Methodological Approach to Identify and Expand the Volume of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Data in the Human Health Sector in Low- and Middle-Income Countries in Asia: Implications for Local and Regional AMR Surveillance Systems Strengthening.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a multifaceted global health problem disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The Capturing data on Antimicrobial resistance Patterns and Trends in Use in Regions of Asia (CAPTURA) project was tasked to expand the volume of AMR and antimicrobial use data in Asia. The CAPTURA project used 2 data-collection streams: facility data and project metadata. Project metadata constituted information collected to map out data sources and assess data quality, while facility data referred to the retrospective data collected from healthcare facilities. A down-selection process, labelled "the funnel approach" by the project, was adopted to use the project metadata in prioritizing and selecting laboratories for retrospective AMR data collection. Moreover, the metadata served as a guide for understanding the AMR data once they were collected. The findings from CAPTURA's metadata add to the current discourse on the limitation of AMR data in LMICs. There is generally a low volume of AMR data generated as there is a lack of microbiology laboratories with sufficient antimicrobial susceptibility testing capacity. Many laboratories in Asia are still capturing data on paper, resulting in scattered or unused data not readily accessible or shareable for analyses. There is also a lack of clinical and epidemiological data captured, impeding interpretation and in-depth understanding of the AMR data. CAPTURA's experience in Asia suggests that there is a wide spectrum of capacity and capability of microbiology laboratories within a country and region. As local AMR surveillance is a crucial instrument to inform context-specific measures to combat AMR, it is important to understand and assess current capacity-building needs while implementing activities to enhance surveillance systems.

A Multicenter Cost-of-Illness and Long-term Socioeconomic Follow-up Study in the Severe Typhoid Fever in Africa Program: Study Protocol.

BACKGROUND: There are limited data on typhoid fever cost of illness (COI) and economic impact from Africa. Health economic data are essential for measuring the cost-effectiveness of vaccination or other disease control interventions. Here, we describe the protocol and methods for conducting the health economic studies under the Severe Typhoid Fever in Africa (SETA) program. METHODS: The SETA health economic studies will rely on the platform for SETA typhoid surveillance in 4 African countries-Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Madagascar. A COI and long-term socioeconomic study (LT-SES) will be its components. The COI will be assessed among blood culture-positive typhoid fever cases, blood culture-negative clinically suspected cases (clinical cases), and typhoid fever cases with pathognomonic gastrointestinal perforations (special cases). Repeated surveys using pretested questionnaires will be used to measure out-of-pocket expenses, quality of life, and the long-term socioeconomic impact. The cost of resources consumed for diagnosis and treatment will be collected at health facilities. RESULTS: Results from these studies will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at scientific conferences to make the data available to the wider health economics and public health research communities. CONCLUSIONS: The health economic data will be analyzed to estimate the average cost per case, the quality of life at different stages of illness, financial stress due to illness, and the burden on the family due to caregiving during illness. The data generated are expected to be used in economic analysis and policy making on typhoid control interventions in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Severe Typhoid Fever in Africa Program: Study Design and Methodology to Assess Disease Severity, Host Immunity, and Carriage Associated With Invasive Salmonellosis.

BACKGROUND: Invasive salmonellosis is a common community-acquired bacteremia in persons residing in sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is a paucity of data on severe typhoid fever and its associated acute and chronic host immune response and carriage. The Severe Typhoid Fever in Africa (SETA) program, a multicountry surveillance study, aimed to address these research gaps and contribute to the control and prevention of invasive salmonellosis. METHODS: A prospective healthcare facility-based surveillance with active screening of enteric fever and clinically suspected severe typhoid fever with complications was performed using a standardized protocol across the study sites in Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Ghana, Madagascar, and Nigeria. Defined inclusion criteria were used for screening of eligible patients for enrollment into the study. Enrolled patients with confirmed invasive salmonellosis by blood culture or patients with clinically suspected severe typhoid fever with perforation were eligible for clinical follow-up. Asymptomatic neighborhood controls and immediate household contacts of each case were enrolled as a comparison group to assess the level of Salmonella-specific antibodies and shedding patterns. Healthcare utilization surveys were performed to permit adjustment of incidence estimations. Postmortem questionnaires were conducted in medically underserved areas to assess death attributed to invasive Salmonella infections in selected sites. RESULTS: Research data generated through SETA aimed to address scientific knowledge gaps concerning the severe typhoid fever and mortality, long-term host immune responses, and bacterial shedding and carriage associated with natural infection by invasive salmonellae. CONCLUSIONS: SETA supports public health policy on typhoid immunization strategy in Africa.

Effect of Femoral Tunnel Position on Stability and Clinical Outcomes After Single-Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using the Outside-In Technique.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of the femoral tunnel location in the femoral footprint of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) on postoperative knee stability and clinical outcomes after ACL reconstruction (ACLR) using the outside-in technique. METHODS: From December 2012 to August 2014, ACLR was performed using the outside-in technique in 137 patients. Among these patients, those who had a follow-up period of over 2 years were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 102 patients met the inclusion criteria. The relative location of the femoral tunnel in the lateral condyle was evaluated as a percentage using the standardized grid system on a 3-dimensional computed tomography image. Each patient was then classified into the anterior group, center group (anteroposterior plane, 29.3% ± 3.5%), or posterior group depending on the location of the femoral tunnel. Knee laxity was evaluated using a GNRB knee arthrometer, stress radiography, and the pivot-shift test. From a clinical perspective, patient-reported outcomes (International Knee Documentation Committee subjective form and Lysholm knee score) were then evaluated. RESULTS: Of 102 patients, 31 (30.4%) were assigned to the anterior group, 46 (45.1%) were assigned to the center group, and 25 (24.5%) were assigned to the posterior group. Postoperative side-to-side differences, which were measured using stress radiographs and the GNRB arthrometer, were significantly smaller in the posterior group (1.7 ± 0.6 mm and 1.5 ± 0.5 mm, respectively) than in the center group (2.3 ± 0.9 mm and 2.2 ± 2.8 mm, respectively) and anterior group (2.4 ± 0.7 mm and 2.4 ± 1.3 mm, respectively) (P = .002 for stress radiography and P = .002 for GNRB arthrometer). No significant between-group differences were observed in the pivot-shift test results and patient-reported outcomes among the 3 groups. CONCLUSIONS: The location of the femoral tunnel in the anatomic ACL footprint did not affect postoperative stability and clinical outcomes in the case of ACLR using the outside-in technique. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Three-dimensional clavicle displacement analysis and its effect on scapular position in acute clavicle midshaft fracture.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to measure the distance of the clavicle in 3 dimensions (3D) and each direction (anterior to posterior, medial to lateral, and superior to inferior) and to analyze the correlation of the angular orientation of the scapula according to each directional distance of the clavicle. METHODS: Sixty-seven patients with Robinson 2B1 and 2B2 clavicle midshaft fracture (46.0 ± 17.4 years, men = 50, women = 17) were selected as final subjects. Patients' computed tomography was reconstructed using an image processing program (3D Slicer 4.3 software). Anteroposterior (AP) distance, medial-to-lateral distance, superior-to-inferior distance, and 3D distance of both clavicles were measured. The plane connecting the 3 points (superior pole, inferior pole, and center of glenoid) of the scapula was used to calculate differences in the angular orientation between both scapulae. RESULTS: Among each directional distance of the clavicle, only the AP distance showed negative correlation with scapular angular orientation with anterior tilting, internal rotation, and upward rotation of the scapula (Pearson's correlation coefficient: -0.68, -0.24, and -0.28; P < .001, P = .048, and P = .021). CONCLUSION: The shortening of the AP distance of the clavicle was related to the angular orientation of the scapula in acute clavicle fracture. AP shortening should be considered when determining the treatment of clavicle fracture.

Prevalence of HPV infection among Thai schoolgirls in the north-eastern provinces in 2018: implications for HPV immunization policy.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of high-risk (HR) and vaccine-type human papillomavirus (HPV) infection among Thai schoolgirls who were not included in the national HPV immunization program. Methods: Cross-sectional surveys were conducted among grade 10 (15-16 years old) and grade 12 (17-18 years old) schoolgirls in two provinces of Thailand. Urine samples were collected using the Colli-PeeⓇ device from November 2018 to February 2019. The samples were initially tested using CobasⓇ 4800. Subsequently, all Cobas-positive samples and 1:1 matched Cobas-negative samples were tested by AnyplexⓇ assay. Prevalences of any HPV, any HR HPV, vaccine-type HPV, and individual HR HPV types were estimated by school grade. Results: Prevalences of any HPV and any HR HPV were 11.6% and 8.6% for grade 10, and 18.5% and 12.4% for grade 12 schoolgirls, respectively. Prevalences of bivalent vaccine-type HPV infection in grades 10 and 12 were 3.4% and 4.5%, respectively. Prevalences of quadrivalent and nonavalent vaccine-type HPV infections were 4.0%/6.6% and 6.4%/10.4% in grades 10 and 12, respectively. HPV16 was the most common type detected, followed by HPV58, 51, and 52. Circulating HR HPV types were similar between the school grades. Conclusion: A substantial burden of HR HPV infections was found among unvaccinated high school girls in Thailand.

A community intervention effectiveness study of single dose or two doses of bivalent HPV vaccine (CERVARIX®) in female school students in Thailand.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common infection principally spread through sexual activity. Most HPV infections are asymptomatic and resolve spontaneously. However, persistent infection may progress to cervical cancer. Highly efficacious HPV vaccines have been available since 2006, yet uptake into national programs has been slow in part due to cost. WHO guidelines call for a two-dose (0,6 month) schedule for girls 9-14 years of age. Post-hoc analyses of randomized trials have found high vaccine effectiveness following a single dose of vaccine. In order to provide additional data on the potential impact of single dose HPV vaccination in a real-world setting, we are conducting an effectiveness study among Thai schoolgirls. This is an observational study of a single dose (SD) or two doses (2D) of the bivalent HPV vaccine CERVARIX® (GlaxoSmithKline plc.) administered in a school-based program to 8-9,000 Grade 8 female students in two provinces of Thailand beginning in 2018; one province is assigned the SD, and the other the standard 2D regimen. The reduction in HPV vaccine-type prevalence will be assessed in each province two and four years after vaccination by comparing HPV prevalence in urine samples obtained through cross-sectional surveys of the immunized grade cohort as they age and compared to a historical "baseline" HPV prevalence of same age students.

Relationship of Posterior Decentering of the Humeral Head with Tear Size and Fatty Degeneration in Rotator Cuff Tear.

BACKGROUND: Posterior decentering is not an uncommon finding on rotator cuff tear patients' shoulder magnetic resonance imaging. No previous study has reported on the relationship between posterior decentering and rotator cuff tear. METHODS: We assessed patients' rotator cuff tear humeral head positions based on humeral-scapular alignment (HSA). Subjects were classified into centering and decentering groups based on a <2 mm or >2 mm HSA value, respectively. Differences in rotator cuff tear size, degree of tear, and fatty degeneration between the two groups were evaluated. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-five patients (80 males, 95 females; mean age: 59.7 ± 6.5 years old) were selected as subjects (case-control study; level of evidence: 3). Tear size, degree of subscapularis tendon tear, and fatty degeneration of the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and subscapularis muscles were significantly different between the two groups (p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of decentering was related to rotator cuff tear size, degree of subscapularis tendon tear, and fatty degeneration of the rotator cuff muscles.

Difference of Critical Shoulder Angle (CSA) According to Minimal Rotation: Can Minimal Rotation of the Scapula Be Allowed in the Evaluation of CSA?

BACKGROUND: Minimal rotation of the scapula may affect the measurement of critical shoulder angle (CSA). We investigated the difference in the CSA measured in minimal rotation between the patients with rotator cuff tear and those without non-rotator cuff tear and the CSA measurement error by comparing with computed tomography (CT). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tear and whose X-ray views correspond to Suter-Henninger classification type A1 and C1. The CSA values between the normal control group (without rotator cuff tear) and the rotator cuff tear group were compared according to A1 type and C1 type. In the rotator cuff tear group, we compared the CSA values measured by using X-ray and CT. RESULTS: A total of 238 patients (rotator cuff tear group, 139 patients; normal cuff group, 99 patients) were included in this study. The mean CSA of the rotator cuff tear group was 33.4° ± 3.5°, and that of the normal cuff group was 32.6° ± 3.9° (p = 0.085). On comparison of the CSA according to the Suter-Henninger classification type, the CSA values on the A1 type view and C1 type view were 32.7° ± 3.5° and 33.7° ± 3.5°, respectively, in the rotator cuff tear group and 30.5° ± 3.1° and 33.1 ± 3.9°, respectively, in the normal cuff group (p = 0.024 and p = 0.216, respectively). The mean CSA was 32.5° ± 3.1° in CT and 33.3° ± 3.2° in X-ray (p = 0.184). On comparison of the CSA according to the Suter-Henninger classification type, the CSA values on the A1 type view and C1 type view were 32.6° ± 3.6° and 32.5° ± 2.4°, respectively, in CT and 32.5° ± 3.5° and 34.2° ± 2.6°, respectively, in X-ray (p = 0.905 and p = 0.017, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The X-ray view corresponding to Suter-Henninger classification type A1 or CT-reconstructed image can be used to reduce the measurement error and obtain reliable CSA values. The CSA measured on the X-ray view corresponding to Suter-Henninger classification type A1 may be related with rotator cuff tear.

Review of Sarcoidosis in a Province of South Korea from 1996 to 2014.

BACKGROUND: Since the introduction of endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) of mediastinal lymph nodes, the incidence of histopathologically-confirmed sarcoidosis has increased. METHODS: The electronic medical records of Chonnam National University (CNU) Hospital and CNU Hwasun Hospital (CNUHH) were searched for confirmed cases of sarcoidosis diagnosed between 1996 and 2014. Cases were selected using a combination of clinical, radiological, and pathological evidence. Of 115 cases with the relevant disease codes, 16 cases were excluded, as they had not been confirmed pathologically or had no definitive clinical features of sarcoidosis. RESULTS: Among 99 cases of confirmed sarcoidosis, only nine patients were diagnosed with sarcoidosis before 2008; the rest were diagnosed from 2008 onward, after the introduction of EBUS-TBNA. EBUS-TBNA was used in 75.8% of patients, open surgical biopsy in 13.2%, and mediastinoscopic biopsy in 5.1%. At the time of diagnosis, 42.4% of sarcoidosis cases were at stage I, 55.6% at stage II, and 2% at stage III. Spontaneous remission of sarcoidosis was observed in 33.3% of cases, and stable disease in 37.4%; systemic steroid treatment was initiated in 23.2% of cases. Of the patients treated with systemic steroids, 69.6% showed improvement. The median duration of steroid treatment was 5 months. CONCLUSION: Following the introduction of EBUS-TBNA, the number of newly diagnosed sarcoidosis patients has increased. Clinical features of sarcoidosis were similar to those previously reported. Spontaneous remission occurred in about one-third of patients, while one-fourth of patients required systemic steroid treatment.

Evaluating a pivot-based approach for bilingual lexicon extraction.

A pivot-based approach for bilingual lexicon extraction is based on the similarity of context vectors represented by words in a pivot language like English. In this paper, in order to show validity and usability of the pivot-based approach, we evaluate the approach in company with two different methods for estimating context vectors: one estimates them from two parallel corpora based on word association between source words (resp., target words) and pivot words and the other estimates them from two parallel corpora based on word alignment tools for statistical machine translation. Empirical results on two language pairs (e.g., Korean-Spanish and Korean-French) have shown that the pivot-based approach is very promising for resource-poor languages and this approach observes its validity and usability. Furthermore, for words with low frequency, our method is also well performed.