bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Interleukin‐10 on Tissue Damage Caused by Organophosphate Poisoning*
Authors: Yurumez Yusuf , Ikizceli Ibrahim , Sozuer Erdogan Mutevelli , Soyuer Isın , Yavuz Yucel , Avsarogullari Levent , Durukan Polat 
Published: March 2007

Abstract:  Organophosphate poisoning is a common cause of severe morbidity and mortality among patients admitted to emergency departments. Tissue damages as a consequence of organophosphate poisoning are frequently reported, but preventing this potentially severe complication has not been the subject of much research. We tested whether interleukin‐10, a cytoprotective agent, could prevent or diminish pathological signs of tissue damages caused by organophosphate poisoning. Thirty rats were divided into three equal groups (n = 10). Group 1 (sham) did not receive any agent during the experiment. Group 2 (control) received 0.8 g/kg of fenthion intraperitoneally, followed by 6 ml/kg of intraperitoneal normal saline 30 min. and 3 hr later. Group 3 (treatment) received 0.8 g/kg of fenthion intraperitoneally, followed by 2 µg/kg of interleukin‐10 intraperitoneally 30 min. and 3 hr later. All rats were killed under anaesthesia after 6 hr and tissue samples were obtained from liver, kidneys and lungs. Even organophosphate poisonings do not cause significant clinical problems; several degrees of damages could be observed in liver, kidneys and lungs. These damages could be reduced by interleukin‐10 treatment.
A61603‐Induced Contractions of the Porcine Meningeal Artery Are Mediated by α1‐ and α2‐Adrenoceptors
Authors: Mehrotra Suneet , Gupta Saurabh , Centurión David , Villalón Carlos M. , Saxena Pramod R. , VandenBrink Antoinette Maassen 
Published: March 2007

Abstract: It has recently been shown that A61603 (N‐[5‐(4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐imidazol‐2yl)‐2‐hydroxy‐5,6,7,8‐tetrahydro‐naphthalen‐1‐yl]methane sulphonamide), a potent α1A‐adrenoceptor agonist, decreased carotid artery conductance in anaesthetized pigs by a novel non‐adrenergic mechanism. In this study, we set out to pharmacologically characterize A61603‐induced contractions of the porcine isolated meningeal artery. While the maximum contractile responses of the artery were similar, A61603 (Emax: 183 ± 23% of 100 mM KCl; pEC50: 7.25 ± 0.18) was more potent than noradrenaline (Emax: 156 ± 16%; pEC50: 5.75 ± 0.17) or phenylephrine (Emax: 163 ± 20%; pEC50: 5.63 ± 0.02). Prazosin (pA2: 9.36 ± 0.23) and, to a lesser extent, rauwolscine (pKb: 6.36 ± 0.38) and yohimbine (pKb: 7.30 ± 0.15) antagonised the contractions to A61603. The 5‐HT1B(GR127935; N‐[4‐methoxy‐3‐(4‐methyl‐1‐piperazinyl) phenyl]‐2′‐methyl‐4′‐(5‐methyl‐1,2,4‐oxadiazol‐3‐yl)[1,1‐biphenyl]‐4‐carboxamide) and 5‐HT2(ritanserin) receptor antagonists failed to affect the responses to A61603, but methiothepin, which, in addition, has a high affinity for α‐adrenoceptors, proved an effective antagonist. The A61603‐induced responses were suppressed by the cAMP stimulator forskolin, but not by the protein kinase C inhibitor chelerythrine. Our results suggest that the contraction of porcine isolated meningeal artery by A61603 is mediated via mainly α1‐(probably α1A) and, to a lesser extent, α2‐adrenoceptors, involving the adenylyl cyclase, but not the diacylglycerol pathway.
Evaluation of the Effect of Cola Drinks on Bone Mineral Density and Associated Factors
Authors: Ogur Recai , Uysal Bulent , Ogur Torel , Yaman Halil , Oztas Emin , Ozdemir Aysegul , Hasde Metin 
Published: March 2007

Abstract:  The aim of the study was to determine bone mineral density changes caused by consumption of cola drinks and the associated factors. Thirty Sprague‐Dawley rats were divided into four groups. Groups 1 and 2, consisting of 10 male and 10 female rats, respectively, were provided with as much food, water and cola drinks as they wanted. Groups 3 and 4, consisting of five rats each, received only rat chow and water. The bone mineral density of the rats was measured using dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry at the end of 30 days. The blood values and weights of the animals were also determined. The oesophagus and kidneys were removed for histopathological examination. The weight gain was higher in the groups consuming cola drinks than the control group rats (P < 0.05). Water consumption decreased 5.9 times while total fluid consumption increased 1.6–1.9 times in the group consuming cola drinks. No significant change was detected in the blood calcium levels. There was a significant decrease in the bone mineral density of test groups when compared to the control groups (P < 0.05). While we did not detect any pathological oesophageal changes in the rats consuming cola drinks, examination of the kidneys revealed general glomerular congestion and intertubular bleeding. We suggest that the decrease in bone mineral density might be related to the renal damage caused by cola drinks in addition to other related factors.
Anti-p19 Antibody Treatment Exacerbates Lyme Arthritis and Enhances Borreliacidal Activity
Authors: Peterson Sara Heil , Nardelli Dean T. , Warner Thomas F. , Callister Steven M. , Torrealba Jose R. , Schell Ronald F. 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTConsiderable effort has been made to elucidate the mechanism of Lyme arthritis. We focused on p19, a cell cycle-regulating molecule, because it is known to inhibit cell cycle division of T lymphocytes which may be responsible for the induction of arthritis. We show that anti-p19 antibody treatment enhances the inflammatory response normally detected at the tibiotarsal joints ofBorrelia burgdorferi-vaccinated andBorrelia bissettii-challenged mice. Specifically, anti-p19 antibody treatment augmented the severity of inflammation within the synovial and subsynovial tissue. Moreover, treatment with anti-p19 antibody caused severe erosion of cartilage and bone with ankle joint destruction. In addition, anti-p19 antibody treatment ofBorrelia-vaccinated and -challenged mice enhanced the borreliacidal antibody response, especially against the vaccine isolate. The novel activities of anti-p19 antibody show that p19 may be an important therapeutic site for the treatment of Lyme arthritis.
Use of Serological Assays for Diagnosis of Hepatitis E Virus Genotype 1 and 3 Infections in a Setting of Low Endemicity
Authors: Herremans M. , Bakker J. , Duizer E. , Vennema H. , Koopmans M. P. G. 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT
Because of the occurrence of genotype 3 hepatitis E virus (HEV) in regions of low endemicity, it is important to validate the currently used serological assays for diagnosing infections with viruses belonging to this lineage, since these assays only use antigens derived from genotype 1 and 2 viruses. We evaluated the Genelabs enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the RecomBlot from Mikrogen for the detection of HEV-specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG under conditions of low endemicity. We compared test results of 16 patients with locally acquired genotype 3 HEV, 8 genotype 1 patients, 167 healthy controls from the general population, and 101 cases with hepatitis due to other viral causes. The measured specificities of the ELISA (98%) and the RecomBlot (97%) were comparable to those given by the manufacturer for IgM but were significantly lower for IgG (93% by ELISA and 66% by immunoblotting, versus reported values of 98% for ELISA and 95% for blotting). Antibody levels detected following infections with genotype 3 were lower than those following genotype 1 infections except for those measured in the IgM ELISA. Reactivity to the four antigens used in the immunoblot assay were analyzed and showed differences in the IgM immunoblot reactions between genotype 1 patients and genotype 3 patients. The ORF3 antigen was the most specific antigen. The specificity could be improved by a combined testing regimen with confirmation by immunoblotting of all positive ELISA results and by raising the cutoff of the IgG immunoblot assay without loss of sensitivity. We conclude that a combination of ELISA and immunoblotting is needed for acceptable specificity and sensitivity of HEV assays under conditions of low endemicity.
Galactoxylomannan Does Not Exhibit Cross-Reactivity in the PlateliaAspergillusEnzyme Immunoassay
Authors: De Jesus Magdia , Hackett Emily , Durkin Michelle , Connolly Patricia , Casadevall Arturo , Petraitiene Ruta , Walsh Thomas J. , Wheat L. Joseph 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTGiven the recent report of a false-positive result in the PlateliaAspergillusenzyme immunoassay in a patient with cryptococcosis and in yeast extracts and purified galactoxylomannan ofCryptococcus neoformans, we evaluated culture extracts, purified polysaccharides, clinical specimens, and specimens from animals following experimental infection. Our results revealed no cross-reactions.
OspC Phylogenetic Analyses Support the Feasibility of a Broadly Protective Polyvalent Chimeric Lyme Disease Vaccine
Authors: Earnhart Christopher G. , Marconi Richard T. 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT

Using available
Borrelia
outer surface protein C (OspC) sequences, a phylogenetic analysis was undertaken to delineate the number of antigenic domains required for inclusion in a broadly protective, chimeric, OspC-based Lyme disease vaccine. The data indicate that approximately 34 would be required and that an OspC-based vaccinogen is feasible.
Reevaluation of Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute Disk Diffusion Breakpoints for Tetracyclines for Testing
Enterobacteriaceae
Authors: Sader Helio S. , Ferraro Mary J. , Reller L. Barth , Schreckenberger Paul C. , Swenson Jana M. , Jones Ronald N. 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT

We reevaluated
Enterobacteriaceae
disk diffusion breakpoints for the tetracyclines published in the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) document M100-S16, which were (susceptible/resistant) ≥19 mm/≤14 mm for tetracycline, ≥16 mm/≤12 mm for doxycycline, and ≥19 mm/≤14 mm for minocycline. A collection of 504 recent clinical isolates of
Enterobacteriaceae
were tested against these tetracycline compounds by disk diffusion and broth microdilution methods according to CLSI guidelines. Regression line and scattergram plot analyses determined intermethod accuracy for current disk diffusion breakpoints and showed excellent
r
values of 0.91 to 0.95. However, error rates (minor/major [false-resistant]/very major [false-susceptible]) were 14.9/0.8/0.0% for tetracycline, 11.5/0.4/0.0% for doxycycline, and 30.6/0.7/0.0% for minocycline and only 4.4/0.0/0.0% for tetracycline, 5.6/0.0/0.2% for doxycycline, and 8.3/0.0/0.3% for minocycline when proposed breakpoints were modified to (susceptible/resistant) ≥15 mm/≤11 mm for tetracycline, ≥14 mm/≤10 mm for doxycycline, and ≥16 mm/≤12 mm for minocycline. Listed modifications were recently approved by the CLSI (M100-S17).
Design and Validation of an H5 TaqMan Real-Time One-Step Reverse Transcription-PCR and Confirmatory Assays for Diagnosis and Verification of Influenza A Virus H5 Infections in Humans
Authors: Ellis Joanna S. , Smith Joanne W. , Braham Sharleen , Lock Matthew , Barlow Katrina , Zambon Maria C. 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTIncreasing diversity among influenza H5N1 viruses has resulted in the need for sensitive and specific diagnostic assays, fully validated for the detection of H5 viruses belonging to all hemagglutinin (HA) clades, particularly the recently circulating H5N1 viruses of clade 2. In this report, the development and validation of a real-time, one-step TaqMan reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) assay specific for the detection of influenza A H5 viruses from clades 1, 1′, 2, and 3 is described. The real-time assay for H5 virus was shown to be highly sensitive, detecting H5 virus levels of <1 PFU from each of the HA clades. Specificity of the H5 RT-PCR for influenza A H5 viruses was demonstrated by using influenza A viruses of different subtypes, clinical samples containing influenza A viruses H1N1, H3N2, and H5N1, influenza B viruses, and other respiratory viruses. The usefulness of the inclusion of a distinguishable assay positive control and of confirmatory assays for the laboratory diagnosis and verification of H5 virus infections was demonstrated. A real-time RT-PCR pyrosequencing assay, a restriction enzyme digestion assay, and direct sequencing of the H5 real-time RT-PCR amplicon were validated for the confirmation of H5 detection by the diagnostic real-time assay. The H5 real-time assay was applied to diagnostic testing for suspected cases of influenza A virus H5 infection in the United Kingdom. Influenza A H5 viruses were not detected in the cases analyzed; however, influenza A H3N2 virus was detected in 57% of the suspected cases of H5. The H5 TaqMan real-time RT-PCR and confirmatory assays will be useful tools for the laboratory surveillance and rapid diagnosis of H5 infections in humans.
A Recently Evolved Sublineage of the
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Beijing Strain Family Is Associated with an Increased Ability to Spread and Cause Disease
Authors: Hanekom M. , van der Spuy G. D. , Streicher E. , Ndabambi S. L. , McEvoy C. R. E. , Kidd M. , Beyers N. , Victor T. C. , van Helden P. D. , Warren R. M. 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to reconstruct the evolutionary history of Beijing strains of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
and to test the hypothesis that evolution has influenced the ability of the Beijing strains within the different Beijing sublineages to spread and cause disease. A PCR-based method was used to analyze the genome structure of 40 different loci in 325 Beijing isolates collected from new and retreatment tuberculosis patients from an urban setting and 270 Beijing isolates collected from high-risk tuberculosis patients from a rural setting in the Western Cape, South Africa. The resulting data were subjected to phylogenetic analysis using the neighbor joining algorithm. Phylogenetic reconstructions were highly congruent with the “gold standard” phylogenetic tree based on synonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms, thereby allowing a prediction of the order in which the evolutionary events had occurred. A total of seven independently evolving Beijing sublineages were identified. Analysis of epidemiological data in relation to the Beijing sublineage suggested an association between recent evolutionary change and frequency of occurrence in an urban population (
P
< 0.001) as well as in the rural population (
P
< 0.001). This concept was further supported by an association between more recently evolved Beijing strains and an increased ability to transmit and to cause disease (odds ratio, 5.82; 95% confidence interval, 3.13 to 10.82 [
P
< 0.001]). An association between Beijing sublineage and demographic and clinical parameters and drug resistance could not be demonstrated. From these data, we suggest that the pathogenic characteristics of Beijing strains are not conserved but rather that strains within individual lineages have evolved unique pathogenic characteristics.
Etiological Role of Viruses in Outbreaks of Acute Gastroenteritis in The Netherlands from 1994 through 2005
Authors: Svraka Sanela , Duizer Erwin , Vennema Harry , de Bruin Erwin , van der Veer Bas , Dorresteijn Bram , Koopmans Marion 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTAcute gastroenteritis is one of the most common diseases worldwide. In developed countries, viruses, particularly noroviruses, are recognized as the leading cause. In The Netherlands, the surveillance of gastroenteritis outbreaks with suspected viral etiologies (as determined by Kaplan criteria) was established by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment in 1994. This paper presents an overview of viral gastroenteritis outbreaks reported from 1994 through 2005. A minimum epidemiological data set consisting of the associated setting(s), the probable transmission mode, the date of the first illness and the date of sampling, the number of persons affected, and the number of hospitalizations was requested for each reported outbreak. Stool samples were tested for the presence of norovirus, sapovirus, rotavirus, astrovirus, adenovirus, and Aichi virus by electron microscopy, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and/or reverse transcription-PCR. A total of 6,707 stool samples from 941 gastroenteritis outbreaks were investigated. Noroviruses were detected as the causative agent in 735 (78.1%) of the outbreaks, and rotaviruses, adenoviruses, and astroviruses were found to be responsible for 46 (4.9%), 9 (1.0%), and 5 (0.5%) outbreaks, respectively. Among the gastroenteritis outbreaks in which a mode of transmission was identified, most outbreaks (38.1%) were associated with person-to-person transmission, and the majority (54.9%) of the outbreaks investigated were reported by residential institutions. Since 2002, the total number of outbreaks reported and the number of unexplained outbreaks have increased. Furthermore, the number of rotavirus-associated outbreaks has increased, especially in nursing homes. Despite thorough testing, 115 (12.2%) outbreaks suspected of having viral etiologies remain unexplained. Increases in numbers of reported outbreaks may indicate undefined changes in the criteria for reporting or the emergence of new pathogens.
Genetic Polymorphisms Influence
Plasmodium ovale
PCR Detection Accuracy
Authors: Calderaro A. , Piccolo G. , Perandin F. , Gorrini C. , Peruzzi S. , Zuelli C. , Ricci L. , Manca N. , Dettori G. , Chezzi C. , Snounou G. 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT

Detection of
Plasmodium ovale
by use of a nested PCR assay with a novel
Plasmodium ovale
primer set was superior to detection of
Plasmodium ovale
by real-time PCR assays. Nested PCR was also better at detecting
P. malariae
. The detection of
P. ovale
in many patients first admitted >2 months following their return to Italy indicated that
P. ovale
relapses are common.
Leptospira
Immunoglobulin-Like Proteins as a Serodiagnostic Marker for Acute Leptospirosis
Authors: Croda Julio , Ramos João G. R. , Matsunaga James , Queiroz Adriano , Homma Akira , Riley Lee W. , Haake David A. , Reis Mitermayer G. , Ko Albert I. 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT

There is an urgent need for improved diagnosis of leptospirosis, an emerging infectious disease which imparts a large disease burden in developing countries. We evaluated the use of
Leptospira
immunoglobulin (Ig)-like (Lig) proteins as a serodiagnostic marker for leptospirosis. Lig proteins have bacterial immunoglobulin-like (Big) tandem repeat domains, a moiety found in virulence factors in other pathogens. Sera from patients identified during urban outbreaks in Brazil reacted strongly with immunoblots of a recombinant fragment comprised of the second to sixth Big domains of LigB from
L. interrogans
serovar Copenhageni, the principal agent for transmission in this setting. Furthermore, the sera recognized an analogous LigB fragment derived from
L. kirschneri
serovar Grippotyphosa, a pathogenic serovar which is not endemic to the study area. The immunoblot assay detected anti-LigB IgM antibodies in sera from 92% (95% confidence interval, 85 to 96%) of patients during acute-phase leptospirosis. The assay had a sensitivity of 81% for sera from patients with less than 7 days of illness. Anti-LigB antibodies were found in sera from 57% of the patients who did not have detectable anti-whole-
Leptospira
responses as detected by IgM enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and microagglutination test. The specificities of the assay were 93 to 100% and 90 to 97% among sera from healthy individuals and patients with diseases that have clinical presentations that overlap with those of leptospirosis, respectively. These findings indicate that the antibody response to this putative virulence determinant is a sensitive and specific marker for acute infection. The use of this marker may aid the prompt and timely diagnosis required to reduce the high mortality associated with severe forms of the disease.
Human Influenza A Virus (H5N1) Detection by a Novel Multiplex PCR Typing Method
Authors: Zou Shumei , Han Jian , Wen Leying , Liu Yan , Cronin Kassi , Lum Shanjuan H. , Gao Lu , Dong Jie , Zhang Ye , Guo Yuanji , Shu Yuelong 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT

We report the use of ResPlex III for genotyping influenza A viruses. The performance characteristics of the assay with regard to H5N1 are further evaluated. The ResPlex system incorporates a novel multiplex PCR technology, target-enriched multiplex PCR, to simultaneously amplify multiple molecular targets in one reaction. The ResPlex III assay targets the H1, H2, H3, H5, H7, H9, N1, and N2 genes from the influenza A virus as well as the NS genes from influenza A (NSA) and B (NSB) viruses, providing detection and genotyping of influenza A and B viruses. The analytical sensitivities for detecting the H5, N1, and NSA genes were 1, 10
−1
, and 10 50% tissue culture infectious doses/200 μl/reaction, respectively. A total of 217 sequential clinical samples including 14 samples with human H5N1 infections were tested by the ResPlex III assay, and the results were compared to a reference standard combined with results of viral culture and conventional reverse transcriptase and real-time PCR. The clinical sensitivity and specificity for detecting H5N1 were 93.3% and 100%, respectively, indicating that different subtypes of influenza A virus can be quickly and correctly identified using the ResPlex III genotyping approach.
Sodium Butyrate: a Chemical Inducer of In Vivo Reactivation of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 in the Ocular Mouse Model
Authors: Neumann Donna M. , Bhattacharjee Partha S. , Hill James M. 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT
Recent studies have explored the chromatin structures associated with the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) genome during latency, particularly with regard to specific histone tail modifications such as acetylation and dimethylation. The objective of our present study was to develop a rapid systemic method of in vivo HSV-1 reactivation to further explore the changes that occur in the chromatin structures associated with HSV-1 at early time points after the initiation of HSV reactivation. We present a uniform, rapid, and reliable method of in vivo HSV-1 reactivation in mice that yields high reactivation frequencies (75 to 100%) by using sodium butyrate, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, and demonstrate that the reactivating virus can be detected at the original site of infection.