bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of subgingivally delivered 0.5% clarithromycin as an adjunct to nonsurgical mechanotherapy in the management of chronic periodontitis: a short‐term double blinded randomized control trial
Authors: Kathariya Rahul , Pradeep A.R. , Raghavendra N.M. , Gaikwad Rahul 
Published: October 2012

AbstractObjectiveAs the risk involved with systemic antimicrobials (high doses, microbial resistance, adverse reactions, etc.) restricts their use and local delivery of antimicrobials into periodontal pockets improves periodontal health, this study was designed to investigate the effects of subgingivally delivered clarithromycin (CLM; 0.5%) as an adjunct to nonsurgical mechanotherapy in chronic periodontitis subjects.MethodsNinety‐eight patients were categorized into two treatment groups: scaling and root planing (SRP) plus 0.5% CLM (test; group 1) and SRP plus placebo (control; group 2). Clinical parameters included gingival index (GI), sulcus bleeding index (SBI), plaque index (PI), probing depth (PD), and periodontal attachment level (PAL), recorded at 4, 8 and 12 weeks. The concentration of 0.5% CLM in gingival fluid was estimated by reverse‐phase high pressure liquid chromatography. anova, the chi‐square test and the Scatterthwaite test were used for statistical analysis.ResultsPatients treated with SRP + CLM showed enhanced reductions in GI, SBI, and PD, and gains in PAL (P < 0.001) over time, as compared with the placebo group. However, no statistically significant differences were noted for PI. The mean concentration of CLM was detected in gingival crevicular fluid for up to 7 weeks, fulfilling the conditions for a controlled‐release device.ConclusionAdjunctive use of 0.5% CLM as a controlled drug delivery system enhanced the clinical outcome up to 3 months.
Identification of the minimal promoter for specific expression of the GABAρ1 receptor in retinal bipolar cells
Authors: Machuca‐Parra Arturo Israel , Miledi Ricardo , Martínez‐Torres Ataúlfo 
Published: October 2012

Abstractγ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ρ receptors regulate rapid synaptic ion currents in the axon end of retinal ON bipolar neurons, acting as a point of control along the visual pathway. In the GABAρ1 subunit knock out mouse, inhibition mediated by this receptor is totally eliminated, showing its role in neural transmission in retina. GABAρ1 mRNA is expressed in mouse retina after post‐natal day 7, but little is known about its transcriptional regulation. To identify the GABAρ1 promoter, in silico analyses were performed and indicated that a 0.290‐kb fragment, flanking the 5′‐end of the GABAρ1 gene, includes putative transcription factor‐binding sites, two Inr elements, and lacks a TATA‐box. A rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) assay showed three transcription start sites (TSS) clustered in the first exon. Luciferase reporter assays indicated that a 0.232‐kb fragment upstream from the ATG is the minimal promoter in transfected cell lines and in vitro electroporated retinae. The second Inr and AP1 site are important to activate transcription in secretin tumor cells (STC‐1) and retina. Finally, the 0.232‐kb fragment drives green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression to the inner nuclear layer, where bipolar cells are present. This first work paves the way for further studies of molecular elements that control GABAρ1 transcription and regulate its expression during retinal development.
Standardized Care Pathway Versus Conventional Approach in the Management of Patients Presenting with Faint at the University of Utah
Authors: SANDERS NATALIE A. , JETTER TAWNI L. , BRIGNOLE MICHELE , HAMDAN MOHAMED H. 
Published: October 2012

BackgroundDespite the availability of guidelines, the evaluation of patients with faint continues to be inconsistent. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that utilization of a new standardized‐care pathway (Faint‐Algorithm) reduces hospital admissions and improves diagnostic yield when compared to the conventional approach in the evaluation of patients with faint.MethodsWe reviewed the data of 154 consecutive patients presenting with faint to the Faint and Fall Clinic at the University of Utah (standardized group) and 100 patients previously evaluated for faint using the conventional approach (conventional group).ResultsUsing a standardized approach, only 4% of patients were admitted when compared to 20% in the conventional group (P < 0.001). The rate of diagnosis at initial evaluation was similar between the groups; however, at 45 days, it was greater in the standardized group when compared to the conventional group (57% vs 45% in the total population, P = 0.09; 57% vs 39% in the outpatient subgroups, P = 0.02). The number of tests or consultations associated with additional charges was significantly lower in the standardized group when compared to the conventional group (1.9 ± 1.0 vs 2.6 ± 1.2, P = 0.001).ConclusionsThe use of a standardized approach in the evaluation of patients with faint decreased the number of hospital admissions and increased the rate of diagnosis at 45 days. This was achieved with less utilization of costly tests and consultations.
Performance comparison of high quantum efficiency and normal quantum efficiency photomultiplier tubes and position sensitive photomultiplier tubes for high resolution PET and SPECT detectors
Authors: Yamamoto Seiichi , Watabe Hiroshi , Kato Katsuhiko , Hatazawa Jun 
Published: October 2012

Purpose:Recently, photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) and position sensitive PMTs (PSPMTs) with higher quantum efficiencies (HQE) have been developed. However, it remains unclear whether they actually improve such performances as the energy and spatial resolution for PET and SPECT detectors.Methods:The authors evaluated the quantum efficiencies (QEs) for PMTs and PSPMTs and measured the energy resolution of a 3‐in. round HQE PMT combined with various scintillators and compared the results with a conventional normal quantum efficiency (NQE) PMT of the same type. The authors also measured the position and energy performance of a 2‐in. square HQE PSPMT combined with scintillator blocks and compared them with a NQE PSPMT of the same size.Results:The energy resolution of the 3‐in. round HQE PMT showed higher energy resolution than the NQE with all scintillators. The improvement of the energy resolution was smaller, for all measurements, than the expected value from the quantum efficiency of the PMT but was higher for the scintillators with smaller light outputs. The energy and position performance of the HQE PSPMT based block detectors showed higher position and energy performance than those with NQE.Conclusions:From these results, the authors conclude that both HQE PMT and PSPMT contribute to improve the energy and position performance for PET and SPECT detectors. Significant performance improvements will be expected in PET and SPECT systems by the use of the HQE PMTs or PSPMTs.
Quality assurance and independent dosimetry for an intraoperative x‐ray device
Authors: Eaton D. J. 
Published: October 2012

Purpose:Quality assurance is an essential component of accurate and safe radiotherapy delivery, and should include measurements which are independent of manufacturer‐provided calibration. However, the physical and dosimetric properties of the INTRABEAM compact mobile 50 kV x‐ray source are different from conventional kilovoltage therapy units and few reports describe methods for independent checks, frequencies, or tolerances for quality assurance tests.Methods:Based on the available evidence and local experience, methods are described for determination of the key dosimetric parameters: beam quality, output, isotropy, and depth doses. Internal system checks are also described, along with measurements of long‐term stability.Results:A small volume parallel plate ionization chamber in a liquid water tank is the gold standard for measurements with this unit, but solid water‐equivalent materials, thermoluminescent dosimeters and radiochromic film can all be used as practical alternatives with an accuracy of 5%–10%. The main cause of measurement uncertainty is positioning of the detector in the steep dose gradient, but energy dependence should also be considered.Conclusions:A quality assurance schedule with suggested tolerances is proposed, which includes both internal tests, before each treatment and on a monthly basis, and independent tests every year or after servicing or recalibration.
An Adenovirus-Vectored Nasal Vaccine Confers Rapid and Sustained Protection against Anthrax in a Single-Dose Regimen
Authors: Zhang Jianfeng , Jex Edward , Feng Tsungwei , Sivko Gloria S. , Baillie Leslie W. , Goldman Stanley , Van Kampen Kent R. , Tang De-chu C. 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACT

Bacillus anthracis
is the causative agent of anthrax, and its spores have been developed into lethal bioweapons. To mitigate an onslaught from airborne anthrax spores that are maliciously disseminated, it is of paramount importance to develop a rapid-response anthrax vaccine that can be mass administered by nonmedical personnel during a crisis. We report here that intranasal instillation of a nonreplicating adenovirus vector encoding
B. anthracis
protective antigen could confer rapid and sustained protection against inhalation anthrax in mice in a single-dose regimen in the presence of preexisting adenovirus immunity. The potency of the vaccine was greatly enhanced when codons of the antigen gene were optimized to match the tRNA pool found in human cells. In addition, an adenovirus vector encoding lethal factor can confer partial protection against inhalation anthrax and might be coadministered with a protective antigen-based vaccine.
Antibody Responses to Mycobacterial Antigens in Children with Tuberculosis: Challenges and Potential Diagnostic Value
Authors: Achkar Jacqueline M. , Ziegenbalg Anke 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTThe identification of easily detectable biomarkers for active tuberculosis (TB) is a global health priority. Such biomarkers would be of particular value in childhood TB, which poses greater diagnostic challenges than adult TB. Serum antibodies can be detected by simple formats that provide extremely rapid results. However, attempts to develop accurate serodiagnostic tests for TB have been unsuccessful. Whereas antibody responses to mycobacterial antigens in adult TB have been studied extensively and reviewed, the same cannot be said for serologic data in pediatric populations. Here we appraise studies on serological responses in childhood TB and discuss findings and limitations in the context of the developing immune system, the age range, and the spectrum of TB manifestations. We found that the antibody responses to mycobacterial antigens in childhood TB can vary widely, with sensitivities and specificities ranging from 14% to 85% and from 86% to 100%, respectively. We conclude that the limitations in serodiagnostic studies of childhood TB are manifold, thereby restricting the interpretation of currently available data. Concerns about the methodology used in published studies suggest that conclusions about the eventual value of serodiagnosis cannot be made at this time. However, the available data suggest a potential adjunctive value for serology in the diagnosis of childhood TB. Despite the difficulties noted in this field, there is optimism that the application of novel antigens and the integration of those factors which contribute to the serological responses in childhood TB can lead to useful future diagnostics.
Evaluation of the Speed-oligo Direct Mycobacterium tuberculosis Assay for Molecular Detection of Mycobacteria in Clinical Respiratory Specimens
Authors: Lara-Oya Ana , Mendoza-Lopez Pablo , Rodriguez-Granger Javier , Fernández-Sánchez Ana María , Bermúdez-Ruiz María Pilar , Toro-Peinado Inmaculada , Palop-Borrás Begoña , Navarro-Marí Jose María , Martínez-Lirola Miguel José 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACT

We present the first evaluation of a novel molecular assay, the Speed-oligo Direct
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
(SO-DMT) assay, which is based on PCR combined with a dipstick for the detection of mycobacteria and the specific identification of
M. tuberculosis
complex (MTC) in respiratory specimens. A blind evaluation was carried out in two stages: first, under experimental conditions on convenience samples comprising 20 negative specimens, 44 smear- and culture-positive respiratory specimens, and 11 sputa inoculated with various mycobacterium-related organisms; and second, in the routine workflow of 566 fresh respiratory specimens (4.9% acid-fast bacillus [AFB] smear positives, 7.6% MTC positives, and 1.8% nontuberculous mycobacteria [NTM] culture positives) from two
Mycobacterium
laboratories. SO-DMT assay showed no reactivity in any of the mycobacterium-free specimens or in those with mycobacterium-related organisms. Compared to culture, the sensitivity in the selected smear-positive specimens was 0.91 (0.92 for MTC and 0.90 for NTM), and there was no molecular detection of NTM in a tuberculosis case or vice versa. With respect to culture and clinical data, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for the SO-DMT system in routine specimens were 0.76 (0.93 in smear positives [1.0 for MTC and 0.5 for NTM] and 0.56 in smear negatives [0.68 for MTC and 0.16 for NTM]), 0.99, 0.85 (1.00 in smear positives and 0.68 in smear negatives), and 0.97, respectively. Molecular misidentification of NTM cases occurred when testing 2 gastric aspirates from two children with clinically but not microbiologically confirmed lung tuberculosis. The SO-DMT assay appears to be a fast and easy alternative for detecting mycobacteria and differentiating MTC from NTM in smear-positive respiratory specimens.
New Proteins for a New Perspective on Syphilis Diagnosis
Authors: Smith Brenden C. , Simpson Yvonne , Morshed Muhammad G. , Cowen Laura L. E. , Hof Rebecca , Wetherell Charmaine , Cameron Caroline E. 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACT

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by
Treponema pallidum
subsp.
pallidum
; it can be effectively treated with penicillin yet remains prevalent worldwide, due in part to the shortcomings of current diagnostic tests. Here we report the production of soluble recombinant versions of three novel diagnostic candidate proteins, Tp0326, Tp0453, and a Tp0453-Tp0326 chimera. The sensitivities of these recombinant proteins were assessed by screening characterized serum samples from primary, secondary, and latent stages of infection (
n
= 169). The specificities were assessed by screening false positives identified with the standard diagnostic testing algorithm (
n
= 21), samples from patients with potentially cross-reactive infections (
Leptospira
spp.,
Borrelia burgdorferi
,
Helicobacter pylori
, Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, or cytomegalovirus) (
n
= 38), and samples from uninfected individuals (
n
= 11). The sensitivities of Tp0326, Tp0453, and the Tp0453-Tp0326 chimera were found to be 86%, 98%, and 98%, respectively, and the specificities were 99%, 100%, and 99%. In a direct comparison, the Captia syphilis (
T. pallidum
)-G enzyme immunoassay (Trinity Biotech) was used to screen the same serum samples and was found to have a sensitivity of 98% and a specificity of 90%. In particular, Tp0453 and the chimera exhibited superior accuracy in classifying analytical false-positive samples (100%, compared to 43% for the Captia assay). These findings identify Tp0453 and the Tp0453-Tp0326 chimera as novel syphilis-specific diagnostic candidates that surpass the performance of a currently available diagnostic enzyme immunoassay test for syphilis and that allow accurate detection of all stages of infection.
Sensitivity of the ISO 6579:2002/Amd 1:2007 Standard Method for Detection of Salmonella spp. on Mesenteric Lymph Nodes from Slaughter Pigs
Authors: Mainar-Jaime R. C. , Andrés S. , Vico J. P. , San Román B. , Garrido V. , Grilló M. J. 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACT

The ISO 6579:2002/Amd 1:2007 (ISO) standard has been the bacteriological standard method used in the European Union for the detection of
Salmonella
spp. in pig mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), but there are no published estimates of the diagnostic sensitivity (Se) of the method in this matrix. Here, the Se of the ISO (Se
ISO
) was estimated on 675 samples selected from two populations with different
Salmonella
prevalences (14 farms with a ≥20% prevalence and 13 farms with a <20% prevalence) and through the use of latent-class models in concert with Bayesian inference, assuming 100% ISO specificity, and an
invA
-based PCR as the second diagnostic method. The Se
ISO
was estimated to be close to 87%, while the sensitivity of the PCR reached up to 83.6% and its specificity was 97.4%. Interestingly, the bacteriological reanalysis of 33 potential false-negative (PCR-positive) samples allowed isolation of 19 (57.5%) new
Salmonella
strains, improving the overall diagnostic accuracy of the bacteriology. Considering the usual limitations of bacteriology regarding Se, these results support the adequacy of the ISO for the detection of
Salmonella
spp. from MLN and also that of the PCR-based method as an alternative or complementary (screening) test for the diagnosis of pig salmonellosis, particularly considering the cost and time benefits of the molecular procedure.
Development of a Peptide Nucleic Acid Probe to Trichosporon Species and Identification of Trichosporonosis by Use of
In Situ
Hybridization in Formalin-Fixed and Paraffin-Embedded (FFPE) Sections
Authors: Shinozaki Minoru , Okubo Yoichiro , Sasai Daisuke , Nakayama Haruo , Murayama Somay Yamagata , Ide Tadashi , Wakayama Megumi , Ishiwatari Takao , Tochigi Naobumi , Nemoto Tetsuo , Shibuya Kazutoshi 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACT

In order to identify
Trichosporon
species in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded sections from which visual discrimination of non-
glabrata Candida
species is mostly ineffective but critical for the choice of antifungals, we tested the usefulness of a newly designed peptide nucleic acid probe (PNA) for
in situ
hybridization (ISH). Results confirmed the usefulness of ISH with our PNA probe in identifying
Trichosporon
species from
Candida albicans.
Characterizing the Picornavirus Landscape among Synanthropic Nonhuman Primates in Bangladesh, 2007 to 2008
Authors: Oberste M. Steven , Feeroz Mohammed M. , Maher Kaija , Nix W. Allan , Engel Gregory A. , Hasan Kamrul M. , Begum Sajeda , Oh Gunwha , Chowdhury Anwarul H. , Pallansch Mark A. , Jones-Engel Lisa 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTThe term synanthropic describes organisms that thrive in human-altered habitats. Where synanthropic nonhuman primates (NHP) share an ecological niche with humans, cross-species transmission of infectious agents can occur. In Bangladesh, synanthropic NHP are found in villages, densely populated cities, religious sites, and protected forest areas. NHP are also kept as performing monkeys and pets. To investigate possible transmission of enteric picornaviruses between humans and NHP, we collected fecal specimens from five NHP taxa at16 locations in Bangladesh during five field sessions, from January 2007 to June 2008. Specimens were screened using real-time PCR assays for the generaEnterovirus,Parechovirus, andSapelovirus; PCR-positive samples were typed by VP1 sequencing. To compare picornavirus diversity between humans and NHP, the same assays were applied to 211 human stool specimens collected in Bangladesh in 2007 to 2008 for acute flaccid paralysis surveillance. Picornaviruses were detected in 78 of 677 (11.5%) NHP fecal samples. Twenty distinct human enterovirus (EV) serotypes, two bovine EV types, six human parechovirus serotypes, and one virus related to Ljungan virus were identified. Twenty-five additional enteroviruses and eight parechoviruses could not be typed. Comparison of the picornavirus serotypes detected in NHP specimens with those detected in human specimens revealed considerable overlap. Strikingly, no known simian enteroviruses were detected among these NHP populations. In conclusion, enteroviruses and parechoviruses may be transmitted between humans and synanthropic NHP in Bangladesh, but the directionality of transmission is unknown. These findings may have important implications for the health of both human and NHP populations.
SUMO-Conjugating Enzyme E2 UBC9 Mediates Viral Immediate-Early Protein SUMOylation in Crayfish To Facilitate Reproduction of White Spot Syndrome Virus
Authors: Chen An-Jing , Gao Lu , Wang Xian-Wei , Zhao Xiao-Fan , Wang Jin-Xing 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACT

Successful viruses have evolved superior strategies to escape host defenses or exploit host biological pathways. Most of the viral immediate-early (
ie
) genes are essential for viral infection and depend solely on host proteins; however, the molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. In this study, we focused on the modification of viral IE proteins by the crayfish small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO) and investigated the role of SUMOylation during the viral life cycle. SUMO and SUMO ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme 9 (UBC9) involved in SUMOylation were identified in red swamp crayfish (
Procambarus clarkii
). Both
SUMO
and
UBC9
were upregulated in crayfish challenged with white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). Replication of WSSV genes increased in crayfish injected with recombinant SUMO or UBC9, but injection of mutant SUMO or UBC9 protein had no effect. Subsequently, we analyzed the mechanism by which crayfish SUMOylation facilitates WSSV replication. Crayfish UBC9 bound to all three WSSV IE proteins tested, and one of these IE proteins (WSV051) was covalently modified by SUMO
in vitro
. The expression of viral
ie
genes was affected and that of late genes was significantly inhibited in
UBC9
-silenced or
SUMO
-silenced crayfish, and the inhibition effect was rescued by injection of recombinant SUMO or UBC9. The results of this study demonstrate that viral IE proteins can be modified by crayfish SUMOylation, prompt the expression of viral genes, and ultimately benefit WSSV replication. Understanding of the mechanisms by which viruses exploit host components will greatly improve our knowledge of the virus-host “arms race” and contribute to the development of novel methods against virulent viruses.
Transcriptional Profiling of Experimental CD8+Lymphocyte Depletion in Rhesus Macaques Infected with Simian Immunodeficiency Virus SIVmac239
Authors: Bosinger Steven E. , Jochems Simon P. , Folkner Kathryn A. , Hayes Timothy L. , Klatt Nichole R. , Silvestri Guido 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTCD8+T cells inhibit virus replication in SIV-infected rhesus macaques. However, it is unclear to what extent the viral suppression mediated by CD8+T cells reflects direct killing of infected cells as opposed to indirect, noncytolytic mechanisms. In this study, we used functional genomics to investigate noncytolytic mechanisms ofin vivoviral suppression mediated by CD8+lymphocytes. Eight chronically SIVmac239-infected rhesus macaques underwent CD8+lymphocyte depletion, and RNA from whole blood was obtained prior to depletion, during the nadir of CD8+cell depletion, and after CD8+lymphocyte numbers had rebounded. We observed significant downregulation of the expression of genes encoding factors that can suppress SIV replication, including the CCR5-binding chemokine CCL5/RANTES and CCL4 and several members of the tripartite motif-containing (TRIM) family. Surprisingly, we also noted a strong, widespread downregulation of α- and θ-defensins with anti-HIV activity, which are not expressed by CD8+T cells. After cessation of depleting antibody treatment, we observed induction of a transcriptional signature indicative of B lymphocyte activation. Validation experiments demonstrated that animals during this period had elevated levels of B cells coupled with higher expression of the proliferative marker Ki67, indicating that CD8+depletion triggered a potent expansion of B cell numbers. Collectively, these data identify antiviral pathways perturbed byin vivoCD8+T cell depletion that may contribute to noncytolytic control of SIV replication.