bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Application of a Peptide-Mediated Magnetic Separation-Phage Assay for Detection of Viable Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis to Bovine Bulk Tank Milk and Feces Samples
Authors: Foddai Antonio , Strain Samuel , Whitlock Robert H. , Elliott Christopher T. , Grant Irene R. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT

Naturally contaminated bovine bulk tank milk (
n
= 44) and feces (
n
= 39) were tested for the presence of viable
Mycobacterium avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
by a novel peptide-mediated magnetic separation-phage (PMS-phage) assay. Counts of viable
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
cells ranging from 1 to 110 PFU/50 ml of milk and 6 to 41,111 PFU/g of feces were indicated by the PMS-phage assay.
Discrimination of Major Capsular Types of Campylobacter jejuni by Multiplex PCR
Authors: Poly Frédéric , Serichatalergs Oralak , Schulman Marc , Ju Jennifer , Cates Cory N. , Kanipes Margaret , Mason Carl , Guerry Patricia 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT

The polysaccharide capsule (CPS) of
Campylobacter jejuni
is the major serodeterminant of the Penner serotyping scheme. There are 47 Penner serotypes of
C. jejuni
, 22 of which fall into complexes of related serotypes. A multiplex PCR method for determination of capsule types of
Campylobacter jejuni
which is simpler and more affordable than classical Penner typing was developed. Primers specific for each capsule type were designed on the basis of a database of gene sequences from the variable capsule loci of 8 strains of major serotypes sequenced in this study and 10 published sequences of other serotypes. DNA sequence analysis revealed a mosaic nature of the capsule loci, suggesting reassortment of genes by horizontal transfer, and demonstrated a high degree of conservation of genes within Penner complexes. The multiplex PCR can distinguish 17 individual serotypes in two PCRs with sensitivities and specificities ranging from 90 to 100% using 244 strains of known Penner type.
Comparison of Capsular Genes of Streptococcus pneumoniae Serotype 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D Isolates
Authors: Song Jae-Hoon , Baek Jin Yang , Ko Kwan Soo 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT

Recently,
Streptococcus pneumoniae
serotypes 6C and 6D have been identified. It is thought that they emerged by the replacement of
wciN
β
in the capsular loci of serotypes 6A and 6B, respectively. However, their evolution has not been unveiled yet. To investigate the evolution of four serotypes of
S. pneumoniae
serogroup 6, four genes of the capsular polysaccharide synthesis (
cps
) locus,
wchA
,
wciN
,
wciO
, and
wciP
, of isolates of
S. pneumoniae
serotypes 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D were sequenced. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was performed to investigate their genetic backgrounds. The
wchA
gene of serotype 6C and 6D isolates was distinct from that of serotype 6A and 6B isolates, which may suggest cotransfer of
wchA
with
wciN
β
. Otherwise, serotypes 6C and 6D displayed different genetic backgrounds from serotypes 6A and 6B, which was suggested by MLST analysis. In addition, serotype 6C isolates showed distinct
wciP
polymorphisms from other serotypes, which also indicated that serotype 6C had not recently originated from serotype 6A. Although serotype 6D shared the same amino acid polymorphisms of
wciO
with serotype 6B,
wciP
of serotype 6D differed from that of serotype 6B. The data indicate the implausibility of the scenario of a recent emergence of the
cps
locus of serotype 6D by genetic recombination between serotypes 6B and 6C. In addition, five serotype 6A and 6B isolates (6X group) displayed
cps
loci distinct from those of other isolates. The
cps
locus homogeneity and similar sequence types in MLST analysis suggest that most of the 6X group of isolates originated from the same ancestor and that the entire
cps
locus might have recently been transferred from an unknown origin. Serotype 6B isolates showed two or more
cps
locus subtypes, indicating a recombination-mediated mosaic structure of the
cps
locus of serotype 6B. The collective data favor the emergence of
cps
loci of serotypes 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D by complicated recombination.
Fatal Cerebral Phaeohyphomycosis in an Immunocompetent Individual Due to Thielavia subthermophila
Authors: Badali Hamid , Chander Jagdish , Gupta Ashish , Rani Hena , Punia Rajpal Singh , De Hoog G. Sybren , Meis Jacques F. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT

We report the first case of fatal brain infection in an Indian farmer caused by
Thielavia subthermophila
, a dematiaceous thermophilic fungus in the order
Sordariales
, and present a review of previous infections from this order. The patient failed amphotericin B therapy combined with surgical excision despite the drug's low MICs
in vitro
.
Nonconserved Lysine Residues Attenuate the Biological Function of the Low-Risk Human Papillomavirus E7 Protein
Authors: Genovese Nicholas J. , Broker Thomas R. , Chow Louise T. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT
The mucosotrophic human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are classified as high-risk (HR) or low-risk (LR) genotypes based on their neoplastic properties. We have demonstrated previously that the E7 protein destabilizes p130, a pRb-related pocket protein, thereby promoting S-phase reentry in postmitotic, differentiated keratinocytes of squamous epithelia, and that HR HPV E7 does so more efficiently than LR HPV E7. The E7 proteins of LR HPV-11 and -6b uniquely possess lysine residues following a casein kinase II phosphorylation motif which is critical for the biological function of E7. We now show that mutations of these lysine residues elevated the efficiency of S-phase reentry, independent of their charge. An 11E7 K39,42R mutation moderately increased the association with and the destabilization of p130. Unexpectedly, polyubiquitination on these lysine residues did not attenuate E7 activity, as their mutation caused elevated proteasomal degradation and decreased protein stability. In this regard, the biologically more potent HR HPV E7 proteins were also less stable than the LR HPV E7 proteins. We infer that these lysine residues impede functional protein-protein interactions. A G22D mutation of 11E7 at the pocket protein binding motif possessed augmented efficiency in promoting S-phase reentry and strongly enhanced association with p130 and pRb. The combined effects of these two classes of 11E7 mutations exhibited an efficiency of S-phase reentry comparable to that of HR HPV E7. Thus, these nonconserved residues are primarily responsible for the differential abilities of LR and HR HPV E7 proteins to promote unscheduled DNA replication in organotypic raft cultures.
Interaction of Calpactin Light Chain (S100A10/p11) and a Viral NS Protein Is Essential for Intracellular Trafficking of Nonenveloped Bluetongue Virus
Authors: Celma Cristina C. P. , Roy Polly 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT

Bluetongue virus (BTV), a member of the
Reoviridae
family, is an insect-borne animal pathogen. Virus release from infected cells is predominantly by cell lysis, but some BTV particles are also released from the plasma membrane. The nonstructural protein NS3 has been implicated in this process. Using alternate initiator methionine residues, NS3 is expressed as a full-length protein and as a truncated variant that lacks the initial 13 residues, which, by yeast-two hybrid analyses, have been shown to interact with a cellular trafficking protein S100A10/p11. To understand the physiological significance of this interaction in virus-infected cells, we have used reverse genetics to investigate the roles of NS3 and NS3A in virus replication and localization in both mammalian and insect vector-derived cells. A virus expressing NS3 but not NS3A was able to propagate in and release from mammalian cells efficiently. However, growth of a mutant virus expressing only NS3A was severely attenuated, although protein expression, replication, double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) synthesis, and particle assembly in the cytoplasm were observed. Two of three single-amino-acid substitutions in the N-terminal 13 residues of NS3 showed phenotypically similar effects. Pulldown assay and confocal microscopy demonstrated a lack of interaction between NS3 and S100A10/p11 in mutants with poor replication. The role of NS3/NS3A was also assessed in insect cells where virus grew, albeit with a reduced titer. Notably, however, while wild-type particles were found within cytoplasmic vesicles in insect cells, mutant viruses were scattered throughout the cytoplasm and not confined to vesicles. These results provide support for a role for the extreme amino terminus of NS3 in the late stages of virus growth in mammalian cells, plausibly in egress. However, both NS3 and NS3A were required for efficient BTV growth in insect cells.
School-sponsored work programs: a first look at differences in work and injury outcomes of teens enrolled in school-to-work programs compared to other-working teens
Authors: Zierold Kristina M , Appana Savi , Anderson Henry A 
Published: March 2011

ObjectivesTo evaluate work experiences among teens enrolled in school-sponsored work (SSW) programs and compare the findings to other-working teens. This study, the first to assess work-related safety and health for teens in SSW programs, includes teens working one job and teens working multiple jobs.MethodsA survey was conducted among 6810 teens in school districts in five public health regions in Wisconsin. Information on demographics, work characteristics, injury and school performance was collected.ResultsOf 3411 high school teens (14–18 years old) working during the school year, 461 were enrolled in SSW programs. SSW teens were more likely to hold multiple jobs, work over 40 h per week, and work 2 or more days per week before 8:00 h compared with other-working teens. SSW teens working only one job were no more likely to be injured than other-working teens. However, SSW teens working multiple jobs were significantly more likely to be severely injured compared to other-working teens (AOR 3.49; 95% CI 1.52 to 8.02).ConclusionsSSW programs were created to prepare youth for transition into the workforce after high school. This first study suggests that students in SSW programs working only one job are no more likely to be injured at work compared with other-working teens. However, being enrolled in SSW programs is not protective against work injury, which would have been expected based on the philosophy of these programs. Furthermore, when students work multiple jobs, those enrolled in SSW programs are more likely to be severely injured. Possible explanations are provided.
Urinary DAP metabolite levels in Thai farmers and their families and exposure to pesticides from agricultural pesticide spraying: Figure 1
Authors: Hanchenlaksh Chalalai , Povey Andrew , O'Brien Sarah , de Vocht Frank 
Published: March 2011

IntroductionWe conducted a biomarker study to characterise exposure to pesticides among farmers and their families in Thailand to assess the relative importance of the dermal exposure route and to identify important factors that determine exposure levels within farmers' families.MethodsSixteen farmers' families (eight vegetable and eight fruit farmers) participated in the study. Three morning spot urine samples were collected during a pesticide spraying week. Spot samples were grouped by individual and analysed for dialkylphosphate (DAP) metabolites and creatinine. Additional information on exposure and lifestyle was collected by means of questionnaires. Dermal exposure was assessed using a semi-quantitative observational method (DREAM).ResultsUrinary DAP levels varied 20-fold between farmers, with average (geometric mean) levels of 51.1 μg/g for vegetable and 122.2 μg/g for fruit farmers. A moderate correlation (rs∼0.45) was found between loge-transformed DREAM scores and DAP levels. Farmers' urinary metabolite levels were not correlated with those of their spouses (rs∼−0.30) or children (rs∼−0.00) collected on the same days. Detectable spouses' DAP levels were on average (geometric mean) 13.0 μg/g and those of children 7.6 μg/g.DiscussionFarmers in Thailand as well as their families are exposed to pesticides in the spraying season and dermal exposure is an important route. The main route of exposure for farmers' families seems to be through transfer from the farmer to family members or contamination of the home environment, rather than family members helping or playing on the farm. Showering or washing immediately after pesticide spraying greatly reduces the potential exposure of family members to pesticide residues.
Strong Convergence Theorems by Shrinking Projection Methods for Class "Equation missing" Mappings
Authors: Dong Qiao-Li , He Songnian , Su Fang 
Published: March 2011

AbstractWe prove a strong convergence theorem by a shrinking projection method for the class of "Equation missing" mappings. Using this theorem, we get a new result. We also describe a shrinking projection method for a nonexpansive mapping on Hilbert spaces, which is the same as that of Takahashi et al. (2008).
Second-Order Contingent Derivative of the Perturbation Map in Multiobjective Optimization
Authors: Wang QL , Li SJ 
Published: March 2011

AbstractSome relationships between the second-order contingent derivative of a set-valued map and its profile map are obtained. By virtue of the second-order contingent derivatives of set-valued maps, some results concerning sensitivity analysis are obtained in multiobjective optimization. Several examples are provided to show the results obtained.
Pressure Sensor Drifts in Argo and Their Impacts
Authors: Barker Paul M. , Dunn Jeff R. , Domingues Catia M. , Wijffels Susan E. 
Published: March 2011

Abstract
In recent years, autonomous profiling floats have become the prime component of the in situ ocean observing system through the implementation of the Argo program. These data are now the dominant input to estimates of the evolution of the global ocean heat content and associated thermosteric sea level rise. The Autonomous Profiling Explorer (APEX) is the dominant type of Argo float (~62%), and a large portion of these floats report pressure measurements that are uncorrected for sensor drift, the size and source of which are described herein. The remaining Argo float types are designed to automatically self-correct for any pressure drift. Only about 57% of the APEX float profiles (or ~38% Argo profiles) can be corrected, but this typically has not been done by the data centers that distribute the data (as of January 2009). A pressure correction method for APEX floats is described and applied to the Argo dataset. A comparison between estimates using the corrected Argo dataset and the publically available uncorrected dataset (as of January 2009) reveals that the pressure corrections remove significant regional errors from ocean temperature, salinity, and thermosteric sea level fields. In the global mean, 43% of uncorrectable APEX float profiles (or ~28% Argo profiles) appear to largely offset the effect of the correctable APEX float profiles with positive pressure drifts. While about half of the uncorrectable APEX profiles can, in principle, be recovered in the near future (after inclusion of technical information that allows for corrections), the other half have negative pressure drifts truncated to zero (resulting from firmware limitations), which do not allow for corrections. Therefore, any Argo pressure profile that cannot be corrected for biases should be excluded from global change research. This study underscores the ongoing need for careful analyses to detect and remove subtle but systematic errors in ocean observations.
Systematic Review of Pediatric Tonsil Size and Polysomnogram‐Measured Obstructive Sleep Apnea Severity
Authors: Nolan Jennifer , Brietzke Scott E. 
Published: March 2011

ObjectiveSystematically review the biomedical literature for data comparing clinical, subjective tonsil size (0‐4+ scale) to objectively measured obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) using polysomnography (PSG).Data SourcesPubMed database.Review MethodsA comprehensive PubMed MeSH search was conducted to identify articles comparing subjective tonsil size to objectively measured OSAS. Inclusion criteria included pediatric patients only, sample size greater than 5, and sufficient data to extract for analysis. Exclusion criteria included patients with obesity or craniofacial syndromes.ResultsTwenty articles were included in the final data set. The mean sample size was 161 (range, 32‐700) and grand mean age was 6.7 (range, 2.7‐11.7). Case series (evidence based medicine [EBM] level 4) was the predominant study design (16 studies). Eleven of 20 studies concluded there was an association between subjective tonsil size and objective OSAS, whereas 9 did not. Varying statistical techniques were used including simple diagnostic tables (k = 8), linear or logistic regression (k = 19), correlation (k = 5), and analysis of variance (k = 2). A customized quality assessment of each study was performed. Studies showing no association between tonsil size and OSAS had a higher quality score than studies showing an association (3.22 vs 2.36, P =. 0317).ConclusionThe association between subjective pediatric tonsil size using 0‐4+ scale and objective OSAS severity is weak at best. High‐quality studies suggest no association. Providers must recognize the limitations of using tonsil size in clinical decision making.
French Validation of the NOSE and RhinoQOL Questionnaires in the Management of Nasal Obstruction
Authors: Marro Magali , Mondina Michel , Stoll Dominique , de Gabory Ludovic 
Published: March 2011

ObjectiveUntil now, there has been no validated and specific questionnaire in French allowing the assessment of nasal obstruction and its consequences on quality of life. The aim of this study was to validate the French translation and sociocultural adaptation of the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) and Rhinosinusitis Quality of Life Survey (RhinoQOL) self‐questionnaires.Study DesignProspective instrument validation study.SettingFrench tertiary referral center.Subjects and MethodsThe questionnaires were translated into French and then translated back into English. The final version was administered twice to an asymptomatic control population (n = 50) and once to a population with symptomatic septal deviation (n = 50). The psychometric properties (reliability, reproducibility, validity, responsiveness) were assessed by test‐retest procedure, internal consistency, correlation intra‐ and interscores, and response sensitivity between both populations.ResultsThere was no statistical difference in both responses obtained from the control population after the test‐retest procedure. Internal consistency was 0.86 for the NOSE and 0.57, 0.67, and 0.83 for the scores of the RhinoQOL (frequency, bothersomeness, and impact, respectively). There was always a strong correlation between all NOSE variables and RhinoQOL scores (r > 0.40; P < 10−3). Effect size showed a high sensitivity to change.ConclusionThe French versions of both questionnaires appear to be as reliable, valid, and sensitive to change as the English versions. Their association was strong, allowing assessment of nasal obstruction in all its dimensions.
Emerging Trends in Tonsillectomy
Authors: Setabutr Dhave , Adil Eelam A. , Adil Tabrez K. , Carr Michele M. 
Published: March 2011

ObjectiveTo describe the tonsillectomy techniques and management used by practicing otolaryngologists in the United States.Study DesignAnonymous 18‐question postal survey of pediatric and general otolaryngologists on their current tonsillectomy practices.SettingTertiary academic medical center.Subjects and MethodsCurrent preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative practices in tonsillectomy were queried with multiple‐choice and open‐ended questions. Pediatric otolaryngologists and general otolaryngologists were compared.ResultsEighty percent of respondents perform subcapsular (total tonsillectomy) dissection. Most otolaryngologists trained with either monopolar cautery (52%) or cold steel (42%). The Coblator (ArthroCare ENT, Austin, Texas) is the most common single instrument used for tonsillectomy (27.5%), followed by monopolar cautery (26%), but in combination with other instruments, monopolar cautery was still more common (33.5%) than coblation (28.9%). Coblation was more common among private practice and general otolaryngologists. The majority of those surveyed do not use intraoperative local anesthesia, but most do use intraoperative steroids (67%). Compared with generalists, pediatric otolaryngologists were less likely to use coblation, were less likely to use local anesthetic, managed postoperative pain slightly differently, and were more likely to recommend diet ad libitum after surgery. Otolaryngologists were more likely to admit medically compromised patients postoperatively.ConclusionsCoblation is becoming a more commonly used instrument for tonsillectomy. Pediatric otolaryngologists perform more tonsillectomies than do general otolaryngologists and manage their patients differently.
The Politics of Despair
Authors: Hernández-Tubert Reyna 
Published: March 2011

Despair is more than the absence of hope. It is the outcome of a crisis in relationships, both at the interpersonal and the transpersonal levels, as a result of a rupture in a relationship that should have been trusting, caring and containing. This is particularly true in the relation between individuals and groups, and society at large. In our present world, there has been a sharp turn away from the belief that the community is responsible for the welfare of its members, and especially those who are deprived or disadvantaged. There is an upsurge of a ruthless ideology of ferocious cannibalistic competition that drops the losers on the way. This implies a fracture in the very fabric of society, which breeds despair, crass materialism, a relentless exploitation of sensuality, and ultimately violence. As this state of affairs emerges in our daily practice, it is frequently misinterpreted as being only an expression of internal conflicts or failures in early object relations. I believe the analytic approach should explore the dialectics between inner and outer, individual and collective, private and political, thus opening the way for thinking-through this highly complex situation. Group analysis offers a privileged opportunity for an in-depth exploration of the individual–society relations and their widespread pathology.