bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology of Hepatitis C Virus in Pennsylvania State Prisons, 2004–2012: Limitations of 1945–1965 Birth Cohort Screening in Correctional Settings
Authors: Larney Sarah , Mahowald Madeline K. , Scharff Nicholas , Flanigan Timothy P. , Beckwith Curt G. , Zaller Nickolas D. 
Published: May 2014

Objectives. We described hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV) prevalence in a state prison system and retrospectively evaluated the case-finding performance of targeted testing of the 1945 to 1965 birth cohort in this population. Methods. We used observational data from universal testing of Pennsylvania state prison entrants (June 2004–December 2012) to determine anti-HCV prevalence by birth cohort. We compared anti-HCV prevalence and the burden of anti-HCV in the 1945 to 1965 birth cohort with that in all other birth years. Results. Anti-HCV prevalence among 101 727 adults entering prison was 18.1%. Prevalence was highest among those born from 1945 to 1965, but most anti-HCV cases were in people born after 1965. Targeted testing of the 1945 to 1965 birth cohort would have identified a decreasing proportion of cases with time. Conclusions. HCV is endemic in correctional populations. Targeted testing of the 1945 to 1965 birth cohort would produce a high yield of positive test results but would identify only a minority of cases. We recommend universal anti-HCV screening in correctional settings to allow for maximum case identification, secondary prevention, and treatment of affected prisoners.
Socioeconomic Status and Bullying: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Tippett Neil , Wolke Dieter 
Published: May 2014

We examined whether socioeconomic status (SES) could be used to identify which schools or children are at greatest risk of bullying, which can adversely affect children’s health and life.We conducted a review of published literature on school bullying and SES. We identified 28 studies that reported an association between roles in school bullying (victim, bully, and bully-victim) and measures of SES. Random effects models showed SES was weakly related to bullying roles. Adjusting for publication bias, victims (odds ratio [OR] = 1.40; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.24, 1.58) and bully-victims (OR = 1.54; 95% CI = 1.36, 1.74) were more likely to come from low socioeconomic households. Bullies (OR = 0.98; 95% CI = 0.97, 0.99) and victims (OR = 0.95; 95% CI = 0.94, 0.97) were slightly less likely to come from high socioeconomic backgrounds.SES provides little guidance for targeted intervention, and all schools and children, not just those with more socioeconomic deprivation, should be targeted to reduce the adverse effects of bullying.
Topical Triamcinolone Acetonide/carboxymethylcellulose foam for Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Rhinosinusitis/nasal Polyposis
Authors: Chaudhry Ajaz L. , Chaaban Mohamad R. , Ranganath Neel K. , Woodworth Bradford A. 
Published: May 2014

Background Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRS/NP) is a medical disease that is managed more effectively after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Despite topical treatment with intranasal steroids, acute inflammatory exacerbations (AEs) are common and are typically treated with oral prednisone, which has significant and well-documented side effects. The objective of the current study was to critically evaluate the topical application of triamcinolone acetonide (80) in carboxymethylcellulose (TA/CMC) foam for AEs in CRS/NP patients after ESS. Methods CRS/NP patients managed with ESS by a single rhinologist over a 5-year period were included in the study. Data were reviewed regarding demographics, number of AEs, revision surgery, 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcomes Test (SNOT-22) scores, frequency of oral prednisone and/or TA/CMC, and notable side effects. Results A total of 371 CRS/NP patients were treated with ESS over a 5-year period. Mean follow-up was 49.3 weeks (range, 2–249 weeks). During this time period, 130 patients (46 years; range, 28–48 years) developed a cumulative 267 AEs. Before initiating use of TA/CMC in 2010, 66 AEs were treated with prednisone. Subsequently, 116 of 201 AEs were managed with TA/CMC with a sequential decrease in prednisone use over the last 3 years (77, 39, and 32%). SNOT-22 scores (n = 33) decreased significantly after TA/CMC instillation (preinstillation, 1.69 ± 0.86, versus postinstillation, 1.23 ± 0.8; p < 0.01). Conclusion Management of AEs with TA/CMC decreased overall prednisone use in a large population of CRS/NP patients in this retrospective evaluation. TA/CMC appears well tolerated and is a useful treatment option for AEs in postoperative CRS/NP patients.
Bacteremia caused by an Acinetobacter junii strain harboring class 1 integron and diverse DNA mobile elements
Authors: Traglia German M , Almuzara Marisa , Vilacoba Elisabet , Tuduri Alicia , Neumann Gabriela , Pallone Elida , Centron Daniela , Ramirez Maria Soledad 
Published: May 2014

Introduction: Infections caused by Acinetobacter junii are rarely reported. However, some outbreaks of septicemia in neonates and pediatric oncology patients, as well as meningitis, peritonitis, and ocular infection have been described. Since it is highly infrequent to find the molecular characterization of A. junii strains in literature, in this study we described the molecular characterization of A. junii isolates recovered from blood samples of a renal transplant patient. Methodology: The case was defined as a catheter-related bacteremia caused by A. junii. The patient responded favorably after catheter removal and treatment with ciprofloxacin. Results and Conclusion: The complete molecular characterization of the isolate showed that it harbored a class 1 integron and diverse DNA mobile elements. This explains its genomic plasticity for acquiring antimicrobial resistance determinants and for adapting to a nosocomial niche.
Comparison of artesunate and quinine in the treatment of severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria at Kassala hospital, Sudan
Authors: Abdallah Tajeldin M , Elmardi Khalid A , Elhassan Asama H , Omer Mona B , Elhag Mousab S , Desogi Mohamed A , Siddig Mohammed F , Adam Ishag 
Published: May 2014

Introduction: There is a need to investigate the treatment (artesunate and quinine) of severe malaria, as this will influence the outcome of morbidity and the mortality of the disease. Methodology: An open randomized trial conducted at Kassala, Sudan. Patients with severe P. falciparum malaria were randomly assigned to either intravenous artesunate at 2.4 mg/kg at 0, 12, and 24 hours, then daily, or intravenous quinine at a 20 mg/kg loading dose, then 10 mg/kg three times a day. Fever and parasite clearance and coma resolution time were compared between the two groups . Results: The two groups (47 in each group) were well matched in the clinical and biochemical characteristics. Hypotension, convulsions, severe anemia, hypoglycemia, cerebral malaria, and jaundice were the predominant manifestations of severe malaria. The mean (SD) of the fever clearance (10.8 [5.5] vs. 14.0 [8.1] hours, p = 0.028) and the parasite clearance time (16.5 [6.4] vs. 21.7 [11.3] hours, p = 0.007) were significantly shorter in the artesunate-treated patients. In comatose patients, there was no difference between the two groups in coma resolution time. Following quinine infusion, ten patients developed tinnitus (p < 0.001), and four had hypoglycemia (p = 0.033). Tinnitus and hypoglycemia were not detected in the artesunate group. One patient in the artesunate group died. Conclusions: Artesunate is more effective than quinine, in term of parasite and fever clearance time, in the treatment of P. falciparum malaria in eastern Sudan. The study found no difference between artesunate and quinine in coma resolution time.
Characteristics and risk factors of candidemia in pediatric intensive care unit of a tertiary care children's hospital in Egypt
Authors: Hegazi Moustafa , Abdelkader Alaa , Zaki Maysaa , El-Deek Basem 
Published: May 2014

Introduction: This study was conducted to determine characteristics of Candida colonization and candidemia in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of a tertiary care children's hospital. Methodology: Patients between 6 months and 15 years of age consecutively admitted to the PICU of Mansoura University Children’s Hospital in Mansoura, Egypt, during one year period, were evaluated for Candida colonization and candidemia. Susceptibility of Candida species isolated from blood to fluconazole and amphotericin B was determined by Etest. Results: Sixty-six patients without prior fluconazole prophylaxis had 88 episodes of candidemia, representing 19% of all cases with blood stream infections (BSIs). Candida albicans (CA) and non-albicans Candida (NAC) species accounted for 40% and 60% of candidemia episodes respectively. C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, and C. glabrata accounted for 25%, 17%, and 8% of NAC candidemias respectively. Fluconazole resistance was detected in 11.4% and 18.9% of CA and NAC isolates respectively. Of the fluconazole resistant NAC isolates, four were C. krusei. Amphotericin B resistance was detected in 17% of NAC isolates. Candida colonization was detected in 78.8% of patients. Compared to CA candidemia, higher risk for NAC candidemia was associated with age older than 1 year, Candida isolation from endotracheal tube (ETT) and from central venous catheter. Mortality rate was 42.4%, attributable mortality of candidemia was 16.7%. Regression analysis showed that the most significant independent predictors of death were ETT and mechanical ventilation (MV), MV longer than 7 days, and candiduria. Conclusions: This study presents important epidemiological features of Candida BSIs in a non-neonatal population.
A model for determination of effective permeability from acoustic wavespeed and attenuation in a rigid two‐phase porous medium
Authors: Greenhalgh Stewart , Xu Liu , Zhou Bing 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACTWe propose a two‐phase permeability spherical inclusion model of mesoscopic heterogeneity for a rigid, porous acoustic medium, and apply the non‐self‐consistent theory to the scattered wave field from a single spherical inclusion to obtain the dispersion curves of phase velocity and attenuation factor (inverse quality factor) for the composite. We then determine the effective permeability from the wave frequency, complex velocity and other effective material parameters such as bulk modulus, porosity and fluid viscosity. Unlike other rigid double porosity models, our model shows that the host material and its volume fraction determine the acoustic velocity and attenuation, but there are additional attenuation peaks (we call them resonance peaks) in the inverse quality factor responses which are a possible indicator of the size of inclusions. Since the thermal relaxation frequency of the inclusion material actually does not affect the wave behaviour of the composite, the effective dynamic permeability is easily calculated from the velocity and attenuation. This result is compared with other measures of effective dynamic permeability, deduced from the effective hydraulic permeability by replacing the permeability of the components with their dynamic values as determined from the Johnson model. We find that for frequencies lower than the resonance frequency, this dynamic permeability model is very similar to that determined from the scattering model of this paper. However, the model which uses the arithmetic mean of the constituents is not valid for inclusions having higher permeability than the host phase whereas the model which uses the harmonic mean is not valid for inclusions having lower permeability than that of the host material. We have checked the validity of the effective dynamic permeability and its applicability to rocks encountered in both near surface and petroleum seismic exploration.
Comparative study of different inversion techniques applied on Rayleigh surface wave dispersion curves
Authors: Kritikakis George , Vafidis Antonis , Papakonstantinou Konstantinos , O’Neill Adam 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACTThis study examines the performance of different inversion techniques applied on Rayleigh surface wave dispersion curves. The kriSIS algorithms implement the Quasi‐Newton method, the L1 norm minimization, smoothness, damping and minimum gradient constraints and their combinations, as well as weighted inversion. Furthermore, any a priori geophysical or/and geotechnical information can be taken into account during the inversion. The proposed methodology is applied on two synthetic dispersion curves as well as two synthetic seismic records. Eight inversion parameters were tested per examined model resulting in 7680 tests. Three of them were tested on real data. The main outcome of this comparative study indicates that, for the tested models and real data, the Least Squares (L2 norm) inversion, using smoothness constraint and calculating the Jacobian matrix from analytical relationships or arithmetic differentiation, leads to the most reliable and accurate inversion results.
Essential Role of Elmo1 in Dock2-Dependent Lymphocyte Migration
Authors: Stevenson Catherine , de la Rosa Gonzalo , Anderson Christopher S. , Murphy Patrick S. , Capece Tara , Kim Minsoo , Elliott Michael R. 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
Elmo1 and Elmo2 are highly homologous cytoplasmic adaptor proteins that interact with Dock family guanine nucleotide exchange factors to promote activation of the small GTPase Rac. In T lymphocytes, Dock2 is essential for CCR7- and CXCR4-dependent Rac activation and chemotaxis, but the role of Elmo proteins in regulating Dock2 function in primary T cells is not known. In this article, we show that endogenous Elmo1, but not Elmo2, interacts constitutively with Dock2 in mouse and human primary T cells. CD4+ T cells from Elmo1−/− mice were profoundly impaired in polarization, Rac activation, and chemotaxis in response to CCR7 and CXCR4 stimulation. Transfection of full-length Elmo1, but not Elmo2 or a Dock2-binding mutant of Elmo1, rescued defective migration of Elmo1−/− T cells. Interestingly, Dock2 protein levels were reduced by 4-fold in Elmo1−/− lymphocytes despite normal levels of Dock2 mRNA. Dock2 polyubiquitination was increased in Elmo1−/− T cells, and treatment with proteasome inhibitors partially restored Dock2 levels in Elmo1−/− T cells. Finally, we show that Dock2 is directly ubiquitinated in CD4+ T cells and that Elmo1 expression in heterologous cells inhibits ubiquitination of Dock2. Taken together, these findings reveal a previously unknown, nonredundant role for Elmo1 in controlling Dock2 levels and Dock2-dependent T cell migration in primary lymphocytes. Inhibition of Dock2 has therapeutic potential as a means to control recruitment of pathogenic lymphocytes in diseased tissues. This work provides valuable insights into the molecular regulation of Dock2 by Elmo1 that can be used to design improved inhibitors that target the Elmo-Dock-Rac signaling complex.
Free IL-12p40 Monomer Is a Polyfunctional Adaptor for Generating Novel IL-12–like Heterodimers Extracellularly
Authors: Abdi Kaveh , Singh Nevil J. , Spooner Eric , Kessler Benedikt M. , Radaev Sergei , Lantz Larry , Xiao Tsan Sam , Matzinger Polly , Sun Peter D. , Ploegh Hidde L. 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
IL-12p40 partners with the p35 and p19 polypeptides to generate the heterodimeric cytokines IL-12 and IL-23, respectively. These cytokines play critical and distinct roles in host defense. The assembly of these heterodimers is thought to take place within the cell, resulting in the secretion of fully functional cytokines. Although the p40 subunit alone can also be rapidly secreted in response to inflammatory signals, its biological significance remains unclear. In this article, we show that the secreted p40 monomer can generate de novo IL-12–like activities by combining extracellularly with p35 released from other cells. Surprisingly, an unbiased proteomic analysis reveals multiple such extracellular binding partners for p40 in the serum of mice after an endotoxin challenge. We biochemically validate the binding of one of these novel partners, the CD5 Ag-like glycoprotein, to the p40 monomer. Nevertheless, the assembled p40-CD5L heterodimer does not recapitulate the biological activity of IL-12. These findings underscore the plasticity of secreted free p40 monomer, suggesting that p40 functions as an adaptor that is able to generate multiple de novo composites in combination with other locally available polypeptide partners after secretion.
Microalbuminuria
Authors: Bhadade RR , deSouza R , Harde MJ , Sridhar B 
Published: May 2014

Background:
The outcome of sepsis is significantly affected by early institution of goal-directed therapies and hence, the search for an early marker of sepsis continues.

Aims and Objectives:
To observe microalbuminuria levels between patients with sepsis and those without sepsis s admitted to the medical intensive care unit (MICU) of a tertiary referral centre (primary) as also to assess the change in microalbuminuria levels in the first 24 hours as a predictor of mortality and morbidity relative to the APACHE II and SOFA scores.

Materials and Methods:
This was a prospective observational study where 125 patients with sepsis and 38 without were assessed. Trend of microalbuminuria was assessed from the change of ACR value within 6 hours of admission (ACR1) to the ACR value at 24 hours (ACR2) in both groups of patients. Results and

Conclusion:
Significantly higher levels of microalbuminuria were found among patients with sepsis as compared to those without sepsis. The levels decreased in survivors with sepsis after 24 hours, whereas they continued to remain almost at the same levels among those without sepsis. The change in microalbuminuria levels over 24 hours can be used to measure the effectiveness of therapy. Persistence of high levels or increasing trend of microalbuminuria levels over 24 hours was found to be a predictor of a poor outcome. A high level of microalbuminuria at 24 hours and increasing trend of microalbuminuria also predicted mortality better than APACHE II and SOFA scores.
Diagnostic role of capsule endoscopy in patients of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding after negative CT enterography
Authors: Sodhi Jaswinder Singh , Ahmed Ajaz , Shoukat Abid , Khan Bashir Ahmed , Javid Gul , Khan Mushtaq Ahmed , Singh Manjeet , Shaheen Feroz , Nazir Shaheen , Kawoosa Zaffar Iqbal 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
Background and Objectives: Computed tomographic enterography (CT-EG) has emerged a useful tool for the evaluation of small bowel in patients of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB). However, CT-EG may be negative in about 50-60% of patients. We aimed to see the efficacy of capsule endoscopy (CE) in patients of OGIB, who had initial negative CT-EG. Materials and Methods: All consecutive patients of OGIB after initial hemodynamic stabilization were subjected to CT-EG. Those having negative CT-EG were further evaluated with CE. Results: Fifty-five patients of OGIB with mean standard deviation age, 52.7 (19.0), range 18-75 years, women 31/55 (56.4%) were subjected to CT-EG. Nine (17.6%) patients had positive findings on CT-EG, which included mass lesions in six, thickened wall of distal ileal loops, narrowing, and wall enhancement in two and jejunal wall thickening with wall hyperenhancement in one patient. Forty-two patients had negative CT-EG of which 25 underwent CE for further evaluation. CE detected positive findings in 11 of 25 (48%) patients which included vascular malformations in three, ulcers in seven, and fresh blood without identifiable source in one. The diagnostic yield of CE in overt OGIB was more compared to occult OGIB ((7/14, 50%) vs (4/11, 36.4%) P = 0.2) and was higher if performed within 2 weeks of active gastrointestinal (GI) bleed (P = 0.08). Conclusions: In conclusion, CE is an additional tool in the evaluation of obscure GI bleed, especially mucosal lesions which can be missed by CT-EG.
Coexistence of adenocarcinoma colon with pseudomembraneous colitis
Authors: Somani Sanjay Kumar , Kapoor Shalini , Shukla Anju 
Published: May 2014

AbstractWe report a 62 year old man who had coexistence of pseudomembraneous colitis and adenocarcinoma sigmoid colon in the absence of any antibiotic therapy. This is the first report of coexistence of both these conditions in the same patient.
Pancreaticopleural fistula: Report of two cases and review of literature
Authors: Ranjan Piyush , Bansal Rinkesh , Sachdeva Munish , Kumar Mandhir 
Published: May 2014

AbstractPancreaticopleural fistula is a rare clinical problem. It is seen rarely in acute and chronic pancreatitis or after pancreatic duct trauma. It poses a diagnostic challenge. It may be silent or can present with predominant chest or abdominal symptoms. The diagnosis should be suspected if a patient presents with pleural effusion in a setting of pancreatitis or alcohol intake. The significantly raised amylase in the pleural fluid offers an important clue to the diagnosis. Computed tomography is the initial imaging of choice, which defines the pancreatic as well as chest abnormalities. The therapeutic options include medical, endoscopic, as well as surgical interventions. Although, there is no data comparing the endoscopic and surgical interventions, patients are generally treated with medical and endoscopic therapies. Surgery is reserved for those who fail medical and endoscopic therapies. Here we report two cases of pancreaticopleural fistulas that were treated successfully by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and placement of a plastic stent in the main pancreatic duct.
Bannayan-Rilay-Ruvalcaba syndrome presenting with recurrent lower gastrointestinal bleed: A Case Report and a review of the literature
Authors: Sodhi Jaswinder Singh , Shoukat Abid , Wani Zaffar Ali , Ahmed Rayees , Nazir Shaheen , Kawoosa Zaffar Iqbal 
Published: May 2014

AbstractBannayan-Rilay-Ruvalcaba syndrome (BRRS) is a rare congenital disorder, characterized by macrocephaly, hamartomas, lipomas, and genital lentiginosis with or without PTEN gene mutations. We report a case of BRRS in a 12-year-old male child with recurrent bleeding per rectum with hamartomatous intestinal polyposis involving whole colon and few polyps in stomach and first part of duodenum; small subcutaneous lipomas over left lumber area. In addition patient had macrocephaly, cutaneous hyperpigmentation with lentiginosis, and pigmented freckles on the external genitalia. Bleeding polyps were removed with snare polypectomy. Patient was put on iron supplements and is on regular follow-up.
Double gastric dieulafoy′s lesion treated with endoscopic band ligation
Authors: Rao Achanta S. Chalapathi , Rana Surinder S. , Appasani Sreekanth , Bhasin Deepak K. , Singh Kartar 
Published: May 2014

AbstractDieulafoy’s lesion is an uncommon cause of non-variceal upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleed. They are commonly seen in stomach and are usually single. Rarely, multiple DLs may cause clinically significant GI bleed. We report a rare case of upper GI bleed due to two DL along the lesser curvature of the stomach. Hemostasis was achieved by endoscopic band ligation. Patient did not have further recurrences and was asymptomatic after 2 years.