bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of a new pathogen‐reduction technology (Mirasol PRT) on functional aspects of platelet concentrates
Authors: Perez‐Pujol S. , Tonda R. , Lozano M. , Fuste B. , Lopez‐Vilchez I. , Galan A.M. , Li J. , Goodrich R. , Escolar G. 
Published: June 2005

BACKGROUND: Several strategies are being developed to reduce the risk of pathogen transmission associated with platelet (PLT) transfusion.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The impact of a new technology for pathogen reduction based on riboflavin plus illumination (Mirasol PRT, Navigant Biotechnologies, Inc.) at 6.2 and 12.3 J per mL on functional and biochemical characteristics of PLTs was evaluated. PLT concentrates (PCs) obtained by apheresis were treated with Mirasol PRT and stored at 22°C. Modifications in major PLT glycoproteins (GPIbα, GPIV, and GPIIb‐IIIa), adhesive ligands (von Willebrand factor [VWF], fibrinogen [Fg], and fibronectin), activation antigens (P‐selectin and LIMP), and apoptotic markers (annexin V binding and factor [F]Va) were analyzed by flow cytometry. Adhesive and cohesive PLT functions were evaluated with well‐established perfusion models. Studies were performed on the preparation day (Day 0) and during PCs storage (Days 3 and 5).RESULTS: Levels of glycoproteins remained stable during storage in PCs treated with 6.2 J per mL pathogen reduction technology (PRT) and similar to those observed in nontreated PCs. When 12.3 J per mL PRT was applied, however, levels of GPIbα moderately decreased on Days 3 and 5. VWF, Fg, and FVa were not modified in their expression levels, either by treatment or by storage period. Fibronectin appeared more elevated in all PRT samples. A progressive increase in P‐selectin and LIMP expression and in annexin V binding was observed during storage of PRT‐treated PCs. Functional studies indicated that 6.2 J per mL Mirasol PRT–treated PLTs preserved adhesive and cohesive functions to levels compatible with those observed in the respective control PCs.CONCLUSION: PLT function was well preserved in PCs treated with 6.2 J per mL Mirasol PRT and stored for 5 days.
Enhancement of a culture‐based bacterial detection system (eBDS) for platelet products based on measurement of oxygen consumption
Authors: Holme Stein , McAlister Morven B. , Ortolano Girolamo A. , Chong Chiyong , Cortus Mary Anne , Jacobs Michael R. , Yomtovian Roslyn , Freundlich Lawrence F. , Wenz Barry 
Published: June 2005

BACKGROUND: An enhanced bacterial detection system (Pall eBDS) was developed that distinguishes itself from its predecessor (Pall BDS) by removal of the platelet (PLT)‐retaining filter allowing for optimal bacterial transfer, modification of the culture tablet to reduce the confounding effects of respiring PLTs while enhancing bacterial growth, and facilitation of nutrients and gas exchange by agitating the sample pouch during incubation at 35°C. The objective was to evaluate the performance of the new eBDS.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Leukoreduced whole blood–derived PLT concentrates (LR‐PCs) and LR single‐donor PLTs (LR‐SDPs) were inoculated with 1 to 15 colony‐forming units (CFUs) of bacteria per mL in studies of each of 10 bacterial species associated with fatal transfusion‐transmitted bacterial infection. Immediately after inoculation and after 24 hours of storage at 22°C, samples of inoculated LR‐PCs were aseptically transferred into the eBDS pouches. Pouches were then incubated for 24 hours at 35°C with agitation and oxygen concentration was then measured.RESULTS: Median inoculation levels ranged from 5 to 13 CFUs per mL for each species studied. No significant differences in oxygen concentration were found when comparing LR‐PCs with LR‐SDPs. When sampling occurred from the PLTs 24 hours after inoculation, all 280 cases (24‐33 replicates of each species) were detected as contaminated by the device (100% sensitivity). No false‐positives were obtained with 713 uninoculated PLT units.CONCLUSIONS: The eBDS demonstrated improved detection sensitivity in the range of 1 to 15 CFUs per mL with no observed false‐positives compared to the original BDS (detection range 100 to 500 CFUs/mL) with no false‐positives.
Real‐time polymerase chain reaction quantification of Epstein–Barr virus in chronic periodontitis patients
Authors: Konstantinidis Antonis , Sakellari Dimitra , Papa Anna , Antoniadis Antonis 
Published: June 2005

Background:  Although herpes viruses have been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic and aggressive periodontitis, few data in the literature refer to quantification of these viruses in periodontal sites, especially in relation to serological findings.Objective:  The aim of the present study was to compare Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) DNA load in subgingival specimens from chronic periodontitis patients and in periodontally healthy subjects, in relation to serologic testing of IgM and IgG antibodies to EBV.Methods:  A total of 22 chronic periodontitis patients and 13 controls participated in the present study. Seventy‐nine subgingival specimens (one pooled, one from a deep and one from a shallow site), sampled with paper points, were analysed with real‐time polymerase chain reaction for EBV. Subjects were also examined for anti‐EBV IgG and IgM levels in serum, using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.Results:  One subject was seronegative for EBV. Three subjects (one patient and two controls) displayed anti‐EBV IgM. Their data were excluded from further analysis. All three displayed EBV in their subgingival samples. Nine out of the remaining 20 chronic periodontitis patients and 10 out of 11 controls did not display EBV subgingivally. A statistically significant difference in viral load was observed between pooled and shallow‐pocket samples from periodontitis patients but not between samples from deep and shallow pockets (Kruskall–Wallis anova, Dunn's multiple comparisons test).Conclusions:  Data from the present study do not strongly support the pathogenetic significance of EBV in chronic periodontitis lesions. The data do, however, suggest that parallel serological assessments provide a useful insight into the association of viruses with periodontal disease.
A functional interleukin‐1β gene polymorphism is associated with chronic periodontitis in a sample of Brazilian individuals
Authors: Moreira Paula R. , De Sá Alessandra R. , Xavier Guilherme M. , Costa José E. , Gomez Ricardo S. , Gollob Kenneth J. , Dutra Walderez O. 
Published: June 2005

Background:  Interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β) is a potent inflammatory mediator and an important polymorphism in the locus +3954 (C/T) of the human IL1B gene has been shown to affect the levels of this cytokine. This functional polymorphism has been associated with the establishment of inflammatory diseases, including periodontal disease, in European, Asian and North American populations.Objective:  The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the IL1B (+3954) gene polymorphism and the occurrence of different clinical forms of periodontitis in a sample of Brazilian individuals.Methods:  This study employed a cross‐sectional design involving individuals from the State of Minas Gerais in the south‐eastern region of Brazil. Genomic DNA was obtained from oral swabs of 129 individuals and amplified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with specific primers flanking the locus +3954 of IL1B. PCR products were submitted to restriction endonuclease digestion and analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, to distinguish alleles T and C of the IL1B gene, allowing for the determination of the genotypes and detection of the polymorphism.Results and Conclusions:  The chronic periodontitis group displayed a higher percentage of the T allele (28%) when compared to the aggressive periodontitis group (10.7%, χ2 = 5.24, p = 0.02, OR = 0.31, CI = 0.11–0.88) and to control group (8.7%, χ2 = 7.11, p = 0.007, OR = 0.24, CI = 0.08–0.73). Our data suggested that the polymorphism in the locus +3954 of IL1B gene could be a risk factor for chronic periodontitis in a sample of Brazilian individuals.
Relationship between periodontal disease status and combination of biochemical assays of gingival crevicular fluid
Authors: Hanioka Takashi , Matsuse Ryoichi , Shigemoto Yukiko , Ojima Miki , Shizukuishi Satoshi 
Published: June 2005

Background:  Currently, no biochemical assay involving gingival crevicular fluid is utilized routinely as a screening test for periodontal disease.Objective:  The objective of the present study was to evaluate the potential of gingival crevicular fluid assay as a screening methodology.Methods:  The subject population was comprised of 27 volunteers. Nine participants were classified as ‘subject with periodontal destruction’ (SPD) exhibiting at least one site with pocket depth and attachment loss > 3.5 mm, whereas the remaining individuals were categorized as ‘subject with minimal periodontal destruction’ (SMD). Gingival crevicular fluid was collected from fixed sites via a standardized method. Biochemical assays of 12 substances (hemoglobin, albumin, transferrin, α1‐antitrypsin, fibronectin, IgA, IgG, IgM, lactoferrin, myeloperoxidase and neutrophil elastase) were conducted at a commercial laboratory. Power transformation of total quantities in gingival crevicular fluid was performed for statistical analysis.Results:  Relationships between total quantity of each substance and periodontal disease status were unclear. Logistic regression analysis yielded six predictive models, which consisted of substance pairs: neutrophil elastase/IgA, neutrophil elastase/hemoglobin, neutrophil elastase/α1‐antitrypsin and neutrophil elastase/IgG, and IgA/albumin and IgA/transferrin (p < 0.05). Regression lines for SPD and SMD on a scattergram of IgA and neutrophil elastase were nearly parallel within the range of amounts in gingival crevicular fluid. The predictive model derived from both substances afforded sensitivity and specificity of 88% and 94%, respectively.Conclusions:  These results indicated that the combination of IgA and neutrophil elastase in gingival crevicular fluid may be crucial for prediction of periodontal disease status. Furthermore, these data suggested that biochemical assays employing both substances in gingival crevicular fluid may provide a satisfactory screening test for periodontal disease.
Periodontal status and preterm low birth weight: a case control study
Authors: Noack B. , Klingenberg J. , Weigelt J. , Hoffmann T. 
Published: June 2005

Background:  Previous studies have suggested that periodontal disease may be an important risk factor for preterm low birth weight. However, the link between periodontal health status of pregnant women and preterm low birth weight is contentious, as recent studies found no association between periodontitis and pregnancy outcome.Objective:  The aim of this study was to investigate this potential link in a German Caucasian population.Methods:  Fifty‐nine pregnant women with a high risk for a preterm low birth weight infant (suffering from preterm contractions, cases, group 1) as well as 42 control women with no preterm contractions during pregnancy and having an infant appropriate for date and weight (≥ 37 weeks gestation, ≥ 2500 g, group 2) were examined. Clinical periodontal status was recorded on a full mouth basis. Subgingival plaque samples were taken and periodontal pathogens were identified by polymerase chain reaction. Additionally, interleukin‐1β level in gingival crevicular fluid was analysed.Results:  The mean percentage of sites showing moderate to advanced attachment loss (≥ 3 mm) was low in all study groups (group 1: 9.9 ± 11.2%; group 2: 10.6 ± 14.1%, respectively). No significant differences between the groups in any aspects of the studied periodontitis parameters could be detected. Using a logistic regression model controlling for known preterm low birth weight risk factors, no periodontitis‐associated factors increased risk for preterm contractions or preterm low birth weight. The odds ratio (OR) was 1.19 for preterm contractions, the 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.46; 3.11 and 0.73 for preterm low birth weight; 95% CI: 0.13; 4.19, respectively.Conclusion:  In this population, periodontitis was not a detectable risk factor for preterm low birth weight in pregnant women.
Inflammatory bone destruction and osteoimmunology
Authors: Takayanagi Hiroshi 
Published: June 2005

Objectives:  The metabolism of hard tissue is influenced by the immune system. Research into the bone destruction associated with inflammatory diseases such as periodontal disease and rheumatoid arthritis has highlighted the importance of the interplay of the immune and skeletal systems. This interdisciplinary research field, called ‘osteoimmunology’, has become increasingly important for each system by itself as well as the biology linking them. The history and recent progress of this field are reviewed.Material and methods:  ‘Osteoimmunology’ was coined to describe the pioneering work on the T‐cell regulation of osteoclastogenesis by the receptor activator of nuclear factor‐κB ligand (RANKL) and interferon (IFN)‐γ. Accumulating evidence suggests that the immune and skeletal systems share not only cytokines but also various signaling molecules, transcription factors and membrane receptors. The contribution of T cells to the pathogenesis of inflammatory bone destruction is discussed, and our recent findings are summarized to illustrate how the osteoimmunological network functions.Results:  RANKL is an osteoclastogenic cytokine that links bone and the immune system. Immunomodulatory cytokines such as IFNs also participate in the regulation of RANKL signaling and inflammatory bone loss. The transcription factor nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 (NFATc1) has been identified as a master switch regulator of osteoclastogenesis. In addition, immunoglobulin‐like receptors are critically involved in bone homeostasis.Conclusion:  Bone turns out to be a dynamic tissue that is constantly renewed, where the immune system participates to a hitherto unexpected extent. This emerging field will be of great importance to a better understanding and treatment of diseases of the skeletal and immune systems, as well as to the fundamental biology underpinning both.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in the UK: Nurse Consultants
Authors: McDougall Tim 
Published: June 2005

TOPIC:  Children's mental health services in the UK are transforming. Innovations in health, social welfare, education, and youth justice agencies have all got emotional literacy at their core. The changing face of children's services has called for partnerships and new ways of planning and delivering services in statutory and voluntary sectors. Alongside this, nursing is evolving and developing new ways to meet the challenges that modernization brings. Nurse consultants are children's champions who have a leading role in helping lead children's services into the 21st century. PURPOSE:  The following article explores the role of nurse consultants in child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS).
Microarray Analysis and Motif Detection Reveal New Targets of theSalmonella entericaSerovar Typhimurium HilA Regulatory Protein, IncludinghilAItself
Authors: De Keersmaecker Sigrid C. J. , Marchal Kathleen , Verhoeven Tine L. A. , Engelen Kristof , Vanderleyden Jos , Detweiler Corrella S. 
Published: June 2005

ABSTRACTDNA regulatory motifs reflect the direct transcriptional interactions between regulators and their target genes and contain important information regarding transcriptional networks. In silico motif detection strategies search for DNA patterns that are present more frequently in a set of related sequences than in a set of unrelated sequences. Related sequences could be genes that are coexpressed and are therefore expected to share similar conserved regulatory motifs. We identified coexpressed genes by carrying out microarray-based transcript profiling ofSalmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium in response to the spent culture supernatant of the probiotic strainLactobacillus rhamnosusGG. Probiotics are live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. They are known to antagonize intestinal pathogens in vivo, including salmonellae.S. entericaserovar Typhimurium causes human gastroenteritis. Infection is initiated by entry of salmonellae into intestinal epithelial cells. The expression of invasion genes is tightly regulated by environmental conditions, as well as by many bacterial factors including the key regulator HilA. One mechanism by which probiotics may antagonize intestinal pathogens is by influencing invasion gene expression. Our microarray experiment yielded a cluster of coexpressedSalmonellagenes that are predicted to be down-regulated by spent culture supernatant. This cluster was enriched for genes known to be HilA dependent. In silico motif detection revealed a motif that overlaps the previously described HilA box in the promoter region of three of these genes,spi4_H,sicA, andhilA. Site-directed mutagenesis, β-galactosidase reporter assays, and gel mobility shift experiments indicated thatsicAexpression requires HilA and thathilAis negatively autoregulated.
The Genomic Island SGI1, Containing the Multiple Antibiotic Resistance Region ofSalmonella entericaSerovar Typhimurium DT104 or Variants of It, Is Widely Distributed in OtherS. entericaSerovars
Authors: Levings Renee S. , Lightfoot Diane , Partridge Sally R. , Hall Ruth M. , Djordjevic Steven P. 
Published: June 2005

ABSTRACTThe global dissemination of the multiply-antibiotic-resistantSalmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium DT104 clone with the resistance genes located in a class 1 integron, here designated In104, within genomic island SGI1 is a significant public health issue. Here, we have shown that SGI1 and variants of it carrying different combinations of resistance genes are found in severalSalmonella entericaserovars. These are serovars Cerro, Derby, Dusseldorf, Infantis, Kiambu, and Paratyphi B dT+isolated from human infections and serovar Emek from sewage effluent. Two new variants, SGI1-I and SGI1-J, both of which include thedfrA1-orfC cassette array, were identified.
Functional Analysis of the
Burkholderia cenocepacia
ZmpA Metalloprotease
Authors: Kooi C. , Corbett C. R. , Sokol P. A. 
Published: June 2005

ABSTRACT

Burkholderia cenocepacia
ZmpA is expressed as a preproenzyme typical of thermolysin-like proteases such as
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
LasB and
Bacillus thermoproteolyticus
thermolysin. The
zmpA
gene was expressed using the pPRO-EXHTa His
6
tag expression system, which incorporates a six-His tag at the N-terminal end of the protein, and recombinant ZmpA was purified using Ni-nitrilotriacetic acid affinity chromatography. Upon refolding of the recombinant His
6
-pre-pro-ZmpA (62 kDa), the fusion protein was autoproteolytically cleaved into 36-kDa (mature ZmpA) and 27-kDa peptides. Site-directed mutagenesis was employed to infer the identity of the active site residues of ZmpA and to confirm that the enzyme undergoes autoproteolytic cleavage. Oligonucleotide mutagenesis was used to replace H
465
with G
465
or A
465
, E
377
with A
377
or D
377
, or H
380
with P
380
or A
380
. Mutagenesis of H
465
, E
377
, or H
380
resulted in the loss of both autocatalytic activity and proteolytic activity. ZmpA with either substitution in H
380
was not detectable in
B. cenocepacia
cell extracts. The activity of the recombinant ZmpA was inhibited by EDTA and 1,10 phenanthroline, indicating that it is a zinc metalloprotease. ZmpA, however, was not inhibited by phosphoramidon, a classical inhibitor of the thermolysin-like proteases. The refolded mature ZmpA enzyme was proteolytically active against various substrates including hide powder azure, type IV collagen, fibronectin, neutrophil α-1 proteinase inhibitor, α
2
-macroglobulin, and gamma interferon, suggesting that
B. cenocepacia
ZmpA may cause direct tissue damage to the host or damage to host tissues through a modulation of the host's immune system.
Stable Accumulation of σ
54
in
Helicobacter pylori
Requires the Novel Protein HP0958
Authors: Pereira Lara , Hoover Timothy R. 
Published: June 2005

ABSTRACT

Several flagellar genes in
Helicobacter pylori
are dependent on σ
54
(RpoN) for their expression. These genes encode components of the basal body, the hook protein, and a minor flagellin, FlaB. A protein-protein interaction map for
H. pylori
constructed from a high-throughput screen of a yeast two-hybrid assay (
http://pim.hybrigenics.com/pimrider
ext/common/) revealed interactions between σ
54
and the conserved hypothetical protein HP0958. To see if HP0958 influences σ
54
function, the corresponding gene was disrupted with a kanamycin resistance gene (
aphA3
) in
H. pylori
ATCC 43504 and the resulting mutant was analyzed. The
hp0958:aphA3
mutant was nonmotile and failed to produce flagella. Introduction of a functional copy of
hp0958
into the genome of the
hp0958:aphA3
mutant restored flagellar biogenesis and motility. The
hp0958:aphA3
mutant was deficient in expressing two σ
54
-dependent reporter genes,
flaB
′
-
′
xylE
and
hp1120
′
-
′
xylE
. Levels of σ
54
in the
hp0958
mutant were substantially lower than those in the parental strain, suggesting that the failure of the mutant to express the genes in the RpoN regulon and produce flagella was due to reduced σ
54
levels. Expressing σ
54
at high levels by putting
rpoN
under the control of the
ureA
promoter restored flagellar biogenesis and motility in the
hp0958:aphA3
mutant. Turnover of σ
54
was more rapid in the
hp0958:aphA3
mutant than it was in the wild-type strain, suggesting that HP0958 supports wild-type σ
54
levels in
H. pylori
by protecting it from proteolysis.
Staphylococcus aureus
ClpC Is Required for Stress Resistance, Aconitase Activity, Growth Recovery, and Death
Authors: Chatterjee Indranil , Becker Petra , Grundmeier Matthias , Bischoff Markus , Somerville Greg A. , Peters Georg , Sinha Bhanu , Harraghy Niamh , Proctor Richard A. , Herrmann Mathias 
Published: June 2005

ABSTRACT

The ability of
Staphylococcus aureus
to adapt to various conditions of stress is the result of a complex regulatory response. Previously, it has been demonstrated that Clp homologues are important for a variety of stress conditions, and our laboratory has shown that a
clpC
homologue was highly expressed in the
S. aureus
strain DSM20231 during biofilm formation relative to expression in planktonic cells. Persistence and long-term survival are a hallmark of biofilm-associated staphylococcal infections, as cure frequently fails even in the presence of bactericidal antimicrobials. To determine the role of
clpC
in this context, we performed metabolic, gene expression, and long-term growth and survival analyses of DSM20231 as well as an isogenic
clpC
allelic-replacement mutant, a
sigB
mutant, and a
clpC sigB
double mutant. As expected, the
clpC
mutant showed increased sensitivity to oxidative and heat stresses. Unanticipated, however, was the reduced expression of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle gene
citB
(encoding aconitase), resulting in the loss of aconitase activity and preventing the catabolization of acetate during the stationary phase.
clpC
inactivation abolished post-stationary-phase recovery but also resulted in significantly enhanced stationary-phase survival compared to that of the wild-type strain. These data demonstrate the critical role of the ClpC ATPase in regulating the TCA cycle and implicate ClpC as being important for recovery from the stationary phase and also for entering the death phase. Understanding the stationary- and post-stationary-phase recovery in
S. aureus
may have important clinical implications, as little is known about the mechanisms of long-term persistence of chronic
S. aureus
infections associated with formation of biofilms.