bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Single‐stage application of a novel decellularized dermis for treatment‐resistant lower limb ulcers: Positive outcomes assessed by SIAscopy, laser perfusion, and 3D imaging, with sequential timed histological analysis
Authors: Greaves Nicholas S. , Benatar Brian , Baguneid Mohamed , Bayat Ardeshir 
Published: October 2013

AbstractWe present results of an original clinical study investigating efficacy of a decellularized dermal skin substitute (DCD) as part of a one‐stage therapeutic strategy for recalcitrant leg ulcers. Twenty patients with treatment‐resistant ulcers underwent hydrosurgical debridement, after which DCD was applied and covered with negative pressure dressings for 1 week. Participants were reviewed on seven occasions over 6 months. 3D photography, full‐field laser perfusion imaging, spectrophotometric intracutaneous analysis, and sequential biopsies were used to monitor healing. Mean ulcer duration and surface area prior to DCD placement were 4.76 years (range 0.25–40 years) and 13.11 cm2 (range 1.06–40.75 cm2), respectively. Seventy percent of ulcers were venous. Surface area decreased in all patients after treatment (range 23–100%). Mean reduction was 87% after 6 months, and 60% of patients healed completely. Wound bed hemoglobin flux increased significantly 6 weeks after treatment (p = 0.005). Histological and immunohistochemical analysis confirmed progressive DCD integration with colonization by host fibroblasts, lymphocytes, and neutrophils, resulting in fibroplasia, reepithelialisation, and angiogenesis, with correlating raised CD31, collagen I, and collagen III levels. Subgroup analysis showed differing cellular behavior depending on wound duration, with delayed angiogenesis, reduced collagen deposition, and smaller reductions in surface area in ulcers present for over 1 year. The stain intensities of immunohistochemical markers including fibronectin, collagen, and CD31 differed depending on depth from the wound surface and presence of intact epithelium. DCD safely produced significant improvement in treatment‐resistant leg ulcers. With no requirement for hospital admission, anesthetic, or autogenic skin grafting, this treatment could be administered in hospital and community settings.
EWPL CP System: A Case Study
Authors: Vyas Sandeep H. 
Published: October 2013

Reliance Gas Transportation Infrastructure Limited (RGTIL) is operating its prestigious East-West Gas pipeline (EWPL), since 2008–2009; project comprising of 48” dia. 1375 km long trunk pipeline, with 11 nos of compressor stations and several spur lines of different diameters varying from 10” to 30”.
Cathodic Protection (CP) system for buried pipeline, piping and structures is critical for ensuring protection against external corrosion due to environmental interaction. For successful implementation of CP system from day one of pipeline laying; planning and considerations starts at conceptual stage of project itself, then proper planning, design and implementation to follow.
Other than considerable length and diameter of pipeline; uniqueness for EWPL CP requirements are in form of 3 nos. Micro-tunnel crossings, 11 nos of Compressor stations (CS) with underground piping, more than 100 cased crossings, several HDD, third-party pipelines, AC & DC Railway traction crossings and pipeline passing through different geography from East to West.
Paper discusses the implementation of CP system for EWPL; highlighting critical points for execution of the job in each phase from Engineering till commissioning and O&M, CS CP system, CP for pipe within Micro-tunnelling, several interference and mitigation actions, post-commissioning surveys etc.
Design Challenges and Technological Advancement: A Case Study of Pipeline Through Sand Dunes (in Thar Desert)
Authors: Kumar Raj , Gunjiyal M. S. , Sinha Nitesh 
Published: October 2013

This paper highlights the design challenges encountered during the project execution phase of HMPL’s Mundra - Bathinda Pipeline (MBPL), a crude import pipeline for feeding Guru Gobind Singh Refinery of HMEL at Bathinda in Punjab State. For the first time in India, a cross-country pipeline was planned through a terrain wherein section of more than 270 km length runs through the eastern fringe of Thar desert in the state of Rajasthan. MBPL routed in newer and exotic expanse of Great Indian Thar desert posed greater challenges in respect of pipeline routing, design and construction.
The pipeline route across the bygone desert is characterized by severe climate and remote locations. The summer daytime temperature reaches upto 50 deg C while in winter it drops to near freezing temperature. Sand dunes at some places along the route were more than 40 m high and were of different kinds and separated by inter-dunal sandy plains of varying stretches.
Evaluation of an aSi‐EPID with flattening filter free beams: Applicability to the GLAaS algorithm for portal dosimetry and first experience for pretreatment QA of RapidArc
Authors: Nicolini G. , Clivio A. , Vanetti E. , Krauss H. , Fenoglietto P. , Cozzi L. , Fogliata A. 
Published: October 2013

Purpose:To demonstrate the feasibility of portal dosimetry with an amorphous silicon mega voltage imager for flattening filter free (FFF) photon beams by means of the GLAaS methodology and to validate it for pretreatment quality assurance of volumetric modulated arc therapy (RapidArc).Methods:The GLAaS algorithm, developed for flattened beams, was applied to FFF beams of nominal energy of 6 and 10 MV generated by a Varian TrueBeam (TB). The amorphous silicon electronic portal imager [named mega voltage imager (MVI) on TB] was used to generate integrated images that were converted into matrices of absorbed dose to water. To enable GLAaS use under the increased dose‐per‐pulse and dose‐rate conditions of the FFF beams, new operational source‐detector‐distance (SDD) was identified to solve detector saturation issues. Empirical corrections were defined to account for the shape of the profiles of the FFF beams to expand the original methodology of beam profile and arm backscattering correction. GLAaS for FFF beams was validated on pretreatment verification of RapidArc plans for three different TB linacs. In addition, the first pretreatment results from clinical experience on 74 arcs were reported in terms of γ analysis.Results:MVI saturates at 100 cm SDD for FFF beams but this can be avoided if images are acquired at 150 cm for all nominal dose rates of FFF beams. Rotational stability of the gantry‐imager system was tested and resulted in a minimal apparent imager displacement during rotation of 0.2 ± 0.2 mm at SDD = 150 cm. The accuracy of this approach was tested with three different Varian TrueBeam linacs from different institutes. Data were stratified per energy and machine and showed no dependence with beam quality and MLC model. The results from clinical pretreatment quality assurance, provided a gamma agreement index (GAI) in the field area for six and ten FFF beams of (99.8 ± 0.3)% and (99.5 ± 0.6)% with distance to agreement and dose difference criteria set to 3 mm/3% with 2 mm/2% thresholds, GAI resulted (95.7.0 ± 2.3)% and (97.2 ± 2.1)%.Conclusions:The GLAaS methodology, introduced in clinical practice for conventional flattened photon beams for machine, IMRT, and RapidArc quality assurance, was successfully adapted for FFF beams of Varian TrueBeam Linac. The detector saturation effects could be eliminated if the portal images acquired at 150 cm for all nominal dose rates of FFF beams.
Clinical and Diagnostic Developments of a Gamma Interferon Release Assay for Use in Bovine Tuberculosis Control Programs
Authors: Bass K. E. , Nonnecke B. J. , Palmer M. V. , Thacker T. C. , Hardegger R. , Schroeder B. , Raeber A. J. , Waters W. R. 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTCurrently, the Bovigam assay is used as an official supplemental test within bovine tuberculosis control programs. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate twoMycobacterium bovis-specific peptide cocktails and purified protein derivatives (PPDs) from two sources, liquid and lyophilized antigen preparations. PPDs and peptide cocktails were also used for comparison of a second-generation gamma interferon (IFN-γ) release assay kit with the currently licensed first-generation kit (Bovigam; Prionics AG). Three strains ofM. boviswere used for experimental challenge:M. bovis95-1315,M. bovisRavenel, andM. bovis10-7428. Additionally, samples from a tuberculosis-affected herd (i.e., naturally infected) were evaluated. Robust responses to both peptide cocktails, HP (PC-HP) and ESAT-6/CFP10 (PC-EC), and the PPDs were elicited as early as 3 weeks after challenge. Only minor differences in responses to Commonwealth Serum Laboratories (CSL) and Lelystad PPDs were detected with samples from experimentally infected animals. For instance, responses to LelystadM. avium-derived PPD (PPDa) exceeded the respective responses to the CSL PPDa inM. bovisRavenel-infected and control animals. However, a 1:4 dilution of stimulated plasma demonstrated greater separation of PPDb from PPDa responses (i.e., PPDb minus PPDa) with the use of Lelystad PPDs, suggesting that Lelystad PPDs provide greater diagnostic sensitivity than CSL PPDs. The responses to lyophilized and liquid antigen preparations did not differ. Responses detected with first- and second-generation IFN-γ release assay kits (Bovigam) did not differ throughout the study. In conclusion, antigens may be stored in a lyophilized state without loss in potency, PC-HP and PC-EC are dependable biomarkers for aiding in the detection of bovine tuberculosis, and second-generation Bovigam kits are comparable to currently used kits.
Evaluation of a Commercial Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for the Diagnosis of Bovine Tuberculosis from Milk Samples from Dairy Cows
Authors: Buddle Bryce M. , Wilson Tania , Luo Dongwen , Voges Hinrich , Linscott Richard , Martel Edmond , Lawrence John C. , Neill Mark A. 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACT

Milk samples from dairy cows provide a ready source of material for measuring antibody responses to
Mycobacterium bovis
antigens. In this study, we evaluated the IDEXX enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the measurement of antibody responses to
M. bovis
antigens MPB70 and MPB83 in milk samples from New Zealand cattle. Test sensitivities for individual milk and serum samples were assessed in samples collected from 44
M. bovis
-infected cows, and test specificities were assessed in milk samples collected from 356 cows from tuberculosis (TB)-free herds. Milk vat samples were collected from 505 herds from regions with relatively high or low prevalences of infection. The ELISA had a sensitivity of 50% and a specificity of 97.5% for milk samples, and the test sensitivities for milk and serum samples were the same. Dilution of the positive test milk samples in milk from noninfected cows at 1/10, 1/20, and 1/50 dilutions reduced the proportions of positive responses to 13/21, 9/21, and 4/21, respectively. Small differences were observed in the ELISA responses of milk samples from individual TB-free cows collected at different times during lactation. No significant differences were detected in the ELISA responses of milk vat samples collected from infected and noninfected herds. This study shows that milk samples can be substituted for serum samples for screening individual cows for
M. bovis
infection, and pooling of milk samples from 10 to 20 animals can result in a reduction in the sensitivity by approximately 50%. However, screening of milk vat samples is unlikely to be useful in countries with low prevalences of
M. bovis
in cattle and large herd sizes.
Light Microscopy, Culture, Molecular, and Serologic Methods for Detection of Herpes Simplex Virus
Authors: Anderson Neil W. , Buchan Blake W. , Ledeboer Nathan A. 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACT
Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2) cause a variety of human diseases, ranging from acute to chronic and mild to severe. The absence of curative therapy results in lifelong carriage marked by recurrent outbreaks and allows transmission of the virus to uninfected individuals. Nonspecific lesions, variable presentation, and chronic carriage necessitate the use of different laboratory testing methods appropriate for each presentation. A thorough understanding of the performance characteristics and limitations of available tests is critical for selection of the appropriate test and interpretation of results. Clinical sensitivity, specificity, and selection of the appropriate methodology is paramount to avoid misdiagnosis and guide therapy. In this article we review the different methods for detection and typing of HSV, including light microscopy, culture, serology, and nucleic acid-based tests. We discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each method for diagnosing HSV infection, cite performance characteristics, and review appropriate clinical uses.
Development and Application of a Multiplex PCR Method for Rapid Differential Detection of Subgroup A, B, and J Avian Leukosis Viruses
Authors: Gao Qi , Yun Bingling , Wang Qi , Jiang Lili , Zhu Haibo , Gao Yanni , Qin Liting , Wang Yongqiang , Qi Xiaole , Gao Honglei , Wang Xiaomei , Gao Yulong 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACT

Avian leukosis virus (ALV) subgroups A, B, and J are very common in poultry flocks and have caused serious economic losses in recent years. A multiplex PCR (mPCR) method for the detection of these three subgroups was developed and optimized in this study. We first designed a common forward primer, PF, and three downstream primers, AR, BR, and JR, which can amplify 715 bp for subgroup A, 515 bp for subgroup B, and 422 bp for subgroup J simultaneously in one reaction. The mPCR method produced neither cross-reactions with other subgroups of ALVs nor nonspecific reactions with other common avian viruses. The detection limit of the mPCR was as low as 1 × 10
3
viral DNA copies of each of the three subgroups. In animal experiments, the mPCR detected ALVs 2 to 4 days earlier than did virus isolation from whole-blood samples and cloaca swabs. Furthermore, a total of 346 clinical samples (including 127 tissue samples, 86 cloaca swabs, 59 albumen samples, and 74 whole-blood samples) from poultry flocks with suspected ALV infection were examined by mPCR, routine PCR, and virus isolation. The positive sample/total sample
ratios for ALV-A, ALV-B, and ALV-J were 48% (166/346) as detected by mPCR and 48% (166/346) as detected by routine PCR. However, the positive sample/total sample ratio detected by virus isolation was 40% (138/346). The results of the mPCR and routine PCR were confirmed by sequencing the specific fragments. These results indicate that the mPCR method is rapid, specific, sensitive, and convenient for use in epidemiological studies of ALV, clinical detection of ALV, and ALV eradication programs.
Gastroenteritis Caused by the Cryptosporidium Hedgehog Genotype in an Immunocompetent Man
Authors: Kváč Martin , Saková Kamila , Kvĕtoňová Dana , Kicia Marta , Wesołowska Maria , McEvoy John , Sak Bohumil 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACT

The
Cryptosporidium
hedgehog genotype, which has been reported previously in hedgehogs and horses, was identified as the cause of the diarrheal disease cryptosporidiosis in an immunocompetent man in the Czech Republic. This is the first report of human illness caused by the
Cryptosporidium
hedgehog genotype.
Elucidation of the Block to Herpes Simplex Virus Egress in the Absence of Tegument Protein UL16 Reveals a Novel Interaction with VP22
Authors: Starkey Jason L. , Han Jun , Chadha Pooja , Marsh Jacob A. , Wills John W. 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACT

UL16 is a tegument protein of herpes simplex virus (HSV) that is conserved among all members of the
Herpesviridae
, but its function is poorly understood. Previous studies revealed that UL16 is associated with capsids in the cytoplasm and interacts with the membrane protein UL11, which suggested a “bridging” function during cytoplasmic envelopment, but this conjecture has not been tested. To gain further insight, cells infected with UL16-null mutants were examined by electron microscopy. No defects in the transport of capsids to cytoplasmic membranes were observed, but the wrapping of capsids with membranes was delayed. Moreover, clusters of cytoplasmic capsids were often observed, but only near membranes, where they were wrapped to produce multiple capsids within a single envelope. Normal virion production was restored when UL16 was expressed either by complementing cells or from a novel position in the HSV genome. When the composition of the UL16-null viruses was analyzed, a reduction in the packaging of glycoprotein E (gE) was observed, which was not surprising, since it has been reported that UL16 interacts with this glycoprotein. However, levels of the tegument protein VP22 were also dramatically reduced in virions, even though this gE-binding protein has been shown not to depend on its membrane partner for packaging. Cotransfection experiments revealed that UL16 and VP22 can interact in the absence of other viral proteins. These results extend the UL16 interaction network beyond its previously identified binding partners to include VP22 and provide evidence that UL16 plays an important function at the membrane during virion production.
Prevalence and incidence rates of autism in the UK: time trend from 2004–2010 in children aged 8 years
Authors: Taylor Brent , Jick Hershel , MacLaughlin Dean 
Published: October 2013

ObjectivesTo update UK studies begun in the early 1990s on the annual prevalence and incidence rates of autism in children; undertaken in response to a March 2012 press release, widely covered by the media, from the US Centre for Disease Control (CDC) reporting that the autism prevalence rate in 2008 in 8-year-old US children was 1 in 88, a 78% increase from a CDC estimate in 2004. This finding suggested a continuation of the dramatic increase in children diagnosed as autistic, which occurred in the 1990s.DesignPopulation study using the UK General Practice Research Database (GPRD).MethodsAnnual autism prevalence rates were estimated for children aged 8 years in 2004–2010 by dividing the number diagnosed as autistic in each or any previous year by the number of children active in the study population that year. We also calculated annual incidence rates for children aged 2–8 years, by dividing the number newly diagnosed in 2004–2010 by the same denominators.ResultsAnnual prevalence rates for each year were steady at approximately 3.8/1000 boys and 0.8/1000 girls. Annual incidence rates each year were also steady at about 1.2/1000 boys and 0.2/1000 girls.ConclusionsFollowing a fivefold increase in the annual incidence rates of autism during the 1990s in the UK, the incidence and prevalence rates in 8-year-old children reached a plateau in the early 2000s and remained steady through 2010. Whether prevalence rates have increased from the early 2000s in the USA remains uncertain.
High-quality computational imaging through simple lenses
Authors: Heide Felix , Rouf Mushfiqur , Hullin Matthias B. , Labitzke Bjorn , Heidrich Wolfgang , Kolb Andreas 
Published: October 2013

Modern imaging optics are highly complex systems consisting of up to two dozen individual optical elements. This complexity is required in order to compensate for the geometric and chromatic aberrations of a single lens, including geometric distortion, field curvature, wavelength-dependent blur, and color fringing.
In this article, we propose a set of computational photography techniques that remove these artifacts, and thus allow for postcapture correction of images captured through uncompensated, simple optics which are lighter and significantly less expensive. Specifically, we estimate per-channel, spatially varying point spread functions, and perform nonblind deconvolution with a novel cross-channel term that is designed to specifically eliminate color fringing.
Large-scale Analysis of PDGFRA Mutations in Melanomas and Evaluation of Their Sensitivity to Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Imatinib and Crenolanib
Authors: Dai Jie , Kong Yan , Si Lu , Chi Zhihong , Cui Chuanliang , Sheng Xinan , Mao Lili , Li Siming , Lian Bin , Yang Ruifeng , Liu Shujing , Xu Xiaowei , Guo Jun 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Purpose: Platelet-derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRA) is a target for tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-based targeted therapy. Dysregulation of PDGFRA has been reported in many cancers. However, PDGFRA mutations in melanomas have not been well studied. We analyzed the genetic mutations of PDGFRA in Chinese patients with melanoma and determined the inhibitory potency of TKIs, such as imatinib and crenolanib, on mutant PDGFRA.
Experimental Design: Of note, 351 melanoma tissue samples were examined for genetic mutations in exons 12, 14, and 18 of PDGFRA. Activities of mutations in response to imatinib and crenolanib were analyzed by Western blotting of tyrosine-phosphorylated PDGFRA and cell proliferation assays.
Results: PDGFRA mutations were observed in 4.6% (16 of 351) of melanomas, and these mutations were mainly detected in acral and mucosal melanomas. PDGFRA mutations seem to be mutually exclusive with KIT mutations, but may coexist with BRAF and NRAS mutations. The genetic mutations of PDGFRA were unrelated to the age, thickness, and ulceration status of primary melanomas. Thirteen mutations were not reported before, and five (P577S, V658A, R841K, H845Y, and G853D) of them resulted in strong autophosphorylation of PDGFRA. Crenolanib showed higher potency than imatinib in inhibiting the kinase activity of PDGFRA. Except that V658A mutation was imatinib-resistant, all the other mutations were sensitive to both imatinib and crenolanib.
Conclusions: PDGFRA mutations are detected in a small population of melanoma patients. Our study suggests that patients with melanoma harboring certain PDGFRA mutations may benefit from imatinib and crenolanib treatment. Clin Cancer Res; 19(24); 6935–42. ©2013 AACR.
Efficacy and safety of high-dose thromboprophylaxis in morbidly obese inpatients
Authors: Wang Tzu-Fei , Milligan Paul E. , Wong Catherine A. , Deal Eli N. , Thoelke Mark S. , Gage Brian F. 
Published: October 2013

SummaryObesity increases the risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE), but whether high-dose thromboprophylaxis is safe and effective in morbidly obese inpatients is unknown. It was the objective of this study to quantify the efficacy and safety of high-dose thromboprophylaxis with heparin or enoxaparin in inpatients with weight > 100 kilograms (kg) within the BJC HealthCare system. In a retrospective cohort study, we analysed 9,241 inpatients with weight < 100 kg discharged from three hospitals in the BJC HealthCare system from 2010 through 2012. We compared the incidence of VTE in patients who received high-dose thromboprophylaxis (heparin 7,500 units three times daily or enoxaparin 40 mg twice daily) to those who received standard doses (heparin 5,000 units two or three times daily or enoxaparin 40 mg once daily). The primary efficacy outcome was hospital-acquired VTE identified by International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9 diagnosis codes. The primary safety outcome was bleeding events identified by ICD-9 codes. Among the 3,928 morbidly obese inpatients (weight > 100 kg and body mass index [BMI] ≥ 40 kg/m2), high-dose thromboprophylaxis approximately halved the odds of symptomatic VTE (odds ratio [OR] 0.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.27–1.00; p = 0.050). The rate of VTE was 1.48% (35/2,369) in these morbidly obese inpatients who received standard doses of thromboprophylaxis, compared to 0.77% (12/1,559) in those who received high doses. High-dose thromboprophylaxis did not increase bleeding (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.66–1.07, p = 0.15). Independent predictors of VTE were surgery, male sex, cancer, and BMI. In conclusion, high-dose thromboprophylaxis nearly halves the rate of VTE in morbidly obese inpatients.