bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clarifying, affirming, and preserving the nurse in nurse practitioner education and practice
Authors: Brykczynski Karen 
Published: April 2012

AbstractPurpose: This work responds to the need for maintaining an ethic of care in the face of increased demands for cost effectiveness and efficiency. Findings are presented from a qualitative study describing how nurse practitioner (NP) faculty teach NP students about holistic nursing dimensions of NP practice.Data resources: Data collection consisted of face to face or telephone interviews with 24 experienced NP faculty members teaching in 22 NP programs across the country. Data were analyzed using the interpretive phenomenological approach. Aspects of scientific merit were addressed through reviewing transcripts for accuracy, consensual validation sessions, and member checking.Conclusions: The most common approaches used for teaching holistic nursing dimensions of NP practice were role modeling and sharing narratives of actual cases. Other approaches included: incorporation of holistic complementary diagnoses along with medical diagnoses into assessments, use of case scenarios and standardized patients, a rite of passage ceremony, and an entire narrative curriculum.Implications for practice: NP faculty advocate incorporating a holistic mind‐body‐spirit perspective into assessment and intervention and broadening the diagnostic process to include complementary components of nursing and medicine. Findings have implications for teaching/learning, curriculum planning, and evaluation as NP programs transition from the master's to the doctoral level.
Examining the benefit of vaccinating adults against pertussis
Authors: Olyarchuk Lizanne D. , Willoughby Deborah , Davis Stephanie C. , Newsom Stacey A. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractPurpose: To examine recent evidence concerning the health benefits and cost effectiveness of replacing a single dose of adult tetanus/diphtheria vaccine with a single dose of tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis (TDaP).Methods: A review of the literature was conducted utilizing the databases CINAHL and Medline with the keywords pertussis, adult immunization, vaccination, TDaP, DTaP, and healthcare workers.Conclusions: Recent outbreaks of pertussis have shown that preventing such outbreaks through immunization of adults with a single TDaP vaccine is a cost‐effective measure. These studies focused on hospitals and universities where air‐borne diseases are easily spread. Four hospital studies that examined the financial cost of investigating and treating a pertussis outbreak were reviewed. Results presented offer strong evidence to support vaccinating adults with TDaP at their next scheduled immunization or sooner if they are frequently exposed to populations vulnerable to pertussis.Implications for practice: Financially, investigating a single case of pertussis can cost hospitals hundreds of thousands of dollars. This is related to the time and expense of determining who was exposed and the provision of preventive treatment for those exposed. Preventing unnecessary illness and potential mortality, especially among not yet immunized infants, provides a strong argument for administration of the TDaP vaccine. Healthcare providers should educate adults about the availability and advantages of TDaP immunization and encourage them to be immunized with TDaP.
Wealth effect and dental care utilization in the United States
Authors: Manski Richard J. , Moeller John F. , Chen Haiyan , St. Clair Patricia A. , Schimmel Jody , Pepper John V. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractObjective: The purpose of this article is to examine the relationship of wealth and income and the relative impact of each on dental utilization in a population of older Americans, using data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS).Methods: Data from the HRS were analyzed for US individuals aged 51 years and older during the 2008 wave of the HRS. The primary focus of the analysis is the relationship between wealth, income, and dental utilization. We estimate a multivariable model of dental use controlling for wealth, income, and other potentially confounding covariates.Results: We find that both wealth and income each have a strong and independent positive effect on dental care use of older Americans (P < 0.05). A test of the interaction between income and wealth in our model failed to show that the impact on dental care utilization as wealth increases depends on a person's income level or, alternatively, that the impact on dental use as income increases depends on a person's household wealth status (P > 0.05).Conclusions: Relative to those living in the wealthiest US households, the likelihood of utilizing dental care appears to decrease with a decline in wealth. The likelihood of utilizing dental care also appears to decrease with a decline in income as well.
Antidiabetic and antihypertensive effect of a polyphenol‐rich fraction of Thymelaea hirsuta L. in a model of neonatal streptozotocin‐diabetic and NG‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester‐hypertensive rats
Authors: BNOUHAM Mohamed , BENALLA Wafaa , BELLAHCEN Said , HAKKOU Zineb , ZIYYAT Abderrahim , MEKHFI Hassane , AZIZ Mohammed , LEGSSYER Abdelkhaleq 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackground:  The present study examined the effect of the polyphenol‐rich fraction from Thymelaea hirsuta (PRF‐Th) in a rat model of streptozotocin (STZ)‐diabetes and nitric oxide (NO)‐deficient hypertension.Methods:  Diabetes was induced by a single dose of STZ (90 mg/kg, i.p.). To induce NO‐deficient hypertension, rats were treated with the NO synthase inhibitor NG‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester; l‐NAME; 30 mg/kg per day, p.o. for 3 weeks. The effects of 21 days treatment with 80 mg/kg per day PRF‐Th in the drinking water were evaluated in diabetic–hypertensive (DH) rats. In all groups (n = 6 in each), glycemia and systolic blood pressure were determined weekly. At the end of the experiment, hepatic glycogen was determined.Results:  Blood glucose levels decreased gradually from baseline until the end of the experiment in untreated DH rats (from 1.92 ± 0.09 to 1.3 ± 0.1 g/L; P < 0.05). Administration of PRF‐Th concomitantly with l‐NAME prevented the blood pressure increase in rats. After 21 days, blood pressure in PRF‐Th + l‐NAME‐ and l‐NAME‐treated rats was 132 ± 1 and 157 ± 1 mmHg, respectively (P < 0.001). Administration of 2 mL/kg per day PRF‐Th to DH rats significantly increased hepatic glycogen levels compared with levels in untreated DH rats (13.65 ± 1.84 vs 6.34 ± 0.75 mg/g tissue, respectively; P < 0.01). Moreover, PRF‐Th significantly reduced the amount of glucose absorbed in in situ perfused jejunum segments compared with control (by 33.6%; P < 0.001). This effect of PRF‐Th was comparable with that of acarbose, an α‐glucosidase inhibitor.Conclusions:  The findings of the present study indicate that T. hirsuta has antidiabetic and antihypertensive activity in STZ‐diabetic, NO‐deficient hypertensive rats. This effect seems to be due to its rich polyphenol content. Therefore, T. hirsuta may be useful as a food supplement for the prevention of type 2 diabetes and hypertension.
Stromal Cell‐Derived Factor 1α Induces Accumulation of Intraveneously Administered Marrow‐Derived Stromal Cells in the Partially Obstructed Rat Bladder
Authors: SANO Hiroshi , MITSUI Takahiko , KANNO Yukiko , MORIYA Kimihiko , TANAKA Hiroshi , KITTA Takeya , NONOMURA Katsuya 
Published: April 2012

Objectives: We investigated the time course of the stromal cell‐derived factor 1α (SDF1α) expression and behavior of intravenously administered bone marrow‐derived stromal (BMS) cells in the urinary bladder of partial bladder outlet obstruction (PBOO) rats.Methods: Study 1: Recombinant SDF1α or saline was directly injected into the bladder wall of female rats followed by intravenous administration of BMS cells isolated from green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic rats. The bladder was examined with immunohistochemistry to determine whether SDF1α would enhance migration of BMS cells to the bladder. Study 2: Following surgery of PBOO or sham in female rats, bladders were removed on days 1–14, and expression of hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) and SDF1α were examined with real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to determine if PBOO preferentially increased their expression. Study 3: Female rats underwent PBOO or sham surgery followed by intravenous administration of GFP‐positive BMS cells. Bladders were examined with immunohistochemistry on days 1–14 to determine whether BMS cells preferentially accumulated in the bladder.Results: BMS cells were accumulated in the injection site of SDF1α but not saline in the bladder. SDF1α and HIF1α increased at day 1 after PBOO compared to sham. More BMS cells accumulated in the bladder of PBOO on day 1, and some BMS cells expressed smooth muscle phenotypes by day 14.Conclusion: SDF1α induced with ischemia/hypoxia due to PBOO is implicated in the accumulation of BMS cells in the bladder and regeneration of the bladder for PBOO.
Serum D‐Lactate Concentrations in Cats with Gastrointestinal Disease
Authors: Packer R.A. , Moore G.E. , Chang C.‐Y. , Zello G.A. , Abeysekara S. , Naylor J.M. , Steiner J.M. , Suchodolski J.S. , O'Brien D.P. 
Published: April 2012

BackgroundIncreased D‐lactate concentrations cause neurological signs in humans with gastrointestinal disease.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo determine if serum D‐lactate concentrations are increased in cats with gastrointestinal disease compared to healthy controls, and if concentrations correlate with specific neurological or gastrointestinal abnormalities.AnimalsSystematically selected serum samples submitted to the Gastrointestinal Laboratory at Texas A&M University from 100 cats with clinical signs of gastrointestinal disease and abnormal gastrointestinal function tests, and 30 healthy cats.MethodsCase‐control study in which serum D‐ and L‐lactate concentrations and retrospective data on clinical signs were compared between 30 healthy cats and 100 cats with gastrointestinal disease. Association of D‐lactate concentration with tests of GI dysfunction and neurological signs was evaluated by multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses, respectively.ResultsAll 100 cats had a history of abnormal gastrointestinal signs and abnormal gastrointestinal function test results. Thirty‐one cats had definitive or subjective neurological abnormalities. D‐lactate concentrations of cats with gastrointestinal disease (median 0.36, range 0.04–8.33 mmol/L) were significantly higher than those in healthy controls (median 0.22, range 0.04–0.87 mmol/L; P = .022). L‐lactate concentrations were not significantly different between the 2 groups of cats with gastrointestinal disease and healthy controls. D‐lactate concentrations were not significantly associated with fPLI, fTLI, cobalamin, folate, or neurological abnormalities (P > .05).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceD‐lactate concentrations can be increased in cats with gastrointestinal disease. These findings warrant additional investigations into the role of intestinal microbiota derangements in cats with gastrointestinal disease, and the association of D‐lactate and neurological abnormalities.
Identification and Mechanism of Evolution of New Alleles Coding for the AIDA-I Autotransporter of Porcine Pathogenic Escherichia coli
Authors: Côté Jean-Philippe , Berthiaume Frédéric , Houle Sébastien , Fairbrother John M. , Dozois Charles M. , Mourez Michael 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT

Autotransporters are a large family of virulence factors of Gram-negative bacterial pathogens. The autotransporter adhesin involved in diffuse adherence (AIDA-I) is an outer membrane protein of
Escherichia coli
, which allows binding to epithelial cells as well as the autoaggregation of bacteria. AIDA-I is glycosylated by a specific heptosyltransferase encoded by the
aah
gene that forms an operon with the
aidA
gene.
aidA
is highly prevalent in strains that cause disease in pigs. Nevertheless, there are only two published whole-length sequences for this gene. In this study, we sequenced the
aah
and
aidA
genes of 24
aidA
-positive porcine strains harboring distinct virulence factor profiles. We compared the obtained sequences and performed phylogenetic and pulsed-field electrophoresis analyses. Our results suggest that there are at least 3 different alleles for
aidA
, which are associated with distinct virulence factor profiles. The genes are found on high-molecular-weight plasmids and seem to evolve via shuffling mechanisms, with one of the sequences showing evidence of genetic recombination. Our work suggests that genetic plasticity allows the evolution of
aah-aidA
alleles that are selected during pathogenesis.
Natural Transformation of an Engineered Helicobacter pylori Strain Deficient in Type II Restriction Endonucleases
Authors: Zhang Xue-Song , Blaser Martin J. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT

Restriction-modification (RM) systems are important for bacteria to limit foreign DNA invasion. The naturally competent bacterium
Helicobacter pylori
has highly diverse strain-specific type II systems. To evaluate the roles of strain-specific restriction in
H. pylori
natural transformation, a markerless type II restriction endonuclease-deficient (REd) mutant was constructed. We deleted the genes encoding all four active type II restriction endonucleases in
H. pylori
strain 26695 using
sacB
-mediated counterselection. Transformation by donor DNA with exogenous cassettes methylated by
Escherichia coli
was substantially (1.7 and 2.0 log
10
for
cat
and
aphA
, respectively) increased in the REd strain. There also was significantly increased transformation of the REd strain by donor DNA from other
H. pylori
strains, to an extent corresponding to their shared type II R-M system strain specificity with 26695. Comparison of the REd and wild-type strains indicates that restriction did not affect the length of DNA fragment integration during natural transformation. There also were no differentials in cell growth or susceptibility to DNA damage. In total, the data indicate that the type II REd mutant has enhanced competence with no loss of growth or repair facility compared to the wild type, facilitating
H. pylori
mutant construction and other genetic engineering.
First Isolation of Mycobacterium kyorinense from Clinical Specimens in Brazil
Authors: Campos Carlos Eduardo Dias , Caldas Paulo Cesar de Souza , Ohnishi Hiroaki , Watanabe Takashi , Ohtsuka Kouki , Matsushima Satsuki , Ferreira Nicole Victor , da Silva Mariza Villas Boas , Redner Paulo , de Carvalho Luciana Distásio , Medeiros Reginalda Ferreira de Melo , Abbud Filho Jacyr Antônio , Fandinho Montes Fátima Cristina Onofre , Galvão Teca Calcagno , Ramos Jesus Pais 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT

In this article, the first isolation of
Mycobacterium kyorinense
specimens in Brazil is described.
M. kyorinense
is a recently identified species, with a few strains reported only in Japan. The Brazilian isolates were initially identified as
Mycobacterium celatum
by PCR restriction enzyme pattern analysis (PRA) with
hsp65
. However, biochemical tests indicated the same profile of
M. kyorinense
and distinguished them from
M. celatum
and
Mycobacterium branderi
. The sequencing of the
hsp65
,
rpoB
, and 16S rRNA genes allowed the accurate identification of isolates as
M. kyorinense
.
Novel Approach toIn VitroDrug Susceptibility Assessment of Clinical Strains of Leishmania spp
Authors: Fernández Olga , Diaz-Toro Yira , Valderrama Liliana , Ovalle Clemencia , Valderrama Mabel , Castillo Harry , Perez Mauricio , Saravia Nancy Gore 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTResistance to antimonial drugs has been documented inLeishmaniaisolates transmitted in South America, Europe, and Asia. The frequency and distribution of resistance to these and other antileishmanial drugs are unknown. Technical constraints have limited the assessment of drug susceptibility of clinical strains ofLeishmania. Susceptibility of experimentally selected lines and 130 clinical strains ofLeishmania panamensis,L. braziliensis, andL. guyanensisto meglumine antimoniate and miltefosine was determined on the basis of parasite burden and percentage of infected U-937 human macrophages. Reductions of infection at single predefined concentrations of meglumine antimoniate and miltefosine and 50% effective doses (ED50s) were measured and correlated. The effects of 34°C and 37°C incubation temperatures and different parasite-to-host cell ratios on drug susceptibility were evaluated at 5, 10, and 20 parasites/cell. Reduction of the intracellular burden ofLeishmaniaamastigotes in U-937 cells exposed to the predefined concentrations of meglumine antimoniate or miltefosine discriminated sensitive and experimentally derived resistantLeishmaniapopulations and was significantly correlated with ED50values of clinical strains (for meglumine antimoniate, ρ = −0.926 andP< 0.001; for miltefosine, ρ = −0.906 andP< 0.001). Incubation at 37°C significantly inhibited parasite growth compared to that at 34°C in the absence of antileishmanial drugs and resulted in a significantly lower ED50in the presence of drugs. Susceptibility assessment was not altered by the parasite-to-cell ratio over the range evaluated. In conclusion, measurement of the reduction of parasite burden at a single predetermined drug concentration under standardized conditions provides an efficient and reliable strategy for susceptibility evaluation and monitoring of clinical strains ofLeishmania.
Evaluation of Optimal Storage Temperature, Time, and Transport Medium for Detection of Group B Streptococcus in StrepB Carrot Broth
Authors: Trotman-Grant Ashton , Raney Trisha , Dien Bard Jennifer 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT
The performances of the ESwab and Amies transport media were evaluated for optimal survival of group B streptococcus (GBS) in StrepB carrot broth. ESwab was superior to Amies at all temperatures evaluated but was optimal at 21°C and 24°C, whereas recovery in Amies was significantly decreased at these temperatures.
Rapid Identification of Aspergillus terreus from Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid by PCR and Electrospray Ionization with Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Modi Dhruvangkumar A. , Farrell John J. , Sampath Rangarajan , Bhatia Nisha S. , Massire Christian , Ranken Ray , Bonomo Robert A. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT

We describe the application of PCR and electrospray-ionization with mass spectrometry (PCR/ESI-MS) to culture-negative bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in order to identify septate hyphae noted by Gomori methenamine silver (GMS) staining of the fluid that was obtained from an immunocompromised woman with neutropenia following induction chemotherapy for treatment of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). The patient was treated with empirical antifungal therapy, including intrathecal amphotericin B, while results of fungal cultures were pending. Ultimately,
Aspergillus terreus
, an amphotericin-resistant mold, was cultured from bilateral brain abscesses. PCR/ESI-MS correctly identified the mold.
Strategy for Rapid Identification and Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing of Gram-Negative Bacteria Directly Recovered from Positive Blood Cultures Using the Bruker MALDI Biotyper and the BD Phoenix System
Authors: Wimmer Jana L. , Long S. Wesley , Cernoch Patricia , Land Geoffrey A. , Davis James R. , Musser James M. , Olsen Randall J. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT
Decreasing the time to species identification and antibiotic susceptibility determination of strains recovered from patients with bacteremia significantly decreases morbidity and mortality. Herein, we validated a method to identify Gram-negative bacteria directly from positive blood culture medium using the Bruker MALDI Biotyper and to rapidly perform susceptibility testing using the BD Phoenix.
Rapid Determination of Methicillin Resistance among Staphylococcus aureus Clinical Isolates by Colorimetric Methods
Authors: Coban Ahmet Yilmaz 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT

In the present study, the effectiveness of a rapid and colorimetric nitrate reductase analysis (NRA) method and resazurin microplate assay (REMA) for rapid determination of methicillin resistance among
Staphylococcus aureus
was investigated. A total of 275 clinical isolates of
S. aureus
were included in the present study. Among these isolates, 151 had the
mecA
gene and were resistant to methicillin. The remaining 124 isolates were methicillin susceptible and did not have the
mecA
gene. Cefoxitin MICs of all isolates were detected by NRA, REMA, and reference broth microdilution methods. Category and essential agreement were determined as 100% and 99.6%, respectively, comparing both NRA and REMA with the reference method. No minor, major, or very major discrepancy was observed for either of the methods. The time necessary to have the MIC results was 5 h for NRA, whereas it was 6 h for REMA. Early detection of MRSA is an important public health concern, and the results of this study showed that both of the colorimetric methods are easy to perform and save time in the determination of MRSA. These methods have a potential use for early detection of MRSA for laboratories unable to use molecular techniques.
Validation of Increased Blood Storage Times with the T-SPOT.
TB
Assay with T-Cell
Xtend
Reagent in Individuals with Different Tuberculosis Risk Factors
Authors: Wang Shu-Hua , Stew Samuel S. , Cyktor Joshua , Carruthers Bridget , Turner Joanne , Restrepo Blanca I. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT

We compared the performance of the T-SPOT.
TB
assay with blood used within 0 to 3.5 h after collection (control) to its performance with blood stored for 0 to 3.5, 5 to 8, 18 to 21, or 31 to 33 h with the addition of T-Cell
Xtend
(experimental), using samples from 154 participants. The 95.4% concordance between paired specimens indicated that blood can be stored for up to 33 h prior to T-SPOT.
TB
testing.
Analysis of a Streptococcus pyogenes Puerperal Sepsis Cluster by Use of Whole-Genome Sequencing
Authors: Ben Zakour Nouri L. , Venturini Carola , Beatson Scott A. , Walker Mark J. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT

Between June and November 2010, a concerning rise in the number of cases of puerperal sepsis, a postpartum pelvic bacterial infection contracted by women after childbirth, was observed in the New South Wales, Australia, hospital system. Group A streptococcus (GAS;
Streptococcus pyogenes
) isolates PS001 to PS011 were recovered from nine patients. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and
emm
sequence typing revealed that GAS of
emm1.40
,
emm75.0
,
emm77.0
,
emm89.0
, and
emm89.9
were each recovered from a single patient, ruling out a single source of infection. However,
emm28.8
GAS were recovered from four different patients. To investigate the relatedness of these
emm28
isolates, whole-genome sequencing was undertaken and the genome sequences were compared to the genome sequence of the
emm28.4
reference strain, MGAS6180. A total of 186 single nucleotide polymorphisms were identified, for which the phylogenetic reconstruction indicated an outbreak of a polyclonal nature. While two isolates collected from different hospitals were not closely related, isolates from two puerperal sepsis patients from the same hospital were indistinguishable, suggesting patient-to-patient transmission or infection from a common source. The results of this study indicate that traditional typing protocols, such as pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, may not be sensitive enough to allow fine epidemiological discrimination of closely related bacterial isolates. Whole-genome sequencing presents a valid alternative that allows accurate fine-scale epidemiological investigation of bacterial infectious disease.