bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Survival in northern microrefugia in an endemic Carpathian gammarid (Crustacea: Amphipoda)
Authors: Copilaş‐Ciocianu Denis , Zimţa Alina‐Andreea , Grabowski Michał , Petrusek Adam 
Published: April 2018

Gammarus leopoliensis (Crustacea: Amphipoda) is considered a north‐eastern Carpathian endemic species and therefore can be regarded as an appropriate model for testing the hypothesis of Quaternary glacial survival in northern microrefugia. However, 250 km south, the south‐western Carpathians harbour populations that resemble phenotypically both G. leopoliensis and Gammarus kischineffensis, a similar species distributed east of the Carpathians. We used maximum‐likelihood and Bayesian methods to evaluate the phylogenetic relationships of these three taxa based on mitochondrial and nuclear markers, and quantitatively compared diversity patterns, phylogeography and divergence times among north‐eastern and south‐western Carpathian taxa. Results indicate that G. leopoliensis and the south‐western populations form together a strongly supported group (G. leopoliensis s.l.) which, along with G. kischineffensis, belongs to the Gammarus balcanicus clade. This group contains 12 lineages mainly of Pliocene age. G. leopoliensis consists of two widely distributed and recently expanded allopatric sister lineages that diverged from the southern ones ca. 4 Ma, indicating long‐term survival in northern microrefugia. The southern lineages are micro‐endemic and display a scattered distribution, suggesting a more ancient, relict pattern. We conclude that the contrasting diversity patterns between the disjunct distributional areas of G. leopoliensis s.l. reflect differential survival of lineages across the latitudinal gradient, offering a promising system for comparing the evolutionary ecology of lineages persisting in latitudinally disconnected microrefugia. These results fill an important gap in the knowledge of European gammarid biogeography and reveal that all Carpathian Gammarus taxa are ancient and diverse species complexes.
Effect of centrally acting angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor on the exercise‐induced increases in muscle sympathetic nerve activity
Authors: Moralez Gilbert , Jouett Noah P. , Tian Jun , Zimmerman Matthew C. , Bhella Paul , Raven Peter B. 
Published: April 2018

Key points
The arterial baroreflex's operating point pressure is reset upwards and rightwards from rest in direct relation to the increases in dynamic exercise intensity.
The intraneural pathways and signalling mechanisms that lead to upwards and rightwards resetting of the operating point pressure, and hence the increases in central sympathetic outflow during exercise, remain to be identified.
We tested the hypothesis that the central production of angiotensin II during dynamic exercise mediates the increases in sympathetic outflow and, therefore, the arterial baroreflex operating point pressure resetting during acute and prolonged dynamic exercise.
The results identify that perindopril, a centrally acting angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, markedly attenuates the central sympathetic outflow during acute and prolonged dynamic exercise.
AbstractWe tested the hypothesis that the signalling mechanisms associated with the dynamic exercise intensity related increases in muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) and arterial baroreflex resetting during exercise are located within the central nervous system. Participants performed three randomly ordered trials of 70° upright back‐supported dynamic leg cycling after ingestion of placebo and two different lipid soluble angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi): perindopril (high lipid solubility), captopril (low lipid solubility). Repeated measurements of whole venous blood (n = 8), MSNA (n = 7) and arterial blood pressures (n = 14) were obtained at rest and during an acute (SS1) and prolonged (SS2) bout of steady state dynamic exercise. Arterial baroreflex function curves were modelled at rest and during exercise. Peripheral venous superoxide concentrations measured by electron spin resonance spectroscopy were elevated during exercise and were not altered by ACEi at rest (P ≥ 0.4) or during exercise (P ≥ 0.3). Baseline MSNA and mean arterial pressure were unchanged at rest (P ≥ 0.1; P ≥ 0.8, respectively). However, during both SS1 and SS2, the centrally acting ACEi perindopril attenuated MSNA compared to captopril and the placebo (P < 0.05). Arterial pressures at the operating point and threshold pressures were decreased with perindopril from baseline to SS1 with no further changes in the operating point pressure during SS2 under all three conditions. These data suggest that centrally acting ACEi is significantly more effective at attenuating the increase in the acute and prolonged exercise‐induced increases in MSNA.
Biosynthesis of Tropolones in Streptomyces spp.: Interweaving Biosynthesis and Degradation of Phenylacetic Acid and Hydroxylations on the Tropone Ring
Authors: Chen Xuefei , Xu Min , Lü Jin , Xu Jianguo , Wang Yemin , Lin Shuangjun , Deng Zixin , Tao Meifeng 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACT

Tropolonoids are important natural products that contain a unique seven-membered aromatic tropolone core and exhibit remarkable biological activities. 3,7-Dihydroxytropolone (DHT) isolated from
Streptomyces
species is a multiply hydroxylated tropolone exhibiting antimicrobial, anticancer, and antiviral activities. In this study, we determined the DHT biosynthetic pathway by heterologous expression, gene deletion, and biotransformation. Nine
trl
genes and some of the aerobic phenylacetic acid degradation pathway genes (
paa
) located outside the
trl
biosynthetic gene cluster are required for the heterologous production of DHT. The
trlA
gene encodes a single-domain protein homologous to the C-terminal enoyl coenzyme A (enoyl-CoA) hydratase domain of PaaZ. TrlA truncates the phenylacetic acid catabolic pathway and redirects it toward the formation of heptacyclic intermediates. TrlB is a 3-deoxy-
d
-arabino-heptulosonic acid-7-phosphate (DAHP) synthase homolog. TrlH is an unusual bifunctional protein bearing an N-terminal prephenate dehydratase domain and a C-terminal chorismate mutase domain. TrlB and TrlH enhanced
de novo
biosynthesis of phenylpyruvate, thereby providing abundant precursor for the prolific production of DHT in
Streptomyces
spp. Six seven-membered carbocyclic compounds were identified from the
trlC
,
trlD
,
trlE
, and
trlF
deletion mutants. Four of these chemicals, including 1,4,6-cycloheptatriene-1-carboxylic acid, tropone, tropolone, and 7-hydroxytropolone, were verified as key biosynthetic intermediates. TrlF is required for the conversion of 1,4,6-cycloheptatriene-1-carboxylic acid into tropone. The monooxygenases TrlE and TrlCD catalyze the regioselective hydroxylations of tropone to produce DHT. This study reveals a natural association of anabolism of chorismate and phenylpyruvate, catabolism of phenylacetic acid, and biosynthesis of tropolones in
Streptomyces
spp.

IMPORTANCE
Tropolonoids are promising drug lead compounds because of the versatile bioactivities attributed to their highly oxidized seven-membered aromatic ring scaffolds. Our present study provides clear insight into the biosynthesis of 3,7-dihydroxytropolone (DHT) through the identification of key genes responsible for the formation and modification of the seven-membered aromatic core. We also reveal the intrinsic mechanism of elevated production of DHT and related tropolonoids in
Streptomyces
spp. The study on DHT biosynthesis in
Streptomyces
exhibits a good example of antibiotic production in which both anabolic and catabolic pathways of primary metabolism are interwoven into the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. Furthermore, our study sets the stage for metabolic engineering of the biosynthetic pathway for natural tropolonoid products and provides alternative synthetic biology tools for engineering novel tropolonoids.
Uniform and Pitting Corrosion of Carbon Steel by Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 under Nitrate-Reducing Conditions
Authors: Miller Robert B. , Lawson Kenton , Sadek Anwar , Monty Chelsea N. , Senko John M. 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACTDespite observations of steel corrosion in nitrate-reducing environments, processes of nitrate-dependent microbially influenced corrosion (MIC) remain poorly understood and difficult to identify. We evaluated carbon steel corrosion byShewanella oneidensisMR-1 under nitrate-reducing conditions using a split-chamber/zero-resistance ammetry (ZRA) technique. This approach entails the deployment of two metal (carbon steel 1018 in this case) electrodes into separate chambers of an electrochemical split-chamber unit, where the microbiology or chemistry of the chambers can be manipulated. This approach mimics the conditions of heterogeneous metal coverage that can lead to uniform and pitting corrosion. The current between working electrode 1 (WE1) and WE2 can be used to determine rates, mechanisms, and, we now show, extents of corrosion. WhenS. oneidensiswas incubated in the WE1 chamber with lactate under nitrate-reducing conditions, nitrite transiently accumulated, and electron transfer from WE2 to WE1 occurred as long as nitrite was present. Nitrite in the WE1 chamber (withoutS. oneidensis) induced electron transfer in the same direction, indicating that nitrite cathodically protected WE1 and accelerated the corrosion of WE2. WhenS. oneidensiswas incubated in the WE1 chamber without an electron donor, nitrate reduction proceeded, and electron transfer from WE2 to WE1 also occurred, indicating that the microorganism could use the carbon steel electrode as an electron donor for nitrate reduction. Our results indicate that under nitrate-reducing conditions, uniform and pitting carbon steel corrosion can occur due to nitrite accumulation and the use of steel-Fe(0) as an electron donor, but conditions of sustained nitrite accumulation can lead to more-aggressive corrosive conditions.IMPORTANCEMicrobially influenced corrosion (MIC) causes damage to metals and metal alloys that is estimated to cost over $100 million/year in the United States for prevention, mitigation, and repair. While MIC occurs in a variety of settings and by a variety of organisms, the mechanisms by which microorganisms cause this damage remain unclear. Steel pipe and equipment may be exposed to nitrate, especially in oil and gas production, where this compound is used for corrosion and “souring” control. In this paper, we show uniform and pitting MIC under nitrate-reducing conditions and that a major mechanism by which it occurs is via the heterogeneous cathodic protection of metal surfaces by nitrite as well as by the microbial oxidation of steel-Fe(0).
Cadmium Exposure-Sedum alfredii Planting Interactions Shape the Bacterial Community in the Hyperaccumulator Plant Rhizosphere
Authors: Hou Dandi , Lin Zhi , Wang Runze , Ge Jun , Wei Shuai , Xie Ruohan , Wang Haixin , Wang Kai , Hu Yanfang , Yang Xiaoe , Lu Lingli , Tian Shengke 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACT

Rhizospheric bacteria play important roles in plant tolerance and activation of heavy metals. Understanding the bacterial rhizobiome of hyperaccumulators may contribute to the development of optimized phytoextraction for metal-polluted soils. We used 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to investigate the rhizospheric bacterial communities of the cadmium (Cd) hyperaccumulating ecotype (HE)
Sedum alfredii
in comparison to its nonhyperaccumulating ecotype (NHE). Both planting of two ecotypes of
S. alfredii
and elevated Cd levels significantly decreased bacterial alpha-diversity and altered bacterial community structure in soils. The HE rhizosphere harbored a unique bacterial community differing from those in its bulk soil and NHE counterparts. Several key taxa from
Actinobacteria
,
Bacteroidetes
, and TM7 were especially abundant in HE rhizospheres under high Cd stress. The actinobacterial genus
Streptomyces
was responsible for the majority of the divergence of bacterial community composition between the HE rhizosphere and other soil samples. In the HE rhizosphere, the abundance of
Streptomyces
was 3.31- to 16.45-fold higher than that in other samples under high Cd stress. These results suggested that both the presence of the hyperaccumulator
S. alfredii
and Cd exposure select for a specialized rhizosphere bacterial community during phytoextraction of Cd-contaminated soils and that key taxa, such as the species affiliated with the genus
Streptomyces
, may play an important role in metal hyperaccumulation.

IMPORTANCE
Sedum alfredii
is a well-known Cd hyperaccumulator native to China. Its potential for extracting Cd relies not only on its powerful uptake, translocation, and tolerance for Cd but also on processes underground (especially rhizosphere microbes) that facilitate root uptake and tolerance of the metal. In this study, a high-throughput sequencing approach was applied to gain insight into the soil-plant-microbe interactions that may influence Cd accumulation in the hyperaccumulator
S. alfredii
. Here, we report the investigation of rhizosphere bacterial communities of
S. alfredii
in phytoremediation of different levels of Cd contamination in soils. Moreover, some key taxa in its rhizosphere identified in the study, such as the species affiliated with genus
Streptomyces
, may shed new light on the involvement of bacteria in phytoextraction of contaminated soils and provide new materials for phytoremediation optimization.
First Insight into the Genome Sequence of Clostridium vincentii DSM 10228, Isolated from Sediment of the McMurdo Ice Shelf, Antarctica
Authors: Poehlein Anja , Bolz Simon , Fischer Berenice , Daniel Rolf 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACT

Clostridium vincentii
is an obligate anaerobic, saccharophilic, psychrophilic, Gram-positive, motile, and rod-shaped bacterium. It was isolated from a pond sediment of the McMurdo Ice Shelf, Antarctica.
C. vincentii
produces acetate and formate as main fermentation products. The draft genome consists of one chromosome (3.506 Mb) with 3,379 predicted protein-encoding genes.
Is an enhanced behaviour change intervention cost-effective compared with physiotherapy for patients with chronic low back pain? Results from a multicentre trial in Israel
Authors: Canaway Alastair , Pincus Tamar , Underwood Martin , Shapiro Yair , Chodick Gabriel , Ben-Ami Noa 
Published: April 2018

ObjectiveTo assess the cost-effectiveness of an enhanced transtheoretical model of behaviour change in conjunction with physiotherapy compared with standard care (physiotherapy) in patients with chronic lower back pain (CLBP).DesignCost-utility and cost-effectiveness analyses alongside a multicentre controlled trial from a healthcare perspective with a 1-year time horizon.SettingThe trial was conducted in eight centres within the Sharon district in Israel.Participants220 participants aged between 25 and 55 years who suffered from CLBP for a minimum of 3 months were recruited.InterventionsThe intervention used a model of behaviour change that sought to increase the adherence and implementation of physical activity in conjunction with physiotherapy. The control arm received standard care in the form of physiotherapy.Primary and secondary measuresThe primary outcome was the incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) of the intervention arm compared with standard care. The secondary outcome was the incremental cost per Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire point.ResultsThe cost per QALY point estimate was 10 645 New Israeli shekels (NIS) (£1737.11). There was an 88% chance the intervention was cost-effective at NIS50 000 per QALY threshold. Excluding training costs, the intervention dominated the control arm, resulting in fewer physiotherapy and physician visits while improving outcomes.ConclusionsThe enhanced transtheoretical model intervention appears to be a very cost-effective intervention leading to improved outcomes for low cost. Given limitations within this study, there is justification for examining the intervention within a larger, long-term randomised controlled trial.Trial registration numberNCT01631344; Pre-results.
FAST in the deployed military setting
Authors: Carter Nicholas James , Gay D 
Published: April 2018

IntroductionFocused assessment with sonography in trauma (FAST) is historically an effective method of assessing the patient in the trauma bay in order to aid decision-making and optimise patient outcomes. However, in the UK civilian practice, the use of FAST may decline given a recent change in National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance as a result of improvement in CT availability and resuscitation techniques.MethodIn the Role 3 Medical Treatment Facility, Camp Bastion, 187 patients with trauma who received FAST in the trauma bay in 2014 were reviewed to determine the accuracy of FAST in the deployed environment.ResultsThe data demonstrates the sensitivity and specificity of FAST to be 75% and 99.3%, respectively.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that FAST is accurate on operations. FAST is provided by the integrated radiologist as part of damage control radiology, which gives the team leader rapid diagnostic information to improve decision-making and ultimately patient outcomes. CT is heavily utilised in civilian practice; however, the military operates in a different environment often with multiple casualties and limited access to CT, as a result, portable ultrasound will continue to be a valuable tool on operations if used properly. The next challenge is to develop and maintain this high diagnostic accuracy in future deployments where the memories of our prior success may fade.
Effects of a compression garment on sensory feedback transmission in the human upper limb
Authors: Barss Trevor S. , Pearcey Gregory E. P. , Munro Bridget , Bishop Jennifer L. , Zehr E. Paul 
Published: April 2018

Compression apparel is popular in both medical and sport performance settings. Perceived benefits are suggested to include changes in sensory feedback transmission caused by activation of mechanoreceptors. However, little is known about effects of compression apparel on sensorimotor control. Our purpose was to mechanistically examine whether compression apparel modulates sensory feedback transmission and reaching accuracy in the upper limb. Two experiments were completed under CONTROL and COMPRESSION (sleeve applied across the elbow joint) conditions. M-waves and H-reflexes were elicited by stimulating the median nerve and were recorded via surface electromyography (EMG). In experiment 1, H-reflexes and M-H recruitment curves were assessed at REST, during wrist flexion (10% EMGmax), and during a cutaneous conditioning of the superficial radial (SR) or distal median (MED) nerve. Cutaneous reflexes were elicited during 10% wrist flexion via stimulation of SR or MED. In experiment 2, unconditioned H-reflex measures were assessed at rest, during arm cycling, and during a discrete reaching task. Results indicate that compression apparel modulates spinal cord excitability across multiple sensory pathways and movement tasks. Interestingly, there was a significant improvement in reaching accuracy while wearing the compression sleeve. Taken together, the compression sleeve appears to increase precision and sensitivity around the joint where the sleeve is applied. Compression apparel may function as a “filter” of irrelevant mechanoreceptor information allowing for optimal task-related sensory information to enhance proprioception. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Wearing a customized compression sleeve was shown to alter the excitability of multiple pathways within the central nervous system regardless of conditioning input or movement task and was accompanied by improved accuracy of reaching movements and determination of movement end point. Compression apparel may assist as a type of “filter function” of tonic and nonspecific mechanoreceptor information leading to increased precision and movement sensitivity around the joint where compression is applied.
Vessel Stretching Is a Cause of Lumen Enlargement Immediately After Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty
Authors: Shimokawahara Hiroto , Ogawa Aiko , Mizoguchi Hiroki , Yagi Hiroki , Ikemiyagi Hidekazu , Matsubara Hiromi 
Published: April 2018

Background—
Balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) has become an alternative therapy for patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension who are ineligible for pulmonary endarterectomy. We retrospectively investigated intravascular ultrasound measurements to elucidate how the lumen enlarges immediately after BPA.

Methods and Results—

A total of 326 lesions in 71 patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension were analyzed. The cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of the external elastic membrane and lumen measured by intravascular ultrasound before and after BPA were assessed for each lesion type (type A, ring-like stenosis lesions; type B, web lesions; type C, subtotal occlusion lesions). Comparing the lesion types, the proportion of the area occupied by fibrous tissue was smallest in the type A lesions and largest in the type C lesions. The mean lesion lumen CSA was increased after BPA because of an increase in external elastic membrane CSA (from 23.2±12.9 to 27.2±14.3 mm
2
;
P
<0.001) with a slight decrease in fibrous tissue plus media CSA (from 17.7±11.7 to 17.3±11.1 mm
2
;
P
<0.001). The change in lumen CSA correlated strongly with the change in external elastic membrane CSA (
r
2
=0.762;
P
<0.001).

Conclusions—
Lumen enlargement immediately after BPA was obtained by the overall vessel expansion induced by a stretch of the arterial wall. In addition, the amount of fibrous tissue depended on each lesion type. Thus, it might be beneficial to change the balloon size to correspond with the lesion type.
L’hypothèse de la cessation des mouvements célestes au xive siècle : Nicole Oresme, Jean Buridan et Albert de Saxe
Authors: Panzica Aurora 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
Aristotelian cosmology implies the plurality of celestial motion for the process of generation and corruption in the sublunar world. In order to investigate the structure of the cosmos and the degree of dependence of the sublunar on the supralunar region, medieval Latin commentators on Aristotle explored the consequences of the cessation of celestial motion. This paper analyses the position of some philosophers of the fourteenth-century Parisian school, namely Nicole Oresme, John Buridan and Albert of Saxony.
Aquinas’ Ontology of Transeunt Causal Activity
Authors: Frost Gloria 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
This paper reconstructs and analyzes Thomas Aquinas’ intriguing views on transeunt causal activity, which have been the subject of an interpretive debate spanning from the fifteenth century up until the present. In his Physics commentary, Aquinas defends the Aristotelian positions that (i) the actualization of an agent’s active potential is the motion that it causes in its patient and (ii) action and passion are the same motion. Yet, in other texts, Aquinas claims that (iii) action differs from passion and (iv) “action is in the agent” as subject. This paper proposes a solution for how to reconcile Aquinas’ varying claims about what transeunt causal activity is in reality. In addition to advancing understanding of Aquinas’ views on causal activity, the paper also offers insights into more general topics in his thought, such as the relationship between actualities and accidents and the nature of extrinsic accidents.