bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adnexal torsion: Magnetic resonance findings in the viable adnexa with emphasis on stromal ovarian appearance
Authors: Ghossain Michel A. , Hachem Kamal , Buy Jean‐Noël , Hourany‐Rizk Roula G. , Aoun Noël J. , Haddad‐Zebouni Soha , Mansour Fersan , Attieh Elie , Abboud Joseph
Published: August 2004

Purpose

To evaluate ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance (MR) findings in the viable twisted adnexa.

Materials and Methods

Ten patients underwent US and MR studies before surgical detorsion. Corrected cross‐sectional area of the ovary was defined as cross‐sectional area minus areas of cysts and follicles superior to 1 cm. On T2‐weighted images, signal intensity of the stroma was graded as type 1 when it was equal to that of urine and type 2 when it was less than that of urine but markedly more than the contralateral side.

Results

The tube was twisted in six cases and the ovary in nine cases. All adnexa were viable. The largest ovarian cross‐sectional area and the largest corrected ovarian cross‐sectional area of the twisted ovary were significantly larger than those of the contralateral ovary (P = 0.043 for US; P = 0.012 and 0.017, respectively, for MR). These ovaries contained types 1 and 2 hyperintensity in six cases and only type 2 hyperintensity in three cases. Tubal thickening was seen on MR in five cases.

Conclusion

Tubal thickening, enlargement of ovarian stroma as reflected by the corrected cross‐sectional area, and hyperintensity of this stroma on T2‐weighted images probably related to edema were useful findings in these viable torsions. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2004;20:451–462. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Recurrent coronary artery stenosis: Assessment with three‐dimensional MR imaging
Authors: Müller Markus F. , Fleisch Martin
Published: August 2004

Purpose

To assess the diagnostic value of three‐dimensional coronary magnetic resonance (MR) angiography with fat saturation and navigator echo in the setting of restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA).

Materials and Methods

Thirty consecutive patients who had PTCA and were referred for elective coronary reangiography underwent MR imaging and coronary angiography. The pulse sequence was a cardiac triggered, single‐slab, three‐dimensional, gradient‐echo sequence, employing a spin‐echo navigator echo measurement to track the variation of the diaphragm during the scan. The following segments of the coronary arteries were included in this prospective study: left main coronary artery, proximal and middle left anterior descending, proximal and middle left circumflex, proximal and middle right coronary artery, and intermediate branch, if present. The quality of the MR images was graded from 0 to 5.

Results

In total, 221 coronary artery segments could be identified. Mean image quality was 3.3. Overall accuracy for segments with an image quality of grade 2 or more was 90%. To achieve a positive predictive value >70% for a significant stenosis/restenosis, only segments with quality ≥3 could be assessed, whereas an acceptable negative predictive value could be achieved for nearly all segments.

Conclusion

Our preliminary data suggest that MR coronary angiography may be most helpful as a screening test in selected patients to exclude clinically relevant stenoses or to assess restenoses after PTCA or in patients in whose coronary angiography is relatively contraindicated. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2004;20:383–389. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nitrate‐induced coronary vasodilation by stress‐magnetic resonance imaging: A novel noninvasive test of coronary vasomotion
Authors: Pepe Alessia , Lombardi Massimo , Takacs Imola , Positano Vincenzo , Panzarella Gaetano , Picano Eugenio
Published: August 2004

Purpose

To evaluate the feasibility of assessing coronary vasodilation following exogenous nitrates, using magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). The assessment of coronary response to exogenous nitrovasodilators may have a diagnostic and prognostic impact in patients with coronary artery disease. To date, stress imaging of coronary artery vasomotion has been confined to the catheterization laboratory. MRA is emerging as a noninvasive tool for coronary artery imaging.

Materials and Methods

Coronary MRA was performed in 20 healthy volunteers (12 males, age = 33 ± 8). We used spiral spoiled gradient echo (SSGE) sequences for imaging of coronary artery lumen. After the baseline short‐axis view of the coronary artery was obtained, sublingual nitroglycerin (NTG) (0.3 mg) was administered. In all subjects, short‐axis views of the coronary artery were acquired repetitively (8–10 times) from 1 up to 10 minutes after NTG administration. Measurements were obtained by two independent investigators.

Results

Interpretable short‐axis view of left anterior descending artery (LAD) was obtained in 15 subjects (75%); in the remaining five subjects the right coronary artery (RCA) was examined. The interobserver variability was 15%, and the intraobserver variability 4%. The NTG‐induced maximal vasodilation was 43 ± 22%. The vasodilator response over time after NTG was maximal on average at 279 ± 112 seconds, but with substantial heterogeneity.

Conclusion

Entity and time course of nitrate‐induced coronary vasodilation in the left anterior descending and/or RCA can be assessed using MRA with high feasibility and reproducibility. Coronary MRA has potential for dynamic imaging of coronary vasomotion. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2004;20:390–394. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Quantitative assessment of regional pulmonary perfusion in the entire lung using three‐dimensional ultrafast dynamic contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging: Preliminary experience in 40 subjects
Authors: Ohno Yoshiharu , Hatabu Hiroto , Murase Kenya , Higashino Takanori , Kawamitsu Hideaki , Watanabe Hirokazu , Takenaka Daisuke , Fujii Masahiko , Sugimura Kazuro
Published: August 2004

Purpose

To assess regional differences in quantitative pulmonary perfusion parameters, i.e., pulmonary blood flow (PBF), mean transit time (MTT), and pulmonary blood volume (PBV) in the entire lung on a pixel‐by‐pixel basis in normal volunteers and pulmonary hypertension patients.

Materials and Methods

Three‐dimensional ultrafast dynamic contrast‐enhanced MR imaging was performed in 15 normal volunteers and 25 patients with pulmonary hypertension. From the signal intensity–time course curves, PBF, MTT and PBV maps were generated using deconvolution analysis, indicator dilution theories, and the central volume principle, on a pixel‐by‐pixel basis. From pulmonary perfusion parameter maps of normal volunteers and pulmonary hypertension patients, regional PBF, MTT, and PBV were statistically evaluated.

Results

Regional PBF, MTT, and PBV showed significant differences in the gravitational and isogravitational directions (P < 0.05). The quantitative pulmonary perfusion parameter maps demonstrated significant differences between normal volunteers and pulmonary hypertension patients (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Three‐dimensional ultrafast dynamic contrast‐enhanced MR imaging is feasible for the assessment of regional quantitative pulmonary perfusion parameters in the entire lung on a pixel‐by‐pixel basis in normal volunteers and pulmonary hypertension patients. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2004;20:353–365. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of matched‐filtered two‐dimensional projection and elliptical centric‐ordered three‐dimensional contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance angiography
Authors: Huang Yuexi , Merchant Naeem , Wright Graham A.
Published: August 2004

Purpose

To compare the image quality of matched‐filtered two‐dimensional projection magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and elliptical centric‐ordered (EC) three‐dimensional MRA.

Materials and Methods

Signal‐to‐noise ratios (SNRs) of matched‐filtered two‐dimensional projection and EC three‐dimensional MRA are developed theoretically and compared by clinical studies, in which 10–20 mL of gadolinium (Gd) was injected at 1.5 mL/second. The artery‐vein contrast in two‐dimensional projection MRA was managed by manually selecting specific templates for the matched filters.

Results

The SNR of matched‐filtered two‐dimensional projection MRA is superior to that of EC three‐dimensional MRA for vessels wider than one pixel due to the integral effect. The artery–vein contrast can be managed flexibly in two‐dimensional projection MRA by choosing different templates for the matched filter, while the artery–vein contrast in EC three‐dimensional MRA is solely determined by the timing to start the acquisition.

Conclusion

Matched‐filtered two‐dimensional projection MRA provides comparable image quality and is a flexible alternative to EC three‐dimensional MRA in applications where contrast timing is difficult and temporal information is of interest. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2004;20:435–442. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluation of heart perfusion in patients with acute myocardial infarction using dynamic contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Nielsen Gitte , Fritz‐Hansen Thomas , Dirks Christina G. , Jensen Gorm B. , Larsson Henrik B.W.
Published: August 2004

Purpose

To investigate the diagnostic ability of quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) heart perfusion in acute heart patients, a fast, multislice dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI sequence was applied to patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Materials and Methods

Seven patients with acute transmural myocardial infarction were studied using a Turbo‐fast low angle shot (FLASH) MRI sequence to monitor the first pass of an extravascular contrast agent (CA), gadolinium diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (Gd‐DTPA). Quantitation of perfusion, expressed as Ki (mL/100 g/minute), in five slices, each having 60 sectors, provided an estimation of the severity and extent of the perfusion deficiency. Reperfusion was assessed both by noninvasive criteria and by coronary angiography (CAG).

Results

The Ki maps clearly delineated the infarction in all patients. Thrombolytic treatment was clearly beneficial in one case, but had no effect in the two other cases. Over the time‐course of the study, normal perfusion values were not reestablished following thrombolytic treatment in all cases investigated.

Conclusion

This study shows that quantitative MRI perfusion values can be obtained from acutely ill patients following acute myocardial infarction. The technique provides information on both the volume and severity of affected myocardial tissue, enabling the power of treatment regimes to be assessed objectively, and this approach should aid individual patient stratification and prognosis. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2004;20:403–410. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Radiofrequency thermal ablation: Correlation of hyperacute MR lesion images with tissue response
Authors: Breen Michael S. , Lazebnik Roee S. , Fitzmaurice Maryann , Nour Sherif G. , Lewin Jonathan S. , Wilson David L.
Published: August 2004

Purpose

To investigate the hypothesis that the outer boundary of the hyperintense region observed in hyperacute (several minutes post‐ablation) T2 and gadolinium contrast‐enhanced (CE) T1‐weighted magnetic resonance (MR) lesion images is an accurate predictor of eventual cell death from radiofrequency (RF) thermal ablation.

Materials and Methods

A low‐field, open MR imaging system was used to guide an ablation electrode into a thigh muscle of five rabbits and acquire in vivo T2 and CE T1‐weighted MR volumes. Ablation occurred by applying RF current for two minutes with the electrode's temperature maintained at 90° ± 2°C. After fixation, we sliced and photographed the tissue at 3 mm intervals, using a specially designed apparatus, to obtain a volume of tissue images. Digital images of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson trichrome–stained histologic samples were obtained, and distinct regions of tissue damage were labeled using a video microscopy system. After the MR and histology images were aligned using a three‐dimensional registration method, we compared tissue damage boundaries identified in histology with boundaries marked in MR images.

Results

The lesions have distinct zones of tissue damage histologically: a central zone of necrotic cells surrounded by an outer zone with cells that appeared non‐viable and associated with marked interstitial edema. In 14 histology images from five lesions, the inner and outer boundaries of the outer zone were compared with the boundaries of a hyperintense rim that surrounds a central hypointense region in the T2 and CE T1‐weighted MR images. For T2 and CE T1‐weighted MR images, respectively, the mean absolute distance was 1.04 ± 0.30 mm (mean ± SD) and 1.00 ± 0.34 mm for the inner boundaries, and 0.96 ± 0.34 mm and 0.94 ± 0.44 mm for the outer boundaries. The mean absolute distances for T2 and CE T1‐weighted MR images were not sufficiently different to achieve statistical significance (P = 0.745, 0.818, for the inner and outer boundary, respectively).

Conclusion

In hyperacute T2 and CE T1‐weighted MR lesion images, observations strongly suggest that the outer boundary of the hyperintense rim corresponds to the region of eventual cell necrosis within a distance comparable to our ability to measure. This is good evidence that during RF ablation procedures, MR lesion images can be used to accurately localize the zone of irreversible tissue damage at the lesion margin. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2004;20:475–486. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Quantitative evaluation of metal artifact reduction techniques
Authors: Kolind Shannon H. , MacKay Alex L. , Munk Peter L. , Xiang Qing‐San
Published: August 2004

Purpose

To develop a technique to quantify artifact, and to use it to compare the effectiveness of several approaches to metal artifact reduction, including view angle tilting and increasing the slice select and image bandwidths (BWs), in terms of metal artifact reduction, noise, and blur.

Materials and Methods

Nonmetallic replicas of two metal implants (stainless steel and titanium/chromium‐cobalt femoral prostheses) were fabricated from wax, and MR images were obtained of each component immersed in water. The differences between the images of each metal prosthesis and its wax counterpart were measured. The contributions from noise and blur were isolated, resulting in a measure of the metal artifact. Several off‐resonance artifact reduction techniques were assessed in terms of metal artifact reduction capability, as well as signal to noise ratio and blur.

Results

Increasing the image BW from ±16 kHz to ±64 kHz was found to reduce the artifact by an average of 60%, while employing view angle tilting (VAT) alone was found to reduce the artifact by an average of 63%. The metal artifact reduction sequence (MARS), which combines several susceptibility artifact reduction techniques, resulted in the least amount of image distortion, reducing the artifact by an average of 79%.

Conclusion

The results indicate that while VAT alone (with an image BW of ±16 kHz) resulted in the smallest amount of total energy and no reduction in the signal‐to‐noise ratio compared to a conventional spin‐echo pulse sequence, MARS resulted in significantly less artifact and dramatically less blur. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2004;20:487–495. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
3D breath‐held cardiac function with projection reconstruction in steady state free precession validated using 2D cine MRI
Authors: Peters Dana C. , Ennis Daniel B. , Rohatgi Pratik , Syed Mushabbar A. , McVeigh Elliot R. , Arai Andrew E.
Published: August 2004

Purpose

To develop and validate a three‐dimensional (3D) single breath‐hold, projection reconstruction (PR), balanced steady state free precession (SSFP) method for cardiac function evaluation against a two‐dimensional (2D) multislice Fourier (Cartesian) transform (FT) SSFP method.

Materials and Methods

The 3D PR SSFP sequence used projections in the x‐y plane and partitions in z, providing 70–80 msec temporal resolution and 1.7 × 1.7 × 8–10 mm in a 24‐heartbeat breath hold. A total of 10 volunteers were imaged with both methods, and the measurements of global cardiac function were compared.

Results

Mean signal‐to‐noise ratios (SNRs) for the blood and myocardium were 114 and 42 (2D) and 59 and 21 (3D). Bland‐Altman analysis comparing the 2D and 3D ejection fraction (EF), left ventricular end diastolic volume (LVEDV) and end systolic volume (LVESV), and end diastolic myocardial mass (LVEDM) provided values of bias ±2 SD of 0.6% ± 7.7 % for LVEF, 5.9 mL ± 20 mL for LVEDV, −2.8 mL ± 12 mL for LVESV, and −0.61 g ± 13 g for LVEDM. 3D interobserver variability was greater than 2D for LVEDM and LVESV.

Conclusion

In a single breath hold, the 3D PR method provides comparable information to the standard 2D FT method, which employs 10–12 breath holds. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2004;20:411–416. Published 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Polyamine dendrimer‐based MRI contrast agents for functional kidney imaging to diagnose acute renal failure
Authors: Kobayashi Hisataka , Jo Sang‐Kyung , Kawamoto Satomi , Yasuda Hideo , Hu Xuzhen , Knopp Michael V. , Brechbiel Martin W. , Choyke Peter L. , Star Robert A.
Published: August 2004

Purpose

To choose an efficacious renal functional MRI contrast agent to image early renal tubular damage. We synthesized and compared smaller polyamine dendrimer‐based MRI contrast agents (<60 kD) that, unlike Gd‐[DTPA], transiently accumulate in renal tubules and can be used to visualize renal structural and functional damage.

Materials and Methods

Six dendrimer‐based MRI contrast agents smaller than 60 kD were studied by high resolution dynamic micro‐MRI and compared to Gd‐[DTPA]‐dimeglumine and Gadomer‐17. The best agent, DAB‐G2, was further tested in a mouse ischemia/reperfusion model to validate its efficacy.

Results

Despite unequal renal clearance rates, all polyamine dendrimer agents visualized the renal functional anatomy of the mice better than Gd‐[DTPA]‐dimeglumine and Gadomer‐17. DAB‐G2 was excreted most rapidly, yet was able to visualize mild renal tubular injury very early after injury.

Conclusion

DAB‐G2 was found to be the best candidate for functional kidney imaging and enabled early diagnosis of acute renal injury. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2004;20:512–518. Published 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Major histocompatibility complex class‐I presentation impaired in transgenic mice expressing hepatitis C virus structural proteins during dendritic cell maturation
Authors: Hiasa Yoichi , Takahashi Hidemi , Shimizu Masumi , Nuriya Hideko , Tsukiyama‐Kohara Kyoko , Tanaka Takeshi , Horiike Norio , Onji Morikazu , Kohara Michinori
Published: August 2004

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is often persistent, but its mechanism and pathogenesis remain unclear. One mechanism through which HCV escapes systemic immunosurveillance might be via impaired dendritic cells (DCs), which are the most potent type of antigen‐presenting cells. We examined whether HCV causes immunosuppression in DCs during maturation. We isolated immature DCs from the bone marrow of two founder lineages of transgenic mice harboring HCV cDNA expressing HCV structural proteins (nucleotides 294–3435), and studied how DC function is modified by HCV expression. Our data showed that the capacity of DCs expressing HCV structural proteins to stimulate T‐cells was significantly impaired. Moreover, the surface expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class‐I molecules was significantly impaired on infected DC, especially with respect to H‐2D. The transportation of H‐2D to the cell surface during DC maturation was inhibited by HCV expression. However, the total amount of H‐2D molecules produced by DC expressing HCV was not impaired. These results indicated that the immune response of DC infected with HCV is diminished and might be associated with the mechanism of persistent HCV infection. J. Med. Virol. 74:253–261, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
High prevalence of human T‐lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV‐1) in immigrant male‐to‐female transsexual sex workers with HIV‐1 infection
Authors: Zehender Gianguglielmo , Colasante Chiara , De Maddalena Chiara , Bernini Flavia , Savasi Valeria , Persico Tiziana , Merli Stefania , Ridolfo Annalisa , Santambrogio Sara , Moroni Mauro , Galli Massimo
Published: August 2004

Human T‐lymphotropic virus type 1 and 2 (HTLV‐1 and HTLV‐2) infections in Europe are limited to intravenous drug users and migrants coming from areas in which they are endemic. A survey was undertaken of HTLV‐1 and HTLV‐2 infections in 393 recent immigrants: 167 HIV‐1 positive subjects (including 52 male‐to‐female transsexual sex workers) and 226 pregnant HIV‐1 negative women. The prevalence of HTLV‐1 was 3.6% in the HIV‐1 positive group and 0.9% in the HIV‐1 negative group. The highest HTLV‐1 prevalence in both groups was found in persons from Latin America, particularly those born in Peru (up to 26% in the HIV‐1 positive group). All of the HIV‐1/HTLV‐1 co‐infected individuals were male‐to‐female transsexual sex workers in whom the overall prevalence of HTLV‐1 infection was 11.5%. HTLV‐2 was only found in the HIV‐1 positive group (prevalence 1.2%); all of the infected subjects were transsexual sex workers from Brazil (overall prevalence 6.4%). Phylogenetic analysis showed that all of the HTLV‐1 isolates were of the cosmopolitan type, clustering with other strains circulating in the patients' birthplaces; the HTLV‐2 isolates were of subtype 2a, and clustered significantly with other Brazilian strains. These results suggest the independent origin of each infection in the patient's birthplace. The data raise concerns about the further spread of HTLV infections mainly through the sexual route. J. Med. Virol. 74:207–215, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Emergence and continued circulation of dengue‐2 (genotype IV) virus strains in northern India
Authors: Dash Paban Kumar , Parida Man Mohan , Saxena Parag , Kumar Manoj , Rai Arvind , Pasha Sayeed Tazeen , Jana Asha Mukul
Published: August 2004

Dengue (DEN) is an acute mosquito borne viral disease of mankind. Off late it has become an important public health concern in Southeast Asia. Although, all the four known dengue virus serotypes (DEN‐1 to 4) are reported from time to time, in the recent past, DEN‐2 has emerged as the predominant type, being the causative agent of several outbreaks of dengue fever (DF) and dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) in India. To elucidate the true molecular epidemiology of these viruses, we have sequenced C‐prM gene junction (454 nucleotides) of 11 DEN‐2 viruses directly from patient serum. The C‐prM gene junction was amplified initially by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction followed by automated DNA sequencing. These sequences provide unique information with regard to molecular epidemiology when compared to other DEN‐2 sequences from diverse geographic origins. The sequence analysis revealed that most of the mutations in this region remained silent, except a few at the carboxy‐terminal of the capsid. Reported phylogenetic analysis classifies DEN‐2 viruses into five distinct genotypes. The Gwalior DEN‐2 viruses, included in the present study were classified into genotype‐IV, and were found to be most closely related to Delhi 1996 DEN‐2 viruses and FJ 10/11 strains prevalent in the Fujian state of China. However, two earlier Indian isolates of DEN‐2 were classified into genotype‐V. The present study indicates that genotype V of DEN‐2 has been replaced by genotype IV during the past decade, which continues to circulate silently in north India, and have the potential to reemerge and cause major epidemics of DF and DHF. J. Med. Virol. 74:314–322, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of serologic responses between Kaposi's sarcoma‐positive and ‐negative men who were seropositive for both human herpesvirus 8 and human immunodeficiency virus
Authors: Inoue Naoki , Spira Thomas , Lam Lee , Corchero Jose L. , Luo Wei
Published: August 2004

Although the introduction of HAART decreased substantially the incidence of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), KS remains the most common cancer among individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). To define markers for progression to KS from the asymptomatic infection of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV‐8), serologic responses against HHV‐8 were compared between KS‐negative and ‐positive men who were seropositive for both HIV and HHV‐8. There was no difference in prevalence of detectable neutralizing antibodies between the two groups. The prevalence of anti‐ORF73 antibodies among the dual seropositive patients increased in proportion to their risk of KS. In specimens obtained from 11 HIV+ patients at different intervals over a period of 4–12 years, increase of anti‐ORF73 antibody titers was observed in the patients who developed KS but not in the patients who did not develop KS. These results suggest that there is a difference in serologic response against ORF73 between the HIV patients with and without KS. J. Med. Virol. 74:202–206, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Epidemic resurgence of Chikungunya virus in democratic Republic of the Congo: Identification of a new central African strain
Authors: Pastorino B. , Muyembe‐Tamfum J.J. , Bessaud M. , Tock F. , Tolou H. , Durand J.P. , Peyrefitte C.N.
Published: August 2004

The resurgence of Chikungunya virus is described during an urban epidemic in Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo, after 39 years without any isolation of the virus. Chikungunya virus was isolated in sera from nine patients with clinical symptoms. A 1,200 bp long partial sequence of the E1/3'UTR genomic region was determined for each isolate. All sequences clustered in the central African lineage. They constitute Chikungunya virus reference sequences for the Democratic Republic of the Congo. J. Med. Virol. 74:277–282, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Human T lymphotropic virus types I and II proviral sequences in Argentinian blood donors with indeterminate Western blot patterns
Authors: Mangano A.M. , Remesar M. , del Pozo A. , Sen Luisa
Published: August 2004

Human T‐cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) seroindeterminate blood donors have been reported worldwide including Argentina. To investigate the significance of HTLV‐I/II seroindeterminate Western blot (WB) patterns, we conducted an 8‐year cross‐sectional study. Of 86,238 Argentinian blood donors, 146 sera were reactive by screening tests. The WB results indicated that 20% were HTLV‐I reactive, 8% HTLV‐II reactive, 61% indeterminate, and 11% negative. The overall seroprevalence was 0.034% for HTLV‐I, 0.014% for HTLV‐II, and 0.103% for indeterminate. In 57 reactive specimens, HTLV‐I/II provirus could be examined by type specific PCR for tax, pol, and env regions. When at least two gene fragments were amplified HTLV‐I/II infection was considered confirmed. PCR results confirmed all WB seropositive samples for HTLV‐I (n = 15), and HTLV‐II (n = 7), and the only WB negative case was also PCR negative, showing a complete concordance between PCR and WB. However, of 34 WB seroindeterminate sera studied by PCR, in 5 was proviral DNA amplified. According to our criteria PCR confirmed one to be HTLV‐I, and one HTLV‐II, 3 remained indeterminate since only tax sequences were amplified. Among WB indeterminate samples tested by PCR, most of their serological profile showed reactivity to gag codified proteins but lacked env reactivities (70%). One sample with a WB gag pattern showed proviral tax sequences, but of the four samples with reactivity to env proteins GD21 (n = 3) or rgp46II (n = 1) PCR results indicated that one was HTLV‐I, one was HTLV‐II, and two were indeterminate (only tax sequences). In conclusion, the majority of HTLV‐seroindeterminate WB donors exhibited a gag indeterminate profile lacking HTLV provirus, and were thus considered uninfected. However, seroreactivity to env proteins, in particular to GD21, may indicate infection and a follow‐up study of each seroreactive blood donor should be considered. J. Med. Virol. 74:323–327, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Secretory IgA antibodies provide cross‐protection against infection with different strains of influenza B virus
Authors: Asahi‐Ozaki Yasuko , Yoshikawa Tomoki , Iwakura Yoichiro , Suzuki Yujiro , Tamura Shin‐ichi , Kurata Takeshi , Sata Tetsutaro
Published: August 2004

This study examined whether secretory IgA (S‐IgA) antibodies (Abs) could confer cross‐protective immunity against infection with influenza B viruses of antigenically distinct lineages. Wild‐type or polymeric Ig receptor (pIgR)‐knockout (KO) mice were immunized by infection with different B viruses or by intranasal (i.n.) administration with different inactivated vaccines. Four weeks later mice were challenged with either the B/Ibaraki/2/85 virus, representative of the B/Victoria/2/87 (B/Victoria)‐lineage, or B/Yamagata/16/88 virus, representative of the B/Yamagata‐lineage. Three days after challenge, nasal wash and serum specimens were assayed for IgA and IgG Abs specific for challenge viral antigens and for protection against challenge viruses. In wild‐type mice, B/Ibaraki (or B/Yamagata) cross‐reactive IgA Abs were detected at higher levels when infected or immunized with homologous‐lineage viruses and at lower levels when infected or immunized with heterologous‐lineage viruses. There was a correlation between the amount of nasal cross‐reactive IgA Ab and the efficacy of cross‐protection with a homologous‐lineage virus. In mice lacking the pIgR, nasal cross‐protective IgA Abs were only marginally detected in vaccinated mice and an accumulation of IgA in the serum was observed. This reduction of nasal IgA was accompanied by inefficient cross‐protection against the B/Ibaraki (or B/Yamagata) virus infection. These results suggest that challenge viral‐antigen cross‐reactive S‐IgA in nasal secretions induced by i.n. infection or vaccination is involved in providing cross‐protection against challenge infection with virus within either the B/Victoria‐ or B/Yamagata‐lineage. J. Med. Virol. 74:328–335, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characteristics of core promoter and precore stop codon mutants of hepatitis B virus in Vietnam
Authors: Huy Tran Thien Tuan , Ushijima Hiroshi , Quang Vo Xuan , Ngoc Trinh Thi , Hayashi Shigeki , Sata Tetsutaro , Abe Kenji
Published: August 2004

In Asia, genotypes B and C are the most common genotypes of hepatitis B virus (HBV); and genotype C causes more severe liver disease. Core promoter/precore (CP/PC) mutants, known to be linked to these genotypes, could have an impact on the progression and severity of liver disease. Sera of 115 patients, including 39 acute and 76 chronic Vietnamese HBV infected patients, were tested for their liver profile, HBeAg, HBV genotypes, and HBV DNA level. Fragments of 282 nucleotides covering CP/PC were amplified, sequenced, and analysed. In the acute group, CP/PC mutants accounted for 38.4 and 25.6%, respectively. Genotype B was found to be predominant (74.3%, P < 0.05) and linked to the PC mutant (A1896) (P < 0.05). In the chronic group, CP/PC mutants accounted for 61.7 and 32.8%. CP mutants, especially the T1762/A1764 double mutant, were found to correlate with genotype C (81%, P < 0.001), liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (P < 0.05). Therefore, genotype C in Vietnam, which carried high rate of C‐1858 (70%), could play an important role in causing severe chronic liver disease. J. Med. Virol. 74:228–236, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Antigenic alteration of influenza B virus associated with loss of a glycosylation site due to host‐cell adaptation
Authors: Saito Takehiko , Nakaya Yoko , Suzuki Takashi , Ito Reiko , Saito Toshinori , Saito Hiroyuki , Takao Shinichi , Sahara Keiji , Odagiri Takato , Murata Takeomi , Usui Taichi , Suzuki Yasuo , Tashiro Masato
Published: August 2004

Effects of host‐cell adaptation of the hemagglutinin (HA) protein were evaluated by the analyses of four pairs of recent influenza B field isolates, each pair consisting of an Madin Darby canine kidney (MDCK)‐ and an embryonated chicken egg‐derived isolates from the same clinical specimen. Among the isolates examined, all of the MDCK‐derived isolates retained glycosylation site at amino acid 197 on the HA1 molecule, whereas three egg‐derived isolates lost it. Antigenic difference in the HA molecule between an MDCK‐ and an egg‐derived isolates of three of these pairs was demonstrated to be associated with the glycosylation 197. Replication of the MDCK‐derived isolates was suppressed in eggs, suggesting that the presence of the glycosylation 197 was disadvantageous to replication in eggs. Virus‐binding affinity assay revealed that the loss of carbohydrate chain did not significantly alter the preferential recognition of sialic acid linkage. Immunogenicity and vaccine efficacy of an MDCK‐ and an egg‐derived clones of B/Akita/27/2001, the former retained the glycosylation 197 and the latter lost it, were compared in a hamster model. When formalin‐inactivated whole virion vaccines prepared from the paired isolates were administered into hamsters, no significant difference between them was observed in protective ability against challenges by the homologous and heterologous clones. Implication of the egg adaptation of influenza virus to antigenic surveillance of the field isolates as well as the selection of vaccine strains, and possibility of the involvement of the viral protein(s) other than the HA in the egg adaptation were discussed. J. Med. Virol. 74:336–343, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Coxsackievirus B3 replication and persistence in intestinal cells from mice infected orally and in the human CaCo‐2 cell line
Authors: Harrath Rafik , Bourlet Thomas , Delézay Olivier , Douche‐Aourik Fatima , Omar Shabir , Aouni Mahjoub , Pozzetto Bruno
Published: August 2004

Although the transmission of coxsackievirus B3 occurs mainly via the oral route, little is known about the primary replication and persistence of this agent in the intestine. To address this question, BALB/c mice were inoculated by gavage with coxsackievirus B3, Nancy strain. The mice were killed from 1 hr to 90 days after infection. The viral markers were detected in the small intestine using RT‐PCR, cell culture and detection of VP1 protein. Coxsackievirus B3 was detected positive by the three methods from hr 2 to day 45 after infection. By using monoclonal antibodies directed towards VP1, CD40 and CD26, the virus was shown to be present in the lymphocytes of the mucosa as soon as 2 hr after infection; in contrast, no virus was detected in the epithelial cells lining the intestinal lumen. Further experiments were performed to evaluate the capacity of coxsackievirus B3 to establish a persistent infection in two intestinal cell lines. In contrast to HT29 cells, the CaCo‐2 cells were shown to develop a persistent infection for up to 20 passages, as demonstrated by the detection of viral RNA and VP1 protein. This study provides further evidence that, after infection by the oral route, the viral particles are concentrated in the lymphocytes of the mucosal layer. In addition, the results suggest that coxsackievirus B3 is capable of establishing a persistent infection in the small intestine that may act as a reservoir of viral particles for the delayed spread of the virus to other target organs. J. Med. Virol. 74:283–290, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Molecular testing for detection of in vitro infectivity of plasma pools contaminated with B19 virus
Authors: Bonvicini F. , Gallinella G. , Cricca M. , Ambretti S. , Delbarba S. , Musiani M. , Zerbini M.
Published: August 2004

B19 virus can be transmitted by contaminated blood or blood products. Recent observations, in healthy volunteers, suggest that active B19 infection can follow the administration of plasma pools with a concentration ≥107 genome equivalents/ml (geq/ml) of B19 DNA. However, patients receiving batches with levels of virus DNA lower than 104 geq/ml do not show any evidence of transmission of the virus. The aim of the study was to show, by in vitro assays, a threshold of viral load in B19 contaminated plasma pools over which the infection can be transmitted. Twenty plasma pools, each containing 960 single donations, were tested to correlate the viral load and the level of antibodies anti‐B19 with the in vitro infectivity and expression of B19 virus. All the plasma pools, titrated for B19 viral load by competitive PCR, were inoculated into KU812Ep6 erythroid human cell line. Five of the nine contaminated plasma pools, with a B19 DNA concentration ≥3.60 × 106 geq/ml, were able to infect KU812Ep6 cells. In vitro infectivity was shown in KU812Ep6 cells at 24 h post‐infection by in situ hybridisation and amplification assays for viral DNA and RNAs. Plasma pools with a viral load in the range of 6.00 × 103–8.96 × 104 geq/ml did not show infectivity when inoculated into KU812Ep6 cells. Medium‐high titres of IgG antibodies anti‐B19 were detectable in all the plasma pools and the neutralising activity associated with specific IgG anti‐B19 may explain the lack of infectivity of plasma pools contaminated with a low viral load. In conclusion, in situ hybridisation and amplification assays for viral DNA and RNAs in KU812Ep6 cells inoculated with plasma pools can be valid assays to test for the presence of infectous virus in the production of B19‐safe material. J. Med. Virol. 74:272–276, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Variable patterns of varicella‐zoster virus reactivation in Ramsay hunt syndrome
Authors: Aizawa Hiroshi , Ohtani Fumio , Furuta Yasushi , Sawa Hirofumi , Fukuda Satoshi
Published: August 2004

The mechanism by which reactivation of varicella‐zoster virus (VZV) causes facial paralysis in Ramsay Hunt syndrome remains unclear. The relationship between VZV load and the onset of facial paralysis was analyzed in 42 patients with Ramsay Hunt syndrome. The patients were divided into three groups according to the times of appearance of zoster and of facial paralysis; group I (zoster preceding, n = 13), group II (simultaneous, n = 22), group III (paralysis preceding, n = 7). A real‐time quantitative PCR assay was used to measure VZV DNA copy number in saliva, and paired sera were assayed for anti‐VZV IgG and IgM antibodies. In group I, the VZV DNA‐positive rate was low and virus load decreased gradually after the initial hospital visit around the time of onset of paralysis. The level of anti‐VZV antibodies had in most cases already increased at that time. In group III, viral load tended to increase after the onset of paralysis and peaked around the time of appearance of zoster. The level of anti‐VZV antibodies was low at the onset of paralysis but showed a significant increase when paired sera were tested. In group II, virus load and changes in level of anti‐VZV antibodies either resembled group I or group III behavior. These results indicate that facial paralysis in Ramsay Hunt syndrome can occur at various times between the early and the regression phase of VZV reactivation, suggesting that there are variable patterns of development of facial nerve dysfunction caused by VZV reactivation and the progression of neuritis. J. Med. Virol. 74:355–360, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Role of beauty treatment in the spread of parenterally transmitted hepatitis viruses in Italy
Authors: Mariano Andrea , Mele Alfonso , Tosti Maria Elena , Parlato Antonino , Gallo Giovanni , Ragni Pietro , Zotti Carla , Lopalco Pierluigi , Pompa Maria Grazia , Graziani Grazia , Stroffolini Tommaso ,   SEIEVA collaborating group
Published: August 2004

The aims of the study were to evaluate the role of beauty treatments in the spread of acute viral hepatitis B (HBV) and acute viral hepatitis C (HCV) in Italy. Data from the surveillance system for acute viral hepatitis (SEIEVA) during the period 1997–2002 were used. After exclusion of subjects <15 years or >55 years old and reporting intravenous drug use or blood transfusion, the association of acute HBV and HCV cases with beauty treatments (tattooing, piercing, manicure/chiropody, and barber shop shaving) was estimated comparing 2,964 hepatitis B and 598 hepatitis C cases with 7,221 hepatitis A cases, used as controls, by multiple logistic regression analysis. The population attributable risk (PAR) to beauty treatments was estimated according to Levin's formula. Beauty treatments were associated with acute HBV (OR = 1.8; CI 95% = 1.5–2.1) and acute HCV (OR = 1.7; CI 95% = 1.2–2.3). The strongest association was found with barber shop shaving for HBV (OR = 1.8; CI 95% = 1.5–2.2) and with tattooing for HCV cases (OR = 5.6; CI 95% = 2.8–11.0). The estimates of the population attributable risk (PAR) indicate that nearly 15% of all acute HBV (17.4% in males) and 11.5% of all acute HCV cases (16.4% in males) occurring in 15–55 year old subjects not exposed to intravenous drugs or blood transfusion in Italy are due to beauty treatments. It is concluded that certain beauty treatments play an important role in the spread of HBV and HCV infections in Italy. J. Med. Virol. 74:216–220, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Coxsackie B viruses use multiple receptors to infect human cardiac cells
Authors: Orthopoulos George , Triantafilou Kathy , Triantafilou Martha
Published: August 2004

Viral myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the heart muscle that can be fatal. The primary viruses that have been linked to myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy are the human enteroviruses. The most common viruses associated with this disease are the Coxsackie B viruses and in particular Coxsackievirus B3 and Coxsackievirus B5. Early events in viral infection include attachment of the virus onto cell surface receptors. Even though, CD55 and Coxsackievirus adenovirus receptor protein (CAR) have been identified as receptors for Coxsackievirus B3, the exact mechanisms that Coxsackievirus B3 and B5 use to infect the cardiac muscle are not yet known. In this study, attempts were made to inhibit Coxsackievirus B3 and Coxsackievirus B5 infectivity of cardiac cells by using CAR and CD55 specific antibodies. The results show that these antibodies could not completely inhibit Coxsackievirus B3 and Coxsackievirus B5 binding or infectivity. Furthermore five new proteins have been identified that are used by Coxsackieviruses for binding to cardiac tissue and are distinct from CAR or CD55, leading us to believe that these viruses may use a different set of receptors for infection of cardiac muscle. J. Med. Virol. 74:291–299, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
YMDD mutants in patients with chronic hepatitis B before treatment are not selected by lamivudine
Authors: Matsuda Marie , Suzuki Fumitaka , Suzuki Yoshiyuki , Tsubota Akihito , Akuta Norio , Hosaka Tetsuya , Someya Takashi , Kobayashi Masahiro , Saitoh Satoshi , Arase Yasuji , Satoh Junko , Kobayashi Mariko , Ikeda Kenji , Miyakawa Yuzo , Kumada Hiromitsu
Published: August 2004

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) mutants with mutations in the YMDD motif of viral DNA polymerase/reverse transcriptase are described in patients infected with HBV who have not received lamivudine therapy, but their pathogenetic potential is not clear. These mutants were detected by the polymerase chain reaction with peptide nucleic acid clamping in pretreatment sera from two patients who later received lamivudine. One patient developed acute exacerbation with hepatic encephalopathy and received lamivudine along with plasma exchange, which were effective on his illness. YIDD mutants were detected in all three pretreatment sera and both posttreatment sera from him. HBV DNA clones from pretreatment and posttreatment sera, however, did not have the same amino acid sequence. In the other patient who developed severe breakthrough hepatitis after receiving lamivudine, YIDD mutants were detected in two pretreatment and two posttreatment sera. When amino acid sequences of HBV DNA clones with the YIDD mutation were compared before and after he received lamivudine, however, they were not in accord. Hence, YIDD mutants in both patients with chronic hepatitis B before treatment were not selected by lamivudine after they had been placed on it. Numerous amino acid conversions were detected in HBV DNA clones with YIDD mutations, and some of them created stop codons in the overlapping S gene sequence. In Conclusion, HBV mutants with mutations in the YMDD motif in patients before treatment would not be selected by lamivudine or induce breakthrough hepatitis, and some of these would not be replication‐competent due to stop codons in the S gene. J. Med. Virol. 74:361–366, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Glycosphingolipid composition of primary cultured human brain microvascular endothelial cells
Authors: Kanda Takashi , Ariga Toshio , Kubodera Hisako , Jin Hong Lian , Owada Kiyoshi , Kasama Takeshi , Yamawaki Masanaga , Mizusawa Hidehiro
Published: August 2004

Glycosphingolipid (GSL) antigens have been considered to be involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune neurologic disorders including multiple sclerosis. To establish the GSL pattern specific for endothelial cells forming blood–brain barrier (BBB), we established a method to yield sufficient quantities of highly purified human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) and compared their GSL composition to that of human umbilical cord vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), as the representative of endothelial cells not forming BBB. The major gangliosides were GM3 and sialyl paragloboside (LM1), and the major neutral GSLs were lactosylceramide (LacCer), globotriaosylceramide (Gb3), and globoside (Gb4). Trace amounts of GM1, GD1a, GD1b, GT1b, and sulfoglucuronosyl paragloboside (SGPG) could be detected by the high performance thin layer chromatography‐overlay method. SGPG was detected only at a nonconfluent state in an amount almost 1/30 that of in nonconfluent HUVECs. Conversely, GM3 and LM1 increased significantly after confluency. The amount of Gb3 in HBMECs was almost as twice that in HUVECs. The significance of these differences in GSL content between HBMECs and HUVECs and between confluent and nonconfluent states is obscure. It might be related, however, to the defense mechanism at the BBB and to the susceptibility of the central nervous system in some disorders that target cell surface GSL, such as hemolytic uremic syndrome. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterization of retinoic acid neuromodulation in the carp retina
Authors: Dirks Petra , Tieding Silke , Schneider Ilka , Mey Jörg , Weiler Reto
Published: August 2004

Visual sensation in vertebrates starts with the isomerization of 11‐cis retinaldehyde into all‐trans retinaldehyde. Aldehyde dehydrogenases, present in the pigment epithelium and some retinal cells, convert all‐trans retinaldehyde into all‐trans retinoic acid (at‐RA). Evidence in the retina and the hippocampus has accumulated, showing that at‐RA, besides being a morphogenetic factor, also acts as a neuromodulator. In mature retina, at‐RA affects visual processing by acting on gap junctional conductances and the synaptic transfer between photoreceptors and horizontal cells. We present evidence supporting a neuromodulatory role of at‐RA in the carp retina. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) measurements and an RA bioassay indicate a light dependency of at‐RA formation, which can explain the observed effects of at‐RA on spinule formation at horizontal cell dendrites in this retina. Furthermore, inhibiting endogenous metabolism and catabolism of at‐RA affects formation and persistence of spinules in a way, supporting a direct involvement of at‐RA in this light‐dependent mechanism of synaptic plasticity. The action of at‐RA, however, seems independent of the dopaminergic system, known for its light‐signaling role in the retina, because at‐RA effects on spinule formation persisted in retina depleted of dopaminergic neurons or in the presence of haloperidol. Together, these data indicate that at‐RA acts effectively as a direct neuromodulator in carp retina, transmitting information about ambient light conditions to the neuronal retina. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.