bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vaccination with Heat Shock Protein 60 Induces a Protective Immune Response against ExperimentalParacoccidioides brasiliensisPulmonary Infection
Authors: de Bastos Ascenço Soares Renata , Gomez Francisco J. , de Almeida Soares Célia Maria , Deepe George S. 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACTParacoccidioides brasiliensiscauses a chronic granulomatous mycosis prevalent in Latin America. The successful resolution of infection with this fungus is dependent on the activation of cellular immunity. We previously identified heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) as a target of the humoral response in paracoccidioidomycosis. Herein we expressed the gene encoding HSP60 inEscherichia coliand analyzed the immunological activity of this recombinant antigen. The immunization of BALB/c mice with recombinant protein emulsified in adjuvant stimulated a cellular immune response. Splenocytes from immunized mice proliferated in response to antigen and released interleukin-12 and gamma interferon (IFN-γ). Vaccination with HSP60 reduced the fungal burden in mice given 106or 107yeasts and protected mice from a lethal challenge. The efficacy of the vaccination was blunted by the neutralization of IFN-γ. CD4+cells were necessary for the efficacy of the vaccination in both the afferent and efferent phases. Thus, we have demonstrated that this immunodominant antigen is a candidate for the development of a vaccine against this fungus.
Acinetobacter baylyi
as a Pathogen for Opportunistic Infection
Authors: Chen Te-Li , Siu Leung-Kei , Lee Yi-Tzu , Chen Chien-Pei , Huang Li-Yueh , Wu Roy Chen-Chih , Cho Wen-Long , Fung Chang-Phone 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACT

There are no previous reports of human infection due to
Acinetobacter baylyi
. In this study, we report on six patients with bacteremia due to
A. baylyi
, based on analysis of the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer and the 16S rRNA gene. All six patients had multiple underlying diseases. The infection was nosocomially acquired in five patients. The six clinical isolates had similar ribopatterns, suggesting a clonal relationship. Compared to the reference strain, the clinical isolates were more resistant to antimicrobial agents, especially beta-lactam antibiotics. In three of the isolates, they may have undetermined plasmid mediated class C type beta-lactamases because of the positive results in a double-disk synergy test using 3-aminophenylboronic acid. Two of the clinical isolates retained a level of natural transformability similar to that of the reference strain. None of the patients died, although only three of them received appropriate antimicrobial therapy. This study demonstrates that
A. baylyi
is a potential human pathogen that can cause nosocomial infection in immunocompromised patients.
Efficacy of Dry Mist of Hydrogen Peroxide (DMHP) against
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
and use of DMHP for Routine Decontamination of Biosafety Level 3 Laboratories
Authors: Grare M. , Dailloux M. , Simon L. , Dimajo P. , Laurain C. 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACT

Mycobacterium tuberculosis
is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and is becoming a greater concern due to the development of multidrug-resistant strains.
M. tuberculosis
can contaminate rooms, medical equipment, and research laboratories and has the propensity to be highly resistant to decontamination. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of room disinfection with a dry mist of hydrogen peroxide (DMHP) in a biosafety level 3 laboratory in the event of contamination with
M. tuberculosis
. The biological indicators (BIs) were comprised of presterilized cotton tissues on which amounts of about 10
7
CFU/ml of
M. tuberculosis
H37Ra were dried. The device (Sterinis; Gloster Sante Europe) provided a DMHP of 5% hydrogen peroxide during 25 min. Three experiments were performed. The viable bacteria were reduced by values of more than 5 log
10
, and no colony grew from any BI. In conclusion, DMHP shows promise as an effective and safe alternative to the currently used formaldehyde.
Two Unusual Occurrences of Trichomoniasis: Rapid Species Identification by PCR
Authors: Bellanger A. P. , Cabaret O. , Costa J. M. , Foulet F. , Bretagne S. , Botterel F. 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACT

PCR analysis in two unusual occurrences of trichomoniasis, trichomonal empyema due to
Trichomonas tenax
and
Trichomonas vaginalis
in an infant urine sample, allowed us to obtain rapid and accurate trichomonad species identification. The weak sensitivity of wet preparations and the low viability of the flagellates can be remedied by the PCR method.
Multiplex Tandem PCR: a Novel Platform for Rapid Detection and Identification of Fungal Pathogens from Blood Culture Specimens
Authors: Lau Anna , Sorrell Tania C. , Chen Sharon , Stanley Keith , Iredell Jonathan , Halliday Catriona 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACTWe describe the first development and evaluation of a rapid multiplex tandem PCR (MT-PCR) assay for the detection and identification of fungi directly from blood culture specimens that have been flagged as positive. The assay uses a short-cycle multiplex amplification, followed by 12 simultaneous PCRs which target the fungal internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) and ITS2 region, elongation factor 1-α (EF1-α), and β-tubulin genes to identify 11 fungal pathogens:Candida albicans, Candida dubliniensis, Candida glabrata, Candida guilliermondii, Candida krusei, Candida parapsilosiscomplex,Candida tropicalis, Cryptococcus neoformanscomplex,Fusarium solani, Fusariumspecies, andScedosporium prolificans. The presence or absence of a fungal target was confirmed by melting curve analysis. Identification by MT-PCR correlated with culture-based identification for 44 (100%) patients. No cross-reactivity was detected in 200 blood culture specimens that contained bacteria or in 30 blood cultures without microorganisms. Fungi were correctly identified in five specimens with bacterial coinfection and in blood culture samples that were seeded with a mixture of yeast cells. The MT-PCR assay was able to provide rapid (<2 h), sensitive, and specific simultaneous detection and identification of fungal pathogens directly from blood culture specimens.
Bartonellasp. Bacteremia in Patients with Neurological and Neurocognitive Dysfunction
Authors: Breitschwerdt E. B. , Maggi R. G. , Nicholson W. L. , Cherry N. A. , Woods C. W. 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACTWe detected infection with aBartonellaspecies (B. henselaeorB. vinsoniisubsp.berkhoffii) in blood samples from six immunocompetent patients who presented with a chronic neurological or neurocognitive syndrome including seizures, ataxia, memory loss, and/or tremors. Each of these patients had substantial animal contact or recent arthropod exposure as a potential risk factor forBartonellainfection. Additional studies should be performed to clarify the potential role ofBartonellaspp. as a cause of chronic neurological and neurocognitive dysfunction.
Comparison of the Luminex xTAG Respiratory Viral Panel with In-House Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests for Diagnosis of Respiratory Virus Infections
Authors: Pabbaraju Kanti , Tokaryk Kara L. , Wong Sallene , Fox Julie D. 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACT
Detection of respiratory viruses using sensitive real-time nucleic acid amplification tests (NATs) is invaluable for patient and outbreak management. However, the wide range of potential respiratory virus pathogens makes testing using individual real-time NATs expensive and laborious. The objective of this study was to compare the detection of respiratory virus targets using the Luminex xTAG respiratory viral panel (RVP) assay with individual real-time NATs used at the Provincial Laboratory of Public Health, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The study included 1,530 specimens submitted for diagnosis of respiratory infections from December 2006 to May 2007. Direct-fluorescent-antigen-positive nasopharyngeal samples were excluded from this study. A total of 690 and 643 positives were detected by RVP and in-house NATs, respectively. Kappa correlation between in-house NATs and RVP for all targets ranged from 0.721 to 1.000. The majority of specimens missed by in-house NATs (96.7%) were positive for picornaviruses. Samples missed by RVP were mainly positive for adenovirus (51.7%) or respiratory syncytial virus (27.5%) by in-house NATs and in general had low viral loads. RVP allows for multiplex detection of 20 (and differentiation between 19) respiratory virus targets with considerable time and cost savings compared with alternative NATs. Although this first version of the RVP assay has lower sensitivity than in-house NATs for detection of adenovirus, it has good sensitivity for other targets. The identification of picornaviruses and coronaviruses and concurrent typing of influenza A virus by RVP, which are not currently included in our diagnostic testing algorithm, will improve our diagnosis of respiratory tract infections.
Cleavage of Poly(A)-Binding Protein by Poliovirus 3C Proteinase Inhibits Viral Internal Ribosome Entry Site-Mediated Translation
Authors: Bonderoff Jennifer M. , LaRey Jennifer L. , Lloyd Richard E. 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACT

The two enteroviral proteinases, 2A proteinase (2A
pro
) and 3C proteinase (3C
pro
), induce host cell translation shutoff in enterovirus-infected cells by cleaving canonical translation initiation factors. Cleavage of poly(A)-binding protein (PABP) by 3C
pro
has been shown to be a necessary component for host translation shutoff. Here we show that 3C
pro
inhibits cap-independent translation mediated by the poliovirus internal ribosome entry site (IRES) in a dose-dependent manner in HeLa translation extracts displaying cap-poly(A) synergy. This effect is independent of the stimulatory effect of 2A
pro
on IRES translation, and 3C
pro
-induced translation inhibition can be partially rescued by addition of recombinant PABP in vitro. 3C
pro
inhibits IRES translation on transcripts containing or lacking poly(A) tails, suggesting that cleavage of PABP and IRES
trans
-activating factors polypyrimidine tract-binding protein and poly r(C)-binding protein 2 may also be important for inhibition. Expression of 3C
pro
cleavage-resistant PABP in cells increased translation of nonreplicating viral minigenome reporter RNAs during infection and also delayed and reduced virus protein synthesis from replicating RNA. Further, expression of cleavage-resistant PABP in cells reduced the accumulation of viral RNA and the output of infectious virus. These results suggest that cleavage of PABP contributes to viral translation shutoff that is required for the switch from translation to RNA replication.
Leader of the Capsid Protein in Feline Calicivirus Promotes Replication of Norwalk Virus in Cell Culture
Authors: Chang Kyeong-Ok , George David W. , Patton John B. , Green Kim Y. , Sosnovtsev Stanislav V. 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACT

The inability to grow human noroviruses in cell culture has greatly impeded the studies of their pathogenesis and immunity. Vesiviruses, in the family
Caliciviridae
, grow efficiently in cell culture and encode a unique protein in the subgenomic region designated as leader of the capsid protein (LC). We hypothesized that LC might be associated with the efficient replication of vesiviruses in cell culture and promote the replication of human norovirus in cells. To test this hypothesis, a recombinant plasmid was engineered in which the LC region of feline calicivirus (FCV) was placed under the control of the cytomegalovirus promoter (pCI-LC) so that the LC protein could be provided in
trans
to replicating calicivirus genomes bearing a reporter gene. We constructed pNV-GFP, a recombinant plasmid containing a full-length NV genome with a green fluorescent protein (GFP) in the place of VP1. The transfection of pNV-GFP in MVA-T7-infected cells produced few GFP-positive cells detected by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry analysis. When pNV-GFP was cotransfected with pCI-LC in MVA-T7-infected cells, we observed an increase in the number of GFP-positive cells (ca. 3% of the whole-cell population). Using this cotransfection method with mutagenesis study, we identified potential
cis
-acting elements at the start of subgenomic RNA and the 3′ end of NV genome for the virus replication. We conclude that LC may be a viral factor which promotes the replication of NV in cells, which could provide a clue to growing the fastidious human noroviruses in cell culture.
Functional Homologies between Avian and Human Alphaherpesvirus VP22 Proteins in Cell-to-Cell Spreading as Revealed by a New
cis
-Complementation Assay
Authors: Blondeau C. , Marc D. , Courvoisier K. , Vautherot J.-F. , Denesvre C. 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACT

VP22, encoded by the
UL49
gene of Marek's disease virus (MDV), is indispensable for virus cell-to-cell spreading. We show herein that MDV
UL49
can be functionally replaced with avian and human viral orthologs. Replacement of MDV VP22 with that of avian gallid herpesvirus 3 or herpesvirus of turkey, whose residue identity with MDV is close to 60%, resulted in 73 and 131% changes in viral spreading, respectively. In contrast, VP22 replacement with human herpes simplex virus type 1 resulted in 14% plaque formation. Therefore, heterologous avian and human VP22 proteins share sufficient structural homology to support MDV cell-to-cell spreading, albeit with different efficiencies.
Pedometer counts superior to physical activity scale for identifying health markers in older adults
Authors: Ewald B , McEvoy M , Attia J 
Published: July 2008

ObjectiveMeasuring physical activity is a key part of studying its health effects. Questionnaires and pedometers each have weaknesses but are the cheapest and easiest to use measurement methods for large-scale studies. We examined their capacity to detect expected associations between physical activity and a range of surrogate health measures.DesignCross-sectional analysis of 669 community-dwelling participants (mean age 63.3 (7.7) years) who completed the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) questionnaire and who, within 2 weeks, wore a pedometer for 7 days.ResultsPASE score and step count were only poorly correlated (r = 0.37 in women, r = 0.30 in men). Of 12 expected associations examined between activity and surrogate markers of health, 10 were detected as statistically significant by step counts but only 3 by PASE scores. Significant associations in the expected direction were found between step counts and high-density lipoprotein, body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, blood glucose level, white cell count and fibrinogen. There was no association with either systolic or diastolic blood pressure. The association between PASE score and these markers was detected as significant only for body mass index and waist circumference in women and waist-to-hip ratio in both sexes. Associations were stronger for steps multiplied by stride length than for raw step count.ConclusionsPedometer-derived step counts are a more valid measurement of overall physical activity in this sample than PASE score. Researchers should use objective measures of physical activity whenever possible.
Human Aflatoxin Albumin Adducts Quantitatively Compared by ELISA, HPLC with Fluorescence Detection, and HPLC with Isotope Dilution Mass Spectrometry
Authors: McCoy Leslie F. , Scholl Peter F. , Sutcliffe Anne E. , Kieszak Stephanie M. , Powers Carissa D. , Rogers Helen S. , Gong Yun Yun , Groopman John D. , Wild Christopher P. , Schleicher Rosemary L. 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
Essential to the conduct of epidemiologic studies examining aflatoxin exposure and the risk of heptocellular carcinoma, impaired growth, and acute toxicity has been the development of quantitative biomarkers of exposure to aflatoxins, particularly aflatoxin B1. In this study, identical serum sample sets were analyzed for aflatoxin-albumin adducts by ELISA, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection (HPLC-f), and HPLC with isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS). The human samples analyzed were from an acute aflatoxicosis outbreak in Kenya in 2004 (n = 102) and the measured values ranged from 0.018 to 67.0, nondetectable to 13.6, and 0.002 to 17.7 ng/mg albumin for the respective methods. The Deming regression slopes for the HPLC-f and ELISA concentrations as a function of the IDMS concentrations were 0.71 (r2 = 0.95) and 3.3 (r2 = 0.96), respectively. When the samples were classified as cases or controls, based on clinical diagnosis, all methods were predictive of outcome (P &lt; 0.01). Further, to evaluate assay precision, duplicate samples were prepared at three levels by dilution of an exposed human sample and were analyzed on three separate days. Excluding one assay value by ELISA and one assay by HPLC-f, the overall relative SD were 8.7%, 10.5%, and 9.4% for IDMS, HPLC-f, and ELISA, respectively. IDMS was the most sensitive technique and HPLC-f was the least sensitive method. Overall, this study shows an excellent correlation between three independent methodologies conducted in different laboratories and supports the validation of these technologies for assessment of human exposure to this environmental toxin and carcinogen. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(7):1653–7)
Mathematical Modeling of Folate Metabolism: Predicted Effects of Genetic Polymorphisms on Mechanisms and Biomarkers Relevant to Carcinogenesis
Authors: Ulrich Cornelia M. , Neuhouser Marian , Liu Amy Y. , Boynton Alanna , Gregory Jesse F. , Shane Barry , James S. Jill , Reed Michael C. , Nijhout H. Frederik 
Published: July 2008

AbstractLow-folate status and genetic polymorphisms in folate metabolism have been linked to several cancers. Possible biological mechanisms for this association include effects on purine and thymidine synthesis, DNA methylation, or homocysteine concentrations. The influence of genetic variation in folate metabolism on these putative mechanisms or biomarkers of cancer risk has been largely unexplored. We used a mathematical model that simulates folate metabolism biochemistry to predict (a) the effects of polymorphisms with defined effects on enzyme function (MTHFR and TS) and (b) the effects of potential, as-of-yet-unidentified polymorphisms in a comprehensive set of folate-metabolizing enzymes on biomarkers and mechanisms related to cancer risk. The model suggests that there is substantial robustness in the pathway. Our predictions were consistent with measured effects of known polymorphisms in MTHFR and TS on biomarkers. Polymorphisms that alter enzyme function of FTD, FTS, and MTCH are expected to affect purine synthesis, FTS more so under a low-folate status. In addition, MTCH polymorphisms are predicted to influence thymidine synthesis. Polymorphisms in methyltransferases should affect both methylation rates and thymidylate synthesis. Combinations of polymorphisms in MTHFR, TS, and SHMT are expected to affect nucleotide synthesis in a nonlinear fashion. These investigations provide information on effects of genetic polymorphisms on biomarkers, including those that cannot be measured well, and highlight robustness and sensitivity in this complex biological system with regard to genetic variability. Although the proportional changes in biomarkers of risk with individual polymorphisms are frequently small, they may be quite relevant if present over an individual's lifetime. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(7):1822–31)
The hOGG1 Ser326Cys Polymorphism and Lung Cancer Risk: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Li Haixin , Hao Xishan , Zhang Wei , Wei Qingyi , Chen Kexin 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
The potentially functional polymorphism Ser326Cys in the human 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (hOGG1) gene has been implicated in lung cancer risk, but published studies have mixed findings. To summarize published data, we did a comprehensive meta-analysis. Two investigators extracted data independently from 17 case control studies published in the PubMed using the search phrases “hOGG1/OGG1/OGG and polymorphism/genetic variation and lung cancer.” The meta-analysis included 6,375 cancer cases and 6,406 control subjects. The results showed that individuals carrying the hOGG1 Cys/Cys genotype did not have significantly increased risk of lung cancer [odds ratios (OR), 1.15; 95% (confidence interval) CI, 0.94-1.41] compared with those with the Ser/Ser genotype; similarly, no significant association with lung cancer risk was found either in the recessive (OR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.90-1.32 for Cys/Cys versus Ser/Cys+Ser/Ser) or dominant model of the Ser326 allele (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.93-1.21 for Cys/Cys+Ser/Cys versus Ser/Ser). However, significantly increased risks were found among Asian subjects (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.01-1.38 for Cys/Cys+Ser/Cys versus Ser/Ser) in a dominant model. In stratified analyses by control source, compared with the Ser/Ser genotype, lung cancer risk associated with the hOGG1 Cys/Cys genotype was significantly increased in population-based studies (OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.04-1.67) but not in hospital-based studies (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.98-1.42); in stratified analyses by the smoking status, however, the increased risk was observed only among nonsmokers in a dominant model (OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.04-1.67). The meta-analysis suggested that a careful matching should be considered in future larger genetic association studies including multiple ethnic groups. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(7):1739–45)
Breast Density Assessment in Adolescent Girls Using Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Shepherd John A. , Malkov Serghei , Fan Bo , Laidevant Aurelie , Novotny Rachel , Maskarinec Gertraud 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
Breast density, the radiographically opaque fraction of the breast in a mammogram, is one of the strongest biomarkers of breast cancer risk. However, younger populations do not typically have mammograms due to radiation concerns. This study explored a commercially available dual-energy X-ray absorptiometer (DXA) system as a low-dose method to measure breast fibroglandular density in adolescent girls. Eighteen girls (13-14 years old) indicated their breast development according to Tanner and underwent three dedicated DXA scans, two of their left and one of their right breasts. Total projected breast area was manually delineated on each image and percent fibroglandular volume density (%FGV), absolute fibroglandular volume (FGV), total breast area, and volume were computed. It was possible to image breasts representing all five Tanner stages; %FGV ranged from 31.9% to 92.2% with a mean of 71.1 ± 14.8%, whereas FGV ranged from 80 to 270 cm3 with a mean of 168 ± 54 cm3. Left and right breast %FGV were highly correlated (rp = 0.97, P &lt; 0.0001) and of the same magnitude (P = 0.18). However, left total volume and FGV were larger than the right by 38 cm3 (P = 0.04) and 19 cm3 (P = 0.02), respectively. Total volume and FGV increased by Tanner stage, whereas %FGV did not. Our method had excellent precision for %FGV and moderate precision for FGV (root mean square SDs of 2.4% and 16.6 cm3). These pilot data indicate that dedicated DXA breast scans may be useful in studies exploring breast density in girls. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(7):1709–13)