bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chronic Fatigue: A Survey, Outcome Study and Proposals
Authors: Lines Sharon 
Published: October 2004

Background:  Sample sizes in studies of childhood chronic fatigue remain small and there is a need to integrate research findings and establish common criteria.Method:  This is a detailed report of 20 children with medically unexplained fatigue, referred to as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). It includes an uncontrolled outcome study of treatment based on a pragmatic cognitive‐behavioural model adapted for children at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children.Results:  The data revealed psychological distress at 30 times the prevalence found in the normal child population, with specific high‐ranking symptoms, including headache, social withdrawal and decreased appetite. Onset tended to occur at 11 years of age with some earlier problems at school age, suggesting it might be possible to identify those most at risk. Follow‐up demonstrated improvement in 87% of the sample (parental report), a significant increase in school attendance and a significant decrease in symptom severity. Factors associated with good outcome were short duration of fatigue (less than a year) and behaviours that tended to combat the cycle of avoidance, such as carefully planned home‐tuition.Conclusions:  Recording a comprehensive range of symptoms and factors facilitates comparisons within and between child studies. It is proposed that symptom severity is a particularly relevant measure for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome which is characterised by persisting symptoms.
The Impact of Primary Mental Health Workers on Referrals to CAMHS
Authors: Whitworth Denise , Ball Clare 
Published: October 2004

Background:  This paper describes the impact of a new primary mental health team within the existing child and adolescent health service on referrals and attendance rates.Method:  100 referrals to CAMHS from prior to the PMHT and 100 referrals prior to the evaluation were examined and classified as appropriate or inappropriate for CAMHS. Information was also gathered as to whether the child and/or family attended for their appointment with CAMHS.Results and Conclusions:  a large increase in attendance and decrease in non‐attendance rates to CAMHS was seen. The referrals to CAMHS have become more appropriate for a psychiatry service. However, the service provoked a mixed response from Tier 1 professionals. Recommendations are made for the skills needed by primary mental health workers and further evaluative techniques.
Decision-Making in Betting Markets
Authors: Vaughan Williams Leighton 
Published: October 2004

Abstract
The placing of a bet is a classic example of decision-making under uncertainty. A betting market is also an example of a simple financial market, but one which possesses the advantage that each bet is characterised by a well-defined end point at which it possesses a definite value, i.e. the amount won or lost. Leighton Vaughan Williams explains the implications for our understanding of economic decision-making of the observed tendency for the expected returns on bets to differ markedly at different odds levels.
It Shouldn't Happen to a Statistician
Authors: Clough Helen , Brown Patrick 
Published: October 2004

Abstract
Helen Clough and Patrick Brown are statisticians working in a cross-disciplinary veterinary epidemiology collaboration, uniting statisticians, mathematical modellers, veterinarians, molecular biologists and microbiologists. They describe the strengths that statisticians bring to the collaboration and the creative tensions that arise when both statistical and mathematical modelling techniques are used.
Improving a Food Process by Experimentation
Authors: Gilmour Steven 
Published: October 2004

Abstract
Like any other industry, the food industry continuously develops and improves its products and the processes that are used to make them, says Steven Gilmour. The customer is mainly interested in the sensory characteristics of the product: how does it taste; how does it smell; how does it look? However, commercial success also depends on whether or not the product can be produced economically, consistently and safely. Product development and improvement require research, which often means experimentation.
Triangle Plots of Three-Level Explanatory Variables
Authors: Alexander Neal 
Published: October 2004

Abstract
Thalassaemias are genetic blood disorders which cause varying degrees of anaemia. Their geographical distribution suggests a compensating protection against malaria, which kills between 0.5 and 2.5 million people per year in developing countries. Neal Alexander describes a study in Papua New Guinea which estimated this association more directly, and a triangle plot which clarified, for himself and his non-statistician colleagues, the relative risks of malaria for those with none, one or two copies of the relevant haemoglobin mutation.
Origins of Microsatellite Diversity in the
Trichophyton rubrum
-
T. violaceum
Clade (Dermatophytes)
Authors: Ohst T. , de Hoog S. , Presber W. , Stavrakieva V. , Gräser Y. 
Published: October 2004

ABSTRACT

We analyzed the population structure of the anthropophilic dermatophyte species
Trichophyton violaceum
, which mainly causes tinea capitis, and
T. rubrum
, the most frequently isolated agent of dermatophytosis worldwide. A microsatellite marker (T1) was developed by using the enrichment technique for microsatellites. The T1 marker containing a (GT)
8-10
repeat was proven to specifically amplify both species, underlining their close kinship. Four polymorphic alleles were detected within a set of about 130 strains by using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with this marker. An association with geographic origin of the isolates was apparent. Given the close relatedness of both species, these data suggest an African origin of the entire
T. rubrum
complex, followed by the emergence of a new genotype (B) in Asia with subsequent spread of this genotype over Europe and the United States.
Serotypes and Sequence Types of Pneumococci Causing Invasive Disease in Scotland Prior to the Introduction of Pneumococcal Conjugate Polysaccharide Vaccines
Authors: Clarke S. C. , Scott K. J. , McChlery S. M. 
Published: October 2004

ABSTRACTPneumococcal conjugate polysaccharide (Pnc) vaccines are now available, and the need for an improved understanding of circulating pneumococcal serotypes and sequence types (STs) is recognized. Three hundred sixty-eight pneumococci isolated in cases of invasive disease in Scotland in the first 6 months of 2003 were analyzed. The isolates belonged to 30 serotypes, and there was a strong correlation between serotype and ST, although only nine serotypes consisted of a single ST. The following serotypes coexisted with the following numbers of STs: serotype 14, 10 STs, serotype 8, 8 STs; serotype 4, 6 STs; serotype 22F, 8 STs; serotype 9V, 7 STs; serotype 23F, 6 STs; serotype 6B, 6 STs; serotype 1, 3 STs; serotype 3, 3 STs; and serotype 7F, 3 STs. Our data also showed a strong association between ST and serotype, although 19 STs contained multiple serotypes. Of the 10 most common STs, 6 coexisted with a single serotype each. Vaccine coverage in all age groups was 94.9% for the 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine and 50.7, 55.4, and 64.1% for the 7-, 9-, and 11-valent Pnc vaccines, respectively. For those under the age of 2 years, 79% coverage would be provided by the 7-, 9-, and 11-valent Pnc vaccines.
Detection of U.S., Lelystad, and European-Like Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Viruses and Relative Quantitation in Boar Semen and Serum Samples by Real-Time PCR
Authors: Wasilk A. , Callahan J. D. , Christopher-Hennings J. , Gay T. A. , Fang Y. , Dammen M. , Reos M. E. , Torremorell M. , Polson D. , Mellencamp M. , Nelson E. , Nelson W. M. 
Published: October 2004

ABSTRACTTransmission of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) via boar semen has been documented. Since semen is widely disseminated for artificial insemination and the virus can cause significant health and economic consequences, it is essential to have well-validated, rapid diagnostic techniques to detect and quantitate the virus for diagnostic and research purposes. Previously, boar semen was tested by a nested PCR (nPCR) assay which was compared to the “gold standard” swine bioassay. A correlation of 94% was observed, indicating that, most of the time, PCR detected infectious virus. Subsequently, a real-time PCR targeting the 3′ untranslated region of the PRRSV genome was compared with nPCR by testing 413 serum and semen samples from PRRSV-inoculated and control boars. There was 95% agreement between the results of the two tests, with the majority of samples with discordant results containing virus at the lower range of detection by the assays. The virus in all samples was quantitated by using a standard curve obtained by serial dilution of an in vitro transcript. By using the in vitro transcript, the lower limit of sensitivity was observed to be approximately 33 copies/ml. Reactivity with a panel of more than 100 PRRSV isolates from various geographical regions in the United States was also documented. No reactivity with nine nonrelated swine viruses was noted. A real-time PCR was also developed for the detection of the European Lelystad virus and the European-like PRRSV now found in the United States. In six of six PRRSV-inoculated boars, peak levels of viremia occurred at 5 days postinoculation (DPI) and were most consistently detectable throughout 22 DPI. In five of six boars, PRRSV was shed in semen for 0 to 2 days during the first 10 DPI; however, one of six boars shed the virus in semen through 32 DPI. Therefore, in general, the concentration and duration of PRRSV shedding in semen did not correlate with the quantity or duration of virus in serum. These differences warrant further studies into the factors that prevent viral replication in the reproductive tract.
Epidemiologic and Molecular Characterization of an Outbreak of
Candida parapsilosis
Bloodstream Infections in a Community Hospital
Authors: Clark Thomas A. , Slavinski Sally A. , Morgan Juliette , Lott Timothy , Arthington-Skaggs Beth A. , Brandt Mary E. , Webb Risa M. , Currier Mary , Flowers Richard H. , Fridkin Scott K. , Hajjeh Rana A. 
Published: October 2004

ABSTRACT

Candida parapsilosis
is an important cause of bloodstream infections in the health care setting. We investigated a large
C. parapsilosis
outbreak occurring in a community hospital and conducted a case-control study to determine the risk factors for infection. We identified 22 cases of bloodstream infection with
C. parapsilosis
: 15 confirmed and 7 possible. The factors associated with an increased risk of infection included hospitalization in the intensive care unit (adjusted odds ratio, 16.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.8 to 148.1) and receipt of total parenteral nutrition (adjusted odds ratio, 9.2; 95% confidence interval, 0.9 to 98.1). Samples for surveillance cultures were obtained from health care worker hands, central venous catheter insertion sites, and medical devices. Twenty-six percent of the health care workers surveyed demonstrated hand colonization with
C. parapsilosis
, and one hand isolate was highly related to all case-patient isolates by tests with the DNA probe Cp3-13. Outbreak strain isolates also demonstrated reduced susceptibilities to fluconazole and voriconazole. This largest known reported outbreak of
C. parapsilosis
bloodstream infections in adults resulted from an interplay of host, environment, and pathogen factors. Recommendations for control measures focused on improving hand hygiene compliance.
Tropheryma whipplei
Infection of an Acellular Porcine Heart Valve Bioprosthesis in a Patient Who Did Not Have Intestinal Whipple's Disease
Authors: Dreier Jens , Szabados Florian , von Herbay Axel , Kröger Thilo , Kleesiek Knut 
Published: October 2004

ABSTRACT

Rare cases of culture-negative infective endocarditis are caused by
Tropheryma whipplei
, the uncommon bacterium of Whipple's disease. We evaluated an 80-year-old woman with valvular heart disease but without intestinal Whipple's disease. The diagnosis of aortic valve xenograft culture-negative infection with
T. whipplei
was established by multiple molecular assays and by electron microscopy. First, a PCR with broad-range primers identified the complete 16S ribosomal DNA of
T. whipplei
in bioprosthesis tissue. Novel real-time reverse transcription-PCR assays were developed to detect mRNAs encoding recently identified proteins determined from the
T. whipplei
genome, specifically Whipplei surface protein (TW113) and a DNA polymerase III subunit (TW727). The positive detection of mRNAs indicated the presence of metabolically active bacteria and suggested the viability of
T. whipplei
. The quantification of
T. whipplei
genome equivalents by real-time PCR indicated a high-density bacterial colonization of the valve tissue. Additionally, an ultrastructural examination revealed numerous rod-shaped bacteria consistent in size with
T. whipplei
in the extracellular collagen matrix of the bioprosthesis. We conclude that extracellular growth of
T. whipplei
can occur in the microenvironment of biological prosthetic valve tissue and that
T. whipplei
endocarditis can occur in the absence of intestinal Whipple's disease.
Genotyping of 44 Isolates ofFusarium solani, the Main Agent of Fungal Keratitis in Brazil
Authors: Godoy Patricio , Cano Josep , Gené Josepa , Guarro Josep , Höfling-Lima Ana Luisa , Lopes Colombo Arnaldo 
Published: October 2004

ABSTRACTIn a retrospective study performed over 6 years in Brazil,Fusarium solaniwas found to be the most common species causing mycotic keratitis. The genetic diversity of 44 isolates from 39 patients was assessed by enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus PCR (ERIC-PCR) and PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) fingerprinting. ERIC-PCR was more discriminatory than PCR-RFLP for differentiating the strains. By combining of the results of both techniques, we identified 40 genotypes. Molecular typing revealed a high genomic heterogeneity of the strains ofF. solanistudied.
Detection of Mutations Associated with Isoniazid and Rifampin Resistance in
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Isolates from Samara Region, Russian Federation
Authors: Nikolayevsky V. , Brown T. , Balabanova Y. , Ruddy M. , Fedorin I. , Drobniewski F. 
Published: October 2004

ABSTRACT

High incidence rates of isoniazid-, rifampin-, and multiple-drug-resistant tuberculosis have been reported in countries of the former Soviet Union (FSU). Genotypic (unlike phenotypic) drug resistance assays do not require viable cultures but require accurate knowledge of both the target gene and the mutations associated with resistance. For these assays to be clinically useful, they must be able to detect the range of mutations seen in isolates from the population of tuberculosis patients to which they are applied. Two novel macroarrays were applied to detect mutations associated with rifampin (
rpoB
) and isoniazid (
katG
and
inhA
) resistance. In a sample of 233 isolates from patients in Samara, central Russia, 46.5% of isolates possessed mutations in both the
rpoB
and the
katG
(or
inhA
) genes. Combined results from the macroarrays demonstrated concordance in 95.4 and 90.4% of phenotypically defined rifampin- and isoniazid-resistant isolates, respectively. The contribution of different mutations to resistance was comparable to that reported previously for non-FSU countries, with 90% of rifampin-resistant isolates and 93% of isoniazid resistant isolates due to
rpoB531
and
katG315
mutations, respectively. The percentage of phenotypically resistant rifampin isolates with no mutations in the
rpoB
codons 509 to 536 was 4.2%, which was similar to previous reports. Novel macroarrays offer a rapid, accurate, and relatively cheap system for the identification of rifampin-, isoniazid-, and multiple-drug-resistant
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
isolates.
Novel Real-Time PCR Assay for Detection of
Helicobacter pylori
Infection and Simultaneous Clarithromycin Susceptibility Testing of Stool and Biopsy Specimens
Authors: Schabereiter-Gurtner Claudia , Hirschl Alexander M. , Dragosics Brigitte , Hufnagl Peter , Puz Sonja , Kovách Zsuzsanna , Rotter Manfred , Makristathis Athanasios 
Published: October 2004

ABSTRACT

A biprobe real-time PCR protocol, followed by hybridization melting point analysis, to detect point mutations in the 23S rRNA gene of
Helicobacter pylori
associated with clarithromycin resistance was established and evaluated in a clinical study. Of 92 patients who underwent endoscopy, 45 were found to be
H. pylori
infected and invariably were also culture positive. Of the 45 isolates, 11 were shown to be resistant to clarithromycin by E-test. With respect to the detection of
H. pylori
infection, PCR showed sensitivities of 100% in biopsies and 98% in stool specimens and a specificity of 98% in both biopsy and stool samples. All clarithromycin-sensitive cases were identified as such by PCR in both biopsy and stool samples. Of the cases with a resistant strain, eight were identified as such in stool DNA and nine were identified in biopsy DNA. Failure of PCR to detect the resistant genotype in the biopsy DNA, stool DNA, or both (one case) was associated with mixed populations. In these cases, patients had not been treated for
H. pylori
infection before, and the sensitive population showed to be present in considerably higher numbers than the resistant population. In five of six cases in which infection with a resistant genotype only was identified by PCR, the patients had received clarithromycin-based eradication therapy in the past. Thus, the assay presented provides a highly accurate noninvasive method to detect
H. pylori
infection in stool and at the same time allows for culture-independent clarithromycin susceptibility testing.
Genotyping Hepatitis C Virus by Heteroduplex Mobility Analysis Using Temperature Gradient Capillary Electrophoresis
Authors: Margraf Rebecca L. , Erali Maria , Liew Michael , Wittwer Carl T. 
Published: October 2004

ABSTRACT
The genotype of the infecting hepatitis C virus (HCV) helps determine the patient's prognosis and the duration of treatment. Heteroduplex mobility analysis (HMA) is a rapid, inexpensive method for genotyping of HCV that does not require sequencing. We developed an HMA that uses temperature gradient capillary electrophoresis (TGCE) to differentiate HCV genotypes. A 56-bp region of the HCV 5′ untranslated region (UTR) that was conserved within a genotype yet whose sequence differed between genotypes was amplified for HMA-TGCE analysis. HCV amplicons of types 1, 2a, 2b, 3a, 4, and 6a were hybridized in pairs and analyzed by TGCE. Amplicons hybridized to the same subtype yielded one homoduplex peak, while hybridization of different subtypes resulted in heteroduplexes and generated multiple TGCE peaks. Heteroduplexes contain thermodynamically unstable nucleotide mismatches that reduced their TGCE mobilities compared to those of homoduplexes. Three HCV subtypes (subtypes 1a, 3a, and 4) generated unique peak patterns when they were combined with each genotype analyzed and were chosen as the reference genotypes. A blinded study with 200 HCV-infected samples was 97% accurate compared to genotyping by 5′ UTR sequence analysis. The majority of discordant results were unexpected sequence variants; however, five of nine sequence variants were correctly genotyped. The assay also detected and correctly genotyped mixed HCV infections. Compared to conventional HMA, TGCE improves the resolution, with better separation of heteroduplexes and homoduplexes. All common HCV genotypes can be detected and differentiated by this HMA-TGCE assay.
Seroincidence of Coccidioidomycosis during Military Desert Training Exercises
Authors: Crum Nancy F. , Potter Mark , Pappagianis Demosthenes 
Published: October 2004

ABSTRACT

Coccidioidomycosis is a common fungal infection acquired in the southwestern United States. This is the first study in over 2 decades to determine the seroincidence of
Coccidioides immitis
infections among U.S. military members performing training exercises in an area of endemicity. Only 8% of participants were aware of coccidioidomycosis, despite the majority having visited or lived previously in an area of endemicity. One (0.6%) of the 178 participants developed “definite” serologic evidence of infection over a 5-week training period; four (2.3%) additional patients developed “possible” coccidioidomycosis infections. None had complicated disease. The calculated annual incidence ranged from 6 to 32%. This study suggests that the risk of serious coccidioidomycosis is low among military personnel during desert training exercises; however, disease incidence may vary depending on specific activities and geographic factors. Due to the potential morbidity and mortality of this infection, preventative strategies, including vaccine development, are advocated.
Molecular Epidemiological Analysis of
Mycoplasma bovis
Isolates from the United Kingdom Shows Two Genetically Distinct Clusters
Authors: McAuliffe Laura , Kokotovic Branko , Ayling Roger D. , Nicholas Robin A. J. 
Published: October 2004

ABSTRACT

Mycoplasma bovis
is an important veterinary pathogen causing pneumonia, arthritis, and mastitis in infected cattle. We investigated the genetic diversity of 53 isolates collected in the United Kingdom between 1996 and 2002 with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. In addition, the influence of variable surface protein (Vsp) profiles on the profiles generated with molecular typing techniques was studied. Both AFLP and RAPD separated the isolates into two distinct groups, but PFGE showed less congruence with the other techniques. There was no clear relationship between the geographic origin or year of isolation of the isolates and the profiles produced. No correlation between Vsp profiles and any of the molecular typing techniques was observed. We propose that RAPD and AFLP provide valuable tools for molecular typing of
M. bovis
.
Large-Scale Comparative Genomics Meta-Analysis of
Campylobacter jejuni
Isolates Reveals Low Level of Genome Plasticity
Authors: Taboada Eduardo N. , Acedillo Rey R. , Carrillo Catherine D. , Findlay Wendy A. , Medeiros Diane T. , Mykytczuk Oksana L. , Roberts Michael J. , Valencia C. Alexander , Farber Jeffrey M. , Nash John H. E. 
Published: October 2004

ABSTRACT

We have used comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) on a full-genome
Campylobacter jejuni
microarray to examine genome-wide gene conservation patterns among 51 strains isolated from food and clinical sources. These data have been integrated with data from three previous
C. jejuni
CGH studies to perform a meta-analysis that included 97 strains from the four separate data sets. Although many genes were found to be divergent across multiple strains (
n
= 350), many genes (
n
= 249) were uniquely variable in single strains. Thus, the strains in each data set comprise strains with a unique genetic diversity not found in the strains in the other data sets. Despite the large increase in the collective number of variable
C. jejuni
genes (
n
= 599) found in the meta-analysis data set, nearly half of these (
n
= 276) mapped to previously defined variable loci, and it therefore appears that large regions of the
C. jejuni
genome are genetically stable. A detailed analysis of the microarray data revealed that divergent genes could be differentiated on the basis of the amplitudes of their differential microarray signals. Of 599 variable genes, 122 could be classified as highly divergent on the basis of CGH data. Nearly all highly divergent genes (117 of 122) had divergent neighbors and showed high levels of intraspecies variability. The approach outlined here has enabled us to distinguish global trends of gene conservation in
C. jejuni
and has enabled us to define this group of genes as a robust set of variable markers that can become the cornerstone of a new generation of genotyping methods that use genome-wide
C. jejuni
gene variability data.