bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Candida albicansStrain Maintenance, Replacement, and Microvariation Demonstrated by Multilocus Sequence Typing
Authors: Odds F. C. , Davidson A. D. , Jacobsen M. D. , Tavanti A. , Whyte J. A. , Kibbler C. C. , Ellis D. H. , Maiden M. C. J. , Shaw D. J. , Gow N. A. R. 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACTWe typed 165Candida albicansisolates from 44 different sources by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and ABC typing of rRNA genes and determined their homozygosity or heterozygosity at the mating-type-like locus (MTL). The isolates represented pairs or larger sets from individual sources, which allowed the determination of strain diversity within patients. A comparison of replicate sequence data determined a reproducibility threshold for regarding isolates as MLST indistinguishable. For 36 isolate sets, MLST and ABC typing showed indistinguishable or highly related strain types among isolates from different sites or from the same site at different times from each patient. This observation included 11 sets with at least one isolate from a blood culture and a nonsterile site from the same patient. For one patient, strain replacement was evidenced in the form of two sets of isolates from different hospital admissions where the strain types within each set were nearly identical but where the two sets differed both by MLST and ABC typing. MLST therefore confirms the existing view ofC. albicansstrain carriage. Microvariation, evidenced as small differences between MLST types, resulted in most instances from a loss of heterozygosity at one or more of the sequenced loci. Among isolate sets that showed major strain type differences, some isolates could be excluded as likely examples of handling errors during storage. However, for a minority of isolates, intermittent differences in ABC type for tightly clustered MLST types and intermittent appearances of MTL homozygosity lead us to propose that someC. albicansisolates, or all isolates under yet-to-be-determined conditions, maintain a high level of genetic diversity by mechanisms such as recombination, gene conversion, or chromosomal ploidy change.
Identification of Clinical Isolates of Indole-Positive and Indole-Negative
Klebsiella
spp
Authors: Alves Maria Silvana , Dias Rubens Clayton da Silva , de Castro Angela Christina Dias , Riley Lee W. , Moreira Beatriz Meurer 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT

Biochemical methods employed to classify bacterial species have limitations and may have contributed to the taxonomic complexity recently reported for the genus
Klebsiella
. The objective of the present study was to apply a simple biochemical test panel to classify a collection of human
Klebsiella
isolates. We found that with only three additional tests, it is possible to place most isolates in a defined species. Analysis of a 512-bp sequence of the
rpoB
gene was used as the reference. A total of 16 conventional and 4 supplementary tests were used to evaluate 122 recent isolates identified as
Klebsiella
from 120 patients, isolated at the clinical laboratory of a university hospital in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Of these, 102 (84%) isolates were identified as
Klebsiella pneumoniae
or
Klebsiella variicola
, 19 (15%) as
Klebsiella oxytoca
, and 1 (1%) as
Raoultella planticola
. Enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus-PCR typing revealed a diversity of genotypes.
rpoB
gene sequencing confirmed the phenotypic identification and detected five
K. variicola
isolates among the
K. pneumoniae
/
K. variicola
group. Three additional tests that include growth at 10°C and histamine and
d
-melezitose assimilation should be considered essential tests for the typing of
Klebsiella
isolates.
Unusually High Prevalence of Nosocomial Panton-Valentine Leukocidin-Positive
Staphylococcus aureus
Isolates in Cape Verde Islands
Authors: Aires-de-Sousa M. , Conceição T. , de Lencastre H. 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT

Characterization of nosocomial methicillin-susceptible
Staphylococcus aureus
isolates from Cape Verde showed that (i) Panton-Valentine leukocidin genes were present in 35% of the isolates and (ii) half of the collection had the same genetic background as methicillin-resistant pandemic clones. Introduction of the staphylococcal chromosome cassette
mec
(SCC
mec
) into virulent and epidemic isolates could pose serious threats to public health.
Use of Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis for Comparison of Similar but Distinguishable Isolates of
Shigella sonnei
Collected in Ireland and Italy
Authors: De Lappe N. , Doran G. , Connor J. O. , Mammina C. , Cormican M. 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT

Comparison of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns (generated with XbaI and BlnI) of
Shigella sonnei
isolates from Ireland and Italy suggests that two possibly distantly related lineages are present in both countries. Smaller, more closely related groups, including isolates from Ireland and Italy, were also noted. These groups raise the possibility that the dissemination of clonal groups of
S. sonnei
may have occurred in recent years.
Beijing and Haarlem Genotypes Are Overrepresented among Children with Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis in the Western Cape Province of South Africa
Authors: Marais Ben J. , Victor Tommie C. , Hesseling Anneke C. , Barnard Madeleine , Jordaan Annemie , Brittle Wendy , Reuter Helmuth , Beyers Nulda , van Helden Paul D. , Warren Rob M. , Schaaf H. Simon 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT
Drug resistance among children with culture-confirmed tuberculosis (TB) provides an accurate measure of transmitted drug resistance within the community. We describe the genotype diversity in children with culture-confirmed TB and investigate the relationship between genotype and drug resistance. A prospective study was conducted from March 2003 through August 2005 at Tygerberg Children's Hospital, in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. All children (<13 years of age) diagnosed with culture-confirmed TB were included. Genotype analysis and phenotypic drug susceptibility testing were performed on the first culture-positive isolate from each patient. Mutation analysis was performed on all drug-resistant isolates. Spoligotyping was successfully performed on isolates from 391/399 (98%) children diagnosed with culture-confirmed TB. Drug susceptibility testing was also performed on 391 isolates; 49 (12.5%) were resistant to isoniazid, and 20 (5.1%) of these were resistant to both isoniazid and rifampin. Beijing was the most common genotype family, identified in 130/391 (33.2%) cases, followed by LAM in 114/391 (29.2%) cases. The presence of both Beijing and Haarlem genotype families was significantly associated with drug resistance (26/49 [53.1%] versus 113/342 [33.0%]; odds ratio, 1.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.0 to 2.9). The high prevalence of Beijing and LAM in children with culture-confirmed TB reflects considerable transmission of these genotype families within the community. The overrepresentation of Beijing and Haarlem genotype families in children with drug-resistant TB demonstrates their contribution to transmitted drug resistance and their potential importance in the emergent drug-resistant TB epidemic.
Expression of Terminally Glycosylated Calcitonin Receptor–Like Receptor in Uterine Leiomyoma: Endothelial Phenotype and Association with Microvascular Density
Authors: Nikitenko Leonid L. , Cross Tanya , Campo Leticia , Turley Helen , Leek Russell , Manek Sanjiv , Bicknell Roy , Rees Margaret C.P. 
Published: October 2006

Abstract
Purpose: The role for the hypoxia-inducible angiogenic factor adrenomedullin (AM) in tumor growth and progression has been suggested. Calcitonin receptor–like receptor (CL) is a G protein–coupled receptor (GPCR) that mediates effects of AM, but little information is available on its expression and functional state in human tumors. The present study attempted to determine CL potential for antiangiogenic therapy of uterine leiomyoma.
Experimental Design and Results: GPCR CL is transported to the cell surface and recognized by AM only when terminally/mature glycosylated. The presence and localization of this form of the receptor in tumor and surrounding myometrial tissues obtained from leiomyoma-bearing uteri were examined using deglycosylation, immunoblotting, and immunofluorescence analysis. The mature CL glycoprotein was expressed in both tissues and localized exclusively in normal and tumor endothelium within leiomyoma-bearing uteri. The functionality of the receptor expressed in myometrial microvascular endothelial cells (MMVEC) was examined in vitro using receptor internalization and angiogenic assays. The mature CL glycoprotein expressed by primary MMVECs was functional because AM interacted with this GPCR and induced its internalization as well as angiogenic effects (proliferation and migration) in MMVECs in vitro. Finally, the levels of tissue-expressed mature CL glycoprotein as a functional form of this GPCR were analyzed by immunoblotting. The expression of this functional form of the receptor in vivo was significantly decreased (P = 0.01) in leiomyoma tissue, and this was concurrent with the decrease in microvascular density (measured by Chalkley counting) in tumor compared with surrounding myometrium (P = 0.031).
Conclusions: Our findings suggest that GPCR CL mediates angiogenic effects of AM in myometrium and that further evaluation of the properties of the CL expressed in both normal and tumor endothelium in vivo may be essential before targeting this endothelial GPCR for antiangiogenic therapies.
Interphase Fluorescence In situ Hybridization Analysis of Chromosome 12p Abnormalities Is Useful for Distinguishing Epidermoid Cysts of the Testis from Pure Mature Teratoma
Authors: Cheng Liang , Zhang Shaobo , MacLennan Gregory T. , Poulos Christopher K. , Sung Ming-Tse , Beck Stephen D. , Foster Richard S. 
Published: October 2006

Abstract
Purpose: The distinction of epidermoid cyst of the testis from teratoma is of critical importance because the former is benign and the latter is a malignant tumor that may have associated metastasis of either teratomatous or non–teratomatous germ cell tumor types. Chromosome 12p abnormalities are seen in the vast majority of testicular germ cell tumors of adults and are present in all histologic subtypes. In this study, we investigated the clinical utility of interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis of chromosome 12p abnormalities for distinguishing epidermoid cysts of the testis from pure mature teratoma.
Experimental Design: Sixteen testicular epidermoid cysts and 17 testicular teratomas were investigated for isochromosome 12p [i(12p)] and 12p overrepresentation using interphase FISH analysis.
Results: Neither i(12p) nor 12p overrepresentation were observed in 16 epidermoid cyst cases, whereas i(12p) was detected in 76% of teratomas and 12p overrepresentation was identified in 29% of teratomas. Overall, 88% of testicular teratomas had chromosome 12p abnormalities.
Conclusions: FISH identification of i(12p) and/or 12p overrepresentation in routinely processed surgical specimens is a useful ancillary diagnostic tool in distinguishing testicular epidermoid cysts from teratoma.
Cotreatment with Vorinostat (Suberoylanilide Hydroxamic Acid) Enhances Activity of Dasatinib (BMS-354825) against Imatinib Mesylate–Sensitive or Imatinib Mesylate–Resistant Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Cells
Authors: Fiskus Warren , Pranpat Michael , Balasis Maria , Bali Purva , Estrella Veronica , Kumaraswamy Sandhya , Rao Rekha , Rocha Kathy , Herger Bryan , Lee Francis , Richon Victoria , Bhalla Kapil 
Published: October 2006

Abstract
Purpose: We determined the effects of vorinostat [suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA)] and/or dasatinib, a dual Abl/Src kinase (tyrosine kinase) inhibitor, on the cultured human (K562 and LAMA-84) or primary chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) cells, as well as on the murine pro-B BaF3 cells with ectopic expression of the unmutated and kinase domain-mutant forms of Bcr-Abl.
Experimental Design: Following exposure to dasatinib and/or vorinostat, apoptosis, loss of clonogenic survival, as well as the activity and levels of Bcr-Abl and its downstream signaling proteins were determined.
Results: Treatment with dasatinib attenuated the levels of autophosphorylated Bcr-Abl, p-CrkL, phospho-signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (p-STAT5), p-c-Src, and p-Lyn; inhibited the activity of Lyn and c-Src; and induced apoptosis of the cultured CML cells. Combined treatment of cultured human CML and BaF3 cells with vorinostat and dasatinib induced more apoptosis than either agent alone, as well as synergistically induced loss of clonogenic survival, which was associated with greater depletion of Bcr-Abl, p-CrkL, and p-STAT5 levels. Cotreatment with dasatinib and vorinostat also attenuated the levels of Bcr-AblE255K and Bcr-AblT315I and induced apoptosis of BaF3 cells with ectopic expression of the mutant forms of Bcr-Abl. Finally, cotreatment of the primary CML cells with vorinostat and dasatinib induced more loss of cell viability and depleted Bcr-Abl or Bcr-AblT315I, p-STAT5, and p-CrkL levels than either agent alone.
Conclusions: As shown here, the preclinical in vitro activity of vorinostat and dasatinib against cultured and primary CML cells supports the in vivo testing of the combination in imatinib mesylate–sensitive and imatinib mesylate–resistant CML cells.
Does MYCN Amplification Manifested as Homogeneously Staining Regions at Diagnosis Predict a Worse Outcome in Children with Neuroblastoma? A Children's Oncology Group Study
Authors: Moreau Lisa A. , McGrady Patrick , London Wendy B. , Shimada Hiroyuki , Cohn Susan L. , Maris John M. , Diller Lisa , Look A. Thomas , George Rani E. 
Published: October 2006

Abstract
Purpose: MYCN amplification in neuroblastoma tumor cells is manifested primarily as double minutes (dmins), whereas in cell lines it often appears in the form of homogeneously staining regions (HSR), suggesting that HSRs are associated with a more aggressive tumor phenotype and worse clinical outcome. The aim of this study was to determine whether children with neuroblastoma in which MYCN oncogene amplification is manifested as HSRs at diagnosis have a worse prognosis than those whose tumors exhibit dmins.
Experimental Design: A retrospective analysis of primary neuroblastomas analyzed for MYCN amplification by the Children's Oncology Group between 1993 and 2004 was done. Tumors with MYCN amplification were defined as having dmins, HSRs, or both (dmins + HSRs), and associations with currently used risk group stratification variables and patient outcome were assessed.
Results: Of the 4,102 tumor samples analyzed, 800 (19.5%) had MYCN amplification. Among the 677 tumors for which the pattern of amplification was known, 629 (92.9%) had dmins, 40 (5.9%) had HSRs, and 8 (0.1%) had dmins + HSRs. Although MYCN amplification is associated with older age, higher stage, and unfavorable histology, whether the amplification occurred as dmins or HSRs did not significantly affect these risk factors. There were no differences in the event-free survival (EFS) or overall survival in patients with MYCN amplification manifested as either dmins or HSRs (5-year EFS, 35 ± 3% versus 38 ± 15%; P = 0.59). Although the eight patients with dmins + HSRs fared worse than either of the individual subgroups (EFS, 18 ± 16% versus 35 ± 3% for dmins and 38 ± 15% for HSRs), these differences were not significant.
Conclusions: MYCN amplification in any form (HSRs or dmins) is associated with a poor outcome.
Activated AKT/PKB signaling in C. elegansuncouples temporally distinct outputs of DAF-2/insulin-like signaling
Authors: Gami Minaxi S , Iser Wendy B , Hanselman Keaton B , Wolkow Catherine A 
Published: October 2006

AbstractBackgroundIn the nematode,Caenorhabditis elegans, a conserved insulin-like signaling pathway controls larval development, stress resistance and adult lifespan. AGE-1, a homolog of the p110 catalytic subunit of phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K) comprises the major known effector pathway downstream of the insulin receptor, DAF-2. Phospholipid products of AGE-1/PI3K activate AKT/PKB kinase signaling via PDK-1. AKT/PKB signaling antagonizes nuclear translocation of the DAF-16/FOXO transcription factor. Reduced AGE-1/PI3K signaling permits DAF-16 to direct dauer larval arrest and promote long lifespan in adult animals. In order to study the downstream effectors of AGE-1/PI3K signaling inC. elegans, we conducted a genetic screen for mutations that suppress the constitutive dauer arrest phenotype ofage-1(mg109)animals.ResultsThis report describes mutations recovered in a screen for suppressors of the constitutive dauer arrest (daf-C) phenotype ofage-1(mg109). Two mutations corresponded to alleles ofdaf-16. Two mutations were gain-of-function alleles in the genes,akt-1andpdk-1, encoding phosphoinositide-dependent serine/threonine kinases. A fifth mutation,mg227, located on chromosome X, did not correspond to any known dauer genes, suggesting thatmg227may represent a new component of the insulin pathway. Genetic epistasis analysis by RNAi showed that reproductive development inage-1(mg109);akt-1(mg247)animals was dependent on the presence ofpdk-1. Similarly, reproductive development inage-1(mg109);pdk-1(mg261)animals was dependent onakt-1. However, reproductive development inage-1(mg109); mg227animals required onlyakt-1, andpdk-1activity was dispensable in this background. Interestingly, whilemg227suppressed dauer arrest inage-1(mg109)animals, it enhanced the long lifespan phenotype. In contrast,akt-1(mg247)andpdk-1(mg261)did not affect lifespan or stress resistance, while bothdaf-16alleles fully suppressed these phenotypes.ConclusionA screen for suppressors of PI3K mutant phenotypes identified activating mutations in two known pathway components, providing insights into their regulation. In particular, the interdependence ofakt-1andpdk-1, even in activated forms, supports the existence of AGE-1-independent pathways for these phospholipid-dependent kinases. Phenotypic analysis of these alleles shows that the larval and adult outputs of AGE-1/PI3K are fully separable in these mutants.
Metabolic changes after polytrauma: an imperative for early nutritional support
Authors: Hasenboehler Erik , Williams Allison , Leinhase Iris , Morgan Steven J , Smith Wade R , Moore Ernest E , Stahel Philip F 
Published: October 2006

Abstract
Major trauma induces marked metabolic changes which contribute to the systemic immune suppression in severely injured patients and increase the risk of infection and posttraumatic organ failure. The hypercatabolic state of polytrauma patients must be recognized early and treated by an appropriate nutritional management in order to avoid late complications. Clinical studies in recent years have supported the concept of "immunonutrition" for severely injured patients, which takes into account the supplementation of Ω-3 fatty acids and essential aminoacids, such as glutamine. Yet many aspects of the nutritional strategies for polytrauma patients remain controversial, including the exact timing, caloric and protein amount of nutrition, choice of enteral versus parenteral route, and duration. The present review will provide an outline of the pathophysiological metabolic changes after major trauma that endorse the current basis for early immunonutrition of polytrauma patients.
Early postoperative serum S100β levels predict ongoing brain damage after meningioma surgery: a prospective observational study
Authors: Einav Sharon , Shoshan Yigal , Ovadia Haim , Matot Idit , Hersch Moshe , Itshayek Eyal 
Published: October 2006

Abstract
Introduction
Elevated serum levels of S100β, an astrocyte-derived protein, correlate with unfavourable neurological outcomes following cardiac surgery, neurotrauma, and resuscitation. This study evaluated whether pre-/postoperative serum S100β levels correlate with unfavourable clinical and radiological findings in patients undergoing elective meningioma resection.

Methods
In 52 consecutive patients admitted for meningioma surgery, serum S100β levels were determined upon admission and immediately, 24 hours, and 48 hours after surgery. All patients underwent complete pre- and postoperative neurological examination and mini-mental state examination. Radiological evaluation included preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and postoperative computed tomography. Tumour volume, brain edema, and bleeding volume were calculated using BrainSCAN™ software.

Results
Preoperative S100β levels did not correlate with the tumour characteristics demonstrated by preoperative MRI (for example, tumour volume, edema volume, ventricular asymmetry, and/or midline shift). Preoperative serum S100β levels (0.065 ± 0.040 μg/l) were significantly lower than the levels measured immediately (0.138 ± 0.081 μg/l), 24 hours (0.142 ± 0.084 μg/l), and 48 hours (0.155 ± 0.119 μg/l) postoperatively (p < 0.0001). Significantly greater postcraniotomy S100β levels were observed with prolonged surgery (p = 0.039), deterioration in the mini-mental state examination (p = 0.005, 0.011, and 0.036 for pre versus immediate, 24 hours, and 48 hours postsurgery, respectively), and with postoperative brain computed tomography evidence of brain injury; bleeding was associated with higher serum S100β levels at 24 and 48 hours after surgery (p = 0.046, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.095 to -0.001 and p = 0.034, 95% CI -0.142 to -0.006, respectively) as was the presence of midline shift (p = 0.005, 95% CI -0.136 to -0.025 and p = 0.006, 95% CI -0.186 to -0.032, respectively). Edema was associated with higher serum S100β levels immediately (p = 0.022, 95% CI -0.092 to -0.007) and at 48 hours after surgery (p = 0.017, 95% CI -0.142 to -0.026). The degree of elevation in S100β levels at 24 and 48 hours after surgery also correlated with the severity of midline shift and edema.

Conclusion
In patients with meningioma, serum S100β levels perform poorly as an indicator of tumour characteristics but may suggest ongoing postcraniotomy injury. Serum S100β levels may serve as a potentially useful early marker of postcraniotomy brain damage in patients undergoing elective meningioma resection.
Acoustic neuroma suspicion index: An aid to investigation and diagnosis
Authors: Windle‐Taylor Paul C. , Dhillon Ramindar S. , Kenyon Guy S. , Morrison Andrew W. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractA clinical scale, the Acoustic Neuroma Suspicion Index (ANSI) is presented. It was based initially on the retrospective analysis of 397 patients suspected of having an acoustic neuroma of whom, following full investigation, 263 (66%) were found to have space occupying lesions. After minor modifications, the Index was re‐tested on 98 patients of whom 56 proved to have tumors while 47, who did not, formed a control group. All tumor cases were confirmed surgically.Neuro‐otological investigations can be expensive, time consuming and occasionally unpleasant for patients; furthermore they are not always readily available. Though the diagnosis of an acoustic tumor or other cerebellopontine angle lesion is often straightforward, atypicality of presentation occurs often. The ANSI uses simple selected data from the history and clinical examination, with routine audiological, vestibular and radiological investigations to calculate a score. If this score exceeds the predetermined threshold, further investigations should be undertaken.