bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Addressing Pneumococcal Vaccine Uptake Disparities among African‐American Adults in the United States
Authors: Fry Carla A. , Silverman Erin P. , Miller Sarah 
Published: April 2016

AbstractObjectivePneumococcal illnesses affect over one million Americans annually, making invasive pneumococcal disease (pneumonia) the most prevalent vaccine‐preventable illness. Despite well‐documented vaccine safety and efficacy, pneumococcal vaccine (PPSV23) uptake remains low, particularly among minorities. This study sought to define variables predicting PPSV23 uptake in eligible African‐American (AA) adults.Design and SampleThis was a cross‐sectional study using a combined version of the Health Belief (HBM) and Precaution Adoption Process Models (PAPM). A convenience sample of 295 AA adults self‐administered the Vaccine Uptake Questionnaire (VUQ).MeasuresBivariate chi‐square analyses were conducted and significant variables evaluated using backward stepwise logistic regression.ResultsPPSV23 uptake was 32.2% (n = 95). Older age, female gender, vaccine awareness, increased knowledge, higher trust scores, perceived susceptibility, and presence of provider recommendation for PPSV23 predicted vaccine uptake. In regression modeling, age, awareness, and provider recommendation remained significant predictors with younger age, unawareness, and lack of provider recommendation decreasing the likelihood of vaccination.ConclusionThree dimensions of the HBM (barriers, cues, and susceptibility) predicted PPSV23 uptake. With 147 (47.8%) unaware of PPSV23 existence prior to this study, adding the dimension “unaware” from the PAPM may strengthen the model and assist efforts to increase PPSV23 uptake among AA adults.
The Effect of Oxidative Stress on Thawed Bulk‐Sorted Red Deer Sperm
Authors: Anel‐López L , García‐Álvarez O , Parrilla I , Del Olmo D , Fernández‐Santos MR , Soler AJ , Maroto‐Morales A , Ortiz JA , Alkmin DV , Tarantini T , Roca J , Martínez EA , Vazquez JM , Garde JJ 
Published: April 2016

ContentsThe aims of this study were to assess the effects of the sex‐sorting process on post‐thaw sperm quality as well as on induced oxidative stress damage (H2O2 0 mm = H000; H2O2 50 mm = H050; H2O2 100 mm = H100) and the protective action of reduced glutathione (GSH) and Trolox, when comparing sorted (BSS) and non‐sorted (NS) red deer spermatozoa incubated at 37°C. Sperm samples from three stags were collected by electroejaculation and frozen. Immediately after thawing, sperm motility was higher (p < 0.05) for NS (59% ± 3.3) than BSS (36.9% ± 5.8) sperm. Furthermore, the percentage of apoptotic sperm was higher (p < 0.05) for BSS (21.6% ± 5.0) than NS sperm (14.6% ± 1.2). The presence of H2O2 increased DNA damage in NS (H000 = 4.1% ± 0.9; H050 = 9.3% ± 0.7; and H100 = 10.9% ± 2.3), but not in BSS sperm. However, in the presence of oxidant, GSH addition improved (p < 0.05) sperm motility in both groups of sperm samples as compared to their controls (NS: 44.5 ± 4.8 vs 21.1 ± 3.9 and BSS: 33.3 ± 8.1 vs 8.9 ± 1.8). These results demonstrate that the sperm‐sorting process induces sublethal effects, albeit selecting a sperm population with a chromatin more resistant to oxidative stress than that in non‐sorted sperm. Moreover, addition of GSH at 1 mm may be a good choice for maintaining the quality of stressed sperm samples, unlike Trolox, which inhibited sperm motility.
Investigation on Immunomodulatory Activity of Calf Spleen Extractive Injection in Cyclophosphamide‐induced Immunosuppressed Mice and Underlying Mechanisms
Authors: Jia D. , Lu W. , Wang C. , Sun S. , Cai G. , Li Y. , Wang G. , Liu Y. , Zhang M. , Wang D. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractCalf spleen extractive injection (CSEI), extracted from the spleen of healthy cows (within 24 h of birth), is a small peptides enriched extraction while the ratio between peptide and ribose is 76 ± 15.2 mg/μg. CSEI is usually used as an ancillary agent to assist cancer patients with immune dysfunction. The present study aims to evaluate the immunomodulatory activity of CSEI in cyclophosphamide (CTX)‐induced mice model of immunosuppression and its underlying mechanisms. During the experiment, thymosin ɑ1 (0.16 mg/kg) was served as the positive control drug. In CTX‐induced immunosuppressed mice, CSEI significantly increased bodyweights and spleen indexes, and upgraded the natural killer activity together with lymphocytes proliferation. CSEI regulated the production of IgG and IgA, and the levels of IL‐2, 6, 10, 12 and IFN‐ɑ, γ and TNF‐ɑ in serum of CTX‐induced immunosuppressed mice. Furthermore, CSEI markedly downregulated nuclear factor kappa‐B (NF‐κB) expression which was controlled by IKKβ. Taken together, CSEI effectively improved immune function in CTX‐induced immunosuppression related to NF‐κB signalling pathway via regulating the production of immunoglobulins, interleukins and some inflammatory factors.
Tuberculosis and diabetes: current state and future perspectives
Authors: Pizzol Damiano , Di Gennaro Francesco , Chhaganlal Kajal D. , Fabrizio Claudia , Monno Laura , Putoto Giovanni , Saracino Annalisa 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThis review outlines the association between tuberculosis and diabetes, focusing on epidemiology, physiopathology, clinical aspects, diagnosis and treatment, and evaluates future perspectives, with particular attention to developing countries.
Ethical challenges in designing and conducting medicine quality surveys
Authors: Tabernero Patricia , Parker Michael , Ravinetto Raffaella , Phanouvong Souly , Yeung Shunmay , Kitutu Freddy E. , Cheah Phaik Yeong , Mayxay Mayfong , Guerin Philippe J. , Newton Paul N. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractObjectivesIn this paper we discuss the main ethical challenges related to the conduct of medicine quality surveys and make suggestions on how to address them.MethodMost evidence‐based information regarding medicine quality derives from surveys. However, existing research ethical guidelines do not provide specific guidance for medicine quality surveys. Hence, those conducting surveys are often left wondering how to judge what counts as best practice. A list of the main ethical challenges in the design and conduct of surveys is presented.Results and conclusionsIt is vital that the design and conduct of medicine quality surveys uphold moral and ethical obligations and analyse the ethical implications and consequences of such work. These aspects include the impact on the local availability of and access to medicines; the confidentiality and privacy of the surveyors and the surveyed; questions as to whether outlet staff personnel should be told they are part of a survey; the need of ethical and regulatory approvals; and how the findings should be disseminated. Medicine quality surveys should ideally be conducted in partnership with the relevant national Medicine Regulatory Authorities. An international, but contextually sensitive, model of good ethical practice for such surveys is needed.
A proposed field emergency donor panel questionnaire and triage tool
Authors: Doughty Heidi , Thompson Patrick , Cap Andrew P. , Spinella Philip C. , Glassberg Elon , Skogrand Eliassen Håkon , De Pasquale Marc , Strandenes Geir 
Published: April 2016

BACKGROUNDThe provision of transfusion support to isolated military or civilian projects may require the use of an emergency donor panel (EDP) for immediate warm fresh whole blood (WFWB). The aim of this short discussion article is to raise and resolve some of the practical aspects for the nonspecialist faced with the emergency collection of WFWB whole blood in the austere medical environment (AME).METHODS AND RESULTSA proposed field EDP questionnaire and triage tool (QTT) is presented. It is designed for the hostile, remote, or austere environment that falls outside normal regulated supply of cold‐stored blood products or removed from trained blood collection personnel, where collection may fall to an isolated medical provider. The tool has been drafted based on review of existing guidelines and consultation with practitioners. It serves as a point of reference for local guidelines and has yet to be validated.CONCLUSIONSThe use of the EDP is associated with risk; however, it remains the simplest method of providing rapid transfusion support. The best way to manage the risk is to brief and prescreen blood donors before deployment. An abbreviated donor QTT can be an aide to decision making at the time of donation. The tool should be tailored to requirements and underpinned by policy and training.
Altered ECM deposition by diabetic foot ulcer‐derived fibroblasts implicates fibronectin in chronic wound repair
Authors: Maione Anna G. , Smith Avi , Kashpur Olga , Yanez Vanessa , Knight Elana , Mooney David J. , Veves Aristidis , Tomic‐Canic Marjana , Garlick Jonathan A. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractCurrent chronic wound treatments often fail to promote healing of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), leading to amputation and increased patient morbidity. A critical mediator of proper wound healing is the production, assembly, and remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) by fibroblasts. However, little is known about how these processes are altered in fibroblasts within the DFU microenvironment. Thus, we investigated the capacity of multiple, primary DFU‐derived fibroblast strains to express, produce, and assemble ECM proteins compared to diabetic patient‐derived fibroblasts and healthy donor‐derived fibroblasts. Gene expression microarray analysis showed differential expression of ECM and ECM‐regulatory genes by DFU‐derived fibroblasts which translated to functional differences in a 3D in vitro ECM tissue model. DFU‐derived fibroblasts produced thin, fibronectin‐rich matrices, and responded abnormally when challenged with transforming growth factor‐beta, a key regulator of matrix production during healing. These results provide novel evidence that DFU‐derived fibroblasts contribute to the defective matrices of DFUs and chronic wound pathogenesis.
Long‐term scar quality in burns with three distinct healing potentials: A multicenter prospective cohort study
Authors: Goei Harold , van der Vlies Cornelis H. , Hop M. Jenda , Tuinebreijer Wim E. , Nieuwenhuis Marianne K. , Middelkoop Esther , van Baar Margriet E. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe laser Doppler imager is used in cases of indeterminate burn depth to accurately predict wound healing time at an early stage. The laser Doppler imager classifies burns into three estimated healing potentials as follows: high, <14 days; intermediate, 14–21 days; and low, >21 days. At this time, the relationship between these healing potentials and long‐term scar quality is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the long‐term scar quality of burns with three distinct healing potentials. The secondary objectives were to compare treatment strategies in intermediate wounds, to study the effect of the timing of surgery on low healing potential wounds and to identify predictors of reduced scar quality. Hence, in a prospective cohort study, scar quality was determined in patients whose burns were assessed with laser Doppler imaging. Scar Quality was assessed with objective and subjective measurement tools, including overall scar quality (Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale) as a primary outcome and color and elasticity parameters. A total of 141 patients (>19 months postburn) with 216 scars were included. Wounds with high and intermediate healing potential did not significantly differ regarding scar quality. Wounds with a low healing potential had a significantly lower scar quality. Analysis of 76 surgically treated low healing potential wounds showed no significant differences in the primary outcome regarding the timing of surgery (≤14 days vs. >14). Predictors of reduced long‐term scar quality were darker skin type and multiple surgeries. In conclusion, scar quality was strongly related to the healing potential category. Scar quality was very similar in high and intermediate healing potential wounds. No positive effects were found on scar quality or on healing time in surgically treated wounds with intermediate healing potential, advocating a conservative approach. Further studies should focus on the optimal timing of surgery in low healing potential wounds.
Inequality in mortality decreased among the young while increasing for older adults, 1990–2010
Authors: Currie J. , Schwandt H. 
Published: April 2016

Narrowing of the life expectancy gap
In the United States, the rich can expect to enjoy better health and a longer life than the poor. Despite policies directed at improving the health of both the young and the poor, there is little evidence that this relationship has changed. Currie and Schwandt looked specifically at the life expectancy of present-day children and young adults, finding that mortality inequality has in fact declined over the past 25 years (see the Perspective by Bailey and Timpe).

Science
, this issue p.
708
; see also p.
661
Complete Genome Sequence of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus Strain COL/Cundinamarca/2014 from Colombia
Authors: Jarvis Matthew C. , Lam Ham Ching , Rovira Albert , Marthaler Douglas G. 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACT
Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) has been found throughout Europe and Asia, and has emerged in North and South America. A whole genome sequence was obtained from a paraffin-embedded tissue sample from the Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario (ICA), Colombia through Next Generation Sequencing techniques to further understand the evolution of PEDV.
First Complete Genome Sequence of the Dutch Veterinary
Coxiella burnetii
Strain NL3262, Originating from the Largest Global Q Fever Outbreak, and Draft Genome Sequence of Its Epidemiologically Linked Chronic Human Isolate NLhu3345937
Authors: Kuley Runa , Smith Hilde E. , Janse Ingmar , Harders Frank L. , Baas Frank , Schijlen Elio , Nabuurs-Franssen Marrigje H. , Smits Mari A. , Roest Hendrik I. J. , Bossers Alex 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACT

The largest global Q fever outbreak occurred in The Netherlands during 2007 to 2010. Goats and sheep were identified as the major sources of disease. Here, we report the first complete genome sequence of
Coxiella burnetii
goat outbreak strain NL3262 and that of an epidemiologically linked chronic human strain, both having the outbreak-related
CbNL01
multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA) genotype.
Draft Genome Sequence of Organophosphate-Degrading
Ochrobactrum anthropi
FRAF13
Authors: Iyer Rupa , Damania Ashish 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACT

Ochrobactrum anthropi
FRAF13 was isolated from farmland soil in Jersey Village, Texas. FRAF13 is a bacterial microorganism with broad antibiotic resistance that possesses a number of metal-dependent β-lactam enzymes with secondary phosphotriesterase activity that can initiate the breakdown of organophosphate compounds.
Draft Genome Sequence of “
Candidatus
Phytoplasma oryzae” Strain Mbita1, the Causative Agent of Napier Grass Stunt Disease in Kenya
Authors: Fischer Anne , Santana-Cruz Ivette , Wambua Lillian , Olds Cassandra , Midega Charles , Dickinson Matthew , Kawicha Praphat , Khan Zeyaur , Masiga Daniel , Jores Joerg , Schneider Bernd 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACT

Phytoplasmas are bacterial plant pathogens with devastating impact on agricultural production worldwide. In eastern Africa, Napier grass stunt disease causes serious economic losses in the smallholder dairy industry. This draft genome sequence of “
Candidatus
Phytoplasma oryzae” strain Mbita1 provides insight into its genomic organization and the molecular basis of pathogenicity.
First Complete Genome Sequence of a Watermelon Mosaic Virus Isolated from Watermelon in the United States
Authors: Rajbanshi Naveen , Ali Akhtar 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACT
Watermelon mosaic virus was first reported in 1965 from the Rio Grande Valley, TX. We report here the first complete genome sequence of a watermelon mosaic virus isolate from watermelon collected from the Rio Grande Valley of Texas.
Genome Sequence of
Pectobacterium carotovorum
Phage PPWS1, Isolated from Japanese Horseradish [
Eutrema japonicum
(Miq.) Koidz] Showing Soft-Rot Symptoms
Authors: Hirata Hisae , Kashihara Misako , Horiike Tokumasa , Suzuki Tomohiro , Dohra Hideo , Netsu Osamu , Tsuyumu Shinji 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACT

Pectobacterium carotovorum
subsp.
carotovorum
and its lytic bacteriophage PPWS1 were isolated from a Japanese horseradish rhizome with soft rot. Sequencing of the phage genomic DNA suggested that PPWS1 is a new species of the family
Podoviridae
and has high similarity to the bacteriophage Peat1 infectious to
P. atrosepticum
.
Complete Genome Sequence of
Bacillus megaterium
Bacteriophage Eldridge
Authors: Reveille Alexandra M. , Eldridge Kimberly A. , Temple Louise M. 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACT

In this study the complete genome sequence of the unique bacteriophage Eldridge, isolated from soil using
Bacillus megaterium
as the host organism, was determined. Eldridge is a myovirus with a genome consisting of 242 genes and is unique when compared to phage sequences in GenBank.
Genome Sequence of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Serotype O Isolated from Morocco in 2015
Authors: Bachanek-Bankowska K. , Wadsworth J. , Gray A. , Abouchoaib N. , King D. P. , Knowles N. J. 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACT
The genome of a virus isolated from an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Morocco in 2015 is described here. This virus is classified as lineage Ind-2001d within serotype O, topotype ME-SA (Middle East-South Asia). This lineage is endemic on the Indian subcontinent but has caused outbreaks in the Middle East and North Africa since 2013.
Overstatements in abstract conclusions claiming effectiveness of interventions in psychiatry: a study protocol for a meta-epidemiological investigation
Authors: Suganuma Aya M , Shinohara Kiyomi , Imai Hissei , Takeshima Nozomi , Hayasaka Yu , Furukawa Toshi A 
Published: April 2016

IntroductionAbstracts are the major and often the most important source of information for readers of the medical literature. However, there is mounting criticism that abstracts often exaggerate the positive findings and emphasise the beneficial effects of intervention beyond the actual findings mentioned in the corresponding full texts. In order to examine the magnitude of this problem, we will introduce a systematic approach to detect overstated abstracts and to quantify the extent of their prevalence in published randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in the field of psychiatry.Methods and analysisWe will source RCTs published in 2014 from the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) that claim effectiveness of any intervention for mental disorders. The abstract conclusions will be categorised into three types: superior (only stating significant superiority of intervention to control), limited (suggesting that intervention has limited superiority to control) and equal (claiming equal effectiveness of intervention as control). The full texts will also be classified as one of the following based on the primary outcome results: significant (all primary outcomes were statistically significant in favour of the intervention), mixed (primary outcomes included both significant and non-significant results) or all non-significant results. By comparing the abstract conclusion classification and that of the corresponding full text, we will assess whether each study exhibited overstatements in its abstract conclusion.Ethics and disseminationThis trial requires no ethical approval. We will publish our findings in a peer-reviewed journal.Trial registration numberUMIN000018668; Pre-results.
Efficacy of etanercept in combination with methotrexate in moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis is not dependent on methotrexate dosage
Authors: Gallo G , Brock F , Kerkmann U , Kola B , Huizinga T W J 
Published: April 2016

ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of methotrexate (MTX) dosage on clinical, functional and quality of life outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from two previous etanercept (ETN) trials after 24 months of treatment.MethodsPatients with active RA in the ETN+MTX combination treatment arms of the Trial of Etanercept and Methotrexate with Radiographic Patient Outcomes (TEMPO) and COmbination of Methotrexate and ETanercept in Active Early Rheumatoid Arthritis (COMET) studies were pooled in this post hoc analysis and stratified by MTX dosage at 24 months, having MTX monotherapy groups as control: low dose, <10.0 mg/week; medium dose, 10.0–17.5 mg/week; and high dose, >17.5 mg/week. Data from these patient subgroups were included in descriptive summaries of demographic and disease characteristics at baseline. The following outcomes at 24 months were also evaluated for each subgroup: Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28) low disease activity (LDA) and remission; American College of Rheumatology 20%, 50% and 70% improvement criteria (ACR20, 50 and 70) responses; and changes from baseline in DAS28, Health Assessment Questionnaire Disease Index (HAQ-DI) and EuroQol 5-dimensions visual analogue scale (EQ-5D VAS).ResultsBaseline demographics were similar between the low, medium and high MTX dose groups in the ETN+MTX combination and MTX monotherapy arms, with the exception of disease duration (ETN+MTX low 5.5; medium 5.1; high 0.8 years vs MTX low 8.3; medium 4.7; high 0.8 years). Responses to ETN+MTX combination therapy at 24 months were consistently high across MTX dosage groups, with very similar rates of DAS28 LDA/remission and ACR20/50/70. Improvements in DAS28, HAQ-DI and EQ-5D VAS were also not dependent on MTX dosage in the combination treatment arm.ConclusionsPatients with RA in the TEMPO and COMET trials who received ETN+MTX showed similar efficacy outcomes at 24 months, regardless of MTX dosage.Trial registration numbersNCT00195494 (COMET) andNCT00393471(TEMPO).
The optimization of measurement device independent quantum key distribution
Authors: Gao Feng , Ma Hai-Qiang , Jiao Rong-Zhen 
Published: April 2016

Measurement device independent quantum key distribution (MDI-QKD) is a promising method for realistic quantum communication which could remove all the side-channel attacks from the imperfections of the devices. Here in this study, we theoretically analyzed the performance of the MDI-QKD system. The asymptotic case rate with the increment of the transmission distance at different polarization misalignment, background count rate and intensity is calculated respectively. The result may provide important parameters for practical application of quantum communications.
An Empirical Study on Randomized Optimal Area Polygonization of Planar Point Sets
Authors: Peethambaran Jiju , Parakkat Amal Dev , Muthuganapathy Ramanathan 
Published: April 2016

While random polygon generation from a set of planar points has been widely investigated in the literature, very few works address the construction of a simple polygon with minimum area (MINAP) or maximum area (MAXAP) from a set of fixed planar points. Currently, no deterministic algorithms are available to compute MINAP/MAXAP, as the problems have been shown to be NP-complete. In this article, we present a greedy heuristic for computing the approximate MINAP of any given planar point set using the technique of randomized incremental construction. For a given point set of
n
points, the proposed algorithm takes
O
(
n
2
log
n
) time and
O
(
n
) space. It is rather simplistic in nature, hence very easy for implementation and maintenance. We report on various experimental studies on the behavior of a randomized heuristic on different point set instances. Test data have been taken from the SPAETH cluster data base and TSPLIB library. Experimental results indicate that the proposed algorithm outperforms its counterparts for generating a tighter upper bound on the optimal minimum area polygon for large-sized point sets.