bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Topical anti-inflammatory effect of hypocholesterolaemic drugs
Authors: Bracht Lívia , Caparroz-Assef Silvana Martins , Magon Thiago Ferreira dos Santos , Ritter Alessandra Mileni Versuti , Cuman Roberto Kenji Nakamura , Bersani-Amado Ciomar Aparecida 
Published: May 2011

Abstract

Objectives
The topical anti-inflammatory effect of simvastatin, atorvastatin, pravastatin, ezetimibe and combined ezetimibe + simvastatin was investigated, using the croton oil model of ear oedema in mice.

Methods
Simvastatin, atorvastatin, pravastatin, ezetimibe and ezetimibe + simvastatin combination (dissolved in 20 µl of 70% acetone) were topically applied simultaneously with croton oil (200 µg/ear, dissolved in 20 µl of 70% acetone) at the inner surface of each ear. Ear oedema and myeloperoxidase activity, indicative of polymorphonuclear cell migration, were assessed 6 h after inflammatory stimuli.

Key findings
It was found that statins can act as topical anti-inflammatories, but the pharmacological effect is dependent on statin polarity. At 0.3 mg/ear inhibition of ear oedema was 79%, 67% and 40% for simvastatin, atorvastatin and pravastatin, respectively. Simvastatin and atorvastatin also remarkably diminished myeloperoxidase activity, even at low concentrations (0.03 mg/ear). Pravastatin, the most polar statin, however, did not cause any reduction in ear oedema or myeloperoxidase activity at low doses. The order of topical anti-inflammatory activity was pravastatin &lt; &lt; &lt; atorvastatin ≤ simvastatin. Ezetimibe, another hypocholesterolaemic drug, also presented anti-inflammatory effects, inhibiting ear oedema by 64% at 0.3 mg/ear. However, when used in combination with simvastatin, no further beneficial effect was observed.

Conclusions
These results consistently support current evidence showing that statins can be used for treatment of dermatological disorders. Polarity of the molecule, however, is a factor that should be considered before recommending use.
Instructional development for teachers in higher education: Effects on students’ perceptions of the teaching–learning environment
Authors: Stes Ann , De Maeyer Sven , Gijbels David , Van Petegem Peter 
Published: May 2011

Background.  Although instructional development for teachers has become an important topic in higher education, little is known about its actual impact. In particular, evidence regarding the impact of teachers’ instructional development on students’ perceptions of the teaching–learning environment is scarce.Aims.  The impact of an instructional development programme for beginning university teachers on students’ perceptions of the teaching and learning environment was investigated. We also explored whether this impact is dependent on class size and student level (first years vs. non‐first years).Sample.  Quantitative data were gathered from more than 1,000 students at pre‐ and post‐tests, using a quasi‐experimental design.Method.  A multi‐level analysis was conducted in which five models were estimated.Results.  A basic model made clear that teachers did differ from each other with respect to the dependent variables concerned; however, differences in scale scores also resulted to a large extent from differences between students. A second model, in which the moderating impact by way of teacher characteristics, context, and student characteristics was not taken into account, reported no significant effect of training. A third model, examining the net impact of instructional development revealed some impact, which was, remarkably, negative. A first interaction model proved a differential impact of instructional development for teachers teaching first years and those teaching non‐first years. A second one showed that the impact of training depended on the number of students one teaches.Conclusions.  Instructional development for teachers in higher education does not easily result in effects on students’ perceptions of the teaching and learning environment. Perspectives for further research into instructional development are discussed.
Serological Responses to Experimental Norwalk Virus Infection Measured Using a Quantitative Duplex Time-Resolved Fluorescence Immunoassay
Authors: Kavanagh Owen , Estes Mary K. , Reeck Amanda , Raju Ravikiran M. , Opekun Antone R. , Gilger Mark A. , Graham David Y. , Atmar Robert L. 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTA quantitative duplex time-resolved fluorescence assay, dissociation-enhanced lanthanide fluorescent immunoassay (DELFIA), was developed to measure Norwalk virus (NV)-specific IgA and IgG antibodies simultaneously. The duplex assay showed superior performance by detecting seroconversion following experimental NV infection at an earlier time point than a reference total immunoglobulin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Distinct Effects of Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor Combined Therapy on TH1/TH2 Balance in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
Authors: Herman S. , Zurgil N. , Machlav S. , Shinberg A. , Langevitz P. , Ehrenfeld M. , Deutsch M. 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTThe immune balance in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a disease characterized by TH1 dominance, treated by the preferred combined anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) and methotrexate (MTX) therapy was evaluated by assessing the chemokine and cytokine receptors as well as apoptosis induction. A meta-analysis of combined therapy by TNF blockers and MTX in 15 RA patients, MTX monotherapy in 20 RA patients, and 11 diagnosed but untreated RA patients was performed by assessing several immune markers in the whole lymphocyte population, as well as in specific CD4 cells, by both flow cytometry and image analysis. A significant downregulation of CXCR3 and IL-12 receptors (both TH1 markers) and a significant increase in the chemokine receptor CCR4 and, to a lesser extent, IL-4R (both TH2 markers) were found; a particularly marked increase was found in patients treated by combined therapy. This phenomenon was pronounced in CD4 cells and was accompanied by a high proportion of apoptotic cells. The therapeutic effect of MTX and TNF blockers may be due to apoptosis induction in lymphocytes infiltrating from the inflammation site and restoring the TH1/TH2 balance.
Serological Response of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Type III Secreted Proteins in Sera from Vaccinated Rabbits, Naturally Infected Cattle, and Humans
Authors: Asper David J. , Karmali Mohamed A. , Townsend Hugh , Rogan Dragan , Potter Andrew A. 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTEscherichia coliO157:H7 is an important zoonotic pathogen, causing hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The colonization of cattle and human hosts is mediated through the action of effectors secreted via a type III secretion system (T3SS). The structural genes for the T3SS and many of the secreted effectors are located on a pathogenicity island called the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE). We cloned and expressed the genes coding for 66 effectors and purified each to measure the cross-reactivity of type III secreted proteins from Shiga toxin-producingEscherichia coli(STEC) serotypes. These included 37 LEE-encoded proteins and 29 non-LEE effectors. The serological response against each protein was measured by Western blot analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using sera from rabbits immunized with type III secreted proteins (T3SPs) from four STEC serotypes, experimentally infected cattle, and human sera from six HUS patients. Twenty proteins were recognized by at least one of the STEC T3SP-vaccinated rabbits by Western blotting. Several structural proteins (EspA, EspB, and EspD) and a number of effectors (Tir, NleA, and TccP) were recognized by O26-, O103-, O111-, and O157-specific sera. Sera from experimentally infected cattle and HUS patients were tested using an ELISA against each of the proteins. Tir, EspB, EspD, EspA, and NleA were recognized by the majority of the samples tested. A number of other proteins also were recognized by individual serum samples. Overall, proteins such as Tir, EspB, EspD, NleA, and EspA were highly immunogenic in vaccinated and naturally infected subjects and could be candidates for a cross-protective STEC vaccine.
Measurement of Functional Anti-Meningococcal Serogroup A Activity Using Strain 3125 as the Target Strain for Serum Bactericidal Assay
Authors: Poolman Jan T. , De Vleeschauwer Isabel , Durant Nathalie , Devos Nathalie , Feron Christiane , Lestrate Pascal , Weynants Vincent , Boutriau Dominique 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTFunctional anti-N. meningitidisserogroup A (MenA) activity in human serum is detected by serum bactericidal assay (SBA), using either rabbit (rSBA) or human (hSBA) complement, with F8238 as the recommended MenA SBA target strain. However, the F8238 strain may not be optimal for this purpose because, as we show here, it expresses the L11 immunotype, whereas most MenA invasive strains express the L(3,7)9 or L10 immunotype. Moreover, SBA results may be strain dependent, because immunotypes differ in their sensitivity to complement, emphasizing the need to choose the most appropriate strain. Sera from random subsets of infants, toddlers, children, and adolescents in clinical trials of MenA conjugate vaccines were tested by rSBA using strains 3125 (L10) and F8238 (L11). In unvaccinated subjects from all age groups, the percentages of seropositive samples (rSBA-MenA titer, ≥1:8) was lower using strain 3125 than using strain F8238. However, in toddlers and adolescents immunized with a conjugate MenA vaccine, the percentages of seropositive samples generally were similar using either strain in the rSBA. In two studies, sera also were tested with hSBA. Using hSBA, the differences in the percentages of seroprotective samples (hSBA-MenA titer, ≥1:4) between strains 3125 and F8238 was less apparent, and in contrast with rSBA, the percentage of seroprotective samples from unvaccinated subjects was slightly higher using strain 3125 than using strain F8238. In adults vaccinated with plain MenA polysaccharide, the percentage of seroprotective samples was higher using strain 3125 than with strain F8238, and the vaccine response rates using strain 3125 were better aligned with the demonstrated efficacy of MenA vaccination. In conclusion, SBA results obtained using the MenA L10 3125 strain better reflected vaccine-induced immunity.
Most Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates from Hospitals in Eastern France Belong to a Few Clonal Types
Authors: Cholley Pascal , Thouverez Michelle , Hocquet Didier , van der Mee-Marquet Nathalie , Talon Daniel , Bertrand Xavier 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to determine the genetic diversity of clinical multidrug-resistant
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
. We used pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and multilocus sequence typing to analyze 187 strains isolated in different French hospitals. To illustrate the diversity of resistance mechanisms to antibiotics in a given clone, we identified β-lactamases with an extended spectrum by using phenotypic and genotypic methods. Typing results showed that the majority of our multidrug-resistant isolates belong to a few clonal types (ST235, ST111, and ST175) that are already spreading worldwide. These successful international clones sporadically produced extended-spectrum β-lactamase-encoding genes but mostly became extensively resistant to β-lactams after derepression of intrinsic resistance mechanisms (i.e., AmpC cephalosporinase). Our results indicate that cross-transmission plays a major role in the spread of multidrug-resistant
P. aeruginosa
in hospital settings.
Rapid and Simultaneous Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex and Beijing/W Genotype in Sputum by an Optimized DNA Extraction Protocol and a Novel Multiplex Real-Time PCR
Authors: Leung Eric T. Y. , Zheng L. , Wong Rity Y. K. , Chan Edward W. C. , Au T. K. , Chan Raphael C. Y. , Lui Grace , Lee Nelson , Ip Margaret 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACT

Rapid diagnosis and genotyping of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
by molecular methods are often limited by the amount and purity of DNA extracted from body fluids. In this study, we evaluated 12 DNA extraction methods and developed a highly sensitive protocol for mycobacterial DNA extraction directly from sputa using surface-coated magnetic particles. We have also developed a novel multiplex real-time PCR for simultaneous identification of
M. tuberculosis
complex and the Beijing/W genotype (a hypervirulent sublineage of
M. tuberculosis
) by using multiple fluorogenic probes targeting both the
M. tuberculosis
IS
6110
and the
Rv0927c-pstS3
intergenic region. With reference strains and clinical isolates, our real-time PCR accurately identified 20 non-Beijing/W and 20 Beijing/W
M. tuberculosis
strains from 17 different species of nontuberculosis
Mycobacterium
(NTM). Further assessment of our DNA extraction protocol and real-time PCR with 335 nonduplicate sputum specimens correctly identified all 74
M. tuberculosis
culture-positive specimens. In addition, 15 culture-negative specimens from patients with confirmed tuberculosis were also identified. No cross-reactivity was detected with NTM specimens (
n
= 31). The detection limit of the assay is 10
M. tuberculosis
bacilli, as determined by endpoint dilution analysis. In conclusion, an optimized DNA extraction protocol coupled with a novel multiprobe multiplex real-time PCR for the direct detection of
M. tuberculosis
, including Beijing/W
M. tuberculosis
, was found to confer high sensitivity and specificity. The combined procedure has the potential to compensate for the drawbacks of conventional mycobacterial culture in routine clinical laboratory setting, such as the lengthy incubation period and the limitation to viable organisms.
Streptomycin Resistance and Lineage-Specific Polymorphisms in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
gidB
Gene
Authors: Spies Fernanda S. , Ribeiro Andrezza W. , Ramos Daniela F. , Ribeiro Marta O. , Martin Anandi , Palomino Juan Carlos , Rossetti Maria Lucia R. , da Silva Pedro Eduardo A. , Zaha Arnaldo 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACT

Mutations related to streptomycin resistance in the
rpsL
and
rrs
genes are well known and can explain about 70% of this phenotypic resistance. Recently, the
gidB
gene was found to be associated with low-level streptomycin resistance in
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
. Mutations in
gidB
have been reported with high frequency, and this gene appears to be very polymorphic, with frameshift and point mutations occurring in streptomycin-susceptible and streptomycin-resistant strains. In this study, mutations in
gidB
appeared in 27% of streptomycin-resistant strains that contained no mutations in the
rpsL
or
rrs
genes, and they were associated with low-level streptomycin resistance. However, the association of certain mutations in
gidB
with streptomycin resistance needs to be further investigated, as we also found mutations in
gidB
in streptomycin-susceptible strains. This occurred only when the strain was resistant to rifampin and isoniazid. Two specific mutations appeared very frequently in this and other studies of streptomycin-susceptible and -resistant strains; these mutations were not considered related to streptomycin resistance, but as a polymorphism. We stratified the strains according to the different phylogenetic lineages and showed that the
gidB
16
polymorphism (16G allele) was exclusively present in the Latin American-Mediterranean (LAM) genotype, while the
gidB
92
polymorphism (92C allele) was associated with the Beijing lineage in another population. In the sample studied, the two characterized single-nucleotide polymorphisms could distinguish LAM and Beijing lineages from the other lineages.
Genotypic Prediction of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Tropism by Use of Plasma and Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells in the Routine Clinical Laboratory
Authors: Paar Christian , Geit Maria , Stekel Herbert , Berg Jörg 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTWe developed a sequencing assay for genotypic HIV-1 tropism determination. The assay allows examination of HIV RNA from plasma and HIV DNA from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), including PBMC samples from patients with undetectable viral loads. Assessment of 100 pairs of plasma and PBMC samples showed a high concordance of 90%. With the limitations of population-based sequencing, the assay was found to be robust and suitable for the routine clinical laboratory.
Genotype Diversity and Distribution of Orientia tsutsugamushi Causing Scrub Typhus in Thailand
Authors: Ruang-areerate Toon , Jeamwattanalert Pimmada , Rodkvamtook Wuttikorn , Richards Allen L. , Sunyakumthorn Piyanate , Gaywee Jariyanart 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACT

Scrub typhus, caused by antigenically disparate isolates of
Orientia tsutsugamushi
, is a widely distributed mite-borne human disease in the Asia Pacific region. Information regarding the heterogeneity of the immunodominant 56-kDa type-specific antigen (TSA) gene is crucial for the design and evaluation of scrub typhus-specific diagnostic assays and vaccines. Using indirect immunofluorescence assays (IFA) and PCR assays,
O. tsutsugamushi
was detected samples from rodents and patients with fever of unknown origin obtained from six provinces of Thailand during 2004 to 2007. Sequences were determined for a fragment of the 56-kDa TSA gene, and the relationship between these sequences and those previously determined were assessed. The phylogenetic analyses of partial 56-kDa TSA gene sequences demonstrated wide diversity and distribution of
O. tsutsugamushi
genotypes in Thailand. Furthermore, the genetic diversity grouped the scrub typhus agents into two commonly and five infrequently found genotypes within six provinces of Thailand. The two most commonly found genotypes of
O. tsutsugamushi
described in this study do not associate with the prototype strains that are widely used for the design and evaluation of diagnostic assays and vaccine candidates. Thus, these new genotypes should be considered for future scrub typhus assay and vaccine development.
Rapid Detection and Molecular Differentiation of Toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Corynebacterium ulcerans Strains by LightCycler PCR
Authors: Sing Andreas , Berger Anja , Schneider-Brachert Wulf , Holzmann Thomas , Reischl Udo 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTThe systemic symptoms of diphtheria are caused by thetox-encoded diphtheria toxin (DT) which is produced by toxigenicCorynebacteriumspp. Besides the classical agentC. diphtheriae, the zoonotic pathogenC. ulceranshas increasingly been reported as an emerging pathogen for diphtheria. The reliable detection of toxigenicCorynebacteriumspp. is of substantial importance for both diphtheria surveillance in the public health sector and the clinical workup of a patient with diphtherialike symptoms. Since the respectivetoxgenes ofC. diphtheriaeandC. ulceransdiffer from each other in both DNA and amino acid sequence, bothtoxgenes should be covered by novel real-time PCR methods. We describe the development and validation of a LightCycler PCR assay which reliably recognizestoxgenes from bothC. diphtheriaeandC. ulceransand differentiates the respective target genes by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) hybridization probe melting curve analysis.
Evaluation of a Single-Tube Multiplex Real-Time PCR for Differentiation of Members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex in Clinical Specimens
Authors: Halse Tanya A. , Escuyer Vincent E. , Musser Kimberlee A. 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACT

Members of the
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
complex (MTBC) differ in virulence attributes, drug resistance patterns, and host preferences. The rapid differentiation of these species to determine zoonotic or human sources of tuberculosis disease or to direct treatment can benefit both public health and patient management. Commercially available assays cannot differentiate these species, and published assays have not been evaluated directly on clinical specimens. A real-time PCR assay for the differentiation of
M. tuberculosis
,
M. bovis
,
M. bovis
BCG,
M. africanum
,
M. microti
, and
M. canettii
was developed. The presence or absence of regions of difference (RD) between the genomes of members of the MTBC allowed for the design of a single-tube five-plex real-time PCR assay to differentiate these species. This assay assesses the presence of RD1, RD4, RD9, RD12, and a region exterior to RD9 which is present in all MTBC members. To evaluate the performance of this assay, 192 clinical specimens positive for MTBC by real-time PCR were tested, resulting in a 94% correlation of the real-time PCR with the identification results obtained with cultured material. Additionally, 727 Bactec MGIT 960-positive cultures were tested, resulting in a 97% concordance between the methods. This real-time PCR is an inexpensive and rapid (2.5-h) method performed in a closed-format system and requiring minimal hands-on time that can be implemented in a clinical laboratory and used directly on clinical specimens.
Adamantane- and Oseltamivir-Resistant Seasonal A (H1N1) and Pandemic A (H1N1) 2009 Influenza Viruses in Guangdong, China, during 2008 and 2009
Authors: Zhou Jie , Zou Lirong , Zhang Xin , Liao Jiazheng , Ni Hanzhong , Hou Nianmei , Wang Yajing , Li Hui , Wu Jie , Jonges Marcel , Meijer Adam , Koopmans Marion , Ke Changwen 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACT
Adamantane and oseltamivir resistance among influenza viruses is a major concern to public health officials. To determine the prevalence of antiviral-resistant influenza viruses in Guangdong, China, 244 seasonal A (H1N1) and 222 pandemic A (H1N1) 2009 viruses were screened for oseltamivir resistance by a fluorescence-based neuraminidase (NA) inhibition assay along with NA gene sequencing. Also, 147 seasonal A (H1N1) viruses were sequenced to detect adamantane resistance markers in M2. Adamantane-resistant seasonal A (H1N1) viruses clustering to clade 2C were dominant in 2008, followed by oseltamivir-resistant seasonal A (H1N1) viruses, clustering to clade 2B during January and May 2009. In June 2009, a lineage of double-resistant seasonal A (H1N1) viruses emerged, until it was replaced by the pandemic A (H1N1) 2009 viruses. The lineage most likely resulted from reassortment under the pressure of the overuse of adamantanes. As all viruses were resistant to at least one of the two types of antiviral agents, the need for close monitoring of the prevalence of antiviral resistance is stressed.
Encephalitozoon cuniculi Genotype I as a Causative Agent of Brain Abscess in an Immunocompetent Patient
Authors: Ditrich Oleg , Chrdle Aleš , Sak Bohumil , Chmelík Václav , Kubále Jiří , Dyková Iva , Kváč Martin 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACT

A brain abscess caused by
Encephalitozoon cuniculi
genotype I together with
Streptococcus intermedius
occurred in a patient without major immunocompromise and with diabetes. The distinguishing clinical signs were hemiparesis and epilepsy. The microsporidium was observed in the abscess aspirate, and its specific DNA was also detected in stool and urine. The patient was successfully treated with albendazole and mebendazole.