bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Low prevalence of transmitted genetic drug resistance in a cohort of HIV infected naïve patients entering antiretroviral treatment programs at two sites in northern South Africa
Authors: Nwobegahay Julius , Selabe Gloria , Ndjeka Norbert O. , Manhaeve Cecile , Bessong Pascal Obong 
Published: October 2012

AbstractInfection with drug resistant viruses influences the outcome of antiretroviral therapy (ART). This study was carried out to determine the transmitted genetic drug resistance profile in a cohort of patients prior to initiation of treatment at two treatment sites in northern South Africa. These study sites were among the first to benefit from antiretroviral drugs in this region. Data on HIV drug resistance are also limited in northern South Africa; and resistance testing prior to initiation of treatment is not undertaken. In 2008, 80 protease and 80 reverse transcriptase nucleotide sequences obtained from 80 patients were analyzed for genetic drug resistance using the calibrated population resistance tool for transmitted drug resistance. Viral genetic subtypes were determined by phylogenetic analysis. Two drug resistance mutations (M41L and K103N) were detected in two different patients (2.5%; 95% CI: 0.0077–0.0863). Twenty‐three sequences (29%) harbored at least one secondary mutation in the reverse transcriptase gene; while all sequences had at least one minor mutation in the protease gene. Phylogenetic analysis of the protease and reverse transcriptase genes showed that 79 out of 80 viruses were HIV‐1 subtype C, and one was an A1/C recombinant. The observations suggest that after 4 and 8 years access to ART in Mankweng and the Bela Bela communities respectively, drug resistance mutations in the naïve population was low. Regular studies are needed to update information on drug resistant viruses in treatment naïve patients to inform better treatment policies. J. Med. Virol. 84:1839–1843, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Molecular study of human herpesvirus 6 and 8 involvement in coronary atherosclerosis and coronary instability
Authors: Magnoni Marco , Malnati Mauro , Cristell Nicole , Coli Stefano , Russo Domenico , Ruotolo Giacomo , Cianflone Domenico , Alfieri Ottavio , Lusso Paolo , Maseri Attilio 
Published: October 2012

AbstractSeveral lines of evidence suggest the involvement of infectious agents in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Furthermore, a correlation between infection‐driven inflammatory burden and acute manifestation of coronary artery disease has been hypothesized. The aim of this work was to assess whether human herpesvirus (HHV)‐6 and HHV‐8, two DNA viruses with a distinct tropism for endothelium and lymphocytes, may be associated with coronary instability. An age‐ and gender‐matched cross‐sectional study was undertaken in 70 patients with testing of plasma HHV‐6 and HHV‐8 DNA load in different cardiovascular clinical settings: 29 patients with acute myocardial infarction, 21 patients with stable coronary artery disease, and 20 patients without coronary and carotid artery atherosclerosis subjected to cardiac valve replacement. In all patients, HHV‐6 and HHV‐8 plasma DNA was tested by using highly sensitive, calibrated quantitative real‐time PCR assays which employ a synthetic DNA calibrator to adjust for DNA extraction and amplification efficiency. HHV‐8 viremia was undetectable in all three groups. HHV‐6 viremia was detected in a substantial fraction of the samples examined (18.6%) without significant differences among the three groups (ST segment elevation myocardial infarction: 17.2%; stable coronary artery disease: 14.3%; patients without coronary and carotid artery atherosclerosis: 25%). Furthermore, no significant differences in plasma HHV‐6 load were observed amongst the three groups of patients. These findings indicate that coronary instability is not associated specifically with active HHV‐6 or HHV‐8 infection. However, an unusually high rate of active HHV‐6 infection was documented among patients without atherosclerosis admitted to hospital with cardiac disease. J. Med. Virol. 84:1961–1966, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Phylogenetic analysis of probable Non‐human genes of group A rotaviruses isolated from children with acute gastroenteritis in Belém, Brazil
Authors: Maestri Régis Piloni , Kaiano Jane Haruko Lima , Neri Darivaldo Luz , Soares Luana da Silva , Guerra Sylvia de Fatima dos Santos , Oliveira Darleise de Souza , Farias Yasmin Nascimento , Gabbay Yvone Benchimol , Leite José Paulo Gagliardi , Linhares Alexandre da Costa , Mascarenhas Joana D'Arc Pereira 
Published: October 2012

AbstractRotaviruses (RVs) are the main cause of acute viral gastroenteritis in both humans and young animals of various species such as calves, horses, pigs, dogs, cats, and birds. The genetic diversity of RVs is related to a variety of evolutionary mechanisms, including point mutation, and genome reassortment. The objective of this study was to characterize molecularly genes that encode structural and nonstructural proteins in unusual RV strains. The clinical specimens selected for this study were obtained from children and newborn with RV gastroenteritis, who participated in research projects on viral gastroenteritis conducted at the Evandro Chagas Institute. Structural (VP1‐VP4, VP6, and VP7) and nonstructural (NSP1‐NSP6) genes were amplified from stool samples by the polymerase chain reaction and subsequently sequenced. Eight unusual RV strains isolated from children and newborn with gastroenteritis were studied. Reassortment between genes of animal origin were observed in 5/8 (62.5%) strains analyzed. These results demonstrate that, although rare, interspecies (animal–human) transmission of RVs occurs in nature, as observed in the present study in strains NB150, HSP034, HSP180, HST327, and RV10109. This study is the first to be conducted in the Amazon region and supports previous data showing a close relationship between genes of human and animal origin, representing a challenge to the large‐scale introduction of RV vaccines in national immunization programs. J. Med. Virol. 84:1993–2002, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Surveillance of 16 respiratory viruses in patients with influenza‐like illness in Nanjing, China
Authors: Huo Xiang , Qin Yuanfang , Qi Xian , Zu Rongqiang , Tang Fenyang , Li Liang , Hu Zhibin , Zhu Fengcai 
Published: October 2012

AbstractMuch less is known about the etiology of influenza‐like illness in China. A continuous surveillance of 16 respiratory viruses was conducted from November 2010 to October 2011 of outpatients with influenza‐like illness in Nanjing, China. The two largest general hospitals and a provincial virus laboratory in Nanjing participated in this study. Throat swabs were collected from outpatients during medical visits for influenza‐like illness and were tested for 16 respiratory viruses using PCR. Three hundred seventeen viruses were detected in samples from 246 (50.6%) patients with influenza‐like illness. The viruses found mostly commonly were influenza, rhinovirus, hCoV HKU1, and adenovirus. The identification rates of respiratory viruses differed significantly among different sampling seasons (P = 0.0002). The rates of influenza A and hCoV HKU1 were much higher during the influenza‐like illness winter peak than during the influenza‐like illness summer peak and other months. Co‐infections were detected in 57 (11.7%) patients and were found most commonly in adults older than 60 years. RSV was detected in 5.9% and 2.6% of patients who were 0–5 and 6–15 years old, respectively, but was not detected in other age groups. This study confirmed that multiple respiratory viruses may circulate concurrently in the population and account for a large proportion of influenza‐like illness. In addition to influenza virus, hCoV HKU1 may be associated with the influenza‐like illness winter peak in Nanjing, China. J. Med. Virol. 84:1980–1984, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparative study of molecular and antigenic characterization for intratypic differentiation (ITD) of poliovirus strains
Authors: Adedeji A.O. , Okonko I.O. , Adu F.D. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThis study was designed to compare the sensitivity of a Sabin vaccine strain‐specific PCR assay and an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay with polyclonal cross‐absorbed antisera (PAb‐E) for intratypic differentiation (ITD) of polioviruses (PVs). These were used for the definitive characterization of the strains. Poliovirus strains isolated in L20B and RD cell lines were subjected to both PCR and ELISA. Both PCR and ELISA identified 3 (13.6%) out of 22 isolates, respectively as poliovirus Sabin 1. PCR identified 4 (18.2%) out of 22 isolates as poliovirus Sabin 2 and ELISA identified 2 (9.1%) out of 22 isolates as poliovirus Sabin 2. None of the two assay identified poliovirus Sabin 3. Both PCR and ELISA identified 12 (54.5%) out of 22 isolates, respectively as wild poliovirus (WPV) 1. None of the assays identified any of the isolates as WPV 2 and 3. Only PCR assay was able to identify the mixture of two poliovirus Sabin serotypes (a mixture of Sabin 1 and 2) and two mixtures of poliovirus Sabin 2 and 3. In this study, only ELISA was able to identified two invalid results. Invalid results observed in this study are of important practical implication to the emergence of vaccine‐derived poliovirus. This may have epidemic potential. Hence, the two ITD assays are of paramount importance for identification of PVs. It is therefore recommended in line with WHO guideline that at least two methods be used for the ITD of poliovirus isolates, and each method should be based on a different principle (i.e., antigenic and genetic properties). J. Med. Virol. 84:1975–1979, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Response to valganciclovir in chronic fatigue syndrome patients with human herpesvirus 6 and Epstein–Barr virus IgG antibody titers
Authors: Watt Tessa , Oberfoell Stephanie , Balise Raymond , Lunn Mitchell R. , Kar Aroop K. , Merrihew Lindsey , Bhangoo Munveer S. , Montoya José G. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractValganciclovir has been reported to improve physical and cognitive symptoms in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) with elevated human herpesvirus 6 (HHV‐6) and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) IgG antibody titers. This study investigated whether antibody titers against HHV‐6 and EBV were associated with clinical response to valganciclovir in a subset of CFS patients. An uncontrolled, unblinded retrospective chart review was performed on 61 CFS patients treated with 900 mg valganciclovir daily (55 of whom took an induction dose of 1,800 mg daily for the first 3 weeks). Antibody titers were considered high if HHV‐6 IgG ≥1:320, EBV viral capsid antigen (VCA) IgG ≥1:640, and EBV early antigen (EA) IgG ≥1:160. Patients self‐rated physical and cognitive functioning as a percentage of their functioning prior to illness. Patients were categorized as responders if they experienced at least 30% improvement in physical and/or cognitive functioning. Thirty‐two patients (52%) were categorized as responders. Among these, 19 patients (59%) responded physically and 26 patients (81%) responded cognitively. Baseline antibody titers showed no significant association with response. After treatment, the average change in physical and cognitive functioning levels for all patients was +19% and +23%, respectively (P < 0.0001). Longer treatment was associated with improved response (P = 0.0002). No significant difference was found between responders and non‐responders among other variables analyzed. Valganciclovir treatment, independent of the baseline antibody titers, was associated with self‐rated improvement in physical and cognitive functioning for CFS patients who had positive HHV‐6 and/or EBV serologies. Longer valganciclovir treatment correlated with an improved response. J. Med. Virol. 84:1967–1974, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Case report: Detection of a hepatitis B surface antigen variant emerging in an elderly patient after an ischemic cerebral vascular accident
Authors: Deroux Alban , Larrat Sylvie , Hilleret Marie‐Noelle , Baccard Monique , Qin Wen , Billet Gaelle , Zaoui Philippe , Morand Patrice 
Published: October 2012

AbstractHBV reactivations are observed frequently in patients with past hepatitis B infection receiving cytotoxic and/or immunosuppressive chemotherapy for hemato‐oncological malignancies or autoimmune diseases. Recent ischemic stroke was shown to induce immunodepression by misunderstood mechanisms. To our knowledge, the association between HBV reactivation and ischemic stroke has not been reported before. This study reports the case of an anti‐HBs‐ and anti‐HBc‐positive patient who presented HBV reactivation in a context of recent ischemic stroke, with no other intercurrent iatrogenic phenomenon or usual immunosuppressive pathology. J. Med. Virol. 84:1897–1900, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A study of the genetic variability of human respiratory syncytial virus in Croatia, 2006–2008
Authors: Forcic Dubravko , Ivancic‐Jelecki Jelena , Mlinaric‐Galinovic Gordana , Vojnovic Gordana , Babic‐Erceg Andrea , Tabain Irena 
Published: October 2012

AbstractHuman respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is a common etiological agent of acute lower respiratory tract disease in infants. The molecular epidemiology of HRSV in Croatia over four consecutive seasons (from 2006 to 2008) was investigated. A total of 72 HRSV samples were chosen from 696 screened cases in a pediatric clinic in Zagreb. Molecular characterization of HRSV revealed the predominance of HRSV group B viruses in the first two epidemic seasons and HRSV group A viruses in the next two seasons. According to the phylogenetic analysis, NA1 and BA9 were the predominant circulating HRSV genotypes detected during the study. Overall, 82.9% of all HRSV A strains belonged to the NA1 genotype. The HRSV B genotype BA9, detected in two consecutive seasons (2006 and 2007), was the predominant circulating HRSV B genotype, accounting for 80.6% of all HRSV B strains. This study provides data on the circulation pattern of HRSV genotypes in Croatia and their molecular characterization. J. Med. Virol. 84:1985–1992, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Systemic varicella zoster virus reactive effector memory T‐cells impaired in the elderly and in kidney transplant recipients
Authors: van Besouw Nicole M. , Verjans Georges M.G.M. , Zuijderwijk Joke M. , Litjens Nicolle H.R. , Osterhaus Albert D.M.E. , Weimar Willem 
Published: October 2012

AbstractVaricella zoster virus (VZV) infections cause varicella and subsequently herpes zoster upon reactivation. Immune‐compromised individuals and the elderly are at high risk of developing herpes zoster due to waning of VZV‐specific T‐cell immunity. In the present study, a novel functional T‐cell assay was developed to test the correlation between age and VZV‐specific T‐cell responses in peripheral blood from healthy individuals. Secondly, VZV‐specific T‐cell responses from renal transplant recipients were compared with healthy individuals. Monocytes were differentiated into mature monocyte‐derived dendritic cells (moDCs) and were infected with VZV. T‐cells were co‐cultured with autologous moDCs infected with VZV and subjected to flowcytometric analysis to identify the phenotype (i.e., naïve [NA: CCR7+CD45RO−], central [CM: CCR7+CD45RO+] and effector memory [EM: CCR7−CD45RO+] T‐cells) and the frequency of VZV‐reactive T‐cell subsets by intra‐cellular IFN‐γ flowcytometry. In contrast to NA and CM T‐cells, the frequency of VZV‐reactive CD4 and CD8 EM T‐cells was inversely correlated with age (P = 0.0007 and P = 0.01). No difference was found in the percentage of VZV‐reactive CD4 NA, CM and EM T‐cells between transplant recipients and controls. However, the percentage of VZV‐reactive CD8 EM T‐cells was significantly lower in transplant recipients compared to controls (P = 0.02). In conclusion, moDCs infected with VZV are efficient antigen presenting cells applicable to enumerate and characterize the phenotype and differentiation status of the systemic VZV‐specific T‐cell response ex‐vivo. The data suggest that VZV‐reactive EM T‐cells are impaired in the elderly and renal transplant recipients. J. Med. Virol. 84:2018–2025, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A case study on the estimation accuracy of soil properties and fertilizer rates for different soil‐sampling grids
Authors: Stępień Michał , Gozdowski Dariusz , Samborski Stanisław 
Published: October 2012

AbstractSoil testing is used to help make fertilizer recommendations for greater yields and profits. But the increase of soil‐sampling density raises costs of sample collection and analyses. The aim of this study was to compare grid‐cell sampling densities (1, 2, and 4 ha) in terms of the estimation accuracy of macronutrients (P, K, Mg) availability and pH and to investigate how sampling density affects the amount of fertilizers and lime recommended and correctly applied to winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The distribution of liming requirements and available nutrients were quite similar for the 1‐ and 2‐ha grids but notably different for the 4‐ha grid. However, the whole‐field average values of pH and P, K, and Mg concentrations in soil obtained for different sampling densities were very similar, thus placing, respectively, the soil of the studied area in the same class of liming needs and nutrient availability. The range and estimation errors of these parameters decreased with sampling‐grid size increase. The amount of lime and fertilizers to be applied on the field and the portion of a field correctly limed or fertilized depended on the soil chemical property considered. If one treats the 1‐ha grid as the reference and the most correct soil‐sampling approach, 2‐ha grid offered the greatest part of the field to be adequately fertilized with lime, P, and K. However, fertilization with Mg was much more appropriate if the recommendation was based on 4‐ha, than on a 2‐ha soil‐sampling grid. To gain an insight into soil variation and soil process occurring at small scale, laboratory and geostatistical analyses on individual soil samples may be necessary in some cases. Possibly, such costly research can deliver relevant information which could be then applied into farmer's practice.
Sucrose phosphate synthase plays a key role in boron‐promoted sucrose synthesis in tobacco leaves
Authors: Shi Yong‐Chun , Sun Bo , Liu Wei‐Qun 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBoron (B) is essential for plant growth. The mechanism of B interacting with sucrose transport is not fully understood. In detached tobacco leaves treated with increasing B concentrations, the concentrations of sucrose, glucose, fructose, and starch as well as the activities of sucrose phosphate synthetase (SPS), sucrose synthetase (SS), and α‐amylase were quantified. In addition, the expression levels of sucrose transporters (SUT1 and SUT4) were determined. The data presented here suggest that B promotes the sucrose concentration and transport via elevation of SPS activity, decrease of SS activity, and increase of SUT4 expression level.
Assessment of quality‐assured Tarocco orange fruit sorting rules by combined physicochemical and sensory testing
Authors: Pallottino Federico , Menesatti Paolo , Lanza Maria Carmela , Strano Maria Concetta , Antonucci Francesca , Moresi Mauro 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to extract a sorting rule for Tarocco orange fruit from several physicochemical and sensory tests performed on a marketable lot of 399 Tarocco orange fruits.RESULTS: The elastic tension at 5% strain (T5) was found to be linearly correlated (r = 0.65) with the Magness–Taylor (MT) index. Thus T5 was regarded as a non‐destructive parameter quantifying fruit firmness and used to categorise the aforementioned lot in three different firmness classes, high (HF), medium (MF) and low (LF). Only the MT index, fruit rind thickness near the fruit peduncle, lightness coefficient and yellow/blue hue component of the orange flesh, as well as total soluble solid content, confirmed the validity of this discrimination at the significance level of 5%. Sensory professionals recognised the greater compactness (7 ± 2) but lower ease of peeling (4 ± 2) and segment separation (4 ± 2) of the HF oranges with respect to the corresponding sensory attributes of orange fruits grouped in the MF and LF classes.CONCLUSION: To limit the costly rejection of Tarocco orange fruit considered too soft, especially after long‐term shipping, it would be reasonable to select only fruits characterised by a compressive force or tension at 5% strain in the range 23–41 N or 300–540 N m−1 respectively. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Discovery of two transglutaminases derived from same zymogen for the Streptomyces hygroscopicus and analysis of their formation processes
Authors: Cui Wenjing , Yang Xiaoyan , Fang Yueqin , Zhou Shengmin , Liu Song , Du Guocheng , Du Kun , Chen Jian , Tao Guanjun , Zhou Zhemin 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBackgroundTransglutaminase (TGase) is secreted as a zymogen (Pro‐TGase) and is then processed by removal of its N‐terminal region through exogenous proteolytic activity. In this study it was discovered that the Pro‐TGase from Streptomyces hygroscopicus was also activated by its TGase (processed through exogenous proteolytic activity), resulting in a different active form.ResultsThe two TGases exhibited different ionic strengths, hydrophobicities, Km values and stabilities. Circular dichroism spectral analysis showed that the two enzymes had non‐identical secondary structures, while liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC‐MS) analysis indicated that they differed in molecular mass by 111 Da. The formation of the TGase activated from Pro‐TGase by TGase was delayed compared with that of TGase processed through exogenous proteolytic activity. Furthermore, it was found that the TGase activated from Pro‐TGase by TGase did not activate Pro‐TGase.ConclusionTwo TGases derived from the same zymogen from S. hygroscopicus were discovered. These two active forms of TGase may be due to different activation processes: one of them is catalysed by its own active TGase, while the other is activated by an exogenous protease. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Evaluation of sonication treatment and buffer composition on rumen bacteria protein extraction and carboxymethylcellulase activity
Authors: Prauchner Carlos A , Kozloski Gilberto V , Farenzena Roberta 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe methodological procedures for studying the fibrolytic activity of rumen bacteria are not clearly established. In this study the efficiency of sonication treatment and buffer composition (i.e. buffer varying in tonicity or pH) on the level of protein extraction from the residue of forage samples incubated in the rumen of a grazing steer and the effect of buffer composition or CaCl2 concentration on the carboxymethylcellulase (CMCase) activity of the released protein were evaluated.RESULTSThe amount of protein released from the residue of incubation was higher (P < 0.05) for the sonicated material and increased linearly with increasing buffer pH (P < 0.05). The CMCase activity of the released protein was not improved by sonication treatment, whereas it was higher (P < 0.05) for hypotonic than for hypertonic buffer. Both linear and quadratic effects (P < 0.05) of buffer pH on CMCase activity were significant, with CMCase activity being maximal at pH 5.4–6.1. CMCase activity was higher (P < 0.05) at a CaCl2 concentration of 1 mmol L−1 compared with lower values.CONCLUSIONAlthough sonication treatment increases the amount of protein extracted from rumen bacteria adhered to the residue of incubation, the CMCase activity of the released protein might be measured without sonication treatment and should be carried out with a hypotonic buffer solution that includes a calcium source. When pH is not a treatment factor, the buffer pH should be between 5.5 and 6. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry