bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic Accuracy of Class 1 Integron PCR Method in Detection of Antibiotic Resistance inSalmonellaIsolates from Swine Production Systems
Authors: Rao Sangeeta , Maddox Carol W. , Hoien-Dalen Patricia , Lanka Sara , Weigel Ronald M. 
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACTThe diagnostic accuracy of an integron PCR method (Int-PCR) for detecting class 1 integrons (1,000, 1,200, and 1,600 bp) in the identification of antibiotic-resistantSalmonellastrains was evaluated using 730Salmonellaisolates from pen floor samples collected from four swine production systems in Illinois. Three integron groupings were detected: 1,000 bp only, 1,600 bp only, and both 1,000 and 1,200 bp. The presence of any of the three class 1 integron groupings was associated with four-drug resistance (streptomycin, spectinomycin, sulfisoxazole, and tetracycline [St Spc Su Tet]). In addition, the presence of both the 1,000- and 1,200-bp integrons added resistance to ampicillin (Amp) and chloramphenicol (Cm), and the 1,600-bp integron added resistance to gentamicin (Gen) and kanamycin (Kan). DNA sequencing of integrons confirmed the presence of the aminoglycoside adenyl transferase (aadA) gene, conferring St Spc resistance in the 1,000-bp integron; the β-lactamase gene, conferring Amp resistance in the 1,200-bp integron; and theaadAandaadBgenes, conferring St Spc Gen Kan resistance in the 1,600-bp integron. The 1,600-bp integron appears to have the 1,000-bp intergron as its core, with additional genetic material conferring additional antibiotic resistance. The diagnostic accuracy of Int-PCR in detecting resistance to individual antibiotics was limited by the presence of phenotypic resistance in isolates without integrons. However, Int-PCR had high diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity and specificity) in detecting multidrug resistance: 0.98 and 0.92, respectively, for St Spc Su Tet; 0.95 and 1.0 for Amp Cm St Spc Su Tet; and 1.0 and 0.99 for Gen Kan St Spc Su Tet. Thus, Int-PCR can be valuable in epidemiological surveys as a screening tool for the detection of multidrug-resistantSalmonellastrains.
Ureaplasma urealyticum
Meningitis in an Adult Patient
Authors: Geiβdörfer Walter , Sandner Günter , John Stefan , Gessner André , Schoerner Christoph , Schröppel Klaus 
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT

A 38-year-old patient developed meningitis after a complicated kidney transplantation and organ rejection.
Ureaplasma urealyticum
was identified as the etiological agent by molecular and microbiological analyses of the cerebrospinal fluid. The patient was successfully treated with doxycycline and chloramphenicol. This is the first report of
Ureaplasma urealyticum
meningitis in an adult.
Rapid Identification of Mycobacteria by Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Buijtels P. C. A. M. , Willemse-Erix H. F. M. , Petit P. L. C. , Endtz H. P. , Puppels G. J. , Verbrugh H. A. , van Belkum A. , van Soolingen D. , Maquelin K. 
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT

A number of rapid identification methods have been developed to improve the accuracy for diagnosis of tuberculosis and to speed up the presumptive identification of
Mycobacterium
species. Most of these methods have been validated for a limited group of microorganisms only. Here, Raman spectroscopy was compared to 16S rRNA sequencing for the identification of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
complex strains and the most frequently found strains of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). A total of 63 strains, belonging to eight distinct species, were analyzed. The sensitivity of Raman spectroscopy for the identification of
Mycobacterium
species was 95.2%. All
M. tuberculosis
strains were correctly identified (7 of 7; 100%), as were 54 of 57 NTM strains (94%). The differentiation between
M. tuberculosis
and NTM was invariably correct for all strains. Moreover, the reproducibility of Raman spectroscopy was evaluated for killed mycobacteria (by heat and formalin) versus viable mycobacteria. The spectra of the heat-inactivated bacteria showed minimal differences compared to the spectra of viable mycobacteria. Therefore, the identification of mycobacteria appears possible without biosafety level 3 precautions. Raman spectroscopy provides a novel answer to the need for rapid species identification of cultured mycobacteria in a clinical diagnostic setting.
High Genetic Diversity among
Mycobacterium avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
Strains from German Cattle Herds Shown by Combination of IS
900
Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis and Mycobacterial Interspersed Repetitive Unit-Variable-Number Tandem-Repeat Typing
Authors: Möbius Petra , Luyven Gabriele , Hotzel Helmut , Köhler Heike 
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT

Mycobacterium avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
is the etiologic agent of Johne's disease and is endemic to the national cattle herds of many countries. Because of the very low level of genetic heterogeneity of this organism, it is difficult to select a workable procedure for strain differentiation at a resolution sufficient to investigate epidemiological links between herds or different ruminant species and the suggested zoonotic potential of
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
for Crohn's disease. Analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) based on the insertion element IS
900
(IS
900
RFLP) with four restriction enzymes and 10 markers of specific mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units (MIRUs) and variable-number tandem repeats (VNTRs) was applied to 71 bovine
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
isolates originating from 14 herds from different regions in Germany. Among these isolates, all of which belonged to the
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
type II group, 17 genotypes were detected by IS
900
RFLP and consisted of a combination of seven BstEII, eight PstI, nine PvuII, and four BamHI restriction patterns. Novel RFLP types were found. The diversity of the
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
isolates inside the herds was different depending on the frequency of animal purchase. The results of typing by IS
900
RFLP and MIRU-VNTR analyses were not associated. Fifteen MIRU-VNTR patterns were identified with a discriminatory index of 0.905. The most common BstEII-based IS
900
RFLP type, type C1 (72%), was subdivided into 14 types by MIRU-VNTR analysis. A combination of fingerprinting and PCR-based techniques resulted in 24
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
genotypes and achieved a discriminatory index of 0.997. By using only BstEII and PstI digestion together with typing by MIRU-VNTR analysis, a discriminatory index of 0.993 was achieved. This is high enough to support epidemiological studies on a national as well as a global scale.
Subcutaneous Phaeohyphomycosis Caused by
Wallemia sebi
in an Immunocompetent Host
Authors: Guarro Josep , Gugnani Harish C. , Sood Neelam , Batra Rashmi , Mayayo Emilio , Gené Josepa , Kakkar Shalini 
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT

We report a case of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis due to
Wallemia sebi
in a 43-year-old-female, the first case reported since 1950. The lesion presented as a nonhealing ulcer on the dorsum of the left foot. Diagnosis was based on histological demonstration of the fungus and its recovery in culture.
Rapid Differentiation of Influenza A Virus Subtypes and Genetic Screening for Virus Variants by High-Resolution Melting Analysis
Authors: Lin Jih-Hui , Tseng Ching-Ping , Chen Yen-Ju , Lin Chy-Yung , Chang Shy-Shin , Wu Ho-Sheng , Cheng Ju-Chien 
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT

We assessed the use of high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis for the rapid identification of influenza A virus subtypes and the detection of newly emerging virus variants. The viral matrix gene was amplified by LightCycler real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) in the presence of the LCGreen I fluorescent dye. Upon optimization of the assay conditions, all the major influenza A virus subtypes, including H1N1, H3N2, H5N1, H7N3, and H9N2, were amplifiable by this method and had a PCR product length of 179 bp. Real-time RT-PCR of in vitro-transcribed H3N2 RNA revealed a standard curve for quantification with a linear range (correlation coefficient = 0.9935) across at least 8 log units of RNA concentrations and a detection limit of 10
3
copies of viral RNA. We performed HRM analysis of the PCR products with the HR-1 instrument and used the melting profiles as molecular fingerprints for virus subtyping. The virus subtypes were identified from the high-resolution derivative plot obtained by heteroduplex formation between the PCR products of the viral isolates tested and those of the reference viral isolates. The melting profiles were consistent with minimal interassay variability. Hence, an HRM database and a working protocol were established for the identification of these five influenza A virus subtypes. When this protocol was used to test 21 clinical influenza A virus isolates, the results were comparable to those obtained by RT-PCR with hemagglutinin-specific primer sets. Sequence variants of the clinical isolates (
n
= 4) were also revealed by our HRM analytical scheme. This assay requires no multiplexing or hybridization probes and provides a new approach for influenza A virus subtyping and genetic screening of virus variants in a clinical virology laboratory.
On Sverdrup Discontinuities and Vortices in the Southwest Indian Ocean
Authors: LaCasce J. H. , Isachsen P. E. 
Published: January 2008

Abstract
The southwest Indian Ocean is distinguished by discontinuities in the wind-driven Sverdrup circulation. These connect the northern and southern tips of Madagascar with Africa and the southern tip of Africa with South America. In an analytical barotropic model with a flat bottom, the discontinuities produce intense westward jets. Those off the northern tip of Madagascar and the southern tip of Africa are always present, while the strength of that off southern Madagascar depends on the position of the zero curl line in the Indian Ocean (the jet is strong if the line intersects Madagascar but weak if the line is north of the island). All three jets are barotropically unstable by the Rayleigh–Kuo criterion. The authors studied the development of the instability using a primitive equation model, with a flat bottom and realistic coastlines. The model produced westward jets at the three sites and these became unstable after several weeks, generating 200–300-km scale eddies. The eddies generated west of Madagascar are in accord with observations and with previous numerical studies. The model’s Agulhas eddies are similar in size to the observed eddies, both the anticyclonic rings and the cyclones that form to the west of the tip of South Africa. However, the model’s Agulhas does not retroflect, most likely because of its lack of stratification and topography, and so cannot capture pinching-off events. It is noteworthy nevertheless that a retroflection is not required to produce eddies here.
Detecting Depressive Disorder With the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 in Tanzania
Authors: Lee Bandy , Kaaya Sylvia F. , Mbwambo Jessie K. , Smith-Fawzi Mary C. , Leshabari Melkizedek T. 
Published: January 2008

Background: Assessment of the growing prevalence of depression in developing countries is hampered by a lack of valid diagnostic instruments for the local settings. Aim and method: This study attempted to examine the validity of the 25-item Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL-25) in a special primary care population in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Results: 787 antenatal participants were recruited, and their responses revealed good internal consistency, interrater reliability, and test-retest reliability, and the scale was validated using content, construct, and discriminant validation methods. Factor analysis of the depression subscale, however, confirmed the need for a locally developed scale. Conclusions: Integrating universalist and relativist approaches, through the validation and modification of scales, may help in the detection of depression in cross-cultural settings.
Stigma, Discrimination, Empowerment and Social Networks: a Preliminary Investigation of Their Influence On Subjective Quality of Life in a Swedish Sample
Authors: Lundberg Bertil , Hansson Lars , Wentz Elisabet , Björkman Tommy 
Published: January 2008

Background: Studies investigating the importance of social network, empowerment and experiences of stigma on subjective quality of life among persons with mental illness are rare. Aim: This study aimed to investigate beliefs of devaluation/discrimination, actual rejection experiences, empowerment, social network and the relationship of these factors to subjective quality of life among subjects with mental illness. Methods: A cross-sectional study assessing beliefs of devaluation/discrimination, actual rejection experiences, empowerment, social network and subjective quality of life was performed on 150 subjects with mental illness. Results: The factors most prominently related to subjective quality of life were overall empowerment and overall social network. For a subgroup of subjects suffering from psychotic disorders there was a significant negative relationship between subjective quality of life and rejection experiences. This group also reported more frequent rejection experiences. Conclusion: The findings indicate that persons with mental illness are a heterogeneous group with regard to the influence of social network, stigma and empowerment on subjective quality of life. The negative impact of actual rejection experiences might express that, in order to increase subjective quality of life, stigma must be addressed as a separate and important factor in its own right.
Psychiatric Intensive Care Units: a Literature Review
Authors: Bowers Len , Jeffery Debra , Bilgin Hulya , Jarrett Manuela , Simpson Alan , Jones Julia 
Published: January 2008

Background: Psychiatric Intensive Care Units (PICU) have been part of most inpatient psychiatric services for some time, although information about their functioning and outcome has not previously been collated. Aim: To conduct a systematic literature review to assess the current state of knowledge about such services. Method: A search of electronic databases was undertaken, followed by obtaining additional references from items obtained. Results: Over 50 papers in English containing some empirical data were identified. Most studies were retrospective. Typical PICU patients are male, younger, single, unemployed, suffering from schizophrenia or mania, from a Black Caribbean or African background, legally detained, with a forensic history. The most common reason for admission is for aggression management, and most patients stay a week or less. Evidence of the efficacy of PICU care is very poor. Conclusions: Most research so far has been small scale, and more substantial work using better methodologies is clearly required.
Colocalization of the IL-12 receptor and FcγRIIIa to natural killer cell lipid rafts leads to activation of ERK and enhanced production of interferon-γ
Authors: Kondadasula Sri Vidya , Roda Julie M. , Parihar Robin , Yu Jianhua , Lehman Amy , Caligiuri Michael A. , Tridandapani Susheela , Burry Richard W. , Carson William E. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractNatural killer (NK) cells express an activating receptor for the Fc portion of IgG (FcγRIIIa) that mediates interferon (IFN)–γ production in response to antibody (Ab)–coated targets. We have previously demonstrated that NK cells activated with interleukin-12 (IL-12) in the presence of immobilized IgG secrete 10-fold or more higher levels of IFN-γ as compared with stimulation with either agent alone. We examined the intracellular signaling pathways responsible for this synergistic IFN-γ production. NK cells costimulated via the FcR and the IL-12 receptor (IL-12R) exhibited enhanced levels of activated STAT4 and Syk as compared with NK cells stimulated through either receptor alone. Extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK) was also synergistically activated under these conditions. Studies with specific chemical inhibitors revealed that the activation of ERK was dependent on the activation of PI3-K, whose activation was dependent on Syk, and that sequential activation of these molecules was required for NK cell IFN-γ production in response to FcR and IL-12 stimulation. Retroviral transfection of ERK1 into primary human NK cells substantially increased IFN-γ production in response to immobilized IgG and IL-12, while transfection of human NK cells with a dominant-negative ERK1 abrogated IFN-γ production. Confocal microscopy and cellular fractionation experiments revealed that FcγRIIIa and the IL-12R colocalized to areas of lipid raft microdomains in response to costimulation with IgG and IL-12. Chemical disruption of lipid rafts inhibited ERK signaling in response to costimulation and significantly inhibited IFN-γ production. These data suggest that dual recruitment of FcγRIIIa and the IL-12R to lipid raft microdomains allows for enhanced activation of downstream signaling events that lead to IFN-γ production.
Band 3 Courcouronnes (Ser667Phe): a trafficking mutant differentially rescued by wild-type band 3 and glycophorin A
Authors: Toye Ashley M. , Williamson Rosalind C. , Khanfar Moudji , Bader-Meunier Brigitte , Cynober Thérèse , Thibault Madeleine , Tchernia Gil , Déchaux Michèle , Delaunay Jean , Bruce Lesley J. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractWe describe a mutation in human erythrocyte band 3 (anion exchanger 1; SLC4A1) causing both hereditary spherocytosis and distal renal tubular acidosis. The proband developed a transfusion-dependent, hemolytic anemia following birth. Immunoblotting showed band 3 was reduced to approximately 35% of wildtype; other proteins of the band 3/Rh macrocomplex were also reduced. DNA sequence analysis revealed a novel homozygous mutation, c.2000C>T, leading to the amino acid substitution Ser667Phe. The parents were heterozygous for the same mutation. Sulfate influx in the patient's erythrocytes was approximately 40% wild type. The mutant band 3 produced very little chloride influx when expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Influx was partially rescued by coexpression of glycophorin A and also rescued by coexpression of wild-type band 3. At 2 years of age, an ammonium chloride challenge showed the child has incomplete distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA). Stable expression of mutant kidney band 3 in both nonpolarized and polarized Madin-Darby canine kidney cells showed that most of the mutant protein was retained in the endoplasmic reticulum. Overall our results suggest that the Ser667Phe does not affect the anion transport function of band 3, but causes a trafficking defect in both erythrocytes and kidney cells.
Multiple forms of atypical rearrangements generating supernumerary derivative chromosome 15
Authors: Wang Nicholas J , Parokonny Alexander S , Thatcher Karen N , Driscoll Jennette , Malone Barbara M , Dorrani Naghmeh , Sigman Marian , LaSalle Janine M , Schanen N Carolyn 
Published: January 2008

Abstract

Background
Maternally-derived duplications that include the imprinted region on the proximal long arm of chromosome 15 underlie a complex neurobehavioral disorder characterized by cognitive impairment, seizures and a substantial risk for autism spectrum disorders[1]. The duplications most often take the form of a supernumerary pseudodicentric derivative chromosome 15 [der(15)] that has been called inverted duplication 15 or isodicentric 15 [idic(15)], although interstitial rearrangements also occur. Similar to the deletions found in most cases of Angelman and Prader Willi syndrome, the duplications appear to be mediated by unequal homologous recombination involving low copy repeats (LCR) that are found clustered in the region. Five recurrent breakpoints have been described in most cases of segmental aneuploidy of chromosome 15q11-q13 and previous studies have shown that most idic(15) chromosomes arise through BP3:BP3 or BP4:BP5 recombination events.

Results
Here we describe four duplication chromosomes that show evidence of atypical recombination events that involve regions outside the common breakpoints. Additionally, in one patient with a mosaic complex der(15), we examined homologous pairing of chromosome 15q11-q13 alleles by FISH in a region of frontal cortex, which identified mosaicism in this tissue and also demonstrated pairing of the signals from the der(15) and the normal homologues.

Conclusion
Involvement of atypical BP in the generation of idic(15) chromosomes can lead to considerable structural heterogeneity.
N-hexanoyl chitosan stabilized magnetic nanoparticles: Implication for cellular labeling and magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Bhattarai Shanta R , Kc Remant B , Kim Sun Y , Sharma Manju , Khil Myung S , Hwang Pyoung H , Chung Gyung H , Kim Hak Y 
Published: January 2008

Abstract
This project involved the synthesis of N-hexanoyl chitosan or simply modified chitosan (MC) stabilized iron oxide nanoparticles (MC-IOPs) and the biological evaluation of MC-IOPs. IOPs containing MC were prepared using conventional methods, and the extent of cell uptake was evaluated using mouse macrophages cell line (RAW cells). MC-IOPs were found to rapidly associate with the RAW cells, and saturation was typically reached within the 24 h of incubation at 37°C. Nearly 8.53 ± 0.31 pg iron/cell were bound or internalized at saturation. From these results, we conclude that MC-IOPs effectively deliver into RAW cells in vitro and we also hope MC-IOPs can be used for MRI enhancing agents in biomedical fields.
VIP differentially activates β2 integrins, CR1, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in human monocytes through cAMP/PKA, EPAC, and PI-3K signaling pathways via VIP receptor type 1 and FPRL1
Authors: El Zein Nabil , Badran Bassam , Sariban Eric 
Published: January 2008

AbstractThe neuropeptide vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) regulates the exocytosis of secretory granules in a wide variety of cells of neuronal and non-neuronal origin. In human monocytes, we show that the proinflammatory effects of VIP are associated with stimulation of exocytosis of secretory vesicles as well as tertiary (gelatinase) granules with, respectively, up-regulation of the membrane expression of the β2 integrin CD11b, the complement receptor 1 (CD35), and the matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). Using the low-affinity formyl peptide receptor-like 1 (FPRL1) antagonist Trp-Arg-Trp-Trp-Trp-Trp (WRW4) and the exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (EPAC)-specific compound 8CPT-2Me-cAMP and measuring the expression of Rap1 GTPase-activating protein as an indicator of EPAC activation, we found that the proinflammatory effect of VIP is mediated via the specific G protein-coupled receptor VIP/pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating protein (VPAC1) receptor as well as via FPRL1: VIP/VPAC1 interaction is associated with a cAMP increase and activation of a cAMP/p38 MAPK pathway, which regulates MMP-9, CD35, and CD11b exocytosis, and a cAMP/EPAC/PI-3K/ERK pathway, which regulates CD11b expression; VIP/FPRL1 interaction results in cAMP-independent PI-3K/ERK activation with downstream integrin up-regulation. In FPRL1-transfected Chinese hamster ovary-K1 cells lacking VPAC1, VIP exposure also resulted in PI-3K/ERK activation. Thus, the proinflammatory effects of VIP lie behind different receptor interactions and multiple signaling pathways, including cAMP/protein kinase A, cAMP/EPAC-dependent pathways, as well as a cAMP-independent pathway, which differentially regulates p38 and ERK MAPK and exocytosis of secretory vesicles and granules.