli. We further demonstrate that ManLMN's role as a constitutively expressed transporter is likely unique and integral to pneumococcus's strategy of carbon catabolite repression (CCR). Using a selection for suppressors, we explored how ManLMN is integrated into the CCR regulatory framework in S. pneumoniae. We identified two hypothetical small proteins and the virulence regulator SmrC as potential mediators of CCR in connection with ManLMN. Characterization of these two hypothetical proteins revealed they influence transcriptional regulation of carbohydrate transporters. We propose a model unifying these observations in which ManLMN is a versatile surveyor of available carbohydrates in S. pneumoniae.
The Significance of Significant Fundamental Moral Disagreement1
Authors: COSKER‐ROWLAND RACH 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThis paper has four parts. In the first part I argue that moral facts are subject to a certain epistemic accessibility requirement. Namely, moral facts must be accessible to some possible agent. In the second part I show that because this accessibility requirement on moral facts holds, there is a route from facts about the moral disagreements of agents in idealized conditions to conclusions about what moral facts there are. In the third part I build on this route to show that (*) if there is significant moral disagreement in idealized conditions, then our understanding of morality is fatally flawed and we should accept relativism over non‐naturalism and quasi‐realism. So, if, like many, you think that there would be significant moral disagreement in idealized conditions, you should hold that our understanding of morality is fatally flawed and reject non‐naturalism and quasi‐realism. In the fourth part of this paper I show that (*) undermines the plausibility of non‐naturalism, quasi‐realism, and the view that our understanding of morality is not fatally flawed even if we do not have sufficient reason to believe that there would be significant moral disagreement in idealized conditions.
Association between perinatal outcomes and maternal pre‐pregnancy body mass index
Authors: Liu P. , Xu L. , Wang Y. , Zhang Y. , Du Y. , Sun Y. , Wang Z. 
Published: August 2016

SummaryObjectiveTo quantify the association between maternal pre‐pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and perinatal outcomes.MethodsWe systematically reviewed and collected studies on maternal pre‐pregnancy BMI and perinatal outcomes published up to 31 August 2015. For each study, we constructed separate two‐by‐two tables to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).ResultsA total of 60 studies involving 1,392,799 women were included, and the proportions of obesity, overweight, normal weight and underweight pregnant women were 11.72%, 22.08%, 58.03% and 8.18%, respectively. When mothers were overweight or obese, their infants had a significantly higher risk of being large for gestational age (OR, 1.45, 95%CI, 1.29–1.63 and 1.88, 95%CI, 1.67–2.11, respectively), having macrosomia (OR, 1.70, 95%CI, 1.55–1.87 and 2.92, 95%CI, 2.67–3.20, respectively), being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (OR, 1.29, 95%CI, 1.12–1.48 and 1.91, 95%CI, 1.60–2.29, respectively) and being stillborn (OR, 1.27, 95%CI, 1.18–1.36 and 1.81, 95%CI, 1.69–1.93, respectively). When mothers were underweight, their infants had a lower risk of the aforementioned outcomes. However, mothers who were underweight had a higher risk of preterm birth (OR, 1.30, 95%CI, 1.13–1.49) and delivering an infant small for gestational age (OR, 1.67, 95%CI, 1.49–1.87). Importantly, infants had a higher risk of having a low birth weight (LBW) when their mothers were underweight (OR, 1.67, 95%CI, 1.39–2.02) or obese (OR, 1.24, 95%CI, 1.09–1.41).ConclusionBeing overweight or obese was associated with an increased risk of still birth, large for gestational age, macrosomia, admission to the neonatal intensive care unit and LBW, while being underweight was associated with an increased risk of preterm birth, small for gestational age, and LBW. Women of childbearing age should maintain a normal body mass index before pregnancy.
Genetic variants of 20q12 contributed to non‐syndromic orofacial clefts susceptibility
Authors: Yin X , Ma L , Li Y , Xu M , Wang W , Wang H , Yuan H , Du Y , Li S , Ma J , Jiang H , Wang L , Zhang W , Pan Y 
Published: August 2016

ObjectivePrevious genomewide association studies (GWAS) identified a region near MAFB at chr20q12 associated with non‐syndromic orofacial clefts (NSOC) susceptibility. However, whether other SNPs in this area could independently contribute to non‐syndromic orofacial clefts in Chinese populations remained obscure.Materials and MethodsWe selected 24 SNPs based on a haplotype‐tagging SNP strategy and evaluated their associations with risk of non‐syndromic orofacial clefts in a large‐scale two‐stage case–control study with 1278 cases and 1295 controls. Genotyping was performed with Sequenom and TaqMan assay. Associations between the SNPs and risk of non‐syndromic orofacial clefts were estimated from unconditional logistic regression analyses.ResultsOverall, six SNPs were found to be the susceptible factors of non‐syndromic orofacial clefts. The most significant and independent SNP was rs6129653 (additive model of P value = 1.4E‐06). In subgroup analysis, its significant associations with cleft lip only (CLO) and cleft lip and palate (CLP) were observed. Furthermore, in silico bioinformatics analysis indicated that rs6129653 was located in the transcriptionally active region and associated with MAFB expression in human brain tissues.ConclusionsRs6129653 was an independent locus of non‐syndromic orofacial clefts among Chinese populations possibly due to its potential of distal transcriptional regulation of MAFB expression.
Total internal biliary diversion during liver transplantation for type 1 progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis: a novel approach
Authors: Mali V. P. , Fukuda A. , Shigeta T. , Uchida H. , Hirata Y. , Rahayatri T. H. , Kanazawa H. , Sasaki K. , de Ville de Goyet J. , Kasahara M. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractLT for PFIC type 1 is often complicated by postoperative diarrhea and recurrent graft steatosis. A 26‐month‐old female child with cholestatic jaundice, pruritus, diarrhea, and growth retardation revealed total bilirubin 9.1 mg/dL, gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase 64 IU/L, and TBA 295.8 μmol/L. Genetic analysis confirmed ATP8B1 defects. A LT (segment 2, 3 graft) from the heterozygous father was performed. Biliary diversion was performed by a 35‐cm jejunum conduit between the graft hepatic duct and the mid‐transverse colon. Stools became pigmented immediately. Follow‐up at 138 days revealed resolution of jaundice and pruritus and soft‐to‐hard stools (6–8 daily). Radioisotope hepato‐biliary scintigraphy (days 26, 68, and 139) confirmed unobstructed bile drainage into the colon (t1/2 34, 27, and 19 minutes, respectively). Contrast meal follow‐through at day 62 confirmed the absence of any colo‐jejuno‐hepatic reflux. At 140 days, contrast follow‐through via the biliary stent revealed patent jejuno‐colonic anastomosis and satisfactory transit. Graft biopsy at LT, 138 days, and 9 months follow‐up revealed comparable grades of macrovesicular steatosis (<20%). TIBD during LT may be a clinically effective stoma‐free biliary diversion and may prevent recurrent graft steatosis following LT for PFIC type 1.
Satisfaction with the Political Domain of Local Government in a Contemporary British City
Authors: Broadstock David C. , Collins Alan 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThis paper explores satisfaction with the political domain of local government performance, using survey data from a contemporary British city as the empirical context. It employs a factor‐augmented ordered logit analysis of data emerging from a representative city‐wide series of over 1,000 household interviews. Affective reactions to local economic performance and policy effectiveness are constructed in the spirit of the approach used in earlier work by social scientists. The key significant influences that raise or depress satisfaction at this geographical level are presented. Affective reactions to past policy and the economy are both shown to be statistically significant, but with reactions to the economy being negative while those for other policy reactions seemingly positive.
Sci‐Thur AM: YIS – 08: Automated Imaging Quality Assurance for Image‐Guided Small Animal Irradiators
Authors: Johnstone Chris , Bazalova‐Carter Magdalena 
Published: August 2016

Purpose:To develop quality assurance (QA) standards and tolerance levels for image quality of small animal irradiators.Methods:A fully automated in‐house QA software for image analysis of a commercial microCT phantom was created. Quantitative analyses of CT linearity, signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), uniformity and noise, geometric accuracy, modulation transfer function (MTF), and CT number evaluation was performed. Phantom microCT scans from seven institutions acquired with varying parameters (kVp, mA, time, voxel size, and frame rate) and five irradiator units (Xstrahl SARRP, PXI X‐RAD 225Cx, PXI X‐RAD SmART, GE explore CT/RT 140, and GE Explore CT 120) were analyzed. Multi‐institutional data sets were compared using our in‐house software to establish pass/fail criteria for each QA test.Results:CT linearity (R2>0.996) was excellent at all but Institution 2. Acceptable SNR (>35) and noise levels (<55HU) were obtained at four of the seven institutions, where failing scans were acquired with less than 120mAs. Acceptable MTF (>1.5 lp/mm for MTF=0.2) was obtained at all but Institution 6 due to the largest scan voxel size (0.35mm). The geometric accuracy passed (<1.5%) at five of the seven institutions.Conclusion:Our QA software can be used to rapidly perform quantitative imaging QA for small animal irradiators, accumulate results over time, and display possible changes in imaging functionality from its original performance and/or from the recommended tolerance levels. This tool will aid researchers in maintaining high image quality, enabling precise conformal dose delivery to small animals.
Sci‐Thur PM ‐ Colourful Interactions: Highlights 04: A Fast Quantitative MRI Acquisition and Processing Pipeline for Radiation Treatment Planning and Simulation
Authors: Jutras Jean‐David , De Zanche Nicola 
Published: August 2016

MRI‐only Radiation Treatment Planning (RTP) is becoming increasingly popular because of a simplified work‐flow, and less inconvenience to the patient who avoids multiple scans. The advantages of MRI‐based RTP over traditional CT‐based RTP lie in its superior soft‐tissue contrast, and absence of ionizing radiation dose. The lack of electron‐density information in MRI can be addressed by automatic tissue classification. To distinguish bone from air, which both appear dark in MRI, an ultra‐short echo time (UTE) pulse sequence may be used. Quantitative MRI parametric maps can provide improved tissue segmentation/classification and better sensitivity in monitoring disease progression and treatment outcome than standard weighted images. Superior tumor contrast can be achieved on pure T1 images compared to conventional T1‐weighted images acquired in the same scan duration and voxel resolution.In this study, we have developed a robust and fast quantitative MRI acquisition and post‐processing work‐flow that integrates these latest advances into the MRI‐based RTP of brain lesions. Using 3D multi‐echo FLASH images at two different optimized flip angles (both acquired in under 9 min, and 1mm isotropic resolution), parametric maps of T1, proton‐density (M0), and T2* are obtained with high contrast‐to‐noise ratio, and negligible geometrical distortions, water‐fat shifts and susceptibility effects. An additional 3D UTE MRI dataset is acquired (in under 4 min) and post‐processed to classify tissues for dose simulation. The pipeline was tested on four healthy volunteers and a clinical trial on brain cancer patients is underway.
Poster ‐ 10: QA of Ultrasound Images for Prostate Brachytherapy
Authors: Szpala Stanislaw , Kohli Kirpal S. 
Published: August 2016

Purpose:The current QA protocol of ultrasound systems used in prostate brachytherapy (TG128) addresses geometrical verifications, but the scope of evaluation of image quality is limited. We recognized importance of the latter in routine practice, and designed a protocol for QA of the images.Methods:Images of an ultrasound prostate phantom (CIRS053) were collected with BK Flex Focus 400. The images were saved as bmp after adjusting the gain to 50% for consistent results. Mean pixel values and signal to noise ratio were inspected in the representative sections of the phantom, including the mock prostate and the unechoic medium. Constancy of these numbers over a one year period was looked at.Results:The typical intensity in the mock prostate region in the transverse images ranged between 95 and 118 (out of 256), and the signal to noise was about 10. The intensity in the urethra region was about 170±40, and the unechoic medium was 2±2. The mean and the signal to noise ratio remained almost unchanged after a year, while the signal in the unechoic medium increased to about 7±4. Similar values were obtained in the sagittal images.Conclusions:The image analysis discussed above allows quick evaluation of constancy of the image quality. This may be also useful in troubleshooting image‐quality problems during routine exams, which might not be due to deterioration of the US system, but other reasons, e.g. variations in tissue properties or air being trapped between the probe and the anatomy.
Poster ‐ 14: Batch Effect Reduction in in‐vitro Raman Microscopic Radiosensitivity Study Using Ovarian Cancer Cells
Authors: Moradi Hamid , Murugkar Sangeeta , Ahmad Abrar , Shepherdson Dean , Nyiri Balazs , Vuong Nhung , Niedbala Gosia , Vanderhyden Barbara , Eapen Libni 
Published: August 2016

Purpose:To improve classification by reducing batch effect in samples from the ovarian carcinoma cell lines A2780s (parental wild type) and A2780cp (cisplatin cross‐radio‐resistant), before, right after, and 24 hours after irradiation to 10Gy.Methods:Spectra were acquired with a home built confocal Raman microscope in 3 distinct runs of six samples: unirradiated s&cp (control pair), then 0h and 24h after irradiation. The Raman spectra were noise reduced, then background subtracted with SMIRF algorithm. ∼35 cell spectra were collected from each sample in 1024 channels from 700cm‐1 to 1618cm‐1. The spectra were analyzed by regularized multiclass LDA.For feature reduction the spectra were grouped into 3 overlapping group pairs: s‐cp, 0Gy–10Gy0h and 0Gy10–Gy24h. The three features, the three differences of the mean spectra were mapped to the analysis sub‐space by the inverse regularized covariance matrix. The batch effect noticeably confounded the dose and time effect.Results:To remove the batch effect, the 2+2=4D subspace extended by the covariance matrix of the means of the 0Gy control groups was subtracted from the spectra of each sample. Repeating the analysis on the spectra with the control group variability removed, the batch effect was dramatically reduced in the dose and time directions enabling sharp linear discrimination. The cell type classification also improved.Conclusions:We identified a efficient batch effect removal technique crucial to the applicability of Raman microscopy to radiosensitivity studies both on cell cultures and potential clinical diagnostic applications.