bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ultimate Reality in Confucianism
Authors: Yan Zhonghu 
Published: November 2009

AbstractDoes Confucianism concern about the ultimate reality and its meanings? This is a question whose answer may resolve a long standing issue regarding the character of Confucianism. This article discusses and analyzes a few key metaphysical concepts in the foundational text of theAnalectssuch asTian, Heaven,shen, spirits andDao, the Way, to demonstrate that early Confucianism grounds its ethics on these metaphysical understandings. This interest in the questions of ultimacy is renewed in Neo‐Confucianism, which enables itself to compete successfully against the rival schools of Buddhism and Daoism.
Attitudes amongst Australian hospital healthcare workers towards seasonal influenza and vaccination
Authors: Seale Holly , Leask Julie , MacIntyre C. Raina 
Published: November 2009

Background  Amongst healthcare workers (HCWs), compliance rates with influenza vaccination are traditionally low. Although a safe and effective vaccine is available, there is little Australian data on reasons for poor compliance, especially amongst allied health and ancillary support staff.Methods  Cross‐sectional investigation of a sample of clinical and non‐clinical HCWs from two tertiary‐referral teaching hospitals in Sydney, Australia was conducted between June 4 and October 19, 2007. The self‐administered questionnaire was distributed to hospital personal from 40 different wards and departments. The main outcome measures were personal beliefs about influenza vaccination and self‐reported vaccination status.Results  Respondents (n = 1079) were categorized into four main groups by occupation: nurses (47·5%, 512/1079), physicians (26·0%, 281/1079), allied health (15·3%, 165/1079) and ancillary (11·2%, 121/1079). When asked whether they felt the influenza vaccine was safe or effective, 81% (879/1079) and 68% (733/1079), respectively, replied in the affirmative. Participants felt that it was more important to get vaccinated to protect patients (74%, 796/1079) than family (68%, 730/1079) or self‐protection (66%, 712/1079). However, only 22% (241/1079) of the HCWs who replied reported receiving the vaccine the year the survey was conducted.Conclusions  Although HCWs had an adequate level of knowledge towards influenza vaccination, only 22% of them were vaccinated. The approach to improving influenza vaccination rates amongst HCWs and to tackling misconceptions must be multifaceted, adaptable and must evolve regularly to increase coverage.
Evaluation of Two Immunoblot Assays and a Western Blot Assay for the Detection of Antisyphilis Immunoglobulin G Antibodies
Authors: Welch Ryan J. , Litwin Christine M. 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACT

In the present study, two immunoglobulin G (IgG) immunoblot assays and one IgG Western blot assay were compared to the rapid plasma reagin test (RPR), the fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test (FTA-ABS), and the
Treponema pallidum
particle agglutination assay (TP-PA). The agreement levels of the Viramed, Virotech, and MarDx assays were 97.0%, 96.4%, and 99.4%, and the agreements of samples inconclusive by FTA-ABS and resolved by TP-PA were 91.7%, 83.3%, and 69.4%, respectively.
Long-Term Observation of Subunit Vaccine F1-rV270 against
Y
ersinia pestis
in Mice
Authors: Wang Zuyun , Zhou Lei , Qi Zhizhen , Zhang Qingwen , Dai Ruixia , Yang Yonghai , Cui Baizhong , Wang Hu , Yang Ruifu , Wang Xiaoyi 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACT

Long-term protection and antibody response for the subunit vaccine F1-rV270 were determined by using the mouse model. Antibodies to F1 and rV270 were still detectable over a period of 518 days. The complete protection against lethal challenge of
Yersinia pestis
could be achieved up to day 518 after primary immunization.
Validation and Clinical Application of a Molecular Method for Identification of
Histoplasma capsulatum
in Human Specimens in Colombia, South America
Authors: Muñoz Cesar , Gómez Beatriz L. , Tobón Angela , Arango Karen , Restrepo Angela , Correa Margarita M. , Muskus Carlos , Cano Luz Elena , González Angel 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACT

The conventional means of diagnosis of histoplasmosis presents difficulties because of the delay to the time that the diagnosis is made, indicating the need for the implementation of molecular assays. We evaluated 146 clinical samples from 135 patients suspected of having histoplasmosis using a previously reported nested PCR assay for the
H
istoplasma
capsulatum
-specific 100-kDa protein (the Hc100 PCR). In order to determine the specificity of this molecular test, we also used samples from healthy individuals (
n
= 20), patients suspected of having respiratory disease with negative fungal cultures (
n
= 29), and patients with other proven infections (
n
= 60). Additionally, a sizable collection of DNA from cultures of
H
.
capsulatum
and other medically relevant pathogens was studied. A panfungal PCR assay that amplified the internal transcribed spacer 2 region was also used to identify all fungal DNAs. All PCR-amplified products were sequenced. Of the 146 clinical samples, 67 (45.9%) were positive by culture and PCR, while 9 samples negative by culture were positive by PCR. All the sequences corresponding to the 76 amplified products presented ≥98% identity with
H.
capsulatum
. The Hc100 PCR exhibited a sensitivity of 100% and specificities of 92.4% and 95.2% when the results were compared to those for the negative controls and samples from other proven clinical entities, respectively; the positive predictive value was 83% and the negative predictive value was 100%; the positive and negative likelihood rates were 25 and 0, respectively. These results suggest that the Hc100 nested PCR assay for the detection of
H.
capsulatum
DNA is a useful test in areas where mycosis caused by this organism is endemic.
First Report of Sudden Death Due to Myocarditis Caused by Adenovirus Serotype 3
Authors: Treacy Ann , Carr Michael J. , Dunford Linda , Palacios Gustavo , Cannon Gemma A. , O'Grady Anthony , Moran Julie , Hassan Jaythoon , Loy Aisling , Connell Jeff , Devaney Deirdre , Kelehan Peter , Hall William W. 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACT
Myocarditis is a rare cause of sudden death in childhood. We describe the sudden death of a child from viral myocarditis, which we demonstrate was likely caused by an uncontrolled inflammatory response to a disseminated adenovirus serotype 3 infection originating in the tonsil.
Comparison of the AF146527 and B1 Repeated Elements, Two Real-Time PCR Targets Used for Detection of
Toxoplasma gondii
Authors: Wahab Tara , Edvinsson Benjamin , Palm Daniel , Lindh Johan 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACT

Previous studies have reported the increased sensitivity of PCR targeting AF146527 over that of PCR targeting the B1 gene for diagnosis of toxoplasmosis. The present study suggests that the AF146527 element was absent in 4.8% of human
Toxoplasma gondii
-positive samples tested. The data argue that the
B1
gene may be the preferred diagnostic target.
Nocardia pseudobrasiliensis
as an Emerging Cause of Opportunistic Infection after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Lebeaux David , Lanternier Fanny , Degand Nicolas , Catherinot Emilie , Podglajen Isabelle , Rubio Marie-Thérèse , Suarez Felipe , Lecuit Marc , Mainardi Jean-Luc , Lortholary Olivier 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACT

We report the case of a 55-year-old man who exhibited a nodular pneumonia 4 months after an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Culture of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid revealed
Nocardia pseudobrasiliensis
. This recently described carbapenem-resistant species should be included in the differential diagnosis of fungal infection in this setting.
Incidence, Diversity, and Molecular Epidemiology of Sapoviruses in Swine across Europe
Authors: Reuter Gábor , Zimšek-Mijovski Janet , Poljšak-Prijatelj Mateja , Di Bartolo Ilaria , Ruggeri Franco Maria , Kantala Tuija , Maunula Leena , Kiss István , Kecskeméti Sándor , Halaihel Nabil , Buesa Javier , Johnsen Christina , Hjulsager Charlotte K. , Larsen Lars E. , Koopmans Marion , Böttiger Blenda 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACTPorcine sapovirus is an enteric calicivirus in domestic pigs that belongs to the familyCaliciviridae. Some porcine sapoviruses are genetically related to human caliciviruses, which has raised public health concerns over animal reservoirs and the potential cross-species transmission of sapoviruses. We report on the incidence, genetic diversity, and molecular epidemiology of sapoviruses detected in domestic pigs in a comprehensive study conducted in six European countries (Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Italy, Slovenia, and Spain) between 2004 and 2007. A total of 1,050 swine fecal samples from 88 pig farms were collected and tested by reverse transcription-PCR for sapoviruses, and positive findings were confirmed by sequencing. Sapoviruses were detected in 80 (7.6%) samples collected on 39 (44.3%) farms and in every country. The highest prevalence was seen among piglets aged 2 to 8 weeks, and there was no significant difference in the proportion of sapovirus-positive findings for healthy animals and animals with diarrhea in Spain and Denmark (the only countries where both healthy animals and animals with diarrhea were tested). On the basis of the sequence of the RNA polymerase region, highly heterogeneous populations of viruses representing six different genogroups (genogroups III, VI, VII, and VIII, including potential new genogroups IX and X) were identified, with a predominance of genogroup GIII (50.6%). Genogroup VIII, found in five of the six countries, had the highest degree of homology (up to 66% at the amino acid level) to human sapovirus strains. Sapoviruses are commonly circulating and endemic agents in swine herds throughout Europe. Highly heterogeneous and potential new genogroups of sapoviruses were found in pigs; however, no “human-like” sapoviruses were detected.
Characterization of Baseline Methicillin-Resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
Isolates Recovered from Phase IV Clinical Trial for Linezolid
Authors: Mendes Rodrigo E. , Sader Helio S. , Deshpande Lalitagauri M. , Diep Binh An , Chambers Henry F. , Jones Ronald N. 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACT

A total of 565 methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) isolates were collected mostly from Europe and the Americas (2004 to 2007) during a phase IV clinical trial comparing linezolid with vancomycin for the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections proven to be due to MRSA. The isolates were tested for their susceptibilities by the broth microdilution method, they were tested for inducible clindamycin resistance by the D-test, and they were screened for heterogeneous resistance to vancomycin (heterogeneously vancomycin-intermediate
S. aureus
[hVISA]) by the Etest macromethod. The isolates were evaluated for the MRSA genotype by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, staphylococcal protein A (
spa
) typing, multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and staphylococcal cassette chromosome
mec
(SCC
mec
) typing. All isolates were inhibited by 4 μg/ml of linezolid (MIC
50
and MIC
90
, 2 and 4 μg/ml, respectively). The vast majority of isolates (92.4%) were resistant to erythromycin, and high clindamycin resistance rates were observed (28.5% constitutive and 16.3% inducible). Only 1.0% of the isolates were hVISA. Isolates from the United States were predominantly USA300 sequence type 8 (ST8)-SCC
mec
type IV (78.5%), followed by a lower prevalence of USA100 ST5-SCC
mec
type II isolates (14.2%). Strains belonging to the ST5 lineage were widely distributed in Portugal, South American countries, and Mexico. MRSA strains belonging to ST8-SCC
mec
type IV predominated in Russia (80.0%) and also emerged in Venezuela and Colombia. The epidemic MRSA type 15 clone predominated in the United Kingdom (55.6%) and Spain (100%). In addition, a new MLST profile (ST1071) was observed in South Africa. This study demonstrated the presence of major clones in particular regions (ST8 in the United States, ST5 in Latin America and Portugal, ST22 in Spain and the United Kingdom); however, emerging clones were identified, suggesting that the epidemiology of MRSA continues to evolve.
Prevalence of Hepatitis E Virus in Chinese Blood Donors
Authors: Guo Qing-Shun , Yan Qiang , Xiong Jun-Hui , Ge Sheng-Xiang , Shih J. Wai-Kuo , Ng Mun-Hon , Zhang Jun , Xia Ning-Shao 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACT
A point prevalence study of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in Chinese blood donors was conducted, and the prevalences of antibodies against HEV immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM among Chinese blood donors were 32.60% and 0.94%, respectively. HEV viremia was 0.07%.
Production of the Subtilase AB
5
Cytotoxin by Shiga Toxin-Negative
Escherichia coli
Authors: Tozzoli Rosangela , Caprioli Alfredo , Cappannella Stefano , Michelacci Valeria , Marziano Maria Luisa , Morabito Stefano 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACT

The subtilase cytotoxin (SubAB) is an AB
5
toxin described in certain Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing
Escherichia coli
(STEC) strains that usually lack the locus for enterocyte effacement (LEE). We report for the first time the production of SubAB by two Stx-negative
E. coli
strains, isolated from unrelated cases of childhood diarrhea. The characterization of the SubAB-coding genes showed a 90% nucleotide sequence similarity with that of the prototype
subAB
, located on the virulence plasmid of the STEC O113 strain 98NK2 (pO113). In both strains,
subAB
was physically associated with
tia
, an invasion genetic determinant of enterotoxigenic
E. coli
. The strains were negative for the
saa
gene, encoding an adhesin located on pO113 and present in many of the SubAB-positive strains described so far. PCR screening of 61 STEC and 100 Stx-negative
E. coli
strains in our collection revealed the presence of
subAB
in five LEE-negative STEC strains but not in the Stx-negative strains.
subAB
was contiguous to
tia
in three of the positive strains, which were all negative for
saa
. These results indicate that SubAB production is not restricted to STEC and suggest that a
subAB
-
tia
putative pathogenicity island is involved in the dissemination of
subAB
genes, as an alternative to plasmid pO113.
Molecular Characteristics of Occult Hepatitis B Virus from Blood Donors in Southeast China
Authors: Yuan Quan , Ou Shan-Hai , Chen Chang-Rong , Ge Sheng-Xiang , Pei Bin , Chen Qing-Rui , Yan Qiang , Lin Yong-Cai , Ni Hong-Ying , Huang Cheng-Hao , Yeo Anthony E. T. , Shih James W. K. , Zhang Jun , Xia Ning-Shao 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACT

The characteristics of 30 carriers with occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (OBI) were compared with those of 30 individuals diagnosed as being HBV carriers at the time of blood donation, 60 asymptomatic carriers, and 60 chronic hepatitis patients. The prevalence of genotype C was significantly higher in carriers with OBIs than in any other HBsAg-positive (HBsAg
+
) group (
P
< 0.001). Specific amino acid substitutions in the regions from amino acids 117 to 121 and amino acids 144 to 147 located in the major hydrophilic region of the S gene were associated with carriers with OBIs (
P
< 0.01 for carriers with OBIs versus HBsAg
+
donors, carriers with OBIs versus HBsAg
+
asymptomatic carriers, and carriers with OBIs versus HBsAg
+
chronic hepatitis patients). G145R was the major variation in the HBV isolates responsible for local occult HBV infections.
Multicenter Study Evaluating the Role of Enterococci in Secondary Bacterial Peritonitis
Authors: Cercenado Emilia , Torroba Luis , Cantón Rafael , Martínez-Martínez Luis , Chaves Fernando , García-Rodríguez Jose Angel , Lopez-Garcia Carmen , Aguilar Lorenzo , García-Rey César , García-Escribano Nuria , Bouza Emilio 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACT

A 1-year prospective multicenter study was performed to explore the significance of the presence of enterococci in cultures of peritoneal fluid from patients with secondary bacterial peritonitis in seven Spanish hospitals. The clinical records of patients with positive peritoneal fluid cultures were reviewed and distributed into cases (patients with cultures yielding enterococci) and controls (patients with cultures not yielding enterococci). Of a total of 158 records, 38 (24.1%) were cases and 120 (75.9%) were controls. The percentages or the scores (cases versus controls) for the variables included in the multivariate analysis were as follows: age of >50 years, 89.5% versus 68.3%; malignancy, 39.5% versus 18.3%; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), 15.8% versus 4.2%; postoperative peritonitis, 55.3% versus 30.1%; nosocomial onset, 57.9% versus 34.2%; a higher Charlson comorbidity index, 3.29 ± 3.38 versus 1.84 ± 2.31; APACHE II score, 10.71 ± 4.37 versus 8.76 ± 5.49; ultimately or rapidly fatal disease, 63.2% versus 34.8%; need for surgical reintervention, 36.1% versus 15.1%; and admission to an intensive care unit, 45.9% versus 30.8%. In the multivariate analysis, enterococci were associated only with postoperative peritonitis (
P
= 0.009; odds ratio [OR] = 5.0; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.49 to 16.80), a higher Charlson comorbidity index (
P
= 0.002; OR = 1.30; 95% CI = 1.11 to 1.54), and COPD (
P
= 0.046; OR = 6.50; 95% CI = 1.04 to 40.73). The results of this study showed that enterococci were associated with comorbidity. An association with mortality could not be demonstrated.
Enhanced Detection of Enteroviruses in Clinical Samples by Reverse Transcription-PCR Using Complementary Locked Primer Technology
Authors: Hong JiYoung , Kang Byunghak , Kim Ahyoun , Hwang Seoyoun , Lee Sunwha , Kim Jonghyen , Lee Hyun-Young , Kang Sang-Hyeon , Cheon Doo-Sung 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACT
To increase detection sensitivity, we modified primers using complementary locked primer (CLP) technology. The sensitivity of the reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) with CLP-modified primers was 10- to 100-fold higher than that of RT-PCR without these primers. CLP-modified primers can increase sensitivity, providing a widely accessible method for molecular diagnosis.
Occurrence of Mixed Populations of Influenza A Viruses That Can Be Maintained through Transmission in a Single Host and Potential for Reassortment
Authors: Furuse Yuki , Suzuki Akira , Kishi Makiko , Nukiwa Nao , Shimizu Midori , Sawayama Rumi , Fuji Naoko , Oshitani Hitoshi 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACTReassortment, which is the rearrangement of viral gene segments in a host cell infected with two different viruses, is an important mechanism for the evolution of influenza viruses. Mixed infections with multiple virus types could lead to reassortment. To better understand the occurrence of quasispecies in a single host, we investigated mixed infections in individual isolates of seasonal influenza A viruses using amantadine sensitivity as a marker. We cultured viruses with amantadine and performed sequencing, restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, cloning, and quantitative PCR to detect mixed populations. Culturing with amantadine showed evidence of a high number of mixed populations, while the other assays could hardly detect mixed populations. The existence of quasispecies in each isolate was common. However, the proportion of these, which can be less than 1%, is too low to be detected by conventional methods. Such mixed populations in which reassortment occurs may have a significant role in the evolution of viruses.
Correlation of Bacterial Colonization Status between Mother and Child: the Generation R Study
Authors: Lebon Ankie , Moll Henriëtte A. , Tavakol Mehri , van Wamel Willem J. , Jaddoe Vincent W. V. , Hofman Albert , Verbrugh Henri A. , van Belkum Alex 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACT

Determinants of bacterial colonization in children have been described. In the Generation R Study, a population-based cohort study, we determined whether the colonization statuses of mothers and children are correlated. Such a correlation was observed for
Staphylococcus aureus
and
Haemophilus influenzae
. Direct transmission, genetic susceptibility and/or unidentified environmental factors may play a role here.
High-Throughput Pooling and Real-Time PCR-Based Strategy for Malaria Detection
Authors: Taylor Steve M. , Juliano Jonathan J. , Trottman Paul A. , Griffin Jennifer B. , Landis Sarah H. , Kitsa Paluku , Tshefu Antoinette K. , Meshnick Steven R. 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACT

Molecular assays can provide critical information for malaria diagnosis, speciation, and drug resistance, but their cost and resource requirements limit their application to clinical malaria studies. This study describes the application of a resource-conserving testing algorithm employing sample pooling for real-time PCR assays for malaria in a cohort of 182 pregnant women in Kinshasa. A total of 1,268 peripheral blood samples were collected during the study. Using a real-time PCR assay that detects all
Plasmodium
species, microscopy-positive samples were amplified individually; the microscopy-negative samples were amplified after pooling the genomic DNA (gDNA) of four samples prior to testing. Of 176 microscopy-positive samples, 74 were positive by the real-time PCR assay; the 1,092 microscopy-negative samples were initially amplified in 293 pools, and subsequently, 35 samples were real-time PCR positive (3%). With the real-time PCR result as the referent standard, microscopy was 67.9% sensitive (95% confidence interval [CI], 58.3% to 76.5%) and 91.2% specific (95% CI, 89.4% to 92.8%) for malaria. In total, we detected 109 parasitemias by real-time PCR and, by pooling samples, obviated over 50% of reactions and halved the cost of testing. Our study highlights both substantial discordance between malaria diagnostics and the utility and parsimony of employing a sample pooling strategy for molecular diagnostics in clinical and epidemiologic malaria studies.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Spoligotypes in Monterrey, Mexico
Authors: Molina-Torres Carmen A. , Moreno-Torres Elisa , Ocampo-Candiani Jorge , Rendon Adrian , Blackwood Kym , Kremer Kristin , Rastogi Nalin , Welsh Oliverio , Vera-Cabrera Lucio 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACT

Although tuberculosis is still a public health problem in Mexico, there is little information about the genetic characteristics of the isolates. In the present study, we analyzed by spoligotyping 180
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
clinical isolates from the urban area of Monterrey, Mexico, including drug-susceptible and drug-resistant isolates. The spoligotype patterns were compared with those in the international SITVIT2 spoligotyping database. Four isolates presented spoligotype patterns not found in the database (orphan types); the rest were distributed among 44 spoligo international types (SITs). SIT53 (clade T1) and SIT119 (clade X1) were predominant and included 43 (23.8%) and 28 (15.5%) of the isolates, respectively. In order to determine if there was a dominant spoligotype in the group of multidrug-resistant isolates, 37 of them were analyzed by IS
6110
-based restriction fragment length polymorphism assays, and scarce clustering of strains with more than five bands was observed. Fourteen isolates of this multidrug-resistant group presented four bands or less and were distributed in four SITs: SIT53 (
n
= 8), SIT92 (
n
= 3), SIT70 (
n
= 2), and SIT3038 (
n
= 1). When the molecular detection of mutations in the
katG
and
rpoB
genes were analyzed in these isolates with low copy numbers of IS
6110
, only two isolates shared the same IS
6110
, spoligotyping, and mutations patterns. When the distribution of the spoligotypes was analyzed by age cohort, SIT119 was predominantly found in patients 0 to 20 years old, especially in males, accounting for up to 40% of the isolates. In contrast, SIT53 was more prevalent in older females. This analysis demonstrates the variability of
M. tuberculosis
isolates in Monterrey and the partial dominance of SIT53 and SIT119 in that area of Mexico.