bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Detection and Genetic Diversity of Human Metapneumovirus in Hospitalized Children with Acute Respiratory Infections in Southwest China
Authors: Zhang Cui , Du Li-Na , Zhang Zhi-Yong , Qin Xian , Yang Xi , Liu Ping , Chen Xin , Zhao Yao , Liu En-Mei , Zhao Xiao-Dong 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACT
Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is the main pathogen causing respiratory tract infection in susceptible populations, particularly in children and the elderly. Specimens were collected from hospitalized children with acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRTI), and the hMPV was detected by using real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR). The full-length G gene of hMPV was amplified by RT-PCR. A total of 1,410 nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPAs) were collected from April 2008 to March 2011, and 114 (10.2%) were positive for hMPV. Most hMPV-positive children were <5 years of age. The hMPV infection rate peaked in the spring-summer season of 2008 to 2009 and 2009 to 2010, while hMPV circulated predominantly during the winter-spring season of 2010 to 2011. The full-length G gene of 23 hMPV strains was amplified, and group A and B viruses accounted for 95.7% (22/23) and 4.3% (1/23), respectively. Genotype A2b of hMPV appeared to be predominant during the study period. Three genotypes (A2b, A1, and B1) were prevalent in the epidemic season of 2008 to 2009, and only genotype A2b was identified in the other two seasons (2009 to 2010 and 2010 to 2011). The G gene of hMPV was predicted to encode proteins with four different lengths, in which one with 210 amino acids was first identified in China. These findings suggest that hMPV was an important pathogen of ALRTI in pediatric patients, especially those <5 years of age. Genotype A2b of hMPV likely predominates in Southwest China, where other genotypes also circulate.
First Evaluation of Automated Specimen Inoculation for Wound Swab Samples by Use of the Previ Isola System Compared to Manual Inoculation in a Routine Laboratory: Finding a Cost-Effective and Accurate Approach
Authors: Mischnik Alexander , Mieth Markus , Busch Cornelius J. , Hofer Stefan , Zimmermann Stefan 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACT
Automation of plate streaking is ongoing in clinical microbiological laboratories, but evaluation for routine use is mostly open. In the present study, the recovery of microorganisms from the Previ Isola system plated polyurethane (PU) swab samples is compared to manually plated control viscose swab samples from wounds according to the CLSI procedure M40-A (quality control of microbiological transport systems). One hundred twelve paired samples (224 swabs) were analyzed. In 80/112 samples (71%), concordant culture results were obtained with the two methods. In 32/112 samples (29%), CFU recovery of microorganisms from the two methods was discordant. In 24 (75%) of the 32 paired samples with a discordant result, Previ Isola plated PU swabs were superior. In 8 (25%) of the 32 paired samples with a discordant result, control viscose swabs were superior. The quality of colony growth on culture media for further investigations was superior with Previ Isola inoculated plates compared to manual plating techniques. Gram stain results were concordant between the two methods in 62/112 samples (55%). In 50/112 samples (45%), the results of Gram staining were discordant between the two methods. In 34 (68%) of the 50 paired samples with discordant results, Gram staining of PU swabs was superior to that of control viscose swabs. In 16 (32%) of the 50 paired samples, Gram staining of control viscose swabs was superior to that of PU swabs. We report the first clinical evaluation of Previ Isola automated specimen inoculation for wound swab samples. This study suggests that use of an automated specimen inoculation system has good results with regard to CFU recovery, quality of Gram staining, and accuracy of diagnosis.
Phage-Mediated Acquisition of a Type III Secreted Effector Protein Boosts Growth of
Salmonella
by Nitrate Respiration
Authors: Lopez Christopher A. , Winter Sebastian E. , Rivera-Chávez Fabian , Xavier Mariana N. , Poon Victor , Nuccio Sean-Paul , Tsolis Renée M. , Bäumler Andreas J. 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACT

Information on how emerging pathogens can invade and persist and spread within host populations remains sparse. In the 1980s, a multidrug-resistant
Salmonella enterica
serotype Typhimurium clone lysogenized by a bacteriophage carrying the
sopE
virulence gene caused an epidemic among cattle and humans in Europe. Here we show that phage-mediated horizontal transfer of the
sopE
gene enhances the production of host-derived nitrate, an energetically highly valuable electron acceptor, in a mouse colitis model. In turn, nitrate fuels a bloom of
S
. Typhimurium in the gut lumen through anaerobic nitrate respiration while suppressing genes for the utilization of energetically inferior electron acceptors such as tetrathionate. Through this mechanism, horizontal transfer of
sopE
can enhance the fitness of
S
. Typhimurium, resulting in its significantly increased abundance in the feces.

IMPORTANCE
During gastroenteritis,
Salmonella enterica
serotype Typhimurium can use tetrathionate respiration to edge out competing microbes in the gut lumen. However, the concept that tetrathionate respiration confers a growth benefit in the inflamed gut is not broadly applicable to other host-pathogen combinations because tetrathionate respiration is a signature trait used to differentiate
Salmonella
serotypes from most other members of the family
Enterobacteriaceae
. Here we show that by acquiring the phage-carried
sopE
gene,
S
. Typhimurium can drive the host to generate an additional respiratory electron acceptor, nitrate. Nitrate suppresses genes for the utilization of energetically inferior electron acceptors such as tetrathionate while enhancing the luminal growth of
S
. Typhimurium through anaerobic nitrate respiration. Pathways for anaerobic nitrate respiration are widely conserved among members of the family
Enterobacteriaceae
, thereby making our observations relevant to other enteric pathogens whose relative abundance in the intestinal lumen increases during infection.
Epidemiology of death from aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in New Mexico
Authors: Kaloostian Paul , Westhout Franklin , Taylor Chris L 
Published: June 2012

BackgroundThe authors report the first retrospective analysis of all reported cases of death from aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in the state of New Mexico from 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2007.MethodsData were obtained from the New Mexico Vital Records and Health Statistics Department in Santa Fe, New Mexico.ResultsThe incidence of death from aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in the state of New Mexico is 2.96/100 000 people per year. Each cultural subgroup and various risk factors in these patients were further analyzed.ConclusionsThis report represents the first documented review of death from aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in the state of New Mexico. There was a lower incidence in New Mexico compared with the national average. Cultural breakdowns and associated epidemiological factors are discussed.
Energy dependence for relativistic hadron emission from 32S nuclear collisions
Authors: Abdelsalam A. , Badawy B.M. , Hafiz M.E. 
Published: June 2012

In this experiment, 32S interaction with emulsion nuclei is examined at 3.7A and 200A GeV. Backward relativistic hadron production seems to be an exact decay system, depending on the target size. For emulsion nuclei, the decay constant of this system nearly equals 1.3. Independent of the projectile size and energy, the backward relativistic hadrons are produced with probability values of ∼20%–30%. For projectile nuclei with mass numbers greater than or equal to 6 and at any incident energy, the average multiplicity of these backward hadrons tends to a saturation value of ∼0.4. Regarding the multiplicity range of forward relativistic hadrons, reaching 60 hadrons per event at 3.7A GeV and extending to ∼400 hadrons per event at 200A GeV, energy plays a fundamental role in forward relativistic hadron production. The results strongly support the assumption that relativistic hadrons are created as a result of energy from participant nucleons.
BRAF Inhibitor Vemurafenib Improves the Antitumor Activity of Adoptive Cell Immunotherapy
Authors: Koya Richard C. , Mok Stephen , Otte Nicholas , Blacketor Kevin J. , Comin-Anduix Begonya , Tumeh Paul C. , Minasyan Aspram , Graham Nicholas A. , Graeber Thomas G. , Chodon Thinle , Ribas Antoni 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
Combining immunotherapy with targeted therapy blocking oncogenic BRAFV600 may result in improved treatments for advanced melanoma. In this study, we developed a BRAFV600E-driven murine model of melanoma, SM1, which is syngeneic to fully immunocompetent mice. SM1 cells exposed to the BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib (PLX4032) showed partial in vitro and in vivo sensitivity resulting from the inhibition of MAPK pathway signaling. Combined treatment of vemurafenib plus adoptive cell transfer therapy with lymphocytes genetically modified with a T-cell receptor (TCR) recognizing chicken ovalbumin (OVA) expressed by SM1-OVA tumors or pmel-1 TCR transgenic lymphocytes recognizing gp100 endogenously expressed by SM1 resulted in superior antitumor responses compared with either therapy alone. T-cell analysis showed that vemurafenib did not significantly alter the expansion, distribution, or tumor accumulation of the adoptively transferred cells. However, vemurafenib paradoxically increased mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, in vivo cytotoxic activity, and intratumoral cytokine secretion by adoptively transferred cells. Taken together, our findings, derived from 2 independent models combining BRAF-targeted therapy with immunotherapy, support the testing of this therapeutic combination in patients with BRAFV600 mutant metastatic melanoma. Cancer Res; 72(16); 3928–37. ©2012 AACR.
VEGF Exerts an Angiogenesis-Independent Function in Cancer Cells to Promote Their Malignant Progression
Authors: Cao Ying , E Guangqi , Wang Enfeng , Pal Krishnendu , Dutta Shamit K. , Bar-Sagi Dafna , Mukhopadhyay Debabrata 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
VEGF/vascular permeability factor (VEGF/VPF or VEGF-A) is a pivotal driver of cancer angiogenesis that is a central therapeutic target in the treatment of malignancy. However, little work has been devoted to investigating functions of VEGF that are independent of its proangiogenic activity. Here, we report that VEGF produced by tumor cells acts in an autocrine manner to promote cell growth through interaction with the VEGF receptor neuropilin-1 (NRP-1). Reducing VEGF expression by tumor cells induced a differentiated phenotype in vitro and inhibited tumor forming capacity in vivo, independent of effects on angiogenesis. Autocrine activation of tumor cell growth was dependent on signaling through NRP-1, and Ras was determined to be a critical effector signaling molecule downstream of NRP-1. Our findings define a novel function for VEGF in dedifferentiation of tumor cells expanding its role in cancer beyond its known proangiogenic function. Cancer Res; 72(16); 3912–8. ©2012 AACR.
Outcomes After Unrestricted Use of Everolimus-Eluting and Sirolimus-Eluting Stents in Routine Clinical Practice
Authors: Park Duk-Woo , Kim Young-Hak , Song Hae-Geun , Ahn Jung-Min , Kim Won-Jang , Lee Jong-Young , Kang Soo-Jin , Lee Seung-Whan , Lee Cheol Whan , Park Seong-Wook , Yun Sung-Cheol , Her Sung Ho , Hur Seung Ho , Park Jin Sik , Kim Myeong-Kon , Choi Yun Seok , Kim Hyun Sook , Cho Jang-Hyun , Lee Sang Gon , Park Yong Whi , Jeong Myung-Ho , Lee Bong Ki , Lee Nae-Hee , Lim Do-Sun , Yoon Junghan , Seung Ki Bae , Shin Won-Yong , Rha Seung-Woon , Kim Kee-Sik , Tahk Seung-Jea , Park Byoung Eun , Ahn Taehoon , Yang Joo-Young , Jeong Yong Seok , Rhew Jay-Hyun , Park Seung-Jung 
Published: June 2012

Background—
It remains unclear whether there are differences in the safety and efficacy outcomes between everolimus-eluting stents (EES) and sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) in contemporary practice.

Methods and Results—

We prospectively enrolled 6166 consecutive patients who received EES (3081 patients) and SES (3085 patients) between April 2008 and June 2010, using data from the Interventional Cardiology Research In-Cooperation Society-Drug-Eluting Stents Registry. The primary end point was a composite of death, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), or target-vessel revascularization (TVR). At 2 years of follow-up, the 2 study groups did not differ significantly in crude risk of the primary end point (12.1% for EES versus 12.4% for SES; HR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.84–1.12,
P
=0.66). After adjustment for differences in baseline risk factors, the adjusted risk for the primary end point remained similar for the 2 stent types (HR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.82–1.12,
P
=0.60). There were also no differences between the stent groups in the adjusted risks of the individual component of death (HR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.67–1.30,
P
=0.68), MI (HR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.79–1.18,
P
=0.74), and TVR (HR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.82–1.49,
P
=0.51). The adjusted risk of stent thrombosis also was similar (HR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.47–2.84,
P
=0.75).

Conclusions—
In contemporary practice of percutaneous coronary intervention procedures, the unrestricted use of EES and SES showed similar rates of safety and efficacy outcomes with regard to death, MI, sent thrombosis, and TVR. Future longer-term follow-up is needed to better define the relative benefits of these drug-eluting stents.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01070420.
Establishing HIV treatment as prevention in the HIV Prevention Trials Network 052 randomized trial: an ethical odyssey
Authors: Cohen Myron S , McCauley Marybeth , Sugarman Jeremy 
Published: June 2012

Background Obtaining the definitive data necessary to determine the safety and efficacy of using antiretroviral treatment (ART) to reduce the sexual transmission of HIV in heterosexual couples encountered an array of ethical challenges that threatened to compromise HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 052, the multinational clinical trial addressing this issue that has profound public health implications. Purpose To describe and analyze the major ethical challenges faced in HPTN 052. Methods The ethical issues and modifications of HPTN 052 in response to these issues were cataloged by the principal investigator, the lead coordinator, and the ethicist working on the trial. The major ethical issues that were unique to the trial were then described and analyzed in light of the published literature as well as guidances and policies. The ethical challenges that must be addressed in many clinical trials, such as those related to obtaining informed consent and making provisions for ancillary care, are not described. Results When HPTN 052 was being designed, ethical questions emerged related to the relevance of the research question itself given data from observational research and a range of beliefs about the appropriate means of preventing and treating HIV infection and AIDS. Furthermore, ethical challenges were faced regarding site selection since there was a scientific need to conduct the research in settings where HIV incidence was high, but alternatives to study participation should be available. As in most HIV-prevention research, ethical questions surrounded the determination of the appropriate prevention package for all of those enrolled. During the course of the trial, guidance documents and policies emerged that were of direct relevance to the research questions, calling for a balancing of concerns for the research subjects and trial integrity. When the study results were made public, there was a need to ensure access to the treatment shown to be effective that in some cases differed from the guidelines used at the sites where the research was being conducted. In addition, questions were raised about whether there was an obligation to notify subjects about ‘unlinked’ transmissions of HIV, that is, infections acquired from someone other than the designated sexual partner enrolled in the study. Limitations The ethical issues described are limited to those discerned by the authors and not those of other stakeholders who may have identified additional issues or had a different perspective in analyzing them. Conclusions Understanding the ethical challenges faced in HPTN 052 promises to inform the design and conduct of future complex, long-term clinical trials aimed at addressing critical scientific and public health questions, where data and practice patterns emerge over the course of the trial.
Protecting Research Subjects from Prohibited Multi-Participation in Clinical Trials
Authors: Graf Hans-Peter 
Published: June 2012

The protection of human research subjects in clinical studies is regulated by international guidelines and national laws. Research Ethics Committees play an important role here, as they review the documentation for clinical studies under consideration of ethical aspects. This documentation includes an exclusion or wash-out period which designates when study subjects may not have participated in another study or be allowed to take part in a future one within a specified time period. However not all research subjects comply with their applicable exclusion period. This prohibited multi-participation in clinical studies is known as ‘research subject tourism,’ ‘clinical study overlapping’, or ‘guinea-pigging’. This practice brings with it additional risks for the research subject and the integrity of the research being conducted. No comprehensive data are available to demonstrate exactly how many research subjects participate in overlapping multiple studies. However, the number of them who ‘travel’ from one study to another seems to be significant. Preventing this practice is a matter of concern for ethics committees, but the responsibility for protecting research subjects in this respect apart from approving the ethics of a wash-out period and recruiting from a specific pool or database of patients is solely that of the investigating physician. But how can the investigating physician be certain that a research subject complies with their exclusion period? An international data bank for research subjects who have participated, or are participating, in clinical studies, is a measure that would serve to prevent prohibited multi-participation in clinical studies and thereby protect the research subject, the investigating physician and their institution. VIP Check, International, which was founded by the author in 1990, is an example of such a data bank. This article examines the existence of prohibited multi-participation in clinical studies, the additional risk this practice of itself poses to the research subjects and the integrity of clinical studies, and how this practice might best be reduce or even eliminated through use of an international data bank of research subjects such as that of VIP Check.
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy study of acid birnessites before and after Pb2+ adsorption
Authors: Zhao Wei , Liu Fan , Feng Xionghan , Tan Wenfeng , Qiu Guohong , Chen Xiuhua 
Published: June 2012

AbstractTo provide fundamental knowledge for studying the relative content of vacant sites and exploring the mechanism of interaction between Pb2+ and birnessite, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) of birnessites with different Mn average oxidation states (AOS) before and after Pb2+ adsorption were investigated. The number of absorption bands of FTIR spectra was determined by using the second derivatives of the original spectra. The band at 899–920 cm–1 was assigned to the bending vibration of -OH located at vacancies. The bands at 1059–1070, 1115–1124 and 1165–1171 cm–1 could be attributed to the vibrations of Mn(III)-OH in MnO6 layers, and the intensities of these bands increased with decreasing Mn AOS. The bands at 990 and 1023–1027 cm–1 were ascribed to the vibrations of Mn(III)-OH in the interlayers. Mn(III) in MnO6 layers partially migrated to interlayers during Pb2+ adsorption, which led to an increased intensity of the band at 990 cm–1. The band at 564–567cm–1 was assigned to the vibration of Mn-O located at vacancies. This band could split by coupling of vibrations due to Pb2+ and/or Mn2+ adsorbed at vacant sites. The large distance between the band at 610–626 cm–1 and that at 638–659 cm–1 might reflect small Mn(III) ions located in Mn(III)-rich rows.
Regulatory dendritic cells program B cells to differentiate into CD19hiFcγIIbhi regulatory B cells through IFN-β and CD40L
Authors: Qian Li , Qian Cheng , Chen Yongjian , Bai Yi , Bao Yan , Lu Liwei , Cao Xuetao 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
Regulatory dendritic cells (DCs) play important roles in the induction of peripheral tolerance and control of adaptive immune response. Our previous studies demonstrate that splenic stroma can drive mature DCs to proliferate and further differentiate into a unique subset of CD11bhiIalow regulatory DCs, which could inhibit T-cell response, program generation of immunosuppressive memory CD4 T cells. However, the effect of regulatory DCs on B-cell function remains unclear. Here, we report that regulatory DCs can induce splenic B cells to differentiate into a distinct subtype of IL-10–producing regulatory B cells with unique phenotype CD19hiFcγIIbhi. CD19hiFcγIIbhi B cells inhibit CD4 T-cell response via IL-10. CD19hiFcγIIbhi B cells have enhanced phagocytic capacity compared with conventional CD19+ B cells, and FcγRIIb mediates the uptake of immune complex by CD19hiFcγIIbhi B cells. We found that regulatory DC-derived IFN-β and CD40 ligand are responsible for the differentiation of CD19hiFcγIIbhi B cells. Furthermore, an in vivo counterpart of CD19hiFcγIIbhi B cells in the spleen and lymph nodes with similar phenotype and regulatory function has been identified. Our results demonstrate a new manner for regulatory DCs to down-regulate immune response by, at least partially, programming B cells into regulatory B cells.