bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Estimation of the Rate of Egg Contamination from Salmonella‐Infected Chickens
Authors: Arnold M. E. , Martelli F. , McLaren I. , Davies R. H. 
Published: February 2013

SummarySalmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (S. Enteritidis) is one of the most prevalent causes for human gastroenteritis and is by far the predominant Salmonella serovar among human cases, followed by Salmonella Typhimurium. Contaminated eggs produced by infected laying hens are thought to be the main source of human infection with S. Enteritidis throughout the world. Although previous studies have looked at the proportion of infected eggs from infected flocks, there is still uncertainty over the rate at which infected birds produce contaminated eggs. The aim of this study was to estimate the rate at which infected birds produce contaminated egg shells and egg contents. Data were collected from two studies, consisting of 15 and 20 flocks, respectively. Faecal and environmental sampling and testing of ovaries/caeca from laying hens were carried out in parallel with (i) for the first study, testing 300 individual eggs, contents and shells together and (ii) for the second study, testing 4000 eggs in pools of six, with shells and contents tested separately. Bayesian methods were used to estimate the within‐flock prevalence of infection from the faecal and hen post‐mortem data, and this was related to the proportion of positive eggs. Results indicated a linear relationship between the rate of contamination of egg contents and the prevalence of infected chickens, but a nonlinear (quadratic) relationship between infection prevalence and the rate of egg shell contamination, with egg shell contamination occurring at a much higher rate than that of egg contents. There was also a significant difference in the rate of egg contamination between serovars, with S. Enteritidis causing a higher rate of contamination of egg contents and a lower rate of contamination of egg shells compared to non‐S. Enteritidis serovars. These results will be useful for risk assessments of human exposure to Salmonella‐contaminated eggs.
Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry Is a Sensitive and Specific Method for Identification of Aerococci
Authors: Senneby Erik , Nilson Bo , Petersson Ann-Cathrine , Rasmussen Magnus 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACT
Conventional methods for the identification of human-pathogenic aerococci to the species level are not reliable. We show that matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry correctly identifies aerococci to the species level and that it can be used to identify aerococci with high specificity in the diagnostic clinical microbiology laboratory.
Comparison between the Biflex III-Biotyper and the Axima-SARAMIS Systems for Yeast Identification by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Lohmann Caroline , Sabou Marcela , Moussaoui Wardi , Prévost Gilles , Delarbre Jean-Marie , Candolfi Ermanno , Gravet Alain , Letscher-Bru Valérie 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACT

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is emerging in laboratories as a new diagnostic tool for microorganism identification. We prospectively compared the performances of the Biflex III-Biotyper (Bruker Daltonics) and the Axima (Shimadzu)-SARAMIS (AnagnosTec) systems for the identification of 312 yeasts isolated from clinical specimens (249
Candida
spp., including 19
C. albicans
and 230 non-
albicans
species and 63 isolates belonging to different species of the genera
Saccharomyces
[20 isolates],
Rhodotorula
[8 isolates],
Cryptococcus
[8 isolates],
Trichosporon
[7 isolates],
Pichia
[7 isolates],
Geotrichum
[12 isolates], and
Sporopachydermia cereana
[1 isolate]). Species were identified by using routine conventional phenotypical methods and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing in case of discrepancy. We used expanded thresholds for species identification (log score of ≥1.7 with 3 identical consecutive propositions and no discrepancy between the duplicates for the Bruker Daltonics system and similitude of ≥40% with 5 successive identical propositions and no discrepancy between the duplicates for the Shimadzu system). Of the 312 isolates, 272 (87.2%) and 258 (82.7%) were successfully identified by the Bruker Daltonics and Shimadzu systems, respectively. All isolates were successfully identified within the most frequent and clinically relevant
Candida
species by the two systems. Nonvalid results corresponded mainly to species not or poorly represented in the databases. Major misidentifications were observed for 2 isolates (0.6%) by the Bruker Daltonics system and 4 isolates (1.3%) by the Shimadzu system. In conclusion, the performances of the Bruker Daltonics and the Shimadzu systems for yeast identification were good and comparable under routine clinical conditions, despite their differences in sample preparation, database content, and spectrum analysis.
Intensity of the Humoral Response to Cytomegalovirus Is Associated with the Phenotypic and Functional Status of the Immune System
Authors: Alonso Arias R. , Moro-García M. A. , Echeverría A. , Solano-Jaurrieta J. J. , Suárez-García F. M. , López-Larrea C. 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACT

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection exerts an enormous effect on human immunity, as it is associated with an immune-impaired response, a variety of chronic diseases, and overall survival in elderly individuals. Levels of anti-CMV antibodies may be associated with the differentiation degree of T cell subsets. Titers are significantly higher in the elderly and positively correlated with specific CD4
+
T cell responses to CMV. In the elderly, antibody titers are associated with the degree of differentiation and the T cell receptor excision circle (TREC) content in CD4
+
T cells, with other features of the immune risk profile, and with a reduced ability to respond to immunization
in vivo
. Associations may be absent in young subjects because their anti-CMV antibody titers are lower than those of the elderly. However, comparing young and elderly individuals with similar antibody levels reveals differences in their highly differentiated and naïve T cells. These are more marked in individuals with high titers. In parallel with the increase in anti-CMV antibodies, the elderly experience a significant reduction in absolute counts of naïve CD4
+
T cells, which may be a strategy to compensate for the expansion of differentiated cells and to avoid an increase in total T cells. In summary, our results show that titers of anti-CMV antibodies, and not only CMV seropositivity, are related to differentiation status and immunocompetence in the elderly, making this as an important prognostic marker of the status of immune system function.
Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Virus Glycoproteins Are Targeted by Neutralizing Antibodies and Can Use DC-SIGN as a Receptor for pH-Dependent Entry into Human and Animal Cell Lines
Authors: Hofmann Heike , Li Xingxing , Zhang Xiaoai , Liu Wei , Kühl Annika , Kaup Franziska , Soldan Samantha S. , González-Scarano Francisco , Weber Friedemann , He Yuxian , Pöhlmann Stefan 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACT
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) is a novel bunyavirus that recently emerged in China. Infection with SFTSV is associated with case-fatality rates of up to 30%, and neither antivirals nor vaccines are available at present. Development of antiviral strategies requires the elucidation of virus-host cell interactions. Here, we analyzed host cell entry of SFTSV. Employing lentiviral and rhabdoviral vectors, we found that the Gn/Gc glycoproteins (Gn/Gc) of SFTSV mediate entry into a broad range of human and animal cell lines, as well as human macrophages and dendritic cells. The Gn/Gc proteins of La Crosse virus (LACV) and Rift Valley Fever Virus (RVFV), other members of the bunyavirus family, facilitated entry into an overlapping but not identical range of cell lines, suggesting that SFTSV, LACV, and RVFV might differ in their receptor requirements. Entry driven by SFTSV Gn/Gc was dependent on low pH but did not require the activity of the pH-dependent endosomal/lysosomal cysteine proteases cathepsins B and L. Instead, the activity of a cellular serine protease was required for infection driven by SFTSV and LACV Gn/Gc. Sera from convalescent SFTS patients inhibited SFTSV Gn/Gc-driven host cell entry in a dose-dependent fashion, demonstrating that the vector system employed is suitable to detect neutralizing antibodies. Finally, the C-type lectin DC-SIGN was found to serve as a receptor for SFTSV Gn/Gc-driven entry into cell lines and dendritic cells. Our results provide initial insights into cell tropism, receptor usage, and proteolytic activation of SFTSV and will aid in the understanding of viral spread and pathogenesis.
JE-ADVAX Vaccine Protection against Japanese Encephalitis Virus Mediated by Memory B Cells in the Absence of CD8+T Cells and Pre-Exposure Neutralizing Antibody
Authors: Larena Maximilian , Prow Natalie A. , Hall Roy A. , Petrovsky Nikolai , Lobigs Mario 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACTJE-ADVAX is a new, delta inulin-adjuvanted, Japanese encephalitis (JE) candidate vaccine with a strong safety profile and potent immunogenicity that confers efficient immune protection not only against JE virus but also against related neurotropic flaviviruses such as West Nile virus. In this study, we investigated the immunological mechanism of protection by JE-ADVAX vaccine using knockout mice deficient in B cells or CD8+T cells and poor persistence of neutralizing antibody or by adoptive transfer of immune splenocyte subpopulations. We show that memory B cells induced by JE-ADVAX provide long-lived protection against JE even in the absence of detectable pre-exposure serum neutralizing antibodies and without the requirement of CD8+T cells. Upon virus encounter, these vaccine-induced memory B cells were rapidly triggered to produce neutralizing antibodies that then protected immunized mice from morbidity and mortality. The findings suggest that the extent of the B-cell memory compartment might be a better immunological correlate for clinical efficacy of JE vaccines than the currently recommended measure of serum neutralizing antibody. This may explain the paradox where JE protection is observed in some subjects even in the absence of detectable serum neutralizing antibody. Our investigation also established the suitability of a novel flavivirus challenge model (β2-microglobulin-knockout mice) for studies of the role of B-cell memory responses in vaccine protection.
Differential Regulation of Interleukin-12 (IL-12)/IL-23 by Tim-3 Drives TH17 Cell Development during Hepatitis C Virus Infection
Authors: Wang Jia M. , Shi Lei , Ma Cheng J. , Ji Xiao J. , Ying Ruo S. , Wu Xiao Y. , Wang Ke S. , Li Guangyu , Moorman Jonathan P. , Yao Zhi Q. 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACTCytokine production by innate immunity is critical for shaping the adaptive immunity through regulation of T cell differentiation. In this report, we studied T cell immunoglobulin mucin domain protein 3 (Tim-3) expression on monocytes and its regulatory effect on interleukin-12 (IL-12)/IL-23 production by CD14+monocytes, as well as IL-17 production by CD4+T cells in individuals with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We found that Tim-3 and IL-23p19 are highly expressed and that IL-12p35 is inhibited in human CD14+monocytes, while IL-17 expression is upregulated in CD4+T cells, in chronically HCV-infected individuals compared to healthy subjects. Interestingly, Tim-3 expression is closely associated with the differential regulation of IL-12/IL-23 expression in CD14+monocytes and correlated to IL-17 production by CD4+T cells. These Tim-3-associated IL-12/IL-23/IL-17 dysregulations in HCV-infected individuals are also recapitulatedin vitroby incubating healthy monocytes or peripheral blood mononuclear cells with Huh-7 hepatoma cells transfected with HCV RNA. Importantly, blocking Tim-3 signaling on monocytes restores the balance of IL-12/IL-23 through the intracellular STAT3 signaling, which in turn reverses the upregulated IL-17 expression bothex vivoandin vitro. Our findings suggest that Tim-3-mediated differential regulation of IL-12/IL-23 drives TH17 cell development, a milieu favoring viral persistence and autoimmune phenomenon during HCV infection.
IgE-mediated cow milk allergy and infantile colic: diagnostic and management challenges
Authors: Al Dhaheri Watfa , Diksic Dubravka , Ben-Shoshan Moshe 
Published: February 2013

Cow milk allergy (CMA) is a common problem affecting 2–3% of children and is the most prevalent food allergy in infancy. Infantile colic is also a common problem in the first year of life. A frequent practice among physicians is to recommend a dairy-free diet to breast-feeding mothers and infants in cases of infantile colic. However, recent studies suggest that late introduction of potentially allergenic foods may increase the risk of developing a life-threatening food allergy. We describe two infants managed with dairy-free diet to control symptoms of colic in whom CMA developed. It is possible that unnecessary cow milk restriction may have contributed to the development of food allergy in these infants.
IS FlowMap, a novel tool to examine blood flow changes induced by flow diverter stent treatment: initial experiences with pipeline cases
Authors: Chien Aichi , Viñuela Fernando 
Published: February 2013

BackgroundIntracranial aneurysm flow diverting stents are a new endovascular treatment option for wide neck and large/giant aneurysms. Since August 2011, our center has integrated flow diverting stents into aneurysm treatment management. To further understand the effects of flow diverting stents, we developed the intracranial stent flow mapping program, which allows detailed, case by case, examination and comparison of blood flow changes within an aneurysm before and after stent treatment.MethodsThe Intracranial Stent Flow Mapping program (IS FlowMap) utilizes algorithms detecting movement changes between consecutive images. Sequences of catheter angiograms capturing the movement of injected contrast were used to map flow patterns and examine aneurysmal flow before and after stent implantation.ResultsA pilot study of this new technique in flow diverter (FD) stent treated aneurysms was performed. Four clinical aneurysms (two wide neck and two giant aneurysms) were analyzed by IS FlowMap. The characteristics of redirected flow in cases treated with one stent or two overlapping stents in the reconstructed vessels are presented. Distinct differences in flow impingement on the aneurysm wall, aneurysmal inflow, and flow circulation before and after FD stent treatment were found.ConclusionsWe present a novel approach to map blood flow motion within aneurysms and have shown the feasibility of the technique in clinical aneurysms. This new technology can help monitor flow changes induced by stents and study the relationship between the modified flow and treatment outcome.
Meningococcal sepsis and purpura fulminans: the surgical perspective
Authors: Morris Marvin E , Maijub John G , Walker Sarah K , Gardner Glenn P , Jones Riley G 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
Meningococcal sepsis and purpura fulminans is a rare but highly lethal disease process that requires a multidisciplinary team of experts to optimise morbidity and mortality outcomes due to the breadth of complications of the disease. The surgical perspective involves the critical care management which utilises all currently available measured outcomes of critical care management as well as experimental therapies. Limb loss is common, and is reflective of the high incidence of compartment syndrome compounded by the significant soft tissue loss secondary to purpura and limb ischaemia, presumptively due to digital microemboli. A multidisciplinary approach involving current standards in critical care and early surgical evaluation are important in improving patient outcomes and limb salvage.
Molecular Pathways: Radiation-Induced Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Greene-Schloesser Dana , Moore Elizabeth , Robbins Mike E. 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
Each year, approximately 200,000 patients in the United States will receive partial- or whole-brain irradiation for the treatment of primary or metastatic brain cancer. Early and delayed radiation effects are transient and reversible with modern therapeutic standards; yet, late radiation effects (≥6 months postirradiation) remain a significant risk, resulting in progressive cognitive impairment. These risks include functional deficits in memory, attention, and executive function that severely affect the patient's quality of life. The mechanisms underlying radiation-induced cognitive impairment remain ill defined. Classically, radiation-induced alterations in vascular and neuroinflammatory glial cell clonogenic populations were hypothesized to be responsible for radiation-induced brain injury. Recently, preclinical studies have focused on the hippocampus, one of two sites of adult neurogenesis within the brain, which plays an important role in learning and memory. Radiation ablates hippocampal neurogenesis, alters neuronal function, and induces neuroinflammation. Neuronal stem cells implanted into the hippocampus prevent the decrease in neurogenesis and improve cognition after irradiation. Clinically prescribed drugs, including PPARα and PPARγ agonists, as well as RAS blockers, prevent radiation-induced neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment independent of improved neurogenesis. Translating these exciting findings to the clinic offers the promise of improving the quality of life of brain tumor patients who receive radiotherapy. Clin Cancer Res; 19(9); 2294–300. ©2013 AACR.
Prevention of Syncope Through Permanent Cardiac Pacing in Patients With Bifascicular Block and Syncope of Unexplained Origin
Authors: Santini Massimo , Castro Antonio , Giada Franco , Ricci Renato , Inama Giuseppe , Gaggioli Germano , Calò Leonardo , Orazi Serafino , Viscusi Miguel , Chiodi Leandro , Bartoletti Angelo , Foglia-Manzillo Giovanni , Ammirati Fabrizio , Loricchio Maria L. , Pedrinazzi Claudio , Turreni Federico , Gasparini Gianni , Accardi Francesco , Raciti Giovanni , Raviele Antonio 
Published: February 2013

Background—
Syncope in patients with bifascicular block (BFB) is a common event whose causes might be difficult to assess.

Methods and Results—

Prevention of syncope through permanent cardiac pacing in patients with bifascicular block (PRESS) is a multicenter, prospective, randomized, single-blinded study designed to demonstrate a reduction in symptomatic events in patients with bifascicular block and syncope of undetermined origin implanted with permanent pacemaker. Device programming mode (NASPE/BPEG code) at DDD with a lower rate of 60 ppm is compared with backup pacing at DDI with a lower rate of 30 ppm. The end point consisted of (1) syncope, (2) symptomatic presyncopal episodes associated with a device intervention (ventricular pacing), and (3) symptomatic episodes associated with intermittent or permanent atrioventricular block (any degree). One hundred one patients were enrolled and randomized. Primary end point events at 2 years were observed in 23 patients, with a significant lower incidence in the study group (hazard ratio, 0.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.10–0.96;
P
=0.042). Reduction of any symptoms, associated or not with device intervention, was superior in DDD60 compared with DDI30 (hazard ratio, 0.4; 95% confidence interval, 0.25–0.78;
P
=0.0053). Fourteen patients developed other rhythm diseases and met class I indication for pacing. The annual incidence of rhythm disease development was 7.4%.

Conclusions—
In patients with bifascicular block and syncope of undetermined origin, the use of a dual chamber pacemaker programmed to DDD60 led to a significant reduction of syncope or symptomatic events associated with a cardioinhibitory origin, compared with DDI30 programming. Symptoms associated with a new onset of rhythm disease were found in 15% of the population at 2 years.
Predictors of Incident Heart Failure Hospitalizations Among Patients With Impaired Glucose Tolerance
Authors: Wong Yee Weng , Thomas Laine , Sun Jie-Lena , McMurray John J.V. , Krum Henry , Hernandez Adrian F. , Rutten Guy E.H.M. , Leiter Lawrence A. , Standl Eberhard , Haffner Steven M. , Mazzone Theodore , Martinez Felipe A. , Tognoni Gianni , Giles Thomas , Califf Robert M. 
Published: February 2013

Background—
Impaired glucose tolerance and metabolic syndrome are associated with increased risk of heart failure (HF). However, predictors associated with the increased risk of incident HF have not been well characterized. We aimed to identify independent predictors of incident HF hospitalization among patients with impaired glucose tolerance.

Methods and Results—

In Nateglinide and Valsartan in Impaired Glucose Tolerance Outcomes Research (NAVIGATOR), 9306 research participants with impaired glucose tolerance and ≥1 cardiovascular risk factors were randomized to valsartan versus placebo and nateglinide versus placebo in a 2×2 factorial manner, with a median follow-up of 6.5 years. Using a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model, we analyzed the relationships among baseline clinical factors and the outcome of incident HF hospitalization in patients without history of HF. Significant predictors were identified by forward selection. Increasing age, history of coronary heart disease, and atrial fibrillation or flutter were among several known independent predictors of incident HF hospitalization. Increased waist circumference (hazard ratio per 10 cm, 1.37; 95% confidence interval, 1.21–1.55;
P
<0.001) and increased urinary albumin–creatinine ratio (
P
<0.001) were identified as novel predictors. The predictive model for incident HF hospitalization showed good discrimination, with an optimism-corrected C-index of 0.79.

Conclusions—
Among research participants with impaired glucose tolerance, there are several easily identifiable predictors of incident HF hospitalization, including traditional risk factors and novel indices of central adiposity and increased urinary albumin–creatinine ratio, which enable further risk stratification and help distinguish patients who could benefit from more aggressive risk factor management.