bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of Community-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Colonization in a Random Sample of Healthy Individuals
Authors: Rim Jean Y. , Bacon Alfred E. 
Published: August 2007

Background.Concern has recently arisen that the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization among populations at low risk for acquiring this pathogen has been increasing. Although previous studies have reported on the prevalence of MRSA colonization, most of these studies have been performed in healthcare settings, with few studies performed in the community among healthy individuals in nonhealthcare locations.Objectives.To determine the prevalence of community-acquired (CA) MRSA colonization in a random sample of healthy individuals in 4 nonhealthcare locations and to compare the genetic similarity between these CA isolates and nosocomial MRSA isolates.Design.Prospective, observational study conducted from October 2004 through February 2005.Setting.Two colleges, 1 church, and 1 restaurant in Newark and Wilmington, Delaware.Participants.A total of 295 healthy volunteers.Results.The rate of S. aureus colonization was 26.8%. Of the 79 S. aureus isolates analyzed, 3 (4%) were resistant to methicillin. Ribotyping of the 3 MRSA isolates showed that they were genetically distinct from each other. Each of the 3 CA isolates were genetically indistinguishable from 3 different nondominant clusters of MRSA isolates found in the medical and surgical intensive care units of Christiana Care Health System (Newark) and Wilmington Hospital (Wilmington).Conclusion.The overall prevalence of CA-MRSA colonization in a random sample of healthy individuals in 4 nonhealthcare locations in Newark and Wilmington was 1.0%. Despite concerns that the prevalence of MRSA colonization is increasing, it still remains relatively low in our community, perhaps because CA-MRSA colonization tends to occur in clusters.
Measurement of the Impact of Risk Adjustment for Central Line–Days on Interpretation of Central Line–Associated Bloodstream Infection Rates
Authors: Tokars Jerome I. , Klevens R. Monina , Edwards Jonathan R. , Horan Teresa C. 
Published: August 2007

Objective.To describe methods to assess the practical impact of risk adjustment for central line-days on the interpretation of central line–associated bloodstream infection (BSI) rates, because collecting these data is often burdensome.Methods.We analyzed data from 247 hospitals that reported to the adult and pediatric intensive care unit component of the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System from 1995 through 2003. For each unit each year, we calculated the percentile error as the absolute value of the difference between the percentile based on a risk-adjusted or more-sophisticated measure (eg, the central line–day rate) and the percentile based on a crude or less-sophisticated measure (eg, the patient-day rate). Using rate per central line–day as the “gold standard,” we calculated performance characteristics (eg, sensitivity and predictive values) of rate per patient-day for finding central line–associated BSI rates higher or lower than the mean. Greater impact of risk adjustment is indicated by higher values for percentile error and lower values for performance characteristics.Results.The median percentile error was ± 7 (ie, the percentile based on central line-days could be 7% higher or lower than the percentile based on patient-days). This error was less than 10 percentile points for 62% of the unit-years, was between 10 and 19 percentile points for 22% of the unit-years, and was 20 percentile points or more for 15% of the unit-years. Use of the rate based on patient-days had a sensitivity of 76% and a positive predictive value of 61% for detecting a significantly high or low central line–associated BSI rate.Conclusions.We found that risk adjustment for central line–days has an important impact on the calculated central line–associated BSI percentile for some units. Similar methods can be used to evaluate the impact of other risk adjustment methods. Our results support current recommendations to use central line–days for surveillance of central line–associated BSI when comparisons are made among facilities.
Multiple myeloma plasma cells show different chemokine receptor profiles at sites of disease activity
Authors: Trentin Livio , Miorin Marta , Facco Monica , Baesso Ilenia , Carraro Samuela , Cabrelle Anna , Maschio Nilla , Bortoli Michela , Binotto Gianni , Piazza Francesco , Adami Fausto , Zambello Renato , Agostini Carlo , Semenzato Gianpietro 
Published: August 2007

SummaryChemokines and their receptors play a pivotal role in the regulation of B‐lymphocyte trafficking. This study was aimed at investigating the pattern of chemokine receptor expression, including CCR1 to CCR3, CCR5 to CCR7, CXCR1 to CXCR5, and the migration ability of multiple myeloma (MM) plasma cells (PC). PC were recovered from the bone marrow (BM) of 29 MM patients, extramedullary sites of 10 patients and the BM of five controls. Flow cytometry analysis showed that the receptors mainly expressed on malignant BM PC were represented by CXCR4 (70% of patients), CCR1 (25%), CCR2 (25%), CCR5 (17%) and CXCR3 (20%), while other receptors were commonly lacking. The analysis performed on extramedullary (peripheral blood and pleural effusion) malignant PC demonstrated that the most represented receptors were CXCR4 (100%), CCR2 (66%) and CXCR1 (60%). The migratory capability of malignant PC at resting conditions identified three groups of patients with different migration (low, intermediate and high). As CXCR4 was the relevant chemokine receptor expressed by MM PC, its ligand CXCL12 induced their migration. These data suggest that malignant PC from MM display different chemokine receptor profiles and that CXCR4 is fully functional and might play a role in the spreading of the disease.
Preferential hypermethylation of the Dickkopf‐1 promoter in core‐binding factor leukaemia
Authors: Suzuki Rikio , Onizuka Makoto , Kojima Minoru , Shimada Masako , Fukagawa Satomi , Tsuboi Kosuke , Kobayashi Hiroyuki , Shintani Ayumi , Ogawa Yoshiaki , Kawada Hiroshi , Hotta Tomomitsu , Ando Kiyoshi 
Published: August 2007

SummaryThe Dickkopf‐1 (DKK1) gene product is an extracellular Wnt inhibitor. Hypermethylation of the DKK1 promoter results in transcriptional silencing and may play an important role in cancer development. Here, we investigated hypermethylation of the DKK1 promoter in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), especially core‐binding factor (CBF) leukaemia. The methylation status of DKK1 was analysed using methylation‐specific polymerase chain reaction in 47 patients with AML. DKK1 methylation was found in 14 (29·8%) patients, and more frequently in those with CBF leukaemia (6 of 12 patients), than in those with acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) (0 of 6 patients) (P = 0·03). In contrast, Wnt inhibitory factor‐1 methylation was found in APL (4 of 6 patients) but not in CBF leukaemia (0 of 12 patients) (P = 0·001). Multivariate analyses suggested that DKK1 methylation was a risk factor for poorer overall survival. Sequential analysis using four paired samples obtained at diagnosis and relapse suggested that DKK1 methylation was involved in the progression of leukaemia. Therefore, DKK1 methylation may be involved in leukaemogenesis, especially in CBF leukaemia, and may be a useful prognostic marker in AML.
The risk associated with indwelling catheters in children with haemophilia
Authors: Ljung Rolf 
Published: August 2007

SummaryInfections are the most frequent complications associated with the use of central venous lines (CVLs) in children with haemophilia. Several retrospective studies that include data from a substantial number of patients have reported approximately 0·2–0·3 infections per 1000 catheter‐days (mainly Port‐A‐Cath). Some studies have shown a much higher frequency of infections, 1–2/1000 catheter‐days. The most plausible explanations, for the difference seen in frequency of infections with Port‐A‐Caths, are probably related to the protocol used for the device care and the quality of education and the compliance of the users, whether these are parents or health‐care professionals. The figures are low for clinically apparent thrombosis in the larger series on record, but routine venograms were not performed in most of these series. In studies, where this has been performed, a high frequency of abnormalities (>50%) on venograms have been seen in some series but not in others. Despite obvious potential risks with CVLs, they are useful in many cases and facilitate the treatment of a serious disorder. With careful guidelines and surveillance protocols, the risk of complications should be reduced in the future.
Effect on upland beef production of incorporating winter feeding of red clover silage or summer grazing of Molinia‐dominated semi‐natural pastures
Authors: Fraser M. D. , Davies D. A. , Wright I. A. , Vale J. E. , Nute G. R. , Hallett K. G. , Richardson R. I. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractManagement systems for finishing beef cattle, designed to meet environmental goals in the Less Favoured Areas (LFAs) of the UK, often rely on the integration of grazing of semi‐natural pastures with sown permanent pasture. In this experiment, three management options were compared: (i) permanent pasture for grazing and silage production (treatment PP), (ii) permanent pasture for grazing and silage and grazing of Molinia‐dominant semi‐natural pasture in summer from June to August inclusively (treatment PP + SNP) and (iii) permanent pasture for grazing and silage and red clover (RC) silage for 0·25 of the silage requirement in winter (treatment PP + RC). The performance of spring‐born Welsh Black steers was measured from turnout in spring 2002 until finishing in summer 2003. During summer 2002, the liveweight gain of steers grazing the semi‐natural pasture was significantly lower than that of steers grazing the permanent pasture. There was a trend for the liveweight gains of the steers on the PP + SNP treatment to be higher from housing in autumn 2002, and live weights on all treatments were similar at the start of the red clover‐feeding phase. Steers offered red clover silage had a significantly higher liveweight gains than those offered grass silage, but there was only a trend for a higher live weight at the end of the winter‐feeding period. During summer 2003, liveweight gains were again higher on the permanent pasture. Finishing system significantly affected the fatty‐acid profile of the meat produced, but there was no difference in the colour of meat in relation to shelf‐life. Lipid oxidation was less for the meat from steers on the PP + SNP treatment than on the PP treatment, which, in turn, was less than for meat from the steers on the PP + RC treatment, and was in inverse proportion to the vitamin E concentration in the loin muscle. There were no significant differences in sensory panel scores for texture, juiciness or flavour of the meat.
The effects of offering a range of forage and concentrate supplements on milk production and dry matter intake of grazing dairy cows
Authors: Morrison S. J. , Patterson D. C. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractAn experiment was undertaken to examine the effect of supplement type on herbage intake, total dry matter (DM) intake, animal performance and nitrogen utilization with grazing dairy cows. Twenty‐four spring‐calving dairy cows were allocated to one of six treatments in a partially balanced changeover design with five periods of four weeks. The six treatments were no supplement (NONE), or supplementation with either grass silage (GS), whole‐crop wheat silage (WS), maize silage (MS), rapidly degradable concentrate (RC) or slowly degradable concentrate (SC). Cows were rotationally grazed with a mean herbage allowance of 20·5 kg DM per cow per day, measured above 4 cm. Forage supplements were offered for approximately 2 h immediately after each morning milking, with cows on NONE, RC and SC treatments returning to the grazing paddock immediately after milking. Cows on treatment MS had a significantly higher supplement DM intake than the other treatments but a significantly lower grass DM intake than the other treatments, resulting in no significant difference in total DM intake when compared with cows on treatments WS, RC and SC. Concentrate type had no significant effect on herbage intake, milk yield, milk composition or yield of milk components. The yield of milk fat and milk protein was significantly higher on treatments MS, RC and SC compared with treatments NONE, GS and WS. The results indicate that despite a relatively high substitution rate, maize silage can be a useful supplement for the grazing dairy cow.
Effects of ruminal fill on short‐term herbage intake rate and grazing dynamics of beef heifers
Authors: Gregorini P. , Gunter S. A. , Masino C. A. , Beck P. A. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe impact of manipulating ruminal fill (RF) on intake rate of herbage and grazing dynamics was measured with three rumen‐cannulated beef heifers grazing Bermudagrass pastures individually. The treatments compared were removal of proportions of rumen contents of 0 (treatment RF0), 0·33 (treatment RF33), 0·66 (treatment RF66) and 1·00 (treatment RF100). Treatments were randomly applied in a 3 × 4 Youden‐square design. The rumens were emptied before and after planned grazing sessions (30 min) to set up the treatments, and to estimate intake rate and bite mass, respectively. Measurements were made of bite rate, bites per feeding station, feeding stations per minute, intake per feeding station, time per feeding station, eating and searching step rates and times. Apparent bite area and area grazed per feeding station were calculated. Ruminal fill affected short‐term intake rate and changed grazing dynamics. As RF increased, step rates, searching times, bite mass, apparent bite area, bites per feeding station, area grazed per feeding station, time per feeding station and intake per feeding station decreased (P < 0·01) while step times, eating step rates and bite depth increased (P < 0·01). The results of the present study indicate that RF is an important factor governing the intake characteristics and behaviour of grazing beef heifers.
Fungal alkaloids in populations of endophyte‐infected Festuca rubra subsp. pruinosa
Authors: Vázquez‐de‐Aldana B. R. , Zabalgogeazcoa I. , García‐Ciudad A. , García‐Criado B. 
Published: August 2007

Abstract Festuca rubra subsp. pruinosa is a grass that grows on coastal cliffs along the Atlantic coast of Europe. Asymptomatic plants of this species are systemically infected by the fungal endophyte Epichloë festucae. It is not known whether the alkaloids, ergovaline and peramine, are produced by the endophyte in F. rubra subsp. pruinosa. Plants from four populations were collected from the northern coast of Galicia (Spain) and examined for the presence of fungal endophytes. Ergovaline and peramine concentrations were analysed over two consecutive years, at two plant growth stages, and in different types of plant tissues. Infected plants of F. rubra subsp. pruinosa contained ergovaline but not peramine. Ergovaline was detected in 0·80 of the plants, with concentrations ranging from 0·05 to 1·9 μg g−1 dry matter. The differences in ergovaline concentration between different types of plant tissues (vegetative and reproductive), plant populations and sampling dates were not statistically significant.
Effects of two mixtures of perennial ryegrass cultivars with contrasting heading dates, and differing in spring‐grazing frequency and silage harvest date, on characteristics of silage from first‐cut swards
Authors: Humphreys J. , O’Kiely P. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThis experiment quantified the effects of: (i) heading date of perennial ryegrass, (ii) grazing frequency in spring and (iii) date of silage harvest, on the ensilability of herbages harvested for silage, and on the conservation and estimated nutritive value of the resultant silages. Replicated field plots with two perennial ryegrass mixtures (intermediate‐ and late‐heading cultivars) were subjected to three spring‐grazing regimes (no grazing, grazing in late March and grazing in both late March and late April) and were harvested on four first‐cut harvest dates between 20 May and 21 June. Herbage from each of the four replicates of these 24 treatments was precision‐chopped and ensiled unwilted and with no additive in laboratory silos. Herbage from the sward with the intermediate‐heading cultivar had a higher (P < 0·001) dry‐matter (DM) content and buffering capacity than that from the late‐heading cultivar, whereas water‐soluble carbohydrate concentrations increased (P < 0·001) with more frequent grazing in spring. Later harvesting enhanced herbage ensilability through an increased (P < 0·001) DM content and reduced (P < 0·001) buffering capacity and pH. Fermentation profiles of the silage were not markedly influenced by the cultivar mixture used but grazing in both late March and late April resulted in a more extensive fermentation with the acids produced increasingly dominated by lactic acid. The concentrations of acetic acid, and to a lesser extent, ethanol declined as silage harvest date was delayed. Overall, the relative effects of grass cultivar mixture were smaller than those of spring‐grazing treatment or silage‐harvesting date although on any given harvest date the herbage from the intermediate‐heading cultivar mixture was easier to preserve as silage than herbage from the late‐heading cultivar mixture. Delaying the harvesting of the late‐heading swards by 8 d removed the differences related to growth stage in buffering capacity, pH and DM content.
Evaluation of a new pressure ulcer preventive dressing containing ceramide 2 with low frictional outer layer
Authors: Nakagami Gojiro , Sanada Hiromi , Konya Chizuko , Kitagawa Atsuko , Tadaka Etsuko , Matsuyama Yutaka 
Published: August 2007

AbstractTitle.  Evaluation of a new pressure ulcer preventive dressing containing ceramide 2 with low frictional outer layer Aim.  This paper is a report of an evaluation of the effectiveness of a newly developed dressing for preventing persistent erythema and pressure ulcer development and improving the water‐holding capacity without increasing the skin pH in bedridden older patients.Background.  Shear forces and skin dryness play important roles in persistent erythema and pressure ulcer development. To eliminate these risks, we developed a dressing to reduce shear forces and improve the water‐holding capacity. However, the effects of this dressing in clinical settings remain unknown.Method.  An experimental bilateral comparison study was conducted at a hospital in Japan in 2004 with 37 bedridden older patients at risk of pressure ulcer development. The dressing was randomly applied to the right or left greater trochanter for 3 weeks. No dressing was applied to the opposite side as a control. The skin was monitored weekly during the 3‐week application for persistent erythema and pressure ulcer development. Skin hydration and pH were also assessed during the intervention and for 1 week after dressing removal.Findings.  The incidence of persistent erythema was significantly lower in the intervention area than the control area [P = 0·007, RR 0·18 (95% CI: 0·05–0·73) and NNT 4·11 (2·50–11·63) ]. No pressure ulcers occurred in either the intervention or control area. Skin hydration increased significantly during dressing application and remained high after removal (P < 0·001) relative to the control area. Skin pH decreased significantly during the application (P < 0·001) but returned to control levels after removal (P = 0·38).Conclusion.  This safe and effective dressing can be used for patients with highly prominent bones and dry skin to prevent pressure ulcers.
Evolutionary trend of phylogenetic diversity of nitrogen fixation genes in the gut community of wood‐feeding termites
Authors: YAMADA A. , INOUE T. , NODA S. , HONGOH Y. , OHKUMA M. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractNitrogen fixation by gut microorganisms is one of the crucial aspects of symbiosis in wood‐feeding termites since these termites thrive on a nitrogen‐poor diet. In order to understand the evolution of this symbiosis, we analysed the nitrogenase structural gene nifH in the gut microbial communities. In conjunction with the published sequences, we compared approximately 320 putatively functional NifH protein sequences obtained from a total of 19 termite samples that represent all the major branches of their currently proposed phylogeny, and from one species of the cockroach Cryptocercus that shares a common ancestor with termites. Using multivariate techniques for clustering and ordination, a phylogeny of NifH protein sequences was created and plotted variously with host termite families, genera, and species. Close concordance was observed between NifH communities and the host termites at genus level, but family level relationships were not always congruent with accepted termite clade structure. Host groups examined included basal families (Mastotermitidae, Termopsidae, Kalotermitidae, as well as Cryptocercus), the most derived lower termite family Rhinotermitidae, and subfamilies representing the advanced and highly diverse apical family Termitidae (Macrotermitinae, Termitinae, and Nasutitermitinae). This selection encompassed the major nesting and feeding styles recognized in termites, and it was evident that NifH phylogenetic divergence, as well as the occurrence of alternative nitrogenase‐type NifH, was to some extent dependent on host lifestyle as well as phylogenetic position.
A spatial analysis method (SAM) to detect candidate loci for selection: towards a landscape genomics approach to adaptation
Authors: JOOST S. , BONIN A. , BRUFORD M. W. , DESPRÉS L. , CONORD C. , ERHARDT G. , TABERLET P. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe detection of adaptive loci in the genome is essential as it gives the possibility of understanding what proportion of a genome or which genes are being shaped by natural selection. Several statistical methods have been developed which make use of molecular data to reveal genomic regions under selection. In this paper, we propose an approach to address this issue from the environmental angle, in order to complement results obtained by population genetics. We introduce a new method to detect signatures of natural selection based on the application of spatial analysis, with the contribution of geographical information systems (GIS), environmental variables and molecular data. Multiple univariate logistic regressions were carried out to test for association between allelic frequencies at marker loci and environmental variables. This spatial analysis method (SAM) is similar to current population genomics approaches since it is designed to scan hundreds of markers to assess a putative association with hundreds of environmental variables. Here, by application to studies of pine weevils and breeds of sheep we demonstrate a strong correspondence between SAM results and those obtained using population genetics approaches. Statistical signals were found that associate loci with environmental parameters, and these loci behave atypically in comparison with the theoretical distribution for neutral loci. The contribution of this new tool is not only to permit the identification of loci under selection but also to establish hypotheses about ecological factors that could exert the selection pressure responsible. In the future, such an approach may accelerate the process of hunting for functional genes at the population level.