bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum alanine aminotransferase level and liver‐related mortality in patients with chronic hepatitis B: A large national cohort study
Authors: Shim Jae‐Jun , Kim Jung Wook , Oh Chi Hyuk , Lee Ye‐Rin , Lee Ji Sung , Park So‐Youn , Kim Byung‐Ho , Oh In‐Hwan 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level has been used to identify at‐risk patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) who need antiviral therapy. However, the level associated with increased liver‐related mortality requiring active treatment is still unclear.MethodsWe used a Health Examination Cohort of the National Health Insurance Service of Korea that included approximately 0.5 million individuals aged 40‐79 years. In total, 12 486 patients with CHB and no other concurrent liver disease were enrolled, and patients’ liver‐related mortality, including that owing to liver cancer, was investigated over 9 years.ResultsThe serum ALT level was correlated positively with liver‐related mortality. The rates in men were 0.14, 0.17, 0.24, 0.57, 0.63 and 0.85 per 100 person‐years (%) for serum ALT levels of <20, 20‐29, 30‐39, 40‐49, 50‐79 and ≥80 U/L, respectively, and the corresponding liver‐related mortality rates in women were 0.03%, 0.09%, 0.12%, 0.63%, 0.65% and 0.32%. In patients with ALT levels of 40‐79 U/L, the liver‐related mortality rates were 0.60% in men and 0.64% in women, which were similar to the overall mortality rate of age‐ and sex‐matched subjects without CHB (0.69%). The best cut‐off values for liver‐related mortality prediction were >34 U/L in men and >30 U/L in women.ConclusionsThe liver‐related mortality rate increased significantly, even in CHB patients with relatively low serum ALT levels. Careful monitoring or earlier antiviral therapy should be considered for patients aged >40 years with serum ALT levels above the upper limit of normal.
Recommendations for pharmacological clinical trials in children with functional constipation: The Rome foundation pediatric subcommittee on clinical trials
Authors: Koppen I. J. N. , Saps M. , Lavigne J. V. , Nurko S. , Taminiau J. A. J. M. , Di Lorenzo C. , Benninga M. A. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundEvidence for the efficacy of commonly used drugs in the treatment of childhood functional constipation (FC) is scarce, studies are often of low quality and study designs are heterogeneous. Thus, recommendations for the design of clinical trials in childhood FC are needed.PurposeMembers of the Rome Foundation and a member of the Pediatric Committee of the European Medicines Agency formed a committee to create recommendations for the design of clinical trials in children with FC.Key RecommendationsThis committee recommends conducting randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group clinical trials to assess the efficacy of new drugs for the treatment of childhood FC. Pediatric study participants should be included based on fulfilling the Rome IV criteria for FC. A treatment free run‐in period for baseline assessment is recommended. The trial duration should be at least 8 weeks. Treatment success is defined as no longer meeting the Rome IV criteria for FC. Stool consistency should be reported based on the Bristol Stool Scale. Endpoints of drug efficacy need to be tailored to the developmental age of the patient population.
Mechanisms underlying B cell immune dysregulation and autoantibody production in MuSK myasthenia gravis
Authors: Stathopoulos Panos , Kumar Aditya , Heiden Jason A. Vander , Pascual‐Goñi Elba , Nowak Richard J. , O'Connor Kevin C. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractPathogenic autoantibodies to muscle‐specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK) can be found in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) who do not have detectable antibodies to the acetylcholine receptor. Although the autoantibody‐mediated pathology is well understood, much remains to be learned about the cellular immunology that contributes to autoantibody production. To that end, our laboratory has investigated particular components associated with the cellular immunopathology of MuSK MG. First, we found that B cell tolerance defects contribute to the abnormal development of the naive repertoire, which indicates that dysregulation occurs before the production of autoantibodies. Second, both the naive and antigen‐experienced memory B cell repertoire, which we examined through the application of high‐throughput adaptive immune receptor repertoire sequencing, include abnormalities not found in healthy controls. This highlights a broad immune dysregulation. Third, using complementary approaches, including production of human monoclonal antibodies, we determined that circulating plasmablasts directly contribute to the production of MuSK‐specific autoantibodies in patients experiencing relapse following B cell depletion therapy. These collective findings contribute to defining a mechanistic model that describes MuSK MG immunopathogenesis.
The strength of weight‐bearing bones is similar in amenorrheic and eumenorrheic elite long‐distance runners
Authors: Piasecki J. , Ireland A. , Piasecki M. , Cameron J. , McPhee J. S. , Degens H. 
Published: January 2018

Regular intense endurance exercise can lead to amenorrhea with possible adverse consequences for bone health. We compared whole body and regional bone strength and skeletal muscle characteristics between amenorrheic (AA: n = 14) and eumenorrheic (EA: n = 15) elite adult female long‐distance runners and nonathletic controls (C: n = 15). Participants completed 3‐day food diaries, dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT), and isometric maximal voluntary knee extension contraction (MVC). Both athlete groups had a higher caloric intake than controls, with no significant difference between athlete groups. DXA revealed lower bone mineral density (BMD) at the trunk, rib, pelvis, and lumbar spine in the AA than EA and C. pQCT showed greater bone size in the radius and tibia in EA and AA than C. The radius and tibia of AA had a larger endocortical circumference than C. Tibia bone mass and moments of inertia (Ix and Iy) were greater in AA and EA than C, whereas in the radius, only the proximal Iy was larger in EA than C. Knee extensor MVC did not differ significantly between groups. Amenorrheic adult female elite long‐distance runners had lower BMD in the trunk, lumbar spine, ribs, and pelvis than eumenorrheic athletes and controls. The radius and tibia bone size and strength indicators were similar in amenorrheic and eumenorrheic athletes, suggesting that long bones of the limbs differ in their response to amenorrhea from bones in the trunk.
Effects of nutrition and hygiene education on oral health and growth among toddlers in rural Uganda: follow‐up of a cluster‐randomised controlled trial
Authors: Muhoozi Grace K. M. , Atukunda Prudence , Skaare Anne B. , Willumsen Tiril , Diep Lien My , Westerberg Ane C. , Iversen Per Ole 
Published: January 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the effect of a nutrition and hygiene education intervention on oral health behaviour and whether early onset of caries was related to child growth in rural Uganda.MethodsFollow‐up study of a cluster‐randomised controlled trial conducted between October 2013 and January 2015. Data were available from 399 mother/child pairs (203 in the intervention and 198 in the control group) of the original trial (78%) when the children were 36 months old. Oral health behaviour was evaluated using questionnaires. Photographs of the maxillary anterior teeth were examined for unmistakably carious lesions, and 115 water samples from the study area were analysed for fluoride concentration.ResultsThe frequency of cleaning of the child's teeth at 36 months was about twice as high in the intervention as in the control group (84.3% vs. 46.6%; P = 0.0001). Cavitated carious lesions occurred more frequently in the control than the intervention group (27.8% vs. 18.2%; P = 0.04). Extraction of ‘false teeth’ (ebiino), a painful and crude traditional operation, was profoundly reduced in the intervention group (8.9% vs. 24.7%; P = 0.001). There was no evidence of association between the occurrence of caries and child growth.ConclusionsThe education intervention improved oral hygiene practices and reduced the development and progression of caries and extraction of ebiino. Early childhood caries was not clearly associated with child growth.
Validation of a model of feline ureteral obstruction as a tool for teaching microsurgery to veterinary surgeons
Authors: Phillips Heidi , Ellison Gary W. , Mathews Kyle G. , Aronson Lillian R. , Schmiedt Chad W. , Robello Gil , Selmic Laura E. , Gregory Clare R. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the content and face validity of a model of an obstructed feline ureter as a tool for teaching ureteral microsurgery.Study designProspective, experimental study.Sample populationSeven expert and 11 novice microsurgeons.MethodsThe model was created from latex rubber with an inner diameter of 0.8 mm and an outer diameter of 5 mm. The “ureter” was created with an inner compartment, a thin wall, and a soft, outer layer mimicking periureteral fat. A “ureterolith” 0.8‐1.2 mm in diameter was placed inside the inner compartment by using a blunt‐tipped cannula. A standardized “ureterotomy” was performed by 7 expert and 11 novice microsurgeons. Both groups completed questionnaires evaluating the content and face validity of the model using subjective measures and a 5‐point Likert scale. Reliability was analysed by calculation of Cronbach's α for all questions to ensure α ≥ .7. The median responses to each question were compared between groups with a nonparametric independent samples median test.P < .05 was considered significant.ResultsThe Cronbach's α for the experts and the novices for content validity questions was .7 and .9, respectively, and for the face validity questions it was .7 and .8, respectively. The model was rated to have excellent content validity and very good face validity.Conclusion and impactThe model elicited positive responses from expert and novice microsurgeons and can be recommended as a tool for teaching ureteral microsurgery. A model validated by face and content measures should next be scrutinized by determination of construct, concurrent, and predictive validity by using objective measures.
Evaluation of a method to assess digitally recorded surgical skills of novice veterinary students
Authors: Williamson Julie A. , Farrell Robin , Skowron Casey , Brisson Brigitte A. , Anderson Stacy , Spangler Dawn , Johnson Jason 
Published: January 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate a method to assess surgical skills of veterinary students that is based on digital recording of their performance during closure of a celiotomy in canine cadavers.Sample PopulationSecond year veterinary students without prior experience with live animal or simulated surgical procedure (n = 19)MethodsEach student completed a 3‐layer closure of a celiotomy on a canine cadaver. Each procedure was digitally recorded with a single small wide‐angle camera mounted to the overhead surgical light. The performance was scored by 2 of 5 trained raters who were unaware of the identity of the students. Scores were based on an 8‐item rubric that was created to evaluate surgical skills that are required to close a celiotomy. The reliability of scores was tested with Cronbach's α, intraclass correlation, and a generalizability study.ResultsThe internal consistency of the grading rubric, as measured by α, was .76. Interrater reliability, as measured by intraclass correlation, was 0.64. The generalizability coefficient was 0.56.ConclusionReliability measures of 0.60 and above have been suggested as adequate to assess low‐stakes skills. The task‐specific grading rubric used in this study to evaluate veterinary surgical skills captured by a single wide‐angle camera mounted to an overhead surgical light produced scores with acceptable internal consistency, substantial interrater reliability, and marginal generalizability.ImpactEvaluation of veterinary students’ surgical skills by using digital recordings with a validated rubric improves flexibility when designing accurate assessments.
Evaluation of inguinal vascular surgical scars treated with closed incisional negative pressure wound therapy using three‐dimensional digital imaging—A randomized controlled trial on bilateral incisions
Authors: Svensson‐Björk Robert , Hasselmann Julien , Acosta Stefan 
Published: January 2018

AbstractPurpose of the investigationScar formation is an important, permanent surrogate marker for wound healing. The main aim of this randomized trial was to evaluate the effects of incisional negative pressure wound therapy (iNPWT) on scar formation in uncomplicated wound healing with 3‐dimensional (3D) digital imaging.Basic proceduresPatients undergoing bilateral inguinal incisions after vascular surgery were randomized to receive iNPWT and standard dressing on separate sides. The incisional scars were documented at a median time of 808 days (range 394–1194) after surgery with 3D photography, which were objectively evaluated by two plastic surgeons using the Stony Brook scar evaluation scale (SBSES) and a 10‐point graded numeric ranking scale (NRS10). Subjective evaluation was performed with the patient observer scar assessment scale (POSAS). Patients with surgical site infection or other wound complications were excluded to minimize bias. The p‐values were calculated using McNemar's and Wilcoxon signed‐rank test for paired nominal and paired continuous data, respectively.Main findingsAmong 33 patients, 32 patients had undergone endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) and 31 patients had transverse inguinal incisions. Objective and subjective scar evaluation showed no difference between iNPWT and standard dressing. In objective scorings, 18.8 and 21.9% received the highest possible SBSES total score in the iNPWT and standard dressing groups, while 43.8 and 37.5% received the highest possible NRS10 score, respectively. The inter‐rater reliability between the two assessors for SBSES total score and NRS10 showed an intra‐class correlation (ICC) of 0.78 and 0.68 for NPWT and 0.70 and 0.77 for traditional dressing, respectively.Principal conclusionThe present randomized trial showed that iNPWT and standard dressings on closed transverse inguinal incisions after EVAR resulted in equal subtle scar formation. Objective scar evaluation with 3D images showed good inter‐rater agreement.
Outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium associated with feeder rodents
Authors: Vrbova L. , Sivanantharajah S. , Walton R. , Whitfield Y. , Lee C. , Picard I. , Chapinal N. , Gaulin C. , Tschetter L. , Tataryn J. 
Published: January 2018

SummaryIn December 2012, an increase in human Salmonella Typhimurium cases was identified in the province of Ontario, Canada launching an outbreak investigation. The outbreak spanned 3 years (2012–2014), with 134 cases reported from five Canadian provinces. There was a substantial burden of illness among children: 45% of cases were children 12 years old or under, and 23% of cases were under 5 years old. Epidemiologic, traceback and laboratory findings linked this outbreak to feeder rodents (used to feed snakes) supplied by a network of rodent breeders in Ontario. Cases likely acquired their illness through either direct or indirect contact with feeder rodents. This investigation not only contributes to the weight of evidence on the risk that feeder rodents pose, but also underscores the importance of investigating indirect animal contact and associated risks, especially for high‐risk individuals.
Reviewer Acknowledgements
Authors: Smith Robert 
Published: January 2018

Journal of Education and Training Studies (JETS) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether JETS publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue.Reviewers for Volume 6, Number 2Ahmed Hassan Hemdan Mohamed, Sultan Qaboos University, OmanBrad Barker-University of Nebraska Lincoln, USACharlotte Alverson, University of Oregon, USADeborah Christine Robinson, University of Derby, UKElena Jerves, University of Cuenca, EcuadorEnisa Mede, Bahcesehir University, TurkeyErica D. Shifflet-Chila, Michigan State University, USAIntakhab Khan, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi ArabiaIoannis Syrmpas, University of Thessaly, GreeceLaima Kyburiene, Kaunas University of Applied Sciences, LithuaniaLisa Marie Portugal, Grand Canyon University, USALorna T. Enerva, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, PhilippinesMarcie Zaharee, The MITRE Corporation, USAMassimiliano Barattucci, Ecampus University, ItalyMehmet Inan, Marmara University, TurkeyMehmet Unlü, TurkeyRichard H. Martin, Mercer University, USARiyadh Tariq Kadhim Al-Ameedi, Babylon University, IraqSadia Batool, Preston University Islamabad, PakistanVedat Sahin, Turkey Robert SmithEditorial AssistantOn behalf of,The Editorial Board of Journal of Education and Training StudiesRedfame Publishing9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416Beaverton, OR 97008, USAURL: http://jets.redfame.com
Surveillance of Omadacycline Activity Tested against Clinical Isolates from the United States and Europe as Part of the 2016 SENTRY Antimicrobial Surveillance Program
Authors: Pfaller Michael A. , Huband Michael D. , Shortridge Dee , Flamm Robert K. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT

Omadacycline was tested against 21,000 bacterial isolates collected prospectively from medical centers in Europe and the United States during 2016. Omadacycline was active against
Staphylococcus aureus
(MIC
50
/MIC
90
, 0.12/0.25 mg/liter), including methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
(MRSA); streptococci (MIC
50
/MIC
90
, 0.06/0.12 mg/liter), including
Streptococcus pneumoniae
, viridans group streptococci, and beta-hemolytic streptococci;
Enterobacteriaceae
, including
Escherichia coli
(MIC
50
/MIC
90
, 0.5/2 mg/liter);
Haemophilus influenzae
(MIC
50
/MIC
90
, 1/1 mg/liter); and
Moraxella catarrhalis
(MIC
50
/MIC
90
, 0.25/0.25 mg/liter). Omadacycline merits further study in serious infections where resistant pathogens may be encountered.
Conserved Surface Residues on the Feline Calicivirus Capsid Are Essential for Interaction with Its Receptor Feline Junctional Adhesion Molecule A (fJAM-A)
Authors: Lu Zhengchun , Ledgerwood Emily D. , Hinchman Meleana M. , Dick Robert , Parker John S. L. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTHost cell surface receptors are required for attachment, binding, entry, and infection by nonenveloped viruses. Receptor binding can induce conformational changes in the viral capsid and/or the receptor that couple binding with downstream events in the virus life cycle (intracellular signaling, endocytosis and trafficking, and membrane penetration). Virus-receptor interactions also influence viral spread and pathogenicity. The interaction between feline calicivirus (FCV) and its receptor, feline junctional adhesion molecule A (fJAM-A), on host cells is required for infection and induces irreversible, inactivating conformational changes in the capsid of some viral strains. Cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of FCV bound to fJAM-A showed several possible virus-receptor interactions. However, the specific residues on the viral capsid required for binding are not known. Capsid residues that may be involved in postbinding events have been implicated by isolation of soluble receptor-resistant (srr) mutants in which changes in the capsid protein sequence change the capacity of such srr mutants to be inactivated upon incubation with soluble fJAM-A. To clarify which residues on the surface of FCV are required for its interaction with fJAM-A and to potentially identify residues required for postreceptor binding events, we used the existing atomic-resolution structures of FCV and the FCV-fJAM-A cryo-EM structures to select 14 capsid residues for mutation and preparation of recombinant viral capsids. Using this approach, we identified residues on the FCV capsid that are required for fJAM-A binding and other residues that are not required for binding but are required for infection that are likely important for subsequent postbinding events.IMPORTANCEFeline calicivirus (FCV) is a common cause of mild upper respiratory disease in cats. Some FCV isolates can cause virulent systemic disease. The genetic determinants of virulence for FCV are unknown. We previously found that virulent FCV isolates have fasterin vitrogrowth kinetics than less virulent isolates. Differences in viral growthin vitromay correlate with differences in virulence. Here, we investigated the roles of specific FCV capsid residues on the receptor-virus interaction and viral growthin vitro. We show that the capsid protein genes of the virulent FCV-5 isolate determine its fasterin vitrogrowth kinetics compared to those of the nonvirulent FCV-Urbana infectious clone. We also identified residues on the capsid VP1 protein that are important for receptor binding or for steps subsequent to receptor binding. Our data provide further insight into the specific molecular interactions between fJAM-A and the FCV capsid that regulate binding and infectious entry.