bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Validation of a microbial detection system for use with ACD‐A platelets with PAS III platelet additive solution
Authors: Dumont Larry J. , Hay Shauna N. , Herschel Louise , Brantigan Barbara , Houghton Jaime , Elfath M. Dean , Brecher Mark E. 
Published: April 2011

BACKGROUND: The BacT/ALERT microbial detection system (BTA) is used for testing leukoreduced apheresis platelets (LR‐AP) in plasma. Platelet additive solutions (PASs) such as InterSol (PAS III) may be used to reduce the amount of plasma transfused in LR‐AP. This study evaluated the performance of the two‐bottle BTA testing scheme in the recovery of seeded microorganisms from LR‐AP in InterSol‐plasma compared to a reference plate culture method.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Hyperconcentrated, double LR‐AP were collected from healthy donors; InterSol was added (65% Intersol:35% plasma), equally divided into two containers, and then inoculated with an isolate of 1 of 10 clinically relevant index organisms at two levels. Aerobic (BPA) and anaerobic (BPN) BTA bottles were inoculated with 4 mL each of the inoculated LR‐AP, and blood agar plates (BAPs) for aerobic and anaerobic culture (0.5 mL each).RESULTS: Zero false‐positives from 103 bottle pairs were observed. All 400 two‐bottle BTA tests were positive within 24 hours, except for Propionibacterium acnes (maximum time‐to‐detection of 86.4 hr) and 13 of 20 pairs of Streptococcus viridans (maximum time‐to‐detection of 31.7 hr). Thirteen of 400 BAP two‐plate tests were negative for starting bacterial concentrations of 10 colony‐forming units (CFUs)/mL or less. At 40 CFUs/mL or less, BTA was 100% positive while BAP was 94% positive.CONCLUSION: Seeded organism recovery was superior in the two‐bottle BTA test system compared to the two‐plate BAP system using InterSol platelets (PLTs). This performance is comparable to previously published results for PLTs in plasma. The use of InterSol does not appear to have a detrimental effect on the performance of the two‐bottle BTA system.
On the use of antiangiogenetic medications for retinopathy of prematurity
Authors: Hård Anna‐Lena , Hellström Ann 
Published: April 2011

AbstractIn contrast to the adult, the third‐trimester foetus experiences one of the most intense periods of growth and maturation of its lifetime. Early development is characterized by the existence of critical periods when environmental factors effectively produce long‐lasting changes.Proliferative retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a potentially blinding disease characterized by uncontrolled retinal angiogenesis. This pathologic angiogenesis is the target for two new treatment modalities for ROP, i.e. intravitreal anti‐VEGF (bevacizumab) and systemic propranolol, which are being evaluated in ongoing or planned studies. VEGF is essential for normal angiogenesis in a growing infant, and the adrenergic system is important for many organ systems and, in addition, for plasticity of the visual and olfactory systems.Conclusion:  This viewpoint raises concerns regarding the currently studied antiangiogenetic treatments for ROP and their possible general effects on the developing preterm infant.
Pneumococcal vaccination in children at risk of developing recurrent acute otitis media – a randomized study
Authors: Gisselsson‐Solén Marie , Melhus Åsa , Hermansson Ann 
Published: April 2011

AbstractAim:  Acute otitis media (AOM) is a common childhood disease, which often becomes recurrent (rAOM). A small reduction in AOM episodes has been noted in unselected child cohorts after vaccination with heptavalent conjugate pneumococcal vaccine (PCV7). The purpose of this study was to investigate how vaccination affects young children at risk of developing rAOM.Methods:  Ninety‐six children with an AOM onset before 6 months of age, implying a high risk for rAOM, were closely monitored until the age of 2 years. Forty‐six were vaccinated with PCV7 and 50 were not. All episodes of AOM, emergency visits and ventilation tube insertions were registered.Results:  A total of 363 AOM episodes were diagnosed. The incidence was reduced by 26% (p = 0.03), the number of emergency visits because of suspected AOM by 36% (p = 0.01) and the proportion of children who received ventilation tubes was halved in the vaccine group (p = 0.02).Conclusions:  During the first 2 years of life, PCV7 significantly reduced AOM episodes, emergency visits and ventilation tube insertions in children with rAOM. Pneumococcal vaccine may be a future route to reduce antibiotic use and health care consumption in otitis‐prone children.
Spontaneous closure of muscular trabecular ventricular septal defect: comparison of defect positions
Authors: Miyake Toshiharu , Shinohara Tohru , Inoue Tomohiro , Marutani Satoshi , Takemura Tsukasa 
Published: April 2011

AbstractAim:  To evaluate the timing and frequency of spontaneous closure of the muscular trabecular ventricular septal defect (VSD).Methods:  We performed a historical cohort study for which 150 patients <3 months of age (median age, 9 days) diagnosed as having a muscular trabecular VSD were selected. Median age at latest follow‐up was 2.8 years. Another 32 patients diagnosed after 3 months of age were also reviewed. Using colour Doppler, defects were classified into three groups: anterior, apical and midventricular.Results:  Spontaneous closure occurred in 126 patients (84%): anterior, 36 of 47 (83%); apical, 26 of 31 (84%); and midventricular, 64 of 72 (89%). Multivariate analyses showed a lower frequency of spontaneous closure for patients of age of ≥20 days at initial echocardiography [hazard ratio 0.60, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.39–0.89] and for anterior and apical muscular trabecular VSD (hazard ratio 0.66, 95% CI 0.47–0.95). The prevalence of the midventricular muscular trabecular VSD was significantly lower in patients ≥3 months of age at initial echocardiography than in those <3 months (p = 0.010).Conclusion:  We infer that midventricular muscular trabecular VSD tends to close spontaneously earlier and more frequently than either anterior or apical muscular trabecular VSD.
Effects of ageing and endurance exercise training on alpha‐actinin isoforms in rat plantaris muscle
Authors: Ogura Y. , Naito H. , Kakigi R. , Ichinoseki‐Sekine N. , Kurosaka M. , Yoshihara T. , Akema T. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractAim:  We recently reported that α‐actinin adaptation occurs at the isoform level. This study was undertaken to clarify the effects of: (1) ageing‐induced shift of myosin heavy chain (MyHC) composition and (2) endurance exercise training on α‐actinin isoforms in rat plantaris muscle.Methods:  Adult (18 mo) and old (28 mo) male Fischer 344 rats were assigned to either sedentary control or endurance exercise training groups. Animals in the training groups ran on a treadmill for 8 week with training intensity adjusted to be equal for adult and old groups. After the training was completed, the plantaris muscles were taken for analyses of α‐actinin‐2, α‐actinin‐3, and MyHC composition and metabolic enzyme activities.Results:  The proportion of type IIb MyHC was lower, and that of type I MyHC was higher in old animals than in adult animals. α‐actinin‐3 was significantly lower in old animals than in adult animals. No significant difference was found in α‐actinin‐2 and citrate synthase (CS) activity between adult and old animals. Citrate synthase activity was higher in trained animals than in sedentary animals. Endurance training produced a fast‐to‐slow shift within type II MyHC isoforms in both adult and old animals. α‐actinin‐2 was significantly higher in trained animals than in sedentary animals. No significant difference was found in α‐actinin‐3 between trained and sedentary animals.Conclusion:  These results support the α‐actinin adaptation at the isoform level and show that the α‐actinin‐3 expression depends on the amount of type II MyHC, whereas α‐actinin‐2 expression is associated with improvement of muscular aerobic capacity.
Investigation of the Photodynamic Effects of Curcumin Against Candida albicans
Authors: Dovigo Lívia N. , Pavarina Ana Cláudia , Ribeiro Ana Paula D. , Brunetti Iguatemy L. , Costa Carlos Alberto de S. , Jacomassi Denis P. , Bagnato Vanderlei S. , Kurachi Cristina 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThis study describes the association of curcumin with light emitting diode (LED) for the inactivation of Candida albicans. Suspensions of Candida were treated with nine curcumin concentrations and exposed to LED at different fluences. The protocol that showed the best outcomes for Candida inactivation was selected to evaluate the effect of the preirradiation time (PIT) on photodynamic therapy (PDT) effectiveness, the uptake of curcumin by C. albicans cells and the possible involvement of singlet oxygen in the photodynamic action. Curcumin‐mediated PDT was also assessed against biofilms. In addition to the microbiological experiments, similar protocols were tested on a macrophage cell line and the effect was evaluated by Methyltetrazolium assay (MTT) and SEM analysis. The optical properties of curcumin were investigated as a function of illumination fluence. When compared with the control group, a statistically significant reduction in C. albicans viability was observed after PDT (P < 0.05), for both planktonic and biofilm cultures. Photodynamic effect was greatly increased with the presence of curcumin in the surrounding media and the PIT of 20 min improved PDT effectiveness against biofilms. Although PDT was phototoxic to macrophages, the therapy was more effective in inactivating the yeast cell than the defense cell. The spectral changes showed a high photobleaching rate of curcumin.
Telmisartan and Amlodipine Single‐Pill Combinations vs Amlodipine Monotherapy for Superior Blood Pressure Lowering and Improved Tolerability in Patients With Uncontrolled Hypertension: Results of the TEAMSTA‐5 Study
Authors: Neldam Steen , Lang Margreet , Jones Russell ,   On behalf of the TEAMSTA‐5 Investigators
Published: April 2011

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2011;13:459–466.©2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.An 8‐week, randomized, double‐blind, controlled study with single‐pill combinations of telmisartan 40 mg or 80 mg/amlodipine 5 mg (T40/A5 or T80/A5) vs monotherapy with amlodipine 5 mg or 10 mg (A10) in 1097 patients with uncontrolled hypertension (diastolic blood pressure [BP] ≥90 mm Hg). T40/A5 and T80/A5 resulted in significantly greater (P<.0001) reductions in seated trough systolic/diastolic BP vs A5 (−7.4 mm Hg/−3.6 mm Hg; −8.8 mm Hg/−4.9 mm Hg) and a significantly greater (P<.001) proportion of patients achieving systolic/diastolic BP goal rate (60.0%/56.7%; 65.7%/63.8%) vs A5 (39.2%/42.0%). Superior BP reductions were also seen with T40‐T80/A5 vs A10, with BP goal rates at least as high as with A10; however, there was significantly more peripheral edema with A10 (27.2% vs 4.3% for pooled T40‐T80/A5; P<.0001). Switching patients with uncontrolled BP to a single‐pill combination of T40/A5 or T80/A5 is a better treatment option than up‐titration to full‐dose monotherapy with A10.
Assessment of Overlapped Internal and External Volumetric Flaws in p-M Diagram
Authors: Konosu Shinji , Miyata Hikaru 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
Assessment of overlapped internal and external volumetric flaws is one of the most common problems related to pressure vessel and piping components. Under the current fitness for service rules, such as those provided in ASME, BS, and so on, the procedures for the assessment of these flaws have not yet been defined. In this paper, a reference stress, incorporating the decrease in the effective cross section as a function of flaw depth and flaw angle in a cylinder, has been proposed in order to assess the flaws using the simple p-M (pressure-moment) diagram method. Numerous finite element analyses for a cylinder with overlapped internal and external flaws were conducted to verify the proposed procedure. There is good agreement among them.
Molecular Characterization of Copper Resistance Genes from Xanthomonas citri subsp.
citri
and Xanthomonas alfalfae subsp. citrumelonis
Authors: Behlau Franklin , Canteros Blanca I. , Minsavage Gerald V. , Jones Jeffrey B. , Graham James H. 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT

Copper sprays have been widely used for control of endemic citrus canker caused by
Xanthomonas citri
subsp.
citri
in citrus-growing areas for more than 2 decades.
Xanthomonas alfalfae
subsp.
citrumelonis
populations were also exposed to frequent sprays of copper for several years as a protective measure against citrus bacterial spot (CBS) in Florida citrus nurseries. Long-term use of these bactericides has led to the development of copper-resistant (Cu
r
) strains in both
X. citri
subsp.
citri
and
X. alfalfae
subsp.
citrumelonis
, resulting in a reduction of disease control. The objectives of this study were to characterize for the first time the genetics of copper resistance in
X. citri
subsp.
citri
and
X. alfalfae
subsp.
citrumelonis
and to compare these organisms to other Cu
r
bacteria. Copper resistance determinants from
X. citri
subsp.
citri
strain A44(pXccCu2) from Argentina and
X. alfalfae
subsp.
citrumelonis
strain 1381(pXacCu2) from Florida were cloned and sequenced. Open reading frames (ORFs) related to the genes
copL
,
copA
,
copB
,
copM
,
copG
,
copC
,
copD
, and
copF
were identified in
X. citri
subsp.
citri
A44. The same ORFs, except
copC
and
copD
, were also present in
X. alfalfae
subsp.
citrumelonis
1381. Transposon mutagenesis of the cloned copper resistance determinants in pXccCu2 revealed that copper resistance in
X. citri
subsp.
citri
strain A44 is mostly due to
copL
,
copA
, and
copB
, which are the genes in the cloned cluster with the highest nucleotide homology (≥92%) among different Cu
r
bacteria.
CXCR3-Dependent Plasma Blast Migration to the Central Nervous System during Viral Encephalomyelitis
Authors: Marques Cristina P. , Kapil Parul , Hinton David R. , Hindinger Claudia , Nutt Stephen L. , Ransohoff Richard M. , Phares Timothy W. , Stohlman Stephen A. , Bergmann Cornelia C. 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTImmunoglobulin in cerebral spinal fluid and antibody secreting cells (ASC) within the central nervous system (CNS) parenchyma are common hallmarks of microbial infections and autoimmune disorders. However, the signals directing ASC migration into the inflamed CNS are poorly characterized. This study demonstrates that CXCR3 mediates CNS accumulation of ASC during neurotropic coronavirus-induced encephalomyelitis. Expansion of CXCR3-expressing ASC in draining lymph nodes prior to accumulation within the CNS was consistent with their recruitment by sustained expression of CXCR3 ligands during viral persistence. Both total and virus-specific ASC were reduced greater than 80% in the CNS of infected CXCR3−/−mice. Similar T cell CNS recruitment and local T cell-dependent antiviral activity further indicated that the ASC migration defect was T cell independent. Furthermore, in contrast to the reduction of ASC in the CNS, neither virus-specific ASC trafficking to bone marrow nor antiviral serum antibody was reduced relative to levels in control mice. Impaired ASC recruitment into the CNS of infected CXCR3−/−mice coincided with elevated levels of persisting viral RNA, sustained infectious virus, increased clinical disease, and mortality. These results demonstrate that CXCR3 ligands are indispensable for recruitment of activated ASC into the inflamed CNS and highlight their local protective role during persistent infection.
Analysis of HIV-1 Expression Level and Sense of Transcription by High-Throughput Sequencing of the Infected Cell
Authors: Lefebvre Gregory , Desfarges Sébastien , Uyttebroeck Frédéric , Muñoz Miguel , Beerenwinkel Niko , Rougemont Jacques , Telenti Amalio , Ciuffi Angela 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT
Next-generation sequencing offers an unprecedented opportunity to jointly analyze cellular and viral transcriptional activity without prerequisite knowledge of the nature of the transcripts. SupT1 cells were infected with a vesicular stomatitis virus G envelope protein (VSV-G)-pseudotyped HIV vector. At 24 h postinfection, both cellular and viral transcriptomes were analyzed by serial analysis of gene expression followed by high-throughput sequencing (SAGE-Seq). Read mapping resulted in 33 to 44 million tags aligning with the human transcriptome and 0.23 to 0.25 million tags aligning with the genome of the HIV-1 vector. Thus, at peak infection, 1 transcript in 143 is of viral origin (0.7%), including a small component of antisense viral transcription. Of the detected cellular transcripts, 826 (2.3%) were differentially expressed between mock- and HIV-infected samples. The approach also assessed whether HIV-1 infection modulates the expression of repetitive elements or endogenous retroviruses. We observed very active transcription of these elements, with 1 transcript in 237 being of such origin, corresponding on average to 123,123 reads in mock-infected samples (0.40%) and 129,149 reads in HIV-1-infected samples (0.45%) mapping to the genomic Repbase repository. This analysis highlights key details in the generation and interpretation of high-throughput data in the setting of HIV-1 cellular infection.
Molecular Mechanisms of Viral and Host Cell Substrate Recognition by Hepatitis C Virus NS3/4A Protease
Authors: Romano Keith P. , Laine Jennifer M. , Deveau Laura M. , Cao Hong , Massi Francesca , Schiffer Celia A. 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT
Hepatitis C NS3/4A protease is a prime therapeutic target that is responsible for cleaving the viral polyprotein at junctions 3-4A, 4A4B, 4B5A, and 5A5B and two host cell adaptor proteins of the innate immune response, TRIF and MAVS. In this study, NS3/4A crystal structures of both host cell cleavage sites were determined and compared to the crystal structures of viral substrates. Two distinct protease conformations were observed and correlated with substrate specificity: (i) 3-4A, 4A4B, 5A5B, and MAVS, which are processed more efficiently by the protease, form extensive electrostatic networks when in complex with the protease, and (ii) TRIF and 4B5A, which contain polyproline motifs in their full-length sequences, do not form electrostatic networks in their crystal complexes. These findings provide mechanistic insights into NS3/4A substrate recognition, which may assist in a more rational approach to inhibitor design in the face of the rapid acquisition of resistance.
Virulence and Genetic Compatibility of Polymerase Reassortant Viruses Derived from the Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Influenza Virus and Circulating Influenza A Viruses
Authors: Song Min-Suk , Pascua Philippe Noriel Q. , Lee Jun Han , Baek Yun Hee , Park Kuk Jin , Kwon Hyeok-il , Park Su-Jin , Kim Chul-Joong , Kim Hyunggee , Webby Richard J. , Webster Robert G. , Choi Young Ki 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT
Gene mutations and reassortment are key mechanisms by which influenza A virus acquires virulence factors. To evaluate the role of the viral polymerase replication machinery in producing virulent pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza viruses, we generated various polymerase point mutants (PB2, 627K/701N; PB1, expression of PB1-F2 protein; and PA, 97I) and reassortant viruses with various sources of influenza viruses by reverse genetics. Although the point mutations produced no significant change in pathogenicity, reassortment between the pandemic A/California/04/09 (CA04, H1N1) and current human and animal influenza viruses produced variants possessing a broad spectrum of pathogenicity in the mouse model. Although most polymerase reassortants had attenuated pathogenicity (including those containing seasonal human H3N2 and high-pathogenicity H5N1 virus segments) compared to that of the parental CA04 (H1N1) virus, some recombinants had significantly enhanced virulence. Unexpectedly, one of the five highly virulent reassortants contained a A/Swine/Korea/JNS06/04(H3N2)-like PB2 gene with no known virulence factors; the other four had mammalian-passaged avian-like genes encoding PB2 featuring 627K, PA featuring 97I, or both. Overall, the reassorted polymerase complexes were only moderately compatible for virus rescue, probably because of disrupted molecular interactions involving viral or host proteins. Although we observed close cooperation between PB2 and PB1 from similar virus origins, we found that PA appears to be crucial in maintaining viral gene functions in the context of the CA04 (H1N1) virus. These observations provide helpful insights into the pathogenic potential of reassortant influenza viruses composed of the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza virus and prevailing human or animal influenza viruses that could emerge in the future.
T4-Like Genome Organization of the Escherichia coli O157:H7 Lytic Phage AR1
Authors: Liao Wei-Chao , Ng Wailap Victor , Lin I-Hsuan , Syu Wan-Jr , Liu Tze-Tze , Chang Chuan-Hsiung 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT

We report the genome organization and analysis of the first completely sequenced T4-like phage, AR1, of
Escherichia coli
O157:H7. Unlike most of the other sequenced phages of O157:H7, which belong to the temperate
Podoviridae
and
Siphoviridae
families, AR1 is a T4-like phage known to efficiently infect this pathogenic bacterial strain. The 167,435-bp AR1 genome is currently the largest among all the sequenced
E. coli
O157:H7 phages. It carries a total of 281 potential open reading frames (ORFs) and 10 putative tRNA genes. Of these, 126 predicted proteins could be classified into six viral orthologous group categories, with at least 18 proteins of the structural protein category having been detected by tandem mass spectrometry. Comparative genomic analysis of AR1 and four other completely sequenced T4-like genomes (RB32, RB69, T4, and JS98) indicated that they share a well-organized and highly conserved core genome, particularly in the regions encoding DNA replication and virion structural proteins. The major diverse features between these phages include the modules of distal tail fibers and the types and numbers of internal proteins, tRNA genes, and mobile elements. Codon usage analysis suggested that the presence of AR1-encoded tRNAs may be relevant to the codon usage of structural proteins. Furthermore, protein sequence analysis of AR1 gp37, a potential receptor binding protein, indicated that eight residues in the C terminus are unique to O157:H7 T4-like phages AR1 and PP01. These residues are known to be located in the T4 receptor recognition domain, and they may contribute to specificity for adsorption to the O157:H7 strain.
Penaeus monodon TATA Box-Binding Protein Interacts with the White Spot Syndrome Virus Transactivator IE1 and Promotes Its Transcriptional Activity
Authors: Liu Wang-Jing , Chang Yun-Shiang , Huang Wei-Tung , Chen I-Tung , Wang K. C. Han-Ching , Kou Guang-Hsiung , Lo Chu-Fang 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACT

We show here that the white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) immediate-early protein IE1 interacts with the
Penaeus monodon
TATA box-binding protein (PmTBP) and that this protein-protein interaction occurs in the absence of any other viral or cellular proteins or nucleic acids, both
in vitro
and
in vivo
. Mapping studies using enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) fusion proteins containing truncations of IE1 and PmTBP delimited the interacting regions to amino acids (aa) 81 to 180 in IE1 and, except for aa 171 to 230, to aa 111 to 300 in PmTBP. A WSSV IE1 transactivation assay showed that large quantities (>800 ng) of the GAL4-IE1 plasmid caused “squelching” of the GAL4-IE1 activity and that this squelching effect was alleviated by the overexpression of PmTBP. Gene silencing of WSSV
ie1
and
PmTBP
by pretreatment with double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) prior to WSSV challenge showed that the expression of these two target genes was specifically inhibited by their corresponding dsRNAs 72 and 96 h after dsRNA treatment. dsRNA silencing of
ie1
and
PmTBP
expression also significantly reduced WSSV replication and the expression of the viral early gene
dnapol
(DNA polymerase gene). These results suggest that WSSV IE1 and PmTBP work cooperatively with each other during transcription initiation and, furthermore, that PmTBP is an important target for WSSV IE1's transactivation activity that can enhance viral gene expression and help in virus replication.