bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A point prevalence survey of hospital inpatients to define the proportion with palliation as the primary goal of care and the need for specialist palliative care
Authors: To T. H. M. , Greene A. G. , Agar M. R. , Currow D. C.
Published: May 2011

The direct burden of people whose goal of care is a palliative approach has not been estimated in the acute care setting. Using a single time point, cross‐sectional survey of all inpatient beds, an estimate was generated across a network of three South Australian public hospitals. One in three inpatients had a palliative approach as the goal of care and of these, only one in five had been referred to specialist palliative care services. Those referred were significantly more likely to have cancer and be younger men. Active recognition and documentation that a palliative approach frames the goals of care for this person needs to be incorporated more systematically into clinical practice in the acute care setting. At the same time, triggers for needs‐based referral for specialist assessment should be implemented. Specialist palliative care services must also provide direct care for a wider range of patients than just those with cancer.
Globalization and the local government learning process in post‐Mao China: a transnational perspective
Authors: CHIEN SHIUH‐SHEN , HO BING
Published: June 2011

Since the 1970s, China has changed from a centrally planned economy to a more open and globalized one. Within this context we ask how, under what circumstances and through what means are local governments able to make policy innovations in upgrading the business environment within their jurisdictions. Theoretically, it is possible to learn policy innovations from the past, from neighbours and from aboard. Leading development regions, like the Yangtze River Delta, are unlikely to learn from either their domestic neighbours or their past communist history. Therefore, they must learn from the experiences of other countries. We argue that this transnational learning process occurs through three different but interrelated mechanisms. These are (1) the personal networks of local officials interacting with foreign investors who are familiar with international business standards of global production networks; (2) institutional alliances in which local officials interact with foreign governments that have co‐invested in development zones and joint interests; and (3) hegemonic discourse, wherein local officials interact with foreign consultants who have essential development knowledge. We examine this contention by analysing three empirical cases of local governments in the Yangtze River Delta – Kunshan, which demonstrates the personal network learning mechanism; Suzhou, demonstrating institutional alliance learning; and Shanghai, which exemplifies learning through hegemonic discourse.
Pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating peptide induces long‐lasting neuroprotection through the induction of activity‐dependent signaling via the cyclic AMP response element‐binding protein‐regulated transcription co‐activator 1
Authors: Baxter Paul S. , Martel Marc‐Andre , McMahon Aoife , Kind Peter C. , Hardingham Giles E.
Published: May 2011

J. Neurochem.(2011)118, 365–378.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating peptide (PACAP) is a neuroprotective peptide which exerts its effects mainly through the cAMP‐protein kinase A (PKA) pathway. Here, we show that in cortical neurons, PACAP‐induced PKA signaling exerts a major part of its neuroprotective effects indirectly, by triggering action potential (AP) firing. Treatment of cortical neurons with PACAP induces a rapid and sustained PKA‐dependent increase in AP firing and associated intracellular Ca2+transients, which are essential for the anti‐apoptotic actions of PACAP. Transient exposure to PACAP induces long‐lasting neuroprotection in the face of apoptotic insults which is reliant on AP firing and the activation of cAMP response element (CRE) binding protein (CREB)‐mediated gene expression. Although direct, activity‐independent PKA signaling is sufficient to trigger phosphorylation on CREB’s activating serine‐133 site, this is insufficient for activation of CREB‐mediated gene expression. Full activation is dependent on CREB‐regulated transcription co‐activator 1 (CRTC1), whose PACAP‐induced nuclear import is dependent on firing activity‐dependent calcineurin signaling. Over‐expression of CRTC1 is sufficient to rescue PACAP‐induced CRE‐mediated gene expression in the face of activity‐blockade, while dominant negative CRTC1 interferes with PACAP‐induced, CREB‐mediated neuroprotection. Thus, the enhancement of AP firing may play a significant role in the neuroprotective actions of PACAP and other adenylate cyclase‐coupled ligands.
Human Capital, Taxes and Labour Supply
Authors: KEANE MICHAEL P.
Published: June 2011

The standard life‐cycle labour supply model accounts for asset accumulation, but ignores human capital investment. This article describes some recent work that introduces human capital into the standard model. This has some interesting, and even surprising, implications for labour supply elasticities. In particular, once we account for the effects of human capital, it appears that labour supply elasticities may be much larger than conventional wisdom would suggest. This, in turn, implies that the efficiency costs of labour income taxation may be much larger than is commonly assumed. Consequently, labour income taxation should be viewed as comparably costly to other types of taxation (such as capital income taxation).
Perceived similarity and understanding in dyadic coping among young and mature couples
Authors: IAFRATE RAFFAELLA , BERTONI ANNA , DONATO SILVIA , FINKENAUER CATRIN
Published: June 2011

The study examined perceived similarity and understanding in dyadic coping among 197 young and 192 mature couples. Perceived similarity and understanding were computed through a dyad‐centered approach. To separate 2 equally important components of dyadic congruence (i.e., unique and stereotypical similarity) stereotype adjusted and unadjusted scores were computed. Results indicated that stereotype effects were higher among young couples than among mature couples; perceived stereotypical similarity was higher in young couples than in mature couples and stereotypical and partner‐specific understanding were higher in mature couple relationships. Stereotypical understanding was positively associated with relationship quality but only among mature couples. Partner‐specific understanding was not associated with relationship quality in mature couples, but it was negatively associated with relationship quality in young couples.
Direct Costs of Preventive Headache Treatments: Comparison of Behavioral and Pharmacologic Approaches
Authors: Schafer Allison M. , Rains Jeanetta C. , Penzien Donald B. , Groban Leanne , Smitherman Todd A. , Houle Timothy T.
Published: June 2011

(Headache 2011;51:985‐991)

Objectives.— This study provides preliminary data and a framework to facilitate cost comparisons for pharmacologic vs behavioral approaches to headache prophylactic treatment.

Background.— There are few empirical demonstrations of cumulative costs for pharmacologic and behavioral headache treatments, and there are no direct comparisons of short‐ and long‐range (5‐year) costs for pharmacologic vs behavioral headache treatments.

Methods.— Two separate pilot surveys were distributed to a convenience sample of behavioral specialists and physicians identified from the membership of the American Headache Society. Costs of prototypical regimens for preventive pharmacologic treatment (PPT), clinic‐based behavioral treatment (CBBT), minimal contact behavioral treatment (MCBT), and group behavioral treatment were assessed. Each survey addressed total cost accumulated during treatment (ie, intake, professional fees) excluding costs of acute medications. The total costs of preventive headache therapy by type of treatment were then evaluated and compared over time.

Results.— During the initial months of treatment, PPT with inexpensive mediations (<0.75 $/day) represents the least costly regimen and is comparable to MCBT in expense until 6 months. After 6 months, PPT is expected to become more costly, particularly when medication cost exceeds 0.75$ a day. When using an expensive medication (>3 $/day), preventive drug treatment becomes more expensive than CBBT after the first year. Long‐term, and within year 1, MCBT was found to be the least costly approach to migraine prevention.

Conclusions.— Through year 1 of treatment, inexpensive prophylactic medications (such as generically available beta‐blocker or tricyclic antidepressant medications) and behavioral interventions utilizing limited delivery formats (MCBT) are the least costly of the empirically validated interventions. This analysis suggests that, relative to pharmacologic options, limited format behavioral interventions are cost‐competitive in the early phases of treatment and become more cost‐efficient as the years of treatment accrue.
Academic integrity and plagiarism: perceptions and experience of staff and students in a school of dentistry: A situational analysis of staff and student perspectives
Authors: Ford P. J. , Hughes C.
Published: June 2011

Introduction:  This project has investigated student and staff perceptions and experience of plagiarism in a large Australian dental school to develop a response to an external audit report.

Methods:  Workshops designed to enhance participants’ understanding of plagiarism and to assist with practical ways to promote academic integrity within the school were provided to all students and staff. Anonymous surveys were used to investigate perceptions and experience of plagiarism and to assess the usefulness of the workshops.

Results:  Most participants felt that plagiarism was not a problem in the school, but a significant number were undecided. The majority of participants reported that the guidelines for dealing with plagiarism were inadequate and most supported the mandatory use of text‐matching software in all courses. High proportions of participants indicated that the workshops were useful and that they would consider improving their practice as a result.

Conclusions:  The study provided data that enhanced understanding of aspects of plagiarism highlighted in the report at the school level and identified areas in need of attention, such as refining and raising awareness of the guidelines and incorporation of text‐matching software into courses, as well as cautions to be considered (how text‐matching software is used) in planning responsive action.
ORAOV1 is amplified in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Xavier Flávia Caló Aquino , Rodini Camila Oliveira , Paiva Katiúcia Batista Silva , Destro Maria Fernanda Souza Setúbal , Severino Patricia , Moyses Raquel A. ,   Head and Neck Genome Project GENCAPO, Tajara Eloiza H. , Nunes Fabio Daumas
Published: May 2011

J Oral Pathol Med (2012) 41: 54–60

Background:  Oral cancer overexpressed 1 (ORAOV1) was found as a candidate oncogene in the 11q13 chromosomal region, based on its amplification and overexpression in oral cancer cell lines. Because gene amplification often leads to increased levels of gene expression, we aimed to verify the relationship between ORAOV1 gene status and mRNA expression primarily in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) by quantitative assay, correlating with clinical and pathological characteristics in patients.

Methods:  Levels of ORAOV1 amplification and expression were evaluated by qPCR and RT–qPCR in OSCC cell lines and in tumor and non‐tumoral surgical margins from 33 patients with OSCC. All subjects were smokers and habitual alcohol drinkers, mostly men above 40 years of age and with a single primary tumor.

Results:  ORAOV1 exhibited increased gene expression levels as well as higher copy number in three OSCC cell lines with 11q13 amplified chromosomal region when compared with the OSCC cell line without the amplification (one‐way ANOVA, P < 0.05). Weak correlation between ORAOV1 mRNA levels and DNA copy number was seen in tumor samples (Spearman, P = 0.07). Although ORAOV1 was amplified in tumor (Wilcoxon, P < 0.01), high levels of transcripts in margin did not reveal differences in comparison with tumor (Wilcoxon, P = 0.85). Aggressiveness and survival rate did not demonstrate statistical difference for both events in OSCC.

Conclusion:  The overexpression of ORAOV1 in non‐tumoral margin samples can occur in the absence of amplification. The weak correlation between ORAOV1 amplification and expression in OSSC suggests that ORAOV1 expression can be regulated by mechanisms other than gene amplification.
Increase in invasive nonvaccine pneumococcal serotypes at two hospitals in Barcelona: was replacement disease to blame?
Authors: Pérez Andrés , Giménez Montserrat , Sala Pere , Sierra Montserrat , Esteve Anna , Rodrigo Carlos
Published: May 2011

Aim:  To describe an increase in the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) caused by serotypes not contained in the heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) in children in two hospitals in Barcelona with different vaccine uptake.

Methods:  Cumulative incidences of IPD, vaccine and nonvaccine serotypes (NVSTs), and main clinical presentations before (1998–2001) and after vaccine introduction (2005–2008) were compared.

Results:  The incidence of IPD in children aged <2 years at Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol covering a population in which PCV7 was not widely used showed a nonsignificant increase from 29.9 to 58.8 per 100 000 child‐years between both periods. Following vaccine introduction, there was a 2.5‐fold increase in IPD caused by NVSTs in children aged <5 years. Analysis of trends in the almost fully vaccinated population of Hospital de Barcelona revealed a nonsignificant reduction in IPD incidence in children aged <2 years from 63.1 to 26.0 per 100 000 child‐years. NVSTs in children aged <5 years showed a nonsignificant 1.7‐fold increase in the vaccine period at this centre.

Conclusions:  The paradoxical increase in invasive infections caused by NVSTs in these populations with different vaccine use suggests that these changes were not driven only by PCV7.
Solution parameters modulating DNA binding specificity of the restriction endonuclease EcoRV
Authors: Sidorova Nina Y. , Muradymov Shakir , Rau Donald C.
Published: May 2011

The DNA binding stringency of restriction endonucleases is crucial for their proper function. The X‐ray structures of the specific and non‐cognate complexes of the restriction nuclease EcoRV are considerably different suggesting significant differences in the hydration and binding free energies. Nonetheless, the majority of studies performed at pH 7.5, optimal for enzymatic activity, have found a < 10‐fold difference between EcoRV binding constants to the specific and nonspecific sequences in the absence of divalent ions. We used a recently developed self‐cleavage assay to measure EcoRV–DNA competitive binding and to evaluate the influence of water activity, pH and salt concentration on the binding stringency of the enzyme in the absence of divalent ions. We find the enzyme can readily distinguish specific and nonspecific sequences. The relative specific–nonspecific binding constant increases strongly with increasing neutral solute concentration and with decreasing pH. The difference in number of associated waters between specific and nonspecific DNA–EcoRV complexes is consistent with the differences in the crystal structures. Despite the large pH dependence of the sequence specificity, the osmotic pressure dependence indicates little change in structure with pH. The large osmotic pressure dependence means that measurement of protein–DNA specificity in dilute solution cannot be directly applied to binding in the crowded environment of the cell. In addition to divalent ions, water activity and pH are key parameters that strongly modulate binding specificity of EcoRV.
Unique modifications of translation elongation factors
Authors: Greganova Eva , Altmann Michael , Bütikofer Peter
Published: May 2011

Covalent modifications of proteins often modulate their biological functions or change their subcellular location. Among the many known protein modifications, three are exceptional in that they only occur on single proteins: ethanolamine phosphoglycerol, diphthamide and hypusine. Remarkably, the corresponding proteins carrying these modifications, elongation factor 1A, elongation factor 2 and initiation factor 5A, are all involved in elongation steps of translation. For diphthamide and, in part, hypusine, functional essentiality has been demonstrated, whereas no functional role has been reported so far for ethanolamine phosphoglycerol. We review the biosynthesis, attachment and physiological roles of these unique protein modifications and discuss common and separate features of the target proteins, which represent essential proteins in all organisms.
Knowledge‐Based Identification of the ERK2/STAT3 Signal Pathway as a Therapeutic Target for Type 2 Diabetes and Drug Discovery
Authors: Kinoshita Takayoshi , Doi Kentaro , Sugiyama Hajime , Kinoshita Shuhei , Wada Mutsuyo , Naruto Shuji , Tomonaga Atsushi
Published: May 2011

Many existing agents for diabetes therapy are unable to restore or maintain normal glucose homeostasis or prevent the eventual emergence of hyperglycemia‐related complication. Therefore, agents based on novel mechanisms are sought to complement and extend the current therapeutic approaches. Based on the initial paper research, we focused on active STAT3 as an attractive pharmacological target for type 2 diabetes. The subsequent text mining with a unique query to identify suppressors but not activators of STAT3 revealed the ERK2/STAT3 pathway as a novel diabetes target. The description of ERK2 inhibitors as diabetes target had not been found in our text mining research at present. The mechanism‐based peptide inhibitor for ERK2 was identified using the knowledge of the KIM sequence, which has an important role in the recognition of cognate kinases, phosphatases, scaffold proteins, and substrates. The peptide inhibitor was confirmed to exert effects in vitro and in vivo. The peptide inhibitor conferred a significant decrease in HOMA‐IR levels on Day 28 compared with that in the vehicle group. Besides lowering the fasting blood glucose level, the peptide inhibitor also attenuated the blood glucose increment in the fed state, as compared with the vehicle group.
Why is Inflation in China a Monetary Phenomenon?
Authors: Zhang Chengsi
Published: June 2011

This paper proposes that inflation in China during the post‐reform era (1978 onwards) is always a monetary phenomenon. We construct a multivariate dynamic model based on Friedman's quantity theory of money and use the standard Granger causality test to show that money growth contains significant predictive power for inflation during the underlying period. The finding is robust to alternative measures of monetary aggregates and both closed and open economy frameworks. The baseline finding of the paper indicates that quantitative tools remain the most important policy instruments for China to manage its inflation effectively.
Evaluating Fertilizer Application Rates for Giant Gourami, Osphronemus goramy, Ponds
Authors: Pengseng Puan , Boyd Claude E.
Published: June 2011

Twelve, 400‐m2 earthen ponds at Walailak University, Thailand, were used to investigate the effects of fertilizer application rates on water quality, bottom soil, and production of giant gourami, Osphronemus goramy. Fertilizer rates of 0, 6, 9, and 12 kg N plus 0, 3, 4.5, and 6 kg P2O5 /ha (N:P2O5 = 2:1) applied at 3‐wk intervals were replicated three times in a completely randomized design. Ammonium phosphate and ammonium sulfate were sources of nitrogen and phosphorus. Fish averaged 8.8 g and were stocked at 1 fish/m2. The highest final weight, growth rate, and net production of giant gourami were achieved with 9 kg N plus 4.5 kg P2O5/ha. Chlorophyll a concentration was correlated with total nitrogen concentration (R2 = 0.574; P < 0.05) and total phosphorus concentration (R2 = 0.600, P < 0.05). Fish production and chlorophyll a concentration were also correlated (0.826; P < 0.05). Chlorophyll a concentration and fish production declined at total hardness concentrations above about 50 mg/L – likely from precipitation of fertilizer phosphorus as calcium phosphate. Pond bottom soil properties did not change in relationship to fertilizer rate.
Re‐evaluation of Potassium Fertilization of Bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus, Ponds
Authors: Viriyatum Rawee , Boyd Claude E.
Published: June 2011

An experiment consisting of eight potassium fertilization rates ranging from 0 to 60 kg K2O/ha was conducted in earthen ponds stocked with bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus, at Auburn University in Alabama. Each pond also received nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization at 6 kg N and 3 kg P2O5/ha per application. After 11 fertilizer applications for over 7 mo, potassium concentrations in pond water ranged from 3.3 mg/L in control ponds to 38.9 mg/L in the pond receiving 60 kg K2O/ha. The coefficients of determination (R2) between potassium fertilization rate and bluegill production and between potassium concentration in pond water and bluegill production were 0.039 and 0.071, respectively. Potassium fertilization appears unnecessary in bluegill ponds where water contains more than 2 mg/L of potassium.
Response of Male Blue Catfish, Ictalurus furcatus, and Male Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, to Female Channel Catfish Given Pheromonal Steroids or Prostaglandin
Authors: Broach Jason S. , Phelps Ronald P.
Published: June 2011

The effects of the putative hormonal pheromones 17α, 20β‐dihydroxy‐4‐pregnene‐3‐one (17,20β‐P), 17,20β‐P‐20‐glucosiduronate, and prostaglandin F‐2α (PGF‐2α) injected into female channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, were investigated to determine whether male channel catfish and blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus, could be attracted to the injected females. Females were distributed into traps placed in ponds containing either male channel catfish or blue catfish. Traps were checked six times in a 96‐h period. Males were 17.9 times more likely to be captured with a PGF‐2α‐injected female than with an ethanol‐only injected female, or a 17,20β‐P‐injected female, and 3.5 times more likely to be captured with a PGF‐2α‐injected female than with a 17,20β‐P‐glucosiduronate‐injected female. Males were 6.0 times more likely to be caught between 48 and 96 h post‐injection than between 12 and 24 h post‐injection. These results suggest that the overall best pheromone to attract blue catfish and channel catfish males is PGF‐2α at 48–96 h post‐injection.
The New England Singing School: Ritual Change and Religious Culture in Revolutionary America
Authors: Marini Stephen A.
Published: June 2011

The New England singing school brought more than a new form of musical training to colonial and Revolutionary America. It also touched off a process of ritual change that permanently altered the religious culture of New England Congregationalism. The singing school first emerged in the early eighteenth century as a vehicle through which ministers asserted their cultic control over a restive laity. By mid‐century, however, the emergence of itinerant lay singing masters had created a class of ritual specialists who challenged the traditional institutional authority of the clergy. The process of change intensified still further in the Revolutionary era as singing school scholars formed choirs who demanded special status as a lay community of ritual performers. By the end of the Revolution, the New England singing school had also changed the content of Congregationalist religious culture itself by providing a new ritual repertory of American musical settings for the sacred poetry of Isaac Watts that quickly replaced traditional Puritan psalmody.
Grammaticalization
Authors: Aaron Smith K.
Published: June 2011

This article presents the study of grammaticalization within the fields of language change and variation, and historical linguistics. Grammaticalization has to do with the diachronic relationship between the lexicon and grammar and with stages of relatively greater and lesser grammaticality. The major effects of grammaticalization, e.g. phonological reduction, semantic generalization, and fusion (or bondedness) are reviewed. The various roles that reanalysis, analogy, and frequency play in grammaticalization are also discussed. The paper further presents the role that grammaticalization studies has played in establishing diachronic universals and discusses metaphor and metonymy in motivating those universals. Finally, the controversies concerning the exceptional status of grammaticalization, the unidirectionality hypothesis, and the legitimacy of grammaticalization as ‘process’ and ‘theory’ are addressed.
Antagonistic Action of Bacillus subtilis Strain fmbj on the Postharvest Pathogen Rhizopus stolonifer
Authors: Zhou Xiaohong , Lu Zhaoxin , Lv Fengxia , Zhao Haizhen , Wang Yu , Bie Xiaomei
Published: June 2011

Abstract:  The antagonistic activities of Bacillus subtilis fmbj against the Rhizopus stolonifer pathogen causing peach soft rot disease were studied in this paper. Bacillus subtilis fmbj exhibited a high antifungal effect on the mycelium growth, sportulation, and germ tube elongation of R. stolonifer with the inhibition rate of 86.5% and 97.42%, respectively, spore germination rate of 20% under antagonist strain concentration of 108 CFU/mL. By using of scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM), it was observed that B. subtilis fmbj strain strongly induced morphological abnormalities of R. stolonifer and destroyed structure of hypha and spore. When hypha cell wall of R. stolonifer was damaged, the organelles and cytoplasms inside cell would exude, which led to cell death.
Comparative Effect of the Addition of α‐, β‐, or γ‐Cyclodextrin on Main Sensory and Physico–Chemical Parameters
Authors: Andreu‐Sevilla Antonio J. , López‐Nicolás José M. , Carbonell‐Barrachina Ángel A. , García‐Carmona Francisco
Published: June 2011

Abstract:  Although α‐, β‐, and γ‐cyclodextrins (CDs) have been widely used to improve the color of different fruit juices, a comparative study of the effect of these natural CDs on other properties that also influence pear juice quality, such as odor and aroma, have not been reported yet. In this study, the comparative effect of the addition of α‐, β‐, and γ‐cyclodextrin, the only CDs authorized to be used in the food industry by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Union, on the pear juice quality was evaluated for the first time. Several instrumental and sensory properties of this fruit juice, such as color, volatile composition, odor, and aroma have been evaluated in the absence and presence of α‐, β‐, and γ‐CD. A study of the aroma profile of pear juice showed that esters, aldehydes, alcohols, and terpenes were the most important chemical families. However, the addition of α‐, β‐, and γ‐CD had different effects on both the concentration of individual volatile compounds and their chemical grouping. Furthermore, a trained sensory panel was used to evaluate color, overall odor, overall aroma, and overall quality of pear juice in the presence or absence of CDs.

Practical Application:  After comparing the effects of the addition of α‐, β‐, and γ‐CD on pear juice, our final recommendation is to add α‐CD (the natural CD formed by 6 units of glucose) to pear juice because it will significantly increase the global quality of the juice by reducing its browning but without producing a significant reduction in the aroma quality.
Characterization and Evaluation of the Ag+‐Loaded Soy Protein Isolate‐Based Bactericidal Film‐Forming Dispersion and Films
Authors: Sun Qingshen , Li Xiaodi , Wang Pu , Du Yiyang , Han Dequan , Wang Fengjiao , Liu Xumei , Li Pengfei , Fu Honggang
Published: June 2011

Abstract: This study aims to prepare bactericidal films developed from soy protein isolate (SPI) based film‐forming dispersions (FFDs) for use in the food and medical fields. The FFD and films were prepared after the incorporation of different concentrations of AgNO3as a bactericidal agent. The transparency, tensile strength, and antimicrobial features were evaluated. Structural characterizations were also performed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, and atomic force microscopy analysis. Results showed that the opacity of these FFD was greatly decreased after the incorporation of AgNO3. The SPI‐5 film has the largest tensile strength (P < 0.05) compared with that of the other ones. Micro structural imaging analysis showed an increase in the surface irregularities with the addition of AgNO3. The minimum inhibitory concentration of AgNO3was 336 μg/mL FFD for both Escherichia coli ATCC 25923 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25922. The SPI‐AgNO3films developed from the FFD with the minimal AgNO3concentration at 336 μg/mL FFD also showed bactericidal effects for both the strains. These results may prove promising for the use of SPI‐AgNO3films in the food or medical industries.

Practical Application: The films prepared in this study are biodegradable and will be used in medical and food fields.
Comment on “A Bacterium That Can Grow by Using Arsenic Instead of Phosphorus”
Authors: Borhani David W.
Published: May 2011

Wolfe-Simon
et al
. (Research Articles, 3 June 2011, p. 1163; published online 2 December 2010) reported the discovery of an unusual bacterium, strain GFAJ-1, that can grow in the presence of high concentrations of arsenate. The authors’ contention, however, that this microbe can appreciably vary the elemental composition of its fundamental biomolecules by substituting arsenic for phosphorus appears premature based on the data presented.
Comment on “A Bacterium That Can Grow by Using Arsenic Instead of Phosphorus”
Authors: Benner Steven A.
Published: May 2011

Wolfe-Simon
et al
. (Research Articles, 3 June 2011, p. 1163; published online 2 December 2010) reported that bacterium GFAJ-1 can substitute arsenic for phosphorus in its macromolecules, including DNA and proteins. If such arseno-DNA exists, then much of the past century of work with arsenate and phosphate chemistry, as well as much of what we think we know about metabolism, will need rewriting.
Comment on “A Bacterium That Can Grow by Using Arsenic Instead of Phosphorus”
Authors: Oehler Stefan
Published: May 2011

Wolfe-Simon
et al
. (Research Articles, 3 June 2011, p. 1163; published online 2 December 2010) reported that a naturally occurring bacterium, strain GFAJ-1, can substitute arsenic for phosphorus in its biomolecules. However, straightforward experiments to support this claim, including density gradient centrifugation of DNA assumed to contain arsenic, were either not performed or not presented. As a result, the authors’ conclusions remain uncertain.
Comment on “A Bacterium That Can Grow by Using Arsenic Instead of Phosphorus”
Authors: Csabai István , Szathmáry Eörs
Published: May 2011

Wolfe-Simon
et al
. (Research Articles, 3 June 2011, p. 1163; published online 2 December 2010) reported that bacterial strain GFAJ-1 can substitute arsenic for phosphorus in its biomolecules, including nucleic acids and proteins. Unfortunately, their study lacks crucial experimental evidence to support this claim and suffers from inadequate data and poor presentation and analysis.
Comment on “A Bacterium That Can Grow by Using Arsenic Instead of Phosphorus”
Authors: Schoepp-Cothenet B. , Nitschke W. , Barge L. M. , Ponce A. , Russell M. J. , Tsapin A. I.
Published: May 2011

Wolfe-Simon
et al
. (Research Articles, 3 June 2011, p. 1163; published online 2 December 2010) argued that the bacterial strain GFAJ-1 can vary the elemental composition of its biomolecules by substituting arsenic for phosphorus. Although their data show that GFAJ-1 is an extraordinary extremophile, consideration of arsenate redox chemistry undermines the suggestion that arsenate can replace the physiologic functions of phosphate.
Comment on “A Bacterium That Can Grow by Using Arsenic Instead of Phosphorus”
Authors: Redfield Rosemary J.
Published: May 2011

Wolfe-Simon
et al
. (Research Articles, 3 June 2011, p. 1163; published online 2 December 2010) reported that bacterium GFAJ-1 can grow by using arsenic instead of phosphorus. However, the presence of contaminating phosphate in the growth medium, as well as the omission of important DNA purification steps, cast doubt on the authors’ conclusion that arsenic can substitute for phosphorus in the nucleic acids of this organism.
Comment on “A Bacterium That Can Grow by Using Arsenic Instead of Phosphorus”
Authors: Foster Patricia L.
Published: May 2011

Wolfe-Simon
et al
. (Research Articles, 3 June 2011, p. 1163; published online 2 December 2010) reported an apparent stimulatory effect of arsenic on the growth of bacteria isolated from Mono Lake, California, which they interpreted as evidence that the cells can grow by using arsenic instead of phosphorus. Alternatively, arsenic may have stimulated the bacterium’s high-affinity phosphorus assimilation pathway, which is active when phosphate levels are low.
Comment on “A Bacterium That Can Grow by Using Arsenic Instead of Phosphorus”
Authors: Cotner James B. , Hall Edward K.
Published: May 2011

Wolfe-Simon
et al
. (Research Articles, 3 June 2011, p. 1163; published online 2 December 2010) reported that the bacterial strain GFAJ-1 can grow by using arsenic (As) instead of phosphorus (P), noting that the P content in bacteria grown in +As/–P culture medium was far below the quantity needed to support growth. However, low P content is a common phenotype across a broad range of environmental bacteria that experience P limitation.
Response to Comments on “A Bacterium That Can Grow Using Arsenic Instead of Phosphorus”
Authors: Wolfe-Simon Felisa , Blum Jodi Switzer , Kulp Thomas R. , Gordon Gwyneth W. , Hoeft Shelley E. , Pett-Ridge Jennifer , Stolz John F. , Webb Samuel M. , Weber Peter K. , Davies Paul C. W. , Anbar Ariel D. , Oremland Ronald S.
Published: May 2011

Concerns have been raised about our recent study suggesting that arsenic (As) substitutes for phosphorus in major biomolecules of a bacterium that tolerates extreme As concentrations. We welcome the opportunity to better explain our methods and results and to consider alternative interpretations. We maintain that our interpretation of As substitution, based on multiple congruent lines of evidence, is viable.
Research Principles for Developing Country Food Value Chains
Authors: Gómez M. I. , Barrett C. B. , Buck L. E. , De Groote H. , Ferris S. , Gao H. O. , McCullough E. , Miller D. D. , Outhred H. , Pell A. N. , Reardon T. , Retnanestri M. , Ruben R. , Struebi P. , Swinnen J. , Touesnard M. A. , Weinberger K. , Keatinge J. D. H. , Milstein M. B. , Yang R. Y.
Published: June 2011

From farm to table, multidisciplinary research is needed to improve the economic benefit of food production in the developing world.
The Values of Science
Authors: Serageldin Ismail
Published: June 2011

In Egypt and Tunisia, ordinary citizens have toppled autocrats; elsewhere in the Arab World, they still battle dictators, armed with little more than their belief in freedom, human rights, and democracy. What sort of society comes after the revolution? Many fear that the idealism of the revolutionary democrats will only pave the way for theological autocrats who preach an intolerant doctrine. But fighting extremism is best done not by censorship or autocracy but by embracing pluralism and defeating ideas with ideas. And here, science has much to say, particularly about the values that are needed for societies to be truly open and democratic, because these are the values of science.
Molecular Detection of Campylobacter spp. in California Gull (Larus californicus) Excreta
Authors: Lu Jingrang , Ryu Hodon , Santo Domingo Jorge W. , Griffith John F. , Ashbolt Nicholas
Published: May 2011

We examined the prevalence, quantity, and diversity of
Campylobacter
species in the excreta of 159 California gull (
Larus californicus
) samples using culture-, PCR-, and quantitative PCR (qPCR)-based detection assays.
Campylobacter
prevalence and abundance were relatively high in the gull excreta examined; however,
C. jejuni
and
C. lari
were detected in fewer than 2% of the isolates and DNA extracts from the fecal samples that tested positive. Moreover, molecular and sequencing data indicated that most
L. californicus
campylobacters were novel (<97% 16S rRNA gene sequence identity to known
Campylobacter
species) and not closely related to species commonly associated with human illness.
Campylobacter
estimates were positively related with those of fecal indicators, including a gull fecal marker based on the
Catellicoccus marimammalium
16S rRNA gene.
Restructuring of Endophytic Bacterial Communities in Grapevine Yellows-Diseased and Recovered Vitis vinifera L. Plants
Authors: Bulgari Daniela , Casati Paola , Crepaldi Paola , Daffonchio Daniele , Quaglino Fabio , Brusetti Lorenzo , Bianco Piero Attilio
Published: May 2011

Length heterogeneity-PCR assays, combined with statistical analyses, highlighted that the endophytic bacterial community associated with healthy grapevines was characterized by a greater diversity than that present in diseased and recovered plants. The findings suggest that phytoplasmas can restructure the bacterial community by selecting endophytic strains that could elicit a plant defense response.
Cell Surface Display of Poliovirus Receptor on Escherichia coli, a Novel Method for Concentrating Viral Particles in Water
Authors: Abbaszadegan Morteza , Alum Absar , Abbaszadegan Hamed , Stout Valerie
Published: May 2011

The lack of efficient methods for concentrating viruses in water samples leads to underreporting of viral contamination in source water. A novel strategy for viral concentration was developed using the expression of target virus receptors on bacterial cells. Poliovirus type 1, the most studied enterovirus, was used as a surrogate for enteric viruses. The human poliovirus receptor (
hPVR
) gene was expressed on the surface of
Escherichia coli
cells by using the ice nucleation protein (
INP
) gene. The
hPVR
gene was ligated to the 3′ end of the
INP
gene after the removal of the stop codon. The resulting open reading frame (ORF) was used for the projection of hPVR onto the outer membrane of
E. coli
. Gene expression was tested by SDS-PAGE, Western blot, and dot blot analyses, and virion capture ability was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. The application of engineered
E. coli
cells for capturing viruses in 1-liter samples of source and drinking water resulted in 75 to 99% procedural recovery efficiency. Cell surface display of viral receptors on bacterial cells opens a new prospect for an efficient and inexpensive alternative tool for capturing and concentrating waterborne viruses in water samples.
Comparison of Genotypic and Phylogenetic Relationships of Environmental Enterococcus Isolates by BOX-PCR Typing and 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing
Authors: Nayak Bina S. , Badgley Brian , Harwood Valerie J.
Published: May 2011

Environmental
Enterococcus
spp. were compared by BOX-PCR genotyping and 16S rRNA gene sequencing to clarify the predictive relationship of BOX-PCR fingerprints to species designation. BOX-PCR and 16S rRNA gene relationships agreed for 77% of strains. BOX-PCR provided superior intraspecies discrimination but incorrectly identified some strains to the species level and divided some species into multiple groups.
Local Adaptation to Soil Hypoxia Determines the Structure of an Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Community in Roots from Natural CO2Springs
Authors: Maček Irena , Dumbrell Alex J. , Nelson Michaela , Fitter Alastair H. , Vodnik Dominik , Helgason Thorunn
Published: May 2011

The processes responsible for producing and maintaining the diversity of natural arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal communities remain largely unknown. We used natural CO2springs (mofettes), which create hypoxic soil environments, to determine whether a long-term, directional, abiotic selection pressure could change AM fungal community structure and drive the selection of particular AM fungal phylotypes. We explored whether those phylotypes that appear exclusively in hypoxic soils are local specialists or widespread generalists able to tolerate a range of soil conditions. AM fungal community composition was characterized by cloning, restriction fragment length polymorphism typing, and the sequencing of small subunit rRNA genes from roots of four plant species growing at high (hypoxic) and low (control) geological CO2exposure. We found significant levels of AM fungal community turnover (β diversity) between soil types and the numerical dominance of two AM fungal phylotypes in hypoxic soils. Our results strongly suggest that direct environmental selection acting on AM fungi is a major factor regulating AM fungal communities and their phylogeographic patterns. Consequently, some AM fungi are more strongly associated with local variations in the soil environment than with their host plant's distribution.
Impact of Biochar Application to Soil on the Root-Associated Bacterial Community Structure of Fully Developed Greenhouse Pepper Plants
Authors: Kolton Max , Meller Harel Yael , Pasternak Zohar , Graber Ellen R. , Elad Yigal , Cytryn Eddie
Published: May 2011

Adding biochar to soil has environmental and agricultural potential due to its long-term carbon sequestration capacity and its ability to improve crop productivity. Recent studies have demonstrated that soil-applied biochar promotes the systemic resistance of plants to several prominent foliar pathogens. One potential mechanism for this phenomenon is root-associated microbial elicitors whose presence is somehow augmented in the biochar-amended soils. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of biochar amendment on the root-associated bacterial community composition of mature sweet pepper (
Capsicum annuum
L.) plants. Molecular fingerprinting (denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism) of 16S rRNA gene fragments showed a clear differentiation between the root-associated bacterial community structures of biochar-amended and control plants. The pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA amplicons from the rhizoplane of both treatments generated a total of 20,142 sequences, 92 to 95% of which were affiliated with the
Proteobacteria
,
Bacteroidetes
,
Actinobacteria
, and
Firmicutes
phyla. The relative abundance of members of the
Bacteroidetes
phylum increased from 12 to 30% as a result of biochar amendment, while that of the
Proteobacteria
decreased from 71 to 47%. The
Bacteroidetes-
affiliated
Flavobacterium
was the strongest biochar-induced genus. The relative abundance of this group increased from 4.2% of total root-associated operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in control samples to 19.6% in biochar-amended samples. Additional biochar-induced genera included chitin and cellulose degraders (
Chitinophaga
and
Cellvibrio
, respectively) and aromatic compound degraders (
Hydrogenophaga
and
Dechloromonas
). We hypothesize that these biochar-augmented genera may be at least partially responsible for the beneficial effect of biochar amendment on plant growth and viability.
Enhanced Removal of a Human Norovirus Surrogate from Fresh Vegetables and Fruits by a Combination of Surfactants and Sanitizers
Authors: Predmore Ashley , Li Jianrong
Published: May 2011

Fruits and vegetables are major vehicles for transmission of food-borne enteric viruses since they are easily contaminated at pre- and postharvest stages and they undergo little or no processing. However, commonly used sanitizers are relatively ineffective for removing human norovirus surrogates from fresh produce. In this study, we systematically evaluated the effectiveness of surfactants on removal of a human norovirus surrogate, murine norovirus 1 (MNV-1), from fresh produce. We showed that a panel of surfactants, including sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), Nonidet P-40 (NP-40), Triton X-100, and polysorbates, significantly enhanced the removal of viruses from fresh fruits and vegetables. While tap water alone and chlorine solution (200 ppm) gave only <1.2-log reductions in virus titer in all fresh produce, a solution containing 50 ppm of surfactant was able to achieve a 3-log reduction in virus titer in strawberries and an approximately 2-log reduction in virus titer in lettuce, cabbage, and raspberries. Moreover, a reduction of approximately 3 logs was observed in all the tested fresh produce after sanitization with a solution containing a combination of 50 ppm of each surfactant and 200 ppm of chlorine. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the combination of a surfactant with a commonly used sanitizer enhanced the efficiency in removing viruses from fresh produce by approximately 100 times. Since SDS is an FDA-approved food additive and polysorbates are recognized by the FDA as GRAS (generally recognized as safe) products, implementation of this novel sanitization strategy would be a feasible approach for efficient reduction of the virus load in fresh produce.
Generalized Relationship between Numbers of Bacteria and Their Viability in Biofilms
Authors: Sjollema Jelmer , Rustema-Abbing Minie , van der Mei Henny C. , Busscher Henk J.
Published: May 2011

Bacterial biofilms are confined communities that are encapsulated in protective layers of extracellular polymeric substances. Microscopic evaluation of biofilms of diverse bacterial strains on various substrata reveals that, in general, the percentage of viable bacteria decreases with the total number of bacteria in a biofilm.
SidL, an Aspergillus fumigatus Transacetylase Involved in Biosynthesis of the Siderophores Ferricrocin and Hydroxyferricrocin
Authors: Blatzer Michael , Schrettl Markus , Sarg Bettina , Lindner Herbert H. , Pfaller Kristian , Haas Hubertus
Published: May 2011

The opportunistic fungal pathogen
Aspergillus fumigatus
produces four types of siderophores, low-molecular-mass iron chelators: it excretes fusarinine C (FsC) and triacetylfusarinine C (TAFC) for iron uptake and accumulates ferricrocin (FC) for hyphal and hydroxyferricrocin (HFC) for conidial iron distribution and storage. Siderophore biosynthesis has recently been shown to be crucial for fungal virulence. Here we identified a new component of the fungal siderophore biosynthetic machinery: AFUA_1G04450, termed SidL. SidL is conserved only in siderophore-producing ascomycetes and shows similarity to transacylases involved in bacterial siderophore biosynthesis and the
N
5
-hydroxyornithine:anhydromevalonyl coenzyme A-
N
5
-transacylase SidF, which is essential for TAFC biosynthesis. Inactivation of SidL in
A. fumigatus
decreased FC biosynthesis during iron starvation and completely blocked FC biosynthesis during iron-replete growth. In agreement with these findings, SidL deficiency blocked conidial accumulation of FC-derived HFC under iron-replete conditions, which delayed germination and decreased the size of conidia and their resistance to oxidative stress. Remarkably, the
sidL
gene is not clustered with other siderophore-biosynthetic genes, and its expression is not affected by iron availability. Tagging of SidL with enhanced green fluorescent protein suggested a cytosolic localization of the FC-biosynthetic machinery. Taken together, these data suggest that SidL is a constitutively active
N
5
-hydroxyornithine-acetylase required for FC biosynthesis, in particular under iron-replete conditions. Moreover, this study revealed the unexpected complexity of siderophore biosynthesis, indicating the existence of an additional, iron-repressed
N
5
-hydroxyornithine-acetylase.