bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Monitoring the Quality of HIV-1 Viral Load Testing through a Proficiency Testing Program Using Dried Tube Specimens in Resource-Limited Settings
Authors: Nguyen Shon , Ramos Artur , Chang Joy , Li Bin , Shanmugam Vedapuri , Boeras Debrah , Nkengasong John N. , Yang Chunfu , Ellenberger Dennis 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACT

HIV-1 viral load (VL) levels are used for monitoring disease progression and antiretroviral therapy outcomes in HIV-infected patients. To assess the performance of laboratories conducting HIV-1 VL testing in resource-limited settings, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention implemented a voluntary, free-of-charge, external quality assurance program using dried tube specimens (DTSs). Between 2010 and 2012, DTS proficiency testing (PT) panels consisting of 5 specimens were distributed at ambient temperature to participants. The results from the participants (
n
≥ 6) using the same assay were grouped, analyzed, and graded as acceptable within a group mean ± 3 standard deviations. Mean proficiency scores were calculated by dividing the combined PT scores by the number of testing cycles using a linear regression model. Between 2010 and 2012, the number of participants enrolled increased from 32 in 16 countries to 114 in 44 countries. A total of 78.2% of the participants reported results using 10 different VL assays. The rates of reporting of acceptable results by the participants were 96.6% for the Abbott assay, 96.3% for the Roche Cobas assay, 94.5% for the Roche Amplicor assay, 93.0% for the Biocentric assay, and 89.3% for the NucliSens assay. The overall mean proficiency scores improved over time (
P
= 0.024). DTSs are a good alternative specimen type to plasma specimens for VL PT programs, as they do not require cold chain transportation and can be used on PCR-based assays. Our data suggest that the CDC HIV-1 VL PT program using DTSs positively impacts the testing performance of the participants, which might translate into better and more accurate VL testing services for patients.
Delineating Community Outbreaks of Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium by Use of Whole-Genome Sequencing: Insights into Genomic Variability within an Outbreak
Authors: Octavia Sophie , Wang Qinning , Tanaka Mark M. , Kaur Sandeep , Sintchenko Vitali , Lan Ruiting 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACT

Whole-genome next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used to retrospectively examine 57 isolates from five epidemiologically confirmed community outbreaks (numbered 1 to 5) caused by
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium phage type DT170. Most of the human and environmental isolates confirmed epidemiologically to be involved in the outbreaks were either genomically identical or differed by one or two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), with the exception of those in outbreak 1. The isolates from outbreak 1 differed by up to 12 SNPs, which suggests that the food source of the outbreak was contaminated with more than one strain while each of the other four outbreaks was caused by a single strain. In addition, NGS analysis ruled in isolates that were initially not considered to be linked with the outbreak, which increased the total outbreak size by 107%. The mutation process was modeled by using known mutation rates to derive a cutoff value for the number of SNP difference to determine whether or not a case was part of an outbreak. For an outbreak with less than 1 month of
ex vivo
/
in vivo
evolution time, the maximum number of SNP differences between isolates is two or four using the lowest or highest mutation rate, respectively. NGS of
S
. Typhimurium significantly increases the resolution of investigations of community outbreaks. It can also inform a more targeted public health response by providing important supplementary evidence that cases of disease are or are not associated with food-borne outbreaks of
S
. Typhimurium.
Local Evolutionary Patterns of Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Derived from Whole-Genome Sequencing
Authors: Agoti Charles N. , Otieno James R. , Munywoki Patrick K. , Mwihuri Alexander G. , Cane Patricia A. , Nokes D. James , Kellam Paul , Cotten Matthew 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACT
Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is associated with severe childhood respiratory infections. A clear description of local RSV molecular epidemiology, evolution, and transmission requires detailed sequence data and can inform new strategies for virus control and vaccine development. We have generated 27 complete or nearly complete genomes of RSV from hospitalized children attending a rural coastal district hospital in Kilifi, Kenya, over a 10-year period using a novel full-genome deep-sequencing process. Phylogenetic analysis of the new genomes demonstrated the existence and cocirculation of multiple genotypes in both RSV A and B groups in Kilifi. Comparison of local versus global strains demonstrated that most RSV A variants observed locally in Kilifi were also seen in other parts of the world, while the Kilifi RSV B genomes encoded a high degree of variation that was not observed in other parts of the world. The nucleotide substitution rates for the individual open reading frames (ORFs) were highest in the regions encoding the attachment (G) glycoprotein and the NS2 protein. The analysis of RSV full genomes, compared to subgenomic regions, provided more precise estimates of the RSV sequence changes and revealed important patterns of RSV genomic variation and global movement. The novel sequencing method and the new RSV genomic sequences reported here expand our knowledge base for large-scale RSV epidemiological and transmission studies.

IMPORTANCE
The new RSV genomic sequences and the novel sequencing method reported here provide important data for understanding RSV transmission and vaccine development. Given the complex interplay between RSV A and RSV B infections, the existence of local RSV B evolution is an important factor in vaccine deployment.
Country level economic disparities in child injury mortality
Authors: Khan Uzma Rahim , Sengoelge Mathilde , Zia Nukhba , Razzak Junaid Abdul , Hasselberg Marie , Laflamme Lucie 
Published: January 2015

BackgroundInjuries are a neglected cause of child mortality globally and the burden is unequally distributed in resource poor settings. The aim of this study is to explore the share and distribution of child injury mortality across country economic levels and the correlation between country economic level and injuries.MethodsAll-cause and injury mortality rates per 100 000 were extracted for 187 countries for the 1–4 age group and under 5s from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010. Countries were grouped into four economic levels. Gross domestic product (GDP) per capita was used to determine correlation with injury mortality.ResultsFor all regions and country economic levels, the share of injuries in all-cause mortality was greater when considering the 1–4 age group than under 5s, ranging from 36.6% in Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries to 10.6% in Sub-Saharan Africa. Except for Sub-Saharan Africa, there is a graded association between country economic level and 1–4 injury mortality across regions, with all low-income countries having the highest rates. Except for the two regions with the highest overall injury mortality rates, there is a significant negative correlation between GDP and injury mortality in Latin America and the Caribbean, Eastern Europe/Central Asia, Asia East/South-East and Pacific and North Africa/ Middle East.ConclusionsChild injury mortality is unevenly distributed across regions and country economic level to the detriment of poorer countries. A significant negative correlation exists between GDP and injury in all regions, exception for the most resource poor where the burden of injuries is highest.
DNMT3A Mutational Status Affects the Results of Dose-Escalated Induction Therapy in Acute Myelogenous Leukemia
Authors: Sehgal Alison R. , Gimotty Phyllis A. , Zhao Jianhua , Hsu Jing-Mei , Daber Robert , Morrissette Jennifer D. , Luger Selina , Loren Alison W. , Carroll Martin 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
Purpose: DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) is one of the commonly mutated genes in acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Reports on the prognostic significance of DNMT3A mutations have been inconsistent, and most of the data are available only for patients 60 years of age or younger. We hypothesized that this inconsistency is due to an interaction between the dose of anthracycline used in induction therapy and DNMT3A status. We studied whether patients with DNMT3A-mutated AML treated with standard dose anthracyclines had an inferior survival compared with patients with other mutation profiles or those who received high-dose therapy.
Experimental Design: A total of 152 patients in this retrospective cohort study (median age, 54 years) with de novo AML underwent induction therapy and next-generation sequencing of 33 commonly mutated genes in hematologic malignancies, including DNMT3A, FLT3-ITD, NPM1, and IDH1/2. Cox regression was used to know whether those with DNMT3A mutations who were treated with standard dose anthracycline had inferior survival.
Results: DNMT3A mutations, found in 32% of patients, were not associated with an inferior survival. Dose escalation of anthracycline in the induction regimen was associated with improved survival in those with DNMT3A mutations but not those with wild-type DNMT3A. Patients with DNMT3A mutations who received standard dose induction had shorter survival time than other patient groups (10.1 months vs. 19.8 months, P = 0.0129). This relationship remained significant (HR, 1.90; P = 0.006) controlling for multiple variables.
Conclusions: Patients with DNMT3A-mutated AML have an inferior survival when treated with standard-dose anthracycline induction therapy. This group should be considered for high-dose induction therapy. Clin Cancer Res; 21(7); 1614–20. ©2015 AACR.
PD-L1 Expression and Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes Define Different Subsets of MAPK Inhibitor–Treated Melanoma Patients
Authors: Kakavand Hojabr , Wilmott James S. , Menzies Alexander M. , Vilain Ricardo , Haydu Lauren E. , Yearley Jennifer H. , Thompson John F. , Kefford Richard F. , Hersey Peter , Long Georgina V. , Scolyer Richard A. 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate the expression of tumor PD-L1 and changes in tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) populations in patients with metastatic melanoma treated with targeted MAPK inhibitors.
Experimental Design: Ninety-three tumors were analyzed from 40 patients treated with a BRAF inhibitor alone (BRAFi; n = 28) or combination of BRAF and MEK inhibitors (Combi; n = 12). Tumors were excised before treatment (PRE), early during treatment (EDT), and at progression (PROG). Immunohistochemical staining was performed for CD4, CD8, CD68, FOXP3, LAG3, PD-1, and PD-L1 and correlated with clinical outcome.
Results: Patients' tumors that were PD-L1 positive at baseline showed a significant decrease in PD-L1 expression at PROG (P = 0.028), whereas patients' tumors that were PD-L1 negative at baseline showed a significant increase in PD-L1 expression at PROG (P = 0.008) irrespective of treatment with BRAFi or Combi. Overall PD-L1 expression highly correlated with TIL immune markers. BRAFi-treated patients showed significant increases in CD4+, CD8+, and PD-1+ lymphocytes from PRE to EDT (P = 0.001, P = 0.001, P = 0.017, respectively), and Combi-treated patients showed similar increases in CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes from PRE to EDT (P = 0.017, P = 0.021).
Conclusions: The addition of MEKi to BRAFi did not result in significant reduction in immune infiltration in EDT biopsies. This provides support for conducting trials that combine MAPKi with immune checkpoint inhibitors in the hope of improving complete and durable response rates. PD-L1 expression at PROG on MAPK inhibitors varied according to baseline expression suggesting that combining MAPKi with immunotherapies concurrently may be more effective in patients with PD-L1 expression and TILs in baseline melanoma samples. Clin Cancer Res; 21(14); 3140–8. ©2015 AACR.
See related commentary by Cooper et al., p. 3102
Head Start Impact on Social–Emotional Outcomes for Children With Disabilities
Authors: Lee Kyunghee , Calkins Andrea , Shin Tae Seob 
Published: January 2015

Objective: Using the Head Start Impact Study data, this study examines Head Start’s impacts on social–emotional outcomes for children with disabilities. Method: Among 4,442 children, 570 children were reported to have disabilities. Ordinary least squares regression was used to determine whether the number of disabilities, having an individualized education plan (IEP), and receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) affect social–emotional outcomes for children with disabilities and whether Head Start’s impact differs depending on these factors. Results: Children with multiple disabilities, an IEP, and SSI had lower social–emotional scores. Head Start impact was found for the following subgroups: children with no disabilities, children who never received an IEP, children living in a higher income household, and Black children. Conclusions: Head Start should identify potential disabilities early and support the provision of adequate services to increase social–emotional outcomes for children with disabilities.
Kinetic Modelling of the Adsorption and Desorption of NH3 on Fe/BEA Zeolite
Authors: Hahn Christoph , Füger Sven , Endisch Matthias , Pacher Andreas , Kureti Sven 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
This paper deals with the kinetic modelling of the adsorption and
desorption of NH3 on Fe/BEA
zeolite. Fe/BEA was recently reported to show high activity
for the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO
x
by
NH3. The NH3 adsorption and desorption kinetics
was examined in the temperature range from 323 to 923 K
using temperature programmed desorption of NH3
(NH3-TPD) and diffuse reflectance infrared fourier transform
spectroscopy (DRIFTS). With these investigations an elementary kinetic
mean field model of the NH3 adsorption and desorption was
constructed employing Arrhenius-based rate expressions. The model
differentiated molecularly bound NH3 and NH4
+
surface species originated from the NH3 chemisorption. For
both kinds of species, the kinetic parameters of the adsorption of
NH3 were adopted from the literature, while that of the
desorption were numerically fitted based upon NH3-TPD
traces. The reliability of the kinetic model was evidenced by
reproduction and prediction of the NH3-TPD profiles as well
as thermodynamic consistency.
Mercadeo, comunicación y artes, facultad construida con calidad educativa y calidez humana
Authors: Hernández Muñoz Sergio 
Published: January 2015

Estas líneas las quiero dedicar a quienes de una u otra manera ayudaron a construir el proyecto educativo que es hoy la Facultad de Mercadeo, Comunicación y Artes de la Institución Universitaria Politécnico Grancolombiano.
Octavio Paz, Julio Cortázar: dos centenarios
Authors: Cobo Borda Juan Gustavo 
Published: January 2015

Este texto presenta un acercamiento a la trayectoria de vida de estos grandes en la literatura. Octavio Paz, de México, y Julio Cortazar, de Argentina son contemporáneos y su trayectoria tuvo corrientes similares, tales como el surrealismo, y gustos, como la pintura, a pesar de sus discrepancias políticas. Este texto abarca las diferentes obras, pequeños fragmentos de ellas y una descripción de sus afinidades, en un cierto paralelismo, al ubicarlos en un contexto similar en la literatura y en la vida latinoamericana.
Apropiación social de las nuevas tecnologías de la información y las comunicaciones (TICs)e informatización de la sociedad colombiana.
Authors: Chaparro Osorio Fernando 
Published: January 2015

La llamada “Nueva Economía”, que utiliza de manera amplia la información y el conocimiento como factores de producción, ha generado un rápido progreso científico y tecnológico, a la vez que un volumen sin precedentes de innova- ciones industriales y transformaciones en las relaciones mundiales. En este nuevo contexto, un elemento esencial de la competitividad y la sostenibilidad de las sociedades que están surgiendo es su capacidad de innovación, pues esta les permite traducir las oportunidades generadas por los desarrollos científicos y tecnológicos en nuevos productos y servicios, en posibilidades de trabajo y en un mayor bienestar para la sociedad. El surgimiento de “nuevas tecnologías” hace parte del proceso. Ellas generan empresas, permean los sectores tradicionales de la producción, y ocasionan incluso, desempleo como parte de la reestructuración competitiva de los sectores económicos que las utilizan. Existen tres grandes áreas tecnológicas: las tecnologías de la información y las comunicaciones (TICs), la biotecnología, producida por la de biología molecular, y los nuevos mate- riales. Estas áreas son intensamente científicas; no representan un sector económico, sino que se extienden a todos los sectores de la producción y de la sociedad; generan un alto valor agregado, tanto en las actividades productivas como sociales, y tienen gran influencia en la comunidad, en el mercado de trabajo, actividades culturales y formas de participación social. El artículo trata en especial del caso de las TIC, aunque hay muchas sinergias que surgen de la interacción entre estos tres sectores, como es el caso de la bioinformática y de sus aplicaciones en el manejo de la biodiversidad. También deta- lla cómo enfrenta Colombia la “sociedad del conocimiento” y como se transforma paulatinamente al desarrollar su infra- estructura tecnológica y de comunicación.
Editorial: Un período de grandes realizaciones el modelo Whitney de educación distribuida
Authors: Michelsen Niño Pablo 
Published: January 2015

La educación es un campo infinito e inagotable, en el cual todas las realizaciones son siempre insuficientes, y, más aún, si nos comparamos con instituciones de países más desarrollados. Para mí el ejercicio educativo es una permanente lección de humildad. Sin embargo, sin pretender vanagloriarnos de nada, quisiera compartir con los lectores de Poliantea un breve resumen de las realizaciones de la Fundación Politécnico Grancolombiano, Institución Universitaria (PG), en el último año.
Its a gray area
Authors: Jennings Marianne 
Published: January 2015

The article shows, as an introduction, the process of rationalization through which a human being may go when trying to internalize what a gray area stands for in his /her own context, paying special attention to the fact that for most of us it is a matter of not going beyond what is right, in other words, staying away from what is wrong. Then, it approaches the matter of analyzing the gray area from a perspective that goes beyond ethical issues, to bring it into more analytical grounds in the world of business, where decisions are not much to be made in terms of what is ethically right or wrong, but what such decisions may mean, and how they may benefit the organization. In addition, the article highlights the danger of entering the grey area, crossing the line of ethically acceptable behavior, because the line tends to become blurred, and one may end in the domain of unacceptable behavior. Finally, the article makes the reader reflect upon the complexity of getting used to accepting exceptions, since this may lead to confusion in the organizations. The advisable behavior would be being as close to absolutes as possible.
Internet y el mercadeo farmacéutico, El cambio de la relación Laboratorio-Médico-Paciente
Authors: Vega Ricardo Arturo 
Published: January 2015

Con base en una revisión de la literatura internacional se examina una tendencia que cada vez gana más terreno dentro del mercadeo farmacéutico y es el uso de Internet como vehículo de comunicación y promoción para los medicamentos. Se presentan los conceptos que internacionalmente se emplean sobre e-healthcare y e-detailing y cómo estos nuevos canales de comunicación, al ampliar la accesibilidad de las personas a la información, han variado la relación tradicional que existía entre los laboratorios, los médi- cos y los pacientes. El consumidor final ha ganado importancia en esta relación y se ha convertido en el centro de la misma. Se plantea que el e-detailing, además del avance tecnológico que lo ha permitido, ha surgido como una respuesta de la industria farmacéutica a la dificultad creciente que los visitadores médicos tienen para establecer contacto con los galenos. Con respecto a los pacientes se expone cómo Internet le ofrece a los laboratorios una oportunidad para convertirlos en aliados de los facultativos y los pagadores de los tratamientos. Así mismo, se presenta el proceso que actualmente se da en el mercadeo farmacéutico y se revisa el papel, cada vez más significativo, que está jugando Internet dentro de la distribución farmacéutica, con sus pros y contras.Finalmente se exponen las principales implicaciones que está teniendo Internet en el mercadeo farmacéutico y se cierra el documento con algunas consideraciones y recomendaciones centradas en el ámbito latinoamericano.
El hombre relacional, comunicación y elementos estratégicos en el discurso de minas antipersonal, Colombia una realidad
Authors: Barón Pulido Mireya 
Published: January 2015

El presente artículo expone los resultados de la investigación que evidencian el comportamiento de elementos estratégicos en el discurso mediático sobre minas antipersonal en cuatro regiones de Colombia. Al hacer uso de la metodología cualitativa, se realizaron las siguientes fases: (1) análisis de contenido (AC) a través del software Qualrus/Atlas-ti en registros discursivos impresos y sonoros, (2) aplicación de instrumentos entrevistas intensivas a grupos focales con Dircom ONG en Bogotá y líderes regionales del país, y (3) triangulación de datos. El proyecto contó con la colaboración del semillero de investigación constituido por cuatro estudiantes del Programa de Comunicación Social-Periodismo (Paloma Jiménez, Margarita Uribe, Pamela Zabala y Luis Palomino). El respectivo cotejo de datos permite constatar el componente relacional del sujeto, toda vez que se interactúa en diversos escenarios según las necesidades a comunicar en una cultura de la prevención, del fortalecimiento y de la educación ante la situación vulnerable de las minas antipersonal en Antioquia, Cundinamarca, Nariño y Meta. Los datos arrojados pretenden destacar que diseñar significados es, a la vez, crear realidades, propiciar accio- nes con propósitos específicos y lograr lecturas e interacciones simbólicas desde y para la educación, la prevención y el acompañamiento a la situación-conflicto. Destacamos con esta investigación que la propuesta de una teoría de la estrategia de la comunicación, solo es viable en tanto se dinamice desde y para sujetos en escenarios específicos; pues es allí donde las necesidades comunicativas de los individuos perciben el discurso como acción, mas no como metalenguaje. Para la actual investigación, el discurso-taller con los ciudadanos de la región, resulta ser la estrategia-acción adecuada y eficaz por excelencia, apoyada de registros mediáticos, como la producción sonora e impresa narrada para los usuarios actores de dicha realidad en diversas formas, según el nivel de conflicto.
Editorial: La Institución Universitaria Politécnico Grancolombiano en sus treinta años
Authors: Michelsen Niño Pablo 
Published: January 2015

En la década de los setenta en Colombia existían muchos profesionales tradicionales, como abogados, economistas, médi- cos e ingenieros, con un alto índice de desempleo. Se decía que había hasta médicos manejando taxi. Y, al mismo tiempo, el país carecía de los técnicos y tecnólogos que necesitaba para su desarrollo académico y social. Por esta razón el Gobierno Nacional dictó el Decreto Ley 80 de 1980, con el propósito de promover la educación técnica y tecnológica, es decir la formación de expertos más prácticos y eficientes requeridos por parte de las empresas públicas y privadas.