bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microbiology of beef carcasses before and after slaughterline automation
Authors: Whelehan O. P. , Hudson W. R. , Roberts T. A. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThe bacterial status of beef carcasses at a commercial abattoir was monitored before and after slaughterline automation. Bacterial counts did not differ significantly overall (P>0·05) between the original manual line and the automated line for either morning or afternoon slaughter. On the manual line counts in the morning were lower than those from carcasses slaughtered in the afternoon, but on the automated line there was no difference between morning and afternoon counts. Due to highly significant line × sample site interaction for both morning and afternoon counts, overall differences among sample sites were not found by analysis of variance. However, principal components analysis revealed a significant shift in bacterial contamination among some sites due to slaughterline changes. The incidence of Enterobacteriaceae increased marginally following automation.
Bacteriological characters of strains ofStaphylococcus aureussubmitted to a reference laboratory related to methicillin resistance
Authors: Marples R. R. , Richardson J. F. , de Saxe Maureen J. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYMethicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA)strains present an increasing clinical problem. Analysis of 2679 strains submitted to a reference laboratory in the first quarter of 1983 and 3050 strains submitted in summer 1984 showed 479 and 593 multi-resistant strains. The proportion of methicillin-resistant strains classified as epidemic rose from 5·9 to 10·2%. Other methicillin-resistant strains continued to occur but other methicillin-sensitive multi-resistant strains appeared to fall. A strain with defined characters could be recognized in the Thames regions.
Infection with influenza A H1N1: 2. The effect of past experience on natural challenge
Authors: Davies J. R. , Grilli E. A. , Smith A. J. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYFollowing its reintroduction in 1978 influenza A H1N1 spread widely in the child population. By the autumn of 1979, 75% of 11-year olds entering a boys' boarding school had detectable antibody. The protective effect of previous experience could be assessed during two outbreaks in the school. In the first outbreak in 1979, 90% of those known to have been infected in the previous year were protected against reinfection. In 1983 after strains of the H1N1 subtype had undergone antigenic drift a large outbreak occurred. It was estimated that past infection conferred protection against clinical influenza in 55%. Where past infection resulted in the presence of antibody which reacted with the outbreak strain the attack rate was further reduced. A large number of sub-clinical infections was detected in all groups.
The method of transmission of epidemic influenza: further evidence from archival mortality data
Authors: Hope-Simpson R. E. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYEvidence for influenza-associated excess mortality in the three centuries before the 20th has been sought from parish burial registers in Cumbria, Devon, Dyfed, East Anglia, Gloucestershire and Northumbria, compared with inter-epidemic years. Most of the registers showed excess of burials concordant with eight historic influenza epidemics.Comparison of the dates of these epidemics, deduced from the burials data in different areas, showed a rate of spread difficult to reconcile with direct personto-person spread of influenza from the sick. An alternative explanation based on development of latency of the virus in the sick person and subsequent seasonal reactivation is discussed.
Ossifying fibromyxoid tumour of the sphenoid sinus
Authors: Shetty S D , Salib R J , Nair S B , Mathad N , Theaker J 
Published: October 2009

AbstractIntroduction:Ossifying fibromyxoid tumour is a recently described, rare but morphologically distinctive soft tissue neoplasm characterised by a combination of myxoid and/or fibrous stroma with areas of ossification. Although most authors postulate a neuroectodermal origin for this peculiar tumour, there is no agreement in the literature regarding its histopathogenesis. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of ossifying fibromyxoid tumour involving the sphenoid sinus.Histological findings:Tumour of low cell density, composed of small, spindle-shaped or stellate cells with small, irregular nuclei set in a fibromyxoid stroma.Management:Following discussion at the skull base multidisciplinary team meeting, a combined surgical team including an otorhinolaryngologist and a neurosurgeon carried out resection of the lesion, using an endoscopic transnasal approach, followed by reconstruction of the defect.Conclusions:An awareness of the distinctive histopathological features of ossifying fibromyxoid tumour, and of its clinical effects, is crucial to establishing a definitive diagnosis and thereby instituting appropriate management. This case report also reinforces the evolving role of the endoscopic transnasal approach in the management of inflammatory and neoplastic disease involving the skull base. This is increasingly being made possible by close collaboration between multiple surgical specialties, including otorhinolaryngology and neurosurgery.
Radiologically guided balloon dilatation of neopharyngeal strictures following total laryngectomy and pharyngolaryngectomy: 21 years’ experience
Authors: Harris R L , Grundy A , Odutoye T 
Published: October 2009

AbstractObjective:To assess the efficacy of radiologically guided balloon dilatation for the treatment of dysphagia secondary to neopharyngeal strictures in patients who have undergone laryngectomy.Study design:Retrospective case series.Subjects and methods:Twenty consecutive patients with pharyngeal stricture and dysphagia following total laryngectomy or pharyngolaryngectomy. Patients underwent balloon dilatation of the stricture under radiological guidance. The main outcome measure was maintenance of swallowing.Results:Five patients gained relief of their dysphagia with one balloon dilatation only. Nine patients required more than one dilatation to maintain swallowing. Two patients had balloon dilatation procedures and stent insertion for palliative relief of dysphagia from known recurrent malignant disease. Three patients failed to maintain swallowing with repeat dilatations. No patients suffered any significant complications such as perforation.Conclusions:Radiologically guided balloon dilatation is minimally invasive and safe. It is well tolerated. It may be repeated frequently, and can successfully relieve pharyngeal strictures in patients who have undergone total laryngectomy or pharyngolaryngectomy.
Sweet's disease and profound, bilateral, sensorineural hearing loss
Authors: Cheng S , da Cruz M 
Published: October 2009

AbstractObjective:We report a case of Sweet's disease associated with rapid, profound loss of hearing, against a background of progressive, bilateral, sensorineural hearing loss.Results:The clinical features were indistinguishable from those of immune-mediated inner ear disease. Establishment of a definitive diagnosis was a challenge due to the absence of a reliable diagnostic test. The patient was unresponsive to extensive immunosuppressive therapy and subsequently underwent cochlear implantation, with good hearing outcomes.Conclusions:Profound, bilateral, sensorineural hearing loss in the context of Sweet's disease may be related to the underlying immunological aetiology. Cochlear implantation can successfully restore hearing when immunotherapy fails.
Acoustically evoked, short latency negative response in children with sensorineural hearing loss
Authors: Emara A A 
Published: October 2009

AbstractIntroduction:The auditory brainstem response consists of fast and slow waves. The acoustically evoked, short latency negative response is a large, negative deflection with a latency of 3 milliseconds which has been reported in patients with profound hearing loss. It may be of vestibular, particularly saccular, origin, as is the vestibular evoked myogenic potential.Purpose:To assess the presence of acoustically evoked, short latency negative responses in children with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss.Materials and methods:Twenty-three children (46 ears) with sensorineural hearing loss underwent audiological evaluation and auditory brainstem response, vestibular evoked myogenic potential and caloric testing.Results:An acoustically evoked, short latency negative response was present in 30.43 per cent of ears and absent in 69.57 per cent. Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials were recorded in all ears in the former group, but in only 53.13 per cent in the latter group. Caloric testing was normal in 82.6 per cent of the total ears tested.Conclusion:The presence of an acoustically evoked, short latency negative response is dependent not on residual hearing but on normal saccular function. This response can be measured in patients who cannot contract their neck muscles.
A popular music project and people with disabilities community in Hamburg, Germany: the case of Station 17
Authors: ELFLEIN DIETMAR 
Published: October 2009

AbstractIn this article I discuss the past and present of Station 17, a project made up of disabled and non-disabled musicians, which was founded in Hamburg, Germany in 1988. Station 17 refuse to regard themselves as a pedagogic or therapeutic project. My specific interest is to show how they attempt to solve artistic and economic problems that arise out of this decision. In artistic terms they developed two major modes of production, which both led to a dead end. As a consequence they merged these two modes in order to regain the flexibility of improvisation without losing the benefits of sequencer-based electronic music. Within the pop market the lyrics, which are exclusively provided by disabled members of the project, serve as a unique selling proposition. In economic terms they succeeded in creating themselves a niche within a therapeutic structure that allows them to act as professional artists.
The immunological consequences of challenge with bovine tubercle bacilli in badgers (Meles meles)
Authors: Mahmood K. H. , Rook G. A. W. , Stanford J. L. , Stuart Fiona A. , Pritchard D. G. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYOptimal conditions were determined for performing antibody measurements (ELISA), lymphocyte transformation tests and, to some extent, skin tests in badgers. These parameters, together with the bacteriological and pathological studies reported previously (Pritchard et al. 1987), were used to follow the course of intradermal and intratracheal challenge of badgers with bovine tubercle bacilli. Two challenge doses were used for each route of infection and two animals received each dose. None of the four animals challenged by the intratracheal method showed any evidence of infection, suggesting that adult badgers may have some resistance to challenge by this method. All four animals challenged intradermally developed lesion of tuberculosis.Immunologically the disease passed through three phases. There was an early phase in which lymphocyte transformation to whole BCG steadily and significantly increased, and skin tests to tuberculin became positive but there was little change in antibody levels. This was followed by an intermediate phase of variable skin responses, fluctuating lymphocyte transformation and significant increase in antibody levels. The final phase, which was only seen in two animals with extensive disease, was associated with changing skin reactions and falling lymphocyte responses, together with a sudden increase in antibody levels.This paper presents the first formal evidence of cell-mediated immunity to tuberculosis in the badger, which may delay onset and prolong the survival of challenged animals.
Legionella pneumophila in a hospital water system following a nosocomial outbreak: prevalence, monoclonal antibody subgrouping and effect of control measures
Authors: Ribeiro C. D. , Burge S. H. , Palmer S. R. , Tobin J. O'H. , Watkins I. D. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYSwabs and water samples from a hospital water system were cultured for legionellae over an extended period. Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1, including outbreak associated strains, were isolated in small numbers from approximately 5% of these samples despite implementation of the current DHSS/Welsh Office regulations. No cases of nosocomial legionnaires' disease were proven during the study. Physical cleaning and chemical sterilization of taps, and replacement of washers with ‘approved’ brands did not eradicate the organisms. Eradication of legionellae in hospital water supplies appears to be unnecessary in preventing nosocomial legionnaires' disease provided the current DHSS/Welsh Office recommendations are implemented.
Properties of strains ofEscherichia colibelonging to serogroup O 157 with special reference to production of Vero cytotoxins VTl and VT2
Authors: Scotland S. M. , Willshaw G. A. , Smith H. R. , Rowe B. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYFifty-four strains ofEscherichia colibelonging to serogroup O 157 were examined for the production of Vero cytotoxins VT1 and VT2, and for other properties such as plasmid content, resistance to antimicrobial agents and colicin production. Twenty-six strains from cases of diarrhoea, haemorrhagic colitis and haemolytic uraemic syndrome in humans produced VT. By serum neutralization tests and hybridization with DNA probes for VTl or VT2, three classes were recognized which produced either VTl alone or VT2 alone or both VTl and VT2. These strains were of H type 7 or non-motile. The strains producing VT were sensitive to all the antimicrobial agents tested, and all carried at least one plasmid which had a molecular weight ofc.60 × 106. Seven strains of porcine origin and 21 strains of human origin did not produce VT or hybridize with either DNA probe. None of these strains was of H type 7. Of the 21 human VT” strains, 17 were of extraintestinal origin and 18 were of H type 45. Twenty-three of the 28 VT” strains were resistant to at least one antimicrobial agent.
Tetanus and its complications: intensive care and management experience in 150 Indian patients
Authors: Udwadia F. E. , Lall A. , Udwadia Z. F. , Sekhar M. , Vora A. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYA total of 150 patients were treated for tetanus in the tetanus ward of the J. J. Hospital, Bombay, between October 1983 and January 1986. The complications of tetanus and the mode of management in the presence of restricted resources are outlined. Intensive care, proper nutrition, early tracheostomy and ventilator support in severe tetanus were chiefly responsible for an overall reduction in mortality from 30 to 12%. The mortality in severe tetanus was reduced from 70 to 23%.Sudden death due to unexpected cardiac arrest was an important complication in severe tetanus. We observed that an abrupt marked rise in rectal temperature ( > 107 °F, 41·7 °C), if undetected, could lead to sudden circulatory collapse and death. Well-marked hypoxaemia was observed in all patients with severe tetanus, and was related to ventilation perfusion inequalities and to an increase in the true venous admixture (increasedQs/Qt)in the lungs. Bronchopulmonary infections and the adult respiratory distress syndrome added significantly to morbidity and mortality. Autonomic cardiovascular disturbances included bradycardia alternating with tachycardia, and hypertension which was either labile, paroxysmal or sustained. Persistent hypotension was of ominous significance. Amongst numerous complications involving other systems, sepsis and septic shock were associated with a high mortality.
A food-poisoning incident caused byClostridium botulinumtoxin A in Japan
Authors: Otofuji T. , Tokiwa H. , Takahashi K. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYFood poisoning caused byClostridium botulinumtoxin A occurred in Japan. Eleven (31 %) of 36 patients from 14 different areas died of botulism. Most of the patients had eaten commercial fried lotus-rhizome solid mustard without heating. The food, which implicated one of the special local products used for gifts in Kumamoto, was found to have been produced by a manufacturer in Kumamoto prefecture.In Fukuoka prefecture, two of three patients died on days 4 and 8 after eating the food; they had typical symptoms of botulism. A total of 42 packages of the food bought as gifts was collected from different districts in Fukuoka prefecture for examination for both organism and toxin. Thirteen of these (31%) were contaminated with the organism, and in 11 (26%) a small amount of toxin A had been produced.
Changes in the pattern of infection caused byStreptococcus pyogenes
Authors: Gaworzewska Ewa , Colman G. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThe distribution of T-and M-protein antigens was determined in 12469 cultures ofStreptococcus pyogenessent to a reference laboratory. Of these 7232 (58%) were isolates from hospital patients, 249 (2%) from hospital staff and 4988 (40%) from the community. The survey extended from January 1980 to June 1987. During this timo the numbers of isolates of M-types 6, 49 and 81 rose then fell, being replaced by types 1, 3 and 28. The proportion of isolates of M-types 4 and 12 remained constant. Few strains were received from cases of nephritis or rheumatic fever but there has been an increase in the number of strains from serious infections and deaths. Forty-four of the 55 (80%) strains received since 1985 from fatal infections have belonged to M-type 1. All other strains, bar two, received from fatal infections in those years belonged to M-type 3. Representatives of M-type 1 were also associated with crysipelas. Types 3 and 4 predominated among the isolates from scarlet fever, types 1, 4, 12 and 49 from nephritis, types 49 and 81 from skin infections in meat workers and type 28 in cases of puerperal sepsis. The M-typability rate was 97% but new M antigens await definition among strains causing pyoderma.
Duck hepatitis B virus: a model to assess efficacy of disinfectants against hepadnavirus infectivity
Authors: Murray S. M. , Freiman J. S. , Vickery K. , Lim D. , Cossart Y. E. , Whiteley R. K. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThe efficacy of three proprietary glutaraldehyde disinfectants and their component bases was assessed using the duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) model. Inactivation of infectivity of undiluted serum containing 106·8ID50/ml DHBV was assessed after a mixture with an equal volume of disinfectant had stood at room temperature for 10 min. A dried spill of infectious serum was simulated using sterile filter paper disks, saturated with serum containing DHBV, dried and then exposed to test disinfectant for 10 min. Residual infectivity, and hence the reduction in virus titre, was determined by inoculation of dilutions of the treated samples into 1-day-old ducklings. A greater than 3 log10reduction in virus titre could be demonstrated for the disinfectants as well as for some of their component bases. Disinfectant activity varied according to the method of viral presentation but a reduction of exposure time from 10 to 2·5 min did not diminish activity. The experimental protocol permits a comparative and quantitative assessment of the efficacy of both established and new disinfectants.
Epidemiology of campylobacteriosis in a cohort of rural population near Calcutta
Authors: Gupta P. G. Sen , Nair G. B. , Mondal S. , Gupta D. N. , Sen D. , Sikdar S. N. , Das P. , Sarkar R. K. , Ghosh S. , Saha N. C. , Deb B. C. , Pal S. C. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYOver a 2-year period, 25 families comprising of 181 individuals of all ages were longitudinally observed for the excretion ofCampylobacterspecies. Faecal samples were taken from all persons with diarrhoea. Specimens were also taken from apparently healthy individuals and from domestic animals living within the confines of the study families at monthly intervals.The overall diarrhoea attack rate was 19 episodes per 100 person-years with peak incidence in the 1- to 4-year-old age group (76/100 person-years). Eight (11·5%) of the total episodes were campylobacter-associated and the overall rate of campylobacter positive diarrhoeal episodes were 2·2 per 100 person-years. Of the 1002 stool samples from healthy individuals 32 (3·2/100 samples) were positive for campylobacter. The organism was most frequently isolated from children under 1 year of age both during diarrhoeal episodes (11·5 per 100 person-years) and non-diarrhoeal (11·1 per 100 samples). Multiple infections in a family were rare. In 19·4% of the occasions one or more animals were campylobacter positive. However, only in 7·7% of these occasions was a human infection recorded within 1 month after the animal was found to be positive.The study showed that the epidemiology of campylobacteriosis in this community was distinct compared to that observed in developed countries.
Group L beta-haemolytic streptococcal infection in meat handlers: another streptococcal zoonosis?
Authors: Barnham M. , Neilson D. J. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYGroup L, β-haemolytic streptococci can cause infection in dogs, pigs, cattle and sheep but there have been very few reports in man. In studies of skin infection in meat handlers we cultured group L streptococci from clinically infected wounds, impetigo and paronychia of 15 patients involved in the slaughter and processing of chickens and pigs.Staphylococcus aureuswas also present in eight (53%) of the lesions. At least five other infections with group L streptococci in meat and animal handlers are known to have occurred in other parts of England in recent years, and brief details are given.
One-point method for serological diagnosis of leptospirosis: a microcapsule agglutination test
Authors: Seki M. , Sato T. , Arimitsu Y. , Matuhasi T. , Kobayashi S. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThis paper describes a simple and rapid microcapsule agglutination (MCA) test. The results obtained by this new test have been compared with those obtained by the microtitre MCA and the microscopic agglutination (MA) test. The procedures required for the new test are easier and can be performed more rapidly than those necessary for the microtitre MCA test. Furthermore, the new test is more sensitive than the MA test in the early stages of leptospirosis.This new test appears satisfactory as a screening test for the early diagnosis of leptospirosis.
Most probable numbers of organisms: revised tables for the multiple tube method
Authors: Tillett Hilary E. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYEstimation of numbers of organisms is often made using dilution series, for example when examining water samples for coliform organisms. In this paper the most probable numbers (MPNs) are calculated for a 15-tube series consisting of five replicates at three consecutive tenfold dilutions. Exact conditional probabilities are computed to replace previous approximations.When growth is observed in several of the tubes it is not realistic to select a single MPN. Instead a most probable range (MPR) should be reported. But using an MPR creates problems when comparison has to be made with a legislated, single-valued Standard. It is suggested that the wording of the Standards should be expressed differently when the multiple tube method is used.
A point source outbreak of campylobacter infection related to bird-pecked milk
Authors: Riordan T. , Humphrey T. J. , Fowles A. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYA point source outbreak of Campylobacter jejuni affected 11 children in a day nursery. Milk consumed by the children was known to have been pecked by magpies on occasions. Illness was significantly associated with consumption of milk on a single morning. Examination of milk from a bottle pecked after the outbreak yielded campylobacters. The level of contamination was approximately six cells of C. jejuni per 500 ml of milk.