bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Allozyme diversity of Russian wildrye accessions
Authors: Yang Y. , Han J. , Berdahl J. D. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractAnalysis of genetic diversity among plant accessions plays an important role in developing strategies for plant breeding and the conservation of genetic resources. Therefore, we sought to estimate the extent of genetic diversity present among and within 29 Russian wildrye accessions, which were collected from widespread geographic sites. We assessed the genetic diversity of eight enzymes found in 29 Russian wildrye accessions using vertical polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The genetic diversity of each accession was estimated from standard genetic parameters that included (1) the number of polymorphic loci; (2) the average number of alleles per locus; (3) the observed and expected heterozygosity. The eight enzymes were encoded by 13 putative loci and 46 alleles. Allozyme analyses revealed a large number of polymorphic loci among the 29 accessions and some of the accessions carry rare alleles and trace their origin to sites in Xinjiang, China, where Russian wildrye is indigenous. The accessions with rare alleles require additional evaluation to determine whether they possess unique phenotypic traits which would be useful in applied plant breeding.
Development of markers for the use of the PEF1 cytoplasm in sunflower hybrid breeding
Authors: Schnabel U. , Engelmann U. , Horn R. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe use of the new cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) source PEF1 in sunflower hybrid breeding requires markers closely linked to the restorer gene Rf_PEF1 necessary for fertility restoration of hybrids based on the PEF1 cytoplasm as well as diagnostic markers to distinguish the PEF1 cytoplasm from other cytoplasms. Bulked segregant analyses of 256 AFLP primer combinations identified 35 polymorphic primer combinations with 1–3 polymorphisms, resulting in 40 polymorphisms. Eighteen AFLP markers mapped together with the Rf_PEF1 gene covering 119.9 cM. The closest markers, E39M51_300R and E44M56_112A, mapped 3.9 and 6.0 cM to the Rf_PEF1 gene, respectively. Six SSR markers, which belong to the linkage group 13, were screened for polymorphisms between the parental lines. Only ORS630 was polymorphic, but did not map to the same linkage group as Rf_PEF1, indicating that Rf_PEF1 is not located on linkage group 13 where the restorer gene Rf1 for the PET1 cytoplasm is located. Diagnostic markers to distinguish the PEF1 cytoplasm from the PET1 and the fertile cytoplasm in sunflower were obtained using primer combinations for the atp9 gene and orfH522.
Extended‐spectrum β‐lactamase‐producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in paediatric wards: A nested case‐control study
Authors: Demir Serap , Soysal Ahmet , Bakir Mustafa , Kaufmann Mary E. , Yagci Aysegul 
Published: June 2008

Aim:  A high rate (48.6%) of extended spectrum beta‐lactamase production among Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL‐KP) clinical isolates in the paediatric wards of our hospital prompted the introduction of enhanced infection control measures, and after the implementation of these measures, we instituted a prospective surveillance programme, with a nested case‐control study to determine the risk factors for rectal colonisation by ESBL‐KP.Methods:  Over a 1‐year period, rectal swabs from patients and samples from the environment and the hands of health‐care workers were cultured. Strain typing of ESBL‐KP isolates was performed using pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis. Characteristics of patients who were colonised with ESBL‐KP during hospital stay were compared with those of patients who remained negative for ESBL‐KP. Multivariate analysis was performed with model‐building using stepwise logistic regression to determine independent risk factors for ESBL‐KP acquisition.Results:  Forty (18.5%) of 216 patients became colonised with ESBL‐KP. The strongest independent predictors of ESBL‐KP colonisation were mechanical ventilation (odds ratio (OR): 4.28) and hospitalisation for longer than 14 days (OR: 6.97). Genotyping of the isolates indicated probable patient‐to‐patient transmission; however, we could not determine the route of this spread. During the study period, a 1.6% rate of ESBL‐KP clinical infection per 500 patient admissions was observed, in contrast to a 7% rate in the previous year.Conclusions:  Prolonged length of stay and mechanical ventilation were independent predictors of ESBL‐KP colonisation. Enhanced infection control measures, antimicrobial stewardship and screening for rectal carriage were associated with a substantial decrease in paediatric units.
Children with physical disability: Gaps in service provision, problems joining in
Authors: Clark Phillipa , MacArthur Jude 
Published: June 2008

Aim:  To describe the reported experiences of the estimated 14 500 New Zealand children with a physical disability and those of their families and whanau (extended families).Method:  We have used data from the Household Disability Survey conducted in 2002 to obtain this information.Results:  These children and their carers reported a number of perceived unmet needs in all areas covered in the survey: service and assistance, transport, accommodation and education. Thus an estimated 24% reported an unmet need for equipment, and 10% an unmet need for home modification. Around 9% reported having to fund respite care themselves. Of particular note was the proportion of children who had difficulties joining in games and sport at school (59%), going on school outings or camps (28%), playing at school (47%), and or making friends (35%). In all, an estimated 67% of children had one or more problems taking part at school.Conclusion:  More could be done to help such families and to facilitate the full participation of these children.
Paediatric treadmill friction injuries
Authors: Jeremijenko Luke , Mott Jonathan , Wallis Belinda , Kimble Roy 
Published: June 2008

Aim:  The aim of this study was to report on the severity and incidence of children injured by treadmills and to promote the implementation of safety standards.Method:  This retrospective review of children with treadmill friction injuries was conducted in a single tertiary‐level burns centre in Australia between January 1997 and June 2007.Results:  The study revealed 37 children who sustained paediatric treadmill friction injuries. This was a presentation of 1% of all burns. Thirty‐three (90%) of the injuries occurred in the last 3.5 years (January 2004 to June 2007). The modal age was 3.2 years. Thirty‐three (90%) injuries were either full thickness or deep partial friction burns. Eleven (30%) required split thickness skin grafts. Of those who became entrapped, 100% required skin grafting.Conclusion:  This study found that paediatric treadmill friction injuries are severe and increasing in incidence. Australian standards should be developed, implemented and mandated to reduce this preventable and severe injury.
Coverage of the Victorian newborn screening programme in 2003: A retrospective population study
Authors: Jaques Alice M , Collins Veronica R , Pitt James , Halliday Jane L 
Published: June 2008

Objective:  To assess the coverage of the newborn screening (NBS) program in Victoria, Australia, and identify potential predictors of not being screened.Setting:  Victoria, Australia, 2003. The Victorian NBS program screens for phenylketonuria (PKU), cystic fibrosis, congenital hypothyroidism and more than 20 metabolic conditions, such as medium chain acyl‐coenzyme A dehydrogenase (MCAD) deficiency.Methods:  Victorian birth records (n = 63,018) were linked to Victorian NBS records (n = 62,876) using probabilistic record linkage. Binary logistic regression was used to identify potential predictors of not being screened.Results:  Uptake of NBS was 99.4% (62,643/63,018), resulting in 0.6% (375) of livebirths not matched to a NBS test. Neonatal death was the most significant factor associated with not being screened (relative risk (RR) = 407, 95%Cl = 314 to 526). After adjustment, surviving livebirths had an increased likelihood of not being matched to a NBS record if they: were transferred between hospitals (odds ratio (OR) = 2.4, 95% confidence interval (Cl) 1.5 to 3.9); were born at home (OR = 12.1, 95%Cl 6.3 to 23.3); resided in rural Victoria (OR = 2.6, 95%Cl 1.5 to 4.3); stayed in hospital for one day or less (OR = 4.6, 95%Cl 2.8 to 7.6); or whose mothers were primiparous (OR = 1.5, 95%Cl 1.1 to 2.1).Conclusion:  NBS uptake is extremely high in Victoria with over 99% of livebirths screened. Particular risk factors for not having NBS have now been identified, which could lead to changes around monitoring neonates who are not born in a hospital, or leave/transfer hospital, before the NBS period (48–72 hours). Future studies could determine whether those not screened had opted‐out or were not offered NBS.
The reliability of 2D and colour Doppler ultrasound in localising longline position
Authors: Kuschel Carl A , Bach Kitty P , Webster Nicola J , Page Bernadette , Groves Alan M , Battin Malcolm R 
Published: June 2008

Background:  The position of percutaneously inserted central venous catheters (longlines) in neonates is critical, as malpositioned longlines are associated with potentially fatal complications.Aim:  To determine if cardiac ultrasound (two‐dimensional (2D) and colour Doppler) is useful in evaluating longline position, when compared with the position identified by contrast radiography.Setting:  Single level 3 neonatal unit.Participants:  Forty‐four neonates undergoing insertion of 24‐gauge silastic longlines between July 2004 and September 2005.Methods:  Infants who had a longline inserted underwent echocardiography by a novice and an experienced operator. Operators identified longline position using a 2D then colour Doppler echocardiography during a rapid bolus infusion of saline. The position was identified from contrast radiography by two independent observers.Results:  Using 2D echocardiography, the novice and experienced operators could identify 41 and 59% of longlines, respectively. However, only 34% of longlines were identified by both operators. In 15 infants whose longline positions were identified by both operators, there was agreement in only eight infants (53%). Colour Doppler improved the experienced operator's success but did not assist the novice operator. For radiographs, there was 68% agreement on longline position between observers. The experienced echocardiographer located three (7%) longlines within the heart that from radiographs were thought to be in a proximal central vessel.Conclusions:  This technique is experience‐dependent and complements rather than replaces the use of contrast radiography. However, some infants with an apparently acceptable longline position on contrast radiography have longlines located within the heart on echocardiography.
Antifungal prophylaxis in adult stem cell transplantation and haematological malignancy
Authors: Slavin M. A. , Heath C. H. , Thursky K. A. , Morrissey C. O. , Szer J. , Ling L. M. , Milliken S. T. , Grigg A. P. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractAntifungal prophylaxis can be recommended in patients undergoing induction chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia and treatment for grade 2 or greater or chronic extensive graft versus host disease. The evidence for prophylaxis is less clear in other clinical settings although certain groups such as patients with prolonged neutropenia after stem cell transplants using bone marrow or cord blood sources and with impaired cell mediated immunity secondary to treatments such as Alemtuzumab are at high risk. The decision to use prophylaxis and which agent to use will be influenced by effectiveness, number needed to treat and the likelihood of toxicity and drug interactions. The availability of rapid diagnostic tests for fungal infection and institutional epidemiology will also influence the need for and choice of prophylaxis. Whilst prophylaxis can be beneficial, it may impede the ability to make a rapid diagnosis of fungal infection by reducing the yield of diagnostic tests and change the epidemiology of fungal infection. As non‐culture based diagnostic tests are refined and become more available there may be a shift from prophylaxis to early diagnosis and treatment.
Diagnostic and therapeutic approach to persistent or recurrent fevers of unknown origin in adult stem cell transplantation and haematological malignancy
Authors: Morrissey C. O. , Bardy P. G. , Slavin M. A. , Ananda‐Rajah M. R. , Chen S. C. , Kirsa S. W. , Ritchie D. S. , Upton A. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractPersistent or recurrent fevers of unknown origin (PFUO) in neutropenic patients on broad‐spectrum antibiotics have traditionally been treated with empirical antifungal therapy (EAFT). The lack of survival benefit seen with the use of amphotericin B deoxycholate (AmB‐D) as EAFT has been attributed to its toxicities. More recently, newer, less toxic and more expensive antifungal agents such as the lipid formulations of AmB, the newer azoles (fluconazole, itraconazole and voriconazole) and caspofungin have been analysed in a number of EAFT trials. Compared with AmB‐D the newer agents have superior safety but are of equivalent efficacy. This lack of survival advantage is related to the fact that the trigger for commencement of EAFT is late and non‐specific. Thus, alternative approaches are required. New sensitive serological and molecular tests for the detection of Aspergillus antigens and genomic DNA have been developed and evaluated in accuracy studies. These tests have been incorporated into management strategies (i.e. pre‐emptive strategies) to direct antifungal therapy. The pre‐emptive approach has been shown to be safe and feasible but its impact on clinically important patient outcomes such as survival is less clear. Other advances include the introduction of effective, non‐toxic mould‐active antifungal prophylaxis and patient risk‐group stratification. In this paper we provide new evidence‐based algorithms for the diagnosis and treatment of PFUO in adult patients undergoing stem cell transplantation and chemotherapy for haematological malignancy which incorporate these newer diagnostic tests and are directed by the risk category of the patient and type of antifungal prophylaxis the patient is receiving.
Recommendations for the treatment of established fungal infections
Authors: Thursky K. A. , Playford E. G. , Seymour J. F. , Sorrell T. C. , Ellis D. H. , Guy S. D. , Gilroy N. , Chu J. , Shaw D. R. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractEvidence‐based guidelines for the treatment of established fungal infections in the adult haematology/oncology setting were developed by a national consensus working group representing clinicians, pharmacists and microbiologists. These updated guidelines replace the previous guidelines published in the Internal Medicine Journal by Slavin et al. in 2004. The guidelines are pathogen‐specific and cover the treatment of the most common fungal infections including candidiasis, aspergillosis, cryptococcosis, zygomycosis, fusariosis, scedosporiosis, and dermatophytosis. Recommendations are provided for management of refractory disease or salvage therapies, and special sites of infections such as the cerebral nervous system and the eye. Because of the widespread use newer broad‐spectrum triazoles in prophylaxis and empiric therapy, these guidelines should be implemented in concert with the updated prophylaxis and empiric therapy guidelines published by this group.
Optimizing antifungal drug dosing and monitoring to avoid toxicity and improve outcomes in patients with haematological disorders
Authors: Worth L. J. , Blyth C. C. , Booth D. L. , Kong D. C. M. , Marriott D. , Cassumbhoy M. , Ray J. , Slavin M. A. , Wilkes J. R. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractAntifungal prophylaxis, empirical therapy and treatment of established fungal infections in the haematology population may be associated with significant toxicity or drug interactions leading to sub‐therapeutic antifungal drug concentrations and poorer clinical outcomes. These risks may be minimised by clinical assessment, laboratory monitoring of biochemical or haematological indices, avoidance of particular drug combinations and dose modification in certain circumstances. Specific measures, such as the optimal timing of oral drug administration in relation to meals, use of pre‐hydration and electrolyte supplementation may also be required. For certain agents, therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is warranted where non‐compliance, non‐linear pharmacokinetics, a narrow therapeutic window, suspected drug interaction or unexpected toxicity are encountered. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of clinical relevance to the haematology population are discussed for the azole, polyene and echinocandin classes of antifungal agents. The evidence supporting an association between TDM and enhanced treatment outcomes is presented for individual antifungal drugs, and recommendations for clinical practice are provided. Further randomised study of newer antifungal agents, such as posaconazole, is required to explore the potential for improved clinical outcomes in association with TDM.
Preventing invasive fungal infection during hospital building works
Authors: Chang C. C. , Athan E. , Morrissey C. O. , Slavin M. A. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractHospital building works increase the risk of invasive fungal infections. Nosocomial outbreaks have been reported. A pre‐emptive strategy for planned building works is paramount. The roles of HEPA filtration, air‐sampling and modulation of ‘routine’ antifungal prophylaxis practice are discussed in the context of pre‐emptive planning and outbreak management.
Gradients of coastal fish farm effluents and their effect on coral reef microbes
Authors: Garren Melissa , Smriga Steven , Azam Farooq 
Published: June 2008

SummaryCoastal milkfish (Chanos chanos) farming may be a source of organic matter enrichment for coral reefs in Bolinao, Republic of the Philippines. Interactions among microbial communities associated with the water column, corals and milkfish feces can provide insight into the ecosystem's response to enrichment. Samples were collected at sites along a transect that extended from suspended milkfish pens into the coral reef. Water was characterized by steep gradients in the concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (70–160 μM), total dissolved nitrogen (7–40 μM), chlorophyll a (0.25–10 μg l−1), particulate matter (106–832 μg l−1), bacteria (5 × 105−1 × 106 cells ml−1) and viruses (1–7 × 107 ml−1) that correlated with distance from the fish cages. Particle‐attached bacteria, which were observed by scanning laser confocal microscopy, increased across the gradient from < 0.1% to 5.6% of total bacteria at the fish pens. Analyses of 16S rRNA genes by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and environmental clone libraries revealed distinct microbial communities for each sample type. Coral libraries had the greatest number of phyla represented (range: 6–8) while fish feces contained the lowest number (3). Coral libraries also had the greatest number of ‘novel’ sequences (defined as < 93% similar to any sequence in the NCBI nt database; 29% compared with 3% and 5% in the feces and seawater libraries respectively). Despite the differences in microbial community composition, some 16S rRNA sequences co‐occurred across sample types including Acinetobacter sp. and Ralstonia sp. Such patterns raise the question of whether bacteria might be transported from the fish pens to corals or if microenvironments at the fish pens and on the corals select for the same phylotypes. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of effluent–coral interactions will help predict the ability of coral reef ecosystems to resist and rebound from organic matter enrichment.
Measurements of accumulation and displacement at the single cell cluster level in Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms
Authors: Klayman Benjamin J. , Klapper Isaac , Stewart Philip S. , Camper Anne K. 
Published: June 2008

SummaryQuantitative descriptions of biofilm growth and dynamics at the individual cell level are largely missing from the literature. To fill this gap, research was done to describe growth, accumulation and displacement patterns in developing Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. A parent strain of PAO1 was labelled with either a cyan or yellow fluorescent protein. These were then grown in a flow cell biofilm together so that pockets of dividing cells could be identified and their accumulation and displacement tracked. This analysis revealed a pattern of exponential accumulation for all clusters followed by a stationary accumulation phase. A background ‘carpet’ layer of cells uniformly colonizing the surface exhibited zero net accumulation of bio‐volume. The individual clusters were found to have a mean accumulation rate of 0.34 h−1 with a range of 0.28–0.41 h−1. Cluster accumulation rates were negatively correlated with cluster size; larger clusters accumulated volume at a slower rate (P < 0.001). Pockets of cells on the inside of clusters initially accumulated at a comparable rate to the cluster within which they resided, but later invariably exhibited zero to slightly negative accumulation despite continued exponential (positive) accumulation of the cluster. Expanding clusters were able to displace neighbouring cells from the surface, and larger clusters displaced smaller clusters. This work provides a more detailed quantitative experimental observation of biofilm behaviour than has been described previously.
A large gene cluster encoding peptide synthetases and polyketide synthases is involved in production of siderophores and oxidative stress response in the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120
Authors: Jeanjean Robert , Talla Emmanuel , Latifi Amel , Havaux Michel , Janicki Annick , Zhang Cheng‐Cai 
Published: June 2008

SummaryNon‐ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) and polyketide synthases (PKSs) are necessary for the production of a variety of secondary metabolites, such as siderophores involved in iron acquisition. In response to iron limitation, the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120 synthesizes several siderophores. The chromosome of this organism contains a large gene cluster of 76 kb with 24 open‐reading frames from all2658 to all2635, including those that encode seven NRPSs and two PKSs. The function of this gene cluster was unknown, and one possibility could be the synthesis of siderophores. These genes were indeed activated under conditions of iron limitation. One mutant, MΔ41–49, bearing a large deletion of 43.4 kb in this gene cluster, synthesized considerably less siderophores and contained less iron as compared with the wild type. Its growth rate was similar to the wild type in the presence of iron, but was reduced when iron became limiting. Two other mutants, MΔ44–45 and MΔ47–49, lacking either all2644 and all2645, or all2647, all2648 and all2649 respectively, produced more siderophores than MΔ41–49, but less than the wild type. These genes were also activated under oxidative stress conditions to which MΔ41–49 was highly sensitive, consistent with the importance of iron in oxidative stress response. We propose that this gene cluster is involved in the synthesis of siderophores in Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 and plays an important role in defence against oxidative stress.