bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nationwide Surveillance of Macrolide-Resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infection in Pediatric Patients
Authors: Kawai Yasuhiro , Miyashita Naoyuki , Kubo Mika , Akaike Hiroto , Kato Atsushi , Nishizawa Yoko , Saito Aki , Kondo Eisuke , Teranishi Hideto , Wakabayashi Tokio , Ogita Satoko , Tanaka Takaaki , Kawasaki Kozo , Nakano Takashi , Terada Kihei , Ouchi Kazunobu 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT

We conducted nationwide surveillance to investigate regional differences in macrolide-resistant (MR)
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
strains in Japan. The prevalence of MR
M. pneumoniae
in pediatric patients gradually increased between 2008 and 2012. Although regional differences were observed, high levels of MR genes were detected in all seven surveillance areas throughout Japan and ranged in prevalence from 50% to 93%. These regional differences were closely related to the previous administration of macrolides.
Synergistic Activity of Colistin and Rifampin Combination against Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in an
In Vitro
Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Model
Authors: Lee Hee Ji , Bergen Phillip J. , Bulitta Jurgen B. , Tsuji Brian , Forrest Alan , Nation Roger L. , Li Jian 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT

Combination therapy may be required for multidrug-resistant (MDR)
Acinetobacter baumannii
. This study systematically investigated bacterial killing and emergence of colistin resistance with colistin and rifampin combinations against MDR
A. baumannii
. Studies were conducted over 72 h in an
in vitro
pharmacokinetic (PK)/pharmacodynamic (PD) model at inocula of ∼10
6
and ∼10
8
CFU/ml using two MDR clinical isolates of
A. baumannii
, FADDI-AB030 (colistin susceptible) and FADDI-AB156 (colistin resistant). Three combination regimens achieving clinically relevant concentrations (constant colistin concentration of 0.5, 2, or 5 mg/liter and a rifampin maximum concentration [
C
max
] of 5 mg/liter every 24 hours; half-life, 3 h) were investigated. Microbiological response was measured by serial bacterial counts. Population analysis profiles assessed emergence of colistin resistance. Against both isolates, combinations resulted in substantially greater killing at the low inoculum; combinations containing 2 and 5 mg/liter colistin increased killing at the high inoculum. Combinations were additive or synergistic at 6, 24, 48, and 72 h with all colistin concentrations against FADDI-AB030 and FADDI-AB156 in, respectively, 8 and 11 of 12 cases (i.e., all 3 combinations) at the 10
6
-CFU/ml inoculum and 8 and 7 of 8 cases with the 2- and 5-mg/liter colistin regimens at the 10
8
-CFU/ml inoculum. For FADDI-AB156, killing by the combination was ∼2.5 to 7.5 and ∼2.5 to 5 log
10
CFU/ml greater at the low inoculum (all colistin concentrations) and high inoculum (2 and 5 mg/liter colistin), respectively. Emergence of colistin-resistant subpopulations was completely suppressed in the colistin-susceptible isolate with all combinations at both inocula. Our study provides important information for optimizing colistin-rifampin combinations against colistin-susceptible and -resistant MDR
A. baumannii
.
The Francisella tularensis migR,
trmE
, and
cphA
Genes Contribute to F. tularensis Pathogenicity Island Gene Regulation and Intracellular Growth by Modulation of the Stress Alarmone ppGpp
Authors: Faron Matthew , Fletcher Joshua R. , Rasmussen Jed A. , Long Matthew E. , Allen Lee-Ann H. , Jones Bradley D. 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT

The
Francisella tularensis
pathogenicity island (FPI) encodes many proteins that are required for virulence. Expression of these genes depends upon the FevR (PigR) regulator and its interactions with the MglA/SspA and RNA polymerase transcriptional complex. Experiments to identify how transcription of the FPI genes is activated have led to identification of mutations within the
migR
,
trmE
, and
cphA
genes that decrease FPI expression. Recent data demonstrated that the small alarmone ppGpp, produced by RelA and SpoT, is important for stabilizing MglA/SspA and FevR (PigR) interactions in
Francisella
. Production of ppGpp is commonly known to be activated by cellular and nutritional stress in bacteria, which indicates that cellular and nutritional stresses act as important signals for FPI activation. In this work, we demonstrate that mutations in
migR
,
trmE
, or
cphA
significantly reduce ppGpp accumulation. The reduction in ppGpp levels was similar for each of the mutants and correlated with a corresponding reduction in
iglA
reporter expression. In addition, we observed that there were differences in the ability of each of these mutants to replicate within various mammalian cells, indicating that the
migR
,
trmE
, and
cphA
genes are likely parts of different cellular stress response pathways in
Francisella
. These results also indicate that different nutritional and cellular stresses exist in different mammalian cells. This work provides new information to help understand how
Francisella
regulates its virulence genes in response to host cell environments, and it contributes to our growing knowledge of this highly successful bacterial pathogen.
Comparison of Genomes of Brucella melitensis M28 and the B. melitensis M5-90 Derivative Vaccine Strain Highlights the Translation Elongation Factor Tu Gene
tuf2
as an Attenuation-Related Gene
Authors: Wang Fangkun , Qiao Zujian , Hu Sen , Liu Wenxing , Zheng Huajun , Liu Sidang , Zhao Xiaomin , Bu Zhigao 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT

Brucella melitensis
causes brucellosis, a disease affecting sheep, cattle, and sometimes humans. Attenuated
B. melitensis
strain M5-90, derived from virulent strain M28, is widely used as a live vaccine in ruminants in China. Genetic differences between the strains may cast light on the mechanism of attenuation. We recently reported the complete genomic sequences of M28 and M5-90. Genome organization is highly conserved between these isolates, and also with virulent strains 16 M and ATCC 23457. Analysis revealed 23 open reading frames (ORFs) with consistent differences between M5-90 and the virulent strains. Notably, the
tuf2
gene encoding translation elongation factor EF-Tu from M5-90 contained 50 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 9 gaps (indels) compared to
tuf2
of M28 or of the other virulent strains. There were no changes in
tuf1
. To evaluate the potential role of EF-Tu in pathogenesis,
tuf1
and
tuf2
mutants of M28 and an M5-90 strain harboring wild-type
tuf2
were constructed, and their virulence/attenuation was evaluated
in vivo
. We report that the
tuf2
gene plays an important role in the attenuation of M5-90 virulence.
Divergent Mechanisms of Interaction of Helicobacter pylori and Campylobacter jejuni with Mucus and Mucins
Authors: Naughton Julie Ann , Mariño Karina , Dolan Brendan , Reid Colm , Gough Ronan , Gallagher Mary E. , Kilcoyne Michelle , Gerlach Jared Q. , Joshi Lokesh , Rudd Pauline , Carrington Stephen , Bourke Billy , Clyne Marguerite 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT

Helicobacter pylori
and
Campylobacter jejuni
colonize the stomach and intestinal mucus, respectively. Using a combination of mucus-secreting cells, purified mucins, and a novel mucin microarray platform, we examined the interactions of these two organisms with mucus and mucins.
H. pylori
and
C. jejuni
bound to distinctly different mucins.
C. jejuni
displayed a striking tropism for chicken gastrointestinal mucins compared to mucins from other animals and preferentially bound mucins from specific avian intestinal sites (in order of descending preference: the large intestine, proximal small intestine, and cecum).
H. pylori
bound to a number of animal mucins, including porcine stomach mucin, but with less avidity than that of
C. jejuni
for chicken mucin. The strengths of interaction of various wild-type strains of
H. pylori
with different animal mucins were comparable, even though they did not all express the same adhesins. The production of mucus by HT29-MTX-E12 cells promoted higher levels of infection by
C. jejuni
and
H. pylori
than those for the non-mucus-producing parental cell lines. Both
C. jejuni
and
H. pylori
bound to HT29-MTX-E12 mucus, and while both organisms bound to glycosylated epitopes in the glycolipid fraction of the mucus, only
C. jejuni
bound to purified mucin. This study highlights the role of mucus in promoting bacterial infection and emphasizes the potential for even closely related bacteria to interact with mucus in different ways to establish successful infections.
Borrelia hermsii Acquisition Order in Superinfected Ticks Determines Transmission Efficiency
Authors: Policastro Paul F. , Raffel Sandra J. , Schwan Tom G. 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT

Multilocus sequence typing of
Borrelia hermsii
isolates reveals its divergence into two major genomic groups (GG), but no differences in transmission efficiency or host pathogenicity are associated with these genotypes. To compare GGI and GGII in the tick-host infection cycle, we first determined if spirochetes from the two groups could superinfect the tick vector
Ornithodoros hermsi
. We infected mice with isolates from each group and fed ticks sequentially on these mice. We then fed the infected ticks on naive mice and measured GGI and GGII spirochete densities in vector and host, using quantitative PCR of genotype-specific chromosomal DNA sequences. Sequential feedings resulted in dual tick infections, showing that GGI or GGII primary acquisition did not block superinfection by a secondary agent. On transmission to naive mice at short intervals after acquisition, ticks with primary GGI and secondary GGII spirochete infections caused mixed GGI and GGII infections in mice. However, ticks with primary GGII and secondary GGI spirochete infections caused only GGII infections with all isolate pairs examined. At longer intervals after acquisition, the exclusion of GGI by GGII spirochetes declined and cotransmission predominated. We then examined GGI and GGII spirochetemia in mice following single inoculation and coinoculation by needle and found that GGI spirochete densities were reduced on multiple days when coinoculated with GGII. These findings indicate that dual GGI-GGII spirochete infections can persist in ticks and that transmission to a vertebrate host is dependent on the order of tick acquisition and the interval between acquisition and transmission events.
Cyclic di-AMP Is Critical for Listeria monocytogenes Growth, Cell Wall Homeostasis, and Establishment of Infection
Authors: Witte Chelsea E. , Whiteley Aaron T. , Burke Thomas P. , Sauer John-Demian , Portnoy Daniel A. , Woodward Joshua J. 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACTListeria monocytogenesinfection leads to robust induction of an innate immune signaling pathway referred to as the cytosolic surveillance pathway (CSP), characterized by expression of beta interferon (IFN-β) and coregulated genes. We previously identified the IFN-β stimulatory ligand as secreted cyclic di-AMP. Synthesis of c-di-AMP inL. monocytogenesis catalyzed by the diadenylate cyclase DacA, and multidrug resistance transporters are necessary for secretion. To identify additional bacterial factors involved inL. monocytogenesdetection by the CSP, we performed a forward genetic screen for mutants that induced altered levels of IFN-β. One mutant that stimulated elevated levels of IFN-β harbored a transposon insertion in the genelmo0052. Lmo0052, renamed here PdeA, has homology to a cyclic di-AMP phosphodiesterase, GdpP (formerly YybT), ofBacillus subtilisand is able to degrade c-di-AMP to the linear dinucleotide pApA. Reduction of c-di-AMP levels by conditional depletion of the di-adenylate cyclase DacA or overexpression of PdeA led to marked decreases in growth rates, bothin vitroand in macrophages. Additionally, mutants with altered levels of c-di-AMP had different susceptibilities to peptidoglycan-targeting antibiotics, suggesting that the molecule may be involved in regulating cell wall homeostasis. During intracellular infection, increases in c-di-AMP production led to hyperactivation of the CSP. Conditional depletion ofdacAalso led to increased IFN-β expression and a concomitant increase in host cell pyroptosis, a result of increased bacteriolysis and subsequent bacterial DNA release. These data suggest that c-di-AMP coordinates bacterial growth, cell wall stability, and responses to stress and plays a crucial role in the establishment of bacterial infection.IMPORTANCEListeria monocytogenesis a Gram-positive intracellular pathogen and the causative agent of the food-borne illness listeriosis. Upon infection,L. monocytogenesstimulates expression of IFN-β and coregulated genes dependent upon host detection of a secreted bacterial signaling nucleotide, c-di-AMP. Using a forward genetic screen for mutants that induced high levels of host IFN-β expression, we identified a c-di-AMP phosphodiesterase, PdeA, that degrades c-di-AMP. Here we characterizeL. monocytogenesmutants that express enhanced or diminished levels of c-di-AMP. Decreased c-di-AMP levels by conditional depletion of the diadenylate cyclase (DacA) or overexpression of PdeA attenuated bacterial growth and led to bacteriolysis, suggesting that its production is essential for viability and may regulate cell wall metabolism. Mutants lacking PdeA had a distinct transcriptional profile, which may provide insight into additional roles for the molecule. This work demonstrates that c-di-AMP is a critical signaling molecule required for bacterial replication, cell wall stability, and pathogenicity.
Perforation of fragment simulating projectiles into goat skin and muscle
Authors: Breeze Johno , James G R , Hepper A E 
Published: May 2013

IntroductionBallistic gelatin is the most common tissue simulant used to reproduce the penetration of projectiles into muscle but published data to support its use are primarily based on bullets, despite explosive fragments being the most common cause of injury to soldiers on current operational deployments. Published ballistic tests using animal and artificial skin and muscle tissue surrogates also lack standardisation in methodology such that limited comparisons with that of human tissues can currently be made.MethodThree masses of cylindrical NATO standardised fragment simulating projectiles (FSPs) were fired at 20% ballistic gelatin and the hind thighs of a killed goat. Threshold (Vth) and V50velocities required for skin perforation and depth of penetration (DoP) into muscle were compared with gelatin. The intercept and gradient of the linear regression lines for DoP versus velocity were compared between gelatin and goat with significance defined as p<0.05.ResultsV50goat skin perforation velocities for the 0.16, 0.49 and 1.10 g FSPs were 121.1, 103.7 and 97.8 m/s, respectively. There was a significant difference in the V50required to perforate the gelatin surface compared with goat skin for the 0.16 and 0.49 g FSPs but not the 1.10 g. There was no statistical difference in the gradients for DoP versus velocity between animal and gelatin for either the 0.16 or 1.10 g FSPs.DiscussionThis study has produced data for skin perforation velocities and generated algorithms describing velocity versus predicted DoP into muscle for three standardised projectiles, which will be used to improve the fidelity of future injury models. 20% gelatin was demonstrated to accurately reproduce the retardation of the 1.10 g FSPs into goat muscle but the addition of a skin simulant will be required to accurately predict DoP for FSPs less than 1.10 g.
CRYOGENIC GRINDING: A PHYSICAL TECHNIQUE TO RETAIN VOLATILE CONTENT IN NATURAL PRODUCTS
Authors: SAXENA ROHIT , SONI ADITI , SAXNA S. N. , RATHORE S. S. , BARNWAL P. 
Published: May 2013

Cryogenics is the study of the production of very low temperature (below −150°C, −238°F or 123K) and the behavior of materials at those temperatures. Similarly, cryogenic grinding is a term supported by the act of grinding a thing at very low temperature. This technique is generally used to grind the material, which contains heat labile constituents viz- volatile oils in seed spices. Due to high fat content in spices, heat is generated, while energy is used to fracture a particle into a smaller size in conventional grinding process. During the normal grinding process, this generated heat causes temperature rise of grinder upto 950C. The increased temperature is responsible for a loss of volatile content in the tune of about 30% and also produces dark colour powder. Generally, continuous operation is not possible in normal grinding process due to melting of fat and sticking of powder on the grinding surface. The loss of volatile content can be significantly reduced by cryogenic grinding technique using liquid nitrogen or liquid carbon dioxide that provides the refrigeration needed to pre-cool the spices and maintain the desired low temperature by absorbing the heat generated during the grinding operation. The extremely low temperature during grinder condenses the volatile matter and retains their presence in spices. The application of cryogenic technology for grinding of spices has been scientifically proved to be a suitable technique with negligible loss of volatile content and improved colour of oil and grinding operation of seeds.
Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Scale Evaluation of Multimodal Computed Tomography in Predicting Clinical Outcomes of Stroke Patients Treated With Aspiration Thrombectomy
Authors: Psychogios Marios-Nikos , Schramm Peter , Frölich Andreas Maximilian , Kallenberg Kai , Wasser Katrin , Reinhardt Lars , Kreusch Andreas S. , Jung Klaus , Knauth Michael 
Published: May 2013

Background and Purpose—
Patient selection is crucial in the endovascular treatment of acute ischemic stroke patients. Baseline computed tomographic (CT) images, evaluated with the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Scale (ASPECTS), are considered significant predictors of outcome. In this study, we evaluated CT images and perfusion parameters, analyzed with ASPECTS, as final outcome predictors after endovascular stroke treatment.

Methods—
We analyzed a cohort of patients with acute ischemic stroke and endovascular treatment. Patients with an occlusion of the M1 segment and multimodal CT imaging were included. CT perfusion data were reconstructed using commercial software. Two experienced neuroradiologists separately reviewed and scored CT and CT perfusion images with the ASPECTS score. Parameters were compared between patients with poor and with favorable follow-up outcome. Significantly different variables were further analyzed by forward stepwise logistic regression.

Results—

Fifty-one patients were included in our study. Baseline characteristics did not differ between patients with favorable and poor outcomes. No significant difference in recanalization status, the various times, or CT ASPECTS was demonstrated between these 2 groups. Significant differences were demonstrated for age (
P
=0.0049), cerebral blood volume ASPECTS (
P
=0.0007), and between cerebral blood volume and cerebral blood flow ASPECTS (
P
=0.0045). Cerebral blood volume ASPECTS >7 demonstrated the highest sensitivity and specificity for favorable outcome with 84% and 79%, respectively.

Conclusions—
CT perfusion parameters, evaluated with ASPECTS, are optimal predictors of outcome and are more sensitive and specific than CT ASPECTS in the prediction of favorable outcome. Use of these parameters in treatment decisions could reduce futile recanalizations.
The Protestant Church in Congo: The Mobutu Years and their Impact
Authors: Garrard David J. 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
This paper examines the Protestant Church in Congo/Zaire during the regime of Mobutu Sese Seko. It reviews its origins as a loose affiliation of denominations during the days of the Belgian colony and the changes which came about under Bokeleale—its driving force and central figure. His goal was to do away with the autonomy of the denominations and create a super Protestant Church in the nation. With the help of government legislation, forced union and centralisation took place. It is the purpose here to highlight some of the forces that were at work and to decide what the consequences were in this marriage of the Protestant Church and the state in Zaire. Not all Protestants yielded to the pressures of state and church and by the 1990s new expressions of faith were emerging in the nation. What then were the outcomes?
Chicano spirituality in the construction of an imagined nation: Aztlán
Authors: de la Torre Renée , Gutiérrez Zúñiga Cristina 
Published: May 2013

The authors focus on the creation, by Mexicans born in the United States, of an ‘imagined nation’ named Aztlán. Having arisen in the struggle of the Chicanos for recognition of their cultural citizenship, it has now found a new significance in the revival of an ancestral religiosity. This nation is based on the creation of a mythic spirituality with both political and cultural meanings. The authors analyze the symbolic efficacy for the Chicano population of various strategies: a) the construction of a symbolic lineage based on tradition and the experience of the Aztec Conchera dance, a syncretic ritual in popular Mexican Catholicism; b) a reproduction or reenactment of the founding myths of the Mexican nation as a way to legitimize the existence of a spiritual nation that spreads over both sides of the international border; c) the appropriation of territories where the Chicanos can practice their rituals.
Genre, conversion personnelle et individualisme en pentecôtisme: les Assemblées de Dieu de Polynésie française
Authors: Malogne-Fer Gwendoline 
Published: May 2013

While the Assemblies of God (AoG) in French Polynesia insist on the dimension of choice in their definition of Pentecostal belonging, in contrast with the ‘historical’ Protestant identity inherited from parents, the conditions under which Pentecostal conversions take place lead us to qualify this simplistic opposition. The institutional recognition of personal conversion (through immersion baptism) by AoG ministers depends, in fact, on the regularisation of the conjugal situation. In so doing, they alter the process of conversion by transforming a supposedly personal decision into a conjugal and family negotiation. Adopting a gender perspective, the author first shows how the modalities of conversion to Pentecostalism and responsibility for such conversion vary significantly according to the gender and conjugal situation of the individual concerned. She goes on to question the signification of the ‘autonomy’ and ‘individual freedom’ promoted by Pentecostalism in so far as these are associated with a traditional division of gendered roles focused on the upholding of ‘familial values’.