bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Canine dilated cardiomyopathy: a retrospective study of prognostic findings in 367 clinical cases
Authors: Martin M. W. S. , Stafford Johnson M. J. , Strehlau G. , King J. N. 
Published: July 2010

Objective: To review the association between clinical signs and diagnostic findings and the survival time of dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and any influence of treatment prescribed.Methods: A retrospective observational study of 367 dogs with DCM. Survival times until death or euthanasia for cardiac reasons were analysed using the Kaplan–Meier method plus univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. Two‐tailed P values less than 0·05 were considered statistically significant.Results: In the multivariate model, left ventricular diameter (LVDs)‐index (P=0·0067), presence of pulmonary oedema on radio‐graphy (P=0·043), presence of ventricular premature complexes (VPCs) (P=0·0012), higher plasma creatinine (P=0·0002), lower plasma protein (P=0·029) and great Dane breed (P=0·0003) were negatively associated with survival. Most dogs were treated with angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors (93%) or furosemide (86%), and many received digoxin (50%) and/or pimobendan (30%). Thirteen dogs were lost to follow‐up. No conclusions could be made in this study on the association between use of drugs and survival.ClinicalSignificance: The LVDs‐index was the single best variable for assessing the prognosis in this group of dogs with DCM. Other variables that were negatively associated with survival were presence of pulmonary oedema on radiography, presence of VPCs, higher plasma creatinine, lower plasma protein and great Dane breed.
Induction of Phlorotannins During UV Exposure Mitigates Inhibition of Photosynthesis and DNA Damage in the Kelp Lessonia nigrescens
Authors: Gómez Ivan , Huovinen Pirjo 
Published: July 2010

AbstractPhlorotannins of brown algae are multifunctional compounds with putative roles in herbivore deterrence, antioxidation and as primary cell wall components. Due to their peripheral localization and absorption at short wavelengths, a photoprotective role is suggested. We examined the induction of phlorotannins by artificial UV radiation in the intertidal kelp Lessonia nigrescens and whether they attenuate the inhibition of photosynthesis and DNA damage, two major detrimental effects of UV. The soluble and cell wall‐bound fractions of phlorotannins were quantified in blades collected in summer and winter. Major findings were that (1) the synthesis of phlorotannins (both forms) was induced by UV only in summer; (2) the induction was fast (within 3 days); and (3) there was a positive relationship between of the contents of insoluble phlorotannins and the suppression of photoinhibition and DNA damage, measured as formation of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and 6‐4 photoproducts. Overall, the photoprotective role of phlorotannins appears to respond to an interplay between the external UV stimulus, seasonal acclimation and intrinsic morpho‐functional processes. In summer, when algae are naturally exposed to high UV irradiances, soluble phlorotannins are induced, while their transition to insoluble phlorotannins could be related with the growth requirements, as active blade elongation occurs during this season.
Effect of age on anterior chamber angle configuration in Asians determined by anterior segment optical coherence tomography; clinic‐based study
Authors: Cheon Mi Hyun , Sung Kyung Rim , Choi Eun Hee , Kang Sung Yong , Cho Jung Woo , Lee Suhwan , Kim Jae Yong , Tchah Hung Won , Kook Michael S. 
Published: July 2010

Acta Ophthalmol. 2010: 88: e205–e210Abstract.Purpose:  To evaluate the distribution of anterior chamber angle (ACA) parameters and to assess association of these parameters with age in Asian subjects.Methods:  Four hundred and thirty‐nine consecutive Korean subjects aged from 30 to 89 were enrolled from a university clinic. All participants were scanned using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS‐OCT, Visante, version 2.0). We measured ACA parameters such as anterior chamber depth (ACD), angle opening distance at 500 and 750 μm (AOD500,750), angle recess area at 500 and 750 μm (ARA500,750), trabecular iris space area at 500 and 750 μm (TISA500,750), and determined age‐related changes in these parameters with use of a linear mixed effect model that adjusted for gender, axial length, intraocular pressure, and keratometry data. Slopes of ACA parameters as a function of age were determined. For various AS‐OCT parameters, the normalized slope was calculated by dividing the slope by the mean value.Results:  All analysed ACA parameters decreased with age in both nasal and temporal quadrants. Axial length and keratometry data were significant covariates for ACA changes. The slopes of ACD were −0.02396 mm/year, AOD500, ARA500, and TISA500 measured at the temporal angle were −0.00634 mm/year, −0.0019 mm2/year, and −0.00177 mm2/year, respectively. There was no age‐dependent difference in central corneal thickness (p value; 0.4597) Based on the normalized slopes, the AOD showed the steepest slope at both temporal and nasal sectors.Conclusion:  All ACA parameters assessed by AS‐OCT, which accounted for other ocular biometric parameters, showed significant negative slopes with increasing age. These results should be considered when assessing changes in the anterior chamber over time.
Constraints to Water Transfers in Unadjudicated Basins: The Middle Rio Grande as a Case Study
Authors: Pease Michael 
Published: July 2010

Abstract:Water reallocations are contentious under the best of circumstances. When a basin lacks a comprehensive adjudication of water rights, the levels of legal and economic complexity and controversy intensify. This paper evaluates the Middle Rio Grande, a region of New Mexico that would seem an ideal location for water markets as the need to reallocate water between existing uses is high. Due to the lack of an adjudication, and other complicating factors such as the Endangered Species Act, proposed transfers require a complex evaluation system created by the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer. Even with this evaluation system in place, many questions linger about the validity of transfers and their larger impacts.
Effects of Lactobacilli on Cytokine Expression by Chicken Spleen and Cecal Tonsil Cells
Authors: Brisbin Jennifer T. , Gong Joshua , Parvizi Payvand , Sharif Shayan 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACT

Lactobacillus acidophilus
,
Lactobacillus reuteri
, and
Lactobacillus salivarius
are all normal residents of the chicken gastrointestinal tract. Given the interest in using probiotic bacteria in chicken production and the important role of the microbiota in the development and regulation of the host immune system, the objective of the current study was to examine the differential effects of these bacteria on cytokine gene expression profiles of lymphoid tissue cells. Mononuclear cells isolated from cecal tonsils and spleens of chickens were cocultured with one of the three live bacteria, and gene expression was analyzed via real-time quantitative PCR. All three lactobacilli induced significantly more interleukin 1β (IL-1β) expression in spleen cells than in cecal tonsil cells, indicating a more inflammatory response in the spleen than in cecal tonsils. In cecal tonsil cells, substantial differences were found among strains in the capacity to induce IL-12p40, IL-10, IL-18, transforming growth factor β4 (TGF-β4), and gamma interferon (IFN-γ). In conclusion, we demonstrated that
L. acidophilus
is more effective at inducing T-helper-1 cytokines while
L. salivarius
induces a more anti-inflammatory response.
Highly Effective Serodiagnosis for Chagas' Disease
Authors: Hernández Pilar , Heimann Michael , Riera Cristina , Solano Marco , Santalla José , Luquetti Alejandro O. , Beck Ewald 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACT

Many proteins of
Trypanosoma cruzi
, the causative agent of Chagas' disease, contain characteristic arrays of highly repetitive immunogenic amino acid motifs. Diagnostic tests using these motifs in monomeric or dimeric form have proven to provide markedly improved specificity compared to conventional tests based on crude parasite extracts. However, in many cases the available tests still suffer from limited sensitivity. In this study we produced stable synthetic genes with maximal codon variability for the four diagnostic antigens, B13, CRA, TcD, and TcE, each containing between three and nine identical amino acid repeats. These genes were combined by linker sequences encoding short proline-rich peptides, giving rise to a 24-kDa fusion protein which was used as a novel diagnostic antigen in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay setup. Validation of the assay with a large number of well-characterized patient sera from Bolivia and Brazil revealed excellent diagnostic performance. The high sensitivity of the new test may allow future studies to use blood collected by finger prick and dried on filter paper, thus dramatically reducing the costs and effort for the detection of
T. cruzi
infection.
Bordetella holmesii
Bacteremia in Asplenic Children: Report of Four Cases Initially Misidentified as
Acinetobacter lwoffii
Authors: Panagopoulos Markos Ioannis , Saint Jean Maude , Brun Delphine , Guiso Nicole , Bekal Sadjia , Ovetchkine Philippe , Tapiero Bruce 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACT

Bordetella holmesii
is a fastidious Gram-negative rod that was initially identified in 1995. It causes bacteremia, predominantly among patients with anatomical or functional asplenia. We report four cases of
B. holmesii
bacteremia in asplenic children occurring within the last 4 years. In all cases,
B. holmesii
was misidentified by an automated system as
Acinetobacter lwoffii.
Evaluation of Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry for Identification of Clinically Important Yeast Species
Authors: Stevenson Lindsay G. , Drake Steven K. , Shea Yvonne R. , Zelazny Adrian M. , Murray Patrick R. 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACT

We evaluated the use of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) for the rapid identification of yeast species. Using Bruker Daltonics MALDI BioTyper software, we created a spectral database library with
m/z
ratios of 2,000 to 20,000 Da for 109 type and reference strains of yeast (44 species in 8 genera). The database was tested for accuracy by use of 194 clinical isolates (23 species in 6 genera). A total of 192 (99.0%) of the clinical isolates were identified accurately by MALDI-TOF MS. The MALDI-TOF MS-based method was found to be reproducible and accurate, with low consumable costs and minimal preparation time.
Characterization of
Staphylococcus aureus
Isolates with a Partial or Complete Absence of Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome Elements
Authors: Wong Henry , Louie Lisa , Lo Reggie Y. C. , Simor Andrew E. 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACT

Detection of methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) by single-locus PCR assays that target the extremity of the staphylococcal cassette chromosome-
mec
(SCC
mec
) and part of the adjacent
S. aureus
-specific open reading frame gene (
orfX
) is a significant diagnostic advancement, since it provides real-time detection directly from screening specimens. However, isolates harboring
mecA
deletions within SCC
mec
may result in false-positive identification of MRSA in these assays. We characterized 24 methicillin-susceptible
S. aureus
(MSSA) isolates that tested positive in one such assay to investigate this phenomenon. Seven isolates resembled USA100 and carried SCC
mec
II elements with
mecA
deletions that spanned 20 to 46 kbp. The
mecA
excisions in USA100-resembling isolates appeared to be linked with IS
431
transposable elements present in SCC
mec
II. For 17 isolates that resembled USA400 and/or MSSA476, the identity and possible excision of SCC elements could not be confirmed. The downstream common sequence (
dcs
) shared by SCC
mec
I, II, and IV elements was detected in these isolates. Sequence analysis of the chromosomal regions flanking the missing SCC element revealed an intact SCC integration site, a duplicate
dcs
, and the enterotoxin gene cluster downstream of
orfX
. An annealing sequence for one of the SCC
mec
-specific primers (mecii574) in the single-locus PCR assay was identified in the duplicate
dcs
. In the absence of SCC, a 176-bp amplicon can be generated from this mecii574 annealing sequence to yield a false-positive result. In conclusion, partial SCC
mec
II excisions via IS
431
elements in strains that resembled USA100 and the presence of a duplicate mecii574 annealing sequence in strains that resembled USA400/MSSA476 were identified as causes for false-positive results in a single-locus PCR assay that targets the SCC
mec
/
orfX
junction.
PCR-Single-Strand Conformational Polymorphism Method for Rapid Detection of Rifampin-Resistant
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Xu Hong-Bin , Jiang Rui-Hai , Sha Wei , Li Ling , Xiao He-Ping 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACT

The reference standard methods for drug susceptibility testing of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
, such as culture on Lowenstein-Jensen or Middlebrook 7H10/11 medium, are very slow to give results; and due to the emergence of multidrug-resistant
M. tuberculosis
and extensively drug-resistant
M. tuberculosis
, there is an urgent demand for new, rapid, and accurate drug susceptibility testing methods. PCR-single-strand conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis has been proposed as a rapid method for the detection of resistance to rifampin, but its accuracy has not been systematically evaluated. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the accuracy of PCR-SSCP analysis for the detection of rifampin-resistant tuberculosis. We searched the Medline, Embase, Web of Science, BIOSIS, and LILACS databases and contacted authors if additional information was required. Ten studies met our inclusion criteria for rifampin resistance detection. We applied the summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve to perform the meta-analysis and to summarize diagnostic accuracy. The sensitivity of PCR-SSCP analysis for the rapid detection of rifampin-resistant tuberculosis was 0.79 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.75 to 0.82), the specificity was 0.96 (95% CI, 0.94 to 0.98), the positive likelihood ratio was 16.10 (95% CI, 5.87 to 44.13), the negative likelihood ratio was 0.20 (95% CI, 0.10 to 0.40), and the diagnostic odds ratio was 100.93 (95% CI, 31.95 to 318.83). PCR-SSCP analysis is a sensitive and specific test for the rapid detection of rifampin-resistant
M. tuberculosis
. Additional studies in countries with a high prevalence of multidrug-resistant
M. tuberculosis
and also cost-effectiveness analysis are required in order to obtain a complete picture on the utility of this method for rapid drug resistance detection in
M. tuberculosis
.
Performance of the Abbott RealTi
m
e CT/NG for Detection of
Chlamydia trachomatis
and
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Authors: Gaydos C. A. , Cartwright C. P. , Colaninno P. , Welsch J. , Holden J. , Ho S. Y. , Webb E. M. , Anderson C. , Bertuzis R. , Zhang L. , Miller T. , Leckie G. , Abravaya K. , Robinson J. 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACT

A multicenter clinical study was conducted to evaluate the performance characteristics of the Abbott RealTi
m
e CT/NG assay, a multiplex real-time PCR assay, for simultaneous detection of
Chlamydia trachomatis
and
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
. The specimens were collected from a total of 3,832 male and female subjects at 16 geographically diverse sites. Specimens included male and female urine samples, male urethral swabs, female endocervical swabs, and self-collected and clinician-collected vaginal swabs. Specimens were tested with the automated Abbott RealTi
m
e CT/NG assay, Aptima Combo 2 assay (Gen-Probe), ProbeTec ET CT/GC assay (Becton Dickinson), and culture for
N. gonorrhoeae
. The Aptima Combo 2 assay, the ProbeTec assay, and the
N. gonorrhoeae
culture were used as the reference assays. For each subject, a patient infected status (PIS) was determined based on the combined results from the reference assays. The overall prevalence in female subjects was 8.9% for
C. trachomatis
and 3.8% for
N. gonorrhoeae
. The overall male prevalence was 18.2% for
C. trachomatis
and 16.7% for
N. gonorrhoeae
. The overall sensitivity and specificity of the Abbott RealTi
m
e CT/NG assay were 92.4% and 99.2% for
C. trachomatis
and 96.9% and 99.7% for
N. gonorrhoeae
, respectively. In comparison, the sensitivity and specificity, respectively, for the Aptima Combo 2 assay were 94.5% and 99.0% for
C. trachomatis
and 96.1% and 99.5% for
N. gonorrhoeae
, and those for the ProbeTec ET assay were 90.3% and 99.5% for
C. trachomatis
and 92.0% and 97.3% for
N. gonorrhoeae
in this study. The Abbott RealTi
m
e CT/NG assay offers
C. trachomatis
and
N. gonorrhoeae
dual detection with high sensitivity and specificity. The automated assay provides a useful alternative nucleic acid amplification assay for clinical laboratories and clinicians.
Highly Sensitive and Quantitative Detection of the H274Y Oseltamivir Resistance Mutation in Seasonal A/H1N1 Influenza Virus
Authors: Operario Darwin J. , Moser Michael J. , St. George Kirsten 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACT
A C-to-T transition mutation in the neuraminidase gene from seasonal A/H1N1 causes a His-to-Tyr mutation at amino acid position 275 (H274Y, universal N2 numbering), conferring resistance against oseltamivir (Tamiflu). This mutation was first detected in clinical samples in Europe during the 2007-2008 influenza season. Viruses with this mutation reached a prevalence of ∼11% by the end of the season in North American isolates tested by the CDC. We developed a highly sensitive and specific quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase PCR assay to detect the H274Y mutation. This assay utilizes a 5′-methyl-isocytosine (isoC) residue and fluorescent reporters on genotype-specific primers. During PCR, a quencher coupled to isoguanine (isoG) is site-specifically incorporated complementary to the isoC/dye, resulting in loss of fluorescence. Optimization of primers and assay conditions produced a limit of detection of 100 gene copies per reaction for both wild-type and H274Y genotypes. In samples with mixed populations, it can reliably detect as little as a 1% wild-type or 0.1% H274Y component. This high sensitivity makes the assay usable on samples with viral loads too low for dideoxy or pyrosequencing analysis. Additionally, the assay distinguishes seasonal A/H1N1 from A/H3N2, influenza B, or 2009 pandemic A/H1N1, making it useful for influenza virus subtyping as well as for drug resistance detection. We probed seasonal A/H1N1 samples from the 2005-2006, 2006-2007, and 2007-2008 influenza seasons. Data from the new assay closely matched available drug resistance genotype data previously determined by dideoxy sequencing. The H274Y mutation was only found in samples from the 2007-2008 season.
A Multivalent Vaccination Strategy for the Prevention of Old World Arenavirus Infection in Humans
Authors: Botten Jason , Whitton J. Lindsay , Barrowman Polly , Sidney John , Whitmire Jason K. , Alexander Jeff , Kotturi Maya F. , Sette Alessandro , Buchmeier Michael J. 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACTArenaviruses cause severe human disease ranging from aseptic meningitis following lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection to hemorrhagic fever syndromes following infection with Guanarito virus (GTOV), Junin virus (JUNV), Lassa virus (LASV), Machupo virus (MACV), Sabia virus (SABV), or Whitewater Arroyo virus (WWAV). Cellular immunity, chiefly the CD8+T-cell response, plays a critical role in providing protective immunity following infection with the Old World arenaviruses LASV and LCMV. In the current study, we evaluated whether HLA class I-restricted epitopes that are cross-reactive among pathogenic arenaviruses could be identified for the purpose of developing an epitope-based vaccination approach that would cross-protect against multiple arenaviruses. We were able to identify a panel of HLA-A*0201-restricted peptides derived from the same region of the glycoprotein precursor (GPC) of LASV (GPC spanning residues 441 to 449 [GPC441-449]), LCMV (GPC447-455), JUNV (GPC429-437), MACV (GPC444-452), GTOV (GPC427-435), and WWAV (GPC428-436) that displayed high-affinity binding to HLA-A*0201 and were recognized by CD8+T cells in a cross-reactive manner following LCMV infection or peptide immunization of HLA-A*0201 transgenic mice. Immunization of HLA-A*0201 mice with the Old World peptide LASV GPC441-449or LCMV GPC447-455induced high-avidity CD8+T-cell responses that were able to kill syngeneic target cells pulsed with either LASV GPC441-449or LCMV GPC447-455in vivoand provided significant protection against viral challenge with LCMV. Through this study, we have demonstrated that HLA class I-restricted, cross-reactive epitopes exist among diverse arenaviruses and that individual epitopes can be utilized as effective vaccine determinants for multiple pathogenic arenaviruses.
Immunodominant HIV-Specific CD8+T-Cell Responses Are Common to Blood and Gastrointestinal Mucosa, and Gag-Specific Responses Dominate in Rectal Mucosa of HIV Controllers
Authors: Ferre April L. , Lemongello Donna , Hunt Peter W. , Morris Megan M. , Garcia Juan Carlos , Pollard Richard B. , Yee Hal F. , Martin Jeffrey N. , Deeks Steven G. , Shacklett Barbara L. 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACTPrevious studies have suggested that polyfunctional mucosal CD8+T-cell responses may be a correlate of protection in HIV controllers. Mucosal T-cell breadth and/or specificity may also contribute to defining protective responses. In this study, rectal CD8+T-cell responses to HIV Gag, Env, and Nef were mapped at the peptide level in four subject groups: elite controllers (n= 16; viral load [VL], <75 copies/ml), viremic controllers (n= 14; VL, 75 to 2,000 copies/ml), noncontrollers (n= 14; VL, >10,000 copies/ml), and antiretroviral-drug-treated subjects (n= 8; VL, <75 copies/ml). In all subject groups, immunodominant CD8+T-cell responses were generally shared by blood and mucosa, although there were exceptions. In HIV controllers, responses to HLA-B27- and HLA-B57-restricted epitopes were common to both tissues, and their magnitude (in spot-forming cells [SFC] per million) was significantly greater than those of responses restricted by other alleles. Furthermore, peptides recognized by T cells in both blood and rectal mucosa, termed “concordant,” elicited higher median numbers of SFC than discordant responses. In magnitude as well as breadth, HIV Gag-specific responses, particularly those targeting p24 and p7, dominated in controllers. Responses in noncontrollers were more evenly distributed among epitopes in Gag, Env, and Nef. Viremic controllers showed significantly broader mucosal Gag-specific responses than other groups. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that (i) Gag-specific responses dominate in mucosal tissues of HIV controllers; (ii) there is extensive overlap between CD8+T cells in blood and mucosal tissues, with responses to immunodominant epitopes generally shared by both sites; and (iii) mucosal T-cell response breadth alone cannot account for immune control.