bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of Helicobacter pylori Plasticity Region Genes in Development of Gastroduodenal Diseases
Authors: Sugimoto Mitsushige , Watada Masahide , Jung Sung Woo , Graham David Y. , Yamaoka Yoshio 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACT

The plasticity region of
Helicobacter pylori
is a large chromosomal segment including isolate-specific open reading frames with characteristics of pathogenicity islands. It remains unclear whether genes in the plasticity region play a role in the pathogenesis of gastric mucosal inflammation and gastroduodenal disease. Our aim was to assess the role of selected genes in the plasticity region in relation to risk of
H. pylori
-related disease and the severity of gastric mucosal damage. We used PCR to study the relation of disease outcome and mucosal damage with four genes in the
H. pylori
plasticity region (
jhp0940
,
jhp0945
,
jhp0947
, and
jhp0949
) from isolates obtained from both Western (
n
= 296) and East Asian (
n
= 217) patients. The prevalence of
jhp0945
,
jhp0947
, and
jhp0949
differed significantly between Western and East Asian isolates. In Western isolates, the presence of
jhp0945
was significantly associated with gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, and gastric cancer (odds ratios [95% confidence intervals]: 2.27 [1.04 to 4.98], 1.86 [1.03 to 3.34], and 1.92 [1.03 to 3.56], respectively).
jhp0940
-positive Western isolates were significantly associated with absence of gastric ulcer or duodenal ulcer (0.21 [0.05 to 0.94] and 0.31 [0.12 to 0.78], respectively). No significant difference was observed between inflammatory cell infiltration or atrophy and the presence or absence of plasticity region genes. The outcome of
H. pylori
infections varies widely geographically. These data suggest a possible role for difference in the prevalence of plasticity region genes in the geographic variation in
H. pylori
-related diseases.
Value of the Modified Hodge Test for Detection of Emerging Carbapenemases in Enterobacteriaceae
Authors: Girlich Delphine , Poirel Laurent , Nordmann Patrice 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACT

The modified Hodge test has an excellent sensitivity for detecting enterobacterial isolates producing Ambler class A (KPC) and class D (OXA-48) carbapenemases. Its sensitivity is low for NDM-1 producers (50%) but is increased to 85.7% by adding ZnSO
4
(100 μg/ml) in the culture medium. However, this test has a low specificity and is time-consuming.
Simultaneously Typing Nine Serotypes of Enteroviruses Associated with Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease by a GeXP Analyzer-Based Multiplex Reverse Transcription-PCR Assay
Authors: Hu Xiumei , Zhang Yong , Zhou Xiaomian , Xu Banglao , Yang Mengjie , Wang Miao , Zhang Chen , Li Jin , Bai Ruyin , Xu Wenbo , Ma Xuejun 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACT

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a contagious enteroviral disease occurring primarily in young children and caused by enterovirus 71 (EV71), coxsackievirus A16 (CVA16), and other serotypes of coxsackievirus and echovirus. In this study, a GeXP analyzer-based multiplex reverse transcription (RT)-PCR assay (GeXP assay) consisting of chimeric primer-based PCR amplification with fluorescent labeling and capillary electrophoresis separation was developed to simultaneously identify nine serotypes of enteroviruses associated with HFMD in China, including EV71, CVA16, CVA4, -5, -9, and -10, and CVB1, -3, and -5. The RNAs extracted from cell cultures of viral isolates and synthetic RNAs via
in vitro
transcription were used to analyze the specificity and sensitivity of the assay. The GeXP assay detected as little as 0.03 tissue culture infective dose (TCID
50
) of EV71 and CVA16, 10 copies of panenterovirus, EV71, CVA16, CVB1, and CVB5, and 100 copies of 10 (including panenterovirus) premixed RNA templates. A total of 180 stool specimens collected from HFMD patients and persons suspected of having HFMD were used to evaluate the clinical performance of this assay. In comparison with the results of conventional methods, the sensitivities of the GeXP assay for detection of panenterovirus, EV71, and CVA16 were 98.79% (163/165), 91.67% (44/48), and 91.67% (33/36), respectively, and the specificities were 80.00% (12/15), 98.48% (130/132), and 100% (144/144), respectively. The concordance of typing seven other serotypes of enteroviruses with the results of conventional methods was 92.59% (25/27). In conclusion, the GeXP assay is a rapid, cost-effective, and high-throughput method for typing nine serotypes of HFMD-associated enteroviruses.
Specific Detection of Naturally Occurring Hepatitis C Virus Mutants with Resistance to Telaprevir and Boceprevir (Protease Inhibitors) among Treatment-Naïve Infected Individuals
Authors: Fonseca-Coronado Salvador , Escobar-Gutiérrez Alejandro , Ruiz-Tovar Karina , Cruz-Rivera Mayra Yolanda , Rivera-Osorio Pilar , Vazquez-Pichardo Mauricio , Carpio-Pedroza Juan Carlos , Ruíz-Pacheco Juan Alberto , Cazares Fernando , Vaughan Gilberto 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACT
The use of telaprevir and boceprevir, both protease inhibitors (PI), as part of the specifically targeted antiviral therapy for hepatitis C (STAT-C) has significantly improved sustained virologic response (SVR) rates. However, different clinical studies have also identified several mutations associated with viral resistance to both PIs. In the absence of selective pressure, drug-resistant hepatitis C virus (HCV) mutants are generally present at low frequency, making mutation detection challenging. Here, we describe a mismatch amplification mutation assay (MAMA) PCR method for the specific detection of naturally occurring drug-resistant HCV mutants. MAMA PCR successfully identified the corresponding HCV variants, while conventional methods such as direct sequencing, endpoint limiting dilution (EPLD), and bacterial cloning were not sensitive enough to detect circulating drug-resistant mutants in clinical specimens. Ultradeep pyrosequencing was used to confirm the presence of the corresponding HCV mutants. In treatment-naïve patients, the frequency of all resistant variants was below 1%. Deep amplicon sequencing allowed a detailed analysis of the structure of the viral population among these patients, showing that the evolution of the NS3 is limited to a rather small sequence space. Monitoring of HCV drug resistance before and during treatment is likely to provide important information for management of patients undergoing anti-HCV therapy.
Chest Wall Abscess Due to Mycobacterium bovis BCG after Intravesical BCG Therapy
Authors: Kanamori Hajime , Isogami Katsuhiko , Hatakeyama Takashi , Saito Hiroo , Shimada Kazuyoshi , Uchiyama Bine , Aso Noboru , Kaku Mitsuo 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACT

We report a case of chest wall abscess caused by
Mycobacterium bovis
BCG that arose as a complication 1 year after intravesical BCG instillation. We identified
M. bovis
BCG Tokyo 172 in the abscess by PCR-based typing of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
complex and analysis of variable number of tandem repeats data.
Picornavirus, the Most Common Respiratory Virus Causing Infection among Patients of All Ages Hospitalized with Acute Respiratory Illness
Authors: Atmar Robert L. , Piedra Pedro A. , Patel Shital M. , Greenberg Stephen B. , Couch Robert B. , Glezen W. Paul 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACT
We evaluated the prevalence of respiratory virus infection (RVI) in 403 illnesses of 364 persons hospitalized over a 2-year period with acute respiratory conditions using virus-specific reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) assays in addition to cell culture and serology. RVIs were identified in >75% of children under 5 years of age and 25 to 37% of adults. The molecular assays doubled the number of infections identified; picornaviruses were the most frequent in patients of all ages, followed by respiratory syncytial virus and influenza viruses.
Rapid Test for Identification of a Highly Transmissible Mycobacterium tuberculosis Beijing Strain of Sub-Saharan Origin
Authors: Millán-Lou María Isabel , Alonso Henar , Gavín Patricia , Hernández-Febles Melissa , Campos-Herrero María Isolina , Copado Rodolfo , Cañas Fernando , Kremer Kristin , Caminero José Antonio , Martín Carlos , Samper Sofía 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACT

The development of a rapid test to identify
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Beijing isolates and specifically strain GC1237, coming from a sub-Saharan country, is needed due to its alarming wide spread on Gran Canaria Island (Spain). A rapid test that detects IS
6110
present between
dnaA
and
dnaN
in the Beijing strains and in a specific site for GC1237 (
Rv2180c
) has been developed. This test would be a useful tool in the surveillance of subsequent cases.
Identification and Characterization of an Aspergillus fumigatus “Supermater” Pair
Authors: Sugui Janyce A. , Losada Liliana , Wang Wei , Varga John , Ngamskulrungroj Popchai , Abu-Asab Mones , Chang Yun C. , O’Gorman Céline M. , Wickes Brian L. , Nierman William C. , Dyer Paul S. , Kwon-Chung Kyung J. 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACT

The mating efficiency of 50
Aspergillus fumigatus
isolates from both clinical and environmental sources was analyzed. Forty isolates completed the sexual cycle in 4 weeks with variable levels of fertility designated high, medium, or low. Two opposite-mating-type strains exhibiting the highest fertility, AFB62 (
MAT1-1
), isolated from a case of invasive aspergillosis, and AFIR928 (
MAT1-2
), isolated from the environment, were chosen as the supermater pair. Single cleistothecia obtained from a cross of the two strains harbored a minimum of 1 × 10
4
ascospores. The viability of ascospores increased with the age of the fruiting body, 17% at 4 weeks and reaching 95% at 20 weeks. AFB62 and AFIR928 were equally virulent in two different murine models, despite differences in their sources. High recombination frequencies were observed when the closely linked genes
alb1
(AFUA_2G17600) and
abr2
(AFUA_2G17530) were used as genetic markers. Comparative genome hybridization analyses revealed that only 86 genes (ca. 0.86% of the genome) are significantly diverged between AFB62 and AFIR928. The high fertility in a relatively short period, combined with a high degree of virulence and a high recombination frequency, demonstrates that the mating pair AFB62 and AFIR928 provides an excellent tool for genetic studies of
A. fumigatus
.

IMPORTANCE
Aspergillus fumigatus
is a heterothallic fungal pathogen that causes life-threatening infections in immunocompromised hosts. Although heterothallism facilitates genetic study via recombinational analysis, previous work showed that a 6-month incubation period is required for the completion of sexual reproduction in this species. Such a long incubation period impedes progress in genetic research. To discover a highly fertile (supermater) pair that can complete the sexual cycle in a considerably shorter period, we screened 50 strains collected from various geographic regions for mating efficiency. We identified a highly virulent pair of supermaters that can be an invaluable tool for genetic study.
Unbalanced Charge Distribution as a Determinant for Dependence of a Subset of Escherichia coli Membrane Proteins on the Membrane Insertase YidC
Authors: Gray Andrew N. , Henderson-Frost Josephine M. , Boyd Dana , Shirafi Shirin , Niki Hironori , Goldberg Marcia B. 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACT

Membrane proteins are involved in numerous essential cell processes, including transport, gene regulation, motility, and metabolism. To function properly, they must be inserted into the membrane and folded correctly. YidC, an essential protein in
Escherichia coli
with homologues in other bacteria,
Archaea
, mitochondria, and chloroplasts, functions by incompletely understood mechanisms in the insertion and folding of certain membrane proteins. Using a genome-scale approach, we identified 69
E. coli
membrane proteins that, in the absence of YidC, exhibited aberrant localization by microscopy. Further examination of a subset revealed biochemical defects in membrane insertion in the absence of YidC, indicating their dependence on YidC for proper membrane insertion or folding. Membrane proteins possessing an unfavorable distribution of positively charged residues were significantly more likely to depend on YidC for membrane insertion. Correcting the charge distribution of a charge-unbalanced YidC-dependent membrane protein abrogated its requirement for YidC, while perturbing the charge distribution of a charge-balanced YidC-independent membrane protein rendered it YidC dependent, demonstrating that charge distribution can be a necessary and sufficient determinant of YidC dependence. These findings provide insights into a mechanism by which YidC promotes proper membrane protein biogenesis and suggest a critical function of YidC in all organisms and organelles that express it.

IMPORTANCE
Biological membranes are fundamental components of cells, providing barriers that enclose the cell and separate compartments. Proteins inserted into biological membranes serve critical functions in molecular transport, molecular partitioning, and other essential cell processes. The mechanisms involved in the insertion of proteins into membranes, however, are incompletely understood. The YidC protein is critical for the insertion of a subset of proteins into membranes across an evolutionarily wide group of organisms. Here we identify a large group of proteins that depend on YidC for membrane insertion in
Escherichia coli
, and we identify unfavorable distribution of charge as an important determinant of YidC dependence for proper membrane insertion.
Sensor recorded changes in rates of hand washing with soap in response to the media reports of the H1N1 pandemic in Britain
Authors: Fleischman Diana S , Webster Gregory D , Judah Gaby , de Barra Mícheál , Aunger Robert , Curtis Valerie A 
Published: November 2011

ObjectivesTo examine how the frequency of information regarding a real disease threat influences hand washing with soap.Design and settingThe authors installed wireless devices in highway service station lavatories in England to record the proportion of individuals washing hands with soap from May 2009 to January 2010.ParticipantsParticipants were users of men's and women's toilets. Combined there was an average of 6800 participant entrances into the lavatories daily.Primary outcome measureThe primary outcome measure is the proportion of soap usage to the number of entries into the lavatories.ResultsHand-washing rates were positively related to both H1NI coverage in blogs and the news; however, these relationships were stronger for men than for women.ConclusionsHand washing with soap increases proportionally to the frequency of media key words related to H1N1. Women's hand washing was more strongly associated with incidence of media keywords than men's.
Clinical instructors' perception of a faculty development programme promoting postgraduate year-1 (PGY1) residents' ACGME six core competencies: a 2-year study
Authors: Lee Fa-Yauh , Yang Ying-Ying , Hsu Hui-Chi , Chuang Chiao-Lin , Lee Wei-Shin , Chang Ching-Chih , Huang Chia-Chang , Chen Jaw-Wen , Cheng Hao-Min , Jap Tjin-Shing 
Published: November 2011

ObjectiveThe six core competencies designated by Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) are essential for establishing a patient centre holistic medical system. The authors developed a faculty programme to promote the postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) resident, ACGME six core competencies. The study aims to assess the clinical instructors' perception, attitudes and subjective impression towards the various sessions of the ‘faculty development programme for teaching ACGME competencies.’MethodsDuring 2009 and 2010, 134 clinical instructors participated in the programme to establish their ability to teach and assess PGY1residents about ACGME competencies.ResultsThe participants in the faculty development programme reported that the skills most often used while teaching were learnt during circuit and itinerant bedside, physical examination teaching, mini-clinical evaluation exercise (mini-CEX) evaluation demonstration, training workshop and videotapes of ‘how to teach ACGME competencies.’ Participants reported that circuit bedside teaching and mini-CEX evaluation demonstrations helped them in the interpersonal and communication skills domain, and that the itinerant teaching demonstrations helped them in the professionalism domain, while physical examination teaching and mini-CEX evaluation demonstrations helped them in the patients' care domain. Both the training workshop and videotape session increase familiarity with teaching and assessing skills. Participants who applied the skills learnt from the faculty development programme the most in their teaching and assessment came from internal medicine departments, were young attending physician and had experience as PGY1clinical instructors.ConclusionsAccording to the clinical instructors' response, our faculty development programme effectively increased their familiarity with various teaching and assessment skills needed to teach PGY1residents and ACGME competencies, and these clinical instructors also then subsequently apply these skills.
“Do you really need to ask me that now?”: a self-audit of interruptions to the ‘shop floor’ practice of a UK consultant emergency physician
Authors: Allard Jon , Wyatt Jonathan , Bleakley Alan , Graham Blair 
Published: November 2011

ObjectivesTo map interruptions encountered by a senior physician performing a variety of everyday tasks on an emergency department (ED) ‘shop floor’ in the UK in order to identify tasks most likely to be interrupted, modes of interruption and those interruptions most likely to result in breaks as suspension of the original task.MethodsA self-observational audit study of interruptions was undertaken by a consultant emergency physician in a medium-sized ED over 25 separate shifts totalling 119 h. The main outcome measures were type and occurrence of interruption in relation to mode of original task. ‘Success’ of interruptions and number of outstanding tasks were also recorded.Results718 interruptions were recorded, with an average of 6 per hour. A mean number of 2.44 outstanding tasks were recorded on each occasion of interruption. Verbal advice, telephone calls and interpretations of x-rays were the most common forms of interruption. 498 interruptions (69%) were successful, defined as interruptions that resulted in a task break (over-riding and suspension of the original task). The most successful interruptions were calls to the resuscitation room (95%). Interruptions from electronic telecommunications systems were extensive (33% of total) with success dependent on the type of communication system. Telephone conversations were rarely interrupted (16% compared with a mean of 69%).ConclusionsOvert electronic communication systems may have a disproportionate impact in determining the likelihood for successful interruptions. Formal consideration of how to prioritise and manage interruptions from various channels could be usefully added to emergency medicine education and training.
Vascular parkinsonism: what makes it different?
Authors: Gupta Deepak , Kuruvilla Abraham 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACT
Vascular parkinsonism (VP) accounts for 2.5–5% of all cases of parkinsonism in various population based and clinical cohort studies. VP develops as a result of ischaemic cerebrovascular disease, so aetiologically it is classified as secondary parkinsonism. It has been variably referred to in the literature as arteriosclerotic parkinsonism, vascular pseudo-parkinsonism, and lower body parkinsonism. The most important consideration while making a diagnosis of VP should be to differentiate VP from Parkinson’s disease (PD) because of prognostic and therapeutic implications. The salient clinical features in VP which differentiate it from PD are presentation with postural instability and falls rather than with upper limb rest tremor or bradykinesia; short shuffling parkinsonian gait in VP is accompanied by a wider base of stance and variable stride length (parkinsonian-ataxic gait), absence of festination, frequent occurrence of pyramidal signs, and early subcortical dementia. In a patient where the clinical features are suggestive of VP the clinical diagnosis can be supported by demonstration of diffuse white matter lesions and/or strategic subcortical infarcts in the MRI of the brain. The therapeutic options in VP are limited to levodopa, and a poor or non-sustained response to levodopa is another differentiating feature between VP and PD.
Role of the renin–angiotensin system in the nandrolone-decanoate-induced attenuation of the Bezold–Jarisch reflex
Authors: Uggere de Andrade Tadeu , Loiola Leonardo Zanoteli , Alcure Samira Merces Nascimento , Medeiros Ana Raquel Santos , Santos Maria Carmen Lopes Ferreira Silva , Moysés Margareth Ribeiro , Abreu Gláucia Rodrigues de , Lenz Dominik , Bissoli Nazaré Souza 
Published: November 2011

The androgen nandrolone decanoate (ND) is known to cause cardiovascular abnormalities, such as attenuation of the Bezold–Jarisch Reflex (BJR), cardiac hypertrophy, and elevation of mean arterial pressure (MAP). Futhermore, a relationship between androgens and the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) has been reported. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of RAS on the BJR, cardiac and prostatic hypertrophy, and MAP evoked by ND. For this, male Wistar rats were treated with ND (10 mg·(kg body mass)–1 for 8 weeks; DECA), or vehicle (control animals; CON), or enalapril (10 mg·(kg body mass)–1, daily; CONE), or ND and enalapril (10 mg ND + 10 mg enalapril per kilogram of body mass; DECAE). After 8 weeks of treatment, the BJR was evaluated by bradycardia and hypotensive responses that were elicited by serotonin administration (2–32 µg·(kg body mass)–1). MAP was assessed; cardiac and prostate hypertrophy were determined by the ratio of the tissue mass:body mass, and by histological analysis of the heart. Animals from the DECA group showed prostatic and cardiac hypertrophy, elevation in mean arterial pressure, and an impairment of BJR. Co-treatment with enalapril inhibited these changes. The data from the present study suggest that RAS has an impact on BJR attenuation, cardiac and prostatic hypertrophy, and the elevation in MAP evoked by ND.