bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparative Antipneumococcal Activities of Sulopenem and Other Drugs
Authors: Kosowska-Shick Klaudia , Ednie Lois M. , McGhee Pamela , Appelbaum Peter C. 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACT

For 297 penicillin-susceptible, -intermediate, and -resistant pneumococcal strains, the sulopenem MIC
50
s were 0.008, 0.06, and 0.25, respectively, and the sulopenem MIC
90
s were 0.016, 0.25, and 0.5 μg/ml, respectively. The MIC
50
s of amoxicillin for the corresponding strains were 0.03, 0.25, and 2.0 μg/ml, respectively, and the MIC
90
s were 0.03, 1.0, and 8.0 μg/ml, respectively. The combination of amoxicillin and clavulanate gave MICs similar to those obtained with amoxicillin alone. The sulopenem MICs were similar to those of imipenem and meropenem. The MICs of ß-lactams increased with those of penicillin G, and among the quinolones tested, moxifloxacin had the lowest MICs. Additionally, 45 strains of drug-resistant type 19A pneumococci were tested by agar dilution and gave sulopenem MIC
50
s and MIC
90
s of 1.0 and 2.0 μg/ml, respectively. Both sulopenem and amoxicillin (with and without clavulanate) were bactericidal against all 12 strains tested at 2× MIC after 24 h. Thirty-one strains from 10 countries with various penicillin, amoxicillin, and carbapenems MICs, including those with the highest sulopenem MICs, were selected for sequencing analysis of the
pbp1a
,
pbp2x
, and
pbp2b
regions encoding the transpeptidase active site and MurM. We did not find any correlations between specific penicillin-binding protein-MurM patterns and changes in the MICs.
Antifungal Activities of Natural and Synthetic Iron Chelators Alone and in Combination with Azole and Polyene Antibiotics against
Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Zarember Kol A. , Cruz Anna R. , Huang Chiung-Yu , Gallin John I. 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACT

Antifungal effects of iron chelators (lactoferrin, deferoxamine, deferiprone, and ciclopirox) were tested alone and in combination with antifungal drugs against
Aspergillus fumigatus
B5233 conidia. Lactoferrin, ciclopirox, and deferiprone inhibited whereas deferoxamine enhanced fungal growth. Antifungal synergy against conidia was observed for combinations of ketoconazole with ciclopirox or deferiprone, lactoferrin with amphotericin B, and fluconazole with deferiprone. Iron chelation alone or combined with antifungal drugs may be useful for prevention and treatment of mycosis.
In Vitro Activity of Micafungin against Planktonic and Sessile
Candida albicans
Isolates
Authors: Jacobson Melissa J. , Steckelberg Kathryn E. , Piper Kerryl E. , Steckelberg James M. , Patel Robin 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACT

Planktonic and sessile susceptibilities to micafungin were determined for 30 clinical isolates of
Candida albicans
obtained from blood or other sterile sites. Planktonic and sessile MIC
90
s for micafungin were 0.125 and 1.0 μg/ml, respectively.
Cryptococcus neoformansDirectly Stimulates Perforin Production and Rearms NK Cells for Enhanced Anticryptococcal Microbicidal Activity
Authors: Marr Kaleb J. , Jones Gareth J. , Zheng Chunfu , Huston Shaunna M. , Timm-McCann Martina , Islam Anowara , Berenger Byron M. , Ma Ling Ling , Wiseman Jeremy C. D. , Mody Christopher H. 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACTNK cells, in addition to possessing antitumor and antiviral activity, exhibit perforin-dependent microbicidal activity against the opportunistic pathogenCryptococcus neoformans. However, the factors controlling this response, particularly whether the pathogen itself provides an activation or rearming signal, are largely unknown. The current studies were performed to determine whether exposure to this fungus alters subsequent NK cell anticryptococcal activity. NK cells lost perforin and mobilized lysosome-associated membrane protein 1 to the cell surface following incubation with the fungus, indicating that degranulation had occurred. Despite a reduced perforin content during killing, NK cells acquired an enhanced ability to killC. neoformans, as demonstrated using auxotrophs that allowed independent assessment of the killing of two strains. De novo protein synthesis was required for optimal killing; however, there was no evidence that a soluble factor contributed to the enhanced anticryptococcal activity. Exposure of NK cells toC. neoformanscaused the cells to rearm, as demonstrated by increased perforin mRNA levels and enhanced loss of perforin when transcription was blocked. Degranulation alone was insufficient to provide the activation signal as NK cells lost anticryptococcal activity following treatment with strontium chloride. However, NK cells regained the activity upon prolonged exposure toC. neoformans, which is consistent with activation by the microbe. The enhanced cytotoxicity did not extend to tumor killing since NK cells exposed toC. neoformansfailed to kill NK-sensitive tumor targets (K562 cells). These studies demonstrate that there is contact-mediated microbe-specific rearming and activation of microbicidal activity that are necessary for optimal killing ofC. neoformans.
Iron-Regulated Surface Determinant Protein A Mediates Adhesion ofStaphylococcus aureusto Human Corneocyte Envelope Proteins
Authors: Clarke Simon R. , Andre Guillaume , Walsh Evelyn J. , Dufrêne Yves F. , Foster Timothy J. , Foster Simon J. 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACTThe ability ofStaphylococcus aureusto colonize the human nares is a crucial prerequisite for disease. IsdA is a majorS. aureussurface protein that is expressed during human infection and required for nasal colonization and survival on human skin. In this work, we show that IsdA binds to involucrin, loricrin, and cytokeratin K10, proteins that are present in the cornified envelope of human desquamated epithelial cells. To measure the forces and dynamics of the interaction between IsdA and loricrin (the most abundant protein of the cornified envelope), single-molecule force spectroscopy was used, demonstrating high-specificity binding. IsdA acts as a cellular adhesin to the human ligands, promoting whole-cell binding to immobilized proteins, even in the absence of otherS. aureuscomponents (as shown by heterologous expression inLactococcus lactis). Inhibition experiments revealed the binding of the human ligands to the same IsdA region. This region was mapped to the NEAT domain of IsdA. The NEAT domain also was found to be required forS. aureuswhole-cell binding to the ligands as well as to human nasal cells. Thus, IsdA is an important adhesin to human ligands, which predominate in its primary ecological niche.
The Plasmid of
Escherichia coli
Strain S88 (O45:K1:H7) That Causes Neonatal Meningitis Is Closely Related to Avian Pathogenic
E. coli
Plasmids and Is Associated with High-Level Bacteremia in a Neonatal Rat Meningitis Model
Authors: Peigne Chantal , Bidet Philippe , Mahjoub-Messai Farah , Plainvert Céline , Barbe Valérie , Médigue Claudine , Frapy Eric , Nassif Xavier , Denamur Erick , Bingen Edouard , Bonacorsi Stéphane 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACT

A new
Escherichia coli
virulent clonal group, O45:K1, belonging to the highly virulent subgroup B2
1
was recently identified in France, where it accounts for one-third of
E. coli
neonatal meningitis cases. Here we describe the sequence, epidemiology and function of the large plasmid harbored by strain S88, which is representative of the O45:K1 clonal group. Plasmid pS88 is 133,853 bp long and contains 144 protein-coding genes. It harbors three different iron uptake systems (aerobactin, salmochelin, and the
sitABCD
genes) and other putative virulence genes (
iss
,
etsABC
,
ompT
P
, and
hlyF
). The pS88 sequence is composed of several gene blocks homologous to avian pathogenic
E. coli
plasmids pAPEC-O2-ColV and pAPEC-O1-ColBM. PCR amplification of 11 open reading frames scattered throughout the plasmid was used to investigate the distribution of pS88 and showed that a pS88-like plasmid is present in other meningitis clonal groups such as O18:K1, O1:K1, and O83:K1. A pS88-like plasmid was also found in avian pathogenic strains and human urosepsis strains belonging to subgroup B2
1
. A variant of S88 cured of its plasmid displayed a marked loss of virulence relative to the wild-type strain in a neonatal rat model, with bacteremia more than 2 log CFU/ml lower. The salmochelin siderophore, a known meningovirulence factor, could not alone explain the plasmid's contribution to virulence, as a salmochelin mutant displayed only a minor fall in bacteremia (0.9 log CFU/ml). Thus, pS88 is a major virulence determinant related to avian pathogenic plasmids that has spread not only through meningitis clonal groups but also human urosepsis and avian pathogenic strains.
Reproducible Community Dynamics of the Gastrointestinal Microbiota following Antibiotic Perturbation
Authors: Antonopoulos Dionysios A. , Huse Susan M. , Morrison Hilary G. , Schmidt Thomas M. , Sogin Mitchell L. , Young Vincent B. 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACT
Shifts in microbial communities are implicated in the pathogenesis of a number of gastrointestinal diseases, but we have limited understanding of the mechanisms that lead to altered community structures. One difficulty with studying these mechanisms in human subjects is the inherent baseline variability of the microbiota in different individuals. In an effort to overcome this baseline variability, we employed a mouse model to control the host genotype, diet, and other possible influences on the microbiota. This allowed us to determine whether the indigenous microbiota in such mice had a stable baseline community structure and whether this community exhibited a consistent response following antibiotic administration. We employed a tag-sequencing strategy targeting the V6 hypervariable region of the bacterial small-subunit (16S) rRNA combined with massively parallel sequencing to determine the community structure of the gut microbiota. Inbred mice in a controlled environment harbored a reproducible baseline community that was significantly impacted by antibiotic administration. The ability of the gut microbial community to recover to baseline following the cessation of antibiotic administration differed according to the antibiotic regimen administered. Severe antibiotic pressure resulted in reproducible, long-lasting alterations in the gut microbial community, including a decrease in overall diversity. The finding of stereotypic responses of the indigenous microbiota to ecologic stress suggests that a better understanding of the factors that govern community structure could lead to strategies for the intentional manipulation of this ecosystem so as to preserve or restore a healthy microbiota.
Modelling aquatic vegetation and dissolved oxygen after a flood event in the Bow River, Alberta, Canada
Authors: Robinson K. L. , Valeo C. , Ryan M. C. , Chu A. , Iwanyshyn M. 
Published: March 2009

Traditionally, macrophyte density has been considered the primary factor affecting the large dissolved oxygen fluctuations in the Bow River. After a major flood event scoured macrophytes in 2005, and subsequently changed river dynamics, the City of Calgary needed to update their predictive computer model for water quality to reflect the new conditions, which led to this study. A 2006 aquatic vegetation survey was also completed to assess post-flood conditions. The survey found that the average macrophyte dry weight was much lower (28 g/m2 ± 100 (p = 0.05)) than the historic average of 241 g/m2 ± 29, while the average periphyton chlorophyll-a concentration was higher (343 mg/m2 ± 71) than the historic average (158 mg/m2 ± 17)). Dissolved oxygen (DO) fluctuations were similar to pre-flood levels despite changes in the dominant vegetation. Using the results of this survey, the significant and previously unrecognized effects of periphyton diurnal processes on DO concentrations in the Bow River were identified and the Bow River water quality model (BRWQM) was recalibrated to reflect these findings. Adjustments were made to the BRWQM’s periphyton submodel to account for the more dominant role played by these organisms in river processes, and a competitive shading factor between macrophytes and periphyton was also introduced to more accurately model the species' competition for available sunlight. This newly calibrated and validated version of BRWQM was tested and found capable of predicting the occurrence of low DO concentrations in the Bow River and can provide a useful tool for forecasting the water quality effects of the city's planned wastewater infrastructure expansion.
Electrochemical removal of organics and oil from sawmill and ship effluentsA paper submitted to the Journal of Environmental Engineering and Science.
Authors: Drogui Patrick , Asselin Mélanie , Brar Satinder K. , Benmoussa Hamel , Blais Jean-François 
Published: March 2009

The present study investigates the electrocoagulation treatment of two different wastewaters, namely sawmill wastewater and ship waste effluent, charged with organic matter. Monopolar electrode configuration was studied for both types of effluents at current intensity of 2.0 A for a total treatment time of 90 min. Soluble chemical oxygen demand (CODs) removal was very low (12.5% to 13.6%) for sawmill effluent in comparison to 74.7% to 75.4% obtained for ship effluents. Thus, ship effluent was further examined in details for its treatment efficacy in terms of electrode configuration and type, current intensity, treatment time, and pH. It was observed that bipolar electrode configuration using the Al electrode at 0.3 A gave the highest CODsremoval of 77%. Effluent pH increased rapidly in the initial 20 min with a concomitant decrease in CODsconcentration. Electrocoagulated-flocculated ship effluent improved performance relative to simple flocculation with respective removals of 86% of turbidity, 56% of CODs; 69% of total COD (CODt), 90% of oil and grease, 94% of C10-C50hydrocarbons and 89% of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5). Residual Al3+concentration in the solution followed a linear trend with treatment time. Meanwhile, the sludge production increased progressively during 60 min of treatment time. Total cost for treatment of ship effluent, including energy, electrodes, and sludge disposal fee is estimated between CAN$1.34 and CAN$2.40m–3.
Behavior of slab–column connections with partially debonded reinforcement under lateral loading
Authors: Choi Jung-Wook , Ali Malika , Alexander Scott D.B. 
Published: March 2009

In a flat plate structure, slab–column connections must possess sufficient drift capacity to survive the lateral deformation resulting from wind or earthquake. Partial debonding of the flexural reinforcement may be a means of increasing drift capacity of a slab–column structure. This article summarizes cyclic loading tests conducted on two full-scale interior slab–column connections, one with and one without partially debonded reinforcement. Each test specimen consisted of a 4.2 m square slab with a 355 mm square column protruding 1.5 m above and below the slab. The slab thickness was 152 mm. The specimen with partially debonded reinforcement exhibited more lateral drift capacity (4.5%) than did the specimen with fully bonded reinforcement (3.5%). The lateral load capacity of the debonded specimen was approximately 20% greater than that of the bonded control specimen. With partial debonding of the flexural reinforcement, cyclic load appeared to produce less damage to the connection in the vicinity of the slab–column joint.
Embedded Systems Programming: Accessing Databases from Esterel
Authors: White David , Lüttgen Gerald 
Published: March 2009

AbstractA current limitation in embedded controller design and programming is the lack of database support in development tools such as Esterel Studio. This article proposes a way of integrating databases and Esterel by providing two application programming interfaces (APIs) which enable the use of relational databases inside Esterel programs. As databases and Esterel programs are often executed on different machines, result sets returned as responses to database queries may be processed either locally and according to Esterel's synchrony hypothesis, or remotely along several of Esterel's execution cycles. These different scenarios are reflected in the design and usage rules of the two APIs presented in this article, which rely on Esterel's facilities for extending the language by external data types, external functions, and procedures, as well as tasks. The APIs' utility is demonstrated by means of a case study modelling an automated warehouse storage system, which is constructed using Lego Mindstorms robotics kits. The robot's controller is programmed in Esterel in a way that takes dynamic ordering information and the warehouse's floor layout into account, both of which are stored in a MySQL database.
Changes in anticholinergic load from regular prescribed medications in palliative care as death approaches
Authors: Agar M , Currow D , Plummer J , Seidel R , Carnahan R , Abernethy AP 
Published: March 2009

Although there is an understandable emphasis on the side effects of individual medications, the cumulative effects of medications have received little attention in palliative care prescribing. Anticholinergic load reflects a cumulative effect of medications that may account for several symptoms and adverse health outcomes frequently encountered in palliative care. A secondary analysis of 304 participants in a randomised controlled trial had their cholinergic load calculated using the Clinician-Rated Anticholinergic Scale (modified version) longitudinally as death approached from medication data collected prospectively by study nurses on each visit. Mean time from referral to death was 107 days, and mean 4.8 visits were conducted in which data were collected. Relationships to key factors were explored. Data showed that anticholinergic load rose as death approached because of increasing use of medications for symptom control. Symptoms significantly associated with increasing anticholinergic load included dry mouth and difficulty concentrating ( P < 0.05). There were also significant associations with increasing anticholinergic load and decreasing functional status (Australia-modified Karnofsky Performance Scale; and quality of life ( P < 0.05). This study has documented in detail the longitudinal anticholinergic load associated with medications used in a palliative care population between referral and death, demonstrating the biggest contributor to anticholinergic load in a palliative care population is from symptom-specific medications, which increased as death approached.
Lysholm Score and Tegner Activity Level in Individuals with Normal Knees
Authors: Briggs Karen K. , Steadman J. Richard , Hay Connor J. , Hines Sophia L. 
Published: March 2009

Background The Lysholm score and Tegner activity scale are commonly used to document outcomes after arthroscopic knee surgery. These outcomes measurements are subjective in nature and evaluate performance and activity restrictions both before and after surgery, making them a valuable research tool when judging the effectiveness of surgical treatment. Purpose To establish a normal knee data set for the Lysholm and Tegner rating systems, as well as to show how these scores are affected by age and gender. Study Design Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods A subjective questionnaire that included both the Lysholm score and Tegner activity grading scale was completed by 488 subjects in the community who considered their knee function normal. Any subject reporting a history of injury or surgery was excluded from the study. The average age was 41 years (range, 18-85), with 244 men and 244 women qualifying for statistical analysis. Results The average Lysholm score was 94 (range, 43-100), and the average Tegner activity level was 5.7 (range, 1-10). The Lysholm score and age demonstrated no correlation. The Tegner activity level was inversely correlated with age. The average Tegner activity level for men was 6.0, and the average activity scale for women was 5.4. There was no significant difference in the Lysholm score between men and women. Conclusion These data acquired from a normal, healthy population provide a standard point of reference for the injured or postsurgical knee. These data also serve as ideal tools when counseling patients about realistic expectations after surgery, based on age and gender.
Respiratory morbidities among working children of gem polishing industries, India
Authors: Tiwari RR , Saha A , Parikh JR 
Published: March 2009

There are millions of working children worldwide. In gem polishing industry, exposure to occupational hazards of dust and chemicals used in polishing of gemstone may result in respiratory symptoms and respiratory disorders. The present study included 586 exposed and 569 comparison group subjects. Data was collected through personal interview, clinical examination, and chest radiography. The respiratory morbidity was diagnosed on the basis of clinical signs and symptoms and chest radiography. The study variables included age, sex, daily working hours, and duration of exposure. The mean age of the child laborers was 11.31 ± 5.34 years. Prevalence of respiratory morbidity was significantly high in the female child laborers. The other study variables namely age, duration of exposure, and daily working hours were found to be statistically non-significant. The prevalence of respiratory morbidity among child laborers of gem polishing industry in Jaipur was found to be 7%.
Fluoride-induced thyroid dysfunction in rats: roles of dietary protein and calcium level
Authors: Wang H , Yang Z , Zhou B , Gao H , Yan X , Wang J 
Published: March 2009

To assess the roles of dietary protein (Pr) and calcium (Ca) level associated with excessive fluoride (F) intake and the impact of dietary Pr, Ca, and F on thyroid function, 144 30-day-old Wistar albino rats were randomly allotted to six groups of 24 (female:male = 1:1). The six groups were fed (1) a normal control (NC) diet (17.92% Pr, 0.85% Ca = NC group); (2) the NC diet and high F (338 mg NaF [=150 mg F ion]/L in their drinking water = NC+F group); (3) low Pr and low Ca diet (10.01% Pr, 0.24% Ca = LPrLCa group); (4) low Pr and low Ca diet plus high F = LPrLCa+F group; (5) high Pr and low Ca diet plus high F (25.52% Pr, 0.25% Ca = HPrLCa+F group); and (6) low Pr and high Ca diet plus high F (10.60% Pr, 1.93% Ca = LPrHCa+F group). The areas of thyroid follicles were determined by Image-Proplus 5.1, and triiodothyronine (T3), free T3 (FT3), thyroxine (T4), and free T4 (FT4) levels in serum were measured by radioimmunoassay. The histopathological study revealed obviously flatted follicular epithelia cells and hyperplastic nodules, consisting of thyroid parafollicular cells that appeared by excessive F ingestion, on the 120th day. Pr or Ca supplementation reverses the F-induced damage in malnutrition. The serum T3, FT3, T4, and FT4 levels in the NC+F group were significantly decreased and significantly increased in the LPrLCa+F group. Thus, excessive F administration induces thyroid dysfunction in rats; dietary Pr and Ca level play key roles in F-induced thyroid dysfunction.