bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exposure to benzodiazepines (anxiolytics, hypnotics and related drugs) in seven European electronic healthcare databases: a cross‐national descriptive study from the PROTECT‐EU Project
Authors: Huerta Consuelo , Abbing‐Karahagopian Victoria , Requena Gema , Oliva Belén , Alvarez Yolanda , Gardarsdottir Helga , Miret Montserrat , Schneider Cornelia , Gil Miguel , Souverein Patrick C. , De Bruin Marie L. , Slattery Jim , De Groot Mark C. H. , Hesse Ulrik , Rottenkolber Marietta , Schmiedl Sven , Montero Dolores , Bate Andrew , Ruigomez Ana , García‐Rodríguez Luis Alberto , Johansson Saga , de Vries Frank , Schlienger Raymond G. , Reynolds Robert F. , Klungel Olaf H. , de Abajo Francisco José 
Published: July 2015

AbstractPurposeStudies on drug utilization usually do not allow direct cross‐national comparisons because of differences in the respective applied methods. This study aimed to compare time trends in BZDs prescribing by applying a common protocol and analyses plan in seven European electronic healthcare databases.MethodsCrude and standardized prevalence rates of drug prescribing from 2001–2009 were calculated in databases from Spain, United Kingdon (UK), The Netherlands, Germany and Denmark. Prevalence was stratified by age, sex, BZD type [(using ATC codes), i.e. BZD‐anxiolytics BZD‐hypnotics, BZD‐related drugs and clomethiazole], indication and number of prescription.ResultsCrude prevalence rates of BZDs prescribing ranged from 570 to 1700 per 10 000 person‐years over the study period. Standardization by age and sex did not substantially change the differences. Standardized prevalence rates increased in the Spanish (+13%) and UK databases (+2% and +8%) over the study period, while they decreased in the Dutch databases (−4% and −22%), the German (−12%) and Danish (−26%) database. Prevalence of anxiolytics outweighed that of hypnotics in the Spanish, Dutch and Bavarian databases, but the reverse was shown in the UK and Danish databases. Prevalence rates consistently increased with age and were two‐fold higher in women than in men in all databases. A median of 18% of users received 10 or more prescriptions in 2008.ConclusionAlthough similar methods were applied, the prevalence of BZD prescribing varied considerably across different populations. Clinical factors related to BZDs and characteristics of the databases may explain these differences. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Increasing Hamiltonian paths in random edge orderings
Authors: Lavrov Mikhail , Loh Po‐Shen 
Published: July 2015

AbstractLet f be an edge ordering of Kn: a bijection . For an edge , we call f(e) the label of e. An increasing path in Kn is a simple path (visiting each vertex at most once) such that the label on each edge is greater than the label on the previous edge. We let S(f) be the number of edges in the longest increasing path. Chvátal and Komlós raised the question of estimating m(n): the minimum value of S(f) over all orderings f of Kn. The best known bounds on m(n) are , due respectively to Graham and Kleitman, and to Calderbank, Chung, and Sturtevant. Although the problem is natural, it has seen essentially no progress for three decades.In this paper, we consider the average case, when the ordering is chosen uniformly at random. We discover the surprising result that in the random setting, S(f) often takes its maximum possible value of n – 1 (visiting all of the vertices with an increasing Hamiltonian path). We prove that this occurs with probability at least about 1/ e. We also prove that with probability 1‐ o(1), there is an increasing path of length at least 0.85 n, suggesting that this Hamiltonian (or near‐Hamiltonian) phenomenon may hold asymptotically almost surely. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 48, 588–611, 2016
Iterative big data clustering algorithms: a review
Authors: Mohebi Amin , Aghabozorgi Saeed , Ying Wah Teh , Herawan Tutut , Yahyapour Ramin 
Published: July 2015

SummaryEnterprises today are dealing with the massive size of data, which have been explosively increasing. The key requirements to address this challenge are to extract, analyze, and process data in a timely manner. Clustering is an essential data mining tool that plays an important role for analyzing big data. However, large‐scale data clustering has become a challenging task because of the large amount of information that emerges from technological progress in many areas, including finance and business informatics. Accordingly, researchers have dealt with parallel clustering algorithms using parallel programming models to address this issue. MapReduce is one of the most famous frameworks, and it has attracted great attention because of its flexibility, ease of programming, and fault tolerance. However, the framework has evident performance limitations, especially for iterative programs. This study will first review the proposed iterative frameworks that extended MapReduce to support iterative algorithms. We summarize these techniques, discuss their uniqueness and limitations, and explain how they address the challenging issues of iterative programs. We also perform an in‐depth review to understand the problems and the solving techniques for parallel clustering algorithms. Hence, we believe that no well‐rounded review provides a significant comparison among parallel clustering algorithms using MapReduce. This work aims to serve as a stepping stone for researchers who are studying big data clustering algorithms. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Engineering immunity in the mucosal niche against sexually transmitted infections
Authors: Ramanathan Renuka , Woodrow Kim 
Published: July 2015

The mucosal surfaces of the genital tract are the site of entry to over 30 different bacterial, parasitic, and viral pathogens that are the cause of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV. Women and adolescent girls are more severely impacted by STIs than men due in part to a greater biological susceptibility for acquiring infections and differences in disease sequelae. While it is widely accepted that preventative vaccines against the most commonly transmitted STIs would have a major impact on decreasing the global health burden of STIs for women worldwide, several challenges preclude their development. The female genital tract is a complex niche of microflora, hormonal influences, and immune tissues and cells that result in a mucosal immune system that is distinct from other mucosal sites and from our systemic immune system. An appreciation of these differences and their effect on shaping mucosal immunity to sexually transmitted pathogens is an important determinant for the design of effective STI vaccines. Here we describe the anatomy and mucosal immune system of the female reproductive tract, and discuss bioengineering strategies to design mucosal vaccines that overcome delivery challenges and coordinate the presentation kinetics and compartmentalization of antigens and adjuvants to relevant mucosal immune cell subsets. In particular, we describe recent progress in understanding the role of specific mucosal dendritic cell subsets in facilitating immune responses to pathogenic microbes in the genital mucosa. We also discuss the development of pathogen‐mimicking materials that may be useful for engineering protective immunity in this mucosal niche. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2015, 8:107–122. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1359This article is categorized under:

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Infectious Disease
Evaluation of cholesterol metabolism in cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis
Authors: Mignarri Andrea , Magni Alessandro , Del Puppo Marina , Gallus Gian Nicola , Björkhem Ingemar , Federico Antonio , Dotti Maria Teresa 
Published: July 2015

AbstractBackgroundCerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) is a treatable bile acid disorder caused by mutations of CYP27A1. The pathogenesis of neurological damage has not been completely explained. Oral chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) can lead to clinical stabilization, but in a subgroup of patients the disease progresses despite treatment. In the present study, we aimed at clarifying cholesterol metabolism abnormalities and their response to CDCA treatment, in order to identify reliable diagnostic and prognostic markers and understand if differences exist between stable patients and those with neurological progression.MethodsWe enrolled 19 untreated CTX patients and assessed serum profile of bile acids intermediates, oxysterols, cholesterol, lathosterol, and plant sterols. Then we performed a long‐term follow up during CDCA therapy, and compared biochemical data with neurological outcome.ResultsWe observed increase of cholestanol, 7α‐hydroxy‐4‐cholesten‐3‐one (7αC4), lathosterol, and plant sterols, whereas 27‐hydroxycholesterol (27‐OHC) was extremely low or absent. CDCA treatment at a daily dose of 750 mg normalized all biochemical parameters except for 7αC4 which persisted slightly higher than normal in most patients, and 27‐OHC which was not modified by therapy. Biochemical evaluation did not reveal significant differences between stable and worsening patients.DiscussionCholestanol and 7αC4 represent important markers for CTX diagnosis and monitoring of therapy. Treatment with CDCA should aim at normalizing serum 7αC4 as well as cholestanol, since 7αC4 better mirrors 7α‐hydroxylation rate and is thought to be correlated with cholestanol accumulation in the brain. Assessment of serum 27‐OHC is a very good tool for biochemical diagnosis at any stage of disease. Lathosterol and plant sterols should be considered as additional markers for diagnosis and monitoring of therapy. Further studies including long‐term assessment of bile acid intermediates in cerebrospinal fluid are needed in patients who show clinical progression despite treatment.
Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Surfactants Based on 2‐Hydroxy‐4‐(Methylthio)Butanoic Acid: 1. Anionic Surfactants
Authors: Yu Guangzhe , Long Scott A. , Karinshak Kyle A. , Grady Brian P. , Harwell Jeff H. , Arhancet Graciela B. 
Published: July 2015

Abstract2‐Hydroxy‐4‐(methylthio)butanoic acid (HMTBA) is a commonly used animal feed additive available in large quantities. In this study, anionic surfactants were synthesized utilizing HMTBA as a starting material. Specifically, a straight‐chain fatty acid containing 12 or 16 carbon atoms was attached to the hydroxyl group via esterification. After neutralization of the carboxylic acid with sodium, the molecules behave as anionic surfactants. Oxidation of the sulfur atom can be performed to further increase water solubility. The molecules exhibit critical micelle concentrations (CMCs), and lower the surface tension to 35–45 mN/m at the CMC. The derivatives have low Krafft points (<4 °C) and good wetting performance. The hardness tolerance of the ester made from dodecanoic acid is ∼2.5–4 orders of magnitude higher than an analogous carboxylate surfactant, namely sodium dodecanoate. Foam created according to the Ross‐Miles foam test is substantial, but dissipates quickly as compared to other anionic surfactants.
Berufsbedingte Infektionskrankheiten bei Beschäftigten im Gesundheitsdienst 2014
Authors: Dulon M. , Lisiak B. , Wendeler D. , Nienhaus A. 
Published: July 2015

Zusammenfassung

Einführung
Beschäftigte im Gesundheitsdienst haben aufgrund ihrer Tätigkeiten ein erhöhtes Infektionsrisiko. Die Häufigkeit von berufsbedingten Infektionen (BK 3101) kann anhand der Anzahl der gemeldeten und anerkannten Berufskrankheiten geschätzt werden.

Methoden
Als Datenquelle wird die Berufskrankheiten-Dokumentation (BK-DOK) der Berufsgenossenschaft für Gesundheitsdienst und Wohlfahrtspflege (BGW) verwendet. Die Daten zur BK 3101 werden für die Jahre 2010 bis 2014 dargestellt. Die Entwicklung wird anhand der absoluten Zahlen für Verdachtsanzeigen und anerkannte Berufskrankheiten (BK) dargestellt. Das Erkrankungsrisiko wird mittels BK-Quoten [Häufigkeiten je 100.000 Vollarbeiter (VA)] beschrieben.

Ergebnisse
Im Berichtsjahr 2014 gingen bei der BGW 927 Verdachtsanzeigen auf eine BK 3101 ein. In 496 Fällen wurde die Infektion als BK anerkannt (ein Anstieg gegenüber 2013 um 6,9 %). In 43 Fällen wurde eine neue BK-Rente bewilligt. Wesentliche Anteile am BK-Geschehen hatten Tuberkulose, Hepatitis B und C sowie Skabies (zusammen 93 % aller anerkannten Fälle). Die Häufigkeit der anerkannten BK 3101 je 100.000 VA war von 9,5 im Jahr 2010 auf 10,9 im Jahr 2014 gestiegen. Das Erkrankungsrisiko für die Beschäftigten variierte je nach Versorgungsbereich stark (zwischen 6,8 Fällen je 100.000 VA in der ambulanten Pflege und 37,4 in Krankenhäusern).

Diskussion
Bei den als BK anerkannten Infektionskrankheiten sind nach wie vor Tuberkulose und Hepatitis vorherrschend. Dies betrifft sowohl den klinischen Bereich wie auch Arztpraxen und ambulante Dienste. Die Skabies nahm in den vergangenen Jahren insbesondere in der Altenpflege deutlich zu. Die wenigen, aber zum Teil schweren Krankheitsverläufe bei Infektionen mit multiresistenten Erregern sprechen dafür, dass deren Entwicklung beobachtet werden muss.
Walking Training and Functioning Among Elderly Persons With Stroke: Results of a Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Karttunen Auli H. , Kallinen Mauri , Peurala Sinikka H. , Häkkinen Arja 
Published: July 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo determine if 65‐ to 85‐year‐old persons who had a stroke within the previous 3‐36 months can improve functioning and quality of life during walking rehabilitation.DesignProspective cohort study with 6‐month follow‐up.SettingThree inpatient rehabilitation centers and one outpatient rehabilitation center.ParticipantsA total of 147 persons who had sustained a stroke.InterventionThe multidisciplinary rehabilitation intervention consisted of inpatient (20 days) or outpatient (18 days) rehabilitation with follow‐up. Rehabilitation included walking exercises with and without body‐weight support and conventional physiotherapy. After the rehabilitation period, participants received 10‐15 individual physiotherapy sessions at outpatient clinics and guidance in home exercises.MeasurementsThe 6‐Minute Walking Test (6MWT), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS), Functional Status Questionnaire (FSQ), Functional Independence Measure (FIM), WHO Quality of Life (WHOQOL‐BREF), and Sense of Coherence (SOC‐13) were administered at the beginning of rehabilitation and at 6‐month follow‐up.ResultsWalking distance (6MWT) improved by 17 ± 51 meters (P < .001). The AMPS motor scale score improved by 0.15 ± 0.65 logits (P = .010), the process scale score improved by 0.10 ± 0.46 logits (P = .012), and the FSQ self‐care score improved by 2.8 ± 15.8 points (P = .039). The changes in the total (4.2 ± 9.0), motor (3.7 ± 8.0), and cognitive (0.5 ± 2.0) scores of the FIM were statistically significant (P < .01). The BBS, WHOQOL‐BREF, and SOC‐13 remained unchanged.ConclusionsWalking distance and both self‐reported and measured functioning improved during walking rehabilitation among elderly persons who had a stroke. Maintaining or improving functioning through rehabilitation and self‐administered exercises may be important in supporting mobility and independent living outside institutional care.
The Impact of Freeze-Thaw Cycles on Epinephrine
Authors: Beasley Heather , Ng Pearlly , Wheeler Albert , Smith William R. , McIntosh Scott E. 
Published: July 2015

Objectives Epinephrine is the first-line medical treatment for anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic syndrome. To treat anaphylaxis, backcountry recreationalists and guides commonly carry epinephrine autoinjectors. Epinephrine may be exposed to cold temperatures and freezing during expeditions. An epinephrine solution must contain 90% to 115% of the labeled epinephrine amount to meet United States Pharmacopeia standards. The purpose of this study was to determine whether freeze-thaw cycles alter epinephrine concentrations in autoinjectors labeled to contain 1.0 mg/mL epinephrine. A further objective was to determine whether samples continued to meet United States Pharmacopeia concentration standards after freeze-thaw cycles. Methods Epinephrine from 6 autoinjectors was extracted and divided into experimental and control samples. The experimental samples underwent 7 consecutive 12-hour freeze cycles followed by 7 12-hour thaw cycles. The control samples remained at an average temperature of 23.1°C for the duration of the study. After the seventh thaw cycle, epinephrine concentrations were measured using a high-performance liquid chromatography assay with mass spectrometry detection. Results The mean epinephrine concentration of the freeze-thaw samples demonstrated a statistically significant increase compared with the control samples: 1.07 mg/mL (SD ± 8.78; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.11) versus 0.96 mg/mL (SD ± 6.81; 95% CI, 0.94 to 0.99), respectively. The maximal mean epinephrine concentration in the experimental freeze-thaw group was 1.12 mg/mL, which still fell within the range of United States Pharmacopeia standards for injectables (0.90 to 1.15 mg/mL). Conclusions Although every attempt should be made to prevent freezing of autoinjectors, this preliminary study demonstrates that epinephrine concentrations remain within 90% to 115% of 1.0 mg/mL after multiple freeze-thaw cycles.
Imprudence and Immorality: A Kantian Approach to the Ethics of Financial Risk
Authors: Scharding Tobey K. 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACT:This paper takes up recent challenges to consequentialist forms of ethically evaluating risks and explores how a non-consequentialist form of deliberation, Kantian ethics, can address questions about risk. I examine two cases concerning ethically questionable financial risks: investing in abstruse financial instruments and investing while relying on a bailout. After challenging consequentialist evaluations of these cases, I use Kant’s distinction between morality and prudence to evaluate when the investments are immoral and when they are merely imprudent. I argue that the investment practices are imprudent when they do not take adequate precautions to secure the firm’s long-term flourishing. They are immoral in a Kantian sense when they risk the destruction of the financial system upon which the firms depend. The upshot of my analysis is that moral actions require more risk aversion than prudent actions and prudent actions require more risk aversion than expected-value-maximizing actions.
Transfusion strategy for acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding
Authors: Handel James , Lang Eddy 
Published: July 2015

Clinical questionDoes a hemoglobin transfusion threshold of 70 g/L yield better patient outcomes than a threshold of 90 g/L in patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding?Article chosenVillanueva C, Colomo A, Bosch A, et al. Transfusion strategies for acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding.N Engl J Med2013;368(1):11-21.Study objectivesThe authors of this study measured mortality, from any cause, within the first 45 days, in patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding, who were managed with a hemoglobin threshold for red cell transfusion of either 70 g/L or 90 g/L. The secondary outcome measures included rate of further bleeding and rate of adverse events.
Therapeutic Hypothermia for Refractory Status Epilepticus
Authors: Zeiler Frederick A. , Zeiler Kaitlin J. , Teitelbaum Jeanne , Gillman Lawrence M. , West Michael 
Published: July 2015

AbstractBackground: Our goal was to perform a systematic review of the literature on the use of therapeutic hypothermia for refractory status epilepticus (RSE) and its impact on seizure control. Methods: All articles from MEDLINE, BIOSIS, EMBASE, Global Health, HealthStar, Scopus, Cochrane Library, the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (inception to May 2014), reference lists of relevant articles, and gray literature were searched. The strength of evidence was adjudicated by two independent reviewers, using both the Oxford and GRADE methodology. Results: Overall, 13 studies were identified, with 10 manuscripts and 3 meeting abstracts. A total of 40 patients were treated. The common target temperature was 33 degrees Celsius, sustained for a median 48 hours. Patients displayed a 62.5%, 15% and 22.5% rate of seizure cessation, seizure reduction, and failure of treatment respectively. External cooling was utilized in the majority of cases. Deep venous thrombosis, coagulopathy and infections were the commonly reported complications. Two ongoing clinical trials were identified. Conclusions: Oxford level 4, GRADE D evidence exists to support the use of therapeutic hypothermia to control seizures in RSE. Further prospective study is warranted.
The European X-ray Free-Electron Laser: toward an ultra-bright, high repetition-rate x-ray source
Authors: Altarelli M. 
Published: July 2015

The status of the European X-ray Free-Electron Laser (European XFEL), under construction near Hamburg, Germany, is described. The start of operations of the LCLS at SLAC and of SACLA in Japan has already produced impressive scientific results. The European XFEL facility is powered by a 17.5 GeV superconducting linear accelerator that, compared to these two operating facilities, will generate two orders of magnitude more pulses per second, up to 27 000. It can therefore support modes of operation switching the beam up to 30 times per second among three different experiments, providing each of them with thousands of pulses per second. The scientific possibilities opened up by these capabilities are briefly described, together with the current instrumental developments (in optics, detectors, lasers, etc.) that are necessary to implement this program.
Relationships Among Cleaning, Environmental DNA, and Healthcare-Associated Infections in a New Evidence-Based Design Hospital
Authors: Lesho Emil , Carling Philip , Hosford Eve , Ong Ana , Snesrud Erik , Sparks Michael , Onmus-Leone Fatma , Dzialowy Nicole , Fraser Susan , Kwak Yoon , Miller Sonia , Chukwuma Uzo , Julius Michael , McGann Patrick , Clifford Robert 
Published: July 2015

OBJECTIVEHospital environments influence healthcare-associated infection (HAI) patterns, but the role of evidenced-based design (EBD) and residual bacterial DNA (previously thought to be clinically inert) remain incompletely understood.METHODSIn a newly built EBD hospital, we used culture-based and culture-free (molecular) assays, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to determine: (1) patterns of environmental contamination with target organisms (TOs) and multidrug-resistant (MDR) target organisms (MDR-TOs); (2) genetic relatedness between environmentally isolated MDR-TO and those from HAIs; and (3) correlation between surface contamination and HAIs.RESULTSA total of 1,273 high-touch surfaces were swabbed before and after terminal cleaning during 77 room visits. Of the 2,546 paired swabs, 47% had cultivable biomaterial and 42% had PCR-amplifiable DNA. The ratios of TOs detected to surfaces assayed were 85 per 1,273 for the culture-based method and 106 per 1,273 for the PCR-based method. Sinks, toilet rails, and bedside tables most frequently harbored biomaterial. Although cleaned surfaces were less likely to have cultivable TOs than precleaned surfaces, they were not less likely to harbor bacterial DNA. The rate of MDR-TOs to surfaces swabbed was 0.1% (3/2546). Although environmental MDR-TOs and MDR-TOs from HAIs were genetically related by PFGE, WGS revealed that they were unrelated. Environmental levels of cultivable Enterococcus spp. and E. coli DNA were positively correlated with infection incidences (P<.04 and P<.005, respectively).CONCLUSIONMDR-TOs were rarely detected during surveillance and were not implicated in HAIs. The roles of environmental DNA and EBD, particularly with respect to water-associated fixtures or the potential suppression of cultivable environmental MDR-TOs, warrant multicenter investigations.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2015;36(10):1130–1138