bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clostridium difficile 027 infection in Central Italy
Authors: Di Bella Stefano , Paglia Maria Grazia , Johnson Emma , Petrosillo Nicola 
Published: December 2012

Abstract

Background

Clostridium difficile (CD) has increasingly become recognised as a significant international health burden, often associated with the healthcare environment. The upsurge in incidence of CD coincided with the emergence of a hypervirulent strain of CD characterized as 027.
In 2010, 8 cases of CD 027 infections were identified in Italy. Since then, no further reports have been published. We describe 10 new cases of CD 027 infection occurring in Italy.

Methods
Since December 2010, stool samples of patients with severe diarrhea and clinical suspicion of the presence of a hypervirulent strain, were tested for CD 027 by the Xpert C. difficile PCR assay (Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA). Clinical, epidemiological and laboratory data were collected.

Results
From December 2010 to April 2012, 24 faecal samples from 19 patients who fit the above criteria were submitted to our laboratory. Samples were collected from 7 different hospitals.
Of these, 17 had a positive PCR for CD and 10 were the epidemic 027 strain (59%). All PCR positive samples had a positive EIA toxin A/B test. Nine of 10 patients were recently exposed to antimicrobials and were healthcare-associated, including 4 with a history of long term care facility (LTCF) admission; the remaining case was community-associated, namely the wife of a patient with hospital-acquired CD 027 infection. Five patients experienced at least one recurrence of CD associated diarrhea (CDAD) with a total of 12 relapsing episodes. Of these, two patients had 5 and 6 relapses respectively.
We compared the 10 patients with 027 CDAD versus the 7 patients with non-027 CDAD. None of the 7 patients with non-027 CDAD had a recent history of LTCF admission and no subsequent relapses were observed (p = 0.04).

Conclusions
Our study shows that CD 027 is emerging in healthcare facilities in Italy. Whilst nosocomial acquisition accounted for the majority of such cases, 4 patients had history of a recent stay in a LTCF. We highlight the substantial risks of this highly transmissible organism in such environments. Moreover, 50% of our patients with CDAD from the 027 strain had high relapse rates which may serve to further establish this strain within the Italian health and social care systems.
Determining adult type 2 diabetes-related health care needs in an indigenous population from rural Guatemala: a mixed-methods preliminary study
Authors: Chary Anita , Greiner Miranda , Bowers Cody , Rohloff Peter 
Published: December 2012

Abstract

Background
In Guatemala, diabetes is an emerging public health concern. Guatemala has one of the largest indigenous populations in Latin America, and this population frequently does not access the formal health care system. Therefore, knowledge about the emergence of diabetes in this population is limited.

Methods
Interview participants (n=23) were recruited from a convenience sample of indigenous adults with type 2 diabetes at one rural diabetes clinic in Guatemala. A structured interview was used to assess knowledge about diabetes and its complications; access to diabetes-related health care and treatment; dietary and lifestyle changes; and family and social supports for individuals living with diabetes. Interviews were supplemented with two group interviews with community leaders and health care providers. Thematic analysis was used to produce insights into diabetes knowledge, attitudes, and practices. In addition, a chart review of the clinic’s electronic medical record identified all adult patients (n=80) presenting in one calendar year for a first-time diabetic consultation. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were extracted and summarized from these records.

Results
Salient demographic factors in both the structured interview and chart review samples included low educational levels and high indigenous language preference. In the interview sample, major gaps in biomedical knowledge about diabetes included understanding the causes, chronicity, and long-term end-organ complications of diabetes. Medication costs, medical pluralism, and limited social supports for dietary and lifestyles changes were major practical barriers to disease management. Quantitative data from medical records review revealed high rates of poor glycemic control, overweight and obesity, and medication prescription.

Conclusions
This study provides a preliminary sketch of type 2 diabetes in an indigenous Guatemalan population. Combined qualitative and quantitative data point towards particular needs for implementation and future research, including the need to address gaps in diabetes knowledge, to improve social support systems, and to address the cost barriers associated with disease treatment.
Expression of a type B RIFIN in Plasmodium falciparum merozoites and gametes
Authors: Mwakalinga Steven B , Wang Christian W , Bengtsson Dominique C , Turner Louise , Dinko Bismarck , Lusingu John P , Arnot David E , Sutherland Colin J , Theander Thor G , Lavstsen Thomas 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe ability ofPlasmodium falciparumto undergo antigenic variation, by switching expression among protein variants encoded by multigene families, such asvar,rifandstevor, is key to the survival of this parasite in the human host. The RIFIN protein family can be divided into A and B types based on the presence or absence of a 25 amino acid motif in the semi-conserved domain. A particular type B RIFIN, PF13_0006, has previously been shown to be strongly transcribed in the asexual and sexual stages ofP. falciparum in vitro.MethodsAntibodies to recombinant PF13_0006 RIFIN were used in immunofluorescence and confocal imaging of 3D7 parasites throughout the asexual reproduction and sexual development to examine the expression of PF13_0006. Furthermore, reactivity to recombinant PF13_0006 was measured in plasma samples collected from individuals from both East and West African endemic areas.ResultsThe PF13_0006 RIFIN variant appeared expressed by both released merozoites and gametes after emergence. 7.4% and 12.1% of individuals from East and West African endemic areas, respectively, carry plasma antibodies that recognize recombinant PF13_0006, where the antibody responses were more common among older children.ConclusionsThe stage specificity of PF13_0006 suggests that the diversity of RIFIN variants has evolved to provide multiple specialized functions in different stages of the parasite life cycle. These data also suggest that RIFIN variants antigenically similar to PF13_0006 occur in African parasite populations.
Plasmodium vivax infection in Anajás, State of Pará: no differential resistance profile among Duffy-negative and Duffy-positive individuals
Authors: Carvalho Tarcisio AA , Queiroz Maíse G , Cardoso Greice L , Diniz Isabela G , Silva Aylla NLM , Pinto Ana YN , Guerreiro João F 
Published: December 2012

Abstract

Background
There is large body of evidence that states that invasion of Plasmodium vivax requires the Duffy antigen, but the universality of this specificity is certainly now under question with recent reports showing that in some parts of the world P. vivax infects and causes disease in Duffy-negative people. These findings reinforce the idea that this parasite is rapidly evolving, being able to use other receptors than Duffy to invade the erythrocytes, which may have an enormous impact in P. vivax current distribution. The presence of P. vivax infection in Duffy-negative individuals was investigated in a cross-sectional study conducted in Anajás, Archipelago of Marajó, State of Pará, which is an area of malaria transmission in the Brazilian Amazonia.

Methods
Duffy genotyping and Plasmodium species diagnostic assays were performed successfully in 678 individuals. An allele-specific primer polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was used for Duffy blood group genotyping. Identification of Plasmodium species was achieved by conventional blood smear light microscopy and a TaqMan-based real-time PCR method to detect mitochondrial genome of Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax.

Results

Plasmodium spp. infection was detected in 137 samples (20.2%). Prevalence of each Plasmodium species was 13.9% P. vivax, 5.8% P. falciparum, and 0.6% P. vivax plus P. falciparum. Overall, 4.3% (29/678) were genotyped as Duffy-negative (FY*B

ES
/*B

ES
). Among Duffy-negative individuals 6.9% were P. vivax PCR positive and among Duffy-positive 14.2% were P. vivax PCR positive. Although lower, the risk of Duffy-negatives to experience a P. vivax blood stage infection was not significantly different to that of Duffy-positives. Furthermore, the genotypic and allelic frequencies of the Duffy blood group among P. vivax-infected patients and in the control group did not differ significantly, also suggesting no reduction in infection rates among the carriers of FY*B

ES
allele.

Conclusions
The data obtained in Anajás showed no differential resistance vivax malaria among Duffy-negative and Duffy-positive individuals. This result needs additional confirmation through a deeper evaluation in a larger sample of patients with P. vivax malaria and molecular parasite characterization. Nonetheless, this genetic profile of the parasite may be contributing to the high incidence of malaria in the municipality.
Absence of subtelomeric rearrangements in selected patients with mental retardation as assessed by multiprobe T FISH
Authors: dos Santos Suely Rodrigues , Freire-Maia Dértia Villalba 
Published: December 2012

Abstract

Background
Mental retardation (MR) is a heterogeneous condition that affects 2-3% of the general population and is a public health problem in developing countries. Chromosomal abnormalities are an important cause of MR and subtelomeric rearrangements (STR) have been reported in 4-35% of individuals with idiopathic MR or an unexplained developmental delay, depending on the screening tests and patient selection criteria used. Clinical checklists such as that suggested by de Vries et al. have been used to improve the predictive value of subtelomeric screening.

Findings
Fifteen patients (1–20 years old; five females and ten males) with moderate to severe MR from a genetics outpatient clinic of the Gaffrée and Guinle Teaching Hospital (HUGG) of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro State (UNIRIO) were screened with Multiprobe T FISH after normal high resolution karyotyping. No subtelomeric rearrangements were detected even though the clinical score of the patients ranged from four to seven.

Conclusion
In developing countries, FISH-based techniques such as Multiprobe T FISH are still expensive. Although Multiprobe T FISH is a good tool for detecting STR, in this study it did not detect STR in patients with unexplained MR/developmental delay even though these patients had a marked chromosomal imbalance. Our findings also show that clinical scores are not reliable predictors of STR.
Falciform ligament abscess from left sided portal pyaemia following malignant obstructive cholangitis
Authors: Warren Leigh R , Chandrasegaram Manju D , Madigan Daniel J , Dolan Paul M , Neo Eu L , Worthley Christopher S 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
Abscess formation of the falciform ligament is incredibly rare and perplexing when encountered for the first time. It is reported to occur in the setting of cholecystitis and cholangitis, but the pathophysiology is poorly understood.
In this case report, we present a 73-year-old man with falciform ligament abscess following cholangitis from an obstructive ampullary carcinoma. The patient was referred to the Royal Adelaide Hospital from a country hospital, with progressive jaundice, anorexia and nausea. Prior to transfer, he deteriorated with cholangitis, dehydration and renal failure. On arrival, his abdomen was exquisitely tender along the course of the falciform ligament. His blood tests revealed an elevated white cell count of 14.9 x 103/μl, bilirubin of 291μmol/l and creatinine of 347 μmol/l. His CA 19-9 was markedly elevated at 35,000 kU/l. A non-contrast computed tomography (CT) demonstrated gross biliary dilatation and a collection tracking along the path of the falciform ligament to the umbilicus.
The patient was commenced on intravenous antibiotics and underwent an urgent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram (ERCP) with sphincterotomy and biliary stent drainage. Cholangiogram revealed a grossly dilated biliary tree, with abrupt transition at the ampulla, which on biopsy confirmed an obstructing ampullary carcinoma. Following ERCP, his jaundice and abdominal tenderness resolved. He was optimized over 4 weeks for an elective pancreaticoduodenectomy.
At operation, we found abscess transformation of the falciform ligament. Copious amounts of pus and necrotic material was drained. Part of the round ligament was resected along the undersurface of the liver. Histology showed that there was prominent histiocytic inflammation with granular acellular eosinophilic components. The patient recovered slowly but uneventfully.
A contrast CT scan undertaken 2 weeks post-operatively (approximately 7 weeks after the initial CT) revealed left portal venous thrombosis, which was likely to be a delayed discovery and was managed conservatively.
We present this patient’s operative images and radiographic findings, which may explain the pathophysiology behind this rare complication. We hypothesize that cholangitis, with secondary portal pyaemia and tracking via the paraumbilical veins, can cause infectious seeding of the falciform ligament, with consequent abscess formation.
Narrowing down the targets for yield improvement in rice under normal and abiotic stress conditions via expression profiling of yield-related genes
Authors: Tripathi Amit K , Pareek Ashwani , Sopory Sudhir K , Singla-Pareek Sneh L 
Published: December 2012

Abstract

Background
Crop improvement targeting high yield and tolerance to environmental stresses has become the need of the hour. Yield improvement via breeding or gene pyramiding aiming comprehensive incorporation of the agronomically favored traits requires an in-depth understanding of the molecular basis of these traits. The present study describes expression profiling of yield-related genes in rice with respect to different developmental stages and various abiotic stress conditions.

Results
Our analysis indicates developmental regulation of the yield-related genes pertaining to the genetic reprogramming involved at the corresponding developmental stage. The gene expression data can be utilized to specifically select particular genes which can potentially function synergistically for enhancing the yield while maintaining the source-sink balance. Furthermore, to gain some insights into the molecular basis of yield penalty during various abiotic stresses, the expression of selected yield-related genes has also been analyzed by qRT-PCR under such stress conditions. Our analysis clearly showed a tight transcriptional regulation of a few of these yield-related genes by abiotic stresses. The stress-responsive expression patterns of these genes could explain some of the most important stress-related physiological manifestations such as reduced tillering, smaller panicles and early completion of the life cycle owing to reduced duration of vegetative and reproductive phases.

Conclusions
Development of high yielding rice varieties which maintain their yield even under stress conditions may be achieved by simultaneous genetic manipulation of certain combination of genes such as LRK1 and LOG, based on their function and expression profile obtained in the present study. Our study would aid in investigating in future, whether over-expressing or knocking down such yield-related genes can improve the grain yield potential in rice.
Abdominal obesity and prolonged prone positioning increase risk of developing sclerosing cholangitis in critically ill patients with influenza A-associated ARDS
Authors: Weig Thomas , Schubert Mirjam I , Gruener Norbert , Dolch Michael E , Frey Lorenz , Miller Jens , Johnson Thorsten , Irlbeck Michael 
Published: December 2012

Abstract

Background
Secondary sclerosing cholangitis is a severe disease of the biliary tract. Over the last decade, several cases of sclerosing cholangitis in critically ill patients (SC-CIP) were reported. Reports in the literature so far are characterized by a wide variety of underlying causes of critical illness, thereby hindering a risk-factor analysis. We report on a homogenous cohort of critically ill patients with influenza A (H1N1) pneumonia and severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), of whom a subgroup developed sclerosing cholangitis, allowing for probing of risk factors associated with SC-CIP.

Methods
Twenty-one patients (5 female, 16 male, 46.3 ± 10.8 years) with severe ARDS due to H1N1 pneumonia were retrospectively divided into two groups, characterized by the presence (n = 5) and absence of SC-CIP (n = 16). A large array of clinical data, laboratory parameters, and multi-detector computed tomography-derived measures were compared.

Results
Both patient groups showed severe pulmonary impairment. Severity of disease on admission day and during the first 14 days of treatment showed no difference. The patients developing SC-CIP had a higher body mass index (BMI) (37.4 ± 6.0 kg/m2 vs. 29.3 ± 6.8 kg/m2; P = 0.029) and a higher volume of intraperitoneal fat (8273 ± 3659 cm3 vs. 5131 ± 2268 cm3; P = 0.033) and spent a longer cumulative period in the prone position during the first 14 days (165 ± 117 h vs. 78 ± 61 h; P = 0.038).

Conclusion
Our results suggest that obesity, intraperitoneal fat volume, and a longer cumulative duration spent in the prone position may put patients with ARDS at risk of developing SC-CIP. These results lead us to propose that the prone position should be carefully deployed, particularly in abdominally obese patients, and that frequent checks be made for early hepatic dysfunction.
HLA typing from RNA-Seq sequence reads
Authors: Boegel Sebastian , Löwer Martin , Schäfer Michael , Bukur Thomas , de Graaf Jos , Boisguérin Valesca , Türeci Özlem , Diken Mustafa , Castle John C , Sahin Ugur 
Published: December 2012

AbstractWe present a method, seq2HLA, for obtaining an individual's human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I and II type and expression using standard next generation sequencing RNA-Seq data. RNA-Seq reads are mapped against a reference database of HLA alleles, and HLA type, confidence score and locus-specific expression level are determined. We successfully applied seq2HLA to 50 individuals included in the HapMap project, yielding 100% specificity and 94% sensitivity at a P-value of 0.1 for two-digit HLA types. We determined HLA type and expression for previously un-typed Illumina Body Map tissues and a cohort of Korean patients with lung cancer. Because the algorithm uses standard RNA-Seq reads and requires no change to laboratory protocols, it can be used for both existing datasets and future studies, thus adding a new dimension for HLA typing and biomarker studies.
Interferon-lambda (IFN-λ) induces signal transduction and gene expression in human hepatocytes, but not in lymphocytes or monocytes
Authors: Dickensheets Harold , Sheikh Faruk , Park Ogyi , Gao Bin , Donnelly Raymond P 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
Interferon-alpha and interferon-lambda induce distinct functional responses in human hepatocytes, lymphocytes, and monocytes.
This study compared the ability of IFN-α and IFN-λ to induce signal transduction and gene expression in primary human hepatocytes, PBLs, and monocytes. IFN-α drug products are widely used to treat chronic HCV infection; however, IFN-α therapy often induces hematologic toxicities as a result of the broad expression of IFNARs on many cell types, including most leukocytes. rIFN-λ1 is currently being tested as a potential alternative to IFN-α for treating chronic HCV. Although IFN-λ has been shown to be active on hepatoma cell lines, such as HepG2 and Huh-7, its ability to induce responses in primary human hepatocytes or leukocytes has not been examined. We found that IFN-λ induces activation of Jak/STAT signaling in mouse and human hepatocytes, and the ability of IFN-λ to induce STAT activation correlates with induction of numerous ISGs. Although the magnitude of ISG expression induced by IFN-λ in hepatocytes was generally lower than that induced by IFN-α, the repertoire of regulated genes was quite similar. Our findings demonstrate that although IFN-α and IFN-λ signal through distinct receptors, they induce expression of a common set of ISGs in hepatocytes. However, unlike IFN-α, IFN-λ did not induce STAT activation or ISG expression by purified lymphocytes or monocytes. This important functional difference may provide a clinical advantage for IFN-λ as a treatment for chronic HCV infection, as it is less likely to induce the leukopenias that are often associated with IFN-α therapy.
Carbon Nanotube Flocculation as a Green Nanoseparation
Authors: Lei Youan 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
A facile technique is described here that can separate carbon nanotubes (CNTs) from corrosive CNTs/acid mixtures. The total time by flocculation method is ca. 0.5 h, which is only 5%, 20%, and 50% of that for dialysis, membrane filtration, and high-speed centrifugation. This strategy is a “green” process because our approach can recycle the “wasted acids.” Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and contact angle measurement also show that the transition of surface properties of nanotubes plays a significant role in the separation of CNTs.
Selective Mono- and Bis-Au(III) Metalations of 5,10,15,20,25,30-Hexaaryl-[26]hexaphyrins(1.1.1.1.1.1)
Authors: Naoda Koji , Mori Hirotaka , Osuka Atsuhiro 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
Selective mono- and bis-Au(III) metalations of [26]hexaphyrins(1.1.1.1.1.1) were achieved in a 4:1 mixture of CH2Cl2 and methanol by using Na[AuCl4] as a Au(III) ion source and Ag3PO4 and Ag2CO3 as Au(III)-activating reagents.
Polyarylene Synthesis by Cross-Coupling with HOMSi Reagents
Authors: Shimizu Kenta , Minami Yasunori , Nakao Yoshiaki , Ohya Ken-ichiro , Ikehira Hideyuki , Hiyama Tamejiro 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
Cross-coupling reaction of dibromoarenes with HOMSi reagents (organo[2-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl]dimethylsilanes), or alternatively bromoarenes with arylene-bisHOMSi reagents, proceeded smoothly in the presence of a Pd catalyst and a weak base, and ter- or quaterarenes are produced in excellent yields. The present reaction was successfully applied to polyarylene synthesis using 4,7-dibromobenzothiadiazole or a 2,7-dibromofluorene derivative along with a 2,7-fluorenylene-bisHOMSi reagent.