bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Molecular and Biochemical Characterization of Two Xylanase-Encoding Genes from
Cellulomonas pachnodae
Authors: Cazemier Anne E. , Verdoes Jan C. , van Ooyen Albert J. J. , Op den Camp Huub J. M. 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACT

Two xylanase-encoding genes, named
xyn11A
and
xyn10B
, were isolated from a genomic library of
Cellulomonas pachnodae
by expression in
Escherichia coli
. The deduced polypeptide, Xyn11A, consists of 335 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 34,383 Da. Different domains could be identified in the Xyn11A protein on the basis of homology searches. Xyn11A contains a catalytic domain belonging to family 11 glycosyl hydrolases and a C-terminal xylan binding domain, which are separated from the catalytic domain by a typical linker sequence. Binding studies with native Xyn11A and a truncated derivative of Xyn11A, lacking the putative binding domain, confirmed the function of the two domains. The second xylanase, designated Xyn10B, consists of 1,183 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 124,136 Da. Xyn10B also appears to be a modular protein, but typical linker sequences that separate the different domains were not identified. It comprises a N-terminal signal peptide followed by a stretch of amino acids that shows homology to thermostabilizing domains. Downstream of the latter domain, a catalytic domain specific for family 10 glycosyl hydrolases was identified. A truncated derivative of Xyn10B bound tightly to Avicel, which was in accordance with the identified cellulose binding domain at the C terminus of Xyn10B on the basis of homology.
C. pachnodae
, a (hemi)cellulolytic bacterium that was isolated from the hindgut of herbivorous
Pachnoda marginata
larvae, secretes at least two xylanases in the culture fluid. Although both Xyn11A and Xyn10B had the highest homology to xylanases from
Cellulomonas fimi
, distinct differences in the molecular organizations of the xylanases from the two
Cellulomonas
species were identified.
Synergistic Actions of Nisin, Sublethal Ultrahigh Pressure, and Reduced Temperature on Bacteria and Yeast
Authors: ter Steeg Pieter F. , Hellemons Johan C. , Kok Anja E. 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACT

Nisin in combination with ultrahigh-pressure treatment (UHP) showed strong synergistic effects against
Lactobacillus plantarum
and
Escherichia coli
at reduced temperatures (<15°C). The strongest inactivation effects were observed when nisin was present during pressure treatment and in the recovery medium. Elimination (>6-log reductions) of
L. plantarum
was achieved at 10°C with synergistic combinations of 0.5 μg of nisin per ml at 150 MPa and 0.1 μg of nisin per ml at 200 MPa for 10 min. Additive effects of nisin and UHP accounted for only 1.2- and 3.7-log reductions, respectively. Elimination was also achieved for
E. coli
at 10°C with nisin present at 2 μg/ml, and 10 min of pressure at 200 MPa, whereas the additive effect accounted for only 2.6-log reductions. Slight effects were observed even against the yeast
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
with nisin present at 5 μg/ml and with 200 MPa of pressure. Combining nisin, UHP, and lowered temperature may allow considerable reduction in time and/or pressure of UHP treatments. Kill can be complete without the frequently encountered survival tails in UHP processing. The slightly enhanced synergistic kill with UHP at reduced temperatures was also observed for other antimicrobials, the synthetic peptides MB21 and histatin 5. The postulated mode of action was that the reduced temperature and the binding of peptides to the membrane increased the efficacy of UHP treatment. The increases in fatty acid saturation or diphosphatidylglycerol content and the lysylphosphatidyl content of the cytoplasm membrane of
L. plantarum
were correlated with increased susceptibility to UHP and nisin, respectively.
Development and Application of Pathovar-Specific Monoclonal Antibodies That Recognize the Lipopolysaccharide O Antigen and the Type IV Fimbriae of
Xanthomonas hyacinthi
Authors: van Doorn J. , Ojanen-Reuhs T. , Hollinger T. C. , Reuhs B. L. , Schots A. , Boonekamp P. M. , Oudega B. 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to develop a specific immunological diagnostic assay for yellow disease in hyacinths, using monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). Mice were immunized with a crude cell wall preparation (shear fraction) from
Xanthomonas hyacinthi
and with purified type IV fimbriae. Hybridomas were screened for a positive reaction with
X. hyacinthi
cells or fimbriae and for a negative reaction with
X. translucens
pv. graminis or
Erwinia carotovora
subsp.
carotovora
. Nine MAbs recognized fimbrial epitopes, as shown by immunoblotting, immunofluorescence, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and immunoelectron microscopy; however, three of these MAbs had weak cross-reactions with two
X. translucens
pathovars in immunoblotting experiments. Seven MAbs reacted with lipopolysaccharides and yielded a low-mobility ladder pattern on immunoblots. Subsequent analysis of MAb 2E5 showed that it specifically recognized an epitope on the O antigen, which was found to consist of rhamnose and fucose in a 2:1 molar ratio. The cross-reaction of MAb 2E5 with all
X. hyacinthi
strains tested showed that this O antigen is highly conserved within this species. MAb 1B10 also reacted with lipopolysaccharides. MAbs 2E5 and 1B10 were further tested in ELISA and immunoblotting experiments with cells and extracts from other pathogens. No cross-reaction was found with 27 other
Xanthomonas
pathovars tested or with 14 other bacterial species from other genera, such as
Erwinia
and
Pseudomonas
, indicating the high specificity of these antibodies. MAbs 2E5 and 1B10 were shown to be useful in ELISA for the detection of
X. hyacinthi
in infected hyacinths.
Identification of Bacterial Species Associated with the Sheep Scab Mite (
Psoroptes ovis
) by Using Amplified Genes Coding for 16S rRNA
Authors: Hogg J. C. , Lehane M. J. 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACT

This was the first molecular study of the bacterial flora of the sheep scab mite (
Psoroptes ovis
). A sequence analysis of genes coding for 16S rRNA revealed that
Serratia marcescens
and bacteria closely related to
Staphylococcus intermedius
or
Staphylococcus chromogens
and
Alloiococcus otitidis
were present. These bacteria were associated with skin lesions, dermatitis, and otitis media caused by
P. ovis
.
Clostridium difficile
Cell Attachment Is Modified by Environmental Factors
Authors: Waligora Anne-Judith , Barc Marie-Claude , Bourlioux Pierre , Collignon Anne , Karjalainen Tuomo 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACT

Adherence of
Clostridium difficile
to Vero cells under anaerobic conditions was increased by a high sodium concentration, calcium-rich medium, an acidic pH, and iron starvation. The level of adhesion of nontoxigenic strains was comparable to that of toxigenic strains. Depending on the bacterial culture conditions, Vero cells could bind to one, two, or three bacterial surface proteins with molecular masses of 70, 50, and 40 kDa.
Detection of Verrucomicrobia in a Pasture Soil by PCR-Mediated Amplification of 16S rRNA Genes
Authors: O’Farrell Katrina A. , Janssen Peter H. 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACT

Oligonucleotide primers were designed and used to amplify, by PCR, partial 16S rRNA genes of members of the bacterial division
Verrucomicrobia
in DNA extracted from a pasture soil. By applying most-probable-number theory to the assay, verrucomicrobia appeared to contribute some 0.2% of the soil DNA. Amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis of 53 cloned PCR-amplified partial 16S rRNA gene fragments and comparative sequence analysis of 21 nonchimeric partial 16S rRNA genes showed that these primers amplified only 16S rRNA genes of members of the
Verrucomicrobia
in DNA extracted from the soil.
Impact of
rpoS
Deletion on
Escherichia coli
Biofilms
Authors: Adams Jennifer L. , McLean Robert J. C. 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACT

Slow growth has been hypothesized to be an essential aspect of bacterial physiology within biofilms. In order to test this hypothesis, we employed two strains of
Escherichia coli
, ZK126 (Δ
lacZ rpoS
+
) and its isogenic Δ
rpoS
derivative, ZK1000. These strains were grown at two rates (0.033 and 0.0083 h
−1
) in a glucose-limited chemostat which was coupled either to a modified Robbins device containing plugs of silicone rubber urinary catheter material or to a glass flow cell. The presence or absence of
rpoS
did not significantly affect planktonic growth of
E. coli
. In contrast, biofilm cell density in the
rpoS
mutant strain (ZK1000), as measured by determining the number of CFU per square centimeter, was reduced by 50% (
P
< 0.05). Deletion of
rpoS
caused differences in biofilm cell arrangement, as seen by scanning confocal laser microscopy. In reporter gene experiments, similar levels of
rpoS
expression were seen in chemostat-grown planktonic and biofilm populations at a growth rate of 0.033 h
−1
. Overall, these studies suggest that
rpoS
is important for biofilm physiology.
Comparison between electronic and paper versions of patient-reported outcome measures in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: an observational study with a cross-over administration
Authors: Nishimura Koichi , Kusunose Masaaki , Sanda Ryo , Tsuji Yousuke , Hasegawa Yoshinori , Oga Toru 
Published: December 2019

ObjectivesA wide range of electronic devices can be used for data collection of patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although comparisons between electronic and paper-based PRO measures have been undertaken in asthmatics, it is currently uncertain whether electronic questionnaires work equally as well as paper versions in elderly subjects with COPD. The aim of this study was to compare the responses to paper and electronic versions of the Evaluating Respiratory Symptoms in COPD (E-RS) and the COPD Assessment Test (CAT).DesignA randomised cross-over design was used to compare the responses to paper and electronic versions of the two tools. The interval between the two administrations was 1 week.SettingElectronic versions were self-administered under supervision using a tablet computer at our outpatient clinic (secondary care hospital in Japan) while paper questionnaires completed at home were requested to be returned by mail. It was intended that half of the patients completed the electronic versions of both questionnaires first, followed by the paper versions while the other half completed the paper versions ﬁrst.ParticipantsEighty-one subjects with stable COPD were included.ResultsThe E-RS total scores (possible range 0–40) were 6.8±7.4 and 5.0±6.6 in the paper-based and electronic versions, respectively, and the CAT scores (possible range 0–40) were 10.0±7.4 and 8.6±7.8. In both questionnaires, higher scores indicate worse status. The relationship between electronic and paper versions showed significant reliability for both the E-RS total score and CAT score (intraclass correlation coefficient=0.82 and 0.89, respectively; both p<0.001). However, both the E-RS total and CAT scores were significantly higher in the paper versions (p<0.05).ConclusionsIn both cases, the two versions of the same questionnaire cannot be used interchangeably even though they have both been validated.
THE EFFECT OF ORGANISATIONAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL READINESS ON ORGANISATIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND PERFORMANCE OF CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT THROUGH KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT PROCESS IN KNOWLEDGE-BASED AND TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES
Authors: NAZARPOURI AMIR HOOSHANG , SEPAHVAND REZA , FELI RAZIEH 
Published: December 2019

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of organisational and technological readiness on organisational intelligence and the performance of customer relationship management through the knowledge management process. In terms of purpose, this study is an applied research which in respect to data collection is descriptive-causal and a quantitative research. The statistical population of the research was composed of senior managers of knowledge-based and technology-driven companies in Lorestan Province. The number of mentioned companies was 108, so the statistical society was considered to consist of 108 people (director generals). The sample size was estimated by using Cochran formula for specific societies as 85 persons, who were selected randomly. The data gathering tool was a questionnaire of which reliability and validity were confirmed by statistical tests. To analyze the data, descriptive and inferential statistics (normality test, correlation test and Structural Equation Modeling test) were used as well as SPSS and SMART partial least squares (PLS) software programs. The results of the structural equation modelling test showed that technological readiness and organisational readiness have a positive and significant effect on the variable of the knowledge management process, and through this variable, they also indirectly affect the organisational intelligence and the performance of customer relationship management. The knowledge management process has a positive effect on two variables of organisational intelligence and the performance of customer relationship management, and it also indirectly affects the performance of customer relationship management via organisational intelligence. Finally, the results showed that organisational intelligence has a positive and significant effect on the performance of customer relationship management.
A proteção interamericana do direito humano e social à saúde
Authors: Maas Rosana Helena , Daroit Ana Paula 
Published: December 2019

O objetivo deste artigo é estudar a proteção do direito humano e social à saúde tanto na legislação como na jurisprudência interamericanas, a fim de estabelecer os contornos desse direito no contexto interamericano de proteção aos direitos humanos. Nesse sentido, a problemática a ser enfrentada consiste em: como o direito à saúde é protegido pelo sistema interamericano de direitos humanos e na jurisprudência da Corte Interamericana de Direitos Humanos? Para dar conta dessa tarefa, foram utilizados o método de abordagem dedutivo, o procedimento analítico e a técnica de pesquisa bibliográfica. A importância do presente estudo também está atrelada ao enfrentamento do tema da justiciabilidade dos direitos sociais, principalmente do direito à saúde, no âmbito da Corte Interamericana. Ao final, verificou-se que o direito à saúde recebe respaldo no artigo 26 da Convenção Americana de Direitos Humanos, que trata do desenvolvimento progressivo dos direitos econômicos, sociais e culturais, permitindo sua justiciabilidade. Todavia, até 2018 não havia na jurisprudência da Corte Interamericana uma garantia do direito à saúde como um direito autônomo – o que somente ocorreu com o caso Poblete Vilches e outros versus Chile. Até então, o direito à saúde contava com uma proteção via direitos civis e políticos, ou seja, indireta.
Impact of Baseline Glycemic Control on Residual Cardiovascular Risk in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus and High‐Risk Vascular Disease Treated With Statin Therapy
Authors: Menon Venu , Kumar Anirudh , Patel Divyang R. , St. John Julie , Wolski Kathy E. , McErlean Ellen , Riesmeyer Jeffrey S. , Weerakkody Govinda , Ruotolo Giacomo , Cremer Paul C. , Nicholls Stephen J. , Lincoff A. Michael , Nissen Steven E. 
Published: December 2019

Background

The contemporary impact of glycemic control on patients with diabetes mellitus at high cardiovascular risk remains unclear. We evaluated the utility of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) as a marker of risk on the composite end point of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, stroke, hospitalization for unstable angina, and coronary revascularization in an optimally treated population with diabetes mellitus and established coronary artery disease enrolled in the
ACCELERATE
(Assessment of Clinical Effects of Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein Inhibition With Evacetrapib in Patients at a High Risk for Vascular Outcomes) trial.

Methods and Results

We included all patients with established diabetes mellitus and measured HbA1c (N=8145) and estimated Kaplan‐Meier (KM) events rates, stratified by increasing baseline HbA1c levels censored at 30 months. We then performed a multivariable regression for the primary end point. Increasing baseline HbA1c was strongly associated with the occurrence of the primary end point (KM estimate, 12.6–18.2;
P
<0.001). Increasing baseline HbA1c was also associated with the triple end point of death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and stroke (KM estimate, 7.8–11.3;
P
=0.003) as well as the individual end points of nonfatal myocardial infarction (KM estimate, 3.1–7.0;
P
<0.001), hospitalization for unstable angina (KM estimate, 1.8–5.0;
P
=0.003), and revascularization (KM estimate, 7.3–11.1;
P
=0.001), although not stroke (KM estimate, 1.4–2.4;
P
=0.45). The rates of cardiovascular mortality (KM estimate, 2.6–4.3;
P
=0.21) and all‐cause mortality (
KM
estimate, 4.8–5.9;
P
=0.21) were similar regardless of baseline HbA1c levels. When adjusting for relevant baseline characteristics, baseline HbA1c was an independent predictor for the primary end point (hazard ratio, 1.06; 95%
CI
, 1.02–1.11;
P
=0.003).

Conclusions
Glycemic control, as measured by HbA1c, remains strongly and independently associated with cardiovascular outcomes in high‐risk patients with diabetes mellitus on statin therapy.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL
:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier:
NCT
01687998.
Chardin’s Divine Milieu as Touchstone
Authors: Melfi Mary Ann 
Published: December 2019

AbstractChardin wrote The Divine Milieu in 1927 (published in 1957). Waugh could not have known Chardin’s essay before the publication of Brideshead Revisited, but he demonstrates similar ideas concerning one’s spiritual development. A primary goal of both writers was to reconcile the apparent duality of matter and spirit. They argue for the necessity of individual freedom in one’s spiritual search, the value of creative work of all kinds in building spiritual insight, and the importance of perceiving divine influence at the center of all things.
Dealing with Hate Speech
Authors: Ahn Ji-Hyun , Park Hyewon 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Anti-Korean hate speech has become a serious social problem in recent years in Japan. In order to address the growing concern about the issue, Japan’s National Diet passed an anti-hate speech law in 2016. While some legal actions have been taken as a result and there has been some recent academic research into the social production of hate speech, relatively little effort has been made to investigate how the targeted group understands and deals with this form of hostility. Our aim here is to document the ways in which young Koreans who have been living in Japan for greater or lesser lengths of time perceive the rise in hate speech directed against them there and their strategies for coping with it. We explore these issues through an analysis of in-depth interviews with 14 young Koreans, for we seek to shift the focus of hate speech away from the “act” and toward its “targets.”
Temple Towns and Nation Building: Migrations of Babylonian Priestly Families in the Late Periods
Authors: Beaulieu Paul-Alain 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
This article surveys the Babylonian evidence from inter-city migration of priests and their families. The phenomenon is already attested during the Old Babylonian period and there are some indications that it continued under Kassite rule. However, most of the evidence comes from temple archives of the first millennium and is heavily concentrated during the long sixth century (ca. 626–484 BC). Although many studies have identified specific cases of priestly migrations, the phenomenon has not yet been assessed in its entirety. The article concludes that such migrations were far more common than previously thought. They were motivated primarily by political reasons such as imposing the cult of official deities in local sanctuaries, or the need to maintain a memory landscape of venerable cult centers.
Urukean Priests and the Neo-Babylonian State
Authors: Jursa Michael , Gordin Shai 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
The paper is constructed around a short micro-historical portrait of a priestly family active in Uruk in the sixth century BCE. This introduces two interrelated issues that the paper will subsequently discuss with a view towards a contextualization of the family in question: the interaction between the Neo-Babylonian state and priests outside the capital city, and the drive towards inter-temple interaction and standardization of procedures based on the model of Esangila, the Marduk temple in the capital.
Prebends and Prebendaries in Old Babylonian Nippur
Authors: Meinhold Wiebke 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Office holders in Babylonian temples were provided with an income, a prebend, by the temples in return for their services. In the Old Babylonian period these prebendaries do not occur in ritual texts but are well attested in legal documents. The extensive evidence from Old Babylonian Nippur gives a rough impression of the tasks of these prebendaries and of their remuneration. Moreover, it sheds light on prebend-related economic transactions including inheritance, exchange, and purchase. The development of prebend prices, their suitability for financial investments, their appearance in inheritance divisions and the possession of prebends by women are also addressed.
Identity Through Appearance: Babylonian Priestly Clothing During the 1st Millennium BC
Authors: Quillien Louise 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Through a study of Babylonian priestly clothing, one can see the social role and attitudes of priests in Babylonian cities, not only when they worship deities, but also in their daily lives. Information on priests’ clothing is rare in cuneiform texts. A Hellenistic ritual from Uruk gives interesting insights that one can compare with the data from the daily records from the Neo-Babylonian period. It appears that outside the temple, the priests wore “civil” clothes. Religious garments were kept in particular rooms of the temples, and their terminology is archaic and similar to the garments of the gods. During worship, each category of priest had its own specific dress identifying its status and its role in the rituals. These garments were sometimes adorned with motifs representing celestial symbols or protective deities.
The Denial of Oral Hearings by International Administrative Tribunals as a Factor for Lifting Organizational Immunity before European Courts
Authors: Treichl Clemens 
Published: December 2019

Although formally provided for in particular statutes, certain international administrative tribunals continue to hold oral hearings—if at all—only on the rarest of occasions. With specific attention to the International Labour Organization Administrative Tribunal, the present paper aims 1) at recapitulating essential holdings of the European Court of Human Rights with regard to the right to access to a court in the context of employment-related claims against international organizations; and 2) at examining the relevance of oral hearings in the determination of proportionality of organizational immunity. The analysis shows that, in principle, the denial of oral hearings by international administrative tribunals results in the duty of states to afford individuals access to a court. In the realm of international law, a conflict with the obligation to grant immunity ensues. As yet, domestic courts have remained reluctant to overrule immunity on human rights grounds.