bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clearance of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
from a Healthy Ocular Surface Involves Surfactant Protein D and Is Compromised by Bacterial Elastase in a Murine Null-Infection Model
Authors: Mun James J. , Tam Connie , Kowbel David , Hawgood Samuel , Barnett Mitchell J. , Evans David J. , Fleiszig Suzanne M. J. 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACT

Our previous studies showed that surfactant protein D (SP-D) is present in human tear fluid and that it can protect corneal epithelial cells against bacterial invasion. Here we developed a novel null-infection model to test the hypothesis that SP-D contributes to the clearance of viable
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
from the healthy ocular surface in vivo. Healthy corneas of Black Swiss mice were inoculated with 10
7
or 10
9
CFU of invasive (PAO1) or cytotoxic (6206)
P. aeruginosa
. Viable counts were performed on tear fluid collected at time points ranging from 3 to 14 h postinoculation. Healthy ocular surfaces cleared both
P. aeruginosa
strains efficiently, even when 10
9
CFU was used: e.g., <0.01% of the original inoculum was recoverable after 3 h. Preexposure of eyes to bacteria did not enhance clearance. Clearance of strain 6206 (low protease producer), but not strain PAO1 (high protease producer), was delayed in SP-D gene-targeted (SP-D
−/−
) knockout mice. A protease mutant of PAO1 (PAO1
lasA
lasB
aprA
) was cleared more efficiently than wild-type PAO1, but this difference was negligible in SP-D
−/−
mice, which were less able to clear the protease mutant. Experiments to study mechanisms for these differences revealed that purified elastase could degrade tear fluid SP-D in vivo. Together, these data show that SP-D can contribute to the clearance of
P. aeruginosa
from the healthy ocular surface and that proteases can compromise that clearance. The data also suggest that SP-D degradation in vivo is a mechanism by which
P. aeruginosa
proteases could contribute to virulence.
Detection of Plasmid-Mediated KPC-Producing
Klebsiella pneumoniae
in Ottawa, Canada: Evidence of Intrahospital Transmission
Authors: Goldfarb David , Harvey Sarah-Beth , Jessamine Kelsi , Jessamine Peter , Toye Baldwin , Desjardins Marc 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACT

Klebsiella pneumoniae
isolates from three patients admitted to the Ottawa Hospital, a 1,040-bed teaching hospital, were found to contain the plasmid-borne
K. pneumoniae
carbapenemase (KPC)-producing
bla
gene (
bla
KPC
)
.
There was evidence of person-to-person transmission for two patients. Screening of 186 clinical isolates revealed no additional
bla
KPC
-containing isolates.
Validation of Five-Colony Pool Analysis Using Multiplex Real-Time PCR for Detection of Diarrheagenic
Escherichia coli
Authors: Barletta F. , Ochoa T. J. , Ecker L. , Gil A. I. , Lanata C. F. , Cleary T. G. 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACT

Five
Escherichia coli
colonies/patient were studied to evaluate the reliability of a multiplex real-time PCR assay for detection of diarrheagenic
Escherichia coli
groups, using a pool of five colonies rather than individual colonies. Sensitivity and specificity were 98% and 100%, respectively, at a fifth of the cost of the individual colony analysis.
Virulence Potential of
Escherichia coli
Isolates from Skin and Soft Tissue Infections
Authors: Petkovšek Živa , Eleršič Kristina , Gubina Marija , Žgur-Bertok Darja , Starčič Erjavec Marjanca 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACT

Escherichia coli
strains frequently are isolated from skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI); however, their virulence potential has not yet been extensively studied. In the present study, we characterized 102
E. coli
SSTI strains isolated mostly from surgical and traumatic wounds, foot ulcers, and decubitus. The strains were obtained from the Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. Phylogenetic backgrounds, virulence factors (VFs), and antibiotic resistance profiles were determined. Correlations between VFs and phylogenetic groups were established and analyzed with regard to patient factors. Further, the associations of the three most prevalent antibiotic resistance patterns with virulence potential were analyzed. Our results showed that the majority of the studied strains (65%) belonged to the B2 phylogenetic group. The most prevalent VF was
ompT
(80%), while toxin genes
cnf1
and
hlyA
were found with prevalences of 32 and 30%, respectively. None of the investigated bacterial characteristics were significantly associated with patient gender, age, type of infection, or immunodeficiency. The most prevalent antibiotic resistance pattern was resistance to ampicillin (46%), followed by resistance to tetracycline (25%) and fluoroquinolones (21%). Strains resistant to ciprofloxacin exhibited a significantly reduced prevalence of
cnf1
(
P
< 0.05) and
usp
(
P
< 0.01). Our study revealed that
E. coli
isolates from SSTIs exhibit a remarkable virulence potential that is comparable to that of
E. coli
isolates from urinary tract infections and bacteremia.
Typing of Enteroviruses by Use of Microwell Oligonucleotide Arrays
Authors: Susi P. , Hattara L. , Waris M. , Luoma-aho T. , Siitari H. , Hyypiä T. , Saviranta P. 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACT
We have developed a straightforward assay for the rapid typing of enteroviruses using oligonucleotide arrays in microtiter wells. The viral nucleic acids are concomitantly amplified and labeled during reverse transcription-PCR, and unpurified PCR products are used for hybridization. DNA strands are separated by alkaline denaturation, and hybridization is started by neutralization. The microarray hybridization reactions and the subsequent washes are performed in standard 96-well microtiter plates, which makes the method easily adaptable to high-throughput analysis. We describe here the assay principle and its potential in clinical laboratory use by correctly identifying 10 different enterovirus reference strains. Furthermore, we explore the detection of unknown sequence variants using serotype consensus oligonucleotide probes. With just two consensus probes for the coxsackievirus A9 (CVA9) serotype, we detected 23 out of 25 highly diverse CVA9 isolates. Overall, the assay involves several features aiming at ease of performance, robustness, and applicability to large-scale studies.
Improved Adenovirus Type 5 Vector-Mediated Transduction of Resistant Cells by Piggybacking on Coxsackie B-Adenovirus Receptor-Pseudotyped Baculovirus
Authors: Granio Ophélia , Porcherot Marine , Corjon Stéphanie , Kitidee Kuntida , Henning Petra , Eljaafari Assia , Cimarelli Andrea , Lindholm Leif , Miossec Pierre , Boulanger Pierre , Hong Saw-See 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACTTaking advantage of the wide tropism of baculoviruses (BVs), we constructed a recombinant BV (BVCAR) pseudotyped with human coxsackie B-adenovirus receptor (CAR), the high-affinity attachment receptor for adenovirus type 5 (Ad5), and used the strategy of piggybacking Ad5-green fluorescent protein (Ad5GFP) vector on BVCARto transduce various cells refractory to Ad5 infection. We found that transduction of all cells tested, including human primary cells and cancer cell lines, was significantly improved using the BVCAR-Ad5GFP biviral complex compared to that obtained with Ad5GFP or BVCARGFP alone. We determined the optimal conditions for the formation of the complex and found that a high level of BVCAR-Ad5GFP-mediated transduction occurred at relatively low adenovirus vector doses, compared with transduction by Ad5GFP alone. The increase in transduction was dependent on the direct coupling of BVCARto Ad5GFP via CAR-fiber knob interaction, and the cell attachment of the BVCAR-Ad5GFP complex was mediated by the baculoviral envelope glycoprotein gp64. Analysis of the virus-cell binding reaction indicated that the presence of BVCARin the complex provided kinetic benefits to Ad5GFP compared to the effects with Ad5GFP alone. The endocytic pathway of BVCAR-Ad5GFP did not require Ad5 penton base RGD-integrin interaction. Biodistribution of BVCAR-Ad5Luc complex in vivo was studied by intravenous administration to nude BALB/c mice and compared to Ad5Luc injected alone. No significant difference in viscerotropism was found between the two inocula, and the liver remained the preferred localization. In vitro, coagulation factor X drastically increased the Ad5GFP-mediated transduction of CAR-negative cells but had no effect on the efficiency of transduction by the BVCAR-Ad5GFP complex. Various situations in vitro or ex vivo in which our BVCAR-Ad5 duo could be advantageously used as gene transfer biviral vector are discussed.
Shared and Group-Specific Features of the Rotavirus RNA Polymerase Reveal Potential Determinants of Gene Reassortment Restriction
Authors: McDonald Sarah M. , Aguayo Daniel , Gonzalez-Nilo Fernando D. , Patton John T. 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACTRotaviruses (RVs) are nonenveloped, 11-segmented, double-stranded RNA viruses that are major pathogens associated with acute gastroenteritis. Group A, B, and C RVs have been isolated from humans; however, intergroup gene reassortment does not occur for reasons that remain unclear. This restriction might reflect the failure of the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp; VP1) to recognize and replicate the RNA of a different group. To address this possibility, we contrasted the sequences, structures, and functions of RdRps belonging to RV groups A, B, and C (A-VP1, B-VP1, and C-VP1, respectively). We found that conserved amino acid residues are located within the hollow center of VP1 near the active site, whereas variable, group-specific residues are mostly surface exposed. By creating a three-dimensional homology model of C-VP1 with the A-VP1 crystallographic data, we provide evidence that these RV RdRps are nearly identical in their tertiary folds and that they have the same RNA template recognition mechanism that differs from that of B-VP1. Consistent with the structural data, recombinant A-VP1 and C-VP1 are capable of replicating one another's RNA templates in vitro. Nonetheless, the activity of both RdRps is strictly dependent upon the presence of cognate RV core shell protein A-VP2 or C-VP2, respectively. Together, the results of this study provide unprecedented insight into the structure and function of RV RdRps and support the notion that VP1 interactions may influence the emergence of reassortant viral strains.
Effect of Intraoperative Electroacupuncture on Postoperative Pain, Analgesic Requirements, Nausea and Sedation: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: El-Rakshy Mohanned , Clark Sue C , Thompson James , Thant Moe 
Published: April 2009

Background Acupuncture has potential value in producing analgesia in the postoperative period, but previous trials have inconsistent results. We aimed to study the effect of electroacupuncture on pain and nausea and the requirement for postoperative analgesia via patient-controlled analgesia. Method 107 patients who were undergoing abdominal hysterectomy or laparascopic cholecystectomy were randomised to receive either electroacupuncture (n = 56) or no additional treatment (n = 46) during the operative period. We measured the use of patient-controlled analgesia and time in recovery as well as pain, postoperative nausea and vomiting, and sedation. 102 patients were included in the analysis. The majority of patients were female: the laparoscopic cholecystectomy group included 10 males. Adhesive dressings were placed over all acupuncture points in both groups, to ensure blinding of patients and assessors during the recovery period. Results The electroacupuncture group had a longer duration of operation but the difference was not statistically significant. There were no significant differences between the groups for the requirement for patient-controlled analgesia or total time in recovery. Pain scores were marginally lower in the acupuncture group, but not significantly, and there were no differences between the groups in nausea or sedation scores. Conclusion Electroacupuncture at 10 Hz given under general anaesthetic has no effect on postoperative nausea or analgesic requirement. Future studies should investigate acupuncture given before or after surgery.
Does the Burning of Moxa (Artemisia vulgaris) in traditional Chinese medicine constitute a health hazard?
Authors: Wheeler John , Coppock Belinda , Chen Cecil 
Published: April 2009

Background Concerns have been expressed about potential toxicity of the smoke produced by the burning of moxa in traditional Chinese medicine. With the advent of strict anti-smoking legislation in the UK, it was decided to test the volatiles produced by moxibustion and compare them with current agreed safe exposure levels. Method Moxa, in the form of cigar shaped moxa “sticks” or “rolls”, was tested under International Organization for Standardization conditions in a tobacco testing laboratory, and the quantities of a number of pre-determined volatiles measured. The smoke tested was “sidestream smoke”, the smoke which arises from the burning tip of the moxa. The test results were then scaled up to reflect normal use and to provide direct comparisons with agreed national safety standards for both short- and long-term exposure levels. Results Levels of only two volatiles produced were equivalent or greater than the safe exposure levels, as was the carbon monoxide level reported, both as a consequence of using worst case assumptions for comparison. Under normal operating conditions neither volatile nor carbon monoxide would present a safety hazard. One group of chemicals tested, the aromatic amines, with known carcinogenic properties have no agreed safety levels. Results for these in the study compared favourably with background levels reported in urban environments. Conclusion There are no immediate concerns arising from the continued use of moxa as a therapeutic modality in traditional Chinese medicine. Further testing may be required to establish whether current recommendations for ventilation and cleansing of treatment room surfaces may need to be revised. Stronger recommendations may also be necessary on the inadvisability of using moxa on broken skin.
Synchronous multidecadal fish recruitment patterns in Chesapeake Bay, USA
Authors: Wood Robert J. , Austin Herbert M. 
Published: April 2009

Multispecies fish recruitment patterns within Chesapeake Bay were investigated in four fishery-independent survey data sets (one primary and three ancillary data sets) that together span the years 1968–2004. These independently conducted surveys record interannual recruitment variability for 15 ecologically and economically important fish species of the Northeast US Continental Shelf Large Marine Ecosystem. Principal component analyses revealed that the strongest multispecies recruitment pattern (first principal component) present in each data set describes a negative recruitment relationship between anadromous and coastal shelf-spawning species. Among the data sets, the first principal component accounted for 31%–42% of multispecies variance. Locally weighted regression modeling revealed that the decadal-scale variability accounted for 62% of the variance in the primary data set’s first principal component’s (annual) scores, whereas interannual variability accounted for only 38%. Despite strong differences in sampling methods, sampled habitats, and sampling locations, this pattern of antagonistic recruitment between Chesapeake Bay anadromous and shelf-spawning (CBASS) species was synchronously correlated among data sets at both decadal and interannual scales. The CBASS pattern has tended to persist in one mode for periods lasting longer than a decade and tends to reverse sign rather within only 2–3 years. A statistically significant regime shift occurred in 1992, when recruitment in anadromous fishes became favored at the expense of recruitment of shelf-spawning estuarine-dependant fishes.
Models for predicting vertical profiles of heartwood diameter in mature Scots pine
Authors: Flæte Per Otto , Høibø Olav 
Published: April 2009

Variation in heartwood diameter (HWD) along the stem was studied in 106 mature Scots pines ( Pinus sylvestris L.) sampled from southern Norway. HWD decreased from the base towards the treetop, following a profile similar to that of the stem diameter (shape of the tree). A few trees deviated from this general pattern. In these trees HWD increased from the base of the stem to a maximum at 2–2.5 m and then decreased towards the top of the tree. Random coefficient mixed models based on a second-degree polynomial of vertical position in the tree and tree variables that can be measured in the forest were developed to predict HWD profiles of pine stems. Seven different models were developed in steps, based on how easily the input variables can be measured. Input variables consisted of information describing the size and shape of trees and information from increment cores. Performances of the models were validated with an independent sample (R2 = 0.88–0.95, root mean square error = 12–19 mm). The high predictive abilities of the models indicate that they can be prospective tools for selecting trees and stem sections within trees to produce logs with HWD suitable for manufacturing of heartwood sawn-wood products.
Greenhouse gas fluxes from boreal forest soils during the snow-free period in Quebec, Canada
Authors: Ullah Sami , Frasier Rebeccah , Pelletier Luc , Moore Tim R. 
Published: April 2009

This paper presents soil fluxes of methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and carbon dioxide (CO2) from 12 sites located in four major forest types, black spruce ( Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP), jack pine ( Pinus banksiana Lamb.), aspen ( Populus spp.), and alder ( Alnus spp.) stands, in the Eastmain and Chibougamau regions of Quebec. Fluxes were determined with closed chambers during the snow-free period from May to October 2007. Well-drained black spruce, jack pine, and aspen forest soils were net sinks of atmospheric CH4 (–0.33 ± 0.11 mg·m–2·day–1), while alder-dominated wetland soils were sources of CH4 (0.45 ± 0.12 mg·m–2·day–1). The cut-over alder wetland soil produced 131 times more CH4 than the undisturbed wetland soil. Soil moisture and temperature mainly regulated CH4 fluxes. N2O fluxes from these forest soils were highly variable and smaller (1.6 ± 0.33 µg N·m–2·h–1) than those from deciduous forest soils. N2O emission from the cut-over black spruce forest soil was 2.7 times greater than that from the mature black spruce forest soil. Large C/N ratios (27 to 78) and slow soil N mineralization and nitrification rates in these forest soils may have led to small N2O fluxes. CO2 emissions from these forest soils, ranging from 0.20 to 2.7 g·m–2·day–1, were mainly controlled by soil temperature.
Epitope specificity of anti-factor VIII antibodies from inhibitor positive acquired and congenital haemophilia A patients using synthetic peptides spanning A and C domains
Authors: Gharagozlou Soheila , Sharifian Ramazan , Khoshnoodi Jalal , Karimi Katayoon , Milani Monica , Okita David , Conti-Fine Bianca , Shokri Fazel 
Published: April 2009

SummaryDevelopment of antibodies (Ab) that either block the function of coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) (inhibitors) or clear it from circulation, seriously complicate the treatment of haemophilia A patients with FVIII products. Autoantibodies which develop in subjects without congenital FVIII defects, cause acquired haemophilia, a rare but life-threatening coagulopathy. Identification of the FVIII epitopes to which inhibitor Abs bind will help understanding the mechanisms of inhibitor activity, and perhaps development of new therapies. Here, we examined the FVIII peptide sequence regions recognised by anti-FVIII Ab in the plasma of six congenital and one acquired haemophilia patients with high inhibitor titers (24.4–2000 BU/ml). We used indirect ELISA and overlapping synthetic peptides, 20 residues long, spanning the sequence of the A and C FVIII domains. None of the plasma samples reacted with A1, A3 or C1 domain peptides. Six plasmas reacted with A2 and/or C2 peptides. Peptides spanning residues A2–521–690 and C2–2251–2332 were recognised most frequently and strongly. They include residues that contribute to the binding sites for activated factor IX and phosphatidyl serine/ von Willebrand factor. These results suggest that anti-FVIII Abs share a pattern of antigen specificity in our panel of patients, and that exposed regions of the FVIII molecule that form functionally important binding sites elicit an intense Ab response.
Variants in the coagulation factor 2 receptor (F2R) gene influence the risk of myocardial infarction in men through an interaction with interleukin 6 serum levels
Authors: Vikström Max , Meuzelaar Linda Strömqvist , Chernogubova Ekaterina , Silveira Angela , van’t Hooft Ferdinand , Hamsten Anders , Faire Ulf de , Gigante Bruna 
Published: April 2009

SummaryThrombin-activated factor 2 receptor (F2R) links thrombosis to inflammation modulating interleukin (IL)6 synthesis. We have investigated the role of F2R genetic variants and their interaction with IL6 serum levels in the occurrence of myocardial infarction (MI) in the Stockholm Heart Epidemiology Program (SHEEP). Seven SNPs –1738 G/A, –506-/GGCCGCGGGAAGC (D/I), 2860 G/A, 2930 T/C, 9113 C/A, 9333 C/T and 120813 T/C within F2R locus were genotyped in the SHEEP (n=2,774). The C allele at position 2930 was associated with a slight reduction in MI risk in men. IL6 serum levels were higher in male cases carrying genotypes AA at the –1738 (p= 0.01) and GG at the 2860 loci (p= 0.03) and both alleles were found to differentially modulate IL6 serum levels in the context of selective haplotypes. High IL6 serum levels (>75th percentile), were independently associated with an increased risk of MI in men with an odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval [CI]) of 2.44 (1.72–3.46), (p=0.0016), but not in women ( OR 0.83 [95%CI 0.50–1.36], p=0.64). In the presence of high IL6 serum levels, the –1738A allele increased and the 2860A allele reduced the risk of MI (all p≤0.02). Consistently, the AG diplotype increased MI risk (OR 1.71 [95%CI 1.17–2.51], p=0.005). The –1738 and 2860 loci association with IL6 serum levels was replicated in men in the Stockholm Coronary Artery Risk Factor (SCARF) study (both p≤0.04). In the pooled data from the two populations, the A and G allele modulated the risk of MI in men with high IL6 serum levels (p≤0.03). Our results demonstrate that in men F2R genetic variants influence the risk of MI mainly through an interaction with IL6 serum levels.