bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A nucleus‐encoded maize protein with sigma factor activity accumulates in mitochondria and chloroplasts
Authors: Beardslee Thomas A. , Roy‐Chowdhury Sanchita , Jaiswal Pankaj , Buhot Laurence , Lerbs‐Mache Silva , Stern David B. , Allison Lori A.
Published: March 2003

Plants contain nuclear gene families that encode proteins related to the principal sigma factors of eubacteria. As sigma factors function in transcription, the plant proteins have been presumed or demonstrated to associate with the eubacteria‐like RNA polymerase of chloroplasts. In maize, five sig cDNA sequences have been reported, and four of the products are present in plastids as predicted. However, in vitro chloroplast import assays and computer algorithms gave ambiguous results with the fifth protein, ZmSig2B. Unlike the other maize sigma factors, ZmSig2B is expressed throughout developing seedling leaves, as well as in roots and etiolated tissues. To determine the subcellular location of ZmSig2B, we have now used immunoblot assays to show that it co‐purifies with both mitochondria and plastids. Its NH2‐terminal 153 amino acids, translationally fused to green fluorescent protein (GFP), targeted GFP to chloroplasts and mitochondria in bombarded maize leaves. A putative role for ZmSig2B in mitochondrial transcription is supported by its presence in a maize mitochondrial transcription extract. ZmSig2B also exhibits the expected properties of a chloroplast sigma factor: recombinant ZmSig2B binds to a chloroplast promoter and initiates transcription in vitro when combined with Escherichia coli core RNA polymerase. Therefore ZmSig2B is an unusual nucleus‐encoded sigma factor that appears to function in both chloroplasts and mitochondria.
A novel method for the construction of genome wide transcriptome maps
Authors: Brugmans Bart , Del Carmen Asun Fernandez , Bachem Christian W. B. , Van Os Hans , Van Eck Herman J. , Visser Richard G. F.
Published: March 2003

Expression profiling by cDNA‐AFLP is commonly used to display the transcriptome of a specific tissue, treatment or developmental stage. In this paper, cDNA‐AFLP has been used to study transcripts expressed in segregating populations from Arabidopsis thaliana and potato (Solanum tuberosum). The genetic differences between the offspring genotypes are thus visualized as polymorphisms in the transcriptome. We show that polymorphic transcripts can be used as genetic markers and allow the construction of a linkage map. The resulting map shows that, in contrast to genomic markers, the transcriptome‐derived markers did not cluster in particular areas of the chromosome, and that cDNA‐AFLP markers are targeted specifically to transcriptionally active regions. The cDNA‐AFLP markers used in mapping are derived from DNA polymorphisms in transcripts, rather than differences in expression regulation. The high potential of transcriptome markers as opposed to (anonymous) genomic markers for applications in genetic analyses, marker‐assisted breeding and map‐based cloning is discussed.
Monitoring the expression profiles of 7000 Arabidopsis genes under drought, cold and high‐salinity stresses using a full‐length cDNA microarray
Authors: Seki Motoaki , Narusaka Mari , Ishida Junko , Nanjo Tokihiko , Fujita Miki , Oono Youko , Kamiya Asako , Nakajima Maiko , Enju Akiko , Sakurai Tetsuya , Satou Masakazu , Akiyama Kenji , Taji Teruaki , Yamaguchi‐Shinozaki Kazuko , Carninci Piero , Kawai Jun , Hayashizaki Yoshihide , Shinozaki Kazuo
Published: March 2003

Full‐length cDNAs are essential for functional analysis of plant genes in the post‐sequencing era of the Arabidopsis genome. Recently, cDNA microarray analysis has been developed for quantitative analysis of global and simultaneous analysis of expression profiles. We have prepared a full‐length cDNA microarray containing ≈7000 independent, full‐length cDNA groups to analyse the expression profiles of genes under drought, cold (low temperature) and high‐salinity stress conditions over time. The transcripts of 53, 277 and 194 genes increased after cold, drought and high‐salinity treatments, respectively, more than fivefold compared with the control genes. We also identified many highly drought‐, cold‐ or high‐salinity‐ stress‐inducible genes. However, we observed strong relationships in the expression of these stress‐responsive genes based on Venn diagram analysis, and found 22 stress‐inducible genes that responded to all three stresses. Several gene groups showing different expression profiles were identified by analysis of their expression patterns during stress‐responsive gene induction. The cold‐inducible genes were classified into at least two gene groups from their expression profiles. DREB1A was included in a group whose expression peaked at 2 h after cold treatment. Among the drought, cold or high‐salinity stress‐inducible genes identified, we found 40 transcription factor genes (corresponding to ≈11% of all stress‐inducible genes identified), suggesting that various transcriptional regulatory mechanisms function in the drought, cold or high‐salinity stress signal transduction pathways.
Characterization and cDNA‐microarray expression analysis of 12‐oxophytodienoate reductases reveals differential roles for octadecanoid biosynthesis in the local versus the systemic wound response
Authors: Strassner Jochen , Schaller Florian , Frick Ursula B. , Howe Gregg A. , Weiler Elmar W. , Amrhein Nikolaus , Macheroux Peter , Schaller Andreas
Published: March 2003

12‐Oxophytodienoate reductases (OPRs) belong to a family of flavin‐dependent oxidoreductases. With two new tomato isoforms reported here, three OPRs have now been characterized in both tomato and Arabidopsis. Only one of these isoforms (OPR3) participates directly in the octadecanoid pathway for jasmonic acid biosynthesis, as only OPR3 reduces the 9S,13S‐stereoisomer of 12‐oxophytodienoic acid, the biological precursor of jasmonic acid. The subcellular localization of OPRs was analyzed in tomato and Arabidopsis. The OPR3 protein and activity were consistently found in peroxisomes where they co‐localize with the enzymes of β‐oxidation which catalyze the final steps in the formation of jasmonic acid. The octadecanoid pathway is thus confined to plastids and peroxisomes and, in contrast to previous assumptions, does not involve the cytosolic compartment. The expression of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum,Le) OPR3 was analyzed in the context of defense‐related genes using a microarray comprising 233 cDNA probes. LeOPR3 was found to be up‐regulated after wounding with induction kinetics resembling those of other octadecanoid pathway enzymes. In contrast to the induction of genes for wound response proteins (e.g. proteinase inhibitors), the accumulation of octadecanoid pathway transcripts was found to be more rapid and transient in wounded leaves, but hardly detectable in unwounded, systemic leaves. Consistent with the expression data, OPDA and JA were found to accumulate locally but not systemically in the leaves of wounded tomato plants. The transcriptional activation of the octadecanoid pathway and the accumulation of JA to high levels are, thus not required for the activation of defense gene expression in systemic tissues.
Leaves of the Lamiaceae species Glechoma hederacea (ground ivy) contain a lectin that is structurally and evolutionary related to the legume lectins
Authors: Wang Weifang , Peumans Willy J. , Rougé Pierre , Rossi Claire , Proost Paul , Chen Jianping , Van Damme Els J. M.
Published: March 2003

A novel lectin has been isolated and cloned from leaves of Glechoma hederacea (ground ivy), a typical representative of the plant family Lamiaceae. Biochemical analyses indicated that the G. hederacea agglutinin (Gleheda) is a tetrameric protein consisting of four subunits pairwise linked through an interchain disulphide bridge and exhibits a preferential specificity towards N‐acetylgalactosamine. Cloning of the corresponding gene and molecular modeling of the deduced sequence demonstrated that Gleheda shares high sequence similarity with the legume lectins and exhibits the same overall fold and three‐dimensional structure as the classical legume lectins. The identification of a soluble and active legume lectin ortholog in G. hederacea not only indicates that the yet unclassified Lamiaceae lectins belong to the same lectin family as the legume lectins, but also sheds a new light on the specificity, physiological role and evolution of the classical legume lectins.
Evaluation of iron status of Finnish blood donors using serum transferrin receptor
Authors: Punnonen  , Rajamäki
Published: March 2003

The maximum allowable frequency of blood donations has been set so that donations should not cause anaemia or depletion of iron stores. However, it has not been determined precisely how often blood donations result in depletion of iron stores. In the present study we have evaluated iron status in blood donors using serum ferritin and transferrin receptor (TfR) concentrations. The elevation of serum TfR has been reported to be the most sensitive indicator of depletion of iron stores. On the basis of ferritin values, in men who donate frequently the amount of body iron is reduced to a level very close to that found in women donating blood for the first time. When an elevation of serum TfR above 4.0 mg L−1 was used as a stringent definition of complete iron depletion, it was estimated that 17% of frequently donating women had completely lost their iron stores, while the corresponding value for men was 8%. The fact that a considerable proportion of the female blood frequent donors have completely depleted their iron stores raises the question whether the iron status of female frequent blood donors should be routinely monitored using serum transferrin receptor measurements.
Dosimetry of blood irradiation with radiochromic film
Authors: Butson  , Yu  , Cheung  , Carolan  , Quach  , Arnold  , Metcalfe
Published: March 2003

It has been shown that radiochromic film is an ideal dosimeter for assessment and verification of delivered dose to irradiated blood products. Using a parallel opposing two‐field technique on a medical linear accelerator, blood is irradiated to diminish the risk of transfusion‐associated graft vs. host disease (TA‐GVHD). The blood products are irradiated in a Perspex blood box to an applied dose of 29.5–31.7 Gy. Verification of applied dose has been performed with thimble ionization chambers and radiochromic film. Radiochromic film results have matched absorbed dose measurements from ionization chambers at all sites within the ‘active’ treatment volume within ± 6% for a 95% confidence limit. Using a sample of 100 in‐vitro measurements, radiochromic film has measured the average applied dose to blood products to be 30.95 ± 2.6 Gy for two standard deviations. Like currently available ‘irradiated’ film labels, the radiochromic film also serves as a visible reminder that the blood products have been irradiated.
The case for standardization of transfusion medicine practices in French blood banks
Authors: Moncharmont  , Lacruche  , Planat  , Morizur  , Subtil
Published: March 2003

Despite a decrease in collection and transfusion of blood components and technical and quality assurance improvements, adverse effects of transfusion, particularly fatalities due to ABO incompatibility, remain high. In order to evaluate the immunohaematology and blood products recipient practices in French blood banks, we have mailed a questionnaire and analysed the answers. Our study shows a great variation in practices.

Most blood banks (70.6%) perform a second ABO blood grouping test for patients before they consider it as valid and keep it in their laboratory's computer system.

The use of faxed requisition forms for blood products (84.0%) or immunological data (89.4%) are commonly accepted by French blood banks before preparation of orders for blood components. Nevertheless, at the time of blood product delivery, 40.4% of them required the original order documents. Completion of the transfusion follow‐up form for blood components is undertaken free of charge by blood banks. When immunohaematology data of a patient are in the blood banks computer system and if a hospital department wants patient's ABO rhesus (RH1) blood group card, a duplicate of this card is frequently edited. Lastly, a committee is needed to establish, as in United Kingdom, guidelines in blood products recipients practices in French blood banks. Standard operating procedures regarding organization, documentation, techniques, etc., at the blood banks and the hospital will be written and valided for each step of the process prior to blood transfusion of a patient.
A murine monoclonal antibody against Kx protein which reacts also with β‐spectrin
Authors: Carbonnet  , Blanchard  , Hattab  , Cochet  , Petit‐Leroux  , Loirat  , Cartron  , Bertrand
Published: March 2003

Kx is a polytopic membrane protein of human erythrocytes carrying the Kx blood group antigen, which is deficient in rare patients with McLeod syndrome. Kx is disulphide bond linked to the Kell glycoprotein, which is a bitopic type II membrane protein carrying the Kell blood group antigen. Mice immunized with a synthetic peptide predicted to be located on the second external loop of Kx produced a monoclonal antibody called 3E12 which does not recognize red cells with common Kell phenotype by agglutination and flow cytometry. 3E12 recognizes the Kx protein and the spectrin β‐chain on western blots, the affinity for these two proteins being lowered with increasing ionic strength. Linear epitopes recognized by 3E12 are E116EIEKE121 and L484AQELEKE491 on the Kx protein and spectrin β‐chain, respectively. To quantify the relative amount of Kx in Empigen BB extracts of red cell membranes, an ELISA for Kx was set up which showed conclusively that (i) there is less Kx in membranes of K0 individuals (lacking the Kell glycoprotein) than in membranes of common individuals, and (ii) that all common individuals, typed as K+k–, K–k+ and K+k+, have the same amount of Kx on their red cell membranes. When an erythrocyte membrane detergent extract from one K0 individual was chromatographed on an immobilized 3E12 column, a minute amount of authentic Kell glycoprotein was recovered in acid eluted fractions, indicating that at least the K0 individual under study may still produce some Kell protein.
Practices and attitudes towards quality assurance, inspection and accreditation in blood collection establishments in the European Community
Authors: Adamides E. , Carbonell‐Uberos F. , Delaney F. M. , Drouet N. , Kubanek B. , Pappalettera M. , Scott J. , Maniatis A.
Published: March 2003

. In the framework of a European Community (EC)‐supported project, a survey of practices and attitudes towards quality assurance, inspection and accreditation in Blood Collection Establishments (BCEs) in the EC member states was carried out. Analysis of 352 responses to a structured questionnaire revealed a preference for national standards over international, and an introspective and reactive view to quality management. Four broad categories of operational performance in relation to safety were formed: initial, repeatable, managed and optimising, with the majority of responses (209) being characterized as initial. Although a direct relationship between the size of the BCE and the range and level of quality management practices is apparent in the data, further analysis shows that small BCEs have much higher ratio of personnel per blood unit collected/processed than large BCEs and thus seem to have an inherent potential for improvement. Overall, a clear preference for inspection and accreditation by professional peers at the national level was indicated.
Haemolytic disease of the newborn due to anti‐Ce
Authors: Malde R. , Stanworth S. , Patel S. , Knight R.
Published: March 2003

. A baby was readmitted to the hospital 3 days after delivery when she developed jaundice. At admission, the direct antiglobulin test was also found to be positive. The baby required emergency exchange transfusion. A strongly reacting IgG anti‐Ce (Rh7) was found in the serum of the mother. Severe haemolytic disease of the newborn due to anti‐Ce is very rare. The mother's serum had been screened and found negative for red cell antibodies at 16 weeks gestation but the test was not repeated later in pregnancy when this antibody might have been detected.
A potentially improved approach to methylene blue virus inactivation of plasma: the Maco Pharma Maco‐Tronic system
Authors: Hornsey V. S. , Drummond O. , Young D. , Docherty A. , Prowse C. V.
Published: March 2003

. Plasma was subjected to methylene blue (MB) photochemical virus inactivation using the Maco Pharma Maco‐Tronic system which allows three units to be illuminated together, thus reducing processing time. The plasma bag system used incorporates an integral membrane plasma filter and a dry MB pill which dissolves in the plasma to give a 1‐µm concentration. There is computer‐controlled processing and datalogging.

In an assessment of 10 pools of Group A plasma, the losses of coagulation factors, following MB/light treatment, were 23% fibrinogen, 10% FV, 26% FVIII, 11% FIX and 13% FXI. Group O, Group B and Group AB plasmas were not tested.

Von Willebrand factor (vWf) multimers showed no substantial change when treated with MB, and no losses were seen for antithrombin III (ATIII), protein C and vWf:Ag.

Measurements of C3a, C5a, prothrombin fragment 1+2 and FXIIa indicated that there was no activation as a result of filtration.
Identification and quantification of anti‐D, ‐C and ‐G in alloimmunized pregnant women
Authors: Maley M. , Babb R. , Chapman C. E. , Fitzgerald J. , Cavanagh G.
Published: March 2003

. Our objectives were to investigate possible overestimation of maternal anti‐D due to co‐existing anti‐C and/or anti‐G, and to confirm the presence of anti‐D in plasma presumed to contain anti‐D+C.

We investigated 96 samples (from 22 antenatal patients and 74 blood donors) initially identified as containing anti‐D+C using routine investigation procedures. Anti‐D quantification was performed using an Astoria Pacific International 300 (API 300) continuous flow analyser with R1R1 and R2R2 reagent red cells. Where possible, samples were tested manually using a rare D+, C‐, G‐ cell, to confirm the presence of anti‐D.

Fifty‐two of 96 samples (11/22 antenatal patients and 41/74 blood donors) gave > 50% higher anti‐D quantification results with R1R1 cells than with R2R2 cells. Anti‐D was not detected using manual techniques in 16 of 73 samples tested (10/22 antenatal patients and 6/51 blood donors).

Anti‐D quantification using R1R1 reagent red cells may cause inaccurate estimation of anti‐D levels, when anti‐C and/or anti‐G are present. Indeed, a significant number of cases, where apparent anti‐D+C is identified, may contain only anti‐C+G and lack an anti‐D component. This may in turn lead to a failure to administer prophylactic anti‐D immunoglobulin to RhD negative patients in cases where anti‐D is not present, putting these patients at risk from immunization with possible consequences to future pregnancies.
Quantification of feto‐maternal haemorrhage (FMH) by flow cytometry: anti‐fetal haemoglobin labelling potentially underestimates massive FMH in comparison to labelling with anti‐D
Authors: Kennedy G. A. , Shaw R. , Just S. , Bryson G. , Battistutta F. , Rowell J. , Williams B.
Published: March 2003

Summary. Many centres now routinely use flow cytometry to quantify feto‐maternal haemorrhage (FMH). However, which flow cytometric method is the most accurate in quantifying FMH is currently unknown. An audit of clinical results in which FMH had been estimated by both directly conjugated monoclonal anti‐D and anti‐fetal haemoglobin (HbF) labelling suggested that the anti‐HbF labelling method may underestimate massive FMH in comparison to labelling with anti‐D. Subsequent to this audit, 46 samples of adult D‐negative blood were spiked with varying amounts of D‐positive cord blood (0·05–10% fetal cells per sample), and the number of fetal cells present was quantified by both labelling methods. The percentage of fetal cells detected by anti‐D was not significantly different to the estimated percentage of fetal cells added to each sample (P = 0·636). However, anti‐HbF labelling significantly underestimated the percentage of fetal cells present (P = 0·0001). In comparison to anti‐D, the percentage of fetal cells detected by anti‐HbF was also significantly lower (P < 0·0001). The difference in fetal cell detection between anti‐D and anti‐HbF labelling was only apparent in the spiked samples containing ≥1% fetal cells per sample. In samples containing ≤0·6% fetal cells, no significant difference in the detection of fetal cells between anti‐D and anti‐HbF labelling was observed (P = 0·11). To allow adequate immunoprophylaxis in D‐negative mothers with massive FMH, we recommend that anti‐D labelling should be used in the routine flow cytometric estimation of FMH.
Secretory acetylcholinesterase of Setaria cervi microfilariae and its antigenic cross‐reactivity with Wuchereria bancrofti
Authors: Sharma S. , Misra S. , Rathaur S.
Published: March 2003

Setaria cervi, a bovine filarial parasite, secretes acetylcholinesterase during in vitro cultivation. A significant amount of enzyme activity was detected both in culture media and somatic extracts of different developmental stages of the parasite. The microfilarial stage showed a higher level of AChE activity than adult worms, with females being considerably more active than males. The secretory enzyme from microfilariae preferentially utilized acetylthiocholine iodide as substrate and showed two electrophoretically distinct isoforms in native PAGE. Secretory enzyme was purified from the excretory/secretory products of microfilariae using edrophonium chloride linked to epoxy‐activated sepharose. Analysis of purified acetylcholinesterase by SDS‐PAGE revealed the existence of two proteins of 75kD and 45kD under non‐reducing conditions. These secretory enzymes are antigenic and cross‐reactive with Wuchereria bancrofti‐infected asymptomatic microfilaraemic human sera when tested by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblotting. The secretory AChE(s) from S. cervi microfilariae may be utilized for diagnosis of early filarial infections.
Arabian Peninsula men tend to insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk seen in South Asians
Authors: Pugh R. N. H. , Hossain M. M. , Malik M. , El Mugamer I. T. , White M. A.
Published: March 2003

Summary
 
objective To test the hypothesis that peninsular Arabs and South Asians share a tendency to insulin resistance, differing from other ethnic groups living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

methods A representative sample of 358 apparently healthy men aged 35–49 years drawn from a multi‐ethnic office‐based workforce in the UAE was tested. The sample included a reference group of expatriate South Asians, in whom insulin resistance has already been described as the cause of high coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality. All subjects were screened for CHD risk factors, including glucose tolerance and 2‐h serum insulin determinations.

results There was a high prevalence of previously undiagnosed cases of diabetes (10.1%) and hypertension (14.2%). South Asian and peninsular Arab men shared the tendency to significantly higher 2‐h glucose and insulin levels, lower HDL cholesterol concentrations and abdominal obesity especially compared to Europeans, who were five times less likely to be glucose‐intolerant (OR 5.40, P = 0.015). Three other Arab groups were intermediate in most trends.

conclusion Susceptibility to insulin resistance in Arabian peninsula men is strongly supported, suggesting that control of obesity and promotion of exercise are the best approach to CHD prevention.
High prevalence of Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium ovale in malaria patients along the Thai‐Myanmar border, as revealed by acridine orange staining and PCR‐based diagnoses
Authors: Zhou M. , Liu Q. , Wongsrichanalai C. , Suwonkerd W. , Panart K. , Prajakwong S. , Pensiri A. , Kimura M. , Matsuoka H. , Ferreira M. U. , Isomura S. , Kawamoto F.
Published: March 2003

The prevalence of the four human malaria parasites was investigated among malaria patients at northern, central and southern towns in Thailand along the border with Myanmar between September 1995 and May 1996. Thin smears obtained from 548 Thai and Burmese patients were reviewed by an acridine orange staining method, and many mixed infections with two to four species, including P. malariae and P. ovale, were detected. These diagnostic results were compared with those by two PCR‐based diagnoses, microtitre plate hybridization (MPH) and a nested PCR method, both of which targets the same, species‐specific regions in the 18S rRNA genes. In both PCR diagnoses, many P. malariae and P. ovale infections were also detected. Detection sensitivity of P. malariae infection was higher in nested PCR than MPH, and a total prevalence of P. malariae infection estimated by nested PCR reached 24.3% (133/548). In 16 of them, the size of PCR products amplified by the P. malariae‐specific primer was about 20‐bp shorter than the expected size of 115‐bp. Four of 16 possessed two different bands with normal and shorter sizes, suggesting that P. malariae isolates may be separated into two types, and that those with shorter products may be new variant form (s) with a nucleotide deletion in the target region. On the other hand, 21 P. ovale infections (3.8%) were detected by nested PCR, but four of them were MPH‐negative because of the sequence variation at the probe region. These results indicated that the prevalence of P. malariae and P. ovale along the Thai‐Myanmar border may be substantially higher than previously reported.
Molecular, antibiogram and serological typing of Staphylococcus aureus isolates recovered from Al‐Makased hospital in East Jerusalem
Authors: Essawi Tamer , Na'was Tarek , Hawwari Abbass , Wadi Suzan , Doudin Anwar , Fattom Ali Ibrahim
Published: March 2003

Staphylococcus aureus is a major cause of nosocomial infections and a risk in patients who have either undergone surgery or are on haemodialysis. The S. aureus infections in patients admitted to the clinical departments of Al‐Makased Charitable Hospital in Jerusalem during a period of one year were investigated. Isolates included were from blood, surgical wounds, or other nonsuperficial sites. Of 63 isolates available for analysis, 46 (73.0%) expressed type 8 capsular polysaccharide; 13 (20.7%), type 5 capsular polysaccharide; only 4 isolates (6.3%) did not express type 5 or type 8 antibodies. The strains fitted in 7 different antibiogram types, with the type showing resistance only to penicillin and ampicillin prevalent in 34 out of 63 isolates (54.0%). Of the 12 methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates (19.1%), 8(66.7%) possessed the type 8 capsule and 4(33.7%) the type 5 capsule. Pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis of all isolates with the restriction‐endonuclease enzymes Sma I revealed 34 patterns demonstrating that no single methicillin‐sensitive S. aureus strain was endemic in the hospital. However, all MRSA isolates with a type 8 capsule showed identical PFGE patterns using the 2 restriction‐endonuclease enzymes Sma I and SST II. Moreover, type 5 isolates showed identical patterns (one isolate differed from the rest with one band only). These data suggest and confirm the clonality of type 5 and type 8 MRSA isolates. Analysing the results of the capsular and antibiogram typing schemes in conjunction proved useful and suggested that such an analysis can be employed as a helpful epidemiological tool in hospitals with limited resources.
Short communication: Dengue serotype 2 subtype III (‘Jamaica’) epidemic in Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Authors: Van der Stuyft  , Gianella  , Pirard  , Holzman  , Peredo  , Boelaert  , Vorndam
Published: March 2003

Summary
background  During the past decade, dengue and dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) have become a public health problem in various Latin American countries. Indications of increased dengue cases in the city of Santa Cruz, Bolivia, early in 1997 were promptly investigated.

methods  We conducted a sample sero‐survey in one district of the city. Levels of antidengue IgM were determined and genetic analysis was performed on virus isolates.

results  IgM antibodies were detected in 6.5% (95% CI: 3.4%– 9.6%) of adults (over 15 years old) and 5.1% (2.0%– 8.2%) of children (5–7 years old). Dengue virus serotype 2 subtype III (‘Jamaica’) was isolated.

conclusions  The estimated attack rates are compatible with a dengue epidemic in Santa Cruz. Isolation of dengue‐2 ‘Jamaica’ virus documents the further spread of this subtype from the Caribbean via Brazil into South America. Increased DHF preparedness seems mandatory.
Epidemiology of soil‐transmitted nematode infections in Ha Nam Province, Vietnam
Authors: Needham Cathy , Thi Kim Hoang , Viet Hoa Nguyen , Dinh Cong Le , Michael Edwin , Drake Lesley , Hall Andrew , Bundy Donald A. P.
Published: March 2003

Baseline epidemiological data are presented from a parasitological survey conducted in Thuy Loi commune, Ha Nam province, Vietnam; a farming community where night soil is routinely used as fertilizer for crops. 177 households were visited and 543 individuals (aged 1–88 years) recruited to the study. Helminth infection intensity was assessed by Kato‐Katz to determine the density of parasite eggs per gram of stool (epg). Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworm infections were the only species detected. 83% of individuals were infected with A. lumbricoides (mean epg = 11971), 94% with T. trichiura (mean epg = 793) and 59% with hookworm (mean epg = 302). Age‐dependent patterns of infection prevalence and intensity were similar for A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura, but markedly different for hookworm infection. Similarly, age‐dependency in the k‐values for the three infections was due to covariance with the respective mean intensities with age rather than to independent age effects, with similar patterns for A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura, and a different pattern for hookworm. Three major conclusions can be drawn from the multiple‐species analyses: There is positive interaction between A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura infections; high‐intensity A. lumbricoides infections are significantly associated with high‐intensity T. trichiura infections; and there is positive interaction between these two species such that infection intensity of A. lumbricoides is higher in individuals with concurrent T. trichiura infection than in individuals without and vice versa.
Ivermectin influence on the mast cell activity in nodules of onchocerciasis patients
Authors: Wildenburg  , Korten  , Mainuka  , Büttner
Published: March 2003

Summary Onchocercal nodules were stained immunohistochemically using antibodies specific for human mast cells and IgE to elucidate the localization and frequency of mast cells after a single oral dose of 150 μg/kg ivermectin. Tryptase‐and chymase‐positive mast cells occurred predominantly in mixed inflammatory infiltrates and perivascularly, and never adhered to adult worms or microfilariae. Up to three days after ivermectin, mast cells and IgE‐positive cells were markedly increased in the capsular area of nodules containing female worms with embryos and microfilariae compared to untreated nodules. In the centre of these nodules, around the adult Onchocerca volvulus, we found many tryptase‐positive cells. More mast cells were IgE‐positive than in untreated nodules, equalling the number of tryptase‐positive mast cells. There was a clear correlation between the appearance of mast cells and the attacks on damaged microfilariae by eosinophils and macrophages and in the vicinity of adult worms by neutrophils that occur soon after ivermectin treatment. Onchocercomata harbouring female worms with oocytes only revealed, after all treatment intervals, the same mast cell numbers as untreated nodules. In conclusion, during the first three days after administration, ivermectin produces increased numbers of mast cells in nodules harbouring females with embryos and microfilariae, probably as part of an allergic reaction to the attacked microfilariae. Four to 19 days after ivermectin the number of mast cells in the entire nodule is no longer elevated.
Possible dengue sequential infection: dengue spread in a neighbourhood during the 1996/97 dengue‐2 epidemic in French Polynesia
Authors: Deparis  , Roche  , Murgue  , Chungue
Published: March 2003

A DEN‐2 epidemic occurred in French Polynesia from August 1996 to April 1997 after 7 years of DEN‐3 circulation. The susceptible population constituted all expatriates and Polynesians under 21. In August 1996, two successive DEN‐2 cases occurred in Teroma, a Tahitian neighbourhood close to the international airport of Tahiti. A serological prospective study of persons < 21 years living in Teroma was conducted. The study population was bled in September 1996, October 1996 and June 1997. Analysis of dengue spread in Teroma confirmed that dengue transmission occurs primarily in the house, thus vector control campaigns should incorporate focal insecticide spraying and systematic daily use of insecticide in houses. The evolution in time of the disease demonstrated that among a susceptible population, prevalence and incidence rates are related to the time of exposure, and consequently to age. Comparison of dengue incidence or dengue prevalence between populations therefore requires adjusted age rates. Most studies did not adjust for age, leading to the conclusion that DHF is more frequent during secondary than during primary dengue infection. Prospective studies taking into account the time of dengue exposure are necessary to confirm the sequential infection hypothesis.
Independent evaluation of the Nigrosin‐Eosin modification of the Kato‐Katz technique
Authors: Ramsan Mahdi , Montresor Antonio , Foum Ali , Ameri Haji , Di Matteo Luigi , Albonico Marco , Savioli Lorenzo
Published: March 2003

Summary A new modified quantitative Kato‐Katz thick‐smear technique for the detection of helminth eggs in faeces preserves hookworm eggs unaltered for a long time, while with the classic Kato‐Katz technique, they disappear after ≊ 2 h in tropical climates and thus slides must be read within hours after sample collection. For an independent comparison of these two laboratory techniques, faecal smears from 263 school children were examined in two surveys and prevalence, intensity of infection and costs of surveys calculated. There was no statistical difference between the methods in detecting prevalence and stratification of the sample in different classes of intensity. While there was no statistical difference for the arithmetic mean of the epg for T. trichiura and only a small difference for A. lumbricoides (P= 0.04), we observed a highly significant difference for hookworm mean intensities of infections (P < 0.001). From the public health viewpoint both methods provided similar results, but due to its simplicity and widespread use the classical Kato‐Katz technique remains first choice for community investigation of soil‐transmitted nematodes. However, the Nigrosin‐Eosin approach has several advantages and can be a valuable alternative in certain circumstances.
Renal involvement in Gambian children with cerebral or mild malaria
Authors: Weber Martin W. , Zimmermann Ulrich , Hensbroek Michael Boele , Frenkel Jost , Palmer Ayo , Ehrich Jochen H. H. , Greenwood Brian M.
Published: March 2003

Summary Kidney function was studied in 80 Gambian children with cerebral malaria, 73 children with mild malaria, and in 19 children with other febrile illnesses. Serum creatinine was measured, and the excretion in urine of immunoglobulin G, transferrin, albumin and alpha 1 microglobulin was determined. Twenty‐five percent of children with cerebral malaria, and 4% of children with mild malaria had an elevated serum creatinine above 62 μmol/l. Increased urinary protein excretion was frequent: 53% of children with cerebral malaria had a glomerulo‐tubular pattern of protein excretion, and 46% a tubular pattern. Median albuminuria was 68 mg/l in children with cerebral malaria, 18 mg/l in children with mild malaria, and 9 mg/l in febrile children with other diseases (P < 0.0001). There was no significant association between the proteinuria and height of fever or the degree of parasitaemia, and there was no significant association between death and signs of renal impairment. Renal involvement is common in children with malaria in The Gambia, with prerenal, glomerular, and tubulo‐interstitial factors contributing. It is more pronounced in children with cerebral malaria than in those with mild malaria. However, renal dysfunction is relatively mild and does not indicate a worse prognosis.
Evidence for an association between hookworm infection and cognitive function in Indonesian school children
Authors: Sakti Hastaning , Nokes Catherine , Subagio Hertanto W. , Hendratno Sri , Hall Andrew , Bundy Donald A. P. , Satoto
Published: March 2003

Summary The association between helminth infection and cognitive and motor function was investigated in school‐age children in Java, Indonesia. 432 children from 42 primary schools participated in the study. Children were stratified by age and sex into two age groups, 8–9 years and 11–13 years. Children infected with hookworm performed significantly worse than children without hookworm infection in 6 of the 14 cognitive or motor tests. After controlling for school (as a random effect) plus age, socio‐economic status and parental education, sex, stunting (height‐for‐age < − 2sd), body mass index, haemoglobin concentration and the presence of A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura infections, infection with hookworm explained significantly lower scores on tests of Fluency (P < 0.01), Digit‐Span Forwards (P < 0.01), Number Choice (P < 0.01), Picture Search (P < 0.03), Stroop Colour Word (P < 0.02) and Mazes (P < 0.001). In 4 of the 6‐tests (Fluency, Number Choice, Picture Search and Mazes), there was a significant interaction between hookworm infection and age (P < 0.03), indicating that the association between hookworm and lower test scores increased with age. No associations were observed between hookworm infection and scores in tests of Digit‐Span Backwards, Corsi‐Block, Stroop Colour, Stroop Interference, Free Recall, Verbal Analogies, Bead Threading or the Pegboard (P > 0.05). Tests associated with helminths represented various functions of working memory. No significant associations between helminth infection and motor function were observed that could not be explained by chance. The results suggest that hookworm infection can have a significant adverse effect on children's working memory which may have consequences for a child's reasoning ability and reading comprehension. Although the results are only associational, the fact that differences in cognition were observed at baseline imply that preventing infection with helminths in school‐age children could be of benefit.
Detection of circulating E/S antigens in the sera of patients with fascioliasis by IELISA: a tool of serodiagnosis and assessment of cure
Authors: Shehab A. Y. , Hassan E. M. , Basha L. M. Abou , Omar E. A. , Helmy M. H. , El‐Morshedy H. N. , Farag H. F.
Published: March 2003

Summary An IELISA was developed to evaluate the performance of Fasciola E/S antigens in diagnosis and cure assessment of human Fasciola infection. Twenty patients with acute (prepatent) fascioliasis and another 20 with patent infection were enrolled in the study. Patients were treated with TCZ and followed at 1, 3 and 6 months after therapy. At inspection, the sensitivity of the test to diagnose prepatent cases was 100% compared to 70% for patent infections. There was a gradual decrease of antigenaemia over the follow‐up period in acute cases. In chronic cases antigen disappeared from 13 cases (65%) at 1 month; this proportion did not change at 3 or 6 months.
Epidemiological features and case management practices of imported malaria in northern Italy 1991–1995
Authors: Matteelli A. , Colombini P. , Gulletta M. , Castelli F. , Carosi G.
Published: March 2003

Summary We report the results of a retrospective analysis of the clinical charts of imported malaria cases notified during the period 1991–95 in the Lombardy region of northern Italy. We analysed 694 admissions related to 683 individuals. The proportion of immigrants increased during the observation period from 34.4% in 1991 to 59.9% in 1995 (P = 0.002). P. falciparum was the causative species in 534 cases (78.2%), and 591 (90.1%) of 656 cases with a full travel history had travelled to Africa. Information on chemoprophylaxis was available in 604 cases: 429 (71.0%) reported no drug intake, 140 (23.2%) an incomplete, and 35 (5.8%) a complete chemoprophylactic course. The proportion of subjects who had initiated malaria chemoprophylaxis was significantly lower among immigrants (7.4%) than nonimmigrants (50.2%) (P < 0.001). Severe disease was diagnosed in 26 (4.7%) of 551 cases of falciparum malaria, with a significantly lower incidence among immigrants (1.3%vs. 9.2%; P < 0.001). Eight deaths were recorded, all among nonimmigrants, whose fatality rate was significantly higher (P = 0.02). Mefloquine treatment of cases of uncomplicated falciparum malaria was associated with a significantly shorter fever clearance time (2.8 days ± 1.5 vs. 3.5 days ± 1.9; P < 0.001) and mean hospital stay (5.9 days ± 4.4 vs. 8.3 days ± 5.1; P < 0.001) compared to quinine treatment.
A community perspective on the efficacy of malaria treatment options for children in Lundazi District, Zambia
Authors: Williams Holly Ann , Kachur S. Patrick , Nalwamba N. Charity , Hightower Allen , Simoonga Christopher , Mphande Peter C.
Published: March 2003

Summary In 1996, Zambia's Ministry of Health made sulfadoxine‐pyrimethamine (SP) available as a second‐line antimalarial. SP differs from chloroquine (CQ) in ways that might affect parents' acceptance of the drug, resulting in possible delays in seeking treatment if parents perceive SP as less efficacious. A multifaceted study consisting of a rapid community ethnographic assessment to examine local attitudes and perceptions toward malaria, a 14‐day in vivo drug efficacy study comparing clinical and parasitological efficacy of CQ, SP, and SP with paracetamol (PCM) in children under five, and a qualitative study examining caretakers' perceptions of drug efficacy helped to guide implementation of the new drug policy. The rapid ethnographic study indicated that the community was aware of malaria as an illness best treated with modern medicines, particularly CQ. The drug efficacy study demonstrated a 25% level of clinical failures compared to none with SP, and 30% of the children treated with CQ had either RIII or RII parasitological failures whereas none occurred in children treated with SP. Most parents perceived that their children were improving and that the drugs were working. Parents in the SP groups were most pleased and readily accepted SP as a new drug. The addition of PCM did not improve perceptions of SP efficacy, contradicting conventional wisdom regarding the need for direct antipyretic action for parents to perceive a drug as efficacious. The combined results reflected a community that was in the beginning stages of evaluating a new malaria therapy mostly unknown to them. Perceptions of efficacy of CQ were beginning to shift, indicating a readiness for accepting a new drug based on its shown biological efficacy. Parasitological and clinical failure rates reinforced the need to fully implement the changed national policy as soon as possible, and to consider a change in first‐line therapy.
Home case management of malaria: an ethnographic study of lay people's classification of drugs in Suneka Division, Kenya
Authors: Nyamongo Isaac K.
Published: March 2003

Summary Lay people in malaria‐affected regions frequently have to choose from many over‐the‐counter malaria management drugs, requiring them to be able to identify these medications and distinguish between them. Lay people make these distinctions at two levels – age of the patient and the whether he or she has fever, pain or malaria. Sometimes decisions are based on incorrect information given by friends and relatives, causing prolonged suffering to the patient, exascerbating chloroquine resistance and leading to resistance to the sulfodoxine/pyrymethamine drugs now recommended as first‐line treatment in Kenya.
Incidence de la maladie du sommeil et densité des campements de culture en forêt de Côte d'Ivoire: possibilité de prédiction des zones á risques pour la mise en place précoce d'un réseau de surveillance
Authors: Laveissière C. , Meda A. H.
Published: March 2003

Un réseau de surveillance basé sur les Soins de Santé Primaires apte á détecter les cas rapidement et á maintenir la prévalence de l'endémie á un niveau acceptable semble être une bonne alternative á l'intervention ponctuelle d'équipes mobiles pour la lutte contre la maladie du sommeil en forêt de Côte d'Ivoire. Il est difficile de concevoir qu'un réseau de surveillance puisse être mis en place partout. Il faut donc identifier les zones les plus á risque et, pour ce faire, il est essentiel de trouver un indicateur adéquat. L'étude des données recueillies dans plusieurs foyers de la forêt ivoirienne met en évidence une corrélation étroite entre la densité des campements de culture par kilomètre carré et le risque épidémiologique (r= 0983; P < 0,05). L'installation de la maladie du sommeil est liée á plusieurs facteurs, le principal étant l'homme. Son action sur l'environnement modifie les relations qu'il entretient avec les glossines. Le risque épidémiologique, et donc l'incidence de la maladie, vont croá(r)tre jusqu'au moment oú la pression humaine étant trop forte, les conditions de survie du vecteur ne seront plus assurées entraá(r)nant l'arrêt de la transmission. Cette hypothèse est validée par la corrélation existant entre d, la densité de campements au kilomètre carré et i l'incidence cumulée: i = 0988 d − 0967 (r= 0,951). Ainsi la prévalence serait de 0,5%á partir d'une densité de 1,5 campements par km2; elle serait de 1%á partir d'une densité de 2. Les premiers résultats de l'utilisation de la télédétection indiquent qu'il devrait être possible de délimiter rapidement les régions forestières oú la densité de campements de culture a atteint une valeur critique justifiant la mise en place des structures et protocoles de surveillance.

In the forests of Cáte d'Ivoire a surveillance network is needed to quickly and continuously detect cases of Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT). This requires knowledge of high risk areas, and thus of an appropriate epidemiological indicator. Study of several HAT foci in Cáte d'Ivoire shows a striking correlation between epidemiological risk and settlement density by square kilometer (r= 0983; P < 0,05). Epidemiological risk and disease incidence will increase up to the point when human influence eradicates the vector. This hypothesis is supported by the correlation between settlement density (d) and cumulative incidence: i = 0988 d − 0967 (r= 0.951). The prevalence would be 0.5% from 1.5 settlements per km2, and 1% from a density of 2. The first results of remote sensing indicate that it is possible to identify forest areas where settlement density has reached a critical level.