bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Air Pollution, Neighbourhood Socioeconomic Factors, and Neural Tube Defects in the San Joaquin Valley of California
Authors: Padula Amy M. , Yang Wei , Carmichael Suzan L. , Tager Ira B. , Lurmann Frederick , Hammond S. Katharine , Shaw Gary M. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBackgroundEnvironmental pollutants and neighbourhood socioeconomic factors have been associated with neural tube defects, but the potential impact of interaction between ambient air pollution and neighbourhood socioeconomic factors on the risks of neural tube defects is not well understood.MethodsWe used data from the California Center of the National Birth Defects Study and the Children's Health and Air Pollution Study to investigate whether associations between air pollutant exposure in early gestation and neural tube defects were modified by neighbourhood socioeconomic factors in the San Joaquin Valley of California, 1997–2006. There were 5 pollutant exposures, 3 outcomes, and 9 neighbourhood socioeconomic factors included for a total of 135 investigated associations. Estimates were adjusted for maternal race‐ethnicity, education, and multivitamin use.ResultsWe present below odds ratios (ORs) that exclude 1 and a chi‐square test of homogeneity P‐value of <0.05. We observed increased odds of spina bifida comparing the highest to lowest quartile of particulate matter <10 μm (PM10) among those living in a neighbourhood with: (i) median household income of less than $30 000 per year [OR 5.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.7, 15.3]; (ii) more than 20% living below the federal poverty level (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.1, 6.0); and (iii) more than 30% with less than or equal to a high school education (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.4, 7.4). The ORs were not statistically significant among those higher socioeconomic status (SES) neighbourhoods.ConclusionsOur results demonstrate effect modification by neighbourhood socioeconomic factors in the association of particulate matter and neural tube defects in California.
Can the Consumption Capital Asset Pricing Model Account for Traders' Expected Currency Returns?
Authors: Stillwagon Josh R. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThis study uses survey data on traders' exchange rate forecasts to test whether their expected excess returns are related to the covariance between the exchange rate and consumption; as predicted by the consumption capital asset pricing model (CCAPM). The covariance is measured through the novel use of rolling windows of the realized covariance (both forward and backward looking) and testing is conducted with the cointegratedVAR. The model is able to account for expected returns with more plausible degrees of risk aversion, but only when using sufficiently long, backward‐looking measures of the covariance. This suggests that market participants assess risk, in part, based upon the pro‐cyclicality of returns, and infer it from experience in the recent past. There is also evidence that inclusion of the real exchange rate improves the plausibility of the estimates and the model fit.
Sclerostin, TNF‐alpha and Interleukin‐18 Correlate and are Together with Klotho Related to Other Growth Factors and Cytokines in Haemodialysis Patients
Authors: Almroth G. , Lönn J. , Uhlin F. , Brudin L. , Andersson B. , Hahn‐Zoric M. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractPatients with chronic renal failure are known to have renal osteodystrophy (bone disease) and increased calcification of vessels. A new marker of bone disease, sclerostin, the two pro‐inflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐alpha) and interleukin‐18 (IL‐18), and the fibroblast growth factor‐23 (FGF‐23) receptor‐associated marker Klotho were tested in 84 haemodialysis (HD) patients and in healthy controls. The patients had significantly higher levels of the three former markers than of the controls while Klotho was significantly higher in the controls. Low level, but significant, correlations were observed in the patient group when the levels of these four markers were compared to each other and to those of 5 cytokines and growth factors tested earlier; high‐sensitive CRP (hsCRP), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), fibroblast growth factor‐23 (FGF‐23) and soluble urokinase plasminogen activator (suPAR). Ln sclerostin correlated positively to Ln hsTNF‐alpha, Ln HGF and Ln suPAR. Ln hsTNF‐alpha correlated positively to Ln sclerostin, Ln hsCRP, Ln IL‐6, Ln FGF‐23, Ln suPAR and Ln IL‐18. Ln IL‐18 correlated positively to Ln suPAR and Ln TNF‐alpha. Ln Klotho correlated negatively to Ln hsCRP but did not correlate to Ln FGF‐23. The markers studied here may be involved in the calcification of vessels seen in HD patients due to a combination of inflammation and bone disease. The mechanisms are still not fully known but may be of importance for future therapeutic possibilities in this group of patients.
Under Pressure: Individual Differences in Children's Suggestibility in Response to Intense Social Influence
Authors: Uhl Elizabeth R. , Camilletti Catherine R. , Scullin Matthew H. , Wood James M. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractPrior research on the relation between children's suggestibility and verbal skills has yielded mixed results. This study examined children's suggestibility in a high social pressure context in conjunction with individual differences in verbal ability and social understanding. Sixty‐nine children were read a story by a classroom visitor. One week later children were asked suggestive questions about the visit and pressured to respond ‘yes’. One week after the first interview, children were re‐asked the same questions, this time with no pressure. Children's suggestibility in response to social pressure was found to be significantly and negatively correlated with receptive vocabulary knowledge, but not with social understanding, the ability to understand and interpret social interactions. In addition, suggestibility scores exhibited a distinctly bimodal distribution, with many children acquiescing to all pressured suggestions, many children acquiescing to no suggestions, and few children falling between these two extremes.
Coincidence of late‐onset cytomegalovirus‐induced myositis and gastritis in a pediatric renal transplant recipient
Authors: Baek H.S. , Choe B.H. , Kim H.‐K. , Huh S. , Cho M.H. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractAn 8‐year‐old girl with a renal transplant was admitted for myalgia and muscle weakness in both legs over the previous 2 weeks. She also had fever and intermittent epigastric pain. Based on these clinical manifestations, and laboratory and histopathological findings, the diagnosis was coincidence of late‐onset cytomegalovirus (CMV)‐induced myositis and gastritis in an immunocompromised child with a renal transplant. After administration of intravenous ganciclovir for 3 weeks, her symptoms resolved, with normalization of abnormal muscle enzymes, including lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase, and the disappearance of CMV viremia.
Bronchoscopy can be done safely in patients with thrombocytopenia
Authors: Nandagopal Lakshminarayanan , Veeraputhiran Muthu , Jain Tania , Soubani Ayman O. , Schiffer Charles A. 
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUNDProphylactic platelet (PLT) transfusions are often administered to patients before bronchoscopy or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) to prevent bleeding. There is a paucity of data to validate this approach, with a commonly suggested PLT transfusion threshold of fewer than 50 × 109/L, largely based on expert opinion. We conducted a retrospective study on the incidence of bleeding complications in patients with thrombocytopenia undergoing bronchoscopy.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSWe identified 150 consecutive patients with PLT counts of not more than 100 × 109/L who underwent bronchoscopy and/or BAL from January 2009 to May 2014 at our institution. The British Thoracic Society (BTS) guidelines were used to categorize bleeding associated with bronchoscopy.RESULTSInfection (40%) was the primary indication for bronchoscopy with BAL. Fifty‐eight of 89 (65%) patients with baseline PLT counts of not more than 50 × 109/L received prophylactic transfusions compared to 8% of those with PLT counts of more than 50 × 109/L. The PLT count did not increase to more than 50 × 109/L in many patients who received transfusions. Seventy‐two patients had counts of less than 50 × 109/L at the time of bronchoscopy, with 15 patients having counts of less than 20 × 109/L. Only one patient with a PLT count of 61 × 109/L had bleeding that required continuous suctioning but then resolved spontaneously (termed “mild bleeding” by BTS criteria). Bloody lavage that resolved spontaneously without continuous suctioning (termed “no bleeding” by the BTS criteria) was observed in nine (6%) patients.CONCLUSIONThe very low incidence of bleeding complications from bronchoscopy with or without BAL even in patients with PLT counts of not more than 30 × 109/L (no episodes of clinically significant bleeding in 35 patients) demonstrates that bronchoscopy can be done safely in patients with severe thrombocytopenia.
Assessment of nucleic acid modification induced by amotosalen and ultraviolet A light treatment of platelets and plasma using real‐time polymerase chain reaction amplification of variable length fragments of mitochondrial DNA
Authors: Bakkour Sonia , Chafets Daniel M. , Wen Li , Dupuis Kent , Castro Grace , Green Jennifer M. , Stassinopoulos Adonis , Busch Michael P. , Lee Tzong‐Hae 
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUNDPathogen inactivation methods are increasingly used to reduce the risk of infections after transfusion of blood products. Photochemical treatment (PCT) of platelets (PLTs) and plasma with amotosalen and ultraviolet A (UVA) light inactivates pathogens and white blood cells through formation of adducts between amotosalen and nucleic acid that block replication, transcription, and translation. The same adducts block the amplification of nucleic acids using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in a manner that correlates with the number of adducts formed, providing a direct quality control (QC). Current QC measures for PCT rely on indirect methods that measure the delivered UVA dose or percent residual amotosalen after illumination, rather than directly measuring nucleic acid modification.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSEndogenous mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which is detectable in PLT and plasma units, was chosen as a target for the quantification of photochemically induced modifications. DNA was extracted from untreated or amotosalen and UVA–treated PLTs or plasma, and mtDNA fragments of variable lengths were quantified using a real‐time PCR inhibition assay.RESULTSPCT induced increasing real‐time PCR inhibition of mtDNA amplification for larger amplicon sizes. Amplification was unaffected by treatment with amotosalen or UVA alone, whereas up to 3 log inhibition was observed after PCT. Blinded PCR testing of a panel of 110 samples each, from PLT or plasma components prepared for routine use within a blood center, allowed 100% discrimination between untreated and treated units.CONCLUSIONOur initial findings indicate that an adequately sensitive, quantitative real‐time PCR inhibition assay targeting mtDNA could provide a valuable tool to confirm and monitor PCT.
Preoperative use of platelets in a 6‐year‐old with acute appendicitis and a myosin heavy chain 9–related disorder: a case report and review of literature
Authors: Eichel Yekaterina , Tormos Lee Marie , Squires Jerry E. 
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUNDMutations of nonmuscle myosin heavy chain 9 (MYH9) gene are an autosomal dominant cause of inherited thrombocytopenia in children. MYH9 spectrum disorders include May‐Hegglin anomaly and Sebastian, Fechtner, and Epstein syndromes. Patients with these disorders often present with macroplatelets and thrombocytopenia and have a mild bleeding tendency; extrahematologic manifestations (nephropathy, deafness, and cataracts) correlate with specific mutations. No definitive guidelines exist for preoperative prophylactic platelet (PLT) transfusion in these patients.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSThis was a case study and literature review.RESULTSA 6‐year‐old male presented with appendicitis. Review of records revealed that he and his siblings had thrombocytopenia; polymerase chain reaction amplification with DNA sequence analysis showed a variation in the MYH9 gene previously reported as a known cause of MYH9‐related disorders. Involvement of other organ systems was not found on initial work‐up. The patient's PLT count on admission was 20 × 109/L. The degree of thrombocytopenia prompted transfusion of apheresis PLTs and he had good response (73 × 109/L). After infusion he developed hives, rash, itching, and nausea, which resolved after administration of epinephrine and hydrocortisone. Transfusion reaction work‐up was negative and symptoms were interpreted as an allergic reaction. The appendectomy was uneventful.CONCLUSIONThis patient's PLT count was within guidelines to warrant transfusion; however, some patients with MYH9 mutations have counts above the transfusion threshold. To the authors’ knowledge, there are no set guidelines for preoperative prophylaxis in a patient with an MYH9 deficiency. The management of the bleeding diathesis in these patients, especially in the setting of invasive procedures, is uncertain.
How do I implement an automated screen for high‐titer ABO antibody as an inventory management tool for ABO plasma–incompatible platelets?
Authors: Fontaine Magali J. , Webster Jan , Gomez Samantha , Pham Tho D. , Goodnough Lawrence T. , Galel Susan A. 
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUNDPlasma volume reduction (PVR) may reduce the risk of hemolysis associated with transfusion of plateletpheresis blood products (PLTs) containing ABO‐incompatible plasma. But PVR may delay PLT issue. In collaboration with our blood donor center we evaluated an automated screen of PLT for high‐titer ABO antibody and to apply PVR to high‐titer PLTs.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSAt the donor center, plasma from PLT donors was tested using an automated microplate system (PK7300, Beckman). PK settings were set for a detection cutoff equivalent to 1 in 256 using a manual tube method. The donors associated with high‐titer PLTs were characterized by sex and age. In the transfusion service, the number of PVR procedures was evaluated before and after implementation of the high‐titer screen.RESULTSDuring validation, 157 of 1008 PLT units (15%) were positive by the automated method versus 121 (12%) by manual method. After implementation, 2112 of 15,240 PLT units were high‐titer, with higher frequency in donations from females versus males (18% vs. 12%, p < 0.0001). The PLT PVR rate was reduced by 50%.CONCLUSIONImplementation of an automated method to screen PLTs for high‐titer ABO antibody at the donor center improves the inventory management of PLTs containing ABO‐incompatible plasma at the hospital transfusion service.
Model‐based geometric calibration for medical x‐ray systems
Authors: van der Maas Rick , de Jager Bram , Steinbuch Maarten , Dries Johan 
Published: October 2015

Purpose:Currently applied calibration approaches lead to satisfying 3D roadmapping overlay and 3D reconstruction accuracies; however, the required calibration times are extensive. The aim of this paper is the introduction of a novel model‐based approach for geometric system calibrations, leading to a significant reduction of calibration times.Methods:By using physical insight into the system, a physical model is derived which can be exploited to predict geometric calibrations parameters. Model‐parameters are estimated using a limited set of phantom‐based measurement data. Effectively, the calibration procedure is recast to a parameter identification experiment.Results:The potential of the proposed approach is illustrated by virtue of a benchmark object, successful reconstruction of a clinical phantom, and comparison to phantom‐based accuracies.Conclusions:Accurate models are required to achieve the desired accuracies. Based on the results in this work, the approach seems to be feasible for practical applications; however, to achieve all the desired specifications, future research should focus on enhanced modeling techniques.
Resolution of Chlamydia trachomatis Infection Is Associated with a Distinct T Cell Response Profile
Authors: Picard Michele D. , Bodmer Jean-Luc , Gierahn Todd M. , Lee Alexander , Price Jessica , Cohane Kenya , Clemens Veronica , DeVault Victoria L. , Gurok Galina , Kohberger Robert , Higgins Darren E. , Siber George R. , Flechtner Jessica Baker , Geisler William M. 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACT

Chlamydia trachomatis
is the causative agent of the most frequently reported bacterial sexually transmitted infection, the total burden of which is underestimated due to the asymptomatic nature of the infection. Untreated
C. trachomatis
infections can cause significant morbidities, including pelvic inflammatory disease and tubal factor infertility (TFI). The human immune response against
C. trachomatis
, an obligate intracellular bacterium, is poorly characterized but is thought to rely on cell-mediated immunity, with CD4
+
and CD8
+
T cells implicated in protection. In this report, we present immune profiling data of subjects enrolled in a multicenter study of
C. trachomatis
genital infection. CD4
+
and CD8
+
T cells from subjects grouped into disease-specific cohorts were screened using a
C. trachomatis
proteomic library to identify the antigen specificities of recall T cell responses after natural exposure by measuring interferon gamma (IFN-γ) levels. We identified specific T cell responses associated with the resolution of infection, including unique antigens identified in subjects who spontaneously cleared infection and different antigens associated with
C. trachomatis
-related sequelae, such as TFI. These data suggest that novel and unique
C. trachomatis
T cell antigens identified in individuals with effective immune responses can be considered as targets for vaccine development, and by excluding antigens associated with deleterious sequelae, immune-mediated pathologies may be circumvented.
Performance of an Early Infant Diagnostic Test, AmpliSens DNA-HIV-FRT, Using Dried Blood Spots Collected from Children Born to Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Mothers in Ukraine
Authors: Chang Joy , Tarasova Tetyana , Shanmugam Vedapuri , Azarskova Marianna , Nguyen Shon , Hurlston Mackenzie , Sabatier Jennifer , Zhang Guoqing , Osmanov Saladin , Ellenberger Dennis , Yang Chunfu , Vitek Charles , Liulchuk Maria , Nizova Natalya 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACT

An accurate accessible test for early infant diagnosis (EID) is crucial for identifying HIV-infected infants and linking them to treatment. To improve EID services in Ukraine, dried blood spot (DBS) samples obtained from 237 HIV-exposed children (≤18 months of age) in six regions in Ukraine in 2012 to 2013 were tested with the AmpliSens DNA-HIV-FRT assay, the Roche COBAS AmpliPrep/COBAS TaqMan (CAP/CTM) HIV-1 Qual test, and the Abbott RealTime HIV-1 Qualitative assay. In comparison with the paired whole-blood results generated from AmpliSens testing at the oblast HIV reference laboratories in Ukraine, the sensitivity was 0.99 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.95 to 1.00) for the AmpliSens and Roche CAP/CTM Qual assays and 0.96 (95% CI, 0.90 to 0.98) for the Abbott Qualitative assay. The specificity was 1.00 (95% CI, 0.97 to 1.00) for the AmpliSens and Abbott Qualitative assays and 0.99 (95% CI, 0.96 to 1.00) for the Roche CAP/CTM Qual assay. McNemar analysis indicated that the proportions of positive results for the tests were not significantly different (
P
> 0.05). Cohen's kappa (0.97 to 0.99) indicated almost perfect agreement among the three tests. These results indicated that the AmpliSens DBS and whole-blood tests performed equally well and were comparable to the two commercially available EID tests. More importantly, the performance characteristics of the AmpliSens DBS test meets the World Health Organization EID test requirements; implementing AmpliSens DBS testing might improve EID services in resource-limited settings.
Characterizing the Murine Leukemia Virus Envelope Glycoprotein Membrane-Spanning Domain for Its Roles in Interface Alignment and Fusogenicity
Authors: Salamango Daniel J. , Johnson Marc C. 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACT
The membrane-proximal region of murine leukemia virus envelope (Env) is a critical modulator of its functionality. We have previously shown that the insertion of one amino acid (+1 leucine) within the membrane-spanning domain (MSD) abolished protein functionality in infectivity assays. However, functionality could be restored to this +1 leucine mutant by either inserting two additional amino acids (+3 leucine) or by deleting the cytoplasmic tail domain (CTD) in the +1 leucine background. We inferred that the ectodomain and CTD have protein interfaces that have to be in alignment for Env to be functional. Here, we made single residue deletions to the Env mutant with the +1 leucine insertion to restore the interface alignment (gain of functionality) and therefore define the boundaries of the two interfaces. We identified the glycine-proline pairs near the N terminus (positions 147 and 148) and the C terminus (positions 159 and 160) of the MSD as being the boundaries of the two interfaces. Deletions between these pairs restored function, but deletions outside of them did not. In addition, the vast majority of the single residue deletions regained function if the CTD was deleted. The exceptions were four hydroxyl-containing amino acid residues (T139, T140, S143, and T144) that reside in the ectodomain interface and the proline at position 148, which were all indispensable for functionality. We hypothesize that the hydroxyl-containing residues at positions T139 and S143 could be a driving force for stabilizing the ectodomain interface through formation of a hydrogen-bonding network.

IMPORTANCE
The membrane-proximal external region (MPER) and membrane-spanning domains (MSDs) of viral glycoproteins have been shown to be critical for regulating glycoprotein fusogenicity. However, the roles of these two domains are poorly understood. We report here that point deletions and insertions within the MPER or MSD result in functionally inactive proteins. However, when the C-terminal tail domain (CTD) is deleted, the majority of the proteins remain functional. The only residues that were found to be critical for function regardless of the CTD were four hydroxyl-containing amino acids located at the C terminus of the MPER (T139 and T140) and at the N terminus of the MSD (S143 and T144) and a proline near the beginning of the MSD (P148). We demonstrate that hydrogen-bonding at positions T139 and S143 is critical for protein function. Our findings provide novel insights into the role of the MPER in regulating fusogenic activity of viral glycoproteins.