bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Complete DNA Sequence and Analysis of the Transferable Multiple-Drug Resistance Plasmids (R Plasmids) from
Photobacterium damselae
subsp.
piscicida
Isolates Collected in Japan and the United States
Authors: Kim Mi-Jung , Hirono Ikuo , Kurokawa Ken , Maki Takeshi , Hawke John , Kondo Hidehiro , Santos Mudjekeewis D. , Aoki Takashi 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT

Photobacterium damselae
subsp.
piscicida
is a bacterial fish pathogen that causes a disease known as pasteurellosis. Two transferable multiple-drug resistance (R) plasmids, pP99-018 (carrying resistance to kanamycin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, and sulfonamide) and pP91278 (carrying resistance to tetracycline, trimethoprim, and sulfonamide), isolated from
P. damselae
subsp.
piscicida
strains from Japan (P99-018) and the United States (P91278), respectively, were completely sequenced and analyzed, along with the multiple-drug resistance regions of three other R plasmids also from
P. damselae
subsp.
piscicida
strains from Japan. The sequence structures of pP99-018 (150,057 bp) and pP91278 (131,520 bp) were highly conserved, with differences due to variation in the drug resistance and conjugative transfer regions. These plasmids, shown to be closely related to the IncJ element R391 (a conjugative, self-transmitting, integrating element, or constin), were divided into the conjugative transfer, replication, partition, and multiple-drug resistance regions. Each of the five multiple-drug resistance regions sequenced exhibited unique drug resistance marker composition and arrangement.
In Vitro Antimycobacterial Activities of Capuramycin Analogues
Authors: Reddy Venkata M. , Einck Leo , Nacy Carol A. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT
Translocase I inhibitor compounds derived from capuramycin demonstrated rapid bactericidal activity against several different mycobacterial species. SQ641 was the most active of the compounds, with a MIC of 0.12 to 8 μg/ml, a postantibiotic effect of 55 h, and interesting synergistic effects with other antitubercular drugs.
FcγRIII Mediates Immunoglobulin G-Induced Interleukin-10 and Is Required for ChronicLeishmania mexicanaLesions
Authors: Thomas Bolaji N. , Buxbaum Laurence U. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACTFcRγ and interleukin-10 (IL-10) are both required for chronic disease in C57BL/6 mice withLeishmania mexicanaparasite infection. FcRγ is a component of several different FcRs and may be a component of some T-cell receptors. The initial antibody response toL. mexicanais an immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) response, and IgG1 preferentially binds to FcγRIII in other systems. To begin to dissect the mechanisms by which FcγRs contribute to chronic disease, we infected FcγRIII knockout (KO) mice withL.mexicana. We show that FcγRIII KO mice are resistant toL. mexicanainfection, resolving lesions in association with a stronger gamma interferon response, similar to IL-10 KO mice, with parasite control by 12 weeks. We found that theLeishmania-specific IgG response is unaltered in FcγRIII KO mice compared with that in wild-type controls. The frequencies of IL-10 production from lymph node CD25+CD4+T cells are the same in KO and wild-type mice, and depletion of CD25+cells did not alter the course of infection, implying that Tregcells may not be the mechanism for susceptibility toL. mexicanainfection, unlike forL. majorinfection. However, IL-10 mRNA was greatly diminished in the lesions of FcγRIII KO mice compared to that of B6 controls. Furthermore, macrophages from FcγRIII KO and FcRγ KO mice have the same profound defect in IL-10 production induced by IgG-opsonized amastigotes. We also found IL-10-dependent (major) and -independent (minor) inhibition of IL-12 mediated by FcγRIII, as well as parasite-mediated inhibition of IL-12 and induction of IL-10, independent of FcγR. Our data demonstrate a specific role for FcγRIII in suppressing protective immunity inL. mexicanainfection, likely through macrophage IL-10 production in the lesion.
Subunit Vaccine against the Seven Serotypes of Botulism
Authors: Baldwin Michael R. , Tepp William H. , Przedpelski Amanda , Pier Christina L. , Bradshaw Marite , Johnson Eric A. , Barbieri Joseph T. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACTBotulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are the most toxic proteins for humans and are classified as category A toxins. There are seven serotypes of BoNTs defined by the lack of cross-serotype toxin neutralization. Thus, an effective vaccine must neutralize each BoNT serotype. BoNTs are organized as dichain A-B toxins, where the N-terminal domain (light chain) is a zinc metalloprotease targeting soluble NSF attachment receptor proteins that is linked to the C-terminal domain (heavy chain [HC]) by a disulfide bond. The HC comprises a translocation domain and a C-terminal receptor binding domain (HCR). HCRs of the seven serotypes of BoNTs (hepta-HCR) were engineered for expression inEscherichia coli, and each HCR was purified fromE. colilysates. Immunization of mice with theE. coli-derived hepta-serotype HCR vaccine elicited an antibody response to each of the seven BoNT HCRs and neutralized challenge by 10,000 50% lethal doses of each of the seven BoNT serotypes. A solid-phase assay showed that the anti-hepta-serotype HCR sera inhibited the binding of HCR serotypes A and B to the ganglioside GT1b, the first step in BoNT intoxication of neurons. This is the firstE. coli-derived vaccine that effectively neutralizes each of the seven BoNT serotypes.
Sequence Diversity of theTrypanosoma cruziComplement Regulatory Protein Family
Authors: Beucher M. , Norris K. A. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACTAs a central component of innate immunity, complement activation is a critical mechanism of containment and clearance of microbial pathogens in advance of the development of acquired immunity. Several pathogens restrict complement activation through the acquisition of host proteins that regulate complement activation or through the production of their own complement regulatory molecules (M. K. Liszewski, M. K. Leung, R. Hauhart, R. M. Buller, P. Bertram, X. Wang, A. M. Rosengard, G. J. Kotwal, and J. P. Atkinson, J. Immunol. 176:3725-3734, 2006; J. Lubinski, L. Wang, D. Mastellos, A. Sahu, J. D. Lambris, and H. M. Friedman, J. Exp. Med. 190:1637-1646, 1999). The infectious stage of the protozoan parasiteTrypanosoma cruziproduces a surface-anchored complement regulatory protein (CRP) that functions to inhibit alternative and classical pathway complement activation (K. A. Norris, B. Bradt, N. R. Cooper, and M. So, J. Immunol. 147:2240-2247, 1991). This study addresses the genomic complexity of theT. cruziCRP and its relationship to theT. cruzisupergene family comprising activetrans-sialidase (TS) and TS-like proteins. The TS superfamily consists of several functionally distinct subfamilies that share a characteristic sialidase domain at their amino termini. These TS families include active TS, adhesions, CRPs, and proteins of unknown functions (G. A. Cross and G. B. Takle, Annu. Rev. Microbiol. 47:385-411, 1993). A sequence comparison search of GenBank using BLASTP revealed several full-length paralogs of CRP. These proteins share significant homology at their amino termini and a strong spatial conservation of cysteine residues. Alternative pathway complement regulation was confirmed for CRP paralogs with 58% (low) and 83% (high) identity to AAB49414. CRPs are functionally similar to the microbial and mammalian proteins that regulate complement activation. Sequence alignment of mammalian complement control proteins to CRP showed that these sequences are distinct, supporting a convergent evolutionary pathway. Finally, we show that a clonal line ofT. cruziexpresses multiple unique copies of CRP that are differentially recognized by patient sera.
A SacB Mutagenesis Strategy Reveals that the
Bartonella quintana
Variably Expressed Outer Membrane Proteins Are Required for Bloodstream Infection of the Host
Authors: MacKichan Joanna K. , Gerns Helen L. , Chen Yu-Ting , Zhang Peng , Koehler Jane E. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT

Bartonella
bacteria adhere to erythrocytes and persistently infect the mammalian bloodstream. We previously identified four highly conserved
Bartonella quintana
adhesin genes that undergo phase variation during prolonged bloodstream infection. The
v
ariably expressed
o
uter
m
embrane
p
roteins (Vomp) encoded by these genes are members of the trimeric autotransporter adhesin family. Each
B. quintana
Vomp appears to contribute a different adhesion phenotype, likely mediated by the major variable region at the adhesive tip of each Vomp. Although studies document that the Vomp adhesins confer virulence phenotypes in vitro, little is known about in vivo virulence strategies of
Bartonella
. We sought to determine whether the
B. quintana
Vomp adhesins are necessary for infection in vivo by using a
vomp
null mutant. It first was necessary to develop a system to generate in-frame deletions of defined genes by allelic exchange in a wild-type
Bartonella
background, which had not been achieved previously. We utilized
sacB
negative selection to generate a targeted, in-frame, markerless deletion of the entire
vomp
locus in
B. quintana
. We also recently developed the first animal model for
B. quintana
infection, and using this model, we demonstrate here that the deletion of the entire
vomp
locus, but not the deletion of two
vomp
genes, results in a null mutant strain that is incapable of establishing bloodstream infection in vivo. The Vomp adhesins therefore represent critical virulence factors in vivo, warranting further study. Finally, our allelic exchange strategy provides an important advance in the genetic manipulation of all
Bartonella
species and, combined with the animal model that recapitulates human disease, will facilitate pathogenesis studies of
B. quintana
.
Characterization of the Fine Specificity of Bovine CD8 T-Cell Responses to Defined Antigens from the Protozoan ParasiteTheileria parva
Authors: Graham Simon P. , Pellé Roger , Yamage Mat , Mwangi Duncan M. , Honda Yoshikazu , Mwakubambanya Ramadhan S. , de Villiers Etienne P. , Abuya Evelyne , Awino Elias , Gachanja James , Mbwika Ferdinand , Muthiani Anthony M. , Muriuki Cecelia , Nyanjui John K. , Onono Fredrick O. , Osaso Julius , Riitho Victor , Saya Rosemary M. , Ellis Shirley A. , McKeever Declan J. , MacHugh Niall D. , Gilbert Sarah C. , Audonnet Jean-Christophe , Morrison W. Ivan , van der Bruggen Pierre , Taracha Evans L. N. 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACTImmunity against the bovine intracellular protozoan parasiteTheileria parvahas been shown to be mediated by CD8 T cells. Six antigens targeted by CD8 T cells fromT. parva-immune cattle of different major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genotypes have been identified, raising the prospect of developing a subunit vaccine. To facilitate further dissection of the specificity of protective CD8 T-cell responses and to assist in the assessment of responses to vaccination, we set out to identify the epitopes recognized in theseT. parvaantigens and their MHC restriction elements. Nine epitopes in sixT. parvaantigens, together with their respective MHC restriction elements, were successfully identified. Five of the cytotoxic-T-lymphocyte epitopes were found to be restricted by products of previously described alleles, and four were restricted by four novel restriction elements. Analyses of CD8 T-cell responses to five of the epitopes in groups of cattle carrying the defined restriction elements and immunized with live parasites demonstrated that, with one exception, the epitopes were consistently recognized by animals of the respective genotypes. The analysis of responses was extended to animals immunized with multiple antigens delivered in separate vaccine constructs. Specific CD8 T-cell responses were detected in 19 of 24 immunized cattle. All responder cattle mounted responses specific for antigens for which they carried an identified restriction element. By contrast, only 8 of 19 responder cattle displayed a response to antigens for which they did not carry an identified restriction element. These data demonstrate that the identified antigens are inherently dominant in animals with the corresponding MHC genotypes.
Streptococcus pneumoniaeCholine-Binding Protein E Interaction with Plasminogen/Plasmin Stimulates Migration across the Extracellular Matrix
Authors: Attali Cécile , Frolet Cécile , Durmort Claire , Offant Julien , Vernet Thierry , Di Guilmi Anne Marie 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACTThe virulence mechanisms leadingStreptococcus pneumoniaeto convert from nasopharyngeal colonization to a tissue-invasive phenotype are still largely unknown. Proliferation of infection requires penetration of the extracellular matrix, which occurs by recruitment of host proteases to the bacterial cell surface. We present evidence supporting the role of choline-binding protein E (CBPE) (a member of the surface-exposed choline-binding protein family) as an important receptor for human plasminogen, the precursor of plasmin. The results of ligand overlay blot analyses, solid-phase binding assays, and surface plasmon resonance experiments support the idea of an interaction between CBPE and plasminogen. We have shown that the phosphorylcholine esterase (Pce) domain of CBPE interacts with the plasminogen kringle domains. Analysis of the crystal structure of the Pce domain, followed by site-directed mutagenesis, allowed the identification of the plasminogen-binding region composed in part by lysine residues, some of which map in a linear fashion on the surface of the Pce domain. The biological relevance of the CBPE-plasminogen interaction is supported by the fact that, compared to the wild-type strain, a mutant of pneumococcus with thecbpEgene deleted (i) displays a reduced level of plasminogen binding and plasmin activation and (ii) shows reduced ability to cross the extracellular matrix in an in vitro model. These results support the idea of a physiological role for the CBPE-plasminogen interaction in pneumococcal dissemination into human tissue.
Transcriptome Changes in
Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae
during Infection
Authors: Madsen Melissa L. , Puttamreddy Supraja , Thacker Eileen L. , Carruthers Michael D. , Minion F. Chris 
Published: December 2007

ABSTRACT

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae
causes swine pneumonia and contributes significantly to the porcine respiratory disease complex. The mechanisms of pathogenesis are difficult to address, since there is a lack of genetic tools, but microarrays are available and can be used to study transcriptional changes that occur during disease as a way to identify important virulence-related genes. Mycoplasmas were collected from bronchial alveolar lavage samples and compared to broth-grown cells using microarrays. Bronchial alveolar lavage was performed on pigs 28 days postinfection, and mycoplasmas were isolated by differential centrifugation. Mycoplasma RNA-enriched preparations were then obtained from total RNA by subtracting eucaryotic ribosomal and messenger RNAs. Labeled cDNAs were generated with mycoplasma open reading frame-specific primers. Nine biological replicates were analyzed. During lung infection, our analysis indicated that 79
M. hyopneumoniae
genes were differentially expressed (
P
< 0.01), at a false-discovery rate of <2.7%. Of the down-regulated genes, 28 of 46 (61%) lacked an assigned function, in comparison to 21 of 33 (63%) of up-regulated genes. Four down-regulated genes and two up-regulated genes encoded putative lipoproteins.
secA
(mhp295) (
P
= 0.003) and two glycerol transport permease genes (
potA
[mhp380;
P
= 0.006] and
ugpA
[mhp381;
P
= 0.003]) were up-regulated in vivo. Elongation factor EF-G (
fusA
[mhp083]) (
P
= 0.002), RNA polymerase beta chain (
rpoC
[mhp635]) (
P
= 0.003), adenylate kinase (
adk
[mhp208]) (
P
= 0.001), prolyl aminoacyl tRNA synthetase (
proS
[mhp397]) (
P
= 0.009), and cysteinyl-tRNA synthetase (
cysS
[mhp661]) (
P
< 0.001) were down-regulated in vivo.
Internal impingement in the tennis player: rehabilitation guidelines
Authors: Cools A M , Declercq G , Cagnie B , Cambier D , Witvrouw E 
Published: December 2007

Internal impingement is a commonly described cause of shoulder pain in the overhead athlete, particularly in tennis players. Three shoulder dysfunctions, often correlated with internal impingement symptoms, require attention in the rehabilitation strategy of internal impingement in the tennis player: (1) acquired glenohumeral anterior instability, (2) loss of internal rotation range of motion, and (3) lack of retraction strength.Based on recent literature, the following guidelines are proposed in the rehabilitation of the tennis player with internal impingement symptoms: (1) shoulder rehabilitation should be integrated into kinetic chain training, not only in the advanced phases of the athlete’s rehabilitation, but from the initial phases; (2) both angular and translational mobilisations can be used in the treatment of acquired loss of glenohumeral internal rotation range of motion to stretch the posterior structures of the glenohumeral joint; and 3) in the rehabilitation of scapular dyskinesis, the therapist should focus on restoration of intramuscular trapezius muscle balance in the scapular exercises, with special attention to strength training of the retractors.
Sports medicine clinical trial research publications in academic medical journals between 1996 and 2005: an audit of the PubMed MEDLINE database
Authors: Nichols A W 
Published: December 2007

Objective:To identify sports medicine-related clinical trial research articles in the PubMed MEDLINE database published between 1996 and 2005 and conduct a review and analysis of topics of research, experimental designs, journals of publication and the internationality of authorships.Hypothesis:Sports medicine research is international in scope with improving study methodology and an evolution of topics.Design:Structured review of articles identified in a search of a large electronic medical database.Setting:PubMed MEDLINE database.Participants:Sports medicine-related clinical research trials published between 1996 and 2005.Interventions:Review and analysis of articles that meet inclusion criteria.Main outcome measurements:Articles were examined for study topics, research methods, experimental subject characteristics, journal of publication, lead authors and journal countries of origin and language of publication.Results:The search retrieved 414 articles, of which 379 (345 English language and 34 non-English language) met the inclusion criteria. The number of publications increased steadily during the study period. Randomised clinical trials were the most common study type and the “diagnosis, management and treatment of sports-related injuries and conditions” was the most popular study topic. The knee, ankle/foot and shoulder were the most frequent anatomical sites of study. Soccer players and runners were the favourite study subjects. TheAmerican Journal of Sports Medicinehad the highest number of publications and shared the greatest international diversity of authorships with theBritish Journal of Sports Medicine. The USA, Australia, Germany and the UK produced a good number of the lead authorships. In all, 91% of articles and 88% of journals were published in English.Conclusions:Sports medicine-related research is internationally diverse, clinical trial publications are increasing and the sophistication of research design may be improving.
Cervical muscle strength measurement is dependent on the location of thoracic support
Authors: Rezasoltani A , Ylinen J , Bakhtiary A-H , Norozi M , Montazeri M 
Published: December 2007

Background:In all studies in which the strength of the neck extensor muscles has been measured, the level of thoracic support has been adjusted differently so direct comparison of the results is not possible.Objective:To measure and compare the isometric force and isometric torque of neck extensor muscles at different levels of thoracic support.Methods:Twenty healthy women volunteered for the study. The maximum isometric force of the neck extensor muscles was measured with the thoracic support located at five different levels. The highest level was set at the level of the spine of the scapula (level I) and the other levels were located 2.5 cm lower than the previous one, with the lowest level set 10 cm below the highest level. The maximum isometric torque for each level was calculated by multiplying the isometric force by the length of the lever arm measured from the upper tip of the thoracic support to the centre point of the cell load at the occiput.Results:The maximum isometric force and maximum isometric torque of the neck extensor muscles were increased step by step from 130.5 N to 138.9 N, 141.9 N, 147.9 N and 155.4 N and from 33.7 Nm to 38.7 Nm, 42.5 Nm, 47.2 Nm and 52.7 Nm, respectively. Except for the isometric force of the cervical extensor muscles measured at levels II and III, the differences between the other levels were significant (p<0.05). There was a significant correlation between isometric force and isometric torque measurements of the neck extensor muscles at different levels (0.81<r<0.96).Conclusion:Maximum isometric force and maximum isometric torque measurements of the neck extensor muscles vary with the length of the lever arm. It is recommended that a specific level of thoracic support should be used in follow-up and intervention studies. Setting the level of thoracic support at a specific level will make it possible to compare the strength of the neck extensor muscles in different studies. Measurements at the level of the spine of the scapula were easier and less time consuming.
The clinical utility of screening of biochemical parameters in elite athletes: analysis of 100 cases
Authors: Fallon K E 
Published: December 2007

Objective:To determine the clinical utility of screening for biochemical parameters in elite athletes.Design:A prospective sequential case series.Setting:The Department of Sports Medicine at the Australian Institute of Sport.Participants:100 elite athletes from 11 sports (56 male and 44 female athletes, mean age 19 years, range 16–27), undergoing routine medical screening.Intervention:Initial and follow-up assessment of the following biochemical parameters in association with clinical assessment; serum iron, ferritin, transferrin, percent transferrin saturation, sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, phosphate, urate, urea and creatinine, total protein, albumin, creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, total bilirubin, cholesterol and triglycerides (non-fasting), and random glucose.Results:18 athletes showed no abnormalities on biochemical screening. 194 abnormal results were found in 82 athletes. 115 abnormalities were noted in 46 male and 79 in 36 female athletes. In 43 individual tests, the results did not return to normal on repeat testing. The most common abnormalities were increases in AST (27%), phosphate (13%), CK (13%), urea (12%) and bilirubin (12%). Three cases of hypercholesterolaemia and one case of haemochromatosis were identified, and one athlete, who was asymptomatic, was diagnosed with Epstein–Barr virus infection, which was suspected because of an abnormal liver function test. The other abnormalities found appeared not to be of clinical significance.Conclusion:Most abnormalities found on routine biochemical screening in elite athletes are of no clinical significance, therefore such testing should, if used only for clinical purposes, be abandoned. When athletes are tested for iron status it would be prudent to include assessment of serum cholesterol in those with a family history of hyperlipidaemia.