bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Place of Knowledge and Evidence in the Context of Australian General Practice Nursing
Authors: Mills Jane , Field John , Cant Robyn 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT Background: The purpose of the study was to ascertain the place of knowledge and evidence in the context of Australian general practice nursing. General practice nursing is a rapidly developing area of specialized nursing in Australia. The provision of primary care services in Australia rests largely with medical general practitioners who employ nurses in a small business model. Methods: A statistical research design was used that included a validated instrument: the developing evidence‐based practice questionnaire (Gerrish et al. 2007). A total of 1,800 Victorian practice nurses were surveyed with a return of 590 completed questionnaires, equaling a response rate of 33%. Findings: Lack of time to access knowledge for practice was a barrier for participants in this study. In‐service education and training opportunities were ranked as the number one source of knowledge for general practice nurses. Experiential learning and interactions with clients, peers, medical practitioners, and specialist nurses were also considered very important sources of knowledge. Research journals were ranked much lower than experiential learning and personal interactions. Participants assessed their own skills at sourcing and translating evidence into practice knowledge as low. Younger general practice nurses were more likely than older nurses to assess themselves as competent at using the library and Internet to locate evidence. Discussion: The predominantly oral culture of nursing needs to be identified and incorporated into methods for disseminating evidence from research findings in order to increase the knowledge base of Australian general practice nurses. Conclusions: Findings from this study will be significant for policy makers and funders of Australian nursing in general practice. The establishment of a career structure for general practice nurses that includes salaried positions for clinical nurse specialists would assist in the translation of evidence into knowledge for utilization at the point of care.
The Changing Roles of Thai Buddhist Women: Obscuring Identities and Increasing Charisma1
Authors: Seeger Martin 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThai Buddhism is characterised by a complex polymorphism that has become manifest in the plurality of religious movements and cults. There exists an enormous variety of belief systems and religious practices that are based on widely differing interpretations of religious texts or other sources of normative and formative authority. These systems and practices are far from static, but changing with a similar pace as current Thai society as a whole does. This religious plurality and change can also readily be perceived in the socio‐religious roles of Thai Buddhist women. With this paper, I intend to contribute to the existing body of academic literature on the changing roles of Thai Buddhist women, by reporting on the lives of a sample of outstanding Buddhist women, who excel in various realms. While doing so, I will show the significance of their lives and work in the context of current Thai Buddhism.
Biological ‘glue’ and ‘Velcro’: molecular tools for adhesion and biofilm formation in the hairy and gluey bug Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Giraud Caroline , Bernard Christophe , Ruer Ségolène , De Bentzmann Sophie 
Published: August 2009

Summary Pseudomonas aeruginosa contains an extraordinarily large number of loci encoding systems facilitating a communal lifestyle and binding to supports of various natures. These P. aeruginosa systems are reviewed here and may be categorized as classical or non‐classical systems. They highlight the panoply of strategies that this hairy and gluey bacterium has developed for dealing with the diverse environments with which it is faced during various types of infection, involving complex regulatory networks that have not yet been fully elucidated but several aspects of which are discussed here.
Substantial high‐affinity methanotroph populations in Andisols effect high rates of atmospheric methane oxidation
Authors: Maxfield Pete J. , Hornibrook Ed R.C. , Evershed Richard P. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryMethanotrophic bacteria in soils derived from volcanic ash (Andisols) were characterized via time series 13C‐phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) labelling. Three Andisols were incubated under 2 ppmv 13CH4 for up to 18 weeks, thus enabling high‐affinity methanotrophs to be selectively characterized and quantified. PLFA profiles from all soils were broadly similar, but the magnitude of the high‐affinity methanotrophic populations determined through 13C‐PLFA‐stable isotope probing displayed sizeable differences. Substantial incorporation of 13C indicated very large high‐affinity methanotrophic populations in two of the soils. Such high values are far in excess (10×) of those observed for a range of mineral soils incubated under similar conditions (Bull et al., 2000; Maxfield et al., 2006; 2008a, b). Two of the three Andisols studied also displayed high but variable CH4 oxidation rates ranging from 0.03 to 1.58 nmol CH4 g−1 d.wt. h−1. These findings suggest that Andisols, a previously unstudied soil class with respect to high‐affinity methanotrophic bacteria, may oxidize significant amounts of atmospheric methane despite their low areal coverage globally.
Ulnohumeral Arthroplasty in the Management of the Arthritic Elbow
Authors: Hearnden Anthony , Talwalkar Sumedh C. , Roy Niloy , Kimani Mwaura , Hayton Michael J. , Trail Ian A. , Stanley John K. 
Published: August 2009

Background Osteoarthritis of the elbow is a difficult problem to treat. The results of total joint arthroplasty have historically been poor. Methods Seventy-nine patients who underwent ulnohumeral arthroplasty between 1994 and 2002 were included in the study. Fifty-nine elbows in 58 patients were available for clinical assessment. There were 14 females and 44 males with an average age of 63 years (32 to 80) and a mean follow-up of 7.8 years (5 to 12). There were 39 (67%) patients with primary osteoarthritis, 18 (31%) with post-traumatic and 1 patient with post-septic arthritis of the elbow. Results Using the visual analogue scale (VAS) (0 to 10), the pain score was seen to improve from 8 (6 to 10) to 3.8 (0 to 9). Twenty six patients (44%) were on minimal or no analgesia. The arc regarding flexion/extension was found to increase by 18°. Twenty-four percent of patients suffered an adverse incident. Radiologically 28 (6%) patients had recurrent bone formation in the olecranon fossa. This however did not correspond to the clinical outcome. Patients with loose bodies seemed to do better in the post-operative phase. Conclusion Ulnohumeral arthroplasty has a role in the management of the arthritic elbow as it provides pain relief in the post-operative period. However the improvement in the range of movement is limited particularly with regard to the arc of extension. This improvement in pain appears to diminish with time.
The Cardiac Biomarker NT‐proBNP Is Increased in Dogs with Azotemia
Authors: Raffan E. , Loureiro J. , Dukes‐McEwan J. , Fonfara S. , James R. , Swift S. , Bexfield N. , Herrtage M.E. , Archer J. 
Published: August 2009

Background: Amino‐terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) has been proposed as a useful biomarker for heart disease in dogs. In humans, decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) increases NT‐proBNP.Objective: To investigate whether decreased GFR as indicated by plasma creatinine concentration is associated with increased NT‐proBNP in dogs without heart disease.Animals: Four groups of dogs: healthy (n= 39), azotemic (n= 36), heart disease (n= 37), and congestive heart failure (CHF) (n= 7) presented to 2 teaching hospitals.Methods: Prospective observational cohort study. Plasma creatinine concentration and NT‐proBNP were measured in every dog. Nonparametric tests were used to compare the differences among groups. The median and actual results for each group were compared with the manufacturer's recommended and previously published suggestions for cut‐off values for diagnosis of heart disease.Results: Median (range) plasma creatinine concentration was 1.47 (1.06–1.70), 4.36 (1.74–15.6), 1.22 (0.69–1.91), and 1.45 (0.63–1.64) mg/dL and median (range) NT‐proBNP was 118 (2–673), 556 (37–1,819), 929 (212–5,658), and 3,144 (432–5,500) pmol/L for the healthy, azotemic, heart disease, and CHF groups, respectively. Pair‐wise comparison indicated a significant difference among all groups for NT‐proBNP (P≤ .049). Plasma creatinine concentration was significantly higher in the azotemic group compared with other groups (P < .001) but there was no significant among other groups. Application of 3 recommended cut‐off values led to misclassification of dogs with azotemia as having heart disease.Conclusions: Azotemia results in NT‐proBNP being increased to concentrations reported as diagnostic of heart disease or heart failure in dogs. Care should be employed when interpreting the results of NT‐proBNP in patients with known or possible increased plasma creatinine concentration.
Urinary Corticoid : Creatinine Ratios in Dogs with Pituitary‐Dependent Hypercortisolism during Trilostane Treatment
Authors: Galac S. , Buijtels J.J.C.W.M. , Kooistra H.S. 
Published: August 2009

Background:The adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test is used to evaluate trilostane treatment in dogs with hypercortisolism.Hypothesis:The urinary corticoid : creatinine ratio (UCCR) is a good alternative to the ACTH stimulation test to determine optimal trilostane dose.Animals:Eighteen dogs with pituitary‐dependent hypercortisolism.Methods:In this prospective study, the dose of trilostane was judged to be optimal on the basis of resolution of clinical signs of hypercortisolism and results of an ACTH stimulation test. The owners collected urine for determination of UCCR at 2‐week intervals for at least 8 weeks after achieving the optimal trilostane dose.Results:The UCCRs were significantly higher before treatment (11.5–202.0 × 10−6; median, 42.0 × 10−6) than at rechecks 2 months after optimal dosing, but they did not decrease below the upper limit of the reference range in the majority of dogs. The UCCRs of 11 dogs that initially were dosed insufficiently (range, 7.5–79.0 × 10−6; median, 31.0 × 10−6) did not differ significantly from UCCRs when the dosage was optimal (8.2–72.0 × 10−6; median, 33.0 × 10−6). Post‐ACTH cortisol concentrations did not correlate significantly with UCCRs at rechecks during trilostane treatment. Long‐term follow‐up indicated that the decrease in UCCR below the upper limit of the reference was associated with hypocortisolism.Conclusion and Clinical Importance:The UCCR cannot be used as an alternative to the ACTH stimulation test to determine the optimal dose of trilostane, but might be helpful in detecting dogs at risk for developing hypocortisolism during trilostane treatment.
Investigation on the Effect of Immune Selection on Resistance to Bactericidal Antibodies to Group B Meningococci In Vitro
Authors: Santos George F. , Giuliani Marzia , Santini Laura , Adu-Bobie Jeanette , Pizza Mariagrazia , Rappuoli Rino , Wacknov William , Donnelly John 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT

The induction of resistance by immune selective pressure to bactericidal antibodies from humans immunized with Novartis recombinant meningococcal group B vaccines was assessed. Serum bactericidal antibody titers against selected bacteria were within assay variability through a selection event frequency of 1 in 10
−5
. No change in antigen expression was observed by Western blotting.
Interaction between Host Cells and SepticemicSalmonella entericaSerovar Typhimurium Isolates from Pigs
Authors: Bergeron Nadia , Corriveau Jonathan , Letellier Ann , Daigle France , Lessard Louise , Quessy Sylvain 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTSalmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium is an important pathogen in swine and is also a frequently reported zoonotic agent. The objective of this study was to characterize isolates ofS. entericaserovar Typhimurium associated with septicemia in swine and to compare them to isolates recovered from clinically healthy pigs. We were particularly interested in comparing the two groups of isolates for their ability to adhere to and invade host cells, to be phagocytized and survive in monocyte cells, to induce apoptosis, and to adhere to intestinal mucus. Their surface properties were also evaluated by interactions with solvents. The isolates recovered from diseased animals were shown to invade intestinal epithelial cell lines at a higher rate (P= 0.003) than isolates from healthy pigs. Septicemic isolates were phagocytized by human monocytes at a higher rate than isolates from healthy pigs (P= 0.009). The mean percentages of phagocytosis were significantly lower for human monocytes than for porcine monocytes (P= 0.02 andP= 0.008, respectively) for isolates from both diseased and healthy animals. Healthy animal isolates were phagocytized more by porcine monocytes at 15 min (P= 0.02) than septicemic isolates. No difference between isolates from septicemic pigs and isolates from healthy pigs was detected for other tested parameters. These results suggest that septicemic isolates have a particular pattern of invasion.
Improved Multiple-Locus Variable-Number Tandem-Repeat Assay for
Staphylococcus aureus
Genotyping, Providing a Highly Informative Technique Together with Strong Phylogenetic Value
Authors: Pourcel Christine , Hormigos Katia , Onteniente Lucie , Sakwinska Olga , Deurenberg Ruud H. , Vergnaud Gilles 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT

We describe an improved
m
ultiple-
l
ocus
v
ariable-
n
umber
t
andem-
r
epeat (VNTR)
a
nalysis (MLVA) scheme for genotyping
Staphylococcus aureus
. We compare its performance to those of
m
ulti
l
ocus
s
equence
t
yping (MLST) and
spa
typing in a survey of 309 strains. This collection includes 87 epidemic methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
(MRSA) strains of the Harmony collection, 75 clinical strains representing the major MLST clonal complexes (CCs) (50 methicillin-sensitive
S. aureus
[MSSA] and 25 MRSA), 135 nasal carriage strains (133 MSSA and 2 MRSA), and 13 published
S. aureus
genome sequences. The results show excellent concordance between the techniques' results and demonstrate that the discriminatory power of MLVA is higher than those of both MLST and
spa
typing. Two hundred forty-two genotypes are discriminated with 14 VNTR loci (diversity index, 0.9965; 95% confidence interval, 0.9947 to 0.9984). Using a cutoff value of 45%, 21 clusters are observed, corresponding to the CCs previously defined by MLST. The variability of the different tandem repeats allows epidemiological studies, as well as follow-up of the evolution of CCs and the identification of potential ancestors. The 14 loci can conveniently be analyzed in two steps, based upon a first-line simplified assay comprising a subset of 10 loci (panel 1) and a second subset of 4 loci (panel 2) that provides higher resolution when needed. In conclusion, the MLVA scheme proposed here, in combination with available on-line genotyping databases (including
http://mlva.u-psud.fr/
), multiplexing, and automatic sizing, can provide a basis for almost-real-time large-scale population monitoring of
S. aureus
.
Comparison of the Xpert Methicillin-Resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) Assay, BD GeneOhm MRSA Assay, and Culture for Detection of Nasal and Cutaneous Groin Colonization by MRSA
Authors: Kelley P. G. , Grabsch E. A. , Howden B. P. , Gao W. , Grayson M. L. 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT

Detection of methicillin (meticillin)-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
colonization was assessed using combined nose and groin swabs in two commercial PCR assays (the Xpert MRSA assay and the BD GeneOhm MRSA assay). Compared to routine culture, both had similar sensitivities (87.0% versus 84.8%, respectively) and specificities (93.8% versus 92.7%, respectively). Combined PCR assays provide a rapid and more-complete assessment of colonization at a cost similar to that of single-site analysis.
Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Multilocus Sequence Typing of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
in Cystic Fibrosis Sputum Samples
Authors: Waine David J. , Honeybourne David , Smith E. Grace , Whitehouse Joanna L. , Dowson Chris G. 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT

Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) is a genetic typing tool designed to provide information about the relatedness of isolates at the core genome level. The utility of MLST in regard to cystic fibrosis (CF)-related infection with
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
is unknown. The molecular clock speed of the MLST genes was studied using 219 colonies isolated longitudinally from 49 patients with CF. A cross-sectional study examining 27 to 46 colonies per sputum sample for samples from 16 patients was also undertaken. The molecular clock speed was estimated to be 2.05 × 10
−5
(upper 95% confidence limit) or 4.75 × 10
−6
(50% confidence limit) point mutations per nucleotide per year. In the cross-sectional study, 50% of patients were infected with more than one sequence type. There was evidence of point mutations, recombination events, and coinfection with epidemic and unique strains. A clonal complex that was highly genetically distinct from the rest of the
P. aeruginosa
population was identified. The MLST scheme uses genes with an appropriate clock speed and provides useful information about the genetic variation of
P. aeruginosa
within and between patients with CF.
Comparison of Fingerprinting Methods for Typing Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureusSequence Type 398
Authors: Rasschaert G. , Vanderhaeghen W. , Dewaele I. , Janež N. , Huijsdens X. , Butaye P. , Heyndrickx M. 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTThis study evaluates the multiple-locus variable-number tandem-repeat assay (MLVA) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) when using restriction enzymes BstZI, SacII, and ApaI to fingerprint a diverse collection of methicillin (meticillin)-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) sequence type 398 (ST398) isolates. These isolates had been characterized previously by multilocus sequence typing,spatyping, and staphylococcal cassette chromosomemec(SCCmec) typing. Typeability and discriminatory power were analyzed, and the concordance between the various methods was determined. All MRSA ST398 isolates were typeable by the MLVA and PFGE using BstZI, SacII, and ApaI. With each method, the MRSA ST398 isolates formed a separate group from the two non-ST398 MRSA strains. PFGE, performed with any of the three restriction enzymes, had the most discriminatory power, followed by MLVA,spatyping, and SCCmectyping. The MLVA showed the highest concordance with PFGE using ApaI andspatyping. As further expressed by the Wallace coefficient, the MLVA type was poorly predicted byspatyping, whereas thespatype was well predicted by MLVA. PFGE, using a combination of all three restriction enzymes, had the highest concordance with the MLVA but had a low probability of being predicted by MLVA. PFGE, using a combination of all three restriction enzymes, was able to predict SCCmectype and MLVA type completely and had a high probability of predictingspatype. Both the MLVA and PFGE could be used to discriminate among the MRSA ST398 isolates. Although the MLVA is a faster technique, PFGE had more discriminatory power than the MLVA, especially when a combination of restriction enzymes was used.
Population Structure Dynamics of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Beijing Strains during Past Decades in Japan
Authors: Iwamoto Tomotada , Fujiyama Riyo , Yoshida Shiomi , Wada Takayuki , Shirai Chika , Kawakami Yasuto 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT

We used 909 strains to compare the population structures of the
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Beijing family between different birth-year cohorts in Japan. The results revealed that the spread of a modern sublineage that has high transmissibility is currently increasing, while the spread of an ancient sublineage, STK, has significantly decreased in younger generations.
Immediate Incubation of Blood Cultures Outside Routine Laboratory Hours of Operation Accelerates Antibiotic Switching
Authors: Kerremans J. J. , van der Bij A. K. , Goessens W. , Verbrugh H. A. , Vos M. C. 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT

The aim of this prospective randomized controlled clinical trial was to assess the impact of immediate incubation of blood cultures delivered to the laboratory outside its hours of operation on turnaround times, antibiotic prescription practices, and patient outcomes. A continuously monitoring blood culture incubator was placed outside the laboratory, which was switched on (intervention arm) and off (control arm) in a randomized manner. Included were new bacteremia episodes of patients older than 18 years. During the 30-week study period, the first positive blood culture specimen of an episode had to be brought to the laboratory outside its hours of operation. The median time from specimen collection until growth detection was reduced by 10.1 h in the intervention arm (
P
< 0.001). For 46 of 66 (70%) episodes in the intervention arm and for 51 of 85 (60%) episodes in the control arm, the antibiotic regimen was changed (not significant). The median time until the first change in the antibiotic regimen was 42.8 h in the intervention arm and 64.0 h in the control arm (
P
, 0.024). There was no difference in length of stay or hospital mortality. Immediate incubation of blood cultures outside laboratory hours reduces turnaround times and accelerates antibiotic switching.
Implanted-Port-Catheter-Related Sepsis Caused byAcidovorax avenaeand Methicillin-SensitiveStaphylococcus aureus
Authors: Malkan Alpin D. , Strollo Wendy , Scholand Stephen J. , Dudrick Stanley J. 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTAcidovorax avenaeis a gram-negative rod in the familyComamonadaceaeand a phytopathogen found in the environment. Human infections caused by members of theComamonadaceaeare extremely rare. We report a case of implanted-port-catheter-related sepsis caused byAcidovorax avenaeand methicillin (meticillin)-sensitiveStaphylococcus aureus(MSSA).
In Vitro Susceptibility of Clinical Isolates of
Aspergillus
spp. to Anidulafungin, Caspofungin, and Micafungin: a Head-to-Head Comparison Using the CLSI M38-A2 Broth Microdilution Method
Authors: Pfaller M. A. , Boyken L. , Hollis R. J. , Kroeger J. , Messer S. A. , Tendolkar S. , Diekema D. J. 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT

We determined the in vitro activities of anidulafungin, caspofungin, and micafungin against 526 isolates of
Aspergillus
spp. (64
A. flavus
, 391
A. fumigatus
, 46
A. niger
, and 25
A. terreus
isolates) collected from over 60 centers worldwide from 2001 through 2007. Susceptibility testing was performed according to the CLSI M38-A2 method. All three echinocandins—anidulafungin (50% minimum effective concentration [MEC
50
], 0.007 μg/ml; MEC
90
, 0.015 μg/ml), caspofungin (MEC
50
, 0.015 μg/ml; MEC
90
, 0.03 μg/ml), and micafungin (MEC
50
, 0.007 μg/ml; MEC
90
, 0.015 μg/ml)—were very active against
Aspergillus
spp. More than 99% of all isolates were inhibited by ≤0.06 μg/ml of all three agents.