bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Photosensitizing Mechanism and Identification of Levofloxacin Photoproducts at Ambient UV Radiation
Authors: Dwivedi Ashish , Mujtaba Syed F. , Kushwaha Hari N. , Ali Daoud , Yadav Neera , Singh S. K. , Ray Ratan S. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractLevofloxacin (LVFX) is a broad spectrum third generation fluoroquinolone antibiotic, used in the treatment of severe or life‐threatening bacterial infections. Photosensitizing mechanism of LVFX was investigated under the ambient environmental intensities of UV‐A, UV‐B and sunlight exposure. Phototoxic effects of LVFX were assessed on NIH‐3T3 and HaCaT cell lines. Results identified first time three photoproducts of LVFX at ambient levels of UV‐R by LC‐MS/MS. The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was investigated photochemically as well as intracellularly in HaCaT cell line. ROS were significantly quenched by specific quenchers like DABCO, NaN3, d‐mannitol and NAC. Photosensitized LVFX caused lipid peroxidation at different concentrations. Quenching study with superoxide dismutase confirms the LVFX‐induced lipid photoperoxidation. Further, photocytotoxicity of LVFX showed significant reduction in cell viability by MTT and neutral red uptake assays. LVFX caused cell arrest in G2/M phases as well as induced apoptosis through ROS‐dependent pathway. In addition, photosensitized LVFX also induced upregulation of p21 and Bax/Bcl‐2 genes ratio. India is a tropical country and most of the human activities such as agriculture, commerce, sports, etc. take place in bright sunlight; therefore, photosensitive LVFX may lead to skin/ocular disorders and immune suppression. Information is needed regarding the phototoxicity of LVFX for human safety.
Development of a 44K SNP assay focussing on the analysis of a varroa‐specific defence behaviour in honey bees (Apis mellifera carnica)
Authors: SPÖTTER A. , GUPTA P. , NÜRNBERG G. , REINSCH N. , BIENEFELD K. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractHoney bees are exposed to a number of damaging pathogens and parasites. The most destructive among them, affecting mainly the brood, is Varroa destructor. A promising approach to prevent its spread is to breed for Varroa‐tolerant honey bees. A trait that has been shown to provide significant resistance against the Varroa mite is hygienic behaviour, a behavioural response of honey bee workers to brood diseases in general. This study reports the development of a 44K SNP assay, specifically designed for the analysis of hygienic behaviour of individual worker bees (Apis mellifera carnica) directed against V. destructor. Initially, 70 000 SNPs chosen from a large set of SNPs published by the Honey Bee Genome Project were validated for their suitability in the analysis of the Varroa resistance trait ‘uncapping of Varroa‐infested brood’. This was achieved by genotyping of pooled DNA samples of trait bearers and two trait‐negative controls using next‐generation sequencing. Approximately 36 000 of these validated SNPs and another 8000 SNPs not validated in this study were selected for the construction of a SNP assay. This assay will be employed in following experiments to analyse individualized DNA samples in order to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) involved in the control of the investigated trait and to evaluate and possibly confirm QTL found in other studies. However, this assay is not just suitable to study Varroa tolerance, it is as well applicable to analyse any other trait in honey bees. In addition, because of its high density, this assay provides access into genomic selection with respect to several traits considered in honey bee breeding. It will become publicly available via AROS Applied Biotechnology AS, Aarhus, Denmark, before the end of the year 2011.
Is There a Relationship between Vitamin B12 and Stress Urinary Incontinence?
Authors: KESİKTAS Nur , KARAN Ayse , ERKAN Habibe , GUNGOR Funda , ESKİYURT Nurten , YALCİN Onay 
Published: December 2011

Objective: Pelvic floor, which includes collagen, elastin, and smooth muscle, is very important in preventing urinary incontinence (UI). Studies suggest that vitamin B12 is involved in collagen synthesis. In the present study we aimed to determine the association of vitamin B12 deficiency with stress UI in a sample of Turkish women.Methods: Forty‐two women with stress UI or mixed UI who met the inclusion criteria from a group of 541 women with stress UI or mixed UI, were included in the study. The study group was compared with a control group of 20 healthy women without UI who matched to the study group's demographic data and met the inclusion criteria. Demographic data as well as duration of symptoms and vitamin B12 levels were analyzed and compared.Results: The mean ages of the study and the control groups were 50.04 ± 4.6 and 49.02 ± 5.1 years, respectively. Vitamin B12 level was 300.95 ± 142.9 pg/mL in the study group, whereas in the control group it was 598.98 ± 120.3 pg/mL (P < 0.001). In the study group, 66.6% of the patients with stress UI had vitamin B12 levels less than 300 pg/mL. When the duration of symptoms and vitamin B12 levels were compared, women with vitamin B12 levels less than 200 pg/mL had symptoms for a longer duration (P < 0.01).Conclusion: One of the main etiologic factors for stress UI is a defect in pelvic floor support. Vitamin B12 is lower in women with stress UI. Analysis of vitamin B12 levels should also be considered in the evaluation of women with stress UI.
Unanticipated troubles in video‐assisted thoracic surgery: A proposal for the classification of troubleshooting
Authors: Kamiyoshihara M , Nagashima T , Igai H , Ohtaki Y , Atsumi J , Shimizu K , Takeyoshi I 
Published: December 2011

AbstractIntroductionMost thoracic surgeons encounter atypical cases or unexpected situations that usually lead them to convert minimally invasive surgery to open thoracotomy. But are there other options besides open surgery? The purpose of this study was to suggest a video‐assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) classification system and present tips for the application of VATS to atypical cases or unexpected situations. We have categorized VATS procedures for atypical cases or unexpected situations into two groups: the modification of techniques/instruments and the creation of additional access incisions.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed VATS with optional additional techniques. We used direct visualization or monitoring as the situation demanded, switching back and forth between the monitor and direct vision.ResultsOf the 33 cases we reviewed, 27 patients had malignant lung disease and 6 had benign lung disease. All patients underwent lobectomies including one or more of the following: bronchoplasty (n = 12), control of the main pulmonary artery (n = 9), total adhesiotomy (n = 7), combined resection with the diaphragm (n = 3), and separation of totally fused fissures (n = 2). The mean length of the skin incision was 8 cm, the mean total operating time was 208 min, and the mean blood loss was 173 mL No operative or hospital deaths occurred.ConclusionsVeteran surgeons can instinctively deal with intraoperative variance, but we frequently see inexperienced surgeons panic and change the course of their procedures. A VATS classification system may have educational benefits for newer surgeons. We believe that the creation of a categorized coping plan will help inexperienced surgeons deal with unanticipated problems.
Reliable and effective oxygen-ozone therapy at a crossroads with ozonated saline infusion and ozone rectal insufflation
Authors: Bocci Velio , Zanardi Iacopo , Borrelli Emma , Travagli Valter 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Objectives
This review aims to highlight the advantages and safety of oxygen-ozone therapy (OOT) and to suggest ways to enhance its acceptance.

Key findings
The treatment of a herniated disk by injecting a gaseous oxygen-ozone mixture inside the nucleus pulposus is a great clinical success. However, the use of OOT lags for a number of reasons, including lack of standardization, the need for numerous treatments, lack of knowledge and even denial. Anecdotally, several million treatments by OOT have been performed worldwide indicating its usefulness, mainly in peripheral arterial diseases and age-related macular degeneration. The scepticism that accompanies the systemic use of ozone can only be overcome by demonstrating the validity of OOT in controlled and randomized clinical trials. Cheaper and quicker methods, such as ozonating physiological saline with successive infusion as well as ozone rectal insufflations, are becoming popular, however, such alternative procedures are erratic, unstable and liable to be toxic, with deleterious consequences, and are likely to discredit the beneficial use of ozone.

Summary
The approval of ozone in terms of both therapeutic efficacy and safety will depend on the results achieved by authoritative clinical trials.
Genome Sequence of Mycoplasma iowae Strain 695, an Unusual Pathogen Causing Deaths in Turkeys
Authors: Wei Shun , Guo Zisheng , Li Tingting , Zhang Tengfei , Li Xiaowen , Zhou Zutao , Li Zili , Liu Mei , Luo Rui , Bi Dingren , Chen Huanchun , Zhou Rui , Jin Hui 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACT

Mycoplasma iowae
is associated mainly with reduced hatchability in turkeys and is well known for the unusual ability of phenotypic variation in the
Mycoplasma
surface components as well as a relative resistance to heat, bile salts, and many antimicrobials. A subset of unique genes and a gene cluster responsible for these characteristics could be identified from the genome. Here, we report the first genome sequence of this species.
Whole-Genome Sequence of the Emerging Pathogen Mycobacterium abscessus Strain 47J26
Authors: Chan Jacqueline , Halachev Mihail , Yates Emma , Smith Grace , Pallen Mark 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACT

Mycobacterium abscessus
is a rapidly growing environmental mycobacterium commonly found in soil and water which is often also associated with infections in humans, particularly of the lung. We report herein the draft genome sequence of
M. abscessus
strain 47J26.
Peripheral Blood Buffy Coat Smear: a Promising Tool for Diagnosis of Visceral Leishmaniasis
Authors: Salam M. Abdus , Khan M. Gulam Musawwir , Bhaskar Khondaker Rifat Hasan , Afrad Mokibul Hassan , Huda M. Mamun , Mondal Dinesh 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACT

Confirmative diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is still a challenge at the primary health care facilities in most of the rural areas of endemicity in the Indian subcontinent. Conventional methods for parasitological confirmation are risky and require skilled personnel, and hence they are unavailable to the poor people in the regions of endemicity. Buffy coat smear microscopy, as a minimally invasive, simple alternative for the parasitological diagnosis of VL, was evaluated in this prospective study. One hundred twelve VL patients were enrolled in this study. The buffy coat was separated from peripheral blood of all enrolled subjects using Histopaque-1119 solution. Leishman-stained buffy coat smears were examined for
Leishmania donovani
bodies, and buffy coat was also utilized for detection of parasite DNA by
Leishmania
nested PCR (LnPCR) for all cases. Concomitant splenic smears could be examined for
L. donovani
bodies in 66 cases, and the parasite load was graded on a scale of 1+ to 6+ for
L. donovani
-positive smears. All splenic smear-positive cases were also found to be positive by LnPCR. Of 112 enrolled VL cases, 103 (92%) were found to be positive for
L. donovani
bodies in buffy coat smear microscopy, which is promising as a confirmative diagnosis tool. We have also found a significant association of the buffy coat smear positivity with parasitic burden in the spleen smear. In this preliminary observation in Bangladesh, buffy coat smear microscopy has been found to be very simple, minimally invasive, and risk-free method of parasitological diagnosis of VL with a good diagnostic accuracy and potential for field use.
Application of a 16S rRNA PCR–High-Resolution Melt Analysis Assay for Rapid Detection of Salmonella Bacteremia
Authors: Jeng Kevin , Yang Samuel , Won Helen , Gaydos Charlotte A. , Hsieh Yu-Hsiang , Kecojevic Alex , Carroll Karen C. , Hardick Justin , Rothman Richard E. 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACT

Current culture and phenotypic protocols for diagnosing
Salmonella
infections can be time-consuming. Here, we describe the application of a 16S rRNA PCR coupled to high-resolution melt analysis (HRMA) for species and serotype identification within 6 h of blood sample collection from a patient with
Salmonella enterica
serotype Enteritidis bacteremia.
Distribution of Mycobacterium leprae Strains among Cases in a Rural and Urban Population of Maharashtra, India
Authors: Kuruwa Sanjana , Vissa Varalakshmi , Mistry Nerges 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACT

The elimination of leprosy continues to be a challenge, with the disease remaining endemic in several countries. India accounts for the highest number of cases, and the identification of child cases indicates recent transmission. Genetic markers, like variable-number tandem repeats (VNTRs) and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), have been identified to track transmission of the pathogen
Mycobacterium lepra
e. They were used to describe
M. leprae
strains detected in 48 skin biopsy specimens from leprosy patients in the state of Maharashtra in western India in rural and urban areas near Mumbai. Ninety-three percent of strains across both settings belonged to the SNP type 1D, with three of SNP type 1B being identified in patients living within 3 km of each other. The VNTR profiles of the Maharashtra strains clustered with those from Southern India reported previously and a few other Asian strains, indicating that the Indian strains are genotypically conserved at the level of many VNTR loci. Taken together, SNP and VNTR markers are sufficiently reliable and suitable for both localized and broad geographical genotype associations. VNTR profiles of additional cases may aid in distinguishing the SNP type 1B and 1D strains.
Actinomucor elegans as an Emerging Cause of Mucormycosis
Authors: Mahmud Aneela , Lee Richard , Munfus-McCray Delicia , Kwiatkowski Nicole , Subramanian Aruna , Neofytos Dennis , Carroll Karen , Zhang Sean X. 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACT

We report an invasive mucormycosis caused by
Actinomucor elegans
in a patient with refractory aplastic anemia. The organism was isolated from a necrotic skin lesion on the patient's left arm and demonstrated angioinvasive features on histopathology examination. In contrast to three cases described previously, we describe the first case of
A. elegans
invasive fungal infection in an immunocompromised patient. This report, along with the three previously reported cases, is convincing evidence that
A. elegans
is an emerging fungal pathogen capable of causing invasive mucormycosis in humans.
Distinctive Epstein-Barr Virus Variants Associated with Benign and Malignant Pediatric Pathologies: LMP1 Sequence Characterization and Linkage with Other Viral Gene Polymorphisms
Authors: Lorenzetti Mario Alejandro , Gantuz Magdalena , Altcheh Jaime , De Matteo Elena , Chabay Paola Andrea , Preciado María Victoria 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACT
The ubiquitous Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is related to the development of lymphoma and is also the etiological agent for infectious mononucleosis (IM). Sequence variations in the gene encoding LMP1 have been deeply studied in different pathologies and geographic regions. Controversial results propose the existence of tumor-related variants, while others argued in favor of a geographical distribution of these variants. Reports assessing EBV variants in IM were performed in adult patients who displayed multiple variant infections. In the present study, LMP1 variants in 15 pediatric patients with IM and 20 pediatric patients with EBV-associated lymphomas from Argentina were analyzed as representatives of benign and malignant infections in children, respectively. A 3-month follow-up study of LMP1 variants in peripheral blood cells and in oral secretions of patients with IM was performed. Moreover, an integrated linkage analysis was performed with variants of EBNA1 and the promoter region of BZLF1. Similar sequence polymorphisms were detected in both pathological conditions, IM and lymphoma, but these differ from those previously described in healthy donors from Argentina and Brazil. The results suggest that certain LMP1 polymorphisms, namely, the 30-bp deletion and high copy number of the 33-bp repeats, are associated with EBV-related pathologies, either benign or malignant, instead of just being tumor related. Additionally, this is the first study to describe the Alaskan variant in EBV-related lymphomas that previously was restricted to nasopharyngeal carcinomas from North America.
Characterization of Isolates of Salmonella enterica Serovar Stanley, a Serovar Endemic to Asia and Associated with Travel
Authors: Hendriksen Rene S. , Le Hello Simon , Bortolaia Valeria , Pulsrikarn Chaiwat , Nielsen Eva Møller , Pornruangmong Srirat , Chaichana Phattharaporn , Svendsen Christina Aaby , Weill François-Xavier , Aarestrup Frank M. 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACT

Salmonella enterica
serovar Stanley (
S
. Stanley) is a common serovar in Southeast Asia and was the second most common serovar implicated in human salmonellosis in Thailand in the years 2002 to 2007. In contrast, this serovar is relatively uncommon in Europe. The objective of this study was to characterize a collection of
S
. Stanley strains isolated from Thai (
n
= 62), Danish (
n
= 39), and French (
n
= 24) patients to gain a broader understanding of the genetic diversity, population dynamics, and susceptibility to antimicrobials. All isolates were characterized by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The molecular mechanisms of resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporins and plasmid-mediated resistance to quinolones were characterized by PCR and sequencing. Plasmid profiling, replicon typing, and microarray analysis were used to characterize the genetic mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance in 10 extended-spectrum cephalosporinase-producing isolates. Considerable genetic diversity was observed among the isolates characterized with 91 unique XbaI pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns, including 17 distinct clusters consisting of two to seven indistinguishable isolates. We found some of the
S
. Stanley isolates isolated from patients in Europe were acquired during travel to Southeast Asia, including Thailand. The presence of multiple plasmid lineages carrying the extended-spectrum cephalosporinase-encoding
bla
CMY-2
gene in
S
. Stanley isolates from the central part of Thailand was confirmed. Our results emphasize that Thai authorities, as well as authorities in other countries lacking prudent use of antimicrobials, should improve the ongoing efforts to regulate antimicrobial use in agriculture and in clinical settings to limit the spread of multidrug-resistant
Salmonella
isolates and plasmids among humans and pigs in Thailand and abroad.
Genetic Diversity and Drug Susceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Isolates from Zunyi, One of the Highest-Incidence-Rate Areas in China
Authors: Chen Ling , Li Nana , Liu Zhiguang , Liu Mei , Lv Bing , Wang Jianhua , Zhang Jianyong , Wan Kanglin , Zhang Hong 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACT

Mycobacterium tuberculosis
isolates from Zunyi were found more diversified but clustered less frequently to the Beijing family compared to isolates from other areas of China. These observations, on top of the fact that the Zunyi area has a high prevalence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), support the notion that Beijing family isolates may not be linked to MDR-TB.
No Evidence for an Association between Persistent Measles Virus Infection and Otosclerosis among Patients with Otosclerosis in Japan
Authors: Komune Noritaka , Ohashi Mitsuru , Matsumoto Nozomu , Kimitsuki Takashi , Komune Shizuo , Yanagi Yusuke 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTOtosclerosis, which is characterized by disordered bone remodeling, occurs exclusively in the human temporal bone. The etiology of the disease is unknown, but a popular hypothesis is that it is caused by persistent measles virus (MV) infection. Paramyxovirus-like filamentous structures were found in otosclerotic lesions of stapes footplates from patients with otosclerosis. Although MV RNAs have been detected in otosclerotic samples by using reverse transcription-PCR, no complete MV mRNA sequence has been reported, nor has infectious virus been isolated from clinical samples. Furthermore, one study failed to obtain evidence of MV infection in otosclerotic bone samples. In this study, we tested, by three different protocols, for the presence of MV in clinical samples from patients with otosclerosis in Japan. We used a highly sensitive reverse transcription-quantitative PCR method which is able to detect viral mRNA in cells infected with MV at around one infectious unit per well. We obtained no evidence of MV infection in bone samples, primary cell cultures derived from stapes bones, or MV-susceptible cell lines (Vero/hSLAM and II-18 cells) cocultured with bone samples or primary cell cultures derived from them. Thus, our results do not support the hypothesis that persistent MV infection is involved in the pathoetiology of otosclerosis.
Genes Encoding OXA-134-Like Enzymes Are Found in Acinetobacter lwoffii and A. schindleri and Can Be Used for Identification
Authors: Turton Jane F. , Hyde Rhiannon , Martin Kate , Shah Jayesh 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACT

bla
OXA-134
genes and variants were sought in 21 species of
Acinetobacter
and found in
A. lwoffii
, genomic species 9 (regarded as synonyms), and
A. schindleri
. Sequencing revealed a 9-bp deletion in the gene in the type strain of genomic species 9 (ATCC 9957) relative to the gene in the type strain of
A. lwoffii
(ATCC 15309). Primers based on the gene without the deletion gave specific amplification of 29 of 30 clinical isolates of
A. lwoffii
/genomic species 9.
Regulation of Cyclin T1 and HIV-1 Replication by MicroRNAs in Resting CD4
+
T Lymphocytes
Authors: Chiang Karen , Sung Tzu-Ling , Rice Andrew P. 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACT

The replication of integrated human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is dependent on the cellular cofactor cyclin T1, which binds the viral Tat protein and activates the RNA polymerase II transcription of the integrated provirus. The activation of resting CD4
+
T cells upregulates cyclin T1 protein levels independently of an increase in cyclin T1 mRNA levels, suggesting a translational repression of cyclin T1 in resting CD4
+
T cells. Hypothesizing that microRNAs (miRNAs) repress cyclin T1 translation in resting CD4
+
T cells and that this inhibition is lifted upon cell activation, we used microarray expression analysis to identify miRNAs miR-27b, miR-29b, miR-150, and miR-223 as being significantly downregulated upon CD4
+
T cell activation. The overexpression of these miRNAs decreased endogenous cyclin T1 protein levels, while treatment with the corresponding antagomiRs increased cyclin T1 protein levels. An miR-27b binding site within the cyclin T1 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR) was identified and confirmed to be functional after the mutation of key resides abrogated the ability of miR-27b to decrease the expression of a luciferase reporter upstream of the cyclin T1 3′UTR. Ago2 immunoprecipitation revealed an association with cyclin T1 mRNA that was decreased following treatment with miR-27b and miR-29b antagomiRs. Cells overexpressing miR-27b showed decreased viral gene expression levels of the HIV-1 reporter virus and a decreased replication of strain NL4.3; a partial rescue of viral transcription could be seen following the transfection of cyclin T1. These results implicate miR-27b as a novel regulator of cyclin T1 protein levels and HIV-1 replication, while miR-29b, miR-223, and miR-150 may regulate cyclin T1 indirectly.