bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Selective Cultivation and Rapid Detection of Staphylococcus aureus by Computer Vision
Authors: Wang Yong , Yin Yongguang , Zhang Chaonan 
Published: February 2014

AbstractIn this paper, we developed a selective growth medium and a more rapid detection method based on computer vision for selective isolation and identification of Staphylococcus aureus from foods. The selective medium consisted of tryptic soy broth basal medium, 3 inhibitors (NaCl, K2TeO3, and phenethyl alcohol), and 2 accelerators (sodium pyruvate and glycine). After 4 h of selective cultivation, bacterial detection was accomplished using computer vision. The total analysis time was 5 h. Compared to the Baird‐Parker plate count method, which requires 4 to 5 d, this new detection method offers great time savings. Moreover, our novel method had a correlation coefficient of greater than 0.998 when compared with the Baird‐Parker plate count method. The detection range for S. aureus was 10 to 107 CFU/mL.Practical ApplicationOur new, rapid detection method for microorganisms in foods has great potential for routine food safety control and microbiological detection applications.
A randomized controlled study of trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole versus norfloxacin for the prevention of infection in cirrhotic patients
Authors: Lontos Steve , Shelton Edward , Angus Peter W , Vaughan Rhys , Roberts Stuart K , Gordon Adam , Gow Paul J 
Published: February 2014

ObjectiveTo prospectively compare norfloxacin (N) with trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole (T‐S) in preventing infection in cirrhotic patients.MethodsCirrhotic patients at high risk of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) were recruited and assigned N (400 mg daily) or T‐S (160/800 mg daily). Patients were followed up for 12 months. The primary end‐point was the incidence of infection. Secondary end‐points included the incidence of SBP, bacteremia, extraperitoneal infection requiring antibiotic treatment, liver transplantation, death, side effects and rate of resistance to N or T‐S.ResultsA total of 80 patients with a mean age of 53.0 ± 9.3 years were prescribed N (n = 40) or T‐S (n = 40). Child–Pugh status, model for end‐stage liver disease and risk factors for SBP were similar between the groups. There were 10 episodes of infections in the N group and 9 in the T‐S group (P = 0.79). Two patients each in the N and T‐S group developed SBP (P = 0.60). There was a difference in the rate of transplantation favoring N (P = 0.03) but not death. The number of adverse events for N (n = 7) and T‐S (n = 10) were similar (P = 0.59), with T‐S being associated with an increased risk of developing a definite or probable adverse event compared to N (22.5% vs 0%, P = 0.01).ConclusionsThis study failed to demonstrate a difference between N and T‐S groups in their effects on preventing infection in patients with liver cirrhosis. T‐S can be considered an alternative first‐line therapy for infection prophylaxis.
GeoChip 4: a functional gene‐array‐based high‐throughput environmental technology for microbial community analysis
Authors: Tu Qichao , Yu Hao , He Zhili , Deng Ye , Wu Liyou , Van Nostrand Joy D. , Zhou Aifen , Voordeckers James , Lee Yong‐Jin , Qin Yujia , Hemme Christopher L. , Shi Zhou , Xue Kai , Yuan Tong , Wang Aijie , Zhou Jizhong 
Published: February 2014

AbstractMicro‐organisms play critical roles in many important biogeochemical processes in the Earth's biosphere. However, understanding and characterizing the functional capacity of microbial communities are still difficult due to the extremely diverse and often uncultivable nature of most micro‐organisms. In this study, we developed a new functional gene array, GeoChip 4, for analysing the functional diversity, composition, structure, metabolic potential/activity and dynamics of microbial communities. GeoChip 4 contained approximately 82 000 probes covering 141 995 coding sequences from 410 functional gene families related to microbial carbon (C), nitrogen (N), sulphur (S), and phosphorus (P) cycling, energy metabolism, antibiotic resistance, metal resistance/reduction, organic remediation, stress responses, bacteriophage and virulence. A total of 173 archaeal, 4138 bacterial, 404 eukaryotic and 252 viral strains were targeted, providing the ability to analyse targeted functional gene families of micro‐organisms included in all four domains. Experimental assessment using different amounts of DNA suggested that as little as 500 ng environmental DNA was required for good hybridization, and the signal intensities detected were well correlated with the DNA amount used. GeoChip 4 was then applied to study the effect of long‐term warming on soil microbial communities at a Central Oklahoma site, with results indicating that microbial communities respond to long‐term warming by enriching carbon degradation, nutrient cycling (nitrogen and phosphorous) and stress response gene families. To the best of our knowledge, GeoChip 4 is the most comprehensive functional gene array for microbial community analysis.
Single‐Nucleotide Polymorphisms Interact to Affect ADH7 Transcription
Authors: Jairam Sowmya , Edenberg Howard J. 
Published: February 2014

BackgroundThe class IV alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH7, μ‐ADH, σ‐ADH) is important in the metabolism of ethanol and retinol. ADH7 is the only ADH not expressed in liver, instead being expressed mainly in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Genome‐wide studies have identified significant associations between single‐nucleotide polymorphisms in ADH7 and alcoholism and cancer, but the causative variants have not been identified.MethodsIn vitro studies of gene expression by transient transfection into cell lines that express endogenous ADH7 (CP‐A cells) and that do not (HepG2 cells).ResultsWe have identified transcriptional regulatory elements of ADH7 and observed differences in the effects of variants on gene expression in CP‐A cells and HepG2 cells. Two haplotypes of the proximal promoter that differ in a single nucleotide at rs2851028, A7P‐G and A7P‐A, have different transcriptional activities. There is an interaction between variants farther upstream and these proximal variants: Upstream regulatory sequences generally showed a greater increase or smaller reduction in activity when combined with the A7P‐A promoter than with the A7P‐G promoter. A sequence located 12.5‐kb upstream (7P10) can function as an enhancer. In CP‐A cells, both haplotypes of 7P10 increased A7P‐A activity by 2.5‐fold while having only 1.2‐fold effect on A7P‐G. In HepG2 cells, the 7P10‐TTT haplotype had no effect on the A7P‐A promoter but decreased A7P‐G promoter activity by 50%, whereas the CTT haplotype increased A7P‐A activity by 50%, but had no effect on A7P‐G.ConclusionsThese complex interactions indicate that the effects of variants in the ADH7 regulatory elements depend on both sequence and cellular context and should be considered in interpretation of the association of variants with alcoholism and cancer.
An Evolutionarily Conserved Mechanism of Calcium‐Dependent Neurotoxicity in a Zebrafish Model of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Flentke George R. , Klingler Rebekah H. , Tanguay Robert L. , Carvan Michael J. , Smith Susan M. 
Published: February 2014

BackgroundFetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are a leading cause of neurodevelopmental disability. Nonhuman animal models offer novel insights into its underlying mechanisms. Although the developing zebrafish has great promise for FASD research, a significant challenge to its wider adoption is the paucity of clear, mechanistic parallels between its ethanol (EtOH) responses and those of nonpiscine, established models. Inconsistencies in the published pharmacodynamics for EtOH‐exposed zebrafish, alongside the use of comparatively high EtOH doses, challenge the interpretation of this model's clinical relevance.MethodsTo address these limitations, we developed a binge, single‐exposure model of EtOH exposure in the early zebrafish embryo.ResultsBrief (3‐hour) EtOH exposure is sufficient to cause significant neural crest losses and craniofacial alterations, with peak vulnerability during neurogenesis and early somitogenesis. These losses are apoptotic, documented using TUNEL assay and secA5‐YFP‐reporter fish. Apoptosis is dose dependent with an EC50 = 56.2 ± 14.3 mM EtOHint, a clinically relevant value within the range producing apoptosis in chick and mouse neural crest. This apoptosis requires the calcium‐dependent activation of CaMKII and recapitulates the well‐described EtOH signaling mechanism in avian neural crest. Importantly, we resolve the existing confusion regarding zebrafish EtOH kinetics. We show that steady‐state EtOH concentrations within both chorion‐intact and dechorionated embryos are maintained at 35.7 ± 2.8% of EtOHext levels across the range from 50 to 300 mM EtOHext, a value consistent with several published reports. Equilibrium is rapid and complete within 5 minutes of EtOH addition.ConclusionsThe calcium/CaMKII mechanism of EtOH's neurotoxicity is shared between an amniote (chick) and teleost fish, indicating that this mechanism is evolutionarily conserved. Our data suggest that EtOHext concentrations >2% (v/v) for chorion‐intact embryos and 1.5% (v/v) for dechorionated embryos have limited clinical relevance. The strong parallels with established models endorse the zebrafish's relevance for mechanistic studies of EtOH's developmental neurotoxicity.
Catecholamine levels and delay discounting forecast drug use among African American youths
Authors: Brody Gene H. , Yu Tianyi , MacKillop James , Miller Gregory E. , Chen Edith , Obasi Ezemenari M. , Beach Steven R. H. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractAimsTo test hypotheses about the contributions of the catecholamines epinephrine and norepinephrine [which serve as biological markers of life stress through sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activation], delay discounting and their interaction to the prediction of drug use among young African American adults.DesignA 1‐year prospective study that involved assessment of SNS activity and collection of self‐report data involving delay discounting and drug use.SettingRural communities in the southeastern United States.ParticipantsA total of 456 African Americans who were 19 years of age at the beginning of the study.MeasurementsAt age 19, participants provided overnight urine voids that were assayed for epinephrine and norepinephrine. Participants were also assessed for hyperbolic temporal discounting functions (k) and drug use. At age 20, the participants again reported their drug use.FindingsLinear regression analyses revealed that (i) catecholamine levels at age 19 forecast increases in drug use [B = 0.087, P < 0.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.025, 0.148] and (ii) among young men, catecholamine levels interacted positively with delay discounting to forecast increases in drug use (simple slope = 0.113, P < 0.001, 95% CI = 0.074, 0.152).ConclusionsHigher urinary catecholamine concentrations in their adulthood predict higher levels of drug use a year later among young African American men in the United States who engage in high, but not low, levels of delay discounting.
The small scale spatial pattern of C3 and C4 grasses depends on shrub distribution
Authors: Fernández Gastón , Texeira Marcos , Altesor Alice 
Published: February 2014

Abstract At micro‐site scale, the spatial pattern of a plant species depends on several factors including interactions with neighbours. It has been seen that unfavourable effects generate a negative association between plants, while beneficial effects generate a positive association. In grasslands, the presence of shrubby species promotes a particular microenvironment beneath their canopy that could affect differently the spatial distribution of plants with different tolerance to abiotic conditions. We measured photosynthetic active radiation, air temperature and wind speed under shrub canopies and in adjacent open sites and analysed the spatial distribution of four grass species (two C3 and two C4) in relation to shrub canopy in a grazed sub‐humid natural grassland in southern Uruguay. Radiation, air temperature and wind speed were lower under shrubs than in adjacent open sites. The spatial distribution of grasses relative to the shrub canopy varied depending on the photosynthetic metabolism of grasses. C4 grasses showed a negative association or no correlation with the shrubs, whereas C3 grasses showed a positive association. Our results highlight the importance of the photosynthetic metabolism of the grasses in the final outcome of interactions between grasses and shrubs. Micro‐environmental conditions generated underneath shrubs create a more suitable site for the establishment of C3 than for C4 grasses. These results show that facilitation could be more important than previously thought in sub‐humid grasslands.
Are Australian and New Zealand trauma service resources reflective of the Australasian Trauma Verification Model Resource Criteria?
Authors: Leonard Elizabeth , Curtis Kate 
Published: February 2014

AbstractIntroductionThe Australasian Trauma Verification Program was developed in 2000 to improve the quality of care provided at services in Australia and New Zealand. The programme outlines resources required for differing levels of trauma services. This study compares the human resources in Australia and New Zealand trauma services with those recommended by the Australasian College of Surgeons Trauma Verification Program.MethodsIn September 2011, all trauma nurse coordinators in Australia and New Zealand were invited to participate in an electronic survey endorsed by the Australasian Trauma Society. This study expands on previous bi‐national research and aimed to identify demographic and trauma service human resource levels.ResultsFifty‐three surveys (78%) were completed and all 27 Level 1 trauma centres represented. Of the Level 1 trauma centres, a trauma director and fellow were available at 16 (51.8%) and 14 (40.7%) centres, respectively. The majority (93%) had a full‐time trauma coordinator although a trauma case manager was only available at 14 (48.1%) of Level 1 trauma centres. Despite the large amount of data collection and extraction required, trauma services had limited access to a data manager (50.9%) or clerical staff (36.9%).ConclusionHuman resources in Australian and NZ trauma services are not reflective of those recommended by the Australasian Trauma Verification Program. This impacts on the ability to coordinate trauma monitoring and performance improvement. Review of the Australasian Trauma Verification Model Resource Criteria is required. Injury surveillance in Australia and NZ is hampered by insufficient trauma registry resources.
Is distal screw entry point associated with subtrochanteric fracture after intracapsular hip fracture fixation?
Authors: Hickey Ben , Jones Huw M. , Jones Stephen 
Published: February 2014

AbstractBackgroundSubtrochanteric fracture is a recognized complication following cannulated screw fixation of intracapsular hip fracture. We investigated the incidence of subtrochanteric fracture in a consecutive series of 304 patients and its association with screw entry point in the lateral femoral cortex.MethodsA retrospective consecutive case series of patients treated with internal fixation for intracapsular hip fracture by our unit between January 2003 and January 2010 were included. Two authors reviewed radiographs independently to determine distal screw entry point in the lateral femoral cortex. Hickey zone 1 was an entry point above the level of the upper border of the lesser trochanter. Hickey zone 2 was defined as an entry point between the upper and lower borders of the lesser trochanter. Hickey zone 3 was an entry point below the lower border of the lesser trochanter. Clinical notes were reviewed for subsequent subtrochanteric fracture. Association between subtrochanteric fracture and distal screw entry point in the lateral femoral cortex in relation to the upper border of the lesser trochanter was determined.ResultsTwo hundred and fifty‐six post‐operative radiographs were available for analysis. Mean patient age was 73 years (30–98), 75% were women. There were 24 patients with screw entry point in Hickey zone 1, 225 in Hickey zone 2, and 7 in Hickey zone 3. Two patients sustained subtrochanteric fracture. No subtrochanteric fractures occurred in patients with Hickey zone two‐screw entry.ConclusionSubtrochanteric fracture is rare following cannulated screw fixation of intracapsular neck of femur fracture (0.78%). In this retrospective consecutive case series, no subtrochanteric fractures occurred when the entry point of the lowest screw in the lateral femoral cortex is between the levels of the upper and lower borders of the lesser trochanter.
Exploring the causes of junior doctors' prescribing mistakes: a qualitative study
Authors: Lewis Penny J. , Ashcroft Darren M. , Dornan Tim , Taylor David , Wass Val , Tully Mary P. 
Published: February 2014

AimsPrescribing errors are common and can be detrimental to patient care and costly. Junior doctors are more likely than consultants to make a prescribing error, yet there is only limited research into the causes of errors. The aim of this study was to explore the causes of prescribing mistakes made by doctors in their first year post graduation.MethodsAs part of the EQUIP study, interviews using the critical incident technique were carried out with 30 newly qualified doctors. Participants were asked to discuss in detail any prescribing errors they had made. Participants were purposely sampled across a range of medical schools (18) and hospitals (15). A constant comparison approach was taken to analysis and Reason's model of accident causation was used to present the data.ResultsMore than half the errors discussed were prescribing mistakes (errors due to the correct execution of an incorrect plan). Knowledge‐based mistakes (KBMs) appeared to arise from poor knowledge of practical aspects of prescribing such as dosing, whereas rule‐based mistakes (RBMs) resulted from inappropriate application of knowledge. Multiple error‐producing and latent conditions were described by participants for RBMs and KBMs. Poor/absent senior support and a fear of appearing incompetent occurred with KBMs. Following erroneous routines or seniors' orders were major contributory factors in RBMs.ConclusionsAlthough individual factors such as knowledge and expertise played a role in prescribing mistakes, there were many perceived interrelated factors contributing to error. We conclude that multiple interventions are necessary to address these and further research is essential.
Increased platelet expression of glycoprotein IIIa following aspirin treatment in aspirin‐resistant but not aspirin‐sensitive subjects
Authors: Floyd Christopher N. , Goodman Timothy , Becker Silke , Chen Nan , Mustafa Agnesa , Schofield Emma , Campbell James , Ward Malcolm , Sharma Pankaj , Ferro Albert 
Published: February 2014

AimsAspirin is widely used as an anti‐platelet agent for cardiovascular prophylaxis. Despite aspirin treatment, many patients experience recurrent thrombotic events, and aspirin resistance may contribute to this. We examined the prevalence of aspirin resistance in a healthy population, and investigated whether the platelet proteome differed in aspirin‐resistant subjects.MethodsNinety‐three healthy subjects received aspirin 300 mg daily for 28 days. Before and at the end of treatment, urine was taken to determine 11‐dehydrothromboxane B2, and blood was taken to measure arachidonic acid (AA)‐induced aggregation of platelet‐rich plasma and to interrogate the platelet proteome by mass spectrometric analysis with further confirmation of findings using Western blotting.ResultsIn two of the 93 subjects, neither AA‐induced aggregation nor urinary 11‐dehydrothromboxane B2 was effectively suppressed by aspirin, despite measurable plasma salicylate concentrations, suggesting the presence of true aspirin resistance. Despite no detectable differences in the platelet proteome at baseline, following aspirin a marked increase was seen in platelet glycoprotein IIIa expression in the aspirin‐resistant but not aspirin‐sensitive subjects. An increase in platelet glycoprotein IIIa expression with aspirin resistance was confirmed in a separate cohort of 17 patients with stable coronary artery disease on long term aspirin treatment, four of whom exhibited aspirin resistance.ConclusionsIn a healthy population, true aspirin resistance is uncommon but exists. Resistance is associated with an increase in platelet glycoprotein IIIa expression in response to aspirin. These data shed new light on the mechanism of aspirin resistance, and provide the potential to identify aspirin‐resistant subjects using a novel biomarker.
Pharmacokinetic–Pharmacodynamic Modelling of the Analgesic and Antihyperalgesic Effects of Morphine after Intravenous Infusion in Human Volunteers
Authors: Ravn Pernille , Foster David J.R. , Kreilgaard Mads , Christrup Lona , Werner Mads U. , Secher Erik L. , Skram Ulrik , Upton Richard 
Published: February 2014

AbstractUsing a modelling approach, this study aimed to (i) examine whether the pharmacodynamics of the analgesic and antihyperalgesic effects of morphine differ; (ii) investigate the influence of demographic, pain sensitivity and genetic (OPRM1) variables on between‐subject variability of morphine pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in human experimental pain models. The study was a randomized, double‐blind, 5‐arm, cross‐over, placebo‐controlled study. The psychophysical cutaneous pain tests, electrical pain tolerance (EPTo) and secondary hyperalgesia areas (2HA) were studied in 28 healthy individuals (15 males). The subjects were chosen based on a previous trial where 100 subjects rated (VAS) their pain during a heat injury (47°C, 7 min., 12.5 cm2). The 33% lowest‐ and highest pain‐sensitive subjects were offered participation in the present study. A two‐compartment linear model with allometric scaling for weight provided the best description of the plasma concentration–time profile of morphine. Changes in the EPTo and 2HA responses with time during the placebo treatment were best described by a linear model and a quadratic model, respectively. The model discrimination process showed clear evidence for adding between‐occasion variability (BOV) on baseline and the placebo slope for EPTo and 2HA, respectively. The sensitivity covariate was significant on baseline EPTo values and genetics as a covariate on the placebo slope for 2HA. The analgesic and antihyperalgesic effects of morphine were pharmacologically distinct as the models had different effect site equilibration half‐lives and different covariate effects. Morphine had negligible effect on 2HA, but significant effect on EPTo.