bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Incidence and risk factors for herpes zoster in patients undergoing liver transplantation
Authors: Hamaguchi Y. , Mori A. , Uemura T. , Ogawa K. , Fujimoto Y. , Okajima H. , Kaido T. , Uemoto S. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractBackgroundHerpes zoster (HZ) is the most common manifestation of latent varicella zoster virus reactivation, which occurs naturally as a result of aging or in immunocompromised patients. Solid organ transplant recipients are at increased risk for HZ owing to their chronic immunosuppression. Although several reports investigated risk factors for the development of HZ in heart or renal transplantation, data in liver transplantation (LT) are limited.MethodsWe evaluated clinical data retrospectively in 377 adult patients undergoing LT between January 2005 and December 2012 in our institution. We analyzed the incidence rate of HZ and the standardized incidence ratio (SIR) by comparing with the general Japanese population. We additionally investigated risk factors for HZ after LT.ResultsHZ developed in 27 (7.16%) of the 377 patients after LT. The incidence rate of HZ after LT was 17.83 per 1000 person‐years, which was significantly higher than in the general Japanese population (SIR = 4.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.13–5.14). Multivariate analysis showed that older age (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.95; P < 0.001) and exposure to mycophenolate mofetil (HR = 3.03; P = 0.007) were independent risk factors for HZ after LT.ConclusionsThis is the first and largest study, to our knowledge, to investigate the incidence rate of HZ and risk factors for development of HZ after LT in the Japanese population. Further investigations to focus on immunosuppressive regimens to reduce the risk for HZ incidence in this high‐risk population could establish a new protocol of immunosuppression after LT.
A novel cis‐AB variant allele arising from a de novo nucleotide substitution c.796A>G (p.M266V) in the B glycosyltransferase gene
Authors: Lee S. Y. , Phan M. T. T. , Shin D. J. , Shin M. G. , Park J. T. , Shin J. W. , Yazer M. H. , Shin H. B. , Cho D. 
Published: July 2015

SUMMARYBackgroundCis‐AB, a rare ABO variant, is the result of a mutated ABO gene that produces a glycosyltransferase enzyme with dual A and B glycosyltransferase activity. It may lead to ABO discrepancies and a delay in establishing the blood group. To date, there have been no reports of a de novo mutation leading to a cis‐AB allele.Objectives and MethodsSequencing of the ABO gene using blood and hair follicle cells from the proposita were performed along with blood from her parents. To establish maternity and paternity, short tandem repeat (STR) analysis was also performed. The A and B enzyme activities of the novel enzyme were measured in an in vitro expression study.ResultsA novel cis‐AB allele arising from nucleotide substitution c.796A>G (p.M266V) in the B glycosyltransferase gene were discovered in the blood and hair follicle cells from the proposita, which was absent from her parents. In all 15 autosomal STR loci analysed, the probability of maternity and paternity were 0·999999 and 0·999989, respectively. The novel enzyme created 33·1% and 60·2% of A and B antigen compared to wild type A and B glycosyltransferases.ConclusionA novel mechanism leading to a cis‐AB allele was discovered.
Reducing intraoperative red blood cell unit wastage in a large academic medical center
Authors: Whitney Gina M. , Woods Marcella C. , France Daniel J. , Austin Thomas M. , Deegan Robert J. , Paroskie Allison , Booth Garrett S. , Young Pampee P. , Dmochowski Roger R. , Sandberg Warren S. , Pilla Michael A. 
Published: July 2015

BACKGROUNDThe wastage of red blood cell (RBC) units within the operative setting results in significant direct costs to health care organizations. Previous education‐based efforts to reduce wastage were unsuccessful at our institution. We hypothesized that a quality and process improvement approach would result in sustained reductions in intraoperative RBC wastage in a large academic medical center.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSUtilizing a failure mode and effects analysis supplemented with time and temperature data, key drivers of perioperative RBC wastage were identified and targeted for process improvement.RESULTSMultiple contributing factors, including improper storage and transport and lack of accurate, locally relevant RBC wastage event data were identified as significant contributors to ongoing intraoperative RBC unit wastage. Testing and implementation of improvements to the process of transport and storage of RBC units occurred in liver transplant and adult cardiac surgical areas due to their history of disproportionately high RBC wastage rates. Process interventions targeting local drivers of RBC wastage resulted in a significant reduction in RBC wastage (p < 0.0001; adjusted odds ratio, 0.24; 95% confidence interval, 0.15‐0.39), despite an increase in operative case volume over the period of the study. Studied process interventions were then introduced incrementally in the remainder of the perioperative areas.CONCLUSIONSThese results show that a multidisciplinary team focused on the process of blood product ordering, transport, and storage was able to significantly reduce operative RBC wastage and its associated costs using quality and process improvement methods.
Blood donor deferral for men who have sex with men: the Blood Donation Rules Opinion Study (Blood DROPS)
Authors: Custer Brian , Sheon Nicolas , Siedle‐Khan Bob , Pollack Lance , Spencer Bryan , Bialkowski Walter , D'Andrea Pam , Sullivan Marian , Glynn Simone , Williams Alan ,   for the NHLBI Recipient Epidemiology and Donor Evaluation Study‐III (REDS‐III)
Published: July 2015

BACKGROUNDIn the United States, any man who discloses having had sex with another man (MSM) even once since 1977 is currently deferred from donating blood. A study was conducted to assess noncompliance with the policy at four geographically dispersed blood centers.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSMale donors 18+ years of age with e‐mail addresses were randomly selected and invited to complete a confidential online survey between August and October 2013. No additional recruitment e‐mails were sent. Survey content included demographics, sexual history, donation history, compliance with the policy, and opinions about current and modified policies.RESULTSResponse rate was 11.5% but varied by center (6.3% to 21.7%). Of 3183 completed surveys, 2.6% of respondents (95% confidence interval, 2.1%‐3.2%) reported donation after male–male sex. Noncompliance was not statistically different among the centers (p = 0.1), but was related to age with 5.7, 4.6, 2.5, and 1.0% of donors 18 to 24, 25 to 34, 35 to 54, and 50+ years of age, respectively, reporting noncompliance (p < 0.001). Of all respondents, 6.8% reported at least six female and 0.3% reported at least six male sex partners in the past 5 years. Opinions about the current MSM policy were mixed with noncomplying donors more supportive of change than complying donors. Approximatey half of noncompliers indicated they would adhere to a 1‐year deferral.CONCLUSIONNoncompliance with the MSM policy is evident and may be increasing compared to earlier data. Any change from the current policy will require close monitoring to determine whether it affects residual risk of HIV in the US blood supply.
RTAs' Proliferation and Trade‐diversion Effects: Evidence of the ‘Spaghetti Bowl’ Phenomenon
Authors: Sorgho Zakaria 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThis paper investigates the trade‐diversion effects of regional trade agreements (RTAs), so‐called spaghetti bowl phenomenon (SBP), in multilateral trade. The SBP is due to the proliferation of RTAs. Thus, I investigate the relationship between the number of RTAs concluded by a country and the additional trade value attributed to a RTA. Using bilateral trade data in a sample of 119 countries, from 1995 to 2012, my main finding reveals a negative trade effect between them, confirming the existence of SBP in multilateral trade. However, results could not conclude the evidence of a negative effect of overlapping RTAs, involving the existence of SBP, within North–North, North–South or South–South trade. But, the additional trade value attributed to a RTA concluded with EU countries or US seems to confirm significantly a trade‐diversion effect because of the number of RTAs signed by these countries.
River engineering works and lamprey ammocoetes; impacts, recovery, mitigation
Authors: King James J. , Wightman Glen D. , Hanna Grainne , Gilligan Nathy 
Published: July 2015

AbstractChannel form and biotic features create a network of niches that facilitate sediment deposition, creating habitat for lamprey larvae or ammocoetes. Flood conveyance management and channel maintenance can lead to a general loss of instream features that permit biotic diversity and sediment deposition. Studies presented here identified the potential for loss of both ammocoete habitat and populations during channel maintenance, in the absence of mitigation measures. Recovery of population structure and density of ammocoetes commenced within 12 months and took 3 years to reach preimpact levels in one study. In another, where mitigations were implemented, no impact was evident 12 months after channel maintenance. In view of the conflict between conveyance for flood management and conservation of designated Habitats Directive species (lamprey), there is a clear need for practical ammocoete mitigation measures to be developed and implemented in river engineering works.
Genomics and Transcriptomics Analyses of the Oil-Accumulating Basidiomycete Yeast
Trichosporon oleaginosus
: Insights into Substrate Utilization and Alternative Evolutionary Trajectories of Fungal Mating Systems
Authors: Kourist Robert , Bracharz Felix , Lorenzen Jan , Kracht Octavia N. , Chovatia Mansi , Daum Chris , Deshpande Shweta , Lipzen Anna , Nolan Matt , Ohm Robin A. , Grigoriev Igor V. , Sun Sheng , Heitman Joseph , Brück Thomas , Nowrousian Minou 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACT

Microbial fermentation of agro-industrial waste holds great potential for reducing the environmental impact associated with the production of lipids for industrial purposes from plant biomass. However, the chemical complexity of many residues currently prevents efficient conversion into lipids, creating a high demand for strains with the ability to utilize all energy-rich components of agricultural residues. Here, we present results of genome and transcriptome analyses of
Trichosporon oleaginosus
. This oil-accumulating yeast is able to grow on a wide variety of substrates, including pentoses and
N
-acetylglucosamine, making it an interesting candidate for biotechnological applications. Transcriptomics shows specific changes in gene expression patterns under lipid-accumulating conditions. Furthermore, gene content and expression analyses indicate that
T. oleaginosus
is well-adapted for the utilization of chitin-rich biomass. We also focused on the
T. oleaginosus
mating type, because this species is a member of the
Tremellomycetes
, a group that has been intensively analyzed as a model for the evolution of sexual development, the best-studied member being
Cryptococcus neoformans
. The structure of the
T. oleaginosus
mating-type regions differs significantly from that of other
Tremellomycetes
and reveals a new evolutionary trajectory paradigm. Comparative analysis shows that recruitment of developmental genes to the ancestral tetrapolar mating-type loci occurred independently in the
Trichosporon
and
Cryptococcus
lineages, supporting the hypothesis of a trend toward larger mating-type regions in fungi.

IMPORTANCE
Finite fossil fuel resources pose sustainability challenges to society and industry. Microbial oils are a sustainable feedstock for biofuel and chemical production that does not compete with food production. We describe genome and transcriptome analyses of the oleaginous yeast
Trichosporon oleaginosus
, which can accumulate up to 70% of its dry weight as lipids. In contrast to conventional yeasts, this organism not only shows an absence of diauxic effect while fermenting hexoses and pentoses but also effectively utilizes xylose and
N
-acetylglucosamine, which are building blocks of lignocellulose and chitin, respectively. Transcriptome analysis revealed metabolic networks that govern conversion of xylose or
N
-acetylglucosamine as well as lipid accumulation. These data form the basis for a targeted strain optimization strategy. Furthermore, analysis of the mating type of
T. oleaginosus
supports the hypothesis of a trend toward larger mating-type regions in fungi, similar to the evolution of sex chromosomes in animals and plants.
A mixed methods study of the factors that influence whether intervention research has policy and practice impacts: perceptions of Australian researchers
Authors: Newson Robyn , King Lesley , Rychetnik Lucie , Bauman Adrian E , Redman Sally , Milat Andrew J , Schroeder Jacqueline , Cohen Gillian , Chapman Simon 
Published: July 2015

ObjectivesTo investigate researchers’ perceptions about the factors that influenced the policy and practice impacts (or lack of impact) of one of their own funded intervention research studies.DesignMixed method, cross-sectional study.SettingIntervention research conducted in Australia and funded by Australia's National Health and Medical Research Council between 2003 and 2007.ParticipantsThe chief investigators from 50 funded intervention research studies were interviewed to determine if their study had achieved policy and practice impacts, how and why these impacts had (or had not) occurred and the approach to dissemination they had employed.ResultsWe found that statistically significant intervention effects and publication of results influenced whether there were policy and practice impacts, along with factors related to the nature of the intervention itself, the researchers’ experience and connections, their dissemination and translation efforts, and the postresearch context.ConclusionsThis study indicates that sophisticated approaches to intervention development, dissemination actions and translational efforts are actually widespread among experienced researches, and can achieve policy and practice impacts. However, it was the links between the intervention results, further dissemination actions by researchers and a variety of postresearch contextual factors that ultimately determined whether a study had policy and practice impacts. Given the complicated interplay between the various factors, there appears to be no simple formula for determining which intervention studies should be funded in order to achieve optimal policy and practice impacts.
ABCG2 Transporter Expression Impacts Group 3 Medulloblastoma Response to Chemotherapy
Authors: Morfouace Marie , Cheepala Satish , Jackson Sadhana , Fukuda Yu , Patel Yogesh T. , Fatima Soghra , Kawauchi Daisuke , Shelat Anang A. , Stewart Clinton F. , Sorrentino Brian P. , Schuetz John D. , Roussel Martine F. 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
While a small number of plasma membrane ABC transporters can export chemotherapeutic drugs and confer drug resistance, it is unknown whether these transporters are expressed or functional in less therapeutically tractable cancers such as Group 3 (G3) medulloblastoma. Herein we show that among this class of drug transporters, only ABCG2 was expressed at highly increased levels in human G3 medulloblastoma and a mouse model of this disease. In the mouse model, Abcg2 protein was expressed at the plasma membrane where it functioned as expected on the basis of export of prototypical substrates. By screening ABC substrates against mouse G3 medulloblastoma tumorspheres in vitro, we found that Abcg2 inhibition could potentiate responses to the clinically used drug topotecan, producing a more than 9-fold suppression of cell proliferation. Extended studies in vivo in this model confirmed that Abcg2 inhibition was sufficient to enhance antiproliferative responses to topotecan, producing a significant survival advantage compared with subjects treated with topotecan alone. Our findings offer a preclinical proof of concept for blockade of ABCG2 transporter activity as a strategy to empower chemotherapeutic responses in G3 medulloblastoma. Cancer Res; 75(18); 3879–89. ©2015 AACR.
Early Changes in Circulating Tumor Cells Are Associated with Response and Survival Following Treatment of Metastatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms
Authors: Khan Mohid S. , Kirkwood Amy A. , Tsigani Theodora , Lowe Helen , Goldstein Robert , Hartley John A. , Caplin Martyn E. , Meyer Tim 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
Purpose: To investigate posttreatment circulating tumor cell (CTC) counts in patients with neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) as a predictive biomarker for disease progression and overall survival (OS).
Experimental Design: Patients with metastatic NENs commencing therapy were prospectively recruited (n = 138). Blood samples were obtained for evaluation of CTCs using the CellSearch platform and for chromogranin A (CgA) at baseline, three to five (median, 4.3) weeks and 10 to 15 (median 13.7) weeks after commencing therapy. Radiologic response and OS data were collected.
Results: There was a significant association between first posttreatment CTC count and progressive disease (PD; P &lt; 0.001). Only 8% of patients with a favorable “CTC response” (0 CTCs at baseline and 0 at first posttreatment time-point; or ≥50% reduction from baseline) had PD compared with 60% in the unfavorable group (&lt;50% reduction or increase). Changes in CTCs were strongly associated with OS (P &lt; 0.001), the best prognostic group being patients with 0 CTCs before and after therapy; followed by those with ≥50% reduction in CTCs [hazard ratio (HR), 3.31]; with those with a &lt;50% reduction or increase in CTCs (HR, 5.07) having the worst outcome. In multivariate analysis, changes in CTCs had the strongest association with OS (HR, 4.13; P = 0.0002). Changes in CgA were not significantly associated with survival.
Conclusions: Changes in CTCs are associated with response to treatment and OS in metastatic NENs, suggesting CTCs may be useful as surrogate markers to direct clinical decision making. Clin Cancer Res; 22(1); 79–85. ©2015 AACR.
Loss of Host Type-I IFN Signaling Accelerates Metastasis and Impairs NK-cell Antitumor Function in Multiple Models of Breast Cancer
Authors: Rautela Jai , Baschuk Nikola , Slaney Clare Y. , Jayatilleke Krishnath M. , Xiao Kun , Bidwell Bradley N. , Lucas Erin C. , Hawkins Edwin D. , Lock Peter , Wong Christina S. , Chen Weisan , Anderson Robin L. , Hertzog Paul J. , Andrews Daniel M. , Möller Andreas , Parker Belinda S. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractMetastatic progression is the major cause of breast cancer–related mortality. By examining multiple syngeneic preclinical breast cancer models in mice lacking a functional type-I interferon receptor (Ifnar1−/− mice), we show that host-derived type-I interferon (IFN) signaling is a critical determinant of metastatic spread that is independent of primary tumor growth. In particular, we show that bone metastasis can be accelerated in Balb/c Ifnar1−/− mice bearing either 4T1 or 66cl4 orthotopic tumors and, for the first time, present data showing the development of bone metastasis in the C57Bl/6 spontaneous MMTV-PyMT–driven model of tumorigenesis. Further exploration of these results revealed that endogenous type-I IFN signaling to the host hematopoietic system is a key determinant of metastasis-free survival and critical to the responsiveness of the circulating natural killer (NK)–cell population. We find that in vivo–stimulated NK cells derived from wild-type, but not Ifnar1−/−, mice can eliminate the 4T1 and 66cl4 breast tumor lines with varying kinetics in vitro. Together, this study indicates that the dysregulated immunity resulting from a loss of host type-I IFN signaling is sufficient to drive metastasis, and provides a rationale for targeting the endogenous type-I IFN pathway as an antimetastatic strategy. Cancer Immunol Res; 3(11); 1207–17. ©2015 AACR.
Stress Testing After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in the Veterans Affairs HealthCare System
Authors: Bradley Steven M. , Hess Edward , Winchester David E. , Sussman Jeremy B. , Aggarwal Vikas , Maddox Thomas M. , Barón Anna E. , Rumsfeld John S. , Ho P. Michael 
Published: July 2015

Background—
Stress testing after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in fee-for-service settings is common and rates vary by hospital. Rates of stress testing after PCI within integrated healthcare systems, such as the Veterans Affairs (VA) are unknown.

Methods and Results—

We evaluated all VA patients who underwent PCI from October 2007 through June 2010. To avoid the influence of Medicare eligibility on rates of stress testing use in the VA, we excluded Medicare eligible patients during the follow-up period. Hospital-level variation in risk-standardized rates of stress testing and the association with 1-year mortality and myocardial infarction was determined from Markov chain Monte Carlo methods. Among 10 293 patients undergoing PCI at 55 VA hospitals, 2239 (21.8%) had a stress test performed within 1 year of PCI and 3902 (37.9%) within 2 years. Most stress tests after PCI were performed with nuclear imaging (79.8%). The hospital-level risk-standardized rate of stress testing differed significantly from the average at 14 hospitals, with 8 (14.5%) hospitals significantly below and 6 (10.9%) hospitals significantly above the average stress testing rate. Hospital-level risk-standardized stress testing rates were not significantly correlated with risk-standardized mortality (Spearman ρ=−0.24;
P
=0.08) or myocardial infarction rates (Spearman ρ=0.20;
P
=0.14).

Conclusions—
In the VA, nearly 40% of patients underwent stress testing in the 2 years after PCI, which is a third less than published studies from other healthcare systems. However, stress testing rates varied across VA hospitals, suggesting opportunities to optimize the use of stress testing are still present in integrated healthcare systems.
Impact of Institutional Volume on Outcomes of Catheter Directed Thrombolysis in the Treatment of Acute Proximal Deep Vein Thrombosis
Authors: Jarrett Harish , Zack Chad. J. , Aggarwal Vikas , Lakhter Vladimir , Alkhouli Mohammad A. , Zhao Huaqing , Comerota Anthony , Bove Alfred A. , Bashir Riyaz 
Published: July 2015

Background—
The use of catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) in the treatment of acute proximal lower-extremity deep vein thrombosis is increasing in the United States and has been linked to higher bleeding rates. Whether this relationship is interrelated with institution volume of CDT is unknown.

Methods and Results—

The Nationwide Inpatient Sample database was used to identify all patients admitted with a principal diagnosis of proximal or inferior vena caval deep vein thrombosis and treated with CDT from 2005 to 2010. Institutions were divided into high-volume (≥6 procedures a year) and low-volume (<6 procedures a year) centers. Propensity score matching was used to create 2 matched groups for comparative analysis. A total of 90 618 patients were hospitalized for proximal lower-extremity deep vein thrombosis, and 3649 patients (4.1%) underwent CDT. In-hospital mortality was significantly lower at high-volume centers (0.6% versus 1.5%;
P
=0.04) with a trend toward lower intracranial hemorrhage rates compared with low-volume centers (0.4% versus 1%;
P
=0.07). No significant difference was seen with blood transfusion (10.4% versus 10.8%;
P
=0.70), gastrointestinal bleeding (1.4% versus 1.8%;
P
=0.35), or pulmonary embolism rates (18.4% versus 17.9%;
P
=0.72). Median length of stay was similar (6 days) and hospital charges were higher ($65 500 versus $75 870) at high-volume centers.

Conclusions—
In this observational study, we found that an increase in institutional volume of CDT was associated with lower in-hospital mortality and lower intracranial hemorrhage rates. Further studies are needed to assess whether standardization of CDT protocols across all institutions in the United States improves outcomes.