bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dissemination of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococci among Healthy Japanese Children
Authors: Hisata Ken , Kuwahara-Arai Kyoko , Yamanoto Munetaka , Ito Teruyo , Nakatomi Yasuo , Cui Longzhu , Baba Tadashi , Terasawa Masahiko , Sotozono Chie , Kinoshita Shigeru , Yamashiro Yuichiro , Hiramatsu Keiichi 
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACT

Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA), regarded as a tenacious pathogen in the hospital, has recently become increasingly prevalent as a community pathogen. We evaluated the prevalence and characteristics of methicillin-resistant staphylococci in the Japanese community by testing nasal samples of 818 children of five day care centers and two kindergartens in three districts. We found that methicillin-resistant staphylococci are already prevalent among healthy children. Among 818 children, 35 children (4.3%) carried MRSA and 231 children (28.2%) carried methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci (MRC-NS). The types of staphylococcal cassette chromosome
mec
(SCC
mec
) found among 44 MRSA isolates were as follows: type IIa, 11 isolates; type IIb, 19 isolates; and type IV, 14 isolates. The type IIb SCC
mec
element was a new SCC
mec
element found in this study. Eleven (25%) strains which belonged to clonal complex 5 (CC5) carried type IIa SCC
mec
, and they produced type 2 coagulase and toxic shock syndrome toxin 1. They were indistinguishable from health care-associated MRSA (H-MRSA) strains in Japan, represented by strain N315. On the other hand, 33 (75%) strains, most of which belonged to CC78 or CC91, carried small SCC
mec
elements, such as type IIb or type IV, and they produced type 1 or type 3 coagulase and exfoliative toxin. The data indicated that MRSA clones distinct from H-MRSA have disseminated in healthy children. The fact that MRC-NS strains were prevalent in the community suggested that they might serve as a reservoir for the SCC
mec
element carried by MRSA strains disseminated in the community.
Characterization of a New Species of Adenovirus in Falcons
Authors: Schrenzel Mark , Oaks J. Lindsay , Rotstein Dave , Maalouf Gabriel , Snook Eric , Sandfort Cal , Rideout Bruce 
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACT

In 1996, a disease outbreak occurred at a captive breeding facility in Idaho, causing anorexia, dehydration, and diarrhea or sudden death in 72 of 110 Northern aplomado falcons (
Falco femoralis septentrionalis
) from 9 to 35 days of age and in 6 of 102 peregrine falcons (
Falco peregrinus
) from 14 to 25 days of age. Sixty-two Northern aplomado and six peregrine falcons died. Epidemiologic analyses indicated a point source epizootic, horizontal transmission, and increased relative risk associated with cross-species brooding of eggs. Primary lesions in affected birds were inclusion body hepatitis, splenomegaly, and enteritis. The etiology in all mortalities was determined by molecular analyses to be a new species of adenovirus distantly related to the group I avian viruses, serotypes 1 and 4,
Aviadenovirus
. In situ hybridization and PCR demonstrated that the virus was epitheliotropic and lymphotropic and that infection was systemic in the majority of animals. Adeno-associated virus was also detected by PCR in most affected falcons, but no other infectious agents or predisposing factors were found in any birds. Subsequent to the 1996 epizootic, a similar disease caused by the same adenovirus was found over a 5-year period in orange-breasted falcons (
Falco deiroleucus
), teita falcons (
Falco fasciinucha
), a merlin (
Falco columbarius
), a Vanuatu peregrine falcon (
Falco peregrinus nesiotes
), and gyrfalcon × peregrine falcon hybrids (
Falco rusticolus
/
peregrinus
) that died in Wyoming, Oklahoma, Minnesota, and California. These findings indicate that this newly recognized adenovirus is widespread in western and midwestern North America and can be a primary pathogen in different falcon species.
Development of a Novel Protein Microarray Method for Serotyping
Salmonella enterica
Strains
Authors: Cai H. Y. , Lu L. , Muckle C. A. , Prescott J. F. , Chen S. 
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACT

An antibody microarray assay was developed for
Salmonella
serotyping based on the Kauffmann-White scheme. A model (8 by 15) array was constructed using 35 antibodies for identification of 20 common
Salmonella
serovars and evaluated using 117 target and 73 nontarget
Salmonella
strains. The assay allowed complete serovar identification of 86 target strains and partial identification of 30 target strains and allowed exclusion of the 73 nontarget strains from the target serovars.
Comparison of Conventional Susceptibility Testing, Penicillin-Binding Protein 2a Latex Agglutination Testing, and
mecA
Real-Time PCR for Detection of Oxacillin Resistance in
Staphylococcus aureus
and Coagulase-Negative
Staphylococcus
Authors: Miller Melissa B. , Meyer Heather , Rogers Elaine , Gilligan Peter H. 
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACT

Penicillin-binding protein (PBP) 2a latex agglutination was compared with conventional susceptibility testing and
mecA
real-time PCR for the detection of oxacillin resistance in
Staphylococcus aureus
. Inoculum volume and induction with oxacillin were PBP 2a testing variables. For coagulase-negative
Staphylococcus
, an increased inoculum volume of 10 μl greatly reduced the number of isolates requiring induction.
Repeated Occurrence of Diverse Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamases in Minor Serotypes of Food-BorneSalmonella entericasubsp.enterica
Authors: Politi L. , Tassios P. T. , Lambiri M. , Kansouzidou A. , Pasiotou M. , Vatopoulos A. C. , Mellou K. , Legakis N. J. , Tzouvelekis L. S. 
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACTScreening of Greek nontyphoid salmonellae from 2000 to 2002 yielded three extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing human isolates.Salmonella entericaserotype Brandenburg harbored a multiresistant SHV-5 gene-carrying plasmid.S. entericaserotype Blockley andS. entericaserotype Hadar harbored a TEM-52 gene-carrying plasmid. AnS. entericaserotype Virchow strain producing plasmid-mediated CTX-M-32 was isolated twice from poultry end products. All ESBL plasmids were self-transferable and carried by clones currently common in Greece.
Evaluation of Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase PCR and Real-Time Loop-Mediated Amplification Assays for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Detection
Authors: Poon Leo L. M. , Wong Bonnie W. Y. , Chan Kwok H. , Ng Stella S. F. , Yuen Kwok Y. , Guan Yi , Peiris J. S. Malik 
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACT
We compared the performance of a recently established real-time loop-mediated amplification (LAMP) assay with the one from a highly sensitive quantitative PCR assay. None of these assays produced false-positive results in this study. For samples isolated from patients within the first 3 days of disease onset, the detection rate of the quantitative PCR assay was higher (14 of 15 were positive) than the LAMP assay (9 of 15 were positive). By contrast, the detection rates of these assays toward specimens sampled from patients with more than 3 days of illness were similar (32 of 44 for PCR and 33 of 44 for LAMP were positive). The simpler operation of LAMP might be a possible solution for on-site diagnosis.
Use of PCR Analyses To Define the Distribution of
Ralstonia
Species Recovered from Patients with Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Coenye Tom , Spilker Theodore , Reik Rebecca , Vandamme Peter , LiPuma John J. 
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACT

Two new PCR assays (for
Ralstonia
species and
Ralstonia respiraculi
), together with previously published PCR assays, were used to assess
Ralstonia
isolates recovered from 111 cystic fibrosis patients.
Ralstonia mannitolilytica
accounted for 46% of isolates, while
R. respiraculi
and
Ralstonia pickettii
accounted for 19% and 18%, respectively.
Ralstonia basilensis
and
Ralstonia metallidurans
, species not previously recovered from human samples, were also identified.
Age-Related Prevalence and Distribution of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Species among Patients with Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Pierre-Audigier Catherine , Ferroni Agnès , Sermet-Gaudelus Isabelle , Le Bourgeois Muriel , Offredo Catherine , Vu-Thien Hoang , Fauroux Brigitte , Mariani Patricia , Munck Anne , Bingen Edouard , Guillemot Didier , Quesne Gilles , Vincent Véronique , Berche Patrick , Gaillard Jean-Louis 
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACT

We studied the prevalence and species distribution of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in relation to age in 385 patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) (mean age ± standard deviation [range], 12.0 ± 6.1 [1 to 24] years; sex ratio, 0.53) attending three Parisian centers. The overall prevalence of NTM in sputum was 8.1% (31 out of 385). The following NTM were isolated (
n
= 33):
Mycobacterium abscessus
(
n
= 13, 39.4%),
Mycobacterium avium
complex (MAC) (
n
= 7, 21.2%),
Mycobacterium gordonae
(
n
= 6, 18.2%), and other (
n
= 7, 21.2%). Sixteen patients met the American Thoracic Society microbiological criteria for NTM infection, including 11 patients positive for
M. abscessus
, 4 for MAC, and 1 for MAC and
Mycobacterium kansasii
. The overall prevalence of NTM was significantly lower in patients under 15 years old than for patients equal to or more than 15 years old (4.8 versus 14.9%, respectively;
P
= 0.001).
M. abscessus
was isolated at all ages, while MAC was not recovered before 15 years (prevalence of 0.0 and 5.2% in patients aged 1 to 14 and 15 to 24, respectively;
P
= 0.001).
Possible Tick-Borne Human Enterovirus Resulting in Aseptic Meningitis
Authors: Freundt Eric C. , Beatty Douglas C. , Stegall-Faulk Teresa , Wright Stephen M. 
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACT

Enterovirus-specific genetic sequences were isolated from two
Amblyomma americanum
tick pools. Identical genetic sequences were later obtained from cerebrospinal fluid of a patient with aseptic meningitis and a recent history of tick attachment. These observations suggest the possibility of an emerging tick-borne human enterovirus associated with aseptic meningitis.
Multiplex PCR for Identification of Seven
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Serotypes Targeted by a 7-Valent Conjugate Vaccine
Authors: O'Halloran Damien M. , Cafferkey Mary T. 
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACT

Here we describe a
Streptococcus pneumoniae
one-step multiplex PCR assay which identifies by amplicon size the seven capsular polysaccharide serotypes targeted by the 7-valent conjugate vaccine. The multiplex PCR assay was used to blindly assay clinical isolates recovered during 1999 in the Republic of Ireland from cases of invasive disease whose serotypes were previously determined by classical methods.
Molecular Evidence that Nasal Carriage of
Staphylococcus aureus
Plays a Role in Respiratory Tract Infections of Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Corne Philippe , Marchandin Hélène , Jonquet Olivier , Campos Josiane , Bañuls Anne-Laure 
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACT

The relationship between nasal
Staphylococcus aureus
carriage and lower respiratory tract infections was studied in 16 critically ill patients.
S. aureus
strains from nasal and bronchial samples were characterized by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. In all but one case, nasal and bronchial strains were genetically identical in the same patients.
Intra- and Interpatient Variability of the
hsp65
and 16S-23S Intergenic Gene Region in
Mycobacterium abscessus
Strains from Patients with Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: König Brigitte , Tammer Ina , Sollich Veronika , König Wolfgang 
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACT

To establish the exact pathogenic role of
Mycobacterium abscessus
in cystic fibrosis (CF), molecular tests are required for accurate identification. Forty-eight
M. abscessus
isolates from seven patients with CF were analyzed by sequence analysis for sequence variants within the
hsp65
gene and the 16S-23S intergenic sequence (ITS). We detected two different
hsp65
genes and correspondingly two ITS sequevars belonging to
M. abscessus
type I and type II.
Identification of
Vibrio parahaemolyticus
Pandemic Group-Specific DNA Sequence by Genomic Subtraction
Authors: Okura Masatoshi , Osawa Ro , Arakawa Eiji , Terajima Jun , Watanabe Haruo 
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACT

A genomic subtraction between a pandemic
Vibrio parahaemolyticus
and a nonpandemic strain that seemed to be clonally related was performed. A subtractive DNA fragment was identified to be a part of a 16-kbp insertion sequence which was present in almost all pandemic strains but not in nonpandemic strains tested.
Toxoplasmosis after Renal Transplantation: Implications of a Missed Diagnosis
Authors: Wulf M. W. H. , van Crevel R. , Portier R. , ter Meulen C. G. , Melchers W. J. G. , van der Ven A. , Galama J. M. D. 
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACT

We describe a renal transplant patient with a primary
Toxoplasma gondii
infection presenting as pneumonitis, with subsequent chorioretinitis and encephalitis. The diagnostic challenges of
T. gondii
infection in immunocompromised patients are discussed.
Fatal Reactivation of Postnatal Cytomegalovirus Infection with Rapid Emergence of Ganciclovir Resistance in an Infant after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Voigt Sebastian , Michel Detlef , Kershaw Olivia , Kühl Jörn-Sven , Mertens Thomas , Ebell Wolfram , Meisel Helga 
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACT
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) can cause serious problems after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The death of a pediatric transplant recipient after reactivation of a postnatal HCMV infection with bilateral retinitis and pneumonitis is described. Sequencing of the HCMV UL97 region revealed a compartment-specific mutation (H520Q) in urine conferring ganciclovir resistance.
Transmission ofMycobacterium tuberculosisfrom Human to Cattle
Authors: Ocepek Matjaž , Pate Mateja , Žolnir-Dovč Manca , Poljak Mario 
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACTWe describe the first transmission ofMycobacterium tuberculosisfrom human to cattle confirmed by molecular typing of isolates involved in the transmission. IS6110-based restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis showed that the isolates from the cattle and farm worker who suffered from pulmonary tuberculosis 1 year prior to this case were the same strains.
Simultaneous Detection of “
Rickettsia mongolotimonae
” in a Patient and in a Tick in Greece
Authors: Psaroulaki Anna , Germanakis Antonis , Gikas Achilleas , Scoulica Efstathia , Tselentis Yannis 
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACT

Rickettsia conorii
, a spotted fever group rickettsia which is transmitted by
Rhipicephalus
sp. complex ticks, was considered until now the only pathogenic rickettsia prevalent in Greece. Here, we report the presence of “
Rickettsia mongolotimonae
” (proposed name) detected simultaneously in a patient and in a
Hyalomma anatolicum excavatum
tick, sampled on the patient.
Discordant Rise in Galactomannan Antigenemia in a Patient with Resolving Aspergillosis, Renal Failure, and Ongoing Hemodialysis
Authors: El Saleeby Chadi M. , Allison Kim J. , Knapp Katherine M. , Walsh Thomas J. , Hayden Randall T. 
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACT

We describe the case of a patient with improving invasive aspergillosis and paradoxically rising serum galactomannan levels in the presence of chronic renal failure and ongoing hemodialysis. Dialysate tested negative for galactomannan, demonstrating the inability of treatments such as hemodialysis to clear
Aspergillus
antigen from serum. In patients with renal failure and aspergillosis, rising serum galactomannan levels may not necessarily signify progressive infection.
Bacteremia Caused by an Undescribed Species of
Janibacter
Authors: Loubinoux Julien , Rio Bernard , Mihaila Liliana , Foïs Elena , Le Fleche Anne , Grimont Patrick A. D. , Marie Jean-Pierre , Bouvet Anne 
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACT

A yellow-pigmented rod- to coccoid-shaped coryneform microorganism was isolated from the blood of a patient with acute myeloid leukemia. It was identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing as a previously undescribed species of
Janibacter
. The isolate was susceptible to penicillins, aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, and glycopeptides.
Involvement of Streptococcal Mitogenic Exotoxin Z in Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome
Authors: Yang Lily , Thomas Mark , Woodhouse Andrew , Martin Diana , Fraser John D. , Proft Thomas 
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACT

We report a nonfatal case of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) caused by a
Streptococcus pyogenes emm118
strain encoding a novel variant of streptococcal mitogenic exotoxin Z (SMEZ-34). This variant was responsible for the major mitogenic activity in the cell culture supernatant. Patient sera showed seroconversion toward SMEZ, implying a role for this toxin in STSS.
SEMANTIC ANALYSIS AND SYNTHESIS OF COMPLEX BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS
Authors: XIE FEI , SHEU PHILLIP C.-Y. , LANDER ARTHUR , CRISTINI VITTORIO 
Published: July 2005

In general biologists are not accustomed to formulating biological problems in the precise mathematical terms that are required to solve the problems analytically or numerically. Although many computational tools for systems biology have been developed recently, our observations indicate that many of these tools are powerful only in the hands of those who know a lot about how to use them. For most biologists, the tools have a protracted learning curve and unfriendly user interface that often diminish their likelihood of being used.Our long-term goal is to build a knowledge system that allows biologists to synthesize complex biological systems via natural language interactions, and the system is able to generate the corresponding mathematical descriptions so that the often cumbersome communication process between biologists and mathematicians/engineers in formulating complex biological problems in mathematic terms can be performed more easily.To focus, the first goal in this research is to build a knowledge system prototype that focuses on transport related biological problems that occur from the cellular to tissue level. We address specifically two inter-related problems: (1) Provision of an intelligent system that is capable of automatically synthesizing smaller components into more complex systems; Provision of a user-friendly and natural language interface.
L-Selectin–Mediated Neutrophil Recruitment in Experimental Rodent Aneurysm Formation
Authors: Hannawa Kevin K. , Eliason Jonathan L. , Woodrum Derek T. , Pearce Charles G. , Roelofs Karen J. , Grigoryants Vladimir , Eagleton Matthew J. , Henke Peter K. , Wakefield Thomas W. , Myers Daniel D. , Stanley James C. , Upchurch Gilbert R. 
Published: July 2005

Background—This investigation tested the hypothesis that L-selectin is important in experimental abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) formation in rodents.Methods and Results—Rat abdominal aortas were perfused with saline (control) or porcine pancreatic elastase and studied on postperfusion days 1, 2, 4, 7, and 14 (n=5 per treatment group per day). Neutrophil (polymorphonucleur leukocyte, PMN) and macrophage counts per high-powered field (HPF) were performed on fixed sections. L-selectin expression and protein levels in aortic tissue were determined by polymerase chain reaction and Western blot, respectively. Elastase-perfused aortic diameters were significantly increased compared with control aortas at all time points except day 1 (P<0.05). PMN counts significantly increased in elastase-perfused aortas compared with control aortas at days 1, 2, and 4, reaching maximum levels at day 7 (40.8 versus 0.3 PMNs/HPF,P=0.001). L-selectin mRNA expression in elastase-perfused aortas was 18 (P=0.018), 17 (P<0.001), and 8 times (P=0.02) times greater than control aortas at days 1, 2, and 4, respectively. Western blot demonstrated a significant 69% increase in L-selectin protein at day 7 in elastase- as compared with saline-perfused aortas (P=0.005). Subsequent experiments involved similar studies on postperfusion days 4, 7, and 14 of aortas from C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) mice (n=21) and L-selectin–knockout (LKO) mice (n=19). LKO mice had significantly smaller aortic diameters at day 14 as compared with WT mice (88% versus 123%,P=0.02). PMN counts were significantly greater in elastase-perfused WT mouse aortas as compared with LKO mouse aortas at day 4 after perfusion (12.8 versus 4.8 PMNs/HPF,P=0.02). Macrophage counts were significantly greater at all time points after perfusion in elastase-perfused WT mouse aortas compared with elastase-perfused LKO mouse aortas, with a maximum difference at day 7 after perfusion (13.3 versus 0.5 macrophages/HPF,P<0.001).Conclusion—L-selectin–mediated neutrophil recruitment may be a critical early step in AAA formation.
Humanized anti–interleukin-6 receptor antibody treatment of multicentric Castleman disease
Authors: Nishimoto Norihiro , Kanakura Yuzuru , Aozasa Katsuyuki , Johkoh Takeshi , Nakamura Minoru , Nakano Shuji , Nakano Nobuaki , Ikeda Yasuo , Sasaki Takeshi , Nishioka Kiyoshi , Hara Masamichi , Taguchi Hirokuni , Kimura Yukihiko , Kato Yoshiro , Asaoku Hideki , Kumagai Shunichi , Kodama Fumio , Nakahara Hideko , Hagihara Keisuke , Yoshizaki Kazuyuki , Kishimoto Tadamitsu 
Published: July 2005

Abstract
Multicentric Castleman disease (MCD) is an atypical lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by systemic lymphadenopathy and constitutional inflammatory symptoms. Dysregulated overproduction of interleukin-6 is responsible for the clinical abnormalities. This multicenter prospective study was undertaken to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a humanized anti–human interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor monoclonal antibody (MRA) in patients with MCD. We report here results of the first 60 weeks of the study enrolling 28 patients. The initial dosing period consisted of 8 infusions of 8 mg/kg MRA administered biweekly. Adjustments in the dose and treatment interval were allowed for each patient in an extension phase after 16 weeks. Within 16 weeks, treatment with MRA consistently alleviated lymphadenopathy and all the inflammatory parameters. Hemoglobin, albumin, and total cholesterol levels, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol values, and body mass index all increased significantly. In addition, fatigue diminished. Chronic inflammatory symptoms were successfully managed over 60 weeks. In 8 (28.6%) patients, the MRA dose was decreased or the treatment interval was extended without exacerbation. Eleven (73.3%) of 15 patients who had received oral corticosteroids before study entry were able to do well on a reduced corticosteroid dose. Most adverse events were mild to moderate in severity. MRA was tolerated well and significantly alleviated chronic inflammatory symptoms and wasting in patients with MCD.
An alternative exon 1 of the CD5 gene regulates CD5 expression in human B lymphocytes
Authors: Renaudineau Yves , Hillion Sophie , Saraux Alain , Mageed Rizgar A. , Youinou Pierre 
Published: July 2005

AbstractT lymphocytes and a subpopulation of B lymphocytes express the CD5 coreceptor. Its functional importance is evident from the multiple levels and developmental stages of the regulation of its expression. We here report the discovery of a novel regulatory exon upstream of the noncoding region of the CD5 gene in humans. This alternate exon 1 is designated E1B (with the conventional exon 1 renamed E1A) and was shown to regulate the expression of CD5. E1B-containing transcripts existed exclusively in B lymphocytes and encoded a protein that was truncated and retained intracellularly. As a consequence, the amount of E1A-containing transcripts was down-regulated and the membrane CD5 expression was diminished in the presence of E1B-containing transcripts. High levels of E1A transcripts were found in chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and there were no E1A transcripts in 697 pre-B cells, which have no membrane CD5. Introduction of E1B into Jurkat cells reduced their membrane expression of CD5, and sequence analysis revealed that the E1B motif is a defective human endogenous retrovirus. A balance between the 2 alternative exons 1 might be central to the regulation of membrane CD5 in human B cells, and, through CD5-associated SH2-containing phosphatase 1, to the modulation of B-cell antigen receptor-transduced signals.