bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Passive and active components of neonatal innate immune defenses
Authors: Firth Matthew A. , Shewen Patricia E. , Hodgins Douglas C. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractInnate immune defenses are crucial for survival in the first days and weeks of life. At birth, newborns are confronted with a vast array of potentially pathogenic microorganisms that were not encountered in utero. At this age, cellular components of the adaptive immune system are in a naïve state and are slow to respond. Antibodies received from the dam are essential for defense, but represent a finite and dwindling resource. Innate components of the immune system detect pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) on microorganisms (and their products) by means of pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs). Soluble mediators of the innate system such as complement proteins, pentraxins, collectins, ficolins, defensins, lactoferrin, lysozyme etc. can bind to structures on pathogens, leading to agglutination, interference with receptor binding, opsonization, neutralization, direct membrane damage and recruitment of additional soluble and cellular elements through inflammation. Cell-associated receptors such as the Toll-like receptors (TLRs) can activate cells and coordinate responses (both innate and adaptive). In this paper, accumulated knowledge of the receptors, soluble and cellular elements that contribute to innate defenses of young animals is reviewed. Research interest in this area has been intermittent, and the literature varies in quantity and quality. It is hoped that documentation of the limitations of our knowledge base will lead to more extensive and enlightening studies.
Gastrointestinal nematode infection in sheep – a review of the alternatives to anthelmintics in parasite control
Authors: Sayers G. , Sweeney T. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractEfforts to curb production losses caused by nematode parasitism in sheep have led to the development of a number of control methods to complement or replace anthelmintics. The need for alternative control measures stems from the emergence of anthelmintic-resistant parasitic nematodes with reports of multi-class resistance to these drugs now emerging. A number of these control methods such as predacious microfungi, protein supplementation, plant extracts in feed and vaccines have demonstrated potential to control infection but require development and examination under natural conditions. Breeding for natural resistance to nematode infection has already shown success in controlling the disease under natural conditions. Selection for resistance is currently based on fecal egg count measurements but identification of genetic indicators of resistance will provide a more efficient method of selection. Current quantitative trait loci for nematode resistance include the MHC genes, interferon gamma gene, IgE gene and microsatellites on chromosome 1, 5 and 6. This paper reviews the current alternatives to anthelmintics to control infection, with an emphasis on breeding for host resistance and identification of genetic indicators of resistance.
Proliferative enteropathy: a global enteric disease of pigs caused byLawsonia intracellularis
Authors: Kroll Jeremy J. , Roof Michael B. , Hoffman Lorraine J. , Dickson James S. , Hank Harris D. L. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractProliferative enteropathy (PE; ileitis) is a common intestinal disease affecting susceptible pigs raised under various management systems around the world. Major developments in the understanding of PE and its causative agent,Lawsonia intracellularis, have occurred that have led to advances in the detection of this disease and methods to control and prevent it. Diagnostic tools that have improved overall detection and early onset of PE in pigs include various serological and molecular-based assays. Histological tests such as immunohistochemistry continue to be the gold standard in confirmingLawsonia-specific lesions in pigspost mortem. Despite extreme difficulties in isolatingL. intracellularis, innovations in the cultivation and the development of pure culture challenge models, have opened doors to better characterization of the pathogenesis of PE throughin vivoandin vitro L. intracellularis–host interactions. Advancements in molecular research such as the genetic sequencing of the entireLawsoniagenome have provided ways to identify various immunogens, metabolic pathways and methods for understanding the epidemiology of this organism. The determinations of immunological responsiveness in pigs to virulent and attenuated isolates ofL. intracellularisand identification of various immunogens have led to progress in vaccine development.
Plant-made vaccines: biotechnology and immunology in animal health
Authors: Rice J. , Ainley W. M. , Shewen P. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe use of plants as production systems for vaccine antigens has been actively investigated over the last 15 years. The original research focused on the value of this expression system for oral delivery based on the hypothesis that plant-expressed antigens would be more stable within the digestive tract and would allow for the use of the oral route of administration to stimulate a mucosal immune response. However, while first conceived for utility via the oral route, plant-made antigens have also been studied as classical immunogens delivered via a needle to model animal systems. Antigens have been expressed in a number of whole plant and cell culture systems. Several alternative expression platforms have been developed to increase expression of antigens or to elicit preferred immunological responses. The biotechnological advances in plant expression and the immunological testing of these antigens will be reviewed in this paper focusing primarily on diseases of livestock and companion animals.
Listeria monocytogenes: silage, sandwiches and science
Authors: Czuprynski Charles J. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractListeria monocytogenesis amongst the most intriguing and well studied of the pathogenic bacteria. However, the understanding and perspective one has ofL. monocytogenesdepends to a large extent on the microbiological issues with which one is faced as a part of your professional duties. The focus of the veterinary clinician or investigator is likely to be foremost on the neurologic (circling disease) and reproductive diseasesL. monocytogenescauses. To the food microbiologist, the principal concern is to prevent introduction ofL. monocytogenesinto food products, or to identify its presence and prevent its multiplication to numbers of organisms that are likely to pose a substantial risk to humans who ingest the product. To the cellular immunologist, listeriosis represents a robust murine model that helped to elucidate many important concepts in innate and adaptive immunity, andL. monocytogenesis a potential vector for delivery of novel vaccines. To the student of molecular pathogenesis,L. monocytogenesis a powerful and well-characterized model organism for studying the cellular microbiology of an intracellular pathogen. In this brief overview, I will attempt to highlight some of the classical observations, and contemporary insights, onL. monocytogenesand listeriosis, and integrate these perspectives into a common framework. By so doing, I hope to provide those with one perspective on listeriosis with an appreciation of the broad array of problems and issues faced by those who focus on some other aspect ofL. monocytogenesand its pathogenesis.
The Mediterranean diet: science and practice
Authors: Willett Walter C 
Published: February 2006

AbstractObjectiveTo provide an overview of research relevant to the Mediterranean diet.DesignPersonal perspectives.SettingInternational.SubjectPopulations in Europe, North America, Asia.ResultsApproximately 50 years ago, Keys and colleagues described strikingly low rates of coronary heart disease in the Mediterranean region, where fat intake was relatively high but largely from olive oil. Subsequent controlled feeding studies have shown that compared to carbohydrate, both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats reduce LDL and triglycerides and increase HDL cholesterol. Importantly, these beneficial metabolic effects are greater in the presence of underlying insulin resistance. In a detailed analysis within the Nurses' Health Study, trans fat from partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (absent in traditional Mediterranean diets) was most strongly related to risk of heart disease, and both polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat were inversely associated with risk. Epidemiologic evidence has also supported beneficial effects of higher intakes of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fish, and daily consumption of moderate amounts of alcohol. Together with regular physical activity and not smoking, our analyses suggest that over 80% of coronary heart disease, 70% of stroke, and 90% of type 2 diabetes can be avoided by healthy food choices that are consistent with the traditional Mediterranean diet.ConclusionBoth epidemiologic and metabolic studies suggest that individuals can benefit greatly by adopting elements of Mediterranean diets.
The Mediterranean-style diet for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases
Authors: de Lorgeril Michel , Salen Patricia 
Published: February 2006

AbstractObjectivesTo discuss present knowledge about Mediterranean diet and cardiovascular diseases.DesignReview of existing literature.Setting and ResultsEpidemiological studies as well as randomised dietary trials suggest that Mediterranean diet may be important in relation to the pathogenesis (and prevention) of CHD. For instance, a striking protective effect of an ALA-rich Mediterranean diet was reported in the Lyon Diet Heart Study with a 50 to 70% reduction of the risk of recurrence after 4 years of follow-up in CHD patients. According to our current knowledge, dietary ALA should represent about 0.6 to 1% of total daily energy or about 2 g per day in patients following a Mediterranean diet, whereas the average intake in linoleic acid should not exceed 7 g per day. Supplementation with very-long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (about 1 g per day) in patients following a Mediterranean type of diet was shown to decrease the risk of cardiac death by 30% and of sudden cardiac death by 45% in the GISSI trial.ConclusionsIn the context of a diet rich in oleic acid, poor in saturated fats and low in omega-6 fatty acids (a dietary pattern characterising the traditional Mediterranean diet), even small doses of omega-3 fatty acids (about 1 g EPA + DHA the form of fish oil capsules or 2 g α-linolenic acid in canola oil and margarine) might be very protective. These data underline the importance of the accompanying diet in any dietary strategy using fatty acid complements.
The European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)
Authors: Gonzalez Carlos A 
Published: February 2006

AbstractObjectiveTo describe the main finding produced so far by the EPIC project, which aims to improve the scientific knowledge of nutritional factors involved in cancer.Design and settingProspective cohort study in 23 centres from 10 European countries. Dietary assessment method varied by countries: in some cases a diet history by personal interview was carried out, while in most countries a self-administered semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire was used; in one case the questionnaire was combined with a food record. Information on a wide range of lifestyle factors and anthropometric measurements were also collected for most participants.SubjectsThe cohort includes 521 468 men and women mostly aged between 39 and 69 years, whereas blood samples are available for 387 889 subjects.ResultsTo date 24 185 cancer cases have been identified in the follow-up of the cohort. The publications produced by each centre can be consulted on the EPIC website (http://www.iarc.fr/epic/). Among initial findings concerning the associations between cancer and dietary factors, one of the most important results is a protective effect of high fibre intake and fish consumption against colorectal cancer, while high red and processed meat intake increase the risk. Regarding lung cancer the first analyses found a protective effect of fruit intake but no association with vegetable consumption. No association was observed between vegetables and fruit intake and the risk of prostate cancer or breast cancer. Finally, data from Cambridge point to an interesting result regarding breast cancer: no association was observed with saturated fat intake measured by food-frequency questionnaire, but according to the food diary a daily intake of 35 g doubles the risk of breast cancer compared to women with daily intake of 10 g or less.
The SUN cohort study (Seguimiento University of Navarra)
Authors: Ángel Martínez-González Miguel 
Published: February 2006

AbstractObjectiveCohort study (the SUN project) to identify dietary determinants of hypertension, diabetes, obesity and coronary heart disease (CHD), among other conditions.DesignThe SUN project is a Mediterranean dynamic prospective follow-up (cohort) study assessing participants every 2 years. The recruitment started in 2000 and it is permanently open (this is a dynamic cohort). A preliminary case–control study of myocardial infarction was also conducted, selecting incident cases of myocardial infarction and matched hospital controls.SettingThe SUN study is conducted in Spain with university graduates, most of them being former students of the University of Navarra. The case–control study was conducted in three tertiary hospitals in the city of Pamplona (Spain).SubjectsThe case–control study included 171 cases and 171 controls. We have currently enrolled more than 17 500 participants in the SUN cohort. Approximately 7500 of them were enrolled less than 2 years ago, and have not received yet the invitation to complete the 2-year follow-up assessment. The follow-up rate for the first 10 000 participants approaches 90%.ResultsThe case–control study found inverse associations between olive oil (or adherence to a Mediterranean food pattern) and myocardial infarction. In the SUN cohort, after 28.5 months of follow-up a higher adherence to a Mediterranean food pattern rich in olive oil was associated with a reduced risk of hypertension, though the results were statistically significant only among men.ConclusionsThe SUN study and the accompanying case–control study support the benefits of a Mediterranean diet and olive oil against CHD and hypertension.
The use of indexes evaluating the adherence to the Mediterranean diet in epidemiological studies: a review
Authors: Bach Anna , Serra-Majem Lluís , Carrasco Josep L , Roman Blanca , Ngo Joy , Bertomeu Isabel , Obrador Biel 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to review some of the methods that several epidemiological studies use to evaluate the adherence of a population to the Mediterranean diet pattern. Among these methods, diet indexes attempt to make a global evaluation of the quality of the diet based on a traditional Mediterranean reference pattern, described as a priori, general and qualitative. The Mediterranean diet indexes, hence, summarise the diet by means of a single score that results from a function of different components, such as food, food groups or a combination of foods and nutrients. The reviewed evaluation methods can be classified into three categories depending on the way they are calculated: (1) those based on a positive or negative scoring of the components, (2) those that add or substract standardised components, and (3) those that are based on a ratio between components.Dietary scores have been used to explore the multiple associations between the Mediterranean diet, as an integral entity, and health parameters such as life expectancy or the incidence of obesity, cardiovascular diseases and some types of cancers. Moreover, these indexes are also useful tools to measure food consumption trends and to identify the involved factors, as well as to develop comprehensive public health nutrition recommendations.A more precise and quantitative definition of the Mediterranean diet is required if the adherence to such a dietary pattern is intended to be more accurately measured. Other aspects of the Mediterranean diet indexes should also be taken into account, like the inclusion of typical Mediterranean foods such as nuts and fish and the validation of the dietary pattern approach by using biomarkers.
Microbial Aerosol Contamination of Dental Healthcare Workers' Faces and Other Surfaces in Dental Practice
Authors: Prospero Emilia , Savini Sandra , Annino Isidoro 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to focus attention on the need to adopt infection control procedures in dentistry. The quantitative and qualitative bacterial contamination of dental healthcare workers' faces and other surfaces in dental practice was determined. Oral fluids become aerosolized during dentistry and oral microbes have been used as the markers of their spread that may carry blood-borne pathogens.
Infection Control Practices in Clinical Laboratories in Pakistan
Authors: Mujeeb Syed Abdul , Adil Malik Mohummad , Altaf Arshad , Shah Sharaf Ali , Luby Stephen 
Published: March 2006

AbstractClinical laboratories in Karachi, Pakistan, were evaluated for adherence to standard precautions using an observational checklist. Among 44 laboratories, gloves were used in 2, protective gowns in 12, disinfectant in 7, and an incinerator in 7. Standard worker safety precautions are not followed at major clinical laboratories in Karachi.
Detection of Hepatitis C Virus Antibody and RNA in Hemostatic Gauze Used for Dentistry
Authors: Hasegawa Hiromasa , Yamada Tetsuo , Esumi Mariko 
Published: March 2006

AbstractWe investigated whether the presence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can be detected in hemostatic gauze used during oral treatments. We were able to detect both antibody to HCV and HCV RNA in samples from patients serologically proven to have HCV and also in gauze used for these patients that was left at room temperature even for as long as 24 hours. Thus, this method is useful for the screening of HCV infection in situations in which blood sampling is not feasible.
Contamination of Trypan Blue With Burkholderia cepacia in a Cornea Bank
Authors: Morel Pascal C. , Roubi Nora , Talon Daniel R. , Bertrand Xavier 
Published: March 2006

AbstractObjective:To describe Burkholderia cepacia contamination of a cornea bank and the measures taken to identify and eliminate the source of infection.Methods:Cultures were performed to assess the extent and source of contamination, and pulsed-fleld gel electrophoresis was used for molecular typing.Results:Routine surveillance cultures identified 5 contaminated corneas during a 10-day period. Additional cultures showed that 28 of 88 samples were positive for this organism. Environmental investigation showed that an open bottle of trypan blue used to assess corneal morphology was contaminated with the epidemic strain.Conclusion:Trypan blue played a major role in this contamination of corneas. This episode shows that microbial contamination can affect transplanted corneas despite ongoing culture surveillance and suggests that new methods may be needed to avoid this risk.
Use of an Alcohol-Based Hand Rub and Quality Improvement Interventions to Improve Hand Hygiene in a Russian Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Brown Samuel M. , Lubimova Anna V. , Khrustalyeva Natalya M. , Shulaeva Svetlana V. , Tekhova Iya , Zueva Ludmila P. , Goldmann Donald , O'Rourke Edward J. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBackground:Hand hygiene (HH) is critical to infection control, but compliance is low. Alcohol-based antiseptics may improve HH. HH practices in Russia are not well described, and facilities are often inadequate.Setting:Four 6-bed units in a neonatal intensive care unit in St. Petersburg, Russia.Methods:Prospective surveillance of HH compliance, nosocomial colonization, and antibiotic administration was performed from January until June 2000. In February 2000, alcohol-based hand rub was provided for routine HH use. Eight weeks later, a quality improvement intervention was implemented, consisting of review of interim data, identification of opinion leaders, posting of colonization incidence rates, and regular feedback. Means of compliance, colonization, and antibiotic use were compared for periods before and after each intervention.Results:A total of 1,027 events requiring HH were observed. Compliance was 44.2% before the first intervention, 42.3% between interventions, and 48% after the second intervention. Use of alcohol rose from 15.2% of HH indications to 25.2% between interventions and 41.5% after the second intervention. The incidence of nosocomial colonization (per 1,000 patient-days) with Klebsiella pneumoniae was initially 21.5, decreased to 4.7, and then was 3.2 in the final period. Rates of antibiotic and device use also decreased.Conclusions:HH may have increased slightly, but the largest effect was a switch from soap and water to alcohol, which may have been associated with decreased cross-transmission of Klebsiella, although this may have been confounded by lower device use. Alcohol-based antiseptic may be an improvement over current practices, but further research is required.
Pseudo-Outbreak ofPseudomonas aeruginosaandSerratia marcescensRelated to Bronchoscopes
Authors: Silva Cláudia V. , Magalhães Vanda D. , Pereira Crésio R. , Kawagoe Julia Y. , Ikura Chizue , Ganc Arnaldo J. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractObjective:To investigate an apparent outbreak involving simultaneous isolation ofPseudomonas aeruginosaandSerratia marcescensfrom bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples.Design:Retrospective and prospective cohort studies using chart review, environmental sampling, and ribotyping of all available isolates. Cleaning and disinfection procedures for the bronchoscopes were also evaluated.Setting:A 380-bed private hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil.Patients:Forty-one patients who underwent bronchoscopic procedures between December 1994 and October 1996 and from whomP. aeruginosaandS. marcescenswere concomitantly isolated. Bronchoscopes and related items were microbiologically assessed.Results:P. aeruginosaand S.marcescenswere simultaneously isolated from BAL samples 12.6% of the time (41 of 324) during the epidemic period versus 1.8% of the time (1 of 54) in the pre-epidemic period (P= .035). Ribotyping revealed two strains ofP. aeruginosaand one of S.marcescensthat were isolated from BAL samples of patients with no signs of respiratory tract infection, suggesting a pseudo-outbreak. Evaluation of bronchoscope disinfection revealed that inappropriate methods were being used. Implementation of simple control measures resulted in a significant decrease in simultaneous isolation of these species.Conclusion:Prevention of pseudo-outbreaks requires meticulous use of preventive measures for infection-prone medical procedures.
Planning optimal measurements of isotopomer distributions for estimation of metabolic fluxes
Authors: Rantanen Ari , Mielikäinen Taneli , Rousu Juho , Maaheimo Hannu , Ukkonen Esko 
Published: February 2006

Abstract
Motivation: Flux estimation using isotopomer information of metabolites is currently the most reliable method to obtain quantitative estimates of the activity of metabolic pathways. However, the development of isotopomer measurement techniques for intermediate metabolites is a demanding task. Careful planning of isotopomer measurements is thus needed to maximize the available flux information while minimizing the experimental effort.
Results: In this paper we study the question of finding the smallest subset of metabolites to measure that ensure the same level of isotopomer information as the measurement of every metabolite in the metabolic network. We study the computational complexity of this optimization problem in the case of the so-called positional enrichment data, give methods for obtaining exact and fast approximate solutions, and evaluate empirically the efficacy of the proposed methods by analyzing a metabolic network that models the central carbon metabolism of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Contact: ajrantan@cs.helsinki.fi