bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Performance evaluation of the Pima™ point‐of‐care CD4 analyser using capillary blood sampling in field tests in South Africa
Authors: Glencross Deborah K , Coetzee Lindi M , Faal Mamsallah , Masango Martin , Stevens Wendy S , Venter WD Francois , Osih Regina 
Published: January 2012

BackgroundPoint‐of‐care CD4 testing can provide immediate CD4 reporting at HIV‐testing sites. This study evaluated performance of capillary blood sampling using the point‐of‐care Pima™ CD4 device in representative primary health care clinics doing HIV testing.MethodsPrior to testing, prescribed capillary‐sampling and instrument training was undertaken by suppliers across all sites. Matching venous EDTA samples were drawn throughout for comparison to laboratory predicate methodology (PLG/CD4). In Phase I, Pima™ cartridges were pipette‐filled with EDTA venous blood in the laboratory (N = 100). In Phase II (N = 77), Pima™ CD4 with capillary sampling was performed by a single operator in a hospital‐based antenatal clinic. During subsequent field testing, Pima™ CD4 with capillary sampling was performed in primary health care clinics on HIV‐positive patients by multiple attending nursing personnel in a rural clinic (Phase‐IIIA, N = 96) and an inner‐city clinic (Phase‐IIIB, N = 139).ResultsPima™ CD4 compared favourably to predicate/CD4 when cartridges were pipette‐filled with venous blood (bias ‐17.3 ± STDev = 36.7 cells/mm3; precision‐to‐predicate %CV < 6%). Decreased precision of Pima™ CD4 to predicate/CD4 (varying from 17.6 to 28.8%SIM CV; mean bias = 37.9 ± STDev = 179.5 cells/mm3) was noted during field testing in the hospital antenatal clinic. In the rural clinic field‐studies, unacceptable precision‐to‐predicate and positive bias was noted (mean 28.4%SIM CV; mean bias = +105.7 ± STDev = 225.4 cells/mm3). With additional proactive manufacturer support, reliable performance was noted in the subsequent inner‐city clinic field study where acceptable precision‐to‐predicate (11%SIM CV) and less bias of Pima™ to predicate was shown (BA bias ~11 ± STDev = 69 cells/mm3).ConclusionsVariable precision of Pima™ to predicate CD4 across study sites was attributable to variable capillary sampling. Poor precision was noted in the outlying primary health care clinic where the system is most likely to be used. Stringent attention to capillary blood collection technique is therefore imperative if technologies like Pima™ are used with capillary sampling at the POC. Pima™ CD4 analysis with venous blood was shown to be reproducible, but testing at the point of care exposes operators to biohazard risk related to uncapping vacutainer samples and pipetting of blood, and is best placed in smaller laboratories using established principles of Good Clinical Laboratory Practice. The development of capillary sampling quality control methods that assure reliable CD4 counts at the point of care are awaited.
Polymersomes as nano-carriers to retain harmful recoil nuclides in alpha radionuclide therapy: a feasibility study
Authors: Thijssen L. , Schaart D. R. , de Vries D. , Morgenstern A. , Bruchertseifer F. , Denkova A. G. 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
Targeted alpha therapy has shown promising pre-clinical and clinical results in the fight against cancer. The use of in vivo generators, generating a highly cytotoxic cascade of alpha particles, is attracting increasing interest for clinical application. 225Ac is one of the nuclides that can serve as an in vivo generator. It is commercially available and provides four alpha particles with a total energy of 28 MeV per 225Ac decay. However, its alpha emitting daughter nuclides may escape from the target region due to recoil and cause unwanted toxicity in other parts of the body. In this paper, we investigate the feasibility of designing spherical, block-copolymer based nano-carriers (polymersomes) to retain the recoiling daughter nuclides. A Monte Carlo code, called NANVES, has been developed to simulate the range distributions of recoil atoms in different materials and to determine the optimum nano-carriers design. Recoil ranges in planar polystyrene films were determined experimentally and compared to simulations of the experiment, indicating that NANVES may provide accurate results. Simulations of various nano-carriers designs indicate that double-layered polymersomes with a diameter of 800 nm are capable of completely retaining the first daughter nuclide 221Fr, while the escape fraction of the third radioactive daughter 213Bi is reduced to 20% and the percentage of alpha particles emitted from escaped daughter products outside the nano-carriers is less than 10%.
Detecting Rare Variant Associations by Identity-by-Descent Mapping in Case-Control Studies
Authors: Browning Sharon R , Thompson Elizabeth A 
Published: January 2012

AbstractIdentity-by-descent (IBD) mapping tests whether cases share more segments of IBD around a putative causal variant than do controls. These segments of IBD can be accurately detected from genome-wide SNP data. We investigate the power of IBD mapping relative to that of SNP association testing for genome-wide case-control SNP data. Our focus is particularly on rare variants, as these tend to be more recent and hence more likely to have recent shared ancestry. We simulate data from both large and small populations and find that the relative performance of IBD mapping and SNP association testing depends on population demographic history and the strength of selection against causal variants. We also present an IBD mapping analysis of a type 1 diabetes data set. In those data we find that we can detect association only with the HLA region using IBD mapping. Overall, our results suggest that IBD mapping may have higher power than association analysis of SNP data when multiple rare causal variants are clustered within a gene. However, for outbred populations, very large sample sizes may be required for genome-wide significance unless the causal variants have strong effects.
Crossover Distribution and Frequency Are Regulated by him-5 in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Meneely Philip M , McGovern Olivia L , Heinis Frazer I , Yanowitz Judith L 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
Mutations in the him-5 gene in Caenorhabditis elegans strongly reduce the frequency of crossovers on the X chromosome, with lesser effects on the autosomes. him-5 mutants also show a change in crossover distribution on both the X and autosomes. These phenotypes are accompanied by a delayed entry into pachytene and premature desynapsis of the X chromosome. The nondisjunction, progression defects and desynapsis can be rescued by an exogenous source of double strand breaks (DSBs), indicating that the role of HIM-5 is to promote the formation of meiotic DSBs. Molecular cloning of the gene shows that the inferred HIM-5 product is a highly basic protein of 252 amino acids with no clear orthologs in other species, including other Caenorhabditis species. Although him-5 mutants are defective in segregation of the X chromosome, HIM-5 protein localizes preferentially to the autosomes. The mutant phenotypes and localization of him-5 are similar but not identical to the results seen with xnd-1, although unlike xnd-1, him-5 has no apparent effect on the acetylation of histone H2A on lysine 5 (H2AacK5). The localization of HIM-5 to the autosomes depends on the activities of both xnd-1 and him-17 allowing us to begin to establish pathways for the control of crossover distribution and frequency.
Surrogate Genetics and Metabolic Profiling for Characterization of Human Disease Alleles
Authors: Mayfield Jacob A , Davies Meara W , Dimster-Denk Dago , Pleskac Nick , McCarthy Sean , Boydston Elizabeth A , Fink Logan , Lin Xin Xin , Narain Ankur S , Meighan Michael , Rine Jasper 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
Cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS) deficiency is a human genetic disease causing homocystinuria, thrombosis, mental retardation, and a suite of other devastating manifestations. Early detection coupled with dietary modification greatly reduces pathology, but the response to treatment differs with the allele of CBS. A better understanding of the relationship between allelic variants and protein function will improve both diagnosis and treatment. To this end, we tested the function of 84 CBS alleles previously sequenced from patients with homocystinuria by ortholog replacement in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Within this clinically associated set, 15% of variant alleles were indistinguishable from the predominant CBS allele in function, suggesting enzymatic activity was retained. An additional 37% of the alleles were partially functional or could be rescued by cofactor supplementation in the growth medium. This large class included alleles rescued by elevated levels of the cofactor vitamin B6, but also alleles rescued by elevated heme, a second CBS cofactor. Measurement of the metabolite levels in CBS-substituted yeast grown with different B6 levels using LC–MS revealed changes in metabolism that propagated beyond the substrate and product of CBS. Production of the critical antioxidant glutathione through the CBS pathway was greatly decreased when CBS function was restricted through genetic, cofactor, or substrate restriction, a metabolic consequence with implications for treatment.
Randomized Trial of Oral Versus Sequential IV/Oral Antibiotic for Acute Pyelonephritis in Children
Authors: Bocquet Nathalie , Sergent Alaoui Aline , Jais Jean-Pierre , Gajdos Vincent , Guigonis Vincent , Lacour Bernard , Chéron Gérard 
Published: January 2012

OBJECTIVE:
To confirm whether oral antibiotic treatment is as efficacious as sequential intravenous/oral antibiotic treatment in the prevention of renal scarring in children with acute pyelonephritis and scintigraphy-documented acute lesions.

METHODS:
In a prospective multicenter trial, children aged 1 to 36 months with their first case of acute pyelonephritis, a serum procalcitonin concentration ≥0.5 ng/mL, no known uropathy, and a normal ultrasound exam were randomized into 2 treatment groups. They received either oral cefixime for 10 days or intravenous ceftriaxone for 4 days followed by oral cefixime for 6 days. Patients with acute renal lesions detected on early dimercaptosuccinic acid scintigraphy underwent a follow-up scintigraphy 6 to 8 months later.

RESULTS:
The study included 171 infants and children. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in any clinical characteristic. Initial scintigraphy results were abnormal for 119 children. Ninety-six children were measured for renal scarring at the follow-up scintigraphy (per protocol analysis population). The incidence of renal scarring was 30.8% in the oral treatment group and 27.3% for children who received the sequential treatment.

CONCLUSIONS:
Although this trial does not statistically demonstrate the noninferiority of oral treatment compared with the sequential treatment, our study confirmed the results of previously published reports and therefore supports the use of an oral antibiotic treatment of primary episodes of acute pyelonephritis in infants and young children.
Low-cost 13.56MHz Rectifier Based on Organic Diode
Authors: Wang Hong , Ji Zhuoyu , Shang Liwei , Chen Yingping , Lu Congyan , Li Dongmei , Peng Yingquan , Liu Ming 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTIn this paper, low-cost rectifier based on an organic diode for use in organic radio frequency identification (RFID) tags is proposed. Pentacene is the electroactive layer, with 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) modified low-cost copper (Cu) and aluminum (Al) as the Ohmic and Schottky contacts, respectively. Hole injection barrier between Cu and pentacene can be decreased by forming the self-assembled layers of Cu-TCNQ. The diode shows a high rectification ratio of approximately 2×106 at 5V and the organic diode based rectifier circuit generated a dc output voltage of approximately 2V at 13.56MHz, using an input ac signal with zero-to-peak voltage amplitude of 5 V. The results indicate that chemical modification of the low-cost electrodes could be an efficient way toward low-cost high performance organic electronics devices.
Expanding the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (Ex-GRADE) for Evidence-Based Clinical Recommendations: Validation Study
Authors: Phi Linda , Ajaj Reem , Ramchandani Manisha H , Brant Xenia MC , Oluwadara Oluwadayo , Polinovsky Olga , Moradi David , Barkhordarian Andre , Sriphanlop Pathu , Ong Margaret , Giroux Amy , Lee Justin , Siddiqui Muniza , Ghodousi Nora , Chiappelli Francesco 
Published: January 2012

Clinicians use general practice guidelines as a source of support for their intervention, but how much confidence should they place on these recommendations? How much confidence should patients place on these recommendations? Various instruments are available to assess the quality of evidence of research, such as the revised Wong scale (R-Wong) which examines the quality of research design, methodology and data analysis, and the revision of the assessment of multiple systematic reviews (R-AMSTAR), which examines the quality of systematic reviews.The Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) Working Group developed an instrument called the GRADE system in order to grade the quality of the evidence in studies and to evaluate the strength of recommendation of the intervention that is proposed in the published article. The GRADE looks at four factors to determine the quality of the evidence: study design, study quality, consistency, and directness. After combining the four components and assessing the grade of the evidence, the strength of recommendation of the intervention is established. The GRADE, however, only makes a qualitative assessment of the evidence and does not generate quantifiable data.In this study, we have quantified both the grading of the quality of evidence and also the strength of recommendation of the original GRADE, hence expanding the GRADE. This expansion of the GRADE (Ex-GRADE) permits the creation of a new instrument that can produce tangible data and possibly bridge the gap between evidence-based research and evidence-based clinical practice.
What makes multinational clinical research ethical & how to minimize possible exploitation in host country?
Authors: Ali Md Ashraf 
Published: January 2012

BACKGROUND: In recent years there has been substantial debate about the ethics of research in developing countries. The controversies have been centered on (i) standard of care that should be used in research (ii) reasonable availability of interventions that are proven to be useful and (iii) quality of informed consent. Clinical research is different from clinical practice in ethically important ways where each has different goals, different methods and different justification for risk to individuals. The goal of clinical research is to generate useful knowledge about health and illness. Benefit to participants is not the purpose of research, although it does occur. Here people are the means to develop useful knowledge; and are thus at risk of exploitation. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bioethics.v2i2.9541 Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2011; 2(2): 20-23
Institutional Ethical Review Board (IERB): concept & contect
Authors: Talukder Md Humayun Kabir , Hossain Md Zakir , Ahkter Nasrin , Perveen Ismat Ara 
Published: January 2012

According to modern concept of institutional review board, all proposal of biomedical research involving human participants should be cleared/approved by an Institutional review board (IRB) is mandatory. Competence and independence are the two hallmarks of an IRB. The responsibilities of an IRB are protection of dignity, rights and well being of potential research participants. All research projects do not pass through IRB in Bangladesh. Many researches have been performed without ethical clearance. Young healthcare professionals are scare about IRB as they have little ides about IRB. Structure of IRB, Review procedures and IRB in Bangladesh are discussed in this paper to better understanding of ethical process of research paper to the health care professsionals. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bioethics.v2i2.9542 Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2011; 2(2): 24-25
Justification of participation of human subjects in Phase 1 clinical trials: an ethical analysis
Authors: Memon Inayat Ullah 
Published: January 2012

In the process of clinical trials, after ascertaining the safety of drugs or other therapeutic interventions in animals or in vivo, phase I clinical trials are conducted as initial step on healthy human volunteers (or patients with specific disease) to observe pharmacokinetics, safety and side effects associated with escalating doses of the drugs. Participation of human subjects having different biological system than animals is not without risks in these trials; this fact raises some important ethical issues. In the light of international research ethics guidelines, this paper analyses moral justification of use of humans as research subjects in phase I clinical trials, discusses what groups of participants should be involved, their economic status, questionable coercive effect of monetary remuneration on the subjects and soundness of informed consent obtained for the trials. These issues are also discussed in the perspective of four founding principles of bioethics i.e. autonomy, justice, beneficence and non-maleficence. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bioethics.v2i2.9543 Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2011; 2(2): 26-29
Sentimentos relacionados à infidelidade conjugal: um estudo com universitários
Authors: Andrade Morgana Do Nascimento , Mello Ivana Suely Bezerra de , Dias Cristina Maria de Souza Brito 
Published: January 2012

Objective: to investigate the conjugal infidelity, from the opinion of students of the University Center of João Pessoa/UNIPÊ. Methods: the sample consisted of 100 heterosexuals persons, with average age of 22.69 years old, being 51 of them from the male sex and 49 from the female sex. In the analysis of the results, it was used the Likert scale of 5 points, to measure the degree of agreement and disagreement of the respondents of feelings related with the conjugal infidelity. The results have been analyzed regarding frequency and percentage. Results: concerning have being or not betrayed the partner, regarding to the sex, it was obtained the percentage of 33% of men against 11% of women declared to have already betrayed; and 40% of women against 16% of men declared never having done it. The feelings in a situation of conjugal infidelity manifested by men were: regretting, remorse and adventure; and by women: adventure, sorrow, and remorse. Regarding the matter about having been betrayed or not by the partner; 12% of men against 28% of women related to have been betrayed; and 37% of men against 23% of women declared the opposite. Conclusion: it is concluded that women are more loyal; that in both sexes, feelings like regretting, anger and desire of knowing the reason are present in the betrayers and betrayed ones. Descriptors: marriage; sexuality; adult; assistance.
Acidentes de trabalho entre mulheres brasileiras atendidas em uma unidade de emergência
Authors: Silveira Cristiane Aparecida , Robazzi Maria Lúcia Carmo Cruz , Alves Liliana Amorim , Suazo Sandra Verônica Valenzuela 
Published: January 2012

Objective: to identify the occurrence of Occupational Accidents among women attended in a hospital in São Paulo city, characterizing them. Methods: observational, non-experimental and descriptive study, from quantitative approach. An instrument has been validated by experts for data collection; it were studied the patients’ charts from 2002 to 2003, in an Emergency Unit of a teaching hospital of the Sao Paulo State, Brazil. The study has been approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Clinics Hospital of the Faculty of Medicine University of São Paulo (4799/2004). Results: 82 women were victims of 117 Occupational Accidents. Most of the 82 female Occupational Accidents victims were between 25-40 years old (52.78%); 47.56% were married. Most of the women were nursing technicians and aides (29,27% each). Most of the Occupational Accidents (32.93%) were caused by falls. Conclusions: suggestions are presented to minimize these events, in terms of protecting women’s work and train health professionals to enable them to offer better care to these accident victims. Descriptors: occupational health; female work; emergency medical services.
O acolhimento do profissional da saúde no atendimento à mulher vítima de violência sexual
Authors: Ayres Lílian Fernandes , Amorim Wellington Mendonça , Silva Leila Rangel 
Published: January 2012

Objectives: to investigate on the first aid form used for victims of sexual violence, the behavior of health professionals over emergency anticonception procedures, chemoprophylaxis for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis B; towards the assistencial demands with regard to the protocol considered by The Health Department. Methods: this is a descriptive study based on the quantitative analysis on which have been studied 204 first aid forms for the victims of sexual violence at Rio de Janeiro Health Department. The study has been approved by the Committee of Ethics in Research of the College’s Hospital São Francisco de Assis of the University Federal of Rio de Janeiro (003/06). Results: 64 % showed that the emergency anticonception has been managed. The HIV prophylaxis has been perfomed in 61%. On the Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) prophylaxis, 85% have been carried out. The Hepatitis B prophylaxis has been executed im 77% of the cases. Conclusion: during the data collection, it has been observed that the capacitation courses undertaken have contributed to improving the quality of the care. The need for the Public Health to continue on capacitating the health professionals has become evident. This way, the professionals involved in the care to the victims of sexual violence can perform a qualified and effective care. Descriptors: sexual violence; women’s health; admission; nursing.
Investigação dos óbitos infantis através do modelo Calgary de avaliação e intervenção em famílias
Authors: Casarin Sidnéia Tessmer , Ceolin Teila , Carvalho Rita De Cássia Mourão dos Reis , Heck Rita Maria , Schwartz Eda , Silva Jose Richard de Sosa 
Published: January 2012

Objective: to report the use of the Calgary Family Assessment Model (CFAM) in family interviews in an infant death survey in two counties in southern Rio Grande do Sul state. Methods: a descriptive, exploratory and qualitative approach study performed in 2007 in two southern Rio Grande do Sul counties. One family in each county who had gone through infant death was surveyed by means of home visitations through the use of the CFAM. The study has a qualitative approach and the pieces of information obtained during the interviews, genogram and ecomap preparation, as well as those collected on the infant death survey form, were considered for data analysis. The study has been approved by the Committee of Ethics in Research of the Medicine Faculty of the Federal University of Pelotas (063/07). Results: the Calgary Family Assessment Model proved to be useful in approaching families that mourned the early loss of one of their members, bringing together the nursing professional and the family, as well as strengthening the bonds between the family and the public welfare system. Conclusion: this study led us to the conclusion that the nursing professional, by means of a systemic family care approach, is able to provide a broader assistance to family needs. Descriptors: infant mortality; nursing; family; public health.