bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Real-Time PCR Detection of Parapoxvirus DNA,
Authors: Nitsche Andreas , Büttner Mathias , Wilhelm Sonja , Pauli Georg , Meyer Hermann 
Published: January 2006

Abstract
Background: Detection of parapoxviruses is important in various animals as well as in humans as zoonotic infections. Reliable detection of parapoxviruses is fundamental for the exclusion of other rash-causing illnesses, for both veterinarians and medical practitioners. To date, however, no real-time PCR assay for the detection of parapoxviruses has been reported.
Methods: A minor groove binder–based quantitative real-time PCR assay targeting the B2L gene of parapoxviruses was developed on the ABI Prism and the LightCycler platforms.
Results: The real-time PCR assay successfully amplified DNA fragments from a total of 41 parapoxvirus strains and isolates representing the species orf virus, bovine papular stomatitis virus, pseudocowpoxvirus, and sealpoxvirus. Probit analysis gave a limit of detection of 4.7 copies per assay (95% confidence interval, 3.7–6.8 copies per reaction). Scabs contain a sufficient amount of parapoxvirus DNA and can therefore be used for PCR without any DNA preparation step. No cross-reactivity to human, bovine, or sheep genomic DNA or other DNA viruses, including orthopoxviruses, molluscum contagiosum viruses, and yaba-like disease viruses, was observed.
Conclusion: The presented assay is suitable for the detection of parapoxvirus infections in clinical material of human and animal origin.
Evaluation of risk factors for Cryptococcus gattii infection in dogs and cats
Authors: Duncan Colleen G. , Stephen Craig , Campbell John 
Published: January 2006

Abstract
Objective—To determine risk factors associated with Cryptococcus gattii infection in dogs and cats residing on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada.
Design—Matched case-control study.
Animals—20 dogs and 29 cats with C gattii infection and matched controls.
Procedure—Dogs and cats with a confirmed or probable diagnosis of cryptococcosis resulting from infection with C gattii were enrolled by veterinarians, and owners completed a questionnaire designed to obtain information pertaining to potential risk factors for the disease. Owners of matched control animals were also interviewed. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals or paired t tests were calculated to determine significant associations.
Results—Animals were enrolled during 2 noncontiguous periods in August 2001 to February 2002 (8 dogs and 9 cats enrolled) and May to December 2003 (12 dogs and 20 cats enrolled). Risk factors significantly associated with development of cryptococcosis included residing within 10 km of a logging site or other area of commercial soil disturbance, above-average level of activity of the animal, travelling of the animal on Vancouver Island, hunting by the animal, and owners hiking or visiting a botanic garden.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results indicated that dogs and cats that were active or that lived near a site of commercial environmental disturbance had a significantly increased risk of developing C gattii infection. Veterinarians should communicate these risks to owners in context because cryptococcosis was an uncommon disease in this population.
Sedative effects of midazolam and xylazine with or without ketamine and detomidine alone following intranasal administration in Ring-necked Parakeets
Authors: Vesal Nasser , Eskandari Mohammad H. 
Published: January 2006

Abstract
Objective—To evaluate the effects of intranasal administration of midazolam and xylazine (with or without ketamine) and detomidine and their specific antagonists in parakeets.
Design—Prospective study.
Animals—17 healthy adult Ring-necked Parakeets (Psittacula krameri) of both sexes (mean weight, 128.83 ± 10.46 g [0.28 ± 0.02 lb]).
Procedure—The dose of each drug or ketamine-drug combination administered intranasally that resulted in adequate sedation (ie, unrestrained dorsal recumbency maintained for ≥ 5 minutes) was determined; the onset of action, duration of dorsal recumbency, and duration of sedation associated with these treatments were evaluated. The efficacy of the reversal agents flumazenil, yohimbine, and atipamezole was also evaluated.
Results—In parakeets, intranasal administration of midazolam (7.3 mg/kg [3.32 mg/lb]) or detomidine (12 mg/kg [5.45 mg/lb]) caused adequate sedation within 2.7 and 3.5 minutes, respectively. Combinations of midazolam (3.65 mg/kg [1.66 mg/lb]) and xylazine (10 mg/kg [4.55 mg/lb]) with ketamine (40 to 50 mg/kg [18.2 to 22.7 mg/lb]) also achieved adequate sedation. Compared with detomidine, duration of dorsal recumbency was significantly longer with midazolam. Intranasal administration of flumazenil (0.13 mg/kg [0.06 mg/lb]) significantly decreased midazolam-associated recumbency time. Compared with the xylazineketamine combination, duration of dorsal recumbency was longer after midazolam-ketamine administration. Intranasal administration of flumazenil, yohimbine, or atipamezole significantly decreased the duration of sedation induced by midazolam, xylazine, or detomidine, respectively.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Intranasal administration of sedative drugs appears to be an acceptable method of drug delivery in Ring-necked Parakeets. Reversal agents are also effective when administered via this route.
Treatment for pancreatic abscesses via omentalization with abdominal closure versus open peritoneal drainage in dogs: 15 cases (1994–2004)
Authors: Johnson Matthew D. , Mann F. A. 
Published: January 2006

Abstract
Objective—To compare survival rate, duration of hospitalization, and complications in dogs with pancreatic abscesses treated with omentalization with abdominal closure versus open peritoneal drainage and evaluate a pancreatitis severity score for potential prognostic value.
Design—Retrospective case series.
Animals—15 dogs with pancreatic abscesses.
Procedure—Data regarding species, breed, age, initial clinical signs, CBC, serum biochemical abnormalities, pancreatitis severity score, anatomic location of the abscess, intraoperative bacteriologic culture results, treatment modality, postoperative complications, outcome (dismissed alive from the hospital, died in the postoperative period, or euthanized at surgery), and duration of hospitalization were evaluated.
Results—6 dogs survived, 6 dogs died or were euthanized after surgery, and 3 were euthanized during surgery. Five of 8 dogs treated with omentalization and abdominal closure survived, and 1 of 4 dogs treated with open peritoneal drainage survived. In several dogs, treatment required additional surgical procedures, which did not appear to affect outcome. Postoperative complications were similar among survivors and nonsurvivors. Mean duration of hospitalization for dogs treated with omentalization and abdominal closure was less than that of dogs treated with open peritoneal drainage. Neither pancreatitis severity score nor any individual components of the score were associated with outcome.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Omentalization is a viable treatment option for pancreatic abscess in dogs. Furthermore, shorter hospitalization and better survival outcomes may make omentalization preferred over open peritoneal drainage.
Evaluation of factors associated with positive IgM capture ELISA results in equids with clinical signs compatible with West Nile virus infection: 1,017 cases (2003)
Authors: Tanner Jennifer M. , Traub-Dargatz Josie L. , Hill Ashley E. , Van Campen Hana , Knight Anthony P. , Cunningham Wayne E. , Salman M. D. 
Published: January 2006

Abstract
Objective—To describe the prevalence of West Nile virus (WNV) infection and evaluate factors associated with positive IgM capture ELISA results in equids with clinical signs compatible with WNV infection.
Design—Retrospective case series.
Sample Population—Laboratory submission forms from 1,104 equids tested for WNV in Colorado in 2003.
Procedures—Submission forms accompanying samples submitted for detection of WNV via IgM capture ELISA were obtained from the Colorado state veterinarian and diagnostic laboratories performing the tests. Data on signalment, clinical signs, history of vaccination against WNV, and assay results were collected from laboratory submission forms. Equids with clinical signs compatible with WNV infection in which IgM capture ELISA results were positive were considered as case equids.
Results—1,104 equids were tested for WNV; 1,017 (92.1%) had clinical signs compatible with WNV infection. Among equids with clinical signs compatible with WNV infection, the odds of testing positive for WNV via IgM capture ELISA were lower in males and in vaccinated equids and higher in equids with moderate and severe illness, compared with females, unvaccinated equids, and equids with mild illness.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Among equids with clinical signs compatible with WNV infection, vaccination against WNV, severity of clinical signs, duration of illness, and region in Colorado were associated with increased risk of having a positive IgM capture ELISA result.
Biosafety: Guidelines for Working with Pathogenic and Infectious Microorganisms
Authors: Coico Richard , Lunn George 
Published: January 2006

AbstractThis unit, in conjunction with local and national guidelines and regulations, provides the basic biosafety information needed to perform the procedures detailed in this manual. Topics discussed include routine precautions when working with biohazards, disinfectants, disposal of biohazards, biosafety levels (as established by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), animal facilities, and clinical laboratories. In addition, resources for more information are provided in the Literature Cited and Key References sections and in URLs given text and within the Internet Resources section.
Proteomic Approaches to Antibiotic Drug Discovery
Authors: Bandow Julia E. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractThe global analysis of changes in the protein composition of bacterial cells in response to treatment with antibiotic agents grants insight into the physiological response of cells to inhibition of vital cellular functions. This unit gives an overview of how these global proteomic studies can impact antibacterial drug discovery by identifying or validating compound mechanism of action and by increasing the confidence in the value of genes with unknown function as potential new targets. It describes the design and function of a reference compendium of proteomic responses to inhibition of vital cellular functions through antibacterial agents or genetic down‐regulation of potential target genes. An overview of the workflow for two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis‐based experiments is also presented.
Isolation and Classification of Bdellovibrio and Like Organisms
Authors: Jurkevitch Edouard 
Published: January 2006

AbstractBdellovibrio and like organisms (BALOs) are obligate predators of Gram‐negative bacteria. BALOs are isolated as plaques growing at the expense of their prey and are cultivated as two‐member cultures. The growth cycle is composed of an extracellular attack phase, and an intraperiplasmic elongation and replication phase. However, there are methods for obtaining host‐independent (HI) mutants that grow without prey on rich media. BALOs are commonly found in the environment but generally constitute small populations; therefore, their isolation may require enrichment steps. Contamination by other bacteria during isolation necessitates efficient separation between the smaller BALO cells from the majority of larger bacteria. Synchronous cultures of both wild‐type and HI derivatives can be obtained to study the different growth phases. These can be further separated by centrifugation. Classification is based on 16S rDNA analysis. Protocols relevant to these aspects of BALO isolation, growth, and classification are presented in this unit.
Laboratory Maintenance of Helicobacter Species
Authors: Blanchard Thomas G. , Nedrud John G. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractHelicobacter species are Gram‐negative bacteria that colonize the gastric or intestinal mucosa of many mammalian and avian hosts and induce histologic inflammation. The association of H. pylori with gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and gastric cancers makes it a significant human pathogen. Animal models for these diseases are being used to explore the pathogenesis of H. pylori infection and in vaccine development (UNIT ). Both bacterial and host factors contribute to Helicobacter pathogenesis, and therefore the microbiology is very important. This unit describes how to culture the most commonly used gastric Helicobacter species, H. pylori, H. mustelae, and H. felis.
Inoculation of Plants Using Bombardment
Authors: Gaba Victor , Gal‐On Amit 
Published: January 2006

AbstractThis unit describes methods for the construction and use of handheld particle bombardment devices for high‐efficiency inoculation of intact plants with nucleic acids and viruses. The devices accelerate heavy metal particles coated with nucleic acids or viruses into plant tissues and are driven by pressurized gas. They are inexpensive to construct and use, and can be assembled in any laboratory. The equipment enables inoculation with full‐length infectious cDNA, PCR products, virus from sap or a virus preparation, and in vitro viral transcripts. The inoculation of some phloem‐limited RNA viruses is also possible. Additionally, this technology allows for inoculation of large numbers of plants (mass bombardment), inoculation of soft plants that do not survive bombardment inoculation by other means, inoculation in the greenhouse, study of viral recombination in plants, rapid promoter analysis, and monitoring of virus movement using an infectious clone bearing a reporter gene.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Mycoplasma‐Contaminated Cell Cultures
Authors: Harlin Helena , Gajewski Thomas F. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractMycoplasma contamination is a serious and frequent problem in the culture laboratory. Although mycoplasma contamination may be suspected by the failure of cells to thrive, the formal diagnosis rests on the detection of adenosine phosphorylase secretion by infected cell lines. This appendix describes how to test for mycoplasma contamination, and also presents methods for antibiotic treatment of infected cultures.
Online control of molar mass and particle‐size distributions in emulsion polymerization
Authors: Zeaiter J. , Romagnoli J. A. , Gomes V. G. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractProduct quality control is a complex issue in polymerization than in conventional chemical processes. The key polymer properties are related to the polymer particle‐size distribution (PSD), and molecular‐weight distribution (MWD), which are in turn sensitive to the thermo‐kinetic and operating history of the process. Disturbances in operating conditions may cause irreversible changes in the quality of the polymer formed. Therefore, adjustments must be made during the reaction through effective online control schemes. For this purpose, model predictive control (MPC) algorithm for on‐line control of polymer PSD and MWD was developed and implemented. An intelligent control hierarchy was formulated for the distributed parameter system at three levels: off‐line optimization, on‐line MPC and regulatory control successively. The novelty of our approach includes the incorporation of a validated high‐order dynamic model as a soft‐sensor for on‐line feedback of PSD and MWD. The MPC was implemented successfully on a reactor facility, where off‐line sample analysis, using CHDF and GPC instruments, were used to update the on‐line model predictions. © 2006 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2006
UCHL‐1 is not a Parkinson's disease susceptibility gene
Authors: Healy Daniel G. , Abou‐Sleiman Patrick M. , Casas Juan P. , Ahmadi Kourosh R. , Lynch Timothy , Gandhi Sonia , Muqit Miratul M. K. , Foltynie Thomas , Barker Roger , Bhatia Kailash P. , Quinn Niall P. , Lees Andrew J. , Gibson J. Mark , Holton Janice L. , Revesz Tamas , Goldstein David B. , Wood Nicholas W. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractObjectiveThe UCHL‐1 gene is widely cited as a susceptibility factor for sporadic Parkinson's disease (PD). The strongest evidence comes from a meta‐analysis of small studies that reported the S18Y polymorphism as protective against PD, after pooling studies of white and Asian subjects. Here, we present data that challenge this association.MethodsIn a new large case–control study in white individuals (3,023 subjects), the S18Y variant was not protective against PD under any genetic model of inheritance. Similarly, a more powerful haplotype‐tagging approach did not detect other associated variants.ResultsFinally, in an updated S18Y‐PD meta‐analysis (6,594 subjects), no significant association was observed under additive, recessive, or dominant models (odds ratio = 1.00 [95% confidence interval: 0.74–1.33]; odds ratio = 1.01 [95% confidence interval: 0.76–1.35]; and odds ratio = 0.96 [95% confidence interval: 0.86–1.08], respectively), and a cumulative meta‐analysis showed a trend toward a null effect.InterpretationBased on the current evidence, the UCHL‐1 gene does not exhibit a protective effect in PD. Ann Neurol 2006
Suppression of cortical spreading depression in migraine prophylaxis
Authors: Ayata Cenk , Jin Hongwei , Kudo Chiho , Dalkara Turgay , Moskowitz Michael A. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractObjectiveTopiramate, valproate, propranolol, amitriptyline, and methysergide have been widely prescribed for migraine prophylaxis, but their mechanism or site of action is uncertain. Cortical spreading depression (CSD) has been implicated in migraine and as a headache trigger and can be evoked in experimental animals by electrical or chemical stimulation. We hypothesized that migraine prophylactic agents suppress CSD as a common mechanism of action.MethodsRats were treated either acutely or chronically over weeks and months, with one of the above migraine prophylactic drugs, vehicle, orD‐propranolol, a clinically ineffective drug. The impact of treatment was determined on the frequency of evoked CSDs after topical potassium application or on the incremental cathodal stimulation threshold to evoke CSD.ResultsChronic daily administration of migraine prophylactic drugs dose‐dependently suppressed CSD frequency by 40 to 80% and increased the cathodal stimulation threshold, whereas acute treatment was ineffective. Longer treatment durations produced stronger CSD suppression. ChronicD‐propranolol treatment did not differ from saline control.InterpretationOur data suggest that CSD provides a common therapeutic target for widely prescribed migraine prophylactic drugs. Assessing CSD threshold may prove useful for developing new prophylactic drugs and improving upon existing ones. Ann Neurol 2006
Topographic cellular active contour techniques: theory, implementations and comparisons
Authors: Hillier Dániel , Binzberger Viktor , Vilariño David Lopez , Rekeczky Csaba 
Published: January 2006

AbstractThis paper overviews some massively parallel topographic cellular computational approaches proposed for contour localization and tracking. When implemented on a focal plane cellular array microprocessor, these algorithms offer real‐time object contour localization and tracking—even at very high frame rates. Three specific methods (Constrained Wave Computing, Pixel Level Snakes and Moving Patch Method) will be described and compared along with their associated hardware–software architectures. Computational complexity, implementation, and performance related issues are discussed on a common platform (ACE‐BOX with the ACEx CNN‐UM chips). In conclusion, a novel architecture is proposed incorporating the best solutions learned from this comparative study. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of a New Family of N‐Aryl Lactams Active on Chemesthesis and Taste
Authors: Bassoli Angela , Borgonovo Gigliola , Busnelli Gilberto , Morini Gabriella 
Published: January 2006

AbstractA new class of synthetic compounds with chemesthetic activity has been identified. They have been designed ex‐novo by structural similarity with known cooling compounds such as menthol, icilin and cyclic ketoenamines. 19 new derivatives have been obtained easily and in high yields by Goldberg arylation or lactam ring closure on the appropriate phenol or benzoic acid derivative. The synthetic procedures are suitable for gram‐scale preparation, and the products are stable and easy to purify. 17 new compounds were submitted to preliminary sensory evaluation, and 3 of them showed cooling activity and, in some cases, tingling sensation in the oral cavity. These N‐aryl lactams seem to be an interesting class of compounds to be enlarged in order to derive structure‐activity relationships. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
Measuring the effect of husband's health on wife's labor supply
Authors: Siegel Michele J. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractA sizable proportion of women remain married well into late life and an increasing proportion of them participate in the labor force. Since women tend to marry men older than themselves and men tend to experience serious illnesses at younger ages than women, women frequently witness declining health in their husbands. This is likely to affect a wife's labor–leisure trade‐off in offsetting ways. Prior studies have not sought to disentangle the effect of a husband's poor health on his wife's reservation wage from the income effect of his ill health. We argue that, if we control for husband's earnings, the coefficient of husband's health in models of his wife's labor force participation (and hours of work) will reflect, in part, her preference over whether to decrease her labor supply to provide health care for her husband or whether to instead increase it to purchase this care in the market. However, husband's earnings are likely to be endogenous in these models due to unobserved characteristics common to husbands and wives. We find that the estimated effect of husband's health depends on whether we instrument for husband's earnings and on the health measure used. This is indicative of the importance of using a variety of health measures and controlling for husband's earnings, and their endogeneity, in future research on the effect of husband's health on wife's labor supply. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sialyltransferase STX (ST8SiaII): A novel molecular marker of metastatic neuroblastoma
Authors: Cheung Irene Y. , Vickers Andrew , Cheung Nai‐Kong V. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractPolysialic acid (PSA) is highly expressed in many human cancers, including neuroblastoma (NB), and is critical for cellular adhesion, neuronal migration and tumor metastasis. The key enzyme responsible for PSA synthesis is sialyltransferase STX (ST8SiaII). Using quantitative RT‐PCR we (i) studied STX expression in 39 NB tumors and 8 cell lines and (ii) examined its potential clinical utility as an early response marker in the bone marrows of the entire cohort of 136 high‐risk NB patients treated with an immunotherapy protocol utilizing anti‐GD2 antibody 3F8 and GM‐CSF. Based on the quantitation of 24 normal marrow and peripheral blood samples, a normalized STX transcript value below the mean + 2SD was defined as negative. Sensitivity of this assay was 1 NB cell in 106 normal mononuclear cells. STX expression was high among NB tumors of all stages, as well as NB cell lines of different phenotypes. Evaluation for early (2.5 months from protocol entry) marrow response by univariate Cox model indicated that STX marker status (positive versus negative) was strongly associated with both progression‐free and overall survival (p < 0.0005 for both). Similarly, the STX transcript level of posttreatment marrows was also highly prognostic of outcome (PFS, p = 0.001; OS, p < 0.0005). We conclude that STX mRNA has potential clinical utility as a molecular marker of metastatic NB. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.