bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Metabolomic approaches reveal that phosphatidic and phosphatidyl glycerol phospholipids are major discriminatory non‐polar metabolites in responses by Brachypodium distachyon to challenge by Magnaporthe grisea
Authors: William Allwood J. , Ellis David I. , Heald Jim K. , Goodacre Royston , Mur Luis A. J. 
Published: March 2006

SummaryMetabolomic approaches were used to elucidate some key metabolite changes occurring during interactions of Magnaporthe grisea– the cause of rice blast disease – with an alternate host, Brachypodium distachyon. Fourier‐transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy provided a high‐throughput metabolic fingerprint of M. grisea interacting with the B. distachyon accessions ABR1 (susceptible) and ABR5 (resistant). Principal component–discriminant function analysis (PC‐DFA) allowed the differentiation between developing disease symptoms and host resistance. Alignment of projected ‘test‐set’ on to ‘training‐set’ data indicated that our experimental approach produced highly reproducible data. Examination of PC‐DFA loading plots indicated that fatty acids were one chemical group that discriminated between responses by ABR1 and ABR5 to M. grisea. To identify these, non‐polar extracts of M. grisea‐challenged B. distachyon were directly infused into an electrospray ionization mass spectrometer (ESI‐MS). PC‐DFA indicated that M. grisea‐challenged ABR1 and ABR5 were differentially clustered away from healthy material. Subtraction spectra and PC‐DFA loadings plots revealed discriminatory analytes (m/z) between each interaction and seven metabolites were subsequently identified as phospholipids (PLs) by ESI‐MS‐MS. Phosphatidyl glycerol (PG) PLs were suppressed during both resistant and susceptible responses. By contrast, different phosphatidic acid PLs either increased or were reduced during resistance or during disease development. This suggests considerable and differential PL processing of membrane lipids during each interaction which may be associated with the elaboration/suppression of defence mechanisms or developing disease symptoms.
Conservation and divergence of plant microRNA genes
Authors: Zhang Baohong , Pan Xiaoping , Cannon Charles H. , Cobb George P. , Anderson Todd A. 
Published: March 2006

SummaryMicroRNA (miRNA) is one class of newly identified, small, non‐coding RNAs that play versatile and important roles in post‐transcriptional gene regulation. All miRNAs have similar secondary hairpin structures; many of these are evolutionarily conserved. This suggests a powerful approach to predict the existence of new miRNA orthologs or homologs in other species. We developed a comprehensive strategy to identify new miRNA homologs by mining the repository of available ESTs. A total of 481 miRNAs, belonging to 37 miRNA families in 71 different plant species, were identified from more than 6 million EST sequences in plants. The potential targets of the EST‐predicted miRNAs were also elucidated from the EST and protein databases, providing additional evidence for the real existence of these miRNAs in the given plant species. Some plant miRNAs were physically clustered together, suggesting that these miRNAs have similar gene expression patterns and are transcribed together as a polycistron, as observed among animal miRNAs. The uracil nucleotide is dominant in the first position of 5′ mature miRNAs. Our results indicate that many miRNA families are evolutionarily conserved across all major lineages of plants, including mosses, gymnosperms, monocots and eudicots. Additionally, the number of miRNAs discovered was directly related to the number of available ESTs and not to evolutionary relatedness to Arabidopsis thaliana, indicating that miRNAs are conserved and little phylogenetic signal exists in the presence or absence of these miRNAs. Regulation of gene expression by miRNAs appears to have existed at the earliest stages of plant evolution and has been tightly constrained (functionally) for more than 425 million years.
Transfusion‐transmitted hepatitis E in a ‘nonhyperendemic’ country
Authors: Boxall E. , Herborn A. , Kochethu G. , Pratt G. , Adams D. , Ijaz S. , Teo C.‐G. 
Published: March 2006

summary.  Indigenous hepatitis E is increasingly recognized in developed countries, where it may be a zoonosis. We describe the first case of transfusion‐transmitted hepatitis E in the UK from a blood donor who had no history of recent travel abroad.Follow‐up of the donor and recipients of the blood products was carried out using serological and molecular techniques.Acute hepatitis E was transmitted to one of two recipients. The infected patient would have received a larger volume of the donor's plasma. HEV subgenomic sequences carried by the donor and recipient were identical.This is the first case of post‐transfusion hepatitis E in the UK. Secondary transmission of hepatitis E indigenous to a nonhyperendemic country may occur by blood transfusion. It is important that blood donors inform the transfusion service of all post‐donation illnesses so that appropriate interventions can take place.
Immature platelet fraction measurement: a future guide to platelet transfusion requirement after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Briggs C. , Hart D. , Kunka S. , Oguni S. , Machin S. J. 
Published: March 2006

summary.  The decision to prophylactically transfuse platelets is dependent on the platelet count, careful regular clinical assessment and agreed local protocol. The ability to predict when platelet recovery will occur should allow a more reasoned approach to platelet transfusion. An increase in reticulated platelets demonstrates impending platelet recovery. A new rapid automated method to assess reticulated platelets, the immature platelet fraction (IPF), is described, and its clinical utility assessed.The IPF is identified by flow cytometry with the use of a nucleic acid specific dye in the reticulocyte channel on the Sysmex XE‐2100. Fifty healthy adult volunteers were used to establish the normal range. Patients where platelet marrow production or destruction might be abnormal were studied, and some patients followed serially during treatment. Thirty patients receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy were tested, and 13 of these patients followed serially. Fifteen patients post‐autologous or allogeneic transplant were followed daily for platelet count and IPF percentage to monitor platelet recovery.The method demonstrates good reproducibility and stability. The recovery phase of thrombocytopenia in most chemotherapy and transplant patients was preceded by a rise in IPF percentage several days prior to platelet recovery. In particular, patients undergoing autologous transplantation (n = 8) using peripherally collected stem cells have a characteristic IPF percentage motif, with a rise one or two days prior to engraftment.The automated IPF is a useful parameter in the clinical evaluation of the thrombocytopenic patient and has the potential to allow optimal transfusion of platelet concentrates.
Cost‐effectiveness of asthma control: an economic appraisal of the GOAL study
Authors: Briggs A. H. , Bousquet J. , Wallace M. V. , Busse W. W. , Clark T. J. H. , Pedersen S. E. , Bateman E. D. ,   the GOAL Investigators Group
Published: March 2006

Background:  The Gaining Optimal Asthma ControL (GOAL) study has shown the superiority of a combination of salmeterol/fluticasone propionate (SFC) compared with fluticasone propionate alone (FP) in terms of improving guideline defined asthma control.Methods:  Clinical and economic data were taken from the GOAL study, supplemented with data on health related quality of life, in order to estimate the cost per quality adjusted life year (QALY) results for each of three strata (previously corticosteroid‐free, low‐ and moderate‐dose corticosteroid users). A series of statistical models of trial outcomes was used to construct cost effectiveness estimates across the strata of the multinational GOAL study including adjustment to the UK experience. Uncertainty was handled using the non‐parametric bootstrap. Cost‐effectiveness was compared with other treatments for chronic conditions.Result:  Salmeterol/fluticasone propionate improved the proportion of patients achieving totally and well‐controlled weeks resulting in a similar QALY gain across the three strata of GOAL. Additional costs of treatment were greatest in stratum 1 and least in stratum 3, with some of the costs offset by reduced health care resource use. Cost‐effectiveness by stratum was £7600 (95% CI: £4800–10 700) per QALY gained for stratum 3; £11 000 (£8600–14 600) per QALY gained for stratum 2; and £13 700 (£11 000–18 300) per QALY gained for stratum 1.Conclusion:  The GOAL study previously demonstrated the improvement in total control associated with the use of SFC compared with FP alone. This study suggests that this improvement in control is associated with cost‐per‐QALY figures that compare favourably with other uses of scarce health care resources.
The effect of salt chamber treatment on bronchial hyperresponsiveness in asthmatics
Authors: Hedman J. , Hugg T. , Sandell J. , Haahtela T. 
Published: March 2006

Background:  Randomized controlled trials are needed to evaluate the effects of complementary treatments in asthma. This study assessed the effect of salt chamber treatment as an add‐on therapy to low to moderate inhaled steroid therapy in asthma patients with bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR).Methods:  After a 2‐week baseline period, 32 asthma patients who exhibited BHR in the histamine inhalation challenge were randomized: 17 to 2‐week active treatment, during which salt was fed to the room by a salt generator, and 15 to placebo. The salt chamber treatment lasted 40 min and was administered five times a week.Results:  Median provocative dose causing a decrease of 15% in Fev1 (PD15FEV4) increased significantly in the active group (P = 0.047) but not in the placebo group. The difference in changes between the active and placebo groups was significant (P = 0.02). Nine patients (56%) in the active group and two patients (17%) in the placebo group exhibited at least one doubling dose decrease in BHR (P = 0.040). Six patients (38%) in the active group and none in the placebo group became non‐hyperresponsive (P = 0.017). Neither the peak expiratory flow (PEF) values measured just before and after the treatment, nor FEV1 values measured before the histamine challenges, changed. The reduction in BHR was not caused by changes in the baseline lung function.Conclusions:  Salt chamber treatment reduced bronchial hyperresponsiveness as an add‐on therapy in asthmatics with a low to moderate dose of inhaled steroids. The possibility that salt chamber treatment could serve as a complementary therapy to conventional medication cannot be excluded.
A series of surveys on assay for anti‐A/B antibody by Japanese ABO‐incompatible Transplantation Committee
Authors: Kobayashi Takaaki , Saito Kazuhide 
Published: March 2006

Abstract: Background: The measurement of anti‐blood groups A and B antibody (Ab) titers is considered to be important in ABO‐incompatible transplantation. However, no standard method for quantitative determination has yet been established in Japan. Inter‐examiner variability was likely because Ab titer was determined mainly by visual observation. In order to assess inter‐institutional variation in the measurement of anti‐A/B Ab titer, a series of surveys was conducted by the Japanese ABO‐incompatible Transplantation Committee.Methods and Results: In 2003, the first national survey was conducted. Serum samples from six healthy volunteers with blood groups A (n=2), B (n=2) and O (n=2) were sent to 29 institutions and anti‐A/B Ab titer was measured by their customary methods. Isohemagglutinin assay in serial‐doubling dilutions of serum using a test tube was widely used in all institutions. Inter‐institutional difference between maximum and minimum value reached as much as 32‐fold in immunoglobulin M (IgM) and 256‐fold in IgG. As detailed protocol for assay seemed to be different between institutions, we attempted to standardize the protocol based on the result of a questionnaire survey. In 2004, a second survey was conducted in the same manner as the previous one, except participation involved 38 institutions and the measurement was performed in a uniform way using a provisional standard protocol. Analysis of the survey revealed that intra‐institutional variation was reduced to below eightfold, except that several institutions showed a large difference from the mean titer and required some guidance.Conclusions: A periodical quality control survey is considered necessary to improve the accuracy of measurement. Anti‐A/B Ab titer would provide useful information towards the prediction of rejection and the indication of treatments such as (double filtration) plasmapheresis, splenectomy, anti‐CD20 monoclonal antibody and intravenous immunoglobulin. Standardization of the assay for anti‐A/B Ab titer is essential for the fulfillment of a precise multicenter study, which will elucidate the significance of the measurement of anti‐A/B Ab titer.
The Anti‐microbial Activity of Electrolysed Oxidizing Water against Microorganisms relevant in Veterinary Medicine
Authors: Fenner D. C. , Bürge B. , Kayser H. P. , Wittenbrink M. M. 
Published: March 2006

SummaryStandards of the German Association of Veterinary Medicine (DVG) for the evaluation of chemical disinfectants were used to assess the anti‐microbial efficacy of electrolysed oxidizing water (EOW). Enterococcus faecium, Mycobacterium avium subspecies avium, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans were exposed to anode EOW (pH, 3.0 ± 0.1; oxidation‐reduction potential (ORP), +1100 ± 50 mV; free chlorine, 400 ± 20 mg/l Cl2) and combined EOW (7 : 3 anode : cathode, v/v; pH, 8.3 ± 0.1; ORP, 930–950 mV; free chlorine, 271 ± 20 mg/l Cl2). In water of standardized hardness (WSH), all bacterial strains were completely inactivated by a 30 min exposure to maximum 10.0% anode EOW (∼40.0 mg/l Cl2) or 50.0% combined EOW (∼135.5 mg/l Cl2). The sensitivity ranking order for anode EOW to the bacterial test strains was P. mirabilis > S. aureus > M. avium ssp. avium > E. faecium > P. aeruginosa. P. mirabilis and S. aureus decreased to undetectable levels after 5 min of exposure to 7.5% anode EOW (∼30.0 mg/l Cl2). Candida albicans was completely inactivated by a 5‐min exposure to 5.0% anode EOW. Both, anode and combined EOW exhibited no anti‐microbial activities in standardized nutrient broth or after addition of 20.0% bovine serum to the WSH. Further research is necessary to evaluate the efficacy of EOW as a disinfectant under operating conditions in animal production facilities.
Prevalence of Thermophilic Campylobacter Infections in Humans, Chickens and Crows in Morogoro, Tanzania
Authors: Mdegela R. H. , Nonga H. E. , Ngowi H. A. , Kazwala R. R. 
Published: March 2006

SummaryPrevalence of thermophilic Campylobacter infections in humans, chickens and crows was determined in a cross‐sectional study that was carried out in urban and rural areas of Morogoro region, Tanzania during the period of January 2003 to December 2004. A total of 632 human stool samples, 536 cloacal swabs from local and broiler chickens and 22 intestinal contents from crows were screened for presence of thermophilic campylobacters using Skirrow's protocol. Representative Campylobacter jejuni isolates from human and chicken samples were also analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as a definitive identification method. The overall prevalence of thermophilic campylobacters was 9.3% (95% CI: 7.2–11.9), 69.8% (95% CI: 65.7–73.6) and 72.7% (95% CI: 49.8–89.3) in humans, chickens and crows respectively. In humans, 59 thermophilic campylobacters were isolated of which 96.6% were C. jejuni and 3.4%Campylobacter coli. There was a significantly (P < 0.001) higher prevalence in young individuals (16%) than in adults (7%). Of 341 isolates from chickens, 91.2% were C. jejuni and 8.8% were C. coli. A significantly (P < 0.05) higher infection rate was observed in rural local chicken (76%) than in broilers (60%). In crows, of 16 isolates, 93.8% were C. jejuni and 6.2% were C. coli. Definitive identification of C. jejuni by PCR revealed positive results in 74.1% of 243 analysed isolates. Findings in this study indicate high prevalence of thermophilic campylobacters in humans, chickens and crows in Morogoro, and a higher infection rate of C. jejuni than that of C. coli in different animal species. Age of humans and location of chickens were identified as risk factors for thermophilic Campylobacter infections. Positive isolates to biochemical tests that indicated negative results on PCR indicates the additional value of PCR for definitive diagnosis of C. jejuni.
Rabies, an Emerging Disease in Korea
Authors: Kim C.‐H. , Lee C.‐G. , Yoon H.‐C. , Nam H.‐M. , Park C.‐K. , Lee J.‐C. , Kang M.‐I. , Wee S.‐H. 
Published: March 2006

SummarySince the first rabies case was reported in a dog in 1907, the disease was enzootic up to 1975 in Korea. After a steady decrease in the number of rabies cases from 1976 to 1984, no case was reported for 8 years from 1985 to 1992. Then, a resurgence of the disease was noted in 1993, and a continuous increase of rabies cases was observed during the following years. This report provides information on rabies in South Korea during the reemerging period 1993–2003. A total of 364 rabies cases in five different animal species and five deaths in human beings as a result of rabies were reported. Cattle and dogs accounted for 46.4% and 40.4% of total animal cases, respectively, and raccoon dogs commanded an overwhelming majority (44/48) of rabies cases in wildlife animal species. All animal and human rabies cases occurred only in two provinces, Gyeonggi and Gangwon; majority of them in two counties of Gyeonggi and one county of Gangwon province that border the demilitarized zone. From the three counties, the disease continued to expand to the other areas of the two provinces. The average monthly frequency of animal rabies cases during the 11‐year period peaked in January, and the incidence was highest during winter. There were three major rabies outbreaks in animals and the number of animal rabies cases increased with time. Data indicate that the temporal patterns were attributable to the ethology of raccoon dogs in the areas of outbreak.
A Virological Survey in Migrating Waders and Other Waterfowl in One of the Most Important Resting Sites of Germany
Authors: Hlinak A. , Mühle R. U. , Werner O. , Globig A. , Starick E. , Schirrmeier H. , Hoffmann B. , Engelhardt A. , Hübner D. , Conraths F. J. , Wallschläger D. , Kruckenberg H. , Müller T. 
Published: March 2006

SummaryWild birds are considered a potential reservoir or a carrier of viral diseases and may therefore play a role in the epidemiology of economically important or zoonotic diseases. In 2001 and 2002, a survey with special emphasis on virus isolation in migrating waders and some other birds were conducted. In one of the most important inland resting sites for migratory waterfowl, tracheal and cloacal swabs were collected from 465 waders representing 19 different species, and 165 other birds that were not captured on purpose. A total of 42 avian viruses were isolated, 34 of these were identified as paramyxoviruses (PMVs). The majority of isolates came from waders and wild ducks, and were characterized as PMV‐1. In contrast, PMV‐4 was found in wild ducks only, PMV‐6 was mainly detected in wader species. Four avian influenza viruses (AIVs), belonging to H4 and H3 haemagglutinin subtype, were isolated from wild duck species. Furthermore, four reo‐like viruses were isolated from one particular wader species for the first time. The majority of virus positive birds were <1 year old and did not show any clinical symptoms. There was no evidence for the presence of West Nile virus in these birds. These results confirm that the restricted resting sites in Western Europe must be considered as important locations for the intra‐ and interspecies transmission of avian viruses.
Digestive tract ontogeny of Dicentrarchus labrax: Implication in osmoregulation
Authors: Giffard‐Mena Ivone , Charmantier Guy , Grousset Evelyse , Aujoulat Fabien , Castille René 
Published: March 2006

The ontogeny of the digestive tract (DT) and of Na+/K+‐ATPase localization was investigated during the early postembryonic development (from yolk sac larva to juvenile) of the euryhaline teleost Dicentrarchus labrax reared at two salinities: seawater and diluted seawater. Histology, electron microscopy and immunocytochemistry were used to determine the presence and differentiation of ion transporting cells. At hatching, the DT is an undifferentiated straight tube over the yolk sac. At the mouth opening (day 5), it comprises six segments: buccopharynx, esophagus, stomach, anterior intestine, posterior intestine and rectum, well differentiated at the juvenile stage (day 72). The enterocytes displayed ultrastructural features similar to those of mitochondria‐rich cells known to be involved in active ion transport. At hatching, ion transporting cells lining the intestine and the rectum exhibited a Na+/K+‐ATPase activity which increased mainly after the larva/juvenile (20 mm) metamorphic transition. The immunofluorescence intensity was dependent upon the stage of development of the gut as well as on the histological configuration of the analyzed segment. The appearance and distribution of enteric ionocytes and the implication of the DT in osmoregulation are discussed.
Rapid sterilisation of cerebrospinal fluid in meningococcal meningitis: Implications for treatment duration
Authors: Crosswell Julie M , Nicholson W Ross , Lennon Diana R 
Published: March 2006

Aim:  The aim of this study was to determine the time and total cumulative dose of parenteral antibiotic, required to sterilize the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of children presenting with meningococcal meningitis (MM).Methods:  The study was a retrospective audit of children aged 0–14 years who presented between January 1995 and December 1999 with MM. All cases had a delayed lumbar puncture (LP) at least 1 h after commencing antibiotic therapy and demonstrated at least one of the following: (i) a positive CSF culture of Neisseria meningitidis (n = 6); (ii) Gram negative diplococci on Gram stain (n = 16) or (iii) a positive CSF plasma clearance rate test for N. meningitidis (n = 26).Results:  Forty‐eight children were identified with a mean age of 4.4 years. The cumulative dose of antibiotic prior to LP, ranged from 22 to 440 mg/kg body weight. All cases (n = 24) who received a cumulative dose of at least 150 mg/kg of antibiotic, prior to LP, had a sterile CSF. No CSF taken more than 5 h after commencing antibiotics grew N. meningitidis.Conclusions:  Children in this study with MM had rapid sterilisation of the CSF in less than 6 h. This would support recent recommendations to reduce the duration of antibiotic therapy to 4 days. There is however, lack of long‐term data on sequelae with 4 days of treatment.