bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of genetic markers for prediction of preharvest sprouting tolerance in hard white winter wheats
Authors: Graybosch Robert A. , St. Amand Paul , Bai Guihua 
Published: June 2013

AbstractPreharvest sprouting of wheat results in significant financial loss at all steps in the production and marketing chain. Due to its intermittent nature in many wheat‐growing regions, direct selection for tolerance to preharvest sprouting is difficult. DNA markers linked to genes conditioning tolerance offer a more consistent and reliable approach to genetic improvement in tolerance. This investigation assessed the value of previously identified markers linked to quantitative trait loci contributing to tolerance, across multiple genetic backgrounds. A significant contribution to tolerance was demonstrated for QPhs.pseru‐3AS, previously identified from the hard white winter wheat ‘Rio Blanco’. Marker alleles for this locus were associated with enhanced tolerance in three of four investigated populations. In addition, positive contributions of QPhs.pseru‐2B1 and QPhs.pseru‐2B2 also were documented. Simultaneous selection for putative marker alleles at two independent loci resulted in significantly higher mean tolerance scores. DNA markers linked to loci contributing to variation in preharvest sprouting tolerance offer an efficient and effective alternative to direct phenotypic selection.
Paraoxonase (PON) 1, 2 and 3 Expression in Granulosa Cells and PON1 Activity in Follicular Fluid of Dairy Cows
Authors: Schneider A , Absalon‐Medina VA , Esposito G , Corrêa MN , Butler WR 
Published: June 2013

ContentsNormal metabolic activity in ovarian follicles may result in oxidative stress and damage to oocytes. The aim of this study was to evaluate expression of the natural anti‐oxidants paraoxonase (PON) 1, 2 and 3 in granulosa cells and PON1 activity in follicular fluid (FF) and plasma of dairy cows. For the first experiment, ovaries were collected from cows at slaughter, after which follicles were dissected and classified as oestrogen active (EAF) or atretic (ATF). Expression of PON1, PON2 and PON3 mRNA was evaluated in granulosa cells, and activity of PON1 was measured in FF. PON1 mRNA was undetectable in granulosa cells, PON2 mRNA expression was not different between follicle types, and PON3 mRNA tended to be higher in EAF (p = 0.11). The activity of PON1 in FF was higher (p = 0.01) for EAF (82.6 ± 8.0 kU/L) than ATF (53.9 ± 6.8 kU/L), as were high‐density lipoproteins (HDL), low‐density lipoproteins (LDL) and total cholesterol concentrations. In the second experiment, we aimed to compare plasma and FF PON1 activity in early lactation Holstein cows (n = 15) with pre‐ovulatory EAF. Activity of PON1 was twofold higher (p < 0.0001) in plasma (122.5 ± 11.1 kU/L) than in FF (61.4 ± 5.2 kU/L). Plasma concentrations were also higher (p < 0.0001) for HDL, LDL and total cholesterol when compared to FF. In conclusion, FF concentrations of PON1, HDL, LDL and total cholesterol were higher in healthy oestrogen active bovine follicles than in atretic follicles. PON1 was not expressed by granulosa cells indicating that high PON1 activity in bovine FF is apparently derived by transfer from blood in association with HDL.
Molecular HPA genotyping by microarray in Brazilian blood donors
Authors: Conti Fabiana , Bertrand Gerald , Dezan Marcia , Costa Thiago , Aravechia Maria , Mota Mariza , Castilho Lilian , Kaplan Cécile , Kutner José 
Published: June 2013

BackgroundHuman platelet antigens (HPA) polymorphisms may cause HPA alloimmunization, platelet (PLT) refractoriness, fetomaternal alloimmune thrombocytopenia, and posttransfusion purpura. Characterized by significant racial admixture, the Brazilian population might benefit from the knowledge about HPA frequency to guide decision‐making concerning PLT transfusion.Study Design and MethodsHPA frequencies were determined in 158 DNA samples from Brazilian blood donors by microarray for HPA‐1 to ‐9, ‐11, and ‐15. A HPA‐2 discrepancy was solved by polymerase chain reaction with sequence‐specific primers (PCR‐SSP) and sequencing.ResultsWhile a alleles were predominant for HPA‐1 to ‐9 and ‐11, b alleles were absent for HPA‐6, ‐7, ‐8, and ‐11. HPA‐3 and HPA‐15 had a higher prevalence of ab genotypes. One case of HPA‐4ab and two cases of HPA‐9abw were detected, the latter not previously described in Brazilian blood donors. One sample was not interpretable for HPA‐2 due to a GPIb 468 C>G mutation; this donor was characterized as HPA‐2ab by PCR‐SSP and sequencing.ConclusionAllele frequencies were comparable to those described in other Brazilian studies. Rare HPA‐9 alleles were described in Brazilians for the first time. A mutation near the HPA‐2 polymorphism suggests that complementary methods might be necessary in specific cases. PLT genotyping by microarray proved to be fast, accurate, and reliable.
Tahap Kemahiran Employability Pelajar Kejuruteraan dari Perspektif Majikan
Authors: Husain Mohd Yusof , Rasul Mohamad Sattar , Mustapha Ramlee , Abd. Rauf Rose Amnah 
Published: June 2013

Majikan kini memerlukan pekerja yang menguasai kemahiran teknikal dan kemahiran employability. Namun kemahiran employability yang dikuasai oleh graduan institusi pendidikan tinggi masih tidak dapat memenuhi kriteria yang diingini oleh majikan terutamanya dalam bidang kejuruteraan. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk meninjau tahap kemahiran employability pelajar kejuruteraan institusi teknikal dari perspektif majikan. Kajian ini menggunakan reka bentuk kajian kuantitatif dan kaedah kajian tinjauan. Seramai 171 responden daripada majikan kejuruteraan yang menyediakan latihan industri kepada pelajar terlibat dalam kajian ini. Instrumen kajian ini diadaptasi daripada instrumen Modul Kemahiran Insaniah Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi Malaysia, Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skill (SCANS) Amerika, Kerangka Kelayakan Malaysia (KKM), MyGSI, IKGPP dan beberapa model daripada kajian terdahulu. Pemboleh ubah yang dikaji ialah kemahiran komunikasi, kemahiran kerohanian, kerja berpasukan, kepimpinan, pembelajaran sepanjang hayat dan pengurusan maklumat, pemikiran kritikal dan penyelesaian masalah, keusahawanan, etika dan moral, menggunakan teknologi dan kemahiran sosial. Data soal selidik dianalisis menggunakan kaedah analisis deskriptif dan inferens. Hasil analisis mendapati tahap kemahiran employability pelajar kejuruteraan daripada perspektif majikan berada pada tahap sederhana tinggi. Hasil kajian juga menunjukkan tidak terdapat perbezaan yang signifikan di antara kemahiran employability pelajar yang dinilai berbanding jenis industri, jawatan dan pengalaman majikan dan lokasi syarikat.
A new respiratory monitoring and processing system based on Wii remote: Proof of principle
Authors: Peng Y. , Vedam S. , Gao S. , Balter P. 
Published: June 2013

Purpose:To create a patient respiratory management system and patient self‐practice tool using the Wii remote, a widely available consumer hardware product.Methods:The Wii remote (Wiimote) (Nintendo, Redmond, WA) contains an infrared (IR) camera that can track up to four spots whose coordinates are reported to a host computer via Bluetooth. The Wiimote is capable of tracking a fiducial box currently used by a commercial monitoring system [Real‐time Position ManagementTM (RPM) system, Varian Associates, Palo Alto, CA], if the correct IR source is used. The authors validated the Wiimote tracking by comparing the amplitude and frequency of signals among those reported by Wiimote with known movements from an inhouse servo‐driven respiratory simulator, as well as with those measured using the RPM. The simulator comparison was done using standard sinusoid signals with amplitude of 2.0 cm as well as recorded patient respiratory traces. The RPM comparisons were done by simultaneously recording the RPM reflective box position with the Wiimote and the RPM. Timing was compared between these two systems by using the digital beam‐on signal from the CT scanner, for the 4DCT to synchronize these acquisitions.Results:The data acquisition rate from the Wiimote was 100.0 ± 0.4 Hz with a version 2.1 Bluetooth adaptor. The standard deviation of the height of the motion extrema was 0.06 and 1.1 mm when comparing those measured by the Wiimote and the servomotor encoder for standard sinusoid signal and prerecorded patient respiratory signal, respectively. The standard deviation of the amplitude of motion extrema between the Wiimote and RPM was 0.9 mm and the timing difference was 253 ms.Conclusion:The performance of Wiimote shows promise for respiratory monitoring for its faster sampling rate as well as the potential optical and GPU abilities. If used with care it can deliver reasonable spatial and temporal accuracy.
Septic Shock Caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacter gergoviae in a Neutropenic Patient with Leukemia
Authors: Satlin Michael J. , Jenkins Stephen G. , Chen Liang , Helfgott David , Feldman Eric J. , Kreiswirth Barry N. , Schuetz Audrey N. 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACT

We present the first reported infection caused by
Klebsiella pneumoniae
carbapenemase (KPC)-producing
Enterobacter gergoviae
. The patient had leukemia and neutropenia and died of septic shock from KPC-producing
E. gergoviae
bacteremia. The emergence of KPCs in additional species of
Enterobacteriaceae
is alarming and may disproportionately affect patients with hematologic malignancies.
Scrub Typhus with Sepsis and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Authors: Kurup Asok , Issac Aneesh , Loh Jin Phang , Lee Too Bou , Chua Robert , Bist Pradeep , Chao Chien-Chung , Lewis Michael , Gubler Duane J. , Ching Wei Mei , Ooi Eng Eong , Sukumaran Bindu 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACT
Scrub typhus is a major infectious threat in the Asia-Pacific region. We report an unusual case of scrub typhus in a patient in Singapore who presented with sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome but lacked the pathognomonic eschar. The patient recovered after appropriate diagnosis and doxycycline treatment. Rickettsial diseases should be included in the differential diagnosis of febrile illnesses in regions where the diseases are endemic, and absence of eschar should not be the criterion used to rule out scrub typhus.
Population Structure and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Both Nonpersistent and Persistent Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates Recovered from Cystic Fibrosis Patients
Authors: Fernández-Olmos Ana , García-Castillo María , Alba José María , Morosini María Isabel , Lamas Adelaida , Romero Beatriz , Galán Juan Carlos , del Campo Rosa , Cantón Rafael 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACT

Seventy-six
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
isolates recovered from chronically (
n
= 18) and nonchronically (
n
= 18) colonized cystic fibrosis (CF) patients (2002 to 2009) were grouped in separate polyclonal populations. International CF epidemic clones were not identified, but the high-risk clone ST274, also found circulating in Spanish hospitals, was present. Persistent isolates were more resistant to antibiotics than nonpersistent isolates.
Large-Scale Analysis of the Prevalence and Geographic Distribution of HIV-1 Non-B Variants in the United States
Authors: Pyne Michael T. , Hackett John , Holzmayer Vera , Hillyard David R. 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACT

The genetic diversity of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) has significant implications for diagnosis, vaccine development, and clinical management of patients. Although HIV-1 subtype B is predominant in the United States, factors such as global travel, immigration, and military deployment have the potential to increase the proportion of non-subtype B infections. Limited data are available on the prevalence and distribution of non-B HIV-1 strains in the United States. We sought to retrospectively examine the prevalence, geographic distribution, diversity, and temporal trends of HIV-1 non-B infections in samples obtained by ARUP Laboratories, a national reference laboratory, from all regions of the United States. HIV-1
pol
sequences from 24,386 specimens collected from 46 states between 2004 and September 2011 for drug resistance genotyping were analyzed using the REGA HIV-1 Subtyping Tool, version 2.0. Sequences refractory to subtype determination or reported as non-subtype B by this tool were analyzed by PHYLIP version 3.5 and Simplot version 3.5.1. Non-subtype B strains accounted for 3.27% (798/24,386) of specimens. The 798 non-B specimens were received from 37 states and included 5 subtypes, 23 different circulating recombinant forms (CRFs), and 39 unique recombinant forms (URFs). The non-subtype B prevalence varied from 0% in 2004 (0/54) to 4.12% in 2011 (201/4,884). This large-scale analysis reveals that the diversity of HIV-1 in the United States is high, with multiple subtypes, CRFs, and URFs circulating. Moreover, the geographic distribution of non-B variants is widespread. Data from HIV-1 drug resistance testing have the potential to significantly enhance the surveillance of HIV-1 variants in the United States.
Atypical Strain of Toxoplasma gondii Causing Fatal Reactivation after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantion in a Patient with an Underlying Immunological Deficiency
Authors: Štajner Tijana , Vasiljević Zorica , Vujić Dragana , Marković Marija , Ristić Goran , Mićić Dragan , Pašić Srdjan , Ivović Vladimir , Ajzenberg Daniel , Djurković-Djaković Olgica 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACT

In immunocompromized patients, including hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients, life-threatening toxoplasmosis may result from reactivation of previous infection. We report a case of severe disseminated toxoplasmosis that developed early after allogeneic HSCT for T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma in a 15-year-old
Toxoplasma gondii
-seropositive boy with Nijmegen breakage syndrome, a rare genetic DNA repair disorder associated with immunodeficiency. The donor was the patient's HLA-identical brother. Prophylaxis with cotrimoxazole was discontinued a day before the HSCT procedure. Signs of lung infection appeared as early as day 14 post-HSCT. The presence of tachyzoite-like structures on Giemsa-stained bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid smears suggested toxoplasmosis. Real-time PCR targeted at the
T. gondii
AF146527 gene revealed extremely high parasite burdens in both blood and BAL fluid. Although immediate introduction of specific treatment resulted in a marked reduction of the parasite load and transient clinical improvement, the patient deteriorated and died of multiple organ failure on day 39 post-HSCT. Direct genotyping of
T. gondii
DNA from blood and BAL fluid with the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism method revealed type II alleles with
SAG1
,
SAG2
, and
GRA6
markers but alleles of both type I and type II with
GRA7
. Additional analysis with 15 microsatellite markers showed that the
T. gondii
DNA was atypical and genetically divergent from that of the clonal type I, II, and III strains. This is the first report of increased clinical severity of toxoplasmosis associated with an atypical strain in the setting of immunosuppression, which emphasizes the need to diagnose and monitor toxoplasmosis by quantitative molecular methods in cases of reactivation risk.
Phylogenetic Analyses of the VP4 and VP7 Genes of Porcine Group A Rotaviruses in São Paulo State, Brazil: First Identification of G5P[23] in Piglets
Authors: Tonietti Paloma O. , Hora Aline S. , Silva Fernanda D. F. , Ruiz Vera L. A. , Gregori Fabio 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACT
This study determined the group A rotavirus occurrence in pig farms from 7 different cities in São Paulo State, Brazil. Out of 143 samples, 70 tested positive. Sequence analyses of 37 strains indicated that the strains had the G3, G5, G9, and P[6], P[13]/P[22]-like, and P[23] genotypes.
Epidemiological Cutoff Values for Fluconazole, Itraconazole, Posaconazole, and Voriconazole for Six Candida Species as Determined by the Colorimetric Sensititre YeastOne Method
Authors: Cantón Emilia , Pemán Javier , Iñiguez Carmen , Hervás David , Lopez-Hontangas Jose L. , Pina-Vaz Cidalia , Camarena Juan J. , Campos-Herrero Isolina , García-García Inmaculada , García-Tapia Ana M. , Guna Remedios , Merino Paloma , Pérez del Molino Luisa , Rubio Carmen , Suárez Anabel ,   FUNGEMYCA Study Group
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACT

In the absence of clinical breakpoints (CBP), epidemiological cutoff values (ECVs) are useful to separate wild-type (WT) isolates (without mechanisms of resistance) from non-WT isolates (those that can harbor some resistance mechanisms), which is the goal of susceptibility tests. Sensititre YeastOne (SYO) is a widely used method to determine susceptibility of
Candida
spp. to antifungal agents. The CLSI CBP have been established, but not for the SYO method. The ECVs for four azoles, obtained using MIC distributions determined by the SYO method, were calculated via five methods (three statistical methods and based on the MIC
50
and modal MIC). Respectively, the median ECVs (in mg/liter) of the five methods for fluconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole, and voriconazole (in parentheses: the percentage of isolates inhibited by MICs equal to or less than the ECVs; the number of isolates tested) were as follows: 2 (94.4%; 944), 0.5 (96.7%; 942), 0.25 (97.6%; 673), and 0.06 (96.7%; 849) for
Candida albicans
; 4 (86.1%; 642), 0.5 (99.4%; 642), 0.12 (93.9%; 392), and 0.06 (86.9%; 559) for
C. parapsilosis
; 8 (94.9%; 175), 1 (93.7%; 175), 2 (93.6%; 125), and 0.25 (90.4%; 167) for
C. tropicalis
; 128 (98.6%; 212), 4 (95.8%; 212), 4 (96.0%; 173), and 2 (98.5; 205) for
C. glabrata
; 256 (100%; 53), 1 (98.1%; 53), 1 (100%; 33), and 1 (97.9%; 48) for
C. krusei
; 4 (89.2%; 93), 0.5 (100%; 93), 0.25 (100%; 33), and 0.06 (87.7%; 73) for
C. orthopsilosis
. All methods included ≥94% of isolates and yielded similar ECVs (within 1 dilution). These ECVs would be suitable for monitoring emergence of isolates with reduced susceptibility by using the SYO method.
Osteomyelitis of the Patella Caused by Legionella anisa
Authors: Sanchez Martha Cristina , Sebti Rani , Hassoun Patrice , Mannion Ciaran , Goy Andre H. , Feldman Tatyana , Mato Anthony , Hong Tao 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACT

A 51-year-old man with a history of stage IV angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma was diagnosed with osteomyelitis of the patella.
Legionella anisa
was identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and culture. The patient had pneumonia 2 months prior to this osteomyelitis episode.
L. anisa
was retrospectively detected in his lung tissue by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and was considered the source of the
L. anisa
that caused his patella osteomyelitis.
Structure and Receptor Binding Specificity of Hemagglutinin H13 from Avian Influenza A Virus H13N6
Authors: Lu Xishan , Qi Jianxun , Shi Yi , Wang Ming , Smith David F. , Heimburg-Molinaro Jamie , Zhang Yanfang , Paulson James C. , Xiao Haixia , Gao George F. 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACT
Interspecies transmission (host switching/jumping) of influenza viruses is a key scientific question that must be addressed. In addition to the vigorous research on highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs), studies of the mechanism of interspecies transmission of low-pathogenic avian influenza viruses (LPAIVs) could also provide insights into host tropism and virulence evolution. Influenza A viruses harboring hemagglutinin (HA) H13 (e.g., H13N6) are LPAIVs. In this study, soluble H13 HA glycoprotein was purified, and its receptor binding activity was characterized. The results revealed that H13 exclusively binds the avian α2-3-linked sialic acid receptor; no binding to the mammalian α2-6-linked sialic acid receptor was detected. Furthermore, the molecular basis of the H13 receptor binding specificity was revealed by comparative analysis of the crystal structures of both receptor-bound H13 and H5 HAs, which might be contributed by the hydrophobic residue V186. Work with an H13N186 mutant confirmed the importance of V186 in the receptor binding specificity of H13 HA, which shows that the mutant protein reduced the binding of an avian receptor analog but increased the binding of a human receptor analog. Detailed structural analysis also demonstrated that the conserved binding sites of the recently well-studied broadly neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies targeting the HA2 domain are found in H13. Our results expand our understanding of virulence evolution, receptor binding preference, and species tropism of the LPAIVs and HPAIVs.
Differential RNA Sequence Requirement for Dengue Virus Replication in Mosquito and Mammalian Cells
Authors: Villordo Sergio M. , Gamarnik Andrea V. 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACT

Dengue virus cycles between mosquitoes and humans. Each host provides a different environment for viral replication, imposing different selective pressures. We identified a sequence in the dengue virus genome that is essential for viral replication in mosquito cells but not in mammalian cells. This sequence is located at the viral 3′ untranslated region and folds into a small hairpin structure. A systematic mutational analysis using dengue virus infectious clones and reporter viruses allowed the determination of two putative functions in this
cis
-acting RNA motif, one linked to the structure and the other linked to the nucleotide sequence. We found that single substitutions that did not alter the hairpin structure did not affect dengue virus replication in mammalian cells but abolished replication in mosquito cells. This is the first sequence identified in a flavivirus genome that is exclusively required for viral replication in insect cells.
Quantitative and Qualitative Differences in the T Cell Response to HIV in Uninfected Ugandans Exposed or Unexposed to HIV-Infected Partners
Authors: Pala Pietro , Serwanga Jennifer , Watera Christine , Ritchie Adam J. , Moodie Zoe , Wang Maggie , Goonetilleke Nilu , Birabwa Ester , Hughes Peter , Senkaali David , Nakiboneka Ritah , Grosskurth Heiner , Haynes Bart , McMichael Andrew , Kaleebu Pontiano ,   Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACT

HIV-exposed and yet persistently uninfected individuals have been an intriguing, repeated observation in multiple studies, but uncertainty persists on the significance and implications of this in devising protective strategies against HIV. We carried out a cross-sectional analysis of exposed uninfected partners in a Ugandan cohort of heterosexual serodiscordant couples (37.5% antiretroviral therapy naive) comparing their T cell responses to HIV peptides with those of unexposed uninfected individuals. We used an objective definition of exposure and inclusion criteria, blinded
ex vivo
and cultured gamma interferon (IFN-γ) enzyme-linked immunospot assays, and multiparameter flow cytometry and intracellular cytokine staining to investigate the features of the HIV-specific response in exposed versus unexposed uninfected individuals. A response rate to HIV was detectable in unexposed uninfected (5.7%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.3 to 8.1%) and, at a significantly higher level (12.5%, 95% CI = 9.7 to 15.4%,
P
= 0.0004), in exposed uninfected individuals. The response rate to Gag was significantly higher in exposed uninfected (10/50 [20.%]) compared to unexposed uninfected (1/35 [2.9%]) individuals (
P
= 0.0004). The magnitude of responses was also greater in exposed uninfected individuals but not statistically significant. The average number of peptide pools recognized was significantly higher in exposed uninfected subjects than in unexposed uninfected subjects (1.21 versus 0.47;
P
= 0.0106). The proportion of multifunctional responses was different in the two groups, with a higher proportion of single cytokine responses, mostly IFN-γ, in unexposed uninfected individuals compared to exposed uninfected individuals. Our findings demonstrate both quantitative and qualitative differences in T cell reactivity to HIV between HESN (HIV exposed seronegative) and HUSN (HIV unexposed seronegative) subject groups but do not discriminate as to whether they represent markers of exposure or of protection against HIV infection.