bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Hillslope Gradient on Vegetation Recovery on Abandoned Land of Shifting Cultivation in Hainan Island, South China
Authors: Ding Yi , Zang Run‐Guo , Jiang You‐Xu
Published: June 2006

In the present study, we investigated the effect of hillslope gradient on vegetation recovery on abandoned land of shifting cultivation in Hainan Island, south China, by measuring community composition and structure of 25‐year‐old secondary forest fallows along a hillslope gradient (up‐, middle‐, and down‐slope position). A total of 49 733 free‐standing woody plant stems higher than 10 cm and belonging to 170 species, 112 genera, and 57 families was found in the three 1‐hm2 investigation plots. Stem density was highest in the down‐slope stand and lowest in the up‐slope stand. Species richness and the Shannon‐Wiener index were both highest in the middle‐slope stand, and lower in the down‐slope and up‐slope stands. The recovery forest fallows on different hillslope positions were all dominated by a few species. The five most abundant species accounted for 70.1%, 58.8%, and 72.9% of total stem densities in stands in the up‐, middle‐, and down‐slope positions, respectively. The five species with the greatest basal areas accounted for 74.5%, 84.3%, and 74.7% of total stem basal area for the up‐, middle‐, and down‐slope positions, respectively. The number of low‐density species (stem abundance less than five) increased from the up‐slope position downward. Of the nine local common species among three different functional groups, the short‐lived pioneer species dominated the up‐slope position, but long‐lived pioneer species dominated the middle‐ and down‐slope positions. The climax species of primary tropical lowland rain forest was found in the downslope position. Both the mean diameter at breast height (DBH) and mean height of the trees increased with decreasing hillslope gradient. The stem density and basal area in different size classes were significantly different in stands in different slope positions. Our results indicated that the rate of secondary succession varies, even over small spatial scales caused by the hillslope gradient, in early vegetation recovery.

(Managing editor: Ya‐Qin Han)
Plant Remains from an Archaeological Site as Indicators of Vegetation and Agricultural Practice Between (3 320 ± 400) and (2 080 ± 80) yr BP in Gangetic West Bengal, India
Authors: Ghosh Ruby , Bera Subir , D'Rozario Ashalata , Banerjee Manju , Chakraborty Supriyo
Published: June 2006

Diverse plant remains recovered from an archaeological site of Chalcolithic‐Early Historic age in the Bhairabdanga area of Pakhanna (latitude 23°25′N, longitude 87°23′E), situated on the west bank of the Damodar river, Bankura district, West Bengal, India, include food grains, wood charcoals, and palynomorphs. Radiocarbon dating of the recovered biological remains reveal the age of the site as (3 320 ± 400) to (2 080 ± 80) yr BP. The food grains were identified as Oryza sativa L. and Vigna mungo L, and seeds of Brassica cf. campestris L. were also found; these indicate the agricultural practice and food habits of the ancient people living at Pakhanna from the Chalcolithic to the Early Historic period. Sediments including plant remains have been broadly divided into two zones, considering archaeological findings and radiocarbon dating. Analysis of the plant remains (i.e. wood charcoals and palynomorphs) in addition to cultivated food grains has revealed that a rich vegetation cover existed in this area, with a prevailing tropical and humid climate, comprising the timber‐yielding plants Shorea sp., Terminalia sp., and Tamarindus sp., with undergrowths of diverse shrubs and herbs during the Chalcolithic period (zone I) dated (3 320 ± 400) yr BP. Comparatively poorer representation and frequency of plant remains indicate a drier climate during the Early Historic period (zone II) dated as (2 110 ± 340) to (2 080 ± 80) yr BP. Comparisons of the archaeobotanical data recovered from the Chalcolithic and Early Historic period and also a principle components analysis indicate a change in the climate of the area from tropical and humid at (3 320 ± 400) yr BP to tropical and drier conditions at (2 110 ± 340) to (2 080 ± 80) yr BP. The present‐day tropical, dry deciduous vegetation of the area suggests that climate change has occurred in the area since the contemporaneous past. The plant remains database has been utilized to reconstruct the settlement pattern of the community living in the site between (3 320 ± 400) and (2 080 ± 80) yr BP. The community settled near the riverbank, practicing cultivation.

(Managing editor: Ya‐Qin Han)
The Changing Metropolitan Designation Process and Rural America
Authors: Slifkin Rebecca T. , Randolph Randy , Ricketts Thomas C.
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACT: In June 2003, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released new county‐based designations of Core Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs), replacing Metropolitan Statistical Area designations that were last revised in 1990. In this article, the new designations are briefly described, and counties that have changed classifications are identified. The new designations identify 2 categories of counties or county clusters within CBSAs: Metropolitan Statistical Areas and Micropolitan Statistical Areas. Counties designated as neither are simply referred to as “outside Core Based Statistical Areas.” Among counties classified as metropolitan in 1999, 94% are still classified as such, 5% are now micropolitan, and 0.7% are outside CBSAs. The majority of counties that were nonmetropolitan in 1999 remain outside CBSAs (60%), while 28% are now classified as micropolitan and 12% have become metropolitan. The percentage of counties classified as metropolitan has increased from 27.2% to 34.7%, and the population identified as residing in these areas increased from 81% of the total US population to 83%. Some interpretation difficulties may arise in the future, as the naming system lends itself to lumping metropolitan and micropolitan together because of their common designation as CBSAs. The central problem to this classification scheme is that it tracks the urban growth of the nation and its tendency toward agglomeration of markets but pays little attention to the places that are outside CBSAs altogether.
Improving Rural Cancer Patients' Outcomes: A Group‐Randomized Trial
Authors: Elliott Thomas E. , Elliott Barbara A. , Regal Ronald R. , Renier Colleen M. , Haller Irina V. , Crouse Byron J. , Witrak Martha T. , Jensen Patricia B.
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACT: Context: Significant barriers exist in the delivery of state‐of‐the‐art cancer care to rural populations. Rural providers' knowledge and practices, their rural health care delivery systems, and linkages to cancer specialists are not optimal; therefore, rural cancer patient outcomes are less than achievable. Purpose: To test the effects of a strategy targeting rural providers and their practice environment on patient travel for care, satisfaction, economic barriers, and health‐related quality of life. Methods: A group‐randomized trial was conducted with 18 rural communities in the north‐central United States. Twelve of these communities were included and defined as the unit of analysis for the patient outcomes portion of the study. The intervention targeted rural providers and their practice environment. The subjects were patients with breast, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers from the rural communities. The main outcomes were patients' travel to obtain health care, satisfaction with care, perceptions of economic barriers to care, and health‐related quality of life. In total, 881 patients were included. Results: Group randomization was balanced. Travel for health care was significantly reduced in the community group exposed to the intervention during months 13 to 24 following cancer diagnosis. The mean miles traveled per patient were 1,326 (SE = 306) for the experimental group and 2,186 (SE = 347) for the control group (P=0.03). No significant differences in satisfaction with care, economic barriers to care, or health‐related quality of life were found. Conclusions: The intervention significantly reduced cancer patient travel for health care, which suggests that access to care improved in the experimental group. The results of this study do not allow conclusion that there was no effect on other patient outcomes. The results supported the study's conceptual framework and many of its hypotheses.
A Sense of Place: Rural Training at a Regional Medical School Campus
Authors: Crump William J. , Barnett Darel , Fricker Steve
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACT: Context: Traditionally, rural students experience urban disruption during the many years of education and training in urban environments before choosing a practice site. Regional rural campuses that allow students to live and work in small towns during the last 2 years of medical school are one strategy to address this issue. Purpose: To report the results of the first 10 years of a rural campus in western Kentucky, including response to difficulties filling openings for third‐ and fourth‐year medical students at the campus. Methods: A survey was sent to all 76 students who had shown interest in the rural campus, asking them to prioritize the important issues in their campus choice. Findings: Students not choosing the rural campus placed a higher priority on large‐city amenities, better opportunities for their spouse, and proximity to family in eastern and central Kentucky. Students who chose the rural campus placed a higher priority on one‐on‐one clinical training and interest in small town life. Conclusions: For the rural clinical campus to reach its potential, more rural students from the western part of the state must be admitted to medical school and then choose this campus. Strategies to reinforce the sense of place among rural students focus on experiential programs in rural areas. Initial results suggest that medical educators should consider geography more carefully when designing approaches to address physician maldistribution.
Factors Influencing the Retention and Attrition of Community Health Aides/Practitioners in Alaska
Authors: Landon Beth , Loudon Jenny , Selle Mariko , Doucette Sanna
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACT: Context: The Community Health Aide Program (CHAP) is a unique program employing local, indigenous peoples as primary care nonphysician providers in extremely remote frontier, tribal Alaskan communities. With attrition rates up to 20%, recommendations for improving retention are necessary to maintain access to health services for Alaska Natives in these communities. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify factors contributing to retention in Alaska's CHAP program. Methods: Key informant interviews were conducted with 41 community health aides/practitioners (CHA/Ps) in 15 villages statewide. Efforts were made to ensure the sample included a mix of villages with high retention of health aides and villages with lower retention. Geographic and ethnic diversity were also considered. Transcripts were coded using NUD*IST software, and data were analyzed for differences between high retention and low retention villages and between more experienced and less experienced CHA/Ps. Findings: Five fundamental needs of health aides were identified as crucial for retention of personnel. These needs include strong co‐worker support, access to basic training, a fully staffed clinic, good community support, and supportive families. Conclusions: For 35 years, the CHAP program has worked to diminish health disparities for Alaska Natives. Though unique challenges associated with the job have factored into low retention of CHA/Ps, improved retention is possible with easier access to basic training, increased support from colleagues and community, enhanced team‐building skills, and better on‐call schedules.
The Environmental Context of Patient Safety and Medical Errors
Authors: Wholey Douglas , Moscovice Ira , Hietpas Terry , Holtzman Jeremy
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACT: The environmental context of patient safety and medical errors was explored with specific interest in rural settings. Special attention was paid to unique features of rural health care organizations and their environment that relate to the patient safety issue and medical errors (including the distribution of patients, types of adverse events associated with learning, information flows, triage and transfer decisions, and culture of safety). Relevant organizational theories and strategies for medical error reduction and prevention in rural health care settings were identified. Financial and technical assistance are needed to support the systematic collection of data from rural hospitals and other entities and to enhance relevant patient safety practices for rural America.
Assuring Rural Hospital Patient Safety: What Should Be the Priorities?
Authors: Coburn Andrew F. , Wakefield Mary , Casey Michelle , Moscovice Ira , Payne Susan , Loux Stephenie
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACT: Context: Since reports on patient safety were issued by the Institute of Medicine, a number of interventions have been recommended and standards designed to improve hospital patient safety, including the Leapfrog, evidence‐based safety standards. These standards are based on research conducted largely in urban hospitals, and it may not be possible to generalize them to rural hospitals. Purpose: The absence of rural‐relevant patient safety standards and interventions may diminish purchaser and public perceptions of rural hospitals, further undermining the financial stability of rural hospitals. This study sought to assess the current evidence concerning rural hospital patient safety and to identify a set of rural‐relevant patient safety interventions that the majority of small rural hospitals could readily implement and that rural hospitals, purchasers, consumers, and others would find relevant and useful. These interventions should help rural hospitals prioritize patient safety efforts. Methods: As background, we reviewed literature; interviewed representatives of provider, payer, consumer, and governmental groups in 8 states; and calculated patient safety indicator rates in rural hospitals using the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's Health Care Cost and Utilization Project National Inpatient Sample. Based on the research literature and patient safety recommendations from national organizations, we developed a list of potentially important patient safety areas for rural hospitals. The rural relevance of these safety interventions was evaluated by a national expert panel in terms of the frequency of the problem, ability to implement, and the internal and external value to rural providers, purchasers, and consumers. Findings: The limited available research suggests that patient safety events and medical errors may be less likely to occur in rural than in urban hospitals. We identified 9 areas of patient safety and 26 priority patient safety interventions relevant to rural hospitals. Conclusions: Many of the identified areas of patient safety and interventions are relevant to all types of hospitals, not just rural hospitals. However, some areas, such as transfers, are especially relevant to rural hospitals. The challenges of implementing some interventions, such as 24/7 pharmacy coverage, are significant given workforce supply and financial problems faced by many small rural hospitals. The results of this study provide an important platform for further work to test the validity and effectiveness of these interventions.
Applied Strategies for Improving Patient Safety: A Comprehensive Process To Improve Care in Rural and Frontier Communities
Authors: Westfall John M. , Fernald Douglas H. , Staton Elizabeth W. , VanVorst Rebecca , West David , Pace Wilson D.
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACT: Context: Medical errors and patient safety have gained increasing attention throughout all areas of medical care. Understanding patient safety in rural settings is crucial for improving care in rural communities. Purpose: To describe a system to decrease medical errors and improve care in rural and frontier primary care offices. Methods: Applied Strategies for Improving Patient Safety (ASIPS) was a demonstration project designed to collect and analyze medical error reports and use these reports to develop and implement interventions aimed at decreasing errors. ASIPS participants were clinicians and staff in 2 practice‐based research networks: the Colorado Research Network (CaReNet) and the High Plains Research Network (HPRN). This paper describes ASIPS in HPRN. Findings: Fourteen HPRN practices with a total of 150 clinicians and staff have participated in ASIPS. Participants have submitted 128 reports. Diagnostic tests were involved in 26% of events; medication errors appeared in 20% of events. Communication errors were reported in 72%. Two learning groups developed “Principles for Process Improvement” for medication errors and diagnostic testing errors. Several safety “alerts” were issued to improve care, and 2 interventions were implemented to decrease errors. Conclusions: A safe and secure reporting system that relies on voluntary reporting from clinicians and staff can be successfully implemented in rural primary care settings. Information from reports can be used to identify processes that can be improved.
How Might the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 Affect the Financial Viability of Rural Pharmacies? An Analysis of Preimplementation Prescription Volume and Payment Sources in Rural and Urban Areas
Authors: Fraher Erin P. , Slifkin Rebecca T. , Smith Laura , Randolph Randy , Rudolf Matthew , Holmes George M.
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACT: Context: Passage of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) has created interest in how the legislation will affect access to prescription drugs among rural beneficiaries. Policy attention has focused to a much lesser degree on the implications of the MMA for the financial viability of rural pharmacies. Purpose: This article presents descriptive information on mail‐order prescriptions, volume, and payer type of retail prescriptions in rural vs urban areas. Together, these data provide a baseline for evaluating how implementation of the MMA may affect the financial viability of rural independent pharmacies. Methods: Projections of prescriptions dispensed from retail and mail‐order pharmacies in 2002 for the total US and a sample of 17 states were obtained from IMS Health. Findings: The volume of mail‐order prescriptions is small. Rural providers prescribed fewer retail and mail‐order prescriptions per person, but more units per person. Rural areas have a higher percentage of prescriptions paid for by cash (18% vs 13%) and Medicaid (16% vs 10%) and a lower percentage of third‐party payers than urban areas. Significant variation in volume and payer type exists between states. Conclusions: Rural, independent pharmacies may be negatively affected by MMA implementation as business shifts from cash to third‐party reimbursement. The high degree of variation between states also has potentially important implications for the implementation of Prescription Drug Plan regions under MMA.
A National Study of Obesity Prevalence and Trends by Type of Rural County
Authors: Jackson J. Elizabeth , Doescher Mark P. , Jerant Anthony F. , Hart L. Gary
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACT: Context: Obesity is epidemic in the United States, but information on this trend by type of rural locale is limited. Purpose: To estimate the prevalence of and recent trends in obesity among US adults residing in rural locations. Methods: Analysis of data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) for the years 1994–1996 (n = 342,055) and 2000–2001 (n = 385,384). The main outcome measure was obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥30), as determined by calculating BMI from respondents' self‐reported height and weight. Results: In 2000–2001, the prevalence of obesity was 23.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 22.6%‐23.4%) for rural adults and 20.5% (95% CI 20.2%‐20.7%) for their urban counterparts, representing increases of 4.8% (95% CI 4.2%‐5.3%) and 5.5% (95% CI 5.1%‐5.9%), respectively, since 1994–1996. The highest obesity prevalence occurred in rural counties in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas; obesity prevalence increased for rural residents in all states but Florida over the study period. African Americans had the highest obesity prevalence of any group, up to 31.4% (95% CI 29.1%‐33.6) in rural counties adjacent to urban counties. The largest difference in obesity prevalence between those with a college education compared with those without a high school diploma occurred in urban areas (18.4% [95% CI 17.9%‐18.9%] vs 23.5% [95% CI 22.5%‐24.5%], respectively); the smallest difference occurred in small, remote rural counties (20.3% [95% CI 18.7%‐21.9%] versus 22.3% [95% CI 20.7%‐24.0%], respectively). Conclusions: The prevalence of obesity is higher in rural counties than in urban counties; obesity affects some residents of rural counties disproportionately.
Interstitial cells of Cajal and electrical activity of smooth muscle in porcine ileum
Authors: Hudson N. P. H. , Mayhew I. G. , Pearson G. T.
Published: June 2006

Aim:  To identify the interstitial cells of Cajal in the porcine ileum for the first time immunohistochemically and to examine the electrical properties of intestinal smooth muscle in the same region.

Methods:  In vitro intracellular microelectrode recordings were made from smooth muscle cells in cross‐sectional preparations from abattoir‐derived healthy porcine ileum. Immunohistochemical labelling of interstitial cells of Cajal was performed using an anti‐Kit antibody.

Results:  Slow waves were recorded in the circular muscle layer of all ileal preparations. The mean resting membrane potential of smooth muscle cells was −61.0 ± 1.3 mV. Slow waves had a mean amplitude of 8.5 ± 0.5 mV, a frequency of 9.9 ± 0.1 cycles per minute and a duration of 5.6 ± 0.1 s. A waxing and waning pattern of slow wave activity was occasionally observed. In addition, higher frequency spiking activity associated with contractions was observed in some recordings. The L‐type calcium channel blocker nifedipine abolished both the spiking activity and the contractions, but had no significant effect on slow wave characteristics. Current‐injection manipulation of the resting membrane potential had no effect on slow wave amplitude, frequency or duration. Kit‐immunoreactive interstitial cells of Cajal were identified in the ileal samples and were present in the region of the myenteric plexus and in the circular and longitudinal muscle layers.

Conclusion:  This study recorded slow waves in vitro and demonstrated immunohistochemically the presence of interstitial cells of Cajal in the normal porcine ileum. This study forms a basis for future physiological and pathophysiological comparative studies of intestinal motility.
Improving the
Performance of a Turbine With Low Aspect Ratio Stators by
Aft-Loading
Authors: Pullan Graham , Denton John , Curtis Eric
Published: June 2006

Experimental data and numerical simulations are presented from a research turbine with low aspect ratio nozzle guide vanes (NGVs). The combined effects of mechanical and aerodynamic constraints on the NGV create very strong secondary flows. This paper describes three designs of NGV that have been tested in the turbine, using the same rotor row in each case. NGV 2 used three-dimensional design techniques in an attempt to improve the performance of the datum NGV 1 blade, but succeeded only in creating an intense vortex shed from the trailing edge (as previously reported) and lowering the measured stage efficiency by 1.1% points. NGV 3 was produced to avoid the “shed vortex” while adopting a highly aft-loaded surface pressure distribution to reduce the influence of the secondary flows. The stage with NGV 3 had an efficiency 0.5% points greater than that with NGV 1. Detailed comparisons between experiment and computations, including predicted entropy generation rates, are used to highlight the areas where the loss reduction has occurred and hence to quantify the effects of employing highly aft-loaded NGVs.
Detection of Anthrax Toxin in the Serum of Animals Infected with
Bacillus anthracis
by Using Engineered Immunoassays
Authors: Mabry Robert , Brasky Kathleen , Geiger Robert , Carrion Ricardo , Hubbard Gene B. , Leppla Stephen , Patterson Jean L. , Georgiou George , Iverson B. L.
Published: June 2006

Several strategies that target anthrax toxin are being developed as therapies for infection by
Bacillus anthracis
. Although the action of the tripartite anthrax toxin has been extensively studied in vitro, relatively little is known about the presence of toxins during an infection in vivo. We developed a series of sensitive sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for detection of both the protective antigen (PA) and lethal factor (LF) components of the anthrax exotoxin in serum. The assays utilize as capture agents an engineered high-affinity antibody to PA, a soluble form of the extracellular domain of the anthrax toxin receptor (ANTXR2/CMG2), or PA itself. Sandwich immunoassays were used to detect and quantify PA and LF in animals infected with the Ames or Vollum strains of anthrax spores. PA and LF were detected before and after signs of toxemia were observed, with increasing levels reported in the late stages of the infection. These results represent the detection of free PA and LF by ELISA in the systemic circulation of two animal models exposed to either of the two fully virulent strains of anthrax. Simple anthrax toxin detection ELISAs could prove useful in the evaluation of potential therapies and possibly as a clinical diagnostic to complement other strategies for the rapid identification of
B. anthracis
infection.
Expression of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus Glycoprotein E2 as a Soluble Secreted Form in a Mammalian Cell Line
Authors: Donofrio Gaetano , Bottarelli Ezio , Sandro Cavirani , Flammini Cesidio Filippo
Published: June 2006

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) membrane-anchored type I glycoprotein E2 is an ∼53-kDa immunodominant glycoprotein inducing the production of neutralizing antibodies in the animal host after natural infection or following immunization with live or killed vaccines. The E2 coding region lacking the transmembrane domain was constructed in a soluble secreted form (secE2) and expressed in the medium of a transiently transfected human cell line. The crude conditioned medium containing secE2 can be potentially employed to develop an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay antigen for the diagnosis of BVDV infection or for vaccine purposes.
Immunologic Response toHaemophilus influenzaeType b (Hib) Conjugate Vaccine and Risk Factors for Carriage among Hib Carriers and Noncarriers in Southwestern Alaska
Authors: Baggett Henry C. , Hennessy Thomas W. , Bulkow Lisa , Romero-Steiner Sandra , Hurlburt Debra , Holder Patricia , Parkinson Alan J. , Singleton Rosalyn J. , Levine Orin , Carlone George M. , Butler Jay C.
Published: June 2006

ContinuedHaemophilus influenzaetype b (Hib) carriage in rural Alaska contributes to the ongoing risk of invasive disease. Community-wide Hib carriage surveys were conducted in three villages in southwestern Alaska. Sixteen carriers and 32 age- and village-matched controls were enrolled and were vaccinated with Hib oligosaccharide-CRM197conjugate vaccine. Serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration, antibody avidity, and serum bactericidal activity (SBA) were measured prior to Hib vaccination and 2 and 12 months after vaccination. We identified no demographic or behavioral factors associated with Hib colonization. Prior to vaccination, Hib carriers had a higher IgG geometric mean concentration than controls did (8.2 versus 1.6 μg/ml;P< 0.001) and a higher SBA geometric mean titer (7,132 versus 1,235;P= 0.006). Both groups responded to vaccination with increased IgG and SBA. These data illustrate the role of Hib colonization as an immunizing event and show that Hib carriers in communities with ongoing transmission have no evidence of reduced immune responsiveness that may have put them at risk for colonization.
Members of theFusarium solaniSpecies Complex That Cause Infections in Both Humans and Plants Are Common in the Environment
Authors: Zhang Ning , O'Donnell Kerry , Sutton Deanna A. , Nalim F. Ameena , Summerbell Richard C. , Padhye Arvind A. , Geiser David M.
Published: June 2006

Members of theFusarium solanispecies complex (FSSC) are increasingly implicated as the causative agents of human mycoses, particularly in the expanding immunocompromised and immunosuppressed patient populations. Best known as ubiquitous plant pathogens and saprotrophs, the FSSC comprises over 45 phylogenetically distinct species distributed among three major clades. To identify which species are associated with human infections, we generated multilocus haplotypes based on four partial gene sequences from 471 isolates. Of these, 278 were from human patients, 21 were from hospital environments, and 172 were from other sources. Phylogenetic trees inferred from an ergosterol biosynthesis gene (erg-3) were highly discordant with those inferred from the three other partial gene sequences; therefore, this partition was analyzed separately. Multilocus analysis showed that isolates from humans were restricted to but spread throughout clade 3 of the FSSC phylogeny, comprising at least 18 phylogenetically distinct species. The majority (74.5%) of the clinical isolates, however, were associated with four major lineages, designated groups 1 to 4. Groups 1 and 2 were strongly supported as phylogenetic species, whereas groups 3 and 4 were not. Although isolates from ocular infections were found in all four groups, they had a significant tendency to belong to group 3 (P< 0.001). Human clinical isolates shared identical multilocus haplotypes with isolates from plants, other animals, and from hospital environments, suggesting potential nosocomiality. The major finding of this study is that FSSC-associated mycoses of humans and other animals have origins in a broad phylogenetic spectrum, indicating widespread ability to cause infection in this diverse species complex.
Identification of Mycobacteria by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Pignone Michelle , Greth Kimberly M. , Cooper Jason , Emerson David , Tang Jane
Published: June 2006

Classical methods for identification of
Mycobacterium
species rely on morphology and biochemical profiles. Speciation of a
Mycobacterium
isolate using these standard methods is a lengthy process based on subjective data interpretation. In this study,
Mycobacterium
species were characterized by utilizing matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). This technology is designed to provide a characteristic mass spectral fingerprint based on desorbed ions from the cell surface. Thirty-seven strains were analyzed; these represented thirteen species and five subspecies that included the
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
complex and the
M. avium-M. intracellulare
complex, as well as rapid- and slow-growing mycobacteria. All 37 strains were analyzed in triplicate, and a database was generated. This method produced species-specific patterns for all but 1 of the 37 isolates and provided reliable differentiation at the strain level. The data suggest that whole-cell MALDI-TOF MS has potential as a rapid and reproducible method for the identification and characterization of
Mycobacterium
species.
Comparison of Flocked and Rayon Swabs for Collection of Respiratory Epithelial Cells from Uninfected Volunteers and Symptomatic Patients
Authors: Daley Peter , Castriciano Santina , Chernesky Max , Smieja Marek
Published: June 2006

Significantly more epithelial cells were collected by flocked swabs than by rayon swabs in parallel nasopharyngeal and nasal swabs taken from 16 volunteers. Nasopharyngeal sampling of 61 symptomatic patients also yielded more cells by flocked than rayon swabs, providing better clinical specimens for diagnosis.
Isolation of
Corynebacterium xerosis
from Animal Clinical Specimens
Authors: Vela A. I. , Gracía E. , Fernández A. , Domínguez L. , Fernández-Garayzábal J. F.
Published: June 2006

This article describes the first identification of
Corynebacterium xerosis
from animal clinical specimens, which was confirmed by microbiological and molecular genetic (16S rRNA gene sequencing) methods.
Genetic Determinants and Polymorphisms Specific for Human-Adapted Serovars of
Salmonella enterica
That Cause Enteric Fever
Authors: Tracz Dobryan M. , Tabor Helen , Jerome Morganne , Ng Lai-King , Gilmour Matthew W.
Published: June 2006

Salmonella enterica
serovars Typhi, Paratyphi A, and Sendai are human-adapted pathogens that cause typhoid (enteric) fever. The acute prevalence in some global regions and the disease severity of typhoidal
Salmonella
have necessitated the development of rapid and specific detection tests. Most of the methodologies currently used to detect serovar Typhi do not identify serovars Paratyphi A or Sendai. To assist in this aim, comparative sequence analyses were performed at the loci of core bacterial genetic determinants and
Salmonella
pathogenicity island 2 genes encoded by clinically significant
S. enterica
serovars. Genetic polymorphisms specific for serovar Typhi (at
trpS
), as well as polymorphisms unique to human-adapted typhoidal serovars (at
sseC
and
sseF
), were observed. Furthermore, entire coding sequences unique to human-adapted typhoidal
Salmonella
strains (i.e., serovar-specific genetic loci rather than polymorphisms) were observed in publicly available comparative genomic DNA microarray data sets. These polymorphisms and loci were developed into real-time PCR, standard PCR, and liquid microsphere suspension array-based molecular protocols and tested for with a panel of clinical and reference subspecies I
S. enterica
strains. A proportion of the nontyphoidal
Salmonella
strains hybridized with the allele-specific oligonucleotide probes for
sseC
and
sseF
; but the
trpS
allele was unique to serovar Typhi (with a singular serovar Paratyphi B strain as an exception), and the coding sequences STY4220 and STY4221 were unique among serovars Typhi, Paratyphi A, and Sendai. These determinants provided phylogenetic data on the genetic relatedness of serovars Typhi, Paratyphi A, and Sendai; and the protocols developed might allow the rapid identification of these
Salmonella
serovars that cause enteric fever.
Cyanobacterial Two-Component Proteins: Structure,Diversity, Distribution, andEvolution
Authors: Ashby Mark K. , Houmard Jean
Published: June 2006

A survey of the already characterized and potential two-component protein sequences that exist in the nine complete and seven partially annotated cyanobacterial genome sequences available (as of May 2005) showed that the cyanobacteria possess a much larger repertoire of such proteins than most other bacteria. By analysis of the domain structure of the 1,171 potential histidine kinases, response regulators, and hybrid kinases, many various arrangements of about thirty different modules could be distinguished. The number of two-component proteins is related in part to genome size but also to the variety of physiological properties and ecophysiologies of the different strains. Groups of orthologues were defined, only a few of which have representatives with known physiological functions. Based on comparisons with the proposed phylogenetic relationships between the strains, the orthology groups show that (i) a few genes, some of them clustered on the genome, have been conserved by all species, suggesting their very ancient origin and an essential role for the corresponding proteins, and (ii) duplications, fusions, gene losses, insertions, and deletions, as well as domain shuffling, occurred during evolution, leading to the extant repertoire. These mechanisms are put in perspective with the different genetic properties that cyanobacteria have to achieve genome plasticity. This review is designed to serve as a basis for orienting further research aimed at defining the most ancient regulatory mechanisms and understanding how evolution worked to select and keep the most appropriate systems for cyanobacteria to develop in the quite different environments that they have successfully colonized.
Biology ofPseudomonas stutzeri
Authors: Lalucat Jorge , Bennasar Antoni , Bosch Rafael , García-Valdés Elena , Palleroni Norberto J.
Published: June 2006

Pseudomonas stutzeriis a nonfluorescent denitrifying bacterium widely distributed in the environment, and it has also been isolated as an opportunistic pathogen from humans. Over the past 15 years, much progress has been made in elucidating the taxonomy of this diverse taxonomical group, demonstrating the clonality of its populations. The species has received much attention because of its particular metabolic properties: it has been proposed as a model organism for denitrification studies; many strains have natural transformation properties, making it relevant for study of the transfer of genes in the environment; several strains are able to fix dinitrogen; and others participate in the degradation of pollutants or interact with toxic metals. This review considers the history of the discovery, nomenclatural changes, and early studies, together with the relevant biological and ecological properties, ofP. stutzeri.
Predictive validity of a retrospective measure of noise exposure
Authors: McNamee R , Burgess G , Dippnall W M , Cherry N
Published: June 2006

Aims:To investigate the validity of measures of noise exposure derived retrospectively for a cohort of nuclear energy workers for the period 1950–98, by investigating their ability to predict hearing loss.

Methods:Subjects were men aged 45–65 chosen from a larger group of employees—assembled for a nested case-control study of noise and death from ischaemic heart disease—who had had at least one audiogram after at least five years’ work. Average hearing loss, across both ears and the frequencies 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz, was calculated from the last audiogram for each man. Previous noise exposure at work was assessed retrospectively by three hygienists using work histories, noise survey records from 1965–98, and judgement about use of hearing protection devices. Smoking and age at the time of the audiogram were extracted from records. Differences in hearing loss between men categorised by cumulative noise exposure were assessed after controlling for age, smoking, year of test, and previous test experience.

Results:There were 186 and 150 eligible subjects at sites A and B of the company respectively who were employed for an average of 20 years. Compared to men with less than one year’s exposure to levels of 85dB(A) or greater, hearing loss was greater by 3.7 dB (90% CI −2.6 to 10.1), 3.8 dB (90% CI −2.6 to 10.3), 7.0 dB (90% CI 1.1 to 12.9) and 10.1 dB (90% CI 4.2 to 16.0) in the lowest to highest categories of cumulative noise exposure at site B. In contrast, at site A, the corresponding figures were −2.2 dB, −2.4 dB, −1.8 dB, and −4.4 dB, with no confidence interval excluding zero.

Conclusions:Noise estimation at one site was shown to have predictive validity in terms of hearing loss, but not at the other site. Reasons for the differences between sites are discussed.
Ambient particulate air pollution and cardiac arrhythmia in a panel of older adults in Steubenville, Ohio
Authors: Sarnat S E , Suh H H , Coull B A , Schwartz J , Stone P H , Gold D R
Published: June 2006

Objectives:Ambient particulate air pollution has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Pathways by which particles may act involve autonomic nervous system dysfunction or inflammation, which can affect cardiac rate and rhythm. The importance of these pathways may vary by particle component or source. In an eastern US location with significant regional pollution, the authors examined the association of air pollution and odds of cardiac arrhythmia in older adults.

Methods:Thirty two non-smoking older adults were evaluated on a weekly basis for 24 weeks during the summer and autumn of 2000 with a standardised 30 minute protocol that included continuous electrocardiogram measurements. A central ambient monitoring station provided daily concentrations of fine particles (PM2.5, sulfate, elemental carbon) and gases. Sulfate was used as a marker of regional pollution. The authors used logistic mixed effects regression to examine the odds of having any supraventricular ectopy (SVE) or ventricular ectopy (VE) in association with increases in air pollution for moving average pollutant concentrations up to 10 days before the health assessment.

Results:Participant specific mean counts of arrhythmia over the protocol varied between 0.1–363 for SVE and 0–350 for VE. The authors observed odds ratios for having SVE over the length of the protocol of 1.42 (95% CI 0.99 to 2.04), 1.70 (95% CI 1.12 to 2.57), and 1.78 (95% CI 0.95 to 3.35) for 10.0 μg/m3, 4.2 μg/m3, and 14.9 ppb increases in five day moving average PM2.5, sulfate, and ozone concentrations respectively. The other pollutants, including elemental carbon, showed no effect on arrhythmia. Participants reporting cardiovascular conditions (for example, previous myocardial infarction or hypertension) were the most susceptible to pollution induced SVE. The authors found no association of pollution with VE.

Conclusion:Increased levels of ambient sulfate and ozone may increase the risk of supraventricular arrhythmia in the elderly.
Three dimensional reconstruction of the pancreas based on the virtual Chinese human—female number 1
Authors: Zhou Z M , Fang C H , Huang L W , Zhong S Z , Wang B L , Zhou W Y
Published: June 2006

Objective

To study the three dimensional (3D) reconstruction and 3D visualisation of the pancreas and create anatomy of the digitalised visual pancreas so as to construct a concrete basis for virtual operation and surgical operation on pancreas.

Methods

The digital imaging data of pancreas, duodenum, common bile duct, arteries, and veins were obtained from the virtual Chinese human—female 1 (VCH-F1). The image data were investigated and 380 images ascertained of pancreas picked up from images numbers 2617 to 2996. Finally, the images from number 2574 to 3017 were adopted to segment and processed using ACDSee and Photoshop so as to reconstruct 3D pancreas digitally. The data of pancreatic surfaces were transformed into Visualization Toolkit (VTK). The GUI program written with VC+ was used to display this VTK file and realise 3D visualisation of the pancreas.

Results

3D reconstruction and visualisation of the pancreas and the peri-pancreatic structures (the duodenum, the common bile duct,the inferior vena cava, the portal vein vessels, the aorta, the coeliac trunk vessels) was successful. The 3D and visualised pancreas manifested itself with its complete structure as well as its adjacency to other tissues.

Conclusion

The 3D reconstruction and 3D visualisation of the pancreas based on the digital data of VCH-F1 produces a digitally visualised pancreas, which promises a novel method for virtual operation on the pancreas, clinical operation on the pancreas, and anatomy of 3D visualised pancreas.
Determinants and consequences of smoke-free homes: findings from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Four Country Survey
Authors: Borland R , Yong H-H , Cummings K M , Hyland A , Anderson S , Fong G T
Published: June 2006

Objective:To report on prevalence, trends and determinants of smoke-free home policies in smokers’ homes in different countries and to estimate the effects of these policies on smoking cessation.

Design:Two waves of the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Four Country Survey (ITC-4), a cohort survey of smokers conducted by telephone. Wave 1 was conducted in October/December 2002 with broadly representative samples of over 2000 adult (⩾ 18 years) cigarette smokers in each of the following four countries: Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, 75% of whom were followed up at Wave 2 on average seven months later.

Key measures:Levels of smoking restrictions in homes (both waves).

Results:Australian smokers were most likely to live in smoke-free homes and UK smokers least likely (34%v15% at Wave 1). Levels of smoke-free homes increased between waves. Logistic regressions indicated that the main independent predictors of smokers reporting smoke-free homes or implementation of a smoke-free policy between waves included household factors such as having a child, particularly a young child, and having other non-smoking adults in the household. Positive attitudes to smoke-free public places and/or reported presence of smoke-free public places were independent predictors of having or implementing smoke-free homes, supporting a social diffusion model for smoking restrictions. Intentions to quit at Wave 1 and quitting activity between survey waves were associated with implementing bans between Waves 1 and 2. Presence of bans at Wave 1 was associated with significantly greater proportions of quit attempts, and success among those who tried at Wave 2. There was no significant interaction between the predictive models and country.

Conclusions:Smoke-free public places seem to stimulate adoption of smoke-free homes, a strategy associated with both increased frequency of quit attempts, and of the success of those attempts.
AN AB INITIO STUDY OF INTERMOLECULAR INTERACTION OF HYDROGEN FLUORIDE TETRAMER
Authors: LI JINSHAN
Published: June 2006

Possible HF tetramer geometries have been optimized employing the density functional B3LYP method and the aug-cc-pVQZ basis set. Deformation energy has been calculated at the B3LYP/aug-cc-pVQZ level. After the BSSE correction with the CP method, two-body intermolecular interaction energy, three-body nonadditive intermolecular interaction energy, and four-body nonadditive intermolecular interaction energy (Δ E c[4]) have been obtained at the levels of B3LYP/aug-cc–pVQZ, B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ//B3LYP/aug-cc-pVQZ, and MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ//B3LYP/aug-cc-pVQZ. Calculated results show that the three-body nonadditive intermolecular interaction energy is important for the optimized structures of HF tetramer. At the MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ//B3LYP/aug-cc-pVQZ level, the four-body nonadditive intermolecular interaction strength arrives at -4.5kJ/mol in the optimized eight-membered ring structure, but is extremely weak in other optimized structures. The comparison between MP2 and B3LYP calculated intermolecular interaction energies shows that the B3LYP method is applicable to the calculation of the intermolecular interaction energy of HF tetramer when the basis set reaches aug-cc-pVTZ. ΔEc[4] occupies 8–32% of the total intermolecular interaction energy when the intermolecular distances of the eight-membered ring structure are in the range of 1.06–1.37 Å.
STRONG VIBRATIONAL ENHANCEMENT OF SUBSTANTIALLY ENDOTHERMIC REACTION K + HF: A TIME-DEPENDENT QUANTUM WAVE PACKET STUDY
Authors: TANG PING-YING , QUAN WEI-LONG , TANG BI-YU , HAN KE-LI
Published: June 2006

Detailed dynamics of the substantially endothermic reaction K + HF on a new ab initio ground potential energy surface has been studied by means of time-dependent quantum wave packet calculation. The calculations showed that the reaction could be significantly enhanced by vibrational excitation of HF , but not very sensitive to initial rotational excitation. The relative and absolute integral cross sections and the logarithm of the σ(v = 1)/σ(v = 0) ratio have been calculated and compared with available experimental and theoretical results. Relatively good agreement with experiment and other calculations was obtained. Reaction rate constants of this reaction was also calculated and discussed.