bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Habitat specialization predicts genetic response to fragmentation in tropical birds
Authors: Khimoun Aurélie , Eraud Cyril , Ollivier Anthony , Arnoux Emilie , Rocheteau Vincent , Bely Marine , Lefol Emilie , Delpuech Martin , Carpentier Marie‐Laure , Leblond Gilles , Levesque Anthony , Charbonnel Anaïs , Faivre Bruno , Garnier Stéphane
Published: June 2016

Habitat fragmentation is one of the most severe threats to biodiversity as it may lead to changes in population genetic structure, with ultimate modifications of species evolutionary potential and local extinctions. Nonetheless, fragmentation does not equally affect all species and identifying which ecological traits are related to species sensitivity to habitat fragmentation could help prioritization of conservation efforts. Despite the theoretical link between species ecology and extinction proneness, comparative studies explicitly testing the hypothesis that particular ecological traits underlies species‐specific population structure are rare. Here, we used a comparative approach on eight bird species, co‐occurring across the same fragmented landscape. For each species, we quantified relative levels of forest specialization and genetic differentiation among populations. To test the link between forest specialization and susceptibility to forest fragmentation, we assessed species responses to fragmentation by comparing levels of genetic differentiation between continuous and fragmented forest landscapes. Our results revealed a significant and substantial population structure at a very small spatial scale for mobile organisms such as birds. More importantly, we found that specialist species are more affected by forest fragmentation than generalist ones. Finally, our results suggest that even a simple habitat specialization index can be a satisfying predictor of genetic and demographic consequences of habitat fragmentation, providing a reliable practical and quantitative tool for conservation biology.
Again on the Relevance of Reverse Capital Deepening and Reswitching
Authors: Dvoskin Ariel , Petri Fabio
Published: June 2016

Among the recent interventions in the capital controversy, the debate between Paola Potestio and Kurz & Salvadori has raised important issues. We agree with Potestio's rejection of the legitimacy of a value endowment of capital but we disagree with her dismissal of the relevance of reswitching and reverse capital deepening: these phenomena are very important because they undermine the demand‐side role of the conception of capital as a single factor. For the marginal approach to be plausible, this demand‐side role had to imply the stability of the savings‐investment market even in shorter time frames than those required by a complete adaptation of the ‘form’ of capital; this was taken by Marshall to authorize doing without a given endowment of value capital, which opened the door to the shift to the modern neo‐Walrasian versions of the marginal approach. With proof from Hayek, Hicks, Malinvaud, and Lucas we argue that a continuing belief in traditional time‐consuming marginalist disequilibrium adjustments based on capital‐labour substitution is the hidden reason why the claim often made by contemporary marginalist economists, that the economy can be assumed to be all the time on the equilibrium‐growth path, is not found patently unacceptable. The true microfoundation of DSGE macromodels is not intertemporal equilibrium theory, but the time‐consuming adjustment mechanisms on whose basis the marginal approach was born and accepted, and on whose basis monetarism was then able to re‐assert a pre‐Keynesian view of the working of the economy.
Harmony without Voice Leading? The Challenge of Interpreting Exact Leaping Transpositions
Authors: Goldenberg Yosef
Published: June 2016

In common‐practice tonal music, normative voice leading is challenged when motives based on arpeggiated chords recur transposed by leaps. Most often, linear readings become possible by means of choosing a different member from each participating chord. The exact details depend on the specific harmonic progression. Some alternative readings are also possible. There is a danger of theoretical bias in such readings, although many of the actual instances are strongly convincing.
Development(s) in the Theology of Revelation: From Francisco Marin-Sola to Joseph Ratzinger
Authors: Brotherton Joshua R.
Published: June 2016

The twentieth century has seen a dramatic shift even within Catholic theology when it comes to how the Church understands divine revelation and her own historical reception of it. The Second Vatican Council was a pivotal point in which contrasting views of doctrinal truth seemed to meet head-to-head. But while it might seem that the now popular understanding of revelation as an event, rather than a set of propositions, represents a victory for modernism, there is no contradiction between this personalistic paradigm and the propositional, which reigned in the neo-scholastic era. Rather, there are points of contact between the traditional Thomistic approach of an early-twentieth century Dominican theologian, Francisco Marin-Sola, and the understanding of revelation, particularly, the nature of doctrinal truth, that has risen to prominence thanks to the so-called nouvelle theologie. It is especially evident in the work of Yves Congar and Joseph Ratzinger that it is possible to reconcile the Tubingen approach to reality, which inspired the new school, and the (Augustinian-)Thomistic insistence on the immutability of truth.
IgG4‐related sialadenitis and Sjögren's syndrome
Authors: Fragoulis GE , Zampeli E , Moutsopoulos HM
Published: June 2016

IgG4‐related disease (IgG4‐RD) has emerged as a new entity in the last decade. It comprises numerous conditions previously thought to be unrelated. Macroscopically, these diseases cause diffuse organ swelling and formation of pseudotumorous masses. Histopathologically, they are characterized by a lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate with increased IgG4+ plasma cells and storiform fibrosis. Despite rapid progress within the last years, our knowledge on these conditions is still fragmented. To date, more than forty organs have been reported to be included in IgG4‐RD, and salivary gland involvement is amongst the most common organs affected [IgG4‐related sialadenitis (IgG4‐RS)]. Interestingly, IgG4‐RS shares commonalities with Sjögren's syndrome (SS), like glandular enlargement, sicca symptoms, arthralgias, hypergammaglobulinemia, hypocomplementemia, and circulating antinuclear antibodies. Nonetheless, they differ in that the incidence of anti‐Ro and anti‐La reactivity is not frequently found in patients with IgG4‐RS, their salivary glands are infiltrated by a large number of IgG4+ plasma cells and IgG4‐RS symptoms respond promptly to steroids. The aim of this review was to describe the clinical, serological, histopathological and pathophysiological aspects of IgG4‐RS in the context of IgG4‐RD and highlight the differences between IgG4‐RS and SS.
Caveolin‐1 serves as a negative effector in senescent human gingival fibroblasts during Fusobacterium nucleatum infection
Authors: Ahn S.H. , Cho S.‐H. , Song J.‐E. , Kim S. , Oh S.S. , Jung S. , Cho K.A. , Lee T.‐H.
Published: June 2016

It is well established that aging is associated with increased susceptibility to infectious diseases. Fusobacterium nucleatum is a well‐known bacterial species that plays a central bridging role between early and late colonizers in the human oral cavity. Further, the ability of F. nucleatum to invade gingival fibroblasts (GFs) is critical to the development of periodontal diseases. However, the mechanisms underlying the age‐related infection of GFs by F. nucleatum remain unknown. We used young (fourth passage) and senescent (22nd passage) GFs to investigate the mechanisms of F. nucleatum infection in aged GFs and first observed increased invasion of F. nucleatum in senescent GFs. We also found that the co‐localization of caveolin‐1 (Cav‐1), a protein marker of aging, with F. nucleatum and the knockdown of Cav‐1 in GFs reduced F. nucleatum invasion. Additionally, F. nucleatum infection triggered the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through activation of NADPH oxidase in GFs, but senescent GFs exhibited significantly lower levels of NADPH oxidase activity and ROS production compared with young GFs in both the uninfected and infected conditions. Also, senescent GFs exhibited a decline in proinflammatory cytokine production and extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation following F. nucleatum infection. Interestingly, the knockdown of Cav‐1 in senescent GFs increased NADPH oxidase activity and caused the upregulation of interleukin‐6 and interleukin‐8 and the phosphorylation of ERK. Collectively, the increased expression of Cav‐1 might play a critical role in F. nucleatum invasion and could hinder the host response in senescent GFs.
A Shortened Version of the Suicide Cognitions Scale for Identifying Chronic Pain Patients at Risk for Suicide
Authors: Bryan Craig J. , Kanzler Kathryn E. , Grieser Emily , Martinez Annette , Allison Sybil , McGeary Donald
Published: June 2016

Objective

Research in psychiatric outpatient and inpatient populations supports the utility of the Suicide Cognitions Scale (SCS) as an indicator of current and future risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Designed to assess suicide‐specific thoughts and beliefs, the SCS has yet to be evaluated among chronic pain patients, a group with elevated risk for suicide. The purpose of the present study was to develop and test a shortened version of the SCS (the SCS‐S).

Study Design

A total of 228 chronic pain patients completed a battery of self‐report surveys before or after a scheduled appointment.

Setting

Three outpatient medical clinics (pain medicine, orofacial pain, and clinical health psychology).

Methods

Confirmatory factor analysis, multivariate regression, and graded item response theory model analyses.

Results

Results of the CFAs suggested that a 3‐factor solution was optimal. A shortened 9‐item scale was identified based on the results of graded item response theory model analyses. Correlation and multivariate analyses supported the construct and incremental validity of the SCS‐S.

Conclusions

Results support the reliability and validity of the SCS‐S among chronic pain patients, and suggest the scale may be a useful method for identifying high‐risk patients in medical settings.
Overexpression of a novel peanutNBS‐LRRgeneAhRRS5enhances disease resistance toRalstonia solanacearumin tobacco
Authors: Zhang Chong , Chen Hua , Cai Tiecheng , Deng Ye , Zhuang Ruirong , Zhang Ning , Zeng Yuanhuan , Zheng Yixiong , Tang Ronghua , Pan Ronglong , Zhuang Weijian
Published: June 2016

Bacterial wilt caused byRalstonia solanacearumis a ruinous soilborne disease affecting more than 450 plant species. Efficient control methods for this disease remain unavailable to date. This study characterized a novel nucleotide‐binding site‐leucine‐rich repeat resistance geneAhRRS5from peanut, which was up‐regulated in both resistant and susceptible peanut cultivars in response toR. solanacearum. The product ofAhRRS5was localized in the nucleus. Furthermore, treatment with phytohormones such as salicylic acid (SA), abscisic acid (ABA), methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and ethephon (ET) increased the transcript level ofAhRRS5with diverse responses between resistant and susceptible peanuts. Abiotic stresses such as drought and cold conditions also changedAhRRS5expression. Moreover, transient overexpression induced hypersensitive response inNicotiana benthamiana. Overexpression ofAhRRS5significantly enhanced the resistance of heterogeneous tobacco toR. solanacearum, with diverse resistance levels in different transgenic lines. Several defence‐responsive marker genes in hypersensitive response, includingSA,JAandETsignals, were considerably up‐regulated in the transgenic lines as compared with the wild type inoculated withR. solanacearum. Nonexpressor of pathogenesis‐related gene 1 (NPR1) and non‐race‐specific disease resistance 1 were also up‐regulated in response to the pathogen. These results indicate thatAhRRS5participates in the defence response toR. solanacearumthrough the crosstalk of multiple signalling pathways and the involvement ofNPR1and R gene signals for its resistance. This study may guide the resistance enhancement of peanut and other economic crops to bacterial wilt disease.
A prospective view of animal and human Fasciolosis
Authors: Cwiklinski K. , O'Neill S. M. , Donnelly S. , Dalton J. P.
Published: June 2016

Fasciolosis, a food‐borne trematodiasis, results following infection with the parasites, Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica. These trematodes greatly affect the global agricultural community, infecting millions of ruminants worldwide and causing annual economic losses in excess of US $3 billion. Fasciolosis, an important zoonosis, is classified by WHO as a neglected tropical disease with an estimated 17 million people infected and a further 180 million people at risk of infection. The significant impact on agriculture and human health together with the increasing demand for animal‐derived food products to support global population growth demonstrate that fasciolosis is a major One Health problem. This review details the problematic issues surrounding fasciolosis control, including drug resistance, lack of diagnosis and the threat that hybridization of the Fasciola species poses to future animal and human health. We discuss how these parasites may mediate their long‐term survival through regulation and modulation of the host immune system, by altering the host immune homeostasis and/or by influencing the intestinal microbiome particularly in respect to concurrent infections with other pathogens. Large genome, transcriptome and proteomic data sets are now available to support an integrated One Health approach to develop novel diagnostic and control strategies for both animal and human disease.
Online Reviews and Collaborative Service Provision: A Signal‐Jamming Model
Authors: Sun Haoying , Xu Lizhen
Published: June 2016

We study the provision of collaborative services under online reviews, where the service outcome depends on the effort of both the service provider and the client. The provider decides not only her own effort but also the client's, at least to some extent. The client gives the review based on his net utility upon service completion. We develop a signal‐jamming model in which the provider's inherent capability or type is unobservable, and the market infers the provider type through observable signals such as the service outcome, the client review, or both. We show that compared to the benchmark case when the service outcome is observed as a signal, the client review generally leads to less effort of both the provider and the client. The review hence tends to sacrifice the service effectiveness in favor of the efficiency of the client's effort input. Nevertheless, when clients incorporate private information about the provider type into their reviews, service providers are better motivated to devote effort. Interestingly, we find the provider's effort choices may be either strategic complements or substitutes. With a reasonable level of informativeness, online reviews could lead to favorable performance in service effectiveness, client effort efficiency, and provider type distinguishability. Surprisingly, we demonstrate that when both the review and the outcome are available, the provider may lack sufficient incentive to devote effort, resulting in inferior distinguishability of provider types. It thus illustrates that richer information may not necessarily generate favorable strategic outcomes.
Colletotrichum species associated with chili anthracnose in Australia
Authors: De Silva D. D. , Ades P. K. , Crous P. W. , Taylor P. W. J.
Published: June 2016

Phylogenetic relationships were determined for 45 Colletotrichum isolates causing anthracnose disease of chili in Queensland, Australia. Initial screening based on morphology, ITS and TUB2 genes resulted in a subset of 21 isolates being chosen for further taxonomic study. Isolates in the C. acutatum complex were analysed using partial sequences of six gene regions (ITS, GAPDH, ACT, CHS‐1, TUB2 and HIS3), and in the C. gloeosporioides complex were analysed using four gene regions (ITS, TUB2, ApMat and GS). Phylogenetic analysis delineated four Colletotrichum species including C. siamense, C. simmondsii, C. queenslandicum, C. truncatum and a new Colletotrichum species, described here as C. cairnsense sp. nov. This is the first reported association of C. queenslandicum, C. simmondsii and C. siamense with chili anthracnose in Australia; these species were previously associated with anthracnose on papaya and avocado. Furthermore, the dominant species causing anthracnose of chili in Southeast Asia, C. scovillei, was not detected in Australia. Inoculations on chili fruit confirmed the pathogenicity of C. cairnsense and the other four species in the development of chili anthracnose in Australia.
Doing Gender, Doing Surveys? Women's Gatekeeping and Men's Non‐Participation in Multi‐Actor Reproductive Surveys
Authors: Slauson‐Blevins Kathleen , Johnson Katherine M.
Published: June 2016

Gender differences in research participation have been documented in both quantitative and qualitative studies, a pattern that is particularly pronounced in studies of reproduction. We use the National Survey of Fertility Barriers to analyze three reasons frequently used to explain men's non‐participation in reproductive research: (1) Reproduction is a sensitive subject for men, (2) reproduction is women's domain, and (3) men's unavailability due to seemingly pragmatic reasons (e.g., work schedule). Using binary logistic regression, we test these three explanations across two different models: women's gatekeeping (denying researcher access to partners) (n = 1,637) and men's own non‐response (n = 1,454). A substantial minority of women (12.8 percent), engaged in gatekeeping, but the dominant mechanism of men's non‐participation was their own non‐response once women granted researcher access to partners. Consistent with prior studies on general survey non‐response, several demographic variables were associated with men's participation. Additionally, findings suggest that the notion of reproduction as women's domain received the strongest support, though specific variables within this construct differed for models predicting women's gatekeeping versus men's non‐response of their own accord.
Infant oral mutilation in East Africa – therapeutic and ritual grounds
Authors: Garve Roland , Garve Miriam , Link Katharina , Türp Jens C. , Meyer Christian G.
Published: June 2016

This paper reviews the practice and ritual traditions of infant oral mutilation, drawing on a literature search in PubMed and Google Scholar, historical reports, relevant textbooks, NGO materials and personal observations of the authors.
Cervical cancer prevention and screening: the role of human papillomavirus testing
Authors: Aref‐Adib Mehrnoosh , Freeman‐Wang Theresa
Published: June 2016

Key content

An organised screening programme has reduced the incidence of cervical cancer in the UK.

Cervical screening aims to detect and treat premalignant, low‐ or high‐grade disease.

Oncogenic or high‐risk human papillomaviruses (HR‐HPV) account for over 99.7% of cervical cancer cases; the most common subtypes are HPV‐16, 18, 31, 33 and 45.

HPV vaccination was introduced as part of the childhood vaccination programme in 2008 and will probably save 400 lives per year.

HPV testing is useful: in triage of women with borderline or low‐grade cytology; as a test of cure after treatment, in the management of uncertainty, and in primary HPV screening.

Learning objectives

To review the history of cervical screening and colposcopy.

To understand the role of HR‐HPV in the development of cervical premalignancy and malignancy.

To understand the potential of HPV vaccination and the uses of HPV testing in reducing the burden of cervical cancer.

Ethical issues

HPV infection is common, so should women with only transient HPV infection be informed of their diagnoses, given that disclosures provide little benefit and may cause significant emotional harm?

HPV is related to other premalignant and malignant diseases of the lower genital tract and oropharynx affecting males and females. Should boys therefore be also offered HPV vaccination?
Remobilization of hematopoietic stem cells in healthy donors for allogeneic transplantation
Authors: Fiala Mark A. , Park Soo , Slade Michael , DiPersio John F. , Stockerl‐Goldstein Keith E.
Published: June 2016

BACKGROUND

The need to repeat peripheral blood (PB) stem cell mobilization and collection in healthy donors arises infrequently but may be required due to insufficient initial collection, graft failure, or relapse of the recipient's disease. Little data exist on the efficacy of remobilization. Therefore, we retrospectively reviewed 18 years of remobilization records from healthy stem cell donors at our institution.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

We identified 62 healthy donors who underwent remobilization, a cohort of 30 mobilized and remobilized with cytokines and a cohort of 32 mobilized with a CXCR4 antagonist and remobilized with cytokines. For each cohort we compared the PB CD34+/L level, the number of CD34+ cells collected/kg (recipient weight), and the number of CD34+ cells/L collected on the first day of leukapheresis during initial mobilization and remobilization.

RESULTS

Initial mobilization with cytokines was associated with reduced remobilization. The mean PB CD34/L level at initial mobilization was 69 × 106 compared to 37 × 106 at remobilization (p = 0.029). In contrast, initial mobilization with a CXCR4 antagonist was not associated with reduced remobilization. The mean PB CD34/L level at initial mobilization was 15 × 106 compared to 68 × 106 at remobilization (p < 0.001). In both cohorts, initial mobilization results were positively correlated with remobilization results but the interval between was not.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that poor remobilization yields may be due to decreased efficacy of cytokines after repeat exposure. The underlying mechanism of these findings remains unclear and further studies are needed.
Non-contractible periodic orbits in Hamiltonian dynamics on closed symplectic manifolds
Authors: Ginzburg Viktor L. , Gürel Başak Z.
Published: June 2016

We study Hamiltonian diffeomorphisms of closed symplectic manifolds with non-contractible periodic orbits. In a variety of settings, we show that the presence of one non-contractible periodic orbit of a Hamiltonian diffeomorphism of a closed toroidally monotone or toroidally negative monotone symplectic manifold implies the existence of infinitely many non-contractible periodic orbits in a specific collection of free homotopy classes. The main new ingredient in the proofs of these results is a filtration of Floer homology by the so-called augmented action. This action is independent of capping and, under favorable conditions, the augmented action filtration for toroidally (negative) monotone manifolds can play the same role as the ordinary action filtration for atoroidal manifolds.
Finding 47:23 in the Baby Monster
Authors: Bray John N. , Parker Richard A. , Wilson Robert A.
Published: June 2016

In this paper we describe methods for finding very small maximal subgroups of very large groups, with particular application to the subgroup 47:23 of the Baby Monster. This example is completely intractable by standard or naïve methods. The example of finding 31:15 inside the Thompson group $\text{Th}$ is also discussed as a test case.
Formation of mitochondrial‐derived vesicles is an active and physiologically relevant mitochondrial quality control process in the cardiac system
Authors: Cadete Virgilio J. J. , Deschênes Sonia , Cuillerier Alexanne , Brisebois François , Sugiura Ayumu , Vincent Amy , Turnbull Doug , Picard Martin , McBride Heidi M. , Burelle Yan
Published: June 2016

Key points

Mitochondrial‐derived vesicle (MDV) formation occurs under baseline conditions and is rapidly upregulated in response to stress‐inducing conditions in H9c2 cardiac myoblasts.

In mice formation of MDVs occurs readily in the heart under normal healthy conditions while mitophagy is comparatively less prevalent.

In response to acute stress induced by doxorubicin, mitochondrial dysfunction develops in the heart, triggering MDV formation and mitophagy.

MDV formation is thus active in the cardiac system, where it probably constitutes a baseline housekeeping mechanism and a first line of defence against stress.

The formation of mitochondrial‐derived vesicles (MDVs), a process inherited from bacteria, has emerged as a potentially important mitochondrial quality control (QC) mechanism to selectively deliver damaged material to lysosomes for degradation. However, the existence of this mechanism in various cell types, and its physiological relevance, remains unknown. Our aim was to investigate the dynamics of MDV formation in the cardiac system in vitro and in vivo. Immunofluorescence in cell culture, quantitative transmission electron microscopy and electron tomography in vivo were used to study MDV production in the cardiac system. We show that in cardiac cells MDV production occurs at baseline, is commensurate with the dependence of cells on oxidative metabolism, is more frequent than mitophagy and is up‐regulated on the time scale of minutes to hours in response to prototypical mitochondrial stressors (antimycin‐A, xanthine/xanthine oxidase). We further show that MDV production is up‐regulated together with mitophagy in response to doxorubicin‐induced mitochondrial and cardiac dysfunction. Here we provide the first quantitative data demonstrating that MDV formation is a mitochondrial QC operating in the heart.
Solventless grafting of functional polymer coatings onto Parylene C
Authors: De Luna Mark M. , Chen Benny , Bradley Laura C. , Bhandia Ravi , Gupta Malancha
Published: June 2016

In this work, the authors studied the use of vapor phase deposition to covalently attach functional polymer coatings onto Parylene C. Parylene C is important for several biomedical applications due to its inertness and biocompatibility; however, the surface properties are not ideal. The author modified the surface properties of Parylene C using a stepwise procedure in which a photoinitiator was first used to covalently attach a cross-linked anchoring layer to the Parylene C surface and then a thermal initiator was used to polymerize functional monomers onto the cross-linked anchoring layer. This process has several benefits because no solvents are used during the polymerization process. The generality of this procedure was demonstrated by depositing poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) and poly(ortho-nitrobenzyl methacrylate) as the functional polymers. Durability testing showed no loss in functionality or change in the elemental composition of the coating after sonication in methanol or long-term soaking in phosphate buffered saline solution. This process can be used to covalently attach a range of functionalities to Parylene C for potential use in biomedical applications.
Organic core-sheath nanowire artificial synapses with femtojoule energy consumption
Authors: Xu Wentao , Min Sung-Yong , Hwang Hyunsang , Lee Tae-Woo
Published: June 2016

Researchers report an organic nanowire artificial synapse that emulates working principles and energy consumption of biological synapses.
Detection of an oxygen emission line from a high-redshift galaxy in the reionization epoch
Authors: Inoue Akio K. , Tamura Yoichi , Matsuo Hiroshi , Mawatari Ken , Shimizu Ikkoh , Shibuya Takatoshi , Ota Kazuaki , Yoshida Naoki , Zackrisson Erik , Kashikawa Nobunari , Kohno Kotaro , Umehata Hideki , Hatsukade Bunyo , Iye Masanori , Matsuda Yuichi , Okamoto Takashi , Yamaguchi Yuki
Published: June 2016

Shining brightly in the early universe

Galaxies that formed early in the history of the universe were powerful sources of ultraviolet radiation. This radiation ionized the surrounding intergalactic medium during the “epoch of reionization.” Inoue
et al.
detected atomic emission lines from a galaxy at high redshift—seen as it was when the universe was only ~5% of its current age (see the Perspective by De Breuck). Data from optical, infrared, and submillimeter observatories determined its gas and dust content and the amount of ultraviolet radiation it emitted. Studying similar galaxies in such a manner will allow astronomers to determine how the first galaxies formed, evolved, and influenced their surroundings.

Science
, this issue p.
1559
; see also p.
1520
The Indoor Fungus Cladosporium halotolerans Survives Humidity Dynamics Markedly Better than Aspergillus niger and Penicillium rubens despite Less Growth at Lowered Steady-State Water Activity
Authors: Segers Frank J. J. , van Laarhoven Karel A. , Huinink Hendrik P. , Adan Olaf C. G. , Wösten Han A. B. , Dijksterhuis Jan
Published: June 2016

Indoor fungi cause damage in houses and are a potential threat to human health. Indoor fungal growth requires water, for which the terms water activity (a
w
) and relative humidity (RH) are used. The ability of the fungi
Aspergillus niger
,
Cladosporium halotolerans
, and
Penicillium rubens
at different developmental stages to survive changes in a
w
dynamics was studied. Fungi grown on media with high a
w
were transferred to a controlled environment with low RH and incubated for 1 week. Growth of all developmental stages was halted during incubation at RHs below 75%, while growth continued at 84% RH. Swollen conidia, germlings, and microcolonies of
A. niger
and
P. rubens
could not reinitiate growth when retransferred from an RH below 75% to a medium with high a
w
. All developmental stages of
C. halotolerans
showed growth after retransfer from 75% RH. Dormant conidia survived retransfer to medium with high a
w
in all cases. In addition, retransfer from 84% RH to medium with high a
w
resulted in burst hyphal tips for
Aspergillus
and
Penicillium
. Cell damage of hyphae of these fungi after incubation at 75% RH was already visible after 2 h, as observed by staining with the fluorescent dye TOTO-1. Thus,
C. halotolerans
is more resistant to a
w
dynamics than
A. niger
and
P. rubens
, despite its limited growth compared to that of these fungi at a lowered steady-state a
w
. The survival strategy of this phylloplane fungus in response to the dynamics of a
w
is discussed in relation to its morphology as studied by cryo-scanning electron microscopy (cryo-SEM).

IMPORTANCE
Indoor fungi cause structural and cosmetic damage in houses and are a potential threat to human health. Growth depends on water, which is available only at certain periods of the day (e.g., during cooking or showering). Knowing why fungi can or cannot survive indoors is important for finding novel ways of prevention. Until now, the ability of fungi to grow on media with little available water at steady state (unchanging conditions) has been important for evaluating whether a fungus can grow indoors. In the present study, we found that the fungus
Cladosporium halotolerans
, a common indoor fungus, is more resistant to changes in available water than the fungi
Aspergillus niger
and
Penicillium rubens
, despite the fact that the latter fungi can grow on media with low water availability. We concluded that the ability of fungi to deal with changes in humidity is at least as important as the ability to grow on low-water media.
Biogeographical Patterns of Legume-Nodulating Burkholderia spp.: from African Fynbos to Continental Scales
Authors: Lemaire Benny , Chimphango Samson B. M. , Stirton Charles , Rafudeen Suhail , Honnay Olivier , Smets Erik , Chen Wen-Ming , Sprent Janet , James Euan K. , Muasya A. Muthama
Published: June 2016

Rhizobia of the genusBurkholderiahave large-scale distribution ranges and are usually associated with South African papilionoid and South American mimosoid legumes, yet little is known about their genetic structuring at either local or global geographic scales. To understand variation at different spatial scales, from individual legumes in the fynbos (South Africa) to a global context, we analyzed chromosomal (16S rRNA,recA) and symbiosis (nifH,nodA,nodC) gene sequences. We showed that the global diversity of nodulation genes is generally grouped according to the South African papilionoid or South American mimosoid subfamilies, whereas chromosomal sequence data were unrelated to biogeography. While nodulation genes are structured on a continental scale, a geographic or host-specific distribution pattern was not detected in the fynbos region. In host range experiments, symbiotic promiscuity ofBurkholderiatuberumSTM678TandB.phymatumSTM815Twas discovered in selected fynbos species. Finally, a greenhouse experiment was undertaken to assess the ability of mimosoid (Mimosapudica) and papilionoid (Dipogonlignosus,Indigoferafilifolia,Macroptiliumatropurpureum, andPodalyriacalyptrata) species to nodulate in South African (fynbos) and Malawian (savanna) soils. While theBurkholderia-philous fynbos legumes (D.lignosus,I.filifolia, andP.calyptrata) nodulated only in their native soils, the invasive neotropical speciesM.pudicadid not develop nodules in the African soils. The fynbos soil, notably rich inBurkholderia, seems to retain nodulation genes compatible with the local papilionoid legume flora but is incapable of nodulating mimosoid legumes that have their center of diversity in South America.

IMPORTANCEThis study is the most comprehensive phylogenetic assessment of root-nodulatingBurkholderiaand investigated biogeographic and host-related patterns of the legume-rhizobial symbiosis in the South African fynbos biome, as well as at global scales, including native species from the South American Caatinga and Cerrado biomes. While a global investigation of the rhizobial diversity revealed distinct nodulation and nitrogen fixation genes among South African and South American legumes, regionally distributed species in the Cape region were unrelated to geographic and host factors.
Shotgun Metagenomic Profiles Have a High Capacity To Discriminate Samples of Activated Sludge According to Wastewater Type
Authors: Ibarbalz Federico M. , Orellana Esteban , Figuerola Eva L. M. , Erijman Leonardo
Published: June 2016

This study was conducted to investigate whether functions encoded in the metagenome could improve our ability to understand the link between microbial community structures and functions in activated sludge. By analyzing data sets from six industrial and six municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), covering different configurations, operational conditions, and geographic regions, we found that wastewater influent composition was an overriding factor shaping the metagenomic composition of the activated sludge samples. Community GC content profiles were conserved within treatment plants on a time scale of years and between treatment plants with similar influent wastewater types. Interestingly, GC contents of the represented phyla covaried with the average GC contents of the corresponding WWTP metagenome. This suggests that the factors influencing nucleotide composition act similarly across taxa and thus the variation in nucleotide contents is driven by environmental differences between WWTPs. While taxonomic richness and functional richness were correlated, shotgun metagenomics complemented taxon-based analyses in the task of classifying microbial communities involved in wastewater treatment systems. The observed taxonomic dissimilarity between full-scale WWTPs receiving influent types with varied compositions, as well as the inferred taxonomic and functional assignment of recovered genomes from each metagenome, were consistent with underlying differences in the abundance of distinctive sets of functional categories. These conclusions were robust with respect to plant configuration, operational and environmental conditions, and even differences in laboratory protocols.

IMPORTANCE
This work contributes to the elucidation of drivers of microbial community assembly in wastewater treatment systems. Our results are significant because they provide clear evidence that bacterial communities in WWTPs assemble mainly according to influent wastewater characteristics. Differences in bacterial community structures between WWTPs were consistent with differences in the abundance of distinctive sets of functional categories, which were related to the metabolic potential that would be expected according to the source of the wastewater.
Draft Genome Sequences of Vancomycin-Intermediate Staphylococcus aureus Strains in South Korea
Authors: Kim Jung Wook , Yoo Jae Il , Kang Gi Su , Lee Yeong Seon , Yu Jae-Yon , Park Chan , Kim Il-Hwan
Published: June 2016

We report here the draft genome sequences of four vancomycin-intermediate
Staphylococcus aureus
(VISA) strains from South Korean hospitals participating in a nationwide laboratory surveillance program for vancomycin-intermediate and vancomycin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
. All strains harbor mutations in the
walKR
,
graSR
, and/or
rpoB
genes that are known frequently mutated determinants of VISA.
Genome Sequence of Lactobacillus johnsonii Strain W1, Isolated from Mice
Authors: Wu Xiaolin , Zhao Chunyan , Guo Zhonghe , Hao Yuchong , Li Jinghua , Shi Hongyan , Sun Yanbo
Published: June 2016

Lactobacillus johnsonii
, a member of the gut lactobacilli, plays an important role in normal gut functioning. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of
L. johnsonii
strain W1 isolated from ICR mice.
Draft Genome Sequence of Bacillus farraginis R-6540
T
(DSM 16013), a Spore-Forming Bacterium Isolated at Dairy Farms
Authors: Wang Jie-ping , Liu Bo , Liu Guo-hong , Ge Ci-bin , Xiao Rong-feng , Zheng Xue-fang , Shi Huai
Published: June 2016

Bacillus farraginis
R-6540
T
is a Gram-positive, aerobic, and spore-forming bacterium with very high intrinsic heat resistance. Here, we report the 5.32-Mb draft genome sequence of
B. farraginis
R-6540
T
, which is the first genome sequence of this species and will promote its fundamental research.
Complete Genome Sequences of Four Strains from the 2015-2016 Elizabethkingia anophelis Outbreak
Authors: Nicholson Ainsley C. , Whitney Anne M. , Emery Brian D. , Bell Melissa E. , Gartin Jarrett T. , Humrighouse Ben W. , Loparev Vladimir N. , Batra Dhwani , Sheth Mili , Rowe Lori A. , Juieng Phalasy , Knipe Kristen , Gulvik Christopher , McQuiston John R.
Published: June 2016

The complete circularized genome sequences of selected specimens from the largest known
Elizabethkingia anophelis
outbreak to date are described here. Genomic rearrangements observed among the outbreak strains are discussed.
Draft Genome Sequences of
Kosmotoga
sp. Strain DU53 and Kosmotoga arenicorallina S304
Authors: Pollo Stephen M. J. , Charchuk Rhianna , Nesbø Camilla L.
Published: June 2016

Here, we announce the draft genome sequences of two thermophilic
Thermotogae
bacteria:
Kosmotoga
sp. strain DU53, isolated from a continental oil reservoir, and
Kosmotoga arenicorallina
, isolated from hydrothermal sediments. The sequences will provide further insight into evolution of the
Kosmotogales
.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Chryseobacterium
sp. Strain GSE06, a Biocontrol Endophytic Bacterium Isolated from Cucumber (
Cucumis sativus
)
Authors: Jeong Jin-Ju , Park Byeong Hyeok , Park Hongjae , Choi In-Geol , Kim Ki Deok
Published: June 2016

Chryseobacterium
sp. strain GSE06 is a biocontrol endophytic bacterium against the destructive soilborne oomycete
Phytophthora capsici,
which causes Phytophthora blight of pepper. Here, we present its draft genome sequence, which contains genes related to biocontrol traits, such as colonization, antimicrobial activity, plant growth promotion, and abiotic or biotic stress adaptation.
Genome Sequences of Pseudomonas oryzihabitans Phage POR1 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa Phage PAE1
Authors: Dyson Zoe A. , Seviour Robert J. , Tucci Joseph , Petrovski Steve
Published: June 2016

We report the genome sequences of two double-stranded DNA siphoviruses, POR1 infective for
Pseudomonas oryzihabitans
and PAE1 infective for
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
. The phage POR1 genome showed no nucleotide sequence homology to any other DNA phage sequence in the GenBank database, while phage PAE1 displayed synteny to
P. aeruginosa
phages M6, MP1412, and YuA.
Preventing overuse shoulder injuries among throwing athletes: a cluster-randomised controlled trial in 660 elite handball players
Authors: Andersson Stig Haugsboe , Bahr Roald , Clarsen Benjamin , Myklebust Grethe
Published: June 2016

Background

Shoulder problems are highly prevalent among elite handball players. Reduced glenohumeral rotation, external rotation weakness and scapula dyskinesis have been identified as risk factors.

Aim

Evaluate the effect of an exercise programme designed to reduce the prevalence of shoulder problems in elite handball.

Methods

45 elite handball teams (22 female teams, 23 male teams, 660 players) were cluster randomised (22 teams, 331 players in the intervention group, 23 teams, 329 players in the control group) and followed for 1 competitive season (7 months). The Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center (OSTRC) Shoulder Injury Prevention Programme, an exercise programme to increase glenohumeral internal rotation, external rotation strength and scapular muscle strength, as well as improve kinetic chain and thoracic mobility, was delivered by coaches and captains 3 times per week as a part of the handball warm-up. The main outcome measures, prevalence of shoulder problems and substantial shoulder problems, were measured monthly.

Results

The average prevalence of shoulder problems during the season was 17% (95% CI 16% to 19%) in the intervention group and 23% (95% CI 21% to 26%) in the control group (mean difference 6%). The average prevalence of substantial shoulder problems was 5% (95% CI 4% to 6%) in the intervention group and 8% (95% CI 7% to 9%) in the control group (mean difference 3%). Using generalised estimating equation models, a 28% lower risk of shoulder problems (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.52 to 0.98, p=0.038) and 22% lower risk of substantial shoulder problems (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.53 to 1.16, p=0.23) were observed in the intervention group compared with the control group.

Conclusions

The OSTRC Shoulder Injury Prevention Programme reduced the prevalence of shoulder problems in elite handball and should be included as a part of the warm-up.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN96217107.
Fetal umbilical artery Doppler pulsatility index and childhood neurocognitive outcome at 12 years
Authors: Mone Fionnuala , McConnell Barbara , Thompson Andrew , Segurado Ricardo , Hepper Peter , Stewart Moira C , Dornan James C , Ong Stephen , McAuliffe Fionnuala M , Shields Michael D
Published: June 2016

Objective

To determine whether an elevated fetal umbilical artery Doppler (UAD) pulsatility index (PI) at 28 weeks’ gestation, in the absence of fetal growth restriction (FGR) and prematurity, is associated with adverse neurocognitive outcome in children aged 12 years.

Methods

Prospective cohort study, comparing children with a normal fetal UAD PI (<90th centile) (n=110) and those with an elevated PI (≥90th centile) (n=40). UAD was performed at 28, 32 and 34 weeks gestation. At 12 years of age, all children were assessed under standardised conditions at Queen's University, Belfast, UK to determine cognitive and behavioural outcomes using the British Ability Score-II and Achenbach Child Behavioural Checklist Parent Rated Version under standardised conditions. Regression analysis was performed, controlling for confounders such as gender, socioeconomic status and age at assessment.

Results

The mean age of follow-up was 12.4 years (±0.5 SD) with 44% of children male (n=63). When UAD was assessed at 28 weeks, the elevated fetal UAD group had lower scores in cognitive assessments of information processing and memory. Parameters included (1) recall of objects immediate verbal (p=0.002), (2) delayed verbal (p=0.008) and (3) recall of objects immediate spatial (p=0.0016). There were no significant differences between the Doppler groups at 32 or 34 weeks' gestation.

Conclusions

An elevated UAD PI at 28 weeks' gestation in the absence of FGR or prematurity is associated with lower scores of declarative memory in children aged 12 years. A potential explanation for this is an element of placental insufficiency in the presence of the appropriately grown fetus, which affects the development of the fetal hippocampus and information processing and memory long-term. These findings, however, had no impact on overall academic ability, mental processing and reasoning or overall behavioural function.
Tai Chi for stroke rehabilitation: protocol for a systematic review
Authors: Zhang Yong , Wang Shanshan , Chen Pei , Zhu Xiaoshu , Li Zongheng
Published: June 2016

Introduction

Stroke is a major cause of death and disability, and imposes a huge burden and significant workload for patients, their families and society. As a special form of physical activity, Tai Chi is may be useful for stroke rehabilitation. The objective of this review is to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of Tai Chi for rehabilitation in stroke patients.

Methods and analysis

We will conduct a systematic search of the following electronic databases from their inception to 31 October 2015: MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, the Chinese BioMedical Literature Database (CBM), the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), the Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database (VIP), Wanfang and the Chinese Dissertation Database. All relevant randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in English and Chinese will be included. The main outcomes will be changes in the neurological function of patients and in independence in activities of daily living. Adverse events, adherence, costs and the cost effectiveness of Tai Chi will also be assessed. Two independent reviewers will select studies, extract data and assess quality. Review Manager 5.3 will be used for assessment of risk of bias, data synthesis and subgroup analysis.

Ethics and dissemination

This systematic review does not require formal ethical approval because all data will be analysed anonymously. Results will provide a general overview and evidence concerning the efficacy and safety of Tai Chi for stroke rehabilitation. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications.

Trial registration number

CRD42015026999.