bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rubella Surveillance and Diagnostic Testing among a Low-Prevalence Population, New York City, 2012–2013
Authors: Isaac Beth M. , Zucker Jane R. , Giancotti Francesca R. , Abernathy Emily , Icenogle Joseph , Rakeman Jennifer L. , Rosen Jennifer B. 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACT
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) receives clinical and laboratory reports for rubella. Because rubella immunoglobulin M (IgM) assays may produce false-positive results and rubella infections may be asymptomatic, interpretation of positive IgM results can be challenging. Rubella reports received by DOHMH in 2012 to 2013 were reviewed. The rubella IgM testing purpose was determined through case investigation. Results of IgM testing by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and capture enzyme immunoassay (EIA) were compared to determine positive predictive value (PPV) and specificity. DOHMH received 199 rubella reports; 2 were true cases. Of all reports, 77.9% were tested for rubella IgM erroneously, 19.6% were tested for diagnostic purposes, 2.0% had unknown test purpose, and 0.5% were not tested. PPV of indirect ELISA was 6% overall, 14% for diagnostic tests, and 0% for tests ordered erroneously. PPV of capture EIA was 29% overall, 50% for diagnostic tests, and 0% for tests ordered erroneously. Overall, specificity was 52% for indirect ELISA and 85% for capture EIA. Limiting rubella IgM testing to patients for whom rubella diagnosis is suspected and using a more specific IgM assay have the potential to reduce false-positive rubella IgM results.
New Highly Sensitive Real-Time PCR Assay for HIV-2 Group A and Group B DNA Quantification
Authors: Bertine Mélanie , Gueudin Marie , Mélard Adeline , Damond Florence , Descamps Diane , Matheron Sophie , Collin Fidéline , Rouzioux Christine , Plantier Jean-Christophe , Avettand-Fenoel Véronique 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACTHIV-2 infection is characterized by a very low replication rate in most cases and low progression. This necessitates an approach to patient monitoring that differs from that for HIV-1 infection. Here, a new highly specific and sensitive method for HIV-2 DNA quantification was developed. The new test is based on quantitative real-time PCR targeting the long terminal repeat (LTR) andgagregions and using an internal control. Analytical performance was determined in three laboratories, and clinical performance was determined on blood samples from 63 patients infected with HIV-2 group A (n= 35) or group B (n= 28). The specificity was 100%. The 95% limit of detection was three copies/PCR and the limit of quantification was six copies/PCR. The within-run coefficients of variation were between 1.03% at 3.78 log10copies/PCR and 27.02% at 0.78 log10copies/PCR. The between-run coefficient of variation was 5.10%. Both manual and automated nucleic acid extraction methods were validated. HIV-2 DNA loads were detectable in blood cells from all 63 patients. When HIV-2 DNA was quantifiable, median loads were significantly higher in antiretroviral-treated than in naive patients and were similar for groups A and B. HIV-2 DNA load was correlated with HIV-2 RNA load (r= 0.68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.4 to 0.8;P< 0.0001). Our data show that this new assay is highly sensitive and quantifies the two main HIV-2 groups, making it useful for the diagnosis of HIV-2 infection and for pathogenesis studies on HIV-2 reservoirs.
HIV-1 Env- and Vpu-Specific Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity Responses Associated with Elite Control of HIV
Authors: Madhavi Vijaya , Wines Bruce D. , Amin Janaki , Emery Sean ,   ENCORE1 Study Group, Lopez Ester , Kelleher Anthony ,   Sydney LTNP Study Group, Center Rob J. , Hogarth P. Mark , Chung Amy W. , Kent Stephen J. , Stratov Ivan 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACT

Studying HIV-infected individuals who control HIV replication (elite controllers [ECs]) enables exploration of effective anti-HIV immunity. HIV Env-specific and non-Env-specific antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) may contribute to protection from progressive HIV infection, but the evidence is limited. We recruited 22 ECs and matched them with 44 viremic subjects. HIV Env- and Vpu-specific ADCC responses in sera were studied using a novel enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based dimeric recombinant soluble FcγRIIIa (rsFcγRIIIa)-binding assay, surface plasmon resonance, antibody-dependent natural killer (NK) cell activation assays, and ADCC-mediated killing assays. ECs had higher levels of HIV Env-specific antibodies capable of binding FcγRIIIa, activating NK cells, and mediating granzyme B activity (all
P
< 0.01) than viremic subjects. ECs also had higher levels of antibodies against a C-terminal 13-mer Vpu peptide capable of mediating FcγRIIIa binding and NK cell activation than viremic subjects (both
P
< 0.05). Our data associate Env-specific and Vpu epitope-specific ADCC in effective immune responses against HIV among ECs. Our findings have implications for understanding the role of ADCC in HIV control.

IMPORTANCE
Understanding immune responses associated with elite control of HIV may aid the development of immunotherapeutic and vaccine strategies for controlling HIV infection. Env is a major HIV protein target of functional antibody responses that are heightened in ECs. Interestingly, EC antibodies also target Vpu, an accessory protein crucial to HIV, which degrades CD4 and antagonizes tetherin. Antibodies specific to Vpu are a common feature of the immune response of ECs that may prove to be of functional importance to the design of improved ADCC-based immunotherapy and preventative HIV vaccines.
B Cell-Specific Expression of Ataxia-Telangiectasia Mutated Protein Kinase Promotes Chronic Gammaherpesvirus Infection
Authors: Darrah Eric J. , Kulinski Joseph M. , Mboko Wadzanai P. , Xin Gang , Malherbe Laurent P. , Gauld Stephen B. , Cui Weiguo , Tarakanova Vera L. 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACT

Manipulation of host cellular pathways is a strategy employed by gammaherpesviruses, including mouse gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV68), in order to negotiate a chronic infection. Ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) plays a unique yet incompletely understood role in gammaherpesvirus infection, as it has both proviral and antiviral effects. Chronic gammaherpesvirus infection is poorly controlled in a host with global ATM insufficiency, whether the host is a mouse or a human. In contrast, ATM facilitates replication, reactivation, and latency establishment of several gammaherpesviruses
in vitro
, suggesting that ATM is proviral in the context of infected cell cultures. The proviral role of ATM is also evident
in vivo
, as myeloid-specific ATM expression facilitates MHV68 reactivation during the establishment of viral latency. In order to better understand the complex relationship between host ATM and gammaherpesvirus infection, we depleted ATM specifically in B cells, a cell type critical for chronic gammaherpesvirus infection. B cell-specific ATM deficiency attenuated the establishment of viral latency due to compromised differentiation of ATM-deficient B cells. Further, we found that during long-term infection, peritoneal B-1b, but not related B-1a, B cells display the highest frequency of gammaherpesvirus infection. While ATM expression did not affect gammaherpesvirus tropism for B-1 B cells, B cell-specific ATM expression was necessary to support viral reactivation from peritoneal cells during long-term infection. Thus, our study reveals a role of ATM as a host factor that promotes chronic gammaherpesvirus infection of B cells.

IMPORTANCE
Gammaherpesviruses infect a majority of the human population and are associated with cancer, including B cell lymphomas. ATM is a unique host kinase that has both proviral and antiviral roles in the context of gammaherpesvirus infection. Further, there is insufficient understanding of the interplay of these roles
in vivo
during chronic infection. In this study, we show that ATM expression by splenic B cells is required for efficient establishment of gammaherpesvirus latency. We also show that ATM expression by peritoneal B cells is required to facilitate viral reactivation during long-term infection. Thus, our study defines a proviral role of B cell-specific ATM expression during chronic gammaherpesvirus infection.
Carotid stenting for unilateral stenosis can increase contralateral hemispheric cerebral blood flow
Authors: Sadato Akiyo , Maeda Shingo , Hayakawa Motoharu , Adachi Kazuhide , Toyama Hiroshi , Nakahara Ichiro , Hirose Yuichi 
Published: July 2017

BackgroundThe revascularization of carotid stenosis can increase ipsilateral cerebral blood flow (CBF). Occasionally, elevated CBF is also evident on the contralateral side, but this phenomenon is poorly understood.ObjectiveTo analyze retrospectively the relationship between a contralateral CBF increase and several clinical and radiologic features.Materials and methodsWe retrospectively analyzed 40 patients with unilateral cervical carotid stenosis treated by carotid artery stenting (CAS). Using123I-iodamphetamine single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT); we compared pre- and postoperative hemispheric CBF on both sides. We investigated the influence of the following five factors on the increase of the contralateral hemispheric CBF: stenosis grade (≥50% or <50%, according to the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial criteria); age; the presence of anterior and posterior communicating arteries; postoperative hyperperfusion on the stenotic side; and the presence of cerebral steal phenomenon during preoperative acetazolamide-challenge SPECT.ResultsFollowing unilateral CAS, mean hemispheric CBF increased significantly on both sides: from 33.4±5.6 (mean ± SD) to 38.7±7.8 mL/min on the operated side (paired t test, p<0.001) and f35.4±5.4 to 39.2±7.2 mL/min on the contralateral side (p<0.001). In a general linear model, stenosis grade (≥50%) alone was significantly correlated with the increase of the CBF on the contralateral side (p=0.03).ConclusionRevascularization by CAS for unilateral carotid stenosis can increase hemispheric CBF on both sides. Increase of the contralateral CBF is correlated with stenosis grade (≥50%).
Nurse-coordinated care improves the achievement of LDL cholesterol targets through more intensive medication titration
Authors: Snaterse Marjolein , Jorstad Harald T , Heiligenberg Marlies , ter Riet Gerben , Boekholdt S Matthijs , Scholte op Reimer Wilma , Peters Ron J 
Published: July 2017

BackgroundNurse-coordinated care (NCC) improves the achievement of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) targets after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We hypothesised that NCC improves achievement of LDL-C targets through more intensive medication titration.MethodsWe used data from Randomised Evaluation of Secondary Prevention by Outpatient Nurse Specialists (RESPONSE), a multicentre randomised trial on the efficacy of NCC in 754 ACS patients. Follow-up data were collected at 6 and 12 months. To enable comparison between the various types and dosages of statins, we used the average lipid-lowering potency (ALLP, % LDL-C lowering) as an indicator of lipid-lowering medication intensity.ResultsMost patients in NCC intervention and usual care groups (96%) had started lipid-lowering therapy during the index hospitalisation. At 6 months, titration activities (up or down) were applied in 45% of NCC patients compared with 24% of patients receiving usual care (p<0.001), and a difference was also seen at 12 months follow-up (52% vs 34%, p<0.001). In patients not on LDL-C target at baseline, titration activities at 6 months were recorded in 63% and 30% of NCC and usual care patients respectively (p<0.001), with increased titration activities in both groups at 12 months (69% vs 43%, p<0.001).ConclusionNCC is associated with more frequent and intense lipid-lowering medication titration to reach LDL-C targets as compared with usual care alone. Further, merely starting the guideline-recommended dose is insufficient to reach the guideline-recommended LDL-C target level.Trial Registration numberTC1290 (Netherlands).
A missing voice: the human rights of children to a tobacco-free environment
Authors: Toebes Brigit , Gispen Marie Elske , Been Jasper V , Sheikh Aziz 
Published: July 2017

In this commentary, we flag the importance of taking a child-rights approach in the context of tobacco control, which is thus far unprecedented. This text was written in response to the Seventh Conference of States Parties of WHOs Framework Convention on Tobacco Control held in India from 7 to 12 November 2016.While the links between tobacco control and human rights were emphasised at this conference, a child-rights approach was missing. We argue that this novel angle provides important legal tools to protect the health and well-being of children. Because children are seen as ‘replacement smokers’ by the tobacco industry, protecting children in this context is key to haltering the devastating effects of tobacco use and exposure worldwide.
On the Interactions Between Value Prediction and Compiler Optimizations in the Context of EOLE
Authors: Endo Fernando A. , Perais Arthur , Seznec André 
Published: July 2017

Increasing instruction-level parallelism is regaining attractiveness within the microprocessor industry.
The {Early | Out-of-order | Late} Execution (EOLE) microarchitecture and Differential Value TAgged GEometric (D-VTAGE) value predictor were recently introduced to solve practical issues of Value Prediction (VP). In particular, they remove the most significant difficulties that forbade an effective VP hardware.
In this study, we present a detailed evaluation of the potential of VP in the context of EOLE/D-VTAGE and different compiler options. Our study shows that if no single general rule always applies—more optimization might sometimes lead to more performance—unoptimized codes often get a large benefit from the prediction of redundant loads.
Redox and Activation of Protein Kinase A Dysregulates Calcium Homeostasis in Pulmonary Vein Cardiomyocytes of Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Huang Shih‐Yu , Chen Yao‐Chang , Kao Yu‐Hsun , Hsieh Ming‐Hsiung , Lin Yung‐Kuo , Chen Shih‐Ann , Chen Yi‐Jen 
Published: July 2017

Background

Chronic kidney disease (
CKD
) increases the occurrence of atrial fibrillation and pulmonary vein (
PV
) arrhythmogenesis. Calcium dysregulation and reactive oxygen species (
ROS
) enhance
PV
arrhythmogenic activity. The purposes of this study were to investigate whether
CKD
modulates
PV
electrical activity through dysregulation of calcium homeostasis and
ROS
.

Methods and Results

Biochemical and electrocardiographic studies were conducted in rabbits with and without
CKD
(induced by 150 mg/kg per day neomycin sulfate and 500 mg/kg per day cefazolin). Confocal microscopy with fluorescence and a whole‐cell patch clamp were applied to study calcium homeostasis and electrical activities in control and
CKD
isolated single
PV
cardiomyocytes with or without treatment with H89 (1 μmol/L, a protein kinase A inhibitor) and MPG (N‐[2‐mercaptopropionyl]glycine; 100 μmol/L, a
ROS
scavenger). The
ROS
in mitochondria and cytosol were evaluated via intracellular dye fluorescence and lipid peroxidation.
CKD
rabbits had excessive atrial premature captures over those of control rabbits. Compared with the control,
CKD PV
cardiomyocytes had a faster beating rate and larger calcium transient amplitudes, sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium contents, sodium/calcium exchanger currents, and late sodium currents but smaller L‐type calcium current densities.
CKD PV
cardiomyocytes had a higher frequency and longer duration of calcium sparks and more
ROS
in the mitochondria and cytosol than did controls. Moreover, H89 suppressed all calcium sparks in
CKD PV
cardiomyocytes, and H89‐ and
MPG
‐treated
CKD PV
cardiomyocytes had similar calcium transients compared with control
PV
cardiomyocytes.

Conclusions

CKD
increases
PV
arrhythmogenesis with enhanced calcium‐handling abnormalities through activation of protein kinase A and
ROS
.
Estimated Impact of Emergency Medical Service Triage of Stroke Patients on Comprehensive Stroke Centers
Authors: Katz Brian S. , Adeoye Opeolu , Sucharew Heidi , Broderick Joseph P. , McMullan Jason , Khatri Pooja , Widener Michael , Alwell Kathleen S. , Moomaw Charles J. , Kissela Brett M. , Flaherty Matthew L. , Woo Daniel , Ferioli Simona , Mackey Jason , Martini Sharyl , De Los Rios la Rosa Felipe , Kleindorfer Dawn O. 
Published: July 2017

Background and Purpose—
The American Stroke Association recommends that Emergency Medical Service bypass acute stroke–ready hospital (ASRH)/primary stroke center (PSC) for comprehensive stroke centers (CSCs) when transporting appropriate stroke patients, if the additional travel time is ≤15 minutes. However, data on additional transport time and the effect on hospital census remain unknown.

Methods—
Stroke patients ≥20 years old who were transported from home to an ASRH/PSC or CSC via Emergency Medical Service in 2010 were identified in the Greater Cincinnati area population of 1.3 million. Addresses of all patients’ residences and hospitals were geocoded, and estimated travel times were calculated. We estimated the mean differences between the travel time for patients taken to an ASRH/PSC and the theoretical time had they been transported directly to the region’s CSC.

Results—
Of 929 patients with geocoded addresses, 806 were transported via Emergency Medical Service directly to an ASRH/PSC. Mean additional travel time of direct transport to the CSC, compared with transport to an ASRH/PSC, was 7.9±6.8 minutes; 85% would have ≤15 minutes added transport time. Triage of all stroke patients to the CSC would have added 727 patients to the CSC’s census in 2010. Limiting triage to the CSC to patients with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of ≥10 within 6 hours of onset would have added 116 patients (2.2 per week) to the CSC’s annual census.

Conclusions—
Emergency Medical Service triage to CSCs based on stroke severity and symptom duration may be feasible. The impact on stroke systems of care and patient outcomes remains to be determined and requires prospective evaluation.
Time and Space Scales in the Tropical Cyclone Boundary Layer, and the Location of the Eyewall Updraft
Authors: Kepert Jeffrey D. 
Published: July 2017

Abstract
The transient response of the tropical cyclone boundary layer is studied using linearized and nonlinear models, with particular focus on the frictionally forced vertical motion. The impulsively started, linearized tropical cyclone boundary layer is shown to adjust to its equilibrium solution via a series of decaying oscillations with the inertial period . In the nonlinear case, the oscillation period is slightly lengthened by inward advection of the slower-evolving flow from larger radii, but the oscillations decay more quickly. In an idealized cyclone with small sinusoidal oscillations superimposed on the gradient wind, the equilibrium nonlinear boundary layer acts as a low-pass filter with pass length scaling as , where is the 10-m frictional inflow. This filter is absent from the linearized boundary layer. The eyewall frictional updraft is similarly displaced inward of the radius of maximum winds (RMW) by a distance that scales with , owing to nonlinear overshoot of the inflowing air as it crosses the relatively sharp increase in I near the eyewall. This displacement is smaller (other things being equal) when the RMW is small, and greater when it is large, including in secondary eyewalls. The dependence of this distance on may explain, at least partially, why observed RMW are seldom less than 20 km, why storms with relatively peaked radial profiles of wind speed can intensify more rapidly, and why some secondary eyewalls initially contract rapidly with little intensification, then contract more slowly while intensifying.
The Hydrologic Effects of Synchronous El Niño–Southern Oscillation and Subtropical Indian Ocean Dipole Events over Southern Africa
Authors: Hoell Andrew , Gaughan Andrea E. , Shukla Shraddhanand , Magadzire Tamuka 
Published: July 2017

Abstract
Southern Africa precipitation during December–March (DJFM), the height of the rainy season, is closely related with two modes of climate variability, El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the subtropical Indian Ocean dipole (SIOD). Recent research has found that the combined effects of ENSO and SIOD phasing are linked with changes to the regional southern Africa atmospheric circulation beyond the individual effects of either ENSO or SIOD alone. Here, the authors extend the recent research and examine the southern Africa land surface hydrology associated with the synchronous effects of ENSO and SIOD events using a macroscale hydrologic model, with particular emphasis on the evolution of the hydrologic conditions over three critical Transfrontier Conservation Areas: the Kavango–Zambezi Conservation Area, the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park, and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. A better understanding of the climatic effects of ENSO and SIOD phase combinations is important for regional-scale transboundary conservation planning, especially for southern Africa, where both humans and wildlife are dependent on the timing and amount of precipitation. Opposing ENSO and SIOD phase combinations (e.g., El Niño and a negative SIOD or La Niña and a positive SIOD) result in strong southern Africa climate impacts during DJFM. The strong instantaneous regional precipitation and near-surface air temperature anomalies during opposing ENSO and SIOD phase combinations lead to significant soil moisture and evapotranspiration anomalies in the year following the ENSO event. By contrast, when ENSO and SIOD are in the same phase (e.g., El Niño and a positive SIOD or La Niña and a negative SIOD), the southern Africa climate impacts during DJFM are minimal.
Assimilation of Megha-Tropiques SAPHIR Observations in the NOAA Global Model
Authors: Jones Erin E. , Garrett Kevin , Boukabara Sid-Ahmed 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Global Data Assimilation System/Global Forecast System (GDAS/GFS) was extended to assimilate brightness temperatures from the Sondeur Atmosphérique du Profil d’Humidité Intertropicale par Radiométrie (SAPHIR) passive microwave water vapor sounder on board the Megha-Tropiques satellite. Quality control procedures were developed to assess the SAPHIR data quality for assimilating clear-sky observations over ocean surfaces, and to characterize observation biases and errors. A 6-week impact experiment was performed using the GDAS/GFS data assimilation system. The addition of SAPHIR observations on top of the current global observing system improved analysis and forecast humidity root-mean-square error (RMSE) results at the upper levels of the troposphere by about 6%, mostly at 100 hPa, when verified against European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) analysis, though some degradation to the forecast humidity was seen at 150–200 hPa. The forecast impacts were predominant at earlier lead times between 24 and 96 h. Verification using global radiosonde observations also showed a reduction of the humidity RMSE from 4% to 6% between 500 hPa and the surface when assimilating SAPHIR, while temperature and wind speed RMSEs were reduced by up to 9% and 7% near the tropical tropopause, respectively. Other conventional forecast skill parameters including the 500-hPa geopotential height anomaly correlation showed neutral impact when assimilating SAPHIR.
Blocking with Rotatable Designs
Authors: Khuri A. I. 
Published: July 2017

The article considers the effect of blocking on the rotatability property of a response surface design. It is shown that unless the blocks are chosen in a particular manner, a rotatable design may become nonrotatable under blocking. If, however, the rotatable design also blocks orthogonally, then rotatability is preserved. More general conditions for maintaining rotatability with blocking are given. We call such a property block rotatabtlity, AMS Subject Classification: Primary 62Kl0; Secondary 62JOS.