bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Co‐Inoculation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lactobacillus fermentum on the Quality of the Distilled Sugar Cane Beverage Cachaça
Authors: Duarte Whasley Ferreira , de Sousa Márcio Vinicius Ferreira , Dias Disney Ribeiro , Schwan Rosane Freitas 
Published: October 2011

Abstract:  The effect of Lactobacillus fermentum in co‐inoculation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae UFLA CA11 on the quality of cachaça (sugar cane spirit) was evaluated. The co‐inoculation was first evaluated in flask fermentation, and subsequently, yeast and bacteria were co‐cultured at approximately 105 CFU/mL and 108 CFU/mL, respectively, in 4 consecutive batches. L. fermentum did not affect the growth or activity (sugar consumption and fermentation rate) of S. cerevisiae UFLA CA11 during fermentation. The physicochemical analysis revealed a higher concentration (Tukey test) of aldehydes (22.07 mg/100 mL anhydrous alcohol) in cachaça produced by co‐inoculation. Analysis of volatile compounds using GC‐FID demonstrated that cachaça produced by co‐inoculation had higher concentrations of acetaldehyde (25.15 mg/L), ethyl acetate (30.17 mg/L), and 2,3‐butanedione (170.39 μ/L), while cachaça produced by UFLA CA11 contained higher concentrations of ethyl lactate (1205.98 μ/L), propionic acid (127.97 μ/L), butyric acid (2335.57 μ/L), and 1‐pentanol (469.23 μ/L). The lowest concentration of acetic acid measured by HPLC was found in cachaça obtained with UFLA CA11. The sensory analysis, performed using the Mann–Whitney test, revealed that cachaça produced by co‐inoculation differed from that produced by UFLA CA11 in taste and aroma.Practical Application:  This study reports on the use of a mixed culture of Saccharomyces cerevisae and Lactobacillus fermentum to produce cachaça and shows the influence of co‐inoculation of yeast and bacteria on the quality of this beverage.
Human neutrophil antigen and antibody studies: a Taiwanese experience
Authors: Chu C.‐C. , Lin M. 
Published: October 2011

Neutrophil alloantibodies are clinically known to cause neonatal neutropenia and transfusion‐related lung injuries. Furthermore, neutrophil autoantibodies are associated with autoimmune neutropenia. This article is a review on neutrophil alloantigen in the Taiwanese population, and case investigations related to allo/auto neutrophil antibodies over a period of 20 years in the immunohaematology reference laboratory of Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taiwan.In Taiwanese populations, HNA‐1a is more frequent than HNA‐1b (90% and 50% respectively) and HNA‐1c is not seen. Furthermore, the FcgRIIIb‐deficient individual homozygous for FCGR3B gene deletion is estimated to be approximately 1 in 180 and is not as rare as previously thought.Although mothers homozygous for either HNA‐1a or HNA‐1b are commonly found in Taiwan, the number of patients with neonatal neutropenia caused by HNA‐1 alloantibodies is seldom seen. In a search among our previous laboratory requests of neonatal cases for granulocyte antibodies testing over a 10‐year period, only four cases showed neutrophil alloantibodies in the mother and baby’s sera.Lastly, primary autoimmune neutropenia among 51 children was retrospectively investigated. The study revealed that the specificity of the autoantibody was most commonly directed against HNA‐1a. In addition, 31 cases were genotyped for HLA‐DRB1 and ‐DQB1 genes. The HLA allele HLA‐DQB1*05:03 was found to be associated with primary autoimmune neutropenia in Taiwan.
The role of the transfusion nurse in the hospital and blood centre
Authors: Bielby L. , Stevenson L. , Wood E. 
Published: October 2011

The transfusion process is complex, involving many interlinking chains of events, and a multidisciplinary group of health professionals with different levels of awareness and understanding of transfusion practice. In recent years, many measures have been implemented to increase blood component safety and the clinical transfusion process. Haemovigilance programs report the greatest risks to patients from transfusion in many countries now relate to hospital‐based steps in the process.The role of the Transfusion Nurse (TN) is evolving as an integral part of efforts to optimise appropriate use of blood components, reduce procedural risks and improve transfusion practice generally. The TN position is a relatively recent specialist role within hospitals and blood services, and continues to develop with growing experience of areas requiring intervention in the clinical setting, and increasing expectations for improvements in transfusion clinical governance.The role typically includes activities to improve clinician and patient awareness of transfusion issues and practical knowledge of blood product use, and therefore to improve clinical decision‐making and enhance blood administration processes, along with responsibilities for education/training, auditing and adverse event follow‐up. Within the Blood Service in Australia the role also covers approval and provision of specialised blood products along with many of the hospital‐based TN functions.The TN serves as an expert resource and has been fundamental in development of tools, resources and skills in the following areas:‐ Patient blood management:‐ Education‐ Governance‐ Professional development‐ ResearchBenchmarking across organizations has demonstrated that availability and review of comparative data can be a powerful motivator of change. Reviews of the TN role/programmes highlighted their effectiveness and resulted in ongoing support/funding. Skills and attributes such as confidence, persistence, energy, excellent communication/ technical knowledge and clinical experience are key requirements for the roles success.Conclusion  The specialist transfusion practitioner/Transfusion Nurse is an integral part of a multidisciplinary team, supporting efforts at institutional and national levels to reduce transfusion risks and improve practice.
Reference dosimetry for helical tomotherapy: Practical implementation and a multicenter validation
Authors: De Ost B. , Schaeken B. , Vynckier S. , Sterpin E. , Van den Weyngaert D. 
Published: October 2011

Purpose:The aim of this study was to implement a protocol for reference dosimetry in tomotherapy and to validate the beam output measurements with an independent dosimetry system.Methods:Beam output was measured at the reference depth of 10 cm in water for the following three cases: (1) a 5 × 10 cm2 static machine specific reference field (MSR), (2) a rotational 5 × 10 cm2 field without modulation and no tabletop in the beam, (3) a plan class specific reference (PCSR) field defined as a rotational homogeneous dose delivery to a cylindrical shaped target volume: plan with modulation and table‐top movement. The formalism for reference dosimetry of small and nonstandard fields [Med.Phys.35: 5179–5186, 2008] and QA recommendations [Med.Phys.37: 4817–4853, 2010] were adopted in the dose measurement protocol. All ionization chamber measurements were verified independently using alanine/EPR dosimetry. As a pilot study, the beam output was measured on tomotherapy Hi‐art systems at three other centers and directly compared to the centers specifications and to alanine dosimetry.Results: For the four centers, the mean static output at a depth of 10 cm in water and SAD = 85 cm, measured with an A1SL chamber following the TG‐148 report was 6.238 Gy/min ± 0.058 (1 SD); the rotational output was 6.255 Gy/min ± 0.069 (1 SD). The dose stated by the center was found in good agreement with the measurements of the visiting team:Dcenter/Dvisit = 1.000 ± 0.003 (1 SD). The A1SL chamber measurements were all in good agreement with Alanine/EPR dosimetry. Going from the static reference field to the rotational/non modulated field the dose rate remains constant within 0.2% except for one center where a deviation of 1.3% was detected.Conclusions:Following the TG‐148 report, beam output measurements in water at the reference depth using a local protocol, as developed at different centers, was verified. The measurements were found in good agreement with alanine/EPR dosimetry. The presented methodology may provide a good concept for reference dosimetry.
A comparison of postimplant dosimetry for 103Pd versus 131Cs seeds on a retrospective series of PBSI patients
Authors: Ravi Ananth , Keller Brian M. , Pignol Jean‐Philippe 
Published: October 2011

Purpose:Permanent breast seed implantation (PBSI) is an accelerated partial breast irradiation technique performed using stranded103Pd radioactive seeds (average energy of 21 keV, 16.97 day half‐life). Since 2004, 131Cs brachytherapy sources have become clinically available. The 131Cs radionuclide has a higher energy (average energy of 30 keV) and a shorter half‐life (9.7 days) than 103Pd. The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not there are dosimetric benefits to using 131Cs brachytherapy seeds for PBSI.Methods:The prescribed dose for PBSI using103Pd is 90 Gy, which was adjusted for 131Cs implants to account for the shorter half‐life. A retrospective cohort of 30 patients, who have already undergone a 103Pd implant, was used for this study. The treatments were planned using the Variseed treatment planning system. The air kerma strength of the 131Cs seeds was adjusted in all preimplantation treatment plans so that the V100 (the volume within the target that receives 100% or more of the prescribed dose) were equivalent at time of implantation. Two month follow‐up CT scans were available for all 30 patients and each patient was reevaluated using 131Cs seeds. The postimplant dosimetric parameters were compared using a two tailed t‐test.Results:The prescribed dose for131Cs was calculated to be 77 Gy; this dose would have the same biological effect as a PBSI implant with 103Pd of 90 Gy. The activities of the 131Cs sources were adjusted to an average of 2.2 ± 0.8 U for 131Cs compared to 2.5 ± 1.1 U for 103Pd in order to get an equivalent V100 as the 103Pd preimplants. While the use of 131Cs significantly reduces the preimplant V200 (the volume within the target that receives 200% or more of the prescribed dose) compared to 103Pd by 13.5 ± 9.0%, the reduction observed on the 2 month postimplant plan was 12.4 ± 5.1% which accounted for seed motion, implantation inaccuracies and tissue changes. This translates into an absolute reduction of 4.1 cm3 of tissue receiving 200% of the dose.Conclusions:This analysis of 30 early stage breast cancer patients who underwent the PBSI procedure shows that there is a theoretical dosimetric advantage to using131Cs. However, in a realistic implant that will have seed misplacements and tissue changes, the use of 131Cs may not result in any clinically significant benefit.
Task‐based weights for photon counting spectral x‐ray imaging
Authors: Bornefalk Hans 
Published: October 2011

Purpose:To develop a framework for taking the spatial frequency composition of an imaging task into account when determining optimal bin weight factors for photon counting energy sensitive x‐ray systems. A second purpose of the investigation is to evaluate the possible improvement compared to using pixel based weights.Methods:The Fourier based approach of imaging performance and detectability indexd′ is applied to pulse height discriminating photon counting systems. The dependency of d′ on the bin weight factors is made explicit, taking into account both differences in signal and noise transfer characteristics across bins and the spatial frequency dependency of interbin correlations from reabsorbed scatter. Using a simplified model of a specific silicon detector, d′ values for a high and a low frequency imaging task are determined for optimal weights and compared to pixel based weights.Results:The method successfully identifies bins where a large point spread function degrades detection of high spatial frequency targets. The method is also successful in determining how to downweigh highly correlated bins. Quantitative predictions for the simplified silicon detector model indicate that improvements in the detectability index when applying task‐based weights instead of pixel based weights are small for high frequency targets, but could be in excess of 10% for low frequency tasks where scatter‐induced correlation otherwise degrade detectability.Conclusions:The proposed method makes the spatial frequency dependency of complex correlation structures between bins and their effect on the system detective quantum efficiency easier to analyze and allows optimizing bin weights for given imaging tasks. A potential increase in detectability of double digit percents in silicon detector systems operated at typical CT energies (100 kVp) merits further evaluation on a real system. The method is noted to be of higher relevance for silicon detectors than for cadmium (zink) telluride detectors.
Evaluation of Six Commercial Point-of-Care Tests for Diagnosis of Acute Dengue Infections: the Need for Combining NS1 Antigen and IgM/IgG Antibody Detection To Achieve Acceptable Levels of Accuracy
Authors: Blacksell Stuart D. , Jarman Richard G. , Bailey Mark S. , Tanganuchitcharnchai Ampai , Jenjaroen Kemajittra , Gibbons Robert V. , Paris Daniel H. , Premaratna Ranjan , de Silva H. Janaka , Lalloo David G. , Day Nicholas P. J. 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACT
Six assays were evaluated in this study to determine their suitability for the diagnosis of acute dengue infection using samples from 259 Sri Lankan patients with acute fevers (99 confirmed dengue cases and 160 patients with other confirmed acute febrile illnesses): (i) the Merlin dengue fever IgG & IgM combo device (Merlin), (ii) the Standard Diagnostics Dengue Duo nonstructural 1 (NS1) antigen and IgG/IgM combo device (Standard Diagnostics, South Korea), (iii) the Biosynex Immunoquick dengue fever IgG and IgM (Biosynex, France) assay, (iv) the Bio-Rad NS1 antigen strip (Bio-Rad, France), (v) the Panbio Dengue Duo IgG/IgM Cassette (Inverness, Australia), and (vi) the Panbio dengue NS1 antigen strip (Inverness, Australia). The median number of days of fever prior to admission sample collection was 5 days (interquartile range, 3 to 7 days). Sensitivity and specificity of the NS1 antigen tests ranged from 49 to 59% and from 93 to 99%, respectively, and sensitivity and sensitivity of the IgM antibody test ranged from 71 to 80% and from 46 to 90%, respectively. Combining the NS1 antigen and IgM antibody results from the Standard Diagnostics Dengue Duo test gave the best compromise of sensitivity and specificity (93% and 89%, respectively) and provided the best sensitivity in patients presenting at different times after fever onset. The Merlin IgM/IgG antibody tests correctly classified 64% and 86% of the primary and secondary dengue infection cases, respectively, and the Standard Diagnostics IgM/IgG antibody tests correctly classified 71% and 83% of the primary and secondary dengue infection cases, respectively. This study provides strong evidence of the value of combining dengue antigen- and antibody-based test results in the rapid diagnostic test (RDT) format for the acute diagnosis of dengue.
Disseminated Trichosporonosis in a Burn Patient: Meningitis and Cerebral Abscess Due to Trichosporon asahii
Authors: Heslop Orville D. , Nyi Nyi May-Phyo , Abbott Sean P. , Rainford Lois E. , Castle Daphney M. , Coard Kathleen C. M. 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACT

A 44-year-old diabetic female presented to a hospital in Jamaica with thermal burns.
Trichosporon asahii
was isolated from facial wounds, sputum, and a meningeal swab. Dissemination of the fungus was demonstrated in stained histological sections of the meninges and a brain abscess at autopsy. Pure growth of the fungus from patient samples submitted and an environmental isolate obtained from a wash basin in the hospital supported the diagnosis.
Sudden Death of a Young Adult Associated with Bacillus cereus Food Poisoning
Authors: Naranjo María , Denayer Sarah , Botteldoorn Nadine , Delbrassinne Laurence , Veys Jean , Waegenaere Jacques , Sirtaine Nicolas , Driesen Ronald B. , Sipido Karin R. , Mahillon Jacques , Dierick Katelijne 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACT

A lethal intoxication case, which occurred in Brussels, Belgium, is described. A 20-year-old man died following the ingestion of pasta contaminated with
Bacillus cereus
. Emetic strains of
B. cereus
were isolated, and high levels of cereulide (14.8 μg/g) were found in the spaghetti meal.
Clostridium botulinum Group I Strain Genotyping by 15-Locus Multilocus Variable-Number Tandem-Repeat Analysis
Authors: Fillo Silvia , Giordani Francesco , Anniballi Fabrizio , Gorgé Olivier , Ramisse Vincent , Vergnaud Gilles , Riehm Julia M. , Scholz Holger C. , Splettstoesser Wolf D. , Kieboom Jasper , Olsen Jaran-Strand , Fenicia Lucia , Lista Florigio 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACTClostridium botulinumis a taxonomic designation that encompasses a broad variety of spore-forming, Gram-positive bacteria producing the botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT).C. botulinumis the etiologic agent of botulism, a rare but severe neuroparalytic disease. Fine-resolution genetic characterization ofC. botulinumisolates of any BoNT type is relevant for both epidemiological studies and forensic microbiology. A 10-locus multiple-locus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA) was previously applied to isolates ofC. botulinumtype A. The present study includes five additional loci designed to better address proteolytic B and F serotypes. We investigated 79C. botulinumgroup I strains isolated from human and food samples in several European countries, including types A (28), B (36), AB (4), and F (11) strains, and 5 nontoxicClostridium sporogenes. Additional data were deduced fromin silicoanalysis of 10 available fully sequenced genomes. This 15-locus MLVA (MLVA-15) scheme identified 86 distinct genotypes that clustered consistently with the results of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and MLVA genotyping in previous reports. An MLVA-7 scheme, a subset of the MLVA-15, performed on a lab-on-a-chip device using a nonfluorescent subset of primers, is also proposed as a first-line assay. The phylogenetic grouping obtained with the MLVA-7 does not differ significantly from that generated by the MLVA-15. To our knowledge, this report is the first to analyze genetic variability among all of theC. botulinumgroup I serotypes by MLVA. Our data provide new insights into the genetic variability of group IC. botulinumisolates worldwide and demonstrate that this group is genetically highly diverse.
Emergence of a New Swine H3N2 and Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Influenza A Virus Reassortant in Two Canadian Animal Populations, Mink and Swine
Authors: Tremblay Donald , Allard Véronique , Doyon Jean-François , Bellehumeur Christian , Spearman J. Grant , Harel Josée , Gagnon Carl A. 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACT
A swine H3N2 (swH3N2) and pandemic (H1N1) 2009 (pH1N1) influenza A virus reassortant (swH3N2/pH1N1) was detected in Canadian swine at the end of 2010. Simultaneously, a similar virus was also detected in Canadian mink based on partial viral genome sequencing. The origin of the new swH3N2/pH1N1 viral genes was related to the North American swH3N2 triple-reassortant cluster IV (for hemagglutinin [HA] and neuraminidase [NA] genes) and to pH1N1 for all the other genes (M, NP, NS, PB1, PB2, and PA). Data indicate that the swH3N2/pH1N1 virus can be found in several pigs that are housed at different locations.
Latent HIV-1 Infection of Resting CD4
+
T Cells in the Humanized Rag2
−/−
γ
c
−/−
Mouse
Authors: Choudhary Shailesh K. , Archin Nancie M. , Cheema Manzoor , Dahl Noelle P. , Garcia J. Victor , Margolis David M. 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACT

Persistent human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection of resting CD4
+
T cells, unaffected by antiretroviral therapy (ART), provides a long-lived reservoir of HIV infection. Therapies that target this viral reservoir are needed to eradicate HIV-1 infection. A small-animal model that recapitulates HIV-1 latency in resting CD4
+
T cells may accelerate drug discovery and allow the rational design of nonhuman primate (NHP) or human studies. We report that in humanized Rag2
−/−
γ
c
−/−
(hu-Rag2
−/−
γ
c
−/−
) mice, as in humans, resting CD4
+
T cell infection (RCI) can be quantitated in pooled samples of circulating cells and tissue reservoirs (e.g., lymph node, spleen, bone marrow) following HIV-1 infection with the CCR5-tropic JR-CSF strain and suppression of viremia by ART. Replication-competent virus was recovered from pooled resting CD4
+
T cells in 7 of 16 mice, with a median frequency of 8 (range, 2 to 12) infected cells per million T cells, demonstrating that HIV-1 infection can persist despite ART in the resting CD4
+
T cell reservoir of hu-Rag2
−/−
γ
c
−/−
mice. This model will allow rapid preliminary assessments of novel eradication approaches and combinatorial strategies that may be challenging to perform in the NHP model or in humans, as well as a rigorous analysis of the effect of these interventions in specific anatomical compartments.
Respectful encounters and return to work: empirical study of long-term sick-listed patients' experiences of Swedish healthcare
Authors: Lynöe Niels , Wessel Maja , Olsson Daniel , Alexanderson Kristina , Helgesson Gert 
Published: October 2011

AimsTo study long-term sick-listed patients' self-estimated ability to return to work after experiences of healthcare encounters that made them feel either respected or wronged.MethodsA cross-sectional and questionnaire-based survey was used to study a sample of long-term sick-listed patients (n=5802 respondents). The survey included questions about positive and negative encounters as well as reactions to these encounters, such as ‘feeling respected’ and ‘feeling wronged’. The questionnaire also included questions about the effects of these encounters on the patients' ability to return to work.ResultsAmong patients who had experienced positive encounters, those who also felt respected (n=3327) demonstrated significantly improved self-estimated ability to return to work compared to those who did not feel respected (n=79) (62% (95% CI 60% to 64%) vs 34% (95% CI 28% to 40%)). Among patients with experiences of negative encounters, those who in addition felt wronged (n=993) claimed to be significantly more impeded from returning to work compared to those who did not feel wronged (n=410) (50% (95% CI 47% to 53%) vs 31% (95% CI 27% to 35%)).ConclusionsThe study indicates that positive encounters in healthcare combined with feeling respected significantly facilitate sickness absentees' self-estimated ability to return to work, while negative encounters combined with feeling wronged significantly impair it.