bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In Vitro Activities of Piperacillin against β-Lactamase-Negative Ampicillin-Resistant
Haemophilus influenzae
Authors: Morikawa Yoshiro , Kitazato Miyoshi , Mitsuyama Junichi , Mizunaga Shingo , Minami Shinzaburo , Watanabe Yasuo 
Published: March 2004

ABSTRACT

The in vitro activities of piperacillin (PIP) against β-lactamase-negative ampicillin (AMP)-resistant (BLNAR)
Haemophilus influenzae
were compared with those of cefotaxime (CTX) and ceftriaxone (CRO), and the potency of PIP as therapy for meningitis caused by BLNAR is also discussed. PIP showed good activity (MIC at which 90% of strains are inhibited, 0.25 μg/ml) against 69 BLNAR strains, and its activity was comparable to that of CRO and superior to that of CTX. No significant correlation was observed between the MICs of PIP and CTX or CRO or AMP, whereas a high correlation was observed between the MICs of CTX and CRO. In the killing study, PIP showed potent bactericidal activity compared with those of CTX and CRO. By microscopic examination, PIP caused the formation of a spindle and short filamentous cells with bulges and induced cell lysis in BLNAR strains, while treatment with CTX and CRO resulted in the formation of large, spherical cells without any obvious lysis. The affinity of Bocillin FL, a fluorescent penicillin used for determination of the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC
50
s) for penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs), to PBPs 3a and 3b of BLNAR strains was drastically decreased compared with that to an AMP-susceptible strain (ATCC 33391). In the case of the BLNAR strains, the IC
50
s for PBPs 1a, 1b, and 2 were similar to those for the PBPs of ATCC 33391. Since the affinity of binding to PBPs 3a and 3b of the BLNAR strains decreased drastically, the second targets among the PBPs were PBP 2 for PIP, PBP1 (1a and 1b) for CTX and CRO. In conclusion, PIP showed excellent activities against BLNAR strains in a manner different from those of cephem antibiotics, suggesting that it could be a candidate therapeutic agent for the treatment of meningitis caused by BLNAR strains.
Activities of Newer Quinolones against
Escherichia coli
and
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Containing the Plasmid-Mediated Quinolone Resistance Determinant
qnr
Authors: Wang Minggui , Sahm Daniel F. , Jacoby George A. , Zhang Yingyuan , Hooper David C. 
Published: March 2004

ABSTRACT

Seventeen
qnr
-containing transconjugants were constructed with azide-resistant
Escherichia coli
J53 as the recipient, and the MICs of 12 quinolones were tested by agar dilution methods. Sitafloxacin, BAYy3118, and premafloxacin had higher activity in vitro than ciprofloxacin against transconjugants and donors containing
qnr
. The donors had higher quinolone MICs than the transconjugants.
First-Choice Antibiotics at Subinhibitory Concentrations Induce Persistence of
Chlamydia pneumoniae
Authors: Gieffers Jens , Rupp Jan , Gebert Andreas , Solbach Werner , Klinger Matthias 
Published: March 2004

ABSTRACT

Persistent growth forms of
Chlamydia pneumoniae
have been associated with chronic infections in vivo. We investigated the effects of first-line therapeutics on the induction of persistence by monitoring recoverable organisms, gene expression of membrane proteins, and morphology. We found that all of the antibiotics tested have distinct and subinhibitory concentrations at which they induce persistence.
Eradication of
Streptococcus pneumoniae
in the Nasopharyngeal Flora of Children with Acute Otitis Media after Amoxicillin-Clavulanate Therapy
Authors: Brook Itzhak , Gober Alan E. 
Published: March 2004

ABSTRACT

Nasopharyngeal cultures were obtained from 60 children with acute otitis media before and after treatment with either 45 or 90 mg of amoxicillin (given as amoxicillin-clavulanate) per kg of body weight per day for 10 days. The number of
Streptococcus pneumoniae
isolates in the 45-mg/kg group was reduced from 12 to 6 and was reduced from 14 to 1 (
P
= 0.0261) in the 90-mg/kg group.
Antimicrobial Susceptibility and Mechanisms of Resistance to Quinolones and β-Lactams in
Acinetobacter
Genospecies 3
Authors: Ribera A. , Fernández-Cuenca F. , Beceiro A. , Bou G. , Martínez-Martínez L. , Pascual A. , Cisneros J. M. , Rodríguez-Baño J. , Pachón J. , Vila J. 
Published: March 2004

ABSTRACT

Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined in 15 epidemiologically unrelated clinical isolates of
Acinetobacter
genospecies 3. Moreover, the mechanisms of resistance to some β-lactam antibiotics may be associated with the presence of a chromosomal cephalosporinase, AmpC, and the resistance to quinolones related to mutations in the
gyrA
and
parC
genes.
EBNA2 Amino Acids 3 to 30 Are Required for Induction of LMP-1 and Immortalization Maintenance
Authors: Gordadze Alexey V. , Onunwor Chisaroka W. , Peng RongSheng , Poston David , Kremmer Elisabeth , Ling Paul D. 
Published: March 2004

ABSTRACT
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) nuclear antigen 2 (EBNA2), a direct transcriptional activator of viral and cellular genes, is required for EBV-induced B-cell transformation. The functional role of conserved regions within the amino terminus of the protein preceding the poly-proline region has yet to be fully characterized. Thus, we tested whether the EBNA2 amino-terminal 30 amino acid residues, containing evolutionarily conserved region 1, are required for stimulating viral and cellular gene expression necessary for B-cell transformation in a viral transcomplementation assay. We found that these residues are required for its ability to induce LMP-1 expression in lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs), to stimulate LMP-1 promoter reporter plasmids in transient-cotransfection assays, and to rescue LCL growth following inactivation of endogenous wild-type EBNA2 protein. Deletion of amino acid residues 3 to 30 also impaired its ability to self-associate in coimmunoprecipitation assays. These data indicate that EBNA2 residues 3 to 30 comprise an essential domain required for induction of LMP-1 expression and, consequently, for maintenance of the immortalized phenotype of LCLs. The ability to self-associate into dimers or multimers conferred by this domain may be an important mechanism for these effects.
Human MxA Protein Inhibits the Replication of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus
Authors: Andersson Ida , Bladh Linda , Mousavi-Jazi Mehrdad , Magnusson Karl-Eric , Lundkvist Åke , Haller Otto , Mirazimi Ali 
Published: March 2004

ABSTRACT

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus
(CCHFV) belongs to the genus
Nairovirus
within the family
Bunyaviridae
and is the causative agent of severe hemorrhagic fever. Despite increasing knowledge about hemorrhagic fever viruses, the factors determining their pathogenicity are still poorly understood. The interferon-induced MxA protein has been shown to have an inhibitory effect on several members of the
Bunyaviridae
famil
y
, but the effect of MxA against CCHFV has not previously been studied. Here, we report that human MxA has antiviral activity against CCHFV. The yield of progeny virus in cells constitutively expressing MxA was reduced up to 1,000-fold compared with control cells, and accumulation of viral genomes was blocked. Confocal microscopy revealed that MxA colocalizes with the nucleocapsid protein (NP) of CCHFV in the perinuclear regions of infected cells. Furthermore, we found that MxA interacted with NP by using a coimmunoprecipitation assay. We also found that an amino acid substitution (E645R) within the C-terminal domain of MxA resulted in a loss of MxA antiviral activity and, concomitantly, in the capacity to interact with CCHFV NP. These results suggest that MxA, by interacting with a component of the nucleocapsid, prevents replication of CCHFV viral RNA and thereby inhibits the production of new infectious virus particles.
CAUSAL LINKAGES AMONG SHANGHAI, SHENZHEN, AND HONG KONG STOCK MARKETS
Authors: ZHU HONGQUAN , LU ZUDI , WANG SHOUYANG , SOOFI ABDOL S. 
Published: March 2004

In this paper, we test for causal relationship between China's stock markets by using returns and a measure of volatility for the Shanghai Composite index, the Shenzhen Composite Subindex, and the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index. We also show that the stock index series are nonstationary and that cointegrating vectors and error correction models do not exist for the series. Based on these tests, for the return series, we conclude that Shenzhen Granger caused Shanghai before 1994. For the volatility data, we find that there exists a positive feedback relationship between Shanghai and Shenzhen stock markets, and that Hong Kong volatility Granger causes Shanghai volatility, but not vice versa.
Activating FLT3 mutations in CD117/KIT+ T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias
Authors: Paietta Elisabeth , Ferrando Adolfo A. , Neuberg Donna , Bennett John M. , Racevskis Janis , Lazarus Hillard , Dewald Gordon , Rowe Jacob M. , Wiernik Peter H. , Tallman Martin S. , Look A. Thomas 
Published: March 2004

Abstract
Activating FLT3 mutations are the most common genetic aberrations in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), resulting in the constitutive activation of this receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK), but such mutations are rarely found in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Here we describe a unique subset of de novo adult T-cell ALL (T-ALL) cases that coexpress CD117/KIT and cytoplasmic CD3 (CD117/KIT+ ALL). Activating mutations in the FLT3 RTK gene were found in each of 3 CD117/KIT+ cases that were analyzed, but not in 52 other adult T-ALL samples from the same series that lacked CD117/KIT expression. Our results indicate the need for clinical trials to test the efficacy of drugs that inhibit the FLT3 RTK in this subset of patients with T-ALL. (Blood. 2004;104:558-560)
Efficacy and Safety of Oral Fludarabine Phosphate in Previously Untreated Patients With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Authors: Rossi J.-F. , Van Hoof A. , De Boeck K. , Johnson S.A. , Bron D. , Foussard C. , Lister T.A. , Berthou C. , Kramer M.H.H. , Littlewood T.J. , Marcus R.E. , Deconinck E. , Montillo M. , Guibon O. , Tollerfield S.M. 
Published: March 2004

Purpose A prospective, multicenter, open-label, phase II clinical trial to assess oral fludarabine phosphate treatment in terms of safety, efficacy, and quality of life. Reference to a historical group of patients treated with the intravenous (IV) formulation allowed the two formulations to be compared. Patients and Methods Patients with previously untreated B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia received 10-mg tablets of fludarabine phosphate to a dose of 40 mg/m2/d for 5 days, repeated every 4 weeks, for a total of six to eight cycles. Efficacy was assessed using International Workshop on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and National Cancer Institute criteria for response. Safety monitoring included WHO toxicity grading for adverse events. Quality of life was also assessed. Results Eighty-one patients received treatment. According to International Workshop on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia criteria, the overall response rate was 71.6% (complete remission, 37.0%; partial remission, 34.6%). The response rate using National Cancer Institute criteria was 80.2% (complete remission, 12.3%; partial remission, 67.9%). Median time to progression was 841 days (range, 28 to 1,146 days). The most frequently reported grade 3/4 toxicity was myelosuppression. WHO grade 3/4 hematological toxicities included granulocytopenia (32.1%), anemia (9.9%), and thrombocytopenia (4.9%). Gastrointestinal toxicity was more common with the oral formulation than with IV fludarabine phosphate, but was generally mild to moderate and did not require treatment. Statistically significant improvements in mean emotional and insomnia quality-of-life scores were seen after treatment. Conclusion This study demonstrates that oral fludarabine phosphate is clinically effective and generally well tolerated by patients with previously untreated B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Oral fludarabine phosphate has a similar clinical efficacy and safety profile to the IV formulation. Oral fludarabine phosphate does not adversely affect quality of life and may improve emotional and insomnia scores.
Using Patients As Their Own Controls for Cost Evaluation of Phase I Clinical Trials
Authors: Sherman Eric J. , Rubin David M. , Venkatraman Ennapadam , Schwartz Gary K. , Miller Vincent A. , Radzyner Mark H. , Ruchlin Hirsch S. , Spriggs David , Pfister David G. 
Published: March 2004

Purpose Little is known about the cost of phase I trials in cancer patients compared with that of standard treatments, yet the former is often assumed to be greater than the latter. Our objective was to utilize a new approach, using patients as their own controls, to compare in a pilot study the costs of care for patients on phase I trials with those incurred for standard treatment. Patients and Methods We retrospectively assessed the direct medical costs (DMCs) of 59 patients participating in one of two phase I trials (TRIAL) in solid tumors conducted at Memorial Hospital (MH): (1) perillyl alcohol, and (2) flavopiridol with paclitaxel. Paired-control DMCs were those accrued by the same patient while receiving standard chemotherapy regimens just before (PRE; n = 41) or after (POST; n = 29) the trial at MH, averaged per day. Results For the 41 PRE patients, the median and mean DMCs per day for the clinical trial versus standard treatment were (US $) $123 v $133 and $219 v $267, respectively. For the 29 POST patients, the median and mean DMCs for the clinical trial versus standard treatment were $157 v $152 and $226 v $226, respectively. Using a linear mixed model, there was no significant difference between TRIAL and standard treatment DMCs (P = .54). Conclusion Using patients as their own controls represents a new, efficient method for evaluating the cost of phase I trials, and it warrants further study. The results of our pilot study do not suggest that phase I trials always cost payers more than standard treatment.
Outcome of Patients With Residual Germ Cell or Non-Germ Cell Malignancy After Resection of Primary Mediastinal Nonseminomatous Germ Cell Cancer
Authors: Schneider Bryan P. , Kesler Kenneth A. , Brooks Jo Ann , Yiannoutsos Constantin , Einhorn Lawrence H. 
Published: March 2004

Purpose To identify prognostic variables and outcomes in patients with primary mediastinal nonseminomatous germ cell tumor (PMNSGCT) with postchemotherapy resection of persistent cancer. Patients and Methods Forty-seven consecutive patients with residual cancer after resection of PMNSGCT were retrospectively reviewed. Univariate comparisons were performed. Results At diagnosis, 43 patients had elevated serum tumor markers (STMs), and 20 had extramediastinal disease. At resection, 21 patients had elevated STMs. After resection, 26 patients had germ cell tumors (GCT), 12 had malignant transformation of teratoma with elements of non-GCT, and nine had both GCT and non-GCT. Sixteen of 47 patients continuously have no evidence of disease (NED). This includes eight of 26 patients with GCT histology and two of 12 patients with non-GCT histology. Of 27 patients with mediastinal-only disease at presentation, 14 have continuously NED. Of 20 patients with extramediastinal disease at presentation, two have continuously NED. Seven of 21 patients with elevated STMs at time of resection have continuously NED. Sixteen patients received adjuvant chemotherapy, and seven have continuously NED. Overall, 16 of 47 patients have continuously NED, an additional four patients have NED with further therapy (currently NED), two patients are alive with disease, 23 patients died of disease, and two patients died postoperatively. Conclusion The presence of elevated STMs at resection does not appear to alter outcome if residual disease is completely resected. In this poor-risk patient population, surgical resection of persistent cancer, even in the presence of elevated STMs, can still achieve long-term survival.
Phase II Study of R115777, a Farnesyl Transferase Inhibitor, in Myelodysplastic Syndrome
Authors: Kurzrock Razelle , Albitar Maher , Cortes Jorge E. , Estey Elihu H. , Faderl Stefan H. , Garcia-Manero Guillermo , Thomas Deborah A. , Giles Francis J. , Ryback Mary Ellen , Thibault Alain , De Porre P. , Kantarjian Hagop M. 
Published: March 2004

Purpose To perform a phase II study of the farnesyltransferase inhibitor R115777 (Zarnestra; Johnson and Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Raritan, NJ) in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), using doses recommended in a phase I study in relapsed/refractory leukemia. Patients and Methods Patients with MDS were treated with R115777 at doses of 600 mg orally (PO) bid in cycles of 4 weeks of therapy followed by a 2-week rest period. Dose reduction rules for toxicity were applied. Results Twenty-seven of the 28 patients treated were assessable. Three patients responded (complete remission, n = 2; partial remission, n = 1). Responders included two patients with refractory anemia with excess blasts and one patient with refractory anemia with excess blasts in transformation. Two of the responders had a diploid karyotype and one had multiple cytogenetic abnormalities including monosomy 5 and 7. The starting dose of 600 mg PO bid resulted in side effects (myelosuppression, fatigue, neurotoxicity, rash, or leg pain) necessitating dose reduction (n = 4) or discontinuation of therapy (n = 7) in 11 (41%) of 27 patients during the induction period (12 weeks). Lower doses of 300 mg PO bid were well tolerated. All responses occurred in patients who had been reduced to this dose level during the initial two cycles. Conclusion This study suggests that R115777 has modest activity in MDS patients, but that, in this patient population, 4 weeks of daily doses of 600 mg PO bid is not tolerated. Further exploration of the optimal dose/schedule and correlation with biologic end points are warranted.
Predictors of Viridans Streptococcal Shock Syndrome in Bacteremic Children With Cancer and Stem-Cell Transplant Recipients
Authors: Gassas Adam , Grant Ronald , Richardson Susan , Dupuis L. Lee , Doyle John , Allen Upton , Abla Oussama , Sung Lillian 
Published: March 2004

Purpose To describe episodes of viridans streptococcal bacteremia (VSB) in a cohort of children with cancer and stem-cell transplant (SCT) recipients and to determine predictors of viridans streptococcal shock syndrome (VSSS) in this group of children. Patients and Methods For this retrospective review, we included episodes of VSB isolated between March 1997 and September 2002, in children (≤ 18 years) with a diagnosis of cancer or SCT patients. The primary outcome was VSSS, defined as hypotension requiring intravascular volume expansion or inotropic support and/or respiratory insufficiency necessitating assisted ventilation. Results Eighty-eight episodes of VSB occurred in 79 children. The mean age of the children was 6.7 years (range, 0.6 to 18.0 years). The most common underlying diagnosis was acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) in 31 (35%) of 88 episodes, and 38 (43%) of 88 had undergone SCT. VSSS occurred in 16 (18%) of 88 episodes, and two children died from VSSS. Two variables were predictive of VSSS, namely peak temperature at presentation (odds ratio [OR], 6.3; 95% CI, 2.1 to 19.0; P = .001) and inpatient status (OR, 5.9; 95% CI, 1.3 to 28.0; P = .02). Diagnosis of AML (OR, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.4 to 3.5; P = .8), receipt of SCT (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 0.6 to 5.7; P = .2), high-dose cytarabine (OR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.1 to 3.2; P = .6), and mucositis (OR, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.3 to 2.6; P = .7) were not predictive of VSSS. Conclusion VSSS occurred in 18% of episodes of VSB in children with cancer or SCT recipients. Peak temperature before antibiotic therapy and inpatient status were predictive of VSSS.
Comment on Social Marketing: Are We Fiddling While Rome Burns?
Authors: Wells William D. 
Published: March 2004

In “Social Marketing: Are We Fiddling While Rome Burns?” Goldberg urged university‐based consumer psychologists to “take on some of the many social marketing issues that lie awaiting” (Goldberg, 1995, p. 367). He also urged us to focus on “upstream” rather than “downstream” issues (pp. 357–366), employ “micro‐lab experimentation” (pp. 356–357), and enter the political arena to advance the implications of our work (pp. 366–367).It easy to agree that we should address social issues. Many do that now. It is not so easy to agree that we should focus on upstream rather than downstream issues or that micro‐lab experimentation is the method of choice. It is very difficult to agree that we should enter the political arena where, as Goldberg acknowledged, “the adversaries are contending for power, not truth” (p. 366).
Effect of Enamel Matrix Derivative (Emdogain) on Bone Defects in Rabbit Tibias
Authors: Cornelini Roberto , Scarano Antonio , Piattelli Maurizio , Andreana Sebastiano , Covani Ugo , Quaranta Alessandro , Piattelli Adriano 
Published: March 2004

Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the effect of an enamel matrix derivative (Emdogain, Biora, AB, Malmö, Sweden) on bone healing. Ten New Zealand rabbits, weighing about 2.5 kg, were used. One 8-mm bone defect was created in each tibia. The defect on the right leg was filled with Emdogain, whereas the defect on the opposite leg was left unfilled as control. A total of 20 defects were created. Five rabbits each were killed at 4 and 8 weeks with an overdose of Tanax. Block sections containing the defects were retrieved and the specimens processed for light microscopy examination. The slides were stained with acid and basic fuchsin and toluidine blue. Histologically, no differences were noted in both groups at each observation period; in the test group, remnants of the implanted Emdogain were not present at 4 weeks. Newly formed bone was detectable in both groups at all observation times. At 8 weeks, both groups showed mature bone, and in the test group the material implanted was not visible. No inflammatory cells were visible in both groups. In conclusion, our results indicate that Emdogain implanted in bone defects is fully resorbed after 4 to 8 weeks and does not adversely affect bone formation.
Implant Biomechanics in Grafted Sinus: A Finite Element Analysis
Authors: Fanuscu Mete I. , Vu Hung V. , Poncelet Bernard 
Published: March 2004

Abstract
This in vitro study investigated the stress distribution in the bone surrounding an implant that is placed in a posterior edentulous maxilla with a sinus graft. The standard threaded implant and anatomy of the crestal cortical bone, cancellous bone, sinus floor cortical bone, and grafted bone were represented in the 3-dimensional finite element models. The thickness of the crestal cortical bone and stiffness of the graft were varied in the models to simulate different clinical scenarios, representing variation in the anatomy and graft quality. Axial and lateral loads were considered and the stresses developed in the supporting structures were analyzed. The finite element models showed different stress patterns associated with helical threads. The von Mises stress distribution indicated that stress was maximal around the top of the implant with varying intensities in both loading cases. The stress was highest in the cortical bone, lower in the grafted bone, and lowest in the cancellous bone. When the stiffness of the grafted bone approximated the cortical bone, axial loading resulted in stress reduction in all the native bone layers; however, lateral loading produced stress reduction in only the cancellous bone. When the stiffness of the graft was less than that of the cancellous bone, the graft assumed a lesser proportion of axial loads. Thus, it caused a concomitant stress increase in all the native bones, whereas this phenomenon was observed in only the cancellous bone with lateral loading. The crestal cortical bone, though receiving the highest intensity stresses, affected the overall stress distribution less than the grafted bone. The stress from the lateral load was up to 11 times higher than that of the axial load around the implant. These findings suggest that the type of loading affects the load distribution more than the variations in bone, and native bone is the primary supporting structure.