bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Selective enrichment and molecular characterization of a previously unculturedNitrospira‐like bacterium from activated sludge
Authors: Spieck Eva , Hartwig Christine , McCormack Iris , Maixner Frank , Wagner Michael , Lipski André , Daims Holger 
Published: September 2005

SummaryPreviously uncultured nitrite‐oxidizing bacteria affiliated to the genusNitrospirahave for the first time been successfully enriched from activated sludge from a municipal wastewater treatment plant. During the enrichment procedure, the abundance of theNitrospira‐like bacteria increased to approximately 86% of the total bacterial population. This high degree of purification was achieved by a novel enrichment protocol, which exploits physiological features ofNitrospira‐like bacteria and includes the selective repression of coexistingNitrobactercells and heterotrophic contaminants by application of ampicillin in a final concentration of 50 µg ml−1. The enrichment process was monitored by electron microscopy, fluorescencein situhybridization (FISH) with rRNA‐targeted probes and fatty acid profiling. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the enriched bacteria represent a novelNitrospiraspecies closely related to unculturedNitrospira‐like bacteria previously found in wastewater treatment plants and nitrifying bioreactors. The enriched strain is provisionally classified as ‘CandidatusNitrospira defluvii’.
The ‘pH optimum anomaly’ of intracellular enzymes of Ferroplasma acidiphilum
Authors: Golyshina Olga V. , Golyshin Peter N. , Timmis Kenneth N. , Ferrer Manuel 
Published: September 2005

SummaryA wide range of microorganisms, the so‐called acidophiles, inhabit acidic environments and grow optimally at pH values between 0 and 3. The intracellular pH of these organisms is, however, close to neutrality or slightly acidic. It is to be expected that enzymatic activities dedicated to extracellular functions would be adapted to the prevailing low pH of the environment (0–3), whereas intracellular enzymes would be optimally active at the near‐neutral pH of the cytoplasm (4.6–7.0). The genes of several intracellular or cell‐bound enzymes, a carboxylesterase and three α‐glucosidases, from Ferroplasma acidiphilum, a cell wall‐lacking acidophilic archaeon with a growth optimum at pH 1.7, were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli, and their products purified and characterized. The Ferroplasmaα‐glucosidases exhibited no sequence similarity to known glycosyl hydrolases. All enzymes functioned and were stable in vitro in the pH range 1.7–4.0, and had pH optima much lower than the mean intracellular pH of 5.6. This ‘pH optimum anomaly’ suggests the existence of yet‐undetected cellular compartmentalization providing cytoplasmic pH patchiness and low pH environments for the enzymes we have analysed.
Increased risk of early virological failure in non‐European HIV‐1‐infected patients in a Dutch cohort on highly active antiretroviral therapy
Authors: Van Den Berg JB , Hak E , Vervoort SCJM , Hoepelman IM , Boucher CAB , Schuurman R , Schneider MME 
Published: September 2005

Objective
To compare early and late responses to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in European and non‐European HIV‐1 infected patients in a Dutch cohort.Methods
We retrospectively analysed the response to HAART of 216 previously treatment‐naive HIV‐1‐infected patients using the University Medical Centre Utrecht HIV database. African (n=51), Asian (n=7), and Central/South American (n=6) patients were classified as non‐European, and others as European (n=152). Early failure was defined as a viral load that remained above 400 HIV‐1 RNA copies/mL after 6 months of treatment with HAART. Late‐phase failure was determined in patients who were successfully treated in the early phase and was defined as two consecutive viral load measurements above 400 copies/mL, a new AIDS‐defining event or death.Results
In the early phase, four of 152 (2.6%) European and eight of 64 (12.5%) non‐European patients failed HAART. A significant increased risk of virological failure in the early phase of treatment was observed for non‐Europeans as compared to Europeans (odds ratio 4.6; 95% confidence interval 1.1–20.2). Low serum drug levels in the absence of resistant virus were often seen at the time of early failure. No difference in late‐phase failure was observed between the two groups (adjusted hazard ratio 0.6; 95% confidence interval 0.3–1.2).Conclusions
Non‐European patients had a 4.6 times higher risk of virological failure than their European counterparts in the first 6 months of treatment with HAART. This failure seemed to be associated with low serum drug levels at the time of failure. However, if HAART was successful in the early phase, response rates in the late phase were similar for Europeans and non‐Europeans.
HIV‐1 subtypes in Spain: a retrospective analysis from 1995 to 2003
Authors: Lospitao E , Álvarez A , Soriano V , Holguín A 
Published: September 2005

ObjectiveTo perform a retrospective analysis of all HIV‐1 non‐B variants circulating in Spain from 1995 to 2003 and extend their virological characterization.MethodsSamples from a total of 396 HIV‐infected subjects with epidemiological suspicion of being infected with non‐B clades were analysed during the study period. Subtyping was carried out on the protease (PR), reverse transcriptase (RT) and envelope (env) genes.Results PR sequences belonging to non‐B subtypes were recognized in 43.2% of cases (23A, 13C, 6D, 3F, 118G, 3H, 4J and 1U). Subtype G and AG recombinants were the most frequent variants (69%), and were found most often in subjects from West and Central Africa. Up to 70% of pol (PR, RT) sequences belonging to subtype G harboured env sequences belonging to clade A (55%), B (13.8%) or K (3.4%). Nearly half were mosaic GA viruses, and a few were CRF14_BG viruses. Up to 14 new recombinant viruses, which could not be assigned to previously described circulating recombinant forms (CRFs), were found.ConclusionsThere is great diversity in the HIV‐1 variants and recombinant viruses circulating in Spain. Non‐B sequences may be underestimated if only the env region is examined in phylogenetic analyses. Drug resistance testing provides the advantage of pol subtyping, and its additional use for this purpose should be encouraged.
Wound conditioning of a deep tissue defect including exposed bone after tumour excision using PROMOGRAN* Matrix, a protease‐modulating matrix
Authors: Tausche Anne‐Kathrin , Sebastian Günther 
Published: September 2005

AbstractA case study reporting on the successful treatment of a patient affected by a basal cell carcinoma is submitted. Because the carcinoma had infiltrated deeply, a wide excision was necessary, including the removal of bone tissue. The deep tissue defect was treated with PROMOGRAN* Matrix, a protease‐modulating matrix, to promote granulation and ensure that the skin graft do survive and heal successfully. In this case study, a rapid development of granulation tissue on the exposed surface of the bone was observed. The benefits of the dressing enabled a successful split‐thickness skin grafting to be carried out which gave very good aesthetic and functional results.
A critical review of irrigation techniques in acute wounds
Authors: S Chatterjee Justin 
Published: September 2005

AbstractIrrigation is a fundamental concept to the care of acute wounds and therefore of prime importance in all surgical specialties. A significant amount of research has been done in search of the most effective irrigation technique over the last three decades. There is evidence to show that irrigation is beneficial in the management of acute traumatic and elective wounds, but exactly which techniques and irrigation pressures needed for optimal outcome are still undetermined. A significant number of the studies to date lack the rigid scientific design needed in a climate of evidence‐based medicine. There are substantial methodological flaws and a lack of standardisation between many studies hindering the ability to draw scientific conclusion and compare different studies. There are few randomised, controlled studies on human wounds, and extrapolation from animal studies must be done with caution. Investigation into different irrigation pressures for different levels of contamination is lacking. This would possibly produce a more logical approach for clinically managing acute wounds rather than a blanket treatment for all acute wounds irrespective of the level of contamination. Further research in this direction with greater attention to scientific methodology and design is needed.
A liquid film‐forming acrylate for peri‐wound protection: a systematic review and meta‐analysis (3M™ Cavilon™ no‐sting barrier film)
Authors: Schuren Jan , Becker Anja , Gary Sibbald R 
Published: September 2005

AbstractTo undertake a systematic review of all reliable evaluations of the clinical performance and cost‐effectiveness of a film‐forming liquid acrylate in the protection of the chronic ulcer peri‐wound skin. Results from searches were scrutinised by two reviewers to identify possible randomised controlled trials and full reports of these were obtained. Details of eligible studies were extracted and summarised independently by two reviewers using a data extraction sheet. Meta‐analysis was used to combine the results of trials where the interventions and outcome measures were sufficiently similar. A total of nine eligible studies were identified. The review reveals that a liquid‐film forming acrylate (Cavilon no‐sting barrier film, 3M, Minneapolis, MN, USA) is a safe and effective skin barrier to protect the peri‐wound area of chronic ulcers. There is no difference between the protective properties of different barrier methods that are used to protect the peri‐wound skin around chronic ulcers. Compared with no treatment or a placebo, this liquid film‐forming acrylate has a significant impact on the integrity of the peri‐wound skin. In addition, it has significant benefits in terms of pain control and patient comfort, and its use may reduce nursing time.
Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II (HLA-DRB and -DQB) Allele Frequencies in Botswana: Association with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection
Authors: Ndung'u Thumbi , Gaseitsiwe Simani , Sepako Enoch , Doualla-Bell Florence , Peter Trevor , Kim Soyeon , Thior Ibou , Novitsky Vladimir A. , Essex Max 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACTSouthern Africa is facing an unprecedented public health crisis due to the high prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Vaccine development and testing efforts, mainly based on elicitation of HIV-specific T cells, are under way. To understand the role of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II alleles in HIV pathogenesis and to facilitate HLA-based HIV-1 vaccine design, we analyzed the frequencies of HLA class II alleles within the southern African country of Botswana. Common HLA class II alleles were identified within the Batswana population through the molecular genotyping of DRB and DQB1 loci. The DRB1 allele groups DRB1*01, DRB1*02/15, DRB1*03, DRB1*11, and DRB1*13 were encountered at frequencies above 20%. Within the DQB1 locus, DQB1*06 (47.7%) was the most common allele group, followed by DQB1*03 (39.2%) and DQB1*04 (25.8%). We found that DRB1*01 was more common in HIV-negative than in HIV-positive individuals and that those who expressed DRB1*08 had lower median viral loads. We demonstrate that the frequencies of certain HLA class II alleles in this Batswana population differ substantially from those in North American populations, including African-Americans. Common allele groups within Botswana cover large percentages of other African populations and could be targeted in regional vaccine designs.
Avidity Determinations for
Haemophilus influenzae
Type b Anti-Polyribosylribitol Phosphate Antibodies
Authors: Romero-Steiner Sandra , Holder Patricia F. , Gomez de Leon Patricia , Spear Willie , Hennessy Thomas W. , Carlone George M. 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACT

Determination of antibody avidity measurements can be difficult in human serum depending on the population evaluated. We evaluated three approaches for the determination of antibody avidity for immunoglobulin G (IgG). These approaches were (i) elution of bound antibody with increasing concentrations of a chaotropic agent using a single serum dilution, (ii) binding interference of multiple serum dilutions by a single concentration of a chaotrope, and (iii) elution of multiple serum dilutions by a single concentration of a chaotrope. Parameters that affect the determination of avidity measurements and their limitations were evaluated with pre- and post-
Haemophilus influenzae
type b conjugate vaccination sera (
n
= 89). We determined that elution of low-avidity antibodies present in multiple dilutions of the serum sample by a single concentration of a chaotrope (0.15 M sodium thiocyanate [NaSCN]) was optimal for the determination of avidity measurements throughout a wide range of IgG concentrations (0.94 to 304.6 μg/ml). The percent reduction in concentration as determined by the elution assay with 0.15 M NaSCN correlated highly (
r
= 0.84) with weighted averages obtained by an elution assay with multiple solutions of NaSCN. The correlation (
r
= 0.57) between elution and binding interference, when a single concentration of a chaotrope was used, was lower than the correlation between the two elution methods (
r
= 0.84). We found that the serum dilution, the heterogeneity of the antibody population, and the concentration of the chaotrope were the primary variables affecting avidity determinations. In this study, we present multiple analysis methods depending on the methodology used. We also present the factors that affect the analysis of avidity determinations given the polyclonal nature of human sera. This experimental approach should benefit the evaluation of similar antibodies induced by other bacterial polysaccharide vaccines.
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays for Detection of Equine Antibodies Specific toSarcocystis neuronaSurface Antigens
Authors: Hoane Jessica S. , Morrow Jennifer K. , Saville William J. , Dubey J. P. , Granstrom David E. , Howe Daniel K. 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACTSarcocystis neuronais the primary causative agent of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM), a common neurologic disease of horses in the Americas. We have developed a set of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) based on the four major surface antigens ofS. neurona(SnSAGs) to analyze the equine antibody response toS. neurona. The SnSAG ELISAs were optimized and standardized with a sample set of 36 equine sera that had been characterized by Western blotting against totalS. neuronaparasite antigen, the current gold standard forS. neuronaserology. The recombinant SnSAG2 (rSnSAG2) ELISA showed the highest sensitivity and specificity at 95.5% and 92.9%, respectively. In contrast, only 68.2% sensitivity and 71.4% specificity were achieved with the rSnSAG1 ELISA, indicating that this antigen may not be a reliable serological marker for analyzing antibodies againstS. neuronain horses. Importantly, the ELISA antigens did not show cross-reactivity with antisera toSarcocystis fayeriorNeospora hughesi, two other equine parasites. The accuracy and reliability exhibited by the SnSAG ELISAs suggest that these assays will be valuable tools for examining the equine immune response againstS. neuronainfection, which may help in understanding the pathobiology of this accidental parasite-host interaction. Moreover, with modification and further investigation, the SnSAG ELISAs have potential for use as immunodiagnostic tests to aid in the identification of horses affected by EPM.
Assessment of Interleukin-12, Gamma Interferon, and Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Secretion in Sera from Mice Fed with Dietary Lipids during Different Stages ofListeria monocytogenesInfection
Authors: Puertollano María A. , Cruz-Chamorro Lidia , Puertollano Elena , Pérez-Toscano María T. , Álvarez de Cienfuegos Gerardo , de Pablo Manuel A. 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACTRecent experimental observations have determined that long-chainn-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids suppress immune functions and are involved in the reduction of infectious disease resistance. BALB/c mice were fed for 4 weeks with one of four diets containing either olive oil (OO), fish oil (FO), hydrogenated coconut oil, or a low fat level. Interleukin-12p70 (IL-12p70), gamma interferon (IFN-γ), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) production in the sera of mice fed these diets and challenged withListeria monocytogeneswere determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, bacterial counts from spleens of mice were carried out at 24, 72, or 96 h of infection. Here, we quantified an initial diminution of production of both IL-12p70 and IFN-γ, which appear to play an important role in the reduction of host resistance toL. monocytogenesinfection. In addition, an efficient elimination ofL. monocytogeneswas observed in spleens of mice fed a diet containing OO at 96 h of infection, despite reductions in IL-12p70 and TNF-α production, suggesting an improvement of immune resistance. Overall, our results indicate that the initial reduction of both IL-12 and IFN-γ production beforeL. monocytogenesinfection represents the most relevant event that corroborates the impairment of immune resistance byn-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids during the different stages of infection. However, we speculate that the modulation of other cytokines must be also involved in this response, because the alteration of cytokine production in mice fed an FO diet in a late phase ofL. monocytogenesinfection was similar to that in mice fed OO, whereas the ability to eliminate this bacterium from the spleen was improved in the latter group.
Evaluation of Three Immunoassays Used for Detection of Anti-Rubella Virus Immunoglobulin M Antibodies
Authors: Dimech Wayne , Panagiotopoulos Lena , Marler Joan , Laven Nicolas , Leeson Susan , Dax Elizabeth M. 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACT
Three automated assays (Abbott AxSYM, Bayer ADVIA Centaur, and bioMerieux VIDAS) used for the detection of rubella virus-specific immunoglobulin M were evaluated. A total of 57 samples from individuals with evidence of infection with rubella virus were used to estimate sensitivity, and 220 samples from blood donors and individuals attending an antenatal clinic who had no evidence of recent infection were used to estimate specificity. Seroconversion panels comprising an additional 31 samples from four individuals were used to determine clinical sensitivity. Samples containing potentially cross-reacting substances were also tested. The sensitivities of the three assays ranged from 84.2 to 96.5%, and the specificities ranged from 96.8 to 99.9%. The Abbott AxSYM assay detected more reactive samples than the other two assays when a panel of 57 positive samples was tested. Bayer ADVIA Centaur detected more reactive samples in the seroconversion panels than the other two assays. All three assays evaluated reported a reactive result in 1 or more of the 48 samples containing potentially cross-reacting analytes. The assays demonstrated comparable performance in testing of a well-characterized panel of samples.
Monoclonal Antibodies against
Enterocytozoon bieneusi
of Human Origin
Authors: Sheoran Abhineet S. , Feng Xiaochuan , Singh Inderpal , Chapman-Bonofiglio Susan , Kitaka Sabrina , Hanawalt Joel , Nunnari John , Mansfield Keith , Tumwine James K. , Tzipori Saul 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACT

Enterocytozoon bieneusi
is clinically the most significant among the microsporidia infecting humans, causing chronic diarrhea, wasting, and cholangitis in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus/AIDS. The lack of immune reagents is largely due to the absence of methods for laboratory propagation of
E. bieneusi
. We recently described a procedure for the concentration and purification of spores from diarrheic stool of infected humans. Purified spores were used to immunize mice for production and screening of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against
E. bieneusi
. The eight immunoglobulin M MAbs generated and fully characterized did not cross-react with other human microsporidia or with other microorganisms normally present in stool. One of the MAbs, 2G4, reacted with
E. bieneusi
spores in stools from monkeys and humans, without background fluorescence, which makes it an ideal diagnostic reagent. It also recognizes intracellular stages of the parasite and will be suitable for determining tissue distribution of
E. bieneusi
in infected hosts. At least two immunodominant antigens of
E. bieneusi
of 33,000 and 35,000 Da exist, which were recognized by rabbit and mouse antisera. The availability of MAbs against
E. bieneusi
will simplify considerably the diagnosis of this infection in humans and will provide tools for epidemiologic investigations regarding the true prevalence of the infection in various human and mammalian populations and the environmental sources of infection.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and Levels of Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate in Plasma among Indians
Authors: Kandathil A. J. , Kannangai R. , David S. , Selvakumar R. , Job V. , Abraham O. C. , Sridharan G. 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACTThe shift in cytokine profile during human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease progression is influenced by dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) level. Radioimmunoassay was used to measure plasma DHEAS for 30 treatment-naïve HIV-infected and 30 uninfected individuals. There was a significant negative correlation of viral load with DHEAS level (P< 0.05). Further studies of the use of DHEAS levels for monitoring HIV patients economically are warranted.
Utilization of Follow-Up Specimens from Viremic Blood Donors To Assess the Value of West Nile Virus Immunoglobulin G Avidity as an Indicator of Recent Infection
Authors: Prince Harry E. , Lapé-Nixon Mary , Busch Michael P. , Tobler Leslie H. , Foster Gregory A. , Stramer Susan L. 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACT
The value of West Nile virus immunoglobulin G avidity for distinguishing recent from past infection was investigated using 348 follow-up specimens from 170 viremic blood donors. Low avidity accurately indicated infection within the previous 4 months. However, due to rapid avidity maturation in some individuals, high avidity did not accurately indicate past infection.
Comparison of the Antibodies in Lymphocyte Supernatant and Antibody-Secreting Cell Assays for Measuring Intestinal Mucosal Immune Response to a Novel Oral Typhoid Vaccine (M01ZH09)
Authors: Kirkpatrick B. D. , Bentley Matthew D. , Thern Anette M. , Larsson Catherine J. , Ventrone Cassandra , Sreenivasan Meera V. , Bourgeois Lou 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACTAntibody-secreting cell (ASC) and antibodies in lymphocyte supernatant (ALS) assays are used to assess intestinal mucosal responses to enteric infections and vaccines. The ALS assay, performed on cell supernatants, may represent a convenient alternative to the more established ASC assay. The two methods, measuring immunoglobulin A toSalmonella entericaserovar Typhi lipopolysaccharide, were compared in volunteers vaccinated with a live-attenuated typhoid vaccine M01ZH09. The specificity of the ALS assay compared to the ASC assay was excellent (100%), as was sensitivity (82%). The ALS assay was less sensitive than the ASC assay at ≤42 spots/106peripheral blood lymphocytes.