bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical impact of the use of 16S rRNA sequencing method for the identification of “difficult‐to‐identify” bacteria in immunocompromised hosts
Authors: Bharadwaj R. , Swaminathan S. , Salimnia H. , Fairfax M. , Frey A. , Chandrasekar P.H. 
Published: October 2011

Abstract:Molecular method of 16S rRNA sequencing is reported to be helpful in the accurate identification of organisms with ambiguous phenotypic profiles. We analyzed the use of 16S rRNA sequencing method to identify clinically significant, “difficult‐to‐identify” bacteria recovered from clinical specimens, and evaluated its role in patient management and consequent clinical outcome. Among the 172 “difficult‐to‐identify” bacteria recovered over a 4‐year period, 140 were gram‐positive cocci or gram‐negative bacilli; identification by 16S rRNA did not play a role in the management of patients infected with these bacteria. From 32 patients, 33 “difficult‐to‐identify” gram‐positive bacilli were identified; the organisms were mycobacteria, Nocardia, Tsukamurella, Rhodococcus, and Gordonia. In 24 patients for whom clinical data were available, results from the 16S rRNA sequencing method led to treatment change in 14 immunocompromised patients (including 7 hematopoietic stem cell recipients and 1 liver transplant recipient). Therapy was modified in 9 patients, initiated in 3 patients, and discontinued in 2 patients. Most patients’ therapy was switched to oral antibiotics with discontinuation of intravascular catheters, facilitating early hospital discharge. All 14 patients were alive 30 days after infection onset. The present study demonstrates the clinical application of 16S rRNA sequencing method to identify “difficult‐to‐identify” mycobacteria and other gram‐positive bacilli in clinical specimens, particularly in immunocompromised hosts.
Infection with Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)‐producing K. pneumoniae in solid organ transplantation
Authors: Bergamasco M.D. , Barroso Barbosa M. , de Oliveira Garcia D. , Cipullo R. , Moreira J.C.M. , Baia C. , Barbosa V. , Abboud C.S. 
Published: October 2011

Abstract:Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)‐producing K. pneumoniae is spreading globally and represents a challenge in infection control and treatment. Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients are especially at risk for infection by multidrug‐resistant bacteria, and little is known about infection with KPC‐producing organisms in this setting. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and microbiologic aspects of KPC‐producing K. pneumoniae infections in SOT recipients. A KPC‐2‐producing K. pneumoniae outbreak was identified in a public teaching tertiary care hospital in São Paulo, Brazil, in June 2009. During the outbreak, cases of KPC‐2‐producing K. pneumoniae infection in SOT recipients occurred between July 2009 and February 2010; these cases were retrospectively reviewed. Overall, 12 episodes of infection with KPC‐producing K. pneumoniae occurred in 2 heart, 4 liver, and 6 kidney transplant recipients with incidence rates of 16.7%, 12.9%, and 26.3% in heart, liver, and kidney transplantation, respectively. Infection occurred at a median time of 20 days after transplantation. Primary infection sites were as follows: 4 urinary tract infections, 4 bloodstream infections, 2 pneumonias, and 2 surgical site infections. All patients except one had received antibiotics in the last 30 days, mostly piperacillin‐tazobactam or glycopeptides. All strains exhibited susceptibility to amikacin and gentamicin. Patients were treated with tigecycline plus polymyxin B (3 cases), polymyxin B plus carbapenem (3 cases), polymyxin B alone (3 cases), or tigecycline plus imipenem (1 case). In 2 cases, patients received only carbapenem, and death occurred before the final culture result. The overall 30‐day mortality rate was 42%. In this series of KPC‐producing K. pneumoniae infection in SOT recipients, the infection occurrence was high during an institutional outbreak and was potentially life threatening.
Oral valganciclovir versus ganciclovir as delayed pre‐emptive therapy for patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant: a pilot trial (04‐0274) and review of the literature
Authors: Chawla J.S. , Ghobadi A. , Mosley J. , Verkruyse L. , Trinkaus K. , Abboud C.N. , Cashen A.F. , Stockerl‐Goldstein K.E. , Uy G.L. , Westervelt P. , DiPersio J.F. , Vij R. 
Published: October 2011

Abstract:BackgroundCytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is an important cause of morbidity and mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). This pilot prospective randomized clinical trial compares valganciclovir (VGV) to ganciclovir (GCV) as pre‐emptive therapy for CMV viremia in the post‐allogeneic HSCT population.MethodsPatients undergoing allogeneic HSCT who were at risk for CMV viremia were monitored post HSCT by weekly quantitative whole blood polymerase chain reaction. Pre‐emptive therapy was delayed until the viral load (VL) was >10,000 copies/mL once, or >5000 copies/mL twice. Patients were randomized to either GCV 5 mg/kg twice a day (b.i.d.) for 7 days followed by daily GCV 5 mg/kg for up to 21 days, or VGV 900 mg b.i.d. for 7 days followed by 900 mg daily for up to 21 days. The primary endpoint was clearance of viremia (VL <5000 copies/mL) within 28 days of initiation of therapy.ResultIn total, 37 patients were enrolled; 19 patients received treatment with VGV and 18 patients received treatment with GCV. The VGV was not inferior in efficacy to GCV as pre‐emptive therapy, with rates of viral clearance at 28 days of 89.5% and 83%, respectively (P‐value for non‐inferiority = 0.030). Toxicities were similar between the 2 arms. No patients developed CMV disease.ConclusionsIn this trial, the rates of clearance of viremia appear to be similar with VGV and GCV.
Egg yolk fatty acid profile of avian species – influence on human nutrition
Authors: Golzar Adabi SH. , Ahbab M. , Fani A. R. , Hajbabaei A. , Ceylan N. , Cooper R. G. 
Published: October 2011

SummaryLipids are an important nutritional component of the avian egg. A review of the literature was completed to determine the fatty acid compositions in egg yolk from some avian species. Additionally, the nutritional influence of lipid and lipoprotein content on the plasma of male participants during 30‐day feeding was discussed. The ostrich eggs had the highest unsaturated fatty acid and the lowest cholesterol content in relation to other avian species. Ostrich had a higher proportion of 18:3n‐3 (p < 0.01) compared with other species. Chicken yolk numerically contained much higher levels of 22:6n‐3 than those found in turkeys, quails and geese, but the amount of 22:6n‐3 in ostrich egg was lower by comparison with other species (p < 0.01). After the storage of eggs at the room temperature, there was a notable loss of vitamin E (vitE) in the yolks of all species and this decrease was marginal (p < 0.01) in ostrich compared with other species. There were significant (p < 0.05) increases in plasma low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) level in all male subjects. Plasma high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) level decreased (p < 0.05) only in men who were fed chicken or ostrich eggs daily. Consumption of different species’ eggs had no influence on the total male plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels. LDL‐C:HDL‐C ratio increased (p < 0.05) after goose and turkey egg consumption. Consumption of one egg/month by healthy human subjects had no effect on serum total cholesterol and triglyceride. The LDL‐C:HDL‐C ratio (which is a strong predictor of coronary heart disease risk) increased, although non‐significantly, by consuming chicken, quail and ostrich eggs.
Fas Expression and Mediated Activation of an Apoptosis Programme in Bovine Follicular Granulosa Cells In Vitro
Authors: Yang RJ , Li JY , Zhao ZH , Gao X , Gao HJ , Xu SZ 
Published: October 2011

ContentsThe Fas antigen is a transmembrane receptor that can trigger apoptosis in a variety of somatic cells. Ovarian follicular atresia and luteolysis are thought to occur by apoptosis. To reveal the intracellular signal transduction molecules involved in the process of follicular development in the bovine ovary, Fas gene without the stop codon was amplified in the present study using RT‐PCR and directly cloned into the eukaryotic expression vector pAcGFP‐N1. The resultant recombinant plasmid pAcGFP‐bFas was then transfected into bovine follicular granulosa cells. Expression of AcGFP was observed under fluorescent microscopy, and the transcription and translation of Fas were detected by RT‐PCR and western blot analysis. The methyl‐tetrazolium (MTT) assay, Hoechst33342 staining and DNA ladder method were performed to determine the growth inhibition and apoptosis of the cells. The results showed that GFP expression was detected as early as 24 h after transfection. The Fas fusion gene was successfully expressed in granulosa cells as evidenced by the detection of a 994‐bp fragment corresponding to the Fas mRNA by RT‐PCR and a 64.5‐kD band corresponding to the Fas fusion protein by western blot. Granulosa cell viability decreased significantly at 72 h after transfection, and the apoptosis rate of the cells transfected with pAcGFP‐Fas was significantly higher than that of the control group. Cells in the Fas transfection group showed ladder patterns characteristic of apoptosis, and the nuclei were shrunken and densely hyperchromatic or fragmented, suggesting that Fas is capable of inhibiting the proliferation of bovine follicular granulosa cells and inducing cell apoptosis when over‐expressed. This study will aid in further understanding the mechanism of regulation of Fas on bovine oocyte formation and development.
York‐Mason procedure for repair of recto‐urinary fistulae: a 40‐year experience
Authors: Hadley David A. , Southwick Andrew , Middleton Richard G. 
Published: October 2011

Study Type – Therapy (case series)Level of Evidence 4What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Our previous report, almost 10 years ago, on the York‐Mason procedure was the largest series on this procedure. That report concluded that the York‐Mason posterior, trans‐anal, trans‐rectal correction of iatrogenic recto‐urinary fistula was highly successful, reliable and safe – when employed for small fistulas following prostate surgery. Since then, many other smaller case series have confirmed our success.This study provides a continuing body of evidence of the success, reliability, and safety by the largest York‐Mason series in the literature, and our numbers have now doubled in less than 10 years. Avoiding preliminary fecal diversion after surgical injury, which we proposed on our previous report, has now been observed to be safe and reliable with long‐term follow up. We also tried to push the limits of the surgery into larger, radiated fishtulas, but unfortunately were met with poorer outcomes.OBJECTIVE
To review the use of the York‐Mason transanal, transrectal procedure, used in properly selected patients over a 40‐year period, for repairing recto‐urinary fistulae.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients who underwent acquired recto‐urethral or rectovesical fistula repair at our institution.
A total of 51 patients have undergone York‐Mason recto‐urinary fistula repair at our institution during this time.
RESULTS
Since our last report in 2003, we have performed this procedure an additional 27 times.
We continue to have good results, with 25 of these patients having resolution of their fistulae after one procedure.
Failures in the updated cohort were radiation‐induced fistulae.
We continue to find no evidence of faecal incontinence or stenosis after this procedure.
CONCLUSIONS
Over a period of 40 years, the York‐Mason posterior, transanal, transrectal correction of iatrogenic recto‐urinary fistula has been highly successful, reliable and safe, when used for fistulae occurring after prostate surgery.
Preliminary faecal diversion can often be avoided in selected patients.
Focal cryotherapy for localized prostate cancer: a report from the national Cryo On‐Line Database (COLD) Registry
Authors: Ward John F. , Jones J. Stephen 
Published: October 2011

Study Type – Therapy (cohort)Level of Evidence 2bWhat's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Selective destruction of targeted prostate tissue is now technically feasible. Much has been theorized but little is known about the proper patient selection or treatment outcomes to determine if this organ preserving approach to prostate cancer has merit for further study and diffusion into wider practice.Herein we present the largest retrospective registry report of men treated with sub‐total prostate cryotherapy in order to begin to understand how this treatment is being applied despite the paucity of data.OBJECTIVES
To identify recent trends in focal cryotherapy from a prospectively maintained treatment registry.
To describe treatment outcomes after uncontrolled application of focally ablative techniques within community practice.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We conducted an analysis of the COLD Registry to identify patients treated with partial gland prostate cryoablation between 1997 and 2007.
Preoperative characteristics and postoperative cancer‐specific and functional outcomes were assembled for analysis.
RESULTS
The COLD Registry contained information for 5853 patients and focal cryotherapy was the codified procedure in 1160 patients (19.8%).
A dramatic increase in focal treatments was observed, from 46 in 1999 to 567 in 2005 (P < 0.01).
The biochemical recurrence‐free rate (ASTRO definition) at 36 months was 75.7%.
Prostate biopsy, performed in 164/1160 of patients (14.1%), was positive in 43 (26.3%) of those suspected of cancer recurrence, but in only 3.7% (43/1160) of treated patients.
Urinary continence (defined as use of 0 pads) was 98.4%. Maintenance of spontaneous erections was 58.1%. Prolonged urinary retention (>30 days) occurred in six (1.1%) patients. Rectourethral fistula was observed in one (0.1%) patient.
CONCLUSIONS
Focal cryoablation is increasingly used for selected patients with prostate cancer.
Oncological efficacy in the present series appears similar to that of whole‐gland cryoablation.
The impact of focal cryoablation on urinary, sexual and bowel function appears to be less than that of radical therapies, although preservation of sexual function is not as high as might be expected.
Common ancestry or environmental trait filters: cross‐continental comparisons of trait–habitat relationships in tropical anuran amphibian assemblages
Authors: Ernst Raffael , Keller Alexander , Landburg Gwendolyn , Grafe T. Ulmar , Linsenmair K. Eduard , Rödel Mark‐Oliver , Dziock Frank 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACTAim  To investigate whether trait–habitat relations in biological communities converge across three global regions. The goal is to assess the role of habitat templets in shaping trait assemblages when different assembly mechanisms are operating and to test whether trait–habitat relations reflect a common evolutionary history or environmental trait filters.Location  Guiana Shield, South America; Upper Guinea Forest Block, West Africa; Borneo rain forests, Southeast Asia.Methods  We compared large anuran amphibian data sets at both the regional and cross‐continental scale. We applied a combination of three‐table ordinations (RLQ) and permutation model‐based multivariate fourth‐corner statistics to test for trait–habitat relationships at both scales and used phylogenetic comparative methods to quantify phylogenetic signal in traits that enter these analyses.Results  Despite the existence of significant trait–habitat links and congruent trait patterns, we did not find evidence for the existence of a universal trait–habitat relationship at the assemblage level and no clear sign for cross‐continental convergence of trait–habitat relations. Patterns rather varied between continents. Despite the fact that a number of traits were conserved across phylogenies, the phylogenetic signal varied between regions. Trait–habitat relations therefore not only reflect a common evolutionary history, but also more recently operating environmental trait filters that ultimately determine the trait composition in regional assemblages.Main conclusions  Integrating trait–habitat links into analyses of biological assemblages can enhance the predictive power and general application of species assembly rules in community and macroecology, particularly when phylogenetic comparative methods are simultaneously applied. However, in order to predict trait composition based on habitat templets, trait–habitat links cannot be assumed to be universal but rather have to be individually established in different regions prior to model building. Only then can direct trait‐based approaches be useful tools for predicting fundamental community patterns.
Does causal action facilitate causal perception in infants younger than 6 months of age?
Authors: Rakison David H. , Krogh Lauren 
Published: October 2011

AbstractPrevious research has established that infants are unable to perceive causality until 6¼ months of age. The current experiments examined whether infants’ ability to engage in causal action could facilitate causal perception prior to this age. In Experiment 1, 4½‐month‐olds were randomly assigned to engage in causal action experience via Velcro sticky mittens or not engage in causal action because they wore non‐sticky mittens. Both groups were then tested in the visual habituation paradigm to assess their causal perception. Infants who engaged in causal action – but not those without this causal action experience – perceived the habituation events as causal. Experiment 2 used a similar design to establish that 4½‐month‐olds are unable to generalize their own causal action to causality observed in dissimilar objects. These data are the first to demonstrate that infants under 6 months of age can perceive causality, and have implications for the mechanisms underlying the development of causal perception.
Older and wiser? Men’s and women’s accounts of drinking in early mid‐life
Authors: Emslie Carol , Hunt Kate , Lyons Antonia 
Published: October 2011

AbstractMost qualitative research on alcohol focuses on younger rather than older adults. To explore older people’s relationship with alcohol, we conducted eight focus groups with 36 men and women aged 35 to 50 years in Scotland, UK. Initially, respondents suggested that older drinkers consume less alcohol, no longer drink to become drunk and are sociable drinkers more interested in the taste than the effects of alcohol. However, as discussions progressed, respondents collectively recounted recent drunken escapades, challenged accounts of moderate drinking, and suggested there was still peer pressure to drink. Some described how their drinking had increased in mid‐life but worked hard discursively to emphasise that it was age and stage appropriate (i.e. they still met their responsibilities as workers and parents). Women presented themselves as staying in control of their drinking while men described going out with the intention of getting drunk (although still claiming to meet their responsibilities). While women experienced peer pressure to drink, they seemed to have more options for socialising without alcohol than did men. Choosing not to drink alcohol is a behaviour that still requires explanation in early mid‐life. Harm reduction strategies should pay more attention to drinking in this age group.
The clinical spectrum of intracerebral hematoma, hemorrhagic infarct, non‐hemorrhagic infarct, and non‐lesional venous stroke in patients with cerebral sinus–venous thrombosis
Authors: Kumral E. , Polat F. , Uzunköprü C. , Çallı C. , Kitiş Ö. 
Published: October 2011

Background and purpose:  The clinical spectrum of different neuroradiological features of cerebral sinus–venous thrombosis (CSVT) varies considerably. We sought the relationship between different neuroradiological aspects and clinical presentations in these patients.Methods:  The diagnosis of cerebral sinus–venous thrombosis has been confirmed by conventional angiography, MRI combined with MR venography following established diagnostic criteria. We analyzed clinical data, symptoms and signs, imaging findings, location and extent of the thrombus, and parenchymal lesions, retrospectively.Results:  There were 220 consecutive patients with cerebral sinus–venous thrombosis; 98 (45%) had non‐lesional sinus–venous thrombosis (NL CSVT), 51 (23%) had non‐hemorrhagic infarct (NHI), 45 (20%) had hemorrhagic infarct (HI), and 26 (12%) had intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). In patients with hemorrhagic lesion (HI+ICH), advanced age, headache (99%), behavioral disturbances (55%), consciousness disturbances (35%), seizures (41%), and language deficits (42%) were significantly higher than the other patients (NL+NHI) (P < 0.001). High blood pressure at admission, puerperium, sigmoid and straight sinus thrombosis, multiple sinus and vein involvement were more frequent in patients with hemorrhagic lesion than those with non‐hemorrhagic lesion. Patients with hemorrhagic lesion were more dependent or died (32%) than the other patients (12%) (P < 0.001), and most of the patients with NL and NHI had no disability compared with the other patients at the 3 month of follow‐up (96% and 65%; P < 0.001).Conclusion:  Headache, convulsion, behavioral disorder, seizures, and speech disorders were the most frequent clinical symptoms of patients with hemorrhagic CSVT. Specific risk factors, including pregnancy/puerberium, early and extended thrombosis of large sinus, and presence of high blood pressure at admission, are associated with hemorrhagic lesion and unfavorable outcome.
Conservation genetics of threatened Mexican axolotls (Ambystoma)
Authors: Parra‐Olea G. , Zamudio K. R. , Recuero E. , Aguilar‐Miguel X. , Huacuz D. , Zambrano L. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThe loss of genetic diversity in small or isolated populations can increase inbreeding, decrease fitness and adaptive potential and increase a species’ probability of extinction. In species with life histories that naturally result in small populations and/or low levels of gene flow, patterns of anthropogenically induced genetic erosion can be obscured by evolutionary history; yet these species may still be susceptible to genetic loss. We assess genetic diversity among populations of Ambystoma salamanders endemic to Mexico, including populations that are facultatively or obligately paedomorphic, to test whether paedomorphic lineages have lower genetic diversity than metamorphic ones, and whether gene flow contributes to the maintenance of diversity in divergent forms with either life history. We also test the utility of our markers in assigning illegally harvested individuals to populations of origin. We found reduced genetic diversity in paedomorphic compared with some, but not all, metamorphic populations. Populations of both forms showed genetic signatures of bottlenecks, underscoring that factors other than paedomorphosis contribute to historical reductions in population size. In general, Ambystoma populations have low interpopulation gene flow and admixture, but paedomorphic populations have higher within‐population relatedness than most metamorphic populations. We discuss historical and current landscape attributes that impact populations and their connectivity, the implications of our findings for ongoing captive propagation programs and the prospects for continued genetic health of Ambystoma in México.