bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Capsular Serotype and Antibiotic Resistance of
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Isolates in Two Chilean Cities
Authors: Inostroza Jaime , Trucco Olivia , Prado Valeria , Vinet Ana Maria , Retamal Gloria , Ossa Gonzalo , Facklam Richard R. , Sorensen Ricardo U. 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACT

We compared the incidence of nasopharyngeal colonization by
Streptococcus pneumoniae
, the serotypes causing mucosal and invasive diseases, and the antibiotic resistance of these strains in patients admitted to three large hospitals and children attending day care centers in two Chilean cities (Santiago and Temuco). The populations in both cities were similar in ethnic background, socioeconomic status, family size, and access to medical care. Significant differences in nasopharyngeal colonization rates, in serotypes causing infections, and in antibiotic resistance were found between the two cities. In children 0 to 2 years of age, 42% were colonized with
S. pneumoniae
in Santiago compared to 14% in Temuco. A total of 41 serotypes were identified in both Chilean cities studied. Six serotypes were found only in Santiago; 14 serotypes were found only in Temuco. Antibiotic-resistant serotypes 6A, 6B, 14, 19F, and 23F were detected only in Santiago. We show that important differences in the incidence of nasopharyngeal carriage, infection, and
S. pneumoniae
serotypes can exist in similar populations in different areas of the same country. Our findings are relevant for prevention strategies, antibiotic usage, and vaccine design.
Evaluation of Previously Assigned Antibody Concentrations in Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Reference Serum 89SF by the Method of Cross-Standardization
Authors: Concepcion Nelydia , Frasch Carl E. 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACT
An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the antibody concentrations assigned to different pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide types were used to estimate concentrations of antibody to additional pneumococcal types in reference serum 89SF and to confirm assigned antibody values. This was possible because the slopes of curves of antibody binding to all polysaccharide types evaluated (1, 3, 4, 5, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F, and 23F) were similar. The point estimates for total anti-pneumococcal antibody and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody determined by cross-standardization by an ELISA based on use of methylated human serum albumin (mHSA) to improve the efficiency of polysaccharide binding to the ELISA plate differed by less than 40% from those reported by Quataert et al. (Clin. Diagn. Lab. Immunol. 2:590–597, 1995) for types 1, 4, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, and 23F. However, large differences were found between the assigned values and those obtained by our mHSA ELISA for types 3 and 19F. The mHSA ELISA and the direct polysaccharide coat ELISA may not measure antibodies to the same epitopes on polysaccharides of types 3 and 19F. The functional importance of these different antibody specificities is being investigated. We have thus confirmed the assigned IgG antibody values for most types by a different method and have extended antibody assignments to several additional types.
Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate Treatment of Mice Modulates Infection with
Schistosoma mansoni
Authors: Fallon Padraic G. , Richardson Emma J. , Jones Frances M. , Dunne David W. 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACT

Female mice treated with dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate early during infection were partially protected (
P
< 0.05–0.005) from
Schistosoma mansoni
infection. Hormone treatment did not modify parasite-specific cellular or humoral responses. Serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels and testosterone infection were negatively correlated,
r
= −0.621 and
r
= −0.653, respectively, with schistosome worm burden. The partial resistance to schistosome infection in dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate-treated female mice may be due to the known antischistosomular activity of testosterone.
Absolute CD4 Counts Obtained by a Three-Color Flow-Cytometric Method without the Use of a Hematology Analyzer
Authors: Alexander Thomas S. 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACT
We evaluated the Ortho TRIO-Cytoronabsolute system for determining absolute CD4 counts. The CD4 counts in our blood specimens from 100 individuals ranged from 3 to 1,962; the percent CD4 ranged from 1.3 to 62.2, respectively. The TRIO system was biased toward lower absolute counts than a combination of flow cytometry and hematology but showed no bias in percent CD4 calculations.
Differentiation of F18ab+from F18ac+Escherichia coliby Single-Strand Conformational Polymorphism Analysis of the Major Fimbrial Subunit Gene (fedA)
Authors: Bosworth Brad T. , Dean-Nystrom Evelyn A. , Casey Thomas A. , Neibergs Holly L. 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACTToxin-producingEscherichia coliexpressing F18 fimbriae colonizes the small intestines of weaned pigs and causes diarrhea, edema disease, or both. The F18 family is composed of two antigenic variants, F18ab and F18ac. Because many strains do not express F18 fimbriae in vitro, identification and differentiation of these two variants are difficult. Single-strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis is a rapid method for identifying genetic mutations and polymorphisms. The F18 major fimbrial subunit genes (fedA) of 138 strains were amplified by PCR, and genetic differences were detected by SSCP analysis. The SSCP analysis of thefedAgene differentiated F18ab+strains from F18ac+strains. Most strains classified as F18ab+by SSCP analysis contained Shiga toxin 2e and enterotoxin genes. Most strains classified as F18ac+by SSCP analysis contained only enterotoxin genes. The SSCP analysis was a useful method for predicting the antigenicity of F18+E. coliand could also be used for analysis of other virulence genes inE. coliand other pathogenic bacteria.
In Vitro p24 Antigen-Stimulated Lymphocyte Proliferation and β-Chemokine Production in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1)-Seropositive Subjects after Immunization with an Inactivated gp120-Depleted HIV-1 Immunogen (Remune)
Authors: Moss Ronald B. , Wallace Mark R. , Lanza Paola , Giermakowska Wieslawa , Jensen Fred C. , Theofan Georgia , Chamberlin Carolyn , Richieri Steven P. , Carlo Dennis J. 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACTWe examined the effect of immune stimulation by a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) immunogen (Remune) compared to a non-HIV vaccine (influenza) on HIV-1-specific immune responses in HIV-1-seropositive subjects. HIV-1 p24 antigen-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation was not augmented after immunization with the influenza vaccine. In contrast, subjects increased their lymphocyte proliferative responses to p24 antigen after one immunization with HIV-1 immunogen (Remune) (gp120-depleted inactivated HIV-1 in incomplete Freund’s adjuvant). Furthermore, p24 antigen-stimulated β-chemokine production (RANTES, MIP-1α, MIP-1β) was also augmented after immunization with the HIV-1 immunogen but not influenza vaccine. Taken together, these results suggest that in this cohort, HIV-specific immune responses to p24 antigen can be augmented after immunization with an HIV-1 immunogen. The ability to upregulate immune responses to the more conserved core proteins may have important implications in the development of immunotherapeutic interventions for HIV-1 infection.
Increased Prevalence of Immunoglobulin A Deficiency in Patients with the Chromosome 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome (DiGeorge Syndrome/Velocardiofacial Syndrome)
Authors: Smith Christopher A. , Driscoll Deborah A. , Emanuel Beverly S. , McDonald-McGinn Donna M. , Zackai Elaine H. , Sullivan Kathleen E. 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACT

We wished to determine the prevalence of immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency in patients with the chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. A total of 32 patients with the chromosome 22q11.2 deletion were examined for IgA deficiency. We report a 13% (
n
= 4) prevalence of IgA deficiency in patients with this syndrome. The odds ratio of IgA deficiency in this population is 14.20 (
P
< 0.0001). This confirms the occurrence of significant humoral deficits in this predominantly cellular immunodeficiency.
Diagnostic Value of Proteins of ThreeBorreliaSpecies (Borrelia burgdorferiSensu Lato) and Implications for Development and Use of Recombinant Antigens for Serodiagnosis of Lyme Borreliosis in Europe
Authors: Hauser Ulrike , Lehnert Gisela , Wilske Bettina 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACTMore and more assays for the serodiagnosis of Lyme borreliosis (LB) are based on recombinant antigens. However, so far, there is no consensus as to which are the most specific and sensitive proteins and how they should be used in combination to obtain tests with the best discrimination abilities. The present study was preceded by a detailed analysis of Western blots (WB) using whole-cell lysates ofBorrelia burgdorferisensu stricto strain PKa2,B. afzeliiPKo, andB. gariniiPBi (U. Hauser, G. Lehnert, R. Lobentanzer, and B. Wilske, J. Clin. Microbiol. 35:1433–1444, 1997). For the present work, the data bank from that study, containing information about the reactivities of 330 sera (from patients at different stages of LB [n= 189]; control group,n= 141), was reused. The specificities and sensitivities of various combinations of proteins from different strains were calculated for different interpretation criteria. For immunoglobulin G (IgG) WB, the recommended combination of antigens available to date as recombinant proteins included p83/100 of PKa2, p83/100 of PKo, p39 of PKo, p39 of PBi, and OspC of PBi (interpretation criterion, at least one reactive band required for a positive WB; specificity, 96.5%; sensitivity, 56.1%). The further addition of p58 of PKo, p17 of PKo, or p14 of PKo was most favorable in terms of both a considerable gain of sensitivity and little loss of specificity. IgG Western blotting with a whole-cell lysate of strain PKo might be improved by the addition of OspC of PBi. For IgG WB, the best combination, out of all bands, was p83/100, p58, p39, p30, and p21 of all three strains and OspC of PBi, p17b of PBi, p56 of PKa2, p43 of PKo, p17 of PKo, and p14 of PKo (interpretation criterion, at least two reactive bands required for a positive WB; specificity, 97.2%; sensitivity, 61.4%). An interpretation criterion of at least two reactive bands is more reliable than one of only one reactive band. For IgM WB, the best combination was OspC of PKo, OspC of PBi, p39 of all three strains, p17 of PKo, and strong reactions with p41 of all three strains (interpretation criterion, at least one reactive band required; specificity, 97.9%; sensitivity, 47.0%).
Immunoglobulin G (IgG) Subclass and IgE Responses in Human Paragonimiases Caused by Three Different Species
Authors: Kong Yoon , Ito Akira , Yang Hyun-Jong , Chung Young-Bae , Kasuya Shiro , Kobayashi Masashi , Liu Yue-Han , Cho Seung-Yull 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACTIn 40 cases of human paragonimiases caused byParagonimus westermani(20 cases),P. miyazakii(10 cases), andP. skrjabini(10 cases), responses of serum immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgG subclasses, and IgE were analyzed by immunoblotting with crude antigens prepared from egg, 4-week-old juvenile, and adult forms ofP. westermani. The 32- and 35-kDa proteins in the adult extracts showed specific reactions regardless of the causative species (39 of 40 cases; 98%). Sera of patients infected withP. westermaniandP. miyazakiireacted strongly with the 28-, 46-, and 94-kDa proteins of egg extracts, while those from patients infected withP. skrjabinireacted faintly. No sera from patients with other trematodiases (0 of 15 cases), cestodiases (0 of 20 cases), or lung cancer (0 of 5 cases) or from healthy controls (0 of 10 individuals) showed positive reactions. Analysis by IgG subclass revealed that IgG4 (33 of 40 cases; 83%) and IgG1 (29 of 40 cases; 73%) antibodies in the patient sera recognized the 32- and 35-kDa proteins predominantly. IgG3 reaction was found in 50% (10 of 20 cases) and 30% (3 of 10 cases) of the sera of patients infected withP. westermaniandP. miyazakii, respectively. In an IgE immunoblot, 83% (33 of 40 cases) of the sera from paragonimiasis patients reacted with the 32- and 35-kDa proteins while no sera from patients with heterologous diseases and healthy controls showed a positive reaction. Both 32- and 35-kDa proteins in adult extracts ofP. westermaniwere highly reliable for serodiagnosis of human paragonimiases.
Collection of Cervical Secretions Does Not Adversely Affect Pap Smears Taken Immediately Afterward
Authors: Hildesheim Allan , Bratti M. Concepcion , Edwards Robert P. , Schiffman Mark , Rodriguez Ana C. , Herrero Rolando , Alfaro Mario , Morera Lidia A. , Ermatinger Susan V. , Miller Barbara T. , Crowley-Nowick Peggy A. 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACT

Collection of cervical secretions for local immunological assessment requires that the secretions be collected prior to the Pap smear to avoid contamination with blood. The objective of the present study was to determine whether gentle collection of cervical secretions prior to a Pap smear collection influences the quality of the Pap smear. A total of 266 women were recruited. Half of the participants were assigned to collection of cervical secretions prior to Pap smear collection with Weck-cel sponges. The remaining half had only the Pap smear collection performed. Pap smear slides were reviewed and evaluated for quality by the Bethesda System adequacy criteria without knowledge of randomization. The proportions of limited or inadequate slides in the two study groups were compared by using the Pearson chi-square test. No significant differences were observed between the two study groups when overall Pap smear quality was evaluated (
P
= 0.29). Comparison of the two study groups with respect to individual adequacy criteria, including presence of air drying artifact, presence of obscuring blood, absence of metaplastic or endocervical cells from the transformation zone, scant cellularity, and presence of obscuring inflammatory cells, also revealed no significant differences between the two study groups. Results from the present study suggest that the collection of cervical secretions with Weck-cel sponges does not adversely impact the quality of subsequently obtained Pap smears.
Comparison of Inflammatory Events during Developing Immunoglobulin E-Mediated Late-Phase Reactions and Delayed-Hypersensitivity Reactions
Authors: Zweiman Burton , Moskovitz Anne R. , von Allmen Carolyn 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACTTo compare cellular and mediator responses in early developing late-phase skin reactions (LPR) and delayed-hypersensitivity (DH) reactions in the same subjects, responses in skin chambers overlying sites of challenge with pollen antigen andCandida albicansantigens were compared in six humans with demonstrated prominent LPR and DH responses. Histamine levels in overlying chamber fluids at 1 h were much higher at LPR than at DH sites (P= 0.002). After the next 4 h, leukocyte exudation was higher at LPR than at DH sites (P= 0.005). Most leukocytes were activated neutrophils with greater frequency of superoxide-secreting cells and released lactoferrin at LPR than at DH sites (P= 0.01 andP= 0.02, respectively). The frequency of exuding eosinophils was higher, but not significantly so (P= 0.5), at LPR sites. Although significantly more eosinophils at LPR sites were activated (P= 0.02), the levels of released eosinophilic cationic protein were not significantly higher at LPR sites (P= 0.09). The levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8), but not IL-6, were greater at LPR than at DH sites. During the first 5 h of challenge there was greater mast cell activation and subsequent exudation of activated neutrophils at sites of developing LPR than at DH sites, possibly related to greater local IL-8 levels. The frequency of activated eosinophils was also greater at LPR sites. These different initial inflammatory responses could play a role in determining expression of LPR or DH reactions.
A Euthymic Hairless Mouse Model of
Helicobacter pylori
Colonization and Adherence to Gastric Epithelial Cells In Vivo
Authors: Kimura Nobutake , Ariga Masato , Icatlo Faustino C. , Kuroki Masahiko , Ohsugi Motoyasu , Ikemori Yutaka , Umeda Kouji , Kodama Yoshikatsu 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACT

The hairless mouse strain NS:Hr/ICR was examined as a potential small animal model of
Helicobacter pylori
colonization, adherence to gastric epithelial cells in vivo, and gastritis. Among several small animals tested, NS:Hr/ICR mice proved to be the most highly susceptible to
H. pylori
infection. Challenge with clinical isolates of
H. pylori
consisting of either phenotype I or II (VacA and CagA positive and negative, respectively) resulted in colonization by mucus-resident and epithelial cell-adherent bacterial populations. Cell-adherent bacteria resisted 80 cycles of top-speed vortex washing and were recovered only by homogenization of serially washed glandular stomach tissue, indicating intimate association with the mucosal surface. Immunoperoxidase staining of paraffin sections of gastric tissue from infected mice revealed
H. pylori
antigens localized in the glandular region of the mucosa, with some colonized areas seen in the vicinity of submucosal mononuclear cell infiltration. The latter inflammatory reaction was observed as a function of the
H. pylori
phenotype (only type I induced inflammation) and the challenge dose (only those mice challenged with 10
8
CFU or higher showed the reaction). The NS:Hr/ICR strain of mice is a suitable miniature model of
H. pylori
infection and may prove useful in the quest for an efficacious mode of treatment for this common infection in humans.
Expression of Adhesion Molecules and CD28 on T Lymphocytes during Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection
Authors: Park Suk W. , Royal Walter , Semba Richard D. , Wiegand Gordon W. , Griffin Diane E. 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACTAdhesion molecules, which play a major role in lymphocyte circulation, have not been well characterized in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. T-lymphocyte populations, including CD3, CD4, CD28, and adhesion molecules (L selectin, LFA-1, VLA-4, and ICAM-1) were measured by flow cytometry in a cross-sectional study of 100 HIV-infected and 49 HIV-seronegative adults. HIV-infected adults had lower numbers of CD3+lymphocytes expressing L selectin (P< 0.0001) and VLA-4 (P< 0.01) and higher numbers of CD3+lymphocytes expressing LFA-1bright(P< 0.002) than did HIV-negative adults. By CD4+-lymphocyte count category (>500, 200 to 500, or <200 cells/μl), HIV-infected adults with more advanced disease had lower percentages of CD3+lymphocytes expressing L selectin and VLA-4 and higher percentages of CD3+lymphocytes expressing LFA-1. The percentages of CD3+CD28+lymphocytes and of CD3+L selectin+lymphocytes were positively correlated (Spearman coefficient = 0.86;P< 0.0001), and the percentage of CD3+CD28+lymphocytes and the CD3+LFA-1brightlymphocyte/CD3+LFA-1dimlymphocyte ratio were negatively correlated (Spearman coefficient = −0.92;P<0.00001). The results of this study suggest that HIV infection is associated with altered expression of adhesion molecules.
A Sensitive Method for Quantifying Cytomegalic Endothelial Cells in Peripheral Blood from Cytomegalovirus-Infected Patients
Authors: Kas-Deelen A. M. , Harmsen M. C. , de Maar E. F. , van Son W. J. , The T. H. 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACTA sensitive method has been developed for the quantification of cytomegalic endothelial cells (CEC) in peripheral blood (PB) of patients with active cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections. The three subsequent key steps of this method are density centrifugation to enrich endothelial cells (EC) in the mononuclear cell (MNC) fraction, EC-specific staining, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) of EC onto adhesion slides. The FACS method was compared with the conventional method of cytocentrifugation of the MNC fraction onto slides, followed by EC-specific staining. The main advantage of the additional steps for the isolation and quantification of CEC in PB by FACS is a 10-times-greater sensitivity than by cytocentrifugation of the MNC fraction alone. The recovery percentages of EC from whole blood were comparable for both methods. Recoveries of EC obtained after FACS were 53% ± 16.5%, (mean ± standard deviation), and recoveries of EC obtained after cytocentrifugation of the MNC fraction were 43% ± 4.3%. In patients with active CMV infection, 5 to 72 CEC were detected by FACS, equivalent to 0.8 to 9.0 CEC/ml of blood. With this method for isolation and quantification, the characterization of CEC in PB of patients with CMV-associated clinical symptoms, as well as the quantification of EC in PB of patients with pathophysiological manifestations involving endothelial damage that are different from those caused by CMV infections, can be performed.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1-Like DNA Sequences and Immunoreactive Viral Particles with Unique Association with Breast Cancer
Authors: Rakowicz-Szulczynska Eva M. , Jackson Betty , Szulczynska Adriana M. , Smith McClure 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACT
RAK antigens p120, p42, and p25 exhibit molecular and immunological similarity to the proteins encoded by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and are expressed by 95% of breast and gynecological cancer cases in women and prostate cancer cases in men. The binding of an epitope-specific anti-HIV-1 gp120 monoclonal antibody (MAb) (amino acids 308 to 322) to cancer RAK antigens has been found to be inhibited by a peptide derived from variable loop V3 of HIV-1. Breast cancer DNAs of 40 patients were PCR amplified with HIV-1 gp41-derived primers, and all of the samples were found to be positive. The DNA fragments amplified in seven blindly selected breast cancer samples were sequenced. The breast cancer DNA sequences showed at least 90% homology to the HIV-1 gene for gp41. Antisense oligonucleotides complementary to the HIV-1-like sequences inhibited reverse transcriptase activity and inhibited the growth of breast cancer cells in vitro. Viral particles detected in breast cancer cell lines were strongly immunogold labeled with the anti-HIV-1 gp120 MAb. The results obtained strongly suggest that the long-postulated breast cancer virus may, in fact, be related to HIV-1.
Diminished Adherence and/or Ingestion of VirulentMycobacterium tuberculosisby Monocyte-Derived Macrophages from Patients with Tuberculosis
Authors: Zabaleta J. , Arias M. , Maya J. R. , García L. F. 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACTThe interaction between the macrophage andMycobacterium tuberculosisis mediated by a variety of macrophage membrane-associated proteins. Complement receptors have been implicated in the adherence ofM. tuberculosisto macrophages. In the present work, the adherence and/or ingestion ofM. tuberculosisH37Rv to human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) from patients with tuberculosis (TB) and healthy controls was measured by microscopical examination, [3H]uracil incorporation, and CFU. The adherence and/or ingestion was enhanced by fresh serum and inhibited by heat inactivation, EDTA treatment, and anti-CR1 and anti-CR3 antibodies. Comparison of MDM from TB patients and healthy controls showed that the former exhibited a significantly decreased capacity to adhere and/or ingestM. tuberculosis, as determined by the number of CFU and3H incorporation. The expression of CR1 (CD35) and CR3 (CD11b/CD18) on MDM from TB patients and healthy controls, as determined by flow cytometry, did not show significant differences. These results suggest that the lower ingestion ofM. tuberculosisby MDM from TB patients is not due to defects in complement receptors, and therefore, there might be other molecules involved in the adherence and/or ingestion process that render MDM from TB patients ingest less mycobacteria than those from healthy controls.