bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interferon λ3 gene (IL28B) is associated with spontaneous or treatment‐induced viral clearance in hepatitis C virus–infected multitransfused patients with thalassemia
Authors: Biswas Aritra , Firdaus Rushna , Gupta Debanjali , Ghosh Monika , Saha Kallol , Chowdhury Prosanto , Bhattacharyya Maitreyee , Sadhukhan Provash C. 
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUNDHepatitis C virus (HCV) is the major posttransfusion infection in multitransfused individuals in India with thalassemia major. To our knowledge, this study is the first conducted to correlate and comprehend the effects of the host interleukin (IL)28B gene polymorphism at loci rs12979860 and rs8099917 in spontaneous or interferon (IFN)‐induced treatment response in the HCV‐seroreactive individuals with thalassemia major.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSA total of 557 HCV‐seroreactive individuals with thalassemia were processed for HCV viral genotyping and host IL28B single‐nucleotide polymorphism analysis at loci rs12979860 and rs8099917.RESULTSOf 557 individuals, 70.92% were found to be HCV RNA positive with Genotype 3 (95.18%) as predominant strain. A favorable CC allele at locus rs2979860 and TT allele at rs8099917 were 75.31 and 77.16%, respectively, which was strongly associated with spontaneous clearance of infection (p < 0.05). Of 85 IFN‐treated cases, 56 achieved sustained virologic response (SVR) whereas 27 were relapsed cases. Among these patients who achieved SVR, a favorable CC/TT allele at rs12979860/rs8099917 was found to be predominant with 76.79 and 66.07%, respectively, whereas in the case of relapsed patients, unfavorable CT (55.56%) and TG (59.26%) alleles were found to be predominant. Additionally, low serum ferritin level was significantly associated with SVR.CONCLUSIONCC at rs12979860 and TT at rs8099917 was strongly associated with spontaneous clearance and SVR in the population with thalassemia. Low age group and low serum ferritin level are important cofactors. This allelic pattern will aid clinicians in making an informed decision about prognosis and therapeutic management.
The effectiveness of riboflavin and ultraviolet light pathogen reduction technology in eliminating Trypanosoma cruzi from leukoreduced whole blood
Authors: Jimenez‐Marco Teresa , Cancino‐Faure Beatriz , Girona‐Llobera Enrique , Alcover M. Magdalena , Riera Cristina , Fisa Roser 
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUNDThe parasitic Chagas disease is caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, which is mainly transmitted by insect vectors. Other infection routes, both in endemic and in nonendemic areas, include organ and marrow transplantation, congenital transmission, and blood transfusion. Asymptomatic chronic chagasic individuals may have a low and transient parasitemia in peripheral blood and, consequently, they can unknowingly transmit the disease via blood transfusion. Riboflavin and ultraviolet (UV) light pathogen reduction is a method to reduce pathogen transfusion transmission risk based on damage to the pathogen nucleic acids.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSIn this study, we tested the effectiveness of this technology for the elimination of T. cruzi parasites in artificially contaminated whole blood units (WBUs) and thus for decreasing the risk of T. cruzi transfusion transmission. The contaminated WBUs were leukoreduced by filtration and treated with riboflavin and UV light. The level of pathogen reduction was quantified by a real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and a real‐time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) as a viability assay.RESULTSThe RNA (cDNA) quantification of the parasites showed a more than 99% reduction of viable T. cruzi parasites after leukoreduction and a complete reduction (100%) after the riboflavin and UV light treatment.CONCLUSIONRiboflavin and UV light treatment and leukoreduction used in conjunction appears to eliminate significant amounts of viable T. cruzi in whole blood. Both strategies could complement other blood bank measures already implemented to prevent the transmission of T. cruzi via blood transfusion.
Geographical differences in survival of dogs with non‐Hodgkin lymphoma treated with aCHOPbased chemotherapy protocol
Authors: Wilson‐Robles H. , Budke C. M. , Miller T. , Dervisis N. , Novosad A. , Wright Z. , Thamm D. H. , Vickery K. , Burgess K. , Childress M. , Lori J. , Saba C. , Rau S. , Silver M. , Post G. , Reeds K. , Gillings S. , Schleis S. , Stein T. , Brugmann B. , DeRegis C. , Smrkovski O. , Lawrence J. , Laver T. 
Published: April 2017

BackgroundIn humans geographical differences in the incidence and presentation of various cancers have been reported. However, much of this information has not been collected in veterinary oncology.AimThe purpose of this study was to determine if a geographic difference in progression free survival exists for dogs with lymphoma treated within the US.Materials and MethodsMedical records of 775 cases of canine lymphoma from 3 US regions (west, south and north), treated with CHOP chemotherapy, were retrospectively evaluated. Cases were collected from referral institutions and were required to have received at least one doxorubicin treatment and have follow up information regarding time to progression.ResultsSignificant differences in sex (p= 0.05), weight (p= 0.049), stage (p< 0.001), immunophenotype (p= <0.001), and number of doxorubicin doses (p= 0.001) were seen between regions. Upon univariate analysis, progression free survival (PFS) differed by region (p= 0.006), stage (p= 0.009), sub‐stage (p= 0.0005), and immunophenotype (p= 0.001). A multivariable Cox regression model showed that dogs in the western region had a significantly shorter PFS when compared to the south and east.ConclusionPFS was significantly affected by stage, sub‐stage and phenotype.
Efficacy of dacarbazine as a rescue agent for histiocytic sarcoma in dogs
Authors: Kezer K. A. , Barber L. G. , Jennings S. H. 
Published: April 2017

BackgroundCanine histiocytic sarcoma (HS) is an aggressive neoplasm that is generally associated with a poor prognosis. CCNU is considered first‐line medical therapy, although the majority of dogs ultimately develop progressive disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of dacarbazine as a rescue agent for HS.Materials and MethodsMedical records of dogs diagnosed with HS that received at least one dose of dacarbazine were reviewed. Information collected and analyzed included signalment, disease distribution, treatment history, dacarbazine treatments (including dose, interval and total number of cycles), adverse events, and response to treatment.ResultsSeventeen dogs were included, all of which had disseminated or metastatic disease and had received prior treatment with CCNU. Three dogs achieved partial remission for an overall response rate of 17.6%. The overall median event‐free survival (EFS) was 21 days. For dogs that experienced an objective response, the EFS was 70 days. Toxicity secondary to dacarbazine was generally mild and self‐limiting.ConclusionIn the setting of advanced disease, dacarbazine appears to have modest activity against HS and warrants further investigation.
Democracia ou oligarquia? O controle invisível da política
Authors: Bueno Roberto 
Published: April 2017

O que é democracia, como e de que forma ela vem sendo gerida e apresentada à população? Há discrepância entre o núcleo de suas instituições e a sua prática? Considerando o cenário político comum das democracias ocidentais, este texto detém-se nas formas de controle e nos instrumentos institucionalizados para bloquear a participação política. O autor parte da hipótese de que está em fase final nas democracias contemporâneas um processo de substituição das instituições democráticas em prol da instalação de uma oligarquia no poder, não obstante a manutenção formal das instituições democráticas. Analisam-se as condições em que esse poder oligárquico coordena seus interesses econômicos e políticos de forma invisível.
Climate Engine: Cloud Computing and Visualization of Climate and Remote Sensing Data for Advanced Natural Resource Monitoring and Process Understanding
Authors: Huntington Justin L. , Hegewisch Katherine C. , Daudert Britta , Morton Charles G. , Abatzoglou John T. , McEvoy Daniel J. , Erickson Tyler 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe paucity of long-term observations, particularly in regions with heterogeneous climate and land cover, can hinder incorporating climate data at appropriate spatial scales for decision-making and scientific research. Numerous gridded climate, weather, and remote sensing products have been developed to address the needs of both land managers and scientists, in turn enhancing scientific knowledge and strengthening early-warning systems. However, these data remain largely inaccessible for a broader segment of users given the computational demands of big data. Climate Engine (http://ClimateEngine.org) is a web-based application that overcomes many computational barriers that users face by employing Google’s parallel cloud-computing platform, Google Earth Engine, to process, visualize, download, and share climate and remote sensing datasets in real time. The software application development and design of Climate Engine is briefly outlined to illustrate the potential for high-performance processing of big data using cloud computing. Second, several examples are presented to highlight a range of climate research and applications related to drought, fire, ecology, and agriculture that can be rapidly generated using Climate Engine. The ability to access climate and remote sensing data archives with on-demand parallel cloud computing has created vast opportunities for advanced natural resource monitoring and process understanding.
Assessment of Vertical Mesh Refinement in Concurrently Nested Large-Eddy Simulations Using the Weather Research and Forecasting Model
Authors: Mirocha Jeffrey D. , Lundquist Katherine A. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractTo facilitate multiscale simulation using the Weather Research and Forecasting Model, vertical mesh refinement for one-way concurrent nested simulation was recently introduced. Grid refinement in the vertical dimension removes the requirement of different grid aspect ratios on the bounding versus the nested domain, such that results from refinement are in the horizontal directions only, and thereby can also reduce numerical errors on the bounding domain arising from large aspect ratios in the presence of complex terrain. Herein, the impacts of vertical grid refinement on the evolving downstream flow in nested large-eddy simulations are evaluated in relation to other model configuration choices, including turbulence subfilter-scale (SFS) stress models, mesh configuration, and alternative methods for calculating several near-surface flow parameters. Although vertical nesting requires coarsening of the vertical grid on the bounding domain, leading to a smaller range of resolved turbulence scales in the nest’s lateral boundary conditions, parameter values within the nested domains are generally only minimally impacted, relative to nesting using the same vertical grid on each domain. Two dynamic SFS models examined herein generally improved the simulated mean wind speed, turbulence kinetic energy, stresses and spectra, on both domains, and accelerated equilibration rates within nested domains, relative to two constant coefficient models. A new method of extrapolating horizontal velocity components to near-surface locations at nested domain lateral boundaries, and a correction to the calculation of deformation elements near the surface, are each shown to slightly alter the mean parameter values, yet only minimally impact equilibration rates within the nested domain.
Variability of Precipitation along Cold Fronts in Idealized Baroclinic Waves
Authors: Norris Jesse , Vaughan Geraint , Schultz David M. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractPrecipitation patterns along cold fronts can exhibit a variety of morphologies including narrow cold-frontal rainbands and core-and-gap structures. A three-dimensional primitive equation model is used to investigate alongfront variability of precipitation in an idealized baroclinic wave. Along the poleward part of the cold front, a narrow line of precipitation develops. Along the equatorward part of the cold front, precipitation cores and gaps form. The difference between the two evolutions is due to differences in the orientation of vertical shear near the front in the lower troposphere: at the poleward end the along-frontal shear is dominant and the front is in near-thermal wind balance, while at the equatorward end the cross-frontal shear is almost as large. At the poleward end, the thermal structure remains erect with the front well defined up to the midtroposphere, hence updrafts remain erect and precipitation falls in a continuous line along the front. At the equatorward end, the cores form as undulations appear in both the prefrontal and postfrontal lighter precipitation, associated with vorticity maxima moving along the front on either side. Cross-frontal winds aloft tilt updrafts, so that some precipitation falls ahead of the surface cold front, forming the cores. Sensitivity simulations are also presented in which SST and roughness length are varied between simulations. Larger SST reduces cross-frontal winds aloft and leads to a more continuous rainband. Larger roughness length destroys the surface wind shift and thermal gradient, allowing mesovortices to dominate the precipitation distribution, leading to distinctive and irregularly shaped, quasi-regularly spaced precipitation maxima.
Pre-meal inulin consumption does not affect acute energy intake in overweight and obese middle-aged and older adults: A randomized controlled crossover pilot trial
Authors: Smiljanec Katarina , Mitchell Cassie M , Privitera Olivia F , Neilson Andrew P , Davy Kevin P , Davy Brenda M 
Published: April 2017

Background: Three-fourths of adults older than 55 years in the United States are overweight or obese. Prebiotics including inulin-type fructans may benefit with weight management. Aim: We aimed to investigate the acute effects of pre-meal inulin consumption on energy intake (EI) and appetite in older adults. Methods: Sedentary, overweight or obese middle-aged and older adults ( n = 7, 60.9 ± 4.4 years, BMI 32.9 ± 4.3 kg/m2) ingested inulin (10 g) or a water preload before each test period in a randomly assigned order. EI, appetite and gastrointestinal symptoms were monitored during the following 24 h. Results: No differences in EI were noted between conditions (inulin: 14744 ± 5552 kJ, control: 13924 ± 4904 kJ, p > 0.05). Rumbling was increased with inulin consumption ( p < 0.05). Conclusion: Pre-meal inulin consumption does not acutely decrease EI or suppress appetite in older adults. Further research should address individual differences among diets, eating behaviors, and microbiota profiles.
DUSP-1 gene expression is not regulated by promoter methylation in diabetes-associated cardiac hypertrophy
Authors: Singh Gurinder Bir , Khanna Sanskriti , Raut Satish K. , Sharma Saurabh , Sharma Rajni , Khullar Madhu 
Published: April 2017

Background: The exact mechanism causing decreased expression of the dual specific phosphatase-1 ( DUSP-1) gene in diabetes-associated cardiac hypertrophy is not known. DNA promoter methylation is often associated with decreased gene expression in many diseases including cardiovascular diseases. So, we investigated whether epigenetic silencing via promoter methylation is involved in the decreased expression of DUSP-1 in diabetes-associated cardiac hypertrophy. Methods: Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blotting confirmed the down regulation of the DUSP-1 gene at transcriptional and translational levels. Bisulfite-converted DNA samples from myocardium of rat model of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), high glucose (HG)-treated neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs) and cardiac tissues from archived human myocardial DCM autopsies along with their respective controls were analyzed for methylation in the promoter region of the DUSP-1 gene. Results: We observed no methylation in the promoter regions of the DUSP-1 gene in DCM rat hearts, in HG-treated NRCMs (between −355 bp and −174 bp) and in cardiac tissues from archived human myocardial DCM autopsies (between −274 bp and −73 bp). Conclusion: Methylation-mediated silencing of the DUSP-1 promoter does not appear to be associated with reduced expression, indicating the involvement of other factors in specific suppression of DUSP-1 in diabetes-associated cardiac hypertrophy.
Renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava thrombus extending to the right atrium diagnosed during pregnancy
Authors: Ghanney Efe C. , Cavallo Jaime A. , Levin Matthew A. , Reddy Ramachandra , Bander Jeffrey , Mella Maria , Stone Joanne , Schwartz Myron , Haines Kenneth , Gidwani Umesh , Mehrazin Reza 
Published: April 2017

Only one case of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with inferior vena cava (IVC) tumor thrombus diagnosed and treated during pregnancy has been reported in the literature. In that report, the tumor thrombus extended to the infrahepatic IVC (level II tumor thrombus). In the present case, a 37-year-old woman with lupus anticoagulant antibodies was diagnosed with RCC and IVC tumor thrombus extending to the right atrium (level IV tumor thrombus) at 24 weeks of pregnancy. The fetus was safely delivered by cesarean section at 30 weeks of gestation. At 4 days later, an open right radical nephrectomy and IVC and right atrial thrombectomy were performed on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) once the patient’s hemodynamic status had been optimized. Fetal and maternal concerns included the risk of a thromboembolic event (due to increased hypercoagulability from pregnancy, active malignancy, and lupus anticoagulant), intraoperative hemorrhage risk (due to extensive venous collaterals and anticoagulation), and fetal morbidity and mortality (due to fetal lung immaturity). Standardized guidelines for treatment of RCC with or without IVC tumor thrombus during pregnancy are unavailable due to the infrequency of such cases. Treatment decisions are therefore individualized and this case report may inform the management of future patients diagnosed with RCC with level IV tumor thrombus during pregnancy.
Isolated Gastrocnemius Recession for the Treatment of Achilles Tendinopathy
Authors: Smith Kenneth S. , Jones Caleb , Pinter Zachariah , Shah Ashish 
Published: April 2017

Background: Various treatment modalities have been described for Achilles tendinopathy with varying degrees of success. The rationale for the gastrocnemius recession procedure is to decrease the mechanical overload of the Achilles tendon arising from an equinus contracture. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 25 patients who underwent an isolated gastrocnemius recession procedure at our institution between May 2013 and April 2015 by a single surgeon. Clinical outcome was evaluated on the basis of pain, utilizing visual analog scale (VAS) scores and the Foot Function Index (FFI) by telephonic interview. Student’s t test and one-way analysis of variance were used for statistical analysis. Results: The average age of patients was 53.2 years with an average body mass index of 35.8 kg/m2. The average follow-up was 13.1 months. All 25 patients had a decrease in VAS scores from an average of 8.9 preoperatively to 2.0 at the 6-week visit. The average FFI went from 73.5 preoperatively to 27.4 at final follow-up. Two out of 25 patients had a postoperative sural neuritis with a total complication rate of 12%. Twenty-one of 25 patients (84%) reported total or significant pain relief. Conclusion: The medium-term results of our study suggest that an isolated gastrocnemius recession is a simple, effective, and safe surgical procedure for the treatment of Achilles tendinopathy. Levels of Evidence: Therapeutic, Level IV: Retrospective
The Financial Impact of Advanced Kidney Disease on Canada Pension Plan and Private Disability Insurance Costs
Authors: Manns Braden , McKenzie Susan Q. , Au Flora , Gignac Pamela M. , Geller Lawrence Ian ,   for the Canadians Seeking Solutions and Innovations to Overcome Chronic Kidney Disease (Can-SOLVE CKD) Network
Published: April 2017

Background: Many working-age individuals with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) are unable to work, or are only able to work at a reduced capacity and/or with a reduction in time at work, and receive disability payments, either from the Canadian government or from private insurers, but the magnitude of those payments is unknown. Objective: The objective of this study was to estimate Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefit and private disability insurance benefits paid to Canadians with advanced kidney failure, and how feasible improvements in prevention, identification, and early treatment of CKD and increased use of kidney transplantation might mitigate those costs. Design: This study used an analytical model combining Canadian data from various sources. Setting and Patients: This study included all patients with advanced CKD in Canada, including those with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <30 mL/min/m2 and those on dialysis. Measurements: We combined disability estimates from a provincial kidney care program with the prevalence of advanced CKD and estimated disability payments from the Canada Pension Plan and private insurance plans to estimate overall disability benefit payments for Canadians with advanced CKD. Results: We estimate that Canadians with advanced kidney failure are receiving disability benefit payments of at least Can$217 million annually. These estimates are sensitive to the proportion of individuals with advanced kidney disease who are unable to work, and plausible variation in this estimate could mean patients with advanced kidney disease are receiving up to Can$260 million per year. Feasible strategies to reduce the proportion of individuals with advanced kidney disease, either through prevention, delay or reduction in severity, or increasing the rate of transplantation, could result in reductions in the cost of Canada Pension Plan and private disability insurance payments by Can$13.8 million per year within 5 years. Limitations: This study does not estimate how CKD prevention or increasing the rate of kidney transplantation might influence health care cost savings more broadly, and does not include the cost to provincial governments for programs that provide income for individuals without private insurance and who do not qualify for Canada Pension Plan disability payments. Conclusions: Private disability insurance providers and federal government programs incur high costs related to individuals with advanced kidney failure, highlighting the significance of kidney disease not only to patients, and their families, but also to these other important stakeholders. Improvements in care of individuals with kidney disease could reduce these costs.