bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Molecular Characterization of Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureuswith Emergence of Epidemic Clones of Sequence Type (ST) 22 and ST 772 in Mumbai, India
Authors: D'Souza Namita , Rodrigues Camilla , Mehta Ajita 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACTA total of 412 methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) strains isolated between October 2006 and June 2009, representing a mixed hospital- and community-associated patient population from Mumbai, India, were evaluated. MRSA was characterized by multiplex PCR amplification of the Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) gene and themecAgene, staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) typing, and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). PCR results were compared with patient risk factors (CDC guidelines) and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles. A total of 395 MRSA strains weremecApositive, and 224 were PVL gene positive. A total of 97mecA-positive strains were SCCmecIII (25%), 136 were SCCmecIV (34%), and 162 were SCCmecV (41%). All SCCmecIII strains were multidrug resistant, and all patients had risk factors. Of the SCCmecIV and V strains, 73% were multidrug susceptible and 72% of the associated patients had no risk factors. The multidrug susceptibility and absence of patient risk factors in 72% of cases with SCCmecIV and SCCmecV MRSA demonstrate the presence of community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) in Mumbai. Twenty-one percent of these patients had risk factors, signifying CA-MRSA infiltration into hospitals. MLST showed clonal expansion of multidrug-susceptible sequence type (ST) 22 (SCCmecIV) and ST 772 (SCCmecV), both of which feature in Asian studies and may be slowly replacing the multidrug-resistant ST 239 (SCCmecIII) in hospitals. The PVL gene-positive methicillin-sensitiveS. aureus(MSSA) strains were ST 30 and were postulated to be related to the penicillin-resistantS. aureusphage type 80/81, notorious for its virulence in the 1950s.
Effect of Acupuncture on Salivary Immunoglobulin a after a Bout of Intense Exercise
Authors: Matsubara Yuichi , Shimizu Kazuhiro , Tanimura Yuko , Miyamoto Toshikazu , Akimoto Takayuki , Kono Ichiro 
Published: March 2010

In the field of athletics, acupuncture has been used for treatment of injury, reduction of fatigue and management of physical condition. However, there is little information on the effect of acupuncture on the immune function in response to exercise. Purpose The aim of this study was to examine the effect of acupuncture treatment on the mucosal immune function after a single period of intense exercise by measuring salivary immunoglobulin A (SIgA). Methods 12 healthy men (23.6±SEv 0.3 years) participated in this study with a crossover design. The subjects exercised on a bicycle equipped with an ergometer at 75% VO2max for 60 min. Acupuncture treatment was applied at LU6, LI4, ST36 and ST6, for 30 min after the exercise. The control treatment was rest without acupuncture and that the order of the treatment was randomised. We measured parameters including saliva flow rate, SIgA concentration, SIgA secretion rate, heart rate and plasma catecholamine concentration all before the exercise and at 1 h, 2 h, 3 h, 4 h and 24 h after the exercise. The visual analogue scale for self-perceived tiredness and the profile of mood states questionnaires were recorded before the exercise and at 24 h after the exercise. Result Intense exercise-induced decrease of SIgA levels was attenuated by the acupuncture treatment. In contrast, the subjective fatigue score and psychological measurement were not affected by the acupuncture. Conclusion Acupuncture treatment may attenuate the decrease in SIgA level induced by intense exercise.
Primary, secondary and tertiary effects of eco-climatic change: the medical response
Authors: Butler Colin D , Harley David 
Published: March 2010

AbstractClimatic and ecological change threaten human health globally. Manifestations include lost species, vanishing glaciers and more frequent heavy rain. In the second half of this century, accelerating sea level rise is likely to cause crop loss, and population dislocation. These problems may be magnified by dysfunctional human responses, including conflict. The population health consequences of these events can be classified as primary, secondary and tertiary. Primary signs include the acute and chronic stress of heat waves, and trauma from increased bush fires and flooding. Secondary signs are indirect, such as an altered distribution of arthropod vectors, intermediate hosts and pathogens that will produce changes in the epidemiology of many infectious diseases. More severe future health consequences of climate change are classified here as tertiary effects. If moderate or severe climate change scenarios prove accurate then these manifestations will occur over large areas, and could include famine, war and significant population displacement. Such effects would threaten governance and health. The health professions must respond to these challenges, especially the task of recognising and seeking to minimise tertiary health consequences. The gap between what we know and what we need to know concerning these issues can be narrowed by a new field of medical practice. The framework for this emerging discipline includes climate change, ecology and global health. Combined, these dimensions may be called ecomedicine. Actions to reduce individual emissions, to promote active transport (with its ‘co-benefit’ of preventing chronic disease), and involvement in group action to protect the environment and to prevent war, informed by understanding of the health of individual patients and populations, will be central to the practice of ecomedicine.
Inadequate control of heart rate in patients with stable angina: results from the European Heart Survey
Authors: Daly Caroline A , Clemens Felicity , Lopez Sendon Jose L , Tavazzi Luigi , Boersma Eric , Danchin Nicolas , Delahaye François , Gitt Anselm , Julian Desmond , Mulcahy David , Ruzyllo Witold , Thygesen Kristian , Verheugt Freek , Fox Kim M 
Published: March 2010

Abstract

Aims
To examine resting heart rate (HR) in a population presenting with stable angina in relation to prior and subsequent pharmacological treatment, comorbid conditions and clinical outcome.

Methods and results
The European Heart Survey was a prospective, observational, cohort study of 3779 patients with stable angina newly presenting to cardiology services. Mean baseline resting HR was 73 beats/min (bpm) and 52.3% of patients had a baseline HR &gt; 70 bpm. Over half of patients were on no chronotropic medication at baseline. Patients with chronic respiratory disease or diabetes had higher resting HRs (75–76 bpm), and were more likely to have been receiving calcium channel blockers at baseline assessment. Overall, β-blockers were the most common treatment administered following cardiologist assessment, but were used less frequently in patients with chronic respiratory disease and diabetes, and the dosages used were less than that found to be effective in clinical trials. Mean daily doses of metoprolol, bisoprolol, carvedilol, and atenolol were 75 mg, 6 mg, 19 mg and 55 mg, respectively. Higher HR at baseline was associated with higher rates of cardiovascular mortality and hospitalisation for heart failure.

Conclusion
Control of ischaemic symptoms through heart rate modification in patients with angina is currently inadequate, both by primary referring physicians and cardiologists. Given the adverse outcome associated with higher resting heart rates in this as in other studies, and the availability of specific HR reducing strategies, attention should be given to achieving optimal HR control.
Imaging evaluation of demyelinating processes of the central nervous system
Authors: Smith Alice Boyd , Smirniotopoulos James G 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
Demyelinating processes involving the central nervous system have a variety of aetiologies and can be separated into primary and secondary demyelinating processes. The classic example of primary demyelination is multiple sclerosis. Secondary demyelination, where the aetiology is known, includes infectious, metabolic and toxic disease processes. The underlying component of all demyelinating disorders is damage to the myelin sheath and/or the oligodendrocyte, the cell forming the myelin sheath. These processes often have similar imaging findings, making knowledge of the patient’s history, physical examination and laboratory evaluation imperative for developing a differential diagnosis. This pictorial essay provides a review of the imaging of these diverse disorders.
Recent advances in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Suresh Ernest 
Published: March 2010

AbstractManagement of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has radically changed over the last decade. Diagnostic methods have improved with availability of highly specific tests such as antibody to cyclic citrullinated peptide (specificity ∼96%), and introduction of advanced imaging modalities such as ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging to facilitate earlier diagnosis. The current aim of management is to achieve remission and prevent joint damage. In order to achieve this goal, inflammation is suppressed as much as possible during the early phase of the disease before onset of joint damage. Aggressive treatments with combinations of disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs are commenced earlier in the course of disease, and tight control maintained with regular objective monitoring of disease activity. Early use of anti-TNFα (tumour necrosis factor α) therapy in combination with methotrexate helps to achieve better clinical and radiographic outcomes, which can be maintained for up to 5 years after withdrawal of anti-TNFα therapy. Apart from anti-TNFα, several other biological treatments are now available, including those that target CD20 on B cells (rituximab), cytokines such as IL1 (anakinra) and IL6 (tocilizumab), and molecules that cause interaction between antigen presenting cells and T cells (abatacept). There is better awareness and understanding of RA associated complications such as cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. Use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is on the decline in light of recent concerns about cardiovascular safety. Evidence is emerging in support of statins and bisphosphonates for improving RA disease activity and preventing erosions, respectively. In the coming years, further improvements in therapeutic strategies are likely with the pace at which research is currently progressing.
The changing Maltese soil environment: evidence from the ancient cart tracks at San Pawl Tat-Tarġa, Naxxar
Authors: Mottershead Derek , Farres Paul , Pearson Alastair 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
The historic cart ruts of Malta are incised into the underlying bedrock topography. Anomalous relationships between their routeways and the uneven terrain beneath suggest that they originated on a land surface different from that of today. An exposure close to a cart-rut location near Naxxar reveals evidence of limestone terrain development and its role in the evolution of the cart-rut patterns. Specifically, it reveals that cart trackways were most probably superimposed from a soil cover onto an underlying bedrock surface topographically different from the former soil surface. A model is developed demonstrating likely relationships between human activity, soil erosion and trackway evolution leading to the incision of the trackways into the bedrock.
Suppression of salt weathering of porous limestone by borax-induced promotion of sodium and magnesium sulphate crystallization
Authors: Ruiz-Agudo E. , Rodriguez-Navarro C. 
Published: March 2010

Abstract

The effects of borax on the crystallization of sodium and magnesium sulphate, two of the most damaging salts affecting porous stones, have been studied. Borax promotes the crystallization of mirabilite and inhibits epsomite crystallization in open glass beakers. The additive is preferentially adsorbed onto {140}
mirabilite
and {111}
epsomite
faces, thus acting as an effective habit modifier. In contrast, in the presence of a calcitic support (either Iceland spar single crystals or a porous limestone – a biocalcarenite) crystallization is promoted in the presence of borax, irrespective of the salt tested. Apparently, this is due to a high stereochemical affinity between borate molecules adsorbed (and/or co-precipitated) onto calcite, and mirabilite and epsomite crystals. Salt weathering tests using a biocalcarenite show a significant damage reduction upon borax addition to the saline solutions. Borax promotes the crystallization of both mirabilite and epsomite within the pores of the stone, reducing its porosity. Crystallization promotion favours nucleation at a low supersaturation, thereby resulting in very low crystallization pressure and minimal damage. Application of borax to porous limestones affected by mirabilite and/or epsomite crystallization could be a new means of suppressing salt weathering.
Weathering effects in an urban environment: a case study of tuffeau, a French porous limestone
Authors: Beck K. , Al-Mukhtar M. 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
A case study is carried out on a highly porous limestone called tuffeau located in an urban environment. Weathering effects are characterized by several complementary techniques: mechanical resistance (compressive test), imbibition (capillarity test), mercury intrusion porosimetry, chemical analysis [inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES)], scanning electron microscope (SEM) image analysis and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results show the different composition of the deteriorated zone of the stone and mainly the presence of high gypsum content in the black crust surface. The analysis also shows that the natural penetration of water into this stone under environmental conditions (atmospheric precipitation, relative humidity and temperature) is limited to 20 mm. Moreover, the presence of gypsum is only detected in this limited zone, which demonstrates the depth of alteration in this stone. Finally, this study clearly highlights the important role of water movements in the deterioration of stone.
Individual resistance to IT innovations
Authors: Joseph Rhoda C. 
Published: March 2010

Adoption of an information technology (IT) innovation is a much more attractive and frequently examined area to study than non-adoption. This is mainly due to the pro innovation bias that is found in the existing IT and information systems literature. Companies spend millions of dollars advertising their new gadgets to consumers. However, many IT innovations face varying degrees of resistance in their lifetime. An IT innovation is a product, practice, or process that relies extensively on technological advances such as computer hardware, computer software, and telecommunications.
One of the most visible IT innovations is the personal computer (PC), which was introduced almost three decades ago. Factors such as age, income, and technological complexity are significant barriers to PC adoption. The presence of multiple computer households and the replacement of older machines can explain the continued annual sale of personal computers. Through PC adoption, the Web has also given birth, to many other innovative technologies such as, peer to peer networks, social computing, and mobile applications. Many of these innovations are targeted at individual users.
In spite of the success of the personal computer, only 51% of U.S. households had at least one computer during the 2000 census. Factors such as income, education, and the digital divide all play a contributing role in the penetration of PCs in U.S. households. Further, the non-adoption of IT innovations is also influenced by factors associated with individual expectations and behaviors.
The IT adoption literature has used "intention to adopt" as a reasonable proxy for actual adoption behavior and continued use of a technology. This is a very useful practice especially in an experimental setting or with early distribution of the product. Possibly, more important than the intention to adopt, is the intent 'not to adopt' a new technology. IT innovations are complex and content-sensitive and differ across a variety of factors including features, usability, and connectivity. If companies can better understand the non-adopter, they can use creative strategies to move such individuals into the adopter category, which can ultimately increase product visibility and revenue generation.
Platelet function testing and risk of bleeding complications
Authors: Ferreiro José Luis , Sibbing Dirk , Angiolillo Dominick 
Published: March 2010

SummaryAntiplatelet therapy has a key role in preventing atherothrombotic events in patients with coronary artery disease, particularly in those undergoing revascularisation procedures. However, this may occur at the expense of an increase risk of bleeding. Therefore, the balance between thrombotic and bleeding events is critical in order to achieve optimal outcomes. Since there is a broad variability in individual response profiles to antiplatelet therapy, these outcomes (thrombosis vs. bleeding) may depend on the level of platelet inhibition achieved in a given subject. Platelet function assays have emerged as a useful tool for its potential to determine patients at a higher risk of ischaemic and bleeding complications. The present manuscript will review the available evidence associating platelet function testing with adverse clinical outcomes, in particular bleeding, and their potential applications in lieu of novel and more potent antithrombotic agents that will be introduced into clinical practice in the near future.
Effects of Anterior Cingulate Microstimulation on Pro- and Antisaccades in Nonhuman Primates
Authors: Phillips Jessica M. , Johnston Kevin , Everling Stefan 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
Numerous studies have established a role for the ACC in cognitive control. Current theories are at odds as to whether ACC itself directly engages or alternatively recruits other frontal cortical areas that implement control. The antisaccade task, in which subjects are required to make a saccade to the location opposite a suddenly appearing visual stimulus, is a simple oculomotor paradigm that has been used extensively to investigate flexible oculomotor control. Here, we tested a causal role of the dorsal ACC in cognitive control by applying electrical microstimulation during a preparatory period while monkeys performed alternating blocks of pro- and antisaccade trials. Microstimulation induced significant changes in saccadic RTs (SRTs) in both tasks. On prosaccade trials, SRTs were increased for saccades contralateral to and decreased for saccades ipsilateral to the stimulated hemisphere. In contrast, SRTs were decreased for both ipsi- and contralaterally directed antisaccades. These data show that microstimulation administered during response preparation facilitated the performance of antisaccades and are suggestive of a direct role of ACC in the implementation of cognitive control.
What Iconic Gesture Fragments Reveal about Gesture–Speech Integration: When Synchrony Is Lost, Memory Can Help
Authors: Obermeier Christian , Holle Henning , Gunter Thomas C. 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
The present series of experiments explores several issues related to gesture–speech integration and synchrony during sentence processing. To be able to more precisely manipulate gesture–speech synchrony, we used gesture fragments instead of complete gestures, thereby avoiding the usual long temporal overlap of gestures with their coexpressive speech. In a pretest, the minimal duration of an iconic gesture fragment needed to disambiguate a homonym (i.e., disambiguation point) was therefore identified. In three subsequent ERP experiments, we then investigated whether the gesture information available at the disambiguation point has immediate as well as delayed consequences on the processing of a temporarily ambiguous spoken sentence, and whether these gesture–speech integration processes are susceptible to temporal synchrony. Experiment 1, which used asynchronous stimuli as well as an explicit task, showed clear N400 effects at the homonym as well as at the target word presented further downstream, suggesting that asynchrony does not prevent integration under explicit task conditions. No such effects were found when asynchronous stimuli were presented using a more shallow task (Experiment 2). Finally, when gesture fragment and homonym were synchronous, similar results as in Experiment 1 were found, even under shallow task conditions (Experiment 3). We conclude that when iconic gesture fragments and speech are in synchrony, their interaction is more or less automatic. When they are not, more controlled, active memory processes are necessary to be able to combine the gesture fragment and speech context in such a way that the homonym is disambiguated correctly.
The Background of ‘A Common Word’
Authors: Speelman Gé M. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractThis article sketches the contents of the open letter of 138 Muslim Scholars to Christians. In addition it provides a reflection of the common ground the authors construct between the faith of Muslims and Christians. Maybe this common ground lies, more than either Christians and Muslims may be aware, in their joint roots in Judaism. The present article concludes with some reflections on the presupposition that it is fertile to start a dialogue on the basis of a (supposed) common ground.
Do Zoos and Aquariums Promote Attitude Change in Visitors? A Critical Evaluation of the American Zoo and Aquarium Study
Authors: Malamud Randy , Broglio Ron , Marino Lori , Lilienfeld Scott O. , Nobis Nathan 
Published: March 2010

AbstractModern-day zoos and aquariums market themselves as places of education and conservation. A recent study conducted by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) (Falk et al., 2007) is being widely heralded as the first direct evidence that visits to zoos and aquariums produce long-term positive effects on people’s attitudes toward other animals. In this paper, we address whether this conclusion is warranted by analyzing the study’s methodological soundness. We conclude that Falk et al. (2007) contains at least six major threats to methodological validity that undermine the authors’ conclusions. There remains no compelling evidence for the claim that zoos and aquariums promote attitude change, education, or interest in conservation in visitors, although further investigation of this possibility using methodologically sophisticated designs is warranted.
Securing Land Rights through Indigenousness: A Case from the Philippine Cordillera Highlands
Authors: Schippers Titia 
Published: March 2010

AbstractThe Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (1997) offers indigenous peoples in the Philippines the opportunity to obtain title to an ‘ancestral domain’. This article discusses how leaders of the Bakun Indigenous Tribes Organization (BITO) in the Cordillera Highlands strategically used the state-sponsored indigenous-peoples discourse and political-administrative structure to acquire land rights for the inhabitants of the municipality of Bakun. Though the inhabitants did not necessarily identify themselves as indigenous, they welcomed land rights as a protection against unwelcome incursions by mining companies and other extractive projects. However, the discourse of indigenous peoples’ rights tends to essentialise the difference between indigenous and non-indigenous populations. Being indigenous has become a politicised identity whose bearers are expected to prefer the ‘traditional’ over the ‘modern’, the ‘collective’ over the ‘individual’. In Bakun, moreover, the discourse of indigenous peoples’ rights eventually became an arena in which a power struggle was played out between BITO and the municipal council, both belonging to the indigenous community.