bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Battacin (Octapeptin B5), a New Cyclic Lipopeptide Antibiotic from Paenibacillus tianmuensis Active against Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria
Authors: Qian Chao-Dong , Wu Xue-Chang , Teng Yi , Zhao Wen-Peng , Li Ou , Fang Sheng-Guo , Huang Zhao-Hui , Gao Hai-Chun 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACT

Hospital-acquired infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria are a significant challenge to patient safety. Numerous clinical isolates resistant to almost all commercially available antibiotics have emerged. Thus, novel antimicrobial agents, specifically those for multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, are urgently needed. In the current study, we report the isolation, structure elucidation, and preliminary biological characterization of a new cationic lipopeptide antibiotic, battacin or octapeptin B5, produced from a
Paenibacillus tianmuensis
soil isolate. Battacin kills bacteria
in vitro
and has potent activity against Gram-negative bacteria, including multidrug-resistant and extremely drug-resistant clinical isolates. Hospital strains of
Escherichia coli
and
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
are the pathogens most sensitive to battacin, with MICs of 2 to 4 μg/ml. The ability of battacin to disrupt the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria is comparable to that of polymyxin B, the last-line therapy for infections caused by antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. However, the capacity of battacin to permeate bacterial plasma membranes is less extensive than that of polymyxin B. The bactericidal kinetics of battacin correlate with the depolarization of the cell membrane, suggesting that battacin kills bacteria by disrupting the cytoplasmic membrane. Other studies indicate that battacin is less acutely toxic than polymyxin B and has potent
in vivo
biological activity against
E. coli
. Based on the findings of the current study, battacin may be considered a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of infections caused by antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria.
In Vitro
Activities of CB-183,315, Vancomycin, and Metronidazole against 556 Strains of Clostridium difficile, 445 Other Intestinal Anaerobes, and 56 Enterobacteriaceae Species
Authors: Citron Diane M. , Tyrrell Kerin L. , Merriam C. Vreni , Goldstein Ellie J. C. 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACT

MICs of CB-183,315, a novel lipopeptide antibiotic, vancomycin, and metronidazole were determined for intestinal anaerobes and
Enterobacteriaceae
. The MIC
90
s for Gram-negative anaerobes were >8,192, 8,192, and 4 μg/ml for CB-183,315, vancomycin, and metronidazole, respectively. Against
Enterobacteriaceae
, the MIC
90
s were >8,192 μg/ml, 1,024 μg/ml, and 1,024 μg/ml, respectively. The CB-183,315 MIC
90
for
Clostridium difficile
was 0.5 μg/ml. Its lack of activity against normal fecal organisms makes it a promising new agent for treating
C. difficile
.
Distribution of the Multidrug Resistance Gene
cfr
in Staphylococcus Species Isolates from Swine Farms in China
Authors: Wang Yang , Zhang Wanjiang , Wang Juan , Wu Congming , Shen Zhangqi , Fu Xiao , Yan Yang , Zhang Qijing , Schwarz Stefan , Shen Jianzhong 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACT

A total of 149 porcine
Staphylococcus
isolates with florfenicol MICs of ≥16 μg/ml were screened for the presence of the multiresistance gene
cfr
, its location on plasmids, and its genetic environment. In total, 125 isolates carried either
cfr
(16 isolates),
fexA
(92 isolates), or both genes (17 isolates). The 33
cfr
-carrying staphylococci, which included isolates of the species
Staphylococcus cohnii
,
S. arlettae
, and
S. saprophyticus
in which the
cfr
gene has not been described before, exhibited a wide variety of SmaI pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns. In 18 cases, the
cfr
gene was located on plasmids. Four different types of
cfr
-carrying plasmids—pSS-01 (
n
= 2; 40 kb), pSS-02 (
n
= 3; 35.4 kb), pSS-03 (
n
= 10; 7.1 kb), and pBS-01 (
n
= 3; 16.4 kb)—were differentiated on the basis of their sizes, restriction patterns, and additional resistance genes. Sequence analysis revealed that in plasmid pSS-01, the
cfr
gene was flanked in the upstream part by a complete
aacA-aphD
-carrying Tn
4001
-like transposon and in the downstream part by a complete
fexA
-carrying transposon Tn
558
. In plasmid pSS-02, an insertion sequence IS
21-558
and the
cfr
gene were integrated into transposon Tn
558
and thereby truncated the
tnpA
and
tnpB
genes. The smallest
cfr
-carrying plasmid pSS-03 carried the macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B resistance gene
erm
(C). Plasmid pBS-01, previously described in
Bacillus
spp., harbored a Tn
917
-like transposon, including the macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B resistance gene
erm
(B) in the
cfr
downstream region. Plasmids, which in part carry additional resistance genes, seem to play an important role in the dissemination of the gene
cfr
among porcine staphylococci.
Chronic kidney disease: a large-scale population-based study of the effects of introducing theCKD-EPIformula for eGFR reporting
Authors: O'Callaghan Christopher A , Shine Brian , Lasserson Daniel S 
Published: December 2011

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of introducing theChronic Kidney Disease-Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI)formula for estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) reporting in the adult population in routine clinical practice with clinician-directed testing.DesignRetrospective study of all creatinine measurements and calculation of eGFRs using Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) andCKD-EPIformulae.SettingGeneral population, Oxfordshire, UK.ParticipantsAn unselected population of around 660 000.InterventionsReporting of eGFRs using MDRD orCKD-EPIformulae.Primary and secondary outcome measuresEvaluation of the effects of theCKD-EPIformula on the prevalence of different stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD).ResultsTheCKD-EPIformula reduced the prevalence of CKD (stages 2–5) by 16.4% in patients tested in primary care. At the important stage 2–stage 3 cut-off, there was a relative reduction of 7.5% in the prevalence of CKD stages 3–5 from 15.7% to 14.5%. TheCKD-EPIformula reduced the prevalence of CKD stages 3–5 in those aged <70 but increased it at ages >70. Above 70 years, the prevalence of stages 3–5 was similar with both equations for women (around 41.2%) but rose in men from 33.3% to 35.5%. CKD stages 4–5 rose by 15% due exclusively to increases in the over 70s, which could increase specialist referral rates. The CKD classification of 18.3% of all individuals who had a creatinine measurement was altered by a change from the MDRD to theCKD-EPIformula. In the UK population, the classification of up to 3 million patients could be altered, the prevalence of CKD could be reduced by up to 1.9 million and the prevalence of CKD stages 3–5 could fall by around 200 000.ConclusionsIntroduction of theCKD-EPIformula for eGFR reporting will reduce the prevalence of CKD in a primary care setting with current testing practice but will raise the prevalence in the over 70s age group. This has implications for clinical practice, healthcare policy and current prevalence-based funding arrangements.
Factors associated with depressive state in patients with myasthenia gravis: a multicentre cross-sectional study
Authors: Suzuki Yasushi , Utsugisawa Kimiaki , Suzuki Shigeaki , Nagane Yuriko , Masuda Masayuki , Kabasawa Chiaki , Shimizu Yuko , Utsumi Hiroya , Uchiyama Shinichiro , Fujihara Kazuo , Suzuki Norihiro 
Published: December 2011

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to examine clinical factors associated with depressive state in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG).DesignCross-sectional study.Setting and participantsWe evaluated 287 consecutive cases of MG seen at six neurological centres located in Eastern Japan.Outcome measuresAll MG patients completed the Japanese version of the Beck Depression Inventory–Second Edition (BDI-II). Disease severity was determined according to the MG Foundation of America (MGFA) quantitative MG score, MG activities of daily living scale and MG composite scale (MG composite). Clinical state following treatment was categorised according to MGFA postintervention status. Associations between detailed clinical parameters of MG and BDI-II score were then examined statistically.ResultsMean BDI-II score for patients with MG (11.0±8.1) did not differ substantially from and overlapped with that reported as the Japanese standard (8.7±6.4). The mean +2 SDs for the Japanese standard is 21.5, approximately equal to the cut-off level indicative of moderate or worse depression (>20 points) in the original English version. We thus defined BDI-II >21.5 as depressive state, with a frequency of 13.6% in patients with MG. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed current dose of oral prednisolone (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.17; p=0.01), unchanged MGFA postintervention status (OR 3.55, 95% CI 1.18 to 10.71; p=0.02), time since onset (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.87 to 0.99; p=0.03) and MG composite (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.34; p=0.046) as factors independently associated with depressive state in MG.ConclusionsDose of oral corticosteroids appears to represent the major factor associated with depressive state in MG. Unchanged status despite treatment and early disease stage are also significant background factors for depressive state, along with disease severity.
Republished research: Helminths: an unrecognised disease burden prevalent among migrants in the gastroenterology clinic
Authors: Smith P J , Theis B , McCartney S , Brown M 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Objective
To estimate the prevalence of, and implement a diagnostic strategy for, imported helminth infection in the gastroenterology clinic.

Design
A retrospective study of eosinophil count and probable tropical exposure (phase I) followed by a prospective study of parasitological investigation (phase II).

Setting
Gastroenterology service of an inner London hospital.

Patients
Adult patients newly attending general gastroenterology and inflammatory bowel disease clinics.

Interventions
In phase I, evidence of undiagnosed helminth infection was sought by analysing patient records for associations between eosinophil count and ethnicity. In phase II, a UK guideline for investigation of eosinophilia in migrants was implemented and diagnostic yield determined.

Main outcome measures
In phase I, prevalence of eosinophilia was determined; in phase II, helminth prevalence and degree of eosinophilia before and after treatment were reported. Information on symptomatic response to treatment was recorded. Ethnicity was used as a proxy measure for tropical exposure.

Results
426 new patients attended in a 12 month period. Eosinophilia was present in 27 (6.3%). 10/27 (37.0%) patients with eosinophilia were of African or Asian ethnicity whereas only 20% (85/426) of patients overall were from these ethnic groups (χ2=5.27, p=0.02). Following implementation of the protocol, 25/36 migrants with eosinophilia attended for parasitological investigations. Helminth infection was diagnosed in 10/25 (40%). Strongyloidiasis (six patients) and schistosomiasis (three patients) were the most common diagnoses. Median eosinophil count was 1.06×109/l in those with helminths and 0.58×109/l in those without (p=0.004). Eosinophil counts normalised in, and symptomatic improvement was reported by, most patients after treatment.

Conclusions
Eosinophilia is associated with African or Asian ethnicity in an inner city gastroenterology service. This association is probably explained by imported helminths, which are prevalent in this setting, may be a cause of gastrointestinal symptoms and is easily diagnosed and treated by standard protocols.
A new theoretical method to evaluate the internal stability of granular soils
Authors: Moraci Nicola , Mandaglio Maria Clorinda , Ielo Domenico 
Published: December 2011

The geotextile filter design is particularly complex when granular base soils are internally unstable. In these conditions, the design criteria available in literature are not always reliable. This paper deals with a new theoretical method developed to evaluate the internal stability of granular soils. To simulate, theoretically, the filtration process inside these soils, a set of spherical particles and different soil relative densities have been considered. The soil has been represented by means of a sequence of parallel layers, containing constrictions and particles, placed upon each other at a distance, in the direction of hydraulic flow, which is a function of the soil relative density. The movement of the fine particles through the different soil layers has been simulated by means of a mechanism that compares each particle contained in the i layer with the constrictions contained in the next i + 1 layer. The results of the numerical simulations were used to evaluate the internal stability of the analyzed granular soil and the corresponding critical diameter of suffusion, Dc. Finally, the reliability of the proposed theoretical method was evaluated by means of the results of experimental long-term filtration tests performed using a rigid-wall permeameter on different unstable granular soils.
LIMITS OF INFRARED IMAGING
Authors: TENNANT W. E. 
Published: December 2011

The background photon shot noise, induced by the signal itself and all other in-band surroundings, provides the fundamental infrared imaging sensitivity limit (background limited performance or BLIP). Optical diffraction constrains resolution angle to values greater than the ratio of the detection wavelength to the optics diameter. Imaging technology tries to attain BLIP at spatial frequencies approaching the diffraction limit while minimizing system size, weight, power, and life-cycle cost. To minimize costs, detector array technology must raise the detector operating temperature while keeping dark currents and other noise mechanisms below background shot noise. This requires reducing material and process defects. Recently HgCdTe has seen the MWIR-LWIR device dark currents to be limited only by fundamental mechanisms over a wide range of temperatures and wavelengths. Novel materials systems (e.g. Type-II superlattices) in theory have even lower fundamental limits than HgCdTe , but as yet lag in demonstrated performance. At least for now HgCdTe provides a convenient well-characterized benchmark and gives insight into further improvement possibilities Infrared imaging technology must also exploit advanced processing and packaging techniques to reduce detector pitch to a few wavelengths of detected light. Mid- and long-wave infrared imaging arrays with ~15μm detector dimensions are now approaching this goal.
Regulation of Monocarboxylate Transporter MCT1 Expression by p53 Mediates Inward and Outward Lactate Fluxes in Tumors
Authors: Boidot Romain , Végran Frédérique , Meulle Aline , Le Breton Aude , Dessy Chantal , Sonveaux Pierre , Lizard-Nacol Sarab , Feron Olivier 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
The monocarboxylate transporter (MCT) family member MCT1 can transport lactate into and out of tumor cells. Whereas most oxidative cancer cells import lactate through MCT1 to fuel mitochondrial respiration, the role of MCT1 in glycolysis-derived lactate efflux remains less clear. In this study, we identified a direct link between p53 function and MCT1 expression. Under hypoxic conditions, p53 loss promoted MCT1 expression and lactate export produced by elevated glycolytic flux, both in vitro and in vivo. p53 interacted directly with the MCT1 gene promoter and altered MCT1 mRNA stabilization. In hypoxic p53−/− tumor cells, NF-κB further supported expression of MCT1 to elevate its levels. Following glucose deprivation, upregulated MCT1 in p53−/− cells promoted lactate import and favored cell proliferation by fuelling mitochondrial respiration. We also found that MCT1 expression was increased in human breast tumors harboring p53 mutations and coincident features of hypoxia, with higher MCT1 levels associated with poorer clinical outcomes. Together, our findings identify MCT1 as a target for p53 repression and they suggest that MCT1 elevation in p53-deficient tumors allows them to adapt to metabolic needs by facilitating lactate export or import depending on the glucose availability. Cancer Res; 72(4); 939–48. ©2011 AACR.
Impact of Blood Pressure and Blood Pressure Change During Middle Age on the Remaining Lifetime Risk for Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Allen Norrina , Berry Jarett D. , Ning Hongyan , Van Horn Linda , Dyer Alan , Lloyd-Jones Donald M. 
Published: December 2011

Background—
Prior estimates of lifetime risk (LTR) for cardiovascular disease (CVD) examined the impact of blood pressure (BP) at the index age and did not account for changes in BP over time. We examined how changes in BP during middle age affect LTR for CVD, coronary heart disease, and stroke.

Methods and Results—
Data from 7 diverse US cohort studies were pooled. Remaining LTRs for CVD, coronary heart disease, and stroke were estimated for white and black men and women with death free of CVD as a competing event. LTRs for CVD by BP strata and by changes in BP over an average of 14 years were estimated. Starting at 55 years of age, we followed up 61 585 men and women for 700 000 person-years. LTR for CVD was 52.5% (95% confidence interval, 51.3–53.7) for men and 39.9% (95% confidence interval, 38.7–41.0) for women. LTR for CVD was higher for blacks and increased with increasing BP at index age. Individuals who maintained or decreased their BP to normal levels had the lowest remaining LTR for CVD, 22% to 41%, compared with individuals who had or developed hypertension by 55 years of age, 42% to 69%, suggesting a dose-response effect for the length of time at high BP levels.

Conclusions—
Individuals who experience increases or decreases in BP in middle age have associated higher and lower remaining LTR for CVD. Prevention efforts should continue to emphasize the importance of lowering BP and avoiding or delaying the incidence of hypertension to reduce the LTR for CVD.
Stress Sensitizes the Brain: Increased Processing of Unpleasant Pictures after Exposure to Acute Stress
Authors: Weymar Mathias , Schwabe Lars , Löw Andreas , Hamm Alfons O. 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
A key component of acute stress is a surge in vigilance that enables a prioritized processing of highly salient information to promote the organism's survival. In this study, we investigated the neural effects of acute stress on emotional picture processing. ERPs were measured during a deep encoding task, in which 40 male participants categorized 50 unpleasant and 50 neutral pictures according to arousal and valence. Before picture encoding, participants were subjected either to the Socially Evaluated Cold Pressor Test (SECPT) or to a warm water control procedure. The exposure to the SECPT resulted in increased subjective and autonomic (heart rate and blood pressure) stress responses relative to the control condition. Viewing of unpleasant relative to neutral pictures evoked enhanced late positive potentials (LPPs) over centro-parietal scalp sites around 400 msec after picture onset. Prior exposure to acute stress selectively increased the LPPs for unpleasant pictures. Moreover, the LPP magnitude for unpleasant pictures following the SECPT was positively associated with incidental free recall performance 24 hr later. The present results suggest that acute stress sensitizes the brain for increased processing of cues in the environment, particularly priming the processing of unpleasant cues. This increased processing is related to later long-term memory performance.
Exercising Citizenship
Authors: van Teeffelen Jasper , Baud Isa 
Published: December 2011

Different groups of citizens exercise their citizenship through various channels in Indian cities to realize their social rights. In classic urban management systems dominated by government, citizens’ rights are allocated by governments. New forms of network governance see governments as enabling actors for private sector provision, relegating citizen rights to ‘consumer rights’. New e-based grievance redressal systems in many Indian cities are part of this new perspective, designed to make government–citizen relations more transparent and effective. This article is based on a case study of a north Karnataka city, where e-based grievance systems have been introduced. This article describes how various social groups (low income and middle class) exercise their citizenship differentially, making use respectively of political and e-based grievance redressal systems. We argue that government entitlements are of limited value for low-income groups when governments do not deliver, forcing these groups to utilize ‘political society’ channels and strategically negotiate with government for realizing rights. In contrast, middle-class citizens who are provided basic services, utilize alternative forms of mobile-based grievance systems to obtain better quality of serivices. Internet-based systems are not yet used by anyone. The implications are that new forms of grievance redressal systems result in an e-based divide between those who utilize newer forms of grievance redressal for quality improvements in service provision and adverse incorporation of those who still work through ‘negotiated spaces’ to realize a basic level of service provision. Such systems currently do not provide more effective channels for low-income groups to exercise their citizenship, nor reduce differences in governmental accountability towards various social groups.
Advanced magnetic resonance imaging of neuromyelitis optica: a multiparametric approach
Authors: Pichiecchio A , Tavazzi E , Poloni G , Ponzio M , Palesi F , Pasin M , Piccolo L , Tosello D , Romani A , Bergamaschi R , Piccolo G , Bastianello S 
Published: December 2011

Background: Several authors have used advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques to investigate whether patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO) have occult damage in normal-appearing brain tissue, similarly to multiple sclerosis (MS). To date, the literature contains no data derived from the combined use of several advanced MRI techniques in the same NMO subjects. Objective: We set out to determine whether occult damage could be detected in the normal-appearing brain tissue of a small group of patients with NMO using a multiparametric MRI approach. Methods: Eight female patients affected by NMO (age range 44–58 years) and seven sex- and age-matched healthy controls were included. The techniques used on a 1.5 T MRI imaging scanner were magnetization transfer imaging, diffusion tensor imaging, tract-based spatial statistics, spectroscopy and voxel-based morphometry in order to analyse normal-appearing white matter and normal-appearing grey matter. Results: Structural and metabolic parameters showed no abnormalities in normal-appearing white matter of patients with NMO. Conversely, tract-based spatial statistics demonstrated a selective alteration of the optic pathways and the lateral geniculate nuclei. Diffusion tensor imaging values in the normal-appearing grey matter were found to be significantly different in the patients with NMO versus the healthy controls. Moreover, voxel-based morphometry analysis demonstrated a significant density and volume reduction of the sensorimotor cortex and the visual cortex. Conclusions: Our data disclosed occult structural damage in the brain of patients with NMO, predominantly involving regions connected with motor and visual systems. This damage seems to be the direct consequence of transsynaptic degeneration triggered by lesions of the optic nerve and spine.