bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recycling, Plastics
Authors: Borchardt John K.
Published: April 2006

Plastics accounted for 11.3% or 26.7 million tons (53.3 billion lb (24.63 kg)) of the > 236 million tons of municipal solid waste generated in the United States in 2003. Other countries also generate large amounts of plastic wastes. While poly(ethylene terephthalate) recycling is best known to consumers, high density polyethylene, other grades of polyethylene, polystyrene, polypropylene and other plastics are also recycled. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved some types of poly(ethylene terephthalate) for food contact applications permitting the use of this recycled plastic in high value applications. The amount of plastics recycled has increased steadily since the early 1990s although the fraction of plastics recycled has varied. This variation is caused in part by variation in the price of crude oil and natural gas, the chemical feedstocks used to make most plastics. With higher oil and natural gas prices, the economics of recycling plastics compares more favorably with producing new plastics directly from these feedstocks. An international trade in recycled plastics, particularly poly(ethylene terephthalate) has developed and accounts for a growing fraction of the used plastics recovered in the United States. Efforts are growing to recycle plastics used in electronics: computers, printers, household appliances, etc, and increasing numbers of these devices reach the end of their useful life and are discarded.
Electromyography (EMG), Needle
Authors: Trontelj Joze , Mihelin M.
Published: April 2006

Needle electromyography (EMG), i.e., extracellular recording of action potentials of muscle fibers with intramuscular electrodes, is a valuable diagnostic method in clinical medicine. It allows the recognition of different types of spontaneous activity, e.g., fibrillation potentials due to denervation, as well as changes in the motor unit potentials related to various disease processes, such as primary muscle diseases, disorders of the neuromuscular junction, or injuries to the peripheral nerves. The technical refinements and the introduction of automated methods of signal analysis made possible by the advent of new technologies have greatly increased versatility of needle EMG, as well as its diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. Physical properties of the EMG signals, characteristics of recording electrodes, features of the recording equipment and the stored data format are among important technical aspects of the method.
Brief Communication: Linear enamel hypoplasia and the shift from irregular to regular provisioning in Cayo Santiago rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta)
Authors: Guatelli‐Steinberg Debbie , Benderlioglu Zeynep
Published: April 2006

This study investigates changes in the prevalence of linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH) before and after the shift from irregular to regular provisioning in the Cayo Santiago rhesus monkey population. Prior to 1956, monkeys on this island colony did not receive consistent provisions, and were reported to be in poor health (Rawlins and Kessler 1986 The Cayo Santiago Macaques; Albany: State University of New York Press). A regular provisioning program, instituted in August 1956, resulted in the improved health of individuals and the growth of the population (Rawlins and Kessler 1986 The Cayo Santiago Macaques; Albany: State University of New York Press). LEH, a developmental defect of enamel, is a sensitive indicator of systemic physiological stress (Goodman and Rose 1990 Yrbk. Phys. Anthropol. 33:59–110). It was therefore hypothesized that the prevalence of LEH would be higher in monkeys who were irregularly provisioned than in monkeys who experienced regular provisioning. To test this hypothesis, teeth were examined for LEH in a sample of 181 female rhesus monkeys. The results support the hypothesis: the mean number of defects was statistically significantly higher in the preprovisioned group than it was in the postprovisioned one. When LEH prevalence was assessed using only defects occurring on antimeric pairs, the preprovisioned group again had a higher prevalence than the postprovisioned one, although the difference was not statistically significant, most likely because of the reduced sample size. The results of this study indicate that changes in LEH prevalence, at least in this population of rhesus monkeys, are associated with changes in nutritional status. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Khoratpithecus piriyai, a Late Miocene hominoid of Thailand
Authors: Chaimanee Yaowalak , Yamee Chotima , Tian Pannipa , Khaowiset Kitti , Marandat Bernard , Tafforeau Paul , Nemoz Christian , Jaeger Jean‐Jacques
Published: April 2006

A Khoratpithecus piriyai lower jaw corresponds to a well‐preserved Late Miocene hominoid fossil from northeastern Thailand. Its morphology and internal structure, using a microcomputed tomography scan, are described and compared to those of other known Miocene hominoids. It originated from fluviatile sand and gravel deposits of a large river, and was associated with many fossil tree trunks, wood fragments, and large vertebrate remains. A biochronological analysis by using associated mammal fauna gives an estimated geological age between 9–6 Ma. The flora indicates the occurrence of a riverine tropical forest and wide areas of grassland. K. piriyai displays many original characters, such as the great breadth of its anterior dentition, suggesting large incisors, large lower M3, a canine with a flat lingual wall, and symphysis structure. Several of its morphological derived characters are shared with the orangutan, indicating sister‐group relationship with that extant ape. This relationship is additionally strongly supported by the absence of anterior digastric muscle scars. These shared derived characters are not present in Sivapithecus, Ankarapithecus, and Lufengpithecus, which are therefore considered more distant relatives to the orangutan than Khoratpithecus. The Middle Miocene K. chiangmuanensis is older, displays more primitive dental characters, and shares several dental characters with the Late Miocene form. It is therefore interpreted as its probable ancestor. But its less enlarged M3 and more wrinkled enamel may suggest an even closer phylogenetic position to orangutan ancestors, which cannot yet be supported because of the incomplete fossil record. Thus Khoratpithecus represents a new lineage of Southeast Asian hominoids, closely related to extant great ape ancestors. Am J Phys Anthropol 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterization of diene monomers as healing agents for autonomic damage repair
Authors: Liu Xing , Lee Jong Keun , Yoon Sung Ho , Kessler Michael R.
Published: April 2006

For effective autonomic healing of damaged polymers and composites, it is essential to understand how the encapsulated healing agent behaves during and after cure. In this study, two different diene monomers [dicyclopentadiene (DCPD), 5‐ethylidene‐2‐norbornene (ENB)] and their blends were investigated as candidate self‐healing agents, using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). DSC experiments for samples showed that DCPD has a melting transition while the blends and ENB have no melting in the temperature range measured. Samples for DMA were prepared and tested by two different methods in the presence of Grubbs catalyst. In the first case (method I), monomers were mixed with the catalyst directly. In the second case (method II), the catalyst was mixed with an epoxy/amine system and cured into a film that was polished to expose the catalyst. The cure behavior of monomer samples was examined on the epoxy/catalyst film. Method II is considered to be a simulative experiment, which can occur in a real situation for damaged epoxy matrix composite. It was found that acceleration of cure reaction and reduction of catalyst concentration is possible by blending DCPD with ENB from method I. Storage modulus (G′) value after cure in method II showed that a DCPD : ENB blend ratio of 1 : 3 reached the highest G′ value at shorter cure time and lower catalyst levels than other monomer combinations. DCPD and ENB are presumably responsible for increases in rigidity and reactivity, respectively. This may improve the healing efficiency in autonomic damage repairing applications. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 1266–1272, 2006
Technological innovation assessment of business‐to‐business electronic marketplaces
Authors: Wu Yen‐Chun Jim , Liu Hsing‐Piao
Published: April 2006

Business opportunities created by the Internet economy and new business methods have triggered the development of the electronic or e‐marketplace, and vice versa. To generate competitive new products/services, Internet firms need to have access to detailed technological innovations to compete. Despite the wealth of literature on e‐marketplaces, research on patent analyses in e‐marketplaces is scarce. The patent is a crucial indicator of the technological competitiveness of a company or a nation. This study provides a preliminary step in depicting a holistic picture of technological innovations associated with e‐marketplace patents. This study analyzes patents issued during the period of 1990–2002 from major databases; hence, it provides the first empirical study on e‐marketplaces and related innovations holistically. A comprehensive set of statistical patent analyses and a discussion on e‐marketplaces' technology by means of a patent map analysis are presented.
Gender and Web information seeking: A self‐concept orientation model
Authors: Hupfer Maureen E. , Detlor Brian
Published: April 2006

Adapting the consumer behavior selectivity model to the Web environment, this paper's key contribution is the introduction of a self‐concept orientation model of Web information seeking. This model, which addresses gender, effort, and information content factors, questions the commonly assumed equivalence of sex and gender by specifying the measurement of gender‐related self‐concept traits known as self‐ and other‐orientation. Regression analyses identified associations between self‐orientation, other‐orientation, and self‐reported search frequencies for content with identical subject domain (e.g., medical information, government information) and differing relevance (i.e., important to the individual personally versus important to someone close to him or her). Self‐ and other‐orientation interacted such that when individuals were highly self‐oriented, their frequency of search for both self‐ and other‐relevant information depended on their level of other‐orientation. Specifically, high‐self/high‐other individuals, with a comprehensive processing strategy, searched most often, whereas high‐self/low‐other respondents, with an effort minimization strategy, reported the lowest search frequencies. This interaction pattern was even more pronounced for other‐relevant information seeking. We found no sex differences in search frequency for either self‐relevant or other‐relevant information.
The tectorial membrane: Anatomical, biomechanical, and histological analysis
Authors: Tubbs R. Shane , Kelly David R. , Humphrey E. Rita , Chua Gina D. , Shoja Mohammadali M. , Salter E. George , Acakpo‐Satchivi Leslie , Wellons John C. , Blount Jeffrey P. , Oakes W. Jerry
Published: April 2006

There is minimal information in the literature regarding the tectorial membrane. Further, information in the literature regarding the anatomy and function of this structure is often contradictory. We performed the current study to elucidate further this structure's detailed anatomy, function, and histology. Thirteen adult cadavers underwent dissection of their tectorial membranes and detailed observations and measurements were made of them. Ranges of motion of the craniocervical junction were performed before and after transection of this structure. Histological analysis was performed on all membranes. The tectorial membrane was found to attach much more superiorly than previously described and was found to be firmly adherent to the cranial base and body of the axis but not to the posterior aspect of the odontoid process. The mean thickness of this membrane was found to be 1 mm. Flexion of the head made the tectorial membrane fully taut at 15° and extension made it fully taut at 20°; however, there was a buckling effect (redundant tectorial membrane) noted at the level of the odontoid process in extension. With the alar and transverse ligaments cut and with flexion of the head, the middle portion of this membrane was stretched over the odontoid process, thus acting as a “hammock” that inhibited the odontoid process from moving posteriorly. The tectorial membrane did not limit cervical flexion per se but rather helped to insure that the odontoid process did not impinge into the cervical canal. Lateral flexion was not found to be limited by this structure. Histologically, parallel collagen fibers with spindle‐shaped fibrocytes were observed within this membrane and near its attachment to the posterior axis, the collagen fibers were noted to be more homogenous with larger nonspindled fibrocytes. At the cranial attachment of the tectorial membrane, multiple calcified areas were noted that interdigitated with the underlying bone. Also near this cephalic bony attachment, there was an increase in the number of elastic fibers, which were found running parallel with the surrounding Type III collagen fibers. The tectorial membrane was found to attach much more superiorly than previously described. We would propose that the tectorial membrane provides for a second line of defense, preventing the odontoid process from compressing the spinal cord and by doing so, secondarily limits movement of the craniocervical juncture. This hypothesis is strengthened by the finding of many elastic fibers in the tectorial membrane. To our knowledge, our study is the first to perform a detailed histological analysis of the tectorial membrane. We hope that these data are useful to the clinician who investigates this ligament of the craniocervical region. Clin. Anat. 20:382–386, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Three‐dimensional reconstruction of the ankle by means of ultrathin slice plastination
Authors: Sora Mircea‐Constantin , Genser‐Strobl Birgit , Radu Jilavu , Lozanoff Scott
Published: April 2006

Computerized reconstruction of anatomical structures is becoming very useful for developing anatomical teaching modules and animations. Although databases exist consisting of serial sections derived from frozen cadaver material, plastination represents an alternate method for developing anatomical data useful for computerized reconstruction. Plastination is used as an excellent tool for studying different anatomical and clinical questions. The sheet plastination technique is unique because it offers the possibility to produce transparent slices series, which can easily be processed morphometrically. The purpose of this study was to describe a method for developing a computerized model of the human ankle using plastinated slices. This method could be applied to reconstruct any desired region of the human body.

A human ankle was obtained, plastinated, sectioned, and subjected to 3D computerized reconstruction using WinSURF modeling system (SURFdriver Software). Qualitative observations revealed that the morphological features of the model were consistent with those displayed by typical cadaveric specimens. Morphometric analysis indicated that the model did not significantly differ from a sample of cadaveric specimens. These data support the use of plastinates for generating tissues sections useful for 3D computerized modeling. Clin. Anat. 20:196–200, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Patterns of the circumflex femoral arteries revisited
Authors: Vazquez M.T. , Murillo J. , Maranillo E. , Parkin I. , Sanudo J.
Published: April 2006

Knowledge of variations of the circumflex femoral arteries is important when undertaking clinical procedures within the femoral region and in hip joint replacement. Since the 19th century, many different patterns have been proposed to classify their origins. This work studied a statistically reliable sample, the lower limbs of 221 embalmed human cadavers (equal right–left and approximately equal sex distributions), and reviewed the previous literature to propose a unified and simple classification that will be useful to clinicians. Statistical comparisons were made using the χ2 test. The medial and lateral circumflex femoral arteries have been classified into three different patterns based on the levels of their origin. Distribution related to sex and side was also studied. Pattern I: Both arteries arose from the deep femoral artery (346 cases, 78.8%). This pattern was more frequent in females, P = 0.01. There was no significant difference between sides. Type Ia, medial circumflex femoral artery origin was proximal to the lateral circumflex femoral artery origin (53.2%); Type Ib, lateral circumflex femoral artery origin was proximal to medial circumflex femoral artery origin (23.4%); Type Ic, both arteries arose from a common trunk (23.4%). Pattern II: One of the arteries arose from the femoral artery and the other from the deep femoral artery (90 cases, 20.5%). Type IIa, the medial circumflex femoral artery arose from the femoral artery (77.8%) and Type IIb, the lateral circumflex femoral artery arose from the femoral artery (22.2%). There were no significant differences between sexes or sides. Pattern III: Both arteries arose from the femoral artery (2 cases, 0.5%). In every disposition there was a significantly higher prevalence of unilateral rather than bilateral occurrence. In one dissection the medial circumflex femoral artery was absent. Awareness of these variations could avoid unexpected injuries. Clin. Anat. 20:180–185, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Treatment of uranium‐contaminated waters using organic‐based permeable reactive barriers
Authors: England Ellen C.
Published: April 2006

A literature review and screening study suggest the feasibility of using low‐cost organic materials within a permeable reactive barrier (PRB) to treat ura‐nium‐contaminated water. Natural peat deposits remove and sequester ura‐nium from ground water under certain geochemical conditions while several species of bacteria, including Desulfovibrio desulfuricans precipitate soluble uranium from solution. Cation exchange capacities were measured for saw‐dust and peat, materials to be used in construction of a small‐scale PRB. Re‐sults of a literature review and the cation exchange capacity measurements suggest that organic materials, such as peat, can be used to remove soluble uranium from contaminated water. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Birds and bombs: How bird conservation planning and the military mission work together
Authors: Eberly Chris , Keating Jeff
Published: April 2006

Department of Defense (DOD) installations with significant natural resources are required to write and implement an Integrated Natural Resources Manage‐ment Plan (INRMP). These plans must support the military training mission but also incorporate principles of ecosystem management at a landscape scale. Bird conservation planning by conservation initiatives such as Partners in Flight is based on a landscape‐level, ecosystem approach and focus on partner‐ships. State and federal programs are working toward similar objectives. We il‐lustrate how the partnerships and science of bird conservation planning benefit INRMPs and support the military mission. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Acyclic N‐halamine‐based fibrous materials: Preparation, characterization, and biocidal functions
Authors: Luo Jie , Sun Yuyu
Published: April 2006

Methacrylamide (MAA) was grafted onto cotton cellulose. The influence of the reaction conditions on the grafting was studied in detail. Upon a chlorine bleach treatment, some of the amide groups in the grafted MAA side chains were transformed into stable acyclic N‐halamines; Hoffman‐type degradation was not observed. The resultant cotton celluloses provided a total kill of 108–109 CFU/mL for Escherichia coli (Gram‐negative bacteria), Staphylococcus aureus (Gram‐positive bacteria), and Candida tropicalis (fungi) in 3 min, 106–107 PFU/mL for the MS2 virus in 5 min, and 106–107 spores/mL for Bacillus subtilis in 4 h. The antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antispore activities were both durable and rechargeable. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 3588–3600, 2006
Predicting calcium‐binding sites in proteins—A graph theory and geometry approach
Authors: Deng Hai , Chen Guantao , Yang Wei , Yang Jenny J.
Published: April 2006

Identifying calcium‐binding sites in proteins is one of the first steps towards predicting and understanding the role of calcium in biological systems for protein structure and function studies. Due to the complexity and irregularity of calcium‐binding sites, a fast and accurate method for predicting and identifying calcium‐binding protein is needed. Here we report our development of a new fast algorithm (GG) to detect calcium‐binding sites. The GG algorithm uses a graph theory algorithm to find oxygen clusters of the protein and a geometric algorithm to identify the center of these clusters. A cluster of four or more oxygen atoms has a high potential for calcium binding. High performance with about 90% site sensitivity and 80% site selectivity has been obtained for three datasets containing a total of 123 proteins. The results suggest that a sphere of a certain size with four or more oxygen atoms on the surface and without other atoms inside is necessary and sufficient for quickly identifying the majority of the calcium‐binding sites with high accuracy. Our finding opens a new avenue to visualize and analyze calcium‐binding sites in proteins facilitating the prediction of functions from structural genomic information. Proteins 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Source and loss rates of radiation belt relativistic electrons during magnetic storms
Authors: Selesnick R. S.
Published: April 2006

A numerical model of the radiation belt electron distribution as a function of equatorial pitch angle, longitude, and time is combined with data from a low‐altitude satellite to estimate the source and loss rates of ∼0.5 to 3 MeV electrons during magnetic storms. The relative intensity levels in the stable trapping and drift loss cone regions provide a measure of the loss rate and associated pitch angle diffusion coefficient. The source rate is that required to maintain the observed stably trapped component. The source mechanism is unspecified and may include a combination of radial diffusion and local acceleration. Adiabatic effects are treated separately and are found to have a minimal influence on parameter estimation in the presence of pitch angle diffusion. Two sample storm periods provide examples of the varying source and loss rates estimated with this method. They show that significant losses during the storm main phase deplete the prestorm radiation belt on a timescale ∼1 hour. It is replenished by a source that acts concurrently or at somewhat later times. Significant but variable source and loss processes may continue during the storm recovery phase. The storm time source and loss rates may result in a net increase or decrease in the stably trapped population relative to the prestorm level. These conclusions are supported by source and loss indices that are defined to provide rough estimates of the fractional source and loss rates from several additional magnetic storms and are readily calculated from the data alone.
Subsurface geostrophic velocities inference from altimeter data: Application to the Sicily Channel (Mediterranean Sea)
Authors: Buongiorno Nardelli Bruno , Cavalieri Olga , Rio Marie‐Hélène , Santoleri Rosalia
Published: April 2006

Coupled Pattern Reconstruction (CPR) and multivariate Empirical Orthogonal Function Reconstruction (mEOF‐R) techniques have been applied to infer the vertical structure of the sea from surface/integrated measurements in the Sicily Channel (Mediterranean Sea). The data used to train the methods are the CTD casts present in the MEDAR/MEDATLAS climatology. The independent test and validation data set consisted of Topex/Poseidon sea level measurements and CTD profiles collected during the SYnoptic Mesoscale PLankton EXperiment (SYMPLEX) 1996 and 1998 cruises. mEOF‐R was found to give the more accurate and promising results, being able to discriminate and reconstruct the main processes that drive the variability inside the channel. In particular, the analysis of the covariance of steric heights, temperature and salinity profiles confirmed that mesoscale processes are predominant. In fact, the first mEOF steric height pattern closely resembles the first baroclinic normal mode estimated from the mean stratification profile. A critical discussion on the signals contributing to the sea level variability has been done before applying the mEOF‐R to altimetric data. The steric contribution of the upper 300 dbar has then been estimated from Topex/Poseidon measurements. The effects of the adjustment of altimeter data with a synthetic mean dynamic topography have also been quantified.
Decoupling of the general scalar field mode and the solution space for Bianchi type I and V cosmologies coupled to perfect fluid sources
Authors: Christodoulakis T. , Grammenos Th. , Helias Ch. , Kevrekidis P. G. , Spanou A.
Published: April 2006

The scalar field degree of freedom in Einstein’s plus matter field equations is decoupled for Bianchi type I and V general cosmological models. The source, apart from the minimally coupled scalar field with arbitrary potential V(Φ), is provided by a perfect fluid obeying a general equation of state p=p(ρ). The resulting ODE is, by an appropriate choice of final time gauge affiliated to the scalar field, reduced to first order, and then the system is completely integrated for arbitrary choices of the potential and the equation of state.
Monolayered Ni–Co alloy nanoparticles template fabricated using a Ni nanoparticle array
Authors: Lim Sung K. , Ban K. S. , Kim Young-Ho , Kim Chang Kyung , Yoon Chong Seung , Jin Sungho
Published: April 2006

A monolayer of Ni–Co alloy nanoparticles in the nanometer-size regime was fabricated on a polyimide film by depositing a 3.5-nm-thick Co thin film on top of the nanosized Ni nanoparticle template followed by thermal annealing. The Ni–Co alloy particles exhibited a dramatic increase in saturation magnetization, especially when the samples were annealed using rapid thermal annealing. The blocking temperature of the nanoparticles also increased to 230K. Such a nanoparticle template process presents a possibility of synthesizing a variety of monolayered nanoisland structures for applications such as nanomagnet arrays, nanophotonic arrays, or nanocatalyst arrays.
Substitution-induced phase transition and enhanced multiferroic properties of Bi1−xLaxFeO3 ceramics
Authors: Zhang Shan-Tao , Zhang Yi , Lu Ming-Hui , Du Chao-Ling , Chen Yan-Feng , Liu Zhi-Guo , Zhu Yong-Yuan , Ming Nai-Ben , Pan X. Q.
Published: April 2006

Single-phase, insulating Bi1−xLaxFeO3 (BLFOx, x=0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.30, and 0.40) ceramics were prepared. An obvious phase transition from rhombohedral to orthorhombic phase was observed near x=0.30. It is found that the phase transition destructs the spin cycloid of BiFeO3 (BFO), and therefore, releases the locked magnetization and enhances magnetoelectric interaction. As a result, improved multiferroic properties of the BLFO0.30 ceramics with remnant polarization and magnetization (2Pr and 2Mr) of 22.4μC∕cm2 and 0.041emu∕g, respectively, were established.
Do all III-V compounds have the zinc-blende or wurtzite ground state structure?
Authors: Ferhat M. , Zaoui A.
Published: April 2006

The zinc-blende (ZB) and wurtzite (W) structures are the most common crystal forms of binary III-V compounds; however, little is known about the stability of the missing Tl-V and III-Bi compounds. Using the state-of-the-art full-potential linearized augmented plane wave method, we investigate systematically the ground state structure of all the Tl-V and III-Bi compounds by calculating the total energy of the ZB, W, and tetragonal (PbO) phases. We found that the PbO phase is the most stable for the heavier III-V compounds: TlSb, TlBi, and InBi.
S
-adenosylmethionine stabilizes cystathionine β-synthase and modulates redox capacity
Authors: Prudova Anna , Bauman Zachary , Braun Aaron , Vitvitsky Victor , Lu Shelly C. , Banerjee Ruma
Published: April 2006

The transsulfuration pathway converts homocysteine to cysteine and represents the metabolic link between antioxidant and methylation metabolism. The first and committing step in this pathway is catalyzed by cystathionine β-synthase (CBS), which is subject to complex regulation, including allosteric activation by the methyl donor,
S
-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet). In this study, we demonstrate that methionine restriction leads to a >10-fold decrease in CBS protein levels, and pulse proteolysis studies reveal that binding of AdoMet stabilizes the protein against degradation by ≈12 kcal/mol. These observations predict that under pathological conditions where AdoMet levels are diminished, CBS, and therefore glutathione levels, will be reduced. Indeed, we demonstrate this to be the case in a mouse model for spontaneous steatohepatitis in which the gene for the
MAT1A
isoenzyme encoding AdoMet synthetase has been disrupted, and in human hepatocellular carcinoma, where
MAT1A
is silenced. Furthermore, diminished CBS levels are associated with reduced cell viability in hepatoma cells challenged with
tert
-butyl hydroperoxide. This study uncovers a mechanism by which CBS is allosterically activated by AdoMet under normal conditions but is destabilized under pathological conditions, for redirecting the metabolic flux toward methionine conservation. A mechanistic basis for the coordinate changes in redox and methylation metabolism that are a hallmark of several complex diseases is explained by these observations.
Risk Factors for and Clinical Outcomes of Bloodstream Infections Caused by Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Kang Cheol-In , Kim Sung-Han , Kim Dong Min , Park Wan Beom , Lee Ki-Deok , Kim Hong-Bin , Oh Myoung-don , Kim Eui-Chong , Choe Kang-Won
Published: April 2006

Objective:

To evaluate risk factors and treatment outcomes of bloodstream infections caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL-KP).

Design:

Retrospective case-control study. Stored blood isolates of K. pneumoniae were tested for ESBL production by NCCLS guidelines, double-disk synergy test, or both.

Setting:

A 1,500-bed, tertiary-care university hospital and referral center.

Patients:

Sixty case-patients with bacteremia due to ESBL-KP were compared with 60 matched control-patients with non-ESBL-KP.

Results:

There were no significant differences in age, gender, APACHE II score, or underlying diseases between the groups. Independent risk factors for infections caused by ESBL-KP were urinary catheterization, invasive procedure within the previous 72 hours, and an increasing number of antibiotics administered within the previous 30 days. Complete response rate, evaluated 72 hours after initial antimicrobial therapy, was higher among control-patients (13.3% vs 36.7%; P = .003). Treatment failure rate was higher among case-patients (35.0% vs 15%; P = .011). Overall 30-day mortality rate was 30% for case-patients and 28.3% for control-patients (P = .841). Case-patients who received imipenem or ciprofloxacin as a definitive antibiotic had 10.5% mortality. The mortality rate for initially ineffective therapy was no higher than that for initially effective therapy (9.1% vs 11.1%; P = 1.000), but statistical power was low for evaluating mortality in the absence of septic shock.

Conclusion:

For K. pneumoniae bacteremia, patients with ESBL-KP had a higher initial treatment failure rate but did not have higher mortality if antimicrobial therapy was appropriately adjusted in this study with limited statistical power.
Incidence of Urinary Tract Infection Following Transrectal Ultrasound Guided Prostate Biopsy at a Tertiary-Care Medical Center in Lebanon
Authors: Otrock Zaher K. , Oghlakian Gerard O. , Salamoun Mariana M. , Haddad Maurice , Bizri Abdul Rahman N.
Published: April 2006

Objective:

To determine the incidence of urinary tract infections (UTIs) following transrectal ultrasound guided needle biopsy of the prostate (TRUBP) and the bacteriology of these infections.

Design:

Retrospective evaluation of the charts and records of all patients who underwent TRUBP between June 1, 2002, and August 31, 2003.

Setting:

American University of Beirut Medical Center, a tertiary-care center in Lebanon.

Patients:

Two hundred seven patients underwent TRUBP. All received prophylactic antibiotics. One hundred twenty (58%) received ciprofloxacin alone, whereas 87 (42%) received both ciprofloxacin and gentamicin. Sixty-one patients (29.5%) had an enema prior to the procedure, whereas 146 (70.5%) did not.

Results:

Thirteen patients (6.3%) were admitted with UTI. All had rigors and fever on admission. Symptoms appeared at a mean of 2.7 days and the mean hospital stay was 9.2 days. The mean duration of antibiotic treatment was 23.2 days. Ten (77%) of the patients had positive bacteriology. Urine cultures were positive in 8 (61.5%) of the patients and blood cultures in 6 (46.2%). All positive cultures grew Escherichia coli resistant to ciprofloxacin, with 5 isolates producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamases.

Conclusions:

TRUBP continues to be associated with significant infectious complications, especially UTI. Given the increasing incidence of antibiotic resistance mainly among the Enterobacteriaceae, antimicrobial prophylaxis practices should be reevaluated and the universal administration of quinolones alone or in combination with aminoglycosides should be reconsidered.
A Cluster of Nosocomial Klebsiella oxytoca Bloodstream Infections in a University Hospital
Authors: Sardan Yesim Cetinkaya , Zarakolu Pinar , Altun Belgin , Yildirim Aycan , Yildirim Gonul , Hascelik Gulsen , Uzun Omrum
Published: April 2006

Background:

On February 19, 2003, four patients (patients 1-4) in the neurology ward underwent cranial magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and developed fever within 1 hour afterward. Klebsiella oxytoca was isolated from blood cultures of patients 1 through 3.

Objective:

To identify the source of this cluster of nosocomial K. oxytoca bloodstream infections.

Design:

Outbreak investigation.

Setting:

A 1,000-bed university hospital.

Methods:

The infection control team reviewed patient charts and interviewed nursing staff about the preparation and administration of parenteral fluids. The procedure of cranial MRA was observed. Arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction (AP-PCR) was performed to show the clonal relationship among these three strains.

Results:

AP-PCR revealed that three K. oxytoca isolates had the same molecular profile. Cranial MRA was found to be the only common source among these patients. During MRA, before injection of the contrast medium, normal saline solution was infused to check the functioning of the intravenous catheter. Use of the solution for multiple patients was routine, but the access diaphragm of the bottle was not cleansed. The bottle of normal saline solution used on February 19 had already been discarded and the culture sample taken from the solution on the day of observation was sterile.

Conclusions:

We speculate that normal saline solution became contaminated during manipulation and that successive uses might have been responsible for this cluster. Poor aseptic techniques employed during successive uses appear to be the most likely route of contamination. Use of parenteral solutions for multiple patients was discontinued..
Improving the Rates of Inpatient Pneumococcal Vaccination: Impact of Standing Orders Versus Computerized Reminders to Physicians
Authors: Coyle Christina M. , Currie Brian P.
Published: April 2006

Objective:

To determine the impact of interventions using standing orders and computerized reminders to physicians on inpatient pneumococcal vaccination rates relative to a control group.

Design:

Open trial of the following approaches, each on a different ward: (1) standing orders for vaccination of eligible consenting patients, (2) computerized reminders to physicians, and (3) usual practice.

Setting And Patients:

Four hundred twenty-four patients were admitted to three 30-bed inpatient medical wards during a 4-month period in 1999 at one hospital. Unvaccinated patients 65 years or older and competent to give oral consent were included.

Intervention:

A pharmacist activated a standing orders protocol for vaccination of all eligible consenting patients on one ward and computerized reminders to physicians on a second ward. A third ward served as a control group.

Results:

Forty-two patients met inclusion criteria and accepted vaccination in the standing orders arm versus 35 patients in the computerized reminder arm. Vaccination rates on the standing orders ward included 98% of those eligible and accepting vaccination, 73% of eligible patients, and 28% of all patients admitted. Rates on the computerized reminder ward were 23%, 15%, and 7%, respectively. All of the rates from the standing orders ward were significantly greater than those from the computerized reminder ward (P < .0001). Only 0.6% of all patients on the control arm were vaccinated.

Conclusion:

Although both interventions were effective in increasing inpatient pneumococcal vaccination rates relative to baseline practice, physician independent initiation of standing orders was clearly more effective.
Surveillance for Transmission and antibiotic Adverse Events Among Neonates and Adults Exposed to a Healthcare Worker With Pertussis
Authors: Friedman Dara S. , Robinette Curtis C. , Schauer Stephanie L. , Salvi Susan , Klapholz Henry , Treadwell Thomas , Wortzman Jerry , Bisgard Kristine M. , Lett Susan M.
Published: April 2006

Background:

During a hospital obstetric rotation, a medical student demonstrated classic symptoms of pertussis. The diagnosis was confirmed by isolation of Bordetella pertussis. Because this exposure occurred in a high-risk hospital setting, control measures were undertaken to prevent transmission and illness.

Objectives:

To identify secondary cases of pertussis, to determine compliance with chemoprophylaxis recommendations, and to monitor for adverse events associated with chemoprophylaxis following a hospital exposure to pertussis.

Patients:

More than 500 individuals were potentially exposed, including 168 neonates; antimicrobial chemoprophylaxis was administered to 281 individuals. Fifty-eight neonates and 194 adults began azithromycin chemoprophylaxis; 18 neonates and 2 adults began erythromycin chemoprophylaxis.

Methods:

Active surveillance was instituted for (1) secondary cases of pertussis among healthcare coworkers, obstetric patients, their neonates, and labor companions and (2) antibiotic compliance and tolerance.

Results:

No secondary cases of pertussis were confirmed by laboratory tests; however, 26 suspected cases and 5 clinically compatible cases were identified. Antibiotic courses were completed by 95% of the individuals who initiated therapy. Neonates taking azithromycin had statistically significantly less gastrointestinal distress compared with neonates taking erythromycin (12% vs 50%; P = .002); there were no cases of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.

Conclusions:

Although it was not possible to assess the effectiveness of the antibiotic regimens, the lack of laboratory-confirmed secondary cases suggests control measures were successful. Data from the 58 neonates who received azithromycin suggest it may be well tolerated in this age group.
Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections in Intensive Care Units Can Be Reduced by Prompting Physicians to Remove Unnecessary Catheters
Authors: Huang Wei-Chun , Wann Shue-Ren , Lin Shoa-Lin , Kunin Calvin M. , Kung Ming-Ho , Lin Chin-Hsun , Hsu Chien-Wei , Liu Chun-Peng , Lee Susan Shin-Jung , Liu Yung-Ching , Lai Kwok-Hung , Lin Tzu-Wen
Published: April 2006

Objective:

Indwelling urinary catheters are the most common source of infections in intensive care units (ICUs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of nurse-generated daily reminders to physicians to remove unnecessary urinary catheters 5 days after insertion.

Design:

A time-sequence nonrandomized intervention study.

Setting:

Adult ICUs (medical, surgical, cardiovascular surgical, neurosurgical, and coronary care) of a tertiary-care university medical center.

Patients:

All patients admitted to the adult ICUs during a 2-year period. The study consisted of a 12-month observational phase (15,960 patient-days) followed by a 12-month intervention phase (15,525 patient-days).

Intervention:

Daily reminders to physicians from the nursing staff to remove unnecessary urinary catheters 5 days after insertion.

Results:

The duration of urinary catheterization was significantly reduced during the intervention phase (from 7.0 ± 1.1 days to 4.6 ± 0.7 days; P < .001). The rate of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) was also significantly reduced (from 11.5 ± 3.1 to 8.3 ± 2.5 patients with CAUTI per 1,000 catheter-days; P = .009). There was a linear relationship between the monthly average duration of catheterization and the rate of CAUTI (r = 0.50; P = .01). The excess monthly cost of antibiotics for CAUTI was reduced by 69% (from $4,021 ± $1,800 to $1,220 ± $941; P = .004).

Conclusion:

This study demonstrated that a simple measure instituted as part of a continuous quality improvement program significantly reduced the duration of urinary catheterization, rate of CAUTI, and additional costs of antibiotics to manage CAUTI.
Nosocomial Pertussis Outbreak Among Adult Patients and Healthcare Workers
Authors: Bassinet Laurence , Matrat Mireille , Njamkepo Elisabeth , Aberrane Said , Housset Bruno , Guiso Nicole
Published: April 2006

We describe a pertussis outbreak among adult patients in a French general hospital following transmission from a healthcare worker. This index case transmitted pertussis to other healthcare workers, who, in turn, contaminated other staff and two immuno-suppressed patients. This raises questions about infection control.
Should Electronic Faucets Be Recommended in Hospitals?
Authors: Chaberny Iris F. , Gastmeier Petra
Published: April 2006

Microbiological examinations of electronic faucets newly installed in a hospital kitchen revealed high bacteria counts and Pseudomonas aeruginosa during a 6-month period of observation. Our data suggest that the use of electronic faucets poses a potential risk for nosocomial infection in high-risk areas of hospitals.
Colonization of Personal Digital Assistants Carried by Healthcare Professionals
Authors: Hassoun Ali , Vellozzi Ernestine M. , Smith Miriam A.
Published: April 2006

This study evaluated personal digital assistant (PDA) microbial colonization before and after cleaning with alcohol. Samples from 75 PDAs were processed. Before cleaning, 96% of the samples were culture positive. After cleaning, 75% became culture negative. PDAs cleaned with an alcohol swab demonstrated significant reduction in colonization.
Rapid Creation of a Temporary Isolation Ward for Patients With Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in Taiwan
Authors: Fung Chang-Phone , Hsieh Tsorng-Liu , Tan Kuang-Huan , Loh Chin-Hui , Wu Jiunn-Sheng , Li Chien-Chung , Chang Feng-Yee , Siu L. K. , Yen Moh-Yun , Wang Lih-Shinn , Wong Wing-Wai , Kao Wei-Fong , Hsu Jia-Hui , Lin Ting-Hsiang , Huang Fu-Yuan , Lee Chen-Hsen
Published: April 2006

Objectives:

To rapidly establish a temporary isolation ward to handle an unexpected sudden outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and to evaluate the implementation of exposure control measures by healthcare workers (HCWs) for SARS patients.

Design:

Rapid creation of 60 relatively negative pressure isolation rooms for 196 suspected SARS patients transferred from 19 hospitals and daily temperature recordings of 180 volunteer HCWs from 6 medical centers.

Setting:

A military hospital.

Results:

Of the 196 patients, 34 (17.3%) met the World Health Organization criteria for probable SARS with positive results of serologic testing for SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV), reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from nasopharyngeal or throat swabs for SARS-CoV, or both. Seventy-four patients had suspected SARS based on unprotected exposure to SARS patients; three of them had positive results on RT-PCR but negative serologic results. The remaining 88 patients did not meet the criteria for a probable or suspected SARS diagnosis. Of the 34 patients with probable SARS, 13 were transferred to medical centers to receive mechanical ventilation due to rapid deterioration of chest x-ray results, and three patients died of SARS despite intensive therapy in medical centers. During the study period, one nurse developed probable SARS due to violation of infection control measures, but there was no evidence of cross-transmission to other HCWs.

Conclusions:

Despite the use of full personal protection equipment, the facility failed to totally prevent exposures of HCWs to SARS but minimized the risk of nosocomial transmission. Better training and improvements in infection control infrastructure may limit the impact of SARS.
A Large-Volume Nebulizer Would Not Be an Infectious Source for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
Authors: Wan Gwo-Hwa , Tsai Ying-Huang , Wu Yao-Kuang , Tsao Kuo-Chien
Published: April 2006

We attempted to detect the presence of airborne SARS-coronavirus (CoV) in a healthcare setting when a patient with SARS used a humidifier or a large-volume nebulizer (LVN). All of the air samples from the humidifier and LVN were found to have negative SARS-CoV-specific DNA products.
Transmission of Tuberculosis Among Patients With Human Immunodeficiency Virus at a University Hospital in Brazil
Authors: Resende Mariângela R. , Villares Maria Cecília B. , Ramos Marcelo de C.
Published: April 2006

This study evaluated the IS6220-RFLP patterns of 109 Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates of patients with HIV cared for at a Brazilian university hospital. Thirteen clusters involving 35 (32.1%) individuals were identified. Nosocomial transmission was possible in 5 cases. Strategies to prevent M. tuberculosis transmission should be implemented in hospitals in developing countries.