bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Recent Hepatitis C Virus Infections in HIV-Infected Patients in Taiwan: Incidence and Risk Factors
Authors: Sun Hsin-Yun , Chang Sui-Yuan , Yang Zong-Yu , Lu Ching-Lan , Wu Hsiu , Yeh Chang-Ching , Liu Wen-Chun , Hsieh Chia-Yin , Hung Chien-Ching , Chang Shan-Chwen 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACT

Outbreaks of sexually transmitted hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections have been recently reported in HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM) in Europe, Australia, and North America. Little is known concerning whether this also occurs in other Asia-Pacific countries. Between 1994 and 2010, a prospective observational cohort study was performed to assess the incidence of recent HCV seroconversion in 892 HIV-infected patients (731 MSM and 161 heterosexuals) who were not injecting drug users. A nested case-control study was conducted to identify associated factors with recent HCV seroconversion, and phylogenetic analysis was performed using NS5B sequences amplified from seroconverters. During a total followup duration of 4,270 person-years (PY), 30 patients (3.36%) had HCV seroconversion, with an overall incidence rate of 7.03 per 1,000 PY. The rate increased from 0 in 1994 to 2000 and 2.29 in 2001 to 2005 to 10.13 per 1,000 PY in 2006 to 2010 (
P
< 0.05). After adjustment for age and HIV transmission route, recent syphilis remained an independent factor associated with HCV seroconversion (odds ratio, 7.731; 95% confidence interval, 3.131 to 19.086;
P
< 0.01). In a nested case-control study, seroconverters had higher aminotranferase levels and were more likely to have CD4 ≥ 200 cells/μl and recent syphilis than nonseroconverters (
P
< 0.05). Among the 21 patients with HCV viremia, phylogenetic analysis revealed 7 HCV transmission clusters or pairs (4 within genotype 1b, 2 within genotype 2a, and 1 within genotype 3a). The incidence of HCV seroconversion that is associated with recent syphilis is increasing among HIV-infected patients in Taiwan.
Gemella morbillorum Bacteremia after Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha as Acne Inversa Therapy
Authors: Vossen Matthias G. , Gattringer Klaus B. , Khalifeh Neda , Koreny Maria , Spertini Verena , Mallouhi Ammar , Willeit Markus , Volc-Platzer Beatrix , Asboth Friederike , Graninger Wolfgang , Thalhammer Florian , Lagler Heimo 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTWe present a case of fever, brain abscesses, andGemella morbillorumbacteremia after anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) therapy in a 21-year-old acne inversa patient currently taking long-term dapsone. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing such a case. During antimicrobial therapy, the patient developed systemic varicella infection with severe thrombocytopenia.
A Quantitative Analysis of Ureaplasma urealyticum and Ureaplasma parvum Compared with Host Immune Response in Preterm Neonates at Risk of Developing Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Authors: Payne Matthew S. , Goss Kevin C. W. , Connett Gary J. , Legg Julian P. , Bruce Ken D. , Chalker Vicki 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACT

Multiplex, real-time PCR for the identification of
Ureaplasma urealyticum
and
Ureaplasma parvum
was performed on nucleic acids extracted from sequential endotracheal aspirates obtained from preterm neonates born at <29 weeks of gestation and ventilated for more than 48 h admitted to two level 3 neonatal intensive care units. Specimens were obtained shortly after birth and sequentially up until extubation. One hundred fifty-two specimens (93.8%) contained material suitable for analysis.
Ureaplasma
spp. were identified in 5 of 13 neonates studied. In most cases, the DNA load of the detected
Ureaplasma
species was low and decreased over time. In addition, changes in detectable
Ureaplasma
species DNA did not relate to changes in the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP) or respiratory status. All but two blood samples obtained at times of suspected sepsis were culture positive for other microorganisms; the species cultured were typically coagulase-negative staphylococci and were associated with increased levels of CRP (>10 mg/liter). This study was limited by the small number of patients examined and does not have the power to support or contradict the hypothesis that postnatal lung infection with
Ureaplasma parvum
is causally related to bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) or adverse respiratory outcomes after preterm birth. However, in this study, increases in CRP levels were not associated with patients in whom
Ureaplasma parvum
was detected, in contrast to the detection of other bacterial species.
Genome-Scale Phylogeny of the Alphavirus Genus Suggests a Marine Origin
Authors: Forrester N. L. , Palacios G. , Tesh R. B. , Savji N. , Guzman H. , Sherman M. , Weaver S. C. , Lipkin W. I. 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTThe genus Alphavirus comprises a diverse group of viruses, including some that cause severe disease. Using full-length sequences of all known alphaviruses, we produced a robust and comprehensive phylogeny of the Alphavirus genus, presenting a more complete evolutionary history of these viruses compared to previous studies based on partial sequences. Our phylogeny suggests the origin of the alphaviruses occurred in the southern oceans and spread equally through the Old and New World. Since lice appear to be involved in aquatic alphavirus transmission, it is possible that we are missing a louse-borne branch of the alphaviruses. Complete genome sequencing of all members of the genus also revealed conserved residues forming the structural basis of the E1 and E2 protein dimers.
Borna Disease Virus Infects Human Neural Progenitor Cells and Impairs Neurogenesis
Authors: Brnic Dragan , Stevanovic Vladimir , Cochet Marielle , Agier Cécilia , Richardson Jennifer , Montero-Menei Claudia N. , Milhavet Ollivier , Eloit Marc , Coulpier Muriel 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTUnderstanding the complex mechanisms by which infectious agents can disrupt behavior represents a major challenge. The Borna disease virus (BDV), a potential human pathogen, provides a unique model to study such mechanisms. Because BDV induces neurodegeneration in brain areas that are still undergoing maturation at the time of infection, we tested the hypothesis that BDV interferes with neurogenesis. We showed that human neural stem/progenitor cells are highly permissive to BDV, although infection does not alter their survival or undifferentiated phenotype. In contrast, upon the induction of differentiation, BDV is capable of severely impairing neurogenesis by interfering with the survival of newly generated neurons. Such impairment was specific to neurogenesis, since astrogliogenesis was unaltered. In conclusion, we demonstrate a new mechanism by which BDV might impair neural function and brain plasticity in infected individuals. These results may contribute to a better understanding of behavioral disorders associated with BDV infection.
The Receptor Binding Specificity of the Live Attenuated Influenza H2 and H6 Vaccine Viruses Contributes to Vaccine Immunogenicity and Protection in Ferrets
Authors: Chen Zhongying , Zhou Helen , Kim Lomi , Jin Hong 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACT
To prepare for influenza pandemics that may be caused by the H2 and H6 subtype influenza viruses, live attenuated influenza virus (LAIV) H2 and H6 vaccines are being developed and evaluated. The H2 and H6 vaccine candidates with different receptor binding preferences specified by amino acid substitutions at residues 226 and 228 were generated and evaluated for their growth in embryonated chicken eggs and their immunogenicity and protection against wild-type virus challenge in the ferret model. The viruses containing Q226 and G228 in the hemagglutinin (HA) protein bound to the avian-like α2,3-sialic acid (SA) receptor and replicated efficiently in chicken eggs. The viruses with L226 and G228 bound preferentially to the human-like α2,6-SA receptor. The viruses containing L226 and S228 displayed dual binding to both α2,3-SA and α2,6-SA receptors and replicated efficiently in eggs. The strains containing L226/G228 or L226/S228 that preferentially bound to α2,6-SA receptors replicated efficiently in the upper respiratory tract of ferrets, induced high levels of neutralizing antibody, and conferred a high level of protection against wild-type virus challenge infection compared to the strain with the Q226/G228 residues. Our data suggest that pandemic vaccines with receptor binding preference to both avian- and human-like receptors might be desired for efficient viral replication in eggs and for inducing protective immune responses in humans.
Fluorescently Tagged pUL47 of Marek's Disease Virus Reveals Differential Tissue Expression of the Tegument Protein
In Vivo
Authors: Jarosinski Keith W. , Arndt Sina , Kaufer Benedikt B. , Osterrieder Nikolaus 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACT

Marek's disease virus (MDV), a lymphotropic alphaherpesvirus, causes Marek's disease (MD) in chickens. MD is characterized by neurological signs, chronic wasting, and T cell lymphomas that predominate in the visceral organs. MDV replicates in a highly cell-associated manner
in vitro
and
in vivo
, with infectious virus particles being released only from feather follicle epithelial (FFE) cells in the skin. Virus produced and shed from FFE cells allows transmission of MDV from infected to naïve chickens, but the mechanisms or roles of differential virus gene expression have remained elusive. Here, we generated recombinant MDV in which we fused enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) to the C terminus of the tegument protein pUL47 (vUL47-EGFP) or pUL49 (vUL49-EGFP). While vUL49-EGFP was highly attenuated
in vitro
and
in vivo
, vUL47-EGFP showed unaltered pathogenic potential and stable production of pUL47-EGFP, which facilitated direct analysis of pUL47 expression in cells and tissues. Our studies revealed that pUL47-EGFP is expressed at low levels and localizes to the nucleus during lytic replication
in vitro
and in lymphocytes in the spleen
in vivo
, while it is undetectable in tumors. In contrast, pUL47-EGFP is highly abundant and localizes predominantly in the cytoplasm in FFE cells in the skin, where MDV is shed into the environment. We concluded that differential expression and localization of MDV pUL47-EGFP tegument protein is potentially important for the unique cell-associated nature of MDV
in vitro
and in lymphocytes
in vivo
, as well as production of free virus in FFE cells.
Attitudes and perceptions of medical students about family medicine in Spain: protocol for a cross-sectional survey: Figure 1
Authors: Alonso-Coello Pablo , Villa Josep Jiménez , Hijar Antonio Monreal , Tuduri Xavier Mundet , Puime Ángel Otero , Zurro Amando Martín ,   for the University and Family Medicine Research Group (UNIMEDFAM)
Published: December 2011

BackgroundDespite the fact that family medicine (FM) has become established as a specialty in the past 25 years, this has not been reflected in the inclusion of the specialty in the majority of medical schools in Spain. Almost 40% of the students will work in primary care but, in spite of this, most universities do not have an assessed placement as such. There are only specific practice periods in health centres or some student-selected components with little weight in the overall curricula.ObjectivesTo evaluate the attitudes and perceptions of medical students about FM in the health system and their perception about the need for specific training in FM at the undergraduate level. To explore change over time of these attitudes and perceptions and to examine potential predictive factors for change. Finally, we will review what teaching activity in FM is offered across the Spanish schools of medicine.MethodsDescriptive cross-sectional survey. Each one of the different analyses will consist of two surveys: one for all the students in the first, third and fifth year of medical school in all the Spanish schools of medicine asking about their knowledge, perceptions and attitudes in relation to primary care and FM. There will be an additional survey for the coordinating faculty of the study in each university about the educational activities related to FM that are carried out in their centres. The repetition of the study every 2 years will allow for an analysis of the evolution of the cohort of students until they receive their degree and the potential predictive factors.DiscussionThis study will provide useful information for strategic planning decisions, content and educational methodology in medical schools in Spain and elsewhere. It will also help to evaluate the influence of the ongoing changes in FM, locally and at the European level, on the attitudes and perceptions of the students towards FM in Spain.
Helping pregnant women make better decisions: a systematic review of the benefits of patient decision aids in obstetrics
Authors: Say Rebecca , Robson Stephen , Thomson Richard 
Published: December 2011

ObjectivesPatient decision aids can be used to support pregnant women engaging in shared decisions, but little is known about their effects in obstetrics. The authors aimed to evaluate the effects of patient decision aids designed for pregnant women on clinical and psychosocial outcomes.DesignSystematic review. Data on all outcomes were extracted and summarised. All studies were critically appraised for potential sources of bias and, when possible to obtain, the reported decision aids were evaluated. Meta-analysis was not possible due to the heterogeneity of outcomes in primary studies and the small number of studies.Data sourcesElectronic searches were performed using Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Library and Medion databases from inception until December 2010. Reference lists of all included articles were also examined and key experts contacted.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesEligibility criteria included randomised controlled trials, which reported on patient decision aids for women facing any treatment decision in pregnancy published in English. Studies evaluating health education material that did not address women's values and preferences were excluded.ResultsPatient decision aids have been developed for decisions about prenatal testing, vaginal birth after Caesarean section, external cephalic version and labour analgesia. Use of decision aids is associated with a number of positive effects including reduced anxiety, lower decisional conflict, improved knowledge, improved satisfaction and increased perception of having made an informed choice.ConclusionsPatient decision aids have the potential to improve obstetric care. However, currently the evidence base is limited by the small number of studies, the quality of the studies and because they involved heterogeneous decision aids, patient groups and outcomes.
The polypill in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease: cost-effectiveness in the Dutch population
Authors: van Gils Paul F , Over Eelco A B , Hamberg-van Reenen Heleen H , de Wit G Ardine , van den Berg Matthijs , Schuit Albertine J , Engelfriet Peter M 
Published: December 2011

ObjectivesThe aim of the present study was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of the polypill in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease.DesignA health economic modelling study.SettingPrimary healthcare in the Netherlands.ParticipantsSimulated individuals from the general Dutch population, aged 45–75 years.InterventionsOpportunistic screening followed by prescription of the polypill to eligible individuals. Eligibility was defined as having a minimum 10-year risk of cardiovascular death as assessed with the Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation function of alternatively 5%, 7.5% or 10%. Different versions of the polypill were considered, depending on composition: (1) the Indian polycap, with three different types of blood pressure-lowering drugs, a statin and aspirin; (2) as (1) but without aspirin and (3) as (2) but with a double statin dose. In addition, a scenario of (targeted) separate antihypertensive and/or statin medication was simulated.Primary outcome measuresCases of acute myocardial infarction or stroke prevented, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained and the costs per QALY gained. All interventions were compared with usual care.ResultsAll scenarios were cost-effective with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio between €7900 and 12 300 per QALY compared with usual care. Most health gains were achieved with the polypill without aspirin and containing a double dose of statins. With a 10-year risk of 7.5% as the threshold, this pill would prevent approximately 3.5% of all cardiovascular events.ConclusionsOpportunistic screening based on global cardiovascular risk assessment followed by polypill prescription to those with increased risk offers a cost-effective strategy. Most health gain is achieved by the polypill without aspirin and a double statin dose.
Clinical decision making in spinal fusion for chronic low back pain. Results of a nationwide survey among spine surgeons
Authors: Willems Paul , de Bie Rob , Öner Cumhur , Castelein René , de Kleuver Marinus 
Published: December 2011

ObjectivesTo assess the use of prognostic patient factors and predictive tests in clinical decision making for spinal fusion in patients with chronic low back pain.Design and settingNationwide survey among spine surgeons in the Netherlands.ParticipantsSurgeon members of the Dutch Spine Society were questioned on their surgical treatment strategy for chronic low back pain.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe surgeons' opinion on the use of prognostic patient factors and predictive tests for patient selection were addressed on Likert scales, and the degree of uniformity was assessed. In addition, the influence of surgeon-specific factors, such as clinical experience and training, on decision making was determined.ResultsThe comments from 62 surgeons (70% response rate) were analysed. Forty-four surgeons (71%) had extensive clinical experience. There was a statistically significant lack of uniformity of opinion in seven of the 11 items on prognostic factors and eight of the 11 items on predictive tests, respectively. Imaging was valued much higher than predictive tests, psychological screening or patient preferences (all p<0.01). Apart from the use of discography and long multisegment fusions, differences in training or clinical experience did not appear to be of significant influence on treatment strategy.ConclusionsThe present survey showed a lack of consensus among spine surgeons on the appreciation and use of predictive tests. Prognostic patient factors were not consistently incorporated in their treatment strategy either. Clinical decision making for spinal fusion to treat chronic low back pain does not have a uniform evidence base in practice. Future research should focus on identifying subgroups of patients for whom spinal fusion is an effective treatment, as only a reliable prediction of surgical outcome, combined with the implementation of individual patient factors, may enable the instalment of consensus guidelines for surgical decision making in patients with chronic low back pain.
Upregulation of Notch2 and Six1 Is Associated with Progression of Early-Stage Lung Adenocarcinoma and a More Aggressive Phenotype at Advanced Stages
Authors: Mimae Takahiro , Okada Morihito , Hagiyama Man , Miyata Yoshihiro , Tsutani Yasuhiro , Inoue Takao , Murakami Yoshinori , Ito Akihiko 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
Purpose: Lung adenocarcinoma often manifests as tumors with mainly lepidic growth. The size of invasive foci determines a diagnosis of in situ, minimally invasive adenocarcinoma, or invasive types and suggests that some adenocarcinomas undergo malignant progression in that order. This study investigates how transcriptional aberrations in adenocarcinoma cells at the early stage define the clinical phenotypes of adenocarcinoma tumors at the advanced stage.
Experimental Design: We comprehensively searched for differentially expressed genes between preinvasive and invasive cancer cells in one minimally invasive adenocarcinoma using laser capture microdissection and DNA microarrays. We screened expression of candidate genes in 11 minimally invasive adenocarcinomas by reverse transcriptase PCR and examined their involvement in preinvasive-to-invasive progression by transfection studies. We then immunohistochemically investigated the presence of candidate molecules in 64 samples of advanced adenocarcinoma and statistically analyzed the findings, together with clinicopathologic variables.
Results: The transcription factors Notch2 and Six1 were upregulated in invasive cancer cells in all 11 minimally invasive adenocarcinomas. Exogenous Notch2 transactivated Six1 followed by Smad3, Smad4, and vimentin, and enlarged the nuclei of NCI-H441 lung epithelial cells. Immunochemical staining for the transcription factors was double positive in the invasive, but not in the lepidic growth component of a third of advanced Ads, and the disease-free survival rates were lower in such tumors.
Conclusions: Paired upregulation of Notch2 and Six1 is a transcriptional aberration that contributes to preinvasive-to-invasive adenocarcinoma progression by inducing epithelial–mesenchymal transition and nuclear atypia. This aberration persisted in a considerable subset of advanced adenocarcinoma and conferred a more malignant phenotype on the subset. Clin Cancer Res; 18(4); 945–55. ©2011 AACR.
Expansion of a CD8+PD-1+ Replicative Senescence Phenotype in Early Stage CLL Patients Is Associated with Inverted CD4:CD8 Ratios and Disease Progression
Authors: Nunes Claudia , Wong Ryan , Mason Malcolm , Fegan Chris , Man Stephen , Pepper Chris 
Published: December 2011

AbstractPurpose: Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) display immune deficiency that is most obvious in advanced stage disease. Here we investigated whether this immune dysfunction plays a pathologic role in the progression of early stage disease patients.Experimental Design: We carried out eight-color immunophenotyping analysis in a cohort of 110 untreated early stage CLL patients and 22 age-matched healthy donors and correlated our findings with clinical outcome data.Results: We found a significant reduction in naive CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in CLL patients. Only the CD4+ subset showed significantly increased effector memory cells (TEM and TEMRA) in the whole cohort (P = 0.004 and P = 0.04, respectively). However, patients with inverted CD4:CD8 ratios (52 of 110) showed preferential expansion of the CD8 compartment, with a skewing of CD8+ TEMRA (P = 0.03) coupled with increased percentage of CD57+CD28−CD27− T cells (P = 0.008) and PD-1 positivity (P = 0.027), consistent with a replicative senescence phenotype. Furthermore, inverted CD4:CD8 ratios were associated with shorter lymphocyte doubling time (P = 0.03), shorter time to first treatment (P = 0.03), and reduced progression-free survival (P = 0.005).Conclusions: Our data show that the emergence of CD8+PD-1+ replicative senescence phenotype in early stage CLL patients is associated with more aggressive clinical disease. Importantly, these findings were independent of tumor cell prognostic markers and could not be accounted for by patient age, changes in regulatory T-cell frequency, or cytomegalovirus serostatus. Clin Cancer Res; 18(3); 678–87. ©2011 AACR.