bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Natural (Non‐)Informative Priors for Skew‐symmetric Distributions
Authors: Dette Holger , Ley Christophe , Rubio Francisco 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIn this paper, we present an innovative method for constructing proper priors for the skewness (shape) parameter in the skew‐symmetric family of distributions. The proposed method is based on assigning a prior distribution on the perturbation effect of the shape parameter, which is quantified in terms of the total variation distance. We discuss strategies to translate prior beliefs about the asymmetry of the data into an informative prior distribution of this class. We show via a Monte Carlo simulation study that our non‐informative priors induce posterior distributions with good frequentist properties, similar to those of the Jeffreys prior. Our informative priors yield better results than their competitors from the literature. We also propose a scale‐invariant and location‐invariant prior structure for models with unknown location and scale parameters and provide sufficient conditions for the propriety of the corresponding posterior distribution. Illustrative examples are presented using simulated and real data.
Out of the shadows: Shedding light on intimate partner homicide amongLatinawomen
Authors: Harper Shannon B. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIntimate partner homicide (IPH) victimization is typically associated with prior domestic violence. Latina women are disproportionately vulnerable to domestic violence and intimate partner femicide. Latino cultural values related to devotion to family and gender role conformance may shape Latinas' experiences of domestic violence and IPH. Display/endorsement of these values, as well as intersections of race/ethnicity, class, gender, and immigration status may exacerbate Latinas' IPH risk. A small and outdated body of IPH literature exists that examines IPH among Latinas but, fails to bridge the gap between factors influencing Latinas' experiences of domestic violence (e.g., cultural values, intersectionality, and immigration status) and IPH. This paper reviews literature that examines IPH among Latinas and provides suggestions for future research, including utilization of an intersectional approach to studying IPH among this understudied ethnic group.
Role of pelvic ultrasound simulation
Authors: Arya Sushila , Mulla Zuber D , Kupesic Plavsic Sanja 
Published: October 2017

SummaryBackgroundPelvic ultrasound is a critical diagnostic imaging tool in obstetrics and gynaecology. Training opportunities in transvaginal ultrasound have not kept pace with the demand among learners because of the increased complexity of modern ultrasound technology and duty‐hour restrictions. Ultrasound simulation training has the potential to overcome this gap.Training opportunities in transvaginal ultrasound have not kept pace with the demandObjectiveOur study aimed to determine the usefulness, applicability and attitudes toward pelvic ultrasound simulation training among residents, sonographers and practising doctors.MethodsPelvic ultrasound simulation activity using high‐fidelity virtual reality ultrasound simulators lasted 4 hours and consisted of three modules: abnormal uterine bleeding, adnexal masses and bleeding in pregnancy. All learners completed a pre‐ and post‐encounter quiz, and an anonymous post‐simulation survey on the relevance of ultrasound simulation to clinical learning, and its usefulness to improve scanning performance and interpretation skills.ResultsThirty‐one participants attended the workshop, and 28 (90.3%) of them responded to the survey. Five respondents agreed and 23 strongly agreed that pelvic ultrasound simulation applies to their clinical ultrasound practice, and seven of them agreed and 21 strongly agreed that their performance of ultrasound and interpretation skills will be improved following their simulation training. The average post‐activity knowledge score for all three topics significantly increased (paired Student's t‐test, p < 0.0001).ConclusionsAll 28 respondents believe that ultrasound simulation is a useful complement to learning with real patients, with the potential to improve their pelvic ultrasound performance, interpretation skills and clinical reasoning.
Negative hepatic computed tomographic attenuation pattern in a dog with vacuolar hepatopathy and hepatic fat accumulation secondary to cushing's syndrome
Authors: Carloni Andrea , Paninarova Michaela , Cavina Damiano , Romanucci Mariarita , Salda Leonardo Della , Teodori Simone , Vignoli Massimo 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThis report describes an unusual computed tomographic (CT) hepatic pattern, characterized by negative attenuation values (from –19.59 to –28.85 Hounsfield Units, HU) in a canine patient with severe Cushing's syndrome. Attenuation values of the splenic parenchyma (63.26 HU) and abdominal fat (–118.34 HU) were within normal limits. The negative hepatic attenuation values allowed a CT diagnosis of severe hepatic fatty infiltration that was subsequently confirmed by tissue‐core biopsy and histopathological examination.
Reducing Readmissions: Nurse‐Driven Interventions in the Transition of Care From the Hospital
Authors: Dizon Mae L. , Reinking Cheryl 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACTBackgroundTransitions of care (TOC) from hospitals is a continuing focus for quality improvement to reduce readmissions. Sufficient resources to offer interventions remain an issue for hospitals, leading to efforts to target high‐risk patients and identify effective interventions.ObjectivesDescribe and measure effects, hospital‐wide and among high‐risk patients, of a multifaceted TOC program on 30‐day readmissions in a 441‐bed acute care community hospital.MethodsPre‐post TOC intervention examining 30‐day readmission rates during planning, implementation, and intervention years compared to baseline. Patient characteristics and services received by patients targeted for TOC individualized interventions during hospitalization and after discharge were retrieved from medical records and compared over 4 years during which the intervention was planned and implemented.ResultsSummary hospital‐wide readmission rates reduced from 11.8% during planning (2011), 12.0% during implementation (2012), to 11.4% during intervention (2013) compared to 13.7% at prestudy baseline (2010; p < .001). TOC program patients were mostly identified by clinician referral (66.7%) rather than computer‐generated risk at admission (32.3%), and nearly one‐third (30.6%) were readmitted within 30 days of release.Linking Evidence to ActionReductions in readmissions were achieved using a multifaceted approach with efforts at admission, predischarge, and postdischarge in a community hospital. Having clinical staff involved in TOC program is important in both patient identification and interventions to reduce readmissions.
Evaluation of Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Model-Based Optimized Combination Regimens against Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a Murine Thigh Infection Model by Using Humanized Dosing Schemes
Authors: Yadav Rajbharan , Bulitta Jürgen B. , Wang Jiping , Nation Roger L. , Landersdorfer Cornelia B. 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACT

We previously optimized imipenem and tobramycin combination regimens against a double-resistant clinical
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
isolate by using
in vitro
infection models, mechanism-based pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling (MBM), and Monte Carlo simulations. The current study aimed to evaluate these regimens in a neutropenic murine thigh infection model and to characterize the time course of bacterial killing and regrowth via MBM. We studied monotherapies and combinations of imipenem with tobramycin
in vivo
against the double-resistant clinical
P. aeruginosa
isolate by using humanized dosing schemes. Viable count profiles of total and resistant populations were quantified over 24 h. Tobramycin monotherapy (7 mg/kg every 24 h [q24h] as a 0.5-h infusion) was ineffective. Imipenem monotherapies (continuous infusion of 4 or 5 g/day with a 1-g loading dose) yielded 2.47 or 2.57 log
10
CFU/thigh killing at 6 h. At 24 h, imipenem at 4 g/day led to regrowth up to the initial inoculum (4.79 ± 0.26 log
10
CFU/thigh), whereas imipenem at 5 g/day displayed 1.75 log
10
killing versus the initial inoculum. The combinations (i.e., imipenem at 4 or 5 g/day plus tobramycin) provided a clear benefit, with bacterial killing of ≥2.51 or ≥1.50 log
10
CFU/thigh compared to the respective most active monotherapy at 24 h. No colonies were detected on 3×MIC agar plates for combinations, whereas increased resistance (at 3×MIC) emerged for monotherapies (except imipenem at 5 g/day). MBM suggested that tobramycin considerably enhanced the imipenem target site concentration up to 2.6-fold. The combination regimens, rationally optimized via a translational modeling approach, demonstrated substantially enhanced bacterial killing and suppression of regrowth
in vivo
against a double-resistant isolate and are therefore promising for future clinical evaluation.
Antibiotics Promote Escherichia coli-Pseudomonas aeruginosa Conjugation through Inhibiting Quorum Sensing
Authors: Lu Yang , Zeng Jianming , Wang Linjing , Lan Kai , E Shunmei , Wang Lina , Xiao Qian , Luo Qiang , Huang Xianzhang , Huang Bin , Chen Cha 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACT

The effect of antibiotics on horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is controversial, and the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. Here, using
Escherichia coli
SM10λπ as the donor strain, which carries a chromosomally integrated RP4 plasmid, we investigated the effect of antibiotics on conjugational transfer of a mobilizable gentamicin (Gm) resistance plasmid. The results showed that an exposure to gentamicin that restricted the survival of recipient cells significantly enhanced SM10λπ-
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
PAO1 conjugation, which was attenuated by a deficiency of
lasI-rhlI
, genes associated with the generation of the quorum sensing signals
N
-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) in PAO1, or the deletion of the AHL receptor SdiA in SM10λπ. Subsequent mechanistic investigations revealed that a treatment with Gm repressed the mRNA expression of
lasI
and
rhlI
in PAO1 and upregulated
traI
expression in SM10λπ. Moreover, PAO1 treated with other quorum sensing (QS)-inhibiting antibiotics such as azithromycin or chloramphenicol also showed a conjugation-promoting ability. On the other hand, when using non-AHL-producing
E. coli
strain EC600 as the recipient cells, the promoting effect of Gm on conjugation could not be observed. These data suggest that AHL-SdiA contributes to the effectiveness of antibiotics on plasmid conjugation. Collectively, our findings highlight the HGT-promoting effect of antibiotics and suggest quorum sensing as a promising target for controlling antibiotic resistance dissemination. These findings have implications for assessing the risks of antibiotic use and developing advisable antibiotic treatment protocols.
Inhibition of Fosfomycin Resistance Protein FosA by Phosphonoformate (Foscarnet) in Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Pathogens
Authors: Ito Ryota , Tomich Adam D. , McElheny Christi L. , Mettus Roberta T. , Sluis-Cremer Nicolas , Doi Yohei 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACT

FosA proteins confer fosfomycin resistance to Gram-negative pathogens via glutathione-mediated modification of the antibiotic. In this study, we assessed whether inhibition of FosA by sodium phosphonoformate (PPF) (foscarnet), a clinically approved antiviral agent, would reverse fosfomycin resistance in representative Gram-negative pathogens. The inhibitory activity of PPF against purified recombinant FosA from
Escherichia coli
(FosA3),
Klebsiella pneumoniae
(FosA
KP
),
Enterobacter cloacae
(FosA
EC
), and
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
(FosA
PA
) was determined by steady-state kinetic measurements. The antibacterial activity of PPF against FosA in clinical strains of these species was evaluated by susceptibility testing and time-kill assays. PPF increased the Michaelis constant (

K
m

) for fosfomycin in a dose-dependent manner, without affecting the maximum rate (
V
max
) of the reaction, for all four FosA enzymes tested, indicating a competitive mechanism of inhibition. Inhibitory constant (

K
i

) values were 22.6, 35.8, 24.4, and 56.3 μM for FosA
KP
, FosA
EC
, FosA
PA
, and FosA3, respectively. Addition of clinically achievable concentrations of PPF (∼667 μM) reduced the fosfomycin MICs by ≥4-fold among 52% of the
K. pneumoniae
,
E. cloacae
, and
P. aeruginosa
clinical strains tested and led to a bacteriostatic or bactericidal effect in time-kill assays among representative strains. PPF inhibits FosA activity across Gram-negative species and can potentiate fosfomycin activity against the majority of strains with chromosomally encoded
fosA
. These data suggest that PPF may be repurposed as an adjuvant for fosfomycin to treat infections caused by some FosA-producing, multidrug-resistant, Gram-negative pathogens.
Whole-Transcriptome and -Genome Analysis of Extensively Drug-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Clinical Isolates Identifies Downregulation of
ethA
as a Mechanism of Ethionamide Resistance
Authors: de Welzen Lynne , Eldholm Vegard , Maharaj Kashmeel , Manson Abigail L. , Earl Ashlee M. , Pym Alexander S. 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACT

Genetics-based drug susceptibility testing has improved the diagnosis of drug-resistant tuberculosis but is limited by our lack of knowledge of all resistance mechanisms. Next-generation sequencing has assisted in identifying the principal genetic mechanisms of resistance for many drugs, but a significant proportion of phenotypic drug resistance is unexplained genetically. Few studies have formally compared the transcriptomes of susceptible and resistant
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
strains. We carried out comparative whole-genome transcriptomics of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) clinical isolates using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to find novel transcription-mediated mechanisms of resistance. We identified a promoter mutation (t to c) at position −11 (t−11c) relative to the start codon of
ethA
that reduces the expression of a monooxygenase (EthA) that activates ethionamide. (In this article, nucleotide changes are lowercase and amino acid substitutions are uppercase.) Using a flow cytometry-based reporter assay, we show that the reduced transcription of
ethA
is not due to transcriptional repression by
ethR
. Clinical strains harboring this mutation were resistant to ethionamide. Other
ethA
promoter mutations were identified in a global genomic survey of resistant
M. tuberculosis
strains. These results demonstrate a new mechanism of ethionamide resistance that can cause high-level resistance when it is combined with other ethionamide resistance-conferring mutations. Our study revealed many other genes which were highly up- or downregulated in XDR strains, including a toxin-antitoxin module (
mazF5 mazE5
) and tRNAs (
leuX
and
thrU
). This suggests that global transcriptional modifications could contribute to resistance or the maintenance of bacterial fitness have also occurred in XDR strains.
Molecular Characterization of Carbapenemase-Producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa of Czech Origin and Evidence for Clonal Spread of Extensively Resistant Sequence Type 357 Expressing IMP-7 Metallo-β-Lactamase
Authors: Papagiannitsis Costas C. , Medvecky Matej , Chudejova Katerina , Skalova Anna , Rotova Veronika , Spanelova Petra , Jakubu Vladislav , Zemlickova Helena , Hrabak Jaroslav 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to perform molecular surveillance for assessing the spread of carbapenemase-producing
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
in Czech hospitals. One hundred thirty-six carbapenemase-producing isolates were recovered from 22 hospitals located throughout the country. Sequence type 357 (ST357) dominated (
n
= 120) among carbapenemase producers. One hundred seventeen isolates produced IMP-type (IMP-7 [
n
= 116] and IMP-1 [
n
= 1]) metallo-β-lactamases (MβLs), 15 produced the VIM-2 MβL, and the remaining isolates expressed the GES-5 enzyme. The
bla
IMP
-like genes were located in three main integron types, with In-p110-like being the most prevalent (
n
= 115). The two other IMP-encoding integrons (In1392 and In1393) have not been described previously.
bla
VIM-2
-carrying integrons included In59-like, In56, and a novel element (In1391).
bla
GES-5
was carried by In717. Sequencing data showed that In-p110-like was associated with a Tn
4380
-like transposon inserted in genomic island LESGI-3 in the
P. aeruginosa
chromosome. The other integrons were also integrated into the
P. aeruginosa
chromosome. These findings indicated the clonal spread of ST357
P. aeruginosa
, carrying the IMP-7-encoding integron In-p110, in Czech hospitals. Additionally, the sporadic emergence of
P. aeruginosa
producing different carbapenemase types, associated with divergent or novel integrons, punctuated the ongoing evolution of these bacteria.
Repeatability of vessel density measurements of optical coherence tomography angiography in normal and glaucoma eyes
Authors: Venugopal Jayasree P , Rao Harsha L , Weinreb Robert N , Pradhan Zia S , Dasari Srilakshmi , Riyazuddin Mohammed , Puttiah Narenda K , Rao Dhanraj A S , Devi Sathi , Mansouri Kaweh , Webers Carroll AB 
Published: October 2017

AimsTo compare the intrasession repeatability of peripapillary and macular vessel density measurements of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in normal and glaucoma eyes, and to evaluate the effect of signal strength of OCTA scans on the repeatability.MethodsIn a cross-sectional study, three optic nerve head scans each of 65 eyes (30 normal, 35 glaucoma eyes) and three macular scans each of 69 eyes (35 normal, 34 glaucoma eyes) acquired in the same session with OCTA were analysed. Repeatability was assessed using within-subject coefficient of repeatability (CRw) and variation (CVw). Effect of signal strength index (SSI) on repeatability was evaluated with repeated-measures mixed-effects models.ResultsCRw (%) and CVw (%) of peripapillary measurements in normal eyes ranged between 3.3 and 7.0, and 2.5 and 4.4 respectively, and that in glaucoma eyes between 3.5 and 7.1, and 2.6 and 6.6. For the macular, these measurements ranged between 4.1 and 6.0, and 3.3 and 4.7 in normal eyes and 4.3 and 6.9, and 3.7 and 5.6 in glaucoma eyes. Repeatability estimates of most measurements were similar in normal and glaucoma eyes. Vessel densities of both peripapillary and macular regions significantly increased with increase in SSI of repeat scans (coefficients ranging from 0.15 to 0.38, p<0.01 for all associations).ConclusionsRepeatability estimates of OCTA measured peripapillary and macular vessel densities were similar in normal eyes and eyes with glaucoma. SSI values of the scans had a significant effect on the repeatability of OCTA with the vessel density values increasing in scans with higher SSI values.
Change in physical activity from adolescence to early adulthood: a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal cohort studies
Authors: Corder Kirsten , Winpenny Eleanor , Love Rebecca , Brown Helen Elizabeth , White Martin , Sluijs Esther van 
Published: October 2017

ObjectiveTo systematically review and meta-analyse how physical activity (PA) changes from adolescence to early adulthood (13–30 years).Data sourcesSeven electronic databases were searched: Medline, Embase, PsycInfo, SCOPUS, ASSIA, SPORTdiscus and Web of Science.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesEnglish-language, longitudinal studies (from 01/1980 to 01/2017) assessing PA ≥twice, with the mean age of ≥1 measurement in adolescence (13–19 years) and ≥1 in young adulthood (16–30 years) were included. Where possible, data were converted to moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) min/day, and meta-analyses were conducted between weighted mean differences (WMDs) in adolescence and adulthood. Heterogeneity was explored using meta-regression.ResultsOf 67 included studies, 49 were eligible for meta-analysis. PA was lower during adulthood than adolescence WMD (95% CI) −5.2 (−7.3 to –3.1) min/day MVPA over mean (SD) 3.4 (2.6) years; heterogeneity was high (I2>99.0%), and no predictors explained this variation (all p>0.05). When we restricted analysis to studies with data for males (n=29) and females (n=30) separately, there were slightly larger declines in WMD (−6.5 (−10.6 to –2.3) and −5.5 (−8.4 to −2.6) min/day MVPA) (both I2>99.0%). For studies with accelerometer data (n=9), the decline was −7.4 (−11.6 to –3.1) and longer follow-up indicated more of a decline in WMD (95% CI) (−1.9 (−3.6 to –0.2) min/day MVPA), explaining 27.0% of between-study variation. Of 18 studies not eligible for meta-analysis, nine statistically tested change over time: seven showed a decline and two showed no change.ConclusionPA declines modestly between adolescence and young adulthood. More objective longitudinal PA data (eg, accelerometry) over this transition would be valuable, as would investigating how PA change is associated with contemporaneous social transitions to better inform PA promotion interventions.RegistrationPROSPERO ref:CRD42015030114.
An internet-supported school physical activity intervention in low socioeconomic status communities: results from the Activity and Motivation in Physical Education (AMPED) cluster randomised controlled trial
Authors: Lonsdale Chris , Lester Aidan , Owen Katherine B , White Rhiannon L , Peralta Louisa , Kirwan Morwenna , Diallo Thierno M O , Maeder Anthony J , Bennie Andrew , MacMillan Freya , Kolt Gregory S , Ntoumanis Nikos , Gore Jennifer M , Cerin Ester , Cliff Dylan P , Lubans David R 
Published: October 2017

ObjectiveQuality physical education (PE) is the cornerstone of comprehensive school physical activity (PA) promotion programmes. We tested the efficacy of a teacher professional learning intervention, delivered partially via the internet, designed to maximise opportunities for students to be active during PE lessons and enhance adolescents’ motivation towards PE and PA.MethodsA two-arm cluster randomised controlled trial with teachers and Grade 8 students from secondary schools in low socioeconomic areas of Western Sydney, Australia. The Activity and Motivation in Physical Education (AMPED) intervention for secondary school PE teachers included workshops, online learning, implementation tasks and mentoring sessions. The primary outcome was the proportion of PE lesson time that students spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), measured by accelerometers at baseline, postintervention (7–8 months after baseline) and maintenance (14–15 months). Secondary outcomes included observed PE teachers’ behaviour during lessons, students’ leisure-time PA and students’ motivation.ResultsStudents (n=1421) from 14 schools completed baseline assessments and were included in linear mixed model analyses. The intervention had positive effects on students’ MVPA during lessons. At postintervention, the adjusted mean difference in the proportion of lesson time spent in MVPA was 5.58% (p<0.001, approximately 4 min/lesson). During the maintenance phase, this effect was 2.64% (p<0.001, approximately 2 min/lesson). The intervention had positive effects on teachers’ behaviour, but did not impact students’ motivation.ConclusionsAMPED produced modest improvements in MVPA and compares favourably with previous interventions delivered exclusively face-to-face. Online teacher training could help facilitate widespread dissemination of professional learning interventions.Trial registration numberACTRN12614000184673.