bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictors of In‐Hospital and Long‐Term Clinical Outcome in Elderly Patients with Massive Pulmonary Embolism Receiving Thrombolytic Therapy
Authors: De Bonis Silvana , Rendina Domenico , Vargas Giuseppe , Minno Dario Di , Piedimonte Vincenzo , Gallotta Giovanni , Postiglione Alfredo 
Published: December 2008

OBJECTIVES: To determine the clinical, historical, and instrumental findings associated with unfavorable short‐term and long‐term prognosis in elderly patients (≥65) receiving thrombolytic therapy for pulmonary embolism (PE).DESIGN: Case‐control retrospective study.SETTING: General medicine acute care ward.PARTICIPANTS: Sixty‐seven elderly patients with PE complicated by hemodynamic instability (massive PE) admitted to the “Antonio Cardarelli” Hospital from January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2004, and evaluated during their hospital stay and 174.4±4.6 days after discharge.MEASUREMENTS: PE diagnosis was confirmed using spiral computed tomography angiography. Hemodynamic instability was defined as cardiogenic shock and systolic blood pressure less than 90 mmHg or a pressure drop of 40 mmHg or more for longer than 15 minutes not due to new‐onset arrhythmia, hypovolemia, or sepsis.INTERVENTION: Weight‐adapted unfractionated heparin and recombinant tissue plasminogen activator.RESULTS: Nine patients (13.4%) died during hospitalization. Higher troponin‐I (cTn‐I) serum levels at admission to the emergency department and the occurrence of thrombocytopenia after thrombolysis were significantly associated with in‐hospital death. Nineteen of the 58 survivors (32.7%) died during follow‐up. The risk factors for long‐term death were historical findings of cancer and cardiovascular disease at hospital admission.CONCLUSION: Higher cTn‐I serum levels in the acute phase and the occurrence of thrombocytopenia after thrombolysis were significantly associated with in‐hospital mortality in elderly patients with massive PE. In the same setting, historical findings of cancer and cardiovascular disease are strong predictors of death in the long term.
Is Preoperative Anxiety and Depression Associated with Onset of Delirium After Cardiac Surgery in Older Patients? A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Detroyer Elke , Dobbels Fabienne , Verfaillie Els , Meyfroidt Geert , Sergeant Paul , Milisen Koen 
Published: December 2008

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence of preoperative anxiety and depressive symptoms and their relationship with the occurrence of postcardiac delirium and to describe the evolution of these symptoms from preoperative admission until discharge.DESIGN: Descriptive, prospective, longitudinal study.SETTING: The intensive care unit and two cardiac surgery units in a university hospital setting.PARTICIPANTS: One hundred four patients (median age 71; 78.8% men) admitted for elective cardiac surgery.MEASUREMENTS: Anxiety measured preoperatively using the State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS); depression using the HADS; cognitive functioning using the Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE); delirium using the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM), the CAM for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM‐ICU), and the Delirium Index (DI); and activities of daily living using the Katz index of activities of daily living (Katz ADL scale). MMSE, CAM/CAM‐ICU, and DI were obtained on postoperative Days 1, 3, and 7. On Day 7 and at discharge, the STAI, HADS, and Katz ADL scale were repeated.RESULTS: Postoperative delirium occurred in 26%; 55.8% reported preoperative state anxiety, 25.2% generalized anxiety, and 15.5% depressive symptoms, but no association was found with delirium occurrence. Based on multivariable analysis, prolonged intubation time (odds ratio (OR)=1.10, CI: 1.05–1.15, P=.001) and a low intraoperative lowest body temperature (OR=0.86, CI: 0.74–0.99, P=.03) were independent predictors of delirium onset. At discharge, 35.7% and 12.2% of patients reported state anxiety and generalized, and 15.3% reported depressive symptoms.CONCLUSION: Despite the high prevalence of preoperative anxiety and depressive symptoms in older patients with cardiac surgery, no association was found with postoperative delirium.
Ethnicity, social disadvantage and psychotic‐like experiences in a healthy population based sample
Authors: Morgan C. , Fisher H. , Hutchinson G. , Kirkbride J. , Craig T. K. , Morgan K. , Dazzan P. , Boydell J. , Doody G. A. , Jones P. B. , Murray R. M. , Leff J. , Fearon P. 
Published: December 2008

Objective: We sought to investigate the prevalence and social correlates of psychotic‐like experiences in a general population sample of Black and White British subjects.Method: Data were collected from randomly selected community control subjects, recruited as part of the ÆSOP study, a three‐centre population based study of first‐episode psychosis.Results: The proportion of subjects reporting one or more psychotic‐like experience was 19% (n = 72/372). These were more common in Black Caribbean (OR 2.08) and Black African subjects (OR 4.59), compared with White British. In addition, a number of indicators of childhood and adult disadvantage were associated with psychotic‐like experiences. When these variables were simultaneously entered into a regression model, Black African ethnicity, concentrated adult disadvantage, and separation from parents retained a significant effect.Conclusion: The higher prevalence of psychotic‐like experiences in the Black Caribbean, but not Black African, group was explained by high levels of social disadvantage over the life course.
Limonene hydroperoxide analogues differ in allergenic activity
Authors: Christensson Johanna Bråred , Johansson Staffan , Hagvall Lina , Jonsson Charlotte , Börje Anna , Karlberg Ann‐Therese 
Published: December 2008

Background:  The fragrance terpene R‐limonene is a very weak sensitizer but forms allergenic oxidation products upon contact with air. Oxidized (ox.) limonene is a frequent cause of contact allergy in clinical testing.Objectives:  This study investigates the sensitizing potencies of ox. and non‐ox. limonene and of structurally closely related limonene hydroperoxides. The clinical importance of the difference in sensitizing potency of two hydroperoxides in autoxidized limonene was studied.Patients/Methods:  Ox. and non‐ox. limonene were investigated in the murine local lymph node assay (LLNA). Limonene hydroperoxides were investigated using a modified LLNA involving non‐pooled lymph nodes and statistical calculations; patch testing of patients with known contact allergy to ox. limonene was performed.Results:  A marked increase in the sensitizing potency of ox. limonene compared with that of pure limonene was observed in the LLNA. One analogue, limonene‐1‐hydroperoxide, was a significantly more potent sensitizer than the other hydroperoxides and gave more positive test reactions in the allergic patients.Conclusions:  The results support that hydroperoxides have a specific reactivity indicating that oxygen‐centred radicals are important in hapten–protein complex formation of hydroperoxides. The primary oxidation products of ox. limonene, the hydroperoxides, have an important impact on the sensitizing capacity of the oxidation mixture.
Allergic contact dermatitis from transdermal buprenorphine
Authors: Vander Hulst Kim , Parera Amer Elisabeth , Jacobs Claude , Dewulf Virginie , Baeck Marie , Pujol Vallverdú Ramón M. , Giménez‐Arnau Ana , Tennstedt Dominique , Goossens An 
Published: December 2008

Background:  Buprenorphine is a low‐molecular‐weight, lipophilic, opioid analgesic. The transdermal delivery system (TDS) containing it has skin irritation potential, but at least two cases of contact allergy to the active principal have been described previously.Objective:  To confirm allergic contact dermatitis from transdermal buprenorphine (TDB) in five older patients suffering from chronic pain and who developed persistent, pruritic erythematous plaques at the contact sites, with two of them also presenting with a generalized skin eruption.Methods:  Besides the baseline patch test series, all five patients were tested with the TDB, four of whom were also tested with the placebo transdermal delivery system as provided by the manufacturer; one patient was also tested with other preparations containing buprenorphine.Results:  All reacted to the TDB containing the active principal, the placebo being negative in the four patients tested. The patient tested with the other buprenorphine preparations did react positively to them as well. Tests with TDB in 28 healthy controls were negative.Conclusion:  We report five cases of delayed hypersensitivity reactions to a TDS containing buprenorphine. Such adverse reactions might be under‐reported. A fentanyl‐containing TDS is a good alternative in these cases.
The peopling of Madeira archipelago (Portugal) according to HLA genes
Authors: Arnaiz‐Villena A. , Reguera R. , Ferri A. , Barbolla L. , Abd‐El‐Fatah‐Khalil S. , Bakhtiyarova N. , Millan P. , Moscoso J. , Mafalda A. , Serrano‐Vela J. I. 
Published: December 2008

SummaryThe Madeira‐Porto Santo Archipelago was officially colonized in 1420 by Portuguese settlers. Its importance in Columbus’ information for the American discovery and for slave traffic across the Atlantic is unquestionable. Thus, a complex peopling may have given rise to a present‐day high admixture of ethnicities according to HLA genes. A sample of 173 healthy unrelated Madeirans was analysed and compared with 6986 HLA chromosomes from other worldwide populations. Genetic distances, neighbour‐joining dendrograms and correspondence analyses were used for comparisons. Southern European, North African (including Canary Islands), Jewish and Mediterranean typical HLA alleles were found and genetic distances from Madeirans to these populations were the closest ones. In addition A*24‐B*65‐DRB1*0102‐DQB1*0501 and A*68‐B*08‐DRB1*0301‐DQB1*0201 haplotypes were newly found in Madeira and not found in any other population. Jewish‐Armenian‐Middle East haplotype (A*33‐B*65‐DRB1*0102‐DQB1*0501) is one of the most common haplotypes; this haplotype is also present in Spaniards and North Africans. Quantitatively, Portuguese, North Africans (Algerians), Spaniards and Canary Islanders (in this order) are the most important parental populations to Madeirans. Results are discussed on the basis of the recorded historical peopling which does not show a noticeable African gene input in present‐day Madeiran population according to our data; one of the closest related populations found is the Canary Islanders, suggesting that Guanche (Canary Islands first inhabitants) slaves gene flow is still noticed at present, both in Madeira and in Canary Islands populations.
Family Needs Assessment in Cerebral Palsy Clinic
Authors: Buran Constance F. , Sawin Kathleen , Grayson Patricia , Criss Sherrie 
Published: December 2008

PURPOSE.  The dual purpose of this study was to identify areas of need as perceived by parents of children with cerebral palsy in three domains and to evaluate internal reliability of the Family Needs Assessment Tool (FNAT). DESIGN AND METHODS.  The FNAT was distributed to parents and includes a demographic survey and three subscales: service, information, and obstacles to care. RESULTS.  Parents identified services as their greatest need, followed by information and then obstacles to care. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS.  The FNAT may be utilized to evaluate parental perceptions of needs, and provide clinicians with information for program planning and assessing needs central to providing quality care.
POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION CONFIRMATORY METHOD FOR MICROBIOLOGICAL DETECTION OF BRETTANOMYCES BRUXELLENSIS IN WINES
Authors: CONTRERAS ANGELA , SALINAS FRANCISCO , GANGA ANGÉLICA , MARTÍNEZ CLAUDIO 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTBrettanomyces bruxellensis is one of the major causes of contamination in wine and is an important source of economic losses in this industry. In this work we developed a specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for the detection of B. bruxellensis to be used in the confirmation stage of the microbiological analysis. From a random amplification analysis using 40 primers in various B. bruxellensis strains and other yeasts that are generally present in must and wine, we designed the primers E09F and E09R that amplified a 450 bp product only in B. bruxellensis strains. We determined that the concentration of the PCR components and the annealing temperature are relevant factors in the PCR reaction, which was optimized using the response surface methodology. The protocol developed confirmed the contamination by B. bruxellensis in wines obtained from cellars, showing the capacity and speed of the technique to specifically confirm the results of the microbiological analysis.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Brettanomyces bruxellensis is responsible for the “Brett” character in wine that results in phenolic or medicinal aromas, leading to a decrease in its quality. The most utilized microbiological analysis for the detection of this yeast is based on the sequential use of selective media and confirmatory physiological tests that are unspecific and take up to 3 weeks to complete. However, its low cost means that this type of analysis is still widely used in the industry. On the other hand, molecular techniques are fast and specific in the amplification of DNA sequences. The polymerase chain reaction assay development in this work is specific for B. bruxellensis and allowed the confirmation of the microbiological analysis in only 2 days, compared with how long it currently takes (5–10 days), and at a lower cost than other molecular techniques.
RAPID IDENTIFICATION OF PSEUDOMONAS SPP. FROM AQUATIC SAMPLES USING TERMINAL RESTRICTION FRAGMENT LENGTH POLYMORPHISM ANALYSIS
Authors: LUNA GIAN MARCO , DANOVARO ROBERTO 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT The genus Pseudomonas includes several species with an important biotechnological potential. Here we present a molecular approach for the analysis of the diversity of Pseudomonas spp. in aquatic samples based on the amplification of 16S rDNAs using taxon‐specific primers, followed by multienzymatic restrictions and subsequent screening of terminal restriction fragments using capillary electrophoresis. This method, tested on seawater, groundwater and aquatic sediments, allows the identification of Pseudomonas spp. in samples, in which culture‐based approaches failed in identifying their presence. The diversity of Pseudomonas spp. was very high in all samples investigated, with values higher than those reported in previous studies. The method was intercalibrated with Pseudomonas sp. isolates and allowed the distinction of different isolates. The possibility of identifying the taxonomic affiliation of the different isolates was tested with an “in silico” computer‐assisted analysis (TAP terminal restriction fragment length polymorphisms).PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThe method presented here allows the rapid and low‐cost identification of Pseudomonas spp., and an accurate determination of the diversity of this genus that can be carried out routinely in a large number of samples. This method has the potential to screen Pseudomonas libraries and can be applied in theframework of bioremediation and biomonitoring studies, thus potentially contributing to studies in the fields of environmental monitoring, microbial ecology and bioremediation.
The Spatial Organisation of Women's Soccer in Adelaide: Another Tale of Spatial Inequality?
Authors: ROSSO EDOARDO 
Published: December 2008

AbstractAlthough sport is considered an important component of Australian society and a precious vehicle of social interaction, sports geography remains in many ways a neglected field of investigation. Nevertheless, geographical studies of sports can add valuable insights to more acknowledged geographical discourses. They can also contribute to regional sporting success. This paper analyses the current spatial organisation of women's soccer in Adelaide and outlines the unequal spatial expression of its recent professionally‐oriented approach, the achievement phase. A significant proportion of Adelaide's female population experiences limited opportunity to participate fully in the sport. The sport therefore fails to maximise its human resources and its spatial organisation constitutes a limit to the competitiveness of South Australian women's soccer as a system. The paper uses the concept of social capital to explore the unequal engagement of four sub‐regions in women's soccer. Many of the areas experiencing relative exclusion from women's soccer are the same ones that suffer the most from disengagement from the global economy. In those areas, socio‐economic disadvantage is matched by limited opportunities for self‐fulfilment through sport, and the effectiveness of social networks is weaker. This work aims to provide information for South Australian women's soccer institutions to foster enhanced equity in terms of access to the sport in metropolitan Adelaide. It also provides a base from which to investigate the reasons behind sub‐regional differences in the ability to produce quality players, knowledge that, if applied to these less productive areas, may contribute to the general enhancement of overall sporting outcomes.
The Effects of Temperature on Feeding and Expression of Two Appetite‐related Factors, Neuropeptide Y and Cocaine‐ and Amphetamine‐regulated Transcript, in Atlantic Cod, Gadus morhua
Authors: Kehoe A. S. , Volkoff H. 
Published: December 2008

Abstract In vertebrates, including fish, environmental temperature influences feeding through mechanisms that are unclear. We investigated the effects of three different temperatures on food consumption and brain messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of two hypothalamic appetite‐regulating factors, neuropeptide Y (NPY) and cocaine‐ and amphetamine‐regulated transcript (CART), which stimulates and inhibits feeding, respectively. Atlantic cod acclimated to 2 C for 4 wk had a decreased food intake and higher CART brain mRNA levels compared to fish acclimated to 11 and 15 C. No differences were seen in NPY mRNA expression between the three groups. Our results suggest that in cod, low temperatures inhibit food intake, and this inhibition is in part mediated by an increase in CART expression but does not involve changes in NPY expression.
Specific Interactions between the Viral Coreceptor CXCR4 and the Biguanide-Based Compound NB325 Mediate Inhibition of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection
Authors: Thakkar Nina , Pirrone Vanessa , Passic Shendra , Zhu Wei , Kholodovych Vladyslav , Welsh William , Rando Robert F. , Labib Mohamed E. , Wigdahl Brian , Krebs Fred C. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTThe present studies were conducted to better define the mechanism of action of polyethylene hexamethylene biguanide (PEHMB) (designated herein as NB325), which was shown in previous studies to inhibit infection by the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Fluorescence-activated flow cytometric analyses of activated human CD4+T lymphocytes exposed to NB325 demonstrated concentration-dependent reductions in CXCR4 epitope recognition in the absence of altered recognition of selected CD4 or CD3 epitopes. NB325 also inhibited chemotaxis of CD4+T lymphocytes induced by the CXCR4 ligand CXCL12. However, NB325 did not cause CXCR4 internalization (unlike CXCL12) and did not interfere with CXCL12 binding. Additional flow cytometric analyses using antibodies with distinct specificities for extracellular domains of CXCR4 demonstrated that NB325 specifically interfered with antibody binding to extracellular loop 2 (ECL2). This interaction was confirmed using competitive binding analyses, in which a peptide derived from CXCR4 ECL2 competitively inhibited NB325-mediated reductions in CXCR4 epitope recognition. Collectively, these results demonstrate that the biguanide-based compound NB325 inhibits HIV-1 infection by specifically interacting with the HIV-1 coreceptor CXCR4.
Reassessment of Recommended Imipenem Doses in Febrile Neutropenic Patients with Hematological Malignancies
Authors: Lamoth F. , Buclin T. , Csajka C. , Pascual A. , Calandra T. , Marchetti O. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT

Imipenem plasma concentrations were analyzed in 57 febrile neutropenic patients using the NONMEM program. The recommended 2-g/day regimen achieved coverage of the most common bacteria (MIC
90
= 1 mg/liter) during the whole dosing interval in only 53% of patients. This goal was achieved in 90% of patients with 3 g/day.
Employment of a Promoter-Swapping Technique Shows that PhoU Modulates the Activity of the PstSCAB
2
ABC Transporter in
Escherichia coli
Authors: Rice Christopher D. , Pollard Jacob E. , Lewis Zachery T. , McCleary William R. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT

Expression of the Pho regulon in
Escherichia coli
is induced in response to low levels of environmental phosphate (P
i
). Under these conditions, the high-affinity PstSCAB
2
protein (i.e., with two PstB proteins) is the primary P
i
transporter. Expression from the
pstSCAB-phoU
operon is regulated by the PhoB/PhoR two-component regulatory system. PhoU is a negative regulator of the Pho regulon; however, the mechanism by which PhoU accomplishes this is currently unknown. Genetic studies of
phoU
have proven to be difficult because deletion of the
phoU
gene leads to a severe growth defect and creates strong selection for compensatory mutations resulting in confounding data. To overcome the instability of
phoU
deletions, we employed a promoter-swapping technique that places expression of the
phoBR
two-component system under control of the

P
tac

promoter and the
lacO
ID
regulatory module. This technique may be generally applicable for controlling expression of other chromosomal genes in
E. coli
. Here we utilized

P
phoB

::

P
tac

and

P
pstS

::

P
tac

strains to characterize phenotypes resulting from various Δ
phoU
mutations. Our results indicate that PhoU controls the activity of the PstSCAB
2
transporter, as well as its abundance within the cell. In addition, we used the

P
phoB

::

P
tac

Δ
phoU
strain as a platform to begin characterizing new
phoU
mutations in plasmids.
Effects of Compost on Colonization of Roots of Plants Grown in Metalliferous Mine Tailings, as Examined by Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization
Authors: Iverson Sadie L. , Maier Raina M. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
The relationship between compost amendment, plant biomass produced, and bacterial root colonization as measured by fluorescence in situ hybridization was examined following plant growth in mine tailings. Mine tailings can remain devoid of vegetation for decades after deposition due to a combination of factors that include heavy metal toxicity, low pH, poor substrate structure and water-holding capacity, and a severely impacted heterotrophic microbial community. Research has shown that plant establishment, a desired remedial objective to reduce eolian and water erosion of such tailings, is enhanced by organic matter amendment and is correlated with significant increases in rhizosphere populations of neutrophilic heterotrophic bacteria. Results show that for the acidic metalliferous tailings tested in this study, compost amendment was associated with significantly increased bacterial colonization of roots and increased production of plant biomass. In contrast, for a Vinton control soil, increased compost had no effect on root colonization and resulted only in increased plant biomass at high levels of compost amendment. These data suggest that the positive association between compost amendment and root colonization is important in the stressed mine tailings environment where root colonization may enhance both microbial and plant survival and growth.