bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Strengths and weaknesses in the implementation of maternal and perinatal death reviews in Tanzania: perceptions, processes and practice
Authors: Armstrong C. E. , Lange I. L. , Magoma M. , Ferla C. , Filippi V. , Ronsmans C. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractObjectivesTanzania institutionalised maternal and perinatal death reviews (MPDR) in 2006, yet there is scarce evidence on the extent and quality of implementation of the system. We reviewed the national policy documentation and explored stakeholders’ involvement in, and perspectives of, the role and practices of MPDR in district and regional hospitals, and assessed current capacity for achieving MPDR.MethodsWe reviewed the national MPDR guidelines and conducted a qualitative study using semi‐structured interviews. Thirty‐two informants in Mara Region were interviewed within health administration and hospitals, and five informants were included at the central level. Interviews were analysed for comparison of statements across health system level, hospital, profession and MPDR experience.ResultsThe current MPDR system does not function adequately to either perform good quality reviews or fulfil the aspiration to capture every facility‐based maternal and perinatal death. Informants at all levels express differing understandings of the purpose of MPDR. Hospital reviews fail to identify appropriate challenges and solutions at the facility level. Staff are committed to the process of maternal death review, with routine documentation and reporting, yet action and response are insufficient.ConclusionThe confusion between MPDR and maternal death surveillance and response results in a system geared towards data collection and surveillance, failing to explore challenges and solutions from within the remit of the hospital team. This reduces the accountability of the health workers and undermines opportunities to improve quality of care. We recommend initiatives to strengthen the quality of facility‐level reviews in order to establish a culture of continuous quality of care improvement and a mechanism of accountability within facilities. Effective facility reviews are an important peer‐learning process that should remain central to quality of care improvement strategies.
Effect of Liquid Inhibitor De-dioTM on Dioxin-Furan Emission From Medical Waste Incineration Plant
Authors: Rashid M. , Ramli M. , Ammar M. , Noorhafizah K. 
Published: July 2014

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of liquid inhibitor (known as De-dioTM) on the emission of dioxin-furan from medical waste incineration plants. Various concentrations of De-dioTM solutions were tested on the medical waste incinerator combustion chamber with an injection flow rate of 1.5 L/min. The sampling protocol of US EPA Method 23 was adopted to collect the sample using a modified US EPA Method 5 sampling train. The flue gas emission was collected before and during the injection of the chemical. The result showed that the De-dioTM was able to reduce or minimize the formation of dioxin-furan to meet its regulatory limits. The study illustrates that the higher the concentration of De-dioTM solution, the lower the dioxin-furan emission was observed in the flue gas.
Isolation and Characterization of Metal and Antibiotic Resistant Psychrotrophic Bacteria from Refrigerated Spoiled Food
Authors: Asadi Somayeh , Shahir Shafinaz , Ibrahim Zaharah , Yahya Adibah , Md Salleh Madihah , Ibrahim Norahim , Jamaluddin Haryati , Abdul Wahab Mohd Firdaus , Abd Manan Fazilah , Hussin Huszalina , Chun Shiong Chong , Wan Dagang Wan Rosmiza Zana 
Published: July 2014

The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize psychrotrophic bacteria resistant to antibiotic and metals from cold samples of refrigerated spoiled food and ice. Two isolates named H and F were successfully isolated from samples incubated at 10°C and 4°C, respectively. Both isolates were able to grow at 4°C, 10°C, 20°C and 30°C and exhibited multidrug resistance to antibiotics (chloramphenicol, ampicillin, tetracycline and kanamycin). Bacteria H and F were then further tested for their resistance to metal ions such as Cd2+, Zn2+, Cr 6+ and As 3+ at concentrations ranging from 0-10 mM. The results of the test revealed that the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for isolate H was determined at 2 mM for all the metal ions. By comparison, isolate F was highly resistant to Cr6+, Cd2+ andZn2+ with MIC of 10 mM for these cations, while MIC for As3+ was 4 mM. The results of comparing 16S rRNA gens demonstrated that isolate F has 98% identity match with Bacillus sp. This strain could be used as a model microbial strain to understand the mechanisms of metal resistance and as a source of psychrotrophic enzymes with potential application for bioremediation of heavy metals in cold environments.
Improvement of 10-km Time-Trial Cycling With Motivational Self-Talk Compared With Neutral Self-Talk
Authors: Barwood Martin J. , Corbett Jo , Wagstaff Christopher R.D. , McVeigh Dan , Thelwell Richard C. 
Published: July 2014

Purpose:Unpleasant physical sensations during maximal exercise may manifest themselves as negative cognitions that impair performance, alter pacing, and are linked to increased rating of perceived exertion (RPE). This study examined whether motivational self-talk (M-ST) could reduce RPE and change pacing strategy, thereby enhancing 10-km time-trial (TT) cycling performance in contrast to neutral self-talk (N-ST).Methods:Fourteen men undertook 4 TTs, TT1–TT4. After TT2, participants were matched into groups based on TT2 completion time and underwent M-ST (n = 7) or N-ST (n = 7) after TT3. Performance, power output, RPE, and oxygen uptake (VO2) were compared across 1-km segments using ANOVA. Confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated for performance data.Results:After TT3 (ie, before intervention), completion times were not different between groups (M-ST, 1120 ± 113 s; N-ST, 1150 ± 110 s). After M-ST, TT4 completion time was faster (1078 ± 96 s); the N-ST remained similar (1165 ± 111 s). The M-ST group achieved this through a higher power output and VO2 in TT4 (6th–10th km). RPE was unchanged. CI data indicated the likely true performance effect lay between 13- and 71-s improvement (TT4 vs TT3).Conclusion:M-ST improved endurance performance and enabled a higher power output, whereas N-ST induced no change. The VO2 response matched the increase in power output, yet RPE was unchanged, thereby inferring a perceptual benefit through M-ST. The valence and content of self-talk are important determinants of the efficacy of this intervention. These findings are primarily discussed in the context of the psychobiological model of pacing.
A Novel (
S
)-6-Hydroxynicotine Oxidase Gene from Shinella sp. Strain HZN7
Authors: Qiu Jiguo , Wei Yin , Ma Yun , Wen Rongti , Wen Yuezhong , Liu Weiping 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT

Nicotine is an important environmental toxicant in tobacco waste.
Shinella
sp. strain HZN7 can metabolize nicotine into nontoxic compounds via variations of the pyridine and pyrrolidine pathways. However, the catabolic mechanism of this variant pathway at the gene or enzyme level is still unknown. In this study, two 6-hydroxynicotine degradation-deficient mutants, N7-M9 and N7-W3, were generated by transposon mutagenesis. The corresponding mutant genes, designated
nctB
and
tnp2
, were cloned and analyzed. The
nctB
gene encodes a novel flavin adenine dinucleotide-containing (
S
)-6-hydroxynicotine oxidase that converts (
S
)-6-hydroxynicotine into 6-hydroxy-
N
-methylmyosmine and then spontaneously hydrolyzes into 6-hydroxypseudooxynicotine. The deletion and complementation of the
nctB
gene showed that this enzyme is essential for nicotine or (
S
)-6-hydroxynicotine degradation. Purified NctB could also convert (
S
)-nicotine into
N
-methylmyosmine, which spontaneously hydrolyzed into pseudooxynicotine. The kinetic constants of NctB toward (
S
)-6-hydroxynicotine (

K
m

= 0.019 mM,
k
cat
= 7.3 s
−1
) and nicotine (

K
m

= 2.03 mM,
k
cat
= 0.396 s
−1
) indicated that (
S
)-6-hydroxynicotine is the preferred substrate
in vivo
. NctB showed no activities toward the
R
enantiomer of nicotine or 6-hydroxynicotine. Strain HZN7 could degrade (
R
)-nicotine into (
R
)-6-hydroxynicotine without any further degradation. The
tnp2
gene from mutant N7-W3 encodes a putative transposase, and its deletion did not abolish the nicotine degradation activity. This study advances the understanding of the microbial diversity of nicotine biodegradation.
Evidence of Autoinducer-Dependent and -Independent Heterogeneous Gene Expression in Sinorhizobium fredii NGR234
Authors: Grote Jessica , Krysciak Dagmar , Schorn Andrea , Dahlke Renate I. , Soonvald Liina , Müller Johannes , Hense Burkhard A. , Schwarzfischer Michael , Sauter Margret , Schmeisser Christel , Streit Wolfgang R. 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT

Populations of genetically identical
Sinorhizobium fredii
NGR234 cells differ significantly in their expression profiles of autoinducer (AI)-dependent and AI-independent genes. Promoter fusions of the NGR234 AI synthase genes
traI
and
ngrI
showed high levels of phenotypic heterogeneity during growth in TY medium on a single-cell level. However, adding very high concentrations of
N
-(3-oxooctanoyl-)-
l
-homoserine lactone resulted in a more homogeneous expression profile. Similarly, the lack of internally synthesized AIs in the background of the NGR234-Δ
traI
or the NGR234-Δ
ngrI
mutant resulted in a highly homogenous expression of the corresponding promoter fusions in the population. Expression studies with reporter fusions of the promoter regions of the quorum-quenching genes
dlhR
and
qsdR1
and the type IV pilus gene cluster located on pNGR234
b
suggested that factors other than AI molecules affect NGR234 phenotypic heterogeneity. Further studies with root exudates and developing
Arabidopsis thaliana
seedlings provide the first evidence that plant root exudates have strong effects on the heterogeneity of AI synthase and quorum-quenching genes in NGR234. Therefore, plant-released octopine appears to play a key role in modulation of heterogeneous gene expression.
RNA Sequencing Analysis of the Broad-Host-Range Strain Sinorhizobium fredii NGR234 Identifies a Large Set of Genes Linked to Quorum Sensing-Dependent Regulation in the Background of a
traI
and
ngrI
Deletion Mutant
Authors: Krysciak Dagmar , Grote Jessica , Rodriguez Orbegoso Mariita , Utpatel Christian , Förstner Konrad U. , Li Lei , Schmeisser Christel , Krishnan Hari B. , Streit Wolfgang R. 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT

The alphaproteobacterium
Sinorhizobium fredii
NGR234 has an exceptionally wide host range, as it forms nitrogen-fixing nodules with more legumes than any other known microsymbiont. Within its 6.9-Mbp genome, it encodes two
N
-acyl-homoserine-lactone synthase genes (i.e.,
traI
and
ngrI
) involved in the biosynthesis of two distinct autoinducer I-type molecules. Here, we report on the construction of an NGR234-Δ
traI
and an NGR234-Δ
ngrI
mutant and their genome-wide transcriptome analysis. A high-resolution RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis of early-stationary-phase cultures in the NGR234-Δ
traI
background suggested that up to 316 genes were differentially expressed in the NGR234-Δ
traI
mutant versus the parent strain. Similarly, in the background of NGR234-Δ
ngrI
466 differentially regulated genes were identified. Accordingly, a common set of 186 genes was regulated by the TraI/R and NgrI/R regulon. Coregulated genes included 42 flagellar biosynthesis genes and 22 genes linked to exopolysaccharide (EPS) biosynthesis. Among the genes and open reading frames (ORFs) that were differentially regulated in NGR234-Δ
traI
were those linked to replication of the pNGR234
a
symbiotic plasmid and cytochrome
c
oxidases. Biotin and pyrroloquinoline quinone biosynthesis genes were differentially expressed in the NGR234-Δ
ngrI
mutant as well as the entire cluster of 21 genes linked to assembly of the NGR234 type III secretion system (T3SS-II). Further, we also discovered that genes responsible for rhizopine catabolism in NGR234 were strongly repressed in the presence of high levels of
N
-acyl-homoserine-lactones. Together with nodulation assays, the RNA-seq-based findings suggested that quorum sensing (QS)-dependent gene regulation appears to be of higher relevance during nonsymbiotic growth rather than for life within root nodules.
Differing Courses of Genetic Evolution of Bradyrhizobium Inoculants as Revealed by Long-Term Molecular Tracing in Acacia mangium Plantations
Authors: Perrineau M. M. , Le Roux C. , Galiana A. , Faye A. , Duponnois R. , Goh D. , Prin Y. , Béna G. 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT

Introducing nitrogen-fixing bacteria as an inoculum in association with legume crops is a common practice in agriculture. However, the question of the evolution of these introduced microorganisms remains crucial, both in terms of microbial ecology and agronomy. We explored this question by analyzing the genetic and symbiotic evolution of two
Bradyrhizobium
strains inoculated on
Acacia mangium
in Malaysia and Senegal 15 and 5 years, respectively, after their introduction. Based on typing of several loci, we showed that these two strains, although closely related and originally sampled in Australia, evolved differently. One strain was recovered in soil with the same five loci as the original isolate, whereas the symbiotic cluster of the other strain was detected with no trace of the three housekeeping genes of the original inoculum. Moreover, the nitrogen fixation efficiency was variable among these isolates (either recombinant or not), with significantly high, low, or similar efficiencies compared to the two original strains and no significant difference between recombinant and nonrecombinant isolates. These data suggested that 15 years after their introduction, nitrogen-fixing bacteria remain in the soil but that closely related inoculant strains may not evolve in the same way, either genetically or symbiotically. In a context of increasing agronomical use of microbial inoculants (for biological control, nitrogen fixation, or plant growth promotion), this result feeds the debate on the consequences associated with such practices.
Chemical Structures of Streptococcus pneumoniae Capsular Polysaccharide Type 39 (CPS39), CPS47F, and CPS34 Characterized by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and Their Relation to CPS10A
Authors: Bush C. Allen , Yang Jinghua , Yu Bingwu , Cisar John O. 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT

Structural characterization of
Streptococcus pneumoniae
capsular polysaccharides (CPS) is a prerequisite for unraveling both antigenic and genetic relationships that exist between different serotypes. In the current study, comparative structural studies of
S. pneumoniae
CPS serogroup 10 (CPS10) were extended to include genetically related
S. pneumoniae
CPS34, CPS39, and CPS47F. High-resolution heteronuclear nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy confirmed the published structure of CPS34 and, in conjunction with glycosyl composition analyses, revealed the following repeat unit structures of the other serotypes, which have not been previously characterized:

Common and unique structural features of these polysaccharides, including different positions of O-acetylation, were unambiguously associated with specific genes in each corresponding
cps
locus. The only exception involved the gene designated
wcrC
, which is associated with the α1-2 transfer of Gal pyranoside (Gal
p
) to ribitol-5-phosphate in the synthesis of CPS10A, CPS47F, and CPS34 but with α1-1 transfer of Gal to ribitol-5-phosphate in the synthesis of CPS39. The corresponding gene in the
cps39
locus, although related to
wcrC
, more closely resembled a previously identified gene (i.e.,
wefM
) of
Streptococcus oralis
that is associated with α1-1 transfer of Gal
p
to ribitol-5-phosphate. These and other recent findings identify linkages from α-Gal
p
to ribitol-5-phosphate and from this residue to adjacent Gal furanoside (Gal
f
) as important sites of CPS structural and genetic diversity.
Evidence for a Hexaheteromeric Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase in Moorella thermoacetica
Authors: Mock Johanna , Wang Shuning , Huang Haiyan , Kahnt Jörg , Thauer Rudolf K. 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACTMoorella thermoaceticacan grow with H2and CO2, forming acetic acid from 2 CO2via the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway. All enzymes involved in this pathway have been characterized to date, except for methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MetF). We report here that theM. thermoaceticagene that putatively encodes this enzyme,metF, is part of a transcription unit also containing the geneshdrCBA,mvhD, andmetV. MetF copurified with the other five proteins encoded in the unit in a hexaheteromeric complex with an apparent molecular mass in the 320-kDa range. The 40-fold-enriched preparation contained per mg protein 3.1 nmol flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), 3.4 nmol flavin mononucleotide (FMN), and 110 nmol iron, almost as predicted from the primary structure of the six subunits. It catalyzed the reduction of methylenetetrahydrofolate with reduced benzyl viologen but not with NAD(P)H in either the absence or presence of oxidized ferredoxin. It also catalyzed the reversible reduction of benzyl viologen with NADH (diaphorase activity). Heterologous expression of themetFgene inEscherichia colirevealed that the subunit MetF contains one FMN rather than FAD. MetF exhibited 70-fold-higher methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase activity with benzyl viologen when produced together with MetV, which in part shows sequence similarity to MetF. Heterologously produced HdrA contained 2 FADs and had NAD-specific diaphorase activity. Our results suggested that the physiological electron donor for methylenetetrahydrofolate reduction inM. thermoaceticais NADH and that the exergonic reduction of methylenetetrahydrofolate with NADH is coupled via flavin-based electron bifurcation with the endergonic reduction of an electron acceptor, whose identity remains unknown.
Quantification of the Hawthorne effect in hand hygiene compliance monitoring using an electronic monitoring system: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Srigley Jocelyn A , Furness Colin D , Baker G Ross , Gardam Michael 
Published: July 2014

BackgroundThe Hawthorne effect, or behaviour change due to awareness of being observed, is assumed to inflate hand hygiene compliance rates as measured by direct observation but there are limited data to support this.ObjectiveTo determine whether the presence of hand hygiene auditors was associated with an increase in hand hygiene events as measured by a real-time location system (RTLS).MethodsThe RTLS recorded all uses of alcohol-based hand rub and soap for 8 months in two units in an academic acute care hospital. The RTLS also tracked the movement of hospital hand hygiene auditors. Rates of hand hygiene events per dispenser per hour as measured by the RTLS were compared for dispensers within sight of auditors and those not exposed to auditors.ResultsThe hand hygiene event rate in dispensers visible to auditors (3.75/dispenser/h) was significantly higher than in dispensers not visible to the auditors at the same time (1.48; p=0.001) and in the same dispensers during the week prior (1.07; p<0.001). The rate increased significantly when auditors were present compared with 1–5 min prior to the auditors’ arrival (1.50; p=0.009). There were no significant changes inside patient rooms.ConclusionsHand hygiene event rates were approximately threefold higher in hallways within eyesight of an auditor compared with when no auditor was visible and the increase occurred after the auditors’ arrival. This is consistent with the existence of a Hawthorne effect localised to areas where the auditor is visible and calls into question the accuracy of publicly reported hospital hand hygiene compliance rates.
“I see it now”: Using photo elicitation to understand chronic illness self-management
Authors: Fritz Heather , Lysack Cathy 
Published: July 2014

Background. How people integrate self-management into daily life remains underexamined, and such processes are difficult to elicit through traditional approaches used to understand human occupation. Purpose. This paper will provide a brief overview of one visual research method, photo elicitation, that holds promise for studying self-management of health behaviours and will present findings from an analysis of how the use of photo elicitation interviews contributed additional insights into self-management beyond those generated from the data collected through the other methods used in the study. Method. A qualitative, multiple-methods, multiple-case study was conducted with a purposive sample of 10 low-income women ages 40 to 64 with type 2 diabetes. Findings. The photo elicitation interviews contributed insights beyond those generated from other study methods about how individuals viewed their self-management behaviours and how occupations changed across time. Implications. Photo elicitation is a valuable research method for better understanding clients’ chronic illness self-management practices.
Long-term Results of Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation in the Knee for Chronic Chondral and Osteochondral Defects
Authors: Biant Leela C. , Bentley George , Vijayan Sridhar , Skinner John A. , Carrington Richard W.J. 
Published: July 2014

Background: Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) has been shown to be effective in the midterm for the treatment of symptomatic articular cartilage lesions of the knee, but few long-term series have been published. The multioperated chronic articular cartilage defect remains a difficult condition to treat. Purpose: To examine the long-term clinical results of ACI for large chronic articular cartilage defects, many treated as salvage. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: This is a prospective case series of 104 patients with a mean age of 30.2 years and a symptomatic lesion of the articular cartilage in the knee, who underwent ACI between 1998 and 2001. The mean duration of symptoms before surgery was 7.8 years. The mean number of previous surgical procedures on the cartilage defect, excluding arthroscopic debridement, was 1.3. The defects were large, with a mean size of 477.1 mm2 (range, 120-2500 mm2). The modified Cincinnati, Stanmore/Bentley, and visual analog scale for pain scoring systems were used to assess pain and functional outcomes at a minimum 10 years (mean, 10.4 years; range, 10-12 years). Results: Twenty-seven patients (26%) experienced graft failure at a mean of 5.7 years after ACI. Of the 73 patients who did not fail, 46 patients (63% of patients with a surviving graft) had an excellent result, 18 (25%) were good, 6 (8%) were fair, and 3 (4%) had a poor result. Of a total of 100 patients successfully followed up, 98 were satisfied with the ACI technique for their chronic knee pain and would undergo the procedure again. Conclusion: Autologous chondrocyte implantation can provide a long-term solution in more than 70% of young patients of a difficult-to-treat group with large chronic articular cartilage lesions, even in the salvage situation.