bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis Typing of
Escherichia coli
Strains from Samples Collected before and after Pivmecillinam or Placebo Treatment of Uncomplicated Community-Acquired Urinary Tract Infection in Women
Authors: Ejrnaes Karen , Sandvang Dorthe , Lundgren Bettina , Ferry Sven , Holm Stig , Monsen Tor , Lundholm Rolf , Frimodt-Moller Niels 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACT

The primary infecting
Escherichia coli
strains from 156 women with community-acquired uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI) randomized to pivmecillinam or placebo and the
E. coli
strains causing UTI at two follow-up visits were typed using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). In the pivmecillinam treatment group PFGE showed that among patients having a negative urine culture at the first follow-up 77% (46/60) had a relapse with the primary infecting
E. coli
strain and 23% (14/60) had reinfection with a new
E. coli
strain at the second follow-up. Among patients having
E. coli
at the first follow-up PFGE showed that 80% (32/40) had persistence with the primary infecting
E. coli
strain, 15% (6/40) had reinfection with a new
E. coli
strain, and 5% (2/40) had different
E. coli
strains at the two follow-up visits (one had reinfection followed by relapse, and the other had persistence followed by reinfection). In the placebo group the majority had
E. coli
at the first follow-up. PFGE showed that among these patients 96% (50/52) had persistence with the primary infecting
E. coli
strain and 4% (2/50) had different
E. coli
strains at the two follow-up visits (both had persistence followed by reinfection). The finding that the majority of UTIs at follow-up are caused by the primary infecting
E. coli
strain supports the theory of a vaginal and rectal reservoir but could also support the recent discovery that
E. coli
strains are able to persist in the bladder epithelium despite appropriate antibiotic treatment, constituting a reservoir for recurrent UTI.
International Surveillance of
Candida
spp. and
Aspergillus
spp.: Report from the SENTRY Antimicrobial Surveillance Program (2003)
Authors: Messer Shawn A. , Jones Ronald N. , Fritsche Thomas R. 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACT

During 2003, a total of 1,397
Candida
isolates, 73
Aspergillus
isolates, 53
Cryptococcus neoformans
isolates, and 25 other fungal isolates from infected, normally sterile, body sites in patients hospitalized in North America, Europe, and Latin America were studied as a component of the longitudinal SENTRY Antimicrobial Surveillance Program. The MICs for seven antifungal agents were determined in a central laboratory (JMI Laboratories, North Liberty, IA) using testing methods promulgated by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (formerly the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards). The rank order of
Candida
spp. occurrence was as follows:
C. albicans
(48.7%),
C. parapsilosis
(17.3%),
C. glabrata
(17.2%),
C. tropicalis
(10.9%),
C. krusei
(1.9%), and other
Candida
spp. (4.0%).
C. albicans
accounted for 51.5, 47.8, and 36.5% of candidal infections in North America, Europe, and Latin America, respectively. Ravuconazole, voriconazole, and fluconazole were highly active against
C. albicans
,
C. parapsilosis
, and
C. tropicalis
, with both former agents being more potent (MIC at which 90% of the isolates tested are inhibited [MIC
90
] of ≤0.008 to 0.12 μg/ml) than fluconazole (MIC
90
of 0.5 to 2 μg/ml).
C. glabrata
isolates were less susceptible to these agents, with MIC
90
s of 1, 1, and 64 μg/ml, respectively. Ravuconazole and voriconazole were the most active agents tested against
C. krusei
(MIC
90
of 0.5 μg/ml). Among
Aspergillus
spp.,
A. fumigatus
was the most commonly (71.2% of isolates) recovered species; 96.2, 96.2, 84.6, and 11.5% of strains were inhibited by ≤1 μg/ml of ravuconazole, voriconazole, itraconazole, and amphotericin B, respectively. Of the antifungal agents tested, ravuconazole and voriconazole displayed the greatest spectrum of activity against pathogenic
Candida
and
Aspergillus
spp., regardless of geographic origin. These results extend upon previous findings from SENTRY Program reports (1997 to 2000), further characterizing species composition as seen in local clinical practice and demonstrating the potent activity of selected, newer triazole antifungal agents.
Cytolethal Distending Toxin in
Escherichia coli
O157:H7: Spectrum of Conservation, Structure, and Endothelial Toxicity
Authors: Friedrich Alexander W. , Lu Shan , Bielaszewska Martina , Prager Rita , Bruns Phillip , Xu Jian-Guo , Tschäpe Helmut , Karch Helge 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACT

We identified the cytolethal distending toxin V (CDT-V) gene cluster in 19 (4.9%) of 391 enterohemorrhagic
Escherichia coli
O157:H7.
cdt-V

+

strains belonged to five phage types (PTs) and were most frequent within PTs 14 and 34. CDT-V was expressed in all but two
cdt-V

+

strains and was lethal to cultured endothelial cells. Subtyping schemes should include
cdt-V
as a marker to differentiate
E. coli
O157:H7 even within the same phage type.
Evaluation of a Commercial Latex Agglutination Assay for Serological Diagnosis of Leptospirosis
Authors: Hull-Jackson C. , Glass M. B. , Ari M. D. , Bragg S. L. , Branch S. L. , Whittington C. U. , Edwards C. N. , Levett P. N. 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACT
Leptospirosis is a febrile zoonosis of worldwide distribution. A latex agglutination assay was evaluated in two studies, the first using a panel of well-characterized sera from patients with leptospirosis and from patients with other disease states and the second, a prospective hospital-based study, evaluating sera from 186 consecutive patients admitted to hospital with acute febrile illness. The confirmed leptospirosis serum panel included paired acute- and convalescent-phase specimens from 40 cases, of which 34 gave positive latex tests (case sensitivity, 85%; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 70 to 94%). The other diseases represented in the panel of 112 specimens from nonleptospirosis patients included autoimmune diseases, brucellosis, dengue, melioidosis, malaria, syphilis, toxoplasmosis, viral hepatitis, and a number of other viral infections. The specificity of latex agglutination using this panel was 81% (95% CI, 73 to 87%). Among the patients with acute febrile illness, there were 25 cases of leptospirosis and 161 patients with other diagnoses. The sensitivity and specificity of latex agglutination in this group were 88% (95% CI, 72 to 97%) and 98% (95% CI, 95 to 100%), respectively. In this evaluation, the two distinct groups of specimens gave similar results for sensitivity, but specificity was different in each study. The sensitivity and specificity observed for the hospital study were similar to those obtained in evaluations of other rapid tests in the same population. The results of this study suggest that multiple evaluations of new diagnostic assays should be performed, because performance characteristics may vary in different populations.
Native Valve Endocarditis Due to
Gordonia polyisoprenivorans
: Case Report and Review of Literature of Bloodstream Infections Caused by
Gordonia
Species
Authors: Verma Punam , Brown June M. , Nunez Victor H. , Morey Roger E. , Steigerwalt Arnold G. , Pellegrini Gerald J. , Kessler Harold A. 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACT

We report the first case of endocarditis caused by
Gordonia polyisoprenivorans
and concisely review the English literature regarding bloodstream infections caused by
Gordonia
species.
Central Venous Catheter Colonization by Linezolid-Resistant, Vancomycin-Susceptible
Enterococcus faecalis
Authors: Marra Alexandre R. , Major Yvette , Edmond Michael B. 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACT

Resistance to linezolid is rare in clinical isolates of
Enterococcus faecalis
. A strain resistant to this antimicrobial but susceptible to vancomycin was found to cause central venous catheter colonization in a patient who never received linezolid.
Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Antagonist Candesartan as an Angiogenic Inhibitor in a Xenograft Model of Bladder Cancer
Authors: Kosugi Michio , Miyajima Akira , Kikuchi Eiji , Horiguchi Yutaka , Murai Masaru 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
Purpose: There have been several studies on the antitumor activity of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) antagonists. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of the AT1R antagonist candesartan in bladder cancer.
Experimental Design: For the study in vitro, human bladder cancer cells (KU-19-19) were cultured with or without angiotensin II and candesartan. Various cytokines and cell viability were analyzed. For the study in vivo, a tumor xenograft model was prepared in nude mice using KU-19-19 cells. Mice were given candesartan daily by oral gavage. Microvessel density, expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and apoptosis were assessed.
Results: Candesartan did not induce direct toxicity in KU-19-19 cells, but VEGF and interleukin-8 were significantly lower in candesartan-treated cells (2.55 ± 0.25 and 6.58 ± 0.48 pg/103 cells) than in the angiotensin II–treated control cells (3.16 ± 0.42 and 7.91 ± 0.69 pg/103 cells). In mice, candesartan both at doses of 2 and 10 mg/kg/d significantly suppressed tumor growth in mice (35.4% and 33.5% reduction in tumor volume). Microvessel density was significantly decreased by candesartan (9.8 ± 2.8 per field) compared with the control group (17.6 ± 6.0 per field), and VEGF expression was significantly suppressed by this AT1R antagonist. However, candesartan did not induce apoptosis of cancer cells in the tumor.
Conclusions: Specific blockade of AT1R prevented bladder tumor growth by inhibiting angiogenesis. However, its antitumor effect was not due to direct toxicity. Because AT1R antagonists are widely used to treat hypertension, and a 2 mg/kg/d dose level of candesartan is clinically achievable, this AT1R antagonist could also be used to treat bladder cancer.
Tumor-Specific CD8+ T Cell Reactivity in the Sentinel Lymph Node of GM-CSF–Treated Stage I Melanoma Patients is Associated with High Myeloid Dendritic Cell Content
Authors: Vuylsteke Ronald J.C.L.M. , Molenkamp Barbara G. , van Leeuwen Paul A.M. , Meijer Sybren , Wijnands Pepijn G.J.T.B. , Haanen John B.A.G. , Scheper Rik J. , de Gruijl Tanja D. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractPurpose: Impaired immune functions in the sentinel lymph node (SLN) may facilitate early metastatic events during melanoma development. Local potentiation of tumor-specific T cell reactivity may be a valuable adjuvant treatment option.Experimental Design: We examined the effect of locally administered granulocyte/macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) on the frequency of tumor-specific CD8+ T cells in the SLN and blood of patients with stage I melanoma. Twelve patients were randomly assigned to preoperative local administration of either recombinant human GM-CSF or NaCl 0.9%. CD8+ T cells from SLN and peripheral blood were tested for reactivity in an IFNγ ELISPOT assay against the full-length MART-1 antigen and a number of HLA-A1, HLA-A2, and HLA-A3–restricted epitopes derived from a range of melanoma-associated antigens.Results: Melanoma-specific CD8+ T cell response rates in the SLN were one of six for the control group and four of six for the GM-CSF-administered group. Only one patient had detectable tumor-specific CD8+ T cells in the blood, but at lower frequencies than in the SLN. All patients with detectable tumor-specific CD8+ T cells had a percentage of CD1a+ SLN-dendritic cells (DC) above the median (i.e., 0.33%). This association between above median CD1a+ SLN-DC frequencies and tumor antigen–specific CD8+ T cell reactivity was significant in a two-sided Fisher's exact test (P = 0.015).Conclusions: Locally primed antitumor T cell responses in the SLN are detectable as early as stage I of melanoma development and may be enhanced by GM-CSF-induced increases in SLN-DC frequencies.
A Phase I/II Trial Testing Immunization of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients with Dendritic Cells Pulsed with Four α-Fetoprotein Peptides
Authors: Butterfield Lisa H. , Ribas Antoni , Dissette Vivian B. , Lee Yohan , Yang Jin Quan , De la Rocha Pilar , Duran Sonia D. , Hernandez Jackie , Seja Elisabeth , Potter Douglas M. , McBride William H. , Finn Richard , Glaspy John A. , Economou James S. 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
α-Fetoprotein (AFP) is a self protein expressed by fetal liver at high levels, but is transcriptionally repressed at birth. AFP is up-regulated in hepatocellular carcinomas, and patients with active disease could have plasma levels as high as 1 mg/mL. We previously identified four immunodominant HLA-A*0201-restricted peptides [hAFP137-145 (PLFQVPEPV), hAFP158-166 (FMNKFIYEI), hAFP325-334 (GLSPNLNRFL), and hAFP542-550 (GVALQTMKQ)] derived from human AFP that could stimulate specific T cell responses in healthy donor peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro. We conducted a phase I/II clinical trial in which HLA-A*0201 patients with AFP-positive hepatocellular carcinoma were immunized with three biweekly intradermal vaccinations of the four AFP peptides pulsed onto autologous dendritic cells (DC). DCs were prepared from adherent peripheral blood mononuclear cells cultured with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interleukin-4 for 7 days. Sixteen subjects were enrolled and 10 were treated. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were isolated from these patients before, during, and after AFP peptide/DC immunization and were tested ex vivo with MHC tetramer and IFNγ ELISPOT analysis. Six of 10 subjects expanded statistically significant levels of AFP-specific T cells postvaccine to at least one peptide by MHC tetramer. Also, 6 of 10 subjects increased IFNγ producing AFP-specific T cell responses to at least one of the peptides postvaccination, by ELISPOT. We conclude that the human T cell repertoire is capable of responding to the AFP self antigen after the administration of AFP peptide-pulsed DC even in an environment of high circulating levels of this oncofetal antigen.
Alteration of gene expression profiles during mycoplasma-induced malignant cell transformation
Authors: Zhang Shimin , Tsai Shien , Lo Shyh-Ching 
Published: May 2006

Abstract

Background
Mycoplasmas are the smallest microorganisms capable of self-replication. Our previous studies show that some mycoplasmas are able to induce malignant transformation of host mammalian cells. This malignant transformation is a multistage process with the early infection, reversible and irreversible stages, and similar to human tumor development in nature. The purpose of this study is to explore mechanisms for this malignant transformation.

Methods
To better understand mechanisms for this unique process, we examined gene expression profiles of C3H cells at different stages of the mycoplasma-induced transformation using cDNA microarray technology. A total of 1185 genes involved in oncogenesis, apoptosis, cell growth, cell-cycle regulation, DNA repair, etc. were examined. Differences in the expression of these genes were compared and analyzed using the computer software AtlasImage.

Results
Among 1185 genes screened, 135 had aberrant expression at the early infection stage, 252 at the reversible stage and 184 at the irreversible stage. At the early infection stage, genes with increased expression (92 genes) were twice more than those with decreased expression (42 genes). The global gene expression at the reversible stage appeared to be more volatile than that at any other stages but still resembled the profile at the early infection stage. The expression profile at the irreversible stage shows a unique pattern of a wide range of expression levels and an increased number of expressing genes, especially the cancer-related genes. Oncogenes and tumor suppressors are a group of molecules that showed significant changes in expression during the transformation. The majority of these changes occurred in the reversible and irreversible stages. A prolonged infection by mycoplasmas lead to the expression of more cancer related genes at the irreversible stage.

Conclusion
The results indicate that the expression profiles correspond with the phenotypic features of the cells in the mycoplasma induced transformation process. The early mycoplasma infection stage shares a common phenomenon with many other acute infections, genes with increased expression significantly outnumbering those with decreased expression. The reversible stage is a transition stage between benignancy and malignancy at the molecular level. Aberrant expression of oncogenes and tumor repressors plays a key role in mycoplasma-induced malignant transformation.
Application of UV-Vis and resonance Raman spectroscopy to study bleaching and photoyellowing of thermomechanical pulps
Authors: Jääskeläinen Anna-Stiina , Saariaho Anna-Maija , Vyörykkä Jouko , Vuorinen Tapani , Matousek Pavel , Parker Anthony W. 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
The chemistry of thermomechanical pulp bleaching and brightness reversion was studied. First, UV-Vis reflectance spectroscopy was used to obtain information on the reactive structures in pulp. Based on these data, a Raman excitation wavelength was chosen close to the absorption bands of the chromophores formed to take advantage of the resonance enhancement (resonance Raman spectroscopy). Fluorescence was rejected with a picosecond Kerr gate. The results revealed that coniferyl aldehyde structures were partly removed by alkaline peroxide bleaching and these structures were further degraded during light exposure. However, this reaction was obviously not responsible for chromophore formation in the pulp. On the other hand, based on the resonance Raman spectra, formation of quinonoid structures, possibly para-quinones, was a more prominent explanation for the brightness reversion.
Chemical reaction of alkoxysilane molecules in wood modified with silanol groups
Authors: Tingaut Philippe , Weigenand Oliver , Mai Carsten , Militz Holger , Sèbe Gilles 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
Chemical reaction between silanol-modified wood and methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) was carried out using two different approaches with dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTDL) or ethylamine (EtNH2) as catalysts. Modifications were characterised by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, as well as solid-state 13C and 29Si cross-polarisation with magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (CP-MAS NMR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) analysis. Silanol-modified wood was obtained by carbamoylation reaction with 3-isocyanatopropyltriethoxysilane (IPTES) and subsequent hydrolysis of the triethoxysilane end groups. 29Si CP-MAS NMR spectroscopy indicated that SiOH groups existed mostly in the form of mono- and di-condensed structures in wood, whatever the level of modification (low or high). The attachment of methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) molecules to silanol sites was apparently achieved when ethylamine was used as a catalyst. The reacted MTMS remaining in wood was found to exist mostly in the form of polysiloxane polymers (or oligomers), as shown by 29Si CP-MAS NMR results. Reactions performed with unmodified wood were much less effective, thereby demonstrating the importance of the IPTES pre-treatment.
Dimensional stability of MDF panels produced from heat-treated fibres
Authors: Garcia Rosilei A. , Cloutier Alain , Riedl Bernard 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
The objectives of this study were to improve the dimensional stability of medium-density fibreboard (MDF) by heat treatment and to determine the effects of the treatment on the mechanical properties and vertical density profile of the panels. MDF panels were produced from untreated fibres and fibres treated at two different temperatures (150 and 180°C) for 15, 30 and 60 min. Panels produced from heat-treated fibres showed an important reduction in thickness swelling and water absorption after water soaking. Linear expansion and contraction were not improved by the treatment. Thickness swelling after repeated cycles of adsorption and desorption increased, while thickness shrinkage under the same conditions was not changed by the treatment. The springback of panels after repeated cycles of adsorption and desorption was not improved, either. Statistical analyses did not show significant differences in the modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity and internal bond strength of panels following heat treatment. No significant effect was found for the vertical density profile of panels following heat treatment, although the profiles for panels produced from heat-treated fibres were flatter than those produced from untreated fibres.
Autogenous Bone Graft With or Without a Calcium Sulfate Barrier in the Treatment of Class II Furcation Defects: A Histologic and Histometric Study in Dogs
Authors: Deliberador Tatiana M. , Nagata Maria J.H. , Furlaneto Flávia A.C. , Melo Luiz G.N. , Okamoto Tetuo , Sundefeld Maria L.M.M. , Fucini Stephen E. 
Published: May 2006

Background: The purpose of this study was to histologically evaluate the healing of surgically created Class II furcation defects treated using an autogenous bone (AB) graft with or without a calcium sulfate (CS) barrier.Methods: The second, third, and fourth mandibular premolars (P2, P3, and P4) of six mongrel dogs were used in this study. Class II furcation defects (5 mm in height × 2 mm in depth) were surgically created and immediately treated. Teeth were randomly divided into three groups: group C (control), in which the defect was filled with blood clot; group AB, in which the defect was filled with AB graft; and group AB/CS, in which the defect was filled with AB graft and covered by a CS barrier. Flaps were repositioned to cover all defects. The animals were euthanized 90 days post‐surgery. Mesio‐distal serial sections were obtained and stained with either hematoxylin and eosin or Masson's trichrome. Histometric, using image‐analysis software, and histologic analyses were performed. Linear and area measurements of periodontal healing were evaluated and calculated as a percentage of the original defect. Percentage data were transformed into arccosine for statistical analysis (analysis of variance; P <0.05).Results: Periodontal regeneration in the three groups was similar. Regeneration of bone and connective tissue in the furcation defects was incomplete in most of the specimens. Statistically significant differences were not found in any of the evaluated parameters among the groups.Conclusion: Periodontal healing was similar using surgical debridement alone, AB graft, or AB graft with a CS barrier in the treatment of Class II furcation defects.