bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Avian influenza A (H5N1) infection in a patient in China, 2006
Authors: Chen X. , Smith G.J.D. , Zhou B. , Qiu C. , Wu W.L. , Li Y. , Lu P. , Duan L. , Liu S. , Yuan J. , Yang G. , Wang H. , Cheng J. , Jiang H. , Peiris J.S.M. , Chen H. , Yuen K.Y. , Zhong N. , Guan Y. 
Published: March 2008

Background  Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus has caused increasing human infection in Eurasia since 2004. So far, H5N1 human infection has been associated with over 50% mortality that is partly because of delay of diagnosis and treatment.Objectives and methods  Here, we report that an H5N1 influenza virus infected a 31‐year‐old patient in Shenzhen in June 2006. To identify the possible source of the infection, the human isolate and other H5N1 influenza viruses obtained from poultry and wild birds in southern China during the same period of time were characterized.Results  Genetic and antigenic analyses revealed that the human H5N1 influenza virus, Shenzhen/406H/06, is of purely avian origin and is most closely related to viruses detected in poultry and wild birds in Hong Kong in early 2006.Conclusions  The findings of the present study suggest that the continued endemicity of H5N1 influenza virus in the poultry in southern China increases the chance for introduction of the virus to humans. This highlights the importance of continued surveillance of poultry and wild birds for determining the source for human H5N1 infection.
The efficacy of formulations of triclabendazole and ivermectin in combination against liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) and gastro‐intestinal nematodes in cattle and sheep and sucking lice species in cattle
Authors: STEVENSON CR , MAHONEY RH , FISARA P , STREHLAU G , REICHEL MP 
Published: March 2008

Objective To assess the efficacy of two formulations of triclabendazole and ivermectin in combination against liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica), gastro‐intestinal nematodes and sucking louse species in cattle and sheep. Procedure A study of 540 cattle and 428 sheep at 18 sites throughout Victoria and New South Wales was undertaken. At each site, one group of cattle or sheep was treated with a combined formulation (Fasimec® Cattle or Fasimec® Sheep), another received ivermectin and triclabendazole separately. In trials on lice infestation, an additional group remained untreated. Samples for faecal egg counts were collected on days ‐7, 0 (treatment day), +7, +14 and +21 after treatment. Lice assessments were carried out on days −7, 0, +7, +14, +28, +42 and +56. Results Both treatments were highly efficacious (> 98% efficacy) against liver fluke in cattle and sheep, against three sucking lice species of cattle and against gastro‐intestinal nematodes in sheep. There was also no significant difference between treatments in efficacy.Against gastro‐intestinal nematodes, Fasimec® Cattle was significantly (P<0.01) more effective than the separately applied ivermectin and triclabendazole treatment. Mean efficacy for the Fasimec Cattle and Ivomec/Fasinex 120 groups respectively, was 97.6% and 94.2% on Day +7, 98.9% and 91% on Day +14 and 98.5% and 92.6% on Day +21. Conclusion The efficacy of Fasimec® Cattle and Fasimec® Sheep was at least equal to that of currently registered products (with the same active ingredients) used to control these parasites.
Effect of declining owned‐cat population on veterinary practices in Sydney
Authors: MCGREEVY PD , FOUGERE B , COLLINS H , BARTIMOTE KM , THOMSON PC 
Published: March 2008

Objectives To investigate relationships between declining owned‐cat populations and cat‐related clinical work and practice activities. Design Sydney practitioners were interviewed, and practice records were examined, from small animal veterinary practices (n = 56) in Sydney. Using data that covered a 4 year period, the age distribution of cats was examined and associated trends in cat‐related clinical work were analysed. Results Important changes in the pet population attending veterinary practices were found, with 38.2% of respondents reporting a fall in cat desexings from 1996 to 2000. Conclusions While economic impact could not be determined, the qualitative data demonstrated that the majority of practices in the survey were active in the promotion of cat ownership. The study provides a useful model for future investigations. To facilitate this process and to enhance principals' knowledge of their practice's population dynamics, we advocate a minimum standard of data collection that records week‐by‐week activities and the deaths of pets.
Cattle deaths during sea transport from Australia
Authors: NORRIS RT , RICHARDS RB , CREEPER JH , JUBB TF , MADIN B , KERR JW 
Published: March 2008

Objective To establish the death rate and the causes of death in cattle exported by sea from Australia. Procedure Cattle deaths on voyages from Australia to all destinations between 1995 and 2000 were analysed retrospectively. On four voyages to the Middle East between December 1998 and April 2001, cattle that died were examined to determine the cause of death. Results The death rate was 0.24% among 4 million cattle exported, and a greater proportion of deaths occurred on voyages to the Middle East (0.52%, P < 0.05) than to south east Asia (0.13%). The risk of death on voyages to the Middle East was three times greater for cattle exported from southern ports in Australia compared to northern ports. The main causes of death were heat stroke, trauma and respiratory disease. Conclusion Cattle have a low risk of death during sea transport from Australia. The risk of death can be reduced on voyages to the Middle East by preferentially exporting cattle from northern ports, and selecting those with a higher Bos indicus content whenever possible.
Estimated and predicted changes in the cat population of Australian households from 1979 to 2005
Authors: BALDOCK FC , ALEXANDER L. , MORE SJ 
Published: March 2008

ObjectiveTo estimate and predict changes in the cat population of Australian households from 1979 to 2005.MethodTelephone surveys were used to estimate Australia's total household cat population for each year from 1979 to 1999. A simple mathematical model based on population characteristics in 1995 was used to predict future population changes to 2005. Estimates and predictions for 1996 to 1999 were compared to validate the model.ResultsAustralia's household cat population increased steadily from 2.23 million in 1979 to peak at 3.24 million in 1988. Since then it has steadily declined to 2.60 million in 1999. The population size predicted from the mathematical model was similar to that from surveys for the years 1996 to 1999. It is predicted that the population will continue to decline to approximately 2.19 million in 2005. The proportion of Australian households owning cats fell from 31.1% in 1994 to 25.8% in 1999, while the average number of cats per cat‐owning household remained relatively constant at 1.47.ConclusionsAustralia's household cat population is decreasing, falling by 19% between 1988, when it reached its peak, and 1999. This contrasts with the US where the population increased by 13.9% over the same period. The decline in Australia appears to be due to a decrease in the total number of cat‐owning households rather than the number of cats per cat‐owning household. It is likely that this trend will continue unless there is a change in household pet ownership preferences in the meantime.
INFORMATION TOPICS IMPORTANT TO CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE PATIENTS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Authors: Ormandy Paula 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYIt is essential to identify the information topics that are important to chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients to provide ‘appropriate’ information that will improve their knowledge, promote independence and encourage them to self‐manage their illness. This paper, through a systematic review, explores the existing body of evidence on the information needs of CKD patients to identify information topic areas important to these patients and highlight factors that influence a patient's information needs.
DIALYSIS AND THE ENVIRONMENT: COMPARING HOME AND UNIT‐BASED HAEMODIALYSIS
Authors: James Ray 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe quality of the patient's life while in the hospital setting is important and hence the quality of the hospital environment is equally important. The effect of noise on health varies depending upon the susceptibility of the individual, but can include higher blood pressure, stress and annoyance in staff, and can erode quality of care. This paper ascertains what the noise levels are in a typical renal unit and considers the potential effects on staff and patients. The quality of the hospital environment plays an important part in treating patients effectively and efficiently. The use of acoustic design principles can reduce the level and impact of noise and, in doing so, improve the quality of care and the patient experience.
THE AUXILIARY TABLE FOR GFR ESTIMATION ACCORDING TO THE MDRD FORMULA
Authors: Štollová Milena , Schűck Otto , Smrčková Ivana , Skibová Jelena , Teplan Vladimír 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe best overall index of renal function is considered to be glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and the gold standard for its assessment is renal inulin clearance (Cin) Unfortunately, Cin cannot be routinely used in daily practice due to its complexity as a test. The most often used ones are the Cockcroft‐Gault (CG) formula and the recently developed Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) prediction equation. Calculation of MDRD (estimated GFR) according to this formula is simple but it requires a computer program. The following table is prepared for parts of the world where the computer program is not available as yet.
Emergence of
Serratia marcescens
,
Klebsiella pneumoniae
, and
Escherichia coli
Isolates Possessing the Plasmid-Mediated Carbapenem-Hydrolyzing β-Lactamase KPC-2 in Intensive Care Units of a Chinese Hospital
Authors: Cai Jia Chang , Zhou Hong Wei , Zhang Rong , Chen Gong-Xiang 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT

Twenty-one
Serratia marcescens
, ten
Klebsiella pneumoniae
, and one
Escherichia coli
isolate with carbapenem resistance or reduced carbapenem susceptibility were recovered from intensive care units (ICUs) in our hospital. Enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus-PCR and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis demonstrated that all the
S. marcescens
isolates belonged to a clonal strain and the 10
K. pneumoniae
isolates were indistinguishable or closely related to each other. The MICs of imipenem, meropenem, and ertapenem for all isolates were 2 to 8 μg/ml, except for
K. pneumoniae
K10 (MICs of 128, 256, and >256 μg/ml). Isoelectric focusing, PCRs, and DNA sequencing indicated that all
S. marcescens
isolates produced KPC-2 and a β-lactamase with a pI of 6.5. All
K. pneumoniae
isolates produced TEM-1, KPC-2, CTX-M-14, and a β-lactamase with a pI of 7.3. The
E. coli
E1 isolate produced KPC-2, CTX-M-15, and a β-lactamase with a pI of 7.3. Conjugation studies with
E. coli
(EC600) resulted in the transfer of reduced carbapenem susceptibility compared to that of the original isolates, and only the
bla
KPC-2
gene was detected in
E. coli
transconjugants. Plasmid restriction analysis showed identical restriction patterns among all
E. coli
transconjugants. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and
ompK35/36
gene sequence analysis of outer membrane proteins revealed that
K. pneumoniae
K10 failed to express OmpK36, because of insertional inactivation by an insertion sequence IS
Ecp1
. All these results indicate that KPC-2-producing
S. marcescens
,
K. pneumoniae
, and
E. coli
isolates emerged in ICUs in our hospital. KPC-2 combined with porin deficiency results in high-level carbapenem resistance in
K. pneumoniae
. The same
bla
KPC-2
-encoding plasmid was spread among the three different genera.
Vaccine-Elicited 10-Kilodalton Culture Filtrate Protein-Specific CD8
+
T Cells Are Sufficient To Mediate Protection against
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Infection
Authors: Wu Ying , Woodworth Joshua S. , Shin Daniel S. , Morris Sheldon , Behar Samuel M. 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT

The 10-kDa culture filtrate protein (CFP-10) and 6-kDa early secretory antigen of T cells (ESAT-6) are secreted in abundance by
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
and are frequently recognized by T cells from infected people. The genes encoding these proteins have been deleted from the genome of the vaccine strain
Mycobacterium bovis
bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), and it is hypothesized that these proteins are important targets of protective immunity. Indeed, vaccination with ESAT-6 elicits protective CD4
+
T cells in C57BL/6 mice. We have previously shown that
M. tuberculosis
infection of C3H mice elicits CFP-10-specific CD8
+
and CD4
+
T cells. Here we demonstrate that immunization with a CFP-10 DNA vaccine stimulates a specific T-cell response only to the H-2K
k
-restricted epitope CFP-10
32-39
. These CFP-10
32-39
-specific CD8
+
cells undergo a rapid expansion and accumulate in the lung following challenge of immunized mice with aerosolized
M. tuberculosis
. Protective immunity is induced by CFP-10 DNA vaccination as measured by a CFU reduction in the lung and spleen 4 and 8 weeks after challenge with
M. tuberculosis
. These data demonstrate that CFP-10 is a protective antigen and that CFP-10
32-39
-specific CD8
+
T cells elicited by vaccination are sufficient to mediate protection against tuberculosis.
Interleukin-12 and Host Defense against MurinePneumocystisPneumonia
Authors: Ruan Sanbao , McKinley Laura , Zheng Mingquan , Rudner Xiaowen , D'Souza Alain , Kolls Jay K. , Shellito Judd E. 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTLittle is known about the role of the cytokine interleukin-12 (IL-12) inPneumocystispneumonia or its potential use as immunotherapy. We asked whether release of IL-12 is part of the normal host response to this infection and whether local treatment with IL-12 or gene transfer of IL-12 could accelerate clearance of infection. IL-12 was assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in normal mice and in mice deficient in IL-12 after inoculation ofPneumocystis carinii.P. carinii-infected mice were treated with local instillation of IL-12 and gene transfer of the IL-12 gene. Inoculation ofP. cariniiinto normal mice evoked a brisk release of IL-12 into lung tissue, and IL-12 P35-deficient mice showed delayed clearance of infection measured by PCR forP. cariniirRNA. In control mice, intranasal recombinant IL-12 accelerated clearance of infection, and this was associated with increased recruitment of inflammatory cells into lavage fluid and increased release of tumor necrosis factor alpha, IL-12, and gamma interferon. Similar results were observed in infected mice depleted of CD4+lymphocytes by using in vivo transfer of the IL-12 gene in a replication-deficient adenoviral vector. IL-12 is part of the normal host response to infection withP. carinii. IL-12 therapy can enhance host resistance to infection in both normal mice and mice depleted of CD4+T lymphocytes. A treatment effect of IL-12 is mediated through enhanced inflammatory cell recruitment into lung tissue and increased tissue concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines.
A Tightly Regulated Surface Protein of
Borrelia burgdorferi
Is Not Essential to the Mouse-Tick Infectious Cycle
Authors: Stewart Philip E. , Bestor Aaron , Cullen Jonah N. , Rosa Patricia A. 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACT

Borrelia burgdorferi
synthesizes a variety of differentially regulated outer surface lipoproteins in the tick vector and in vertebrate hosts. Among these is OspD, a protein that is highly induced in vitro by conditions that mimic the tick environment. Using genetically engineered strains in which
ospD
is deleted, we demonstrate that this protein is not required for
B. burgdorferi
survival and infectivity in either the mouse or the tick. However, examination of both transcript levels and protein expression indicates that OspD expression is limited to a discrete window of time during
B. burgdorferi
replication within the tick. This time frame corresponds to tick detachment from the host following feeding, and expression of OspD continues during tick digestion of the blood meal but is low or undetectable after the tick has molted. The high level of OspD production correlates to the highest cell densities that
B. burgdorferi
is known to reach in vivo. Although OspD is nonessential to the infectious cycle of
B. burgdorferi
, the tight regulation of expression suggests a beneficial contribution of OspD to the spirochete during bacterial replication within the tick midgut.
A NovelTreponema pallidumAntigen, TP0136, Is an Outer Membrane Protein That Binds Human Fibronectin
Authors: Brinkman Mary Beth , McGill Melanie A. , Pettersson Jonas , Rogers Arthur , Matějková Petra , Šmajs David , Weinstock George M. , Norris Steven J. , Palzkill Timothy 
Published: March 2008

ABSTRACTThe antigenicity, structural location, and function of the predicted lipoprotein TP0136 ofTreponema pallidumsubsp.pallidumwere investigated based on previous screening studies indicating that anti-TP0136 antibodies are present in the sera of syphilis patients and experimentally infected rabbits. Recombinant TP0136 (rTP0136) protein was purified and shown to be strongly antigenic during human and experimental rabbit infection. The TP0136 protein was exposed on the surface of the bacterial outer membrane and bound to the host extracellular matrix glycoproteins fibronectin and laminin. In addition, the TP0136 open reading frame was shown to be highly polymorphic amongT. pallidumsubspecies and strains at the nucleotide and amino acid levels. Finally, the ability of rTP0136 protein to act as a protective antigen to subsequent challenge with infectiousT. pallidumin the rabbit model of infection was assessed. Immunization with rTP0136 delayed ulceration but did not prevent infection or the formation of lesions. These results demonstrate that TP0136 is expressed on the outer membrane of the treponeme during infection and may be involved in attachment to host extracellular matrix components.
“And they told two friends…and so on”: RJ Reynolds’ viral marketing of Eclipse and its potential to mislead the public
Authors: Anderson S J , Ling P M 
Published: March 2008

Objective:To explore viral marketing strategies for Eclipse cigarettes used by the RJ Reynolds Company (Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA).Methods:Analysis of previously secret tobacco industry documents and multimedia materials.Results:The failure of RJ Reynolds’ (RJR) 1988 “smokeless” cigarette, Premier, was in part due to widespread bad word of mouth about the product’s flavour, quality and difficulty of use. In 1994 RJR introduced an updated version of Premier, the ostensibly “reduced risk” Eclipse cigarette. RJR developed viral marketing channels to promote Eclipse using (1) exploratory interviews to motivate consumers to spread the word about Eclipse prior to market release, (2) promotional videos featuring positive feedback from test group participants to portray majority consensus among triers, (3) “Tupperware”-like parties for Eclipse where participants received samples to pass around in their social circles and (4) the Eclipse website’s bulletin board as a forum for potential users to discuss the brand in their own words. These strategies targeted the brand’s likeliest adopters, recruited informal and credible representatives of the product unaffiliated with RJR, and controlled the information spread about the product.Conclusions:Viral marketing techniques may be particularly useful to promote new tobacco products such as Eclipse that have limited appeal and need a highly motivated audience of early adopters and acceptors. Such techniques help evade the mass rejection that could follow mass promotion, circumvent marketing restrictions, and allow tobacco companies to benefit from health claims made by consumers. Cigarette manufacturers must be held accountable for perceived health benefits encouraged by all promotional activities including viral marketing.
SAMPLING IN DYNAMIC DATA STREAMS AND APPLICATIONS
Authors: FRAHLING GEREON , INDYK PIOTR , SOHLER CHRISTIAN 
Published: March 2008

A dynamic geometric data stream is a sequence of m ADD/REMOVE operations of points from a discrete geometric space {1,…, Δ} d ?. ADD (p) inserts a point p from {1,…, Δ} d into the current point set P , REMOVE(p) deletes p from P . We develop low-storage data structures to (i) maintain ε-nets and ε-approximations of range spaces of P with small VC-dimension and (ii) maintain a (1 + ε)-approximation of the weight of the Euclidean minimum spanning tree of P . Our data structure for ε-nets uses [Formula: see text] bits of memory and returns with probability 1 – δ a set of [Formula: see text] points that is an e-net for an arbitrary fixed finite range space with VC-dimension [Formula: see text]. Our data structure for ε-approximations uses [Formula: see text] bits of memory and returns with probability 1 – δ a set of [Formula: see text] points that is an ε-approximation for an arbitrary fixed finite range space with VC-dimension [Formula: see text]. The data structure for the approximation of the weight of a Euclidean minimum spanning tree uses O ( log (1/δ)( log Δ/ε) O ( d )) space and is correct with probability at least 1 – δ. Our results are based on a new data structure that maintains a set of elements chosen (almost) uniformly at random from P .
Consular Assistance and Protection: An EU Perspective
Authors: Porzio Giorgio 
Published: March 2008

AbstractArticle 20 (EC) is the first tangible expression of EU citizenship. By developing 'universal' consular protection, EU member states strive to reach two objectives: making sure that no one is left unprotected; and sharing the burden of assistance, especially in remote areas. This, however, is no easy feat, as member states are ultimately responsible for protecting and assisting their citizens. Recent events, such as the Indian Ocean tsunami or the mass evacuation from Lebanon, have proved that cooperation is the only way ahead, since no consular network can cope on its own with situations such as these. The question, then, is how to allow European consular cooperation to fulfil all of its promises without diminishing the effectiveness and perception of national responsibilities.