bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology of invasive respiratory disease caused by emerging non‐Aspergillus molds in lung transplant recipients
Authors: Peghin M. , Monforte V. , Martin‐Gomez M.T. , Ruiz‐Camps I. , Berastegui C. , Saez B. , Riera J. , Solé J. , Gavaldá J. , Roman A. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractObjectivesOur aim was to assess the impact of positive cultures for non‐Aspergillus molds on the risk of progression to invasive fungal infection (IFI), and the effect of prophylactic nebulized liposomal amphotericin B (n‐LAB) on these pathogens.MethodsThis was an observational study (2003–2013) including lung transplant recipients (LTR) receiving lifetime n‐LAB prophylaxis, in whom non‐Aspergillus molds were isolated on respiratory culture before and after transplantation (minimum 1‐year follow‐up).ResultsWe studied 412 patients, with a mean postoperative follow‐up of 2.56 years (interquartile range 1.01–4.65). Pre‐ and post‐transplantation respiratory samples were frequently positive for non‐Aspergillus molds (11.9% and 16.9% of LTR respectively). Post transplantation, 10 (2.42%) patients developed non‐Aspergillus mold infection (4 Scedosporium species, 4 Purpureocillium species, 1 Penicillium species, and 1 Scopulariopsis species); 5 (1.21%) had IFI, with 60% IFI‐related mortality. Non‐Aspergillus molds with intrinsic amphotericin B (AB) resistance were more commonly isolated in bronchoscopy samples than AB‐variably sensitive or AB‐sensitive molds (54.5% vs. 25%, P = 0.04) and were associated with a higher risk of infection (56.3% vs. 1.3%%, P < 0.01).ConclusionsIn LTR undergoing n‐LAB prophylaxis, pre‐ and post‐transplantation isolation of non‐Aspergillus molds is frequent, but IFI incidence (1.21%) is low. Purpureocillium is an emerging mold. AB‐resistant non‐Aspergillus species were found more often in bronchoscopy samples and were associated with a higher risk of infection.
Using CRISPR/Cas in three dimensions: towards synthetic plant genomes, transcriptomes and epigenomes
Authors: Puchta Holger 
Published: December 2015

SummaryIt is possible to target individual sequence motives within genomes by using synthetic DNA‐binding domains. This one‐dimensional approach has been used successfully in plants to induce mutations or for the transcriptional regulation of single genes. When the CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)/Cas9 system was discovered, a tool became available allowing the extension of this approach from one to three dimensions and to construct at least partly synthetic entities on the genome, epigenome and transcriptome levels. The second dimension can be obtained by targeting the Cas9 protein to multiple unique genomic sites by applying multiple different single guiding (sg) RNAs, each defining a different DNA‐binding site. Finally, the simultaneous use of phylogenetically different Cas9 proteins or sgRNAs that harbour different types of protein binding motives, allows for a third dimension of control. Thus, different types of enzyme activities – fused either to one type of Cas9 orthologue or to one type of RNA‐binding domain specific to one type of sgRNA – can be targeted to multiple different genomic sites simultaneously. Thus, it should be possible to induce quantitatively different levels of expression of certain sets of genes and at the same time to repress other genes, redefining the nuclear transcriptome. Likewise, by the use of different types of histone‐modifying and/or DNA (de)methylating activities, the epigenome of plants should be reprogrammable. On our way to synthetic plant genomes, the next steps will be to use complex genome engineering approaches within or between species borders to restructure and recombine natural or artificial chromosomes.
DIETARY AND EMOTIONAL FACTORS AFFECTING THE BLOOD‐PRESSURE OF CATS, OBSERVED BY EXTERIORIZATION OF THE CAROTID ARTERY
Authors: Liddell E. G. T. , Carleton H. M. 
Published: December 2015

(1) An operative procedure is described for exteriorizing the carotid artery of cats.(2) The normal carotid pressure, measured by a modified Riva‐Rocci method, is 140–170 mm. Hg.(3) On a diet of raw meat 200 g. a day, the blood‐pressure is lower (130–140) and the weight increases by about 20 per cent.(4) On a milk diet (300 c.c. a day), the blood‐pressure is higher (150–170) and the weight decreases to its former value.(5) The addition of 0·8 g. histidine to the milk has no marked effect on blood‐pressure.(6) Emotional changes are accompanied by a rise in blood‐pressure, e.g. on seeing a mouse, to 220 mm. Hg or on hearing a blue‐bottle to 190 mm. Hg.We are indebted to Mr. A. S. Chapman for his care of the animals and to Mr. C. Carr for assistance with blood‐pressure readings.
Exercise training reduces the acute physiological severity of post‐menopausal hot flushes
Authors: Bailey Tom G. , Cable N. Timothy , Aziz Nabil , Atkinson Greg , Cuthbertson Daniel J. , Low David A. , Jones Helen 
Published: December 2015

Key points
A post‐menopausal hot flush consists of profuse physiological elevations in cutaneous vasodilatation and sweating that are accompanied by reduced brain blood flow. These responses can be used to objectively quantify hot flush severity.
The impact of an exercise training intervention on the physiological responses occurring during a hot flush is currently unknown.
In a preference‐controlled trial involving 21 post‐menopausal women, 16 weeks of supervised moderate intensity exercise training was found to improve cardiorespiratory fitness and attenuate cutaneous vasodilatation, sweating and the reductions in cerebral blood flow during a hot flush.
It is concluded that the improvements in fitness that are mediated by 16 weeks of exercise training reduce the severity of physiological symptoms that occur during a post‐menopausal hot flush.
AbstractA hot flush is characterised by feelings of intense heat, profuse elevations in cutaneous vasodilatation and sweating, and reduced brain blood flow. Exercise training reduces self‐reported hot flush severity, but underpinning physiological data are lacking. We hypothesised that exercise training attenuates the changes in cutaneous vasodilatation, sweat rate and cerebral blood flow during a hot flush. In a preference trial, 18 symptomatic post‐menopausal women underwent a passive heat stress to induce hot flushes at baseline and follow‐up. Fourteen participants opted for a 16 week moderate intensity supervised exercise intervention, while seven participants opted for control. Sweat rate, cutaneous vasodilatation, blood pressure, heart rate and middle cerebral artery velocity (MCAv) were measured during the hot flushes. Data were binned into eight equal segments, each representing 12.5% of hot flush duration. Weekly self‐reported frequency and severity of hot flushes were also recorded at baseline and follow‐up. Following training, mean hot flush sweat rate decreased by 0.04 mg cm2 min−1 at the chest (95% confidence interval 0.02–0.06, P = 0.01) and by 0.03 mg cm2 min−1 (0.02–0.05, P = 0.03) at the forearm, compared with negligible changes in control. Training also mediated reductions in cutaneous vasodilatation by 9% (6–12%) at the chest and by 7% (4–9%) at forearm (P ≤ 0.05). Training attenuated hot flush MCAv by 3.4 cm s−1 (0.7–5.1 cm s−1, P = 0.04) compared with negligible changes in control. Exercise training reduced the self‐reported severity of hot flushes by 109 arbitrary units (80–121, P < 0.001). These data indicate that exercise training leads to parallel reductions in hot flush severity and within‐flush changes in cutaneous vasodilatation, sweating and cerebral blood flow.
Serum Concentrations of Antibodies against Outer Membrane Protein P6, Protein D, and T- and B-Cell Combined Antigenic Epitopes of Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae in Children and Adults of Different Ages
Authors: Hua Chun-Zhen , Hu Wei-Lin , Shang Shi-Qiang , Li Jian-Ping , Hong Li-Quan , Yan Jie 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT

Nontypeable
Haemophilus influenzae
(NTHi) is one of the most common etiologies of acute otitis media, rhinosinusitis, and pneumonia. Outer membrane proteins (OMPs) are the main focus in new vaccine development against NTHi, as the
H. influenzae
type b (Hib) vaccine does not cover noncapsulated NTHi. The OMPs P6 and protein D are the most promising candidate antigens for an NTHi vaccine, and low antibody levels against them in serum may be correlated with infection caused by NTHi. In the current study, we measured the antibody titers against P6, protein D, and their T- and B-cell combined peptide epitopes in healthy individuals of different ages. We found that children <1 month old had the lowest antibody levels against NTHi P6, protein D, and their T- and B-cell combined antigenic epitopes. Antibody titers increased at ages 1 to 6 months, peaked at 7 months to 3 years, and remained high at 4 to 6 years. The antibody titers started to decrease after 6 years and were the lowest in the 21- to 30-year group. The geometric mean titers (GMTs) of T- and B-cell combined antigenic epitopes in P6 and protein D were positively correlated with those of the protein antigens. Among 12 peptides tested, P6-61, P6-123, and protein D-167 epitopes were better recognized than others in human serum. These findings might contribute to the development of an effective serotype-independent vaccine for
H. influenzae
.
Synergy of β-Lactams with Vancomycin against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus: Correlation of Disk Diffusion and Checkerboard Methods
Authors: Sy Cheng Len , Huang Tsi-Shu , Chen Chii Shiang , Chen Yao-Shen , Tsai Hung-Chin , Wann Shue-Renn , Wu Kuan-Sheng , Chen Jui-Kuang , Lee Susan Shin-Jung , Liu Yung-Ching 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT

Modified disk diffusion (MDD) and checkerboard tests were employed to assess the synergy of combinations of vancomycin and β-lactam antibiotics for 59 clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) and Mu50 (ATCC 700699). Bacterial inocula equivalent to 0.5 and 2.0 McFarland standard were inoculated on agar plates containing 0, 0.5, 1, and 2 μg/ml of vancomycin. Oxacillin-, cefazolin-, and cefoxitin-impregnated disks were applied to the surface, and the zones of inhibition were measured at 24 h. The CLSI-recommended checkerboard method was used as a reference to detect synergy. The MICs for vancomycin were determined using the Etest method, broth microdilution, and the Vitek 2 automated system. Synergy was observed with the checkerboard method in 51% to 60% of the isolates when vancomycin was combined with any β-lactam. The fractional inhibitory concentration indices were significantly lower in MRSA isolates with higher vancomycin MIC combinations (
P
< 0.05). The overall agreement between the MDD and checkerboard methods to detect synergy in MRSA isolates with bacterial inocula equivalent to McFarland standard 0.5 were 33.0% and 62.5% for oxacillin, 45.1% and 52.4% for cefazolin, and 43.1% and 52.4% for cefoxitin when combined with 0.5 and 2 μg/ml of vancomycin, respectively. Based on our study, the simple MDD method is not recommended as a replacement for the checkerboard method to detect synergy. However, it may serve as an initial screening method for the detection of potential synergy when it is not feasible to perform other labor-intensive synergy tests.
Cystic Echinococcosis
Authors: Agudelo Higuita Nelson Iván , Brunetti Enrico , McCloskey Cindy 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT

Echinococcosis is one of the 17 neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) recognized by the World Health Organization. The two major species of medical importance are
Echinococcus granulosus
and
Echinococcus multilocularis
.
E. granulosus
affects over 1 million people and is responsible for over $3 billion in expenses every year. In this minireview, we discuss aspects of the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis or cystic hydatid disease caused by
E. granulosus
.
Blastocystis in Health and Disease: Are We Moving from a Clinical to a Public Health Perspective?
Authors: Andersen Lee O'Brien , Stensvold Christen Rune 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT

Blastocystis
is a genus of common single-celled intestinal parasitic protists with an unsettled role in human health and disease. Being a stable component of intestinal microbiota, once established, the
Blastocystis
parasite appears more common in healthy individuals than in patients with infectious, functional, or inflammatory bowel disease. Recent data suggest that the parasite is associated with certain gut microbiota profiles and health indices. Convincing data and tools differentiating asymptomatic colonization from infection are yet to be demonstrated. Although the parasite may elicit disease under certain circumstances, the focus on
Blastocystis
may be shifting from a clinical to a public health perspective.
Performance of Copan WASP for Routine Urine Microbiology
Authors: Quiblier Chantal , Jetter Marion , Rominski Mark , Mouttet Forouhar , Böttger Erik C. , Keller Peter M. , Hombach Michael 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT

This study compared a manual workup of urine clinical samples with fully automated WASPLab processing. As a first step, two different inocula (1 and 10 μl) and different streaking patterns were compared using WASP and InoqulA BT instrumentation. Significantly more single colonies were produced with the10-μl inoculum than with the 1-μl inoculum, and automated streaking yielded significantly more single colonies than manual streaking on whole plates (
P
< 0.001). In a second step, 379 clinical urine samples were evaluated using WASP and the manual workup. Average numbers of detected morphologies, recovered species, and CFUs per milliliter of all 379 urine samples showed excellent agreement between WASPLab and the manual workup. The percentage of urine samples clinically categorized as positive or negative did not differ between the automated and manual workflow, but within the positive samples, automated processing by WASPLab resulted in the detection of more potential pathogens. In summary, the present study demonstrates that (i) the streaking pattern, i.e., primarily the number of zigzags/length of streaking lines, is critical for optimizing the number of single colonies yielded from primary cultures of urine samples; (ii) automated streaking by the WASP instrument is superior to manual streaking regarding the number of single colonies yielded (for 32.2% of the samples); and (iii) automated streaking leads to higher numbers of detected morphologies (for 47.5% of the samples), species (for 17.4% of the samples), and pathogens (for 3.4% of the samples). The results of this study point to an improved quality of microbiological analyses and laboratory reports when using automated sample processing by WASP and WASPLab.
Verification of a Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry Method for Diagnostic Identification of High-Consequence Bacterial Pathogens
Authors: Tracz Dobryan M. , Antonation Kym S. , Corbett Cindi R. 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT
We examined the utility of a single matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry method for the identification of security-sensitive biological agents (risk group 3 bacterial pathogens). The goal was 2-fold: to verify a method for inclusion into our scope of accreditation, and to assess the biological safety of extractions. We developed our sample flow to include a tube-based chemical extraction, followed by filtration, before processing on MALDI-TOF MS instruments in a containment level 2 laboratory.
Evaluation of an Immunochromatographic Assay for Rapid Detection of Penicillin-Binding Protein 2a in Human and Animal Staphylococcus intermedius Group, Staphylococcus lugdunensis, and Staphylococcus schleiferi Clinical Isolates
Authors: Arnold A. R. , Burnham C.-A. D. , Ford B. A. , Lawhon S. D. , McAllister S. K. , Lonsway D. , Albrecht V. , Jerris R. C. , Rasheed J. K. , Limbago B. , Burd E. M. , Westblade L. F. 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT

The performance of a rapid penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a) detection assay, the Alere PBP2a culture colony test, was evaluated for identification of PBP2a-mediated beta-lactam resistance in human and animal clinical isolates of
Staphylococcus intermedius
group,
Staphylococcus lugdunensis
, and
Staphylococcus schleiferi
. The assay was sensitive and specific, with all PBP2a-negative and PBP2a-positive strains testing negative and positive, respectively.
Mouse Hepatitis Virus Infection Remodels Connexin43-Mediated Gap Junction Intercellular Communication
In Vitro
and
In Vivo
Authors: Basu Rahul , Banerjee Kaveri , Bose Abhishek , Das Sarma Jayasri 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT

Gap junctions (GJs) form intercellular channels which directly connect the cytoplasm between neighboring cells to facilitate the transfer of ions and small molecules. GJs play a major role in the pathogenesis of infection-associated inflammation. Mutations of gap junction proteins, connexins (Cxs), cause dysmyelination and leukoencephalopathy. In multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and its animal model experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE), Cx43 was shown to be modulated in the central nervous system (CNS). The mechanism behind Cx43 alteration and its role in MS remains unexplored. Mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) infection-induced demyelination is one of the best-studied experimental animal models for MS. Our studies demonstrated that MHV infection downregulated Cx43 expression at protein and mRNA levels
in vitro
in primary astrocytes obtained from neonatal mouse brains. After infection, a significant amount of Cx43 was retained in endoplasmic reticulum/endoplasmic reticulum Golgi intermediate complex (ER/ERGIC) and GJ plaque formation was impaired at the cell surface, as evidenced by a reduction of the Triton X-100 insoluble fraction of Cx43. Altered trafficking and impairment of GJ plaque formation may cause the loss of functional channel formation in MHV-infected primary astrocytes, as demonstrated by a reduced number of dye-coupled cells after a scrape-loading Lucifer yellow dye transfer assay. Upon MHV infection, a significant downregulation of Cx43 was observed in the virus-infected mouse brain. This study demonstrates that astrocytic Cx43 expression and function can be modulated due to virus stress and can be an appropriate model to understand the basis of cellular mechanisms involved in the alteration of gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) in CNS neuroinflammation.

IMPORTANCE
We found that MHV infection leads to the downregulation of Cx43
in vivo
in the CNS. In addition, results show that MHV infection impairs Cx43 expression in addition to gap junction communication in primary astrocytes. After infection, Cx43 did not traffic normally to the membrane to form gap junction plaques, and that could be the basis of reduced functional gap junction coupling between astrocytes. This is an important first step toward understanding how viruses affect Cx43 expression and trafficking at the cellular level. This may provide a basis for understanding how structural alterations of astrocytic gap junctions can disrupt gap junction communication between other CNS cells in altered CNS environments due to infection and inflammation. More specifically, alteration of Cx43 may be the basis of the destabilization of Cx47 in oligodendrocytes seen in and around inflammatory demyelinating plaques in MS patients.
Infection by Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Causes Near-Complete Loss of RNA Polymerase II Occupancy on the Host Cell Genome
Authors: Abrisch Robert G. , Eidem Tess M. , Yakovchuk Petro , Kugel Jennifer F. , Goodrich James A. 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT
Lytic infection by herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) triggers a change in many host cell programs as the virus strives to express its own genes and replicate. Part of this process is repression of host cell transcription by RNA polymerase II (Pol II), which also transcribes the viral genome. Here, we describe a global characterization of Pol II occupancy on the viral and host genomes in response to HSV-1 infection using chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by deep sequencing (ChIP-seq). The data reveal near-complete loss of Pol II occupancy throughout host cell mRNA genes, in both their bodies and promoter-proximal regions. Increases in Pol II occupancy of host cell genes, which would be consistent with robust transcriptional activation, were not observed. HSV-1 infection induced a more potent and widespread repression of Pol II occupancy than did heat shock, another cellular stress that widely represses transcription. Concomitant with the loss of host genome Pol II occupancy, we observed Pol II covering the HSV-1 genome, reflecting a high level of viral gene transcription. Interestingly, the positions of the peaks of Pol II occupancy at HSV-1 and host cell promoters were different. The primary peak of Pol II occupancy at HSV-1 genes is ∼170 bp upstream of where it is positioned at host cell genes, suggesting that specific steps in transcription are regulated differently at HSV-1 genes than at host cell mRNA genes.

IMPORTANCE
We investigated the effect of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) infection on transcription of host cell and viral genes by RNA polymerase II (Pol II). The approach we used was to determine how levels of genome-bound Pol II changed after HSV-1 infection. We found that HSV-1 caused a profound loss of Pol II occupancy across the host cell genome. Increases in Pol II occupancy were not observed, showing that no host genes were activated after infection. In contrast, Pol II occupied the entire HSV-1 genome. Moreover, the pattern of Pol II at HSV-1 genes differed from that on host cell genes, suggesting a unique mode of viral gene transcription. These studies provide new insight into how HSV-1 causes changes in the cellular program of gene expression and how the virus coopts host Pol II for its own use.