bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantitative analysis of parasite DNA in the blood of immunized and naïve mice after infection with Neospora caninum
Authors: PINITKIATISAKUL S. , MATTSSON J. G. , LUNDÉN* A. 
Published: October 2007

SUMMARYReal-time PCR was used to study the duration and level of parasitaemia in mice immunized with immune-stimulating complexes (iscoms) containing recombinant NcSRS2, one of the immunodominant surface antigens of Neospora caninum. After challenge infection, blood was collected daily for 9 days. During this period the amounts of parasite DNA detected in immunized mice were significantly lower (P<0·001), and the duration of parasitaemia appeared to be shorter, than in non-immunized controls. Furthermore, the degree of parasitaemia seemed to correlate well with the amount of N. caninum DNA in the brain 3 weeks post-inoculation and with disease severity measured as changes in body weight. These results indicate that the protective immunity induced by the NcSRS2-iscoms was sufficient to reduce the level of parasitaemia, which probably reduced the number of parasites reaching the brain, and could be the reason for the reduction in brain parasite load and clinical symptoms. Furthermore, real-time PCR was found to be a sensitive means for rapid assessment of N. caninum in blood.
Measuring depression: comparison and integration of three scales in the GENDEP study
Authors: Uher R. , Farmer A. , Maier W. , Rietschel M. , Hauser J. , Marusic A. , Mors O. , Elkin A. , Williamson R. J. , Schmael C. , Henigsberg N. , Perez J. , Mendlewicz J. , Janzing J. G. E. , Zobel A. , Skibinska M. , Kozel D. , Stamp A. S. , Bajs M. , Placentino A. , Barreto M. , McGuffin P. , Aitchison K. J. 
Published: October 2007

BackgroundA number of scales are used to estimate the severity of depression. However, differences between self-report and clinician rating, multi-dimensionality and different weighting of individual symptoms in summed scores may affect the validity of measurement. In this study we examined and integrated the psychometric properties of three commonly used rating scales.MethodThe 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17), the Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were administered to 660 adult patients with unipolar depression in a multi-centre pharmacogenetic study. Item response theory (IRT) and factor analysis were used to evaluate their psychometric properties and estimate true depression severity, as well as to group items and derive factor scores.ResultsThe MADRS and the BDI provide internally consistent but mutually distinct estimates of depression severity. The HAMD-17 is not internally consistent and contains several items less suitable for out-patients. Factor analyses indicated a dominant depression factor. A model comprising three dimensions, namely ‘observed mood and anxiety’, ‘cognitive’ and ‘neurovegetative’, provided a more detailed description of depression severity.ConclusionsThe MADRS and the BDI can be recommended as complementary measures of depression severity. The three factor scores are proposed for external validation.
HIV subtypes in Scotland, 2000–2006
Authors: YIRRELL D. L. , SHAW L. , CAMPBELL E. , BURNS S. M. , CAMERON S. O. , GOLDBERG D. 
Published: October 2007

SUMMARYThe purpose of this study was to document the dynamics of HIV-1 subtypes in Scotland over a 6-year period. Viral RNA from all-new diagnoses was amplified by nested PCR and sequenced in the gag and/or env regions. Subtype was assigned by phylogenetic analysis, and aligned with demographic data including likely route and geographical origin of infection. We present data on 80% of all new diagnoses in Scotland between April 2000 and April 2006. Within the background of an expanding epidemic, subtype B predominates in men who have sex with men and intravenous drug users but there is a small but consistent number of UK-acquired infections in these risk groups caused by non-B subtypes. In heterosexuals, non-B subtypes acquired abroad, especially Africa, are still the largest group but again UK-acquired numbers are rising. The social and clinical significance of the spread of non-B subtypes in different ethnic and risk groups remains to be established.
Successes and failures: an overview of lessons learnt in the creation of targeted therapy strategies for breast cancer
Authors: Johnston S. R. D. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractTherapies that target cancers according to their characteristics (estrogen receptor +ve or –ve, for example) have been a major development in treating cancers successfully and have led to an increase in survival rates. These successes have led to increased research into even more tightly focused therapies. But targeted therapies do not work for everyone, raising issues of (1) identifying patients and (2) developing therapies that reflect our increasing understanding of the complex and differentiated traits of tumors. New targeted therapies such as small molecule signal transduction inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies are being developed to address tumors at all stages of the cell proliferation cycle and it is hoped that they may eventually transform cancer into a fully treatable condition.
Review of:Estrogen receptor β expression is associated with tamoxifen response in ERα-negative breast carcinoma
Authors: Murphy L. 
Published: October 2007

Citation of original article:S. K. Gruvberger-Saal, P.-O. Bendahl, L. H. Saal, M. Laakso, C. Hegardt, P. Edeén, C. Peterson, P. Malmström, J. Isola, A. Borg, M. Fernoö.Clinical Cancer Research2007;13: 1987–1994.Abstract of the original article:PurposeEndocrine therapies, such as tamoxifen, are commonly given to most patients with estrogen receptor (ERα)-positive breast carcinoma but are not indicated for persons with ERα-negative cancer. The factors responsible for response to tamoxifen in 5% to 10% of patients with ERα-negative tumors are not clear. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the biology and prognostic role of the second ER, ERβ, in patients treated with adjuvant tamoxifen.Experimental designWe investigated ERβ by immunohistochemistry in 353 stage II primary breast tumors from patients treated with 2 years adjuvant tamoxifen, and generated gene expression profiles for a representative subset of 88 tumors.ResultsERβ was associated with increased survival (distant disease-free survival,P= 0.01; overall survival,P= 0.22), and in particular within ERα-negative patients (P= 0.003;P= 0.04), but not in the ERα-positive subgroup (P= 0.49;P= 0.88). Lack of ERβ conferred early relapse (hazards ratio, 14; 95% confidence interval, 1.8–106;P= 0.01) within the ERα-negative subgroup even after adjustment for other markers. ERα was an independent marker only within the ERβ-negative tumors (hazards ratio, 0.44; 95% confidence interval, 0.21–0.89;P= 0.02). An ERβ gene expression profile was identified and was markedly different from the ERα signature.ConclusionExpression of ERβ is an independent marker for favorable prognosis after adjuvant tamoxifen treatment in ERα-negative breast cancer patients and involves a gene expression program distinct from ERα. These results may be highly clinically significant, because in the United States alone, approximately 10 000 women are diagnosed annually with ERα-negative/ERβ-positive breast carcinoma and may benefit from adjuvant tamoxifen.
Cell‐Free Protein Synthesis in Microfluidic Array Devices
Authors: Mei Qian , Fredrickson Carl K. , Simon Andrew , Khnouf Ruba , Fan Z. Hugh 
Published: October 2007

AbstractWe report the development of a microfluidic array device for continuous‐exchange, cell‐free protein synthesis. The advantages of protein expression in the microfluidic array include (1) the potential to achieve high‐throughput protein expression, matching the throughput of gene discovery; (2) more than 2 orders of magnitude reduction in reagent consumption, decreasing the cost of protein synthesis; and (3) the possibility to integrate with detection for rapid protein analysis, eliminating the need to harvest proteins. The device consists of an array of units, and each unit can be used for production of an individual protein. The unit comprises a tray chamber for in vitro protein expression and a well chamber as a nutrient reservoir. The tray is nested in the well, and they are separated by a dialysis membrane and connected through a microfluidic connection that provides a means to supply nutrients and remove the reaction byproducts. The device is demonstrated by synthesis of green fluorescent protein, chloramphenicol acetyl‐transferase, and luciferase. Protein expression in the device lasts 5–10 times longer and the production yield is 13–22 times higher than in a microcentrifuge tube. In addition, we studied the effects of the operation temperature and hydrostatic flow on the protein production yield.
Dark Hydrogen Fermentation from Hydrolyzed Starch Treated with Recombinant Amylase Originating from Caldimonastaiwanensis On1
Authors: Chen Shing‐Der , Sheu Der‐Shyan , Chen Wen‐Ming , Lo Yung‐Chung , Huang Tian‐I , Lin Chiu‐Yue , Chang Jo‐Shu 
Published: October 2007

AbstractStarch is one of the most abundant resources on earth and is suited to serve as a cost‐effective feedstock for biological hydrogen production. However, producing hydrogen from direct fermentation of starch is usually inefficient, as the starch hydrolysis is often the rate‐limiting step. Therefore, in the present work, enzymatic starch hydrolysis was conducted to enhance the feasibility of using starch feedstock for H2 production. The amylase (with a molecular weight of ca. 112 kDa) used for starch hydrolysis was produced from a recombinant E. coli harboring an amylase gene originating from Caldimonas taiwanensis On1. Using statistical experimental design, the optimal pH and temperature for starch hydrolysis with the recombinant amylase was pH 6.86 and 52.4 °C, respectively, at an initial starch concentration of 7 g/L. The hydrolyzed products contained mainly glucose, maltotriose, and maltotetrose, while a tiny amount of maltose was also detected. The enzymatically hydrolyzed products of soluble starch and cassava starch were used as the substrate for dark hydrogen fermentation using Clostridium butyricum CGS2 and Clostridium pasteurianum CH4. The highest H2 production rate (vH2) and yield (YH2) of C. butyricum CGS2 was 124.0 mL/h/L and 6.32 mmol H2/g COD, respectively, both obtained with the hydrolysate of cassava starch. The best H2 production rate (63.0 mL/h/L) of C. pasteurianum CH4 occurred when using hydrolyzed cassava starch as the substrate, whereas the highest yield (9.95 mmol H2/g COD) was obtained with the hydrolyzed soluble starch.
First Report of Plum pox virus on Plum in New York State
Authors: Snover-Clift K. L. , Clement P. A. , Jablonski R. , Mungari R. J. , Mavrodieva V. A. , Negi S. , Levy L. 
Published: October 2007

Plum pox, also known as Sharka, is one of the more significant viral diseases of stone fruit trees such as plum, peach, and apricot. It was first reported in Europe in the early 1900s and more recently in Chile in 1992, the United States (Pennsylvania) in 1999, Canada (Ontario and Nova Scotia) in 2000, China in 2001, and Argentina in 2004. Plum pox virus (PPV) was recently detected in two plum (Prunus domestica) trees in an orchard in Niagara County, NY, located within 5 miles from a Canadian plum pox eradication zone. Typical symptoms of chlorotic rings and spots were observed on some of the leaves from these trees. No symptoms were reported prior to the survey collection in July 2006. Survey samples were screened for the presence of PPV by ELISA using the Agdia PPV (Agdia, Elkhart, IN) specific kit that recognizes all strains but C of PPV. Approximately 5% of the survey samples were additionally analyzed by a validated immunocapture reverse transcription (IC-RT)-PCR TaqMan assay in a Cepheid SmartCycler (Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA). Both replicates of the two New York plum trees produced a positive ELISA reaction in two consecutive tests. The ELISA-positive samples also produced positive results when subjected to the real-time IC-RT-PCR test. The PPV-positive trees were sampled again and an additional 53 samples were collected from trees in the surrounding area. Suspect trees again tested positive, while all the trees in the surrounding area tested negative. The methods used for confirmation included two ELISA tests (Durviz [Valencia, Spain] DAS indirect monoclonal ELISA and Agdia DAS polyclonal ELISA). Confirmatory real-time IC-RT-PCR was performed using universal 3′ nontranslated region (NTR) primers (2,3) in a SYBR Green assay format and a coat protein (CP) primers/probe TaqMan assay (3,4). Further, the New York PPV isolate was identified as PPV D group using a subgroup specific conventional IC-RT-PCR (1). A 1.4-kb sequence fragment from the 3′ end of the New York PPV was sequenced (GenBank Accession No. DG 883816). Comparison of the sequence with the database confirmed this isolate as subgroup D and exhibited a high degree of identity with other PPV D accessions (PPV D Teycheney [Accession No. X16415]; Penn4 [Accession No. DQ465243] Cnd 123-1 [Accession No. AY9553267]; and Cnd 3 [Accession No. AY953262]). To our knowledge, this is the first report of PPV in New York. References: (1) T. Candresse et al. Phytopathology. 88:198, 1998. (2) L. Levy et al. J. Virol. Methods. 49:295, 1994. (3) V. Mavrodieva and L. Levy. Acta Hortic. 657:141, 2004. (4) T. Wetzel et al. J.Virol. Methods 33:355, 1991.
Frequent Occurrence of Lettuce mosaic virus in Cape Daisy (Osteospermum sp.) in Tunisia
Authors: Gall O. Le , Svanella-Dumas L. , Fakhfakh H. , Marrakchi M. , Candresse T. 
Published: October 2007

The potyvirus Lettuce mosaic virus (LMV) is a common pathogen of lettuce crops worldwide, but it also infects other Asteraceae spp. including ornamentals (2,3,4). Cape daisies (Osteospermum sp.) are widely grown perennial ornamentals reported to be natural hosts of LMV (2,4), which causes faint leaf mosaic and sometimes mild flower breaking. A preliminary observation of mosaic symptoms prompted a large-scale survey during the spring of 2005 in Cape daisies grown in the Tunis metropolitan area and the south of Tunisia (Djerba, Medenine). Two hundred seventy-one samples (Tunis: 14 sites, 219 samples; South: 9 sites, 52 samples) were randomly collected from nurseries, roadway plantings, and home gardens and analyzed. Ninety-three samples (Tunis: 40%, South: 12%; overall: 34%) showed distinct mosaic symptoms. LMV infection was verified by immuno-tissue printing on all collected samples (1), providing evidence for even higher infection levels (Tunis: 60%; South: 25%; overall: 56%). This technique, therefore, allowed the detection of symptomless infection in a significant proportion of samples. It should however, be stressed that symptoms can be very difficult to observe in water-stressed plants, a situation frequently observed in Tunisia. Subsequent PCR analysis with LMV-specific primers (1) of a subset of 24 symptomatic and tissue-print-positive samples confirmed LMV infection in all cases. This is to our knowledge, the first report of LMV infection in Cape daisies in Tunisia. The very high rate of infection observed suggests that these popular ornamentals might constitute a reservoir of LMV as previously reported in the United States (4). References: (1) H. Fakhfakh et al. J. Plant Pathol. 83:3, 2001. (2) R. Jordan and M. Guaragna. (Abstr.) Phytopathology 96(suppl.):S56, 2006. (3) O. Le Gall. No. 399 in: Description of Plant Viruses. A. T. Jones et al., eds. CMI/AAB, Kew, Surrey, UK, 2003. (4) D. C. Opgenorth et al. Plant Dis. 75:751, 1991.
The significance of caveolin‐1 expression in parietal epithelial cells of Bowman’s capsule
Authors: Ostalska‐Nowicka D , Nowicki M , Zachwieja J , Kasper M , Witt M 
Published: October 2007

Aims:  To analyse the expression of caveolin‐1 in normal human kidney and during diseases leading to nephrotic syndrome in children and to compare its pattern with those observed in control samples, both human and animal.Methods and results:  The study group was composed of 104 children diagnosed with minimal change disease (MCD), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), lupus glomerulonephritis (LGN) and Schönlein–Henoch glomerulopathy (SH). The research protocol employed direct immunohistochemical assay with the use of mono‐ and polyclonal antibodies against caveolins. Kidney samples of Wistar rats, wild‐type mice and caveolin‐1‐deficient mice were also analysed. In the control human samples, caveolin‐1 was most abundant in the muscle layer of blood vessels and parietal epithelial cells (PECs). Its expression in PECs was significantly lower in children diagnosed with FSGS and LGN than in those with MCD, SH or in controls. In the control animal tissues, except for knock‐out mice, caveolin‐1 was present in distal convoluted tubules, PECs, endothelial cells and muscle.Conclusions:  Caveolae are extremely stable elements of PECs and can be excluded from their cell membrane only in response to the dramatic cell reconstruction observed in FSGS and LGN.
‘Arc 5’ antibodies in sera of sheep infected with Echinococcus granulosus, Taenia hydatigena and Taenia ovis
Authors: YONG W.K. , HEATH D.D. 
Published: October 2007

Summary The ‘arc 5’ precipitin band, formed when test human serum is reacted against immunoelectrophoresed hydatid cyst fluid antigen, has provided a positive diagnosis of Echinococcus granulosus infection. These antibodies to ‘arc 5’ antigen have now been found in the sera of sheep. They appear 2 weeks after infection with Taenia ovis, after 3 weeks with T. hydatigena and after 16 weeks with E. granulosus.An antigen similar to the ‘arc 5’ antigen of E. granulosus cyst fluid was also demonstrated in cyst fluid from T. hydatigena, but it could not be positively identified in T. ovis cyst fluid. The presence of ‘arc 5’ in immunoelectrophoresis tests is not suitable for specific immunodiagnosis of E. granulosus infections in sheep in New Zealand.‘Arc 5’ antibodies were only associated with living E. granulosus cysts and were not present if cysts were dead. The location of the cysts in either liver or lungs and the onset of brood capsule production did not influence the presence of ‘arc 5’ antibodies.
Comparison of three immunological tests for seroepidemiological purposes in human echinococcosis
Authors: PICARDO N.G.A. , GUISANTES J.A. 
Published: October 2007

SUMMARYThe comparative sensitivity and specificity of three immunodiagnostic tests for hydatid disease—the latex agglutination (LA) test, the indirect haemag‐glutination (IHA) test and the counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIEP) test—were studied. The results of the IHA test were evaluated using three positivity criteria. Antigen from the same source—hydatid cyst fluid pool of ovine origin—was utilized for the three tests. A total of 123 sera were studied; 30 preoperative sera from patients with other parasitic and infectious diseases, 30 sera from patients with non‐parasitic diseases and 30 sera from normal blood donors. The results of the three tests were correlated to the immunoelectrophoresis (IEP) test based on the presence of arc 5. The same sensitivity (86.7%) and specificity (99%) was obtained in LA, CIEP and IHA tests when the minimum cross‐reactivity titre criterion was employed for the latter. Non‐specificity was relatively high (13%) in the IHA test when only serological reactivity was considered. The sensitivity of the IHA test decreased (83.3%) using the diagnostic titre criterion and non‐specific reactions were eliminated. All three tests correlated well with the IEP test.
The immunodominant epitope of the major membrane tachyzoite protein (P30) of Toxoplasma gondii
Authors: SANTORO F. , CHARIF HALEH , CAPRON A. 
Published: October 2007

Summary Several physicochemical characteristics of the repeated epitope of the major surface protein (P30) of Toxoplasma gondii were investigated with an anti‐P30 mAb by two different methods: (a) a one‐site/inhibition assay that detects molecules containing single or multiple epitopes and (b) a two‐site/one antibody radiometric assay that is only effective with antigenic molecules containing two or more identical epitopes. Using both techniques, the repeated epitope within purified P30 was stable after 1 h at 63°C, but labile at 100°C. It was also resistant to successive freezing and thawing, and not affected after one year at – 70°C. Lyophilization and acidic or basic treatment had no effect. This epitope was also resistant to 20% trichloroacetic acid precipitation (activity recovered in the pellet) and to precipitation with cold acetone.To investigate the immunodominance of this repeated epitope during the humoral immune response against T. gondii, competition binding assays between anti‐P30 mAb and polyclonal antibodies, from rabbits immunized with either purified P30 or total Toxoplasma extract and from patients with toxoplasmosis, have been used. We found that the mAb inhibited 50–95% of the binding of the IgG antibodies from both rabbits to purified P30. In addition, the binding of both human IgG and IgM antibodies to P30 was significantly inhibited by the mAb. It appears, therefore, that a single region of P30 contains most of the immunogenic activity.
Immune‐mediated adherence of eosinophils to Toxocara canis infective larvae: the role of excretory‐secretory antigens
Authors: BADLEY JANE E. , GRIEVE ROBERT B. , ROCKEY JOHN H. , GLICKMAN LAWRENCE T. 
Published: October 2007

Summary The participation of Toxocara canis larval excretory‐secretory antigens in immune‐mediated adherence was determined in vitro. Adsorption of immune sera with excretory‐secretory antigens removed some complement components, removed IgG antibody directed against larval surfaces, and abrogated all adherence observed with untreated immune serum. At least four antigens could be implicated in adherence, by Western blot analysis of adherence mediating sera.Scanning and transmission electron microscopic examination of larvaleosinophil interactions revealed that eosinophils adhered to a membranous sheath‐like layer that was frequently detached from the larval epicuticle. The layers appeared to be composed of surface antigens and antibody, and may provide larvae with protection against antibody and eosinophil toxins by preventing their contact with the epicuticle. The release of surface antigens also may be important in allowing larvae to evade the host's immune response by facilitating the removal of antibody and eosinophils from the larval surface.