bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interleukin-17A-Deficient Mice Are Highly Susceptible to Toxoplasma gondii Infection Due to Excessively Induced T. gondii HSP70 and Interferon Gamma Production
Authors: Moroda Masataka , Takamoto Masaya , Iwakura Yoichiro , Nakayama Jun , Aosai Fumie 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACT

Interleukin17A (IL-17A) is known to be involved in the host defense against pathogens and the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Previously, we showed that excessive amounts of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) play an important role in the pathogenesis of the lethal effects of
Toxoplasma gondii
by inducing anaphylactic responses. In the study described in this report, we examined the effects of IL-17A deficiency on murine host defense against oral
T. gondii
infection. IL-17A-deficient C57BL/6 (B6) mice exhibited higher rates of mortality than wild-type (WT) mice during the acute phase of
T. gondii
infection. CD4
+
T cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes (mLNs) and ileum of
T. gondii
-infected IL-17A-deficient mice produced higher levels of IFN-γ than did those of WT mice. In addition, the level of
T. gondii
HSP70 (
T.g
.HSP70) expression was also significantly increased in the ileum, mLNs, liver, and spleen of infected IL-17A-deficient mice compared with that in WT mice. These elevated levels of expression of
T.g
.HSP70 and IFN-γ in infected IL-17A-deficient mice were presumably linked to the IL-17A defect since they decreased to WT levels after treatment with recombinant IL-17A. Furthermore, IL-17A-deficient mice were highly susceptible to the anaphylactic effect of
T.g
.HSP70, and the survival of IL-17A-deficient mice during the acute phase was improved by treatment with an anti-
T.g
.HSP70 monoclonal antibody. These results suggest that IL-17A plays an important role in host survival against
T. gondii
infection by protecting the host from an anaphylactic reaction via the downregulation of
T.g
.HSP70 and IFN-γ production.
Brainstem encephalitis and acute polyneuropathy associated with hepatitis E infection
Authors: Salim Omar Jabbar , Davidson Amy , Li Kathy , Leach John Paul , Heath Craig 
Published: September 2017

A 59-year-old man presented with feverish illness. His Glasgow Coma Scale was 15, had reduced visual acuity in the left eye with partial left ptosis and mild left hemiparesis with an extensor left plantar. Over 48 hours, he accrued multiple cranial nerves palsies and progressed to a flaccid paralysis necessitating admission to an intensive care unit.Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) study showed 20 lymphocytes and raised protein. Viral and bacterial PCRs were negative. Samples for Lyme, blood-borne viruses, syphilis and autoantibodies were also negative. MRI brain showed T2 abnormalities within the brainstem. Nerve conduction studies revealed an acute motor and sensory axonal neuropathy pattern of Guillian Barre Syndrome (GBS). The patient was treated for both infective and inflammatory causes of brainstem encephalitis and GBS.Retrospective studies confirmed the presence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) RNA in CSF and serum studies showed positive HEV IgG and IgM prior to intravenous infusion. After 3 months of intensive rehabilitation, the patient was discharged home walking with a frame.
Effectiveness of expanding annual mass azithromycin distribution treatment coverage for trachoma in Niger: a cluster randomised trial
Authors: Amza Abdou , Kadri Boubacar , Nassirou Beido , Cotter Sun Y , Stoller Nicole E , West Sheila K , Bailey Robin L , Porco Travis C , Gaynor Bruce D , Keenan Jeremy D , Lietman Thomas M , Oldenburg Catherine E 
Published: September 2017

Background/aimsThe WHO recommends 3–5 years of annual mass azithromycin distribution with at least 80% treatment coverage to districts with active trachoma prevalence over 10% among children. Here, we assess the efficacy of expanding the coverage target to at least 90% for trachoma control in a mesoendemic region of Niger.MethodsTwenty-four communities were randomised to a single day of azithromycin distribution with a coverage target of 80% of the community or up to 4 days of treatment, aiming for greater than 90% coverage. Distributions were annual and individuals above 6 months of age were treated. Children under 5 years of age were monitored for ocular chlamydia infection and active trachoma.ResultsAt baseline, ocular chlamydia prevalence was 20.5% (95% CI 9.8% to 31.2%) in the standard coverage arm and 21.9% (95% CI 11.3% to 32.5%) in the enhanced coverage arm, which reduced to 4.6% (95% CI 0% to 9.5%, p=0.008) and 7.1% (95% CI 2.7% to 11.4%, p<0.001) at 36 months, respectively. There was no significant difference in 36-month ocular chlamydia prevalence between the two arms (p=0.21). There was no difference in the rate of decline in ocular chlamydia between the two arms in a repeated measures model (p=0.80).ConclusionsFor annual mass azithromycin distribution programme to an entire community, there may be no additional benefit of increasing antibiotic coverage above the WHO’s 80% target.Trial registration numberNCT00792922, post-results.
Close observation versus upfront treatment in hepatocellular carcinoma: are the exception points worth the risk?
Authors: Tholey Danielle M , Hornung Ben , Enestvedt Charles K , Chen Yiyi , Naugler Willscott S , Farsad Khashayar , Nabavizadeh Nima , Schlansky Barry , Ahn Joseph , Jou Janice H 
Published: September 2017

IntroductionTo assess the outcomes of immediate LDT versus observation strategies for T1 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with respect to progression beyond Milan and survival.MethodT1 HCCs were retrospectively reviewed from a multidisciplinary tumour board database between September 2007 and May 2015. In the observation group, T1 lesions were observed until the tumour grew to meet T2 criteria (=2 cm). The treatment group consisted of T1 lesions treated at diagnosis with liver directed therapy (LDT). Kaplan-Meier plots were constructed for tumour progression beyond Milan and overall survival.Results87 patients (observation n=56; LDT n=31) were included in the study. A total of 22% (n=19) of patients progressed beyond Milan with no difference in progression between treatment and observation groups (19% vs 23%, p=0.49). Median time to progression beyond Milan was 16 months. Overall transplantation rate was 22% (observation group n=16; treatment group n=3, p=0.04). Median survival was 55 months with LDT versus 36 months in the observation group (p=0.22). In patients who progressed to T2 (n=60), longer time to T2 progression was a predictor of improved survival (HR=0.94, 95% CI 0.88 to 0.99, p=0.03).ConclusionsImmediate LDT of T1 lesions was not associated with increased risk of progression beyond Milan criteria when compared with an observation approach. Longer time to T2 progression was associated with increased survival and may be a surrogate for favourable tumour biology.
A Hypervisor Approach to Enable Live Migration with Passthrough SR-IOV Network Devices
Authors: Xu Xin , Davda Bhavesh 
Published: September 2017

Single-Root I/O Virtualization (SR-IOV) is a specification that allows a single PCI Express (PCIe) device (physical function or PF) to be used as multiple PCIe devices (virtual functions or VF). In a virtualization system, each VF can be directly assigned to a virtual machine (VM) in passthrough mode to significantly improve the network performance. However, VF passthrough mode is not compatible with live migration, which is an essential capability that enables many advanced virtualization features such as high availability and resource provisioning.
To solve this problem, we design SRVM which provides hypervisor support to ensure the VF device can be correctly used by the migrated VM and the applications. SRVM is implemented in the hypervisor without modification in guest operating systems or guest VM drivers. SRVM does not increase VM downtime. It only costs limited resources (an extra CPU core only during the live migration pre-copy phase), and there is no significant runtime overhead in VM network performance.
Sustainability as a first-class metric for developers and end-users
Authors: Soundararajan Vijayaraghavan , Schnee Joshua 
Published: September 2017

Sustainability is increasingly important as datacenters continue to consume vast quantities of resources worldwide. VMware is already well-positioned to reduce power consumption by increasing server consolidation, as a recent IDC report attests. However, improved server consolidation is only one piece of the sustainability puzzle, and individual engineers may be hard-pressed to understand how they can individually contribute to improving sustainability. The conventional methods for demonstrating sustainability do not provide a true measure of the amount of impact an individual engineer can make.
In this paper, we explore the sustainability life cycle of our products, not just from the perspective of an end consumer, but also from an internal developer perspective. We take three simple use cases and explore how optimizations can implicitly lead to improved sustainability. From these use cases, we discuss various ways in which sustainability can be quantified. We argue that VMware should start recording and publishing sustainability metrics and use these metrics to help drive customer adoption and help drive internal productivity improvements.
Serial 5-Year Evaluation of Side Branches Jailed by Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffolds Using 3-Dimensional Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Onuma Yoshinobu , Grundeken Maik J. , Nakatani Shimpei , Asano Taku , Sotomi Yohei , Foin Nicolas , Ng Jaryl , Okamura Takayuki , Wykrzykowska Joanna J. , de Winter Robbert J. , van Geuns Robert-Jan , Koolen Jacques , Christiansen Evald , Whitbourn Robert , McClean Dougal , Smits Pieter , Windecker Stephan , Ormiston John A. , Serruys Patrick W. 
Published: September 2017

Background—
The long-term fate of Absorb bioresorbable vascular scaffold (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, CA) struts jailing side branch ostia has not been clarified. We therefore evaluate serially (post-procedure and at 6 months, 1, 2, 3, and 5 years) the appearance and fate of jailed Absorb bioresorbable vascular scaffold struts.

Methods and Results—

We performed 3-dimensional optical coherence tomographic analysis of the ABSORB Cohort B trial (A Clinical Evaluation of the Bioabsorbable Everolimus Eluting Coronary Stent System in the Treatment of Patients With De Novo Native Coronary Artery Lesions) up to 5 years using a novel, validated cut-plane analysis method. We included 29 patients with a total of 85 side branch ostia. From the 12 ostia which could be assessed in true serial fashion, 7 showed a pattern of initial decrease in the ostial area free from struts, followed by an increase in strut-free ostial area toward the end of the 5 years of follow-up. In a repeated-measures analysis with time as fixed variable and ostial area free from struts as dependent variable, we showed a numeric decrease in the estimated ostial area free from struts from 0.75 mm
2
(baseline) to 0.68 mm
2
(first follow-up visit at 6 months or 1 year) and 0.63 mm
2
(second follow-up visit at 2 or 3 years). However, from the second visit to the 5-year follow-up visit, there was a statistically significant increase from 0.63 to 0.89 mm
2
(
P
=0.001). Struts overlying an ostium divided the ostium into compartments, and the number of these compartments decreased over time.

Conclusions—
This study showed that in most cases, the side branch ostial area free from struts initially decreased. However, with full scaffold bioresorption, the ostial area free from scaffold increased between 2 to 3 years and 5 years in the vast majority of patients.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00856856.
The first Glyptostroboxylon from the Miocene of Turkey
Authors: Akkemik Ünal , Acarca Nevriye Neslihan , Hatipoglu Murat 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACTSilicified wood preserved in the Güdül fossil forest site in the Galatian Volcanic Province (GVP) near Ankara in Central Anatolia is described. The material comprises six petrified wood samples that date from early to middle Miocene. The woods have very low rays (2–5 cells high), bordered tracheidal pitting (9–10 μm), pinoid cross-field pits and very thin, unpitted, smooth walls of axial parenchyma and rays. This combination of characters indicates affinity to the fossil-genus Glyptostroboxylon. The presence of this wood genus suggests that the local environment was either riparian or wetland forest.
Uncovering the Edge of the Polar Vortex
Authors: Serra Mattia , Sathe Pratik , Beron-Vera Francisco , Haller George 
Published: September 2017

Abstract
The polar vortices play a crucial role in the formation of the ozone hole and can cause severe weather anomalies. Their boundaries, known as the vortex “edges,” are typically identified via methods that are either frame dependent or return nonmaterial structures and, hence, are unsuitable for assessing material transport barriers. Using two-dimensional velocity data on isentropic surfaces in the Northern Hemisphere, the authors show that elliptic Lagrangian coherent structures (LCSs) identify the correct outermost material surface dividing the coherent stratospheric vortex core from the surrounding incoherent surf zone. Despite the purely kinematic construction of LCSs, the authors find a remarkable contrast in temperature and ozone concentration across the identified vortex boundary. The authors also show that potential vorticity–based methods, despite their simplicity, misidentify the correct extent of the vortex edge.
Living on the Construction Site: Paraguayan Construction Workers in Buenos Aires
Authors: del Águila Álvaro 
Published: September 2017

Argentine enterprises subsume Paraguayan migrant workers into the construction industry in the Buenos Aires metropolitan area, subordinating them to the demands of production by temporarily housing them on the construction sites themselves. Ethnographic fieldwork carried out on various construction sites between 2006 and 2015 shows how this practice overlaps with wider processes of global transformation in labor relations. The lodging of workers on construction sites is an increasingly widespread strategy for capitalist entrepreneurs to exploit the migrant workforce even further. Las empresas argentinas han incorporado a los trabajadores migrantes paraguayos a la industria de la construcción en el área metropolitana de Buenos Aires y los han subordinado a las exigencias de la producción, alojándolos temporalmente en las obras mismas. Un trabajo de campo etnográfico realizado en varias obras entre 2006 y 2015 muestra cómo dicha práctica se entrelaza con procesos más amplios en la transformación de las relaciones laborales a nivel global. El alojamiento de los trabajadores en las obras es una estrategia cada vez más extendida para que los empresarios capitalistas puedan explotar la mano de obra migrante aún más de lo que ya hacen.
Comparative health system performance in six middle-income countries: cross-sectional analysis using World Health Organization study of global ageing and health
Authors: Alshamsan Riyadh , Lee John Tayu , Rana Sangeeta , Areabi Hasan , Millett Christopher 
Published: September 2017

Objective To assess and compare health system performance across six middle-income countries that are strengthening their health systems in pursuit of universal health coverage. Design Cross-sectional analysis from the World Health Organization Study on global AGEing and adult health, collected between 2007 and 2010. Setting Six middle-income countries: China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia and South Africa. Participants Nationally representative sample of adults aged 50 years and older. Main outcome measures We present achievement against key indicators of health system performance across effectiveness, cost, access, patient-centredness and equity domains. Results We found areas of poor performance in prevention and management of chronic conditions, such as hypertension control and cancer screening coverage. We also found that cost remains a barrier to healthcare access in spite of insurance schemes. Finally, we found evidence of disparities across many indicators, particularly in the effectiveness and patient centredness domains. Conclusions These findings identify important focus areas for action and shared learning as these countries move towards achieving universal health coverage.
Stratifying the Risk of Developing Clinical Hypocalcemia after Thyroidectomy with Parathyroid Hormone
Authors: Castro Alejandro , del Rio Laura , Gavilan Javier 
Published: September 2017

ObjectiveTo identify the risk of clinical hypocalcemia in the first hours after thyroidectomy.Study DesignProspective observational study.SettingSingle‐institution tertiary hospital in Madrid, Spain.Subjects and MethodsA total of 123 patients who underwent total or completion thyroidectomy between June 2010 and March 2012 were included. Pre‐ and postoperative intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels were obtained. Patients remain hospitalized a minimum of 48 hours until blood calcium stabilized. Calcium and/or vitamin D supplements were prescribed only when signs or symptoms of hypocalcemia developed. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was employed to evaluate the postoperative iPTH level and the pre‐ to postoperative decrease in iPTH levels. Two cutoff values were determined to stratify the risk of developing clinical hypocalcemia into 3 groups.ResultsThe areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve were 0.991 for the postoperative iPTH and 0.998 for the decrease in iPTH. An iPTH decrease of 80% had 100% sensitivity to detect patients who developed clinical hypocalcemia, while a postoperative iPTH <3 pg/mL had 100% specificity. Thus, patients with an iPTH decrease ≤80% are at a very low risk of clinical hypocalcemia, and patients with a postoperative iPTH <3 pg/mL are at a very high risk. Patients with an iPTH decrease >80% and a postoperative iPTH ≥3 pg/mL are at intermediate risk. No significant correlation was found between the time when the sample was obtained and iPTH values.ConclusionThis study stablishes a very accurate test to stratify the risk of clinical postthyroidectomy hypocalcemia based on pre‐ and postoperative iPTH levels.
Nuclear G protein-coupled oestrogen receptor (GPR30) predicts poor survival in patients with ovarian cancer
Authors: Zhu Cai-xia , Xiong Wei , Wang Ma-lie , Yang Juan , Shi Hui-juan , Chen Han-qing , Niu Gang 
Published: September 2017

Objective To demonstrate the correlation between nuclear and cytoplasmic G protein-coupled oestrogen receptor (GPR30) expression and clinicopathological features and outcome in patients with ovarian cancer. Methods Nuclear and cytoplasmic GPR30 expressions were determined using immunohistochemistry to identify the intracellular location in tissues from patients with ovarian cancer. Data were correlated with clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes. Results Tissue samples were obtained from 110 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer between 2005 and 2010. Nuclear GPR30 was significantly more frequent in the group of patients with recurrence. The presence of nuclear GPR30 predicted lower overall survival) and 5-year progression-free survival in all patients with ovarian cancer and overall survival in patients with high grade ovarian cancer. Cytoplasmic GPR30 was observed significantly more often in advanced ovarian cancer and did not predict survival. Conclusion This study showed that nuclear GPR30 is an independent negative prognostic indicator in patients with ovarian cancer, especially in those with a high grade malignancy.
Undergraduate students’ strategies for negotiating emerging performer and teacher identities
Authors: Fernández González Manuel Joaquín 
Published: September 2017

Nowadays, instrumental undergraduate students must often negotiate their emerging performer and teacher identities, and the results of this process affect the way they later balance their professional and personal life and their ability to sustain lifelong involvement in music. Drawing from recent sociological studies on bicultural identity integration, this study addresses two research questions: What strategies do undergraduate students adopt for negotiating both professional identities? And what are the characteristics of each strategy? One hundred and twenty-one undergraduate performance students participated in this study. Using cluster analysis, a typology of eight strategies for negotiating performer and teacher identities was developed: moratorium, diffusion, dichotomy, involvement with narrow vision, performers who happen to teach, assimilation or unwilling teacher dominance, quasi-integration and integration. These categories are characterized by students’ level of personal commitment, involvement, perceived freedom, breadth and accuracy of the professional image, and personal and social professional recognition. The strategies unfolded and described in this study could be useful for students who want to reflect on new ways of negotiating multiple professional identities and for researchers involved in musicians’ identity-building research.
Older African American Homeless-Experienced Smokers’ Attitudes Toward Tobacco Control Policies—Results from the HOPE HOME Study
Authors: Vijayaraghavan Maya , Olsen Pamela , Weeks John , McKelvey Karma , Ponath Claudia , Kushel Margot 
Published: September 2017

Purpose: To examine attitudes toward tobacco control policies among older African American homeless-experienced smokers. Approach: A qualitative study. Setting: Oakland, California. Participants: Twenty-two African American older homeless-experienced smokers who were part of a longitudinal study on health and health-related outcomes (Health Outcomes of People Experiencing Homelessness in Older Middle Age Study). Method: We conducted in-depth, semistructured interviews with each participant to explore beliefs and attitudes toward tobacco use and cessation, barriers to smoking cessation, and attitudes toward current tobacco control strategies including raising cigarette prices, smoke-free policies, and graphic warning labels. We used a grounded theory approach to analyze the transcripts. Results: Community social norms supportive of cigarette smoking and co-use of tobacco with other illicit substances were strong motivators of initiation and maintenance of tobacco use. Self-reported barriers to cessation included nicotine dependence, the experience of being homeless, fatalistic attitudes toward smoking cessation, substance use, and exposure to tobacco industry marketing. While participants were cognizant of current tobacco control policies and interventions for cessation, they felt that they were not specific enough for African Americans experiencing homelessness. Participants expressed strong support for strategies that de-normalized tobacco use and advertised the harmful effects of tobacco. Conclusion: Older African American homeless-experienced smokers face significant barriers to smoking cessation. Interventions that advertise the harmful effects of tobacco may be effective in stimulating smoking cessation among this population.