bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Extraction of urethral calculi by transabdominal cystoscopy and urethroscopy in nine dogs
Authors: Libermann S. V. , Doran I. C. , Bille C. R. , Bomassi E. G. , Rattez E. P. 
Published: March 2011

Objectives: To describe a minimally invasive technique for treating urethral obstructions in male dogs and to review the postoperative results.Methods: All dogs (n=9) had urethral obstruction due to calculi. Obstructions were verified by radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations. Dogs with impaired kidney function were not included in the study. A 5‐mm diameter trocar and cannula were placed in the ventral midline, 2 cm cranial to the umbilicus, allowing placement of a 10‐mm diameter cannula under visual guidance, adjacent to the apex of the bladder. The bladder was then partially exteriorised and sutured to the skin. A 5‐mm diameter cystoscopy sheath was introduced into the bladder lumen and advanced into the urethra. Continuous retrograde flushing was used to dislodge the calculi from the site of obstruction and collect them upstream.Results: The nine dogs were followed up for a minimum of 6 months. No major postoperative complications were identified. One dog exhibited transient macroscopic haematuria (for 3 weeks postoperatively). All urethral calculi were removed in the nine dogs. No recurrence was found during the follow‐up period.ClinicalSignificance: A minimally invasive approach is used to treat urethral obstructions resulting from calculi in the male dogs.
A retrospective study of the rate of postoperative septic arthritis following 353 elective arthroscopies
Authors: Ridge P. A. 
Published: March 2011

Objective: To report the rate of postoperative septic arthritis following elective diagnostic and surgical arthroscopy in small animals within a clinical setting.Methods: A retrospective case review from the case log of one veterinary surgeon.Results: Of the 353 procedures included, performed on 305 animals, there were three cases of postoperative sepsis (0·85%).ClinicalSignificance: Interventional arthroscopy including both diagnostic and surgical arthroscopy in small animals is a safe technique and poses a risk of postoperative sepsis of approximately 1%.
The Epistemic Predicament of a Pseudoscience: Social Constructivism Confronts Freudian Psychoanalysis
Authors: BOUDRY MAARTEN , BUEKENS FILIP 
Published: March 2011

AbstractSocial constructivist approaches to science have often been dismissed as inaccurate accounts of scientific knowledge. In this article, we take the claims of robust social constructivism (SC) seriously and attempt to find a theory which does instantiate the epistemic predicament as described by SC. We argue that Freudian psychoanalysis, in virtue of some of its well‐known epistemic complications and conceptual confusions, provides a perfect illustration of what SC claims is actually going on in science. In other words, the features SC mistakenly ascribes to science in general correctly characterize the epistemic status of Freudian psychoanalysis. This sheds some light on the internal disputes in the field of psychoanalysis, on the sociology of psychoanalytic movement, and on the “war” that has been waged over Freud's legacy with his critics. In addition, our analysis offers an indirect and independent argument against SC as an account of bona fide science, by illustrating what science would look like if it were to function as SC claims it does.
Proteomic analysis of urine from male dogs during early stages of tubulointerstitial injury in a canine model of progressive glomerular disease
Authors: Nabity Mary B. , Lees George E. , Dangott Lawrence J. , Cianciolo Rachel , Suchodolski Jan S. , Steiner Jörg M. 
Published: March 2011

Background:Sensitive and specific noninvasive biomarkers for tubulointerstitial injury are lacking, and proteomic techniques provide a powerful tool for biomarker discovery.Objective:The aim of this study was to identify novel urinary biomarkers of early tubulointerstitial injury in canine progressive renal disease using both 2‐dimensional differential in‐gel electrophoresis (2‐D DIGE), which identifies individual proteins, and surface‐enhanced laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (SELDI‐TOF), which generates protein peak profiles.Methods:Urine was collected from 6 male dogs with X‐linked hereditary nephropathy (XLHN) at 2 time points (TP): 1) the onset of overt proteinuria (urine protein:creatinine ratio>2) and 2) the onset of azotemia (creatinine ≥1.2 mg/dL); corresponding renal biopsies were analyzed from 3 of the dogs. Urine samples from the 6 dogs were subjected to analysis by 2‐D DIGE and SELDI‐TOF. Urinary retinol‐binding protein (RBP) was evaluated in 25 male dogs with XLHN and normal control dogs by Western blot analysis.Results:Clinical data and histologic evaluation revealed reduced renal function and increased tubulointerstitial fibrosis at TP 2. A number of urine proteins and protein peaks were differentially present at the 2 time points, with several known biomarkers of renal disease identified in addition to several promising new biomarkers. RBP was first detected in urine approximately 2 months before onset of azotemia (TP 2), but after onset of overt proteinuria, and amounts increased with progression of disease.Conclusions:Proteomic techniques were successfully used to identify urinary biomarkers of renal disease in dogs with XLHN. Urinary RBP is a promising biomarker for early detection of tubulointerstitial damage and progression to end‐stage renal disease.
Quantification of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strains in Marine and Freshwater Samples by the Most-Probable-Number Method
Authors: Levin-Edens Emily , Meschke John Scott , Roberts Marilyn C. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT

Recreational beach environments have been recently identified as a potential reservoir for methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA); however, accurate quantification methods are needed for the development of risk assessments. This novel most-probable-number approach for MRSA quantification offers improved sensitivity and specificity by combining broth enrichment with MRSA-specific chromogenic agar.
Validation of Alternative Methods for the Analysis of Drinking Water and Their Application to Escherichia coli
Authors: Boubetra Abdelkader , Le Nestour François , Allaert Corrie , Feinberg Max 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT

In Europe, the Drinking Water Directive of the European Commission indicates which methods (most of which are CEN/ISO-standardized methods) should be used for the analysis of microbiological parameters (European Commission, Environment, Council Directive 98/83/EC of 3 November 1998). According to the Directive, alternative methods “may be used, providing it can be demonstrated that the results obtained are at least as reliable as those produced by the methods specified.” The prerequisite for the routine use of any alternative method is to provide evidence that this method performs equivalently to the corresponding reference method. In this respect, the ISO 16140 standard (ISO,
ISO 16140. Microbiology of Food and Animal Feeding Stuffs—Protocol for the Validation of Alternative Methods
, 2003) represents a key issue in generating such a procedure based on an interlaboratory study. A new statistical tool, called the accuracy profile, has been developed to better interpret the data. The study presented here is based upon the enumeration of
Escherichia coli
bacteria in water. The reference method may require up to 72 h to provide a confirmed result. The aim of this publication is to present data for an alternative method by which results can be obtained in 18 h (Colilert-18/Quanti-Tray) based upon defined substrate technology (DST). The accuracy profile is a statistical and graphical decision-making tool and consists of simultaneously combining, in a single graphic, β expectation tolerance intervals (β-ETIs) and acceptability limits (λ). The study presents the validation criteria calculated at the three levels of contamination used in the trial for a β equal to 80% and a λ equal to ±0.3 and combines the accuracy profiles of
Escherichia coli
for a λ of ±0.3 log
10
unit/100 ml, a λ of ±0.4 log
10
unit/100 ml, and a β of 80% or 90%. Several interesting conclusions can be drawn from these data. The accuracy profile method has been applied to the validation of the Colilert-18/Quanti-Tray method against reference method ISO 9308-1 (ISO,
ISO 9308
-
1. Water Quality—Detection and Enumeration of Escherichia coli and Coliform Bacteria. Part 1. Membrane Filtration Method
, 2000), using a β of 80% and a λ of 0.4; the alternative method can be validated between 1.00 and 2.05 log
10
units/100 ml, equivalent to 10 to 112 CFU/100 ml.
Kinetics of Germination of Wet-Heat-Treated Individual Spores of Bacillus Species, Monitored by Raman Spectroscopy and Differential Interference Contrast Microscopy
Authors: Wang Guiwen , Zhang Pengfei , Setlow Peter , Li Yong-qing 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT

Raman spectroscopy and differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy were used to monitor the kinetics of nutrient and nonnutrient germination of multiple individual untreated and wet-heat-treated spores of
Bacillus cereus
and
Bacillus megaterium
, as well as of several isogenic
Bacillus subtilis
strains. Major conclusions from this work were as follows. (i) More than 90% of these spores were nonculturable but retained their 1:1 chelate of Ca
2+
and dipicolinic acid (CaDPA) when incubated in water at 80 to 95°C for 5 to 30 min. (ii) Wet-heat treatment significantly increased the time,
T
lag
, at which spores began release of the great majority of their CaDPA during the germination of
B. subtilis
spores with different nutrient germinants and also increased the variability of
T
lag
values. (iii) The time period, Δ
T
release
, between
T
lag
and the time,
T
release
, at which a spore germinating with nutrients completed the release of the great majority of its CaDPA, was also increased in wet-heat-treated spores. (iv) Wet-heat-treated spores germinating with nutrients had higher values of
I
release
, the intensity of a spore's DIC image at
T
release
, than did untreated spores and had much longer time periods, Δ
T
lys
, for the reduction in
I
release
intensities to the basal value due to hydrolysis of the spore's peptidoglycan cortex, probably due at least in part to damage to the cortex-lytic enzyme CwlJ. (v) Increases in
T
lag
and Δ
T
release
were also observed when wet-heat-treated
B. subtilis
spores were germinated with the nonnutrient dodecylamine, while the change in
I
release
was less significant. (vi) The effects of wet-heat treatment on nutrient germination of
B. cereus
and
B. megaterium
spores were generally similar to those on
B. subtilis
spores. These results indicate that (i) some proteins important in spore germination are damaged by wet-heat treatment, (ii) the cortex-lytic enzyme CwlJ is one germination protein damaged by wet heat, and (iii) the CaDPA release process itself seems likely to be the target of wet-heat damage which has the greatest effect on spore germination.
Inactivation of a Human Norovirus Surrogate, Human Norovirus Virus-Like Particles, and Vesicular Stomatitis Virus by Gamma Irradiation
Authors: Feng Kurtis , Divers Erin , Ma Yuanmei , Li Jianrong 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT
Gamma irradiation is a nonthermal processing technology that has been used for the preservation of a variety of food products. This technology has been shown to effectively inactivate bacterial pathogens. Currently, the FDA has approved doses of up to 4.0 kGy to control food-borne pathogens in fresh iceberg lettuce and spinach. However, whether this dose range effectively inactivates food-borne viruses is less understood. We have performed a systematic study on the inactivation of a human norovirus surrogate (murine norovirus 1 [MNV-1]), human norovirus virus-like particles (VLPs), and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) by gamma irradiation. We demonstrated that MNV-1 and human norovirus VLPs were resistant to gamma irradiation. For MNV-1, only a 1.7- to 2.4-log virus reduction in fresh produce at the dose of 5.6 kGy was observed. However, VSV was more susceptible to gamma irradiation, and a 3.3-log virus reduction at a dose of 5.6 kGy in Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium (DMEM) was achieved. We further demonstrated that gamma irradiation disrupted virion structure and degraded viral proteins and genomic RNA, which resulted in virus inactivation. Using human norovirus VLPs as a model, we provide the first evidence that the capsid of human norovirus has stability similar to that of MNV-1 after exposure to gamma irradiation. Overall, our results suggest that viruses are much more resistant to irradiation than bacterial pathogens. Although gamma irradiation used to eliminate the virus contaminants in fresh produce by the FDA-approved irradiation dose limits seems impractical, this technology may be practical to inactivate viruses for other purposes, such as sterilization of medical equipment.
Production of
N
-Acetyl-
d
-Neuraminic Acid by Use of an Efficient Spore Surface Display System
Authors: Xu Xiaoman , Gao Chao , Zhang Xifeng , Che Bin , Ma Cuiqing , Qiu Jianhua , Tao Fei , Xu Ping 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT

Production of
N
-acetyl-
d
-neuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) via biocatalysis is traditionally conducted using isolated enzymes or whole cells. The use of isolated enzymes is restricted by the time-consuming purification process, whereas the application of whole cells is limited by the permeability barrier presented by the microbial cell membrane. In this study, a novel type of biocatalyst, Neu5Ac aldolase presented on the surface of
Bacillus subtilis
spores, was used for the production of Neu5Ac. Under optimal conditions, Neu5Ac at a high concentration (54.7 g liter
−1
) and a high yield (90.2%) was obtained under a 5-fold excess of pyruvate over
N
-acetyl-
d
-mannosamine. The novel biocatalyst system, which is able to express and immobilize the target enzyme simultaneously on the surface of
B. subtilis
spores, represents a suitable alternative for value-added chemical production.
comK
Prophage Junction Fragments as Markers for Listeria monocytogenes Genotypes Unique to Individual Meat and Poultry Processing Plants and a Model for Rapid Niche-Specific Adaptation, Biofilm Formation, and Persistence
Authors: Verghese Bindhu , Lok Mei , Wen Jia , Alessandria Valentina , Chen Yi , Kathariou Sophia , Knabel Stephen 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT

Different strains of
Listeria monocytogenes
are well known to persist in individual food processing plants and to contaminate foods for many years; however, the specific genotypic and phenotypic mechanisms responsible for persistence of these unique strains remain largely unknown. Based on sequences in
comK
prophage junction fragments, different strains of epidemic clones (ECs), which included ECII, ECIII, and ECV, were identified and shown to be specific to individual meat and poultry processing plants. The
comK
prophage-containing strains showed significantly higher cell densities after incubation at 30°C for 48 h on meat and poultry food-conditioning films than did strains lacking the
comK
prophage (
P
< 0.05). Overall, the type of strain, the type of conditioning film, and the interaction between the two were all highly significant (
P
< 0.001). Recombination analysis indicated that the
comK
prophage junction fragments in these strains had evolved due to extensive recombination. Based on the results of the present study, we propose a novel model in which the concept of defective
comK
prophage was replaced with the rapid adaptation island (RAI). Genes within the RAI were recharacterized as “adaptons,” as these genes may allow
L. monocytogenes
to rapidly adapt to different food processing facilities and foods. If confirmed, the model presented would help explain
Listeria
's rapid niche adaptation, biofilm formation, persistence, and subsequent transmission to foods. Also,
comK
prophage junction fragment sequences may permit accurate tracking of persistent strains back to and within individual food processing operations and thus allow the design of more effective intervention strategies to reduce contamination and enhance food safety.
High-Yield Resveratrol Production in Engineered Escherichia coli
Authors: Lim Chin Giaw , Fowler Zachary L. , Hueller Thomas , Schaffer Steffen , Koffas Mattheos A. G. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT

Plant polyphenols have been the subject of several recent scientific investigations since many of the molecules in this class have been found to be highly active in the human body, with a plethora of health-promoting activities against a variety of diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, and with even the potential to slow aging. Further development of these potent natural therapeutics hinges on the formation of robust industrial production platforms designed using specifically selected as well as engineered protein sources along with the construction of optimal expression platforms. In this work, we first report the investigation of various stilbene synthases from an array of plant species considering structure-activity relationships, their expression efficiency in microorganisms, and their ability to synthesize resveratrol. Second, we looked into the construct environment of recombinantly expressed stilbene synthases, including different promoters, construct designs, and host strains, to create an
Escherichia coli
strain capable of producing superior resveratrol titers sufficient for commercial usage. Further improvement of metabolic capabilities of the recombinant strain aimed at improving the intracellular malonyl-coenzyme A pool, a resveratrol precursor, resulted in a final improved titer of 2.3 g/liter resveratrol.
Sensitive Detection of Shiga Toxin 2 and Some of Its Variants in Environmental Samples by a Novel Immuno-PCR Assay
Authors: He Xiaohua , Qi Wenyuan , Quiñones Beatriz , McMahon Stephanie , Cooley Michael , Mandrell Robert E. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT

Shiga toxin-producing
Escherichia coli
(STEC) in the environment has been reported frequently. However, robust detection of STEC in environmental samples remains difficult because the numbers of bacteria in samples are often below the detection threshold of the method. We developed a novel and sensitive immuno-PCR (IPCR) assay for the detection of Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2) and Stx2 variants. The assay involves immunocapture of Stx2 at the B subunit and real-time PCR amplification of a DNA marker linked to a detection antibody recognizing the Stx2 A subunit. The qualitative detection limit of the assay is 0.1 pg/ml in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), with a quantification range of 10 to 100,000 pg/ml. The IPCR method was 10,000-fold more sensitive than an analogue conventional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in PBS. Although the sensitivity of the IPCR for detection of Stx2 was affected by environmental sample matrices of feces, feral swine colons, soil, and water from watersheds, application of the IPCR assay to 23 enriched cultures of fecal, feral swine colon, soil, and watershed samples collected from the environment revealed that the IPCR detected Stx2 in all 15 samples that were shown to be STEC positive by real-time PCR and culture methods, demonstrating a 100% sensitivity and specificity. The modification of the sandwich IPCR we have described in this study will be a sensitive and specific screening method for evaluating the occurrence of STEC in the environment.
Influence of Antimicrobial Feed Additives on Broiler Commensal Posthatch Gut Microbiota Development and Performance
Authors: Torok Valeria A. , Allison Gwen E. , Percy Nigel J. , Ophel-Keller Kathy , Hughes Robert J. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT

The effects of avilamycin, zinc bacitracin, and flavophospholipol on broiler gut microbial community colonization and bird performance in the first 17 days posthatch were investigated. Significant differences in gut microbiota associated with gut section, dietary treatment, and age were identified by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP), although no performance-related differences between dietary treatments were detected. Similar age-related shifts in the gut microbiota were identified regardless of diet but varied between the ilea and ceca. Interbird variabilities in ileal bacterial communities were reduced (3 to 7 days posthatch) in chicks fed with feed containing antimicrobial agents. Avilamycin and flavophospholipol had the most consistent effect on gut microbial communities. Operational taxonomic units (OTU) linked to changes in gut microbiota in birds on antimicrobial-supplemented diets were characterized and identified. Some OTUs could be identified to the species level; however, the majority could be only tentatively classified to the genus, family, order, or domain level. OTUs 140 to 146 (
Lachnospiraceae
), OTU 186/188 (
Lactobacillus johnsonii
), OTU 220 (
Lachnospiraceae
), OTUs 284 to 288 (unclassified bacterial spp. or
Ruminococcaceae
), OTU 296/298 (unclassified bacterium or
Clostridiales
), and OTU 480/482 (
Oxalobacteraceae
) were less prevalent in the guts of chicks fed antimicrobial-supplemented diets. OTU 178/180 (
Lactobacillus crispatus
), OTU 152 (
Lactobacillus reuteri
or unclassified
Clostridiales
), OTU 198/200 (
Subdoligranulum
spp.), and OTU 490/492 (unclassified bacterium or
Enterobacteriaceae
) were less prevalent in the gut of chicks raised on the antimicrobial-free diet. The identification of key bacterial species influenced by antimicrobial-supplemented feed immediately posthatch may assist in the formulation of diets that facilitate beneficial gut microbial colonization and, hence, the development of alternatives to current antimicrobial agents in feed for sustainable poultry production.
Increased In Vitro Adherence and On-Farm Persistence of Predominant and Persistent Listeria monocytogenes Strains in the Milking System
Authors: Latorre Alejandra A. , Van Kessel Jo Ann S. , Karns Jeffrey S. , Zurakowski Michael J. , Pradhan Abani K. , Boor Kathryn J. , Adolph Evin , Sukhnanand Sharinne , Schukken Ynte H. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT

Dairy farms are a reservoir for
Listeria monocytogenes
, and the reduction of this pathogen at the farm level is important for reducing human exposure. The objectives of this research were to study the diversity of
L. monocytogenes
strains on a single dairy farm, assess strain dynamics within the farm, identify potential sources of
L. monocytogenes
in bulk tank milk and milk filters, and assess the adherence abilities of representative strains. A total of 248
L. monocytogenes
isolates were analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Combined AscI and ApaI restriction analysis yielded 40 PFGE types (strains). The most predominant strains were T (28.6%), D (22.6%), and F (14.9%). A high level of heterogeneity of strains among isolates from fecal (Simpson's index of diversity [SID] = 0.96) and environmental (SID = 0.96) samples was observed. A higher homogeneity of strains was observed among isolates from milk filters (SID = 0.71) and bulk tank milk (SID = 0.65). Six of 17
L. monocytogenes
isolates (35.3%) were classified in an
in vitro
assay as having a “low adherence ability,” 9 (52.9%) were classified as having a “medium adherence ability,” and 2 (11.8%) were classified as having a “high adherence ability.” The
L. monocytogenes
strains that were predominant and persistent showed significantly better adherence than did strains that were only sporadic, predominant, or persistent (
P
= 0.0006). Our results suggest that the milking system was exposed to several
L. monocytogenes
strains from different sources. Only 3 strains, however, were successful in persisting within the milking system, suggesting that some strains are more suitable to that particular ecological environment than others.