bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hereditary Angioedema: Children Should be Considered for Training in Self‐Administration
Authors: Abdel‐Karim Omar , Dizdarevic Adis , Bygum Anette 
Published: September 2014

AbstractHereditary angioedema is an inherited disease that causes periodic swelling attacks, which can be life threatening and have a major effect on a patient's life. Studies have shown that home therapy for angioedema reduces disease severity, leads to faster relief of symptoms, and improves quality of life. Most studies have been conducted in adults. We report a 13‐year‐old boy who quickly learned self‐administration, which resulted in reduced frequency and severity of attacks. The aim of this report is to emphasize that children should be considered for self‐administration training and that the process does not have to be long or complicated.
Child Abuse Masquerading as a Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Authors: Strazzula Lauren , Greenlaw Sheila , Vargas Sara O. , Belazarian Leah 
Published: September 2014

AbstractPediatric fasciitides are rare benign lesions that may clinically mimic a malignant sarcoma. Nodular fasciitis, the most common of these fasciitides, rarely occurs in children younger than 5 years of age. Often there is a history of preceding trauma. Herein, we report the case of a 5‐month‐old boy diagnosed with nodular fasciitis in the setting of nonaccidental trauma.
Survey of delivery room resuscitation practices at tertiary perinatal centers in Japan
Authors: Hosono Shigeharu , Tamura Masanori , Kunikata Tetsuya , Wada Masaki , Kusakawa Isao , Ibara Satoshi 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to determine the current neonatal resuscitation practices for term infants in Japan, immediately before the 2010 publication of the international neonatal resuscitation consensus.MethodsIn January 2010, a 26‐question survey was mailed to neonatal department directors.ResultsA total of 287 neonatal departments were identified. Four surveys were returned as undeliverable. A total of 191 surveys were returned completed, but four departments had no labor and delivery rooms (66.6% response rate, 65.2% survey available response rate). Flow‐inflating bags were most commonly used (63.2%), followed by self‐inflating bags (35.8%), and T‐piece resuscitators (1.0%). Among the participants, 42.1% used oxygen blenders, 56.2% used pure oxygen for initial resuscitation, and 79.5% used a pulse oximeter to change the fraction of inspired oxygen. Among the participants, 45.3% used carbon dioxide detectors to confirm intubation, 42.5% routinely used the detectors, and 55.2% used them when confirming a difficult intubation. In addition, 42.5% of the participants used continuous positive airway pressure to treat breathing problems, most commonly with flow‐inflating bags (93.2%).ConclusionsThe equipment and techniques used in Japanese perinatal center delivery room resuscitation practices are highly varied. Further research is required to determine which devices and techniques are appropriate for this important and common intervention.
A detailed analysis of the leaf rolling mutant sll2 reveals complex nature in regulation of bulliform cell development in rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Zhang J. ‐J. , Wu S. ‐Y. , Jiang L. , Wang J. ‐L. , Zhang X. , Guo X. ‐P. , Wu C. ‐Y. , Wan J. ‐M. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBulliform cells are large, thin‐walled and highly vacuolated cells, and play an important role in controlling leaf rolling in response to drought and high temperature. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating bulliform cell development have not been well documented. Here, we report isolation and characterisation of a rice leaf‐rolling mutant, named shallot‐like 2 (sll2). The sll2 plants exhibit adaxially rolled leaves, starting from the sixth leaf stage, accompanied by increased photosynthesis and reduced plant height and tiller number. Histological analyses showed shrinkage of bulliform cells, resulting in inward‐curved leaves. The mutant is recessive and revertible at a rate of 9%. The leaf rolling is caused by a T‐DNA insertion. Cloning of the insertion using TAIL‐PCR revealed that the T‐DNA was inserted in the promoter region of LOC_Os07 g38664. Unexpectedly, the enhanced expression of LOC_Os07 g38664 by the 35S enhancer in the T‐DNA is not responsible for the leaf rolling phenotype. Further, the enhancer also exerted a long‐distance effect, including up‐regulation of several bulliform cell‐related genes. sll2 suppressed the outward leaf rolling of oul1 in the sll2oul1 double mutant. We conclude that leaf rolling in sll2 could be a result of the combined effect of multi‐genes, implying a complex network in regulation of bulliform cell development.
Obesity hypoventilation syndrome in Japan and independent determinants of arterial carbon dioxide levels
Authors: Harada Yuka , Chihara Yuichi , Azuma Masanori , Murase Kimihiko , Toyama Yoshiro , Yoshimura Chikara , Oga Toru , Nakamura Hiroshi , Mishima Michiaki , Chin Kazuo ,   Japan Respiratory Failure Group
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackground and objectiveObesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) prevalence was previously estimated at 9% in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in Japan. However, the definition of OSA in that study was based on an apnoea‐hypopnoea index (AHI) of ≥ 20/h rather than ≥ 5/h. Therefore, the prevalence of OHS in OSA was not measured in the same way as for Western countries. Our study objectives were to investigate the characteristics of Japanese patients with OHS.MethodsNine hundred eighty‐one consecutive patients investigated for suspected OSA were enrolled. At least 90% of them were from urban areas, including 162 with obese OSA (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2 and AHI ≥ 5/h).ResultsThe prevalence of OHS (BMI 36.7 ± 4.9 kg/m2) in OSA and that in obese OSA were 2.3% and 12.3%, respectively. Multiple regression analysis revealed that independent of age and BMI, arterial oxygen pressure (contribution rate (R2) = 7.7%), 4% oxygen desaturation index (R2 = 8.9%), carbon monoxide diffusing capacity/alveolar volume (R2 = 8.3%), haemoglobin concentration (R2 = 4.9%) and waist circumference (R2 = 4.9%) were independently associated with arterial carbon dioxide pressure. After 12.3 ± 4.6 months of CPAP treatment, more than 60% of OHS patients no longer had hypercapnia.ConclusionsThe prevalence of OHS in OSA in Japan was 2.3%. The mean BMI of patients with OHS in Japan was lower than that in Western countries (36.7 kg/m2 vs 44.0 kg/m2).
Development and psychometric validation of a cystic fibrosis knowledge scale
Authors: Balfour Louise , Armstrong Michael , Holly Crystal , Gaudet Ena , Aaron Shawn , Tasca George , Cameron William , Pakhale Smita 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackground and objectiveWell‐developed and validated measures of cystic fibrosis (CF) knowledge are scarce. The purpose of the present study is to develop and validate a CF knowledge scale that is brief, easy to use, self‐administered and demonstrates clinical utility.MethodsA comprehensive literature search generated a pool of scale items; an expert panel of CF team members reviewed and provided recommendations for item inclusion. A focus group of CF patients and family members (n = 12) then reviewed the items for face validity and reading clarity. To evaluate the validity and reliability of the newly developed CF knowledge scale, it was administered to several different samples including CF patients (n = 45), respirology patients (n = 100), health‐care providers (n = 74) and university student samples (psychology students, n = 71; medical students, n = 36).ResultsInternal consistency of the scale was high, with an alpha coefficient for the overall sample of .95 (n = 326). The scale also demonstrated excellent construct validity.ConclusionsThis study is an important first step in a line of research that aims to develop and empirically validate a psycho‐educational adherence intervention for improving quality of life and treatment outcomes among adult CF patients. The CF knowledge scale has potential applications as a clinical teaching tool with patients and health‐care providers and could be used as an outcome measure in CF educational intervention studies aimed at optimizing CF treatment knowledge, adherence and quality of life among CF patients.
Re‐Visiting Financial Development and Economic Growth Nexus: The Role of Capitalization inBangladesh
Authors: Shahbaz Muhammad , Rehman Ijaz Ur , Muzaffar Ahmed Taneem 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThis paper revisits the relationship between financial development and economic growth inBangladesh by incorporating trade openness in production function using quarter frequency data over the period of 1976‐2012. We applied combined Bayer–Hanck cointegration approach to examine cointegration among the series. Our empirical evidence suggests that development of financial sector facilitates economic growth but capitalization impedes it. In addition, trade openness stimulates economic growth. Labour is also positively linked to economic growth. The vector error correction model Granger causality results divulge that financial development causes real per capita gross domestic product (GDP) growth, and resultantly, real per capitaGDPgrowth causes financial development in a Granger sense. The results also show that trade and labour Granger cause economic growth. The findings of the paper provide insights for policymakers to use financial development and trade openness as a tool for sustained economic growth in the long run. The paper also suggests policymakers to utilise capitalization in a way that is beneficial for economic growth ofBangladesh.
Retention and risk factors for attrition among adults in antiretroviral treatment programmes in Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia
Authors: Koole Olivier , Tsui Sharon , Wabwire‐Mangen Fred , Kwesigabo Gideon , Menten Joris , Mulenga Modest , Auld Andrew , Agolory Simon , Mukadi Ya Diul , Colebunders Robert , Bangsberg David R. , van Praag Eric , Torpey Kwasi , Williams Seymour , Kaplan Jonathan , Zee Aaron , Denison Julie 
Published: September 2014

AbstractObjectivesWe assessed retention and predictors of attrition (recorded death or loss to follow‐up) in antiretroviral treatment (ART) clinics in Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study among adults (≥18 years) starting ART during 2003–2010. We purposefully selected six health facilities per country and randomly selected 250 patients from each facility. Patients who visited clinics at least once during the 90 days before data abstraction were defined as retained. Data on individual and programme level risk factors for attrition were obtained through chart review and clinic manager interviews. Kaplan–Meier curves for retention across sites were created. Predictors of attrition were assessed using a multivariable Cox‐proportional hazards model, adjusted for site‐level clustering.ResultsFrom 17 facilities, 4147 patients were included. Retention ranged from 52.0% to 96.2% at 1 year to 25.8%–90.4% at 4 years. Multivariable analysis of ART initiation characteristics found the following independent risk factors for attrition: younger age [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 1.30 (1.14–1.47)], WHO stage 4 ([aHR (95% CI): 1.56 (1.29–1.88)], >10% bodyweight loss [aHR (95%CI) = 1.17 (1.00–1.38)], poor functional status [ambulatory aHR (95%CI) = 1.29 (1.09–1.54); bedridden aHR1.54 (1.15–2.07)], and increasing years of clinic operation prior to ART initiation in government facilities [aHR (95%CI) = 1.17 (1.10–1.23)]. Patients with higher CD4 cell count were less likely to experience attrition [aHR (95%CI) = 0.88 (0.78–1.00)] for every log (tenfold) increase. Sites offering community ART dispensing [aHR (95%CI) = 0.55 (0.30–1.01) for women; 0.40 (0.21–0.75) for men] had significantly less attrition.ConclusionsPatient retention to an individual programme worsened over time especially among males, younger persons and those with poor clinical indicators. Community ART drug dispensing programmes could improve retention.
Hematopoietic stem cell transplant–associated thrombotic microangiopathy: review of pharmacologic treatment options
Authors: Kim Sara S. , Patel Monank , Yum Kendra , Keyzner Alla 
Published: September 2014

BackgroundTransplant‐associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA‐TMA) is a multifactorial disorder, which occurs as a result of treatment‐related endothelial injury and underlying disease process after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The reported incidence of TA‐TMA after HSCT is 0% to 74% and has shown to be associated with mortality rate of up to 100%. TA‐TMA is often diagnosed late in the disease progression, and therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) has not been shown to produce a high response rate.Study Design and MethodsAll English‐language articles describing pharmacologic treatments for TA‐TMA were identified using Ovid in the Medline database (1966‐May 2014). Search was limited to the HSCT population.ResultsApproximately 50% to 63% of patients with TA‐TMA respond to withdrawal of the offending agent (calcineurin inhibitors) and TPE, and many will require additional treatment to better control the disease. Unfortunately, there is no established treatment strategy for TA‐TMA. A number of pharmacologic agents that have been explored for the treatment of TA‐TMA include rituximab, vincristine, defibrotide, pravastatin, and eculizumab. The overall response rates of these agents were similar (69%‐80%); however, the differences in the treatment costs vary significantly between these agents. Defibrotide is an investigational agent in the United States; therefore, it is not readily available for use.ConclusionLarger studies are warranted to validate the role of these pharmacologic agents in TA‐TMA as upfront therapy and in TPE‐refractory patients. Recently suggested predictive biomarkers for TA‐TMA, such as neutrophil extracellular traps and circulating endothelial cells, deserve more attention in future studies.
Prevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies in blood donors from Veracruz State, Mexico
Authors: Hernández‐Romano Pablo , Cámara‐Contreras Mireya , Bravo‐Sarmiento Elidé , López‐Balderas Nayali 
Published: September 2014

BackgroundTrypanosoma cruzi is the causal agent of Chagas disease. Of the Mexican states, Veracruz is among the most affected by this sickness. However, the actual epidemiologic situation of this disease is not well understood. This study sought to determine the prevalence and risk factors for Chagas disease among Veracruzan blood donors.Study Design and MethodsBlood donors from Centro Estatal de la Transfusion Sanguinea de Veracruz were included. Blood units were serologically scrutinized for T. cruzi antibodies using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. To identify risk factors, demographic data were collected from the medical records of positive donors and a representative sample of healthy donors.ResultsA total of 87,232 donations were analyzed, and the mean prevalence of T. cruzi was found to be 0.5%. The identified risk factors were living as a couple and in a rural area, having a low level of education, being a farmer, dwelling in a house with earthen or wooden walls and a tile or thatch roof, living with domestic animals, recognition of or exposure to triatomine bugs, and residing in the Huasteca region. An increase of rural‐living donors infected with T. cruzi was observed in the past 3 years of the study period.ConclusionThe prevalence to Chagas disease has not decreased in the past decade and the disease appears to be spreading in rural areas of Veracruz. This increases the risk of T. cruzi transfusion‐transmitted infection, not only in Veracruz and Mexico, but also in other nonendemic countries that receive immigrants from Veracruz State.
A Sport-Specific Upper-Body Ergometer Test for Evaluating Submaximal and Maximal Parameters in Elite Rock Climbers
Authors: Michailov Michail Lubomirov , Morrison Audry , Ketenliev Mano Mitkov , Pentcheva Boyanka Petkova 
Published: September 2014

Traditional treadmill or bicycle ergometry neglects the upper-body musculature that predominantly limits or terminates rock-climbing performance (ie, the inability to continually pull up one’s body mass or “hang on”).Purpose:To develop an incremental maximal upper-body ergometer test (UBT) to evaluate climbers’ aerobic fitness and sport-specific work capacity and to compare these results with a traditional treadmill protocol.Methods:Eleven elite sport climbers (best redpoint grade Fr.8b) performed a UBT on a vertically mounted rowing ergometer and, on a separate occasion, performed a maximal incremental treadmill test (TMT). Cardiorespiratory parameters were measured continuously. Lactate (La) samples were collected.Results:Peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) and heart rate in UBT and TMT were 34.1 ± 4.1 vs 58.3 ± 2.6 mL · min−1 · kg−1 and 185 ± 8 vs 197 ± 8 beats/min, respectively, and both variables were of significantly lower magnitude during UBT (P < .001). End-of-test La levels for UBT (11.9 ± 1.7 mmol/L) and TMT (12.3 ± 2.5 mmol/L) were similar (P = .554). Treadmill VO2peak was not correlated with either upper-body (UB) VO2peak (P = .854) or redpoint and on-sight climbing grade ability (P > .05). UB VO2peak and peak power output per kg body mass were both strongly correlated (P < .05) with climbing grade ability. The highest correlation coefficient was calculated between current on-sight grade and UB VO2peak (r = .85, P = .001).Conclusion:UBT aerobic- and work-capacity results were strongly correlated to climbing-performance variables and reflected sport-specific fatigue, and TMT results were not. UBT is preferred to TMT to test and monitor dedicated and elite rock climbers’ training status.
Comparison of Three Luminescent Immunoassays for Hepatitis B Virus Surface Antigen Quantification during the Natural History of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection
Authors: Cheng Xiao-Dong , Song Liu-Wei , Fang Lin-Lin , Yang Lin , Wu Yong , Ge Sheng-Xiang , Yuan Quan , Zhang Jun , Xia Ning-Shao , Hao Xiao-Ke 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACTHepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) quantification has garnered attention because of its high predictive value in determining treatment responses. The HBsAg quantification assays, such as Architect and Elecsys, are commercially available, and more assays are in development. We aimed to compare the results of the Architect and Elecsys assays with those of a new assay, WTultra. The WTultra HBsAg assay is a sandwich chemiluminescent microplate enzyme immunoassay and provides an alternative choice which is more cost-effective and potentially applicable in developing or resource-constrained countries and areas. A total of 411 serum samples were collected from patients during various phases of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection. The samples were assessed using the three assays, and the results were compared and analyzed. The results for the Architect, Elecsys, and WTultra assays were well correlated according to the overall results for the samples (correlation coefficients,rArchitect versus WTultra= 0.936,rArchitect versus Elecsys= 0.952, andrWTultra versus Elecsys= 0.981) and the various infection phases (rArchitect versus WTultraranging from 0.67 to 0.975,rArchitect versus Elecsysranging from 0.695 to 0.982, andrWTultra versus Elecsysranging from 0.877 to 0.99). Additionally, consistent results were observed according to genotype (genotype B:rArchitect versus WTultra= 0.976,rArchitect versus Elecsys= 0.978, andrWTultra versus Elecsys= 0.979; genotype C:rArchitect versus WTultra= 0.950,rArchitect versus Elecsys= 0.963, andrWTultra versus Elecsys= 0.981) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels (rArchitect= 0.540,rWTultra= 0.553, andrElecsys= 0.580). In conclusion, the Elecsys and WTultra assays were well correlated with the Architect assay, irrespective of the CHB infection phase or genotype. All of these assays are reliable for HBsAg quantification.
To Add or Not To Add Polysorbate 80: Impact on Colistin MICs for Clinical Strains of Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Quality Controls
Authors: Sutherland Christina A. , Nicolau David P. 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACT

Colistin adherence to plastics can be diminished by adding a surfactant, i.e., polysorbate 80. Incorporating polysorbate 80 resulted in 3 twofold and 2 twofold modal MIC decreases for
Enterobacteriaceae
and
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, respectively. The reproducibility of the quality controls (QCs) with and without polysorbate 80 supports the use of
Escherichia coli
strain 25922 and
P. aeruginosa
strain 27853.
Evaluation of the Automated Vitek 2 System for Detection of Various Mechanisms of Macrolide and Lincosamide Resistance in Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Filippin Lorenzo , Roisin Sandrine , Nonhoff Claire , Vandendriessche Stien , Heinrichs Amélie , Denis Olivier 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACT

We evaluated the performance of the automated Vitek 2 system against disk diffusion for susceptibility testing of
Staphylococcus aureus
strains showing various resistance mechanisms to macrolides and lincosamides (ML). The Vitek 2 system showed 100% concordance with the D-zone test in detection of the most common resistance mechanisms to ML, including methylase and efflux systems.
Broad Protection against Avian Influenza Virus by Using a Modified Vaccinia Ankara Virus Expressing a Mosaic Hemagglutinin Gene
Authors: Kamlangdee Attapon , Kingstad-Bakke Brock , Anderson Tavis K. , Goldberg Tony L. , Osorio Jorge E. 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACT

A critical failure in our preparedness for an influenza pandemic is the lack of a universal vaccine. Influenza virus strains diverge by 1 to 2% per year, and commercially available vaccines often do not elicit protection from one year to the next, necessitating frequent formulation changes. This represents a major challenge to the development of a cross-protective vaccine that can protect against circulating viral antigenic diversity. We have constructed a recombinant modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) that expresses an H5N1 mosaic hemagglutinin (H5M) (MVA-H5M). This mosaic was generated
in silico
using 2,145 field-sourced H5N1 isolates. A single dose of MVA-H5M provided 100% protection in mice against clade 0, 1, and 2 avian influenza viruses and also protected against seasonal H1N1 virus (A/Puerto Rico/8/34). It also provided short-term (10 days) and long-term (6 months) protection postvaccination. Both neutralizing antibodies and antigen-specific CD4
+
and CD8
+
T cells were still detected at 5 months postvaccination, suggesting that MVA-H5M provides long-lasting immunity.

IMPORTANCE
Influenza viruses infect a billion people and cause up to 500,000 deaths every year. A major problem in combating influenza is the lack of broadly effective vaccines. One solution from the field of human immunodeficiency virus vaccinology involves a novel
in silico
mosaic approach that has been shown to provide broad and robust protection against highly variable viruses. Unlike a consensus algorithm which picks the most frequent residue at each position, the mosaic method chooses the most frequent T-cell epitopes and combines them to form a synthetic antigen. These studies demonstrated that a mosaic influenza virus H5 hemagglutinin expressed by a viral vector can elicit full protection against diverse H5N1 challenges as well as induce broader immunity than a wild-type hemagglutinin.