bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Open questions and recent advances in the control of a multi‐host infectious disease: animal tuberculosis
Authors: Gortázar Christian , Che Amat Azlan , O'Brien Daniel J. 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
Animal tuberculosis (TB) control is globally important for public health, economics and conservation. Wildlife species are often part of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) maintenance community, complicating TB control attempts.
We describe the current knowledge on global TB distribution and the significance of wildlife hosts; identify insufficiently known aspects of host pathology, ecology and epidemiology; present selected time series in wildlife TB; and summarize ongoing research on TB control, providing additional insight on vaccination.
Six specific research needs are identified and discussed, namely: 1) complete the world map of wildlife MTC reservoirs and describe the structure of each local MTC host community; 2) identify the origin and behaviour of generalized diseased individuals within populations, and study the role of factors such as co‐infections, re‐infections and individual condition on TB pathogenesis; 3) quantify indirect MTC transmission within and between species; 4) define and harmonize wildlife disease monitoring protocols, and apply them in a way that allows proper population and prevalence trend comparisons in both space and time; 5) carry out controlled and replicated wildlife TB control experiments using single intervention tools; 6) analyse cost‐efficiency and consider knowledge transfer aspects in promising intervention strategies.
We believe that addressing these six points would push ahead our capacities for TB control. A remaining question is whether or not interventions on wildlife TB are at all justified. The answer depends on the local circumstances of each TB hotspot, and is likely to evolve during our collective progress towards TB control in livestock and in wildlife.
High genetic diversity declines towards the geographic range periphery of Adonis vernalis, a Eurasian dry grassland plant
Authors: Hirsch H. , Wagner V. , Danihelka J. , Ruprecht E. , Sánchez‐Gómez P. , Seifert M. , Hensen I. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractGenetic diversity is important for species' fitness and evolutionary processes but our knowledge on how it varies across a species' distribution range is limited. The abundant centre hypothesis (ACH) predicts that populations become smaller and more isolated towards the geographic range periphery – a pattern that in turn should be associated with decreasing genetic diversity and increasing genetic differentiation. We tested this hypothesis in Adonis vernalis, a dry grassland plant with an extensive Eurasian distribution. Its life‐history traits and distribution characteristics suggest a low genetic diversity that decreases and a high genetic differentiation that increases towards the range edge. We analysed AFLP fingerprints in 28 populations along a 4698‐km transect from the geographic range core in Russia to the western range periphery in Central and Western Europe. Contrary to our expectation, our analysis revealed high genetic diversity (range of proportion of polymorphic bands = 56–81%, He = 0.168–0.238) and low genetic differentiation across populations (ΦST = 0.18). However, in congruence with the genetic predictions of the ACH, genetic diversity decreased and genetic differentiation increased towards the range periphery. Spanish populations were genetically distinct, suggesting a divergent post‐glacial history in this region. The high genetic diversity and low genetic differentiation in the remaining A. vernalis populations is surprising given the species' life‐history traits and points to the possibility that the species has been widely distributed in the studied region or that it has migrated from a diverse source in an East–West direction, in the past.
Contribution of Congenital Anomalies to Neonatal Mortality Rates in Malta
Authors: Gatt Miriam , England Kathleen , Grech Victor , Calleja Neville 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBackgroundNeonatal mortality is a public health concern, and congenital anomalies contribute significantly to this mortality. This paper describes trends in neonatal mortality in Malta separately for congenital anomaly and non‐congenital anomaly causes.MethodsData for neonatal deaths of 22‐week gestation onwards registered between 1994–2013 were obtained from the National Mortality Register. Chi‐square tests were used to analyse 5‐year time trends and differences in proportions of causes of neonatal deaths. Neonatal mortality was compared with other European countries.ResultsBetween 1994 and 2013, 441 neonatal deaths and 84 821 livebirths were registered, giving a neonatal mortality of 5.2 per 1000 livebirths. Congenital anomalies accounted for 36.7% (n = 162) of the neonatal deaths, while the remaining 63.3% (n = 279) were attributed to non‐congenital causes. During the 20‐year period, neonatal mortality due to non‐congenital causes decreased from 4.6 per 1000 livebirths in 1994–98 to 2.5 per 1000 in 2009–13, while that due to congenital anomalies remained stable (2.0 per 1000 livebirths in 1994–98 and 2.2 per 1000 in 2009–13). This has resulted in comparatively higher proportions of neonatal deaths attributed to congenital anomalies in recent years (45.9% in 2009–13 vs. 29.9% in 1994–98). Comparing neonatal mortality reported from European countries, Malta has a high rate most marked for deaths due to congenital anomalies.ConclusionsDuring 1994–2013, neonatal mortality has decreased due to a decline of non‐congenital causes of death, possibly related to improved health care. The proportionate neonatal mortality attributed to congenital anomalies has increased and is the highest reported from Europe. This may be explained by the fact that termination of pregnancy is illegal in Malta.
Two Periods of Skarn Mineralization in theBaizhangyanW–MoDeposit, SouthernAnhui Province, SoutheastChina: Evidence from ZirconU–Pband MolybdeniteRe–Osand Sulfur Isotope Data
Authors: Li Chunhai , Jiang Yaohui , Xing Guangfu , Guo Kunyi , Li Chao , Yu Minggang , Zhao Peng , Wang Zheng 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe recently discoveredBaizhangyan skarn‐porphyry typeW–Modeposit in southernAnhui Province inSE China occurs near theMiddle–LowerYangtzeValley polymetallic metallogenic belt. The deposit is closely temporally‐spatially associated with theMesozoicQingyang granitic complex composed ofgranodiorite, monzoniticgranite, and alkalinegranite. Orebodies of the deposit occur as horizons, veins, and lenses within the limestones ofSinianLantianFormation contacting with buried fine‐grained granite, and diorite dykes. There are two types ofWmineralization: major skarnW–Momineralization and minor granite‐hosted disseminatedMomineralization. Among skarn mineralization, mineral assemblages and cross‐cutting relationships within both skarn ores and intrusions reveal two distinct periods of mineralization, i.e. the firstW–Auperiod related to the intrusion of diorite dykes, and the subsequentW–Moperiod related to the intrusion of the fine‐grained granite. In this paper, we report new zirconU–Pband molybdeniteRe–Osages with the aim of constraining the relationships among the monzonitic granite, fine‐grained granite, diorite dykes, andWmineralization. Zircons of the monzonitic granite, the fine‐grained granite, and diorite dykes yield weighted meanU–Pbages of 129.0 ± 1.2 Ma, 135.34 ± 0.92 Ma and 145.3 ± 1.7 Ma, respectively. Ten molybdeniteRe–Osage determinations yield an isochron age of 136.9 ± 4.5 Ma and a weighted mean age of 135.0 ± 1.2 Ma. The molybdenites have δ34Svalues of 3.6‰–6.6‰ and theirRecontents ranging from 7.23 ppm to 15.23 ppm. A second group of two molybdenite samples yield ages of 143.8 ± 2.1 and 146.3 ± 2.0 Ma, containingReconcentrations of 50.5–50.9 ppm, and with δ34S values of 1.6‰–4.8‰. The molybdenites from these two distinct groups of samples contain moderate concentrations ofRe(7.23–50.48 ppm), suggesting that metals within the deposit have a mixed crust–mantle provenance. Field observation and new age and isotope data obtained in this study indicate that the first diorite dyke‐related skarnW–Aumineralization took place in theEarlyCretaceous peaking at 143.0–146.3 Ma, and was associated with a mixed crust–mantle system. The second fine‐grained granite‐related skarnW–Momineralization took place a little later at 135.0–136.9 Ma, and was crust‐dominated. The fine‐grained granite was not formed by fractionation of theQingyang monzonitic granite. This finding suggests that the first period of skarnW–Aumineralization in theBaizhangyan deposit resulted from interaction between basaltic magmas derived from the upper lithospheric mantle and crustal material at 143.0–146.3 and the subsequent period ofW–Momineralization derived from the crust at 135.0–136.9 Ma.
Fathers' and mothers' attachment representations as predictors of preadolescents' attachment security: A ten‐year follow‐up of Finnish families
Authors: Kouvo Anna M. , Voeten Marinus , Silvén Maarit 
Published: June 2015

The question of how mothers' and fathers' representations of attachment correlate ten years later with children's perceptions of attachment relationships was examined in a longitudinal study on Finnish families (N = 42). The parents completed the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) during the child's first year of life. At 11 years, the children filled out three scales on how secure they perceive the relationship with each parent. Parents' AAI classifications and AAI dimensions based on continuous scales were used as predictors of the preadolescents' attachment security. Regression analyses demonstrated that fathers' but not mothers' State‐of‐Mind and Experience dimensions predicted preadolescents' security of attachment to father. The discussion focuses on the predictive validity of the classical categorical versus the recently proposed continuous approach and the different roles of parents in transmitting security from one generation to another.
Metadata Topic Harmonization and Semantic Search for Linked‐Data‐Driven Geoportals: A Case Study Using ArcGIS Online
Authors: Hu Yingjie , Janowicz Krzysztof , Prasad Sathya , Gao Song 
Published: June 2015

AbstractGeoportals provide integrated access to geospatial resources, and enable both authorities and the general public to contribute and share data and services. An essential goal of geoportals is to facilitate the discovery of the available resources. Such a process relies heavily on the quality of metadata. While multiple metadata standards have been established, data contributers may adopt different standards when sharing their data via the same geoportal. This is especially the case for user‐generated content where various terms and topics can be introduced to describe similar datasets. While this heterogeneity provides a wealth of perspectives, it also complicates resource discovery. With the fast development of the Semantic Web technologies, there is a rise of Linked‐Data‐driven portals. Although these novel portals open up new ways to organize metadata and retrieve resources, they lack effective semantic search methods. This article addresses the two challenges discussed above, namely the topic heterogeneity brought by multiple metadata standards and the lack of established semantic search in Linked‐Data‐driven geoportals. To harmonize the metadata topics, we employ a natural language processing method, namely Labeled Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LLDA), and train it using standardized metadata from Data.gov. With respect to semantic search, we construct thematic and geographic matching features from the textual metadata descriptions, and train a regression model via a human participants experiment. We evaluate our methods by examining their performances in addressing the two issues. Finally, we implement a semantics‐enabled and Linked‐Data‐driven prototypical geoportal using a sample dataset from Esri's ArcGIS Online.
Complementary effect of oral administration of Lactobacillus paracasei K71 on canine atopic dermatitis
Authors: Ohshima‐Terada Yuri , Higuchi Yuki , Kumagai Takehisa , Hagihara Akihito , Nagata Masahiko 
Published: June 2015

BackgroundAtopic dermatitis is a common skin disease encountered in dogs. Glucocorticoids are commonly recommended for symptomatic therapy and well‐tolerated adjunctive therapies may help to reduce the necessary dose and associated risks of chronic glucocorticoid use.Hypothesis/ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the complementary efficacy of oral administration of Lactobacillus paracasei K71 in canine atopic dermatitis (cAD).AnimalsForty one dogs with mild to moderate cAD were recruited by19 animal hospitals.MethodsDogs were assigned to receive either the investigational agent (K71 group; n = 20) or cetirizine hydrochloride (control group; n = 21). Previously prescribed medications were allowed to be continued during the 12 week trial. Dogs were assessed by the investigators using the cAD Extent and Severity Index (CADESI) and a medication scoring system. Pet owners assessed their dogs using a visual analog scale (VAS) and pruritus scores.ResultsThe CADESI scores, VAS and pruritus scores in both groups at 12 weeks were improved compared with their baselines. The CADESI and pruritus scores in the K71 group were slightly lower than those in the control group and the reduction of medication scores in the K71 group was significantly lower compared with the control group (P < 0.05; Student's t‐test).Conclusions and clinical importanceOral administration of K71 can be useful in dogs with cAD as a complementary therapy, by providing a steroid‐sparing effect.
Efficacy of the Clinical Agent VT-1161 against Fluconazole-Sensitive and -Resistant Candida albicans in a Murine Model of Vaginal Candidiasis
Authors: Garvey E. P. , Hoekstra W. J. , Schotzinger R. J. , Sobel J. D. , Lilly E. A. , Fidel P. L. 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACT

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) and recurrent VVC (RVVC) remain major health problems for women. VT-1161, a novel fungal CYP51 inhibitor which has potent antifungal activity against fluconazole-sensitive
Candida albicans
, retained its
in vitro
potency (MIC
50
of ≤0.015 and MIC
90
of 0.12 μg/ml) against 10 clinical isolates from VVC or RVVC patients resistant to fluconazole (MIC
50
of 8 and MIC
90
of 64 μg/ml). VT-1161 pharmacokinetics in mice displayed a high volume of distribution (1.4 liters/kg), high oral absorption (73%), and a long half-life (>48 h) and showed rapid penetration into vaginal tissue. In a murine model of vaginal candidiasis using fluconazole-sensitive yeast, oral doses as low as 4 mg/kg VT-1161 significantly reduced the fungal burden 1 and 4 days posttreatment (
P
< 0.0001). Similar VT-1161 efficacy was measured when an isolate highly resistant to fluconazole (MIC of 64 μg/ml) but fully sensitive
in vitro
to VT-1161 was used. When an isolate partially sensitive to VT-1161 (MIC of 0.12 μg/ml) and moderately resistant to fluconazole (MIC of 8 μg/ml) was used, VT-1161 remained efficacious, whereas fluconazole was efficacious on day 1 but did not sustain efficacy 4 days posttreatment. Both agents were inactive in treating an infection with an isolate that demonstrated weaker potency (MICs of 2 and 64 μg/ml for VT-1161 and fluconazole, respectively). Finally, the plasma concentrations of free VT-1161 were predictive of efficacy when in excess of the
in vitro
MIC values. These data support the clinical development of VT-1161 as a potentially more efficacious treatment for VVC and RVVC.
Nephrotoxicity Comparison of Two Commercially Available Generic Vancomycin Products
Authors: Sutton Jesse D. , Mynatt Ryan P. , Kaye Keith S. , Murray Kyle P. , Rybak Michael J. , Pogue Jason M. 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACT

To date, no comparative clinical studies have investigated the effects of different vancomycin products on nephrotoxicity. The objective of this single-center, retrospective, matched-cohort study was to investigate the impact of two different vancomycin products on the development of nephrotoxicity. The study population included adults receiving a single vancomycin product, from either Pfizer or Hospira, for their entire course of therapy. Patients were matched based on underlying nephrotoxicity risk factors. Secondary outcomes included the need for renal replacement therapy, length of hospital stay, and in-hospital mortality. One-hundred forty-six matched pairs (
n
= 292) were included, and they had no significant differences in demographics, comorbid conditions, severity of illness, or vancomycin-associated nephrotoxicity risk factors. The frequency of nephrotoxicity was 8.9% in the Pfizer group and 11.0% in the Hospira group as defined by the 2009 consensus vancomycin guidelines (
P
= 0.56), 17.1% in the Pfizer group and 13.0% in the Hospira group as defined by the Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) (
P
= 0.33), and 10.3% in the Pfizer group and 11.6% in the Hospira group as defined by RIFLE (risk, injury, failure, loss, and end-stage renal disease) criteria (
P
= 0.71). There were no differences between groups in regard to nephrotoxicity by any definition or in secondary outcomes. In multivariate analysis of overall nephrotoxicity risk factors, the type of vancomycin product was not independently associated with increased odds of developing nephrotoxicity according to the RIFLE criteria. Based on our results, there are no discernible differences between Pfizer and Hospira vancomycin products in the frequency of nephrotoxicity. Confirmation of these results with other types of vancomycin and different patient populations is warranted.
Development of a Novel Real-Time PCR Assay with High-Resolution Melt Analysis To Detect and Differentiate OXA-48-Like β-Lactamases in Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae
Authors: Hemarajata Peera , Yang Shangxin , Hindler Janet A. , Humphries Romney M. 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACT

The rapid global spread of carbapenem-resistant
Enterobacteriaceae
(CRE) poses an urgent threat to public health. More than 250 class D β-lactamases (OXAs) have been described in recent years, with variations in hydrolytic activity for β-lactams. The plasmid-borne OXA-48 β-lactamase and its variants are identified only sporadically in the United States but are common in Europe. Recognition of these OXA-48-like carbapenemases is vital in order to control their dissemination. We developed a real-time PCR assay based on high-resolution melt analysis, using
bla
OXA-48-like
-specific primers coupled with an unlabeled 3′-phosphorylated oligonucleotide probe (LunaProbe) homologous to OXA-48-like carbapenemase genes. The assay was validated using genomic DNA from 48 clinical isolates carrying a variety of carbapenemase genes, including
bla
KPC
,
bla
SME
,
bla
IMP
,
bla
NDM-1
,
bla
VIM
,
bla
OXA-48
,
bla
OXA-162
,
bla
OXA-181
,
bla
OXA-204
,
bla
OXA-244
,
bla
OXA-245
, and
bla
OXA-232
. Our assay identified the presence of
bla
OXA-48-like
β-lactamase genes and clearly distinguished between
bla
OXA-48
and its variants in control strains, including between
bla
OXA-181
and
bla
OXA-232
, which differ by only a single base pair in the assay target region. This approach has potential for use in epidemiological investigations and continuous surveillance to help control the spread of CRE strains producing OXA-48-like enzymes.
Assessment of Drug-Drug Interactions between Daclatasvir and Methadone or Buprenorphine-Naloxone
Authors: Garimella T. , Wang R. , Luo W.-L. , Wastall P. , Kandoussi H. , DeMicco M. , Bruce R. D. , Hwang C. , Bertz R. , Bifano M. 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACT

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is common among people who inject drugs, including those managed with maintenance opioids. Pharmacokinetic interactions between opioids and emerging oral HCV antivirals merit evaluation. Daclatasvir is a potent pangenotypic inhibitor of the HCV NS5A replication complex recently approved for HCV treatment in Europe and Japan in combination with other antivirals. The effect of steady-state daclatasvir (60 mg daily) on stable plasma exposure to oral opioids was assessed in non-HCV-infected subjects receiving methadone (40 to 120 mg;
n
= 14) or buprenorphine plus naloxone (8 to 24 mg plus 2 to 6 mg;
n
= 11). No relevant interaction was inferred if the 90% confidence interval (CI) of the geometric mean ratio (GMR) of opioid area under the plasma concentration-time curve over the dosing interval (AUCτ) or maximum concentration in plasma (
C
max
) with versus without daclatasvir was within literature-derived ranges of 0.7 to 1.43 (
R
- and
S
-methadone) or 0.5 to 2.0 (buprenorphine and norbuprenorphine). Dose-normalized AUCτ for
R
-methadone (GMR, 1.08; 90% CI, 0.94 to 1.24),
S
-methadone (1.13; 0.99 to 1.30), and buprenorphine (GMR, 1.37; 90% CI, 1.24 to 1.52) were within the no-effect range. The norbuprenorphine AUCτ was slightly elevated in the primary analysis (GMR, 1.62; 90% CI, 1.30 to 2.02) but within the no-effect range in a supplementary analysis of all evaluable subjects. Dose-normalized
C
max
for both methadone enantiomers, buprenorphine and norbuprenorphine, were within the no-effect range. Standardized assessments of opioid pharmacodynamics were unchanged throughout daclatasvir administration with methadone or buprenorphine. Daclatasvir pharmacokinetics were similar to historical data. Coadministration of daclatasvir and opioids was generally well tolerated. In conclusion, these data suggest that daclatasvir can be administered with buprenorphine or methadone without dose adjustments.
Prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum Resistance Markers to Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine among Pregnant Women Receiving Intermittent Preventive Treatment for Malaria in Uganda
Authors: Mbonye Anthony K. , Birungi Josephine , Yanow Stephanie K. , Shokoples Sandra , Malamba Samuel , Alifrangis Michael , Magnussen Pascal 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of mutations in
Plasmodium falciparum
dihydrofolate reductase (
Pfdhfr
) and dihydropteroate synthase (
Pfdhps
) genes among pregnant women using sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) as an intermittent preventive treatment (IPTp). A molecular epidemiological study of
P. falciparum
parasite resistance markers to SP was conducted from August 2010 to February 2012 in Mukono district in central Uganda. DNA was extracted from 413
P. falciparum
-positive samples. Real-time PCR, followed by melting curve analysis, was used to characterize point mutations in the
Pfdhfr
and
Pfdhps
genes that are associated with SP resistance. The prevalence of the single-nucleotide mutations in
Pfdhfr
at codons 51I, 59R, and 108N and in
Pfdhps
at codons 437G and 540E was high (>98%), reaching 100% fixation after one dose of SP, while the prevalence of 581G was 3.3% at baseline, reaching 12.5% after one dose of SP. At baseline, the prevalence of
Pfdhfr
and
Pfdhps
quintuple mutations was 89%, whereas the sextuple mutations (including 581G) were not prevalent (3.9%), reaching 16.7% after one dose of SP. However, the numbers of infections at follow-up visits were small, and hence there was insufficient statistical power to test whether there was a true rise in the prevalence of this allele. The overall high frequency of
Pfdhfr
and
Pfdhps
quintuple mutations throughout pregnancy excluded further analyses of possible associations between certain haplotypes and the risk of lower birth weight and anemia. However, women infected with
P. falciparum
had 1.3-g/dl-lower hemoglobin levels (
P
= 0.001) and delivered babies with a 400-g-lower birth weight (
P
= 0.001) compared to nonparasitemic women. Despite this, 44 women who were
P. falciparum
positive at baseline became negative after one or two doses of SP (i.e., 50.5%), implying that SP-IPTp still has some efficacy.
P. falciparum
resistance markers to SP are high in this population, whereas
P. falciparum
infection was associated with poor birth outcomes.