bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluating Risk Factors for Clostridium difficile Infection In Stem Cell Transplant Recipients: A National Study
Authors: Shah Nishi N. , McClellan William , Flowers Christopher R. , Lonial Sagar , Khoury Hannah , Waller Edmund K. , Langston Amelia , Nooka Ajay K. 
Published: March 2017

OBJECTIVELarge-scale studies evaluating risk factors forClostridium difficileinfection (CDI), a leading cause of infectious diarrhea among patients undergoing stem cell transplantation (SCT), are lacking. We have evaluated risk factors for CDI among both autologous SCT (auto-SCT), and allogeneic SCT (allo-SCT) recipients using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database provided by the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP).METHODSWe used patient data obtained from the NIS database for all adult patients admitted for auto- and allo-SCTs from January 2001 to December 2010. We performed multivariate logistic regression analyses to evaluate risk factors of CDI in auto- and allo-SCT patients.RESULTSAuto-SCTs constituted 61.5% of all SCTs performed during the study period. Of the 53,072 auto-SCT patients, 5.8% had CDI, whereas 8.5% of 33,189 allo-SCT patients had CDI. Univariate analyses identified age, gender, indication for SCT, radiation as part of the conditioning regimen, respiratory failure, septicemia, lengthy hospital stay, and multiple comorbidities as risk factors for CDI in both subsets. On multivariate analyses for auto-SCT, there was significant correlation between age and the indication for transplant (P=.003), but the indication for either auto- or allo-SCT was not associated with CDI on multivariate analyses. The following factors were found to be associated with CDI: septicemia (auto-SCT odds ratio [OR],=1.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.35–2; and allo-SCT OR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.36–2.1), male gender (auto-SCT OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.09–1.53; and allo-SCT OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.18–1.57), lengthy hospital stay (auto-SCT OR, 2.81; 95% CI, 2.29–3.45; and allo-SCT OR, 2.63; 95% CI, 2.15–3.22), and presence of multiple comorbidities (auto-SCT OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.11–1.57; and allo-SCT OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.0–1.4).CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of CDI was higher among patients undergoing allo-SCT. CDI was significantly associated with longer hospital stay, septicemia, and male gender for auto- and allo-SCT recipients. While this analysis did not permit us to directly ascribe the associations to be causative for CDI, it identifies the more vulnerable population for CDI and provides a rationale for the development of more effective approaches to preventing CDI.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol2017;38:651–657
Generation of proton beams from two-species targets irradiated by a femtosecond laser pulse of ultra-relativistic intensity
Authors: Domański J. , Badziak J. , Jabłoński S. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe paper presents results of two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations of ion beam acceleration at the interactions of a 130-fs laser pulse of intensity in the range 1021–1023 W/cm2, predicted for the Extreme Light Infrastructure lasers, with thin hydrocarbon (CH) or erbium hydride (ErH3) targets. A special attention is paid to the effect of the laser pulse intensity and polarization (linear, circular) on the proton energy spectrum, the proton beam spatial distribution and the proton pulse shape and intensity. It is shown that for the low laser intensities (~1021 W/cm2) considerably higher proton beam parameters (proton energies, beam intensities) are achieved for the ErH3 target for both polarizations and the effect of polarization on the beam parameters is significant (higher parameters are achieved for the linear polarization). However, for the highest, ultra-relativistic intensities (~1023 W/cm2) higher proton beam parameters are attained for the CH target and the effect of polarization on these parameters is relatively low. In this case, for both polarizations quasi-monoenergetic proton beams are generated from the CH target of the mean proton energy ~2 GeV and $dE_{\rm p} /\bar E_{\rm p} \approx 0.3$ for the linear polarization and $dE_{\rm p} /\bar E_{\rm p} \approx 0.2$ for the circular one. At the highest laser intensities also the proton pulse peak intensities are higher for the CH target and for both polarizations they reach values well above 1021 W/cm2. In the paper, the properties of proton beam generation indicated above are discussed in detail and a physical explanation of the observed effects is done.
Treatment of severe refractory valvar pulmonary stenosis with primary transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation
Authors: Trivedi Kalyani R. , Robinson Laurence , Fraisse Alain 
Published: March 2017

AbstractSome patients with pulmonary valve stenosis do not respond to balloon valvuloplasty and must undergo surgical repair. We report the case of a 12-year-old child with pulmonary valve stenosis and Noonan syndrome in whom we performed transcatheter Melody pulmonary valve implantation after balloon dilation failed. The result was excellent. This technique can be proposed as an alternative to surgery in such cases.
What level of domestic government health expenditure should we aspire to for universal health coverage?
Authors: Mcintyre Di , Meheus Filip , Røttingen John-Arne 
Published: March 2017

AbstractGlobal discussions on universal health coverage (UHC) have focussed attention on the need for increased government funding for health care in many low- and middle-income countries. The objective of this paper is to explore potential targets for government spending on health to progress towards UHC. An explicit target for government expenditure on health care relative to gross domestic product (GDP) is a potentially powerful tool for holding governments to account in progressing to UHC, particularly in the context of UHC’s inclusion in the Sustainable Development Goals. It is likely to be more influential than the Abuja target, which requires decreases in budget allocations to other sectors and is opposed by finance ministries for undermining their autonomy in making sectoral budget allocation decisions. International Monetary Fund and World Health Organisation data sets were used to analyse the relationship between government health expenditure and proxy indicators for the UHC goals of financial protection and access to quality health care, and triangulated with available country case studies estimating the resource requirements for a universal health system. Our analyses point towards a target of government spending on health of at least 5% of GDP for progressing towards UHC. This can be supplemented by a per capita target of $86 to promote universal access to primary care services in low-income countries.
Fiscal space for domestic funding of health and other social services
Authors: Meheus Filip , McIntyre Di 
Published: March 2017

AbstractTo progress toward universal health coverage and promote inclusive social and economic development, it will be necessary to strengthen domestic resource mobilization for health. In this paper, we examine options for increasing domestic government revenue in low- and middle-income countries. We analyze the relationship between level of economic development and levels of government revenue and expenditure, and show that a country’s level of economic development does not predetermine its spending levels. Government revenue can be increased through improved tax compliance and efficiency in revenue collection, maximizing revenue from mineral and other natural resources, and increasing tax rates where appropriate. The emphasis should be on increasing revenue through the most progressive means possible; the purpose of raising government spending on health would be defeated if that spending were funded by increasing the relative tax burden of those who are meant to benefit. Increasing government revenue through taxation or other sources is first and foremost a fiscal policy choice or political decision and should be supported through concerted global action.
Framing the tax and health nexus: a neglected aspect of public health concern
Authors: Mccoy David , Chigudu Simukai , Tillmann Taavi 
Published: March 2017

AbstractPrevious studies have described various associations between tax policy and health. Here we propose a unifying conceptual framework of ‘Five R’s’ to stimulate awareness about the importance of tax to health improvement. First, tax can improverepresentationand democratic accountability, and help make governments more responsive to the needs of its citizens. Second, tax can create arevenuestream for a universal pool of public finance for health care and other public services. Third, progressive taxation when combined with appropriate public spending can helpredistributewealth and income and mitigate social and health inequalities. Fourth, there-pricingof harmful products (e.g. tobacco, alcohol and unhealthy food) can help reduce their consumption. Fifth, taxation provides a route by which certain harmful industries can beregulated. The paper also discusses the barriers that hinder the full potential for taxation to be used to improve health, including: weak tax administrations, large ‘shadow economies’, international trade liberalisation, tax avoidance, transfer pricing by transnational corporations and banking secrecy. We suggest that a greater awareness of the manifold associations between tax and health will encourage health practitioners to actively promote fairer and better taxation, thereby helping to improve health and reduce health inequalities.
Development assistance for health: critiques, proposals and prospects for change
Authors: Moon Suerie , Omole Oluwatosin 
Published: March 2017

AbstractAfter a ‘golden age’ of extraordinary growth in the level of development assistance for health (DAH) since 1990, funding seems to have reached a plateau. With the launch of the Sustainable Development Goals, debate has intensified regarding what international financing for health should look like in the post-2015 era. In this review paper, we offer a systematic overview of problems and proposals for change. Major critiques of the current DAH system include: that the total volume of financing is inadequate; financial flows are volatile and uncertain; DAH may not result in additional resources for health; too small a proportion of DAH is transferred to recipient countries; inappropriate priority setting; inadequate coordination; weak mechanisms for accountability; and disagreement on the rationale for DAH. Proposals to address these critiques include: financing-oriented proposals to address insufficient levels and high volatility of DAH; governance-oriented proposals to address concerns regarding additionality, proportions reaching countries, priority setting, coordination and accountability; and proposals that reach beyond the existing DAH system. We conclude with a discussion of prospects for change.
Metabolic and molecular insights into an essential role of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase
Authors: Zhang Li Q , Van Haandel Leon , Xiong Min , Huang Peixin , Heruth Daniel P , Bi Charlie , Gaedigk Roger , Jiang Xun , Li Ding-You , Wyckoff Gerald , Grigoryev Dmitry N , Gao Li , Li Linheng , Wu Min , Leeder J Steven , Ye Shui Qing 
Published: March 2017

AbstractNicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) is a pleiotropic protein implicated in the pathogenesis of acute respiratory distress syndrome, aging, cancer, coronary heart diseases, diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, and sepsis. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of NAMPT in these physiological and pathological processes are not fully understood. Here, we provide experimental evidence that a Nampt gene homozygous knockout (Nampt−/−) resulted in lethality at an early stage of mouse embryonic development and death within 5–10 days in adult mice accompanied by a 25.24±2.22% body weight loss, after the tamoxifen induction of NamptF/F × Cre mice. These results substantiate that Nampt is an essential gene for life. In Nampt−/− mice versusNampt+/+ mice, biochemical assays indicated that liver and intestinal tissue NAD levels were decreased significantly; histological examination showed that mouse intestinal villi were atrophic and disrupted, and visceral fat was depleted; mass spectrometry detected unusual higher serum polyunsaturated fatty acid containing triglycerides. RNA-seq analyses of both mouse and human pediatric liver transcriptomes have convergently revealed that NAMPT is involved in key basic cellular functions such as transcription, translation, cell signaling, and fundamental metabolism. Notably, the expression of all eight enzymes in the tricarboxylic acid cycle were decreased significantly in the Nampt−/− mice. These findings prompt us to posit that adult Nampt−/− mouse lethality is a result of a short supply of ATP from compromised intestinal absorption of nutrients from digested food, which leads to the exhaustion of body fat stores.
Inelastic collisions of ultracold triplet Rb2 molecules in the rovibrational ground state
Authors: Drews Björn , Deiß Markus , Jachymski Krzysztof , Idziaszek Zbigniew , Hecker Denschlag Johannes 
Published: March 2017

AbstractExploring and controlling inelastic and reactive collisions on the quantum level is a main goal of the developing field of ultracold chemistry. For this, the preparation of precisely defined initial atomic and molecular states in tailored environments is necessary. Here we present experimental studies of inelastic collisions of metastable ultracold Rb2 molecules in an array of quasi-1D potential tubes. In particular, we investigate collisions of molecules in the absolute lowest triplet energy level where any inelastic process requires a change of the electronic state. Remarkably, we find similar decay rates as for collisions between rotationally or vibrationally excited triplet molecules where other decay paths are also available. The decay rates are close to the ones for universal reactions but vary considerably when confinement and collision energy are changed. This might be exploited to control the collisional properties of molecules.
Immunogenicity of Candidate MERS-CoV DNA Vaccines Based on the Spike Protein
Authors: Al-amri Sawsan S. , Abbas Ayman T. , Siddiq Loai A. , Alghamdi Abrar , Sanki Mohammad A. , Al-Muhanna Muhanna K. , Alhabbab Rowa Y. , Azhar Esam I. , Li Xuguang , Hashem Anwar M. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractMERS-coronavirus is a novel zoonotic pathogen which spread rapidly to >25 countries since 2012. Its apparent endemicity and the wide spread of its reservoir host (dromedary camels) in the Arabian Peninsula highlight the ongoing public health threat of this virus. Therefore, development of effective prophylactic vaccine needs to be urgently explored given that there are no approved prophylactics or therapeutics for humans or animals to date. Different vaccine candidates have been investigated but serious safety concerns remain over protein or full-length spike (S) protein-based vaccines. Here, we investigated the immunogenicity of naked DNA vaccines expressing different fragments of MERS-CoV S protein in mice. We found that plasmids expressing full-length (pS) or S1-subunit (pS1) could induce significant levels of S1-specific antibodies (Abs) but with distinct IgG isotype patterns. Specifically, pS1 immunization elicited a balanced Th1/Th2 response and generally higher levels of all IgG isotypes compared to pS vaccination. Interestingly, only mice immunized with pS1 demonstrated significant S1-specific cellular immune response. Importantly, both constructs induced cross-neutralizing Abs against multiple strains of human and camel origins. These results indicate that vaccines expressing S1-subunit of the MERS-CoV S protein could represent a potential vaccine candidate without the possible safety concerns associated with full-length protein-based vaccines.
Calmodulin is responsible for Ca2+-dependent regulation of TRPA1 Channels
Authors: Hasan Raquibul , Leeson-Payne Alasdair T. S. , Jaggar Jonathan H. , Zhang Xuming 
Published: March 2017

AbstractTRPA1 is a Ca2+-permeable ion channel involved in many sensory disorders such as pain, itch and neuropathy. Notably, the function of TRPA1 depends on Ca2+, with low Ca2+ potentiating and high Ca2+ inactivating TRPA1. However, it remains unknown how Ca2+ exerts such contrasting effects. Here, we show that Ca2+ regulates TRPA1 through calmodulin, which binds to TRPA1 in a Ca2+-dependent manner. Calmodulin binding enhanced TRPA1 sensitivity and Ca2+-evoked potentiation of TRPA1 at low Ca2+, but inhibited TRPA1 sensitivity and promoted TRPA1 desensitization at high Ca2+. Ca2+-dependent potentiation and inactivation of TRPA1 were selectively prevented by disrupting the interaction of the carboxy-lobe of calmodulin with a calmodulin-binding domain in the C-terminus of TRPA1. Calmodulin is thus a critical Ca2+ sensor enabling TRPA1 to respond to diverse Ca2+ signals distinctly.
Ginkgo biloba extract EGb761 attenuates brain death-induced renal injury by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines and the SAPK and JAK-STAT signalings
Authors: Li Yifu , Xiong Yunyi , Zhang Huanxi , Li Jun , Wang Dong , Chen Wenfang , Yuan Xiaopeng , Su Qiao , Li Wenwen , Huang Huiting , Bi Zirong , Liu Longshan , Wang Changxi 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate the protective effects of EGb761, a Ginkgo Biloba extract, against brain death-induced kidney injury. Sixty male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups: sham, brain-death (BD), BD + EGb b48h (48 hours before BD), BD + EGb 2 h (2 hours after BD), BD + EGb 1 h, and BD + EGb 0.5 h. Six hours after BD, serum sample and kidney tissues were collected for analyses. The levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine significantly elevated in the BD group than in sham group. In all the EGb761-treated BD animals except for the BD + Gb 2 h group, the levels of BUN and serum creatinine significantly reduced (all P < 0.01). EGb761 attenuated tubular injury and lowered the histological score. In addition, the longer duration of drug treatment was, the better protective efficacy could be observed. EGb761 significantly reduced IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, MCP-1, IP-10 mRNA expression and macrophage infiltration in the kidney. EGb761 treatment at 48 hour before brain death significantly attenuate the levels of p-JNK-MAPK, p-p38-MAPK, and p-STAT3 proteins (all P < 0.05, compared to BD group). In summary, our data showed that EGb761 treatment protected donor kidney from BD-induced damages by blocking SAPK and JAK-STAT signalings. Early administration of EGb761 can provide better protective efficacy.
Sellar and Suprasellar Tuberculoma
Authors: Banga Manpreet , Roy Kaushik , V. Sandeep , Dasgupta Sibaji 
Published: March 2017

AbstractTuberculosis is responsible for 20% of the intracranial space-occupying lesions in India, and tuberculomas of the sellar and suprasellar region comprise only 1% of all intracranial tuberculomas. The clinical and radiological features of these lesions mimic a typical pituitary adenoma. Surgery is not usually indicated, except for obtaining biopsies to confirm diagnosis, as these lesions tend to resolve with appropriate antitubercular therapy. There is no consensus regarding the type of antitubercular regimen and duration of the treatment as the experience with tuberculomas of pituitary is limited. We report a rare case of hypophyseal tuberculosis in a patient as a sequela of tuberculous meningitis, which is a rare complication of tubercular meningitis.
Semi-automated De-identification of German Content Sensitive Reports for Big Data Analytics
Authors: Seuss Hannes , Dankerl Peter , Ihle Matthias , Grandjean Andrea , Hammon Rebecca , Kaestle Nicola , Fasching Peter , Maier Christian , Christoph Jan , Sedlmayr Martin , Uder Michael , Cavallaro Alexander , Hammon Matthias 
Published: March 2017

Purpose Projects involving collaborations between different institutions require data security via selective de-identification of words or phrases. A semi-automated de-identification tool was developed and evaluated on different types of medical reports natively and after adapting the algorithm to the text structure.
Materials and Methods A semi-automated de-identification tool was developed and evaluated for its sensitivity and specificity in detecting sensitive content in written reports. Data from 4671 pathology reports (4105 + 566 in two different formats), 2804 medical reports, 1008 operation reports, and 6223 radiology reports of 1167 patients suffering from breast cancer were de-identified. The content was itemized into four categories: direct identifiers (name, address), indirect identifiers (date of birth/operation, medical ID, etc.), medical terms, and filler words. The software was tested natively (without training) in order to establish a baseline. The reports were manually edited and the model re-trained for the next test set. After manually editing 25, 50, 100, 250, 500 and if applicable 1000 reports of each type re-training was applied.
Results In the native test, 61.3 % of direct and 80.8 % of the indirect identifiers were detected. The performance (P) increased to 91.4 % (P25), 96.7 % (P50), 99.5 % (P100), 99.6 % (P250), 99.7 % (P500) and 100 % (P1000) for direct identifiers and to 93.2 % (P25), 97.9 % (P50), 97.2 % (P100), 98.9 % (P250), 99.0 % (P500) and 99.3 % (P1000) for indirect identifiers. Without training, 5.3 % of medical terms were falsely flagged as critical data. The performance increased, after training, to 4.0 % (P25), 3.6 % (P50), 4.0 % (P100), 3.7 % (P250), 4.3 % (P500), and 3.1 % (P1000). Roughly 0.1 % of filler words were falsely flagged.
Conclusion Training of the developed de-identification tool continuously improved its performance. Training with roughly 100 edited reports enables reliable detection and labeling of sensitive data in different types of medical reports.
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Commercialization in Agriculture, 2006–14
Authors: Cazzuffi Chiara , McKay Andy , Perge Emilie 
Published: March 2017

Abstract
A key feature of Viet Nam’s economic transformation has been the dramatic progress made in agriculture. This chapter focuses specifically on commercialization, a key feature of this. It looks in particular at sales of rice, Viet Nam’s key food crop, as well as households’ engagement in coffee cultivation and aquaculture activities, activities undertaken almost exclusively for sale and often export. Large numbers of households sell rice, whereas fewer engage in coffee production or aquaculture, which require the right geographic conditions and significant investment. Important differences are identified between those engaged in commercialization and those not; there are clear geographic patterns and clear associations with wealth (including, often, land size and/or quality). Access to different production inputs are also extremely important.
Transtibial Amputation Outcomes Study (TAOS): Comparing Transtibial Amputation With and Without a Tibiofibular Synostosis (Ertl) Procedure
Authors: Bosse Michael J. , Morshed Saam , Reider Lisa , Ertl William , Toledano James , Firoozabadi Reeza , Seymour Rachel B. , Carroll Eben , Scharfstein Daniel O. , Steverson Barbara , MacKenzie Ellen J. ,   METRC
Published: March 2017

Summary:
The optimal technique for a transtibial amputation in a young, active, and healthy patient is controversial. Proponents of the Ertl procedure (in which the cut ends of the tibia and fibula are joined with a bone bridge synostosis) argue that the residual limb is more stable which confers better prosthetic fit and improved function especially among high-performing individuals. At the same time, the Ertl procedure is associated with longer operative and healing time and may be associated with a higher complication rate compared with the standard Burgess procedure. The TAOS is a prospective, multicenter randomized trial comparing 18-month outcomes after transtibial amputation using the Ertl versus Burgess approach among adults aged 18 to 60. The primary outcomes include surgical treatment for a complication and patient-reported function. Secondary outcomes include physical impairment, pain, and treatment cost.