bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Postvaccination Increase in Serotype 19A Pneumococcal Disease in Norway Is Driven by Expansion of Penicillin-Susceptible Strains of the ST199 Complex
Authors: Vestrheim Didrik F. , Steinbakk Martin , Aaberge Ingeborg S. , Caugant Dominique A. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTSerotype replacement in invasive pneumococcal disease has been observed after widespread use of the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7). Replacement is dominated by penicillin-nonsusceptible serotype 19A in several countries. Antibiotic selection pressure has been proposed to interact with immunization, leading to rapid replacement. In Norway, where prescription of antibiotics is limited, post-PCV7 replacement by serotype 19A is dominated by penicillin-susceptible clones. Hence, serotype 19A replacement occurs, although it is not driven by antibiotic selection pressure.
Flagellin from Recombinant Attenuated Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Reveals a Fundamental Role in Chicken Innate Immunity
Authors: Pan Zhiming , Cong Qiuxia , Geng Shizhong , Fang Qiang , Kang Xilong , You Meng , Jiao Xinan 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTRecombinant attenuatedSalmonellavaccines have been extensively studied, with a focus on eliciting specific immune responses against foreign antigens. However, very little is known about the innate immune responses, particularly the role of flagellin, in the induction of innate immunity triggered by recombinant attenuatedSalmonellain chickens. In the present report, we describe twoSalmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium vaccine strains, wild-type (WT) or flagellin-deficient (flhD)Salmonella, both expressing the fusion protein (F) gene of Newcastle disease virus. We examined the bacterial load and spatiotemporal kinetics of expression of inflammatory cytokine, chemokine, and Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) genes in the cecum, spleen, liver, and heterophils following oral immunization of chickens with the twoSalmonellastrains. TheflhDmutant exhibited an enhanced ability to establish systemic infection compared to the WT. In contrast, the WT strain induced higher levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), CXCLi2, and TLR5 mRNAs in cecum, the spleen, and the heterophils than theflhDmutant at different times postinfection. Collectively, the present data reveal a fundamental role of flagellin in the innate immune responses induced by recombinant attenuatedSalmonellavaccines in chickens that should be considered for the rational design of novel vaccines for poultry.
Effects of North American Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV)-Based Modified Live Vaccines on Preimmunized Sows Artificially Inseminated with European PRRSV-Spiked Semen
Authors: Han Kiwon , Seo Hwi Won , Oh Yeonsu , Kang Ikjae , Park Changhoon , Chae Chanhee 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTThe objective of the present study was to determine if the European porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) can be transmitted via spiked semen to preimmunized sows and induce reproductive failure. Sows were immunized with the North American PRRSV-based modified live vaccine (Ingelvac PRRS MLV; Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, St. Joseph, MO) and were artificially inseminated. The sows were randomly divided into three groups. The vaccinated (group 2) and nonvaccinated (group 3) sows developed a PRRSV viremia at 7 to 28 days postinsemination with the European PRRSV-spiked semen. The number of genomic copies of the European PRRSV in serum samples was not significantly different between vaccinated and nonvaccinated sows. All negative-control sows in group 1 farrowed at the expected date. The sows in groups 2 and 3 farrowed between 103 and 110 days after the first insemination. European PRRSV RNA was detected in the lungs of 8 out of 11 live-born piglets and 46 out of 54 stillborn fetuses. In addition, PRRSV RNA was detected usingin situhybridization in other tissues from vaccinated sows that had been inseminated with European PRRSV-spiked semen (group 2). The present study has demonstrated that vaccinating sows with the North American PRRSV-based modified live vaccine does not prevent reproductive failure after insemination with European PRRSV-spiked semen.
Draft Genome Sequences of the Pseudomonas fluorescens Biocontrol Strains Wayne1R and Wood1R
Authors: Rong Xiaoqing , Baysal Gurel Fulya , Meulia Tea , McSpadden Gardener Brian B. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACT

Pseudomonas fluorescens
strains Wayne1R and Wood1R have proven capacities to improve plant health. Here we report the draft genome sequences and automatic annotations of both strains. Genome comparisons reveal similarities with
P. fluorescens
strain Pf-5, reveal the novelty of Wood1R, and indicate some genes that may be related to biocontrol.
Genome Sequence of Corynebacterium casei UCMA 3821, Isolated from a Smear-Ripened Cheese
Authors: Monnet Christophe , Loux Valentin , Bento Pascal , Gibrat Jean-François , Straub Cécile , Bonnarme Pascal , Landaud Sophie , Irlinger Françoise 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACT

Corynebacterium casei
is one of the most prevalent species present on the surfaces of smear-ripened cheeses, where it contributes to the production of the desired organoleptic properties. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of
Corynebacterium casei
UCMA 3821 to provide insights into its physiology.
Complete Genome Sequence of Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp.
mesenteroides
Strain J18, Isolated from Kimchi
Authors: Jung Ji Young , Lee Seung Hyeon , Lee Se Hee , Jeon Che Ok 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACT

Leuconostoc mesenteroides
subsp.
mesenteroides
is one of the most predominant lactic acid bacterial groups during kimchi fermentation. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of
L. mesenteroides
subsp.
mesenteroides
J18, which was isolated from kimchi. The genome of the strain consists of a 1,896,561-bp chromosome and five plasmids.
Genome Sequence of Strain HIMB30, a Novel Member of the Marine Gammaproteobacteria
Authors: Huggett Megan J. , Rappé Michael S. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACT

Strain HIMB30 was isolated from coastal Hawaii seawater by extinction culturing in seawater-based oligotrophic medium. It is a phylogenetically unique member of the class
Gammaproteobacteria
that is only distantly related to its closest cultured relatives. Here we present the genome sequence of strain HIMB30, including genes for proteorhodopsin-based phototrophy and the Calvin-Benson-Bassham cycle.
Genetic Analysis of Hepatitis A Virus Strains That Induced Epidemics in Korea during 2007–2009
Authors: Lee Hyeokjin , Jeong Hyesook , Yun Heasun , Kim Kisang , Kim Jong-Hyun , Yang Jai Myung , Cheon Doo-Sung 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACT

Hepatitis A virus is one of the most prominent causes of fecally transmitted acute hepatitis worldwide. In order to characterize the viral agents causing an outbreak in Korea (comprising North and South Korea) from June 2007 to May 2009, we collected specimens and performed genotyping of the VP1/P2A and VP3/VP1 regions of hepatitis A virus. We then used a multiple-alignment algorithm to compare the nucleotide sequences of the 2 regions with those of reference strains. Hepatitis A virus antibodies were detected in 64 patients from 5 reported outbreaks (North Korea, June 2007 [
n
= 11]; Jeonnam, April 2008 [
n
= 15]; Daegu, May 2008 [
n
= 13]; Seoul, May 2009 [
n
= 22]; and Incheon, May 2009 [
n
= 3]). We found 100% homology between strains isolated from the Kaesong Industrial Region and Jeonnam. While those strains were classified as genotype IA strains, strains from Seoul and Incheon were identified as genotype IIIA strains and showed 98.9 to 100% homology. Genotype IIIA was also dominant in Daegu, where strains were 95.7 to 100% homologous. All hepatitis A virus strains isolated from the Kaesong Industrial Region, Jeonnam, Seoul, and Incheon belonged to a single cluster. However, strains from Daegu could be classified into 2 clusters, suggesting that the outbreak had multiple sources. This study indicates that hepatitis A virus strains of 2 different genotypes are currently cocirculating in Korea. Moreover, it documents an increasing prevalence of genotype IIIA strains in the country.
Incidence and Virulence Determinants of Verocytotoxin-Producing Escherichia coli Infections in the Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium, in 2008–2010
Authors: Buvens Glenn , De Gheldre Yves , Dediste Anne , de Moreau Anne-Isabelle , Mascart Georges , Simon Anne , Allemeersch Daniël , Scheutz Flemming , Lauwers Sabine , Piérard Denis 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTThe incidence of verocytotoxin-producingEscherichia coli(VTEC) was investigated by PCR in all human stools from Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZB) and in selected stools from six other hospital laboratories in the Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium, collected between April 2008 and October 2010. The stools selected to be included in this study were those from patients with hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS), patients with a history of bloody diarrhea, patients linked to clusters of diarrhea, children up to the age of 6 years, and stools containing macroscopic blood. Verocytotoxin genes (vtx) were detected significantly more frequently in stools from patients with the selected conditions (2.04%) than in unselected stools from UZB (1.20%) (P= 0.001). VTEC was detected most frequently in patients with HUS (35.3%), a history of bloody diarrhea (5.15%), or stools containing macroscopic blood (1.85%). Stools from patients up to the age of 17 years were significantly more frequentlyvtxpositive than those from adult patients between the ages of 18 and 65 years (P= 0.022). Although stools from patients older than 65 years were also more frequently positive forvtxthan those from patients between 18 and 65 years, this trend was not significant. VTEC was isolated from 140 (67.9%)vtx-positive stools. One sample yielded two different serotypes; thus, 141 isolates could be characterized. Sixty different O:H serotypes harboring 85 different virulence profiles were identified. Serotypes O157:H7/H− (n= 34), O26:H11/H− (n= 21), O63:H6 (n= 8), O111:H8/H− (n= 7), and O146:H21/H− (n= 6) accounted for 53.9% of isolates. All O157 isolates carriedvtx2,eae, and a complete O island 122 (COI-122); 15 also carriedvtx1. Non-O157 isolates (n= 107), however, accounted for the bulk (75.9%) of isolates. Fifty-nine (55.1%) isolates were positive forvtx1, 36 (33.6%) were positive forvtx2, and 12 (11.2%) carried bothvtx1andvtx2. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis revealed wide genetic diversity; however, small clusters of O157, O26, and O63:H6 VTEC that could have been part of unidentified outbreaks were identified. Antimicrobial resistance was observed in 63 (44.7%) isolates, and 34 (24.1%) showed multidrug resistance. Our data show that VTEC infections were not limited to patients with HUS or bloody diarrhea. Clinical laboratories should, therefore, screen all stools for O157 and non-O157 VTEC using selective media and a method for detecting verocytotoxins orvtxgenes.
First Comprehensive Evaluation of the M.I.C. Evaluator Device Compared to Etest and CLSI Reference Dilution Methods for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing of Clinical Strains of Anaerobes and Other Fastidious Bacterial Species
Authors: Rennie R. P. , Turnbull L. , Brosnikoff C. , Cloke J. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACT

The new M.I.C. Evaluator strip uses test methodology and the recording of results that are similar to those of Etest. For this first assessment, 102 clinical strains of anaerobic bacteria from 12 genera and 155 strains from 7 genera and 8 species of fastidious bacteria were tested by M.I.C. Evaluator, Etest, and agar dilution or broth microdilution as a reference standard. Ampicillin, amoxicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanate, cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, imipenem, levofloxacin, metronidazole, penicillin, and tetracycline were tested depending on the species. Agar dilution for anaerobes was performed according to CLSI document M11-A7. For the fastidious bacteria, CLSI document M45-A2 was followed. For the anaerobes, essential and categorical agreement between M.I.C. Evaluator and Etest was >90%. Compared to agar dilution, essential agreement was low for both strip tests, and many very major errors were observed for metronidazole (13 to 14%) and penicillin (8 to 9%) with isolates from the
Bacteroides fragilis
group and
Clostridium
species. For fastidious species, essential agreements for M.I.C. Evaluator and Etest plus or minus one doubling dilution were >95%. Compared to broth microdilution, essential agreements were low (40 to 90%) plus or minus one dilution and were >90% plus or minus two dilutions, with high overall category agreement (CA). Major and minor errors were within established parameters for all strains tested. The M.I.C. Evaluator strips were equivalent to Etest for anaerobes and fastidious species. These observations require further investigation to determine which methods provide the most accurate MIC for clinical utility. The further evaluation of additional M.I.C. Evaluator agents will be performed as they become available.
A Highly Efficient Ziehl-Neelsen Stain: Identifying
De Novo
Intracellular Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Improving Detection of Extracellular M. tuberculosis in Cerebrospinal Fluid
Authors: Chen Ping , Shi Ming , Feng Guo-Dong , Liu Jia-Yun , Wang Bing-Ju , Shi Xiao-Dan , Ma Lei , Liu Xue-Dong , Yang Yi-Ning , Dai Wen , Liu Ting-Ting , He Ying , Li Jin-Ge , Hao Xiao-Ke , Zhao Gang 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACT

Tuberculous meningitis leads to a devastating outcome, and early diagnosis and rapid chemotherapy are vital to reduce morbidity and mortality. Since
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
is a kind of cytozoic pathogen and its numbers are very few in cerebrospinal fluid, detecting
M. tuberculosis
in cerebrospinal fluid from tuberculous meningitis patients is still a challenge for clinicians. Ziehl-Neelsen stain, the current feasible microbiological method for the diagnosis of tuberculosis, often needs a large amount of cerebrospinal fluid specimen but shows a low detection rate of
M. tuberculosis
. Here, we developed a modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain, involving cytospin slides with Triton processing, in which only 0.5 ml of cerebrospinal fluid specimens was required. This method not only improved the detection rate of extracellular
M. tuberculosis
significantly but also identified intracellular
M. tuberculosis
in the neutrophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes clearly. Thus, our modified method is more effective and sensitive than the conventional Ziehl-Neelsen stain, providing clinicians a convenient yet powerful tool for rapidly diagnosing tuberculous meningitis.
Evaluation of the Yeast Traffic Light PNA FISH Probes for Identification of Candida Species from Positive Blood Cultures
Authors: Hall Leslie , Le Febre Kara M. , Deml Sharon M. , Wohlfiel Sherri L. , Wengenack Nancy L. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACT

The Yeast Traffic Light PNA FISH kit (YTL) correctly identified
Candida
spp. in 207/216 (96%) positive blood cultures. Discordant results were seen with known cross-reacting species and cultures containing
Candida lambica
and
Rhodotorula mucilaginosa
. The YTL provides rapid, reliable identification of the five common
Candida
species found in blood cultures.
Entry of Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 Is Augmented by Heparin Sulfate Proteoglycans Bearing Short Heparin-Like Structures
Authors: Tanaka Atsushi , Jinno-Oue Atsushi , Shimizu Nobuaki , Hoque Ariful , Mori Takahisa , Islam Salequl , Nakatani Youko , Shinagawa Masahiko , Hoshino Hiroo 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTThree molecules have been identified as the main cellular factors required for binding and entry of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1): glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), heparan sulfate (HS), and neuropilin 1 (NRP-1). However, the precise mechanism of HTLV-1 cell tropism has yet to be elucidated. Here, we examined the susceptibilities of various human cell lines to HTLV-1 by using vesicular stomatitis virus pseudotypes bearing HTLV-1 envelope proteins. We found that the cellular susceptibility to HTLV-1 infection did not correlate with the expression of GLUT1, HS, or NRP-1 alone. To investigate whether other cellular factors were responsible for HTLV-1 susceptibility, we conducted expression cloning. We identified two HS proteoglycan core proteins, syndecan 1 and syndecan 2, as molecules responsible for susceptibility to HTLV-1. We found that treatment of syndecan 1-transduced cells (expressing increased HS) with heparinase, a heparin-degradative enzyme, reduced HTLV-1 susceptibility without affecting the expression levels of HS chains. To further elucidate these results, we characterized the expression of HS chains in terms of the mass, number, and length of HS in several syndecan 1-transduced cell clones as well as human cell lines. We found a significant correlation between HTLV-1 susceptibility and the number of HS chains with short chain lengths. Our findings suggest that a combination of the number and the length of HS chains containing heparin-like regions is a critical factor which affects the cell tropism of HTLV-1.
Rapid and Massive Virus-Specific Plasmablast Responses during Acute Dengue Virus Infection in Humans
Authors: Wrammert Jens , Onlamoon Nattawat , Akondy Rama S. , Perng Guey C. , Polsrila Korakot , Chandele Anmol , Kwissa Marcin , Pulendran Bali , Wilson Patrick C. , Wittawatmongkol Orasri , Yoksan Sutee , Angkasekwinai Nasikarn , Pattanapanyasat Kovit , Chokephaibulkit Kulkanya , Ahmed Rafi 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACT
Humoral immune responses are thought to play a major role in dengue virus-induced immunopathology; however, little is known about the plasmablasts producing these antibodies during an ongoing infection. Herein we present an analysis of plasmablast responses in patients with acute dengue virus infection. We found very potent plasmablast responses that often increased more than 1,000-fold over the baseline levels in healthy volunteers. In many patients, these responses made up as much 30% of the peripheral lymphocyte population. These responses were largely dengue virus specific and almost entirely made up of IgG-secreting cells, and plasmablasts reached very high numbers at a time after fever onset that generally coincided with the window where the most serious dengue virus-induced pathology is observed. The presence of these large, rapid, and virus-specific plasmablast responses raises the question as to whether these cells might have a role in dengue immunopathology during the ongoing infection. These findings clearly illustrate the need for a detailed understanding of the repertoire and specificity of the antibodies that these plasmablasts produce.
Neutralizing Epitopes in the Membrane-Proximal External Region of HIV-1 gp41 Are Influenced by the Transmembrane Domain and the Plasma Membrane
Authors: Montero Marinieve , Gulzar Naveed , Klaric Kristina-Ana , Donald Jason E. , Lepik Christa , Wu Sampson , Tsai Sue , Julien Jean-Philippe , Hessell Ann J. , Wang Shixia , Lu Shan , Burton Dennis R. , Pai Emil F. , DeGrado William F. , Scott Jamie K. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACT
Failure to elicit broadly neutralizing (bNt) antibodies (Abs) against the membrane-proximal external region of HIV-1 gp41 (MPER) reflects the difficulty of mimicking its neutralization-competent structure (NCS). Here, we analyzed MPER antigenicity in the context of the plasma membrane and identified a role for the gp41 transmembrane domain (TM) in exposing the epitopes of three bNt monoclonal Abs (MAbs) (2F5, 4E10, and Z13e1). We transiently expressed DNA constructs encoding gp41 ectodomain fragments fused to either the TM of the platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) or the gp41 TM and cytoplasmic tail domain (CT). Constructs encoding the MPER tethered to the gp41 TM followed by a 27-residue CT fragment (MPER-TM1) produced optimal MAb binding. Critical binding residues for the three Nt MAbs were identified using a panel of 24 MPER-TM1 mutants bearing single amino acid substitutions in the MPER; many were previously shown to affect MAb-mediated viral neutralization. Moreover, non-Nt mutants of MAbs 2F5 and 4E10 exhibited a reduction in binding to MPER-TM1 and yet maintained binding to synthetic MPER peptides, indicating that MPER-TM1 better approximates the MPER NCS than peptides. Replacement of the gp41 TM and CT of MPER-TM1 with the PDGFR TM reduced binding by MAb 4E10, but not 2F5, indicating that the gp41 TM plays a pivotal role in orienting the 4E10 epitope, and more globally, in affecting MPER exposure.
Alpha Interferon and HIV Infection Cause Activation of Human T Cells in NSG-BLT Mice
Authors: Long Brian R. , Stoddart Cheryl A. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACT

The development of small animal models for the study of HIV transmission is important for evaluation of HIV prophylaxis and disease pathogenesis. In humanized bone marrow-liver-thymus (BLT) mice, hematopoiesis is reconstituted by implantation of human fetal liver and thymus tissue (Thy/Liv) plus intravenous injection of autologous liver-derived hematopoietic stem progenitor cells (HSPC). This results in reconstitution of human leukocytes in the mouse peripheral blood, lymphoid organs, and mucosal sites. NOD-
scid
interleukin-2 receptor-negative (IL-2Rγ
−/−
) (NSG)-BLT mice were inoculated intravaginally with HIV and were monitored for plasma viremia by a branched DNA assay 4 weeks later. T-cell activation was determined by expression of CD38 and HLA-DR on human CD4
+
and CD8
+
T cells in mouse peripheral blood at the time of inoculation and 4 weeks later. Additional BLT mice were treated with human alpha interferon 2b (IFN-α2b) (intron A) and assessed for T-cell activation. Productive HIV infection in BLT mice was associated with T-cell activation (increases in CD38 mean fluorescence intensity and both the frequency and absolute number of CD38
+
HLA-DR
+
T cells) that correlated strongly with plasma viral load and was most pronounced in the CD8
+
T-cell compartment. This T-cell activation phenotype was recapitulated in NSG-BLT mice treated with intron A. HIV susceptibility correlated with the number of HSPC injected, yet a number of mice receiving the Thy/Liv implant alone, with no HSPC injection, were also susceptible to intravaginal HIV. These results are consistent with studies linking T-cell activation to progressive disease in humans and lend support for the use of NSG-BLT mice in studies of HIV pathogenesis.