bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prediction of transfusions in extremely low‐birthweight infants in the erythropoietin era
Authors: HOSONO SHIGEHARU , MUGISHIMA HIDEO , SHIMADA MASAMI , MINATO MICHIYOSHI , OKADA TOMO , TAKAHASHI SHIGERU , HARADA KENSUKE 
Published: November 2006

AbstractBackground: The purpose of the present paper was to detect the clinical factors most predictive of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion in extremely low‐birthweight (ELBW) infants in the recombinant human erythropoietin era.Methods: Between 1995 and 2000, 66 ELBW infants were admitted to a level III neonatal intensive care unit. Fifty‐four of 66 infants were eligible for enrollment in the present study. Infants were treated with erythropoietin 200 IU/kg per dose s.c. twice a week with 4–6 mg/kg per day iron supplement.Results: The mean gestational age and birthweight were 26.5 ± 2.1 weeks and 776 ± 134 g, respectively. Ten of 54 ELBW infants (18.5%) died during the first 21 days. Eight of 10 dead infants (80.0%) and 27 of 44 surviving infants (61.4%) received one or more RBC transfusions. The overall requirement for RBC transfusions in the surviving infants was 3.0 ± 3.2 per infant/hospital course (range: 0–9) . There were significant differences in gestational weeks, birthweight, initial hemoglobin value, 5 min Apgar score, phlebotomy loss, phlebotomy loss/birthweight, duration of mechanical ventilation, duration of oxygen supplement, and incidence of both intraventricular hemorrhage and chronic lung disease between the transfused and non‐transfused group. The predictive variables, initial hemoglobin level (odds ratio [OR] 2.61; 1 g/dL), birthweight (OR 3.00; 100 g), and gestational week (OR 1.89; 1 week), were found to be most predictive for transfusion on logistic regression analysis.Conclusion: ELBW infants are still the population at greatest risk for repeated blood transfusions after introduction of erythropoietin treatment. If labor develops, it is often impossible to extend the pregnancy period, therefore efforts should be made to increase hemoglobin level at birth.
Sandifer Syndrome: A continuing problem of misdiagnosis
Authors: KABAKUŞ NIMET , KURT ABDULLAH 
Published: November 2006

AbstractBackground:Sandifer Syndrome is an uncommon clinical entity characterized by gastroesophageal reflux, irritability and abnormal movements of the body and contortions of the neck. The majority of paroxysmal cases, in particular, tend to show an association with epilepsy.Methods:The clinical, laboratory and 6‐month observation results of the four patients (two boys, two girls) have been presented.Results:The 6‐month prospective observation/treatment of four patients aged between 2 and 14 months (mean age, 6.5 ± 5.2 months) with a diagnosis of Sandifer Syndrome has been investigated. Due to paroxysmal extensor jerks, two of the patients were misdiagnosed with infantile spasm and they were treated accordingly. In the clinical observations of the patients, abnormal neurobehavioral attacks (irritability, crying, head/eye version, torticollis, extensor spasm and dystonic posture) 5–10 times daily were observed. In two of the patients, motor growth retardation was observed, in one patient, bronchospasm attacks were observed, and in all the patients iron deficiency anemia was observed. The electroencephalograms of the patients which were taken during the routine, sleepless and paroxysmal behaviors were normal; the gastroesophageal scintigraphies were positive in the manner of reflux. Management of the infant with gastroesophageal reflux disease, in addition to nonpharmacological interventions pharmacologic therapy, including metoclopramide HCl and Fe (6 mg/kg per day, oral) was useful for the patients, and their paroxysmal attacks decreased dramatically (0–2 attacks/day).Conclusion:These findings suggest that infants or children with these atypical movements should be evaluated for Sandifer Syndrome. Expensive and comprehensive neurologic examination may be unnecessary. Early diagnosis permits prompt treatment and relief of the problem. Medical management is usually successful.
Common Polymorphisms in the CACNA1H Gene Associated with Childhood Absence Epilepsy in Chinese Han Population
Authors: Liang J. , Zhang Y. , Chen Y. , Wang J. , Pan H. , Wu H. , Xu K. , Liu X. , Jiang Y. , Shen Y. , Wu X. 
Published: November 2006

SummaryVariants with a relatively high frequency in the CACNA1H gene have previously been identified in cases of childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) in the Chinese Han population most of which are located in exons 6 to 12. In present study we attempted to further investigate whether the CACNA1H gene is associated with CAE. Exons 6 to 12 of CACNA1H gene were sequenced in samples of 100 CAE trios recruited consecutively, and 191 normal human controls. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were studied in both single locus and haplotype analyses in 218 CAE trios, of which 118 trios were selected from our previous research. Case‐control comparisons and the transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) both supported a coding SNP (cSNP) rs9934839 (R603R) in exon 9 as being close related to CAE. The carriers of the G allele of rs9934839 had a 3‐fold higher risk of CAE than non‐carriers. Moreover, another cSNP rs8044363 was predicted to be connected directly with CAE in a Bayesian network. In addition, two haplotypes consisting of five cSNPs in the region of CACNA1H were statistically associated with CAE. Our research provides new evidence to further support the hypothesis that CACNA1H may be an important susceptibility gene for CAE in the Chinese Han population.
Farm demand for quality potato seed in Indonesia
Authors: Fuglie Keith O. , Adiyoga Witono , Asmunati Rini , Mahalaya Sukendra , Suherman Rachman 
Published: November 2006

AbstractSeed is the one of the most costly components of potato production in developing countries. Since potato is a vegetatively reproduced crop, diseases such as viruses build up and yield declines as tubers are saved from one harvest for use as seed the next season. Replacing farm‐saved seed with clean seed is one means to increase yield, but information asymmetry between buyers and sellers on seed quality may restrict market supply of this input. In this article we develop a model of the seed market in which clean seed is treated as a capital good providing benefits over several seasons. To determine farm demand for clean seed, we conducted a survey of 182 potato farmers in the major potato growing areas of Indonesia to elicit their perceptions of seed quality from different sources, and derive farmers' “willingness‐to‐pay” for quality potato seed. Results indicate that the effects of information asymmetry on seed supply may be partially offset by the “reputation” of specialized seed producers. Nevertheless, marginal returns to disease‐free seed appear to significantly exceed marginal costs, indicating that improving supply of quality seed will contribute strongly to productivity growth in potato. We discuss several policy options to encourage supply and utilization of quality potato seed.
Effect of information formats on information services: analysis of four selected agricultural commodities in the USA
Authors: Just David R. , Wolf Steven A. , Zilberman David 
Published: November 2006

AbstractWe analyze sources of information in agricultural markets to understand patterns of demand for decision support services and the division of labor in the supply of these services. Information formatting—qualitative variation that determines accessibility and relevance of information in specific contexts—prohibits universal access to informational content. Information formats give rise to both transaction costs and complementarities reflected in patterns of information exchange in commodity systems. Controlling for actors' structural roles and levels of education, we develop a hedonic model of information demand such that actors seek information that is formatted to meet their needs and capabilities. Employing survey data, we explain elements of observed patterns of information exchange in four commodity systems in the USA. Results point to opportunities to expand our understanding of socioeconomic processes underlying production and consumption of decision support.
SELECTION OF CHEMICAL AND THERMAL PRETREATMENT COMBINATION TO REDUCE THE DEHYDRATION TIME OF SOUR CHERRY (Prunus cerasus L.)
Authors: TARHAN SEFA , ERGUNES GAZANFER , TASER O. FARUK 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT Sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) is a good source of anthocyanins showing antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory activities. Contemporary drying processes of fruits and vegetables should be fast and at relatively low drying temperatures to minimize the energy consumption and the thermal degradation of their nutritional composition. Therefore, sour cherries placed into sample bags were dipped in one of eight different pretreatment combinations consisting of chemical solutions (2% ethyl oleate, 2% K2CO3, 1% citric acid or water) and dipping temperature (23 or 60C) for 1 min to accelerate the skin moisture diffusivity by breaking down the waxy cuticular surface of sour cherry. Pretreated sour cherry samples were dehydrated by three different methods (artificial drying, solar drying and open sun drying). Sour cherries treated with 2% ethyl oleate solution at room temperature (23C) were the fastest to reach the final weight loss percentage (75%). They dried in 24 h in the laboratory tray dryer providing 45.2C drying air. The untreated samples reached the same weight loss percentage of 75% at a drying time of 92 h. A high dipping temperature (60C) eliminated the positive effect of ethyl oleate. Solar drying and open sun drying of sour cherries treated with 2% ethyl oleate at room temperature finished approximately in 149 h and 372 h, respectively. The color of dried sour cherries was used as a quality indicator. The increase of dehydration time decreased redness values as seen in solar drying and open sun drying. The recommended pretreatment and drying processes for sour cherries are dipping them into 2% ethyl oleate solution at room temperature for 1 min and then drying them artificially at 45.2C air temperature to effectively retain their original color.
Novel Alpha Interferon (IFN-α) Variant with Improved Inhibitory Activity against Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 1 Replication Compared to IFN-α2b Therapy in a Subgenomic Replicon System
Authors: Escuret Vanessa , Martin Amaury , Durantel David , Parent Romain , Hantz Olivier , Trépo Christian , Menguy Thierry , Bottius Emmanuel , Dardy Jerome , Maral Jean , Escary Jean Louis , Zoulim Fabien 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACTHepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment is based on the association of pegylated alpha interferon (IFN-α) and ribavirin. To improve the level of sustained virological response to treatment, especially in patients infected with HCV genotype 1, new IFNs with improved efficacy and toxicity profiles may be developed. In this report, we show that, in the BM4-5 cell line harboring an HCV subgenomic replicon, a novel and naturally occurring human IFN-α17 variant, GEA007.1, which was discovered by using an original population genetics-based drug discovery approach, inhibits HCV genotype 1 RNA replication more efficiently than does IFN-α2b. Moreover, we show that complete viral clearance is obtained in BM4-5 cells after long-term treatment with GEA007.1, while HCV subgenomic RNA is still detected in cells treated with other IFN-α variants or with standard IFN-α2b. Eventually, we demonstrate that the better inhibitory activity of GEA007.1 compared to that of standard IFN-α is likely to be due to stronger and faster activation of the JAK-STAT signaling pathway and to broader expression of IFN-α-responsive genes in cells. Our results demonstrate a superior inhibitory activity of GEA007.1 over that of IFN-α2b in the HCV replicon system. Clinical trials are required to determine whether GEA007.1 could be a potent “next generation” IFN for the treatment of HCV infection, especially in nonresponders or relapsing patients infected with HCV genotype 1 who currently represent a clinical unmet need.
Effective Prevention of Microbial Biofilm Formation on Medical Devices by Low-Energy Surface Acoustic Waves
Authors: Hazan Zadik , Zumeris Jona , Jacob Harold , Raskin Hanan , Kratysh Gera , Vishnia Moshe , Dror Naama , Barliya Tilda , Mandel Mathilda , Lavie Gad 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT

Low-energy surface acoustic waves generated from electrically activated piezo elements are shown to effectively prevent microbial biofilm formation on indwelling medical devices. The development of biofilms by four different bacteria and
Candida
species is prevented when such elastic waves with amplitudes in the nanometer range are applied. Acoustic-wave-activated Foley catheters have all their surfaces vibrating with longitudinal and transversal dispersion vectors homogeneously surrounding the catheter surfaces. The acoustic waves at the surface are repulsive to bacteria and interfere with the docking and attachment of planktonic microorganisms to solid surfaces that constitute the initial phases of microbial biofilm development. FimH-mediated adhesion of uropathogenic
Escherichia coli
to guinea pig erythrocytes was prevented at power densities below thresholds that activate bacterial force sensor mechanisms. Elevated power densities dramatically enhanced red blood cell aggregation. We inserted Foley urinary catheters attached with elastic-wave-generating actuators into the urinary tracts of male rabbits. The treatment with the elastic acoustic waves maintained urine sterility for up to 9 days compared to 2 days in control catheterized animals. Scanning electron microscopy and bioburden analyses revealed diminished biofilm development on these catheters. The ability to prevent biofilm formation on indwelling devices and catheters can benefit the implanted medical device industry.
Efficacy of High Doses of Levofloxacin in Experimental Foreign-Body Infection by Methicillin-Susceptible
Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Murillo O. , Doménech A. , Garcia A. , Tubau F. , Cabellos C. , Gudiol F. , Ariza J. 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT

Antimicrobial efficacy in orthopedic device infections is diminished because of bacterial biofilms which express tolerance to antibiotics. Recently, the use of high doses of levofloxacin with rifampin has been recommended for staphylococcal infections. In the present study, we evaluated the efficacy of levofloxacin at doses of 50 mg/kg/day and 100 mg/kg/day (mimicking the usual and high human doses of 500 mg/day and 750 to 1,000 mg/day, respectively) and compared it to that of to linezolid, cloxacillin, vancomycin, and rifampin in a rat tissue cage model of experimental foreign-body infection by
Staphylococcus aureus
. The antimicrobial efficacy in vitro (by MIC, minimum bactericidal concentration, and kill curves) for logarithmic- and stationary-phase bacteria was compared with the in vivo efficacy. In vitro bactericidal activity at clinically relevant concentrations was reached by all drugs except rifampin and linezolid in the log-phase studies but only by levofloxacin in the stationary-phase studies. The bacterial count decreases from in vivo tissue cage fluids (means) for levofloxacin at 50 and 100 mg/kg/day, rifampin, cloxacillin, vancomycin, linezolid, and controls, respectively, were: −1.24, −2.26, −2.1, −1.56, −1.47, −1.15, and 0.33 (all groups versus controls,
P
< 0.05). Levofloxacin at 100 mg/kg/day (area under the concentration-time curve/MIC ratio, 234) was the most active therapy (
P
= 0.03 versus linezolid). Overall, in vivo efficacy was better predicted by stationary-phase studies, in which it reached a high correlation coefficient even if the rifampin group was excluded (
r
= 0.96;
P
< 0.05). Our results, including in vitro studies with nongrowing bacteria, pharmacodynamic parameters, and antimicrobial efficacy in experimental infection, provide good evidence to support the use of levofloxacin at high doses (750 to 1,000 mg/day), as recently recommended for treating patients with orthopedic prosthesis infections.
Treatment and Prevention of
Staphylococcus epidermidis
Experimental Biomaterial-Associated Infection by Bactericidal Peptide 2
Authors: Kwakman Paulus H. S. , te Velde Anje A. , Vandenbroucke-Grauls Christina M. J. E. , van Deventer Sander J. H. , Zaat Sebastian A. J. 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT

Biomaterial-associated infections (BAI) are the major cause of failure of indwelling medical devices and are predominantly caused by staphylococci, especially
Staphylococcus epidermidis
. We investigated the in vitro microbicidal activity of the synthetic antimicrobial peptide bactericidal peptide 2 (BP2) and its efficacy in a murine model of
S. epidermidis
BAI. BP2 showed potent microbicidal activity at micromolar concentrations against a broad spectrum of microorganisms, including antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The staphylocidal activity of BP2 was not affected by physiological salt concentrations and was only slightly affected by the presence of human plasma. In the BAI model, injection of BP2 (5 mg/kg of body weight) 1 h after challenge with
S. epidermidis
resulted in an 80% reduction in the number of culture-positive implants and a 100-fold reduction in survival of
S. epidermidis
in peri-implant tissue at 24 h postchallenge. When BP2 was injected along implants 3 h prior to bacterial challenge, the median numbers of CFU cultured from biomaterial implants and peri-implant tissue were reduced by 85% and 90%, respectively. In conclusion, BP2 has potent, broad-spectrum in vitro microbicidal activity and showed potent in vivo activity in a murine model of
S. epidermidis
biomaterial-associated infection.
Prevalence and Genetic Analysis of Plasmid-Mediated Quinolone Resistance Determinants QnrA and QnrS in
Enterobacteriaceae
Isolates from a French University Hospital
Authors: Poirel Laurent , Leviandier Cécile , Nordmann Patrice 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT

The spread of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance determinants QnrA and QnrS was evaluated in a collection of 186 extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-positive enterobacterial isolates from 2002 to 2005 and 185 nalidixic acid-resistant strains isolated during the first 6 months of 2005 at the Bicêtre hospital, France. Out of these 186 ESBL-positive isolates, 2.2 and 1.6% carried a QnrA1 and a QnrS1 determinant, respectively. The ESBLs associated with QnrA1 were VEB-1, SHV-12, and CTX-M-1, whereas those associated with QnrS1 were TEM-52, SHV-12, and CTX-M-1. Among the 185 nalidixic acid-resistant strains isolated in 2005, 0.5 and 2.7% had a QnrA1 determinant and a QnrS1 determinant, respectively. The genetic environments of the
qnrA1
gene differed but were always associated with
sul1
type integrons. In contrast,
qnrS1
genes were not embedded in class 1 integrons but located often (but not systematically) downstream of the insertion sequence IS
Ecl2
on plasmids that often carried a novel β-lactamase gene,
bla
LAP-1
. This is the first study identifying the QnrS resistance determinant in Europe and indicating that this determinant might also be widespread.
Pharmacokinetics of Itraconazole and Hydroxyitraconazole in Healthy Subjects after Single and Multiple Doses of a Novel Formulation
Authors: Mouton J. W. , van Peer A. , de Beule K. , Van Vliet A. , Donnelly J. P. , Soons P. A. 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACTOriginally, itraconazole for parenteral administration was licensed in a 40% hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HPBCD) solution for intravenous administration. A novel formulation, the NanoCrystal formulation (NCF), was prepared. NCF consists of drug particles of approximately 200 to 300 nm. The pharmacokinetics of itraconazole and its hydroxy metabolite in healthy subjects were evaluated after single and multiple doses of itraconazole as NCF. In the single-ascending-dose (SAD) study, itraconazole doses were planned to range from 50 to 500 mg, while in the multiple-ascending-dose (MAD) study, itraconazole doses of 100, 200, and 300 mg as NCF were studied, as was one dose level (200 mg) as an HBPCD solution. Samples were collected in heparinized tubes at various time points and were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography to allow full pharmacokinetic analysis both after the first dose and on day 7. The results of both the SAD and the MAD studies indicated that there was a dose dependency in the half-life of itraconazole from the novel formulation, increasing from 44 h (100 mg) to more than 150 h (300 mg) once steady state was achieved. Similar dose-dependent effects were observed for the hydroxy metabolite. The areas under the concentration-time curves for itraconazole and hydroxyitraconazole were also dose dependent. The pharmacokinetic profiles after 200-mg doses of itraconazole as NCF and HPBCD formulations were comparable with respect to the terminal half-life, both after a single dose and at steady state. NCF may provide an alternative to the HPBCD solution for the further optimization of antifungal treatment with itraconazole.
LfrR Is a Repressor That Regulates Expression of the Efflux Pump LfrA in
Mycobacterium smegmatis
Authors: Buroni Silvia , Manina Giulia , Guglierame Paola , Pasca Maria Rosalia , Riccardi Giovanna , De Rossi Edda 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT

The
lfrA
gene of
Mycobacterium smegmatis
encodes an efflux pump which mediates resistance to different fluoroquinolones, cationic dyes, and anthracyclines. The deletion of the
lfrR
gene, coding for a putative repressor and localized upstream of
lfrA
, increased the
lfrA
expression. In this study, reverse transcription-PCR experiments showed that the two genes are organized as an operon, and
lacZ
reporter fusions were used to identify the
lfrRA
promoter region. The
lfrRA
promoter assignment was verified by mapping the transcription start site by primer extension. Furthermore, we found that some substrates of the multidrug transporter LfrA, e.g., acriflavine, ethidium bromide, and rhodamine 123, enhance
lfrA
expression at a detectable level of transcription. LfrR protein was purified from
Escherichia coli
as a fusion protein with a hexahistidine tag and found to bind specifically to a fragment 143 bp upstream of
lfrR
by gel shift analysis. Furthermore, acriflavine was able to cause the dissociation of the LfrR from the promoter, thus suggesting that this molecule interacts directly with LfrR, inducing
lfrA
expression. These results suggest that the LfrR repressor is able to bind to different compounds, which allows induction of LfrA multidrug efflux pump expression in response to these ones. Together, all data suggest that the LfrA pump is tightly regulated and that the repression and induction can be switched about a critical substrate concentration which is toxic for the cell.