bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Asian Contributions to Three Instruments of Global Health Governance
Authors: Lee Kelley , Kamradt‐Scott Adam , Yoon Sungwon , Xu Jingying 
Published: September 2012

AbstractIt is widely recognised that the adverse impacts that transnational forces are having on health determinants and outcomes require more effective collective action. The Asian region has been among the most acutely affected by the health impacts of globalisation, while many health issues in the region have potentially far reaching consequences. The rapidly rising economic status of many Asian countries, coupled with their vulnerability to global health, points to the need to better understand their contributions to Global Health Governance (GHG). This article analyses Asian contributions to three key instruments underpinning GHG – the International Health Regulations (IHR), Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework (PIPF), and Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). It finds that, if Asian countries are to move, from rule takers to rule makers, there is a need to address weak capacity in the region, to go beyond traditional notions of sovereignty, and to build trust and policy processes across the region.Policy implications
The impacts of globalisation on health within the region, and the potential for health issues in the region to have global consequences, suggest that strengthening GHG requires increased Asian engagement commensurate with the region’s growing economic strength.
Emergent forms of GHG have been shaped to date by a small number of high income countries. Asian state and nonstate actors have been increasingly inclined to challenge existing institutional arrangements and rules.
Without stronger technical capacity and political processes to enable meaningful participation in global health governance negotiations, Asian countries will remain rule takers rather than rule makers.
Adenocarcinoma of the parotid salivary gland in a cow
Authors: Salgado Breno S. , Monteiro Lidianne N. , Grandi Fabrizio , Nonogaki Suely , Rocha Rafael M. , Rocha Noeme S. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractA 6‐year‐oldGirolando dairy cow was presented for evaluation of a large subcutaneous facial mass. Fine‐needle aspirates of the mass contained many neoplastic cells with high nuclear:cytoplasmic ratios arranged in sheets and loosely cohesive clusters with streaming erythrocytes and neutrophils in the background. Neoplastic cells were 13–25 μm in diameter and were round to cuboidal with variably distinct borders. Based on the signalment, anatomic location, and cytologic findings, differential diagnoses included salivary adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and mucoepidermoid carcinoma. The cow was euthanized and a necropsy was performed. The primary neoplasm arose from the left parotid salivary gland and meastatic tumor was found in the regional lymph nodes and lung. Histologically, the tumor was composed of anastomosing and irregular solid islets surrounded by scant stroma. Cells were negative for periodic acid‐Schiff (PAS),PAS‐diastase, andAlcian bluepH2.5 stains, used to detect mucin. On immunohistochemical analysis, neoplastic luminal salivary gland cells expressed cytokeratin, but notS100, α‐smooth muscle actin, or vimentin. Peripheral cells of neoplastic islets were immunoreactive for p63. The final diagnosis was nonsecretory adenocarcinoma of the parotid salivary gland.
Comparison of BD GeneOhm Cdiff and Seegene Seeplex ACE PCR Assays Using Toxigenic Clostridium difficile Culture for Direct Detection of
tcdB
from Stool Specimens
Authors: Shin Bo-Moon , Mun Se Jin , Yoo Soo Jin , Kuak Eun Young 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACT

We evaluated the performances of 2 PCR assays (BD GeneOhm and Seegene ACE) for direct detection of
tcdB
from stool specimens. The concordance rate between BD and Seegene was 96.3%. The sensitivities, specificities, positive predictive values (PPVs), and negative predictive values (NPVs) of BD and Seegene were 95.7%, 96.5%, 91.8%, and 98.2% and 90.0%, 97.1%, 92.6%, and 96.0%, respectively.
Multilocus Variable-Number Tandem-Repeat Analysis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae Clinical Isolates from 1962 to the Present: a Retrospective Study
Authors: Benitez Alvaro J. , Diaz Maureen H. , Wolff Bernard J. , Pimentel Guillermo , Njenga M. Kariuki , Estevez Alejandra , Winchell Jonas M. 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACT

In this study, we evaluated a recently developed multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat (VNTR) analysis (MLVA) method for the molecular typing of
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
. The method is based on GeneScan analysis of five VNTR loci throughout the genome which define a specific genotype based on the number of tandem repeats within each locus. A retrospective analysis of 154
M. pneumoniae
clinical isolates collected over the last 50 years and a limited (
n
= 4) number of
M. pneumoniae-
positive primary specimens acquired by the CDC was performed using MLVA. Eighteen distinct VNTR types were identified, including two previously unidentified VNTR types. Isolates from several
M. pneumoniae
community outbreaks within the United States were also analyzed to examine clonality of a specific MLVA type. Observed
in vitro
variability of the Mpn1 VNTR locus prompted further analysis, which showed multiple insertions or deletions of tandem repeats within this locus for a number of specimens and isolates. To our knowledge, this is the first report showing variation within the Mpn1 locus, thus affecting precise and reliable classification using the current MLVA typing system. The superior discriminatory capability of MLVA provides a powerful tool for greater resolution of
M. pneumoniae
strains and could be useful during outbreaks and epidemiological investigations.
A Mouse Model for the Study of Contact-Dependent Transmission of Influenza A Virus and the Factors That Govern Transmissibility
Authors: Edenborough Kathryn M. , Gilbertson Brad P. , Brown Lorena E. 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACTInfluenza A virus transmission by direct contact is not well characterized. Here, we describe a mouse model for investigation of factors regulating contact-dependent transmission. Strains within the H3N2 but not H1N1 subtype of influenza virus were transmissible, and reverse-engineered viruses representing hybrids of these subtypes showed that the viral hemagglutinin is a determinant of the transmissible phenotype. Transmission to contact mice occurred within the first 6 to 54 h after cohousing with directly infected index mice, and the proportion of contacts infected within this period was reduced if the index mice had been preinfected with a heterologous subtype virus. A threshold level of virus present in the saliva of the index mice was identified, above which the likelihood of transmission was greatly increased. There was no correlation with transmission and viral loads in the nose or lung. This model could be useful for preclinical evaluation of antiviral and vaccine efficacy in combating contact-dependent transmission of influenza.
Probing the Early Temporal and Spatial Interaction of the Sindbis Virus Capsid and E2 Proteins with Reverse Genetics
Authors: Snyder Jonathan E. , Berrios Christian J. , Edwards Thomas J. , Jose Joyce , Perera Rushika , Kuhn Richard J. 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACT

A 7-Å cryoelectron microscopy-based reconstruction of Sindbis virus (SINV) was recently generated. Fitting the crystal structure of the SINV capsid protein (Cp) into the density map revealed that the F2-G2 loop of the Cp was shifted away from cytoplasmic domain of E2 (cdE2) in the 7-Å reconstruction relative to its position in the Cp crystal structure. Furthermore, the reconstruction demonstrated that residue E395 in region I of the cytoplasmic domain of the E2 envelope protein (cdE2-RI) and K252 of Cp, part of the Cp F2-G2 loop, formed a putative salt bridge in the virion. We generated amino acid substitutions at residues K250 and K252 of the SINV Cp and explored the resulting phenotypes. In the context of cells infected with wild-type or mutant virus, reversing the charge of these two residues resulted in the appearance of Cp aggregates around cytopathic vacuole type I (CPV-I) structures, the absence of nucleocapsid (NC) formation, and a lack of virus particle release in the infected mammalian cell. However, expressing the same Cp mutants in the cell without the envelope proteins or expressing and purifying the mutants from an
Escherichia coli
expression system and assembling
in vitro
yielded NC assembly in all cases. In addition, second-site mutations within cdE2 restored NC assembly but not release of infectious particles. Our data suggest an early temporal and spatial interaction between cdE2-RI and the Cp F2-G2 loop that, when ablated, leads to the absence of NC assembly. This interaction also appears to be important for budding of virus particles.
Chromatin Assembly on Herpes Simplex Virus 1 DNA Early during a Lytic Infection Is Asf1a Dependent
Authors: Oh Jaewook , Ruskoski Nicholas , Fraser Nigel W. 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACT
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a large DNA virus which is characterized by its ability to form latent infections in neurons of the peripheral nervous system. Although histones are found in the capsids of small DNA viruses (papovaviruses), none are found in the capsids of large HSV. However, after entry into the infected cell nucleus, the HSV genome begins to associate with nucleosomes during the earliest stages of infection. In contrast, late during infection, newly replicated viral DNA does not appear to associate with nucleosomes, suggesting that histones are deposited specifically on input viral DNA. The mechanisms of deposition and removing histones from the viral genome are unclear. Recently, histone chaperones, involved in the assembly and disassembly of nucleosomes, have been identified. Human antisilencing factor 1 (Asf1) is one such factor which is involved in both the assembly and disassembly of nucleosomes in cellular systems. In this study, we have examined the effect of small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown of Asf1a on HSV infections in HeLa cells. Both viral replication and growth were found to be decreased. Also, viral DNA was significantly less protected from micrococcal nuclease (MNase) digestion up to 6 h postinfection (hpi). However, transcription of the immediate early (IE) genes ICP0 and ICP4 was significantly upregulated at 3 h postinfection. Also, these genes were found to be less protected from MNase digestion and, therefore, less associated with nucleosomes. These results suggest that Asf1a plays a role in regulating IE genes by assembling chromatin onto histone-free viral DNA by 3 h postinfection.
Radiofrequency denervation of the inguinal ligament for the treatment of ‘Sportsman's Hernia’: a pilot study
Authors: Comin Jules , Obaid Haron , Lammers Greg , Moore James , Wotherspoon Mark , Connell David 
Published: September 2012

BackgroundChronic groin pain is a common and debilitating condition in highly active athletes. Symptoms are often ascribed to the so-called Sportsman's Hernia, and these patients frequently undergo prolonged and often painful remedial physiotherapy, or, if the condition is refractory, surgery to repair the posterior inguinal wall.HypothesisWe hypothesised that radiofrequency denervation (RFD) of both the ilioinguinal nerve and inguinal ligament could be used to desensitise the groin region and enable the athlete to become pain-free.Study designA prospective randomised controlled trial of three groups of patients with chronic groin pain.MethodsThirty-six patients with chronic groin pain of greater than 6 months duration, with no identifiable structural cause and which was refractory to conservative treatment, were randomised into two groups. Group 1 was treated with RFD (n=18), while group 2 was treated with local anaesthetic (Bupivicaine) and steroid (Trimacinolone) injection (n=18). A further 10 patients with previous failed surgery for the same condition were treated with RFD without randomisation. All patients then underwent a standardised physiotherapy regimen. The Visual Analogue Scale at rest (VASr) and with activity (VASa) was used to assess pain, and London Adductor and Abdominal Groin Score was used to assess function, at baseline and at 1 week, 3 months and 6 months post-treatment.ResultsRFD treatment resulted in a significant improvement above baseline in all measures and at each time intervals up to 6 months, in both the randomised Group 1 and in the postsurgery group (p values ranging from <0.001 to 0.001). Injection of local anaesthetic and steroid resulted in a significant improvement above baseline in all measures, but only at 1 week (p values ranging from 0.001 to 0.021), and not at any of the later intervals. Improvements in all measures was significantly greater in Group 1 than in Group 2 at all follow-up intervals (p values ranging from <0.001 to 0.003). No persistent adverse events were recorded.ConclusionsThe use of RFD in the treatment of refractory Sportsman's Hernia is safe and efficacious at least in the short term, and is superior to anaesthetic/steroid injection. The results suggest that symptoms are related to tendon inflammation and ilioinguinal nerve compression, and can be abolished with pharmacological or radiofrequency treatment, without the need for surgery.Clinical relevanceThis novel technique could help athletes suffering from chronic groin pain return to play more quickly, both facilitating and allowing deferral of remedial physiotherapy treatments, and potentially avoiding the need for surgery.
Effect of stamped reply envelopes and timing of newsletter delivery on response rates of mail survey: a randomised controlled trial in a prospective cohort study
Authors: Wakabayashi Chizuko , Hayashi Kunihiko , Nagai Kazue , Sakamoto Naoko , Iwasaki Yoko 
Published: September 2012

ObjectiveTo examine the effects of stamped reply envelope and the timing of newsletter distribution.DesignA randomised controlled trial in a prospective cohort study with a 2×2 factorial design of two interventions.SettingThe Japan Nurses’ Health Study (JNHS), a prospective cohort study for women's health.ParticipantsThe present study included 6938 women who were part of the first-year entry cohort for the fifth wave of the biannual follow-up survey of the JNHS.InterventionThe participants were randomly allocated into four groups; Group-1 (business-reply, newsletter with initial mailing), Group-2 (business-reply, newsletter with reminder), Group-3 (stamped envelopes, newsletter with initial mailing) and Group-4 (stamped envelopes, newsletter with reminder). The thank-you and reminder letters were mailed out at the end of the sixth week. This study was censored at the end of 12 weeks.Main outcome measuresMain outcome measures were cumulative response at the end of 6 and 12 weeks after mailing out the questionnaire.ResultsThe cumulative response at 12 weeks were 58.3% for Group-1, 54.1% for Group-2, 60.5% for Group-3 and 56.7% for Group-4 (p=0.001). The odds of the response was higher for stamped envelopes than for business-reply envelopes (OR (95% CI)=1.10(1.00 to 1.21)). The odds was higher for newsletter delivery with initial mailing than for with reminder (1.18(1.07 to 1.29)). The response in first 6 weeks for stamped envelope was significantly higher than for business-reply envelope (p=0.047). Although the response in 6 weeks for women received the newsletter with initial mailing was lower than for women who did not, the proportions did not differ significantly (p=0.291).ConclusionsThe style of return envelope affected response rates of mail survey. The results of this study suggest that practices of provision of the additional information, should be handled individually in advance, as a separate event from sending follow-up questionnaire or reminder letters.
An exploratory study of the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of advance care planning in family caregivers of patients with advanced illness in Singapore
Authors: Ng Raymond , Chan Susan , Ng Tzer Wee , Chiam Ai Ling , Lim Sthenos 
Published: September 2012

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to examine the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of advance care planning (ACP) in caregivers of patients with advanced illness in Singapore.MethodsFamily caregivers of patients within the palliative care unit in a hospital and a hospice were purposively recruited and interviewed. Qualitative content analysis was carried out exploring key themes and subthemes emerging from the data.ResultsBetween May 2009 and May 2010, 18 participants were interviewed. All participants interviewed had low awareness of ACP and the Advance Medical Directive but felt that ACP is important. Perceived benefits of ACP were that it respects autonomy, guides patients and families, and reduces burden of decision-making near the end-of-life. Barriers to ACP include non-disclosure of diagnosis as well as uncertainty of when and how ACP should be broached. There was a reticence to talk openly about issues surrounding end-of-life care as a result of cultural taboo and a fear that doing so will destroy hope. While all participants would consider ACP for themselves, some were ambivalent about discussing ACP for their loved ones, especially when their loved ones were of an older generation. Involvement of the family unit and physicians in ACP were viewed as important.ConclusionThis study highlights the need for public education on the benefits and process of ACP in Singapore. In formulating an approach to ACP, there is a need to take into account cultural sensitivities towards ACP discussions and the importance of closely involving the family unit in the process.
Tectonic development of the southern Karasu Valley, Turkey: successive structural events during basin formation
Authors: Boulton Sarah J. 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

New fault data are presented for the Karasu Valley, southern Turkey. Field measurements concentrate on the Eocene–Miocene (
c.
48–7 Ma) sediments exposed on the south-western rift margin, in order to investigate the early development of this basin. Fault data show two trends in orientation NW–SE and NE–SW with a subordinate north–south trend. Stress inversions combined with field relationships indicate at least three phases of faulting. Firstly, an extensional event characterized by NE–SW and NW–SE normal faults, which are interpreted to have formed owing to flexural uplift in the forebulge region to the Bitlis–Zagros collisional front prior to the Middle Miocene. Secondly, north–south normal faults invert to give a stress ratio [
R
=(σ
2
– σ
3
/σ
1
– σ
3
)] indicative of an extensional stress regime, transitional to strike-slip faulting. The final stress phase (Pliocene–Recent) is of strike-slip faulting and east–west-trending normal faulting. This stress regime is interpreted as the result of the propagation of the Dead Sea Fault or East Anatolian Fault. Previous models of rift formation have invoked either transpressional or transtensional origins for the area; the new data presented here indicate that the southernmost Karasu Valley developed through extension followed by transtension.

Supplementary material:

The fault data (including location, orientation, kinematic information) used in this study are available at
www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18532
.
The TMPRSS2:ERG Rearrangement, ERG Expression, and Prostate Cancer Outcomes: A Cohort Study and Meta-analysis
Authors: Pettersson Andreas , Graff Rebecca E. , Bauer Scott R. , Pitt Michael J. , Lis Rosina T. , Stack Edward C. , Martin Neil E. , Kunz Lauren , Penney Kathryn L. , Ligon Azra H. , Suppan Catherine , Flavin Richard , Sesso Howard D. , Rider Jennifer R. , Sweeney Christopher , Stampfer Meir J. , Fiorentino Michelangelo , Kantoff Philip W. , Sanda Martin G. , Giovannucci Edward L. , Ding Eric L. , Loda Massimo , Mucci Lorelei A. 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
Background: Whether the genomic rearrangement transmembrane protease, serine 2 (TMPRSS2):v-ets erythroblastosis virus E26 oncogene homolog (ERG) has prognostic value in prostate cancer is unclear.
Methods: Among men with prostate cancer in the prospective Physicians' Health and Health Professionals Follow-Up Studies, we identified rearrangement status by immunohistochemical assessment of ERG protein expression. We used Cox models to examine associations of ERG overexpression with biochemical recurrence and lethal disease (distant metastases or cancer-specific mortality). In a meta-analysis including 47 additional studies, we used random-effects models to estimate associations between rearrangement status and outcomes.
Results: The cohort consisted of 1,180 men treated with radical prostatectomy between 1983 and 2005. During a median follow-up of 12.6 years, 266 men experienced recurrence and 85 men developed lethal disease. We found no significant association between ERG overexpression and biochemical recurrence [hazard ratio (HR), 0.99; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.78–1.26] or lethal disease (HR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.61–1.43). The meta-analysis of prostatectomy series included 5,074 men followed for biochemical recurrence (1,623 events), and 2,049 men followed for lethal disease (131 events). TMPRSS2:ERG was associated with stage at diagnosis [risk ratio (RR)≥T3 vs. T2, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.16–1.30) but not with biochemical recurrence (RR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.86–1.17) or lethal disease (RR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.47–2.09).
Conclusions: These results suggest that TMPRSS2:ERG, or ERG overexpression, is associated with tumor stage but does not strongly predict recurrence or mortality among men treated with radical prostatectomy.
Impact: This is the largest prospective cohort study to examine associations of ERG overexpression and lethal prostate cancer among men treated with radical prostatectomy. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 21(9); 1497–509. ©2012 AACR.
Risk of Advanced-Stage Breast Cancer among Older Women with Comorbidities
Authors: Yasmeen Shagufta , Hubbard Rebecca A. , Romano Patrick S. , Zhu Weiwei , Geller Berta M. , Onega Tracy , Yankaskas Bonnie C. , Miglioretti Diana L. , Kerlikowske Karla 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
Background: Comorbidities have been suggested influencing mammography use and breast cancer stage at diagnosis. We compared mammography use, and overall and advanced-stage breast cancer rates, among female Medicare beneficiaries with different levels of comorbidity.
Methods: We used linked Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium (BCSC) and Medicare claims data from 1998 through 2006 to ascertain comorbidities among 149,045 female Medicare beneficiaries ages 67 and older who had mammography. We defined comorbidities as either “unstable” (life-threatening or difficult to control) or “stable” (age-related with potential to affect daily activity) on the basis of claims within 2 years before each mammogram.
Results: Having undergone two mammograms within 30 months was more common in women with stable comorbidities (86%) than in those with unstable (80.3%) or no (80.9%) comorbidities. Overall rates of advanced-stage breast cancer were lower among women with no comorbidities [0.5 per 1,000 mammograms, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.3–0.8] than among those with stable comorbidities (0.8; 95% CI, 0.7–0.9; P = 0.065 compared with no comorbidities) or unstable comorbidities (1.1; 95% CI, 0.9–1.3; P = 0.002 compared with no comorbidities). Among women having undergone two mammograms within 4 to 18 months, those with unstable and stable comorbidities had significantly higher advanced cancer rates than those with no comorbidities (P = 0.004 and P = 0.03, respectively).
Conclusions: Comorbidities were associated with more frequent use of mammography but also higher risk of advanced-stage disease at diagnosis among the subset of women who had the most frequent use of mammography.
Impact: Future studies need to examine whether specific comorbidities affect clinical progression of breast cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 21(9); 1510–9. ©2012 AACR.