bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors and Conditions That Have an Impact in Relation to the Successful Implementation and Maintenance of Individual Care Plans
Authors: Jansson Inger , Pilhamar Ewa , Forsberg Anna 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT Background: The gap between what is stated in legislation about written individualized nursing care plans (ICP) and how they are used in practice is still too wide. Aim: To explore attitudes and experiences among nurses and managers in order to capture which factors and conditions impact on the successful implementation of individual care plans within hospital care, as well as the strategies that were adopted to ensure continued use. Method: The study was carried out through directed content analysis guided by the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services framework. Interviews were conducted with 15 informants on different operational and decision levels at a hospital that is well known in Sweden for its work in the ICP area. Findings: Important factors for implementation on the wards were clear instructions from the hospital management at the start of implementation as well as clear roles and mandates for those involved. The work of internal facilitators was crucial for the continuation of the process. Clinical experience was important as the long‐term driving force. Implications: On the basis of the findings of this study, we argue that it is important for hospital managers to recruit leaders that focus on individual nursing care and can highlight needs and instigate change. It seems also important that the organization takes advantage of the potential of skilled facilitators.
ARSENIC CONTAMINATION IN RADISH TUBER INVESTIGATED BY MEANS OF MRI AND ICP OES
Authors: MARCONI SIMONA , BENI CLAUDIO , CIAMPA ALESSANDRA , DIANA GIAMPIETRO , NERI ULDERICO , AROMOLO RITA , SEQUI PAOLO , VALENTINI MASSIMILIANO 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT Arsenic (As) is a highly toxic element and its presence in food is a matter of concern for the well‐being of both animals and humans. Arsenic‐contaminated groundwater is used in agriculture to irrigate crops for food and animal consumption with a potential contamination of the food chain. The purpose of this study was the evaluation of arsenic effect on radish tuber (Raphanus sativus L.). Experimental plots with sandy and clay‐loamy soil were cultivated with radish and treated with three different concentrations of As water solution: 19, 44 and 104 µg/L. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to visualize the tuber structural changes, and the content of elements and the As amount were evaluated by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. The data obtained demonstrate that As contamination in radish tuber is underlined with the dual approach.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThe scope of this research is the evaluation of the effects on the toxicology and the morphology because of the arsenic (As) uptake by edible plants. The focus is on the contamination of the plant, which has implications for food safety and human health. The results obtained by magnetic resonance imaging and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy show that several changes of the internal structure occurred and that some parameters can be used as indicators of the As contamination in food.
Depolarization, Bacterial Membrane Composition, and the Antimicrobial Action of Ceragenins
Authors: Epand Raquel F. , Pollard Jake E. , Wright Jonathan O. , Savage Paul B. , Epand Richard M. 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT

Ceragenins are cholic acid-derived antimicrobial agents that mimic the activity of endogenous antimicrobial peptides. Ceragenins target bacterial membranes, yet the consequences of these interactions have not been fully elucidated. The role of the outer membrane in allowing access of the ceragenins to the cytoplasmic membrane of Gram-negative bacteria was studied using the ML-35p mutant strain of
Escherichia coli
that has been engineered to allow independent monitoring of small-molecule flux across the inner and outer membranes. The ceragenins CSA-8, CSA-13, and CSA-54 permeabilize the outer membrane of this bacterium, suggesting that the outer membrane does not play a major role in preventing the access of these agents to the cytoplasmic membrane. However, only the most potent of these ceragenins, CSA-13, was able to permeabilize the inner membrane. Interestingly, neither CSA-8 nor CSA-54 caused inner membrane permeabilization over a 30-min period, even at concentrations well above those required for bacterial toxicity. To further assess the role of membrane interactions, we measured membrane depolarization in Gram-positive bacteria with different membrane lipid compositions, as well as in Gram-negative bacteria. We found greatly increased membrane depolarization at the minimal bactericidal concentration of the ceragenins for bacterial species containing a high concentration of phosphatidylethanolamine or uncharged lipids in their cytoplasmic membranes. Although membrane lipid composition affected bactericidal efficiency, membrane depolarization was sufficient to cause lethality, providing that agents could access the cytoplasmic membrane. Consequently, we propose that in targeting bacterial cytoplasmic membranes, focus be placed on membrane depolarization as an indicator of potency.
Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Investigation of Colistin against
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Using an
In Vitro
Model
Authors: Bergen Phillip J. , Bulitta Jurgen B. , Forrest Alan , Tsuji Brian T. , Li Jian , Nation Roger L. 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT

Colistin plays a key role in treatment of serious infections by
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
. The aims of this study were to (i) identify the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) index (i.e., the area under the unbound concentration-time curve to MIC ratio [ƒAUC/MIC], the unbound maximal concentration to MIC ratio [ƒ
C
max
/MIC], or the cumulative percentage of a 24-h period that unbound concentrations exceed the MIC [ƒ
T
>MIC
]) that best predicts colistin efficacy and (ii) determine the values for the predictive PK/PD index required to achieve various magnitudes of killing effect. Studies were conducted in a one-compartment
in vitro
PK/PD model for 24 h using
P. aeruginosa
ATCC 27853, PAO1, and the multidrug-resistant mucoid clinical isolate 19056 muc. Six intermittent dosing intervals, with a range of ƒ
C
max
colistin concentrations, and two continuous infusion regimens were examined. PK/PD indices varied from 0.06 to 18 for targeted ƒ
C
max
/MIC, 0.36 to 312 for ƒAUC/MIC, and 0 to 100% for ƒ
T
>MIC
. A Hill-type model was fit to killing effect data, which were expressed as the log
10
ratio of the area under the CFU/ml curve for treated regimens versus control. With ƒ
C
max
values equal to or above the MIC, rapid killing was observed following the first dose; substantial regrowth occurred by 24 h with most regimens. The overall killing effect was best correlated with ƒAUC/MIC (
R
2
= 0.931) compared to ƒ
C
max
/MIC (
R
2
= 0.868) and ƒ
T
>MIC
(
R
2
= 0.785). The magnitudes of ƒAUC/MIC required for 1- and 2-log
10
reductions in the area under the CFU/ml curve relative to growth control were 22.6 and 30.4, 27.1 and 35.7, and 5.04 and 6.81 for ATCC 27853, PAO1, and 19056 muc, respectively. The PK/PD targets identified will assist in designing optimal dosing strategies for colistin.
Oral Treatment Options for Ambulatory Patients with Urinary Tract Infections Caused by Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase-Producing
Escherichia coli
Authors: Auer Simon , Wojna Alexandra , Hell Markus 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT

An increase in extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing
Escherichia coli
has been observed in outpatient settings. Consequently, 100 ESBL-positive
E. coli
isolates from ambulatory patients with clinically confirmed urinary tract infections were collected by a single laboratory between October 2004 and January 2008. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out using the oral antibiotics fosfomycin, pivmecillinam, and nitrofurantoin and the parenteral antibiotic ertapenem. Susceptibility rates indicate that fosfomycin (97%), nitrofurantoin (94%), and pivmecillinam (85%) could be considered important oral treatment options.
Synergy of Caspofungin with Human Polymorphonuclear Granulocytes for Killing
Candida albicans
Authors: Tullio Vivian , Mandras Narcisa , Scalas Daniela , Allizond Valeria , Banche Giuliana , Roana Janira , Greco Deborah , Castagno Franco , Cuffini Anna Maria , Carlone Nicola A. 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT

The influence of caspofungin on polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) phagocytosis and intracellular killing of
Candida albicans
was investigated. Caspofungin, at all of the concentrations tested (2, 3.2, and 8 μg/ml), significantly increased intracellular killing by PMNs through its direct action on both yeast cells and PMNs, indicating the potential ability of caspofungin to synergize with phagocytes for candidal killing. Caspofungin may therefore constitute an effective therapeutic option for the treatment of invasive fungal infections, including those refractory to conventional treatment with azole agents.
Immunization with theHaemophilus ducreyiHemoglobin Receptor HgbA with Adjuvant Monophosphoryl Lipid A Protects Swine from a Homologous but Not a Heterologous Challenge
Authors: Fusco William G. , Afonina Galyna , Nepluev Igor , Cholon Deborah M. , Choudhary Neelima , Routh Patricia A. , Almond Glenn W. , Orndorff Paul E. , Staats Herman , Hobbs Marcia M. , Leduc Isabelle , Elkins Christopher 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACTHaemophilus ducreyi, the etiological agent of chancroid, has a strict requirement for heme, which it acquires from its only natural host, humans. Previously, we showed that a vaccine preparation containing the native hemoglobin receptor HgbA purified fromH. ducreyiclass I strain 35000HP (nHgbAI) and administered with Freund's adjuvant provided complete protection against a homologous challenge. In the current study, we investigated whether nHgbAIdispensed with monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL), an adjuvant approved for use in humans, offered protection against a challenge withH. ducreyistrain 35000HP expressing either class I or class II HgbA (35000HPhgbAIand 35000HPhgbAII, respectively). Pigs immunized with the nHgbAI/MPL vaccine were protected against a challenge from homologousH. ducreyistrain 35000HPhgbAIbut not heterologous strain 35000HPhgbAII, as evidenced by the isolation of only strain 35000HPhgbAIIfrom nHgbAI-immunized pigs. Furthermore, histological analysis of the lesions showed striking differences between mock-immunized and nHgbAI-immunized animals challenged with strains 35000HPhgbAIbut not those challenged with strain 35000HPhgbAII. Mock-immunized pigs were not protected from a challenge by either strain. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) activity of the nHgbAI/MPL antiserum was lower than the activity of antiserum from animals immunized with the nHgbAI/Freund's vaccine; however, anti-nHgbAIfrom both studies bound whole cells of 35000HPhgbAIbetter than 35000HPhgbAIIand partially blocked hemoglobin binding to nHgbAI. In conclusion, despite eliciting lower antibody ELISA activity than the nHgbAI/Freund's, the nHgbAI/MPL vaccine provided protection against a challenge with homologous but not heterologousH. ducreyi, suggesting that a bivalent HgbA vaccine may be needed.
Transcellular Passage of
Neisseria meningitidis
across a Polarized Respiratory Epithelium
Authors: Sutherland Thomas C. , Quattroni Paola , Exley Rachel M. , Tang Christoph M. 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT

Neisseria meningitidis
is a major cause of sepsis and meningitis but is also a common commensal, present in the nasopharynx of between 8 and 20% of healthy individuals. During carriage, the bacterium is found on the surface of the nasopharyngeal epithelium and in deeper tissues, while to develop disease the meningococcus must spread across the respiratory epithelium and enter the systemic circulation. Therefore, investigating the pathways by which
N. meningitidis
crosses the epithelial barrier is relevant for understanding carriage and disease but has been hindered by the lack of appropriate models. Here, we have established a physiologically relevant model of the upper respiratory epithelial cell barrier to investigate the mechanisms responsible for traversal of
N. meningitidis.
Calu-3 human respiratory epithelial cells were grown on permeable cell culture membranes to form polarized monolayers of cells joined by tight junctions. We show that the meningococcus crosses the epithelial cell barrier by a transcellular route; traversal of the layer did not disrupt its integrity, and bacteria were detected within the cells of the monolayer. We demonstrate that successful traversal of the epithelial cell barrier by
N. meningitidis
requires expression of its type 4 pili (Tfp) and capsule and is dependent on the host cell microtubule network. The Calu-3 model should be suitable for dissecting the pathogenesis of infections caused by other respiratory pathogens, as well as the meningococcus.
Identification and Characterization of a New Ferric Enterobactin Receptor, CfrB, in
Campylobacter
Authors: Xu Fuzhou , Zeng Ximin , Haigh Richard D. , Ketley Julian M. , Lin Jun 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT

The ferric enterobactin (FeEnt) receptor CfrA is present in the majority of
Campylobacter jejuni
isolates and is responsible for high-affinity iron acquisition. Our recent work and that of others strongly suggested the existence of another FeEnt uptake system in
Campylobacter
. Here we have identified and characterized a new FeEnt receptor (designated CfrB) using both
in vitro
and
in vivo
systems. CfrB, a homolog of
C. jejuni
NCTC 11168 Cj0444, shares approximately 34% of amino acid identity with CfrA. Alignment of complete CfrB sequences showed that the CfrB is highly conserved in
Campylobacter
. Immunoblotting analysis using CfrB-specific antiserum demonstrated that CfrB was dramatically induced under iron-restricted conditions and was produced in the majority of
Campylobacter coli
(41 out of 45) and in some
C. jejuni
(8 out of 32) primary strains from various sources and from geographically diverse areas. All of the CfrB-producing
C. coli
strains also produced CfrA, which was rarely observed in the tested
C. jejuni
strains. Isogenic
cfrB
,
cfrA
, and
cfrA cfrB
double mutants were constructed in 43 diverse
Campylobacter
strains. Growth promotion assays using these mutants demonstrated that CfrB has a major role in FeEnt iron acquisition in
C. coli
. Chicken colonization experiments indicated that inactivation of the
cfrB
gene alone greatly reduced and even abolished
Campylobacter
colonization of the intestines. A growth assay using CfrB-specific antiserum strongly suggested that specific CfrB antibodies could block the function of CfrB and diminish FeEnt-mediated growth promotion under iron-restricted conditions. Together, this work reveals the complexity of FeEnt systems in the two closely related
Campylobacter
species and demonstrates the important role of the new FeEnt receptor CfrB in
Campylobacter
iron acquisition and
in vivo
colonization.
Relatedness of
Vibrio cholerae
O1/O139 Isolates from Patients and Their Household Contacts, Determined by Multilocus Variable-Number Tandem-Repeat Analysis
Authors: Kendall Emily A. , Chowdhury Fahima , Begum Yasmin , Khan Ashraful I. , Li Shan , Thierer James H. , Bailey Jason , Kreisel Kristen , Tacket Carol O. , LaRocque Regina C. , Harris Jason B. , Ryan Edward T. , Qadri Firdausi , Calderwood Stephen B. , Stine O. Colin 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT

The genetic relatedness of
Vibrio cholerae
O1/O139 isolates obtained from 100 patients and 146 of their household contacts in Dhaka, Bangladesh, between 2002 and 2005 was assessed by multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis. Isolate genotypes were analyzed at five loci containing tandem repeats. Across the population, as well as within households, isolates with identical genotypes were clustered in time. Isolates from individuals within the same household were more likely to have similar or identical genotypes than were isolates from different households, but even within a household, isolates from different individuals often had different genotypes. When household contacts were sampled regularly for 3 weeks after the illness of the household index patient, isolates with genotypes related to the index patient appeared in contacts, on average, ∼3 days after the index patient, while isolates with unrelated genotypes appeared in contacts ∼6 days after. Limited data revealed that multiple isolates from the same individual collected within days of each other or even from a single stool sample may have identical, similar, or unrelated genotypes as well. Our results demonstrate that genetically related
V. cholerae
strains cluster in local outbreaks but also suggest that multiple distinct strains of
V. cholerae
O1 may circulate simultaneously within a household.
The effect of real-time gait retraining on hip kinematics, pain and function in subjects with patellofemoral pain syndrome
Authors: Noehren B , Scholz J , Davis I 
Published: June 2010

BackgroundPatellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is the most common overuse injury in runners. Recent research suggests that hip mechanics play a role in the development of this syndrome. Currently, there are no treatments that directly address the atypical mechanics associated with this injury.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to determine whether gait retraining using real-time feedback improves hip mechanics and reduces pain in subjects with PFPS.MethodsTen runners with PFPS participated in this study. Real-time kinematic feedback of hip adduction (HADD) during stance was provided to the subjects as they ran on a treadmill. Subjects completed a total of eight training sessions. Feedback was gradually removed over the last four sessions. Variables of interest included peak HADD, hip internal rotation (HIR), contralateral pelvic drop, as well as pain on a verbal analogue scale and the lower-extremity function index. We also assessed HADD, HIR and contralateral pelvic drop during a single leg squat. Comparisons of variables of interest were made between the initial, final and 1-month follow-up visit.ResultsFollowing the gait retraining, there was a significant reduction in HADD and contralateral pelvic drop while running. Although not statistically significant, HIR decreased by 23% following gait retraining. The 18% reduction in HADD during a single leg squat was very close to significant. There were also significant improvements in pain and function. Subjects were able to maintain their improvements in running mechanics, pain and function at a 1-month follow-up. An unexpected benefit of the retraining was an 18% and 20% reduction in instantaneous and average vertical load rates, respectively.ConclusionsGait retraining in individuals with PFPS resulted in a significant improvement of hip mechanics that was associated with a reduction in pain and improvements in function. These results suggest that interventions for PFPS should focus on addressing the underlying mechanics associated with this injury. The reduction in vertical load rates may be protective for the knee and reduce the risk for other running-related injuries.
Descriptive profile of scapulothoracic position, strength and flexibility variables in adolescent elite tennis players
Authors: Cools Ann M , Johansson Fredrik R , Cambier Dirk C , Velde Annemie Vande , Palmans Tanneke , Witvrouw Erik E 
Published: June 2010

Study designDescriptive study, cross-sectional design.BackgroundTennis requires repetitive overhead movement patterns that can lead to upper extremity injury. The scapula plays a vital role in injury-free playing. Scapular dysfunction has been associated with shoulder injury in the overhead athlete.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to describe variables regarding scapular position, muscle strength and flexibility in young elite tennis players.MethodsThirty-five adolescent Swedish elite tennis players (19 boys, aged 13.6 (±1.4) years, 16 girls, aged 12.6 (±1.3) years), selected on the basis of their national ranking, underwent a clinical screening protocol consisting of: scapular upward rotation at several angles of arm elevation; isometric scapular muscle strength; and anthropometric measurement of pectoralis minor (PM) length.ResultsThe players showed significantly more scapular upward rotation on their dominant side (p<0.001). For both genders, upper trapezius (p=0.003) and serratus anterior (p=0.01) strength was significantly greater on the dominant side, whereas middle and lower trapezius strength showed no side differences. PM was shorter on the dominant side (p<0.001), and in the female players (p=0.006) compared with the boys.ConclusionThese results indicate some sports-related adaptations of young tennis players on their dominant side at the scapulothoracic level to exposure to their sport. These data may assist the clinician in the prevention and rehabilitation of sport-specific injuries in adolescent tennis players.
ADDITIVE BASES IN ABELIAN GROUPS
Authors: LEV VSEVOLOD F. , MUZYCHUK MIKHAIL E. , PINCHASI ROM 
Published: June 2010

Let G be a finite, non-trivial Abelian group of exponent m, and suppose that B1,…, Bk are generating subsets of G. We prove that if k > 2m ln log2 |G|, then the multiset union B1 ∪ Bk forms an additive basis of G; that is, for every g ∈ G, there exist A1 ⊆ B1,…, Ak ⊆ Bk such that [Formula: see text]. This generalizes a result of Alon, Linial and Meshulam on the additive bases conjecture. As another step towards proving the conjecture, in the case where B1,…, Bk are finite subsets of a vector space, we obtain lower-bound estimates for the number of distinct values, attained by the sums of the form [Formula: see text], where Ai vary over all subsets of Bi for each i = 1,…, k. Finally, we establish a surprising relation between the additive bases conjecture and the problem of covering the vertices of a unit cube by translates of a lattice, and present a reformulation of (the strong form of) the conjecture in terms of coverings.
Competitive weighted throughput analysis of greedy protocols on DAGs
Authors: Gordon Eyal , Rosén Adi 
Published: June 2010

The combination of the buffer sizes of routers deployed in the Internet, and the Internet traffic itself, leads routinely to the dropping of packets. Motivated by this, we are interested in the problem of maximizing the throughput of protocols that control packet networks. Moreover, we are interested in a setting where different packets have different priorities (or weights), thus taking into account Quality-of-Service considerations.
We first extend the Competitive Network Throughput (CNT) model introduced by Aiello et al. [2003] to the weighted packets case. We analyze the performance of online, local-control protocols by their competitive ratio, in the face of arbitrary traffic, using as a measure the total weight of the packets that arrive to their destinations, rather than being dropped en-route. We prove that on Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs), any greedy protocol is competitive, with competitive ratio independent of the weights of the packets. Here we mean by a “greedy protocol” a protocol that not only does not leave a resource idle unnecessarily, but also prefers packets with higher weight over those with lower weight. We give two independent upper bounds on the competitive ratio of general greedy protocols on DAGs. We further give lower bounds that show that our upper bounds cannot be improved (other than constant factors) in the general case. Both our upper and lower bounds apply also to the unweighted case, and they improve the results given in Aiello et al. [2003] for that case. We thus give tight (up to constant factors) upper and lower bounds for both the unweighted and weighted cases.
In the course of proving our upper bounds we prove a lemma that gives upper bounds on the delivery times of packets by any greedy protocol on general DAGs (without buffer size considerations). We believe that this lemma may be of independent interest and may find additional applications.