bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Experimental transmission of avian‐like swine H1N1 influenza virus between immunologically naïve and vaccinated pigs
Authors: Lloyd Lucy E. , Jonczyk Magdalena , Jervis Carley M. , Flack Deborah J. , Lyall John , Foote Alasdair , Mumford Jennifer A. , Brown Ian H. , Wood James L. , Elton Debra M. 
Published: March 2011

Please cite this paper as: Lloyd et al. (2011) Experimental transmission of avian‐like swine H1N1 influenza virus between immunologically naïve and vaccinated pigs. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 5(5), 357–364.Background  Infection of pigs with swine influenza has been studied experimentally and in the field; however, little information is available on the natural transmission of this virus in pigs. Two studies in an experimental transmission model are presented here, one in immunologically naïve and one in a combination of vaccinated and naïve pigs.Objectives  To investigate the transmission of a recent ‘avian‐like’ swine H1N1 influenza virus in naive piglets, to assess the antibody response to a commercially available vaccine and to determine the efficiency of transmission in pigs after vaccination.Methods  Transmission chains were initiated by intranasal challenge of two immunologically naïve pigs. Animals were monitored daily for clinical signs and virus shedding. Pairs of pigs were sequentially co‐housed, and once virus was detected in recipients, prior donors were removed. In the vaccination study, piglets were vaccinated and circulating antibody levels were monitored by haemagglutination inhibition assay. To study transmission in vaccinates, a pair of infected immunologically naïve animals was co‐housed with vaccinated recipient pigs and further pairs of vaccinates were added sequentially as above. The chain was completed by the addition of naive pigs.Results and conclusions  Transmission of the H1N1 virus was achieved through a chain of six pairs of naïve piglets and through four pairs of vaccinated animals. Transmission occurred with minimal clinical signs and, in vaccinates, at antibody levels higher than previously reported to protect against infection.
Cross‐ethnic differences in severity of symptomatology of individuals with first‐episode schizophrenia spectrum disorder
Authors: Lim Caroline S. , Subramaniam Mythily , Poon Lye Yin , Chong Siow Ann , Verma Swapna 
Published: March 2011

AbstractAims: The aims of this study were to describe the relationship between ethnicity and severity of baseline symptomatology in a sample of Asian individuals with first‐episode schizophrenia spectrum disorder, and to determine if ethnicity predicts severity of symptomatology independent of gender, duration of untreated illness, premorbid functioning, and age of illness onset.Methods: This descriptive study included all Chinese, Malay and Indian individuals consecutively admitted into an early intervention programme for treatment of first‐episode schizophrenia spectrum disorder. Comparisons of mean scores among the three ethnic groups were performed using analysis of variance, while chi‐squared tests were used to compare proportions. Subsequent pair‐wise comparisons were performed with Bonferroni corrected statistic to examine specific ethnic group differences. Multivariate regression analyses were conducted to identify factors significantly associated with the severity of different clinical dimensions of schizophrenia measured using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS).Results: The analyses involved 503 individuals. The mean PANSS scores were significantly different between the ethnic groups across the PANSS subscales. A post‐hoc analysis showed that Malays scored significantly higher than Chinese did across the PANSS subscales. Malays also scored significantly higher than Indians did on the negative scale and the general psychopathology scale. Being Malay compared with Chinese consistently predicted more severe positive, negative and general psychopathology symptoms.Discussion: The results indicated that the severity of baseline symptomatology of individuals with first‐episode schizophrenia spectrum disorders differed by ethnicity. Premorbid functioning appears to act as a potential mediator of the effects of ethnicity on the severity of psychotic symptoms.
Relationship between lipophilicity and absorption from the liver surface of paraben derivatives and antipyrine in rats
Authors: Nishida Koyo , Kobayashi Masanori , Miyamoto Hirotaka , Yoshikawa Naoki , Fumoto Shintaro , Sasaki Hitoshi , Nakamura Junzo 
Published: March 2011

Abstract

Objectives
The importance of drug lipophilicity on absorption from the liver surface was examined in rats using paraben derivatives, antipyrine, Sudan III, and Sudan blue.

Methods
The log partition coefficient (PC) of n-octanol/water ranged from −1.39 to 4.62. The compounds were applied to the rat liver surface using a cylindrical diffusion cell (i.d. 9 mm).

Key findings
The rate of absorption at 15 min was calculated to be 13.9% for paraben, much lower than that for its derivatives methylparaben, propylparaben and butylparaben (∼80%). The obtained first-order absorption rate constant (ka) of paraben, methylparaben, propylparaben and antipyrine increased according to lipophilicity. Further lipophilicity resulted in a fall in ka, implying the importance of affinity for lipids and water in absorption from the liver surface. Thus, a compound with a log PC of around 2.5 is considered to have maximum absorbability from the rat liver surface. A good relationship (r2 = 0.97) was recognized between the log ka and log reciprocal value with the square root of molecular weight of the compounds with a log PC below 2.5.

Conclusions
The rate of absorption of a drug from the liver surface could be estimated from physicochemical properties such as lipophilicity and molecular weight.
A DNA Vaccine for Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus Delivered by Intramuscular Electroporation Elicits High Levels of Neutralizing Antibodies in Multiple Animal Models and Provides Protective Immunity to Mice and Nonhuman Primates
Authors: Dupuy Lesley C. , Richards Michelle J. , Ellefsen Barry , Chau Lillian , Luxembourg Alain , Hannaman Drew , Livingston Brian D. , Schmaljohn Connie S. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTWe evaluated the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a DNA vaccine expressing codon-optimized envelope glycoprotein genes of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) when delivered by intramuscular electroporation. Mice vaccinated with the DNA vaccine developed robust VEEV-neutralizing antibody responses that were comparable to those observed after administration of the live-attenuated VEEV vaccine TC-83 and were completely protected from a lethal aerosol VEEV challenge. The DNA vaccine also elicited strong neutralizing antibody responses in rabbits that persisted at high levels for at least 6 months and could be boosted by a single additional electroporation administration of the DNA performed approximately 6 months after the initial vaccinations. Cynomolgus macaques that received the vaccine by intramuscular electroporation developed substantial neutralizing antibody responses and after an aerosol challenge had no detectable serum viremia and had reduced febrile reactions, lymphopenia, and clinical signs of disease compared to those of negative-control macaques. Taken together, our results demonstrate that this DNA vaccine provides a potent means of protecting against VEEV infections and represents an attractive candidate for further development.
Diagnostic Potential of an Enzyme-Linked Immunospot Assay in Tuberculous Pericarditis
Authors: Bathoorn E. , Limburg A. , Bouwman J. J. , Bossink A. W. , Thijsen S. F. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTTuberculous pericarditis is a rare disease in developed countries. The diagnosis is difficult to set since there are no robust rapid tests, and culture of pericardial fluid forMycobacterium tuberculosisis often negative. T-SPOT.TB, an enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) test, measures the gamma interferon response of lymphocytes against tuberculosis antigens and can be performed on blood and body fluids. We describe a patient with tuberculous pericarditis for which the diagnosis was rapidly set by positive T-SPOT.TBresults, which were confirmed by isolation ofMycobacterium tuberculosisin pericardial fluid culture. We performed a literature search to assess the diagnostic potential of ELISPOT testing in tuberculous pericarditis. The limited data on this subject indicate that T-SPOT.TBaids in diagnosing active tuberculosis (TB) infection and results in a more rapid decision to start antituberculosis treatment. Enumerating TB-specific lymphocytes and testing blood/compartmental fluid simultaneously can provide useful information on active tuberculous pericarditis.
Outer Membrane Protein Complex of Meningococcus Enhances the Antipolysaccharide Antibody Response to Pneumococcal Polysaccharide–CRM197Conjugate Vaccine
Authors: Lai Zengzu , Schreiber John R. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTBacterial polysaccharides (PS) are T cell-independent antigens that do not induce immunologic memory and are poor immunogens in infants. Conjugate vaccines in which the PS is covalently linked to a carrier protein have enhanced immunogenicity that resembles that of T cell-dependent antigens. TheHaemophilus influenzaetype b (Hib) conjugate vaccine, which uses the outer membrane protein complex (OMPC) from meningococcus as a carrier protein, elicits protective levels of anti-capsular PS antibody (Ab) after a single dose, in contrast to other conjugate vaccines, which require multiple doses. We have previously shown that OMPC robustly engages Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and enhances the early anti-Hib PS Ab titer associated with an increase in TLR2-mediated induction of cytokines. We now show that the addition of OMPC to the 7-valent pneumococcal PS-CRM197conjugate vaccine during immunization significantly increases the anti-PS IgG and IgM responses to most serotypes of pneumococcus contained in the vaccine. The addition of OMPC also increased the likelihood of anti-PS IgG3 production against serotypes 4, 6B, 9V, 18C, 19F, and 23F. Splenocytes from mice who had received OMPC with the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine produced significantly more interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and gamma interferon (IFN-γ) than splenocytes from mice who received phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) plus the conjugate vaccine. We conclude that OMPC enhances the anti-PS Ab response to pneumococcal PS-CRM197conjugate vaccine, an effect associated with a distinct change in cytokine profile. It may be possible to reduce the number of conjugate vaccine doses required to achieve protective Ab levels by priming with adjuvants that are TLR2 ligands.
Effect on Cellular and Humoral Immune Responses of the AS03 Adjuvant System in an A/H1N1/2009 Influenza Virus Vaccine Administered to Adults during Two Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Roman François , Clément Frédéric , Dewé Walthère , Walravens Karl , Maes Cathy , Willekens Julie , De Boever Fien , Hanon Emmanuel , Leroux-Roels Geert 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTThe influence of AS03A, a tocopherol oil-in-water emulsion-based adjuvant system, on humoral and cell-mediated responses to A/California/7/2009 H1N1 pandemic vaccine was investigated. In two observer-blind studies, a total of 261 healthy adults aged 18 to 60 years were randomized to receive either AS03A-adjuvanted H1N1 vaccine containing 3.75 μg hemagglutinin (HA) or nonadjuvanted H1N1 vaccine containing 15 or 3.75 μg HA on days 0 and 21. Hemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody and T-cell responses were analyzed up to day 42. A first dose of AS03A-adjuvanted vaccine (3.75 μg HA) or nonadjuvanted vaccine (15 μg HA) induced HI responses of similar magnitudes that exceeded licensure criteria (e.g., 94 to 100% with titers of ≥40). A lower response following 3.75 μg HA without adjuvant was observed (73% with titers of ≥40). Following a second dose, geometric mean HI titers at day 42 were higher for AS03A-adjuvanted vaccine (636 and 637) relative to nonadjuvanted vaccine (341 for 15 μg HA and 150 for 3.75 μg HA). Over the 42-day period, the increase in frequency of A/H1N1/2009-specific CD4+T cells was significantly higher in the adjuvanted group than in the nonadjuvanted group. There was no evidence of correlation between baseline CD4+T-cell frequencies and day 21 HI antibody titers, while there was some correlation (R= 0.35) between day 21 CD4+T-cell frequencies and day 42 HI titers. AS03Aadjuvant enhanced the humoral and CD4+T-cell-mediated responses to A/H1N1/2009 vaccine. Baseline A/H1N1/2009-specific CD4+T-cell frequencies did not predict post-dose 1 antibody responses, but there was some correlation between post-dose 1 CD4+T-cell frequencies and post-dose 2 antibody responses.
Role of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases in Peptidoglycan-Induced Expression of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase and Nitric Oxide in Mouse Peritoneal Macrophages: Extracellular Signal-Related Kinase, a Negative Regulator
Authors: Bhatt Kunal H. , Sodhi Ajit , Chakraborty Rituparna 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTThe expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and the production of nitric oxide (NO) are important host defense mechanisms against pathogens in mononuclear phagocytes. The objectives of this study were to examine the roles of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and transcription factors (nuclear factor-κB [NF-κB] and activating protein 1 [AP-1]) in peptidoglycan (PGN)-induced iNOS expression and NO production in macrophages. PGN is a cell wall component of Gram-positive bacteria that stimulates inflammatory responses bothex vivoandin vivo. PGN stimulates the activation of all three classes of MAPKs, extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38mapkin macrophages, albeit with differential activation kinetics. Using a selective inhibitor of JNK (SP600125) and JNK1/2 small interfering RNA (siRNA) knocked-down macrophages, it was observed that PGN-induced iNOS and NO expression is significantly inhibited. This suggested that JNK MAPK plays an essential role in PGN-induced iNOS expression and NO production. In contrast, inhibition of the ERK pathway using PD98059 dose dependently enhanced PGN-induced iNOS expression and NO production. PGN-induced ERK activation was attenuated in ERK1/2 siRNA knocked-down macrophages; however, NO and iNOS expression were significantly enhanced. An electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed that SP600125 inhibited PGN-induced NF-κB and AP-1 activation, whereas inhibition of the ERK pathway enhanced NF-κB activation, but with no effect on AP-1. These results indicate that the JNK MAPK positively regulate PGN-induced iNOS and NO expression by activating NF-κB and AP-1 transcription factors, whereas the ERK pathway plays a negative regulatory role via affecting NF-κB activity.
Vibrio furnissii: an Unusual Cause of Bacteremia and Skin Lesions after Ingestion of Seafood
Authors: Derber Catherine , Coudron Philip , Tarr Cheryl , Gladney Lori , Turnsek Maryann , Shankaran Shivanjali , Wong Edward 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT

Vibrio furnissii
in the blood is rarely reported, which may explain why clinical features of bloodstream infections with this organism have not been described. We describe a patient who developed skin lesions and
V. furnissii
bacteremia and was successfully treated with fluoroquinolones.
V. furnissii
may be a serious pathogen in patients with underlying comorbidities who are exposed to seafood.
Evaluation of Analytical and Preliminary Clinical Performance of Myconostica MycAssay Aspergillus When Testing Serum Specimens for Diagnosis of Invasive Aspergillosis
Authors: White P. Lewis , Perry Michael D. , Moody Adrian , Follett Sarah A. , Morgan Gillian , Barnes Rosemary A. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT

Diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis remains a significant problem. PCR testing may aid diagnosis but is not yet included in disease-defining criteria due to a lack of standardization of assays and methodologies. This study investigated the analytical performance and the clinical sensitivity and specificity of the Myconostica MycAssay Aspergillus PCR (MAP) assay compared to those of a validated in-house
Aspergillus
PCR (IHP) test when testing serum specimens. Serum specimens spiked with
Aspergillus
genomic DNA had a limit of detection equivalent to 5 genomes and a linear dynamic range of 5 to >5 × 10
4
genomes for both assays. When testing clinical specimens (
n
= 170), the MAP assay had a sensitivity of 60 to 70% and a specificity of 90.5 to 100%. The IHP assay had a sensitivity of 50 to 80% and a specificity of 100%. A commercially available
Aspergillus
PCR assay provides a methodology that is standardized and reagents that are quality controlled. This facilitates multicenter evaluation of the clinical utility of PCR diagnosis. The performance of the MAP assay is comparable to that of the IHP assay and to those in previously reported studies evaluating commercial tests (galactomannan enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay).
Uncommon Neosartorya udagawae Fungus as a Causative Agent of Severe Corneal Infection
Authors: Posteraro Brunella , Mattei Romano , Trivella Fausto , Maffei Andrea , Torre Antonio , De Carolis Elena , Posteraro Patrizia , Fadda Giovanni , Sanguinetti Maurizio 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTWe report the first documented case of a posttraumatic fungal keratitis caused byNeosartorya udagawae. The patient was empirically treated with fluconazole until a corneal scraping grew anAspergillus fumigatus-like fungus, and itraconazole therapy was then established. A sequence-based approach assigned the isolate to the species. Five months after completion of antifungal therapy, endophthalmitis occurred and orbital exenteration was necessary.
Modifications of Commercial Toxigenic Clostridium difficile PCR Resulting in Improved Economy and Workflow Efficiency
Authors: Munson Erik , Bilbo Dorothy , Paul Mary , Napierala Maureen , Hryciuk Jeanne E. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT

Expense inherent to molecular diagnostics may prevent laboratories from utilizing real-time PCR for
Clostridium difficile
infection. Frozen master mix and overnight aliquot modifications of the BD GeneOhm Cdiff assay failed to impact performance indices compared to the package insert protocol (
P
≥ 0.31), provided accurate results, and decreased reagent expenditure.
Rapid Molecular Strategy for Orbivirus Detection and Characterization
Authors: Palacios Gustavo , Cowled Chris , Bussetti Ana V. , Savji Nazir , Weir Richard , Wick Ivan , Travassos da Rosa Amelia , Calisher Charles H. , Tesh Robert B. , Boyle David , Lipkin W. Ian 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT
Orbiviruses infect a wide range of hosts, including humans. The ability to detect them has been hampered by their diversity. Here we present a simple consensus reverse transcription (RT)-PCR method targeting the polymerase gene for orbivirus recognition and characterization. Phylogenetic assignment is achieved by automated Web-based sequence analysis of amplification products.
Evaluation of the Bactec MGIT 960 System in Combination with the MGIT TBc Identification Test for Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex in Respiratory Specimens
Authors: Lu Po-Liang , Yang Yuan-Chieh , Huang Su Chiao , Jenh Yi-Shan , Lin Yao-Cheng , Huang Hsin-Hui , Chang Tsung Chain 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT

The sensitivity and specificity of the MGIT TBc identification (TBc ID) test for
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
complex (MTC) detection in positive Bactec MGIT cultures were 95.2% and 99.2%, respectively. When MTC-positive results obtained from two additional molecular methods were included, the sensitivity of the MGIT TBc ID test was 85.4%, while that of culture was 95.7%.
Increase in Prevalence of Streptococcus pneumoniae Serotype 6C at Eight Children's Hospitals in the United States from 1993 to 2009
Authors: Green Morgan C. , Mason Edward O. , Kaplan Sheldon L. , Lamberth Linda B. , Stovall Stephanie H. , Givner Laurence B. , Bradley John S. , Tan Tina Q. , Barson William J. , Hoffman Jill A. , Lin Philana Ling , Hulten Kristina G. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT

Streptococcus pneumoniae
serotype 6C, which was described in 2007, causes invasive disease in adults and children. We investigated the prevalence of 6C among pediatric isolates obtained from eight children's hospitals in the United States.
S. pneumoniae
isolates were identified from a prospective multicenter study (1993 to 2009). Fifty-seven serotype 6C isolates were identified by multiplex PCR and/or Quellung reaction. Five were isolated before 2000, and the prevalence increased over time (
P
< 0.000001). The median patient age was 2.1 years (range, 0.2 to 22.5 years). Clinical presentations included bacteremia (
n
= 24), meningitis (
n
= 7), pneumonia (
n
= 4), abscess/wound (
n
= 3), mastoiditis (
n
= 2), cellulitis (
n
= 2), peritonitis (
n
= 1), septic arthritis (
n
= 1), otitis media (
n
= 10), and sinusitis (
n
= 3). By broth microdilution, 43/44 invasive serotype 6C isolates were susceptible to penicillin (median MIC, 0.015 μg/ml; range, 0.008 to 2 μg/ml); all were susceptible to ceftriaxone (median MIC, 0.015 μg/ml; range, 0.008 to 1 μg/ml). By disk diffusion, 16/44 invasive isolates (36%) were nonsusceptible to erythromycin, 19 isolates (43%) were nonsusceptible to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX), and all isolates were clindamycin susceptible. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) revealed 24 sequence types (STs); 9 were new to the MLST database. The two main clonal clusters (CCs) were ST473 and single-locus variants (SLVs) (
n
= 13) and ST1292 and SLVs (
n
= 23). ST1292 and SLVs had decreased antibiotic susceptibility. Serotype 6C causes disease in children in the United States. Emerging CC1292 expressed TMP-SMX resistance and decreased susceptibility to penicillin and ceftriaxone. Continued surveillance is needed to monitor changes in serotype prevalence and possible emergence of antibiotic resistance in pediatric pneumococcal disease.
Determination of Vancomycin and Daptomycin MICs by Different Testing Methods for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Kruzel Mark C. , Lewis Cole T. , Welsh Kerry J. , Lewis Evan M. , Dundas Nicola E. , Mohr John F. , Armitige Lisa Y. , Wanger Audrey 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT

Vancomycin and daptomycin MICs from 161 isolates of methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) were compared using commercial and in-house broth microdilution, Etest, and common automated methods. Vancomycin Etest MICs were higher than those of other methods, whereas the MICs for daptomycin testing were comparable. Vancomycin MICs vary depending on the testing methodology.
Acremonium kiliense: Reappraisal of Its Clinical Significance
Authors: Khan Ziauddin , Al-Obaid Khaled , Ahmad Suhail , Ghani Amal Abdel , Joseph Leena , Chandy Rachel 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT

A case of
Acremonium kiliense
peritonitis is described. Diagnosis was established by repeated isolation of the fungus from peritoneal dialysate and by its identification on the basis of morphological characteristics and sequencing of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of ribosomal DNA (rDNA). This report and available literature suggest that
A. kiliense
may have a greater clinical significance than hitherto recognized.
Fungal Scleral Keratitis Caused by Phomopsis phoenicicola
Authors: Gajjar Devarshi U. , Pal Anuradha K. , Parmar Trilok J. , Arora Anshul I. , Ganatra Darshini A. , Kayastha Forum B. , Ghodadra Bharat K. , Vasavada Abhay R. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT

We report a case of scleral keratitis caused by
Phomopsis phoenicicola
. Pterygium surgery was a predisposing factor, and the patient was treated with natamycin and fluconazole eye drops and oral fluconazole. The fungus was identified by sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the fungal ribosomal DNA (rDNA) locus and confirmed on the basis of its typical pycnidia and conidia.