bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Sexual Function
Authors: Sadeghi-Nejad Hossein , Wasserman Marlene , Weidner Wolfgang , Richardson Daniel , Goldmeier David 
Published: January 2010

ABSTRACT

Introduction
There is a need for state-of-the-art information in the area of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in relation to sexual function. There are an estimated 60 million people living with and 340 million with treatable STIs. Surveys show sexual problems to be as high as 35% for men and 55% for women; however, there is little research directly assessing relationships between infection and sexual function.

Aim
To show that STIs are associated with (and may cause) sexual dysfunction. Conversely, sexual dysfunction can increase patients’ risk of STI acquisition. In men, erectile dysfunction (ED) associated with condom use may lead to unsafe sexual practices and, hence, STI acquisition. The role of various therapies including phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors in the treatment of ED in positive men taking social drugs will be explored.

Methods
To provide state-of-the-art knowledge concerning sexual function and STIs, representing the opinions of five experts from four countries developed in a consensus process and encompassing a detailed literature review over a 2-year period.

Main Outcome Measure
Expert opinion was based on the grading of evidence-based medical literature, widespread internal committee discussion, public presentation, and debate.

Results
This article highlights major factors causing the spread of STIs and suggests management interventions to prevent further spread of HIV/STIs, focusing on the juxtaposition between STIs and sexual functioning. Women’s unique vulnerabilities to HIV/STIs (biological and physiological issues, gender-based violence, gender inequity) and their impact on women’s sexual function are reviewed. Similarly, men’s unique vulnerabilities to HIV/STIs including condom use, disclosure, voluntary counseling and testing, multiple concurrent sexual partners, and recreational drug use—particularly in homosexual men—are explored, as is the association of prostatitis and sexual function. Lastly, the article reviews the relationship between circumcision and sexual dysfunction.

Conclusions
A multidimensional approach to achieve optimal treatment outcomes should be embraced.
Antibacterial Activity of
N
-Pentylpantothenamide Is Due to Inhibition of Coenzyme A Synthesis
Authors: Thomas Jacob , Cronan John E. 
Published: January 2010

ABSTRACT

Growth inhibition by the pantothenate analog
N
-pentylpantothenamide (N5-Pan) has been attributed to the accumulation of acyl carrier protein carrying a prosthetic group modified by incorporation of N5-Pan. This was attributed to an inability of the AcpH acyl carrier protein phosphodiesterase to cleave the N5-Pan-modified prosthetic group from the protein moiety. We report that AcpH readily removes the N5-Pan-modified prosthetic group both
in vivo
and
in vitro
and show that N5-Pan blocks coenzyme A synthesis.
Probing the Molecular Determinant for the Catalytic Efficiency of
l
-Arabinose Isomerase from
Bacillus licheniformis
Authors: Prabhu Ponnandy , Jeya Marimuthu , Lee Jung-Kul 
Published: January 2010

ABSTRACT

Bacillus licheniformis
l
-arabinose isomerase (
l
-AI) is distinguished from other
l
-AIs by its high degree of substrate specificity for
l
-arabinose and its high turnover rate. A systematic strategy that included a sequence alignment-based first screening of residues and a homology model-based second screening, followed by site-directed mutagenesis to alter individual screened residues, was used to study the molecular determinants for the catalytic efficiency of
B. licheniformis
l
-AI. One conserved amino acid, Y333, in the substrate binding pocket of the wild-type
B. licheniformis
l
-AI was identified as an important residue affecting the catalytic efficiency of
B. licheniformis
l
-AI. Further insights into the function of residue Y333 were obtained by replacing it with other aromatic, nonpolar hydrophobic amino acids or polar amino acids. Replacing Y333 with the aromatic amino acid Phe did not alter catalytic efficiency toward
l
-arabinose. In contrast, the activities of mutants containing a hydrophobic amino acid (Ala, Val, or Leu) at position 333 decreased as the size of the hydrophobic side chain of the amino acid decreased. However, mutants containing hydrophilic and charged amino acids, such as Asp, Glu, and Lys, showed almost no activity with
l
-arabinose. These data and a molecular dynamics simulation suggest that Y333 is involved in the catalytic efficiency of
B. licheniformis
l
-AI.
Immunogenicity of a Heptavalent Conjugate Pneumococcal Vaccine Administered Concurrently with a Combination Diphtheria, Tetanus, Five-Component Acellular Pertussis, Inactivated Polio, and
Haemophilus influenzae
Type b Vaccine and a Meningococcal Group C Conjugate Vaccine at 2, 3, and 4 Months of Age
Authors: Moss S. J. , Fenton A. C. , Toomey J. , Grainger A. , Borrow R. , Balmer P. , Smith J. , Gennery A. R. 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACT

The immunogenicities of conjugate pneumococcal vaccines have been demonstrated when they are administered at 2, 3, and 4 months of age. There is a paucity of data on the immunogenicity of this vaccine when it is administered concurrently with other vaccines in the primary immunization schedule of the United Kingdom. We immunized 55 term infants at 2, 3, and 4 months of age with the seven-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7), the meningococcal group C conjugate (MCC) vaccine, and the diphtheria, tetanus, five-component acellular pertussis, inactivated polio, and
Haemophilus influenzae
type b (DTaP
5
/IPV/Hib-TT) vaccine. The immune responses to the
H. influenzae
type b (Hib), MCC, and tetanus vaccines were measured at 2, 5, and 12 months of age; and the immune responses to PCV7 were measured at 2 and 5 months and then either at 12 months or following a 4th dose of PCV7. There were increases in the geometric mean concentrations (GMCs) of all antigens postimmunization. Greater than or equal to 90% of the infants achieved putatively protective levels postimmunization for all vaccine antigens except pneumococcal serotype 6B and Hib. The GMCs of the PCV7 serotypes increased following a 4th dose, although one infant had not reached putative levels of protection against serotype 6B. In conclusion, when infants were vaccinated according to the schedule described above, they had lower postprimary immunization responses to Hib, meningococcus group C capsular polysaccharide, and pneumococcal serotype 6B than the responses demonstrated by use of the other schedules. Despite this finding, there was a good response following a 4th dose of PCV7.
Discrepancy in Dengue Virus Neutralizing Antibody Titers between Plaque Reduction Neutralizing Tests with Fcγ Receptor (FcγR)-Negative and FcγR-Expressing BHK-21 Cells
Authors: Moi Meng Ling , Lim Chang-Kweng , Kotaki Akira , Takasaki Tomohiko , Kurane Ichiro 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACTProtective immunity against dengue virus (DENV) is best reflected by the presence of neutralizing antibodies. The conventional plaque reduction neutralizing test (PRNT) is performed using Fcγ receptor (FcγR)-negative cells. Because FcγR plays a key role in antibody-dependent enhancement, we examined neutralizing antibody titers of mouse monoclonal antibodies and human serum samples in PRNTs using FcγRIIA-negative and FcγRIIA-expressing BHK cells. There was a discrepancy in dengue virus neutralizing antibody titers between PRNTs using FcγRIIA-negative versus FcγRIIA-expressing BHK cells. Neutralizing antibody titers to DENV-1 and DENV-2 tested with monoclonal antibodies, and with most of the human serum samples, were higher in assays using BHK cells than those using FcγRIIA-expressing BHK cells. The results suggest that neutralizing antibody titers determined using FcγRIIA-expressing cells may better reflect the protective capacity of anti-DENV antibodies, as the major target cells of DENV infection are FcγR-positive cells.
High Seroprevalence of Neutralizing Capacity against Human Metapneumovirus in All Age Groups Studied in Bonn, Germany
Authors: Lüsebrink Jessica , Wiese Christoph , Thiel Anne , Tillmann Ramona-Liza , Ditt Vanessa , Müller Andreas , Schildgen Oliver , Schildgen Verena 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACT
Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) infections occur frequently despite high rates of perpetual seroprevalence for all age groups. Analyses of ∼2,000 archived, randomly selected serum samples demonstrated that neutralizing capacities remain high, with a minor decrease for individuals over 69 years of age, leading to the hypothesis that reinfections occur because humoral immune responses play minor roles in the clearance of hMPV infections.
Evaluation of a Rapid Serological Test for the Determination of
Mycobacterium bovis
Infection in Badgers (
Meles meles
) Found Dead
Authors: Chambers Mark A. , Lyashchenko Konstantin P. , Greenwald Rena , Esfandiari Javan , James Eurig , Barker Leslie , Jones Jeff , Watkins Gavin , Rolfe Simon 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACT

Between October 2005 and May 2006, a total of 727 badgers found dead in Wales were reported, and 550 were delivered to the Regional Laboratories of the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA). Of the 459 carcasses suitable for examination, 55 were deemed to be infected with
Mycobacterium bovis
on the basis of culture, spoligotyping, and variable-number tandem repeat typing. Acid-fast bacteria were observed histologically in a further six badgers, but these bacteria were not confirmed as
M. bovis
by culture. A rapid serological test (BrockTB Stat-Pak) performed on thoracic blood showed a sensitivity of 35% and a specificity of 99%. Presence of
M. bovis
infection was 45 times more likely to be confirmed postmortem by culture in BrockTB Stat-Pak-reactive animals than in seronegative ones. Using visible carcass lesions as a marker of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) infection had a similar sensitivity (38%) but was significantly less specific (84%) than serology. The overall accuracy of the antibody detection was 93% (346 correct results from 374 tests), whereas the accuracy of regarding visible lesions as a marker for bTB infection was 78% (354 correct from 453 carcasses examined). Culture remains the gold standard method for detecting
M. bovis
infection in badgers. However, where resources are limited and/or an instant result is preferred, the BrockTB Stat-Pak could be used in field surveillance efforts to identify animals which should be examined further by only submitting test-negative animals to more detailed postmortem examination and culture.
Specific IgG Responses to Recombinant Antigen B and Em18 in Cystic and Alveolar Echinococcosis in China
Authors: Li Tiaoying , Ito Akira , Chen Xingwang , Sako Yasuhito , Qiu Jiamin , Xiao Ning , Qiu Dongchuan , Nakao Minoru , Yanagida Tetsuya , Craig Philip S. 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACT
An understanding of the correlation of the specific antibody responses and the disease phase is essential in evaluating diagnostic values of immunological tests in human echinococcosis. In this study, 422 echinococcosis patients diagnosed by ultrasonography, including 246 with cystic echinococcosis (CE), 173 with alveolar echinococcosis (AE), and 3 with dual infection, were tested for specific IgG in sera against recombinant AgB (rAgB) and recombinant Em18 (rEm18) in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. As a result, rAgB-specific antibody was detected in 77.6% of CE and 86.1% of AE patients, while rEm18-specific antibody was present in 28.9% of CE and 87.3% of AE patients. Additionally, all three patients with dual infection exhibited specific antibodies responding to rAgB and rEm18. Further analysis revealed that rAgB-specific antibody was elevated in a significantly greater proportion (87.3%) of CE patients with cysts at active or transitional stages (CE1, CE2, or CE3), compared to 54.8% of other patients with cysts at an early or an inactive stage (CL or CE4 or CE5). Furthermore, rAgB-specific antibody was detected in 95.6% of CE2 cases, which was statistically greater than that (73.7%) in CE1 patients. Although rEm18-specific antibody was elevated in 28.9% of CE patients, the positive reaction was much weaker in CE than in AE cases. Serum levels and concentrations of rEm18-specific antibody were further indicated to be strongly disease phase correlated in AE patients, with positive rates of 97.4% in cases with alveolar lesions containing central necrosis and 66.7% in patients with early alveolar lesions that measured ≤5 cm.
Evaluation of a Newly Developed GenoArray Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Genotyping Assay and Comparison with the Roche Linear Array HPV Genotyping Assay
Authors: Liu Stephanie S. , Leung Rebecca C. Y. , Chan Karen K. L. , Cheung Annie N. Y. , Ngan Hextan Y. S. 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACT
Persistent infection with high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) is a necessary step in the development of cervical cancer. The incorporation of HPV detection into cervical screening programs may improve the ability to identify women at risk of cervical cancer. We recently evaluated the performance characteristics of a newly developed HPV detection assay, the GenoArray (GA) genotyping assay, for the detection of HPV infections by comparing it with the commercial Roche Linear Array (LA) HPV genotyping assay. The GA assay has an analytical sensitivity for the detection of HPV types 16 (HPV-16) and HPV-18 of as few as 10 to 50 copies, and its reproducibility is adequate. The GA and LA assays showed no significant difference in the rates of detection of genotypes detected by both HPV genotyping assays and oncogenic genotypes, and the interassay agreement was excellent. The GA and LA assays revealed either concordant or compatible genotyping results for 97.5% of the samples and discordant results for only eight (2.5%) samples. Compatible results were also observed for the detection of single or multiple HPV infections and the detection of most of the genotypes. The GA assay also demonstrated good clinical performance characteristics when the comparisons were carried out with clinical subgroups of samples from patients with normal cytologies, low-grade or high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, and cancers. Therefore, the GA assay appears to be highly sensitive and specific for the genotyping of HPV. It has the advantage that it specifically detects HPV-52, which overcomes a limitation of the LA assay, and hence, it has potential value for use for genotyping, especially in regions where HPV-52 has a high prevalence.
Prevalence and Associations of
tcpC
, a Gene Encoding a Toll/Interleukin-1 Receptor Domain-Containing Protein, among
Escherichia coli
Urinary Tract Infection, Skin and Soft Tissue Infection, and Commensal Isolates
Authors: Starčič Erjavec Marjanca , Jesenko Blaž , Petkovšek Živa , Žgur-Bertok Darja 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACT

TcpC, a new Toll/interleukin-1 receptor domain-containing protein of uropathogenic
Escherichia coli
involved in the suppression of innate immunity, was found in 2008. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of
tcpC
and its association with virulence factors and phylogenetic groups among strains from a collection of 212
E. coli
isolates from urinary tract and skin and soft tissue infections and 90 commensal
E. coli
strains.
Streptococcus pyogenes
Isolates Causing Severe Infections in Norway in 2006 to 2007:
emm
Types, Multilocus Sequence Types, and Superantigen Profiles
Authors: Meisal Roger , Andreasson Ida K. G. , Høiby E. Arne , Aaberge Ingeborg S. , Michaelsen Terje E. , Caugant Dominique A. 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACT

To investigate the epidemiological patterns and genetic characteristics of disease caused by group A
Streptococcus
(GAS), all available isolates from invasive cases in Norway during 2006 to 2007 (262 isolates) were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing, T serotyping,
emm
typing, and multilocus sequence typing and screened for known streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin (Spe) genes,
smeZ
, and
ssa
. The average incidence rate was 3.1 cases per 100,000 individuals. The most prevalent sequence types (STs) were STs 52, 28, and 334. In association with
emm
types 28, 77, and 87, the serotype T-28 comprised 24.8% of the strains.
emm
types 28, 1, and 82 were dominating. In 2007, a sharp increase in the number of
emm-
6 strains was noted. All strains were sensitive to penicillin and quinupristin-dalfopristin, while 3.4% and 6.1% of the strains were resistant to macrolides and tetracycline, respectively. Furthermore, the
emm-
6 strains had intermediate susceptibility to ofloxacin. Isolates displayed a wide variety of gene profiles, as shown by the presence or absence of the Spe genes,
smeZ
, and
ssa
, but 48% of the isolates fell into one of three profiles. In most cases, an
emm
type was restricted to one gene profile. Although the incidence decreased during this study, invasive GAS disease still has a high endemic rate, with involvement of both established and emerging
emm
types displaying variability in virulence gene profiles as well as differences in gender and age group preferences.
Prevalence of the
sodC
Gene in Nontypeable
Haemophilus influenzae
and
Haemophilus haemolyticus
by Microarray-Based Hybridization
Authors: McCrea Kirk W. , Wang Myron L. , Xie Jingping , Sandstedt Sara A. , Davis Gregg S. , Lee Joseph H. , Marrs Carl F. , Gilsdorf Janet R. 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACT

The
sodC
gene has been reported to be a useful marker for differentiating nontypeable (NT)
Haemophilus influenzae
from
Haemophilus haemolyticus
in respiratory-tract samples, but discrepancies exist as to the prevalence of
sodC
in NT
H. influenzae
. Therefore, we used a microarray-based, “library-on-a-slide” method to differentiate the species and found that 21 of 169 (12.4%) NT
H. influenzae
strains and all 110 (100%)
H. haemolyticus
strains possessed the
sodC
gene. Multilocus sequence analysis confirmed that the 21 NT
H. influenzae
strains were
H. influenzae
and not
H. haemolyticus
. An inactive
sodC
gene has been reported in encapsulated
H. influenzae
strains belonging to phylogenetic division II. Capsule-specific Southern hybridization and PCR and a lack of copper/zinc-cofactored superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD) expression indicated that 6 of the 21
sodC
-containing NT
H. influenzae
strains in our study were likely capsule-deficient mutants belonging to phylogenetic division II. DNA sequence comparisons of the 21
H. influenzae sodC
genes with
sodC
from
H. haemolyticus
or encapsulated
H. influenzae
demonstrated that the
sodC
genes of the six
H. influenzae
capsule-deficient mutants were, on average, 99% identical to
sodC
from encapsulated
H. influenzae
but only 85% identical to
sodC
from
H. haemolyticus
. The
sodC
genes from 2/15 NT
H. influenzae
strains were similarly more closely related to
sodC
from encapsulated strains, while
sodC
genes from 13 NT
H. influenzae
strains were almost 95% identical to
sodC
genes from
H. haemolyticus
, suggesting the possibility of interspecies recombination in these strains. In summary, this study demonstrates that
sodC
is not completely absent (9.2%) in true NT
H. influenzae
strains.
Comparison of Whole Blood, Serum, and Plasma for Early Detection of Candidemia by Multiplex-Tandem PCR
Authors: Lau Anna , Halliday Catriona , Chen Sharon C.-A. , Playford E. Geoffrey , Stanley Keith , Sorrell Tania C. 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACT

We applied multiplex-tandem PCR (MT-PCR) to 255 EDTA whole-blood specimens, 29 serum specimens, and 24 plasma specimens from 109 patients with
Candida
bloodstream infection (candidemia) to determine whether a diagnosis could be expedited in comparison with the time to diagnosis by the use of standard blood culture. Overall, the MT-PCR performed better than blood culture with DNA extracted from whole blood from 52/74 (70%) patients, accelerating the time to detection (blood culture flagging) and determination of the pathogenic species (by use of the API 32C system [bioMérieux, Marcy l'Etoile, France]) by up to 4 days (mean, 2.2 days; range, 0.5 to 8 days).
Candida
DNA was detected more often in serum (71%) and plasma (75%) than in whole blood (54%), although relatively small numbers of serum and plasma specimens were tested. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the assay with whole blood were 75%, 97%, 95%, and 85%, respectively. Fungal DNA was not detected by MT-PCR in 6/24 (25%) whole-blood samples drawn simultaneously with the positive blood culture sample. MT-PCR performed better with whole-blood specimens stored at −20°C (75%) and when DNA was extracted within 1 week of sampling (66%). The molecular and culture identification results correlated for 61 of 66 patients (92%); one discrepant result was due to misidentification by culture. All but one sample from 53 patients who were at high risk of candidemia but did not have proven disease were negative by MT-PCR. The results demonstrate the good potential of MT-PCR to detect candidemia, to provide
Candida
species identification prior to blood culture positivity, and to provide improved sensitivity when applied to with serum and plasma specimens.
The Nonserotypeable Pneumococcus: Phenotypic Dynamics in the Era of Anticapsular Vaccines
Authors: Marsh R. , Smith-Vaughan H. , Hare K. M. , Binks M. , Kong F. , Warning J. , Gilbert G. L. , Morris P. , Leach A. J. 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACT

Nonserotypeable pneumococci (NSP) are commonly carried by Australian Indigenous children in remote communities. The purpose of this study was to characterize carriage isolates of NSP from Indigenous children vaccinated with the seven-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) and to use these data to guide decisions on reporting of NSP. A total of 182 NSP were characterized by BOX typing, antibiogram analysis, and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) of common BOX types. NSP positive for the
wzg
capsule gene were analyzed by a multiplex PCR-based reverse line blot hybridization assay (mPCR/RLB-H) targeting capsule genes to determine the serotype. Among 182 NSP, 49 BOX types were identified. MLST of 10 representative isolates found 7 STs, including ST448 (which accounted for 11% of NSP). Non-penicillin susceptibility was evident in 51% of the isolates. Pneumococcal
wzg
sequences were detected in only 23 (13%) NSP, including 10 that contained an ∼1.2-kb insert in the region. mPCR/RLB-H identified serotype 14
wzy
sequences in all 10 NSP, and 1 also contained a serotype 3-specific
wze
sequence. Among the remaining 13
wzg-
positive NSP, few belonged to the serotypes represented in PCV7. It appears that most NSP identified in Australian Indigenous children are from a true nonencapsulated lineage. Few NSP represented serotypes in PCV7 that suppress capsular expression. High rates of carriage and penicillin resistance and the occasional presence of capsule genes suggest a role for NSP in the maintenance and survival of capsulated pneumococci. To avoid the inflation of pneumococcal carriage and antibiotic resistance rates, in clinical trials, we recommend separate reporting of rates of capsular strains and NSP and the exclusion of data for NSP from primary analyses.