bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In Vitro Susceptibility of Invasive Isolates of
Candida
spp. to Anidulafungin, Caspofungin, and Micafungin: Six Years of Global Surveillance
Authors: Pfaller M. A. , Boyken L. , Hollis R. J. , Kroeger J. , Messer S. A. , Tendolkar S. , Diekema D. J. 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACT

The echinocandins are being used increasingly as therapy for invasive candidiasis. Prospective sentinel surveillance for the emergence of in vitro resistance to the echinocandins among invasive
Candida
sp. isolates is indicated. We determined the in vitro activities of anidulafungin, caspofungin, and micafungin against 5,346 invasive (bloodstream or sterile-site) isolates of
Candida
spp. collected from over 90 medical centers worldwide from 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2006. We performed susceptibility testing according to the CLSI M27-A2 method and used RPMI 1640 broth, 24-h incubation, and a prominent inhibition endpoint for determination of the MICs. Of 5,346 invasive
Candida
sp. isolates, species distribution was 54%
C. albicans
, 14%
C. parapsilosis
, 14%
C. glabrata
, 12%
C. tropicalis
, 3%
C. krusei
, 1%
C. guilliermondii
, and 2% other
Candida
spp. Overall, all three echinocandins were very active against
Candida
: anidulafungin (MIC
50
, 0.06 μg/ml; MIC
90
, 2 μg/ml), caspofungin (MIC
50
, 0.03 μg/ml; MIC
90
, 0.25 μg/ml), micafungin (MIC
50
, 0.015 μg/ml; MIC
90
, 1 μg/ml). More than 99% of isolates were inhibited by ≤2 μg/ml of all three agents. Results by species (expressed as the percentages of isolates inhibited by ≤2 μg/ml of anidulafungin, caspofungin, and micafungin, respectively) were as follows: for
C. albicans
, 99.6%, 100%, and 100%; for
C. parapsilosis
, 92.5%, 99.9%, and 100%; for
C. glabrata
, 99.9%, 99.9%, and 100%; for
C. tropicalis
, 100%, 99.8%, and 100%; for
C. krusei
, 100%, 100%, and 100%; and for
C. guilliermondii
, 90.2%, 95.1%, and 100%. There was no significant change in the activities of the three echinocandins over the 6-year study period and no difference in activity by geographic region. All three echinocandins have excellent in vitro activities against invasive strains of
Candida
isolated from centers worldwide. Our prospective sentinel surveillance reveals no evidence of emerging echinocandin resistance among invasive clinical isolates of
Candida
spp.
Comparison of BD GeneOhm Methicillin-Resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) PCR versus the CHROMagar MRSA Assay for Screening Patients for the Presence of MRSA Strains
Authors: Boyce John M. , Havill Nancy L. 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACT

We compared the BD GeneOhm methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) real-time PCR assay with the CHROMagar MRSA assay for the detection of MRSA in 286 nasal surveillance specimens. Compared with the CHROMagar MRSA assay, PCR had sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive values of 100%, 98.6%, 95.8%, and 100%, respectively. The mean PCR turnaround time was 14.5 h.
Mapping of Equine Lentivirus Receptor 1 Residues Critical for Equine Infectious Anemia Virus Envelope Binding
Authors: Zhang Baoshan , Sun Chengqun , Jin Sha , Cascio Michael , Montelaro Ronald C. 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACT
The equine lentivirus receptor 1 (ELR1), a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) protein family, has been identified as a functional receptor for equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV). Toward defining the functional interactions between the EIAV SU protein (gp90) and its ELR1 receptor, we mapped the gp90 binding domain of ELR1 by a combination of binding and functional assays using the EIAV SU gp90 protein and various chimeric receptor proteins derived from exchanges between the functional ELR1 and the nonbinding homolog, mouse herpesvirus entry mediator (murine HveA). Complementary exchanges of the respective cysteine-rich domains (CRD) between the ELR1 and murine HveA proteins revealed CRD1 as the predominant determinant of functional gp90 binding to ELR1 and also to a chimeric murine HveA protein expressed on the surface of transfected Cf2Th cells. Mutations of individual amino acids in the CRD1 segment of ELR1 and murine HveA indicated the Leu70 in CRD1 as essential for functional binding of EIAV gp90 and for virus infection of transduced Cf2Th cells. The specificity of the EIAV SU binding domain identified for the ELR1 receptor is fundamentally identical to that reported previously for functional binding of feline immunodeficiency virus SU to its coreceptor CD134, another TNFR protein. These results indicate unexpected common features of the specific mechanisms by which diverse lentiviruses can employ TNFR proteins as functional receptors.
A Single-Amino-Acid Substitution in the NS1 Protein Changes the Pathogenicity of H5N1 Avian Influenza Viruses in Mice
Authors: Jiao Peirong , Tian Guobin , Li Yanbing , Deng Guohua , Jiang Yongping , Liu Chang , Liu Weilong , Bu Zhigao , Kawaoka Yoshihiro , Chen Hualan 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACT
In this study, we explored the molecular basis determining the virulence of H5N1 avian influenza viruses in mammalian hosts by comparing two viruses, A/Duck/Guangxi/12/03 (DK/12) and A/Duck/Guangxi/27/03 (DK/27), which are genetically similar but differ in their pathogenicities in mice. To assess the genetic basis for this difference in virulence, we used reverse genetics to generate a series of reassortants and mutants of these two viruses. We found that a single-amino-acid substitution of serine for proline at position 42 (P42S) in the NS1 protein dramatically increased the virulence of the DK/12 virus in mice, whereas the substitution of proline for serine at the same position (S42P) completely attenuated the DK/27 virus. We further demonstrated that the amino acid S42 of NS1 is critical for the H5N1 influenza virus to antagonize host cell interferon induction and for the NS1 protein to prevent the double-stranded RNA-mediated activation of the NF-κB pathway and the IRF-3 pathway. Our results indicate that the NS1 protein is critical for the pathogenicity of H5N1 influenza viruses in mammalian hosts and that the amino acid S42 of NS1 plays a key role in undermining the antiviral immune response of the host cell.
Rotavirus Infection Induces the Phosphorylation of eIF2α but Prevents the Formation of Stress Granules
Authors: Montero Hilda , Rojas Margarito , Arias Carlos F. , López Susana 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACT
Early during the infection process, rotavirus causes the shutoff of cell protein synthesis, with the nonstructural viral protein NSP3 playing a vital role in the phenomenon. In this work, we have found that the translation initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) in infected cells becomes phosphorylated early after virus infection and remains in this state throughout the virus replication cycle, leading to a further inhibition of cell protein synthesis. Under these restrictive conditions, however, the viral proteins and some cellular proteins are efficiently translated. The phosphorylation of eIF2α was shown to depend on the synthesis of three viral proteins, VP2, NSP2, and NSP5, since in cells in which the expression of any of these three proteins was knocked down by RNA interference, the translation factor was not phosphorylated. The modification of this factor is, however, not needed for the replication of the virus, since mutant cells that produce a nonphosphorylatable eIF2α sustained virus replication as efficiently as wild-type cells. In uninfected cells, the phosphorylation of eIF2α induces the formation of stress granules, aggregates of stalled translation complexes that prevent the translation of mRNAs. In rotavirus-infected cells, even though eIF2α is phosphorylated these granules are not formed, suggesting that the virus prevents the assembly of these structures to allow the translation of its mRNAs. Under these conditions, some of the cellular proteins that form part of these structures were found to change their intracellular localization, with some of them having dramatic changes, like the poly(A) binding protein, which relocates from the cytoplasm to the nucleus in infected cells, a relocation that depends on the viral protein NSP3.
Induction of Particle Polymorphism by
Cucumber Necrosis Virus
Coat Protein Mutants In Vivo
Authors: Kakani Kishore , Reade Ron , Katpally Umesh , Smith Thomas , Rochon D'Ann 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACT

The
Cucumber necrosis virus
(CNV) particle is a T=3 icosahedron consisting of 180 identical coat protein (CP) subunits. Plants infected with wild-type CNV accumulate a high number of T=3 particles, but other particle forms have not been observed. Particle polymorphism in several T=3 icosahedral viruses has been observed in vitro following the removal of an extended N-terminal region of the CP subunit. In the case of CNV, we have recently described the structure of T=1 particles that accumulate in planta during infection by a CNV mutant (R1+2) in which a large portion of the N-terminal RNA binding domain (R-domain) has been deleted. In this report we further describe properties of this mutant and other CP mutants that produce polymorphic particles. The T=1 particles produced by R1+2 mutants were found to encapsidate a 1.9-kb RNA species as well as smaller RNA species that are similar to previously described CNV defective interfering RNAs. Other R-domain mutants were found to encapsidate a range of specifically sized less-than-full-length CNV RNAs. Mutation of a conserved proline residue in the arm domain near its junction with the shell domain also influenced T=1 particle formation. The proportion of polymorphic particles increased when the mutation was incorporated into R-domain deletion mutants. Our results suggest that both the R-domain and the arm play important roles in the formation of T=3 particles. In addition, the encapsidation of specific CNV RNA species by individual mutants indicates that the R-domain plays a role in the nature of CNV RNA encapsidated in particles.
Identification of Two Virus Integration Sites in the Brown Alga
Feldmannia
Chromosome
Authors: Meints Russel H. , Ivey Richard G. , Lee Amy M. , Choi Tae-Jin 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACT

Two similar, large double-stranded DNA viruses,
Feldmannia
species virus 158 (FsV-158) and FsV-178, replicate only in the unilocular reproductive cells (sporangia) of a brown filamentous alga in the genus
Feldmannia
. Virus particles are not present in vegetative cells but they are produced in the sporangia formed on vegetative filaments that have been transferred newly into culture. Thus, we proposed that these viruses exist in the vegetative cells in a latent form (R. G. Ivey, E. C. Henry, A. M. Lee, L. Klepper, S. K. Krueger, and R. H. Meints, Virology 220:267-273, 1996). In this article we present evidence that the two FsV genomes are integrated into the host genome during vegetative growth. The FsV genome integration sites were identified by cloning the regions where the FsV genome is linked to the host DNA. FsV-158 and FsV-178 are integrated into two distinct locations in the algal genome. In contrast, the integration sites in the two viral genomes are identical. Notably, the integration sites in the host and viruses contain GC and CG dinucleotide sequences, respectively, from which the GC sequences are recovered at both host-virus junctions. The splice sites in the two FsV genomes are predicted to form a stem-loop structure with the CG dinucleotide in the loop portion.
Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus Integration Site Selection in Human and Mouse Genomes
Authors: Faschinger Alexander , Rouault Francoise , Sollner Johannes , Lukas Arno , Salmons Brian , Günzburg Walter H. , Indik Stanislav 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACT
Based on integration site preferences, retroviruses can be placed into three groups. Viruses that comprise the first group, murine leukemia virus and foamy virus, integrate preferentially near transcription start sites. The second group, notably human immunodeficiency virus and simian immunodeficiency virus, preferentially targets transcription units. Avian sarcoma-leukosis virus (ASLV) and human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV), forming the third group, show little preference for any genomic feature. We have previously shown that some human cells sustain mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) infection; therefore, we infected a susceptible human breast cell line, Hs578T, and, without introducing a species-specific bias, compared the MMTV integration profile to those of other retroviruses. Additionally, we infected a mouse cell line, NMuMG, and thus we could compare MMTV integration site selection in human and mouse cells. In total, we examined 468 unique MMTV integration sites. Irrespective of whether human or mouse cells were infected, no integration bias favoring transcription start sites was detected, a profile that is reminiscent of that of ASLV and HTLV. However, in contrast to ASLV and HTLV, not even a modest tendency in favor of integration within genes was observed. Similarly, repetitive sequences and genes that are frequently tagged by MMTV in mammary tumors were not preferentially targeted in cell culture either in mouse or in human cells; hence, we conclude that MMTV displays the most random dispersion of integration sites among retroviruses determined so far.
Maternal exposure to water disinfection by-products during gestation and risk of hypospadias
Authors: Luben T J , Nuckols J R , Mosley B S , Hobbs C , Reif J S 
Published: November 2007

Background:The use of chlorine for water disinfection results in the formation of numerous contaminants called disinfection by-products (DBPs), which may be associated with birth defects, including urinary tract defects.Methods:We used Arkansas birth records (1998–2002) to conduct a population-based case-control study investigating the relationship between hypospadias and two classes of DBPs, trihalomethanes (THM) and haloacetic acids (HAA). We utilised monitoring data, spline regression and geographical information systems (GIS) to link daily concentrations of these DBPs from 263 water utilities to 320 cases and 614 controls. We calculated ORs for hypospadias and exposure to DBPs between 6 and 16 weeks’ gestation, and conducted subset analyses for exposure from ingestion, and metrics incorporating consumption, showering and bathing.Results:We found no increase in risk when women in the highest tertiles of exposure were compared to those in the lowest for any DBP. When ingestion alone was used to assess exposure among a subset of 40 cases and 243 controls, the intermediate tertiles of exposure to total THM and the five most common HAA had ORs of 2.11 (95 CI 0.89 to 5.00) and 2.45 (95 CI 1.06 to 5.67), respectively, compared to women with no exposure. When exposure to total THM from consumption, showering and bathing exposures was evaluated, we found an OR of 1.96 (95 CI 0.65 to 6.42) for the highest tertile of exposure and weak evidence of a dose–response relationship.Conclusions:Our results provide little evidence for a positive relationship between DBP exposure during gestation and an increased risk of hypospadias but emphasise the necessity of including individual-level data when assessing exposure to DBPs.
IMPROVEMENT OF RADIOSENSITIVE LIQUID-CORE MICROCAPSULES BY YTTRIUM POLYMERIZATION
Authors: HARADA S. , EHARA S. , ISHII K. , YAMAZAKI H. , MATSUYAMA S. , KAMIYA T. , SAKAI T. , ARAKAWA K. , SATO T. , OIKAWA S. 
Published: November 2007

Microcapsules comprising alginate and hyaluronic acid that can be decomposed by radiation are under development. Previously, we observed that radiation efficiently decomposes microcapsules comprising alginate and hyaluronic acid in the ratio 2:1 by weight. In this study, Yttrium ( Y ) was added to these microcapsules to improve their decomposition by radiation. Hyaluronic acid solutions (0.1% weight/volume) were mixed into 0.2% alginate solution, and carboplatin (0.2 mmol) was added; the resultant was used for capsule preparation. Capsules were prepared by spraying the material into mixtures of 4.34% CaCl 2 solution supplemented with Y at final concentrations from 0 to 1.0 × 10−2%. These capsules were irradiated by a single dose of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, or 2 Gy with 60Co γ-rays. Immediately after irradiation, we observed the release of the core contents of the microcapsule using a micro Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) camera. The mean diameter of the microcapsules was 37.3 ± 7.8 μm . Maximum content of radiation-induced release was observed for liquid-core microcapsules prepared by polymerization in a 4.34% CaCl 2 solution supplemented with 5.5 × 10−3% Y .
Membrane binding of the neuronal calcium sensor recoverin – modulatory role of the charged carboxy-terminus
Authors: Senin Ivan I , Churumova Valeriya A , Philippov Pavel P , Koch Karl-Wilhelm 
Published: November 2007

Abstract

Background
The Ca2+-binding protein recoverin operates as a Ca2+-sensor in vertebrate photoreceptor cells. It undergoes a so-called Ca2+-myristoyl switch when cytoplasmic Ca2+-concentrations fluctuate in the cell. Its covalently attached myristoyl-group is exposed at high Ca2+-concentrations and enables recoverin to associate with lipid bilayers and to inhibit its target rhodopsin kinase. At low Ca2+-concentrations the myristoyl group is inserted into a hydrophobic pocket of recoverin thereby relieving inhibitory constraint on rhodopsin kinase. Hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions of recoverin with membranes have not been clearly determined, in particular the function of the positively charged carboxy-terminus in recoverin 191QKVKEKLKEKKL202 in this context is poorly understood.

Results
Binding of myristoylated recoverin to lipid bilayer depends on the charge distribution in phospholipids. Binding was tested by equilibrium centrifugation and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assays. It is enhanced to a certain degree by the inclusion of phosphatidylserine (up to 60%) in the lipid mixture. However, a recoverin mutant that lacked the charged carboxy-terminus displayed the same relative binding amplitudes as wildtype (WT) recoverin when bound to neutral or acidic lipids. Instead, the charged carboxy-terminus of recoverin has a significant impact on the biphasic dissociation of recoverin from membranes. On the other hand, the nonmyristoylated WT and truncated mutant form of recoverin did not bind to lipid bilayers to a substantial amount as binding amplitudes observed in SPR measurements are similar to bulk refractive index changes.

Conclusion
Our data indicate a small, but evident electrostatic contribution to the overall binding energy of recoverin association with lipid bilayer. Properties of the charged carboxy-terminus are consistent with a role of this region as an internal effector region that prolongs the time recoverin stays on the membrane by influencing its Ca2+-sensitivity.
Ubiquitin domain proteins in disease
Authors: Madsen Louise , Schulze Andrea , Seeger Michael , Hartmann-Petersen Rasmus 
Published: November 2007

Abstract
The human genome encodes several ubiquitin-like (UBL) domain proteins (UDPs). Members of this protein family are involved in a variety of cellular functions and many are connected to the ubiquitin proteasome system, an essential pathway for protein degradation in eukaryotic cells. Despite their structural similarity, the UBL domains appear to have a range of different targets, resulting in a considerable diversity with respect to UDP function. Here, we give a short summary of the biochemical and physiological roles of the UDPs, which have been linked to human diseases including neurodegeneration and cancer.

Publication history: Republished from Current BioData's Targeted Proteins database (TPdb; http://www.targetedproteinsdb.com).
Roles and potential therapeutic targets of the ubiquitin proteasome system in muscle wasting
Authors: Nury David , Doucet Christine , Coux Olivier 
Published: November 2007

Abstract
Muscle wasting, characterized by the loss of protein mass in myofibers, is in most cases largely due to the activation of intracellular protein degradation by the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS). During the last decade, mechanisms contributing to this activation have been unraveled and key mediators of this process identified. Even though much remains to be understood, the available information already suggests screens for new compounds inhibiting these mechanisms and highlights the potential for pharmaceutical drugs able to treat muscle wasting when it becomes deleterious. This review presents an overview of the main pathways contributing to UPS activation in muscle and describes the present state of efforts made to develop new strategies aimed at blocking or slowing muscle wasting.

Publication history: Republished from Current BioData's Targeted Proteins database (TPdb; http://www.targetedproteinsdb.com).
Mechanisms of Legionella pneumophila-induced interleukin-8 expression in human lung epithelial cells
Authors: Teruya Hiromitsu , Higa Futoshi , Akamine Morikazu , Ishikawa Chie , Okudaira Taeko , Tomimori Koh , Mukaida Naofumi , Tateyama Masao , Heuner Klaus , Fujita Jiro , Mori Naoki 
Published: November 2007

AbstractBackgroundLegionella pneumophilais a facultative intracellular bacterium, capable of replicating within the phagosomes of macrophages and monocytes, but little is known about its interaction with human lung epithelial cells. We investigated the effect ofL. pneumophilaon the expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8) in human A549 alveolar and NCI-H292 tracheal epithelial cell lines.ResultsInfection ofL. pneumophilastrain, but not heat-killed strain, resulted in upregulation of IL-8. IL-8 mRNA expression was induced immediately after the infection and its signal became gradually stronger until 24 h after infection. On the other hand, IL-8 expression in A549 cells infected withL. pneumophilalacking a functional type IV secretion system was transient. The IL-8 expression was slightly induced at 16 h and increased at 24 h after infection with flagellin-deficientLegionella. Activation of the IL-8 promoter byL. pneumophilainfection occurred through the action of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). Transfection of dominant negative mutants of NF-κB-inducing kinase, IκB kinase and IκB inhibitedL. pneumophila-mediated activation of IL-8 promoter. Treatment with hsp90 inhibitor suppressedL. pneumophila-induced IL-8 mRNA due to deactivation of NF-κB.ConclusionCollectively, these results suggest thatL. pneumophilainduces activation of NF-κB through an intracellular signaling pathway that involves NF-κB-inducing kinase and IκB kinase, leading to IL-8 gene transcription, and that hsp90 acts as a crucial regulator inL. pneumophila-induced IL-8 expression, presumably contributing to immune response inL. pneumophila. The presence of flagellin and a type IV secretion system are critical forLegionellato induce IL-8 expression in lung epithelial cells.