bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Use of a radiofrequency probe for tenoscopic‐guided annular ligament desmotomy
Authors: MCCOY A. M. , GOODRICH L. R. 
Published: August 2011

SummaryReasons for performing study: Annular ligament desmotomy is commonly performed in horses with chronic tenosynovitis. Previously reported tenoscopic techniques have limitations related to haemorrhage and awkward instrumentation. Radiofrequency (RF) energy affords precision and excellent haemostasis and may be a good alternative to sharp transection of the annular ligament in horses.Objective: To describe a technique for using a RF probe for tenoscopic‐guided annular ligament desmotomy and to report the clinical outcome of horses in which it was performed.Methods: Cadaver specimens (n = 14) and live horses undergoing unrelated terminal procedures (n = 2) were used to optimise the tenoscopic‐guided RF annular ligament desmotomy technique. Records were examined for all horses undergoing annular ligament desmotomy with an RF probe from 2003 to 2008 for which follow‐up of >1 year post operatively was available.Results: The annular ligament was successfully transected in the cadaver and live horse model limbs using 2 different commercially available RF probes. Complete transection was achieved with practice and confirmed on gross dissection. Histopathology did not reveal any collateral damage to surrounding tissue. Follow‐up of >1 year was available for 6 of 7 clinical cases. Four of 6 horses returned to work. Owners were satisfied with the outcome in all cases.Conclusions: Desmotomy using a RF probe allows precise tissue transection under tenoscopic guidance without damage to surrounding structures or haemorrhage. With experience, it is an easily performed technique. In clinical patients, an acceptable outcome may be expected.Potential relevance: Tenoscopic‐guided RF annular ligament desmotomy offers advantages, including reliable haemostasis and precise tissue transection, over previously reported techniques and is a viable surgical alternative for treating horses with annular ligament desmitis and other complex pathology within the tendon sheath.
Gestational and Fetal Outcomes in B19 Maternal Infection: a Problem of Diagnosis
Authors: Bonvicini Francesca , Puccetti Chiara , Salfi Nunzio C. M. , Guerra Brunella , Gallinella Giorgio , Rizzo Nicola , Zerbini Marialuisa 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACT
Parvovirus B19 infection during pregnancy is a potential hazard to the fetus because of the virus' ability to infect fetal erythroid precursor cells and fetal tissues. Fetal complications range from transitory fetal anemia and nonimmune fetal hydrops to miscarriage and intrauterine fetal death. In the present study, 72 pregnancies complicated by parvovirus B19 infection were followed up: fetal and neonatal specimens were investigated by serological and/or virological assays to detect fetal/congenital infection, and fetuses and neonates were clinically evaluated to monitor pregnancy outcomes following maternal infection. Analysis of serological and virological maternal B19 markers of infection demonstrated that neither B19 IgM nor B19 DNA detected all maternal infections. IgM serology correctly diagnosed 94.1% of the B19 infections, while DNA testing correctly diagnosed 96.3%. The maximum sensitivity was achieved with the combined detection of both parameters. B19 vertical transmission was observed in 39% of the pregnancies, with an overall 10.2% rate of fetal deaths. The highest rates of congenital infections and B19-related fatal outcomes were observed when maternal infections occurred by the gestational week 20. B19 fetal hydrops occurred in 11.9% of the fetuses, and 28.6% resolved the hydrops with a normal neurodevelopment outcome at 1- to 5-year follow-up. In conclusion, maternal screening based on the concurrent analysis of B19 IgM and DNA should be encouraged to reliably diagnose maternal B19 infection and correctly manage pregnancies at risk.
CASA Chromogenic Medium for Enteric Campylobacter Species
Authors: Le Bars H. , Kayal S. , Bonnaure-Mallet M. , Minet J. 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACT

We prospectively assessed stool samples from 370 patients for
Campylobacter
species by comparing three selective agar media incubated at two temperatures: 42°C and 37°C. Twenty patients (5.4%) were found positive. The chromogenic medium CASA (AES Chemunex, France) proved highly efficient for
C. jejuni
and
C. coli
recovery, while lessening the workload in the lab.
Inadequacies of Minimum Spanning Trees in Molecular Epidemiology
Authors: Salipante Stephen J. , Hall Barry G. 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACT
Minimum spanning trees (MSTs) are frequently used in molecular epidemiology research to estimate relationships among individual strains or isolates. Nevertheless, there are significant caveats to MST algorithms that have been largely ignored in molecular epidemiology studies and that have the potential to confound or alter the interpretation of the results of those analyses. Specifically, (i) presenting a single, arbitrarily selected MST illustrates only one of potentially many equally optimal solutions, and (ii) statistical metrics are not used to assess the credibility of MST estimations. Here, we survey published MSTs previously used to infer microbial population structure in order to determine the effect of these factors. We propose a technique to estimate the number of alternative MSTs for a data set and find that multiple MSTs exist for each case in our survey. By implementing a bootstrapping metric to evaluate the reliability of alternative MST solutions, we discover that they encompass a wide range of credibility values. On the basis of these observations, we conclude that current approaches to studying population structure using MSTs are inadequate. We instead propose a systematic approach to MST estimation that bases analyses on the optimal computation of an input distance matrix, provides information about the number and configurations of alternative MSTs, and allows identification of the most credible MST or MSTs by using a bootstrapping metric. It is our hope this algorithm will become the new “gold standard” approach for analyzing MSTs for molecular epidemiology so that this generally useful computational approach can be used informatively and to its full potential.
Sequence Homologies between Mycoplasma and Chlamydia spp. Lead to False-Positive Results in Chlamydial Cell Cultures Tested for Mycoplasma Contamination with a Commercial PCR Assay
Authors: Maass Viola , Kern Jan Marco , Poeckl Matthias , Maass Matthias 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACT

Mycoplasma contamination is a frequent problem in chlamydial cell culture. After obtaining contradictory contamination results, we compared three commercial PCR kits for mycoplasma detection. One kit signaled contamination in mycoplasma-free
Chlamydia pneumoniae
cultures. Sequencing of cloned PCR products revealed primer homology with the chlamydial genome as the basis of this false-positive result.
Direct Fluorescent-Antibody Testing Followed by Culture for Diagnosis of 2009 H1N1 Influenza A
Authors: Bakerman Paul , Balasuriya Lilanthi , Fried Ora , Tellez David , Garcia-Filion Pamela , Dalton Heidi 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACT
During the 2009 H1N1 influenza A outbreak, 773 children were tested for influenza by direct fluorescent-antibody testing with PCR confirmation. Direct fluorescent-antibody testing has a specificity of 99.6% but a sensitivity of only 65.0%. Physicians should recognize diagnostic limitations of direct fluorescent-antibody testing, which missed one-third of infected individuals.
Achromobacter xylosoxidans: Characterization of Strains in Brazilian Cystic Fibrosis Patients
Authors: Pereira Rosana H. V. , Carvalho-Assef Ana Paula , Albano Rodolpho M. , Folescu Tania W. , Jones Marcia C. M. F. , Leão Robson S. , Marques Elizabeth A. 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACT

We investigated the possibility of cross-infection among cystic fibrosis patients in two Brazilian reference centers.
Achromobacter xylosoxidans
isolates (
n
= 122) were recovered over a 5-year period from 39 patients. Isolates were genetically heterogeneous, but one genotype was present in 56% of the patients, suggesting that cross-infection may have occurred.
Antimycotic-Antibiotic Amphotericin B Promotes Influenza Virus Replication in Cell Culture
Authors: Roethl Elisabeth , Gassner Manuela , Krenn Brigitte M. , Romanovskaya-Romanko Ekaterina A. , Seper Helena , Romanova Julia , Nakowitsch Sabine , Sturlan Sanda , Wolschek Markus , Sirotkin Alexej , Kiselev Oleg , Muster Thomas , Egorov Andrej 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACT
In general, antibiotics are not rated as substances that inhibit or support influenza virus replication. We describe here the enhancing effect of the polyene antibiotic amphotericin B (AmB) on influenza virus growth in Vero cells. We show that isolation rates of influenza A and B viruses from clinical samples can be dramatically enhanced by adding AmB to the culture medium. We demonstrate that AmB promotes the viral uptake and endocytic processing of the virus particles. This effect is specific for Vero and human nasal epithelial cells and was not observed in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. The effect of AmB was subtype specific and more prominent for human seasonal influenza strains but absent for H5N1 human viruses. The AmB-enhancing effect seemed to be solely due to the viral hemagglutinin function. Our results indicate that the use of AmB may facilitate influenza virus isolation and production in Vero cells.
Encephalomyocarditis Virus 2A Protein Is Required for Viral Pathogenesis and Inhibition of Apoptosis
Authors: Carocci M. , Cordonnier N. , Huet H. , Romey A. , Relmy A. , Gorna K. , Blaise-Boisseau S. , Zientara S. , Kassimi L. Bakkali 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACTThe encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV), aPicornaviridaevirus, has a wide host spectrum and can cause various diseases. EMCV virulence factors, however, are as yet ill defined. Here, we demonstrate that the EMCV 2A protein is essential for the pathogenesis of EMCV. Infection of mice with the B279/95 strain of EMCV resulted in acute fatal disease, while the clone C9, derived by serialin vitropassage of the B279/95 strain, was avirulent. C9 harbored a large deletion in the gene encoding the 2A protein. This deletion was incorporated into the cDNA of a pathogenic EMCV1.26 strain. The new virus, EMCV1.26Δ2A, was capable of replicatingin vitro, albeit more slowly than EMCV1.26. Only mice inoculated with EMCV1.26 triggered death within a few days. Mice infected with EMCV1.26Δ2A did not exhibit clinical signs, and histopathological analyses showed no damage in the central nervous system, unlike EMCV1.26-infected mice.In vitro, EMCV1.26Δ2A presented a defect in viral particle release correlating with prolonged cell viability. Unlike EMCV1.26, which induced cytopathic cell death, EMCV1.26Δ2A induced apoptosis via caspase 3 activation. This strongly suggests that the 2A protein is required for inhibition of apoptosis during EMCV infection. All together, our data indicate that the EMCV 2A protein is important for the virus in counteracting host defenses, since Δ2A viruses were no longer pathogenic and were unable to inhibit apoptosisin vitro.
Inactivated or Live-Attenuated Bivalent Vaccines That Confer Protection against Rabies and Ebola Viruses
Authors: Blaney Joseph E. , Wirblich Christoph , Papaneri Amy B. , Johnson Reed F. , Myers Carey J. , Juelich Terry L. , Holbrook Michael R. , Freiberg Alexander N. , Bernbaum John G. , Jahrling Peter B. , Paragas Jason , Schnell Matthias J. 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACT
The search for a safe and efficacious vaccine for Ebola virus continues, as no current vaccine candidate is nearing licensure. We have developed (i) replication-competent, (ii) replication-deficient, and (iii) chemically inactivated rabies virus (RABV) vaccines expressing Zaire Ebola virus (ZEBOV) glycoprotein (GP) by a reverse genetics system based on the SAD B19 RABV wildlife vaccine. ZEBOV GP is efficiently expressed by these vaccine candidates and is incorporated into virions. The vaccine candidates were avirulent after inoculation of adult mice, and viruses with a deletion in the RABV glycoprotein had greatly reduced neurovirulence after intracerebral inoculation in suckling mice. Immunization with live or inactivated RABV vaccines expressing ZEBOV GP induced humoral immunity against each virus and conferred protection from both lethal RABV and EBOV challenge in mice. The bivalent RABV/ZEBOV vaccines described here have several distinct advantages that may speed the development of inactivated vaccines for use in humans and potentially live or inactivated vaccines for use in nonhuman primates at risk of EBOV infection in endemic areas.
Human Herpesvirus 6 Glycoprotein Complex Formation Is Required for Folding and Trafficking of the gH/gL/gQ1/gQ2 Complex and Its Cellular Receptor Binding
Authors: Tang Huamin , Hayashi Mayuko , Maeki Takahiro , Yamanishi Koichi , Mori Yasuko 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACT
Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) is a T-cell-tropic betaherpesvirus. A glycoprotein (g) complex that is unique to HHV-6, gH/gL/gQ1/gQ2, is a viral ligand for its cellular receptor, human CD46. However, whether complex formation or one component of the complex is required for CD46 binding and how the complex is transported in cells are open questions. Furthermore, in HHV-6-infected cells the gQ1 protein modified with N-linked glycans is expressed in two forms with different molecular masses: an 80-kDa form (gQ1-80K) and a 74-kDa form (gQ1-74K). Only gQ1-80K, but not gQ1-74K, forms the complex with gQ2, gH, and gL, and this four-component complex is incorporated into mature virions. Here, we characterized the molecular context leading to the maturation of gQ1 by expressing combinations of the individual gH/gL/gQ1/gQ2 components in 293T cells. Surprisingly, only when all four molecules were expressed was a substantial amount of gQ1-80K detected, indicating that all three of the other molecules (gQ2, gH, and gL) were necessary and sufficient for gQ1 maturation. We also found that only the tetrameric complex, and not its subsets, binds to CD46. Finally, a gQ2-null virus constructed in the BAC (bacterial artificial chromosome) system could not be reconstituted, indicating that gQ2 is essential for virus growth. These results show that gH, gL, gQ1, and gQ2 are all essential for the trafficking and proper folding of the gH/gL/gQ1/gQ2 complex and, thus, for HHV-6 infection.
Polyclonal B Cell Responses to Conserved Neutralization Epitopes in a Subset of HIV-1-Infected Individuals
Authors: Tomaras Georgia D. , Binley James M. , Gray Elin S. , Crooks Emma T. , Osawa Keiko , Moore Penny L. , Tumba Nancy , Tong Tommy , Shen Xiaoying , Yates Nicole L. , Decker Julie , Wibmer Constantinos Kurt , Gao Feng , Alam S. Munir , Easterbrook Philippa , Abdool Karim Salim , Kamanga Gift , Crump John A. , Cohen Myron , Shaw George M. , Mascola John R. , Haynes Barton F. , Montefiori David C. , Morris Lynn 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACT
A small proportion of HIV-infected individuals generate a neutralizing antibody (NAb) response of exceptional magnitude and breadth. A detailed analysis of the critical epitopes targeted by broadly neutralizing antibodies should help to define optimal targets for vaccine design. HIV-1-infected subjects with potent cross-reactive serum neutralizing antibodies were identified by assaying sera from 308 subjects against a multiclade panel of 12 “tier 2” viruses (4 each of subtypes A, B, and C). Various neutralizing epitope specificities were determined for the top 9 neutralizers, including clade A-, clade B-, clade C-, and clade A/C-infected donors, by using a comprehensive set of assays. In some subjects, neutralization breadth was mediated by two or more antibody specificities. Although antibodies to the gp41 membrane-proximal external region (MPER) were identified in some subjects, the subjects with the greatest neutralization breadth targeted gp120 epitopes, including the CD4 binding site, a glycan-containing quaternary epitope formed by the V2 and V3 loops, or an outer domain epitope containing a glycan at residue N332. The broadly reactive HIV-1 neutralization observed in some subjects is mediated by antibodies targeting several conserved regions on the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein.
A Neonatal Fc Receptor-Targeted Mucosal Vaccine Strategy Effectively Induces HIV-1 Antigen-Specific Immunity to Genital Infection
Authors: Lu Li , Palaniyandi Senthilkumar , Zeng Rongyu , Bai Yu , Liu Xindong , Wang Yunsheng , Pauza C. David , Roopenian Derry C. , Zhu Xiaoping 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACTStrategies to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV include vaccines that elicit durable, protective mucosal immune responses. A key to effective mucosal immunity is the capacity for antigens administered locally to cross epithelial barriers. Given the role of neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) in transferring IgG across polarized epithelial cells which line mucosal surfaces, FcRn might be useful for delivering HIV vaccine antigens across mucosal epithelial barriers to the underlying antigen-presenting cells. Chimeric proteins composed of HIV Gag (p24) fused to the Fc region of IgG (Gag-Fc) bind efficiently to airway mucosa and are transported across this epithelial surface. Mice immunized intranasally with Gag-Fc plus CpG adjuvant developed local and systemic immunity, including durable B and T cell memory. Gag-specific immunity was sufficiently potent to protect against an intravaginal challenge with recombinant vaccinia virus expressing the HIV Gag protein. Intranasal administration of a Gag-Fc/CpG vaccine protected at a distal mucosal site. Our data suggest that targeting of FcRn with chimeric immunogens may be an important strategy for mucosal immunization and should be considered a new approach for preventive HIV vaccines.
Antigen-Dependent and -Independent Mechanisms of T and B Cell Hyperactivation during Chronic HIV-1 Infection
Authors: Haas Anna , Zimmermann Kathrin , Oxenius Annette 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACTContinuous loss of CD4+T lymphocytes and systemic immune activation are hallmarks of untreated chronic HIV-1 infection. Chronic immune activation during HIV-1 infection is characterized by increased expression of activation markers on T cells, elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines, and B cell hyperactivation together with hypergammaglobulinemia. Importantly, hyperactivation of T cells is one of the best predictive markers for progression toward AIDS, and it is closely linked to CD4+T cell depletion and sustained viral replication. Aberrant activation of T cells is observed mainly for memory CD4+and CD8+T cells and is documented, in addition to increased expression of surface activation markers, by increased cell cycling and apoptosis. Notably, the majority of these activated T cells are neither HIV specific nor HIV infected, and the antigen specificities of hyperactivated T cells are largely unknown, as are the exact mechanisms driving their activation. B cells are also severely affected by HIV-1 infection, which is manifested by major changes in B cell subpopulations, B cell hyperactivation, and hypergammaglobulinemia. Similar to those of T cells, the mechanisms underlying this aberrant B cell activation remain largely unknown. In this review, we summarized current knowledge about proposed antigen-dependent and -independent mechanisms leading to lymphocyte hyperactivation in the context of HIV-1 infection.
Forest fires are associated with elevated mortality in a dense urban setting
Authors: Analitis Antonis , Georgiadis Ioannis , Katsouyanni Klea 
Published: August 2011

ObjectivesThe climate and vegetation of the greater Athens area (population over three million) make forest fires a real threat to the environment during the summer. A few studies have reported the adverse health effects of forest fires, mainly using morbidity outcomes. The authors investigated the short-term effects of forest fires on non-accidental mortality in the population of Athens, Greece, during 1998–2004.MethodsThe authors used generalised additive models to investigate the effect of forest fires on daily mortality, adjusting for time trend and meteorological variables, taking into account air pollution as measured from fixed monitors. Forest fires were classified by size according to the area burnt.ResultsSmall fires do not have an effect on mortality. Medium sized fires are associated with an increase of 4.9% (95% CI 0.3% to 9.6%) in the daily total number of deaths, 6.0% (95% CI −0.3% to 12.6%) in the number of cardiovascular deaths and 16.2% (95% CI 1.3% to 33.4%) in the number of respiratory deaths. Cardiovascular effects are larger in those aged <75 years, while respiratory effects are larger in older people. The corresponding effects of the one large fire are: 49.7% (95% CI 37.2% to 63.4%), 60.6% (95% CI 43.1% to 80.3%) and 92.0% (95% CI 47.5% to 150.0%). These effects cannot be completely explained by an increase in ambient particle concentrations.ConclusionForest fires have an immediate effect on mortality, not associated with accidental deaths, which is a significant public health problem, especially if the fire occurs near a densely populated area.
Tobacco retail displays: a comparison of industry arguments and retailers' experiences
Authors: Hoek Janet , Vaudrey Rhonwyn , Gendall Philip , Edwards Richard , Thomson George 
Published: August 2011

BackgroundTobacco companies have opposed the removal of tobacco retail displays, arguing this would compromise retailers' safety, increase retail crime, reduce retailers' income, impose additional costs and be inconvenient. These arguments have successfully delayed policy development in several jurisdictions.MethodsIn-depth interviews conducted with New Zealand retailers who had voluntarily removed tobacco from open display in their stores.ResultsRetailers who had removed tobacco displays did so primarily to reduce their security risk and found their stores had become less vulnerable to retail crime. They did not find removing displays costly or inconvenient nor had this decision significantly reduced their revenue.ConclusionsRemoving in-store tobacco displays may increase rather than decrease store safety. Our findings reveal that retailers' experiences differed in many ways from tobacco companies' predictions and suggest that industry arguments against display removal lack objective support and are self-serving.