bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The XMM-Newton detection of extended emission from the nova remnant of T Pyxidis
Authors: Balman Ş. 
Published: March 2010

Abstract
We report the detection of an extended X-ray nebulosity with an elongation from north-east to south-west in excess of 15 arcsec in a radial profile and imaging of the recurrent nova T Pyx using the archival data obtained with the X-ray Multi-Mirror Mission (XMM–Newton), European Photon Imaging Camera (pn instrument). The signal-to-noise ratio in the extended emission (above the point source and the background) is 5.2 over the 0.3–9.0 keV energy range and 4.9 over the 0.3–1.5 keV energy range. We calculate an absorbed X-ray flux of 2.3 × 10−14ergcm−2 s−1 with a luminosity of 6.0 × 1032ergs−1 from the remnant nova in the 0.3–10.0 keV band. The source spectrum is not physically consistent with a blackbody emission model as a single model or a part of a two-component model fitted to the XMM–Newton data (kTBB &gt; 1 keV). The spectrum is best described by two MEKAL plasma emission models with temperatures at 0.2+0.7−0.1 keV and 1.3+1.0−0.4 keV. The neutral hydrogen column density derived from the fits is significantly more in the hotter X-ray component than the cooler one which we may be attributed to the elemental enhancement of nitrogen and oxygen in the cold material within the remnant. The shock speed calculated from the softer X-ray component of the spectrum is 300–800kms−1 and is consistent with the expansion speeds of the nova remnant derived from the Hubble Space Telescope and ground-based optical wavelength data. Our results suggest that the detected X-ray emission may be dominated by shock-heated gas from the nova remnant.
Introduction of Portable Computed Tomography Scanners, in the Treatment of Acute Stroke Patients via Telemedicine in Remote Communities
Authors: Shuaib A. , Khan K. , Whittaker T. , Amlani S. , Crumley P. 
Published: March 2010

Background Thrombolysis is an established treatment in selected patients who present early to hospital after symptoms of acute ischaemic stroke. Treatment can only be offered after the patient has been assessed by highly trained physicians and imaging studies have ruled out a brain haemorrhage. This limits the wider availability of thrombolysis to patients in remote communities, especially in countries with limited resources. There has been considerable success with the use of TeleStroke to overcome such barriers. TeleStroke is feasible in remote hospitals provided there is an available computed tomography scanner, a fundamental prerequisite in the assessment of acute stroke and thrombolysis. This is a luxury not widely available, especially in remote sites. Recently, Neurologica introduced a portable computed tomography scanner that can be operated after minimal training. Methods We report our preliminary experience with the portable computed tomography scanner in a remote community where Telemedicine was successfully used to evaluate and treat patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of an acute ischaemic stroke. The University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton, Canada was the ‘hub’ site and Wainwright Community Hospital was the ‘spoke’ site. Results Over a 3-month period, 18 patients were evaluated in the emergency department of the remote hospital where the referring physician felt that symptoms indicated potential for thrombolysis. All patients were evaluated remotely by a stroke neurologist in a TeleStroke service situated 207 km from the rural site. After clinical examination, cranial computed tomography scans were obtained with the portable scanner and evaluated by the stroke neurologist. In three patients, thrombolysis was not offered because the computed tomography showed evidence of brain haemorrhage: two intracerebral haemorrhage and one subarachnoid haemorrhage. Three patients meeting the standard criteria received thrombolysis within 4·5 h from onset of symptoms. There was a significant improvement in two patients. One patient did not make a good recovery. Repeat computed tomography scans showed a small haemorrhagic transformation in one patient. In the remaining 12 subjects, symptoms improved rapidly, were outside the window for thrombolysis, or were not consistent with an acute ischaemic stroke. Interpretations Our preliminary study shows that the portable scanner can be used successfully in the evaluation of patients in remote regions that are not within timely reach of stroke experts or do not have available conventional imaging with computed tomography scans. Telemedicine, in combination with the use of portable scanners, offers hope to a large remote population base that would otherwise not have access to appropriate acute stroke treatment.
True anatomical zirconia implants for molar replacement: a case report from an ongoing clinical study with a 2‐year follow‐up
Authors: Pirker W. , Kocher A. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractThis article describes a case report of an ongoing clinical investigation with modified root‐analogue zirconia dental implants. We present a 40‐year‐old female patient with root caries and chronic apical periodontitis after an unsuccessful root canal treatment. The tooth was carefully extracted, and the socket was cleaned by means of curettage. The root was modified by application of macro‐retentions and micro‐retentions, and laser scanned, and an exact replica was milled from a zirconia block. Five days after extraction, a one‐piece zirconia implant was placed into the extraction socket by gentle tapping with a hammer and a mallet. The soft tissue healed unremarkably around the implant within 3 days. The definitive restoration with a composite crown was performed 3 months after extraction. At 2‐year follow‐up, the patient presented with an excellent aesthetic and functional result.
Anxiety and pain experience of patients undergoing intra‐oral buccal mucosa biopsy
Authors: Barrett C.S. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractAim:  The aim of this study was to investigate anxiety levels, expected pain and actual pain experienced by patients undergoing intra‐oral biopsy.Materials and methods:  Forty‐four patients who required a single site, buccal mucosa biopsy under local anaesthesia as their first ever oral biopsy were recruited. Data were collected immediately before and after their biopsy procedure. This included demographic information, state and trait sections of Spielberger's State Trait Anxiety Inventory and 100 mm visual analogue scales for expected pain and actual pain. Data were analysed using paired t‐tests, independent t‐tests and Pearson's product moment correlation coefficient.Results and conclusions:  Patients were anxious pre‐operatively (mean s‐anxiety 42.02), which was a highly statistically significant rise above baseline (P < 0.001). Patients expected (40.4) significantly (P < 0.001) higher pain from the procedure than they actually experienced (4.5). There were some indicators that women and patients with high trait anxiety were more likely to be anxious pre‐operatively.
Le Cours sur la conservation de l’architecture de l’ICCROM, 1982–1992 : histoire, évolution, impact
Authors: Teutonico Jeanne Marie 
Published: March 2010

RésuméL’ICCROM a eu un impact important dans le domaine de la conservation du patrimoine grâce à ses programmes de formation internationale, dont ses cours sur la conservation de l’architecture délivrés depuis trente ans. L’auteur examine, à travers sa propre expérience, l’histoire et l’évolution de ce cours entre 1982 et 1992.
Glutathione Protects
Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis
against Freeze-Thawing, Freeze-Drying, and Cold Treatment
Authors: Zhang Juan , Du Guo-Cheng , Zhang Yanping , Liao Xian-Yan , Wang Miao , Li Yin , Chen Jian 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACT

Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis
DSM20451 cells containing glutathione (GSH) displayed significantly higher resistance against cold stress induced by freeze-drying, freeze-thawing, and 4°C cold treatment than those without GSH. Cells containing GSH were capable of maintaining their membrane structure intact when exposed to freeze-thawing. In addition, cells containing GSH showed a higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acids in cell membranes upon long-term cold treatment. Subsequent studies revealed that the protective role of GSH against cryodamage of the cell membrane is partly due to preventing peroxidation of membrane fatty acids and protecting Na
+
,K
+
-ATPase. Intracellular accumulation of GSH enhanced the survival and the biotechnological performance of
L. sanfranciscensis
, suggesting that the robustness of starters for sourdough fermentation can be improved by selecting GSH-accumulating strains. Moreover, the results of this study may represent a further example of mechanisms for stress responses in lactic acid bacteria.
Characterization of Immunostimulatory CpG-Rich Sequences from DifferentBifidobacteriumSpecies
Authors: Ménard Odile , Gafa Valérie , Kapel Nathalie , Rodriguez Bertrand , Butel Marie-José , Waligora-Dupriet Anne-Judith 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACTThe beneficial effects ofBifidobacteriumare partly due to its immunostimulatory properties. These immunostimulatory properties may be linked to the presence of unmethylated CpG motifs specific to bacterial DNA, which may induce a TH1 response by activating Toll-like receptors (TLR). Usingin silicoanalyses, PCR amplification, and dot blotting, we characterized the CpG content of various bifidobacterial strains and evaluated the immunostimulatory properties and genomic heterogeneity of these motifs in the genus. Ourin silicostudy, based on entire genome sequences from five bifidobacterial strains, showed thatBifidobacteriumgenomes contain numerous CpG motifs, including 5′-purine-purine-CG-pyrimidine-pyrimidine-3′ and 5′-purine-TCG-pyrimidine-pyrimidine-3′ motifs, and biologically active sequences previously identified in lactic acid bacteria. We identified four CpG-rich sequences withBifidobacterium longumNCC2705. Two sequences with a percent G+C of about 68% included 14 and 16 CpG motifs. Two sequences with a percent G+C of about 60% included 16 and 6 CpG motifs. These sequences induce the production of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) through a pattern of TLR9 stimulation on RAW 264.7 macrophages. No link could be established between their immunostimulatory properties, the number of CpG motifs, and percent G+C. We investigated inter- and intraspecies heterogeneity in 71 strains of various origins. These sequences were highly conserved in the genus. No link was found between the presence of the CpG-rich sequence and the origin of the strains (healthy, allergic, or preterm infants). The high frequency of CpG motifs in the DNA ofBifidobacteriummay play an important role in the immunostimulatory properties of commensal or probiotic bifidobacterial strains.
Cyclic GMP as a Second Messenger in the Nitric Oxide-Mediated Conidiation of the MycoparasiteConiothyrium minitans
Authors: Li Bo , Fu Yanping , Jiang Daohong , Xie Jiatao , Cheng Jiasen , Li Guoqing , Hamid Mahammad Imran , Yi Xianhong 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACTUnderstanding signaling pathways that modulate conidiation of mitosporic fungi is of both practical and theoretical importance. The enzymatic origin of nitric oxide (NO) and its roles in conidiation by the sclerotial parasiteConiothyrium minitanswere investigated. The activity of a nitric oxide synthase-like (NOS-like) enzyme was detected inC. minitansas evidenced by the conversion ofl-arginine tol-citrulline. Guanylate cyclase (GC) activity was also detected indirectly inC. minitanswith the GC-specific inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), which significantly reduced production of cyclic GMP (cGMP). The dynamics of NOS activity were closely mirrored by the cGMP levels during pycnidial development, with the highest levels of both occurring at the pycnidial initiation stage ofC. minitans. Furthermore, the NO donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), stimulated the accumulation of cGMP almost instantly in mycelium during the hyphal growth stage. When the activity of NOS or GC was inhibited withNω-nitro-l-arginine or ODQ, conidial production ofC. minitanswas suppressed or completely eliminated; however, the suppression of conidiation by ODQ could be reversed by exogenous cGMP. The results also showed that conidiation of anl-arginine auxotroph could be restored by the NO donor SNP, but not by cGMP. Thus, NO-mediated conidiation has more than one signal pathway, including the cGMP signal pathway and another yet-unknown pathway, and both are essential for conidiation inC. minitans.
Analysis of
Lactobacillus sakei
Mutants Selected after Adaptation to the Gastrointestinal Tracts of Axenic Mice
Authors: Chiaramonte Fabrizio , Anglade Patricia , Baraige Fabienne , Gratadoux Jean-Jacques , Langella Philippe , Champomier-Vergès Marie-Christine , Zagorec Monique 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACT

We recently showed that
Lactobacillus sakei
, a natural meat-borne lactic acid bacterium, can colonize the gastrointestinal tracts (GIT) of axenic mice but that this colonization in the intestinal environment selects
L. sakei
mutants showing modified colony morphology (small and rough) and cell shape, most probably resulting from the accumulation of various mutations that confer a selective advantage for persistence in the GIT. In the present study, we analyzed such clones, issued from three different
L. sakei
strains, in order to determine which functions were modified in the mutants. In the elongated filamentous cells of the rough clones, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis showed a septation defect and dotted and slanted black bands, suggesting the presence of a helical structure around the cells. Comparison of the cytoplasmic and cell wall/membrane proteomes of the meat isolate
L. sakei
23K and of one of its rough derivatives revealed a modified expression for 38 spots. The expression of six oxidoreductases, several stress proteins, and four ABC transporters was strongly reduced in the GIT-adapted strain, while the actin-like MreB protein responsible for cell shaping was upregulated. In addition, the expression of several enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism was modified, which may correlate with the observation of modified growth of mutants on various carbon sources. These results suggest that the modifications leading to a better adaptation to the GIT are pleiotropic and are characterized in a rough mutant by a different stress status, a cell wall modification, and modified use of energy sources, leading to an improved fitness for the colonization of the GIT.
Prevalence and Diversity of Toxigenic
Clostridium perfringens
and
Clostridium difficile
among Swine Herds in the Midwest
Authors: Baker Ashley A. , Davis Ellen , Rehberger Thomas , Rosener Daniel 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACT

Clostridium perfringens
and
Clostridium difficile
are associated with scours in the neonatal piglet and are an economic concern in swine production. The objective of this study was to characterize the prevalence and diversity of
C. perfringens
and
C. difficile
isolates obtained from scouring neonatal piglets in a large integrated production system, as well as in smaller independently owned regional farms. Rectal swabs were collected from 333 pigs at 11 sites in an integrated swine production system and from an additional 180 pigs at 16 regional farms located throughout the Midwest.
C. perfringens
was isolated from 89.8% of the pigs swabbed at the integrated sites, and
C. difficile
was isolated from 57.7% of these pigs. Of the pigs from the regional farms sampled, 95.6% were positive for isolation of
C. perfringens
and 27.2% were positive for
C. difficile
. Toxigenic isolates were typed using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) PCR, and were placed in four dendrograms for
C. perfringens
and
C. difficile
populations isolated from the integrated sites and regional farms. Diversity indices showed that there was greater diversity in
C. difficile
populations and in populations isolated from the regional farms. A subset of isolates from the
C. difficile
dendrograms were further toxinotyped by amplification of the pathogenicity locus and subsequent digestion by HincII, AccI, and EcoRI. Of the 45 isolates typed, 44 were determined to be toxinotype V. The results of this study illustrate the diversity of
C. perfringens
and
C. difficile
isolates and the prevalence of these pathogens in swine production sites.
Raman Spectroscopy-Compatible Inactivation Method for Pathogenic Endospores
Authors: Stöckel S. , Schumacher W. , Meisel S. , Elschner M. , Rösch P. , Popp J. 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACT

Micro-Raman spectroscopy is a fast and sensitive tool for the detection, classification, and identification of biological organisms. The vibrational spectrum inherently serves as a fingerprint of the biochemical composition of each bacterium and thus makes identification at the species level, or even the subspecies level, possible. Therefore, microorganisms in areas susceptible to bacterial contamination, e.g., clinical environments or food-processing technology, can be sensed. Within the scope of point-of-care-testing also, detection of intentionally released biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) agents, such as
Bacillus anthracis
endospores, or their products is attainable. However, no Raman spectroscopy-compatible inactivation method for the notoriously resistant
Bacillus
endospores has been elaborated so far. In this work we present an inactivation protocol for endospores that permits, on the one hand, sufficient microbial inactivation and, on the other hand, the recording of Raman spectroscopic signatures of single endospores, making species-specific identification by means of highly sophisticated chemometrical methods possible. Several physical and chemical inactivation methods were assessed, and eventually treatment with 20% formaldehyde proved to be superior to the other methods in terms of sporicidal capacity and information conservation in the Raman spectra. The latter fact has been verified by successfully using self-learning machines (such as support vector machines or artificial neural networks) to identify inactivated
B. anthracis
-related endospores with adequate accuracies within the range of the limited model database employed.
Influence of Refuse Sites on the Prevalence of
Campylobacter
spp. and
Salmonella
Serovars in Seagulls
Authors: Ramos Raül , Cerdà-Cuéllar Marta , Ramírez Francisco , Jover Lluís , Ruiz Xavier 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACT

Wild animals are well-known reservoirs of
Campylobacter
and
Salmonella
. We investigated the influence of insalubrious diets on the prevalence of both enterobacteria in seagulls.
Campylobacter
occurrence in gull chicks sampled along the northeastern Iberian coast was directly related to the degree of refuse consumption. High
Salmonella
values from the sampling sites did not reflect any dietary relationship.
Production and Characterization of a Novel Bioflocculant from
Bacillus licheniformis
Authors: Xiong Yuyan , Wang Yuanpeng , Yu Yi , Li Qingbiao , Wang Haitao , Chen Ronghui , He Ning 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACT

A bacterium producing an extracellular bioflocculant was isolated from contaminated LB medium and identified as
Bacillus licheniformis
by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and its biochemical/physiological characteristics. The optimum culture conditions for flocculant production were an initial medium pH of 7.2 and an inoculum size of 4% (vol/vol). The maximum flocculating activity (700 U/ml) was obtained after cultivation at 37°C for 48 h. Chemical analyses of the purified bioflocculant revealed that it was a proteoglycan composed of 89% carbohydrate and 11% protein (wt/wt). The mass ratio of neutral sugar, amino sugar, and uronic acid was measured at 7.9:4:1. Infrared spectrometry further indicated the presence of carboxyl, hydroxyl, and amino groups, typical of heteropolysaccharide. The average mass of the bioflocculant was calculated to be 1.76 × 10
6
Da. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the bioflocculant showed an irregular structure with netted texture. Its efficient flocculation capabilities suggest potential applications in industry.
Modeling the Lag Period and Exponential Growth of
Listeria monocytogenes
under Conditions of Fluctuating Temperature and Water Activity Values
Authors: Muñoz-Cuevas Marina , Fernández Pablo S. , George Susan , Pin Carmen 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACT

The dynamic model for the growth of a bacterial population described by Baranyi and Roberts (J. Baranyi and T. A. Roberts, Int. J. Food Microbiol.
23:
277-294, 1994) was applied to model the lag period and exponential growth of
L
isteria monocytogenes
under conditions of fluctuating temperature and water activity (a
w
) values. To model the duration of the lag phase, the dependence of the parameter
h
0
, which quantifies the amount of work done during the lag period, on the previous and current environmental conditions was determined experimentally. This parameter depended not only on the magnitude of the change between the previous and current environmental conditions but also on the current growth conditions. In an exponentially growing population, any change in the environment requiring a certain amount of work to adapt to the new conditions initiated a lag period that lasted until that work was finished. Observations for several scenarios in which exponential growth was halted by a sudden change in the temperature and/or a
w
were in good agreement with predictions. When a population already in a lag period was subjected to environmental fluctuations, the system was reset with a new lag phase. The work to be done during the new lag phase was estimated to be the workload due to the environmental change plus the unfinished workload from the uncompleted previous lag phase.
Revelation by Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism Genotyping That Mutations Leading to a Premature Stop Codon in
inlA
Are Common among
Listeria monocytogenes
Isolates from Ready-To-Eat Foods but Not Human Listeriosis Cases
Authors: Van Stelten A. , Simpson J. M. , Ward T. J. , Nightingale K. K. 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACT

Listeria monocytogenes
utilizes internalin A (InlA; encoded by
inlA
) to cross the intestinal barrier to establish a systemic infection. Multiple naturally occurring mutations leading to a premature stop codon (PMSC) in
inlA
have been reported worldwide, and these mutations are causally associated with attenuated virulence. Five
inlA
PMSC mutations recently discovered among isolates from France and the United States were included as additional markers in our previously described
inlA
single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping assay. This assay was used to screen >1,000
L. monocytogenes
isolates from ready-to-eat (RTE) foods (
n
= 502) and human listeriosis cases (
n
= 507) for 18
inlA
PMSC mutations. A significantly (
P
< 0.0001) greater proportion of RTE food isolates (45.0%) carried a PMSC mutation in
inlA
compared to human clinical isolates (5.1%). The proportion of
L. monocytogenes
with or without PMSC mutations in
inlA
was similar among isolates from different RTE food categories except for deli meats, which included a marginally higher proportion (
P
= 0.12) of isolates carrying a PMSC in
inlA
. We also analyzed the distribution of epidemic clone (EC) strains, which have been linked to the majority of listeriosis outbreaks worldwide and are overrepresented among sporadic cases in the United States. We observed a significant (
P
< 0.05) overrepresentation of EC strains in deli and seafood salads and a significant (
P
< 0.05) underrepresentation of EC strains in smoked seafood. These results provide important data to predict the human health risk of exposure to
L. monocytogenes
strains that differ in pathogenic potential through consumption of contaminated RTE foods.