bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization of a G11,P[4] Strain of Human Rotavirus Isolated in South Korea
Authors: Hong Seong-Karp , Lee Sung-Geun , Lee Su-A , Kang Jin-Han , Lee Jyung-Hyun , Kim Jong-Hyun , Kim Dong-Soo , Kim Hwang-Min , Jang Young-Taek , Ma Sang-Hyuk , Kim Sun-Young , Paik Soon-Young 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT
A novel human rotavirus strain, CUK-1, containing a G11 type combined with a P[4] type was isolated from a 1-year-old female patient with fever and severe diarrhea at Our Lady of Mercy Hospital in Incheon, South Korea. This CUK-1 strain showed the highest degree of nucleic acid similarity (98.7% and 93%) to G11 Dhaka6 and P[4] RV 5, respectively. This novel combined type of CUK-1 rotavirus strain (G11,P[4]) was uncovered from humans and is reported on here for the first time.
Mechanisms To Assess Gram Stain Interpretation Proficiency of Technologists at Satellite Laboratories
Authors: Munson Erik , Block Timothy , Basile Janice , Hryciuk Jeanne E. , Schell Ronald F. 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT

To address Gram stain interpretation proficiency in a satellite/centralized microbiology laboratory paradigm, two programs were devised. In quality assurance program 1, nonmicrobiology technologists at satellite laboratories were required to interpret standardized Gram-stained specimens of clinical material prepared by an experienced microbiologist at a central laboratory. In quality assurance program 2, clinical Gram stains prepared and read by the satellite laboratorians were reviewed by experienced microbiologists at the central laboratory. Satisfactory performance (94%) was achieved in quality assurance program 1. In contrast, quality assurance program 2 had a significantly lower overall performance (89%;
P
< 0.0001) due to poorer identification of host cells (93%) and bacteria (84%). A variety of intervention mechanisms, including continuous monitoring, resulted in overall performance improvement (
P
≤ 0.006). While a technologist challenge has educational merit, having a microbiologist review previously read slides is a better indicator of the technologist's Gram stain interpretation proficiency.
Cardiovirus 2A Protein Associates with 40S but Not 80S Ribosome Subunits during Infection
Authors: Groppo Rachel , Palmenberg Ann C. 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT
Host translation shutoff induced in picornavirus-infected cells is a well-known phenomenon. The mechanisms by which separate genera of the picornavirus family achieve this shutoff differ. This study examined alterations in the cellular translational components in HeLa cells infected with encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV), a cardiovirus. In agreement with previous reports, EMCV induced a marked decrease in host mRNA translation. The inhibition correlated with the appearance of a significantly enhanced 80S peak in cells and a concomitant decrease in polysome abundance. Characterization of the 80S material revealed that these ribosomes were virtually devoid of mRNA. Viral protein 2A was tightly associated with some of the free 40S ribosome subunits, but it was not present in the 80S pool which accumulated after infection. Expression of 2A protein in cells in the absence infection was able to modulate the cellular translational environment to increase the ratio of internal ribosome entry site-dependent translation to cap-dependent translation of a reporter construct. The results provide further evidence for a role of 2A protein in the mechanism of cardiovirus-induced host translational shutoff.
Characterization of the Early Events in Dengue Virus Cell Entry by Biochemical Assays and Single-Virus Tracking
Authors: van der Schaar Hilde M. , Rust Michael J. , Waarts Barry-Lee , van der Ende-Metselaar Heidi , Kuhn Richard J. , Wilschut Jan , Zhuang Xiaowei , Smit Jolanda M. 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT
In this study, we investigated the cell entry characteristics of dengue virus (DENV) type 2 strain S1 on mosquito, BHK-15, and BS-C-1 cells. The concentration of virus particles measured by biochemical assays was found to be substantially higher than the number of infectious particles determined by infectivity assays, leading to an infectious unit-to-particle ratio of approximately 1:2,600 to 1:72,000, depending on the specific assays used. In order to explain this high ratio, we investigated the receptor binding and membrane fusion characteristics of single DENV particles in living cells using real-time fluorescence microscopy. For this purpose, DENV was labeled with the lipophilic fluorescent probe DiD (1,1′-dioctadecyl-3,3,3′,3′-tetramethylindodicarbocyanine, 4-chlorobenzenesulfonate salt). The surface density of the DiD dye in the viral membrane was sufficiently high to largely quench the fluorescence intensity but still allowed clear detection of single virus particles. Fusion of the viral membrane with the cell membrane was evident as fluorescence dequenching. It was observed that DENV binds very inefficiently to the cells used, explaining at least in part the high infectious unit-to-particle ratio. The particles that did bind to the cells showed different types of transport behavior leading to membrane fusion in both the periphery and perinuclear regions of the cell. Membrane fusion was observed in 1 out of 6 bound virus particles, indicating that a substantial fraction of the virus has the capacity to fuse. DiD dequenching was completely inhibited by ammonium chloride, demonstrating that fusion occurs exclusively from within acidic endosomes.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Structure of the N-Terminal Domain of Nonstructural Protein 3 from the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus
Authors: Serrano Pedro , Johnson Margaret A. , Almeida Marcius S. , Horst Reto , Herrmann Torsten , Joseph Jeremiah S. , Neuman Benjamin W. , Subramanian Vanitha , Saikatendu Kumar S. , Buchmeier Michael J. , Stevens Raymond C. , Kuhn Peter , Wüthrich Kurt 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT
This paper describes the structure determination of nsp3a, the N-terminal domain of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) nonstructural protein 3. nsp3a exhibits a ubiquitin-like globular fold of residues 1 to 112 and a flexibly extended glutamic acid-rich domain of residues 113 to 183. In addition to the four β-strands and two α-helices that are common to ubiquitin-like folds, the globular domain of nsp3a contains two short helices representing a feature that has not previously been observed in these proteins. Nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shift perturbations showed that these unique structural elements are involved in interactions with single-stranded RNA. Structural similarities with proteins involved in various cell-signaling pathways indicate possible roles of nsp3a in viral infection and persistence.
Evolution of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Epitopes: Fitness-Balanced Escape
Authors: Liu Yi , McNevin John , Zhao Hong , Tebit Denis M. , Troyer Ryan M. , McSweyn Matthew , Ghosh Ananta K. , Shriner Daniel , Arts Eric J. , McElrath M. Juliana , Mullins James I. 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACTCD8+cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) are strong mediators of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) control, yet HIV-1 frequently mutates to escape CTL recognition. In an analysis of sequences in the Los Alamos HIV-1 database, we show that emerging CTL escape mutations were more often present at lower frequencies than the amino acid(s) that they replaced. Furthermore, epitopes that underwent escape contained amino acid sites of high variability, whereas epitopes persisting at high frequencies lacked highly variable sites. We therefore infer that escape mutations are likely to be associated with weak functional constraints on the viral protein. This was supported by an extensive analysis of one subject for whom all escape mutations within defined CTL epitopes were studied and by an analysis of all reported escape mutations of defined CTL epitopes in the HIV Immunology Database. In one of these defined epitopes, escape mutations involving the substitution of amino acids with lower database frequencies occurred, and the epitope soon reverted back to the sensitive form. We further show that this escape mutation substantially diminished viral fitness in in vitro competition assays. Coincident with the reversion in vivo, we observed the fixation of a mutation 3 amino acids C terminal to the epitope, coincident with the ablation of the corresponding CTL response. The C-terminal mutation did not restore replication fitness reduced by the escape mutation in the epitope and by itself had little effect on replication fitness. Therefore, this C-terminal mutation presumably impaired the processing and presentation of the epitope. Finally, for one persistent epitope, CTL cross-reactivity to a mutant form may have suppressed the mutant to undetected levels, whereas for two other persistent epitopes, each of two mutants showed poor cross-reactivity and appeared in the subject at later time points. Thus, a viral dynamic exists between the advantage of immune escape, peptide cross-reactivity, and the disadvantage of lost replication fitness, with the balance playing an important role in determining whether a CTL epitope will persist or decline during infection.
Mouse-Adapted Ovine Scrapie Prion Strains Are Characterized by Different Conformers of PrPSc
Authors: Thackray Alana M. , Hopkins Lee , Klein Michael A. , Bujdoso Raymond 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT

The agent responsible for prion disease may exist in different forms, commonly referred to as strains, with each carrying the specific information that determines its own distinct biological properties, such as incubation period and lesion profile. Biological strain typing of ovine scrapie isolates by serial passage in conventional mice has shown some diversity in ovine prion strains. However, this biological diversity remains poorly supported by biochemical prion strain typing. The protein-only hypothesis predicts that variation between different prion strains in the same host is manifest in different conformations adopted by PrPSc. Here we have investigated the molecular properties of PrPSc associated with two principal
Prnp

a

mouse-adapted ovine scrapie strains, namely, RML and ME7, in order to establish biochemical prion strain typing strategies that may subsequently be used to discriminate field cases of mouse-passaged ovine scrapie isolates. We used a conformation-dependent immunoassay and a conformational stability assay, together with Western blot analysis, to demonstrate that RML and ME7 PrPSc proteins show distinct biochemical and physicochemical properties. Although RML and ME7 PrPSc proteins showed similar resistance to proteolytic digestion, they differed in their glycoform profiles and levels of proteinase K (PK)-sensitive and PK-resistant isoforms. In addition, the PK-resistant core (PrP27-30) of ME7 was conformationally more stable following exposure to guanidine hydrochloride or Sarkosyl than was RML PrP27-30. Our data show that mouse-adapted ovine scrapie strains can be discriminated by their distinct conformers of PrPSc, which provides a basis to investigate their diversity at the molecular level.
Induction of CD8
+
Cells Able To Suppress CCR5-Tropic Simian Immunodeficiency Virus SIVmac239 Replication by Controlled Infection of CXCR4-Tropic Simian-Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Vaccinated Rhesus Macaques
Authors: Tsukamoto Tetsuo , Yuasa Mitsuhiro , Yamamoto Hiroyuki , Kawada Miki , Takeda Akiko , Igarashi Hiroko , Matano Tetsuro 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT

Recent recombinant viral vector-based AIDS vaccine trials inducing cellular immune responses have shown control of CXCR4-tropic simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) replication but difficulty in containment of pathogenic CCR5-tropic simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) in rhesus macaques. In contrast, controlled infection of live attenuated SIV/SHIV can confer the ability to contain SIV superchallenge in macaques. The specific immune responses responsible for this control may be induced by live virus infection but not consistently by viral vector vaccination, although those responses have not been determined. Here, we have examined in vitro anti-SIV efficacy of CD8
+
cells in rhesus macaques that showed prophylactic viral vector vaccine-based control of CXCR4-tropic SHIV89.6PD replication. Analysis of the effect of CD8
+
cells obtained at several time points from these macaques on CCR5-tropic SIVmac239 replication in vitro revealed that CD8
+
cells in the chronic phase after SHIV challenge suppressed SIV replication more efficiently than those before challenge. SIVmac239 superchallenge of two of these macaques at 3 or 4 years post-SHIV challenge was contained, and the following anti-CD8 antibody administration resulted in transient CD8
+
T-cell depletion and appearance of plasma SIVmac239 viremia in both of them. Our results indicate that CD8
+
cells acquired the ability to efficiently suppress SIV replication by controlled SHIV infection, suggesting the contribution of CD8
+
cell responses induced by controlled live virus infection to containment of HIV/SIV superinfection.
Detection of emerging diseases in occupational health: usefulness and limitations of the application of pharmacosurveillance methods to the database of the French national occupational disease surveillance and prevention network (RNV3P)
Authors: Bonneterre Vincent , Bicout Dominique J , Larabi Linda , Bernardet Cyril , Maitre Anne , Tubert-Bitter Pascale , de Gaudemaris Régis 
Published: August 2007

Objective:To test data mining methods used in pharmacosurveillance in order to identify potential emerging disease–nuisance associations in the national occupational disease surveillance and prevention network (RNV3P) database.Methods:Proportional reporting ratios (PRR) used in pharmacosurveillance were applied to detect disproportional reporting of disease–nuisance associations which are not compensated by the national social security system.Results:The 24 785 reports of the RNV3P were grouped into 1344 different disease–nuisance associations reported more than twice, of which 422 did not give entitlement to compensation by the social security system. Among these associations, 162 were potentially emergent and generated a signal, of which eight associations involve cancer.Conclusion:This work is the first stage of an exploratory investigation submitting the questions raised to experts and involving participants in the network in reflection on the hypotheses generated.
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Cholelithiasis in PatientsWith Liver Cirrhosis
Authors: Ishikawa Tetsuro , Sowa Michio , Nagayama Masayoshi , Nishiguchi Yukio 
Published: August 2007

We performed laparoscopic cholecystectomy for symptomatic cholelithiasis on four patients with
cirrhosis of the liver, two of whom had clinical portal hypertension and splenomegaly. Preoperative
examination disclosed hypersplenism in one patient, while mild thrombocytopenia and decreased
prothrombin concentration were noted in three patients. However, no remarkable bleeding tendency
was recognized clinically in any of the patients. Preoperatively, by Child‐Pugh′s criteria, three patients
had class B disease and one class A disease. Intraoperatively, remarkable inflammatory change
or fibrotic change of the gallbladder wall and Calot′s triangle was observed in two cases, and collateral
veins and lymphangial congestion were observed in all four cases. In the first case, extreme
bleeding and lymphorrhea from dissected sites were observed, and a 1.5 unit of transfusion of whole
blood was required during operation. Postoperatively, increase in ascites which was controlled with
diuretics was recognized in one case. However, the postoperative course was uneventful in all cases,
and no serious complications were recognized.That laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be safely performed in patients with cirrhosis if careful
and appropriate management of bleeding and lymphorrhea from sites of dissection is ensured, is encouraging.
Endoscopic Ultrasonic Aspiration of Superficial Bladder Tumors
Authors: Miki Makoto , Shiozawa Hiroaki 
Published: August 2007

The gold standard of surgical treatment for superficial bladder tumor is transurethral resection (TUR). However, the procedure has drawbacks: it needs skill to avoid perforation of the bladder wall, while burns on the resected tissue are disadvantageous for histological examination. We developed an endoscopic ultrasonic aspiration system which is easy to manipulate and makes no burns on aspirated tissue. Furthermore, the equipment includes a coagulating system.Transurethral ultrasonic aspiration was performed in 19 cases of superficial bladder tumor with a prototype 24Fr Y‐shaped rigid endoscope. The efficacy of bladder tumor aspiration was evaluated and ultrasonic aspiration was compared to the conventional TUR procedure. Bladder tumors less than 2 cm were aspirated very rapidly. Blood loss was minimal and the largest tumor aspirated in this series weighed 6.5 grams. Aspirated tissue was large enough for histological examination. Compared to conventional TUR, the ultrasonic aspiration has advantages of no burns on aspirated tissue and easy manipulation. Transurethral ultrasonic aspiration may be an alternative procedure for the treatment of superficial bladder tumor.
18 Years of Experience in Knee Arthroscopy Under Local Anesthesia
Authors: Birkner W. , Henche H. R. 
Published: August 2007

Today, arthroscopies of the knee joint have become a routine procedure. Generally,
these operations are performed under general or spinal anesthesia. In Rheinfelden, local
anesthesia is our method of choice. We will summarize our experience with nearly 9000
arthroscopies in the last 18 years.We use 10 mls of ScandicainR as the local anesthetic for the puncture track, followed
by an intraarticular injection of 20 mls of CarbostesinR. From 1977 to 1994, arthroscopies
were performed on 8720 patients, of which 90% were outpatients, under local
anesthesia. When asked about pain sensation, 50% of patients had no pain at all, 34%
expressed mild pain and only 3% reported strong pain. 90% of all patients questioned
responded that they would undergo the same procedure a second time, if necessary.There are several advantages of local anesthesia, most important the minimal invasive
procedure. Risk factors can be avoided, the pain level described by the patients is acceptable
and the costs are lower than with other anesthetizing techniques. As a prerequisite
for performing these operations under local anesthesia, the surgeon must be very experienced
in the handling and routine of arthroscopic procedures.
Nd‐YAG Laser Treatment for Tracheobronchial Obstruction
Authors: Perng Reury-Perng , Lee Yu-Chin , Chiang Kuo-Hwa 
Published: August 2007

The Nd‐YAG laser has good tissue penetration and coagulation effects thus has become an
important weapon for photoresection of tracheobronchial obstructive lesions since 1980.Treatment of benign lesions including benign tumors and scar tissues using the Nd‐YAG
laser has good results. In the treatment of malignant tumors however, it has a lower
effectivity rate when compared to benign lesions. From July 1984 to September 1995, a
total of 65 patients were treated with Nd‐YAG laser for tracheobronchial obstruction.
There were 32 (49%) malignant tumors and 33 (51%) benign lesions. 116 resections were
performed in 48 patients using the non‐contact Nd‐YAG laser (MBB, Medilas 2) before
1992. Thereafter, another 41 resections were performed in 17 cases using contact Nd‐YAG
laser (SLT, CL‐X). The overall effectivity rate was 60%. The effectivity rate for
benign lesions was 81.3% and 39.4% for malignant tumor. The effectivity rate between
non‐contact and contact Nd‐YAG laser was not significantly different.
Endoscopic Resection of Esophageal Lymphangioma Incidentally Discovered
Authors: Scarpis M. , De Monti M. , Pezzotta M. G. , Sonnino D. , Mosca D. , Milani M. 
Published: August 2007

A pedunculated lymphangioma of the esophagus was unexpectedly discovered during an endoscopic investigation performed for epigastric pain in a patient affected by diabetic arteriopathy treated with antiplatelet drugs. The patient neither complained of dysphagia nor other symptoms related to the presence of the lymphangioma which therefore can be considered as an endoscopic “incidentaloma”.The lesion was removed endoscopically and a follow up, 6 months later, showed no scar
or recurrence.The authors present this case both for the extreme rarity of this lesion and for the evidence of low‐medium grade dysplasia in the overlying mucosa, particularly since it is only case ever noted in literature.This aspect suggests that, even if malignant degeneration of these lesions has never been observed, their endoscopic removal is recommended. However, when endoscopic procedures are not feasible, thoracotomic surgical exeresis should be only considered for obstructing and symptomatic lesions; an accurate endoscopic and bioptic follow up can be useful for asymptomatic lesions.
Bile Duct Injuries in Connection With 2500 Laparoscopic Cholecystectomies
Authors: Schmidt P. , Ezer P. , Antal A. 
Published: August 2007

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is taking the place of an effective
and tested procedure in surgery, therefore it must not be inferior to the standard modality
in any aspect. Some complications specific to the technique, however, are severe and
complication rate seem to be higher than in standard open surgery.Methods: In this paper the authors report their guiding principles in applying LC
and methods of treatment, and describe the bile duct injuries of 2500 LCs accomplished
during the past 4.5 years.Results: Seventeen ductal injuries occurred in the whole series, which means an overall
incidence rate of 0.68%. Data obtained in the last period, however, show a decrease
down to 0.14%. Following ductal injuries six ductal strictures became clinically apparent.
The various complications of these injuries caused the death of two patients.Conclusions: The great number of intraoperatively undetected injuries, many of them
arising not due to technical difficulties, suggest the possibility of an injury caused by
electric current. Depending on the type of injury direct suture, T‐tube drainage or biliodigestive
anastomosis can equally be effective. Long established practice and experience
can help reduce the occurrence of complications to the level in standard open surgery.
A 1000 cc Intragastric Balloon for Weight Reduction
Authors: Lavy A. , Lachter J. , Zinder O. , Eidelman S. 
Published: August 2007

Objective: To examine the efficiency of a 1000 cc intragastric balloon as an aid for weight reduction.Subject: Thirty‐three morbidly obese persons, after multiple attempts for weight loss.Design: Intragastric 1000 cc balloons were endoscopically inserted into the stomachs of
subjects. The balloons were left in place for six months. During that period the patients
received dietary therapy. Hormone levels were measured prior to insertion and upon withdrawal
of balloons.Results: After a brief initial weight loss, most patients regained the weight initially
lost. Mean weight loss after six months was only 8 kg (range 0–22 kg). We found that
Bombesin levels, but not Gastrin levels, were significantly lower at the end of therapy than
before insertion of the balloon.Conclusion: We conclude that a large intragastric balloon for a prolonged time did not
assist in weight loss. Our preliminary results show Bombesin levels change significantly, a
finding which warrants further study.