bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
On Evaluating Characteristics of the Solute Transport in the Arid Vadose Zone
Authors: Yu Zhongbo , Dong Weiquan , Young Michael H. , Li Yiping , Yang Tao 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThe transport of bromide (Br) under matric heads of 0, −2, −5, and −10 cm using undisturbed soil columns was investigated for understanding the solute transport in arid soils. Undisturbed soil cores were collected at ground surface, directly below where tension infiltrometer measurements were made in the Amargosa Desert, Nevada, United States. Laboratory experiments were conducted by introducing water containing Br tracer into a soil column maintained at steady‐state conditions. The observed data of breakthrough curves (BTC) were well fitted to an one‐region model, except for the cores at saturation, and a core at the matric head of −5 cm, from which the observed data were better fitted to a two‐region model. Fitted pore water velocities with the one‐region model ranged from 1.2 to 56.6 cm/h, and fitted dispersion coefficients (D) ranged from 2.2 to 100 cm2/h. Results for the core analyzed with the two‐region model indicated that D ranged from 27.6 to 70.9 cm2/h at saturation, and 25.7 cm2/h at the matric head of −5 cm; fraction of mobile water (β) ranged from 0.18 to 0.65, and mass transfer coefficient (ω) ranged from 0.006 to 0.03. In summary, the water fluxes and Br dispersion coefficients at investigated matric heads were very high due to the coarseness of the soils and possibly due to preferential flow pathways. These high water fluxes and Br dispersion coefficients would lead to a higher risk of deeper leaching accumulating nitrate nitrogen to the groundwater, and have significant effects on the desert ecosystem.
Effectiveness of Standardized Combination Therapy for Migraine Treatment in the Pediatric Emergency Department
Authors: Leung Stephanie , Bulloch Blake , Young Christine , Yonker Marcy , Hostetler Mark 
Published: February 2013

ObjectiveTo compare outcomes of pediatric migraine patients treated in an emergency department (ED) before and after implementation of a standardized combination intravenous therapy regimen aimed toward improving and standardizing abortive migraine therapy.BackgroundIn a pediatric ED, migraines represent 8‐18% of all headache visits. Despite this large number, no standard treatment for acute migraine therapy currently exists.MethodsThe study utilized a retrospective chart review of patients seeking acute migraine treatment at a tertiary care, pediatric ED from August 2006 to March 2010. Inclusion criteria were pediatric migraine patients as defined by International Headache Society guidelines. The comparison population received various migraine therapies based on attending practice preference. After October 2008, patients received standardized intravenous combination therapy involving a normal saline fluid bolus, ketorolac, prochlorperazine, and diphenhydramine. Occasionally, metoclopramide was substituted during prochlorperazine shortages. Reduction in headache pain score was the primary outcome. Secondary outcome measures included length of ED stay, hospital admission rate, and ED readmission rate within 48 hours.ResultsThe study yielded 87 patients who received standardized combination therapy and 165 comparison patients. No significant difference in patient characteristics existed when evaluating patient demographics, outpatient medication use, and initial headache pain score. When compared with the non‐standardized therapy population, the combination therapy patients revealed significant reductions in pain score (decrease of 5.3 vs 6.9, difference −1.6, 95% confidence interval −2.2 to −0.8, P < .001), length of ED stay (5.3 vs 4.4 hours, difference 0.9, 95% confidence interval 0.2‐1.6, P = .008), and hospital admission rate (32% vs 3%, P < .001) without changes in ED return rate (7% vs 2%, P = .148).ConclusionStandardized combination therapy is effective for acute pediatric migraine therapy in the ED by significantly reducing headache pain scores, length of ED stay, and hospital admission rates.
The first, second and third wave of pandemic influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 in North Denmark Region 2009–2011: a population‐based study of hospitalizations
Authors: Ørsted Iben , Mølvadgaard Mette , Nielsen Hans Linde , Nielsen Henrik 
Published: February 2013

Background and objectivesDenmark experienced three waves of the new pandemic influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 from July 2009 to February 2011. The aim of the study was to describe the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of hospitalized patients in a defined population of North Denmark Region with a mixed urban and rural community of 579 000 inhabitants.MethodsReview of medical records of all hospitalized patients with confirmed influenza A from July 2009 to February 2011.ResultsTwo hundred and seventy‐three patients were admitted to hospital. The age‐related population incidences of hospitalization were as follows: 0–14 years: 111/100 000, 15–64 years: 39/100 000, and ≥65 years: 17/100 000. During the first wave (July 2009–August 2009), three patients were admitted – none received treatment in intensive care units (ICUs), during the second wave (October 2009–January 2010), 158 patients were admitted – nine received treatment in ICUs, and during the third wave (December 2010–February 2011), 112 patients were admitted – 25 received treatment in ICUs. Fourteen patients (5%) died within 30 days of diagnosis (median 55 years; range 14–76 years) and additional seven patients (2·6%) died within 365 days (median 25 years; range 1–86 years).ConclusionsPatients hospitalized with pandemic influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 were predominantly children and younger adults, and only a few patients were >65 years. The third wave was the most severe taking the number and percentage of patients admitted to ICUs and 30‐day mortality into consideration. We observed that the incidence of hospitalizations as well as clinical severity among younger adults did not decline from the second to the third wave.
Mushroom toxicosis in dogs in general practice causing gastroenteritis, ptyalism and elevated serum lipase activity
Authors: Hall J. , Barton L. 
Published: February 2013

Mushroom toxicosis is rarely diagnosed in dogs and is poorly reported in the veterinary literature. This report suggests that mushroom toxicosis is a potentially under‐diagnosed condition in first opinion practice in the UK. Nine dogs with clinical signs consistent with mushroom toxicosis were identified from the records of an out‐of‐hours emergency service between August 2010 and January 2011. Four dogs were later excluded because of clinical inconsistencies. Clinical signs included acute profuse ptyalism (5/5), diarrhoea (5/5), vomiting (4/5), hypovolaemia (4/5), stuporous (3/5) or obtunded mentation (1/5), miosis (2/5) and hypothermia (2/5). Serum lipase activity was elevated in 4/4 dogs; canine‐specific pancreatic lipase was elevated in the remaining dog. Four dogs recovered with aggressive intravenous fluid therapy, analgesia and supportive care; the remaining dog was euthanased due to severe clinical signs and financial constraints.Mushroom toxicosis is an important differential diagnosis for acute gastroenteritis and one possible cause of some cases of “Seasonal Canine Illness”. Affected dogs may demonstrate elevated pancreatic enzymes and mushroom toxicosis should be considered in cases of elevated lipase or abnormal semi‐quantitative canine‐specific pancreatic lipase activities.
A STAY‐GREEN protein SlSGR1 regulates lycopene and β‐carotene accumulation by interacting directly with SlPSY1 during ripening processes in tomato
Authors: Luo Zhidan , Zhang Junhong , Li Jinhua , Yang Changxian , Wang Taotao , Ouyang Bo , Li Hanxia , Giovannoni James , Ye Zhibiao 
Published: February 2013

Summary

As a primary source of lycopene in the human diet, fleshy fruits synthesize this compound both de novo and via chlorophyll metabolism during ripening. SlSGR1 encodes a STAY‐GREEN protein that plays a critical role in the regulation of chlorophyll degradation in tomato leaves and fruits.

We report that SlSGR1 can regulate tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) lycopene accumulation through direct interaction with a key carotenoid synthetic enzyme SlPSY1, and can inhibit its activity. This interaction with SlSGR1 mediates lycopene accumulation during tomato fruit maturation. We confirmed this inhibitory activity in bacteria engineered to produce lycopene, where the introduction of SlSGR1 reduced dramatically lycopene biosynthesis.

The repression of SlSGR1 in transgenic tomato fruits resulted in altered accumulation patterns of phytoene and lycopene, whilst simultaneously elevating SlPSY1 mRNA accumulation and plastid conversion at the early stages of fruit ripening, resulting in increased lycopene and β‐carotene (four‐ and nine‐fold, respectively) in red ripe fruits.

SlSGR1 influences ethylene signal transduction via the altered expression of ethylene receptor genes and ethylene‐induced genes. Fruit shelf‐life is extended significantly in SlSGR1‐repressed tomatoes. Our results indicate that SlSGR1 plays a pivotal regulatory role in color formation and fruit ripening regulation in tomato, and further suggest that SlSGR1 activity is mediated through direct interaction with PSY1.
Thromboembolic events associated with immunoglobulin treatment
Authors: Funk M. B. , Gross N. , Gross S. , Hunfeld A. , Lohmann A. , Guenay S. , Hanschmann K. M. , Keller‐Stanislawski B. 
Published: February 2013

ObjectiveDue to an increasing number of reported thromboembolic events (TEE) after the administration of one intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and one subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIG), pharmacovigilance and laboratory data were collected to analyse the root cause and assess the reporting frequency of TEEs for various IG products.MethodsPaul‐Ehrlich‐Institut retrospectively analysed 228 reports of TEEs associated with six different IG products and estimated annual TEE‐reporting rates based on worldwide sale figures over a period of 6 years (2006–2011). In addition, non‐activated partial thromboplastin time (NAPTT) testing was performed to capture pro‐coagulant potential of six IG products (four IVIG and two SCIG).ResultsFor three IVIGs, the drug‐related TEE‐reporting rates remained stable from 2006 to 2011 (0–0·83 cases per 1000 kg IVIG distributed). In contrast, the TEE rate of one IVIG increased significantly from 0·33 cases in 2006 to nearly nine cases in 2010 (P < 0·001).The NAPTT testing of IG products with a low TEE rate revealed a NAPTT time >200 s and a NAPTT ratio >0·8, whereas TEE‐associated batches of IG products with an increased TEE rate had a NAPTT ratio <0·8. After modifications of manufacturing processes, a normalization of NAPTT results and a decrease in TEE rates could be demonstrated.
Effects of Antibiotics on Bacterial Species Composition and Metabolic Activities in Chemostats Containing Defined Populations of Human Gut Microorganisms
Authors: Newton Dorothy F. , Macfarlane Sandra , Macfarlane George T. 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACT

The composition and metabolic activities of the human colonic microbiota are modulated by a number of external factors, including diet and antibiotic therapy. Changes in the structure and metabolism of the gut microbiota may have long-term consequences for host health. The large intestine harbors a complex microbial ecosystem comprising several hundreds of different bacterial species, which complicates investigations on intestinal physiology and ecology. To facilitate such studies, a highly simplified microbiota consisting of 14 anaerobic and facultatively anaerobic organisms (
Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron
,
Bacteroides vulgatus
,
Bifidobacterium longum
,
Bifidobacterium infantis
,
Bifidobacterium pseudolongum
,
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
,
Clostridium butyricum
,
C. perfringens
,
C. bifermentans
,
C. innocuum
,
Escherichia coli
,
Enterococcus faecalis
,
Enterococcus faecium
,
Lactobacillus acidophilus
) was used in this investigation. Ampicillin [9.2 μg (ml culture)
−1
] was added to two chemostats operated at different dilution rates (
D
; 0.10 h
−1
and 0.21 h
−1
), and metronidazole [76.9 μg (ml culture)
−1
] was added to a third vessel (
D
= 0.21 h
−1
). Perturbations in bacterial physiology and metabolism were sampled over a 48-h period.
Lactobacillus acidophilus
and
C. bifermentans
populations did not establish in the fermentors under the imposed growth conditions. Ampicillin resulted in substantial reductions in bacteroides and
C. perfringens
populations at both dilution rates. Metronidazole strongly affected bacteroides communities but had no effect on bifidobacterial communities. The bacteriostatic effect of ampicillin on bifidobacterial species was growth rate dependent. Several metabolic activities were affected by antibiotic addition, including fermentation product formation and enzyme synthesis. The growth of antibiotic-resistant bifidobacteria in the large bowel may enable them to occupy ecological niches left vacant after antibiotic administration, preventing colonization by pathogenic species.
Tigecycline Does Not Prolong Corrected QT Intervals in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Korth-Bradley Joan M. , McGovern Paul C. , Salageanu Joanne , Matschke Kyle , Plotka Anna , Pawlak Sylvester 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACT

We evaluated the effect of tigecycline (50-mg and 200-mg doses) on corrected QT (QTc) intervals and assessed safety and tolerability in a randomized, placebo-controlled, four-period crossover study of 48 (44 male) healthy volunteers aged 22 to 53 years. Fed subjects received tigecycline (50 mg or 200 mg) or placebo in a blinded fashion or an open-label oral dose of moxifloxacin (400 mg) after 1 liter of intravenous fluid. Serial electrocardiograms were recorded before, and for 96 h after, dosing. Blood samples for tigecycline pharmacokinetics were collected after each recording. QTc intervals were corrected using Fridericia's correction (QTcF). Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using noncompartmental methods with potential relationships examined using linear mixed-effects modeling. Adverse events were recorded. The upper limits of the 90% confidence interval for the mean difference between both tigecycline doses and placebo for all time-matched QTcF interval changes from baseline were <5 ms. The tigecycline concentrations initially declined rapidly and then more slowly. In the group given 50 mg of tigecycline, the pharmacokinetic parameters and means were as follows: maximum concentration of drug in serum (
C
max
), 432 ng/ml; area under the concentration-time curve from time zero extrapolated to infinity (AUC
0–∞
), 2,366 ng · h/ml; clearance (CL), 21.1 liters/h; volume of distribution at steady state (
V
ss
), 610 liters; and terminal half-life (
t
1/2
), 22.1 h. Proportional or similar values were found for the group given 200 mg of tigecycline. Linear mixed-effects modeling failed to show an effect on QTcF values by tigecycline concentrations (
P
= 0.755). Tigecycline does not prolong the QTc interval in healthy subjects. This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT01287793.
The Bis(Indolyl)Imidazole Alkaloid Nortopsentin A Exhibits Antiplasmodial Activity
Authors: Alvarado Stephenie , Roberts Bracken F. , Wright Amy E. , Chakrabarti Debopam 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACT

A library of enriched marine natural product fractions was screened for their antiplasmodial activity using a SYBR green I fluorescence-based assay. Fractions derived from a sponge of the genus
Spongosorites
exhibited potent inhibition of
Plasmodium falciparum
growth. This genus of sponge has been reported to contain the nortopsentin and topsentin class of bis-indole imidazole alkaloids. This is the first report of nortopsentin A inhibiting parasite growth at the trophozoite stage at submicromolar 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC
50
).
Impact of the Listeria monocytogenes Protein InlC on Infection in Mice
Authors: Leung Nelly , Gianfelice Antonella , Gray-Owen Scott D. , Ireton Keith 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACT

The bacterial pathogen
Listeria monocytogenes
causes serious food-borne illnesses in pregnant women and the immunocompromised.
L. monocytogenes
promotes its internalization into host epithelial cells and then uses an F-actin-dependent motility process to spread from infected cells to surrounding healthy cells. In cultured enterocytes, efficient spread of
L. monocytogenes
requires the secreted bacterial protein InlC. InlC promotes dissemination by physically interacting with and antagonizing the function of the human adaptor protein Tuba. Here we examine the role of InlC and its interaction with host Tuba during infection in mice. The study took advantage of a single-amino-acid substitution (K173A) in InlC that impairs binding to human Tuba but does not affect InlC-mediated inhibition of the NF-κB pathway. Mice were inoculated intravenously with the wild-type
L. monocytogenes
strain EGD, an isogenic strain deleted for the
inlC
gene (Δ
inlC
), or a strain expressing K173A mutant InlC (
inlC.K173A
). The 50% lethal doses (LD
50
) for the Δ
inlC
or
inlC.K173A
mutant strain were approximately 4- or 6-fold greater than that for the wild-type strain, indicating a role for
inlC
in virulence. Compared to the wild-type strain, the
inlC.K173A
mutant strain exhibited lower bacterial loads in the liver. Histological analysis of livers indicated that the two
inlC
mutant strains produced smaller foci of infection than did the wild-type strain. These smaller foci are consistent with a role for InlC in cell-to-cell spread
in vivo
. Taken together, these results provide evidence that interaction of InlC with host Tuba is important for full virulence.
Evidence for an ABC-Type Riboflavin Transporter System in Pathogenic Spirochetes
Authors: Deka Ranjit K. , Brautigam Chad A. , Biddy Brent A. , Liu Wei Z. , Norgard Michael V. 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACT

Bacterial transporter proteins are involved in the translocation of many essential nutrients and metabolites. However, many of these key bacterial transport systems remain to be identified, including those involved in the transport of riboflavin (vitamin B
2
). Pathogenic spirochetes lack riboflavin biosynthetic pathways, implying reliance on obtaining riboflavin from their hosts. Using structural and functional characterizations of possible ligand-binding components, we have identified an ABC-type riboflavin transport system within pathogenic spirochetes. The putative lipoprotein ligand-binding components of these systems from three different spirochetes were cloned, hyperexpressed in
Escherichia coli
, and purified to homogeneity. Solutions of all three of the purified recombinant proteins were bright yellow. UV-visible spectra demonstrated that these proteins were likely flavoproteins; electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and thin-layer chromatography confirmed that they contained riboflavin. A 1.3-Å crystal structure of the protein (TP0298) encoded by
Treponema pallidum
, the syphilis spirochete, demonstrated that the protein’s fold is similar to the ligand-binding components of ABC-type transporters. The structure also revealed other salient details of the riboflavin binding site. Comparative bioinformatics analyses of spirochetal genomes, coupled with experimental validation, facilitated the discovery of this new ABC-type riboflavin transport system(s). We denote the ligand-binding component as riboflavin uptake transporter A (RfuA). Taken together, it appears that pathogenic spirochetes have evolved an ABC-type transport system (RfuABCD) for survival in their host environments, particularly that of the human host.

IMPORTANCE
Syphilis remains a public health problem, but very little is known about the causative bacterium. This is because
Treponema pallidum
still cannot be cultured in the laboratory. Rather,
T. pallidum
must be cultivated in laboratory rabbits, a restriction that poses many insurmountable experimental obstacles. Approaches to learn more about the structure and function of
T. pallidum
’s cell envelope, which is both the physical and functional interface between
T. pallidum
and its human host, are severely limited. One approach for elucidating
T. pallidum
’s cell envelope has been to determine the three-dimensional structures of its membrane lipoproteins, molecules that serve many critical survival functions. Herein, we describe a previously unknown transport system that
T. pallidum
uses to import riboflavin, an essential nutrient for the organism’s survival. Moreover, we found that this transport system is present in other pathogenic spirochetes. This is the first description of this new type of bacterial riboflavin transport system.
Pilot study on the prevalence of abuse and mistreatment during clinical internship: a cross-sectional study among first year residents in Oman
Authors: Al-Shafaee Mohammed , Al-Kaabi Yousuf , Al-Farsi Yousuf , White Gillian , Al-Maniri Abdullah , Al-Sinawi Hamed , Al-Adawi Samir 
Published: February 2013

ObjectiveTo evaluate perceptions of being mistreated during internship among first year Oman Medical Specialty Board residents.DesignA cross-sectional study.SettingTraining centres for Oman Medical Specialty Board.ParticipantsFirst year medical residents following completion of internship during the study period 2009–2010.MethodA cross-sectional survey of first year medical residents.ResultsOf 58 residents (response rate 84%), 96.6% perceived that mistreatment exists. Among different types of mistreatment reported, verbal and academic abuses were the most common (87.9%), followed by sexual harassment (24.1%), then physical abuse (22.4%). Forty-four (75.9%) residents had advised at least one of their relatives not to join medical school.ConclusionsMistreatment of medical interns is an ethical issue challenging the quality of clinical training. Further research is needed to understand factors influencing mistreatment and to draw guidelines to limit such problems.
Usability of a computerised drug monitoring programme to detect adverse drug events and non-compliance in outpatient ambulatory care
Authors: Auger Claudine , Forster Alan J , Oake Natalie , Tamblyn Robyn 
Published: February 2013

ObjectiveTo assess the usability of a computerised drug monitoring programme for ambulatory patients receiving outpatient prescriptions.Materials and methodsA prospective cohort of 200 patients received two automated calls after a new drug prescription (day 3 and day 17) to screen for unfilled prescriptions and medication problems. Usability was assessed objectively and subjectively with the coding of technical (eg, voice recognition problems) and respondent burden (eg, failing to follow instructions) problems observed during the calls, and with an interview 21 days after the prescription. Associations between personal factors, usability and call outcome were examined with logistic regression models.ResultsThe automated calls successfully reached 70.0% of enrolled patients. Older age increased the likelihood of experiencing technical (OR 2.18, 95% CI 1.22 to 3.88) and respondent burden problems (OR 3.32, 95% CI 1.88 to 5.87), as well as unsuccessful calls (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.19 to 3.91). Patients with higher education experienced less respondent burden problems (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.91), but they were more prone to have unsuccessful calls (OR 2.65, 95% CI 1.07 to 6.56) and less likely to find them useful (OR 0.23 95% CI 0.08 to 0.68). Older adults perceived the calls as easy to use and useful, although they reported lower intention to use the automated calls in the future (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.70).DiscussionAs reported in previous studies, we found that older adults tend to have more difficulty when interacting with automated calls. Evidence about the association between education and usability was mixed.ConclusionsOur results highlight practical suggestions to improve the feasibility and usability of automated calls in primary care screening programmes.