bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Paediatric emergency guidelines: Could one size fit all?
Authors: Dalton Sarah , Babl Franz E 
Published: February 2009

AbstractObjectives:  The development of clinical practice guidelines (CPG) is a core task in EDs and CPGs are widely used. The process of CPGs development in Australian and New Zealand ED is unknown. We aim to describe this process in paediatric EDs and examine the feasibility of developing collaborative guidelines.Methods:  A piloted questionnaire regarding CPG development, dissemination, implementation and evaluation was circulated to all 13 Paediatric Research in Emergency Departments International Collaborative (PREDICT) sites. Specific questions regarding feasibility of combined guidelines were included.Results:  All PREDICT EDs participated in the survey. All used CPGs in EDs and 12/13 had ED‐specific guidelines. EDs had an average of 77 guidelines with approximately 5 new guidelines generated annually. Staff at most sites (10/13) also accessed guidelines from external sources. Most hospitals (10/13) had a guideline committee, generally comprising of senior ED and general paediatric staff. Guidelines were usually written by committee members and 10/13 hospitals adopted modified external guidelines. An average committee met six times a year for 90 min and involved seven clinicians. Most sites did not have a project manager or dedicated secretarial support. Few hospitals included literature references (3/13) or levels of evidence (1/13) in their guidelines. Most did not consider implementation, evaluation or teaching packages. Most sites (10/13) supported the development of collaborative guidelines.Conclusions:  Paediatric EDs expend significant resources to develop CPGs. Collaborative guidelines would likely decrease duplication of effort and increase the number of available, current and evidence‐based CPGs.
Improving adherence to asthma clinical guidelines and discharge documentation from emergency departments: Implementation of a dynamic and integrated electronic decision support system†
Authors: Kwok Raymond , Dinh Michael , Dinh David , Chu Matthew 
Published: February 2009

AbstractObjective:  The authors previously developed a dynamic and integrated electronic decision support system called ACAFE (Asthma Clinical Assessment Form and Electronic decision support). The objective of this present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of this system on asthma management and documentation in an ED.Method:  Observational study using a pre‐ and post‐intervention design, comparing patients managed using ACAFE after its implementation with historical controls. A systematic data abstraction process was used to compare patient records.Results:  A total of 50 patients were enrolled in the study group. These were compared with 50 historical controls. Use of ACAFE was associated with significantly higher rates of documentation of asthma severity (98% vs 18%, P < 0.01), as well as other clinically important variables, such as asthma precipitants, intensive care admission history and smoking history. ACAFE was also associated with significantly higher rate of asthma discharge plan documentation (76% vs 16%, P < 0.01), and this remained significant after adjustment for triage category and seniority of treating doctor in a regression model.Conclusion:  The use of this decision support system in patients presenting to emergency with asthma was associated with improvements in clinical documentation and discharge management plans. Electronic decision support systems developed collaboratively with clinicians should play an important part of system‐wide efforts to improve guideline adherence and compliance in ED.
Leech on the eye: A novel use for hypertonic saline
Authors: Partyka Christopher , Fogg Toby 
Published: February 2009

AbstractAlthough human interaction with leeches is common in Australia, there is little documented literature on ocular injuries as a result of contact with a leech. We report a case of ocular leech attachment and a previously undocumented method of removal with hypertonic saline solution.
Molecular data reveals California as the potential source of an invasive leafhopper species, Macrosteles sp. nr. severini, transmitting the aster yellows phytoplasma in Hawaii
Authors: Le Roux J.J. , Rubinoff D. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractA species of aster leafhopper (Macrosteles sp.) became established in 2001 on Oahu, Hawaii, and through the transmission of the aster yellows phytoplasma, caused devastating losses to the island’s watercress industry. DNA sequence data were analysed from two mitochondrial genes [cytochrome oxidase subunit 1(CO1) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide 1 (NADH1)] and one nuclear gene (wingless, Wg) (combined total of 1874 bp) to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships between putative US mainland source populations of aster leafhoppers and those introduced to Hawaii. These data were applied to elucidate the origin(s) and identity of Hawaiian infestations and the amount of genetic diversity within introduced invasive populations. Both phylogenetic search criteria (Bayesian and maximum likelihood models) converged onto similar tree topologies for all three gene regions and suggested that Hawaii infestations represent a single undescribed leafhopper species unrelated to the common aster leafhopper, Macrosteles quadrilineatus. An exact haplotype match was found from a specimen intercepted from watercress shipped to Hawaii from Los Angeles, California, suggesting this region as the potential source for Hawaiian infestations. Two mitochondrial haplotypes were identified in Hawaii suggesting two or perhaps just a single introduction of more than one female.
Optical pulsations from the anomalous X-ray pulsar 1E 1048.1–5937
Authors: Dhillon V. S. , Marsh T. R. , Littlefair S. P. , Copperwheat C. M. , Kerry P. , Dib R. , Durant M. , Kaspi V. M. , Mignani R. P. , Shearer A. 
Published: February 2009

Abstract
We present high-speed optical photometry of the anomalous X-ray pulsar 1E 1048.1-5937 obtained with ULTRACAM on the 8.2-m Very Large Telescope in 2007 June. We detect 1E 1048.1-5937 at a magnitude of i′= 25.3 ± 0.2, consistent with the values found by Wang et al. and hence confirming their conclusion that the source was approximately 1 mag brighter than in 2003–06 due to an on-going X-ray flare that started in 2007 March. The increased source brightness enabled us to detect optical pulsations with an identical period (6.458 s) to the X-ray pulsations. The root-mean-square (rms) pulsed fraction in our data is 21 ± 7 per cent, approximately the same as the 2–10 keV X-ray rms pulsed fraction. The optical and X-ray pulse profiles show similar morphologies and appear to be approximately in phase with each other, the latter lagging the former by only 0.06 ± 0.02 cycles. The optical pulsations in 1E 1048.1-5937 are very similar in nature to those observed in 4U 0142+61. The implications of our observations for models of anomalous X-ray pulsars are discussed.
EFFECTS OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS CONDIMENTI AND MICROCOCCUS CASEOLYTICUS ON THE VOLATILE COMPOUNDS OF CANTONESE SAUSAGE
Authors: WU YANTAO , CUI CHUN , SUN WEIZHENG , YANG BAO , ZHAO MOUMING 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACT Two strains, Staphylococcus condimenti and Micrococcus caseolyticus, were screened and isolated from Cantonese sausage in this study. The effects of these two strains on the flavor of Cantonese sausage were also investigated. Three Cantonese sausage samples were prepared: control, sausage inoculated with S. condimenti (SC) and sausage inoculated with M. caseolyticus (MC). The volatile compounds were extracted by a headspace solid‐phase microextraction method, quantified and identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. A total of 22, 22 and 25 volatile compounds were identified from the three samples, respectively. Larger amounts of volatile compounds (alcohols, aldehydes, ketones and esters) were detected in SC and MC, particularly for aldehydes and ethyl esters, whereas the amounts of hydrocarbons and heterocyclic compounds decreased. The results showed that both strains could accelerate the degradation and oxidation of lipids and proteins, and improve the flavor characteristics of Cantonese sausage.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSCantonese sausage is a traditional Chinese meat product that is well accepted by consumers over the world. In order to improve the flavor characteristics of this sausage, two strains, Staphylococcus condimenti and Micrococcus caseolyticus, were used as starter cultures for Cantonese sausage preparation in this work. The volatile compounds were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The results showed that these two strains could be good flavor enhancers of Cantonese sausage. Therefore, application of S. condimenti or M. caseolyticus on the Cantonese sausage will be of great significance in improving the quality of this traditional food.
Prevention, detection and intervention with delirium in an acute care hospital: a feasibility study
Authors: Benedict Lynn , Hazelett Susan , Fleming Eileen , Ludwick Ruth , Anthony Mary , Fosnight Sue , Holder Carolyn , Zeller Rich , Allen Kyle , Zafirau William 
Published: February 2009

Background.  The prevalence of delirium in acute care hospitals ranges from 5–86%. Delirious patients are at greater risk of negative health outcomes and their care is often more costly.Aim.  To determine the feasibility of a full‐scale trial to test the effectiveness of an intervention designed to improve delirium prevention, detection and intervention in an acute care hospital.Design.  A delirium prevention protocol was designed by an interdisciplinary group of clinicians and implemented on intervention unit patients who passed a mental status screen, were at high risk for delirium according to the modified NEECHAM scale, and met other eligibility criteria. These patients were reviewed at daily interdisciplinary team meetings and team recommendations were placed in the patient’s chart. On the usual care unit, physicians were notified if their patients were at high risk, but the delirium protocol was not implemented.Methods.  The delirium protocol was pilot tested with 35 high risk patients on an Acute Care for Elders (ACE) unit. Outcomes were compared to 35 high risk patients on a similar medical unit without the delirium protocol.Results.  The main outcome examined whether there is a difference in average day 3 modified NEECHAM scores comparing the intervention and control groups. The mean modified NEECHAMs on day 3 were not statistically significantly different (intervention group 3.76 and control group 3.24) (P= 0.368). Baseline NEECHAM scores did not correlate well with development of delirium (P = 0.204). A history of confusion during a previous hospitalization was the strongest predictor of developing delirium during the current hospitalization.Conclusion.  This pilot study was not powered to detect an effect of the intervention, however, feasibility for a fully powered trial was established.Relevance to clinical practice.  Completion of the NEECHAM screen every shift was not considered burdensome for either nurses or patients and may help identify acute delirium.
Cyclopropane fatty acids are involved in organic solvent tolerance but not in acid stress resistance in Pseudomonas putida DOT‐T1E
Authors: Pini Cecilia‐Vanesa , Bernal Patricia , Godoy Patricia , Ramos Juan‐Luis , Segura Ana 
Published: February 2009

SummaryBacterial membranes constitute the first physical barrier against different environmental stresses. Pseudomonas putida DOT‐T1E accumulates cyclopropane fatty acids (CFAs) in the stationary phase of growth. In this strain the cfaB gene encodes the main cyclopropane synthase responsible of the synthesis of CFAs, and its expression is mediated by RNA polymerase with sigma factor σ38. We generated a cfaB mutant of P. putida DOT‐T1E and studied its response to solvents, acid pH and other stress conditions such as temperature changes, high osmolarity and the presence of antibiotics or heavy metals in the culture medium. A CfaB knockout mutant was more sensitive to solvent stress than the wild‐type strain, but in contrast to Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica, the P. putida cfaB mutant was as tolerant to acid shock as the wild‐type strain. The cfaB mutant was also as tolerant as the parental strain to a number of drugs, antibiotics and other damaging agents.
Molecular and biochemical characterization of the tetralin degradation pathway in Rhodococcus sp. strain TFB
Authors: Tomás‐Gallardo Laura , Santero Eduardo , Camafeita Emilio , Calvo Enrique , Schlömann Michael , Floriano Belén 
Published: February 2009

SummaryThe tetralin biodegradation pathway in Rhodococcus sp. strain TFB, a Gram‐positive bacterium resistant to genetic manipulation, was characterized using a proteomic approach. Relative protein expression in cell free extracts from tetralin‐ and glucose‐grown cells was compared using the 2D‐DIGE technique. Identification of proteins specifically expressed in tetralin‐grown cells was used to characterize a complete set of genes involved in tetralin degradation by reverse genetics. We propose a tetralin degradation pathway analogous to that described for Sphingomonas macrogolitabida strain TFA. TFB thn genes are organized into three operons; two contain all of the structural genes and are transcribed in the same direction, while the third operon, thnST, is transcribed in the opposite direction and encodes a two‐component regulatory system, whose transcription is higher in tetralin‐grown cells. In addition to tetralin induction, TFB thn structural genes are subject to glucose repression. Primer extension assays and translational thnA1::gfp and thnS::gfp fusions were used to characterize putative promoter regions. A mutational analysis of the thnA1 promoter region allowed us to define nucleotides within the cis regulatory elements that are important for the control of thn gene expression.
Coupling a genome‐scale metabolic model with a reactive transport model to describe in situ uranium bioremediation
Authors: Scheibe Timothy D. , Mahadevan Radhakrishnan , Fang Yilin , Garg Srinath , Long Philip E. , Lovley Derek R. 
Published: February 2009

SummaryThe increasing availability of the genome sequences of microorganisms involved in important bioremediation processes makes it feasible to consider developing genome‐scale models that can aid in predicting the likely outcome of potential subsurface bioremediation strategies. Previous studies of the in situ bioremediation of uranium‐contaminated groundwater have demonstrated that Geobacter species are often the dominant members of the groundwater community during active bioremediation and the primary organisms catalysing U(VI) reduction. Therefore, a genome‐scale, constraint‐based model of the metabolism of Geobacter sulfurreducens was coupled with the reactive transport model HYDROGEOCHEM in an attempt to model in situ uranium bioremediation. In order to simplify the modelling, the influence of only three growth factors was considered: acetate, the electron donor added to stimulate U(VI) reduction; Fe(III), the electron acceptor primarily supporting growth of Geobacter; and ammonium, a key nutrient. The constraint‐based model predicted that growth yields of Geobacter varied significantly based on the availability of these three growth factors and that there are minimum thresholds of acetate and Fe(III) below which growth and activity are not possible. This contrasts with typical, empirical microbial models that assume fixed growth yields and the possibility for complete metabolism of the substrates. The coupled genome‐scale and reactive transport model predicted acetate concentrations and U(VI) reduction rates in a field trial of in situ uranium bioremediation that were comparable to the predictions of a calibrated conventional model, but without the need for empirical calibration, other than specifying the initial biomass of Geobacter. These results suggest that coupling genome‐scale metabolic models with reactive transport models may be a good approach to developing models that can be truly predictive, without empirical calibration, for evaluating the probable response of subsurface microorganisms to possible bioremediation approaches prior to implementation.
Beyond biological control: non‐pest insects and their pathogens in a changing world
Authors: ROY HELEN E. , HAILS ROSEMARY S. , HESKETH HELEN , ROY DAVID B. , PELL JUDITH K. 
Published: February 2009

Abstract.

Over the last few decades, there have been considerable advances in the fields of insect pathology and insect conservation but the two disciplines rarely meet. The potential of entomopathogens as biological control agents of pest insects is widely recognised but information on the role of pathogens in insect population regulation, more generally, is limited. For example, the role of pathogens as natural enemies of non‐pest insects, including those of conservation value, is seldom considered beyond their context as ‘non‐targets’ of microbial control agents.
Entomopathogens are prevalent in natural systems and should receive greater attention in life‐history studies. There is no doubt that viruses, bacteria and fungi are major mortality agents of insects but their significance tends to be overshadowed by the attention given to predators and parasitoids.
We highlight the critical function that entomopathogens could have in insect population dynamics with particular reference fragmented habitats as illustrated by the theoretical literature. However, we emphasise that there are few empirical studies to test theoretical predictions.
We suggest that since an increase in the incidence of disease is predicted in most environmental change scenarios, it is more important than ever to turn our attention to insect pathology when we consider insect population dynamics.
Alterations in Hematopoietic Microenvironment in Patients with Aplastic Anemia
Authors: Shipounova Irina N. , Petrova Tatiana V. , Svinareva Daria A. , Momotuk Kira S. , Mikhailova Elena A. , Drize Nina I. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractMechanisms of hematopoietic failure in patients with aplastic anemia (AA) are obscure. We investigate alterations in the hematopoietic microenvironment in AA patients. We present the results of studying mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC), fibroblastic colony‐forming units (CFU‐F), and adherent cell layers (ACL) of long‐term bone marrow cultures (LTBMC) from bone marrow (BM) samples of AA patients. MSC of AA patients proliferated longer than those of donors. In half of the patients’ MSC cultures, adipogenesis was impaired. Osteogenic differentiation was not achieved in 36% of AA MSC. CFU‐F formed enlarged colonies, and their concentration in the BM of AA patients was significantly increased. Our data suggest that the physiological activation of the stromal microenvironment is characteristic of AA. We detected a decrease in the expression of the angiopoetin‐1 (ANG‐1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (VCAM‐1) genes, together with an increase in the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in ACL of AA patients. This ndicates abnormal regulatory patterns in both osteoblastic and vascular contexts. Addition of AA patients’ serum to donors’ LTBMCfor 3 weeks induced similar gene expression alterations. The addition of parathyroid hormone (PTH) resulted in the expression levels of analyzed genes returning to normal, in both AA LTBMC and donor cultures treated with AA serum. The physiologic status of the BM stromal microenvironment (MSC, CFU‐F, and ACL of LTBMC) of AA patients was altered.
Semistable reduction for overconvergentF-isocrystals, III: Local semistable reduction at monomial valuations
Authors: Kedlaya Kiran S. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractWe resolve the local semistable reduction problem for overconvergentF-isocrystals at monomial valuations (Abhyankar valuations of height 1 and residue transcendence degree zero). We first introduce a higher-dimensional analogue of the generic radius of convergence for ap-adic differential module, which obeys a convexity property. We then combine this convexity property with a form of thep-adic local monodromy theorem for so-called fake annuli.
Desingularized fiber products of semi-stable elliptic surfaces with vanishing third Betti number
Authors: Schoen Chad 
Published: February 2009

AbstractDesingularized fiber products of semi-stable elliptic surfaces withHetale3=0 are classified. Such varieties may play a role in the study of supersingular threefolds, of the deformation theory of varieties with trivial canonical bundle, and of arithmetic degenerations of rigid Calabi–Yau threefolds.
Novel Inhibitor of
Plasmodium
Histone Deacetylase That Cures
P. berghei-
Infected Mice
Authors: Agbor-Enoh S. , Seudieu C. , Davidson E. , Dritschilo A. , Jung M. 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACT

Histone deacetylases (HDAC) are potential targets for the development of new antimalarial drugs. The growth of
Plasmodium falciparum
and other apicomplexans can be suppressed in the presence of potent HDAC inhibitors in vitro and in vivo; however, in vivo parasite suppression is generally incomplete or reversible after the discontinuation of drug treatment. Furthermore, most established HDAC inhibitors concurrently show broad toxicities against parasites and human cells and high drug concentrations are required for effective antimalarial activity. Here, we report on HDAC inhibitors that are potent against
P. falciparum
at subnanomolar concentrations and that have high selectivities; the lead compounds have mean 50% inhibitory concentrations for the killing of the malaria parasite up to 950 times lower than those for the killing of mammalian cells. These potential drugs improved survival and completely and irreversibly suppressed parasitemia in
P. berghei-
infected mice.
Relative Contributions of the
Candida albicans
ABC Transporters Cdr1p and Cdr2p to Clinical Azole Resistance
Authors: Tsao Sarah , Rahkhoodaee Fariba , Raymond Martine 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACT

Candida albicans
frequently develops resistance to treatment with azole drugs due to the acquisition of gain-of-function mutations in the transcription factor Tac1p. Tac1p hyperactivation in azole-resistant isolates results in the constitutive overexpression of several genes, including
CDR1
and
CDR2
, which encode two homologous transporters of the ATP-binding cassette family. Functional studies of Cdr1p and Cdr2p have been carried out so far by heterologous expression in the budding yeast
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
and by gene deletion or overexpression in azole-sensitive
C. albicans
strains in which
CDR1
expression is low and
CDR2
expression is undetectable. Thus, the direct demonstration that
CDR1
and
CDR2
overexpression causes azole resistance in clinical strains is still lacking, as is our knowledge of the relative contribution of each transporter to clinical azole resistance. In the present study, we used the
SAT1
flipper system to delete the
CDR1
and
CDR2
genes from clinical isolate 5674. This strain is resistant to several azole derivatives due to a strong hyperactive mutation in Tac1p and expresses high levels of Cdr1p and Cdr2p. We found that deleting
CDR1
had a major effect, reducing resistance to fluconazole (FLC), ketoconazole (KTC), and itraconazole (ITC) by 6-, 4-, and 8-fold, respectively. Deleting
CDR2
had a much weaker effect, reducing FLC or KTC resistance by 1.5-fold, and had no effect on ITC resistance. These results demonstrate that Cdr1p is a major determinant of azole resistance in strain 5674 and potentially in other clinical strains overexpressing Cdr1p and Cdr2p, while Cdr2p plays a more minor role.