bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: CXCL6 (Granulocyte Chemotactic Protein‐2): A Novel Chemokine Involved in the Innate Immune Response of the Amniotic Cavity
Authors: Mittal Pooja , Romero Roberto , Kusanovic Juan Pedro , Edwin Samuel S , Gotsch Francesca , Mazaki‐Tovi Shali , Espinoza Jimmy , Erez Offer , Nhan‐Chang Chia‐Ling , Than Nandor G , Vaisbuch Edi , Hassan Sonia S 
Published: August 2008

Problem  CXCL6 is a potent pro‐inflammatory neutrophil chemoattractant and activator whose activity during pregnancy is not well‐established. The purpose of this study was to determine if CXCL6 is present in amniotic fluid (AF) and if CXCL6 concentrations in AF change with labor (pre‐term and term) or intra‐amniotic infection/inflammation (IAI).Method of study  A cross‐sectional study was designed including the following groups: (1) mid‐trimester (n = 65); (2) term no labor (n = 20); (3) term labor (n = 44); (4) patients with pre‐term labor (PTL) with subsequent term delivery (n = 57); (5) PTL without IAI who delivered pre‐term (n = 47); and (6) PTL with IAI (n = 62). AF CXCL6 concentrations were determined by ELISA.Results  CXCL6 was present in all term samples, but undetectable in 64/65 mid‐trimester specimens. Patients with PTL and IAI had a significantly higher median AF CXCL6 concentration than those with PTL without IAI [228.9 pg/mL (0.0–8344.8) versus 55.7 pg/mL (0–454.4); P < 0.05] and those with PTL and term delivery [41.5 pg/mL (0–279.0); P < 0.05]. The median AF CXCL6 concentration did not change with spontaneous term labor [term no labor: 81.1 pg/mL (8.5–201.7) versus term labor: 75.2 pg/mL (6.7–378.7): P = 0.7].Conclusion  (1) CXCL6 is detectable in AF and its concentration increases with gestational age; (2) IAI results in increased AF CXCL6 concentrations, suggesting that CXCL6 plays a role in the deployment of an inflammatory response; (3) In contrast to related chemokines, specifically IL‐8, AF CXCL6 does not appear to be involved in spontaneous term parturition. These observations are novel, and suggest a role for CXCL6 in the innate immune response to microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity.
TMD and GOHAI indices of Brazilian institutionalised and community‐dwelling elderly
Authors: Abud Maria Carolina , Dos Santos Jarbas Francisco Fernandes , Da Cunha Vicente de Paula Prisco , Marchini Leonardo 
Published: August 2008

Rationale and objectives:  Considering the controversy in the literature regarding several aspects of temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) in elderly populations and the absence of reliable data on elderly Brazilians in this field, this study consisted of an evaluation of TMD prevalence and the self‐perception of oral health among institutionalised and community‐dwelling elderly in São José dos Campos, Brazil.Methods:  Two hundred and fifteen community‐dwelling and 185 institutionalised elderly people were evaluated by the Helkimo anamnestic (Ai) and clinical dysfunction (Di) indices and answered a questionnaire using the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI).Results:  The major prevalence of TMD symptoms was for the Ai0 (symptom‐free) group (69.5%), while the major prevalence of clinical signs was for the DiI (mild) group (56%). Women presented a higher AiII classification than men (χ2 test, p = 0.049). Community‐dwelling elderly presented a significantly lower Ai0 classification than the institutionalised ones (Two ratios equality test, p < 0.001). There was no relationship between the institutionalised status and the clinical dysfunction index for Di0 and DiIII classification (Two ratios equality test, p = 0.194 and 0.535 respectively). The institutionalised elderly presented greater (One‐way anova = 0.005) self‐perception of oral health (33.45) than did the community‐dwelling group (32.66). There were only weak Pearson’s correlations among the anamnestic (−33.0%) or clinical (−14.7%) findings by the TMD and GOHAI indices. Symptom‐free (Ai0) institutionalised elderly presented better scores in all GOHAI dimensions and elderly representing an absence of clinical TMD signs (Di0) presented higher GOHAI physical dimension scores in both groups.Conclusions:  The prevalence of TMD symptoms among this sample of elderly individuals was relatively low, self‐perception of oral health was reasonable and a weak, inverse correlation was found between TMD signs and symptoms and elderly self‐perception of oral health measured by the GOHAI index.
The luminosity-iameter relations for globular clusters and dwarf spheroidal galaxies
Authors: Van Den Bergh Sidney 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
It is shown that globular clusters and the dwarf spheroidal companions of the Galaxy have a different distribution of flattening values and appear to occupy adjacent regions of the Mv versus log Rh plane that can be separated by what will be referred to as the Shapley line. Surprisingly, typical dwarf spheroidal companions to the Milky Way system are fainter than the average Galactic globular cluster.
caos software for use in character‐based DNA barcoding
Authors: SARKAR INDRA NEIL , PLANET PAUL J. , DESALLE ROB 
Published: August 2008

AbstractThe success of character‐based DNA barcoding depends on the efficient identification of diagnostic character states from molecular sequences that have been organized hierarchically (e.g. according to phylogenetic methods). Similarly, the reliability of these identified diagnostic character states must be assessed according to their ability to diagnose new sequences. Here, a set of software tools is presented that implement the previously described Characteristic Attribute Organization System for both diagnostic identification and diagnostic‐based classification. The software is publicly available from http://sarkarlab.mbl.edu/CAOS.
Characterization of single nucleotide polymorphism markers for eelgrass (Zostera marina)
Authors: FERBER STEVEN , REUSCH THORSTEN B. H. , STAM WYTZE T. , OLSEN JEANINE L. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractWe characterized 37 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) makers for eelgrass Zostera marina. SNP markers were developed using existing EST (expressed sequence tag)‐libraries to locate polymorphic loci and develop primers from the functional expressed genes that are deposited in The ZOSTERA database (V1.2.1). SNP loci were genotyped using a single‐base‐extension approach which facilitated high‐throughput genotyping with minimal optimization time. These markers show a wide range of variability among 25 eelgrass populations and will be useful for population genetic studies including evaluation of population structure, historical demography, and phylogeography. Potential applications include haplotype inference of physically linked SNPs and identification of genes under selection for temperature and desiccation stress.
High Infection Rate of Trichophyton verrucosum in Calves from Central Italy
Authors: Papini R. , Nardoni S. , Fanelli A. , Mancianti F. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryRecent epidemiological features of the zoonotic dermatophyte Trichophyton verrucosum were investigated in 294 calves from 20 farms located in Central Italy. By the combination of microscopic examinations and fungal cultures, the total prevalence rate of T. verrucosum infection was found to be high, with 87.7% of samples yielding positive results and 100% of farms being infected. Farm to farm prevalence of infection varied from 25% to 100% of the examined calves. Prevalence rates were higher in females than males (91.6% versus 84%), in >3–≤6 than >6–≤9 month old calves (89.8% versus 85.7%), in purebred than in crossbred (88.5% versus 81.8%), and in symptomatic than asymptomatic ones (95.7% versus 80.4%). T. verrucosum was as prevalent in semi‐intensive as in intensive breeding system (88.2% versus 87.6%) but more prevalent in calves raised for meat rather than milk production (91.1% versus 84.9%), and reared under conventional than organic production management system (89.3% versus 82.6%). Prevalence rates were also higher when the cattle present in the farm were of mixed origin, rather than when the whole stock was purchased or was born in the farm (92% versus 88.2% and 85.7%), when other cattle in the farm were showing skin signs (90% versus 84.2%), and at least one case of human ringworm was recorded in the farm (90.9% versus 86.1%). No statistically significant association was found. Therefore, T. verrucosum infection may be more widespread in calves from Central Italy than it was previously thought to be. Calves of any sex, breed, age, and of any of the farm condition considered, are highly exposed to the risk of infection. As calves may play a considerable role as reservoirs of the infection, our results highlight the need to determine the incidence and the importance of T. verrucosum ringworm in personnel involved with cattle care in Italy and elsewhere.
Risk Factors Associated with the Presence of ViableListeria monocytogenesin Bulk Tank Milk from US Dairies
Authors: Antognoli M. C. , Lombard J. E. , Wagner B. A. , McCluskey B. J. , Van Kessel J. S. , Karns J. S. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryThe objective of the study was to screen a large number of herd management practices and herd characteristics from US dairies to identify herd‐level risk factors associated with the presence ofListeria monocytogenesin bulk tank milk (BTM). A total of 71 variables was univariately evaluated for their association with the presence ofL. monocytogenesin BTM. Results from the univariate analysis indicated that using automatic take offs and having an open herd management increased the risk of BTM contamination withL. monocytogenes, while storing manure in outside pens not accessible to cattle decreased the risk. These variables, however, were not sustained in the multivariable model, which indicated that the presence ofL. monocytogenesin BTM was significantly associated with region of the country (farms in the southeast and northeast were six and four times more likely respectively, to have BTM contamination than farms in the west) and number of milking cows (herds with >500 milking cows were five times more likely to have BTM contamination than herds with <100 milking cows). In conclusion, our results suggest that risk factors associated with BTM contamination are different depending on the geographical region and herd size of the operation.
The First Specific Detection of a Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus (H5N1) in Ivory Coast
Authors: Couacy‐Hymann E. , Danho T. , Keita D. , Bodjo S. C. , Kouakou C. , Koffi Y. M. , Beudje F. , Tripodi A. , De Benedictis P. , Cattoli G. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryThe Virology Laboratory of the Central Laboratory of Animal Diseases in Ivory Coast at Bingerville received samples of wild and domestic avian species between February and December 2006. An RT‐PCR technique was used to test for avian influenza (AI) and highly pathogenic AI subtype viruses. Among 2125 samples, 16 were type A positive; of which, 12 were later confirmed to be H5N1. Fifteen of these 16 type A positive samples were inoculated into the chorioallantoic cavity of 11‐day‐old embryonated hens’ eggs for virus isolation. Eight produced virus with hemagglutination titres from 1/64 to 1/512. The 4/16 M‐RT‐PCR positive samples, which were H5N1 negative, were shown to be H7 subtype negative. The diagnostic efficiency of the laboratory for the surveillance of H5N1 in Ivory Coast was demonstrated. The positive cases of H5N1 were from a sparrowhawk (Accipter nisus); live market poultry and in free‐range poultry, where the mortality rate was approximately 20% (2/10) and 96.7% (29/30) respectively. Currently, investigations into intensive poultry farms have proved negative for H5N1. No human cases have been reported this time.
Multilocus Sequence Typing of
Campylobacter jejuni
Isolates from Humans, Chickens, Raw Milk, and Environmental Water in Quebec, Canada
Authors: Lévesque Simon , Frost Eric , Arbeit Robert D. , Michaud Sophie 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACT

Molecular strain typing is essential for deciphering the epidemiology of
Campylobacter jejuni
infections. We applied two different methods, multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and analysis of the
flaA
short variable repeat (SVR), to 289 isolates (163 human, 56 chicken, 34 raw milk, and 36 environmental water isolates) collected in the province of Québec, Canada, over 3 years; in addition, the analysis included the pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) typing results for a subset of 131 isolates studied previously. MLST defined 96 sequence types (STs) and 20 clonal complexes (CCs), including 49 STs (73 isolates, 25%) and 39 alleles not previously documented in an international database. The frequency of new STs was significantly higher among water isolates than among isolates from other sources (18/36 [50%] and 55/253 [22%], respectively;
P
< 0.001). Nine of the 10 most prevalent CCs included isolates from humans and at least one other source; five CCs comprised exclusively or mostly human and chicken isolates. However, water and milk were the predominant nonhuman sources among the remaining CCs, suggesting that sporadic
C. jejuni
infections in humans may frequently arise from sources other than chickens. All three typing systems were discriminatory (discriminatory index > 0.9). Among 131 isolates analyzed by PFGE, each of the 20 types represented by two or more isolates corresponded to a single CC. In contrast, among the 14 most prevalent types detected by analysis of the
flaA
SVR (5 to 27 isolates each), 8 (57%) included isolates that represented multiple different CCs. The basis for these discordant results was uncertain. Antimicrobial resistance was randomly distributed among the CCs and appeared to be more closely related to the source of an isolate than its genotype. Although MLST is labor-intensive and expensive, it remains the single best method for the genotyping of
C. jejuni
isolates and deciphering the epidemiologic relationships among isolates.
Whole Blood as an Alternative to Plasma for Detection of Hepatitis C Virus RNA
Authors: Daniel Hubert Darius J. , David Joel , Grant Paul R. , Garson Jeremy A. , Chandy George M. , Abraham Priya 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACTPeripheral blood mononuclear cells are reported to be one of the extrahepatic replication sites contributing to the persistence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Whole-blood and plasma samples from 61 individuals were compared as sources for the detection of HCV RNA. Forty-four of the individuals were receiving antiviral therapy, while 17 were treatment naïve. The quantitation of HCV RNA was done by a sensitive in-house real-time reverse transcription-PCR. When the viral loads in the two types of samples were compared, a correlation coefficient of 0.858 (P< 0.001) was found, indicating that plasma and whole blood are equally acceptable sources for testing for HCV RNA.
Evaluation of a New Hepatitis B Virus Surface Antigen Rapid Test with Improved Sensitivity
Authors: Lin Yu-Huei , Wang Yi , Loua André , Day Gwo-Jen , Qiu Yan , Nadala Elpidio Cesar B. , Allain Jean-Pierre , Lee Helen H. 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACT

A new rapid immunochromatographic assay based on the signal amplification system (SAS) has been developed by Diagnostics for the Real World (Europe) Ltd. for the detection of hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) in plasma or serum specimens. The SAS format features enhanced sensitivity as a result of an increased binding valence of the detector molecules. We have now evaluated the performance of the new HBsAg rapid test (DRW-HBsAg) in comparison with a well-established commercial rapid test (Determine HBsAg; previously from Abbott Laboratories; now from Inverness Medical Innovations) and with a CE-marked enzyme immunoassay (EIA) (Hepanostika HBsAg Ultra; BioMérieux) as the gold standard. Testing of serially diluted in-house HBsAg-positive samples, the World Health Organization standard, and sensitivity and reference panels yielded an analytical sensitivity for the DRW test of 0.2 to 0.8 IU/ml across HBsAg serotypes. Evaluation with eight commercially available seroconversion panels showed that the DRW-HBsAg test detected HBsAg an average of 6.1 days (range, 3 to 8 days) earlier than the Determine assay (
P
= 0.0078). Test sensitivity was also examined with two low-titer HBsAg EIA-positive panels in Beijing, China. Whereas 100% of these samples were detected by the DRW-HBsAg test, only 15.0% (
P
< 0.0001) and 87.3% (
P
< 0.0001), respectively, were detected by the Determine HBsAg test. The performance of the DRW-HBsAg test was further evaluated with samples determined to be HBsAg positive or negative by the EIA in Conakry, Guinea, and Beijing, China. No significant difference in sensitivity between the DRW and Determine tests was apparent with the HBsAg EIA-reactive samples from Guinea (96.7% versus 94.4%, respectively) or China (99.46 versus 98.92%, respectively). The specificity of the Determine HBsAg test was slightly higher than that of DRW-HBsAg test (100 versus 99.2%, respectively) with samples from EIA-negative blood donors in China. In conclusion, the new DRW HBsAg rapid test is more sensitive than the Determine HBsAg test and is suitable for diagnostic and blood screening in resource-limited settings.
Validation of Real-Time PCR for Laboratory Diagnosis of
Acanthamoeba
Keratitis
Authors: Thompson Paul P. , Kowalski Regis P. , Shanks Robert M. Q. , Gordon Y. Jerold 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACT

Confirmation of
Acanthamoeba
keratitis by laboratory diagnosis is the first step in the treatment of this vision-threatening disease. Two real-time PCR TaqMan protocols (the Rivière and Qvarnstrom assays) were developed for the detection of genus-specific
Acanthamoeba
DNA but lacked clinical validation. We have adapted these assays for the Cepheid SmartCycler II system (i) by determining their real-time PCR limits of detection and amplification efficiencies, (ii) by determining their ability to detect trophozoites and cysts, and (iii) by testing a battery of positive and negative samples. We also examined the inhibitory effects of a number of commonly used topical ophthalmic drugs on real-time PCR. The results of the real-time PCR limit of detection and amplification efficiency of the Rivière and Qvarnstrom assays were 11.3 DNA copies/10 μl and 94% and 43.8 DNA copies/10 μl and 92%, respectively. Our extraction protocol enabled us to detect 0.7
Acanthamoeba
cysts/10 μl and 2.3
Acanthamoeba
trophozoites/10 μl by both real-time PCR assays. The overall agreement between the assays was 97.0%. The clinical sensitivity and specificity of both real-time PCR assays based on culture were 100% (7 of 7) and 100% (37 of 37), respectively. Polyhexamethylene biguanide was the only topical drug that demonstrated PCR inhibition, with a minimal inhibitory dilution of 1/640 and an amplification efficiency of 72.7%. Four clinical samples were
Acanthamoeba
culture negative and real-time PCR positive. Our results indicate that both real-time PCR assays could be used to diagnose
Acanthamoeba
keratitis. Polyhexamethylene biguanide can inhibit PCR, and we suggest that specimen collection occur prior to topical treatment to avoid possible false-negative results.
Detection of a Porcine-Like Rotavirus in a Child with Enteritis in Italy
Authors: Martella Vito , Colombrita Domenico , Lorusso Eleonora , Draghin Emanuele , Fiorentini Simona , De Grazia Simona , Bányai Kristián , Ciarlet Max , Caruso Arnaldo , Buonavoglia Canio 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACT
During a 1-year rotavirus surveillance of children hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis in Brescia Hospital, Italy, a chimerical rotavirus strain, G3P[6], was detected, displaying the VP7 and VP4 genes of porcine origin and the NSP4 and VP6 genes of human origin. The reassortant nature of the virus rules out a direct zoonotic event.
Molecular Analysis of Varicella-Zoster Virus Strains Circulating in Tanzania Demonstrating the Presence of Genotype M1
Authors: Schmidt-Chanasit Jonas , Ölschläger Stephan , Günther Stephan , Jaeger Gerold , Bleymehl Karoline , Schäd Susanne G. , Heckel Gerald , Ulrich Rainer G. , Doerr Hans Wilhelm 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACT
Based on analysis of 16,392 bp encompassing the complete open reading frames (ORFs) 1, 5, 31, 36, 37, 47, 60, 62, 67, and 68 of the genome of genotype M1 varicella-zoster virus (VZV) was found in swab samples originating from eight Tanzanian zoster patients. Moreover, sequence analysis suggests recombination events between different VZV genotypes within ORFs 1, 31, 60, and 67.
Poor Performance of Universal Sample Processing Method for Diagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis by Smear Microscopy and Culture in Uganda
Authors: Cattamanchi Adithya , Davis J. Lucian , Worodria William , Yoo Samuel , Matovu John , Kiidha John , Nankya Florence , Kyeyune Rachel , Andama Alfred , Joloba Moses , Osmond Dennis , Hopewell Phillip , Huang Laurence 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACT

Laboratory methods to improve smear microscopy are an urgent priority for global tuberculosis control. The novel universal sample processing (USP) method has been reported to improve conventional diagnostic testing for tuberculosis while also providing inhibitor-free specimens for molecular assays. However, no studies evaluating the method in the field have been conducted. In this study, we compared the performance of the USP method to that of the standard
N
-acetyl-
l
-cysteine-NaOH (NALC) method for conventional diagnosis of tuberculosis in 252 adults admitted to Mulago Hospital in Kampala, Uganda, with a clinical suspicion of pneumonia. A single early-morning sputum specimen collected from each patient was divided into two aliquots, each of which was assigned a random identification number. One randomly numbered specimen was processed by the USP method and the other by the NALC method. Mycobacterial cultures were more frequently negative in USP compared to NALC specimen aliquots (58% versus 43%;
P
< 0.001). There was no difference in the proportion of contaminated mycobacterial cultures (12% versus 11%;
P
= 0.87). The sensitivity and specificity of smear microscopy for the USP method were 52% and 86%, respectively, and were not significantly different from those for the NALC method (56% and 86%, respectively) using mycobacterial culture results as a reference standard. These results suggest that the USP method did not provide any significant advantage over the standard NALC method for conventional diagnosis of tuberculosis in our setting and illustrate the importance of well-designed, field-level evaluations of novel diagnostic techniques.
Evaluation of Methods for Rapid Detection of Resistance to Isoniazid and Rifampin in
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Isolates Collected in the Caribbean
Authors: Akpaka Patrick Eberechi , Baboolal Shirematee , Clarke Denise , Francis Lorraine , Rastogi Nalin 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACT

The rapid identification of drug-resistant strains of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
is crucial for the timely initiation of appropriate antituberculosis therapy. The performance of the Genotype MTBDRplus assay was compared with that of the Bactec 460 TB system, a “gold standard” culture-based method. The Genotype MTBDRplus assay was quicker and more cost-effective for the detection of rifampin resistance, but it was not as good for the detection of isoniazid-resistant strains in our setting.
Dynamics of the Mucosa-Associated Flora in Ulcerative Colitis Patients during Remission and Clinical Relapse
Authors: Ott Stephan J. , Plamondon Sophie , Hart Ailsa , Begun Alexander , Rehman Ateequr , Kamm Michael A. , Schreiber Stefan 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACT

The colonic mucosa-associated flora (MAF) in patients with active ulcerative colitis (UC) (
n
= 13) was investigated by examining 16S rRNA gene signatures during remission and relapse against levels for controls (
n
= 5). Baseline reduction, temporal instability, and decrease of bacterial richness toward relapse were observed for UC patients, whereas the MAF for controls was stable over time.