bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Buying Access to Social Capital? From Collaboration to Service Provision in an Agricultural Co‐operative
Authors: Flanigan Sharon , Sutherland Lee‐Ann 
Published: June 2015

AbstractRecent years have seen a proliferation of state supports to increase agriculture and rural economic development through co‐operative ventures. Implicit or explicit in these activities is the mobilisation of social capital to achieve economic aims. To date, few studies have addressed the long term evolution of social capital‐based relationships. In this article, we assess the evolving role of social capital in an agricultural co‐operative, using the development of machinery rings in Scotland as a case‐study. Drawing on Bourdieu's conceptualisation of capital exchange, we explore the establishment, formalisation, and commoditisation of different capitals embedded in the rings. Findings demonstrate that a range of capital types was important at each stage of machinery ring development, enabling them to evolve in relation to the changes affecting the agriculture industry in Scotland. Early adoption of advanced information technologies enabled the mobilisation of network resources and successful service provision across increasing geographical scales. Through formalisation, the rings became sources of human, social, and economic capitals – access to which could be purchased by new ring members. This formalisation process ultimately led to the establishment of the rings as economically viable businesses, but also a shift in identity from farmer collaboration to commercial service provision.
Coagulation abnormalities in 5 cats with naturally occurring cytauxzoonosis
Authors: Conner Bobbi J. , Hanel Rita M. , Brooks Marjory B. , Cohn Leah A. , Birkenheuer Adam J. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo characterize hemostasis and determine if disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is present in cats with cytauxzoonosis.DesignCross‐sectional study.SettingUniversity teaching hospital.AnimalsFive client‐owned cats with cytologic and PCR‐confirmed cytauxzoonosis.InterventionsNone.Measurements and Main ResultsAdmission samples were collected for hemostasis testing including platelet count, activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time, fibrinogen, antithrombin (AT), d‐dimer, protein C, plasminogen, antiplasmin, factors VII, VIII, IX, X, and XI, von Willebrand factor, and thromboelastography. Results were compiled for combined criteria used to define DIC, and all 5 cats satisfied criteria using a previously described modified scoring system for DIC in cats. The abnormalities found in all 5 cats included thrombocytopenia, low protein C activity, and prolonged prothrombin time; however, none of the cats had low AT activity. None of the cats had clinical signs of hemorrhage despite thrombocytopenia, coagulation factor deficiency (5/5 cats), and thromboelastographic evidence of hypocoagulability (2/5 cats). Three of 5 cats survived to hospital discharge. The nonsurvivors had disseminated cytauxzoonosis with schizont‐laden macrophages in vessels of various organs.ConclusionsThis is the first report that comprehensively describes the hemostastic status of cats with naturally occurring infection with Cytauxzoon felis. All 5 cats had laboratory evidence of overt DIC. Unlike human and canine models of sepsis‐induced DIC, AT deficiency was not found in this series of cats. Further research is warranted to investigate therapeutic strategies targeting thrombotic DIC to improve survival in cats with cytauxzoonosis.
Magnesium sulphate and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular adaptations to asphyxia in preterm fetal sheep
Authors: Galinsky Robert , Davidson Joanne O. , Drury Paul P. , Wassink Guido , Lear Christopher A. , van den Heuij Lotte G. , Gunn Alistair J. , Bennet Laura 
Published: June 2015

Key points
Magnesium sulphate is the recommended treatment for pre‐eclampsia and is now widely recommended for perinatal neuroprotection.
MgSO4 has vasodilatory and negative inotropic effects; however, it is unknown whether it impairs the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular adaptations to acute asphyxia in preterm fetuses.
Intravenous infusion of a clinically comparable dose of MgSO4 to the preterm fetus was associated with no change in blood pressure, reduced fetal heart rate and increased femoral arterial conductance and blood flow; femoral arterial waveform height and width were increased, consistent with increased stroke volume during MgSO4 infusion.
During asphyxia MgSO4 was associated with increased carotid and femoral arterial conductance and blood flows; after asphyxia, fetal heart rate was lower and carotid and femoral blood flows and vascular conductance were greater in MgSO4‐treated fetuses.
These data demonstrate that MgSO4 may increase perfusion of peripheral vascular beds during adverse perinatal events such as asphyxia.
AbstractMagnesium sulphate is a standard therapy for eclampsia in pregnancy and is widely recommended for perinatal neuroprotection during threatened preterm labour. MgSO4 is a vasodilator and negative inotrope. Therefore the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of MgSO4 on the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular responses of the preterm fetus to asphyxia. Fetal sheep were instrumented at 98 ± 1 days of gestation (term = 147 days). At 104 days, unanaesthetised fetuses were randomly assigned to receive an intravenous infusion of MgSO4 (n = 6) or saline (n = 9). At 105 days all fetuses underwent umbilical cord occlusion for 25 min. Before occlusion, MgSO4 treatment reduced heart rate and increased femoral blood flow (FBF) and vascular conductance compared to controls. During occlusion, carotid and femoral arterial conductance and blood flows were higher in MgSO4‐treated fetuses than controls. After occlusion, fetal heart rate was lower and carotid and femoral arterial conductance and blood flows were higher in MgSO4‐treated fetuses than controls. Femoral arterial waveform height and width were increased during MgSO4 infusion, consistent with increased stroke volume. MgSO4 did not alter the fetal neurophysiological or nuchal electromyographic responses to asphyxia. These data demonstrate that a clinically comparable dose of MgSO4 increased FBF and stroke volume without impairing mean arterial pressure (MAP) or carotid blood flow (CaBF) during and immediately after profound asphyxia. Thus, MgSO4 may increase perfusion of peripheral vascular beds during adverse perinatal events.
Effect of 3-Bromopyruvate and Atovaquone on Infection during
In Vitro
Interaction of Toxoplasma gondii and LLC-MK2 Cells
Authors: de Lima Loyze Paola O. , Seabra Sergio H. , Carneiro Henrique , Barbosa Helene S. 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACT

Toxoplasma gondii
infection can be severe during pregnancy and in immunocompromised patients. Current therapies for toxoplasmosis are restricted to tachyzoites and have little or no effect on bradyzoites, which are maintained in tissue cysts. Consequently, new therapeutic alternatives have been proposed as the use of atovaquone has demonstrated partial efficacy against tachyzoites and bradyzoites. This work studies the effect of 3-bromopyruvate (3-BrPA), a compound that is being tested against cancer cells, on the infection of LLC-MK2 cells with
T. gondii
tachyzoites, RH strain. No effect of 3-BrPA on host cell proliferation or viability was observed, but it inhibited the proliferation of
T. gondii
. The incubation of cultures with lectin
Dolichos biflorus
agglutinin (DBA) showed the development of cystogenesis, and an ultrastructural analysis of parasite intracellular development confirmed morphological characteristics commonly found in tissue cysts. Moreover, the presence of degraded parasites and the influence of 3-BrPA on endodyogeny were observed. Infected cultures were alternatively treated with a combination of this compound plus atovaquone. This resulted in a 73% reduction in intracellular parasites after 24 h of treatment and a 71% reduction after 48 h; cyst wall formation did not occur in these cultures. Therefore, we conclude that the use of 3-BrPA may serve as an important tool for the study of (i)
in vitro
cystogenesis; (ii) parasite metabolism, requiring a deeper understanding of the target of action of this compound on
T. gondii
; (iii) the alternative parasite metabolic pathways; and (iv) the molecular/cellular mechanisms that trigger parasite death.
Population Modeling and Simulation Study of the Pharmacokinetics and Antituberculosis Pharmacodynamics of Isoniazid in Lungs
Authors: Lalande L. , Bourguignon L. , Bihari S. , Maire P. , Neely M. , Jelliffe R. , Goutelle S. 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACT

Among first-line antituberculosis drugs, isoniazid (INH) displays the greatest early bactericidal activity (EBA) and is key to reducing contagiousness in treated patients. The pulmonary pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of INH have not been fully characterized with modeling and simulation approaches. INH concentrations measured in plasma, epithelial lining fluid, and alveolar cells for 89 patients, including fast acetylators (FAs) and slow acetylators (SAs), were modeled by use of population pharmacokinetic modeling. Then the model was used to simulate the EBA of INH in lungs and to investigate the influences of INH dose, acetylator status, and
M. tuberculosis
MIC on this effect. A three-compartment model adequately described INH concentrations in plasma and lungs. With an MIC of 0.0625 mg/liter, simulations showed that the mean bactericidal effect of a standard 300-mg daily dose of INH was only 11% lower for FA subjects than for SA subjects and that dose increases had little influence on the effects in either FA or SA subjects. With an MIC value of 1 mg/liter, the mean bactericidal effect associated with a 300-mg daily dose of INH in SA subjects was 41% greater than that in FA subjects. With the same MIC, increasing the daily INH dose from 300 mg to 450 mg resulted in a 22% increase in FA subjects. These results suggest that patients infected with
M. tuberculosis
with low-level resistance, especially FA patients, may benefit from higher INH doses, while dose adjustment for acetylator status has no significant impact on the EBA in patients with low-MIC strains.
Synergistic Effect of Membrane-Active Peptides Polymyxin B and Gramicidin S on Multidrug-Resistant Strains and Biofilms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Berditsch Marina , Jäger Thomas , Strempel Nikola , Schwartz Thomas , Overhage Jörg , Ulrich Anne S. 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACT

Multidrug-resistant
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
is a major cause of severe hospital-acquired infections. Currently, polymyxin B (PMB) is a last-resort antibiotic for the treatment of infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria, despite its undesirable side effects. The delivery of drug combinations has been shown to reduce the required therapeutic doses of antibacterial agents and thereby their toxicity if a synergistic effect is present. In this study, we investigated the synergy between two cyclic antimicrobial peptides, PMB and gramicidin S (GS), against different
P. aeruginosa
isolates, using a quantitative checkerboard assay with resazurin as a growth indicator. Among the 28 strains that we studied, 20 strains showed a distinct synergistic effect, represented by a fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) of ≤0.5. Remarkably, several clinical
P. aeruginosa
isolates that grew as small-colony variants revealed a nonsynergistic effect, as indicated by FICIs between >0.5 and ≤0.70. In addition to inhibiting the growth of planktonic bacteria, the peptide combinations significantly decreased static biofilm growth compared with treatment with the individual peptides. There was also a faster and more prolonged effect when the combination of PMB and GS was used compared with single-peptide treatments on the metabolic activity of pregrown biofilms. The results of the present study define a synergistic interaction between two cyclic membrane-active peptides toward 17 multidrug-resistant
P. aeruginosa
and biofilms of
P. aeruginosa
strain PAO1. Thus, the application of PMB and GS in combination is a promising option for a topical medication and in the prevention of acute and chronic infections caused by multidrug-resistant or biofilm-forming
P. aeruginosa
.
High
In Vitro
Susceptibility to the Novel Spiropyrimidinetrione ETX0914 (AZD0914) among 873 Contemporary Clinical Neisseria gonorrhoeae Isolates from 21 European Countries from 2012 to 2014
Authors: Unemo Magnus , Ringlander Johan , Wiggins Catherine , Fredlund Hans , Jacobsson Susanne , Cole Michelle 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACT

Resistance in
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
against all antimicrobials available for the treatment of gonorrhea has emerged. The first gonococcal strains with high-level resistance to ceftriaxone, the last option for first-line empirical antimicrobial monotherapy, were recently described. Consequently, new treatment options are essential. In this study, the
in vitro
activity of the novel spiropyrimidinetrione ETX0914 (AZD0914), a DNA topoisomerase II inhibitor, was investigated among contemporary consecutive clinical
N. gonorrhoeae
isolates obtained in 21 European countries and compared to the activities of antimicrobials currently or previously recommended for treatment. Consecutive clinical
N. gonorrhoeae
isolates (
n
= 873) cultured in 21 European countries from 2012 to 2014 were examined for their susceptibility to ETX0914. The MICs of ETX0914 were determined using the agar dilution method. For comparison, the MICs of ceftriaxone, cefixime, azithromycin, and ciprofloxacin were determined using Etest or the agar dilution method. For ETX0914, the MIC range, modal MIC, MIC
50
, and MIC
90
were ≤0.002 to 0.25 mg/liter, 0.125 mg/liter, 0.064 mg/liter, and 0.125 mg/liter, respectively. The MIC values were substantially lower than those of the fluoroquinolone ciprofloxacin and most other antimicrobials examined. No cross-resistance with any other examined antimicrobial was observed. In conclusion, the
in vitro
susceptibility to the novel spiropyrimidinetrione ETX0914 (AZD0914) among 873 contemporary clinical isolates from 21 European countries was high, and no cross-resistance to antimicrobials currently or previously used for gonorrhea treatment was indicated. Additional studies investigating the
in vitro
and
in vivo
induction and mechanisms of ETX0914 resistance in gonococci, pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics in modeling/simulations and in humans, and performance in randomized controlled gonorrhea treatment trials are essential.
Prospective Observational Study of Prior Rectal Colonization Status as a Predictor for Subsequent Development of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Clinical Infections
Authors: Gómez-Zorrilla Silvia , Camoez Mariana , Tubau Fe , Cañizares Rosario , Periche Elisabet , Dominguez M. Angeles , Ariza Javier , Peña Carmen 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACT

The potential role of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
(PA) intestinal colonization in the subsequent development of infections has not been thoroughly investigated. The aims of this study were to assess the role of PA intestinal colonization as a predictor of subsequent infections and to investigate the risk factors associated with the development of PA infection in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). For this purpose, a prospective study was conducted that included (i) active surveillance of PA rectal colonization at ICU admission and weekly until ICU discharge, (ii) detection of PA clinical infections, and (iii) genotypic analysis by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). A total of 414 patients were included, of whom 179 (43%) were colonized with PA. Among the 77 patients who developed PA infection, 69 (90%) had prior PA colonization, and 60 (87%) of these showed genotyping concordance between rectal and clinical isolates. The probability of PA infection 14 days after ICU admission was 26% for carriers versus 5% for noncarriers (
P
< 0.001). Cox regression analysis identified prior PA rectal colonization as the main predictor of PA infection (hazard ratio [HR], 15.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 6.9 to 33.7;
P
< 0.001). Prior use of nonantipseudomonal penicillins was also identified as an independent variable associated with PA infection (HR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.3 to 3.55;
P
< 0.003). Our study demonstrated that prior PA rectal colonization is a key factor for developing PA infection.
Treatment Outcomes with Cefazolin versus Oxacillin for Deep-Seated Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus Bloodstream Infections
Authors: Rao Sonia N. , Rhodes Nathaniel J. , Lee Benjamin J. , Scheetz Marc H. , Hanson Amy P. , Segreti John , Crank Christopher W. , Wang Sheila K. 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACT

Clinical preference for a semisynthetic penicillin (oxacillin or nafcillin) over cefazolin for deep-seated methicillin-susceptible
Staphylococcus aureus
(MSSA) bloodstream infections (BSI) perseveres despite limited data to support this approach. A retrospective cohort study of patients treated for MSSA BSI with either oxacillin or cefazolin was performed across two medical centers in Chicago, IL. The outcome measures included documented in-hospital treatment failure, all-cause in-hospital mortality, duration of MSSA BSI, and incidence of documented adverse events. Of 161 patients with MSSA BSI, 103 (64%) received cefazolin, and 58 (36%) received oxacillin. The identified sources of BSI were central line (37.9%), osteoarticular (18%), and skin and soft tissue (17.4%). Patients with endocarditis (29/52 [44.2%]) and other deep-seated infections (23/52 [55.8%]) were classified under the subset of deep-seated infections (52/161 [32.3%]). Multivariate models found deep-seated infection (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 4.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23 to 16.6;
P
= 0.023), metastatic disease (aOR, 4.21; 95% CI, 1.13 to 15.7;
P
= 0.033), and intensive care unit (ICU) onset of infection (aOR, 4.80; 95% CI, 1.26 to 18.4;
P
= 0.022) to be independent risk factors for in-hospital treatment failure. Treatment group was not an independent predictor of failure (aOR, 3.76; 95% CI, 0.98 to 14.4;
P
= 0.053). The rates of treatment failure were similar among cefazolin-treated (5/32 [15.6%]) and oxacillin-treated (4/20 [20.0%]) patients (
P
= 0.72) in the subset of deep-seated infections. Mortality was observed in 1 (1%) and 3 (5.2%) cases of cefazolin- and oxacillin-treated patients, respectively (
P
= 0.13). Cefazolin was not associated with higher rates of treatment failure and appears to be an effective alternative to oxacillin for treatment of deep-seated MSSA BSI.
Links between Anr and Quorum Sensing in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms
Authors: Hammond John H. , Dolben Emily F. , Smith T. Jarrod , Bhuju Sabin , Hogan Deborah A. 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACTInPseudomonas aeruginosa, the transcription factor Anr controls the cellular response to low oxygen or anoxia. Anr activity is high in oxygen-limited environments, including biofilms and populations associated with chronic infections, and Anr is necessary for persistence in a model of pulmonary infection. In this study, we characterized the Anr regulon in biofilm-grown cells at 1% oxygen in the laboratory strain PAO1 and in a quorum sensing (QS)-deficient clinical isolate, J215. As expected, transcripts related to denitrification, arginine fermentation, high-affinity cytochrome oxidases, and CupA fimbriae were lower in the Δanrderivatives. In addition, we observed that transcripts associated with quorum sensing regulation, iron acquisition and storage, type VI secretion, and the catabolism of aromatic compounds were also differentially expressed in the Δanrstrains. Prior reports have shown that quorum sensing-defective mutants have higher levels of denitrification, and we found that multiple Anr-regulated processes, including denitrification, were strongly inversely proportional to quorum sensing in both transcriptional and protein-based assays. We also found that in LasR-defective strains but not their LasR-intact counterparts, Anr regulated the production of the 4-hydroxy-2-alkylquinolines, which play roles in quorum sensing and interspecies interactions. These data show that Anr was required for the expression of important metabolic pathways in low-oxygen biofilms, and they reveal an expanded and compensatory role for Anr in the regulation of virulence-related genes in quorum sensing mutants, such as those commonly isolated from infections.IMPORTANCEPseudomonas aeruginosacauses acute ocular, soft tissue, and pulmonary infections, as well as chronic infections in the airways of cystic fibrosis patients.P. aeruginosauses quorum sensing (QS) to regulate virulence, but mutations in the gene encoding the master regulator of QS,lasR, are frequently observed in clinical isolates. We demonstrated that the regulon attributed to Anr, an oxygen-sensitive transcription factor, was more highly expressed inlasRmutants. Furthermore, we show that Anr regulates the production of several different secreted factors inlasRmutants. These data demonstrate the importance of Anr in naturally occurring quorum sensing mutants in the context of chronic infections.
Risk perception of sexually transmitted infections and HIV in Nigerian commercial sex workers in Barcelona: a qualitative study
Authors: Coma Auli Núria , Mejía-Lancheros Cília , Berenguera Anna , Pujol-Ribera Enriqueta 
Published: June 2015

ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine in detail the risk perception of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV, and the contextual circumstances, in Nigerian commercial sex workers (CSWs) in Barcelona.DesignA qualitative study with a phenomenological approach.SettingRaval area in Barcelona.Participants8 CSWs working in Barcelona.MethodsA phenomenological study was carried out with Nigerian CSWs in Barcelona. Sampling was theoretical, taking into account: different age ranges; women with and without a partner; women with and without children; and women participating or not in STI/HIV-prevention workshops. Information was obtained by means of eight semistructured individual interviews. An interpretative content analysis was conducted by four analysts.ResultsIllegal immigrant status, educational level, financial situation and work, and cultural context had mixed effects on CSW knowledge of, exposure to, and prevention and treatment of STI and HIV. CSWs were aware of the higher risk of STI associated with their occupation. They identified condoms as the best preventive method and used them during intercourse with clients. They also implemented other preventive behaviours such as personal hygiene after intercourse. Control of sexual services provided, health education and healthcare services had a positive effect on decreasing exposure and better management of STI/HIV.ConclusionsNigerian CSWs are a vulnerable group because of their poor socioeconomic status. The perception of risk in this group and their preventive behaviours are based on personal determinants, beliefs and experiences from their home country and influences from the host country. Interventions aimed at CSWs must address knowledge gaps, risk behaviours and structural elements.