bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synergistic antimicrobial activity between pentacyclic triterpenoids and antibiotics against Staphylococcus aureus strains
Authors: Chung Pooi Yin , Navaratnam Parasakthi , Chung Lip Yong 
Published: June 2011

Abstract

Background
There has been considerable effort to discover plant-derived antibacterials against methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) which have developed resistance to most existing antibiotics, including the last line of defence, vancomycin. Pentacyclic triterpenoid, a biologically diverse plant-derived natural product, has been reported to show anti-staphylococcal activities. The objective of this study is to evaluate the interaction between three pentacyclic triterpenoid and standard antibiotics (methicillin and vancomycin) against reference strains of Staphylococcus aureus.

Methods and Results
The activity of the standard antibiotics and compounds on reference methicillin-sensitive and resistant strains of S. aureus were determined using the macrodilution broth method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the compounds was compared with that of the standard antibiotics. The interaction between any two antimicrobial agents was estimated by calculating the fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC index) of the combination. The various combinations of antibiotics and compounds reduced the MIC to a range of 0.05 to 50%.

Conclusion
Pentacyclic triterpenoids have shown anti-staphylococcal activities and although individually weaker than common antibiotics produced from bacteria and fungi, synergistically these compounds may use different mechanism of action or pathways to exert their antimicrobial effects, as implicated in the lowered MICs. Therefore, the use of current antibiotics could be maintained in their combination with plant-derived antibacterial agents as a therapeutic option in the treatment of S. aureus infections.
Improved infrared photoluminescence characteristics from circularly ordered self-assembled Ge islands
Authors: Das Samaresh , Das Kaustuv , Singha Raj Kumar , Manna Santanu , Dhar Achintya , Ray Samit Kumar , Raychaudhuri Arup Kumar 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
The formation of circularly ordered Ge-islands on Si(001) has been achieved because of nonuniform strain field around the periphery of the holes patterned by focused ion beam in combination with a self-assembled growth using molecular beam epitaxy. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra obtained from patterned areas (i.e., ordered islands) show a significant signal enhancement, which sustained till 200 K, without any vertical stacking of islands. The origin of two activation energies in temperature-dependent PL spectra of the ordered islands has been explained in detail.
Prevalence of HBV and HBV vaccination coverage in health care workers of tertiary hospitals of Peshawar, Pakistan
Authors: Attaullah Sobia , Khan Sanaullah , Naseemullah  , Ayaz Sultan , Khan Shahid Niaz , Ali Ijaz , Hoti Naseruddin , Siraj Sami 
Published: June 2011

AbstractBackgroundHepatitis B Virus (HBV) may progress to serious consequences and increase dramatically beyond endemic dimensions that transmits to or from health care workers (HCWs) during routine investigation in their work places. Basic aim of this study was to canvass the safety of HCWs and determine the prevalence of HBV and its possible association with occupational and non-occupational risk factors. Hepatitis B vaccination coverage level and main barriers to vaccination were also taken in account.ResultsA total of 824 health care workers were randomly selected from three major hospitals of Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Blood samples were analyzed in Department of Zoology, Kohat University of Science and Technology Kohat, and relevant information was obtained by means of preset questionnaire. HCWs in the studied hospitals showed 2.18% prevalence of positive HBV. Nurses and technicians were more prone to occupational exposure and to HBV infection. There was significant difference between vaccinated and non-vaccinated HCWs as well as between the doctors and all other categories. Barriers to complete vaccination, in spite of good knowledge of subjects in this regard were work pressure (39.8%), negligence (38.8%) un-affordability (20.9%), and unavailability (0.5%).ConclusionsSpecial preventive measures (universal precaution and vaccination), which are fundamental way to protect HCW against HBV infection should be adopted.
Characterization of herpes simplex virus clinical isolate Y3369 as a glycoprotein G variant and its bearing on virus typing
Authors: Clark Daniel N , Poole Brian D , Hammond Daniel V , Hedman Tyler J , Catts Danny S , Stewart Amanda , Johnson F Brent 
Published: June 2011

Abstract

Background
Herpes simplex viruses exist as two major serotypes, type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2). Determination of type, either HSV-1 or HSV-2, is important in accurate diagnosis and clinical control of transmission. Several tests are available for typing HSV, including a monoclonal antibody specific for glycoprotein G and several PCR assays.

Findings
A clinical isolate was identified as herpes simplex virus, but tested negative for both HSV-1 and HSV-2 antigens using type-specific monoclonal antibody assays. The isolate was determined to be HSV-1 by PCR analysis. A mutation which likely caused the monoclonal antibody non-reactivity was found in glycoprotein G. Phylogenetic analysis revealed two groups of HSV, one with the mutation and one without. Three population studies examining mutations in HSV-1 glycoprotein G were analyzed by chi-squared test. To this point, the epitope which the monoclonal antibody recognizes was only found in HSV-1 isolates from human European populations (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions
These findings suggest that the PCR-based methods for HSV typing may be more useful than the standard monoclonal antibody test in areas of the world where the variant in glycoprotein G is more prevalent.
Disruption of the NF-κB/IκBα Autoinhibitory Loop Improves Cognitive Performance and Promotes Hyperexcitability of Hippocampal Neurons
Authors: Shim David J , Yang Li , Reed J Graham , Noebels Jeffrey L , Chiao Paul J , Zheng Hui 
Published: June 2011

AbstractBackgroundThough originally discovered in the immune system as an important mediator of inflammation, NF-κB has recently been shown to play key roles in the central nervous system, such as synaptogenesis, synaptic plasticity, and cognition. NF-κB activity is normally tightly regulated by its primary inhibitor, IκBα, through a unique autoinhibitory loop. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the IκBα autoinhibitory loop ensures optimal levels of NF-κB activity to promote proper brain development and function. To do so, we utilized knock-in mice which possess mutations in the IκBα promoter to disrupt the autoinhibitory loop (IκBαM/MKI mice).ResultsHere, we show that these mutations delay IκBα resynthesis and enhance NF-κB activation in neurons following acute activating stimuli. This leads to improved cognitive ability on tests of hippocampal-dependent learning and memory but no change in hippocampal synaptic plasticity. Instead, hippocampal neurons from IκBαM/MKI mice form more excitatory and less inhibitory synapses in dissociated cultures and are hyperexcitable. This leads to increased burst firing of action potentials and the development of abnormal hypersynchronous dischargesin vivo.ConclusionsThese results demonstrate that the IκBα autoinhibitory loop is critical for titrating appropriate levels of endogenous NF-κB activity to maintain proper neuronal function.
Enhanced Incorporation of 3-Hydroxy-4-Methylvalerate Unit into Biosynthetic Polyhydroxyalkanoate Using Leucine as a Precursor
Authors: Saika Azusa , Watanabe Yoriko , Sudesh Kumar , Abe Hideki , Tsuge Takeharu 
Published: June 2011

Abstract

Ralstonia eutropha PHB-4 expressing Pseudomonas sp. 61-3 polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthase 1 (PhaC1Ps) synthesizes PHA copolymer containing 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB) and a small amount (0.5 mol%) of 3-hydroxy-4-methylvalerate (3H4MV) from fructose as a carbon source. In this study, enhanced incorporation of 3H4MV into PHA was investigated using branched amino acid leucine as a precursor of 3H4MV. Leucine has the same carbon backbone as 3H4MV and is expected to be a natural and self-producible precursor. We found that the incorporation of 3H4MV was enhanced by the supplementation of excess amount (10 g/L) of leucine in the culture medium. This finding indicates that 3H4MV can be derived from leucine. To increase metabolic flux to leucine biosynthesis in the host strain by eliminating the feedback inhibition, the cells were subjected to N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (NTG) mutagenesis and leucine analog resistant mutants were generated. The mutants showed statistically higher 3H4MV fraction than the parent strain without supplementing leucine. Additionally, by supplying excess amount of leucine, the mutants synthesized 3HB-based PHA copolymer containing 3.1 mol% 3H4MV and 1.2 mol% 3-hydroxyvalerate (3HV) as minor constituents, which significantly affected the thermal properties of the copolymer. This study demonstrates that it is possible to enhance the monomer supply of 3H4MV into PHA by manipulating leucine metabolism.
Modeling Indirect Effects of Paid Search Advertising: Which Keywords Lead to More Future Visits?
Authors: Rutz Oliver J. , Trusov Michael , Bucklin Randolph E. 
Published: June 2011

Many online shoppers initially acquired through paid search advertising later return to the same website directly. These so-called “direct type-in” visits can be an important indirect effect of paid search. Because visitors come to sites via different keywords and can vary in their propensity to make return visits, traffic at the keyword level is likely to be heterogeneous with respect to how much direct type-in visitation is generated. Estimating this indirect effect, especially at the keyword level, is difficult. First, standard paid search data are aggregated across consumers. Second, there are typically far more keywords than available observations. Third, data across keywords may be highly correlated. To address these issues, the authors propose a hierarchical Bayesian elastic net model that allows the textual attributes of keywords to be incorporated. The authors apply the model to a keyword-level data set from a major commercial website in the automotive industry. The results show a significant indirect effect of paid search that clearly differs across keywords. The estimated indirect effect is large enough that it could recover a substantial part of the cost of the paid search advertising. Results from textual attribute analysis suggest that branded and broader search terms are associated with higher levels of subsequent direct type-in visitation.
Motivation, Cognitive, and Affective Factors that Predict Smoking Relapse: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Filipino Sample
Authors: Bello Aylin M. , Robles Jennifer N. , Sarmiento Arsthel F. , Tuliao Antover P. , Reyes Rachel C. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractIn the plethora of international research on smoking relapse there are findings that suggest distinct ethnocultural differences in relapse predictors. This study aimed to uncover cognitive and affective factors that contribute to relapse in a sample of Filipino adult smokers (N = 115). Using discriminant function analysis, results suggest that self-efficacy, outcome expectancy, craving and the subdomains of motivation to change contemplation and action are accurate relapse predictors, whereas negative emotional states are not. An integrative framework was used in the discussion to account for inconsistencies in the results. Implications for understanding the relapse cycle, the connection between smoking relapse and substance use, as well as suggestions for future studies on smoking relapse, are also discussed.
Using Delphi Methods to Project Smoking Cessation in Northern England
Authors: Gandy Robert John , Coladangelo Rino Casmira 
Published: June 2011

AbstractSmoking prevalence, at any point in time, accounts for the balance of smokers ending the habit and people starting or returning to smoking. Very different scenarios can result in the same prevalence, and each can have different implications for health services. Therefore understanding the degree of churn in the smoking population is essential. This is an area where there is little or no data. In such circumstances, Delphi methods utilising expert opinion can provide robust forecasts for planning purposes. A Delphi survey, involving 300+ general practitioners (GPs) in Northern England, projected a modest 2.2% reduction in smoking prevalence over 10 years, but this involved a reduction of nearly 30% in the existing cohort of smokers, countered by new/returning smokers equivalent to 21% of the cohort. Different age groups showed different patterns. The findings suggest that approximately 1 in 6 smokers need to set a quit date each and every year to achieve even a 2.2% reduction. Currently, 1 in 16 smokers set a quit date each year. Although ‘early wins’ may have been achieved, the challenges to achieve continuing reductions in smoking prevalence are considerable. Preventing young people starting to smoke is key.
Jumping the Hurdles for Smoking Cessation in Pregnant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women in Australia
Authors: Gould Gillian S. , McEwen Andy , Munn Joanne 
Published: June 2011

AbstractTobacco smoking perpetuates the disadvantages experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia. Tobacco smoking is a risk factor for poor maternal and infant outcomes in pregnancy. Over half of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women smoke during pregnancy and few successfully quit. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women face many intrinsic barriers to quitting such as low socioeconomic disadvantage and patterns of use in family networks. There are also several extrinsic hurdles surrounding current practice guidelines and policy that may limit success in reducing smoking rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women during pregnancy: the use of the Stages of Change (SOC) model; delay in the use of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT); and the absence of subsidised intermittent NRT. A more proactive approach towards smoking cessation for pregnant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women may be necessary, including moving away from the SOC model approach and subsidised provision of intermittent NRT. Comprehensive programs that take into account the family network and wider social context are also recommended.
Conflict About Quitting Predicts the Decision to Stop Smoking Gradually or Abruptly: Evidence From Stop Smoking Clinics in Malaysia
Authors: Wee Lei Hum , Shahab Lion , Bulgiba Awang , West Robert 
Published: June 2011

AbstractBackground: Little is known about the extent to which smokers attending stop-smoking clinics experience conflicting motivations about their quit attempt, whether such conflict can be understood in terms of a single dimension and if this ‘conflict about quitting’ differs from motivation to stop smoking and is associated with a smoker's choice of method to stop smoking (stopping gradually or abruptly). Method: Sociodemographic, smoking and quit attempt characteristics as well as measures relating to conflict about stopping smoking were recorded in a cross-sectional survey of 198 smokers attending five quit smoking clinics in Malaysia. Results: Five measures (having seriously thought about quitting before, being happy about becoming a non-smoker, being strongly motivated to stop, intending to stop smoking completely and believing in stopping for good this time) were loaded onto a single factor that could be labelled ‘conflict about quitting’. The resultant scale had moderate internal reliability (Cronbach's α= .625). Most smokers exhibited conflicting motivations about stopping smoking, with over half (52.0%, 95% CI 45.1–59.1) scoring 2 or higher on the 5-point conflict scale. ‘Conflict about quitting’ was significantly associated with the decision to stop smoking gradually rather than abruptly controlling for other variables (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.05–1.76) and was more strongly associated with the choice of smoking cessation method than motivation to stop smoking. Conclusions: ‘Conflict about quitting’ can be conceptualised as a single dimension and is prevalent among smokers voluntarily attending stop-smoking clinics. The finding that smokers who display greater conflict about quitting are more likely to choose gradual cessation may explain contradictory findings in the literature regarding the effectiveness of different methods of smoking cessation.
Smoking Cessation Among Persons With Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorder and Mental Illness
Authors: Okoli Chizimuzo T.C. , Khara Milan 
Published: June 2011

AbstractAims:A history of either a substance use disorder (SUD) or psychiatric disorder (PD) is associated with tobacco use. However, there is limited information available on tobacco dependence treatment outcomes among individuals with co-occurring SUD and PD.Methods:Data from 202 participants enrolled in a tobacco dependence treatment program in an outpatient clinic setting were analysed.Findings:In multivariate analysis, having a history of SUD only (OR =.11, 95% CI = .02–.76) and having a co-occurring SUD and PD (OR = .13, 95% CI = .02–.81), as compared to having neither, were significant predictors of a lower likelihood of achieving smoking abstinence.Conclusions:A history of SUD and PD is an important predictor of poor smoking cessation outcomes; however, using more intensive, tailored approaches to tobacco dependence treatment appears to be promising. Future studies may need to further address the nature of tobacco dependence treatment in settings were PDs and other SUDs are managed in order to achieve optimal outcomes.
Lignins as agents for bio-protection of wood
Authors: Chirkova Jelena , Andersone Ingeborga , Irbe Ilze , Spince Baiba , Andersons Bruno 
Published: June 2011

AbstractPinewood was modified by vacuum impregnation with various aqueous lignin solutions of low concentration (0.5– 1.0%) and its decay resistance was tested by the standard procedure EN 113. Five lignin types were tested against three brown rot and one white rot fungi. The bio-durability of wood was considerably increased by the treatment. The highest effect of modification was for alkali, kraft, hydrolysis lignins and industrial lignosulfonate, when mass losses of wood for brown-rot fungi were negligible. The effect of the modification with certified lignosulfonates was insignificant. Chemical analysis revealed that phenols, which are leached from lignin and are adsorbed by wood in the impregnation process, could act as a biocide. The hydrophilic properties of wood either did not change (certified lignins) or were enhanced because of some change in the pore structure (industrial lignins). Further tests are needed to verify the positive effects of this technologically simple and environmentally friendly treatment.
Structure and antioxidant activity of diarylheptanoids extracted from bark of grey alder (Alnus incana) and potential of biorefinery-based bark processing of European trees
Authors: Telysheva Galina , Dizhbite Tatiana , Bikovens Oskars , Ponomarenko Jevgenija , Janceva Sarmite , Krasilnikova Jelena 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
The bark of trees has a big potential as a source of green chemicals. The aim of the present work was to valorise the potential of deciduous tree species with this regard. Three widely spread trees in Europe (grey alder, ash tree, aspen) were in focus as a source of polyphenols, and the yields of polyphenolic compound in the extracts were considered as evaluation criteria. The highest yields of hydrophilic extractives were found in barks of grey alder and aspen (36.8 and 22.9%, respectively). In the former, the highest antioxidant activity was found towards free radicals (DPPH• and ABTS•+) and superoxide anion radical. Open chain diarylheptanoids, mainly oregonin, were identified as the major constituents of the grey alder hydrophilic extract. In addition to oregonin, the presence of 2 linear diarylheptanoids [platyphylloside and 1,7-bis-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-heptane-5-O-β-D-glucopyranoside] was confirmed. For the first time, the compounds 1,7-bis-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-hydroxyheptane-5-O-β-D-xylopyranoside and 1,7-bis-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-heptane-3-one-5-O-β-D-glucopyranoside were detected in grey alder bark. The results of experiments in vitro and in vivo have shown the high potential for diarylheptanoids-containing extracts in prophylaxis and/or treatment of diseases due to the metabolic disorders and ageing. The biological activity of grey alder extract was confirmed in in vitro experiments by incubation of human blood samples. In vivo experiments with rats also showed positive results. The conclusion is that grey alder extracts have a high potential for prevention of ageing related pathologies. Besides diarylheptanoids, the bark contains condensed tannins in commercially available quantity (12.5%). Eco-friendly wood adhesives were obtained on a tannins basis. The bark left after polyphenols isolation can be used in soil melioration and as a sorbent for the removal of oil products from water surface. The investigation of the phenolic pool of grey alder could contribute to cluster technologies within the biorefinery-based bark processing.
Organic Acidurias1
Authors: Sass Jörn Oliver 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
Assessment of urinary organic acids represents an established approach within selective screening for inborn errors of metabolism. Utilizing gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, this analysis can contribute to the diagnosis of dozens of diseases. For diagnostic evaluation of analytical data it is essential that the requesting physician provides basic clinical information. Considering the often available therapeutic options, it is of special importance to increase the awareness of organic acid disorders and to include them in the list of differential diagnoses especially in (pediatric-) neurological disease.
Homoarginin: ein neuer kardiovaskulärer Risikomarker bei Dialysepatienten / Homoarginine: a new cardiovascular risk marker in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Meinitzer Andreas , Drechsler Christiane , Tomaschitz Andreas , Pilz Stefan , Krane Vera , Wanner Christoph , März Winfried 
Published: June 2011

Zusammenfassung
Homoarginin ist eine nicht essentielle kationische Aminosäure, die aus Lysin gebildet wird und in vitro und in vivo ähnliche Eigenschaften wie Arginin zeigt. Homoarginin wurde bis vor Kurzem wenig Bedeutung beigemessen. Es wurde in den letzten Jahrzehnten vor allem als interner Standard in der Aminosäureanalytik oder als Marker für die Nährstoffausbeute in der Intensivtierhaltung verwendet. Epidemiologische Untersuchungen in zwei großen unabhängigen Kohorten, nämlich Der Deutschen Diabetes Dialyse (4D) – Studie und der Ludwigshafen Risk and Cardiovascular Health (LURIC) — Studie haben Homoarginin als aussagekräftigen Prädiktor für kardiovaskuläre Ereignisse und Sterblichkeit identifiziert. Über die pathophysiologischen Mechanismen, die diesem Zusammenhang zugrunde liegen, ist bislang noch wenig bekannt. Dieser Artikel fasst die Bedeutung von Homoarginin als prognostischer Marker und die möglichen Wirkungen des Homoarginin im menschlichen Organismus zusammen.