bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Action of Polymyxin B on Bacterial Membranes: Morphological Changes in the Cytoplasm and in the Outer Membrane of
Salmonella typhimurium
and
Escherichia coli
B
Authors: Schindler Peter R. G. , Teuber Michael
Published: June 2012

Though the primary action of the cationic antibiotic polymyxin B is against the membrane of susceptible bacteria, severe morphological changes are detected in the cytoplasm. Using fluorescence microscopy and a mono-
N
-dansyl-polymyxin B derivative, we could demonstrate aggregations of the antibiotic with cellular material, possibly nucleic acids and/or ribosomes. These aggregations were only produced by minimum inhibitory or higher concentrations of the antibiotic as shown with
Salmonella
and
Escherichia
strains differing in their polymyxin susceptibility. The outer membrane of
Salmonella typhimurium
revealed characteristic blebs when treated with polymyxin B. This was investigated by the gentle methods of spray-freezing and freeze-etching. The obtained electron micrographs suggest that the polymyxin-induced blebs are projections of the outer monolayer of the outer membrane. A possible mechanism of penetration of polymyxin B through the cell envelope of gram-negative bacteria is presented.
Potential for In Vivo Acquisition of R Plasmids by One Strain of
Vibrio cholerae
Biotype
El Tor
Authors: Davey R. Brent , Pittard James
Published: June 2012

The feces of five patients admitted to a hospital during an outbreak of cholera in Melbourne, Australia, in November 1972, were examined for the presence of tetracycline-resistant coliforms and tetracycline-resistant strains of
Vibrio cholerae
. Despite the abundance of tetracycline-resistant coliforms able to transfer this resistance to other strains of
Escherichia coli
, no tetracycline-resistant strains of
V. cholerae
were detected. In vitro transfer experiments using the
V. cholerae
strain responsible for the outbreak as recipient revealed that it was a particularly poor host for most R plasmids.
Evaluation of Topical Polyinosinic Acid-Polycytidylic Acid in Treatment of Localized Herpes Zoster in Children with Cancer: a Randomized, Double-Blind Controlled Study
Authors: Feldman Sandor , Hughes Walter T. , Darlington R. W. , Kim H. K.
Published: June 2012

Twenty-four children with cancer and localized herpes zoster were randomized to receive either topical polyinosinic acid-polycytidylic acid [poly(I:C)] or a saline placebo. Solutions containing 1.0 or 2.5 mg of drug per ml were applied to the lesions every 3 h, seven times a day for 7 consecutive days. Serial, standardized color photographs were used to evaluate the progression of lesions and maximum percentage of dermatome involvement. In patients receiving poly(I:C), the median days of new lesions after therapy was 2.0 days as opposed to 3.5 days in placebo-treated patients. This difference was not statistically significant. Moreover, the total median days of lesions and percentage of dermatome involvement were similar in both groups, as were complications. Neither the concentration nor the total dose of drug was related to the outcome of infection. We conclude that topical poly(I:C), as used in this study, was of no benefit in treatment of localized herpes zoster.
Sequence Effect on Ampicillin Blood Levels Noted in an Amoxicillin, Ampicillin, and Epicillin Triple Crossover Study
Authors: Philipson Agneta , Sabath L. D. , Rosner Bernard
Published: June 2012

Amoxicillin, ampicillin, and epicillin (500 mg of each) were given orally to fasting men and women in a triple crossover study. Peak serum concentrations were significantly higher for amoxicillin than for ampicillin and significantly lowest for epicillin. The concentrations of antibiotics in serum were comparable in men and women. Total urine recovery was highest for amoxicillin (56.7%) and lowest for epicillin (27.5%), and higher in men than in women for each of the three antibiotics. Saliva, sweat, and tears contained only very small amounts of amoxicillin and, rarely, ampicillin or epicillin. A significant (
P
< 0.02) sequence effect was noted in that peak serum concentrations of ampicillin were higher (6.4 μg/ml) if epicillin had been taken the previous week than when ampicillin was taken first (2.7 μg/ml).
Stability of
Escherichia coli
Membrane Proteins During Chloramphenicol Treatment
Authors: Bacchus Alban N. , Javor George T.
Published: June 2012

It is shown that there is no degradation of previously formed inner and outer membrane proteins of
Escherichia coli
during 1 h of chloramphenicol treatment.
Unique Bactericidal Action of Metronidazole Against
Bacteroides fragilis
and
Clostridium perfringens
Authors: Ralph Edward D. , Kirby William M. M.
Published: June 2012

The comparative bactericidal activity of penicillin G, carbenicillin, clindamycin, and metronidazole against eight susceptible strains of
Bacteroides fragilis
and four strains of
Clostridium perfringens
was determined by performing colony counts anaerobically of cultures incubated in brucella broth. With the
B. fragilis
strains, there was a lag phase of growth of approximately 8 h, during which time metronidazole did not reduce the colony counts. However, within 4 h of the onset of exponential growth, metronidazole caused an abrupt decrease in counts to less than 100 colonies per ml in all strains tested. Moreover, in two strains in which the bactericidal rate was followed hourly, a 3- to 6-log decrease occurred over 1 h or less. In contrast, penicillin G and carbenicillin caused a gradual decline in colony counts from the start of approximately 1 log for each 8-h interval and were bactericidal for all strains tested. Clindamycin demonstrated the slowest bactericidal activity and for 25% of the strains was only bacteriostatic. With the
C. perfringens
strains, after a lag phase of 4 h, an abrupt decrease in colony counts also occurred with metronidazole, whereas penicillin and clindamycin again demonstrated more gradual killing effects. These studies showed a unique, time-related bactericidal action of metronidazole as compared with the other three antimicrobial agents.
Tetracycline Resistance in
Escherichia coli
Isolates from Hospital Patients
Authors: Camiolo S. M. , Beck M. E. , Reynard A. M.
Published: June 2012

Hospital isolates of
Escherichia coli
resistant to tetracycline (TC) were studied to identify mechanisms which regulate TC resistance levels and ability to transfer TC resistance. Antibiotic resistance patterns, resistance levels to TC, and ability to transfer TC resistance were determined for the isolates. Similar data were obtained for the transferable plasmids after transfer to several new host strains of
E. coli
. Of the 110 isolates, 50% were able to transfer TC resistance by conjugation. There was a nearly linear relationship between the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of TC for the hospital strains and the percentage of strains at a given MIC that could transfer TC resistance. The strains that were simultaneously resistant to tetracycline, streptomycin, and ampicillin had relatively high MICs of TC and high ability to transfer TC resistance. These results and surveys of TC-resistant
E. coli
by others suggest that TC resistance levels and transmissibility may be influenced by other resistance markers. The isolates which did not transfer TC resistance by conjugation were tested for the presence of TC resistance plasmids by mobilization or by transformation with deoxyribonucleic acid from the isolates. Evidence for plasmid-mediated TC resistance was found in 92 (84%) of the 110 hospital strains.
Fluid and Penicillin G Dynamics in Polyethylene Chambers Implanted Subcutaneously in Rabbits
Authors: Tight Robert R. , Prior Richard B. , Perkins Robert L. , Rotilie Carol A.
Published: June 2012

Chemical and cellular characteristics of fluid within subcutaneously implanted polyethylene chambers in rabbits were studied over a 3-month period. The fluid attained a relatively stable protein and cellular composition which was consistent with a mononuclear exudate. After a single dose of intramuscular penicillin G, the antibacterial activity of chamber fluid was found to be dynamic and similar to the serum antibacterial activity. This animal model may be useful for in vivo studies of the interaction of microorganisms with antimicrobial agents.
Change in the Cell Envelope of
Escherichia coli
Carrying the Thermosensitive Drug Resistance Factor, Rts 1, at the Nonpermissive Temperature
Authors: DiJoseph Carl G. , Kaji Akira
Published: June 2012

Escherichia coli
, harboring the temperature-sensitive drug-resistant factor Rts 1, formed filaments on solid medium at the nonpermissive temperature (42 C). In addition, the rate of adsorption of T4D phage progressively decreased during growth at 42 C. Susceptibility to a variety of antibiotics increased suggesting that the permeability barrier to these antibiotics may be disrupted at the nonpermissive temperature. These observations were interpreted to suggest that the target of the temperature-sensitive Rts 1 gene product responsible for altering host growth may be the cell envelope.
Multiplicity Reactivation of 5-Iodouracil-Substituted, Nonviable Bacteriophage T4
td
8
Authors: Byrd Daniel M. , Prusoff William H.
Published: June 2012

Nonviable, 5-iodouracil (IUra)-substituted bacteriophage T4
td
8 can be multiplicity reactivated. The data indicate that two nonviable, IUra-substituted T4
td
8 phage can complement each other intracellularly to produce viable progeny. Phage particles in lysates of T4
td
8-infected
Escherichia coli
BT
−
, prepared in the presence of varying mole fractions of IUra plus thymine, were examined by infecting with low and high dilutions of lysate. The yields of multiplicity reactivable particles were identical, regardless of the mole fractions of IUra present in the growth media. However, the yields of viable phage, measured at low multiplicities of infection, decreased with increasing mole fraction of IUra. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that the lethal effect of IUra is a consequence of its incorporation into DNA. Further, the IUra-induced lesion cannot involve genetic damage that shuts off expression at a single region of the genome.
Production of Bacteriocins in a Liquid Medium by
Streptococcus mutans
Authors: Delisle Allan L.
Published: June 2012

A sterile-filtered, liquid medium composed of one-half-strength APT broth and 4% (wt/vol) yeast extract was found to support the production of bacteriocins by
Streptococcus mutans
strains BHT and GS-5. Culture supernatants, adjusted to pH 7.0 and sterilized by filtration, contained bacteriocin-like activity, which could be demonstrated by spotting dilutions onto top agar lawns seeded with
Streptococcus pyogenes
as the sensitive indicator and by adding dilutions to log-phase indicator broth cultures. A quantitative assay was developed for BHT bacteriocin, based on its lethal effects. Bacteriocin production did not occur until after the log phase of growth had ceased and was not inducible by ultraviolet irradiation or treatment with mitomycin C. Non-bacteriocinogenic clones of strain BHT occurred spontaneously at high frequency, suggesting control by a plasmid, but this frequency was not increased by treatment with the plasmid-curing agents acridine orange and ethidium bromide.
In Vitro Evaluation of a New Oral Cephalosporin, Cefatrizine (BL-S640)
Authors: Stilwell G. A. , Adams H. G. , Turck M.
Published: June 2012

The activity of cefatrizine (BL-S640), a semisynthetic orally absorbed cephalosporin, was studied and found to have in vitro activity at least comparable to that previously reported for cephalexin.
Susceptibility of
Haemophilus influenzae
Isolates from Blood and Cerebrospinal Fluid to Ampicillin, Chloramphenicol, and Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole
Authors: McGowan John E. , Terry Pamela M. , Nahmias Andre J.
Published: June 2012

Susceptibility to ampicillin and chloramphenicol in vitro has been determined for
Haemophilus influenzae
strains isolated from blood and/or cerebrospinal fluid cultures of patients admitted to two Atlanta hospitals from 1 January 1974 to 31 March 1975. Since the appearance of ampicillin-resistant strains of this organism in early 1974, chloramphenicol has been used in these hospitals as initial therapy for severe infection due to
H. influenzae
. Strains from five of 94 patients were resistant to ampicillin (minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] ≥ 12.5 μg/ml), but all strains were susceptible to chloramphenicol (MIC < 2 μg/ml). The first 35 strains studied, including three resistant to ampicillin, were also tested for in vitro susceptibility to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole; all were highly susceptible (MIC ≤ 0.0312 μg of trimethoprim and 0.625 μg of sulfamethoxazole per ml).
Comparative In Vitro Evaluation of the Effects of Ticarcillin and Carbenicillin upon
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Kalkani E. , Marketos N.
Published: June 2012

An in vitro comparison of the effects of ticarcillin and carbenicillin was performed upon 164 strains of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
. The two drugs displayed nearly identical inhibitory activities: for each, about 82.5% of the strains were inhibited by doses of 256 μg/ml or less. A low bactericidal activity was also observed. Strains of
P. aeruginosa
that were highly resistant to carbenicillin were also resistant to ticarcillin.
Phosphonoacetic Acid in the Treatment of Experimental Ocular Herpes Simplex Infections
Authors: Meyer Roger F. , Varnell Emily D. , Kaufman Herbert E.
Published: June 2012

Phosphonoacetic acid had a significant antiviral effect when applied topically, both in liquid and ointment preparations, on superficial herpetic keratitis in rabbits and was equally as effective as idoxuridine. It was also effective in the treatment of idoxuridine-resistant herpetic keratitis. Phosphonoacetic acid was not effective in the treatment of experimental herpetic iritis when applied topically but was significantly effective when administered intravenously and subconjunctivally. No significant local or systemic toxicity was encountered.
Modification of Bacterial Respiration by a Macromolecular Polyanionic Antibiotic Produced by a Marine
Alteromonas
Authors: Gauthier M. J.
Published: June 2012

A macromolecular polyanionic antibiotic produced by a marine bacterium belonging to the genus
Alteromonas
causes a large modification in bacterial respiration when added to the culture of several bacterial species in their early stage of growth. This antibiotic induces an increase of oxygen uptake and the production of hydrogen peroxide. The latter fact explains the high sensitivity of bacteria with low catalase activity and the antagonistic effect of pure catalase on antibiosis. The antibiotic could act at the level of the respiratory chain by setting up a flavinic respiration.
Considerations on Structure-Activity Relationships with Mengovirus of Substituted 5-Amino-4-Cyanopyrazoles
Authors: Willitzer H. , Tonew Marion , Lippmann Elisabeth
Published: June 2012

In a screening program using the agar diffusion-plaque inhibition test, 22 out of 27 substituted aminopyrazoles tested showed marked antiviral activity against mengovirus in FL cell cultures. The efficacy of the different derivatives was compared by determining their effect on the yield of infectious virus after a one-step growth cycle. The antiviral activity against mengovirus correlated with the chain length of the substituents and increased or decreased according to the position of the side chain.
Oxolinic Acid in the Treatment of Typhoid Fever Due to Chloramphenicol-Resistant Strains of
Salmonella typhi
Authors: Sanford J. P. , Linh N. N. , Kutscher E. , Arnold K. , Gould K.
Published: June 2012

Of 28 strains of
Salmonella typhosa
collected in late 1972 in Vietnam, 4 had minimum inhibitory concentrations to chloramphenicol of >100 μg/ml. Median minimum inhibitory concentrations of all strains to oxolinic acid were 0.39 μg/ml; ampicillin, 6.25 μg/ml; amoxicillin, 0.39 μg/ml. Widespread typhoid fever appeared in mid-1973 with more than three-fourths of strains found to be resistant to chloramphenicol. Peak serum concentrations of oxolinic acid average 3.0 μg/ml after the oral ingestion of 1.0 g. In July 1974, a pilot study was begun to evaluate the efficacy of oxolinic acid in vivo, recognizing the discrepancy between in vitro and in vivo results with many agents evaluated in the treatment of typhoid fever. Seven patients with typhoid fever, six with positive blood cultures, were treated with oxolinic acid (1.5 g twice daily by mouth, a daily dose that averaged 75 mg/kg per day) for 5 to 12 days. In four of six patients, blood cultures became negative at 2 to 3 days, with another being negative at 6 days. Despite negative blood cultures, all but one patient remained clinically ill with temperatures of >39.5 C at 4 to 9 days. All strains were susceptible to 0.19 μg of oxolinic acid per ml, and resistant strains did not occur. One patient died after being changed to ampicillin, one left against advice, three responded to amoxicillin, and one died with pseudomonas bacteremia. Toxicity to oxolinic acid did not occur.
Use of Sodium Polyanethol Sulfonate to Selectively Inhibit Aminoglycoside and Polymyxin Antibiotics in a Rapid Blood Level Antibiotic Assay
Authors: Edberg Stephen C. , Bottenbley Cecil J. , Gam Kalman
Published: June 2012

Sodium polyanethol sulfonate inhibits aminoglycoside and polymyxin classes of antibiotics in direct proportion to its concentration. Aminoglycoside and polymyxin class antibiotics are selectively inactivated; penicillin, including the semisynthetic penicillins, cephalothin, chloramphenicol, clindamycin, tetracycline, erythromycin, and vancomycin are not inhibited. By incorporating sodium polyanethol sulfonate directly into the test medium it is possible, in a 4-h antibiotic blood level assay, to selectively obviate the activity of the aminoglycosides and polymyxins to determine the concentration of other antibiotics present in the same serum sample.
Effects of Sesquiterpene Lactones on the Growth of
Bacillus Thuringiensis
Authors: Norman James O. , Johnson James H. , Mollenhauer Hilton H. , Meola Shirlee M.
Published: June 2012

Two sesquiterpene lactones, hymenovin and tenulin, were tested for their effect on growth of two strains of
Bacillus thuringiensis
. Growth of both strains was 98% inhibited by 0.6 mg of tenulin per ml, but only 15 to 20% was inhibited by the same level of hymenovin. Hymenovin appeared to have a mutagenic effect on
B. thuringiensis
cultures resulting in production of several variant strains. Some of the variant strains had lost their ability to form spores and crystals. Hymenovin also induced
B. thuringiensis
to produce significant levels of bacteriophage. All variant strains were as susceptible to phage as the parent strain. Although the bactericidal activity of tenulin was two times as great as of hymenovin, tenulin did not appear to have a mutagenic effect on the bacteria.
Effect of Clindamycin on the In Vitro Activity of Amikacin and Gentamicin Against Gram-Negative Bacilli
Authors: Zinner Stephen H. , Provonchee Richard B. , Elias Kathy S. , Peter Georges
Published: June 2012

The in vitro effect of clindamycin on the inhibitory and bactericidal activity of amikacin (BB-K8) and gentamicin against
Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae
, and
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
was examined by the checkerboard technique in microtiter plates. Clindamycin (15 μg/ml) produced statistically significant increases in the minimal bactericidal concentrations of amikacin and gentamicin against
E. coli
and
Klebsiellae
at 2 and 4 h of incubation. The minimal bactericidal concentration against
P. aeruginosa
was not affected. Higher concentrations of clindamycin (20 to 25 μg/ml) reduced the minimal inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations of amikacin and gentamicin for
E. coli
at 18 h of incubation. The synergistic bactericidal activity of amikacin and carbenicillin against
E. coli
, but not
P. aeruginosa
, was also inhibited slightly by clindamycin (15 μg/ml). The clinical implications of this inhibition of the early bactericidal in vitro activity of aminoglycosides by clindamycin remain to be determined. Although these in vitro results have not been studied in clinical infections, it is conceivable that slight interference in early bacterial killing could alter the outcome of infection in the immunosuppressed patient.
Cefuroxime: Human Pharmacokinetics
Authors: Foord R. D.
Published: June 2012

Single doses of cefuroxime, a new parenteral cephalosporin, were given to 44 normal male subjects. Doses of 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, or 1.0 g were given intramuscularly to 33 volunteers. Mean peak serum concentrations of 14.8, 25.7, 34.6, and 40.0 μg/ml were assayed at 29 to 45 min, and measurable levels were present 8 h after the 0.5-g and higher doses. Single intravenous bolus doses of 0.25, 0.5, or 1.0 g were given to nine volunteers, and mean levels of 39, 66, and 99 μg/ml were assayed at 3 min. The antibiotic has a mean ultimate serum half-life of 70 min, a mean serum protein binding of 33%, a metabolic stability of greater than 95%, an apparent distribution volume of 11.1 to 15.8 liters/1.73 m
2
depending on dose, and a mean urinary recovery of at least 95% for all parenteral doses. The cefuroxime/creatinine clearance ratios for all volunteers indicated that 43 to 54% of the antibiotic is secreted through the kidney tubules, and this was confirmed in some volunteers who received probenecid simultaneously. The injections by both routes were well tolerated, and the slight pain experienced after intramuscular injection disappeared within a few minutes. Physical and laboratory investigations in the volunteers showed that administration of cefuroxime had had no adverse effects. There was no evidence of absorption after oral administration.
Colonization of the Intestinal Tract of Conventional Mice with
Candida albicans
and Treatment with Antifungal Agents
Authors: Turner J. R. , Butler T. F. , Johnson M. E. , Gordee R. S.
Published: June 2012

Conventional mice inoculated with
Candida albicans
per os were unable to maintain this organism in the intestinal tract as judged by decreasing numbers of yeast recoverable from feces. After inoculation with 10
7
cells/mouse, fecal counts ranged from 10
5
cells per g of feces to 5 × 10
3
cells per g of feces during a 12-day experimental period. Addition of various antibiotics to the drinking water did not result in any improvement in maintenance or stability of the gut population. A combination of X irradiation and administration of tobramycin or gentamicin, however, resulted in a stable population of
C. albicans
in the intestinal tract, with cell counts in the feces remaining constant at a level of about 10
6
/g of feces for a period of 10 to 15 days. The usefulness of this model in assessing the effect of experimental drugs on
C. albicans
infections of the gut was demonstrated by the fact that treatment with a new antifungal antibiotic (A9145), amphotericin B, 5-fluorocytosine, or nystatin resulted in a reduction in the fecal counts of
C. albicans
from experimentally infected animals.
Enhanced Toxicity for Mice of Combinations of Bacterial Lipopolysaccharide and Vincristine
Authors: Munson A. E. , Drummond D. C. , Adams A. C. , Bradley S. G.
Published: June 2012

Sublethal doses of vincristine (VNC) and bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administered simultaneously to adult male mice resulted in markedly enhanced mortality. All of 10 strains of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
tested, 4 of 7 strains of
Bacteroides
, and 6 of 10 strains of
Listeria monocytogenes
were able to substitute for purified LPS in enhancing mortality in VNC-treated mice. Inoculation of mice with each of 10 strains of
Pseudomonas
, each of 7 strains of
Bacteroides
, and about half of the 10 strains of
Listeria
tested elicited increased resistance to the lethal action of purified LPS. The patterns of responses of mice receiving a lethal combination of 2 mg of LPS/kg and 1 mg of VNC/kg resembled those of mice receiving a lethal dose of 10 mg of VNC/kg alone or 15 mg of LPS/kg alone with respect to (i) serum glutamic pyruvate transaminase activity, (ii) hematocrit values, and (iii) thrombocytopenia. The patterns of responses of mice receiving a lethal combination of LPS and VNC resembled those of mice receiving a lethal dose of LPS alone with respect to (i) hypothermia, (ii) retention of sulfobromophthalein, (iii) fibrinogen level, (iv) prothrombin activity, (v) blood urea nitrogen levels, and (vi) time of death. These data are consistent with the proposition that the combination of VNC and LPS produces a fatal renal failure. Histological studies confirmed that there was extensive renal damage in mice treated with lethal doses of LPS alone or a lethal combination of LPS and VNC.
Action of the Peptide Antibiotic Leucinostatin
Authors: Ishiguro Kimiko , Arai Tadashi
Published: June 2012

Leucinostatin, an antimicrobial and antitumor antibiotic, was found to be cytotoxic to the murine leukemic cell line, L 1210. A complete inhibition of cell growth was achieved with 0.5 μg of the drug per ml. Leucinostatin showed membrane damage against L 1210 cells as well as mouse erythrocytes. L 1210 cells were partially protected from membrane damage by the addition of glucose to the medium. In contrast, no protective effect of glucose was observed with drug-induced hemolysis. The possible involvement of membrane lipid in the mechanism of action of leucinostatin is suggested by its action on liposomes. Liposomes prepared with lecithin, cholesterol, and an amphiphatic molecule, either dicetyl phosphate or stearylamine, were sensitive to leucinostatin and response to the drug was enhanced as the cholesterol level of liposomes was decreased. Changes in the net charge of the membrane did not show significant effects on leucinostatin action. In the presence of the antibiotic, on the other hand, protein synthesis in cells was markedly inhibited under conditions where the uptake of amino acids into an acid-soluble pool was not affected. However, leucinostatin did not exhibit any inhibitory effect on protein synthesis in a cell-free system from L 1210 cells. It is suggested that the inhibition of protein synthesis results from the initial interaction of the drug with membrane phospholipid.
Draft Genome Sequence of Staphylococcus aureus 118 (ST772), a Major Disease Clone from India
Authors: Prabhakara Sushma , Khedkar Supriya , Loganathan Ramya Malarini , Chandana S. , Gowda Malali , Arakere Gayathri , Seshasayee Aswin Sai Narain
Published: June 2012

We report the draft genome sequence of an ST772Staphylococcus aureusdisease isolate carrying staphylococcal cassette chromosomemec(SCCmec) type V from a pyomyositis patient. Ourde novoshort read assembly is ∼2.8 Mb and encodes a unique Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) phage with structural genes similar to those of φ7247PVL and novel lysogenic genes at the N termini.
Socioeconomic inequalities in the rate of stillbirths by cause: a population-based study
Authors: Seaton Sarah E , Field David J , Draper Elizabeth S , Manktelow Bradley N , Smith Gordon C S , Springett Anna , Smith Lucy K
Published: June 2012

Objective

To assess time trends in socioeconomic inequalities in overall and cause-specific stillbirth rates in England.

Design

Population-based retrospective study.

Setting

England.

Participants

Stillbirths occurring among singleton infants born between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2007.

Main outcome measure

Cause-specific stillbirth rate per 10 000 births by deprivation tenth and year of birth. Deprivation measured using the UK index of multiple deprivation at Super Output Area level.

Methods

Poisson regression models were used to estimate the relative deprivation gap (comparing the most and least deprived tenths) in rates of stillbirths (overall and cause-specific). Excess mortality was calculated by applying the rates seen in the least deprived tenth to the entire population at risk. Discussions with our local NHS multicentre ethics committee deemed that this analysis of national non-identifiable data did not require separate ethics approval.

Results

There were 44 stillbirths per 10 000 births, with no evidence of a change in rates over time. Rates were twice as high in the most deprived tenth compared with the least (rate ratio (RR) 2.1, 95% CI 2.0 to 2.2) with no evidence of a change over time. There was a significant deprivation gap for all specific causes except mechanical events (RR 1.2, 95% CI 0.9 to 1.5). The widest gap was seen for stillbirths due to antepartum haemorrhages (RR 3.1, 95% CI 2.8 to 3.5). No evidence of a change in the rate of stillbirth or deprivation gap over time was seen for any specific cause.

Conclusion

A wide deprivation gap exists in stillbirth rates for most causes and is not diminishing. Unexplained antepartum stillbirths accounted for 50% of the deprivation gap, and a better understanding of these stillbirths is necessary to reduce socioeconomic inequalities.
Systematic review: is real-time ultrasonic-guided central line placement by ED physicians more successful than the traditional landmark approach?
Authors: Mehta Ninfa , Valesky Walter Wallace , Guy Allysia , Sinert Richard
Published: June 2012

Introduction

The superiority of ultrasonic-guided compared with landmark-guided central venous catheter (CVC) placement is not well documented in the Emergency Department.

Objective

To systematically review the literature comparing success rates between ultrasonic- and landmark-guided CVC placement by ED physicians.

Methods

PubMed and EMBASE databases were searched for randomised controlled trials from 1965 to 2010 using a search strategy derived from the following PICO formulation: Patients: Adults requiring emergent CVC placement except during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Intervention

CVC placement using real-time ultrasonic guidance. Comparator: CVC placement using anatomical landmarks. Outcome: Comparison of success rates of CVC placement between ultrasonic- versus landmark-guided techniques. Analysis: Success rates between CVC placement methods using a Forest Plot (95% CI) calculated by Review Manager Version 5.0.

Results

Search identified 944 articles of which 938 were excluded by title/abstract relevance, two not randomised, one cardiac arrest, one no landmark control, one success rate not calculated. A single study of 130 patients (65 ultrasonic- vs 65 landmark-guided) selected for internal jugular vein placement remained. Successful internal jugular CVC was significantly (p=0.02) more likely in the ultrasound-guided (93.9%) compared with landmark-guided (78.5%) techniques with an OR of 1.2 (95% CI 1.0 to 1.4). Complications rates were significantly (p=0.04) lower in ultrasonic (4.6%) versus landmark (16.9%) technique, OR=3.7 (95% CI 1.1 to 12.5).

Conclusion

Only one single high quality study illustrating that ED ultrasound- versus landmark-guided internal jugular catheter placement had higher success rates with lower complication rates.
Expression and prognostic significance of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Li Tao , Zhu Yuhua , Qin Cheng-yong , Yang Zhen , Fang Aiju , Xu Shifeng , Ren Wanhua
Published: June 2012

Aims

Activation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR-1) promotes invasiveness in some cancer cells. However, VEGFR-1 expression and its relationship with clinical features and prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. Therefore, this study investigated the expression pattern of VEGFR-1 in HCC cell lines and tissue specimens in order to evaluate the role of VEGFR-1 in prognosis of HCC.

Methods

Expression and localisation of VEGFR-1 in cell lines were determined by western blot and immunofluorescence, respectively. Expression of VEGFR-1 in tissue specimens from 135 HCC patients with curative resections was determined by immunohistochemistry. Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were determined by Kaplan–Meier analysis and a Cox regression model. The relationships between VEGFR-1 expression and clinicopathological features were also analysed.

Results

VEGFR-1 expression in more invasive HCC cell lines is higher than that in less invasive cell lines. VEGFR-1 expression in HCC tissues was significantly higher than that in peritumoral tissues (p<0.001). Patients with high expression of VEGFR-1 had significantly worse RFS and OS after curative resections (p<0.001). Strong expression of VEGFR-1 in HCC tissues was correlated with the most prominent clinicopathological features associated with progression, and poor differentiation was an independent prognosticator for RFS and OS (RFS HR 2.397, 95% CI 1.686 to 3.409; OS HR 2.44, 95% CI 1.518 to 3.922; p<0.001 for both).

Conclusions

High expression and distinctive cytomembrane localisation of VEGFR-1 in HCC cells is associated with HCC progression and worse outcome; it may serve as a novel prognostic marker for patients with HCC.
Pathological grading of regression following neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy: the clinical need is now: Table 1
Authors: MacGregor Tom P , Maughan Tim S , Sharma Ricky A
Published: June 2012

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer has been shown to decrease rates of local recurrence and more than double the rate of sphincter-preserving surgery. There is now compelling evidence that pathological complete response is an independent predictor of likelihood of local recurrence, distal metastases, disease-free and overall survival in locally advanced rectal cancer following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Pathological regression grading can therefore guide clinical decisions about salvage surgical strategies, adjuvant therapy and long-term surveillance. No universally recognised regression grading system currently exists for pathologists presented with resected tumour specimens following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. The purpose of this review is to highlight the relevance of accurate tumour regression grading in achieving optimal clinical care for patients with rectal cancer.
Dual mechanism forMycobacterium tuberculosiscytotoxicity on lung epithelial cells
Authors: Castro-Garza Jorge , Swords W. Edward , Karls Russell K. , Quinn Frederick D.
Published: June 2012

Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains CDC1551 and Erdman were used to assess cytotoxicity in infected A549 human alveolar epithelial cell monolayers. Strain CDC1551 was found to induce qualitatively greater disruption of A549 monolayers than was strain Erdman, although total intracellular and cell-associated bacterial growth rates over the course of the infections were not significantly different. Cell-free culture supernatants from human monocytic cells infected with either of the 2 M. tuberculosis strains produced a cytotoxic effect on A549 cells, correlating with the amount of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) released by the infected monocytes. The addition of TNF-α-neutralizing antibodies to the supernatants from infected monocyte cultures did prevent the induction of a cytotoxic effect on A549 cells overlaid with this mixture but did not prevent the death of epithelial cells when added prior to infection with M. tuberculosis bacilli. Thus, these data agree with previous observations that lung epithelial cells infected with M. tuberculosis bacilli are rapidly killed in vitro. In addition, the data indicate that some of the observed epithelial cell killing may be collateral damage; the result of TNF-α released from M. tuberculosis-infected monocytes.
INTERCALATION OF HYDROGEN PHOSPHATE INTO Mg/Al-LAYERED DOUBLE HYDROXIDES WITH DBS
Authors: SHIMAMURA AKIHIRO , JONES MARK I. , METSON JAMES B.
Published: June 2012

Intercalation of hydrogen phosphate ( HPO 4) into Mg / Al -Layered Double Hydroxides (LDH) with DodecylBenzeneSulfonate (DBS) was investigated with regard to anion exchange, rehydration and a combination of delamination and anion exchange. HPO 4 could not be intercalated into the interlayer space of LDH with DBS when using either anion exchange or rehydration methods. However, HPO 4 was successfully intercalated into the Mg / Al -LDH using a combination of delamination and anion exchange methods.
BASIC PRINCIPLES OF VIRTUAL ELEMENT METHODS
Authors: BEIRÃO DA VEIGA L. , BREZZI F. , CANGIANI A. , MANZINI G. , MARINI L. D. , RUSSO A.
Published: June 2012

We present, on the simplest possible case, what we consider as the very basic features of the (brand new) virtual element method. As the readers will easily recognize, the virtual element method could easily be regarded as the ultimate evolution of the mimetic finite differences approach. However, in their last step they became so close to the traditional finite elements that we decided to use a different perspective and a different name. Now the virtual element spaces are just like the usual finite element spaces with the addition of suitable non-polynomial functions. This is far from being a new idea. See for instance the very early approach of E. Wachspress [A Rational Finite Element Basic (Academic Press, 1975)] or the more recent overview of T.-P. Fries and T. Belytschko [The extended/generalized finite element method: An overview of the method and its applications, Int. J. Numer. Methods Engrg.84 (2010) 253–304]. The novelty here is to take the spaces and the degrees of freedom in such a way that the elementary stiffness matrix can be computed without actually computing these non-polynomial functions, but just using the degrees of freedom. In doing that we can easily deal with complicated element geometries and/or higher-order continuity conditions (like C1, C2, etc.). The idea is quite general, and could be applied to a number of different situations and problems. Here however we want to be as clear as possible, and to present the simplest possible case that still gives the flavor of the whole idea.
SWARM DIRECTIONS EMBEDDED DIFFERENTIAL EVOLUTION FOR FASTER CONVERGENCE OF GLOBAL OPTIMIZATION PROBLEMS
Authors: ALI MUSRRAT , PANT MILLIE , ABRAHAM AJITH , AHN CHANG WOOK
Published: June 2012

In the present study we propose a new hybrid version of Differential Evolution (DE) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithms called Hybrid DE or HDE for solving continuous global optimization problems. In the proposed HDE algorithm, information sharing mechanism of PSO is embedded in the contracted search space obtained by the basic DE algorithm. This is done to maintain a balance between the two antagonist factors; exploration and exploitation thereby obtaining a faster convergence. The embedding of swarm directions to the basic DE algorithm is done with the help of a "switchover constant" called α which keeps a record of the contraction of search space. The proposed HDE algorithm is tested on a set of 10 unconstrained benchmark problems and four constrained real life, mechanical design problems. Empirical studies show that the proposed scheme helps in improving the convergence rate of the basic DE algorithm without compromising with the quality of solution.
TREEABLE EQUIVALENCE RELATIONS
Authors: HJORTH GREG
Published: June 2012

There are continuum many ≤B-incomparable equivalence relations induced by a free, Borel action of a countable non-abelian free group — and hence, there are 2α0 many treeable countable Borel equivalence relations which are incomparable in the ordering of Borel reducibility.
Value Relevance Change Under International Accounting Standards: An Empirical Study of Peru
Authors: Liu Chunhui , Yao Lee J. , Yao Michelle Y. M.
Published: June 2012

In face of broad adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is considering its quality and acceptability. This paper reports a study that examines changes in value relevance with a sample of Peru firms mandated to use international accounting standards between 1999 and 2007. The period under study is broken into a period of International Accounting Standards (IAS) between 1999 and 2001, a period of early IFRS between 2002 and 2004, and a more recent period of IFRS between 2005 and 2007 by major changes to accounting standards. The empirical results generally indicate that value relevance improved from the IAS period to the early IFRS period when the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) took over the International Accounting Standards Committee (IASC), but worsened from the early IFRS period to the recent IFRS period when more accounting standards started to reflect IASB's preference for fair value measurement of assets and liabilities. Quality weakens to a greater extent for firms with more discretion for fair value estimates. Further analysis shows that such changes are less likely to result from changes in economic conditions, but from the changes of the standards. The findings are particularly alarming in face of rising IFRS adoptions and call for quality improvement to IFRS.
The Effects of Management Demography on Auditor Choice and Earnings Quality: Evidence from China
Authors: Cheng Louis T. W. , Leung T. Y.
Published: June 2012

Recent management literature shows that demographic characteristics of top management and corporate performance are related. Bamber et al. (2010) conclude that managers' voluntary disclosure styles are related to demographic characteristics. Also, Francis et al. (2008) demonstrate a negative relation between CEO reputation and earnings quality. We conjecture that, management demography affects auditor choice and earnings quality. Using a sample of 3,881 firm-year observations between 2001 and 2005 in China and controlling for board governance characteristics, we find that a chairperson with better reputation (i.e., holding titles) prefers well-known auditors on the national basis, regional basis and in the industry group. Furthermore, chairpersons with titles and longer tenure report earnings of higher quality. Our results are robust using different measures of auditor choice and earnings quality.
Synthesis of MesoporousTiO2-Al2O3Binary Oxides Photocatalyst by Sol-Gel Method Using PEG1000 as Template
Authors: Zhang Wenjie , Li Ruyuan , He Hongbo
Published: June 2012

The mesoporous TiO2-Al2O3binary oxides were prepared by sol-gel method using PEG1000 as template. The effects of PEG1000 concentration on the properties and photocatalytic activity of the materials were investigated. The binary oxides were composed of nanocrystallite anatase TiO2and amorphous Al2O3. The surfaces of the samples prepared with PEG1000 were rough and had many long grooves on the surfaces. When PEG1000 concentration increased from 0 to 0.048 mol/L, the BET specific surface area of the samples changed from 99 to 140 m2·g−1, and the average pore size decreased from 22 to 11 nm. The TiO2-Al2O3binary oxides prepared at PEG1000 concentration of 0.03 mo/L had the maximum photocatalytic activity and high adsorption capacity. Methyl orange photocatalytic degradation and adsorption rates on 600 mg/l of TiO2-Al2O3binary oxides were 36.1% and 18.6% after 30 min, respectively. Total removal of the dye was achieved after 3 h of reaction.
Analysis of a Reflectarray by Using an Iterative Domain Decomposition Technique
Authors: Delgado Carlos , Gómez Josefa , Tayebi Abdelhamid , González Iván , Cátedra Felipe
Published: June 2012

We present an efficient method for the analysis of different objects that may contain a complex feeding system and a reflector structure. The approach is based on a domain decomposition technique that divides the geometry into several parts to minimize the vast computational resources required when applying a full wave method. This technique is also parallelized by using the Message Passing Interface to minimize the memory and time requirements of the simulation. A reflectarray analysis serves as an example of the proposed approach.
Study of Chromium Removal by the Electrodialysis of Tannery and Metal-Finishing Effluents
Authors: Moura Ruan C. A. , Bertuol Daniel A. , Ferreira Carlos A. , Amado Franco D. R.
Published: June 2012

The metal-finishing and tannery industries have been under strong pressure to replace their current wastewater treatment based on a physicochemical process. The electrodialysis process is becoming an interesting alternative for wastewater treatment. Electrodialysis is a membrane separation technique, in which ions are transported from one solution to another through ion-exchange membranes, using an electric field as the driving force. Blends of polystyrene and polyaniline were obtained in order to produce membranes for electrodialysis. The produced membranes were applied in the recovery of baths from the metal-finishing and tannery industries. The parameter for electrodialysis evaluation was the percentage of chromium extraction. The results obtained using these membranes were compared to those obtained with the commercial membrane Nafion 450.
Regularizing Model for the 2D MHD Equations with Zero Viscosity
Authors: Kang Ensil , Lee Jihoon
Published: June 2012

We consider the regularity of two dimensional incompressible magneto‐hydrodynamics equations with zero viscosity. We provide an approximating system to the equations and prove global‐in‐time existence of classical solution to this approximating system. By using approximating system, a priori estimates for the equations can be justified.
Approach to Rectal Cancer Surgery
Authors: Chua Terence C. , Chong Chanel H. , Liauw Winston , Morris David L.
Published: June 2012

Rectal cancer is a distinct subset of colorectal cancer where specialized disease-specific management of the primary tumor is required. There have been significant developments in rectal cancer surgery at all stages of disease in particular the introduction of local excision strategies for preinvasive and early cancers, standardized total mesorectal excision for resectable cancers incorporating preoperative short- or long-course chemoradiation to the multimodality sequencing of treatment. Laparoscopic surgery is also increasingly being adopted as the standard rectal cancer surgery approach following expertise of colorectal surgeons in minimally invasive surgery gained from laparoscopic colon resections. In locally advanced and metastatic disease, combining chemoradiation with radical surgery may achieve total eradication of disease and disease control in the pelvis. Evidence for resection of metastases to the liver and lung have been extensively reported in the literature. The role of cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for peritoneal metastases is showing promise in achieving locoregional control of peritoneal dissemination. This paper summarizes the recent developments in approaches to rectal cancer surgery at all these time points of the disease natural history.
Integral Formulae of Bernoulli Polynomials
Authors: Kim Dae San , Dolgy Dmitry V. , Kim Hyun-Mee , Lee Sang-Hun , Kim Taekyun
Published: June 2012

Recently, some interesting and new identities are introduced in (Hwang et al., Communicated). From these identities, we derive some new and interesting integral formulae for the Bernoulli polynomials.
The Maryland Amphibian and Reptile Atlas: A Volunteer-Based Distributional Survey
Authors: Cunningham Heather R. , Davis Charles A. , Swarth Christopher W. , Therres Glenn D.
Published: June 2012

Declines of amphibian and reptile populations are well documented. Yet a lack of understanding of their distribution may hinder conservation planning for these species. The Maryland Amphibian and Reptile Atlas project (MARA) was launched in 2010. This five-year, citizen science project will document the distribution of the 93 amphibian and reptile species in Maryland. During the 2010 and 2011 field seasons, 488 registered MARA volunteers collected 13,919 occurrence records that document 85 of Maryland's amphibian and reptile species, including 19 frog, 20 salamander, five lizard, 25 snake, and 16 turtle species. Thirteen of these species are of conservation concern in Maryland. The MARA will establish a baseline by which future changes in the distribution of populations of native herpetofauna can be assessed as well as provide information for immediate management actions for rare and threatened species. As a citizen science project it has the added benefit of educating citizens about native amphibian and reptile diversity and its ecological benefits—an important step in creating an informed society that actively participates in the long-term conservation of Maryland's nature heritage.