bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unsucessful labour induction in women with unfavourable cervical scores: predictors and management
Authors: CALISKAN Eray , DILBAZ Serdar , GELISEN Orhan , DILBAZ Berna , OZTURK Nilgun , HABERAL Ali
Published: December 2004

Background: Misoprostol fails to induce labour in 5–20% of women at term.

Aim: To analyse possible predictors of unsuccessful induction with 50 µg vaginal misoprostol and effectiveness and the safety of intracervical Foley catheter application in induction failures.

Methods: An observational study was conducted on 1030 women with singleton, live fetuses, vertex presentation, > 34 weeks of gestation and Bishop score < 5. Induction of labour with 50 µg vaginal misoprostol repeated every 6 h was attempted. Women without regular uterine contractions and cervical changes at the end of 24 h were considered to be unsuccessful, and a transcervical Foley balloon catheter was placed and inflated with 50 mL saline. Possible predictors of induction failures were analysed via logistic regression analysis. Neonatal outcomes and vaginal delivery achieved after Foley catheter were also determined.

Results: Induction was successful in 918 cases (89.1%) and Foley catheter was placed in 112 (10.8%) women. Increasing gestational age in weeks (odds ratio [OR] 0.77, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.68–0.88) and increasing Bishop score (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.60–0.90) decreased the risk of failed induction. Failure rates were 16% (27/169) in post‐term nulliparous women with Bishop score ≤ 1 and 40% (4/10) in preterm women with Bishop score ≤ 1. Foley catheter achieved vaginal delivery in 83% of these women without causing an increase in the adverse neonatal outcomes.

Conclusion: When misoprostol induction fails, Foley catheter is a safe and effective method for cervical ripening. Foley catheter can be the first treatment of choice in post‐term nulliparous women or preterm women with Bishop score ≤ 1.
Is there a role for colposcopy in the follow‐up of treated low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions?
Authors: JONES Simon , SYKES Peter , PATHER Selvan , PEDDIE David
Published: December 2004

Is routine colposcopy justified in the follow up of treated low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LGSIL) of the cervix? This retrospective study analysed the notes of women treated at a public hospital colposcopy clinic over a 5‐year period. Two hundred and fifty women fulfilled the inclusion criteria of whom 11 had persistent disease. Of these, only one case of LGSIL was detected by colposcopy in the absence of abnormal cytology. In the present study, routine colposcopy offered minimal additional benefit over cytology.
Diagnosis of Schistosomiasis by Reagent Strip Test for Detection of Circulating Cathodic Antigen
Authors: van Dam G. J. , Wichers J. H. , Ferreira T. M. Falcao , Ghati D. , van Amerongen A. , Deelder A. M.
Published: December 2004

A newly developed reagent strip assay for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis based on parasite antigen detection in urine of infected individuals was evaluated. The test uses the principle of lateral flow through a nitrocellulose strip of the sample mixed with a colloidal carbon conjugate of a monoclonal antibody specific for
Schistosoma
circulating cathodic antigen (CCA). The strip assay to diagnose a group of highly infected schoolchildren in Mwanza, Tanzania, demonstrated a high sensitivity and association with the intensity of infection as measured both by egg counts, and by circulating anodic antigen and CCA levels determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A specificity of ca. 90% was shown in a group of schistosome-negative schoolchildren from Tarime, Tanzania, an area where schistosomiasis is not endemic. The test is easy to perform and requires no technical equipment or special training. The stability of the strips and the conjugate in the dry format lasts for at least 3 months at ambient temperature in sealed packages, making it suitable for transport and use in areas where schistosomiasis is endemic. This assay can easily be developed to an end-user format.
Burkholderia cepaciaIs Associated with Pulmonary Hypertension and Increased Mortality among Cystic Fibrosis Patients
Authors: Fauroux Brigitte , Hart Nicholas , Belfar Samira , Boulé Michèle , Tillous-Borde Isabelle , Bonnet Damien , Bingen Edouard , Clément Annick
Published: December 2004

The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact ofBurkholderia cepaciaon cardiovascular status and mortality in cystic fibrosis. Seven patients infected withB. cepaciawere matched with 31 patients not infected with this organism for gender, age, height, weight, genotype, and percent predicted forced expiratory volume in one second, partial arterial oxygen pressure, and pancreatic sufficiency status. The pulmonary artery systolic pressure, as assessed by transthoracic echocardiography, was significantly higher in patients infected withB. cepacia(61.3 ± 17.2 mm Hg) than in controls (37.3 ± 13.9 mm Hg;P= 0.02), and the mean acceleration time was significantly lower (77 ± 33 ms versus 108 ± 25 ms;P= 0.02). The 6-month mortality was significantly higher in patients infected withB. cepacia(57% versus 16%;P= 0.02). Six of the seven patients infected withB. cepaciaharbored the same ribotype (genomovar II,B. multivorans). Pulmonary hypertension was significantly more frequent in patients infected byB. cepaciaand could contribute to the increased mortality rate.
Differentiation of
Campylobacter coli
,
Campylobacter jejuni
,
Campylobacter lari
, and
Campylobacter upsaliensis
by a Multiplex PCR Developed from the Nucleotide Sequence of the Lipid A Gene
lpxA
Authors: Klena John D. , Parker Craig T. , Knibb Krista , Ibbitt J. Claire , Devane Phillippa M. L. , Horn Sharon T. , Miller William G. , Konkel Michael E.
Published: December 2004

We describe a multiplex PCR assay to identify and discriminate between isolates of
Campylobacter coli
,
Campylobacter jejuni
,
Campylobacter lari
, and
Campylobacter upsaliensis
. The
C. jejuni
isolate F38011
lpxA
gene, encoding a UDP-
N
-acetylglucosamine acyltransferase, was identified by sequence analysis of an expression plasmid that restored wild-type lipopolysaccharide levels in
Escherichia coli
strain SM105 [
lpxA
(Ts)]. With oligonucleotide primers developed to the
C. jejuni lpxA
gene, nearly full-length
lpxA
amplicons were amplified from an additional 11 isolates of
C. jejuni
, 20 isolates of
C. coli
, 16 isolates of
C. lari
, and five isolates of
C. upsaliensis
. The nucleotide sequence of each amplicon was determined, and sequence alignment revealed a high level of species discrimination. Oligonucleotide primers were constructed to exploit species differences, and a multiplex PCR assay was developed to positively identify isolates of
C. coli
,
C. jejuni
,
C. lari
, and
C. upsaliensis.
We characterized an additional set of 41 thermotolerant isolates by partial nucleotide sequence analysis to further demonstrate the uniqueness of each species-specific region. The multiplex PCR assay was validated with 105 genetically defined isolates of
C. coli
,
C. jejuni
,
C. lari
, and
C. upsaliensis
, 34 strains representing 12 additional
Campylobacter
species, and 24 strains representing 19 non-
Campylobacter
species. Application of the multiplex PCR method to whole-cell lysates obtained from 108 clinical and environmental thermotolerant
Campylobacter
isolates resulted in 100% correlation with biochemical typing methods.
Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis Study of
Mycobacterium abscessus
Isolates Previously Affected by DNA Degradation
Authors: Zhang Yansheng , Yakrus Mitchell A. , Graviss Edward A. , Williams-Bouyer Natalie , Turenne Christine , Kabani Amin , Wallace Richard J.
Published: December 2004

DNA degradation (which results in a smear pattern) occurs with almost 50% of
Mycobacterium abscessus
strains during pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). We assessed the potential benefit of using thiourea-containing buffer with
M. abscessus
by studying 69 isolates not previously typeable by PFGE (i.e., those with a smear pattern). Random (epidemiologically unrelated) isolates that were typeable (no smear pattern) were included as controls. Genomic DNA was digested with DraI, XbaI, and AseI. PFGE gels were run in regular gel buffer with and without 100 μM thiourea. All 69 isolates that generated smear patterns had clear band profiles when the thiourea buffer was used. These isolates were divided into only 30 patterns with DraI, 20 patterns with XbaI, and 20 patterns with AseI. The molecular profiles were all closely or possibly related, and the differences between the isolates ranged from zero to six bands. By multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MEE), 45 of 53 smear isolates (85%) belonged to two closely related electrophoretic types. These isolates contained at least one enzyme allele seen almost exclusively in this group. Isolates without smear patterns were unaffected by thiourea and produced unrelated PFGE profiles, as well as multiple MEE types. The
hsp65
and 16S rRNA gene sequences of the isolates with smear patterns were identical to those of
M. abscessus
type strain ATCC 19977, which had a nonsmear pattern, suggesting that this clone is a subgroup within
M. abscessus
. This demonstrates that the inability to type
M. abscessus
by PFGE is associated with a single clone of organisms.
Detection of Virulence-Associated Genes Not Useful for Discriminating between Invasive and Commensal
Staphylococcus epidermidis
Strains from a Bone Marrow Transplant Unit
Authors: Rohde Holger , Kalitzky Matthias , Kröger Nicolaus , Scherpe Stefanie , Horstkotte Matthias A. , Knobloch Johannes K.-M. , Zander Axel R. , Mack Dietrich
Published: December 2004

Because of their biofilm-forming capacity, invasive
Staphylococcus epidermidis
isolates, which cause the majority of nosocomial catheter-related bloodstream infections (BSIs), are thought to be selected at the time of catheter insertion from a population of less virulent commensal strains. This fact allows the prediction that invasive and contaminating strains can be differentiated via detection of virulence-associated genes. However, the hospital environment may pave the way for catheter-related infections by promoting a shift in the commensal bacterial population toward strains with enhanced virulence. The distribution of virulence-associated genes (
icaADBC
,
aap
,
atlE
,
bhp
,
fbe
,
embp
,
mecA
, IS
256
, and
IS257
), polysaccharide intercellular adhesin synthesis, and biofilm formation were investigated in
S. epidermidis
strains from independent episodes of catheter-related BSIs in individuals who have received bone marrow transplantation (BMT). The results were compared with those obtained for commensal
S. epidermidis
isolates from hospitalized patients after BMT and from healthy individuals, respectively. The clonal relationships of the strains were investigated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.
icaADBC
,
mecA
, and IS
256
were significantly more prevalent in BSI isolates than in commensal isolates from healthy individuals. However, the prevalence of any of the genes in clonally independent, endogenous commensal strains from BMT patients did not differ from that in invasive BSI strains.
icaADBC
and methicillin resistance, factors important for the establishment of catheter-related infections, already ensure survival of the organisms in their physiological habitat in the hospital environment, resulting in a higher probability of contamination of indwelling medical devices with virulent
S. epidermidis
strains. The dynamics of
S. epidermidis
populations reveal that detection of
icaADBC
and
mecA
is not suitable for discriminating invasive from contaminating
S. epidermidis
strains.
Development of a Multilocus Sequence Typing Scheme for the Opportunistic Pathogen
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Curran Barry , Jonas Daniel , Grundmann Hajo , Pitt Tyrone , Dowson Christopher G.
Published: December 2004

A multilocus sequence typing (MLST) scheme has been developed for
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
which provides molecular typing data that are highly discriminatory and electronically portable between laboratories. MLST data confirm the data from previous studies that suggest that
P. aeruginosa
is best described as nonclonal but as having an epidemic population. The index of association was 0.17, indicating a freely recombining population; however, there was evidence of clusters of closely related strains or clonal complexes among the members of this population. It is apparent that the sequence types (STs) from single isolates, representing each of the present epidemic clones in the United Kingdom from Liverpool, Manchester, and the West Midlands, are not closely related to each other. This suggests distinct evolutionary origins for each of these epidemic clones in the United Kingdom. Furthermore, these clones are distinct from European clone C. Comparison of the results of MLST with those of
toxA
typing and serotyping revealed that strains with identical STs may possess different
toxA
types and diverse serotypes. Given that recombination is important in the population of
P. aeruginosa
, the lack of a linkage between
toxA
type and serotype is not surprising and reveals the strength of the MLST approach for obtaining a better understanding of the epidemiology of
P. aeruginosa
.
Variable Number of Tandem Repeats in
Salmonella enterica
subsp.
enterica
for Typing Purposes
Authors: Ramisse Vincent , Houssu Perrine , Hernandez Eric , Denoeud France , Hilaire Valérie , Lisanti Olivier , Ramisse Françoise , Cavallo Jean-Didier , Vergnaud Gilles
Published: December 2004

The genomic sequences of
Salmonella enterica
subsp.
enterica
strains CT18, Ty2 (serovar Typhi), and LT2 (serovar Typhimurium) were analyzed for potential variable number tandem repeats (VNTRs). A multiple-locus VNTR analysis (MLVA) of 99 strains of
S. enterica
supsp.
enterica
based on 10 VNTRs distinguished 52 genotypes and placed them into four groups. All strains tested were independent human isolates from France and did not reflect isolates from outbreak episodes. Of these 10 VNTRs, 7 showed variability within serovar Typhi, whereas 1 showed variability within serovar Typhimurium. Four VNTRs showed high Nei's diversity indices (DIs) of 0.81 to 0.87 within serovar Typhi (
n
= 27). Additionally, three of these more variable VNTRs showed DIs of 0.18 to 0.58 within serovar Paratyphi A (
n
= 10). The VNTR polymorphic site within multidrug-resistant (MDR) serovar Typhimurium isolates (
n
= 39; resistance to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, spectinomycin, sulfonamides, and tetracycline) showed a DI of 0.81. Cluster analysis not only identified three genetically distinct groups consistent with the present serovar classification of salmonellae (serovars Typhi, Paratyphi A, and Typhimurium) but also discriminated 25 subtypes (93%) within serovar Typhi isolates. The analysis discriminated only eight subtypes within serovar Typhimurium isolates resistant to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, spectinomycin, sulfonamides, and tetracycline, possibly reflecting the emergence in the mid-1990s of the DT104 phage type, which often displays such an MDR spectrum. Coupled with the ongoing improvements in automated procedures offered by capillary electrophoresis, use of these markers is proposed in further investigations of the potential of MLVA in outbreaks of salmonellosis, especially outbreaks of typhoid fever.
Phylogenetic Analysis and PCR-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism Identification of
Campylobacter
Species Based on Partial
groEL
Gene Sequences
Authors: Kärenlampi R. I. , Tolvanen T. P. , Hänninen M.-L.
Published: December 2004

The phylogeny of 12
Campylobacter
species and reference strains of
Arcobacter butzleri
and
Helicobacter pylori
was studied based on partial 593-bp
groEL
gene sequences. The topology of the phylogenetic neighbor-joining tree based on the
groEL
gene was similar to that of the tree based on the 16S rRNA gene. However,
groEL
was found to provide a better resolution for
Campylobacter
species, with lower interspecies sequence similarities (range, 65 to 94%) compared with those for the 16S rRNA gene (range, 90 to 99%) and high intraspecies sequence similarities (range, 95 to 100%; average, 99%). A new universal reverse primer that amplifies a 517-bp fragment of the
groEL
gene was developed and used for PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis of 68 strains representing 11
Campylobacter
species as well as reference strains of
A. butzlerii
and
H. pylori
. Digestion with the AluI enzyme discriminated all
Campylobacter
species included in the study but showed more intraspecies diversity than digestion with the ApoI enzyme. A hippurate-negative variant of
Campylobacter jejuni
with a high level of
groEL
sequence similarity to both
C. jejuni
(96%) and
C. coli
(94%) gave a unique AluI profile and an ApoI profile identical to those of other
C. jejuni
strains. In conclusion,
groEL
gene sequencing and PCR-RFLP analysis are recommended as valuable tools for the identification of
Campylobacter
species.
Direct Comparison of the BD ProbeTec ET System with In-House LightCycler PCR Assays for Detection of
Chlamydia trachomatis
and
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
from Clinical Specimens
Authors: Koenig Michael G. , Kosha Sandra L. , Doty Brandon L. , Heath David G.
Published: December 2004

The commercial BD ProbeTec ET (BDPT) system for the detection of
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
and
Chlamydia trachomatis
from clinical specimens was compared with our in-house LightCycler real-time PCR (LC-PCR) assays. Specimens initially positive by the BDPT system were retested by our LC-PCR assays. Our results for
C. trachomatis
testing indicate a 91.2% agreement when the results of 114 clinical specimens, initially positive by BDPT over a wide range of method-other-than-acceleration (MOTA) scores, were retested by our LC-PCR assay. The agreement between the two systems improved to 96% when only MOTA scores of >30,000 were retested by the LC-PCR assay. The overall agreement between the two systems for
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
detection from 155 clinical specimens was only 77.4%, with agreement particularly low (24.1%) for MOTA scores ranging from 2,000 to 19,999. Repeat testing of specimens with the BDPT only closely correlated with that seen by others demonstrating that reproducibility of the BDPT system for specimens initially within the MOTA score range from 2,000 to 9,999 is problematic, especially for
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
testing. With our study, we proposed an algorithm for
C. trachomatis
and
N. gonorrhoeae
testing which involves screening with the BDPT system followed by selective use of our in-house LC-PCR assays.
Emergence of Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase (CTX-M-9)-Producing Multiresistant Strains of
Salmonella enterica
Serotype Virchow in Poultry and Humans in France
Authors: Weill François-Xavier , Lailler Renaud , Praud Karine , Kérouanton Annaëlle , Fabre Laëtitia , Brisabois Anne , Grimont Patrick A. D. , Cloeckaert Axel
Published: December 2004

During 2002 to 2003, eight
Salmonella enterica
serotype Virchow poultry and poultry product isolates from various sources (chicken farms, poultry slaughterhouse, or retail store) and one
S. enterica
rough strain isolated from human feces were found to produce extended-spectrum β-lactamase CTX-M-9. Poultry and poultry product isolates were recovered from different locations in the southwest of France. The human rough isolate had sequences of flagellin genes (
fliC
and
fljB
) typical of serotype Virchow and ribotyping and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns closely similar to those of serotype Virchow strains. PFGE confirmed the clonal relationship between the poultry isolates, while the human isolate displayed a pattern with 94% homology. The
bla
CTX-M-9
gene was located on a conjugative plasmid and was shown to be linked to orf513. Plasmid profiling found a very similar EcoRI restriction pattern in six transconjugants studied, including transconjugants obtained from the human isolate. A single hatchery, supplying chicks to the six farms, was identified. Emergence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing
S. enterica
strains in food animals is a major concern, as such strains could disseminate on a large scale and lead to antibiotic therapy difficulties.
Mapping of Genomic Segments of Influenza B Virus Strains by an Oligonucleotide Microarray Method
Authors: Ivshina Anna V. , Vodeiko Galina M. , Kuznetsov Vladimir A. , Volokhov Dmitry , Taffs Rolf , Chizhikov Vladimir I. , Levandowski Roland A. , Chumakov Konstantin M.
Published: December 2004

Similar to other segmented RNA viruses, influenza viruses can exchange genome segments and form a wide variety of reassortant strains upon coreplication within a host cell. Therefore, the mapping of genome segments of influenza viruses is essential for understanding their phenotypes. In this work, we have developed an oligonucleotide microarray hybridization method for simultaneous genotyping of all genomic segments of two highly homologous strains of influenza B virus. A few strain-specific oligonucleotide probes matching each of the eight segments of the viral genomes of the B/Beijing/184/93 and B/Shangdong/7/97 strains were hybridized with PCR-amplified fluorescently labeled single-stranded DNA. Even though there were a few mismatches among the genomes of the studied virus strains, microarray hybridization showed highly significant and reproducible discrimination ability and allowed us to determine the origins of individual genomic segments in a series of reassortant strains prepared as vaccine candidates. Additionally, we were able to detect the presence of at least 5% of mixed genotypes in virus stocks even when conventional sequencing methods failed, for example, for the NS segment. Thus, the proposed microarray method can be used for (i) rapid and reliable genome mapping of highly homologous influenza B viruses and (ii) extensive monitoring of influenza B virus reassortants and the mixed genotypes. The array can be expanded by adding new oligoprobes and using more quantitative assays to determine the origin of individual genomic segments in series of reassortant strains prepared as vaccine candidates or in mixed virus populations.
DNA Microarrays for Virus Detection in Cases of Central Nervous System Infection
Authors: Boriskin Yury S. , Rice Philip S. , Stabler Richard A. , Hinds Jason , Al-Ghusein Hasan , Vass Keith , Butcher Philip D.
Published: December 2004

A low-density, high-resolution diagnostic DNA microarray comprising 38 gene targets for 13 viral causes of meningitis and encephalitis was constructed. The array has been used for the detection of multiplex PCR-amplified viruses in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and non-CSF specimens. A total of 41 clinical specimens were positive for echoviruses (23 samples), herpes simplex virus type 2 (4 samples), varicella-zoster virus (4 samples), human herpesvirus 7 (1 sample), human herpesvirus 6A (1 sample) and 6B (2 samples), Epstein-Barr virus (three samples), polyomavirus JC (1 sample), and cytomegalovirus (2 samples). Probes for herpes simplex virus type 1, polyomavirus BK, and mumps and measles viruses were also included on the array. Three samples were false negative by the microarray assay due to discordant results between the multiplex PCR for all 13 viruses simultaneously and the virus-specific PCR alone. Fifteen CSF specimens were true negative. The clinical sensitivity, specificity, and negative and positive predictive values of the assay were 93, 100, 100, and 83%, respectively, when the results were compared to those of the single-virus PCR, which was used as the “gold standard.” The microarray-based virus detection assay is qualitative and provides a single-format diagnostic tool for the detection of panviral CNS infections.
Clinical and Serological Variation between Patients Infected with Different Hepatitis B Virus Genotypes
Authors: Kidd-Ljunggren Karin , Myhre Erling , Bläckberg Jonas
Published: December 2004

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) has eight genotypes which have distinct geographical distributions. Studies comparing differences in the clinical outcomes of infections caused by strains with genotype-related variations in the HBV genome have largely compared genotypes B and C and genotypes A and D but not all four genotypes. The present study included 196 HBV-infected patients attending an infectious diseases outpatient clinic in Sweden. The age and geographic origin, liver function, HBeAg and anti-HBe status, and the presence or absence of HBV DNA were analyzed for each patient. HBV DNA was detected in 144 patients, and the HBV genotype and the core promoter and precore sequences were determined for the isolates from 101 of these patients. Among the patients who might be considered most likely to be nonviremic, namely, anti-HBe-positive HBV carriers with normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, 65% had detectable HBV DNA and were thus viremic. Among the viremic patients, HBeAg-positive patients were more likely to have elevated ALT levels than anti-HBe-positive patients. HBV genotypes A to F were represented in the study, and their distributions coincided accurately with the origin of the patient. A significantly higher number of genotype D-infected patients were anti-HBe positive and had elevated ALT levels (42% of genotype D-infected patients but 0% of patients infected with genotypes B and C). Genotype D strains with mutations in the core promoter and precore regions were significantly correlated with elevated ALT levels in the patients. The differences were not age related. Therefore, in this large-scale cross-sectional study, genotype D appears to be associated with more active disease.
Azithromycin Retards
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Biofilm Formation
Authors: Gillis Richard J. , Iglewski Barbara H.
Published: December 2004

Using a flow cell biofilm model, we showed that a sub-MIC of azithromycin (AZM) can delay but not inhibit
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
biofilm formation and results in the development of a stable AZM resistance phenotype. Furthermore, mature biofilms were not affected by AZM.
Identification and Discrimination of
Burkholderia pseudomallei
,
B. mallei
, and
B. thailandensis
by Real-Time PCR Targeting Type III Secretion System Genes
Authors: Thibault F. M. , Valade E. , Vidal D. R.
Published: December 2004

Burkholderia pseudomallei
and
B. mallei
are two highly pathogenic bacteria, responsible for melioidosis and glanders, respectively. The two are closely related and can also be mistaken for
B. thailandensis
, a nonpathogenic species. To improve their differential identification, we describe a hydrolysis probe-based real-time PCR method using the uneven distribution of type III secretion system genes among these three species.
Broth Microdilution Susceptibility Testing of
Francisella tularensis
: Quality Control Limits for Nine Antimicrobial Agents and Three Standard Quality Control Strains
Authors: Brown Steven D. , Krisher Karen , Traczewski Maria M.
Published: December 2004

For broth microdilution susceptibility tests of
Francisella tularensis
, Mueller-Hinton broth with 2% Isovitalex is recommended. Using that medium, we studied three standard control strains tested with nine antimicrobial agents potentially efficacious for treating tularemia. An eight-laboratory collaborative study generated the data needed to propose appropriate MIC control limits.
Clinical Isolates ofStaphylococcus intermediusMasquerading as Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureus
Authors: Pottumarthy Sudha , Schapiro Jeffrey M. , Prentice Jennifer L. , Houze Yolanda B. , Swanzy Susan R. , Fang Ferric C. , Cookson Brad T.
Published: December 2004

Staphylococcus intermediusis a zoonotic organism that can be associated with human disease. We report two separate cases ofS. intermediusinfection in which a false-positive rapid penicillin binding protein 2a latex test in conjunction with the phenotypic properties of β-hemolysis and coagulase positivity allowed the clinical isolates to masquerade as methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus. 16S rRNA gene sequencing and the absence ofmecArevealed the strains to be methicillin-susceptibleS. intermedius.
Comparison of PCR- and HinfI Restriction Endonuclease-Based Methods for Typing of
Candida krusei
Isolates
Authors: Sancak Banu , Rex John H. , Chen Enuo , Marr Kieren
Published: December 2004

We compared HinfI restriction endonuclease-based analysis of genomic DNA with a PCR-based method for molecular typing of 90
Candida krusei
isolates from 17 geographically related patients. Strain groupings by these methods were the same for 89 of 90 isolates. Ten of 17 patients were infected with related strains of
C. krusei
.
Characterization of Hemolytic
Escherichia coli
Strains in Ferrets: Recognition of Candidate Virulence Factor CNF1
Authors: Marini Robert P. , Taylor Nancy S. , Liang Alvin Y. , Knox Kimberly A. , Peña Jeremy Andrew , Schauer David B. , Fox James G.
Published: December 2004

Diseases associated with
Escherichia coli
infection are the subject of renewed interest due to emerging conditions such as hemolytic uremia syndrome. A collection of 15 strains of beta-hemolytic
E. coli
was isolated from diarrheic feces and diseased tissues of ferrets. All 15 strains were positive in specific PCR assays for the presence of
hlyA
,
pap1
, and
cnf1
. Seven of the
cnf1
-positive isolates were tested and shown to have a cytopathic effect on HeLa cell monolayers. The pathogenesis of these strains warrants future study.
Detection of Resistance to Gatifloxacin and Moxifloxacin in
Streptococcus pneumoniae
with the VITEK 2 Instrument
Authors: Jorgensen J. H. , Crawford S. A. , McElmeel L. M. , Whitney C. G.
Published: December 2004

A group of 72 pneumococcal isolates resistant or intermediate to levofloxacin and 124 pneumococcal isolates susceptible to fluoroquinolones were tested by the VITEK 2 instrument using investigational test cards and by a broth microdilution reference method. The VITEK 2 instrument performed well, detecting 52 of 60 (86.7%) gatifloxacin-resistant isolates and 22 of 23 moxifloxacin-resistant isolates, and did not falsely classify any susceptible isolates as resistant.
Refractory Candidal Meningitis in an Immunocompromised Patient Cured by Caspofungin
Authors: Liu Kung-Hung , Wu Chi-Jung , Chou Chen-Hsi , Lee Hsin-Chun , Lee Nan-Yao , Hung Shao-Tsung , Ko Wen-Chien
Published: December 2004

Candidal meningitis is a rare infectious disease that usually leads to substantial morbidity and mortality. We present a case of candidal meningitis refractory to systemic antifungal therapy (amphotericin B and fluconazole). A 63-year-old female with lymphoblastic lymphoma and myelodysplasia with leukemia transformation developed prolonged fever and headache on the seventh day following intrathecal prophylactic chemotherapy. A lumbar puncture showed neutrophilic pleocytosis, and a cerebrospinal fluid culture yielded
Candida albicans
. The clinical course was complicated by brain edema, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and hydrocephalus. Parenteral therapy with amphotericin B alone or amphotericin B in combination with fluconazole or intrathecal administration of amphotericin B failed to eradicate
C. albicans
in the cerebrospinal fluid. After 7 days of caspofungin therapy, however, the cerebrospinal fluid became sterile and the patient gradually regained consciousness. She was discharged 1 month after completing 4 weeks of caspofungin therapy. There were two critical issues we thought to be relevant to the favorable outcome of this case. First, isolation of
C. albicans
was achieved by inoculating enriched liquid medium with cerebrospinal fluid. Second, there is a potential therapeutic benefit of caspofungin in treating a fungal infection of the central nervous system.
Usefulness of PCR Analysis for Diagnosis of Alveolar Echinococcosis with Unusual Localizations: Two Case Studies
Authors: Georges Sophie , Villard Odile , Filisetti Denis , Mathis Alexander , Marcellin Luc , Hansmann Yves , Candolfi Ermanno
Published: December 2004

The report presents two cases where diagnosis of alveolar echinococcosis was confirmed by
Echinococcus multilocularis
and
Echinococcus granulosus
PCR. The extrahepatic osseous involvement and the absence of initial hepatic involvement are unusual in both cases. Due to limitations of serological interpretation, PCR was useful to diagnose atypical echinococcosis.
Streptomyces albus
Isolated from a Human Actinomycetoma and Characterized by Molecular Techniques
Authors: Martín Maria Cruz , Manteca Angel , Castillo María Luisa , Vázquez Fernando , Méndez Francisco Javier
Published: December 2004

A
Streptomyces albus
forearm actinomycetoma that could not be identified by culture was properly identified at the species level by study of an internal fragment of the heat shock protein gene, comparative sequence analysis of 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA), and the hypervariable γ-region of the 16S rDNA.
Engagement in safety practices to prevent home injuries in preschool children among white and non-white ethnic minority families
Authors: Mulvaney C , Kendrick D
Published: December 2004

Objective:To examine engagement in home safety practices to prevent injuries in preschool children among white and non-white ethnic minority families.

Design:A self completion postal questionnaire assessed sociodemographic characteristics and engagement in home safety practices.

Setting:Deprived areas in the city of Nottingham, United Kingdom.

Subjects:3906 caregivers of children aged under 5 years.

Main outcome measures:Use of fireguards, stair gates, smoke alarms, window locks and safe storage of medicines, sharp objects, and cleaning products.

Results:Of the 3906 families, 3805 gave their ethnic origin of which 16.5% classed themselves as from a non-white ethnic minority. The safety practices most commonly adopted by respondents were safe storage of medicines (87.9%) and use of smoke alarms (72.3%). Respondents from non-white ethnic minorities were significantly less likely to adopt all safety practices except they were less likely than whites to store sharp objects unsafely (odds ratio (OR) 0.68, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.56 to 0.84). Those from non-white ethnic minorities were significantly more likely to indicate that they “did not know they could get” fireguards (adjusted OR 6.01, 95% CI 2.64 to 13.65), stair gates (adjusted OR 4.47, 95% CI 1.53 to 13.05), and cupboard locks (adjusted OR 3.96, 95% CI 2.77 to 5.66) than whites. They were also significantly more likely to say they would need help fitting fireguards (adjusted OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.03 to 3.81), stair gates (adjusted OR 3.61, 95% CI 2.11 to 6.17), and cupboard locks (adjusted OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.39 to 2.54).

Conclusions:Our results support the hypothesis that families from non-white ethnic minorities are less likely to engage in some safety practices and illustrate inequalities in access to information regarding the availability and fitting of safety equipment. Further work is required to examine the association between adoption of safety practices and injury rates in children from non-white ethnic minorities.
Satellite-pointing retrieval from atmospheric limb-scattering of solar UV-B radiation
Authors: Kaiser J W , Savigny C von , Eichmann K -U , Noël S , Bovensmann H , Frerick J , Burrows J P
Published: December 2004

We present a new algorithm for tangent height retrievals from limb-scattering observations. These observations are performed by satellite-based spectrometers operating in the UV, visible, and short-wave IR spectral ranges. They record the solar radiation scattered in Earth's atmosphere in limb-viewing geometry and aim at vertically resolved retrievals of the atmospheric composition with global coverage. Inaccuracies in the knowledge of the instrument's pointing frequently dominate the error budgets of the atmospheric composition products. Therefore, additional information on satellite pointing is crucial for the quality of all products derived from limb-scattering observations. The information is commonly expressed in terms of the tangent heights. The presented algorithm determines the tangent heights directly from the observed limb radiances by analyzing the shapes of the so-called knee in several UV-B radiance profiles. All vertical pointing information contained in a UV-B fit window is exploited by simultaneously retrieving the ozone profile. The algorithm has been implemented in the toolbox SCIARAYS and named Tangent height Retrieval by UV-B Exploitation (TRUE) knee method. We have applied it to five orbits of SCIAMACHY's limb observations. It achieves a precision of about 200 m when applied to an individual limb scan. The broadband structure of the observations can be reproduced within 1% RMS. A comparison of the retrieved tangent heights with the engineering ones delivered by ESA reveals that the engineering tangent heights exhibit a systematic error, which varies with an amplitude of about 3 km. Its origin is traced to the on-board orbit model of Envisat. PACS Nos.: 94.80.+g, 42.68.Ay, 92.60.Ta, 42.68.Wt, 07.87.+v, 92.70.Cp, and 07.60.Rd
SOFT DIPOLE MODES IN NEUTRON-RICH Ni-ISOTOPES IN QRRPA
Authors: CAO LI-GANG , MA ZHONG-YU
Published: December 2004

The soft dipole modes in neutron-rich even–even Ni-isotopes are investigated in the quasiparticle relativistic random phase approximation. We study the evolution of strengths distribution, centroid energies of dipole excitation in low-lying and normal GDR regions with the increase of the neutron excess. It is found in the present study that the centroid energies of the soft dipole strengths strongly depend on the thickness of neutron skin along with the neutron-rich even–even Ni-isotopes.
SUPERSYMMETRIC SOLUTION OF PT-/NON-PT-SYMMETRIC AND NON-HERMITIAN MORSE POTENTIAL VIA HAMILTONIAN HIERARCHY METHOD
Authors: AKTAŞ METIN , SEVER RAMAZAN
Published: December 2004

Supersymmetric solution of PT-/non-PT-symmetric and non-Hermitian Morse potential is studied to get real and complex-valued energy eigenvalues and the corresponding wave functions. Hamiltonian hierarchy method is used in the calculations.
NEUTRINOS HAVE MASS — SO WHAT?
Authors: DE GOUVÊA ANDRÉ
Published: December 2004

In this brief review, we discuss the new physics unveiled by neutrino oscillation experiments over the past several years, and discuss several attempts at understanding the mechanism behind neutrino masses and lepton mixing. It is fair to say that, while significant theoretical progress has been made, we are yet to construct a coherent picture that naturally explains nonzero, yet tiny, neutrino masses and the newly revealed, puzzling patterns of lepton mixing. We discuss what the challenges are, and point to the fact that more experimental input (from both neutrino and "non-neutrino" experiments) is dearly required – and that new data is expected to reveal, in the next several years, new information. Finally, we draw attention to the fact that neutrinos may have only just begun to reshape fundamental physics, given the fact that we are yet to explain the LSND anomaly and because the neutrino oscillation phenomenon is ultimately sensitive to very small new-physics effects.
FUZZY POSSIBILITIES AS UPPER PREVISIONS
Authors: VICIG PAOLO , BORTOLUSSI LUCA
Published: December 2004

In this paper we analyze, mainly in a finitary setting, the consistency properties of fuzzy possibilities, interpreting them as instances of upper previsions and applying the basic notions of avoiding sure loss and coherence from the theory of imprecise probabilities. It ensues that fuzzy possibilities always avoid sure loss, but satisfy the stronger coherence condition only in a special case. Their natural extension, i.e. their least-committal correction to a coherent upper prevision, is determined. The same analysis is then performed when min is replaced in the definition of fuzzy possibility by a T–norm or, more generally, a seminorm, showing that the consistency properties and also the natural extension remain the same. Some "closure" properties are also discussed, which are guaranteed to hold if the T–seminorm is continuous, and are satisfied by (ordinary) possibilities too.
A FUZZY MULTIPLE OBJECTIVE PROGRAMMING TO DEA WITH IMPRECISE DATA
Authors: YU JING-RUNG , TZENG YEN-CHEN , TZENG GWO-HSHIUNG , YU TZU-YI , SHEU HER-JIUN
Published: December 2004

A fuzzy multiple objective programming approach to data envelopment analysis (DEA) of imprecise data is proposed in this paper. The problems involving a mixture of imprecise and exact data for all decision making units (DMUs) could be resolved and the discriminating power of imprecise DEA (IDEA) is enhanced. Although Cooper et al. have developed IDEA to overcome the issues of imprecise data, the discriminating power is not satisfactory since too many efficient DMUs are derived. Chiang and Tzeng's approach using fuzzy multiple objective programming techniques is adopted to enhance the discriminating power of IDEA. The same data set of Cooper et al. is employed to illustrate the merit of our approach.
ON KNOWLEDGE REDUCTION IN INCONSISTENT DECISION INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Authors: LI DEYU , ZHANG BO , LEUNG YEE
Published: December 2004

Due to issues such as noise in data, compact representation and prediction capability, many types of knowledge reduction and decision rules have been proposed and applied in inconsistent decision information systems. It is thus important to clarify the interrelationships among the existing types of knowledge reduction. In this paper, the relationships, particularly those suggested in [1], are reconsidered and rectified, and some related results are theoretically improved. In terms of two new types of reducts proposed in this paper together with other existing ones, the method for optimizing all types of decision rules is also discussed in details.
INTERVAL METHODS IN KNOWLEDGE REPRESENTATION
Authors: KREINOVICH VLADIK
Published: December 2004

This section is maintained by Vladik Kreinovich. Please send your abstracts (or copies of papers that you want to see reviewed here) to vladik@cs.utep.edu, or by regular mail to: Vladik Kreinovich, Department of Computer Science, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA.
Hepatocyte growth factor induces an endothelin-mediated decline in glomerular filtration rate
Authors: Biswas Purba , Roy Abinash , Gong Rujun , Yango Angelito , Tolbert Evelyn , Centracchio Jason , Dworkin Lance D.
Published: December 2004

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a multifunctional cytokine that plays a crucial role in renal development, injury, and repair. HGF also serves a protective role in chronic renal disease by preventing tissue fibrosis. Endothelin-1 (ET-1), produced primarily by endothelial cells, is a potent vasoconstrictor that also acts as a proinflammatory peptide, promoting vascular injury and renal damage. In addition to mediating a variety of epithelial cell responses, HGF also induces hemodynamic changes that are poorly understood. The aim of the present study was to study the acute and chronic effects of HGF on ET-1 production in the kidney. We hypothesized that hemodynamic changes upon HGF treatment are likely mediated by immediate ET-1 release, whereas protection from renal fibrosis in rats chronically treated with HGF is likely due to suppression of ET-1 production. Acute HGF infusion into rats caused a decline in blood pressure that was enhanced by pretreatment with bosentan (an endothelin A and B receptor antagonist). HGF infusion also resulted in a decline in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) that could be entirely prevented by bosentan, suggesting that HGF acutely increases production and/or release of ET-1, which then mediates the observed decline in GFR. In cultured glomerular endothelial cells, HGF induced ET-1 production in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, although there was an initial increase in ET-1 production upon HGF treatment, longer administration suppressed ET-1 production. This finding was consistent with the observation in vivo of a decrease in ET-1 production in renal parenchyma of rats chronically treated with HGF. Our data suggest both a hemodynamic and biological role for HGF-mediated ET-1 regulation.
Defining the ‘public’ in a public healthcare system
Authors: Contandriopoulos Damien , Denis Jean-Louis , Langley Ann
Published: December 2004

Using data from a larger study on public participation in the Quebec healthcare system, we draw on the sociological theory of Bourdieu to analyze speakers’ in-use definition of ‘the public’ in some 100 interview and observation notes. We found that the definition of ‘the public’ is the subject of a vigorous struggle at the symbolic level. Many actors share a common, but often conflicting, interest in the elaboration and objectification of a given definition of ‘the public’ because their legitimacy is strongly related to their ability to be perceived either as representing the ‘public’ will or as acting in the ‘public’s’ interest. Building upon the categorizations used in the discourses, we are also able to draw a picture of each group of actors’ positions and strategies in this struggle. This picture reveals how the claim to directly represent the public’s ‘will’ is closely related to actors’ lack of formal power to influence decision-making in the system. We then use these observations to discuss the role of discourses in political and symbolical struggles.
Playing the grim reaper: How employees experience carrying out a downsizing
Authors: Clair Judith A. , Dufresne Ronald L.
Published: December 2004

This article reports a qualitative study that explores how employees who are responsible for carrying out a downsizing - ‘downsizing agents’ - experience and react to their downsizing responsibilities. Our results demonstrate that, when the work of carrying out a downsizing becomes emotionally taxing, downsizing agents react by cognitively, emotionally, and physically distancing themselves from their roles. We explore forces that make carrying out a downsizing more taxing and the conditions under which distancing reactions become more likely.
A Prophet Scorned? Ralph Wigram, the Foreign Office and the German Threat, 1933-36
Authors: Neville Peter
Published: December 2004

This article focuses on Wigram’s traditional image as a supporter of Winston Churchill’s anti-appeasement line from his position as Head of the Central Department in the Foreign Office. It questions the traditional portrayal of Wigram and argues that he was much more in the Foreign Office appeasement mainstream than is frequently suggested.
The United States, Britain and the CAT Controversy
Authors: Kaufman Victor S.
Published: December 2004

Starting in 1949, the USA and communist China engaged in a struggle over ownership of 70 aircraft claimed by the American company, Civil Air Transport (CAT). Because the planes were stationed in Hong Kong, it was up to Great Britain to determine ownership. The British subsequently found themselves forced to choose between their American ally and a China that offered a potential threat to their colony. London eventually decided in favour of Washington, but only after a nearly three-year-long legal and diplomatic struggle.
Defending reasonability
Authors: Rasmussen David M.
Published: December 2004

Against arguments that suggest that Rawls’s notion of reasonability is ‘obscure’ and ‘unclear’ I argue in this essay that the idea of reasonability in the later Rawls can be defended in three ways. First, it can be shown that reasonability is fundamental to the architectonic of the later work. Reasonability, and the subordination of reason to reasonability, is fundamental to the later (post-1980) writings. Second, it can be shown that reasonability is not necessarily a vague term as many have claimed. Third, it can be shown that reasonability is fundamental to what Rawls calls the three major new ideas of Political Liberalism: overlapping consensus; the reconception of the priority of the right over the good; and the idea of public reason.