Survey of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in raccoons (Procyon lotor) from the Czech Republic, Germany and Poland

Publication date: Available online 14 September 2018Source: Veterinary ParasitologyAuthor(s): Aleksandra Kornacka, Aleksandra Cybulska, Marcin Popiołek, Bożena MoskwaAbstractThe studies were carried on raccoons from Poland, Germany and the Czech Republic. Tissue samples from raccoon hearts, lungs and brains were used for molecular examination while meat juice was collected for immunological tests.Antibodies against T. gondii were detected in six out of 44 raccoons (13.6%), while T. gondii DNA was found in 18 (40.9%). Antibodies against N. caninum were found in seven raccoons (15.9%) but no parasite DNA was observed in any sample.DNA of T. gondii was observed in raccoons of both sexes (in 42.3% of females and 38.9% of males) from all three countries. The proportion of raccoons that tested...

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Prevalence and molecular characteristics of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus among nasal carriage strains isolated from emergency department patients and healthcare workers in central Taiwan

ConclusionOverall, a substantial proportion of patients visiting the ED and HCWs harbored CA-MRSA, mostly ST59 strains, in their nares. It is noteworthy that MRSA ST45 strains supplanted ST239 as the second leading nasal MRSA colonization strain in our study. (Source: Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection)

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Head And Neck Cancer Treatment Market Analysis, Overview, Growth, Share, Demand and Forecast Research Report ...

Head And Neck Cancer Treatment Market Analysis, Overview, Growth, Share, Demand and Forecast Research Report ...  Market JournalHead and Neck Cancer Treatment Market Overview, Size,Revenue, Demand, End Users, Research Finding by 2017 ...  Our Market ResearchGlobal Head And Neck Cancer Drugs Therapeutics Market 2018 | Industry Key Players, Type, Applications, world's ...  firstpharmacist.comFull coverage

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Head And Neck Cancer Treatment Market Promising regions, Revenue, Share, Sales and Growth Rate Forecast to 2021

Head And Neck Cancer Treatment Market Promising regions, Revenue, Share, Sales and Growth Rate Forecast to 2021  IDA ReportFull coverage

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Head And Neck Cancer Treatment Market Analysis, Overview, Growth, Share, Demand and Forecast Research Report ...

Head And Neck Cancer Treatment Market Analysis, Overview, Growth, Share, Demand and Forecast Research Report ...  Market JournalHead and Neck Cancer Treatment Market Overview, Size,Revenue, Demand, End Users, Research Finding by 2017 ...  Our Market ResearchGlobal Head And Neck Cancer Drugs Therapeutics Market 2018 | Industry Key Players, Type, Applications, world's ...  firstpharmacist.comFull coverage

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Head And Neck Cancer Treatment Market Promising regions, Revenue, Share, Sales and Growth Rate Forecast to 2021

Head And Neck Cancer Treatment Market Promising regions, Revenue, Share, Sales and Growth Rate Forecast to 2021  IDA ReportFull coverage

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Mucosal immune parameters, immune and antioxidant defence related genes expression and growth performance of zebrafish (Danio rerio) fed on Gracilaria gracilis powder

Publication date: Available online 14 September 2018Source: Fish & Shellfish ImmunologyAuthor(s): Seyed Hossein Hoseinifar, Samira Yousefi, Gioele Capillo, Hamed Paknejad, Mohsen Khalili, Alijan Tabarraei, Hien Van Doan, Nunziacarla Spanò, Caterina FaggioAbstractIn the present study zebrafish (Danio rerio) has been used as model organism to establish the effects of dietary supplementation of Gracilaria gracilis powder (GP) on mucosal and innate immune parameters, antioxidant enzymes, and growth. In order to establish these features, zebrafish were fed for eight weeks with experimental diets containing different levels of Red algae, 0.25, 0.5 and 1% of GP; also, a group was fed with control diet. At the end of the experimental period the antioxidant superoxide dismutase and catalase (SOD, ...

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Prognosticating Outcomes in Interstitial Lung Disease by Mediastinal Lymph Node Assessment: An Observational Cohort Study with Independent Validation.

CONCLUSIONS: MLN enlargement predicts TFS and hospitalization risk in ILD, and is associated with decreased levels of a key circulating cytokine sCD40L. Incorporating MLN and cytokine findings into current prediction models might improve ILD prognostication. PMID: 30216085 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine)

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Mucosal immune parameters, immune and antioxidant defence related genes expression and growth performance of zebrafish (Danio rerio) fed on Gracilaria gracilis powder

Publication date: Available online 14 September 2018Source: Fish & Shellfish ImmunologyAuthor(s): Seyed Hossein Hoseinifar, Samira Yousefi, Gioele Capillo, Hamed Paknejad, Mohsen Khalili, Alijan Tabarraei, Hien Van Doan, Nunziacarla Spanò, Caterina FaggioAbstractIn the present study zebrafish (Danio rerio) has been used as model organism to establish the effects of dietary supplementation of Gracilaria gracilis powder (GP) on mucosal and innate immune parameters, antioxidant enzymes, and growth. In order to establish these features, zebrafish were fed for eight weeks with experimental diets containing different levels of Red algae, 0.25, 0.5 and 1% of GP; also, a group was fed with control diet. At the end of the experimental period the antioxidant superoxide dismutase and catalase (SOD, ...

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Prognosticating Outcomes in Interstitial Lung Disease by Mediastinal Lymph Node Assessment: An Observational Cohort Study with Independent Validation.

CONCLUSIONS: MLN enlargement predicts TFS and hospitalization risk in ILD, and is associated with decreased levels of a key circulating cytokine sCD40L. Incorporating MLN and cytokine findings into current prediction models might improve ILD prognostication. PMID: 30216085 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine)

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Woman battling cancer to receive bone marrow transplant from her 14-year-old daughter

Woman battling cancer to receive bone marrow transplant from her 14-year-old daughter  KXLH Helena NewsFull coverage

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Woman battling cancer to receive bone marrow transplant from her 14-year-old daughter

Woman battling cancer to receive bone marrow transplant from her 14-year-old daughter  KXLH Helena NewsFull coverage

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Zinc supplementation plays a crucial role in T helper 9 differentiation in allogeneic immune reactions and non-activated T cells

Publication date: Available online 6 February 2018Source: Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and BiologyAuthor(s): Martina Maywald, Fudi Wang, Lothar RinkAbstractT helper (Th) 9 cells play a critical role in immune-mediated diseases, including allergic airway inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and cancer development. Thus, the promotion or suppression of Th9 cell differentiation, transcriptional control, and function is very important for a healthy immune system. Interestingly, T cell maturation, differentiation and function are highly dependent on the individuals' zinc status. This is especially seen in zinc deficient individuals as in the elderly population often suffering of autoimmunity and increased incidence of infections.In this regard, this study examines the impact of zinc su...

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A pilot study on adjunctive use of parametric colour-coded digital subtraction angiography in endovascular interventions of haemodialysis access

Abstract

Background

Two-dimensional digital subtraction angiography (DSA) is the gold standard for angiographic evaluation of dysfunctional haemodialysis access. We aim to investigate the utility of parametric colour coded DSA in providing hemodynamic analysis during haemodialysis access interventions.

Methods

We retrospectively studied 20 patients who underwent access intervention and applied parametric colour-coding on selected DSA acquisitions before and after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). The difference in time to peak (dTTP) contrast enhancement and time attenuation curve (TAC) of pre- and post-stenotic regions of interest (ROIs) were obtained and compared after treatment.

Results

Improvements were seen in mean percent of stenosis after PTA (p < 0.0001) for all cases. Median dTTP improved from 0.52 (IQR 0.26, 0.8) to 0.25 (IQR 0, 0.26) seconds (p = 0.001). Median 50% contrast washout time improved from 0.77 (IQR 0.39, 1.17) to 0.42 (IQR 0.23, 0.59) seconds (p = 0.031). Significant correlation was seen for dTTP vs. percent of stenosis (r = 0.723, p = 0.043) pre-PTA and for change in dTTP vs. percent change in stenosis post-PTA (r = 0.786, p = 0.021) for inflow lesions. Such correlation was however not seen in outflow lesions.

Conclusions

Adjunctive use of parametric colour-coded DSA may provide potentially useful hemodynamic information during vascular access interventions. Larger prospective studies are needed to validate our findings.

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Zinc supplementation plays a crucial role in T helper 9 differentiation in allogeneic immune reactions and non-activated T cells

Publication date: Available online 6 February 2018Source: Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and BiologyAuthor(s): Martina Maywald, Fudi Wang, Lothar RinkAbstractT helper (Th) 9 cells play a critical role in immune-mediated diseases, including allergic airway inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and cancer development. Thus, the promotion or suppression of Th9 cell differentiation, transcriptional control, and function is very important for a healthy immune system. Interestingly, T cell maturation, differentiation and function are highly dependent on the individuals' zinc status. This is especially seen in zinc deficient individuals as in the elderly population often suffering of autoimmunity and increased incidence of infections.In this regard, this study examines the impact of zinc su...

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A pilot study on adjunctive use of parametric colour-coded digital subtraction angiography in endovascular interventions of haemodialysis access

Abstract

Background

Two-dimensional digital subtraction angiography (DSA) is the gold standard for angiographic evaluation of dysfunctional haemodialysis access. We aim to investigate the utility of parametric colour coded DSA in providing hemodynamic analysis during haemodialysis access interventions.

Methods

We retrospectively studied 20 patients who underwent access intervention and applied parametric colour-coding on selected DSA acquisitions before and after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). The difference in time to peak (dTTP) contrast enhancement and time attenuation curve (TAC) of pre- and post-stenotic regions of interest (ROIs) were obtained and compared after treatment.

Results

Improvements were seen in mean percent of stenosis after PTA (p < 0.0001) for all cases. Median dTTP improved from 0.52 (IQR 0.26, 0.8) to 0.25 (IQR 0, 0.26) seconds (p = 0.001). Median 50% contrast washout time improved from 0.77 (IQR 0.39, 1.17) to 0.42 (IQR 0.23, 0.59) seconds (p = 0.031). Significant correlation was seen for dTTP vs. percent of stenosis (r = 0.723, p = 0.043) pre-PTA and for change in dTTP vs. percent change in stenosis post-PTA (r = 0.786, p = 0.021) for inflow lesions. Such correlation was however not seen in outflow lesions.

Conclusions

Adjunctive use of parametric colour-coded DSA may provide potentially useful hemodynamic information during vascular access interventions. Larger prospective studies are needed to validate our findings.

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Generosity and Duration of Medicaid Expansion Waivers and Access to Care

Publication date: Available online 14 September 2018

Source: American Journal of Preventive Medicine

Author(s): Wafa W. Tarazi, Cathy J. Bradley, David W. Harless, Harry D. Bear, Lindsay M. Sabik

Introduction

Prior to expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, some states obtained Section 1115 waivers from the federal government that allowed them to expand eligibility for Medicaid to adult populations that were not covered previously. Expansion waivers in these states differed in their generosity and year of implementation, creating variation in coverage availability and program longevity across states. This study examined the association between generosity and duration of Medicaid expansion waivers and access to preventive services.

Methods

The 2012 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data were used to estimate adjusted logistic models in 2016, comparing outcomes among low-income non-elderly adults living in generous (Medicaid eligibility threshold ≥138% federal poverty level) and moderate (Medicaid eligibility threshold <138% federal poverty level) waiver states, relative to no-waiver states.

Results

Moderate and generous waivers were associated with statistically significant (p<0.001) increases in probabilities of having a usual source of care and a blood pressure check, relative to states without a waiver to expand. Low-income individuals living in states with longer waiver durations had better access to healthcare services than a similar group living in comparison states.

Conclusions

Not only is Medicaid waiver generosity associated with improving access to healthcare services, but the combination of generosity and longer duration of a waiver also intensifies the association. As states gain flexibility in designing their Medicaid programs, the healthcare benefits associated with both generosity and duration of waivers are important considerations for policy makers.

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Reassessing Urban Health Interventions: Back to the Future with Google Street View Time Machine

Publication date: Available online 14 September 2018

Source: American Journal of Preventive Medicine

Author(s): Ronaldo L. Cândido, Madeleine Steinmetz-Wood, Patrick Morency, Yan Kestens

Introduction

Validity of research linking built environments to health relies on the availability and reliability of data used to measure exposures. As cities transform, it is important to track when and where urban changes occur, to provide detailed information for urban health intervention research. This paper presents an online observation method of the implementation of traffic-calmingfeatures using Google Street View Time Machine. The method is used to validate an existingadministrative database detailing the implementation of curb extensions and speed bumps.

Methods

Online observation of curb extensions and speed bumps was conducted for four boroughsin Montreal, Canada, in autumn 2016, and compared with administrative data documenting traffic-calming measures implemented between 2008 and 2014. All images available through the Time Machine function between 2007 and 2016 for 708 intervention sites were visualized online. Records in the administrative database were compared to real-world Google Street View observations and tested in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and positive predicted value.

Results

Google Street View Time Machine allowed the visualization of a median of seven different dates per street intersection and six dates per street segment. This made it possible to analyze built environment changes within 3,973 distinct time periods at 708 locations. Validation of the administrative data regarding presence of an intervention showed 99% (95% CI=97%, 99%) sensitivity, 58% (95% CI=51%, 64%) specificity, and 77% (95% CI=73%, 81%) positive predictive value.

Conclusions

Google Street View Time Machine allowed past (2007–2016) online documentation of microscale urban interventions—curb extensions and speed bumps. The proposed method offers a new way to document historic changes to the built environment, which will be useful for urban health intervention research.

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Generosity and Duration of Medicaid Expansion Waivers and Access to Care

Publication date: Available online 14 September 2018

Source: American Journal of Preventive Medicine

Author(s): Wafa W. Tarazi, Cathy J. Bradley, David W. Harless, Harry D. Bear, Lindsay M. Sabik

Introduction

Prior to expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, some states obtained Section 1115 waivers from the federal government that allowed them to expand eligibility for Medicaid to adult populations that were not covered previously. Expansion waivers in these states differed in their generosity and year of implementation, creating variation in coverage availability and program longevity across states. This study examined the association between generosity and duration of Medicaid expansion waivers and access to preventive services.

Methods

The 2012 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data were used to estimate adjusted logistic models in 2016, comparing outcomes among low-income non-elderly adults living in generous (Medicaid eligibility threshold ≥138% federal poverty level) and moderate (Medicaid eligibility threshold <138% federal poverty level) waiver states, relative to no-waiver states.

Results

Moderate and generous waivers were associated with statistically significant (p<0.001) increases in probabilities of having a usual source of care and a blood pressure check, relative to states without a waiver to expand. Low-income individuals living in states with longer waiver durations had better access to healthcare services than a similar group living in comparison states.

Conclusions

Not only is Medicaid waiver generosity associated with improving access to healthcare services, but the combination of generosity and longer duration of a waiver also intensifies the association. As states gain flexibility in designing their Medicaid programs, the healthcare benefits associated with both generosity and duration of waivers are important considerations for policy makers.

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Reassessing Urban Health Interventions: Back to the Future with Google Street View Time Machine

Publication date: Available online 14 September 2018

Source: American Journal of Preventive Medicine

Author(s): Ronaldo L. Cândido, Madeleine Steinmetz-Wood, Patrick Morency, Yan Kestens

Introduction

Validity of research linking built environments to health relies on the availability and reliability of data used to measure exposures. As cities transform, it is important to track when and where urban changes occur, to provide detailed information for urban health intervention research. This paper presents an online observation method of the implementation of traffic-calmingfeatures using Google Street View Time Machine. The method is used to validate an existingadministrative database detailing the implementation of curb extensions and speed bumps.

Methods

Online observation of curb extensions and speed bumps was conducted for four boroughsin Montreal, Canada, in autumn 2016, and compared with administrative data documenting traffic-calming measures implemented between 2008 and 2014. All images available through the Time Machine function between 2007 and 2016 for 708 intervention sites were visualized online. Records in the administrative database were compared to real-world Google Street View observations and tested in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and positive predicted value.

Results

Google Street View Time Machine allowed the visualization of a median of seven different dates per street intersection and six dates per street segment. This made it possible to analyze built environment changes within 3,973 distinct time periods at 708 locations. Validation of the administrative data regarding presence of an intervention showed 99% (95% CI=97%, 99%) sensitivity, 58% (95% CI=51%, 64%) specificity, and 77% (95% CI=73%, 81%) positive predictive value.

Conclusions

Google Street View Time Machine allowed past (2007–2016) online documentation of microscale urban interventions—curb extensions and speed bumps. The proposed method offers a new way to document historic changes to the built environment, which will be useful for urban health intervention research.

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