bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Strategies in health‐promoting dialogues – primary healthcare nurses' perspectives – a qualitative study
Authors: Hörnsten Åsa , Lindahl Karin , Persson Kristina , Edvardsson Kristina 
Published: April 2013

Aim and objectivesThe aim of this study was to describe dialogic strategies about health and lifestyle used by primary healthcare nurses (PHNs) in the Västerbotten Intervention Programme (VIP) in Sweden.BackgroundThe VIP offers all citizens aged 40, 50 and 60 in Västerbotten County an individual health check‐up followed by a health‐promoting dialogue with a specialist PHN. Inconsistencies in previous reports of the effects of lifestyle counselling and health promotion suggest that it is important to study dialogues about health and lifestyle to understand health‐promoting strategies and to highlight aspects important to improving their effects.MethodIn 2010, we conducted in‐depth interviews with ten experienced PHNs working with the VIP at eight healthcare centres in Västerbotten County, Sweden. Qualitative content analysis was used to illuminate the nurses' strategies in health‐promoting dialogues. The Regional Ethics Board (Dno 06‐126M) approved the study.ResultsThe PHNs used various strategies in dialogues about health and lifestyle that fell under the five themes ‘Guiding patients vs. pressuring them; Adjusting to patients vs. directing the conversation; Inspiring confidence vs. instilling fear; Motivating and supporting patients vs. demanding responsibility; and lastly, Introducing emotionally charged subjects or avoiding them'.ConclusionsThe results of this study may add knowledge about the difficulties and opportunities in health counselling. In the discussion, we suggest professional reflection as a means to increase knowledge and awareness about the self and context in the process of health counselling.
Glucosamine Induces Activated T Cell Apoptosis Through Reduced T Cell Receptor
Authors: Chen N.‐H. , Cheong K. A. , Kim C.‐H. , Noh M. , Lee A.‐Y. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractGlucosamine (GlcN), like N‐acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), is salvaged into the hexosamine pathway and is converted to UDP‐GlcNAc. Golgi N‐glycan branching enzymes produce N‐glycans, using UDP‐GlcNAc as a substrate, which attach to the T cell receptor (TCR) and cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte antigen‐4 (CTLA‐4). These findings suggest that GlcN exerts the immunoregulation through TCR signalling, which could be involved not only in cytokine production but also activated T cell apoptosis. In fact, a preliminary study showed that GlcN reduced the number of CD3+ T cells of NC/Nga mice with AD‐like skin lesions. Therefore, whether apoptosis of T cells would be one of the potential molecular mechanisms of GlcN‐induced immunosuppression was investigated. Cultured human primary along with Jurkat T cells and purified T cells from NC/Nga mice with or without Df‐induced AD‐like skin lesion were used for the study. Glucosamine treatment increased the number of T cells expressing β1,6GlcNAc‐branched N‐glycans, with reduced ZAP‐70 phosphorylation and enhanced CTLA‐4 expression. Glucosamine treatment reduced the number of activated T cells from both the human primary and Jurkat cells and the dermatitis‐induced mice. The expression of FasL and activated caspases, particularly caspase‐3, was increased, whereas the phosphorylation of PI3K, Akt and NF‐κB was decreased by GlcN treatment. Therefore, in addition to down‐regulating TCR signalling and promoting CTLA‐4 expression, GlcN may also suppress T cell function by enhancing apoptosis of activated T cells, through both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic signalling pathways, which were regulated by the inhibition of PI3K/Akt and NF‐κB phosphorylation.
It Is Not Old‐Fashioned, It Is Vintage, Vintage Fashion and The Complexities of 21st Century Consumption Practices
Authors: Veenstra Aleit , Kuipers Giselinde 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThis article reviews consumption practices concerning vintage, a fashion style based on used or retro‐style garments. Existing studies connect vintage with authenticity, nostalgia and identity. We explore how the vintage style deploys and comments on consumer culture, bypassing producers by wearing old garments to communicate ‘authentic’ identities. We argue that existing theories on consumption, fashion and subculture cannot fully explain vintage practices. Bypassing the dichotomies and one‐dimensional explanations of these theories, we show that vintage, with its ambivalent relation to both subcultural distinction practices and mainstream consumer culture, serves as a prism through which to examine and understand the complexities and subtleties of 21st century consumption practices.
Graffiti as a Form of Contentious Political Participation
Authors: Waldner Lisa K. , Dobratz Betty A. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractGraffiti is a popular topic in the sociological, criminological, and linguistic literature with several book length treatments of various types of graffiti including tagging, gang graffiti, murals, and “bombings”. Yet, political sociologists have paid little attention to the role of graffiti as a form of contentious politics despite the often political nature of graffiti messages. As a result, most of the political research on graffiti is by non‐sociologists. We believe this is an oversight and that both political sociologists and social movement scholars need to seriously consider this form of micro‐level political participation. In this review we (1) demonstrate why some forms of graffiti should be considered a serious form of political participation; (2) compare and contrast graffiti to other forms of resistance including squatting and culture jamming; (3) review research findings on graffiti; and (4) discuss some of the conceptual and methodological challenges for doing graffiti research.
Race and Sex Discrimination in the Employment Process
Authors: Skaggs Sheryl , Bridges Jennifer 
Published: April 2013

AbstractIn this article, we outline the evidence demonstrating the pervasiveness of sex and race/ethnic workplace discrimination, paying particular attention to the areas of hiring, compensation, and evaluations and promotions. Key sociological explanations for why and how these forms of employment discrimination occur are also examined. Although discrimination is often considered as discrete acts that occur within employment arrangements, the existing research suggests the presence of an underlying set of processes and choices that accumulate over time. These processes have clear implications for how discrimination is understood and the ways in which such events compound over career trajectories. Based on our examination of this literature, we suggest areas for improved theorizing, measurement, and analysis.
Reflectance confocal microscopy for the characterization of mycosis fungoides and correlation with histology: a pilot study
Authors: Li Wei , Dai Hui , Li Zhao , Xu Ai‐E 
Published: April 2013

BackgroundMycosis fungoides (MF) is cutaneous lymphoma of the T‐cell lineage. MF is a diagnostic challenge. In vivo reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) reproducible imaging technique already reported to be useful in the diagnosis of skin diseases. The aims of our study were to define RCM features of MF and to evaluate its feasibility in biopsy site selection.MethodsEach lesion was selected for RCM evaluation from 10 patients with an established diagnosis of MF. Subsequently, a biopsy of the same areas evaluated with RCM was rendered for histopathological examination.ResultsA series of RCM features of MF was identified and shown to correlate well with histopathological evaluation. We could find hyperkeratosis in five patients (10 : 50%); disarray of honeycomb of stratum spinosum in three patients (10 : 30%). In 10 patients (10 : 100%) of the MF, we could find that dermal papillary rings were weak reflected light; round to oval cells diffusely widespread throughout the epidermis and in the papillary dermis, infiltration of inflammatory cells in superficial dermis. Two (10 : 20%) of them can find vesicle area opaca in plaque stage MF, filled with monomorphous weakly refractile oval to round cells.ConclusionThe utility of RCM as a diagnostic tool for MF awaits further evaluation, although it appears to be promising for biopsy site selection.
Detection of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus by a Duplex Droplet Digital PCR Assay
Authors: Kelley KaShonda , Cosman Angela , Belgrader Phillip , Chapman Brenda , Sullivan Donna C. 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACT

Health care-associated infections with methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) contribute to significant hospitalization costs. We report here a droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) assay, which is a next-generation emulsion-based endpoint PCR assay for high-precision MRSA analysis. Reference cultures of MRSA, methicillin-susceptible
S. aureus
(MSSA), and confounders were included as controls. Copan swabs were used to sample cultures and collect specimens for analysis from patients at a large teaching hospital. Swab extraction and cell lysis were accomplished using magnetic-driven agitation of silica beads. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) (Roche Light Cycler 480) and ddPCR (Bio-Rad QX100 droplet digital PCR system) assays were used to detect genes for the staphylococcal protein SA0140 (SA) and the methicillin resistance (
mecA
) gene employing standard TaqMan chemistries. Both qPCR and ddPCR assays correctly identified culture controls for MRSA (76), MSSA (12), and confounder organisms (36) with 100% sensitivity and specificity. Analysis of the clinical samples (211 negative and 186 positive) collected during a study of MRSA nasal carriage allowed direct comparison of the qPCR and ddPCR assays to the Cepheid MRSA GeneXpert assay. A total of 397 clinical samples were examined in this study. Cepheid MRSA GeneXpert values were used to define negative and positive samples. Both the qPCR and ddPCR assays were in good agreement with the reference assay. The sensitivities for the qPCR and ddPCR assays were 96.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 93.1 to 98.5%) and 96.8% (95% CI, 93.1 to 98.5%), respectively. Both the qPCR and ddPCR assays had specificities of 91.9% (95% CI, 87.5 to 94.9%) for qPCR and 91.0% (95% CI, 86.4 to 94.2%) for ddPCR technology.
Evaluation of Vancomycin Susceptibility Testing for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus: Comparison of Etest and Three Automated Testing Methods
Authors: Rybak Michael J. , Vidaillac Celine , Sader Helio S. , Rhomberg Paul R. , Salimnia Hossein , Briski Lawrence E. , Wanger Audrey , Jones Ronald N. 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACT

We evaluated the ability of four commercial MIC testing systems (MicroScan, Vitek 2, Phoenix, and Etest) to detect vancomycin MIC values of ≤1 to ≥2 in 200 methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) strains compared to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute broth microdilution (BMD) reference methods. Compared to the BMD method, absolute agreement (0 ± dilution) was highest for the Phoenix system (66.2%) and the MicroScan turbidity method (61.8%), followed by the Vitek 2 system (54.3%). The Etest produced MIC values 1 to 2 dilutions higher than those produced by the BMD method (36.7% agreement). Of interest, the MicroScan system (prompt method) was more likely to overcall an MIC value of 1 mg/liter (74.1%), whereas the Phoenix (76%) and Vitek 2 (20%) systems had a tendency to undercall an MIC of 2 mg/liter. The ability to correctly identify vancomycin MIC values of 1 and 2 has clinical implications and requires further evaluation.
Evaluation of the Verigene Gram-Positive Blood Culture Nucleic Acid Test for Rapid Detection of Bacteria and Resistance Determinants
Authors: Wojewoda Christina M. , Sercia Linda , Navas Maria , Tuohy Marion , Wilson Deborah , Hall Geraldine S. , Procop Gary W. , Richter Sandra S. 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACT

Rapid identification of pathogens from blood cultures can decrease lengths of stay and improve patient outcomes. We evaluated the accuracy of the Verigene Gram-positive blood culture (BC-GP) nucleic acid test for investigational use only (Nanosphere, Inc., Northbrook, IL) for the identification of Gram-positive bacteria from blood cultures. The detection of resistance genes (
mecA
in
Staphylococcus aureus
and
Staphylococcus epidermidis
and
vanA
or
vanB
in
Enterococcus faecium
and
Enterococcus faecalis
) by the BC-GP assay also was assessed. A total of 186 positive blood cultures (in BacT/Alert FA bottles) with Gram-positive cocci observed with Gram staining were analyzed using the BC-GP assay. The BC-GP results were compared with the identification and susceptibility profiles obtained with routine methods in the clinical laboratory. Discordant results were arbitrated with additional biochemical, cefoxitin disk, and repeat BC-GP testing. The initial BC-GP organism identification was concordant with routine method results for 94.6% of the blood cultures. Only 40% of the
Streptococcus pneumoniae
identifications were correct. The detection of the
mecA
gene for 69 blood cultures with only
S. aureus
or
S. epidermidis
was concordant with susceptibility testing results. For 3 of 6 cultures with multiple
Staphylococcus
spp.,
mecA
detection was reported but was correlated with oxacillin resistance in a species other than
S. aureus
or
S. epidermidis
. The detection of
vanA
agreed with susceptibility testing results for 45 of 46 cultures with
E. faecalis
or
E. faecium
. Comparison of the mean times to results for each organism group showed that BC-GP results were available 31 to 42 h earlier than phenotypic identifications and 41 to 50 h earlier than susceptibility results.
Simple Multiplex PCR Assay for Identification of Beijing Family Mycobacterium tuberculosis Isolates with a Lineage-Specific Mutation in
Rv0679c
Authors: Nakajima Chie , Tamaru Aki , Rahim Zeaur , Poudel Ajay , Maharjan Bhagwan , Khin Saw Aye  , Ling Hong , Hattori Toshio , Iwamoto Tomotada , Fukushima Yukari , Suzuki Haruka , Suzuki Yasuhiko , Matsuba Takashi 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACT

The Beijing genotype of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
is known to be a worldwide epidemic clade. It is suggested to be a possibly resistant clone against BCG vaccination and is also suggested to be highly pathogenic and prone to becoming drug resistant. Thus, monitoring the prevalence of this lineage seems to be important for the proper control of tuberculosis. The Rv0679c protein of
M. tuberculosis
has been predicted to be one of the outer membrane proteins and is suggested to contribute to host cell invasion. Here, we conducted a sequence analysis of the
Rv0679c
gene using clinical isolates and found that a single nucleotide polymorphism, C to G at position 426, can be observed only in the isolates that are identified as members of the Beijing genotype family. Here, we developed a simple multiplex PCR assay to detect this point mutation and applied it to 619 clinical isolates. The method successfully distinguished Beijing lineage clones from non-Beijing strains with 100% accuracy. This simple, quick, and cost-effective multiplex PCR assay can be used for a survey or for monitoring the prevalence of Beijing genotype
M. tuberculosis
strains.
Divergent Kinetics of Proliferating T Cell Subsets in Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) Infection: SIV Eliminates the “First Responder” CD4
+
T Cells in Primary Infection
Authors: Wang Xiaolei , Xu Huanbin , Pahar Bapi , Lackner Andrew A. , Veazey Ronald S. 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACT

Although increased lymphocyte turnover in chronic human immunodeficiency virus and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection has been reported in blood, there is little information on cell turnover in tissues, particularly in primary SIV infection. Here we examined the levels of proliferating T cell subsets in mucosal and peripheral lymphoid tissues of adult macaques throughout SIV infection. To specifically label cells in S-phase division, all animals were inoculated with bromodeoxyuridine 24 h prior to sampling. In healthy macaques, the highest levels of proliferating CD4
+
and CD8
+
T cells were in blood and, to a lesser extent, in spleen. Substantial percentages of proliferating cells were also found in intestinal tissues, including the jejunum, ileum, and colon, but very few proliferating cells were detected in lymph nodes (axillary and mesenteric). Moreover, essentially all proliferating T cells in uninfected animals coexpressed CD95 and many coexpressed CCR5 in the tissues examined. Confocal microscopy also demonstrated that proliferating cells were substantial viral target cells for SIV infection and viral replication. After acute SIV infection, percentages of proliferating CD4
+
and CD8
+
T cells were significantly higher in tissues of chronically infected macaques and macaques with AIDS than in those of the controls. Surprisingly, however, we found that proliferating CD4
+
T cells were selectively decreased in very early infection (8 to 10 days postinoculation [dpi]). In contrast, levels of proliferating CD8
+
T cells rapidly increased after SIV infection, peaked by 13 to 21 dpi, and thereafter remained significantly higher than those in the controls. Taken together, these findings suggest that SIV selectively infects and destroys dividing, nonspecific CD4
+
T cells in acute infection, resulting in homeostatic changes and perhaps continuing loss of replication capacity to respond to nonspecific and, later, SIV-specific antigens.
Inhibition of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Replication by Specific RNA Aptamers against HCV NS5B RNA Replicase
Authors: Lee Chang Ho , Lee Young Ju , Kim Ji Hyun , Lim Jong Hoon , Kim Jung-Hye , Han Wonkyo , Lee Soo-Han , Noh Gyu-Jeong , Lee Seong-Wook 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACT

This study identified specific and avid RNA aptamers consisting of 2′-hydroxyl- or 2′-fluoropyrimidines against hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5B replicase, an enzyme that is essential for HCV replication. These aptamers acted as potent decoys to competitively impede replicase-catalyzed RNA synthesis activity. Cytoplasmic expression of the 2′-hydroxyl aptamer efficiently inhibited HCV replicon replication in human liver cells through specific interaction with, and sequestration of, the target protein without either off-target effects or escape mutant generation. A selected 2′-fluoro aptamer could be truncated to a chemically manufacturable length of 29 nucleotides (nt), with increase in the affinity to HCV NS5B. Noticeably, transfection of the truncated aptamer efficiently suppressed HCV replication in cells without escape mutant appearance. The aptamer was further modified through conjugation of a cholesterol or galactose-polyethylene glycol ligand for
in vivo
availability and liver-specific delivery. The conjugated aptamer efficiently entered cells and inhibited genotype 1b subgenomic and genotype 2a full-length HCV JFH-1 RNA replication without toxicity and innate immunity induction. Importantly, a therapeutically feasible amount of the conjugated aptamer was delivered
in vivo
to liver tissue in mice. Therefore, cytoplasmic expression of 2′-hydroxyl aptamer or direct administration of chemically synthesized and ligand-conjugated 2′-fluoro aptamer against HCV NS5B could be a potent anti-HCV approach.
Suppressed Th17 Levels Correlate with Elevated PIAS3, SHP2, and SOCS3 Expression in CD4 T Cells during Acute Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infection
Authors: Bixler Sandra L. , Sandler Netanya G. , Douek Daniel C. , Mattapallil Joseph J. 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACT

T helper 17 (Th17) cells play an important role in mucosal immune homeostasis and maintaining the integrity of the mucosal epithelial barrier. Loss of Th17 cells has been extensively documented during human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infections. The lack of effective repopulation of Th17 cells has been associated with chronic immune activation mediated by the translocation of microbial products. Using
ex vivo
analysis of purified peripheral blood CD4 T cells from SIV-infected rhesus macaques, we show that the suppression of interleukin-17 (IL-17) expression correlated with upregulated expression of negative regulatory genes PIAS3, SHP2, and SOCS3 in CD4 T cells. Suppressed Th17 expression was accompanied by elevated levels of soluble CD14 (sCD14) and lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) in the plasma during early stages of infection. Plasma viral loads rather than sCD14 or LBP levels correlated with acute immune activation. Additionally, we observed a significant increase in the expression of CD14 on peripheral blood monocytes that correlated with IL-23 expression and markers of microbial translocation. Taken together, our results provide new insights into the early events associated with acute SIV pathogenesis and suggest additional mechanisms playing a role in suppression of Th17 cells.
The Mature Virion of Ectromelia Virus, a Pathogenic Poxvirus, Is Capable of Intrahepatic Spread and Can Serve as a Target for Delayed Therapy
Authors: Ma Xueying , Xu Ren-Huan , Roscoe Felicia , Whitbeck J. Charles , Eisenberg Roselyn J. , Cohen Gary H. , Sigal Luis J. 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACT
Orthopoxviruses (OPVs), which include the agent of smallpox (variola virus), the zoonotic monkeypox virus, the vaccine and zoonotic species vaccinia virus, and the mouse pathogen ectromelia virus (ECTV), form two types of infectious viral particles: the mature virus (MV), which is cytosolic, and the enveloped virus (EV), which is extracellular. It is believed that MVs are required for viral entry into the host, while EVs are responsible for spread within the host. Following footpad infection of susceptible mice, ECTV spreads lymphohematogenously, entering the liver at 3 to 4 days postinfection (dpi). Afterwards, ECTV spreads intrahepatically, killing the host. We found that antibodies to an MV protein were highly effective at curing mice from ECTV infection when administered after the virus reached the liver. Moreover, a mutant ECTV that does not make EV was able to spread intrahepatically and kill immunodeficient mice. Together, these findings indicate that MVs are sufficient for the spread of ECTV within the liver and could have implications regarding the pathogenesis of other OPVs, the treatment of emerging OPV infections, as well as strategies for preparedness in case of accidental or intentional release of pathogenic OPVs.
Impact of H216 on the DNA Binding and Catalytic Activities of the HIV Restriction Factor APOBEC3G
Authors: Harjes Stefan , Solomon William C. , Li Ming , Chen Kuan-Ming , Harjes Elena , Harris Reuben S. , Matsuo Hiroshi 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACT

APOBEC3G has an important role in human defense against retroviral pathogens, including HIV-1. Its single-stranded DNA cytosine deaminase activity, located in its C-terminal domain (A3Gctd), can mutate viral cDNA and restrict infectivity. We used time-resolved nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to determine kinetic parameters of A3Gctd's deamination reactions within a 5′-CCC hot spot sequence. A3Gctd exhibited a 45-fold preference for 5′-CCC substrate over 5′-CCU substrate, which explains why A3G displays almost no processivity within a 5′-CCC motif. In addition, A3Gctd's shortest substrate sequence was found to be a pentanucleotide containing 5′-CCC flanked on both sides by a single nucleotide. A3Gctd as well as full-length A3G showed peak deamination velocities at pH 5.5. We found that H216 is responsible for this pH dependence, suggesting that protonation of H216 could play a key role in substrate binding. Protonation of H216 appeared important for HIV-1 restriction activity as well, since substitutions of H216 resulted in lower restriction
in vivo
.