bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alert Tones Are Frequently Inaudible among Patients with Implantable Cardioverter‐Defibrillators
Authors: SIMONS EMILY C. , FEIGENBLUM DAVID Y. , NEMIROVSKY DMITRY , SIMONS GRANT R. 
Published: August 2009

Background: Current management guidelines for patients with Medtronic Sprint Fidelis ICD leads (Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA) include prominent use of Patient Alert™, a feature in which the ICD generator emits audible beeps at two programmable frequencies. Because hearing loss is highly prevalent beyond the sixth decade of life, the utility of this feature is unclear. Therefore, we conducted a survey of patients’ ability to hear the Medtronic Patient Alert™.
Methods: During visits to an outpatient device clinic, patients with Medtronic ICDs were evaluated for their ability to hear ICD tones.
Results: The patient group consisted of 102 patients. Patients older than 70 years comprised 68% of the sample, with 16% between 60 and 70, and 17% younger than 60 years. Of the 102 patients, 59% (56% of males and 70% of females) were able to hear at least one tone. Ability to hear ICD tones decreased with advancing age. Among patients over 60 and 70 years, 52% and 43%, respectively (P < 0.001 vs. patients below 60 and 70 years), could hear at least one tone.
Conclusions: The Patient Alert™ feature is not useful among a large proportion of ICD patients. Patients with Sprint Fidelis leads should be evaluated for their ability to hear audible ICD tones. For patients who cannot hear the Patient Alert™ feature, a wireless remote monitoring and/or daily application of a magnet by a caregiver should be considered. Device manufacturers should include nonauditory alert technologies such as wireless remote monitoring and vibratory stimulation in future devices.
Coresidence and Geographic Dispersion of Adult Children and Their Mothers in Germany: Variation in Ethnicity, Gender, and Marital Status
Authors: Nosaka Akiko 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThis study examines how the residential dispersion of adult children and their mothers varies between German and Turkish families living in Germany, and how this variation relates to the gender and marital status of adult children. The study hypothesizes that compared to adult children of German nationals, those of Turkish immigrants will exhibit virilocal tendencies because they are influenced by traditional Turkish cultural institutions. The results based on data from 247 Turkish and 200 German adult children, consisting of those who were 20 years old or older at the time of data collection, support this hypothesis. In contrast to the sons and daughters of German national, those of Turkish immigrants are most likely to reside with their mothers when they are single, and married sons are significantly more likely than married daughters to remain living close to their mothers.
Successful treatment of pityriasis rubra pilaris (type 1) under combination of infliximab and methotrexate
Authors: Barth Dietrich , Harth Wolfgang , Treudler Regina , Simon Jan C. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryPityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP) is often difficult to treat. A 65‐year‐old women presented with a two week history of widespread erythroderma and scaling with areas of sparing (nappes claires). She also had follicular hyperkeratoses and palmar fissuring. The clinical picture and histology led to the diagnosis of PRP. She failed to respond to initial therapy which included topical and systemic corticosteroids. She was then treated with intravenous methotrexate (MTX) 15–30 mg weekly. Because of the poor response we intensified her regime with infliximab (5 mg/kg). Altogether our patient received infliximab three times together with MTX, which was later given orally. We report for the first time the successful combination of infliximab and MTX for the treatment of PRP.
Discovery of 1‐[1‐(1‐Methylcyclooctyl)‐4‐piperidinyl]‐2‐[(3R)‐3‐piperidinyl]‐1H‐benzimidazole: Integrated Drug‐Design and Structure–Activity Relationships for Orally Potent, Metabolically Stable and Potential‐Risk Reduced Novel Non‐Peptide Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ Receptor Agonist as Antianxiety Drug‡
Authors: Hayashi Shigeo , Hirao Akiko , Nakamura Hiroshi , Yamamura Kenzo , Mizuno Kunihiko , Yamashita Hiroyo 
Published: August 2009

Anxiety disorders, caused by continuous or acute stress or fear, have been highly prevailing psychiatric disorders. For the acute treatment of the disorders, benzodiazepines have been widely used despite having liabilities that limit their utility. Alternatively, endogenous nociceptin/orphanin FQ and nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide receptor (or opioid‐receptor‐like‐1 receptor) have important roles in the integration of emotional components, e.g. anxiolytic activity is the key behavioral action of nociceptin/orphanin FQ in brain. In our preceding study, various structurally novel 1,2‐disubstituted benzimidazole derivatives were designed and synthesized as highly potent nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide receptor selective full agonistsin vitrowith high or moderate nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide receptor occupancy in the mice brainper osbased on appropriate physicochemical properties for the oral brain activity [Hayashiet al.(2009) J Med Chem;52:610–625]. In the present study, drug design and structure–activity relationships for Vogel anticonflict activities in miceper os, metabolic stabilities in human liver microsome, CYP2D6 inhibitions, serum protein bindings, and human ether‐a‐go‐go related gene binding affinities of novel nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide receptor agonists were investigated. Through the series of coherent drug discovery studies, the strongest nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide receptor agonist, 1‐[1‐(1‐methylcyclooctyl)‐4‐piperidinyl]‐2‐[(3R)‐3‐piperidinyl]‐1H‐benzimidazole was designed and identified as a new‐class orally potent anxiolytic with little side‐effects, as significant findings.
Discuss the factors that affect the outcome of endodontic treatment
Authors: Chandra Akhil 
Published: August 2009

AbstractFactors affecting the outcome of endodontic treatment are discussed from the theoretical viewpoint (microbes, foreign bodies and epithelium) and from a clinical aspect (preoperative factors, intraoperative factors and miscellaneous factors). The following conditions favour endodontic success significantly: the absence of a periapical infection, a well‐condensed root filling, the root filling extending to 2 mm within the radiographic apex and not beyond, a satisfactory coronal restoration, use of a rubber dam during treatment and cases involving primary root canal treatment as opposed to retreatment. Other factors have the potential to affect success rates, but these have not yet been quantified. Although there is an array of potential factors that influence the outcome of endodontic treatment, success is most significantly dependent upon the elimination of root canal infection present when treatment starts and the prevention of contamination during treatment.
Monitoring in Language Perception
Authors: Van De Meerendonk Nan , Kolk Herman H.J. , Chwilla Dorothee J. , Vissers Constance Th.W.M. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractMonitoring is an aspect of executive control that entails the detection of errors and the triggering of corrective actions when there is a mismatch between competing responses or representations. In the language domain, research of monitoring has mainly focused on errors made during language production. However, in language perception, for example while reading or listening, errors occur as well and people are able to detect them. A hypothesis that was developed to account for these errors is the monitoring hypothesis for language perception. According to this account, when a strong expectation conflicts with what is actually observed, a reanalysis is triggered to check the input for processing errors reflected by the P600 component. In contrast to what has been commonly assumed, the P600 is thought to reflect a general reanalysis and not a syntactic reanalysis. In this review, we will describe the different studies that led to this hypothesis and try to extend it beyond the language domain.
New advances in pharmacotherapy for early psychosis
Authors: Emsley Robin 
Published: August 2009

AbstractAim: This review examines the use of antipsychotic medication during the early years of psychosis.Methods: A selective literature review was conducted.Results: The early years of schizophrenia represent a critical period for intervention. Importantly, first‐episode patients differ from those with chronic schizophrenia in several important respects. While treatment response to antipsychotic medication is better, the risk of relapse is also higher. While both first‐ and second‐generation antipsychotics are very effective in reducing symptoms, there are tolerability and some efficacy advantages for the second‐generation antipsychotics in first‐episode psychosis. Poor medication adherence is a significant problem in early psychosis that is linked to relapse and poses a major barrier to optimizing outcomes. Treatment strategies should focus on, among other things, improving antipsychotic medication adherence.Conclusions: The early years of psychosis offer the best opportunity for achieving optimal outcomes. Maintaining symptomatic remission is central to achieving functional recovery.
Donaldson–Thomas theory of 𝒜n×P1
Authors: Maulik Davesh , Oblomkov Alexei 
Published: August 2009

AbstractWe study the relative Donaldson–Thomas theory of 𝒜n×P1, where 𝒜n is the surface resolution of type An singularity. The action of divisor operators in the theory is expressed in terms of operators of the affine algebra $\glh $ on Fock space. Assuming a nondegeneracy conjecture, this gives a complete solution for the theory. The results complete the comparison of this theory with the Gromov–Witten theory of 𝒜n×P1 and the quantum cohomology of the Hilbert scheme of points on 𝒜n.
Outcome of Acute Prosthetic Joint Infections Due to Gram-Negative Bacilli Treated with Open Debridement and Retention of the Prosthesis
Authors: Martínez-Pastor Juan C. , Muñoz-Mahamud Ernesto , Vilchez Félix , García-Ramiro Sebastián , Bori Guillem , Sierra Josep , Martínez José A. , Font Lluis , Mensa Josep , Soriano Alex 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT

The aim of our study was to evaluate the outcome of acute prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) due to gram-negative bacilli (GNB) treated without implant removal. Patients with an acute PJI due to GNB diagnosed from 2000 to 2007 were prospectively registered. Demographics, comorbidity, type of implant, microbiology data, surgical treatment, antimicrobial therapy, and outcome were recorded. Classification and regression tree analysis, the Kaplan-Meier survival method, and the Cox regression model were applied. Forty-seven patients were included. The mean age was 70.7 years, and there were 15 hip prostheses and 32 knee prostheses. The median number of days from the time of arthroplasty was 20. The most frequent pathogens were members of the
Enterobacteriaceae
family in 41 cases and
Pseudomonas
spp. in 20 cases. Among the
Enterobacteriaceae
, 14 were resistant to ciprofloxacin, while all
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
isolates were susceptible to ciprofloxacin. The median durations of intravenous and oral antibiotic treatment were 14 and 64 days, respectively. A total of 35 (74.5%) patients were in remission after a median follow-up of 463 days (interquartile range, 344 to 704) days. By use of the Kaplan-Meier survival curve, a C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration of ≤15 mg/dl (
P
= 0.03) and receipt of a fluoroquinolone, when all GNB isolated were susceptible (
P
= 0.0009), were associated with a better outcome. By use of a Cox regression model, a CRP concentration of ≤15 mg/dl (odds ratio [OR], 3.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05 to 12.5;
P
= 0.043) and receipt of a fluoroquinolone (OR, 9.09; 95% CI, 1.96 to 50;
P
= 0.005) were independently associated with better outcomes. Open debridement without removal of the implant had a success rate of 74.5%, and the factors associated with good prognosis were a CRP concentration at the time of diagnosis ≤15 mg/dl and treatment with a fluoroquinolone.
Comparison of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Tropism Profiles in Clinical Samples by the Trofile and MT-2 Assays
Authors: Coakley Eoin , Reeves Jacqueline D. , Huang Wei , Mangas-Ruiz Marga , Maurer Irma , Harskamp Agnes M. , Gupta Soumi , Lie Yolanda , Petropoulos Christos J. , Schuitemaker Hanneke , van 't Wout Angélique B. 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTThe recent availability of CCR5 antagonists as anti-human immunodeficiency virus (anti-HIV) therapeutics has highlighted the need to accurately identify CXCR4-using variants in patient samples when use of this new drug class is considered. The Trofile assay (Monogram Biosciences) has become the method that is the most widely used to define tropism in the clinic prior to the use of a CCR5 antagonist. By comparison, the MT-2 assay has been used since early in the HIV epidemic to define tropism in clinical specimens. Given that there are few data from direct comparisons of these two assays, we evaluated the performance of the plasma-based Trofile assay and the peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC)-based MT-2 assay for the detection of CXCR4 use in defining the tropism of HIV isolates derived from clinical samples. The various samples used for this comparison were derived from participants of the Amsterdam Cohort Studies on HIV infection and AIDS who underwent consecutive MT-2 assay testing of their PBMCs at approximately 3-month intervals. This unique sample set was specifically selected because consecutive MT-2 assays had demonstrated a shift from negative to positive in PBMCs, reflecting the first emergence of CXCR4-using virus in PBMCs above the level of detection of the assay in these individuals. Trofile testing was performed with clonal HIV type 1 (HIV-1) variants (n= 21), MT-2 cell culture-derived cells (n= 20) and supernatants (n= 42), and plasma samples (n= 76). Among the clonal HIV-1 variants and MT-2 cell culture-derived samples, the results of the Trofile and MT-2 assays demonstrated a high degree of concordance (95% to 98%). Among consecutive plasma samples, detection of CXCR4-using virus was at or before the time of first detection by the MT-2 assay in 5/10 patients by the original Trofile assay and in 9/10 patients by the enhanced-sensitivity Trofile assay. Differences in the time to the first detection of CXCR4 use between the MT-2 assay (PBMCs) and the original Trofile assay (plasma) were greatly reduced by the enhanced-sensitivity Trofile assay, suggesting that sensitivity for the detection of minor CXCR4-using variants may be a more important determinant of discordant findings than compartmentalization. The similarities in performance of the enhanced-sensitivity Trofile and MT-2 assays suggest that either may be an appropriate methodology to define tropism in patient specimens.
New Selectable Marker for Manipulating the Simple Genomes of
Mycoplasma
Species
Authors: Algire Mikkel A. , Lartigue Carole , Thomas David W. , Assad-Garcia Nacyra , Glass John I. , Merryman Chuck 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT

Over the past several years, significant advances have been made in the molecular genetics of the
Mollicutes
(the simplest cells that can be grown in axenic culture). Nevertheless, a number of basic molecular tools are still required before genetic manipulations become routine. Here we describe the development of a new dominant selectable marker based on the enzyme puromycin-
N
-acetyltransferase from
Streptomyces alboniger
. Puromycin is an antibiotic that mimics the 3′-terminal end of aminoacylated tRNAs and attaches to the carboxyl terminus of growing protein chains. This stops protein synthesis. Because puromycin conscripts rRNA recognition elements that are used by all of the various tRNAs in a cell, it is unlikely that spontaneous antibiotic resistance can be acquired via a simple point mutation—an annoying issue with existing mycoplasma markers. Our codon-optimized cassette confers pronounced puromycin resistance on all five of the mycoplasma species we have tested so far. The resistance cassette was also designed to function in
Escherichia coli
, which simplifies the construction of shuttle vectors and makes it trivial to produce the large quantities of DNA generally necessary for mycoplasma transformation. Due to these and other features, we expect the puromycin marker to be a widely applicable tool for studying these simple cells and pathogens.
Molecular Epidemiology of CTX-M-Producing
Escherichia coli
Isolates at a Tertiary Medical Center in Western Pennsylvania
Authors: Sidjabat Hanna E. , Paterson David L. , Adams-Haduch Jennifer M. , Ewan Lindsay , Pasculle Anthony W. , Muto Carlene A. , Tian Guo-Bao , Doi Yohei 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT

A combination of phenotypic and genotypic methods was used to investigate 70 unique
Escherichia coli
clinical isolates identified as producing extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) at a medical center in Pittsburgh, PA, between 2007 and 2008. Fifty-seven isolates (81%) produced CTX-M-type ESBLs, among which CTX-M-15 was predominant (
n
= 46). Isolates producing CTX-M-2, -9, -14, and -65 were also identified. One CTX-M-producing isolate coproduced CMY-2 cephalosporinase. Ten isolates (14%) produced SHV-type ESBLs, either SHV-5 or SHV-7. Two isolates produced only CMY-2 or -32. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis revealed the presence of two major clusters of CTX-M-15-producing
E. coli
isolates, one in phylotype B2 (
n
= 15) and the other in phylotype A (
n
= 19). Of four phylotype B2 isolates that were able to transfer the
bla
CTX-M-15
-carrying plasmids, three showed fingerprints related (>60%) to those of plasmids from phylotype A isolates. In phylotype B2, all CTX-M-15-producing isolates, as well as three isolates producing CTX-M-14, two producing SHV-5, and one producing SHV-7, belonged to the international epidemic clone defined by serotype O25:H4 and sequence type 131. The plasmids from eight of nine CTX-M-15-producing
E. coli
isolates of phylotype A that were examined were highly related to each other and were also found in two isolates belonging to phylotype D, suggesting horizontal transfer of this
bla
CTX-M-15
-carrying plasmid between phylotypes. Our findings underscore the need to further investigate the epidemiology and virulence of CTX-M-producing
E. coli
in the United States.
Susceptibility of Urinary Tract Bacteria to Fosfomycin
Authors: Maraki Sofia , Samonis George , Rafailidis Petros I. , Vouloumanou Evridiki K. , Mavromanolakis Emmanuel , Falagas Matthew E. 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT
We evaluated the in vitro activity of fosfomycin against urinary isolates in a region in Greece that exhibits considerable antimicrobial resistance by evaluating retrospectively relevant susceptibility data retrieved from the microbiological library of the University Hospital of Heraklion, Crete, Greece. We examined 578 urinary isolates. In total, 516 (89.2%) were susceptible to fosfomycin; 415 isolates were gram negative, and 101 isolates were gram positive. Fosfomycin appears to exhibit good levels of in vitro activity against the examined urinary isolates.
Regional Dissemination of KPC-Producing
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Kitchel Brandon , Sundin Daniel R. , Patel Jean B. 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT

Production of a
Klebsiella pneumoniae
carbapenemase (KPC) is the most common mechanism of carbapenem resistance in the United States; however, until now, KPC-producing isolates have not been found in western Michigan. Molecular typing of two KPC-producing
K. pneumoniae
isolates from Michigan showed their similarity to other Midwestern isolates. They were also unrelated to the dominant sequence type observed throughout the United States, multilocus sequence type 258. This could represent regional dissemination of another KPC-producing
K. pneumoniae
strain.
Impact of Spore Biology on the Rate of Kill and Suppression of Resistance in
Bacillus anthracis
Authors: Drusano G. L. , Okusanya O. O. , Okusanya A. O. , van Scoy B. , Brown D. L. , Fregeau C. , Kulawy R. , Kinzig M. , Sörgel F. , Heine H. S. , Louie A. 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT

Bacillus anthracis
is complex because of its spore form. The spore is invulnerable to antibiotic action. It also has an impact on the emergence of resistance. We employed the hollow-fiber infection model to study the impacts of different doses and schedules of moxifloxacin on the total-organism population, the spore population, and the subpopulations of vegetative- and spore-phase organisms that were resistant to moxifloxacin. We then generated a mathematical model of the impact of moxifloxacin, administered by continuous infusion or once daily, on vegetative- and spore-phase organisms. The ratio of the rate constant for vegetative-phase cells going to spore phase (
K
vs
) to the rate constant for spore-phase cells going to vegetative phase (
K
sv
) determines the rate of organism clearance. The continuous-infusion drug profile is more easily sensed as a threat; the
K
vs
/
K
sv
ratio increases at lower drug exposures (possibly related to quorum sensing). This movement to spore phase protects the organism but makes the emergence of resistance less likely. Suppression of resistance requires a higher level of drug exposure with once-daily administration than with a continuous infusion, a difference that is related to vegetative-to-spore (and back) transitioning. Spore biology has a major impact on drug therapy and resistance suppression. These findings explain why all drugs of different classes have approximately the same rate of organism clearance for
Bacillus anthracis
.
Interaction of Aminoglycosides with Human Mitochondrial 12S rRNA Carrying the Deafness-Associated Mutation
Authors: Qian Yaping , Guan Min-Xin 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT
The mitochondrial 12S rRNA A1555G mutation is one of the important causes of aminoglycoside-induced and nonsyndromic hearing loss. Here we employed an RNA-directed chemical-modification approach to understanding the pathogenesis of aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss. The patterns of chemical modification of RNA oligonucleotides carrying the A1555G mutation by dimethyl sulfate (DMS) were distinct from those of the RNA oligonucleotides carrying wild-type sequence in the presence of aminoglycosides. In the RNA analogue carrying the A1555G mutation, reduced reactivity to DMS occurred in base G1555 as well as in bases C1556 and A1553 in the presence of paromomycin, neomycin, gentamicin, kanamycin, tobramycin, or streptomycin. In particular, base G1555 exhibited marked but similar levels of protection in the presence of 0.1 μM to 100 μM neomycin, gentamicin, or kanamycin. In contrast, the levels of protection in base G1555 appeared to be correlated with the concentration of paromycin, tobramycin, or steptomycin. Furthermore, increasing reactivities to DMS in the presence of these aminoglycosides were observed for bases A1492, C1493, C1494, and A1557 in the RNA analogue carrying the A1555G mutation. These data suggested that the A1555G mutation altered the binding properties of aminoglycosides at the A site of 12S rRNA and led to local conformational changes in 12S rRNA carrying the A1555G mutation. The interaction between aminoglycosides and 12S rRNA carrying the A1555G mutation provides new insight into the pathogenesis of aminoglycoside ototoxicity.
Antifungal Activity of Micafungin in Serum
Authors: Ishikawa Jun , Maeda Tetsuo , Matsumura Itaru , Yasumi Masato , Ujiie Hidetoshi , Masaie Hiroaki , Nakazawa Tsuyoshi , Mochizuki Nobuo , Kishino Satoshi , Kanakura Yuzuru 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT
We have evaluated the antifungal activity of micafungin in serum by using the disk diffusion method with serum-free and serum-added micafungin standard curves. Serum samples from micafungin-treated patients have been shown to exhibit adequate antifungal activity, which was in proportion to both the applied dose and the actual concentration of micafungin measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. The antifungal activity of micafungin in serum was also confirmed with the broth microdilution method.