bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The complement system
Authors: Botto Marina , Walport Mark J.
Published: January 2012

The complement system consists of over 20 distinct proteins and is an essential component of the innate immune system. It is a major effector mechanism of host defence against infection and inflammatory responses, has an important role in the physiological removal of immune complexes and dying cells, and plays an accessory role in the induction of antibody responses....
Brucellosis
Authors: Monir Madkour M.
Published: January 2012

There are four species of the Gram-negative, aerobic brucella bacillus, each comprising several biovars: Brucella melitensis (‘Malta fever’, most commonly associated with goats, sheep, and camels), B. abortus (cattle), B. suis (pigs), and B. canis (dogs). The disease that they cause—brucellosis—occurs worldwide, but is especially prevalent in the Mediterranean region, the Indian subcontinent, Mexico, and Central and South America. Transmission is commonly by ingestion of untreated dairy products or other contaminated foods, but can also be by inhalation or inoculation....
Principles of contraception
Authors: Guillebaud John
Published: January 2012

Continued use of any method of contraception is related directly to its acceptability. Advisers should be competent to give information about the efficacy, risks, side effects, advantages, disadvantages, and noncontraceptive benefits of each method.

Ignorance, especially about conditions not yet evaluated by the World Health Organization or the United Kingdom Medical Eligibility Committee, should be admitted during consultations, in which the clinician and the user, or couple, should be on equal terms: a ‘consultation between two experts’....
Heat
Authors: Stroud M.A.
Published: January 2012

Rising body temperature triggers behavioural and physiological responses including reduction in physical activity, alterations of clothing, skin vasodilatation, and sweating. Heat-related illness is relatively common, especially with high humidity or prolonged physical activity. Risk can be reduced by acclimatization with repeated heat exposure, but some individuals seem to be particularly susceptible....
Disasters: earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, and floods
Authors: Baxter Peter J.
Published: January 2012

Natural disasters (earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, floods) affect the lives of hundreds of millions of people every year, and their impact is increasing year on year because of continuing expansion of human populations into increasingly exposed areas, with environmental degradation making these settlements more vulnerable, especially in heavily urbanized areas. Future climate change may exacerbate matters, with many forecasts predicting an increase in hurricanes, severe wind storms, flooding and droughts....
Obesity
Authors: Farooqi I. Sadaf
Published: January 2012

Obesity is defined as an excess of body fat that is sufficient to affect health adversely. It is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some forms of cancer and is a serious medical disorder. In routine practice, body mass index (BMI) is most often used to define obesity in population studies and in the clinic: overweight, BMI 25 to 29.9 kg/m...
Disturbances of acid–base homeostasis
Authors: Cohen R. D. , Woods H. F.
Published: January 2012

Despite a daily load of protons, derived mainly from metabolism, the hydrogen ion concentration of arterial blood in health is tightly maintained within a slightly alkaline range (pH 7.36–7.42); concentrations of intracellular hydrogen ions are also controlled. Failure adequately to excrete or neutralize protons causes acidic conditions to prevail (decreased pH): undue intake of base, uncompensated loss of protons—or the substrates from which they are derived—induces an alkaline milieu (raised pH)....
Normal and abnormal sexual differentiation
Authors: Hughes I.A.
Published: January 2012

Human sex development follows an orderly sequence of embryological events coordinated by a cascade of gene expression and hormone production in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Underpinning the entire process of fetal sex development is the simple mantra: sex chromosomes (XX or XY) dictate the gonadotype (ovary or testis), which then dictates the somatotype (female or male phenotype)....
Chest diseases in pregnancy
Authors: Covarrubias Minerva , Hartert Tina
Published: January 2012

Respiratory changes in pregnancy include an increase in tidal volume and minute ventilation, leading to a primary respiratory alkalosis. During a normal and uncomplicated pregnancy many women experience the sensation of dyspnea, hence it is important—but sometimes difficult—for the clinician to distinguish breathlessness resulting from normal physiological changes from that caused by underlying medical diseases....
The skin in pregnancy
Authors: Wojnarowska Fenella
Published: January 2012

Pregnancy dermatoses are common, and because they are usually very itchy may ruin the life of the pregnant woman. It is particularly important to recognize when itch is due to intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, which has important implications for the health of both mother and fetus (see ...
Malignant disease in pregnancy
Authors: Crawford Robin A.F.
Published: January 2012

Cancer in pregnancy is rare, affecting less than 1 in 1000 live births. It may be specific to pregnancy (gestational trophoblastic disease) or incidental to it, the less infrequent conditions being melanoma, lymphoma, and cervical malignancy.

Gestational trophoblastic disease—a group of conditions that arise in the fetal chorion during various types of pregnancy: histologically they are categorized as (1) partial or complete hydatidiform mole, (2) gestational choriocarcinoma, or (3) placental site trophoblastic tumour. The most common of these conditions is molar pregnancy, when villi are present in association with malignant trophoblast in gestational choriocarcinoma....
Benefits and risks of oral contraception
Authors: Guillebaud John
Published: January 2012

Efficacy of the ‘pill’ as an oral contraceptive—users of combined oral contraceptives (COC) must understand the importance of not lengthening the pill-free (contraception-deficient) time, and be appropriately advised if prescribed enzyme-inducing drugs.

Noncontraceptive benefits of COC use—these include fewer disorders of the menstrual cycle and less risk of colorectal cancer and cancers of the ovary and endometrium, which may sometimes provide the principal indication for prescription....
Gastrointestinal lymphoma
Authors: Isaacson P.G.
Published: January 2012

Case History—An 85 yr old woman presenting with recent onset of abdominal swelling and back pain.

Primary gastrointestinal lymphoma, which is the commonest extranodal lymphoma and almost exclusively of non-Hodgkin’s type, is defined as lymphoma that has presented with the main bulk of disease in the gastrointestinal tract, with or without involvement of contiguous lymph nodes, and necessitating direction of treatment to that site....
Malabsorption syndromes in the tropics
Authors: Mathan V.I.
Published: January 2012

Causes of secondary malabsorption that are mainly prevalent in the tropics include (1) progressive wasting in people infected with HIV, which is known as ‘slim disease’; (2) various infections—protozoal (e.g. Gardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium parvum), helminthic (e.g Capillaria philippinensis, Strongyloides stercoralis), bacterial (Mycobacterium tuberculosis...
Structure and function of the liver, biliary tract, and pancreas
Authors: Gimson Alexander , Rushbrook Simon M.
Published: January 2012

The liver, sited in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen, comprises eight segments, each of which is a complete functional unit with a single portal pedicle and a hepatic vein. Within the functional segments, the structural unit is the hepatic lobule, a polyhedron surrounded by four to six portal tracts containing hepatic arterial and portal venous branches from which blood perfuses through sinusoids, surrounded by walls of hepatocytes that are a single cell thick and lined by specialized endothelial cells with ‘windows’ (fenestrae), to the centrilobular region and the central hepatic veins. Bile secreted through the canalicular membrane of the hepatocyte collects in biliary canaliculi, from which it passes through the biliary tract into the gut....
Cardiac myocytes and the cardiac action potential
Authors: MacLeod Kenneth T. , Marston Steven B. , Poole-Wilson Philip A. , Severs Nicholas J. , Sugden Peter H.
Published: January 2012

Cardiac myocytes are the contractile cells of the heart and constitute the bulk of heart mass. There are differences between the myocytes of the ventricles, the atria, and the conduction system: ventricular myocytes are elongated cells and packed with myofibrils (the contractile apparatus) and mitochondria (for ATP production)....
Infective endocarditis
Authors: Harrison James L. , Prendergast Bernard D. , Littler William A.
Published: January 2012

Endocarditis predominantly affects the aortic and mitral valves; involvement of the tricuspid valve occurs in approximately one-fifth of cases and pulmonary valve involvement is rare. In the developing world rheumatic heart disease is the most common predisposing factor. In developed countries endocarditis is more common in older people with native valve disease and in patients with prosthetic valves and intracardiac devices (pacemakers and defibrillators). In these countries up to 50% of cases have no predisposing cardiac lesion and more cases are related to intravenous drug abuse and nosocomial infection related to invasive procedures. Mortality remains high (30%) despite advances in antimicrobial therapy and surgery, and at least 50% of cases require valve surgery. Early diagnosis, specialist management, and timely intervention are key to successful outcome....
Acute aortic syndromes
Authors: Mitchell Andrew R.J. , Newton James D. , Banning Adrian P.
Published: January 2012

The acute aortic syndromes are acute dissection, intramural haematoma, and penetrating ulcer, and all involve disruption of the wall of the aorta with potentially devastating consequences. Although relatively uncommon, left unrecognized and untreated they can carry a mortality rate of up to 2% per hour and 50% within the first few weeks....
Mendelian disorders causing hypertension
Authors: Samani Nilesh J. , Tomaszewski Maciej
Published: January 2012

Several mendelian disorders with hypertension as the predominant manifestation have been characterized at the molecular level. Features that may suggest one of these very rare conditions include a young age of onset, moderate to severe hypertension, strong family history, consanguinity (for the autosomal recessive disorders), and electrolyte abnormalities, particularly of potassium (although this is not invariable)....
The upper respiratory tract
Authors: Stradling J.R. , Craig S.E.
Published: January 2012

The upper respiratory tract extends from the anterior nares to the larynx and comprises (1) the nose—with main function as first-line defence against problems with incoming air, acting as a coarse particle filter and a conditioner (temperature and humidity) of the air, and with the sense of smell helping to detect noxious substances that are best avoided. (2) The pharynx—this has to be a rigid tube when used for breathing, but during swallowing it has to be a collapsed tube capable of peristalsis, a combination of functions which is achieved by complex innervation and musculature. Subepithelial collections of lymphoid tissue in the pharynx are ideally suited to process inhaled and swallowed antigens. (3) The larynx—this has three important functions: communication, protection of the airway, and dynamic control of lung volume....
Respiratory function tests
Authors: Gibson G.J.
Published: January 2012

Respiratory function tests are used in diagnosis, assessment and prognosis and in monitoring the effects of treatment of various respiratory conditions. Their use as a diagnostic tool is in recognizing patterns of abnormality which characterize particular types of disease; more often they are used to quantify the severity of functional disturbance or to locate the likely anatomical site(s) of disease (airways, alveoli, or chest wall)....
Allergic rhinitis
Authors: Durham Stephen R. , Saleh Hesham
Published: January 2012

Allergic rhinitis affects more than 20% of the population of Westernized countries and has a significant impact on quality of life and school/work performance.

Aetiology and clinical features—important environmental factors include tree and grass pollens (seasonal allergic rhinitis); house dust mite and domestic pets, most often cats (perennial allergic rhinitis); and a variety of occupational exposures (occupational rhinitis). Many genetic loci confer susceptibility. Immediate symptoms (itching, sneezing, and watery nasal discharge) occur as a consequence of allergen cross-linking adjacent IgE molecules on the surface of mast cells in the nasal mucosa, resulting in the release of histamine and tryptase, and the generation of bradykinin....
The lung in vasculitis
Authors: Wells A.U. , du Bois Roland M.
Published: January 2012

Case History—A 70 yr old man with a short history of severe breathlessness and widespread consolidation on his chest radiograph.

Case History—A 29 yr old woman with known asthma, now presenting with worsening respiratory and systemic symptoms.

Lung involvement in vasculitic disease can manifest in two ways: (1) Diffuse alveolar haemorrhage—presenting features include fever, weight loss, and other systemic symptoms in association with cough, breathlessness, and clinical signs suggestive of pneumonia. Haemoptysis may be present but is not invariable. A fall in haemoglobin over a day or longer is diagnostically useful. Bronchoalveolar lavage is usually diagnostic. (2) Other pulmonary vasculopathies—present with breathlessness on exertion. Investigation reveals isolated reduction in gas transfer (carbon monoxide diffusing capacity, D...
Pulmonary amyloidosis
Authors: Hendrick D.J.
Published: January 2012

Amyloidosis rarely affects the lungs, but when it does, primary (AL) disease usually produces benign masses of amyloid tissue in the central airways or the parenchyma, and secondary (AA) disease typically causes diffuse infiltration of alveolar walls and interstitium. Laryngotracheobronchial deposits sometimes require resection if they are causing obstruction; parenchymal lung nodules rarely need to be removed, providing their histological nature is not in doubt; the prognosis of diffuse alveolar–interstitial disease is poor....
Disorders of the thoracic cage and diaphragm
Authors: Shneerson John M.
Published: January 2012

Disorders of the thoracic skeleton—these can lead to a severe restrictive ventilatory defect, the risk of respiratory failure being highest with (1) scoliosis—particularly if the following characteristics are present: early onset, severe angulation, high in the thorax, respiratory muscle weakness, low vital capacity; (2) kyphosis—but only if of very sharp angulation (gibbus), most commonly seen following tuberculous osteomyelitis; and (3) after thoracoplasty—historically performed as treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis....
Structure and function: joints and connective tissue
Authors: Cawston Tim E.
Published: January 2012

The joint is a discrete unit that consists of cartilage, bone, tendon, and ligaments. Tendon consists of a matrix mainly made of collagen; bone consists of a mineralized collagen matrix; and cartilage is made up of collagens, proteoglycans, and specialized glycoproteins. Many studies have focused on single tissues of the joint, rather than regarding the joint as an organ made up of cartilage, bone, tendon, and muscle: future studies would benefit from an integrated approach....
Sjögren’s syndrome
Authors: Venables Patrick J.W. , Price Elizabeth
Published: January 2012

Sjögren’s syndrome is an autoimmune connective tissue disease characterized by dryness of the eyes and mouth and lymphocytic infiltrates in the salivary, lachrymal, and other exocrine glands. Its cause is not known, but the condition may be primary, where the disease exists on its own, or secondary, where it is associated with other rheumatic diseases, most commonly rheumatoid arthritis. It affects women more than men (ratio 9:1) and is the second commonest autoimmune rheumatic disease (after rheumatoid arthritis), but in many patients remains undiagnosed because symptoms are usually mild....
Polymyositis and dermatomyositis
Authors: Stone John H.
Published: January 2012

Polymyositis and dermatomyositis are two types of idiopathic inflammatory myopathy. The pathological findings in polymyositis suggest an HLA class I-restricted immune response mediated by cytotoxic T cells; dermatomyositis appears to be associated with humorally mediated destruction of muscle-associated microvasculature.

Clinical features—polymyositis is characterized by symmetrical painless proximal muscle weakness that develops slowly, usually over weeks to months, and typically associated with significant elevation of serum creatine kinase and other muscle enzymes. The pattern of muscle involvement in dermatomyositis is clinically indistinguishable from that of polymyositis, but with cutaneous manifestations including Gottron’s sign, heliotrope rash, erythema, ‘mechanic’s hands’, periungual abnormalities, and calcinosis cutis. Extra-muscular features include interstitial lung disease (30% of cases), aspiration pneumonia, and associated malignancy (polymyositis 9%, dermatomyositis 15%)....
Osteomyelitis
Authors: Berendt Anthony R. , McNally Martin
Published: January 2012

Bacteria can obtain access to bone from a contiguous focus of infection (e.g. a diabetic foot ulcer) or by haematogenous spread. Osteomyelitis is most commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus, β‎-haemolytic streptococci, and—in some situations—aerobic Gram-negative rods. An acute inflammatory response causes oedema within bone and soft tissue, and thrombosis in vessels that can result in bone infarction. Pus may form within cancellous bone and beneath the periosteum, stripping it from the bond and leading to extensive necrosis that sometimes involves an entire bone. The process may become chronic and relapsing....
Disorders of tubular electrolyte handling
Authors: Knoers Nine V.A.M. , Levtchenko Elena N.
Published: January 2012

Physiology—glucose reabsorption in the proximal tubule is carried out by two different pairs of apical Na+-dependent (SGLT1 and 2) and basolateral Na+-independent (GLUT1 and 2) glucose transporters.

Clinical disorders—abnormalities in renal glucose transport can be seen in association with other defects of proximal tubular transport (Fanconi syndrome, see below). Familial renal glycosuria is a rare autosomal recessive condition caused by mutations in the SGLT2-encoding gene, ...
Photosensitivity
Authors: McGregor Jane
Published: January 2012

Normal human skin is photosensitive in that it reddens following acute sunlight exposure and tans and thickens following chronic sunlight exposure. Skin cancer, particularly nonmelanoma skin cancer, is also a consequence of high cumulative sun exposure in genetically predisposed normal individuals (predominantly those with fair skin)....
Hair and nail disorders
Authors: de Berker David
Published: January 2012

Nails grow continuously throughout life, except after exceptional physiological or traumatic events when they are shed. All other less disruptive influences result in changes in the colour, thickness, texture, and growth of nails and may also affect the periungual tissues. The most common local diseases affecting the nail are psoriasis, fungal nail infections, periungual eczema, and viral warts. Looking at the nails is an important part of the general examination, since changes such as clubbing or splinter haemorrhages can indicate systemic disease....
Analytic theory of defects in periodically structured elastic plates
Authors: Poulton C. G. , Movchan A. B. , Movchan N. V. , McPhedran Ross C.
Published: January 2012

We consider the problem of localized flexural waves in thin plates that have periodic structure, consisting of a two-dimensional array of pins or point masses. Changing the properties of the structure at a single point results in a localized mode within the band-gap that is confined to the vicinity of the defect, while changing the properties along an entire line of points results in a waveguide mode. We develop here an analytic theory of these modes and provide semi-analytic expressions for the eigenfrequencies and fields of the point defect states, as well as the dispersion curves of the defect waveguide modes. The theory is based on a derivation of Green's function for the structure, which we present here for the first time. We also consider defects in finite arrays of point masses, and demonstrate the connection between the finite and infinite systems.
SHORT GRAIN1 Decreases Organ Elongation and Brassinosteroid Response in Rice
Authors: Nakagawa Hitoshi , Tanaka Atsunori , Tanabata Takanari , Ohtake Miki , Fujioka Shozo , Nakamura Hidemitsu , Ichikawa Hiroaki , Mori Masaki
Published: December 2011

We identified a short-grain mutant (Short grain1  (Sg1)  Dominant) via phenotypic screening of 13,000 rice (Oryza sativa) activation-tagged lines. The causative gene, SG1, encodes a protein with unknown function that is preferentially expressed in roots and developing panicles. Overexpression of SG1 in rice produced a phenotype with short grains and dwarfing reminiscent of brassinosteroid (BR)-deficient mutants, with wide, dark-green, and erect leaves. However, the endogenous BR level in the SG1 overexpressor (SG1:OX) plants was comparable to the wild type. SG1:OX plants were insensitive to brassinolide in the lamina inclination assay. Therefore, SG1 appears to decrease responses to BRs. Despite shorter organs in the SG1:OX plants, their cell size was not decreased in the SG1:OX plants. Therefore, SG1 decreases organ elongation by decreasing cell proliferation. In contrast to the SG1:OX plants, RNA interference knockdown plants that down-regulated SG1 and a related gene, SG1-LIKE PROTEIN1, had longer grains and internodes in rachis branches than in the wild type. Taken together, these results suggest that SG1 decreases responses to BRs and elongation of organs such as seeds and the internodes of rachis branches through decreased cellular proliferation.
Descendants of Primed Arabidopsis Plants Exhibit Resistance to Biotic Stress
Authors: Slaughter Ana , Daniel Xavier , Flors Victor , Luna Estrella , Hohn Barbara , Mauch-Mani Brigitte
Published: December 2011

An attack of plants by pathogens or treatment with certain resistance-inducing compounds can lead to the establishment of a unique primed state of defense. Primed plants show enhanced defense reactions upon further challenge with biotic or abiotic stress. Here, we report that the primed state in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) is still functional in the next generation without additional treatment. We compared the reactions of Arabidopsis plants that had been either primed with β-amino-butyric acid (BABA) or with an avirulent isolate of the bacteria Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato (PstavrRpt2). The descendants of primed plants showed a faster and higher accumulation of transcripts of defense-related genes in the salicylic acid signaling pathway and enhanced disease resistance upon challenge inoculation with a virulent isolate of P. syringae. In addition, the progeny of primed plants was also more resistant against the oomycete pathogen Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis. When transgenerationally primed plants were subjected to an additional priming treatment, their descendants displayed an even stronger primed phenotype, suggesting that plants can inherit a sensitization for the priming phenomenon. Interestingly, this primed to be primed phenotype was much reduced in the Arabidopsis β-amino-butyric acid priming mutant ibs1 (induced BABA sterility1). Our results demonstrate that the primed state of plants is transferred to their progeny and confers improved protection from pathogen attack as compared to the descendants of unprimed plants.
Impact of biocides on biofilm formation by methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (ST239‐SCCmecIII) isolates
Authors: Aparecida Guimarães Marcia , Rocchetto Coelho Leonardo , Rodrigues Souza Raquel , Ferreira‐Carvalho Bernadete Teixeira , Marie Sá Figueiredo Agnes
Published: December 2011

Procedures of sterilization and disinfection are essential to ensure that medical and surgical instruments will not transmit infectious pathogens to patients. In the present paper, we tested the residual effect of these compounds on biofilm formation and its efficiency in disrupting preformed biofilms using methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates of the lineage ST239‐SCCmecIII. All compounds examined, except 70% alcohol, caused a significant impairment in biofilm formation with concomitant inhibition of cell growth. Among the compounds examined, 10% povidone‐iodine (PVP‐I) was the only antiseptic that exhibited more than 90% reduction of both biofilm formation and dispersion. In the group of sterilants and disinfectants, a formulation containing 7% hydrogen peroxide and 0.2% peracetic acid (HP‐PA), and sodium hypochlorite with 1% active chlorine (NaOCl) were equally effective.
Contribution of neutrophil‐derived myeloperoxidase in the early phase of fulminant acute respiratory distress syndrome induced by influenza virus infection
Authors: Sugamata Ryuichi , Dobashi Hideki , Nagao Tomokazu , Yamamoto Ki‐ichi , Nakajima Noriko , Sato Yuko , Aratani Yasuaki , Oshima Masamichi , Sata Tetsutaro , Kobayashi Kazuo , Kawachi Shoji , Nakayama Toshinori , Suzuki Kazuo
Published: December 2011

Because the pathogenesis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) induced by influenza virus infection remains unknown, we can only improve on existing therapeutic interventions. To approach the subject, we investigated immunological etiology focused on cytokines and an acute lung damage factor in influenza‐induced ARDS by using a PR‐8 (A/H1N1)‐infected mouse model. The infected mouse showed fulminant severe pneumonia with leukocyte infiltration, claudin alteration on tight junctions, and formation of hyaline membranes. In addition to interferon (IFN)‐α, plenty of keratinocyte‐derived chemokines (KC), macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (MIP‐2), regulated on activation normal T‐cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP‐1) were significantly released into bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of the model. We focused on neutrophil myeloperoxidase (MPO) as a potent tissue damage factor and examined its contribution in influenza pneumonia by using mice genetically lacking in MPO. The absence of MPO reduced inflammatory damage with suppression of leakage of total BALF proteins associated with alteration of claudins in the lung. MPO−/− mice also suppressed viral load in the lung. The present study suggests that MPO‐mediated OCl− generation affects claudin molecules and leads to protein leakage and viral spread as a damage factor in influenza‐induced ARDS.
Virulence genotypes and drug resistance of Helicobacter pylori from Vladivostok, Russia: another feature in the Far East
Authors: Reva Ivan , Takano Tomomi , Higuchi Wataru , Iwao Yasuhisa , Taneike Ikue , Nakagawa Saori , Ike Masami , Pererva Oleg , Tarankov Alexey , Agapov Mikhail , Rizhkov Evgeniy , Singur Olga , Reva Galina , Potapov Vladimir , Yamamoto Tatsuo
Published: December 2011

Helicobacter pylori in Vladivostok, Far Eastern Russia, was investigated during 2004 to 2009. The genotype cagA+ vacA+ (s1/m1 or m2) accounted for 74.7%, with cagA− vacA+ (s2/m2) at 11.2%. The CagA EPIYA type was mainly Western ABC, with minor types (ABCCC and novel AAABC) or non‐Western/non‐East Asia type (AB). Regarding drug resistance, metronidazole resistance was the highest, with a marked decrease in 6 years (from 71.4% to 30.8%); in contrast, levofloxacin and clarithromycin resistance increased. The data indicate that in Vladivostok, H. pylori was mainly the Western (not East Asian) type and dynamic changes in drug resistance occurred during 6 years.
Nurses’ decision‐making in cases of physical restraint: a synthesis of qualitative evidence
Authors: Goethals Sabine , Dierckx de Casterlé Bernadette , Gastmans Chris
Published: December 2011

goethals s., dierckx de casterlé b. & gastmans c. (2012) Nurses’ decision‐making in cases of physical restraint: a synthesis of qualitative evidence. Journal of Advanced Nursing68(6), 1198–1210.

Aim.  This article is a report of a review that aimed to synthesize the available qualitative evidence on nurses’ decision‐making in cases of physical restraint.

Background.  The use of physical restraint in acute and residential healthcare facilities is a widespread practice in many countries. Decisions about the use of physical restraints are complex and ethically laden. The lack of evidence supporting the use of physical restraints, the negative consequences of restraint for patients, and the low availability of alternatives obviously complicate the decision‐making.

Data sources.  Research papers published between January 1990 and January 2010 were identified in Cinahl, Embase, Medline, PsycInfo and Web of Science.

Review methods.  A systematic review was carried out to obtain a meta‐synthesis of qualitative evidence. The process of meta‐synthesis was supported by the Joanna Briggs Institute’s guidelines.

Findings.  The decision‐making of nurses dealing with the use of physical restraints is a complex trajectory primarily focused on safety. However, thoughtful decision‐making requires nurses to carefully balance different options and associated ethical values. The decision‐making process of nurses is influenced by both nurse‐ and context‐related factors.

Conclusions.  This review provides a deeper understanding of nurses’ decision‐making process on the use of physical restraints. Context‐ and nurse‐related factors can hinder nurses from making an ethical decision on the appropriate use of physical restraints. There is an urgent need to stimulate and educate nurses to arrive at an appropriate decision about the use of physical restraints.
Accounting Quality, Stock Price Delay, and Future Stock Returns*
Authors: Callen Jeffrey L. , Khan Mozaffar , Lu Hai
Published: December 2011

In frictionless capital markets with complete information and rational investors, stock prices adjust to new information instantaneously and completely. However, a substantial body of research studies information imperfections such as asymmetric information and incomplete information. Information imperfections potentially hinder timely price discovery and are likely associated with delayed stock price adjustment to information. Our first research question therefore is whether the quality of accounting information (or “accounting quality”) is one such information imperfection that is associated with cross‐sectional variation in stock price delay. We define accounting quality as the precision with which financial reports convey information to equity investors about the firm’s expected cash flows. Poor accounting quality is likely associated with higher expected returns through uncertainty about stock valuation parameters and incomplete information. Our second research question therefore is whether the accounting quality component of price delay is associated with higher future stock returns. Consistent with our hypotheses, the results show that poor accounting quality is associated with delayed price adjustment and higher future stock returns. Thus, accounting quality plays a role in timely stock price discovery.
The Effect of External Monitoring on Accrual‐Based and Real Earnings Management: Evidence from Venture‐Backed Initial Public Offerings*
Authors: Wongsunwai Wan
Published: December 2011

This paper investigates the effect of venture capitalist (VC) quality on earnings management in firms conducting initial public offerings of their equity stock, focusing on manipulation of both accruals and real activities. I develop a measure of VC quality based on a principal components factor analysis using data that are obtainable for virtually all VC firms. This metric is highly correlated with VC funds’ financial returns, and with the likelihood of successful exits through initial public offerings or trade sales. After going public, companies backed by higher quality VCs have lower abnormal accruals, lower earnings management through real activities manipulation, and a lower likelihood of financial restatement. Companies backed by top‐quartile VCs do not appear to engage in real activities manipulation as a substitute for accruals manipulation. Companies backed by lower‐tier VCs exhibit earnings management behaviors which are indistinguishable from those of non‐VC‐backed companies. The results continue to hold when controlling for endogeneity. Overall, the results suggest that higher quality VCs are better able to constrain opportunistic financial reporting by their portfolio companies going public.
Mical in Actin Regulation
Authors: Hurtley Stella M.
Published: January 2012

A protein involved in redox signaling disassembles actin filaments and alters their reassembly.
Time to Metabolize
Authors: Wong Wei
Published: January 2012

Components of the circadian clock repress transcription of metabolic genes by the glucocorticoid receptor.
Of Oncogenes and Apoptosis
Authors: Gough Nancy R.
Published: January 2012

Mutant K-Ras stimulates apoptosis unless countered by wild-type K-Ras.
Intraspecies Biodiversity of the Genetically Homologous Species Brucella microti
Authors: Al Dahouk Sascha , Hofer Erwin , Tomaso Herbert , Vergnaud Gilles , Le Flèche Philippe , Cloeckaert Axel , Koylass Mark S. , Whatmore Adrian M. , Nöckler Karsten , Scholz Holger C.
Published: December 2011

Brucellosis is one of the major bacterial zoonoses worldwide. In the past decade, an increasing number of atypical
Brucella
strains and species have been described.
Brucella microti
in particular has attracted attention, because this species not only infects mammalian hosts but also persists in soil. An environmental reservoir may pose a new public health risk, leading to the reemergence of brucellosis. In a polyphasic approach, comprising conventional microbiological techniques and extensive biochemical and molecular techniques, all currently available
Brucella microti
strains were characterized. While differing in their natural habitats and host preferences,
B. microti
isolates were found to possess identical 16S rRNA,
recA
,
omp2a
, and
omp2b
gene sequences and identical multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) profiles at 21 different genomic loci. Only highly variable microsatellite markers of multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat (VNTR) analysis comprising 16 loci (MLVA-16) showed intraspecies discriminatory power. In contrast, biotyping demonstrated striking differences within the genetically homologous species. The majority of the mammalian isolates agglutinated only with monospecific anti-M serum, whereas soil isolates agglutinated with anti-A, anti-M, and anti-R sera. Bacteria isolated from animal sources were lysed by phages F1, F25, Tb, BK2, Iz, and Wb, whereas soil isolates usually were not. Rough strains of environmental origin were lysed only by phage R/C.
B. microti
exhibited high metabolic activities similar to those of closely related soil organisms, such as
Ochrobactrum
spp. Each strain was tested with 93 different substrates and showed an individual metabolic profile. In summary, the adaptation of
Brucella microti
to a specific habitat or host seems to be a matter of gene regulation rather than a matter of gene configuration.
Plasmid Localization and Organization of Melamine Degradation Genes in Rhodococcus sp. Strain Mel
Authors: Dodge Anthony G. , Wackett Lawrence P. , Sadowsky Michael J.
Published: December 2011

Rhodococcus
sp. strain Mel was isolated from soil by enrichment and grew in minimal medium with melamine as the sole N source with a doubling time of 3.5 h. Stoichiometry studies showed that all six nitrogen atoms of melamine were assimilated. The genome was sequenced by Roche 454 pyrosequencing to 13× coverage, and a 22.3-kb DNA region was found to contain a homolog to the melamine deaminase gene
trzA
. Mutagenesis studies showed that the cyanuric acid hydrolase and biuret hydrolase genes were clustered together on a different 17.9-kb contig. Curing and gene transfer studies indicated that 4 of 6 genes required for the complete degradation of melamine were located on an ∼265-kb self-transmissible linear plasmid (pMel2), but this plasmid was not required for ammeline deamination. The
Rhodococcus
sp. strain Mel melamine metabolic pathway genes were located in at least three noncontiguous regions of the genome, and the plasmid-borne genes encoding enzymes for melamine metabolism were likely recently acquired.
Spatial Distribution of Viruses Associated with Planktonic and Attached Microbial Communities in Hydrothermal Environments
Authors: Yoshida-Takashima Yukari , Nunoura Takuro , Kazama Hiromi , Noguchi Takuroh , Inoue Kazuhiro , Akashi Hironori , Yamanaka Toshiro , Toki Tomohiro , Yamamoto Masahiro , Furushima Yasuo , Ueno Yuichiro , Yamamoto Hiroyuki , Takai Ken
Published: December 2011

Viruses play important roles in marine surface ecosystems, but little is known about viral ecology and virus-mediated processes in deep-sea hydrothermal microbial communities. In this study, we examined virus-like particle (VLP) abundances in planktonic and attached microbial communities, which occur in physical and chemical gradients in both deep and shallow submarine hydrothermal environments (mixing waters between hydrothermal fluids and ambient seawater and dense microbial communities attached to chimney surface areas or macrofaunal bodies and colonies). We found that viruses were widely distributed in a variety of hydrothermal microbial habitats, with the exception of the interior parts of hydrothermal chimney structures. The VLP abundance and VLP-to-prokaryote ratio (VPR) in the planktonic habitats increased as the ratio of hydrothermal fluid to mixing water increased. On the other hand, the VLP abundance in attached microbial communities was significantly and positively correlated with the whole prokaryotic abundance; however, the VPRs were always much lower than those for the surrounding hydrothermal waters. This is the first report to show VLP abundance in the attached microbial communities of submarine hydrothermal environments, which presented VPR values significantly lower than those in planktonic microbial communities reported before. These results suggested that viral lifestyles (e.g., lysogenic prevalence) and virus interactions with prokaryotes are significantly different among the planktonic and attached microbial communities that are developing in the submarine hydrothermal environments.
Rapid Filtration Separation-Based Sample Preparation Method for Bacillus Spores in Powdery and Environmental Matrices
Authors: Isabel Sandra , Boissinot Maurice , Charlebois Isabelle , Fauvel Chantal M. , Shi Lu-E , Lévesque Julie-Christine , Paquin Amélie T. , Bastien Martine , Stewart Gale , Leblanc Éric , Sato Sachiko , Bergeron Michel G.
Published: December 2011

Authorities frequently need to analyze suspicious powders and other samples for biothreat agents in order to assess environmental safety. Numerous nucleic acid detection technologies have been developed to detect and identify biowarfare agents in a timely fashion. The extraction of microbial nucleic acids from a wide variety of powdery and environmental samples to obtain a quality level adequate for these technologies still remains a technical challenge. We aimed to develop a rapid and versatile method of separating bacteria from these samples and then extracting their microbial DNA.
Bacillus atrophaeus
subsp.
globigii
was used as a simulant of
Bacillus anthracis
. We studied the effects of a broad variety of powdery and environmental samples on PCR detection and the steps required to alleviate their interference. With a benchmark DNA extraction procedure, 17 of the 23 samples investigated interfered with bacterial lysis and/or PCR-based detection. Therefore, we developed the
d
ual-filter method for
a
pplied
r
ecovery of microbial particles from
e
nvironmental and powdery samples (DARE). The DARE procedure allows the separation of bacteria from contaminating matrices that interfere with PCR detection. This procedure required only 2 min, while the DNA extraction process lasted 7 min, for a total of <10 min. This sample preparation procedure allowed the recovery of cleaned bacterial spores and relieved detection interference caused by a wide variety of samples. Our procedure was easily completed in a laboratory facility and is amenable to field application and automation.
Garvieacin Q, a Novel Class II Bacteriocin from Lactococcus garvieae BCC 43578
Authors: Tosukhowong Amonlaya , Zendo Takeshi , Visessanguan Wonnop , Roytrakul Sittiruk , Pumpuang Laphaslada , Jaresitthikunchai Janthima , Sonomoto Kenji
Published: December 2011

Lactococcus garvieae
BCC 43578 produces a novel class II bacteriocin, garvieacin Q (GarQ), 70 amino acids in length and containing a 20-amino-acid N-terminal leader peptide. It is cleaved at the Gly-Gly site to generate the mature GarQ (5,339 Da), which is especially inhibitory against
Listeria monocytogenes
ATCC 19115 and other
L. garvieae
strains.
Construction of a Genetic Linkage Map Based on Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Markers and Development of Sequence-Tagged Site Markers for Marker-Assisted Selection of the Sporeless Trait in the Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus eryngii)
Authors: Okuda Yasuhito , Ueda Jun , Obatake Yasushi , Murakami Shigeyuki , Fukumasa Yukitaka , Matsumoto Teruyuki
Published: December 2011

A large number of spores from fruiting bodies can lead to allergic reactions and other problems during the cultivation of edible mushrooms, including
Pleurotus eryngii
(DC.) Quél. A cultivar harboring a sporulation-deficient (sporeless) mutation would be useful for preventing these problems, but traditional breeding requires extensive time and labor. In this study, using a sporeless
P. eryngii
strain, we constructed a genetic linkage map to introduce a molecular breeding program like marker-assisted selection. Based on the segregation of 294 amplified fragment length polymorphism markers, two mating type factors, and the sporeless trait, the linkage map consisted of 11 linkage groups with a total length of 837.2 centimorgans (cM). The gene region responsible for the sporeless trait was located in linkage group IX with 32 amplified fragment length polymorphism markers and the
B
mating type factor. We also identified eight markers closely linked (within 1.2 cM) to the sporeless locus using bulked-segregant analysis-based amplified fragment length polymorphism. One such amplified fragment length polymorphism marker was converted into two sequence-tagged site markers, SD488-I and SD488-II. Using 14 wild isolates, sequence-tagged site analysis indicated the potential usefulness of the combination of two sequence-tagged site markers in cross-breeding of the sporeless strain. It also suggested that a map constructed for
P. eryngii
has adequate accuracy for marker-assisted selection.
Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Inflammation Alters the Expression of Proteins by Intestinal Escherichia coli Strains in a Gnotobiotic Mouse Model
Authors: Schumann Sara , Alpert Carl , Engst Wolfram , Loh Gunnar , Blaut Michael
Published: December 2011

To identify
Escherichia coli
proteins involved in adaptation to intestinal inflammation, mice were monoassociated with the colitogenic
E. coli
strain UNC or with the probiotic
E. coli
strain Nissle. Intestinal inflammation was induced by treating the mice with 3.5% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). Differentially expressed proteins in
E. coli
strains collected from cecal contents were identified by 2-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis. In both strains, acute inflammation led to the downregulation of pathways involved in carbohydrate breakdown and energy generation. Accordingly, DSS-treated mice had lower concentrations of bacterial fermentation products in their cecal contents than control mice. Differentially expressed proteins also included the Fe-S cluster repair protein NfuA, the tryptophanase TnaA, and the uncharacterized protein YggE. NfuA expression was 3-fold higher in
E. coli
strains from DSS-treated than from control mice. Reporter experiments confirmed the induction of
nfuA
in response to iron deprivation, mimicking Fe-S cluster destruction by inflammation. YggE expression, which has been reported to reduce the intracellular level of reactive oxygen species, was 4- to 8-fold higher in
E. coli
Nissle than in
E. coli
UNC. This was confirmed by
in vitro
reporter gene assays indicating that Nissle is better equipped to cope with oxidative stress than UNC. Nissle isolated from DSS-treated and control mice had TnaA levels 4- to 7-fold-higher than those of UNC. Levels of indole resulting from the TnaA reaction were higher in control animals associated with
E. coli
Nissle. Because of its anti-inflammatory effect, indole is hypothesized to be involved in the extension of the remission phase in ulcerative colitis described for
E. coli
Nissle.
Detection and Differentiation of Avian Mycoplasmas by Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Based on a Silver Nanorod Array
Authors: Hennigan Suzanne L. , Driskell Jeremy D. , Ferguson-Noel Naola , Dluhy Richard A. , Zhao Yiping , Tripp Ralph A. , Krause Duncan C.
Published: December 2011

Mycoplasma gallisepticum
is a bacterial pathogen of poultry that is estimated to cause annual losses exceeding $780 million. The National Poultry Improvement Plan guidelines recommend regular surveillance and intervention strategies to contain
M. gallisepticum
infections and ensure mycoplasma-free avian stocks, but several factors make detection of
M. gallisepticum
and diagnosis of
M. gallisepticum
infection a major challenge. Current techniques are laborious, require special expertise, and are typically plagued by false results. In this study, we describe a novel detection strategy which uses silver nanorod array–surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (NA-SERS) for direct detection of avian mycoplasmas. As a proof of concept for use in avian diagnostics, we used NA-SERS to detect and differentiate multiple strains of avian mycoplasma species, including
Acholeplasma laidlawii
,
Mycoplasma gallinarum
,
Mycoplasma gallinaceum
,
Mycoplasma synoviae
, and
M. gallisepticum
, including vaccine strains 6/85, F, and ts-11. Chemometric multivariate analysis of spectral data was used to classify these species rapidly and accurately, with >93% sensitivity and specificity. Furthermore, NA-SERS had a lower limit of detection that was 100-fold greater than that of standard PCR and comparable to that of real-time quantitative PCR. Detection of
M. gallisepticum
in choanal cleft swabs from experimentally infected birds yielded good sensitivity and specificity, suggesting that NA-SERS is applicable for clinical detection.
Rapid Genomic-Scale Analysis of Escherichia coli O104:H4 by Using High-Resolution Alternative Methods to Next-Generation Sequencing
Authors: Jackson Scott A. , Kotewicz Michael L. , Patel Isha R. , Lacher David W. , Gangiredla Jayanthi , Elkins Christopher A.
Published: December 2011

Two technologies, involving DNA microarray and optical mapping, were used to quickly assess gene content and genomic architecture of recent emergent
Escherichia coli
O104:H4 and related strains. In real-time outbreak investigations, these technologies can provide congruent perspectives on strain, serotype, and pathotype relationships. Our data demonstrated clear discrimination between clinically, temporally, and geographically distinct O104:H4 isolates and rapid characterization of strain differences.