bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Children are reliable reporters of common symptoms: results from a self‐reported symptom diary for primary school children
Authors: Lundqvist C , Rugland E , Clench‐Aas J , Bartonova A , Hofoss D 
Published: February 2010

AbstractBackground:  Collecting information on subjective symptoms in children by parental reports or physician’s interview is indirect and not suited for prospective data collection over extended time periods.Aim:  To examine the reliability of a diary for symptom self‐reports by primary school children.Methods:  Children aged 7–8 or 11–12 were recruited from primary school and a paediatric outpatient department. A picture‐based symptom diary was completed individually. Children were asked about presence of 10 specified subjective symptoms for five time periods covering the previous 24 h. The diary was completed twice for test–retest and answers were compared with semi structured physician’s interviews.Results:  Test–retest reliability for reporting a symptom during the previous 24 h gave reliable kappa values of 0.64–0.91. Comparison with physician’s interview gave kappas of 0.18–0.68. Requiring correct time of day for each symptom reduced reliability and validity. Kappa values for test–retest and child‐physician agreement for the individual symptoms were respectively: sneezing, 0.80 and 0.30; sore throat, 0.89, 0.30; tiredness, 0.88, 0.65; headache, 0.64, 0.66; runny nose, 0.91, 0.68; sore eyes, 0.67, 0.18; cough, 0.73, 0.58; stomach ache, 0.69, 0.45.Conclusion:  Our symptom diary gives reliable self‐report data from primary school children. It may be used for prospective symptom monitoring.
Impaired cardiac functional reserve in type 2 diabetic db/db mice is associated with metabolic, but not structural, remodelling
Authors: Daniels A. , Van Bilsen M. , Janssen B. J. A. , Brouns A. E. , Cleutjens J. P. M. , Roemen T. H. M. , Schaart G. , Van Der Velden J. , Van Der Vusse G. J. , Van Nieuwenhoven F. A. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractAim:  To identify the initial alterations in myocardial tissue associated with the early signs of diabetic cardiac haemodynamic dysfunction, we monitored changes in cardiac function, structural remodelling and gene expression in hearts of type 2 diabetic db/db mice.Methods:  Cardiac dimensions and function were determined echocardiographically at 8, 12, 16 and 18 weeks of age. Left ventricular pressure characteristics were measured at 18 weeks under baseline conditions and upon dobutamine infusion.Results:  The db/db mice were severely diabetic already at 8 weeks after birth, showing elevated fasting blood glucose levels and albuminuria. Nevertheless, echocardiography revealed no significant changes in cardiac function up to 18 weeks of age. At 18 weeks of age, left ventricular pressure characteristics were not significantly different at baseline between diabetic and control mice. However, dobutamine stress test revealed significantly attenuated cardiac inotropic and lusitropic responses in db/db mice. Post‐mortem cardiac tissue analyses showed minor structural remodelling and no significant changes in gene expression levels of the sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase (SERCA2a) or β1‐adrenoceptor (β1‐AR). Moreover, the phosphorylation state of known contractile protein targets of protein kinase A (PKA) was not altered, indicating unaffected cardiac β‐adrenergic signalling activity in diabetic animals. By contrast, the substantially increased expression of uncoupling protein‐3 (UCP3) and angiopoietin‐like‐4 (Angptl4), along with decreased phosphorylation of AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) in the diabetic heart, is indicative of marked changes in cardiac metabolism.Conclusion:  db/db mice show impaired cardiac functional reserve capacity during maximal β‐adrenergic stimulation which is associated with unfavourable changes in cardiac energy metabolism.
Assessment of current disease surveillance activities for pigs post‐farmgate in New South Wales
Authors: Schemann AK , Hernández‐Jover M , Hall W , Holyoake PK , Toribio J‐ALML 
Published: February 2010

Objectives  Evaluate current disease surveillance activities at saleyards and abattoirs in New South Wales (NSW) in order to establish the prevalence of clinical anomalies in pigs at different sites and to compare the sensitivity of detecting anomalies inside versus outside of pens.Procedure  Routine inspections of pigs by staff and government inspectors were observed at two saleyards and two abattoirs in NSW during three visits over a 2‐month period (January 2008–March 2008). All pigs presented for sale or slaughter were examined for 19 clinical anomalies from either the side of the pen or while animals were moving outside the pen, with data being combined to give an assumed ‘gold standard’. We compared the prevalence of anomalies among animals at the four sites using logistic regression, as well as the sensitivity of detection of the two inspection methods.Results  Frequency and methodology of routine inspection varied among sites. Of the 7747 pigs inspected, 822 (10.6%) showed at least one clinical anomaly. There was moderate agreement between detecting anomalies in penned pigs versus while being moved. Pigs at one abattoir exhibited significantly fewer anomalies than pigs at the other sites.Conclusion  The prevalence of anomalies among pigs at saleyards and abattoirs in NSW was relatively high (≈10%). Weaknesses in current disease surveillance activities for pigs post‐farmgate have been identified. Increased regulation, surveillance training and modification of standard operational procedures for inspection have the potential to improve the current system.
Topical anaesthesia alleviates short‐term pain of castration and tail docking in lambs
Authors: Lomax S , Dickson H , Sheil M , Windsor PA 
Published: February 2010

Objective  To investigate the effect of a topical anaesthetic formulation on pain alleviation, wound healing and systemic levels of local anaesthetic actives in lambs undergoing castration and tail docking.Design  Three placebo‐controlled and/or randomised experiments were conducted using three groups of Merino lambs (n = 62, 68 and 19) undergoing routine castration and tail docking.Procedure  Surgical castration, with either surgical or hot‐iron tail docking, was performed with and without the application of topical anaesthetic (Tri‐Solfen®) or placebo. The effects of this procedure were compared with those of rubber ring castration and tail docking, and of the handled but unmarked controls. Wound pain was assessed using calibrated Von‐Frey monofilaments over a 4‐h period, pain‐related behaviour was assessed over 5 h, wound healing was assessed at 14 and 28 days, and the plasma levels of lignocaine and bupivacaine were determined.Results  Rapid and up to 4 h primary hyperalgesia developed following surgical castration and tail docking in the untreated and placebo‐treated lambs. It was absent in the castration wounds, and significantly reduced in the tail‐docking wounds, of the treated lambs. Hot‐iron docking was associated with mild and transient secondary hyperalgesia, which was abolished by the topical anaesthesia. There was a significant reduction in pain‐related behaviours in treated lambs, which were not significantly different in their behaviour to the sham‐operation handled controls. Plasma lignocaine and bupivacaine levels were below the toxic thresholds in all tested lambs.Conclusion  Topical anaesthesia alleviates wound pain and significantly reduces pain‐related behaviours in lambs undergoing surgical castration plus surgical or hot‐iron tail docking, without a negative effect on wound healing or a risk of systemic toxicity.
Molecular Detection of Crimean‐Congo Haemorrhagic Fever Virus (CCHFV) but not West Nile Virus (WNV) in Hard Ticks from Provinces in Northern Turkey
Authors: Albayrak H. , Ozan E. , Kurt M. 
Published: February 2010

SummaryIn this study, the hard ticks collected from a variety of mammalian species (cattle, sheep, goat, buffalo) and a turtle in either coastal or inland Black Sea region of Turkey were surveyed for the presence of RNA from Crimean‐Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) and West Nile virus (WNV). No WNV genomic RNA was detected in any tick sample. However, CCHFV RNA was found in 29 of 421 tick pools (6.88%). Positivity rates for the provinces varied and were as follows: Samsun 4.38%; Ordu 4.34%; Giresun 6.32%; Sinop 14.63%; Amasya 5.55%; Tokat 3.38% and Sivas 4.83%. Crimean‐Congo haemorrhagic fever virus genomic RNA was detected in seven of eleven tick species tested. These results suggest that these hard ticks may act as a reservoir for CCHFV in northern Turkey, but probably have no role in WNV transmission.
Evaluation of Pet‐Related Management Factors and the Risk of Salmonella spp. Carriage in Pet Dogs from Volunteer Households in Ontario (2005–2006)
Authors: Leonard E. K. , Pearl D. L. , Finley R. L. , Janecko N. , Peregrine A. S. , Reid‐Smith R. J. , Weese J. S. 
Published: February 2010

SummaryThe purpose of this study was to determine pet‐related management factors that may be associated with the presence of Salmonella spp. in feces of pet dogs from volunteer households. From October 2005 until May 2006, 138 dogs from 84 households in Ontario were recruited to participate in a cross‐sectional study. Five consecutive daily fecal samples were collected from each dog and enrichment culture for Salmonella spp. was performed. A higher than expected number of the dogs (23.2%; 32/138) had at least one fecal sample positive for Salmonella, and 25% (21/84) of the households had at least one dog shedding Salmonella. Twelve serotypes of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica were identified, with the predominant serotypes being Typhimurium (33.3%; 13/39), Kentucky (15.4%; 6/39), Brandenburg (15.4%; 6/39) and Heidelberg (12.8%; 5/39). Univariable logistic regression models were created with a random effect for household to account for clustering. Statistically significant risk factors for a dog testing positive included having contact with livestock, receiving a probiotic in the previous 30 days, feeding a commercial or homemade raw food diet, feeding raw meat and eggs, feeding a homemade cooked diet, and having more than one dog in the household. In two‐variable models that controlled for feeding raw food, the non‐dietary variables were no longer statistically significant. These results highlight the potential public health risk of including raw animal products in canine diets.
Nationwide Surveillance of West Nile Virus Targeting Mosquitoes and Dead Birds from April 2004 through March 2007 in Japan
Authors: Shirafuji H. , Kanehira K. , Nishiguchi A. , Kamio T. 
Published: February 2010

SummaryWe conducted nationwide West Nile virus (WNV) surveillance targeting mosquitoes and dead birds to reveal whether the virus and its potential vectors are present in Japan. A total of 12 766 mosquitoes and 230 dead birds were collected in April 2004–March 2005 (the 2004–2005 period), 10 755 mosquitoes and 267 dead birds in April 2005–March 2006 (the 2005–2006 period), and 8624 mosquitoes and 245 dead birds in April 2006–March 2007 (the 2006–2007 period). The species of most of the mosquitoes collected over the 3 years were Culex tritaeniorhynchus (47.82%) and Anopheles sinensis (28.49%), and other species included Aedes albopictus (6.75%), the Culex pipiens group (Cx. pipiens pallens and Cx. pipiens molestus: 5.37%), Aedes vexans nipponii (2.54%), Armigeres subalbatus (1.08%), and Aedes japonicus (0.95%). As for the dead birds, most were Passeriformes (456 specimens), which included several crow species, and the other orders included Anseriformes, Columbiformes and Ciconiiformes (78, 66 and 36 specimens, respectively). All the specimens tested negative for WNV RNA by reverse‐transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) in the 2004–2005 period and by real‐time RT‐PCR in the 2005–2006 and the 2006–2007 periods, respectively. Our surveillance provided no evidence for WNV in Japan as of the end of the surveillance period, but on the other hand, it revealed that several species of potential WNV vectors are distributed widely in Japan, which suggests that WNV in principle could be transmitted by the potential vectors if introduced. Thus, it is essential to take continued precautions against WNV introduction.
No Emergence of Echinococcus multilocularis in Foxes in Flanders and Brussels Anno 2007–2008
Authors: Van Gucht S. , Van Den Berge K. , Quataert P. , Verschelde P. , Le Roux I. 
Published: February 2010

Summary Echinococcus multilocularis is highly endemic in red foxes in southern Belgium (region of Wallonia), especially in the higher located forested areas. The north of Belgium, including the regions of Flanders and Brussels, is more urbanized and has been colonized entirely by red foxes since the 1980s. A temperospatial analysis of compiled epidemiological data from 1996 to 2003 predicted a northwest spread of the cestode from Wallonia and the Netherlands towards Flanders and Brussels (Prev. Vet. Med. 2006, 76, 137–150). In 2007–2008, none of 187 examined foxes from the north tested positive (<2.8%, α = 0.01), compared to 1.7% in 1996–1999. This suggests that the parasite is not emerging in the examined area and the endemic region has not significantly extended northwest during the last decade. The possible reasons are discussed in the article, including the relatively low altitude, milder climate or low abundance of suitable intermediate hosts. The low prevalence in foxes and the generally low infection rate in humans imply that the risk for public health in Flanders and Brussels is limited anno 2007–2008.
A Single-Stage Centripetal Pump—Design Features and an Investigation of the Operating Characteristics
Authors: Sekavčnik Mihael , Gantar Tine , Mori Mitja 
Published: February 2010

Abstract
In this paper, we present an experimental and numerical investigation of a single-stage centripetal pump (SSCP). This SSCP is designed to operate in the pump regime, while forcing the working media through impeller-stator flow channels in the radial inward direction. The measured performance curves are characterized by a hysteresis, since the throttle-closing performance curves do not correspond to the throttle-opening performance curves throughout the whole operating range. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was developed to establish these throttle-closing and throttle-opening performance curves. The flow conditions obtained with the CFD simulations confirm that the hydraulic behavior of the SSCP is influenced by the partial circumferential stall that occurs in the impeller-stator flow channels. It was shown that the inflow conditions to the impeller-stator assembly considerably influence the flow rate of the stall cessation, the size of the hysteresis, and the head generated during part-load operations.
Lack of a Clinically Relevant Effect of an Antacid on the Pharmacokinetics of Lersivirine
Authors: Vourvahis M. , Banerjee S. , LaBadie R. , Gore D. , Mayer H. 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACT

Lersivirine (UK-453,061) is a next-generation nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor that displays potent antiviral activity. Lersivirine solubility is pH dependent; therefore, the effect of coadministration of antacid on the pharmacokinetics of lersivirine in healthy subjects was investigated. The ratio of adjusted geometric means (750 mg lersivirine plus 20 ml Maalox Max/750 mg lersivirine alone) for the area under the curve from time zero extrapolated to infinite time (AUC
inf
) was 101.86%, showing that coadministration of an antacid had no effect on lersivirine exposure. Coadministration appeared to be safe and relatively well tolerated.
Empiric Combination Antibiotic Therapy Is Associated with Improved Outcome against Sepsis Due to Gram-Negative Bacteria: a Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Micek Scott T. , Welch Emily C. , Khan Junaid , Pervez Mubashir , Doherty Joshua A. , Reichley Richard M. , Kollef Marin H. 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACT

The optimal approach for empirical antibiotic therapy in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock remains controversial. A retrospective cohort study was conducted in the intensive care units of a university hospital. The data from 760 patients with severe sepsis or septic shock associated with Gram-negative bacteremia was analyzed. Among this cohort, 238 (31.3%) patients received inappropriate initial antimicrobial therapy (IIAT). The hospital mortality rate was statistically greater among patients receiving IIAT compared to those initially treated with an appropriate antibiotic regimen (51.7% versus 36.4%;
P
< 0.001). Patients treated with an empirical combination antibiotic regimen directed against Gram-negative bacteria (i.e., β-lactam plus aminoglycoside or fluoroquinolone) were less likely to receive IIAT compared to monotherapy (22.2% versus 36.0%;
P
< 0.001). The addition of an aminoglycoside to a carbapenem would have increased appropriate initial therapy from 89.7 to 94.2%. Similarly, the addition of an aminoglycoside would have increased the appropriate initial therapy for cefepime (83.4 to 89.9%) and piperacillin-tazobactam (79.6 to 91.4%). Logistic regression analysis identified IIAT (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 2.30; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.89 to 2.80) and increasing Apache II scores (1-point increments) (AOR, 1.11; 95% CI = 1.09 to 1.13) as independent predictors for hospital mortality. In conclusion, combination empirical antimicrobial therapy directed against Gram-negative bacteria was associated with greater initial appropriate therapy compared to monotherapy in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. Our experience suggests that aminoglycosides offer broader coverage than fluoroquinolones as combination agents for patients with this serious infection.
Fast Standardized Therapeutic-Efficacy Assay for Drug Discovery against Tuberculosis
Authors: Rullas Joaquín , García Juan Ignacio , Beltrán Manuela , Cardona Pere-Joan , Cáceres Neus , García-Bustos José Francisco , Angulo-Barturen Iñigo 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACT

Murine models of
M
ycobacterium
tuberculosis
infection are essential tools in drug discovery. Here we describe a fast standardized 9-day acute assay intended to measure the efficacy of drugs against
M. tuberculosis
growing in the lungs of immunocompetent mice. This assay is highly reproducible, allows good throughput, and was validated for drug lead optimization using isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, pyrazinamide, linezolid, and moxifloxacin.
Kinetic Parameters of Efflux of Penicillins by the Multidrug Efflux Transporter AcrAB-TolC of
Escherichia coli
Authors: Lim Siew Ping , Nikaido Hiroshi 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACT

The multidrug efflux transporter AcrAB-TolC is known to pump out a diverse range of antibiotics, including β-lactams. However, the kinetic constants of the efflux process, needed for the quantitative understanding of resistance, were not available until those accompanying the efflux of some cephalosporins were recently determined by combining efflux with the hydrolysis of drugs by the periplasmic β-lactamase. In the present study we extended this approach to the study of a wide range of penicillins, from ampicillin and penicillin V to ureidopenicillins and isoxazolylpenicillins, by combining efflux with hydrolysis with the OXA-7 penicillinase. We found that the penicillins had a much stronger apparent affinity to AcrB and higher maximum rates of efflux than the cephalosporins. All penicillins showed strong positive cooperativity kinetics for export. The kinetic constants obtained were validated, as the MICs theoretically predicted on the basis of efflux and hydrolysis kinetics were remarkably similar to the observed MICs (except for the isoxazolylpenicillins). Surprisingly, however, the efflux kinetics of cloxacillin, for example, whose MIC decreased 512-fold in
Escherichia coli
upon the genetic deletion of the
acrB
gene, were quite similar to those of ampicillin, whose MIC decreased only 2-fold with the same treatment. Analysis of this phenomenon showed that the extensive decrease in the MIC for the
acrB
mutant is primarily due to the low permeation of the drug and that comparison of the MICs between the parent and the
acrB
strains is a very poor measure of the ability of AcrB to pump a drug out.
Leptospiral Endostatin-Like Protein A Is a Bacterial Cell Surface Receptor for Human Plasminogen
Authors: Verma Ashutosh , Brissette Catherine A. , Bowman Amy A. , Shah Samir T. , Zipfel Peter F. , Stevenson Brian 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACT

The spirochete
Leptospira interrogans
is a highly invasive pathogen of worldwide public health importance. Studies from our laboratories and another have demonstrated that
L. interrogans
can acquire host plasminogen on its surface. Exogenous plasminogen activators can then convert bound plasminogen into the functionally active protease plasmin. In this study, we extend upon those observations and report that leptospiral endostatin-like protein A (LenA) binds human plasminogen in a dose-dependent manner. LenA-plasminogen interactions were significantly inhibited by the lysine analog ξ-aminocaproic acid, suggesting that the lysine-binding sites on the amino-terminal kringle portion of the plasminogen molecule play a role in the binding. Previous studies have shown that LenA also binds complement regulator factor H and the extracellular matrix component laminin. Plasminogen competed with both factor H and laminin for binding to LenA, which suggests overlapping ligand-binding sites on the bacterial receptor. Finally, LenA-bound plasminogen could be converted to plasmin, which in turn degraded fibrinogen, suggesting that acquisition of host-derived plasmin by LenA may aid bacterial dissemination throughout host tissues.
Interaction of
Francisella asiatica
with Tilapia (
Oreochromis niloticus
) Innate Immunity
Authors: Soto Esteban , Fernandez Denise , Thune Ronald , Hawke John P. 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACT

Members of the genus
Francisella
are facultative intracellular bacteria that cause important diseases in a wide variety of animals worldwide, including humans and fish. Several genes that are important for intramacrophage survival have been identified, including the
iglC
gene, which is found in the
iglABCD
operon in the
Francisella
sp. pathogenicity island (FPI). In the present study, we examined the interaction of wild-type
Francisella asiatica
and a Δ
iglC
mutant strain with fish serum and head kidney-derived macrophages (HKDM). Both the wild-type and the mutant strains were resistant to killing by normal and heat-inactivated sera. The wild-type
F. asiatica
is able to invade tilapia head kidney-derived macrophages and replicate vigorously within them, causing apoptosis and cytotoxicity in the macrophages at 24 and 36 h postinfection. The Δ
iglC
mutant, however, is defective for survival, replication, and the ability to cause cytotoxicity in HKDM, but the ability is restored when the mutant is complemented with the
iglC
gene. Uptake by the HKDM was mediated partially by complement and partially by macrophage mannose receptors, as demonstrated by
in vitro
assays. Light and electron microscopy analysis of the infected macrophages revealed intracellular bacteria present in a tight vacuole at 2 h postinoculation and the presence of numerous bacteria in spacious vacuoles at 12 h postinfection, with some bacteria free in the cytoplasm.