bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Madurella mycetomatis
Is Not Susceptible to the Echinocandin Class of Antifungal Agents
Authors: van de Sande Wendy W. J. , Fahal Ahmed H. , Bakker-Woudenberg Irma A. J. M. , van Belkum Alex 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACT

Eumycetoma caused by
Madurella mycetomatis
is treated surgically and with high doses of ketoconazole. Therapeutic responses are poor, and recurrent infections are common. In search of therapeutic alternatives in the treatment of mycetoma, we determined the
in vitro
susceptibilities of
M. mycetomatis
isolates against caspofungin, anidulafungin, and micafungin. As a comparator fungus,
Aspergillus fumigatus
was used. Minimal effective concentrations (MECs) and MICs were assessed and compared to those of ketoconazole.
M. mycetomatis
isolates were not susceptible to the echinocandins.
Activity of Drug Combinations against Dormant
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Filippini Perla , Iona Elisabetta , Piccaro Giovanni , Peyron Pascale , Neyrolles Olivier , Fattorini Lanfranco 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACT

Aerobic (5-day-old cultures) and nonreplicating (dormant)
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
(5-, 12-, and 19-day-old cultures) bacteria were treated with rifampin (R), moxifloxacin (MX), metronidazole (MZ), amikacin (AK), or capreomycin (CP) for 7, 14, and 21 days. R-MX-MZ-AK and R-MX-MZ-CP killed both aerobic and dormant bacilli in 21 days, as shown by lack of regrowth in solid and liquid media. R-MX-MZ-AK and R-MX-MZ-CP also caused a strong decrease of nonreplicating bacilli in 7 days in a cell-based dormancy model.
Gamma Interferon Produced by Antigen-Specific CD4+T Cells Regulates the Mucosal Immune Responses toCitrobacter rodentiumInfection
Authors: Shiomi Hideyuki , Masuda Atsuhiro , Nishiumi Shin , Nishida Masayuki , Takagawa Tetsuya , Shiomi Yuuki , Kutsumi Hiromu , Blumberg Richard S. , Azuma Takeshi , Yoshida Masaru 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACTCitrobacter rodentium, a murine model pathogen for enteropathogenicEscherichia coli, colonizes the surface of intestinal epithelial cells and causes mucosal inflammation. This bacterium is an ideal model for investigating pathogen-host immune interactions in the gut. It is well known that gene transcripts for Th1 cytokines are highly induced in colonic tissue from mice infected withC. rodentium. However, it remains to be seen whether the Th1 or Th2 cytokines produced by antigen-specific CD4+T cells provide effective regulation of the host immune defense againstC. rodentiuminfection. To investigate the antigen-specific immune responses,C. rodentiumexpressing ovalbumin (OVA-C. rodentium), a model antigen, was generated and used to define antigen-specific responses under gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-deficient or interleukin-4 (IL-4)-deficient conditionsin vivo. The activation of antigen-specific CD4+T cells and macrophage phagocytosis were evaluated in the presence of IFN-γ or IL-4in vitro. IFN-γ-deficient mice exhibited a loss of body weight and a higher bacterial concentration in feces during OVA-C. rodentiuminfection than C57BL/6 (wild type) or IL-4-deficient mice. This occurred through the decreased efficiency of macrophage phagocytosis and the activation of antigen-specific CD4+T cells. Furthermore, a deficiency in antigen-specific CD4+T-cell-expressed IFN-γ led to a higher susceptibility to mucosal and gut-derived systemic OVA-C. rodentiuminfection. These results show that the IFN-γ produced by antigen-specific CD4+T cells plays an important role in the defense againstC. rodentium.
Molecular Epidemiology of
Mycobacterium leprae
as Determined by Structure-Neighbor Clustering
Authors: Hall Barry G. , Salipante Stephen J. 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACT

It has proven challenging to investigate the molecular epidemiology of
Mycobacterium leprae
, the causative agent of leprosy, due to difficulties with culturing of the organism and a lack of genetic heterogeneity between strains. Recently, a cost-effective panel of variable-number tandem-repeat (VNTR) markers has been developed. Use of this panel allows some of those limitations to be overcome and has allowed the genotyping of 475
M. leprae
strains from six different countries. In the present report, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the relationships among the strains in order to investigate the patterns of transmission and migration of
M. leprae
. We find phylogenetic analysis to be inadequate and have developed an alternative method, structure-neighbor clustering, which assigns isolates with the most similar genotypes to the same groups and, subsequently, subgroups, without inferring how the strains descended from a common ancestor. We validate the approach by using simulated data and detecting expected epidemiological relationships from experimental data. Our results suggest that most
M. leprae
strains from a given country cluster together and that the occasional isolates assigned to different clusters are a consequence of migration. We found three genetically distinguishable populations among isolates from the Philippines, as well as evidence for the significant influx of strains to that nation from India. We also report that reference strain TN originated from the Philippines and not from India, as was previously believed. Lastly, analysis of isolates from the same families and villages suggests that most community infections originate from a common source or person-to-person transmission but that infection from independent sources does occur with measurable frequency.
Characterization of Three
Staphylococcus aureus
Isolates from a 17-Year-Old Female Who Died of Tampon-Related Toxic Shock Syndrome
Authors: Tang Yi-Wei , Himmelfarb Eric , Wills Marcia , Stratton Charles W. 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACT

We report the identification and characterization of three
Staphylococcus aureus
isolates recovered from throat and vaginal cultures, as well as from an axillary abscess, of a 17-year-old female who died of tampon-related toxic shock syndrome. The three
S. aureus
isolates were unrelated as determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The vaginal isolate was
mecA
, Panton-Valentine leukocidin, and staphylococcal enterotoxin B and C negative, toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 positive, and staphylococcal cassette chromosome
mec
element (SCC
mec
) untypeable, which was consistent with the clinical and autopsy findings that death was due to tampon-related toxic shock syndrome.
Development of a DNA Microarray for Detection and Serotyping of Enterotoxigenic
Escherichia coli
Authors: Wang Quan , Wang Suriguga , Beutin Lothar , Cao Boyang , Feng Lu , Wang Lei 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACT

Enterotoxigenic
Escherichia coli
(ETEC) is a common pathogen worldwide causing infectious diarrhea, especially traveler's diarrhea. Traditional physiological assays, immunoassays, and PCR-based methods for the detection of ETEC target the heat-labile enterotoxin and/or the heat-stable enterotoxin. Separate serotyping methods using antisera are required to determine the ETEC serogroup. In this study, we developed a DNA microarray that can simultaneously detect enterotoxin genes and the 19 most common O serogroup genes in ETEC strains. The specificity and reproducibility of this approach were verified by hybridization to 223 strains: 50 target reference or clinical strains and 173 other strains, including those belonging to other
E. coli
O serogroups and closely related species. The sensitivity of detection was determined to be 50 ng of genomic DNA or 10
8
CFU per ml of organisms in pure culture. The random PCR strategy used in this study with minimal bias provides an effective alternative to multiplex PCR for the detection of pathogens using DNA microarrays. The assay holds promise for applications in the clinical diagnosis and epidemiological surveillance of pathogenic microorganisms.
Development and Evaluation of Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assay for Rapid and Inexpensive Detection of Cytomegalovirus DNA in Vitreous Specimens from Suspected Cases of Viral Retinitis
Authors: Reddy Ashok Kumar , Balne Praveen Kumar , Reddy Rajeev Kumar , Mathai Annie , Kaur Inderjeet 
Published: March 2010

ABSTRACT

A loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for the rapid detection of cytomegalovirus (CMV) was developed and evaluated. The LAMP assay specifically amplified only CMV DNA, and no cross-reactivity with the DNA of herpes simplex virus type 1, varicella-zoster virus, adenovirus,
Aspergillus flavus
, or
Staphylococcus aureus
was observed. The sequences of the LAMP assay-positive CMV products were perfectly (100%) matched with the CMV sequence deposited in the GenBank database. The sensitivity of the LAMP assay was found to be 10 copies/μl of CMV DNA. Vitreous samples from 40 patients with suspected retinitis were subjected to LAMP and real-time PCR for the detection of CMV. Of 40 patients with suspected viral retinitis, 10 tested positive for CMV by the real-time PCR and LAMP assays. A 100% concordance was observed between the results of the two methods. The LAMP assay is a rapid, highly specific, and sensitive method for the diagnosis of retinitis caused by CMV.
Is There Any Difference in Human Pupillary Reaction When Different Acupuncture Points Are Stimulated?
Authors: Mori Hidetoshi , Tanaka Tim Hideaki , Kuge Hiroshi , Taniwaki Eiichi , Sasaki Ken , Yamashita Kazuhiko , Nakajo Hiroshi , Kikuchi Yuya 
Published: March 2010

Objectives To determine if there is any difference in pupillary response among different acupuncture stimulation sites. Methods The subjects were 14 healthy males who had no known eye diseases or abnormality in their pupils. They received five different interventions: no acupuncture stimulation (hereinafter ‘no-stimulation’) and acupuncture stimulation at four sites (TE5, ST7, CV12 and ST36). The Latin square design was used to allocate stimulation order. For all acupuncture stimulation interventions, a disposable acupuncture needle was inserted superficially at the acupuncture point. Gentle repetitive tapping stimulation was applied manually during the subject's exhalation phase of respiration, for 90 s. The pupil diameter was continuously measured for 2 min before stimulation, during stimulation and for 2 min after stimulation. Statistical analysis was conducted on serial changes in pupil diameter during acupuncture stimulation on each respective site and during non-stimulation session by analysis of variance and Fisher (least significant difference) multiple comparison, with linear analysis using a mixed model. Results Pupil diameter reduction occurred at 30 s after stimulation on ST7 (p=0.008) and 60 s after stimulation (p=0.014) compared with pre-stimulation. The decrease of pupillary diameter occurred 60 s after stimulation on TE5 (p=0.028) compared with pre-stimulation. On ST36, CV12 and during the non-stimulation intervention, no significant change in the pupil diameter was observed. Conclusions Pupillary reaction varies depending on the different stimulation sites.
The Influence of Baseline Characteristics on Response to a Laser Acupuncture Intervention: An Exploratory Analysis
Authors: Glazov Gregory 
Published: March 2010

Objectives In clinical practice it is known that subjects vary in their response to acupuncture, but there is little data on what predicts the outcome. The aim of this study was to identify such predictors. Method A secondary analysis was performed on data from 100 participants in a trial of laser and sham laser acupuncture for chronic non-specific low back pain. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify which baseline characteristics predicted pain change in the immediate, short and intermediate term. An analysis of covariance was performed based on these results to re-examine the primary result of the trial. Results Strong predictors of poor response were receipt of disability support pension, headache, the regular use of analgesics or previous failed back surgery. Higher pain scores or exacerbation of pain at baseline predicted a greater proportionate pain relief after the intervention. Adjusted analysis suggested a clinically important effect of laser compared to sham (p<0.05), at short term follow-up only. Conclusion The findings of this study suggest which characteristics of patients with chronic low back pain are more likely to respond to laser acupuncture treatment, but require replication in other studies. The findings may not apply in other acupuncture interventions and treatment of different conditions. They may also be used to set selection criteria for future studies, and to aid interpreting the effect of baseline imbalances on trial results.
Medical Students and Acupuncture: A Short Sharp Placement Experience!
Authors: Donald Graeme K , Mackereth Peter , Tobin Irene 
Published: March 2010

Background Acupuncture and other complementary therapies (CTs) have become increasingly popular, with patients calling for more integrated care. It is questionable whether doctors know enough about these therapies to provide balanced and informed advice to patients and, given that most will come across patients accessing CTs, this is an area of concern. Method This was an exploratory study of 40 students attending a placement at a CT service within an acute hospital trust in the UK. A questionnaire was given at the start of placement to record their scepticism towards CTs on a 0–10 scale and again, on placement completion. Result Of the students attending, 73% (n=29) completed the questionnaire. There was a statistically significant reduction in scepticism scores assessed before and after placement (p<0.001). Of the respondents, 90% (n=26) were shown or attempted acupuncture. 76% of students reported that the placement would definitely influence the rate of CT referrals in their future practice. Conclusion The placement experience provided students an opportunity to reconsider their attitudes towards CTs. The study was limited to one site and students independently elected to participate in the experience. Similar exposure could be of value to the wider medical student population, ultimately leading to more informed advice available to patients. Future research should include greater numbers, which could include a multi-site study.
An Experimental Study on the Self-Report of Acupuncture Needle Sensation during Deep Needling with Bi-Directional Rotation
Authors: Benham Alex , Phillips Gillian , Johnson Mark I 
Published: March 2010

Background Traditionally, acupuncturists manipulate needles to enhance sensations referred to as de qi or ‘acupuncture needle sensation’. Acupuncture needle sensations are complex and quantifying the experience has been difficult. The aim of this crossover study was to measure self-reported needle sensation during deep and bi-directional rotated needling in 15 healthy volunteers. Methods Each participant received an experimental intervention consisting of superficial needling followed by deep needling and then deep needling with bi-directional rotation. The control intervention consisted of superficial needling, followed by mock deep needling and then mock bi-directional rotation of the needle. The intensity of overall needle sensation was measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS). The subjective acupuncture sensation scale was used to capture component sensations. Results VAS scores were higher during ‘deep’ needle penetration when compared to superficial needling with mock deep insertion (p=0.0002). VAS scores were also higher during deep needling with bi-directional rotation compared to superficial needling with mock bi-directional rotation (p<0.0001). There were higher scores for total component sensation scores and for the sensation of throbbing during the deep needling with bi-directional rotation (p=0.001) when compared to superficial needling with mock bi-directional rotation. Tentative evidence that bi-directional needle rotation generated stabbing, tingling, heaviness, soreness and aching was also found. Conclusion Bi-directional rotation of a needle inserted into deep soft tissue produced higher acupuncture needle sensation intensities when compared to superficial needle insertion with mock deep penetration and bi-directional rotation.
Validation of a Simplified Sham Acupuncture Technique for Its Use in Clinical Research: A Randomised, Single Blind, Crossover Study
Authors: Kreiner Marcelo , Zaffaroni Ana , Alvarez Ramón , Clark Glenn 
Published: March 2010

Objectives The validity of a new sham acupuncture technique was tested on acupuncture naïve healthy subjects. Methods The procedure was tested in accupoints LI4 and ST6 in a randomised, single blind and crossover study. The participants were blind to which technique they received. 32 healthy volunteers (15 men, 17 women, aged between 20 and 62 years, mean age 34 years) were recruited at the Universidad de la República, Uruguay. Interventions Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: (1) real acupuncture or (2) sham acupuncture. After 30 min, the patients were ‘needled’ again in a crossover design. Main outcome measures A yes/no questionnaire was used to assess the credibility and characteristics of the procedure. Results For the credibility question (do you think you received real acupuncture?) no statistically significant group differences were evident before or after the crossover. Subjects who answered yes to this question ranged from 14/16 (87.5%) before crossover to 10/16 (62.5%) after crossover for the sham and 12/16 (75%) before crossover to 15/16 (93.8%) after crossover for the real acupuncture. The question that showed a significant difference (only after crossover) was the question, “did you feel the needle penetrating the skin?”; after crossover 12/16 (75%) subjects in the real acupuncture group said yes and 2/16 (12%) subjects in the sham group said yes to this question (p<0.01). Conclusions These data suggests that this method is credible and constitutes a simple and inexpensive technique for use as a control in clinical research in acupuncture naïve subjects.
Acupuncture in the Management of Anxiety Related to Dental Treatment: A Case Series
Authors: Rosted Palle , Bundgaard Mads , Gordon Sian , Pedersen Anne Marie Lynge 
Published: March 2010

Background Anxiety related to dental treatment is a common phenomenon that has a significant impact on the provision of appropriate dental care. The aim of this case series was to examine the effect of acupuncture given prior to dental treatment on the level of anxiety. Methods Eight dentists submitted 21 case reports regarding the treatment of dental anxiety. The level of anxiety was assessed by the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Only patients with moderate to severe anxiety (BAI score ≥16) were included. The remaining 20 patients, 16 women and 4 men, with a mean age of 40.3 years, had a median BAI score of 26.5 at baseline. The BAI score was assessed before and after the acupuncture treatment. All patients received acupuncture treatment for 5 min prior to the planned dental treatment using the points GV20 and EX6. Results There was a significant reduction in median value of BAI scores after treatment with acupuncture (26.5 reduced to 11.5; p<0.01), and it was possible to carry out the planned dental treatment in all 20 cases after acupuncture treatment. Previously this had only been possible in six cases. Conclusion Acupuncture prior to dental treatment has a beneficial effect on the level of anxiety in patients with dental anxiety and may offer a simple and inexpensive method of treatment. However, the present results need to be tested in a larger randomised clinical trial in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the acupuncture treatment in patients with dental anxiety.
In vitro susceptibility ofClostridium difficileto rifaximin and rifampin in 359 consecutive isolates at a university hospital in Houston, Texas
Authors: Jiang Z-D , DuPont H L , La Rocco M , Garey K W 
Published: March 2010

AimThis was an in vitro study to analyse the susceptibility ofClostridium difficileisolates to rifampin and rifaximin.MethodsStool samples from patients who had nosocomial diarrhoea andC difficiletoxin B at a university hospital between August 2006 and December 2007 were cultured forC difficile. Susceptibility ofC difficileisolates to rifaximin and rifampin was determined by agar dilution and E strips, respectively.C difficileisolates were analysed via PCR for genes encoding toxins A and B, for binary toxin (BT), and for partial deletions of thetcdCgene (tcdC-del).ResultsRifaximin exhibited high-level activity against 359C difficileisolates, with MIC50<0.01 μg/ml and MIC900.25 μg/ml; rifampin had MIC50<0.002 μg/ml and MIC904 μg/ml. Among isolates analysed, 55 (15%) were positive for BT andtcdC-del. 28 (8% of 359) isolates were resistant to rifampin (≥32 μg/ml), of which 6 (2% of 359) were resistant to rifaximin and rifampin with MIC values ≥32 μg/ml. 2 of the 28 isolates resistant to rifampin were A+/B+/BT+/tcdC-del+, 5 were A+/B+/BT−/tcdC-del+, 4 were A+/B+/BT+/tcdC-del−, 13 were A+/B+/BT−/tcdC-del−, and 4 had no detectable toxin genes. Of the 11 isolates resistant to rifaximin alone, 1 was A+/B+/BT−/tcdC-del+, 2 were A+/B+/BT+/tcdC-del−, 6 were A+/B+/BT−/tcdC-del−, and 2 had no detectable toxin genes.ConclusionsThe study demonstrates that rifaximin has high-level activity againstC difficilein vitro. Determination of resistance to rifampin by E strip did not predict rifaximin resistance.
An audit of the implementation of the international consensus group's guidelines on reporting of blood films
Authors: Galloway M J , Charlton A , Holland D , Trigg G , Gibson R 
Published: March 2010

AimsThis study was carried out as part of the Pathology Benchmarking Review and it audits the implementation of the guidelines for the reporting of blood films published by the International Consensus Group for Haematology Review.MethodsEach laboratory completed a questionnaire about the number of blood counts and blood films performed. Information was collected on the criteria that were used for preparing a blood film and whether they had followed the guidelines of the International Consensus Group.Results74 National Health Service organisations (151 laboratory sites) participated in the study. 24 laboratories had implemented the guideline, 21 with local modification, and 3 without modification. The reasons that prevented the full implementation of the guideline included the inability of laboratory information systems to be modified to include the guideline rules, the laboratory not agreeing with the guideline criteria, and the staff time required to implement the guide to justify the perceived local benefits of implementation.ConclusionThis is the first study that has assessed the implementation of the International Consensus Guidelines at a national level. Many laboratories had experienced difficulty in implementing the consensus guideline partly due to the complexity of the guideline. As a result 21 of the 24 laboratories that had attempted to implement the guideline had made local modification to the guideline. Since it was not possible to estimate the impact that local modification of the guideline would have on the percentage of blood films it was not possible to establish a benchmark of practice following implementation of the guideline.