bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sun storm dangers! Protecting IT, business, and society
Authors: Sergeant Anne M. A. , Weber John C.
Published: June 2012

The sun seems to be our greatest blessing. It gives us warmth, lights our day, provides the seasons, and marks time. But it can also be our undoing. Throughout history, the sun occasionally ejects a billion‐ton plume of superheated, ionized gas—known as a coronal mass ejection (CME). If this massive bubble of plasma and radiation is aimed directly at Earth, it can seriously damage our technology.

Prior to a hundred years ago, these solar events simply produced spectacular aurora displays that caused great fear—but did little long‐lasting damage to society. But these severe solar storms are no longer harmless. Our dependence on vulnerable modern technology has put us in great danger. Indeed, a direct hit by a massive CME could knock out satellites and cause widespread power failures—which cannot be repaired or restored quickly.

So how can you protect your IT systems and your business from this potentially catastrophic danger? And what should our society do to protect all of us? © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Are you protecting your employee's data?
Authors: Bean LuAnn
Published: June 2012

Over the last few years, data‐privacy failures have become commonplace, both in the United States and abroad. These high‐profile cases demand more regulatory activity—because they have harmed customers and employees and impaired the reputations of many organizations.

Companies face the challenge of managing a greater volume of sensitive information, caused by increased digital storage of employee, health, financial, and other personal data. So the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and other regulatory agencies have increased their focus on data‐privacy failures. It's important to examine these cases—to better understand how to prevent or lessen the risk of damage when there is a privacy breach.

This article focuses on human resources (HR) data‐privacy breaches. The author explores corporate vulnerabilities—to help managers address data‐privacy risks. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Platform as a service: Is it time to switch?
Authors: Fanning Kurt , Centers David P.
Published: June 2012

Software as a service (SaaS)—or, as it is commonly called, cloud computing—is becoming the current choice for software procurement. With cloud computing, computer services are typically provided to users over the Internet—instead of using software products on one's own PC. Companies are now also looking to switch to a similar service, called platform as a service (PaaS). This article explains what PaaS is, and the pros and cons of adopting its use. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Preparing IT for a new product launch
Authors: Burnett Royce D. , Friedman Mark , Prince Andre
Published: June 2012

Website crashes during an online product launch are a frequent occurrence—but the fallout can be tremendous and widespread. The authors of this article show you how to identify IT risks for companies launching online products—and a strategy to reduce those risks. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The IT implications of COSO's new exposure draft
Authors: Tackett James A. , Wolf Fran
Published: June 2012

In 1992, the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) released its landmark structure for designing, implementing, and evaluating the effectiveness of internal control. This framework has become the “gold standard” of internal control for large, publicly traded companies.

Now 20 years later, advancements in information technology (IT) demanded revised guidelines—to better address the financial reporting and control problems faced by companies doing business in a digital world.

But how will the new proposed guidelines affect IT today? © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Key points of failure for IT project business cases
Authors: Iijima Timothy
Published: June 2012

Large IT projects at companies generally underperform expectations—they either are delivered late, come in over budget, or fail to deliver their expected benefits. Studies reveal that there is no single driving factor for these failures, and no single “magic bullet” solution. But are many projects doomed from the start to underperform expectations—because the expectations were inappropriately set?

This article focuses on this key element—the setting of expectations in the form of a formal business case. The author discusses five key points of failure in IT business cases, why they occur, and how they can be avoided. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Checklists: Prevent white‐collar computer crime
Authors: McGee Jo Ann , Byington J. Ralph
Published: June 2012

White‐collar crime (WCC) has reached epidemic proportions worldwide. Unfortunately, the growth of WCC has been facilitated by information technology (IT) advances that have made it easier to commit WCC by using the computer. The authors of this article present a checklist of measures for management to help prevent and detect IT‐related WCC. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Auditor's going‐concern modification decision in the post‐Enron era
Authors: Nogler George , Jang Inwon
Published: June 2012

The decision to modify a client's report for “going‐concern” reasons is one of the most difficult decisions an auditor faces. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants' (AICPA) guidance, in SAS No. 59, requires the auditor to evaluate whether there is “substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern.” But although the term going concern is widely used in the profession, curiously it is not defined authoritatively in accounting standards.

Many auditors also point out that the going‐concern modification fails to predict bankruptcy. And to further confuse matters, SAS 59 does not use the word bankruptcy anywhere in the text. The standard charges the auditor only with the responsibility to evaluate whether or not there is substantial doubt (another vague term) about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of one year beyond the date of the audit.

So with all this uncertainty, what is the state of the going‐concern decision in today's post‐Enron era? © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Integrating sustainability with corporate strategy: A maturity model for the finance function
Authors: Campbell Terry , Fisher Joseph G. , Stuart Nathan V.
Published: June 2012

Sustainability is not a passing fad, although the finance function as a whole often remains skeptical of sustainability efforts and reporting. This article argues that Finance should become an involved participant—and even a leader—in sustainability efforts. It shows how the finance function can add value to these efforts and why this help is crucial. It then introduces a maturity model against which the finance function can assess its status in supporting and leading sustainability initiatives. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Correlation between prenatal and postnatal penile and clitoral measurements
Authors: Sharony Reuven , Bental Yoram A. , Eyal Ori , Biron‐Shental Tal , Weisbrod Meir , Shiff Yacov , Weintrob Naomi
Published: June 2012

Background.

A correlation between prenatal and postnatal penile and clitoral sizes has not been reported. These data would substantiate the ability of prenatal ultrasound (US) scan to predict postnatal measurements. The aims were to correlate prenatal and postnatal penile and clitoral measurements and to ascertain the possible advantage of using prenatal penile width rather than length to predict postnatal measurements.

Methods.

This was a longitudinal study. Fetal penis and clitoris were measured by high‐resolution US between gestational weeks 14 and 29. Postnatal measurements of external genitalia were performed during the first postnatal week. All measurements were performed twice consecutively. A correlation between the measurements sets was sought.

Results.

Paired prenatal and postnatal measurements were performed on 46 males and 48 females. Prenatal penile and clitoral length values correlated significantly with postnatal length at p < 0.05 each.

Conclusions.

Prenatal US findings appear to be reliable indicators of postnatal penile and clitoral length measurements. Penile width measurement did not add new information. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 40:394–398, 2012
Gallai colorings and domination in multipartite digraphs
Authors: Gyárfás András , Simonyi Gábor , Tóth Ágnes
Published: June 2012

Assume that D is a digraph without cyclic triangles and its vertices are partitioned into classes A1, …, At of independent vertices. A set is called a dominating set of size |S| if for any vertex there is a w∈U such that (w, v)∈E(D). Let β(D) be the cardinality of the largest independent set of D whose vertices are from different partite classes of D. Our main result says that there exists a h = h(β(D)) such that D has a dominating set of size at most h. This result is applied to settle a problem related to generalized Gallai colorings, edge colorings of graphs without 3‐colored triangles. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory
On Compatible Normal Odd Partitions in Cubic Graphs
Authors: Fouquet Jean-Luc , Vanherpe Jean-Marie
Published: June 2012

A normal odd partition of the edges of a cubic graph is a partition into trails of odd length (no repeated edge) such that each vertex is the end vertex of exactly one trail of the partition and internal in some trail. For each vertex v, we can distinguish the edge for which this vertex is pending. Three normal odd partitions are compatible whenever these distinguished edges are distinct for each vertex. We examine this notion and show that a cubic 3‐edge‐colorable graph can always be provided with three compatible normal odd partitions. The Petersen graph has this property and we can construct other cubic graphs with chromatic index four with the same property. Finally, we propose a new conjecture which, if true, would imply the well‐known Fan and Raspaud Conjecture.
An Upper Bound for the Excessive Index of an r‐Graph
Authors: Mazzuoccolo Giuseppe
Published: July 2012

We construct a family of r‐graphs having a minimum 1‐factor cover of cardinality (disproving a conjecture of Bonisoli and Cariolaro, Birkhäuser, Basel, 2007, 73–84). Furthermore, we show the equivalence between the statement that is the best possible upper bound for the cardinality of a minimum 1‐factor cover of an r‐graph and the well‐known generalized Berge–Fulkerson conjecture.
IgGs containing λ‐ and κ‐type light chains and of all subclasses (IgG1–IgG4) from the sera of patients with autoimmune diseases and viral and bacterial infections hydrolyze DNA
Authors: Parkhomenko Taisiya A. , Buneva Valentina N. , Doronin Boris M. , Volkova Margarita V. , Senkovich Sergey A. , Generalov Igor I. , Nevinsky Georgy A.
Published: June 2012

We present the first evidence demonstrating that small fractions of IgGs of all four subclasses (IgG1–IgG4) from patients with viral (tick‐borne encephalitis), bacterial infections (streptococcal infection or erysipelas), and suppurative surgical infections caused by epidermal staphylococci as well as from patients with autoimmune diseases (systemic lupus erythematosus and multiple sclerosis) are catalytically active in the hydrolysis of supercoiled DNA. The hydrolysis of DNA was analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis. The catalytic activities of nonfractionated IgGs increased in the following order: tick‐borne encephalitis < suppurative surgical infection < streptococcal infection < multiple sclerosis < systemic lupus erythematosus, whereas IgGs of healthy donors were inactive. However, the pools of antibodies corresponding to any particular disease were characterized by a specific ratio of IgGs of all four subclasses (IgG1–IgG4) and IgGs containing λ‐ and κ‐type light chains, and each of these subfractions of immunoglobulins demonstrated characteristic relative DNase activity. The relative activities of IgGs containing λ‐type light chains may on average be higher, lower, or comparable with those for IgGs with κ‐type light chains. The relative contributions of IgGs of different subclasses to the total activity of IgGs also varied widely in the case of various diseases: IgG1 (7%–45%), IgG2 (0.4%–73%), IgG3 (0%–12%), and IgG4 (9%–66%). Thus, immune systems of patients with different diseases can generate a variety of anti‐DNA abzymes of different types and with different catalytic properties, which can play an important role in the pathogenesis or protection from the development of these diseases. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Protein interface remodeling in a chemically induced protein dimer
Authors: White Brian R. , Carlson Jonathan C. T. , Kerns Jessie L. , Wagner Carston R.
Published: June 2012

Although the development of chemically induced, self‐assembled protein‐based materials is rapidly expanding, methods for directing their assembly in solution are sparse, and problems of population heterogeneity remain. By exerting control over the assembly of advanced protein structures, new classes of ordered protein nanomaterials become feasible, affecting numerous applications ranging from therapeutics to nanostructural engineering. Focusing on a protein‐based method for modulating the stability of a chemically induced dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) dimer, we demonstrate the sensitivity of a methotrexate competition assay in determining the change in DHFR–DHFR binding cooperativity via interfacial mutations over a 1.3 kcal/mol range. This represents a change of more than 40% of the dimer complex binding energy conferred from protein–protein cooperativity (~3.1 kcal/mol). With the development of this investigative system and refinement of protein‐based techniques for complex stability modulation, the directed assembly of protein nanomaterials into heterocomplexes and a concomitant decrease in population heterogeneity becomes a realizable goal. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and evaluation of uniformly sized nalidixic acid–imprinted nanospheres based on precipitation polymerization method for analytical and biomedical applications
Authors: Abouzarzadeh Atefeh , Forouzani Mehdi , Jahanshahi Mohsen , Bahramifar Nader
Published: June 2012

For the first time in this work, uniform molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) nanoparticles were prepared using nalidixic acid as a template. The MIP nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by precipitation polymerization applying methacrylic acid (MAA) as a functional monomer and trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TRIM) as a cross‐linking monomer at different mole ratios. The morphology, binding, recognition, selectivity, and in vitro release behaviors of obtained particles were studied. The produced polymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetric. Furthermore, their morphology was analyzed accurately by scanning electron microscopy, photon correlation spectroscopy, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis. The nanospheres and microspheres with mean diameter values of 94 nm, 256 nm, and 1.2 µm were obtained using nalidixic acid–MAA–TRIM various mole ratios. Among the MIPs, the product with nalidixic acid–MAA–TRIM mole ratio of 1:12:12 established nanospheres with the lowest polydispersity index (0.003), an average pore diameter (12 nm), and the highest specific surface area (280 m2 g−1) and selectivity factor (10.4). Results from binding experiments demonstrated that the imprinted nanospheres with a 94‐nm mean diameter and a binding capacity of 28 mg of nalidixic acid per gram of polymer had higher specific affinity to nalidixic acid in contrast with the other imprinted nanospheres, microspheres, and nonimprinted particles. However, the binding performance of imprinted nanospheres in human serum was estimated using high‐performance liquid chromatography analysis (binding approximately 98% of nalidixic acid). In addition, release experiments proved to be successful in the controlled release of nalidixic acid during a long period. The 20% of loaded nalidixic acid was released from the imprinted nanospheres within the first 20 h, whereas the remaining 80% was released in the after 120 h. The nalidixic acid release kinetics from the MIPs was highly affected by properties of the particles. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New structural determinants for c‐Myc specific heterodimerization with Max and development of a novel homodimeric c‐Myc b‐HLH‐LZ,
Authors: Beaulieu Marie‐Eve , McDuff François‐Olivier , Frappier Vincent , Montagne Martin , Naud Jean‐François , Lavigne Pierre
Published: June 2012

c‐Myc must heterodimerize with Max to accomplish its functions as a transcription factor. This specific heterodimerization occurs through the b‐HLH‐LZ (basic region, helix 1‐loop‐helix 2‐leucine zipper) domains. In fact, many studies have shown that the c‐Myc b‐HLH‐LZ (c‐Myc'SH) preferentially forms a heterodimer with the Max b‐HLH‐LZ (Max'SH). The primary mechanism underlying the specific heterodimerization lies on the destabilization of both homodimers and the formation of a more stable heterodimer. In this regard, it has been widely reported that c‐Myc'SH has low solubility and homodimerizes poorly and that repulsions within the LZ domain account for the homodimer instability. Here, we show that replacing one residue in the basic region and one residue in Helix 1 (H1) of c‐Myc'SH with corresponding residues conserved in b‐HLH proteins confers to c‐Myc'SH a higher propensity to form a stable homodimer in solution. In stark contrast to the wild‐type protein, this double mutant (L362R, R367L) of the c‐Myc b‐HLH‐LZ (c‐Myc'RL) shows limited heterodimerization with Max'SH in vitro. In addition, c‐Myc'RL forms highly stable and soluble complexes with canonical as well as non‐canonical E‐box probes. Altogether, our results demonstrate for the first time that structural determinants driving the specific heterodimerization of c‐Myc and Max are embedded in the basic region and H1 of c‐Myc and that these can be exploited to engineer a novel homodimeric c‐Myc b‐HLH‐LZ with the ability of binding the E‐box sequence autonomously and with high affinity. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Isolation and partial characterization of ΦSP‐1, a Salmonella specific lytic phage from intestinal content of broiler chicken
Authors: Augustine Jeena , Louis Linda , Varghese Siju M. , Bhat Sarita G. , Kishore Archana
Published: June 2012

Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Enteritidis is a major causative agent of gastroenteritis with contaminated eggs and chicken meat being the major source of infection. Phages are seriously being considered as a safe and cheaper alternative to antibiotics. The intestinal content of chicken was used as source for isolating phages. Phage designated as ΦSP‐1 was selected for the study. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of phage ΦSP‐1 revealed that it belonged to family Podoviridae. The optimal multiplicity of infection (MOI) was 5 phages/cell. Latent and rise period were calculated to be 30 and 55 minutes respectively, while burst size was 44 phages/bacterial cell. The genome size of ΦSP‐1 was estimated to be 86 kb from pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis analysis (PFGE). The effect of different physical and chemical parameters like temperature, pH, salinity and CaCl2 were analyzed to optimize the conditions for large scale production of phages and to check the viability of ΦSP‐1 under different physiochemical conditions. A temperature of 40 °C, pH 8 and 0.25 M NaCl were found to be optimum for phage adsorption and it was able to survive up to a temperature of 50 °C for 3 min. Capability to survive under hostile environmental conditions, absence of virulence genes in genome and genus specificity suggest suitability of ΦSP‐1 to be used as a biocontrol agent.
White‐rot fungus Merulius tremellosus KUC9161 identified as an effective degrader of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Authors: Lee Hwanhwi , Jang Yeongseon , Kim Jong‐Min , Kim Gyu‐Hyeok , Kim Jae‐Jin
Published: June 2012

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have a highly recalcitrant structure; however, they can be degraded by white‐rot fungi which have the potential to biodegrade recalcitrant organic compounds. Four fungal isolates were selected from 23 newly isolated basidiomycetes, based on their dye decolorization rate, and they were evaluated for their ability to degrade 50 ppm of pyrene. The isolate phylogenetically affiliated to Merulius tremellosus KUC9161 demonstrated the highest degradation rate of pyrene, regardless of the production of ligninolytic enzyme activities. The selected isolates were tested for their ability to degrade pyrene and other PAHs in creosote‐contaminated soil. The results of the degradation tests indicated that M. tremellosus KUC9161 degraded a larger variety of PAH compounds than Phanerochaete chrysosporium, a known PAH degrader. On the basis of our results, the isolate M. tremellosus KUC9161 has a high potential to be used in the large‐scale biodegradation of PAHs, and the species may also be used to degrade recalcitrant materials in creosote‐contaminated soil.
Utilization of pyrene and benzoate in Mycobacterium isolate KMS is regulated differentially by catabolic repression
Authors: Zhang Chun , Anderson Anne J.
Published: June 2012

The soil isolate, Mycobacterium sp. strain KMS, utilizes an array of carbon compounds including the aromatics benzoate and pyrene as sole carbon sources. Growth on pyrene induced both chromosomal and plasmid nidA genes encoding pyrene ring‐hydroxylating dioxygenase α‐subunits for pyrene oxidation. Diauxic growth occurred when KMS was cultured with pyrene plus either acetate, succinate, fructose, or benzoate and nidA expression only was detected in the second slower log‐phase period. Potential cAMP‐CRP binding sites exist within the promoter region of both nidA genes indicating that cAMP‐CRP may be involved in catabolite repression of pyrene utilization. When cultured with benzoate plus either acetate, succinate, or fructose, there was no diauxic growth. Also there was no diauxic growth on fructose plus succinate or acetate. Expression of a benA gene, encoding a benzoate dioxygenase α‐subunit involved in the initiation of benzoate oxidation, was detected in log‐phase cells from the benzoate‐mixed substrate cultures at the same level as when the cells were cultured on benzoate alone. These findings suggested that catabolite repression of pyrene but not benzoate occurred in isolate KMS. These differences may help the microbe exploit the varied carbon sources available in the soil and rhizosphere environments.
Occurrence of Metarhizium spp. in Central Brazilian soils
Authors: Rocha Luiz F. N. , Inglis Peter W. , Humber Richard A. , Kipnis André , Luz Christian
Published: June 2012

The biodiversity of entomopathogenic fungi in tropical ecosystems is still little investigated, and the objective of this study was to isolate and identify fungi of the entomopathogenic genus Metarhizium (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) present in undisturbed soils of the Central Brazilian Cerrado. A total of 107 Metarhizium isolates was obtained from soils collected from Cerrado sites in the state of Goiás; gene sequences from 63 of these were obtained and compared. Among these, one was confirmed to be M. anisopliae sensu stricto; 53 were very closely allied to M. anisopliae but require more extensive genetic characterization to determine if they might represent a new taxon in the M. anisopliae species complex. Eight of these Cerrado isolates were referable to M. robertsii, and the remaining isolate is the first South American (and Southern Hemisphere) collection of M. flavoviride var. pemphigi. These findings underline the need for better characterization of the diversity of these widely distributed fungi in Brazil.
Diversity of rhizobia associated with leguminous trees growing in South Korea
Authors: Kang Jun Won , Song Jaekyeong , Doty Sharon L. , Lee Don Koo
Published: June 2012

This study was carried out to examine the diversity of 34 isolates collected from 11 species of leguminous trees growing in South Korea. Phylogenetic relationships between these 34 isolates and reference strains of the Azorhizobium, Bradyrhizobium, Mesorhizobium, Rhizobium and Ensifer/Sinorhizobium were analysed by using 16S rRNA gene sequences. Twenty‐one isolates were related to Mesorhizobium, four isolates to Rhizobium, and nine isolates to Bradyrhizobium. But none of isolates were related to Sinorhizobium/Ensifer and Azorhizobium. Robinia pseudoacacia and Amorpha fruticosa were nodulated by various genotypes of rhizobia out of them, most of the isolates belonged to the genus Mesorhizobium. The isolates from Lespedeza bicolar belonged to diverse genera of Mesorhizobium, Rhizobium, and Bradyrhizobium. The isolates from Maackia amurensis and Lespedeza maximowiezii var. tomentella were phylogenetically related to the genera of Bradyrhizobium. PCR‐based RAPD method and phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA results revealed a high phylogenetic diversity of rhizobial strains nodulating leguminous trees in South Korea. Also, the relationships between host and bacterial phylogenies showed that only Robinia pseudoacacia, and Wisteria floribunda have significantly unique branch length than expected by chance based on phylogenetic tree.
A MAP kinase gene, Clk1, is required for conidiation and pathogenicity in the phytopathogenic fungus Curvularia lunata
Authors: Gao Shi Gang , Zhou Fei Hong , Liu Tong , Li Ying Ying , Chen Jie
Published: June 2012

Mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades are highly conserved signal transduction pathways, which play a wide variety of important roles in extracellular signal transduction. The first MAPK gene of the maize pathogen Curvularia lunata, Clk1, was isolated via a PCR‐based approach with a primer pair designed on the basis of conserved regions of known MAPKs. Southern blot analysis showed that the gene existed in the genome as a single copy. The predicted amino acid sequence (352 amino acids) was highly homologous with MAP kinases of other phytopathogenic fungi. Flanking regions of Clk1 were obtained through RACE and genomic walking technology. To understand the role of Clk1 in C. lunata, targeted gene disruption was adopted to construct Clk1 mutants. It was found that mutants lacking functional domain of Clk1 were not able to produce conidia but tended to form a few special chlamydospore‐shaped structures. Clk1 mutants grew slower in adverse environments (at 24°C), produced less cell degrading enzymes (CWDEs) than the wild type, and they were almost unable to infect maize leaves via artificial wounds.
Evaluation of two pretreatment methods for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in suspected pulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: Shinu Pottathil , Nair Anroop , Jad Beena , Singh Varsha
Published: June 2012

The objective of the current study was to compare the efficacy of phenol ammonium sulphate (PhAS) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) pretreatment methods for the direct microscopy with the Löwenstein‐Jensen (LJ) culture to detect acid fast bacilli (AFB) from pulmonary tuberculosis suspected cases using sputum specimens. To evaluate PhAS and NaOCl methods, sputum specimens (n = 1145) were studied and the performance of each method was compared with LJ media. The, PhAS centrifuged smear and NaOCl centrifuged smear method demonstrated higher sensitivity (71.47% and 77%), specificity (99.61% and 98%), positive predictive value (98.8% and 94.88%) and negative predictive value (88.35% and 90.25%), respectively, when compared to LJ culture. However, the direct AFB smears and PhAS centrifugation method was ineffective to detect few Mycobacterium tuberculosis cases from sputum specimens, particularly in blood tinged specimens with scanty bacilli. Interestingly, NaOCl method could efficiently detect the Mycobacterium tuberculosis cases from blood tinged sputum specimens with scanty bacilli. The current study concluded that NaOCl method could be the most efficient and sensitive method than direct AFB smear and PhAS centrifuged smear method for the direct detection of AFB in suspected cases of pulmonary tuberculosis.
Influence of phosphorus and pH on the fungicidal potential of Anabaena strains
Authors: Chaudhary Vidhi , Prasanna Radha , Bhatnagar Ashok Kumar
Published: June 2012

The genus Anabaena is known to be a rich source of bioactive metabolites, but the biocontrol potential of this genus, mediated through hydrolytic enzymes is less investigated. In our investigation, five Anabaena strains – A. laxa RPAN8, A. iyengarii RPAN9, A. variabilis RPAN59 and A. oscillarioides RPAN69 (with A. variabilis RPAN16 serving as negative control) were evaluated in time course studies involving incubation under three levels of phosphorus and pH conditions. Total chlorophyll, proteins, chitosanase, endoglucanase and CMCase activity were measured and inhibition assayed against phytopathogenic fungi. The four weeks old RPAN69 culture showed significantly higher chlorophyll which was 41% higher than control. This was also linked with an enhancement of 18.26% and 9.18% in chitosanase and CMCase activity respectively over control in the treatment involving half dose of phosphorus. Chlorophyll and CMCase activity showed a high degree of correlation with highest values at pH 9.5. A pH of 5.5 was the most suitable condition for the maximum activity of chitosanase for all the strains except RPAN16. The strains RPAN8 and RPAN9 showed the highest activity of endoglucanase at pH 5.5 while the other strains exhibited maximum activity at pH 7.5. This study provides insight into the role of P and pH in modulating fungicidal activity in different Anabaena strains, which can be valuable for enhancing their efficiency as a biocontrol agent.
An evolutionary analysis of the GH57 amylopullulanases based on the DOMON_glucodextranase_like domains
Authors: Jiao Yu‐Liang , Wang Shu‐Jun , Lv Ming‐Sheng , Fang Yao‐Wei , Liu Shu
Published: June 2012

Thermostable amylopullulanase (TAPU) is valuable in starch saccharification industry for its capability to catalyze both α‐1,4 and α‐1,6 glucosidic bonds under the industrial starch liquefication condition. The majority of TAPUs belong to glycoside hydrolase family 57 (GH57). In this study, we performed a phylogenetic analysis of GH57 amylopullulanase (APU) based on the highly conserved DOMON_glucodextranase_like (DDL) domain and classified APUs according to their multidomain architectures, phylogenetic analysis and enzymatic characters. This study revealed that amylopullulanase, pullulanase, andα‐amylase had passed through a long joint evolution process, in which DDL played an important role. The phylogenetic analysis of DDL domain showed that the GH57 APU is directly sharing a common ancestor with pullulanase, and the DDL domains in some species undergo evolution scenarios such as domain duplication and recombination.
Isolation and process parameter optimization of Brevibacterium casei for simultaneous bioremediation of hexavalent chromium and pentachlorophenol
Authors: Verma Tuhina , Singh Neha
Published: June 2012

Chromate and pentachlorophenol are major pollutants discharged through tanneries. Three bacteria resistant to high Cr6+ and PCP concentrations simultaneously were isolated. The TVS‐3 strain was tolerant to highest 850 mg l−1 Cr6+ and 1000 mg l−1 PCP concentration and concomitantly reduced 69% Cr6+ and degraded 72% PCP within 168 h at pH 7.5, 35 ± 1°C temperature, was selected and identified as Brevibacterium casei. At 168 h of growth, bacterium showed maximum PCP utilization of 720 mg l−1 and released 900 mg l−1 chloride ion. The bacterium exhibited remarkable ability to significantly reduce Cr6+ and degrade PCP in presence of other metals, between 100–120 rpm aeration and over broad pH (6.5–10.0) and temperature (30–40°C) range. Maximum 78% Cr6+ reduction and 82% PCP degradation was observed at pH 8.0, 35 ± 1°C within 168 h of incubation, 120 rpm and initial concentration of 850 mg l−1 Cr6+ and 1000 mg l−1 PCP. This is the first study reporting 78% Cr6+ reduction and 82% PCP degradation simultaneously by single native bacteria under wide growth conditions utilizing PCP as sole carbon source. This bacterium may potentially be useful for simultaneous bioremediation of Cr6+ and PCP containing wastes in the environment.
A simple technique for long‐term preservation of leptospires
Authors: Samir Ahmed , Wasfy Momtaz O.
Published: June 2012

The viability of six serovars of Leptospira spp. was studied after long storage at −70°C. The bacteria were either preserved in Ellinghausen–McCullough–Johnson–Harris (EMJH) liquid growth medium or in sheep blood added as a cryoprotectant. The viability of the strains was observed on a monthly basis by dark‐ground microscopy over a period of 20 months at −70°C. Addition of sheep blood was not significantly advantageous, since leptospires that were stored in EMJH showed a slight increase in number after recovery. The results suggest a very simple and useful technique for long‐term preservation of such Leptospira.
Microbial siderophores: a mini review
Authors: Saha Ratul , Saha Nabaneeta , Donofrio Robert S. , Bestervelt Lorelle L.
Published: June 2012

Iron is one of the major limiting factors and essential nutrients of microbial life. Since in nature it is not readily available in the preferred form, microorganisms produce small high affinity chelating molecules called siderophores for its acquisition. Microorganisms produce a wide variety of siderophores controlled at the molecular level by different genes to accumulate, mobilize and transport iron for metabolism. Siderophores also play a critical role in the expression of virulence and development of biofilms by different microbes. Apart from maintaining microbial life, siderophores can be harnessed for the sustainability of human, animals and plants. With the advent of modern molecular tools, a major breakthrough is taking place in the understanding of the multifaceted role of siderophores in nature. This mini review is intended to provide a general overview on siderophore along with its role and applications.
Influence of cations and anions on the induction of cell density‐independent luminescence in Photorhabdus luminescens
Authors: Tabei Yosuke , Ogawa Akane , Era Mariko , Ninomiya Junko , Morita Hiroshi
Published: June 2012

Bioluminescence is emitted by various living organisms, including bacteria. While the induction mechanism in marine luminescent bacteria, such as Vibrio fischeri and V. harveyi, has been well characterized, this mechanism has not been studied in detail in the non‐marine luminescent bacterium Photorhabdus luminescens. Therefore, we investigated the effect of cations and anions on the induction of luminescence by P. luminescens. Cultivation of cells in an inorganic salts solution (ISS) containing KCl, CaCl2, MgCl2, NaHCO3, and MgSO4 resulted in a rapid increase in luminescence intensity. Moreover, the induction of luminescence in the ISS medium was not dependent on cell density, since cell densities remained unchanged during 48 h. Furthermore, we found that compounds containing K+, Mg2+, and HCO3– were necessary to induce cell density‐independent luminescence. The intensity of luminescence per cell cultured in medium containing KCl, MgCl2, and NaHCO3 was approximately 100‐fold higher than that cultured in NB. In contrast, when cells actively grew in normal growth condition, the intensity of luminescence per cell was not increased even in the presence of K+, Mg2+, and HCO3–. Thus, these results suggest that the luminescence of P. luminescens is regulated by 2 independent cell density‐dependent and ‐independent mechanisms.
Selenium cannot substitute for sulfur in cell density‐independent bioluminescence in Vibrio fischeri
Authors: Tabei Yosuke , Era Mariko , Ogawa Akane , Ninomiya Junko , Kawano Tomonori , Morita Hiroshi
Published: June 2012

It has been proposed that selenium, an element chemically similar to sulfur, can participate in some of the same biological pathways as sulfur, although only a few studies have been confirmed this. In this study, we investigated the relationship between selenium and sulfur‐dependent luminescence in Vibrio fischeri. The luminescence of V. fischeri was induced by the addition of sulfur‐containing compounds such as Na2SO4 and L‐cystine, and their luminescence was suppressed, in a dose‐dependent manner, by the addition of the selenium‐containing compounds Na2SeO4 and L‐selenocystine. Since the viability of V. fischeri was not affected by the addition of low concentration of selenium‐containing compounds, the decrease in luminescence intensity cannot be explained by cell death. Kinetic analysis performed using Lineweaver‐Burk plots demonstrate that Na2SeO4 and L‐selenocystine act as competitive suppressors in inorganic sulfur (Na2SO4)‐dependent luminescence. In contrast, these selenium‐containing compounds act as uncompetitive suppressors in organic sulfur (L‐cystine)‐dependent luminescence.
Effects of NADH availability on the Klebsiella pneumoniae strain with 1,3‐propanediol operon over‐expression
Authors: Ma Zheng , Shentu Xuping , Bian Yalin , Yu Xiaoping
Published: June 2012

It is generally known that genes dhaB and dhaT are responsible for 1,3‐propanediol (1,3‐PD) production in the presence of glycerol in Klebsiella pneumoniae and these genes are organized in one operon. In the present study, a genetic means of increasing the enzyme activities of 1,3‐PD formation pathway through the over‐expression of 1,3‐PD opeorn was performed in K. pneumoniae S6. The recombinant strain S6‐PD showed 27‐ and 15‐fold increase in enzymatic activities of DhaB and DhaT, respectively with respect to wild‐type strain while failed to improve the 1,3‐PD yield due to the inadequacy of cofactor NADH. Therefore, in order to increase NADH availability, a NADH regeneration system was constructed by heterologous expression of NAD+‐dependent formate dehydrogenase gene (fdh1) from Candida boidinii and introduced into S6‐PD to investigate its effects on the glycerol utilization and 1,3‐PD formation. The results demonstrated that the increase of NADH availability could efficiently improve glycerol metabolism and promote 1,3‐PD yield.
Sodium transport and mechanism(s) of sodium tolerance in Frankia strains
Authors: Srivastava Amrita , Singh Satya Shila , Mishra Arun Kumar
Published: June 2012

The mechanism(s) underlying differential salt sensitivity/tolerance were investigated in the terms of altered morphological and physiological responses against salinity such as growth, electrolyte leakage, Na+ uptake, efflux, accumulation and intracellular concentrations of macronutrients among the Frankia strains newly isolated from Hippöphae salicifolia D. Don. Growth was minimally reduced at 500 and 250 mM NaCl respectively in HsIi10 and rest of the strains (HsIi2, HsIi8, HsIi9) which proved that 500 and 250 mM NaCl are the critical concentrations for the respective strains. The differences in the sodium influx/efflux rate was responsible for the differential amount of remaining sodium among the frankial strains and might be one of the primary determinants for the reestablishment of macronutrients (Mg2+, Ca2+ and K+) during salinity. Secondly, the interactive effect of sodium influx/efflux rate, remaining sodium and intracellular macronutrients (Mg2+, Ca2+ and K+) concentration has been responsible for the extent of membrane damage and growth sustenance of the tolerant/sensitive frankial strains during salinity. HsIi10 showed better co‐regulation of various factors and managed to tolerate salt stress up to considerable extent. Therefore, HsIi10 can serve as a potential biofertilizer in the saline soil.
Optimization of media components for chitinase production by chickpea rhizosphere associated Lysinibacillus fusiformis B‐CM18
Authors: Singh Rajesh Kumar , Kumar D. Praveen , Solanki Manoj Kumar , Singh Pratiksha , Srivastva Alok K. , Kumar Sudheer , Kashyap Prem L. , Saxena Anil K. , Singhal Pradeep K. , Arora Dilip K.
Published: June 2012

Chitinase producing strain B‐CM18 was isolated from chickpea rhizosphere and identified as Lysinibacillus fusiformis B‐CM18. It showed in vitro antifungal activity against a wide range of fungal plant pathogens and was found to produce several PGPR activities. Further, a multivariate response surface methodology was used to evaluate the effects of different factors on chitinolytic activity and optimizing enzyme production. A central composite design was employed to achieve the highest chitinase production at optimum values of the process variables, viz., temperature (20–45 °C), sodium chloride (2–7%), starch (0.1–1%) and yeast extract (0.1–1%), added in the minimal medium supplemented with colloidal chitin (1–10%; w:w). The fit of the model (R2 = 0.5692) was found to be significant. The production medium to achieve the highest chitinase production (101 U ml−1) was composed of the minimal medium composed of chitin (6.09%), NaCl (4.5%), starch (0.55%) and yeast extract (0.55%) with temperature (32.5 °C). The results show that the optimization strategy led to an increase in chitinase production by 56.1‐fold. The molecular mass of the chitinase was estimated to be 20 kDa by anion exchange and gel filtration chromatography. Further, purified chitinase showed strong antifungal activity against test pathogens. Overall, these results may serve as a base line data for enhancing the chitinolytic potential of bacterial antagonists for bio‐management of chickpea pathogens.
Microfungal‐community diversity in Zygophyllum dumosum and Hammada scoparia root zones in the northern Negev Desert
Authors: Yu Jun , Grishkan Isabella , Steinberger Yosef
Published: June 2012

The soil dilution plate method was used to determine the influences of perennial shrubs on the species diversity and density of cultivable microfungal communities inhabiting the root zones of two perennial shrubs, Zygophyllum dumosum and Hammada scoparia, in the northern Negev Desert, Israel. Soil samples were collected under the canopies of shrubs and the open spaces between them (serving as control) from five depths (0–10, 10–20, 20–30, 30–40, and 40–50 cm) during the wet and dry seasons of 2010. Fifty‐one species belonging to 31 genera were identified from Zygomycota, teleomorphic and anamorphic Ascomycota, including Coelomycetes. During the wet and dry seasons, 4–10 and 2–6 species were identified at different soil depths beneath perennial shrubs and in the open spaces, while the corresponding colony‐forming units (CFUs) varied from 3071 to 27687 and from 3201 to 15247 g−1 dry soil. More diverse microfungal communities were collected in the vicinity of perennial shrubs compared to the open spaces during the wet season, while a reverse trend was observed during the dry season. Further study is needed to provide insights into the correlation between compounds of litter and root exudates of perennial shrubs and microfungal‐community structure by a combination of molecular and physiological tools.
Effect of HMG‐CoA reductase inhibitors on antimicrobial susceptibilities for Gram‐Negative rods
Authors: Farmer Aaron R. , Murray Clinton K. , Mende Katrin , Akers Kevin S. , Zera Wendy C. , Beckius Miriam L. , Yun Heather C.
Published: June 2012

Epidemiologic evidence suggests a beneficial effect of HMG‐CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) in sepsis, and in‐vitro data exist for antimicrobial activity of statins against some bacteria and fungi. We examined whether statin exposure at physiologic concentrations enhances activity of selected antimicrobials against Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli. Broth microdilution was performed with and without dose‐ranging concentrations of lovastatin, fluvastatin, atorvastatin, pravastatin and simvastatin. No effects on antimicrobial activity were demonstrated.
Bioaugmented composting of Jatropha de‐oiled cake and vegetable waste under aerobic and partial anaerobic conditions
Authors: Chaturvedi Shivani , Kumar Ashwani , Singh Balraj , Nain Lata , Joshi Monica , Satya Santosh
Published: June 2012

This study was conducted to assess the effect of microbial inoculation in Jatropha cake composting with different vegetable waste. The microbial inoculums composed of fungal strains (Aspergillus awamori, Aspergillus nidulans, Trichoderma viride, Phanerochaete chrysosporium) and bacterial inoculums (Pseudomonas striata as phosphorus solublizer and Azotobacter chroococcum as nitrogen fixer) were added to the compost mixture after the thermophilic phase was over for bioaugmenting of Jatropha cake under aerobic and partial anaerobic conditions. Addition of both fungal and bacterial inoculum with mixed substrate (Jatropha cake + vegetable waste) during composting (aerobic and partial anaerobic) showed, better results as compared to compost with only fungal inoculants. Increased enzymatic activity initially, during composting (like dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase activity and FDA) proved role of inoculated microbes in rapid decomposition. Analysis of compost (with both bacterial and fungal inoculum) showed presence of high humus (12.7%), humic acid (0.5%), fulvic acid (5.68%), soluble protein content and low C/N ratio. Decreased in concentration of extractable metals (Cu, Fe and Mn) were recorded at maturity in all the substrate composts. The C/N ratio was significantly correlated to parameters like humic acid, humus, fulvic acid, protein and also microbial activity parameters. We conclude that the composting of de‐oiled Jatropha cake with different vegetables waste could be feasible and sustainable approach in recycling of agricultural and industrial residues in huge quantities.
Anoxybacillus kaynarcensis sp. nov., a moderately thermophilic, xylanase producing bacterium
Authors: Inan Kadriye , Belduz Ali Osman , Canakci Sabriye
Published: June 2012

A novel moderately thermophilic, Gram‐positive, endospore‐forming, rod‐shaped, motile bacteria and alkaline active xylanase producing strain D1021T, was isolated from Kaynarca hot spring in the province of Izmir, Turkey and was characterized in order to determine its phylogenetic position. Growth was observed at 35–70 °C (optimum 60 °C), at pH 6.0–10.0 (optimum pH 7.0). The strain D1021T grew on a wide range of carbon sources including ribose, xylose, glucose, maltose, sucrose, arabinose, and melibiose. The major isoprenoid quinone was MK‐7. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain D1021T is related to members of genus Anoxybacillus, with similarities to Anoxybacillus spp. varying from 94.7 to 98.7. The major fatty acids of strain D1021T were iso‐C15:0 (57.46%) and iso‐C17:0 (13.98%). The DNA G + C content was 42.9 mol %. DNA–DNA relatedness values between Anoxybacillus spp. and D1021T were lower than 70%. On the basis of phenotypic characteristics, rpoB analysis, phylogenetic and DNA–DNA hybridization data, it was proposed that the strain D1021T (= DSM 21706T = LMG 25303T) should be placed in the genus Anoxybacillus as the type strain of a novel species, Anoxybacillus kaynarcensis sp. nov. The GenBank accession number for the 16S rRNA sequence is EU926955.