bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical Practice Guidelines by the Infectious Diseases Society of America for the Treatment of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infections in Adults and Children
Authors: Liu Catherine , Bayer Arnold , Cosgrove Sara E. , Daum Robert S. , Fridkin Scott K. , Gorwitz Rachel J. , Kaplan Sheldon L. , Karchmer Adolf W. , Levine Donald P. , Murray Barbara E. , Rybak Michael J. , Talan David A. , Chambers Henry F. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractEvidence-based guidelines for the management of patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections were prepared by an Expert Panel of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA). The guidelines are intended for use by health care providers who care for adult and pediatric patients with MRSA infections. The guidelines discuss the management of a variety of clinical syndromes associated with MRSA disease, including skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI), bacteremia and endocarditis, pneumonia, bone and joint infections, and central nervous system (CNS) infections. Recommendations are provided regarding vancomycin dosing and monitoring, management of infections due to MRSA strains with reduced susceptibility to vancomycin, and vancomycin treatment failures.
Myocardial fibrosis in isolated left ventricular non‐compaction and its relation to disease severity
Authors: Nucifora Gaetano , Aquaro Giovanni D. , Pingitore Alessandro , Masci Pier Giorgio , Lombardi Massimo 
Published: January 2011

AimsThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence and extent of myocardial fibrosis in patients with isolated left ventricular non‐compaction (LVNC) and to determine its relation to clinical status and LV systolic function.Methods and resultsThe cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) database of our institution was searched for all patients with a first diagnosis of isolated LVNC. The diagnosis of isolated LVNC was based on the presence of standard cardiac MRI and clinical criteria. For each patient, cine and contrast‐enhanced cardiac MR images were analysed to evaluate LV systolic function and the prevalence and extent of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), a surrogate of myocardial fibrosis. A total of 42 patients (mean age 46 ± 20 years, 62% male) were identified. Late gadolinium enhancement was observed in 23 (55%) patients with isolated LVNC, occupying 4.8 ± 6.7% of the LV mass. Both the presence and extent of LGE were significantly related to the number of abnormal clinical features (i.e. symptomatic status, resting electrocardiogram abnormalities, and 24 h Holter monitoring abnormalities; P< 0.001 and P= 0.001, respectively). Similarly, LGE was more prevalent and extensive in patients with LV ejection fraction (EF) <50% compared with patients with LVEF ≥50% (90 vs. 23%; P< 0.001 and 8.9 ± 7.6 vs. 1.1 ± 2.4%; P< 0.001, respectively). At multivariate analysis, both the presence and extent of LV LGE were independently related to LVEF (β = −0.63; P< 0.001 and β = −0.62; P< 0.001, respectively).ConclusionMyocardial fibrosis is related to clinical disease severity and LV systolic dysfunction in isolated LVNC.
A Novel Interaction between CCaMK and a Protein Containing the Scythe_N Ubiquitin-Like Domain in Lotus japonicus
Authors: Kang Heng , Zhu Hui , Chu Xiaojie , Yang Zhenzhen , Yuan Songli , Yu Dunqiang , Wang Chao , Hong Zonglie , Zhang Zhongming 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
In the Rhizobium-legume symbiosis, calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CCaMK) is a key regulator for both rhizobial infection and nodule organogenesis. Deregulation of CCaMK by either a point mutation in the autophosphorylation site or the deletion of the carboxyl-terminal regulatory domain results in spontaneous nodule formation without rhizobia. However, the underlying biochemical mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, using the kinase domain of CCaMK as a bait in yeast two-hybrid screening, we identify a novel protein, CIP73 (for CCaMK-interacting protein of approximately 73 kD), that interacts with CCaMK. CIP73 contains a Scythe_N ubiquitin-like domain and belongs to the large ubiquitin superfamily. Deletion and mutagenesis analysis demonstrate that CIP73 could only interact with CCaMK when the calmodulin-binding domain and three EF-hand motifs are removed from the kinase domain. The amino-terminal 80 amino acid residues (80–160) of CCaMK are required for interacting with CIP73 in yeast cells. On the other hand, protein pull-down assay and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assay in Nicotiana benthamiana show that the full-length CCaMK could interact with CIP73 in vitro and in planta. Importantly, CCaMK phosphorylates the amino terminus of CIP73 in a Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent manner in vitro. CIP73 transcripts are preferentially expressed in roots, and very low expression is detected in leaves, stems, and nodules. The expression in roots is significantly decreased after inoculation of Mesorhizobium loti. RNA interference knockdown of CIP73 expression by hairy root transformation in Lotus japonicus led to decreased nodule formation, suggesting that CIP73 performed an essential role in nodulation.
Long‐term protection against tobacco mosaic virus induced by the marine alga oligo‐sulphated‐galactan Poly‐Ga in tobacco plants
Authors: VERA JEANNETTE , CASTRO JORGE , GONZÁLEZ ALBERTO , BARRIENTOS HERNA , MATSUHIRO BETTY , ARCE PATRICIO , ZUÑIGA GUSTAVO , MOENNE ALEJANDRA 
Published: January 2011

SUMMARYIn order to study the antiviral effect of the oligo‐sulphated galactan Poly‐Ga, the leaves of tobacco plants XhantiNN were sprayed with water (control), with increasing concentrations of Poly‐Ga, for increasing numbers of treatments or cultivated for increasing times after treatment. Control and treated plants were infected with tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and the numbers of necrotic lesions were measured in infected leaves. The number of necrotic lesions decreased with increasing concentrations of Poly‐Ga, with increasing numbers of treatments and with increasing time after treatment, indicating a long‐term protection against TMV that mimicks vaccination. In addition, control Xhantinn plants and plants treated with Poly‐Ga and cultivated for increasing times after treatment were infected with TMV in the middle part of the plant, and the levels of TMV‐capsid protein (CP) transcripts were measured in apical leaves. TMV‐CP transcripts decreased in distant leaves, indicating that Poly‐Ga induces systemic protection against TMV. The activities of the defence enzymes phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and lipoxygenase (LOX) and the amounts of several phenylpropanoid compounds (PPCs) were measured in control and treated plants without infection. A progressive increase in PAL activity was observed with increasing time after treatment, together with the accumulation of free and conjugated PPCs. In contrast, LOX activity remained unchanged. Interestingly, the increase in PAL activity showed a linear correlation with the decrease in necrotic lesions and the decrease in TMV‐CP transcript level. Thus, Poly‐Ga induced systemic and long‐term protection against TMV in tobacco plants that is determined, at least in part, by a sustained activation of PAL and the accumulation of PPCs with potential antiviral activity.
The FRP1 F‐box gene has different functions in sexuality, pathogenicity and metabolism in three fungal pathogens
Authors: JONKERS WILFRIED , VAN KAN JAN A. L. , TIJM PATRICK , LEE YIN‐WON , TUDZYNSKI PAUL , REP MARTIJN , MICHIELSE CAROLINE B. 
Published: January 2011

SUMMARYPlant‐pathogenic fungi employ a variety of infection strategies; as a result, fungi probably rely on different sets of proteins for successful infection. The F‐box protein Frp1, only present in filamentous fungi belonging to the Sordariomycetes, Leotiomycetes and Dothideomycetes, is required for nonsugar carbon catabolism and pathogenicity in the root‐infecting fungus Fusarium oxysporum. To assess the role of Frp1 in other plant‐pathogenic fungi, FRP1 deletion mutants were generated in Fusarium graminearum and Botrytis cinerea, and their phenotypes were analysed. Deletion of FgFRP1 in F. graminearum led to impaired infection of barley roots, but not of aerial plant parts. Deletion of BcFRP1 in B. cinerea did not show any effect on pathogenicity. Sexual reproduction, however, was impaired in both F. graminearum and B. cinerea FRP1 deletion mutants. The mutants of all three fungi displayed different phenotypes when grown on an array of carbon sources. The F. oxysporum and B. cinerea deletion mutants showed opposite growth phenotypes on sugar and nonsugar carbon sources. Replacement of FoFRP1 in F. oxysporum with the B. cinerea BcFRP1 resulted in the restoration of pathogenicity, but also in a switch from impaired growth on nonsugar carbon sources to impaired growth on sugar carbon sources. This effect could be ascribed in part to the B. cinerea BcFRP1 promoter sequence. In conclusion, the function of the F‐box protein Frp1, despite its high sequence conservation, is not conserved between different fungi, leading to differential requirements for pathogenicity and carbon source utilization.
Narrowing down the apricot Plum pox virus resistance locus and comparative analysis with the peach genome syntenic region
Authors: VERA RUIZ ELSA MARÍA , SORIANO JOSÉ MIGUEL , ROMERO CARLOS , ZHEBENTYAYEVA TETYANA , TEROL JAVIER , ZURIAGA ELENA , LLÁCER GERARDO , ABBOTT ALBERT GLENN , BADENES MARÍA LUISA 
Published: January 2011

SUMMARYSharka disease, caused by the Plum pox virus (PPV), is one of the main limiting factors for stone fruit crops worldwide. Only a few resistance sources have been found in apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.), and most studies have located a major PPV resistance locus (PPVres) on linkage group 1 (LG1). However, the mapping accuracy was not sufficiently reliable and PPVres was predicted within a low confidence interval. In this study, we have constructed two high‐density simple sequence repeat (SSR) improved maps with 0.70 and 0.68 markers/cm, corresponding to LG1 of ‘Lito’ and ‘Goldrich’ PPV‐resistant cultivars, respectively. Using these maps, and excluding genotype–phenotype incongruent individuals, a new binary trait locus (BTL) analysis for PPV resistance was performed, narrowing down the PPVres support intervals to 7.3 and 5.9 cm in ‘Lito’ and ‘Goldrich’, respectively. Subsequently, 71 overlapping oligonucleotides (overgo) probes were hybridized against an apricot bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library, identifying 870 single BACs from which 340 were anchored onto a map region of approximately 30–40 cm encompassing PPVres. Partial BAC contigs assigned to the two allelic haplotypes (resistant/susceptible) of the PPVres locus were built by high‐information content fingerprinting (HICF). In addition, a total of 300 BAC‐derived sequences were obtained, and 257 showed significant homology with the peach genome scaffold_1 corresponding to LG1. According to the peach syntenic genome sequence, PPVres was predicted within a region of 2.16 Mb in which a few candidate resistance genes were identified.
Evidence for branching in cryptococcal capsular polysaccharides and consequences on its biological activity
Authors: Cordero Radames J. B. , Frases Susana , Guimaräes Allan J. , Rivera Johanna , Casadevall Arturo 
Published: January 2011

SummaryThe encapsulated fungus Cryptococcus neoformans is a common cause of life‐threatening disease in immunocompromised individuals. Its major virulence determinant is the polysaccharide (PS) capsule. An unsolved problem in cryptococcal biology is whether the PSs composing the capsule are linear or complex branched polymers, as well as the implications of this structural composition in pathogenesis. In this study we approached the problem by combining static and dynamic light scattering, viscosity analysis, and high‐resolution microscopy and correlated the findings with biological properties. Analysis of the dependence of capsular PS molecular mass and the radius of gyration provided strong evidence against a simple linear PS configuration. Shape factors calculated from light scattering measurements in solution revealed values consistent with polymer branching. Furthermore, viscosity measurements provided complementary evidence for structural branching. Electron microscopy showed PS spherical‐like structures similar to other branched PS. Finally, we show that the capacity of capsular PS to interfere in complement‐mediated phagocytosis, inhibit nitric oxide production by macrophage‐like cells, protect against reactive oxygen species, antibody reactivity and half‐life in serum were influenced by the degree of branching, providing evidence for the notion that PS branching is an important parameter in determining the biological activity of C. neoformans PS.
Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR‐2) signalling activity in paediatric pilocytic astrocytoma is restricted to tumour endothelial cells
Authors: Sikkema A. H. , de Bont E. S. J. M. , Molema G. , Dimberg A. , Zwiers P. J. , Diks S. H. , Hoving E. W. , Kamps W. A. , Peppelenbosch M. P. , den Dunnen W. F. A. 
Published: January 2011

A. H. Sikkema, E. S. J. M. de Bont, G. Molema, A. Dimberg, P. J. Zwiers, S. H. Diks, E. W. Hoving, W. A. Kamps, M. P. Peppelenbosch and W. F. A. den Dunnen (2011) Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology37, 538–548 Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR‐2) signalling activity in paediatric pilocytic astrocytoma is restricted to tumour endothelial cells Aims: Tumours depend on angiogenesis for enhanced tumour cell survival and progression. Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) signalling plays a major part in this process. Previously, we evaluated tyrosine kinase activity in paediatric brain tumour tissue lysates using a peptide microarray containing 144 different tyrosine kinase peptide substrates. When applied to paediatric pilocytic astrocytoma tissue, this analysis revealed extensive phosphorylation of VEGFR‐derived peptides. The aim of the current study was to validate this result and determine the presence of VEGFR‐2 activity in paediatric pilocytic astrocytoma as the main VEGFR in terms of mitogenic signalling. In addition, the localization of VEGFR1–3 mRNA expression was assessed. Methods: VEGFR‐2 phosphorylation was determined by adopting a proximity ligation assay approach. Enrichment of endothelial markers and VEGFRs in tumour endothelium was determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis of laser‐microdissected blood vessels. Results: Proximity ligation assays on tumour cryosections showed the presence of phosphorylation of VEGFR‐2, which primarily localized to vascular endothelium. qPCR analysis of endothelial markers and VEGFRs showed a 13.6‐fold average enrichment of VEGFR‐2 expression in the laser‐microdissected endothelium compared to whole tumour. Also the expression of VEGFR‐1 and ‐3 was highly enriched in the endothelium fraction with an average fold‐enrichment of 16.5 and 50.8 respectively. Conclusions: Phosphorylated VEGFR‐2 is detected on endothelial cells in paediatric pilocytic astrocytoma. Furthermore, endothelial cells are the main source of VEGFR1–3 mRNA expression. This suggests a crucial role for VEGF/VEGFR‐induced angiogenesis in the progression and maintenance of these tumours.
A calcium‐activated apyrase from Teladorsagia circumcincta: an excretory/secretory antigen capable of modulating host immune responses?
Authors: NISBET A. J. , ZARLENGA D. S. , KNOX D. P. , MEIKLE L. I. , WILDBLOOD L. A. , MATTHEWS J. B. 
Published: January 2011

SummaryA cDNA representing the gene Teladorsagia circumcincta apyrase‐1 (Tci‐apy‐1) was isolated, by PCR, from a T. circumcincta fourth‐stage larval (L4) cDNA library. The closest orthologue of this gene is a Ca2+‐dependent apyrase from Ostertagia ostertagi, with 92% amino acid identity across all 339 residues. Tci‐apy‐1 is transcribed in a stage‐specific manner, the transcript being predominant in L4, detectable in the adult cDNA, but absent from eggs and infective third‐stage larvae (L3). The protein, Tci‐APY‐1, was detected by immunoblotting in extracts of L4 nematodes and was present in excretory/secretory products from the same developmental stage. A recombinant version of Tci‐APY‐1 was expressed in bacteria as an active enzyme that hydrolysed nucleoside triphosphate substrates with a preference of ATP over other nucleoside triphosphates. Recombinant Tci‐APY‐1 hydrolysed ATP and ADP but not AMP. Apyrase activity was divalent cation‐dependent, with no hydrolysis in the presence of Mg2+, but activation in the presence of Ca2+. Recombinant Tci‐APY‐1 was bound by IgG present in serum and both IgG and IgA present in abomasal mucus from trickle‐infected, immune sheep but not in material derived from lambs exposed to a single infection. The potential immunomodulatory roles of this Tci‐APY‐1 are discussed in relation to purinergic signalling.
Novel aspects in the evaluation of an automated blood group analyser
Authors: Strobel E. , Betten S. 
Published: January 2011

Background: In contrast to other studies evaluating machines by testing a great number of samples, we focused here on the sensitivity and on the influence of possible disturbing factors on automated blood group testing. Materials and Methods: As the gelcards of the DiaMed‐ID Micro Typing System are well known, this study examines reading and interpretation of the gelcards by the automated analyser Techno TwinStation. The results of automated reading were compared with visual reading of the gelcards taken out from the machine. Results: The sensitivity, tested by the titers of some complete and incomplete antibodies, was at least the same for automated as for visual reading. Samples with weak antigens were well recognised by the analyser. Mixed field agglutinations were recognised as questionable results by automated reading up to a relation of 1 : 10 for the most part. Antibody screening and reverse typing were not influenced by hyperbilirubinaemia, whereas in lipemic and haemolytic samples doubtful results were reported. Conclusion: Interpretation of the results by the automated analyser Techno TwinStation may be disturbed in some difficult samples, but in most of these cases the analyser reports not a false, but a doubtful result, thus triggering visual reading by the operator.
Establishment of a cell line panel as an alternative source of platelet antigens for a screening assay of anti‐human platelet antibodies
Authors: Hayashi T. , Amakishi E. , Matsuyama N. , Yasui K. , Furuta R. A. , Hori Y. , Tanaka S. , Fukumori Y. , Hirayama F. , Inoue M. 
Published: January 2011

Background: A panel of platelets expressing various human platelet antigens (HPAs) for a platelet antibody screening assay is difficult to prepare because some antigens are rarely expressed. Therefore, an alternative method without using platelets would be helpful in detecting HPA antibodies. This study describes the establishment of cell lines that stably express specific HPAs and their application for detecting specific antibodies. Methods: Wild‐type β3, HPA‐1b, ‐6b, ‐7b and ‐7 variant cDNA as well as wild‐type αIIb and HPA‐3b cDNA were individually co‐transduced with wild‐type αIIb and β3 cDNA in the K562 cell line. We performed an immunobead monoclonal antibody immobilisation of platelet antigens (MAIPA) assay to evaluate this cell line panel for antibody detection using identified sera containing HPA antibodies, whose specificities had been determined by the mixed passive haemagglutination test. Results and Conclusion: Of the 12 sera containing HPA‐1a (n = 2), HPA‐3a (n = 6), HPA‐6b (n = 3) or HPA‐7 variant (n = 1) antibodies, all antibodies were detected and determined by our new method, except for two HPA‐3a antibodies. One of the two antibodies was also negative for conventional platelet MAIPA, suggesting that the cell line panel might be used as an alternative source of platelet antigens in the MAIPA assay.
Role of mitochondria in the maintenance of platelet function during in vitro storage
Authors: Hayashi T. , Tanaka S. , Hori Y. , Hirayama F. , Sato E. F. , Inoue M. 
Published: January 2011

Aims/Objectives: Platelets undergo structural and biochemical alterations during in vitro storage and these are collectively called platelet storage lesions (PSL). The mitochondrion is an important cell organelle involved not only in energy production but also in the regulation of cellular functions and viability. This implies that some platelet functions may be regulated by mitochondria; hence, preservation of mitochondrial functions may be important for the maintenance of platelet quality in stored platelet concentrates (PCs). This work describes the effects of various compounds on mitochondrial functions important for the maintenance of platelet quality in in vitro stored PCs. Methods: PCs were stored at 22 °C with gentle agitation in the presence or absence of 2,4‐dinitrophenol, antimycin A, acetyl‐l‐carnitine and ascorbic acid. The effects of these products on platelet quality were assessed by analysing glucose and lactate concentrations, pH of the storage medium, shape of the platelets, mitochondrial membrane potential and depolarisation, surface expression of CD62P and collagen‐induced platelet aggregation. Results: 2,4‐Dinitrophenol and antimycin A increased PSL levels, whereas acetyl‐l‐carnitine reduced the level of changes in pH and mitochondrial depolarisation. Ascorbic acid in the storage medium resulted in improved levels of collagen‐induced platelet aggregation. However, none of the examined reagents suppressed CD62P expression in platelets. Conclusions: These results suggest that preservation of mitochondrial function is fundamental, but not fully sufficient, for the maintenance of platelet in vitro quality during storage. Further research is necessary to develop methods for preserving both mitochondrial and platelet functions in in vitro stored PCs.
Sebaceous adenitis in Havanese dogs: a retrospective study of the clinical presentation and incidence
Authors: Frazer Megan M. , Schick Anthea E. , Lewis Thomas P. , Jazic Edward 
Published: January 2011

AbstractSebaceous adenitis is a suspected immune‐mediated disease that targets and destroys sebaceous glands. This retrospective study evaluated the clinical presentation and incidence of sebaceous adenitis in Havanese dogs. Sebaceous adenitis was diagnosed in 35% (12 of 34) of Havanese dogs presented over a 5‐year period. Onset of clinical signs occurred during young adulthood. Follicular casts were present in 92% (11 of 12) of affected dogs. Other common clinical signs included alopecia and hypotrichosis. The trunk, head and ears were commonly affected, with 67% (8 of 12) of cases having pinnal and/or external ear canal involvement. Secondary pyoderma was seen in 42% (5 of 12) of dogs. Histopathology revealed absent sebaceous glands in 83% (10 of 12) and a lymphoplasmacytic periadnexal infiltrate in 92% (11 of 12) of samples. Treatment included multiple modalities. Ciclosporin was prescribed in 83% (10 of 12) of cases. Other systemic therapies included vitamin A and fatty acid supplementation. Topical therapies included antiseborrhoeic shampoos and sprays, and oil soaks. Follow‐up ranging from 2 months to 3 years was obtained in 67% (8 of 12) of dogs. Improvement ranged from minimal to marked, with better clinical response associated with longer duration of treatment. Owners with follow‐up of more than 1 year commonly reported occasional flares of the clinical signs. This study found that sebaceous adenitis was a common diagnosis in Havanese dogs, that the ears were commonly affected and that a lymphoplasmacytic periadnexal infiltrate associated with absent sebaceous glands was frequently seen on dermatohistopathological examination.