bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the NucliSENS EasyQ KPC Assay for Detection of Klebsiella pneumoniae Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae
Authors: McEwan A. S. , Derome A. , Meunier D. , Burns P. J. , Woodford N. , Dodgson A. R. 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACT

The NucliSENS EasyQ KPC assay (bioMérieux SA, Marcy l'Etoile, France) was compared with a routinely used phenotypic method for detection of
Enterobacteriaceae
producing
Klebsiella pneumoniae
carbapenemase (KPC)-type carbapenemases, using 806 stool samples and rectal swabs. Compared with the phenotypic method, the EasyQ KPC assay had a sensitivity and specificity of 93.3% and 99.0%, respectively, in this setting, with diverse KPC producers not limited to ST258
Klebsiella pneumoniae
.
A Case of Endocarditis Caused by Lactococcus garvieae and Suggested Methods for Identification
Authors: Navas Maria Eugenia , Hall Geraldine , El Bejjani Dalia 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACT

Lactococcus garvieae
is a Gram-positive coccus that has morphological and biochemical similarities to enterococci.
L. garvieae
strains rare human pathogens, with only a few cases reported in the literature, mainly as a cause of infective endocarditis.
L. garvieae
is well known as a fish pathogen, and in some of the reported cases, the patients had a history of contact with raw fish. Some of the reported endocarditis patients had valvular damage as a predisposing condition. We report a case of
L. garvieae
endocarditis in a patient with no history of contact with raw fish and with history of valvular repair in an unaffected heart valve.
Identification of Virulence Determinants within the L Genomic Segment of the Pichinde Arenavirus
Authors: McLay Lisa , Lan Shuiyun , Ansari Aftab , Liang Yuying , Ly Hinh 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACT

Several arenaviruses are responsible for causing viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHF) in humans. Lassa virus (LASV), the causative agent of Lassa fever, is a biosafety level 4 (BSL4) pathogen that requires handling in BSL4 facilities. In contrast, the Pichinde arenavirus (PICV) is a BSL2 pathogen that can cause hemorrhagic fever-like symptoms in guinea pigs that resemble those observed in human Lassa fever. Comparative sequence analysis of the avirulent P2 strain of PICV and the virulent P18 strain shows a high degree of sequence homology in the bisegmented genome between the two strains despite the polarized clinical outcomes noted for the infected animals. Using reverse genetics systems that we have recently developed, we have mapped the sequence changes in the large (L) segment of the PICV genome that are responsible for the heightened virulence phenotype of the P18 strain. By monitoring the degree of disease severity and lethality caused by the different mutant viruses, we have identified specific residues located within the viral L polymerase gene encoded on the L segment essential for mediating disease pathogenesis. Through quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) analysis, we have confirmed that the same set of residues is responsible for the increased viral replicative potential of the P18 strain and its heightened disease severity
in vivo
. Our laboratory findings serve to reinforce field observations that a high level of viremia often correlates with severe disease outcomes in LASV-infected patients.
Evidence in Support of RNA-Mediated Inhibition of Phosphatidylserine-Dependent HIV-1 Gag Membrane Binding in Cells
Authors: Chukkapalli Vineela , Inlora Jingga , Todd Gabrielle C. , Ono Akira 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACT

The matrix domain promotes plasma-membrane-specific binding of HIV-1 Gag through interaction with an acidic lipid phosphatidylinositol-(4,5)-bisphosphate. In
in vitro
systems, matrix-bound RNA suppresses Gag interactions with phosphatidylserine, an acidic lipid prevalent in various cytoplasmic membranes, thereby enhancing the lipid specificity of the matrix domain. Here we provide
in vitro
and cell-based evidence supporting the idea that this RNA-mediated suppression occurs in cells and hence is a physiologically relevant mechanism that prevents Gag from binding promiscuously to phosphatidylserine-containing membranes.
Sediment-control methods in urban development: Some examples and implications
Authors: Guy Harold P. 
Published: April 2013

Sediment-control methods in areas of urban development must be more carefully designed temporally and spacially than methods used in rural areas. Several jurisdictions have adopted a manual for sediment-control methods that is based largely on rural sediment-control technology. The applications of those general methods too often have adverse geomorphic implications when large quantities of sediment suddenly move into and through natural streams.
An example of adverse effects of attempted sediment control is the use of small sediment-detention basins downstream from a development project when the construction phase will last for only a few months. The result is that (1) damage is done to the waterway during installation, maintenance, and, if necessary, removal of the structure; (2) little of the fine sediment is trapped and considerable coarse sediment may be lost during a storm of long recurrence interval; (3) maintenance may be neglected by the contractor, which can cause a failure of the system; and (4) the cost of the detention is passed onto the consumer. The need for such a detention basin might be avoided by designing the facility so as to insure minimum disturbance of the landscape, a reduction in direct overland flow, and better timing of construction to minimize soil exposure during the rainy season.
Urban landslides: Targets for land-use planning in California
Authors: Leighton F. Beach 
Published: April 2013

Urban landslides represent the primary geologic hazard in urbanized California hillside and coastal sectors in terms of public and private losses. They have resulted in billions of dollars in damage losses as well as corrective and legal costs. Nevertheless, they have been shown to be one of the geologic hazards most amenable to avoidance and reduction by land-use planning.
In California, the evaluation of landslides for land-use planning purposes is being conducted at three principal levels; (1) on a regional basis, (2) on a tract or community basis, and (3) on a site basis. A high demand exists for level 1 studies by governmental surveys to supply sufficient basic data for proper regional planning and in preparation for detailed studies in levels 2 and 3. At each level, landslides and other geologic hazards are evaluated in proper scale and perspective so that they can be dealt with judiciously and economically in land-use planning. Estimated reduction of damaging failures attainable by investigations at the three levels combined is 95 to 99 percent.
The integration of geotechnical and nontechnical data can be achieved by producing a planning map that weighs all geotechnical data and attempts to answer the question, “For what use is the land best suited?”
A point system for landslide risk in a planning area can generally be established, based on the following factors: (1) adequacy of landslide database, (2) landslide stability ratings, (3) records of landslides in area, (4) geologic-engineering codes and standards, (5) implementation and enforcement of the codes and standards, and (6) performance records.
Land-use planning in high landslide-risk areas is generally accomplished by selection of a land use such as open space for the landslide-susceptible part and development of the nonlandslide part, at least until feasible corrective measures can be assured. Case histories in the Seal Cove-Moss Beach area of northern California and the Palos Verdes area of southern California serve to show how different the planning of these landslide areas might have been had the fund of geotechnical information, land-use planning techniques, and climate of public understanding approached the level evolving today.
Application of land-use constraints in Oregon
Authors: Palmer Leonard 
Published: April 2013

One question challenges all disciplines today—how many people with a given standard of living or rate of resource consumption can be sustained in a given area? Geologic factors concerning the natural environment and resources are basic limitations. It is necessary to define legal constraints on land and water use to provide sustained support of man at a specified living standard and technical efficiency.
Methods to determine natural geologic limitations to land use, ranging from the community to the regional scale, have been attempted in Oregon. The various geologic factors—such as land stabilities, geohydrology, soil and rock characteristics, landforms, and resources—are defined according to their developmental limitations. Existing land use and trends are then compared to natural limitations to determine conflicting and compatible land uses.
Simple systems of presenting and integrating geologic with nongeologic factors are utilized for improved public understanding and participation in the planning process. Final application of geologic factors in land-use planning depends largely on comprehension of them by nongeologists. Even so, a geologist member of the planning team is essential to ensure use of the available geologic data.
Coal resources of Peru
Authors: Petersen C. Richard 
Published: April 2013

The coal deposits of Peru are in three facies of the Lower Cretaceous Goyllarisquizga Group — the eastern, southern, and western facies. Only the western facies is divided into formations, which are from bottom to top the Oyón, Chimú, Santa, Carhuaz, and Farrat. The most important coalfields are the Goyllarisquizga, Jatunhuasi, Oyón, and the “Northern Anthracite” fields.
The Goyllarisquizga field, in constant production since 1903, has yielded at least 8,800,000 metric tons of bituminous coal, which has been used to make metallurgical coke for the Cerro de Pasco Corporation’s smelter in La Oroya. The coal produced in 1967 averaged 54.0 percent ash, 21.5 percent volatile matter, and 21.5 percent fixed carbon.
The Jatunhuasi field is a long, narrow body of coal east of the continental divide. It has been explored by the Cerro de Pasco Corporation—now Empresa Minera del Centro del Perú (Centromin) — because it constitutes the company’s main source of supply with a resource potential of about 8 million metric tons, although proved reserves are considerably less. The coal beds exhibit characteristics different from those in the Goyllarisquizga field, and the ash content is in general lower than that for coal in the Goyllarisquizga field.
In the Oyón basin both anthracite and bituminous coals occur n i the Oyón Formation. Variations in rank of the coals are either the result of intrusion of granodiorite stocks or of intense tectonic activity during which most of the coal was sheared and shattered.
The coal in northern Peru is of anthracitic rank. The coal-bearing rocks in this area extend from the Santa River valley to the upper Chicama River. Coal beds occur in both the Chimú and Farrat Formations. By far the most important area is the region of the upper Chicama, where a substantial tonnage could be developed if a suitable market could be found.
Male pattern baldness and its association with coronary heart disease: a meta-analysis
Authors: Yamada Tomohide , Hara Kazuo , Umematsu Hitomi , Kadowaki Takashi 
Published: April 2013

ObjectiveTo confirm the association between male pattern baldness and coronary heart disease (CHD).DesignMeta-analysis of observational studies.Data sourcesMedline and the Cochrane Library were searched for articles published up to November 2012 using keywords that included both ‘baldness’ and ‘coronary heart disease’ and the reference lists of those studies identified were also searched.Study selectionObservational studies were identified that reported risk estimates for CHD related to baldness. Two observers independently assessed eligibility, extracted data and assessed the possibility of bias.Data synthesisThe adjusted relative risk (RR) and 95% CI were estimated using the DerSimonian-Laird random-effect model.Results850 possible studies, 3 cohort studies and 3 case–control studies were selected (36 990 participants). In the cohort studies, the adjusted RR of men with severe baldness for CHD was 1.32 (95% CI 1.08 to 1.63, p=0.008, I2=25%) compared to those without baldness. Analysis of younger men (<55 or ≤60 years) showed a similar association of CHD with severe baldness (RR 1.44, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.86, p=0.006, I2=0%). In three studies employing the modified Hamilton scale, vertex baldness was associated with CHD and the relation depended on the severity of baldness (severe vertex: RR 1.48 (1.04 to 2.11, p=0.03); moderate vertex: RR 1.36 (1.16 to 1.58, p<0.001); mild vertex: RR 1.18 (1.04 to 1.35, p<0.001)). However, frontal baldness was not associated with CHD (RR 1.11 (0.92 to 1.32, p=0.28)).ConclusionsVertex baldness, but not frontal baldness, is associated with an increased risk of CHD. The association with CHD depends on the severity of vertex baldness and also exists among younger men. Thus, vertex baldness might be more closely related to atherosclerosis than frontal baldness, but the association between male pattern baldness and CHD deserves further investigation.
Role of erythrocytes and platelets in the hypercoagulable status in polycythemia vera through phosphatidylserine exposure and microparticle generation
Authors: Gao Chunyan , Yang Xue , Li Jianan , Wang Wei , Hou Jinxiao , Li Huibo , Tan Xiaoyan , Shi Jialan , Fu Yueyue , Zhou Jin 
Published: April 2013

SummaryThe development of thrombosis in polycythaemia vera (PV) involves multifactorial processes including pathological activation of blood cells. Release of microparticles (MPs) by activated cells in diseases is associated with thrombotic risk, but relatively few data are available in PV. The aim of the present study was to investigate the increase in MP release and exposure of phosphatidylserine (PS) on the outer membrane of MP-origin cells in patients with PV, and to analyse their procoagulant activity (PCA). PS-positive MPs and cells were detected by flow cytometry, while PCA was assessed with clotting time and purified coagulation complex assays. We found that PV patients had elevated circulating lactadherin+ MPs, which mostly originating from erythrocytes, platelets, granulocytes, and endothelial cells, as well as increased PS exposing erythrocytes/platelets as compared to secondary polycythaemia patients or healthy controls. These PS-bearing MPs and cells were highly procoagulant. Moreover, lactadherin competed factor V and VIII to PS and inhibited about 90% of the detected PCA in a dose-response manner while anti-TF antibody did no significant inhibition. Treatment with hydroxyurea is associated with a decrease in PS exposure and lactadherin+ MP release of erythrocytes/platelets. Our data demonstrate that PV patients are characterised by increased circulating procoagulant MPs and PS exposing erythrocytes/platelets, which could contribute to the hypercoagulable state in these patients.
Lipoxygenase and urease inhibition of the aerial parts of the Polygonatum verticillatum
Authors: Khan Haroon , Saeed Muhammad , Muhammad Naveed , Gaffar Rukhsana , Gul Farah , Raziq Naila 
Published: April 2013

Over expression of lipoxygenase (LOX) and urease has already contributed to the pathology of different human disease. Targeting the inhibition of these enzymes has proved great clinical utility. The aim of the present study was to scrutinised the inhibitory profile of the aerial parts of the Polygonatum verticillatum enzyme against LOX, urease, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) using standard experimental protocols. When checked against lipoxygenase, the extracts revealed significant attenuation. Of the tested extracts, the ethyl acetate fraction was the most potent (half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50): 97 µg/mL) followed by aqueous fraction IC50: 109 µg/mL). Regarding urease inhibition, n-butanol was the most potent fraction (IC50: 97 µg/mL). However, the extracts did not show significant inhibition on AChE and BChE. In the preliminary phytochemical tests, the aerial parts of the plant showed the presence of saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, tannins and terpenoids. The current findings could be attributed to these groups of compounds.
Impact of a Palliative Care Consult Service
Authors: Whitford Kevin , Shah Nilay D. , Moriarty James , Branda Megan , Thorsteinsdottir Bjoerg 
Published: April 2013

Established hospital palliative care consult services (PCCS) have been associated with reduced costs and length of stay, decreased symptom burden, and increased satisfaction with care. Using a retrospective case–control design, we analyzed administrative data of patients seen by PCCS while hospitalized at the Rochester, Minnesota Mayo Clinic hospitals from 2003 to 2008. The PCCS patients were matched to 3:1. A total of 1477 patients seen by the PCCS were matched with 4431 patients not seen. Costs for patients seen and discharged alive were US$35 449 (95% confidence interval [CI] US$34 157-US$36 686) compared to US$37 447 (95% CI US$36 734-US$38 126), without PCCS consultation. Costs for PCCS patients that died during hospitalization were US$54 940 (95% CI US$51 483-US$58 576) and non-PCCS patients were US$79 660 (95% CI US$76 614-US$83 398).
Accommodating missingness when assessing surrogacy via principal stratification
Authors: Elliott Michael R , Li Yun , Taylor Jeremy MG 
Published: April 2013

Background When an outcome of interest in a clinical trial is late-occurring or difficult to obtain, surrogate markers can extract information about the effect of the treatment on the outcome of interest. Understanding associations between the causal effect (CE) of treatment on the outcome and the causal effect of treatment on the surrogate is critical to understanding the value of a surrogate from a clinical perspective. Purpose Traditional regression approaches to determine the proportion of the treatment effect explained by surrogate markers suffer from several shortcomings: they can be unstable and can lie outside the 0–1 range. Furthermore, they do not account for the fact that surrogate measures are obtained post randomization, and thus, the surrogate–outcome relationship may be subject to unmeasured confounding. Methods to avoid these problems are of key importance. Methods Frangakis and Rubin suggested assessing the CE within prerandomization ‘principal strata’ defined by the counterfactual joint distribution of the surrogate marker under the different treatment arms, with the proportion of the overall outcome CE attributable to subjects for whom the treatment affects the proposed surrogate as the key measure of interest. Li et al. developed this ‘principal surrogacy’ approach for dichotomous markers and outcomes, utilizing Bayesian methods that accommodated nonidentifiability in the model parameters. Because the surrogate marker is typically observed early, outcome data are often missing. Here, we extend Li et al. to accommodate missing data in the observable final outcome under ignorable and nonignorable settings. We also allow for the possibility that missingness has a counterfactual component, a feature that previous literature has not addressed. Results We apply the proposed methods to a trial of glaucoma control comparing surgery versus medication, where intraocular pressure (IOP) control at 12 months is a surrogate for IOP control at 96 months. We also conduct a series of simulations to consider the impacts of nonignorability, as well as sensitivity to priors and the ability of the decision information criterion (DIC) to choose the correct model when parameters are not fully identified. Limitations Because model parameters cannot be fully identified from data, informative priors can introduce nontrivial bias in moderate sample size settings, while more noninformative priors can yield wide credible intervals. Conclusions Assessing the linkage between CEs of treatment on a surrogate marker and CEs of a treatment on an outcome is important to understanding the value of a marker. These CEs are not fully identifiable; hence, we explore the sensitivity and identifiability aspects of these models and show that relatively weak assumptions can still yield meaningful results.
Bi-stable resistive switching characteristics in Ti-doped ZnO thin films
Authors: Younis Adnan , Chu Dewei , Li Sean 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Ti-doped ZnO (ZnO/Ti) thin films were grown on indium tin oxide substrates by a facile electrodeposition route. The morphology, crystal structure and resistive switching properties were examined, respectively. The morphology reveals that grains are composed of small crystals. The (002) preferential growth along c-axis of ZnO/Ti could be observed from structural analysis. The XPS study shows the presence of oxygen vacancies in the prepared films. Typical bipolar and reversible resistance switching effects were observed. High R
OFF/R
ON ratios (approximately 14) and low operation voltages within 100 switching cycles are obtained. The filament theory and the interface effect are suggested to be responsible for the resistive switching phenomenon.
Age-related autoimmunity
Authors: Vadasz Zahava , Haj Tharwat , Kessel Aharon , Toubi Elias 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Older persons have higher autoimmunity but a lower prevalence of autoimmune diseases. A possible explanation for this is the expansion of many protective regulatory mechanisms highly characteristic in the elderly. Of note is the higher production of peripheral T-regulatory cells.
The frequent development of autoimmunity in the elderly was suggested to take place in part due to the selection of T cells with increased affinity to self-antigens or to latent viruses. These cells were shown to have a greater ability to be pro-inflammatory, thereby amplifying autoimmunity. During aging, thymic T-regulatory cell output decreases in association with the loss of thymic capacity to generate new T cells. However, to balance the above mentioned autoimmunity and prevent the development of autoimmune diseases, there is an age-related increase in peripheral CD4+ CD25highFoxP3+ T-regulatory cells. It remains unclear whether this is an age-related immune dysfunction or a defense response. Whatever the reason, the expansion of T-regulatory cells requires payment in terms of an increased incidence of cancer and higher susceptibility to infections.
Morphology of the transverse ligament of the atlas and the alar ligaments in the silver fox (Vulpes vulpes var)
Authors: Kupczynska Marta , Barszcz Karolina , Janczyk Pawel , Wasowicz Michal , Czubaj Norbert 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
Recent new anatomical and histological features of craniocervical junction in dogs and cats were described providing evidence of differences between the carnivore species. No information on these structures in foxes exists.

Results
Two parts of the alar ligaments were found. A longer one aroused from dens of axis to the internal (medial) surface of the occipital condyles and was called apical part. A shorter part originated from the entire length of the lateral edge of the dens of axis and terminated on the internal wall of the vertebral foramen of atlas and thus was called the lateral part. The transverse ligament of the atlas was widened in the mid region, above the dens of axis, and thickened at enthesis. Periosteal fibrocartilage was detected in the transverse ligament of the atlas at the enthesis, and sesamoid fibrocartilage was present on periphery in the middle of the ligament.

Conclusions
The craniocervical junction in foxes differs in part from other carnivores such as dogs and cats but resembles that of mesaticephalic dogs. The sesamoid and periosteal fibrocartilage supports the transverse ligament of the atlas whereas the alar ligaments have no cartilage.