bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Functional and Transcriptomic Characterization of a Dye-decolorizing Fungus from Taxus Rhizosphere
Authors: HAO DA CHENG , SONG SI MENG , CHENG YAN , QIN ZHI QIANG , GE GUANG BO , AN BAI LIN , XIAO PEI GEN 
Published: December 2018

Abstract
We isolated three laccase-producing fungus strains from Taxus rhizosphere. Myrotheium verrucaria strain DJTU-sh7 had the highest laccase activity of 216.2 U/ml, which was increased to above 300 U/ml after optimization. DJTU-sh7 had the best decolorizing effect for three classes of reactive dyes. The DJTU-sh7-containing fungal consortium displayed the robust decolorizing ability. Both color removal efficiency and chemical oxygen demand were increased in the consortium mediated biotransformation. Transcriptome changes of M. verrucaria elicited by azo dye and phenolic were quantified by the high throughput transcriptome sequencing, and the activities of the selected oxidases and reductases were determined. The possible involvement of oxidases and reductases, especially laccase, aryl alcohol oxidase, and ferric reductase in the biotransformation of dye and phenolic compounds was revealed at both transcriptomic and phenotypic levels. Revealing the transcriptomic mechanisms of fungi in dealing with organic pollutants facilitates the fine-tuned manipulation of strains in developing novel bioremediation and biodegradation strategies.
Comparison of the Photosensitivity of Biofilms of Different Genera of Cariogenic Bacteria in Tooth Slices
Authors: DARMANI HOMA , TAWALBEH KHITAM H. , AL-HIYASAT AHMAD S. , AL-AKHRAS MOHAMMAD-ALI 
Published: December 2018

Abstract
This study compared the outcome of photosensitization on the viability of four different cariogens in planktonic form as well as biofilms in human dentine. Photodynamic therapy was carried out with a gallium aluminium arsenide laser (670 nm wavelength) using Toluidine blue O (TBO) as the photosensitizer. Cariogenic bacteria (Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus casei, Streptococcus salivarius and Actinomyces viscosus) were exposed to TBO and then to the laser for 1 minute in planktonic suspension. Then, tooth slices previously incubated for 24 hours with broth cultures of broth culture of the four cariogenic organisms were exposed to antimicrobial photosensitization. The control samples consisted of planktonic and sessile cells that were exposed to TBO alone, laser alone and the bacterial cells that were not treated with TBO or laser. The results showed significant reductions in the viability of S. mutans, L. casei and A. viscosus in both planktonic form (to 13%, 30%, and 55%, respectively) and sessile form hosted in dentinal tubules (to 19%, 13% and 52%, respectively), relative to the controls. S. salivarius was the least affected in planktonic (94% viability) and sessile form (86% viability). In conclusion, sensitivity to photosensitization is species-dependent and sessile biofilm cells are affected to the same extent as their planktonic counterparts.
Comparison of PCR, Fluorescent in Situ Hybridization and Blood Cultures for Detection of Bacteremia in Children and Adolescents During Antibiotic Therapy
Authors: ŹRÓDŁOWSKI TOMASZ W. , JURKIEWICZ-BADACZ DANUTA , SROKA-OLEKSIAK AGNIESZKA , SALAMON DOMINIKA , BULANDA MAŁGORZATA , GOSIEWSKI TOMASZ 
Published: December 2018

Abstract
The gold standard in microbiological diagnostics of bacteremia is a blood culture in automated systems. This method may take several days and has low sensitivity. New screening methods that could quickly reveal the presence of bacteria would be extremely useful. The objective of this study was to estimate the effectiveness of these methods with respect to blood cultures in the context of antibiotic therapy. Blood samples from 92 children with sepsis were analyzed. Blood cultures were carried out in standard automated systems. Subsequently, FISH (Fluorescent In-Situ Hybridization) and nested multiplex-real-time-PCR (PCR) were performed. Blood cultures, FISH and PCR yielded positive results in 18%, 39.1%, and 71.7% of samples, respectively. Significant differences were found between the results obtained through culture before and after induction of antibiotherapy: 25.5% vs. 9.7%. There was no significant difference in FISH and PCR results in relation to antibiotics. The three methods employed demonstrated significant differences in detecting bacteria effectively. Time to obtain test results for FISH and PCR averaged 4–5 hours. FISH and PCR allow to detect bacteria in blood without prior culture. These methods had high sensitivity for the detection of bacteremia regardless of antibiotherapy. They provide more timely results as compared to automated blood culture, and may be useful as rapid screening tests in sepsis.
Drug Susceptibility of Non-tuberculous Strains of Mycobacterium Isolated from Birds from Poland
Authors: LEDWOŃ ALEKSANDRA , NAPIÓRKOWSKA AGNIESZKA , AUGUSTYNOWICZ-KOPEĆ EWA , SZELESZCZUK PIOTR 
Published: December 2018

Abstract
Mycobacterioses are a constant problem in backyard poultry, as well as pet birds. To date, no evidence of direct transmission of atypical bacilli between humans has been demonstrated, but it cannot be ruled out that sick animals can be a source of infection for people in their environment. The aim of the study was to identify mycobacteria isolated from birds with diagnosed mycobacteriosis and to determine the susceptibility of mycobacterial isolates from these animals to antituberculous drugs most commonly used in the treatment of mycobacterial infections in humans. For drug susceptibility tests, drugs such as isoniazid, rifampicin, streptomycin, ethambutol, ofloxacin, capreomycin, cycloserine and ethionamide were used. A high degree of drug resistance was demonstrated, particularly in Mycobacterium avium. Isolates of Mycobacterium xenopi showed a relatively good susceptibility to the drugs tested. The drug resistance of Mycobacterium genavense has not been determined, but this mycobacterium was identified in ten cases, which is the second most frequent occurrence in the cases studied.
Evaluation of Neisseria meningitidis Carriage with the Analysis of Serogroups, Genogroups and Clonal Complexes among Polish Soldiers
Authors: KORZENIEWSKI KRZYSZTOF , KONIOR MONIKA 
Published: December 2018

Abstract

Neisseria meningitidis is an etiological factor of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD). This Gram-negative diplococcus is transmitted from person to person via droplets or through a direct physical contact with secretions of infected patients or asymptomatic carriers. The latter account for 5–10% of the general population. The aim of the study was to estimate the actual N. meningitidis carriage rate in the military environment with identification of serogroups, genogroups, sequence types and clonal complexes of the isolates detected among Polish soldiers. The study was conducted during winter seasons of 2015 and 2016 and involved 883 professional soldiers from the Armoured Brigade in Świętoszów, Poland. The material for testing were nasopharyngeal swabs obtained from study participants. The samples were tested using standard microbiological methods (culture, incubation, microscopy, biochemical and automated identification). N. meningitidis isolates were subjected to slide agglutination test (identification of serogroups), the bacterial DNA was extracted and allowed to determine genogroups, clonal complexes and sequence types. 76 soldiers were found to be carriers of N. meningitidis, they accounted for 8.6% of the study group. The meningococcal isolates mostly belonged to serogroup B. Sequence types ST-11439, ST-136, ST-1136 and the clonal complex 41/44CC were found to be predominant. Clonal complexes responsible for IMD were detected in 15.8% of carriers and 1.4% of the whole study participants. Carriage rates of N. meningitidis among Polish soldiers were found to be similar to those reported in the general population.
Detection of Coxiella burnetii and Francisella tularensis in Tissues of Wild-living Animals and in Ticks of North-west Poland
Authors: BIELAWSKA-DRÓZD AGATA , CIEŚLIK PIOTR , ŻAKOWSKA DOROTA , GŁOWACKA PATRYCJA , WLIZŁO-SKOWRONEK BOŻENA , ZIĘBA PRZEMYSŁAW , ZDUN ARKADIUSZ 
Published: December 2018

Abstract
This work presents results of the research on the occurrence of Coxiella burnetii and Francisella tularensis in the tissues of wild-living animals and ticks collected from Drawsko County, West Pomeranian Voivodeship. The real-time PCR testing for the pathogens comprised 928 samples of animal internal organs and 1551 ticks. The presence of C. burnetii was detected in 3% of wild-living animals and in 0.45–3.45% (dependent on collection areas) of ticks. The genetic sequences of F. tularensis were present in 0.49 % of ticks (only in one location – Drawa) and were not detected in animal tissues. The results indicate respectively low proportion of animals and ticks infected with C. burnetii and F. tularensis.
Microbiology and Drug Resistance of Pathogens in Patients Hospitalized at the Nephrology Department in the South of Poland
Authors: MICHNO MIKOŁAJ , SYDOR ANTONI , WAŁASZEK MARTA , SUŁOWICZ WŁADYSŁAW 
Published: December 2018

Abstract
A retrospective study was conducted among 498 patients with urinary tract infections (UTI) referred to our department from January 2013 to December 2015. This study was performed to evaluate the etiology of UTI and the antibiotic susceptibility profile of Escherichia coli (E. coli) as the main etiological factor in different age groups. Urine samples were examined using standard microbiological methods. Three hundred sixty-three samples (72.9%) were identified as E. coli, of which 29 (8.0%) can produce extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL). E. coli was highly sensitive to imipenem (100.0%), gentamicin (91.0%), nitrofurantoin (89.4%), amikacin (88.2%), piperacillin/ tazobactam (87.0%) and cephalosporins (79.7–89.5%). Low sensitivity was found in relation to fluoroquinolones (60.3–70.4%). E. coli was least sensitive to ampicillin (30.2%) and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (49.9%). We observed a significant fall in susceptibility level to piperacillin/tazobactam (68.4% vs. 88.8%; p = 0.017), amikacin (61.1% vs. 90.7%; p = 0.001), gentamicin (70.0% vs. 93.2%; p = 0.002), cefalexin (41.2% vs. 83.3%; p < 0.001), cefotaxime (63.6% vs. 89.4%; p = 0.002), ceftazidime (61.9% vs. 85.6%; p = 0.008), cefepime (73.7% vs. 91.1%; p = 0.025), ciprofloxacin (54.1% vs. 72.2%; p = 0.024) and norfloxacin (40.5% vs. 62.5%; p = 0.011) among patients with catheter-associated UTI (CAUTI) compared to those with non-CAUTI. A similar susceptibility profile was observed between different age groups. In the longevity, E. coli showed a higher sensitivity to cephalosporins than in the young-old group. E. coli susceptibility to fluoroquinolones was low, which excludes them as a first-line drug in our department. Nitrofurantoin may be used as an alternative drug to carbapenems. Monitoring of susceptibility pattern is of great importance.
The inactivation of Ascaris suum eggs by short exposure to high temperatures
Authors: Naidoo D. , Appleton C. C. , Archer C. E. , Foutch G. L. 
Published: December 2018

Abstract
Ascaris sp. is the most prominent and resilient helminth of human health importance found in faecal sludge, making Ascaris sp. an ideal index organism for inactivation testing. Heat treatment destroys helminths, allowing for safe handling and possible reuse of sludge. Technology development focuses on rapid heating to minimize equipment size and cost. This study evaluates Ascaris suum eggs' viability with short heating time. Ascaris eggs were placed in a water bath at temperatures from 60 to 80 °C for various exposure times (5 seconds to 4 minutes) and were immediately processed and analysed via light microscopy. For all samples within these temperature and time ranges, less than 10% viable eggs were recovered. For 70, 75 and 80 °C, complete inactivation was observed for exposure time of 5 seconds and above.
As vozes e perspetivas dos aprendentes no âmbito da investigação sobre a escrita
Authors: Carvalho José António Brandão , Barbeiro Luís Filipe , Pereira Luísa Álvares , Cardoso Inês , Calil Eduardo 
Published: December 2018

A perspetiva dos alunos sobre a escrita constitui o eixo que percorre transversalmente este texto, a partir do contributo de estudos desenvolvidos em Portugal, desde a década de noventa até à atualidade. Nos primeiros três estudos considerados, essa perspetiva é captada no decurso do processo de escrita, focada na resolução de problemas por parte dos alunos, ao escreverem. As metodologias assentaram na escrita colaborativa e na integração, no processo, de estratégias facilitadoras da revisão. O segundo conjunto de estudos incide sobre as representações dos alunos em relação à escrita, considerando a pluralidade de contextos, géneros, recursos, saberes e atividades que implica. Metodologicamente, estes estudos mobilizaram textos explicitadores, questionários, entrevistas, diários, notas de campo. Os resultados mostram, em relação ao processo, uma progressão que torna salientes as limitações dos níveis de escolaridade mais baixos relativamente à reformulação e revisão. Quanto à relação com a escrita, surge em evidência o contraste entre a escrita escolar e extraescolar. As implicações remetem para a consideração didática das limitações encontradas e das potencialidades de dispositivos colaborativos e outros, facilitadores do processo, ao serviço de uma relação com a escrita que abranja a diversidade de géneros e motivações, em contextos escolares e extraescolares.
Palavras-chave: Escrita; Didática da escrita; Alunos; Investigação
Formação docente em processos de mudança: Análise de uma proposta de inovação curricular em cursos de licenciatura
Authors: Keller-franco Elize , Masetto Marcos Tarciso 
Published: December 2018

A recorrente denúncia de que a formação inicial não tem respondido às novas exigências do trabalho dos professores na sociedade contemporânea coloca em questão a revisão dos currículos que formam esses profissionais. Nesse contexto, o presente estudo tem como foco a análise crítica de uma organização curricular alternativa desenvolvida em cursos de licenciatura de uma universidade pública brasileira. Escolheu-se como questão orientadora investigar em que medida a proposta que vem sendo implementada nesses cursos traz referentes para inovação curricular na formação inicial de professores. Adota-se como caminho metodológico a abordagem qualitativa de pesquisa. Para obtenção dos dados privilegiou-se a análise documental. A análise dos dados compreendeu três etapas: pré-análise; exploração do material; tratamento dos resultados obtidos e interpretação. Os dados indicam que a inovação curricular em andamento se manifesta com movimentos de mudança em um conjunto de elementos centrais e relevantes, tais como concepção e organização curricular, saberes docentes, modelos de formação, atividades práticas/estágio e metodologia de ensino-aprendizagem.
Palavras-chave: Formação inicial de professores; Inovação curricular; Licenciaturas
Educação cidadã e abandono escolar: a cidadania negada
Authors: Redon Pantoja Silvia , Vallejos Silva Natalia , Angulo Rasco José Félix 
Published: December 2018

El artículo que presentamos expone las contradicciones entre la formación para la ciudadanía y el abandono escolar. La primera parte analiza las iniciativas curriculares en la política educativa chilena con respecto a la formación para la ciudadanía en la escuela desde la década del 90 hasta el año 2016. En la segunda parte, se aborda el abandono escolar en secundaria y la realidad cotidiana de los sujetos que abandonan la escuela y se sienten abandonados por ella, en contraste con el discurso curricular oficial. La vivencia de una ciudadanía negada, al no ser “parte de la parte” y no poder usufructuar del gran derecho a la educación, se visibiliza en las matrices emergentes producto del análisis del discurso de entrevistas realizadas a jóvenes en riesgo de abandono escolar en Chile (en las zonas norte, central y sur del país).
Palabras-clave: Ciudadanía; Currículum formación ciudadana; Abandono escolar
OTOMATİK KORİDOR HIZ KONTROLÜ’NÜN BİR EĞİTİM YERLEŞKESİNDEKİ TEKRARLI SÜRÜCÜLERDEN OLUŞAN BİR ÖRNEKLEM ÜZERİNDEKİ GÖRÜŞLER VE HIZ ETKİLERİ ÜZERİNE ANALİZİ
Authors: ILGAZ Arzu , SALTAN Mehmet 
Published: December 2018

Trafikte kazalara sebep olan yüksek hız problemini çözmek için uygulanan hız denetim sistemlerinden biri olan Otomatik Koridor Hız Kontrolü, dünya çapında son derece yüksek seviyede motorize olmuş ülkelerde popülerliği artan yeni ve gelişmiş bir akıllı ulaştırma sistemi uygulamasıdır. Bu makalede bir üniversite kampüsü içindeki düşük hız limitli güzergâhlara 2013 yılında mobil olarak kurulan bu sistemin, tekrarlı (her gün kampüse gidip gelen) sürücülerin önce/sonra dönemlerindeki hızlarına ve görüşlerine etkisini araştıran bir çalışma sunulmaktadır. Sürücülere yapılan anketlerden ise 729 adedi geçerli sayılmıştır. Titizlikle yapılan tespitlere göre; anket katılımcılarından sadece 32 adedinin önce/sonra dönemlerinin her birinde en az 8 kere sistem tarafından ortalama hızları tespit edilenler olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Önce dönemine ait hızların ortalaması 38.73 km/s iken, sonra döneminde hızlar 35.13 km/s’e düşmüştür. Sürücülerin kampüste uygulanan hız limitleri hakkındaki düşünceleri sorulduğunda ise, %3.3’ü hız limitlerinin yüksek olduğunu, %56.7’si düşük olduğunu, %36.7’si ise yeterli olduğunu belirtmiştir. Ankete katılan ve ortalama hızları tespit edilen sürücülerin “cinsiyet, yaş, görev, kaza sayısı, hız sınırı hakkında düşünceler” değişkenlerine göre önce/sonra dönemlerine ait ortalama hız farklılıklarını bulmak için Bağımsız iki örnek T testi kullanılmış “eğitim düzeyi, araç kullanma yılı, diğer aracı geçme eğilimi” değişkenlerinin önce/sonra dönemlerine ait ortalama hız farklılıklarını bulmak için ise Tek değişkenli varyans analizi yapılmıştır. Analize göre farklar anlamlı değildir. Cezai yaptırım olmaksızın ortalama hızlar anlamlı düşüş göstermiştir; fakat hız sınırlarına daha yüksek bir uyum, bir uygulama yaptırımı ile sağlanabilir. Sürücülerin kaza geçmişleri ile ortalama hızlarındaki düşüşler arasında anlamlı fark görülmemiştir.
Feasibility of a Therapist-Supported, Mobile Phone–Delivered Online Intervention for Depression: Longitudinal Observational Study
Authors: Goldin Philippe R , Lindholm Riku , Ranta Kristian , Hilgert Outi , Helteenvuori Tiia , Raevuori Anu 
Published: December 2018

Background
Depression is a very common condition that impairs functioning and is often untreated. More than 60% of the treatments for depressive disorder are administered in primary care settings by care providers who lack the time and expertise to treat depression. To address this issue, we developed Ascend, a therapist-supported, mobile phone–delivered 8-week intervention administered at the Meru Health Online Clinic in Finland.

Objective
We conducted two pilot studies to examine the feasibility of the Ascend intervention, specifically, dropout rates, daily practice, weekly group chat use, and changes in depression symptoms. We also explored whether daily practice and weekly group chat use were associated with changes in depression symptoms.

Methods
A total of 117 Finnish adults with elevated depressive symptoms enrolled in Ascend, a program that included daily cognitive behavioral and mindfulness meditation exercises delivered through a mobile phone app, anonymous group chat with other users, and chat/phone access to a licensed therapist. Eight weekly themes were delivered in a fixed, sequential format. Depression symptoms were measured at baseline, every second week during the intervention, immediately after the intervention, and 4 weeks after completion of the intervention. Data were analyzed using intent-to-treat repeated-measures analysis of variance and linear regression models.

Results
For studies 1 and 2, we observed dropout rates of 27% and 15%, respectively, decreasing daily practice and group chat use, and decreased depression symptoms from baseline to immediately and 4 weeks after the intervention (P<.001). We found that both more daily practice and chat group use predicted the occurrence of fewer depressive symptoms at 4 weeks postintervention (Study 1: ∆R2=.38, P=.004 and ∆R2=.38, P=.002, respectively; Study 2: ∆R2=.16, P<.001 and ∆R2=.08, P=.002, respectively).

Conclusions
This therapist-supported, mobile phone–delivered treatment for depression is feasible and associated with reduced depression symptoms. Design features that enhance daily practice and group chat use are areas of future investigation. Validation of these results using a controlled study design is needed to establish the evidence base for the Ascend intervention.
Impact of Food Preparation Video Exposure on Online Nutrition Education in Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program Participants: Retrospective Study
Authors: Bensley Robert J , Brusk John J 
Published: December 2018

Background
The impact of integrating video into health education delivery has been extensively investigated; however, the effect of integrating video on a learner’s subsequent performance in an online educational setting is rarely reported. Results of the relationship between the learner’s online video viewing and subsequent progression toward health behavior change in a self-directed online educational session are lacking.

Objective
This study aimed to determine the relationship between viewing a Health eKitchen online video and key engagement performance indicators associated with online nutrition education for women, infants, and children (WIC).

Methods
This study involved a retrospective cohort of users grouped on the basis of whether Health eKitchen exposure occurred before or after completing a nutrition education lesson. A two-sample test for equality of proportions was performed to test the difference in the likelihood of progression between the groups overall and when stratified by lesson type, which was defined by whether the lesson focused on food preparation. Welch two-sample t tests were performed to test the difference in average link depth and duration of use between groups overall and stratified by lesson type. Logistic regression was conducted to validate the impact of video viewing prior to lesson completion while controlling for lesson type and factors known to be associated with WIC key performance indicators.

Results
A greater stage of change progression was observed for both food preparation (χ2=12.6, P<.001) and non-food preparation (χ2=62.8, P<.001) lessons among early stage users who had viewed a Health eKitchen video before completing a lesson. Time spent viewing educational learning resource links within the lesson was also significantly longer for both food preparation (t=7.8, P<.001) and non-food preparation (t=2.5, P=.01) lessons. Logistic regression analysis corroborated these results while controlling for known confounding factors. The odds of user progression were nearly three times greater among those who viewed a Health eKitchen video prior to lesson completion (odds ratio=2.61; 95% CI=2.08-3.29). Type of lesson (food vs non-food preparation) was the strongest predictor of progression odds (odds ratio=3.12; 95% CI=2.47-3.95).

Conclusions
User access to a Health eKitchen video prior to completion of an online educational session had a significant impact on achieving lesson goals, regardless of the food preparation focus. This observation suggests the potential benefit of providing an application-oriented video at the onset of online nutrition education lessons.