bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The risk of posterior subcapsular cataracts in granulocyte donors
Authors: Burch John W. , Mair David C. , Meny Geralyn M. , Moroff Gary , Ching Steven S.T. , Naidoff Michael A. , Steuer Eric R. , Loftus Sanaz A. , Armstrong Jane , Clemons Traci E. , Klein Barbara E.K. 
Published: September 2005

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic use of adrenal corticosteroids is a risk factor for the development of posterior subcapsular cataract (PSC). Because corticosteroids are given to donors of apheresis granulocytes (PMNs) to improve yield, this study was performed to determine the prevalence of PSCs in PMN donors relative to a matched control group of apheresis platelet (PLT) donors.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This study was a cross‐sectional study stratified by age, sex, and lifetime apheresis experience at three sites. Individuals who had made at least five PMN donations preceded by corticosteroids were eligible. The presence of PSC was ascertained by grading digital retroillumination images of both lenses. A random subset of participants underwent clinical eye examinations by ophthalmologists masked as to study group. A logistic regression model was used to compute odds ratios (ORs).RESULTS: Granulocyte donors had given a mean of 13 donations (range, 5‐39 donations) over a mean period of 8.5 years (range, 0.3‐25.2 years). The mean corticosteroid exposure, in cortisol equivalents, was 2840 mg (range, 1067‐9040 mg). Six of 89 PMN donors had photographic evidence of PSCs versus 4 of 89 controls. This difference was not significant (OR, 1.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.46‐5.08). Five of 33 PMN donors and 3 of 30 PLT donors had evidence of PSC by clinical examination. This difference was also not significant (OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 0.35‐7.39).CONCLUSION: This study does not support the hypothesis that corticosteroid stimulation of PMN donors is associated with an increased risk of developing a PSC.
Comparison of cytomegalovirus polymerase chain reaction and serology for screening umbilical cord blood components
Authors: Roback John D. , Caliendo Angela M. , Newman James L. , Sgan Stephen L. , Saakadze Natia , Gillespie Theresa W. , Lane Thomas A. , Kurtzberg Joanne , Hillyer Christopher D. 
Published: September 2005

BACKGROUND: Recipients of umbilical cord blood (UCB) transplants are susceptible to opportunistic infections, including cytomegalovirus (CMV). To prevent CMV transmission from UCB donors, most laboratories perform serology on corresponding maternal samples and quarantine units when the mother has immunoglobulin M (IgM) anti‐CMV.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: UCB units and associated samples (UCB plasma and red cell pellet; maternal whole blood and serum) from two cord blood banks were tested with two validated CMV polymerase chain reaction assays (UL54 and UL93 targets). Results were compared with maternal CMV serology (IgG and IgM).RESULTS: Only 4 of 48 (8.3%) quarantined CMV IgM–positive units were also CMV nucleic acid testing (NAT)‐positive (651‐68,600 copies/mL). In contrast, 1 of 200 “CMV‐safe” UCB units (CMV IgM–equivocal or –negative) had CMV DNA (0.5%). The corresponding maternal samples were CMV NAT–negative. Positive maternal IgM serology demonstrates only modest sensitivity (80%) and specificity (82%) and poor positive predictive value (8%), when correlated with the presence of CMV DNA in UCB units.CONCLUSION: CMV NAT may be a useful adjunct to serologic screening, potentially reducing wastage of IgM‐positive and NAT‐negative units while also detecting potentially infectious units that would pass serologic screening. A prospective clinical trial to further evaluate the role of CMV NAT in UCB transplantation appears warranted.
Tissue regeneration and in loco administration of platelet derivatives: clinical outcome, heterogeneous products, and heterogeneity of the effector mechanisms
Authors: Borzini Piero , Mazzucco Laura 
Published: September 2005

BACKGROUND: In loco administration of platelet (PLT) derivatives is a relatively new auxiliary treatment for tissue regeneration to be hastened. Enthusiastic reports are faced by more critical ones. The more obvious rationale for the in vivo administration of PLT derivatives resides in their growth factor content.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The relevant literature was systematically reviewed. Close scrutiny of the technical details was carried out to find out the procedural differences accounting for conflicting results.RESULTS: An impressively vast heterogeneity of conduct was found in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Major outcome‐affecting variables were recognized such as those associated with PLT preparation; growth factor measurement; proliferation test; dose, timing, and administration of the PLT derivatives; study design; and primary endpoints.CONCLUSIONS: So many variables were found making standardization or confrontation of the in vitro and the in vivo studies barely conceivable or manageable. The mechanisms of action are very complex. The attribution of tissue regeneration capacity of PLT derivatives solely to the PLT‐derived growth factors is simplistic. The results obtained through in vitro experiments are indicative for general mechanisms. Their simplistic hold to the complex in vivo environment may be misleading.
Improvisation and Negotiation: Expecting the Unexpected
Authors: Balachandra Lakshmi , Bordone Robert C. , Menkel‐Meadow Carrie , Ringstrom Philip , Sarath Edward 
Published: September 2005

Negotiators must improvise. As the negotiations process unfolds, they work with new information, continually making decisions along the way to achieve favorable results. Skilled improvisational jazz musicians and actors perform in similar ways: they repeatedly practice song chord progressions and notes or scene guidelines before a performance; then, during the performance, they work with the information or the music they hear in order to react and respond, making decisions along the way to produce dazzling music or a compelling scene. In this article, two experts in negotiation, a jazz‐improvisation scholar, a former member of an improvisational theater troupe, and a psychotherapist versed in therapeutic improvisational techniques explore the improvisational nature of negotiation.Several aspects of negotiation are similar to improvisation. Both negotiators and improvisational performers need to have a similar mind‐set to be successful, both need to recognize and/or change that mind‐set at times, and both must craft creative solutions. But there are some significant differences between improvisational performance and negotiation practice, which this article also notes. For example, personal charisma (“star quality”) is a common attribute of successful performers, but not something negotiators may always rely on. Similarly, improvisational artists usually work as a team, while a negotiator is often on his or her own. Nonetheless, the incorporation of improvisation techniques into the negotiation skills repertoire holds great promise for practicing negotiators and is a worthy topic of future negotiation research and teaching.
Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide as an adjuvant therapy to panretinal photocoagulation for proliferative retinopathy with high risk characteristics in type 1 diabetes: case report with 22 weeks follow‐up
Authors: Kytö Janne P. , Ångerman Susanne , Lumiste Evelyn , Paloheimo Markku , Summanen Paula A. 
Published: September 2005

Abstract.Purpose:  To describe a new treatment protocol to deliver panretinal photocoagulation that may avoid further deterioration of vision in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus with proliferative retinopathy with high risk characteristics for severe visual loss and cystoid macular oedema. Methods:  Fundus photography, measurement of foveal thickness with optical coherence tomography and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) determined by Snellen and ETDRS charts were measured before and after treatment in a 28‐year‐old man. Results:  Over 9 weeks, BCVA improved from 0.05 to 0.25 and the number of letters read at 2 metres from four to 39 after panretinal photocoagulation and adjuvant intravitreal triamcinolone injection under intraconal anaesthesia. Foveal thickness decreased from 691 µm to 239 µm and cysts disappeared by 15 weeks. By 22 weeks, foveal thickness had increased to 282 µm and small cysts had reappeared, but BCVA remained at 0.2 and the number of letters read at 30. Conclusion:  Proliferative retinopathy regressed, cystoid macular oedema disappeared and vision improved after panretinal photocoagulation and adjuvant intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection under intraconal anaesthesia. This represents a feasible option in cases where pain during laser treatment and impairment of vision afterwards due to cystoid macular oedema result in poor compliance with standard laser treatment under topical anaesthesia.
Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide in patients with macular oedema due to branch retinal vein occlusion: a pilot study
Authors: Krepler Katharina , Ergun Erdem , Sacu Stefan , Richter‐Müksch Sibylla , Wagner Julia , Stur Michael , Wedrich Andreas 
Published: September 2005

Abstract.Purpose:  To evaluate treatment of macular oedema due to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) with intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide. Methods:  In a prospective case series, nine patients with macular oedema due to BRVO received an intravitreal injection of 4 mg triamcinolone acetonide. Examination included best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA) for distance and reading, intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement, fluorescein angiography and high resolution imaging by optical coherence tomography, preoperatively and at 1 week, 1 month, 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Results:  Preoperative mean BCVAs were 1.3 ± 0.8 for distance vision, and 1.1 ± 0.3 for reading acuity, respectively. A significant improvement in reading acuity was observed until 1 month (0.7 ± 0.4, p = 0.02). No significant reduction in mean macular thickness was observed. Conclusions:  Intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide led to a significant improvement in mean VA in patients with macular oedema due to BRVO. However, the significant effect was not permanent and persisted for only 1 month.
Central corneal thickness in high myopia
Authors: Pedersen Lene , Hjortdal Jesper , Ehlers Niels 
Published: September 2005

Abstract.Purpose:  To examine if central corneal thickness (CCT) is different in emmetropia and high myopia. Methods:  57 emmetropic subjects (0 to  + 1.5 D) and 48 high myopes (all more than − 6 D in spherical equivalent refraction) were studied. CCT was measured by a Haag–Streit Optical Low‐Coherence Reflectometry (OLCR) pachymeter, a recently developed high precision pachymeter with a standard deviation (SD) for repeated measurements of 1 µm. Results:  Mean CCT for the emmetropic group was 538.6 µm (SD = 32.1), and for the myopic group 527.7 µm (SD = 35.0). Neither the mean CCT nor the variance from the two groups showed a statistically significant different (p > 0.05). Conclusion:  CCT is not systematically altered in myopia. The process by which the myopia progresses does not to a measurable degree influence the central cornea.
The redshift distribution of gamma-ray bursts revisited
Authors: Natarajan P. , Albanna B. , Hjorth J. , Ramirez-Ruiz E. , Tanvir N. , Wijers R. 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
In this Letter, we calculate the redshift distribution of gamma-ray bursts assuming that they trace (i) the globally averaged star formation rate or (ii) the average metallicity in the Universe. While at redshifts 5 and below both the star formation rate and the metallicity are observationally determined modulo some uncertainties, at higher redshifts there are few constraints. We extrapolate the star formation rate and metallicity to higher redshifts and explore models that are broadly consistent with bounds on the optical depth from WMAP results. In addition, we also include parametric descriptions of the luminosity function, and the typical spectrum for gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). With these essential ingredients included in the modelling, we find that a substantial fraction (75 per cent) of GRBs are expected to originate at redshifts below 4, in variance with some previous estimates. Conversely, if we assume as expected for the collapsar model that gamma-ray bursts favour a low-metallicity environment, and therefore relate the GRB rate to a simple model of the average metallicity as a function of redshift, we find that a higher fraction of bursts, about 40 per cent, originate from z &gt; 4. We conclude with the implications of Swift GRB detections.
Ceftiofur-Resistant
Salmonella
Strains Isolated from Dairy Farms Represent Multiple Widely Distributed Subtypes That Evolved by Independent Horizontal Gene Transfer
Authors: Alcaine S. D. , Sukhnanand S. S. , Warnick L. D. , Su W.-L. , McGann P. , McDonough P. , Wiedmann M. 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACT

Salmonella
is the leading cause of known food-borne bacterial infections in the United States, with an incidence rate of approximately 15 cases per 100,000 people. The rise of antimicrobial-resistant
Salmonella
subtypes, including the appearance of subtypes resistant to ceftriaxone, represents a particular concern. Ceftriaxone is used to treat invasive cases of
Salmonella
in children and is closely related to ceftiofur, an antibiotic commonly used to treat diseases of cattle. In order to develop a better understanding of the evolution and transmission of ceftiofur resistance in
Salmonella
, we characterized ceftiofur-resistant and -sensitive
Salmonella
isolates from seven New York dairy farms. A total of 39 isolates from these seven farms were analyzed for evolutionary relatedness (by DNA sequencing of the
Salmonella
genes
fimA
,
manB
, and
mdh
), antibiotic resistance profiles, and the presence of
bla
CMY-2
, a beta-lactamase gene associated with resistance to cephalosporins. Our data indicate that (i) resistance to ceftriaxone and ceftiofur was highly correlated with the presence of
bla
CMY-2
; (ii) ceftiofur-resistant
Salmonella
strains were geographically widespread, as shown by their isolation from farms located throughout New York State; (iii) ceftiofur-resistant
Salmonella
strains isolated from farms represent multiple distinct subtypes and evolutionary lineages, as determined by serotyping, DNA sequence typing, and antimicrobial-resistance profiles; and (iv) ceftiofur-resistant
Salmonella
strains evolved by multiple independent acquisitions of an identical
bla
CMY-2
allele and by clonal spread of ceftiofur-resistant subtypes.
Transcriptional Inhibitor of Virulence Factors in EnteropathogenicEscherichia coli
Authors: Gauthier Annick , Robertson Marilyn L. , Lowden Michael , Ibarra J. Antonio , Puente José Luis , Finlay B. Brett 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACTThe type III secretion system (TTSS) is a key virulence mechanism of many important gram-negative bacterial pathogens. The TTSS is conserved among different bacterial pathogens, and mutations and deletions to the system significantly decrease virulence, making the TTSS an important potential therapeutic target. We have developed a high-throughput assay to search for inhibitors of the TTSS. We screened a commercial library of 20,000 small molecules for their ability to inhibit type III secretion by enteropathogenicEscherichia coli(EPEC). After discarding compounds that had no effect on secretion, inhibited bacterial growth, and/or caused degradation of EPEC-secreted proteins, the search was focused on a class of compounds that, while not direct inhibitors of type III secretion, inhibit expression of TTSS-related genes and other genes involved in virulence. This class of compounds does not affect bacterial viability or motility, indicating that it is not significantly affecting the expression of essential genes and is specific to virulence-associated genes. Transcriptional fusion assays confirmed that virulence-associated promoters were more sensitive to inhibition by this class of compounds. Overall, we have identified a class of compounds that can be used as a tool to probe the mechanism(s) that regulates virulence gene expression in EPEC.
Characterization of the Naturally Occurring Oxacillinase ofAcinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Héritier Claire , Poirel Laurent , Fournier Pierre-Edouard , Claverie Jean-Michel , Raoult Didier , Nordmann Patrice 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACTA chromosomally encoded oxacillinase, OXA-69, was characterized fromAcinetobacter baumanniiAYE. β-Lactamase OXA-69 shared 97% amino acid identity with the recently described OXA-51 enzyme ofA. baumanniiand 62 and 56% amino acid identity with the carbapenem-hydrolyzing oxacillinases OXA-24 and OXA-23, respectively. Biochemical characterization of the purified OXA-69 revealed a narrow-spectrum hydrolysis profile but including, at a low level, imipenem and meropenem. By PCR and sequencingblaOXA-69-like genes were identified in allA. baumanniistrains tested (n= 12), suggesting that this oxacillinase is naturally occurring in that species.
Prevalence and Molecular Genetics of Macrolide Resistance among
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Isolates Collected in Finland in 2002
Authors: Rantala M. , Huikko S. , Huovinen P. , Jalava J. 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACT

The prevalence and mechanisms of macrolide resistance among 1,007 clinical pneumococcal isolates collected in Finland were investigated. Of these, 217 (21.5%) were resistant to erythromycin and 11% to clindamycin. Among the erythromycin-resistant isolates,
mef
(E) was present in 95 isolates (44%),
mef
(A) was present in 12 isolates (6%), and
erm
(B) was present in 90 isolates (41%). A double mechanism,
mef
(E) and
erm
(B), was detected in five isolates (2%). Ribosomal mutation was detected in 14 (6%) macrolide-resistant isolates in which no other determinant was found. Based on the telithromycin MICs, two groups of isolates were formed: 83.3% of the isolates belonged to a major group for which the telithromycin MIC range was ≤0.008 to 0.063 μg/ml, and 16.7% belonged to a minor group for which the telithromycin MIC range was 0.125 to 8 μg/ml. All except three isolates in the minor population carried a macrolide resistance gene.
Macrolide Efflux in
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Is Mediated by a Dual Efflux Pump (
mel
and
mef
) and Is Erythromycin Inducible
Authors: Ambrose Karita D. , Nisbet Rebecca , Stephens David S. 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACT

Macrolide resistance in
Streptococcus pneumoniae
due to efflux has emerged as an important worldwide clinical problem over the past decade. Efflux is mediated by the genes of the genetic element mega (
m
acrolide
e
fflux
g
enetic
a
ssembly) and related elements, such as Tn
1207.1
. These elements contain two adjacent genes,
mef
(
mefE
or
mefA
) and the closely related
mel
gene (
msrA
homolog), encoding a proton motive force pump and a putative ATP-binding cassette transporter homolog, and are transcribed as an operon (M. Del Grosso et al., J. Clin. Microbiol.
40:
774-778, 2004; K. Gay and D. S. Stephens, J. Infect. Dis.
184:
56-65, 2001; and M. Santagati et al., Antimicrob. Agents Chemother.
44:
2585-2587, 2000). Previous studies have shown that Mef is required for macrolide resistance in
S. pneumoniae
; however, the contribution of Mel has not been fully determined. Independent deletions were constructed in
mefE
and
mel
in the serotype 14 macrolide-resistant strains GA16638 (erythromycin [Em] MIC, 8 to 16 μg/ml) and GA17719 (Em MIC, 2 to 4 μg/ml), which contain allelic variations in the mega element. The MICs to erythromycin were significantly reduced for the independent deletion mutants of both
mefE
and
mel
compared to those of the parent strains and further reduced threefold to fourfold to Em MICs of <0.15 μg/ml with
mefE mel
double mutants. Using quantitative reverse transcription-PCR, the expression of
mefE
in the
mel
deletion mutants was increased more than 10-fold. However, in the
mefE
deletion mutants, the expression of
mel
did not differ significantly from the parent strains. The expression of both
mefE
and
mel
was inducible by erythromycin. These data indicate a requirement for both Mef and Mel in the novel efflux-mediated macrolide resistance system in
S. pneumoniae
and other gram-positive bacteria and that the system is inducible by macrolides.
Efficacy and Pharmacodynamics of Flucytosine Monotherapy in a Nonneutropenic Murine Model of Invasive Aspergillosis
Authors: te Dorsthorst D. T. A. , Verweij P. E. , Meis J. F. G. M. , Mouton J. W. 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACT

The therapeutic efficacy of flucytosine (5FC) monotherapy and the pharmacodynamic index predictive of efficacy were evaluated in a nonneutropenic mouse model of acute invasive aspergillosis. Mice were infected intravenously with an
Aspergillus fumigatus
isolate (the median MICs of 5FC were 128 μg/ml under the standard condition, 0.5 μg/ml at pH 6.0, and 0.031 μg/ml at pH 5.0) 2 h prior to the start of therapy and were treated for 7 days with different 5FC dosing regimens. The total doses ranged from 50 to 800 mg/kg of body weight/day and were administered at 6-, 12-, and 24-h intervals. The efficacy was assessed by means of survival. The survival rates of the treatment groups ranged from 40 to 90%, while the survival rate of the control group was 20%. The efficacy found depended primarily on the total daily dose. However, the power of our sample size may have been too low to exclude an effect of dose fractionation. The pharmacodynamic index that most strongly correlated with the efficacy was the area under the serum concentration-time curve and MIC ratio (
R
2
= 0.86). We conclude that 5FC monotherapy is efficacious in a murine
Aspergillus fumigatus
infection model.
Mode of Action and Biochemical Characterization of REP8839, a Novel Inhibitor of Methionyl-tRNA Synthetase
Authors: Ochsner Urs A. , Young Casey L. , Stone Kimberley C. , Dean Frank B. , Janjic Nebojsa , Critchley Ian A. 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACT

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases have attracted interest as essential and novel targets involved in bacterial protein synthesis. REP8839 is a potent inhibitor of MetS, the methionyl-tRNA synthetase in
Staphylococcus aureus
, including methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
(MRSA), and in
Streptococcus pyogenes
. The biochemical activity of REP8839 was shown by specific inhibition of purified
S. aureus
MetS (50% inhibitory concentration, <1.9 nM). Target specificity was confirmed by overexpression of the
metS
gene in
S. aureus
, resulting in an eightfold increase in the MIC for REP8839. Macromolecular synthesis assays in the presence of REP8839 demonstrated a dose-dependent inhibition of protein synthesis and RNA synthesis in
S. pneumoniae
R6, but only protein synthesis was affected in an isogenic
rel
mutant deficient in the stringent response. Strains with reduced susceptibility to REP8839 were generated by selection of strains with spontaneous mutations and through serial passages. Point mutations within the
metS
gene were mapped, leading to a total of 23 different amino acid substitutions within MetS that were located around the modeled active site. The most frequent MetS mutations were I57N, leading to a shift in the MIC from 0.06 μg/ml to 4 μg/ml, and G54S, resulting in a MIC of 32 μg/ml that was associated with a reduced growth rate. The mutation prevention concentration was 32 μg/ml in four
S. aureus
strains (methicillin-sensitive
S. aureus
and MRSA), which is well below the drug concentration of 2% (20,000 μg/ml) in a topical formulation. In conclusion, we demonstrate by biochemical, physiologic, and genetic mode-of-action studies that REP8839 exerts its antibacterial activity through specific inhibition of MetS, a novel target.