bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Attitudes and Perceptions Toward Hand Hygiene Among Healthcare Workers Caring for Critically Ill Neonates
Authors: Pessoa-Silva Carmem Lucia , Posfay-Barbe Klara , Pfister Riccardo , Touveneau Sylvie , Perneger Thomas V. , Pittet Didier 
Published: April 2006

AbstractBackground:Infectious complications are frequent among critically ill neonates. Hand hygiene is the leading measure to prevent healthcare-associated infections, but poor compliance has been repeatedly documented, including in the neonatal setting. Hand hygiene promotion requires a complex approach that should consider personal factors affecting healthcare workers' attitudes.Objective:To identify beliefs and perceptions associated with intention to comply with hand hygiene among neonatal healthcare workers.Methods:An anonymous, self-administered questionnaire (74 items) based on the theory of planned behavior was distributed to 80 neonatal healthcare workers to assess intention to comply, attitude toward hand hygiene, behavioral and subjective norm perceptions, and perception of difficulty to comply. Variables were assessed using multi-item measures and answers to 7-point bipolar scales. All multi-item scales had satisfactory internal consistency (alpha > 0.7). Multivariate logistic regression identified independent perceptions or beliefs associated with a positive intention to comply.Results:The response rate was 76% (61 of 80). Of the 49 nurses and 12 physicians responding, 75% believed that they could improve their compliance with hand hygiene. Intention to comply was associated with perceived control over the difficulty to perform hand hygiene (OR, 3.12; CI95, 1.12 to 8.70; P = .030) and a positive perception of how superiors valued hand hygiene (OR, 2.89; CI95, 1.08 to 7.77; P = .035).Conclusion:Our data highlight the importance of the opinions of superiors and a strong perceived controllability over the difficulty to perform hand hygiene as possible internal factors that may influence hand hygiene compliance.
Efficiency of Hand Drying for Removing Bacteria From Washed Hands Comparison of Paper Towel Drying With Warm Air Drying
Authors: Yamamoto Yukiko , Ugai Kazuhiro , Takahashi Yasuko 
Published: April 2006

AbstractObjective:To evaluate warm air and paper towel drying for removing bacteria from washed hands.Methods:After hands were washed with non-antibacterial soap, they were dried using warm air with and without ultraviolet light, while being rubbed or held stationary, or paper towels. Each method was performed as a randomized trial using 30 hands.Results:Log colony-forming units (CFU) on palms and fingers increased significantly when hands were dried with warm air while being rubbed for 15 seconds (P< .001), and many bacteria remained at 30 seconds without ultraviolet light (P< .001). Holding hands stationary while drying significantly decreased log CFU on palms, fingers, and fingertips (P< .01 or < .001). Few CFU were detected on palms and fingers dried with ultraviolet light. Although log CFU of palms and fingers did not decrease after drying with three sheets of paper towel, those of fingertips decreased significantly (P< .001). For palms and fingers, log reductions were greater with warm air drying while holding hands stationary, paper towels, and warm air drying while rubbing hands. For fingertips, the log reduction was often greater with paper towels than with warm air.Conclusions:Holding hands stationary and not rubbing them was desirable for removing bacteria. Ultraviolet light reinforced the removal of bacteria during warm air drying. Paper towels were useful for removing bacteria from fingertips but not palms and fingers.
Behavior of Cross-Sectional Surveys in the Hospital Setting: A Simulation Model
Authors: Rossello-Urgell Jose , Rodriguez-Pla Alicia 
Published: April 2006

AbstractObjective:To date, it has not been adequately proven whether the published formulas used to obtain incidence from the prevalence of nosocomial infections provide a good estimate of real incidence. With the hypothesis that within the hospital setting prevalence may be lower than incidence, the aim of this study was to analyze the behavior of point prevalence as it relates to cumulative incidence and duration of infection.Design:Hospital simulation study.Methods:By randomly selecting a sample of infected patients within a specific range of cumulative incidences and infection durations, we constructed a simulated hospital population, allowing us to estimate daily point prevalences and their maximum and minimum values. The association between the different components of stay and cumulative incidence was evaluated to obtain a more accurate estimate of incidence.Results:Prevalence can be lower than, equal to, or higher than the corresponding incidence. For all incidence levels, prevalence was increasing with duration. Between 14 and 20 days of infection duration, prevalence was consistently lower than incidence. Prevalence duration of infection was approximately half the time of the total duration.Conclusions:The existing formulas relating incidence and prevalence can frequently be inadequate. Until a validated system for converting prevalence into incidence is available, we do not believe their use is appropriate.
Antimicrobial Consumption Data From Pharmacy and Nursing Records: How Good Are They?
Authors: Itokazu Gail S. , Glowacki Robert C. , Schwartz David N. , Wisniewski Mary F. , Rydman Robert J. , Weinstein Robert A. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractObjective:To determine whether randomly selected intravenous (IV) antimicrobial doses dispensed from an inpatient pharmacy were administered.Design:This was a prospective, cross-sectional study in which dose administration was confirmed by direct observation and by assessment of the medication administration record (MAR). A retrospective analysis of the return rate of unused IV antimicrobial doses was performed subsequently.Setting:Medical and surgical intensive care units (ICUs) and non-ICUs of a 550-bed urban public teaching hospital.Participants:Hospitalized patients with an order in the pharmacy database for an IV antimicrobial during 9 non-consecutive weekdays in June 1999.Results:Of 397 doses, 221 (55.7%) assessed by bedside observation and 238 (59.9%) assessed by MAR review were classified as administered; 139 doses (35.0%) were dispensed but changes in the drug order or the patient's status prevented their administration. In the subsequent assessment, of 745 IV antimicrobial doses dispensed during 24 hours, 322 (43.2%) were returned to the pharmacy unused; 423 (56.8%) of the doses—consistent with our prior observations—were presumably administered.Conclusions:Because computerized pharmacy data may overestimate actual antimicrobial consumption, such data should be validated when used in studies of hospital antimicrobial use. Dispense-return analysis offers a simple validation method.
A Comparative Study of Ethylene Oxide Gas, Hydrogen Peroxide Gas Plasma, and Low-Temperature Steam Formaldehyde Sterilization
Authors: Kanemitsu Keiji , Imasaka Takayuki , Ishikawa Shiho , Kunishima Hiroyuki , Harigae Hideo , Ueno Kumi , Takemura Hiromu , Hirayama Yoshihiro , Kaku Mitsuo 
Published: April 2006

AbstractObjective:To compare the efficacies of ethylene oxide gas (EOG), hydrogen peroxide gas plasma (PLASMA), and low-temperature steam formaldehyde (LTSF) sterilization methods.Methods:The efficacies of EOG, PLASMA, and LTSF sterilization were tested using metal and plastic plates, common medical instruments, and three process challenge devices with narrow lumens. All items were contaminated with Bacillus stearothermophilus spores or used a standard biological indicator.Results:EOG and LTSF demonstrated effective killing of B. stearothermophilus spores, with or without serum, on plates, on instruments, and in process challenge devices. PLASMA failed to adequately sterilize materials on multiple trials in several experiments, including two of three plates, two of three instruments, and all process challenge devices.Conclusions:Our results suggest that PLASMA sterilization may be unsuccessful under certain conditions, particularly when used for items with complex shapes and narrow lumens. Alternatively, LTSF sterilization demonstrates excellent efficacy and is comparable to EOG sterilization. LTSF could potentially act as a substitute if EOG becomes unavailable due to environmental concerns.
A Randomized, Controlled Trial of a New Vascular Catheter Flush Solution (Minocycline-EDTA) in Temporary Hemodialysis Access
Authors: Bleyer Anthony J. , Mason Lori , Russell Gregory , Raad Issam I. , Sherertz Robert J. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractBackground and Objective:We previously demonstrated that minocycline-EDTA was efficacious at preventing catheter-related bloodstream infections (BSIs) in three patients with recurrent infections. This study compared heparin with minocycline-EDTA as flush solutions used among dialysis patients with central venous catheters, a high-risk group for catheter-related BSI.Methods:Patients were enrolled within 72 hours of catheter insertion and randomized to receive heparin or minocycline-EDTA as a flush after each dialysis session. Each syringe containing flush solution was wrapped in orange plastic to conceal the type of solution it contained. Patients were observed for evidence of infection and catheter thrombosis. After catheters were removed, cultures were performed to determine whether microbial colonization had occurred.Results:During a 14-month period, 60 patients were enrolled (30 in each group). The two groups had similar demographics and underlying diseases. Catheter survival at 90 days was 83% for the minocycline-EDTA group versus 66% for the heparin group (P= .07). Significant catheter colonization, a surrogate measure of catheter-related infection, was significantly more frequent in the heparin group (9 of 14 vs 1 of 11;P= .005). There was only one catheter-related bacteremia and it occurred in the heparin group.Conclusions:When compared with heparin, minocycline-EDTA had a better 90-day catheter survival (P= .07) and a decreased rate of catheter colonization. This pilot study warrants a larger prospective, randomized trial (Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol2005;26:520-524).
Guidance on Public Reporting of Healthcare-Associated Infections: Recommendations of the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee
Authors: McKibben Linda , Horan Teresa C. , Tokars Jerome I. , Fowler Gabrielle , Cardo Denise M. , Pearson Michele L. , Brennan Patrick J. ,   Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee
Published: April 2006

Consumer demand for healthcare information, including data about the performance of healthcare providers, has increased steadily during the past decade. Many state and national initiatives are under way to mandate or induce healthcare organizations to publicly disclose information regarding institutional and physician performance. Mandatory public reporting of healthcare performance is intended to enable stakeholders, including consumers, to make more informed choices on healthcare issues.Public reporting of healthcare performance information has taken several forms. Healthcare performance reports (report cards and honor rolls) typically describe the outcomes of medical care in terms of mortality, selected complications, or medical errors and, to a lesser extent, economic outcomes. Increasingly, process measures (ie, measurement of adherence to recommended healthcare practices, such as hand hygiene) are being used as an indicator of how well an organization adheres to established standards of practice with the implicit assumption that good processes lead to good healthcare outcomes. National healthcare quality improvement initiatives, notably those of the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and the Hospital Quality Alliance, use process measures in their public reporting initiatives.
Using hidden Markov models and observed evolution to annotate viral genomes
Authors: McCauley Stephen , Hein Jotun 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
Motivation: ssRNA (single stranded) viral genomes are generally constrained in length and utilize overlapping reading frames to maximally exploit the coding potential within the genome length restrictions. This overlapping coding phenomenon leads to complex evolutionary constraints operating on the genome. In regions which code for more than one protein, silent mutations in one reading frame generally have a protein coding effect in another. To maximize coding flexibility in all reading frames, overlapping regions are often compositionally biased towards amino acids which are 6-fold degenerate with respect to the 64 codon alphabet. Previous methodologies have used this fact in an ad hoc manner to look for overlapping genes by motif matching. In this paper differentiated nucleotide compositional patterns in overlapping regions are incorporated into a probabilistic hidden Markov model (HMM) framework which is used to annotate ssRNA viral genomes. This work focuses on single sequence annotation and applies an HMM framework to ssRNA viral annotation. A description of how the HMM is parameterized, whilst annotating within a missing data framework is given. A Phylogenetic HMM (Phylo-HMM) extension, as applied to 14 aligned HIV2 sequences is also presented. This evolutionary extension serves as an illustration of the potential of the Phylo-HMM framework for ssRNA viral genomic annotation.
Results: The single sequence annotation procedure (SSA) is applied to 14 different strains of the HIV2 virus. Further results on alternative ssRNA viral genomes are presented to illustrate more generally the performance of the method. The results of the SSA method are encouraging however there is still room for improvement, and since there is overwhelming evidence to indicate that comparative methods can improve coding sequence (CDS) annotation, the SSA method is extended to a Phylo-HMM to incorporate evolutionary information. The Phylo-HMM extension is applied to the same set of 14 HIV2 sequences which are pre-aligned. The performance improvement that results from including the evolutionary information in the analysis is illustrated.
Availability: We implement the SSA method in the MATLAB programming language and provide the source code at . Additional supplementary material referred to in the text is available on the same webpage.
Contact: mccauley@stats.ox.ac.uk
Supplementary Information: Supplementary data are available at
Common Genetic Variation in Five Thrombosis Genes and Relations to Plasma Hemostatic Protein Level and Cardiovascular Disease Risk
Authors: Kathiresan Sekar , Yang Qiong , Larson Martin G. , Camargo Amy L. , Tofler Geoffrey H. , Hirschhorn Joel N. , Gabriel Stacey B. , O’Donnell Christopher J. 
Published: April 2006

Objective—We undertook a linkage disequilibrium (LD)–based genetic approach to investigate the hypothesis that common sequence variants in 5 thrombosis genes influence plasma hemostatic protein levels or risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).Methods and Results—In a reference panel, we characterized LD structure at the fibrinogen gene cluster (fibrinogen-β[FGB],FGA, andFGG), factor VII (F7), and tissue plasminogen activator (PLAT) loci. Forty-one tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped in 1811 unrelated Framingham Heart Study participants. There were significant associations of 9FGBSNPs with fibrinogen level (minimumP=0.002) and of 7F7SNPs and factor VII level (minimumP<0.0001). SNPs at thePLATlocus were not associated withPLATlevel. In stepwise analysis, a singleFGBvariant explained 1% of the residual variance in fibrinogen level, and 2F7SNPs together explained 10% of the residual variance in factor VII level. TwoPLAThaplotypes were associated with CVD (multivariable-adjusted globalP=0.0004).Conclusions—A comprehensive survey of common sequence variation demonstrates thatcis-regulatory SNPs explain a modest proportion of the residual variance in circulating fibrinogen and factor VII level andPLAThaplotypes increase the risk of CVD. Additional studies are warranted to confirm the association ofPLATsequence variation and risk of CVD.
cMYB is involved in the regulation of fetal hemoglobin production in adults
Authors: Jiang Jie , Best Steve , Menzel Stephan , Silver Nicholas , Lai Mei I. , Surdulescu Gabriela L. , Spector Tim D. , Thein Swee Lay 
Published: April 2006

AbstractA quantitative trait locus (QTL) controlling HbF levels has previously been mapped to chromosome 6q23 in an Asian-Indian kindred with β thalassemia and heterocellular hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH). Five protein-coding genes, ALDH8A1, HBS1L, cMYB, AHI1, and PDE7B reside in this 1.5-megabase (Mb) candidate interval of 6q23. To direct sequencing efforts we compared the expression profiles of these 5 genes between 12 individuals with elevated and 14 individuals with normal HbF levels during adult erythropoiesis by real-time quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Two genes, cMYB and HBS1L, demonstrated simultaneous transcriptional down-regulation in individuals with elevated HbF levels. Transfection of K562 cells encoding human cDNA of cMYB and HBS1L genes showed that, although overexpression of ectopic cMYB inhibited γ-globin gene expression, overexpression of HBS1L had no effect. Low levels of cMYB were associated with low cell expansions, accelerated erythroid maturation, and higher number of macrophages in erythroid cell culture. These observations suggest that differences in the intrinsic levels of cMYB may account for some of the variation in adult HbF levels. The possible mechanism of cMYB influencing γ- to β-globin switching is discussed.
Selective Conjugate Reduction of α,β-Unsaturated Esters and Amides via SmI2-Promoted Electron Transfer Process
Authors: Inanaga Junji , Sakai Shino , Handa Yuichi , Yamaguchi Masaru , Yokoyama Yasuo 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
α,β-Unsaturated esters and amides were rapidly and selectively reduced to the corresponding saturated ones under mild conditions without affecting coexisting isolated double or triple bonds by using the reduction system, SmI2-N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA)-proton source.
Pheophorbide as Efficient Sensitizer for DNA Photocleavage. An Implication to Its Role in Photodynamic Cancer Therapy
Authors: Komiyama Makoto , Kobayashi Masami , Harada Makoto 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
By use of pheophorbide a as sensitizer, DNA has been efficiently cleaved on visible light irradiation either in the presence or the absence of molecular oxygen. The possibility of DNA scission by pheophorbide a in photodynamic cancer therapy is indicated.
Absolute Configurations of Iron(III) Complexes of an Enterobactin Model, a Hexapus Cyclophane with Catechol Segments
Authors: Hisaeda Yoshio , Ihara Takeshi , Ohno Teruhisa , Murakami Yukito 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
The absolute configuration of an iron(III) complex of N,N′,N″-tris[N-(4-ditetradecylcarbamoy1-2,3-dihydroxybenzoyl)alanyl]-2,11,20-triaza[3.3.3]paracyclophane, an enterobactin model, was subjected to change by the chirality of the alanine residues; the l-alanine residue prefers to give out the Λ-configuration, while the d-residue stabilizes the Δ-configuration.
Chromogenic Calix[4]arene
Authors: Shimizu Hiroyasu , Iwamoto Koji , Fujimoto Kiyoshi , Shinkai Seiji 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
A chromogenic calix[4]arene which has within a molecule both the triester moiety as a metal-binding site and the azophenol moiety as a coloration site was synthesized. This calix[4]arene showed the high Li+ selectivity.
A New Photochromic Vinylnaphthol Derivative
Authors: Uchida Manabu , Irie Masahiro 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
A vinylnaphthol derivative with a thiophene ring at α-position of the vinyl group underwent photochromic reaction in nonpolor solvents. The structure of the colored form, which was isolated by HPLC, was assigned to a closed-ring naphthopyran.
Stereoselective Michael Addition Reactions of Acylated Oxazolidinones to Ethyl 3-Trifluoromethylacrylate
Authors: Yamazaki Takashi , Haga Jiro , Kitazume Tomoya 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
Michael addition reactions of acyl oxazolidinones to ethyl 3-trifluoromethylacrylate were found to proceed smoothly with a high degree of diastereo- as well as diastereofacial selectivity at the new carbon–carbon bond.
Importance of β Phenyl Group in Ipso Substitution of Arylvinyl Cations
Authors: Kitamura Tsugio , Soda Shin-ichi , Nakamura Ichizo , Fukuda Tetsuro , Taniguchi Hiroshi 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
Intramolecular and intermolecular ipso substitutions of arylvinyl cations, i.e., α-[p-(2-hydroxyethoxy)phenyl]vinyl cations and α-(p-methoxyphenyl)vinyl cations, were studied with respect to the effect of the β substituent and phenyl group as the β substituent was found to exert a significant influence on the ipso substitution.
Catalyses of Fe and FeS2 on the Reaction of Di(1-naphthyl)methane
Authors: Wei Xian-yong , Ogata Eisuke , Niki Etsuo 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
Reactions of di(1-naphthyl)methane (DNM) over Fe and FeS2 at 300 °C were carried out to investigate the catalytic activities and selectivities of the two catalysts. Both catalysts showed high activities for the reaction of DNM but Fe catalyzed DNM hydrogenation whereas FeS2 catalyzed DNM hydrocracking. This difference can be ascribed to the presence of sulfur.
Oxidation of 5-Bromo- and 5-Fluoro-1,3-dimethyluracils by Peroxomono- and Peroxodisulfate Ions
Authors: Itahara Toshio , Nishino Akihiro 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
Oxidation of 5-bromo-1,3-dimethyluracil by KHSO5 gave 5,5-dibromo-6-hydroxy- and 5,5,6-trihydroxy-1,3-dimethyl-5,6-dihydrouracils and that of 5-fluoro-1,3-dimethyluracil by Na2S2O8 gave a 6,6′-dimeric product.
A Direct NMR Observation of Stilbene Dianion in Solution
Authors: Yokoyama Yukihiro , Koizumi Terutake , Kikuchi Osamu 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
The NMR spectra of stilbene dianion have been observed in solution. The dianions derived from cis- and trans-stilbene are identical and only one species exists in solution even at −70 °C. From the vicinal coupling constant 3Jαα′, it is concluded that the configuration around the central bond Cα–Cα′ of the dianions is not fixed at the trans-form but the rotation about the bond occurs.
Solvolysis of (Z)- and (E)-2-Ethylidene-1-adamantyl Chlorides and Mesylates. A Unique Example Showing the Greater F-Strain Effect in the Chloride than in the Mesylate
Authors: Takeuchi Ken’ichi , Ohga Yasushi , Munakata Motohiro , Kitagawa Toshikazu 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
The Z/E rate ratio in the trifluoroethanolysis at 25 °C of the title chlorides and mesylates are 1023 and 126, respectively, showing the greater front strain (F-strain) effect in the (Z)-chloride than in the (Z)-mesylate. The results were supported by MM2 and AM1 calculations.
A New Squalene-type Triterpene from the Woods of Eurycoma longifolia
Authors: Itokawa Hideji , Kishi Etsuko , Morita Hiroshi , Takeya Koichi , Iitaka Yoichi 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
A new squalene-type triterpene with cytostatic activity, named as longilene peroxide, was isolated from the woods of Eurycoma longifolia. The solution and solid forms were elucidated by spectroscopic and X-ray analysis.
Immobilization of Myoglobin in a Multilayer Film of Two-Dimensional Polymer Network
Authors: Hamachi Itaru , Fujimura Hidetoshi , Kunitake Toyoki 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
Myoglobin, dioxygen storage protein, was effectively entrapped without denaturation in a multilayered, two-dimensional polymer network that was prepared by using a cast film of a phosphate bilayer membrane as molecular template. The spatial orientation of Mb observed in the presence of the bilayer matrix was lost by its solvent extraction.