bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced immunological response by dendritic cells in male hypogonadism
Authors: Corrales Juan J. , Almeida María , Cordero Mar , Martín‐Martín Lourdes , Méndez Cristina , Miralles José M. , Orfao Alberto
Published: July 2012

Eur J Clin Invest 2012; 42 (11): 1205–1212

Background  The effect of male hypogonadism on the immune response is poorly understood, even though testosterone has both immunosuppressive and anti‐inflammatory effects in men.

Design  In this study, we compared the distribution and functional status of peripheral blood (PB) monocytes, dendritic cells (DCs) [CD16+ (monocytoid), CD33+ (myeloid) and CD33− (plasmacytoid)] and CD4+ CD25+ CD127−/lo regulatory T cells from hypogonadic men and control subjects. Immunophenotypic studies were performed both on resting and in vitro‐stimulated cells.

Results  Overall, no significant differences were detected on the number of monocytes, DCs and CD4+ CD25+ CD127−/lo regulatory T cells between both groups of subjects. However, hypogonadic men showed slightly higher numbers of circulating CD16+ cells expressing the CD107b activation/degranulation‐associated marker than controls, such differences reaching statistical significance after in vitro stimulation with CpG oligodeoxynucleotides. Interestingly, antigen‐stimulated expression of CD107b on CD16+ cells inversely correlated with the serum concentrations of total testosterone (r2 = −0·45; P = 0·01), free testosterone (r2 = −0·48; P = 0·005), calculated free testosterone (r2 = −0·44; P = 0·01) and bioavailable testosterone (r2 = −0·46; P = 0·008) among all cases studied, as well as with both the LH (r2 = −0·53, P = 0·04) and FSH (r2 = −0·54, P = 0·04) serum levels among hypogonadic men.

Conclusions  These findings show an enhanced immunological response of circulating (activated) CD16+ DCs to antigen stimulation, which was inversely related to testosterone and gonadotropin serum levels. Such findings suggest a modulation by the hypothalamic–hypophyseal–gonadal axis of the immune response and may have clinical implications for hypogonadic men, as regards susceptibility to autoimmune diseases and increased responses to antigenic stimuli.
Increasing soil methane sink along a 120‐year afforestation chronosequence is driven by soil moisture
Authors: Hiltbrunner David , Zimmermann Stephan , Karbin Saeed , Hagedorn Frank , Niklaus Pascal A.
Published: July 2012

Upland soils are important sinks for atmospheric methane (CH4), a process essentially driven by methanotrophic bacteria. Soil CH4 uptake often depends on land use, with afforestation generally increasing the soil CH4 sink. However, the mechanisms driving these changes are not well understood to date. We measured soil CH4 and N2O fluxes along an afforestation chronosequence with Norway spruce (Picea abies L.) established on an extensively grazed subalpine pasture. Our experimental design included forest stands with ages ranging from 25 to >120 years and included a factorial cattle urine addition treatment to test for the sensitivity of soil CH4 uptake to N application. Mean CH4 uptake significantly increased with stand age on all sampling dates. In contrast, CH4 oxidation by sieved soils incubated in the laboratory did not show a similar age dependency. Soil CH4 uptake was unrelated to soil N status (but cattle urine additions stimulated N2O emission). Our data indicated that soil CH4 uptake in older forest stands was driven by reduced soil water content, which resulted in a facilitated diffusion of atmospheric CH4 into soils. The lower soil moisture likely resulted from increased interception and/or evapotranspiration in the older forest stands. This mechanism contrasts alternative explanations focusing on nitrogen dynamics or the composition of methanotrophic communities, although these factors also might be at play. Our findings further imply that the current dramatic increase in forested area increases CH4 uptake in alpine regions.
Distorted perception of the spatial distribution of plant diversity through uneven collecting efforts: the example of Asteraceae in Australia
Authors: Schmidt‐Lebuhn Alexander N. , Knerr Nunzio J. , González‐Orozco Carlos E.
Published: July 2012

Aim  Our aims were (1) to compare observed, estimated and predicted patterns of species richness using the Australian native Asteraceae as an example, (2) to identify candidates for hotspots of diversity for the study group, and (3) to examine the distortion of our perception of the spatial distribution of species richness through uneven or misdirected sampling efforts.

Location  Australia.

Methods  Based on data from Australia’s Virtual Herbarium, we calculated and visualized observed species richness, the Chao1 estimate of richness, the C index of collecting completeness, and an estimate of richness derived from environmental niche modelling for grid cells at a resolution of 1°. The 20 cells with the highest diversity values were used to define hotspots of diversity.

Results  Uneven collecting activity results in misleading diversity patterns for the family Asteraceae. While observed species richness is much higher in central Australia than in other parts of the arid interior, this is an artefact resulting from the area being a hotspot of collecting activity. The mountain ranges of south‐eastern Australia and Tasmania are candidates for unbiased hotspots of species richness.

Main conclusions  Vast areas of the Australian interior are insufficiently sampled on a local scale, although most of them can be expected to be relatively species poor. Some areas in the south‐east and south‐west of the continent remain undersampled relative to their high species richness. Observed species numbers, estimators and environmental niche‐modelling all have their unique advantages and disadvantages for the inference of patterns of diversity.
Interaction of Sex Steroid Hormones and Brain‐Derived Neurotrophic Factor‐Tyrosine Kinase B Signalling: Relevance to Schizophrenia and Depression
Authors: Hill R. A.
Published: July 2012

Sex steroid hormones and neurotrophic factors are involved in pruning and shaping the developing brain and have been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders. Sex steroid hormones are also involved in the regulation of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor expression. A review of the literature is provided on the relationship between brain‐derived neurotrophic factor and sex steroid hormones, as well as the mechanisms behind this interaction, in the context of how this relationship may be involved in the development of neurodevelopmental psychiatric illnesses, such as schizophrenia and depression.
What interval between colorectal cancer resection and first surveillance colonoscopy? An audit of practice and yield
Authors: Couch D. G. , Bullen N. , Ward‐Booth S. E. , Adams C.
Published: July 2012

Aim  Colonoscopic follow‐up after colorectal cancer resection (CRC) is recommended to screen for anastomotic recurrence and metachronous neoplasia, although guidelines vary in the timings of the first investigation. We aimed to quantify current practice and yield of neoplasia at first colonoscopy in relation to time from original resection.

Method  We conducted a retrospective case note study of all CRCs treated with curative intent within our hospital between two time periods: 2001–2003 and 2006–2007. Variables collected were the extent of preoperative luminal imaging, tumour site, procedure, timing and findings of initial colonoscopy, postoperative CT findings and mortality. The first follow‐up colonoscopy findings including neoplasia formation and recurrence rates were matched with rates of complete preoperative luminal imaging. Two‐year and 5‐year outcomes were sought.

Results  A total of 863 patients underwent CRC with curative intent within these two time periods (518 vs 345). Colonoscopic follow‐up rates by 2 years were 32.8%vs 54.1%. Within the first cohort 63.5% of patients underwent colonoscopy by 5 years. Significant volumes of neoplasia and resectable recurrences were found before 2 years within these groups. Earlier detection of recurrent malignancy was associated with an improved patient outcome. Complete preoperative screening of the bowel was not associated with a lower incidence of neoplasia at first postoperative colonoscopy.

Conclusion  Our study demonstrates significant colonoscopic detection rates of neoplasia within 2 years of CRC. Patient outcomes were improved with earlier detection. We would therefore suggest an interval of no more than 2 years between resection and first surveillance colonoscopy.
Citicoline in pre‐clinical animal models of stroke: a meta‐analysis shows the optimal neuroprotective profile and the missing steps for jumping into a stroke clinical trial
Authors: Bustamante Alejandro , Giralt Dolors , Garcia‐Bonilla Lidia , Campos Mireia , Rosell Anna , Montaner Joan
Published: July 2012

The neuroprotective actions of citicoline have been documented for experimental stroke therapy. We used a systematic review and meta‐analysis to assess this evidence. From 64 identified studies using citicoline in stroke animal models, only those describing ischemic occlusive stroke and reporting data on infarct volume and/or neurological outcome were included (14 studies, 522 animals). Overall, the quality of the studies was modest (5, 4–6), while the absence of studies involving animals with co‐morbidities, females, old animals or strain differences indicated that studies did not fulfill the STAIR recommendations. Weighted mean difference meta‐analysis showed citicoline to reduce infarct volume by 27.8% [(19.9%, 35.6%); p < 0.001]. In the stratified analysis, citicoline effect on reducing infarct volume was higher in proximal occlusive models of middle cerebral artery (MCA) compared with distal occlusion. Moreover, the efficacy was superior using multiple doses than single dose and when a co‐treatment was administered compared with citicoline monotherapy, the only independent factor identified in the meta‐regression. Citicoline improved neurological deficit by 20.2% [(6.8%, 33.7%); p = 0.015], but only four studies including 176 animals reported these data. In conclusion, this meta‐analysis provides evidence of citicoline efficacy in stroke animal models and shows the optimal neuroprotective profile and the missing experimental requirements before jumping into clinical trials.
Regional Disparity in Carbon Dioxide Emissions
Authors: Tian Xin , Chang Miao , Tanikawa Hiroki , Shi Feng , Imura Hidefumi
Published: July 2012

Due to its position as the world's largest energy consumer and carbon emitter, China is facing the great challenge of controlling its rising carbon emissions. As a large country with great disparities in economic development and industrial structure among its regions, it is essential to understand the carbon emission characteristics of regions and industrial sectors in order to formulate effective and targeted policies to achieve domestic carbon emission reduction targets. For this reason, we have conducted a comprehensive analysis in this article of the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions structure and major responsible sectors for 19 provincial regions of mainland China. Great disparities in direct CO2 emissions and intensities are identified across regions. We show that the direct CO2 intensities in regions are affected by not only the economic development level, but also by the structure of the carbon‐intensive sectors and sectoral CO2 emissions intensities. A region‐by‐region fine‐scale breakdown analysis demonstrates that both the direct CO2 emissions and total CO2 emissions are highly concentrated in a minority of sectors: the construction sector is the major contributor to the total CO2 emissions in all regions, followed by the services sectors as a whole. Moreover, the petroleum and chemicals sector, nonmetallic mineral products sector, metal products sector and electricity and steam production sector should also receive more attention, as they are identified as “highly carbon intensive” in most of the regions studied, especially through the close linkage with the construction sector. Based on these results, we discuss and propose policy implications for controlling the rising CO2 emissions in regions of mainland China.
Attraction of the tea aphid, Toxoptera aurantii, to combinations of volatiles and colors related to tea plants
Authors: Han Baoyu , Zhang Qing‐He , Byers John A.
Published: July 2012

The tea aphid, Toxoptera aurantii Boyer (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is a major pest of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze (Theaceae). The attraction of the aphids to different colors and volatile compounds from tea shoots was investigated. Fourteen compounds were identified using gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry from headspace samples of intact tea shoot volatiles (ITSV). Electrophysiological and behavioral responses of winged tea aphids to ITSV as well as to the full blend of 14 synthetic compounds, to a partial mixture of green leaf volatiles (GLV) included in the 14 compounds, and to individual synthetic compounds were studied by using electroantennography (EAG) and a Y‐tube olfactometer. The various tea volatiles and blends were strongly active, with ITSV being the strongest. In the greenhouse and in tea plantations, sticky boards of six different colors strongly attracted tea aphids in flight, with ‘rape‐flower yellow’ and ‘Chinese olive‐yellow‐green’ being the most attractive. Furthermore, these two boards in combination with ITSV attracted winged tea aphids more strongly than their corresponding colored sticky boards alone. In the greenhouse, plastic models of tea seedlings baited with (Z)‐3‐hexen‐1‐ol or the GLV mixture significantly attracted winged tea aphids in flight. This study demonstrates that green leaf volatiles from tea shoots are attractive to the tea aphid. The combination of these volatiles with the color light yellow or green, and the shape of tender tea shoots result in orientation flight and landing of winged tea aphids on host tea shoots.
Low Cycle Fatigue Behavior and Seismic Assessment for Elbow Pipe Having Local Wall Thinning
Authors: Urabe Yoshio , Takahashi Koji , Ando Kotoji
Published: July 2012

One of the concerned technical issues in the nuclear piping under operation is pipe wall thinning caused by flow accelerated corrosion. Recently, it has been reported that the elbow section is more suspicious on pipe wall thinning by erosion–corrosion. Some researchers including authors have been studied static and fatigue strength of elbows with local wall thinning. However, still more experiment and analysis data are needed to clarify the technical issues. Accordingly, further experiments and their evaluations were carried out by the authors. This paper presents the influences of size and location on fatigue life. Also as one of the application of the test results, safety margin of elbows with wall thinning against seismic loading is discussed. Low cycle fatigue tests were conducted using elbow specimens made of STPT410 steel with local wall thinning. The local wall thinning was machined on the inside of elbow specimens in order to simulate erosion/corrosion metal loss. The local wall thinning areas were located at three different areas, called extrados, crown, and intrados. Eroded ratio (eroded depth/wall thickness) is 0.5 and 0.8 and eroded angle is 90 deg and 180 deg. The elbow specimens were subjected to cyclic in-plane bending under displacement control (±20 mm) without and with internal pressure of 3 MPa using a universal testing machine. Fatigue life was defined as fatigue crack penetration through the thickness and crack penetration was watched by naked eyes during the test through the protection window made of a transparent plastic plate. Obtained main conclusions are as follows: (1) Existence of local wall thinning in extrados does not have an important effect on fatigue life. Especially, fatigue crack does not initiate at the extrados where the extreme local wall thinning exists (eroded ratio = 0.8 and eroded angle = 180 deg). (2) Regardless of existence of internal pressure, fatigue crack initiates at the crown where local wall thinning does not exist for an elbow with local wall thinning at extrados. This conclusion should be confirmed using eroded elbow specimens under more high pressure. (3) Even if the eroded ratio and the eroded angle reached up to 0.8 and 180 deg, the elbows with local wall thinning have high safety margin against seismic loading, comparing to ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section 3 allowable seismic stress criteria.
Safety Evaluation of Branch Pipe in Hydropower Station Using Elastic Modulus Reduction Method
Authors: Yang LuFeng , Zhang Wei , Yu Bo , Liu LiWen
Published: July 2012

The high pressure branch pipe in hydropower station (BPHS) is usually composed by different materials in different parts and has complicated geometric configurations. The accurate and efficient methods for safety evaluation of the BPHS are still desirable. By introducing the element bearing ratio (EBR), generalized yield criterion as well as the reference volume concept, the elastic modulus reduction method (EMRM) is improved and applied to determine both the upper and lower bounds on limit loads of the BPHS. The global safety factor (GSF) is defined as the ratio of limit load to design load. The safety performance of the BPHS is assessed by comparing the GSF resulted from the EMRM with its allowable value specified in code. The efficiency and precision of the proposed method for safety evaluation of the BPHS are demonstrated through numerical examples in this paper. The results show that the proposed method is more suitable for safety evaluation and design optimization of the BPHS, compared with the elastic stress analysis method (ESAM) based on stress categorization which might underestimate the safety performance of the BPHS.
Stagnation Point Flow through a Porous Medium towards a Radially Stretching Sheet in the Presence of Uniform Suction or Injection and Heat Generation
Authors: Attia Hazem Ali , Ewis Karem Mahmoud , Abdeen Mostafa A. M.
Published: July 2012

An analysis is made of the steady laminar axisymmetric stagnation point flow of an incompressible viscous fluid in a porous medium impinging on a permeable radially stretching sheet with heat generation or absorption. A uniform suction or blowing is applied normal to the plate which is maintained at a constant temperature. Similarity transformation is used to transform the governing partial differential equations to ordinary differential equations. The finite difference method and generalized Thomas algorithm are used to solve the governing nonlinear momentum and energy equations. The effects of the uniform suction/blowing velocity, the stretching parameter and the heat generation/absorption coefficient on both the flow field and heat transfer are presented and discussed. The results indicate that increasing the stretching parameter or the suction/blowing velocity decreases both the velocity and thermal boundary layer thicknesses. The effect of the stretching parameter on the velocity components is more apparent for suction than blowing while its effect on the temperature and rate of heat transfer at the wall is clearer in the case of blowing than suction.
Gun Liner Emplacement
Authors: de Rosset William S.
Published: July 2012

The development of a process to emplace a refractory metal liner inside a gun tube is described. The process consists of filling the liner with an elastomeric material and then slipping this arrangement into the gun tube. The ends of the liner are plugged with plastic disks and pressure is applied to the elastomeric material by a load frame. Plastic deformation of the gun tube results in residual radial stresses that induce a frictional bond between the liner and gun tube. Efforts are described to increase the bond strength through increasing the coefficient of friction.
Measurement and Observation of Jet Thrust for Water Flow Through Micro-Orifice
Authors: Ushida Akiomi , Hasegawa Tomiichi , Hoshina Takehiro , Kudou Shouta , Uchiyama Hiroshige , Narumi Takatsune
Published: July 2012

Owing to the many potential industrial and biological applications of microfluid mechanics, it has recently become an attractive research topic. However, researchers have mainly concentrated on microchannel flows and studies investigating micro-orifice flows are rare cases. In the present study, the results from experiments conducted on flows through micro-orifices with diameters of 100 μm, 50 μm, and 25 μm are presented. In these experiments, the thrust and diameter of observed outflow jets are measured. The resultant thrust and diameter of the jets for the 100 μm orifice flow agree with the numerical predictions obtained via the Navier–Stokes equations. Conversely, for an orifice with a diameter of 50 μm or less, it is found that the thrust is lower than that predicted and the existence of jet swell becomes apparent. With the estimated elastic stress proportional to squared mean velocity, a change in the elasticity of the water as it flows through a micro-orifice is strongly suggested.
Boundary-Layer Flow and Heat Transfer of Nanofluid Over a Vertical Plate With Convective Surface Boundary Condition
Authors: Ibrahim Wubshet , Shanker Bandari
Published: July 2012

The problem of boundary layer flow and heat transfer induced due to nanofluid over a vertical plate is investigated. The transport equations employed in the analysis include the effect of Brownian motion and thermophoresis. We used a convective heating boundary condition instead of a widely employed thermal conduction of constant temperature or constant heat flux. The solution for the temperature and nanoparticle concentration depends on six parameters, viz., convective heating parameter A, Prandtl number Pr, Lewis number Le, Brownian motion Nb, buoyancy ratio parameter Nr, and the thermophoresis parameter Nt. Similarity transformation is used to convert the governing nonlinear boundary-layer equations into coupled higher order ordinary differential equations. These equations were solved numerically using Runge-Kutta fourth order method with shooting technique. The effects of the governing parameters on flow field and heat transfer characteristics were obtained and discussed. Numerical results are obtained for velocity, temperature, and concentration distribution as well as the local Nusselt number and Sherwood number. It is found that the local Nusselt number and Sherwood number increase with an increase in convective parameter A and Lewis number Le. Likewise, the local Sherwood number increases with an increase in both A and Le. A comparison with the previous study available in literature has been done and we found an excellent agreement with them.
Characterization of the Twin-Arginine Transport Secretome in Sinorhizobium meliloti and Evidence for Host-Dependent Phenotypes
Authors: Pickering Brad S. , Yudistira Harry , Oresnik Ivan J.
Published: July 2012

The twin-arginine transport (Tat) system is essential for cell viability in
Sinorhizobium meliloti
and may play a role during the development of root nodules. Utilizing an
in vivo
recombination strategy, we have constructed 28 strains that contain deletions in predicted Tat substrates. Testing of these mutations for symbiotic proficiency on the plant hosts alfalfa and sweet clover shows that some of these mutations affect associations with these hosts differentially.
Production of an Extracellular Matrix as an Isotropic Growth Phase of Penicillium rubens on Gypsum
Authors: Bekker M. , Huinink H. P. , Adan O. C. G. , Samson R. A. , Wyatt T. , Dijksterhuis J.
Published: July 2012

Indoor mold represents an important environmental concern, but a fundamental knowledge of fungal growth stages is needed to limit indoor fungal proliferation on finishing materials used in buildings. The present study focused on the succession of germination stages of the common indoor fungus
Penicillium rubens
on a gypsum substrate. This substrate is used as a model system representing porous materials that are widely used in indoor environments. Imaging with cryo-scanning electron microscopy showed that the formation of an extracellular matrix (ECM) is a phase of the isotropic growth of
P. rubens
that is uniquely related to germinating conidia. Furthermore, the ECM is observed only when a dry-state inoculation of the surface is applied, i.e., applying conidia directly from a 7-day-old colony, mimicking airborne contamination of the surface. When inoculation is done by spraying an aqueous conidial suspension, no ECM is observed. Moreover, it is concluded that the formation of an ECM requires active processes in the fungal cell. The porosity of the substrate proved that the ECM substance has high-viscosity characteristics. The present results stress that studies of indoor fungal growth should consider the method of inoculation, knowing that the common aqueous suspension may obscure specific stages in the initial phases of germination.
Role of Calcium Alginate and Mannitol in Protecting Bifidobacterium
Authors: Dianawati Dianawati , Mishra Vijay , Shah Nagendra P.
Published: July 2012

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was carried out to ascertain the mechanism of Ca-alginate and mannitol protection of cell envelope components and secondary proteins of
Bifidobacterium animalis
subsp.
lactis
Bb12 after freeze-drying and after 10 weeks of storage at room temperature (25ï¿½C) at low water activities (a
w
) of 0.07, 0.1, and 0.2. Preparation of Ca-alginate and Ca-alginate-mannitol as microencapsulants was carried out by dropping an alginate or alginate-mannitol emulsion containing bacteria using a burette into CaCl
2
solution to obtain Ca-alginate beads and Ca-alginate-mannitol beads, respectively. The wet beads were then freeze-dried. The a
w
of freeze-dried beads was then adjusted to 0.07, 0.1, and 0.2 using saturated salt solutions; controls were prepared by keeping Ca-alginate and Ca-alginate-mannitol in aluminum foil without a
w
adjustment. Mannitol in the Ca-alginate system interacted with cell envelopes during freeze-drying and during storage at low a
w
s. In contrast, Ca-alginate protected cell envelopes after freeze-drying but not during 10-week storage. Unlike Ca-alginate, Ca-alginate-mannitol was effective in retarding the changes in secondary proteins during freeze-drying and during 10 weeks of storage at low a
w
s. It appears that Ca-alginate-mannitol is more effective than Ca-alginate in preserving cell envelopes and proteins after freeze-drying and after 10 weeks of storage at room temperature (25ï¿½C).
Construction and Application of a
luxABCDE
Reporter System for Real-Time Monitoring of Enterococcus faecalis Gene Expression and Growth
Authors: Leanti La Rosa Sabina , Diep Dzung B. , Nes Ingolf F. , Brede Dag Anders
Published: July 2012

The present work describes the construction of a novel molecular tool for luciferase-based bioluminescence (BL) tagging of
Enterococcus faecalis
. To this end, a vector (pSL101) and its derivatives conferring a genetically encoded bioluminescent phenotype on all tested strains of
E. faecalis
were constructed. pSL101 harbors the
luxABCDE
operon from pPL2
lux
and the pREG696 broad-host-range replicon and
axe
-
txe
toxin-antitoxin cassette, providing segregational stability for long-term plasmid persistence in the absence of antibiotic selection. The bioluminescent signals obtained from three highly expressed promoters correlated linearly (
R
2
> 0.98) with the viable-cell count. We employed
lux
-tagged
E. faecalis
strains to monitor growth in real time in milk and urine
in vitro
. Furthermore, bioluminescence imaging (BLI) was used to visualize the magnitude of the bacterial burden during infection in the
Galleria mellonella
model system. To our knowledge, pSL101 is the first substrate addition-independent reporter system developed for BLI of
E. faecalis
and an efficient tool for spatiotemporal tracking of bacterial growth and quantitative determination of promoter activity in real time, noninvasively, in infection model systems.
Whole-Genome Sequences of Two Clinical Isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from Kerala, South India
Authors: Madhavilatha G. K. , Joseph Biljo V. , Paul Laiza K. , Kumar R. Ajay , Hariharan Ramkumar , Mundayoor Sathish
Published: July 2012

We report the annotated genome sequence of two clinical isolates of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
isolated from Kerala, India.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Soil Bacterium Burkholderia terrae Strain BS001, Which Interacts with Fungal Surface Structures
Authors: Nazir Rashid , Hansen Martin A. , Sørensen Søren , van Elsas Jan Dirk
Published: July 2012

Burkholderia terraeBS001 is a soil bacterium which was originally isolated from the mycosphere of the ectomycorrhizal fungusLaccaria proxima. It exhibits a range of fungus-interacting traits which reveal its propensity to actively interact at fungal interfaces. Here, we present the approximately 11.5-Mb (G+C content, 61.52%) draft genome sequence ofB. terraeBS001 with the aim of providing insight into the genomic basis of its ecological success in fungus-affected soil settings.
Genome Sequence of the Rice Pathogen Dickeya zeae Strain ZJU1202
Authors: Li Bin , Shi Yu , Ibrahim Muhammad , Liu He , Shan Changlin , Wang Yanli , Kube Michael , Xie Guan-Lin , Sun Guochang
Published: July 2012

Dickeya zeae
is a phytopathogenic bacterium causing soft rot diseases in a wide range of economically important crops. Here we present the draft genome sequence of strain ZJU1202, which is the causal agent of rice foot rot in China. The draft genome will contribute to epidemiological and comparative genomic studies and the quarantine of this devastating phytopathogen.
Complete Genome Sequence of the B
12
-Producing Shimwellia blattae Strain DSM 4481, Isolated from a Cockroach
Authors: Brzuszkiewicz Elzbieta , Waschkowitz Tanja , Wiezer Arnim , Daniel Rolf
Published: July 2012

Here we announce the complete genome sequence of the coenzyme B
12
-producing enteric bacterium
Shimwellia blattae
(formerly
Escherichia blattae
). The genome consists of a single chromosome (4,158,636 bp). The genome size is smaller than that of most other enteric bacteria. Genome comparison revealed significant differences from the
Escherichia coli
genome.
Genome Sequence of the Moderately Halotolerant, Arsenite-Oxidizing Bacterium Pseudomonas stutzeri TS44
Authors: Li Xiangyang , Gong Jing , Hu Yao , Cai Lin , Johnstone Laurel , Grass Gregor , Rensing Christopher , Wang Gejiao
Published: July 2012

We present the draft genome sequence of
Pseudomonas stutzeri
TS44, a moderately halotolerant, arsenite-oxidizing bacterium isolated from arsenic-contaminated soil. The genome contains genes for arsenite oxidation, arsenic resistance, and ectoine/hydroxyectoine biosynthesis. The genome information will be useful for exploring adaptation of
P. stutzeri
TS44 to an arsenic-contaminated environment.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Broad-Host-Range Strain Sinorhizobium fredii USDA257
Authors: Schuldes Jørg , Rodriguez Orbegoso Mariita , Schmeisser Christel , Krishnan Hari B. , Daniel Rolf , Streit Wolfgang R.
Published: July 2012

Here we announce the complete genome sequence of the symbiotic and nitrogen-fixing bacterium
Sinorhizobium fredii
USDA257. The genome shares a high degree of sequence similarity with the closely related broad-host-range strains
S. fredii
NGR234 and HH103. Most strikingly, the USDA257 genome encodes a wealth of secretory systems.
Complete Genome Sequence of an H5N2 Avian Influenza Virus Isolated from a Parrot in Southern China
Authors: Jiao Peirong , Wei Liangmeng , Yuan Runyu , Gong Lang , Cao Lan , Song Yafen , Luo Kaijian , Ren Tao , Liao Ming
Published: July 2012

We report the complete genome sequence of an H5N2 avian influenza virus (AIV) that was first isolated from a parrot in Guangdong in southern China in 2004. Genomic sequence and phylogenetic analyses showed that it was highly homologous with the North American H5N2 viruses and all eight genes of this virus belonged to the North American gene lineage. These data will help in the investigation of the epidemiology and host range of AIVs in southern China.
Complete Genome Sequence of Phytopathogenic Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum Bacteriophage PP1
Authors: Lee Ju-Hoon , Shin Hakdong , Ji Samnyu , Malhotra Shweta , Kumar Mukesh , Ryu Sangryeol , Heu Sunggi
Published: July 2012

Pectobacterium carotovorum
subsp.
carotovorum
is a phytopathogen causing soft rot disease on diverse plant species. To control this plant pathogen,
P. carotovorum
subsp.
carotovorum
-targeting bacteriophage PP1 was isolated and its genome was completely sequenced to develop a novel biocontrol agent. Interestingly, the 44,400-bp genome sequence does not encode any gene involved in the formation of lysogen, suggesting that this phage may be very useful as a biocontrol agent because it does not make lysogen after host infection. This is the first report on the complete genome sequence of the
P. carotovorum
subsp.
carotovorum
-targeting bacteriophage, and it will enhance our understanding of the interaction between phytopathogens and their targeting bacteriophages.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Chikungunya Virus Isolated in Guangdong, China
Authors: Li Xiao-Feng , Jiang Tao , Deng Yong-Qiang , Zhao Hui , Yu Xue-Dong , Ye Qing , Wang Hong-Jiang , Zhu Shun-Ya , Zhang Fu-Chun , Qin E-De , Qin Cheng-Feng
Published: July 2012

Chikungunya virus belongs to the genus
Alphavirus
in the family
Togaviridae
. Here we report the complete genome sequence of a chikungunya virus strain, GD05/2010, isolated in 2010 from a patient with chikungunya fever in Guangdong, China. The sequence information is important for surveillance of this emerging arboviral infection in China.
Complete Genome Sequence of Croceibacter Bacteriophage P2559S
Authors: Kang Ilnam , Kang Dongmin , Cho Jang-Cheon
Published: July 2012

Croceibacter atlanticus
HTCC2559
T
, a marine bacterium isolated from the Sargasso Sea, is a phylogenetically unique member of the family
Flavobacteriaceae
. Strain HTCC2559
T
possesses genes related to interaction with primary producers, which makes studies on bacteriophages infecting the strain interesting. Here we report the genome sequence of bacteriophage P2559S, which was isolated off the coast of the Republic of Korea and lytically infects HTCC2559
T
. Many genes predicted in the P2559S genome had their homologs in
Bacteroides
phages.
Impact of ethnicity upon cardiovascular adaptation in competitive athletes: relevance to preparticipation screening
Authors: Papadakis Michael , Wilson Mathew G , Ghani Saqib , Kervio Gaelle , Carre Francois , Sharma Sanjay
Published: July 2012

Regular participation in intensive physical exercise is associated with several structural and electrophysiological cardiac adaptations that enhance diastolic filling and facilitate a sustained increase in the cardiac output that is fundamental to athletic excellence. Such cardiac adaptations are collectively referred to as the ‘Athlete's Heart’ and are frequently reflected on the 12-lead ECG and imaging studies. Thorough knowledge relating to exercise-associated cardiovascular adaptation is imperative for the purposes of differentiating physiological adaptation from cardiac pathology, since an erroneous diagnosis of cardiac disease has potentially serious consequences for the athlete's physical, psychological, social and financial well-being. The majority of studies investigating the cardiovascular adaptation to exercise are based on cohorts of Caucasian athletes. However, there is mounting evidence that ethnicity is an important determinant of the objective manifestations of cardiovascular adaptation to exercise. The most pronounced paradigm of ethnically distinct cardiovascular adaptation to exercise stems from athletes of African/Afro-Caribbean descent, who exhibit a significantly higher prevalence of repolarisation anomalies and left ventricular hypertrophy, compared to Caucasian athletes; the differentiation between athlete's heart and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is particularly challenging in this ethnic group. The extrapolation of ECG and echocardiographic criteria used to diagnose potentially serious cardiac disorders in Caucasian athletes to the African/Afro-Caribbean athlete population would result in an unacceptable number of unnecessary investigations and increased risk of false disqualification from competitive sport. Accurate interpretation of the athlete's ECG and echocardiogram is crucial, particularly when one considers the continuous expansion of preparticipation screening programmes. This review attempts to highlight ethnically determined differences in cardiovascular adaptation to exercise and provides a practical guide for the interpretation of baseline investigations in athletes of diverse ethnic backgrounds.
A review of Ghana's 2009–2013 integrated strategic response plan for pandemic influenza: illustrative study of the perceived adequacy of preparedness for the pandemic influenza of sub-Sahara Africa
Authors: Norman Ishmael D , Aikins Moses K S , Binka Fred N , Godi Anthony Hanebe
Published: July 2012

Objectives

To review the National Integrated Strategic Plan for Pandemic Influenza for 2009–2013 and assess whether it is in congruence with the nation's emergency preparedness status.

Method

The authors examined the National Plan ‘as is’ and evaluated it against the ‘State and Local Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist’ of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The authors matched the activities in the National Plan apropos the national emergency response capabilities. From the legal framework, published studies and other grey literature on the thematic areas of the Plan, the authors developed key items found in response programmes and drew a 5-point Likert-type scale for assessment. The authors analysed the results in relation to WHO's framework for hospital emergency preparedness, and conducted two-sample non-parametric Wilcoxon rank sum (Mann–Whitney) tests.

Results/discussion

The result showed that Ghana's health emergency preparedness is in disarray. About 75% of the health facilities lack emergency preparedness plans, surge capacity planning, triage for mass event and mutual aid agreements.

Conclusions

The authors concluded that the Plan is incongruent with Ghana's public health emergency preparedness. The evaluation is important for Ghana and the subregion.
Chemical and biological characterization of sclerosin, an antifungal lipopeptide
Authors: Berry Chrystal L. , Brassinga Ann Karen C. , Donald Lynda J. , Fernando W.G. Dilantha , Loewen Peter C. , de Kievit Teresa R.
Published: July 2012

Pseudomonas sp. strain DF41 produces a lipopeptide, called sclerosin that inhibits the fungal pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum . The aim of the current study was to deduce the chemical structure of this lipopeptide and further characterize its bioactivity. Mass spectrometry analysis determined the structure of sclerosin to be CH3-(CH2)6-CH(OH)-CH2-CO-Dhb-Pro-Ala-Leu/Ile-Ala-Val-Val-Dhb-Thr-Val-Leu/Ile-Dhp-Ala-Ala-Ala-Val-Dhb-Dhb-Ala-Dab-Ser-Val-OH, similar to corpeptins A and B of the tolaasin group, differing by only 3 amino acids in the peptide chain. Subjecting sclerosin to various ring opening procedures revealed no new ions, suggesting that this molecule is linear. As such, sclerosin represents a new member of the tolaasin lipopeptide group. Incubation of S. sclerotinia ascospores and sclerotia in the presence of sclerosin inhibited the germination of both cell types. Sclerosin also exhibited antimicrobial activity against Bacillus species. Conversely, this lipopeptide demonstrated no zoosporicidal activity against the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora infestans . Next, we assessed the effect of DF41 and a lipopeptide-deficient mutant on the growth and development of Caenorhabditis elegans larvae. We discovered that sclerosin did not protect DF41 from ingestion by and degradation in the C. elegans digestive tract. However, another metabolite produced by this bacterium appeared to shorten the life-span of the nematode compared to C. elegans growing on Escherichia coli OP50.
Chronic treadmill exercise in rats delicately alters the Purkinje cell structure to improve motor performance and toxin resistance in the cerebellum
Authors: Huang Tung-Yi , Lin Lung-Sheng , Cho Keng-Chi , Chen Shean-Jen , Kuo Yu-Min , Yu Lung , Wu Fong-Sen , Chuang Jih-Ing , Chen Hsiun-ing , Jen Chauying J.
Published: July 2012

Although exercise usually improves motor performance, the underlying cellular changes in the cerebellum remain to be elucidated. This study aimed to investigate whether and how chronic treadmill exercise in young rats induced Purkinje cell changes to improve motor performance and rendered the cerebellum less vulnerable to toxin insults. After 1-wk familiarization of treadmill running, 6-wk-old male Wistar rats were divided into exercise and sedentary groups. The exercise group was then subjected to 8 wk of exercise training at moderate intensity. The rotarod test was carried out to evaluate motor performance. Purkinje cells in cerebellar slices were visualized by lucifer yellow labeling in single neurons and by calbindin immunostaining in groups of neurons. Compared with sedentary control rats, exercised rats not only performed better in the rotarod task, but also showed finer Purkinje cell structure (higher dendritic volume and spine density with the same dendritic field). The exercise-improved cerebellar functions were further evaluated by monitoring the long-lasting effects of intraventricular application of OX7-saporin. In the sedentary group, OX7-saporin treatment retarded the rotarod performance and induced ∼60% Purkinje cell loss in 3 wk. As a comparison, the exercise group showed much milder injuries in the cerebellum by the same toxin treatment. In conclusion, exercise training in young rats increased the dendritic density of Purkinje cells, which might play an important role in improving the motor performance. Furthermore, as Purkinje cells in the exercise group were relatively toxin resistant, the exercised rats showed good motor performance, even under toxin-treated conditions.
Context and Nonprofit Human Resource Management
Authors: Akingbola Kunle
Published: July 2012

The article presents a framework of nonprofit human resource management (NHRM) that emphasizes the context of nonprofits, organizational and employee characteristics. Drawing on contingency theory and social exchange theory, the article examines the multidimensional contingencies in the environment of nonprofit organizations and the characteristics of employees that underlie NHRM. Three underlying principles and five models of NHRM are presented to explain the dimensions of NHRM. The concept of social alignment, implications for nonprofit management research, and practice are discussed.
Comparison of the effects of Buteyko and pranayama breathing techniques on quality of life in patients with asthma – a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Prem Venkatesan , Sahoo Ramesh Chandra , Adhikari Prabha
Published: July 2012

Objective:

To compare two breathing exercises (Buteyko and pranayama) with a control group in patients with asthma.

Design:

Randomized controlled trial.

Subjects:

One hundred and twenty subjects were randomized to three groups through block randomization. Subjects with an Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire score <5.5 participated in the study.

Setting:

Outpatient pulmonary medicine department.

Interventions:

Subjects in the Buteyko and pranayama groups were trained for 3–5 days and instructed to practise the exercises for 15 minutes twice daily, and for three months duration. The control group underwent routine pharmacological management during the study period.

Outcome measures:

Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire, Asthma Control Questionnaire and pulmonary function test.

Results:

The baseline characteristics were similar in all three groups. Post intervention, the Buteyko group showed better trends of improvement (mean (95% confidence interval), P-value) in total Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire score than the pranayama (0.47 (–0.008–0.95), P = 0.056) and control groups (0.97 (0.48–1.46), P = 0.0001). In comparison between the pranayama and control groups, pranayama showed significant improvement (0.50 (0.01–0.98), P = 0.042) in total Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire score.

Conclusion:

The Buteyko group showed better trends of improvement in quality of life and asthma control than the group performing the pranayama breathing exercise.
Validity of the Sitting Balance Scale in older adults who are non-ambulatory or have limited functional mobility
Authors: Thompson Mary , Medley Ann , Teran Steve
Published: July 2012

Objective:

To determine whether the Sitting Balance Scale is an acceptable alternative to the Trunk Impairment Scale for measuring the construct of sitting balance, to examine relationships with other clinical outcomes and to establish discriminative validity.

Design:

Prospective descriptive methodological study.

Setting:

Acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing facility and home health.

Participants:

Patients receiving physical therapy ( N = 98; n = 20 acute care, n = 18 inpatient rehabilitation, n = 30 skilled nursing facility, n = 30 home setting) mean (SD) age, 80.5 (7.9) years. Nineteen were non-ambulatory and 79 had limited functional mobility with Timed Up and Go scores ≥20 seconds.

Main measures:

Sitting Balance Scale, Trunk Impairment Scale, Timed Up and Go, length of stay and setting specific clinical measures of sitting balance (OASIS-C M1850; MDS G-3b).

Results:

Moderate association between ambulatory status and sitting balance measures (Sitting Balance Scale r = 0.67, Trunk Impairment Scale r = 0.61; P = 0.0001). Moderate to strong relationships between Sitting Balance Scale, Trunk Impairment Scale and clinical outcomes varying by setting. MANOVA results revealed differences between ambulators and non-ambulators and among diagnostic categories for both instruments ( P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

The Sitting Balance Scale is comparable to the Trunk Impairment Scale for measuring sitting balance in older adults who are non-ambulatory or have limited mobility.
Can falls be predicted with gait analytical and posturographic measurement systems? A prospective follow-up study in a nursing home population
Authors: Schwesig René , Fischer David , Lauenroth Andreas , Becker Stephan , Leuchte Siegfried
Published: July 2012

Objective:

To validate previously proposed findings and to develop an objective, feasible and efficient bifactorial (risk factors: gait impairment and balance disorders) fall risk assessment.

Design:

Prospective follow-up study

Setting:

Nursing homes (Halle/Saale, Germany).

Subjects:

One hundred and forty-six nursing home residents (aged 62–101 years) were recruited.

Methods:

Gait data were collected using a mobile inertial sensor-based system (RehaWatch). Postural regulation data were measured with the Interactive Balance System. Falls were recorded in standardized protocols over a follow-up period of 12 months.

Main measures:

Gait parameters (e.g. spatial-temporal parameters), posturographic parameters (e.g. postural subsystems), number of falls.

Results:

Seventeen (12%) of the participants had more than two falls per year. The predictive validity of the previously selected posturographic parameters was inadequate (sensitivity: 47%). The new measurement tool defined 67 participants showing an increased risk of falls. In reality, only 8 participants actually fell more than twice during the follow-up period (positive predictive value (PPV): 12%). The negative predictive value (NPV) was 88%. The posturographic frequency range F2–4 (peripheral–vestibular system), stride time and standard deviation of landing phase were the most powerful parameters for fall prediction. Gait and postural variability were larger in the high-risk group (e.g. gait speed; confidence interval (CI)high: 0.57–0.79 vs. CIlow: 0.72–0.81 m/s).

Conclusion:

RehaWatch and the Interactive Balance System are able to measure two of the most important fall risk factors, but their current predictive ability is not satisfactory yet. The correlation with physiological mechanisms is only shown by the Interactive Balance System.