bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Emerging point of care tests for influenza: innovation or status quo
Authors: Tayo Adeoluwa , Ellis Joanna , Linden Phillips Luan , Simpson Sue , Ward Derek J. 
Published: November 2011

Please cite this paper as: Tayo A et al. (2012) Emerging point of care tests for influenza: innovation or status quo. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 6(4), 291–298.Background  Point of care tests (POCTs) for influenza potentially offer earlier diagnosis, enabling specific treatment, infection control measures and greater patient convenience and satisfaction. Current POCTs have limited sensitivity, some cannot distinguish influenza types, none differentiate subtypes and are relatively expensive.Aims  To identify and characterise influenza POCTs expected to be available for clinical use in the UK by mid‐2013, highlighting those with potential benefits over existing tests.Methods  Potential developers of influenza POCTs were identified through known manufacturers’ websites, Medical Technology trade associations, the EuroScan International Network, an expert advisory group and by searching relevant online sources. Identified companies were asked to provide standard information on relevant technologies.Results  Fifty‐six companies were identified, and 29 (52%) responded, identifying 57 potentially relevant technologies. Of these, 40 (70%) were already available or had undetermined status and 5 (9%) were excluded as time to results took over 60 minutes. Of the remaining 12 emerging POCTs, 10 (83%) reportedly enabled differentiation of influenza types and eight differentiation of A subtypes. Nasopharyngeal swabs were the most commonly acceptable sample type; the sample volume ranging from 80 μl to 1·4 ml.Discussion  Most identified emerging influenza POCTs offered differentiation of influenza type and subtype. Tests claiming this capability include several incorporating reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assays; though, these also had the longest time to result. However, whilst some identified POCTs exhibit high sensitivity and specificity, most lack published clinical data for assessment, and the overall costs of these technologies remains largely unknown.
Determinants of permanent first incisor eruption in grazing Australian Angora goats
Authors: McGregor BA , Butler KL 
Published: November 2011

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of live weight, sex and other factors on deciduous (first incisor) loss and permanent first incisor development in Angora goats.DesignGoats were part of a pen study on the effects of energy intake in Angora does during pregnancy and lactation on kid growth and development. The design was three levels of nutrition in mid‐pregnancy × two levels of postnatal nutrition in 17 randomised blocks.MethodsConception times were calculated by using artificial insemination, with ultrasound examination 43 days after insemination. Does were fed different amounts of a formulated diet in their pens. After weaning, goats were grazed in sex groups. Deciduous first incisor loss and permanent first incisor development were recorded at 11 time points from 14 to 20 months of age.ResultsFor each sex, the time for visible eruption and full development of permanent first incisor declined linearly with increased live weight by 5.9 and 5.4 days/kg live weight, respectively. The time to reach similar development stages for first permanent incisors eruption was 3 months longer for the lightest animals compared with the heaviest animals. Date of birth, birth weight, doe age, growth rates, mid‐pregnancy and postnatal nutrition, parity, day of weaning and weaning weight had no detectable effect.ConclusionsThe results explain much of the substantial range in reported first permanent incisor eruption dates for small ruminants and have application in ageing of goats, marketing of kids for meat, in the selection of animals for breeding flocks and in educational material.
Hepatitis E virus genotype 3f in pigs in New Caledonia
Authors: Kaba M , Davoust B , Cabre O , Colson P 
Published: November 2011

Background  Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is highly prevalent in farm pigs worldwide and an increasing body of data from industrialised countries suggests that it is an agent of a porcine zoonosis.Methods  We used in‐house real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction to study HEV infection in 4–26‐week‐old pigs on a pig farm in New Caledonia, Oceania, for which no data are available.Results  HEV RNA was detected in faeces from 6 of 92 (6.5%) pigs tested and all were 9–16 weeks old. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the HEV open reading frame 1 and 2 sequences recovered in this study formed a single cluster among HEV genotype 3 subtype f.Conclusions  Our work shows for the first time that pigs are a reservoir for HEV in New Caledonia. Further studies are needed to assess the prevalence and phylogenetic relationships of HEV in pigs and humans in this French overseas collectivity.
Microbial symbionts: a resource for the management of insect‐related problems
Authors: Crotti Elena , Balloi Annalisa , Hamdi Chadlia , Sansonno Luigi , Marzorati Massimo , Gonella Elena , Favia Guido , Cherif Ameur , Bandi Claudio , Alma Alberto , Daffonchio Daniele 
Published: November 2011

SummaryMicroorganisms establish with their animal hosts close interactions. They are involved in many aspects of the host life, physiology and evolution, including nutrition, reproduction, immune homeostasis, defence and speciation. Thus, the manipulation and the exploitation the microbiota could result in important practical applications for the development of strategies for the management of insect‐related problems. This approach, defined as ‘Microbial Resource Management’ (MRM), has been applied successfully in various environments and ecosystems, as wastewater treatments, prebiotics in humans, anaerobic digestion and so on. MRM foresees the proper management of the microbial resource present in a given ecosystem in order to solve practical problems through the use of microorganisms. In this review we present an interesting field for application for MRM concept, i.e. the microbial communities associated with arthropods and nematodes. Several examples related to this field of applications are presented. Insect microbiota can be manipulated: (i) to control insect pests for agriculture; (ii) to control pathogens transmitted by insects to humans, animals and plants; (iii) to protect beneficial insects from diseases and stresses. Besides, we prospect further studies aimed to verify, improve and apply MRM by using the insect–symbiont ecosystem as a model.
Postoperative increase in grey matter volume in visual cortex after unilateral cataract surgery
Authors: Lou Astrid R. , Madsen Kristoffer H. , Julian Hanne O. , Toft Peter B. , Kjaer Troels W. , Paulson Olaf B. , Prause Jan U. , Siebner Hartwig R. 
Published: November 2011

Abstract.Purpose:  The developing visual cortex has a strong potential to undergo plastic changes. Little is known about the potential of the ageing visual cortex to express plasticity. A pertinent question is whether therapeutic interventions can trigger plastic changes in the ageing visual cortex by restoring vision.Methods:  Twelve patients aged 50–85 years underwent structural high‐resolution T1‐weighted MRI of the whole brain 2 days and 6 weeks after unilateral cataract surgery. Voxel‐based morphometry (VBM) based on T1‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was employed to test whether cataract surgery induces a regional increase in grey matter in areas V1 and V2 of the visual cortex.Results:  In all patients, cataract surgery immediately improved visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and mean sensitivity in the visual field of the operated eye. The improvement in vision was stable throughout the 6 weeks after operation. VBM revealed a regional expansion of grey matter volume in area V2 contralateral to the operated eye during the 6‐week period after surgery. Individual increases in grey matter were predicted by the symmetry in visual acuity between the operated eye and nonoperated eye. The more symmetrical visual acuity became after unilateral cataract surgery, the more pronounced was the grey matter increase in visual cortex.Conclusion:  The data suggest that cataract surgery triggered a use‐dependent structural plasticity in V2 presumably through improved binocular integration of visual input from both eyes. We conclude that activity‐dependent cortical plasticity is preserved in the ageing visual cortex and may be triggered by restoring impaired vision.
The association between corneal neovascularization and visual acuity: a systematic review
Authors: Bachmann Bjoern , Taylor Rod S. , Cursiefen Claus 
Published: November 2011

Abstract.Purpose:  Corneal neovascularization (CNV) is thought to negatively influence visual acuity. New therapeutic options that offer a differentiated influence on the ingrowths or regression of either corneal blood or lymphatic vessels force us to re‐evaluate the association between CNV and visual acuity.Methods:  A systematic review was conducted. Electronic databases were searched up to August 2009. Given the heterogeneity in study populations, interventions and measures of association, we were unable to undertake meta‐analysis. The association between CNV and visual acuity was reported descriptively for each study.Results:  Eleven studies using either vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor treatments (i.e. bevacizumab, Avastin®; Hoffmann–La Roche AG, Basel, Switzerland) or an antiangiogenic treatment based on IRS‐1 modulation [Gene‐Signal (GS) 101, Aganirsen®; GeneSignal, Evry (Paris), France] in a total of 131 patients (142 eyes) with corneal neovascularization were included. Ten of the eleven studies reported evidence of a statistically significant reduction in neovascularization following treatment. However, only four studies reported a statistically significant improvement in visual acuity following therapy. We found no studies that assessed the patient‐level association between the change in neovascularization and visual acuity.Conclusion:  This systematic review found that there is currently weak evidence to support the hypothesis that in patients with pathological neovascularization, a treatment‐related reduction in neovascularization is associated with an increase in visual acuity. There is a need for future appropriately designed studies.
Consequences of field N2O emissions for the environmental sustainability of plant‐based biofuels produced within an organic farming system
Authors: Carter Mette S. , Hauggaard‐Nielsen Henrik , Heiske Stefan , Jensen Morten , Thomsen Sune T. , Schmidt Jens E. , Johansen Anders , Ambus Per 
Published: November 2011

AbstractOne way of reducing the emissions of fossil fuel‐derived carbon dioxide (CO2) is to replace fossil fuels with biofuels produced from agricultural biomasses or residuals. However, cultivation of soils results in emission of other greenhouse gases (GHGs), especially nitrous oxide (N2O). Previous studies on biofuel production systems showed that emissions of N2O may counterbalance a substantial part of the global warming reduction, which is achieved by fossil fuel displacement. In this study, we related measured field emissions of N2O to the reduction in fossil fuel‐derived CO2, which was obtained when agricultural biomasses were used for biofuel production. The analysis included five organically managed feedstocks (viz. dried straw of sole cropped rye, sole cropped vetch and intercropped rye–vetch, as well as fresh grass–clover and whole crop maize) and three scenarios for conversion of biomass into biofuel. The scenarios were (i) bioethanol, (ii) biogas and (iii) coproduction of bioethanol and biogas. In the last scenario, the biomass was first used for bioethanol fermentation and subsequently the effluent from this process was utilized for biogas production. The net GHG reduction was calculated as the avoided fossil fuel‐derived CO2, where the N2O emission was subtracted. This value did not account for fossil fuel‐derived CO2 emissions from farm machinery and during conversion processes that turn biomass into biofuel. The greatest net GHG reduction, corresponding to 700–800 g CO2 m−2, was obtained by biogas production or coproduction of bioethanol and biogas on either fresh grass–clover or whole crop maize. In contrast, biofuel production based on lignocellulosic crop residues (i.e. rye and vetch straw) provided considerably lower net GHG reductions (≤215 g CO2 m−2), and even negative numbers sometimes. No GHG benefit was achieved by fertilizing the maize crop because the extra crop yield, and thereby increased biofuel production, was offset by enhanced N2O emissions.
Non‐conventional radiotherapy versus conventional radiotherapy for inoperable non‐small‐cell lung cancer: A meta‐analysis of randomized clinical trials
Authors: Zhang Qiu‐Ning , Wang Dao‐Ying , Wang Xiao‐Hu , Hui Tian‐jin , Yang Ke‐Hu , Li Zheng , Li Hai‐Yang , Guo Li‐Yun 
Published: November 2011

AbstractBackground:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of non‐conventional radiotherapy versus conventional radiotherapy for inoperable non‐small‐cell lung cancer and to conduct a meta‐analysis to compare these two methods of radiotherapy for inoperable NSCLC.Methods:  We included randomized controlled trials, which were compared with non‐conventional radiotherapy with or without concurrent chemotherapy versus conventional radiotherapy with or without concurrent chemotherapy.Results:  Meta‐analysis of 13 randomized controlled trials with a total of 2206 patients showed that the non‐conventional radiotherapy group could significantly improve the objective response rate (OR 1.68, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.19–2.37) and overall survival of up to 1‐year (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.09–1.54), 2‐year (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.17–1.70), 3‐year (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.24–1.94), 4‐year (OR 1.60, 95% CI 1.20–2.15), 5‐year (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.11–2.38); and local control rate in 1‐year (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.09–1.68), 2‐year (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.23–1.99), 3‐year (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.10–1.91) compared with the conventional radiotherapy group. With regard to the side effects, non‐conventional radiotherapy was more likely to result in level III and IV radioactive esophagitis (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.09–2.46), but there was no significant difference in the incidence of radioactive pneumonitis (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.67–1.39). In the subgroup analysis we found late course accelerated hyperfractionated radiotherapy (LCHRT) could obviously improve 1‐year OS (OR 2.29, 95% CI 1.29–4.06), 2‐year OS (OR 4.22, 95% CI 2.03–8.77), 3‐year OS (OR 2.49, 95% CI 1.24–5.02) and Objective response rate (OR 2.38, 95% CI 1.17–4.83). However, hyperfractionated radiotherapy (HRT) and accelerated hyperfractionated radiotherapy (AHRT) could not improve 1‐, 2‐, 3‐year OS or OR compared with conventional fractionation radiotherapy.Conclusions:  Our findings indicate that NCRT could improve OR, reduce the risk of death by 1–5 years, and significantly increase level III and IV radioactive esophagitis incidence. The late course accelerated hyperfractionated radiotherapy (LCAHRT) group seemed to improve compared with the AHRT and conventional radiotherapy (CRT) groups.
Pegylated interferon α‐2b plus ribavirin for Japanese chronic hepatitis C patients with normal alanine aminotransferase
Authors: Kainuma Mosaburo , Furusyo Norihiro , Azuma Koichi , Kajiwara Eiji , Takahashi Kazuhiro , Nomura Hideyuki , Tanabe Yuichi , Satoh Takeaki , Maruyama Toshihiro , Nakamuta Makoto , Kotoh Kazuhiro , Shimoda Shinji , Hayashi Jun ,   the Kyushu University Liver Disease Study (KULDS) Group
Published: November 2011

Aim:  To investigate the efficacy and safety of a pegylated interferon (PEG‐IFN) α‐2b plus ribavirin (RBV) combination treatment for patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection who have persistently normal alanine aminotransferase (NALT).Methods:  This multicenter study included 989 patients with HCV genotype 1 (114 with NALT and 875 with elevated ALT) who received weight‐based doses of PEG‐IFN α‐2b plus RBV for 48 weeks. We compared the sustained viral response (SVR) rates of patients with NALT and elevated ALT who received at least 80% or more of the target dosage of PEG‐IFN α‐2b and 60% or more of the target RBV (minimum acceptable dosage).Results:  No significant difference was found in the overall SVR rate between the NALT (42.1%) and elevated ALT groups (37.3%). No significant difference in the SVR rates was found between NALT (63.3%) and elevated ALT group (61.6%) patients who received minimum acceptable dosage. Multivariate analysis showed that age (<65 years old) and total cholesterol (≧220 mg/dL) were significantly independent positive factors associated with an SVR in the NALT group. Twenty‐four weeks after treatment, an ALT increase above the normal range was observed for 34.0% (18 of 53) of the non‐responsive group of NALT patients.Conclusions:  The efficacy and safety of PEG‐IFN α‐2b plus RBV combination therapy for patients with chronic HCV infection are similar for patients with NALT and those with elevated ALT levels. These results indicate that patients with NALT should be considered for treatment with PEG‐IFN α‐2b plus RBV.
A generic, geometric cocalibration method for a combined system of fluorescence molecular tomography and microcomputed tomography with arbitrarily shaped objects
Authors: Fu Jianwei , Yang Xiaoquan , Wang Kan , Luo Qingming , Gong Hui 
Published: November 2011

Purpose:A combined system of fluorescence molecular tomography and microcomputed tomography (FMT&mCT) can provide molecular and anatomical information of small animals in a single study with intrinsically coregistered images. The anatomical information provided by the mCT subsystem is commonly used as a reference to locate the fluorophore distribution or asa priori structural information to improve the performance of FMT. Therefore, the transformation between the coordinate systems of the subsystem needs to be determined in advanced.Methods:A cocalibration method for the combined system of FMT&mCT is proposed. First, linear models are adopted to describe the galvano mirrors and the charge‐coupled device (CCD) camera in the FMT subsystem. Second, the position and orientation of the galvano mirrors are determined with the input voltages of the galvano mirrors and the markers, whose positions are predetermined. The position, orientation and normalized pixel size of the CCD camera are obtained by analysing the projections of a point‐like marker at different positions. Finally, the orientation and position of sources and the corresponding relationship between the detectors and their projections on the image plane are predicted. Because the positions of the markers are acquired with mCT, the registration of the FMT and mCT could be realized by direct image fusion.Results:The accuracy and consistency of this method in the presence of noise is evaluated by computer simulation. Next, a practical implementation for an experimental FMT&mCT system is carried out and validated. The maximum prediction error of the source positions on the surface of a cylindrical phantom is within 0.375 mm and that of the projections of a point‐like marker is within 0.629 pixel. Finally, imaging experiments of the fluorophore distribution in a cylindrical phantom and a phantom with a complex shape demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed method.Conclusions:This method is universal in FMT&mCT, which could be performed with no restriction on the system geometry, calibration phantoms or imaging objects.
Toll-Like Receptor 9-Dependent Activation of Bone Marrow-Derived Dendritic Cells byURA5DNA from Cryptococcus neoformans
Authors: Tanaka Misuzu , Ishii Keiko , Nakamura Yuri , Miyazato Akiko , Maki Atsuko , Abe Yuzuru , Miyasaka Tomomitsu , Yamamoto Hideki , Akahori Yukiko , Fue Misaki , Takahashi Yurie , Kanno Emi , Maruyama Ryoko , Kawakami Kazuyoshi 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACTCryptococcus neoformansis an opportunistic fungal pathogen that causes meningoencephalitis in immunocompromised patients. Recently, we reported that Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) is involved in host defense againstC. neoformans: specifically, it detects the pathogen's DNA. In the present study, we aimed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying TLR9-mediated activation of innate immune responses by using theURA5gene, which encodes a virulent component of this fungal pathogen. A PCR-amplified 345-bpURA5gene fragment induced interleukin-12 p40 (IL-12p40) production by bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BM-DCs) in a TLR9-dependent manner. Similar activity was detected in the 5′ 129-bp DNA fragment ofURA5and in a synthesized oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) with the same sequence. Shorter ODN fragments, which contained GTCGGT or GACGAT but had only 24 or 21 bases, induced IL-12p40 production and CD40 expression by BM-DCs, but this activity vanished when the CG sequence was replaced by GC or when a phosphorothioate modification was introduced. IL-12p40 production caused by active ODN was strikingly enhanced by treatment with DOTAP, a cationic lipid that increases the uptake of DNA by BM-DCs, though DOTAP failed to induce IL-12p40 production by inactive ODN and did not affect the activity of an ODN-containing canonical CpG motif. There was no apparent difference in intracellular trafficking between active and inactive ODNs. Finally, an extremely high dose of inactive ODN suppressed IL-12p40 production by BM-DCs that had been stimulated with active ODN. These results suggest that theC. neoformansURA5gene activates BM-DCs through a TLR9-mediated signaling pathway, using a mechanism possibly independent of the canonical CpG motif.
Poly-
N
-Acetyl-β-(1-6)-Glucosamine Is a Target for Protective Immunity against Acinetobacter baumannii Infections
Authors: Bentancor Leticia V. , O'Malley Jennifer M. , Bozkurt-Guzel Cagla , Pier Gerald B. , Maira-Litrán Tomás 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACT

Acinetobacter baumannii
has emerged as a highly troublesome, global pathogen. Treatment is complicated by high levels of antibiotic resistance, necessitating alternative means to prevent or treat
A. baumannii
infections. We evaluated an immunotherapeutic approach against
A. baumannii
, focusing on the surface polysaccharide poly-
N
-acetyl-β-(1-6)-glucosamine (PNAG). We used a synthetic oligosaccharide of 9 monosaccharide units (9Glc-NH
2
) conjugated to tetanus toxoid (TT) to induce antibodies in rabbits. In the presence of complement and polymorphonuclear cells, antisera to 9Glc-NH
2
-TT mediated the killing of
A. baumannii
S1, a high-PNAG-producing strain, but not its isogenic PNAG-negative, in-frame deletion mutant strain, S1 Δ
pga
. Complementing the
pgaABCD
locus in
trans
in the shuttle vector pBAD18kan-ori, plasmid Δ
pga
-c, restored the high levels of killing mediated by antibody to PNAG observed with the wild-type S1 strain. No killing was observed when normal rabbit serum (NRS) or heat-inactivated complement was used. Antiserum to 9Glc-NH
2
-TT was highly opsonic against an additional four unrelated multidrug-resistant clinical isolates of
A. baumannii
that synthesize various levels of surface PNAG. Using two clinically relevant models of
A. baumannii
infection in mice, pneumonia and bacteremia, antisera to 9Glc-NH
2
-TT significantly reduced levels of
A. baumannii
in the lungs or blood 2 and 24 h postinfection, respectively, compared to levels of control groups receiving NRS. This was true for all four
A. baumannii
strains tested. Overall, these results highlight the potential of PNAG as a vaccine component for active immunization or as a target for passive antibody immunotherapy.