bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of three-dose fosfomycin tromethamine in the treatment of patients with urinary tract infections: an uncontrolled, open-label, multicentre study
Authors: Qiao Lu-Dong , Zheng Bo , Chen Shan , Yang Yong , Zhang Kai , Guo Hong-Feng , Yang Bo , Niu Yuan-Jie , Wang Yi , Shi Ben-Kang , Yang Wei-Min , Zhao Xiao-Kun , Gao Xiao-Feng , Chen Ming 
Published: December 2013

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical and microbiological efficacy and safety of three doses of 3 g fosfomycin tromethamine administered orally to treat lower urinary tract infections.Design and participantsThis prospective, uncontrolled, open-label study was conducted in 12 medical centres in China, between January and December 2011. According to the diagnosis criteria of Chinese Guidelines on Urological Infections, patients (18–70 years) with acute uncomplicated cystitis, recurrent lower urinary tract infection or complicated lower urinary tract infection received three doses of 3 g fosfomycin tromethamine orally, at days 1, 3 and 5.Primary and secondary outcome measuresEfficacy endpoints (clinical efficacy, microbiological efficacy and overall efficacy) were evaluated on day 15. Clinical symptoms, physical signs, urinalysis, liver and kidney function, patient records and evaluation of adverse events (AEs) and serious AEs up to day 15 were evaluated for analysis of safety.Results361 patients were included in the full analysis set, 356 in the safety analysis set and 335 in the per-protocol set (PPS). In the PPS, the clinical efficacy rates at day 15 for acute uncomplicated cystitis, recurrent lower urinary tract infection and complicated lower urinary tract infection were 94.71% (179/189), 77.22% (61/79) and 62.69% (42/67), respectively. The microbiological efficacy rates (day 15) were 97.65% (83/85), 94.44% (34/36) and 83.87% (26/31), respectively. The overall efficacy rates (day 15) were 95.29% (81/85), 77.78% (28/36) and 64.52% (20/31), respectively. 20/356 (5.6%) patients reported drug-related AEs, the most common being diarrhoea. No serious drug-related AEs were reported.ConclusionsThis fosfomycin tromethamine dosing regimen showed clinical and microbiological efficacy with some AEs and good tolerability in patients with acute uncomplicated cystitis, recurrent lower urinary tract infection and complicated lower urinary tract infection.
Protocol for a qualitative study on promoting dietary change and positive food choices for poor people with low income who experience cardiovascular disease in Pakistan
Authors: Barolia Rubina Iqbal , Clark Alexander M , Higginbottom Gina M A 
Published: December 2013

IntroductionThere is a misconception that cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the burden of wealthy nations, but, in fact, it is the leading cause of death and disability-adjusted life worldwide. Healthy diets are an essential factor in the prevention of CVD. However, promoting healthy diet is challenging, particularly for people with low-socioeconomic status (SES), because poverty is linked with many risk behaviours such as smoking, unhealthy eating and obesity. Multiple factors, cultural values and beliefs interact and make healthy eating very challenging. The effects of these factors in the context of low-SES populations with CVD are largely unknown. To address this gap, this study will examine the factors that affect decisions about consuming healthy diet in Pakistanis with low SES who suffer from CVD.Methods and analysisA qualitative method of interpretive description will be used. 25 participants will be selected from two cardiac rehabilitation (CR) centres in Karachi, Pakistan. Face-to-face interviews using a critical realist framework will be used to understand individual and contextual factors in the food choices of people with low SES and CVD.ATLAS.tiqualitative data analysis software will be used to identify themes and patterns in the interview data.Ethics and discussionEthical approvals were received from the Ethics Review board of University of Alberta, Canada and Aga Khan University, Karachi Pakistan. The findings will generate new knowledge about which and how factors influence the food choices of Pakistanis with CVD and low SES to provide an insight into the development of an operational framework for designing interventions for prevention of CVD. For knowledge-translation purposes, we will publish the findings in highly accessed, peer-reviewed scientific and health policy journals at the national and international level. This research protocol received IRDC (International Development Research Centre) doctoral award from International Development Research Centre, Ottawa, Canada.
Do healthier foods and diet patterns cost more than less healthy options? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Rao Mayuree , Afshin Ashkan , Singh Gitanjali , Mozaffarian Dariush 
Published: December 2013

ObjectiveTo conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of prices of healthier versus less healthy foods/diet patterns while accounting for key sources of heterogeneity.Data sourcesMEDLINE (2000–2011), supplemented with expert consultations and hand reviews of reference lists and related citations.DesignStudies reviewed independently and in duplicate were included if reporting mean retail price of foods or diet patterns stratified by healthfulness. We extracted, in duplicate, mean prices and their uncertainties of healthier and less healthy foods/diet patterns and rated the intensity of health differences for each comparison (range 1–10). Prices were adjusted for inflation and the World Bank purchasing power parity, and standardised to the international dollar (defined as US$1) in 2011. Using random effects models, we quantified price differences of healthier versus less healthy options for specific food types, diet patterns and units of price (serving, day and calorie). Statistical heterogeneity was quantified using I2statistics.Results27 studies from 10 countries met the inclusion criteria. Among food groups, meats/protein had largest price differences: healthier options cost $0.29/serving (95% CI $0.19 to $0.40) and $0.47/200 kcal ($0.42 to $0.53) more than less healthy options. Price differences per serving for healthier versus less healthy foods were smaller among grains ($0.03), dairy (−$0.004), snacks/sweets ($0.12) and fats/oils ($0.02; p<0.05 each) and not significant for soda/juice ($0.11, p=0.64). Comparing extremes (top vs bottom quantile) of food-based diet patterns, healthier diets cost $1.48/day ($1.01 to $1.95) and $1.54/2000 kcal ($1.15 to $1.94) more. Comparing nutrient-based patterns, price per day was not significantly different (top vs bottom quantile: $0.04; p=0.916), whereas price per 2000 kcal was $1.56 ($0.61 to $2.51) more. Adjustment for intensity of differences in healthfulness yielded similar results.ConclusionsThis meta-analysis provides the best evidence until today of price differences of healthier vs less healthy foods/diet patterns, highlighting the challenges and opportunities for reducing financial barriers to healthy eating.
Faecal microbiota composition and host–microbe cross-talk following gastroenteritis and in postinfectious irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Jalanka-Tuovinen Jonna , Salojärvi Jarkko , Salonen Anne , Immonen Outi , Garsed Klara , Kelly Fiona M , Zaitoun Abed , Palva Airi , Spiller Robin C , de Vos Willem M 
Published: December 2013

BackgroundAbout 10% of patients with IBS report the start of the syndrome after infectious enteritis. The clinical features of postinfectious IBS (PI-IBS) resemble those of diarrhoea-predominant IBS (IBS-D). While altered faecal microbiota has been identified in other IBS subtypes, composition of the microbiota in patients with PI-IBS remains uncharacterised.ObjectiveTo characterise the microbial composition of patients with PI-IBS, and to examine the associations between the faecal microbiota and a patient's clinical features.DesignUsing a phylogenetic microarray and selected qPCR assays, we analysed differences in the faecal microbiota of 57 subjects from five study groups: patients with diagnosed PI-IBS, patients who 6 months after gastroenteritis had either persisting bowel dysfunction or no IBS symptoms, benchmarked against patients with IBS-D and healthy controls. In addition, the associations between the faecal microbiota and health were investigated by correlating the microbial profiles to immunological markers, quality of life indicators and host gene expression in rectal biopsies.ResultsMicrobiota analysis revealed a bacterial profile of 27 genus-like groups, providing an Index of Microbial Dysbiosis (IMD), which significantly separated patient groups and controls. Within this profile, several members ofBacteroidetesphylum were increased 12-fold in patients, while healthy controls had 35-fold more unculturedClostridia. We showed correlations between the IMD and expression of several host gene pathways, including amino acid synthesis, cell junction integrity and inflammatory response, suggesting an impaired epithelial barrier function in IBS.ConclusionsThe faecal microbiota of patients with PI-IBS differs from that of healthy controls and resembles that of patients with IBS-D, suggesting a common pathophysiology. Moreover, our analysis suggests a variety of host–microbe associations that may underlie intestinal symptoms, initiated by gastroenteritis.
Overcoming the evening/weekend effects on time delays and outcomes of endovascular stroke therapy: the Calgary Stroke Program experience
Authors: Almekhlafi Mohammed A , Hockley Aaron , Desai Jamsheed A , Nambiar Vivek , Mishra Sachin , Volny Ondrej , Eesa Muneer , Demchuk Andrew M , Menon Bijoy K , Goyal Mayank 
Published: December 2013

BackgroundStentrievers have resulted in faster recanalization times in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Nonetheless, when strokes occur during evenings and weekends, delays are introduced in achieving this goal. We assessed the feasibility of achieving fast and successful endovascular reperfusion in patients with stroke treated during evenings and weekends and whether this has an impact on the outcome.MethodsA retrospective review was performed of a longitudinal database of patients with acute anterior ischemic stroke treated with endovascular therapy in a comprehensive stroke center between January 2011 and December 2012. The imaging to reperfusion time was defined as the time from completion of the unenhanced CT scan to the time of angiographic successful reperfusion (TICI 2b–3). This time interval was compared between patients treated during working hours (Monday to Friday 07:00–18:00 h) and those treated in the evening outside these hours and at weekends. The 24-h NIH Stroke Scale score and 90-day favorable outcome score (modified Rankin scale ≤2) were compared between the two groups.ResultsIn a cohort of 110 patients, 56 (50.9%) were treated on evenings and weekends. The median imaging to reperfusion time in these patients was 111 min compared with 90 min during working hours (p=0.019). The proportion of patients with successful reperfusion (TICI 2b or 3) during the evenings and weekends was 82.1% compared with 76.7% during working hours (p=0.4). The proportion of patients with a 90-day favorable outcome was not significantly different in the two groups (64.3% in those treated during evenings and weekends vs 52.1% in working hours, p=0.2).ConclusionsSome delays were encountered during evenings and weekend hours. Despite that, it was feasible to achieve a relatively short imaging to reperfusion times during these hours, in comparison to existing literature. A target universal time metric is needed to assess the timeliness of endovascular therapy in stroke centers.
Impact of Postdiagnosis Smoking on Long-term Survival of Cancer Patients: The Shanghai Cohort Study
Authors: Tao Li , Wang Renwei , Gao Yu-Tang , Yuan Jian-Min 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackground: Cancer is the number one cause of death among men in China. Cigarette smoking is the most preventable cause of cancer. Data on the impact of continued smoking after cancer diagnosis on survival of patients with cancer are sparse.Methods: We studied the association between postdiagnosis smoking and risk of all-cause death among 1,632 incident cancer patients in the Shanghai Cohort Study, a population-based prospective cohort of 18,244 men in Shanghai. The change of smoking status after baseline interview was ascertained through annual in-person interviews. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate HR and 95% confidence interval (CI) for all-cause mortality associated with change in smoking status.Results: Patients who continued smoking after cancer diagnosis experienced a statistically significant 59% (95% CI, 36–86) increase in risk of death compared with patients with cancer who did not smoke after cancer diagnosis. Among current smokers at cancer diagnosis, HRs (95% CIs) were 1.79 (1.49–2.16) in all patients with cancer, 2.36 (1.63–3.42) in patients with lung cancer, 1.63 (0.98–2.73) in patients with stomach cancer, 2.31 (1.40–3.81) in patients with colorectal cancer, and 2.95 (1.09–7.95) in patients with bladder cancer who continued smoking compared with their counterparts who stopped smoking after cancer diagnosis.Conclusion: Postdiagnosis cigarettes smoking significantly increased the risk of death for male patients with cancer.Impact: These data provide new information about smoking and cancer survival, which should inform future research into the contextual and individual-level barriers that may result in inadequate attention of smoking among patients with cancer in the postdiagnosis setting. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 22(12); 2404–11. ©2013 AACR.
Influenza Virus Infection Elicits Protective Antibodies and T Cells Specific for Host Cell Antigens Also Expressed as Tumor-Associated Antigens: A New View of Cancer Immunosurveillance
Authors: Iheagwara Uzoma K. , Beatty Pamela L. , Van Phu T. , Ross Ted M. , Minden Jonathan S. , Finn Olivera J. 
Published: December 2013

Abstract
Most tumor-associated antigens (TAA) are self-molecules that are abnormally expressed in cancer cells and become targets of antitumor immune responses. Antibodies and T cells specific for some TAAs have been found in healthy individuals and are associated with lowered lifetime risk for developing cancer. Lower risk for cancer has also been associated with a history of febrile viral diseases. We hypothesized that virus infections could lead to transient expression of abnormal forms of self-molecules, some of which are TAAs; facilitated by the adjuvant effects of infection and inflammation, these molecules could elicit specific antibodies, T cells, and lasting immune memory simultaneously with immunity against viral antigens. Such infection-induced immune memory for TAA would be expected to provide life-long immune surveillance of cancer. Using influenza virus infection in mice as a model system, we tested this hypothesis and demonstrated that influenza-experienced mice control 3LL mouse lung tumor challenge better than infection-naive control mice. Using 2D-difference gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry, we identified numerous molecules, some of which are known TAAs, on the 3LL tumor cells recognized by antibodies elicited by two successive influenza infections. We studied in detail immune responses against glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), histone H4, HSP90, malate dehydrogenase 2, and annexin A2, all of which were overexpressed in influenza-infected lungs and in tumor cells. Finally, we show that immune responses generated through vaccination against peptides derived from these antigens correlated with improved tumor control. Cancer Immunol Res; 2(3); 263–73. ©2013 AACR.
Transient Complement Inhibition Promotes a Tumor-Specific Immune Response through the Implication of Natural Killer Cells
Authors: Janelle Valérie , Langlois Marie-Pierre , Tarrab Esther , Lapierre Pascal , Poliquin Laurent , Lamarre Alain 
Published: December 2013

AbstractAlthough the role of the complement system in cancer development has been studied, its involvement in the development of an antitumoral immune response remains poorly understood. Using cobra venom factor (CVF) to inhibit the complement cascade via C3 molecule exhaustion in immunocompetent mice bearing B16gp33 melanoma tumors, we show that transient inhibition of the complement system allowed for the development of a more robust gp33-specific antitumoral CD8+ T-cell response. This immune response proved to be natural killer (NK) dependent, suggesting an interaction of complement proteins with this cellular subset leading to T lymphocyte activation and enhanced cytotoxic T-cell activity against tumor cells. This study demonstrates for the first time the implication of the complement system in the development of NK-mediated cytotoxic T-cell–dependent antitumoral immune responses. The complement pathway could therefore be a potent therapeutic target to improve NK-dependent antitumoral immune responses in patients with cancer. Cancer Immunol Res; 2(3); 200–6. ©2013 AACR.
O silêncio do estrangeiro: por uma tentativa da tradução da letra nos primeiros cadernos de Albert Camus
Authors: Camus Albert , Geske Samara Fernanda A. O. de Lócio e Silva , Araújo Raphael Luiz de 
Published: December 2013

Partindo das teorias de Antoine Berman em A prova do estrangeiro, o presente artigo tem como objetivo introduzir uma discussão acerca da tradução dos primeiros cadernos de Albert Camus. A proposta de uma tradução da letra do original permite que se conserve a natureza própria dos cadernos que é de ser fragmentário, íntimo e inacabado, evitando, assim, processos como o de clarificação e o de enobrecimento. Essa postura tradutória se coaduna com a temática camusiana do silêncio e do estranhamento, que podemos observar ao longo de toda sua obra, e particularmente nos cadernos.
Albert Camus, René Char: fonction du paysage méditerranéen dans l'identité de l'artiste et de l'écrivain au XXeme siècle
Authors: Pacchiani Nathalie 
Published: December 2013

Il arrive parfois qu’une œuvre soit un microcosme de la problématique existentielle d’un écrivain. Il en est ainsi de L’exil et le royaume ou Noces d’Albert Camus et Feuillets d’Hypnos de René Char. Ces œuvres, en effet, illustrent mieux que tout autre le rapport particulier qu’entretenaient les deux auteurs avec les éléments naturels et qui fut le fondement même de leur amitié. Si Albert Camus et René Char demeuraient liés par une vision commune et fondamentale de la place de l’homme dans le monde, cette quête va se matérialiser par une écriture particulière dont l’énergie ascendante puise ses forces tant dans la lumière du soleil que dans la sève d’une nature mystique. L’éclat des fragments poétiques de Char, l’iconicité du langage camusien donne naissance à une écriture “solaire” méditerranéenne, une écriture de l’unicité et de la rupture qui va permettre à l’homme de se reconstruire et de renouer par la création artistique, un lien avec une origine fondatrice. Étroitement liée à une pensée grecque, notamment celle d’Héraclite prônant une “ parole matinale ” c'est-à-dire une parole originelle seule capable d’“ approcher la présence de l’indémontrable ”, la création devient alors le lieu de tous les possibles.
O estrangeiro na ordem do discurso: sujeito e poder
Authors: Witzel Denise Gabriel , Kogawa João Marcos Mateus 
Published: December 2013

Este trabalho busca interpretar alguns efeitos identitários em O Estrangeiro, de Albert Camus. A partir das formulações de Michel Foucault, que apontam a relação entre discurso, sujeito e poder, desenvolvemos um percurso analítico concentrado nos discursos enunciados que, ao subjetivarem o criminoso, identificam-no como um sujeito monstruoso. Para tanto, mobilizamos prioritariamente as séries enunciativas que marcam a indiferença e a insensibilidade na relação mãe e filho, além daquelas que delineiam o ateísmo e o ceticismo do enunciador-personagem. Finalmente, damos visibilidade aos efeitos de sentido que expõem as marcas identitárias que excluem e condenam o sujeito.
Erythrocyte-Derived Microvesicles Amplify Systemic Inflammation by Thrombin-Dependent Activation of Complement
Authors: Zecher Daniel , Cumpelik Arun , Schifferli Jürg A. 
Published: December 2013

Objective—
Transfusion of aged blood has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. During storage, erythrocytes release increasing numbers of microvesicles (red blood cell–derived microvesicles [RBC-MV]). We hypothesized that RBC-MV mediate some of the deleterious effects of aged blood transfusions.

Approach and Results—
We established a murine transfusion model using RBC-MV purified from aged mouse erythrocytes. Injection of RBC-MV into healthy mice had no effect. However, they aggravated pulmonary leukocyte sequestration and peripheral blood leukopenia induced by lipopolysaccharides. Lipopolysaccharide-induced proinflammatory cytokines were significantly increased in plasma after RBC-MV injection. These effects were not seen in C5aR-deficient mice. In vitro, RBC-MV bound C3 fragments after incubation with plasma but failed to bind immunoglobulins, C1q, or mannose-binding lectin. Preventing thrombin generation inhibited complement activation in vitro and in vivo and reversed the proinflammatory effects of RBC-MV in lipopolysaccharide-primed mice. Finally, the RBC-MV–induced phenotype was recapitulated using phosphatidylserine-expressing liposomes, suggesting that surface expression of phosphatidylserine by RBC-MV was mechanistically involved.

Conclusions—
These results point toward a thrombin-dependent mechanism of complement activation by RBC-MV independent of the classical, lectin, or alternative pathway. Besides identifying RBC-MV as potential mediators of transfusion-related morbidity, our findings may be relevant for other inflammatory disorders involving intravascular microvesicle release, for example, sickle cell disease or thrombotic microangiopathy.
Genetic Reduction of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2 Rescues Aberrant Angiogenesis Caused by Epsin Deficiency
Authors: Tessneer Kandice L. , Pasula Satish , Cai Xiaofeng , Dong Yunzhou , McManus John , Liu Xiaolei , Yu Lili , Hahn Scott , Chang Baojun , Chen Yiyuan , Griffin Courtney , Xia Lijun , Adams Ralf H. , Chen Hong 
Published: December 2013

Objective—
We previously showed that endothelial epsin deficiency caused elevated vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) and enhanced VEGF signaling, resulting in aberrant tumor angiogenesis and reduced tumor growth in adult mice. However, direct evidence demonstrating that endothelial epsins regulate angiogenesis specifically through VEGFR2 downregulation is still lacking. In addition, whether the lack of epsins causes abnormal angiogenesis during embryonic development remains unclear.

Approach and Results—

A novel strain of endothelial epsin-deleted mice that are heterozygous for VEGFR2 (Epn1
fl/fl
; Epn2
−/−
; Flk
fl/+
; iCDH5 Cre mice) was created. Analysis of embryos at different developmental stages showed that deletion of epsins caused defective embryonic angiogenesis and retarded embryo development. In vitro angiogenesis assays using isolated primary endothelial cells (ECs) from Epn1
fl/fl
; Epn2
−/−
; iCDH5 Cre (EC-iDKO) and Epn1
fl/fl
; Epn2
−/−
; Flk
fl/+
; iCDH5 Cre (EC-iDKO-Flk
fl/+
) mice demonstrated that VEGFR2 reduction in epsin-depleted cells was sufficient to restore normal VEGF signaling, EC proliferation, EC migration, and EC network formation. These findings were complemented by in vivo wound healing, inflammatory angiogenesis, and tumor angiogenesis assays in which reduction of VEGFR2 was sufficient to rescue abnormal angiogenesis in endothelial epsin-deleted mice.

Conclusions—
Our results provide the first genetic demonstration that epsins function specifically to downregulate VEGFR2 by mediating activated VEGFR2 internalization and degradation and that genetic reduction of VEGFR2 level protects against excessive angiogenesis caused by epsin loss. Our findings indicate that epsins may be a potential therapeutic target in conditions in which tightly regulated angiogenesis is crucial, such as in diabetic wound healing and tumors.