bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Backward and Simultaneous Masking Measured in Children With Language-Learning Impairments Who Received Intervention With Fast ForWord or Laureate Learning Systems Software
Authors: Marler Jeffrey A. , Champlin Craig A. , Gillam Ronald B. 
Published: April 2006

The developers of a computer-assisted language intervention program called Fast ForWord (FFW) have claimed that their software changes temporal processing abilities as a result of specialized modifications to the acoustic and temporal properties of the speech signal within the program. This pilot study compared changes in auditory temporal processing in children who received FFW training and in children who received training with computer-assisted language intervention programs that were not designed to improve auditory perceptual skills. Four boys with Language-Learning Impairments (LLI) and 3 boys with typical language participated. Two of the boys with LLI received the FFW program, and the other 2 received a bundle of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) programs published by Laureate Language Systems (LLS). The FFW and LLS programs were presented on the same schedule.
To assess temporal processing, signal thresholds in backward and simultaneous masking conditions were evaluated just before, during, and immediately after language training. The boys with typically developing language received no training. Children with typical language produced signal thresholds in the backward masking condition that were markedly lower than those in the simultaneous masking condition. This disparity is indicative of normal temporal processing. Conversely, 3 of 4 children with LLI failed to demonstrate a simultaneous-backward difference during baseline. The lack of a difference implies that temporal processing was not normal in these children. The fourth child with LLI had signal thresholds that paralleled those of the children with normal language development. This child also had the mildest form of LLI.

Of the 3 children whose temporal processing was abnormal, 2 boys showed decreased signal thresholds in the backward masking condition. However, the improvement was sudden, occurring relatively early in the training sequence, and observed with both treatment programs. The third child with abnormal temporal processing failed to show a change in backward masking at any time during treatment. Over the course of the experiment, signal thresholds for
all
listeners decreased by similar amounts in both backward and simultaneous masking. Taken together, these results do not support the presence of a program-specific improvement in temporal processing. In addition to the temporal processing deficits revealed by backward masking, group differences in response patterns implicate auditory memory involvement or differences in maintaining attention.
Quantification of Static and Dynamic Supraglottic Activity
Authors: Stager Sheila V. , Bielamowicz Steven , Gupta Ashmit , Marullo Shannon , Regnell Joan R. , Barkmeier Julie 
Published: April 2006

For estimating supraglottic compression in disordered voice production, categorical rating scales of true vocal fold coverage by supraglottic structures are the current standard. Quantification of change in the position of supraglottic structures compared to no supraglottic activity would be a better method for distinguishing between and within voice-disordered groups. This study developed a method for quantifying static supraglottic activity and extent of false vocal fold (FVF) motion during dynamic supraglottic activity. Twelve control participants and 12 individuals with voice disorders (6 with complaints of vocal fatigue and 6 with vocal fold nodules) were enrolled in the study. These individuals participated in a transnasal fiberoptic laryngeal examination in which various speech tasks were recorded. Single-frame images were selected to represent the positions of minimum and maximum supraglottic compression for each speech task. Two individuals rated these single-frame images using a categorical rating scale. Two other individuals measured the anterior-to-posterior (A-P) distance, vocal fold length, and vocal fold area. A-P and FVF compression were derived from these three measures.
Reliability was demonstrated between judges for the ratings and between and within judges for the measures. Significant differences in normalized static supraglottic compression measures corresponded to the rating scale categories. Significant differences in normalized dynamic supraglottic compression measures corresponded to the differences in category ratings between minimum and maximum compression.

Using the normalized measures, the voice-disordered groups demonstrated significantly greater static A-P compression (
t
test,
p
<.03) than did the control participants. These results suggest that static supraglottic activity may be diagnostic of voice disorder. Normalized dynamic FVF compression ratios were not significantly different between groups. This supports a previous hypothesis that dynamic supraglottic activity serves as an articulatory function at the level of the larynx and is part of the linguistic/phonemic system, rather than evidence of disordered laryngeal function.
Survey of Long-Term-Care Facilities in Iowa for Policies and Practices Regarding Residents With Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus or Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci
Authors: Kreman Trisha , Hu Jianfang , Pottinger Jean , Herwaldt Loreen A. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractObjectives:To identify infection control policies and practices used by long-term-care facilities (LTCFs) in Iowa for residents with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), and to estimate the prevalence of residents known to have these organisms.Design:Survey.Setting:LTCFs in Iowa from December 2002 through March 2003.Results:Of the 429 LTCFs in Iowa, 331 (77%) responded to the survey. The estimated prevalence of residents known to have MRSA was 13.4 per 1,000 and that of residents known to have VRE was 2.3 per 1,000. Facilities owned by the government or those with an average of more than 86 occupied beds were more likely to have residents known to have MRSA and VRE (P = .002 and .007, respectively). Of the responding facilities, 7.3% acknowledged that they refused to accept individuals known to have MRSA and 16.9% acknowledged that they refused to accept those known to have VRE. Facilities in large communities (population, > 100,000) were least likely to deny admission to an individual known to have either MRSA or VRE (P = .05). Most facilities reported adhering to the national guidelines, but fewer than half (44.7%) of the respondents had heard of the Iowa Antibiotic Resistance Task Force's guidelines regarding residents with MRSA or VRE.Conclusions:Many LTCFs in Iowa care for residents known to have MRSA or VRE, but some refuse to admit these individuals. Infection control personnel and public health officials should work together to educate LTCF staff so that residents receive proper care and resistant organisms do not spread within this setting.
Graft failure following reduced‐intensity cord blood transplantation for adult patients
Authors: Narimatsu Hiroto , Kami Masahiro , Miyakoshi Shigesaburo , Murashige Naoko , Yuji Koichiro , Hamaki Tamae , Masuoka Kazuhiro , Kusumi Eiji , Kishi Yukiko , Matsumura Tomoko , Wake Atsushi , Morinaga Shinichi , Kanda Yoshinobu , Taniguchi Shuichi 
Published: April 2006

SummaryWe reviewed the medical records of 123 adult reduced‐intensity cord blood transplantation (RI‐CBT) recipients to investigate the clinical features of graft failure after RI‐CBT. Nine (7·3%) had graft failure, and were classified as graft rejection rather than primary graft failure; they showed peripheral cytopenia with complete loss of donor‐type haematopoiesis, implying destruction of donor cells by immunological mechanisms rather than poor graft function. Three of them died of bacterial or fungal infection during neutropenia. Two recovered autologous haematopoiesis. The remaining four patients underwent a second RI‐CBT and developed severe regimen‐related toxicities. One died of pneumonia on day 8, and the other three achieved engraftment. Two of them died of transplant‐related mortality, and the other survived without disease progression for 9·0 months after the second RI‐CBT. In total, seven of the nine patients with graft failure died. The median survival of those with graft failure was 3·8 months (range, 0·9–15·4). Graft failure is a serious complication of RI‐CBT. As host T cells cannot completely be eliminated by reduced‐intensity preparative regimens, we need to be aware of the difficulty in differentiating graft rejection from other causes of graft failure following RI‐CBT. Further studies are warranted to establish optimal diagnostic and treatment strategies.
The effectiveness of an osteoporosis prevention education programme for women in Hong Kong: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Chan Moon Fai , Ko Chung Ying , Day Mary Christine 
Published: April 2006

Aims.  The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether a nurse‐initiated education programme on four specific osteoporosis‐prevention related behaviours leads to their adoption or positive attitude changes compared with women who did not participate in this programme.Research method.  The design was a randomized controlled design and the setting was a local private beauty clinic.Outcome measures.  Pre‐, post‐ and follow‐up education data compared attitudes and consumption frequency before and after the education programme.Results.  The results showed significant increases in the reported follow‐up for each behaviour: consumption of soya foods (mean = 4·3, SD = 0·5), milk (mean = 4·2, SD = 0·8), more exercise (mean = 4·3, SD = 0·5) and vitamin D/exposure to sunlight (mean = 4·2, SD = 0·9) for subjects in the case group compared with control group subjects (soya foods: mean = 3·3, SD = 0·9, P < 0·001; milk: mean = 3·0, SD = 0·9, P < 0·001; more exercise: mean = 3·4, SD = 1·0, P = 0·003; vitamin D/sunlight: mean = 2·7, SD = 0·9, P < 0·00). Most of the participants either disagreed (n = 11, 55·0%) or strongly disagreed (n = 9, 45·0%) that there was not enough information provided in the education programme to motivate them to change. On the satisfaction score, they rated the nurse's performance as either satisfactory (n = 11, 55·0%) or very satisfactory (n = 9, 45·0%) on presentation and ability to answer their questions and either satisfactory (n = 12, 60·0%) or very satisfactory (n = 8, 40·0%) on ability to describe each behaviour clearly.Conclusion.  A targeted education programme conducted with Hong Kong women resulted in significantly increased consumption of calcium including soya‐based foods, milk and vitamin D. According to the reported attitudinal and behavioural intentions, participants’ positive feedback suggests that women who participated in this educational programme were motivated to make changes and benefited from the support of this nurse‐initiated education programme.Relevance to clinical practice.  Osteoporosis was a serious health concern that most commonly affected women. As indicated by the results of this study, this educational programme can act as simple but effective nursing intervention to promote women's attitudinal and behavioural intentions towards osteoporosis‐prevention.
Anaphylaxis: Clinical concepts and research priorities
Authors: Brown Simon GA 
Published: April 2006

AbstractAnaphylaxis is a severe immediate‐type hypersensitivity reaction characterized by life‐threatening upper airway obstruction bronchospasm and hypotension. Although many episodes are easy to diagnose by the combination of characteristic skin features with other organ effects, this is not always the case and a workable clinical definition of anaphylaxis and useful biomarkers of the condition have been elusive. A recently proposed consensus definition is ready for prospective validation. The cornerstones of management are the supine position, adrenaline and volume resuscitation. An intramuscular dose of adrenaline is generally recommended to initiate treatment. If additional adrenaline is required, then a controlled intravenous infusion might be more efficacious and safer than intravenous bolus administration. Additional bronchodilator treatment with continuous salbutamol and corticosteroids are used for severe and/or refractory bronchospasm. Aggressive volume resuscitation, selective vasopressors, atropine (for bradycardia), inotropes that bypass the β‐adrenoreceptor and bedside echocardiographic assessment should be considered for hypotension that is refractory to treatment. Management guidelines continue to be opinion‐ and consensus‐based, with retrospective studies accounting for the vast majority of clinical research papers on the topic. The clinical spectrum of anaphylaxis including major disease subgroups requires clarification, and validated scoring systems and outcome measures are needed to enable good‐quality prospective observational studies and randomized controlled trials. A systematic approach with multicentre collaboration is required to improve our understanding and management of this disease.
The Ability ofMycobacterium aviumsubsp.paratuberculosisTo Enter Bovine Epithelial Cells Is Influenced by Preexposure to a Hyperosmolar Environment and Intracellular Passage in Bovine Mammary Epithelial Cells
Authors: Patel Dilip , Danelishvili Lia , Yamazaki Yoshitaka , Alonso Marta , Paustian Michael L. , Bannantine John P. , Meunier-Goddik Lisbeth , Bermudez Luiz E. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACTMycobacterium aviumsubsp.paratuberculosisis the cause of Johne's disease in cattle and other ruminants.M. aviumsubsp.paratuberculosisinfection of the bovine host is not well understood; however, it is assumed that crossing the bovine intestinal mucosa is important in order forM. aviumsubsp.paratuberculosisto establish infection. To examine the ability ofM. aviumsubsp.paratuberculosisto infect bovine epithelial cells in vitro, Madin-Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) epithelial cells were exposed toM. aviumsubsp.paratuberculosis. It was observed that bacteria can establish infection and replicate within MDBK cells.M. aviumsubsp.paratuberculosisalso has been reported to infect mammary tissue and milk, and we showed thatM. aviumsubsp.paratuberculosisinfects bovine mammary epithelial cells (MAC-T cell line). Using polarized MAC-T cell monolayers, it was also determined thatM. aviumsubsp.paratuberculosiscrosses apical and basolateral surfaces with approximately the same degree of efficiency. BecauseM. aviumsubsp.paratuberculosiscan be delivered to the naïve host by milk, it was investigated whether incubation ofM. aviumsubsp.paratuberculosiswith milk has an effect on invasion of MDBK cells.M. aviumsubsp.paratuberculosisexposed to milk entered epithelial cells with greater efficiency thanM. aviumsubsp.paratuberculosisexposed to broth medium or water (P< 0.01). Growth ofM. aviumsubsp.paratuberculosiswithin MAC-T cells also resulted in augmented ability to subsequently infect bovine MDBK cells (P< 0.001). Microarray analysis of intracellularM. aviumsubsp.paratuberculosisRNA indicates the increased transcription of genes which might be associated with an invasive phenotype.
Levels of Plasma Immunoglobulin G with Specificity against the Cysteine-Rich Interdomain Regions of a SemiconservedPlasmodium falciparumErythrocyte Membrane Protein 1, VAR4, Predict Protection against Malarial Anemia and Febrile Episodes
Authors: Lusingu John P. A. , Jensen Anja T. R. , Vestergaard Lasse S. , Minja Daniel T. , Dalgaard Michael B. , Gesase Samwel , Mmbando Bruno P. , Kitua Andrew Y. , Lemnge Martha M. , Cavanagh David , Hviid Lars , Theander Thor G. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACTAntibodies to variant surface antigen have been implicated as mediators of malaria immunity in studies measuring immunoglobulin G (IgG) binding to infected erythrocytes.Plasmodium falciparumerythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) is an important target for these antibodies, but no study has directly linked the presence of PfEMP1 antibodies in children to protection. We measured plasma IgG levels to the cysteine-rich interdomain region 1α (CIDR1α) of VAR4 (VAR4-CIDR1α), a member of a semiconserved PfEMP1 subfamily, by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 561 Tanzanian individuals, who were monitored clinically for 7 months. The participants resided in Mkokola (a high-transmission village where malaria is holoendemic) or Kwamasimba (a moderate-transmission village). For comparison, plasma IgG levels to two merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1) constructs, MSP1-19 and MSP1 block 2, and a control CIDR1 domain were measured. VAR4-CIDR1α antibodies were acquired at an earlier age in Mkokola than in Kwamasimba, but after the age of 10 years the levels were comparable in the two villages. After controlling for age and other covariates, the risk of having anemia at enrollment was reduced in VAR4-CIDR1α responders for Mkokola (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.29 to 0.88;P =0.016) and Kwamasimba (AOR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.16 to 0.68;P= 0.003) villages. The risk of developing malaria fever was reduced among individuals with a measurable VAR4-CIDR1α response from Mkokola village (AOR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.29 to 0.89;P= 0.018) but not in Kwamasimba. Antibody levels to the MSP1 constructs and the control CIDR1α domain were not associated with morbidity protection. These data strengthen the concept of developing vaccines based on PfEMP1.
Immunoglobulin G Antibodies to Merozoite Surface Antigens Are Associated with Recovery from Chloroquine-ResistantPlasmodium falciparumin Gambian Children
Authors: Pinder Margaret , Sutherland Colin J. , Sisay-Joof Fatoumatta , Ismaili Jamila , McCall Matthew B. B. , Ord Rosalyn , Hallett Rachel , Holder Anthony A. , Milligan Paul 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACTWe examined the hypothesis that recovery from uncomplicated malaria in patients carrying drug-resistantPlasmodium falciparumis a measure of acquired functional immunity and may therefore be associated with humoral responses to candidate vaccine antigens. Gambian children with malaria were treated with chloroquine in 28-day trials, and recovery was defined primarily as the absence of severe clinical malaria at any time and absence of parasitemia with fever after 3 days. Plasma samples from these children were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for immunoglobulin G (IgG) to recombinant merozoite antigens: apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA-1) and the 19-kDa C-terminal region of merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP-119), including antigenic variants of MSP-119with double and triple substitutions. Antigen-specific IgG was more frequent in children who recovered, particularly that for MSP-119(age-adjusted odds ratios: 0.32 [95% confidence interval, 0.05, 1.87;P= 0.168] for AMA-1, 0.19 [0.03, 1.11;P= 0.019] for recombinant MSP-119, 0.24 [0.04, 1.31;P= 0.032] for the recombinant MSP-119double variant, and 0.18 [0.03, 0.97;P= 0.013] for the triple variant). IgG titers to MSP-119and to the triple variant were higher in plasma samples taken 7 days after chloroquine treatment from children who carried resistant parasites but recovered and remained parasite free. Moreover, in children who were parasitemic on day 14 or day 28, there was an age-independent relationship between parasite density and IgG to both MSP-119and the triple variant (coefficients of −0.550 and −0.590 andPvalues of 0.002 and 0.001, respectively). The results validate the use of this approach to identify antigens that are associated with protection from malaria.
Regulation of RraA, a Protein Inhibitor of RNase E-Mediated RNA Decay
Authors: Zhao Meng , Zhou Li , Kawarasaki Yasuaki , Georgiou George 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACTThe recently discovered RraA protein acts as an inhibitor of the essential endoribonuclease RNase E, and we demonstrated that ectopic expression of RraA affects the abundance of more than 700 transcripts inEscherichia coli(K. Lee, X. Zhan, J. Gao, J. Qiu, Y. Feng, R. Meganathan, S. N. Cohen, and G. Georgiou, Cell 114:623-634, 2003). We show thatrraAis expressed from its own promoter, PrraA, located in themenA-rraAintergenic region. Primer extension andlacZfusion analysis revealed that transcription from PrraAis elevated upon entry into stationary phase in a σs-dependent manner. In addition, the stability of therraAtranscript is dependent on RNase E activity, suggesting the involvement of a feedback circuit in the regulation of the RraA level inE. coli.
Effect of Chromate Stress on
Escherichia coli
K-12
Authors: Ackerley D. F. , Barak Y. , Lynch S. V. , Curtin J. , Matin A. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACT

The nature of the stress experienced by
Escherichia coli
K-12 exposed to chromate, and mechanisms that may enable cells to withstand this stress, were examined. Cells that had been preadapted by overnight growth in the presence of chromate were less stressed than nonadapted controls. Within 3 h of chromate exposure, the latter ceased growth and exhibited extreme filamentous morphology; by 5 h there was partial recovery with restoration of relatively normal cell morphology. In contrast, preadapted cells were less drastically affected in their morphology and growth. Cellular oxidative stress, as monitored by use of an H
2
O
2
-responsive fluorescent dye, was most severe in the nonadapted cells at 3 h postinoculation, lower in the partially recovered cells at 5 h postinoculation, and lower still in the preadapted cells. Chromate exposure depleted cellular levels of reduced glutathione and other free thiols to a greater extent in nonadapted than preadapted cells. In both cell types, the SOS response was activated, and levels of proteins such as SodB and CysK, which can counter oxidative stress, were increased. Some mutants missing antioxidant proteins (SodB, CysK, YieF, or KatE) were more sensitive to chromate. Thus, oxidative stress plays a major role in chromate toxicity in vivo, and cellular defense against this toxicity involves activation of antioxidant mechanisms. As bacterial chromate bioremediation is limited by the toxicity of chromate, minimizing oxidative stress during bacterial chromate reduction and bolstering the capacity of these organisms to deal with this stress will improve their effectiveness in chromate bioremediation.
Protein Splicing of SufB Is Crucial for the Functionality of the
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
SUF Machinery
Authors: Huet Gaëlle , Castaing Jean-Philippe , Fournier Didier , Daffé Mamadou , Saves Isabelle 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACT

The SufBCD complex is an essential component of the SUF machinery of [Fe-S] cluster biogenesis in many organisms. We show here that in
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
the formation of this complex is dependent on the protein splicing of SufB, suggesting that this process is a potential new target for antituberculous drugs.
The new EU Regulatory Framework for GM Food (Part I) Procedural aspects: safety assessment, authorisation and administrative review
Authors: Meulen Bernd van der 
Published: April 2006

IntroductionOn 18 April 2004, a little more than a year before the publication of this article, the core provisions of the new regulatory framework for genetically modified food products entered into force.This article is of a descriptive nature. It goes into the new framework as far as food is concerned. Feed will not be discussed. This article is published in 2 parts. Part 1 deals mainly with the new authorisation procedure. In this context some attention will first be given to the developments that led to the new framework and at the end of part 1 to administrative review. The main topics discussed in part 2 are the traceability requirements and labelling. Further some attention will be given to emergency measures, legal protection and transitory measures.