bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Self-disinfecting plastics for intravenous catheters and prosthetic inserts
Authors: Kingston D. , Seal D. V. , Hill I. D. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYA disinfectant (2,4,4′-trichloro-2′-hydroxydiphenyl ether: Irgasan, Ciba-Geigy) was incorporated into plastic washers fabricated from ethylvinyl acetate (EVA), polyethylene, polypropylene or TPX. Plastics containing 0·2 and 2% Irgasan gave zones of inhibition on nutrient and blood agar plates seeded with micro-organisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Staph, epidermidis Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilisorCandida albicans) even after thorough washing. Exceptionally,C. albicanswas inhibited only by 2% Irgasan, and EVA gave good inhibition only against the staphylococci. Similar washers of each plastic were implanted subcutaneously into the flanks of rabbits; before insertion each was washed, had thread woven into it and was surrounded by a plasma clot containing 2 × 108Staph. aureus. All the plastics without Irgasan gave rise to abscesses, none of the plastics impregnated with 2% Irgasan did, though from 2 out of 12 sites small numbers ofStaph. aureuswere isolated atpost mortem. Using either clinical or bacteriological criteria, the results were highly significant (P< 0.00001 andP<0.001 respectively), demonstrating the effectiveness of this technique in preventing plastic-associated infection.
Rubella epidemiology in South East England
Authors: Nokes D. J. , Anderson R. M. , Anderson M. J. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYAnalyses of data collected in a large survey (sample size > 3000) of rubella antibody in South East England, finely stratified according to age, reveal age-dependent changes in the pattern of virus transmission. The rate or force of infection changes from low in the young children to high in the 5 - to 15-year-olds and back to low again in the adult age classes (there is a 50% reduction between the 5- to 15-year-olds and the 20+-year-olds). Raised levels of immunity are recorded in the teenage and young adult female segments of the population as a consequence of the UK rubella immunization programme. Mean antibody concentrations show a decline with age and are, on average, lower in vaccinated females when compared with unvaccinated males of the same age. The interpretation of horizontal cross-sectional serological data and future research needs are discussed.
Quantitative investigations of different vaccination policies for the control of congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) in the United Kingdom
Authors: Anderson R. M. , Grenfell B. T. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThe paper examines predictions of the impact of various one-, two- and three-stage vaccination policies on the incidence of congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) in the United Kingdom with the aid of a mathematical model of the transmission dynamics of rubella virus. Parameter estimates for the model are derived from either serological data or case notifications, and special attention is given to the significance of age-related changes in the rate of exposure to rubella infection and heterogeneous mixing between age groups. Where possible, model predictions are compared with observed epidemiological trends.The principal conclusion of the analyses is that benefit is to be gained in the UK, both in the short and long term, by the introduction of a multiple-stage vaccination policy involving high levels of vaccination coverage of young male and female children (at around two years of age) and teenage girls (between the ages of 10–15 years), plus continued surveillance and vaccination of adult women in the child-bearing age classes. Model predictions suggest that to reduce the incidence of CRS in future years, below the level generated by a continuation of the current UK policy (the vaccination of teenage girls), would require high rates of vaccination > 60%) of both boys and girls at around two years of age. Numerical studies also suggest that uniform vaccination coverage levels of greater than 80–85% of young male and female children could, in the long term (40 years or more), eradicate rubella virus from the population. The robustness of these conclusions with respect to the accuracy of parameter estimates and various assumptions concerning the pattern of age-related change in exposure to infections and ‘who acquires infection from whom’ is discussed.
Infection with influenza A H1N1: 1. Production and persistence of antibody
Authors: Grilli E. A. , Davies J. R. , Smith A. J. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThree outbreaks of influenza caused by influenza A H1N1 occurred in a boys' boarding school in 1978, 1979 and 1983. The serological response to infection with variants of the H1N1 virus was studied by radial haemolysis and haemagglutination inhibition after primary infection and reinfection. The persistence of this antibody was also studied. Infection in 1978 resulted in the production of persistent antibody to both the haemagglutinin and neuraminidase of the homotypic strain. Antibody which cross-reacted with later variants of the virus was less frequently produced, the peak response was delayed and such antibody persisted less well. Infection in 1979 resulted in a similar response to that observed in 1978 after primary infection. Reinfection resulted in a broad response in all cases. In 1983 all infected boys produced antibody which reacted with the homotypic strain but only approximately one-third of primary infections produced antibody which reacted with the A/USSR/92/77 strain. The neuraminidase of the A/USSR strain failed to detect one third of the primary infections. Reinfection again resulted in a broad response.
Natural campylobacter colonization in chickens raised under different environmental conditions
Authors: Lindblom G.-B. , Sjögren E. , Kaijser B. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYA cross-sectional study of 447 laying hens (age range 0–65 weeks) and a longitudinal study of 164 similar birds showed thatCampylobacter jejuniwas not present in the faeces of newly hatched chicks, but that colonization arose after 5–9 weeks. A survey of 250 broilers obtained from four breeders showed that all were negative forC. jejunibefore and after slaughter at the age of 5 weeks. OnceC. jejunihad appeared in a flock, it rapidly spread to virtually all birds, but at the age of 42 weeks only 20–46% of birds remained colonized, possibly as a result of having developed immunity. Birds housed in the protective environment of a laboratory still became colonized (after 9 weeks). The mode of infection is unknown, but water and food were bacteriologically negative and were deemed to be unlikely sources. Transmission via attendants, flies or other insects remain possibilities. It is concluded that prevention of colonization might be possible within the life-span of broiler chickens (5–7 weeks), but that it would be difficult to extend this period. There is a need to define how colonization arises so that the feasibility and cost of possible preventive measures can be assessed.
In vitro and in vivo study of fosfomycin in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus septicaemia
Authors: Lau W. Y. , Teoh-Chan C. H. , Fan S. T. , Lau K. F. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYFive hundred strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus were tested against various anti-staphylococcal agents. Vancomycin, fusidic acid and fosfomycin were found to be the most effective. Only 1 strain out of 500 was resistant to fosfomycin. Three patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus septicaemia were successfully treated by fosfomycin. We conclude that fosfomycin could be the drug of choice for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection.
Urinary-tract infection byMycoplasma pulmonisin mice and its wider implications
Authors: Taylor-Robinson D. , Furr Patricia M. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYYoung adult mice were inoculated intravenously with strains JB or Peter C ofMycoplasma pulmonis. A few were inoculated intranasally with strain JB. This strain but not Peter C was isolated for 50 days or more from the urines of more than half of the mice. Those of strains TO, C3H and CBA, but not CFLP, were susceptible. Recovery of mycoplasmas was intermittent and sometimes the numbers isolated varied within individual mice and between mice of a particular strain, ranging from 5 × 101to <5 × 107colour-changing units/ml. Fifty serial passes ofM. pulmonis, strain JB, in mycoplasmal medium resulted in attenuation, the organisms after inoculation of TO mice not being recovered from the urine and excretion not being stimulated by treating the mice with progesterone. At autopsy, the organisms of early passage were usually but not invariably isolated from the kidneys of mice that had been urinary excretors. About half of the latter had no renal histopathological changes. The others had usually minimal renal perivascular lymphocytic infiltrates but occasionally more widespread inflammatory changes. The findings may have relevance to the spread of mycoplasmal infection within mouse colonies and suggest that an association between such infection and nephritis in other species, including man, should be sought more closely.
Chlamydiosis in birds in Great Britain: 1. Serological reactions to chlamydia in birds sampled between 1974 and 1983
Authors: Bracewell C. D. , Bevan B. J. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYA total of 6593 serum samples from birds, received for diagnostic testing or surveys between 1974 and 1983, were titrated by direct complement fixation (CF) test againstChlamydia psittaciantigen. The percentage of positive reactions found was variable for domestic poultry, ranging from 1·5 in chickens to 22·2 in geese, and was highest in pigeonsColumba livia(47·3) and collared dovesStreptopelia decaocto(51·4). A moderate incidence was found for game birds (29·0), wild ducks (23·3) and imported birds of the order Psittaciformes (15·9). The highest titres were found in pigeons, collared doves and psittacines, confirming that infection is both frequent and active in these birds in Britain. Results of isolation of chlamydia from similar sources will be reported subsequently.
Impact of population density on immunization programmes
Authors: Arita I. , Wickett J. , Fenner F. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThe eradication of smallpox was achieved by surveillance and containment vaccination after the failure of mass immunization campaigns. The reasons for this failure are considered in this paper. Comparison of population densities in the Indian subcontinent and Africa show that in highly populated areas even an 80% vaccine coverage will still leave a density of susceptibles high enough to maintain the disease, a finding with important implications for other vaccine campaigns.
The susceptibility of Rattus rattus and Bandicota bengalensis to a new anticoagulant rodenticide, flocoumafen
Authors: Parshad V. R. , Chopra G. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThe anticoagulant rodenticide flocoumafen was evaluated against Rattus rattus and Bandicota bengalensis, In no-choice 24 h feeding tests 100% mortality occurred at 0·00125% concentration of the poison in the bait in the case of B. bengalensis and at 0·00375% in R. rattus. Feeding of 0·0025% poison bait in 1-day, no-choice and 2-day choice tests resulted in 60% and 75% mortality of R. rattus, respectively, and 100% of B. bengalensis. The differences between the consumption of plain food in the pretreatment period and of poison bait in no-choice tests were non-significant, except in one case. The rodents consumed significantly more (P < 0·01) poison bait than the plain alternative in the choice trials. Median period of survival and its 95% confidence limits of R. rattus and B. bengalensis, at the 100% mortality dose levels of the poison, were 6·3 (5·04–7·88) and 6·2 (4·92–7·81) days respectively.
Humoral response of pregnant sows to foot and mouth disease vaccination
Authors: Francis M. J. , Black L. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYFour groups of sows were inoculated, either once or twice, with O1BFS 1860 foot and mouth disease oil-emulsion vaccine during pregnancy and samples of serum. for analysis, were collected at intervals for > 300 days.The pregnant sows responded well to vaccination regardless of their state of gestation. Single vaccination produced protective levels of antibody (> 1·53 log10SN50) in 3 out of 4 sows while double vaccination produced protective levels in all 6 sows tested. Anti-FMD IgM antibodies could be detected for 40–60 days after vaccination or revaccination. Anti-FMD IgG antibodies appeared within 10 days of vaccination and persisted, in each sow, for the duration of the study. The anti-FMD IgA response observed was less easy to characterize due to significant animal to animal variation. Although there was no evidence of a fall in the neutralizing antibody titres over one year post vaccination the anti-FMD IgG antibody population did show signs of a change in its heterogenity and avidity.
Immunoglobulin G, A and M response to influenza vaccination in different age groups: effects of priming and boosting
Authors: Beyer Walter E. P. , Van Der Logt Jos T. M. , van Beek Ruud , Masurel Nic 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYFifty volunteers, treated with an inactivated trivalent influenza vaccine containing A/Bangkok/1/79 (H3N2), A/Brazil/11/78 (H1N1) and B/Singapore/222/79 virus, were subdivided according to the estimated first exposure to influenza in their lifetime (priming) and the presence of antibodies against the vaccine components in the pre-vaccination sera. The isotypic antibody response (IgG, IgA, IgM) was determined by means of an antibody capture haemadsorption immunosorbent technique. For all three vaccine components, previously seropositive subjects produced antibodies of the IgG- and IgA-class more frequently than previously seronegative persons. Subjects primed to one of the influenza A subtypes showed more IgG and IgA responses in comparison with those unprimed (prime-effect). In contrast, IgM antibodies occurred in only 19 and 11% of primed, but in 59 and 54% of unprimed subjects, for A (H3N2) and A (HlNl), respectively. The incidence of IgM titre rises was not influenced by the prevaccination state. However, the mean magnitude of anti-A(H1N1)-IgM titre rises was greater in those previously seronegative. The concepts of primary and reinfection and of ‘original antigenic sin’ are discussed, and it is suggested that age and, if possible, serological state prior to antigen-exposure should be taken into account when studying isotypic antibody responses after influenza infection or vaccination.
Genetic variation ofOratosquilla oratoria(Crustacea: Stomatopoda) across Hong Kong waters elucidated by mitochondrial DNA control region sequences
Authors: Lui Karen K.Y. , Leung Priscilla T.Y. , Ng W.C. , Leung Kenneth M.Y. 
Published: October 2009

The population genetic structure of the mantis shrimp,Oratosquilla oratoria, in Hong Kong waters was determined using 923 base pairs of mitochondrial DNA control region sequences. Samples were collected from six localities including the open-waters and sheltered bays in both the eastern and western waters of Hong Kong. Twenty-seven haplotypes were detected in 99 individuals. A high overall haplotype diversity (h = 0.886), with a low nucleotide diversity (π = 0.0026), was observed, and the haplotype minimum spanning network suggested that rapid expansion might have occurred among the total stomatopod population. Genetic homogeneity was observed over a meso-scale distance (80–100 km) whilst there were significant genetic differentiations between all pairs of the six samples. Partition of genetic variability based on hydrographic conditions did not reveal significant differentiations between: (1) eastern and western waters; and (2) open-waters and sheltered bays; but showed high levels of variation both within groups and within samples. Unexpectedly, genetic distance did not correlate with hydrographic distance among the samples. Results demonstrated a genetic patchiness pattern ofO. oratoriain Hong Kong waters that may be attributable to the interplay between hydrographic conditions (e.g. salinity) and the species' life history traits.
Languages-in-Education in the Philippines
Authors: Luzares Casilda E. 
Published: October 2009

Although language differences may exist within a nation, these differences do not become issues of national concern until the government passes legislation to choose one language over others for the purpose of unifying the nation under one linguistic symbol.The greater bulk of the task of implementing language policies is assigned to the schools for several reasons. First, the schools are one of the most potent instruments for developing and propagating a language. Second, the government has control over the schools. Third, the students are the most teachable segments of the population. Fourth, education is a verbal task; therefore, in order to carry out the education function, the schools have to take an active interest in language.
Cognitive and Cultural Styles in Second Language Acquisition
Authors: Kachru Yamuna 
Published: October 2009

The goals of second language acquisition research, as of first language acquisi-tion research, are to determine exactlywhatis acquired and preciselyhowit is acquired. The first concern leads to questions such as the following in the case of second language acquisition [SLA]•How comparable are the first and second languages of the learners?•What effect does the perceived closeness or distance of the two languages have on second language acquisition?•Do learners only acquire linguistic categories and structures of the second language, or do they also acquire a different set of cognitive structures and cultural categories? And finally,•Do they acquire only linguistic rules, or do they also acquire the sociocultural conventions of language use relevant to the second language?The second concern leads to the following question:•What role do cognitive styles, learning strategies, and personality factors—either innate or acquired as a result of socialization in a particular community—play in second language acquisition?
Sociolinguistics: Theory
Authors: Heller Monica 
Published: October 2009

In 1980, in this journal, Joshua Fishman presented the major theoretical issue in sociolinguistics as being the link between microsociolinguistic and macrosociolinguistic processes. In 1984 that is still the case, although the issue is receiving more explicit attention than it did four years ago.There are two branches of sociolinguistics which approach this issue in different ways. These two branches are interactionist and variationist sociolinguistics. Interactionist sociolinguistics is principally interested in what language use can tell us about social processes, and therefore a central concern is the social meaning of language use. Variationist sociolinguistics is interested in accounting for linguistic variation and change, at least partly as a product of the social distribution of language varieties. It is, therefore, less concerned with meaning as process, and more concerned with the interaction of linguistic and social systems; in this view the significance of language is mainly symbolic. In this review, I will discuss the contributions of these branches to the problem of the relationship between microsociolinguistics and macrosociolinguistics, as well as the theoretical problems peculiar to each branch.
The prevalence of human isolates of Salmonella subspecies II in southern Africa
Authors: Schrire L. , Crisp S. , Bear N. , McStay G. , Koornhof H. J. , Le Minor L. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThe Salmonella Reference Centre in Johannesburg received 14059 strains of human origin between 1979 and 1984. A significant proportion (6·3%) proved to belong to subspecies II. The majority were cultured from faecal material, usually associated with symptoms related to the gastrointestinal tract. They comprised 884 isolates, represented by 203 serotypes, of which 45 were new serotypes.The poor hygienic conditions found in many rural areas, together with possible contamination of food and water by wild animals, may contribute to the greater frequency of human S.II infections and the widespread occurrence of unusual serotypes in man in this geographic region.
Poultry waste associated type C botulism in cattle
Authors: Smart J. L. , Jones T. O. , Clegg F. G. , McMurtry M. J. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYBotulism in UK cattle has been confirmed by demonstrating type C botulinum toxin in sera from affected animals. Evidence is presented indicating the source of intoxication to be poultry carcasses containing type C Clostridium botulinum and its toxin. The organism was also found in poultry litter and in alimentary tract samples from slaughtered animals. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Bacteriological status of beef carcasses at a commercial abattoir before and after slaughterline improvements
Authors: Hudson W. R. , Roberts T. A. , Whelehan O. P. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThe bacteriological status of beef carcasses was monitored at a commercial abattoir before and after two stages of modernization to the beef slaughterline which included changing from cradle dressing to dressing on an overhead rail, and the introduction of hot water spray cleaning of carcasses. Although small significant (P< 0·05) differences in bacterial count occurred among carcass sites within modernization stages, significant visit within stage variation and stage × site interactions prevented any significant change in overall count being observed among stages and carcass sites. Principal components analysis revealed small changes in the distribution of bacterial numbers on the sites sampled.
Epidemiological studies on leptospirosis in Chiang Mai (Thailand)
Authors: Arimitsu Y. , Kobayashi S. , Matuhasi T. , Suzuki H. , Yamaji Y. , Suprasert S. , Supawadee J. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYA total of 270 serum samples collected in Chiang Mai province were examined for antibodies against leptospira using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Four of 40 serum specimens from patients who visited the hospital with the common cold, were positive with a titre of 20. Twelve (10·4%) of the 115 samples in the Doi Saket district showed a positive reaction. Only 2 of 115 sera of school children in Chiang Mai city had antibodies.Specific serovars detected wereLeptospira hebdomadis(5),L. australis(3),L. icterohaemorrhagiae(2),L. bataviae(2), and one each ofL. canicola, L. javanicaandL. pyrogenes. One case of mixed infection withL. hebdomadisandL. javanica, andL. auhnnnalisandL. australiswere observed.
Application of three typing schemes (Penner, Lior, Preston) to strains ofCampylobacterspp. isolated from three outbreaks
Authors: Hutchinson D. N. , Bolton F. J. , Jones D. M. , Sutcliffe E. M. , Abbott J. D. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYCampylobacters isolated from human, animal and environmental sources during the investigation of a milk-borne outbreak, an incident involving goats' milk and an outbreak associated with puppies were serotyped using the Penner and Lior schemes and biotyped using the Preston scheme. Application of these three methods to the incident strains demonstrated that heterogenicity amongst similar strains exists. This study has confirmed the need to use at least two typing methods when investigating epidemiologically-related strains and we suggest that a combination of a serotyping scheme and an extended biotyping scheme is the most useful.
Human infection withStreptococcus zooepidemicus(Lancefield group C): three case reports
Authors: Barnham Michael , Ljunggren Ake , McIntyre Michael 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThree unrelated severe infections withStreptococcus zooepidemicusoccurred in England in 1985. The first patient developed septic arthritis, which has not been recorded before with this organism. The second died with septicaemia, pneumonia and post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, the only record so far of nephritis following sporadicS. zooepidemicusinfection and of nephritis and systemic sepsis in the same patient. The third patient experienced septicaemia during pregnancy but recovered without complications. A likely animal source of infection was found in only one case.