bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploring hospital patients' satisfaction with cook‐chill foodservice systems: a preliminary study using a validated questionnaire
Authors: Porter Judi , Cant Robyn 
Published: March 2009

AbstractDecline in nutritional status during hospitalisation highlights the importance of achieving high‐quality foodservice. This research aimed to explore patient satisfaction with hospital foodservices from on‐site and off‐site cook‐chill production systems. Two cross‐sectional surveys of hospital inpatients were conducted in an acute medical and a subacute rehabilitation ward before and after a change to off‐site cook‐chill production. The survey used a validated instrument (Acute Care Hospital Foodservice Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire). Sixty‐six patients in 2006 and 51 patients in 2007 recorded unchanged results across factors of food quality, staffing service quality, meal service quality and physical environment quality. Satisfaction with foodservice was rated ‘good’ or ‘very good’ by the majority of patients in both surveys. The research instrument was able to deconstruct various issues relating to patients' satisfaction and six individual items correlated with overall satisfaction with foodservice. To maximise patient satisfaction, further research into these, and additional dimensions of foodservice quality is needed to determine how improvements may be achieved.
Endothelial dysfunction and vascular disease
Authors: Vanhoutte P. M. , Shimokawa H. , Tang E. H. C. , Feletou M. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThe endothelium can evoke relaxations (dilatations) of the underlying vascular smooth muscle, by releasing vasodilator substances. The best characterized endothelium‐derived relaxing factor (EDRF) is nitric oxide (NO). The endothelial cells also evoke hyperpolarization of the cell membrane of vascular smooth muscle (endothelium‐dependent hyperpolarizations, EDHF‐mediated responses). Endothelium‐dependent relaxations involve both pertussis toxin‐sensitive Gi(e.g. responses to serotonin and thrombin) and pertussis toxin‐insensitive Gq(e.g. adenosine diphosphate and bradykinin) coupling proteins. The release of NO by the endothelial cell can be up‐regulated (e.g. by oestrogens, exercise and dietary factors) and down‐regulated (e.g. oxidative stress, smoking and oxidized low‐density lipoproteins). It is reduced in the course of vascular disease (e.g. diabetes and hypertension). Arteries covered with regenerated endothelium (e.g. following angioplasty) selectively loose the pertussis toxin‐sensitive pathway for NO release which favours vasospasm, thrombosis, penetration of macrophages, cellular growth and the inflammatory reaction leading to atherosclerosis. In addition to the release of NO (and causing endothelium‐dependent hyperpolarizations), endothelial cells also can evoke contraction (constriction) of the underlying vascular smooth muscle cells by releasing endothelium‐derived contracting factor (EDCF). Most endothelium‐dependent acute increases in contractile force are due to the formation of vasoconstrictor prostanoids (endoperoxides and prostacyclin) which activate TP receptors of the vascular smooth muscle cells. EDCF‐mediated responses are exacerbated when the production of NO is impaired (e.g. by oxidative stress, ageing, spontaneous hypertension and diabetes). They contribute to the blunting of endothelium‐dependent vasodilatations in aged subjects and essential hypertensive patients.
Probing the heterologous metabolism supporting 6‐deoxyerythronolide B biosynthesis in Escherichia coli
Authors: Zhang Haoran , Wang Yong , Boghigian Brett , Pfeifer Blaine A. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryHeterologous biosynthesis offers a new way to capture the medicinal properties presented by complex natural products. In this study, production of 6‐deoxyerythronolide B (6dEB), the polyketide precursor to the antibiotic erythromycin, was used to probe the heterologous pathways needed for Escherichia coli‐derived biosynthesis. More specifically, the heterologous proteins responsible for 6dEB production were varied by adjusting their respective gene dosage levels. In this way, heterologous components required for posttranslational modification, 6dEB biosynthesis, and substrate provision were adjusted in expression levels to observe the relative effect each has on final heterologous biosynthesis. The results indicate that both the biosynthetic and substrate provision heterologous proteins impact 6dEB formation to a greater extent when compared with posttranslational modification and suggest these components for future protein and metabolic engineering.
Changes in the
agr
Locus Affect Enteritis Caused by Methicillin-Resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Sugiyama Yoichi , Okii Kazuya , Murakami Yoshiaki , Yokoyama Takashi , Takesue Yoshio , Ohge Hiroki , Sueda Taijiro , Hiyama Eiso 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACT

We studied the characteristics of methicillin (meticillin)-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) strains that caused enteritis. In a previous report, we demonstrated that both phenotypic and genotypic changes were associated with MRSA enteritis; and we hypothesized that the accessory gene regulator (
agr
), which is a global regulator of staphylococcal virulence and upregulates several exoproteins, is the key factor associated with the development of MRSA enteritis. In this study, we examined 12 MRSA isolates associated with enteritis from stool samples and 17 MRSA isolates not associated with enteritis that had the following characteristics: the strains associated with enteritis had the same genotype (genotype A), as detected by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, or the strains were isolated from stools. The differences between strains that caused enteritis and those that did not cause enteritis strains were examined by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR to assess RNAII,
agrA
, RNAIII, and
tst
expression and by sequencing of the
agr
locus. The levels of expression of
agrA
, RNAIII, and
tst
were higher by the MRSA isolates associated with enteritis than by the MRSA isolates not associated with enteritis, whether or not they were of the same genotype. The levels of expression of RNAII by almost all the clinical isolates were similar. Sequencing of the
agr
locus showed that all MRSA isolates that caused enteritis have
agr
mutations, whereas the MRSA isolates that did not cause enteritis, with three exceptions, did not. Many of the isolates associated with enteritis had the same mutation, especially at the C-terminal end of
agrA
. These results suggest a trend in which mutations in the
agr
locus modify the expression of
agrA
and RNAIII and the production of toxin, all of which may increase the virulence and influence the occurrence of MRSA enteritis.
Brain Abscess Caused by
Tsukamurella tyrosinosolvens
in an Immunocompetent Patient
Authors: Sheng Wang-Huei , Huang Yu-Tsung , Chang Shan-Chwen , Hsueh Po-Ren 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACT

We describe a previously healthy patient with chronic otitis media complicated with cerebellar abscess caused by
Tsukamurella tyrosinosolvens
. The organism was identified based on conventional biochemical identification methods, PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the
hsp65
gene, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The patient was treated successfully with debridements and prolonged antibiotic therapy.
Rapid Molecular Genotyping and Clonal Complex Assignment of
Staphylococcus aureus
Isolates by PCR Coupled to Electrospray Ionization-Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Hall Thomas A. , Sampath Rangarajan , Blyn Lawrence B. , Ranken Raymond , Ivy Cristina , Melton Rachael , Matthews Heather , White Neill , Li Feng , Harpin Vanessa , Ecker David J. , McDougal Linda K. , Limbago Brandi , Ross Tracy , Wolk Donna M. , Wysocki Vicki , Carroll Karen C. 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACT

We describe a high-throughput assay using PCR coupled to electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (PCR/ESI-MS) to determine the genotypes of
Staphylococcus aureus
isolates. The primer sets used in the PCR/ESI-MS assay were designed to amplify the same genes analyzed in multilocus sequence typing (MLST). The method was used to identify the clonal complex and USA type of each isolate and is suitable for use in a clinical or public-health setting. The method was validated using a panel of diverse isolates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that were previously characterized by MLST and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Clinical isolates from two geographically distinct hospitals were characterized, and the clustering results were in agreement with those for repetitive-element PCR and PFGE. The PCR/ESI-MS method enables genotyping of over 180 samples of
S. aureus
per day in an automated fashion.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Acute Prostatitis and Urosepsis after Sexual Relations in a Hot Tub
Authors: Dulabon Lori M. , LaSpina Mark , Riddell Scott W. , Kiska Deanna L. , Cynamon Michael 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACT

We report a case of a previously healthy 38-year-old male with acute prostatitis and concurrent
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
urosepsis. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis confirmed that the source of the organism was the patient's newly purchased hot tub, which was filled with water from a stream.
DDX3 DEAD-Box RNA Helicase Inhibits Hepatitis B Virus Reverse Transcription by Incorporation into Nucleocapsids
Authors: Wang Haifeng , Kim Seahee , Ryu Wang-Shick 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACT
Viruses utilize host factors in many steps of their life cycles. Yet, little is known about host factors that contribute to the life cycle of hepatitis B virus (HBV), which replicates its genome by reverse transcription. To identify host factors that contribute to viral reverse transcription, we sought to identify cellular proteins that interact with HBV polymerase (Pol) by using affinity purification coupled with mass spectrometry. One of the HBV Pol-interacting host factors identified was DDX3 DEAD-box RNA helicase, which unwinds RNA in an ATPase-dependent manner. Recently, it was shown that DDX3 is essential for both human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus infection. In contrast, we found that the ectopic expression of DDX3 led to significantly reduced viral DNA synthesis. The DDX3-mediated inhibition of viral DNA synthesis did not affect RNA encapsidation, a step prior to reverse transcription, and indicated that DDX3 inhibits HBV reverse transcription. Mutational analysis revealed that mutant DDX3 with an inactive ATPase motif, but not that with an inactive RNA helicase motif, failed to inhibit viral DNA synthesis. Our interpretation is that DDX3 inhibits viral DNA synthesis at a step following ATP hydrolysis but prior to RNA unwinding. Finally, OptiPrep density gradient analysis revealed that DDX3 was incorporated into nucleocapsids, suggesting that DDX3 inhibits viral reverse transcription following nucleocapsid assembly. Thus, DDX3 represents a novel host restriction factor that limits HBV infection.
Type I and Type II Interferons Inhibit the Translation of Murine Norovirus Proteins
Authors: Changotra Harish , Jia Yali , Moore Tara N. , Liu Guangliang , Kahan Shannon M. , Sosnovtsev Stanislav V. , Karst Stephanie M. 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACT
Human noroviruses are responsible for more than 95% of nonbacterial epidemic gastroenteritis worldwide. Both onset and resolution of disease symptoms are rapid, suggesting that components of the innate immune response are critical in norovirus control. While the study of the human noroviruses has been hampered by the lack of small animal and tissue culture systems, our recent discovery of a murine norovirus (MNV) and its in vitro propagation have allowed us to begin addressing norovirus replication strategies and immune responses to norovirus infection. We have previously demonstrated that interferon responses are critical to control MNV-1 infection in vivo and to directly inhibit viral replication in vitro. We now extend these studies to define the molecular basis for interferon-mediated inhibition. Viral replication intermediates were not detected in permissive cells pretreated with type I interferon after either infection or transfection of virion-associated RNA, demonstrating a very early block to virion production that is after virus entry and uncoating. A similar absence of viral replication intermediates was observed in infected primary macrophages and dendritic cells pretreated with type I IFN. This was not due to degradation of incoming genomes in interferon-pretreated cells since similar levels of genomes were present in untreated and pretreated cells through 6 h of infection, and these genomes retained their integrity. Surprisingly, this block to the translation of viral proteins was not dependent on the well-characterized interferon-induced antiviral molecule PKR. Similar results were observed in cells pretreated with type II interferon, except that the inhibition of viral translation was dependent on PKR. Thus, both type I and type II interferon signaling inhibit norovirus translation in permissive myeloid cells, but they display distinct dependence on PKR for this inhibition.
Biochemical Characterization of Arterivirus Nonstructural Protein 11 Reveals the Nidovirus-Wide Conservation of a Replicative Endoribonuclease
Authors: Nedialkova Danny D. , Ulferts Rachel , van den Born Erwin , Lauber Chris , Gorbalenya Alexander E. , Ziebuhr John , Snijder Eric J. 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACT
Nidoviruses (arteriviruses, coronaviruses, and roniviruses) are a phylogenetically compact but diverse group of positive-strand RNA viruses that includes important human and animal pathogens. Nidovirus RNA synthesis is mediated by a cytoplasmic membrane-associated replication/transcription complex that includes up to 16 viral nonstructural proteins (nsps), which carry common enzymatic activities, like the viral RNA polymerase, but also unusual and poorly understood RNA-processing functions. Of these, a conserved endoribonuclease (NendoU) is a major genetic marker that is unique to nidoviruses. NendoU activity was previously verified in vitro for the coronavirus nsp15, but not for any of its distantly related orthologs from other nidovirus lineages, like the arterivirus nsp11. Here, we show that the bacterially expressed nsp11 proteins of two arteriviruses, equine arteritis virus and porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus, possess pyrimidine-specific endoribonuclease activity. RNA cleavage was independent of divalent cations in vitro and was greatly reduced by replacement of residues previously implicated in catalysis. Comparative characterization of the NendoU activity in arteriviruses and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus revealed common and distinct features of their substrate requirements and reaction mechanism. Our data provide the first biochemical evidence of endoribonuclease activity associated with arterivirus nsp11 and support the conclusion that this remarkable RNA-processing enzyme, whose substrate in the infected cell remains to be identified, distinguishes nidoviruses from all other RNA viruses.
On the Consequences of Resampling Microwave Radiometer Observations for Use in Retrieval Algorithms
Authors: Rapp Anita D. , Lebsock M. , Kummerow C. 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
How to deal with the different spatial resolutions of multifrequency satellite microwave radiometer measurements is a common problem in retrievals of cloud properties and rainfall. Data convolution and deconvolution is a common approach to resampling the measurements to a single resolution. Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Microwave Imager (TMI) measurements are resampled to the resolution of the 19-GHz field of view for use in a multifrequency optimal estimation retrieval algorithm of cloud liquid water path, total precipitable water, and wind speed. Resampling the TMI measurements is found to have a strong influence on retrievals of cloud liquid water path and a slight influence on wind speed. Beam-filling effects in the resampled brightness temperatures are shown to be responsible for the large differences between the retrievals using the TMI native resolution and resampled brightness temperatures. Synthetic retrievals are performed to test the sensitivity of the retrieved parameters to beam-filling effects in the resampling of each of the different channels. Beam-filling effects due to the convolution of the 85-GHz channels are shown to be the largest contributor to differences in retrieved cloud liquid water path. Differences in retrieved wind speeds are found to be a combination of effects from deconvolving the 10-GHz brightness temperatures and compensation effects due to the lower liquid water path being retrieved by the high-frequency channels. The influence of beam-filling effects on daily and monthly averages of cloud liquid water path is also explored. Results show that space–time averaging of cloud liquid water path cannot fully compensate for the beam-filling effects and should be considered when using cloud liquid water path data for validation or in climate studies.
An Observing System Experiment for Typhoon Conson (2004) Using a Singular Vector Method and DOTSTAR Data
Authors: Yamaguchi Munehiko , Iriguchi Takeshi , Nakazawa Tetsuo , Wu Chun-Chieh 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
An Observing System Experiment (OSE) has been performed to investigate the effectiveness of dropwindsonde observations and a sensitivity analysis technique on a typhoon track forecast. Using dropwindsonde observations for Typhoon Conson at 1200 UTC 8 June 2004, which are derived from Dropwindsonde Observation for Typhoon Surveillance near the Taiwan Region (DOTSTAR), four numerical experiments are conducted, which are different only in terms of the number of dropwindsonde observations used in a data assimilation system: (i) no observation is assimilated; (ii) all observations are assimilated; (iii) observations within a sensitive region as revealed by a singular vector method at the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) are assimilated; and (iv) observations outside the sensitive region are assimilated. In the comparison of the four track forecasts, Conson’s northeastward movement is expressed in the second and third simulations while in the first and fourth experiments Conson stays at almost the same position as its initial position. Through the OSE, it is found that DOTSTAR observations had a positive impact on the track forecast for Conson, and that observations within the sensitive region are enough to predict the northeastward movement of Conson, indicating that the JMA singular vector method would be useful for the sampling strategy of targeted observations like DOTSTAR.
A High-Resolution Simulation of Asymmetries in Severe Southern Hemisphere Tropical Cyclone Larry (2006)
Authors: Ramsay Hamish A. , Leslie Lance M. , Kepert Jeffrey D. 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
Advances in observations, theory, and modeling have revealed that inner-core asymmetries are a common feature of tropical cyclones (TCs). In this study, the inner-core asymmetries of a severe Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone, TC Larry (2006), are investigated using the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research Mesoscale Model (MM5) and the Kepert–Wang boundary layer model. The MM5-simulated TC exhibited significant asymmetries in the inner-core region, including rainfall distribution, surface convergence, and low-level vertical motion. The near-core environment was characterized by very low environmental vertical shear and consequently the TC vortex had almost no vertical tilt. It was found that, prior to landfall, the rainfall asymmetry was very pronounced with precipitation maxima consistently to the right of the westward direction of motion. Persistent maxima in low-level convergence and vertical motion formed ahead of the translating TC, resulting in deep convection and associated hydrometeor maxima at about 500 hPa. The asymmetry in frictional convergence was mainly due to the storm motion at the eyewall, but was dominated by the proximity to land at larger radii. The displacement of about 30°–120° of azimuth between the surface and midlevel hydrometeor maxima is explained by the rapid cyclonic advection of hydrometeors by the tangential winds in the TC core. These results for TC Larry support earlier studies that show that frictional convergence in the boundary layer can play a significant role in determining the asymmetrical structures, particularly when the environmental vertical shear is weak or absent.
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha induced expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 through p21-activated Kinase-1
Authors: Zhou Ling , Yan Chunli , Gieling Roben G , Kida Yujiro , Garner Warren , Li Wei , Han Yuan-Ping 
Published: March 2009

Abstract

Background
Expressed in embryonic development, matrix metalloprotein-9 (MMP-9) is absent in most of developed adult tissues, but recurs in inflammation during tissue injury, wound healing, tumor formation and metastasis. Expression of MMP-9 is tightly controlled by extracellular cues including pro-inflammatory cytokines and extracellular matrix (ECM). While the pathologic functions of MMP-9 are evident, the intracellular signaling pathways to control its expression are not fully understood. In this study we investigated mechanism of cytokine induced MMP-9 with particular emphasis on the role of p21-activated-kinase-1 (PAK1) and the down stream signaling.

Results
In response to TNF-alpha or IL-1alpha, PAK1 was promptly activated, as characterized by a sequential phosphorylation, initiated at threonine-212 followed by at threonine-423 in the activation loop of the kinase, in human skin keratinocytes, dermal fibroblasts, and rat hepatic stellate cells. Ectopic expression of PAK1 variants, but not p38 MAP kinase, impaired the TNF-alpha-induced MMP-9 expression, while other MMPs such as MMP-2, -3 and -14 were not affected. Activation of Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and NF-kappaB has been demonstrated to be essential for MMP-9 expression. Expression of inactive PAK1 variants impaired JNK but not NF-kappaB activation, which consequently suppressed the 5'-promoter activities of the MMP-9 gene. After the cytokine-induced phosphorylation, both ectopically expressed and endogenous PAK1 proteins were promptly accumulated even in the condition of suppressing protein synthesis, suggesting the PAK1 protein is stabilized upon TNF-alpha stimulation. Stabilization of PAK1 protein by TNF-alpha treatment is independent of the kinase catalytic activity and p21 GTPase binding capacities. In contrast to epithelial cells, mesenchymal cells require 3-dimensional type-I collagen in response to TNF-alpha to massively express MMP-9. The collagen effect is mediated, in part, by boost JNK activation in a way to cooperate the cytokine signaling.

Conclusion
We identified a novel mechanism for MMP-9 expression in response to injury signals, which is mediated by PAK1 activation and stabilization leading JNK activation.