bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An additional set of phages to characterize epidemic methicillin–resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains from Spain (1989–92)
Authors: Vindel A. , Trincado P. , Gomez E. , Aparicio P. , de Nicolas M. Martin , Boquete T. , Nieto JA. Saez 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYIn recent years, methicillin–resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates in Spain have increased dramatically; in 1986 there were only 1.2% MRSA amongst all nosocomial Staphylococcus aureus (SA) isolates, by 1989 this percentage had risen to 44% in some hospital causing a very serious epidemic situation in the country. We have characterized these isolates by direct, reverse and Fisk phage typing and we have also looked for an additional local set of phages to help us to differentiate these strains. We have been able to differentiate an epidemic strain from other MRSA strains which cause sporadic hospital outbreaks, and we have also distinguished between some variants of the epidemic strain.
Smoking, the environment and meningococcal disease: a case control study
Authors: Stanwell R. E. , Stuart J. M. , Hughes A. O. , Robinson P. , Griffin M. B. , Cartwright K. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThis case control study investigated environmental factors in 74 confirmed cases of meningococcal disease (MD). In children aged under 5, passive smoking in the home (30 or more cigarettes daily) was associated with an odds ratio (OR) of 7.5 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.46–38.66). ORs increased both with the numbers of cigarettes smoked and with the number of smokers in the household, suggesting a dose–response relationship. MD in this age group was also significantly associated with household overcrowding (more than 1.5 persons per room) (OR 6.0, 95% CI 1.10–32.8), with kisses on the mouth with 4 or more contacts in the previous 2 weeks (OR 2.46, 95% CI 1.09–5.56), with exposure to dust from plaster, brick or stone in the previous 2 weeks (OR 2.24, 95% CI 1.07–4.65); and with changes in residence (OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.0–8.99), marital arguments (OR 3.0, 95 % CI 1.26–7.17) and legal disputes in the previous 6 months (OR 3.10, 95% CI 1.24–7.78). These associations were independent of social class. Public health measures to lower the prevalence of cigarette smoking by parents of young children may reduce the incidence of MD. The influence of building dust and stressful life events merits further investigation.
Host–microflora interaction in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): colonization resistance of the indigenous bacteria of the intestinal tract
Authors: Apperloo-Renkema H. Z. , Bootsma H. , Mulder B. I. , Kallenberg C. G. , Van Der Waaij D. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYExperimental data suggest a role for the microflora in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Anti–ds–DNA antibodies may be pathogenic in SLE by forming immune complexes with DNA. Foreign bacteria in the intestines could constitute the stimulus for anti–ds–DNA antibody production in SLE. Colonization Resistance (CR) is the defence capacity of the indigenous microflora against colonization of the intestines by foreign bacteria. A low CR implies increase of translocation of bacteria and a higher chance of subsequent, possibly DNA–cross–reacting antibacterial antibody production.We measured CR by a comprehensive biotyping technique in healthy individuals and patients with inactive and active SLE. CR tended to be lower in active SLE patients than in healthy individuals (P= 0.09, Wilcoxon one sided, with correction for ties). This could indicate that in SLE more and different bacteria translocate across the gut wall due to a lower CR. Some of these may serve as polyconal B cell activators or as antigens cross-reacting with DNA.
Potable water and nosocomial Legionnaires' disease – check water from all rooms in which patient has stayed
Authors: Marrie T. J. , Johnson W. , Tyler S. , Bezanson G. , Haldane D. , Burbridge S. , Joly J. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryWe studied 7 patients with nosocomial Legionnaires' disease to determine the relationship between isolates ofLegionella pneumophilarecovered from potable water and those recovered from patients. Potable water was cultured from all rooms in which patients had stayed prior to the diagnosis of Legionnaires' disease. The 38 isolates ofL. pneumophila(31 environmental, 7 patient) were resolved into 9 distinct patterns by pulse-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), 3 by plasmid content and 2 each with monoclonal antibodies and conventional agarose gel electrophoresis of small fragments of DNA.Using PFGE it was determined that 4 of the 7 patients were infected withL. pneumophilaidentical to an isolate recovered from the potable water supply in one of the rooms each had occupied prior to the diagnosis of Legionnaires' disease. Patients had resided in a mean of 3·57 rooms before a diagnosis of nosocomial Legionnaires' disease. We conclude that in the setting of contaminated potable water and nosocomial Legionnaires' disease water from all the rooms which the patient has occupied prior to this diagnosis should be cultured. PFGE of large DNA fragments discriminated best among the isolates ofL. pneumophila.
Distribution ofAeromonasphenospecies and genospecies among strains isolated from water, foods or from human clinical samples
Authors: Hänninen M. L. , Siitonen A. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryA total of 332Aeromonasspp. originating from drinking water (n= 75), fresh water (n= 57), chicken and ground beef (107), human faecal samples in association with travelling (n= 49), human faecal samples not associated with travelling (n= 38), and six strains from human blood cultures were studied by phenotypic methods and by using analysis of ribopatterns as a molecular method for the identification of the 13 known hybridization groups (HGs). Also included were the reference strains of each HG.A. hydrophilaHG 1,A. caviaeHG 4 andA. veroniibiotypesobriaHG 8/10 were the most important genospecies identified in human faecal samples.A. hydrophilaHG 2 andA. mediaHG 5B predominated in drinking water andA. hydrophilaHG 2 and HGS,A. mediaHG 5A and HG 5B predominated in fresh water. In drinking water only one isolate wasA. hydrophilaHG 1 and two isolates wereA. caviaeHG 4. Clinically importantAeromonasspp. HG 1 (A. hydrophila), HG 4 (A. caviae) and HG 8/10 (A. veroniibiotypesobria) were common in chicken and ground beef. In contrast to the drinking water samples, HG 5A was common in chicken and ground beef samples. Atypical, unidentified isolates were most often found in fresh water samples (12/57 strains). Although water has been suspected of being an important source of humanaeromonasinfections, clinically important HGs were found to be in the minority amongAeromonasspp. identified in drinking water or fresh water. The distribution ofAeromonasspp. HGs among drinking water, chicken and ground beef samples was also different, suggesting that contamination of meat or chicken may not originate from water.
Clonal structure of invasiveStreptococcus pyogenesin Northern Scotland
Authors: Upton M. , Carter P. E. , Morgana M. , Edwards G. F. , Pennington T. H. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryWe have used molecular techniques to characterize 51 group A streptococci from Scotland and 17 ‘serious disease’ isolates from other countries, in order to establish the clonal structure of invasiveStreptococcus pyogenesstrains circulating between 1986 and 1993. Strains were grouped by restriction endonuclease analysis, pulsed field gel electrophoresis and ribotyping patterns, and were examined for the presence of alleles of thespeAgene by polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequence analysis. Serious and fatal infections in Scotland were caused by several clones. One clone (9 of 51 strains) was M type 1 and possessed thespeAgene allele 2. This was the clone previously identified as causing severe infection in the USA. Another clone (5 of 51 strains) was M type 3 and hadspeAgene allele 3. In view of the clear association of more than one clone with severe, invasive and fatal infections, horizontal gene exchange between genotypes merits further investigation.
Prevalence and genetic location of non-transferable trimethoprim resistant dihydrofolate reductase genes in South African commensal faecal isolates
Authors: Adrian P. V. , Thomson C. J. , Klugman K. P. , Amyes S. G. B. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryIn a recent survey of trimethoprim resistance. 357 Gram-negative aerobic organisms were isolated from healthy volunteers from rural and urban populations in South Africa. Trimethoprim resistance did not transfer to anEscherichia coliJ62–2 recipient strain by conjugation in a liquid mating in 161 (45·1%) of the isolates. These isolates which did not transfer their resistance were probed with intragenic oligonucleotide probes for the types Ia. Ib. IIIa. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X and XII dihydrofolate reductase genes. Contrary to all previous data, the most prevalent dihydrofolate reductase gene in this group of non-transferable isolates which hybridized, was the type VII (38%) followed by the type Ia (25%). Ib (12%). V (1·7%) and VIII (1·2%). None of the strains hybridized to the types IIIa. VI. XI. X and the XII dihydrofolate reductase probes. Southern blots of plasmid and chromosomal DNA from selective isolates revealed that the type VII dihydrofolate reductase genes were located on the chromosome and were associated with the integrase gene of Tn21. However, the type Ib and V dihydrofolate reductase genes were all found on plasmids which could not be mobilized. The type Ia dihydrofolate reductase genes were found on both non-transferable plasmids and on the chromosome. The nature of the genetic structures associated with a dihydrofolate reductase gene strongly affects the means of spread of the gene in a population.
The transmission of Jembrana disease, a lentivirus disease ofBos javanicuscattle
Authors: Soeharsono S. , Wilcox G. E. , Putra A. A. , Hartaningsih N. , Sulistyana K. , Tenaya M. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryMethods of transmission of Jembrana disease, an acute and severe disease of Bali cattle (Bos javanicus) caused by a recently-identified bovine lentivirus known as Jembrana disease virus, are described. During the acute disease virus can be detected in saliva and milk. There is evidence of direct transmission from acutely affected animals in close contact with susceptible cattle, possibly by virus in these secretions infecting cattle by the conjunctiva!, intranasal or oral routes, by which it was possible to infect cattle experimentally. During the acute disease the titre of infectious virus in blood is high, about 10850% cattle infectious units (ID50)/ml, and it is probable that the virus is also transmitted mechanically by haematophagous arthropods. Recovered cattle are also a potential but probably infrequent source of infection; recovered cattle are persistently viraemic but the titre of infectious virus in blood decreases to about 101ID50/ml by 60 days after recovery from the acute disease, and virus cannot be detected in secretions.
A cluster of cases of streptococcal necrotizing fasciitis in Gloucestershire
Authors: Cartwright K. , Logan M. , McNulty C. , Harrison S. , George R. , Efstratiou A. , McEvoy M. , Begg N. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryWe describe the first cluster of cases of necrotizing fasciitis (NF) in this century in the United Kingdom (UK). Between 1 January and 30 June 1994 there were six cases (five confirmed, one probable) ofStreptococcus pyogenesNF in west Gloucestershire, population 320000. Two cases died. The first two patients probably acquired their infections during the course of elective surgery performed in the same operating theatre, possibly from a nasopharyngeal carrier amongst the theatre staff. The remaining infections were community-acquired. Of 5S. pyogenesisolates there were 2 M1 strains, 1 M3, 1 M5 and 1 M non-typeable strain.S. pyogenesNF had not been recorded in west Gloucestershire in the preceding 10 years and the incidence ofS. pyogenesbacteraemia in England and Wales had not risen in the past 5 years.The two presumably theatre-acquired infections raised several issues. The need for detailed bacteriological investigation of all cases of post-surgical NF was confirmed. Clusters ofS. pyogenesinfection following surgery should be managed by closure of the operating theatre until all staff have been screened for carriage. Closure of an operating theatre and screening of staff following a sporadic case is probably not justified because of the infrequency of surgical cross-infection withS. pyogenes. Regular, routine screening of theatre staff is neither practical nor necessary.
Prevalence of theeaeA gene in verotoxigenicEscherichia colistrains from dairy cattle in Southwest Ontario
Authors: Sandhu K. S. , Clarke R. C. , McFadden K. , Brouwer A. , Louie M. , Wilson J. , Lior H. , Gyles C. L. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryThis study determined the prevalence of theeaeA gene and its relationship to serotype and type of verotoxin produced in a collection of 432 verotoxigenicEscherichia coli(VTEC) obtained from the faeces of healthy cows and calves in a systematic random survey involving 80 dairy farms in Southwest Ontario. A PCR amplification procedure involving primer pairs which target the conserved central region of the O157:H7eaeA. gene showed that 151 (35·2%) strains were positive for the eaeA gene. All isolates (9–21 for each O group) of O groups 5, 26, 69, 84, 103, 111, 145 and 157 were positive, whereas all isolates (7–34 for each O group) of O groups 113, 132, and 153 and serotype O156:NM (38 isolates) were negative foreaeA. Seventy-three percent of 130 isolates ofeaeA-positive serotypes produced VT1 only compared with 20% of 253 isolates ofeaeA-negative serotypes. We conclude that there is a strong association between certain O groups and theeaeA gene, that serotypes ofeaeA-positive and eaeA-negative VTEC implicated in human and cattle disease are present at high frequency in the faeces of healthy cattle, that VT1 is more frequently associated witheaeA-positive than witheaeA-negative serogroups, and that the eaeA gene is more frequently found in VTEC from calves compared with VTEC from adult cattle.
Phenotypic variation amongst genotypically homogeneousLegionella pneumophilaserogroup 1 isolates: implications for the investigation of outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease
Authors: Harrison T. G. , Saunders N. A. , Haththotuwa A. , Hallas G. , Birtles R. J. , Taylor A. G. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYOne hundred and seventy-nine isolates ofLegionella pneumophilaserogroup 1, obtained from a site associated with an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease, were examined by monoclonal antibody subgrouping, restriction fragment length polymorphism typing, restriction endonuclease analysis and plasmid content. Nine distinct phenotypes were detected but at the genotypic level all strains were closely related. The data presented indicate that phenotypic variation of a single parent strain can occur within an environmental site. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to the investigation of outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease.
Human listeriosis in Britain, 1967–85, a summary of 722 cases: 2. Listeriosis in non-pregnant individuals, a changing pattern of infection and seasonal incidence
Authors: McLauchlin J. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYClinical information was collected on 722 cases ofListeria monocytogenesinfections in humans occurring in Britain between 1967 and 1985. This series comprised 34% (248 cases) associated with pregnancy and 66% (474 cases) in non-pregnant adults and juveniles. The cases not associated with pregnancy comprised: 76% in patients with severe underlying illness (of which 34% had central nervous system infections, and 42 % bacteraemia without involvement of the central nervous system); 21% in previously healthy individuals (of whom 18% had meningitis); and 3% in patients without bacteraemia or involvement of the central nervous system. Cases occurred most often in male patients over 40 years of age. The overall mortality was 44%.Overall, the pattern of infection has altered to a disease of higher incidence, affecting most often susceptible non-pregnant individuals and the unborn.An annual increase in incidence of listeriosis occurred in the autumn in all categories of patients.
Secretor status, smoking and carriage ofNeisseria meningitidis
Authors: Blackwell C. C. , Weir D. M. , James V. S. , Todd W. T. A. , Banatvala N. , Chaudhuri A. K. R. , Gray H. G. , Thomson E. J. , Fallon R. J. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYA survey of ABO blood groups, secretor status and smoking habits among 389 students and staff of a school in which there was an outbreak of meningococcal disease found no difference in the distribution of the ABO blood groups but a significantly higher proportion of non-secretors (37·6%) in the population examined compared with that reported for previous surveys of the neighbouring population in Glasgow (26·2%) (P< 0·0005). There was also a significantly higher proportion of non-secretors among carriers of meningococci (47%) compared with non-carriers (32%). Increased carriage of meningococci among non-secretors might contribute to the increased susceptibility of individuals with this genetic characteristic to meningococcal disease observed in previous studies. Although passive exposure to cigarette smoke has been associated with meningococcal disease, there was no association between passive smoking and carriage. There was, however, a significant association between active smoking and carriage.
Production of IgM antibody to HHV6 in reactivation and primary infection
Authors: Fox J. D. , Ward P. , Briggs M. , Irving W. , Stammers T. G. , Tedder R. S. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYThe cross-reaction of HHV6 antibody with that to the other herpesviruses was studied in 96 blood donors whose sera were tested for IgG antibody to human herpesvirus type 6 (HHV6), cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), varicella zostervirus (VZV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV). No correlation was found between IgG antibody to HHV6 and that to any of the other herpesviruses in these individuals. Antibodies to HHV6 and CMV were measured in patients undergoing documented serological responses to HHV6. Eleven cases of primary HHV6 infection associated with roseola infantum in babies, 1 of whom suffered from gastroenteritis as well as pyrexia and rash, are reported. Three cases of HHV6 reactivation, 1 in a 3-year-old child and 2 in adults, 1 of whom simultaneously underwent a primary CMV infection are also reported. Our results suggest that indirect immunofluorescence is a specific way of measuring HHV6 antibody, that HHV6 IgG and IgM can be detected in the absence of antibody to CMV and that HHV6 IgM is present both in primary HHV6 infections and in reactivations.
A competitive ELISA for the detection of group-specific antibodies to African horse sickness virus
Authors: Hamblin C. , Graham S. D. , Anderson E. C. , Crowther J. R. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYA competition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been developed for the rapid identification and quantification of antibodies against African horse sickness (AHS) in sera from solipeds. The data showed the ELISA to be sensitive, specific and reliable.More than 1600 sera from 37 different countries were examined and results compared with those obtained by agar gel immuno-diffusion (AGID) tests. In no case did any of 775 sera from countries where AHS has never been reported and where AHS vaccines are not used, record an ELISA titre greater than 4. A titre equal to or greater than 8 was considered positive. Using this criterion, 96·3% of sera tested in both assays were in agreement. Doubtful results by AGID (1·7%) were clearly defined in terms of positivity and negativity by ELISA.This ELISA is suited for the rapid laboratory confirmation of AHS and should be considered as a replacement for the traditional AGID test.
Trajectory analysis of winds and vesicular stomatitis in North America, 1982–5
Authors: Sellers R. F. , Maarouf A. R. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYOutbreaks of vesicular stomatitis, serotype New Jersey, during epidemics in the United States and northern Mexico, 1982–5, were examined by backward trajectories of winds to investigate spread and possible sources. The outbreaks selected for analysis did not involve introduction of disease by infected animals. The findings indicate that wind could have been responsible for carrying infection from northern Mexico to Arizona and New Mexico and thence to Colorado and Utah and on to Wyoming, Idaho and Montana. The results of these analyses are consistent with the findings from T1 RNAse fingerprinting of virus isolates from outbreaks during the epidemics. The arrival of the trajectories was associated with the passage of a front and rain or passage of a front alone or rain alone. At the time of the trajectories temperatures of 10 °C and higher were recorded at heights up to 2500–3500 m.Introduction by airborne particles would appear unlikely as it would have required a source of at least 105infectious units per minute per animal. Vesicular stomatitis virus had been isolated fromSimuliumandCulicoidesduring the epidemic with amounts of virus fromSimuliumsufficient to suggest biological transmission. The possibility ofSimuliuminfected with vesicular stomatitis virus being carried downwind to introduce disease is discussed in relation to the behaviour ofSimuliumand the pathogenesis of vesicular stomatitis in large animals.
The struggle for law: some dilemmas of cultural legality
Authors: Cotterrell Roger 
Published: May 2009

My title ‘The Struggle for Law’ is that of a book by the nineteenth-century German jurist Rudolf von Jhering (1915). In fact a better translation of Jhering’s original German title (Der Kampf ums Recht) might be ‘the struggle around law’ or ‘the battle for rights’. He argued that citizens owe a moral duty to themselves and their society to assert legal rights vigorously. But law itself is above the fray, not subservient to their conflicting interests. So the struggle for law is not to control it but to invigorate it – to be involved in the legal order, an active citizen living under law. Jhering presupposed a cultural unity – ‘our whole culture’ (Jhering, 1913, pp. 59, 62). Given this unity, law can respond not only to citizens’ claims but to their feelings – feelings that are understandable in the shared culture law inhabits.
Predictive social factors in relation to preterm birth in a metropolitan region
Authors: BEECKMAN KATRIEN , VAN DE PUTTE SABINE , PUTMAN KOEN , LOUCKX FRED 
Published: May 2009

AbstractObjective. Preterm birth is an important indicator of neonatal wellbeing. Infants born preterm are at higher risk for severe morbidity and mortality. Apart from medical risk factors, social factors are also associated with preterm birth. This study aims to provide knowledge on factors which have a predictive role in relation to preterm birth. Design. Cross‐sectional population study. Setting. The Brussels metropolitan region. Population. Women who gave birth in the Brussels metropolitan region in 2004. In total, 8,586 birth registration forms were reviewed for this study. Main outcome measures. Associations between educational level, occupation, marital status, age, and origin with preterm birth (<37 weeks). Methods. After bivariate analyses, significant correlations were explored in a stepwise logistic regression model. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated for each of the significant characteristics in the final model. Results. The risk of preterm birth was found to be associated with age, origin, and marital status. After controlling for confounding factors, the two most important social risk factors for preterm birth were being a teenage mother (OR 2.15, 95% CI: 1.31–3.53) or single mother (OR 1.49, 95% CI: 1.17–1.91). Conclusions. Being a teenage or single mother are important social risk factors for preterm birth. We hypothesize that the increased risk is related to prenatal care trajectories. To obtain a better understanding of preterm birth occurrences, further research should focus on mapping these trajectories and specifically targeting the most vulnerable groups.