bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
To Isolate or Not to Isolate? Analysis of Data From the German Nosocomial Infection Surveillance System Regarding the Placement of Patients With Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Private Rooms in Intensive Care Units
Authors: Gastmeier Petra , Schwab Frank , Geffers Christine , Rüden Henning 
Published: April 2006

AbstractObjective:To investigate whether isolating patients with MRSA in private rooms in ICUs (or cohorting) is a protective factor for nosocomial MRSA infection.Design:Association between nosocomial MRSA infection rates and ICU structure and process parameters in the German Nosocomial Infection Surveillance System (KISS).Setting:Two hundred twelve ICUs participating in KISS in 2001.Methods:In June 2001, a structured questionnaire was sent to the participating ICUs regarding their preventive measures, their type and size, their patient-to-personnel ratios, and routine cultures. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify risk factors for nosocomial MRSA infection.Results:The questionnaire was completed by 164 (77.4%) of the ICUs. These ICUs had 325 nosocomial MRSA infections in a 5-year period (1997 to 2001). The mean incidence density of nosocomial MRSA infections was 0.3/1,000 patient-days. Ninety-one ICUs (55.5%) did not register any nosocomial MRSA infections during the observation period. Forty-two ICUs had an incidence density of at least 0.3/1,000 patient-days (75th percentile). Surgical ICUs were found to be a risk factor for a nosocomial MRSA infection rate above this threshold. Multivariate analysis found surgical ICUs to be an independent predictor and isolation in private rooms (or cohorts) to be a protective factor (OR, 0.36; CI95, 0.17-0.79).Conclusion:Many (34.4%) of the German ICUs have not isolated MRSA patients in private rooms or cohorts, a procedure associated with lower MRSA infection rates in this study.
Nasal Carriage of Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureusin an American Indian Population
Authors: Leman Richard , Alvarado-Ramy Francisco , Pocock Sean , Barg Neil , Kellum Molly , McAllister Sigrid , Cheek James , Kuehnert Matthew 
Published: April 2006

AbstractBackground and Objective:Although reports of methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) infections without healthcare exposure are increasing, population-based data regarding nasal colonization are lacking. We assessed the prevalence of and risk factors for community-associated MRSA nasal carriage in patients of a rural outpatient clinic.Design:A cross-sectional population survey was conducted through random sample and stratification by community of residence. Recent healthcare exposure (ie, hospitalization, dialysis, or healthcare occupation) and other risk factors for MRSA carriage were assessed. Cultures of the nares were performed. Community-associated MRSA was defined as MRSA carriage without healthcare exposure.Setting:A predominantly American Indian community in Washington.Patients:Those receiving healthcare from an Indian Health Service clinic.Results:Of 1,311 individuals identified for study, 475 (36%) participated. Unsatisfactory culture specimens resulted in exclusion of 6 participants. In all, 128 (27.3%) of 469 participants hadS. aureus.Nine (1.9%) of 469 had MRSA carriage; of these, 5 had community-associated MRSA (5 of 469; overall community-associated MRSA carriage rate, 1.1%). MRSA carriage was associated with antimicrobial use in the previous year (risk ratio [RR], 7.2;P= .04) and residence in a household of more than 7 individuals (RR, 4.5;P= .03). Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis indicated that 5 (55%) of 9 MRSA carriage isolates were closely related, including 3 (60%) of 5 that were community associated.Conclusions:Prevalence of community-associated MRSA colonization was approximately 1% in this rural, American Indian population. Community-associated MRSA colonization was associated with recent antimicrobial use and larger household.
Nosocomial Serratia marcescens Outbreak in Osaka, Japan, From 1999 to 2000
Authors: Takahashi Hiroshi , Kramer Michael H. , Yasui Yoshinori , Fujii Hayato , Nakase Katsumi , Ikeda Kazunori , Imai Tatsuya , Okazawa Akiko , Tanaka Tomoyuki , Ohyama Takaaki , Okabe Nobuhiko 
Published: April 2006

AbstractObjectives:To investigate and control an outbreak of bloodstream infections (BSIs) caused by Serratia marcescens and to identify risk factors for respiratory colonization or infection with S. marcescens.Design:Epidemiologic investigation, including review of medical and laboratory records, procedural investigations, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) typing of environmental and patient isolates, statistical study, and recommendation of control measures.Patients and Setting:All patients admitted to a 380-bed, secondary-care hospital in Osaka Prefecture, Japan, from July 1999 through June 2000 (study period).Results:Seventy-one patients were colonized or infected with S. marcescens; 3 patients who developed primary BSIs on the same ward within 5 days in June 2000 had isolates with indistinguishable PFGE patterns and indwelling intravenous catheters for more than 5 days. On multivariate analysis, among 36 case-patients with positive sputum specimens and 95 control-patients, being bedridden (odds ratio [OR], 15.91; 95% confidence interval [CI95], 4.17-60.77), receiving mechanical ventilation (OR, 7.86; CI95, 2.27-27.16), being older than 80 years (OR, 3.12; CI95, 1.05-9.27), and receiving oral cleaning care (OR 3.10; CI95, 1-9.58) were significant risk factors. S. marcescens was isolated from the fluid tanks of three nebulizers and a liquid soap dispenser. The hospital did not have written infection control standards, and many infection control practices were found to be inadequate (eg, respiratory equipment was used without disinfection between patients).Conclusions:Poor hospital hygiene and the lack of standard infection control measures contributed to infections hospital-wide. Recommendations to the hospital included adoption of written infection control policies.
Transcriptome Analysis of Cold Acclimation in Barley Albina and Xantha Mutants
Authors: Svensson Jan T. , Crosatti Cristina , Campoli Chiara , Bassi Roberto , Stanca Antonio Michele , Close Timothy J. , Cattivelli Luigi 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
Previously, we have shown that barley (Hordeum vulgare) plants carrying a mutation preventing chloroplast development are completely frost susceptible as well as impaired in the expression of several cold-regulated genes. Here we investigated the transcriptome of barley albina and xantha mutants and the corresponding wild type to assess the effect of the chloroplast on expression of cold-regulated genes. First, by comparing control wild type against cold-hardened wild-type plants 2,735 probe sets with statistically significant changes (P = 0.05; ≥2-fold change) were identified. Expression of these wild-type cold-regulated genes was then analyzed in control and cold-hardened mutants. Only about 11% of the genes cold regulated in wild type were regulated to a similar extent in all genotypes (chloroplast-independent cold-regulated genes); this class includes many genes known to be under C-repeat binding factor control. C-repeat binding factor genes were also equally induced in mutants and wild-type plants. About 67% of wild-type cold-regulated genes were not regulated by cold in any mutant (chloroplast-dependent cold-regulated genes). We found that the lack of cold regulation in the mutants is due to the presence of signaling pathway(s) normally cold activated in wild type but constitutively active in the mutants, as well as to the disruption of low-temperature signaling pathway(s) due to the absence of active chloroplasts. We also found that photooxidative stress signaling pathway is constitutively active in the mutants. These results demonstrate the major role of the chloroplast in the control of the molecular adaptation to cold.
Use of Bacterial Quorum-Sensing Components to Regulate Gene Expression in Plants
Authors: You Young-Sook , Marella Heather , Zentella Rodolfo , Zhou Yiyong , Ulmasov Tim , Ho Tuan-Hua David , Quatrano Ralph S. 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
We describe an efficient inducible system to regulate gene expression in plants based on quorum-sensing components found in Gram-negative bacteria such as Agrobacterium tumefaciens. These bacteria monitor their own population density by utilizing members of the N-acyl homoserine lactone family as inducers and a transcriptional activator as its receptor. In our study, we utilize the components from A. tumefaciens (i.e. 3-oxooctanyl-l-homoserine lactone [OOHL]) synthesized by the TraI protein and its receptor, TraR. When OOHL binds to TraR, it recognizes its specific cis-element, the tra box. We translationally fused the eukaryotic VP16 activation domain to the N terminus of TraR. In the presence of OOHL, the chimeric VP16:TraR transcriptional regulator induces reporter gene expression in moss (Physcomitrella patens), barley (Hordeum vulgare), and carrot (Daucus carota) cells, as well as in transgenic Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) seedlings. The inducible system shows a low level of reporter gene expression in the absence of the inducer. Foliar application and a floating-leaf assay in the presence of the inducer shows a 30- and 200-fold induction, respectively. Induction by foliar application of the inducer to whole seedlings is achieved within 8 h. The VP16:TraR activator also shows specificity for binding to its cognate inducer, OOHL. Based on microarray analyses, endogenous gene expression is not significantly affected due to overexpression of the TraR protein or presence of OOHL in either wild-type or lactone-inducible transgenic plants.
Integrating Membrane Transport with Male Gametophyte Development and Function through Transcriptomics
Authors: Bock Kevin W. , Honys David , Ward John M. , Padmanaban Senthilkumar , Nawrocki Eric P. , Hirschi Kendal D. , Twell David , Sze Heven 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
Male fertility depends on the proper development of the male gametophyte, successful pollen germination, tube growth, and delivery of the sperm cells to the ovule. Previous studies have shown that nutrients like boron, and ion gradients or currents of Ca2+, H+, and K+ are critical for pollen tube growth. However, the molecular identities of transporters mediating these fluxes are mostly unknown. As a first step to integrate transport with pollen development and function, a genome-wide analysis of transporter genes expressed in the male gametophyte at four developmental stages was conducted. Approximately 1,269 genes encoding classified transporters were collected from the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) genome. Of 757 transporter genes expressed in pollen, 16% or 124 genes, including AHA6, CNGC18, TIP1.3, and CHX08, are specifically or preferentially expressed relative to sporophytic tissues. Some genes are highly expressed in microspores and bicellular pollen (COPT3, STP2, OPT9), while others are activated only in tricellular or mature pollen (STP11, LHT7). Analyses of entire gene families showed that a subset of genes, including those expressed in sporophytic tissues, was developmentally regulated during pollen maturation. Early and late expression patterns revealed by transcriptome analysis are supported by promoter∷β-glucuronidase analyses of CHX genes and by other methods. Recent genetic studies based on a few transporters, including plasma membrane H+ pump AHA3, Ca2+ pump ACA9, and K+ channel SPIK, further support the expression patterns and the inferred functions revealed by our analyses. Thus, revealing the distinct expression patterns of specific transporters and unknown polytopic proteins during microgametogenesis provides new insights for strategic mutant analyses necessary to integrate the roles of transporters and potential receptors with male gametophyte development.
PH4 of Petunia Is an R2R3 MYB Protein That Activates Vacuolar Acidification through Interactions with Basic-Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors of the Anthocyanin Pathway
Authors: Quattrocchio Francesca , Verweij Walter , Kroon Arthur , Spelt Cornelis , Mol Joseph , Koes Ronald 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThe Petunia hybrida genes ANTHOCYANIN1 (AN1) and AN2 encode transcription factors with a basic-helix-loop-helix (BHLH) and a MYB domain, respectively, that are required for anthocyanin synthesis and acidification of the vacuole in petal cells. Mutation of PH4 results in a bluer flower color, increased pH of petal extracts, and, in certain genetic backgrounds, the disappearance of anthocyanins and fading of the flower color. PH4 encodes a MYB domain protein that is expressed in the petal epidermis and that can interact, like AN2, with AN1 and the related BHLH protein JAF13 in yeast two-hybrid assays. Mutation of PH4 has little or no effect on the expression of structural anthocyanin genes but strongly downregulates the expression of CAC16.5, encoding a protease-like protein of unknown biological function. Constitutive expression of PH4 and AN1 in transgenic plants is sufficient to activate CAC16.5 ectopically. Together with the previous finding that AN1 domains required for anthocyanin synthesis and vacuolar acidification can be partially separated, this suggests that AN1 activates different pathways through interactions with distinct MYB proteins.
Presence of serum tripartite motif‐containing 21 antibodies in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Kuboshima Mari , Shimada Hideaki , Liu Tian‐Ling , Nomura Fumio , Takiguchi Masaki , Hiwasa Takaki , Ochiai Takenori 
Published: April 2006

SEREX has been applied to esophageal SCC, and the TRIM21 gene was identified as a novel SEREX antigen of esophageal SCC. The presence of s‐TRIM21‐Abs was confirmed by Western blotting using bacterially expressed TRIM21 gene product and was evaluated for clinicopathological significance in patients with esophageal SCC. s‐TRIM21‐Abs were detected in 18 (20%) of 91 patients with esophageal SCC but not in 42 healthy donors. The presence of s‐TRIM21‐Abs was partly associated with tumor size (P = 0.063) and poor survival (P = 0.067). To measure serum antibody levels, ELISA using purified recombinant TRIM21 protein was developed. The levels of s‐TRIM21‐Abs were significantly higher in patients with esophageal SCC than in healthy donors (P = 0.013). s‐TRIM21‐Abs may be a useful tumor marker to diagnose and predict disease progression in patients with esophageal SCC. (Cancer Sci 2006; 97: 380–386)
Cell cycle arrest and apoptotic induction in LNCaP cells by MCS‐C2, novel cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor, through p53/p21WAF1/CIP1pathway
Authors: Park Hae Young , Kim Min Kyoung , Moon Sang‐Ik , Cho Youl‐Hee , Lee Chul‐Hoon 
Published: April 2006

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the mechanisms involved in the antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of MCS‐C2, a novel analog of the pyrrolo[2,3‐d]pyrimidine nucleoside toyocamycin and sangivamycin, in human prostate cancer LNCaP cells. MCS‐C2, a selective inhibitor of cyclin‐dependent kinase, was found to inhibit cell growth in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner, and inhibit cell cycle progression by inducing the arrest of the G1 phase and apoptosis in LNCaP cells. When treated with 3 µM MCS‐C2, inhibited proliferation associated with apoptotic induction was found in the LNCaP cells in a concentration and time‐dependent manner, and nuclear DAPI staining revealed the typical nuclear features of apoptosis. Furthermore, MCS‐C2 induced cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase through the upregulated phosphorylation of the p53 protein at Ser‐15 and activation of its downstream target gene p21WAF1/CIP1. Accordingly, these results suggest that MCS‐C2 inhibits the proliferation of LNCaP cells by way of G1‐phase arrest and apoptosis in association with the regulation of multiple molecules in the cell cycle progression. (Cancer Sci2006; 97: 430 –436)
Why are there so many small plants? Implications for species coexistence
Authors: AARSSEN LONNIE W. , SCHAMP BRANDON S. , PITHER JASON 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe prominently right‐skewed distribution of species sizes has been the subject of a large literature in animal ecology, but has received comparatively little attention from plant ecologists. It is evident that not all explanations that have been offered for animals are directly applicable to plants.We suggest three hypotheses that require further study in the interpretation of size‐dependent species richness in plants.These hypotheses are all based on mechanisms that have generated, for smaller plants, a greater historical opportunity for speciation: (i) large adult plant size confers significant adaptation primarily in habitat types that have been relatively uncommon in space, across evolutionary time; (ii) relatively small species are more widely differentiated from each other in the environmental qualities defining their niches, many of which are made possible by the mere presence of larger species residing in the same habitat; and (iii) compared with large species, smaller species generally have higher fecundity allocation, i.e. they can produce a greater number of offspring per unit plant size per unit time, which generally confers a higher premium under most circumstances of natural selection, thus generating a potentially greater number of descendant individuals, and derived species.We discuss the implications of these hypotheses in addressing an underlying paradox in plant competition/coexistence theory, i.e. that large adult size is assumed to be the principal trait that confers competitive ability yet, even in those habitat types where competition is assumed to reach the highest levels of intensity within vegetation, the vast majority of the resident species are, nevertheless, relatively small.
Cultivation of Trypanosoma danilewskyi (Laveran & Mesnil, 1904) in serum‐free medium and assessment of the course of infection in goldfish, Carassius auratus (L.)
Authors: WANG R. , BELOSEVIC M. 
Published: April 2006

Abstract. Purification and in vitro cultivation techniques were developed for the fish haemoflagellate, Trypanosoma danilewskyi. The parasites were isolated and purified from the peripheral blood of experimentally infected goldfish, using a combination of Ficolt‐paque gradient centrifugation to remove fish red blood cells and in vitro incubation to remove the remaining fish leucocytes. A serum‐free culture medium for T. danilewskyi supported both short‐ and long‐term cultivation of the haemoflagellates. The serum‐free medium is a mixture of reagents available commercially: Leibovitz's L‐15 medium, Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium and Hank's balanced salt solution. The doubling time was calculated to be 44.4 × 7.8h. Typically, a two‐ to five‐fold increase in the number of cultured parasites was observed on day 7 after subculture with 1 × 106 and 5 × 105 trypanosomes ml−1, respectively. When administered to fish, the in vitro‐derived parasites caused an infection and pathology whose characteristics were similar to those observed following infection with trypanosomes obtained from infected goldfish. The freshly isolated and in vitro‐grown parasites were successfully cryoprescrvcd in the culture medium containing 10% glycerine at −80°C for at least 3 months. Although the viability of the parasite decreased by 40–50% after thawing, cryoprcserved parasites retained the ability to infect goldfish.Correspondence: Dr M. Belosevic, Associate Professor, Department of Zoology, CW‐312 Biological Sciences Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2E9.
Antigenic diversity of eastern Canadian isolates of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus
Authors: Tarrab E , Heppell J , Berthiaume L , Lecomte J 
Published: April 2006

AbstractA collection of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) isolated in five provinces of eastern Canada was analysed by an antigen‐coated immunosorbent assay and by neutralization tests using selected monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. Relevant antigenic sites of the two major capsid proteins, VP2 and VP3, were simultaneously compared. The A1 serotype was predominant and no significant variations of VP2 epitopes were observed. However, two subtypes could be distinguished on the basis of one or two epitopes on VP3. Other serotypes such as A6, A7 or A8 have been detected in piscicultures of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The antigenic characterization of IPNV strains appears of interest for epidemiological studies.
Comparative pathogenicity study on antigenically variant strains of Enterococcus seriolicida
Authors: Alim S R , Kawai K , Kusuda R 
Published: April 2006

Abstract Enterococcus seriolicida strains were divided into two groups, agglutinating and nonagglutinating, by a slide agglutination test using antiserum against the YT‐3 strain. Intraperitoneal injection of agglutinating and nonagglutinating strains into yellowtail, Seriola quinqueradiata Temminck & Schlegel, revealed that nonagglutinating strains were more virulent than agglutinating strains. Two nonagglutinating and highly pathogenic strains SS91–014 and SS91–092 were subcultured 30 times in brain heart infusion broth, and the agglutination titres of 50 colonies from subcultures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11, 16, 21, 26 and 30 against anti‐YT‐3 serum were determined. Transformation from a nonagglutinating (1:<4) to an agglutinating (1: ≥4) pattern was first observed at the sixteenth subculture, and the ratio of agglutinating to nonagglutinating substrains rose until the thirtieth subculture. At this time, 70% of the SS91–014 population and 52% of the SS91–092 population were transformed to an agglutinating pattern. When the pathogenicity of four transformed substrains with different agglutination titres was tested in yellowtail, the nonagglutinating substrain showed higher pathogenicity than the agglutinating substrains, but no relationship between LD50 values and the agglutination titres of transformed substrains was observed. The pathogenicity of E. seriolicida appears to be related to the agglutination pattern, although it was not demonstrated that this property is solely responsible for pathogenicity.
Health status of two salmonid aquaculture facilities in North Portugal: characterization of the bacterial and viral pathogens causing notifiable diseases
Authors: Sousa J A , Romalde J L , Ledo A , Eiras J C , Barja J L , Toranzo A E 
Published: April 2006

AbstractA comparative bacteriological and virological survey was conducted in two fish farms in the North of Portugal. The fish species examined included cultured rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), and brown trout, Salmo trutta L., as well as wild fish captured near both facilities. The microbial load in the internal organs of apparently healthy fish was nonitored over a year, an all the disease problems occurring during this period were investigated. Although both farms presented intermediate levels of infection(30–40% infected fish), farm B showed the poorest microbiological quality since constant but low mortalities were observed throughout the year. Flavobacterium and Psedomonas‐Xanthomonas were the predominant bacterial groups, comprising around 40–50% of the isolates from each farm. In farm B, members of the Enterobacteriaceae and mortile Aeromonas also showed significant prevalence (about 20%). The only outbreak of a notifiable disease was an occurrence of furunculosis, caused by Aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmoncida, in farm A. However, Yersinia ruckeri was isolated not only from diseased fish, but also from asymptomatic fish, usually in mixed infections with motile Aeromonas or infections with motile Aeromonas or infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV). While Y. ruckeri isolates associated with mortalities belonged to the serotype O1 (subgroup a), those isolated from asymtomatic fish corresponded to serotype O3. Two strains of IPNV (serotype Ab) were isolated in farm B, which represents the first viral agent detected in Portuguese aquaculture. Qualitative and quantitative differences in microbial load were observed between cultured and wild fish. No notifiable bacterial or viral pathogens were detected in any of the feral species studied.