bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Geographic Location, Breed, and Pituitary Dysfunction on Seasonal Adrenocorticotropin and α‐Melanocyte‐Stimulating Hormone Plasma Concentrations in Horses
Authors: McFarlane D. , Paradis M.R. , Zimmel D. , Sykes B. , Brorsen B.W. , Sanchez A. , Vainio K. 
Published: July 2011

Background: Plasma α‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (α‐MSH) and adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) concentrations in horses vary with season, confounding diagnostic testing for pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID).Hypothesis: The goals of this study were to determine whether seasonal variation in plasma α‐MSH and ACTH concentrations in horses is influenced by geographic location, breed, or PPID.Animals: Healthy light breed horses residing in Florida, Massachusetts, and Finland (n = 12 per group); healthy Morgan horses (n = 13); healthy ponies (n = 9) and horses with PPID (n = 8).Methods: Monthly plasma α‐MSH and ACTH concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay. Nonlinear regression analysis was used to estimate the time of peak hormone concentrations. Mean hormone concentrations in fall and nonfall months were compared.Results: The fall peak plasma α‐MSH concentration occurred earlier in horses residing at more northern locations. Mean seasonal α‐MSH concentrations were similar in all healthy groups at all locations, but in the fall, plasma ACTH concentrations were higher in horses living in more southern locations. Plasma ACTH but not α‐MSH concentrations were higher in Morgan horses compared with light breed horses from the same location. Hormone concentrations of ponies did not differ from those of horses during either season. Concentrations of both hormones were high in the fall compared with the spring in horses with PPID.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: These findings suggest geographic location of residence and breed may affect the onset, amplitude, or both of the seasonal peak of pars intermedia (PI) hormones and should be considered when performing diagnostic testing for PPID. Horses with PPID maintain seasonal regulation of PI hormone output.
Clinical and Immunomodulating Effects of Ketamine in Horses with Experimental Endotoxemia
Authors: Alcott C.J. , Sponseller B.A. , Wong D.M. , Davis J.L. , Soliman A.M. , Wang C. , Hsu W. 
Published: July 2011

Background: Ketamine has immunomodulating effects both in vitro and in vivo during experimental endotoxemia in humans, rodents, and dogs.Hypothesis: Subanesthetic doses of ketamine will attenuate the clinical and immunologic responses to experimental endotoxemia in horses.Animals: Nineteen healthy mares of various breeds.Methods: Experimental study. Horses were randomized into 2 groups: ketamine‐treated horses (KET; n = 9) and saline‐treated horses (SAL; n = 10). Both groups received 30 ng/kg of lipopolysaccharide (LPS,Escherichia coli, O55:B5) 1 hour after the start of a continuous rate infusion (CRI) of racemic ketamine (KET) or physiologic saline (SAL). Clinical and hematological responses were documented and plasma concentrations of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and thromboxane B2(TXB2) were quantified.Results: All horses safely completed the study. The KET group exhibited transient excitation during the ketamine loading infusion (P< .05) and 1 hour after discontinuation of administration (P< .05). Neutrophilic leukocytosis was greater in the KET group 8 and 24 hours after administration of LPS (P< .05). Minor perturbations of plasma biochemistry results were considered clinically insignificant. Plasma TNF‐α and TXB2production peaked 1.5 and 1 hours, respectively, after administration of LPS in both groups, but a significant difference between treatment groups was not demonstrated.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: A subanesthetic ketamine CRI is well tolerated by horses. A significant effect on the clinical or immunologic response to LPS administration, as assessed by clinical observation, hematological parameters, and TNF‐α and TXB2production, was not identified in healthy horses with the subanesthetic dose of racemic ketamine utilized in this study.
The Geographic Distance of Relocation Search: An Extended Resource‐Based Perspective
Authors: Knoben Joris 
Published: July 2011

abstractOn the basis of the extended resource‐based view of firms, access to external resources can be argued to depend on a firm's location. In this article, I test the notion that firms take the availability of these external resources at a given location into account in the distance of their relocation search. The results show that firms take the strength of, and distance to their interorganizational relationships, as well as regional characteristics, into account when determining the distance of their relocation search. They provide empirical validation of the importance of external resources in the resource‐based view of firms. Moreover, they show how a particular type of dynamics, namely, location dynamics, can be used by firms to gain access to resources that can subsequently lead to competitive advantage.
S4.1 Challenges in global estimates of syphilis in pregnancy
Authors: Newman L , Hawkes S , Kamb M , Toskin I , Say L , Broutet N 
Published: July 2011

BackgroundEstimates of the current number of pregnant women infected with syphilis (maternal syphilis) are necessary for the global Elimination of Congenital Syphilis initiative such that advocacy, program implementation, and monitoring are based on a clear understanding of the current situation. In addition to understanding morbidity in pregnant women, an accurate estimate of maternal syphilis is also the cornerstone of calculations of the burden of adverse outcomes associated with syphilis in pregnancy.MethodsA MEDLINE search from January 2003 to September 2010 was conducted to identify studies of syphilis prevalence in women attending antenatal care with the following inclusion criteria: sample size of at least 100, use of both reaginic and non-reaginic tests, English language, and no apparent selection bias. Methods are similar to those used by Schmidet alin 2007 to estimate maternal syphilis, except that current estimates include Europe and North America, and will be compared with syphilis seropositivity data reported by countries through the WHO HIV Universal Access reporting system for 2008 through 2010 (reported data may or may not use both reaginic and non-reaginic tests). Global and regional estimates will be based on country data where available, and where not available, a regional pregnancy-weighted mean based on live births (per United Nations Population Division) and known country seropositivity will be used. Country and regional estimates will be validated by WHO regional advisors to assess if estimates are reasonable.ResultsStudies on approximately 35 of 193 countries (18%) met the inclusion criteria for the MEDLINE search, and 96 countries (50%) reported seropositivity in either 2008 or 2009; additional reported data for 2010 will be available in May 2011, at which time estimates will be completed.ConclusionsData on maternal syphilis are available in recent published literature for only a small proportion of countries. Therefore, global and regional estimates of maternal syphilis must rely on alternative data sources such as the WHO HIV Universal Access reporting system. Increased efforts are required globally to highlight the importance of having sufficient high-quality data to guide implementation of congenital syphilis elimination efforts.
S4.3 Implementation of rapid tests for prenatal syphilis screening: overcoming health system constraints
Authors: Garcia P J , Peeling R , Mabey D , Holmes K K ,   The CISNE team (Spanish word for SWAN)
Published: July 2011

BackgroundCongenital syphilis and syphilis in pregnancy in Peru persist as important public health issues, and improvement of screening/treatment for pregnant women remains challenging. rapid syphilis testing (RST) allows simple and immediate diagnosis and treatment at a single clinic visit and could increase screening and treatment coverage and thereby reduce the incidence of stillbirth and congenital syphilis and generate in the long term a sustainable cost effective intervention.MethodsWe tested the feasibility, performance, impact and cost-effectiveness of implementing RST in an underserved urban area at a biggest maternity hospital in Peru and a network of 16 peripheral health centres offering prenatal care in a periurban poor area in Callao-Ventanilla, Peru. RST (integrated with HIV rapid test: the “two for one”) were offered at the first prenatal visit (ANC), at delivery and within miscarriage/abortion services.ResultsData from the baseline pre-implementation evaluation revealed limited coverage of screening and treatment services for maternal syphilis and a complex and inefficient system for ANC. RST was started in January 2010. Overall success of implementation was measured by rates of maternal syphilis screening and treatment coverage, partner treatment, and acceptability of RST among providers and patients. Complementary evaluations comparing cost-effectiveness of RST against the Rapid Plasma Reagin, and a performance analysis of RST against the “multiple gold test” [Rapid Plasma Reagin +Treponema pallidumparticle agglutination assay or fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption] were also simultaneously performed. Attention was paid to the successful development of a system of internal and external quality control for testing and test supplies and the process of dissemination and transfer activities to the Ministry of Health of Peru, through the involvement of both the National Program of STIs and HIV and the Reproductive Health Program. National guidelines have been modified, and recommend the use of both tests, RST and rapid HIV testing in the screening of pregnant women.ConclusionsRST implementation was feasible, successful, acceptable and cost effective. Its introduction catalysed improvements in the quality of care, and by the end of the project it has been introduced in the country as a national policy.
S4.4 Progress in development of dual rapid syphilis test technology
Authors: Cox D L 
Published: July 2011

BackgroundTraditionally, most diagnoses of syphilis relies on serology and required testing for patient antibodies against cardiolipin (non-treponemal tests) as well as against treponemal antigens (treponemal tests). These serological tests must be performed in clinical laboratories, require considerable scientific resources and trained technicians to perform them, and test results often are not reported for several days. As a result, control in resource-poor countries has been problematic. Rapid tests provide a platform whereby patient antibodies can be quickly analysed (5–30 min) by their binding to immobilised antigens on a nitrocellulose membrane. Another advantage is that patient sera, blood, or plasma can be tested, thus requiring fewer resources and technician time to perform. One of the first rapid tests developed was the Abbot Determine (treponemal test results only) which has served as a useful rapid screening tool in some settings. Other treponemal only rapid tests include the Standard Diagnostics BioLine and the Fujirebio Espline. These rapid tests have a sensivitivity ranging from 92% to 100% and specificity ranging from 93.4 to 98.9% when compared to the TP-PA. The Eurostrip (Euromedi Equipment LTD, W. Harrow, UK), another treponemal only rapid test, was recently evaluated at CDC for a potential field study in Kenya. With 94 archived serum samples, the Eurostrip had a sensitivity of 98.6% and a specificity of 100% when compared to the TP-PA.Methods and resultsA recent breakthrough in technology allows for modified cardiolipin to be attached to membranes, and the first generation of dual rapid tests were developed in collaboration with CDC: the ChemBio DPP Screen and Confirm (ChemBio Diagnostic Systems, Medford, New York, USA) and the Span Spirolipin (Span Diagnostics Inc., Surat, India). In a study with 1601 archived serum samples, the non-treponemal component of the ChemBio DPP had a sensitivity of 97.3% and a specificity of 98.6% when compared to the RPR; the treponemal component had a sensitivity of 97% and a specificity of 95.5% when compared to the TP-PA. In a similar study with 376 archived serum samples, the non-treponemal component of the Span Spirolipin had a sensitivity of 96.5% and a specificity of 97.7% when compared to the RPR and the treponemal component had a sensitivity of 97.3% and a specificity of 99.1% when compared to the TP-PA. These evaluations demonstrate that these dual rapid tests are as sensitive and as specific as traditional RPR and TP-PA tests.ConclusionsThe emergence of dual rapid tests offers resource-poor countries the opportunity for improved point-of-care diagnostic capacity. Span has recently announced that they can market the Spirolipin dual test for <1 USD per cassette, which would make these tests affordable in many settings. Future developments in rapid testing include the addition of antigen(s) to also test for HIV infection, offering even more diagnostic options to control these diseases, especially among pregnant women.
S5.4 Identifying knowledge gaps in the evidence base for repeat screening of women with chlamydia and gonorrhoea: challenges to public health action
Authors: Bernstein K 
Published: July 2011

There is strong evidence that repeat chlamydia and gonorrhoea infections among women are associated with adverse reproductive health outcomes.However, effective interventions to reduce re-infection are not well-articulated or well-coordinated in STD control programs. Gaps in knowledge about the immunology of chlamydial and gonococcal infections coupled with a poor understanding of adolescent and young adult sexual networks limit progress towards developing effective interventions.This presentation will review the current epidemiology of repeat chlamydia and gonorrhoea among women and highlight the operational challenges to implementing programmatic responses to reducing the burden and impact of repeat infection, including increasing rescreening rates, use of partner delivered therapy, and other approaches to interrupt ongoing transmission in high prevalence sexual networks.
S8.1 Lessons learnt from global HIV drug resistance initiative: implications for MDR-GC
Authors: Sutherland D 
Published: July 2011

The WHO, in collaboration with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the International AIDS Society developed the Global HIV Drug Resistance Network. It is comprised of a network of countries and accredited laboratories. The Network serves as an advisory and evaluation function to the WHO HIV drug resistance team and countries implementing the strategy. Surveillance of HIV drug resistance is critical because it helps to detect the circulation of resistance strains and directs measures to preserve programme effectiveness.This presentation will explore how lessons learnt from the HIV drug resistance initiative could be applied to slow the spread of MDR-GC.
S9.2 Monitoring and evaluation: linking programming and research
Authors: Vassall A 
Published: July 2011

Researchers are becoming increasingly interested in the evaluation of STI/HIV interventions that take place in “real world” programmatic or health systems settings. Likewise, programme and health service managers are facing ever growing demands to demonstrate results and achieve “value for money”. Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems are fundamental to both efforts. However, research and programme efforts are often not closely linked, with data being collected and analysed independently.This presentation will examine M&E from a researchers' perspective. It will outline how a programme science perspective can contribute to the development of robust and useful M&E systems and processes. We will present two case studies. The first, the Integra project, evaluates the integration of HIV and SRH services in Kenya and Swaziland. It illustrates how research complemented routine M&E systems in a “real world” setting. This case demonstrates the benefits to programme managers of combining M&E data with economic research to enhance service performance. At the same time Integra researchers were able to use M&E data to examine the impact of “real world” issues like drug stock-outs on their research results. The second case study, the CHARME project, is an evaluation of the Avahan HIV prevention programme in India. This case illustrates the value of linking monitoring systems with research efforts to establish plausible evidence of the relationship between cost, programme activities and intensity and impact of an HIV prevention programme; where no control areas or “stepped wedge” evaluation design was feasible, due to rapid scale-up.Finally, the presentation will identify a number of over-arching lessons learnt from these cases, and other experiences. It will highlight the importance of investing in a wide range of monitoring and evaluation activities, that go beyond Management Information Systems and qualitative peer evaluation. It will explore ways of enhancing and linking research and programme efforts, so that M&E can relate STI/HIV inputs, outputs and outcomes in a robust and logical way; but, at the same time, remains feasible and “value for money” in large scale “real world” settings.
S10.1 Addressing sexual health in Canada
Authors: Smylie L , Clarke B 
Published: July 2011

Following a decline in reported rates of reportable sexually transmitted infections into the late-1990s in Canada, rates have been rising steadily with over two-thirds of reported chlamydia and gonorrhoea cases occurring among young people under 25 years of age. These increases have paradoxically occurred in the face of a decline in teenage pregnancy, an increase in condom use, a stable age of first sexual intercourse, and fewer lifetime sexual partners. Up to 35% of women and 15% of men report being coerced into sexual intercourse. Sexual minority adults experience higher rates of violent victimisation, including sexual assault, and rates of discrimination three times higher than heterosexuals. Sexual minority and gender variant individuals are up to seven times more likely to attempt suicide than heterosexuals. The burden of poor sexual health in Canada is unevenly distributed across the population with a concentration of poor sexual health outcomes among the economically disadvantaged, in more isolated areas, and among sexual minority and gender variant populations.Our approach to addressing sexual health embraces a population health philosophy. The approach does not focus solely on sexual behaviour, but on determinants that influence the contexts within which decisions and choices affecting sexual health are made. It is a multi-sectoral approach fostering partnerships across government departments and with community organisations. It is a holistic approach that does not focus solely on the physical aspects of sexual health, but on the emotional, mental, and social aspects as well.As part of a symposium on national approaches to sexual health, this presentation will examine key experiences, challenges and opportunities encountered in the Public Health Agency of Canada's approach to protecting and enhancing the sexual health of Canadians. In particular, it will highlight Public Health Agency of Canada's leadership and commitment to sexual health through its investment in research to develop national indicators of sexual health and to collect baseline national data; present exemplary health and social interventions to create supportive environments to promote the sexual health of all Canadians; and share innovative methods used to engage members of vulnerable populations in the development and implementation of sexual health interventions.
S10.2 Developing and implementing a public health approach to improve sexual health in the USA
Authors: Douglas J , Fenton K 
Published: July 2011

BackgroundThe first formal U.S. government recognition of the importance of a sexual health framework for enhancing STD/HIV prevention—The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Promote Sexual Health and Responsible Sexual Behaviour –was published in 2001. Since then, many measures of adverse health outcomes of sexual behaviour have improved only minimally or worsened, including HIV, STD, and teen pregnancy. CDC is committed to enhancing program impact for STD/HIV prevention and other programs by complementing traditional prevention efforts with a health promotion framework that comprehensively addresses the broader issue of sexual health.MethodsWe have developed a cross-CDC Sexual Health Steering Committee including Divisions of STD Prevention, HIV/AIDS Prevention, Viral Hepatitis, Adolescent/School Health, Reproductive Health, and Violence Prevention which works collaboratively with a Sexual Health Workgroup of the CDC/HRSA Advisory Committee on HIV and STD.ResultsKey objectives of the CDC sexual health effort include increased knowledge and awareness of and healthy/respectful attitudes regarding sexual health; increased use of high-quality, coordinated and integrated educational, programmatic, and clinical services; increased healthy, responsible, and respectful sexual behaviours; improved healthy and respectful sexual relationships, free of coercion; and decreased adverse health outcomes, including HIV/STD, viral hepatitis, unplanned pregnancy, and sexual and intimate partner violence. Initial efforts focused on a policy discussion paper and expert consultation on “A Public Health Approach for Advancing Sexual Health in the USA” Subsequent steps have included expanding engagement of stakeholders from a broad range of perspectives; steps to evaluate a sexual health communication framework; an expanded CDC sexual health website; efforts to incorporate sexual health into key U.S. policy documents (eg, National HIV AIDS Strategy, Healthy People 2020 key indicators; National Prevention Strategy); planning a national coalition to address sexual health in the general population, adolescents/young adults, and among MSM; and development of a conceptual framework, logic model, and CDC definition of sexual health to inform a final white paper on sexual health.ConclusionsDeveloping and implementing a sexual health framework in a society with diverse values is challenging, but core public health prevention efforts must be enhanced by a renewed effort to address issues of sexual health and responsible sexual behaviour as an intrinsic part of human health. The use of a sexual health framework has great potential for improving public health outcomes by providing messages that are more effective at reaching the public and providers, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of services, and facilitating societal dialogue around sexuality and sexual behaviour.