bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Epidemic of Serratia marcescens Bacteremia and Meningitis in a Neonatal Unit in Mexico City
Authors: Zaidi Mussaret , Sifuentes José , Bobadilla Miriam , Moncada David , de León Samuel Ponce 
Published: February 2014

AbstractA case-control study was conducted on an epidemic of bacteremia and meningitis caused by Serratia marcescens in the neonatal intensive care unit and special care nursery of a general hospital in Mexico City, Mexico. A 19.9% incidence of bacteremia and meningitis was recorded in contrast to 1.4% and 3.7% during pre-epidemic and postepidemic periods; a 69% mortality rate was observed. Peripheral IV catheters and the use of mixed IV fluids prepared in the wards were the major risk factors (P < 0.001). Rectal and nasopharyngeal cultures were positive in 68% of asymptomatic neonates and hand cultures were positive in 16.7% of personnel. Strains were resistant to all aminoglycosides and broad-spectrum penicillins, and belonged to the A5/8 bio-group. Containment of this outbreak was difficult because of failure to identify colonized infants early in the epidemic and because of persistent carriage of S marcescens by personnel. Comparisons between this hospital and tertiary care centers in Mexico suggest that in developing countries nosocomial infections could be of greater magnitude in secondary than in tertiary level centers.
Impact of a Recapping Device on Venepuncture-Related Needlestick Injury
Authors: Goldwater Paul N. , Law R. , Nixon A.D. , Officer J.A. , Cleland J.F. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractIn a 33-month prospective analysis of needlestick injuries, venepuncturists working under Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for handling used needles were shown to incur a needlestick injury for every 3,175 to 4,006 needle-handling procedures. On the other hand, users of a simple device designed to reduce the risk of injury when recapping used needles were shown to incur a needlestick only once in every 16,100 venepunctures performed (P<0.00l). This represents a fourfold reduction in the rate of needlestick injuries. We thus question the effectiveness of the CDC nonrecapping policy.
Urinary Tract Infection Following Instrumentation for Urodynamic Testing
Authors: Hamill Richard J. , Wright Charles E. , Andres Nita , Koza Maureen A. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractAfter identifying a temporal cluster of urinary tract infections in patients who had undergone urodynamic procedures, we examined the techniques within the urodynamic laboratory and retrospectively reviewed charts of all 155 patients tested in the previous six months. The rate of acquired urinary tract infections was 18.7%. Risk factors for infection included undergoing cystometrograms and being subject to the first procedure performed in a day. Technical errors in the performance of the urodynamic studies included failure to completely disassemble the apparatus upon completion of a procedure, failure to use sterile components, and lapses in aseptic technique. Bacteria implicated in the outbreak were isolated from tubing, transducers, and flush solutions. After the institution of appropriate technique, all patients tested in the subsequent six months were followed. The rate of acquired urinary tract infection dropped to 5%. Urodynamic apparatus should be completely disassembled following the completion of a procedure; reassembly using sterile components should occur immediately prior to the next procedure; aseptic technique should be maintained; and patients should undergo routine urine screening before a procedure. Surveillance of urodynamic procedures may reveal correctable flaws in technique.
Survey of veterinarians' perceptions of borreliosis in North Carolina
Authors: Pultorak Elizabeth L. , Breitschwerdt Edward B. 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
Objective—To evaluate the practices and perceptions of veterinarians in North Carolina regarding borreliosis in dogs in various geographic regions of the state.
Design—Cross-sectional survey.
Sample—Data from 208 completed surveys.
Procedures—Surveys were distributed to veterinary clinics throughout North Carolina. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize perceptions pertaining to borreliosis among dogs in North Carolina.
Results—A significantly higher proportion of responding veterinarians believed that borreliosisis was endemic in the coastal (67.2%) and Piedmont (60.9%) areas of North Carolina, compared with more western regions (37.5%). The 3 variables found to be significantly different between the northern and southern regions of the state were the estimated number of borreliosis cases diagnosed by each responding veterinary clinic during the past year, the perception of borreliosis endemicity, and the perceptions related to the likelihood of a dog acquiring borreliosis in the state.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Veterinarians’ perception of the risk of borreliosis in North Carolina was consistent with recent scientific reports pertaining to geographic expansion of borreliosis in the state. As knowledge of the epidemiological features of borreliosis in North Carolina continues to evolve, veterinarians should promote routine screening of dogs for Borrelia burgdorferi exposure as a simple, inexpensive form of surveillance that can be used to better educate their clients on the threat of transmission of borreliosis in this transitional geographic region.
What is the Position of Agritourism on the Walloon Tourist Market?
Authors: Dubois Charline , Schmitz Serge 
Published: February 2014

AbstractWith its marginal practices and diversified services, agritourism is a complex subject of study. In some European rural areas it is seen as a smart diversification solution. Even though agritourism is rather weak on the Walloon tourist market level, it is important for farmers for whom it is often a means of supplementary income. Based on crossed data concerning potential tourists, local tenants, privileged witnesses and promotional information, the position of agritourism on the Walloon tourist market is analysed. It is shown that agritourism is a multiple micro-niche market primarily complementary to other sources of tourist supply. This paper underscores how the assets of demand, of the region and of the farm all shape agritourist diversification. Instead of providing a standardized well-known product, agritourism in Wallonia is richly diverse, which creates difficulties in branding this tourist market sector.
Glufosinate Application Timing and Rate Affect Peanut Yield
Authors: Prostko Eric P. , Webster Theodore M. , Marshall Michael W. , Leon Ramon G. , Grey Timothy L. , Ferrell Jason A. , Dotray Peter A. , Jordan David L. , Grichar W. James , Brecke Barry J. 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACT
Field studies were conducted at 13 locations across the US peanut belt during 2010–2012 to evaluate peanut response to postemergence applications of glufosinate. Glufosinate was applied at 0, 41, 82, 164, 328 and 656 g ai/ha 30, 60, and 90 days after planting (DAP). There was a significant interaction for peanut yield between application time and glufosinate rate; peanut yield data were regressed on rate of glufosinate and fit to a log-logistic dose response curve by application timing. At 30 DAP, peanut yield ranged from 16 to 92% of the non-treated control, with glufosinate at 266 g/ha causing an estimated 50% reduction in yield (Y50). At 60 DAP, peanut yield ranged from 16 to 82% of the nontreated control, with Y50  =  266 g/ha of glufosinate. Peanut yield when glufosinate was applied at 90 DAP ranged from 20 to 78% of the non-treated control; Y50  =  187 g/ha of glufosinate, which was lower than that at 30 DAP and indicated greater peanut sensitivity. Peanut plants treated at 30 DAP had more time to recover from glufosinate injury at the lower rates and/or were in a less susceptible stage of growth relative to 90 DAP. These data provide peanut growers across the US with an estimate of potential yield losses associated with mis-application, off-target movement, or sprayer contamination of glufosinate.
Is in vivo manual palpation for thoracic pedicle screw instrumentation reliable?
Authors: Donohue Miriam L. , Moquin Ross R. , Singla Amit , Calancie Blair 
Published: February 2014

Object
Previous reports on the accuracy of manual palpation for thoracic pedicle screw placement have been restricted to cadaveric studies. Authors of the present novel study assessed the accuracy of manual palpation for the detection of medial and lateral pedicle breaches during thoracic spine surgery in living adult humans.

Methods
Pedicle tracks were created freehand and manually palpated using a ball-tipped probe. Postoperative CT scans of all implanted thoracic and L-1 screws were evaluated with respect to screw position and the pedicle wall.

Results
Five hundred twenty-five pedicle track/screw placements were compared. There were 21 pedicles with medial breaches measuring ≥ 2 mm. The surgeon correctly identified only 4 of these pedicle tracks as having a medial breach. The surgeon correctly identified 17 of 128 pedicles with a significant (≥ 2 mm) lateral breach. One hundred two screw placements had no measurable breach in any direction (medial, lateral, or foraminal). The surgeon correctly identified 98% of these ideally placed screws.

Conclusions
In this real-time study of thoracic pedicle screw placement, the accuracy of manual palpation for detecting medial or lateral breaches that were ≥ 2 mm was disturbingly low. These findings are consistent with those in recent cadaveric evaluations of palpation accuracy and point to the critical need for more reliable alternative methods to assess pedicle integrity during the placement of thoracic pedicle screws for spine instrumentation surgery.
Acute spinal cord injury in rats should target activated autophagy
Authors: Hou Hongping , Zhang Lihai , Zhang Licheng , Tang Peifu 
Published: February 2014

Object
Autophagy is a cellular mechanism of maintaining balance between protein synthesis and degradation; the latter can be induced by starvation and neurodegenerative disease. Spinal cord injury (SCI) induces necrosis and apoptosis. Autophagic flux has not yet been defined, especially the potential role of autophagy in relation to apoptosis in different tissue cells. The object of this study was to investigate the occurrence of autophagic flux and the potential role of autophagy and apoptosis post-SCI in rats.

Methods
Following creation of SCI in rats, activation of autophagic flux was detected at the protein (LC3, beclin1, and p62) and mRNA (beclin1) levels and on electron microscopy images. Distribution of LC3, colocalization of activated caspase-3, and changes in expression levels of bcl-2 and Bax were assessed to investigate the potential role of autophagy and apoptosis.
Sprague-Dawley rats were used, and T9–10 hemitransection was performed. Expression levels of LC3, beclin1, p62, bcl-2, and Bax were assessed by Western blot analysis, and beclin1 mRNA levels were assessed by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. Distribution of LC3 and colocalization of activated caspase-3 were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Autophagosome formation was investigated by electron microscopy.

Results
The authors found a dramatic elevation in LC3 and beclin1 levels near the scar region. Using double staining, they observed that upregulation of LC3 started at 4 hours in neurons and at 3 days in astrocytes after SCI. Confocal images indicated that the percentage of neurons with apoptosis was reduced, while the percentage of astrocytes with apoptosis was high at 4 hours, 8 hours, and 1 day post-SCI but decreased sharply at 3 days. Electron microscopy images provided evidence of autophagosome formation. Elimination of p62 indicated occurrence of autophagic flux. Expression levels of bcl-2 and Bax were increased and decreased, respectively, near the injury site.

Conclusions
The results of this research demonstrated that autophagic flux is activated after SCI. Potentially, inhibition of apoptosis could be a target to promote neural recovery.
Is Tightly Controlled Disease Activity Possible with Online Patient-reported Outcomes?
Authors: Walter Margot J. , Mohd Din S.H. , Hazes Johanna M. , Lesaffre E. , Barendregt P.J. , Luime Jolanda J. 
Published: February 2014

Objective.To evaluate the performance of patient-reported outcomes (PRO) as primary indices for identification and prediction of a 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28) > 3.2 among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods.Patients with RA completed monthly online PRO [Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Activity Index (RADAI), visual analog scale (VAS) fatigue] and were clinically assessed every 3 months using the DAS28. Simple descriptive statistics, logistic regression, and the Bayesian joint modeling approach were used to analyze the data. The Bayesian joint model combines the scores and changes in the scores of 3 PRO to predict a DAS28 > 3.2 at the subsequent timepoint.Results.A group of 159 patients with RA participated. Stratified summaries of the PRO by DAS28 categories at baseline provided incremental values of the PRO for more active disease. However, on an individual level, the DAS28 and the PRO fluctuated over time. The prediction of subsequent DAS score by a single instrument at single timepoints resulted in moderate sensitivity and specificity. Using the intercept and slope of the combined PRO of the first 3 measurements to predict the DAS28 state at 3 months resulted in a sensitivity of 0.81 and a specificity of 0.92. After 10-fold cross validation, the model had a sensitivity of 0.61 and specificity of 0.75 to identify patients with a DAS28 > 3.2.Conclusion.PRO showed fluctuating levels of disease activity over time, while on a group level disease activity stayed the same. Using the changes in RADAI, HAQ, and VAS fatigue over time to predict future DAS28 > 3.2 resulted in moderate performance after the internal cross-validation of the model (sensitivity 0.61, specificity 0.75).
Retinol-binding Protein 4 in Rheumatoid Arthritis-related Insulin Resistance and β-cell Function
Authors: Ferraz-Amaro Iván , González-Gay Miguel A. , Diaz-González Federico 
Published: February 2014

Objective.Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4), an adipokine related to impaired glucose tolerance, has been associated with insulin resistance (IR) and β-cell function in subjects with obesity or diabetes. In our study we assessed RBP4 levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We also determined whether any correlation exists between RBP4 levels and the presence of IR in these patients.Methods.Plasma RBP4, insulin, C-peptide concentrations, and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)-IR were measured in 101 patients with RA and 115 sex-matched and age-matched controls. A multivariable analysis adjusted for IR classic cardiovascular risk factors and body mass index was performed to establish the correlation between RBP4 plasma concentrations and features of IR in RA. Data were adjusted for glucocorticoid intake in patients with RA.Results.Patients had higher levels of insulin, C-peptide levels, HOMA-percentage of β-cell secretion (%B) index, and HOMA-IR index than controls. RBP4 levels were significantly lower in the whole group of patients than in controls [13.99 (9.78–19.88) vs 21.50 (10.28–32.59) μg/ml, p < 0.01]. However, only those who were glucocorticoid-naive showed significant difference in RBP4 plasma concentration when compared to controls [11.88 (7.93–17.96) vs 21.50 (10.28–32.59) μg/ml, p < 0.01]. The HOMA-%B [log β coefficient 0.00 (0.00–0.01), p < 0.01] showed positive relationships regarding RBP4 in controls. That was not the case in patients with RA [log β coefficient 0.00 (−0.0–0.00), p = 0.93 for HOMA-%B].Conclusion.RBP4 does not correlate with the presence of IR and β-cell function in patients with RA. The mechanisms leading to IR in RA may be different from those occurring in obesity or diabetes.
Colchicine in Behçet Syndrome: A Longterm Survey of Patients in a Controlled Trial
Authors: Hamuryudan Vedat , Hatemi Gulen , Tascilar Koray , Yurdakul Sebahattin , Mat Cem , Ozyazgan Yilmaz , Seyahi Emire , Ugurlu Serdal , Yazici Hasan 
Published: February 2014

Objective.To test the hypothesis that colchicine use during early disease decreases immunosuppressive use in Behçet syndrome (BS) in the long term.Methods.Patients with BS who participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of colchicine 16.6 ± 1.1 years ago were evaluated for immunosuppressive use during the posttrial period.Results.We could contact 90/116 patients; 28 (31%) received immunosuppressives during the posttrial period, 14 being from the colchicine arm. Posttrial colchicine use and cumulative duration were similar between patients who received immunosuppressives and those who did not.Conclusion.Continuous use of colchicine, even when initiated at an early disease stage, does not seem to decrease the use of immunosuppressives in the long term.
Hemostatic and Fibrinolytic Changes Are Related to Inflammatory Conditions in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis — Effect of Different Treatments
Authors: Di Minno Matteo Nicola Dario , Iervolino Salvatore , Peluso Rosario , Di Minno Alessandro , Ambrosino Pasquale , Scarpa Raffaele ,   the CaRRDs Study Group
Published: February 2014

Objective.To prospectively evaluate the effect of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α inhibitors on hemostatic and fibrinolytic variables in subjects with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).Methods.Among subjects with PsA who were taking traditional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD), 98 patients with active disease who switched to treatment with TNF-α inhibitors were enrolled in this study (Group 1). In parallel, 98 matched subjects with minimal disease activity (MDA) and treated with DMARD were enrolled (Group 2). In all patients, hemostatic and fibrinolytic variables were evaluated at enrollment and after a 6-month followup. Results were stratified according to treatment and to MDA achievement.Results.Seventy-six Group 1 and 80 Group 2 subjects completed the 6-month followup. During the followup, significant changes in hemostatic and fibrinolytic variables were found in Group 1, but not in Group 2 subjects. At the end of the followup, patients treated with TNF-α inhibitors showed significantly lower levels of hemostatic and fibrinolytic variables as compared to those treated with traditional DMARD. Among Group 1 subjects, changes in hemostatic and fibrinolytic variable levels were significantly higher in those who achieved MDA versus in those who did not. Multivariate analyses showed that a treatment with TNF-α blockers affected fibrinolytic variables [plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA)] and some acute-phase proteins (D-dimer, coagulation factor VIII, and von Willebrand factor). In contrast, the MDA achievement during treatment with TNF-α blockers maximally affected fibrinolytic variables (PAI-1 and t-PA).Conclusion.TNF-α inhibitors brought about a significant improvement of hemostatic and fibrinolytic balance in subjects with PsA. Maximal changes were found in patients achieving MDA.
Joint Effects of Alcohol Consumption and ABCG2 Q141K on Chronic Tophaceous Gout Risk
Authors: Tu Hung-Pin , Ko Albert Min-Shan , Chiang Shang-Lun , Lee Su-Shin , Lai Han-Ming , Chung Chia-Min , Huang Chung-Ming , Lee Chien-Hung , Kuo Tzer-Min , Hsieh Mei-Jung , Ko Ying-Chin 
Published: February 2014

Objective.To investigate the joint effects of alcohol consumption and ABCG2 gene variants on tophaceous gout occurrence.Methods.The V12M (rs2231137), Q126X (rs72552713), and Q141K (rs2231142) of the ABCG2 gene were genotyped among controls, nontophaceous, and tophaceous gout cases in Taiwanese Han (n = 446, 77, 177) and Taiwan Aborigines (n = 1105, 203, 330).Results.The missense variations V12M (C) and Q141K (T) significantly associated with tophaceous gout (p trend = 4.08 × 10−2, 9.00 × 10−12 in Han; 1.81 × 10−3, 9.34 × 10−10 in Aborigines). The nonsense variation Q126X (T) exerted a significant effect only in Han (p = 1.10 × 10−2), but not in Aborigines. In the prediction of tophaceous gout, the Q141K (T) OR were 1.51 in Han, 1.50 in Aborigines, and 1.55 (p = 7.84 × 10−5) in pooled analysis when compared to nontophaceous gout. We found the joint effects of alcohol consumption and Q141K (T/T) highly associated with tophaceous gout (adjusted OR ≥ 5.11; p ≤ 7.78 × 10−4); specifically the ever drinkers carrying the Q141K (T/T; adjusted OR 25.05, p = 9.21 × 10−4 in Han; adjusted OR 14.87, p = 1.08 × 10−8 in Aborigines).Conclusion.Our findings showed alcohol consumption and ABCG2 Q141K, independently and jointly, associated with the risk of chronic tophaceous gout.
Mortality and Cardiovascular Burden of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in a US Population-based Cohort
Authors: Bartels Christie M. , Buhr Kevin A. , Goldberg Jerry W. , Bell Carolyn L. , Visekruna Maja , Nekkanti Swapna , Greenlee Robert T. 
Published: February 2014

Objective.To examine the mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden among a population-based cohort of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with previously described late mean onset and low rates of organ-threatening disease.Methods.This retrospective population-based cohort study investigated incident cases of SLE diagnosed from 1991–2008 and followed through March 2009 to examine rates of death and CVD events: myocardial infarction, stroke, or congestive heart failure hospitalization. Cases were identified using the 1997 update of the 1982 American College of Rheumatology SLE criteria. Searches included electronic records, chart audits, and state death matches, with physician review. Age-matched and sex-matched population comparisons facilitated relative event rate calculations.Results.Seventy incident SLE cases had late mean onset (52 years), with an incidence of 5 cases per 100,000/year. Matched comparisons showed similar baseline rates of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes. However, patients with SLE experienced more CVD in the 2 years preceding SLE diagnosis (OR 3.8, 95% CI 1.8, 8.0). The estimated 10-year mortality rates were 26% for SLE subjects versus 19% for comparisons, hazard ratio (HR) 2.1, p < 0.01. Adjusted for prior CVD, SLE cases still demonstrated increased hazards of mortality (HR 1.9, p = 0.01) and CVD event or death (HR 1.8, p = 0.01).Conclusion.This incident SLE cohort demonstrated nearly doubled mortality and CVD event hazards compared to age-matched and sex-matched comparisons, even after accounting for higher CVD events in the 2 years preceding SLE diagnosis. This raises research questions regarding delayed SLE diagnosis versus accelerated CVD prior to SLE, particularly in older-onset SLE.