bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clastogenic Plasma Factors in Psoriasis—Comparison of Phototherapy and Anti–TNF‐α Treatments
Authors: Emerit Ingrid , Antunes Joana , Silva João Maia , Freitas João , Pinheiro Teresa , Filipe Paulo 
Published: August 2011

AbstractAs previously described, Psoralen plus UVA (PUVA) therapy induces chromosome damage in psoriatic patients. This study evaluates whether these effects are transitory or persistent. In addition, we studied these effects after narrowband UVB (nUVB) and anti‐tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α treatments. Among 40 responder patients, 10 received PUVA, 10 nUVB, 10 Infliximab and 10 Etanercept. Disease activity was determined with Psoriasis Area and Severity Index. Chromosomal breakage was evaluated by the clastogenic factor (CF) test. Potential clastogenic agents, malondialdehyde (MDA) and TNF‐α were measured. Before treatment, the plasma‐adjusted clastogenic scores (ACS) of patients were increased. During treatment, a further increase in ACS was observed in both phototherapy groups. Chromosome damage persisted for PUVA patients at week 32, while it diminished after nUVB to ACS values lower than before treatment. MDA and TNF‐α values were also increased at baseline. MDA decreased during treatment in all groups, but without reaching normal levels. Plasma TNF‐α remained unchanged in PUVA and nUVB but decreased in both anti–TNF‐α treatment groups. Psoriasis is accompanied by CF‐induced chromosomal breakage that increases during PUVA and nUVB treatments. Plasma clastogenic activity persisted in the follow‐up after PUVA, while after nUVB ACS returned to values even lower than baseline. Clastogenic activity during the induction phase with anti–TNF‐α remained unchanged.
Histopathological changes after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty using the ‘big‐bubble technique’
Authors: Braun Joachim M. , Hofmann‐Rummelt Carmen , Schlötzer‐Schrehardt Ursula , Kruse Friedrich E. , Cursiefen Claus 
Published: August 2011

Abstract.Purpose:  During deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK), endothelium and Descemet’s membrane are separated from the corneal stroma by intrastromal air injection (‘big‐bubble technique’). The aim of our study is to analyse histopathological changes in host corneal tissue caused by air insufflation in patients with keratoconus, their variability in 10 patients and their possible clinical implication.Methods:  The excised anterior corneal lamellae of 10 patients with keratoconus having undergone DALK using the ‘big‐bubble technique’ were analysed by light and transmission electron microscopy as well as immunohistochemistry. In addition, intrastromal air accumulations were quantified morphometrically.Results:  Intrastromal air was detected in all examined excised lamellae (8% of stromal volume), but with large variability (SD 8.8). It was detected preferentially in the inner layer of the corneal stroma and represented there up to 39% of the stromal volume. In addition, the air was predominantly located at one periphery of the excised lamellae. Intrastromal air bubbles were larger in the inner than in the superficial stromal layer and characterized by round shape and a CD68‐negative collagenous ‘pseudocapsule’. We detected no air‐injection‐induced alterations in Bowman’s layer and epithelium.Conclusion:  Our results show that ‘big‐bubble DALK’ causes significant intrastromal air accumulations in the cornea. Pathologists should be conscious of this phenomenon and the high topographic variability. Intrastromal air in the recipient rim may be accompanied by a decrease in mechanical stability and could contribute to postoperative suture loosening.
Dental attendance of oral and oropharyngeal cancer patients in a public hospital in Western Australia
Authors: Frydrych AM , Slack‐Smith LM 
Published: August 2011

AbstractBackground:  Dentists have recently seen the introduction of devices which aim to facilitate early oral cancer detection, sparking interest in opportunistic oral cancer screening. However, concerns have been raised about the lack of regular dental attendance amongst high risk individuals. The purpose of this study was to obtain information pertaining to dental attendance of oral and oropharyngeal cancer patients.Methods:  All records of patients referred to the Oral Medicine Clinic at the Oral Health Centre of Western Australia, between January 2005 and December 2009, from one major teaching hospital were examined. Information extracted included age, gender, smoking status, referral date, tumour type, tumour site, disease stage (TNM classification), and information on dental attendance. Outcomes measured included time (months) since the patient’s last dental visit and information concerning regularity of dental attendance.Results:  No association was found between dental attendance and gender, smoking, disease stage or age at diagnosis. Most patients had not visited a dentist in the preceding 12 months. The mean date of last dental visit was 5.6 years prior.Conclusions:  More should be done in Australia to encourage patients at high risk of oral cancer to attend the dentist and undergo annual oral soft tissue examination.
Pleomorphic adenoma of the buccal salivary gland: magnetic resonance imaging findings with differential diagnoses
Authors: Sharma Neeraj 
Published: August 2011

AbstractThe majority of minor salivary gland tumors are malignant. Of the benign tumors, pleomorphic adenomas are most common. The cheeks, lips, and gingiva are rarely sites of occurrence. A case of pleomorphic adenoma of the buccal salivary gland is presented here with a discussion of the importance of magnetic resonance imaging in demonstrating the extent of the lesion and establishing a differential diagnoses.
Experimental
Investigation of Fouling Behavior of 90/10 Cu/Ni Tube by Heat Transfer Resistance Monitoring
Method
Authors: Izadi M. , Aidun D.
K. , Marzocca P. , Lee H. 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
This paper describes an advanced monitoring system for fouling phenomenon in a wide range of tubular heat exchangers such as condensers and intercoolers. First, a mathematical model of fouling resistance in tubular heat exchangers is adapted. The model is based on the applied thermal power, the inside heat transfer coefficient, and geometrical characteristics of the heat exchanger under consideration. The resulting model is a function of measured quantities such as water and tube wall temperatures, fluid flow velocity, and some physical properties of the fluid flowing inside the tubes, such as viscosity, conductivity, and density. Second, an on-line fouling monitoring system was prepared, and the heat transfer resistance for selected solutions was measured in real time by this system. The effect of concentration and chemical reactions on fouling was studied experimentally using contaminants such as sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride, calcium chloride, and a mixture of sodium bicarbonate and calcium chloride. Experimental results provide quantitative information of liquid-side fouling on heat transfer surfaces, and its effects on the thermal efficiency. Experimental data are critical for heat exchanger design and for planning operating and cleaning schedules of the heat exchanger. Uncertainty analysis shows that the experimental results are acceptable and the experimental setup is appropriate for measuring fouling resistance in industrial applications.
Long range node‐strut analysis of trabecular bone microarchitecture
Authors: Schmah Tanya , Marwan Norbert , Thomsen Jesper Skovhus , Saparin Peter 
Published: August 2011

Purpose:We present a new morphometric measure of trabecular bone microarchitecture, calledmean node strength (NdStr), which is part of a newly developed approach called long range node‐strut analysis. Our general aim is to describe and quantify the apparent “latticelike” microarchitecture of the trabecular bone network.Methods:Similar in some ways to the topological node‐strut analysis introduced by Garrahanet al. [J. Microsc. 142, 341–349 (1986)], our method is distinguished by an emphasis on long‐range trabecular connectivity. Thus, while the topological classification of a pixel (after skeletonization) as a node, strut, or terminus, can be determined from the 3 × 3 neighborhood of that pixel, our method, which does not involve skeletonization, takes into account a much larger neighborhood. In addition, rather than giving a discrete classification of each pixel as a node, strut, or terminus, our method produces a continuous variable, node strength. The node strength is averaged over a region of interest to produce the mean node strength of the region.Results:We have applied our long range node‐strut analysis to a set of 26 high‐resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) axial images of human proximal tibiae acquired 17 mm below the tibial plateau. We found that NdStr has a strong positive correlation with trabecular volumetric bone mineral density (BMD). After an exponential transformation, we obtain a Pearson's correlation coefficient ofr = 0.97. Qualitative comparison of images with similar BMD but with very different NdStr values suggests that the latter measure has successfully quantified the prevalence of the “latticelike” microarchitecture apparent in the image. Moreover, we found a strong correlation (r = 0.62) between NdStr and the conventional node‐terminus ratio (Nd/Tm) of Garrahan et al. The Nd/Tm ratios were computed using traditional histomorphometry performed on bone biopsies obtained at the same location as the pQCT scans.Conclusions:The newly introduced morphometric measure allows a quantitative assessment of the long‐range connectivity of trabecular bone. One advantage of this method is that it is based on pQCT images that can be obtained noninvasively from patients, i.e., without having to obtain a bone biopsy from the patient.
Recombinant Antigen-Based Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Diagnosis of Baylisascaris procyonis Larva Migrans
Authors: Dangoudoubiyam Sriveny , Vemulapalli Ramesh , Ndao Momar , Kazacos Kevin R. 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACTBaylisascarislarva migrans is an important zoonotic disease caused byBaylisascaris procyonis, the raccoon roundworm, and is being increasingly considered in the differential diagnosis of eosinophilic meningoencephalitis in children and young adults. Although aB. procyonisexcretory-secretory (BPES) antigen-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a Western blot assay are useful in the immunodiagnosis of this infection, cross-reactivity remains a major problem. Recently, a recombinantB. procyonisantigen, BpRAG1, was reported for use in the development of improved serological assays for the diagnosis ofBaylisascarislarva migrans. In this study, we tested a total of 384 human patient serum samples in a BpRAG1 ELISA, including samples from 20 patients with clinicalBaylisascarislarva migrans, 137 patients with other parasitic infections (8 helminth and 4 protozoan), and 227 individuals with unknown/suspected parasitic infections. A sensitivity of 85% and a specificity of 86.9% were observed with the BpRAG1 ELISA, compared to only 39.4% specificity with the BPES ELISA. In addition, the BpRAG1 ELISA had a low degree of cross-reactivity with antibodies toToxocarainfection (25%), while the BPES antigen showed 90.6% cross-reactivity. Based on these results, the BpRAG1 antigen has a high degree of sensitivity and specificity and should be very useful and reliable in the diagnosis and seroepidemiology ofBaylisascarislarva migrans by ELISA.
Epithelial Interleukin-8 Responses to Oral Bacterial Biofilms
Authors: Peyyala R. , Kirakodu S. , Novak K. F. , Ebersole J. L. 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACTAnin vitromodel of bacterial biofilms on rigid gas-permeable contact lenses (RGPLs) was developed to challenge oral epithelial cells. This novel model provided seminal data on oral biofilm-host cell interactions, and with selected bacteria, the biofilms were more effective than their planktonic counterparts at stimulating host cell responses.
The Signal Peptide Sequence Impacts the Immune Response Elicited by a DNA Epitope Vaccine
Authors: Vatakis Dimitrios , McMillan Minnie 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACTWe examined the effect of two leader sequences, one from a transmembrane molecule (H2-Ld) and another from a secreted molecule (rat KC chemokine), on the immunogenicity of DNA epitope vaccines. The chemokine leader enhanced vaccine immunogenicity, thus underscoring the importance of the leader sequence in DNA epitope vaccine design.
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Antigen Detection Tests for the Diagnosis of Tuberculosis
Authors: Flores L. L. , Steingart K. R. , Dendukuri N. , Schiller I. , Minion J. , Pai M. , Ramsay A. , Henry M. , Laal S. 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACT

Tests that detect
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
antigens in clinical specimens could provide rapid direct evidence of active disease. We performed a systematic review to assess the diagnostic accuracy of antigen detection tests for active tuberculosis (TB) according to standard methods and summarized test performance using bivariate random effects meta-analysis. Overall, study quality was a concern. For pulmonary TB (47 studies, 5,036 participants), sensitivity estimates ranged from 2% to 100% and specificity from 33% to 100%. Lipoarabinomannan (LAM) was the antigen most frequently targeted (23 studies, 49%). The pooled sensitivity of urine LAM was higher in HIV-infected than HIV-uninfected individuals (47%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 26 to 68% versus 14%; 95% CI, 4 to 38%); pooled specificity estimates were similar: 96%; 95% CI, 81 to 100% and 97%; 95% CI, 86 to 100%, respectively. For extrapulmonary TB (21 studies, 1,616 participants), sensitivity estimates ranged from 0% to 100% and specificity estimates from 62% to 100%. Five studies targeting LAM, ESAT-6, Ag85 complex, and the 65-kDa antigen in cerebrospinal fluid, when pooled, yielded the highest sensitivity (87%; 95% CI, 61 to 98%), but low specificity (84%; 95% CI, 60 to 95%). Because of the limited number of studies targeting any specific antigen other than LAM, we could not draw firm conclusions about the overall clinical usefulness of these tests. Further studies are warranted to determine the value of LAM detection for TB meningitis in high-HIV-prevalence settings. Considering that antigen detection tests could be translated into rapid point-of-care tests, research to improve their performance is urgently needed.
Effect of the Modified Live Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) Vaccine on European and North American PRRSV Shedding in Semen from Infected Boars
Authors: Han Kiwon , Seo Hwi Won , Shin Jeoung Hwa , Oh Yeonsu , Kang Ikjae , Park Changhoon , Chae Chanhee 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACTThe objective of the present study was to compare the effects of the modified live porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) vaccine (Ingelvac PRRS MLV; Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, St. Joseph, MO) on European and North American PRRSV shedding in the semen of experimentally infected boars. The boars were randomly divided into six groups. Vaccinated boars shed the North American PRRSV at the rate of 100.1to 101.0viral genome copies per ml and 3.63 to 101.150% tissue culture infective doses (TCID50)/ml, respectively, in semen, whereas nonvaccinated boars shed the North American PRRSV at the rate of 100.2to 104.7viral genome copies per ml and 1.14 to 103.07TCID50/ml, respectively, in semen. Vaccinated boars shed the European PRRSV at the rate of 100.1to 104.57viral genome copies per ml and 1.66 to 103.10TCID50/ml, respectively, in semen, whereas nonvaccinated boars shed the European PRRSV at the rate of 100.3to 105.14viral genome copies per ml and 1.69 to 103.17TCID50/ml, respectively, in semen. The number of genomic copies of the European PRRSV in semen samples was not significantly different between vaccinated and nonvaccinated challenged European PRRSV boars. The present study demonstrated that boar vaccination using commercial modified live PRRSV vaccine was able to decrease subsequent shedding of North American PRRSV in semen after challenge but was unable to decrease shedding of European PRRSV in semen after challenge.
Vaccine and Monoclonal Antibody That Enhance Mouse Resistance to Candidiasis
Authors: Xin Hong , Cutler Jim E. 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACTPreviously we showed that antibodies specific for the glycan β-1,2-mannotriose [β-(Man)3] on the cell surface ofCandida albicansprotect mice against disseminated candidiasis (H. Xin, S. Dziadek, D. R. Bundle, and J. E. Cutler, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 105:13526–13531, 2008). Furthermore, six 14-mer peptides that are within the N-terminal portion ofC. albicanswall proteins were conjugated to the glycan in an attempt to create immunogenic glycopeptide conjugates. By a dendritic cell (DC)-based immunization approach, all were immunogenic and three of the six conjugates induced a high degree of protection in mice. Interestingly, whereas all six peptides induced antibody responses when used alone to pulse DCs for subsequent immunizations, three peptides induced protection, and one in particular, peptide Fba (derived fromfructose-bisphosphatealdolase), induced robust protective responses and is the focus of the current work. Fba peptide is not restricted by the major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II), as it induced anti-Fba antibodies in mice of different H-2 haplotypes and in rabbits. Furthermore, the peptide induced protection against disease caused by differentC. albicansstrains. Partial protection was achieved when alum was used in place of DCs for Fba immunizations. The passive transfer of immune sera from Fba-vaccinated mice, but not immune serum preabsorbed with fungal cells, conferred protection in naïve mice. This result, along with our finding that a monoclonal antibody specific for the peptide, E2-9 (IgM), protected mice against candidiasis, provide strong evidence that antibodies contribute to protection. Our work demonstrates the utility of cell wall peptides alone or as glycopeptides in vaccines designed for the induction of immunity against candidiasis and monoclonal antibodies as a rapid immunoprotective approach against the disease.
Identification of the Immunogenic Outer Membrane Protein A Antigen of Haemophilus parasuis by a Proteomics Approach and Passive Immunization with Monoclonal Antibodies in Mice
Authors: Tian Huabin , Fu Fang , Li Xuesong , Chen Xin , Wang Wei , Lang Yuekun , Cong Feng , Liu Changjun , Tong Guangzhi , Li Xi 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACTMonoclonal antibodies (MAbs) againstHaemophilus parasuiswere generated by fusing spleen cells from BALB/c mice immunized with whole bacterial cells with SP2/0 murine myeloma cells. Desirable hybridomas were screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Neutralizing MAb 1D8 was selected in protection assays. ELISA results demonstrated that 1D8 can react with all 15 serotypes ofH. parasuisand field isolateH. parasuisHLJ-018. Passive immunization studies showed that mice inoculated intraperitoneally with 1D8 had significantly reduced prevalence ofH. parasuiscolonization in the blood, lung, spleen, and liver and had prolonged survival time compared to that of the control group. Furthermore, the passive transfer experiment indicated that MAb 1D8 can protect mice from both homologous and heterologous challenges withH. parasuis. Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE), the immunoreactive protein target for MAb 1D8 was identified. The data presented confirm the protective role of MAb 1D8 and identify OmpA as the target of the protective monoclonal antibody. The data suggest that OmpA is a promising candidate for a subunit vaccine againstH. parasuis.
A Multivalent Mannheimia-Bibersteinia Vaccine Protects Bighorn Sheep against Mannheimia haemolytica Challenge
Authors: Subramaniam Renuka , Shanthalingam Sudarvili , Bavananthasivam Jegarubee , Kugadas Abirami , Potter Kathleen A. , Foreyt William J. , Hodgins Douglas C. , Shewen Patricia E. , Barrington George M. , Knowles Donald P. , Srikumaran Subramaniam 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACTBighorn sheep (BHS) are more susceptible than domestic sheep (DS) toMannheimia haemolyticapneumonia. Although both species carryM. haemolyticaas a commensal bacterium in the nasopharynx, DS carry mostly leukotoxin (Lkt)-positive strains while BHS carry Lkt-negative strains. Consequently, antibodies to surface antigens and Lkt are present at much higher titers in DS than in BHS. The objective of this study was to determine whether repeated immunization of BHS with multivalentMannheimia-Bibersteiniavaccine will protect them uponM. haemolyticachallenge. Four BHS were vaccinated with a culture supernatant vaccine prepared fromM. haemolyticaserotypes A1 and A2 andBibersteinia trehalosiserotype T10 on days 0, 21, 35, 49, and 77. Four other BHS were used as nonvaccinated controls. On the day of challenge, 12 days after the last immunization, the mean serum titers of Lkt-neutralizing antibodies and antibodies to surface antigens againstM. haemolyticawere 1:160 and 1:4,000, respectively. Following intranasal challenge withM. haemolyticaA2 (1 × 105CFU), all four control BHS died within 48 h. Necropsy revealed acute fibrinonecrotic pneumonia characteristic ofM. haemolyticainfection. None of the vaccinated BHS died during the 8 weeks postchallenge observation period. Radiography at 3 weeks postchallenge revealed no lung lesions in two vaccinated BHS and mild lesions in the other two, which resolved by 8 weeks postchallenge. These results indicate that if BHS can be induced to develop high titers of Lkt-neutralizing antibodies and antibodies to surface antigens, they are likely to surviveM. haemolyticachallenge which is likely to reduce the BHS population decline due to pneumonia.
Bloodstream Infection Due to Brachyspira pilosicoli in a Patient with Multiorgan Failure
Authors: Prim Núria , Pericas Roser , Español Montse , Rivera Alba , Mirelis Beatriz , Coll Pere 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACT

Brachyspira pilosicoli
is an etiological agent of human intestinal spirochetosis. Bloodstream infection due to this microorganism is rare. We report a case of
B. pilosicoli
bacteremia in a 70-year-old patient who presented with multiorgan failure.
DNA Extracted from Stained Sputum Smears Can Be Used in the MTBDR
plus
Assay
Authors: Dubois Cauwelaert Natasha , Ramarokoto Herimanana , Ravololonandriana Pascaline , Richard Vincent , Rasolofo Voahangy 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACT

We examined the feasibility of using DNA extracted from stained sputum smears for the detection of rifampin and isoniazid resistance with the commercial MTBDR
plus
assay from Hain Lifescience GmbH, Nehren, Germany. Overall sensitivity was initially low (70.0%) but increased to 96.7% when a multiplex PCR preamplification step was added. We then tested stored
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
-positive stained smears prepared from 297 patients' sputum samples. Species identification and drug susceptibility testing (DST) had been performed at the Institut Pasteur de Madagascar. Overall, the performance of the MTBDR
plus
assay applied to slide DNA was similar to that obtained in other studies with DNA extracted from clinical specimens. With the ready availability of stained smears in routine diagnostic laboratories and their easy transport and storage at room temperature, this approach should be useful for optimizing the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis and for conducting resistance surveys aimed at identifying hot-spot regions and breaking chains of transmission.