bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Excessively high bilirubin and exchange transfusion in very low birth weight infants
Authors: Kuint Jacob , Maayan‐Metzger Ayala , Boyko Valentina , Lerner‐Geva Liat , Reichman Brian ,   in collaboration with the Israel Neonatal Network
Published: September 2010

AbstractAim:  To evaluate the performance of exchange transfusion in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants with excessively high serum bilirubin levels.Methods:  A population‐based observational study using data collected by the Israel National VLBW Infant Database. The study sample comprised 13 499 infants. Two definitions of excessively high‐peak bilirubin levels that might be considered as threshold levels for performance of exchange transfusion were used. First, a bilirubin level of ≥15 mg/dL for all infants (PSB‐15), and second, incremental bilirubin levels ranging from 12 to 17 mg/dL according to gestational age (PSB‐GA).Results:  Four hundreds sixty‐eight (3.5%) and 1035 infants (7.7%) infants in the PSB‐15 and in the PSB‐GA groups respectively had peak serum bilirubin levels above thresholds for exchange transfusion. Exchange transfusions were performed in 66 (14.1%) of these infants in the PSB‐15 group and 91 (8.8%) in the PSB‐GA group. Using logistic regression analysis, peak serum bilirubin was found as an independent factor for performing exchange transfusion.Conclusion:  Exchange transfusion was performed in only 9–14% of VLBW infants with excessively high bilirubin levels. We speculate that this may be a result of an absence of definitive guidelines or the possible belief that the risks of exchange transfusion outweigh the potential risk of bilirubin‐induced neurological injuries.
Behavior and Symptom Change Among Women Treated with Placebo for Sexual Dysfunction
Authors: Bradford Andrea , Meston Cindy M. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACT

Introduction
In clinical trials of drug treatments for women’s sexual dysfunction, placebo responses have often been substantial. However, little is known about the clinical significance, specificity, predictors, and potential mechanisms of placebo response in sexual dysfunction.

Aim
We aimed to determine the nature and predictors of sexual function outcomes in women treated with placebo for female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD).

Methods
We conducted a secondary analysis of data from the placebo arm of a 12-week, multisite, randomized controlled pharmaceutical trial for FSAD (N = 50). We analyzed the magnitude, domain specificity, and clinical significance of sexual function scores at baseline, 4, 8, and 12 weeks (post-treatment). We examined longitudinal change in sexual function outcomes as a function of several baseline variables (e.g., age, symptom-related distress) and in relation to changes in sexual behavior frequency during the trial.

Main Outcome Measure
Female Sexual Function Index total score.

Results
The magnitude of change at post-treatment was clinically significant in approximately one-third of placebo recipients. Effect sizes were similar across multiple aspects of sexual function. Symptom improvement was strongly related to the frequency of satisfying sexual encounters during treatment. However, the relationship between sexual encounter frequency and outcome varied significantly between participants.

Conclusions
A substantial number of women experienced clinically significant improvement in sexual function during treatment with placebo. Changes in sexual behavior during the trial, more so than participant age or symptom severity at baseline, appeared to be an important determinant of outcome. Contextual and procedural aspects of the clinical trial may have influenced outcomes in the absence of an active drug treatment.
Simultaneous Occurrence of Energy Transfer and Photoinduced Electron Transfer in Interactions of Hen Egg White Lysozyme with 4‐Nitroquinoline‐1‐Oxide
Authors: Banerjee Mousumi , Maiti Sourav , Kundu Ipsita , Chakrabarti Abhijit , Basu Samita 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe carcinogenic drug 4‐nitroquinoline‐1‐oxide (4NQO) has been found to bind with the protein hen egg white lysozyme as evident from fluorescence quenching experiments. The binding constant and stoichiometry have been determined. The values of the thermodynamic parameters indicate that the interaction is an enthalpy‐driven spontaneous phenomenon. The experimental value of change in free energy is similar to that obtained from the docking study. The far UV circular dichroism spectra show some changes in the secondary structure of protein. The high value of bimolecular quenching constant leads to the possibility of Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET). Along with FRET, the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) from tryptophan residue of protein to 4NQO has also been evident from the transient absorption spectra obtained in laser flash photolysis experiments. The simultaneous occurrence of FRET and PET is the key factor for quenching of intrinsic fluorescence of the protein as it binds with the drug.
ASH Position Paper: Adherence and Persistence With Taking Medication to Control High Blood Pressure
Authors: Hill Martha N. , Miller Nancy H. , DeGeest Sabina ,   on Behalf of the American Society of Hypertension Writing Group
Published: September 2010

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2010;12:757‐764. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Nonadherence and poor or no persistence in taking antihypertensive medications results in uncontrolled high blood pressure, poor clinical outcomes, and preventable health care costs. Factors associated with nonadherence are multilevel and relate not only to the patient, but also to the provider, health care system, health care organization, and community. National guideline committees have called for more aggressive approaches to implement strategies known to improve adherence and technologies known to enable changes at the systems level, including improved communication among providers and patients. Improvements in adherence and persistence are likely to be achieved by supporting patient self‐management, a team approach to patient care, technology‐supported office practice systems, better methods to measure adherence, and less clinical inertia. Integrating high blood pressure control into health care policies that emphasize and improve prevention and management of chronic illness remains a challenge. Four strategies are proposed: focusing on clinical outcomes; empowering informed, activated patients; developing prepared proactive practice teams; and advocating for health care policy reform. With hypertension remaining the most common reason for office visits, the time is now.
Nonlinear Model for Viscoelastic Behavior of Achilles Tendon
Authors: Kahn Cyril J.F. , Wang Xiong , Rahouadj Rachid 
Published: September 2010

Abstract
Although the mechanical properties of ligament and tendon are well documented in research literature, very few unified mechanical formulations can describe a wide range of different loadings. The aim of this study was to propose a new model, which can describe tendon responses to various solicitations such as cycles of loading, unloading, and reloading or successive relaxations at different strain levels. In this work, experiments with cycles of loading and reloading at increasing strain level and sequences of relaxation were performed on white New Zealand rabbit Achilles tendons. We presented a local formulation of thermodynamic evolution outside equilibrium at a representative element volume scale to describe the tendon’s macroscopic behavior based on the notion of relaxed stress. It was shown that the model corresponds quite well to the experimental data. This work concludes with the complexity of tendons’ mechanical properties due to various microphysical mechanisms of deformation involved in loading such as the recruitment of collagen fibers, the rearrangement of the microstructure (i.e., collagens type I and III, proteoglycans, and water), and the evolution of relaxed stress linked to these mechanisms.
Characterization of
Treponema pallidum
Particle Agglutination Assay-Negative Sera following Screening by Treponemal Total Antibody Enzyme Immunoassays
Authors: Maple P. A. C. , Ratcliffe D. , Smit E. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACT

Following a laboratory audit, a significant number of
Treponema pallidum
particle agglutination assay (TPPA)-negative sera were identified when TPPA was used as a confirmatory assay of syphilis enzyme immunoassay (EIA) screening-reactive sera (SSRS). Sera giving such discrepant results were further characterized to assess their significance. A panel of 226 sera was tested by the Abbott Murex ICE Syphilis EIA and then by the Newmarket Syphilis EIA II. TPPA testing was performed on 223 sera. Further testing by the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test, the Mercia Syphilis IgM EIA, the fluorescent treponemal antibody (FTA-ABS) assay, and INNO-LIA immunoblotting was undertaken in discrepant cases. One hundred eighty-seven of 223 (83.8%) SSRS were TPPA reactive, while 26 (11.6%) sera which were reactive in both the ICE and Newmarket EIAs were nonreactive by TPPA. The majority (68%) of the TPPA-discrepant sera were from HIV-positive patients and did not represent early acute cases, based on previous or follow-up samples, which were available for 22/26 samples. FTA-ABS testing was performed on 24 of these sera; 14 (58.3%) were FTA-ABS positive, and 10 (41.7%) were FTA-ABS negative. Twenty-one of these 26 sera were tested by INNO-LIA, and an additional 4 FTA-ABS-negative samples were positive. In this study, significant numbers (18/26) of SSRS- and TPPA-negative sera were shown by further FTA-ABS and LIA (line immunoblot assay) testing to be positive. The reason why certain sera are negative by TPPA but reactive by treponemal EIA and other syphilis confirmatory assays is not clear, and these initial findings should be further explored.
Fast Duplex One-Step Reverse Transcriptase PCR for Rapid Differential Detection of West Nile and Japanese Encephalitis Viruses
Authors: Yeh Jung-Yong , Lee Ji-Hye , Seo Hyun-Ji , Park Jee-Yong , Moon Jin-San , Cho In-Soo , Lee Joong-Bok , Park Seung-Yong , Song Chang-Seon , Choi In-Soo 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to develop a highly sensitive and specific one-step duplex reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) assay for the simultaneous and differential detection of West Nile (WNV) and Japanese encephalitis (JEV) viruses. The bioinformatic analysis of published sequences of WNV and JEV revealed conserved regions not targeted by previously reported primers. A total of 13 primers were designed based on these regions to detect all of the WNV and JEV lineages and to discriminate between the two viruses by the generation of 482- and 241-bp cDNA products, respectively. The results indicate that single-tube duplex PCR using these primers is a useful technique for the detection and differentiation of WNV and JEV in plasma or brain tissue. The novel duplex RT-PCR described in this study enables the early diagnosis of these two encephalitic flaviviruses. In addition, this technique may be useful as part of a testing regimen for human patients, horses, and other susceptible animal species, as it is rapid (less than 3.5 h from RNA extraction), sensitive, and specific, and it may enable the differential diagnosis of clinical samples.
Distribution of Non-Locus of Enterocyte Effacement Pathogenic Island-Related Genes inEscherichia colicarryingeaefrom Patients with Diarrhea and Healthy Individuals in Japan
Authors: Narimatsu Hiroshi , Ogata Kikuyo , Makino Yoshihiro , Ito Kenitiro 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTThe relationship to diarrhea of genes located on the pathogenicity islands (PAI) other than the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE) was investigated. EnteropathogenicEscherichia coli(EPEC), the retention ofespCon the EspC PAI, the OI-122 genes (efa1/lifA,nleB), the phylogenetic marker geneyjaA, and the bundle-forming pilus genebfpAon the EPEC adherence factor (EAF) plasmid were studied.E. colistrains carrying the intimin gene (eae) without the Shiga toxin gene, isolated from patients with diarrhea (n= 83) and healthy individuals (n= 38) in Japan, were evaluated using PCR. The genotypes ofeaeandespCwere identified by heteroduplex mobility assay (HMA). The proportions of strains isolated from individuals with and without diarrhea that carried these genes were as follows:bfpA, 13.3 and 7.9%, respectively;espC, 25.3 and 36.8%;efa1/lifA, 32.5 and 13.2%;nleB, 63.9 and 60.5%;yjaA, 42.2 and 55.3%. Statistical significance (P< 0.05) was achieved only forefa1/lifA. The proportion of strains lackingespCand carryingefa1/lifAwas higher for patient-derived strains (30.1%) than for strains from healthy individuals (13.2%), but the difference was not significant. Strains carrying bothespCandefa1/lifAwere rare (2 strains from patients). Statistical analyses revealed significant relationships betweenespCandyjaAand betweenefa1/lifAandnleB, as well as significant inverse relationships betweenespCandefa1/lifAand betweenefa1/lifAandyjaA. espCwas found ineaeHMA types a1, a2, and c2, whereasefa1/lifAwas found in types b1, b2, and c1. In addition, 6 polymorphisms ofespCwere found. TheespC,yjaA,efa1/lifA, andnleBgenes were mutually dependent, and their distributions were related toeaetype, findings that should be considered in future epidemiological studies.
Albendazole Stimulates the Excretion of
Strongyloides stercoralis
Larvae in Stool Specimens and Enhances Sensitivity for Diagnosis of Strongyloidiasis
Authors: Anamnart Witthaya , Pattanawongsa Attarat , Intapan Pewpan Maleewong , Maleewong Wanchai 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACT

We succeeded in stimulation of excretion of
Strongyloides stercoralis
larvae in stool by oral administration of a single dose of 400 mg albendazole to strongyloidiasis patients. This result overcame the false-negative results of stool examination due to low larval numbers. Stool samples were collected from 152 asymptomatic strongyloidiasis patients in the morning, prior to eating. After breakfast, they were given a dose of 400 mg albendazole, and stool samples were collected the following morning. Agar plate culture (APC), modified formalin-ether concentration technique (MFECT), and direct-smear (DS) methods were used to examine stool specimens within 3 h after defecation. The results before and after albendazole was taken were compared. All APCs that were positive became negative after albendazole administration, while MFECT showed a 1.4- to 18.0-fold increase in larval numbers in 97.4% (148/152) of the samples. The DSs were positive in 3 out of 3 smears at a larval number of ≥45 larvae per g (lpg) of stool, and in 1or 2 out of 3 smears at a larval number between 35 and 44 lpg. At a larval number of <35 lpg, the DS became negative. Interestingly 90.5% (19/21) of the samples that were negative by all methods before albendazole administration became positive by MFECT after the treatment. Thus, MFECT can be effectively used for diagnosis of strongyloidiasis with prior administration of albendazole to the subject.
Global Proficiency Study of Human Papillomavirus Genotyping
Authors: Eklund Carina , Zhou Tiequn , Dillner Joakim 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACT
Internationally comparable quality assurance of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) DNA detection and typing methods is essential for evaluation of HPV vaccines and effective monitoring and implementation of HPV vaccination programs. Therefore, the World Health Organization (WHO) HPV Laboratory Network (LabNet) designed an international proficiency study. Following announcement at the WHO website, the responding laboratories performed HPV typing using one or more of their usual assays on 43 coded samples composed of titration series of purified plasmids of 16 HPV types (HPV6, -11, -16, -18, -31, -33, -35, -39, -45, -51, -52, -56, -58, -59, -66, and -68). Detection of at least 50 IU of HPV16 or HPV18 DNA and of 500 genome equivalents (GE) of the other 14 HPV types (in samples with single and multiple HPV types) was considered proficient. Fifty-four laboratories worldwide submitted a total of 84 data sets. More than 21 HPV-genotyping assays were used. Commonly used methods were Linear Array, Lineblot, InnoLiPa, Clinical Array, type-specific real-time PCR, PCR-Luminex and microarray assays. The major oncogenic HPV types (HPV16 and -18) were detected in 89.7% (70/78) and 92.2% (71/77) of the data sets, respectively. HPV types 56, 59, and 68 were the least commonly detected types (in less than 80% of the data sets). Twenty-eight data sets reported multiple false-positive results and were considered nonproficient. In conclusion, we found that international proficiency studies, traceable to international standards, allow standardized quality assurance for different HPV-typing assays and enable the comparison of data generated from different laboratories worldwide.
Specific Detection of Rinderpest Virus by Real-Time Reverse Transcription-PCR in Preclinical and Clinical Samples from Experimentally Infected Cattle
Authors: Carrillo C. , Prarat M. , Vagnozzi A. , Calahan J. D. , Smoliga G. , Nelson W. M. , Rodriguez L. L. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACT

A highly sensitive detection test for Rinderpest virus (RPV), based on a real-time reverse transcription-PCR (rRT-PCR)system, was developed. Five different RPV genomic targets were examined, and one was selected and optimized to detect viral RNA in infected tissue culture fluid with a level of detection ranging from 0.59 to 87.5 50% tissue culture infectious doses (TCID
50
) per reaction depending on the viral isolate. The strain sensitivity of the test was validated on 16 RPV strains belonging to all three phylogenetic branches described for RPV. No cross-reactivity was detected with closely related peste des petit ruminants or with symptomatically similar viruses, including all seven serotypes of foot-and-mouth disease virus, two serotypes of vesicular stomatitis virus, bluetongue virus, and bovine herpes virus type 2. In samples from experimentally infected cattle, our real-time RT-PCR test was significantly more sensitive than the gold standard test of virus isolation, allowing the detection of the disease 2 to 4 days prior to the appearance of clinical signs. The comparison of clinical samples with putative diagnostic value from live animals showed that conjunctival swabs and blood buffy coat were the samples of choice for epidemiological surveillance, while lymph nodes performed the best as postmortem specimens. This portable and rapid real-time RT-PCR has the capability of the preclinical detection of RPV and provides differential diagnosis from look-alike diseases of cattle. As RPV is declared globally eradicated, this test provides an important rapid virus detection tool that does not require the use of infectious virus and allows the processing of a large number of samples.
Hepatitis C Virus Genotyping Using an Oligonucleotide Microarray Based on the NS5B Sequence
Authors: Gryadunov Dimitry , Nicot Florence , Dubois Martine , Mikhailovich Vladimir , Zasedatelev Alexander , Izopet Jacques 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTThe genotype of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is essential for determining treatment duration in clinical practice and for epidemiological and clinical studies. Currently, few genotyping assays that determine the HCV subtype are available. This report describes a microarray-based molecular technique for identifying the HCV genotype and subtype. It uses low-density hydrogel-based biochips containing genotype- and subtype-specific oligonucleotides based on the sequences of the NS5B region of the HCV genome. The biochip contains 120 oligonucleotides that identify genotypes 1 to 6 and 36 (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2i, 2j, 2k, 2l, 2m, 3a, 3b, 3k, 4a, 4c, 4d, 4f, 4h, 4i, 4k, 4n, 4o, 4p, 4r, 4t, 5a, 6a, 6b, 6d, 6g, 6h, and 6k) subtypes. The procedure included amplification of a 380-nucleotide (nt) fragment of NS5B and its hybridization on the biochip. Tests on 345 HCV-positive samples showed that the assay agreed with NS5B sequencing 100% for the genotype and 99.7% for the subtype. The hybridization on the microarray and the NS5B sequence were in 100% agreement for identifying the most common subtypes, 1a, 1b, 4a, 4d, and 3a. This approach is a promising tool for HCV genotyping, especially for implementing the new anti-HCV drugs that require accurate identification of clinically relevant subtypes.
In Vitro
Susceptibility of the Yeast Pathogen
Cryptococcus
to Fluconazole and Other Azoles Varies with Molecular Genotype
Authors: Chong Hin Siong , Dagg Rebecca , Malik Richard , Chen Sharon , Carter Dee 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACT

Cryptococcosis is primarily caused by
Cryptococcus neoformans
and
Cryptococcus gattii.
These two pathogenic species each divide into four distinct molecular genotypes. In this study, we examined whether genotype influenced susceptibility to antifungal drugs used to treat cryptococcosis using the broth microdilution method described by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute.
C. gattii
isolates belonging to molecular genotype VGII had significantly higher MIC values for flucytosine and all azole antifungal agents tested, particularly fluconazole, than isolates of other
C. gattii
genotypes. In an extended analysis of fluconazole susceptibility, VGII isolates from the north and west of Australia required higher drug levels for inhibition than those from Vancouver Island, Canada. Within
C. neoformans
, genotype VNII had significantly lower geometric mean MICs for fluconazole than genotype VNI. These results indicate that cryptococcal species, molecular genotype, and region of origin may be important when deciding treatment options for cryptococcosis.
Changing Epidemiology of Methicillin-Resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
in Iceland from 2000 to 2008: a Challenge to Current Guidelines
Authors: Holzknecht Barbara Juliane , Hardardottir Hjördis , Haraldsson Gunnsteinn , Westh Henrik , Valsdottir Freyja , Boye Kit , Karlsson Sigfus , Kristinsson Karl Gustaf , Gudlaugsson Olafur 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACT

The epidemiology of methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) is continuously changing. Iceland has a low incidence of MRSA. A “search and destroy” policy (screening patients with defined risk factors and attempting eradication in carriers) has been implemented since 1991. Clinical and microbiological data of all MRSA patients from the years 2000 to 2008 were collected prospectively. Isolates were characterized by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), sequencing of the repeat region of the
Staphylococcus
protein A gene (
spa
typing), staphylococcal cassette chromosome
mec
(SCC
mec
) typing, and screening for the Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) gene. Two hundred twenty-six infected (60%) or colonized (40%) individuals were detected (annual incidence 2.5 to 16/100,000). From 2000 to 2003, two health care-associated outbreaks dominated (
spa
types t037 and t2802), which were successfully controlled with extensive infection control measures. After 2004, an increasing number of community-associated (CA) cases without relation to the health care system occurred. A great variety of clones (40 PFGE types and 49
spa
types) were found, reflecting an influx of MRSA from abroad. The USA300 and Southwest Pacific (SWP) clones were common. SCC
mec
type IV was most common (72%), and 38% of the isolates were PVL positive. The incidence of MRSA in Iceland has increased since 1999 but remains low and has been stable in the last years. The search and destroy policy was effective to control MRSA in the health care setting. However, MRSA in Iceland is now shifting into the community, challenging the current Icelandic guidelines, which are tailored to the health care system.