bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Isolation of VanB-Type
Enterococcus faecalis
Strains from Nosocomial Infections: First Report of the Isolation and Identification of the Pheromone-Responsive Plasmids pMG2200, Encoding VanB-Type Vancomycin Resistance and a Bac41-Type Bacteriocin, and pMG2201, Encoding Erythromycin Resistance and Cytolysin (Hly/Bac)
Authors: Zheng Bo , Tomita Haruyoshi , Inoue Takako , Ike Yasuyoshi 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACT

Eighteen identical VanB-type
Enterococcus faecalis
isolates that were obtained from different hospitalized patients were examined for their drug resistance and plasmid DNAs. Of the 18 strains, 12 strains exhibited resistance to erythromycin (Em), gentamicin (Gm), kanamycin (Km), tetracycline (Tc), and vancomycin (Van) and produced cytolysin (Hly/Bac) and a bacteriocin (Bac) active against
E. faecalis
strains. Another six of the strains exhibited resistance to Gm, Km, Tc, and Van and produced a bacteriocin. Em and Van resistance was transferred individually to
E. faecalis
FA2-2 strains at a frequency of about 10
−4
per donor cell by broth mating. The Em-resistant transconjugants and the Van-resistant transconjugants harbored a 65.7-kbp plasmid and a 106-kbp plasmid, respectively. The 106-kbp and 65.7-kbp plasmids isolated from the representative
E. faecalis
NKH15 strains were designated pMG2200 and pMG2201, respectively. pMG2200 conferred vancomycin resistance and bacteriocin activity on the host strain and responded to the synthetic pheromone cCF10 for pCF10, while pMG2201 conferred erythromycin resistance and cytolysin activity on its host strain and responded to the synthetic pheromone cAD1 for pAD1. The complete DNA sequence of pMG2200 (106,527 bp) showed that the plasmid carried a Tn
1549
-like element encoding
vanB2
-type resistance and the Bac41-like bacteriocin genes of pheromone-responsive plasmid pYI14. The plasmid contained the regulatory region found in pheromone-responsive plasmids and encoded the genes
prgX
and
prgQ
, which are the key negative regulatory elements for plasmid pCF10. pMG2200 also encoded TraE1, a key positive regulator of plasmid pAD1, indicating that pMG2200 is a naturally occurring chimeric plasmid that has a resulting
prgX-prgQ
-
traE1
genetic organization in the regulatory region of the pheromone response. The functional
oriT
region and the putative relaxase gene of pMG2200 were identified and found to differ from those of pCF10 and pAD1. The putative relaxase of pMG2200 was classified as a member of the MOB
MG
family, which is found in pheromone-independent plasmid pHTβ of the pMG1-like plasmids. This is the first report of the isolation and characterization of a pheromone-responsive highly conjugative plasmid encoding
vanB
resistance.
Erythromycin- and Chloramphenicol-Induced Ribosomal Assembly Defects Are Secondary Effects of Protein Synthesis Inhibition
Authors: Siibak Triinu , Peil Lauri , Xiong Liqun , Mankin Alexander , Remme Jaanus , Tenson Tanel 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTSeveral protein synthesis inhibitors are known to inhibit ribosome assembly. This may be a consequence of direct binding of the antibiotic to ribosome precursor particles, or it could result indirectly from loss of coordination in the production of ribosomal components due to the inhibition of protein synthesis. Here we demonstrate that erythromycin and chloramphenicol, inhibitors of the large ribosomal subunit, affect the assembly of both the large and small subunits. Expression of a small erythromycin resistance peptide acting incison mature ribosomes relieves the erythromycin-mediated assembly defect for both subunits. Erythromycin treatment of bacteria expressing a mixture of erythromycin-sensitive and -resistant ribosomes produced comparable effects on subunit assembly. These results argue in favor of the view that erythromycin and chloramphenicol affect the assembly of the large ribosomal subunit indirectly.
CTX-M Expression and Selection of Ertapenem Resistance in
Klebsiella pneumoniae
and
Escherichia coli
Authors: Girlich Delphine , Poirel Laurent , Nordmann Patrice 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACT

In vitro selection of mutants with decreased susceptibility to ertapenem was performed using
Escherichia coli
and
Klebsiella pneumoniae
clinical strains producing either the
bla
CTX-M-2
,
bla
CTX-M-3
,
bla
CTX-M-9
, or
bla
CTX-M-15
gene. Frequencies of mutants with decreased susceptibilities to ertapenem were similar for all β-lactamases expressed.
Antifungal Activity of Caspofungin in Combination with Amphotericin B against
Candida glabrata
: Comparison of Disk Diffusion, Etest, and Time-Kill Methods
Authors: Kiraz Nuri , Dağ Ilknur , Yamac Mustafa , Kiremitci Abdurrahman , Kaşifoğlu Nilgun , Akgun Yurdanur 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACT

The in vitro activities of caspofungin plus amphotericin B against 50
Candida glabrata
isolates were evaluated by the time-kill, disk diffusion, and Etest methods. In vitro experiments showed a positive interaction. Even though each of these methods uses different conditions and endpoints, the results of the different methods frequently agreed.
In Vitro Activity of the Quinolone WCK 771 against Recent U.S. Hospital and Community-Acquired
Staphylococcus aureus
Pathogens with Various Resistance Types
Authors: Bhagwat Sachin S. , McGhee Pamela , Kosowska-Shick Klaudia , Patel Mahesh V. , Appelbaum Peter C. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACT

WCK 771 demonstrated MIC
50
and MIC
90
s of 0.03 and 1 μg/ml, respectively, against 297 recent U.S. community-acquired and hospital strains of
Staphylococcus aureus
, irrespective of quinolone or glycopeptide resistance. Against quinolone-resistant strains, MIC
90
s of WCK 771 and moxifloxacin were 1 and 16 μg/ml, respectively.
Inhibition of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection by the Candidate Microbicide Dapivirine, a Nonnucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor
Authors: Fletcher P. , Harman S. , Azijn H. , Armanasco N. , Manlow P. , Perumal D. , de Bethune M.-P. , Nuttall J. , Romano J. , Shattock R. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTHeterosexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains the major route of infection worldwide; thus, there is an urgent need for additional prevention strategies, particularly strategies that could be controlled by women, such as topical microbicides. Potential microbicide candidates must be both safe and effective. Using cellular and tissue explant models, we have evaluated the activity of the nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) dapivirine as a vaginal microbicide. In tissue compatibility studies, dapivirine was well tolerated by epithelial cells, T cells, macrophages, and cervical tissue explants. Dapivirine demonstrated potent dose-dependent inhibitory effects against a broad panel of HIV type 1 isolates from different clades. Furthermore, dapivirine demonstrated potent activity against a wide range of NNRTI-resistant isolates. In human cervical explant cultures, dapivirine was able not only to inhibit direct infection of mucosal tissue but also to prevent the dissemination of the virus by migratory cells. Activity was retained in the presence of semen or a cervical mucus simulant. Furthermore, dapivirine demonstrated prolonged inhibitory effects: it was able to prevent both localized and disseminated infection for as long as 6 days posttreatment. The prolonged protection observed following pretreatment of genital tissue and the lack of observable toxicity suggest that dapivirine has considerable promise as a potential microbicide candidate.
Visualizing the Large-Scale Patterns of ENSO-Related Climate Anomalies in North America
Authors: Shinker Jacqueline J. , Bartlein Patrick J. 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
The variations of large-scale climatic controls and surface responses through the annual cycle during strong positive (El Niño) and negative (La Niña) phase ENSO events are analyzed to assess the within-year and among-year variations of climate anomalies. Data from the NCEP–NCAR reanalysis project are presented as small-multiple maps to illustrate the spatial and temporal variability in North American climate associated with extreme phases of ENSO. Temperature, mean sea level pressure, 500-mb geopotential heights, and 850-mb specific humidity have composite-anomaly patterns that exhibit the greatest degree of spatial and temporal coherence. In general, the composite-anomaly patterns for El Niño and La Niña events are of opposite sign, with stronger, more spatially coherent anomalies occurring during El Niño events than during La Niña events. However, the strength and coherency of the precipitation anomaly patterns are reduced in the interior intermountain west during both positive and negative phase of ENSO. The variations in precipitation anomalies are compared to the 500-mb omega and 850-mb specific humidity composite-anomaly patterns, which provide information on the controls of precipitation by large-scale vertical motions and moisture availability thus providing information on the specific mechanisms associated with precipitation variability during ENSO events.
Characteristics of Rain Integral Parameters during Tropical Convective, Transition, and Stratiform Rain at Gadanki and Its Application in Rain Retrieval
Authors: Sharma Sanjay , Konwar Mahen , Sarma Diganta Kumar , Kalapureddy M. C. R. , Jain A. R. 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
In the present study the characteristics of rain integral parameters during tropical convective (C), transition (T), and stratiform (S) types of rain are studied with the help of Joss–Waldvogel disdrometer (JWD), L-band, and very-high-frequency wind profilers at Gadanki (13.5°N, 79.20°E). The classifications of three regimes are made with the help of an L-band wind profiler. For rain rate R &lt; 10 mm h−1 larger drops are found in S type of rain relative to C and T rain, and for R ≥ 10 mm h−1 larger drops are found in convective rain. Empirical relations are developed for Dm–R, Dm–Z, N*0–R, Z–R, and Z/Dm–R by fitting the power-law equations. Event to event, no systematic variation of the coefficients and exponents could be found for Z–R and Z/Dm–R relations during the three types of rain. Overall, the C and S events are found to be number controlled, and T events are size controlled. During C type of rain, bigger mean raindrops are found during the presence of strong updrafts. During S type of rain, bigger mean raindrops are found to be associated with the higher mean thickness of the bright band and strong velocity gradient. For each of the developed empirical relations, the correlation coefficients are found in the order of T &gt; C &gt; S rain. During the three types of rain, correlations are found in the order of Z/Dm–R &gt; Z–R &gt; Dm–Z &gt; Dm–R. Significant improvement is observed in rain retrieval by using the Z/Dm–R relation relative to the conventional Z–R relation. By utilizing the Z/Dm–R relations, the root-mean-square error was reduced by 19%–46%.
Testing Lagrangian Theories of Internal Wave Spectra. Part I: Varying the Amplitude and Wavenumbers
Authors: Klaassen G. P. 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
A growing body of literature has been built on the premise that kinematic advection produced by linear superpositions of sinusoidal Lagrangian gravity waves confined to lower vertical wavenumbers can provide an explanation for quasi-universal Eulerian spectral tails commonly found in the oceans and the atmosphere. Recently, Hines has established criteria delineating the circumstances in which Eulerian and Lagrangian spectra differ. For conditions in which Hines claims Lagrangian linearity and the production of quasi-universal Eulerian m−3 spectra, a kinematic advection model based on ensembles of seven nonstanding Lagrangian waves reveals the presence of gross violations of continuity and adiabaticity as well as severe departures from hydrostatic balance. Similar infractions are found for other seven-wave ensembles having a broad range of amplitudes and wavenumbers typical of saturated wave fields in the middle atmosphere. Furthermore, m−3 spectra are found only as the Lagrangian wave field approaches a singular state.
The singularities in the Lagrangian to Eulerian transformation are induced by stretching deformation fields that form during the superposition of sinusoidal waves with nonparallel wave vectors. Such deformation fields are known to be unstable with respect to three-dimensional vortices. The results strongly suggest that saturated middle atmosphere wave fields are frequently accompanied by small-scale turbulent eddies.
The Role of Tropospheric Rossby Wave Breaking in the Pacific Decadal Oscillation
Authors: Strong Courtenay , Magnusdottir Gudrun 
Published: November 2008

Abstract
The leading pattern of extratropical Pacific sea surface temperature variability [the Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO)] is shown to depend on observed variability in the spatiotemporal distribution of tropospheric Rossby wave breaking (RWB), where RWB is the irreversible overturning of potential vorticity on isentropic surfaces. Composite analyses based on hundreds of RWB cases show that anticyclonic (cyclonic) RWB is associated with a warm, moist (cool, dry) column that extends down to a surface anticyclonic (cyclonic) circulation, and that the moisture and temperature advection associated with the surface circulation patterns force turbulent heat flux anomalies that project onto the spatial pattern of the PDO. The RWB patterns that are relevant to the PDO are closely tied to El Niño–Southern Oscillation, the Pacific–North American pattern, and the northern annular mode. These results explain the free troposphere-to-surface segment of the atmospheric bridge concept wherein El Niño anomalies emerge in summer and modify circulation patterns that act over several months to force sea surface temperature anomalies in the extratropical Pacific during late winter or early spring. Leading patterns of RWB account for a significant fraction of PDO interannual variability for any month of the year. A multilinear model is developed in which the January mean PDO index for 1958–2006 is regressed upon the leading principal components of cyclonic and anticyclonic RWB from the immediately preceding winter and summer months (four indexes in all), accounting for more than two-thirds of the variance.
The Effect of Repair of the Lacertus Fibrosus on Distal Biceps Tendon Repairs
Authors: Landa Joshua , Bhandari Sachin , Strauss Eric J. , Walker Peter S. , Meislin Robert J. 
Published: November 2008

Background To date, repair of the lacertus in distal biceps tendon ruptures, recommended by some, has not been evaluated. The goal of these biomechanical experiments was to evaluate the degree to which its repair increases the strength of a distal biceps tendon repair. Hypothesis An intact or repaired lacertus fibrosus will increase the strength of a distal biceps tendon repair. Study Design Controlled laboratory study. Methods Four matched pairs of fresh-frozen human cadaveric upper extremities were prepared by isolating the lacertus fibrosus and the distal biceps tendon. The extremity was placed in a custom-built rig with the distal biceps brachii clamped and affixed to a stepper motor assembly. The distal biceps tendon was sharply removed directly from the radial tuberosity and repaired through a bony tunnel in all specimens. One side of each pair was randomized to also receive repair of the lacertus. The specimens were pulled at a constant rate until failure. Results The mean failure strength, defined as maximal strength to 15 mm of displacement, was higher in specimens with a repaired lacertus (250.2 N vs 158.2 N; P = .012), as was mean maximum strength (256.8 N v. 164.5 N; P = .0058). Mean stiffness was not significantly different (16.36 N/mm vs 13.8 N/mm; P = .58). All specimens failed due to fracture at the bony bridge. Conclusion Repair of the lacertus strengthened distal biceps tendon repair in a controlled laboratory setting. Clinical Relevance Repair of the lacertus fibrosus as an adjunct to distal biceps tendon repair strengthens the repair in the laboratory setting. Clinical testing is needed to verify that this increased strength improves clinical results. Surgeons should be cautioned to protect the underlying neurovascular structures during repair of the lacertus fibrosus and to avoid an overly tight repair.
Isolated Tears of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament
Authors: Taylor Dean C. , Posner Matthew , Curl Walton W. , Feagin John A. 
Published: November 2008

Background Over 30 years ago, Feagin and Curl reported on the diagnosis and treatment of “isolated” injuries of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term results of the patients initially diagnosed with tears of the ACL, with special emphasis on those treated with primary repair. Hypothesis Long-term results are unsatisfactory for open evaluation and treatment of ACL injuries with or without primary repair. Study Design Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods Follow-up was available on 34 of the original 57 patients (60%) who had ACL tears on evaluation by arthrotomy. The average age at the index procedure was 20 years, and average follow-up was 32 (range, 29-36) years. Twenty-five of the 26 complete ACL tears were treated with primary repair. None of the 8 partial tears was repaired. Evaluations included the subjective and symptom ratings of the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) evaluation form, Lysholm score, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Tegner activity scale, and SANE rating. Results For the IKDC subjective score, 18 of 34 patients rated their knees as normal or nearly normal. The Lysholm scores averaged 70.1 (range, 20-100). The average SANE rating at 5 years was 74.8 (range, 49-110), and the current SANE rating averaged 68.9 (range, 10-100). The overall KOOS rating averaged 68.6 (range, 26.4-100). The Tegner activity score was 3.7. There was little difference between patients with unrepaired partial tears and those who had primary repairs. Conclusion At more than 30-year follow-up, patients have decreased activity levels and an equal mix of acceptable and unacceptable outcomes. We were unable to identify any predictive factors that correlated with the results; however, subsequent meniscal surgery did correlate with poor results. The results at greater than 30 years reinforce the 5-year results that showed unsatisfactory results after the open evaluation and treatment of ACL injuries with or without repair.
Enteral Feeding Misconnections: A Consortium Position Statement
Authors: Miller Sarah J. 
Published: November 2008

An invitation from the American Hospital Association (AHA) brought together a number of representatives from various organizations in Washington, D.C., on October 11, 2006, to (1) discuss the current state of practice pertaining to enteral feedings and (2) patient safety risks associated with medical misconnections involving enteral feeding systems. Although the initial focus was on Luer fittings, the scope of the discussion was expanded to the entire enteral feeding system to identify areas where misconnections could occur. This article presents the issues associated with enteral feeding misconnections and proposes a set of solutions. (The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety. 2008;34:285‐292)P Guenter, RW Hicks, D Simmons, et al
Prostaglandin E2 enhances T-cell proliferation by inducing the costimulatory molecules OX40L, CD70, and 4-1BBL on dendritic cells
Authors: Krause Petra , Bruckner Markus , Uermösi Christina , Singer Eva , Groettrup Marcus , Legler Daniel F. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractDendritic cell (DC)–based immunotherapy of malignant diseases relies on 2 critical parameters: antigen transport from the periphery to draining lymph nodes and efficient priming of primary and stimulation of secondary immune responses. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) signaling has been shown to be pivotal for DC migration toward lymph node–derived chemokines in vitro and in vivo. Here, we demonstrate that PGE2 induced the expression of the costimulatory molecules OX40L, CD70, and 4-1BBL on human DCs. Short triggering by PGE2 early during DC maturation was sufficient to induce the costimulatory molecules. The expression of the costimulatory molecules was independent of the maturation stimulus but strictly dependent on PGE2 on both monocyte-derived (Mo) DCs and peripheral blood myeloid (PB) DCs. PGE2-matured MoDCs showed enhanced costimulatory capacities resulting in augmented antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell proliferation in primary and recall T-cell responses. Blocking OX40/OX40L signaling impaired the enhanced T-cell proliferation induced by PGE2-matured MoDCs. Moreover, MoDCs matured in the presence of PGE2 induced the expression of OX40, OX40L, and CD70 on T cells facilitating T-cell/T-cell interaction that warrant long-lasting costimulation. This newly identified parameter will help to further optimize DC-based immunotherapy.
Processing of hemojuvelin requires retrograde trafficking to the Golgi in HepG2 cells
Authors: Maxson Julia E. , Enns Caroline A. , Zhang An-Sheng 
Published: November 2008

AbstractHemojuvelin (HJV) was recently identified as a critical regulator of iron homeostasis. It is either associated with cell membranes through a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor or released as a soluble form. Membrane-anchored HJV acts as a coreceptor for bone morphogenetic proteins and activates the transcription of hepcidin, a hormone that regulates iron efflux from cells. Soluble HJV antagonizes bone morphogenetic protein signaling and suppresses hepcidin expression. In this study, we examined the trafficking and processing of HJV. Cellular HJV reached the plasma membrane without obtaining complex oligosaccharides, indicating that HJV avoided Golgi processing. Secreted HJV, in contrast, has complex oligosaccharides and can be derived from HJV with high-mannose oligosaccharides at the plasma membrane. Our results support a model in which retrograde trafficking of HJV before cleavage is the predominant processing pathway. Release of HJV requires it to bind to the transmembrane receptor neogenin. Neogenin does not, however, play a role in HJV trafficking to the cell surface, suggesting that it could be involved either in retrograde trafficking of HJV or in cleavage leading to HJV release.
A pharmacodynamic study of the FLT3 inhibitor KW-2449 yields insight into the basis for clinical response
Authors: Pratz Keith W. , Cortes Jorge , Roboz Gail J. , Rao Niranjan , Arowojolu Omotayo , Stine Adam , Shiotsu Yukimasa , Shudo Aiko , Akinaga Shiro , Small Donald , Karp Judith E. , Levis Mark 
Published: November 2008

AbstractInternal tandem duplication mutations of FLT3 (FLT3/ITD mutations) are common in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and confer a poor prognosis. This would suggest that FLT3 is an ideal therapeutic target, but FLT3 targeted therapy has produced only modest benefits in clinical trials. Due to technical obstacles, the assessment of target inhibition in patients treated with FLT3 inhibitors has been limited and generally only qualitative. KW-2449 is a novel multitargeted kinase inhibitor that induces cytotoxicity in Molm14 cells (which harbor an FLT3/ITD mutation). The cytotoxic effect occurs primarily at concentrations sufficient to inhibit FLT3 autophosphorylation to less than 20% of its baseline. We report here correlative data from a phase 1 trial of KW-2449, a trial in which typical transient reductions in the peripheral blast counts were observed. Using quantitative measurement of FLT3 inhibition over time in these patients, we confirmed that FLT3 was inhibited, but only transiently to less than 20% of baseline. Our results suggest that the failure to fully inhibit FLT3 in sustained fashion may be an underlying reason for the minimal success of FLT3 inhibitors to date, and stress the importance of confirming in vivo target inhibition when taking a targeted agent into the clinical setting. The clinical studies are registered on www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00346632.