bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neutralization or Absence of the Interleukin-23 Pathway Does Not Compromise Immunity to Mycobacterial Infection
Authors: Chackerian Alissa A. , Chen Shi-Juan , Brodie Scott J. , Mattson Jeanine D. , McClanahan Terrill K. , Kastelein Robert A. , Bowman Edward P. 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT

Interleukin-23 (IL-23), a member of the IL-12 family, is a heterodimeric cytokine that is composed of the p40 subunit of IL-12 plus a unique p19 subunit. IL-23 is critical for autoimmune inflammation, in part due to its stimulation of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-17A. It is less clear, however, if IL-23 is required during the immune response to pathogens. We examined the role of IL-23 during
Mycobacterium bovis
BCG infection. We found that IL-23 reduces the bacterial burden and promotes granuloma formation when IL-12 is absent. However, IL-23 does not contribute substantially to host resistance when IL-12 is present, as the ability to control bacterial growth and form granulomata is not affected in IL-23p19-deficient mice and mice treated with a specific anti-IL-23p19 antibody. IL-23p19-deficient mice are also able to mount an effective memory response to secondary infection with BCG. While IL-23p19-deficient mice do not produce IL-17A, this cytokine is not necessary for effective control of infection, and antibody blocking of IL-17A in both wild-type and IL-12-deficient mice also has little effect on the bacterial burden. These data suggest that IL-23 by itself does not play an essential role in the protective immune response to BCG infection; however, the presence of IL-23 can partially compensate for the absence of IL-12. Furthermore, neutralization of IL-23 or IL-17A does not increase susceptibility to mycobacterial BCG infection.
The
dbpBA
Locus of
Borrelia burgdorferi
Is Not Essential for Infection of Mice
Authors: Shi Yanlin , Xu Qilong , Seemanapalli Sunita V. , McShan Kristy , Liang Fang Ting 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT

The Lyme disease spirochete
Borrelia burgdorferi
expresses a broad array of adhesive molecules, including the decorin-binding proteins A and B (DbpA and DbpB), which are believed to play important roles in mammalian infection. The
dbpBA
locus was deleted; resulting mutants were able to infect both immunodeficient and immunocompetent mice, indicating that neither DbpA nor DbpB is essential for the infection of mammals, although the DbpAB deficiency may significantly attenuate infectivity potential.
Structure of the Expression Site Reveals Global Diversity in MSP2 (P44) Variants in
Anaplasma phagocytophilum
Authors: Barbet Anthony F. , Lundgren Anna M. , Alleman A. Rick , Stuen Snorre , Bjöersdorff Anneli , Brown Richard N. , Drazenovich Niki L. , Foley Janet E. 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT

Anaplasma phagocytophilum
, a recently reclassified bacteria in the order
Rickettsiales
, infects many different animal species and causes an emerging tick-borne disease of humans. The genome contains a large number of related genes and gene fragments encoding partial or apparently full-length outer membrane protein MSP2 (P44). Previous data using strains isolated from humans in the United States suggest that antigenic diversity results from RecF-mediated conversion of a single MSP2 (P44) expression site by partially homologous donor sequences. However, whether similar mechanisms operate in naturally infected animal species and the extent of global diversity in MSP2 (P44) are unknown. We analyzed the structure and diversity of the MSP2 (P44) expression site in strains derived from the United States and Europe and from infections of different animal species, including wildlife reservoirs. The results show that a syntenic expression site is present in all strains of
A. phagocytophilum
investigated. This genomic locus contained diverse MSP2 (P44) variants in all infected animals sampled, and variants also differed at different time points during infection. Although similar variants were found among different populations of U.S. origin, there was little sequence identity between U.S. strain variants (including genomic copies from a completely sequenced U.S. strain) and expression site variants infecting sheep and dogs in Norway and Sweden. Finally, the possibility that combinatorial mechanisms can generate additional diversity beyond the basic donor sequence repertoire is supported by the observation of shared sequence blocks throughout the MSP2 (P44) hypervariable region in reservoir hosts. These data suggest similar genetic mechanisms for
A. phagocytophilum
variation in all hosts but worldwide diversity of the MSP2 (P44) outer membrane protein.
Globally Distributed Mycobacterial Fish Pathogens Produce a Novel Plasmid-Encoded Toxic Macrolide, Mycolactone F
Authors: Ranger Brian S. , Mahrous Engy A. , Mosi Lydia , Adusumilli Sarojini , Lee Richard E. , Colorni Angelo , Rhodes Martha , Small P. L. C. 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT

Mycobacterium ulcerans
and
Mycobacterium marinum
are closely related pathogens which share an aquatic environment. The pathogenesis of these organisms in humans is limited by their inability to grow above 35°C.
M. marinum
causes systemic disease in fish but produces localized skin infections in humans.
M. ulcerans
causes Buruli ulcer, a severe human skin lesion. At the molecular level,
M. ulcerans
is distinguished from
M. marinum
by the presence of a virulence plasmid which encodes a macrolide toxin, mycolactone, as well as by hundreds of insertion sequences, particularly IS
2404
. There has been a global increase in reports of fish mycobacteriosis. An unusual clade of
M. marinum
has been reported from fish in the Red and Mediterranean Seas and a new mycobacterial species,
Mycobacterium pseudoshottsii
, has been cultured from fish in the Chesapeake Bay, United States. We have discovered that both groups of fish pathogens produce a unique mycolactone toxin, mycolactone F. Mycolactone F is the smallest mycolactone (molecular weight, 700) yet identified. The core lactone structure of mycolactone F is identical to that of
M. ulcerans
mycolactones, but a unique side chain structure is present. Mycolactone F produces apoptosis and necrosis on cultured cells but is less potent than
M. ulcerans
mycolactones. Both groups of fish pathogens contain IS
2404
. In contrast to
M. ulcerans
and conventional
M. marinum
, mycolactone F-producing mycobacteria are incapable of growth at above 30°C. This fact is likely to limit their virulence for humans. However, such isolates may provide a reservoir for horizontal transfer of the mycolactone plasmid in aquatic environments.
Human Monoclonal Antibodies Directed against Toxins A and B Prevent
Clostridium difficile
-Induced Mortality in Hamsters
Authors: Babcock Gregory J. , Broering Teresa J. , Hernandez Hector J. , Mandell Robert B. , Donahue Katherine , Boatright Naomi , Stack Anne M. , Lowy Israel , Graziano Robert , Molrine Deborah , Ambrosino Donna M. , Thomas William D. 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT

Clostridium difficile
is the leading cause of nosocomial antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and recent outbreaks of strains with increased virulence underscore the importance of identifying novel approaches to treat and prevent relapse of
Clostridium difficile-
associated diarrhea (CDAD). CDAD pathology is induced by two exotoxins, toxin A and toxin B, which have been shown to be cytotoxic and, in the case of toxin A, enterotoxic. In this report we describe fully human monoclonal antibodies (HuMAbs) that neutralize these toxins and prevent disease in hamsters. Transgenic mice carrying human immunoglobulin genes were used to isolate HuMAbs that neutralize the cytotoxic effects of either toxin A or toxin B in cell-based in vitro neutralization assays. Three anti-toxin A HuMAbs (3H2, CDA1, and 1B11) could all inhibit the enterotoxicity of toxin A in mouse intestinal loops and the in vivo toxicity in a systemic mouse model. Four anti-toxin B HuMAbs (MDX-1388, 103-174, 1G10, and 2A11) could neutralize cytotoxicity in vitro, although systemic toxicity in the mouse could not be neutralized. Anti-toxin A HuMAb CDA1 and anti-toxin B HuMAb MDX-1388 were tested in the well-established hamster model of
C. difficile
disease. CDA1 alone resulted in a statistically significant reduction of mortality in hamsters; however, the combination treatment offered enhanced protection. Compared to controls, combination therapy reduced mortality from 100% to 45% (
P
< 0.0001) in the primary disease hamster model and from 78% to 32% (
P
< 0.0001) in the less stringent relapse model.
Tsetse Fly Saliva Accelerates the Onset ofTrypanosoma bruceiInfection in a Mouse Model Associated with a Reduced Host Inflammatory Response
Authors: Caljon Guy , Van Den Abbeele Jan , Stijlemans Benoît , Coosemans Marc , De Baetselier Patrick , Magez Stefan 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACTTsetse flies (Glossinasp.) are the vectors that transmit African trypanosomes, protozoan parasites that cause human sleeping sickness and veterinary infections in the African continent. These blood-feeding dipteran insects deposit saliva at the feeding site that enables the blood-feeding process. Here we demonstrate that tsetse fly saliva also accelerates the onset of aTrypanosoma bruceiinfection. This effect was associated with a reduced inflammatory reaction at the site of infection initiation (reflected by a decrease of interleukin-6 [IL-6] and IL-12 mRNA) as well as lower serum concentrations of the trypanocidal cytokine tumor necrosis factor. Variant-specific surface glycoprotein-specific antibody isotypes immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG2a, implicated in trypanosome clearance, were not suppressed. We propose that tsetse fly saliva accelerates the onset of trypanosome infection by inhibiting local and systemic inflammatory responses involved in parasite control.
Road traffic noise and hypertension
Authors: Leon Bluhm Gösta , Berglind Niklas , Nordling Emma , Rosenlund Mats 
Published: October 2006

Background:It has been suggested that noise exposure increases the risk of hypertension. Road traffic is the dominant source of community noise exposure.Objective:To study the association between exposure to residential road traffic noise and hypertension in an urban municipality.Methods:The study population comprised randomly selected subjects aged 19–80 years. A postal questionnaire provided information on individual characteristics, including diagnosis of hypertension. The response rate was 77%, resulting in a study population of 667 subjects. The outdoor equivalent traffic noise level (Leq 24 h) at the residence of each individual was determined using noise-dispersion models and manual noise assessments. The individual noise exposure was classified in units of 5 dB(A), from <45 dB(A) to >65 dB(A).Results:The odds ratio (OR) for hypertension adjusted for age, smoking, occupational status and house type was 1.38 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06 to 1.80) per 5 dB(A) increase in noise exposure. The association seemed stronger among women (OR 1.71; 95% CI 1.17 to 2.50) and among those who had lived at the address for >10 years (OR 1.93; 95% CI 1.29 to 2.83). Analyses of categorical exposure variables suggested an exposure–response relationship. The strongest association between exposure to traffic noise and hypertension was found among those with the least expected misclassification of true individual exposure, as indicated by not having triple-glazed windows, living in an old house and having the bedroom window facing a street (OR 2.47; 95% CI 1.38 to 4.43).Conclusion:The results of our study suggest an association between exposure to residential road traffic noise and hypertension.
LENGTH, AREA AND VOLUME COMPUTATION IN HOMOGENEOUS COORDINATES
Authors: SKALA VACLAV 
Published: October 2006

Many problems solved in computer graphics, computer vision, visualization etc. require fast and robust computation of an area of a triangle or volume of a tetrahedron. These very often used algorithms are well known and robust if vertices coordinates of triangles or tetrahedrons are given in Euclidean coordinates. The homogeneous coordinates are often used for the representation of geometric transformations. They enable us to represent translation, rotation, scaling and projection operations in a unique way and handle them properly. Today's graphics hardware based on GPU offers very high computational power using pixel shaders and fragment shaders not only for graphical elements processing, but also for general computation using GPU as well. This paper presents simple methods for the area of a triangle and the volume of a tetrahedron computation if vertices are given in homogeneous coordinates without the need to use the division operation for vertices coordinates transformation from the homogeneous coordinates to the Euclidean coordinates. Area or volume computation is transferred to the cross product computation that is fast, simple, and robust and can be supported in hardware or implemented on GPU that uses vector operations with homogeneous coordinates natively. The presented formula can be used directly for Euclidean representation just setting w equal to 1.
Enhanced natural-killer cell and erythropoietic activities in VEGF-A–overexpressing mice delay F-MuLV–induced erythroleukemia
Authors: Cervi David , Shaked Yuval , Haeri Mehran , Usenko Tatiana , Lee Christina R. , Haigh Jody J. , Nagy Andras , Kerbel Robert S. , Yefenof Eitan , Ben-David Yaacov 
Published: October 2006

AbstractWe have previously reported that VEGF-A, in combination with MCP-5, contributes to leukemia progression within the splenic microenvironment of mice infected with F-MuLV. To study the influence of constitutively elevated VEGF-A levels on the progression of erythroleukemia, mice heterozygous for a VEGF-A “hypermorphic” allele (Vegfhi/+) were inoculated with F-MuLV. Unexpectedly, a significant delay in erythroleukemia was observed in Vegfhi/+ mice when compared with wild-type controls. These results suggested an altered physiologic response arising from elevated VEGF-A levels that decelerated erythroleukemic progression. Characterization of hematopoiesis in Vegfhi/+ spleens showed a higher natural killer cell activity, elevated B cells, and a decrease in T-cell number. Furthermore, higher erythroid progenitors (ie, CD34+, CD36+, and Ter119+ cells) were evident in the bone marrow, spleen, and peripheral blood of Vegfhi/+ mice. The CFU-E levels were significantly elevated in Vegfhi/+ bone marrow cultures, and this elevation was blocked by a neutralizing antibody to VEGF-A receptor (VEGFR-2). Moreover, erythroleukemic mice were treated with recombinant erythropoietin and, similar to diseased Vegfhi/+ mice, showed a delay in disease progression. We propose that a compensatory erythropoietic response combined with increased natural killer (NK) cell activity account for the extended survival of erythroleukemic, Vegfhi/+ mice.
Genome-wide analysis of DNA copy number changes and LOH in CLL using high-density SNP arrays
Authors: Pfeifer Dietmar , Pantic Milena , Skatulla Ilona , Rawluk Justyna , Kreutz Clemens , Martens Uwe M. , Fisch Paul , Timmer Jens , Veelken Hendrik 
Published: October 2006

AbstractRecurrent genomic aberrations are important prognostic parameters in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). High-resolution 10k and 50k Affymetrix SNP arrays were evaluated as a diagnostic tool for CLL and revealed chromosomal imbalances in 65.6% and 81.5% of 70 consecutive cases, respectively. Among the prognostically important aberrations, the del13q14 was present in 36 (51.4%), trisomy 12 in 9 (12.8%), del11q22 in 9 (12.8%), and del17p13 in 4 cases (5.7%). A prominent clustering of breakpoints on both sides of the MIRN15A/MIRN16-1 genes indicated the presence of recombination hot spots in the 13q14 region. Patients with a monoallelic del13q14 had slower lymphocyte growth kinetics (P = .002) than patients with biallelic deletions. In 4 CLL cases with unmutated VH genes, a common minimal 3.5-Mb gain of 2p16 spanning the REL and BCL11A oncogenes was identified, implicating these genes in the pathogenesis of CLL. Twenty-four large (> 10 Mb) copy-neutral regions with loss of heterozygosity were identified in 14 cases. These regions with loss of heterozygosity are not detectable by alternative methods and may harbor novel imprinted genes or loss-of-function alleles that may be important for the pathogenesis of CLL. Genomic profiling with SNP arrays is a convenient and efficient screening method for simultaneous genome-wide detection of chromosomal aberrations.
Listeriosis in Portugal: an existing but under reported infection
Authors: Almeida Gonçalo N , Gibbs Paul A , Hogg Tim A , Teixeira Paula C 
Published: October 2006

Abstract

Background
Listeriosis is a rare disease caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, the normal vehicle of which is food. The disease, which is largely confined to its risk groups of pregnant women, the elderly and immunocompromised individuals, has increased in incidence in recent years.
In Portugal, listeriosis is not a notifiable infection and available data are scarce.
The objective of this work was to collate the available information concerning listeriosis in Portugal by compiling a retrospective study of cases recorded over a decade.

Methods
Requests for case data on clinically confirmed listeriosis, recorded over the previous decade, were replied to by 23 hospitals and a National Institute of Health delegation.

Results
35 cases of listeriosis were identified for the period between 1994 and 2003 inclusive, the mortality rate being greater than 17%. According to the data collected in this study for the year 2003, the incidence of this disease in Portugal was at least 1.4 cases per million inhabitants in that year.

Conclusion
The study demonstrates, for the first time in the widely available literature, that despite their being no cases of listeriosis in Portugal recorded in official reports, the threat of L. monocytogenes to public health is of a similar dimension to that in other countries.
Associations between preschool attendance and developmental impairments in pre-school children in a six-year retrospective survey
Authors: Stich Heribert L , Baune Bernhard T , Caniato Riccardo N , Krämer Alexander 
Published: October 2006

Abstract

Background
Many school-aged children suffer physical and mental impairments which can adversely affect their development and result in significant morbidity. A high proportion of children in western countries attend pre-school, and it is likely that the preschool environment influences the prevalence and severity of these impairments. Currently there is insufficient data available on the prevalence of these impairments and their causal associations. The influence that location of a pre-school and the duration of preschool attendance have on the prevalence of these impairments is not known.

Methods
In a retrospective survey spanning six years (1997–2002) we reviewed the records of 6,230 preschool children who had undergone routine school entry assessments. These children had been assessed utilising a modified manual of the "Bavarian Model" for school entry examinations. This model outlines specific criteria for impairments of motor, cognitive, behavioural and psychosocial functioning. Prevalence rates for physical and behavioural impairments were based on the results of these assessments. The relationship between the prevalence of impairments and the duration of preschool attendance and the location of the preschool attended was estimated utilizing logistic regression models.

Results
We found that 20.7% of children met the criteria for at least one type of impairment. Highest prevalence rates (11.5%) were seen for speech impairments and lowest (3.5%) for arithmetic impairments. Boys were disproportionately over represented, with 25.5% meeting the criteria for impairment, compared to 13.0% for girls. Children who had attended preschool for less than one year demonstrated higher rates of impairment (up to 19.1% for difficulties with memory, concentration or perseverance) compared to those who had attended for a longer duration (up to 11.6% for difficulties with pronouncation). Children attending preschool in an urban location had slightly elevated rates of impairment (up to 12.7%), compared to their rural counterparts (up to 11.1%).

Conclusion
Our results demonstrate that there are high prevalence rates for physical and mental impairments among preschool children. Furthermore, children without preschool experience are a risk group for struggling with educational successes. The associations between the duration of preschool attendance and location of preschool attended and rates of impairment need replication and further exploration. Larger prospective studies are needed to examine if these relationships are causal and may therefore lend themselves to specific intervention strategies.
Relationship between ozone and temperature during the 2003 heat wave in France: consequences for health data analysis
Authors: Lacour Sandrine A , de Monte Michèle , Diot Patrice , Brocca Jérôme , Veron Nadège , Colin Patrice , Leblond Valérie 
Published: October 2006

Abstract

Background
PAPRICA is a research program designed to estimate the impact on the health of patients with chronic respiratory insufficiency of a prevention strategy based on notification of ozone pollution. The first year of this study was conducted during the 2003 heat wave, and high temperatures were therefore considered as a confounding factor in the data analysis. The aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between ozone and temperature in order to propose a methodology to distinguish between the effects of ozone and temperature on the impact of a prevention strategy with regard to ozone pollution.

Methods
Multivariate analyses were used to identify associated climate and ozone pollution profiles. This descriptive method is of great value to highlight the complexity of interactions between these parameters.

Results
Ozone concentration and temperature were strongly correlated, but the health impact of ozone pollution alone will be evaluated by focusing on situations characterized by ozone concentrations above 110 μg/m3/8h (air quality guidelines to protect human health defined by the French legislation) and temperatures lower than 26°C, below the discomfort threshold.

Conclusion
The precise relationship between ambient ozone concentration and temperature identified during the PAPRICA 2003 study period will be used in analysing the PAPRICA health data.