bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trends in Susceptibility of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecium to Tigecycline, Daptomycin, and Linezolid and Molecular Epidemiology of the Isolates: Results from the Tigecycline
In Vitro
Surveillance in Taiwan (TIST) Study, 2006 to 2010
Authors: Tsai Hsih-Yeh , Liao Chun-Hsing , Chen Yen-Hsu , Lu Po-Liang , Huang Cheng-Hua , Lu Chin-Te , Chuang Yin-Ching , Tsao Shih-Ming , Chen Yao-Shen , Liu Yung-Ching , Chen Wei-Yu , Jang Tsrang-Neng , Lin Hsiu-Chen , Chen Chih-Ming , Shi Zhi-Yuan , Pan Sung-Ching , Yang Jia-Ling , Kung Hsiang-Chi , Liu Chun-Eng , Cheng Yu-Jen , Liu Jien-Wei , Sun Wu , Wang Lih-Shinn , Ko Wen-Chien , Yu Kwok-Woon , Chiang Ping-Cherng , Lee Ming-Hsun , Lee Chun-Ming , Hsu Gwo-Jong , Hsueh Po-Ren 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT

Among the 219 vancomycin-resistant
Enterococcus faecium
isolates collected in 20 Taiwanese hospitals from 2006 to 2010, all were susceptible to linezolid and daptomycin, and 98.6% were susceptible to tigecycline. There was a shift toward higher tigecycline MIC values (MIC
90
s) from 2006-2007 (0.06 μg/ml) to 2008–2010 (0.12 μg/ml). The MIC
90
s of daptomycin and linezolid remained stationary. Although pulsotypes among the isolates from the 20 hospitals varied, intrahospital spreading of several clones was identified in 13 hospitals.
Efficacy of OH-CATH30 and Its Analogs against Drug-Resistant Bacteria
In Vitro
and in Mouse Models
Authors: Li Sheng-An , Lee Wen-Hui , Zhang Yun 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been considered alternatives to conventional antibiotics for drug-resistant bacterial infections. However, their comparatively high toxicity toward eukaryotic cells and poor efficacy
in vivo
hamper their clinical application. OH-CATH30, a novel cathelicidin peptide deduced from the king cobra, possesses potent antibacterial activity
in vitro
. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of OH-CATH30 and its analog OH-CM6 against drug-resistant bacteria
in vitro
and
in vivo
. The MICs of OH-CATH30 and OH-CM6 ranged from 1.56 to 12.5 μg/ml against drug-resistant clinical isolates of several pathogenic species, including
Escherichia coli
,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, and methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
. The MICs of OH-CATH30 and OH-CM6 were slightly altered in the presence of 25% human serum. OH-CATH30 and OH-CM6 killed
E. coli
quickly (within 60 min) by disrupting the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane. Importantly, the 50% lethal doses (LD
50
) of OH-CATH30 and OH-CM6 in mice following intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection were 120 mg/kg of body weight and 100 mg/kg, respectively, and no death was observed at any dose up to 160 mg/kg following subcutaneous (s.c.) injection. Moreover, 10 mg/kg OH-CATH30 or OH-CM6 significantly decreased the bacterial counts as well as the inflammatory response in a mouse thigh infection model and rescued infected mice in a bacteremia model induced by drug-resistant
E. coli
. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that the natural cathelicidin peptide OH-CATH30 and its analogs exhibit relatively low toxicity and potent efficacy in mouse models, indicating that they may have therapeutic potential against the systemic infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria.
Type VI Secretion System-Associated Gene Clusters Contribute to Pathogenesis of Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium
Authors: Mulder David T. , Cooper Colin A. , Coombes Brian K. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT

The enteropathogen
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium employs a suite of tightly regulated virulence factors within the intracellular compartment of phagocytic host cells resulting in systemic dissemination in mice. A type VI secretion system (T6SS) within
Salmonella
pathogenicity island 6 (SPI-6) has been implicated in this process; however, the regulatory inputs and the roles of noncore genes in this system are not well understood. Here we describe four clusters of noncore T6SS genes in SPI-6 based on a comparative relationship with the T6SS-3 of
Burkholderia mallei
and report that the disruption of these genes results in defects in intracellular replication and systemic dissemination in mice. In addition, we show that the expression of the SPI-6-encoded Hcp and VgrG orthologs is enhanced during late stages of macrophage infection. We identify six regions that are transcriptionally active during cell infections and that have regulatory contributions from the regulators of virulence SsrB, PhoP, and SlyA. We show that levels of protein expression are very weak under
in vitro
conditions and that expression is not enhanced upon the deletion of
ssrB
,
phoP
,
slyA
,
qseC
,
ompR
, or
hfq
, suggesting an unknown activating factor. These data suggest that the SPI-6 T6SS has been integrated into the
Salmonella
Typhimurium virulence network and customized for host-pathogen interactions through the action of noncore genes.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Novel Hantavirus Variant of Rio Mamoré Virus, Maripa Virus, from French Guiana
Authors: Matheus Séverine , Lavergne Anne , de Thoisy Benoît , Dussart Philippe , Lacoste Vincent 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT

We report the first complete genome sequence of Maripa virus identified in 2009 from a patient with hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in French Guiana.
Maripa virus
corresponds to a new variant of the
Rio Mamoré virus
species in the
Bunyaviridae
family, genus
Hantavirus
.
Complete Genome of Temperate Phage ENT39118 from Cronobacter sakazakii
Authors: Lee Young-Duck , Park Jong-Hyun 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT

Cronobacter sakazakii
infection is particularly harmful to infants, and putative virulence factors of prophage origin have been identified in
C. sakazakii
. In this study, the phage ENT39118 was isolated from wild-type
C. sakazakii
; it belongs to the family
Siphoviridae
. The genomic sequence of phage ENT39118 was composed of circular double-stranded DNA with a length of 39,012 bp. The sequence of ENT39118 showed weak sequence similarity to some reported regions of the prophage sequences in the
C. sakazakii
BAA-894 genome. To our knowledge, this is the first study of the genomic sequencing and annotation of this temperate phage, which was obtained from a
C. sakazakii
isolate from powdered infant formula.
Genome of Klebsiella sp.-Infecting Bacteriophage vB_KleM_RaK2
Authors: Šimoliūnas Eugenijus , Kaliniene Laura , Truncaite Lidija , Klausa Vytautas , Zajančkauskaite Aurelija , Meškys Rolandas 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT

Despite the fact that multidrug-resistant
Klebsiella
sp. strains emerge rapidly (Xu J, et al., Adv. Mater. Res. 268-270:1954-1956, 2011) and bacteriophages have been reported to be useful in controlling these bacteria (Kumari S, Harjai K, Chhibber S, J. Med. Microbiol. 60:205-210, 2011), the complete genome sequences of only five
Klebsiella
phages (four siphoviruses and one myovirus) can be found in databases. In this paper, we report on the complete genome sequence of
Klebsiella
sp.-infecting bacteriophage vB_KleM_RaK2. With a genome size of 345,809 bp, this is the second largest myovirus and the largest
Klebsiella
phage sequenced to date. This phage differs substantially from other myoviruses since 411 out of 534 vB_KleM_RaK2 open reading frames have no known functions and lack any reliable database matches. Comparative analysis of the genome sequence of vB_KleM_RaK2 suggests that this phage forms a distinct phylogenetic branch within the family
Myoviridae
of tailed bacteriophages.
Complete Genome Sequence of an Isolate of Bluetongue Virus Serotype 2, Demonstrating Circulation of a Western Topotype in Southern India
Authors: Maan Narender S. , Maan Sushila , Guimera Marc , Pullinger Gillian , Singh Karam Pal , Nomikou Kyriaki , Belaganahalli Manjunatha N. , Mertens Peter P. C. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT
Bluetongue virus serotype 2 (IND2003/02) was isolated in Tiruneveli City, Tamil Nadu State, India, and is stored in the Orbivirus Reference Collection at the Institute for Animal Health, Pirbright, United Kingdom. The entire genome of this isolate was sequenced, showing that it is composed of a total of 19,203 bp (all 10 genome segments). This is the first report of the entire genome sequence of a western strain of BTV-2 isolated in India, indicating that this virus has been introduced and is circulating in the region. These data will aid in the development of diagnostics and molecular epidemiology studies of BTV-2 in the subcontinent.
A SEMANTIC-BASED APPROACH FOR HANDLING INCOMPLETE AND INACCURATE PROVENANCE IN RESERVOIR ENGINEERING
Authors: ZHAO JING , PRASANNA VIKTOR K. , GOMADAM KARTHIK 
Published: April 2012

Provenance is becoming an important issue as a reliable estimator of data quality. However, provenance collection mechanisms in the reservoir engineering domain often result in incomplete provenance information. In this paper, we address the problem of predicting missing provenance information in reservoir engineering. Based on the observation that data items with specific semantic “connections” may share the same provenance, our approach annotates data items with domain entities defined in a domain ontology, and represent these “connections” as sequences of relationships (also known as semantic associations) in the ontology graph. By analyzing annotated historical datasets with complete provenance information, we capture semantic associations that may imply identical provenance. A statistical analysis is applied to assign probability values to the discovered associations, which indicate the confidence of each association when it is used for future provenance prediction. We develop a voting algorithm which utilizes the semantic associations and their confidence measures to predict the missing provenance information. Because the existing provenance information can be incorrect due to errors during the manual provenance annotation procedure, as an extension of the voting algorithm, we further design an algorithm for prediction which takes into account both the confidence measures of semantic associations and the accuracy of the existing provenance. A probability value is calculated as the trust of each prediction result. We develop the ProPSA (Provenance Prediction based on Semantic Associations) system which uses our proposed approaches to handle incomplete and inaccurate provenance information in reservoir engineering. Our evaluation shows that the average precision of our approach is above 85% when one-third of the provenance information is missing.
Evaluating and understanding the usability of a pen-based command system for interactive paper
Authors: Liao Chunyuan , Guimbretièere Françcois 
Published: April 2012

To combine the affordances of paper and computers, prior research has proposed numerous interactive paper systems that link specific paper document content to digital operations such as multimedia playback and proofreading. Yet, it remains unclear to what degree these systems bridge the inherent gap between paper and computers when compared to existing paper-only and computer-only interfaces. In particular, given the special properties of paper, such as limited dynamic feedback, how well does an average new user learn to master the interactive paper system? What factors affect the user performance? And how does the paper interface work in a typical use scenario?
To answer these questions, we conducted two empirical experiments on a generic pen-gesture-based command system, called PapierCraft [Liao et al. 2008], for paper-based interfaces. With it, people can select sections of printed document and issue commands such as copy and paste, linking and in-text search. The first experiment focused on the user performance of drawing pen gestures on paper. It proves that users can learn the command system in about 30 minutes and achieve a performance comparable to a table PC-based interface supporting the same gestures. The second experiment examined the application of the command system in active reading tasks. The results show promise for seamless integration of paper and computers in active reading for their combined affordances. In addition, our study identifies some key design issues, such as the pen form factor and feedback of gestures. This article contributes to better understanding on pros and cons of paper and computers, and sheds light on the design of future interfaces for document interaction.
Programmable Bio-Nano-Chip Systems for Serum CA125 Quantification: Toward Ovarian Cancer Diagnostics at the Point-of-Care
Authors: Raamanathan Archana , Simmons Glennon W. , Christodoulides Nicolaos , Floriano Pierre N. , Furmaga Wieslaw B. , Redding Spencer W. , Lu Karen H. , Bast Robert C. , McDevitt John T. 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
Point-of-care (POC) implementation of early detection and screening methodologies for ovarian cancer may enable improved survival rates through early intervention. Current laboratory-confined immunoanalyzers have long turnaround times and are often incompatible with multiplexing and POC implementation. Rapid, sensitive, and multiplexable POC diagnostic platforms compatible with promising early detection approaches for ovarian cancer are needed. To this end, we report the adaptation of the programmable bio-nano-chip (p-BNC), an integrated, microfluidic, and modular (programmable) platform for CA125 serum quantitation, a biomarker prominently implicated in multimodal and multimarker screening approaches. In the p-BNCs, CA125 from diseased sera (Bio) is sequestered and assessed with a fluorescence-based sandwich immunoassay, completed in the nano-nets (Nano) of sensitized agarose microbeads localized in individually addressable wells (Chip), housed in a microfluidic module, capable of integrating multiple sample, reagent and biowaste processing, and handling steps. Antibody pairs that bind to distinct epitopes on CA125 were screened. To permit efficient biomarker sequestration in a three-dimensional microfluidic environment, the p-BNC operating variables (incubation times, flow rates, and reagent concentrations) were tuned to deliver optimal analytical performance under 45 minutes. With short analysis times, competitive analytical performance (inter- and intra-assay precision of 1.2% and 1.9% and limit of detection of 1.0 U/mL) was achieved on this minisensor ensemble. Furthermore, validation with sera of patients with ovarian cancer (n = 20) showed excellent correlation (R2 = 0.97) with gold-standard ELISA. Building on the integration capabilities of novel microfluidic systems programmed for ovarian cancer, the rapid, precise, and sensitive miniaturized p-BNC system shows strong promise for ovarian cancer diagnostics. Cancer Prev Res; 5(5); 706–16. ©2012 AACR.
Global Variation in the Prevalence of Elevated Cholesterol in Outpatients With Established Vascular Disease or 3 Cardiovascular Risk Factors According to National Indices of Economic Development and Health System Performance
Authors: Venkitachalam Lakshmi , Wang Kaijun , Porath Avi , Corbalan Ramon , Hirsch Alan T. , Cohen David J. , Smith Sidney C. , Ohman E. Magnus , Steg Ph. Gabriel , Bhatt Deepak L. , Magnuson Elizabeth A. 
Published: April 2012

Background—
Elevated serum cholesterol accounts for a considerable proportion of cardiovascular disease worldwide. An understanding of the relationship between country-level economic and health system factors and elevated cholesterol may provide insight for prioritization of cardiovascular prevention programs.

Methods and Results—

Using hierarchical models, we examined the relationship between elevated total cholesterol (>200 mg/dL) in 53 570 outpatients from 36 countries, and tertiles of several country-level indices: (1) gross national income, (2) total expenditure on health as percentage of gross domestic product, (3) government expenditure on health as percentage of total expenditure on health, (4) out-of-pocket expenditures as percentage of private expenditure on health, and the World Health Organization indices of (5) Health System Achievement and (6) Performance/Efficiency. Overall, 38% of outpatients had total cholesterol >200 mg/dL (>5.18 mmol/L), and 9.3% of the total variability in elevated cholesterol was at the country level; this proportion was higher for patients with (12.1%) versus without (7.4%) history of hyperlipidemia. Among patients with history of hyperlipidemia, countries in the highest tertile of gross national income or World Health Organization Health System Achievement had lower odds of elevated cholesterol than lower tertiles (
P
<0.001, for both). Countries in the highest tertile of out-of-pocket health expenditures had higher odds of elevated cholesterol than those in the lowest tertile (
P
<0.001). No significant associations were found for patients without history of hyperlipidemia.

Conclusions—
Global variations in the prevalence of elevated cholesterol among patients with history of hyperlipidemia are associated with country-level economic development and health system indices. These results support the need for strengthening efforts toward effective cardiovascular disease prevention and control and may provide insight for health policy setting at the national level.
Serum Lipids and Lipoproteins in Chinese Men and Women
Authors: Yang Wenying , Xiao Jianzhong , Yang Zhaojun , Ji Linong , Jia Weiping , Weng Jianping , Lu Juming , Shan Zhongyan , Liu Jie , Tian Haoming , Ji Qiuhe , Zhu Dalong , Ge Jiapu , Lin Lixiang , Chen Li , Guo Xiaohui , Zhao Zhigang , Li Qiang , Zhou Zhiguang , Shan Guangliang , He Jiang 
Published: April 2012

Background—
Because of rapid change in lifestyle risk factors, cardiovascular disease has become the leading cause of death in China. We sought to estimate the national levels of serum lipids and lipoproteins among the Chinese adult population.

Methods and Results—
We conducted a cross-sectional study in a nationally representative sample of 46 239 adults aged ≥20 years. Fasting serum total, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides were measured by standard methods. The age-standardized estimates of total, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides were 4.72 (95% confidence interval, 4.70–4.73), 1.30 (1.29–1.30), 2.68 (2.67–2.70), and 1.57 (1.55–1.58) mmol/L, respectively, in the Chinese adult population. In addition, 22.5% (21.8–23.3%) or 220.4 million (212.1–228.8) Chinese adults had borderline high total cholesterol (5.18–6.21 mmol/L), and 9.0% (8.5–9.5%) or 88.1 million (83.4–92.8) had high total cholesterol (≥6.22 mmol/L). The population estimates for borderline high (3.37–4.13 mmol/L), high (4.14–4.91 mmol/L), and very high (≥4.92 mmol/L) low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were 13.9% (13.3–14.5%) or 133.5 million (127.0–140.1), 3.5% (3.3–3.8%) or 33.8 million (31.2–36.5), and 3.0% (2.8–3.3%) or 29.0 million (26.3–31.8) persons, respectively. In addition, 22.3% (21.6–23.1%) or 214.9 million (207.0–222.8) persons had low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (<1.04 mmol/L). The awareness, treatment, and control of borderline high or high total cholesterol were 11.0%, 5.1%, and 2.8%, respectively, in the Chinese adult population.

Conclusions—
Serum total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were high and increasing in the Chinese population. Without effective intervention, atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases may soar in the near future in China.
Re-reading Propertius’ Arethusa
Authors: James S.L. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThis article argues that in poem 4.3, Propertius depicts Arethusa not as a citizen wife, but as a concubine or an elegiac courtesan under exclusive contract to Lycotas. The Roman lexicon of marriage was frequently used to describe relationships other thaniustum coniugium, especially in love elegy. That is the situation presented in Propertius 4.3. Arethusa’s anxieties are primarily sexual, and thus identify her as something new in elegy: not a wife but a faithfulpuella. This poem gives us the poetic voice of a loving, loyal, contracted courtesan.
Sirens at the Symposium (Louvre E667)
Authors: Pavlou Maria 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe two wreath-bearing sirens featuring in the sympotic scene on a black-figure Laconian cylix in the Louvre (E667) have been the subject of much discussion and have been interpreted as symbolising either the souls of the symposiasts, or the festivity / erotic ambience of the convivial gathering. As I argue, the function of the sirens in this scene could be elucidated if seen in conjunction with the sirens’ role in Homer.
Priam’s Spear and Pyrrhus’ Shield (Verg. A. 2.544-6)
Authors: Secci Davide Antonio 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe inconsistency at Verg.A. 2.544-6 is usually regarded as either a slip on Vergil’s part, or as the result of an unrealistic conceptualization of Pyrrhus’ shield. This paper argues that the passage draws upon a similar inconsistency present atIl. 3.347 which, together with the allusions to the dynamics of the first clash between Hector and Achilles inIliad20, underlines Priam’s distance from the Iliadic epic models. The concept is reinforced by an anti-antiquarian reference to the behaviour of the Romanpilum, which further emphasizes Priam’s inadequacy as a warrior, and rules out any possible epic connotations of his spear-cast.
Molecular and morphological characterisation of Paralongidorus iranicus n. sp. and P. bikanerensis (Lal & Mathur, 1987) Siddiqi, Baujard & Mounport, 1993 (Nematoda: Longidoridae) from Iran
Authors: Pedram Majid , Pourjam Ebrahim , Namjou Somayeh , Atighi Mohammad Reza , Cantalapiedra-Navarrete Carolina , Liébanas Gracia , Palomares-Rius Juan E. , Castillo Pablo 
Published: April 2012

Paralongidorus iranicus n. sp., a new bisexual species of the genus, is described and illustrated by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and molecular studies from specimens collected in the rhizosphere of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) from the Caspian (Khazar) seashore, Nour, northern Iran. Paralongidorus iranicus n. sp. is characterised by the large body size (7.8-11.4 mm), a rounded lip region, clearly set off by a collar-like constriction at level of, or slightly posterior to, the amphidial aperture, and bearing a very large, stirrup-shaped, amphidial fovea, with conspicuous slit-like aperture, a very long and flexible odontostyle ca 170 μm long, guiding ring located at 34 μm from anterior end and males with spicules ca 80 μm long. In addition, data from an Iranian population of P. bikanerensis recovered from the rhizosphere of palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) in Bam, Kerman province, south-eastern Iran, agree very well and are very close to the original description of the species from India. The D2 and D3 expansion regions of 28S rRNA gene, ITS1, and 18S rRNA sequences were obtained for P. iranicus n. sp. and P. bikanerensis. Phylogenetic analyses of P. iranicus n. sp. and P. bikanerensis rRNA gene sequences and of Longidorus spp. sequences published in GenBank were done using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian inference. Paralongidorus species (including P. iranicus n. sp.) clustered together; however, P. bikanerensis clustered within Longidorus spp. and was clearly separated from all other Paralongidorus spp. in trees generated from the D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S and partial 18S data set, respectively.