bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hemochromatosis subjects as allogeneic blood donors: a prospective study
Authors: Leitman Susan F. , Browning Janet N. , Yau Yu Ying , Mason Glorice , Klein Harvey G. , Conry‐Cantilena Cathy , Bolan Charles D. 
Published: October 2003

BACKGROUND:  Persons with hemochromatosis constitute a plentiful and willing source of blood for transfusion. A program was established and evaluated for treating persons with hemochromatosis in a donor center and making their blood available for transfusion.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  Phlebotomy therapy was performed free of charge regardless of whether subjects met criteria for allogeneic donation. A Hb level of 12.5 g per dL was used as the threshold for performing phlebotomy, and decreases in the MCV were used to guide the endpoints of therapy.RESULTS:  A total of 130 subjects were consecutively enrolled: 74 percent were homozygous for the C282Y mutation in the HFE gene, 76 percent met eligibility criteria for allogeneic donation, and 55 percent were previous blood donors. A median of 20 weekly or biweekly phlebotomies (range, 7‐99) were performed before the MCV reached the targeted endpoint of 3 percent below baseline, at which time the ferritin level was less than 30 µg per L and the transferrin saturation was less than 30 percent. The median phlebotomy interval necessary to keep the MCV at this level during maintenance therapy was 10 weeks. No incident seroconversions for agents of transfusion‐transmissible disease occurred during 1402 donations. All subjects testing positive for viral agents gave a prior history of deferrable risk. Twenty‐seven months after starting the program, hemochromatosis donors were contributing 14 percent of the RBC units collected for allogeneic use.CONCLUSIONS:  Hemochromatosis subjects can safely and significantly augment the allogeneic blood supply. Provision of phlebotomy therapy unrestricted by considerations of cost or suitability for donation can improve access to care and remove incentives for incomplete risk disclosure.
Bacterial contamination of ex vivo processed PBPC products under clean room conditions
Authors: Ritter Markus , Schwedler Joachim , Beyer Jörg , Movassaghi Kamran , Mutters Reinier , Neubauer Andreas , Schwella Nimrod 
Published: October 2003

BACKGROUND:  Patients undergoing high‐dose radio‐ and/or chemotherapy and autologous or allogeneic PBPC transplantation are at high risk for infections owing to profound immunosuppression. In this study, the rate of microbial contamination of ex vivo processed PBPC products was analyzed, comparing preparation under clean room conditions to standard laboratory conditions.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  After implementation of good manufacturing practice conditions in the two participating institutions, the microbial contamination rate of 366 PBPC harvests from 198 patients was determined under certified clean room conditions (Group A) from 2000 until 2002. To investigate influence of improved environmental conditions along with other parameters, this set of samples was compared with a historical control set of 1413 PBPC products, which have been processed ex vivo under a clean bench in a regular laboratory room and were harvested from 626 patients (Group B) from 1989 until 2000.RESULTS:  In Group B microbial contamination was found in 74 PBPC products (5.2%) from 57 patients. In Group A microbial growth was detected in 3 leukapheresis products (0.8%) from 3 patients. After exclusion of PBPC products, which were probably contaminated before manipulation, statistical analysis showed a significant difference (χ2= 10.339; p < 0.001).CONCLUSION:  These data suggest an impact of clean room conditions on the bacterial contamination rate of PBPC products. To identify confounding variables, variables like technique of leukapheresis, culture methodology, and microbial colonization of central venous catheters were taken into account. Further variables might be identified in following studies.
The skiving stock problem as a counterpart of the cutting stock problem
Authors: Zak E. J. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractThe cutting stock problem (CSP) is a particular case of the set‐covering problem. Similarly we introduce another class of combinatorial optimization problems called the skiving stock problem (SSP) as a particular case of the set‐packing problem. The SSP shares many properties and solving techniques with the CSP. When these two problem spaces are contrasted they illuminate one another in that they form a ‘dual’ relationship where techniques once thought to be applicable in one domain can be applied in the other. Furthermore the SSP, like the CSP, may have numerous applications in business and industry.
The Market's Differential Reactions to Forward‐Looking and Backward‐Looking Dividend Changes
Authors: Lee Bong‐Soo , Yan Nairong Allen 
Published: October 2003

AbstractEmpirical evidence on the signaling hypothesis of dividends is weak and mixed. Recent studies find that dividend changes reflect mostly current and past earnings but not future earnings. We provide a model in which not all dividend changes contain new information about future earnings. Some dividend decisions are backward looking (noninformation or nonsignaling events). Other dividend decisions are forward looking (information or signaling events). The model helps identify the two types of dividend changes and predicts that the market will respond strongly only to forward‐looking dividend changes. We provide evidence consistent with the implications of the model.
Antiviral Activity of RhoA-Derived Peptides against Respiratory Syncytial Virus Is Dependent on Formation of Peptide Dimers
Authors: Budge Philip J. , Lebowitz Jacob , Graham Barney S. 
Published: October 2003

ABSTRACTA synthetic peptide containing amino acids 77 to 95 of the intracellular GTPase RhoA has previously been shown to inhibit replication of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in cultured cells. We show that residues 80 to 90 of RhoA are sufficient for this activity and that the cysteine residue at position 83 is critical. Further studies with an optimal peptide sequence containing amino acids 80 to 94 of RhoA revealed that the antiviral potency of the peptide is dependent on the oxidation of cysteine 83. Size-exclusion chromatography and sedimentation equilibrium studies of the peptide comprising residues 80 to 94 revealed that it is capable of forming aggregates in both reduced and oxidized states. A peptide (83A) in which the cysteine residue is replaced by an alanine does not form dimers or higher-order aggregates and did not inhibit RSV replication at any concentration tested. These data indicate that formation of peptide multimers is necessary for the antiviral activities of RhoA-derived peptides and suggest that the observed antiviral activities of these peptides may be unrelated to the biological functions of their parent molecule.
In Vitro Activities of Garenoxacin (BMS-284756) against
Haemophilus influenzae
Isolates with Different Fluoroquinolone Susceptibilities
Authors: Pérez-Vázquez María , Román Federico , Aracil Belen , Cantón Rafael , Campos José 
Published: October 2003

ABSTRACT

The in vitro activity of garenoxacin (BMS-284756) against 62 clinical
Haemophilus influenzae
isolates with different fluoroquinolone susceptibilities was determined by the microdilution susceptibility testing method and compared with the activities of other oral quinolones and nonquinolone oral antimicrobial agents. Cefixime presented the highest intrinsic activity (MIC at which 50% of the isolates tested were inhibited [MIC
50
], 0.01 μg/ml), followed by garenoxacin, moxifloxacin, and ciprofloxacin (MIC
50
, 0.06 μg/ml), levofloxacin (MIC
50
, 0.12 μg/ml), cefuroxime (MIC
50
, 1.0 μg/ml), and amoxicillin-clavulanate (MIC
50
, 1.0/0.5 μg/ml), amoxicillin (MIC
50
, 2 μg/ml), azithromycin (MIC
50
, 4 μg/ml), and erythromycin (MIC
50
, 8 μg/ml). In strains with ciprofloxacin MICs of ≤0.06 μg/ml, ciprofloxacin and garenoxacin displayed similar MIC
50
s and MIC
90
s, one dilution lower than those of moxifloxacin and levofloxacin. For strains for which ciprofloxacin MICs were ≥0.12 μg/ml, MIC
50
s were similar for the four quinolones tested, although garenoxacin presented the widest activity range (0.03 to 32 μg/ml) and the highest MIC at which 90% of the isolates tested were inhibited (16.0 μg/ml). For strains without amino acid changes in the quinolone resistance determining region (QRDR) of GyrA and ParC, garenoxacin MICs were ≤0.03 μg/ml; with a single amino acid change in GyrA, garenoxacin MICs were 0.06 to 0.12 μg/ml; with one amino acid change each in GyrA and ParC, garenoxacin MICs were 0.5 to 2.0 μg/ml; one amino acid change in ParC combined with two amino acid changes in GyrA increased the MICs to ≥4 μg/ml for all assayed quinolones. We conclude that garenoxacin has excellent activity against
H. influenzae
, although progressive acquired resistance was observed by step-by-step mutation in the QRDR of
gyrA
and
parC.
Related Clones Containing SCC
mec
Type IV Predominate among Clinically Significant
Staphylococcus epidermidis
Isolates
Authors: Wisplinghoff Hilmar , Rosato Adriana E. , Enright Mark C. , Noto Michael , Craig William , Archer Gordon L. 
Published: October 2003

ABSTRACT

SCC
mec
is a mobile genetic element that carries the gene (
mecA
) mediating methicillin resistance in staphylococci. For
Staphylococcus aureus
, four SCC
mec
types have been described, one (type IV) of which has been associated with newly identified community-acquired methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
. However, the distribution of SCC
mec
types among
S. epidermidis
is not known. SCC
mec
typing of a collection of 44 methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus epidermidis
(MRSE) isolates recovered between 1973 and 1983 from the blood of patients with prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) was performed by PCR amplification of key genetic elements (
mecA
,
mecI
, IS
1272
, and
ccrAB
). Of the 44 isolates, 1 (2%) harbored SCC
mec
type I, 15 (34%) harbored type II, 12 (28%) harbored type III, and 16 (36%) harbored type IV. The complete nucleotide sequence of SCC
mec
type IV was determined for 16 isolates and found to be identical in size (24 kb) and 98% homologous to DNA sequences published for
S. aureus
. Type IV SCC
mec
was also common (5 of 10 isolates) among a geographically dispersed collection of 10 recent (1998 to 2001)
S. epidermidis
bloodstream isolates. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) (using the same seven genes presently employed for
S. aureus
MLST) of these MRSE isolates and of 10 additional recent geographically dispersed methicillin-susceptible isolates demonstrated that all 16 PVE isolates and 2 of 5 recent isolates harboring type IV SCC
mec
were in three related clonal groups. All three MSSE PVE isolates recovered from patients between 1976 and 1979 were in the same clonal groups as type IV SCC
mec
MRSE isolates. These data support the hypothesis of intra- and interspecies transfer of type IV SCC
mec
and suggest that there are clonal associations in
S. epidermidis
that correlate with SCC
mec
type.
Salvage Treatment with Amphotericin B in Progressive Human Alveolar Echinococcosis
Authors: Reuter Stefan , Buck Andreas , Grebe Olaf , Nüssle-Kügele Karin , Kern Peter , Manfras Burkhard J. 
Published: October 2003

ABSTRACT
Most patients with alveolar echinococcosis are diagnosed at a late stage when the disease has advanced to unresectable hepatic lesions. These patients require lifelong therapy with benzimidazoles, the only medical treatment currently available. To date, no treatment option remains for patients with benzimidazole intolerance or treatment failure. Amphotericin B was recently shown to exert antiparasitic activity in vitro. Here, we report the efficacy of amphotericin B in human alveolar echinococcosis. In three patients with extensive disease and without further treatment options, disease progression had been documented over several months. They were treated with amphotericin B intravenously at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg of body weight three times per week. Follow-up parameters were physical examination, laboratory parameters, and imaging techniques. Amphotericin B treatment effectively halted parasite growth in all three patients. The antiparasitic effect was most evident by spontaneous closure of cutaneous fistulae in two patients and by constant size of parasitic lesions during treatment, as assessed radiologically. Metabolic activity in parasitic areas was visualized by positron emission tomography and significantly decreased during treatment. However, progressive affection of the heart in one patient could not be stopped. All patients currently continue on amphotericin B and have been treated for 25, 17, and 14 months, respectively. We introduce amphotericin B as salvage treatment for alveolar echinococcosis patients with intolerance or resistance to benzimidazoles, as it effectively suppresses parasite growth. Amphotericin B is not parasitocidal; therefore long-term treatment has to be anticipated.
Active Internalization of the
Penicillium chrysogenum
Antifungal Protein PAF in Sensitive Aspergilli
Authors: Oberparleiter Christoph , Kaiserer Lydia , Haas Hubertus , Ladurner Peter , Andratsch Manfred , Marx Florentine 
Published: October 2003

ABSTRACT

The
Penicillium chrysogenum
antifungal protein PAF inhibits the growth of various filamentous fungi. In this study, PAF was found to localize to the cytoplasm of sensitive aspergilli by indirect immunofluorescence staining. The internalization process required active metabolism and ATP and was prevented by latrunculin B, suggesting an endocytotic mechanism.
Doxycycline Is Anti-Inflammatory and Inhibits Staphylococcal Exotoxin-Induced Cytokines and Chemokines
Authors: Krakauer Teresa , Buckley Marilyn 
Published: October 2003

ABSTRACT
Proinflammatory cytokines mediate the toxic effect of superantigenic staphylococcal exotoxins (SE). Doxycycline inhibited SE-stimulated T-cell proliferation and production of cytokines and chemokines by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. These results suggest that the antibiotic doxycycline has anti-inflammatory effects and is therapeutically useful for mitigating the pathogenic effects of SE.
Favorable Interactions between Enfuvirtide and 1-β-
d
-2,6-Diaminopurine Dioxolane In Vitro
Authors: Tremblay Cécile L. , Poulin Danielle L. , Hicks Jennifer L. , Selliah Subajini , Chamberland Annie , Giguel Françoise , Kollmann Christopher S. , Chou Ting Chao , Dong Huajin , Hirsch Martin S. 
Published: October 2003

ABSTRACT

We evaluated the in vitro anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) interactions between 1- β-
d
-2,6-diaminopurine dioxolane (DAPD) and enfuvirtide (T-20) against clinical isolates sensitive and resistant to reverse transcriptase and protease inhibitors. Interactions between T-20 and DAPD were synergistic to nearly additive, with combination index values ranging from 0.53 to 1.06 at 95% inhibitory concentrations. These studies suggest that a combination of T-20 and DAPD might be useful in the treatment of antiretroviral drug-experienced patients.
Identification of a 3-Deoxy-
d
-
manno
-Octulosonic Acid Biosynthetic Operon in
Moraxella catarrhalis
and Analysis of a KdsA-Deficient Isogenic Mutant
Authors: Luke Nicole R. , Allen Simon , Gibson Bradford W. , Campagnari Anthony A. 
Published: October 2003

ABSTRACT

Lipooligosaccharide (LOS), a predominant surface-exposed component of the outer membrane, has been implicated as a virulence factor in the pathogenesis of
Moraxella catarrhalis
infections. However, the critical steps involved in the biosynthesis and assembly of
M. catarrhalis
LOS currently remain undefined. In this study, we used random transposon mutagenesis to identify a 3-deoxy-
d
-
manno
-octulosonic acid (KDO) biosynthetic operon in
M. catarrhalis
with the gene order
pyrG
-
kdsA
-
eno
. The lipid A-KDO molecule serves as the acceptor onto which a variety of glycosyl transferases sequentially add the core and branch oligosaccharide extensions for the LOS molecule. KdsA, the KDO-8-phosphate synthase, catalyzes the first step of KDO biosynthesis and is an essential enzyme in gram-negative enteric bacteria for maintenance of bacterial viability. We report the construction of an isogenic
M. catarrhalis kdsA
mutant in strain 7169 by allelic exchange. Our data indicate that an LOS molecule consisting only of lipid A and lacking KDO glycosylation is sufficient to sustain
M. catarrhalis
survival in vitro. In addition, comparative growth and susceptibility assays were performed to assess the sensitivity of 7169kdsA11 compared to that of the parental strain. The results of these studies demonstrate that the native LOS molecule is an important factor in maintaining the integrity of the outer membrane and suggest that LOS is a critical component involved in the ability of
M. catarrhalis
to resist the bactericidal activity of human sera.
Modulation of T-Cell Costimulation as Immunotherapy or Immunochemotherapy in Experimental Visceral Leishmaniasis
Authors: Murray Henry W. , Lu Cristina M. , Brooks Elaine B. , Fichtl Richard E. , DeVecchio Jennifer L. , Heinzel Frederick P. 
Published: October 2003

ABSTRACTCD40 ligand (CD40L)-deficient C57BL/6 mice failed to control intracellularLeishmania donovanivisceral infection, indicating that acquired resistance involves CD40-CD40L signaling and costimulation. Conversely, in wild-type C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice with established visceral infection, injection of agonist anti-CD40 monoclonal antibody (MAb) induced killing of ∼60% of parasites within liver macrophages, stimulated gamma interferon (IFN-γ) secretion, and enhanced mononuclear cell recruitment and tissue granuloma formation. Comparable parasite killing was also induced by MAb blockade (inhibition) of cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) which downregulates separate CD28-B7 T-cell costimulation. Optimal killing triggered by both anti-CD40 and anti-CTLA-4 required endogenous IFN-γ and involved interleukin 12. CD40L−/−mice also failed to respond to antileishmanial chemotherapy (antimony), while in normal animals, anti-CD40 and anti-CTLA-4 synergistically enhanced antimony-associated killing. CD40L-CD40 signaling regulates outcome and response to treatment of experimental visceral leishmaniasis, and MAb targeting of T-cell costimulatory pathways (CD40L-CD40 and CD28-B7) yields macrophage activation and immunotherapeutic and immunochemotherapeutic activity.
Phosphatidylcholine-Specific Phospholipase C and Sphingomyelinase Activities in Bacteria of theBacillus cereusGroup
Authors: Pomerantsev A. P. , Kalnin K. V. , Osorio M. , Leppla S. H. 
Published: October 2003

ABSTRACTBacillus anthracisis nonhemolytic, even though it is closely related to the highly hemolyticBacillus cereus.Hemolysis byB. cereusresults largely from the action of phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC) and sphingomyelinase (SPH), encoded by theplcandsphgenes, respectively. InB. cereus, these genes are organized in an operon regulated by the global regulator PlcR.B. anthraciscontains a highly similar cereolysin operon, but it is transcriptionally silent because theB. anthracisPlcR is truncated at the C terminus. Here we report the cloning, expression, purification, and enzymatic characterization of PC-PLC and SPH fromB. cereusandB. anthracis.We also investigated the effects of expressing PlcR on the expression ofplcandsph. InB. cereus, PlcR was found to be a positive regulator ofplcbut a negative regulator ofsph. Replacement of theB. cereus plcRgene by its truncated orthologue fromB. anthraciseliminated the activities of both PC-PLC and SPH, whereas introduction intoB. anthracisof theB. cereus plcRgene with its own promoter did not activate cereolysin expression. Hemolytic activity was detected inB. anthracisstrains containing theB. cereus plcRgene on a multicopy plasmid under control of the strongB. anthracisprotective antigen gene promoter or in a strain carrying a multicopy plasmid containing the entireB. cereus plc-sphoperon. Slight hemolysis and PC-PLC activation were found when PlcR-producingB. anthracisstrains were grown under anaerobic-plus-CO2or especially under aerobic-plus-CO2conditions. Unmodified parentalB. anthracisstrains did not demonstrate obvious hemolysis under the same conditions.
Detection ofN-(3-Oxohexanoyl)-l-Homoserine Lactone in Mice Infected withYersinia enterocoliticaSerotype O8
Authors: Jacobi Christoph A. , Bach Alexandra , Eberl Leo , Steidle Anette , Heesemann Jürgen 
Published: October 2003

ABSTRACTYersinia enterocoliticasynthesizesN-acyl-l-homoserine lactone (AHL) signal molecules via the LuxR-LuxI homologues YenR-YenI. In this study we checked two prototypes of mouse-virulentY.enterocoliticaserotype O8 strains WA-314 and 8081 for AHL production in vitro and in vivo (mouse infection model). We used thin-layer chromatography in combination with theEscherichia coliAHL biosensor to identify the AHL species produced. We detected only OHHL [N-(3-oxohexanoyl)-l-homoserine lactone] and not HHL (N-hexanoyl-l-homoserine lactone) produced byY.enterocoliticaO8 in culture supernatant or infected mouse tissue. This is the first report demonstrating AHL production by yersiniae during infection.
Legionella pneumophilaSuppresses Macrophage Interleukin-12 Production by Activating the p42/44 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Cascade
Authors: Matsunaga Kazuto , Yamaguchi Hiroyuki , Klein Thomas W. , Friedman Herman , Yamamoto Yoshimasa 
Published: October 2003

ABSTRACTA possible involvement of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascade in the inhibition of macrophage interleukin-12 (IL-12) production byLegionella pneumophilainfection was examined. The results of MAP kinase inhibition by p42/44 and p38 MAP kinase inhibitors and of p42/44 MAP kinase activity assays indicate thatL. pneumophilainfection of macrophages causes a selective inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced IL-12 production by activating the p42/44 MAP kinase cascade. In addition, it was also revealed that the p38 MAP kinase may be important for the production of IL-12 but not for the inhibition caused byL. pneumophilainfection.
Validation of the Dutch Short Form of the State Scale of the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory: Considerations for Usage in Screening Outcomes
Authors: van der Bij Akke K. , de Weerd Sabina , Cikot Rolf J.L.M. , Steegers Eric A.P. , Braspenning Jozé C.C. 
Published: October 2003

<i>Objective:</i> To validate the six-item short form of the state scale of the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) for usage in screening outcomes in a Dutch population receiving preconception counseling. <i>Methods:</i> Men and women completed the 20-item full form of the STAI before (n = 310) and after preconception counseling (n = 147). Prorated scores of the six-item form were compared to the full form using Pearson’s correlation coefficients and paired t tests. <i>Results:</i> Cronbach’s α for the Dutch translation of the short-form of the STAI-state was 0.83. The short form highly correlates with the full form (r = 0.95). The short form was able to discriminate between different levels of anxiety and was sensitive to change. <i>Conclusion:</i> The Dutch translation of the short form of the STAI-state has good reliability and validity and was found to be useful as a quick tool to evaluate the effectiveness of screening programs on anxiety levels. We believe our results will be applicable to other populations, although this needs to be confirmed in other studies.