bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
“Words tickle me, thoughts caress me”: Gombrowicz on the Point of Interpretation
Authors: Chrostowska S. D. 
Published: March 2011

This article focuses on Witold Gombrowicz’s most challenging drama, The Marriage (1948).1 Based on the creation and manipulation of meaning it stages, I tease out the play’s implicit semiotics and relate this to the difficulty of interpreting the text as a whole. The Marriage, I argue, indicates an unorthodox direction for literary analysis, one overlooked in the exegetical search for deeper significances and the application of external theoretical models. An outlier in the crop of postmodern readings of Gombrowicz, my article develops considerably the most recent and still sparse work in this area.The fragmented body of what scholars have dubbed “Gombrowiczian Man” is the principal metaphor of man’s participation in form, the fragmentation of self, and the multiplicity of meaning. In my reading, Gombrowicz’s use of the metaphor in TheMarriage– and specifically of the finger to which it grants such prominence – challenges the traditional method of interpretation interested in extracting from signs (words, gestures) a stable meaning. Utilizing the dramatic topos of the dream, the frame of drunkenness, and the figure of the extended finger (touching, pointing, cuing, designating, and so on), the play presents its author’s anti‐essentialist stand on meaning, language, and reality, placing the interpretation of form before that of content.
Microbial diversity in Calamita ferromagnetic sand
Authors: Perfumo Amedea , Cockell Charles , Elsaesser Andreas , Marchant Roger , Kminek Gerhard 
Published: March 2011

SummaryCalamita is a black ferromagnetic sand from a marine iron ore on Elba Island (Italy). Its total iron content is approximately 80% and a major fraction (63% w/w) has magnetic properties. Desiccation, ultraviolet irradiation and the high temperature induced by the thermal conductivity of iron make Calamita sand an extreme biotope. We report, for the first time, the geomicrobiological characterization of Calamita sand, which showed a low bacterial biodiversity as determined by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and 16S rRNA gene clone library analysis. We retrieved sequences closely affiliated with uncultured bacteria inhabiting the harshest deserts on Earth. Radiation‐ and desiccation‐tolerant bacteria from the phyla Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Deinococcus‐Thermus dominated the community. Heavy metal‐resistant organisms, for example Variovorax sp. were also abundant. Sequences of organisms with an inferred metabolism based on lithotrophic iron oxidation were detected. The sands also contained thermophilic bacilli, which were cultivated at 60°C. These data provided important insights also into the biogeographical distribution of these organisms in the Mediterranean region. In summary, this study on Calamita helps to expand our knowledge of the biodiversity in extreme, iron‐rich, environments.
Supportive periodontal therapy for high‐ and low‐risk patients
Authors: Carollo‐Bittel Barbara , Persson Rigmor E. , Persson Gösta Rutger , Lang Niklaus P. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractAim:  The validity of the risk assessment in predicting tooth loss due to periodontitis or disease progression was explored.Methods:  Systemic factors, smoking status, bleeding on probing (BoP) percentage, number of residual pockets (probing pocket depth ≥6 mm), tooth loss, and alveolar bone loss in relation to age were the variables of the risk assessment. Based on an improving or deteriorating risk assessment in 2005 compared with 1999, 89 patients were divided into either a high‐ or low‐risk group. Findings were compared with the 2008 outcome.Results:  Using BoP ≤ 20% as the cut‐off, the relationship between BoP and interleukin‐1 genotype status was neither significant in 2005 nor in 2008. Neither the high‐ nor low‐risk group was predictive for tooth loss. Patients displayed similar proportions of probing pocket depths ≥6 mm in 2005 and in 2008. Linear stepwise regression analysis demonstrated that only the number of supportive periodontal therapy visits explained the number of teeth lost due to periodontitis (P < 0.01).Conclusions:  The categorization of patients into high‐ and low‐risk groups, according to the periodontal risk assessment model applied within a supportive periodontal therapy period of 3 years, had limitations in predicting future tooth loss.
Histological evaluation of the peri‐implant tissues of three human‐retrieved Straumann implants
Authors: Dellavia Claudia , Carmagnola Daniela , Storelli Stefano , Rossi Alessandro , Canciani Elena , Romeo Eugenio 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThe most frequently‐used histological parameters to define dental implant osseointegration include bone‐to‐implant contact and quantitative and qualitative assessments of the surrounding tissue (rate of mineralized/non‐mineralized tissue and proportion of lamellar and woven bone compared to soft tissue or bone marrow). The aim of this paper was to present the histological features of the bone tissue surrounding three well‐functioning Straumann SLA and SLActive implants placed in two patients after 12 and 60 months of loading. The percentage of osseointegration ranged from 66.4% and 71.9% for SLA surfaces, to 88.3% for the SLActive implant. Such results confirm that osseointegration occurs with high rates of bone‐to‐implant contact in humans, and that implants can be similarly clinically successful, although they show different bone‐to‐implant contact values.
Actual proliferating index in oral squamous cell carcinoma and leukoplakia
Authors: Chandak Abhay R. , Gadbail Amol Ramchandra , Chaudhary Minal S. , Chandak Shweta A. , Wadhwani Ritesh 
Published: March 2011

AbstractAim:  To examine the possible association between epithelial proliferation and disease progression in the oral mucosa using the actual proliferation index.Methods:  The actual proliferation index was measured by the Ki‐67 labeling index and argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region count per nucleus. Immunohistochemistry was carried out for Ki‐67 by using the molecular immunology borstel‐1 clone in 20 leukoplakias, 20 oral squamous cell carcinomas, and 10 normal oral mucosae.Results:  The argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region count per nucleus, Ki‐67 labeling index, and actual proliferation index were significantly higher in oral squamous cell carcinoma, followed by leukoplakia and normal oral mucosa. Leukoplakia with dysplasia showed a significantly higher Ki‐67 labeling index and actual proliferation index, compared to leukoplakia without dysphasia. There was a significant correlation of Bryne’s histological malignancy grading with the argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region count and the Ki‐67 labeling index. There was a significant positive correlation between the argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region count and the Ki‐67 labeling index among all groups.Conclusions:  Leukoplakia or suspected epithelial dysplasia should be stained for argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions and Ki‐67. The actual proliferation index is not only useful as a prognostic factor, but could also be a promising treatment determining modality for patients with premalignant and malignant lesions.
Descriptive epidemiology of joint injuries in Thoroughbred racehorses in training
Authors: REED S. R. , JACKSON B. F. , MC ILWRAITH C. W. , WRIGHT I. M. , PILSWORTH R. , KNAPP S. , WOOD J. L. N. , PRICE J. S. , VERHEYEN K. L. P. 
Published: March 2011

SummaryReasons for performing study: No large scale epidemiological studies have previously quantified the occurrence of carpal, metacarpo‐ and metatarsophalangeal (MCP/MTP) joint injuries in Thoroughbred racehorses.Objectives: To develop an objective classification system for carpal and MCP/MTP joint injuries and estimate the incidence of these injuries in young Thoroughbreds in flat race training.Methods: In a prospective cohort study, data on daily exercise and veterinary‐diagnosed carpal and MCP/MTP joint injuries were collected from Thoroughbreds monitored since starting training as yearlings, for up to 2 years. Cases were classified in one of 4 categories: 1) localised to a carpal or MCP/MTP joint based on clinical examination and/or diagnostic analgesia; no diagnostic imaging performed; 2) localised to a carpal or MCP/MTP joint based on clinical examination and/or diagnostic analgesia; radiographs taken but no abnormalities detected; 3) evidence of abnormality of subchondral bone and/or articular margin(s) on diagnostic imaging and 4) evidence of discontinuity of the articular surface on diagnostic imaging. Incidence rates and rate ratios were estimated using Poisson regression, adjusting for trainer‐level clustering.Results: A total of 647 horses from 13 trainers throughout England contributed 7785 months at risk of joint injury. One‐hundred‐and‐eighty‐four cases of carpal (n = 82) or MCP/MTP (n = 102) joint injury were reported in 165 horses and classified in Category 1 (n = 21), Category 2 (n = 21), Category 3 (n = 72) or Category 4 (n = 70). The overall joint injury rate was 1.8 per 100 horse months (95% CI = 1.2, 2.8); rates did not differ significantly between 2‐ and 3‐year‐olds but females sustained Category 1 injuries at triple the rate of males (P = 0.03). Joint injury rates differed significantly between trainers (P<0.001) and there was trainer variation in anatomical site and severity of injury.Conclusions and potential relevance: Carpal and MCP/MTP joint injuries are an important cause of morbidity in Thoroughbred racehorses. Identification of modifiable risk factors for these injuries may reduce their incidence.
Molecular Basis of Macrolide, Triamilide, and Lincosamide Resistance in Pasteurella multocida from Bovine Respiratory Disease
Authors: Kadlec Kristina , Brenner Michael Geovana , Sweeney Michael T. , Brzuszkiewicz Elzbieta , Liesegang Heiko , Daniel Rolf , Watts Jeffrey L. , Schwarz Stefan 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT

The mechanism of macrolide-triamilide resistance in
Pasteurella multocida
has been unknown. During whole-genome sequencing of a multiresistant bovine
P. multocida
isolate, three new resistance genes, the rRNA methylase gene
erm
(42), the macrolide transporter gene
msr
(E), and the macrolide phosphotransferase gene
mph
(E), were detected. The three genes were PCR amplified, cloned into suitable plasmid vectors, and shown to confer either macrolide-lincosamide resistance [
erm
(42)] or macrolide-triamilide resistance [
msr
(E)-
mph
(E)] in macrolide-susceptible
Escherichia coli
and
P. multocida
hosts.
Replicative Fitness Costs of Nonnucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor Drug Resistance Mutations on HIV Subtype C
Authors: Armstrong Kimberly L. , Lee Tun-Hou , Essex M. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTSingle-dose nevirapine (NVP) is quite effective in preventing transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from mother to child; however, many women develop resistance to NVP in this setting. Comparing outcomes of clinical studies reveals an increased amount of resistance in subtype C relative to that in other subtypes. This study investigates how nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) drug resistance mutations of subtype C affect replication capacity. The 103N, 106A, 106M, 181C, 188C, 188L, and 190A drug resistance mutations were placed in a reverse transcriptase (RT) that matches the consensus subtype C sequence as well as the HXB2 RT, as a subtype B reference. The replicative fitness of each mutant was compared with that of the wild type in a head-to-head competition assay. The 106A mutant of subtype C would not grow in the competition assay, making it the weakest virus tested. The effect of the 106M mutation was weaker than those of the 181C and 188C mutations in the consensus C RT, but in subtype B, this difference was not seen. To see if the 106A mutation in a different subtype C background would have a different replicative profile, the same NNRTI resistance mutations were added to the MJ4 RT, a reference subtype C molecular clone. In the context of MJ4 RT, the 106A mutant was not the only mutant that showed poor replicative fitness; the 106M, 188C, and 190A mutants also failed to replicate. These results suggest that NNRTIs may be a cost-effective alternative for salvage therapy if deleterious mutations are present in a subtype C setting.
Pharmacokinetic Profiles of Ceftazidime after Intravenous Administration in Patients Undergoing Automated Peritoneal Dialysis
Authors: Kim Kiwon , Hwang Young-Hwan , Ro Han , Oh Yun Kyu , Kim Min-gul , Yu Kyung-Sang , Shin Kwang-Hee , Jang In-Jin , Shin Sang Goo , Ahn Curie , Oh Kook-Hwan 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT

The pharmacokinetics (PK) of ceftazidime after intravenous (i.v.) administration during automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) and their dependence on peritoneal membrane transport are the targets of the present study. Eleven patients receiving a single i.v. dose of ceftazidime (15 mg/kg of body weight) (seven males, median [interquatile] age, 59 [36 to 62]) were recruited. Serum and dialysate samples were collected at the beginning, middle, and end of each of the five dwells during a 24-h period, with dwells 1, 2, and 3 using an automated cycler (designated on-cycler) and dwells 4 and 5 being manual exchanges (designated off-cycler), together with urine collection during the same period. Population PK analysis was employed to estimate the PK parameters. Peritoneal equilibration tests were performed for all patients, and correlations between peritoneal clearance (CL
PD
) for ceftazidime and dialysate-to-plasma ratios for creatinine (D/P
cr
) were obtained using the Spearman's product correlation coefficient (ρ). Ceftazidime renal clearance (CL
renal
) was 0.052 ml/min/kg, and CL
PD
was 0.063 ± 0.050 ml/min/kg. CL
PD
for on- and off-cycler were 0.071 and 0.058 ml/min/kg (
P
= 0.164), respectively. A significant correlation between CL
PD
and D/P
cr
was observed, with one outlier excluded, suggesting that CL
PD
for ceftazidime during APD is dependent upon the peritoneal small-solute transport rate. A model prediction yielded adequate serum and dialysate concentrations of ceftazidime throughout a 24-h period for sensitive organisms (MIC, 8 μg/ml) by either i.v. (at 15 mg/kg) or intraperitoneal (i.p.; at 20 mg/kg) administration during off-cycler dwells. The present study suggests that the i.v. administration of ceftazidime at 15 mg/kg or i.p. administration of ceftazidime at 20 mg/kg during a long dwell every 24 h can be recommended for treating systemic or intraperitoneal infections of APD patients.
Sesame Oil Prevents Acute Kidney Injury Induced by the Synergistic Action of Aminoglycoside and Iodinated Contrast in Rats
Authors: Hsu Dur-Zong , Li Ya-Hui , Chu Pei-Yi , Periasamy Srinivasan , Liu Ming-Yie 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT
The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of sesame oil on acute kidney injury induced by the synergistic action of aminoglycoside and iodinated contrast in rats. Acute kidney injury was induced by a 5-day course of daily gentamicin injections (100 mg/kg of body weight, subcutaneously) and then iodinated contrast (4 ml/kg, intravenously) in male specific-pathogen-free Sprague-Dawley rats. Sesame oil (0.5 ml/kg, orally) was given 1 h before iodinated contrast. Renal function and oxidative stress were assessed 6 h after iodinated contrast injection. Renal function was evaluated by measuring serum blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels. Renal oxidative stress was assessed by determining renal lipid peroxidation, myeloperoxidase, hydroxyl radical, superoxide anion, nitrite/nitrate, and inducible nitric oxide synthase levels. Sesame oil significantly prevented the rise of serum blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels. Furthermore, there was a parallel inhibition of the rise in levels of expression of renal lipid peroxidation, myeloperoxidase, hydroxyl radicals, superoxide anion, nitrite/nitrate, and inducible nitric oxide synthase in rats with gentamicin-plus-iodinated contrast-induced acute kidney injury. We conclude that sesame oil may attenuate aminoglycoside-plus-iodinated contrast-induced acute kidney injury by inhibiting renal oxidative stress in rats.
Distribution of Antiseptic Resistance Genes
qacA, qacB
, and
smr
in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolated in Toronto, Canada, from 2005 to 2009
Authors: Longtin Jean , Seah Christine , Siebert Krystal , McGeer Allison , Simor Andrew , Longtin Yves , Low Donald E. , Melano Roberto G. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT

Decreased susceptibility to chlorhexidine gluconate (CHDN) in methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) is associated with the
qacA
,
qacB
, and
smr
genes, encoding efflux pumps. A total of 334 MRSA isolates were collected from two Canadian intensive care units between 2005 and 2009. We identified the
qacAB
genes in 7 strains (2%; 2
qacA
genes and 5
qacB
genes) and the
smr
gene in 23 (7%) strains. CHDN minimal bactericidal concentrations were slightly higher for strains harboring
smr
genes.
Mechanism of Resistance to GS-9148 Conferred by the Q151L Mutation in HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase
Authors: Scarth Brian J. , White Kirsten L. , Chen James M. , Lansdon Eric B. , Swaminathan S. , Miller Michael D. , Götte Matthias 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTGS-9148 is an investigational phosphonate nucleotide analogue inhibitor of reverse transcriptase (RT) (NtRTI) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). This compound is an adenosine derivative with a 2′,3′-dihydrofuran ring structure that contains a 2′-fluoro group. The resistance profile of GS-9148 is unique in that the inhibitor can select for the very rare Q151L mutation in HIV-1 RT as a pathway to resistance. Q151L is not stably selected by any of the approved nucleoside or nucleotide analogues; however, it may be a transient intermediate that leads to the related Q151M mutation, which confers resistance to multiple compounds that belong to this class of RT inhibitors. Here, we employed pre-steady-state kinetics to study the impact of Q151L on substrate and inhibitor binding and the catalytic rate of incorporation. Most importantly, we found that the Q151L mutant is unable to incorporate GS-9148 under single-turnover conditions. Interference experiments showed that the presence of GS-9148–diphosphate, i.e., the active form of the inhibitor, does not reduce the efficiency of incorporation for the natural counterpart. We therefore conclude that Q151L severely compromises binding of GS-9148–diphosphate to RT. This effect is highly specific, since we also demonstrate that another NtRTI, tenofovir, is incorporated with selectivity similar to that seen with wild-type RT. Incorporation assays with other related compounds and models based on the RT/DNA/GS-9148–diphosphate crystal structure suggest that the 2′-fluoro group of GS-9148 may cause steric hindrance with the side chain of the Q151L mutant.
Activity of Carbapenems Combined with Clavulanate against Murine Tuberculosis
Authors: Veziris Nicolas , Truffot Chantal , Mainardi Jean-Luc , Jarlier Vincent 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT

Although beta-lactam antibiotics are not considered as antituberculous drugs, it has been recently shown that the combination of carbapenems and clavulanate is bactericidal
in vitro
. We evaluated in a murine model of tuberculosis the activity of carbapenems alone and combined with clavulanate against
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
. Swiss mice infected intravenously with 3 × 10
5
M. tuberculosis
H37Rv were treated for 4 weeks with clavulanate alone or imipenem, meropenem, and ertapenem alone or combined with clavulanate, whereas a positive control group was treated with isoniazid, and a negative control group was held without treatment. The combination of imipenem or meropenem plus clavulanate significantly improved survival. Among groups of mice with 100% survival, only isoniazid reduced lung CFU counts; the carbapenem-clavulanate combinations did not prevent bacterial growth. Although less active than isoniazid, the combinations of imipenem or meropenem plus clavulanate improved the survival of mice infected with
M. tuberculosis
and should be further evaluated.
Regulation of Virulence by the RevR Response Regulator in Clostridium perfringens
Authors: Hiscox Thomas J. , Chakravorty Anjana , Choo Jocelyn M. , Ohtani Kaori , Shimizu Tohru , Cheung Jackie K. , Rood Julian I. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT

Clostridium perfringens
causes clostridial myonecrosis or gas gangrene and produces several extracellular hydrolytic enzymes and toxins, many of which are regulated by the VirSR signal transduction system. The
revR
gene encodes a putative orphan response regulator that has similarity to the YycF (WalR), VicR, PhoB, and PhoP proteins from other Gram-positive bacteria. RevR appears to be a classical response regulator, with an N-terminal receiver domain and a C-terminal domain with a putative winged helix-turn-helix DNA binding region. To determine its functional role, a
revR
mutant was constructed by allelic exchange and compared to the wild type by microarray analysis. The results showed that more than 100 genes were differentially expressed in the mutant, including several genes involved in cell wall metabolism. The
revR
mutant had an altered cellular morphology; unlike the short rods observed with the wild type, the mutant cells formed long filaments. These changes were reversed upon complementation with a plasmid that carried the wild-type
revR
gene. Several genes encoding extracellular hydrolytic enzymes (sialidase, hyaluronidase, and α-clostripain) were differentially expressed in the
revR
mutant. Quantitative enzyme assays confirmed that these changes led to altered enzyme activity and that complementation restored the wild-type phenotype. Most importantly, the
revR
mutant was attenuated for virulence in the mouse myonecrosis model compared to the wild type and the complemented strains. These results provide evidence that RevR regulates virulence in
C. perfringens
; it is the first response regulator other than VirR to be shown to regulate virulence in this important pathogen.
Is There a Difference between the Effects of Single and Triple Indirect Moxibustion Stimulations on Skin Temperature Changes of the Posterior Trunk Surface?
Authors: Mori Hidetoshi , Kuge Hiroshi , Tanaka Tim Hideaki , Taniwaki Eiichi , Ohsawa Hideo 
Published: March 2011

Objectives To determine whether any difference exists in responses to indirect moxibustion (IM) relative to thermal stimulation duration. Methods In experiment 1, 9 subjects attended two experimental sessions consisting of single stimulation with IM or triple stimulation with IM, using a crossover design. A K-type thermocouple temperature probe was fixed on the skin surface at the GV14 acupuncture point. IM stimulation was administered to the top of the probe in order to measure the temperature curve. In addition, each subject evaluated his or her subjective feeling of heat on a visual analogue scale after each stimulation. Experiment 2 was conducted on 42 participants, divided into three groups according to the envelope allocation method: single stimulation with IM (n=20), triple stimulation with IM (n=11) and a control group (n=11). A thermograph was used to obtain the skin temperature on the posterior trunk of the participant. To analyse skin temperature, four arbitrary frames (the scapular, interscapular, lumbar and vertebral regions) were made on the posterior trunk. Result In experiment 1, no significant difference in maximum temperature was found in IM and subjective feeling of heat intensity between single and triple stimulation with IM. In experiment 2, increases in skin temperature occurred on the posterior trunk, but no differences in skin temperature occurred between the groups receiving single and triple stimulation with IM. Conclusion No difference exists in the skin temperature response to moxibustion between the single and triple stimulation with IM.