bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Molecular detection of Wolbachia pipientis in natural populations of mosquito vectors of Dirofilaria immitis from continental Portugal: first detection in Culex theileri
Authors: DE PINHO MIXÃO V. , MENDES A. M. , MAURÍCIO I. L. , CALADO M. M. , NOVO M. T. , BELO S. , ALMEIDA A. P. G. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractWolbachia pipientis (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) protects mosquitoes from infections with arboviruses and parasites. However, the effect of its co‐infection on vector competence for Dirofilaria immitis (Spirurida: Onchocercidae) in the wild has not been investigated. This study aimed to screen vectors of D. immitis for wPip, to characterize these, and to investigate a possible association between the occurrence of W. pipientis and that of the nematode. The presence of W. pipientis was assessed in the five mosquito potential vectors of D. immitis in Portugal. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products were sequenced, and wPip haplotypes were determined by PCR–restricted fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Results showed that wPip was detected in 61.5% of Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae) pools and 6.3% of Culex theileri pools. wPip 16s rRNA sequences found in Cx. theileri exactly match those from Cx. pipiens, confirming a mosquito origin, rather than a nematode origin, as some specimens were infected with D. immitis. Only wPip haplotype I was found. No association was found between the presence of wPip and D. immitis in mosquitoes and hence a role for this endosymbiont in influencing vectorial competence is yet to be identified. This study contributes to understanding of wPip distribution in mosquito populations and, to the best of the authors' knowledge, is the first report of natural infections by wPip in Cx. theileri.
Safety and effectiveness of response‐guided therapy using pegylated interferon and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C virus infection in patients on maintenance dialysis
Authors: Goel Amit , Bhadauria Dharmendra Singh , Kaul Anupma , Prasad Narayan , Gupta Amit , Sharma Raj Kumar , Rai Praveer , Aggarwal Rakesh 
Published: June 2016

AbstractAimTreatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) is difficult. Addition of ribavirin to pegylated‐interferon (Peg‐IFN) may help to improve the treatment response. Further, treatment duration could be shortened using a response‐guided treatment (RGT) approach.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed records of treatment‐naïve adult patients with ESRD and chronic HCV infection who had been treated with Peg‐IFN and low‐dose ribavirin using a RGT approach. Rapid responders (undetectable HCV‐RNA at 4 weeks) received treatment for 12 weeks, and slow responders (HCV‐RNA detectable at 4 weeks, but undetectable or with >2.0 log10 reduction at week 12) for 24 (genotype 3; GT3) or 48 (genotype 1; GT1) weeks. In those without such reduction (null responders), treatment was discontinued.ResultsOf 26 non‐cirrhotic patients (GT1 15, GT3 11) treated, four (15%; GT1 3, GT3 1) were null responders. Twenty‐two (85%) patients had either rapid (n = 14 (54%); GT1 10, GT3 4) or slow response (n = 8 (31%); GT1 2, GT3 6). Of them, 21 patients had undetectable RNA at the end of treatment; one could not complete the treatment and was lost thereafter. There were no deaths during treatment. Three patients relapsed and three others died in 6 months after stopping treatment. Overall, 15/26 (58%) patients attained SVR24. Fourteen patients underwent transplantation beginning one month after treatment completion, and all were relapse‐free after 17 (14–24) months of follow‐up.ConclusionRGT using Peg‐IFN and ribavirin was effective in ESRD patients on maintenance dialysis. Renal transplant was safely done within one month of completing such treatment.
Haemodialysis patients with diabetes eat less than those without: A plea for a permissive diet
Authors: Bataille Stanislas , Landrier Jean‐François , Astier Julien , Cado Sylvie , Sallette Jérôme , Giaime Philippe , Sampol Jérôme , Sichez Hélène , Ollier Jacques , Gugliotta Jean , Serveaux Marianne , Cohen Julien , Darmon Patrice 
Published: June 2016

AbstractAimThe main cause of malnutrition in haemodialysis patients is a spontaneous decline in energy and protein intakes. This study aims to report the dietary energy intake (DEI), dietary protein intake (DPI), and dietary micronutrient intake in a French HD population, to report factors associated with a low DPI and DEI, and to analyze if nutritional intake was correlated with nutritional status.MethodsWe conducted an observational cross‐sectional study in a haemodialysis population of 87 adult patients in July 2014. Daily nutritional oral intake, handgrip strength, body composition measured by bioimpedancemetry, and biological and dialysis parameters were obtained from medical records. Statistical analyses of parameters associated with DEI and DPI were performed.ResultsThe median age (interquartile range) of the population was 77.3 [71.1; 84.8] years, 57.5% were men, and 52.9% had diabetes mellitus. Median weight‐adjusted DEI was 18.4 [15.7;22.3] kcal/kg per day (1308 [1078; 1569] kcal/day), and median weight‐adjusted DPI was 0.80 [0.66; 0.96] g/kg per day (57.5 [47.1; 66.8] g/day). In multivariate analysis, weight‐adjusted DEI was statistically lower in patients with diabetes (coefficient [95%CI] –3.81[−5.21;‐2.41] kcal/kg per day; P = 0.01) but was not associated with the others parameters. When DEI was not adjusted for weight, diabetes was no longer associated with DEI, but female gender (−178[−259;–961] kcal/day; P = 0.03) and a higher Charlson comorbidity index (−30[−44;–15]; P = 0.04) were associated with a lower calorie intake. Results for DPI were similar except that the Charlson comorbidity index did not reach significance.ConclusionsDiabetes is an important factor associated with low dietary intake in haemodialysis patients. Restrictive regimens should be prescribed cautiously in haemodialysis patients, especially in those with diabetes.
Male‐specific colon motility dysfunction in the TashT mouse line
Authors: Touré A. M. , Charrier B. , Pilon N. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractBackgroundIn Hirschsprung disease (HSCR), the absence of myenteric neural ganglia in the distal bowel prevents motility and thereby causes functional intestinal obstruction. Although surgical resection of the aganglionic segment allows HSCR children to survive this condition, a number of patients still suffer from impaired motility despite having myenteric ganglia in their postoperative distal bowel. Such phenomenon is also observed in patients suffering from other enteric neuropathies and, in both cases, colonic dysmotility is believed to result from abnormalities of myenteric ganglia and/or associated interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC). To better understand this, we used a recently described HSCR mouse model called TashT.MethodsIntestinal motility parameters were assessed and correlated with extent of aganglionosis and with neuronal density in ganglionated regions. The neural composition of the myenteric plexus and the status of ICC networks was also evaluated using immunofluorescence.Key ResultsTashTTg/Tg mice display a strong male bias in the severity of both colonic aganglionosis and hypoganglionosis, which are associated with male‐specific reduced colonic motility. TashTTg/Tg male mice also exhibit a specific increase in nNos+ neurons that is restricted to the most distal ganglionated regions. In contrast, Calretinin+ myenteric neurons, Sox10+ myenteric glial cells, and cKit+ ICC are not affected in TashTTg/Tg mice.Conclusions and InferencesMale‐specific impairment of colonic motility in TashTTg/Tg mice is associated with both severe hypoganglionosis and myenteric neuronal imbalance. Considering these parameters in the clinic might be important for the management of postoperative HSCR patients.
Patient‐reported outcome measures for allergy and asthma in children
Authors: Soyiri Ireneous N. , Nwaru Bright I. , Sheikh Aziz 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThere is increasing recognition of the importance of patient's perceptions of disease and their assessments of heathcare processes. Patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) are therefore now regarded as at least as important as the traditional objective measures of disease. For minors, parental and, except in the very young and severally cognitively impaired, the child's perspectives are important because they provide unique and complementary information. In this review, we summarize the evidence on PROMs for allergy and asthma for use in children. Overall, there are fewer PROMs available for use in children than in adults. We were able to identify some validated pediatric PROMs that have been developed for use in atopic eczema/dermatitis, food allergy, allergic rhinitis/rhinoconjunctivitis, and asthma. There is very limited evidence on deploying these instruments out with research settings. There is therefore a pressing need to report on the experiences of using PROMs for allergy and asthma in routine clinical care. In particular, there is a need to understand how acceptable these are to children/carers, whether they can be incorporated into routine clinical assessments and if they are responsive to changes in treatment made in routine clinical practice.
An institutional approach to the management of the ‘Can't Intubate, Can't Oxygenate’ emergency in children
Authors: Sabato Stefano C. , Long Elliot 
Published: June 2016

SummaryThe ‘Can't Intubate Can't Oxygenate’ emergency is rare in children. Nevertheless, airway clinicians involved in pediatric airway management must be able to rescue the airway percutaneously through the front of the neck should this situation be encountered. Little evidence exists in children to guide rescue techniques, and extrapolation of adult evidence may be problematic due to anatomical differences. This document reviews the currently available evidence, and presents a practical approach to standardizing equipment, techniques, and training for managing the ‘Can't Intubate Can't Oxygenate’ emergency in children.
Development of the Japanese version of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ Transplant Module
Authors: Kikuchi Ryota , Mizuta Koichi , Urahashi Taizen , Sanada Yukihiro , Yamada Naoya , Onuma Erika , Ono Minoru , Endo Miyoko , Sato Iori , Kamibeppu Kiyoko 
Published: June 2016

AbstractBackgroundHealth‐related quality of life (HRQOL) is an important outcome in pediatric solid organ transplantation. Considering the emerging problems after transplantation, an evaluation of transplant‐specific aspects of HRQOL is essential, but no validated HRQOL measure is available in Japan. The aim of this study was therefore to develop the Japanese version of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ (PedsQL) Transplant Module Child Self‐Report and to investigate its feasibility, reliability, and validity.MethodsBased on the PedsQL linguistic validation process, the Japanese version of the PedsQL Transplant Module was developed through translation and cognitive interviews (patient testing). The scale's reliability and validity were investigated, using statistical analyses of field tests of the target population.ResultsEighty‐seven pairs of pediatric liver‐transplant recipients and their parents participated in the field test. The pediatric patients completed the measure in 3–7 min, and the rate of missing items was low (0.27%). Excellent internal consistency and test–retest reliability were confirmed. Known‐groups validity, concurrent validity, and convergent and discriminant validity also were confirmed.ConclusionsExcellent feasibility, reliability, and validity of this Japanese self‐report version of the PedsQL Transplant Module Child Self‐Report were verified. As a measure of transplant‐specific aspects of HRQOL in Japanese pediatric patients who have undergone organ transplants, the Japanese version of the PedsQL Transplant Module is appropriate for use in clinical and research settings.
Comparison of Intrauterine Antibiotics versus Ozone Medical Use in Sheep with Retained Placenta and Following Obstetric Assistance
Authors: Đuričić D , Valpotić H , Žura Žaja I , Samardžija M 
Published: June 2016

ContentsThis study outlines a new approach to reproductive tract treatment using ozone foam spray for certain ovine obstetrical problems, such as retained foetal membranes and possible uterine infections following obstetric assistance (OA), in comparison with classical antibiotics treatments. The study was conducted on 256 ewes from 11 sheep farms in north‐western Croatia. A total of 139 ewes were diagnosed with dystocia (DT) and 49 with retention of placenta (RP). Ewes with RP were treated either with ozone foam spray (Riger spray G; Novagen®) applied into the body of the uterus for 2–3 s (first or RPO group; n = 24) or with two foaming, intrauterine tablets of oxytetracycline hydrochloride (Geomycin® F) (second or RPA group; n = 25). The third and fourth groups consisted of ewes that received OA for dystocia (including ringwomb, foetal oversize and assistance of abnormal position and posture). The third group (DTO; n = 70) was treated with ozone foam spray, while ewes in fourth group (DTA; n = 69) were treated with antibiotics. The ewes in the control group (CTL) with physiological puerperium were randomly selected (n = 70) from all herds. Transrectal ultrasonography (transversal diameter of uterine horns) was used for the control of uterus regression on days 2 and 25 after parturition. There was a difference in transversal uterine horn diameter in the RP groups, that is RPO and RPA (5.40 ± 0.53 cm vs. 5.43 ± 0.40 cm), ewes with dystocia, that is DTO and DTA (5.37 ± 0.49 cm vs. 5.54 ± 0.60 cm) and ewes from the CTL group (4.98 ± 0.35 cm) one day after parturition. Average transversal uterine diameter of all groups at day 25 post‐partum was 1.80 ± 0.15 cm. The intrauterine ozone treatment in ewes with RP and after manual obstetrics attained similar results to spontaneously delivered ewes (CTL group), showed as the physiological regression of the uterus with a similar transversal diameter without the presence of lochia in the uterine lumen, indicating that this could be a novel potential alternative therapy.
Simultaneous Inference for Multilevel Linear Mixed Models—With an Application to a Large-Scale School Meal Study
Authors: Ritz Christian , Pilmann Laursen Rikke , Trab Damsgaard Camilla 
Published: June 2016

SummaryIn large multilevel studies effects of interest are often evaluated for a number of more or less related outcomes. For instance, the present work was motivated by the multiplicity issues that arose in the analysis of a cluster-randomized, crossover intervention study evaluating the health benefits of a school meal programme. We propose a novel and versatile framework for simultaneous inference on parameters estimated from linear mixed models that were fitted separately for several outcomes from the same study, but did not necessarily contain the same fixed or random effects. By combining asymptotic representations of parameter estimates from separate model fits we could derive the joint asymptotic normal distribution for all parameter estimates of interest for all outcomes considered. This result enabled the construction of simultaneous confidence intervals and calculation of adjusted p-values. For sample sizes of practical relevance we studied simultaneous coverage through simulation, which showed that the approach achieved acceptable coverage probabilities even for small sample sizes (10 clusters) and for 2–16 outcomes. The approach also compared favourably with a joint modelling approach. We also analysed data with 17 outcomes from the motivating study, resulting in adjusted p-values that were appreciably less conservative than Bonferroni adjustment.
Parametric Dose Standardization for Optimizing Two-Agent Combinations in a Phase I–II Trial with Ordinal Outcomes
Authors: Thall Peter F. , Nguyen Hoang Q. , Zinner Ralph G. 
Published: June 2016

SummaryA Bayesian model and design are described for a phase I–II trial to optimize jointly the doses of a targeted agent and a chemotherapy agent for solid tumours. A challenge in designing the trial was that both the efficacy and the toxicity outcomes were defined as four-level ordinal variables. To reflect possibly complex joint effects of the two doses on each of the two outcomes, for each marginal distribution a generalized continuation ratio model was assumed, with each agent's dose parametrically standardized in the linear term. A copula was assumed to obtain a bivariate distribution. Elicited outcome probabilities were used to construct a prior, with variances calibrated to obtain small prior effective sample size. Elicited numerical utilities of the 16 elementary outcomes were used to compute posterior mean utilities as criteria for selecting dose pairs, with adaptive randomization to reduce the risk of becoming stuck at a suboptimal pair. A simulation study showed that parametric dose standardization with additive dose effects provides a robust reliable model for dose pair optimization in this setting, and it compares favourably with designs based on alternative models that include dose–dose interaction terms. The model and method proposed are applicable generally to other clinical trial settings with similar dose and outcome structures.
Obamacare and the Politics of Universal Health Insurance Coverage in the United States
Authors: Béland Daniel , Rocco Philip , Waddan Alex 
Published: June 2016

AbstractIn the USA, universal coverage has long been a key objective of liberal reformers. Yet, despite the enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) (commonly known as ‘Obamacare’) in 2010, the USA is not set to provide health care coverage to all, even if and when that reform is fully implemented. This article explores this issue by asking the following question: Why was a clear commitment to universal coverage, the norm in other industrialized countries, excluded as a core objective of the PPACA and how has post‐enactment politics at both the federal and the state level further shaped coverage issues? The analysis traces the issue of universal coverage prior to the debate over the PPACA, during the 2008 presidential race, and during consideration of the bill. The article then looks at the post‐enactment politics of coverage, with a particular focus on how states have responded to the planned use of the Medicaid programme to expand access to care. The article concludes by discussing how an explanation of the limits of the PPACA, in terms of both its commitment to universal coverage and, more importantly, the failure to provide comprehensive health insurance to all, requires an understanding of complex institutional and policy dynamics.
An Analysis of Taiwanese Immigrants' Health Care Choice – Obamacare or Taiwan National Health Care
Authors: Liu Su‐Chiu 
Published: June 2016

AbstractDue to recent policy changes in the USA and Taiwan, Taiwanese immigrants residing in the USA face a choice of continuing to receive health care in the USA or returning to Taiwan for treatment care. This study uses a quantitative survey to explore the association between recent health policy changes and the health care choice of Taiwanese immigrants residing in the USA.These findings indicate that there are statistically significant associations between a variety of factors and the Taiwanese immigrants' desire to return to Taiwan for health care under the new national health insurance plan (2nd NHIA). The variables positively associated with a desire to return to Taiwan for health care include the length of domicile and residence required to receive benefits, a nostalgic desire to return to Taiwan, the lower cost of health care in Taiwan, and if the respondents had come to the USA before 1996. The negatively associated variables include having a job in the USA, having a desire to return to Taiwan to live after retirement, the language preference in communications with a doctor, and a preference about the best place to receive dental treatment. The study reveals the dynamics behind the health care decision‐making of Taiwanese immigrants and particularly their choice of whether to seek care in the USA or in Taiwan.
Ectopic activation of the rice NLR heteropair RGA4/RGA5 confers resistance to bacterial blight and bacterial leaf streak diseases
Authors: Hutin Mathilde , Césari Stella , Chalvon Véronique , Michel Corinne , Tran Tuan Tu , Boch Jens , Koebnik Ralf , Szurek Boris , Kroj Thomas 
Published: June 2016

SummaryBacterial blight (BB) and bacterial leaf streak (BLS) are important diseases in Oryza sativa caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) and Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola (Xoc), respectively. In both bacteria, transcription activator‐like (TAL) effectors are major virulence determinants that act by transactivating host genes downstream of effector‐binding elements (EBEs) bound in a sequence‐specific manner. Resistance to Xoo is mostly related to the action of TAL effectors, either by polymorphisms that prevent the induction of susceptibility (S) genes or by executor (R) genes with EBEs embedded in their promoter, and that induce cell death and resistance. For Xoc, no resistance sources are known in rice. Here, we investigated whether the recognition of effectors by nucleotide binding and leucine‐rich repeat domain immune receptors (NLRs), the most widespread resistance mechanism in plants, is also able to stop BB and BLS. In one instance, transgenic rice lines harboring the AVR1‐CO39 effector gene from the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae, under the control of an inducible promoter, were challenged with transgenic Xoo and Xoc strains carrying a TAL effector designed to transactivate the inducible promoter. This induced AVR1‐CO39 expression and triggered BB and BLS resistance when the corresponding Pi‐CO39 resistance locus was present. In a second example, the transactivation of an auto‐active NLR by Xoo‐delivered designer TAL effectors resulted in BB resistance, demonstrating that NLR‐triggered immune responses efficiently control Xoo. This forms the foundation for future BB and BLS disease control strategies, whereupon endogenous TAL effectors will target synthetic promoter regions of Avr or NLR executor genes.
Fruit carotenoid‐deficient mutants in tomato reveal a function of the plastidial isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase (IDI1) in carotenoid biosynthesis
Authors: Pankratov Ilya , McQuinn Ryan , Schwartz Jochanan , Bar Einat , Fei Zhangjun , Lewinsohn Efraim , Zamir Dani , Giovannoni James J. , Hirschberg Joseph 
Published: June 2016

SummaryIsoprenoids consist of a large class of compounds that are present in all living organisms. They are derived from the 5C building blocks isopentenyl diphosphate (IDP) and its isomer dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMADP). In plants, IDP is synthesized in the cytoplasm from mevalonic acid via the MVA pathway, and in plastids from 2‐C‐methyl‐d‐erythritol‐4‐phosphate through the MEP pathway. The enzyme IDP isomerase (IDI) catalyzes the interconversion between IDP and DMADP. Most plants contain two IDI enzymes, the functions of which are characteristically compartmentalized in the cells. Carotenoids are isoprenoids that play essential roles in photosynthesis and provide colors to flowers and fruits. They are synthesized in the plastids via the MEP pathway. Fruits of Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) accumulate high levels of the red carotene lycopene. We have identified mutations in tomato that reduce overall carotenoid accumulation in fruits. Four alleles of a locus named FRUIT CAROTENOID DEFICIENT 1 (fcd1) were characterized. Map‐based cloning of fcd1 indicated that this gene encodes the plastidial enzyme IDI1. Lack of IDI1 reduced the concentration of carotenoids in fruits, flowers and cotyledons, but not in mature leaves. These results indicate that the plastidial IDI plays an important function in carotenoid biosynthesis, thus highlighting its role in optimizing the ratio between IDP and DMADP as precursors for different downstream isoprenoid pathways.