bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Student and intern awareness of ionising radiation exposure from common diagnostic imaging procedures
Authors: Zhou GZ , Wong DD , Nguyen LK , Mendelson RM 
Published: March 2010

SummaryThis study aims to evaluate medical student and intern awareness of ionising radiation exposure from common diagnostic imaging procedures and to suggest how education could be improved. Fourth to sixth year medical students enrolled at a Western Australian university and interns from three teaching hospitals in Perth were recruited. Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire consisting of 26 questions on their background, knowledge of ionising radiation doses and learning preferences for future teaching on this subject. A total of 331 completed questionnaires were received (95.9%). Of the 17 questions assessing knowledge of ionising radiation, a mean score of 6.0 was obtained by respondents (95% CI 5.8–6.2). Up to 54.8% of respondents underestimated the radiation dose from commonly requested radiological procedures. Respondents (11.3 and 25.5%) incorrectly believed that ultrasound and MRI emit ionising radiation, respectively. Of the four subgroups of respondents, the intern doctor subgroup performed significantly better (mean score 6.9, P < 0.0001, 95% CI 6.5–7.3) than each of the three medical student subgroups. When asked for the preferred method of teaching for future radiation awareness, a combination of lectures, tutorials and workshops was preferred. This study has clearly shown that awareness of ionising radiation from diagnostic imaging is lacking among senior medical students and interns. The results highlight the need for improved education to minimise unnecessary exposure of patients and the community to radiation. Further studies are required to determine the most effective form of education.
Deficits in Psychological Well‐Being and Quality‐of‐Life in Minor Depression: Implications for DSM‐V
Authors: Nierenberg Andrew A. , Rapaport Mark Hyman , Schettler Pamela J. , Howland Robert H. , Smith Juliana A. , Edwards Deidre , Schneider Trisha , Mischoulon David 
Published: March 2010

Objective: To examine deficits in psychological well‐being (PWB) and quality‐of‐life (QOL) in minor depressive disorder (Min D).Method: Ninety‐three subjects entering a treatment study for Min D were assessed using the QOL, Enjoyment and satisfaction questionnaire (Q‐LES‐Q), and the Psychological Well‐Being Scale (PWBS). Scores were compared with major depressive disorder (MDD) and normative community samples.Results: Even though subjects had mild depressive severity, Q‐LES‐Q total scores for the Min D sample averaged nearly two standard deviations below the community norm. Almost 40% of Min D cases had Q‐LES‐Q scores in the lowest 1% of the population. Responses to most Q‐LES‐Q items were closer to subjects with MDD than to community norms. Mean standardized PWB scores were extremely low for subscales of Environmental Mastery and Self‐Acceptance, low for Purpose in Life and Positive Relations with others, but within the normal range for Personal Growth and Autonomy. QOL and PWB measures had low correlations with depressive symptom severity, and scores were similar in the presence or absence of a prior history of MDD.Conclusions: Mild depressive symptoms with Min D are associated with major deficits in QOL and PWB measures of environmental mastery and poor self‐acceptance. Our findings suggest that diminished QOL and PWB may be intrinsic cognitive aspects of Min D with or without a history of MDD. It may be unnecessary in the DSM IV‐TR to exclude the diagnosis of Min D if a subject has had a past episode of MDD.• Minor depression exists along a continuum of depression.• Deficits in psychological well‐being and quality‐of‐life in minor depression are severe.• No difference in these measures if minor depression existed with or without a history of major depression.
Soil nitrous oxide and methane fluxes are low from a bioenergy crop (canola) grown in a semi‐arid climate
Authors: BARTON LOUISE , MURPHY DANIEL V. , KIESE RALF , BUTTERBACH‐BAHL KLAUS 
Published: March 2010

AbstractUnderstanding nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) fluxes from agricultural soils in semi‐arid climates is necessary to fully assess greenhouse gas emissions from bioenergy cropping systems, and to improve our knowledge of global terrestrial gaseous exchange. Canola is grown globally as a feedstock for biodiesel production, however, resulting soil greenhouse gas fluxes are rarely reported for semi‐arid climates. We measured soil N2O and CH4 fluxes from a rain‐fed canola crop in a semi‐arid region of south‐western Australia for 1 year on a subdaily basis. The site included N fertilized (75 kg N ha−1 yr−1) and nonfertilized plots. Daily N2O fluxes were low (−1.5 to 4.7 g N2O‐N ha−1 day−1) and culminated in an annual loss of 128 g N2O‐N ha−1 (standard error, 12 g N2O‐N ha−1) from N fertilized soil and 80 g N2O‐N ha−1 (standard error, 11 g N2O‐N ha−1) from nonfertilized soil. Daily CH4 fluxes were also low (−10.3 to 11.9 g CH4‐C ha−1 day−1), and did not differ with treatments, with an average annual net emission of 6.7 g CH4–C ha−1 (standard error, 20 g CH4–C ha−1). Greatest daily N2O fluxes occurred when the soil was fallow, and following a series of summer rainfall events. Summer rainfall increased soil water contents and available N, and occurred when soil temperatures were >25 °C, and when there was no active plant growth to compete with soil microorganisms for mineralized N; conditions known to promote N2O production. The proportion of N fertilizer emitted as N2O, after correction for emissions from the no N fertilizer treatment, was 0.06%; 17 times lower than IPCC default value for the application of synthetic N fertilizers to land (1.0%). Soil greenhouse gas fluxes from bioenergy crop production in semi‐arid regions are likely to have less influence on the net global warming potential of biofuel production than in temperate climates.
Insulin resistance raises the risk for recurrence of stage I hepatocellular carcinoma after curative radiofrequency ablation in hepatitis C virus‐positive patients: A prospective, case series study
Authors: Imai Kenji , Takai Koji , Nishigaki Yoichi , Shimizu Shogo , Naiki Takafumi , Hayashi Hideki , Uematsu Takahiro , Sugihara Junichi , Tomita Eiichi , Shimizu Masahito , Nagaki Masahito , Moriwaki Hisataka 
Published: March 2010

Aim:  Several studies have reported that insulin resistance raises the risk of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We conducted a prospective, case series study to test the impact of insulin resistance on the recurrence after curative radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of stage I HCC in HCV‐positive patients.Methods:  From January 2006 to December 2007, 226 consecutive patients underwent treatment for primary HCC at our institutions, including 37 stage I cases. Among them, 33 were HCV‐positive, and three, six and 24 received curative surgery, transarterial chemoembolization or RFA, respectively. In the 24 patients treated with RFA, recurrence‐free survival was analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method. The factors contributing to recurrence of HCC were subjected to univariate and multivariate analyses using the Cox proportional hazards model. Insulin resistance was estimated by the Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA‐IR).Results:  Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that the recurrence‐free survival was lower in patients with higher HOMA‐IR (>2.3, P = 0.0252) or with lower serum albumin level (<3.3 g/dL, P = 0.0004). In the univariate analysis, HOMA‐IR (P = 0.0420) and albumin (P = 0.0036) were significantly associated with recurrence of HCC. Multivariate analysis revealed albumin (odds ratio = 0.01, 95% confidence interval = 0.0002–0.015, P = 0.0001) and HOMA‐IR (odds ratio = 3.85, 95% confidence interval = 1.57–14.2, P = 0.0015) to be independent predictors for recurrence of HCC.Conclusion:  Serum albumin level and HOMA‐IR were independent risk factors for recurrence of stage I HCC after curative RFA in HCV‐positive patients. Patients with these factors require closer surveillance.
Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy and ultrasound for hepatic fat quantification
Authors: Mehta Sanjeev R. , Louise Thomas Elizabeth , Patel Nayna , Crofton Mary E. , McCarthy John , Eliahoo Joseph , Morin Stanislas X. , Fitzpatrick Julie , Durighel Giuliana , Goldstone Anthony P. , Johnston Desmond G. , Bell Jimmy D. , Taylor‐Robinson Simon D. 
Published: March 2010

Aim:  The increasing prevalence of fatty liver disease requires routine assessment methods. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) is increasingly used for steatosis measurement, but due to cost, is unlikely to become a widely‐used screening tool. Ultrasound is cheaper and more widely available, although subject to observer variability. Our aim was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound against 1H MRS, using MRS as a gold standard, for the detection and quantification of hepatic fat content.Methods:  Fifty adults participated (43 men, seven women) in this study. Hepatic steatosis was assessed by ultrasound and 1H MRS. Images were graded by two independent radiologists to classify severity and distribution of liver fat.Results:  Ultrasound detected liver fat infiltration in 82% of cases measurable by 1H MRS, while liver fat was detectable in 44% of cases graded absent by ultrasound. Ultrasound grading was subjective, with the radiologists in agreement in 53% of cases (κ = 0.39, P = 0.002). Considerable overlap in intrahepatocellular lipid content was observed between different grades: absent (0.0–1.58%), mild (2.2–16.2%), moderate (4.9–26.7%) and severe (8.1–76.8%) steatosis. Ultrasound could not detect liver fat levels below 2% as measured by 1H MRSConclusion:  Ultrasound is less sensitive than 1H MRS in detecting very low levels of liver fat content, but is sensitive to fatty infiltration greater than 2%. There is a tendency of higher ultrasound grades to correlate with higher degrees of fatty infiltration, although some overlap exists. Our findings are still consistent with ultrasound being useful as a low cost screening tool.
Oxidative stress: A cause and therapeutic target of diabetic complications
Authors: Araki Eiichi , Nishikawa Takeshi 
Published: March 2010

AbstractOxidative stress is defined as excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the presence of diminished anti‐oxidant substances. Increased oxidative stress could be one of the common pathogenic factors of diabetic complications. However, the mechanisms by which hyperglycemia increases oxidative stress are not fully understood. In this review, we focus on the impact of mitochondrial derived ROS (mtROS) on diabetic complications and suggest potential therapeutic approaches to suppress mtROS. It has been shown that hyperglycemia increases ROS production from mitochondrial electron transport chain and normalizing mitochondrial ROS ameliorates major pathways of hyperglycemic damage, such as activation of polyol pathway, activation of PKC and accumulation of advanced glycation end‐products (AGE). Additionally, in subjects with type 2 diabetes, we found a positive correlation between HbA1c and urinary excretion of 8‐hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8‐OHdG), which reflects mitochondrial oxidative damage, and further reported that 8‐OHdG was elevated in subjects with diabetic micro‐ and macro‐ vascular complications. We recently created vascular endothelial cell‐specific manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) transgenic mice, and clarified that overexpression of MnSOD in endothelium could prevent diabetic retinopathy in vivo. Furthermore, we found that metformin and pioglitazone, both of which have the ability to reduce diabetic vascular complications, could ameliorate hyperglycemia‐induced mtROS production by the induction of PPARγ coactivator‐1α (PGC‐1α) and MnSOD and/or activation of adenosine monophosphate (AMP)‐activated protein kinase (AMPK). We also found that metformin and pioglitazone promote mitochondrial biogenesis through the same AMPK–PGC‐1α pathway. Taking these results, mtROS could be the key initiator of and a therapeutic target for diabetic vascular complications. (J Diabetes Invest, doi: 10.1111/j.2040‐1124.2010.00013.x, 2010)
Cavitary Pulmonary Zygomycosis Caused by
Rhizopus homothallicus
Authors: Chakrabarti Arunaloke , Marak Rungmei S. K. , Shivaprakash M. R. , Gupta Sunita , Garg Rajiv , Sakhuja V. , Singhal Sanjay , Baghela Abhishek , Dixit Ajai , Garg M. K. , Padhye Arvind A. 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACT

We report the first two proven cases of cavitary pulmonary zygomycosis caused by
Rhizopus homothallicus
. The diagnosis in each case was based on histology, culture of the causal agent, and the nucleotide sequence of the D1/D2 region of the 28S ribosomal DNA.
Genome Rearrangements of Completely Sequenced Strains of
Yersinia pestis
Authors: Liang Ying , Hou Xuexin , Wang Yanhua , Cui Zhigang , Zhang Zhikai , Zhu Xiaoyu , Xia Lianxu , Shen Xiaona , Cai Hong , Wang Jian , Xu Donglei , Zhang Enmin , Zhang Huijuan , Wei Jianchun , He Jinrong , Song Zhizhong , Yu Xue-jie , Yu Dongzheng , Hai Rong 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACT

Yersinia pestis
has caused three worldwide plagues in human history that have led to innumerable deaths. We have completely sequenced the genomes of two strains (D106004 and D182038) of
Y. pestis
isolated from Yunnan Province of China. The most striking finding of our study is that large amounts of genome rearrangement events exist between the genomes of two Yunnan strains despite being isolated from two foci only 50 kilometers apart. When we compared the genome sequences of the Yunnan strains with six strains (CO92, KIM, 91001, Antiqua, Nepal516, and Pestoides F) of
Y. pestis
sequenced previously, we found that the genomes of
Y. pestis
were divided into 61 relatively independent segments. Pairwise comparisons of all 61 segments among eight strains showed that the Yunnan strains were most closely related to strain CO92. We concluded that
Y. pestis
genomes consist of segments that can change their positions and directions within the genomes caused by genome rearrangements, and our study confirmed the inference that the third plague pandemic originated in Yunnan since the genome sequences of Yunnan strains were closest to the strain CO92 isolated from the United States.
Clinical Evaluation of TRCRapid M.TB for Detection of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Complex in Respiratory and Nonrespiratory Specimens
Authors: Tanaka Haruka , Hirose Haruka , Kato Yuko , Kida Saori , Miyajima Eiji 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACT

The rapid and accurate diagnosis of tuberculosis is crucial to providing optimal treatment and reducing the spread of infection. We evaluated respiratory and nonrespiratory clinical specimens using a new automated
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
complex (MTBC) rRNA detection kit (TRCRapid M.TB; Tosoh Bioscience, Tokyo, Japan), which is based on the transcription-reverse transcription concerted reaction (TRC). TRC enables the rapid and completely homogeneous real-time monitoring of isothermal RNA sequence amplification without any postamplification procedures. The results were compared with those obtained by
M. tuberculosis
culture. A total of 1,155 respiratory specimens and 420 nonrespiratory specimens collected from 1,282 patients were investigated. Of the 45 specimens culture positive for MTBC, 42 were TRC positive, and of the 1,530 specimens culture negative for MTBC, 1,523 were TRC negative. Compared to the results of culture, the overall sensitivity and specificity of TRC were 96.6% and 99.9%, respectively, for respiratory specimens and 87.5% and 98.5%, respectively, for nonrespiratory specimens. The sensitivities of TRC were 100% for smear-positive respiratory and nonrespiratory specimens, 88.9% for smear-negative respiratory specimens, and 80% for smear-negative nonrespiratory specimens. No significant differences in test performance between respiratory and nonrespiratory specimens were observed. The TRC method proved to be clinically useful for the rapid identification of MTBC in respiratory and nonrespiratory specimens and in both smear-positive and smear-negative samples.
Detection of Group B
Streptococcus
Bacteria in LIM Enrichment Broth by Peptide Nucleic Acid Fluorescent
In Situ
Hybridization (PNA FISH) and Rapid Cycle PCR
Authors: Wilson D. A. , Hall G. S. , Procop G. W. 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACT

The sensitivity, specificity, and negative and positive predictive values for the detection of group B
Streptococcus
(GBS) in 206 LIM enrichment broths by the use of subculture, GBS peptide nucleic acid fluorescent
in situ
hybridization (PNA FISH), and GBS PCR were 96.9%, 100%, 98.6%, and 100%; 98.4%, 100%, 99.3%, and 100%; and 100%, 100%, 100%, and 100%, respectively.
Lactobacilli Are Prominent in the Initial Stages of Polymicrobial Infection of Dental Pulp
Authors: Nadkarni Mangala A. , Simonian Mary R. , Harty Derek W. S. , Zoellner Hans , Jacques Nicholas A. , Hunter Neil 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACT

In earlier studies we used molecular methods to identify the major bacterial consortia associated with advanced dentin caries. These consortia are dominated by bacteria from the families
Lactobacillaceae
,
Streptococcaceae
,
Veillonellaceae
(formerly
Acidaminococcaceae
),
Eubacteriaceae
, and
Lachnospiraceae
from the phylum
Firmicutes
;
Coriobacteriaceae
,
Bifidobacteriaceae
, and
Propionibacteriaceae
from the phylum
Actinobacteria
; and
Prevotellaceae
from the phylum
Bacteroidetes
, as well as fusobacteria. The phases of infection of vital pulp tissue by dentin microorganisms remain obscure. In the present study, fluorescence
in situ
hybridization was performed on sections of tissue embedded in resin. Probes for 16S rRNA corresponding to the major taxa of bacteria in carious dentin were used to provide information on the characteristics of pulp infection. Lactobacilli were prominent in 7 of 8 pulps determined to be at a limited stage of infection. Established infection (6 pulps) showed a more complex profile, with lactobacilli persisting in all of the lesions and with invasion of the necrotic regions of tissue by
Bacteroidetes
, fusobacteria,
Lachnospiraceae
, and
Coriobacteriaceae
in particular. Advanced infections (7 pulps) were characterized by mixed anaerobic species, with a strong representation by
Coriobacteriaceae
and
Lachnospiraceae
. Lactobacilli were not represented at this stage. Typically, groups of organisms were spatially isolated within the pulp tissue. Analysis indicated that lactobacilli could invade vital pulp tissue to achieve a very high biomass that was not associated with a detectable local inflammatory infiltrate. The findings establish that invasion of the dental pulp can be associated with a pronounced selection from the complex microbial populations within carious dentin, suggesting specific pathogenicity.
Association of Recurrent Furunculosis with Panton-Valentine Leukocidin and the Genetic Background of
Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Masiuk Helena , Kopron Katarzyna , Grumann Dorothee , Goerke Christiane , Kolata Julia , Jursa-Kulesza Joanna , Giedrys-Kalemba Stefania , Bröker Barbara M. , Holtfreter Silva 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACT

Staphylococcus aureus
is a major cause of skin and soft tissue infections, such as furuncles, carbuncles, and abscesses, but it also frequently colonizes the human skin and mucosa without causing clinical symptoms. Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is a pore-forming toxin that has been associated with soft tissue infections and necrotizing pneumonia. We have compared the genotypes, virulence gene repertoires, and phage patterns of 74 furunculosis isolates with those of 108 control strains from healthy nasal carriers. The large majority of furunculosis strains were methicillin sensitive. Clonal cluster (CC) 121 (CC121) and CC22 accounted for 70% of the furunculosis strains but for only 8% of the nasal isolates. The PVL-encoding genes
luk-PV
were detected in 85% of furunculosis strains, while their prevalence among colonizing
S. aureus
strains was below 1%.
luk-PV
genes were distributed over several lineages (CCs 5, 8, 22, 30, and 121 and sequence type 59). Even within the same lineages,
luk-PV
-positive phages characterized furunculosis strains, while their
luk-PV
-negative variants were frequent among nasal strains. The very tight epidemiological linkage between
luk-PV
and furunculosis, which could be separated from the genetic background of the
S. aureus
strain as well as from the gene makeup of the
luk-PV
-transducing phage, lends support to the notion of an important role for PVL in human furunculosis. These results make a case for the determination of
luk-PV
in recurrent soft tissue infections with methicillin-sensitive as well as methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
.
Regulation of Epstein-Barr Virus Origin of Plasmid Replication (OriP) by the S-Phase Checkpoint Kinase Chk2
Authors: Zhou Jing , Deng Zhong , Norseen Julie , Lieberman Paul M. 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACT

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) origin of plasmid replication (OriP) is required for episome stability during latent infection. Telomere repeat factor 2 (TRF2) binds directly to OriP and facilitates DNA replication and plasmid maintenance. Recent studies have found that TRF2 interacts with the DNA damage checkpoint protein Chk2. We show here that Chk2 plays an important role in regulating OriP plasmid stability, chromatin modifications, and replication timing. The depletion of Chk2 by small interfering RNA (siRNA) leads to a reduction in DNA replication efficiency and a loss of OriP-dependent plasmid maintenance. This corresponds to a change in OriP replication timing and an increase in constitutive histone H3 acetylation. We show that Chk2 interacts with TRF2 in the early G
1
/S phase of the cell cycle. We also show that Chk2 can phosphorylate TRF2
in vitro
at a consensus acceptor site in the amino-terminal basic domain of TRF2. TRF2 mutants with a serine-to-aspartic acid phosphomimetic substitution mutation were reduced in their ability to recruit the origin recognition complex (ORC) and stimulate OriP replication. We suggest that the Chk2 phosphorylation of TRF2 is important for coordinating ORC binding with chromatin remodeling during the early S phase and that a failure to execute these events leads to replication defects and plasmid instability.
A Detrimental Effect of Interleukin-10 on Protective Pulmonary Humoral Immunity during Primary Influenza A Virus Infection
Authors: Sun Keer , Torres Luisa , Metzger Dennis W. 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACT

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is an important anti-inflammatory molecule that can cause immunosuppression and long-term pathogen persistence during chronic infection of mice with viruses such as lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. However, its specific role in immunity to acute viral infections is not fully understood. We found that IL-10 plays a detrimental role in host responses to acute influenza A virus since IL-10
−/−
mice had improved viral clearance and survival after infection compared to wild-type mice. Enhanced viral clearance in IL-10
−/−
mice was not correlated with increased CD4
+
or CD8
+
T-cell recruitment into the lung but was correlated with increased pulmonary anti-influenza virus antibody titers, and this was dependent upon the presence of T cells, primarily CD4
+
T cells. In addition, virus-specific antibody produced during the early stages of infection in the respiratory tract of IL-10
−/−
but not wild-type mice was sufficient to mediate passive protection against viral challenge of naïve mice. Complement was necessary for this antibody-mediated passive protection, but FcγR or neutrophil deficiency did not significantly influence viral clearance. Our results show that an absence of IL-10 at the time of primary infection leads to enhanced local virus-specific antibody production and, thus, increased protection against influenza A virus infection.