bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of supply problems of preservative‐free glaucoma medications on patients and hospital staff
Authors: Shah Shima , Theodossiades Julia , Chapman Kristin , Murdoch Ian 
Published: March 2015

AbstractPurposeGlaucoma is a chronic ocular disease, which is usually managed with long‐term daily medical therapy, in the form of eye drops. Patients who are intolerant to preservatives in topical medicines require preservative‐free versions. From early 2011 patients attending Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK, started to report recurring problems with the supply of the following preservative‐free glaucoma medications: Timolol 0.25% (Timoptol 0.25%, MSD UK); Dorzolamide (Trusopt, MSD UK); Dorzolamide and Timolol 0.5% (Cosopt, MSD UK). This study investigates the impact of the supply problems of these medications at Moorfields Eye Hospital from a patient, administrative and clinical perspective.MethodsInformation was sought by interviewing both patients and hospital staff, and by a retrospective case note review between April 2010 and May 2013.ResultsMany hospital roles, both administrative and clinical, were involved in attempting to resolve the impact of the supply problems. All staff reported a considerable increase in their workload. At the peak of the problem, the glaucoma secretaries received about 150 enquiries per week.A review of 83 sets of patient notes, retrieved from a random sample of 125 patients, showed that 22% encountered a supply problem. Of these, more than one‐third attended Moorfields Eye Hospital Accident & Emergency (A&E) for repeat supplies and 89% eventually had their medication changed. In telephone interviews with 39 of a random sample of 50 patients (a subset of the 83 notes retrieved), 59% of the interviewees reported a supply problem. Of these, one‐third attended Moorfields Eye Hospital A&E for repeat supplies and half eventually required an alternative medication. Some patients reported going to considerable lengths to obtain ongoing supplies in the community.ConclusionsThis study shows that medication supply problems can have a major impact on patients and hospital services. Supply problems occur across many fields of medicine and with increasing frequency. The findings of this study highlight the importance of early communication of impending shortages between manufacturers and the Department of Health, as recommended in the best practice guidelines. In order to minimise the impact of medicine shortages on patients, clinicians and administrative staff, hospitals need immediate notification of potential supply problems and clear updates on supply resolution. In addition, hospitals should consider nominating an individual as a contact point for patient enquiries regarding medicine supply problems.
Unrelated donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for infantile enteropathy due to IL‐10/IL‐10 receptor defect
Authors: Gassas Adam , Courtney Sarah , Armstrong Christine , Kapllani Erilda , Muise Aleixo M. , Schechter Tal 
Published: March 2015

AbstractRecent advances in genetic diagnosis have identified mutations in gene encoding interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) and IL‐10 receptor (IL‐10R) proteins as a cause for early‐onset enterocolitis leading to hyperinflammatory immune response. Allogeneic HSCT offers a potential cure; however, it was only performed in a few infants and mainly from family‐related donors. We report a case of a girl who presented very early in life with severe infantile enterocolitis. Gene sequencing confirmed IL‐10R defect. Her older sister died at 13 months of age from severe undiagnosed enterocolitis. There was no family donor. An unrelated search identified a potential 10/10 high‐resolution HLA‐matched donor. There was some delay in donor activation because IL‐10R defect was not on the standard list of indications for unrelated HSCT. Our patient received the unrelated HSCT at seven months of age, and she is currently nine months after transplant and doing very well. Because HSCT is the curative option of choice for this disorder, we encourage adding IL‐10 and IL‐10R protein defects to the list of HSCT indications for unrelated donor procurement.
A Novel Microsensor for Measuring Angular Distribution of Radiative Intensity
Authors: Murphy Thomas E. , Pilorz Stuart , Prufert‐Bebout Leslie , Bebout Brad 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThis article presents the design, construction and characterization of a novel type of light probe for measuring the angular radiance distribution of light fields. The differential acceptance angle (DAA) probe can resolve the directionality of a light field in environments with steep light gradients, such as microbial mats, without the need to remove, reorient, and reinsert the probe, a clear advantage over prior techniques. The probe consists of an inner irradiance sensor inside a concentric, moveable light‐absorbing sheath. The radiative intensity in a specific zenith direction can be calculated by comparing the irradiance onto the sensor at different acceptance angles. We used this probe to measure the angular radiance distribution of two sample light fields, and observed good agreement with a conventional radiance probe. The DAA probe will aid researchers in understanding light transfer physics in dense microbial communities and expedite validation of numerical radiative transfer models for these environments.
‘Keeping meself to meself’ – How Social Networks Can Influence Narratives of Stigma and Identity for Long‐term Sickness Benefits Recipients
Authors: Garthwaite Kayleigh 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThis article focuses upon social networks and their relationship to stigma and identity for long‐term sickness benefits recipients in the North East of England. Drawing on empirical qualitative research with long‐term sickness benefits recipients, this article demonstrates how the co‐construction of stigma is fundamental in shaping how long‐term sickness benefits recipients participate in social networks with friends, family and the community. The findings support the idea that the stigma of receiving benefits can be contrasted with nostalgia for the social elements of employment. Utilizing the work of Goffman, the article focuses on how the stigma and shame felt at receiving sickness benefits for an extended period of time interacts with social networks and identity. Reluctance to disclose a claimant identity to friends and family could lead to social isolation and a perceived need to ‘keep meself to meself’ which can be linked to a wider rhetoric surrounding benefits recipients that characterizes them as ‘scroungers’.
Resolving the daratumumab interference with blood compatibility testing
Authors: Chapuy Claudia I. , Nicholson Rachel T. , Aguad Maria D. , Chapuy Bjoern , Laubach Jacob P. , Richardson Paul G. , Doshi Parul , Kaufman Richard M. 
Published: March 2015

BACKGROUNDDaratumumab (DARA), a promising novel therapy for multiple myeloma, is an IgG1κ monoclonal antibody that recognizes CD38 on myeloma cells. During routine compatibility testing, we observed that the plasma of five of five DARA‐treated patients demonstrated a positive antibody screen and panreactivity on red blood cell (RBC) panel testing. We hypothesized that the observed panreactivity reflected DARA binding to CD38 on reagent RBCs, and we investigated methods to prevent this binding.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSDARA binding to CD38+ or CD38– HL60 cells was assessed by flow cytometry. To remove cell surface CD38, cells were incubated with dithiothreitol (DTT) or trypsin. Soluble CD38 or anti‐DARA was used to neutralize DARA in solution. Routine blood bank serologic methods were used to test samples from DARA‐treated patients and normal plasma samples spiked with DARA and/or alloantibodies.RESULTSNormal plasma samples spiked with DARA (0.1‐10 µg/mL) and incubated with reagent RBCs recapitulated the interference observed with samples from DARA‐treated patients. Flow cytometry experiments confirmed DARA binding to CD38+ HL60 cells, but not to CD38– controls. DTT treatment of CD38+ HL60 cells reduced DARA binding by 92% by denaturing cell surface CD38. Treating DARA‐containing plasma with soluble CD38 or anti‐DARA idiotype also inhibited DARA binding.CONCLUSIONDARA causes panreactivity in vitro by binding to CD38 on reagent RBCs. Treating reagent RBCs with DTT is a robust method to negate the DARA interference, enabling the safe provision of blood to DARA‐treated patients. Because DTT denatures Kell antigens, K– units are provided to these patients.
Chemical control of isolated invasive conifers using a novel aerial spot application method
Authors: Gous S , Raal P , Kimberley M O , Watt M S 
Published: March 2015

SummaryConifer species, which have formed the foundation of commercial forestry industry in many countries, are known to be invasive in natural ecosystems, especially in the Southern Hemisphere. Controlling isolated invasive conifers before they reach reproductive maturity is an essential element of any strategy that aims to reduce spread rate of these species. Using a novel helicopter‐mounted spot‐application gun, which delivers a precise dosage to the crown of each tree, the objective of this research was to test the efficacy of three triclopyr‐based treatments against the four most vigorous wilding conifer species (Pinus contorta, Pinus nigra, Pinus sylvestris and Pseudotsuga menziesii) under New Zealand field conditions. Herbicides tested were triclopyr at two different rates and a combination of triclopyr and picloram. Treated trees covered a wide range of heights (c. 0.5–16 m), and measurements of mortality taken two years post‐herbicide application were used to examine variation in efficacy of the herbicides. Successful treatment was defined by a mortality rate of 85% or higher. A logistic regression model was fitted to the mortality data and used to derive threshold tree heights at which 85% mortality occurred, H85. For all four species, the most effective treatment was application of 1000 ml of herbicide mixture per tree that contained 120 and 20 g, respectively, of the active ingredients triclopyr and picloram. There was a significant decline in efficacy of this treatment with increases in tree size for all four species. Values of H85 for this treatment were 7.4 m for P. nigra, 8.3 m for P. menziesii, 9.7 m for P. contorta and >10 m for P. sylvestris. The methods developed here could be used to effectively manage emerging conifer infestations before they become problematic.
Robust numerical solutions of two singularly perturbed problems in mathematical biology
Authors: Nagarajan Shivaranjani , Miller John J. H. , Sigamani Valarmathi 
Published: March 2015

In this paper, a numerical method is suggested for solving a mathematical modelВ for the process of cell proliferation and maturation and a model for determiningВ the expected time for the generation of action potentials in nerve cells by random synaptic inputs in the dendrites. Both these models give rise to singularlyВ perturbed delay dierential equations. The former is an initial value problemВ for a rst order singularly perturbed delay partial dierential equation, whileВ the latter is a boundary value problem for a second order singularly perturbedВ delay dierential equation. Numerical illustrations are provided.
Ceramic on-Ceramic Hip Implants: Analysis of Friction Induced Squeal
Authors: Sidebottom Mark , Allan D. G. , Paliwal Manish 
Published: March 2015

Ceramic-on-Ceramic (CoC) bearings are an ideal choice for a total hip replacement because of the ceramic bearings’ longer wear life than Metal-on-Metal or Metal-on-Polyethylene bearings. Friction-induced squeaking has been reported in 1–10% of patients who have a ceramic-on-ceramic total hip replacement, which is a subject of annoyance. Many mechanisms have been proposed to address the squeaking phenomena in CoC hip replacements, but there is no consensus among researchers on the root cause behind the squeaking of hip implants. The goal of this study was to investigate the possible factors attributing to the hip squeak, and understand the underlying phenomenon based on the coupling stiffness of the bearing surface. Boundary conditions for the CoC hip bearing to produce audible noise were also identified. An explanted Stryker Trident CoC hip bearing that had been removed due to squeaking was analyzed visually and by computer simulation. Grey marks on the femoral head of the implant showed material transfer of titanium alloy onto the alumina head. Using modal analysis, the natural frequencies of all the components of the implant were determined. Random vibration analysis was conducted to identify the ideal boundary conditions for the CoC hip bearing.
The results from the modal analysis and calculated stiffness and damping coefficients were used in the mathematical two degree-of-freedom (DOF) model to calculate the velocity and position of the two masses in the system. State-Space plots of the parametric analysis were used to evaluate the stability of the system. Mathematical Analysis involved the investigation of the role of the frictional stick-slip phenomenon of the metal shell and ceramic liner on squeal. The size of the limit cycle provides an indication of the degree of severity of a noisy condition.
With only metallic shell affixed to the acetabulum constrained, the modal natural frequency was 3600 Hz which was very close to the free vibration results of the bearing. The Power Spectral Densities displayed the audible frequencies at 11.4 kHz. The limit cycle plots show that a variation in coupling contact stiffness has an influence on the behavior/stability of the system. The study underscored the relevance of material transfer on the bearing surface using the mathematical analysis by varying the coupling stiffness of the bearing surface. In addition, random vibration analysis in conjunction with the parametric analysis identified the ideal boundary condition to produce the squeal frequencies as observed by others.
An Investigation on the Relationship Between Operator’s Skill Level and Dimension Stability in Gel Coating
Authors: Kikuchi Tetsuo , Suzuki Erika , Liu Xiahui , Takai Yuka , Goto Akihiko , Hamada Hiroyuki , Yang Yuqiu 
Published: March 2015

Gel Coating has been used for forming composite structures since ancient times. Although the gel coating method is very primitive, it offers the advantage of being able to deal widely with different production volumes and product sizes because the molds used are inexpensive and facility costs are low. On the other hand, gel coating work itself relies on human skills, which means that the finish differs according to the operator carrying out the work, the quality of the product differs among parts depending on the ease of forming. Hence highly specialized control technique and the tradition of skill are required to ensure the consistent stability of product quality. Generally, it needs more than 25 years of training and practice, as well as relentless efforts and an instinctive sense of molding to master the art of gel coating. However, there are in fact very few people who can be called experts of the technique in Japan. For this reason, the tradition of molding techniques needs to be carried on as quickly as possible.
It is considered that the experiment, seemingly a new and only attempt in Japan, quantified techniques that are not visibly apparent and considered to be tacit knowledge. Therefore, in this study, motion analysis experiment of gel coating experts by MAC 3D System at a sampling rate of 60 Hz was conducted to obtain objective data on an expert applier’s skills (the default value) with compared to the non-expert one. Furthermore, dimensional stability measurements were made, and an investigation of the correlation to an expert’s application techniques was conducted in order to pass the suitable training and communicating technical skills to advanced management engineering and inexperienced appliers.
It is found that the movement of an expert applier’s lower body had a different motion compared with a non-expert applier. The expert’s centroid moved smoothly and his motion tended to be constant. On the other hand, the non-expert’s motion was awkward at several points and his motion didn’t have the same tendencies as the expert.
Computer‐aided detection of breast cancers using Haar‐like features in automated 3D breast ultrasound
Authors: Tan Tao , Mordang Jan‐Jurre , van Zelst Jan , Grivegnée André , Gubern‐Mérida Albert , Melendez Jaime , Mann Ritse M. , Zhang Wei , Platel Bram , Karssemeijer Nico 
Published: March 2015

Purpose:Automated 3D breast ultrasound (ABUS) has gained interest in breast imaging. Especially for screening women with dense breasts, ABUS appears to be beneficial. However, since the amount of data generated is large, the risk of oversight errors is substantial. Computer aided detection (CADe) may be used as a second reader to prevent oversight errors. When CADe is used in this fashion, it is essential that small cancers are detected, while the number of false positive findings should remain acceptable. In this work, the authors improve their previously developed CADe system in the initial candidate detection stage.Methods:The authors use a large number of 2D Haar‐like features to differentiate lesion structures from false positives. Using a cascade of GentleBoost classifiers that combines these features, a likelihood score, highly specific for small cancers, can be efficiently computed. The likelihood scores are added to the previously developed voxel features to improve detection.Results:The method was tested in a dataset of 414 ABUS volumes with 211 cancers. Cancers had a mean size of 14.72 mm. Free‐response receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to evaluate the performance of the algorithm with and without using the aforementioned Haar‐like feature likelihood scores. After the initial detection stage, the number of missed cancer was reduced by 18.8% after adding Haar‐like feature likelihood scores.Conclusions:The proposed technique significantly improves our previously developed CADe system in the initial candidate detection stage.
Genome Sequence of Corynebacterium ulcerans Strain FRC11
Authors: Benevides Leandro de Jesus , Viana Marcus Vinicius Canário , Mariano Diego César Batista , Rocha Flávia de Souza , Bagano Priscilla Carolinne , Folador Edson Luiz , Pereira Felipe Luiz , Dorella Fernanda Alves , Leal Carlos Augusto Gomes , Carvalho Alex Fiorini , Soares Siomar de Castro , Carneiro Adriana , Ramos Rommel , Badell-Ocando Edgar , Guiso Nicole , Silva Artur , Figueiredo Henrique , Azevedo Vasco , Guimarães Luis Carlos 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACT

Here, we present the genome sequence of
Corynebacterium ulcerans
strain FRC11. The genome includes one circular chromosome of 2,442,826 bp (53.35% G+C content), and 2,210 genes were predicted, 2,146 of which are putative protein-coding genes, with 12 rRNAs and 51 tRNAs; 1 pseudogene was also identified.
Candida inconspicua and Candida norvegensis: New Insights into Identification in Relation to Sexual Reproduction and Genome Organization
Authors: Guitard J. , Atanasova R. , Brossas J. Y. , Meyer I. , Gits M. , Marinach C. , Vellaissamy S. , Angoulvant A. , Mazier D. , Hennequin C. 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACT

Candida inconspicua
and
Candida
(
Pichia
)
norvegensis
are two emerging pathogenic species that exhibit reduced susceptibility to azole derivatives. Conventional (biochemical) approaches do not readily differentiate between the two species. The first aim of this work was to analyze the performance of biochemical, proteomic (matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight [MALDI-TOF]), and molecular approaches in the precise identification of these species. These results then led us to sequence 3 genomic loci, i.e., the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the ribosomal DNA (rDNA), the D1/D2 domain of the 28S rDNA, and the elongation factor 1α (EF-1α) gene, either directly or following cloning, of 13 clinical isolates and 9 reference strains belonging to the 5 species included in the
Pichia cactophila
clade, namely,
Pichia cactophila
,
Pichia insulana
,
C. inconspicua
,
C. norvegensis
, and
P. pseudocactophila
. Finally, isolates of
C. inconspicua
were challenged for sexual reproduction on the appropriate medium. Our results show that EF-1α sequencing and proteic profiling by MALDI-TOF are the two most efficient approaches to distinguish between
C. norvegensis
and
C. inconspicua
. As a characteristic of the
P. cactophila
clade, we found multiple alleles of the rDNA regions in certain strains belonging to the tested species, making ITS or D1/D2 sequencing not appropriate for identification. Whatever the method of identification, including MALDI-TOF and EF-1α sequencing, none could differentiate
C. inconspicua
from
P. cactophila
. The results of phylogenetic analysis and the generation of asci from pure cultures of all
C. inconspicua
strains both support the identification of
P. cactophila
as the teleomorph of
C. inconspicua
.
A Statistical Approach for Determination of Disk Diffusion-Based Cutoff Values for Systematic Characterization of Wild-Type and Non-Wild-Type Bacterial Populations in Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing
Authors: Valsesia Giorgia , Roos Malgorzata , Böttger Erik C. , Hombach Michael 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACT

In this study, we introduce a new approach for determination of epidemiologic cutoffs (ECOFFs) and resistant-population cutoffs (RCOFFs) based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. As an example, the method was applied for determination of ECOFFs for seven different beta-lactam antibiotics and wild-type populations of
Escherichia coli
,
Klebsiella pneumoniae
, and
Enterobacter cloacae
. In addition, RCOFFs were determined for bacterial populations with defined resistance mechanisms (“resistotypes”), i.e., extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-positive
E. coli
, ESBL-positive
K. pneumoniae
, and ESBL-positive
E. cloacae
; AmpC cephalosporinase-positive
E. coli
and AmpC-positive
K. pneumoniae
; and broad-spectrum beta-lactamase (BSBL)-positive
E. coli
. RCOFFs and ECOFFs are instrumental for a systematic characterization of associations between resistotypes and wild-type populations.
An In-House Assay Is Superior to Sepsityper for Direct Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) Mass Spectrometry Identification of Yeast Species in Blood Cultures
Authors: Bidart Marie , Bonnet Isabelle , Hennebique Aurélie , Kherraf Zine Eddine , Pelloux Hervé , Berger François , Cornet Muriel , Bailly Sébastien , Maubon Danièle 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACT
We developed an in-house assay for the direct identification, by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, of yeasts in blood culture. Sixty-one representative strains from 12 species were analyzed in spiked blood cultures. Our assay accurately identified 95 of 107 (88.8%) positive blood cultures and outperformed the commercial Sepsityper kit (81.7% identification).