bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tracking palustrine water seasonal and annual variability in agricultural wetland landscapes using Landsat from 1997 to 2005
Authors: BEERI OFER , PHILLIPS REBECCA L. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractWetlands densely populate the ecoregion transecting the center of the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) known as the Missouri Coteau and epicenter to the most productive waterfowl‐breeding habitat in North America. These palustrine, depressional basin waters vacillate with regional drought and deluge, so surface water fluctuations over time modulate wetland productivity, habitat, and water quality functions. Models predict formidable effects of climate change on glacial basin surface waters, yet large‐scale, long‐term observation data are lacking to compare against predicted changes. Current, optical‐based water detection models do not delineate marsh vegetation from shallow, turbid, high‐chlorophyll waters common to the region. We developed a palustrine wetland spectral model for tracking open surface waters using Landsat imagery, which we evaluated for a 2500 km2 landscape that estimates seasonal and annual open water variability for thousands of individual wetlands in the Missouri Coteau ecoregion. Detection accuracy of 96% was achieved for water bodies greater than a half‐pixel in size. We identified shifts in the distribution of water permanence classes within and between years for waters emerging in spring, mid‐summer, and late summer from 1997 to 2005 and identified a maximum of 19 047 basins with open water (12% of the landscape) populating 2500 km2. For the 2005 growing season, we observed only 8757 basins with open water (6% of the landscape) for the same area. Declines were greatest for water bodies detected only in spring, suggesting a loss of those wetlands functioning to recharge groundwater stores early in the season and a high sensitivity to observed reductions in snowfall. If landscape factors driving open water coverage and wetland density are similar for the entire Missouri Coteau, we estimate the number of basins containing at least a pixel of water for this region declined from 577 600 to 266 000 between 1997 and 2005.
To correct and to acknowledge: two simultaneous and conflicting perspectives of limit‐setting in mental health nursing
Authors: VATNE S. , FAGERMOEN M. S. 
Published: January 2007

This article reports about a study of nurses’ limit‐setting in mental health and the rationality behind correcting and therapeutic limit‐setting interventions. Based on action science design, the study comprised three phases; namely a descriptive, reflective and concluding phase. Qualitative data were collected from various data sources; namely participant observations, interviews and written narratives. Eleven nurses participated. The main findings relate nurses’ limit‐setting interventions to two simultaneous and conflicting perspectives. That is:• The dominating perspective of correcting, aimed at changing patients’ behaviour by external control through three nursing roles of caregiver, educator and gatekeeper.• The weaker perspective of acknowledging, where patients are seen as capable of changing themselves from within. The nurse’s role reflects compassion and values patients’ integrity.The nurses’ work was based on a rationality of coping, because of a balancing act between the two perspectives and conflicting intrapersonal feelings aroused in challenging encounters with patients and colleagues. In reflection groups, relational interventions were developed, grounded in wondering reflection. Patients were regarded as participants in an open dialogue with the aim of securing collaboration.
Microsatellite analysis of genetic structure in natural Triatoma infestans (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) populations from Argentina: its implication in assessing the effectiveness of Chagas’ disease vector control programmes
Authors: PÉREZ DE ROSAS ALICIA R. , SEGURA ELSA L. , GARCÍA BEATRIZ A. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThe genetic structure in populations of the Chagas’ disease vector Triatoma infestans was examined. Comparisons of the levels of genetic variability in populations of this species from areas with different periods since last insecticide treatment and from areas that never received treatment were also carried out. A total of 598 insects from 19 populations were typed for 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci. The average observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.186 to 0.625 and from 0.173 to 0.787, respectively. Genetic drift and limited gene flow appear to have generated a substantial degree of genetic differentiation among the populations of T. infestans. Departures from Hardy–Weinberg expectations due to an excess of homozygotes suggested the presence of null alleles and population subdivision. Microgeographical analysis supports the existence of subdivision in T. infestans populations. Levels of genetic diversity in the majority of the populations of T. infestans from insecticide‐treated localities were similar or higher than those detected in populations from areas without treatment. Since the populations of T. infestans are subdivided, a population bottleneck would result in independent genetic drift effects that could randomly preserve different combinations of alleles in each subpopulation. These events followed by a rapid population growth could have preserved high levels of genetic diversity. This study supports the hypothesis of vector population recovery from survivors of the insecticide‐treated areas and therefore highlights the value of population genetic analyses in assessing the effectiveness of Chagas’ disease vector control programmes.
A Ras1‐Cdc24 signal transduction pathway mediates thermotolerance in the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans
Authors: Nichols Connie B. , Perfect Zahra H. , Alspaugh J. Andrew 
Published: January 2007

SummaryPathogenic microorganisms must precisely regulate morphogenesis to survive and proliferate within an infected host. This regulation is often controlled by conserved signal transduction pathways that direct morphological changes in varied species. One such pathway, whose components include Ras proteins and the PAK kinase Ste20, allows the human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans to grow at high temperature. Previously, we found that Ras1 signalling is required for differentiation, thermotolerance and pathogenesis in C. neoformans. We show here that the guanine nucleotide exchange factor Cdc24 is a Ras1 effector in C. neoformans to mediate the ability of this fungus to grow at high temperature and to cause disease. In addition, we provide evidence that the Ras1‐Cdc24 signalling cascade functions specifically through one of the three Cdc42/Rac1 homologues in C. neoformans. In conclusion, our studies illustrate how components of conserved signalling cascades can be specialized for different downstream functions, such as pathogenesis.
The fate of recipient‐derived hepatocytes in sex‐mismatched liver allograft following liver transplantation
Authors: Idilman Ramazan , Erden Esra , Kuzu Isınsu , Ersoz Sadik , Karayalcin Selim 
Published: January 2007

Abstract:  Background:  ‘‘Bone marrow‐derived stem cells’’ have attracted great attention as potential candidates for liver‐directed gene therapy and as a tool for regenerative medicine. However, the fate of these cells is not well‐known. The aim of this present study was to investigate the fate of ‘‘recipient‐derived repopulated hepatocytes’’ in sex‐mismatched liver allografts in individuals following liver transplantation during systematic longitudinally performed liver biopsies.Methods:  Paraffin‐embedded sex‐mismatched liver biopsy samples of nine recipients (male/female ratio 5/4; mean age: 39.7 yr) were reviewed. Double labeling with immunohistochemistry for hepatocytes and recipient‐specific bone marrow‐derived cells and fluorescence in‐situ hybridization for visualizing X and Y chromosomes were performed. These slides were examined systematically using an image analyzer system (Olympus microscope; Cyto‐Vision, Applied Imaging, Biosciences Centre, Newcastle, UK). Only cells with two nuclear spots were considered for interpretation.Results:  The mean times from transplantation to first biopsy and between the first and the second biopsies were 5.9 and 20.9 months respectively. The proportion of recipient‐derived repopulated hepatocytes was significantly decreased in the late biopsies when compared with the early biopsies (p = 0.001). All nine samples of the first biopsies had demonstrated recipient‐derived hepatocyte repopulation, with a mean of 2.0%, whereas only seven of nine samples of the second biopsies had demonstrated recipient‐derived hepatocyte repopulation with a low mean of 0.5% (p = 0.001).Conclusion:  Based on these results, we suggest that ‘‘recipient‐specific bone marrow‐derived hepatocyte repopulation’’ in liver allograft during tissue injury is a relatively early event.
Effects of simulated hypovolaemia on haemodynamics, left ventricular function, mesenteric blood flow and gastric Pco2
Authors: Steiner L. A. , Staender S. , Sieber C. C. , Skarvan K. 
Published: January 2007

Background:  Compensated clinically silent hypovolaemia may lead to low cardiac output, hypoperfusion and ischaemia. We investigated the cardiovascular effects of simulated hypovolaemia to determine whether it caused mesenteric ischaemia detectable by gastric tonometry.Methods:  Thirteen healthy volunteers, aged 21–36 years, were investigated. Lower body negative pressure (LBNP) was used to simulate normotensive hypovolaemia. Cardiovascular parameters were measured using echocardiography. Mesenteric blood flow was investigated using Doppler sonography of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA). Gastric Pco2 (Pgco2) was measured using gas tonometry. Data were collected at baseline, LBNP and during a recovery period.Results:  Normotensive hypovolaemia was induced successfully in 11 volunteers. There were no significant differences in mean arterial pressure between the three data points (91 ± 6, 93 ± 10 and 95 ± 9 mmHg, respectively). With the induction of LBNP, the heart rate increased from 64 ± 16 to 73 ± 16 beats/min (P < 0.001), the cardiac index decreased from 2.7 ± 1.0 to 1.8 ± 0.6 l/min/m2 (P= 0.002) and the systemic vascular resistance increased from 1535 ± 445 to 2270 ± 550 dyn s/cm5 (P < 0.001). The SMA mean flow velocity decreased from 53 ± 18 to 37 ± 20 cm/s (69 ± 20%) (P= 0.007), and increased to 56 ± 34 cm/s (106 ± 38%) (P= 0.001) during reperfusion. The SMA resistance increased from 92 ± 30 to 174 ± 110 mmHg/l/min (P= 0.004). These changes were reversible after termination of LBNP. By contrast, there were no significant differences in Pgco2 between the three data points.Conclusions:  In these volunteers, the mesenteric vascular bed contributed importantly to the maintenance of arterial pressure during normotensive hypovolaemia. However, this compensated hypovolaemia did not compromise the mesenteric perfusion sufficiently to increase Pgco2 and to allow detection by tonometry.
Measurement properties of the Short Form 36 and health‐related quality of life after intensive care in Morocco
Authors: Khoudri I. , Ali Zeggwagh A. , Abidi K. , Madani N. , Abouqal R. 
Published: January 2007

Background:  Intensive care patients have a health‐related quality of life (HRQL) that differs from the normal population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the measurement properties of the Arabic version of the short form (SF)‐36 and study the HRQL determinants in adult patients 3 months after discharge from an intensive care unit (ICU).Methods:  A prospective cohort study after ICU discharge. At 3‐month follow up, the SF‐36 was administered in consultation or by telephone. Multitrait scaling analysis was used to confirm the hypothesized scale structure of the SF‐36. Reliability was tested using (i) measuring internal consistency; and (ii) the test–retest reliability assessed using an intraclass correlation coefficient. Construct validity was tested by known‐groups comparison using one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).Results:  A total of 145 survivors answered the SF‐36. Item internal convergency was higher than 0.40 (0.77–0.99; 100% scaling success) and item discriminant validity was perfect (100% scaling success) except for physical functioning (81% scaling success). Cronbach’s alpha exceeded 0.70 in all eight scales (0.84–0.99). Test–retest reliability conducted in 73 patients was above 0.80. Acceptability to patients appeared reasonable although considerable interview time was required to administer the SF‐36. Construct validity was confirmed by lower scores being reported by women, older age and a high level of comorbidities groups. When adjusted for background data, ICU variables were not associated with the SF‐36 scores.Conclusions:  The Arabic version of the SF‐36 appears to be a robust tool in ICU. Background variables are the only significant determinants of HRQL 3 months after medical ICU discharge.
Impaired neuromuscular transmission after recovery of the train‐of‐four ratio*
Authors: Eikermann M. , Gerwig M. , Hasselmann C. , Fiedler G. , Peters J. 
Published: January 2007

Background:  Residual neuromuscular blockade may increase the risk of development of post‐operative pulmonary complications, but is difficult to detect clinically. It was speculated that patients may have impaired neuromuscular transmission after surgery of long duration, despite the recovery of the train‐of‐four (TOF) ratio.Methods:  The muscle force (mechanomyography), motor compound muscle action potential amplitude and fatigue of the adductor pollicis (AP) muscle were assessed after recovery of the TOF ratio to 0.9. Thirteen patients receiving repetitive administration of neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) during surgery (median, 5.3 h; interquartile range, 3.4–6 h) were studied post‐operatively in the intensive care unit. At the time of the measurements, patients were scheduled for extubation and the AP TOF ratio amounted to a mean (standard deviation, SD) of 0.94 (0.05). Six healthy volunteers of similar age, weight and gender were studied for comparison. Force–frequency curves were generated by stimulation (10–80 Hz) of the ulnar nerve, and the AP electromyogram (EMG) amplitude was measured, in parallel, before and after evoked muscle fatigue.Results:  The maximum AP force at a stimulation frequency of 20–80 Hz was significantly lower in patients than in controls [40 N (16 N) vs. 65 N (18 N) at 80 Hz]. In patients, but not in controls, the EMG amplitude decreased with increasing nerve stimulation frequency, and a tetanic fade of both force and EMG, amounting to 0.41 (0.33) (EMG) and 0.61 (0.35) (mechanomyography) at 80 Hz, was observed. Force after fatiguing contractions did not differ between the groups.Conclusion:  After repetitive administration of NMBAs during surgery, even with recovery of the TOF ratio to 0.9 or more, muscle weakness from impaired neuromuscular transmission can occur. The clinician should consider that post‐operative recovery of the TOF ratio to 0.9 does not exclude an impairment of neuromuscular transmission.
Incidence of regurgitation and pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents in survivors from out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest
Authors: Virkkunen I. , Ryynänen S. , Kujala S. , Vuori A. , Piilonen A. , Kääriä J.‐P. , Kähärä V. , Pettilä V. , Yli‐Hankala A. , Silfvast T. 
Published: January 2007

Background:  The regurgitation of gastric contents and subsequent pulmonary aspiration remain serious adverse events in cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The aim of this study was to determine the association between clinical signs of regurgitation and radiological findings consistent with aspiration in resuscitated out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients admitted to hospital.Methods:  The incidence of regurgitation was studied in 182 successfully resuscitated OHCA patients. The inclusion criterion was the restoration of spontaneous circulation after OHCA not caused by trauma or drug overdose.Results:  The incidence of regurgitation was 20%. Regurgitation was associated with radiological findings consistent with aspiration with a high specificity (81%) and a low sensitivity (46%).Conclusions:  Although there was a strong association between clinical regurgitation and radiological findings consistent with aspiration, our data suggest that regurgitation is not invariably followed by radiological findings compatible with aspiration. Radiological findings consistent with aspiration are relatively infrequent without preceding signs of regurgitation in resuscitated patients.
Treating disseminated fusariosis: amphotericin B, voriconazole or both?
Authors: Ho Dora Y. , Lee Jason D. , Rosso Fernando , Montoya Jose G. 
Published: January 2007

SummaryDisseminated Fusarium infection can cause significant morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. We present a case of disseminated fusariosis in a patient with neutropenic fever successfully treated using both liposomal amphotericin B and voriconazole. Combination anti‐fungal therapy may be considered for such patients, particularly for those failing single‐drug therapy.
Two cases of cryptococcal meningitis in immunocompromised patients not infected with HIV*
Authors: Akcaglar S. , Sevgican E. , Akalin H. , Ener B. , Tore O. 
Published: January 2007

SummaryWe present the cases of two patients with cryptococcal meningitis who were predisposed to fungal infection because of diabetes mellitus (Case 1) and systemic lupus erythematosus (Case 2). Both patients were tested negative for anti‐HIV antibodies.
Hand carriage of Candida species and risk factors in hospital personnel
Authors: Y1ıld1ır1ım Mustafa , Sahin Idris , Kucukbayrak Abdulkadir , Ozdemir Davut , Tevfik Yavuz M. , Oksuz Sukru , Cakir Selma 
Published: January 2007

SummaryThe hands of healthcare workers (HCWs) are considered to be important for colonisation and infection of Candida spp. The objective of this study was to evaluate the rate of Candida carriage on the hands of the hospital personnel the potential risk factors. Samples were collected from the hands of 214 (139 female and 75 male) hospital personnel working at Duzce Medical Faculty Hospital, Duzce, Turkey. Of these, 88 were nurses, 62 resident doctors, 21 laboratory workers, 30 officers and 13 dining room personnel. The hands of all participants were tested by culture with the broth wash technique. Overall, 34.1% of the people analysed were found to harbour Candida spp. on their hands: 30.7% were nurses, 25.8% resident doctors, 28.6% laboratory workers, 84.6% dining room personnel and 43.3% officers. Candida carriage rates of the dining room personnel were higher than found in the other groups (P = 0.001). Isolated Candida species were C. parapsilosis (38.4%), C. tropicalis (26.0%), C. albicans (23.3%), C. kefyr (11.0%) and C. globosa (1.4%). Candida carriage rate was higher in the glove‐using group (35.1%) than the non‐glove using group (7.1%, P = 0.031). We concluded that carriage of Candida species on the hands of personnel was common especially in non‐medical staff. Wearing gloves was found to be related to increased rates of Candida carriage in the nurse group. Candida parapsilosis was the most frequently colonising species that may be a predisposing condition for nosocomial infections transmitted with the hands of HCWs. Hospital personnel should be educated for regular hand washing practice for preventing Candida colonisation.
Production of hybrid phage displaying secreted aspartyl proteinase epitope of Candida albicans and its application for the diagnosis of disseminated candidiasis
Authors: Yang Qiong , Su Quan‐ping , Wang Gui‐yun , Wen De‐zhong , Zhang Yan‐hui , Bao Hui‐zheng , Wang Li 
Published: January 2007

SummaryThe secreted aspartyl proteinases (Saps) of Candida albicans have been implicated as immunodominant antigens and virulence factors associated with adherence and tissue invasion. A hybrid phage displaying the Sap epitope VKYTS was constructed by cloning the corresponding DNA fragments into the pfd88 vector. Similar to native Sap, the phage‐displayed epitope showed reactivity to sera from mice and patients with systemic C. albicans infection but not from those with oropharyngeal candidiasis and healthy individuals on Western blot. Furthermore, a new enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was developed to detect the anti‐Sap antibody with hybrid phage displaying Sap epitope VKYTS that can be recognised by anti‐Sap antibodies. Sequential sera were tested from patients and mice with systemic candidiasis and oropharyngeal candidiasis, and serum samples from healthy individuals were also included. The sensitivity and specificity were 77% and 88.3% for experimental mice, respectively. These values reached 60% and 85%, respectively, for human patients. These data indicate this phage‐displayed epitope as an effective and less expensive reagent would be a valuable probe for the detection of specific Sap antibody in the sera of patients and mice with systemic C. albicans infection.
Tracheoscopy assisted repair of tracheo‐esophageal fistula (TARTEF): a 10‐year experience
Authors: DEANOVIC DUBRAVKA , GERBER ANDREAS C. , DODGE‐KHATAMI ALI , DILLIER CLAUDIA M. , MEULI MARTIN , WEISS MARKUS 
Published: January 2007

SummaryBackground:  Fiberoptic tracheoscopy assisted repair of tracheoesophageal fistula (TARTEF) has been reported to be useful for the surgeon with regards to identification of the fistula and proper fistula ligation. The aim of this article is to report our 10‐year experience using TARTEF with intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) during tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) repair in newborns.Methods:  With ethical committee approval, we included all patients undergoing TARTEF from 1995–2005. Variables of interest were (1) respiratory deterioration caused by gastric inflation because of IPPV during surgery and endoscopy; (2) detection of additional airway anomalies; (3) success of intubation of the fistula; (4) other side effects or adverse events. Data are given in median and range.Results:  Forty‐seven neonates with TARTEF were included. Mean gestational age was 37 weeks (31–42) and mean weight was 2.5 kg (1.1–3.8). The patients were intubated with tracheal tubes size 2.5–3.5 mm ID. Appropriately sized fiberoptic bronchoscopes with an outer diameter of 2.0, 2.4 and 2.8 mm were used; passed through the lumen of the tracheal tube (TT) thereby requiring the use of IPPV to ensure adequate ventilation. No respiratory deterioration was noted as a consequence of intraoperative fiberoptic manipulation within the trachea or because of gastric hyperinflation with IPPV. In all patients, the TEF was successfully penetrated with the fiberscope and this clearly helped the surgeon to rapidly identify and dissect the fistula. In two patients a tracheal bronchus was identified. In two patients accidental extubation occurred during endoscopic confirmation of successful fistula repair.Conclusions:  While fiberoptic TARTEF through the tracheal tube with IPPV did expedite and facilitate surgery, it did not cause clinically relevant impairment of ventilation. Careful manipulation during fiberoptic assessment is required to avoid tube displacement.