bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Molecular epidemiology of human rotavirus
Authors: Cash P. , Freebain E. , Brown T. , Reid T. M. S. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThe epidemiology of human rotavirus (HRV) in north-east Scotland was investigated between 1982 and 1984. During this period 708 HRV infections were recorded. The majority (83%) of the infections were in children less than 5 years of age although some were recorded in adults. The peak incidence occurred in the winter months although a high number of HRV infections was reported during the summer of 1983. A total of 840 faecal specimens containing rotavirus were screened for HRV genome RNA by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Seven hundred (83%) specimens gave RNA profiles suitable for establishing the HRV electrophoretype. Twenty-five different electrophoretypes were identified, of which 21 had ‘long’ RNA profiles and four had ‘short’ RNA profiles. There was extensive co-circulation of distinct electrophoretypes although during any one epidemic period the majority of viruses belonged to a relatively small number of types. Comparison of viruses collected from hospitalized and non-hospitalized Patients showed no differences in electrophoretype distribution. HRV was identified in faecal specimens from a wide age group and no correlation was demonstrated between age of patient and electrophoretype of the infecting virus.
Monoclonal antibodies directed against the flagella ofCampylobacter jejuni: cross-reacting and serotypic specificity and potential use in diagnosis
Authors: Newell D. G. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYNine monoclonal antibodies directed against the flagella ofCampylobacter jejunistrain 81116 have been investigated for serotypic and cross-reacting activity using a panel of 17 Penner serotype strains ofC. jejuni.Four monoclonal antibodies were exclusively specific for serotype-6 strains, which was the serotype ofC. jejunistrain 81116. Two monoclonal antibodies cross-reacted with all the flagellated strains ofC jejunitested. One of these cross-reacting monoclonal antibodies, CF5, was found to react with all otherCampylobacterspecies exceptC. sputorum bulbulusbut it did not react with other bacterial entcropathogens. An antigencapture ELISA technique was established, using this monoclonal antibody, which could detect flagellar antigen in human faecal material. These anti-flagella monoclonal antibodies therefore may be valuable in the diagnosis and serotyping ofC. jejuniin clinical material.
Sanitary study of surface water and of the beach of a water sports and leisure complex
Authors: Chabasse D. , Laine P. , Simitzis-Le-Flohic A. M. , Martineau B. , Hourch M. El , Becaud J. P. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThis report presents the parasitological, bacteriological, mycological and physicochemical data obtained from both surface water and beach sand of a lake used for water sports. These show that the lake is contaminated in both winter and spring by water which overflows from the River Maine, and is self-purified by a mechanism of ‘lagunage’. In summer signs of pollution are at their lowest level although use of the complex is at its peak. Conversely, the amoebic flora, which is independent of the usual criteria of pollution, predominates in summer, and serves as a marker for the need for increased surveillance. The sand of the beaches does not appear to show any infectious hazard. Environmental pressure will doubtless change these data over a period of time, and it is planned to monitor this.
Detection of diphtheria toxin antibodies in human sera in New Zealand by ELISA
Authors: Lau R. C. H. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYAn enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed to detect IgG antibodies to diphtheria toxin in human serum. Serum samples obtained from 557 normal persons aged 1–65 years from different areas in New Zealand showed maximum antibody levels in the 1–9 years age group (95·1%) and the least in the 60–65 years age group (38·1%). The indirect ELISA is suitable for sero-epidemiological survey study as it is simple to perform, economical and precise.
Chlamydiosis in birds in Great Britain: 2. Isolations ofChlamydia psittacifrom birds sampled between 1976 and 1984
Authors: Bevan B. J. , Bracewell C. D. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYA total of 1531 diagnostic submissions from birds were examined by culture for the presence ofChlamydia psittacibetween June 1976 and December 1984 by growth in NCTC 929 clone L mouse fibroblast cells, pretreated with an inhibitor of cell division, followed by direct immunofluorescence microscopy. Of these, 196 were found positive. The continued importance of psittacine birds as potential sources of infection was shown by the high number of positives (139) obtained from birds of that order. The percentage of submissions found positive was highest in parakeets (30·1) and was fairly high in psittacines as a group (16·6), but the latter figure was exceeded by the group ofcollared doves (Streptopelia decaocto) and wood pigeons (Columba palumbus) (25·0). Domestic poultry generally gave low rates, turkeys being the highest.Both the numbers of submissions and their rates of positives increased between 1980 and 1984.Comparing the isolation rates from the various organs sampled, the intestines gave the highest rate (20·4 per cent positive), closely followed by the other internal sites. The superficial swabbed sites (eye, nasal cavity, cloaca) gave lower rates.
Poliovirus antibody in Northern Greece
Authors: Kyriazopoulou-Dalaina V. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYIn order to study the serological status of the Northern Greek population to poliovirus, 881 sera from healthy people were examined for neutralizing antibody by the micrometabolic inhibition test. The people under examination were aged from 1 day to 70 years old. Overall, of the 881 sera examined, 704 (80%) had antibodies (titre ≥ 4) to poliovirus 1, 742 (84%) had antibodies to poliovirus 2 and 715 (81%) had antibodies to poliovirus 3. Fifty-five per cent of the sera had antibodies to all three polioviruses while 3·3% had no poliovirus antibody at all. There was no statistically significant difference in the rates of seropositivity to the various poliovirus types or between males and females. However the rates of seropositivity did vary with age.
Purified Vero cell rabies vaccine and human diploid cell strain vaccine: comparison of neutralizing antibody responses to post-exposure regimens
Authors: Suntharasamai Pravan , Chanthavanich Pornthep , Warrell M. J. , Looareesuwan Sornchai , Karbwang Juntra , Supanaranond Wichai , Phillips R. E. , Jansawan Weerapol , Xueref C. , Pouradier-Duteil X. , Warrell D. A. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYNeutralizing antibody responses to conventional rabies post-exposure regimens of human diploid cell strain vaccine (HDCSV) and the new purified Vero cell rabies vaccine (PVRV) were compared in 58 healthy Thai veterinary students. The geometric mean titres (GMTs) of the group given HDCSV were slightly higher than those given PVRV, but on day 28 the peak GMTs of the two groups were statistically similar. The early antibody response to PVRV was unaffected by the addition of passive immunization, whereas the level of HDCSV response was reduced on day 14, so that there was no difference on that day between the GMTs of the two vaccine groups given HRIG. However, by day 91 the GMT of those given PVRV and HRIG was lower than in those given HDCSV alone or with HRIG. The appearance of antibody was less rapid than was observed in previous studies using multiple-site intradermal vaccination. Side effects were trivial. Our results confirm the promise of this new, potentially more economical tissue culture vaccine, but they suggest that the regimen could be improved.
Age-dependent prevalence of BK virus IgG and IgM antibodies measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA)
Authors: Flaegstad Trond , Traavik Terje , Kristiansen Bjørn-Erik 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYEnzyme immunoassays (ELISA) have been developed for the detection of BK virus IgG- and IgM-antibodies. Specific IgG is detected by an antigen-coated solid phase test; IgM by an antibody capture method.These methods have been used to study the age-distribution of BK virus antibodies in Troms county in Northern Norway. The serum panels tested were: (a) 60 sera from paediatric patients aged 0–1 year; (b) 220 sera from healthy persons aged 1–82 years; (c) 74 sera from healthy blood donors; (d) 107 sera from healthy pregnant women.The age-distribution of BKV-IgG antibodies showed that primary infections took place predominantly between the ages of 1 and 6 years, and that there were no sex differences, either in the age-specific prevalence or in the level of BKV-IgG.We found no significant differences in the prevalence of BKV-IgM antibodies in healthy children and adults and pregnant women. BKV-IgM was detected in 26 of the 461 sera tested (5·6%).
The distribution of ticks of the Ornithodoros moubata complex (Ixodoidea: Argasidae) in Malawi, and its relation to African swine fever epizootiology
Authors: Haresnape J. M. , Mamu F. D. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThe distribution of ticks of the Ornithodoros moubata complex in different habitats in Malawi, particularly pigsties and houses, was established from a four-phase survey undertaken between 1982 and 1985. The first phase consisted of preliminary interviews, the second phase consisted of a questionnaire to Veterinary Assistants (VAs) in rural areas, the third involved tick collections by VAs and the fourth involved both interviews and tick collections by members of the Central Veterinary Laboratory, Lilongwe. The area in which O. moubata is found in pigsties includes much of the African swine fever (ASF) enzootic area, and it seems likely that the enzootic area could become larger in future. The occurrence of O. moubata in warthog habitats was also investigated.
Excretion of faecal viruses during the first year of life including attendance at a day nursery in Lisbon, Portugal
Authors: Avillez Maria Francisca , Paixão Maria Teresa 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYIn an attempt to determine the frequency of virus infections of the gastrointestinal tract, the duration of virus shedding in faeces and its relation to outbreaks of illness of any kind, faecal samples were collected from children attending a day nursery at a Lisbon institution.In this study, ten children were surveyed from their enrolment at the nursery, weekly specimens of faeces being collected over a period of 1 year. A total of 459 samples were obtained. In addition four of these children were also followed-up from their first week of life to their enrolment at the nursery, 79 samples being collected during this period.Viruses were detected in a high percentage (44·4%) of these stools, including strains of oral vaccine polioviruses together with viruses isolated in routine cell cultures and by electron microscopy (EM). These viruses were detected in both healthy and ill babies.The possible association between viruses isolated in cell cultures or detected by EM and illness was examined and the results show that the asymptomatic excretion of viruses is frequent, particularly in children within this age group.
Adenovirus type 8 keratoconjunctivitis – an outbreak and its treatment with topical human fibroblast interferon
Authors: Reilly Sheena , Dhillon B. J. , Nkanza Kamona M. , D'Souza Annette M. , Taylor N. , Hobbs Sandra J. , Freke A , Roome A. P. C. H. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYAn outbreak of keratoconjunctivitis is described which involved at least 186 people; adenovirus type 8 was identified in 50 of the cases. Topical human fibroblast interferon was assessed in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study in which 34 patients participated. Seventeen of the 34 trial patients yielded adenovirus type 8; three were infected with adenovirus type 7. The outbreak was curtailed by control of infection measures: principally careful hand-washing by medical personnel between cases and by discouraging attendance of new cases at the Eye Infirmary. Consequently the trial numbers are small. In addition there was a wide interpatient variation in the severity of infection. Therefore it was not possible to make any statistically valid conclusions concerning the recovery rate of patients receiving interferon or placebo.
Recruitment variation in subtidal macrofouling assemblages of a Patagonian harbour (Argentina, south-western Atlantic)
Authors: Rico Alicia , Peralta Roxana , Gappa Juan López 
Published: October 2009

The recruitment of subtidal macrofouling organisms was studied in the Patagonian harbour of Comodoro Rivadavia (Argentina, 45°51′35″S 67°27′23″W). Changes in coverage and density were analysed in the central 100 cm2of upper and lower surfaces which were replaced monthly from January to December 2004. The fouling assemblage consisted of algae, spirorbid polychaetes, compound ascidians, hydrozoans, bryozoans and egg masses spawned by the small fishHelcogrammoides cunninghami. Monthly changes in richness and diversity of taxa on upper and lower surfaces were significantly correlated with sea surface temperature. Fouling assemblage structure differed significantly between upper and lower surfaces. Filamentous algae were dominant on upper surfaces, while filter-feeding invertebrates were more abundant on the lower surfaces of the experimental panels. The density of the spirorbidRomanchella scoresbyiwas two orders of magnitude higher on lower than on upper surfaces. Its recruitment began in late winter, reaching maximum values in spring.
Language and Science
Authors: van Naerssen Margaret , Kaplan Robert B. 
Published: October 2009

Teaching English [or any language] as a medium for science and technologymust involve us in the teaching of how scientists and technologistsuse the system of language to communicate, and not just what linguistic elements are most commonly used (1979:12–23).In this comment, he implies the definition of the problem underlying any discussion of “language and science.” Such a discussion must deal with the language(s) used to communicate science, with the varieties scientists use to communicate with each other, and with the ways in which those varieties (as differentiated from the “general variety” of the language) may be taught to someone else. These different issues assume quite different underlying questions. This brief review will try to address some of the complex questions involved.
Epidemiological complexity of hospital aeromonas infections revealed by electrophoretic typing of esterases
Authors: Picard B. , Goullet Ph. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYAn epidemiology analysis of a series of 12Aeromonas hydrophilainfections, including six of septicaemia, which occurred on several wards of one hospital during the summer of 1982 is presented. The hypothesis that the hospital water could be the source of these infections was supported by the isolation of 1–10 motile aeromonads per ml in most of the water samples collected from various points on the hospital water system. Electrophoretic esterase typing was used as an epidemiological screening method to determine the relationship between bacterial strains isolated from the patients and those from water samples. The epidemiology ofA. hydrophilainfection in the hospital was found to be complex. Amongst the 15 strains ofA. hydrophilaisolated from patients were 8 zymotypes, while amongst the 126 strains from the water samples there were 37. In some cases, several zymotypes were isolated simultaneously from the same tap water. On one ward, the same zymotype was found in 2 patients and in 2 water samples. The prophylactic measures taken in 1982–5 to avoid oral contamination of immunocompromised patients with infected hospital water have significantly reduced the number of cases of septicaemia. This success has constituted additional retrospective evidence for the water-borne origin of these infections.
Common respiratory and gastrointestinal illness in paediatric student nurses and medical technology students
Authors: Gerth H.-J. , Grüner Ch. , Müller R. , Dietz K. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThe aim of this study was to establish the risk of acquiring common respiratory and gastrointestinal illness for paediatric nurses. Using self-administered questionnaires, student nurses at two children's hospitals and students at one school of medical technology reported biweekly the number of minor illnesses, symptoms, and indicators of severity of infection over a 3-year period (1975–8). Although a systematic bias was evident with some symptoms, others appeared to be quite reliable. The following four syndromes were defined to estimate the risk: upper respiratory syndrome (URS), lower respiratory syndrome (LRS), respiratory and gastrointestinal syndrome (RGS), and gastrointestinal syndrome (GS). Surveillance days were allocated to groups with high- or low-intensity contact with children. The incidence of all illnesses was 2·9 per person-year in the low-intensity contact group and 4·4 per person-year in the high-intensity contact group. The reported incidence of LRS and RGS in the high-intensity contact group was 1·55 times higher than in the low-intensity group (P < 0·001). LRS and RGS incidence was similar in nurses at both schools. During low contact periods it corresponded to that of the medical technologists.
Predisposition toTrichuris trichiurainfection in humans
Authors: Bundy D. A. P. , Cooper E. S. , Thompson D. E. , Didier J. M. , Anderson R. M. , Simmons I. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThe study examines the distribution ofTrichuris trichiurainfection in a village community in St Lucia, West Indies. The infection intensity of the same age-stratified population was assessed (by drug expelled worm burden and faecal egg count) at the initiation of the study, and after 17 months of reinfection following treatment. The frequency distribution of worm numbers per person was similar at both periods of sampling. There was a significant correlation between the initial infection intensity of an individual, and the intensity acquired by the same individual following the 17 month period of reinfection. This relationship was observed in a broad range of host age classes. The study provides firm evidence that individuals are predisposed to heavy (or light)T. trichiurainfection.
Clinical conditions associated with positive complement fixation serology forChlamydiae
Authors: Puolakkainen Mirja , Kousa Merja , Saikku Pekka 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYThe hospital records of 242 patients with diagnostic chlamydial complement fixation (CF) titres (seroconversion and/or titre ≥ 64) found among 60000 patients screened for suspected viral illnesses were reviewed to study the clinical conditions associated with positive CF serology forChlamydiae. After excluding typical genitalC. trachomatisinfections, the majority of the remainder were considered to representC. psittaciinfections. Respiratory symptoms were the most common clinical manifestations of chlamydial infections detectable by CF, but the majority (58%) of the patients did not have pneumonia. Abdominal, neurological as well as urinary tract symptoms were common. Cutaneous, joint, cardiac, genital and ocular manifestations were also noted. Fever (≥ 38·5 °C) was present in 62% of the patients. The ESR was raised (≥ 20 mm/h) in the majority of the patients (83%), but the leucocyte count was usually (86%) within normal limits. Because the clinical spectrum ofC. psittaciinfections is apparently broad, serological tests for detecting antibodies toC. psittaci(e.g. CF) should be used widely in various clinical conditions and not for patients with pneumonia alone.
Plasmid analysis as an epidemiological tool in neurosurgical infections with coagulase-negative staphylococci
Authors: Örtqvist Åke , Ransjö Ulrika , Wretlind Bengt 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYCoagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from blood or spinal fluid during a period of 1 year in a department of neurosurgery, were analysed by biotyping, antibiotic resistance pattern and plasmid profiles. Altogether 41 isolates from 19 patients were studied. About 90% of the isolates wereStaphylococcus epidermidis. The antibiotic resistance pattern seemed to be closely related to antibiotic usage in the unit. Most common was resistance to penicillin (63%), trimethoprimsulphamethoxazole (49%) and cloxacillin (39%) while resistance to gentamicin was seen in only one strain.In several cases species and antibiograms were identical in isolates from different patients. Plasmid pattern analysis could then be used for identification of different strains. In one instance, plasmid pattern and restriction enzyme analysis confirmed that two patients probably were infected by the same strain.
Restriction enzyme fingerprinting of trimethoprim resistance plasmids
Authors: Kraft C. A. , Timbury M. C. , Platt D. J. 
Published: October 2009

SUMMARYRestriction enzyme fingerprinting was applied to 72 transferable trimethoprim resistance plasmids to examine aspects of their epidemiology and molecular relatedness.These plasmids had previously been divided into 25 groups according to differences in mol. wts and in antimicrobial resistance determinants. Restriction enzyme fingerprinting allowed the plasmids to be further divided into 44 different groups. The groups based on molecular weight and resistance patterns often, but not invariably, corresponded with those based on restriction enzyme fingerprints. Some plasmids with the same mol. wt and resistance pattern had different digest fingerprints and conversely, although more rarely, plasmids which differed in molecular weight by as much as 10 MDa or in resistance pattern by one resistance marker, had indistinguishable fingerprints.The plasmids were initially divided into three broad categories according to which restriction enzymes gave fingerprints of 6–20 fragments. These categories differed in the molecular weights of the plasmids contained, the numbers of resistance markers, and the proportions of the plasmids which carried transposon Tn7.Some plasmids were more widespread and persistent than others with the same mol. wt and resistance pattern but with a different restriction enzyme fingerprint.Thus, application of this technique has shown the trimethoprim resistance plasmids studied to be more diverse than was indicated by determination of mol. wt and resistance pattern, and has indicated changes in the plasmid pool over the 3 years during which they were collected.