bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long‐term disability in the local population 2 years after mild head injury: Prospective cohort study
Authors: Chan Ho‐Fung , Chor Chung‐Ming , Ling Wai‐Yip , Wong George Kwok‐Chu , Ng Stephanie Chi‐Ping , Poon Wai‐Sang 
Published: February 2005

Introduction:  More than 4000 patients with mild head injury are managed in public hospitals in Hong Kong every year. It is a common belief that mild head injuries do not result in long‐term disabilities. We aim to: (i) investigate the disability after mild head injury using objective assessment tools; and (ii) analyse risk factors that contribute to these disability.Methods:  Patients with a Glasgow Coma Score of 13–15 admitted between January and March 2002 were recruited for study. Their long‐term clinical outcome (2 years after initial injury) was prospectively documented with the Glasgow outcome scale – extended (GOSE). Glasgow outcome scale – extended is the primary outcome measure. A GOSE score less than 7 was considered failure to restore to previous working capacity.Results:  One hundred and sixty‐two patients were recruited, of which 101 were successfully contacted. Two years after injury, 28.7% of the patients scored less than 7 (failure to restore working capacity). Injury on duty was shown to be a significant risk factor for predicting long‐term disability (P = 0.03). Radiological abnormality was not a significant predictor in long‐term disabilities.Conclusion:  Incidence of long‐term disability after mild head injury is common among the local working population in Hong Kong and should not be overlooked. Further research is needed to quantify the disability and to identify possible risk factors.
The density of very massive evolved galaxies to z ≃ 1.7
Authors: Saracco P. , Longhetti M. , Severgnini P. , Della Ceca R. , Braito V. , Mannucci F. , Bender R. , Drory N. , Feulner G. , Hopp U. , Maraston C. 
Published: February 2005

Abstract
We spectroscopically identified seven massive, evolved galaxies with magnitudes 17.8 &lt; K &lt; 18.4 at 1.3 &lt; z &lt; 1.7 over an area of ∼160 arcmin2 of the MUNICS survey. Their rest-frame K-band absolute magnitudes are −26.8 &lt; MK &lt; −26.1 (5L* &lt; LK &lt; 10L*) and the resulting stellar masses are in the range 3–6.5 × 1011 M⊙. The analysis we performed unambiguously shows the early-type nature of their spectra. The seven massive, evolved galaxies account for a comoving density of (5.5 ± 2) × 10−5 Mpc−3 at 〈z〉≃ 1.5, a factor 1.5 lower than the density [(8.4 ± 1) × 10−5 Mpc−3] of early types with comparable masses at z= 0. The incompleteness (∼30 per cent) of our spectroscopic observations accounts for this discrepancy. Thus, our data do not support a decrease of the comoving density of early-type galaxies with masses comparable to the most massive ones in the local Universe up to z≃ 1.7. This suggests that massive evolved galaxies do not play an important role in the evolution of the mass density outlined by recent surveys in this redshift range, evolution which instead has to be ascribed to the accretion of the stellar mass in late-type galaxies. Finally, the presence of such massive evolved galaxies at these redshifts suggests that the assembly of massive spheroids has taken place at z &gt; 2 supporting a high efficiency in the accretion of the stellar mass in massive haloes in the early Universe.
Discovery of a large-scale wall in the direction of Abell 22
Authors: Pimbblet Kevin A. , Edge Alastair C. , Couch Warrick J. 
Published: February 2005

Abstract
We report on the discovery of a large-scale wall in the direction of Abell 22. Using photometric and spectroscopic data from the Las Campanas Observatory and Anglo-Australian Telescope Rich Cluster Survey, Abell 22 is found to exhibit a highly unusual and striking redshift distribution. We show, by examining the galaxy distributions both in redshift space and on the colour—magnitude plane, that Abell 22 exhibits a foreground wall-like structure. A search for other galaxies and clusters in the nearby region using the 2dF Galaxy Redshift Survey data base suggests that the wall-like structure is a significant large-scale, non-virialized filament which runs between two other Abell clusters either side of Abell 22. The filament stretches over at least &gt; 40 h−1 Mpc in length and 10 h−1 Mpc in width at the redshift of Abell 22.
The dependence of differential rotation on temperature and rotation
Authors: Barnes J. R. , Cameron A. Collier , Donati J.-F. , James D. J. , Marsden S. C. , Petit P. 
Published: February 2005

AbstractWe use Doppler imaging techniques to determine the dependence of starspot rotation rates on latitude in an homogeneous sample of young, rapidly rotating solar analogues. A solar-like differential rotation law is used, where the rotation depends on sin2θ, where θ is the stellar latitude. By including this term in the image reconstruction process, using starspots as tracers, we are able to determine the magnitude of the shear over more than one rotation cycle. We also consider results from matched filter starspot tracking techniques, where individual starspot rotation rates are determined. In addition we have re-analysed published results and present a new measurement for the K3 dwarf Speedy Mic.A total of 10 stars of spectral type G2—M2 are considered. We find a trend towards decreasing surface differential rotation with decreasing effective temperature. The implied approach to solid body rotation with increasing relative convection zone depth implies that the dynamo mechanism operating in low-mass stars may be substantially different from that in the Sun.
Discovery of hard X-ray features around the hotspots of Cygnus A
Authors: Bałucińska-Church M. , Ostrowski M. , Stawarz Ł. , Church M. J. 
Published: February 2005

Abstract
We present results of analysis of a Chandra observation of Cygnus A in which the X-ray hotspots at the ends of the jets are mapped in detail. A hardness map reveals previously unknown structure in the form of outer and inner hard arcs around the hotspots, with hardness significantly enhanced compared with the hotspot central regions. The outer hard arcs may constitute the first detection of the bow shock; the inner hard arcs may reveal where the jets impact on the hotspots. We argue that these features cannot result from electrons radiating by the synchrotron self-Compton process. Instead we consider two possible sources of the hard emission: the outer arcs may be due to thermal radiation of hot intracluster gas compressed at the bow shock. Alternatively, both outer and inner arcs may be due to synchrotron radiation of electrons accelerated in turbulent regions highly perturbed by shocks and shear flows. Comparison of measured hardness ratios with simulations of the hardness ratios resulting from these processes show that it is more difficult to explain the observations with a thermal model. Although we cannot rule out a thermal model, we argue in favour of the non-thermal explanation. The hard regions in the secondary hotspots suggest that jet activity is still powering these hotspots.
Massive H i clouds with no optical counterparts as high-density regions of intragroup H i rings and arcs
Authors: Bekki K. , Koribalski B. S. , Ryder S. D. , Couch W. J. 
Published: February 2005

Abstract
We present a new scenario in which massive intragroup H i clouds are the high-density parts of large H i rings/arcs formed by dynamical interaction between galaxy groups and gas-rich, low surface brightness (LSB) galaxies with extended gas discs. Our hydrodynamical simulations demonstrate that the group tidal field is very efficient at stripping the outer H i gas of the disc if the gaseous disc of the LSB galaxy extends 2–5 times further than the stellar disc. We find that a massive, extended ‘leading stream’ orbiting the centre of the group can form out of the stripped outer H i envelope, while the severely shrunken LSB galaxy, whose stellar disc remains unaffected, continues on its path. The result is a relatively isolated, massive H i cloud with a ring- or arc-like shape, a very inhomogeneous density distribution (NH i∼ 1.0 × 1017–1.1 × 1020 atom cm−2), and, initially, no stellar content. Only the high-density peaks of the simulated intragroup H i ring/arc can be detected in many current H i observations. These will appear as relatively isolated ‘H i islands’ near the group centre. We also find that star formation can occur within the ring/arc, if the total gas mass within the intragroup ring/arc is very large (∼4 × 109 M⊙). We discuss these results in terms of existing observations of intragroup gas (e.g. the Leo Ring and HIPASS J0731–69) and intergalactic H ii regions.
Adaptive optics for high-contrast imaging: pyramid sensor versus spatially filtered Shack—Hartmann sensor
Authors: Vérinaud C. , Le Louarn M. , Korkiakoski V. , Carbillet M. 
Published: February 2005

Abstract
A comparison between pyramid-based and spatially filtered Shack—Hartmann-based high-order adaptive optics (AO) is presented in the framework of 8-m-class and extremely large telescopes (ELTs). We first show, with end-to-end simulations of an 8-m AO assisted telescope, how each sensor deals with the aliasing error, which may be the dominant error source at high flux. Then, focusing on photon noise error propagation, we study the field dependence of the sensitivity gain provided by the pyramid sensor with respect to the Shack—Hartmann sensor. From this analysis, we investigate, with an analytical model, visible correction on ELTs for detection of Earth-like exoplanets.
INHIBITION OF SOME FOODBORNE BACTERIA BY ALCOHOL EXTRACT OF SUMAC (RHUS CORIARIA L.)
Authors: NASAR‐ABBAS S.M. , HALKMAN A. KADIR , Al‐HAQ M.I. 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACT The inhibitory effect of alcohol extract of sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) was investigated at concentrations of 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5 and 5.0% (w/v) on the growth of 12 bacterial strains (6 Gram positives and 6 Gram negatives), mostly foodborne including pathogens. Minimal inhibitory concentration of the spice for each test organism was also studied by observing their growth on Nutrient Agar containing the spice extract at various incremental levels equivalent to 100–5000 mg/L of spice. Alcohol extract of sumac was found to be effective against all the test organisms, Gram positives being more sensitive than Gram negatives. Among the Gram positives, Bacillus species (B. cereus, B. megaterium, B. subtilis and B. thuringiensis) were found to be the most sensitive, surviving up to only 500 mg/L of the spice, followed by Staphylococcus aureus (1000 mg/L), whereas Listeria monocytogenes was found to be the most resistant, surviving up to 1500 mg/L. Of the Gram negative bacteria, Salmonella enteritidis and Escherichia coli type I were found to be more resistant, surviving up to 3000 mg/L of the spice, followed by E. coli O157:H7 (2500 mg/L), Hafnia alvei (2000 mg/L), Proteus vulgaris (1500 mg/L) and Citrobacter freundii (1000 mg/L). Significant differences (P < 0.01) were found among bacterial strains and between the extracts of unripened and ripened sumac samples, with ripened being more effective against all of the bacteria tested.
GROWTH OF ESCHERICHIA COLI O157:H7 AND SALMONELLA SEROVARS ON RAW BEEF, PORK, CHICKEN, BRATWURST AND CURED CORNED BEEF: IMPLICATIONS FOR HACCP PLAN CRITICAL LIMITS
Authors: INGHAM STEVEN C. , LOSINSKI JILL A. , BECKER KATIE L. , BUEGE DENNIS R. 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACT Small amounts (10–25 g; 6.3–20.8 cm2 inoculated area) of raw ground beef, intact beef, pork and chicken (dark and white meat),and bratwurst and cured corned beef were inoculated with Salmonella serovars and Escherichia coli O157:H7, refrigerated 24 h at 5C, and then held either at 10C (± 1C) for up to 8 h or at room temperature (22C ± 2C) for up to 2 h. Except for a 0.2 log CFU increase in Salmonella serovars in ground beef during 2 h at room temperature, pathogens did not grow. Results of trials with commercial amounts of beef, pork, chicken, ground beef and bratwurst exposed to 10C for 8 h or 22C for 2 h also showed no pathogen growth. Potential critical limits for processing of previously refrigerated raw meat products are exposure temperatures between 5 and 10C for not more than 8 h or between 5 and 22C for not more than 2 h.
ANTIMICROBIAL SCREENING OF DECALEPIS HAMILTONII WIGHT AND ARN. (ASCLEPIADACEAE) ROOT EXTRACTS AGAINST FOOD‐RELATED MICROORGANISMS
Authors: THANGADURAI D. , MURTHY K.S.R. , PRASAD P.J.N. , PULLAIAH T. 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACT The antimicrobial activity of petroleum ether, benzene, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of Decalepis hamiltonii Wight and Arn. (Asclepiadaceae) against 15 different food‐related microorganisms was evaluated. Among the solvent extracts, methanolic and petroleum ether extracts are the most active exhibiting growth inhibition of 11 and nine of the 15 organisms, respectively. The inhibitory activity was comparable with the respective standards. The results suggest that methanolic and petroleum ether extracts can be used for the bioactivity‐guided isolation of novel antimicrobials which prevents food spoilage.
Insertion- and Deletion-Associated Genetic Diversity of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Phospholipase C-Encoding Genes among 106 Clinical Isolates from Turkey
Authors: Talarico Sarah , Durmaz Riza , Yang Zhenhua 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACT

Bacterial phospholipase C has been reported to play a role in the pathogenesis of many bacteria. In order to gain a better understanding of the potential role of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
phospholipase C in the pathogenesis of human tuberculosis, we investigated the genetic diversity of the four
M. tuberculosis
phospholipase C-encoding genes (
plcA
,
plcB
,
plcC
, and
plcD
) resulting from the IS
6110
insertion and associated deletion, among 106 clinical isolates obtained from Turkey, by using PCR, Southern hybridization, and DNA sequencing. Two sequenced
M. tuberculosis
strains, H37Rv and CDC1551, were used as the references in the comparison. Sixty-six (62.3%) of the 106 isolates had an intact
plcD
gene, and 40 (37.7%) showed an interruption of the gene. Of the latter 40 isolates, 19 (47.5%) had an IS
6110
insertion with no associated deletion in the
plcD
gene, 2 (5%) had an IS
6110
insertion and an associated deletion within the
plcD
gene, 15 (37.5%) had an IS
6110
insertion in the
plcD
gene that was associated with a partial deletion of the
plcD
gene and its right forward adjacent region, and 4 (10%) had a complete deletion of the
plcD
gene. The proportions of the isolates with an interrupted
plcA
,
plcB
, or
plcC
gene were 3.8, 1.9, and 3.8%, respectively. The data indicate that there is a much higher frequency of IS
6110
insertion and deletion in the
plcD
gene than in the
plcA
,
plcB
, and
plcC
genes of
M. tuberculosis
.
Identification of Variable-Number Tandem-Repeat Loci in
Leptospira interrogans
Sensu Stricto
Authors: Majed Z. , Bellenger E. , Postic D. , Pourcel C. , Baranton G. , Picardeau M. 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACT

Leptospira interrogans
sensu stricto is responsible for the most frequent and severe cases of human leptospirosis. The epidemiology and clinical features of leptospirosis are usually associated with the serovars and serogroups of
Leptospira
. Because of the difficulties associated with serological identification of
Leptospira
strains, we evaluated a novel PCR-based method for typing
L. interrogans
serovars. Based upon the genome sequence of
L. interrogans
serovar Lai type strain 5660, 44 loci were analyzed by PCR for their variability in size due to the presence of variable-number tandem repeats (VNTR). Seven VNTR loci were found to be powerful markers for serovar identification, epidemiology, and phylogenetic studies of
L. interrogans
. This rapid and easy method should greatly contribute to a better knowledge of the epidemiology of
Leptospira
.
Distribution of the Urease Gene Cluster among and Urease Activities of Enterohemorrhagic
Escherichia coli
O157 Isolates from Humans
Authors: Friedrich Alexander W. , Köck Robin , Bielaszewska Martina , Zhang Wenlan , Karch Helge , Mathys Werner 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACT

Enterohemorrhagic
Escherichia coli
(EHEC) O157 strains belong to two closely related major groups, which are differentiated by their sorbitol fermentation phenotypes. Here we studied the conservation of urease genes and their expression in sorbitol-fermenting (SF) and non-SF EHEC O157 isolates. PCR targeting
ure
genes (
ureA
, -
B
, -
C
, -
D
, -
E
, -
F
, and -
G
) demonstrated that each of these genes was present in 58 of 59 EHEC O157:H7 isolates. In contrast, none of 82 SF EHEC O157:NM (nonmotile) isolates contained any of the
ure
genes. Hence, the absence of the urease genes distinguishes SF EHEC O157:NM strains from EHEC O157:H7, but this absence demonstrates that the urease genes are not useful genetic targets for the detection of EHEC strains, because SF EHEC O157:NM strains are missed by such a strategy. When examined for urease activity on Christensen agar and in the API 20E system, only one O157:H7 strain displayed urease activity and produced elevated levels of ammonia, which was subsequently confirmed by ammonia electrode measurement. Because the
ure
genes were absent from each of nine strains of
E. coli
O55:H7, the proposed progenitor of EHEC O157, we hypothesize that EHEC O157:H7 diverged from the evolutionary pathway at an early stage and then acquired the O islands carrying the
ure
gene cluster.
Comparative Analysis of Environmental and Clinical Populations ofCryptococcus neoformans
Authors: Litvintseva Anastasia P. , Kestenbaum Lori , Vilgalys Rytas , Mitchell Thomas G. 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACTCryptococcus neoformansis a major, global cause of meningoencephalitis in immunocompromised patients. Despite advances in the molecular epidemiology ofC. neoformans, its population structure and mode of reproduction are not well understood. In the environment, it is associated with avian guano or vegetation. We collected nearly 800 environmental isolates from three locations in the United States (viz., North Carolina, California, and Texas) and compared them with one another and with clinical isolates from North Carolina. As expected, they consisted of the most prevalent serotypes, serotypes A and D, as well as serotype AD hybrids. The majority of environmental isolates were obtained from pigeon excreta. All environmental and clinical isolates of serotype A or D had theMATα mating-type allele. However, the AD hybrids includedMATaalleles typical of serotypes A and D. Using an amplified fragment length polymorphism fingerprinting technique with two primer pairs, we identified 12 genotypes among the isolates of serotype A. Six of these genotypes were present in both the clinical and the environmental populations. However, one of the most prevalent environmental genotypes was absent from the clinical samples, and two other genotypes were isolated only from patients. The combined molecular data suggest that this environmental population ofC. neoformansis predominantly clonal, although there was evidence for recent or past recombination.
DNA Macrorestriction Analysis of Nontypeable Group B Streptococcal Isolates: Clonal Evolution of Nontypeable and Type V Isolates
Authors: Amundson Nicole R. , Flores Aurea E. , Hillier Sharon L. , Baker Carol J. , Ferrieri Patricia 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACT
Group B streptococci (GBS) are serotyped according to capsular polysaccharide (CPS) type (Ia to VIII); an isolate is classified as nontypeable (NT) if no detectable CPS is found. Surface-localized protein antigens (α, β, R1, and R4) serve as additional markers to classify GBS isolates, which is particularly useful since NT isolates often express one or more of these proteins. To compare genetic resemblance among isolates with similar protein profiles, we studied 58 NT isolates digested with the SmaI macrorestriction enzyme prior to pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Of these 58, 15.5% expressed α only, 20.7% expressed α+β, 15.5% expressed R4, and 25.8% expressed R1,R4, while 22.4% of the isolates expressed no detectable proteins. The largest PFGE profile group, with 48% of the isolates, was group 4, composed primarily of isolates that expressed R1,R4 or no proteins. The second most common profiles were 3 and 32, each with 13.8% of the isolates. Since NT isolates in profile group 4 were highly related to type V isolates, as demonstrated by PFGE profiles, we investigated 45 type V isolates. Two-thirds of the type V isolates within profile group 4 were classified into subgroup 4a, compared to 28.2% of 39 NT isolates. Only 11% of the V/R1,R4 isolates were identical to the prototype group 4 profile, in contrast to 75% of the NT/R1,R4 isolates. A shift of type V isolates into profile 4 subgroups may be indicative of a genetic change over time. PFGE is a valuable approach for comparison of GBS isolate relatedness and for monitoring of NT and typeable GBS isolates for potential clonal divergence.
Evaluation of a Multiplex Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase PCR Assay for Detection and Differentiation of Influenza Viruses A and B during the 2001-2002 Influenza Season in Israel
Authors: Hindiyeh Musa , Levy Virginia , Azar Roberto , Varsano Noemi , Regev Liora , Shalev Yael , Grossman Zehava , Mendelson Ella 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACT
The ability to rapidly diagnose influenza virus infections is of the utmost importance in the evaluation of patients with upper respiratory tract infections. It is also important for the influenza surveillance activities performed by national influenza centers. In the present study we modified a multiplex real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) assay (which uses TaqMan chemistry) and evaluated it for its ability to detect and concomitantly differentiate influenza viruses A and B in 370 patient samples collected during the 2001-2002 influenza season in Israel. The performance of the TaqMan assay was compared to those of a multiplex one-step RT-PCR with gel detection, a shell vial immunofluorescence assay, and virus isolation in tissue culture. The TaqMan assay had an excellent sensitivity for the detection of influenza viruses compared to that of tissue culture. The overall sensitivity and specificity of the TaqMan assay compared to the results of culture were 98.4 and 85.5%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the TaqMan assay for the detection of influenza virus A alone were 100 and 91.1%, respectively. On the other hand, the sensitivity and specificity for the detection of influenza virus B alone were 95.7 and 98.7%, respectively. The rapid turnaround time for the performance of the TaqMan assay (4.5 h) and the relatively low direct cost encourage the routine use of this assay in place of tissue culture. We conclude that the multiplex TaqMan assay is highly suitable for the rapid diagnosis of influenza virus infections both in well-established molecular biology laboratories and in reference clinical laboratories.