bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reduced Vancomycin Susceptibility inStaphylococcus aureus, Including Vancomycin-Intermediate and Heterogeneous Vancomycin-Intermediate Strains: Resistance Mechanisms, Laboratory Detection, and Clinical Implications
Authors: Howden Benjamin P. , Davies John K. , Johnson Paul D. R. , Stinear Timothy P. , Grayson M. Lindsay 
Published: January 2010

SUMMARYThe emergence of vancomycin-intermediateStaphylococcus aureus(VISA) and heterogeneous vancomycin-intermediateStaphylococcus aureus(hVISA) over the past decade has provided a challenge to diagnostic microbiologists to detect these strains, clinicians treating patients with infections due to these strains, and researchers attempting to understand the resistance mechanisms. Recent data show that these strains have been detected globally and in many cases are associated with glycopeptide treatment failure; however, more rigorous clinical studies are required to clearly define the contribution of hVISA to glycopeptide treatment outcomes. It is now becoming clear that sequential point mutations in key global regulatory genes contribute to the hVISA and VISA phenotypes, which are associated predominately with cell wall thickening and restricted vancomycin access to its site of activity in the division septum; however, the phenotypic features of these strains can vary because the mutations leading to resistance can vary. Interestingly, changes in the staphylococcal surface and expression ofagrare likely to impact host-pathogen interactions in hVISA and VISA infections. Given the subtleties of vancomycin susceptibility testing againstS. aureus, it is imperative that diagnostic laboratories use well-standardized methods and have a framework for detecting reduced vancomycin susceptibility inS. aureus.
Downregulation of PU.1 Leads to Decreased Expression of Dectin-1 in Alveolar Macrophages during
Pneumocystis
Pneumonia
Authors: Zhang Chen , Wang Shao-Hung , Liao Chung-Ping , Shao Shoujin , Lasbury Mark E. , Durant Pamela J. , Lee Chao-Hung 
Published: January 2010

ABSTRACT

Dectin-1 is an important macrophage phagocytic receptor recognizing fungal β-glucans. In this study, the mRNA levels of the Dectin-1 gene were found to be decreased by 61% in alveolar macrophages (AMs) from
Pneumocystis
-infected mice. The expression of Dectin-1 protein on the surface of these cells was also significantly decreased. By fluorescence
in situ
hybridization, mRNA expression levels of the transcription factor PU.1 were also found to be significantly reduced in AMs from
Pneumocystis
-infected mice. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed that PU.1 protein bound Dectin-1 gene promoter. With a luciferase reporter gene driven by the Dectin-1 gene promoter, the expression of the PU.1 gene in NIH 3T3 cells was found to enhance the luciferase activity in a dose-dependent manner. PU.1 expression knockdown by small interfering RNA (siRNA) caused a 63% decrease in Dectin-1 mRNA level and 40% decrease in protein level in AMs. Results of this study indicate that downregulation of PU.1 during
Pneumocystis
pneumonia leads to decreased expression of Dectin-1 in AMs.
Identification of a c-di-GMP-Regulated Polysaccharide Locus Governing Stress Resistance and Biofilm and Rugose Colony Formation in
Vibrio vulnificus
Authors: Guo Yunzhi , Rowe-Magnus Dean A. 
Published: January 2010

ABSTRACT

As an etiological agent of bacterial sepsis and wound infections,
Vibrio vulnificus
is unique among the
Vibrionaceae
. Its continued environmental persistence and transmission are bolstered by its ability to colonize shellfish, form biofilms on various marine biotic surfaces, and generate a morphologically and physiologically distinct rugose (R) variant that yields profuse biofilms. Here, we identify a c-di-GMP-regulated locus (
brp
, for
b
iofilm and
r
ugose
p
olysaccharide) and two transcription factors (BrpR and BrpT) that regulate these physiological responses. Disruption of glycosyltransferases within the locus or either regulator abated the inducing effect of c-di-GMP on biofilm formation, rugosity, and stress resistance. The same lesions, or depletion of intracellular c-di-GMP levels, abrogated these phenotypes in the R variant. The parental and
brp
mutant strains formed only scant monolayers on glass surfaces and oyster shells, and although the R variant formed expansive biofilms, these were of limited depth. Dramatic vertical expansion of the biofilm structure was observed in the parental strain and R variant, but not the
brp
mutants, when intracellular c-di-GMP levels were elevated. Hence, the
brp
-encoded polysaccharide is important for surface colonization and stress resistance in
V. vulnificus
, and its expression may control how the bacteria switch from a planktonic lifestyle to colonizing shellfish to invading human tissue.
Anaplasma marginaleType IV Secretion System Proteins VirB2, VirB7, VirB11, and VirD4 Are Immunogenic Components of a Protective Bacterial Membrane Vaccine
Authors: Sutten Eric L. , Norimine Junzo , Beare Paul A. , Heinzen Robert A. , Lopez Job E. , Morse Kaitlyn , Brayton Kelly A. , Gillespie Joseph J. , Brown Wendy C. 
Published: January 2010

ABSTRACTAnaplasmaand relatedEhrlichiaspp. are important tick-borne, Gram-negative bacterial pathogens of livestock and humans that cause acute infection and disease and can persist. Immunization of cattle with anAnaplasma marginalefraction enriched in outer membranes (OM) can provide complete protection against disease and persistent infection. Serological responses of OM vaccinees to the OM proteome previously identified over 20 antigenic proteins, including three type IV secretion system (T4SS) proteins, VirB9-1, VirB9-2, and VirB10. Subsequent studies showed that these three proteins also stimulated CD4+T-cell responses in OM vaccinees. The T4SS, composed of a complex of proteins spanning the inner and outer membranes of certain bacteria, is an important virulence factor but is relatively unexplored as a vaccine target. The goal of this study was to determine if additional T4SS proteins are immunogenic for animals immunized with the protective OM fraction ofA. marginale.T4SS proteins expressed byin vitrotranscription and translation were screened for stimulating proliferation of T cells from OM vaccinees, and immunogenic proteins were expressed as recombinant proteins inEscherichia coliand their immunogenicity was verified. VirB2, a putative VirB7, VirB11, and VirD4 were immunogenic for OM vaccinees expressing several common major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II haplotypes. VirB2 is encoded by multiple genes that share a conserved central region, and epitope mapping revealed T-cell epitopes in this region. The discovery of novel immunogenic T4SS proteins recognized by outbred individuals with common MHC haplotypes further justifies evaluating the T4SS as a potential vaccine candidate for pathogenic bacteria.
Natural Variability of
In Vitro
Adherence to Fibrinogen and Fibronectin Does Not Correlate with
In Vivo
Infectivity of
Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Ythier Mathilde , Entenza Jose M. , Bille Jacques , Vandenesch François , Bes Michèle , Moreillon Philippe , Sakwinska Olga 
Published: January 2010

ABSTRACT

Adherence to fibrinogen and fibronectin plays a crucial role in
Staphylococcus aureus
experimental endocarditis. Previous genetic studies have shown that infection and carriage isolates do not systematically differ in their virulence-related genes, including genes conferring adherence, such as
clfA
and
fnbA
. We set out to determine the range of adherence phenotypes in carriage isolates of
S. aureus
, to compare the adherence of these isolates to the adherence of infection isolates, and to determine the relationship between adherence and infectivity in a rat model of experimental endocarditis. A total of 133 healthy carriage isolates were screened for
in vitro
adherence to fibrinogen and fibronectin, and 30 isolates were randomly chosen for further investigation. These 30 isolates were compared to 30 infective endocarditis isolates and 30 blood culture isolates. The infectivities of the carriage isolates, which displayed either extremely low or high adherence to fibrinogen and fibronectin, were tested using a rat model of experimental endocarditis. The levels of adherence to both fibrinogen and fibronectin were very similar for isolates from healthy carriers and members of the two groups of infection isolates. All three groups of isolates showed a wide range of adherence to fibrinogen and fibronectin. Moreover, the carriage isolates that showed minimal adherence and the carriage isolates that showed strong adherence had the same infectivity in experimental endocarditis. Adherence was proven to be important for pathogenesis in experimental endocarditis, but even the least adherent carriage strains had the ability to induce infection. We discuss the roles of differential gene expression, human host factors, and gene redundancy in resolving this apparent paradox.
A nurse-led palpitations clinic: a 2-year experience
Authors: Scott P A , Appleford P , Farrell T G , Andrews N P 
Published: January 2010

Abstract

Objective
To investigate the role of a nurse-led clinic in the assessment of patients with palpitations.

Design
Prospective descriptive study.

Setting
Nurse-led palpitations clinic in a UK district general hospital.

Participants
Patients referred from primary care or the emergency department with palpitations.

Methods
Referral letters were screened, and only patients without high-risk features or a documented arrhythmia were diverted to the palpitations clinic. Patients were evaluated using a protocol. All patients had an ECG and ambulatory ECG monitoring and were discussed with a cardiologist.

Results
Over 15 months, 389 patients were seen. The mean time from referral to assessment was 38 days (range 3–142). The most common diagnoses were symptomatic extrasystoles (42%) and sinus rhythm (22%). Significant arrhythmias were diagnosed in 15% (atrial fibrillation/flutter, 8%; supraventricular arrhythmias, 6%). Only 52 (13%) were subsequently referred to a cardiologist, including 20 with high-risk features. These 20 patients waited on average an additional 70 days to be seen by a cardiologist compared with patients who were seen directly by a cardiologist after referral by primary care or the emergency department.

Conclusions
For low-risk patients, a nurse-led palpitations clinic may provide a viable alternative to the traditional cardiology outpatient service. Despite attempts to exclude them, some high-risk patients were seen. This was unforeseen and led to a clinically important delay in their appropriate assessment. Hence, before adopting a nurse-led palpitations service, a rigorous pathway for the early assessment of high-risk patients needs to be agreed.
Vitamin D deficiency and type 2 diabetes
Authors: Ozfirat Zehra , Chowdhury Tahseen A 
Published: January 2010

AbstractType 2 diabetes is a major public health problem, accounting for significant premature mortality and morbidity. The growth in prevalence of the condition appears to be closely linked with obesity. Over the last 5 years, a number of large observational studies have suggested an association between the onset of type 2 diabetes and Vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D has important effects on insulin action, and may impact on a number of pathways which may be of importance in the development of type 2 diabetes. This article reviews the evidence linking Vitamin D deficiency in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes, and suggests areas for urgent further research to determine whether Vitamin D replacement has a role in the prevention of type 2 diabetes.
Circadian fluctuations in the efficacy of thrombolysis with streptokinase
Authors: Goldhammer E , Kharash L , Abinader E G 
Published: January 2010

Summary
This study was designed to investigate possible diurnal fluctuations in the efficacy of thrombolysis with streptokinase and whether they follow the circadian periodicity which has already been well documented for the time of onset of acute myocardial infarction, transient myocardial ischaemia, sudden cardiac death, thrombotic stroke, and for the efficacy of thrombolysis with tissue-type plasminogen and urokinase. A total of 156 consecutive patients treated with streptokinase were studied retrospectively; success or failure of thrombolysis was determined according to accepted clinical and angiographic criteria. A definite time peak for successful thrombolysis could be detected at the late afternoon and early evening hours; between 16.00 and 20.00 h, 30.2% of all successful thrombolysis cases were observed compared with 7.0% between 20.00 and 24.00 (p&lt;0.05) or 10.5% between 00.00 and 04.00 (p&lt;0.05). Between 16.00 and 20.00 h, 75.8% of treated patients had successful thrombolysis compared to 15.2% of failed treatments and 9% equivocal results (p&lt;0.001). Multiple regression analysis showed that the independent factor with the major impact on successful reperfusion was the actual time of thrombolysis (p=0.037), followed by the time delay from pain onset to streptokinase administration (p=0.020), while age and gender had much lesser impact (p=0.328 and 0.215, respectively) and the individual risk factors even less. These findings may have several clinical implications; dose adjustment for the time of day may be required, with higher doses during morning hours, or preference for primary coronary angioplasty in order to avoid the increase in bleeding complications related to higher doses of thrombolytic agents.
Verrucous carcinoma of the female breast
Authors: Munro N A , Smith C , Purushotham A D 
Published: January 2010

Summary
Verrucous carcinoma is a rare skin malignancy of squamous cell origin. It is characterised by negligible cellular atypia and a low mitotic rate. These are reflected in slow locally invasive behaviour and very infrequent metastatic spread. The tumour is also recognised in oral and anogenital sites. Cutaneous lesions present most commonly on the sole of the foot. We report a unique case occurring in the female breast.
Concordance of primary generalised epilepsy and carbamazepine hypersensitivity in monozygotic twins
Authors: Edwards S G M , Hubbard V , Aylett S , Wren D 
Published: January 2010

Summary
In this paper we describe the previously unreported phenomenon of a carbamazepine-induced mucocutaneous syndrome in identical twins. These twins had developed primary generalised epilepsy within 2 months of each other.
How cigarette design can affect youth initiation into smoking: Camel cigarettes 1983-93
Authors: Wayne G Ferris , Connolly G N 
Published: January 2010

Context: Internal industry documents may shed light on how cigarettes are designed to promote youth smoking.Objective: To determine changes in the design of Camel cigarettes in the period surrounding the “Smooth Character” advertising campaign and to assess the impact of these changes on youth smoking.Data sources: Internal documents made available through the document website maintained by RJ Reynolds, manufacturer of Camel cigarettes.Study selection: Electronic searches using keywords to identify relevant data.Data extraction: A web based index search of documents targeting “smoothness” or “harshness” and “younger adult smokers” (“YAS”) or “first usual brand younger adult smokers” (“FUBYAS”) in the 10 year period surrounding the introduction of the “Smooth Character” campaign was used to identify Camel related product design research projects. A snowball methodology was used: initial documents were identified by focusing on key words, codes, researchers, committees, meetings, and gaps in overall chronology; a second set of documents was culled from these initial documents, and so on.Data synthesis: Product design research led to the introduction of redesigned Camel cigarettes targeted to younger adult males coinciding with the “Smooth Character” campaign. Further refinements in Camel cigarettes during the following five year period continued to emphasise the smoothness of the cigarette, utilising additives and blends which reduced throat irritation but increased or retained nicotine impact.Conclusions: Industry competition for market share among younger adult smokers may have contributed to the reversal of a decline in youth smoking rates during the late 1980s through development of products which were more appealing to youth smokers and which aided in initiation by reducing harshness and irritation.
Cigarette filter ventilation is a defective design because of misleading taste, bigger puffs, and blocked vents
Authors: Kozlowski L T , O'Connor R J 
Published: January 2010

Objective: To review tobacco industry documents on filter ventilation in light of published studies and to explore the role of filter ventilation in the design of cigarettes that deliver higher smoke yields to smokers than would be expected from standard machine smoked tests (Federal Trade Commission (FTC), International Organization for Standardization (ISO)).Data sources: Searched from November 1999 to November 2000 internet databases of industry documents (www.pmdocs.com,www.rjrtdocs.com,www.lorillarddocs.com,www.bw.aalatg.com,www.cdc.gov/tobacco/industrydocs,www.tobaccodocuments.org,www.tobaccopapers.org,www.hlth.gov.bc.ca/Guildford,www.cctc.ca/ncth/Guildford,www.cctc.ca/ncth/Guildford2) for documents related to filter ventilation. Documents found dated from 1955 through 1994.Study selection: Those documents judged to contain the most relevant information or data on filter ventilation related to cigarette taste and compensatory smoking, while also trying to avoid redundancy from various documents deriving from the same underlying data.Data synthesis: Filter ventilation is a crucial design feature creating three main problems for lower tar cigarettes as measured by official smoking machine testing. Firstly, it misleadingly makes cigarettes taste lighter and milder, and, therefore, they appear less dangerous to smokers. Secondly, it promotes compensation mainly by facilitating the taking of larger puffs. Thirdly, for very heavily ventilated cigarettes (that is, > 65% filter air dilution), behavioural blocking of vents with lips or fingers is an additional contributor to compensatory smoking. These three effects are found in industry research as well as published research.Conclusions: Filter ventilation is a dangerous, defective technology that should be abandoned in less hazardous nicotine delivery systems. Health interested groups should test cigarettes in a way that reflects compensatory smoking. Lower tar (vented filter) cigarettes should be actively countermarketed.
Marketing to America's youth: evidence from corporate documents
Authors: Cummings K M , Morley C P , Horan J K , Steger C , Leavell N-R 
Published: January 2010

Objective: To evaluate the claim that the tobacco industry does not market its products to youth.Design: The data for this study come from tobacco industry documents collected from the tobacco industry's document websites, presently linked athttp://www.tobaccoarchives.com. The websites were searched using “request for production” (RFP) codes, specified keyword searches, and serendipitous terms identified in document citations found with RFP and keyword searches.Results: Industry documents show that the cigarette manufacturers carefully monitored the smoking habits of teenagers over the past several decades. Candid quotes from industry executives refer to youth as a source of sales and as fundamental to the survival of the tobacco industry. The documents reveal that the features of cigarette brands (that is, use of filters, low tar, bland taste, etc), packaging (that is, size, colour and design), and advertising (that is, media placements and themes and imagery) were developed specifically to appeal to new smokers (that is, teenagers). Evidence also indicates that relevant youth oriented marketing documents may have been destroyed and that the language used in some of the more recent documents may have been sanitised to cover up efforts to market to youth.Conclusions: The tobacco industry's internal documents reveal an undeniable interest in marketing cigarettes to underage smokers. The industry's marketing approaches run counter to and predicate methods for tobacco prevention: (1) keep the price of the product high; (2) keep product placements and advertising away from schools and other areas with a high volume of youth traffic; (3) make cigarette advertising (that is, themes and visual images) unappealing to youth; (4) make product packaging unappealing to youth; and (5) design the product so it is not easy to inhale.
How the tobacco industry built its relationship with Hollywood
Authors: Mekemson C , Glantz S A 
Published: January 2010

Objective: To describe the development of the relationship between the tobacco industry and the entertainment industry.Methods: Review of previously secret tobacco industry documents available on the internet.Results: Both the entertainment and tobacco industries recognised the high value of promotion of tobacco through entertainment media. The 1980s saw undertakings by four tobacco companies, Philip Morris, RJ Reynolds (RJR), American Tobacco Company, and Brown and Williamson to place their products in movies. RJR and Philip Morris also worked to place products on television at the beginning of the decade. Each company hired aggressive product placement firms to represent its interests in Hollywood. These firms placed products and tobacco signage in positive situations that would encourage viewers to use tobacco and kept brands from being used in negative situations. At least one of the companies, RJR, undertook an extensive campaign to hook Hollywood on tobacco by providing free cigarettes to actors on a monthly basis. Efforts were also made to place favourable articles relating to product use by actors in national print media and to encourage professional photographers to take pictures of actors smoking specific brands. The cigar industry started developing connections with the entertainment industry beginning in the 1980s and paid product placements were made in both movies and on television. This effort did not always require money payments from the tobacco industry to the entertainment industry, suggesting that simply looking for cash payoffs may miss other important ties between the tobacco and entertainment industries.Conclusions: The tobacco industry understood the value of placing and encouraging tobacco use in films, and how to do it. While the industry claims to have ended this practice, smoking in motion pictures increased throughout the 1990s and remains a public health problem.