bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Glutaraldehyde: its uptake by sporing and non‐sporing bacteria, rubber, plastic and an endoscope
Authors: Power E. G. M. , Russell A. D. 
Published: March 2008

Uptake of glutaraldehyde to bacterial spores, germinating and outgrowing spores, vegetative cells (sporing and non‐sporing bacteria), various types of rubber, plastic and an endoscope was investigated. Escherichia coli NCTC 10418 exhibited greatest uptake, followed by Bacillus subtilis NCTC 8236 vegetative cells and Staphylococcus aureus NCTC 6571. Germinated and outgrowing B. subtilis spores adsorbed more glutaraldehyde than resting spores, but less than vegetative cells. Low concentrations of alkaline and acid glutaraldehyde increased the surface hydrophobicity and inhibited the germination of bacterial spores, the alkaline solution to a greater extent in both cases.Rubbers exhibited varying degrees of uptake and are listed in decreasing order of uptake: red rubber, fluorinated rubber (Vinescol), silicone rubber (Silescol), butyl rubber (Butyl XX). Polypropylene, the only plastic examined, was found not to adsorb any glutaraldehyde. The endoscope adsorbed more glutaraldehyde (per gram) than fluorinated rubber but less than red rubber. No damage was observed.
Forces involved in adhesion of Bacillus cereus spores to solid surfaces under different environmental conditions
Authors: Husmark Ulrika , Rönner U. 
Published: March 2008

Husmark, U. & Rönner, U. 1990. Forces involved in adhesion of Bacillus cereus spores to solid surfaces under different environmental conditions. Journal of Applied Bacteriology69, 557–562.The adhesion of Bacillus cereus spores (NCTC 2599) to hydrophobic and hydro‐philic glass surfaces was studied when environmental conditions were varied. The spores were exposed in media of different polarities as well as different pH and ionic concentrations. With increasing ethanol concentrations, the polarity of the medium was decreased and the predominant force of attraction was found to be hydrophobic. The spore surface was uncharged at a pH around 3, at which value the spore was most adhesive to both hydrophobic and hydrophilic glass. This could be attributable to the absence of electrostatic repulsion. An increased ionic concentration of the bulk increased the degree of adhesion especially to the hydrophilic surfaces. This indicates the suppression of a solvation barrier at high ionic concentrations, when the polymers of the spore surface become dehydrated.
Cleanability in relation to bacterial retention on unused and abraded domestic sink materials
Authors: Holah J.T. , Thorpe R.H. 
Published: March 2008

Holah, J.T. & Thorpe, R.H. 1990. Cleanability in relation to bacterial retention on unused and abraded domestic sink materials. Journal of Applied Bacteriology69, 599–608.The relative Cleanability of stainless steel, enamelled steel, mineral resin and polycarbonate domestic sink materials was assessed by comparing the number of organisms remaining on surfaces after cleaning. In unused condition all materials, other than one enamelled steel, were equally cleanable. Stainless steel, abraded artificially or impact damaged to a similar degree as stainless steel subjected to domestic wear, retained approximately one log order less bacteria after cleaning than the other materials subjected to the same treatments. Little difference in Cleanability was recorded between the abraded surfaces of the other materials although enamelled steel surfaces were less cleanable than mineral resin or polycarbonate after impact damage, because of the greater susceptibility of enamelled steel to damage by this treatment. When cleaning time was extended beyond 10 s for the abraded and impact damaged materials, their Cleanability was not enhanced as compared with stainless steel. Changes in surface finish after abrasion were assessed by surface roughness measurement and scanning electron microscopy. Surfaces with poor Cleanability before and after abrasion were characterized by pitting, crevices or jags. These surfaces are likely to retain more bacteria because of increased numbers of attachment sites, a larger bacterial/material surface contact area and topographical areas in which applied cleaning shear forces are reduced. Materials that resist surface changes, e.g. stainless steel, will remain more hygienic when subjected to natural wear than materials which become more readily damaged.
Antimicrobial activity of Leuconostoc gelidum against closely related species and Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Harding Charmaigne D. , Shaw E.G. 
Published: March 2008

Harding, C.D. & Shaw, E.G. 1990. Antimicrobial activity of Leuconostoc gelidum against closely related species and Listeria monocytogenes. Journal of Applied Bacteriology69, 648–654.A newly isolated strain of Leuconostoc gelidum was evaluated for its ability to inhibit a wide spectrum of lactic acid bacteria, meat spoilage bacteria and food‐related human pathogens, including Listeria monocytogenes. It was inhibitory to most of the lactobacilli, all the leuconostocs, and three strains of L. monocytogenes when tested both by direct and well diffusion methods. Cell‐free extract retained activity after 60 min at 100d̀C but was sensitive to protease. Dialysis suggested a molecular weight in excess of 104 daltons. The inhibitory effect was bactericidal and rapid.
Synthesis of collagenase by the phytopathogenic bacterium Corynebacterium rathayii
Authors: Labadie J. 
Published: March 2008

Labadie, J. 1990. Synthesis of collagenase by the phytopathogenic bacterium Corynebacterium rathayii. Journal of Applied Bacteriology69, 828–833.The collagenase‐producing bacterium tentatively called Empedobacter collagenolyti‐cum was recently identified as Corynebacterium rathayii. Production of collagenase was studied in different media containing peptones or peptides of known sequences. A hexapeptide, Pro‐Ala‐Gly‐Pro‐Pro‐Gly, is an inducer almost as good as collagen.
Instability of the morpholine‐degradative phenotype in mycobacteria isolated from activated sludge
Authors: Brown V. R. , Knapp J. S. , Heritage J. 
Published: March 2008

The stability of the morpholine‐degradative phenotype was studied in a group of nine distinct strains of mycobacteria, all isolated from an activated sludge plant treating morpholine.Variants incapable of morpholine degradation arose from all strains at high frequency following growth under non‐selective conditions. However, strains differed with respect to the frequency at which Mor− variants arose. No spontaneous reversion to wild type could be demonstrated. Six of the nine mycobacterial strains contained plasmids, each had a different plasmid profile. The plasmid profiles of wild type and Mor− variants were compared. In no case could loss of the ability to grow on morpholine be correlated with loss of a complete plasmid. However, evidence is presented which suggests that in two strains loss of the morpholine‐degradative phenotype may be correlated with a decrease in the size of a very large plasmid implying deletion of the DNA encoding morpholine degradation. The techniques employed to screen for plasmids in mycobacteria are discussed.
Binding and degradation of lectins by components of rumen liquor
Authors: Baintner K. , Duncan Sylvia H. , Stewart C.S. , Pusztai A. 
Published: March 2008

The binding of 15 different plant lectins to feed particles and microbes in rumen liquor, and their degradation were studied in vitro. The rate of degradation assessed from the label released when radioactive iodine‐labelled lectins were incubated with rumen liquor conflicted with the rates calculated from measurements of the survival of the antigenic structure (immuno‐rocket electrophoresis) or the biological function (haemagglutination) of the lectins. Thus solubilization of the radioactive label indicated that Concanavalin A (Con A), but not the soyabean agglutinin, SBA, or kidney bean phytohaemagglutinin, PHA‐E3L, was stable to rumen proteolysis. In contrast, both SBA and PHA‐E3L were shown by immuno‐rocket electrophoresis or haemagglutination tests to be highly resistant to breakdown, while the degradation of Con A proceeded at a constant slow rate under the same conditions. This was in accord with the previously established general stability of lectins in the gut of single‐stomach animals.Of the 15 lectins, SBA, favin (Vicia faba lectin) and Con A were bound by hay and the particle fraction of rumen liquor. This was, in part, specific and reversible in the presence of appropriate sugars. Most pure bacterial strains preferentially bound lectins with specificity for glucose/mannose (favin and Con A), while rumen fungi reacted with SBA. The level of binding was low with other lectins. However, inter‐strain differences of lectin‐binding were found in Selenomonas ruminantium and Ruminococcus flavefaciens.Clearly, as some lectins were not fully degraded in the rumen, they could be expected to depress the utilization of the diet not only in single‐stomach animals but, possibly, also in ruminants.
Adaptation of a strain of Spirulina platensis to grow in cobalt‐and iodine‐enriched media
Authors: Singh Y. , Kumar H.D. 
Published: March 2008

Cobalt‐ and iodide‐enriched (adapted, tolerant) strains of the protein‐rich cyanobacterium, Spirulina platensis, were produced by repeated sub‐culturing in increasing concentrations of the two trace elements. The strains enriched with cobalt and iodide showed higher uptake of these elements than the controls. The LD50 values for the parent and cobalt‐adapted strains were 95 and 231 μmol 1‐1 Co2+, respectively. Likewise, the LD50 values for parent and iodide‐adapted strains were 12 and 42 mmol‐1 I‐1. The carotenoid : chlorophyll a ratio of the parent strains increased after cobalt addition. The cobalt‐adapted strain showed a much higher ratio than the cobalt‐grown parent (sensitive) cells which remained unchanged after cobalt addition.Intracellular Co2+ uptake by the cells was concentration‐dependent and followed Michaelis‐Menten kinetics with saturation in uptake occurring in the parent and adapted strains at 126 and 189 μmol 1‐1 Co2, respectively. At saturating concentrations, the maximum Co2+ uptake was 39.73 and 158.43 nmol Co2+ mg‐1 protein, respectively for the parent and adapted strains. The adapted strain also showed greater cobalt adsorption. The Km of intracellular Co2+ uptake was lower in the case of adapted cells as compared with the parent, whereas Vmax showed an opposite trend. Thus, the adapted cells appear to be more efficient than the parent strain in intracellular uptake of cobalt. Differences between kinetic constants of both the strains suggest that the strains may be physiologically different. Likewise, iodide uptake was significantly higher in iodide‐adapted cells than in controls.
Identification of infant food as a vehicle in a nosocomial outbreak of Citrobacter freundii: epidemiological subtyping by allozyme, whole‐cell protein and antibiotic resistance
Authors: Thurm V. , Gericke B. 
Published: March 2008

A total of 38 Citrobacter freundii strains was isolated from patients and their environment at a neonatal intensive care unit of a large hospital where colonization and clinical diseases due to the agent had been observed. Epidemiological investigations were carried out by subtyping, for which a combination of allozyme, whole‐cell protein and resistance pattern analysis was used. Infant formula was identified as a vehicle of nosocomial spread. This shows that the role of foods in the transmission of hospital infections should not be underestimated.The combination of methods applied, in particular a limited enzyme set, is recommended also for epidemiological investigations of food‐borne infections and establishment of their causes.
Antibacterial effect of protamine assayed by impedimetry
Authors: Johansen Charlotte , Gill T. , Gram L. 
Published: March 2008

Impedimetric measurements were used to assay the antibacterial effect of protamine. A good linear correlation between the impedance detection time and the initial cell counts was obtained (r= 0.99, n= 2). As basic peptides may cause clumping of cells, this correlation curve was used when estimating the cell number after protamine treatment, rather than colony counts.Protamine from salmon killed growing Gram‐positive bacteria and significantly inhibited growth of Gram‐negative bacteria in Tryptone Soy Broth (TSB) at 25°C. In general Gram‐positive bacteria were more sensitive to protamine than Gram‐negative bacteria; the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) determined for Gram‐positive strains varied from 20 to 1000 μ ml‐1 and for Gram‐negative strains from 500 μ ml‐1 to more than 4000 μ ml‐1.The effect of protamine on non‐growing Listeria monocytogenes Scott A suspended in buffer was not lethal as was the effect on growing cells; however, protamine (50–500 μg ml‐1) killed the Gram‐negative fish spoilage bacteria Shewanella putrefaciens when the live cells were suspended in buffer.
Effectiveness of massage, sucrose solution, herbal tea or hydrolysed formula in the treatment of infantile colic
Authors: Duygu Arikan , Handan Alp , Gözüm Sebahat , Orbak Zerrin , Karaca Çifçi Esra 
Published: March 2008

Aim and objective.  The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of massage, sucrose solution, herbal tea or hydrolysed formula, each used individually in the treatment of infantile colic.Background.  The term colic describes a group of symptoms that occur frequently in infants, consisting of paroxysmal abdominal pain and severe crying. Infant colic is of importance for both parents and the community health services that provide families with care, and is therefore an important clinical problem that is amenable to nursing interventions.Design.  This prospective and randomised‐controlled study involved 175 infants in Turkey.Methods.  Data were gathered by using Wessel criteria; parents wrote a daily structured diary, recording the onset and duration of crying. Patients were assigned randomly into four different intervention groups (massage, sucrose solution, herbal tea and hydrolysed formula) and control group. Duration of crying following each intervention was recorded in the diary by parents for a one week period.Results.  There was a significant reduction in crying hours per day in all intervention groups. The difference between mean duration of total crying (hours/day) before and after the intervention infants in hydrolysed formula group was found higher than massage, sucrose and herbal tea group. The difference between mean duration of total crying(hours/day) before and after the intervention infants in massage group was found lower than other intervention groups and all groups.Conclusion.  Our findings demonstrated that varied interventions such as administration of massage, sucrose solution, herbal tea and hydrolysed formula are effective in the treatment of colic. The difference between mean duration of total crying (hours/day) before and after the intervention in hydrolysed formula group was found higher than other intervention groups. Hydrolysed formula was the most effective in reducing the duration of crying (hours/day) when compared with the other intervention groups. Massage intervention yielded the least symptomatic improvement among all the interventions.Relevance to clinical practice.  Colic treatment models used in this study can be used by nurses in neonatal and primary healthcare settings as an aid to families for the treatment of infantile colic.
Ozone inhalation induces exacerbation of eosinophilic airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness in allergen‐sensitized mice
Authors: Kierstein S. , Krytska K. , Sharma S. , Amrani Y. , Salmon M. , Panettieri R. A. , Zangrilli J. , Haczku A. 
Published: March 2008

Background:  Ozone (O3) exposure evokes asthma exacerbations by mechanisms that are poorly understood. We used a murine model to characterize the effects of O3 on allergic airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness and to identify factors that might contribute to the O3‐induced exacerbation of asthma.Methods:  BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged with Aspergillus fumigatus (Af). A group of sensitized and challenged mice was exposed to 3.0 ppm of O3 for 2 h and studied 12 h later (96 h after Af challenge). Naive mice and mice exposed to O3 alone were used as controls. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cellular and cytokine content, lung function [enhanced pause (Penh)], isometric force generation by tracheal rings and gene and protein expression of Fas and FasL were assessed. Apoptosis of eosinophils was quantified by FACS.Results:  In sensitized mice allergen challenge induced a significant increase of Penh and contractile force in tracheal rings that peaked 24 h after challenge and resolved by 96 h. O3 inhalation induced an exacerbation of airway hyperresponsiveness accompanied by recurrence of neutrophils and enhancement of eosinophils 96 h after allergen challenge. The combination of allergen and O3 exposure inhibited Fas and FasL gene and protein expression and eosinophil apoptosis and increased interleukin‐5 (IL‐5), granulocyte‐macrophage‐colony stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) and G‐CSF protein levels.Conclusions:  O3 affects airway responsiveness of allergen‐primed airways indirectly by increasing viability of eosinophils and eosinophil‐mediated pathological changes.
Exercise‐induced asthma, respiratory and allergic disorders in elite athletes: epidemiology, mechanisms and diagnosis: Part I of the report from the Joint Task Force of the European Respiratory Society (ERS) and the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) in cooperation with GA2LEN
Authors: Carlsen K. H. , Anderson S. D. , Bjermer L. , Bonini S. , Brusasco V. , Canonica W. , Cummiskey J. , Delgado L. , Del Giacco S. R. , Drobnic F. , Haahtela T. , Larsson K. , Palange P. , Popov T. , Van Cauwenberge P. 
Published: March 2008

Aims:  To analyze the changes in the prevalence of asthma, bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) and allergies in elite athletes over the past years, to review the specific pathogenetic features of these conditions and to make recommendations for their diagnosis.Methods:  The Task Force reviewed present literature by searching Medline up to November 2006 for relevant papers by the search words: asthma, bronchial responsiveness, EIB, athletes and sports. Sign criteria were used to assess level of evidence and grades of recommendation.Results:  The problems of sports‐related asthma and allergy are outlined. Epidemiological evidence for an increased prevalence of asthma and BHR among competitive athletes, especially in endurance sports, is provided. The mechanisms for development of asthma and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in athletes are outlined. Criteria are given for the diagnosis of asthma and exercise induced asthma in the athlete.Conclusions:  The prevalence of asthma and bronchial hyperresponsiveness is markedly increased in athletes, especially within endurance sports. Environmental factors often contribute. Recommendations for the diagnosis of asthma in athletes are outlined.
The clinical and pharmacoeconomic analysis of invasive aspergillosis in adult patients with haematological diseases
Authors: Cagatay A. Atahan , Cosan F. , Karadeniz A. , Besısık S. K. , Ozsut H. , Nalcaci M. , Pekcelen Y. , Eraksoy H. , Dincol G. , Calangu S. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryInvasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) poses major management problems for clinicians caring for patients with haematological diseases. The clinical courses of patients with IPA who had been hospitalised in Hematology Unit, Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit and Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Unit between 1998 and 2005, the efficacy and adverse effects and costs of antifungal drugs (conventional amphotericin B deoxycholate, liposomal amphotericin B, amphotericin B lipid complex and caspofungin) used in the therapy of these patients were analysed in this study. Ninety‐three patients with IPA were reviewed retrospectively. Mean age of the patients was 40.4 ± 15.1 years (range 14–70 years). Fifty‐eight male patients and 35 female patients were included in the study. Manageable hypopotassemia, nausea/vomiting and headache were the most commonly observed side‐effects during antifungal (AF) therapy. While it was not found to be statistically significant with regard to the mean time to resolution of fever (P = 0.8), it was found to be statistically significant with regard to radiological regression at 30th day, and mean duration of therapy between patients who were dead or alive (P < 0.05, P < 0.001). Total cost of AF therapy for 93 patients was found to be US$4 461 824 (minimum US$387‐maximum US$279 023). Of this amount, US$4 272 845 represents the payment for AF drugs, US$188 979 the payment for other expenditures. Mean cost of therapy for a patient with IPA was found to be US$49 336. Although it seemed to be difficult, investigations should primarily focus on providing standardisation of parameters relating to the duration of AF therapy. Despite the less‐than‐optimal safety profile of CAB, it often remains to be the preferred first line option for the treatment of fungal infections because of its broad spectrum, activity and low acquisition cost.
Central nervous system infections by members of thePseudallescheria boydiispecies complex in healthy and immunocompromised hosts: epidemiology, clinical characteristics and outcome
Authors: Kantarcioglu A. Serda , Guarro Josep , De Hoog G. S. 
Published: March 2008

SummaryInfections caused by members of thePseudallescheria boydiispecies complex are currently among the most common mould infections. These fungi show a particular tropism for the central nervous system (CNS). We reviewed all the available reports on CNS infections, focusing on the geographical distribution, infection routes, immunity status of infected individuals, type and location of infections, clinical manifestations, treatment and outcome. A total of 99 case reports were identified, with similar percentage of healthy and immunocompromised patients (44% vs. 56%;P = 0.26). Main clinical types were brain abscess (69%), co‐infection of brain tissue and/or spinal cord with meninges (10%) and meningitis (9%). The mortality rate was 74%, regardless of the patient’s immune status, or the infection type and/or location. Cerebrospinal fluid culture was revealed as a not very important tool as the percentage of positive samples forP. boydiicomplex was not different from that of negative ones (67% vs. 33%;P = 0.10). In immunocompetent patients, CNS infection was preceded by near drowning or trauma. In these patients, the infection was characterised by localised involvement and a high fatality rate (76%). In contrast, CNS infection in immunocompromised patients was presented as rapidly progressive disseminated lesions at various degrees of evolution. Major risk factors for CNS infection were the aspiration of polluted water in near‐drowning episodes in immunologically intact patients and medical immunosuppression in the remaining patient groups. As the therapeutic options were poor, the treatment was difficult in general and the prognosis was poor.