bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
‘An exploration of the health beliefs of Chinese nurses' and nurse academics' health beliefs: A Q‐methodology study’
Authors: Cai Dan , Stone Teresa E. , Petrini Marcia A. , McMillan Margaret 
Published: January 2016

AbstractQ‐methodology was used to investigate the health beliefs of Chinese clinical nurses and nurse academics. Twenty‐eight participants from one hospital and nursing school in China were involved. The four stages of this study included: (i) concourse development from literature review, Internet searches, and key informant interviews; (ii) A pilot study to develop the Q‐sample from the concourse; (iii) participants sorted the Q‐sample statements along a continuum of preference (Q‐sorting); and (iv) PQ data analysis using principal component analysis and varimax rotation. Five viewpoints were revealed: (i) factor 1 – health management and the importance of evidence; (ii) factor 2 – challenging local cultural belief, and Eastern and Western influences; (iii) factor 3 – commonsense; (iv) factor 4 – health and clinical practice; and (v) factor 5 – health and nursing education. This study presents a need for nurses and nurse academics to think critically, examine their long‐held health beliefs, and promote the use of evidence‐based practice.
Middle Bronze Age Burials in the Southern Levant: Spartan Warriors or Ordinary People?
Authors: Kletter Raz , Levi Yosi 
Published: January 2016

SummaryIntermediate and Middle Bronze Age tombs with weapons (mainly daggers) in the southern Levant were often interpreted as ‘warrior graves’. Taking into consideration new data from Rishon Le‐Zion (Israel), recent work on early warfare and warriors, and a study of so‐called ‘warrior graves’ in Mesopotamia (Rehm 2003), we suggest that most of these graves are not graves of elite warriors, but typical male burials. We also discuss the assumed ‘burial kit’ and the decline in numbers of weapons per burial, which is in our view related to the shift from individual burials (in the Intermediate Bronze and Middle Bronze IIA periods) to multiple shaft burials (in the Middle Bronze IIB period).
Social Stratification in the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages: An Intra‐Site Investigation at Megiddo
Authors: Sapir‐Hen Lidar , Sasson Aharon , Kleiman Assaf , Finkelstein Israel 
Published: January 2016

SummaryThe article presents an intra‐site investigation of the Strata VIIA and VIA faunal remains at Megiddo, Israel, which date to the LB III and late Iron I respectively. We examined social disparity between the populations of two areas of the city. Our finds indicate a difference in social status and division of labour: a dichotomy between producer‐consumers and consumers, who most probably interacted. Viewed in light of other types of remains at Megiddo, these findings reveal that the inhabitants of one sector engaged in agriculture and cottage industries, while the people in the other part of the city, close to the palace, were more affluent – related to the local ruler and administrators. Our study demonstrates the potential in intra‐site investigation at large, multi‐period sites.
Accommodative movements of the lens/capsule and the strand that extends between the posterior vitreous zonule insertion zone & the lens equator, in relation to the vitreous face and aging
Authors: Croft Mary Ann , Heatley Gregg , McDonald Jared P. , Katz Alexander , Kaufman Paul L. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractPurposeTo elucidate the dynamic accommodative movements of the lens capsule, posterior lens and the strand that attaches to the posterior vitreous zonule insertion zone and posterior lens equator (PVZ INS‐LE), and their age‐related changes.MethodsTwelve human subjects (ages 19–65 years) and 12 rhesus monkeys (ages 6–27 years) were studied. Accommodation was induced pharmacologically (humans) or by central electrical stimulation (monkeys). Ultrasound biomicroscopy was used to image intraocular structures in both species. Surgical procedures and contrast agents were utilized in the monkey eyes to elucidate function and allow visualization of the intraocular accommodative structures.ResultsHuman: The posterior pole of the lens moves posteriorly during accommodation in proportion to accommodative amplitude and ciliary muscle movement. Monkey: Similar accommodative movements of the posterior lens pole were seen in the monkey eyes. Following extracapsular lens extraction (ECLE), the central capsule bows backward during accommodation in proportion to accommodative amplitude and ciliary muscle movement, while the peripheral capsule moves forward. During accommodation the ciliary muscle moved forward by ~1.0 mm, pulling forward the vitreous zonule and the PVZ INS‐LE structure. During the accommodative response the PVZ INS‐LE structure moved forward when the lens was intact and when the lens substance and capsule were removed. In both the monkey and the human eyes these movements declined with age.ConclusionsThe accommodative shape change of the central capsule may be due to the elastic properties of the capsule itself. For these capsule/lens accommodative posterior movements to occur, the vitreous face must either allow for it or facilitate it. The PVZ INS‐LE structure may act as a ‘strut’ to the posterior lens equator (pushing the lens equator forward) and thereby facilitate accommodative forward lens equator movement and lens thickening. The age‐related posterior restriction of the ciliary muscle, vitreous zonule and the PVZ‐INS LE structure dampens the accommodative lens shape change. Future descriptions of the accommodative mechanism, and approaches to presbyopia therapy, may need to incorporate these findings.
The “Make Your Own Religion” Project
Authors: Bauman Chad M. , Hege Brent A. R. , Kleckley Russell , Willsky‐Ciollo Lydia , Lopez Davina C. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe “Make Your Own Religion” class project was designed to address a perceived need to introduce more theoretical thinking about religion into a typical religion survey course, and to do so in such a way that students would experience the wonder of theoretical discovery, and through or because of that discovery hopefully both better retain knowledge gained from the project and nurture within themselves the practice of thinking more analytically about religion (and other social and cultural things). Despite a number of challenges and unresolved questions associated with the project, it has proven relatively successful at introducing and provoking theoretical thinking about religion in a compressed period of time, without taking an inordinate number of class periods away from the survey itself. A brief description and analysis of the assignment is followed by four short responses.
Concentration‐dependent effect of hypocalcaemia on in vitro clot strength in patients at risk of bleeding: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Ho K. M. , Yip C. B. 
Published: January 2016

SUMMARYAimIt is uncertain whether hypocalcaemia is associated with an increased risk of bleeding. This study assessed the dose‐related relationship between ionised calcium concentrations and in vitro clot strength measured by maximum amplitude (MA) on the thromboelastograph (TEG).MethodsA total of 610 patients who were at risk of bleeding or had active bleeding between 2010 and 2014 were considered in this retrospective cohort study. A scatter plot with Pearson correlation coefficient (r) and multiple linear regression was used to assess the dose‐related relationship between ionised calcium concentrations and MA on the TEG.ResultsThe mean ionised calcium of the patients was 1·10 mmol L−1 (interquartile range: 1·04–1·17) and 235 (38·5%) of them had hypocalcaemia (<1·1 mmol L−1). Hypocalcaemia was more common in patients with significant coexisting coagulopathy. Ionised calcium concentrations (r = 0·285, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0·211–0·356, P = 0·001), as well as fibrinogen concentrations, platelet counts, international normalised ratio (INR) and activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT), had a significant linear correlation with the MA on the TEG. Ionised calcium concentrations and its interaction term with platelet count were both significantly associated with the MA on the TEG (slope of the regression line 1·1 per 0·1 mmol L−1 increment, 95%CI 0·3 to 1·9, P = 0·011), after adjusting for fibrinogen concentrations, platelet counts, INR and aPTT.ConclusionsIonised calcium concentrations had a concentration‐dependent association with in vitro clot strength after adjusting for other coagulation abnormalities in patients with coexisting coagulopathy. Maintaining a normal ionised calcium concentration, >1 mmol L−1, during critical bleeding is recommended.
The Arabidopsis DELAY OF GERMINATION 1 gene affects ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE 5 (ABI5) expression and genetically interacts with ABI3 during Arabidopsis seed development
Authors: Dekkers Bas J.W. , He Hanzi , Hanson Johannes , Willems Leo A.J. , Jamar Diaan C.L. , Cueff Gwendal , Rajjou Loïc , Hilhorst Henk W.M. , Bentsink Leónie 
Published: January 2016

SummaryThe seed expressed gene DELAY OF GERMINATION (DOG) 1 is absolutely required for the induction of dormancy. Next to a non‐dormant phenotype, the dog1‐1 mutant is also characterized by a reduced seed longevity suggesting that DOG1 may affect additional seed processes as well. This aspect however, has been hardly studied and is poorly understood. To uncover additional roles of DOG1 in seeds we performed a detailed analysis of the dog1 mutant using both transcriptomics and metabolomics to investigate the molecular consequences of a dysfunctional DOG1 gene. Further, we used a genetic approach taking advantage of the weak aba insensitive (abi) 3‐1 allele as a sensitized genetic background in a cross with dog1‐1. DOG1 affects the expression of hundreds of genes including LATE EMBRYOGENESIS ABUNDANT and HEAT SHOCK PROTEIN genes which are affected by DOG1 partly via control of ABI5 expression. Furthermore, the content of a subset of primary metabolites, which normally accumulate during seed maturation, was found to be affected in the dog1‐1 mutant. Surprisingly, the abi3‐1 dog1‐1 double mutant produced green seeds which are highly ABA insensitive, phenocopying severe abi3 mutants, indicating that dog1‐1 acts as an enhancer of the weak abi3‐1 allele and thus revealing a genetic interaction between both genes. Analysis of the dog1 and dog1 abi3 mutants revealed additional seed phenotypes and therefore we hypothesize that DOG1 function is not limited to dormancy but that it is required for multiple aspects of seed maturation, in part by interfering with ABA signalling components.
Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolate from a New York City Hospital Belonging to Sequence Type 258 and Carrying
bla
KPC-2
and
bla
VIM-4
Authors: Castanheira Mariana , Deshpande Lalitagauri M. , Mills Janet C. , Jones Ronald N. , Soave Rosemary , Jenkins Stephen G. , Schuetz Audrey N. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT

Among 69 of 139 (49.6%) carbapenem-nonsusceptible
Enterobacteriaceae
carrying
bla
KPC
, 1
Klebsiella pneumoniae
was also positive for
bla
VIM
. The isolate belonged to sequence type 258 (ST258) and carried
bla
KPC-2
on a copy of
Tn4401
a and
bla
VIM-4
on a class 1 integron. Genes were located on distinct plasmids belonging to Inc types A/C and FII. Elevated expression of the efflux pump AcrAB-TolC (
acrA
, 15.3 times) and reduced expression of outer membrane protein genes
ompK35
and
ompK37
(0.16 and 0.081 times, respectively) associated with various amino acid alterations on OmpK37 were observed. The presence of two carbapenemases in ST258
K. pneumoniae
is of great concern due to the ability of this organism to widely disseminate.
Chromosomally and Extrachromosomally Mediated High-Level Gentamicin Resistance in Streptococcus agalactiae
Authors: Sendi Parham , Furitsch Martina , Mauerer Stefanie , Florindo Carlos , Kahl Barbara C. , Shabayek Sarah , Berner Reinhard , Spellerberg Barbara 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT

Streptococcus agalactiae
(group B
Streptococcus
[GBS]) is a leading cause of sepsis in neonates. The rate of invasive GBS disease in nonpregnant adults also continues to climb. Aminoglycosides alone have little or no effect on GBS, but synergistic killing with penicillin has been shown
in vitro
. High-level gentamicin resistance (HLGR) in GBS isolates, however, leads to the loss of a synergistic effect. We therefore performed a multicenter study to determine the frequency of HLGR GBS isolates and to elucidate the molecular mechanisms leading to gentamicin resistance. From eight centers in four countries, 1,128 invasive and colonizing GBS isolates were pooled and investigated for the presence of HLGR. We identified two strains that displayed HLGR (BSU1203 and BSU452), both of which carried the
aacA-aphD
gene, typically conferring HLGR. However, only one strain (BSU1203) also carried the previously described chromosomal gentamicin resistance transposon designated Tn
3706
. For the other strain (BSU452), plasmid purification and subsequent DNA sequencing resulted in the detection of plasmid pIP501 carrying a remnant of a Tn
3
family transposon. Its ability to confer HLGR was proven by transfer into an
Enterococcus faecalis
isolate. Conversely, loss of HLGR was documented after curing both GBS BSU452 and the transformed
E. faecalis
strain from the plasmid. This is the first report showing plasmid-mediated HLGR in GBS. Thus, in our clinical GBS isolates, HLGR is mediated both chromosomally and extrachromosomally.
Pneumonia Caused by Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus: Does Vancomycin Heteroresistance Matter?
Authors: Claeys Kimberly C. , Lagnf Abdalhamid M. , Hallesy Jessica A. , Compton Matthew T. , Gravelin Alison L. , Davis Susan L. , Rybak Michael J. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT

Vancomycin remains the mainstay treatment for methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) infections, including pneumonia. There is concern regarding the emergence of vancomycin tolerance, caused by heterogeneous vancomycin-intermediate
S. aureus
(hVISA), and subsequent vancomycin treatment failure. Pneumonia is associated with high morbidity and mortality, especially with delays in appropriate therapy. This study evaluated the clinical outcomes of patients with hVISA pneumonia compared to those with vancomycin-susceptible
S. aureus
(VSSA) pneumonia. A retrospective cohort of patients with MRSA pneumonia from 2005 to 2014 was matched at a ratio of 2:1 VSSA to hVISA infections to compare patient characteristics, treatments, and outcomes. hVISA was determined by the 48-h population analysis profile area under the curve. Characteristics between VSSA and hVISA infections were compared by univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression analysis to determine independent risk factors of inpatient mortality. Eighty-seven patients were included, representing 29 hVISA and 58 VSSA cases of pneumonia. There were no significant differences in demographics or baseline characteristics. Sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores were a median of 7 (interquartile ratio [IQR], 5 to 8) in hVISA patients and 5 (IQR, 3 to 8) in VSSA (
P
= 0.092) patients. Inpatient mortality was significantly higher in hVISA patients (44.8% versus 24.1%;
P
= 0.049). Predictors of inpatient mortality upon multivariable regression were SOFA score (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08 to 1.70), Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) positivity (aOR, 6.63; 95% CI, 1.79 to 24.64), and hVISA phenotype (aOR, 3.95; 95% CI, 1.18 to 13.21). Patients with hVISA pneumonia experienced significantly higher inpatient mortality than those with VSSA pneumonia. There is a need to consider the presence of vancomycin heteroresistance in pneumonia caused by MRSA in order to potentially improve clinical outcomes.
Combination Effects of Antimicrobial Peptides
Authors: Yu Guozhi , Baeder Desiree Y. , Regoes Roland R. , Rolff Jens 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are ancient and conserved across the tree of life. Their efficacy over evolutionary time has been largely attributed to their mechanisms of killing. Yet, the understanding of their pharmacodynamics both
in vivo
and
in vitro
is very limited. This is, however, crucial for applications of AMPs as drugs and also informs the understanding of the action of AMPs in natural immune systems. Here, we selected six different AMPs from different organisms to test their individual and combined effects
in vitro
. We analyzed their pharmacodynamics based on the Hill function and evaluated the interaction of combinations of two and three AMPs. Interactions of AMPs in our study were mostly synergistic, and three-AMP combinations displayed stronger synergism than two-AMP combinations. This suggests synergism to be a common phenomenon in AMP interaction. Additionally, AMPs displayed a sharp increase in killing within a narrow dose range, contrasting with those of antibiotics. We suggest that our results could lead a way toward better evaluation of AMP application in practice and shed some light on the evolutionary consequences of antimicrobial peptide interactions within the immune system of organisms.
Combinatorial Pharmacodynamics of Ceftolozane-Tazobactam against Genotypically Defined β-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli: Insights into the Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics of β-Lactam–β-Lactamase Inhibitor Combinations
Authors: Soon Rachel L. , Lenhard Justin R. , Bulman Zackery P. , Holden Patricia N. , Kelchlin Pamela , Steenbergen Judith N. , Friedrich Lawrence V. , Forrest Alan , Tsuji Brian T. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT

Despite a dearth of new agents currently being developed to combat multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens, the combination of ceftolozane and tazobactam was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat complicated intra-abdominal and urinary tract infections. To characterize the activity of the combination product, time-kill studies were conducted against 4 strains of
Escherichia coli
that differed in the type of β-lactamase they expressed. The four investigational strains included 2805 (no β-lactamase), 2890 (AmpC β-lactamase), 2842 (CMY-10 β-lactamase), and 2807 (CTX-M-15 β-lactamase), with MICs to ceftolozane of 0.25, 4, 8, and >128 mg/liter with no tazobactam, and MICs of 0.25, 1, 4, and 8 mg/liter with 4 mg/liter tazobactam, respectively. All four strains were exposed to a 6 by 5 array of ceftolozane (0, 1, 4, 16, 64, and 256 mg/liter) and tazobactam (0, 1, 4, 16, and 64 mg/liter) over 48 h using starting inocula of 10
6
and 10
8
CFU/ml. While ceftolozane-tazobactam achieved bactericidal activity against all 4 strains, the concentrations of ceftolozane and tazobactam required for a ≥3-log reduction varied between the two starting inocula and the 4 strains. At both inocula, the Hill plots (
R
2
> 0.882) of ceftolozane revealed significantly higher 50% effective concentrations (EC
50
s) at tazobactam concentrations of ≤4 mg/liter than those at concentrations of ≥16 mg/liter (
P
< 0.01). Moreover, the EC
50
s at 10
8
CFU/ml were 2.81 to 66.5 times greater than the EC
50
s at 10
6
CFU/ml (median, 10.7-fold increase;
P
= 0.002). These promising results indicate that ceftolozane-tazobactam achieves bactericidal activity against a wide range of β-lactamase-producing
E. coli
strains.
In Vitro
Activity of Gepotidacin, a Novel Triazaacenaphthylene Bacterial Topoisomerase Inhibitor, against a Broad Spectrum of Bacterial Pathogens
Authors: Biedenbach D. J. , Bouchillon S. K. , Hackel M. , Miller L. A. , Scangarella-Oman N. E. , Jakielaszek C. , Sahm D. F. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT

Gepotidacin inhibits bacterial DNA replication through a mode different from that of fluoroquinolones. Gepotidacin and comparators were tested by broth and agar dilution against clinical isolates. The
in vitro
activities of gepotidacin were comparable against methicillin-susceptible and -resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MSSA and MRSA, respectively) isolates (MIC
90
, 0.5 μg/ml). The gepotidacin MIC
90
s were as follows (in micrograms per milliliter) for the indicated bacteria:
Streptococcus pyogenes
, 0.25;
Escherichia coli
, 2;
Moraxella catarrhalis
, ≤0.06;
Streptococcus pneumoniae
(0.25),
Haemophilus influenzae
, 1;
Clostridium perfringens
, 0.5; and
Shigella
spp., 1, including levofloxacin-resistant subsets. Gepotidacin warrants further investigation for clinical development.
Survival Strategies of the Plant-Associated Bacterium Enterobacter sp. Strain EG16 under Cadmium Stress
Authors: Chen Yanmei , Chao Yuanqing , Li Yaying , Lin Qingqi , Bai Jun , Tang Lu , Wang Shizhong , Ying Rongrong , Qiu Rongliang 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT

Plant-associated bacteria are of great interest because of their potential use in phytoremediation. However, their ability to survive and promote plant growth in metal-polluted soils remains unclear. In this study, a soilborne Cd-resistant bacterium was isolated and identified as
Enterobacter
sp. strain EG16. It tolerates high external Cd concentrations (Cd
2+
MIC, >250 mg liter
−1
) and is able to produce siderophores and the plant hormone indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), both of which contribute to plant growth promotion. Surface biosorption in this strain accounted for 31% of the total Cd accumulated. The potential presence of cadmium sulfide, shown by energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, suggested intracellular Cd binding as a Cd response mechanism of the isolate. Cd exposure resulted in global regulation at the transcriptomic level, with the bacterium switching to an energy-conserving mode by inhibiting energy-consuming processes while increasing the production of stress-related proteins. The stress response system included increased import of sulfur and iron, which become deficient under Cd stress, and the redirection of sulfur metabolism to the maintenance of intracellular glutathione levels in response to Cd toxicity. Increased production of siderophores, responding to Cd-induced Fe deficiency, not only is involved in the Cd stress response systems of EG16 but may also play an important role in promoting plant growth as well as alleviating the Cd-induced inhibition of IAA production. The newly isolated strain EG16 may be a suitable candidate for microbially assisted phytoremediation due to its high resistance to Cd and its Cd-induced siderophore production, which is likely to contribute to plant growth promotion.