bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outcomes from a descriptive survey of Six Sigma management practices in Brazil
Authors: Augusto Cauchick Miguel Paulo , Marcos Andrietta João
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The utilisation of Six Sigma and its associated techniques has yielded results that deserve a more detailed evaluation, since there is relatively little information published on the application of Six Sigma in developing countries. The objective of this work is to present the results of an exploratory‐descriptive field study, which was done to survey a series of practices related to Six Sigma programmes at companies that have adopted them.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a descriptive survey. More than 100 Six Sigma users were identified and contacted by telephone to respond a questionnaire. Two remembering letters were sent to companies that did not answer the survey resulting in a response rate of approximately 65 per cent, which can be considered suitable by the literature for a descriptive survey.

Findings

The results obtained from the survey revealed that the application of Six Sigma in Brazil is a reality. However, it concluded that the programme was adopted by large‐size companies that invest in infrastructure and training of their personnel, making it possible to obtain the financial benefits desired.

Research limitations/implications

This is not a probabilistic study and, therefore, the external validity is limited. The paper also considers perspectives for future research on the use of techniques and tools associated to the application of the programme as well as factors of failure in its utilisation.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the few published studies that report and discuss Six Sigma programmes in developing countries.
Work‐based learning in US higher education policy
Authors: Raelin Joseph A.
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss how US institutions of higher education make appreciable use of work‐based learning options, but their attention to experiential education as a learning vehicle is relatively limited. The connection between the work experience and the on‐campus curriculum is only loosely formed, and students are not often given a chance to reflect concurrently and collectively on their workplace lessons. Some changes in higher educational policy have been initiated to augment the pedagogical contribution of a work‐based learning, but notable institutional barriers remain.

Design/methodology/approach

Essay based on policy and literature review.

Findings

Work‐based learning epistemology has demonstrated that knowledge may be equally, if not even more effectively, acquired through reflective discourse within the very activity of practice. Aside from discourse's lens into social structure, it can also be used as a means to expand knowledge for improved action in the world.

Research limitations/implications

Students make sense out of their workplace experiences and construct knowledge through a process of negotiation between these experiences and their own cognitive frameworks.

Originality/value

Students learn by doing real work that is often designed to support and integrate with learning in the classroom and also to promote the acquisition of broad transferable skills. The paper shows that by equipping young adults with work‐related skills, work‐based learning promotes a high level of work role identification and efficacy, which in turn positively influences their successful transition into the work environment.
Practice‐based learning in entrepreneurship education
Authors: Hynes Briga , Costin Yvonne , Birdthistle Naomi
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a practice‐based entrepreneurship education programme which enhances collaboration between educational institutions and the small business community as a means of producing a more employable, well rounded and skilled graduates.

Design/methodology/approach

A case description of the business consulting programme operated at the University of Limerick.

Findings

The findings highlight how a practice‐based learning module brings real business learning into the classroom and simultaneously attends to the needs of different internal and external stakeholders by producing a more flexible and employable professional graduate. Furthermore, it creates a more meaningful relationship between education institutions (knowledge producers) and industry (knowledge users).

Research limitations/implications

Educators need to evaluate the benefits of practice‐based learning programmes from the external stakeholder perspective as a basis of identifying more innovative practice‐based learning options.

Originality/value

The paper draws attention to the need for, and suggestions on how educational institutions can be more outward focussed and responsive to the needs of industry when designing educational programmes.
From work‐based learning to organisational development
Authors: Mumford John G.
Published: November 2010

Purpose

This paper studies the training and other learning‐related interventions that senior managers typically use to influence organisational capability and relate it to the programmes that a university might offer. The purpose of the paper is to identify potential opportunities for increasing the perceived relevance of university provided work‐based learning.

Design/methodology/approach

Reflection and deliberation on personal experience.

Findings

There is a distinctive place for academically delivered and devised work‐based learning for industry but as an integrated offering with in‐house programmes.

Originality/value

The paper presents a suggestion for structuring higher education work‐based offerings.
Beyond a naturally occurring ethnography: the work‐based researcher
Authors: Walsh Anita
Published: November 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the contrast between the approach to research taken by academic ethnographers and that taken by work‐based researchers. Van Manen claims that “a good ethnographer describes a cultural reality in such a way that a non‐member of the culture could ‘pass as an insider’ if he or she had internalized the cultural features of the particular setting”. In order to achieve this level of familiarity with a context, ethnographers spend considerable amounts of time embedded in the culture which they are studying – “being there” is seen as fundamental to effective research.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a reflection and deliberation on personal experience.

Findings

The dominance of the academic disciplines and the model of research in higher education which considers the doctoral student as a novice researcher problematises the role of the work‐based researcher. It calls into question the extent to which valid research can be undertaken by practitioners in the workplace.

Research limitations/implications

Practitioner researchers, research their practice and/or context. These researchers are not novices – they are usually senior practising professionals who are very familiar with the organisational and occupational culture in their workplace. However, in contrast to academic researchers, usually their intention is not to provide an ethnographic account of it. They are concerned to address issues and/or achieve changes/developments in practice in order to improve the functioning of their organisation.

Originality/value

The paper reviews the function of insider researchers.
Cross‐university collaboration for work‐place learning: a case study
Authors: Felce Alison
Published: November 2010

Purpose

Research into skills level of the workforce in the West Midlands in England has identified a shortage of graduate skills and that these are needed for the region to regain its competitiveness in the national and international markets of the twenty‐first century. The purpose of this paper is to explore the practices that enabled collaboration between higher education organisations to meet the needs of local industries and businesses through work‐place learning.

Design/methodology/approach

The objectives of the case study are to review the background to the initiative described and the organisation and the activities undertaken. The paper reflects on the factors that enabled the collaboration to be effective and on those that jeopardised the potential success of the group. First, an overview of the case is given, starting with the concept for the project that was the focus of the collaboration. Next the organisation of the partnership is outlined and then the process of the development of the foundation degrees. Factors that impact on the effectiveness of the collaboration are explored drawing on illustrative extracts selected from the data.

Findings

Key findings corroborate previous research that posited that success, or failure, of collaboration is due to a number of factors: mutual benefit, a change in product, process or output, stated, emergent and unstated aims, perceived benefits and mutual trust.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates that even where all these factors exist there may be unanticipated events that impact on the success of the project.
Resistance of Human Regulatory Foxp3+ T Cells to Normobaric Hyperoxia Exposure Under Resting and Stimulating Conditions
Authors: Švec P. , Vásárhelyi B. , Čižmár A. , Tulassay T. , Treszl A.
Published: November 2010

Oxygen tension levels may modulate immune responses. Evidence shows that hyperoxia influences the risk of infection, autoimmunity and alloreactivity and hence is a possible therapeutic option in a number of disorders. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a central role in tolerance maintenance, but their behaviour under hyperoxia is largely unknown. We investigated in vitro the impact of normobaric hyperoxia on human Tregs and their cellular network. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from six healthy men were cultured under normoxia and escalating duration of normobaric hyperoxia (10 min, 1, 16, 88 h) under resting conditions and at the presence of anti‐CD3/CD28 beads. Foxp3+ Tregs’ and other T cell subsets’ survival, proliferation, activation, maturation and Th1/Th2 markers were assessed by flow cytometry. We observed decreasing CD4+ cell survival with increasing duration of hyperoxia irrespectively of the presence of stimulators. The prevalence of CD4+CD45RA+ cells increased under stimulation (P = 0.001). In stimulated samples, the proliferation and induced Foxp3 expression decreased after 88 h of hyperoxia (both P = 0.001). In conclusion, normobaric hyperoxia up to 16 h does not induce significant changes in basic human T cell subsets, including the prevalence naturally occurring Tregs. Prolonged exposure to hyperoxia likely affects all unstimulated T cell subsets in a similar way. In stimulated T lymphocytes, the proliferation is hampered and cell death increases more evidently after prolonged hyperoxia (several days). Inducible Foxp3 expression is likely closely related to these processes. Naive CD4+ T cells are maintained by stimulation during exposure to hyperoxia.
The Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) of the Secondary Transplant Tissue Donor Influences the Cross‐Reactivity of Alloreactive Memory Cells
Authors: Wang F. , Chen J. , Shao W. , Kang X. , Xu S. , Xia J. , Dai H. , Peng Y. , Thorlacius H. , Xing J. , Qi Z.
Published: November 2010

Memory cells are currently thought to be a major barrier to tolerance induction in transplantation. However, whether alloreactive memory cells resulting from a primary transplant have cross‐reactivity in a second transplant is unclear. Here, we used skin transplantation from BALB/c mice donors to presensitize C57BL/6 (B6) mice. One month later, several strains of mice (including BALB/c, DBA/2, NOD, C3H and B6 mice) were chosen as donors to construct a memory model of heterotopic cardiac transplantation. The higher degree of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) mismatch to sensitizing MHC resulted in longer median survival times (MSTs, BALB/c 3.63 days versus C3H 6.08 days). After 3.5 days of cardiac transplantation, compared with the BALB/c and DBA/2 groups, in the groups of NOD and C3H, the infiltration of inflammatory cells in the grafts, the proportion and proliferation of memory cells in spleens and the function of allogeneic antibodies decreased significantly. The varying degrees of MHC mismatch between the primary and secondary donors influenced the intensity of alloreactive memory cell function, the higher degree of MHC mismatch resulted in better tolerance during secondary transplantation, and these may be related to the changed activation, proliferation and function of the alloreactive memory cells.
Characterization of the Hepatic and Splenic Immune Status and Immunoglobulin Synthesis in Aged Male Mice Lacking the Peroxisome Proliferator‐Activated Receptor‐Alpha (PPARα)
Authors: Qazi M. R. , Abedi M. R. , Nelson B. D. , DePierre J. W. , Abedi‐Valugerdi M.
Published: November 2010

It is now well established that the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐alpha (PPARα) is expressed in different types of immune cells and plays a pivotal role in the regulation of age‐related production of inflammatory cytokines. However, the role(s) of this receptor in the regulation of immune cell homoeostasis in ageing non‐lymphoid and lymphoid organs has not yet been resolved. We examine this issue here by evaluating the hepatic and splenic immune status and immunoglobulin (Ig) production in male PPARα‐null mice and their wild‐type littermates at one and 2 years of age. In comparison with the age‐matched control animals, PPARα‐null mice exhibited age‐related elevations in the numbers of total, as well as of phenotypically distinct subpopulations of intrahepatic immune cells (IHIC) and splenocytes. Moreover, at 2 years of age, these alterations in hepatic immune cells were accompanied by significant increases in hepatic levels of the pro‐inflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ), in combination with the development of hepatic inflammatory loci containing mixtures of leucocytes. Alterations in splenocytes of old PPARα‐null mice were also accompanied by increases in cellularity of both white and red pulps of the spleen. Furthermore, these same animals exhibited pronounced increases in the numbers of splenic plasma cells and enhanced production of Ig of different isotypes, including IgG1, IgG2a and IgE. Thus, our findings indicate that upon ageing, PPARα plays a crucial role in regulating the total numbers, compositions and functions of immune cells in both lymphoid and non‐lymphoid immune organs of mice.
T Regulatory Cells and Immune Activation in Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection and the Effect of Preventive Therapy
Authors: Wergeland I. , Aßmus J. , Dyrhol‐Riise A. M.
Published: November 2010

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) often causes persistent infection and many immune cell subsets and regulatory mechanisms may operate throughout the various stages of infection. We have studied dendritic cell (DC) subsets, regulatory T cells (Treg) and the expression of activation and apoptosis markers on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in blood from patients with active TB (n = 20), subjects with positive QuantiFERON‐TB GOLD (QFT) test (LTBI, latent TB infection) (n = 20) before and after 3 months of preventive anti‐tuberculous therapy and from QFT‐negative controls (n = 28). The frequency of CD4+CD25+CD127− Treg was highest in the group with active TB (P = 0.001), but also increased in the LTBI group (P = 0.006) compared to controls. The highest level of activated T cells, defined as CD38+HLA‐DR+ cells, was found in the active TB group, for the CD4+ T cell subset positively correlated to the level of CD25+CD127− Treg (P < 0.001, r = 0.4268). After 3 months of preventive therapy, there was an increase in the fraction of foxp3+ Treg, but no differences in markers of activation or apoptosis. In conclusion, there seems to be an increased level of immune activation and Treg in both latent and active TB infection that is only modestly influenced by preventive therapy.
Autophosphorylation is essential for the in vivo function of the Lotus japonicus Nod factor receptor 1 and receptor‐mediated signalling in cooperation with Nod factor receptor 5
Authors: Madsen Esben B. , Antolín‐Llovera Meritxell , Grossmann Christina , Ye Juanying , Vieweg Syndi , Broghammer Angelique , Krusell Lene , Radutoiu Simona , Jensen Ole N. , Stougaard Jens , Parniske Martin
Published: November 2010

Soil‐living rhizobia secrete lipochitin oligosaccharides known as Nod factors, which in Lotus japonicus are perceived by at least two Nod‐factor receptors, NFR1 and NFR5. Despite progress in identifying molecular components critical for initial legume host recognition of the microsymbiont and cloning of downstream components, little is known about the activation and signalling mechanisms of the Nod‐factor receptors themselves. Here we show that both receptor proteins localize to the plasma membrane, and present evidence for heterocomplex formation initiating downstream signalling. Expression of NFR1 and NFR5 in Nicotiana benthamiana and Allium ampeloprasum (leek) cells caused a rapid cell‐death response. The signalling leading to cell death was abrogated using a kinase‐inactive variant of NFR1. In these surviving cells, a clear interaction between NFR1 and NFR5 was detected in vivo through bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC). To analyse the inter‐ and intramolecular phosphorylation events of the kinase complex, the cytoplasmic part of NFR1 was assayed for in vitro kinase activity, and autophosphorylation on 24 amino acid residues, including three tyrosine residues, was found by mass spectrometry. Substitution of the phosphorylated amino acids of NFR1 identified a single phosphorylation site to be essential for NFR1 Nod‐factor signalling in vivo and kinase activity in vitro. In contrast to NFR1, no in vitro kinase activity of the cytoplasmic domain of NFR5 was detected. This is further supported by the fact that a mutagenized NFR5 construct, substituting an amino acid essential for ATP binding, restored nodulation of nfr5 mutant roots.
Nematode CLE signaling in Arabidopsis requires CLAVATA2 and CORYNE
Authors: Replogle Amy , Wang Jianying , Bleckmann Andrea , Hussey Richard S. , Baum Thomas J. , Sawa Shinichiro , Davis Eric L. , Wang Xiaohong , Simon Rüdiger , Mitchum Melissa G.
Published: November 2010

Plant‐parasitic cyst nematodes secrete CLAVATA3 (CLV3)/ESR (CLE)‐like effector proteins. These proteins have been shown to act as ligand mimics of plant CLE peptides and are required for successful nematode infection; however, the receptors for nematode CLE‐like peptides have not been identified. Here we demonstrate that CLV2 and CORYNE (CRN), members of the receptor kinase family, are required for nematode CLE signaling. Exogenous peptide assays and overexpression of nematode CLEs in Arabidopsis demonstrated that CLV2 and CRN are required for perception of nematode CLEs. In addition, promoter–reporter assays showed that both receptors are expressed in nematode‐induced syncytia. Lastly, infection assays with receptor mutants revealed a decrease in both nematode infection and syncytium size. Taken together, our results indicate that perception of nematode CLEs by CLV2 and CRN is not only required for successful nematode infection but is also involved in the formation and/or maintenance of nematode‐induced syncytia.
Light receptor action is critical for maintaining plant biomass at warm ambient temperatures
Authors: Foreman Julia , Johansson Henrik , Hornitschek Patricia , Josse Eve‐Marie , Fankhauser Christian , Halliday Karen J.
Published: November 2010

The ability to withstand environmental temperature variation is essential for plant survival. Former studies in Arabidopsis revealed that light signalling pathways had a potentially unique role in shielding plant growth and development from seasonal and daily fluctuations in temperature. In this paper we describe the molecular circuitry through which the light receptors cry1 and phyB buffer the impact of warm ambient temperatures. We show that the light signalling component HFR1 acts to minimise the potentially devastating effects of elevated temperature on plant physiology. Light is known to stabilise levels of HFR1 protein by suppressing proteasome‐mediated destruction of HFR1. We demonstrate that light‐dependent accumulation and activity of HFR1 are highly temperature dependent. The increased potency of HFR1 at warmer temperatures provides an important restraint on PIF4 that drives elongation growth. We show that warm ambient temperatures promote the accumulation of phosphorylated PIF4. However, repression of PIF4 activity by phyB and cry1 (via HFR1) is critical for controlling growth and maintaining physiology as temperatures rise. Loss of this light‐mediated restraint has severe consequences for adult plants which have greatly reduced biomass.
Phosphatidylinositol‐4,5‐bisphosphate influences Nt‐Rac5‐mediated cell expansion in pollen tubes of Nicotiana tabacum
Authors: Ischebeck Till , Stenzel Irene , Hempel Franziska , Jin Xu , Mosblech Alina , Heilmann Ingo
Published: November 2010

The regulation of pollen tube growth by the phospholipid phosphatidylinositol‐4,5‐bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P2) is not well understood. The Arabidopsis genome encodes two type A phosphatidylinositol‐4‐phosphate (PI4P) 5‐kinases, PIP5K10 and PIP5K11, which are exclusively expressed in pollen and produce PtdIns(4,5)P2in vitro. Fluorescence‐tagged PIP5K10 and PIP5K11 localized to lateral subapical plasma membrane microdomains in tobacco pollen tubes in a pattern closely resembling the distribution of PtdIns(4,5)P2, with the exception of notably weaker association at the extreme apex. Overexpression of PIP5K10 or PIP5K11 in tobacco pollen tubes resulted in severe tip swelling and altered actin fine structure similar to that reported for overexpression of tobacco Nt‐Rac5, a monomeric GTPase known to regulate the actin cytoskeleton. Increased sensitivity of Arabidopsis pip5k10 pip5k11 double mutant pollen tubes to Latrunculin B (LatB) further supports a role for type A PI4P 5‐kinases in controlling the actin cytoskeleton. Despite the disruption of both its type A PI4P 5‐kinases, the pip5k10 pip5k11 double mutant was fertile, indicating that one of the remaining type B PI4P 5‐kinase isoforms might be functionally redundant with PIP5K10 and PIP5K11. Antagonistic effects of PIP5K11 and the Nt‐Rac5‐specific guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor, Nt‐RhoGDI2, on tip swelling observed in coexpression‐titration experiments indicate a link between PtdIns(4,5)P2 and Rac‐signaling in pollen tubes. The data suggest that type A PI4P 5‐kinases influence the actin cytoskeleton in pollen tubes in part by counteracting Nt‐RhoGDI2, possibly contributing to the control of the pool of plasma membrane‐associated Nt‐Rac5.
Priming for enhanced defence responses by specific inhibition of the Arabidopsis response to coronatine
Authors: Tsai Chia‐Hong , Singh Prashant , Chen Ching‐Wei , Thomas Jerome , Weber Johann , Mauch‐Mani Brigitte , Zimmerli Laurent
Published: November 2010

The priming agent β‐aminobutyric acid (BABA) is known to enhance Arabidopsis resistance to the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst) DC3000 by potentiating salicylic acid (SA) defence signalling, notably PR1 expression. The molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain unknown. A genome‐wide microarray analysis of BABA priming during Pst DC3000 infection revealed direct and primed up‐regulation of genes that are responsive to SA, the SA analogue benzothiadiazole and pathogens. In addition, BABA was found to inhibit the Arabidopsis response to the bacterial effector coronatine (COR). COR is known to promote bacterial virulence by inducing the jasmonic acid (JA) response to antagonize SA signalling activation. BABA specifically repressed the JA response induced by COR without affecting other plant JA responses. This repression was largely SA‐independent, suggesting that it is not caused by negative cross‐talk between SA and JA signalling cascades. Treatment with relatively high concentrations of purified COR counteracted BABA inhibition. Under these conditions, BABA failed to protect Arabidopsis against Pst DC3000. BABA did not induce priming and resistance in plants inoculated with a COR‐deficient strain of Pst DC3000 or in the COR‐insensitive mutant coi1‐16. In addition, BABA blocked the COR‐dependent re‐opening of stomata during Pst DC3000 infection. Our data suggest that BABA primes for enhanced resistance to Pst DC3000 by interfering with the bacterial suppression of Arabidopsis SA‐dependent defences. This study also suggests the existence of a signalling node that distinguishes COR from other JA responses.
The COP9 signalosome controls jasmonic acid synthesis and plant responses to herbivory and pathogens
Authors: Hind Sarah R. , Pulliam Sarah E. , Veronese Paola , Shantharaj Deepak , Nazir Azka , Jacobs Nekaiya S. , Stratmann Johannes W.
Published: November 2010

The COP9 signalosome (CSN) is a multi‐protein complex that regulates the activities of cullin‐RING E3 ubiquitin ligases (CRLs). CRLs ubiquitinate proteins in order to target them for proteasomal degradation. The CSN is required for proper plant development. Here we show that the CSN also has a profound effect on plant defense responses. Silencing of genes for CSN subunits in tomato plants resulted in a mild morphological phenotype and reduced expression of wound‐responsive genes in response to mechanical wounding, attack by Manduca sexta larvae, and Prosystemin over‐expression. In contrast, expression of pathogenesis‐related genes was increased in a stimulus‐independent manner in these plants. The reduced wound response in CSN‐silenced plants corresponded with reduced synthesis of jasmonic acid (JA), but levels of salicylic acid (SA) were unaltered. As a consequence, these plants exhibited reduced resistance against herbivorous M. sexta larvae and the necrotrophic fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea. In contrast, susceptibility to tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) was not altered in CSN‐silenced plants. These data demonstrate that the CSN orchestrates not only plant development but also JA‐dependent plant defense responses.
The RecQ helicase AtRECQ4A is required to remove inter‐chromosomal telomeric connections that arise during meiotic recombination in Arabidopsis
Authors: Higgins James D. , Ferdous Maheen , Osman Kim , Franklin F. Christopher H.
Published: November 2010

RecQ helicases are a conserved group of proteins with a role in the maintenance of genome integrity. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae (budding yeast), meiotic recombination is increased in the absence of the RecQ helicase Sgs1. Here we investigated the potential meiotic role of the Sgs1 homologue AtRECQ4A and the closely related AtRECQ4B. Both proteins have been shown to function during recombination in somatic cells, but so far their meiotic role has not been investigated. Both AtRECQ4A and AtRECQ4B were expressed in reproductive tissues. Although immunolocalization studies showed that AtRECQ4A associates with recombination intermediates, we found no evidence that its loss or that of AtRECQ4B had a significant effect on meiotic cross‐overs, suggesting functional redundancy with other RECQ family members. Nevertheless, pollen viability decreased in Atrecq4A, resulting in a reduction in fertility, although this was not the case in Atrecq4B. Cytological analysis revealed chromatin bridges between the telomeres of non‐homologous chromosomes in Atrecq4A at metaphase I, in some instances accompanied by chromosome fragmentation at anaphase I. The bridges required telomeric repeats and were dependent on meiotic recombination. Immunolocalization confirmed the association of AtRECQ4A with the telomeres during prophase I, which we propose enables dissolution of recombination‐dependent telomeric associations. Thus, this study has identified a hitherto unknown role for a member of the RECQ helicase family during meiosis that contributes to the maintenance of chromosome integrity. As telomere structure is generally conserved, it seems likely that these associations may arise during meiosis in other species, where they must also be removed.
Ring chromosome 22 and neurofibromatosis type II: proof of two‐hit model for the loss of the NF2 gene in the development of meningioma
Authors: Zirn B , Arning L , Bartels I , Shoukier M , Hoffjan S , Neubauer B , Hahn A
Published: November 2010

Zirn B, Arning L, Bartels I, Shoukier M, Hoffjan S, Neubauer B, Hahn A. Ring chromosome 22 and neurofibromatosis type II: proof of two‐hit model for the loss of the NF2 gene in the development of meningioma.

Carriers of a ring chromosome 22 are mentally retarded and show variable facial dysmorphism. They may also present with features of neurofibromatosis type II (NF2) such as vestibular schwannomas and multiple meningiomas. In these cases, tumourigenesis has been suspected to be caused by the loss of both alleles of the NF2 gene, a tumour suppressor localized in 22q12.2. Here, we describe an 18‐year‐old patient with constitutional ring chromosome 22 and mental retardation who developed rapid‐onset spastic paraparesis at the age of 15 years. The causative spinal meningioma at the level of T3, which compressed the spinal cord, was surgically removed, and the patient regained ambulation. Array comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) and multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MLPA) analyses in blood revealed a terminal deletion in 22q13.32, not comprising the NF2 gene. In tumour tissue, loss of the whole ring chromosome 22 including one NF2 gene due to mitotic instability constituted the likely first hit, while a point mutation in the other allele of the NF2 gene (c.784C>T, p.R262X) was shown as second hit. We review all cases from the literature and suggest clinical guidelines for surveillance of patients with ring chromosome 22.
Participants’ experiences of intensifying insulin therapy during the Treating to Target in Type 2 Diabetes (4‐T) trial: qualitative interview study
Authors: Jenkins N. , Hallowell N. , Farmer A. J. , Holman R. R. , Lawton J.
Published: November 2010

Diabet. Med. 28, 543–548 (2011)

Aim  To explore participants’ experiences of intensifying insulin therapy during the Treating to Target in Type 2 Diabetes (4‐T) trial.

Methods  In‐depth interviews were conducted with 41 trial participants who had had their insulin therapy intensified during this trial. Data were analysed using an inductive, thematic approach.

Results  The vast majority of participants were receptive towards intensifying treatment. Whilst some were happy simply to follow health professionals’ recommendations, others saw taking two types of insulin as a more effective way of controlling their diabetes. Post‐intensification, participants sought to remember to take their additional injections by developing injection‐related strategies and daily routines. The need to inject insulin whilst in public often arose more frequently following intensification and was a consistent source of anxiety. Those who were worried about injecting in public sought to avoid having to do so; for example, by injecting in toilets or by advancing or delaying the timing of their injections.

Conclusions  It was not increasing the number of daily injections per se which was problematic for the participants who had agreed to have their insulin therapies intensified, but the increased likelihood of having to inject insulin in public. Addressing concerns about injecting in public places may help promote adherence to intensified insulin regimens.
Implementing Carbon‐Footprint‐Based Calculation Tools in Municipal Greenhouse Gas Inventories
Authors: Larsen Hogne N. , Hertwich Edgar G.
Published: November 2010

Policy makers and practitioners working on local climate action continuously strive for improved greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories to support their mitigation strategies. The provision of such inventories, with the sufficient detail and quality needed, has proven to be challenging. This article describes the application of a carbon‐footprint–based (CF‐based) calculation tool to Norwegian municipalities. The aim is to improve the local GHG inventory, with a particular focus on the emissions resulting from the provision of services by local governments. Through selective CF analysis, we aim to illustrate the knowledge gained from implementing these tools in local climate action plans and to further contrast CF‐based calculations with more traditional production‐based accounting. Municipalities report they have revised their understanding of the most important GHG mitigation strategies after implementing this tool.
Differential Impacts of Solar UV Radiation on Photosynthetic Carbon Fixation from the Coastal to Offshore Surface Waters in the South China Sea
Authors: Li Gang , Gao Kunshan , Gao Guang
Published: November 2010

We carried out experiments during an expedition (14 August to 14 September, 2007) that covered up to 250 000 km2 to investigate the effects of solar UV radiation (UVR, 280–400 nm) on the photosynthetic carbon fixation of tropical phytoplankton assemblages in surface seawater of the South China Sea. From coastal to pelagic surface seawaters, UV‐B (280–315 nm) caused similar inhibition, while UV‐A (315–400 nm) induced photosynthetic inhibition increased from coastal to offshore waters. UV‐B resulted in an inhibition by up to 27% and UV‐A by up to 29%. Under reduced levels of solar radiation with heavy overcast, UV‐A resulted in enhanced photosynthetic carbon fixation by up to 25% in coastal waters where microplankton was abundant. However, such a positive impact was not observed in the offshore waters where piconanoplankton was more abundant. The daily integrated inhibition of UV‐A reached 4.3% and 13.2%, and that of UV‐B reached 16.5% and 13.5%, in the coastal and offshore waters, respectively.
Investigation of Photocatalytic Effect of SnO2 Nanoparticles Synthesized by Hydrothermal Method on the Decolorization of Two Organic Dyes
Authors: Esen Bekir , Yumak Tuğrul , Sınağ Ali , Yıldız Tuğba
Published: November 2010

Tin oxide nanoparticles about 4 nm in size were successfully synthesized using hydrothermal method. The photocatalytic activity of the particles was determined by the decolorization of malachite green (MG) and titanium yellow (TY) under UV light. 12 ppm of MG and TY were used for the solution with an initial volume of 100 mL. The amounts of catalysts were 10, 30 and 50 mg. The effect of the catalyst loading on the reaction kinetic parameters and the decolorization rate constants (k) were determined. In order to reveal the photocatalytic efficiency of the nano particles, further experiments were conducted with bulk SnO2. The oxygen species registered no observable effect on the reaction mechanism as nitrogen bubbling leads to no change in decolorization rates. Results showed that the synthesized nano tin oxide particles represent excellent photocatalytic activity for the decolorization of 12 ppm MG under UV light with 150 min of irradiation time. The energies of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) EHOMO of the dyes were also calculated by using the quantum chemical software in order to discuss the differences for the decolorization of two dyes. Electrical energy efficiency values for the decolorization of two dyes were also calculated.
Diversity of the
fsr-gelE
Region of the
Enterococcus faecalis
Genome but Conservation in Strains with Partial Deletions of the
fsr
Operon
Authors: Galloway-Peña Jessica R. , Bourgogne Agathe , Qin Xiang , Murray Barbara E.
Published: November 2010

Most
Enterococcus faecalis
isolates carry
gelE
, but many are gelatinase nonproducers due to the lack of
fsrC
(EF_1820) to EF_1841 (
f
srC
-EF_1841; 23.9 kb in strain V583), including most of the locus encoding Fsr, which activates
gelE
expression. Analysis of 22 accessible
E. faecalis
genomes revealed the identity of the 53-amino-acid propeptide of
fsrD
across multiple MLSTs (multilocus sequence types), although 12 distinctly different variations were found in the EF_1814-to-EF_1902 region. Diversity was seen in
fsrABC
, in the region EF_1814 to EF_1902, and in a 700-kb region surrounding
fsrC
-EF_1841. However, analysis of five sequenced strains carrying the
fsrC
-EF_1841 deletion and the putative integrative conjugative element efaB5 showed almost identical single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in
gelE
and an identical junction sequence, despite their unrelated MLSTs, in contrast to those shown by strains without the deletion. Further analysis confirmed the conserved
gelE
SNPs in 6 additional strains (11 in total) with the deletion. While we were unable to detect evidence of spontaneous deletion using OG1RF and 8 other strains, we were able to engineer a deletion of the 37-kb
fsrC
-EF_1841 region of OG1RF without deleterious effects, and the 37-kb mutant showed changes in biofilm and chaining similar to those shown by
fsr
-
gelE
mutants. In conclusion, we describe the identity of
fsrD
despite high plasticity within the
fsrC
-EF_1841 region and the surrounding sequence. However, strains lacking the
fsrC
-EF_1841 region show a distinct conservation of the sequence surrounding this deletion and in
gelE
, suggesting that the deletion may result from horizontal transfer and recombination.
Influence of Plant Polymers on the Distribution and Cultivation of Bacteria in the Phylum
Acidobacteria
Authors: Eichorst Stephanie A. , Kuske Cheryl R. , Schmidt Thomas M.
Published: November 2010

Members of the phylum
Acidobacteria
are among the most abundant bacteria in soil. Although they have been characterized as versatile heterotrophs, it is unclear if the types and availability of organic resources influence their distribution in soil. The potential for organic resources to select for different acidobacteria was assessed using molecular and cultivation-based approaches with agricultural and managed grassland soils in Michigan. The distribution of acidobacteria varied with the carbon content of soil: the proportion of subdivision 4 sequences was highest in agricultural soils (ca. 41%) that contained less carbon than grassland soils, where the proportions of subdivision 1, 3, 4, and 6 sequences were similar. Either readily oxidizable carbon or plant polymers were used as the sole carbon and energy source to isolate heterotrophic bacteria from these soils. Plant polymers increased the diversity of acidobacteria cultivated but decreased the total number of heterotrophs recovered compared to readily oxidizable carbon. Two phylogenetically novel
Acidobacteria
strains isolated on the plant polymer medium were characterized. Strains KBS 83 (subdivision 1) and KBS 96 (subdivision 3) are moderate acidophiles with pH optima of 5.0 and 6.0, respectively. Both strains grew slowly (μ = 0.01 h
−1
) and harbored either 1 (strain KBS 83) or 2 (strain KBS 96) copies of the 16S rRNA encoding gene—a genomic characteristic typical of oligotrophs. Strain KBS 83 is a microaerophile, growing optimally at 8% oxygen. These metabolic characteristics help delineate the niches that acidobacteria occupy in soil and are consistent with their widespread distribution and abundance.
Cultivation-Independent Analysis of Bacteria in IDEXX Quanti-Tray/2000 Fecal Indicator Assays
Authors: Sercu Bram , Van De Werfhorst Laurie C. , Murray Jill L. S. , Holden Patricia A.
Published: November 2010

Monitoring microbiological water quality is important for protecting water resources and the health of swimmers. Routine monitoring relies on cultivating fecal indicator bacteria (FIB), frequently using defined substrate technology. Defined substrate technology is designed to specifically enrich for FIB, but a complete understanding of the assay microbiology requires culture-independent analysis of the enrichments. This study aimed to identify bacteria in positive wells of Colilert and Enterolert Quanti-Tray/2000 (IDEXX Laboratories) FIB assays in environmental water samples and to quantify the degree of false-positive results for samples from an urban creek by molecular methods. Pooled
Escherichia coli
- and
Enterococcus
-positive Quanti-Tray/2000 enrichments, either from urban creek dry weather flow or municipal sewage, harbored diverse bacterial populations based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses. Target taxa (coliforms or enterococci) and nontarget taxa (
Vibrio
spp.,
Shewanella
spp.,
Bacteroidetes
, and
Clostridium
spp.) were identified in pooled and individual positive Colilert and Enterolert wells based on terminal restriction fragments that were in common with those generated
in silico
from clone sequences. False-positive rates of between 4 and 23% occurred for the urban creek samples, based on the absence of target terminal restriction fragments in individual positive wells. This study suggests that increased selective inhibition of nontarget bacteria could improve the accuracy of the Colilert and Enterolert assays.
Concentration and Diversity of Uncultured
Legionella
spp. in Two Unchlorinated Drinking Water Supplies with Different Concentrations of Natural Organic Matter
Authors: Wullings Bart A. , Bakker Geo , van der Kooij Dick
Published: November 2010

Two unchlorinated drinking water supplies were investigated to assess the potential of water treatment and distribution systems to support the growth of
Legionella
spp. The treatment plant for supply A distributed treated groundwater with a low concentration (<0.5 ppm of C) of natural organic matter (NOM), and the treatment plant for supply B distributed treated groundwater with a high NOM concentration (8 ppm of C). In both supplies, the water temperature ranged from about 10°C after treatment to 18°C during distribution. The concentrations of
Legionella
spp. in distributed water, analyzed with quantitative PCR (Q-PCR), averaged 2.9 (± 1.9) × 10
2
cells liter
−1
in supply A and 2.5 (± 1.6) × 10
3
cells liter
−1
in supply B. No
Legionella
was observed with the culture method. A total of 346 clones (96 operational taxonomical units [OTUs] with ≥97% sequence similarity) were retrieved from water and biofilms of supply A and 251 (43 OTUs) from supply B. The estimation of the average value of total species richness (Chao1) in supply A (153) was clearly higher than that for supply B (58). In each supply, about 77% of the sequences showed <97% similarity to described species. Sequences related to
L. pneumophila
were only incidentally observed. The
Legionella
populations of the two supplies are divided into two distinct clusters based on distances in the phylogenetic tree as fractions of the branch length. Thus, a large variety of mostly yet-undescribed
Legionella
spp. proliferates in unchlorinated water supplies at temperatures below 18°C. The lowest concentration and greatest diversity were observed in the supply with the low NOM concentration.
Isolation and Characterization of
Shigella flexneri
G3, Capable of Effective Cellulosic Saccharification under Mesophilic Conditions
Authors: Wang Aijie , Gao Lingfang , Ren Nanqi , Xu Jifei , Liu Chong , Cao Guangli , Yu Hao , Liu Wenzong , Hemme Christopher L. , He Zhili , Zhou Jizhong
Published: November 2010

A novel
Shigella
strain (
Shigella flexneri
G3) showing high cellulolytic activity under mesophilic, anaerobic conditions was isolated and characterized. The bacterium is Gram negative, short rod shaped, and nonmotile and displays effective production of glucose, cellobiose, and other oligosaccharides from cellulose (Avicel PH-101) under optimal conditions (40°C and pH 6.5). Approximately 75% of the cellulose was hydrolyzed in modified ATCC 1191 medium containing 0.3% cellulose, and the oligosaccharide production yield and specific production rate reached 375 mg g Avicel
−1
and 6.25 mg g Avicel
−1
h
−1
, respectively, after a 60-hour incubation. To our knowledge, this represents the highest oligosaccharide yield and specific rate from cellulose for mesophilic bacterial monocultures reported so far. The results demonstrate that
S. flexneri
G3 is capable of rapid conversion of cellulose to oligosaccharides, with potential biofuel applications under mesophilic conditions.
Polyphyletic Origin of
Vibrio vulnificus
Biotype 2 as Revealed by Sequence-Based Analysis
Authors: Sanjuán Eva , González-Candelas Fernando , Amaro Carmen
Published: November 2010

A sequence-based analysis of seven housekeeping and virulence-related genes shows that the species
Vibrio vulnificus
is subdivided into three phylogenetic lineages that do not correspond with the biotypes and that biotype 2 is polyphyletic. These results support the reclassification of biotype 2 as a pathovar that would group the strains with pathogenic potential to develop vibriosis in fish.
Role of Tyramine Synthesis by Food-Borne
Enterococcus durans
in Adaptation to the Gastrointestinal Tract Environment
Authors: Fernández de Palencia Pilar , Fernández Maria , Mohedano Maria Luz , Ladero Victor , Quevedo Cristina , Alvarez Miguel A. , López Paloma
Published: November 2010

Biogenic amines in food constitute a human health risk. Here we report that tyramine-producing
Enterococcus durans
strain IPLA655 (from cheese) was able to produce tyramine under conditions simulating transit through the gastrointestinal tract. Activation of the tyramine biosynthetic pathway contributed to binding and immunomodulation of enterocytes.
Integron Prevalence and Diversity in Manured Soil
Authors: Byrne-Bailey K. G. , Gaze W. H. , Zhang L. , Kay P. , Boxall A. , Hawkey P. M. , Wellington E. M. H.
Published: November 2010

The levels of integron abundance and diversity in soil amended with pig slurry were studied. Real-time PCR illustrated a significant increase in class 1 integron prevalence after slurry application, with increased prevalence still evident at 10 months after application. Culture-dependent data revealed 10 genera, including putative human pathogens, carrying class 1 and 2 integrons.
Requirements of the Engineered Leader Peptide of Nisin for Inducing Modification, Export, and Cleavage
Authors: Plat Annechien , Kluskens Leon D. , Kuipers Anneke , Rink Rick , Moll Gert N.
Published: November 2010

Nisin A is a pentacyclic peptide antibiotic produced by
Lactococcus lactis
. The leader peptide of prenisin keeps nisin inactive and has a role in inducing NisB- and NisC-catalyzed modifications of the propeptide and NisT-mediated export. The highly specific NisP cleaves off the leader peptide from fully modified and exported prenisin. We present here a detailed mutagenesis analysis of the nisin leader peptide. For alternative cleavage, we successfully introduced a putative NisP autocleavage site and sites for thrombin, enterokinase, Glu-C, and factor Xa in the C-terminal part of the leader peptide. Replacing residue F-18 with Trp or Thr strongly reduced production. On the other hand, D-19A, F-18H, F-18M, L-16D, L-16K, and L-16A enhanced production. Substitutions within and outside the FNLD box enhanced or reduced the transport efficiency. None of the above substitutions nor even an internal 6His tag from positions −13 to −8 had any effect on the capacity of the leader peptide to induce NisB and NisC modifications. Therefore, these data demonstrate a large mutational freedom. However, simultaneous replacement of the FNLD amino acids by four alanines strongly reduced export and even led to a complete loss of the capacity to induce modifications. Reducing the leader peptide to MSTKDFNLDLR led to 3- or 4-fold dehydration. Taken together, the FNLD box is crucial for inducing posttranslational modifications.