bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cerebrospinal Fluid and Plasma (1→3)-β-d-Glucan as Surrogate Markers for Detection and Monitoring of Therapeutic Response in Experimental HematogenousCandidaMeningoencephalitis
Authors: Petraitiene Ruta , Petraitis Vidmantas , Hope William W. , Mickiene Diana , Kelaher Amy M. , Murray Heidi A. , Mya-San Christine , Hughes Johanna E. , Cotton Margaret P. , Bacher John , Walsh Thomas J. 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACTThe treatment, diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of hematogenousCandidameningoencephalitis (HCME) are not well understood. We therefore studied the expression of (1→3)-β-d-glucan (β-glucan) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma in a nonneutropenic rabbit model of experimental HCME treated with micafungin and amphotericin B. Groups studied consisted of micafungin (0.5 to 32 mg/kg) and amphotericin B (1 mg/kg) treatment groups and the untreated controls (UC). Despite well-established infection in the cerebrum, cerebellum, choroid, vitreous humor (102to 103CFU/ml), spinal cord, and meninges (10 to 102CFU/g), only 8.1% of UC CSF cultures were positive. By comparison, all 25 UC CSF samples tested for β-glucan were positive (755 to 7,750 pg/ml) (P< 0.001). The therapeutic response in CNS tissue was site dependent, with significant decreases of the fungal burden in the cerebrum and cerebellum starting at 8 mg/kg, in the meninges at 2 mg/kg, and in the vitreous humor at 4 mg/kg. A dosage of 24 mg/kg was required to achieve a significant effect in the spinal cord and choroid. Clearance ofCandida albicansfrom blood cultures was not predictive of eradication of organisms from the CNS; conversely, β-glucan levels in CSF were predictive of the therapeutic response. A significant decrease of β-glucan concentrations in CSF, in comparison to that for UC, started at 0.5 mg/kg (P< 0.001). Levels of plasma β-glucan were lower than levels in simultaneously obtained CSF (P< 0.05). CSF β-glucan levels correlated in a dose-dependent pattern with therapeutic responses and withCandidainfection in cerebral tissue (r= 0.842). Micafungin demonstrated dose-dependent and site-dependent activity against HCME. CSF β-glucan may be a useful biomarker for detection and monitoring of therapeutic response in HCME.
Burkholderia thailandensis
as a Model System for the Study of the Virulence-Associated Type III Secretion System of
Burkholderia pseudomallei
Authors: Haraga Andrea , West T. Eoin , Brittnacher Mitchell J. , Skerrett Shawn J. , Miller Samuel I. 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACT

Burkholderia pseudomallei
is a bacterial pathogen that causes a broad spectrum of clinical symptoms collectively known as melioidosis. Since it can be acquired by inhalation and is difficult to eradicate due to its resistance to a wide group of antibiotics and capacity for latency, work with
B. pseudomallei
requires a biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) containment facility. The
bsa
(
Burkholderia s
ecretion
a
pparatus)-encoded type III secretion system (TTSS) has been shown to be required for its full virulence in a number of animal models. TTSSs are export devices found in a variety of gram-negative bacteria that translocate bacterial effector proteins across host cell membranes into the cytoplasm of host cells. Although the Bsa TTSS has been shown to play an important role in the ability of
B. pseudomallei
to survive and replicate in mammalian cells, escape from the endocytic vacuole, and spread from cell to cell, little is known about its effectors mediating these functions. Using bioinformatics, we identified homologs of several known TTSS effectors from other bacteria in the
B. pseudomallei
genome. In addition, we show that orthologs of these putative effectors exist in the genome of
B. thailandensis
, a closely related bacterium that is rarely pathogenic to humans. By generating a Bsa TTSS mutant
B. thailandensis
strain, we also demonstrated that the Bsa TTSS has similar functions in the two species. Therefore, we propose
B. thailandensis
as a useful BSL-1 model system to study the role of the Bsa TTSS during
Burkholderia
infection of mammalian cells and animals.
Functional Characterization and Novel Rickettsiostatic Effects of a Kunitz-Type Serine Protease Inhibitor from the Tick
Dermacentor variabilis
Authors: Ceraul Shane M. , Dreher-Lesnick Sheila M. , Mulenga Albert , Rahman M. Sayeedur , Azad Abdu F. 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACT

Here we report the novel bacteriostatic function of a five-domain Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor (KPI) from the tick
Dermacentor variabilis
. As ticks feed, they release anticoagulants, anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive molecules that mediate the formation of the feeding lesion on the mammalian host. A number of KPIs have been isolated and characterized from tick salivary gland extracts. Interestingly, we observe little
D. variabilis
KPI gene expression in the salivary gland and abundant expression in the midgut. However, our demonstration of
D. variabilis
KPI's anticoagulant properties indicates that
D. variabilis
KPI may be important for blood meal digestion in the midgut. In addition to facilitating long-term attachment and blood meal acquisition, gene expression studies of
Drosophila
, legumes, and ticks suggest that KPIs play some role in the response to microbial infection. Similarly, in this study, we show that challenge of
D. variabilis
with the spotted fever group rickettsia,
Rickettsia montanensis
, results in sustained
D. variabilis
KPI gene expression in the midgut. Furthermore, our in vitro studies show that
D. variabilis
KPI limits rickettsial colonization of L929 cells (mouse fibroblasts), implicating
D. variabilis
KPI as a bacteriostatic protein, a property that may be related to
D. variabilis
KPI's trypsin inhibitory capability. This work suggests that anticoagulants play some role in the midgut during feeding and that
D. variabilis
KPI may be involved as part of the tick's defense response to rickettsiae.
Comparison of Adhesion and Virulence of Two Predominant Hospital-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
Clones and Clonal Methicillin-Susceptible
S. aureus
Isolates
Authors: Karauzum Hatice , Ferry Tristan , de Bentzmann Sophie , Lina Gérard , Bes Michèle , Vandenesch François , Schmaler Mathias , Berger-Bächi Brigitte , Etienne Jerome , Landmann Regine 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACT

The virulence of SCC
mec
type IV hospital-acquired methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) clinical isolates belonging to the major sequence type 8 (ST8 [Lyon clone]) and to a minor upcoming clone, ST5, was compared with that of methicillin-susceptible
S. aureus
(MSSA) isolates of matching sequence types. In vitro adhesion to human airway epithelial cells (HAECs) as an indicator of dissemination and mortality in a murine sepsis model as an indicator of virulence were evaluated. Ten MRSA isolates and 8 MSSA isolates of ST8 and 8 MRSA isolates and 8 MSSA isolates of ST5 were characterized with respect to multilocus sequence type;
agr, spa
, and capsule typing; in vitro doubling time; toxin and adhesin gene profiles; and adherence to HAECs. Adherence was significantly lower in the MRSA ST5 group than in the ST8 groups. Infections with MRSA and MSSA isolates ST8 and ST5 were compared. No change in virulence related to the presence of SCC
mec
was observed, since ST8 but not ST5 caused a significantly lower mortality in its presence. Despite their similar genetic backgrounds, individual clonal MRSA and MSSA isolates were heterogeneous in adherence and virulence. No one of these specific virulence factors determined in vitro was related to mouse mortality. In conclusion, in a bacteremic model, mortality was dependent on the ST and was differentially modulated by SCC
mec
; within an ST, clonality was not associated with a homogenous outcome.
Creatine supplementation does not affect clinical health markers in football players
Authors: Cancela P , Ohanian C , Cuitiño E , Hackney A C 
Published: September 2008

Purpose:To study the effects of 8-week creatine monohydrate (CrM) supplementation on blood and urinary clinical health markers in football players.Methods:14 football players were randomly assigned in a double-blinded fashion to Cre (n = 7) or Pla (n = 7) group. The Cre group ingested 15 g/day of CrM for 7 days and 3 g/day for the remaining 49 days, whereas the Pla group ingested maltodextrin following the same protocol. Football-specific training was performed during the study. Total body mass was determined and blood and urine samples were analysed for metabolic, hepatic, renal and muscular function markers, before and after supplementation.Results:A gain of total body mass was observed after CrM intake, but not with placebo. Blood and urinary markers remained within normal reference values. There were no significant changes in renal and hepatic markers after CrM intake. However, total creatine kinase (CK) activity significantly increased, and uric acid level tended to decrease after CrM use. Likewise, serum glucose decreased in the Cre group following supplementation. No significant differences in urine parameters were found in either group after supplementation.Conclusions:8 weeks of CrM supplementation had no negative effects on blood and urinary clinical health markers in football players. Properties of CrM may, however, be associated with an increase in CK activity, improving the efficiency for ATP resynthesis, a phenomenon indirectly confirmed by the decreasing tendency in uric acid concentration. Furthermore, CrM seems to slightly influence glucoregulation in trained subjects.
Association between Polymorphisms in DNA Base Excision Repair GenesXRCC1, APE1, andADPRTand Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Chiang Feng-Yu , Wu Che-Wei , Hsiao Pi-Jung , Kuo Wen-Rei , Lee Ka-Wo , Lin Jen-Chih , Liao Yi-Chu , Juo Suh-Hang Hank 
Published: September 2008

AbstractPurpose: DNA BER pathway is related with carcinogenesis. We hypothesized that functional polymorphisms of three BER genes, XRCC1, apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease (APE1), and ADPRT, confer risks for DTC and its progression.Experimental Design: Five common nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (Arg194Trp, Arg280His, and Arg399Gln for XRCC1; Asp148Glu for APE1; and Val762Ala for ADPRT) were genotyped in Chinese DTC cases and controls.Results: The XRCC1-194Trp/Trp genotype showed a significantly increased risk for DTC (odds ratio, 1.85; 95% confidence interval, 1.11-3.07; P = 0.018). Subset analysis based on regional LN metastasis showed that the genetic effect came primarily from the subjects with LN metastasis (odds ratio, 4.54; 95% confidence interval, 2.11-9.79; P = 0.0001), but no significant association for subjects without LN metastasis. The other four single nucleotide polymorphisms did not show significant results. Haplotype analysis of XRCC1 polymorphisms yielded a significant result (P = 0.004), especially in the subjects with LN metastasis (P = 0.0002). Moreover, we found that XRCC1-194Trp and ADPRT-762Ala variants collectively contributed to an increased risk of the disease and LN metastasis, with the combined variant homozygotes exhibiting the highest 3.18-fold risk for DTC (P = 0.046) and 9.25-fold risk for DTC with LN metastasis (P = 0.004).Conclusions: The XRCC1 polymorphisms, especially the 194Trp allele, may have an effect on DTC development and progression. This variant can interact with ADPRT-762Ala variant to further substantially increase susceptibility to the disease and regional LN metastasis. Identifying these risk genetic markers could provide more insight into the DTC pathogenesis and may also provide information to develop better prevention and therapeutic strategies.
The Chromosomes of the Crab-eating Macaque ( Macaca fascicularis)
Authors: Kanagawa H. , Hafez E. S. E. , Nawar M. 
Published: September 2008

The number and characteristics of chromosomes of the crab-eating macaque (Macaca Jascicularis) were studied. Karyotypes obtained from cultured leukocytes were similar to those of other species of the genus Macaca (2n = 42).
The diploid chromosome number was 42: 15 pairs of submetacentric autosomes and 5 metacentric. The Y-chromosome was meta- centric and the T-chromosome was probably acrocentric
Contribution to the Ecology of Mandrillus sphinx Linnaeus 1758 of Rio Muni (Republic of Equatorial Guinea)
Authors: Sabater J. 
Published: September 2008

Some aspects of the ecology and behaviour of mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx) in the wild state are described.
It appears that the distribution of this species is considerably more limited than has been admitted till now. It is also probable that mandrills do not live together in the same place as drills (M. leucophaeus).
Associations with other primate species are described as well as the status of the dominant male within the group and also the breeding season.
Evidence is adduced that the ecology and behaviour are closely the drill.
Nonnegative Matrix Factorization with the Itakura-Saito Divergence: With Application to Music Analysis
Authors: Févotte Cédric , Bertin Nancy , Durrieu Jean-Louis 
Published: September 2008

This letter presents theoretical, algorithmic, and experimental results about nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) with the Itakura-Saito (IS) divergence. We describe how IS-NMF is underlaid by a well-defined statistical model of superimposed gaussian components and is equivalent to maximum likelihood estimation of variance parameters. This setting can accommodate regularization constraints on the factors through Bayesian priors. In particular, inverse-gamma and gamma Markov chain priors are considered in this work. Estimation can be carried out using a space-alternating generalized expectation-maximization (SAGE) algorithm; this leads to a novel type of NMF algorithm, whose convergence to a stationary point of the IS cost function is guaranteed. We also discuss the links between the IS divergence and other cost functions used in NMF, in particular, the Euclidean distance and the generalized Kullback-Leibler (KL) divergence. As such, we describe how IS-NMF can also be performed using a gradient multiplicative algorithm (a standard algorithm structure in NMF) whose convergence is observed in practice, though not proven. Finally, we report a furnished experimental comparative study of Euclidean-NMF, KL-NMF, and IS-NMF algorithms applied to the power spectrogram of a short piano sequence recorded in real conditions, with various initializations and model orders. Then we show how IS-NMF can successfully be employed for denoising and upmix (mono to stereo conversion) of an original piece of early jazz music. These experiments indicate that IS-NMF correctly captures the semantics of audio and is better suited to the representation of music signals than NMF with the usual Euclidean and KL costs.
Relationship between juvenile hatching and acridine orange fluorescence of Heterodera glycines eggs
Authors: Charlson Dirk V. , Harkins Kristi R. , Tylka Gregory L. 
Published: September 2008

Abstract
Uptake of acridine orange resulting from increased eggshell permeability is a
reliable predictor of hatching for Globodera rostochiensis eggs. We
conducted laboratory experiments to determine whether fluorescence of
Heterodera glycines eggs stained with acridine orange correlated with
hatching. Heterodera glycines eggs were incubated in sterile distilled
water, zinc sulphate or soybean root diffusate and were stained with
acridine orange 24 h prior to assessing fluorescence. Fluorescence of mature
eggs positively correlated with hatching in zinc sulphate. Correlations in
soybean root diffusate were positive, negative or non-existent, depending on
the concentration of the diffusate. Although there were some significant
correlations between hatching and fluorescence of H. glycines eggs in zinc
sulphate, the relationships were not sufficiently consistent for this
technique to be used reliably to predict H. glycines hatching in soybean
root diffusate.
The Two Choruses Become One: The Absence/Presence of Women in Philo's On the Contemplative Life
Authors: Golberg Shari 
Published: September 2008

AbstractPhilo is not known for his positive portrayals of the feminine. Consequently, many scholars have puzzled over his seemingly glowing account of the Therapeutrides, a group of celibate, female ascetics described in On the Contemplative Life. While it is tantalizing to consider that Philo included the Therapeutrides in his work to prove that mystical union with God was just as viable an option for women as it was for men, by examining the textual allusions to other female figures such as Miriam, Sarah and Diotima, this paper asks whether the piece is meant to depict any real women at all.
The Epidemiology of Ankle Injuries in Professional Rugby Union Players
Authors: Sankey R. Andrew , Brooks John H. M. , Kemp Simon P. T. , Haddad Fares S. 
Published: September 2008

Background Ankle injuries represent a considerable proportion of injuries to professional rugby union players; however, there is a scarcity of detailed epidemiology about these injuries. Purpose To describe the epidemiology and assess the risk factors associated with ankle injuries sustained by a cohort of professional rugby union players. Study Design Descriptive epidemiology study. Method Medical personnel prospectively reported time-loss injuries in professional rugby union in England, and the ankle injuries were evaluated. Results Lateral ankle ligament injuries were the most common injury reported during matches and training, and together with Achilles tendon injuries, they accounted for more than half of the absence due to injury. The incidence rate of injuries was highest in second-row forwards. More than a quarter of injuries were recurrences. Conclusion Lateral ankle ligament injuries and Achilles tendon injuries should be a focus of injury prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation strategies in professional rugby union players.
HCAI Technology Innovation Programme — Helping to get evidence into practice
Authors: Cryer Paul , Cooper Tracey 
Published: September 2008

Since July 2007 the Department of Health (DH) in England and the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency (NHS PASA) have been working jointly and have developed the HCAI Technology Innovation Programme, which has been formally acknowledged in the DH HCAI strategy for 2008 — Clean Safe Care (DH, 2008). Funding has been made available to support the programme as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review for 2008-09. This paper provides an overview of the programme including the predicted benefits and outcomes. The actual outcomes from the programme will be published as academic papers in a range of journals, including the journal of the Infection Prevention Society.
The effect of posters and displays on the use of alcohol gel
Authors: Grice John E , Roushdi Ibraham , Ricketts David M 
Published: September 2008

Introduction: Hand cleansing with alcohol gel is important in reducing health care associated infection (HCAI). HCAI affects 8% of acute hospital admissions in the UK costing the NHS an estimated ®1 billion per annum1. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of posters and placement of alcohol dispensers on use of alcohol dispensers by staff and visitors passing through hospital foyers. Method: We noted the use of alcohol gel for hand cleansing in pedestrians entering through the hospital foyers. Three scenarios were noted: ■ Display 1. Poster and gel dispenser in the centre of the foyer. ■ Display 2. Poster and gel dispenser on the wall of the foyer. ■ Display 3. No poster with a gel dispenser on the wall of the foyer. Results: For display 1 uptake of alcohol gel was 38.4%, for display 2 it was 8.6% and for display 3 it was 2.7%. There was a significant increase in uptake of alcohol hand cleansing when a display was used (p > 0.001). Regarding gender, males were better users of alcohol hand gel overall. Employment group: the highest use was amongst female visitors with display 1 (51.6%). Displays had least influence on male doctors (44% with display 1, 10% with display 3). Conclusion: We recommend the use of prominently placed posters and gel dispensers in hospital foyers.
A survey of MRSA awareness and knowledge among the general public and patients' visitors
Authors: McLaughlin Anne Marie , Canavan James B , Adams Emma J , McDonagh Ruth , Brar Harpreet , Fitzpatrick Gerard J , Donnelly Maria B 
Published: September 2008

Our aim was to assess, for the first time, the know-ledge and perception of meticillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among the general public and a group of hospital visitors. Five hundred and forty five participants completed the survey, 24 (4.4%) had not heard of MRSA and were excluded from further analysis; 345 members of the public and 176 hospital visitors remained. Twenty four (4.4%) of the public and two of the hospital visitors had a personal history of MRSA and thus formed a discrete group. The majority of participants thought that MRSA transmission could be reduced by hand washing. MRSA evoked a strong emotive response, 61% agreeing they would be angry and 80.9% agreeing that they would feel fearful if diagnosed with MRSA. The public are generally knowledgeable about MRSA but most agreed that they would feel angry and afraid by its diagnosis. Future public education campaigns on MRSA should be aware of this response.
Resolution-phase macrophages possess a unique inflammatory phenotype that is controlled by cAMP
Authors: Bystrom Jonas , Evans Ian , Newson Justine , Stables Melanie , Toor Iqbal , van Rooijen Nico , Crawford Mark , Colville-Nash Paul , Farrow Stuart , Gilroy Derek W. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractNeutralizing injurious stimuli, proinflammatory mediator catabolism, and polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) clearance are determinants of inflammatory resolution. To this, we recently added innate-type lymphocyte repopulation as being central for restoring postinflammation tissue homeostasis with a role in controlling innate immune–mediated responses to secondary infection. However, although macrophages dominate resolution, their phenotype and role in restoring tissue physiology once inflammation abates are unknown. Therefore, we isolated macrophages from the resolving phase of acute inflammation and found that compared with classically activated proinflammatory M1 cells, resolution-phase macrophages (rMs) possess weaker bactericidal properties and express an alternatively activated phenotype but with elevated markers of M1 cells including inducible cyclooxygenase (COX 2) and nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). This phenotype is controlled by cAMP, which, when inhibited, transforms rM to M1 cells. Conversely, elevating cAMP in M1 cells transforms them to rMs, with implications for cAMP in the resolution of systemic inflammation. It transpires that although rMs are dispensable for clearing PMNs during self-limiting inflammation, they are essential for signaling postresolution lymphocyte repopulation via COX 2 lipids. Thus, rM macrophages are neither classically nor alternatively activated but a hybrid of both, with a role in mediating postresolution innate-lymphocyte repopulation and restoring tissue homeostasis.