bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Five Media for Detection of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase by Use of the Wasp Instrument for Automated Specimen Processing
Authors: Grohs P. , Tillecovidin B. , Caumont-Prim A. , Carbonnelle E. , Day N. , Podglajen I. , Gutmann L. 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT

Overall, 2,337 rectal screening samples (RSSs) were seeded by using the Wasp instrument for automated microbiological processing with five media for detection of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL): CHROMagar, ChromID, Brilliance, BD Drigalski, and HEGP media. Of 354 RSSs harboring ESBL-producing isolates, 89.3% were found to be positive on all media. Sensitivity and specificity ranged from 95.5 to 98.3% and from 57.9 to 72.3%, respectively. No medium was perfectly ESBL selective, and non-ESBL-producing strains were mainly
Enterobacteriaceae
overproducing AmpC β-lactamase and nonfermenting Gram-negative bacilli, mostly
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
.
Evaluation of Trans-Vag Broth, Colistin-Nalidixic Agar, and CHROMagar StrepB for Detection of Group B Streptococcus in Vaginal and Rectal Swabs from Pregnant Women in South Africa
Authors: Kwatra Gaurav , Madhi Shabir A. , Cutland Clare L. , Buchmann Eckhart J. , Adrian Peter V. 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT

Maternal vaginal colonization with group B streptococcus (GBS) is a major risk factor for invasive GBS infection in newborns. The CDC-recommended method for detecting GBS colonization is to culture vaginal and rectal swabs in a selective broth followed by subculture on blood agar or a selective medium. A high incidence of antimicrobial resistance in the fecal microflora can compromise the recovery of GBS from the selective broth. Here, we compared CHROMagar StrepB (CA), Columbia colistin-nalidixic agar (CNA), and Trans-Vag selective broth enrichment for the isolation of GBS from 130 vaginal and 130 rectal swabs from pregnant women. The swabs were randomized for plating first on either CA or CNA, and they then were inoculated in Trans-Vag broth. GBS was cultured from 37.7% of the vaginal swabs and 33.1% of the rectal swabs. There were no differences in the detection rates for the vaginal swabs between CA (31.5%), CNA (26.2%), and the selective broth (30.0%). The sensitivities in relation to a composite score were 83.7%, 69.4%, and 79.6%, respectively. However, recovery of GBS from the rectal swabs was significantly higher from CA (29.2%;
P
< 0.0001) and CNA (23.8%;
P
= 0.002) than from the selective broth (9.2%). The sensitivities were 88.4%, 72.1%, and 27.9%, respectively. The order of plating on the solid medium was significant (
P
= 0.003), with GBS detection rates of 30.8% and 24.6% when swabs were plated first and second, respectively. These findings show that a selective broth is not suitable for the recovery of GBS from rectal swabs in settings such as ours, due to masking of the GBS colonies by persistent microflora.
Outbreak of a Cluster with Epidemic Behavior Due to Serratia marcescens after Colistin Administration in a Hospital Setting
Authors: Merkier Andrea Karina , Rodríguez María Cecilia , Togneri Ana , Brengi Silvina , Osuna Carolina , Pichel Mariana , Cassini Marcelo H. ,   Serratia marcescens Argentinean Collaborative Group, Centrón Daniela 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT

Serratia marcescens
causes health care-associated infections with important morbidity and mortality. Particularly, outbreaks produced by multidrug-resistant isolates of this species, which is already naturally resistant to several antibiotics, including colistin, are usually described with high rates of fatal outcomes throughout the world. Thus, it is important to survey factors associated with increasing frequency and/or emergence of multidrug-resistant
S. marcescens
nosocomial infections. We report the investigation and control of an outbreak with 40% mortality due to multidrug-resistant
S. marcescens
infections that happened from November 2007 to April 2008 after treatment with colistin for
Acinetobacter baumannii
meningitis was started at hospital H1 in 2005. Since that year, the epidemiological pattern of frequently recovered species has changed, with an increase of
S. marcescens
and
Proteus mirabilis
infections in 2006 in concordance with a significant decrease of the numbers of
P. aeruginosa
and
A. baumannii
isolates. A single pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) cluster of
S. marcescens
isolates was identified during the outbreak. When this cluster was compared with
S. marcescens
strains (
n
= 21) from 10 other hospitals (1997 to 2010), it was also identified in both sporadic and outbreak isolates circulating in 4 hospitals in Argentina. In132::IS
CR1
::
bla
CTX-M-2
was associated with the multidrug-resistant cluster with epidemic behavior when isolated from outbreaks. Standard infection control interventions interrupted transmission of this cluster even when treatment with colistin continued in several wards of hospital H1 until now. Optimizing use of colistin should be achieved simultaneously with improved infection control to prevent the emergence of species naturally resistant to colistin, such as
S. marcescens
and
P. mirabilis
.
Systems To Establish Bunyavirus Genome Replication in the Absence of Transcription
Authors: Klemm Carolin , Reguera Juan , Cusack Stephen , Zielecki Florian , Kochs Georg , Weber Friedemann 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT

The L polymerase of bunyaviruses replicates and transcribes the viral genome. While replication products are faithful copies of the uncapped genomic RNA, transcription products contain capped 5′ extensions which had been cleaved from host cell mRNAs. For La Crosse virus (LACV; genus
Orthobunyavirus
), the nuclease responsible for host cell mRNA cleavage is located at the N terminus of the L protein, with an active site of five conserved amino acids (H34, D52, D79, D92, and K94) surrounding two Mn
2+
ions (J. Reguera, F. Weber, and S. Cusack, PLoS Pathog. 6:e1001101, 2010). Here, we present reverse genetics systems and L mutants enabling us to study bunyaviral genome replication in the absence of transcription. Transcription was evaluated with an enhanced minigenome system consisting of the viral polymerase L, nucleocapsid protein N, a negative-sense minigenome, and—to alleviate antiviral host responses—a dominant-negative mutant (PKRΔE7) of the antiviral kinase protein kinase R (PKR). The transcriptional activity was strongly reduced by mutation of any of the five key amino acids, and the H34K, D79A, D92A, and K94A LACV L mutants were almost entirely silent in transcription. The replication activity of the L mutants was measured by packaging of progeny minigenomes into virus-like particles (VLPs). All mutant L proteins except K94A retained full replication activity. To test the broader applicability of our results, we introduced the homolog of mutation D79A (D111A) into the L sequence of Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV; genus
Phlebovirus
). As for LACV D79A, the RVFV D111A was incapable of transcription but fully active in replication. Thus, we generated mutants of LACV and RVFV L polymerases that are specifically deficient in transcription. Genome replication by bunyavirus polymerases can now be studied in the absence of transcription using convenient reverse genetics systems.
Recombinant IgA Is Sufficient To Prevent Influenza Virus Transmission in Guinea Pigs
Authors: Seibert Christopher W. , Rahmat Saad , Krause Jens C. , Eggink Dirk , Albrecht Randy A. , Goff Peter H. , Krammer Florian , Duty J. Andrew , Bouvier Nicole M. , García-Sastre Adolfo , Palese Peter 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACTA serum hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) titer of 40 or greater is thought to be associated with reduced influenza virus pathogenesis in humans and is often used as a correlate of protection in influenza vaccine studies. We have previously demonstrated that intramuscular vaccination of guinea pigs with inactivated influenza virus generates HAI titers greater than 300 but does not protect vaccinated animals from becoming infected with influenza virus by transmission from an infected cage mate. Only guinea pigs intranasally inoculated with a live influenza virus or a live attenuated virus vaccine, prior to challenge, were protected from transmission (A. C. Lowen et al., J. Virol. 83:2803–2818, 2009.). Because the serum HAI titer is mostly determined by IgG content, these results led us to speculate that prevention of viral transmission may require IgA antibodies or cellular immune responses. To evaluate this hypothesis, guinea pigs and ferrets were administered a potent, neutralizing mouse IgG monoclonal antibody, 30D1 (Ms 30D1 IgG), against the A/California/04/2009 (H1N1) virus hemagglutinin and exposed to respiratory droplets from animals infected with this virus. Even though HAI titers were greater than 160 1 day postadministration, Ms 30D1 IgG did not prevent airborne transmission to passively immunized recipient animals. In contrast, intramuscular administration of recombinant 30D1 IgA (Ms 30D1 IgA) prevented transmission to 88% of recipient guinea pigs, and Ms 30D1 IgA was detected in animal nasal washes. Ms 30D1 IgG administered intranasally also prevented transmission, suggesting the importance of mucosal immunity in preventing influenza virus transmission. Collectively, our data indicate that IgG antibodies may prevent pathogenesis associated with influenza virus infection but do not protect from virus infection by airborne transmission, while IgA antibodies are more important for preventing transmission of influenza viruses.
The Rabies Virus Interferon Antagonist P Protein Interacts with Activated STAT3 and Inhibits Gp130 Receptor Signaling
Authors: Lieu Kim G. , Brice Aaron , Wiltzer Linda , Hirst Bevan , Jans David A. , Blondel Danielle , Moseley Gregory W. 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT
Immune evasion by rabies virus depends on targeting of the signal transducers and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) and STAT2 proteins by the viral interferon antagonist P protein, but targeting of other STAT proteins has not been investigated. Here, we find that P protein associates with activated STAT3 and inhibits STAT3 nuclear accumulation and Gp130-dependent signaling. This is the first report of STAT3 targeting by the interferon antagonist of a virus other than a paramyxovirus, indicating that STAT3 antagonism is important to a range of human-pathogenic viruses.
Low-Fat Diet and Skin Cancer Risk: The Women's Health Initiative Randomized Controlled Dietary Modification Trial
Authors: Gamba Christina S. , Stefanick Marcia L. , Shikany James M. , Larson Joseph , Linos Eleni , Sims Stacy T. , Marshall James , Van Horn Linda , Zeitouni Nathalie , Tang Jean Y. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackground: Large cohort studies have reported no relationship between dietary fat and nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC), although a low-fat diet intervention reduced NMSC risk in a small clinical trial. In animal studies, skin tumor development has been reduced by low-fat diet. We evaluated the effect of a low-fat dietary pattern on NMSC and melanoma in the Women's Health Initiative Dietary Modification trial.Methods: Postmenopausal women aged 50 to 79 years (n = 48,835) were randomly assigned to the low-fat dietary pattern intervention (n = 19,541) or comparison group (n = 29,294). The intervention goals included decreasing fat intake to 20% or less of calories, increasing vegetable and fruit intake, and increasing grain intake. Self-reported incident NMSC (n = 4,907) and physician-adjudicated incident melanoma (n = 279) were ascertained every 6 months.Results: Over 8.1 years of follow-up, the low-fat diet intervention did not affect overall incidence of NMSC [HR 0.98; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.92–1.04] or melanoma (HR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.82–1.32). In subgroup analyses of melanoma risk, baseline fat intake interacted significantly with group assignment (Pinteraction = 0.006). Among women with higher baseline fat intake, the dietary intervention significantly increased risk (HR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.06–2.07), whereas, among women with lower baseline fat intake, the intervention tended to reduce melanoma risk (HR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.50–1.02).Conclusions: In this large randomized trial, a low-fat dietary pattern did not affect overall incidence of NMSC or melanoma.Impact: A low-fat diet does not reduce incidence of NMSC, but an interaction between baseline fat intake and dietary intervention on melanoma risk warrants further investigation. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 22(9); 1509–19. ©2013 AACR.
Discovery of New Small Molecules Targeting the Vitronectin-Binding Site of the Urokinase Receptor That Block Cancer Cell Invasion
Authors: Rea Vincenza Elena Anna , Lavecchia Antonio , Di Giovanni Carmen , Rossi Francesca Wanda , Gorrasi Anna , Pesapane Ada , de Paulis Amato , Ragno Pia , Montuori Nunzia 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
Besides focusing urokinase (uPA) proteolytic activity on the cell membrane, the uPA receptor (uPAR) is able to bind vitronectin, via a direct binding site. Furthermore, uPAR interacts with other cell surface receptors, such as integrins, receptor tyrosine kinases, and chemotaxis receptors, triggering cell-signaling pathways that promote tumor progression. The ability of uPAR to coordinate binding and degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) and cell signaling makes it an attractive therapeutic target in cancer. We used structure-based virtual screening (SB-VS) to search for small molecules targeting the uPAR-binding site for vitronectin. Forty-one compounds were identified and tested on uPAR-negative HEK-293 epithelial cells transfected with uPAR (uPAR-293 cells), using the parental cell line transfected with the empty vector (V-293 cells) as a control. Compounds 6 and 37 selectively inhibited uPAR-293 cell adhesion to vitronectin and the resulting changes in cell morphology and signal transduction, without exerting any effect on V-293 cells. Compounds 6 and 37 inhibited uPAR-293 cell binding to vitronectin with IC50 values of 3.6 and 1.2 μmol/L, respectively. Compounds 6 and 37 targeted S88 and R91, key residues for uPAR binding to vitronectin but also for uPAR interaction with the fMLF family of chemotaxis receptors (fMLF-Rs). As a consequence, compounds 6 and 37 impaired uPAR-293 cell migration toward fetal calf serum (FCS), uPA, and fMLF, likely by inhibiting the interaction between uPAR and FPR1, the high affinity fMLF-R. Both compounds blocked in vitro ECM invasion of several cancer cell types, thus representing new promising leads for pharmaceuticals in cancer. Mol Cancer Ther; 12(8); 1402–16. ©2013 AACR.
TROY (TNFRSF19) Promotes Glioblastoma Survival Signaling and Therapeutic Resistance
Authors: Loftus Joseph C. , Dhruv Harshil , Tuncali Serdar , Kloss Jean , Yang Zhongbo , Schumacher Cassie A. , Cao Brian , Williams Bart O. , Eschbacher Jennifer M. , Ross Julianna T.D. , Tran Nhan L. 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
Of the features that characterize glioblastoma, arguably none is more clinically relevant than the propensity of malignant glioma cells to aggressively invade into the surrounding normal brain tissue. These invasive cells render complete resection impossible, confer significant resistance to chemo- and radiation-therapy, and virtually assure tumor recurrence. Expression of TROY (TNFRSF19), a member of the TNF receptor superfamily, inversely correlates with patient survival and stimulates glioblastoma cell migration and invasion in vitro. In this study, we report that TROY is overexpressed in glioblastoma tumor specimens and TROY mRNA expression is increased in the invasive cell population in vivo. In addition, inappropriate expression of TROY in mouse astrocytes in vivo using glial-specific gene transfer in transgenic mice induces astrocyte migration within the brain, validating the importance of the TROY signaling cascade in glioblastoma cell migration and invasion. Knockdown of TROY expression in primary glioblastoma xenografts significantly prolonged survival in vivo. Moreover, TROY expression significantly increased resistance of glioblastoma cells to both IR- and TMZ-induced apoptosis via activation of Akt and NF-κB. Inhibition of either Akt or NF-κB activity suppressed the survival benefits of TROY signaling in response to TMZ treatment. These findings position aberrant expression and/or signaling by TROY as a contributor to the dispersion of glioblastoma cells and therapeutic resistance.
Implications: Targeting of TROY may increase tumor vulnerability and improve therapeutic response in glioblastoma. Mol Cancer Res; 11(8); 865–74. ©2013 AACR.
Das “Ewige Kunstwerk”: Friedrich Nietzsche’s Apollonian-Dionysian Opposition in Richard Strauss’s Daphne
Authors: Satorius Margarethe 
Published: May 2013

Abstract
In his 1938 short opera Daphne, composer Richard Strauss presents an eloquent metaphor for both the process of artistic creation and the origin of tragedy itself. He positions his title character at the convergence of two oppositional, yet mutually dependent forces: the Apollonian and the Dionysian, as described by Friedrich Nietzsche in his seminal 1872 work, Die Geburt der Tragödie aus dem Geiste der Musik (The Birth of Tragedy Out of the Spirit of Music). As reason and enlightenment collide with revelry and ecstasy onstage, a momentous physical and emotional transformation occurs; Daphne encounters the divine, and her resulting catharsis is shared both musically and emotionally with the audience. In this moment of our communal transcendent ekstasis, Strauss leaves us with a symbol of artistic transcendence itself, born from the conflicted inner forces within the individual: “das ewige Kunstwerk,” the “eternal work of art.”
Liquid culture of Panagrolaimus sp. for use as food for marine aquaculture shrimp and fish species
Authors: Honnens Hilke , Ehlers Ralf-Udo 
Published: May 2013

Free-living nematodes have potential to be used as live food for early life stages of several species in marine aquaculture. Panagrolaimus sp. displays several favourable characteristics for this application. The present study proved the feasibility of propagation in monoxenic liquid culture on Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The development of yeast cell density, nematode numbers and size distribution was assessed daily for 15 days. After a lag phase of 4 days the inoculated first-stage juveniles started development to adults. Yields in terms of nematode number as well as biomass were highly variable. The maximum number of nematodes varied from 45 000 to 238 000 ml−1 and maximum biomass from 49 to 143 g l−1. Information on size, dry and wet weight of the nematodes is provided. The size spectrum of Panagrolaimus sp. individuals ranged from 176 × 8 μm to 1377 × 61 μm and 8.15 to 3202.39 ng wet weight. Water content of the nematodes was 71.7 ± 2.5%, so dry weight per individual was 2.31-905.95 ng. Differentiation of juvenile stages by body length was not possible. Based on comparison of dry weight per individual the Panagrolaimus sp. might be used as a substitute for rotifers, a commonly used live food organism.
Desiccation tolerance of dauers of entomopathogenic nematodes of the genus Steinernema
Authors: Nimkingrat Prakaijan , Uhlmann Felix , Strauch Olaf , Ehlers Ralf-Udo 
Published: May 2013

For transport of entomopathogenic nematodes to the user, developmentally arrested dauer juveniles (DJ) are mixed with inert carriers at high density. If quiescence is not induced, DJ will quickly lose energy reserves and die. To induce quiescence DJ can be moderately desiccated. This study investigated the desiccation tolerance by measurement of water activity (-value) tolerated by 50% of populations (WA50) of different Steinernema species and strains. DJ were tested with or without prior adaptation to desiccation stress. Stress conditions were produced by exposure to various concentrations of poly(ethylene glycol) 600. Significant differences in desiccation tolerance were recorded between strains and species, but, except for Steinernema abbasi, not within strains of one species. Without adaptation to stress conditions, the most tolerant species was S. carpocapsae (WA50 = 0.836) followed by S. abbasi (0.86). Adaption to stress by exposure to an -value of 0.95 for 48 h increased tolerance to 0.68 and 0.66, respectively. The least tolerant species were S. kraussei, S. glaseri and S. ethiopiense. Tolerance recorded would allow storage at a water activity that would inhibit growth of bacteria but not of fungi. Analysis of water activity tolerated by only 10% of the population indicated potential for genetic improvement by selective breeding for S. carpocapsae, S. abbasi and S. arenarium to reach water activity levels that would also inhibit fungal growth.
Effect of root nitrogen supply forms on attraction and repulsion of second-stage juveniles of Meloidogyne graminicola
Authors: Patil Jagadeesh , Powers Stephen J. , Davies Keith G. , Gaur Hari S. , Miller Anthony J. 
Published: May 2013

Three experiments were conducted to compare the attraction and repulsion of second-stage juveniles (J2) of the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne graminicola, to rice plants supplied with different forms of nitrogen. The rice plants were hydroponically grown in a full nutrient solution containing different concentrations (0.1 or 10.0 mM) of nitrate (NO3−) or forms of nitrogen supply (2.85 mM calcium nitrate (Ca(NO3)2), ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) or ammonium chloride (NH4Cl)) for 2 weeks. Five rice plants were placed with their roots in one corner of a Perspex X or Y-chamber partly filled with agar and J2 were inoculated onto the chambers. The data show that J2 of M. graminicola were significantly attracted towards the roots of rice plants grown in hydroponics containing 0.1 mM NO3− and 2.85 mM Ca(NO3)2, but repelled by 10.0 mM NO3−, 2.85 mM NH4NO3 and NH4Cl. The results suggest that the application of ammonia-based nitrogen fertiliser to the rice nursery bed may interfere with nematode attraction and thus reduce invasion, and the application of chemical nitrification inhibitors to rice nursery beds may decrease nematode invasion.
Development of specific primers to Hirschmanniella spp. causing damage to lotus and their economic threshold level in Tokushima prefecture in Japan
Authors: Koyama Yuki , Thar So Pyay , Kizaki Chihiro , Toyota Koki , Sawada Eiji , Abe Naruhito 
Published: May 2013

Nematode diseases caused by Hirschmanniella spp. are becoming a major threat to lotus production in Tokushima Prefecture, a primary production area in Japan. The objectives of this study were: i) to design specific primers to Hirschmanniella spp. causing damage to lotus; ii) to evaluate the relationship between pre-plant density of Hirschmanniella spp. in soil and damage index of lotus; and iii) to establish an economic threshold level. Since two species, Hirschmanniella imamuri and H. diversa, are known as nematode pests on lotus, three real-time PCR primers were designed based on the ITS regions specific to H. imamuri (designated as imaF and imaR), H. diversa (divF and divR), and both species (HdiF and HdiR). The primers imaF and imaR did not react to DNA of nematodes extracted from lotus fields in Tokushima but the primers divF and divR did, suggesting that the damage seen in Tokushima is mainly caused by H. diversa. A calibration curve was made to evaluate the relationship between the number of Hirschmanniella spp. inoculated to soil and the threshold cycle values. The quantification of Hirschmanniella spp. in soil was conducted by real-time PCR method with the primers HdiF and HdiR as well as the Baermann method. The economic threshold level was estimated as ten individuals of Hirschmanniella spp. (100 g fresh soil)−1 with the Baermann method and 50 individuals (100 g oven-dried soil)−1 with real-time PCR.