bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reflections on the Christchurch earthquake
Authors: Flanagan P. 
Published: October 2011

Background and Objectives  The city of Christchurch in New Zealand suffered a series of major earthquakes during 2010 and 2011. These resulted in significant damage and loss of life. The impact of the earthquakes on New Zealand Blood Service is reviewed in the context of emergency planning and preparedness.Impact assessment  The requirement for blood and blood components was low and easily met from within existing stocks. The anticipated influx of donors was well managed avoiding unnecessary build‐up of blood components and consequent wastage. The Christchurch Blood Centre was closed for a number of days following each major event. Contingency arrangements for supply to Christchurch and other hospitals in the region were successfully implemented.Conclusions  Pre‐existing emergency plans are an essential component of emergency preparedness. These must however be flexible to respond to rapidly changing situations. The blood service plan must be integrated into regional and national response plans. Access to timely and accurate information is an important contributor to effective management.
Lecture: Blood Donation Program in the Asia Pacific Region
Authors: Thomas S. 
Published: October 2011

As part of the Asia Pacific Blood Network (APBN) comparison of practice program, member countries review blood donor management practices to understand emerging trends in the region, and identify good practice opportunities which may benefit other members.Our membership includes Australia, Beijing, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand. From 2006, we have jointly collected information for a range of donor related measures, including age and sex distribution of donors, criteria for donation, donation volumes and frequencies, transfusion transmitted disease rates, additional donor health screening initiatives and donor deferrals.Analysis of the donor management information both among member countries, and for individual countries over a period of 4 years, provides a useful window into some of the donor characteristics for our region. Whilst there are significant variations in population size of countries, there are shared trends in donor patterns subsequent to local disasters, reasons for donor deferrals, and the need for continued focus on relevant and effective donor retention and recruitment strategies. We continue to see lower red cell utilisation rates in Asia, in general a younger donor population with higher representation of male donors, and low haemoglobin as the single most common reason for donor deferral for most members.APBN members are actively pursuing opportunities for shared donor management approaches, and the progress with these strategies in addition to an overview of regional donor measure is provided.
Evidence behind the pathophysiology of TRALI
Authors: Tung J. P. , Minchinton R. M. , Fraser J. F. , Fung Y. L. 
Published: October 2011

Transfusion‐related acute lung injury (TRALI) is a serious transfusion complication that may lead to significant morbidity and mortality. This has driven a significant research effort focused on understanding why and how TRALI develops. The ultimate goal must be prevention or at least mitigation of the clinical consequences of TRALI.The underlying pathophysiology of TRALI is presently best described by two hypotheses which are not mutually exclusive. These are the antibody mediated TRALI mechanism and the two‐event or priming TRALI mechanism. One of the key initial findings in TRALI research was the frequent presence of leucocyte antibodies in associated blood products, providing strong evidence for an antibody driven pathogenesis. In contrast, the two‐event mechanism proposed that these transfused antibodies activated neutrophils that had first been primed by the patient’s clinical condition.Together, data from haemovigilance programs, clinical reports and experimental findings have led several countries to introduce TRALI risk‐reduction strategies. These include either limiting the transfusion of plasma from female donors or, screening female donors for the presence of leucocyte antibodies. Both approaches are justified by adoption of the immune mechanism as the prime driver of the pathogenesis of TRALI. TRALI incidence has gratifyingly been reduced by these measures. Nevertheless, TRALI cases persist and they remain a major concern because of continuing significant morbidity and mortality.While the majority of earlier TRALI research has focused on the role of antibodies in TRALI, evidence for the role of non‐antibody factors in TRALI is now growing, based on an increasing number of in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo models. This review aims to present data from such models, which are the foundation for our current understanding of the pathophysiology behind antibody mediated and non‐antibody mediated TRALI.
Association between infant formula feeding and dental fluorosis and caries in Australian children
Authors: Do Loc G. , Levy Steven M. , Spencer A. John 
Published: October 2011

AbstractObjective: The objective of this study was to evaluate associations between patterns of infant formula feeding and dental fluorosis and caries in a representative sample of Australian children.Methods: A population‐based study gathered information on fluoride exposure in early childhood. Information on infant formula feeding and fluoridation status was used to group children: three groups in nonfluoridated areas (formula nonuser, user for ≤6 months, and user for 6+ months) and four groups in fluoridated areas (nonuser, user with nonfluoridated water, user with fluoridated water for ≤6 months, and user with fluoridated water for 6+ months). Children aged 8‐13 years were examined for fluorosis using the Thylstrup and Fejerskov (TF) Index. Primary tooth caries experience recorded at age 8‐9 years was extracted from clinical records. Fluorosis cases were defined as having TF 1+ on maxillary incisors. Fluorosis prevalence and primary caries experience were compared across formula user groups in multivariable regression models adjusting for other factors.Results: Total sample was 588 children. Children in fluoridated areas had higher prevalence of very mild to mild fluorosis, but lower caries experience than those in nonfluoridated areas. Among children in nonfluoridated areas, formula users for 6+ months had significantly higher prevalence of fluorosis compared with nonusers. There was no significant difference in fluorosis prevalence among the formula users in fluoridated areas. Among children in fluoridated areas, formula users with nontap water had higher caries experience.Conclusion: Infant formula use was associated with higher prevalence of fluorosis in nonfluoridated areas but not in fluoridated areas. Type of water used for reconstituting infant formula in fluoridated areas was associated with caries experience.
Mice Orally Immunized with a Transgenic Plant Expressing the Glycoprotein of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus
Authors: Ghiasi S. M. , Salmanian A. H. , Chinikar S. , Zakeri S. 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACT
While Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) has a high mortality rate in humans, the associated virus (CCHFV) does not induce clinical symptoms in animals, but animals play an important role in disease transmission to humans. Our aim in this study was to examine the immunogenicity of the CCHFV glycoprotein when expressed in the root and leaf of transgenic plants via hairy roots and stable transformation of tobacco plants, respectively. After confirmatory analyses of transgenic plant lines and quantification of the expressed glycoprotein, mice were either fed with the transgenic leaves or roots, fed the transgenic plant material and injected subcutaneously with the plant-made CCHFV glycoprotein (fed/boosted), vaccinated with an attenuated CCHF vaccine (positive control), or received no treatment (negative control). All immunized groups had a consistent rise in anti-glycoprotein IgG and IgA antibodies in their serum and feces, respectively. The mice in the fed/boosted group showed a significant rise in specific IgG antibodies after a single boost. Our results imply that oral immunization of animals with edible materials from transgenic plants is feasible, and further assessments are under way. In addition, while the study of CCHF is challenging, our protocol should be further used to study CCHFV infection in the knockout mouse model and virus neutralization assays in biosafety level 4 laboratories.
Comparative Effectiveness of Dried-Plasma Hepatitis B Virus Viral Load (VL) Testing in Three Different VL Commercial Platforms Using ViveST for Sample Collection
Authors: Zanoni Michelle , Giron Leila B. , Vilhena Cintia , Sucupira Maria Cecilia , Lloyd Robert M. , Diaz Ricardo Sobhie 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACT

Ninety-six samples from hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected individuals were used to compare ViveST samples to frozen samples in COBAS TaqMan, RealArt, and VERSANT. Correlation (
r
) between ViveST samples and frozen samples was 0.99 in all three platforms. Correlations among tests using frozen samples were 0.96 for COBAS and RealArt, 0.94 for COBAS and VERSANT, and 0.97 for VERSANT and RealArt. The results indicate that ViveST may be useful in clinical practice. Different HBV-VL platforms correlated well with one another.
Significant Finding of Bordetella holmesii DNA in Nasopharyngeal Samples from French Patients with Suspected Pertussis
Authors: Njamkepo Elisabeth , Bonacorsi Stéphane , Debruyne Monique , Gibaud Sophie Anne , Guillot Sophie , Guiso Nicole 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACT

Pertussis is routinely diagnosed with real-time PCR based on insertion sequence IS
481
, which is not specific for
Bordetella pertussis
. We conducted a retrospective study using real-time PCRs specific for
Bordetella pertussis
and for
Bordetella holmesii
on 177 samples positive for IS
481
PCR.
Bordetella holmesii
DNA was detected in 20.3% samples collected from adolescents and adults.
Diagnosis of Invasive Aspergillosis by a Commercial Real-Time PCR Assay for Aspergillus DNA in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Samples from High-Risk Patients Compared to a Galactomannan Enzyme Immunoassay
Authors: Torelli Riccardo , Sanguinetti Maurizio , Moody Adrian , Pagano Livio , Caira Morena , De Carolis Elena , Fuso Leonello , De Pascale Gennaro , Bello Giuseppe , Antonelli Massimo , Fadda Giovanni , Posteraro Brunella 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACTCulture-independent molecular techniques such as real-time PCRs offer the potential for early diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis (IA), thereby reducing the disease-associated mortality rate. PCR-based testing is presently excluded from disease-defining consensus criteria due to lack of standardization and clinical validation. A single-center prospective study was conducted to investigate the performance of the commercially available MycAssayAspergillustest for detectingAspergillusDNA in patients with suspicion of IA. To this end, a total of 158 bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid specimens that were consecutively collected from hematology (n= 68) and intensive care unit (n= 90) patients were examined. Sixteen of 17 (94.1%) specimens from patients with proven/probable IA were MycAssay positive, and 15 of these 16 patients were also positive by an “in-house” PCR assay. A total of 139 of 141 (98.6%) specimens from patients without proven/probable IA were MycAssay negative. Fifteen of 16 (94.1%) MycAssay-positive patients were also positive for BAL fluid galactomannan (GM) at an index cutoff of ≥1.0 (index range, 1.1 to 8.3), as were 3 patients without IA but with pulmonary fusariosis. Interestingly, in seven of the PCR-positive BAL specimens that tested culture positive forAspergillusspecies, cycle threshold values were earlier than those of specimens with a culture-negative result. In conclusion, the MycAssayAspergillusPCR appears to be a sensitive and specific molecular test for the diagnosis of IA, and its performance is comparable to that of the GM assay. However, more large studies are necessary to firmly establish its clinical utility in high-risk settings.
Sensitive and Specific Modified Hodge Test for KPC and Metallo-Beta- Lactamase Detection in Pseudomonas aeruginosa by Use of a Novel Indicator Strain, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 700603
Authors: Pasteran Fernando , Veliz Omar , Rapoport Melina , Guerriero Leonor , Corso Alejandra 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACT

We evaluated the ability of the modified Hodge test to discriminate between KPC- and metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL)-producing
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
isolates and carbapenemase nonproducers. With
Escherichia coli
ATCC 25922 as the indicator strain, the MHT resulted in low sensitivity, specificity, and repeatability. Replacing the indicator strain with
Klebsiella pneumoniae
ATCC 700603 led to an improved performance (100%, 97%, 0%, and 100% sensitivity, specificity, indeterminate results and repeatability, respectively).
Case of Diffuse Lepromatous Leprosy Associated with “Mycobacterium lepromatosis”
Authors: Vera-Cabrera Lucio , Escalante-Fuentes Wendy G. , Gomez-Flores Minerva , Ocampo-Candiani Jorge , Busso Philippe , Singh Pushpendra , Cole Stewart T. 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACT

An 86-year-old female patient from northeast Mexico presented with diffuse lepromatous leprosy (DLL). Sequence analysis of four genes (
rrs
,
rpoB
,
sigA
, and
hsp65
) from the skin biopsy specimen identified “
Mycobacterium lepromatosis
.” This is the first independent confirmation of a case of DLL due to
M. lepromatosis
.
True Microbiota Involved in Chronic Lung Infection of Cystic Fibrosis Patients Found by Culturing and 16S rRNA Gene Analysis
Authors: Rudkjøbing Vibeke B. , Thomsen Trine R. , Alhede Morten , Kragh Kasper N. , Nielsen Per H. , Johansen Ulla R. , Givskov Michael , Høiby Niels , Bjarnsholt Thomas 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACT

Patients suffering from cystic fibrosis (CF) develop chronic lung infection. In this study, we investigated the microorganisms present in transplanted CF lungs (
n
= 5) by standard culturing and 16S rRNA gene analysis. A correspondence between culturing and the molecular methods was observed. In conclusion, standard culturing seems reliable for the identification of the dominating pathogens.
Mutations of Gln64 in the HIV-1 gp41 N-Terminal Heptad Repeat Render Viruses Resistant to Peptide HIV Fusion Inhibitors Targeting the gp41 Pocket
Authors: Yu Xiaowen , Lu Lu , Cai Lifeng , Tong Pei , Tan Suiyi , Zou Peng , Meng Fanxia , Chen Ying-hua , Jiang Shibo 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACT
To prove that the peptidic HIV-1 fusion inhibitors containing the pocket-binding domain (PBD) mainly target the hydrophobic pocket in the gp41 N-terminal heptad repeat (NHR), we constructed pseudoviruses by replacement of Q64 in the gp41 pocket region with Ala (Q64A) or Leu (Q64L). These viruses were highly resistant to C34 and CP32M containing the PBD, while they were susceptible to T20 (enfuvirtide) lacking the PBD but containing the GIV-motif-binding domain (GBD) and lipid-binding domain (LBD). They were also sensitive to C52L, which contains the PBD, GBD, and LBD. Those mutations may disrupt the hydrophilic interaction between Q64 in the NHR and N113 in the peptides containing the PBD. This report provides insights into the mechanisms of drug resistance, with implications for the design of novel HIV fusion and entry inhibitors.
A Novel Self-Replicating Chimeric Lentivirus-Like Particle
Authors: Jurgens Christy K. , Young Kelly R. , Madden Victoria J. , Johnson Philip R. , Johnston Robert E. 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACT

Successful live attenuated vaccines mimic natural exposure to pathogens without causing disease and have been successful against several viruses. However, safety concerns prevent the development of attenuated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as a vaccine candidate. If a safe, replicating virus vaccine could be developed, it might have the potential to offer significant protection against HIV infection and disease. Described here is the development of a novel self-replicating chimeric virus vaccine candidate that is designed to provide natural exposure to a lentivirus-like particle and to incorporate the properties of a live attenuated virus vaccine without the inherent safety issues associated with attenuated lentiviruses. The genome from the alphavirus Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEE) was modified to express SHIV89.6P genes encoding the structural proteins Gag and Env. Expression of Gag and Env from VEE RNA in primate cells led to the assembly of particles that morphologically and functionally resembled lentivirus virions and that incorporated alphavirus RNA. Infection of CD4
+
cells with chimeric lentivirus-like particles was specific and productive, resulting in RNA replication, expression of Gag and Env, and generation of progeny chimeric particles. Further genome modifications designed to enhance encapsidation of the chimeric virus genome and to express an attenuated simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) protease for particle maturation improved the ability of chimeric lentivirus-like particles to propagate in cell culture. This study provides proof of concept for the feasibility of creating chimeric virus genomes that express lentivirus structural proteins and assemble into infectious particles for presentation of lentivirus immunogens in their native and functional conformation.
Small but Sufficient: the Rhodococcus Phage RRH1 Has the Smallest Known Siphoviridae Genome at 14.2 Kilobases
Authors: Petrovski Steve , Dyson Zoe A. , Seviour Robert J. , Tillett Daniel 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACT

Bacteriophages are considered to be the most abundant biological entities on the planet. The
Siphoviridae
are the most commonly encountered tailed phages and contain double-stranded DNA with an average genome size of ∼50 kb. This paper describes the isolation from four different activated sludge plants of the phage RRH1, which is polyvalent, lysing five
Rhodococcus
species. It has a capsid diameter of only ∼43 nm. Whole-genome sequencing of RRH1 revealed a novel circularly permuted DNA sequence (14,270 bp) carrying 20 putative open reading frames. The genome has a modular arrangement, as reported for those of most
Siphoviridae
phages, but appears to encode only structural proteins and carry a single lysis gene. All genes are transcribed in the same direction. RRH1 has the smallest genome yet of any described functional
Siphoviridae
phage. We demonstrate that lytic phage can be recovered from transforming naked DNA into its host bacterium, thus making it a potentially useful model for studying gene function in phages.
Length Variations in the NA Stalk of an H7N1 Influenza Virus Have Opposite Effects on Viral Excretion in Chickens and Ducks
Authors: Hoffmann T. W. , Munier S. , Larcher T. , Soubieux D. , Ledevin M. , Esnault E. , Tourdes A. , Croville G. , Guérin J.-L. , Quéré P. , Volmer R. , Naffakh N. , Marc D. 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACT
A deletion of ∼20 amino acids in the stalk of neuraminidase is frequently observed upon transmission of influenza A viruses from waterfowl to domestic poultry. A pair of recombinant H7N1 viruses bearing either a short- or long-stalk neuraminidase was genetically engineered. Inoculation of the long-stalk-neuraminidase virus resulted in a higher cloacal excretion in ducks and led conversely to lower-level oropharyngeal excretion in chickens, associated with a higher-level local immune response and better survival. Therefore, a short-stalk neuraminidase is a determinant of viral adaptation and virulence in chickens but is detrimental to virus replication and shedding in ducks.
Contributions of the Epstein-Barr Virus EBNA1 Protein to Gastric Carcinoma
Authors: Sivachandran Nirojini , Dawson Christopher W. , Young Lawrence S. , Liu Fei-Fei , Middeldorp Jaap , Frappier Lori 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACT
Approximately 10% of gastric carcinomas (GC) are comprised of cells latently infected with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV); however, the mechanism by which EBV contributes to the development of this malignancy is unclear. We have investigated the cellular effects of the only EBV nuclear protein expressed in GC, EBNA1, focusing on promyelocytic leukemia (PML) nuclear bodies (NBs), which play important roles in apoptosis, p53 activation, and tumor suppression. AGS GC cells infected with EBV were found to contain fewer PML NBs and less PML protein than the parental EBV-negative AGS cells, and these levels were restored by silencing EBNA1. Conversely, EBNA1 expression was sufficient to induce the loss of PML NBs and proteins in AGS cells. Consistent with PML functions, EBNA1 expression decreased p53 activation and apoptosis in response to DNA damage and resulted in increased cell survival. In addition, EBNA1 mutants unable to bind CK2 kinase or ubiquitin-specific protease 7 had decreased ability to induce PML loss and to interfere with p53 activation. PML levels in EBV-positive and EBV-negative GC biopsy specimens were then compared by immunohistochemistry. Consistent with the results in the AGS cells, EBV-positive tumors had significantly lower PML levels than EBV-negative tumors. The results indicate that EBV infection of GC cells leads to loss of PML NBs through the action of EBNA1, resulting in impaired responses to DNA damage and promotion of cell survival. Therefore, PML disruption by EBNA1 is one mechanism by which EBV may contribute to the development of gastric cancer.
Changes in the Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Nuclear Proteome Induced by the EBNA1 Protein of Epstein-Barr Virus Reveal Potential Roles for EBNA1 in Metastasis and Oxidative Stress Responses
Authors: Cao Jennifer Yinuo , Mansouri Sheila , Frappier Lori 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACT

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is causatively associated with a variety of human cancers, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The only viral nuclear protein expressed in NPC is EBNA1, which can alter cellular properties in ways that may promote oncogenesis. Here, we used
2-d
imensional
di
fference
g
el
e
lectrophoresis (2-D DiGE) to profile changes in the nuclear proteome that occur after stable expression of EBNA1 in the EBV-negative NPC cell line CNE2. We found that EBNA1 consistently altered the levels of a small percentage of the nuclear proteins. The identification of 19 of these proteins by mass spectrometry revealed that EBNA1 upregulated three proteins affecting metastatic potential (stathmin 1, maspin, and Nm23-H1) and several proteins in the oxidative stress response pathway, including the antioxidants superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) and peroxiredoxin 1 (Prx1). Western blot analysis verified that EBNA1 expression upregulated and EBNA1 silencing downregulated these proteins. In addition, transcripts for stathmin 1 were induced by EBNA1, whereas EBNA1 only affected Prx1 and SOD1 at the protein level. Further investigation of the EBNA1 effects on the redox pathway showed that long-term EBNA1 expression in NPC resulted in increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increased levels of the NADPH oxidases NOX1 and NOX2, known to generate ROS. In addition, EBNA1 depletion in EBV-positive cells decreased NOX2 and ROS. The results show multiple roles for EBNA1 in the oxidative stress response pathway and suggest mechanisms by which EBNA1 may promote NPC metastases.