bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Two Tales of Cytauxzoon felis Infections in Domestic Cats
Authors: Wang Jin-Lei , Li Ting-Ting , Liu Guo-Hua , Zhu Xing-Quan , Yao Chaoqun 
Published: June 2017

SUMMARYCytauxzoonosis is an emerging infectious disease that affects wild felids as well as the domestic cat; it is caused by the apicomplexan protozoan parasites belonging to the genusCytauxzoon.Cytauxzoonfelisis the species of major concern, whose transmission occurs via the bite of an infected tick. Cytauxzoonosis of the domestic cat has historically been considered uniformly fatal, with a short course of illness, and most domestic cats die within 9 to 15 days postinfection. However, increasing evidence of domestic cats survivingC. felisinfection suggests the existence of different strains with various levels of pathogenicity. Although wild felids are considered natural reservoirs for this parasite, a number of studies suggest that domestic cats that have survived nonlethal infections may serve as an additional reservoir. The current article comprehensively reviews the parasite and its life cycle, geographic distribution, genetic variability, and pathogenesis, as well as host immunology and the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infection in the domestic cat. This information should provide a basis for better understanding the parasite as well as the pathogenesis of the disease.
The Pneumococcal Serotype 15C Capsule Is Partially O-Acetylated and Allows for Limited Evasion of 23-Valent Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine-Elicited Anti-Serotype 15B Antibodies
Authors: Spencer Brady L. , Shenoy Anukul T. , Orihuela Carlos J. , Nahm Moon H. 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACT

As a species,
Streptococcus pneumoniae
(the pneumococcus) utilizes a diverse array of capsular polysaccharides to evade the host. In contrast to large variations in sugar composition and linkage formation, O-acetylation is a subtle capsular modification that nonetheless has a large impact on capsular shielding and recognition of the capsule by vaccine-elicited antibodies. Serotype 15B, which is included in the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23), carries the putative O-acetyltransferase gene
wciZ
. The coding sequence of
wciZ
contains eight consecutive TA repeats [(TA)
8
]. Replication slippage is thought to result in the addition or loss of TA repeats, subsequently causing frameshift and truncation of WciZ to yield a nonacetylated serotype, 15C. Using sensitive serological tools, we show that serotype 15C isolates whose
wciZ
contains seven or nine TA repeats retain partial O-acetylation, while serotype 15C isolates whose
wciZ
contains six TA repeats have barely detectable O-acetylation. We confirmed by inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay that (TA)
7
serotype 15C is ∼0.1% as acetylated as serotype 15B, while serotype 15X is nonacetylated. To eliminate the impact of genetic background, we created isogenic serotype 15B, (TA)
7
serotype 15C, and 15BΔ
wciZ
(15X) strains and found that reduction or absence of WciZ-mediated O-acetylation did not affect capsular shielding from phagocytes, biofilm formation, adhesion to nasopharyngeal cells, desiccation tolerance, or murine colonization. Sera from PPV23-immunized persons opsonized serotype 15B significantly but only slightly better than serotypes 15C and 15X; thus, PPV23 may not result in expansion of serotype 15C.
Rapid Differentiation of Haemophilus influenzae and Haemophilus haemolyticus by Use of Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry with ClinProTools Mass Spectrum Analysis
Authors: Chen Jonathan H. K. , Cheng Vincent C. C. , Wong Chun-Pong , Wong Sally C. Y. , Yam Wing-Cheong , Yuen Kwok-Yung 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACT

Haemophilus influenzae
is associated with severe invasive disease, while
Haemophilus haemolyticus
is considered part of the commensal flora in the human respiratory tract. Although the addition of a custom mass spectrum library into the matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) system could improve identification of these two species, the establishment of such a custom database is technically complicated and requires a large amount of resources, which most clinical laboratories cannot afford. In this study, we developed a mass spectrum analysis model with 7 mass peak biomarkers for the identification of
H. influenzae
and
H. haemolyticus
using the ClinProTools software. We evaluated the diagnostic performance of this model using 408
H. influenzae
and
H. haemolyticus
isolates from clinical respiratory specimens from 363 hospitalized patients and compared the identification results with those obtained with the Bruker IVD MALDI Biotyper. The IVD MALDI Biotyper identified only 86.9% of
H. influenzae
(311/358) and 98.0% of
H. haemolyticus
(49/50) clinical isolates to the species level. In comparison, the ClinProTools mass spectrum model could identify 100% of
H. influenzae
(358/358) and
H. haemolyticus
(50/50) clinical strains to the species level and significantly improved the species identification rate (McNemar's test,
P
< 0.0001). In conclusion, the use of ClinProTools demonstrated an alternative way for users lacking special expertise in mass spectrometry to handle closely related bacterial species when the proprietary spectrum library failed. This approach should be useful for the differentiation of other closely related bacterial species.
Genome-Wide Analysis of 18 Epstein-Barr Viruses Isolated from Primary Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Biopsy Specimens
Authors: Tu Chaofeng , Zeng Zhaoyang , Qi Peng , Li Xiayu , Yu Zhengyuan , Guo Can , Xiong Fang , Xiang Bo , Zhou Ming , Gong Zhaojian , Liao Qianjin , Yu Jianjun , He Yi , Zhang Wenling , Li Xiaoling , Li Yong , Li Guiyuan , Xiong Wei 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACT

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous gammaherpesvirus that is highly prevalent in almost all human populations and is associated with many human cancers, such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), Hodgkin's disease, and gastric carcinoma. However, in these EBV-associated cancers, only NPC exhibits remarkable ethnic and geographic distribution. We hypothesized that EBV genomic variations might contribute to the pathogenesis of different human cancers in different geographic areas. In this study, we collected 18 NPC biopsy specimens from the Hunan Province in southern China and
de novo
assembled 18 NPC biopsy specimen-derived EBV (NPC-EBV) genomes, designated HN1 to HN18. This was achieved through target enrichment of EBV DNA by hybridization, followed by next-generation sequencing, to reveal sequence diversity. These EBV genomes harbored 20,570 variations totally, including 20,328 substitutions, 88 insertions, and 154 deletions, compared to the EBV reference genome. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all NPC-EBV genomes were distinct from other EBV genomes. Furthermore, HN1 to HN18 had some nonsynonymous variations in EBV genes including genes encoding latent, early lytic, and tegument proteins, such as substitutions within transmembrane domains 1 and 3 of LMP1, FoP_duplication, and zf-AD domains of ENBA1, in addition to aberrations in noncoding regions, especially in BamHI A rightward transcript microRNAs. These variations might have potential biological significance. In conclusion, we reported a genome-wide view of sequence variation in EBV isolated from primary NPC biopsy specimens obtained from the Hunan Province. This might contribute to further understanding of how genomic variations contribute to carcinogenesis, which would impact the treatment of EBV-associated cancer.

IMPORTANCE
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is highly associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and exhibits remarkable ethnic and geographic distribution. Hunan Province in southern China has a high incidence rate of NPCs. Here, we report 18 novel EBV genome sequences from viruses isolated from primary NPC biopsy specimens in this region, revealing whole-genome sequence diversity.
Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission Bottleneck Selects for Consensus Virus with Lower Gag-Protease-Driven Replication Capacity
Authors: Naidoo Vanessa L. , Mann Jaclyn K. , Noble Christie , Adland Emily , Carlson Jonathan M. , Thomas Jake , Brumme Chanson J. , Thobakgale-Tshabalala Christina F. , Brumme Zabrina L. , Brockman Mark A. , Goulder Philip J. R. , Ndung'u Thumbi 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACT

In the large majority of cases, HIV infection is established by a single variant, and understanding the characteristics of successfully transmitted variants is relevant to prevention strategies. Few studies have investigated the viral determinants of mother-to-child transmission. To determine the impact of Gag-protease-driven viral replication capacity on mother-to-child transmission, the replication capacities of 148 recombinant viruses encoding plasma-derived Gag-protease from 53 nontransmitter mothers, 48 transmitter mothers, and 47 infected infants were assayed in an HIV-1-inducible green fluorescent protein reporter cell line. All study participants were infected with HIV-1 subtype C. There was no significant difference in replication capacities between the nontransmitter (
n
= 53) and transmitter (
n
= 44) mothers (
P
= 0.48). Infant-derived Gag-protease NL4-3 recombinant viruses (
n
= 41) were found to have a significantly lower Gag-protease-driven replication capacity than that of viruses derived from the mothers (
P
< 0.0001 by a paired
t
test). High percent similarities to consensus subtype C Gag, p17, p24, and protease sequences were also found in the infants (
n
= 28) in comparison to their mothers (
P
= 0.07,
P
= 0.002,
P
= 0.03, and
P
= 0.02, respectively, as determined by a paired
t
test). These data suggest that of the viral quasispecies found in mothers, the HIV mother-to-child transmission bottleneck favors the transmission of consensus-like viruses with lower viral replication capacities.

IMPORTANCE
Understanding the characteristics of successfully transmitted HIV variants has important implications for preventative interventions. Little is known about the viral determinants of HIV mother-to-child transmission (MTCT). We addressed the role of viral replication capacity driven by Gag, a major structural protein that is a significant determinant of overall viral replicative ability and an important target of the host immune response, in the MTCT bottleneck. This study advances our understanding of the genetic bottleneck in MTCT by revealing that viruses transmitted to infants have a lower replicative ability as well as a higher similarity to the population consensus (in this case HIV subtype C) than those of their mothers. Furthermore, the observation that “consensus-like” virus sequences correspond to lower
in vitro
replication abilities yet appear to be preferentially transmitted suggests that viral characteristics favoring transmission are decoupled from those that enhance replicative capacity.
Functional Evolution of Influenza Virus NS1 Protein in Currently Circulating Human 2009 Pandemic H1N1 Viruses
Authors: Clark Amelia M. , Nogales Aitor , Martinez-Sobrido Luis , Topham David J. , DeDiego Marta L. 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACT
In 2009, a novel H1N1 influenza virus emerged in humans, causing a global pandemic. It was previously shown that the NS1 protein from this human 2009 pandemic H1N1 (pH1N1) virus was an effective interferon (IFN) antagonist but could not inhibit general host gene expression, unlike other NS1 proteins from seasonal human H1N1 and H3N2 viruses. Here we show that the NS1 protein from currently circulating pH1N1 viruses has evolved to encode 6 amino acid changes (E55K, L90I, I123V, E125D, K131E, and N205S) with respect to the original protein. Notably, these 6 residue changes restore the ability of pH1N1 NS1 to inhibit general host gene expression, mainly by their ability to restore binding to the cellular factor CPSF30. This is the first report describing the ability of the pH1N1 NS1 protein to naturally acquire mutations that restore this function. Importantly, a recombinant pH1N1 virus containing these 6 amino acid changes in the NS1 protein (pH1N1/NSs-6mut) inhibited host IFN and proinflammatory responses to a greater extent than that with the parental virus (pH1N1/NS1-wt), yet virus titers were not significantly increased in cell cultures or in mouse lungs, and the disease was partially attenuated. The pH1N1/NSs-6mut virus grew similarly to pH1N1/NSs-wt in mouse lungs, but infection with pH1N1/NSs-6mut induced lower levels of proinflammatory cytokines, likely due to a general inhibition of gene expression mediated by the mutated NS1 protein. This lower level of inflammation induced by the pH1N1/NSs-6mut virus likely accounts for the attenuated disease phenotype and may represent a host-virus adaptation affecting influenza virus pathogenesis.

IMPORTANCE
Seasonal influenza A viruses (IAVs) are among the most common causes of respiratory infections in humans. In addition, occasional pandemics are caused when IAVs circulating in other species emerge in the human population. In 2009, a swine-origin H1N1 IAV (pH1N1) was transmitted to humans, infecting people then and up to the present. It was previously shown that the NS1 protein from the 2009 pandemic H1N1 (pH1N1) virus is not able to inhibit general gene expression. However, currently circulating pH1N1 viruses have evolved to encode 6 amino acid changes (E55K, L90I, I123V, E125D, K131E, and N205S) that allow the NS1 protein of contemporary pH1N1 strains to inhibit host gene expression, which correlates with its ability to interact with CPSF30. Infection with a recombinant pH1N1 virus encoding these 6 amino acid changes (pH1N1/NSs-6mut) induced lower levels of proinflammatory cytokines, resulting in viral attenuation
in vivo
. This might represent an adaptation of pH1N1 virus to humans.
Analysis of Herpes Simplex Virus Reactivation in Explant Reveals a Method-Dependent Difference in Measured Timing of Reactivation
Authors: Doll Jessica R. , Sawtell Nancy M. 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACT
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is widespread in the human population. Following orofacial infection, HSV establishes latency in innervating sensory neurons, primarily located in the trigeminal ganglia. A central feature of HSV pathogenesis is the ability to periodically reactivate in those neurons and be transported back to the body surface. Both transmission and disease, such as keratitis, encephalitis, and neurodegeneration, have been linked to reactivation. Despite invaluable insights obtained from model systems, interactions between viral and host functions that regulate reactivation are still incompletely understood. Various assays are used for measuring reactivation in animal models, but there have been limited comparisons between methods and the accuracy of detecting the timing of reactivation and the corresponding amount of infectious virus produced in the ganglia per reactivation event. Here, we directly compare two approaches for measuring reactivation in latently infected explanted ganglia by sampling media from the explanted cultures or by homogenization of the ganglia and compare the results to viral protein expression in the whole ganglia. We show that infectious virus detection by direct homogenization of explanted ganglia correlates with viral protein expression, but detection of infectious virus in medium samples from explanted cultures does not occur until extensive spread of virus is observed in the ganglia. The medium-sampling method is therefore not reflective of the initial timing of reactivation, and the additional variables influencing spread of virus in the ganglia should be considered when interpreting results obtained using this method.

IMPORTANCE
The development of treatments to prevent and/or treat HSV infection rely upon understanding viral and host factors that influence reactivation. Progress is dependent on experimental methods that accurately measure the frequency and timing of reactivation in latently infected neurons. In this study, two methods for detecting reactivation using the explant model are compared. We show through direct tissue homogenization that reactivation occurs much earlier than can be detected by the indirect method of sampling media from explanted cultures. Thus, the sampling method does not detect the initial timing of reactivation, and results obtained using this method are subject to additional variables with the potential to obscure reactivation outcomes.
A pilot study of interprofessional palliative care education of medical students in the UK and USA
Authors: Gadoud Amy , Lu Wei-Hsin , Strano-Paul Lisa , Lane Susan , Boland Jason W 
Published: June 2017

BackgroundEducating medical students to care for patients at the end-of-life is increasingly recognised as an essential component of training. Traditionally, medical student programmes are run by doctors, but patient care is delivered by an interprofessional team. Our programmes in the UK and USA independently developed a teaching experience led by an interprofessional team of palliative care health professionals.ObjectivesThis study explores the palliative care health professionals’ perceptions, regarding their unique role in medical student palliative care education.MethodsThis is the first study to ascertain views of an interprofessional team delivering palliative care education to medical students. Focus groups enable interaction between members of the group as well as the generation of consensus of comments among group members.ResultsTwo major themes were identified: perceived benefits and value of the experience, and the challenges and lessons learnt from the experiences.ConclusionsDespite different structures and settings, this experiential learning in palliative care provided a rewarding interprofessional experience that has historically been difficult to achieve.
Reduced angiomotin p130 expression correlates with poor prognosis in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Jang Si-Hyong , Cho Hyun Deuk , Lee Ji-Hye , Lee Hyun Ju , Hong Soon Auck , Cho Junhun , Kim Han Jo , Oh Mee-Hye 
Published: June 2017

AimsLung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, and it still results in a poor prognosis despite research and development of a treatment modality. Angiomotin (AMOT) was first described as a protein involved in angiogenesis, and although the oncogenic and tumour-suppressive roles of AMOT were recently reported, the biological function of AMOT has not yet been clarified. The aim of this study was thus to evaluate the relationship between reduced AMOT p130 expression and clinicopathological parameters, including patients' survival.MethodsWe enrolled 67 patients with lung adenocarcinoma in this study and measured the immunoreactivity of AMOT p130 in a tissue microarray. The data were analysed using a χ2test, Cox regression hazards model and log-rank test with Kaplan–Meier curves.ResultsReduced AMOT p130 expression is related to lung adenocarcinoma developed at a young age with statistical significance, but there is no statistical significance for the other clinicopathological parameters. Kaplan–Meier curves with log-rank test showed that reduced AMOT p130 expression had significantly better survival rate compared with the retained group (p=0.002). Univariable and multivariable analyses of the disease free survival revealed that the decreased AMOT expression was an independent prognostic factor (p=0.004, p=0.008, respectively).ConclusionsDecreased AMOT p130 could be an independent indicator of poor survival in patients with lung adenocarcinoma.
Performance of urinalysis tests and their ability in predicting results of urine cultures: a comparison between automated test strip analyser and flow cytometry in various subpopulations and types of samples
Authors: Yusuf Erlangga , Van Herendael Bruno , van Schaeren Jef 
Published: June 2017

AimsResults of urinalysis are available earlier than urine culture results. If urinalysis can predict results of culture, early decision can be made on treatment and whether urine samples should be cultured. This study sought to compare the performance of urinalysis tests by automated test strip analyser (nitrite and leucocyte esterase) with flow cytometry (bacteria and white cell count) in different subpopulations and types of samples.MethodsConsecutive urine samples (n=2351) from a population with a median age of 45 years, 37.2% men, were tested. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value (NPV) of the tests were calculated using contingency tables. The gold standard was positive urine culture with cut-off >105CFU/mL.Results14% of the cultures were positive (95.6% monomicrobial, 74.7%Enterobacteriaceae). Overall, nitrite test was the most specific (98.7%) but the least sensitive (43.2%). Bacteria count was the most sensitive (91.7%) and highly specific (87.5%). In infants <24 months, the sensitivity of bacteria count was reduced (86.1%), but specificity was high (95.9%). The specificity of nitrite was reduced in urine from the in-and-out procedure (81.9%). The sensitivity of bacteria count was reduced in bag specimens urine (83.3%) and in urine from indwelling catheter (84.7%). All tests showed a high NPV. The NPV of the combined flow cytometry tests was higher than those of automated test strip analyser (99.1% vs 97.4%).ConclusionsOverall, the performance of urinalysis is excellent. Flow cytometry tests performed better than automated test strip analyser in ruling out urine to be cultured.
Pattern of pressure gradient alterations after venous sinus stenting for idiopathic intracranial hypertension predicts stent-adjacent stenosis: a proposed classification system
Authors: Raper Daniel , Buell Thomas J , Ding Dale , Chen Ching-Jen , Starke Robert M , Liu Kenneth C 
Published: June 2017

ObjectiveVenous sinus stenting (VSS) is a safe and effective treatment for idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) with angiographic venous sinus stenosis. However, predictors of stent-adjacent stenosis (SAS) remain poorly defined.MethodsWe performed a retrospective review of 47 patients with IIH and intracranial venous stenosis who underwent VSS with pre- and post-stent venography. Patient characteristics, treatments and outcomes were reviewed. Changes in pressure gradient after VSS were classified according to pattern of gradient resolution into types I–III.ResultsType I gradient resolution, in which mean venous pressure (MVP) in the transverse sinus (TS) decreases towards MVP in the sigmoid sinus (SS), occurred in 18 patients (38.3%). Type II gradient resolution pattern, in which SS MVP increases towards that in the TS, occurred in 7patients (14.9%). Type III pattern, in which MVP equilibrates to a middle value, occurred in 22patients (46.8%). SAS occurred in 0%, 28.6%, and 22.7% of patients in types I, II and III, respectively. Compared with patients with type I gradient resolution, SAS was more common in those with type II (p=0.0181) and type III (p=0.0306) patterns.ConclusionsThe pattern of change in the trans-stenosis venous pressure gradient may be predictive of SAS and is a useful tool for classifying the response of the venous obstruction to stenting. A type I pattern appears to represent the ideal response to VSS. Some patients with type II and III changes, particularly if they have other predictors of recurrent stenosis, may benefit from longer initial stent constructs.