bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Helicobacter Hypothesis for Idiopathic Parkinsonism: Before and Beyond
Authors: Dobbs R. John , Dobbs Sylvia M. , Weller Clive , Charlett André , Bjarnason Ingvar T. , Curry Alan , Ellis David S. , Ibrahim Mohammad A. A. , McCrossan Maria V. , O'Donohue John , Owen Robert J. , Oxlade Norman L. , Price Ashley B. , Sanderson Jeremy D. , Sudhanva Malur , Williams John 
Published: August 2008

AbstractWe challenge the concept of idiopathic parkinsonism (IP) as inevitably progressive neurodegeneration, proposing a natural history of sequential microbial insults with predisposing host response. Proof‐of‐principle that infection can contribute to IP was provided by case studies and a placebo‐controlled efficacy study of Helicobacter eradication. “Malignant” IP appears converted to “benign”, but marked deterioration accompanies failure. Similar benefit on brady/hypokinesia from eradicating “low‐density” infection favors autoimmunity. Although a minority of UK probands are urea breath test positive for Helicobacter, the predicted probability of having the parkinsonian label depends on the serum H. pylori antibody profile, with clinically relevant gradients between this “discriminant index” and disease burden and progression. In IP, H. pylori antibodies discriminate for persistently abnormal bowel function, and specific abnormal duodenal enterocyte mitochondrial morphology is described in relation to H. pylori infection. Slow intestinal transit manifests as constipation from the prodrome. Diarrhea may flag secondary small‐intestinal bacterial overgrowth. This, coupled with genetically determined intense inflammatory response, might explain evolution from brady/hypokinetic to rigidity‐predominant parkinsonism.
High prevalence of allergic diseases and sensitization in a low allergen country
Authors: Clausen Michael , Kristjansson Sigurdur , Haraldsson Asgeir , Björkstén Bengt 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBackground: The prevalence of adult atopic diseases in Iceland is lower than in other West European countries, despite an affluent lifestyle, but limited data are available on children. The main aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of atopic diseases and sensitivity to common allergens in 10‐ to 11‐year‐old Icelandic schoolchildren as part of phase II of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Children (ISAAC).Methods: Nine hundred and forty‐six children and their parents answered a questionnaire about atopic diseases. Skin prick tests with six allergens were performed on 773 children and they were examined for signs of atopic dermatitis (AD).Results: The 12‐month prevalence of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma was 11.5% and 8.9% respectively. The reported prevalence of AD was 27%, but only 9.2% had signs when inspected. A positive skin prick test (SPT) was found in 24.4% of the children, that is 18.8% to grass, 12.9% to cat, 3.6% to trees, 3.0% to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, 1.4% to D. farinae and 0.5% to Alternaria.Conclusion: The high prevalence of atopic diseases in children at 10–11 years is surprising, as the prevalence in adults is low in Iceland. The findings resemble those in developing countries. Iceland has had an affluent lifestyle for a considerable time, but the absence of dust mites, low pet ownership and relatively low pollen counts in the country raise doubts about the role of exposure levels in the development of sensitization and atopic diseases.
Do drugs that block transforming growth factor beta reduce posthaemorrhagic ventricular dilatation in a neonatal rat model?
Authors: Aquilina Kristian , Hobbs Catherine , Tucker Alexander , Whitelaw Andrew , Thoresen Marianne 
Published: August 2008

AbstractAim: Posthaemorrhagic ventricular dilatation (PHVD) after intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) remains a significant problem in preterm infants. No treatment has reduced the need for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion. Considerable evidence implicates transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) in the pathogenesis of PHVD. Pirfenidone and losartan reduce TGF‐β expression and decrease postinflammatory fibrosis in the lungs, kidneys, heart and liver. They have excellent CSF and brain penetration. We hypothesized that administration of pirfenidone or losartan would reduce ventricular dilatation.Methods: Ninety‐two rat pups underwent intraventricular blood injection on postnatal days (PN) 7 and 8, and were randomised to pirfenidone, losartan or water by gavage for 14 days. Neuromotor testing was carried out twice weekly. After sacrifice at PN21, ventricular area was measured on coronal sections using image‐analysis software.Results: Ninety‐five percent of animals undergoing IVH developed PHVD. Ventricular size was not significantly different between animals receiving either drug or water. Neuromotor testing at PN14 was significantly worse in IVH animals than in controls; neither drug improved performance in IVH animals.Conclusion: Drugs that block TGF‐β do not reduce ventricular dilatation in this model. Further study is required to identify other cytokine targets and to determine how PHVD differs from postinflammatory fibrosis in other organs.
Incidence rates of asthma, rhinitis and eczema symptoms and influential factors in young children in Sweden
Authors: Larsson M , Hägerhed‐Engman L , Sigsgaard T , Janson S , Sundell J , Bornehag C‐G 
Published: August 2008

AbstractAim: To estimate the incidence rates for asthma, rhinitis and eczema symptoms and to investigate the importance of different influential factors for the incidence of these symptoms.Methods: The Dampness in Building and Health study commenced in the year 2000 in Värmland, Sweden with a parental questionnaire based on an ISAAC protocol to all children in the age of 1–6 years. Five years later a follow‐up questionnaire was sent to the children that were 1–3 years at baseline. In total, 4779 children (response rate = 73%) participated in both surveys and constitute the study population in this cohort study.Results: The 5‐year incidence of doctor‐diagnosed asthma was 4.9% (95% CI 4.3–5.3), rhinitis was 5.7% (5.0–6.4) and eczema was 13.4% (12.3–14.5). However, incidence rates strongly depend on the health status of the baseline population. Risk factors for incident asthma were male gender and short period of breast‐feeding. Allergic symptoms in parents were also a strong risk factor for incident asthma, as well as for rhinitis and eczema.Conclusion: When comparing incident rates of asthma between different studies it is important to realize that different definitions of the healthy baseline population will give rise to different incident rates.
Does circumcision increase neonatal jaundice?
Authors: Eroğlu E , Balcı S , Özkan HC , Yörükalp Ö , Göksel AK , Şarman G , Dayanıklı P 
Published: August 2008

AbstractPurpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of circumcision done during the early newborn period on the baby's feeding frequency and therefore a possible effect on serum bilirubin values.Methods: Sixty consecutive male patients, of whom 30 were circumcised, were comparatively followed. Babies born between 35 and 40 gestational weeks, weighing above 3000 g and who had no antenatal and/or perinatal problems were enrolled. Changes in weight, frequency of feeds, urination, stooling and the serum bilirubin levels were compared.Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups.Conclusion: In experienced hands, newborn circumcision on the second day of life is safe, does not affect babies' feeding frequency or bowel movements on day 3, and does not increase serum bilirubin on day 4, thus does not increase the risk of neonatal jaundice.
Massage decreases aggression in preschool children: a long‐term study
Authors: Von Knorring Anne‐Liis , Söderberg Anna , Austin Lena , Uvnäs‐Moberg Kerstin 
Published: August 2008

AbstractAim: To evaluate the effects of massage in 4‐ to 5‐year‐old children with aggression and deviant behaviour at day‐care centres.Method: The children received daily massage in preschool at the midday rest (n = 60). The controls were listening to a story (n = 50). The Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) was used to rate the children's behaviour by parents and staff before the treatment started, and after 3 and 6 months. A long‐term evaluation was also carried out. It included all massaged children still in daycare after 12 months (n = 34).Results: Children with high scores of behaviour problems, receiving massage and/or extra attention showed significant decrease in aggression scores after 3 months, but after 6 months significantly lowered scores were only found in massage‐treated deviant children. Parents of the children receiving massage rated a significant decrease of somatic problems of their children. Staff rated that the massaged children's social problems decreased, compared to the control children. Attention problems tended to decrease, especially at home. A continuous decrease in aggressive behaviour and somatic problems over a 12‐month period was observed in the children receiving massage.Conclusion: Daily touching by massage lasting for 5–10 min could be an easy and inexpensive way to decrease aggression among preschool children.
Density probability distribution functions of diffuse gas in the Milky Way
Authors: Berkhuijsen E. M. , Fletcher A. 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
In a search for the signature of turbulence in the diffuse interstellar medium (ISM) in gas density distributions, we determined the probability distribution functions (PDFs) of the average volume densities of the diffuse gas. The densities were derived from dispersion measures and H i column densities towards pulsars and stars at known distances. The PDFs of the average densities of the diffuse ionized gas (DIG) and the diffuse atomic gas are close to lognormal, especially when lines of sight at |b| &lt; 5° and |b| ≥ 5° are considered separately. The PDF of 〈nH i〉 at high |b| is twice as wide as that at low |b|. The width of the PDF of the DIG is about 30 per cent smaller than that of the warm H i at the same latitudes. The results reported here provide strong support for the existence of a lognormal density PDF in the diffuse ISM, consistent with a turbulent origin of density structure in the diffuse gas.
Lack of somatic alterations of MC1R in primary melanoma
Authors: Kim R. D. , Curtin J. A. , Bastian Boris C. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryGermline variation of the melanocortin 1 receptor gene (MC1R) is a risk factor for cutaneous melanoma. Recent studies have indicated that the risk is significantly higher for melanomas with somatic BRAF mutations, suggesting that MC1R variants may have a more specific role than their demonstrated effects on skin and hair pigmentation. To address the possibility that MC1R may act like a tumor suppressor gene by creating a permissive condition for melanocytes with specific somatic mutations to proliferate or survive, we analyzed 103 primary melanomas for somatic MC1R mutations and copy number alterations. This cohort included melanomas from skin with and without chronic sun‐induced damage, mucosal membranes, and acral skin (palms, soles, and subungual). We did not find somatic mutations or frequent DNA copy number alterations at the MC1R locus, nor any skewed pattern of copy number alterations that would favor one allele type over the other. In conclusion, our findings indicate that MC1R is not a frequent target of somatic alterations in melanoma.
Low Velocity Perforation of Mild Steel Circular Plates With
Projectiles Having Different Shaped Impact Faces
Authors: Jones Norman , Birch R. S. 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
This article studies the perforation of mild steel circular plates struck normally by cylindrical projectiles having blunt, hemispherical, and conical impact faces. Experimental results are obtained using a drop hammer rig for the perforation of 2–8mm thick plates struck by projectiles weighing between 1.75kg and 176kg and traveling up to about 12m∕s. The impact positions are at several radial locations across a plate, and it turns out that the perforation energy decreases as the impact location is moved away from a plate center toward the support. It transpires that the projectiles with hemispherical and blunt impact faces require the largest and the smallest impact perforation energies, respectively. Comparisons are made between the experimental results for the perforation energies and the predictions of several empirical equations. Design calculations for the impact perforation of plates could be undertaken using projectiles with blunt impact faces, which would provide a lower bound on the perforation energy of projectiles having hemispherical or conical impact faces, at least within the range of the parameters studied.
Seroreactivity against Streptococcal DRS (Distantly Related to SIC) Protein Is a Predictor for End-Stage Renal Failure
Authors: Boon Virginia A. F. , Munro James L. , Kan George W. , Burnell James , Speare Richard 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACT

We hypothesized that immunoreactivity against antigens from nephritic strains of
Streptococcus pyogenes
may be elevated in patients with end-stage renal failure (ESRF). Additionally, we investigated whether a difference in seroreactivity exists between nonindigenous and indigenous (Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander) patients. To examine these possibilities, antibodies against potentially nephritogenic proteins, streptokinase (Ska1) (from M1), streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin type B (SpeB) (from M1), the streptococcal inhibitor of complement-mediated cell lysis (SIC) (from M1) and its two variants, closely related to SIC (CRS) (from M57) and distantly related to SIC (DRS) (from M12) were determined in 66 patients and 31 healthy controls by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. A significantly higher proportion of patients compared to controls were seropositive to Ska1 (
P
= 0.004), DRS (
P
= 0.0003), CRS (
P
= 0.001), and SIC (
P
= 0.018). Regression analysis showed that seroreactivity to DRS (
r
2
= 0.85,
P
= 0.001) predicted the development of ESRF and that being diabetic was positively associated with being an ESRF patient (
r
2
= 0.37,
P
< 0.0001) and being indigenous (
r
2
= 0.47,
P
< 0.0001). These results suggest that these ESRF patients were exposed to strains of
S. pyogenes
that secrete Ska1, DRS, CRS, and SIC and may have pathological significance. No significant difference was observed between the indigenous patients and nonindigenous patients.
Development and Validation of a Quantitative PCR Assay for Diagnosis of Scedosporiosis
Authors: Castelli Maria V. , Buitrago Maria J. , Bernal-Martinez Leticia , Gomez-Lopez Alicia , Rodriguez-Tudela Juan L. , Cuenca-Estrella Manuel 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACT

Scedosporium apiospermum
and
Scedosporium prolificans
are fungal pathogens that can cause severe human infections, including disseminated mycosis in immunocompromised patients. Two real-time PCR (RT-PCR) assays for the diagnosis of these species were developed and validated for the classification of clinical strains and for the detection of DNA in clinical samples by use of a murine model of invasive infection. A total of 14 clinical strains and 141 samples, including blood, serum, and lung samples from infected CD1 mice, were analyzed. Each RT-PCR methodology used a species-specific molecular beacon probe targeting a highly conserved region of the fungal ribosomal DNA gene. Results showed 100% specificity and a detection limit of 10 fg of DNA for both assays. The sensitivities for the
S. prolificans
-specific PCR assay were 100% for cultured clinical strains, 95.5% for lung tissues, 85% for serum, and 83.3% for blood. For
S. apiospermum
, the sensitivities were 100% for clinical strains and 97.2%, 81.8%, and 54.5% for lung tissues, serum, and blood, respectively. Both techniques can be useful for clinical diagnosis, and further studies are warranted.
Detection and Serotyping of Dengue Virus in Serum Samples by Multiplex Reverse Transcriptase PCR-Ligase Detection Reaction Assay
Authors: Das S. , Pingle M. R. , Muñoz-Jordán J. , Rundell M. S. , Rondini S. , Granger K. , Chang G.-J. J. , Kelly E. , Spier E. G. , Larone D. , Spitzer E. , Barany F. , Golightly L. M. 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACTThe detection and successful typing of dengue virus (DENV) from patients with suspected dengue fever is important both for the diagnosis of the disease and for the implementation of epidemiologic control measures. A technique for the multiplex detection and typing of DENV serotypes 1 to 4 (DENV-1 to DENV-4) from clinical samples by PCR-ligase detection reaction (LDR) has been developed. A serotype-specific PCR amplifies the regions of genes C and E simultaneously. The two amplicons are targeted in a multiplex LDR, and the resultant fluorescently labeled ligation products are detected on a universal array. The assay was optimized using 38 DENV strains and was evaluated with 350 archived acute-phase serum samples. The sensitivity of the assay was 98.7%, and its specificity was 98.4%, relative to the results of real-time PCR. The detection threshold was 0.017 PFU for DENV-1, 0.004 PFU for DENV-2, 0.8 PFU for DENV-3, and 0.7 PFU for DENV-4. The assay is specific; it does not cross-react with the other flaviviruses tested (West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, Kunjin virus, Murray Valley virus, Powassan virus, and yellow fever virus). All but 1 of 26 genotypic variants of DENV serotypes in a global DENV panel from different geographic regions were successfully identified. The PCR-LDR assay is a rapid, sensitive, specific, and high-throughput technique for the simultaneous detection of all four serotypes of DENV.
Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry for Identification of Nonfermenting Gram-Negative Bacilli Isolated from Cystic Fibrosis Patients
Authors: Degand Nicolas , Carbonnelle Etienne , Dauphin Brunhilde , Beretti Jean-Luc , Le Bourgeois Muriel , Sermet-Gaudelus Isabelle , Segonds Christine , Berche Patrick , Nassif Xavier , Ferroni Agnès 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACT

The identification of nonfermenting gram-negative bacilli isolated from cystic fibrosis (CF) patients is usually achieved by using phenotype-based techniques and eventually molecular tools. These techniques remain time-consuming, expensive, and technically demanding. We used a method based on matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) for the identification of these bacteria. A set of reference strains belonging to 58 species of clinically relevant nonfermenting gram-negative bacilli was used. To identify peaks discriminating between these various species, the profile of 10 isolated colonies obtained from 10 different passages was analyzed for each referenced strain. Conserved peaks with a relative intensity greater than 0.1 were retained. The spectra of 559 clinical isolates were then compared to that of each of the 58 reference strains as follows: 400
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, 54
Achromobacter xylosoxidans
, 32
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
, 52
Burkholderia cepacia
complex (BCC), 1
Burkholderia gladioli
, 14
Ralstonia mannitolilytica
, 2
Ralstonia pickettii
, 1
Bordetella hinzii
, 1
Inquilinus limosus
, 1
Cupriavidus respiraculi
, and 1
Burkholderia thailandensis
. Using this database, 549 strains were correctly identified. Nine BCC strains and one
R. mannnitolilytica
strain were identified as belonging to the appropriate genus but not the correct species. We subsequently engineered BCC- and
Ralstonia
-specific databases using additional reference strains. Using these databases, correct identification for these species increased from 83 to 98% and from 94 to 100% of cases, respectively. Altogether, these data demonstrate that, in CF patients, MALDI-TOF-MS is a powerful tool for rapid identification of nonfermenting gram-negative bacilli.
Comparison of Two Rapid Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Assays, Determine HIV-1/2 and OraQuick Advance Rapid HIV-1/2, for Detection of Recent HIV Seroconversion
Authors: Kshatriya Rachana , Cachafeiro Ada A. , Kerr Ryan J. S. , Nelson Julie A. E. , Fiscus Susan A. 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACT
Modified protocols of two rapid tests were compared with a less sensitive (LS) (detuned) enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for their abilities to distinguish recent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seroconversion from long-term infections. The results for samples from 100 HIV-positive patient that had previously been tested by the Vironostika LS EIA had a 97% concordance with the results of the Determine HIV 1/2 assay and 93% concordance with those of the OraQuick HIV 1/2 assay.
Evaluation of the OSOM
Trichomonas
Rapid Test versus Wet Preparation Examination for Detection of
Trichomonas vaginalis
Vaginitis in Specimens from Women with a Low Prevalence of Infection
Authors: Campbell L. , Woods V. , Lloyd T. , Elsayed S. , Church D. L. 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACT

The OSOM
Trichomonas
rapid test (OSOM Trich) was compared to the wet preparation examination (WP) for the detection of
Trichomonas vaginalis
vaginitis in women with a low prevalence of infection. A total of 19/1,009 (2%) women had
T. vaginalis
infection. OSOM Trich had very good performance, with sensitivity, specificity, efficiency, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 94.7, 100, 99.9, 100, and 99.9%, respectively. The implementation of OSOM Trich would decrease labor costs.
Production of White Colonies on CHROMagar
Candida
Medium by Members of the
Candida glabrata
Clade and Other Species with Overlapping Phenotypic Traits
Authors: Bishop Justin A. , Chase Nancy , Lee Richard , Kurtzman Cletus P. , Merz William G. 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACT

We hypothesized that species of the
Candida glabrata
clade and species with phenotypic traits that overlap those of
C. glabrata
would produce white colonies on CHROMagar
Candida
medium. Of 154 isolates (seven species) tested,
C. bracarensis, C. nivariensis, C. norvegensis, C. glabrata
, and
C. inconspicua
produced white colonies; the
Pichia fermentans
group and
C. krusei
did not. Many of these species are difficult to identify phenotypically; white colonies may signal the need for the use of molecular approaches.
Predominance of Methicillin-Resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
among Pathogens Causing Skin and Soft Tissue Infections in a Large Urban Jail: Risk Factors and Recurrence Rates
Authors: David Michael Z. , Mennella Connie , Mansour Mohamed , Boyle-Vavra Susan , Daum Robert S. 
Published: August 2008

ABSTRACT

In the 1990s, community-associated methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(CA-MRSA) strains emerged as pathogens outside of the health care environment. Epidemic foci of CA-MRSA infections were reported in jails and prisons, but risk factors for MRSA infection there are not known. All skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) cultured in the Cook County Jail in March 2004 to August 2005 were reviewed. Demographic and clinical risk factors were compared among patients with methicillin-susceptible
S. aureus
(MSSA) SSTIs and those with MRSA SSTIs. Antibiotic susceptibilities were recorded, and we performed multilocus sequence typing on a sample of MRSA isolates. There were 378 SSTIs from different patients requiring culture, of which 240 (63.5%) were of MRSA and 43 (11.4%) were of MSSA; 84.8% of
S. aureus
isolates were MRSA. MRSA- and MSSA-infected patients were similar with regard to age, gender, ethnicity, previous exposure to the jail, and comorbidities. In the 12 months prior to the index culture, MRSA patients were more likely to have received a β-lactam antibiotic (25% versus 9%;
P
= 0.02). Among 26 MRSA strains, 24 (92%) had the sequence type 8 (ST8) genotype. Within 6 months, 14% (95% confidence interval, 8.7% to 22.3%) of MRSA SSTI patients in the jail had a recurrent SSTI compared with 8.8% (95% confidence interval, 2.1% to 32.6%) of MSSA SSTI patients (
P
= 0.004). MRSA is the predominant cause of SSTIs requiring culture in the jail. Few risk factors differentiated MRSA from MSSA SSTIs, and detainee patients with MRSA SSTIs are at high risk for recurrent SSTIs.