bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dermatophyte susceptibility varies towards antimicrobial textiles
Authors: Hammer Timo R. , Mucha Helmut , Hoefer Dirk 
Published: September 2011

SummaryDermatophytoses are a widespread problem worldwide. Textiles in contact with infected skin can serve as a carrier for fungus propagation. Hitherto, it is unknown, whether antifungal textiles could contribute in controlling dermatophytes e.g. by disrupting the chain of infection. Testing of antimicrobial fabrics for their antifungal activities therefore is a fundamental prerequisite to assess the putative clinical relevance of textiles for dermatophyte prevention. Fabrics finished with either didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC), poly‐hexamethylenbiguanide, copper and two silver chloride concentrations were tested for their antifungal activity against Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Candida albicans. To prove dermatophyte susceptibility towards the textiles, swatches were subjected to DIN EN 14199 (Trichophyton sp.) or DIN EN ISO 20743 (C. albicans) respectively. In addition, samples were embedded, and semi‐thin sections were analysed microscopically. While all samples showed a clear inhibition of C. albicans, activity against Trichophyton sp. varied significantly: For example, DDAC completely inhibited T. rubrum growth, whereas T. mentagrophytes growth remained unaffected even in direct contact to the fibres. The results favour to add T. mentagrophytes as a test organism in textile dermatophyte efficacy tests. Microscopic analysis of swatches allowed detailed evaluation of additional parameters like mycelium thickness, density and hyphae penetration depth into the fabric.
Changes in nitric oxide and free radical levels in rat gastrocnemius muscle during contraction and fatigue
Authors: Ibrahim Mariam Y , Ashour Osama M 
Published: September 2011

Summary1. The ratio of nitric oxide (NO) to free radicals is critical during skeletal muscle contraction. Changes in this ratio have been suggested to play a role in muscle fatigue.2. The aim of the present study was to investigate the changes in NO and free radicals during tetanic and subtetanic contraction and fatigue in the gastrocnemius muscle of adult male Wistar rats.3. Rats were subjected to either low‐ or high‐frequency stimulation (10 and 100 Hz, respectively) of the right gastrocnemius muscle. Both groups were further subdivided into untreated (0.9% NaCl solution), NG‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (l‐NAME)‐treated and reduced glutathione (GSH)‐treated groups. Rats were administered their treatments intraperitoneally 30 min prior to electrical stimulation.4. Levels of both NO and lipid peroxides increased significantly during peak force contraction for either type of contractions, with a more significant response during subtetanic contraction. Treatment with l‐NAME significantly reduced the maximal force and this effect was more marked in the low frequency‐stimulated group. Although peroxides levels were reduced by GSH, it had no significant effect on force production. In l‐NAME‐treated rats, the onset of 50% fatigue was accelerated with a significant increase in peroxides levels, whereas the opposite effects were observed after GSH treatment.5. Current results reflect the importance of endogenous NO, as an anti‐oxidant, in aiding muscle performance by overcoming oxidative stress during fatigue. They provide a possible explanation as to why patients with myopathies like Duchenne muscular dystrophy, in which dystrophin is lacking suffer from muscle weakness and fatigue easily.
Treating stuttering priapism
Authors: Kheirandish Pejman , Chinegwundoh Frank , Kulkarni Shailesh 
Published: September 2011

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Stuttering priapism is a form of ischemic priapism which mainly affects sickle cell patients. Despite recent advances in understanding the aetiology and pathophysiology of this condition, no credible evidence‐based management strategy has been produced to this date.In this mini review we have attempted to summarize the published articles on this topic systematically. The main aim was to present the treatment options available and analyse their indications and efficacies.Stuttering priapism is an uncommon recurrent form of ischaemic priapism consisting of episodes of unwanted, painful erections that typically last for <3 h. It occurs repeatedly with intervening periods of detumescence. If these episodes are not treated, it may evolve into a classic ischaemic priapism and eventually lead to irreversible corporal fibrosis with permanent erectile dysfunction. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in August 2010 using the PubMed database, MEDLINE and generic search engines. The search terms used to source information on this topic were, stuttering priapism (44 hits) and recurrent priapism (161 hits). Although there are numerous publications on this topic the majority of them are small trials and case reports. We identified 117 case reports, 28 reviews, 37 anecdotal reports, 22 small size clinical trials and one in vitro work. Our understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of stuttering priapism has improved in recent years. Further multicentre randomized clinical trials are required to evaluate the efficacy of different treatment options and to define safe and effective management strategies for patients with low‐flow recurrent priapism.
HbA1c 3 months after diagnosis predicts premature mortality in patients with new onset type 2 diabetes
Authors: Kerr D. , Partridge H. , Knott J. , Thomas P. W. 
Published: September 2011

Diabet. Med. 28, 1520–1524 (2011)SummaryAims  To determine 5‐year mortality rates, following the diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, in a large local cohort of individuals with new onset of Type 2 diabetes seen within a few weeks of diagnosis in a single, community‐based education programme.Methods  We reviewed referrals for people with Type 2 diabetes to our service over 5 years from 1999 to 2003 and determined, via regression analysis, which factors contributed significantly to mortality rates up to the end of 2007.Results  A total of 3781 new referrals were reviewed with an approximate doubling of referral rates over 5 years (546 in 1999–997 in 2003). Although the number of people developing the condition has increased, mortality rates over the 5 years from diagnosis has fallen from 11% in 1999–9% in 2003 (P < 0.005) Age at diagnosis was the strongest predictor of mortality (P < 0.001) but HbA1c at 3 months after diagnosis (P < 0.001), systolic (P < 0.001) and diastolic (P = 0.05) blood pressure, smoking status (P < 0.001) and gender (P = 0.04) were also significant predictors.Conclusions  Our retrospective analysis adds weight to evidence suggesting that referral rates for people with Type 2 diabetes are increasing rapidly and that mortality rates are reducing but that the reasons for this are multifactorial. In addition to blood pressure, smoking and gender, the HbA1c achieved 3 months after the initial diagnosis also appears to predict subsequent mortality. It may be appropriate to consider early and intensive intervention for individuals with new onset type 2 diabetes.
Plant‐based FRET biosensor discriminates environmental zinc levels
Authors: Adams Joshua P. , Adeli Ardeshir , Hsu Chuan‐Yu , Harkess Richard L. , Page Grier P. , dePamphilis Claude W. , Schultz Emily B. , Yuceer Cetin 
Published: September 2011

SummaryHeavy metal accumulation in the environment poses great risks to flora and fauna. However, monitoring sites prone to accumulation poses scale and economic challenges. In this study, we present and test a method for monitoring these sites using fluorescent resonance energy transfer (FRET) change in response to zinc (Zn) accumulation in plants as a proxy for environmental health. We modified a plant Zn transport protein by adding flanking fluorescent proteins (FPs) and deploying the construct into two different species. In Arabidopsis thaliana, FRET was monitored by a confocal microscope and had a 1.4‐fold increase in intensity as the metal concentration increased. This led to a 16.7% overall error‐rate when discriminating between a control (1 μm Zn) and high (10 mm Zn) treatment after 96 h. The second host plant (Populus tremula × Populu salba) also had greater FRET values (1.3‐fold increase) when exposed to the higher concentration of Zn, while overall error‐rates were greater at 22.4%. These results indicate that as plants accumulate Zn, protein conformational changes occur in response to Zn causing differing interaction between FPs. This results in greater FRET values when exposed to greater amounts of Zn and monitored with appropriate light sources and filters. We also demonstrate how this construct can be moved into different host plants effectively including one tree species. This chimeric protein potentially offers a method for monitoring large areas of land for Zn accumulation, is transferable among species, and could be modified to monitor other specific heavy metals that pose environmental risks.
Does Firm Size make a Difference? Analysing the Effectiveness of R&D Subsidies in East Germany
Authors: Alecke Björn , Reinkowski Janina , Mitze Timo , Untiedt Gerhard 
Published: September 2011

AbstractWe analyse the impact of public subsidies on private sector research and development (R&D) activity for a sample of East German firms. Using propensity score matching, our empirical results indicate that subsidized firms indeed show a higher level of R&D intensity (R&D expenditures relative to total turnover) and a higher probability for patent application compared with non-subsidized firms. We find that, on average, the R&D intensity increases from 1.5% to 3.9%. The probability of patent application rises from 20% to 40%. These results closely match earlier empirical findings for East Germany. Given the fact that the East German innovation system is particularly driven by small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), we draw special attention to the effectiveness of R&D subsidies for this latter subgroup. Here, no specific empirical evidence is available so far. Our findings indicate that policy effectiveness also holds for private R&D activity of SMEs, with the highest increase in terms of R&D intensity being estimated for microbusinesses with up to ten employees.
Inflammasome activation and IL‐1β/IL‐18 processing are influenced by distinct pathways in microglia
Authors: Hanamsagar Richa , Torres Victor , Kielian Tammy 
Published: September 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 119, 736–748.AbstractMicroglia are important innate immune effectors against invading CNS pathogens, such as Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), a common etiological agent of brain abscesses typified by widespread inflammation and necrosis. The NLRP3 inflammasome is a protein complex involved in IL‐1β and IL‐18 processing following exposure to both pathogen‐ and danger‐associated molecular patterns. Although previous studies from our laboratory have established that IL‐1β is a major cytokine product of S. aureus‐activated microglia and is pivotal for eliciting protective anti‐bacterial immunity during brain abscess development, the molecular machinery responsible for cytokine release remains to be determined. Therefore, the functional role of the NLRP3 inflammasome and its adaptor protein apoptosis‐associated speck‐like protein (ASC) in eliciting IL‐1β and IL‐18 release was examined in primary microglia. Interestingly, we found that IL‐1β, but not IL‐18 production, was significantly attenuated in both NLRP3 and ASC knockout microglia following exposure to live S. aureus. NLRP3 inflammasome activation was partially dependent on autocrine/paracrine ATP release and α‐ and γ‐hemolysins produced by live bacteria. A cathepsin B inhibitor attenuated IL‐β release from NLRP3 and ASC knockout microglia, demonstrating the existence of alternative inflammasome‐independent mechanisms for IL‐1β processing. In contrast, microglial IL‐18 secretion occurred independently of cathepsin B and inflammasome action. Collectively, these results demonstrate that microglial IL‐1β processing is regulated by multiple pathways and diverges from mechanisms utilized for IL‐18 cleavage. Understanding the molecular events that regulate IL‐1β production is important for modulating this potent proinflammatory cytokine during CNS disease.
Drinking Course Through Midlife Based on Diagnostic Versus Quantity‐Frequency Indices
Authors: Jacob Theodore , Blonigen Daniel M. , Hubel Kerry , Wood Phillip K. , Haber Jon R. 
Published: September 2011

Background:  Prior efforts to examine the course of drinking from onset to midlife have been limited to analyses of year‐to‐year changes in alcohol dependence (AD). The current investigation sought to examine the course of drinking over this time frame using consumption‐based measures of drinking and evaluate the degree of comparability in trajectories estimated from diagnostic and quantity‐frequency data.
Methods:  Participants included 420 men with a lifetime history of AD who were drawn from the Vietnam Era Twin Registry and administered the Lifetime Drinking History, which provided person‐year (retrospective) data on patterns of consumption and diagnostic symptoms from drinking onset to participants’ current age. Consumption‐based data were aggregated into age categories that ranged from “up to age 20” to “ages 54 to 56” and analyzed separately as a dichotomous measure of “heavy drinking (HD)” and continuous quantity‐frequency index (QFI) scores.
Results:  Using latent growth mixture modeling, trajectories based on the HD measure were moderately concordant with those based on changes in AD that were previously identified in this sample, whereas trajectories based on QFI scores were only weakly related to those based on AD diagnoses. Moreover, examination of the degree of concordance between AD‐ and QFI‐derived trajectories revealed that measures of consumption (and potentially other continuous indices of drinking) may qualify past interpretations of various developmental trajectories that have been discussed in the alcoholism typology literature (particularly “Late Onset” alcoholism).
Conclusions:  Collectively, the findings highlight the importance of integrating repeated measures of alcohol consumption in future efforts to describe the course of drinking across the life span.
Use of Opioids or Benzodiazepines and Risk of Pneumonia in Older Adults: A Population‐Based Case–Control Study
Authors: Dublin Sascha , Walker Rod L. , Jackson Michael L. , Nelson Jennifer C. , Weiss Noel S. , Von Korff Michael , Jackson Lisa A. 
Published: September 2011

ObjectivesTo examine whether use of opioids or benzodiazepines is associated with risk of community‐acquired pneumonia in older adults.DesignPopulation‐based case–control study.SettingAn integrated healthcare delivery system.ParticipantsCommunity‐dwelling, immunocompetent adults aged 65 to 94 from 2000 to 2003. Presumptive pneumonia cases were identified from health plan automated data and validated through medical record review. Two controls were selected for each case with pneumonia, matched on age, sex, and calendar year.MeasurementsInformation about opioid and benzodiazepine use came from computerized pharmacy data. Information on covariates including comorbid illnesses and functional and cognitive status came from medical record review and electronic health data.ResultsOne thousand thirty‐nine validated cases of pneumonia and 2,022 matched controls were identified. One hundred forty‐four (13.9%) cases and 161 (8.0%) controls used prescription opioids (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.38, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.08–1.76 vs nonuse). Risk was highest for opioids categorized as immunosuppressive based on immunological studies (OR = 1.88, 95% CI = 1.26–1.79 vs nonuse), whereas for nonimmunosuppressive opioids the OR was 1.23 (95% CI = 0.89–1.69). Risk was highest in the first 14 days of use (OR = 3.24, 95% CI = 1.64–6.39 vs nonuse). For long‐acting opioids, the OR was 3.43 (95% CI = 1.44–8.21) versus nonuse, whereas for short‐acting opioids, it was 1.27 (95% CI = 0.98–1.64). No greater risk was seen for current benzodiazepine use compared to nonuse (OR = 1.08, 95% CI = 0.80–1.47).ConclusionUse of opioids but not benzodiazepines was associated with pneumonia risk. The differences in risk seen for different opioid regimens warrant further study.
Relationship Between Vitamin D and Hyperglycemia in Older People From a Nationally Representative Population Survey
Authors: Hirani Vasant 
Published: September 2011

ObjectivesTo investigate the association between vitamin D levels and hyperglycemia in a national community sample of older people.DesignCross‐sectional, nationally representative sample.SettingCommunity.ParticipantsTwo thousand thirty‐eight noninstitutitionalized adults aged 65 and older taking part in the Health Survey for England 2005.MeasurementsSerum 25‐hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH) D) levels, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and covariates: age, sex, social class, season of examination, use of vitamin supplements, and physical health status.ResultsHyperglycemia was independently associated with low vitamin D levels (odds ratio (OR) = 2.30, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.20–4.42 for 25(OH)D <25.0 nmol/L and OR = 2.09, 95% CI = 1.22–3.58 for 25(OH)D 25.0–49.9 nmol/L) but not for 25(OH)D between 50.0 and 74.9 nmol/L (OR = 1.49, 95% CI = 0.85–2.62).ConclusionThe higher‐than‐expected co‐occurrence of low vitamin D levels and hyperglycemia (HbA1c ≥ 6.5%) are important public health concerns for older populations living in northern latitudes because both are common, and both have substantial adverse health consequences. Ensuring adequate vitamin D levels may help reverse the increasing trend in the development of diabetes mellitus and related complications in older people.
Can Vehicle Maintenance Records Predict Automobile Accidents?
Authors: Bair Shyi‐Tarn , Huang Rachel J. , Wang Kili C. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThis article proposes that vehicle maintenance records can provide useful information for predicting the probability that an owner will have an automobile accident. To test the hypothesis, we use a unique data set that is merged from an insurance company and a vehicle manufacturer in Taiwan. We find weak evidence to support our hypothesis. Among all the proxies for proper maintenance, we indicate that proper maintenance defined by the recommended kilometers is significantly negatively correlated with the loss probability in compulsory automobile liability insurance. The average loss probability decreases by 0.23 percent when the insured vehicle is properly maintained according to the recommended number of kilometers in the previous years, whereas the average loss probability for the overall sample is 0.49 percent. We further find that proper maintenance is insignificantly correlated with loss severity.
Mark‐resight abundance and survival estimation of Indo‐Pacific bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops aduncus, in the Swatch‐of‐No‐Ground, Bangladesh
Authors: Mansur Rubaiyat Mowgli , Strindberg Samantha , Smith Brian D. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractA mark‐resight analysis under Pollock's robust design was applied to Indo‐Pacific bottlenose dolphins Tursiops aduncus in the Swatch‐of‐No‐Ground (SoNG) submarine canyon, Bangladesh, during the winter seasons of 2005–2009. Information from sightings of photo‐identified individuals (1,144) and unmarked individuals generated abundance estimates of 1,701 (95% confidence interval [CI]= 1,533–1,888), 1,927 (95% CI = 1,851–2,006), 2,150 (95% CI = 1,906–2,425), and 2,239 (95% CI = 1,985–2,524) individuals for seasons 1–4, respectively. This makes the population among the largest assessed of the species. Overall apparent survival was estimated as 0.958 (95% CI = 0.802–0.992). Interseasonal probabilities of transitioning to an unobservable state were estimated as 0.045, 0.363, and 0.300 for years 1–2, 2–3, and 3–4, respectively, and the overall probability of remaining in an unobservable state was 0.688. These probabilities, together with an apparent increase in abundance during the study period, indicate that the identified dolphins are part of a larger superpopulation moving throughout a more extensive geographic area. Of the photo‐identified dolphins, 28.2% exhibited injuries related to entanglements with fishing gear. This implies a strong potential for fatal interactions that could jeopardize the conservation status of the population, which otherwise appears favorable.
Assessment of Daily Intake of Toxic Elements Due to Consumption of Vegetables, Fruits, Meat, and Seafood by Inhabitants of Xiamen, China
Authors: Chen Chen , Qian Yongzhong , Chen Qiong , Li Chuanyong 
Published: September 2011

Abstract:  This study was designed to estimate the dietary intake of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg) (total and methyl), and arsenic (As) by inhabitants of Xiamen, China. The concentrations of these toxic elements (TEs) were determined in vegetables, fruits, meat, and seafood samples randomly acquired in 5 districts of Xiamen between 2005 and 2009. Health risks were evaluated for inhabitants of Xiamen due to dietary consumption. The target hazard quotient (THQ) values for individual elements were far below 1, indicating minimal noncarcinogenic risks from TEs for inhabitants of Xiamen under the current food consumption rate. However, consumption of the entire foodstuffs could lead to potential health risks since the 95th percentile HI was higher than 1. The relative contributions of Cd, Pb, Hg T, and As to the HI were 16.0%, 15.9%, 5.9%, and 62.2% for the mean exposure level, and 13.3%, 13.4%, 5.6%, and 67.9% for the 95th percentile estimate. The THQ value of methyl mercury through consumption of cephalopod was less than 1. Tomato, cephalopod, eggplant, cabbage, orange, and pork were the main sources of total dietary intakes of TEs. The estimation of carcinogenic risk shows that the carcinogenic rate of arsenic exceeded the accepted risk level of 10−4. Therefore, the carcinogenic risk of arsenic for inhabitants of Xiamen is of concern.Practical Application:  Tomato, cephalopod, eggplant, cabbage, orange, and pork were the main sources of dietary intakes of TEs in Xiamen, China. The carcinogenic risk of arsenic for inhabitants in this area who consume large amounts of fruits and vegetables daily may be of concern. Consumers are encouraged to eat fruits and vegetables with different origins and eat less cephalopod to reduce the possibilities of continuously eating commodities from the contaminated areas.
Visual abilities of students with severe developmental delay in special needs education – a vision screening project in Northern Jutland, Denmark
Authors: Welinder Lotte G. , Baggesen Kirsten L. 
Published: September 2011

Abstract.Purpose:  To investigate the visual abilities of students with severe developmental delay (DD) age 6–8 starting in special needs education.Methods:  Between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2008, we screened all students with severe DD starting in special needs schools in Northern Jutland, Denmark for vision. All students with visual acuities ≤6/12 were refractioned and examined by an ophthalmologist.Results:  Of 502 students, 56 (11%) had visual impairment (VI) [visual acuity (VA) ≤ 6/18], of which 21 had been previously undiagnosed. Legal blindness was found in 15 students (3%), of whom three had previously been undiagnosed. Students tested with preferential looking systems (N = 78) had significantly lower visual acuities [VA (decimal) = 0.55] than students tested with ortho types [VA (decimal) = 0.91] and had problems participating in the colour and form tests, possibly due to cerebral VI. The number of students with decreased vision identified by screening decreased significantly during the study period (r = 0.724, p = 0.028). The number of students needed to be screened to find one student with VI was 24 and to identify legal blindness 181 needed to be screened.Conclusion:  Visual impairment is a common condition in students with severe DD. Despite increased awareness of VI in the school and health care system, we continued to find a considerable number of students with hitherto undiagnosed decreased vision.