Data management for JGOFS: Theory and design

The Joint Global Ocean Flux Study (JGOFS), currently being organized under the auspices of the Scientific Committee for Ocean Research (SCOR), is intended to be a decade long internationally coordinated program. The main goal of JGOFS is to determine and understand on a global scale the processes controlling the time-varying fluxes of carbon and associated biogenic elements in the ocean and to evaluate the related exchanges with the atmosphere, sea floor and continental boundaries. 'A long-term goal of JGOFS will be to establish strategies for observing, on long time scales, changes in ocean biogeochemical cycles in relation to climate change'. Participation from a large number of U.S. and foreign institutions is expected. JGOFS investigators have begun a set of time-series measurements and global surveys of a wide variety of biological, chemical and physical quantities, detailed process-oriented studies, satellite observations of ocean color and wind stress and modeling of the bio-geochemical processes. These experiments will generate data in amounts unprecedented in the biological and chemical communities; rapid and effortless exchange of these data will be important to the success of JGOFS

Mechanistic insights into the recognition of 5-methylcytosine oxidation derivatives by the SUVH5 SRA domain

5-Methylcytosine (5 mC) is associated with epigenetic gene silencing in mammals and plants. 5 mC is consecutively oxidized to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5 hmC), 5-formylcytosine (5fC) and 5-carboxylcytosine (5caC) by ten-eleven translocation enzymes. We performed binding and structural studies to investigate the molecular basis of the recognition of the 5 mC oxidation derivatives in the context of a CG sequence by the SET- and RING-associated domain (SRA) of the SUVH5 protein (SUVH5 SRA). Using calorimetric measurements, we demonstrate that the SRA domain binds to the hydroxymethylated CG (5hmCG) DNA duplex in a similar manner to methylated CG (5mCG). Interestingly, the SUVH5 SRA domain exhibits weaker affinity towards carboxylated CG (5caCG) and formylated CG (5fCG). We report the 2.6 Å resolution crystal structure of the SUVH5 SRA domain in a complex with fully hydroxymethyl-CG and demonstrate a dual flip-out mechanism, whereby the symmetrical 5hmCs are simultaneously extruded from the partner strands of the DNA duplex and are positioned within the binding pockets of individual SRA domains. The hydroxyl group of 5hmC establishes both intra- and intermolecular interactions in the binding pocket. Collectively, we show that SUVH5 SRA recognizes 5hmC in a similar manner to 5 mC, but exhibits weaker affinity towards 5 hmC oxidation derivatives

Comparative study between dynamic hip screw and plate with proximal femoral nailing in trochanteric fractures of femur

Background: Incidence of intertrochanteric fractures has increased significantly during recent years and it will probably continue to rise in near future due to increased longevity of life. Closed methods of treatment for intertrochanteric fractures have increased mortality rates & have largely been abandoned. Rigid internal fixation and early mobilization has been the standard protocol of treatment nowadays. This study was intended to compare the results of Intertrochanteric fractures treated by dynamic hip screw (DHS) over proximal femoral nailing (PFN).Methods: This is a randomized prospective study of 102 cases of intertrochanteric fractures, admitted to Mysore Medical College & Hospital, Mysore and ESIC medical college and hospital Kalaburagi and Kamareddy Ortho & Trauma care Hospital Kalaburagi; treated with proximal femoral nailing and DHS. The patients were divided randomly into two groups, each of 51 patients, 51 were treated by Dynamic Hip Screw & 51 were treated with proximal femoral nail (PFN).All patients were followed up for one year.Results: In our series of 102 patients of Intertrochanteric fractures, 51 were treated with sliding hip screw with plate and 51 were treated by an intra-medullary hip screw. Most of the patients were between 51 to 80 years. Slip and trivial fall accounted for 70% cases. Right side was more common accounted for 58.34% of cases. Conclusions: From our study, we consider PFN as better alternative to DHS in more unstable fractures with technically difficulty and require more experience. Sliding hip screw remains the implant of choice for stable type fractures. We noticed less operative time, less blood loss, fewer intra-op complications in PFN group. The quality of the reduction achieved & proper positioning of the implant are important to achieve the best post-operative outcome

Inpatient urine cultures are frequently performed without urinalysis or microscopy: Findings from a large academic medical center

OBJECTIVETo describe the frequency of urine cultures performed in inpatients without additional testing for pyuriaDESIGNRetrospective cohort studySETTINGA 1,250-bed academic tertiary referral centerPATIENTSHospitalized adultsMETHODSThis study included urine cultures drawn on 4 medical and 2 surgical wards from 2009 to 2013 and in the medical and surgical intensive care units (ICUs) from 2012 to 2013. Patient and laboratory data were abstracted from the hospital’s medical informatics database. We identified catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) in the ICUs by routine infection prevention surveillance. Cultures without urinalysis or urine microscopy were defined as “isolated.” The primary outcome was the proportion of isolated urine cultures obtained. We used multivariable logistic regression to assess predictors of isolated cultures.RESULTSDuring the study period, 14,743 urine cultures were obtained (63.5 cultures per 1,000 patient days) during 11,820 patient admissions. Of these, 2,973 cultures (20.2%) were isolated cultures. Of the 61 CAUTIs identified, 31 (50.8%) were identified by an isolated culture. Predictors for having an isolated culture included male gender (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.22; 95%; confidence interval [CI], 1.11–1.35], urinary catheterization (aOR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.89–2.46), ICU admission (medical ICU aOR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.47–2.00; surgical ICU aOR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.51–2.19), and obtaining the urine culture ≥1 calendar day after admission (1–7 days aOR, 1.91; 95% CI. 1.71–2.12; &gt;7 days after admission aOR, 2.81; 95% CI, 2.37–3.34).CONCLUSIONSIsolated urine cultures are common in hospitalized patients, particularly in patients with urinary catheters and those in ICUs. Interventions targeting inpatient culturing practices may improve the diagnosis of urinary tract infections.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol2017;38:455–460</jats:sec

Zircons in metacarbonate rocks from Sør Rondane Mountains, East Antarctica

第6回極域科学シンポジウム[OG] 地圏11月16日（月）　国立極地研究所３階セミナー

Comparing external ventricular drains-related ventriculitis surveillance definitions

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the agreement between the current National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) definition for ventriculitis and others found in the literature among patients with an external ventricular drain (EVD)DESIGNRetrospective cohort study from January 2009 to December 2014SETTINGNeurology and neurosurgery intensive care unit of a large tertiary-care centerPATIENTSPatients with an EVD were included. Patients with an infection prior to EVD placement or a permanent ventricular shunt were excluded.METHODSWe reviewed the charts of patients with positive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cultures and/or abnormal CSF results while they had an EVD in place and applied various ventriculitis definitions.RESULTSWe identified 48 patients with a total of 52 cases of ventriculitis (41 CSF culture-positive cases and 11 cases based on abnormal CSF test results) using the NHSN definition. The most common organisms causing ventriculitis were gram-positive commensals (79.2%); however, 45% showed growth of only 1 colony on 1 piece of media. Approximately 60% of the ventriculitis cases by the NHSN definition met the Honda criteria, approximately 56% met the Gozal criteria, and 23% met Citerio’s definition. Cases defined using Honda versus Gozal definitions had a moderate agreement (κ=0.528; P&lt;.05) whereas comparisons of Honda versus Citerio definitions (κ=0.338; P&lt;.05) and Citerio versus Gozal definitions (κ=0.384; P&lt;.05) had only fair agreements.CONCLUSIONSThe agreement between published ventriculostomy-associated infection (VAI) definitions in this cohort was moderate to fair. A VAI surveillance definition that better defines contaminants is needed for more homogenous application of surveillance definitions between institutions and better comparison of rates.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:574–579</jats:sec

Anxious medico with nicotine patch: a case report

We often suffer more in our imaginations than in reality. Anxiety is a terrible experience, you could even have an attack and no one would even know most of the times because it is an inward thing. People do get anxious and experience this feeling most of the times in life. Up to an extent its normal as much as it can be controlled if not this unpleasant feeling overrules. We learn to combat this feeling as the age passes but it also depends on different environmental, social occupational factors and the level of stress to overcome can be difficult. Many non-pharmacological and pharmacological methods are available to combat anxiety disorder. Self-medications can be occupational hazard and is strongly entrenched within the culture of both physicians and medical students as an accepted way to buffer their work performance. We are reporting a case of an anxious medico self-medicated to combat anxiety.

Effect of tanning agents in the grafting of vinyl polymers in collagen

The influencc of tanning agents on the grafting of methyl methacrylate onto collngen has been investigated. The results obtained indicated that zirconium and aluminium tanning lead to increased degree of grafting; where as chromium, syntan and vegetable tannages lead to a decrease in percentage grafting. Although Ce (IV) has been shown to oxidise the Cr (III) complexes that are involved in talnning, percentage grafting is not rcduced very much. More than the competition of tanning agents for grafting sites, the initiator tanning agent reactions govern mainly the grafting efficiency