bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
National Survey of Laboratory Response Network Sentinel Laboratory Preparedness
Authors: Kalish Brian T. , Gaydos Charlotte A. , Hsieh Yu-Hsiang , Christensen Bryan E. , Carroll Karen C. , Cannons Andy , Cattani Jacqueline A. , Rothman Richard E. 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACTObjective: The Laboratory Response Network (LRN) is the United States’ laboratory system for detecting, confirming, and reporting potential bioterrorism agents. The first tier—sentinel laboratories—is composed principally of hospital-based laboratories and is tasked with ruling out potential biological threat agents in clinical specimens or the identification of suspicious specimens for further testing in higher tiers of the LRN system. The aim of the present study was to broadly describe preparedness of the first tier of the hospital LRN, the sentinel laboratories, with a specific focus on training, personnel, and communications.Methods: A semistructured cross-sectional survey of US sentinel laboratories was designed and conducted. Hospitals with greater than 250 beds and an emergency department were considered eligible for inclusion. A geographically weighted sample of 201 hospitals was selected for inclusion. The survey was administered by telephone to the microbiology managers (or designees) at the selected hospitals. The survey contained questions related to drill frequency, proficiency survey participation, personnel training, personnel responsibilities, procedures for biological threat response, and overall confidence in preparedness.Results: Overall, 179 hospitals (89.1%) identified themselves as sentinel laboratories and participated in the survey; 11.7% reported that they had had an emergency alert within the last 2 years. Although rates of internal drills were low (20.7%), participation in some form of bioterrorism proficiency evaluation was high (79.9%). In all, 83.8% of laboratories reported that they had personnel designated to coordinate response to acts of bioterrorism. More than 73% of respondents indicated that they had sufficient personnel, equipment, and training to respond to a biological terrorism event. By multivariate analysis, sentinel laboratories were 3.4 times more likely to feel confident that they had sufficient personnel, equipment, and training to respond to a biological terrorism event if they had designated personnel for bioterrorism roles.Conclusions: This pilot study of sentinel laboratory bioterrorism preparedness demonstrated that hospital laboratory personnel, training, and communication preparedness were not universal, despite designation as sentinel laboratories. A need for unified monitoring of sentinel laboratories exists, and efforts should be made to develop standardized metrics for sentinel laboratory preparedness. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2009;3(Suppl 1):S17–S23)
Prevalence of Unmet Health Care Needs and Description of Health Care–seeking Behavior Among Displaced People After the 2007 California Wildfires
Authors: Jenkins J. Lee , Hsu Edbert B. , Sauer Lauren M. , Hsieh Yu-Hsiang , Kirsch Thomas D. 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACTObjectives: The southern California wildfires in autumn 2007 resulted in widespread disruption and one of the largest evacuations in the state’s history. This study aims to identify unmet medical needs and health care–seeking patterns as well as prevalence of acute and chronic disease among displaced people following the southern California wildfires. These data can be used to increase the accuracy, and therefore capacity, of the medical response.Methods: A team of emergency physicians, nurses, and epidemiologists conducted surveys of heads of households at shelters and local assistance centers in San Diego and Riverside counties for 3 days beginning 10 days postdisaster. All households present in shelters on the day of the survey were interviewed, and at the local assistance centers, a 2-stage sampling method was used that included selecting a sample size proportionate to the number of registered visits to that site compared with all sites followed by a convenience sampling of people who were not actively being aided by local assistance center personnel. The survey covered demographics; needs following the wildfires (shelter, food, water, and health care); acute health symptoms; chronic health conditions; access to health care; and access to prescription medications.Results: Among the 175 households eligible, 161 (92.0%) households participated. Within the 47 households that reported a health care need since evacuation, 13 (27.7%) did not receive care that met their perceived need. Need for prescription medication was reported by 47 (29.2%) households, and 20 (42.6%) of those households did not feel that their need for prescription medication had been met. Mental health needs were reported by 14 (8.7%) households with 7 of these (50.0%) reporting unmet needs. At least 1 family member per household left prescription medication behind during evacuation in 46 households (28.6%), and 1 family member in 48 households (29.8%) saw a health care provider since their evacuation. Most people sought care at a clinic (24, 50.0%) or private doctor (11, 22.9%) as opposed to an emergency department (6, 12.5%).Conclusions: A significant portion of the households reported unmet health care needs during the evacuations of the southern California wildfires. The provision of prescription medication and mental health services were the most common unmet need. In addition, postdisaster disease surveillance should include outpatient and community clinics, given that these were the most common treatment centers for the displaced population. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2009;3(Suppl 1):S24–S28)
Challenge of Hospital Emergency Preparedness: Analysis and Recommendations
Authors: Barbera Joseph A. , Yeatts Dale J. , Macintyre Anthony G. 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACTIn the United States, recent large-scale emergencies and disasters display some element of organized medical emergency response, and hospitals have played prominent roles in many of these incidents. These and other well-publicized incidents have captured the attention of government authorities, regulators, and the public. Health care has assumed a more prominent role as an integral component of any community emergency response. This has resulted in increased funding for hospital preparedness, along with a plethora of new preparedness guidance.Methods to objectively measure the results of these initiatives are only now being developed. It is clear that hospital readiness remains uneven across the United States. Without significant disaster experience, many hospitals remain unprepared for natural disasters. They may be even less ready to accept and care for patient surge from chemical or biological attacks, conventional or nuclear explosive detonations, unusual natural disasters, or novel infectious disease outbreaks.This article explores potential reasons for inconsistent emergency preparedness across the hospital industry. It identifies and discusses potential motivational factors that encourage effective emergency management and the obstacles that may impede it. Strategies are proposed to promote consistent, reproducible, and objectively measured preparedness across the US health care industry. The article also identifies issues requiring research. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2009;3(Suppl 1):S74–S82)
Review of Hospital Preparedness Instruments for National Incident Management System Compliance
Authors: Jenkins J. Lee , Kelen Gabor D. , Sauer Lauren M. , Fredericksen Kimberly A. , McCarthy Melissa L. 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACTNo standard exists by which to evaluate a hospital’s compliance for the National Incident Management System (NIMS). The instruments available and in use today for the evaluation of hospital preparedness have variable adherence to the principles and elements set forth in NIMS. This is especially evident in the areas of command and management and communications and information management. The use of NIMS as a standard remains itself in question because of its lack of focus on the health care environment and incomplete list of pertinent elements. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2009;3(Suppl 1):S83–S89)
Impact of Tabletop Exercises on Participants’ Knowledge of and Confidence in Legal Authorities for Infectious Disease Emergencies
Authors: Savoia Elena , Biddinger Paul D. , Fox Priscilla , Levin Donna E. , Stone Lisa , Stoto Michael A. 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACTObjective: Legal preparedness is a critical component of comprehensive public health preparedness for public health emergencies. The scope of this study was to assess the usefulness of combining didactic sessions with a tabletop exercise as educational tools in legal preparedness, to assess the impact of the exercise on the participants’ level of confidence about the legal preparedness of a public health system, and to identify legal issue areas in need of further improvement.Methods: The exercise scenario and the pre- and postexercise evaluation were designed to assess knowledge gained and level of confidence in declaration of emergencies, isolation and quarantine, restrictions (including curfew) on the movement of people, closure of public places, and mass prophylaxis, and to identify legal preparedness areas most in need of further improvement at the system level. Fisher exact test and paired t test were performed to compare pre- and postexercise results.Results: Our analysis shows that a combination of didactic teaching and experiential learning through a tabletop exercise regarding legal preparedness for infectious disease emergencies can be effective in both imparting perceived knowledge to participants and gathering information about sufficiency of authorities and existence of gaps.Conclusions: The exercise provided a valuable forum to judge the adequacy of legal authorities, policies, and procedures for dealing with pandemic influenza at the state and local levels in Massachusetts. In general, participants were more confident about the availability and sufficiency of legal authorities than they were about policies and procedures for implementing them. Participants were also more likely to report the need for improvement in authorities, policies, and procedures in the private sector and at the local level than at the state level. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2009;3:104–110)
The longitudinal association between multiple substance use discrepancies and marital satisfaction
Authors: Homish Gregory G. , Leonard Kenneth E. , Kozlowski Lynn T. , Cornelius Jack R. 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACTAims  The objective of this work was to examine the relation between patterns of substance use among newly married couples and marital satisfaction over time. In particular, this work examined if differences between husbands' and wives' heavy alcohol use and cigarette smoking, rather than simply use per se, predicted decreases in marital satisfaction over the first 7 years of marriage.Methods  Married couples (n = 634 couples) were assessed on a variety of substance use and relationship variables at the time of marriage and again at the first, second, fourth and seventh years of marriage.Results  After controlling for key socio‐demographic variables, discrepancies in husband and wife cigarette smoking and heavy alcohol use were related to significant reductions in marital satisfaction. Importantly, couples who were discrepant on both substances experienced the greatest declines in marital satisfaction over time.Conclusions  Patterns of substance use among newly married couples are important predictors of changes in marital functioning over time. It was not simply the heavy alcohol use or cigarette smoking that predicted dissatisfaction but, rather, differences between husbands' and wives' substance use that impacted the relationship.
Cassava mosaic geminiviruses: actual knowledge and perspectives
Authors: PATIL BASAVAPRABHU L. , FAUQUET CLAUDE M. 
Published: June 2009

SUMMARYCassava mosaic disease (CMD) caused by cassava mosaic geminiviruses (CMGs) is one of the most devastating crop diseases and a major constraint for cassava cultivation. CMD has been reported only from the African continent and Indian subcontinent despite the large‐scale cultivation of cassava in Latin America and several South‐East Asian countries. Seven CMG species have been reported from Africa and two from the Indian subcontinent and, in addition, several strains have been recognized. Recombination and pseudo‐recombination between CMGs give rise not only to different strains, but also to members of novel virus species with increased virulence and a new source of biodiversity, causing severe disease epidemics. CMGs are known to trigger gene silencing in plants and, in order to counteract this natural host defence, geminiviruses have evolved suppressor proteins. Temperature and other environmental factors can affect silencing and suppression, and thus modulate the symptoms. In the case of mixed infections of two or more CMGs, there is a possibility for a synergistic interaction as a result of the presence of differential and combinatorial suppressor proteins. In this article, we provide the status of recent research findings with regard to the CMD complex, present the molecular biology knowledge of CMGs with reference to other geminiviruses, and highlight the mechanisms by which CMGs have exploited nature to their advantage.
Genes located on a SSC17 meat quality QTL region are associated with growth in outbred pig populations
Authors: Ramos A. M. , Bastiaansen J. W. M. , Plastow G. S. , Rothschild M. F. 
Published: June 2009

SummaryThe objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of markers developed in eight genes, located in a previously detected meat quality QTL region on SSC17, on growth, fat and meat quality traits collected in commercial pig populations of different genetic backgrounds. The genes had been previously mapped to SSC17 as part of a fine‐mapping effort. Association analyses were conducted between each marker and the available phenotypic traits. Results showed that three genes (CTSZ, CSTF1 and C20orf43) were significantly associated with the growth traits. In addition, CTSZ also impacted on meat colour, with the less favourable genotype for growth being associated with darker meat. The differences observed between genotypes were substantial and may be of economic importance to pig producers. These markers may be useful for selecting for faster growth or improved meat quality.
Mapping markers linked to porcine salmonellosis susceptibility
Authors: Galina‐Pantoja L. , Siggens K. , Van Schriek M. G. M. , Heuven H. C. M. 
Published: June 2009

SummaryThe goal of this study was to identify pig chromosomal regions associated with susceptibility to salmonellosis. Genomic DNA from pig reference populations with differences in susceptibility to Salmonella enterica serovar Choleraesuis as quantified by spleen and liver bacterial colonization at day 7 post‐infection (dpi; Van Diemen et al. 2002) was used. These samples belonged to the offspring of a sire thought to be heterozygous for genes involved in susceptibility to salmonellosis. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers were created and used to determine associations with spleen or bacterial counts at 7 dpi. To position linked markers, two mapping populations, the Roslin and Uppsala PiGMaP pedigrees were used to create an integrated map which included the AFLP markers associated with salmonellosis. Twenty‐six AFLP markers located in 14 different chromosomal regions in the porcine genome were found to be significantly associated with susceptibility (Chi‐square P < 0.05). More than one linked marker was found on chromosomes 1, 7, 13, 14 and 18. It is likely that these regions contain genes involved in Salmonella susceptibility. Regions on chromosomes 1, 7 and 14 were significantly associated with Salmonella counts in the liver and regions on chromosomes 11, 13 and 18 with counts in spleen. The identification of these chromosomal regions highlights specific areas to search for candidate genes that may be involved in innate or adaptive immunity. Further investigation into these chromosomal regions would be useful to improve our understanding of host responses to infection with this widespread pathogen.
Breed difference and regulation of the porcine adipose triglyceride lipase and hormone sensitive lipase by TNFα
Authors: Shan T. , Wu T. , Reng Y. , Wang Y. 
Published: June 2009

SummaryAdipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) and hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) are major novel triglyceride lipases in animals. The aim of this study was to determine if there are differences in the porcine ATGL (pATGL) and HSL genes between Jinhua pigs (a fatty breed) and Landrace pigs (a leaner breed). In addition, the effect of TNFα and pATGL‐specific siRNA (pATGL‐siRNA) on the expression of pATGL and HSL in porcine adipocytes was also examined. Compared with Landrace pigs, the body weight (BW) of Jinhua pigs was lower (P < 0.01), while intramuscular fat content (in the longissimus dorsi muscle), as well as the back fat thickness and body fat content were higher (P < 0.01). The expression of pATGL and HSL mRNA in Jinhua pigs was lower (P < 0.01) in subcutaneous adipose tissue, and greater (P < 0.01) in longissimus dorsi muscle compared with Landrace pigs. In vitro treatment of porcine adipocytes with TNFα decreased (P < 0.01) the glycerol release and the gene expression of pATGL, HSL and PPARγ in porcine adipocytes. Furthermore, transfection with pATGL‐siRNA significantly decreased (P < 0.01) the expression of pATGL, while it had no effect on the expression of HSL. Treatment with 25 ng/ml TNFα in conjunction with pATGL‐siRNA significantly decreased (P < 0.01) the expression of pATGL and HSL in cultured porcine adipocytes. These results provide useful information to further the understanding of the function of pATGL and HSL in porcine lipid metabolism, which should be applicable to the regulation of fat deposition and improvement of meat quality.
Fine mapping of the chicken salmonellosis resistance locus (SAL1)
Authors: Fife M. S. , Salmon N. , Hocking P. M. , Kaiser P. 
Published: June 2009

Summary Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium is a Gram‐negative bacterium that has a significant impact on both human and animal health. It is one of the most common food‐borne pathogens responsible for a self‐limiting gastroenteritis in humans and a similar disease in pigs, cattle and chickens. In contrast, intravenous challenge with S. Typhimurium provides a valuable model for systemic infection, often causing a typhoid‐like infection, with bacterial replication resulting in the destruction of the spleen and liver of infected animals. Resistance to systemic salmonellosis in chickens is partly genetically determined, with bacterial numbers at systemic sites in resistant lines being up to 1000‐fold fewer than in susceptible lines. Identification of genes contributing to disease resistance will enable genetic selection of resistant lines that will reduce Salmonella levels in poultry flocks. We previously identified a novel resistance locus on Chromosome 5, designated SAL1. Through the availability of high‐density SNP panels in the chicken, combined with advanced back‐crossing of the resistant and susceptible lines, we sought to refine the SAL1 locus and identify potential positional candidate genes. Using a 6th generation backcross mapping population, we have confirmed and refined the SAL1 locus as lying between 54.0 and 54.8 Mb on the long arm of Chromosome 5 (F = 8.72, P = 0.00475). This region spans 14 genes, including two very striking functional candidates; CD27‐binding protein (Siva) and the RAC‐alpha serine/threonine protein kinase homolog, AKT1 (protein kinase B, PKB).
The structural evolution of the Halten Terrace, offshore Mid‐Norway: extensional fault growth and strain localisation in a multi‐layer brittle–ductile system
Authors: Marsh N. , Imber J. , Holdsworth R. E. , Brockbank P. , Ringrose P. 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACTTectonic subsidence in rift basins is often characterised by an initial period of slow subsidence (‘rift initiation’) followed by a period of more rapid subsidence (‘rift climax’). Previous work shows that the transition from rift initiation to rift climax can be explained by interactions between the stress fields of growing faults. Despite the prevalence of evaporites throughout the geological record, and the likelihood that the presence of a regionally extensive evaporite layer will introduce an important, sub‐horizontal rheological heterogeneity into the upper crust, there have been few studies that document the impact of salt on the localisation of extensional strain in rift basins. Here, we use well‐calibrated three‐dimensional seismic reflection data to constrain the distribution and timing of fault activity during Early Jurassic–Earliest Cretaceous rifting in the Åsgard area, Halten Terrace, offshore Mid‐Norway. Permo‐Triassic basement rocks are overlain by a thick sequence of interbedded halite, anhydrite and mudstone. Our results show that rift initiation during the Early Jurassic was characterised by distributed deformation along blind faults within the basement, and by localised deformation along the major Smørbukk and Trestakk faults within the cover. Rift climax and the end of rifting showed continued deformation along the Smørbukk and Trestakk faults, together with initiation of new extensional faults oblique to the main basement trends. We propose that these new faults developed in response to salt movement and/or gravity sliding on the evaporite layer above the tilted basement fault blocks. Rapid strain localisation within the post‐salt cover sequence at the onset of rifting is consistent with previous experimental studies that show strain localisation is favoured by the presence of a weak viscous substrate beneath a brittle overburden.
High‐sensitive radioimmunoassay for human serum hepcidin
Authors: Grebenchtchikov Nicolai , Geurts‐Moespot Anneke J. , Kroot Joyce J. C. , Den Heijer Martin , Tjalsma Harold , Swinkels Dorine W. , Sweep Fred G. J. 
Published: June 2009

SummaryThe hepatic peptide hormone hepcidin plays a central role in body iron metabolism. Despite its promise as a biomarker, the availability of high‐sensitive hepcidin assays is still limited. We developed and validated a RadioImmunoAssay (RIA) to measure hepcidin quantitatively in human serum. This assay exhibited a very low detection limit (0·02 μg/l), low imprecision (coefficient of variation‐range 4·4–6·2%) and good linearity and recovery (range: 81–105%). Hepcidin levels of samples of controls and patients with iron deficiency and inflammation showed an excellent correlation with our previously described quantitative time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry assay (range 2·5–266·8 μg/l, r = 0·92, P < 0·0001). The RIA detected: (i) differences in mean hepcidin levels between men (n = 29) and women (n = 35), (ii) differences between individuals of different HFE‐genotypes (n = 60) and (iii) daily increases in hepcidin levels (n = 64). The assay (i) is easy to perform and many samples can be processed within one assay‐run, (ii) shows accurate, reproducible and high‐sensitive measurements and (iii) is anticipated to be particularly useful to study the effects of pathological and physiological stimuli on hepcidin levels in the lower range.