bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Validity of the Pediatric Running-Based Anaerobic Sprint Test to Determine Anaerobic Performance in Healthy Children
Authors: Bongers Bart C. , Werkman Maarten S. , Blokland Donna , Eijsermans Maria J.C. , van der Torre Patrick , Bartels Bart , Verschuren Olaf , Takken Tim 
Published: June 2015

Purpose:To determine criterion validity of the pediatric running-based anaerobic sprint test (RAST) as a nonsophisticated field test for evaluating anaerobic performance in healthy children and adolescents.Methods:Data from 65 healthy children (28 boys and 37 girls between 6 and 18 years of age, mean ± SD age: 10.0 ± 2.8 years) who completed both the pediatric RAST and the 30-s Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT) on a cycle ergometer in a randomized order were analyzed. Peak power (PP) and mean power (MP) were the primary outcome measures for both tests.Results:There were no significant sex-differences in PP and MP attained at the pediatric RAST and the WAnT. Age was strongly correlated to pediatric RAST and WAnT performance (Spearman’s rho values ranging from 0.85 to 0.90, with p < .001 for all coefficients). We found high correlation coefficients between pediatric RAST performance and WAnT performance for both PP (Spearman’s rho: 0.86; p < .001) and MP (Spearman’s rho: 0.91; p < .001).Conclusion:The pediatric RAST can be used as a valid and nonsophisticated field test for the assessment of anaerobic performance in healthy children and adolescents. For clinical evaluative purposes, we suggest to use MP of the pediatric RAST when assessing glycolytic power in the absence of the WAnT.
In Vivo
Efficacy of Antimicrobials against Biofilm-Producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Pawar Vinay , Komor Uliana , Kasnitz Nadine , Bielecki Piotr , Pils Marina C. , Gocht Benjamin , Moter Annette , Rohde Manfred , Weiss Siegfried , Häussler Susanne 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACT

Patients suffering from cystic fibrosis (CF) are commonly affected by chronic
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
biofilm infections. This is the main cause for the high disease severity. In this study, we demonstrate that
P. aeruginosa
is able to efficiently colonize murine solid tumors after intravenous injection and to form biofilms in this tissue. Biofilm formation was evident by electron microscopy. Such structures could not be observed with transposon mutants, which were defective in biofilm formation. Comparative transcriptional profiling of
P. aeruginosa
indicated physiological similarity of the bacteria in the murine tumor model and the CF lung. The efficacy of currently available antibiotics for treatment of
P. aeruginosa
-infected CF lungs, such as ciprofloxacin, colistin, and tobramycin, could be tested in the tumor model. We found that clinically recommended doses of these antibiotics were unable to eliminate wild-type
P. aeruginosa
PA14 while being effective against biofilm-defective mutants. However, colistin-tobramycin combination therapy significantly reduced the number of
P. aeruginosa
PA14 cells in tumors at lower concentrations. Hence, we present a versatile experimental system that is providing a platform to test approved and newly developed antibiofilm compounds.
Retrospective Comparison of Posaconazole Levels in Patients Taking the Delayed-Release Tablet versus the Oral Suspension
Authors: Durani Urshila , Tosh Pritish K. , Barreto Jason N. , Estes Lynn L. , Jannetto Paul J. , Tande Aaron J. 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACT

While posaconazole prophylaxis decreases the risk of invasive fungal infection compared to fluconazole, low bioavailability of the oral-suspension formulation limits its efficacy. A new delayed-release tablet formulation demonstrated an improved pharmacokinetic profile in healthy volunteers. However, serum levels for the two formulations have not been compared in clinical practice. This study compared achievement of therapeutic posaconazole levels in patients taking the delayed-release tablet to those taking the oral suspension. This retrospective cohort study included 93 patients initiated on posaconazole between 2012 and 2014 and had at least one serum posaconazole level measured. The primary measure was the proportion of patients achieving an initial therapeutic level (>700 ng/ml). An initial therapeutic posaconazole level was seen in 29 of 32 (91%) patients receiving tablets and 37 of 61 (61%) patients receiving suspension (
P
= 0.003). Among patients with a steady-state level measured 5 to 14 days after initiation, a therapeutic level was observed in 18 of 20 (90%) patients receiving tablets and 25 of 43 (58%) patients receiving suspension (
P
= 0.01). In these patients, the median posaconazole level of the tablet cohort (1655 ng/ml) was twice that of the suspension cohort (798 ng/ml) (
P
= 0.004). In this cohort study, the improved bioavailability of delayed-release posaconazole tablets translates into a significantly higher proportion of patients achieving therapeutic serum levels than in the cohort receiving the oral suspension. The results of this study strongly support the use of delayed-release tablets over suspension in patients at risk for invasive fungal infection.
Emergence of H7N9 Influenza A Virus Resistant to Neuraminidase Inhibitors in Nonhuman Primates
Authors: Itoh Yasushi , Shichinohe Shintaro , Nakayama Misako , Igarashi Manabu , Ishii Akihiro , Ishigaki Hirohito , Ishida Hideaki , Kitagawa Naoko , Sasamura Takako , Shiohara Masanori , Doi Michiko , Tsuchiya Hideaki , Nakamura Shinichiro , Okamatsu Masatoshi , Sakoda Yoshihiro , Kida Hiroshi , Ogasawara Kazumasa 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACT

The number of patients infected with H7N9 influenza virus has been increasing since 2013. We examined the efficacy of neuraminidase (NA) inhibitors and the efficacy of a vaccine against an H7N9 influenza virus, A/Anhui/1/2013 (H7N9), isolated from a patient in a cynomolgus macaque model. NA inhibitors (oseltamivir and peramivir) barely reduced the total virus amount because of the emergence of resistant variants with R289K or I219T in NA [residues 289 and 219 in N9 of A/Anhui/1/2013 (H7N9) correspond to 292 and 222 in N2, respectively] in three of the six treated macaques, whereas subcutaneous immunization of an inactivated vaccine derived from A/duck/Mongolia/119/2008 (H7N9) prevented propagation of A/Anhui/1/2013 (H7N9) in all vaccinated macaques. The percentage of macaques in which variant H7N9 viruses with low sensitivity to the NA inhibitors were detected was much higher than that of macaques in which variant H5N1 highly pathogenic influenza virus was detected after treatment with one of the NA inhibitors in our previous study. The virus with R289K in NA was reported in samples from human patients, whereas that with I219T in NA was identified for the first time in this study using macaques, though no variant H7N9 virus was reported in previous studies using mice. Therefore, the macaque model enables prediction of the frequency of emerging H7N9 virus resistant to NA inhibitors
in vivo
. Since H7N9 strains resistant to NA inhibitors might easily emerge compared to other influenza viruses, monitoring of the emergence of variants is required during treatment of H7N9 influenza virus infection with NA inhibitors.
Frequency and Distribution of Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms within
mprF
in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Clinical Isolates and Their Role in Cross-Resistance to Daptomycin and Host Defense Antimicrobial Peptides
Authors: Bayer Arnold S. , Mishra Nagendra N. , Chen Liang , Kreiswirth Barry N. , Rubio Aileen , Yang Soo-Jin 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACT

MprF is responsible for the lysinylation of phosphatidylglycerol (PG) to synthesize the positively charged phospholipid (PL) species, lysyl-PG (L-PG). It has been proposed that the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the
mprF
open reading frame (ORF) are associated with a gain-in-function phenotype in terms of daptomycin resistance in
Staphylococcus aureus
. (Note that although the official term is daptomycin nonsusceptibility, we use the term daptomycin resistance in this paper for ease of presentation.) Using 22 daptomycin-susceptible (DAP
s
)/daptomycin-resistant (DAP
r
) clinical methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
(MRSA) strain pairs, we assessed (i) the frequencies and distribution of putative
mprF
gain-in-function SNPs, (ii) the relationships of the SNPs to both daptomycin resistance and cross-resistance to the prototypical endovascular host defense peptide (HDP) thrombin-induced platelet microbicidal protein (tPMP), and (iii) the impact of
mprF
SNPs on positive surface charge phenotype and modifications of membrane PL profiles. Most of the
mprF
SNPs identified in our DAP
r
strains were clustered within the two MprF loci, (i) the central bifunctional domain and (ii) the C-terminal synthase domain. Moreover, we were able to correlate the presence and location of
mprF
SNPs in DAP
r
strains with HDP cross-resistance, positive surface charge, and L-PG profiles. Although DAP
r
strains with
mprF
SNPs in the bifunctional domain showed higher resistance to tPMPs than DAP
r
strains with SNPs in the synthase domain, this relationship was not observed in positive surface charge assays. These results demonstrated that both charge-mediated and -unrelated mechanisms are involved in DAP resistance and HDP cross-resistance in
S. aureus
.
Bacterial Signal Transduction by Cyclic Di-GMP and Other Nucleotide Second Messengers
Authors: Hengge Regine , Gründling Angelika , Jenal Urs , Ryan Robert , Yildiz Fitnat 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACT
The first International Symposium on c-Di-GMP Signaling in Bacteria (22 to 25 March 2015, Harnack-Haus, Berlin, Germany) brought together 131 molecular microbiologists from 17 countries to discuss recent progress in our knowledge of bacterial nucleotide second messenger signaling. While the focus was on signal input, synthesis, degradation, and the striking diversity of the modes of action of the current second messenger paradigm, i.e., cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP), “classics” like cAMP and (p)ppGpp were also presented, in novel facets, and more recent “newcomers,” such as c-di-AMP and c-AMP-GMP, made an impressive appearance. A number of clear trends emerged during the 30 talks, on the 71 posters, and in the lively discussions, including (i) c-di-GMP control of the activities of various ATPases and phosphorylation cascades, (ii) extensive cross talk between c-di-GMP and other nucleotide second messenger signaling pathways, and (iii) a stunning number of novel effectors for nucleotide second messengers that surprisingly include some long-known master regulators of developmental pathways. Overall, the conference made it amply clear that second messenger signaling is currently one of the most dynamic fields within molecular microbiology, with major impacts in research fields ranging from human health to microbial ecology.
Modelling the cost-effectiveness of combination therapy for early, rapidly progressing rheumatoid arthritis by simulating the reversible and irreversible effects of the disease
Authors: Stephens Stephanie , Botteman Marc F , Cifaldi Mary A , van Hout Ben A 
Published: June 2015

ObjectiveTo estimate the cost-effectiveness of adalimumab plus methotrexate (MTX) versus MTX monotherapy in early, aggressive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) when explicitly modelling short-term (reversible) and long-term (irreversible, ie, joint damage) disease activity and physical function.MethodsA microsimulation model was developed to unify, in a single cost-effectiveness model, measures of reversible and irreversible disease activity and physical function based on data from the PREMIER trial. Short term, reversible disease activity was modelled using DAS28 variables, including swollen joint counts, tender joint counts, C reactive protein concentration and pain. The DAS28 variables were then used in a logistic regression to predict short-term American College of Rheumatology (ACR) responses, which informed treatment continuation and switches. Long term, irreversible, radiographically documented joint damage was modelled using modified Total Sharp Score (mTSS). The model then linked both short-term disease activity and mTSS to the Health Assessment Questionnaire score, which was used to calculate direct and indirect costs, and quality adjusted life-years (QALYs).ResultsWhen both reversible and irreversible effects of therapy were included, combination therapy was estimated to produce 6-month 50% ACR responses in 75% of patients versus 54% in MTX monotherapy. Compared to MTX monotherapy, combination therapy resulted in 2.68 and 3.04 discounted life years and QALYs gained, respectively. Combination therapy also resulted in a net increase in direct costs of £106 207 for a resulting incremental cost/QALY gain of £32 425. When indirect costs were included in the analysis, the ICER (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio) decreased to £27 238. Disregarding irreversible effects increased the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio to £78 809 (when only direct costs were included).ConclusionsStarting with adalimumab plus MTX combination therapy in early, aggressive RA is cost-effective when irreversible damage is adequately considered.
The utility of Google Trends data to examine interest in cancer screening
Authors: Schootman M , Toor A , Cavazos-Rehg P , Jeffe D B , McQueen A , Eberth J , Davidson N O 
Published: June 2015

ObjectivesWe examined the utility of January 2004 to April 2014 Google Trends data from information searches for cancer screenings and preparations as a complement to population screening data, which are traditionally estimated through costly population-level surveys.SettingState-level data across the USA.ParticipantsPersons who searched for terms related to cancer screening using Google, and persons who participated in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).Primary and secondary outcome measures(1) State-level Google Trends data, providing relative search volume (RSV) data scaled to the highest search proportion per week (RSV100) for search terms over time since 2004 and across different geographical locations. (2) RSV of new screening tests, free/low-cost screening for breast and colorectal cancer, and new preparations for colonoscopy (Prepopik). (3) State-level breast, cervical, colorectal and prostate cancer screening rates.ResultsCorrelations between Google Trends and BRFSS data ranged from 0.55 for ever having had a colonoscopy to 0.14 for having a Pap smear within the past 3 years. Free/low-cost mammography and colonoscopy showed higher RSV during their respective cancer awareness months. RSV for Miralax remained stable, while interest in Prepopik increased over time. RSV for lung cancer screening, virtual colonoscopy and three-dimensional mammography was low.ConclusionsGoogle Trends data provides enormous scientific possibilities, but are not a suitable substitute for, but may complement, traditional data collection and analysis about cancer screening and related interests.
ВИЗНАЧЕННЯ ЧУТЛИВОСТІ КРИПТОКОКІВ ДО АНТИМІКОТИКІВ – ОСНОВА ЕФЕКТИВНОСТІ ЛІКУВАННЯ КРИПТОКОКОВОГО МЕНІНГІТУ
Authors: Бондаренко А.М. 
Published: June 2015

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 18.1pt; mso-pagination: none;"><em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-ansi-language: UK;">Проведений аналіз можливості використання системних антимікотиків, які використовують для лікування криптококкового менінгіту. Докладно наведені дані по чутливості криптококів до застосовуваних антимікотиків. Наведені дані по фармакокінетиці системних антимікотиків. Особлива увага приділена можливості проникнення антимікотиків у ліквор і можливості створення в ньому мінімальних пригнічуючи концентрацій для криптококів. Дані рекомендації з оптимізації застосування антимікотиків у терапії криптококового менінгіту з урахуванням фармакокінетики антимікотиків та чутливості до них криптококів. Обґрунтована необхідність динамічного визначення чутливості криптококів до антимікотиків у процесі терапії криптококового менінгіту. Проведений докладний аналіз можливості використання та ефективності існуючих методів визначення чутливості криптококів до антимікотиків. Розроблена та запропонована проста і доступна для практичного використання методика визначення<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>чутливості криптококів до системних антимікотиків.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></em></p>
LEGAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK OF BLOOD ESTABLISHMENTS OF UKRAINE
Authors: CHUHRIIEV A.M. 
Published: June 2015

<p><strong>Purpose</strong>: to determine the status of legal and regulatory that regulates activities of blood service establishments of Ukraine as of 01.01.2013.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods</strong>. Operating documents that regulated activity of blood service in Ukraine were studied.</p><p><strong>Results</strong>. It is established that the activities of blood service establishments in Ukraine regulating 107 legal acts, including 15 Laws of Ukraine, 2 Decrees of the President of Ukraine, 16 Resolutions of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, 37 Orders of Ministry of Health of Ukraine, 14 intergovernmental orders, 9 Orders of Ministry of Health of USSR and Ukrainian SSR, 1 Resolution of the USSR State Committee on standards and 10 guidelines of Ministry of Health and National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine. Have limitation period up to 5 years 19 acts, from 5–10 years – 25 documents, from 10 to 15 years – 35 certificates, from 15 to 20 years – 13 acts, from 20 to 25 years – 8 acts and 25–40 years have 7 legal and regulatory acts.</p><p><strong>Conclusions</strong>. The standard base of blood service of Ukraine demands harmonisation with recommendations and resolutions WHO and the Council of Europe, Guidelines on production, use and quality assurance of blood components.</p>KEY WORDS: <strong>legal </strong>and regulatory<strong> framework, blood service, statistical reporting forms, haemovigilance system, legislation of the European Union</strong>.
Effect of Display Technology on Perceived Scale of Space
Authors: Geuss Michael N. , Stefanucci Jeanine K. , Creem-Regehr Sarah H. , Thompson William B. , Mohler Betty J. 
Published: June 2015

Objective: Our goal was to evaluate the degree to which display technologies influence the perception of size in an image. Background: Research suggests that factors such as whether an image is displayed stereoscopically, whether a user’s viewpoint is tracked, and the field of view of a given display can affect users’ perception of scale in the displayed image. Method: Participants directly estimated the size of a gap by matching the distance between their hands to the gap width and judged their ability to pass unimpeded through the gap in one of five common implementations of three display technologies (two head-mounted displays [HMD] and a back-projection screen). Results: Both measures of gap width were similar for the two HMD conditions and the back projection with stereo and tracking. For the displays without tracking, stereo and monocular conditions differed from each other, with monocular viewing showing underestimation of size. Conclusions: Display technologies that are capable of stereoscopic display and tracking of the user’s viewpoint are beneficial as perceived size does not differ from real-world estimates. Evaluations of different display technologies are necessary as display conditions vary and the availability of different display technologies continues to grow. Applications: The findings are important to those using display technologies for research, commercial, and training purposes when it is important for the displayed image to be perceived at an intended scale.
Sweat and Blood: Deific Interventions in Small-Scale Mining in Ghana
Authors: Sarpong Sam 
Published: June 2015

Small-scale mining in Ghana has been proclaimed as a net contributor to local economies in many scholarly works. Many writeups have lauded the significant contributions these miners have made or are making in terms of poverty alleviation. Quite significantly too, other commentaries have dwelt on the environmental degradation the miners effect on the communities within which they operate. Such activities have led to the destruction of forest areas, the creation of dangerous pits and diversion of rivers. Besides, the incessant use of mercury in the course of mining has also led to serious consequences for their host communities. This article, however, sets out to explore an aspect of small-scale mining operations which is yet to see much scholarly work, perhaps due to its surreptitious manner. It looks at the rituals that permeate the workings of these miners in order to tilt the tides of fortune in their favour and how such determination is leading them to the cauldron of spiritual elements in order to accomplish their objectives.
Direct assessment of 3D foot bone kinematics using biplanar X‐ray fluoroscopy and an automatic model registration method
Authors: Ito Kohta , Hosoda Koh , Shimizu Masahiro , Ikemoto Shuhei , Kume Shinnosuke , Nagura Takeo , Imanishi Nobuaki , Aiso Sadakazu , Jinzaki Masahiro , Ogihara Naomichi 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBackgroundQuantifying detailed 3‐dimensional (3D) kinematics of the foot in contact with the ground during locomotion is crucial for understanding the biomechanical functions of the complex musculoskeletal structure of the foot. Biplanar X‐ray fluoroscopic systems and model‐based registration techniques have recently been employed to capture and visualise 3D foot bone movements in vivo, but such techniques have generally been performed manually. In the present study, we developed an automatic model‐registration method with biplanar fluoroscopy for accurate measurement of 3D movements of the skeletal foot.MethodsThree‐dimensional surface models of foot bones were generated prior to motion measurement based on computed tomography. The bone models generated were then registered to biplanar fluoroscopic images in a frame‐by‐frame manner using an optimisation technique, to maximise similarity measures between occluding contours of the bone surface models with edge‐enhanced fluoroscopic images, while avoiding mutual penetration of bones. A template‐matching method was also introduced to estimate the amount of bone translation and rotation prior to automatic registration.ResultsWe analysed 3D skeletal movements of a cadaver foot mobilized by a robotic gait simulator. The 3D kinematics of the calcaneus, talus, navicular and cuboid in the stance phase of the gait were successfully reconstructed and quantified using the proposed model‐registration method. The accuracy of bone registration was evaluated as 0.27 ± 0.19 mm and 0.24 ± 0.19° (mean ± standard deviation) in translation and rotation, respectively, under static conditions, and 0.36 ± 0.19 mm and 0.42 ± 0.30° in translation and rotation, respectively, under dynamic conditions.ConclusionsThe measurement was confirmed to be sufficiently accurate for actual analysis of foot kinematics. The proposed method may serve as an effective tool for understanding the biomechanical function of the human foot during locomotion.