bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microbiological hazards at several stages of production and distribution of cooked sausages
Authors: SERGELIDIS (Δ. ΣΕΡΓΚΕΛΙΔΗΣ) D. , ABRAHIM (Α. AMIN) A. , SARIMVEI (Α. ΣΑΡΗΜΒΕΗ) A. , GENIGEORGIS (Κ. ΓΕΝΗΠΩΡΓΗΣ) C. 
Published: February 2018

Fifty one (51) samples of several types of cooked sausage paste, prepared by two meat factories in N. Greece were examined. TPC of these samples ranged between 5,3-6,3 Log10CFU/g. Coliforms were regularly present reaching populations of 93->2.400 MPN/g and lactic acid bacteria ranged between 5-6,3 Log10CFU/g. L. monocytogenes was detected in 56 and 38,4% of the samples collected in each factory. E. coli was detected in 20 and 16,6%, and Salmonella spp in 12 and 16,6% respectively. Neither pathogens nor coliforms were detected in 51 samples of cooked sausages originated from the same pastes examined before. No recovery of any injured cells of the pathogenic bacteria and coliforms was observed after their storage at 4°C for 20 days. TPC of the cooked sausage samples, after thermal treatment, ranged between 3-4,7 Log10CFU/g and consisted mainly of lactic acid bacteria (range <2-4,5 Log10CFU/g) and sporeformers (range 3-4,5 Log10CFU/g). After 20 days storage at 4°C the TPC and lactid acid bacteria counts of the cooked sausages, increased by <1 Log. We also examined 16 surface and center samples of cooked sausages and meat products without casings, consisting of big meat pieces (bacon, smoked ham,etc). Surface TPC ranged between 5-5,3 Log10CFU/g and from the center of the meats they ranged between 2-3,5 Log1 0CFU/g. Coliforms, E. coli, L. monocytogenes and Salmonella spp were not detected. Lactic acid bacteria were the main flora. Furthermore we examined surface samples of cooked meat products, without casings, during several stages following thermal treatment and up to storage for 24 h at 4° C, without any protective package. TPC immediately after thermal treatment were <2 Log^CFU/g, after cooling with water increased they increased at 3 Log10CFU/g and remained the same during the following 24 h storage at 4°C. Coliforms were detected in the stored products. Their populations exceeded 2.400 MPN/g on the surface of the samples after storage for a few days at 4°C. It is assumed that the flora on the surface of these products originated from the environment and the cooling water. Finally we examined 69 samples from surfaces of the slicing and packaging equipment of cooked meat products in 3 meat factories and 28 samples from 12 super markets. L. monocytogenes was detected in 6 and 14,2% of the samples that originated from the slicing blades in the factories and super markets respectively. The results of this study underline the importance of GMP for the prevention of contamination of cooked sausages with pathogens and the control of the growth of the spoilage bacteria population which minimize the self life of these products. This is especially true after thermal treatment during peeling and slicing.
Comparative pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of two tylosin formulations in chickens after oral administration
Authors: ABU-BASHA EHAB A , AL-SHUNNAQ AHMAD F. , GEHRING RONETTE 
Published: February 2018

The pharmacokinetics and oral bioavailability of two tylosin formulations was carried out in broiler chickens according to a single dose, randomized, parallel design. The two formulations of tylosin (Tylosina® and Tylan®) were given orally at a dose level of 25 mg/kg b.w. after an overnight fasting (n=15 chicken/group). To calculate tylosin bioavailability, fifteen more chickens was assigned as group 3 and was given a single intravenous dose of tylosin (25 mg/kg b.w.). Serial blood samples were collected at different time points up to 24 hour post-drug administration. A high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was used for the determination of tylosin concentrations in chicken plasma. The pharmacokinetics analysis of the data was performed using non-compartmental analysis based on statistical moment theory with the help of commercially available software (WinNonlin®, Pharsight Corporation, Cary, NC, USA). There were no significant differences in the Cmax (3.05±0.63, 2.63±0.74 μg/ml), tmax (2.36±0.42, 2.30±0.38 h), t1/2β (1.99±0.38, 2.67±0.60 h), AUC0-12h (6.11±0.97, 5.37±1.16 μg.h/ml), AUC0-∞ (6.38±0.94, 5.57±1.15 μg.h/ml), MRT (3.53±0.24, 3.67±0.32 h), ClB/F (90.59±13.81, 169.38±54.44 ml/min/kg) and Vdz/F (16.85±4.74, 43.96±18.24 l/kg) between Tylosina® and Tylan®, respectively. The calculated oral bioavailability (F) for Tylosina® and Tylan® were 40.56 and 35.41%, respectively. Moreover, the relative bioavailability of Tylosina® was 113.9% when compared to Tylan®. In conclusion, Tylosina® is comparable to Tylan® and both formulations can be used for treatment of susceptible microorganisms in veterinary medicine practice at a dose level of 25 mg/kg b.w.
Εvaluation of an environmental enrichment device used for laboratory rabbits
Authors: KOSTOMITSOPOULOS (Ν. ΚΩΣΤΟΜΗΤΣΟΠΟΥΛΟΣ) N. , SERAFETINIDOU (Μ. ΣΕΡΑΦΕΤΙΝΙΔΟΥ) M. , KATSAROU (Α. ΚΑΤΣΑΡΟΥ) A. , VOYAZAKI (Χ. ΒΟΓΙΑΤΖΑΚΗ) C. , DONTAS (Ι. ΔΟΝΤΑ) I. 
Published: February 2018

Improving the housing conditions of individually caged laboratory rabbits using environmental enrichment devices is a source of concern in the scientific community and is encouraged in the guidelines of the local and international laboratory animal associations and national regulations. In this report, we inform on the results of an investigation whose aim was to evaluate the use of a commercially available shelter as an enrichment device for six individually caged rabbits (mean body weight 2.5 Kg) during their resting period. After an acclimatization period of five days in an animal room, a commercially available enrichment device, the Rabbit Hut (BioServ, New Jersey, USA), was introduced into every cage. After a 3-day familiarization period, the interactions of the rabbits with the device were video recorded for 12 hours during the light phase (06:00 – 18:00) on five consecutive days. Each rabbit’s interaction with the device was monitored and analyzed from the video recordings. We found that the rabbits used the enrichment device in different ways, which included passing through the device, staying under the device, gnawing the device, pulling and dragging the device using their teeth, and playing with the device. We also found that the rabbits mainly interacted with the device during the first two hours (06:00 – 08:00) and last four hours (14:00 – 18:00) of each 12-hour observation period of the 5-day investigation. Although the Rabbit Hut is marketed as an environmental enrichment item that could be used as a shelter for individually caged laboratory rabbits, our analysis of the interactions of individually caged laboratory rabbits with the device has generated new questions about the usefulness of the device and its benefit for the rabbits. However, further investigation is needed to clarify whether some of the expressed interactions indicate curiosity, interest or frustration with the item.
Blockchain protocols in clinical trials: Transparency and traceability of consent
Authors: Benchoufi Mehdi , Porcher Raphael , Ravaud Philippe 
Published: February 2018

Clinical trial consent for protocols and their revisions should be transparent for patients and traceable for stakeholders. Our goal is to implement a process allowing for collection of patients’ informed consent, which is bound to protocol revisions, storing and tracking the consent in a secure, unfalsifiable and publicly verifiable way, and enabling the sharing of this information in real time. For that, we build a consent workflow using a trending technology called Blockchain. This is a distributed technology that brings a built-in layer of transparency and traceability. From a more general and prospective point of view, we believe Blockchain technology brings a paradigmatical shift to the entire clinical research field. We designed a Proof-of-Concept protocol consisting of time-stamping each step of the patient’s consent collection using Blockchain, thus archiving and historicising the consent through cryptographic validation in a securely unfalsifiable and transparent way. For each protocol revision, consent was sought again. We obtained a single document, in an open format, that accounted for the whole consent collection process: a time-stamped consent status regarding each version of the protocol. This document cannot be corrupted and can be checked on any dedicated public website. It should be considered a robust proof of data. However, in a live clinical trial, the authentication system should be strengthened to remove the need for third parties, here trial stakeholders, and give participative control to the peer users. In the future, the complex data flow of a clinical trial could be tracked by using Blockchain, which core functionality, named Smart Contract, could help prevent clinical trial events not occurring in the correct chronological order, for example including patients before they consented or analysing case report form data before freezing the database. Globally, Blockchain could help with reliability, security, transparency and could be a consistent step toward reproducibility.
Alternative splice variants of rhomboid proteins: In silico analysis of database entries for select model organisms and validation of functional potential
Authors: Powles Joshua , Ko Kenton 
Published: February 2018

Background: Rhomboid serine proteases are present in many species with sequenced genomes, and are often encoded in each species by more than one predicted gene. Based on protein sequence comparisons, rhomboids can be differentiated into groups - secretases, presenilin-like associated rhomboid-like (PARL) proteases, iRhoms, and “inactive” rhomboid proteins. Although these rhomboid groups are distinct, the different types can operate simultaneously. Studies in Arabidopsis showed that the number of rhomboid proteins working simultaneously can be further diversified by alternative splicing. This phenomenon was confirmed for the Arabidopsis plastid rhomboid proteins At1g25290 and At1g74130. Although alternative splicing was determined to be a significant mechanism for diversifying these two Arabidopsis plastid rhomboids, there has yet to be an assessment as to whether this mechanism extends to other rhomboids and to other species. Methods: We thus conducted a multi-year analysis of databases to determine if the alternative splicing mechanism observed for the two Arabidopsis plastid rhomboids was utilized in other species to expand the repertoire of rhomboid proteins. To help verify the in silico findings, select splice variants from different groups were tested for activity using transgenic- and additive-based assays. These assays aimed to uncover evidence that the selected splice variants display capacities to influence processes like antimicrobial sensitivity. Results: The multi-year in silico assessment for six model experimental species (human, mouse, Arabidopsis, Drosophila, nematode, and yeast) revealed robust usage of alternative splicing to diversify rhomboid protein structure across the various motifs or regions, especially in human, mouse and Arabidopsis. Subsequent validation studies uncover evidence that the splice variants selected for testing displayed functionality in the different activity assays. Conclusions: The combined results support the hypothesis that alternative splicing is likely used to diversify and expand rhomboid protein functionality, and this potentially occurred across the various motifs or regions of the protein.
Alexiteric activity of Costus pulverulentus C. Presl., Desmodium adscendens (Sw.) DC., Begonia glabra Aubl. and Equisetum bogotense on the poison of Bothrops asper (equis)
Authors: Tapia Wilson , Garzón Katy , Granda Nelly , Mátyás Bence 
Published: February 2018

Background: According to the Ecuadorian ancestral knowledge, antivenom treatment can be carried out using medicinal plants; there are in vitro studies in which alexiteric activity has been proven in many plant species through the assay of reduction of indirect hemolytic activity in blood agar plate-phosphatidylcholine. The cases of snake bites "equis" on the Ecuadorian coast represent the largest number of reported ophidian accidents, which usually occur in remote areas of health centers or hospitals, making patient care not timely. The species Costus pulverulentus C. Presl, Desmodium adscendens (Sw.) DC., Begonia glabra Aubl., and Equisetum bogotense are considered plants with antivenom potential (alexiteric) and have been used by various Ecuadorian ethnicities. Methods: In the present investigation, the indirect anti-hemolytic activity in vitro of dry extracts of these four-plant species was evaluated, as an indicator of alexiteric activity, on three "pools" of Bothrops asper (equis) snake venom provided by the Vivarium of Quito (Quito, Ecuador). Results: Alcoholic extracts of the four-species showed neutralizing activity of the venom, with some differences according to the treatment and origin (composition) of the venom. The aqueous extract of B. glabra presented antihemolytic activity, unlike the other species. Conclusions: We conclude that the alcoholic extracts of the four-species presented activity with some differences according to treatment and origin (composition) of the poison, and the aqueous extract of B. glabra presented anti-hemolytic activity unlike the other species whose activity was null.
Classification of processes involved in sharing individual participant data from clinical trials
Authors: Ohmann Christian , Canham Steve , Banzi Rita , Kuchinke Wolfgang , Battaglia Serena 
Published: February 2018

Background: In recent years, a cultural change in the handling of data from research has resulted in the strong promotion of a culture of openness and increased sharing of data. In the area of clinical trials, sharing of individual participant data involves a complex set of processes and the interaction of many actors and actions. Individual services/tools to support data sharing are available, but what is missing is a detailed, structured and comprehensive list of processes/subprocesses involved and tools/services needed. Methods: Principles and recommendations from a published data sharing consensus document are analysed in detail by a small expert group. Processes/subprocesses involved in data sharing are identified and linked to actors and possible services/tools. Definitions are adapted from the business process model and notation (BPMN) and applied in the analysis. Results: A detailed and comprehensive list of individual processes/subprocesses involved in data sharing, structured according to 9 main processes, is provided. Possible tools/services to support these processes/subprocesses are identified and grouped according to major type of support. Conclusions: The list of individual processes/subprocesses and tools/services identified is a first step towards development of a generic framework or architecture for sharing of data from clinical trials. Such a framework is strongly needed to give an overview of how various actors, research processes and services could form an interoperable system for data sharing.
Hubris and Sciences
Authors: Diamandis Eleftherios P. , Bouras Nick 
Published: February 2018

There has been an increasing awareness of the importance of leadership and decision making, including scientists and academics, over recent times. By whom and how decisions are made can have serious implications across all levels of society. Several people have been successful in their life and have been inflicted by excessive pride and self-confidence. There are times when the manifestations of such behaviours demonstrate noticeable signs of narcissism and on extreme cases, hubris. Hubris is an old concept originated from the Greek mythology. The risk of hubris affects politicians, leaders in business, scientists, academia, the military, entertainers, athletes and doctors (among many others). Power, especially absolute and unchecked power, is intoxicating and is manifested behaviourally in a variety of ways, ranging from amplified cognitive functions to lack of inhibition, poor judgment, extreme narcissism, deviant behaviour, and even cruelty. Hubristic behaviour of overconfidence, extreme pride together with an unwillingness to disregard advice makes powerful people in leadership positions to over-reach themselves with negative consequences for themselves and others. As the dangerous consequences of hubristic behaviours become more apparent and well described it is imperative that individuals, organisations and governments act to prevent such phenomena. Responsible leaders, including acclaimed scientists should exercise greater humility to the complexity and inherent uncertainty of their activities and strive to seek out and challenge hubristic behaviours.
An interobserver reliability comparison between the Orthopaedic Trauma Association's open fracture classification and the Gustilo and Anderson classification
Authors: Ghoshal A. , Enninghorst N. , Sisak K. , Balogh Z. J. 
Published: February 2018

Aims To evaluate interobserver reliability of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association’s open fracture classification system (OTA-OFC). Patients and Methods Patients of any age with a first presentation of an open long bone fracture were included. Standard radiographs, wound photographs, and a short clinical description were given to eight orthopaedic surgeons, who independently evaluated the injury using both the Gustilo and Anderson (GA) and OTA-OFC classifications. The responses were compared for variability using Cohen’s kappa. Results The overall interobserver agreement was ĸ = 0.44 for the GA classification and ĸ = 0.49 for OTA-OFC, which reflects moderate agreement (0.41 to 0.60) for both classifications. The agreement in the five categories of OTA-OFC was: for skin, ĸ = 0.55 (moderate); for muscle, ĸ = 0.44 (moderate); for arterial injury, ĸ = 0.74 (substantial); for contamination, ĸ = 0.35 (fair); and for bone loss, ĸ = 0.41 (moderate). Conclusion Although the OTA-OFC, with similar interobserver agreement to GA, offers a more detailed description of open fractures, further development may be needed to make it a reliable and robust tool. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:242–6.
Does a less intensive surveillance protocol affect the survival of patients after treatment of a sarcoma of the limb?
Authors: Puri A. , Ranganathan P. , Gulia A. , Crasto S. , Hawaldar R. , Badwe R. A. 
Published: February 2018

Aims A single-centre prospective randomized trial was conducted to investigate whether a less intensive follow-up protocol would not be inferior to a conventional follow-up protocol, in terms of overall survival, in patients who have undergone surgery for sarcoma of the limb. Initial short-term results were published in 2014. Patients and Methods The primary objective was to show non-inferiority of a chest radiograph (CXR) group compared with a CT scan group, and of a less frequent (six-monthly) group than a more frequent (three-monthly) group, in two-by-two comparison. The primary outcome was overall survival and the secondary outcome was a recurrence-free survival. Five-year survival was compared between the CXR and CT scan groups and between the three-monthly and six-monthly groups. Of 500 patients who were enrolled, 476 were available for follow-up. Survival analyses were performed on a per-protocol basis (n = 412). Results The updated results recorded 12 (2.4%) local recurrences, 182 (36.8%) metastases, and 56 (11.3%) combined (local + metastases) recurrence at a median follow-up of 81 months (60 to 118). Of 68 local recurrences, 60 (88%) were identified by the patients themselves. The six-monthly regime (overall survival (OS) 54%, recurrence-free survival (RFS) 46%) did not lead to a worse survival and was not inferior to the three-monthly regime (OS 55%, RFS 47%) in terms of detecting recurrence. Although CT scans (OS 53%, RFS 54%) detected pulmonary metastasis earlier, it did not lead to a better survival compared with CXR (OS 56%, RFS 59%). Conclusion The overall survival of patients who are treated for a sarcoma of the limb is not inferior to those followed up with a less intensive regimen than a more intensive protocol, in terms of frequency of visits and mode of imaging. CXR at six-monthly intervals and patient education about examination of the site of the surgery will detect most recurrences without deleterious effects on the eventual outcome. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:262–8.
The infraclavicular approach for Paget–Schroetter syndrome
Authors: Samoila G , Twine CP , Williams IM 
Published: February 2018

Introduction Paget–Schroetter syndrome is a rare effort thrombosis of the axillary-subclavian vein, mainly occurring in young male patients. Current management involves immediate catheter directed thrombolysis, followed by surgical decompression of the subclavian vein. This has been invariably performed using a transaxillary or supraclavicular approach. However, the subclavian vein crosses the first rib anteriorly just behind the manubrium and can also be accessed via an infraclavicular incision. Methods MEDLINE® and Embase™ were searched for all studies on outcomes in patients undergoing infraclavicular first rib resection for treatment of Paget–Schroetter syndrome. Measured outcomes included freedom from reintervention, secondary patency and symptom resolution. Studies on neurogenic, arterial and iatrogenic venous thoracic outlet syndrome were not included. Findings Six studies (involving 268 patients) were eligible. The overall secondary venous patency rate was 98.5%. There was freedom from reintervention in 89.9% of cases and among those patients with reocclusion, 84.0% had chronic thrombosis (symptom duration >14 days), with 76.2% having a venous segment stenosis of >2cm. Only 3 of the 27 patients remained occluded despite reintervention. The infraclavicular approach provides excellent exposure to the subclavian vein and allows reconstruction when required. Moreover, this approach enables complete resection of the extrinsic compression that precipitated the initial thrombotic event, with excellent long-term patency rates. In conclusion, the infraclavicular route may have significant advantages compared with the transaxillary or supraclavicular approaches for successful and durable treatment of Paget–Schroetter syndrome.