bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Compatibility of Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis Findings and Clinical Criteria Commonly Used to Distinguish Between True Coagulase-Negative Staphylococcal Bacteremia and Contamination
Authors: Senger Süheyla Serin , Saccozza Mine Erdenizmenli , Yüce Ayşe 
Published: July 2007

Objectives.To evaluate the specificity and sensitivity of the clinical criteria widely used to differentiate true coagulase-negative staphylococcal (CoNS) bacteremia from contamination, using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) as the reference test.Design.The study sample consisted of 79 CoNS isolates recovered from cultures of blood from 38 patients. Medical charts of the patients were reviewed for demographic and clinical information. The relatedness of CoNS strains recovered from 2 or more successive blood cultures was analyzed by PFGE. Patients from whom similar strains were recovered were assumed to have true bacteremia, whereas patients from whom different strains were recovered were considered to have contaminated blood cultures. The clinical criteria comprised Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) surveillance definitions for bloodstream infection (BSI), as well as an alternative criterion based on the presence of fever, the presence of leukocytosis, the absence of another recognized infection, and the recovery of CoNS from 2 or more successive blood cultures.Results.Nineteen (50%) of the 38 patients had bacteremia due to similar strains; the remaining patients had bacteremia due to different strains. Criterion 2a of the CDC definition for BSI had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 31.6% for distinguishing between true bacteremia and contamination. CDC criterion 2b had a sensitivity of 78.9% and a specificity of 52.6%.Conclusions.Molecular typing correlated poorly with the clinical criteria for true bacteremia. In view of the limited applicability of clinical criteria, more studies are needed to improve them. Periodic cross-sectional studies based on PFGE findings might be useful to estimate local contamination rates in an institution, which in turn can be used to improve the accuracy of the clinical diagnosis of bacteremia.
Molecular Typing of Imipenem-ResistantAcinetobacter baumannii-calcoaceticusComplex in a Singapore Hospital Where Carbapenem Resistance Is Endemic
Authors: Tan Thean Yen , Poh Karen , Ng Siew Yong 
Published: July 2007

Objective.To investigate the molecular epidemiology of carbapenem-resistantAcinetobacter baumannii-calcoaceticuscomplex isolates in a tertiary care hospital where the prevalence of carbapenem resistance among these organisms is high.Design.The study was a prospective, observational study performed during an 8-month period (May 1 through December 31, 2004).A. baumanniiisolates recovered from all clinical samples during the study period were included in the study. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the disk diffusion method, and all carbapenem-resistant strains were typed by a polymerase chain reaction-based typing method.Setting.An 800-bed hospital in Singapore.Results.More than half of recovered isolates were clonally unrelated, with the remaining isolates grouped into 4 genotypes.Conclusions.The results of the study suggest that the high prevalence of carbapenem resistance amongAcinetobacterorganisms in this institution is not caused by the spread of a predominant clone and that other factors may need to be investigated.
Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in the Home Care Setting
Authors: Chenoweth Carol E. , Washer Laraine L. , Obeyesekera Kumari , Friedman Candace , Brewer Karolyn , Fugitt Garrett E. , Lark Rebecca 
Published: July 2007

Objective.To describe the rate of infection, associated organisms, and potential risk factors for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in patients receiving mechanical ventilation at home.Design.Retrospective cohort study.Setting.University-affiliated home care service.Patients.Patients receiving mechanical ventilation at home from June 1995 through December 2001.Results.Fifty-seven patients underwent ventilation at home for a total of 50,762 ventilator-days (mean ± SD, 890.6 ± 644.43 days; range, 76-2,458 days). Seventy-nine episodes of VAP occurred in 27 patients (rate, 1.55 episodes per 1,000 ventilator-days). The first episode of VAP occurred after a mean (±SD) of 245 ± 318.07 ventilator-days. VAP was most common during the first 500 days of ventilation. Rates of VAP were higher among patients who required ventilation for longer daily durations, compared with those who required it for shorter daily durations. There was no association of VAP with age, sex, underlying disease, reason for ventilation, antacid therapy, or steroid use. Microorganisms isolated from 33 episodes of VAP with available culture results included Pseudomonas species (17 isolates), Staphylococcus aureus (11), Serratia species (7), and Stenotrophomonas species (5). Eight patients died during the study; no deaths were attributed to pneumonia.Conclusions.Although the organisms associated with VAP in the home setting are similar to those associated with hospital-acquired VAP, the incidence and mortality is much lower in the home care setting. Interventions to reduce the risk of VAP among patients receiving home care should be focused on patients who require ventilation for longer daily durations or who are new to receiving mechanical ventilation at home.
Improved Methods for High‐Throughput Extraction and Assay of Green Barley Malt Proteinase Activity Facilitating Examination of Proteinase Activity Across Large‐Scale Barley Populations
Authors: Schmitt Mark R. , Budde Allen D. 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTWe report efficient sample extraction and assay methods allowing quantitative determinations of proteinase activities from barley malt. The improved methods are used to assay >2,200 developmental lines of malting barley for two subsets of proteinase activity. The distributions of the resulting activities suggest differences in population structures between the two types of proteinases. Comparison of the activities of the green malt proteinases with standard malting quality measurements show highly significant correlations that differ between the proteinase subsets. The pH 4.5 hydrolysis of the artificial substrate Z‐Phe‐Arg‐AMC correlates well with the traditional malting quality measurements, supporting the role of cysteine‐class proteinases in mobilization of grain reserves during malting and mashing. Results from assays of gelatin hydrolysis at pH 6.0 suggest that these proteolytic activities may be involved in other aspects of seed C and N dynamics also linked to malting quality measurements. The differences between the pH 4.5 and 6.0 activities assayed here and their association with malting quality measurements suggest different physiological roles for the two proteinase activities in several aspects of seed germination. Either assay could be useful for population surveys, depending on the particular facet of seed metabolism under study.
Triticale Moisture and Protein Content Prediction by Near‐Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS)
Authors: Igne B. , Gibson L. R. , Rippke G. R. , Schwarte A. , Hurburgh C. R. 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTThe use of near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for the prediction of whole‐grain triticale moisture and protein content was evaluated. Because triticale is genetically close to wheat, commercially available wheat prediction models for Foss Infratec analyzers were applied in a year‐by‐year basis to triticale samples harvested in Iowa between 2002 and 2006. Wheat models were not applicable to moisture prediction (SEPavg = 0.37% pt; expected SEP on wheat samples 0.15% pt), but usable for screening for protein (SEPavg = 0.38% pt; expected SEP on wheat samples 0.25% pt). Dedicated triticale calibrations were developed from 2002 to 2005 data. Prediction results for 2006 samples only were compared. Triticale calibrations performed better than wheat calibrations for 2006 samples (moisture SEPtriticale = 0.29% pt, SEPwheat = 0.50% pt; protein SEPtriticale = 0.30% pt, SEPwheat = 0.68% pt).
The presence of germ cells in the semen of azoospermic, cryptozoospermic and severe oligozoospermic patients: stringent flow cytometric analysis and correlations with hormonal status
Authors: Yeung C. H. , Beiglböck‐Karau L. , Tüttelmann F. , Nieschlag E. 
Published: July 2007

SummaryObjective  To understand the clinical significance of immature germ cells commonly found in ejaculates with low sperm counts by a novel and stringent flow cytometric quantitative method.Patients/measurements  A total of 65 azoospermic, 38 cryptozoospermic and 42 severe oligozoospermic patients underwent routine hormone and semen analysis. Cells from each ejaculate were stained for DNA and mitochondria and analysed as spermatozoa (HC), round spermatids (1N), primary spermatocytes (4N) or diploid cells (2N).Results  About 90% of HC particles were eliminated as contaminants of the spermatozoa population by the analysis of their laser light scatter pattern and mitochondria staining intensity. Ploidy identification accuracy was improved by selection of singlets and elimination of cell aggregates for analysis. Distribution peaks for HC, 1N and 4N cells were displayed in 53%, 56% and 25% ejaculates, respectively, with prevalence in severe oligozoospermia > cryptozoospermia > azoospermia. 1N cell numbers were correlated with 4N and HC cells. For HC and 1N cells, the number/ejaculate and the incidence of distribution peaks were correlated with serum testosterone levels, and inversely with FSH for HC, 1N and 4N cells, suggesting that the abnormal shedding of 1N and 4N germ cells is the consequence rather than the cause of spermatogenic failure in these patients. Ploidy data bear no association with clinical diagnosis except for Klinefelter patients.Conclusion  Whereas incidence of HC cells in azoospermic ejaculates may suggest minimal spermatogenic activity which evades detection by routine semen analysis, the presence of 1N and 4N cells in semen of patients provides noninvasive information about their spermatogenic status.
Deletion of the high‐affinity cAMP phosphodiesterase encoded by PDE2 affects stress responses and virulence in Candida albicans
Authors: Wilson Duncan , Tutulan‐Cunita Andreea , Jung WonHee , Hauser Nicole C. , Hernandez Rosa , Williamson Tom , Piekarska Katarzyna , Rupp Steffen , Young Tim , Stateva Lubomira 
Published: July 2007

SummaryPreviously, we have shown that PDE2 is required for hyphal development and cell wall integrity in Candida albicans. In the present study, we have investigated the effects of its deletion by genome‐wide transcriptome profiling. Changes in expression levels of genes involved in metabolism, transcription, protein and nucleic acids synthesis, as well as stress responses, cell wall and membrane biogenesis, adherence and virulence have been observed. By comparing these changes with previously reported transcriptome profiles of pde2Δ mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, as well as cdc35Δ, ras1Δ and efg1Δ mutants of C. albicans, conserved and species‐specific cAMP‐regulated genes have been identified. The genes whose transcription is altered upon deletion of PDE2 in C. albicans has also allowed us to predict that the pde2Δ mutant would have a defective ability to adhere to, and invade host cells, and an impaired virulence as well as response to different stresses. Using appropriate assays, we have tested these predictions and compared the roles of the high‐ and low‐affinity cAMP phosphodiesterases, Pde2p and Pde1p in stress, adhesion and virulence. We suggest that phosphodiesterases, and in particular the high‐affinity cAMP phosphodiesterase encoded by PDE2, have real potential as targets for antifungal chemotherapy.
The contribution of mosses to the carbon and water exchange of arctic ecosystems: quantification and relationships with system properties
Authors: DOUMA J. C. , VAN WIJK M. T. , LANG S. I. , SHAVER G. R. 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTWater vapour and CO2 exchange were measured in moss‐dominated vegetation using a gas analyser and a 0.3 × 0.3 m chamber at 17 sites near Abisko, Northern Sweden and 21 sites near Longyearbyen, Svalbard, to quantify the contribution of mosses to ecosystem level fluxes. With the help of a simple light‐response model, we showed that the moss contribution to ecosystem carbon uptake varied between 14 and 96%, with an average contribution of around 60%. This moss contribution could be related to the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) of the vegetation and the leaf area index (LAI) of the vascular plants. NDVI was a good predictor of gross primary production (GPP) of mosses and of the whole ecosystem, across different moss species, vegetation types and two different latitudes. NDVI was also correlated with thickness of the active green moss layer. Mosses played an important role in water exchange. They are expected to be most important to gas exchange during spring when leaves are not fully developed.
Allometric analysis reveals relatively little variation in nitrogen versus biomass accrual in four plant species exposed to varying light, nutrients, water and CO2
Authors: BERNACCHI CARL J. , THOMPSON JENNIFER N. , COLEMAN JAMES S. , MCCONNAUGHAY KELLY D. M. 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTNitrogen concentrations in plant tissues can vary as a function of resource availability. Altered rates of plant growth and development under varying resource availabilities were examined to determine their effects on changes in whole‐plant N use efficiency (NUE). Three species of old‐field annuals were grown at broadly varying light, nutrient and water levels, and four species at varying atmospheric concentrations of CO2. Study results show highly variable N accrual rates when expressed as a function of plant age or size, but similar patterns of whole‐plant N versus non‐N biomass accrual over a wide range of environmental conditions. However, severely light‐limited plants showed increased N versus biomass accrual for two of three species, and severely nutrient‐limited plants had decreased N versus biomass accrual for all species. Whole‐plant N accrual versus age and N versus biomass accrual increased under saturating water for two of three species. A marginally significant, modest decrease in N versus biomass accrual was found at high CO2 levels for two of four species. Physiological adjustments in NUE, expressed as N versus biomass accrual, were limited to environments with severely limited or overabundant resources.
Rural public dental practice in Australia: Perspectives of Tasmanian government‐employed dentists
Authors: Cane Rosemary , Walker Judi 
Published: July 2007

AbstractObjective:  This study sought to describe the perspectives of dentists providing public dental care in the Australian rural state of Tasmania. It sought information on a range of subjects, such as interactions with patients, as a component of baseline studies to improve models of public dental clinical services. It was conducted through a unique partnership between the University of Tasmania (Department of Rural Health) and the State government. Design:  Semistructured face‐to‐face interviews. Qualitative methods guided collection and analysis with the application of grounded theory as a basis for developing explanatory thematic frameworks. Setting:  Four regional public dental centres in Tasmania. Participants:  Government‐employed dentists. Results:  Three main themes emerged. (i) Wanting autonomy in clinical decisions, although this was often difficult to achieve in the existing circumstances; (ii) social interactive aspects of care, which were related to the dentists' perceptions of the patients' level of interest in oral health; and (iii) the level of demand for urgent episodic care, which was very difficult to manage in the light of the workforce shortage and was seen to impact on continuity of care, efficiency and integration with other health services. Conclusions:  There are strong indications that expanding the capacity and the flexibility of the workforce will contribute to improved interactions with patients and improve access to a broader range of dental care within public‐sector clinical services.
‘I don’t want to be in that big city; this is my country here': Research findings on Aboriginal peoples' preference to die at home
Authors: McGrath Pam 
Published: July 2007

AbstractObjective:  The present article provides findings from a two‐year study on Indigenous palliative care conducted in the Northern Territory that explored and documented wishes in relation to place of death for rural and remote Aboriginal people. Design:  Qualitative, open‐ended interviews, audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analysed. Participants:  There were a total of 72 interviews completed with Indigenous patients (n = 10), Indigenous caregivers (n = 19), Indigenous and non‐Indigenous health care workers (n = 41), and interpreters (n = 2).Results:  The findings provide a clear articulation of the wish of Aboriginal people from rural and remote areas to die at home connected to land and family. Strong cultural reasons were given for this preference, including the strong connection with land and community, a belief in ‘death country’, the importance of passing on sacred knowledge to the appropriate family member, the significance of ensuring that the dying individual's ‘animal spirit’ is able to return to the land, and the imperative that the ‘right person’ in the family network is available to provide the care. Conclusion:  The strong wish to die at home informs the importance of building up local health and palliative care services and avoiding, where possible, the need for relocation for health care to the major metropolitan hospitals during end‐of‐life care.
Ocular health status of rural dwellers in south‐western Nigeria
Authors: Adegbehingbe Bernice O. , Majengbasan Timothy O. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractObjective:  To determine the prevalence and causes of ocular morbidity, visual impairment and blindness, and suggest strategies for blindness prevention in a rural population. Design:  A population‐based cross‐sectional study. Setting:  Imesi‐Ile, in Obokun local government area of Osun State, Nigeria. Methods:  All participants had preliminary interview and screening consisting of vision assessment using an illiterate E‐chart and anterior segment hand light examination at their houses. Those who had signs and symptoms of ocular disease were offered comprehensive eye examination at the base hospital, including visual acuity using illiterate E‐chart and refraction, slit‐lamp biomicroscopy, gonioscopy, applanation tonometry and dilated fundus examination as necessary. Results:  Of the 2201 patients examined, 298 (13.5%) had signs and symptoms of ocular disease. This consisted of 153 male (51.3%) and 145 (48.7%) female patients. Their ages ranged between 8 and 92 years, with a peak age range of 41–70 years (45.6%). Most of them had never seen an eye care specialist for appropriate ophthalmic care. The common eye problems encountered were cataract (48.0%), glaucoma (21.1%), allergic conjunctivitis (16.4%), refractive errors (12.4%), age‐related macular degeneration (0.7%) and corneal opacities (0.7%). Thirty‐two eyes of 27 persons (1.2%) (22 monocular and 5 binocular) were blind by the World Health Organisation definition. Cataract was the leading cause of blindness (44.4%), followed by glaucoma (33.3%), macular degeneration (7.4%), corneal opacity (7.4%), optic atrophy (3.7%) and phthisis bulbi (3.7%). Conclusion:  A significant proportion (13.5%) of people in this community had ocular diseases which require treatment. The role of primary eye care health workers in a rural community as Imesi‐Ile cannot be overemphasised.
Expression of barley HvCBF4 enhances tolerance to abiotic stress in transgenic rice
Authors: Oh Se‐Jun , Kwon Chang‐Woo , Choi Dong‐Woog , Song Sang Ik , Kim Ju‐Kon 
Published: July 2007

SummaryC‐repeat/dehydration‐responsive element binding factors (CBF/DREBs) are a family of transcription factors that regulate freezing tolerance inArabidopsis. As a step towards understanding the stress response of monocotyledonous plants, we isolated a barley geneHvCBF4whose expression is induced by low‐temperature stress. Transgenic over‐expression ofHvCBF4in rice resulted in an increase in tolerance to drought, high‐salinity and low‐temperature stresses without stunting growth. Interestingly, under low‐temperature conditions, the maximum photochemical efficiency of photosystem II in the dark‐adapted state (Fv/Fm, whereFvis the variable fluorescence andFmis the maximum fluorescence) inHvCBF4plants was higher by 20% and 10% than that in non‐transgenic andCBF3/DREB1Aplants, respectively. Using the 60K Rice Whole Genome microarray, 15 rice genes were identified that were activated by HvCBF4. When compared with 12 target rice genes of CBF3/DREB1A, five genes were common to both HvCBF4 and CBF3/DREB1A, and 10 and seven genes were specific to HvCBF4 and CBF3/DREB1A, respectively. Interestingly, HvCBF4 did not activateDip1andLip5, two important target genes of CBF3/DREB1A, in transgenic rice under normal growth conditions, but their expression was enhanced by HvCBF4 under low‐temperature conditions. Our results suggest thatCBF/DREBsof barley act differently from those ofArabidopsisin transgenic rice.
Long‐term weight loss effects on all cause mortality in overweight/obese populations
Authors: Poobalan A. S. , Aucott L. S. , Smith W. C. S. , Avenell A. , Jung R. , Broom J. 
Published: July 2007

SummaryThis systematic review assesses the long‐term effectiveness of weight loss on all cause mortality in overweight/obese people. Medline, Embase and Cinahl were searched (1966–2005). Cohort studies and trials on participants with body mass index ≥25 kg m−2, with weight change and mortality with ≥2‐year follow‐up, were included finally identifying 11 papers based on eight studies. There may be gender differences in the benefits for all cause mortality. The impact of weight loss in men on mortality was not clear with some studies indicating weight loss to be detrimental, while a recent cohort study showed benefits, if it were a personal decision. Other studies with no gender separation had similarly mixed results. However, one study indicated that overweight/obese women with obesity‐related illness, who lost weight intentionally within 1 year, had significantly reduced mortality rates of 19–25%. In contrast, studies of overweight/obese diabetics irrespective of gender showed significant benefit of intentional weight loss on mortality in a meta‐analysis, hazard ratios = 0.75 (0.67–0.83). There is some evidence that intentional weight loss has long‐term benefits on all cause mortality for women and more so for diabetics. Long‐term effects especially for men are not clear and need further investigation.