bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fate of the Urinary Tract Virus BK Human Polyomavirus in Source-Separated Urine
Authors: Goetsch Heather E. , Zhao Linbo , Gnegy Mariah , Imperiale Michael J. , Love Nancy G. , Wigginton Krista R. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT

Human polyomaviruses are emerging pathogens that infect a large percentage of the human population and are excreted in urine. Consequently, urine that is collected for fertilizer production often has high concentrations of polyomavirus genes. We studied the fate of infectious double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) BK human polyomavirus (BKPyV) in hydrolyzed source-separated urine with infectivity assays and quantitative PCR (qPCR). Although BKPyV genomes persisted in the hydrolyzed urine for long periods of time (
T
90
[time required for 90% reduction in infectivity or gene copies] of >3 weeks), the viruses were rapidly inactivated (
T
90
of 1.1 to 11 h) in most of the tested urine samples. Interestingly, the infectivity of dsDNA bacteriophage surrogate T3 (
T
90
of 24 to 46 days) was much more persistent than that of BKPyV, highlighting a major shortcoming of using bacteriophages as human virus surrogates. Pasteurization and filtration experiments suggest that BKPyV virus inactivation was due to microorganism activity in the source-separated urine, and SDS-PAGE Western blots showed that BKPyV protein capsid disassembly is concurrent with inactivation. Our results imply that stored urine does not pose a substantial risk of BKPyV transmission, that qPCR and infectivity of the dsDNA surrogate do not accurately depict BKPyV fate, and that microbial inactivation is driven by structural elements of the BKPyV capsid.

IMPORTANCE
We demonstrate that a common urinary tract virus has a high susceptibility to the conditions in hydrolyzed urine and consequently would not be a substantial exposure route to humans using urine-derived fertilizers. The results have significant implications for understanding virus fate. First, by demonstrating that the dsDNA (double-stranded DNA) genome of the polyomavirus lasts for weeks despite infectivity lasting for hours to days, our work highlights the shortcomings of using qPCR to estimate risks from unculturable viruses. Second, commonly used dsDNA surrogate viruses survived for weeks under the same conditions that BK polyomavirus survived for only hours, highlighting issues with using virus surrogates to predict how human viruses will behave in the environment. Finally, our mechanistic inactivation analysis provides strong evidence that microbial activity drives rapid virus inactivation, likely through capsid disassembly. Overall, our work underlines how subtle structural differences between viruses can greatly impact their environmental fate.
Purification of Intracellular Bacterial Communities during Experimental Urinary Tract Infection Reveals an Abundant and Viable Bacterial Reservoir
Authors: Duraiswamy Suhanya , Chee Jacqueline L. Y. , Chen Siyi , Yang Enjun , Lees Kristin , Chen Swaine L. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a major infection of humans, particularly affecting women. Recurrent UTIs can cause significant discomfort and expose patients to high levels of antibiotic use, which in turn contributes to the development of higher antibiotic resistance rates. Most UTIs are caused by uropathogenic
Escherichia coli
, which is able to form intracellular collections (termed intracellular bacterial communities [IBCs]) within the epithelial cells lining the bladder lumen. IBCs are seen in both infected mice and humans and are a potential cause of recurrent UTI. Genetic and molecular studies of IBCs have been hampered both by the low number of bacteria in IBCs relative to the number extracellular bacteria and by population bottlenecks that occur during IBC formation. We now report the development of a simple and rapid technique for isolating pure IBCs from experimentally infected mice. We verified the specificity and purity of the isolated IBCs via microscopy, gene expression, and culture-based methods. Our results further demonstrated that our isolation technique practically enables specific molecular studies of IBCs. In the first such direct measurement, we determined that a single epithelial cell containing an early IBC typically contains 10
3
viable bacteria. Our isolation technique complements recent progress in low-input, single-cell genomics to enable future genomic studies of the formation of IBCs and their activation pathways during recurrent UTI, which may lead to novel strategies to eliminate them from the bladder.
Role of the Inducible Adhesin CpAls7 in Binding of Candida parapsilosis to the Extracellular Matrix under Fluid Shear
Authors: Neale Matthew N. , Glass Kyle A. , Longley Sarah J. , Kim Denny J. , Laforce-Nesbitt Sonia S. , Wortzel Jeremy D. , Shaw Sunil K. , Bliss Joseph M. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT

The yeast
Candida parapsilosis
is an increasingly common cause of systemic fungal infections among immunocompromised individuals, including premature infants. Adhesion to host surfaces is an important step in pathogenesis, but this process has not been extensively studied in this organism. A microfluidics assay was developed to test the ability of
C. parapsilosis
to adhere to immobilized host extracellular matrix proteins under physiological fluid shear conditions. Growth in mammalian tissue culture medium at 37°C for 3 to 6 h led to the induction of an adhesive phenotype at shear forces of 1 to 5 dynes/cm
2
in some isolates of
C. parapsilosis
. Glutamic acid, proline, and calcium appeared to be the minimally necessary requirements for increased adhesion in these assays. To determine whether genes homologous to the
ALS
gene family of
C. albicans
were important for the adhesive phenotype, the expression levels of 5 homologous
C. parapsilosis
genes were quantified by using quantitative PCR (qPCR) under conditions leading to increased adhesion.
CPAR2_404800
(
CpALS7
) and
CPAR2_404780
showed increased expression levels compared to those in control yeast. The extent of adhesion was variable among different isolates, and linear regression identified the expression of
CpALS7
but not
CPAR2_404780
as having a strong positive correlation with adhesion. A homozygous
CpALS7
deletion strain was deficient in adhesion, whereas the expression of
CpALS7
in
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
resulted in increased adhesion. Together, these data provide strong evidence that CpAls7 aids in the adherence of
C. parapsilosis
to the extracellular matrix under shear forces and support its previously reported role in virulence.
Characterisation of the aortic pulse profile of a radial artery applanation tonometry device in patients with aortic stenosis
Authors: Ngiam Nicholas , Shen Xiayan , Tan Benjamin Yong-Qiang , Oinuma Sachiko , Lee Glenn KM , Kong William KF , Poh Kian-Keong 
Published: January 2018

BackgroundAortic stenosis (AS) is commonly associated with myocardial and systemic arterial dysfunction. We use a radial artery applanation tonometry (B-Pro) device to characterise the arterial pulse profile of patients with AS and compare them against controls.MethodsThe B-Pro device was applied on the left radial artery of 117 consecutive patients, where 21 patients had AS. Baseline clinical and echocardiographic characteristics were compared. Differences in arterial pulse pressure profile were quantified by means of univariate and multivariable analyses.ResultsThe group with AS was older (74±14 vs 62±14 years, P<0.001) and had fewer males (38% vs 65%, P=0.025), while other baseline comorbidities were similar. From the arterial pulse profile, a higher systolic peak time (202±45 vs 152±49 ms, P<0.001), lower systolic upstroke gradient (0.35±0.10 vs 0.42±0.14 mm Hg/ms, P=0.022) and longer systolic component of the cardiac cycle (43%±7% vs 39%±5%, P=0.001) were independently associated with AS.ConclusionThe B-Pro device allows for real-time microscopic arterial pulse waveform analysis. There are significant differences between the pulse profiles of patients with AS and controls. The prognostic implications of these differences warrant further study.
Social participation and risk of influenza infection in older adults: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Shobugawa Yugo , Fujiwara Takeo , Tashiro Atsushi , Saito Reiko , Kondo Katsunori 
Published: January 2018

ObjectivesInfluenza infection can cause severe pneumonia, which is sometimes fatal, particularly in older adults. Influenza results in 3–5 million cases of severe illness and about 250 000 to 500 000 deaths annually worldwide. Social participation in the context of influenza infection is controversial because, although social participation is beneficial in maintaining physical function and mental health, it also increases the risk of contact with infected people. This study examined the association between social participation and influenza infection in Japanese adults aged 65 years or older.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingJapanese functionally independent adults aged 65 years or older.ParticipantsAmong the respondents to the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study (JAGES) 2013 survey, which took place during the period from October to December 2013, 12 231 men and 14 091 women responded to questions on influenza vaccination and influenza infection.Outcome measuresUsing JAGES data for 12 231 men and 14 091 women aged ≥65 years, we examined the association between social participation and influenza infection. The association between influenza infection and number of groups in which respondents participated was investigated among adults aged≥65 years, stratified by vaccination status and sex.ResultsUnvaccinated women who participated in two or more social activities were 2.20 times (95% CI 1.47 to 3.29) as likely to report an influenza infection as those who reported no social participation. In contrast, vaccinated women who participated in two or more social groups had no additional risk of influenza infection as compared with female elders with no social participation. Among men, participation in social activities was not significantly associated with influenza infection, regardless of vaccination status.ConclusionsSocial participation was associated with a higher risk of influenza infection among unvaccinated older women, which suggests a need for further efforts to promote influenza vaccination, particularly among socially active elderly women.
Disease and age pattern of hospitalisation and associated costs in India: 1995–2014
Authors: Kastor Anshul , Mohanty Sanjay K 
Published: January 2018

ObjectivesThe prime objective of this study is to examine the trends of disease and age pattern of hospitalisation and associated costs in India during 1995–2014.DesignPresent study used nationally representative data on morbidity and healthcare from the 52nd (1995) and 71st (2014) rounds of the National Sample Survey.SettingsA total of 120 942 and 65 932 households were surveyed in 1995 and 2014, respectively.MeasuresDescriptive statistics, logistic regression analyses and decomposition analyses were used in examining the changes in patterns of hospitalisation and associated costs. Hospitalisation rates and costs per hospitalisation (out-of-pocket expenditure) were estimated for selected diseases and in four broad categories: communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), injuries and others. All the costs are presented at 2014 prices in US$.ResultsHospitalisation rate in India has increased from 1661 in 1995 to 3699 in 2014 (per 100 000 population). It has more than doubled across all age groups. Hospitalisation among children was primarily because of communicable diseases, while NCDs were the leading cause of hospitalisation for the 40+ population. Costs per hospitalisation have increased from US$177 in 1995 to US$316 in 2014 (an increase of 79%). Costs per hospitalisation for NCDs in 2014 were US$471 compared with US$175 for communicable diseases. It was highest for cancer inpatients (US$942) followed by heart diseases (US$674). Age is the significant predictor of hospitalisation for all the selected diseases. Decomposition results showed that about three-fifth of the increase in unconditional costs per hospitalisation was due to increase in mean hospital costs, and the other two-fifth was due to increase in hospitalisation rates.ConclusionThere has been more than twofold increase in hospitalisation rates in India during the last two decades, and significantly higher rates were observed among infants and older adults. Increasing hospitalisation rates and costs per hospitalisation are contributing substantially to the rising healthcare costs in India.
Electroacupuncture as an adjunctive therapy for motor dysfunction in acute stroke survivors: a systematic review and meta-analyses
Authors: Zhan Jie , Pan Ruihuan , Zhou Mingchao , Tan Feng , Huang Zhen , Dong Jing , Wen Zehuai 
Published: January 2018

ObjectivesTo assess the effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture (EA) combined with rehabilitation therapy (RT) and/or conventional drugs (CD) for improving poststroke motor dysfunction (PSMD).DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis.MethodsThe China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biological Medicine Database, Chinese Scientific Journal Database, Cochrane Library, Medline and Embase were electronically searched from inception to December 2016. The methodological quality of the included trials was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool. Statistical analyses were performed by RevMan V.5.3 and Stata SE V.11.0.ResultsNineteen trials with 1434 participants were included for qualitative synthesis and meta-analysis. The methodological quality of the included trials was generally poor. The meta-analysis indicated that the EA group might be benefiting more than the non-EA group in terms of the changes in the Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale (FMA) (weighted mean difference (WMD): 10.79, 95% CI 6.39 to 15.20, P<0.001), FMA for lower extremity (WMD: 5.16, 95% CI 3.78 to 6.54, P<0.001) and activities of daily living (standardised mean difference: 1.37, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.96, P<0.001). However, there was no difference between EA and non-EA groups in terms of the effective rate (relative risk: 1.13, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.27, P=0.050). Moreover, there were not any reports of side effects due to EA combined with RT and/or CD in the included trials.ConclusionsThis review provides new evidence for the effectiveness and safety of EA combined with RT and/or CD for PSMD. However, the results should be interpreted cautiously because of methodological weakness and publication bias. Further clinical trials with a rigorous design and large sample sizes are warranted.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42016037597.
Longitudinal designs to study neighbourhood effects on the development of obesity: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Letarte Laurence , Lebel Alexandre , Waygood E.O.D , Tchernof André , Biertho Laurent 
Published: January 2018

IntroductionThe prevalence of obesity has increased significantly in the last three decades and became an important public health concern. Evidence of weight status variability at the neighbourhood level has led researchers to look more precisely at the characteristics of local geographic areas that might influence energy balance related behaviours, giving rise to the field of the ‘neighbourhood effect’ in public health research. Among an abundant literature about neighbourhood effects and obesity, we propose a protocol for a scoping review that will aim at determining how temporal measurements of residential neighbourhood exposure, individual covariates and weight outcome are integrated in longitudinal designs.Methods and analysisA list of relevant citations will be obtained through a comprehensive systematic database search in Pubmed, Web of Science and Embase. The search strategy will be designed using a broad definition of neighbourhood to take into account the heterogeneity of this concept in research. Two investigators will screen titles, abstracts and entire publications using predetermined eligibility criteria yielding a list of selected publications. Data from the publications included in the scoping review will be charted according to bibliographic information, study population, exposure, outcomes and results.Discussion and conclusionTo our knowledge, our protocol will yield the first scoping review regarding longitudinal designs of neighbourhood effect on obesity. Describing how longitudinal designs include temporal measurements of exposure, covariates and outcome is a necessary step in the quest to determine if or which contextual characteristics are likely to be involved in the development of obesity. Such information would bring new knowledge to complement current aetiological investigations and would contribute to enhancing resource allocation strategies for stakeholders in developing relevant interventions to prevent obesity and its negative impacts.
Diagnostic markers of acute infections in infants aged 1 week to 3 months: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Hamiel Uri , Bahat Hilla , Kozer Eran , Hamiel Yotam , Ziv-Baran Tomer , Goldman Michael 
Published: January 2018

ObjectiveHistory and physical examination do not reliably exclude serious bacterial infections (SBIs) in infants. We examined potential markers of SBI in young febrile infants.DesignWe reviewed white cell count (WBC), absolute neutrophil count (ANC), neutrophil to lymphocyte count ratio (NLR) and C reactive protein (CRP) in infants aged 1 week to 90 days, admitted for fever to one medical centre during 2012–2014.ResultsSBI was detected in 111 (10.6%) of 1039 infants. Median values of all investigated diagnostic markers were significantly higher in infants with than without SBI: WBC (14.4 vs 11.4 K/µL, P<0.001), ANC (5.8 vs 3.7 K/µL, P<0.001), CRP (19 vs 5 mg/L, P <0.001) and NLR (1.2 vs 0.7, P<0.001). Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for discriminating SBI were: 0.65 (95% CI 0.59 to 0.71), 0.69 (95% CI 0.63 to 0.74), 0.71 (95% CI 0.65 to 0.76) and 0.66 (95% CI 0.60 to 0.71) for WBC, ANC, CRP and NLR, respectively. Logistic regression showed the best discriminative ability for the combination of CRP and ANC, with AUC: 0.73 (95% CI 0.67 to 0.78). For invasive bacterial infection, AUCs were 0.70 (95% CI 0.56 to 0.85), 0.80 (95% CI 0.67 to 0.92), 0.78 (95% CI 0.68 to 0.89) and 0.78 (95% CI 0.66 to 0.90), respectively. CRP combined with NLR or ANC were the best discriminators of infection, AUCs: 0.82 (95% CI 0.70 to 0.95) and 0.82 (95% CI 0.68 to 0.95), respectively.ConclusionsAmong young febrile infants, CRP was the best single discriminatory marker of SBI, and ANC was the best for invasive bacterial infection. ANC and NLR can contribute to evaluating this population.
Comparison of two methods to assess physical activity prevalence in children: an observational study using a nationally representative sample of Scottish children aged 10–11 years
Authors: McCrorie Paul , Mitchell Rich , Ellaway Anne 
Published: January 2018

ObjectivesTo describe the objectively measured levels of physical activity (PA) and sedentary time in a nationally representative sample of 10–11-year-old children, and compare adherence estimates to the UK PA guidelines using two approaches to assessing prevalence.DesignNationally representative longitudinal cohort study.SettingScotland wide in partnership with the Growing up in Scotland (GUS) study. Data collection took place between May 2015 and May 2016.ParticipantsThe parents of 2402 GUS children were approached and 2162 consented to contact. Consenting children (n=1096) wore accelerometers for 8 consecutive days and 774 participants (427 girls, 357 boys) met inclusion criteria.Primary and secondary outcome measuresTotal PA (counts per minute, cpm); time spent sedentary and in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA); proportion of children with ≥60 min MVPA on each day of wear (daily approach); proportion of children with ≥60 min of MVPA on average across days of wear (average approach)—presented across boys and girls, index of multiple deprivation and season.ResultsMean PA level was 648 cpm (95% CI, 627 to 670). Children spent 7.5 hours (7.4–7.6) sedentary/day and 72.6 min (70.0–75.3) in MVPA/day. 11% (daily) and 68% (average) of children achieved the recommended levels of PA (P<0.05 for difference); a greater proportion of boys met the guidelines (12.5% vs 9.8%, NS; 75.9% vs 59.5%, P<0.001); guideline prevalence exhibited seasonal variation. No significant socioeconomic patterning existed across any outcome measure.ConclusionsPA estimates are significantly influenced by the analytical method used to assess prevalence. This could have a substantial impact on the evaluation of interventions, policy objectives and public health investment. Existing guidelines, which focus on daily PA only may not further our understandings about the underlying construct itself. Gender differences exist within this age-group, suggesting greater investment, with particular consideration of seasonality, is needed for targeted intervention work in younger children.
Effect of a health literacy intervention trial on knowledge about cardiovascular disease medications among Indigenous peoples in Australia, Canada and New Zealand
Authors: Crengle Sue , Luke Joanne N , Lambert Michelle , Smylie Janet K , Reid Susan , Harré-Hindmarsh Jennie , Kelaher Margaret 
Published: January 2018

ObjectivesTo assess the effect of a customised, structured cardiovascular disease (CVD) medication health literacy programme on medication knowledge among Indigenous people with, or at high risk of, CVD.DesignIntervention trial with premeasures and postmeasures at multiple time points.SettingIndigenous primary care services in Australia, Canada and New Zealand.Participants171 Indigenous people aged ≥20 years of age who had at least one clinical diagnosis of a CVD event, or in Canada and Australia had a 5-year CVD risk ≥15%, and were prescribed at least two of the following CVD medication classes: statin, aspirin, ACE inhibitors and beta blockers.InterventionAn education session delivered on three occasions over 1 month by registered nurses or health educators who had received training in health literacy and principles of adult education. An interactive tablet application was used during each session and an information booklet and pill card provided to participants.Primary outcome measuresKnowledge about the CVD medications assessed before and after each session.ResultsKnowledge at baseline (presession 1) was low, with the mean per cent correct answers highest for statins (34.0% correct answers), 29.4% for aspirin, 26.0% for beta blockers and 22.7% for ACE inhibitors. Adjusted analyses showed highly significant (P<0.001) increases in knowledge scores between preassessments and postassessments at all three time points for all medication classes. For the four medications, the absolute increases in adjusted per cent correct items from presession 1 to postsession 3 assessments were 60.1% for statins, 76.8% for aspirin, 71.4% for ACE inhibitor and 69.5% for beta blocker.ConclusionsThe intervention was highly effective in contextually diverse Indigenous primary healthcare services in Australia, Canada and New Zealand. The findings from this study have important implications for health services working with populations with low health literacy more generally.Trial registration numberACTRN12612001309875.