bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Outbreak of OXY-2-ProducingKlebsiella oxytocain a Renal Transplant Unit
Authors: Zárate Mariela Soledad , Gales Ana C. , Picão Renata C. , Pujol Gervasio Soler , Lanza Alejandra , Smayevsky Jorgelina 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTWe describe aKlebsiella oxytocainfection outbreak in a renal transplant unit that involved seven patients. All strains belonged to a single pulsed-field gel electrophoresis pattern and were resistant to amoxicillin-clavulanate, cefuroxime, piperacillin-tazobactam, and aztreonam but susceptible to ceftriaxone, ceftazidime, cefepime, and imipenem. Chromosomal β-lactamase hyperproduction was caused by a point mutation in theblaOXY-2gene promoter region.
Rapid Differentiation of Methicillin-Susceptible
Staphylococcus aureus
from Methicillin-Resistant
S. aureus
and MIC Determinations by Isothermal Microcalorimetry
Authors: von Ah Ueli , Wirz Dieter , Daniels A. U. 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACT

In this study, the use of isothermal microcalorimetry (IMC) for differentiation between methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) and methicillin-susceptible
S. aureus
(MSSA) and MIC determination was evaluated. It was possible to differentiate between MRSA and MSSA within 4 h, whereas the standard method required 24 h. The MICs of cefoxitin were successfully determined for MRSA and MSSA by using IMC.
Comparison of DNA Pyrosequencing with Alternative Methods for Identification of Mycobacteria
Authors: Heller Loree C. , Jones Michael , Widen Ray H. 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACT
Identification of mycobacterial clinical isolates by pyrosequencing within the hypervariable A region of the 16S rRNA gene was compared to other identification methods. For >90% of isolates, these identifications correlated to the level of complex or species. For identification of many mycobacteria, pyrosequencing offers an inexpensive alternative to traditional sequencing.
Accuracy and Potential Usefulness of Triplex Real-Time PCR for Improving Antibiotic Treatment of Patients with Blood Cultures Showing Clustered Gram-Positive Cocci on Direct Smears
Authors: Ruimy Raymond , Dos-Santos Marie , Raskine Laurent , Bert Frédéric , Masson René , Elbaz Sandrine , Bonnal Christine , Lucet Jean-Christophe , Lefort Agnès , Fantin Bruno , Wolff Michel , Hornstein Michele , Andremont Antoine 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACT

Bacterial identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing currently require 48 h when a first blood culture (BC) is positive for clustered gram-positive cocci on direct smear examination (DSE). Meanwhile, antibiotic treatment is often inadequate, reducing the chances of effective treatment or creating unnecessary selective pressure. A new real-time PCR (RT-PCR) technique that differentiates
Staphylococcus aureus
from coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) and detects methicillin resistance in 90 min in BC bottles could help solve these problems. BC bottles from 410 patients with gram-positive cocci on DSE were processed by current methods, and patients' treatments were prospectively recorded. The RT-PCR assay was performed on aliquots of these BCs, which had been kept frozen. For the 121 patients who had true bacteremia, we established whether the faster availability of RT-PCR results could have led to the initiation of treatments different from those actually given. RT-PCR sensitivity and specificity were 100% for differentiating between
S. aureus
and CoNS and detecting methicillin resistance with two manufacturers' BC bottles. For 31/86 (36%) of the
S. aureus
-infected patients and for 8/35 (23%) of the CoNS-infected patients who either had suboptimal or nonoptimal treatment or were untreated 48 h after positivity was detected, the early availability of RT-PCR results could have allowed more effective treatment. Unnecessary glycopeptide treatments could have been avoided for 28 additional patients. The use of RT-PCR would increase treatment effectiveness in patients with staphylococcal bacteremia and reduce the selective pressure created by glycopeptides.
Basolateral Entry and Release of New and Old World Arenaviruses from Human Airway Epithelia
Authors: Dylla Douglas E. , Michele Daniel E. , Campbell Kevin P. , McCray Paul B. 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACT
Transmission of arenaviruses from rodent hosts to humans is generally thought to occur through inhalation or ingestion of dust or droplets containing viral particles. Here we demonstrate that two identified arenavirus receptors, α-dystroglycan (α-DG) and transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1), are expressed in polarized human airway epithelia. Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus strains with high or low α-DG affinity and Junin virus, which binds TfR1, efficiently infected polarized epithelia only when applied to the basolateral surface or when injury compromised tight junction integrity. Viral egress from infected epithelia exhibited basolateral polarity. This study demonstrates that respiratory entry of arenaviruses occurs via basolateral receptors.
Comparative Efficacy of Neutralizing Antibodies Elicited by Recombinant Hemagglutinin Proteins from Avian H5N1 Influenza Virus
Authors: Wei Chih-Jen , Xu Ling , Kong Wing-Pui , Shi Wei , Canis Kevin , Stevens James , Yang Zhi-Yong , Dell Anne , Haslam Stuart M. , Wilson Ian A. , Nabel Gary J. 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACT
Although the human transmission of avian H5N1 virus remains low, the prevalence of this highly pathogenic infection in avian species underscores the need for a preventive vaccine that can be made without eggs. Here, we systematically analyze various forms of recombinant hemagglutinin (HA) protein for their potential efficacy as vaccines. Monomeric, trimeric, and oligomeric H5N1 HA proteins were expressed and purified from either insect or mammalian cells. The immunogenicity of different recombinant HA proteins was evaluated by measuring the neutralizing antibody response. Neutralizing antibodies to H5N1 HA were readily generated in mice immunized with the recombinant HA proteins, but they varied in potency depending on their multimeric nature and cell source. Among the HA proteins, a high-molecular-weight oligomer elicited the strongest antibody response, followed by the trimer; the monomer showed minimal efficacy. The coexpression of another viral surface protein, neuraminidase, did not affect the immunogenicity of the HA oligomer, as expected from the immunogenicity of trimers produced from insect cells. As anticipated, HA expressed in mammalian cells without NA retained the terminal sialic acid residues and failed to bind α2,3-linked sialic acid receptors. Taken together, these results suggest that recombinant HA proteins as individual or oligomeric trimers can elicit potent neutralizing antibody responses to avian H5N1 influenza viruses.
Construction and Characterization of a Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus Type 3 Infectious Molecular Clone
Authors: Chevalier Sébastien Alain , Ko Nga Ling , Calattini Sara , Mallet Adeline , Prévost Marie-Christine , Kehn Kylene , Brady John N. , Kashanchi Fatah , Gessain Antoine , Mahieux Renaud 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACT

We and others have uncovered the existence of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 3 (HTLV-3). We have now generated an HTLV-3 proviral clone. We established that
gag, env, pol, pro
, and
tax/rex
as well as minus-strand mRNAs are present in cells transfected with the HTLV-3 clone. HTLV-3 p24

gag

protein is detected in the cell culture supernatant. Transfection of 293T-long terminal repeat (LTR)-green fluorescent protein (GFP) cells with the HTLV-3 clone promotes formation of syncytia, a hallmark of Env expression, together with the appearance of fluorescent cells, demonstrating that Tax is expressed. Viral particles are visible by electron microscopy. These particles are infectious, as demonstrated by infection experiments with purified virions.
Primate Lentivirus Capsid Sensitivity to TRIM5 Proteins
Authors: Kratovac Zerina , Virgen Cesar A. , Bibollet-Ruche Frederick , Hahn Beatrice H. , Bieniasz Paul D. , Hatziioannou Theodora 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACT
Mammalian cells express several factors that inhibit lentiviral infection and that have been under strong selective pressure. One of these factors, TRIM5, targets the capsid protein of incoming retrovirus particles and inhibits subsequent steps of the replication cycle. By substituting human immunodeficiency virus type 1 capsid, we were able to show that a set of divergent primate lentivirus capsids was generally not susceptible to restriction by TRIM5 proteins from higher primates. TRIM5α proteins from other primates exhibited distinct restriction specificities for primate lentivirus capsids. Finally, we identified novel primate lentiviral capsids that are targeted by TRIMCyp proteins.
Characterization of the Early Steps of Infection of Primary Blood Monocytes by Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1
Authors: Arfi Vanessa , Rivière Lise , Jarrosson-Wuillème Loraine , Goujon Caroline , Rigal Dominique , Darlix Jean-Luc , Cimarelli Andrea 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTBlood-circulating monocytes migrate in tissues in response to danger stimuli and differentiate there into two major actors of the immune system: macrophages and dendritic cells. Given their migratory behavior and their pivotal role in the orchestration of immune responses, it is not surprising that cells of the monocyte lineage are the target of several viruses, including human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). HIV-1 replicates in monocytoid cells to an extent that is influenced by their differentiation status and modulated by exogenous stimulations. Unstimulated monocytes display a relative resistance to HIV infection mostly exerted during the early steps of the viral life cycle. Despite intensive studies, the identity of the affected step remains controversial, although it is generally assumed to take place after viral entry. We reexamine here the early steps of viral infection of unstimulated monocytes using vesicular stomatitis virus G protein-pseudotyped HIV-1 virions. Our data indicate that a first block to the early steps of infection of monocytes with these particles occurs at the level of viral entry. After entry, reverse transcription and integration proceed with extremely slow kinetics rather than being blocked. Once completed, viral DNA molecules delay entry into the nucleus and integration for up to 5 to 6 days. The inefficacy of these steps accounts for the resistance of monocytes to HIV-1 during the early steps of infection.
Excess mortality during heat waves and cold spells in Moscow, Russia
Authors: Revich B , Shaposhnikov D 
Published: April 2008

Objectives:To estimate excess mortality during heat waves and cold spells, and to identify vulnerable population groups by age and cause of death.Methods:Daily mortality in Moscow, Russia from all non-accidental, cardiovascular and respiratory causes between January 2000 and February 2006 was analysed. Mortality and displaced mortality during cold spells and heat waves were estimated using independent samples t tests.Results:Cumulative excess non-accidental mortality during the 2001 heat wave was 33% (95% CI 20% to 46%), or approximately 1200 additional deaths, with short-term displaced mortality contributing about 10% of these. Mortality from coronary heart disease increased by 32% (95% CI 16% to 48%), cerebrovascular mortality by 51% (95% CI 29% to 73%) and respiratory mortality by 80% (95% CI 57% to 101%). In the 75+ age group, corresponding mortality increments were consistently higher except respiratory deaths. An estimated 560 extra deaths were observed during the three heat waves of 2002, when non-accidental mortality increased by 8.5%, 7.8% and 6.1%, respectively. About 40% of these deaths were brought forward by only a few days, bringing net mortality change down to 3.2% (95% CI 0.8% to 5.5%). The cumulative effects of the two cold spells in 2006 on mortality were significant only in the 75+ age group, for which average daily mortality from all non-accidental causes increased by 9.9% (95% CI 8.0% to 12%) and 8.9% (95% CI 6.7% to 11%), resulting in 370 extra deaths; there were also significant increases in coronary disease mortality and cerebrovascular mortality.Conclusions:This study confirms that daily mortality in Moscow increases during heat waves and cold spells. A considerable proportion of excess deaths during heat waves occur a short time earlier than they would otherwise have done. Harvesting, or short-term mortality displacement, may be less significant for longer periods of sustained heat stress.
BRST SYMMETRY TOWARDS THE GAUSS CONSTRAINT FOR GENERAL RELATIVITY
Authors: CASTELLANA MICHELE , MONTANI GIOVANNI 
Published: April 2008

Quantization of systems with constraints can be carried on with several methods. In the Dirac's formulation the classical generators of gauge transformations are required to annihilate physical quantum states to ensure their gauge invariance. Carrying on BRST symmetry it is possible to get a condition on physical states which, differently from the Dirac's method, requires them to be invariant under the BRST transformation. Employing this method for the action of general relativity expressed in terms of the spin connection and tetrad fields with path integral methods, we construct the generator of BRST transformation associated with the underlying local Lorentz symmetry of the theory and write a physical state condition following from BRST invariance.The condition we gain differs form the one obtained within Ashtekar's canonical formulation, showing how we recover the latter only by a suitable choice of the gauge fixing functionals. We finally discuss how it should be possible to obtain all the requested physical state conditions associated with all the underlying gauge symmetries of the classical theory using our approach.
New Genera and Species of Tyrini FromAustralia (Coleoptera: Pselaphidae)
Authors: Chandler Donald S. 
Published: April 2008

While preparing a paper on the pselaphid genera of Australia,
three groups of the Tyrini, subtribe Tyrina, were discovered which
could not be placed within the current generic concepts of the Australian
fauna One of hese groups apears to be congeneric with
Tyrogetus Broun from New Zealand. white the other two represent
undescribed genera, With the recognition of these taxa, the major
generic components of the Tyrini appear to be described for
AustraliaAll measurements are in millimeters. Slides of cleared and disarticulated specimens were used to determine the patterns of foveation
of the genera. Holotypes are placed in the Australian National
Insect Collection Canberra, or in the National Museum of Victoria,
Abbotsford.
A New Species of Desmopachria (S. STR.)From the Antillean‐Caribbean Region(Coleoptera: Dytiscidae)
Authors: Young Frank N. 
Published: April 2008

The small beetle described below is probably classified in many
collections as either Desmopachria grana (Aubé) or Desmopachria
nitida Babington. However, the male external genitalia (Fig. 1) are
unique among the species of the typical subgenus of Desmopachria.
The species is closest to Desmopachria glabricula Sharp, but the
genitalia are distinctive (Fig. 2).I take pleasure in dedicating this species to my friend and mentor,
the late Phillip J. Darlington, Jr.
The Solvability of a Class of General Nonlinear Implicit Variational Inequalities Based on Perturbed Three-Step Iterative Processes with Errors
Authors: Liu Zeqing , Kang Shin Min , Ume Jeong Sheok 
Published: April 2008

AbstractWe introduce and study a new class of general nonlinear implicit variational inequalities, which includes several classes of variational inequalities and variational inclusions as special cases. By applying the resolvent operator technique and fixed point theorem, we suggest a new perturbed three-step iterative algorithm with errors for solving the class of variational inequalities. Several existence and uniqueness results of solutions for the general nonlinear implicit variational inequalities, and convergence and stability results of the sequence generated by the algorithm are obtained. The results presented in this paper extend, improve, and unify a host of results in recent literatures.
Weak Convergence Theorems of Three Iterative Methods for Strictly Pseudocontractive Mappings of Browder-Petryshyn Type
Authors: Zhang Ying , Guo Yan 
Published: April 2008

AbstractLet "Equation missing" be a real "Equation missing"-uniformly smooth Banach space which is also uniformly convex (e.g., "Equation missing" or "Equation missing" spaces "Equation missing", and "Equation missing" a nonempty closed convex subset of "Equation missing". By constructing nonexpansive mappings, we elicit the weak convergence of Mann's algorithm for a "Equation missing"-strictly pseudocontractive mapping of Browder-Petryshyn type on "Equation missing" in condition thet the control sequence "Equation missing" is chosen so that (i) "Equation missing" (ii) "Equation missing", where "Equation missing". Moreover, we consider to find a common fixed point of a finite family of strictly pseudocontractive mappings and consider the parallel and cyclic algorithms for solving this problem. We will prove the weak convergence of these algorithms.
HIV and Aids: Mapping Theological Responses in Africa
Authors: Frederiks Martha 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe HIV and Aids epidemic has had an enormous impact on the African continent: millions of people are infected by HIV and ten thousands of people are dying of Aids. The epidemic has challenged secular as well as religious leaders to speak in the context of HIV and Aids. This article maps African Christian theological responses to HIV and Aids. Its aim is to give an overview (however defunct) of the abundance of material that is being published on HIV and Aids and theology and to highlight some of the trends within the African theological reflections on HIV and Aids.
On the Verification and Comparison of Extreme Rainfall Indices from Climate Models
Authors: Chen Cheng-Ta , Knutson Thomas 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe interpretation of model precipitation output (e.g., as a gridpoint estimate versus as an areal mean) has a large impact on the evaluation and comparison of simulated daily extreme rainfall indices from climate models. It is first argued that interpretation as a gridpoint estimate (i.e., corresponding to station data) is incorrect. The impacts of this interpretation versus the areal mean interpretation in the context of rainfall extremes are then illustrated. A high-resolution (0.25° × 0.25° grid) daily observed precipitation dataset for the United States [from Climate Prediction Center (CPC)] is used as idealized perfect model gridded data. Both 30-yr return levels of daily precipitation (P30) and a simple daily intensity index are substantially reduced in these data when estimated at coarser resolution compared to the estimation at finer resolution. The reduction of P30 averaged over the conterminous United States is about 9%, 15%, 28%, 33%, and 43% when the data were first interpolated to 0.5° × 0.5°, 1° × 1°, 2° × 2°, 3° × 3°, and 4° × 4° grid boxes, respectively, before the calculation of extremes. The differences resulting from the point estimate versus areal mean interpretation are sensitive to both the data grid size and to the particular extreme rainfall index analyzed. The differences are not as sensitive to the magnitude and regional distribution of the indices. Almost all Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) models underestimate U.S. mean P30 if it is compared directly with P30 estimated from the high-resolution CPC daily rainfall observation. On the other hand, if CPC daily data are first interpolated to various model resolutions before calculating the P30 (a more correct procedure in our view), about half of the models show good agreement with observations while most of the remaining models tend to overestimate the mean intensity of heavy rainfall events. A further implication of interpreting model precipitation output as an areal mean is that use of either simple multimodel ensemble averages of extreme rainfall or of intermodel variability measures of extreme rainfall to assess the common characteristics and range of uncertainties in current climate models is not appropriate if simulated extreme rainfall is analyzed at a model’s native resolution. Owing to the large sensitivity to the assumption used, the authors recommend that for analysis of precipitation extremes, investigators interpret model precipitation output as an area average as opposed to a point estimate and then ensure that various analysis steps remain consistent with that interpretation.
Giant Sea-Salt Aerosols and Warm Rain Formation in Marine Stratocumulus
Authors: Jensen Jørgen B. , Lee Sunhee 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
The concentrations and sizes of smaller aerosols (radius smaller than 0.5 μm) in the marine atmosphere vary owing to natural and anthropogenic factors. The concentrations and sizes of giant and ultragiant aerosols vary primarily due to wind-speed-dependent wave breaking. In climate models the formation of warm rain from marine stratocumulus clouds is usually parameterized based on the drops that form on the smaller aerosols. The present process study, using a stochastic Monte Carlo cloud model, shows that the variability of giant sea-salt aerosols and the variability of smaller aerosol cloud condensation nuclei are equally important in determining precipitation flux in marine stratocumulus. This strongly suggests that the effects of giant sea-salt aerosols should be included in the parameterization of warm rain formation in climate and other large-scale models.
The above results are based on highly detailed calculations of droplet growth in an idealized marine stratocumulus cloud; the authors believe that other marine stratus cloud conditions may change the calculated rain rates but that the conclusions regarding the relative importance of small and giant aerosols are robust.
Increased urinary leukotriene E4concentration in patients with eosinophilic pneumonia
Authors: Ono E. , Taniguchi M. , Mita H. , Higashi N. , Fukutomi Y. , Tanimoto H. , Sekiya K. , Oshikata C. , Tsuburai T. , Tsurikisawa N. , Otomo M. , Maeda Y. , Matsuno O. , Miyazaki E. , Kumamoto T. , Akiyama K. 
Published: April 2008

Although eosinophils produce cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) in large quantities, information on the relationship between CysLTs and eosinophilic pneumonia (EP) is lacking. Inflammatory mediator concentrations in urine were quantified to clarify the relationship between CysLT concentrations and EP severity.Leukotriene (LT)E4, eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN), 9α,11β-prostaglandin F2 and LTB4glucuronide concentrations were quantified in the urine of: EP patients during acute exacerbation and clinical remission; asthmatic patients during acute exacerbation and under stable conditions; and healthy control subjects.The urinary LTE4and EDN concentrations of EP patients during acute exacerbation were significantly higher than those of asthmatic patients and healthy subjects, and decreased immediately during clinical remission. The urinary LTE4concentration was associated with the urinary EDN concentration of EP patients during acute exacerbation. The urinary LTE4concentration significantly correlated with the diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide in EP patients during acute exacerbation.The increased urinary concentrations of leukotriene and eosinophil-derived neurotoxin were associated with acute exacerbation in eosinophilic pneumonia patients. The increased leukotriene concentration significantly correlated with diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide, suggesting that the monitoring of leukotriene concentration may aid in the management of eosinophilic pneumonia patients.