bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Editorial: initiating cultural heritage research to increase Europe's competitiveness
Authors: Pereira Roders Ana , Van Oers Ron
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present and discuss the contribution of European Commission (EC) initiatives to stimulate cultural heritage research over the last 20 years and the contribution of the research results to cultural heritage management and sustainable development.

Design/methodology/approach

From a brief introduction to the EC initiatives related to cultural heritage, the paper continues with an overview of the research projects so far funded by EC Framework Programmes. It includes the main conclusions and recommendations reached during the NET‐HERITAGE conference last March, in support to the debate on the existing gaps, and to suggest ways forward, which can be useful to research institutes as well as other funding organizations.

Findings

Although the EC should be commended for its substantial contribution to the field of cultural heritage research over the last 20 years, it is the first, however, to acknowledge that this is just the beginning and that much more needs to be done in order to help ensure sustainability and the consequent transmission of the European cultural legacy to future generations, at both regional and national levels.

Originality/value

In providing an overview of EC‐funded cultural heritage research, the paper is useful to the readers of the journal, who might consider obtaining EC funding and so stimulate their participation in future funding schemes and related projects. It highlights some potential areas for research and continues to scientifically underpin that cultural heritage research can help increasing competitiveness in Europe and beyond.
Measuring urban heritage conservation: theory and structure (part 1)
Authors: Mendes Zancheti Silvio , Tone Ferreira Hidaka Lúcia
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to set out a proposal for an indicator of conservation (Indicator of the State of Conservation – Isc) to assess the state of conservation of urban heritage sites. It was designed as a monitoring instrument to perform two tasks: to evaluate how the conservation of an urban site evolves over time (internal performance analysis); and to compare cities’ conservation performance (comparative performance analysis).

Design/methodology/approach

The indicator was developed using the theoretical approach. The paper presents the main concepts used as key performance indicators, that is, significance, integrity and authenticity and how they contribute to meeting the objective of attaining the sustainable conservation of heritage sites.

Findings

The Isc indicator is expressed as a function of three key performance indicators (KPIs) of significance, integrity and authenticity that are assessed by surveying the opinion of the main stakeholders involved with the conservation management of sites. The structure of the Isc is fixed and the same for all sites, independent of their geographical location. However, the structure of the KPIs can be adapted to express the social composition of stakeholders and to use the capabilities and resources of the management institutions of the sites.

Practical implications

The indicator may be used for monitoring the state of conservation of the World Heritage Urban Sites.

Social implications

The indicator allows a non‐biased evaluation of the conservation process of the World Heritage Urban Sites.

Originality/value

The paper presents the Indicator of the State of Conservation (Isc), which is the first indicator of this type.
Indigenous culture: both malleable and valuable
Authors: Hill Lara L.
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The entry into tourism markets by international development practitioners aligns goals of economic development and cultural preservation in indigenous communities. The purpose of this paper is to look into ways that community‐level participation can simultaneously contribute to both economic and cultural sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

It takes a qualitative interdisciplinary approach to the literature on cultural tourism and commodification to develop a discussion of the implication and the application of interrelated policy measures since the early 1990s. Analysis then proposes a set of key variables challenging the capacity of both policy makers and marginal indigenous entrepreneurs to achieve potential benefits.

Findings

Ideological tensions arise with the effort to balance the preservation of cultural integrity with the selling of marketable wares. The ongoing issues of market realities, political will, and tourism demographics create new questions that require further interdisciplinary research to develop an understanding that supports the long‐term sustainability of indigenous communities. A community‐based approach has potential to be very effective in negotiating the balance and undeniable trade‐offs between economic reward and cultural preservation.

Practical implications

Socio‐economic statistical data does not always exist for marginalized indigenous/ethnic minority communities that are not recognized by their own governments. This makes comparative case research and future monitoring very difficult to achieve. Also, existing discourse is currently dominated by non‐indigenous voices and Western tourism motivations, which need amelioration to better support the community‐based approach.

Originality/value

This paper provides policy makers, practitioners, researchers and indigenous communities with a multidisciplinary perspective on areas requiring further consideration and research. The analysis of current discourse when undertaken across disciplines confirms that policy directives cannot be broadly generalized.
Assessing authenticity of nineteenth‐century shopping passages
Authors: Plevoets Bie , Van Cleempoel Koenraad
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the conservation and contemporary management of three nineteenth‐century shopping passages: the Galleries Saint‐Hubert in Brussels, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan and the Passage in The Hague. The submission of the Galleries Saint‐Hubert to the World Heritage Tentative List in 2008, presents a unique opportunity for studying this typology in its contemporary environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors’ research questions are: what are the characteristics of passages? what are their authentic values? and how can the authenticity of these buildings be conserved by their contemporary management? The applied methodology is a cross‐case‐comparison, based on the definition of authenticity as presented in the Nara Document on Authenticity. The analysis is presented in the form of a matrix.

Findings

The findings show that the significant value of passages does not only include the architecture of the building but also the versatility of its program and its present urban role. It is only by conserving this combination that these buildings can be conserved in their full richness of authenticity.

Practical implications

Criteria for transnational inclusion in the World Heritage List of several nineteenth‐century passages are suggested as the matrix used for cross‐case‐comparison may be applied to analyse other case studies of passages, as well as for other types of heritage where authenticity of the site is threatened by uncontrolled retail development.

Originality/value

Although passages have been studied extensively within the field of architectural history, retail history and socio‐cultural studies, hardly any previous research had focused on the preservation and contemporary management of this building type.
Vasili
Authors: Kume Vasilika
Published: October 2011

Subject area

Entrepreneurship, organizational behaviour, managerial decision making, strategic management, leadership and managing change.

Study level/applicability

Undergraduate business and management and MBA/Master's level management courses.

Case overview

The case, “Vasili” examines the life, career, and leadership style of a successful entrepreneur like Mr Vasili Naci.The case illustrates the management challenges faced in moving from a very centralized economy to a free market one. It also raises issues having to do with the management of changes that are viewed as radical by those being affected. There were significant changes taking place in early years of the twenty-first century in Albania. Vasili was determined to make the necessary changes to confront and respond better the challenges opposed to him by the new environment. In addition this case examines the importance of a right balance between education and experience in successful leadership.

Expected learning outcomes

The case is written to serve a number of purposes: Understanding the entrepreneurial mindset and what it takes to start an enterprise (especially in a post communist emerging economy like Albania). The transition/changes that all entrepreneurs have to go through as they grow and develop their business. Examining ways to foster leadership skills through organization and training the next generation of leaders.

Supplementary materials

Teaching note.
Cilantro Café goes global: reflections on internationalization in Egypt 2.0
Authors: Darrag Menatallah , Bassiouny Noha El
Published: October 2011

Subject area

International business, international marketing.

Study level/applicability

Senior students majoring in international business and/or marketing.

Case overview

Internationalization processes for organizations represents a hard turmoil that some excel in and a few enjoy its benefits. Cilantro Café represents a landmark in the Egyptian economy for its success in turning from a local coffee shop house chain to a global one in less than a decade from its earlier inception. Such success relied heavily on their internationalization strategy as well as their marketing communications. The main learning objective in this case is presenting Cilantro's path for internationalization as a model for local organizations striving to go global.

Expected learning outcomes

Identifying the internationalization process, explaining a success story in moving from local to global business operations, and highlighting the post 25th of January cultural implications in Egypt.

Supplementary materials

Teaching note.
GOONJ – success through innovation
Authors: Sanjeev Gunjan
Published: October 2011

Subject area

Management (interdisciplinary): corporate social responsibility/financial management/social entrepreneurship.

Study level/applicability

Undergraduate/MBA.

Case overview

The case revolves around a Delhi-based non-governmental organization (NGO), GOONJ founded by 40-year-old social activist, Mr Anshu Gupta. Winner of several awards, this NGO is trying to highlight some ignored but basic needs of the poor by using the surplus of the cities (supply of discarded commodities: clothes, furniture, toys, waste paper, utensils stationary, etc. due to space constraints and the growing consumerism) to address scarcity of essential commodities to the poor in the rural areas and creating it as a powerful developmental resource. GOONJ has a number of collection centers across the nation through which the old clothes are collected. Thereafter, the clothes are washed, dried, repaired and packed and then reached to the far flung villages with help of partner grassroots NGO, panchayats, Indian army, etc.There are three key issues raised in the case:

This NGO has been operating without any formal funding for last many years. With annual expenses over ten million, how does NGO operate so successfully. Also, it is interesting to find out how they are able to maintain cost of just 97 paisa (1 paisa=1/100 rupee) from the time old clothing is collected to the point where it has been delivered to a needy.

The second issue about the synergy that is created by the NGO – corporate partnership. Further, this case also gives the audience to explore synergy between NGO and B-schools.

To understand the problem areas of distribution management when so many different stakeholders are involved.

Expected learning outcomes

To explore innovations in resource mobilization (sources of financing) and cost management.

To appreciate the synergy created by forming partnerships between different stakeholders: NGO, corporate houses, B-schools.

To appreciate issues and problems of distribution management – especially in the case when there are different stakeholders involved.
SELCO: lighting rural India
Authors: Pati Rakesh Kumar , Garud Niharika
Published: October 2011

Subject area

Social entrepreneurship, Sustainability and Human Resource.

Study level/applicability

The case study is relevant for students of entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship. This case can be used as a case in strategy (growth strategy), marketing and innovation subjects as well.

Case overview

The case study revolves around Mr Harish Hande and his efforts to build a for–profit social enterprise Solar Electric Light Company (SELCO) to provide electricity to poor and under–served. Harish focused on providing cheap, clean and sustainable energy sources to rural customers at bottom of the pyramid of the society. From the conception of SELCO, Harish has been on a roller–coaster ride of success and failure. Harish has used the problems as a learning ground and improved his business model successfully. But, when Harish tried to scale his operations in 2005–2006 he failed miserably. Some errors in the decision coupled with external pressure had brought SELCO to a verge of collapse. Owing to the determination of Harish and his team, SELCO was able to revive from the difficult times to generate profits again. Harish now again wants to expand but this time he would not take any chances. He wants to analyze and discuss every possible issue, he might face during his expansion plans.

Expected learning outcomes

The key learning aspects of this case is to understand importance and practice of talent management. The case also highlights the best practices that SELCO uses to reach its clients and provide them complete solution.

Supplementary materials

Teaching note.
Evaluation of a new simple treatment for positional sleep apnoea patients
Authors: VAN MAANEN J. PETER , RICHARD WIETSKE , VAN KESTEREN ELLEN R. , RAVESLOOT MADELINE J. L. , LAMAN D. MARTIN , HILGEVOORD ANTONIUS A. J. , DE VRIES NICO
Published: October 2011

Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome is a common clinical problem. Positional sleep apnoea syndrome, defined as having a supine apnoea–hypopnoea index of twice or more compared to the apnoea–hypopnoea index in the other positions, occurs in 56% of obstructive sleep apnoea patients. A limited number of studies focus on decreasing the severity of sleep apnoea by influencing sleep position. In these studies an object was strapped to the back (tennis balls, squash balls, special vests), preventing patients from sleeping in the supine position. Frequently, this was not successful due to arousals while turning from one lateral position to the other, thereby disturbing sleep architecture and sleep quality. We developed a new neck‐worn device which influences sleep position by offering a vibration when in supine position, without significantly reducing total sleep time. Thirty patients with positional sleep apnoea were included in this study. No side effects were reported. The mean apnoea–hypopnoea index dropped from 27.7 ± 2.4 to 12.8 ± 2.2. Seven patients developed an overall apnoea–hypopnoea index below 5 when using the device in ON modus. We expect that positional therapy with such a device can be applied as a single treatment in many patients with mild to moderate position‐dependent obstructive sleep apnoea, while in patients with a more severe obstructive sleep apnoea such a device could be used in combination with other treatment modalities.
Effect of dental correction on voluntary hay intake, apparent digestibility of feed and faecal particle size in horse
Authors: Zwirglmaier S. , Remler H.‐P. , Senckenberg E. , Fritz J. , Stelzer P. , Kienzle E.
Published: October 2011

Summary  In nine adult Warmblood horses with mild to moderate dental findings (no signs of discomfort during chewing), voluntary hay intake before and after dental correction was examined. In a second experiment, digestibility of feed and faecal particle size were determined (3 days of total faecal collection) before and after dental correction. During both digestion trials including a 3‐day adaptation period, the amount of hay and concentrate (mixture of oats, barley and maize) was kept constant in each individual horse before and after dental correction. Voluntary hay intake in individual horses ranged from 11 to 22 g DM/kg BW/day and did not differ before and after dental treatment. Apparent digestibility of DM, energy, crude fibre and Nfe increased significantly after dental correction (energy digestibility before dental correction 46.8 ± 7.4%, after dental correction 51.5 ± 8.5%). Apparent digestibility of feed was higher in horses eating more concentrates than in those eating less concentrates. Improvement of digestibility was more marked in horses eating larger amounts of grain. There was no relationship between severity or type of dental alterations and improvement of apparent feed digestibility. Dental correction had no effect on faecal particle size.
Real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction detection of haemoplasmas in healthy and unhealthy dogs from Central Macedonia, Greece
Authors: Tennant K. V. , Barker E. N. , Polizopoulou Z. , Helps C. R. , Tasker S.
Published: October 2011

Objectives: The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of canine haemoplasmas, Mycoplasma haemocanis and “Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum” infection in Central Macedonia, Greece, and to evaluate any associations between canine haemoplasma infection and clinical presentation, selected laboratory data or the presence of ticks.

Methods: Genomic DNA was purified from excess blood (n=151) submitted for haematological examination. Purified DNA was subjected to species‐specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays duplexed with a canine DNA control quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Clinical records were retrospectively examined and selected clinical parameters were compared to haemoplasma infection status.

Results: Nine samples were excluded due to inadequate canine DNA polymerase chain reaction results. Of the remaining 142 samples: eight (5·6%) were positive for M. haemocanis alone, six (4·2%) were positive for “Ca. M. haematoparvum” alone and one (0·7%) was dual positive. No association was found between haemoplasma status and age, sex, breed, health status, presence of anaemia, selected biochemistry parameters, presence of ectoparasites, routine ectoparasiticide treatment or the presence of selected tick‐borne diseases.
Canine obesity: is there a difference between veterinarian and owner perception?
Authors: White G. A. , Hobson‐West P. , Cobb K. , Craigon J. , Hammond R. , Millar K. M.
Published: October 2011

Objectives: The overall aim of this study was to examine the nature of the relationship between dog‐ownership and canine obesity, explored in two cohorts of overweight/obese or non‐overweight dogs (n=125). This paper concentrates on the owners’ perception of dog weight.

Methods: A researcher‐mediated questionnaire was used to collect data from dog owners attending a small veterinary practice. Interviewees (n=121) were asked qualitative and quantitative questions, designed to examine the owners’ views of their relationship with their dogs.

Results: Although a high proportion of owners claimed to have discussed the dog's weight with their veterinarian, some discrepancies were apparent between owner perception of animal weight and the veterinarian's evaluation of body condition score. Owner disagreement was significantly greater for the veterinarian‐defined overweight dogs (P=0·005). Owners often provide personal narratives to account for their dog's weight status.

Clinical Significance: This study confirms the important role of the vet in providing information about the issue of dog weight but also suggests that providing verbal information is sometimes insufficient. The study also indicates the potential value of qualitative research methods to further understand client perception of complex animal care issues and highlights the need for further in‐depth research.
Conversion of Sterically Demanding α,α-Disubstituted Phenylacetonitriles by the Arylacetonitrilase from Pseudomonas fluorescens EBC191
Authors: Baum Stefanie , Williamson Dael S. , Sewell Trevor , Stolz Andreas
Published: October 2011

The nitrilase fromPseudomonas fluorescensEBC191 converted 2-methyl-2-phenylpropionitrile, which contains a quaternary carbon atom in the α-position toward the nitrile group, and also similar sterically demanding substrates, such as 2-hydroxy-2-phenylpropionitrile (acetophenone cyanohydrin) or 2-acetyloxy-2-methylphenylacetonitrile. 2-Methyl-2-phenylpropionitrile was hydrolyzed to almost stoichiometric amounts of the corresponding acid. Acetophenone cyanohydrin was transformed to the corresponding acid (atrolactate) and amide (atrolactamide) at a ratio of about 3.4:1. The (R)-acid and the (S)-amide were formed preferentially from acetophenone cyanohydrin. A homology model of the nitrilase suggested that steric hindrance with amino acid residue Tyr54 could impair the binding or conversion of sterically demanding substrates. Therefore, several enzyme variants that carried mutations in the respective residues were generated and subsequently analyzed for the substrate specificity and enantioselectivity of the reactions. Enzyme variants that demonstrated increased relative activities for the conversion of acetophenone cyanohydrin were identified. The chiral analysis of these reactions demonstrated peculiar reaction kinetics, which suggested that the enzyme variants converted the nonpreferred (S)-enantiomer of acetophenone cyanohydrin with a higher reaction rate than that of the (preferred) (R)-enantiomer. Recombinant whole-cell catalysts that simultaneously produced the nitrilase fromP. fluorescensEBC191 and a plant-derived (S)-oxynitrilase from cassava (Manihot esculenta) converted acetophenone plus cyanide at pH 4.5 to (S)-atrolactate and (S)-atrolactamide. These recombinant cells are promising catalysts for the synthesis of stable chiral quaternary carbon centers from ketones.
Experimental Evolution of a Facultative Thermophile from a Mesophilic Ancestor
Authors: Blaby Ian K. , Lyons Benjamin J. , Wroclawska-Hughes Ewa , Phillips Grier C. F. , Pyle Tyler P. , Chamberlin Stephen G. , Benner Steven A. , Lyons Thomas J. , de Crécy-Lagard Valérie , de Crécy Eudes
Published: October 2011

Experimental evolution via continuous culture is a powerful approach to the alteration of complex phenotypes, such as optimal/maximal growth temperatures. The benefit of this approach is that phenotypic selection is tied to growth rate, allowing the production of optimized strains. Herein, we demonstrate the use of a recently described long-term culture apparatus called the Evolugator for the generation of a thermophilic descendant from a mesophilic ancestor (
Escherichia coli
MG1655). In addition, we used whole-genome sequencing of sequentially isolated strains throughout the thermal adaptation process to characterize the evolutionary history of the resultant genotype, identifying 31 genetic alterations that may contribute to thermotolerance, although some of these mutations may be adaptive for off-target environmental parameters, such as rich medium. We undertook preliminary phenotypic analysis of mutations identified in the
glpF
and
fabA
genes. Deletion of
glpF
in a mesophilic wild-type background conferred significantly improved growth rates in the 43-to-48°C temperature range and altered optimal growth temperature from 37°C to 43°C. In addition, transforming our evolved thermotolerant strain (EVG1064) with a wild-type allele of
glpF
reduced fitness at high temperatures. On the other hand, the mutation in
fabA
predictably increased the degree of saturation in membrane lipids, which is a known adaptation to elevated temperature. However, transforming EVG1064 with a wild-type
fabA
allele had only modest effects on fitness at intermediate temperatures. The Evolugator is fully automated and demonstrates the potential to accelerate the selection for complex traits by experimental evolution and significantly decrease development time for new industrial strains.
Isolation of Bacterial Strains Capable of Sulfamethoxazole Mineralization from an Acclimated Membrane Bioreactor
Authors: Bouju Helene , Ricken Benjamin , Beffa Trello , Corvini Philippe F.-X. , Kolvenbach Boris A.
Published: October 2011

In this study, we isolated five strains capable of degrading
14
C-labeled sulfamethoxazole to
14
CO
2
from a membrane bioreactor acclimatized to sulfamethoxazole, carbamazepine, and diclofenac. Of these strains, two belonged to the phylum
Actinobacteria
, while three were members of the
Proteobacteria
.
Silicon and Phosphorus Linkage with Iron via Oxygen in the Amorphous Matrix of Gallionella ferruginea Stalks
Authors: Suzuki Tomoko , Hashimoto Hideki , Itadani Atsushi , Matsumoto Nobuyuki , Kunoh Hitoshi , Takada Jun
Published: October 2011

Bacterial species belonging to the genus
Gallionella
are Fe-oxidizing bacteria that produce uniquely twisted extracellular stalks consisting of iron-oxide-encrusted inorganic/organic fibers in aquatic environments. This paper describes the degree of crystallinity of
Gallionella
stalks and the chemical linkages of constituent elements in the stalk fibers. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the matrix of the fiber edge consisted of an assembly of primary particles of approximately 3 nm in diameter. Scanning transmission electron microscopy revealed the rough granular surfaces of the fibers, which reflect the disordered assembly of the primary particles, indicating a high porosity and large specific surface area of the fibers. This may provide the surface with broader reactive properties. X-ray diffractometry, selected-area electron diffraction, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy together showed that the primary particles had an amorphous structure. Furthermore, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy detected the bands characteristic of the vibrational modes assigned to O-H, Fe-O-H, P-O-H, Si-O-H, Si-O-Fe, and P-O-Fe bonds in the stalks, suggesting that the minor constituent elements P and Si could affect the degree of crystallinity of the fibers by linking with Fe via O. This knowledge about the mutual associations of these elements provides deeper insights into the unique inorganic/organic hybrid structure of the stalks.
HupW Protease Specifically Required for Processing of the Catalytic Subunit of the Uptake Hydrogenase in the Cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. Strain PCC 7120
Authors: Lindberg Pia , Devine Ellenor , Stensjö Karin , Lindblad Peter
Published: October 2011

The maturation process of [NiFe] hydrogenases includes a proteolytic cleavage of the large subunit. We constructed a mutant of
Nostoc
strain PCC 7120 in which
hupW
, encoding a putative hydrogenase-specific protease, is inactivated. Our results indicate that the protein product of
hupW
selectively cleaves the uptake hydrogenase in this cyanobacterium.
Modular Engineering of
l
-Tyrosine Production in Escherichia coli
Authors: Juminaga Darmawi , Baidoo Edward E. K. , Redding-Johanson Alyssa M. , Batth Tanveer S. , Burd Helcio , Mukhopadhyay Aindrila , Petzold Christopher J. , Keasling Jay D.
Published: October 2011

Efficient biosynthesis of
l
-tyrosine from glucose is necessary to make biological production economically viable. To this end, we designed and constructed a modular biosynthetic pathway for
l
-tyrosine production in
E. coli
MG1655 by encoding the enzymes for converting erythrose-4-phosphate (E4P) and phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) to
l
-tyrosine on two plasmids. Rational engineering to improve
l
-tyrosine production and to identify pathway bottlenecks was directed by targeted proteomics and metabolite profiling. The bottlenecks in the pathway were relieved by modifications in plasmid copy numbers, promoter strength, gene codon usage, and the placement of genes in operons. One major bottleneck was due to the bifunctional activities of quinate/shikimate dehydrogenase (YdiB), which caused accumulation of the intermediates dehydroquinate (DHQ) and dehydroshikimate (DHS) and the side product quinate; this bottleneck was relieved by replacing YdiB with its paralog AroE, resulting in the production of over 700 mg/liter of shikimate. Another bottleneck in shikimate production, due to low expression of the dehydroquinate synthase (AroB), was alleviated by optimizing the first 15 codons of the gene. Shikimate conversion to
l
-tyrosine was improved by replacing the shikimate kinase AroK with its isozyme, AroL, which effectively consumed all intermediates formed in the first half of the pathway. Guided by the protein and metabolite measurements, the best producer, consisting of two medium-copy-number, dual-operon plasmids, was optimized to produce >2 g/liter
l
-tyrosine at 80% of the theoretical yield. This work demonstrates the utility of targeted proteomics and metabolite profiling in pathway construction and optimization, which should be applicable to other metabolic pathways.
Requirement of a Tsp2-Type Tetraspanin for Laccase Repression and Stress Resistance in the Basidiomycete Cryptococcus neoformans
Authors: Li Zhongming , Bi Jiannan , Yang Jiao , Pan Jiao , Sun Zhixiong , Zhu Xudong
Published: October 2011

Fungal laccases have been widely used in industry. The expression of laccase often is repressible by the primary carbon source glucose in many fungi. The underlying basis is largely unclear. We demonstrate here that a gene,
TSP2
-
1
, was required for laccase repression by glucose in the basidiomycete
Cryptococcus neoformans
.
TSP2
-
1
encodes a Tsp2-type tetraspanin. The disruption of
TSP2
-
1
resulted in constant melanin formation and the expression of the laccase gene
LAC1
. This derepression phenotype was restorable by 10 mM exogenous cyclic AMP (cAMP). A capsule defect in the mutant
tsp2
-
1
Δ also was restored by cAMP. The results indicate an interaction of Tsp2-1 with the cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) pathway that has been shown to modulate laccase repression and capsule biosynthesis in this fungus. Other roles of
TSP2
-
1
, e.g., in maintaining cell membrane integrity and stress resistance, also were defined. This work reveals a Tsp2-1-dependent glucose repression in
C. neoformans
. The function of Tsp2-type tetraspanin Tsp2-1 is described for the first time.
Genotypes and Antibiotic Resistances of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli Isolates from Domestic and Travel-Associated Human Cases
Authors: Niederer Lilian , Kuhnert Peter , Egger Ralph , Büttner Sabina , Hächler Herbert , Korczak Bożena M.
Published: October 2011

Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) extended with
flaB
typing of 425
Campylobacter jejuni
isolates and 42
Campylobacter coli
isolates revealed quite a low overlap between human isolates from travel-associated and domestic cases in Switzerland. Men were more frequently affected by
Campylobacter
than women, but strains from women and, overall, from travel-associated cases showed mutations conferring quinolone resistance more frequently than strains from men and domestic cases, respectively.
Characterization and Comparative Genomic Analysis of a Novel Bacteriophage, SFP10, Simultaneously Inhibiting both Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli O157:H7
Authors: Park Minjung , Lee Ju-Hoon , Shin Hakdong , Kim Minsik , Choi Jeongjoon , Kang Dong-Hyun , Heu Sunggi , Ryu Sangryeol
Published: October 2011

Salmonella enterica
and
Escherichia coli
O157:H7 are major food-borne pathogens causing serious illness. Phage SFP10, which revealed effective infection of both
S. enterica
and
E. coli
O157:H7, was isolated and characterized. SFP10 contains a 158-kb double-stranded DNA genome belonging to the Vi01 phage-like family
Myoviridae
.
In vitro
adsorption assays showed that the adsorption constant rates to both
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium and
E. coli
O157:H7 were 2.50 × 10
−8
ml/min and 1.91 × 10
−8
ml/min, respectively. One-step growth analysis revealed that SFP10 has a shorter latent period (25 min) and a larger burst size (>200 PFU) than ordinary
Myoviridae
phages, suggesting effective host infection and lytic activity. However, differential development of resistance to SFP10 in
S.
Typhimurium and
E. coli
O157:H7 was observed; bacteriophage-insensitive mutant (BIM) frequencies of 1.19 × 10
−2
CFU/ml for
S.
Typhimurium and 4.58 × 10
−5
CFU/ml for
E. coli
O157:H7 were found, indicating that SFP10 should be active and stable for control of
E. coli
O157:H7 with minimal emergence of SFP10-resistant pathogens but may not be for
S.
Typhimurium. Specific mutation of
rfaL
in
S.
Typhimurium and
E. coli
O157:H7 revealed the O antigen as an SFP10 receptor for both bacteria. Genome sequence analysis of SFP10 and its comparative analysis with homologous
Salmonella
Vi01 and
Shigella
phiSboM-AG3 phages revealed that their tail fiber and tail spike genes share low sequence identity, implying that the genes are major host specificity determinants. This is the first report identifying specific infection and inhibition of
Salmonella
Typhimurium and
E. coli
O157:H7 by a single bacteriophage.
High Frequency of a Novel Filamentous Phage, VCYϕ, within an Environmental Vibrio cholerae Population
Authors: Xue Hong , Xu Yan , Boucher Yan , Polz Martin F.
Published: October 2011

Environmental
Vibrio cholerae
strains isolated from a coastal brackish pond (Oyster Pond, Woods Hole, MA) carried a novel filamentous phage, VCYϕ, which can exist as a host genome integrative form (IF) and a plasmid-like replicative form (RF). Outside the cell, the phage displays a morphology typical of
Inovirus
, with filamentous particles ∼1.8 μm in length and 7 nm in width. Four independent RF isolates had identical genomes, except for 8 single nucleotide polymorphisms clustered in two regions. The overall genome size is 7,103 bp with 11 putative open reading frames organized into three functional modules (replication, structure and assembly, and regulation). VCYϕ shares sequence similarity with other filamentous phages (including cholera disease-associated CTX) in a highly mosaic manner, indicating evolution by horizontal gene transfer and recombination. VCYϕ integrates in the vicinity of the putative translation initiation factor Sui1 in chromosome II of
V. cholerae
. A screen of 531 closely related host isolates showed that ∼40% harbored phages, with 27% and 13% carrying the IF and RF, respectively. The relative frequencies of the RF and IF differed among strains isolated from the pond or lagoon of Oyster Pond, suggesting that the host habitat influences intracellular phage biology. The overall high prevalence within the host population shows that filamentous phages can be an important component of the environmental biology of
V. cholerae
.
Genome Shrinkage and Loss of Nutrient-Providing Potential in the Obligate Symbiont of the Primitive Termite Mastotermes darwiniensis
Authors: Sabree Zakee L. , Huang Charlie Ye , Arakawa Gaku , Tokuda Gaku , Lo Nathan , Watanabe Hirofumi , Moran Nancy A.
Published: October 2011

Beneficial microbial associations with insects are common and are classified as either one or a few intracellular species that are vertically transmitted and reside intracellularly within specialized organs or as microbial assemblages in the gut. Cockroaches and termites maintain at least one if not both beneficial associations.
Blattabacterium
is a flavobacterial endosymbiont of nearly all cockroaches and the termite
Mastotermes darwiniensis
and can use nitrogenous wastes in essential amino acid and vitamin biosynthesis. Key changes during the evolutionary divergence of termites from cockroaches are loss of
Blattabacterium
, diet shift to wood, acquisition of a specialized hindgut microbiota, and establishment of advanced social behavior. Termite gut microbes collaborate to fix nitrogen, degrade lignocellulose, and produce nutrients, and the absence of
Blattabacterium
in nearly all termites suggests that its nutrient-provisioning role has been replaced by gut microbes.
M. darwiniensis
is a basal, extant termite that solely retains
Blattabacterium
, which would show evidence of relaxed selection if it is being supplanted by the gut microbiome. This termite-associated
Blattabacterium
genome is ∼8% smaller than cockroach-associated
Blattabacterium
genomes and lacks genes underlying vitamin and essential amino acid biosynthesis. Furthermore, the
M. darwiniensis
gut microbiome membership is more consistent between individuals and includes specialized termite gut-associated bacteria, unlike the more variable membership of cockroach gut microbiomes. The
M. darwiniensis Blattabacterium
genome may reflect relaxed selection for some of its encoded functions, and the loss of this endosymbiont in all remaining termite genera may result from its replacement by a functionally complementary gut microbiota.
Fecal Indicators and Zoonotic Pathogens in Household Drinking Water Taps Fed from Rainwater Tanks in Southeast Queensland, Australia
Authors: Ahmed W. , Hodgers L. , Sidhu J. P. S. , Toze S.
Published: October 2011

In this study, the microbiological quality of household tap water samples fed from rainwater tanks was assessed by monitoring the numbers of
Escherichia coli
bacteria and enterococci from 24 households in Southeast Queensland (SEQ), Australia. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) was also used for the quantitative detection of zoonotic pathogens in water samples from rainwater tanks and connected household taps. The numbers of zoonotic pathogens were also estimated in fecal samples from possums and various species of birds by using qPCR, as possums and birds are considered to be the potential sources of fecal contamination in roof-harvested rainwater (RHRW). Among the 24 households, 63% of rainwater tank and 58% of connected household tap water (CHTW) samples contained
E. coli
and exceeded Australian drinking water guidelines of <1 CFU
E. coli
per 100 ml water. Similarly, 92% of rainwater tanks and 83% of CHTW samples also contained enterococci. In all, 21%, 4%, and 13% of rainwater tank samples contained
Campylobacter
spp.,
Salmonella
spp., and
Giardia lamblia
, respectively. Similarly, 21% of rainwater tank and 13% of CHTW samples contained
Campylobacter
spp. and
G. lamblia
, respectively. The number of
E. coli
(
P
= 0.78),
Enterococcus
(
P
= 0.64),
Campylobacter
(
P
= 0.44), and
G. lamblia
(
P
= 0.50) cells in rainwater tanks did not differ significantly from the numbers observed in the CHTW samples. Among the 40 possum fecal samples tested,
Campylobacter
spp.,
Cryptosporidium parvum
, and
G. lamblia
were detected in 60%, 13%, and 30% of samples, respectively. Among the 38 bird fecal samples tested,
Campylobacter
spp.,
Salmonella
spp.,
C. parvum
, and
G. lamblia
were detected in 24%, 11%, 5%, and 13% of the samples, respectively. Household tap water samples fed from rainwater tanks tested in the study appeared to be highly variable. Regular cleaning of roofs and gutters, along with pruning of overhanging tree branches, might also prove effective in reducing animal fecal contamination of rainwater tanks.
SPM1 Stabilizes Subpellicular Microtubules in Toxoplasma gondii
Authors: Tran Johnson Q. , Li Catherine , Chyan Alice , Chung Lawton , Morrissette Naomi S.
Published: October 2011

We have identified two novel proteins that colocalize with thesubpellicularmicrotubules in the protozoan parasiteToxoplasma gondiiand named these proteins SPM1 and SPM2. These proteins have basic isoelectric points and both have homologs in other apicomplexan parasites. SPM1 contains six tandem copies of a 32-amino-acid repeat, whereas SPM2 lacks defined protein signatures. Alignment ofToxoplasmaSPM2 with apparentPlasmodiumSPM2 homologs indicates that the greatest degree of conservation lies in the carboxy-terminal half of the protein. Analysis ofPlasmodiumhomologs of SPM1 indicates that while the central 32-amino-acid repeats have expanded to different degrees (7, 8, 9, 12, or 13 repeats), the amino- and carboxy-terminal regions remain conserved. In contrast, although theCryptosporidiumSPM1 homolog has a conserved carboxy tail, the five repeats are considerably diverged, and it has a smaller amino-terminal domain. SPM1 is localized along the full length of the subpellicular microtubules but does not associate with the conoid or spindle microtubules. SPM2 has a restricted localization along the middle region of the subpellicular microtubules. Domain deletion analysis indicates that four or more copies of the SPM1 repeat are required for localization to microtubules, and the amino-terminal 63 residues of SPM2 are required for localization to the subpellicular microtubules. Gene deletion studies indicate that neither SPM1 nor SPM2 is essential for tachyzoite viability. However, loss of SPM1 decreases overall parasite fitness and eliminates the stability of subpellicular microtubules to detergent extraction.
Ultrastructure of the Denitrifying Methanotroph “Candidatus Methylomirabilis oxyfera,” a Novel Polygon-Shaped Bacterium
Authors: Wu Ming L. , van Teeseling Muriel C. F. , Willems Marieke J. R. , van Donselaar Elly G. , Klingl Andreas , Rachel Reinhard , Geerts Willie J. C. , Jetten Mike S. M. , Strous Marc , van Niftrik Laura
Published: October 2011

“
Candidatus
Methylomirabilis oxyfera” is a newly discovered denitrifying methanotroph that is unrelated to previously known methanotrophs. This bacterium is a member of the NC10 phylum and couples methane oxidation to denitrification through a newly discovered intra-aerobic pathway. In the present study, we report the first ultrastructural study of “
Ca
. Methylomirabilis oxyfera” using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and electron tomography in combination with different sample preparation methods. We observed that “
Ca
. Methylomirabilis oxyfera” cells possess an atypical polygonal shape that is distinct from other bacterial shapes described so far. Also, an additional layer was observed as the outermost sheath, which might represent a (glyco)protein surface layer. Further, intracytoplasmic membranes, which are a common feature among proteobacterial methanotrophs, were never observed under the current growth conditions. Our results indicate that “
Ca
. Methylomirabilis oxyfera” is ultrastructurally distinct from other bacteria by its atypical cell shape and from the classical proteobacterial methanotrophs by its apparent lack of intracytoplasmic membranes.
Homodimerization and Binding of Specific Domains to the Target DNA Are Essential Requirements for HlyU To Regulate Expression of the Virulence Gene
rtxA1
, Encoding the Repeat-in-Toxin Protein in the Human Pathogen Vibrio vulnificus
Authors: Liu Moqing , Rose Michael , Crosa Jorge H.
Published: October 2011

The virulence gene
rtxA1
, encoding the repeat-in-toxin protein, plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of
Vibrio vulnificus
infections. Expression of this gene is controlled by the HlyU regulator by direct contact of the DNA upstream of the
rtxA1
toxin operon acting as a derepressor of the H-NS protein. The crystal structure suggests that HlyU forms a homodimer
in vitro
. However, knowledge of the biological implications of these findings
in vivo
is limited. In this work, we endeavored to dissect, using genetic and biochemical approaches, the domains of this protein that are essential for homodimer formation and the interaction of HlyU with the target DNA. We identified that residues L18, N22, R25, S54, Q55, L57, W59, R61, K70, and Y77 are essential for the HlyU protein binding to the DNA and that amino acids L17 and L91 are important for HlyU dimerization. We also determined that HlyU homodimer formation is an essential requirement for binding to the upstream region of the
rtxA1
operon and is the key feature in relieving the H-NS repression of
rtxA1
transcription.
Role of Secondary Transporters and Phosphotransferase Systems in Glucose Transport by Oenococcus oeni
Authors: Kim Ok Bin , Richter Hanno , Zaunmüller Tanja , Graf Sabrina , Unden Gottfried
Published: October 2011

Glucose uptake by the heterofermentative lactic acid bacteriumOenococcus oeniB1 was studied at the physiological and gene expression levels. Glucose- or fructose-grown bacteria catalyzed uptake of [14C]glucose over a pH range from pH 4 to 9, with maxima at pHs 5.5 and 7. Uptake occurred in two-step kinetics in a high- and low-affinity reaction. The high-affinity uptake followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics and required energization. It accumulated the radioactivity of glucose by a factor of 55 within the bacteria. A large portion (about 80%) of the uptake of glucose was inhibited by protonophores and ionophores. Uptake of the glucose at neutral pH was not sensitive to degradation of the proton potential, Δp. Expression of the genes OEOE_0819 and OEOE_1574 (here referred to as 0819 and 1574), coding for secondary transporters, was induced by glucose as identified by quantitative real-time (RT)-PCR. The genes 1574 and 0819 were able to complement growth of aBacillus subtilishexose transport-deficient mutant on glucose but not on fructose. The genes 1574 and 0819 therefore encode secondary transporters for glucose, and the transports are presumably Δpdependent.O. oenicodes, in addition, for a phosphotransferase transport system (PTS) (gene OEOE_0464 [0464] for the permease) with similarity to the fructose- and mannose-specific PTS of lactic acid bacteria. Quantitative RT-PCR showed induction of the gene 0464 by glucose and by fructose. The data suggest that the PTS is responsible for Δp-independent hexose transport at neutral pH and for the residual Δp-independent transport of hexoses at acidic pH.
Cost-effectiveness of cardiac resynchronisation therapy for patients with moderate-to-severe heart failure: a lifetime Markov model
Authors: Neyt Mattias , Stroobandt Serge , Obyn Caroline , Camberlin Cécile , Devriese Stephan , De Laet Chris , Van Brabandt Hans
Published: October 2011

Objective

To assess the cost-effectiveness of cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) both with CRT-P (biventricular pacemaker only) and with CRT-D (biventricular pacemaker with defibrillator) in patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III/IV from a Belgian healthcare-payer perspective.

Methods

A lifetime Markov model was designed to calculate the cost–utility of both interventions. In the reference case, the treatment effect was based on the Comparison of Medical Therapy, Pacing and Defibrillation in Heart Failure trial. Costs were based on real-world data. Pharmacoeconomic guidelines were applied, including probabilistic modelling and sensitivity analyses.

Results

Compared with optimal medical treatment, on average 1.31 quality-adjusted life-years (QALY) are gained with CRT-P at an additional cost of €14 700, resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of about €364;11 200/QALY. As compared with CRT-P, CRT-D treatment adds on average an additional 0.55 QALYs at an extra cost of €30 900 resulting in an ICER of €57 000/QALY. This result was very sensitive to the incremental clinical benefit of the defibrillator function on top of CRT.

Conclusions

Based on efficiency arguments, CRT-P can be recommended for NYHA class III and IV patients if there is a willingness to pay more than €11 000/QALY. Even though CRT-D may offer a survival benefit over CRT-P, the incremental clinical benefit appears to be too marginal to warrant a threefold-higher device price for CRT-D. Further clinical research should focus on the added value of CRT-D over CRT-P.