bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Screening for Tuberculosis Infection in Spanish Healthcare Workers Comparison of the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube Test with the Tuberculin Skin Test
Authors: Àlvarez-León Eva Elisa , Espinosa-Vega Elizabeth , Santana-Rodríguez Évora , Molina-Cabrillana Jesús M. , Pérez-Arellano Jose Luis , Caminero Jose Antonio , Serrano-Aguilar Pedro 
Published: July 2009

Objective.The risk of latent tuberculosis (LTBI) in healthcare workers (HCWs) is high. Until recently, the tuberculin skin test (TST) was the only diagnostic test available for Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. A new enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test, the QuantiFERON-TB Gold (QFT-G) test, was recommended by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as an alternative test for the diagnosis of LTBI in HCWs. The purpose of our study was to compare the TST and the QFT-G test in Spanish HCWs in order to improve procedures for the detection of LTBI.Methods.A cross-sectional study with blinded comparison of TST and QFT-G test results was carried out among 134 HCWs at an 800-bed Spanish university hospital. The level of interferon-7 production stimulated by the QFT-G test was measured. A concentration of at least 0.35 IU/mL was considered a positive result. An induration of at least 5 mm in non-BCG-vaccinated or at least 15 mm in BCG-vaccinated HCWs for the TST was considered positive.Results.Of the 134 HCWs included (mean age, 33.4 years; 101 [75.4%] women; 47 [35.1%] BCG vaccinated), the LTBI prevalence diagnosed with any test was 11.2% (95% confidence interval, 6.6%-18.1%), with the TST was 8.96%, and with the QFT-G test was 5.97% (nonsignificant differences). The QFT-G test value was higher in subjects with TST induration of at least 15 mm than in subjects with TST induration of less than 15 mm (P < .001). Overall agreement between the results of the two tests was found in 94% of HCWs (K = 0.56), but agreement was only 59% in HCWs who had a positive result for both tests. Disagreement was present in the results found for 5% of HCWs.Conclusions.Few studies have compared both tests in populations with high M. tuberculosis exposure but low BCG vaccination prevalence. Agreement between both tests is high, especially among negative Results. Studies are needed to clarify the reasons for disagreement and to establish the best TST and QFT-G test cutoff point.
Intervention with an Infection Control Bundle to Reduce Transmission of Influenza-Like Illnesses in a Thai Preschool
Authors: Apisarnthanarak Anucha , Apisarnthanarak Piyaporn , Cheevakumjorn Boonsri , Mundy Linda M. 
Published: July 2009

Background.Infection-control interventions are needed to minimize transmission of influenza-like illness (ILI) and other infections in settings where children are in close proximity.Setting.A 240-children Thai kindergarten.Methods.Three-year, quasi-experimental study was conducted to assess the association between the use of a bundle of 4 infection control interventions and the incidence of ILI, diarrheal illnesses, and hand-foot-mouth infections among preschool children. The numbers of incident infections were calculated for the preintervention year (period 1), the immediate postintervention year (period 2), and the sustained postintervention year (period 3).Results.The monthly incidence of ILI in period 1 (mean, 124 episodes per month) was 25.8 cases per 1,000 child-days; in period 2, it was 10.1 cases per 1,000 child-days (a reduction of 60.8%; P = .008); and in period 3, it was 8.2 cases per 1,000 child-days (a further reduction of 19%;P= .002). The monthly incidence of diarrheal illnesses in period 1 was 14 cases per 1,000 child-days; in period 2, it was 4 cases per 1,000 child-days (P= .01); and in period 3, it was 3 cases per 1,000 child-days (P= .007). The yearly incidence of hand-foot-mouth infection in period 1 was 10 cases per 1,000 child-days; in period 2, it was 1 case per 1,000 child-days (P= .01); and in period 3, it was 0.5 cases per 1,000 child-days per year (P= .007).Conclusion.Use of the infection control intervention bundle was associated with reduced incidence of ILI at the Thai preschool.
Contaminated Product Water as the Source ofPhialemonium curvatumBloodstream Infection among Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis
Authors: Rao Carol Y. , Pachucki Constance , Cali Salvatore , Santhiraj Mangai , Krankoski Kathi L. K. , Noble-Wang Judith A. , Leehey David , Popli Subhash , Brandt Mary E. , Lindsley Mark D. , Fridkin Scott K. , Arduino Matthew J. 
Published: July 2009

Objective.We investigated a cluster of cases of bloodstream infection (BSI) due to the moldPhialemoniumat a hemodialysis center in Illinois and conducted a cohort study to identify risk factors.Design.Environmental assessment and cohort study.Setting.A hemodialysis center in a tertiary care hospital.Methods.A case patient was defined as a person who underwent dialysis at the center and had a blood sample that tested positive forPhialemonium curvatumon culture. We reviewed microbiology and medical records and tested water, surface, and dialysate samples by culture. Molds isolated from environmental and clinical specimens were identified by their morphological features and confirmed by sequencing DNA.Results.We identified 2 case patients with BSI due toP. curvatum. Both became febrile and hypotensive while undergoing dialysis on the same machine at the same treatment station, although on different days. Dialysis machines were equipped with waste handling option ports that are used to discard dialyzer priming fluid. We isolatedP. curvatumfrom the product water (ie, water used for dialysis purposes) at 2 of 19 treatment stations, one of which was the implicated station.Conclusion.The source ofP. curvatumwas likely the water distribution system. To our knowledge, this is the first report of patients acquiring a mold BSI from contaminated product water. The route of exposure in these cases of BSI due toP. curvatummay be related to the malfunction and improper maintenance of the waste handling option ports. Waste handling option ports have been previously implicated as the source of bacterial BSI due to the backflow of waste fluid into a patient's blood line. No additional cases of infection were noted after remediation of the water distribution system and after discontinuing use of waste handling option ports at the facility.
Field methylation silencing of the protocadherin 10 gene in cervical carcinogenesis as a potential specific diagnostic test from cervical scrapings
Authors: Wang Kai‐Hung , Liu Hwan‐Wun , Lin Shih‐Rung , Ding Da‐Ching , Chu Tang‐Yuan 
Published: July 2009

PCDH10 is a member of the protocadherin cell adhesion molecule family, which are frequently downregulated in cancers. This study aimed to characterize the methylation silencing of the PCDH10 gene in the full spectrum of cervical carcinogenesis and to clarify if a field effect of methylation might be a target for a diagnostic test from cervical scrapings. Methylation silencing of PCDH10 was found in four of five cervical cancers and one of two cervical precancerous cell lines, which could be reversed by demethylation treatment. The same methylation was detected in 85.7% (24/28) of invasive cancer tissues, 36.4% (4/11) of high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, 20% (1/5) of low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, and none (0/17) of the normal cervical tissues from non‐cancer subjects. In addition, methylation was also frequently found in histologically ‘normal’ cervical tissues adjacent to cancer lesions (7/13, 53.8%) and, less frequently, in vaginal and endometrial tissues (1/8, 12.5%). Further investigation of cervical scrapings revealed cancer‐specific methylation of PCDH10 with a methylation rate of 71% (22/31) in invasive cancer, 27.9% (12/43) in carcinoma in situ, and none in high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions excluding carcinoma in situ (n = 12), low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (n = 27), and normal controls (n = 66) (P < 10−16). Compared to the high‐risk human papilloma virus test, PCDH10 methylation testing of cervical scrapings was more specific (92 vs 60%) but less sensitive (71 vs 96%) in detecting invasive cervical cancer. This study demonstrated field methylation of the PCDH10 gene specifically in the invasion stage of cervical carcinogenesis, which might be used to develop a highly specific diagnostic test for cervical scrapings. (Cancer Sci 2009)
Recording previous adverse drug reactions—a gap in the system
Authors: Shenfield Gillian M. , Robb Tanya , Duguid Margaret 
Published: July 2009

Aims  To measure the accuracy of recording of previous adverse drug reaction (ADR) history in patients admitted to a teaching hospital before and after an education programme.Methods  One month survey of patients on one medical and one surgical ward, repeated after a 1 month education programme. Patients answered a questionnaire about previous ADRs and this information was compared with that in all relevant sections of their medical records and medication charts.Results  Of 117 patients at baseline, 50 had a total of 81 previous ADRs. Only 75% were recorded on medication charts and 57% and 64%, respectively, in medical and nursing notes. In the post education survey of 124 patients, 56 had 105 previous ADRs, 85% were recorded on medication charts and 64% and 70% in medical and nursing records. These differences were not significant. Serious ADRs were also poorly recorded at baseline but, due to intervention by ward pharmacists, their recording on medication charts improved significantly after education. Pharmacists also significantly improved the quality of description of previous ADRs in both parts of the study.Conclusions  Previous ADR history obtainable from hospital patients is poorly recorded in medical records and an intensive education programme only produced a significant change in recording by ward pharmacists. Better strategies are needed to improve this essential aspect of history taking.
Intestinal metaplasia in liver of rats after partial hepatectomy and treatment with acetylaminofluorene
Authors: Barut V. , Sarraf C. E. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractObjectives:  The liver is widely recognized for its ability to self‐regenerate after damage. Hepatocyte replication is the primary source of liver restoration, although hepatic stem cells (of one kind or another) may be a secondary font, only brought into effect when primary regeneration is severely compromised.Materials and methods:  In experiments using small rodents, such an injury can be inflicted by surgically removing a large portion of the liver followed by treatment with hepatotoxin 2‐acetylaminofluorene. Regeneration by hepatocyte replication is blocked and thus, stem cell involvement is promoted. However, other responses may be stimulated and this study describes the presence of mucinous glandular structures in the healing liver after two‐thirds of its volume was removed via hepatectomy followed by treatment with 2‐acetylaminofluorene.Results:  Unique observation of intestinal metaplastic cells was seen under alcian blue/periodic acid–Schiff staining.Conclusion:  The existence of this phenotype (along with oval cells and small hepatocyte‐like cells) is evidence of multipotency of progenitors involved in the hepatic healing response.
Blocking T cell co-stimulation using a CD80 blocking small molecule reduces delayed type hypersensitivity responses in rhesus monkeys
Authors: Haanstra K G , Endell J , Estévâo D , Kondova I , Jonker M 
Published: July 2009

SummaryBlockade of co-stimulation signals between T cells and antigen-presenting cells could be an important approach for treatment of autoimmune diseases and transplant rejection. Recently a series of small compound inhibitors which bind human CD80 (B7-1) and inhibit T cell co-stimulation has been described. To investigate their potency for clinical use, one of these compounds, RhuDex™, was evaluated for reactivity with rhesus monkey CD80. The in vitro biological effect on rhesus monkey lymphocytes, the potency for suppression of an inflammatory recall response and the protein-induced delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response in the skin were studied. In a rhesus monkey T cell co-stimulation assay RhuDex™ inhibited proinflammatory cytokine release and cellular proliferation with micromolar potency. Systemic administration of RhuDex™ to rhesus monkeys inhibited the DTH response significantly, indicating that this compound may inhibit autoimmune mediated inflammatory processes where the target, CD80, is up-regulated.
The Tat-conjugated N-terminal region of mucin antigen 1 (MUC1) induces protective immunity against MUC1-expressing tumours
Authors: Yang H , Cho N-H , Seong S-Y 
Published: July 2009

SummaryMucin antigen 1 (MUC1) is overexpressed on various human adenocarcinomas and haematological malignancies and has long been used as a target antigen for cancer immunotherapy. Most of the preclinical and clinical studies using MUC1 have used the tandem repeat region of MUC1, which could be presented by only a limited set of major histocompatibility complex haplotypes. Here, we evaluated N-terminal region (2–147 amino acids) of MUC1 (MUC1-N) for dendritic cell (DC)-based cancer immunotherapy. We used Esherichia coli-derived MUC1-N that was fused to the protein transduction domain of human immunodeficiency virus Tat protein for three reasons. First, mature DCs do not phagocytose soluble protein antigens. Secondly, tumour cells express underglycosylated MUC1, which can generate epitopes repertoire that differs from normal cells, which express hyperglycosylated MUC1. Finally, aberrantly glycosylated MUC1 has been known to impair DC function. In our study, Tat-MUC1-N-loaded DCs induced type 1 T cell responses as well as cytotoxic T lymphocytes efficiently. Furthermore, they could break tolerance in the transgenic breast tumour mouse model, where MUC1-positive breast cancers grow spontaneously. Compared with DCs pulsed with unconjugated MUC1-N, DCs loaded with Tat-conjugated MUC1-N could delay tumour growth more effectively in the transgenic tumour model as well as in the tumour injection model. These results suggest that the recombinant N-terminal part of MUC1, which may provide a diverse epitope repertoire, could be utilized as an effective tumour antigen for DC-based cancer immunotherapy.
Prolonging microtubule dysruption enhances the immunogenicity of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia cells
Authors: Shaha S P , Tomic J , Shi Y , Pham T , Mero P , White D , He L , Baryza J L , Wender P A , Booth J W , Spaner D E 
Published: July 2009

Summary
Cytotoxic chemotherapies do not usually mediate the expression of an immunogenic gene programme in tumours, despite activating many of the signalling pathways employed by highly immunogenic cells. Concomitant use of agents that modulate and complement stress-signalling pathways activated by chemotherapeutic agents may then enhance the immunogenicity of cancer cells, increase their susceptibility to T cell-mediated controls and lead to higher clinical remission rates. Consistent with this hypothesis, the microtubule inhibitor, vincristine, caused chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) cells to die rapidly, without increasing their immunogenicity. Protein kinase C (PKC) agonists (such as bryostatin) delayed the death of vincristine-treated CLL cells and made them highly immunogenic, with increased stimulatory abilities in mixed lymphocyte responses, production of proinflammatory cytokines, expression of co-stimulatory molecules and activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38 and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signalling pathways. This phenotype was similar to the result of activating CLL cells through Toll-like receptors (TLRs), which communicate ‘danger’ signals from infectious pathogens. Use of PKC agonists and microtubule inhibitors to mimic TLR-signalling, and increase the immunogenicity of CLL cells, has implications for the design of chemo-immunotherapeutic strategies.
Effect of warming and grazing on litter mass loss and temperature sensitivity of litter and dung mass loss on the Tibetan plateau
Authors: LUO CAIYUN , XU GUANGPING , CHAO ZENGGUO , WANG SHIPING , LIN XINGWU , HU YIGANG , ZHANG ZHENHUA , DUAN JICHUANG , CHANG XIAOFENG , SU AILING , LI YINGNIAN , ZHAO XINQUAN , DU MINGYUAN , TANG YANGHONG , KIMBALL BRUCE 
Published: July 2009

AbstractKnowledge about the role of litter and dung decomposition in nutrient cycling and response to climate change and grazing in alpine ecosystems is still rudimentary. We conducted two separate studies to assess the relative role of warming and grazing on litter mass loss and on the temperature sensitivity of litter and dung mass loss. Experiments were conducted for 1–2 years under a controlled warming–grazing system and along an elevation gradient from 3200 to 3800 m. A free‐air temperature enhancement system (FATE) using infrared heaters and grazing significantly increased soil temperatures (average 0.5–1.6 °C) from 0 to 40 cm depth, but neither warming nor grazing affected soil moisture except early in the growing seasons at 30 cm soil depth. Heaters caused greater soil warming at night‐time compared with daytime, but grazing resulted in greater soil warming during daytime compared with night‐time. Annual average values of the soil temperature at 5 cm were 3.2, 2.4 and 0.3 °C at 3200, 3600 and 3800 m, respectively. Neither warming nor grazing caused changes of litter quality for the first year of the controlled warming–grazing experiment. The effects of warming and grazing on litter mass losses were additive, increasing litter mass losses by about 19.3% and 8.3%, respectively, for the 2‐year decomposition periods. The temperature sensitivity of litter mass losses was approximately 11%  °C−1 based on the controlled warming–grazing experiment. The annual cumulative litter mass loss was approximately 2.5 times that of dung along the elevation gradient. However, the temperature sensitivity (about 18%  °C−1) of the dung mass loss was about three times that of the litter mass loss. These results suggest greater warming at night‐time compared with daytime may accelerate litter mass loss, and grazing will enhance carbon loss to atmosphere in the region through a decrease of litter biomass and an increase of dung production with an increase of stocking rate in future warmer conditions.
Body size‐dependent responses of a marine fish assemblage to climate change and fishing over a century‐long scale
Authors: GENNER MARTIN J. , SIMS DAVID W. , SOUTHWARD ALAN J. , BUDD GEORGINA C. , MASTERSON PATRICIA , MCHUGH MATTHEW , RENDLE PETER , SOUTHALL EMILY J. , WEARMOUTH VICTORIA J. , HAWKINS STEPHEN J. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractCommercial fishing and climate change have influenced the composition of marine fish assemblages worldwide, but we require a better understanding of their relative influence on long‐term changes in species abundance and body‐size distributions. In this study, we investigated long‐term (1911–2007) variability within a demersal fish assemblage in the western English Channel. The region has been subject to commercial fisheries throughout most of the past century, and has undergone interannual changes in sea temperature of over 2.0 °C. We focussed on a core 30 species that comprised 99% of total individuals sampled in the assemblage. Analyses showed that temporal trends in the abundance of smaller multispecies size classes followed thermal regime changes, but that there were persistent declines in abundance of larger size classes. Consistent with these results, larger‐growing individual species had the greatest declines in body size, and the most constant declines in abundance, while abundance changes of smaller‐growing species were more closely linked to preceding sea temperatures. Together these analyses are suggestive of dichotomous size‐dependent responses of species to long‐term climate change and commercial fishing over a century scale. Small species had rapid responses to the prevailing thermal environment, suggesting their life history traits predisposed populations to respond quickly to changing climates. Larger species declined in abundance and size, reflecting expectations from sustained size‐selective overharvesting. These results demonstrate the importance of considering species traits when developing indicators of human and climatic impacts on marine fauna.
Late‐glacial and Holocene vegetation, climate and fire dynamics in the Serra dos Órgãos, Rio de Janeiro State, southeastern Brazil
Authors: BEHLING HERMANN , SAFFORD HUGH DEFOREST 
Published: July 2009

AbstractWe present a high‐resolution pollen and charcoal record of a 218 cm long sediment core from the Serra dos Órgãos, a subrange of the coastal Serra do Mar, located at 2130 m altitude in campos de altitude (high elevation grass‐ and shrubland) vegetation near Rio de Janeiro in southeastern Brazil to reconstruct past vegetation, climate and fire dynamics. Based on seven AMS 14C ages, the record represents at least the last 10 450 14C yr bp (12 380 cal years bp), The uppermost region was naturally covered by campos de altitude throughout the recorded period. Diverse montane Atlantic rain forest (ARF) occurred close to the studied peat bog at the end of the Late‐glacial period. There is evidence of small Araucaria angustifolia populations in the study area as late as the early Holocene, after which point the species apparently became locally extinct. Between 10 380 and 10 170 14C yr bp (12 310–11 810 cal yr bp), the extent of campos de altitude was markedly reduced as montane ARF shifted rapidly upward to higher elevations, reflecting a very wet and warm period (temperatures similar to or warmer than present day) at the end of the Younger Dryas (YD) chronozone. This is in opposition to the broadly documented YD cooling in the northern Hemisphere. Reduced cross‐equatorial heat transport and movement of the Intertropical Convergence Zone over northeastern Brazil may explain the YD warming. Markedly extended campos de altitude vegetation indicates dry climatic conditions until about 4910 14C yr bp (5640 cal yr bp). Later, wetter conditions are indicated by reduced high elevation grassland and the extension of ARF into higher elevation. Fire frequency was high during the early Holocene but decreased markedly after about 7020 14C yr bp (7850 cal yr bp).