bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cervical vertebral canal endoscopy in a horse with cervical vertebral stenotic myelopathy
Authors: PRANGE T. , CARR E. A. , STICK J. A. , GARCIA‐PEREIRA F. L. , PATTERSON J. S. , DERKSEN F. J. 
Published: June 2011

SummaryA 3‐year‐old Thoroughbred gelding presented with a history of neurological signs, including incoordination in his hindlimbs, of about 7 months' duration. On initial examination, the horse exhibited ataxia and paresis in all limbs with more severe deficits in the hindlimbs. Cervical radiographs displayed severe osteoarthritis of the articular processes between C5 and C6. On subsequent cervical myelography the dorsal contrast column was reduced by 90% at the level of the intervertebral space between C5 and C6. Cervical vertebral canal endoscopy, including epidural (epiduroscopy) and subarachnoid endoscopy (myeloscopy), was performed under general anaesthesia. A substantial narrowing of the subarachnoid space at the level between C6 and C7 was seen during myeloscopy, while no compression was apparent between C5 and C6. Epiduroscopy showed no abnormalities. After completion of the procedure, the horse was subjected to euthanasia and the cervical spinal cord submitted for histopathological examination. Severe myelin and axon degeneration of the white matter was diagnosed at the level of the intervertebral space between C6 and C7, with Wallerian degeneration cranially and caudally, indicating chronic spinal cord compression at this site. Myeloscopy was successfully used to identify the site of spinal cord compression in a horse with cervical vertebral stenotic myelopathy, while myelography results were misleading.
Short‐term temporal alterations in magnetic resonance signal occur in primary lesions identified in the deep digital flexor tendon of the equine digit
Authors: MILNER P. I. , SIDWELL S. , TALBOT A. M. , CLEGG P. D. 
Published: June 2011

SummaryReasons for performing study: Primary lesions of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) within the digit are an important cause of lameness diagnosed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) but appearance of these lesions over time has not been documented.Objectives: To determine whether the magnetic resonance (MR) appearance of different primary DDFT lesions alter over a 6 month period and whether lesion type is a determinant of these changes.Methods: Cases included had lameness attributable to a primary lesion involving the DDFT in the digit diagnosed on MRI. Lesions were typed into parasagittal, dorsal border and core lesions. Approximate volumes and intensities were quantified for each lesion type using T2* scan sequences. Follow‐up examinations and measurements were repeated at 3 and 6 month periods following conservative management.Results: Twenty‐three horses fitted the inclusion criteria. Lesion distribution included: parasagittal (n = 7), dorsal border (n = 11) and core lesions (n = 5). No association was found between age of horse, degree of lameness and lesion type. Only dorsal border lesions showed statistically significant reduction both in volume (initial scan: 0.18 ± 0.14 cm3) at 3 months (0.11 ± 0.10 cm3, P<0.05) and 6 months (0.05 ± 0.05 cm3, P<0.01) and ratiometric intensity (initial scan: 4.06 ± 1.54) at 6 months (2.00 ± 0.43; P<0.01). Parasagittal and core lesions showed no difference in lesion volume or ratiometric intensity. Lameness improved in all lesion types following conservative management.Conclusions: Dorsal border lesions of the DDFT show reduction in both volume and intensity whereas parasagittal and core lesions do not.Potential relevance: Lesion typing may be important in predicting lesion behaviour and short‐term outcome using MR imaging.
Serum concentration of surfactant protein D in horses with lower airway inflammation
Authors: RICHARD E. A. , PITEL P.‐H. , CHRISTMANN U. , LEKEUX P. , FORTIER G. , PRONOST S. 
Published: June 2011

SummaryReasons for performing study:Surfactant protein D (SP‐D), mainly synthesised by alveolartype IIcells and nonciliated bronchiolar cells, is one important component of innate pulmonary immunity. In man, circulating concentrations of SP‐D are routinely used as biomarkers for pulmonary injury. To date, serum SP‐D levels have only been investigated in horses in an experimental model of bacterial airway infection.Objectives:To compare serum SP‐D concentrations at rest and after exercise in horses with and without inflammatory airway disease (IAD).Methods:Venous blood samples were collected from 42 Standardbred racehorses at rest and 60 min after performing a standardised treadmill exercise test. Tracheal wash and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples were collected after exercise. Based on BALF cytology, 22 horses were defined as IAD‐affected and 20 classified as controls. Serum SP‐D concentrations were assessed using a commercially available ELISA kit and statistically compared between groups of horses and sampling times.Results:Serum concentrations of SP‐D in IAD‐affected horses were significantly higher than those of control horses, both at rest and after exercise. Within the IAD‐affected group, no significant correlation was found between serum SP‐D concentrations and BALF cytology. Within each group of horses (IAD and control), no significant influence of exercise was found on serum SP‐D levels.Conclusions:This is the first study determining serum SP‐D concentrations in a noninfectious, naturally occurring form of lower airway inflammation in horses. The results highlight that IAD is associated with a detectable, though moderate, increase of circulating SP‐D levels.Potential relevance:Serum concentration of surfactant protein D could represent a potentially valuable and readily accessible blood biomarker of equine lower airway inflammation.
Retrospective analysis of DATIX dispensing error reports from Scottish NHS hospitals
Authors: Irwin Amy , Ross Jennifer , Seaton Janet , Mearns Kathryn 
Published: June 2011

AbstractAimThe primary objective was to analyse reported dispensing errors, and contributing factors, in Scottish National Health Service hospitals by coding and quantifying error reports from the DATIX patient-safety software. The secondary objective was to gather managerial responses to dispensing error in order to gain a perspective on interventions already in place.MethodsIncident reports collected from 23 Scottish hospitals over a 5-year period were analysed retrospectively. Reported incident types, contributory factors and managerial responses were categorised according to the event description, and the frequency of such factors calculated.Key findingsDispensing errors (n = 573), from both pharmacies and wards, were analysed. The main incident types were incorrect drug (19.2%, n = 110) and incorrect strength of drug (16.8%, n = 96). The main contributory factors were reported as drug name similarity (15.5%, n = 30) and busy wards/pharmacies (14.9%, n = 29). Patient-centred issues (6.1%, n = 12) also featured. Managerial responses to these errors took the form of meetings (16.7%, n = 42), increasing staff awareness (14.7%, n = 37) or staff reminders on the importance of checking procedures (17.9%, n = 45).ConclusionsThe pattern of incidents reported is similar to previous research on the subject, but with a few key differences, such as, reports of errors associated with filling dosette boxes, and patient-centred issues. These differences indicate a potentially changing pattern of errors in response to new techniques in medicine management. Continued assessment of dispensing errors is required in order to develop practical interventions to improve medication safety.
Monoclonal Antibodies Specific for Immunorecessive Epitopes of Glucuronoxylomannan, the Major Capsular Polysaccharide of Cryptococcus neoformans, Reduce Serotype Bias in an Immunoassay for Cryptococcal Antigen
Authors: Percival Ann , Thorkildson Peter , Kozel Thomas R. 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACTImmunoassay for detection of glucuronoxylomannan (GXM), the major capsular polysaccharide ofCryptococcus neoformans, is an important tool for diagnosis of cryptococcosis. However, immunoassays that are based solely or in part on detection with polyclonal antibodies may show serotype bias in detection of GXM, particularly limited sensitivity for serotype C. In this study, we describe detection of GXM in an antigen capture sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that used a cocktail of two monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). MAb F12D2 was previously produced by immunization with GXM that had been treated to removeO-acetyl groups, a major source of serotype specificity. MAb F12D2 has a high degree of reactivity with GXM of serotypes A, B, C, and D, but the reactivity with serotype D was less than was found with other MAbs. MAb 339 is highly reactive with GXM of serotypes A and D. Use of a combination of the two MAbs produced an immunoassay that had the best properties of both MAbs, including good reactivity with serotype C, which is an emerging threat in sub-Saharan Africa. These results suggest that next-generation immunoassays for diagnosis of cryptococcosis may be formulated by (i) use of immunization and hybridoma screening strategies that are designed to prospectively meet the needs of immunoassay performance and (ii) careful selection of MAbs that span the expected polysaccharide serotypes in the subject patient population.
A Novel Lawsonia intracellularis Autotransporter Protein Is a Prominent Antigen
Authors: Watson Eleanor , Clark Ewan M. , Alberdi M. Pilar , Inglis Neil F. , Porter Megan , Imrie Lisa , Mclean Kevin , Manson Erin , Lainson Alex , Smith David G. E. 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACTInvestigation of antigenic determinants of the microaerophilic obligate intracellular bacteriumLawsonia intracellularisusing a mass spectrometry approach identified a novel bacterial protein present in an extract of cell culture medium aspirated from heavily infectedin vitrocell cultures. Western immunoblotting analysis of SDS-PAGE-resolved proteins using immune sera pooled fromL. intracellularis-infected pigs revealed the presence of a strongly immunoreactive band of ∼72 kDa. Liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry analysis of this component and database mining using a fully annotatedL. intracellularisgenome sequence and the comprehensive GenBank prokaryotic genomic database highlighted the presence of a protein that shares little sequence similarity with other prokaryotic proteins and appears to be highly species specific. Detailed bioinformatic analyses identified the protein as member of the autotransporter protein family of surface-exposed proteins, and the designation LatA (Lawsoniaautotransporter protein A) is suggested. Recognition of recombinant LatA on Western blots by a panel of sera from infected and control pigs corresponded 100% with a commercial serodiagnostic that relies onin vitroculture of this fastidious organism. LatA therefore represents a potential candidate for the development of a rapid and species-specific serodiagnostic reagent.
Comparison of Memory B Cell, Antibody-Secreting Cell, and Plasma Antibody Responses in Young Children, Older Children, and Adults with Infection Caused by Vibrio cholerae O1 El Tor Ogawa in Bangladesh
Authors: Leung Daniel T. , Rahman Mohammad Arif , Mohasin M. , Riyadh M. Asrafuzzaman , Patel Sweta M. , Alam Mohammad Murshid , Chowdhury Fahima , Khan Ashraful Islam , Kalivoda Eric J. , Aktar Amena , Bhuiyan M. Saruar , LaRocque Regina C. , Harris Jason B. , Calderwood Stephen B. , Qadri Firdausi , Ryan Edward T. 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACTChildren bear a large component of the global burden of cholera. Despite this, little is known about immune responses to cholera in children, especially those under 5 years of age. Cholera vaccine studies have demonstrated lower long-term protective efficacy in young children than in older children and adults. Memory B cell (MBC) responses may correlate with duration of protection following infection and vaccination. Here we report a comparison of immune responses in young children (3 to 5 years of age;n= 17), older children (6 to 17 years of age;n= 17), and adults (18 to 60 years of age;n= 68) hospitalized with cholera in Dhaka, Bangladesh. We found that young children had lower baseline vibriocidal antibody titers and higher fold increases in titer between day 2 and day 7 than adults. Young children had higher baseline IgG plasma antibody levels toVibrio choleraeantigens, although the magnitudes of responses at days 7 and 30 were similar across age groups. As a surrogate marker for mucosal immune responses, we assessed day 7 antibody-secreting cell (ASC) responses. These were comparable across age groups, although there was a trend for older age groups to have higher levels of lipopolysaccharide-specific IgA ASC responses. All age groups developed comparable MBC responses toV. choleraelipopolysaccharide and cholera toxin B subunit at day 30. These findings suggest that young children are able to mount robust vibriocidal, plasma antibody, ASC, and MBC responses againstV. choleraeO1, suggesting that under an optimal vaccination strategy, young children could achieve protective efficacy comparable to that induced in adults.
Group B Streptococci Causing Neonatal Infections in Barcelona Are a Stable Clonal Population: 18-Year Surveillance
Authors: Martins E. R. , Andreu A. , Correia P. , Juncosa T. , Bosch J. , Ramirez M. , Melo-Cristino J. 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACT

We analyzed 212 group B streptococci (GBS) from newborns with invasive infections in the area of Barcelona, Spain, between 1992 and 2009, with the aim of documenting changes in the prevalences of serotypes, antimicrobial resistance, and genetic lineages and evaluating their associations with either early-onset disease (EOD) or late-onset disease (LOD). Serotypes III (
n
= 118) and Ia (
n
= 47) together accounted for nearly 78% of the isolates. All isolates carried an alpha or alpha-like protein gene, and specific associations between genes and serotypes, such as serotype Ib and
bca
, serotype II and
bca
, serotype III and
rib
, and serotype V and
alp3
, reflected the presence of particular genetic lineages. Macrolide resistance (14.2%) was significantly associated with serotype V. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) clustering was an excellent predictor of serotype and antibiotic resistance. The combination of PFGE and multilocus sequence typing revealed a large number of genetically distinct lineages. Still, specific lineages were dominant in our collection, particularly the serotype III/ST17/
rib
lineage, which had enhanced potential to cause LOD. Serotype Ia was concentrated in a single PFGE cluster composed of two genetic lineages: ST23/
eps
and ST24/
bca
. The ST24/
bca
sublineage of serotype Ia, which is found infrequently elsewhere, may be emerging as an important cause of neonatal invasive infections in the Mediterranean region. In spite of the introduction of prophylaxis, resulting in a pronounced decline in the frequency of EOD, the study revealed a remarkably stable clonal structure of GBS causing neonatal infections in Barcelona over a period of 18 years.
Multilaboratory Evaluation of Real-Time PCR Tests for Hepatitis B Virus DNA Quantification
Authors: Caliendo Angela M. , Valsamakis Alexander , Bremer James W. , Ferreira-Gonzalez Andrea , Granger Suzanne , Sabatini Linda , Tsongalis Gregory J. , Wang Yun F. (Wayne) , Yen-Lieberman Belinda , Young Steve , Lurain Nell S. 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACT

The performance characteristics of four different assays for hepatitis B virus (HBV) quantification were assessed: the Abbott RealTime HBV IUO, the Roche Cobas AmpliPrep/Cobas TaqMan HBV test, the Roche Cobas TaqMan HBV test with HighPure system, and the Qiagen
artus
HBV TM ASR. Limit of detection (LOD), linear range, reproducibility, and agreement were determined using a serially diluted plasma sample from a single chronically infected subject. Each assay was tested by at least three laboratories. The LOD of the RealTime and two TaqMan assays was approximately 1.0 log
10
IU/ml; for
artus
HBV (which used the lowest volume of extracted DNA), it was approximately 1.5 log
10
IU/ml. The linear range spanned 1.0 to at least 7.0 log
10
IU/ml for all assays. Median values were consistently lowest for
artus
HBV and highest for Cobas AmpliPrep/Cobas TaqMan HBV. Assays incorporating automated nucleic acid extraction were the most reproducible; however, the overall variability was minor since the standard deviations for the means of all tested concentrations were ≤0.32 log
10
IU/ml for all assays. False-positive results were observed with all assays; the highest rates occurred with tests using manual nucleic acid extraction. The performance characteristics of these assays suggest that they are useful for management and therapeutic monitoring of chronic HBV infection.
Aeromonas aquariorum Is Widely Distributed in Clinical and Environmental Specimens and Can Be Misidentified as Aeromonas hydrophila
Authors: Aravena-Román Max , Harnett Gerald B. , Riley Thomas V. , Inglis Timothy J. J. , Chang Barbara J. 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACT

Genotypic characterization of 215
Aeromonas
strains (143 clinical, 52 environmental, and 20 reference strains) showed that
Aeromonas aquariorum
(60 strains, 30.4%) was the most frequently isolated species in clinical and water samples and could be misidentified as
Aeromonas hydrophila
by phenotypic methods.
Multiplex Real-Time PCR Assay for Detection of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Associated Toxin Genes
Authors: Fosheim G. E. , Nicholson A. C. , Albrecht V. S. , Limbago B. M. 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACT

We describe a real-time PCR assay for the detection of methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
and genes encoding toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 and Panton-Valentine leukocidin. Rapid screening and detection of toxins is a useful tool for surveillance studies and outbreak investigations involving large numbers of isolates.
Development and Application of Hepatitis C Reporter Viruses with Genotype 1 to 7 Core-Nonstructural Protein 2 (NS2) Expressing Fluorescent Proteins or Luciferase in Modified JFH1 NS5A
Authors: Gottwein Judith M. , Jensen Tanja B. , Mathiesen Christian K. , Meuleman Philip , Serre Stephanie B. N. , Lademann Jacob B. , Ghanem Lubna , Scheel Troels K. H. , Leroux-Roels Geert , Bukh Jens 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACT

To facilitate genotype-specific high-throughput studies of hepatitis C virus (HCV), we have developed reporter viruses using JFH1-based recombinants expressing core-nonstructural protein 2 (NS2) of genotype 1 to 7 prototype isolates. We introduced enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) into NS5A domain III of the genotype 2a virus J6/JFH1 [2a(J6)]. During Huh7.5 cell culture adaptation, 2a(J6)-EGFP acquired a 40-amino-acid (aa) (Δ40) or 25-aa (Δ25) deletion in NS5A domain II, rescuing the impairment of viral assembly caused by the EGFP insertion. Δ40 conferred efficient growth characteristics to 2a(J6) tagged with EGFP, DsRed-Express2, mCherry, or
Renilla
luciferase (RLuc), yielding peak supernatant infectivity titers of 4 to 5 log
10
focus-forming units (FFU)/ml. 2a(J6) with Δ40 or Δ25 was fully viable in Huh7.5 cells. In human liver chimeric mice, 2a(J6)-EGFPΔ40 acquired various deletions in EGFP, while 2a(J6)Δ40 did not show an impaired viability. We further developed panels of JFH1-based genotype 1 to 7 core-NS2 recombinants expressing EGFP- or RLuc-NS5AΔ40 fusion proteins. In cell culture, the different EGFP recombinants showed growth characteristics comparable to those of the nontagged recombinants, with peak infectivity titers of 4 to 5 log
10
FFU/ml. RLuc recombinants showed slightly less efficient growth characteristics, with peak infectivity titers up to 10-fold lower. Overall, the EGFP and RLuc recombinants were genetically stable after one viral passage. The usefulness of these reporter viruses for high-throughput fluorescence- and luminescence-based studies of HCV-receptor interactions and serum-neutralizing antibodies was demonstrated. Finally, using RLuc viruses, we showed that the genotype-specific core-NS2 sequence did not influence the response to alfa-2b interferon (IFN-alfa-2b) and that genotype 1 to 7 viruses all responded to treatment with p7 ion channel inhibitors.
Potyviral VPg Enhances Viral RNA Translation and Inhibits Reporter mRNA Translation
In Planta
Authors: Eskelin Katri , Hafrén Anders , Rantalainen Kimmo I. , Mäkinen Kristiina 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACT

Viral protein genome-linked (VPg) plays a central role in several stages of potyvirus infection. This study sought to answer questions about the role of
Potato virus A
(PVA; genus
Potyvirus
) VPg in viral and host RNA expression. When expressed in
Nicotiana benthamiana
leaves
in trans
, a dual role of VPg in translation is observed. It repressed the expression of monocistronic luciferase (
luc
) mRNA and simultaneously induced a significant upregulation in the expression of both replicating and nonreplicating PVA RNAs. This enhanced viral gene expression was due at least to the 5′ untranslated region (UTR) of PVA RNA, eukaryotic initiation factors 4E and iso 4E [eIF4E/eIF(iso)4E], and the presence of a sufficient amount of VPg. Coexpression of VPg with viral RNA increased the viral RNA amount, which was not the case with the monocistronic mRNA. Both mutations at certain lysine residues in PVA VPg and eIF4E/eIF(iso)4E depletion reduced its ability to upregulate the viral RNA expression. These modifications were also involved in VPg-mediated downregulation of monocistronic
luc
expression. These results suggest that VPg can titrate eIF4Es from capped monocistronic RNAs. Because VPg-mediated enhancement of viral gene expression required eIF4Es, it is possible that VPg directs eIF4Es to promote viral RNA expression. From this study it is evident that VPg can serve as a specific regulator of PVA expression by boosting the viral RNA amounts as well as the accumulation of viral translation products. Such a mechanism could function to protect viral RNA from being degraded and to secure efficient production of coat protein (CP) for virion formation.
Type I Interferon Contributes to CD4+T Cell Depletion Induced by Infection with HIV-1 in the Human Thymus
Authors: Sivaraman Vijay , Zhang Liguo , Su Lishan 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACTPersistent induction of type 1 interferon (IFN) is associated with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection. We report here that the pathogenic HIV strain R3A (HIV-R3A) induced high levels of type 1 IFN, while the nonpathogenic HIV-R3B showed no significant induction in human fetal thymus organ culture (HFTOC). We found that IFN contributed to the depletion of human T cells by HIV-R3A in a fusion-independent fashion. The R3B recombinant with the R3A Env V1V2 domain (R3B/A-V1V2) was able to induce type 1 IFN, which contributed to the increased depletion of T cells. Therefore, type 1 IFN induction plays a significant role in HIV-induced T cell depletion in the human thymus.