bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of choice of quality appraisal tool for systematic reviews in overviews
Authors: Pieper Dawid , Mathes Tim , Eikermann Michaela 
Published: May 2014

AbstractObjectiveThe question whether the choice of a critical appraisal tool has an impact on the result of the evidence synthesis in systematic reviews has been neglected by research. This is also true for psychometric properties of critical appraisal tools. The objective of the study is to exemplify that in the context of overviews (reviews of reviews).MethodsBased on a published overview investigating the hospital volume‐outcome relationship in surgery, 32 therein included systematic reviews were independently evaluated with four critical appraisal tools by two reviewers. We rated the relationship on a five‐point rating scale using qualitative evidence synthesis. Measures of reliability and correlation coefficients were calculated.ResultsThe result of the evidence synthesis was not dependent on the choice of a critical appraisal tool. Inter‐rater reliability differed depending on the tool, Cohens Kappa ranging from 0.47 to 0.76. There was a high heterogeneity between the two pairs of reviewers.ConclusionThe choice of a critical appraisal tool has no impact on the result of the evidence synthesis, despite differences in the covered components by each CAT. Further studies should concentrate on investigating psychometric properties and the impact of choice of CATs on the evidence synthesis in other contexts. The high heterogeneity between the two pairs of reviewers, all of them experienced in appraising systematic reviews, indicates a degree of interpretability in the items.
Association between the ABO blood group and risk of common cancers
Authors: Li Bei , Tan Bin , Chen Chunxia , Zhao Li , Qin Li 
Published: May 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the association between five common cancers in western China population and ABO blood group.MethodsUsing the data from West China Hospital, we retrospectively reviewed 5012 patients with five common cancers. Blood groups were obtained from medical records. The control group was represented by 1979 health check‐up examinees. The distributions of ABO blood types of certain cancer patients were investigated to assess the possible correlation between certain cancers and the ABO blood groups. A further meta‐analysis was performed based on the studied results to find potential correlation between the ABO blood types and the risk of diseases.ResultsA 24.5% increased risk was found in gastric cancer cases with blood type A when compared with those with blood type O (OR = 1.245, 95% CI 1.014 to 1.529, P = 0.036) from our data analysis. This association was further confirmed by the meta‐analysis of nine studies (OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.12 to 1.39).ConclusionsOur data suggested that blood type A was associated with gastric cancer.
Introducing a new monitoring manual for home fortification and strengthening capacity to monitor nutrition interventions
Authors: Jefferds Maria Elena D. , Flores‐Ayala Rafael 
Published: May 2014

AbstractLack of monitoring capacity is a key barrier for nutrition interventions and limits programme management, decision making and programme effectiveness in many low‐income and middle‐income countries. A 2011 global assessment reported lack of monitoring capacity was the top barrier for home fortification interventions, such as micronutrient powders or lipid‐based nutrient supplements. A Manual for Developing and Implementing Monitoring Systems for Home Fortification Interventions was recently disseminated. It is comprehensive and describes monitoring concepts and frameworks and includes monitoring tools and worksheets. The monitoring manual describes the steps of developing and implementing a monitoring system for home fortification interventions, including identifying and engaging stakeholders; developing a programme description including logic model and logical framework; refining the purpose of the monitoring system, identifying users and their monitoring needs; describing the design of the monitoring system; developing indicators; describing the core components of a comprehensive monitoring plan; and considering factors related to stage of programme development, sustainability and scale up. A fictional home fortification example is used throughout the monitoring manual to illustrate these steps. The monitoring manual is a useful tool to support the development and implementation of home fortification intervention monitoring systems. In the context of systematic capacity gaps to design, implement and monitor nutrition interventions in many low‐income and middle‐income countries, the dissemination of new tools, such as monitoring manuals may have limited impact without additional attention to strengthening other individual, organisational and systems levels capacities.
Preventative lipid‐based nutrient supplements (LNS) and young child feeding practices: findings from qualitative research inHaiti
Authors: Lesorogol Carolyn , Jean‐Louis Sherlie , Green Jamie , Iannotti Lora 
Published: May 2014

AbstractTo prevent undernutrition in an urban slum inHaiti, a lipid‐based nutrient supplement (LNS) was introduced through a randomised control trial. Food supplementation for young child nutrition has a long history in Haiti, but there is little empirical information regarding the effects of supplementation on young child feeding practices. One of the concerns raised by supplementation is that it may disrupt other positive feeding practices such as breastfeeding and use of other complementary foods, with negative consequences for child nutrition. We conducted 29 in‐depth interviews with mother–baby pairs from the three comparison groups: control, 3‐monthLNSsupplementation and 6‐monthLNSsupplementation. Findings from those in the LNS groups indicated high acceptance and satisfaction withLNSand perceptions that it positively affects child health and development.LNSwas integrated into and enhanced ongoing complementary feeding practices. The effects ofLNSuse on duration and perceived quantity of breastfeeding were variable, but generally, breastfeeding was maintained during and after the intervention. Interviews generated insights into beliefs regarding infant and young child feeding practices such as introduction and use of complementary foods, and breastfeeding duration, exclusivity and cessation. Implications for the use ofLNSin public health nutrition programmes are discussed.
Intracellular Antiviral Activity of Low-Dose Ritonavir in Boosted Protease Inhibitor Regimens
Authors: De Nicolò Amedeo , Simiele Marco , Calcagno Andrea , Mohamed Abdi Adnan , Bonora Stefano , Di Perri Giovanni , D'Avolio Antonio 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT

Protease inhibitors are largely used for the treatment of HIV infection in combination with other antiretroviral drugs. Their improved pharmacokinetic profiles can be achieved through the concomitant administration of low doses of ritonavir (RTV), a protease inhibitor currently used as a booster, increasing the exposure of companion drugs. Since ritonavir-boosted regimens are associated with long-term adverse events, cobicistat, a CYP3A4 inhibitor without antiviral activity, has been developed. Recently, high intracellular concentrations of ritonavir in lymphocytes and monocytes were reported even when ritonavir was administered at low doses, so we aimed to compare its theoretical antiviral activity with those of the associated protease inhibitors. Intracellular concentrations of ritonavir and different protease inhibitors were determined through the same method. Inhibitory constants were obtained from the literature. The study enrolled 103 patients receiving different boosted protease inhibitors, darunavir-ritonavir 600 and 100 mg twice daily and 800 and 100 mg once daily (
n
= 22 and 4, respectively), atazanavir-ritonavir 300 and 100 mg once daily (
n
= 40), lopinavir-ritonavir 400 and 100 mg twice daily (
n
= 21), or tipranavir-ritonavir 500 and 200 mg twice daily (
n
= 16). According to the observed concentrations, we calculated the ratios between the intracellular concentrations of ritonavir and those of the companion protease inhibitor and between the theoretical viral protease reaction speeds with each drug, with and without ritonavir. The median ratios were 4.04 and 0.63 for darunavir-ritonavir twice daily, 2.49 and 0.74 for darunavir-ritonavir once daily, 0.42 and 0.74 for atazanavir-ritonavir, 0.57 and 0.95 for lopinavir-ritonavir, and 0.19 and 0.84 for tipranavir-ritonavir, respectively. Therefore, the antiviral effect of ritonavir was less than that of the concomitant protease inhibitors but, importantly, mostly with darunavir. Thus, further
in vitro
and
in vivo
studies of the RTV antiviral effect are warranted.
Targeting Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus with Short Salt-Resistant Synthetic Peptides
Authors: Mohamed Mohamed F. , Hamed Maha I. , Panitch Alyssa , Seleem Mohamed N. 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT

The seriousness of microbial resistance combined with the lack of new antimicrobials has increased interest in the development of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as novel therapeutics. In this study, we evaluated the antimicrobial activities of two short synthetic peptides, namely, RRIKA and RR. These peptides exhibited potent antimicrobial activity against
Staphylococcus aureus
, and their antimicrobial effects were significantly enhanced by addition of three amino acids in the C terminus, which consequently increased the amphipathicity, hydrophobicity, and net charge. Moreover, RRIKA and RR demonstrated a significant and rapid bactericidal effect against clinical and drug-resistant
Staphylococcus
isolates, including methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA), vancomycin-intermediate
S. aureus
(VISA), vancomycin-resistant
S. aureus
(VRSA), linezolid-resistant
S. aureus
, and methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus epidermidis
. In contrast to many natural AMPs, RRIKA and RR retained their activity in the presence of physiological concentrations of NaCl and MgCl
2
. Both RRIKA and RR enhanced the killing of lysostaphin more than 1,000-fold and eradicated MRSA and VRSA isolates within 20 min. Furthermore, the peptides presented were superior in reducing adherent biofilms of
S. aureus
and
S. epidermidis
compared to results with conventional antibiotics. Our findings indicate that the staphylocidal effects of our peptides were through permeabilization of the bacterial membrane, leading to leakage of cytoplasmic contents and cell death. Furthermore, peptides were not toxic to HeLa cells at 4- to 8-fold their antimicrobial concentrations. The potent and salt-insensitive antimicrobial activities of these peptides present an attractive therapeutic candidate for treatment of multidrug-resistant
S. aureus
infections.
Biopharmaceutical Characterization of Nebulized Antimicrobial Agents in Rats: 2. Colistin
Authors: Gontijo Aline Vidal Lacerda , Grégoire Nicolas , Lamarche Isabelle , Gobin Patrice , Couet William , Marchand Sandrine 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetic properties of colistin following intrapulmonary administration of colistin sulfate in rats. Colistin was infused or delivered in nebulized form at a dose of 0.35 mg/kg of body weight in rats, and plasma drug concentrations were measured for 4 h after administration. Bronchoalveolar lavages (BAL) were also conducted at 0.5, 2, and 4 h after intravenous (i.v.) administration and administration via nebulized drug to estimate epithelial lining fluid (ELF) drug concentrations. Unbound colistin plasma concentrations at distribution equilibrium (2 h postdosing) were almost identical after i.v. infusion and nebulized drug inhalation. ELF drug concentrations were undetectable in BAL samples after i.v. administration, but they were about 1,800 times higher than unbound plasma drug levels at 2 h and 4 h after administration of the nebulized drug. Simultaneous pharmacokinetic modeling of plasma and ELF drug concentrations was performed with a model characterized by a fixed physiological volume of ELF (
V
ELF
), a passive diffusion clearance (
Q
ELF
) between plasma and ELF, and a nonlinear influx transfer from ELF to the central compartment, which was assessed by reducing the nebulized dose of colistin by 10-fold (0.035 mg kg
−1
). The

k
m

was estimated to be 133 μg ml
−1
, and the
V
max, in
-to-

K
m

ratio was equal to 2.5 × 10
−3
liter h
−1
kg
−1
, which was 37 times higher than the
Q
ELF
(6.7 × 10
−5
liter h
−1
kg
−1
). This study showed that with the higher ELF drug concentrations after administration via nebulized aerosol than after intravenous administration, for antibiotics with low permeability such as colistin, nebulization offers a real potential over intravenous administration for the treatment of pulmonary infections.
Mycobacterium arupense Flexor Tenosynovitis: Case Report and Review of Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profiles for 40 Clinical Isolates
Authors: Beam Elena , Vasoo Shawn , Simner Patricia J. , Rizzo Marco , Mason Erin L. , Walker Randall C. , Deml Sharon M. , Brown-Elliott Barbara A. , Wallace Richard J. , Wengenack Nancy L. , Sia Irene G. 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT

We describe a case of chronic tenosynovitis in the hand of a 58-year-old cattle farmer. Surgical biopsy specimens grew
Mycobacterium arupense
. The patient responded to surgery and antimicrobial therapy based on
in vitro
susceptibility testing. The antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of the isolate from this patient and 39 additional clinical isolates are presented.
Use of Imipenem To Detect KPC, NDM, OXA, IMP, and VIM Carbapenemase Activity from Gram-Negative Rods in 75 Minutes Using Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Kulkarni M. V. , Zurita A. N. , Pyka J. S. , Murray T. S. , Hodsdon M. E. , Peaper D. R. 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT

Resistance to extended-spectrum β-lactam antibiotics has led to a greater reliance upon carbapenems, but the expression of carbapenemases threatens to limit the utility of these drugs. Current methods to detect carbapenemase activity are suboptimal, requiring prolonged incubations during which ineffective therapy may be prescribed. We previously described a sensitive and specific assay for the detection of carbapenemase activity using ertapenem and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). In this study, we assessed 402 Gram-negative rods, including both
Enterobacteriaceae
and non-
Enterobacteriaceae
expressing IMP, VIM, KPC, NDM, and/or OXA carbapenemases, by using imipenem, meropenem, and ertapenem with LC-MS/MS assays. LC-MS/MS methods for the detection of intact and hydrolyzed carbapenems from an enrichment broth were developed. No ion suppression was observed, and the limits of detection for all three drugs were below 0.04 μg/ml. The sensitivity and specificity of meropenem and ertapenem for carbapenemase activity among non-
Enterobacteriaceae
were low, but imipenem demonstrated a sensitivity and specificity of 96% and 95%, respectively, among all Gram-negative rods (GNR) tested, including both
Enterobacteriaceae
and non-
Enterobacteriaceae
. LC-MS/MS allows for the analysis of more complex matrices, and this LC-MS/MS assay could easily be adapted for use with primary specimens requiring growth enrichment.
Whole-Genome-Based Mycobacterium tuberculosis Surveillance: a Standardized, Portable, and Expandable Approach
Authors: Kohl Thomas A. , Diel Roland , Harmsen Dag , Rothgänger Jörg , Walter Karen Meywald , Merker Matthias , Weniger Thomas , Niemann Stefan 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT

Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) allows for effective tracing of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
complex (MTBC) (tuberculosis pathogens) transmission. However, it is difficult to standardize and, therefore, is not yet employed for interlaboratory prospective surveillance. To allow its widespread application, solutions for data standardization and storage in an easily expandable database are urgently needed. To address this question, we developed a core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) scheme for clinical MTBC isolates using the Ridom SeqSphere
+
software, which transfers the genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) diversity into an allele numbering system that is standardized, portable, and not computationally intensive. To test its performance, we performed WGS analysis of 26 isolates with identical IS
6110
DNA fingerprints and spoligotyping patterns from a longitudinal outbreak in the federal state of Hamburg, Germany (notified between 2001 and 2010). The cgMLST approach (3,041 genes) discriminated the 26 strains with a resolution comparable to that of SNP-based WGS typing (one major cluster of 22 identical or closely related and four outlier isolates with at least 97 distinct SNPs or 63 allelic variants). Resulting tree topologies are highly congruent and grouped the isolates in both cases analogously. Our data show that SNP- and cgMLST-based WGS analyses facilitate high-resolution discrimination of longitudinal MTBC outbreaks. cgMLST allows for a meaningful epidemiological interpretation of the WGS genotyping data. It enables standardized WGS genotyping for epidemiological investigations, e.g., on the regional public health office level, and the creation of web-accessible databases for global TB surveillance with an integrated early warning system.
Lowenstein-Jensen Selective Medium for Reducing Contamination in Mycobacterium tuberculosis Culture
Authors: Kassaza Kennedy , Orikiriza Patrick , Llosa Augusto , Bazira Joel , Nyehangane Dan , Page Anne-Laure , Boum Yap 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT

We compared
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
sputum culture recovery and contamination rates between Lowenstein-Jensen medium (LJ) containing the following decontaminants and LJ alone: (i) PANTA (
n
= 299), (ii) Selectatab-MB (
n
= 299), and (iii) penicillin G (
n
= 234). The contamination rate for LJ alone was approximately 31%, versus 5.0% for PANTA-containing, 2% for Selectatab-containing, and 9% for penicillin-containing media (
P
< 0.001).
M. tuberculosis
isolation rates were 9.8%, 17%, 18%, and 12% for standard LJ, PANTA, Selectatab, and penicillin cultures, respectively.
Real-Time Detection of HIV-2 by Reverse Transcription–Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification
Authors: Curtis Kelly A. , Niedzwiedz Philip L. , Youngpairoj Ae S. , Rudolph Donna L. , Owen S. Michele 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT
Currently, there are no FDA-approved nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) for the detection or confirmation of HIV-2 infection. Here, we describe the development of a real-time assay for the detection of HIV-2 DNA and RNA using reverse transcription–loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) and the ESEQuant tube scanner, a portable isothermal amplification/detection device.
Evaluation of the Bio-Rad Geenius HIV 1/2 Assay as an Alternative to the INNO-LIA HIV 1/2 Assay for Confirmation of HIV Infection
Authors: Mor Orna , Mileguir Fernando , Michaeli Michal , Levy Itzchak , Mendelson Ella 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT
The Bio-Rad Geenius HIV 1/2 assay was evaluated as an alternative to the INNO-LIA HIV 1/2 assay for the confirmation of HIV infection in 198 serum samples reactive to 4th-generation HIV enzyme immunoassays (EIAs). The Geenius assay correctly identified 85% of the samples, compared to 75% identified by the INNO-LIA assay, reduced the number of indeterminate results, and shortened the overall turnaround time.
Clinical, Morphological, and Molecular Characterization of Penicilliumcanissp. nov., Isolated from a Dog with Osteomyelitis
Authors: Langlois Daniel K. , Sutton Deanna A. , Swenson Cheryl L. , Bailey Chris J. , Wiederhold Nathan P. , Nelson Nathan C. , Thompson Elizabeth H. , Wickes Brian L. , French Stephanie , Fu Jianmin , Vilar-Saavedra Paulo , Peterson Stephen W. 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACTInfections caused byPenicilliumspecies are rare in dogs, and the prognosis in these cases is poor. An unknown species ofPenicilliumwas isolated from a bone lesion in a young dog with osteomyelitis of the right ilium. Extensive diagnostic evaluation did not reveal evidence of dissemination. Resolution of lameness and clinical stability of disease were achieved with intravenous phospholipid-complexed amphotericin B initially, followed by long-term combination therapy with terbinafine and ketoconazole. A detailed morphological and molecular characterization of the mold was undertaken. Sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer revealed the isolate to be closely related toPenicilliummenonorumandPenicilliumpimiteouiense. Additional sequence analysis of β-tubulin, calmodulin, minichromosome maintenance factor, DNA-dependent RNA polymerase, and pre-rRNA processing protein revealed the isolate to be a novel species; the namePenicilliumcanissp. nov. is proposed. Morphologically, smooth, ovoid conidia, a greenish gray colony color, slow growth on all media, and a failure to form ascomata distinguish this species from closely relatedPenicilliumspecies.
Incidence of Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolates That Test Susceptible to Cephalosporins and Aztreonam by the Revised CLSI Breakpoints
Authors: McWilliams Carla S. , Condon Susan , Schwartz Rebecca M. , Ginocchio Christine C. 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT

The incidence of aztreonam and cephalosporin susceptibility, determined using the revised CLSI breakpoints, for extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing
Escherichia coli
and
Klebsiella pneumoniae
isolates was evaluated. Our analysis showed that results for aztreonam and/or ≥1 cephalosporin were reported as susceptible or intermediate for 89.2% of ESBL-producing
E coli
isolates (569/638 isolates) and 67.7% of ESBL-producing
K. pneumoniae
isolates (155/229 isolates).
Promotion of a Subdominant CD8 T Cell Response during Murine Gammaherpesvirus 68 Infection in the Absence of CD4 T Cell Help
Authors: Freeman Michael L. , Roberts Alan D. , Burkum Claire E. , Woodland David L. , Blackman Marcia A. 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACTCD8 and CD4 T cells are each critically important for immune control of murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (γHV68) infection. In immunocompetent mice, acute γHV68 infection results in lifelong latency, but in the absence of CD4 T cell help, mice succumb to viral recrudescence and disease. However, the requirements for CD4 T cell help in the generation and maintenance of antiviral CD8 T cell responses are incompletely understood, and it is unclear whether there are epitope-specific differences in the requirement of CD8 T cells for CD4 help. In this report, we characterized the CD8 T cell response to γHV68 in major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II−/−mice, which lack CD4 T cells, or after antibody-mediated depletion of CD4 T cells. All antiviral CD8 T cells exhibited marked upregulation of surface expression of the inhibitory receptor programmed death-1 (PD-1), but surprisingly, while the immunodominant memory response appeared to be functionally impaired, helpless CD8 T cells of a subdominant specificity had increased numbers and enhanced functionality. Thus, we demonstrate differential requirements for CD4 help in the antiviral CD8 T cell response to a latent gammaherpesvirus.IMPORTANCEγHV68 is a mouse pathogen closely related to the oncogenic human γHVs, which infect a majority of the world's population. Reactivation of these viruses from latency can lead to complications, disease, and even death. CD4 T cells are required for complete immune control of long-term infection, in part by providing key signals to dendritic cells that in turn instruct optimal antiviral CD8 T cell responses. We have investigated multiple virus-specific CD8 T cell responses during infection and identified a subdominant CD8 T cell response that is numerically and functionally enhanced in the absence of CD4 T cell help. This occurs in spite of high surface expression of an inhibitory receptor and in contrast to the immunodominant response, which is impaired. Our data suggest that signals from CD4 T cells are important in maintaining the CD8 T cell hierarchy during γHV infections.