bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Ultraviolet C for Disinfection of Endocavitary Ultrasound Transducers Persistently Contaminated despite Probe Covers
Authors: Kac Guillaume , Podglajen Isabelle , Si-Mohamed Ali , Rodi Aurelia , Grataloup Christine , Meyer Guy 
Published: December 2009

Objective.To determine the rate of bacterial and viral contamination of endocavitary ultrasound probes after endorectal or endovaginal examination with the use of probe covers and to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of a disinfection procedure consisting of cleaning with a disinfectant-impregnated towel followed by disinfection with ultraviolet C (UVC) light.Methods.Endovaginal or endorectal ultrasound examinations were performed for 440 patients in 3 institutions. All probes were covered by a condom or sheath during the examination. For bacterial analysis, 1 swab was applied lengthwise across one-half the surface of the probe just after removal of the probe cover. The second swab was similarly applied over the probe immediately after the end of a 2-step process consisting of cleaning with a towel impregnated with a disinfectant spray and a 5-minute UVC disinfection cycle. Swabs were applied onto plates and incubated for 48 hours. The number of colony-forming units was counted, and organisms were identified. A similar protocol was used for viral detection of Epstein-Barr virus, human cytomegalovirus, and human papillomavirus, except that an additional swab was applied along the entire external surface of the probe cover before its removal. Viruses were detected by means of a polymerase chain reaction-based protocol.Results.After removal of probe covers, contamination by pathogenic bacteria was found for 15 (3.4% [95% confidence interval, 2.0%-5.6%]) of 440 probes, and viral genome was detected on 5 (1.5% [95% confidence interval, 0.5%-3.5%]) of 336 probes. After cleaning with a towel impregnated with a disinfectant spray and disinfecting with UVC light, neither bacterial pathogenic flora nor viral genome was recovered from the probe.Conclusions.Endocavitary ultrasound probes may carry pathogens after removal of covers under routine conditions. A disinfection procedure consisting of cleaning with a disinfectant-impregnated towel followed by disinfection with UVC may provide a useful method for disinfecting endocavitary ultrasound probes.
Blood Culture Contamination Rates after Skin Antisepsis with Chlorhexidine Gluconate versus Povidone-Iodine in a Pediatric Emergency Department
Authors: Marlowe Lauren , Mistry Rakesh D. , Coffin Susan , Leckerman Kateri H. , McGowan Karin L. , Dai Dingwei , Bell Louis M. , Zaoutis Theoklis 
Published: December 2009

Objective.To determine blood culture contamination rates after skin antisepsis with Chlorhexidine, compared with povidone-iodine.Design.Retrospective, quasi-experimental study.Setting.Emergency department of a tertiary care children's hospital.Patients.Children aged 2-36 months with peripheral blood culture results from February 2004 to June 2008. Control patients were children younger than 2 months with peripheral blood culture results.Methods.Blood culture contamination rates were compared using segmented regression analysis of time-series data among 3 patient groups: (1) patients aged 2-36 months during the 26-month preintervention period, in which 10% povidone-iodine was used for skin antisepsis before blood culture; (2) patients aged 2-36 months during the 26-month postintervention period, in which 3% Chlorhexidine gluconate was used; and (3) patients younger than 2 months not exposed to the Chlorhexidine intervention (ie, the control group).Results.Results from 11,595 eligible blood cultures were reviewed (4,942 from the preintervention group, 4,274 from the postintervention group, and 2,379 from the control group). For children aged 2-36 months, the blood culture contamination rate decreased from 24.81 to 17.19 contaminated cultures per 1,000 cultures (P< .05) after implementation of Chlorhexidine. This decrease of 7.62 contaminated cultures per 1,000 cultures (95% confidence interval, —0.781 to —15.16) represented a 30% relative decrease from the preintervention period and was sustained over the entire postintervention period. No change in contamination rate was observed in the control group (P= .337).Conclusion.Skin antisepsis with Chlorhexidine significantly reduces the blood culture contamination rate among young children, as compared with povidone-iodine.
MolProbity: all-atom structure validation for macromolecular crystallography
Authors: Chen Vincent B. , Arendall W. Bryan , Headd Jeffrey J. , Keedy Daniel A. , Immormino Robert M. , Kapral Gary J. , Murray Laura W. , Richardson Jane S. , Richardson David C. 
Published: December 2009

MolProbityis a structure-validation web service that provides broad-spectrum solidly based evaluation of model quality at both the global and local levels for both proteins and nucleic acids. It relies heavily on the power and sensitivity provided by optimized hydrogen placement and all-atom contact analysis, complemented by updated versions of covalent-geometry and torsion-angle criteria. Some of the local corrections can be performed automatically inMolProbityand all of the diagnostics are presented in chart and graphical forms that help guide manual rebuilding. X-ray crystallography provides a wealth of biologically important molecular data in the form of atomic three-dimensional structures of proteins, nucleic acids and increasingly large complexes in multiple forms and states. Advances in automation, in everything from crystallization to data collection to phasing to model building to refinement, have made solving a structure using crystallography easier than ever. However, despite these improvements, local errors that can affect biological interpretation are widespread at low resolution and even high-resolution structures nearly all contain at least a few local errors such as Ramachandran outliers, flipped branched protein side chains and incorrect sugar puckers. It is critical both for the crystallographer and for the end user that there are easy and reliable methods to diagnose and correct these sorts of errors in structures.MolProbityis the authors' contribution to helping solve this problem and this article reviews its general capabilities, reports on recent enhancements and usage, and presents evidence that the resulting improvements are now beneficially affecting the global database.
Adenosine binding to low-molecular-weight purine nucleoside phosphorylase: the structural basis for recognition based on its complex with the enzyme fromSchistosoma mansoni
Authors: Pereira Humberto M. , Rezende Martha M. , Castilho Marcelo Santos , Oliva Glaucius , Garratt Richard C. 
Published: December 2009

Schistosomes are unable to synthesize purinesde novoand depend exclusively on the salvage pathway for their purine requirements. It has been suggested that blockage of this pathway could lead to parasite death. The enzyme purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) is one of its key components and molecules designed to inhibit the low-molecular-weight (LMW) PNPs, which include both the human and schistosome enzymes, are typically analogues of the natural substrates inosine and guanosine. Here, it is shown that adenosine both binds toSchistosoma mansoniPNP and behaves as a weak micromolar inhibitor of inosine phosphorolysis. Furthermore, the first crystal structures of complexes of an LMW PNP with adenosine and adenine are reported, together with those with inosine and hypoxanthine. These are used to propose a structural explanation for the selective binding of adenosine to some LMW PNPs but not to others. The results indicate that transition-state analogues based on adenosine or other 6-amino nucleosides should not be discounted as potential starting points for alternative inhibitors.
Drug prevention programmes for young people: where have we been and where should we be going?
Authors: Midford Richard 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACTAim Substance use by young people has long been a concern of western society, but opinion is mixed as to which prevention approach offers the greatest benefit, and whether indeed there is any benefit at all. This paper reviews the nature of prevention programmes, the research evidence that underpins these programmes and the prevention objectives against which effectiveness is measured. The aim of this is to create better understanding of the elements that maximize programme effectiveness, what can be achieved by prevention programmes and how programmes can be improved.Findings There is a range of prevention approaches for which there is evidence of effectiveness. Some are classroom‐based; some focus upon parenting; some have substantial whole‐of‐school and community elements; and some target risk and protective factors in early childhood. All, however, are based substantially on the social influence model. In an attempt to improve practice lists of effective programmes have been developed, but there are concerns about the science behind selection. On balance, there is consistent evidence that social influence prevention programmes do have a small, positive effect on drug use, but this then raises the question as to whether harm, rather than use, would be the more worthwhile target for prevention. Prevention that seeks to reduce harm has been demonstrably effective, but has found little support in some jurisdictions.Conclusion Research has created a progressively better understanding of how to optimize programme effectiveness and what can be achieved realistically by even the most effective programmes. However, further research is required to identify which, if any, particular approach offers greater promise. The effectiveness of harm reduction should be compared with more traditional abstinence and the additional effects of whole of school, parent and community elements need to be measured more accurately. Contemporary social influence prevention programmes are flawed, but the approach is still the best way of influencing drug use behaviour in young people as a whole. Evidence‐based refinement is the best option for greater benefit.
The effect of a new topical local anaesthetic delivery system on forearm skin blood flow reactivity*
Authors: Wiles M. D. , Dobson S. A. , Moppett I. K. 
Published: December 2009

SummaryDifferent topical local anaesthetics have varying effects on skin blood flow and vascular reactivity. We compared the vasoactive properties of Rapydan®, a new topical local anaesthetic, with those of Ametop™ and EMLA™ creams in 20 healthy volunteers. Blood flow and vascular reactivity in the forearm skin were assessed by laser Doppler flowmetry and the transient hyperaemic response ratio respectively, before and after the application of EMLA (for 60 min), Ametop (for 30 and 60 min) and Rapydan (for 30 min). Application of EMLA had no effect on skin blood flow (median (IQR [range]) change from baseline −0.9% (−63 to 414 [−38.5 to 51.3] %, p = 1.0)) or mean (SD) transient hyperaemic response ratio (from 2.86 (0.86) to 3.17 (1.3), p = 0.38). The application of Ametop for 60 min produced a greater median (IQR [range]) increase in blood flow from baseline (508 (−55 to 998 [148–649]) %) than Rapydan applied for 30 min 160 (−77 to 997 [45–301]) %, p = 0.001), and a similar decrease in mean (SD) transient hyperaemic response ratio (from 2.69 (1.16) to 1.08 (0.26) and from 2.83 (0.84) to 1.49 (0.93) respectively, p = 0.57).
Reduced cannabinoid receptor 1 protein in subcutaneous adipose tissue of obese
Authors: Bennetzen M. F. , Nielsen T. S. , Paulsen S. K. , Bendix J. , Fisker S. , Jessen N. , Lund S. , Richelsen B. , Pedersen S. B. 
Published: December 2009

Eur J Clin Invest 2010; 40 (2): 121–126AbstractBackground Cannabinoid 1 receptors are identified in various tissues involved in the internal metabolism including adipose tissue and the endocannabinoid system is claimed to be overactive in the obese state. To study the potential involvement of cannabinoid receptor 1 in the endocannabinoid system over‐activity in adipose tissue in the obese state, we investigated the cannabinoid receptor 1 levels in adipose tissue from different fat depots in lean and obese humans.Materials and methods The adipose tissue samples were analysed by Western blot and by RT‐PCR.Results Both the gene expression and the protein of cannabinoid receptor 1 were lower in subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue from obese subjects as compared with lean subjects (P < 0·01 andP = 0·058). Moreover, in lean subjects, the level of cannabinoid receptor 1 was significantly higher in subcutaneous adipose tissue compared with visceral adipose tissue (P < 0·05) for both gene expression and protein. The level of cannabinoid receptor 1 was similar between the two depots in obese subjects. The expression of cannabinoid receptor 1 was higher in subcutaneous gluteal adipose tissue as compared with subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue (P < 0·05).Conclusion We found in lean subjects, a robust lower level of cannabinoid receptor 1 in visceral adipose tissue compared with subcutaneous adipose tissue (both RNA and protein levels), but similar levels of cannabinoid receptor 1 between the two depots in obese subjects. Our present findings do not indicate that cannabinoid receptor 1 is directly involved in the endocannabinoid system over‐activity in adipose tissue in obesity.
Directional statics in common reflection surface stack for rugged surface topography
Authors: Zhang Yonghai 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACTSeismic data acquired along rugged topographic surfaces present well‐known problems in seismic imaging. In conventional seismic data processing, datum statics are approximated by the surface consistence assumption, which states that all seismic rays travel vertically in the top layer. Hence, the datum static for each single trace is constant. In case this assumption does not apply, non‐constant statics are required. The common reflection surface (CRS) stack for rugged surface topography provides the capability to deal with this non‐vertical static issue. It handles the surface elevation as a coordinate component and treats the elevation variation in the sense of directional datuming. In this paper I apply the CRS stack method to a synthetic data set that simulates the acquisition along an irregular surface topography. After the CRS stack, by means of the wavefield attributes, a simple algorithm for redatuming the CRS stack section to an arbitrarily chosen planar surface is performed. The redatumed section simulates a stack section whose acquisition surface is the chosen planar surface.
Electrical resistivity and seismic refraction tomography to detect buried cavities
Authors: Cardarelli Ettore , Cercato Michele , Cerreto Antonio , Di Filippo Gerardina 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACTNear‐surface cavities can pose serious hazards to human safety, especially in highly urbanized town centres. The location of subsurface voids, the estimation of their size and the evaluation of the overburden thickness are necessary to assess the risk of collapse.In this study, electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and seismic refraction tomography data are integrated in a joint interpretation process for cavity location in the city of Rome.ERT is a well established and widely employed method for cavity detection. However, additional information provided by seismic refraction tomography is capable of eliminating some potential pitfalls in resistivity data interpretation. We propose that the structure of the cavities defined by ERT can be used as a base to optimize seismic refraction tomography investigations within the framework of a joint interpretation process.Data integration and the insertion of a priori information are key issues for reducing the uncertainties associated with the inversion process and for optimizing both acquisition procedures and computation time.Herein, the two geophysical methods are tested on both synthetic and real data and the integration of the results is found to be successful in detecting isolated cavities and in assessing their geometrical characteristics. The cavity location inferred by geophysical non‐invasive methods has been subsequently confirmed by direct inspection.
Osmotic stress‐induced phosphoinositide and inositol phosphate signalling in plants
Authors: MUNNIK TEUN , VERMEER JOOP E. M. 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACTPolyphosphoinositides (PPIs) became famous for their role in inositol‐1,4,5‐trisphosphate (InsP3) mediated‐Ca2+ signalling in mammalian cells, generated through signal‐activated phospholipase C (PLC) hydrolysis of the minor membrane lipid, phosphatidylinositol‐4,5‐bisphosphate. For many years, the plant field followed the same paradigm, however, slowly a completely different picture is emerging. Moreover, various novel PPI‐signalling compounds have been identified meanwhile, with new functions and targets coming to light. These include lipids phosphorylated at the D3‐position of inositol but also water‐soluble inositolpolyphosphates (IPPs). For several of them, a relationship to water stress has been reported. This review summarizes the current status of PPIs and IPPs in plants and discusses their potential in osmotic stress signalling and drought.
Elevated CO2 changes the interactions between nematode and tomato genotypes differing in the JA pathway
Authors: SUN YUCHENG , CAO HAIFENG , YIN JIN , KANG LE , GE FENG 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACTInteractions between the root‐knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita and three isogenic tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) genotypes were examined when plants were grown under ambient (370 ppm) and elevated (750 ppm) CO2. We tested the hypothesis that, defence‐recessive genotypes tend to allocate ‘extra’ carbon (relative to nitrogen) to growth under elevated CO2, whereas defence‐dominated genotypes allocate extra carbon to defence, and thereby increases the defence against nematodes. For all three genotypes, elevated CO2 increased height, biomass, and root and leaf total non‐structural carbohydrates (TNC):N ratio, and decreased amino acids and proteins in leaves. The activity of anti‐oxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase) was enhanced by nematode infection in defence‐recessive genotypes. Furthermore, elevated CO2 and nematode infection did not qualitatively change the volatile organic compounds (VOC) emitted from plants. Elevated CO2 increased the VOC emission rate only for defence‐dominated genotypes that were not infected with nematodes. Elevated CO2 increased the number of nematode‐induced galls on defence‐dominated genotypes but not on wild‐types or defence‐recessive genotypes roots. Our results suggest that CO2 enrichment may not only increase plant C : N ratio but can disrupt the allocation of plant resources between growth and defence in some genetically modified plants and thereby reduce their resistance to nematodes.
Irradiance heterogeneity within crown affects photosynthetic capacity and nitrogen distribution of leaves in Cedrela sinensis
Authors: YOSHIMURA KENICHI 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACTBecause light conditions in the forest understory are highly heterogeneous, photosynthetic acclimation to spatially variable irradiance within a crown is important for crown‐level carbon assimilation. The effect of variation in irradiance within the crown on leaf nitrogen content and photosynthetic rate was examined for pinnate compound leaves in saplings of Cedrela sinensis, a pioneer deciduous tree. Five shading treatments, in which 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of leaves were shaded, were established by artificial heavy shading using shade screen umbrellas with 25% transmittance. Although the nitrogen content of leaves was constant regardless of shading treatment, ribulose 1·5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) content and light‐saturated photosynthetic capacity were lower in shade leaves within partially shaded crowns than within fully shaded crowns. Shade leaves within partially shaded crowns contained higher amount of amino acids. Most shade leaves died in partially shaded crowns, whereas more than half of shade leaves survived in totally shaded crowns. Assumptions on photosynthetic acclimation to local light conditions cannot explain why shade leaves have different photosynthetic capacities and survival rates in between partially and totally shaded crowns. Irradiance heterogeneity within the crown causes a distinct variation in photosynthetic activity between sun and shaded leaves within the crown.
Zinc finger‐containing glycine‐rich RNA‐binding protein in Oryza sativa has an RNA chaperone activity under cold stress conditions
Authors: KIM JOO Y. , KIM WON Y. , KWAK KYUNG J. , OH SEUNG H. , HAN YEON S. , KANG HUNSEUNG 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACTThe rice (Oryza sativa) genome harbours three genes encoding CysCysHisCys (CCHC)‐type zinc finger‐containing glycine‐rich RNA‐binding proteins, designated OsRZ proteins, but their importance and physiological functions remain largely unknown. Here, the stress‐responsive expression patterns of OsRZs were assessed, and the biological and cellular functions of OsRZs were evaluated under low temperature conditions. The expression levels of the three OsRZs were up‐regulated by cold stress, whereas drought or high salt stress did not significantly alter its transcript level. OsRZ2 complemented the cold sensitivity of BX04 Escherichia coli cells under low temperatures, and had DNA‐melting activity and transcription anti‐termination activity, thereby indicating that OsRZ2 possesses an RNA chaperone activity. By contrast, neither OsRZ1 nor OsRZ3 harboured these activities. Ectopic expression of OsRZ2, but not OsRZ3, in cold‐sensitive Arabidopsis grp7 knockout plants rescued the grp7 plants from cold and freezing damage, and OsRZ2 complemented the defect in mRNA export from the nucleus to the cytoplasm in grp7 mutant during cold stress. The present findings support the emerging idea that the regulation of mRNA export is one of the adaptive processes in plants under stress conditions, and RNA chaperone functions as a regulator in mRNA export under cold stress conditions.