bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Streptococcus suisinfections in humans: the Chinese experience and the situation in North America
Authors: Gottschalk Marcelo , Segura Mariela , Xu Jiangu 
Published: August 2007

AbstractInfections caused byStreptococcus suisare considered a global problem in the swine industry. In this animal species,S. suisis associated with septicemia, meningitis, endocarditis, arthritis and, occasionally, other infections. Moreover, it is an agent of zoonosis that afflicts people in close contact with infected pigs or pork-derived products. Although sporadic cases ofS. suisinfection in humans have been reported, a large outbreak due toS. suisserotype 2 emerged in the summer of 2005 in Sichuan, China. A similar outbreak was observed in another Chinese province in 1998. Symptoms reported in these two outbreaks include high fever, malaise, nausea and vomiting, followed by nervous symptoms, subcutaneous hemorrhage, septic shock and coma in severe cases. The increased severity ofS. suisinfections in humans, such as a shorter incubation time, more rapid disease progression and higher rate of mortality, underscores the critical need to better understand the factors associated with pathogenesis ofS. suisinfection. From the 35 capsular serotypes currently known, serotype 2 is considered the most virulent and frequently isolated in both swine and humans. Here, we review the epidemiological, clinical and immunopathological features ofS. suisinfection in humans.
Comparative genomics and proteomics to study tissue-specific response and function in naturalMycobacterium bovisinfections
Authors: Naranjo Victoria , Gortazar Christian , Villar Margarita , de la Fuente José 
Published: August 2007

AbstractBovine tuberculosis (bTB) is an established zoonotic disease which affects cattle and wildlife worldwide and new strategies are required to control and eradicate the disease. The European wild boar (Sus scrofa) is a major reservoir of bTB in Spain. The objective of this paper was to review tissue-specific response and function of mandibular lymph nodes (MLN) and oropharyngeal tonsils (OT) in European wild boar naturally infected withMycobacterium bovis. Genomics and proteomics data were used to compare differential gene expression and global protein patterns in OT and MLN ofM. bovis-infected and uninfected European wild boar and the results were analyzed considering previous reports of experimental infections in laboratory and domestic animals. The results showed tissue-specific differences in OT and MLN in response toM. bovisinfection. Tissue-specific differences in gene expression and protein profiles suggested different functions for OT and MLN during mycobacterial infection and provided information to characterize the pathobiology ofM. bovisinfection in European wild boar with important implications for the control of bTB in Spain. The characterization of molecular events in tissues that play different roles during mycobacterial infection in naturally infected individuals may be relevant to understand the pathobiology ofM. bovisinfection and to design effective strategies for the control of bTB in wildlife reservoirs.
Explaining unexplained diarrhea and associating risks and infections
Authors: Denno Donna M. , Klein Eileen J. , Young Vincent B. , Fox James G. , Wang David , Tarr Phillip I. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractGastrointestinal illnesses are common afflictions. However, knowledge of their etiology is often lacking. Moreover, most cases of infections with reportable enteric pathogens (Campylobacter jejuni,Escherichia coliO157:H7,Salmonella,Shigella,Yersinia,CryptosporidiaandGiardia) have sporadic modes of acquisition, yet control measures are often biased towards mitigation of risks discerned by outbreak analysis. To determine the etiology of unexplained diarrhea it is important to study populations that can be matched to appropriate controls and to couple thorough classic microbiologic evaluation on receipt of specimens with archiving and outgrowth capabilities. Research evaluations should address the potential roles of a broad panel of candidate bacterial pathogens including diarrheagenicE. coli,Listeria monocytogenes, Helicobacters andjejuniCampylobacters, and also apply novel massively parallel sequencing and nucleic acid detection technologies that allow the detection of viral pathogens. To fill voids in our knowledge regarding sources of known enteric pathogens it will be critical to extend case-control studies to assess risk factors and exposures to patients with non-epidemic illnesses and to appropriate controls. By filling these gaps in our knowledge it should be possible to formulate rational prevention mechanisms for human gastrointestinal illnesses.
HIERARCHIES OF T CELL RESPONSIVENESS ARE REFLECTED IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF EFFECTOR T CELLS IN VIRAL MENINGITIS
Authors: Doherty PC , Korngold R 
Published: August 2007

SummaryThe vaccinia‐virus‐immune cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response, associated with H‐2Kk in B10, A(2R) [KkDb] mice, is much more potent than that occurring in the context of H‐2Db. This differential reactivity is true for T‐cells recovered either from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of mice injected intra‐cerebrally (i.c.) with a low dose of virus or from spleen populations primed by intravenous (i.v.) inoculation of a large amount of virus. Further stimulation of CSF inflammatory cells in vitro for 7 days under limiting dilution conditions indicated that the hierarchy of cytotoxic T‐cell activity was a function of the relative frequencies of H‐2Kk‐ and H‐2Db‐restricted lymphocytes. We therefore conclude that the immune response gene effect described previously for cells found in lymphoid tissue is also expressed in a virus‐induced inflammatory exudate in the central nervous system.
AN EXAMINATION OF DIFFERENCES IN SERUM ANTIBODY SPECIFICITIES AND HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS AS CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO CHRONIC INFECTION WITH THE INTESTINAL PROTOZOAN PARASITE, GIARDIA MURIS, IN MICE
Authors: Erlich JH , Anders RF , Roberts‐Thomson IC , Schrader JW , Mitchell GF 
Published: August 2007

SummaryAfter oral administration of cysts of the intestinal protozoan parasite, Giardia muris, young male C3H/He mice are chronically infected, whereas BALB/c mice demonstrate a rapidly resolving pattern of infection. Both strains of mice injected with trophozoites in adjuvant and challenged orally with cysts develop serum antibodies to numerous trophozoite proteins. A limited number of these protein antigens was differenliatly immunoprecipitated by sera from resistant BALB/c and susceptible C3H/He mice exposed to G. muris. 35S‐methionine‐labelled protein antigens better recognized by immune BALB/c sera included molecules of relative mobility (Mr) 82,000 and a series of proteins of Mr 25,000 to 32,000, Differential recognition extended to a subset of solubilized trophozoite antigens that bind to the Iectin. wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), and that can be radio‐iodinated. In particular, a complex of 4 acidic protein antigens of approximate Mr 32,000. and designated collectively as Gm32, was better recognized by immune BALB/c serum than C3H/He serum. Isolated WGA‐binding antigens were not able to consistently vaccinate BALB/c mice against subsequent G. muris infection. Moreover, preliminary evidence has been obtained that lack of antibody responsiveness to Gm32 does not segregate strictly with susceptibility to chronic infection in (BALB/c × C3H/He)F2 mice. These data, plus the observation that drug‐cured C3H/He mice are highly resistant to reinfection, has led to examination of whether mice differ in the capacity of the intestines to support inflammatory responses. Mast cell deficient Wf/Wf mice, unlike wild‐type litter‐mates, developed chronic giardiasis although no reconstitution of resistance has yet been achieved with inocula of bone marrow cells from +/+ mice. BALB/c mice injected with the antihistamine and antiserotonin drug, cyproheptadine, also showed prolonged infections with G. muris. The data suggest that analysis of specificity differences in immune responses of mice varying in susceptibility to intestinal parasites must be supplemented by examination of the capacity of the intestine to support induced immune responses.
THE INFLUENCE OF NON‐MHC GENES ON THE CYTOTOXIC T CELL RESPONSE TO MODIFIED SELF
Authors: Müllbacher Arno , Brenan Mary , Bowern Narelle 
Published: August 2007

SummaryIn vivo primary cytotoxic T cell (Tc) responses to vaccinia and LCMV in H‐2k strains and in vitro secondary responses to influenza virus in H‐2k and H‐2d strains appear not to be influenced by genes outside the H‐2 complex. In vitro secondary responses to Bebaru, on the other hand, are partly controlled by non‐major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes.
PRIMARY ANTIBODY RESPONSES OF HERONS TO EXPERIMENTAL INFECTION WITH MURRAY VALLEY ENCEPHALITIS AND KUNJIN VIRUSES
Authors: Boyle David B , Marshall Ian D , Dickerman Robert W 
Published: August 2007

SummaryAntibody responses of rufous night herons (Nycticorax caledonicus) and little egrets (Egretta garzetta) following infection with Murray Valley encephalitis and Kunjin viruses were determined. Haemagglutinin‐inhibiting antibodies were first detected on day 5 or 6 after inoculation and increased rapidly, reaching maximum titres of 320 to 2560 between 10 and 20 days after inoculation. Titres declined to 20–320 between 60 and 120 days after inoculation, then tended to remain stationary. Titres were 2‐ to 8‐fold higher to infecting virus than heterologous virus. Neutralizing antibody development paralleled that of HI antibodies with titres maintained at a higher level for longer periods; however, they did eventually decline to low levels. Following MVE virus infection IgM (19S), HI antibodies were 80–100% of HI antibodies detectable on day 6 or 7 after inoculation and declined rapidly, becoming undetectable by 20 days after inoculation. With Kunjin virus infections, IgM HI antibodies represented 90–100% of HI antibodies detectable on day 6 or 7 after inoculation. Significant levels of IgM HI antibodies were still detectable 20 days after inoculation (5–30% of total HI antibodies) and, in some birds, even at 27 days after inoculation (up to 10%), IgG (7S) HI antibodies were low or undetectable on day 6 or 7 after inoculation, then increased rapidly with rapidly rising HI antibody titres. The specificity of IgM and IgG antibodies and unfractionated sera was determined by testing against Murray Valley encephalitis, Kunjin, Japanese encephalitis and West Nile virus haemagglutinating antigens. It was possible to determine with which virus a bird had been infected from the pattern of cross‐reaction with these antigens. These results should provide a rational basis for the interpretation of serological results from naturally infected birds.
DIAGNOSIS OF ENTERIC FEVER BY INHIBITION ASSAY USING PEROXIDASE‐LABELLED MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY AND SALMONELLA TYPHI LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE
Authors: Lim Pak‐Leong , Ho Mi‐Yee 
Published: August 2007

SummaryAn enzyme‐linked immunoassay was developed for diagnosing enteric fever. The test measured the inhibition of binding between a labelled, monoclonal IgM antibody and the insolubilized antigen, Salmonella typhi lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Good discrimination was seen between 32 proven typhoid cases (88·0 ± 4·4% inhibition) and non‐typhoid cases. The latter consisted of 27 febrile patients bacteriologically and serologically (Widal test) found to be negative for typhoid (26·3 ± 10·8% inhibition), 46 patients screened for syphilis (VDRL test) but found negative (31·2 ± 13·3% inhibition), and 27 healthy blood donors (44·6 ± 13·9% inhibition). The test also efficiently delected all 5 known typhoid carriers (90·6 ± 3·4% inhibition). The antibody binds antigen 9 in the LPS; however, this reaction was inhibited by antibodies directed against both this antigen and an adjacent antigen, 12. Anti‐12 antibodies presumably inhibit by steric hindrance and their importance in the test is discussed. Thus, the assay potentially detects (only) those systemic infections caused by salmonellae that possess antigen 9 or 12 (viz. S. typhi and S. paratyphi A).
MODULATION OF ANTIBODY RESPONSES TO VIBRIO CHOLERAE IN MICE BY ADOPTIVE TRANSFER OF PEYER'S PATCH LYMPHOCYTES FROM ORALLY IMMUNISED DONORS
Authors: Ahmed Ansaruddin , LaBrooy JT , Rowley D 
Published: August 2007

SummaryPeyer's patch lymphocytes from mice orally primed with V. cholerae injected into recipient mice together with V. cholerae led to a considerable suppression of IgM antibody‐forming cells in the spleen by comparison with control mice receiving the same schedule but with Peyer's patch lymphocytes from unprimed mice. The effect on the splenic IgA responses of recipients was variable. Incomplete separation of the Peyer's patch cells showed that both T and B cell enriched fractions were active in this suppressive effect.
THE ROLE OF ANTIBODY IN THE INTERACTION OF SALMONELLA AND LISTERIA WITH PERITONEAL MACROPHAGES
Authors: Cooper J McA , Johnson RB , Rowley D 
Published: August 2007

SummaryThat in vitro killing by normal and activated macrophages of S. typhimurium and other gram‐negative organisms is dependent on the presence of antibody has been confirmed. It has been shown that antibody is required for the binding of S. typhimurium to the surfaces of macrophages. This binding can be inhibited by the Fc portion of immunoglobulin, indicating that the Fc receptors on macrophages are used for binding S. typhimuriuim. It has also been confirmed that antibody does not appear to he necessary for killing of L. monocytogenes to occur. The organisms bind to the surface of macrophages by different receptors. Binding of L. monocytogenes occurs in the absence of added antibody and Fc fragments of immunoglobulin do not affect the binding. Attachment can be inhibited, however, by removal of divalent cations, a treatment that has no effect on antibody‐mediated binding as, under these conditions, the binding of L. monocytogenes to macrophages can be enhanced by antibody. The significance of these findings is discussed.
Identification, cloning, expression and functional characterization of an astacin-like metalloprotease toxin from Loxosceles intermedia (brown spider) venom
Authors: da Silveira Rafael B. , Wille Ana C. M. , Chaim Olga M. , Appel Marcia H. , Silva Dilza T. , Franco Célia R. C. , Toma Leny , Mangili Oldemir C. , Gremski Waldemiro , Dietrich Carl P. , Nader Helena B. , Veiga Silvio S. 
Published: August 2007

Injuries caused by brown spiders (Loxosceles genus) are associated with dermonecrotic lesions with gravitational spreading and systemic manifestations. The venom has a complex composition containing many different toxins, of which metalloproteases have been described in many different species of this genus. These toxins may degrade extracellular matrix constituents acting as a spreading factor. By using a cDNA library from an Loxosceles intermedia venom gland, we cloned and expressed a 900 bp cDNA, which encoded a signal peptide and a propeptide, which corresponded to a 30 kDa metalloprotease, now named LALP (Loxosceles astacin-like protease). Recombinant LALP was refolded and used to produce a polyclonal antiserum, which showed cross-reactivity with a 29 kDa native venom protein. CD analysis provided evidence that the recombinant LALP toxin was folded correctly, was still in a native conformation and had not aggregated. LALP addition to endothelial cell cultures resulted in de-adhesion of the cells, and also in the degradation of fibronectin and fibrinogen (this could be inhibited by the presence of the bivalent chelator 1,10-phenanthroline) and of gelatin in vitro. Sequence comparison (nucleotide and deduced amino acid), phylogenetic analysis and analysis of the functional recombinant toxin revealed that LALP is related in both structure and function to the astacin family of metalloproteases. This suggests that an astacin-like toxin is present in a animal venom secretion and indicates that recombinant LALP will be a useful tool for future structural and functional studies on venom and the astacin family.
Structurally reduced monosaccharide transporters in an evolutionarily conserved red alga
Authors: Schilling Silke , Oesterhelt Christine 
Published: August 2007

The unicellular red alga Galdieria sulphuraria is a facultative heterotrophic member of the Cyanidiaceae, a group of evolutionary highly conserved extremophilic red algae. Uptake of various sugars and polyols is accomplished by a large number of distinct plasma membrane transporters. We have cloned three transporters [GsSPT1 (G. sulphuraria sugar and polyol transporter 1), GsSPT2 and GsSPT4], followed their transcriptional regulation and assayed their transport capacities in the heterologous yeast system. SPT1 is a conserved type of sugar/H+ symporter with 12 predicted transmembrane-spanning domains, whereas SPT2 and SPT4 represent monosaccharide transporters, characterized by only nine hydrophobic domains. Surprisingly, all three proteins are functional plasma membrane transporters, as demonstrated by genetic complementation of a sugar uptake-deficient yeast mutant. Substrate specificities were broad and largely redundant, except for glucose, which was only taken up by SPT1. Comparison of SPT1 and truncated SPT1(Δ1–3) indicated that the N-terminus of the protein is not required for sugar transport or substrate recognition. However, its deletion affected substrate affinity as well as maximal transport velocity and released the pH dependency of sugar uptake. In line with these results, uptake by SPT2 and SPT4 was active but not pH-dependent, making a H+ symport mechanism unlikely for the truncated proteins. We postulate SPT2 and SPT4 as functional plasma membrane transporters in G. sulphuraria. Most likely, they originated from genes encoding active monosaccharide/H+ symporters with 12 transmembrane-spanning domains.
Maurocalcine interacts with the cardiac ryanodine receptor without inducing channel modification
Authors: Altafaj Xavier , France Julien , Almassy Janos , Jona Istvan , Rossi Daniela , Sorrentino Vincenzo , Mabrouk Kamel , De Waard Michel , Ronjat Michel 
Published: August 2007

We have previously shown that MCa (maurocalcine), a toxin from the venom of the scorpion Maurus palmatus, binds to RyR1 (type 1 ryanodine receptor) and induces strong modifications of its gating behaviour. In the present study, we investigated the ability of MCa to bind to and modify the gating process of cardiac RyR2. By performing pull-down experiments we show that MCa interacts directly with RyR2 with an apparent affinity of 150 nM. By expressing different domains of RyR2 in vitro, we show that MCa binds to two domains of RyR2, which are homologous with those previously identified on RyR1. The effect of MCa binding to RyR2 was then evaluated by three different approaches: (i) [3H]ryanodine binding experiments, showing a very weak effect of MCa (up to 1 μM), (ii) Ca2+ release measurements from cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles, showing that MCa up to 1 μM is unable to induce Ca2+ release, and (iii) single-channel recordings, showing that MCa has no effect on the open probability or on the RyR2 channel conductance level. Long-lasting opening events of RyR2 were observed in the presence of MCa only when the ionic current direction was opposite to the physiological direction, i.e. from the cytoplasmic face of RyR2 to its luminal face. Therefore, despite the conserved MCa binding ability of RyR1 and RyR2, functional studies show that, in contrast with what is observed with RyR1, MCa does not affect the gating properties of RyR2. These results highlight a different role of the MCa-binding domains in the gating process of RyR1 and RyR2.
Clinical and pathological features of fat embolism with acute respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: Kao Shang Jyh , Yeh Diana Yu-Wung , Chen Hsing I. 
Published: August 2007

FES (fat embolism syndrome) is a clinical problem, and, although ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome) has been considered as a serious complication of FES, the pathogenesis of ARDS associated with FES remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the clinical manifestations, and biochemical and pathophysiological changes, in subjects associated with FES and ARDS, to elucidate the possible mechanisms involved in this disorder. A total of eight patients with FES were studied, and arterial blood pH, PaO2 (arterial partial pressure of O2), PaCO2 (arterial partial pressure of CO2), biochemical and pathophysiological data were obtained. These subjects suffered from crash injuries and developed FES associated with ARDS, and each died within 2 h after admission. In the subjects, chest radiography revealed that the lungs were clear on admission, and pulmonary infiltration was observed within 2 h of admission. Arterial blood pH and PaO2 declined, whereas PaCO2 increased. Plasma PLA2 (phospholipase A2), nitrate/nitrite, methylguanidine, TNF-α (tumour necrosis factor-α), IL-1β (interleukin-1β) and IL-10 (interleukin-10) were significantly elevated. Pathological examinations revealed alveolar oedema and haemorrhage with multiple fat droplet depositions and fibrin thrombi. Fat droplets were also found in the arterioles and/or capillaries in the lung, kidney and brain. Immunohistochemical staining identified iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase) in alveolar macrophages. In conclusion, our clinical analysis suggests that PLA2, NO, free radicals and pro-inflammatory cytokines are involved in the pathogenesis of ARDS associated with FES. The major source of NO is the alveolar macrophages.
Global longitudinal strain measured by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography is closely related to myocardial infarct size in chronic ischaemic heart disease
Authors: Gjesdal Ola , Hopp Einar , Vartdal Trond , Lunde Ketil , Helle-Valle Thomas , Aakhus Svend , Smith Hans-Jørgen , Ihlen Halfdan , Edvardsen Thor 
Published: August 2007

2D-STE (two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography) is a novel echocardiographic modality that enables angle-independent assessment of myocardial deformation indices. In the present study, we tested whether peak systolic ϵ∥ (longitudinal strain) values measured by 2D-STE could identify areas of MI (myocardial infarction) as determined by CE MRI (contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging). Conventional echocardiographic apical long-axis recordings were performed in 38 patients, 9 months after a first MI. Peak systolic ϵ∥ measured by 2D-STE in 16 left ventricle segments was compared with segmental infarct mass and transmurality assessed by CE MRI. Segmental values were averaged to global and territorial values for assessment of global function and myocardial function in the coronary distribution areas. CE MRI identified transmural infarction in 27 patients, and a mean infarct size of 36±25 g. Peak systolic ϵ∥ correlated with the infarct mass at the global level (r=0.84, P&lt;0.001). A strain value of −15% identified infarction with 83% sensitivity and 93% specificity at the global level and 76% and 95% at the territorial level, and a strain value of −13% identified transmural infarction with 80% sensitivity and 83% specificity at the segmental level. Global infarct mass correlates with the wall motion score index (r=0.70, P&lt;0.001), and left ventricular ejection fraction measured by MRI or echocardiography (r=−0.71 and −0.58, both P&lt;0.001). In chronic infarction, peak systolic ϵ∥ measured by 2D-STE correlates with the infarct mass assessed by CE MRI at a global level, and separates infarcted from non-infarcted tissue. Global strain is an excellent predictor of myocardial infarct size in chronic ischaemic heart disease.