bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lot Quality Assurance Sampling of Sputum Acid-Fast Bacillus Smears for Assessing Sputum Smear Microscopy Centers
Authors: Selvakumar N. , Murthy B. N. , Prabhakaran E. , Sivagamasundari S. , Vasanthan Samuel , Perumal M. , Govindaraju R. , Chauhan L. S. , Wares Fraser , Santha T. , Narayanan P. R. 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACT
Assessment of 12 microscopy centers in a tuberculosis unit by blinded checking of eight sputum smears selected by using a lot quality assurance sampling (LQAS) method and by unblinded checking of all positive and five negative slides, among the slides examined in a month in a microscopy centre, revealed that the LQAS method can be implemented in the field to monitor the performance of acid-fast bacillus microscopy centers in national tuberculosis control programs.
Ecoepidemiology of
Laribacter hongkongensis
, a Novel Bacterium Associated with Gastroenteritis
Authors: Teng Jade L. L. , Woo Patrick C. Y. , Ma Shirley S. L. , Sit Thomas H. C. , Ng Lip-tet , Hui Wai-ting , Lau Susanna K. P. , Yuen Kwok-yung 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACT

In a territory-wide surveillance study,
Laribacter hongkongensis
was isolated solely from freshwater fish (60% of grass carps, 53% of bighead carps, and 25% of mud carps). Comparing the pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns of fish and patient isolates revealed that most patient isolates were clustered together, suggesting that some clones could be more virulent.
Quality Control Guidelines for Testing Gram-Negative Control Strains with Polymyxin B and Colistin (Polymyxin E) by Standardized Methods
Authors: Jones Ronald N. , Anderegg Tamara R. , Swenson Jana M. 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACT

An eight-laboratory study addressed the urgent need for quality control (QC) ranges for susceptibility determination when testing colistin (polymyxin E) and polymyxin B, two polycationic peptide antimicrobial agents, against multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacilli. For
Escherichia coli
ATCC 25922l, the QC ranges were as follows: for colistin, 0.25 to 1 μg/ml (11 to 17 mm), and for polymyxin B, 0.25 to 2 μg/ml (13 to 19 mm). For
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
ATCC 27853, the QC ranges were as follows: for colistin, 0.25 to 2 μg/ml (11 to 17 mm), and for polymyxin B, 0.25 to 2 μg/ml (14 to 18 mm). More than 97% of all reported QC results were within these proposed ranges.
Specimen Storage in Transport Medium and Detection of Group B Streptococci by Culture
Authors: Rosa-Fraile Manuel , Camacho-Muñoz Enrique , Rodríguez-Granger Javier , Liébana-Martos Carmen 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACT
Recovery of group B streptococci (GBS) was assessed in 1,204 vaginorectal swabs stored in Amies transport medium at 4 or 21°C for 1 to 4 days either by direct inoculation onto Granada agar (GA) or by culture in blood agar (BA) and GA after a selective broth enrichment (SBE) step. Following storage at 4°C, GBS detection in GA was not affected after 72 h by either direct inoculation or SBE; however, GBS were not detected after SBE in the BA subculture in some samples after 48 h of storage and in GA after 96 h. After storage at 21°C, loss of GBS-positive results was significant after 48 h by direct inoculation in GA and after 96 h by SBE and BA subculture; some GBS-positive samples were not detected after 24 h of storage followed by SBE and BA subculture or after 48 h of storage followed by SBE and GA subculture. Storage of swabs in transport medium, even at 4°C, produced after 24 h an underestimation of the intensity of GBS colonization in most specimens. These data indicate that viability of GBS is not fully preserved by storage of vaginorectal swabs in Amies transport medium, mainly if they are not stored under refrigeration.
Prevalence and Serotype Distribution of Encapsulated
Haemophilus influenzae
Isolates from Patients with Lower Respiratory Tract Infections in Poland
Authors: Skoczyńska Anna , Lewandowska Magdalena , Klarowicz Anna , Hryniewicz Waleria 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACT

Among 1,272
H. influenzae
isolates obtained from patients with lower respiratory tract infections, 5.6% were found to be encapsulated. The most common were serotypes b (40.3%) and e (38.9%) followed by serotypes f (16.7%) and d (4.1%). All encapsulated isolates within a particular serotype showed high genetic homogeneity and did not produce β-lactamases.
Bacterial Genotype Affects the Manifestation and Persistence of BovineStaphylococcus aureusIntramammary Infection
Authors: Haveri M. , Taponen S. , Vuopio-Varkila J. , Salmenlinna S. , Pyörälä S. 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACTTwo-hundred seventeenStaphylococcus aureusisolates from 116 dairy cows with intramammary infections were analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis to study the association between symptom severity, persistence of infection, and bacterial genotype. Among five main genotypes infecting 90% of the cows, one was associated with severe clinical symptoms but reduced persistence.
Detection of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus RNA in Plasma during the Course of Infection
Authors: Wang Wei-Kung , Fang Chi-Tai , Chen Hui-Ling , Yang Chao-Fu , Chen Yee-Chun , Chen Mei-Ling , Chen Shey-Ying , Yang Jyh-Yuan , Lin Jih-Hui , Yang Pan-Chyr , Chang Shan-Chwen 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACT
We examined severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) RNA in plasma of 32 patients (probable SARS cases) by a quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR assay and reported that the highest detection rate, 75%, was found between day 5 and day 7 of illness, followed by rates of 64, 50, and 38% found between day 8 and day 11, day 2 and day 4, and day 12 and day 16, respectively. Analysis of sequential SARS-CoV load in plasma from six cases revealed different patterns of viremia, with the peak between day 4 and day 8. Our findings of the high detection rate of SARS-CoV RNA in plasma before day 11, together with the relative convenience of collecting and handling plasma, suggest that plasma can be used for early diagnosis of SARS.
Molecular Characterization of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Type C of Indian Origin
Authors: Nagendrakumar Singanallur Balasubramanian , Reddy Guddeti Srinivas , Chandran Dev , Thiagarajan Dorairajan , Rangarajan Pundi Narasimha , Srinivasan Villuppanoor Alwar 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACT
Comparison of nucleotide sequences of the partial 1D region of foot-and-mouth disease type C viruses of Indian origin with those of European, South American, and Southeast Asian viruses revealed that the Indian viruses form a distinct genotype. The vaccine strain C IND/51/79 belongs to this genotype and may be a prototype strain of this genotype.
Cutaneous Melioidosis in a Man Who Was Taken as a Prisoner of War by the Japanese during World War II
Authors: Ngauy Viseth , Lemeshev Yan , Sadkowski Lee , Crawford George 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACT

Melioidosis, an infection caused by the gram-negative bacillus
Burkholderia pseudomallei
, is endemic to Southeast Asia and Northern Australia. Human infection is acquired through contact with contaminated water via percutaneous inoculation. Clinical manifestations range from skin and soft tissue infection to pneumonia with sepsis. We report a case of a man who was taken as a prisoner of war by the Japanese during World War II who presented with a nonhealing ulcer on his right hand 62 years after the initial exposure.
Scedosporium apiospermumSoft Tissue Infection Successfully Treated with Voriconazole: Potential Pitfalls in the Transition from Intravenous to Oral Therapy
Authors: Schaenman Joanna M. , DiGiulio Daniel B. , Mirels Laurence F. , McClenny Nancy M. , Berry Gerald J. , Fothergill Annette W. , Rinaldi Michael G. , Montoya Jose G. 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACTAn immunocompromised patient with an invasive soft tissue infection due toScedosporium apiospermumwas successfully treated with voriconazole and surgical debridement. After transition from intravenous to oral therapy, successive adjustments of the oral dose were required to achieve complete resolution. For soft tissue infections due to molds characterized by thin, septate hyphae branching at acute angles, voriconazole should be considered a first-line antifungal agent. The potential usefulness of plasma voriconazole levels for guiding optimal therapy should be investigated.
Diagnostic and Therapeutic Pitfalls Associated with Primaquine-Tolerant
Plasmodium vivax
Authors: Spudick Jeanne M. , Garcia Lynne S. , Graham David M. , Haake David A. 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACT

We describe a U.S. Army Ranger returning from duty in Afghanistan and Iraq with life-threatening infection due to
Plasmodium vivax
. Morphological variants were observed in blood films prepared using samples collected by venipuncture. The patient's multiple relapses indicate infection with primaquine-tolerant
P. vivax
. Strategies for relapse prevention using primaquine are reviewed.
Tenosynovitis of the Wrist Due to ResistantMycobacterium tuberculosisin a Heart Transplant Patient
Authors: Le Meur Alexandre , Arvieux Cédric , Guggenbuhl Pascal , Cormier Michel , Jolivet-Gougeon Anne 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACTTubercular tenosynovitis is now rare, which can delay diagnosis of this disease. We report a case of tenosynovitis of the wrist in a heart transplant patient caused by an isoniazid- and streptomycin-resistantMycobacterium tuberculosisstrain. Despite immunosuppression therapy, which can lead to a smoldering evolution, molecular biology analysis of biopsies allowed a rapid diagnosis.
Nalidixic Acid-Resistant
Salmonella enterica
Serotype Typhi Presenting as a Primary Psoas Abscess: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Shakespeare William A. , Davie Daniel , Tonnerre Claude , Rubin Michael A. , Strong Michael , Petti Cathy A. 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACT

We report an unusual case of
Salmonella enterica
serotype Typhi presenting as a primary psoas abscess. The isolate tested susceptible to ciprofloxacin but resistant to nalidixic acid in vitro, a pattern associated with fluoroquinolone therapeutic failures. We review the literature for serovar Typhi psoas abscess in the absence of bacteremia and discuss the importance of identifying isolates with reduced susceptibility to fluoroquinolones.
Corynebacterium ulcerans
in an Immunocompromised Patient with Diphtheria and Her Dog
Authors: Lartigue Marie-Frédérique , Monnet Xavier , Le Flèche Anne , Grimont Patrick A. D. , Benet Jean-Jacques , Durrbach Antoine , Fabre Monique , Nordmann Patrice 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACT

Corynebacterium ulcerans
causes zoonotic infections, such as diphtheria and extrapharyngeal infections. We report here the first case of a diphtheria-like illness caused by
C. ulcerans
in France and transmitted likely by a dog to an immunocompromised woman.
Insulin Signaling in Arteries Prevents Smooth Muscle Apoptosis
Authors: Nakazawa T. , Chiba T. , Kaneko E. , Yui K. , Yoshida M. , Shimokado K. 
Published: February 2005

Objective—Insulin is an antiapoptotic factor of cultured vascular cells, but it is not clear whether it also exerts antiapoptotic effects on vascular cells in vivo. We studied insulin receptor signaling in the arteries of normal and diabetic rats to establish whether insulin exhibits antiapoptotic activity toward vascular smooth muscle cells in vivo as well as in vitro.Methods and Results—Western blot analysis and real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed α- and β-subunits of the insulin receptor in association with insulin receptor substrate-1 and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in the media of the aorta and carotid artery. The insulin receptor signaling pathway was partially activated under physiological conditions, further activated by intravenous insulin injection, and was attenuated in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Lipopolysaccharide injection induced more apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells in diabetic rats than in control rats, whereas insulin prevented apoptosis in the aortic wall. An in vitro study suggested that the antiapoptotic effect of insulin was mediated by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase.Conclusions—Insulin is an antiapoptotic factor of vascular smooth muscle cells in vitro and in vivo. Decreased insulin activity on the artery may increase smooth muscle cell death and cause unstable plaque formation associated with diabetes.
Lymphocytes Are Not Required for the Rapid Onset of Coronary Heart Disease in Scavenger Receptor Class B Type I/Apolipoprotein E Double Knockout Mice
Authors: Karackattu Sharon L. , Picard Michael H. , Krieger Monty 
Published: February 2005

Objective—Scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI)/apolipoprotein E (apoE) double knockout (dKO) mice exhibit many features of human coronary heart disease (CHD), including occlusive coronary atherosclerosis, cardiac hypertrophy, myocardial infarctions, and premature death. Here we determined the influence of B and T lymphocytes, which can contribute to atherosclerosis, ischemia–reperfusion injury, and cardiomyocyte death, on pathology in dKO mice.Method and Results—The lymphocyte-deficient SR-BI/apoE/recombination activating gene 2 (RAG2) triple knockout mice and corresponding dKO controls generated for this study exhibited essentially identical lipid-rich coronary occlusions, myocardial infarctions, cardiac dysfunction, and premature death (average lifespans 41.6±0.6 and 42.0±0.5 days, respectively).Conclusions—B and T lymphocytes and associated immunoglobulin-mediated inflammation are not essential for the development and progression of CHD in dKO mice. Strikingly, the dKO mice bred for this study (mixed C57BL/6×SV129×BALB/c background; strain 2) compared with the previously described dKO mice (75:25 C57BL/6:SV129 background; strain 1) had a shorter mean lifespan and steeper survival curve, characteristics especially attractive for studying the effects of environmental, pharmacological, and genetic manipulations on cardiac pathophysiology.
Human mesenchymal stem cells inhibit differentiation and function of monocyte-derived dendritic cells
Authors: Jiang Xiao-Xia , Zhang Yi , Liu Bing , Zhang Shuang-Xi , Wu Ying , Yu Xiao-Dan , Mao Ning 
Published: February 2005

AbstractMesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), in addition to their multilineage differentiation, have a direct immunosuppressive effect on T-cell proliferation in vitro. However, it is unclear whether they also modulate the immune system by acting on the very first step. In this investigation, we addressed the effects of human MSCs on the differentiation, maturation, and function of dendritic cells (DCs) derived from CD14+ monocytes in vitro. Upon induction with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) plus interleukin-4 (IL-4), MSC coculture could strongly inhibit the initial differentiation of monocytes to DCs, but this effect is reversible. In particular, such suppression could be recapitulated with no intercellular contact at a higher MSC/monocyte ratio (1:10). Furthermore, mature DCs treated with MSCs were significantly reduced in the expression of CD83, suggesting their skew to immature status. Meanwhile, decreased expression of presentation molecules (HLA-DR and CD1a) and costimulatory molecules (CD80 and CD86) and down-regulated IL-12 secretion were also observed. In consistence, the allostimulatory ability of MSC-treated mature DCs on allogeneic T cells was impaired. In conclusion, our data suggested for the first time that human MSCs could suppress monocyte differentiation into DCs, the most potent antigen-presenting cells (APCs), thus indicating the versatile regulation of MSCs on the ultimate specific immune response.
Protein-4.2 association with band 3 (AE1, SLCA4) in Xenopus oocytes: effects of three natural protein-4.2 mutations associated with hemolytic anemia
Authors: Toye Ashley M. , Ghosh Sandip , Young Mark T. , Jones Graham K. , Sessions Richard B. , Ramaugé Martine , Leclerc Philippe , Basu Joyoti , Delaunay Jean , Tanner Michael J. A. 
Published: February 2005

AbstractWe have investigated the effects of coexpression of protein 4.2 and three protein-4.2 variants with band 3 in the Xenopus oocyte expression system. Normal protein 4.2 increased band-3–specific chloride transport in the oocytes. Protein 4.2 also coimmunoprecipitated with band 3 and colocalized with band 3 at the oocyte plasma membrane. The increase in band-3–mediated chloride transport and coimmunoprecipitation of protein 4.2 required the presence of the N-terminal cytoplasmic domain of band 3. Protein 4.2 also localized to the oocyte plasma membrane in the absence of band 3. The protein-4.2 variants 4.2 Tozeur (R310Q) and 4.2 Komatsu (D175Y) had impaired ability to bind to band 3 and these variants did not localize to the oocyte plasma membrane when expressed on their own or when coexpressed with band 3. Unexpectedly, 4.2 Nippon (A142T) behaved similarly to normal protein 4.2. In the absence of a crystal structure of protein 4.2, we propose a homology model of protein 4.2 based on the structure of the sequence-related protein transglutaminase. Using our results in oocytes and this homology model we speculate how these mutations affect protein 4.2 and result in hereditary spherocytosis.
A novel CDK inhibitor, CYC202 (R-roscovitine), overcomes the defect in p53-dependent apoptosis in B-CLL by down-regulation of genes involved in transcription regulation and survival
Authors: Alvi Azra J. , Austen Belinda , Weston Victoria J. , Fegan Christopher , MacCallum David , Gianella-Borradori Athos , Lane David P. , Hubank Mike , Powell Judith E. , Wei Wenbin , Taylor A. Malcolm R. , Moss Paul A. H. , Stankovic Tatjana 
Published: February 2005

Abstract
B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) is a clinically variable disease where mutations in DNA damage response genes ATM or TP53 affect the response to standard therapeutic agents. The in vitro cytotoxicity of a novel cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, CYC202, was evaluated in 26 B-CLLs, 11 with mutations in either the ATM or TP53 genes, and compared with that induced by ionizing radiation and fludarabine. CYC202 induced apoptosis within 24 hours of treatment in all 26 analyzed tumor samples independently of ATM and TP53 gene status, whereas 6 of 26 B-CLLs, mostly ATM mutant, showed marked in vitro resistance to fludarabine-induced apoptosis. Compared with B-CLLs, normal T and B lymphocytes treated with CYC202 displayed reduced and delayed apoptosis. Using global gene expression profiling, we found that CYC202 caused a significant down-regulation of genes involved in regulation of transcription, translation, survival, and DNA repair. Furthermore, induction of apoptosis by CYC202 was preceded by inhibition of RNA polymerase II phosphorylation, leading to down-regulation of several prosurvival proteins. We conclude that CYC202 is a potent inducer of apoptosis in B-CLL regardless of the functional status of the p53 pathway, and may be considered as a therapeutic agent to improve the outcome of resistant B-CLL tumors.
In vitro functional analysis of human ferroportin (FPN) and hemochromatosis-associated FPN mutations
Authors: Schimanski Lisa M. , Drakesmith Hal , Merryweather-Clarke Alison T. , Viprakasit Vip , Edwards Jon P. , Sweetland Emma , Bastin Judy M. , Cowley Diana , Chinthammitr Yingyong , Robson Kathryn J. H. , Townsend Alain R. M. 
Published: February 2005

Abstract
Type IV hemochromatosis is associated with dominant mutations in the SLC40A1 gene encoding ferroportin (FPN). Known as the “ferroportin disease,” this condition is typically characterized by high serum ferritin, reduced transferrin saturation, and macrophage iron loading. Previously FPN expression in vitro has been shown to cause iron deficiency in human cell lines and mediate iron export from Xenopus oocytes. We confirm these findings by showing that expression of human FPN in a human cell line results in an iron deficiency because of a 3-fold increased export of iron. We show that FPN mutations A77D, V162Δ, and G490D that are associated with a typical pattern of disease in vivo cause a loss of iron export function in vitro but do not physically or functionally impede wild-type FPN. These mutants may, therefore, lead to disease by haploinsufficiency. By contrast the variants Y64N, N144D, N144H, Q248H, and C326Y, which can be associated with greater transferrin saturation and more prominent iron deposition in liver parenchyma in vivo, retained iron export function in vitro. Because FPN is a target for negative feedback in iron homeostasis, we postulate that the latter group of mutants may resist inhibition, resulting in a permanently “turned on” iron exporter.
Trafficking of the major virulence factor to the surface of transfected P falciparum–infected erythrocytes
Authors: Knuepfer Ellen , Rug Melanie , Klonis Nectarios , Tilley Leann , Cowman Alan F. 
Published: February 2005

AbstractAfter invading human red blood cells (RBCs) the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum remodels the host cell by trafficking proteins to the RBC compartment. The virulence protein P falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) is responsible for cytoadherence of infected cells to host endothelial receptors. This protein is exported across the parasite plasma membrane and parasitophorous vacuole membrane and inserted into the RBC membrane. We have used green fluorescent protein chimeras and fluorescence photobleaching experiments to follow PfEMP1 export through the infected RBC. Our data show that a knob-associated histidine-rich protein (KAHRP) N-terminal protein export element appended to the PfEMP1 transmembrane and C-terminal domains was sufficient for efficient trafficking of protein domains to the outside of the P falciparum–infected RBC. The physical state of the exported proteins suggests trafficking as a complex rather than in vesicles and supports the hypothesis that endogenous PfEMP1 is trafficked in a similar manner. This study identifies the sequences required for expression of proteins to the outside of the P falciparum–infected RBC membrane.
Structural similarity of loops in protein families: toward the understanding of protein evolution
Authors: Panchenko Anna R , Madej Thomas 
Published: February 2005

Abstract
Background
Protein evolution and protein classification are usually inferred by comparing protein cores in their conserved aligned parts. Structurally aligned protein regions are separated by less conserved loop regions, where sequence and structure locally deviate from each other and do not superimpose well.

Results
Our results indicate that even longer protein loops can not be viewed as "random coils" and for the majority of protein families in our test set there exists a linear correlation between the measures of sequence similarity and loop structural similarity. Results suggest that distance matrices derived from the loop (dis)similarity measure may produce in some cases more reliable cluster trees compared to the distance matrices based on the conventional measures of sequence and structural (dis)similarity.

Conclusions
We show that by considering "dissimilar" loop regions rather than only conserved core regions it is possible to improve our understanding of protein evolution.