bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Consumer responses to new food quality information: are some consumers more sensitive than others?
Authors: Gao Zhifeng , Schroeder Ted C. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractMissing information prevails in consumer purchase decisions and studies on consumer preferences. Previous research ignores the relationship between consumer types and their responses to new quality attribute information. In this article, consumer responses to new attribute information are compared across consumer groups. Results show that single households with low income are more responsive to new information than married households with high income. Both groups respond to new information more intensively when a cue attribute, Certified U.S. Product, is presented to consumers.
Age‐related changes in BAER at different click rates from neonates to adults
Authors: Jiang Ze Dong , Wu Yun Ya , Wilkinson Andrew R 
Published: April 2009

AbstractAim:  To characterize age‐related changes in brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) at different click rates from neonates to adults.Methods:  BAER was studied at repetition rates 11–91/sec of clicks in 165 normal neonates and children of various ages and 29 young adults.Results:  BAER wave latencies and inter‐peak intervals increased linearly with increasing click rate at all ages. The younger was the age, the greater were BAER click rate‐dependent changes. At 9 months and younger, the slopes of latency‐ and interval‐rate functions were all significantly greater than in the adults (all p < 0.01). The slopes of wave I latency‐ and I–III interval‐rate functions at 1–2 years and older were similar to those in adults. The slopes of wave III and V latency‐rate functions and I–V and III–V interval‐rate function at 3–4 years and older did not differ significantly from those in adults.Conclusion:  BAER is affected by stimulus rate more in younger children than in the older. Adult‐like rate‐dependent changes are reached at 1–2 years for wave I latency and I–III interval, and 3–4 years for wave III and V latencies and I–V and III–V intervals. Our BAER data at different click rates provide normal references for subjects of various ages.
Reviewing deaths in the emergency department: Deaths in the department or deaths within 48 h
Authors: Clunas Sally , Whitaker Richard , Ritchie Nicole , Upton Jeanette , Isbister Geoffrey K 
Published: April 2009

AbstractObjectives:  To investigate an ED death audit process that included deaths occurring within 48 h of admission in addition to deaths in the ED.Methods:  The study was a review of a prospective audit process undertaken in routine clinical practice that included auditing deaths in the ED and deaths of admitted patients within 48 h of ED presentation. Data were extracted from the audit database and included demography, clinical information and medical recommendations. The hospital incident investigation and monitoring system (IIMS) was searched for major incident reports involving death. The main outcome was the number of medical record audits from each group reported to the clinical governance unit for review, and whether the 48 h audit identified relevant cases to the ED in addition to those identified in the ED audit alone. Secondary outcomes were the number of audits resulting in other actions: ED policy review, education, case discussion or review with the inpatient team.Results:  Over a 2 year period, 303 deaths were reviewed, including 75 deaths in the ED and 228 deaths within 48 h. The ED auditor recommended no further action in 66/75 (88%) ED deaths and 195/228 (86%) 48 h deaths. A major hospital review was recommended in 4/75 (5%) ED deaths and 11/228 (5%) 48 h deaths, with only 3 and 7 of these, respectively, having been detected by the hospital's IIMS. The audit identified 10 of 13 deaths notified to the IIMS and the remaining 3 did not involve error relevant to the ED. Internal review was recommended in one ED death and eight 48 h deaths.Conclusions:  The present study demonstrates that auditing both ED deaths and 48 h deaths identifies additional issues relevant to the ED compared with auditing ED deaths alone or relying on standard hospital incident reporting.
Use of invasive mechanical ventilation in Australian emergency departments
Authors: Rose Louise , Gerdtz Marie F 
Published: April 2009

AbstractObjective: There are few published reports describing the use of invasive mechanical ventilation in EDs. We explored the characteristics of patients receiving mechanical ventilation, the ventilator modes and parameters used as well as the duration of ventilation and the nature of ventilator decision‐making in Australian ED.Methods: We conducted a 2 month prospective survey of adult patients who received invasive mechanical ventilation in 24 Australian ED. Data forms were completed by ED staff during the patient's ED presentation. We documented ventilator settings post intubation, after a 1 h stabilization period, and immediately before ED discharge or extubation. The person responsible for selection of ventilator settings was noted at each time point.Results: Data were recorded on 307 patients. Altered mental status (179/307 [58%, 95% CI 53–64]) was the most common indication for mechanical ventilation. Volume‐controlled modes were most frequently used at all measured time points; with a median tidal volume of 8 mL/kg. Responsibility for initial selection of ventilator settings was shared between ED physicians (157/307 [51%, 95% CI 46–57]), ED nurses (111/307 [36%, 95% CI 31–42]) and ICU or paramedic staff (9/307 [3%, 95% CI 1–5]) (not recorded 30/307 [10%, 95% CI 6–13]). Ongoing responsibility for titration of ventilation was more commonly that of the ED nurse.Conclusion: The application of mechanical ventilation was similar to descriptions reported in the critical care literature both in Australia and internationally. Decision‐making responsibilities were shared by ED medical and nursing staff.
Genetic differentiation analysis of African cassava (Manihot esculenta) landraces and elite germplasm using amplified fragment length polymorphism and simple sequence repeat markers
Authors: Raji A.A.J. , Fawole I. , Gedil M. , Dixon A.G.O. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractMolecular‐marker‐aided evaluation of germplasm plays an important role in defining the genetic diversity of plant genotypes for genetic and population improvement studies. A collection of African cassava landraces and elite cultivars was analysed for genetic diversity using 20 amplified fragment length polymorphic (AFLP) DNA primer combinations and 50 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Within‐population diversity estimates obtained with both markers were correlated, showing little variation in their fixation index. The amount of within‐population variation was higher for landraces as illustrated by both markers, allowing discrimination among accessions along their geographical origins, with some overlap indicating the pattern of germplasm movement between countries. Elite cultivars were grouped in most cases in agreement with their pedigree and showed a narrow genetic variation. Both SSR and AFLP markers showed some similarity in results for the landraces, although SSR provided better genetic differentiation estimates. Genetic differentiation (Fst) in the landrace population was 0.746 for SSR and 0.656 for AFLP. The molecular variance among cultivars in both populations accounted for up to 83% of the overall variation, while 17% was found within populations. Gene diversity (He) estimated within each population varied with an average value of 0.607 for the landraces and 0.594 for the elite lines. Analyses of SSR data using ordination techniques identified additional cluster groups not detected by AFLP and also captured maximum variation within and between both populations. Our results indicate the importance of SSR and AFLP as efficient markers for the analysis of genetic diversity and population structure in cassava. Genetic differentiation analysis of the evaluated populations provides high prospects for identifying diverse parental combinations for the development of segregating populations for genetic studies and the introgression of desirable genes from diverse sources into the existing genetic base.
Material Worlds: Natural Resources, Resource Geography and the Material Economy
Authors: Bridge Gavin 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThis article lays out a set of arguments about natural resources, the material economy, and resource geography. It explains the productive position resources occupy in the organization of knowledge and establishes ‘natural resources’ as a potent social category for designating parts of the non‐human world to which value is attached. The article then elaborates two claims: (1) that we live in a material world in which ‘the economy’ is fundamentally – although not exclusively – a process of material transformation through which natural resources are converted into a vast array of commodities and by‐product wastes; and (2) that the material economy of resource production, transformation and consumption is one of contradiction and paradox. The bulk of the article outlines seven specific resource paradoxes: scale/quality, complexity/risk, scarcity/abundance, value/intensity, diversity/dependence, wealth/poverty, intimacy/ignorance – and explains what they reveal about the geographical and historical dynamics of resource production and consumption.
More than Food and Folk Music? Geographical Perspectives on European Town Twinning
Authors: Grosspietsch Julia 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThis article considers the widespread phenomenon of town twinning, placing contemporary practices of twinning in the context of a long history of attempts to promote municipal cooperation across international borders. This paper argues that such twinnings can be conceptualised as forms of economic and project‐based cooperation – albeit one underpinned by a range of symbolic exchanges. Locating twinning within debates on the internationalisation and relationality of cities, this paper thus sketches an agenda for research in which twinning is considered a mutable practice of city governance.
Effect of Infrared Heating on the Formation of Sesamol and Quality of Defatted Flours from Sesamum indicum L.
Authors: Kumar C. Mahendra , Appu Rao A.G. , Singh Sridevi Annapurna 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACT:  Infrared (IR) heating offers several advantages over conventional heating in terms of heat transfer efficiency, compactness of equipment, and quality of the products. Roasting of sesame seeds degrades the lignan sesamolin to sesamol, which increases the oxidative stability of sesame oil synergistically with tocopherols. IR (near infrared, 1.1 to 1.3 μm, 6 kW power) roasting conditions were optimized for the conversion of sesamolin to sesamol. The resultant oil was evaluated for sesamol and tocopherol content as well as oxidative stability. The defatted flours were evaluated for their nutritional content and functionality. IR roasting of sesame seeds at 200 °C for 30 min increased the efficiency of conversion of sesamolin to sesamol (51% to 82%) compared to conventional heating. The γ‐tocopherol content decreased by 17% and 25% in oils treated at 200 and 220 °C for 30 min, respectively. There were no significant differences in the tocopherol content and oxidative stability of the oil. Methionine and cysteine content of the flours remained unchanged due to roasting. The functional properties of defatted flours obtained from either IR roasted or conventionally roasted sesame seeds remained the same.Practical Applications: Sesame oil is stable to oxidation compared to other vegetable oils. This stability can be attributed to the presence of tocopherols and the formation of sesamol, the thermal degradation product of sesamolin—a lignan present in sesame. Roasting of sesame seeds before oil extraction increases sesamol content which is a more potent antioxidant than the parent molecule. The conversion efficiency of sesamolin to sesamol is increased by 31% by infrared roasting of seeds compared to electric drum roasting. This can be used industrially to obtain roasted oil with greater oxidative stability.
Three independent signalling pathways repress motility in Pseudomonas fluorescens F113
Authors: Navazo Ana , Barahona Emma , Redondo‐Nieto Miguel , Martínez‐Granero Francisco , Rivilla Rafael , Martín Marta 
Published: April 2009

SummaryMotility is one of the most important traits for rhizosphere colonization by pseudomonads. Despite this importance, motility is severely repressed in the rhizosphere‐colonizing strain Pseudomonas fluorescens F113. This bacterium is unable to swarm under laboratory conditions and produce relatively small swimming haloes. However, phenotypic variants with the ability to swarm and producing swimming haloes up to 300% larger than the wild‐type strain, arise during rhizosphere colonization. These variants harbour mutations in the genes encoding the GacA/GacS two‐component system and in other genes. In order to identify genes and pathways implicated in motility repression, we have used generalized mutagenesis with transposons. Analysis of the mutants has shown that besides the Gac system, the Wsp system and the sadB gene, which have been previously implicated in cyclic di‐GMP turnover, are implicated in motility repression: mutants in the gacS, sadB or wspR genes can swarm and produce swimming haloes larger than the wild‐type strain. Epistasis analysis has shown that the pathways defined by each of these genes are independent, because double and triple mutants show an additive phenotype. Furthermore, GacS, SadB and WspR act at different levels. Expression of the fleQ gene, encoding the master regulator of flagella synthesis is higher in the gacS‐ and sadB‐ backgrounds than in the wild‐type strain and this differential expression is reflected by a higher secretion of the flagellin protein FliC. Conversely, no differences in fleQ expression or FliC secretion were observed between the wild‐type strain and the wspR‐ mutant.
The Beijing Eye Study
Authors: Jonas Jost B. , Xu Liang , Wang Ya Xing 
Published: April 2009

Abstract.Purpose:  This review presents and summarizes the findings of the Beijing Eye Study.Methods:  The Beijing Eye Study is a population‐based study which included 4439 of 5324 subjects (aged ≥ 40 years) who were initially examined in 2001. The study was repeated in 2006, when 3251 (73.2% of 4439, or 61.1% of 5324) of the original subjects participated. Participants underwent a series of examinations including: refractometry; pneumotonometry; biomicroscopy assisted by slit‐lamp; optical coherence tomography of the anterior segment; photography of the cornea, lens, optic disc, macula and fundus; blood sampling for laboratory tests; blood pressure measurements, and determinations of anthropomorphic parameters. They were also asked to complete a questionnaire which included questions on socioeconomic parameters, and awareness and treatment of ocular and general diseases.Results:  We present normative data for refractive error, anterior segment measurements, intraocular pressure and optic disc structures and their associations, frequency and causes of visual impairment, blindness and visual field defects, prevalences of trachoma, pterygia, open‐angle glaucoma and angle‐closure glaucoma, cortical, nuclear and posterior subcapsular cataract, age‐related macular degeneration, retinal vein occlusions, diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy, myelinated nerve fibres, and retinitis pigmentosa, and associated and risk factors.Discussion:  These data may be helpful for dealing with public health issues in China and for assessing associated and risk factors of ocular and general diseases in general.
Pharmacodynamics of Levofloxacin in a Murine Pneumonia Model of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Infection: Determination of Epithelial Lining Fluid Targets
Authors: Louie Arnold , Fregeau Christine , Liu Weiguo , Kulawy Robert , Drusano G. L. 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACT

The dose choice for
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
remains a matter of debate. The actual exposure targets required for multilog killing of organisms at the primary infection site have not been delineated. We studied
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
PAO1 using a murine model of pneumonia. We employed a large mathematical model to fit all the concentration-time data in plasma and epithelial lining fluid (ELF) as well as colony counts in lung simultaneously for all drug doses. Penetration into ELF was calculated to be approximately 77.7%, as indexed to the ratio of the area under the concentration-time curve for ELF (AUC
ELF
) to the AUC
plasma
. We determined the ELF concentration-time profile required to drive a stasis response as well as 1-, 2-, or 3-log
10
(CFU/g) kill. AUC/MIC ratios of 12.4, 31.2, 62.8, and 127.6 were required to drive these bacterial responses. Emergence of resistance was seen only at the two lowest doses (three of five animals at 50 mg/kg [body weight] and one of five animals at 100 mg/kg). The low exposure targets were likely driven by a low mutational frequency to resistance. Bridging to humans was performed using Monte Carlo simulation. With a 750-mg levofloxacin dose, target attainment rates fell below 90% at 4 mg/liter, 1 mg/liter, and 0.5 mg/liter for 1-, 2-, and 3-log kills, respectively. Given the low exposure targets seen with this strain, we conclude that levofloxacin at a 750-mg dose is not adequate for serious
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
pneumonia as a single agent. More isolates need to be studied to make these observations more robust.
In Vitro Activity of Doripenem against
Burkholderia pseudomallei
Authors: Thamlikitkul Visanu , Trakulsomboon Suwanna 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACT

The MIC
50
and MIC
90
values of doripenem, determined by Etest, for 110 isolates of
Burkholderia pseudomallei
were 0.5 and 0.75 μg/ml, respectively. There were significant correlations between MICs determined by Etest and MICs determined by agar dilution, MICs determined by Etest and inhibition zone size, and MICs determined by agar dilution and inhibition zone size.
Molecular Analysis of the
gyrA
and
gyrB
Quinolone Resistance-Determining Regions of Fluoroquinolone-Resistant
Clostridium difficile
Mutants Selected In Vitro
Authors: Spigaglia Patrizia , Barbanti Fabrizio , Louie Thomas , Barbut Frédéric , Mastrantonio Paola 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACT

Recent studies have suggested that exposure to fluoroquinolones represents a risk factor for the development of
Clostridium difficile
infections and that the acquisition of resistance to the newer fluoroquinolones is the major reason facilitating wide dissemination. In particular, moxifloxacin (MX) and levofloxacin (LE) have been recently associated with outbreaks caused by the
C. difficile
toxinotype III/PCR ribotype 027/pulsed-field gel electrophoresis type NAP1 strain. In this study, we evaluated the potential of MX and LE in the in vitro development of fluoroquinolone resistance mediated by GyrA and GyrB alterations. Resistant mutants were obtained from five
C. difficile
parent strains, susceptible to MX, LE, and gatifloxacin (GA) and belonging to different toxinotypes, by selection in the presence of increasing concentrations of MX and LE. Stable mutants showing substitutions in GyrA and/or GyrB were obtained from the parent strains after selection by both antibiotics. Mutants had MICs ranging from 8 to 128 μg/ml for MX, from 8 to 256 μg/ml for LE, and from 1.5 to ≥32 μg/ml for GA. The frequency of mutation ranged from 3.8 × 10
−6
to 6.6 × 10
−5
for MX and from 1.0 × 10
−6
to 2.4 × 10
−5
for LE. In total, six different substitutions in GyrA and five in GyrB were observed in this study. The majority of these substitutions has already been described for clinical isolates or has occurred at positions known to be involved in fluoroquinolone resistance. In particular, the substitution Thr82 to Ile in GyrA, the most common found in resistant
C. difficile
clinical isolates, was observed after selection with LE, whereas the substitution Asp426 to Val in GyrB, recently described in toxin A-negative/toxin B-positive epidemic strains, was observed after selection with MX. Interestingly, a reduced susceptibility to fluoroquinolones was observed in colonies isolated after the first and second steps of selection by both MX and LE, with no substitution in GyrA or GyrB. The results suggest a relevant role of fluoroquinolones in the emergence and selection of fluoroquinolone-resistant
C. difficile
strains also in vivo.
Computer-Aided Identification of Recognized Drugs as
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Quorum-Sensing Inhibitors
Authors: Yang Liang , Rybtke Morten Theil , Jakobsen Tim Holm , Hentzer Morten , Bjarnsholt Thomas , Givskov Michael , Tolker-Nielsen Tim 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACT

Attenuation of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
virulence by the use of small-molecule quorum-sensing inhibitors (referred to as the antipathogenic drug principle) is likely to play a role in future treatment strategies for chronic infections. In this study, structure-based virtual screening was used in a search for putative quorum-sensing inhibitors from a database comprising approved drugs and natural compounds. The database was built from compounds which showed structural similarities to previously reported quorum-sensing inhibitors, the ligand of the
P. aeruginosa
quorum-sensing receptor LasR, and a quorum-sensing receptor agonist. Six top-ranking compounds, all recognized drugs, were identified and tested for quorum-sensing-inhibitory activity. Three compounds, salicylic acid, nifuroxazide, and chlorzoxazone, showed significant inhibition of quorum-sensing-regulated gene expression and related phenotypes in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that the identified compounds have the potential to be used as antipathogenic drugs. Furthermore, the results indicate that structure-based virtual screening is an efficient tool in the search for novel compounds to combat bacterial infections.
Soft-Tissue Penetration of Ceftobiprole in Healthy Volunteers Determined by In Vivo Microdialysis
Authors: Barbour April , Schmidt Stephan , Sabarinath Sreedharan Nair , Grant Maria , Seubert Christoph , Skee Donna , Murthy Bindu , Derendorf Hartmut 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACT

Ceftobiprole is a promising new broad-spectrum cephalosporin with activity against several multidrug-resistant gram-positive and gram-negative species, including methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
. In order to make efficacy predications against these resistant bacteria in soft-tissue infections, i.e., skin and skin structure infections, ceftobiprole's ability to reach the site of action should be explored. Therefore, a microdialysis study was conducted in 12 healthy volunteers to determine the penetration of ceftobiprole into skeletal muscle and subcutaneous (s.c.) adipose tissue after a single intravenous dose of 500 mg. Plasma and tissue interstitial space fluid (ISF) drug concentrations were measured for 24 h from the start of the 2-h intravenous infusion. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined using noncompartmental analysis. The penetration of ceftobiprole into the ISF of tissues was assessed by comparing the ratios between tissue and plasma of the free drug area under the concentration-time curve (
f
AUC). It was found that ceftobiprole distributes into the muscle (
f
AUC
muscle
/
f
AUC
plasma
of 0.69 ± 0.13) and s.c. adipose tissue (
f
AUC
s.c.adipose
/
f
AUC
plasma
of 0.49 ± 0.28). The concentrations in both skeletal muscle and s.c. adipose tissue met the efficacy breakpoint (percentage of the time that free drug concentrations remained above the MIC) for at least 40% of the 8-h dosing interval for organisms with a MIC of 2 mg/liter. Therefore, ceftobiprole qualifies as a potential agent with drug penetration capabilities to treat complicated skin and skin structure infections due to both gram-negative and gram-positive pathogens with MICs equal to or below 2 mg/liter.