bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
DISPOSITIONAL ASSOCIATES OF GCE PERFORMANCE IN SIXTH FORM AND FURTHER EDUCATION COLLEGE STUDENTS
Authors: CLARKE M. J. , YOUNGMAN M. B. 
Published: May 2011

Summary.A great deal of research effort has sought to identify factors associated with successful academic performance. The more consistent findings suggest generally that intellectual ability and previous examination performance are the strongest determinants of attainment, whilst within the dispositional domain of personality, extraversion and emotional stability claim some importance, albeit that findings in the latter area have been surprisingly inconclusive. This paper reports the findings of a study which examined the dispositional associates of GCE O‐/A‐level performance, employing a sample of 356 two‐year, full‐time GCE A‐level students who entered further education and sixth form colleges immediately after completing their fifth form work in schools. A method of cluster analysis was used to identify student types based on selected dispositional characteristics. Within‐cluster regression analysis was then employed in order to determine the relative weight attached to the student dispositional characteristics in explaining their GCE O‐and A‐level performance. The potential of the clusters is confirmed by the high predictive power associated with the multiple regression model employed and, in particular, the considerable explanatory power associated with the students' measured dispositional characteristics.
SEX, SOCIAL CLASS AND ETHNIC DIFFERENCES IN THE EXPECTATIONS OF UNEMPLOYMENT AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL‐BEING OF SECONDARY SCHOOL PUPILS IN ENGLAND
Authors: ULLAH PHILIP , BROTHERTON CHRIS 
Published: May 2011

Summary. Studies of the harmful psychological effects of unemployment on young people have typically paid little attention to their psychological well‐being during their final years at school. In particular, there has been little research into the relationship between school pupils' well‐being and their expectations and views about the possibility of becoming unemployed after leaving school. It is possible that those pupils who anticipate unemployment may have lower levels of well‐being, and may thus experience less of a decline in psychological health at the onset of unemployment.The study described here set out to measure two indices of well‐being, psychological distress and anxiety, among fifth and sixth year secondary school pupils. Also measured were their expectations of becoming unemployed, their concern about this, the amount of difficulty they expected to encounter finding a job, and their employment commitment. Comparisons on these variables were made between males and females, middle class and working class pupils, and white, Asian and Afro‐Caribbean pupils. Differences between these demographic categories are reported, along with the associations observed between the well‐being variables and views about future employment and unemployment. Levels of psychological distress and anxiety were found to be as high as those observed in unemployed samples, though were not related to expectations and concern about the possibility of becoming unemployed. A number of possible influences on the psychological health of school pupils are suggested.
Writing style and the narrative essay
Authors: Lavelle Ellen 
Published: May 2011

Background. Writing styles reflect the ways that writers think about themselves and about writing, as well as the pattern of strategies that writers consistently use to achieve their goals (Lavelle, 1993). Generally, writing styles may be considered along the deep/surface continuum with deep styles geared toward making a complex meaning beyond the given words, and surface writing reflecting a listing approach based on the reproduction of information. However, some students have adopted an Elaborative style reflecting a high degree of personal expression in writing. The Elaborative style employs a self‐referencing strategy — ‘Writing makes me feel good’, ‘I put a lot of myself in writing’ represents an affective dimension in writing — one geared toward personal meaning. Unfortunately, Elaborative writing is usually encouraged only in the composition class where it is considered a precursor to academic or objective composition.Aims. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among writing styles as measured by the Inventory of Processes in College Composition (Lavelle, 1993), writing apprehension, and writing performance on a personal narrative writing task. Given the self‐referencing strategy associated with the Elaborative style, it was hypothesised that Elaborative scale scores would predict narrative essay outcomes in terms of the degree of personal investment and complexity.Sample. The sample consisted of 74 college students enrolled in freshman composition, a general studies course at a medium size midwestem university in the United States.Methods. The Inventory of Processes in College Composition and the Daly Miller Writing Apprehension Test were administered to students during a regular, 50‐minute class period. Students also responded in essay format to a personal writing prompt: ‘My Most Unforgettable Character’.Results. Results support the Elaborative writing style as predictive of the degree of personal involvement in writing a narrative essay but not as predictive of the complexity of writing outcome. Writing apprehension in conjunction with Procedural scale score were predictive of the complexity of essay outcomes and Elaborative and Low self‐efficacy writing styles were predictive of writing apprehension.Conclusions. The Elaborative construct represents a highly personal and emotive approach to writing and learning and is useful in understanding writers' strengths and deficits. Elaborative writers were confident and highly invested in writing a brief narrative essay, but might be encouraged to be more planful in order to achieve a greater level of complexity. Writing apprehension has been supported as a multidimensional construct related to writing self‐efficacy. Implications for instruction include offering a wide range of writing assignments, emphasis on reflection and planning, and consideration of narrative writing as an educational tool in content areas.
Educational implications of field dependence‐independence: in answer to Bagley and Mallick
Authors: Tinajero Carolina , Páramo M. Fernanda 
Published: May 2011

Background. This article replies to some of the comments made by Bagley & Mallick (1998) about our investigation (Tinajero & Páramo, 1997).Aims. To clarify some of Bagley and Mallick's comments about our investigation, and to defend alternative interpretations about some aspects which refer to field dependent‐independent cognitive style (FDI) mentioned by the authors, such as the overlapping between measures of cognitive style and ability, and the implications the latter has in an educational context.Methods. A revision of theoretical arguments and empirical evidence about the questions which are dealt with.Conclusion. The generalisation of the results of our study about the relationship between FDI and academic achievement seems to be feasible in the light of data from previous studies carried out with samples of very different origin. Investigation into FDI takes place alongside theoretical debates about aspects such as its adaptive value or its overlapping with intelligence. These debates remain open.
Structure-Analysis of the HIV-1 Integrase Y143C/R Raltegravir Resistance Mutation in Association with the Secondary Mutation T97A
Authors: Reigadas S. , Masquelier B. , Calmels C. , Laguerre M. , Lazaro E. , Vandenhende M. , Neau D. , Fleury H. , Andréola M. L. 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACT

The HIV-1 integrase (IN) mutations Y143C/R are known as raltegravir (RAL) primary resistance mutations. In a previous study (S. Reigadas et al., PLoS One 5:e10311, 2010), we investigated the genetic pathway and the dynamics of emergence of the Y143C/R mutations in three patients failing RAL-containing regimens. In these patients, the Y143C/R mutation was associated with the T97A mutation. The aim of the present biochemical and molecular studies
in vitro
was to evaluate whether the secondary mutation, T97A, associated with the Y143C/R mutation could increase the level of resistance to RAL and impact IN activities. Site-directed mutagenesis experiments were performed with expression vectors harboring the region of the
pol
gene coding for IN. With a 3′-end processing assay, the 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC
50
) were 1.2 μM, 1.2 μM, 2.4 μM (fold change [FC], 2), and 20 μM (FC, 16.7) for IN wild type (WT), the IN T97A mutation, the IN Y143C/T97A mutation, and the IN Y143R/T97A mutation, respectively. FCs of 18 and 100 were observed with the strand transfer assay for IN Y143C/T97A and Y143R/T97A mutations, with IC
50
of 0.625 μM and 2.5 μM, respectively. In the strand transfer assay, the IN Y143C or R mutation combined with the secondary mutation T97A severely impaired susceptibility to RAL compared to results with the IN Y143C or R mutation alone. Assays without RAL suggested that the T97A mutation could rescue the catalytic activity which was impaired by the presence of the Y143C/R mutation. The combination of the T97A mutation with the primary RAL resistance mutations Y143C/R strongly reduces the susceptibility to RAL and rescues the catalytic defect due to the Y143C/R mutation. This result indicates that the emergence of the Y143C/R/T97A double-mutation pattern in patients is a signature of a high resistance level.
Applying New Diagnostic Criteria for Acute Kidney Injury To Facilitate Early Identification of Nephrotoxicity in Vancomycin-Treated Patients
Authors: Minejima Emi , Choi Joyce , Beringer Paul , Lou Mimi , Tse Edmund , Wong-Beringer Annie 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACT

Acute kidney injury (AKI) associated with high-dose vancomycin (VAN) therapy is a clinical concern, but no uniform diagnostic criteria exist. The AKI Network (AKIN) proposed new criteria to diagnose AKI based on abrupt changes in serum creatinine or urine output. We conducted a prospective observational study to determine the incidence and severity of AKI and associated outcomes using the AKIN criteria versus traditional definitions. Eligible patients (
n
= 227) were elderly (median, 70 years) and received VAN therapy for 8 days (median). AKI occurred in 43 patients (19%) using AKIN criteria at an onset of 6 days. AKI incidence was similar for patients with a trough level of ≥15 (24%; 17/72) versus <15 (17%; 26/155) μg/ml. Compared to non-AKI patients, more AKI patients resided in the intensive care unit (ICU) (47% [20/43] versus 27% [50/184];
P
= 0.017), had a prior AKI episode (19% [8/43] versus 7% [5/184];
P
= 0.001), and received vasopressor (28% [12/43] versus 14% [25/184];
P
= 0.04) and/or nephrotoxins (84% [36/43] versus 67% [123/184];
P
= 0.04). Seventeen of the AKI patients met traditional criteria, of whom more patients had stage 2 and 3 AKI (76% versus 8%;
P
= 0.0001), dosage adjustment (41% versus 15%) and renal consultation (35% versus 12%), prolonged length of stay after AKI (11 versus 7.5 days) and died (29% versus 12%) than those diagnosed by AKIN criteria (
P
value not significant). Use of AKIN criteria for AKI has the potential to improve care of VAN-treated patients by facilitating early detection of AKI and warrants confirmation in large prospective trials.
Penetration of Ertapenem into Muscle Measured by In Vivo Microdialysis in Mechanically Ventilated Patients
Authors: Boyadjiev I. , Boulamery A. , Simon N. , Martin C. , Bruguerolle B. , Leone M. 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACT
Ertapenem at 1 g once daily has been suggested to be underdosed in intensive care unit (ICU) patients to attain optimal concentrations in target tissues. Therefore, our study aimed to assess the kinetics of ertapenem in plasma and skeletal muscle in ICU patients using microdialysis. Average muscle free-ertapenem concentrations were above the MIC values of targeted pathogens. In a few patients, the concentrations were below the MIC values. The clinical efficiency of ertapenem at 1 g once daily should be evaluated in a large population of ICU patients.
Synergistic Drug Combinations for Tuberculosis Therapy Identified by a Novel High-Throughput Screen
Authors: Ramón-García Santiago , Ng Carol , Anderson Hilary , Chao Joseph D. , Zheng Xingji , Pfeifer Tom , Av-Gay Yossef , Roberge Michel , Thompson Charles J. 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACT

Therapeutic options for tuberculosis (TB) are limited and notoriously ineffective despite the wide variety of potent antibiotics available for treating other bacterial infections. We investigated an approach that enables an expansion of TB therapeutic strategies by using synergistic combinations of drugs. To achieve this, we devised a high-throughput synergy screen (HTSS) of chemical libraries having known pharmaceutical properties, including thousands that are clinically approved. Spectinomycin was used to test the concept that clinically available antibiotics with limited efficacy against
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
might be used for TB treatment when coadministered with a synergistic partner compound used as a sensitizer. Screens using
Mycobacterium smegmatis
revealed many compounds in our libraries that acted synergistically with spectinomycin. Among them, several families of antimicrobial compounds, including macrolides and azoles, were also synergistic against
M. tuberculosis in vitro
and in a macrophage model of
M. tuberculosis
infection. Strikingly, each sensitizer identified for synergy with spectinomycin uniquely enhanced the activities of other clinically used antibiotics, revealing a remarkable number of unexplored synergistic drug combinations. HTSS also revealed a novel activity for bromperidol, a butyrophenone used as an antipsychotic drug, which was discovered to be bactericidal and greatly enhanced the activities of several antibiotics and drug combinations against
M. tuberculosis
. Our results suggest that many compounds in the currently available pharmacopoeia could be readily mobilized for TB treatment, including disease caused by multi- and extensively drug-resistant strains for which there are no effective therapies.
Valacyclovir for Herpes Simplex Encephalitis
Authors: Pouplin Thomas , Pouplin Julie Nguyen , Van Toi Pham , Lindegardh Niklas , Rogier van Doorn H. , Hien Tran Tinh , Farrar Jeremy , Török M. Estée , Chau Tran Thi Hong 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACT
The recommended treatment for herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) remains intravenous acyclovir. In resource-poor countries, however, intravenous formulations are usually unavailable or unaffordable. We report the penetration of acyclovir into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in patients with HSE, treated with the oral prodrug valacyclovir at 1,000 mg three times daily. The oral therapy achieved adequate acyclovir concentrations in the CSF and may be an acceptable early treatment for suspected HSE in resource-limited settings.
In Vitro
Interaction between Fluconazole and Triclosan against Clinical Isolates of Fluconazole-Resistant Candida albicans Determined by Different Methods
Authors: Yu Lu , Ling Guanghui , Deng Xuming , Jin Jing , Jin Qi , Guo Na 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACT

The
in vitro
interaction between triclosan and fluconazole against 24 azole-resistant clinical isolates of
Candida albicans
was evaluated by the microdilution checkerboard technique. The synergisms were verified by time-killing curves and agar diffusion tests in selected strains. Antagonistic activity was not detected.
Meropenem Penetration into Epithelial Lining Fluid in Mice and Humans and Delineation of Exposure Targets
Authors: Drusano G. L. , Lodise T. P. , Melnick D. , Liu W. , Oliver A. , Mena A. , VanScoy B. , Louie A. 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACT

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
pneumonia remains a most-difficult-to-treat nosocomial bacterial infection. We used mathematical modeling to identify drug exposure targets for meropenem in the epithelial lining fluid (ELF) of mice with
Pseudomonas
pneumonia driving substantial [2 to 3 log
10
(CFU/g)] killing and which suppressed resistant subpopulation amplification. We bridged to humans to estimate the frequency with which the largest licensed meropenem dose would achieve these exposure targets. Cell kills of 2 and 3 log
10
(CFU/g) and resistant subpopulation suppression were mediated by achieving time > MIC in ELF of 32%, 50%, and 50%. Substantial variability in meropenem's ability to penetrate into ELF of both mice and humans was observed. Penetration variability and high exposure targets combined to prevent even the largest licensed meropenem dose from achieving the targets at an acceptable frequency. Even a highly potent agent such as meropenem does not adequately suppress resistant subpopulation amplification as single-agent therapy administered at maximal dose and optimal schedule. Combination chemotherapy is likely required in humans if we are to minimize resistance emergence in
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
pneumonia. This combination needs evaluation both in the murine pneumonia model and in humans.
Pharmacokinetics of Intravenous Levofloxacin Administered at 750 Milligrams in Obese Adults
Authors: Cook Aaron M. , Martin Craig , Adams Val R. , Morehead R. Scott 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACT
The physiochemical properties of levofloxacin suggest that it is an agent which may exhibit altered pharmacokinetics in obese individuals. The purpose of this study was to describe the pharmacokinetics of a single 750-mg intravenous dose of levofloxacin in both hospitalized and ambulatory obese individuals. The hypothesis was that a standard dose of levofloxacin in obese individuals would achieve serum concentrations likely to be therapeutic. A single levofloxacin dose of 750 mg was infused over 90 min, and seven serial serum samples were subsequently obtained to evaluate the pharmacokinetics after the first dose. The peak concentrations of levofloxacin were comparable to those seen with normal-weight individuals. However, the area under the concentration-time curve and clearance were quite variable. Accelerated clearance was evident in the ambulatory obese individuals. Further investigation of the effects of obesity on the pharmacokinetics of levofloxacin is necessary to ensure optimal dosing.
Ceftaroline versus Ceftriaxone in a Highly Penicillin-Resistant Pneumococcal Pneumonia Rabbit Model Using Simulated Human Dosing
Authors: Croisier-Bertin Delphine , Piroth Lionel , Charles Pierre-Emmanuel , Larribeau Aurélie , Biek Donald , Ge Yigong , Chavanet Pascal 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACT

Ceftaroline (CPT) is a new cephalosporin exhibiting bactericidal activity against Gram-positive organisms, including methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) and multidrug-resistant
Streptococcus pneumoniae
(MDRSP), as well as common Gram-negative pathogens. This study investigated the
in vivo
efficacy of a 48-hour simulated human dose regimen of CPT compared with ceftriaxone (CRO) against isolates of
S. pneumoniae
with different susceptibilities to penicillin in a rabbit pneumonia model. Three
S. pneumoniae
strains were used: CRO-susceptible penicillin-susceptible
S. pneumoniae
(CRO-S PSSP), CRO-susceptible penicillin-intermediate
S. pneumoniae
(CRO-S PISP), and CRO-resistant penicillin-resistant
S. pneumoniae
(CRO-R PRSP). Animals were randomized to the control group (no treatment) (
n
= 22) or to a group given intravenous (IV) CPT human equivalent (HE) dosage (600 mg/12 h;
n
= 19) or IV CRO HE dosage (1 g/24 h;
n
= 19). The total doses needed to achieve the HE dosage were 71 and 82 mg/kg of body weight/24 h for CRO and CPT, respectively. One group of rabbits infected with the CRO-R PRSP strain received intramuscular (IM) administration of CPT (5 or 20 mg/kg twice daily;
n
= 5 for each). Evaluation of efficacy was based on bacterial counts in the lungs and spleen. For IV CPT and IV CRO, the mean areas under the concentration-time curves from 0 to 24 h (AUC
0–24
s) were 155 and 938 mg · h/liter, respectively, the maximum concentrations in serum (
C
max
s) were 20 and 158 mg/liter, respectively, and the minimum concentrations in serum (
C
min
s) were 1.3 and 6 mg/liter, respectively. Both agents effectively treated pulmonary infections caused by CRO-S PSSP or CRO-S PISP with complete bacterial eradication in the lungs and spleen after 2 days of treatment. Against PRSP, CPT demonstrated excellent bactericidal activity, reducing bacterial counts in the lungs and spleen by approximately 8 and 4 log units, respectively (
P
< 0.001); CRO treatment resulted in a 2-log-unit reduction in the bacterial counts in lungs that did not reach statistical significance. Twice-daily IM CPT (5 mg/kg) reduced the bacterial burden by approximately 6 log units in the lungs and 3 log units in the spleen, and the 20-mg/kg dosage effectively eradicated PRSP infection. These findings further validate the
in vivo
bactericidal activity of CPT against pneumococci.
Dissemination of
bla
KPC-2
by the Spread of Klebsiella pneumoniae Clonal Complex 258 Clones (ST258, ST11, ST437) and Plasmids (IncFII, IncN, IncL/M) among Enterobacteriaceae Species in Brazil
Authors: Andrade Leonardo Neves , Curiao Tânia , Ferreira Joseane Cristina , Longo Juliana Mucedola , Clímaco Eduardo Carneiro , Martinez Roberto , Bellissimo-Rodrigues Fernando , Basile-Filho Aníbal , Evaristo Marco Antônio , Del Peloso Pedro F. , Ribeiro Vanessa Bley , Barth Afonso Luis , Paula Milena Cristina , Baquero Fernando , Cantón Rafael , Darini Ana Lúcia da Costa , Coque Teresa M. 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACT

This article reports the spread of
bla
KPC-2
in the Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro states, facilitated by globally spread
K. pneumoniae
clonal complex 258 (CC258) clones (ST258, ST11, and ST437) and a diversity of plasmids (IncFII, IncN, and IncL/M, two untypeable plasmids carrying Tn
4401
a or Tn
4401
b) successfully disseminated among species of the
Enterobacteriaceae
(
Enterobacter cloacae
,
Serratia marcescens
, and
Citrobacter freundii
). It also constitutes the first description of sequence type 258 (ST258) in Brazil, which was associated with a nosocomial hospital outbreak in Ribeirao Preto city.