bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Perceived Barriers to Physical Activity Among Pregnant Women Living in a Rural Community
Authors: Marshall Elaine S. , Bland Helen , Melton Bridget 
Published: November 2012

AbstractObjectiveThe purpose of this research was to describe perceived barriers to physical activity among pregnant women living in a rural community.Design and SampleThe project followed a simple descriptive design. The sample included 88 healthy pregnant women from a rural community in the southeast United States.MeasuresThe women completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and an open‐ended item seeking a description of personal barriers to engagement in regular physical activity.ResultsScores on the IPAQ were generally equally distributed across categories of low, moderate, and high activity. A total of 42 barriers was described from 34% of the women. Seven themes emerged among the reported barriers: (1) symptoms of pregnancy, (2) family and childrearing activities, (3) lack of personal motivation, (4) time and employment demands, (5) perceptions of sufficient activity from daily life, (6) fear of injury, and (7) lack of a habit of activity.ConclusionsBarriers reported by the rural women were similar to those identified in other settings. Some perceptions confirmed myths about the health value of exercise during pregnancy, but did not confirm barriers commonly cited or assumed for reduced physical activity among rural residents.
Positive selection in the major histocompatibility complex class III region of cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis) of the Philippines origin
Authors: Aarnink A. , Bonhomme M. , Blancher A. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe cynomolgus macaque (Macaca fascicularis) is a model of choice among primates for the study of local adaptation processes because of its mixed and wide insular and continental distribution. In a previous study, by using 12 markers [5 microsatellites located in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region and 7 outside MHC], we have detected a signal of positive selection on the microsatellite DRACA located inside the gene DRA. In order to refine the location of this signal of positive selection in the MHC region, we studied the genetic diversity of 36 markers (18 microsatellites spread across the MHC region and 18 autosomal microsatellites outside MHC) in a sample of 254 individuals from four populations (Vietnam, Java, the Philippines, and Mauritius). We estimated for each locus the deviation of Fst from a neutral model by using two methods based on contrasted demographic models. The two approaches showed a signal of positive selection in the MHC class III region that is much more significant than the one previously reported for the marker DRACA which could have been influenced by a hitchhiking effect due to its proximity with the class III region.
Listeria monocytogenes-Derived Listeriolysin O Has Pathogen-Associated Molecular Pattern-Like Properties Independent of Its Hemolytic Ability
Authors: Wallecha Anu , Wood Laurence , Pan Zhen-Kun , Maciag Paulo C. , Shahabi Vafa , Paterson Yvonne 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACT

There is a constant need for improved adjuvants to augment the induction of immune responses against tumor-associated antigens (TAA) during immunotherapy. Previous studies have established that listeriolysin O (LLO), a cholesterol-dependent cytolysin derived from
Listeria monocytogenes
, exhibits multifaceted effects to boost the stimulation of immune responses to a variety of antigens. However, the direct ability of LLO as an adjuvant and whether it acts as a pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP) have not been demonstrated. In this paper, we show that a detoxified, nonhemolytic form of LLO (dtLLO) is an effective adjuvant in tumor immunotherapy and may activate innate and cellular immune responses by acting as a PAMP. Our investigation of the adjuvant activity demonstrates that dtLLO, either fused to or administered as a mixture with a human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) E7 recombinant protein, can augment antitumor immune responses and facilitate tumor eradication. Further mechanistic studies using bone marrow-derived dendritic cells suggest that dtLLO acts as a PAMP by stimulating production of proinflammatory cytokines and inducing maturation of antigen-presenting cells (APC). We propose that dtLLO is an effective adjuvant for tumor immunotherapy, and likely for other therapeutic settings.
Public Health Value of Next-Generation DNA Sequencing of Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli Isolates from an Outbreak
Authors: Underwood Anthony P. , Dallman Tim , Thomson Nicholas R. , Williams Michaela , Harker Katy , Perry Neil , Adak Bob , Willshaw Geraldine , Cheasty Tom , Green Jonathan , Dougan Gordon , Parkhill Julian , Wain John 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACT

In 2009, an outbreak of enterohemorrhagic
Escherichia coli
(EHEC) on an open farm infected 93 persons, and approximately 22% of these individuals developed hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS). Genome sequencing was used to investigate outbreak-derived animal and human EHEC isolates. Phylogeny based on the whole-genome sequence was used to place outbreak isolates in the context of the overall
E. coli
species and the O157:H7 sequence type 11 (ST11) subgroup. Four informative single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified and used to design an assay to type 122 other outbreak isolates. The SNP phylogeny demonstrated that the outbreak strain was from a lineage distinct from previously reported O157:H7 ST11 EHEC and was not a member of the hypervirulent clade 8. The strain harbored determinants for two Stx2 verotoxins and other putative virulence factors. When linked to the epidemiological information, the sequence data indicate that gross contamination of a single outbreak strain occurred across the farm prior to the first clinical report of HUS. The most likely explanation for these results is that a single successful strain of EHEC spread from a single introduction through the farm by clonal expansion and that contamination of the environment (including the possible colonization of several animals) led ultimately to human cases.
Comparative Drug Resistance of Mycobacterium abscessus and M. chelonae Isolates from Patients with and without Cystic Fibrosis in the United Kingdom
Authors: Broda Agnieszka , Jebbari Heather , Beaton Kate , Mitchell Sarah , Drobniewski Francis 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACT

The isolation of rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM), particularly
Mycobacterium abscessus
, from individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) is associated with poor clinical outcome due to broad drug resistance and the difficulty of eradicating the organisms. Susceptibility testing is recommended to guide therapy. A disc diffusion method is used in the United Kingdom, whereas in the United States, the CLSI (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute) recommends the broth dilution method. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the two methods produced comparable drug resistance profiles and to test the hypotheses that the disc diffusion method overscores resistance and that isolates of
M. abscessus
/
M. chelonae
from CF patients are more likely than those from non-CF patients to show drug resistance, as a result of CF patients' greater exposure to antibiotic therapy. A total of 82 isolates (58
M. abscessus
and 24
M. chelonae
isolates) were tested blindly against 15 antimicrobials by broth dilution and the disc diffusion method. Isolates tested by the broth microdilution showed high levels of resistance; susceptibility to amikacin, clarithromycin, tobramycin (only in
M. chelonae
), and cefoxitin (only in
M. abscessus
) was shown. Tigecycline results varied widely depending on which breakpoint was used. Agreement between methods for a few drugs (e.g., cefoxitin and amikacin) was poor. Although there were drug resistance differences between CF and non-CF isolates, these did not reach statistical significance. The CLSI method provided more robust breakpoints, standardization, and reproducibility. An analysis of the implementation of the CLSI method demonstrated ease of use and similar drug resistance findings for the two species.
Impact of Strain Typing Methods on Assessment of Relationship between Paired Nares and Wound Isolates of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Clarridge Jill E. , Harrington Amanda T. , Roberts Marilyn C. , Soge Olusegun O. , Maquelin Kees 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACT

The anterior nares are the site of choice for the Veterans Administration methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) surveillance program; however, a correlation between nares colonization and concomitant wound infections has not been well established. The purpose of this study was 3-fold: to determine the relatedness of MRSA isolates from 40 paired wound and nares specimens by four different strain typing methods, to determine concordance of typing methods, and to establish a baseline of MRSA types at this medical center. Isolates were typed by repetitive PCR (rep-PCR) (DiversiLab System; DL) and SpectraCell Raman analysis (SCRA) (commercially available methods that can be performed within a clinical lab), pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and an antibiotic susceptibility profile (AB). Whole-genome optical mapping (WGM) (OpGen, Inc.) was performed on selected isolates. All methods agreed that 26 pairs were indistinguishable and four pairs were different. Discrepant results were as follows: 4 where only SCRA was discordant, 3 where only AB was discordant, 2 where both DL and AB were discordant, and 1 where both DL and SCRA were discordant. All WGM agreed with PFGE. After discrepancy resolution, 80% of the pairs were indistinguishable and 20% were different. A total of 56% of nares results were nonpredictive if negative nares and positive wound cultures are included. Methods agreed 85 to 93% of the time; however, congruence of isolates to a clade was lower. Baseline analysis of types showed that 15 pairs were unique to single patients (30 strains, 38%; 47% of the matching pairs). Twenty-five strains (30%) represented a single clade identical by PFGE, SCRA, and DL, decreasing specificity. Typing method and institutional type frequency are important in assessing MRSA strain relatedness.
Failure of PCR-Based IS
6110
Analysis To Detect Vertebral Spondylodiscitis Caused by Mycobacterium bovis
Authors: Steensels Deborah , Fauville-Dufaux Maryse , Boie Johan , De Beenhouwer Hans 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACT

Mycobacterium bovis
is responsible for a zoonosis originating in cattle. We report a case of a man with vertebral spondylodiscitis caused by
Mycobacterium bovis
. Diagnosis was complicated because of the lack of IS
6110
. These strains are rare, but microbiologists should be aware of their existence.
Molecular Characterization of Methicillin-Sensitive Staphylococcus aureus Isolates from Bacteremic Patients in a Norwegian University Hospital
Authors: Blomfeldt Anita , Aamot Hege Vangstein , Eskesen Arne N. , Müller Fredrik , Monecke Stefan 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACT

Staphylococcus aureus
bacteremia is common in both nosocomial and community settings, and the pathogenicity of the microbe depends upon a large repertoire of virulence factors.
S. aureus
bacteremia isolates (
n
= 126) were characterized using DNA microarrays. Clonal complexes 5, 8, 15, 30, and 45 accounted for 74.6% of the isolates. We identified geographical differences in dominating clones and toxin gene profiles. One isolate was methicillin resistant. Potential associations between age and genotype were detected.
Quantitative Fecal Lactoferrin in Toxin-Positive and Toxin-Negative Clostridium difficile Specimens
Authors: LaSala P. Rocco , Ekhmimi Tariq , Hill A. Kate , Farooqi Imran , Perrotta Peter L. 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACT

Quantitative fecal lactoferrin was measured in 112 patients tested for toxigenic
Clostridium difficile
using glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) and toxin immunoassays combined with
tcdB
PCR. Lactoferrin levels were higher in the GDH-positive/toxin-positive group (79 μg/ml) than in the GDH-positive/toxin-negative/PCR-positive (21 μg/ml) and the GDH-negative groups (13 μg/ml). Differences in fecal lactoferrin levels suggest variable presence or severity of
C. difficile
infection among toxin-positive and toxin-negative patients.
Pathogenic Potential of Bacillus cereus Strains as Revealed by Phenotypic Analysis
Authors: Kamar Rita , Gohar Michel , Jéhanno Isabelle , Réjasse Agnès , Kallassy Mireille , Lereclus Didier , Sanchis Vincent , Ramarao Nalini 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACT

The
Bacillus cereus
pathogenic spectrum ranges from strains used as probiotics to human-lethal strains. However, prediction of the pathogenic potential of a strain remains difficult. Here, we show that food poisoning and clinical strains can be differentiated from harmless strains on the basis of host colonization phenotypes.
Self-Collection of Foam Nasal Swabs for Respiratory Virus Detection by PCR among Immunocompetent Subjects and Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients
Authors: Campbell Angela P. , Kuypers Jane , Englund Janet A. , Guthrie Katherine A. , Corey Lawrence , Boeckh Michael 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACT

Self-collected foam nasal swabs (NS) obtained after instillation of saline spray were compared with nasal washes from immunocompetent subjects during 146 upper respiratory infections (URIs); the sensitivities for reverse transcription (RT)-PCR respiratory virus detection were 95% and 88%, respectively (
P
= 0.06). The sensitivities from NS collected with and without saline spray during 142 URIs from immunocompetent subjects were 96% and 86% (
P
= 0.004), respectively, and those from 140 URI samples from hematopoietic cell transplantation recipients were 88% and 85% (
P
= 0.56), respectively.
Carbapenem Disks on MacConkey Agar in Screening Methods for Detection of Carbapenem-Resistant Gram-Negative Rods in Stools
Authors: Blackburn Julie , Tsimiklis Catherine , Lavergne Valéry , Pilotte Josée , Grenier Sophie , Gilbert Andrée , Lefebvre Brigitte , Domingo Marc-Christian , Tremblay Cécile , Bourgault Anne-Marie 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACT
Direct plating of simulated stool specimens on MacConkey agar (MCA) with 10-μg ertapenem, meropenem, and imipenem disks allowed the establishment of optimal zone diameters for the screening of carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative rods (CRGNR) of ≤24 mm (ertapenem), ≤34 mm (meropenem), and ≤32 mm (imipenem).
Repeated Exposure to Trace Amounts of Woodchuck Hepadnavirus Induces Molecularly Evident Infection and Virus-Specific T Cell Response in the Absence of Serological Infection Markers and Hepatitis
Authors: Gujar Shashi A. , Mulrooney-Cousins Patricia M. , Michalak Tomasz I. 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACT

Exposure to multiple small doses of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a frequent occurrence in high-risk groups, including close relatives of infected individuals, primary care givers, and intravenous drug users. It remains uncertain whether such repeated contact may culminate in a symptomatic infection coinciding with hepatitis in individuals not immunoprotected. In this study, we evaluated consequences of multiple exposures to small, liver-nonpathogenic amounts of infectious hepadnavirus in the woodchuck model of hepatitis B. Virus-naïve animals were intravenously injected with 6 weekly doses of 110 DNase digestion-protected virions of woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV), injected again with 6 weekly 110-virion doses after 7.5 months, and then challenged or not with a liver-pathogenic dose of 1.1 × 10
6
virions of the same inoculum. The data revealed that two rounds of such repeated exposure did not result in serologically evident infection or hepatitis. However, a low-level WHV DNA-positive infection accompanied by a WHV-specific T cell response in the absence of antiviral antibody reactivity was established. The kinetics of the virus-specific and mitogen-induced (generalized) T cell responses and the inability to induce immunoprotection against challenge with a large, liver-pathogenic virus dose were closely comparable to those previously reported for occult infection initiated by a single liver-nonpathogenic dose of WHV. Thus, repeated exposures to small quantities of hepadnavirus induce molecularly evident but serologically silent infection that does not culminate in hepatitis or generate immune protection. The findings imply that the HBV-specific T cell response encountered in the absence of serological markers of infection likely reflects ongoing occult infection.
Viral Genome Methylation Differentially Affects the Ability of BZLF1 versus BRLF1 To Activate Epstein-Barr Virus Lytic Gene Expression and Viral Replication
Authors: Wille Coral K. , Nawandar Dhananjay M. , Panfil Amanda R. , Ko Michelle M. , Hagemeier Stacy R. , Kenney Shannon C. 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACT

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) immediate-early proteins BZLF1 and BRLF1 can both induce lytic EBV reactivation when overexpressed in latently infected cells. Although EBV genome methylation is required for BZLF1-mediated activation of lytic gene expression, the effect of viral genome methylation on BRLF1-mediated viral reactivation has not been well studied. Here, we have compared the effect of viral DNA methylation on BZLF1- versus BRLF1-mediated activation of lytic EBV gene transcription and viral genome replication. We show that most early lytic viral promoters are preferentially activated by BZLF1 in the methylated form, while methylation decreases the ability of BRLF1 to activate most early lytic promoters, as well as the BLRF2 late viral promoter. Moreover, methylation of bacmid constructs containing the EBV genome enhances BZLF1-mediated, but decreases BRLF1-mediated, early lytic gene expression. Methylation of viral promoter DNA does not affect BRLF1 binding to a variety of different CpG-containing BRLF1 binding motifs (RREs)
in vitro
or
in vivo
. However, BRLF1 preferentially induces H3K9 histone acetylation of unmethylated promoters
in vivo
. The methylated and unmethylated forms of an oriLyt-containing plasmid replicate with similar efficiency when transfected into EBV-positive cells that express the essential viral replication proteins in
trans
. Most importantly, we demonstrate that lytic viral gene expression and replication can be induced by BRLF1, but not BZLF1, expression in an EBV-positive telomerase-immortalized epithelial cell line (NOKs-Akata) in which lytic viral gene promoters remain largely unmethylated. These results suggest that the unmethylated form of the EBV genome can undergo viral reactivation and replication in a BRLF1-dependent manner.
The Adenoviral Oncogene E1A-13S Interacts with a Specific Isoform of the Tumor Suppressor PML To Enhance Viral Transcription
Authors: Berscheminski Julia , Groitl Peter , Dobner Thomas , Wimmer Peter , Schreiner Sabrina 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACT
PML nuclear bodies (PML NBs), also called ND10, are matrix-bound nuclear structures that have been implicated in a variety of functions, including DNA repair, transcriptional regulation, protein degradation, and tumor suppression. These domains are also known for their potential to mediate an intracellular defense mechanism against many virus types. This is likely why they are targeted and subsequently manipulated by numerous viral proteins. Paradoxically, the genomes of various DNA viruses become associated with PML NBs, and initial sites of viral transcription/replication centers are often juxtaposed to these domains. The question is why viruses start their transcription and replication next to their supposed antagonists. Here, we report that PML NBs are targeted by the adenoviral (Ad) transactivator protein E1A-13S. Alternatively spliced E1A isoforms (E1A-12S and E1A-13S) are the first proteins expressed upon Ad infection. E1A-13S is essential for activating viral transcription in the early phase of infection. Coimmunoprecipitation assays showed that E1A-13S preferentially interacts with only one (PML-II) of at least six nuclear human PML isoforms. Deletion mapping located the interaction site within E1A conserved region 3 (CR3), which was previously described as the transcription factor binding region of E1A-13S. Indeed, cooperation with PML-II enhanced E1A-mediated transcriptional activation, while deleting the SUMO-interacting motif (SIM) of PML proved even more effective. Our results suggest that in contrast to PML NB-associated antiviral defense, PML-II may help transactivate viral gene expression and therefore play a novel role in activating Ad transcription during the early viral life cycle.
Visualizing a Complete Siphoviridae Member by Single-Particle Electron Microscopy: the Structure of Lactococcal Phage TP901-1
Authors: Bebeacua Cecilia , Lai Livia , Vegge Christina Skovgaard , Brøndsted Lone , van Heel Marin , Veesler David , Cambillau Christian 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACT

Tailed phages are genome delivery machines exhibiting unequaled efficiency acquired over more than 3 billion years of evolution. Siphophages from the P335 and 936 families infect the Gram-positive bacterium
Lactococcus lactis
using receptor-binding proteins anchored to the host adsorption apparatus (baseplate). Crystallographic and electron microscopy (EM) studies have shed light on the distinct adsorption strategies used by phages of these two families, suggesting that they might also rely on different infection mechanisms. Here, we report electron microscopy reconstructions of the whole phage TP901-1 (P335 species) and propose a composite EM model of this gigantic molecular machine. Our results suggest conservation of structural proteins among tailed phages and add to the growing body of evidence pointing to a common evolutionary origin for these virions. Finally, we propose that host adsorption apparatus architectures have evolved in correlation with the nature of the receptors used during infection.
Requirement of the N-Terminal Activation Domain of Herpes Simplex Virus ICP4 for Viral Gene Expression
Authors: Wagner Lauren M. , Bayer Avraham , DeLuca Neal A. 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACT
ICP4 is the major activator of herpes simplex virus (HSV) transcription. Previous studies have defined several regions of ICP4 that are important for viral gene expression, including a DNA binding domain and transactivation domains that are contained in the C-terminal and N-terminal 520 and 274 amino acids, respectively. Here we show that the N-terminal 210 amino acids of ICP4 are required for interactions with components of TFIID and mediator and, as a consequence, are necessary for the activation of viral genes. A mutant of ICP4 deleted for amino acids 30 to 210, d3-10, was unable to complement an ICP4 null virus at the level of viral replication. This was the result of a severe deficiency in viral gene and protein expression. The absence of viral gene expression coincided with a defect in the recruitment of RNA polymerase II to a representative early promoter (thymidine kinase [TK]). Affinity purification experiments demonstrated that d3-10 ICP4 was not found in complexes with components of TFIID and mediator, suggesting that the defect in RNA polymerase II (Pol II) recruitment was the result of ablated interactions between d3-10 and TFIID and mediator. Complementation assays suggested that the N-terminal and C-terminal regions of ICP4 cooperate to mediate gene expression. The complementation was the result of the formation of more functional heterodimers, which restored the ability of the d3-10-containing molecules to interact with TFIID. Together, these studies suggest that the N terminus contains a true activation domain, mediating interactions with TFIID, mediator, and perhaps other transcription factors, and that the C terminus of the molecule contains activities that augment the functions of the activation domain.