bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mindfulness groups for early psychosis: A qualitative study
Authors: Ashcroft Katie , Barrow Faye , Lee Rebecca , MacKinnon Katharine 
Published: September 2011

Objectives. The aim of the study was to explore experiences of practising mindfulness in participants within an early intervention for psychosis (EIP) service.Design. A qualitative research methodology was used – that of grounded theory. This was chosen as it enabled examination of clients’ experiences of mindfulness practice.Methods. The experience of mindfulness among nine people within an EIP service who had been practising mindfulness for at least 20 weeks was investigated. Semi‐structured interviews exploring how mindfulness practice related to psychosis and day‐to‐day life were recorded verbatim, transcribed, and analysed.Results. Four main categories emerged: being able to use mindfulness, making sense of mindfulness and coping, relating to people differently, and increased self‐understanding and acceptance.Conclusions. All participants reported subjective benefits and challenges of mindfulness practice, and gave insights into processes of change. These preliminary data suggest mindfulness can be of use to individuals experiencing their first episode of psychosis.
Multicenter Evaluation of the Elecsys Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Quantitative Assay
Authors: Zacher B. J. , Moriconi F. , Bowden S. , Hammond R. , Louisirirotchanakul S. , Phisalprapa P. , Tanwandee T. , Wursthorn K. , Brunetto M. R. , Wedemeyer H. , Bonino F. 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACT
The Elecsys hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) II quantitative assay is a new quantitative electrochemiluminescence immunoassay which uses onboard dilution and a simple algorithm to determine HBsAg levels expressed in international units (IU)/ml (standardized against the World Health Organization [WHO] Second International Standard). This study evaluated its performance using routine serum samples from a wide range of HBsAg carriers and patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). HBsAg levels were measured in serum samples collected independently by five centers in Europe, Australia, and Asia. Serial dilution analyses were performed to assess the recommended dilution algorithm and determine the assay range free of hook effect. Assay precision was also established. Following assessment of serial dilutions (1:100 to 1:1,000,000) of the 611 samples analyzed, 70.0% and 85.6% of samples tested with analyzers incorporating 1:100 (Elecsys 2010 and cobas e 411) and 1:400 (Modular Analytics E170) onboard dilution, respectively, fell within the linear range of the assay, providing a final result on the first test. No high-dose hook effect was seen up to the maximum HBsAg serum level tested (870,000 IU/ml) using the dilution algorithm. HBsAg levels were reliably determined across all hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes, phases of HBV infection, and stages of disease tested. Precision was high across all analyzers (% coefficient of variation [CV], 1.4 to 9.6; HBsAg concentrations, 0.1 to 37,300 IU/ml). The Elecsys HBsAg II quantitative assay accurately and reliably quantifies HBsAg in routine clinical samples. Onboard dilution minimizes retesting and reduces the potential for error.
Utility of IgM/IgG Ratio and IgG Avidity for Distinguishing Primary and Secondary Dengue Virus Infections Using Sera Collected More than 30 Days after Disease Onset
Authors: Prince Harry E. , Yeh Cindy , Lapé-Nixon Mary 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACT

Dengue virus (DV) IgM/IgG ratio and IgG avidity value (AV) can reliably distinguish between primary and secondary DV infections using sera collected within 30 days of disease onset, but little is known about their efficacies using sera collected >30 days after onset. To investigate this issue, we analyzed specimens submitted to our reference laboratory for DV antibody testing. We first classified patients as having primary (
n
= 55) or secondary (
n
= 58) infections based on seroconversion patterns in a comparison of two sera collected <30 days apart. We then evaluated IgM/IgG ratios and IgG AVs of the second specimens by using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. The IgM/IgG ratio that best discriminated primary from secondary infection was 1.32; 95% of 55 primary infections exhibited ratios of >1.32, whereas 93% of 58 secondary infections exhibited ratios of ≤1.32. The discriminatory AV was 0.39; 95% of 41 primary infections exhibited AVs of ≤0.39, whereas 95% of 38 secondary infections exhibited AVs of >0.39. We then evaluated the IgM/IgG ratios and AV for primary-infection patients whose second serum samples were collected ≥30 days after the first serum samples; only 56% of 27 sera exhibited ratios of >1.32, whereas 81% of 21 sera exhibited AVs of ≤0.39. Assuming that the first specimens were collected within a week after symptoms appeared, these findings indicate that IgG AV is superior to the IgM/IgG ratio for distinguishing primary from secondary DV infections when using samples collected more than 5 weeks after disease onset.
Evaluation of a Recombinant Trypanosoma cruzi Mucin-Like Antigen for Serodiagnosis of Chagas' Disease
Authors: De Marchi Claudia R. , Di Noia Javier M. , Frasch Alberto C. C. , Amato Neto Vicente , Almeida Igor C. , Buscaglia Carlos A. 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACT

Chagas' disease is caused by the protozoan parasite
Trypanosoma cruzi
and is one of the most important endemic problems in Latin America. Lately, it has also become a health concern in the United States and Europe. Currently, a diagnosis of Chagas' disease and the screening of blood supplies for antiparasite antibodies are achieved by conventional serological tests that show substantial variation in the reproducibility and reliability of their results. In addition, the specificity of these assays is curtailed by antigenic cross-reactivity with sera from patients affected by other endemic diseases, such as leishmaniasis. Here we used a highly sensitive chemiluminescent enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (CL-ELISA) to evaluate a recombinant protein core of a mucin-like molecule (termed trypomastigote small surface antigen [TSSA]) for the detection of specific serum antibodies in a broad panel of human sera. The same samples were evaluated by CL-ELISA using as the antigen either a mixture of native
T. cruzi
trypomastigote mucins or an epimastigote extract and, for further comparison, by conventional serologic tests, such as an indirect hemagglutination assay and indirect immunofluorescence assay. TSSA showed ∼87% sensitivity among the seropositive Chagasic panel, a value which was increased up to >98% when only parasitologically positive samples were considered. More importantly, TSSA showed a significant increase in specificity (97.4%) compared to those of currently used assays, which averaged 80 to 90%. Overall, our data demonstrate that recombinant TSSA may be a useful antigen for the immunodiagnosis of Chagas' disease.
Nineteen Cases of Buruli Ulcer Diagnosed in Japan from 1980 to 2010
Authors: Nakanaga Kazue , Hoshino Yoshihiko , Yotsu Rie Roselyne , Makino Masahiko , Ishii Norihisa 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACT

The etiology, clinical manifestations, and treatment of 19 sporadic cases of Buruli ulcer (BU) in Japan are described. The cases originated in different regions of Honshu Island, with no evidence of patient contact with an aquatic environment. The majority (73.7%) of cases occurred in females, with an average age of 39.1 years for females and 56.8 years for males. All patients developed ulcers on exposed areas of the skin (e.g., face, extremities). Most ulcers were <5 cm in diameter (category I), except in one severe progressive case (category II). Pain was absent in 10 of the 19 cases. Fourteen ulcers were surgically excised, and nine patients needed skin grafting. All cases were treated with various antibiotic regimens, with no reported recurrences as of March 2011.
Mycobacterium ulcerans
-specific IS
2404
was detected in all cases. Ten isolates had identical 16S rRNA gene sequences, which were similar to those of
M. ulcerans
. However, the
rpoB
gene showed a closer resemblance to
Mycobacterium marinum
or
Mycobacterium pseudoshottsii
. PCR identified pMUM001 in all isolates but failed to detect one marker. DNA-DNA hybridization misidentified all isolates as
M. marinum
. The drug susceptibility profile of the isolates also differed from that of
M. ulcerans
. Sequence analysis revealed “
Mycobacterium ulcerans
subsp.
shinshuense
” as the etiologic agent of BU in Japan. Clinical manifestations were comparable to those of
M. ulcerans
but differed as follows: (i) cases were not concentrated in a particular area; (ii) there was no suspected connection to an aquatic environment; (iii) drug susceptibility was different; and (iv) bacteriological features were different.
Evaluation of Luminex xTAG Fungal Analyte-Specific Reagents for Rapid Identification of Clinically Relevant Fungi
Authors: Babady N. Esther , Miranda Edwin , Gilhuley Kathleen A. 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACT

Invasive fungal infections (IFI) remain a serious threat to immunocompromised hosts. Current diagnostic methods, including fungal culture and antigen detection, are slow and often lack specificity. Rapid diagnostic tools with increased sensitivity and specificity could improve the care of patients with IFI. Recently, Luminex Molecular Diagnostics (Toronto, Canada) developed 23 analyte-specific reagents (ASRs) for the detection of the most common clinically relevant fungi. This study's objective was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of a subset of these ASRs for fungal isolates and clinical specimens. Previously characterized fungal and bacterial isolates (
n
= 110), blood culture specimens (
n
= 34), and respiratory specimens (
n
= 44) were tested using either a
Candida
7-plex panel (
Candida albicans
,
Candida glabrata
,
Candida tropicalis
,
Candida parapsilosis
,
Candida lusitaniae
,
Candida guilliermondii
, and
Candida krusei
) or a mold 11-plex panel (
Aspergillus fumigatus
,
Aspergillus flavus
,
Aspergillus niger
,
Aspergillus terreus
,
Scedosporium prolificans
,
Scedosporium apiospermum
,
Fusarium oxysporum
/
Fusarium solani
,
Rhizopus arrhizus
,
Rhizopus microsporus
,
Mucor indicus
, and
Cunninghamella bertholletiae
). The
Candida
7-plex panel correctly identified all
Candida
isolates as confirmed by fungal culture and biochemical tests, for a sensitivity and specificity of 100%. The mold 11-plex panel correctly identified all mold isolates tested except for
A. niger.
Fungal isolates of
Rhizopus
and
Mucor
species were not detected, either, although they could represent species other than those targeted by the ASRs. Further evaluation will be necessary to confirm the sensitivities of some of the mold ASRs. Implementation of these ASRs will allow same-day detection of fungal DNA in clinical specimens.
Accuracy of Carbapenem Nonsusceptibility for Identification of KPC-Possessing Enterobacteriaceae by Use of the Revised CLSI Breakpoints
Authors: Landman David , Salamera Julius , Singh Manisha , Quale John 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACT

Using the updated 2010 CLSI carbapenem breakpoints for the
Enterobacteriaceae
, nonsusceptibility to ertapenem and imipenem predicted the presence of
bla
KPC
poorly, especially among
Escherichia coli
and
Enterobacter
species. In regions where KPC-producing bacteria are endemic, testing for nonsusceptibility to meropenem may provide improved accuracy in identifying these isolates.
Development of a Multiplex PCR Assay Targeting O-Antigen Modification Genes for Molecular Serotyping of Shigella flexneri
Authors: Sun Qiangzheng , Lan Ruiting , Wang Yiting , Zhao Ailan , Zhang Shaomin , Wang Jianping , Wang Yan , Xia Shengli , Jin Dong , Cui Zhigang , Zhao Hongqing , Li Zhenjun , Ye Changyun , Zhang Shuxia , Jing Huaiqi , Xu Jianguo 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACT

Shigella flexneri
is the major
Shigella
species that causes diarrheal disease in developing countries. It is further subdivided into 15 serotypes based on O-antigen structure. Serotyping of
S. flexneri
is important for epidemiological purposes. In this study, we developed a multiplex PCR assay targeting the O-antigen synthesis gene
wzx
and the O-antigen modification genes
gtrI
,
gtrIC
,
gtrII
,
oac
,
gtrIV
,
gtrV
, and
gtrX
for molecular serotyping of
S. flexneri.
The multiplex PCR assay contained eight sets of specific PCRs in a single tube and can identify 14 of the 15 serotypes (the exception being serotype Xv) of
S. flexneri
recognized thus far. A nearly perfect concordance (97.8%) between multiplex PCR assay and slide agglutination was observed when 358
S. flexneri
strains of various serotypes were analyzed, except that 8 strains were carrying additional cryptic and/or defective serotype-specific genes. The multiplex PCR assay provides a rapid and specific method for the serotype identification of
S. flexneri
.
Xpert MTB/RIF for Rapid Diagnosis of Tuberculous Lymphadenitis from Fine-Needle-Aspiration Biopsy Specimens
Authors: Ligthelm Louis J. , Nicol Mark P. , Hoek Kim G. P. , Jacobson Rachael , van Helden Paul D. , Marais Ben J. , Warren Robin M. , Wright Colleen A. 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACT
This study demonstrates the excellent diagnostic accuracy of the Xpert MTB/RIF test in patients with tuberculous lymphadenitis. The test sensitivity and specificity were 96.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 86.6 to 100%) and 88.9% (95% CI, 69.6 to 100%), respectively, and it correctly identified 6/6 (100%) of the cytology smear-negative/culture-positive cases and 1 of 2 (50%) rifampin-resistant cases.
Clinical Validation of the cobas 4800 HPV Test for Cervical Screening Purposes
Authors: Heideman D. A. M. , Hesselink A. T. , Berkhof J. , van Kemenade F. , Melchers W. J. G. , Daalmeijer N. Fransen , Verkuijten M. , Meijer C. J. L. M. , Snijders P. J. F. 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACTThis study shows that the clinical performance and reproducibility of the cobas 4800 HPV test for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) detection fulfill the criteria as formulated in international guidelines of HPV test requirements for cervical screening purposes. Accordingly, the cobas 4800 HPV test can be considered clinically validated for cervical screening.
Molecular Characterization of the Host Defense Activity of the Barrier to Autointegration Factor against Vaccinia Virus
Authors: Ibrahim Nouhou , Wicklund April , Wiebe Matthew S. 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACT
The barrier to autointegration factor (BAF) is an essential cellular protein with functions in mitotic nuclear reassembly, retroviral preintegration complex stability, and transcriptional regulation. Molecular properties of BAF include the ability to bind double-stranded DNA in a sequence-independent manner, homodimerize, and bind proteins containing a LEM domain. These capabilities allow BAF to compact DNA and assemble higher-order nucleoprotein complexes, the nature of which is poorly understood. Recently, it was revealed that BAF also acts as a potent host defense against poxviral DNA replication in the cytoplasm. Here, we extend these observations by examining the molecular mechanism through which BAF acts as a host defense against vaccinia virus replication and cytoplasmic DNA in general. Interestingly, BAF rapidly relocalizes to transfected DNA from a variety of sources, demonstrating that BAF's activity as a host defense factor is not limited to poxviral infection. BAF's relocalization to cytoplasmic foreign DNA is highly dependent upon its DNA binding and dimerization properties but does not appear to require its LEM domain binding activity. However, the LEM domain protein emerin is recruited to cytoplasmic DNA in a BAF-dependent manner during both transfection and vaccinia virus infection. Finally, we demonstrate that the DNA binding and dimerization capabilities of BAF are essential for its function as an antipoxviral effector, while the presence of emerin is not required. Together, these data provide further mechanistic insight into which of BAF's molecular properties are employed by cells to impair the replication of poxviruses or respond to foreign DNA in general.
A Mutation in U
L
15 of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 That Reduces Packaging of Cleaved Genomes
Authors: Yang Kui , Wills Elizabeth G. , Baines Joel D. 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACT

Herpesvirus genomic DNA is cleaved from concatemers that accumulate in infected cell nuclei. Genomic DNA is inserted into preassembled capsids through a unique portal vertex. Extensive analyses of viral mutants have indicated that intact capsids, the portal vertex, and all components of a tripartite terminase enzyme are required to both cleave and package viral DNA, suggesting that DNA cleavage and packaging are inextricably linked. Because the processes have not been functionally separable, it has been difficult to parse the roles of individual proteins in the DNA cleavage/packaging reaction. In the present study, a virus bearing the deletion of codons 400 to 420 of U
L
15, encoding a terminase component, was analyzed. This virus, designated vJB27, failed to replicate on noncomplementing cells but cleaved concatemeric DNA to ca. 35 to 98% of wild-type levels. No DNA cleavage was detected in cells infected with a U
L
15-null virus or a virus lacking U
L
15 codons 383 to 385, comprising a motif proposed to couple ATP hydrolysis to DNA translocation. The amount of vJB27 DNA protected from DNase I digestion was reduced compared to the wild-type virus by 6.5- to 200-fold, depending on the DNA fragment analyzed, thus indicating a profound defect in DNA packaging. Capsids containing viral DNA were not detected in vJB27-infected cells, as determined by electron microscopy. These data suggest that pU
L
15 plays an essential role in DNA translocation into the capsid and indicate that this function is separable from its role in DNA cleavage.
Identification of the Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein as a Cellular Receptor for Rubella Virus
Authors: Cong Haolong , Jiang Yue , Tien Po 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACTRubella virus (RV) is a highly transmissible pathogenic agent that causes the disease rubella. Maternal RV infection during early pregnancy causes the death of the fetus or congenital rubella syndrome in infants. However, the cellular receptor for RV has not yet been identified. In this study, we found that the myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) specifically bound to the E1 envelope glycoprotein of RV, and an antibody against MOG could block RV infection. Most importantly, we also showed that ectopic expression of MOG on the cell surface of 293T cells rendered this nonpermissive cell line permissive for RV entry and replication. Thus, this study has identified a cellular receptor for RV and suggests that blocking the MOG attachment site of RV may be a strategy for molecular intervention of RV infection.
The Interferon-Inducible Gene viperin Restricts West Nile Virus Pathogenesis
Authors: Szretter Kristy J. , Brien James D. , Thackray Larissa B. , Virgin Herbert W. , Cresswell Peter , Diamond Michael S. 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACT

Type I interferon (IFN) signaling coordinates an early antiviral program in infected and uninfected cells by inducing IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) that modulate viral entry, replication, and assembly. However, the specific antiviral functions
in vivo
of most ISGs remain unknown. Here, we examined the contribution of the ISG viperin to the control of West Nile virus (WNV) in genetically deficient cells and mice. While modest increases in levels of WNV replication were observed for primary
viperin
−/−
macrophages and dendritic cells, no appreciable differences were detected in deficient embryonic cortical neurons or fibroblasts. In comparison, v

iperin
−/−

adult mice infected with WNV via the subcutaneous or intracranial route showed increased lethality and/or enhanced viral replication in central nervous system (CNS) tissues. In the CNS, viperin expression was induced in both WNV-infected and adjacent uninfected cells, including activated leukocytes at the site of infection. Our experiments suggest that viperin restricts the infection of WNV in a tissue- and cell-type-specific manner and may be an important ISG for controlling viral infections that cause CNS disease.
Tissue Tropism of Swine Influenza Viruses and Reassortants in
Ex Vivo
Cultures of the Human Respiratory Tract and Conjunctiva
Authors: Chan Renee W. Y. , Kang Sara S. R. , Yen Hui-Ling , Li Alan C. L. , Tang Lynsia L. S. , Yu Wendy C. L. , Yuen Kit M. , Chan Icarus W. W. , Wong Diana D. Y. , Lai Wico W. , Kwong Dora L. W. , Sihoe Alan D. L. , Poon Leo L. M. , Guan Yi , Nicholls John M. , Peiris J. S. Malik , Chan Michael C. W. 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACT

The 2009 pandemic influenza H1N1 (H1N1pdm) virus was generated by reassortment of swine influenza viruses of different lineages. This was the first influenza pandemic to emerge in over 4 decades and the first to occur after the realization that influenza pandemics arise from influenza viruses of animals. In order to understand the biological determinants of pandemic emergence, it is relevant to compare the tropism of different lineages of swine influenza viruses and reassortants derived from them with that of 2009 pandemic H1N1 (H1N1pdm) and seasonal influenza H1N1 viruses in
ex vivo
cultures of the human nasopharynx, bronchus, alveoli, and conjunctiva. We hypothesized that virus which can transmit efficiently between humans replicated well in the human upper airways. As previously reported, H1N1pdm and seasonal H1N1 viruses replicated efficiently in the nasopharyngeal, bronchial, and alveolar epithelium. In contrast, representative viruses from the classical swine (CS) (H1N1) lineage could not infect human respiratory epithelium; Eurasian avian-like swine (EA) (H1N1) viruses only infected alveolar epithelium and North American triple-reassortant (TRIG) viruses only infected the bronchial epithelium albeit inefficiently. Interestingly, a naturally occurring triple-reassortant swine virus, A/SW/HK/915/04 (H1N2), with a matrix gene segment of EA swine derivation (i.e., differing from H1N1pdm only in lacking a neuraminidase [NA] gene of EA derivation) readily infected and replicated in human nasopharyngeal and bronchial epithelia but not in the lung. A recombinant sw915 with the NA from H1N1pdm retained its tropism for the bronchus and acquired additional replication competence for alveolar epithelium. In contrast to H1N1pdm, none of the swine viruses tested nor seasonal H1N1 had tropism in human conjunctiva. Recombinant viruses generated by swapping the surface proteins (hemagglutinin and NA) of H1N1pdm and seasonal H1N1 virus demonstrated that these two gene segments together are key determinants of conjunctival tropism. Overall, these findings suggest that
ex vivo
cultures of the human respiratory tract provide a useful biological model for assessing the human health risk of swine influenza viruses.