bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Health technology assessment to optimize health technology utilization: Using implementation initiatives and monitoring processes
Authors: Frønsdal Katrine B. , Facey Karen , Klemp Marianne , Norderhaug Inger Natvig , Mørland Berit , Røttingen John-Arne 
Published: June 2010

Background:The way in which a health technology is used in any particular health system depends on the decisions and actions of a variety of stakeholders, the local culture, and context. In 2009, the HTAi Policy Forum considered how health technology assessment (HTA) could be improved to optimize the use of technologies (in terms of uptake, change in use, or disinvestment) in such complex systems.Methods:In scoping, it was agreed to focus on initiatives to implement evidence-based guidance and monitoring activities. A review identified systematic reviews of implementation initiatives and monitoring activities. A two-day deliberative workshop was held to discuss key papers, members’ experiences, and collectively address key questions. This consensus paper was developed by email and finalized at a postworkshop meeting.Results:Evidence suggests that the impact and use of HTA could be increased by ensuring timely delivery of relevant reports to clearly determined policy receptor (decision-making) points. To achieve this, the breadth of assessment, implementation initiatives such as incentives and targeted, intelligent dissemination of HTA result, needs to be considered. HTA stakeholders undertake a variety of monitoring activities, which could inform optimal use of a technology. However, the quality of these data varies and is often not submitted to an HTA.Conclusions:Monitoring data should be sufficiently robust so that they can be used in HTA to inform optimal use of technology. Evidence-based implementation initiatives should be developed for HTA, to better inform decision makers at all levels in a health system about the optimal use of technology.
Priority setting for health technology assessment at CADTH
Authors: Husereau Don , Boucher Michel , Noorani Hussein 
Published: June 2010

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe a current practical approach of priority setting of health technology assessment (HTA) research that involves multi-criteria decision analysis and a deliberative process.Methods: Criteria related to HTA prioritization were identified and grouped through a systematic review and consultation with a selection committee. Criteria were scored through a pair-wise comparison approach. Criteria were pruned based on the average weights obtained from consistent (consistency index < 0.2) responders and consensus. HTA proposals are ranked based on available information and a weighted criteria score. The rank, along with additional contextual information and discussion among committee members, is used to achieve consensus on HTA research priorities.Results: Six of eleven criteria represented > 75 percent of the weight behind committee member decisions to conduct an HTA. These criteria were disease burden, clinical impact, alternatives, budget impact, economic impact, and available evidence. Since May 2006, committees have considered 102 proposals at sixteen biannual in-person advisory committee meetings. These have selected twenty-nine research priorities for the HTA program.Conclusions: The approach works well and was easy to implement. Feedback from committee members has been positive. This approach may assist HTA and other research agencies in better priority setting by informing the selection of the most important and policy-relevant topics in the presence of a wide variety of research proposals. This may in turn lead to efficiently allocating resources available for HTA research.
Excess morbidity in the hepatitis C-diagnosed population in Scotland, 1991–2006
Authors: McDONALD S. A. , HUTCHINSON S. J. , BIRD S. M. , MILLS P. R. , HAYES P. , DILLON J. F. , GOLDBERG D. J. 
Published: June 2010

SUMMARYWe estimated the excess risk of in-patient hospitalization in a large cohort of persons diagnosed with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, controlling for social deprivation. A total of 20 749 individuals diagnosed with HCV in Scotland by 31 December 2006 were linked to the Scottish hospital discharge database, and indirectly standardized hospitalization rates, adjusting for sex, age, year and deprivation were calculated. We observed significant excess morbidity considering episodes for: any diagnosis [standardized morbidity ratio (SMR) 3·4, 95% CI 3·3–3·5]; liver-related diagnoses (SMR 41·3, 95% CI 39·6–43·0); and only non-liver-related diagnoses (SMR 2·14, 95% CI 2·08–2·19). Cox regression analyses of the 2000–2006 data indicated increased relative risks of hospitalization for males [hazard ratio (HR) 1·1, 95% CI 1·0–1·2], older age (per 10 years) (HR 1·55, 95% CI 1·5–1·6), and those testing HIV-positive (HR 1·6, 95% CI 1·3–1·8). This study has revealed substantial excess all-cause and liver-related morbidity in the Scottish HCV-diagnosed population, even after allowing for deprivation.
Putative household outbreaks of campylobacteriosis typically comprise single MLST genotypes
Authors: ROTARIU O. , SMITH-PALMER A. , COWDEN J. , BESSELL P. R. , INNOCENT G. T. , REID S. W. J. , MATTHEWS L. , DALLAS J. , OGDEN I. D. , FORBES K. J. , STRACHAN N. J. C. 
Published: June 2010

SUMMARYDuring a 15-month period in Scotland a small but important number of human Campylobacter cases (3·2%) arose from 91 putative household outbreaks. Of the 26 outbreaks with known strain composition, 89% were composed of the same MLST which supports the potential use of MLST in public health epidemiology. The number of cases associated with household outbreaks is much larger than general outbreaks and there is some evidence to indicate that there may be secondary transmission, although this is relatively rare.
Effect on seroprevalence of anti-poliovirus antibodies and on vaccination coverage of the implementation of a DTwP-IPV-Hib vaccination programme in a South American city
Authors: NATES S. V. , FRIAS M. , BELFIORE S. , ISA M. B. , MARTINEZ L. C. , CHUIT R. , ARMONI J. , LUXEMBURGER C. 
Published: June 2010

SUMMARYVaccination coverage and seroprevalence of poliovirus antibodies were assessed in Argentinean children (aged 8–12 and 19–21 months) living in Cordoba City pre-/post-implementation of a DTwP-IPV-Hib vaccination programme, and compared to those of controls from neighbouring populations receiving a full oral poliovirus vaccine schedule. Vaccination coverage was higher in control areas pre-intervention; this increased post-intervention in Cordoba (>90%) but not in control areas. Poliovirus types 1 and 2 seroprotection rates were >97% in all groups pre-/post-intervention. Type 3 seroprotection rates were generally lower, but increased post-intervention in Cordoba becoming significantly higher than control rates. Anti-type 1 and 3 antibody titres increased twofold and sevenfold, respectively, post-intervention, whereas anti-type 2 antibody titres decreased ~40% in the 8–12 months group. All titres increased in the 19–21 months post-intervention group. The introduction of a three-dose primary DTwP-IPV-Hib schedule maintained protection against poliovirus types 1 and 2, and increased protection against type 3, while vaccine coverage in the study area increased.
The Dark Side of Independence: Paramilitary Violence in Ireland and Poland after the First World War
Authors: EICHENBERG JULIA 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThis article analyses excesses carried out against civilians in Ireland and Poland after the First World War. It shows how the absence of a centralised state authority with a monopoly on violence allowed for new, less inhibited paramilitary groups to operate in parts of Ireland and Poland. The article argues that certain forms of violence committed had a symbolic meaning and served as messages, further alienating the different ethnic and religious communities. By comparing the Irish and Polish case, the article also raises questions about the obvious differences in the excesses in Poland and Ireland, namely in terms of scale of the excesses and the number of victims and, central to the Polish case, the question of antisemitism.
Nutritional profile of schoolchildren from different socio-economic levels in Santiago, Chile
Authors: Liberona Yessica , Castillo Oscar , Engler Valerie , Villarroel Luis , Rozowski Jaime 
Published: June 2010

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the nutritional status, food intake and physical activity patterns in schoolchildren attending 5th and 6th grade in basic schools from different socio-economic levels in the metropolitan region of Santiago.DesignCross-sectional study in children 5th and 6th grade of eighteen basic schools in the metropolitan region of Santiago.SettingBoys and girls aged 9–12 years from basic schools were evaluated in terms of physical capacity. An anthropometric evaluation was also performed which included weight, height and triceps and subscapular skinfold thicknesses. Food intake was evaluated by a 24 h recall, socio-economic level by the ESOMAR method and physical activity by a questionnaire.SubjectsBoys and girls aged 9–12 years (n1732).ResultsThe average prevalence of overweight and obesity was 40 %, with the highest prevalence in males and those from lower socio-economic level. A majority (64 %) of the children had a low level of physical activity. A higher intake of fat and protein and a higher intake of carbohydrate were found in the higher and lower socio-economic levels, respectively. Both males and females showed adequacy greater than 75 % in macronutrient intake except for fibre, with both groups showing a deficit in the consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes, fish and milk products according to Chilean recommendations.ConclusionsA high prevalence of malnutrition by excess was observed in both sexes and a better eating and physical activity pattern was seen in children from higher socio-economic level.
On the quasi-asymptotically locally Euclidean geometry of Nakajima's metric
Authors: Carron Gilles 
Published: June 2010

AbstractWe show that on the Hilbert scheme ofnpoints on ℂ2, the hyperkähler metric constructed by Nakajima via hyperkähler reduction is the quasi-asymptotically locally Euclidean (QALE) metric constructed by Joyce.
Strong Showing for AGU Journals in 2009 Impact Factors
Authors: Cock Bill 
Published: June 2010

AGU publishes great science, which is recognized in several ways. One of the most widely recognized is from Thomson Reuters, which provides the Journal Citation Report (JCR) each year as a component of the Web of Science®. JCR reports on several measures of journal usage, including a journal's Eigenfactor score, its Article Influence score, its Impact Factor, and its rank within a cohort of similar journals.According to the 2009 statistics released last week, AGU again has outperformed its larger competitors. For the twelfth time, two different AGU titles hold the top rank in their categories, and AGU titles hold the second spot in two other categories and third in two more.
Catchability of pelagic trawls for sampling deep-living nekton in the mid-North Atlantic
Authors: Heino M. , Porteiro F. M. , Sutton T. T. , Falkenhaug T. , Godø O. R. , Piatkowski U. 
Published: June 2010

Abstract
Heino, M., Porteiro, F. M., Sutton, T. T., Falkenhaug, T., Godø, O. R., and Piatkowski, U. 2011. Catchability of pelagic trawls for sampling deep-living nekton in the mid-North Atlantic. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: 377–389. Material collected in summer 2004 from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between Iceland and the Azores with three pelagic trawls was used to estimate relative catchabilities of common fish, cephalopod, decapod, and jellyfish species. Catchability is defined as the ratio of numbers caught between two trawls, standardized for towed distance. Taxon-specific catchability coefficients were estimated for two large pelagic trawls with graded meshes, using a smaller pelagic trawl with a uniform mesh size as the reference trawl. Two of the trawls were equipped with multiple opening–closing codends that allowed sampling of different depth layers. Generalized linear and mixed models suggest that most of the taxa have catchabilities much lower than expected from the area of opening alone, indicating that only a few species are herded by the large mesh at the mouth of larger trawls. Catchability coefficients across taxa show a very large spread, indicating that the sampled volume for the larger trawls with graded meshes was highly taxon-specific. Part of this variability can be explained by body size and taxonomic group, the latter probably reflecting differences in body form and behaviour. The catchability estimates presented here form the basis for combining data for quantitative analyses of community structure.
Orally supplementedLactobacillus acidophilusstrain L‐92 inhibits passive and active cutaneous anaphylaxis as well as 2,4‐dinitroflurobenzene and mite fecal antigen induced atopic dermatitis‐like skin lesions in mice
Authors: Shah Mohammad Monir , Miyamoto Yoshihiro , Yamada Yoshihito , Yamashita Hirotaka , Tanaka Hiroyuki , Ezaki Takayuki , Nagai Hiroichi , Inagaki Naoki 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACTOral supplementation of lactic acid bacteria is a potential approach to the prevention and manipulation of allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis. Our previous report showed that heat‐killedLactobacillus acidophilusstrain L‐92 (L‐92) possessed anti‐allergic properties, although its physiological function in atopic dermatitis has largely remained undefined. To evaluate the anti‐allergic efficacy of L‐92, we used four experimental animal models with the major features of atopic dermatitis and compared the results to those of clinically active drugs. ICR mice were passively sensitized by anti‐dinitrophenyl mouse monoclonal IgE for passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA), and BALB/c mice were actively sensitized by ovalbumin for active cutaneous anaphylaxis (ACA). Allergic reaction was induced by repeated exposure to 2,4‐dinitroflurobenzene (DNFB) and mite (Dermatophagoides farinae) fecal allergen, in BALB/c and NC/Nga mice, respectively. Orally administrated L‐92 significantly inhibited the vascular permeability increase in both PCA and ACA, and the elevation of ovalbumin‐specific IgE titer in ACA. Moreover, repeated applications of DNFB and mite fecal antigen onto the BALB/c and NC/Nga mouse ear, respectively, caused clinical symptoms similar to atopic dermatitis such as ear swelling, scratching behavior and elevation of total serum IgE levels that were also moderately suppressed by L‐92. In addition, L‐92 treated mice exhibited lower levels of mast cells, eosinophil infiltration and Th1/Th2 cytokine expression. Our results, therefore, suggest that oral administration of L‐92 might be useful for alleviating allergic symptoms.
Stability of the irritable bowel syndrome and subgroups as measured by three diagnostic criteria – a 10‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Olafsdottir L. B. , Gudjonsson H. , Jonsdottir H. H. , Thjodleifsson B. 
Published: June 2010

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2010; 32: 670–680SummaryBackground  The irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder, but information on its natural history is limited.Aim  To study the performance of four IBS criteria in detecting incidence and stability of categories over a 10‐year period.Method  This study was a population‐based postal study. Questionnaire was mailed to the same age‐ and gender‐stratified random sample of the Icelandic population aged 18–75 years in 1996 and again in 2006. IBS was estimated by the Manning criteria, Rome II, Rome III, subgroups and self‐report.Results  Prevalence of IBS varied according to criteria: Manning showed the highest (32%) and Rome II the lowest (5%). Younger subjects and females were more likely to have IBS. Prevalence was stable over 10 years for all criteria except Rome III. There was a turnover in all IBS subgroups and a strong correlation among IBS, functional dyspepsia and heartburn.Conclusions  The prevalence of the IBS remained stable over a 10‐year period with a turnover in symptoms. The study suggests that IBS is a cluster of symptoms that float in time between different IBS categories, functional dyspepsia and heartburn. The irritable bowel syndrome in Iceland is very common and indicates a chronic condition, which poses a heavy burden on the health care system.
An imbalance in mucosal cytokine profile causes transient intestinal inflammation following an animal's first exposure to faecal bacteria and antigens
Authors: Sydora B C , MacFarlane S M , Lupicki M , Dmytrash A L , Dieleman L A , Fedorak R N 
Published: June 2010

Summary
Intestinal microflora play a critical role in the initiation and perpetuation of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases. In genetically susceptible hosts, bacterial colonization results in rapid-onset chronic intestinal inflammation. Nevertheless, the intestinal and systemic immune response to faecal bacteria and antigen exposure into a sterile intestinal lumen of a post-weaned animal with a mature immune system are not understood clearly. This study examined the effects of faecal bacteria and antigen exposure on the intestinal mucosal and systemic immune system in healthy axenic mice. Axenic wild-type mice were inoculated orally with a crude faecal slurry solution derived from conventionally raised mice and were analysed prior to and then at days 3, 7, 14 and 28 post-treatment. Ingestion of faecal slurry resulted in a transient, early onset of proinflammatory interferon (IFN)-γ, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-17 response that was maximal at day 3. In contrast, the transient release of the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and IL-4 occurred later and was maximal at day 7. Both responses subsided by day 14. This early cytokine imbalance was associated with a brief rise in colonic and caecal histopathological injury score at day 7. The bacterial antigen-specific systemic response was found to follow the intestinal immune response with a maximal release of both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines at day 7. Thus, first exposure of healthy axenic wild-type mice to normal faecal flora and antigens results in an early proinflammatory cytokine response and transient colonic inflammation that then resolves in conjunction with a subsequent anti-inflammatory cytokine profile.
Natural killer cells in viral hepatitis: facts and controversies
Authors: Mondelli Mario U. , Varchetta Stefania , Oliviero Barbara 
Published: June 2010

Eur J Clin Invest 2010; 40 (9): 851–863AbstractBackground  Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are major human hepatotropic pathogens responsible for a large number of chronic infections worldwide. Their persistence is thought to result from inefficiencies of innate and adaptive immune responses; however, very little information is available on the former. Natural killer (NK) cells are a major component of innate immunity and their activity is tightly regulated by several inhibitory and activating receptors.Design  In this review, we examine controversial findings regarding the role of NK cells in the pathogenesis of acute and chronic liver disease caused by HCV and HBV.Results  Recent studies built up on technical advances to identify NK receptors and their functional correlates in this setting. While NK cells seem to behave correctly during acute hepatitis, it would appear that the NK cytotoxic potential is generally conserved in chronic hepatitis, if not increased in the case of HCV. In contrast, their ability to secrete antiviral cytokines such as interferon ex vivo or after cytokine stimulation is severely impaired.Conclusions  Current evidence suggests the existence of an NK cell functional dichotomy, which may contribute to virus persistence, while maintaining low‐level chronic liver inflammation. The study of liver‐infiltrating NK cells is still at the very beginning, but it is likely that it will shed more light on the role of this simple and at the same time complex innate immune cell in liver disease.
Neuroendocrine‐immune crosstalk in vertebrates and invertebrates: implications for host defence
Authors: Demas Gregory E. , Adamo Shelley A. , French Susannah S. 
Published: June 2010

Summary1. Communication among cells, tissues and organ systems is essential for survival. Vertebrate and invertebrate animals rely primarily on three physiological systems for intra‐organismal communication: the nervous, endocrine and immune systems. Rather than acting independently of one another, these systems communicate in an integrated fashion to coordinate suites of species‐appropriate physiological and behavioural responses.2. Our understanding of how these three systems are coordinated remains incomplete, in part because the importance of the immune system as part of this regulatory network has only recently been recognized. In contrast to the well‐established integrative approach to the study of the endocrine and nervous systems, the study of immunity has traditionally occurred in relative isolation from other physiological systems. Immunity was typically considered to be largely buffered from environmental perturbations.3. In the last several decades, however, this simplistic view has changed dramatically; we now know that a wide variety of extrinsic and intrinsic factors can affect immune responses (reviewed in:Ader, Felten & Cohen 2001). This altered perspective has led to the development of new scientific disciplines including psychoneuroimmunology (Ader & Cohen 1981) and ecological immunology (Sheldon & Verhulst 1996).4. These new research fields focus on the connections among the endocrine, nervous and immune systems. These fields also examine how environmental factors influence interactions among the three systems, and the implications of these interactions for behaviour and host defence. A comparative approach will benefit the search for the adaptive functions of these interactions.
From bivalves to birds: oxidative stress and longevity
Authors: Buttemer William A. , Abele Doris , Costantini David 
Published: June 2010

Summary 1. The oxidative stress theory of ageing predicts that animals living longer will have less cumulative oxidative damage together with structural characteristics that make them more resistant to oxidative damage itself. 2. Although a general relationship between body size, metabolism and longevity does not exist in marine invertebrates, they are generally characterized by low rates of metabolism and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation associated with lower antioxidant enzyme activities compared to vertebrates. 3. Birds and mammals have very similar size‐affected metabolic rates and their metabolic intensity explains only some of the variation in maximum lifespan potential (MLSP). Within each class, smaller animals have higher rates of metabolism and ROS production and membranes that are more susceptible to oxidative damage and autocatalytic propagation of free radicals than larger ones. 4. Although the high variation in life‐history strategies is accompanied by substantial variation in MLSP, there is a consistent positive correlation between rates of ROS formation and antioxidant levels among most animals examined so far for these traits. The consensus of these studies is that ROS and antioxidant levels are inversely related to MLSP. 5. The lack of a clear stoichiometric relation between variables contributing to oxidative stress limits our capacity to infer longevity consequences from measures of pro‐oxidant or antioxidant status among or within species.