bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Photosensitizer Dose on Fluence Rate Responses to Photodynamic Therapy†
Authors: Wang Hsing‐Wen , Rickter Elizabeth , Yuan Min , Wileyto E. Paul , Glatstein Eli , Yodh Arjun , Busch* Theresa M. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractPhotodynamic therapy (PDT) regimens that conserve tumor oxygenation are typically more efficacious, but require longer treatment times. This makes them clinically unfavorable. In this report, the inverse pairing of fluence rate and photosensitizer dose is investigated as a means of controlling oxygen depletion and benefiting therapeutic response to PDT under conditions of constant treatment time. Studies were performed for Photofrin‐PDT of radiation‐induced fibrosarcoma tumors over fluence rate and drug dose ranges of 25–225 mW cm−2 and 2.5–10 mg kg−1, respectively, for 30 min of treatment. Tumor response was similar among all inverse regimens tested, and, in general, tumor hemoglobin oxygen saturation (SO2) was well conserved during PDT, although the highest fluence rate regimen (225 mW × 2.5 mg) did lead to a modest but significant reduction in SO2. Regardless, significant direct tumor cell kill (>1 log) was detected during 225 mW × 2.5 mg PDT, and minimal normal tissue toxicity was found. PDT effect on tumor oxygenation was highly associated with tumor response at 225 mW × 2.5 mg, as well as in all other regimens tested. These data suggest that high fluence rate PDT can be carried out under oxygen‐conserving, efficacious conditions at low photosensitizer dose. Clinical confirmation and application of these results will be possible through use of minimally invasive oxygen and photosensitizer monitoring technologies, which are currently under development.
Assessing Welfare Reform, Over a Decade Later
Authors: Kissane Rebecca Joyce , Krebs Richard 
Published: September 2007

AbstractIt has now been over a decade since the passage of the 1996 welfare reform legislation (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act). In this paper, we synthesize the expansive literature on how welfare reform has affected poor families and nonprofit agencies that serve them. In particular, we explore state variation in welfare policies and the dramatic declines in welfare caseloads. We also investigate the employment, earnings, and levels of material hardships among current and former welfare recipients. Moreover, we examine what we know about welfare reform's impact on marriage, nonmarital childbearing, and child well‐being. Lastly, we report on how welfare reform has affected nonprofit agencies that serve poor families. We are left with a complex account of the impacts of welfare reform that reveals both positive developments in a number of areas and a great deal of remaining challenges.
Clinicopathological and prognostic features of primary clear cell carcinoma of the liver
Authors: Liu Zhisheng , Ma Weidong , Li Huikai , Li Qiang 
Published: September 2007

Aim:  Primary clear cell carcinoma of the liver (PCCCL) is a subgroup of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), pathologically characterized by diffuse clear cells of the tumor, showing a clear cytoplasm that does not stain with hematoxylin–eosin. At present, its clinicopathological and prognostic features are not fully clarified. This study aims to clarify the clinicopathological and prognostic features of PCCCL.Methods:  The clinicopathological data of 43 patients with PCCCL treated with hepatectomy in our hospital from January 1999 to December 2003 were retrospectively analyzed.Results:  The χ2‐test showed a positive rate of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and capsule formation in the PCCCL group, which was markedly higher than in the common type HCC (CHCC) group (P = 0.000 and P = 0.005). Meanwhile, the vascular invasion rate was notably lower in the PCCCL group, but there were no significant differences between the twogroups (P = 0.129). The Kaplan–Meier method showed that the 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year survival rates were significantly higher in the PCCCL group than in the CHCC group (P = 0.021). The prognosis of patients in the PCCCL group was related to capsule formation, vascular invasion, liver cirrhosis, and clear cell ratio. The 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year survival rates were markedly higher in the group with a higher clear cell ratio than in the group with a lower clear cell ratio (P = 0.011).Conclusion:  The notable clinicopathological features of the patients in the PCCCL group included a higher rate of HCV infection, capsule formation, and a lower rate of vascular invasion. The prognosis was better than that of the patients in the CHCC group and related to the ratio of clear cells.
The
Error Analysis of a Steady-State Thermal Conductivity Measurement Method With Single Constant
Temperature Region
Authors: Sun Ming-Tsung , Chang Chin-Hsiang 
Published: September 2007

Abstract
A method for steady-state thermal conductivity measurement with single constant temperature region has been developed. To better understand the accuracy of the method a numerical model is devised and verified by experimental results. The ratios of thermal conductivity derived from the temperature distribution solutions to that given in the numerical model are obtained and shown. They can be used to correct the systematic error of measurement introduced by the one-dimensional approximation. Finally, the measurement uncertainty due to misalignment of the temperature sensors and the limitation of sensing devices is also investigated. The numerical model is suitable for estimating the range of confidence in practical measurements.
Finite Element Solution of Inertia Influenced Flow in Thin Fluid Films
Authors: Brunetière Noël , Tournerie Bernard 
Published: September 2007

Abstract
The aim of this paper is to present a numerical model to compute laminar, turbulent, and transitional incompressible fluid flows in thin lubricant films where inertia effects cannot be neglected. For this purpose, an averaged inertia method is used. A numerical scheme based on the finite element method is presented to solve simultaneously the momentum and continuity equations. The numerical model is then validated by confronting it with previously published analytical, experimental, and numerical results. Particular attention is devoted to analyzing the numerical conservation of mass and momentum. The influence of mesh size on numerical precision is also analyzed. Finally, the model is applied to a misaligned hydrostatic seal. These seals operate with a substantial leakage flow, where nonlaminar phenomena occur. The influence of inertia and misalignment of the faces on the seal behavior is analyzed through a comparison with an inertialess solution. Significant differences are observed for high values of the tilt angle when the flow is nonlaminar. Inertia effects increase when the flow is laminar.
Comparison of Phenotypically Indistinguishable but Geographically Distinct
Neisseria meningitidis
Group B Isolates in a Serum Bactericidal Antibody Assay
Authors: Findlow Jamie , Holland Ann , Andrews Nick , Weynants Vincent , Sotolongo Franklin , Balmer Paul , Poolman Jan , Borrow Ray 
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACT

The “gold standard” assay for measuring serologic protection against
Neisseria meningitidis
group B (MenB) is the serum bactericidal antibody (SBA) assay. Of vital importance to the outcome of the SBA assay is the choice of the target strain(s), which is often chosen on the basis of phenotype or genotype. We therefore investigated the effect on the results produced by the SBA assay of using phenotypically indistinguishable but geographically distinct MenB isolates. Nine PorA P1.19,15 and 11 PorA P1.7-2,4 MenB isolates were incorporated into the SBA assay using human complement and were assayed against sera obtained either before or after outer membrane vesicle vaccination. Large differences in the results produced by the isolates in the SBA assay were demonstrated. These included differences as great as 5.8-fold in SBA geometric mean titers and in the proportions of subjects with SBA titers of ≥4. Ranges of as many as 9 SBA titers were achieved by individual sera across the panels of isolates. To determine the reasons for the differences observed, investigations into the expression of capsular polysaccharide, PorA, PorB, Opc, and lipooligosaccharide (LOS) and into LOS sialylation were completed. However, minor differences were found between strains, indicating similar expression and no antigen masking. These results have implications for the choice of MenB target strains for inclusion in future studies of MenB vaccines and highlight the requirement for standardization of target strains between laboratories.
Changing Molecular Epidemiology of Methicillin-Resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
in a Small Geographic Area over an Eight-Year Period
Authors: Blanc D. S. , Petignat C. , Wenger A. , Kuhn G. , Vallet Y. , Fracheboud D. , Trachsel S. , Reymond M. , Troillet N. , Siegrist H. H. , Oeuvray S. , Bes M. , Etienne J. , Bille J. , Francioli P. , Zanetti G. 
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACT

The epidemiology of methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) at an international level shows that most MRSA strains belong to a few pandemic clones. At the local level, a predominance of one or two clones was generally reported. However, the situation is evolving and new clones are emerging worldwide, some of them with specific biological characteristics, such as the presence of Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL). Understanding these changes at the local and international levels is of great importance. Our objective was to analyze the evolution of MRSA epidemiology at multiple sites on a local level (Western Switzerland) over a period of 8 years. Data were based on MRSA reports from seven sentinel laboratories and infection control programs covering different areas. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis was used to type MRSA isolates. From 1997 to 2004, a total of 2,256 patients with MRSA were reported. Results showed the presence of four predominant clones (accounting for 86% of patients), which could be related to known international clones (Berlin, New York/Japan, Southern Germany, and Iberian clones). Within the small geographic region, the 8-year follow-up period in the different areas showed spacio-temporal differences in the relative proportions of the four clones. Other international MRSA clones, as well as clones showing genetic characteristics identical to those of community-acquired MRSA (SCC
mec
type IV and the presence of PVL genes), were also identified but presumably did not disseminate. Despite the worldwide predominance of a few MRSA clones, our data showed that at a local level, the epidemiology of MRSA might be different from one hospital to another. Moreover, MRSA clones were replaced by other emerging clones, suggesting a rapid change.
Multilocus Variable-Number Tandem-Repeat Analysis for Molecular Typing ofShigella sonnei
Authors: Liang Shiu-Yun , Watanabe Haruo , Terajima Jun , Li Chun-Chin , Liao Jui-Cheng , Tung Sheng Kai , Chiou Chien-Shun 
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACTA multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat (VNTR) analysis (MLVA) method was developed and evaluated for the subtyping ofShigella sonneiisolates. A total of 26 VNTR loci were identified by exploring the repeat sequence loci in the genomic sequences ofS. sonneistrains Ss046 and 53G and by testing 536 isolates that had previously been characterized by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The discriminatory power of MLVA (Simpson's index of diversity [D], 0.9524; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.9373 to 0.9564) for the 536 isolates was significantly higher than that of PFGE (D, 0.8882; CI, 0.8667 to 0.9097). MLVA typing with the four and eight most variable loci hadDvalues of 0.9468 and 0.9481, respectively, results approaching that of 26 loci. The usefulness of MLVA for outbreak investigation was evaluated using 151 isolates from 10 shigellosis outbreaks and 22 PFGE-indistinguishable isolates collected from nine epidemiologically unrelated events in five different countries. The evaluations indicated that MLVA was a powerful typing tool to distinguish isolates for outbreak investigation and that it exhibited a good discrimination of the 22 PFGE-indistinguishable isolates. Single-locus variants did occur during the outbreak; therefore,S. sonneiisolates with MLVA profiles differing at no more than a single locus should be considered part of the same outbreak. The present study suggests that MLVA has the potential to replace PFGE as a standard method of typingS. sonneiisolates for disease surveillance and outbreak investigation.
Capnocytophaga cynodegmi
Peritonitis in a Peritoneal Dialysis Patient
Authors: Pers Charlotte , Tvedegaard Erling , Christensen Jens Jørgen , Bangsborg Jette 
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACT

The first reported case of peritonitis caused by
Capnocytophaga cynodegmi
is presented. The patient was treated with peritoneal dialysis and had contact with a cat.
C. cynodegmi
is part of the normal oral flora of dogs and cats but is very rarely isolated in clinical specimens from humans.
Identification of “
Cronobacter
” spp. (
Enterobacter sakazakii
)
Authors: Iversen Carol , Lehner Angelika , Mullane Niall , Marugg John , Fanning Séamus , Stephan Roger , Joosten Han 
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACT

A taxonomic reclassification of the neonatal pathogen
Enterobacter sakazakii
to consist of five species within a new genus, “
Cronobacter
,” has recently been proposed. The correct identification of these organisms is important to clinicians. Therefore, using 312
Enterobacteriaceae
, including 210 “
Cronobacter
” strains, the reliabilities of biochemical and genetic confirmation tests were investigated. All “
Cronobacter
” isolates were positive using
dnaG
and
gluA
PCR protocols, and all expressed α-glucosidase activity. ID32E v3.0 identified 99.5% of “
Cronobacter
” isolates (as the nearest match to
E. sakazakii
).
“
Mycobacterium ulcerans
subsp.
shinshuense
” Isolated from a Skin Ulcer Lesion: Identification Based on 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing
Authors: Nakanaga Kazue , Ishii Norihisa , Suzuki Koichi , Tanigawa Kazunari , Goto Masamichi , Okabe Tsutomu , Imada Hideaki , Kodama Akemi , Iwamoto Tomotada , Takahashi Hiroshi , Saito Hajime 
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACT

We describe the fourth reported case involving “
Mycobacterium ulcerans
subsp.
shinshuense
.” Compared to previous cases, the infection was more invasive with extensive ulceration from the elbow to the forearm. Definitive identification involved IS
2404
detection, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and analysis of the 16S rRNA gene 3′-terminal region and the virulence plasmid pMUM001.
First Case of Type E Wound Botulism Diagnosed Using Real-Time PCR
Authors: Artin Ingrid , Björkman Per , Cronqvist Jonas , Rådström Peter , Holst Elisabet 
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACT

Wound botulism is a growing problem among injecting drug users. The condition is often difficult to diagnose, with laboratory confirmation in only 50% of the cases. Here we present a real-time PCR-based method for the diagnosis of wound botulism caused by
Clostridium botulinum
. The assay includes an internal amplification control which is amplified simultaneously with the genes encoding neurotoxin types A, B, and E. This method was used to detect the first case of wound botulism in an injecting drug user in Sweden. In addition, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of wound botulism caused by
C. botulinum
type E.
Evaluation of a Microculture Method for Isolation of
Leishmania
Parasites from Cutaneous Lesions of Patients in Peru
Authors: Boggild Andrea K. , Miranda-Verastegui Cesar , Espinosa Diego , Arevalo Jorge , Adaui Vanessa , Tulliano Gianfranco , Llanos-Cuentas Alejandro , Low Donald E. 
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACT

Traditional culture of
Leishmania
spp. is labor intensive and has poor sensitivity. We evaluated a microculture method for the diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis in consecutive patients presenting to the Leishmaniasis Clinic at the Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt, Peru, for evaluation of skin lesions. Lesion aspirates were cultured in duplicate and parallel in traditional culture tubes containing modified Novy-MacNeal-Nicolle (NNN) medium or Roswell Park Memorial Institute medium 1640 with 10% fetal bovine serum (10% RPMI) and in 70-μl capillary tubes containing a mixture of lesion aspirate and 10% RPMI. For sensitivity analysis, the consensus standard was considered to be a positive result in any two of the following four tests: Giemsa-stained lesion smear, culture, kinetoplast DNA PCR, or leishmanin skin test. The outcome measures were sensitivity and time to culture positivity. Forty-five patients with 62 skin lesions were enrolled in the study, of which 53 lesions fulfilled the consensus criteria for a final diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Of these 53 lesions, 39 were culture positive: 38 in capillary tubes, 29 in traditional culture tubes with modified NNN medium, and 19 in traditional culture tubes with 10% RPMI medium. The sensitivity of microculture was 71.7%, versus 54.7% for traditional culture with NNN (
P
, 0.038) and 35.8% with 10% RPMI (
P
, <0.001). The mean times to culture positivity were 4.2 days by microculture, 5.2 days in NNN, and 6 days in 10% RPMI (
P
, 0.009). We have demonstrated that microculture is a more sensitive and time-efficient means of isolating
Leishmania
parasites from cutaneous lesions than traditional culture.
Streptococcus agalactiae
Serotype Ib as an Agent of Meningitis in Two Adult Nonpregnant Women
Authors: Martins E. R. , Florindo C. , Martins F. , Aldir I. , Borrego M. J. , Brum L. , Ramirez M. , Melo-Cristino J. 
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACT

Two temporally and geographically clustered cases of meningitis caused by
Streptococcus agalactiae
expressing the infrequent Ib serotype are reported. Characterization by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and multilocus sequence typing revealed that the isolates were identical and represented the widely distributed ST10/ST8 lineage associated with serotype Ib.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Specific CD8+T-Cell Activity Is Detectable from Birth in the Majority of In Utero-Infected Infants
Authors: Thobakgale Christina F. , Ramduth Dhanwanthie , Reddy Sharon , Mkhwanazi Nompumelelo , de Pierres Chantal , Moodley Eshia , Mphatswe Wendy , Blanckenberg Natasha , Cengimbo Ayanda , Prendergast Andrew , Tudor-Williams Gareth , Dong Krista , Jeena Prakash , Kindra Gupreet , Bobat Raziya , Coovadia Hoosen , Kiepiela Photini , Walker Bruce D. , Goulder Philip J. R. 
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACTHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected infants in sub-Saharan Africa typically progress to AIDS or death by 2 years of life in the absence of antiretroviral therapy. This rapid progression to HIV disease has been related to immaturity of the adaptive immune response in infants. We screened 740 infants born to HIV-infected mothers and tracked development and specificity of HIV-specific CD8+T-cell responses in 63 HIV-infected infants identified using gamma interferon enzyme-linked immunospot assays and intracellular cytokine staining. Forty-four in utero-infected and 19 intrapartum-infected infants were compared to 45 chronically infected children >2 years of age. Seventy percent (14 of 20) in utero-infected infants tested within the first week of life demonstrated HIV-specific CD8+T-cell responses. Gag, Pol, and Nef were the principally targeted regions in chronic pediatric infection. However, Env dominated the overall response in one-third (12/36) of the acutely infected infants, compared to only 2/45 (4%) of chronically infected children (P= 0.00083). Gag-specific CD4+T-cell responses were minimal to undetectable in the first 6 months of pediatric infection. These data indicate that failure to control HIV replication in in utero-infected infants is not due to an inability to induce responses but instead suggest secondary failure of adaptive immunity in containing this infection. Moreover, the detection of virus-specific CD8+T-cell responses in the first days of life in most in utero-infected infants is encouraging for HIV vaccine interventions in infants.
A Structural Model for Duck Hepatitis B Virus Core Protein Derived by Extensive Mutagenesis
Authors: Nassal Michael , Leifer Immanuel , Wingert Ida , Dallmeier Kai , Prinz Simone , Vorreiter Jolanta 
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACTDuck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) shares many fundamental features with human HBV. However, the DHBV core protein (DHBc), forming the nucleocapsid shell, is much larger than that of HBV (HBc) and, in contrast to HBc, there is little direct information on its structure. Here we applied an efficient expression system for recombinant DHBc particles to the biochemical analysis of a large panel of mutant DHBc proteins. By combining these data with primary sequence alignments, secondary structure prediction, and three-dimensional modeling, we propose a model for the fold of DHBc. Its major features are a HBc-like two-domain structure with an assembly domain comprising the first about 185 amino acids and a C-terminal nucleic acid binding domain (CTD), connected by a morphogenic linker region that is longer than in HBc and extends into the CTD. The assembly domain shares with HBc a framework of four major α-helices but is decorated at its tip with an extra element that contains at least one helix and that is made up only in part by the previously predicted insertion sequence. All subelements are interconnected, such that structural changes at one site are transmitted to others, resulting in an unexpected variability of particle morphologies. Key features of the model are independently supported by the accompanying epitope mapping study. These data should be valuable for functional studies on the impact of core protein structure on virus replication, and some of the mutant proteins may be particularly suitable for higher-resolution structural investigations.
Monoclonal Antibodies Providing Topological Information on the Duck Hepatitis B Virus Core Protein and Avihepadnaviral Nucleocapsid Structure
Authors: Vorreiter Jolanta , Leifer Immanuel , Rösler Christine , Jackevica Ludmila , Pumpens Paul , Nassal Michael 
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACT
The icosahedral capsid of duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) is formed by a single core protein species (DHBc). DHBc is much larger than HBc from human HBV, and no high-resolution structure is available. In an accompanying study (M. Nassal, I. Leifer, I. Wingert, K. Dallmeier, S. Prinz, and J. Vorreiter, J. Virol. 81:13218-13229, 2007), we used extensive mutagenesis to derive a structural model for DHBc. For independent validation, we here mapped the epitopes of seven anti-DHBc monoclonal antibodies. Using numerous recombinant DHBc proteins and authentic nucleocapsids from different avihepadnaviruses as test antigens, plus a panel of complementary assays, particle-specific and exposed plus buried linear epitopes were revealed. These data fully support key features of the model.