bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
COST-UTILITY ANALYSIS OF NT-PROBNP-GUIDED MULTIDISCIPLINARY CARE IN CHRONIC HEART FAILURE
Authors: Moertl Deddo , Steiner Sabine , Coyle Doug , Berger Rudolf 
Published: December 2012

Objectives: A recent randomized, controlled trial in chronic heart failure patients showed that NT-proBNP-guided, intensive patient management (BMC) on top of multidisciplinary care reduced all-cause mortality and heart failure hospitalizations compared with multidisciplinary care (MC) or usual care (UC). We now performed a cost-utility analysis of these interventions from a payer's perspective.Methods: Costs related to hospitalizations, ambulatory physician and nurse visits, and NT-proBNP testing for the three management strategies were acquired for both Austria (€) and Canada ($) and combined with the survival and quality of life data from the clinical trial for cost-effectiveness analysis. Data on long-term survival, costs, and quality-adjusted life-years (QALY) were extrapolated for a 20-year time horizon using a Markov model, which simulated the progression of disease through beta-blocker use, hospitalizations, and mortality.Results: BMC was the most cost-effective strategy as it was dominant (cost-saving with improved health outcome) over both MC and UC based on both Austrian and Canadian costs. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios for MC relative to UC were €3,746 and $5,554 per QALY gained for Austrian and Canadian costs, respectively. The probabilities for BMC being the most cost-effective strategy were 92 percent at a threshold value of Austrian €40,000 and 93 percent at a threshold value of Canadian $50,000.Conclusions: NT-proBNP-guided, intensive HF patient management in addition to multidisciplinary care not only reduces death and hospitalization but also proves to be cost-effective.
Quantification of ikaite in Antarctic sea ice
Authors: Fischer Michael , Thomas David N. , Krell Andreas , Nehrke Gernot , Göttlicher Jörg , Norman Louiza , Meiners Klaus M. , Riaux-Gobin Catherine , Dieckmann Gerhard S. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractCalcium carbonate precipitation in sea ice is thought to potentially drive significant CO2 uptake by the ocean. However, little is known about the quantitative spatial and temporal distribution of CaCO3 within sea ice, although it is hypothesized that high quantities of dissolved organic matter and/or phosphate (common in sea ice) may inhibit its formation. In this quantitative study of hydrous calcium carbonate as ikaite, sea ice cores and brine samples were collected from pack and land fast sea ice between September and December 2007 during two expeditions, one in the East Antarctic sector and the other off Terre Adélie. Samples were analysed for CaCO3, salinity, dissolved organic carbon/nitrogen, inorganic phosphate, and total alkalinity. No relationship between these parameters and CaCO3 precipitation was evident. Ikaite was found mostly in the uppermost layers of sea ice with maximum concentrations of up to 126 mg ikaite per litre melted sea ice being measured, although both the temporal and horizontal spatial distributions of ikaite were highly heterogeneous. The precipitate was also found in the snow on top of the sea ice at some of the sampling locations.
Sisters of early modern confraternities in a small town in the Southern Netherlands (Aalst)
Authors: DECRAENE ELLEN 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACT:This article analyses female agency within the religious confraternities active in an early modern town in the Southern Netherlands in order to gain an insight into women's positions within a (semi-)public urban network and thus beyond the household. The analysis suggests that confraternities did not provide women with opportunities to develop a significant public role within the town. Nonetheless, while there is little evidence that early modern religious confraternities functioned as social networks, female agency on the religious level of confraternal life did exist. It is argued that many of these women were active agents in their own spiritual lives.
Fighting against the Moral Agenda of Zapatero's Socialist Government (2004–2011): The Spanish Catholic Church as a Political Contender
Authors: Fernández Susana Aguilar 
Published: December 2012

AbstractEven though not all European churches can be ascribed a political profile, moral issues have unleashed the protest of some of them alongside Christian-inspired groups and advocacy coalitions. Mobilization against these issues is not surprising in democracy but the different role that churches might play is. Unlike other European churches, the Spanish Catholic Church has acted as a political contender under Zapatero's rule (2004–2011). The new Socialist agenda, with its emphasis on morally-liberal reforms, has triggered a protest in which the church has invested significant resources and helped mobilize the more Conservative quarters of the Catholic society. This adversarial role is distinctive but not unique: the Italian and Polish churches have also opted for confrontational strategies in the face of similar challenges. However, the Spanish case is most relevant because, unlike other predominantly Catholic societies (Italy, Portugal, Ireland, and Poland), it has experienced a most profound and fastest secularization process. Confrontation can then be explained by the supply (a well-endowed Church that enjoys a privileged relationship with a non-confessional state) and not by the demand.
Members of native coral microbiota inhibit glycosidases and thwart colonization of coral mucus by an opportunistic pathogen
Authors: Krediet Cory J , Ritchie Kim B , Alagely Ali , Teplitski Max 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
The outcome of the interactions between native commensal microorganisms and opportunistic pathogens is crucial to the health of the coral holobiont. During the establishment within the coral surface mucus layer, opportunistic pathogens, including a white pox pathogen Serratia marcescens PDL100, compete with native bacteria for available nutrients. Both commensals and pathogens employ glycosidases and N-acetyl-glucosaminidase to utilize components of coral mucus. This study tested the hypothesis that specific glycosidases were critical for the growth of S. marcescens on mucus and that their inhibition by native coral microbiota reduces fitness of the pathogen. Consistent with this hypothesis, a S. marcescens transposon mutant with reduced glycosidase and N-acetyl-glucosaminidase activities was unable to compete with the wild type on the mucus of the host coral Acropora palmata, although it was at least as competitive as the wild type on a minimal medium with glycerol and casamino acids. Virulence of the mutant was modestly reduced in the Aiptasia model. A survey revealed that ∼8% of culturable coral commensal bacteria have the ability to inhibit glycosidases in the pathogen. A small molecular weight, ethanol-soluble substance(s) produced by the coral commensal Exiguobacterium sp. was capable of the inhibition of the induction of catabolic enzymes in S. marcescens. This inhibition was in part responsible for the 10–100-fold reduction in the ability of the pathogen to grow on coral mucus. These results provide insight into potential mechanisms of commensal interference with early colonization and infection behaviors in opportunistic pathogens and highlight an important function for the native microbiota in coral health.
Protracted Outbreak of Multidrug-ResistantAcinetobacter baumanniiafter Intercontinental Transfer of Colonized Patients
Authors: Landelle Caroline , Legrand Patrick , Lesprit Philippe , Cizeau Florence , Ducellier David , Gouot Cyril , Bréhaut Paula , Soing-Altrach Sophan , Girou Emmanuelle , Brun-Buisson Christian 
Published: December 2012

Objective.To describe the course and management of a protracted outbreak after intercontinental transfer of 2 patients colonized with multidrug-resistantAcinetobacter baumannii(MDRAB).Design.An 18-month outbreak investigation.Setting.An 860-bed university hospital in France.Patients.Case patients (ie, carriers) were those colonized or infected with an MDRAB isolate.Methods.During the epidemic period, all intensive care unit (ICU) patients and contacts of carriers who were transferred to wards were screened for MDRAB carriage. Contact precautions, environmental screening, and auditing of healthcare worker (HCW) practices were implemented; rooms were cleaned with hydrogen peroxide mist disinfection. One ICU, in which most of the cases occurred, was closed on 4 occasions for thorough cleaning and disinfection.Results.The 2 index case patients were identified as 2 patients who carried the same MDRAB strain and who were admitted to the hospital after repatriation from Tahiti 5 months apart. During an 18-month period, a total of 84 secondary cases occurred. Reintroduction of MDRAB into the ICUs occurred from patients previously colonized or from healthcare personnel. Termination of the outbreak was only achieved when all carriers from wards or the ICU were cohorted to an isolation unit with dedicated healthcare personnel.Conclusions.Intercontinental transfer of carriers of MDRAB can result in extensive outbreaks and serious disruption of the hospital's organization. Transmission from carriers most likely occurred via the hands of HCWs, poor cleaning protocols, airborne spread, and contaminated water from sink traps. This protracted outbreak was controlled only after implementation of an extensive control program and eventual cohorting of all carriers in an isolation unit with dedicated healthcare personnel.
music for Faraday rotation measure synthesis
Authors: Andrecut M. 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
Faraday rotation measure (RM) synthesis requires the recovery of the Faraday dispersion function (FDF) from measurements restricted to limited wavelength ranges, which is an ill-conditioned deconvolution problem. Here, we propose a novel deconvolution method based on an extension of the MUltiple SIgnal Classification (music) algorithm. The complexity and speed of the method is determined by the eigen-decomposition of the covariance matrix of the observed polarizations. We show numerically that for high to moderate signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) cases the rm-music method is able to recover the Faraday depth values of closely spaced pairs of thin RM components, even in situations where the peak response of the FDF is outside of the RM range between the two input RM components. This result is particularly important because the standard deconvolution approach based on rm-clean fails systematically in such situations, due to its greedy mechanism used to extract the RM components. For low S/N situations, both the rm-music and rm-clean methods provide similar results.
Effects of Divided Attention and Operating Room Noise on Perception of Pulse Oximeter Pitch Changes
Authors: Stevenson Ryan A. , Schlesinger Joseph J. , Wallace Mark T. 
Published: December 2012

Abstract

Background:
Anesthesiology requires performing visually oriented procedures while monitoring auditory information about a patient’s vital signs. A concern in operating room environments is the amount of competing information and the effects that divided attention has on patient monitoring, such as detecting auditory changes in arterial oxygen saturation via pulse oximetry.

Methods:
The authors measured the impact of visual attentional load and auditory background noise on the ability of anesthesia residents to monitor the pulse oximeter auditory display in a laboratory setting. Accuracies and response times were recorded reflecting anesthesiologists’ abilities to detect changes in oxygen saturation across three levels of visual attention in quiet and with noise.

Results:
Results show that visual attentional load substantially affects the ability to detect changes in oxygen saturation concentrations conveyed by auditory cues signaling 99 and 98% saturation. These effects are compounded by auditory noise, up to a 17% decline in performance. These deficits are seen in the ability to accurately detect a change in oxygen saturation and in speed of response.

Conclusions:
Most anesthesia accidents are initiated by small errors that cascade into serious events. Lack of monitor vigilance and inattention are two of the more commonly cited factors. Reducing such errors is thus a priority for improving patient safety. Specifically, efforts to reduce distractors and decrease background noise should be considered during induction and emergence, periods of especially high risk, when anesthesiologists has to attend to many tasks and are thus susceptible to error.
A Single-nucleotide Polymorphism in SCN9A May Decrease Postoperative Pain Sensitivity in the General Population
Authors: Duan Guangyou , Xiang Guifang , Zhang Xianwei , Yuan Ruimei , Zhan Huiming , Qi Dongmei 
Published: December 2012

Abstract

Background:
This study aimed to explore the role of a nonsynonymous single-nucleotide polymorphism, 3312G>T, in SCN9A, which was identified in probands with congenital indifference to pain, but which is also present in normal controls, in the prediction of individual baseline pain perception, and postoperative pain sensitivity in the general population.

Methods:
Preoperative pressure pain thresholds and tolerance were measured in 200 patients undergoing pancreatectomy, and the postoperative pain sensitivity and analgesic demand were recorded. These variables were compared according to the SCN9A 3312G>T alleles. Logistic regression analysis was used to test the role of preoperative variables in the prediction of postoperative inadequate analgesia.

Results:
The 3312Tallele was present in 22 individuals, and the 3312Tallele frequency was 5.5% (22/200). The average patient-controlled analgesia pressing frequency and opioid consumption in 3312G patients was significantly higher than those in 3312T patients (2.70 [SD: 0.84] vs. 2.05 [SD: 0.43], P < 0.001; 100.8 [SD: 40.7] vs. 74.8 [SD: 20.8] ml, P = 0.006). The incidence of inadequate analgesia in 3312G patients was significantly higher than that of patients carrying the 3312Tallele (29.2% vs. 4.5%; P = 0.013). Carrying the 3312Tallele and having a higher pressure pain threshold predicted a lower risk of postoperative inadequate analgesia, with an odds ratio of 0.10 (95% CI: 0.01 to 0.76, P = 0.026) and 0.32 (95% CI: 0.13 to 0.82, P = 0.018), respectively.

Conclusion:
Patients carrying the SCN9A 3312Tallele presented with lower postoperative pain sensitivity in the presence of a similar surgical pain stimulus, and had a lower likelihood of developing inadequate analgesia than those carrying the 3312Gallele.
Projection imaging of photon beams by the Čerenkov effect
Authors: Glaser Adam K. , Davis Scott C. , McClatchy David M. , Zhang Rongxiao , Pogue Brian W. , Gladstone David J. 
Published: December 2012

Purpose:A novel technique for beam profiling of megavoltage photon beams was investigated for the first time by capturing images of the induced Čerenkov emission in water, as a potential surrogate for the imparted dose in irradiated media.Methods:A high‐sensitivity, intensified CCD camera (ICCD) was configured to acquire 2D projection images of Čerenkov emission from a 4 × 4 cm2 6 MV linear accelerator (LINAC) x‐ray photon beam operating at a dose rate of 400 MU/min incident on a water tank with transparent walls. The ICCD acquisition was gated to the LINAC sync pulse to reduce background light artifacts, and the measurement quality was investigated by evaluating the signal to noise ratio and measurement repeatability as a function of delivered dose. Monte Carlo simulations were used to derive a calibration factor for differences between the optical images and deposited dose arising from the anisotropic angular dependence of Čerenkov emission. Finally, Čerenkov‐based beam profiles were compared to a percent depth dose (PDD) and lateral dose profile at a depth of dmax from a reference dose distribution generated from the clinical Varian ECLIPSE treatment planning system (TPS).Results:The signal to noise ratio was found to be 20 at a delivered dose of 66.6 cGy, and proportional to the square root of the delivered dose as expected from Poisson photon counting statistics. A 2.1% mean standard deviation and 5.6% maximum variation in successive measurements were observed, and the Monte Carlo derived calibration factor resulted in Čerenkov emission images which were directly correlated to deposited dose, with some spatial issues. The dose difference between the TPS and PDD predicted by Čerenkov measurements was within 20% in the buildup region with a distance to agreement (DTA) of 1.5–2 mm and ±3% at depths beyonddmax. In the lateral profile, the dose difference at the beam penumbra was within ±13% with a DTA of 0–2 mm, ±5% in the central beam region, and 2%–3% in the beam umbra.Conclusions:The results from this initial study demonstrate the first documented use of Čerenkov emission imaging to profile x‐ray photon LINAC beams in water. The proposed modality has several potential advantages over alternative methods, and upon future refinement may prove to be a robust and novel dosimetry method.
Nematode Asparaginyl-tRNA Synthetase Resolves Intestinal Inflammation in Mice with T-Cell Transfer Colitis
Authors: Kron Michael A. , Metwali Ahmed , Vodanovic-Jankovic Sanja , Elliott David 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACT

The therapeutic effects of a controlled parasitic nematode infection on the course of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have been demonstrated in both animal and human models. However, the inability of individual well-characterized nematode proteins to recreate these beneficial effects has limited the application of component immunotherapy to human disease. The nematodes that cause chronic human lymphatic filariasis,
Brugia malayi
and
Wuchereria bancrofti
, are among the parasites that induce immune suppression. Filarial lymphatic pathology has been shown to involve NF-κB pathway-dependent production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and stimulation of VEGF expression has also been reported by interleukin 8 (IL-8) via NF-κB pathways. Previously, we have shown that the filarial asparaginyl-tRNA synthetase (rBmAsnRS) interacts with IL-8 receptors using a combination of extracellular loops that differ from those bound by IL-8. To test the hypothesis that rBmAsnRS might induce an anti-inflammatory effect
in vivo
, we studied the effects of rBmAsnRS in an established murine colitis model using T-cell transfer mice. T-cell transfer colitis mice treated intraperitoneally with 100 μg of rBmAsnRS four times over 2 weeks showed resolution of cellular infiltration in the colonic mucosa, along with induction of a CD8
+
cellular response. In addition, rBmAsnRS induced a rise in IL-10 production from CD3
+
and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and cytosine phosphate guanosine (CPG)-stimulated splenic cells. In summary, this work demonstrates a novel anti-inflammatory nematode protein, supports the hygiene hypothesis, and supports continued refinement of alternative immunotherapies for treatment of IBD.
Pseudo-Outbreak of Vancomycin-Resistant-Enterococcus (VRE) Colonization in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Using Spectra VRE Surveillance Medium
Authors: Gander Rita M. , Cavuoti Dominick , Alatoom Adnan , Southern Paul , Grant Debra , Salinas Kathleen , Gaffney Donna , MacKenzie Jennifer , Byrd Linda 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACTFrom November 2011 through March 2012, we surveyed 272 babies in our neonatal intensive care unit for rectal colonization with vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). Using Spectra VRE medium (Remel Diagnostics, Lenexa, KS), we identified one neonate colonized with vancomycin-resistantEnterococcus faecium. In addition, 55 (13%) of the surveillance cultures yielded false-positive results with vancomycin-susceptibleEnterococcus faecalis. During the same time period, 580 rectal swabs were collected from adult patients resulting in 20 (3%) false-positive cultures. The difference in false-positive rates between cultures from babies and adults was statistically significant (P< 0.001), prompting an investigation of factors that might influence the elevated false-positive rate in the neonates including patient demographics, nutrition, and topical ointments applied at the time of testing. Older neonates, with a median age of 6 weeks, were more likely to have false-positive cultures than younger neonates with a median age of 3 weeks (P< 0.001). The younger neonates receiving Similac Expert Care products were less likely to have false-positive surveillance cultures than those receiving other formulas (P< 0.001). Application of topical products was not associated with false-positive cultures. The false-positiveE. faecalisstrains were typed by Diversilab Rep-PCR (bioMérieux, Marcy l'Etoile, France) and found to represent eight different groups of isolates. The utility of the Spectra VRE media appeared to be significantly impacted by the age of the patients screened.
Contribution of Double-Stranded RNA and CPSF30 Binding Domains of Influenza Virus NS1 to the Inhibition of Type I Interferon Production and Activation of Human Dendritic Cells
Authors: Ramos Irene , Carnero Elena , Bernal-Rubio Dabeiba , Seibert Christopher W. , Westera Liset , García-Sastre Adolfo , Fernandez-Sesma Ana 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACTThe influenza virus nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) inhibits innate immunity by multiple mechanisms. We previously reported that NS1 is able to inhibit the production of type I interferon (IFN) and proinflammatory cytokines in human primary dendritic cells (DCs). Here, we used recombinant viruses expressing mutant NS1 from the A/Texas/36/91 and A/Puerto Rico/08/34 strains in order to analyze the contribution of different NS1 domains to its antagonist functions. We show that the polyadenylation stimulating factor 30 (CPSF30) binding function of the NS1 protein from A/Texas/36/91 influenza virus, which is absent in the A/Puerto Rico/08/34 strain, is essential for counteracting these innate immune events in DCs. However, the double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) binding domain, present in both strains, specifically inhibits the induction of type I IFN genes in infected DCs, while it is essential only for inhibition of type I IFN proteins and proinflammatory cytokine production in cells infected with influenza viruses lacking a functional CPSF30 binding domain, such as A/Puerto Rico/08/34.
Cellular Entry of Human Papillomavirus Type 16 Involves Activation of the Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/Akt/mTOR Pathway and Inhibition of Autophagy
Authors: Surviladze Zurab , Sterk Rosa T. , DeHaro Sergio A. , Ozbun Michelle A. 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACTThe mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) downstream of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) in the growth factor receptor (GFR) pathway is a crucial metabolic sensor that integrates growth factor signals in cells. We recently showed that human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 exposure activates signaling from GFRs in human keratinocytes. Thus, we predicted that the virus would induce the PI3K/mTOR pathway upon interaction with host cells. We detected activation of Akt and mTOR several minutes following exposure of human keratinocytes to HPV type 16 (HPV16) pseudovirions. Activated mTOR induced phosphorylation of the mTOR complex 1 substrates 4E-BP1 and S6K, which led to induction of the functional protein translational machinery. Blockade of epidermal GFR (EGFR) signaling revealed that each of these events is at least partially dependent upon EGFR activation. Importantly, activation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling inhibited autophagy in the early stages of virus-host cell interaction. Biochemical and genetic approaches revealed critical roles for mTOR activation and autophagy suppression in HPV16 early infection events. In summary, the HPV-host cell interaction stimulates the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and inhibits autophagy, and in combination these events benefit virus infection.