bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geographies of Peace and Antiviolence
Authors: Loyd Jenna M.
Published: August 2012

Geography’s ties with war‐making, territorial and imperial conquest are well known. Geography has also made contributions to the study of peace. In recent years, geographers have been engaged in a rich debate over the relations between studies of war and peace and the conceptual and methodological frameworks for approaching studies of violence. This paper reviews the vibrant recent literature on geographies of peace, which features two striking points of consensus. First, peace must be understood as a process. Second, defining peace is a question of defining violence. These points of consensus, in turn, raise questions about research sites and methods. To flesh out some of these issues, this paper turns to Galtung’s theorizing on peace and structural violence. The concept of structural violence has been very influential, but remains undertheorized. The third section, in turn, details feminist theories and methods of researching violence that challenge undifferentiated landscapes of war, peace and structural violence. The fourth section illustrates the ideas of peace as a process and epistemologies of violence by way of example. I sketch the context and terms through which “antiviolence” organizing emerged in the United States over the past 30 years. Antiviolence, as developed most centrally by antiracist, feminist activists and theorists, offers not only a powerful analytic for understanding connections among forms of violence and uneven spaces of harm and well‐being, but also a practical way of bridging spheres of organizing that might otherwise remain discrete. I conclude by offering implications drawn from antiviolence praxis for geographic studies of war and peace.
The Spaces, Politics, and Cultural Economies of Electronic Dance Music
Authors: Fraser Alistair
Published: August 2012

This paper examines the spaces, politics, and cultural economies of electronic dance music (EDM). I use geographical literature on EDM to argue that its hedonistic spaces have been forged via cultural economic practices which I conceptualize as constitutive of a process of ‘accumulation by cooperation’. In numerous contexts, the people of EDM – the DJs, producers, MCs, artists, promoters, and ravers – have chipped in, worked alongside each other, collaborated, and shared ideas, emotions, and knowledge with a view to producing and re‐producing cultural economies and hedonistic spaces shot through by a complex, contradictory politics.
Dietary Chlorophyll Metabolites Catalyze the Photoreduction of Plasma Ubiquinone
Authors: Qu Jinfeng , Ma Li , Zhang Junhua , Jockusch Steffen , Washington Ilyas
Published: August 2012

Ubiquinol is a plasma antioxidant. The mechanisms responsible for maintenance of plasma ubiquinol are poorly understood. Here, we show that metabolites of chlorophyll can be found in blood plasma of animals that are given a chlorophyll‐rich diet. We also show that these metabolites catalyze the reduction of plasma ubiquinone to ubiquinol in the presence of ambient light, in vitro. We propose that dietary chlorophyll or its metabolites, together with light exposure, regulate plasma redox status through maintaining the ubiquinol pool.
Endoscopic treatment for biliary stricture after orthotopic liver transplantation: Success, recurrence and their influencing factors
Authors: Cai Xiao Bo , Zhu Feng , Wen Jian Jun , Li Lei , Zhang Ru Ling , Zhou Hui , Wan Xin Jian
Published: August 2012

Objective

To investigate the success and recurrence rates and factors influencing the effect of endoscopic therapy for patients with biliary stricture after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).

Methods

Data of 56 patients who underwent endoscopic therapy for biliary stricture after OLT from 2006 to 2009 were reviewed in this study. Their clinical data, laboratory parameters and endoscopic features were recorded.

Results

Biliary stricture was treated successfully in 47 patients (83.9%). Compared with those with treatment failure, there was a longer duration from OLT to initial presentations (P = 0.02) in the successful group, fewer endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) treatments (P < 0.01) and fewer stents inserted per patient (P < 0.01). Multivariate analysis showed that the number of ERCP treatments per patient was negatively related with treatment success. Of the 47 patients successfully treated, stricture recurred in 13 (27.7%) during follow‐up. Compared with those without recurrence, the recurrence group had a shorter initial presentation time after OLT, higher serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and γ‐glutamyltransferase levels, higher numbers of ERCP treatments and stents used and a longer duration of treatment (P < 0.01 for all). Multivariate analysis showed that the treatment duration was a risk factor for recurrence (OR 2.33, 95% CI 1.34–4.05, P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Endoscopic treatment is a safe and effective modality for biliary stricture after OLT. The number of ERCP treatments per patient is negatively related with treatment success and long treatment duration was a risk factor for stricture recurrence.
Safety and Efficacy of Aliskiren/Amlodipine/Hydrochlorothiazide Triple Combination in Patients With Moderate to Severe Hypertension: A 54‐Week, Open‐Label Study
Authors: Murray Alexander V. , Koenig Wolfgang , Garcia‐Puig Juan , Patel Samir , PhD Alkaz Uddin , Zhang Jack
Published: August 2012

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2012; 14:821–827. ©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Combination antihypertensive therapies are recommended to attain blood pressure (BP) targets especially in high‐risk patients in whom rapid and pronounced BP control is essential. This 28‐ to 54‐week, open‐label, multicenter study evaluated the safety and efficacy of a triple combination, aliskiren with amlodipine and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), in patients with moderate to severe hypertension. Following a washout period of up to 4 weeks, patients received aliskiren/HCTZ 300/12.5 mg for 1 week, followed by add‐on amlodipine 5 mg for 1 week. Thereafter, the doses of amlodipine and HCTZ were doubled. The first 206 of 564 patients who completed 28 weeks of study continued for an additional 26 weeks. Safety was assessed by recording all adverse events. Efficacy variables included changes in BP from baseline to endpoint and BP control rate. Of 564 patients, 493 completed the study. Peripheral edema (9.4%), headache (5.7%), nasopharyngitis (4.1%), and bronchitis (3.7%) were reported frequently. Clinically significant reductions in mean sitting systolic BP/mean sitting diastolic BP from baseline (−34.2/−20.3 mm Hg and −37.3/−21.8 mm Hg at weeks 28 and 54, respectively) were observed. Corresponding BP control rates were 69.1% and 77.1%. The aliskiren/amlodipine/HCTZ combination in patients with moderate to severe hypertension was well tolerated and provided clinically significant BP reductions and effective BP control.
Promoting Metacognitive Skills in Intermediate Spanish: Report of a Classroom Research Project
Authors: Thompson David R.
Published: August 2012

In recent years numerous studies on language learning strategies have signaled the importance of developing students’ metacognitive skills. This article communicates findings from a classroom research project that sought to stimulate metacognitive self‐monitoring practices among college students in an intermediate‐level Spanish language course. Initially, comprehensive testing was used to promote greater use of self‐monitoring practices with modest results. Self‐monitoring practices changed more dramatically when students completed posttest reflection exercises and talked explicitly about study strategies in class. The article suggests that a small amount of explicit attention to study strategies and performance monitoring can help language students strengthen metacognitive skills. The benefits of classroom research as a means of improving student learning at the course level are also discussed.
Dental unit waterline management: historical perspectives and current trends
Authors: Garg Shushant K. , Mittal Sanjeev , Kaur Prabhmanik
Published: August 2012

Interest in and concern about the biofilms that occur in dental waterlines have been increasing in recent years. Dental unit waterlines harbor considerable amounts of bacteria that are derived from the biofilm on the inner surface of these lines. This continuous reservoir of bacteria carries the potential of causing infection to patients and dental workers. The majority of dental procedures require the use of water for cooling instruments, irrigation, and oral rinsing, so it is extremely important that the water used in oral procedures is of a high quality. The present study illustrates the conditions in waterline tubing that favor development of biofilms, and discusses the level of risk that such microbial growth poses for both dental professionals and their patients. The different methods to circumvent this problem are reviewed, and the recent recommendations that should be adopted in the dental clinic to provide the patients with water of acceptable microbiological standards are discussed.
Gender Differences in Young Children's Temperament Traits: Comparisons Across Observational and Parent‐Report Methods
Authors: Olino Thomas M. , Durbin C. Emily , Klein Daniel N. , Hayden Elizabeth P. , Dyson Margaret W.
Published: August 2012

Evidence supporting the continuity between child temperament and adult personality traits is accumulating. One important indicator of continuity is the presence of reliable gender differences in traits across the lifespan. A substantial literature demonstrates gender differences on certain adult personality traits and recent meta‐analytic work on child samples suggests similar gender differences for some broad and narrow domains of temperament. However, most existing studies of children rely only on parent‐report measures. The present study investigated gender differences in temperament traits assessed by laboratory observation, maternal‐report, and paternal‐report measures. Across three independent samples, behavioral observations, maternal‐report, and paternal‐report measures of temperament were collected on 463 boys and 402 girls. Across all three methods, girls demonstrated higher positive affect and fear and lower activity level than boys. For laboratory measures, girls demonstrated higher levels of sociability and lower levels of overall negative emotionality (NE), sadness, anger and impulsivity than boys. However, girls demonstrated higher levels of overall NE and sadness than boys when measured by maternal reports. Finally, girls demonstrated lower levels of sociability based on paternal reports. Results are discussed in relation to past meta‐analytic work and developmental implications of the findings.
The Development of Prosociality from Adolescence to Early Adulthood: The Role of Effortful Control
Authors: Luengo Kanacri Bernadette P. , Pastorelli Concetta , Eisenberg Nancy , Zuffianò Antonio , Caprara Gian Vittorio
Published: August 2012

Objective

The present longitudinal study examined the development of self‐reported prosociality (i.e., the tendency to enact prosocial behaviors) from adolescence to early adulthood and its prediction from teacher‐reported effortful control (i.e., dispositional regulation) at age 13.

Method

Participants were 573 (276 girls) Italian adolescents aged approximately 13 (M = 12.98, SD = 0.80) at the first assessment and 21 (M = 21.23, SD = 0.67) at the last assessment. The study used three different cohorts recruited across ten years (from1994 to 2004) from a larger longitudinal project with a multiple‐cohort design.

Results

Latent growth curve modeling indicated that the overall level of prosociality declined until approximately age 17 with a subsequent slight rebound until age 21. Significant inter‐individual variability in developmental trends of prosociality in males and females was observed. Youths' effortful control was related to a lesser decline of prosociality in adolescence.

Conclusions

Being able to regulate one's own emotions and behaviors in early adolescence may not only affect the tendency to behave prosocially, but also counter the self‐centered tendencies observed across this phase of development.
Is Change Bad? Personality Change Is Associated with Poorer Psychological Health and Greater Metabolic Syndrome in Midlife
Authors: Human Lauren J. , Biesanz Jeremy C. , Miller Gregory E. , Chen Edith , Lachman Margie E. , Seeman Teresa E.
Published: August 2012

Personality change is emerging as an important predictor of health and well‐being. Extending previous research, we examined whether two types of personality change, directional and absolute, are associated with both subjective and objective indicators of health. Utilizing the longitudinal Midlife in the United States survey (MIDUS) data, we examined whether both types of change over 10 years were associated with psychological well‐being, self‐reported global health, and the presence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) components and diagnosis. Socially undesirable personality change (e.g., becoming less conscientious and more neurotic) and absolute personality change were independently associated with worse perceived health and well‐being at Time 2. Notably, absolute personality change, regardless of the direction, was also associated with having a greater number of MetS components and a greater probability of diagnosis at Time 2. In sum, too much personality change may be bad for one's health: Socially undesirable and absolute personality change were both associated with worse psychological health and worse metabolic profiles over 10 years. These findings suggest that personality change may contribute to psychological and physical health, and provide initial insight into potential intermediate links between personality change and distal outcomes such as mortality.
Self‐Defining Memories, Scripts, and the Life Story: Narrative Identity in Personality and Psychotherapy
Authors: Singer Jefferson A. , Blagov Pavel , Berry Meredith , Oost Kathryn M.
Published: August 2012

An integrative model of narrative identity builds on a dual memory system that draws on episodic memory and a long‐term self to generate autobiographical memories. Autobiographical memories related to critical goals in a lifetime period lead to life‐story memories, which in turn become self‐defining memories when linked to an individual's enduring concerns. Self‐defining memories that share repetitive emotion‐outcome sequences yield narrative scripts, abstracted templates that filter cognitive‐affective processing. The life story is the individual's overarching narrative that provides unity and purpose over the life course. Healthy narrative identity combines memory specificity with adaptive meaning‐making to achieve insight and well‐being, as demonstrated through a literature review of personality and clinical research, as well as new findings from our own research program. A clinical case study drawing on this narrative identity model is also presented with implications for treatment and research.
Is the Jurassic (Yanshanian) intraplate tectonics of North China due to westward indentation of the North China block?
Authors: Faure Michel , Lin Wei , Chen Yan
Published: August 2012

Terra Nova, 24, 333–338, 2012

The northern mountains of Beijing are the type locality of the Mesozoic Yanshanian orogen. Our structural study emphasizes the importance of dextral strike‐slip for the formation of this intracontinental belt. The South‐ and North‐directed thrusts are positive flower structures rooted in strike‐slip faults. This transpressional tectonics developed from Late Triassic to Late Jurassic‐Early Cretaceous through three deformation phases coeval with syntectonic sedimentation, separated by two transtensional episodes coeval with magmatism. The Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous tectonic event is also recognized in several places of North China. Strike‐slip faulting controls the deformation of the northern border of the North China block in the Yanshan‐Yinshan belt. Simultaneously, East‐directed thrusts and folds develop along N‐S elongated ranges in Helanshan, Shanxi highlands and Taihangshan. The Jurassic tectonics of the North China Block is interpreted in a unitary way as the result of the westward underthrusting of the North China block below the Alashan block.
Effects of Myocardial Infarction on the Distribution and Transport of Nutrients and Oxygen in Porcine Myocardium
Authors: Davis Bryce H. , Morimoto Yoshihisa , Sample Chris , Olbrich Kevin , Leddy Holly A. , Guilak Farshid , Taylor Doris A.
Published: August 2012

One of the primary limitations of cell therapy for myocardial infarction is the low survival of transplanted cells, with a loss of up to 80% of cells within 3 days of delivery. The aims of this study were to investigate the distribution of nutrients and oxygen in infarcted myocardium and to quantify how macromolecular transport properties might affect cell survival. Transmural myocardial infarction was created by controlled cryoablation in pigs. At 30 days post-infarction, oxygen and metabolite levels were measured in the peripheral skeletal muscle, normal myocardium, the infarct border zone, and the infarct interior. The diffusion coefficients of fluorescein or FITC-labeled dextran (0.3–70 kD) were measured in these tissues using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching. The vascular density was measured via endogenous alkaline phosphatase staining. To examine the influence of these infarct conditions on cells therapeutically used in vivo, skeletal myoblast survival and differentiation were studied in vitro under the oxygen and glucose concentrations measured in the infarct tissue. Glucose and oxygen concentrations, along with vascular density were significantly reduced in infarct when compared to the uninjured myocardium and infarct border zone, although the degree of decrease differed. The diffusivity of molecules smaller than 40 kD was significantly higher in infarct center and border zone as compared to uninjured heart. Skeletal myoblast differentiation and survival were decreased stepwise from control to hypoxia, starvation, and ischemia conditions. Although oxygen, glucose, and vascular density were significantly reduced in infarcted myocardium, the rate of macromolecular diffusion was significantly increased, suggesting that diffusive transport may not be inhibited in infarct tissue, and thus the supply of nutrients to transplanted cells may be possible. in vitro studies mimicking infarct conditions suggest that increasing nutrients available to transplanted cells may significantly increase their ability to survive in infarct.
Peptidomimetic and Organometallic Derivatives of Primaquine Active against Leishmania infantum
Authors: Vale-Costa Sílvia , Vale Nuno , Matos Joana , Tomás Ana , Moreira Rui , Gomes Paula , Gomes Maria Salomé
Published: August 2012

The current treatment of visceral leishmaniasis is made difficult by the low efficacy, elevated costs, low bioavailability, and high toxicity of many of the available drugs. Primaquine, an antimalarial 8-aminoquinoline, displays activity against
Leishmania
spp., and several of its derivatives have been developed as potential antileishmanial drugs. However, primaquine exhibits low oral bioavailability due to oxidative deamination of its aliphatic chain. We previously developed peptidomimetic and organometallic derivatives of primaquine, with higher resistance to proteolytic degradation and oxidative deamination, which presented significant activity against primaquine-sensitive pathogens such as
Plasmodium
or
Pneumocystis
. In light of these relevant findings, we decided to evaluate these compounds against both the promastigote and intramacrophagic amastigote forms of
Leishmania infantum
, the agent of Mediterranean visceral leishmaniasis. We found that several of these compounds had significant activity against
L. infantum
. One of the peptidomimetic (3c) and one of the organometallic (7a) derivatives of primaquine were active against the clinically relevant intramacrophagic amastigote form of the parasite, causing >96% reductions in the number of amastigotes per 100 macrophages at 60 and 40 μM, respectively, while being less cytotoxic for host cells than the reference drugs sitamaquine and miltefosine. Hence, compounds 3c and 7a represent new entries toward the development of new antileishmanial leads.
Dried Blood Spot Analysis for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Linezolid in Patients with Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis
Authors: Vu D. H. , Bolhuis M. S. , Koster R. A. , Greijdanus B. , de Lange W. C. M. , van Altena R. , Brouwers J. R. B. J. , Uges D. R. A. , Alffenaar J. W. C.
Published: August 2012

Linezolid is a promising antimicrobial agent for the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), but its use is limited by toxicity. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) may help to minimize toxicity while adequate drug exposure is maintained. Conventional plasma sampling and monitoring might be hindered in many parts of the world by logistical problems that may be solved by dried blood spot (DBS) sampling. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a novel method for TDM of linezolid in MDR-TB patients using DBS sampling. Plasma, venous DBS, and capillary DBS specimens were obtained simultaneously from eight patients receiving linezolid. A DBS sampling method was developed and clinically validated by comparing DBS with plasma results using Passing-Bablok regression and Bland-Altman analysis. This study showed that DBS analysis was reproducible and robust. Accuracy and between- and within-day precision values from three validations presented as bias and coefficient of variation (CV) were less than 17.2% for the lower limit of quantification and less than 7.8% for other levels. The method showed a high recovery of approximately 95% and a low matrix effect of less than 8.7%. DBS specimens were stable at 37°C for 2 months and at 50°C for 1 week. The ratio of the concentration of linezolid in DBS samples to that in plasma was 1.2 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12 to 1.27). Linezolid exposure calculated from concentrations DBS samples and plasma showed good agreement. In conclusion, DBS analysis of linezolid is a promising tool to optimize linezolid treatment in MDR-TB patients. An easy sampling procedure and high sample stability may facilitate TDM, even in underdeveloped countries with limited resources and where conventional plasma sampling is not feasible.
Population Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Modeling of Amodiaquine and Desethylamodiaquine in Women with Plasmodium vivax Malaria during and after Pregnancy
Authors: Tarning Joel , Chotsiri Palang , Jullien Vincent , Rijken Marcus J. , Bergstrand Martin , Cammas Mireille , McGready Rose , Singhasivanon Pratap , Day Nicholas P. J. , White Nicholas J. , Nosten Francois , Lindegardh Niklas
Published: August 2012

Amodiaquine is effective for the treatment of
Plasmodium vivax
malaria, but there is little information on the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of amodiaquine in pregnant women with malaria. This study evaluated the population pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of amodiaquine and its biologically active metabolite, desethylamodiaquine, in pregnant women with
P. vivax
infection and again after delivery. Twenty-seven pregnant women infected with
P. vivax
malaria on the Thai-Myanmar border were treated with amodiaquine monotherapy (10 mg/kg/day) once daily for 3 days. Nineteen women, with and without
P. vivax
infections, returned to receive the same amodiaquine dose postpartum. Nonlinear mixed-effects modeling was used to evaluate the population pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of amodiaquine and desethylamodiaquine. Amodiaquine plasma concentrations were described accurately by lagged first-order absorption with a two-compartment disposition model followed by a three-compartment disposition of desethylamodiaquine under the assumption of complete
in vivo
conversion. Body weight was implemented as an allometric function on all clearance and volume parameters. Amodiaquine clearance decreased linearly with age, and absorption lag time was reduced in pregnant patients. Recurrent malaria infections in pregnant women were modeled with a time-to-event model consisting of a constant-hazard function with an inhibitory effect of desethylamodiaquine. Amodiaquine treatment reduced the risk of recurrent infections from 22.2% to 7.4% at day 35. In conclusion, pregnancy did not have a clinically relevant impact on the pharmacokinetic properties of amodiaquine or desethylamodiaquine. No dose adjustments are required in pregnancy.
Inhibition of Protein Synthesis on the Ribosome by Tildipirosin Compared with Other Veterinary Macrolides
Authors: Andersen Niels Møller , Poehlsgaard Jacob , Warrass Ralf , Douthwaite Stephen
Published: August 2012

Tildipirosin is a 16-membered-ring macrolide developed to treat bacterial pathogens, including
Mannheimia haemolytica
and
Pasteurella multocida
, that cause respiratory tract infections in cattle and swine. Here we evaluated the efficacy of tildipirosin at inhibiting protein synthesis on the ribosome (50% inhibitory concentration [IC
50
], 0.23 ± 0.01 μM) and compared it with the established veterinary macrolides tylosin, tilmicosin, and tulathromycin. Mutation and methylation at key rRNA nucleotides revealed differences in the interactions of these macrolides within their common ribosomal binding site.
The Yfe and Feo Transporters Are Involved in Microaerobic Growth and Virulence of Yersinia pestis in Bubonic Plague
Authors: Fetherston Jacqueline D. , Mier Ildefonso , Truszczynska Helena , Perry Robert D.
Published: August 2012

The Yfe/Sit and Feo transport systems are important for the growth of a variety of bacteria. InYersinia pestis, single mutations in eitheryfeorfeoresult in reduced growth under static (limited aeration), iron-chelated conditions, while ayfe feodouble mutant has a more severe growth defect. These growth defects were not observed when bacteria were grown under aerobic conditions or in strains capable of producing the siderophore yersiniabactin (Ybt) and the putative ferrous transporter FetMP. BothfetPand a downstream locus (flpforfetlinkedphenotype) were required for growth of ayfe feo ybtmutant under static, iron-limiting conditions. AnfeoBmutation alone had no effect on the virulence ofY. pestisin either bubonic or pneumonic plague models. Anfeo yfedouble mutant was still fully virulent in a pneumonic plague model but had an ∼90-fold increase in the 50% lethal dose (LD50) relative to the Yfe+Feo+parent strain in a bubonic plague model. Thus, Yfe and Feo, in addition to Ybt, play an important role in the progression of bubonic plague. Finally, we examined the factors affecting the expression of thefeooperon inY. pestis. Under static growth conditions, theY. pestis feo::lacZfusion was repressed by iron in a Fur-dependent manner but not in cells grown aerobically. Mutations infeoC,fnr,arcA,oxyR, orrstABhad no significant effect on transcription of theY. pestis feopromoter. Thus, the factor(s) that prevents repression by Fur under aerobic growth conditions remains to be identified.
Host and Bacterial Phenotype Variation in Adhesion of Streptococcus mutans to Matched Human Hosts
Authors: Esberg Anders , Löfgren-Burström Anna , Öhman Ulla , Strömberg Nicklas
Published: August 2012

The commensal pathogen
Streptococcus mutans
uses AgI/II adhesins to adhere to gp340 adsorbed on teeth. Here we analyzed isolates of
S. mutans
(
n
= 70 isolates) from caries and caries-free human extremes (
n
= 19 subjects) by multilocus sequence typing (MLST), AgI/II full-length gene sequencing, and adhesion to parotid saliva matched from the strain donors (nested from a case-control sample of defined gp340 and acidic proline-rich protein [PRP] profiles). The concatenated MLST as well as AgI/II gene sequences showed unique sequence types between, and identical types within, the subjects. The matched adhesion levels ranged widely (40% adhesion range), from low to moderate to high, between subjects but were similar within subjects (or sequence types). In contrast, the adhesion avidity of the strains was narrow, normally distributed for high, moderate, or low adhesion reference saliva or pure gp340 regardless of the sequence type. The adhesion of
S. mutans
Ingbritt and matched isolates and saliva samples correlated (
r
= 0.929), suggesting that the host specify about four-fifths (
r
2
= 0.86) of the variation in matched adhesion. Half of the variation in
S. mutans
Ingbritt adhesion to saliva from the caries cases-controls (
n
= 218) was explained by the primary gp340 receptor and PRP coreceptor composition. The isolates also varied, although less so, in adhesion to standardized saliva (18% adhesion range) and clustered into three major AgI/II groups (groups A, B
1
, and B
2
) due to two variable V-region segments and diverse AgI/II sequence types due to a set of single-amino-acid substitutions. Isolates with AgI/II type A versus types B
1
and B
2
tended to differ in gp340 binding avidity and qualitative adhesion profiles for saliva gp340 phenotypes. In conclusion, the host saliva phenotype plays a more prominent role in
S. mutans
adhesion than anticipated previously.
Genome Sequence of Lactococcus garvieae IPLA 31405, a Bacteriocin-Producing, Tetracycline-Resistant Strain Isolated from a Raw-Milk Cheese
Authors: Flórez Ana Belén , Reimundo Pilar , Delgado Susana , Fernández Elena , Alegría Ángel , Guijarro José A. , Mayo Baltasar
Published: August 2012

This work describes the draft genome sequence ofLactococcus garvieaeIPLA 31405, isolated from a traditional Spanish cheese. The genome contains a lactose-galactose operon, a bacteriocin locus, two integrated phages, a transposon harboring an activetet(M) gene, and two theta-type plasmid replicons. Genes encoding virulence factors were not recorded.
Genome Sequence ofn-Alkane-Degrading Hydrocarboniphaga effusa Strain AP103T(ATCC BAA-332T)
Authors: Chang Hung-Kuang , Zylstra Gerben J. , Chae Jong-Chan
Published: August 2012

Hydrocarboniphaga effusastrain AP103T(ATCC BAA-332T) is a member of theGammaproteobacteriautilizingn-alkanes as the sole source of carbon and energy. Here we report the draft genome sequence of AP103T, which consists of 5,193,926 bp with a G + C content of 65.18%.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Human Pathogen Halomonas stevensii S18214T
Authors: Kim Kwang Kyu , Lee Keun Chul , Jeong Haeyoung , Stevens David A. , Lee Jung-Sook
Published: August 2012

Halomonas stevensiiis a Gram-negative, moderately halophilic bacterium causing environmental contamination and infections in a dialysis center. Here we present the 3.7-Mb draft genome sequence of the type strain (S18214T) ofH. stevensii, which will give insight into the pathogenic potential ofH. stevensii.
Genome Sequence of Enterococcus hirae (Streptococcus faecalis) ATCC 9790, a Model Organism for the Study of Ion Transport, Bioenergetics, and Copper Homeostasis
Authors: Gaechter Thomas , Wunderlin Christof , Schmidheini Tobias , Solioz Marc
Published: August 2012

Enterococcus hiraeATCC 9790 is a Gram-positive lactic acid bacterium that has been used in basic research for over 4 decades. Here we report the sequence and annotation of the 2.8-Mb genome ofE. hiraeand its endemic 29-kb plasmid pTG9790.
Complete Genome Sequence of Streptococcus agalactiae ZQ0910, a Pathogen Causing Meningoencephalitis in the GIFT Strain of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
Authors: Wang Bei , Jian Jichang , Lu Yishan , Cai Shuanghu , Huang Yuchong , Tang Jufen , Wu Zaohe
Published: August 2012

Streptococcus agalactiae(group B streptococcus [GBS]) is a pathogen that causes meningoencephalitis in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Here, we reported the complete genome sequence ofS. agalactiaestrain ZQ0910, which was isolated from the GIFT strain of Nile tilapia in Guangdong, China.
Genome Sequence of a Neisseria meningitidis Capsule Null Locus Strain from the Clonal Complex of Sequence Type 198
Authors: Schork Sabine , Schlüter Andreas , Blom Jochen , Schneiker-Bekel Susanne , Pühler Alfred , Goesmann Alexander , Frosch Matthias , Schoen Christoph
Published: August 2012

Neisseria meningitidisis a commensal and accidental pathogen exclusively of humans. Although the production of polysaccharide capsules is considered to be essential for meningococcal virulence, there have been reports of constitutively unencapsulated strains causing invasive meningococcal disease (IMD). Here we report the genome sequence of a capsule null locus (cnl) strain of sequence type 198 (ST-198), which is found in half of the reported cases of IMD caused bycnlmeningococcal strains.
Draft Genome Sequences of Eight Salmonella enterica Serotype Newport Strains from Diverse Hosts and Locations
Authors: Cao Guojie , Zhao Shaohua , Strain Errol , Luo Yan , Timme Ruth , Wang Charles , Brown Eric , Meng Jianghong , Allard Marc
Published: August 2012

Salmonellosis is a major contributor to the global public health burden.Salmonella entericaserotype Newport has ranked among threeSalmonellaserotypes most commonly associated with food-borne outbreaks in the United States. It was thought to be polyphyletic and composed of independent lineages. Here we report draft genomes of eight strains ofS. Newport from diverse hosts and locations.
Draft Genome Sequence of Escherichia coli W26, an Enteric Strain Isolated from Cow Feces
Authors: Kim Mincheol , Yi Hana , Cho Yong-Joon , Jang Jeonghwan , Hur Hor-Gil , Chun Jongsik
Published: August 2012

An enteric bacterium,Escherichia coliW26 (KACC 16630), was isolated from feces from a healthy cow in South Korea. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of the isolate, which is closely affiliated with commensal strains belonging toE. coliphylogroup B1.
Draft Genome Sequence of Brevibacterium massiliense Strain 541308T
Authors: Roux Véronique , Robert Catherine , Gimenez Grégory , Raoult Didier
Published: August 2012

A draft genome sequence ofBrevibacterium massiliense, an aerobic bacterium isolated from a human ankle discharge, is described here. CRISPR-associated proteins were found to be encoded in the genome, and analysis of transport proteins was performed.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Naphthalene-Degrading Pseudomonas putida Strain ND6
Authors: Li Shanshan , Zhao Huabing , Li Yaxiao , Niu Shumin , Cai Baoli
Published: August 2012

Pseudomonas putidastrain ND6 is an efficient naphthalene-degrading bacterium. The complete genome of strain ND6 was sequenced and annotated. The genes encoding the enzymes involved in catechol degradation by theortho-cleavage pathway were found in the chromosomal sequence, which indicated that strain ND6 is able to metabolize naphthalene by the catecholmeta- andortho-cleavage pathways.
Current practices in determining return to play following head injury in professional football in the UK
Authors: Price Jo , Malliaras Peter , Hudson Zoe
Published: August 2012

Objective

To investigate the awareness of English football team doctors of the ‘Consensus in Sport’ (CIS) guidelines for the assessment and management of concussion, and to identify adherence to these internationally accepted recommendations.

Method

A questionnaire was sent to Club Medical Officers of all the 92 English Football league teams.

Results

The majority (55.6%) of teams in the English Football Association (FA) do not routinely follow the CIS guidelines. Only 21% of teams routinely record an approved preseason cognitive score and only 42% complete a recommended postconcussion assessment. One-third are still using outdated fixed periods of abstinence following a concussion.

Conclusions

FA players are not being treated according to the guidelines recommended by International sporting organisations. The endorsement of the CIS guidelines by the English FA would ensure that all medical teams have a sound and safe protocol for managing concussed players and making return to play decisions.
Association of objectively measured physical activity with established and novel cardiovascular biomarkers in elderly subjects: every step counts
Authors: Klenk Jochen , Denkinger Michael , Nikolaus Thorsten , Peter Richard , Rothenbacher Dietrich , Koenig Wolfgang ,   the ActiFE Study Group
Published: August 2012

Objective

To analyse the relationship between objectively measured daily walking duration and cardiovascular biomarkers of inflammation, cardiac dysfunction and renal impairment.

Methods

Between March 2009 and April 2010, physical activity was assessed in 1253 community-dwelling individuals living in Germany aged ≥65 years (57% men) over 1 week using a thigh-worn accelerometer. C reactive protein (CRP), white blood cells (WBC), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, high-sensitive troponin T (hsTnT), creatinine (Cr) and cystatin C (CysC) were also measured. Least-square means of daily walking duration were calculated for quartiles of each biomarker adjusted for sex, age, pre-existing cardiovascular disease and smoking status.

Results

After adjustment for covariates, statistically significant linear associations with walking duration were observed for WBC, hsTnT, Cr and CysC. CRP quartiles 1 and 2 showed no significant difference followed by a significant inverse dose–response relationship. A similar pattern, but less pronounced, was seen for N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide. Mean differences between the first two quartiles of CRP and its fourth quartile were 17 min. Between categories 1 (more beneficial) and 4 of WBC, hsTnT, Cr and CysC the differences were 15, 12, 23 and 20 min, respectively.

Conclusion

Increased walking duration is associated with a more favourable profile of cardiovascular biomarkers in elderly subjects.
Immune response and protective efficacy of S9 ribosomal protein of Streptococcus pneumoniae in a model of sepsis
Authors: Araújo Helton Fernandes , Campos Patrícia Cota , Camargo Dhian Renato Almeida , Pereira Filippe Nonato Roberto , Samuel Michelle Lara , Oliveira Marluce Aparecida Assunção , Fortes-Dias Consuelo Latorre , Leclercq Sophie Yvette
Published: August 2012

Vaccination is the most promising strategy to reduce the incidence of pneumococcal infection. Although there are vaccines available, all of them are based on polysaccharide antigens (conjugated or not). In addition to their high cost, those vaccines do not cover all serotypes. To overcome these hindrances, we evaluated the immunogenicity and the protective efficacy of the S9 ribosomal protein of Streptococcus pneumoniae with the aim of developing a protein-based vaccine in the future. The gene encoding the S9 ribosomal protein was cloned in pET21-a expression vector, and the recombinant S9 protein was used to immunize mice. Significantly higher levels of anti-S9 immunoglobulin G were achieved (with predominance of immunoglobulin G1) in comparison with the control. Antibodies elicited against S. pneumoniae protein extract in rabbit recognized the recombinant S9 protein by Western blot, thus demonstrating its immunogenicity. Moreover, mice immunized with recombinant S9 protein and challenged with a virulent strain of S. pneumoniae presented a significant reduction of bacteremia after 24 h of infection as compared with the control. However, in the S9-immunized mice the onset of death was insignificantly delayed, but all of them died by the fourth day postinfection.
Spatial variation in microbial community structure, richness, and diversity in an alluvial aquifer
Authors: Medihala P.G. , Lawrence J.R. , Swerhone G.D.W. , Korber D.R.
Published: August 2012

Relatively little is known regarding the spatial variability of microbial communities in aquifers where well fouling is an issue. In this study 2 water wells were installed in an alluvial aquifer located adjacent to the North Saskatchewan River and an associated piezometer network developed to facilitate the study of microbial community structure, richness, and diversity. Carbon utilization data analysis revealed reduced microbial activity in waters collected close to the wells. Functional PCR and quantitative PCR analysis indicated spatial variability in the potential for iron-, sulphate-, and nitrate-reducing activity at all locations in the aquifer. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis of aquifer water samples using principal components analyses indicated that the microbial community composition was spatially variable, and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis sequence analysis revealed that bacteria belonging to the genera Acidovorax , Rhodobacter , and Sulfuricurvum were common throughout the aquifer. Shannon’s richness (H′) and Pielou’s evenness (J′) indices revealed a varied microbial diversity (H′ = 1.488–2.274) and an even distribution of microbial communities within the aquifer (J′ = 0.811–0.917). Overall, these analyses revealed that the aquifer’s microbial community varied spatially in terms of composition, richness, and metabolic activity. Such information may facilitate the diagnosis, prevention, and management of fouling.
Occurrence of clinical isolates ofKlebsiella pneumoniaeharboring chromosomally mediated and plasmid-mediated CTX-M-15 β-lactamase in a Tunisian hospital
Authors: Chouchani Chedly , El Salabi Allaaeddin , Marrakchi Rim , Abouelkacem Nader , Walsh Timothy R.
Published: August 2012

The spread of multidrug-resistant strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae in hospitals is of concern to clinical microbiologists, health care professionals, and physicians because of the impact infections caused by these bacteria have in causing morbidity and mortality. Clinical isolates of K. pneumoniae have been found to show resistance to third-generation cephalosporins as a result of acquiring extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing genes, such as blaCTX-M. Since little is known about the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance observed in Kasserine hospital, Tunisia, this study was undertaken to investigate the mechanisms by which clinical isolates of K. pneumoniae resist β-lactam antibiotics. Twelve strains of K. pneumoniae were collected from patients admitted to Kasserine hospital; these isolates showed multiresistance phenotypes. Molecular genetics investigations using polymerase chain reaction, S1 digestion, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresisshowed that blaCTX-M-15in association with ISEcp1 is responsible for the resistance of these strains to third-generation cephalosporins. It has been determined that blaCTX-M-15is chromosomally mediated and plasmid mediated, which alarming need for infection control to prevent the outbreak of such a resistance mechanism.
Microarray-based transcriptome ofListeria monocytogenesadapted to sublethal concentrations of acetic acid, lactic acid, and hydrochloric acid
Authors: Tessema Girum Tadesse , Møretrø Trond , Snipen Lars , Heir Even , Holck Askild , Naterstad Kristine , Axelsson Lars
Published: August 2012

Listeria monocytogenes , an important foodborne pathogen, commonly encounters organic acids in food-related environments. The transcriptome of L. monocytogenes L502 was analyzed after adaptation to pH 5 in the presence of acetic acid, lactic acid, or hydrochloric acid (HCl) at 25 °C, representing a condition encountered in mildly acidic ready-to-eat food kept at room temperature. The acid-treated cells were compared with a reference culture with a pH of 6.7 at the time of RNA harvesting. The number of genes and magnitude of transcriptional responses were higher for the organic acids than for HCl. Protein coding genes described for low pH stress, energy transport and metabolism, virulence determinates, and acid tolerance response were commonly regulated in the 3 acid-stressed cultures. Interestingly, the transcriptional levels of histidine and cell wall biosynthetic operons were upregulated, indicating possible universal response against low pH stress in L. monocytogenes. The opuCABCD operon, coding proteins for compatible solutes transport, and the transcriptional regulator sigL were significantly induced in the organic acids, strongly suggesting key roles during organic acid stress. The present study revealed the complex transcriptional responses of L. monocytogenes towards food-related acidulants and opens the roadmap for more specific and in-depth future studies.
Influence of Pythium oligandrum on the bacterial communities that colonize the nutrient solutions and the rhizosphere of tomato plants
Authors: Vallance J. , Déniel F. , Barbier G. , Guerin-Dubrana L. , Benhamou N. , Rey P.
Published: August 2012

The influence exerted by the biocontrol oomycete Pythium oligandrum on the bacterial populations proliferating in the rhizosphere of tomato plants grown in a hydroponic system and in the circulating solutions is studied in the present experiment. Quantitative PCR and single-strand conformation polymorphism were used to investigate the genetic structure and dynamics of the bacterial communities colonizing the root systems and the various circulating solutions. Quantitative PCR assays showed that bacteria heavily colonized the rhizosphere of tomato plants with, however, no significant density changes throughout the cultural season (April–September). Single strand conformation polymorphism fingerprints revealed the occurrence of transient perturbations in the rhizospheric indigenous bacterial communities following P. oligandrum introduction in the root system of plants. This effect was, however, transient and did not persist until the end of the cropping season. Interestingly, the genetic structure of the bacterial microflora colonizing either the roots or the nutrient solutions evolved throughout the cropping season. This temporal evolution occurred whatever the presence and persistence of P. oligandrum in the rhizosphere. Evidence is also provided that bacterial microflora that colonize the root system are different from the ones colonizing the circulating solutions. The relationships between these 2 microflora (at the root and solution levels) are discussed.
闽南语歌谣的传播与在地化发展：
Authors: 黄文车
Published: August 2012

本文主要聚焦探讨新加坡1970至1980年代的福建歌曲的发展与在地化现象。 论述过程中，将从不同空间的位移改变去观察闽南语歌谣的传播与转变，从最早的街边空间唱起的是19世纪南传的新加坡闽南语过番歌谣； 再唱到1940到1960年代的歌台空间，那是现代曲风伴随留声机、黑胶唱片传入新加坡的摩登时代； 最后福建歌曲进入了唱片空间，随之而来的就是70到80年代的新加坡福建歌曲。 新加坡的福建歌谣 （曲） 的发展受到台湾闽南语歌谣 （曲） 的影响甚大，这种情形从当地40年代的摩登厦曲就可以发现端倪。 不过随着新加坡特殊的歌台文化发展，当地群众要求音乐走回舞台现场的渴望，促使歌台变成新加坡特殊的民间文化活动，更在80年代新加坡政府推行讲华语运动后，成为唯一可以演唱福建歌曲的场域。 歌台上的洪小凌和陈金浪分别从自我创作去描写新加坡的社会扭曲现象、烟花世界生活，并透过歌曲传达劝世批判理念，以及描写新加坡在地风情。 无论从“文本再现”观点，或是透过“地方感”表现出来的“地方之爱”，透过洪小凌和陈金浪的福建歌曲，我们可以看见闽南语歌谣传播后的在地化发展。 这些具有“新加坡意识”的福建歌曲不但结合新加坡歌台此种特殊庶民文化，更从边缘发声，用异于官方的在地情感传达社会批判与劝世关怀。
DISTRIBUTION OF VOTES AND A MODEL OF POLITICAL OPINION FORMATION FOR MAJORITY ELECTIONS
Authors: PRENGA DODE , IFTI MARGARITA
Published: August 2012

We study the behavior of the number of votes cast for different electoral subjects in majority elections, and in particular, the Albanian elections of the last 10 years, as well as the British, Russian, and Canadian elections. We report the frequency of obtaining a certain percentage (fraction) of votes versus this fraction for the parliamentary elections. In the distribution of votes cast in majority elections we identify two regimes. In the low percentiles we see a power law distribution, with exponent about -1.7. In the power law regime we find over 80% of the data points, while they relate to 20% of the votes cast. Votes of the small electoral subjects are found in this regime. The other regime includes percentiles above 20%, and has Gaussian distribution. It corresponds to large electoral subjects. A similar pattern is observed in other first past the post (FPP) elections, such as British and Canadian, but here the Gaussian is reduced to an exponential. Finally we show that this distribution can not be reproduced by a modified "word of mouth" model of opinion formation. This behavior can be reproduced by a model that comprises different number of zealots, as well as different campaign strengths for different electoral subjects, in presence of preferential attachment of voters to candidates.