bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Cluster of Primary Varicella Cases Among Healthcare Workers With False-Positive Varicella Zoster Virus Titers
Authors: Behrman Amy , Schmid D. Scott , Crivaro Anne , Watson Barbara 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBackground:Five cases of primary varicella zoster virus (VZV) were diagnosed among hospital healthcare workers (HCWs). All had complied with a pre-employment VZV screening program and had been considered immune.Objectives:To summarize the investigation of VZV among un-immunized HCWs and to provide recommendations for avoiding false-positive serologic tests.Design:Risk of transmission of VZV to susceptible HCWs is minimized through serologic screening. Varicella vaccine is recommended for susceptible HCWs. A commercially available latex bead agglutination assay (LA) is widely used because it is rapid and easy to perform. LA was compared with the whole-cell varicella ELISA standardized in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Herpes Laboratory.Setting/Population:Large inner-city, tertiarycare hospital with a diverse employee population.Results:In a year, 5 HCWs presented with laboratory-confirmed primary varicella infection. Four had VZV exposures 2 weeks prior to presentation. All had documented positive VZV titers by LA performed at hire. None were offered VZV vaccination. The original LAs were judged false-positives.Intervention/Follow-Up Investigation:Fifty-three consecutive VZV LA samples from the hospital laboratory were retested at the CDC. Forty-four samples concurred. Of the remaining 9, 4 were positive by hospital LA but negative by CDC IgG ELISA. Four were equivocal by hospital LA but negative by CDC IgG ELISA and LA. One was positive by hospital LA but negative by LA and equivocal by ELISA at the CDC.Conclusion:LA may be prone to false-positive results and inappropriate for screening hospital HCWs.
Modeling the Costs of Hospital-Acquired Infections in New Zealand
Authors: Graves Nicholas , Nicholls Tanya M. , Morris Arthur J. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractObjective:To model the economic costs of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) in New Zealand, by type of HAI.Design:Monte Carlo simulation model.Setting:Auckland District Health Board Hospitals (DHBH), the largest publicly funded hospital group in New Zealand supplying secondary and tertiary services. Costs are also estimated for predicted HAIs in admissions to all hospitals in New Zealand.Patients:All adults admitted to general medical and general surgical services.Method:Data on the number of cases of HAI were combined with data on the estimated prolongation of hospital stay due to HAI to produce an estimate of the number of bed days attributable to HAI. A cost per bed day value was applied to provide an estimate of the economic cost. Costs were estimated for predicted infections of the urinary tract, surgical wounds, the lower and upper respiratory tracts, the bloodstream, and other sites, and for cases of multiple sites of infection. Sensitivity analyses were undertaken for input variables.Results:The estimated costs of predicted HAIs in medical and surgical admissions to Auckland DHBH were $10.12 (US $4.56) million and $8.64 (US $3.90) million, respectively. They were $51.35 (US $23.16) million and $85.26 (US $38.47) million, respectively, for medical and surgical admissions to all hospitals in New Zealand.Conclusions:The method used produces results that are less precise than those of a specifically designed study using primary data collection, but has been applied at a lower cost. The estimated cost of HAIs is substantial, but only a proportion of infections can be avoided. Further work is required to identify the most cost-effective strategies for the prevention of HAI.
Adherence With Hand Hygiene: Does Number of Sinks Matter?
Authors: Vernon Michael O. , Trick William E. , Welbel Sharon F. , Peterson Brian J. , Weinstein Robert A. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractWe observed adherence with hand hygiene in 14 units at 4 hospitals with varying sink-to-bed ratios (range, 1:1 to 1:6). Adherence was less than 50% in all units and there was no significant trend toward improved hand hygiene with increased sink-to-bed ratios.
An Investigation of the Bactericidal Effect of Certain Antiseptics and Disinfectants on Some Hospital Isolates of Gram-Negative Bacteria
Authors: Ekizoglu Melike Tunçay , Özalp Meral , Sultan Nedim , Gür Deniz 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe effect of widely used antiseptics and disinfectants on some hospital isolates of gram-negative bacteria was assessed by the quantitative suspension test. Chlorhexidine gluconate (4%), savlon (1:100), and 5.25% sodium hypochlorite were tested. Savlon and chlorhexidine gluconate were effective at in-use concentrations and sodium hypochlorite was effective at 1:50 dilution.
A case of diffuse plane normolipemic xanthomatosis associated with pancytopenia and monoclonal gammopathy
Authors: KOUROU Kazuhiro , SUGA Yasushi , MURAMATSU Shigenori , YAGUCHI Hitoshi , OGAWA Hideoki 
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACTWe report a case of diffuse plane normolipemic xanthomatosis (DPNX) which showed poorly demarcated, uncommon, yellow macules symmetrically distributed on the nape, axillae and inguinal folds accompanied by severe, persistent itching. Histopathological and ultrastructural studies of skin biopsy specimens revealed the existence of some foamy cells and the deposition of neutral fat in the upper papillary dermis. Laboratory investigations and bone marrow aspirate smears showed that our patient had myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) associated with pancytopenia and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. Because our patient had neither a malignant hematological disorder nor a severe systemic disease, monoclonal gammopathy might explain the pathogenesis of DPNX in the present case.
Investigation on pharmacokinetics of mycophenolic acid in Chinese adult renal transplant patients
Authors: Zicheng Yu , Peijun Zhou , Da Xu , Xianghui Wang , Hongzhuan Chen 
Published: March 2006

AimsTo characterize the pharmacokinetics of mycophenolic acid (MPA) in Chinese renal transplant patients.MethodsThirty‐one renal transplant patients (17 male, 14 female) receiving mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) 1.0 g twice daily were included in this study. A pharmacokinetic study was performed during an interval in dosing after steady state had been reached within 2 months after transplantation. The plasma MPA concentration were measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) at 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 h after the administration of a single dose. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated with 3P97 software. SAS® software was used for statistical analysis. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine limited sampling approaches.ResultsThe mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration–time curve (AUC0−12) were 19.67 ± 8.21 µg ml−1 and 52.16 ± 12.50 µg h ml−1, but there was large variability in these pharmacokinetic parameters. Regression analysis between each plasma concentration and AUC for the limited sampling strategy of MMF therapeutic drug monitoring demonstrated that each of the concentrations at 0.5, 1, 4 and 10 h was positively correlated with AUC (r = 0.60, P = 0.0004; r = 0.60, P = 0.0003; r = 0.61, P = 0.0003; r = 0.64, P = 0.0001, respectively). The combined use of these four samples explained over 90% of the variance in the total (nine‐point) AUC0−12. A formula was obtained for the assessment of MPA AUC based on four samples: MPA AUC = 12.61 + 0.37 × C0.5 + 0.49 × C1 + 3.22 × C4 + 8.17 × C10.ConclusionsChinese renal transplant patients had higher median AUCs than caucasians and African‐Americans. As in other studies, there was large interindividual variability. A limited four‐point AUC was in good agreement with the 12‐h AUC and provided the basis of a predictive formula.
Platelet activation in allergic asthma patients during allergen challenge with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus
Authors: Kowal K. , Pampuch A. , Kowal‐Bielecka O. , DuBuske L. M. , Bodzenta‐Łukaszyk A. 
Published: March 2006

SummaryBackground
Animal models of allergic asthma indicate that intravascular platelet activation is necessary for the development of allergen‐induced chronic airway inflammation.Objective
To evaluate whether the development of a late asthmatic response (LAR) in allergic asthma patients challenged with a relevant allergen is consequent to platelet activation.Methods
Thirty‐three house dust mite sensitive asthmatic patients were challenged intrabronchially with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp) extract. Twelve non‐atopic healthy subjects (HC) were used as controls. Platelet count and plasma levels of β‐thromboglobulin (β‐TG), platelet factor‐4 (PF‐4) and soluble P‐selectin (sP‐selectin) were assessed before the challenge (T0) and 30 min (TEAR), 6 h (TLAR) and 24 h (T24) after the challenge.Results
Eleven patients responded to allergen challenge with an isolated early asthmatic response (single responders, SR). In 22 patients dual asthmatic response was demonstrated (dual responders, DR). At T0 neither the platelet count nor the mean plasma level of β‐TG in DR or SR were different from HC, the mean plasma level of PF‐4 in SR was significantly greater than in HC (P=0.01) or DR (P=0.001), the mean plasma level of sP‐selectin was significantly greater in DR than in HC (0.0002) but not statistically different from SR (P=0.055). A significant decrease in the platelet count and increase in the plasma level of all the studied markers was seen at TEAR, which was followed by a gradual return to the baseline values in the SR. Elevated plasma levels of platelet activation markers and decreased platelet count were seen in the DR even at T24. Strong correlation was found between the increase in plasma concentration of β‐TG at TEAR and the maximum fall in forced expiratory volume in 1 s at TLAR (r=−0.57; P=0.0006).Conclusion
In allergic asthma patients development of prolonged airway inflammation after allergen challenge is associated with intravascular platelet activation.
Inverse association between periodontitis and respiratory allergies
Authors: Friedrich N. , Völzke H. , Schwahn C. , Kramer A. , Jünger M. , Schäfer T. , John U. , Kocher T. 
Published: March 2006

SummaryBackgroundPeriodontitis is an infection with systemic effects and a high prevalence among adults. In the aetiology of allergic diseases the hygiene hypothesis claims that infections in early infancy may protect against allergic diseases.ObjectiveThe aim of the present analyses was to investigate the independent relation between periodontitis and respiratory allergies such as hayfever, house dust mite (HDM) allergy and asthma.MethodsFrom the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP) a total number of 2837 subjects aged 20 to 59 years were included in the analysis. In our study population 326, 111 and 114 subjects were classified as suffering from hayfever, HDM allergy or asthma, respectively. The attachment loss (AL) were measured. Periodontitis was defined according to the percentage of surfaces which exceeded 3 mm AL [healthy: 0–7.7%, mild: 7.8–28.6%, moderate: 28.7–63.9%, severe: >63.9%]. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using logistic regression.ResultsAfter adjustment for confounding factors these analyses revealed inverse associations between periodontitis and hayfever as well as periodontitis and HDM allergy. For increasing AL, a trend of decreasing risk could be observed for hayfever (healthy: reference; mild AL: OR 0.87 [95%‐CI 0.6–1.2]; moderate AL: OR 0.80 [95% CI 0.6–1.2]; server AL: OR 0.53 [95% CI 0.3–0.9];Ptrend=0.01) and for HDM allergy (healthy: reference; mild AL: OR 0.80 [95% CI 0.5–1.3]; moderate AL: OR 0.64 [95% CI 0.3–1.2]; server AL: OR 0.39 [95% CI 0.2–0.9];Ptrend=0.02). Furthermore, for asthma were observed a slightly inverse association in the full‐adjusted model (healthy: reference; mild AL: OR 1.10 [95% CI 0.6–2.0]; moderate AL: OR 0.96 [95% CI 0.5–1.8]; server AL: OR 0.48 [95% CI 0.2–1.0];Ptrend=0.11).ConclusionThere is an inverse association between periodontitis and respiratory allergies. Our results might support the hygiene hypothesis.
Polymorphisms in manganese superoxide dismutase and catalase genes: functional study in Hong Kong Chinese asthma patients
Authors: Mak J. C. W. , Leung H. C. M. , Ho S. P. , Ko F. W. S. , Cheung A. H. K. , Ip M. S. M. , Chan‐Yeung M. M. W. 
Published: March 2006

SummaryBackground
Reactive oxygen species may contribute to the pathogenesis of asthma. Functional genetic polymorphisms of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase are good candidates for asthma susceptibility.Objective
To investigate the association of the manganese‐containing form of SOD (MnSOD) gene at amino acid position 16 (Val16Ala) and catalase gene in the promoter at A‐21T and C‐262T polymorphisms and asthma in a Hong Kong Chinese population.Methods
The association study was conducted in a case–control design in asthma patients (n=251) and healthy controls (n=316) by genotyping. The functional significance was assessed by determining erythrocyte SOD and catalase activity.Results
The Val allele of MnSOD at Val16Ala and the A allele of catalase gene at A‐21T were not different between patients and controls, while the C allele of catalase gene at C‐262T was found to be significantly different between patients and controls (P=0.033). The less frequent variant of catalase gene (−262T) was found to be protective from the development of asthma in a Hong Kong Chinese non‐smoking population (adjusted odds ratio=0.35, 0.15–0.85; P=0.017). Asthma patients had elevated erythrocyte SOD and catalase activities in comparison with healthy controls (P<0.01). However, their activities were not associated with different genotypes within healthy controls or asthma patients.Conclusion
This is the first report showing that SOD and catalase functional activities are not associated with their respective genetic polymorphisms but related to the presence of asthma in a Hong Kong Chinese population.
The prognosis of occupational asthma due to detergent enzymes: clinical, immunological and employment outcomes
Authors: Brant A. , Zekveld C. , Welch J. , Jones M. , Taylor A. Newman , Cullinan P. 
Published: March 2006

Summary Background Little is known about the prognosis of occupational asthma induced by high molecular weight proteins. Objective Our objective was to measure the clinical, immunological and employment outcomes of individuals with occupational asthma induced by detergent enzymes. Methods We undertook a workforce‐based follow‐up study in 35 (78%) of the 45 ex‐employees from a single factory with occupational asthma. In each case the diagnosis was supported by evidence of specific sensitization and characteristic changes in peak flow or a positive response to specific bronchial provocation testing. Results This group had left the factory on average 37 months before study. On review 25 (71%) reported chest symptoms during the last month. Compared with when working at the factory, most (86%) reported that their symptoms had improved. Twenty continued to attend their general practitioner for respiratory symptoms and 19 still used asthma medications. Since leaving the factory 16 (46%) and four (11%) had found full‐time or part‐time employment, respectively; of these 16 found they were paid less than when they worked at the factory. The remaining 15 subjects had not had any paid employment. All but two had positive skin prick tests to one or more three detergent enzymes. The estimated half‐life of serum‐specific IgE antibodies was 20 months for protease, and 21 months for cellulase and amylase. Conclusions Population‐based follow‐up studies of the prognosis of occupational asthma are rare but probably avoid the bias in clinic‐derived surveys. This study demonstrates that 3 years after the avoidance of exposure with detergent enzymes most patients continue to be troubled by, albeit improved, symptoms and experience difficulty in re‐employment.
Peripheral T lymphocytes from patients with early systemic sclerosis co-cultured with autologous fibroblasts undergo an oligoclonal expansion similar to that occurring in the skin
Authors: De Palma Raffaele , Del Galdo Francesco , Lupoli Salvatore , Altucci Paolo , Abbate GianFranco , Valentini Gabriele 
Published: March 2006

SummaryIn recent years several reports have suggested that T cells may have a role in systemic sclerosis (SSc). The aim of our study was to investigate the dynamics of T cell repertoire in early SSc disease analysing a target organ, the skin, and the peripheral blood. To date, indeed, it is not clear if T cell expansions found in SSc reflect a general activation or result from specific antigen stimulation in the target organs. This is an important point to assess in order to characterize the role of T cells in the development of SSc. To address these questions we studied T cell repertoire by CDR3 length analysis in skin biopsies and peripheral blood obtained from patients affected by SSc and we found that a skewed T cell repertoire was present only in the biopsies. In order to characterize more effectively the meaning of these data, we performed co-cultures using fibroblasts and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from SSc patients. These experiments showed that same T cell expansions were detectable in the skin of SSc patients and in the cultures of PBMCs and autologous fibroblasts of the patients but not in their peripheral blood. Taken together, these data suggest that fibroblasts trigger specific T cell expansions in the early phase of SSc.
Anti-PCNA autoantibodies preferentially recognize C-terminal of PCNA in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection
Authors: Hsu T-C , Tsay G J , Chen T-Y , Liu Y-C , Tzang B-S 
Published: March 2006

SummaryWe previously reported anti-PCNA autoantibodies in sera from patients with chronic HBV and HCV infection. To analyse the antigenic regions on proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) that confer autoantibody binding in patients with chronic hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) infection, eight constructs including one wild type PCNA, one mutant type Y114A_PCNA and six C- or N-terminal PCNA truncations were generated. Sera from 185 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 178 with chronic HBV and 163 with chronic HCV infection, and 68 healthy individuals were examined for the presentation of anti-PCNA antibodies by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). By ELISA, anti-PCNA positive sera from patients with SLE, chronic HBV and HCV infection preferentially recognized the wild type PCNA more than the mutant type Y114A_PCNA (P &lt; 0·05). The inhibition of binding by purified full-length rPCNA proteins with anti-PCNA positive sera was shown to exceed 70%. The inhibition of binding by purified truncated rPCNA proteins with sera from patients with chronic HBV and HCV infection and SLE was shown to confer dominant binding in TL2 and TL3. Moreover, the higher frequency of inhibition by using TL3 was found in patients with chronic HBV infection. These data indicate that anti-PCNA autoantibodies preferentially recognize C-terminal of PCNA in patients with chronic HBV infection and may also provide advanced understanding between viral infection and autoimmunity for further study.
Pneumococcal 6-phosphogluconate-dehydrogenase, a putative adhesin, induces protective immune response in mice
Authors: Daniely D , Portnoi M , Shagan M , Porgador A , Givon-Lavi N , Ling E , Dagan R , Nebenzahl Y Mizrachi 
Published: March 2006

Summary
For most bacteria, adherence to human cells is achieved by bacterial lectins binding to mammalian surface glyconjugates. 6-Phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD) was identified by us as one of Streptococcus pneumoniae cell wall lectin proteins, which elicits an age-dependent immune response in humans. This study assesses the role of 6PGD in S. pneumoniae pathogenesis as an adhesin and its ability to elicit a protective immune response in mice. Recombinant 6PGD (r6PGD) was cloned from S. pneumoniae serotype 3 (strain WU2). r6PGD interference in adhesion of three genetically unrelated unencapsulated pneumococcal strains (3·8, 14·8 and R6) and two genetically unrelated encapsulated pneumococcal strains (WU2 and D39) to A549 type II lung carcinoma cell was tested. BALB/c mice were immunized with r6PGD and boosted after 3 weeks. Immunized mice were challenged intranasally with a lethal dose of S. pneumoniae. r6PGD inhibited 90% and 80% of pneumococcal adhesion to the A549 cells of three unencapsulated S. pneumoniae strains and two encapsulated S. pneumoniae strains, respectively, in a concentration-dependent manner (P &lt; 0·05). Antibodies to r6PGD produced in mice significantly inhibited bacterial adhesion to A549 cell (P &lt; 0·05). Immunization of mice with r6PGD protected 60% (P &lt; 0·001) of mice for 5 days and 40% (P &lt; 0·05) of the mice for 21 days following intranasal lethal challenge. We have identified 6PGD as a surface-located immunogenic lectin protein capable of acting as an adhesin. 6PGD importance to bacterial pathogenesis was demonstrated by the ability of r6PGD to elicit a protective immune response in mice.
Increased hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific CD4+CD25 + regulatory T lymphocytes and reduced HCV-specific CD4+ T cell response in HCV-infected patients with normalversusabnormal alanine aminotransferase levels
Authors: Bolacchi F , Sinistro A , Ciaprini C , Demin F , Capozzi M , Carducci F C , Drapeau C M J , Rocchi G , Bergamini A 
Published: March 2006

SummaryCD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells may play a role in the different clinical presentations of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection by suppressing CD4+ T cell responses. Peripheral CD4+CD25+ T cells from chronic HCV carriers with normal and abnormal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were analysed for specificity and effect on HCV-specific CD4+ T cell reactivity by flow cytometry for intracellular cytokine production and proliferation assay. HCV-specific CD4+CD25+high T cells consistently produced transforming growth factor (TGF)-β but only limited amounts of interleukin (IL)-10 and no IL-2 and interferon (IFN)-γ. The HCV-specific TGF-β response by CD4+CD25+high T cells was significantly greater in patients with normal ALT compared to patients with elevated ALT. In addition, a significant inverse correlation was found between the HCV-specific TGF-β response by CD4+CD25+high T cells and liver inflammation. In peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), both HCV antigen-induced IFN-γ production and proliferation of CD4+ T cells were greater in patients with elevated ALT compared with patients with normal ALT. Depletion of CD4+CD25+ cells from PBMC resulted in an increase of both IFN-γ production and proliferation of HCV-specific CD4+ T cells that was significantly greater in patients with normal ALT levels compared with patients with elevated ALT. In addition, CD4+CD25+ T cells from patients with normal ALT levels proved to be significantly more potent to suppress CD4+ T cell reactivity with respect to those from patients with elevated ALT. In conclusion, these data support the hypothesis that CD4+CD25+ cells may play a role in controlling chronic inflammatory response and hepatic damage in chronic HCV carriers.