bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development and Validity Testing of the School Health Score Card
Authors: Yun Young Ho , Kim Yaeji , Sim Jin A. , Choi Soo Hyuk , Lim Cheolil , Kang Joon‐ho 
Published: July 2018

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDThe objective of this study was to develop the School Health Score Card (SHSC) and validate its psychometric properties.METHODSThe development of the SHSC questionnaire included 3 phases: item generation, construction of domains and items, and field testing with validation. To assess the instrument's reliability and validity, we recruited 15 middle schools and 15 high schools in the Republic of Korea.RESULTSWe developed the SHSC questionnaire of 158 items categorized into 5 domains: (1) Governance and Infrastructure, (2) Need Assessment, (3) Planning, (4) Health Prevention and Promotion Program, and (5) Monitoring and Feedback. All SHSC domains and subdomains demonstrated acceptable reliability with good internal consistency. Each domain and subdomain except for “Planning” was associated significantly with students' health status. Most subdomains, including school health philosophy, school policy, communication, the evaluation system, and monitoring, were significantly and negatively associated with student absence.CONCLUSIONSThe SHSC shows significant association with the overall student health and can be useful in assessing comprehensive school health programs.
Examining Time to Treatment and the Role of School‐Based Health Centers in a School‐Based Sexually Transmitted Infection Program
Authors: Sabharwal Mallika , Masinter Lisa , Weaver Kingsley N. 
Published: July 2018

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDBarriers to health care service utilization contribute to the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among teens. School‐based STI screening programs reach adolescents outside of the clinic‐based health care model and schools with school‐based health centers (SBHCs) may expedite treatment because of their proximity to the population. This study examined whether students who tested positive for STIs in a school‐based screening program had differing times to treatment based on treatment location.METHODSAll positive cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea from the 2012‐2013 school year in a Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Chicago Public Schools school‐based STI screening program were reviewed. Median time to treatment was compared for those treated at an SBHC versus those treated elsewhere (CDPH STI clinic, community health center, private physician).RESULTSOverall, 540 students had positive results. The median age was 17 years, 427 had chlamydia (79.1%), 59 had gonorrhea (10.9%), and 54 had dual infections (10.0%); 144 were tested in a school with a SBHC on site (26.7%). Of the 483 students who received treatment (89.4%), those treated at a SBHC had a faster time to treatment compared to CDPH STI clinics (median 17 days versus 28 days, respectively, p < .001).CONCLUSIONSFor students testing positive in the Chicago school‐based STI program, time to treatment is accelerated in locations with SBHCs.
Antiageing properties of Damaurone D in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Kim Yong Seong , Han Young Taek , Jeon Hoon , Cha Dong Seok 
Published: July 2018

Abstract

Objectives
This study was conducted to evaluate the longevity potential of damaurone D (DaD), a component of the damask rose, in the animal model Caenorhabditis elegans.

Methods
To investigate the effect of DaD on the longevity, lifespan assay was carried out. Fluorescence intensity of transgenic mutants was quantified to test the expression levels of stress proteins. A genetic study using single gene knockout mutants was designed to determine the target genes of DaD.

Key findings
DaD prolonged the mean lifespan of wild-type nematodes by 16.7% under normal conditions and also improved their stress endurance under thermal, osmotic, and oxidative stress conditions. This longevity-promoting effect could be attributed to in vivo antioxidant capacity and its up-regulating effects on the expressions of stress-response proteins such as SOD-3 and HSP-16.2. In addition, DaD treatment attenuated food intake, body length, lipofuscin accumulation and age-dependent decline of motor ability. Gene-specific mutant studies showed the involvement of genes such as daf-2, age-1, and daf-16.

Conclusions
These results suggest that DaD has beneficial effects on the longevity, and thus it can be a valuable plant origin lead compound for the development of nutraceutical preparations targeting ageing and ageing-related diseases.
Basic mechanisms of the regulation of L‐carnitine status in monogastrics and efficacy of L‐carnitine as a feed additive in pigs and poultry
Authors: Ringseis Robert , Keller Janine , Eder Klaus 
Published: July 2018

AbstractA great number of studies have investigated the potential of L‐carnitine as feed additive to improve performance of different monogastric and ruminant livestock species, with, however, discrepant outcomes. In order to understand the reasons for these discrepant outcomes, it is important to consider the determinants of L‐carnitine status and how L‐carnitine status is regulated in the animal's body. While it is a long‐known fact that L‐carnitine is endogenously biosynthesized in certain tissues, it was only recently recognized that critical determinants of L‐carnitine status, such as intestinal L‐carnitine absorption, tissue L‐carnitine uptake, endogenous L‐carnitine synthesis and renal L‐carnitine reabsorption, are regulated by specific nutrient sensing nuclear receptors. This review aims to give a more in‐depth understanding of the basic mechanisms of the regulation of L‐carnitine status in monogastrics taking into account the most recent evidence on nutrient sensing nuclear receptors and evaluates the efficacy of L‐carnitine as feed additive in monogastric livestock by providing an up‐to‐date overview about studies with L‐carnitine supplementation in pigs and poultry.
Diversification of the climatic niche drove the recent processes of speciation in Sigmodontinae (Rodentia, Cricetidae)
Authors: Reis Jennifer , Bidau Claudio J. , Maestri Renan , Martinez Pablo A. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractEvolutionary radiations are among the most intriguing natural phenomena. Sigmodontine rodents form a megadiverse group for which doubts exist about the adaptive or non‐adaptive nature of its radiation. We analysed whether or not the rates of diversification of species of Sigmodontinae are related to the rates of diversification of the climatic niches occupied by the species. Our results show a clear association between niche diversification and speciation processes. However, this association is linked to recent and independent processes of diversification in sigmodontines, as opposed to an early link that would indicate a niche‐filling consistent with an adaptive radiation of the subfamily.
Signaling pathways governing iron homeostasis in budding yeast
Authors: Martins Telma S. , Costa Vítor , Pereira Clara 
Published: July 2018

AbstractIron is an essential element for eukaryotes as it participates as a redox‐active co‐factor in many biological processes. Since iron is also potentially toxic, iron levels are carefully regulated. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, iron homeostasis is maintained by the transcriptional control of the iron acquisition systems (iron regulon), mainly by the iron‐responsive transcriptional factors Aft1p and Yap5p. Intracellular iron is stored in the vacuole, mobilized for other locations when necessary, particularly for the mitochondria, the major site of iron‐utilizing pathways. Mitochondria also play an additional role as a sensor for the regulation of cellular iron acquisition and intracellular distribution. Mounting evidence suggest that iron acquisition systems are not only responsive to iron levels but also to signaling pathways. The most recognized is the activation of the iron regulon at the diauxic shift, oppositely regulated by PKA and SNF1 kinases, major regulators of glucose signaling. Hog1p, a MAP kinase involved in stress responses, also negatively regulates iron uptake by phosphorylating Aft1p. In this review, we address organellar signaling and signal transduction pathways that play a major role in the coordination of iron homeostasis with cell growth and division.
Physiology and central carbon metabolism of the gut bacterium Prevotella copri
Authors: Franke Thomas , Deppenmeier Uwe 
Published: July 2018

SummaryThe human gut microbiota is a crucial factor for the host’s physiology with respect to health and disease. Metagenomic shotgun sequencing of microbial gut communities revealed that Prevotella copri is one of the most important players in the gastrointestinal tract of many individuals. Because of the importance of this bacterium we analyzed the growth behavior and the central metabolic pathways of P. copri. Bioinformatic data, transcriptome profiling and enzyme activity measurements indicated that the major pathways are based on glycolysis and succinate production from fumarate. In addition, pyruvate can be degraded to acetate and formate. Electron transport phosphorylation depends on fumarate respiration with NADH and reduced ferredoxin as electron donors. In contrast to Bacteroides vulgatus, P. copri showed a more pronounced dependency on the addition of CO2 or bicarbonate for biomass formation, which is a remarkable difference between P. copri and Bacteroides spp. with important implication in the context of gut microbial competition. The analysis of substrate consumption and product concentrations from many P. copri cultures with different optical densities allowed a prediction of the carbon and electron flow in the central metabolism and a detailed calculation of growth yields as well as carbon and redox balances.
A cluster of residues in the lipopolysaccharide exporter that selects substrate variants for transport to the outer membrane
Authors: Bertani Blake R. , Taylor Rebecca J. , Nagy Emma , Kahne Daniel , Ruiz Natividad 
Published: July 2018

SummaryMost Gram‐negative bacteria assemble lipopolysaccharides (LPS) on their surface to form a permeability barrier against many antimicrobials. LPS is synthesized at the inner membrane and then transported to the outer leaflet of the outer membrane. Although the overall LPS structure is conserved, LPS molecules can differ in composition at the species and strain level. Some bacteria also regulate when to modify phosphates on LPS at the inner membrane in order to become resistant to cationic antimicrobial peptides. The multi‐protein Lpt trans‐envelope machine, which transports LPS from the inner to the outer membrane, must therefore handle a variety of substrates. The most poorly understood step in LPS transport is how the ATP‐binding cassette LptB2FG transporter extracts LPS from the inner membrane. Here, we define residue K34 in LptG as a site within the structural cavity of the Escherichia coli LptB2FG transporter that interacts electrostatically with phosphates on unmodified LPS. Alterations to this residue cause transport defects that are suppressed by the activation of the BasSR two‐component signaling system, which results in modifications to the LPS phosphates. We also show this residue is part of a larger site in LptG that differentially contributes to the transport of unmodified and modified LPS.
Bioremediation and microbial metabolism of benzo(a)pyrene
Authors: Ostrem Loss Erin M. , Yu Jae‐Hyuk 
Published: July 2018

SummaryThe growing release of organic contaminants into the environment due to industrial processes has inevitably increased the incidence of their exposure to humans which often results in negative health effects. Microorganisms are also increasingly exposed to the pollutants, yet their diverse metabolic capabilities enable them to survive toxic exposure making these degradation mechanisms important to understand. Fungi are the most abundant microorganisms in the environment, yet less has been studied to understand their ability to degrade contaminants than in bacteria. This includes specific enzyme production and the genetic regulation which guides metabolic networks. This review intends to compare what is known about bacterial and fungal degradation of toxic compounds using benzo(a)pyrene as a relevant example. Most research is done in the context of using fungi for bioremediation, however, we intend to also point out how fungal metabolism may impact human health in other ways including through their participation in microbial communities in the human gut and skin and through inhalation of fungal spores.
Novel dual regulators of Pseudomonas aeruginosa essential for productive biofilms and virulence
Authors: Heacock‐Kang Yun , Zarzycki‐Siek Jan , Sun Zhenxin , Poonsuk Kanchana , Bluhm Andrew P. , Cabanas Darlene , Fogen Dawson , McMillan Ian A. , Chuanchuen Rungtip , Hoang Tung T. 
Published: July 2018

SummaryGene regulation network in Pseudomonas aeruginosa is complex. With a relatively large genome (6.2 Mb), there is a significant portion of genes that are proven or predicted to be transcriptional regulators. Many of these regulators have been shown to play important roles in biofilm formation and maintenance. In this study, we present a novel transcriptional regulator, PA1226, which modulates biofilm formation and virulence in P. aeruginosa. Mutation in the gene encoding this regulator abolished the ability of P. aeruginosa to produce biofilms in vitro, without any effect on the planktonic growth. This regulator is also essential for the in vivo fitness and pathogenesis in both Drosophila melanogaster and BALB/c mouse lung infection models. Transcriptome analysis revealed that PA1226 regulates many essential virulence genes/pathways, including those involved in alginate, pili, and LPS biosynthesis. Genes/operons directly regulated by PA1226 and potential binding sequences were identified via ChIP‐seq. Attempts to confirm the binding sequences by electrophoretic mobility shift assay led to the discovery of a co‐regulator, PA1413, via co‐immunoprecipitation assay. PA1226 and PA1413 were shown to bind collaboratively to the promoter regions of their regulons. A model is proposed, summarizing our finding on this novel dual‐regulation system.
Extracellular reduction of solid electron acceptors byShewanella oneidensis
Authors: Beblawy Sebastian , Bursac Thea , Paquete Catarina , Louro Ricardo , Clarke Thomas A. , Gescher Johannes 
Published: July 2018

SummaryShewanella oneidensisis the best understood model organism for the study of dissimilatory iron reduction. This review focuses on the current state of our knowledge regarding this extracellular respiratory process and highlights its physiologic, regulatory and biochemical requirements. It seems that we have widely understood how respiratory electrons can reach the cell surface and what the minimal set of electron transport proteins to the cell surface is. Nevertheless, even after decades of work in different research groups around the globe there are still several important questions that were not answered yet. In particular, the physiology of this organism, the possible evolutionary benefit of some responses to anoxic conditions, as well as the exact mechanism of electron transfer onto solid electron acceptors are yet to be addressed. The elucidation of these questions will be a great challenge for future work and important for the application of extracellular respiration in biotechnological processes.
ZomB is essential for flagellar motor reversals in Shewanella putrefaciens and Vibrio parahaemolyticus
Authors: Brenzinger Susanne , Pecina Anna , Mrusek Devid , Mann Petra , Völse Kerstin , Wimmi Stephan , Ruppert Ulrike , Becker Anke , Ringgaard Simon , Bange Gert , Thormann Kai M 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe ability of most bacterial flagellar motors to reverse the direction of rotation is crucial for efficient chemotaxis. In Escherichia coli, motor reversals are mediated by binding of phosphorylated chemotaxis protein CheY to components of the flagellar rotor, FliM and FliN, which induces a conformational switch of the flagellar C‐ring. Here, we show that for Shewanella putrefaciens, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and likely a number of other species an additional transmembrane protein, ZomB, is critically required for motor reversals as mutants lacking ZomB exclusively exhibit straightforward swimming also upon full phosphorylation or overproduction of CheY. ZomB is recruited to the cell poles by and is destabilized in the absence of the polar landmark protein HubP. ZomB also co‐localizes to and may thus interact with the flagellar motor. The ΔzomB phenotype was suppressed by mutations in the very C‐terminal region of FliM. We propose that the flagellar motors of Shewanella, Vibrio and numerous other species harboring orthologs to ZomB are locked in counterclockwise rotation and may require interaction with ZomB to enable the conformational switch required for motor reversals. Regulation of ZomB activity or abundance may provide these species with an additional means to modulate chemotaxis efficiency.
Genetic dissection of the secretory route followed by a fungal extracellular glycosyl hydrolase
Authors: Hernández‐González Miguel , Pantazopoulou Areti , Spanoudakis Dimitris , Seegers Christel L.C. , Peñalva Miguel A. 
Published: July 2018

SummaryHyphal tip cells of Aspergillus nidulans are > 100 µm‐long, which challenges intracellular traffic. In spite of the basic and applied interest of the secretory pathway of filamentous fungi, only recently has it been investigated in detail. We used InuA, an inducible and highly glycosylated inulinase, and mutations affecting different intracellular membranous compartments, to investigate the route by which the enzyme traffics to the extracellular medium. InuA is core‐N‐glycosylated in the ER and hyperglycosylated during transit across the Golgi. Hyperglycosylation was prevented by ts mutations in sarASAR1 impeding ER exit, and in sedVSED5 and rabORAB1 dissipating the early Golgi, but not by mutations in the TGN regulators hypATRS120 and hypBSEC7, implicating the early Golgi in cargo glycosylation. podB1ts(cog2ts) affecting the COG complex also prevents glycosylation, without disassembling early Golgi cisternae. That InuA exocytosis is prevented by inactivation of any of the above genes shows that it follows a conventional secretory pathway. However, ablation of RabBRAB5 regulating early endosomes (EEs), but not of RabSRAB7, its equivalent in late endosomes, also prevents InuA accumulation in the medium, indicating that EEs are specifically required for InuA exocytosis. This work provides a framework to understand the secretion of enzyme cargoes by industrial filamentous fungi.
DcuA of aerobically grown Escherichia coli serves as a nitrogen shuttle (L‐aspartate/fumarate) for nitrogen uptake
Authors: Strecker Alexander , Schubert Christopher , Zedler Sandra , Steinmetz Philipp , Unden Gottfried 
Published: July 2018

SummaryDcuA of Escherichia coli is known as an alternative C4‐dicarboxylate transporter for the main anaerobic C4‐dicarboxylate transporter DcuB. Since dcuA is expressed constitutively under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, DcuA was suggested to serve aerobically as a backup for the aerobic (DctA) transporter, or for the anabolic uptake of C4‐dicarboxylates. In this work, it is shown that DcuA is required for aerobic growth with L‐aspartate as a nitrogen source, whereas for growth with L‐aspartate as a carbon source, DctA was needed. Strains with DcuA catalyzed L‐aspartate and C4‐dicarboxylate uptake (like DctA), or an L‐aspartate/C4‐dicarboxylate antiport (unlike DctA). DcuA preferred L‐aspartate to succinate in transport (KM = 43 and 844 µM, respectively), whereas DctA has higher affinity for C4‐dicarboxylates like succinate compared to L‐aspartate. When L‐aspartate was supplied as the sole nitrogen source together with glycerol as the carbon source, L‐aspartate was taken up by the bacteria and fumarate (or L‐malate) was excreted in equimolar amounts. Both reactions depended on DcuA. L‐Aspartate was taken up in amounts required for nitrogen metabolism but not for carbon metabolism. Therefore, DcuA catalyzes an L‐aspartate/C4‐dicarboxylate antiport serving as a nitrogen shuttle for nitrogen supply without net carbon supply.
PcrX, an sRNA derived from the 3′‐ UTR of the Rhodobacter sphaeroides puf operon modulates expression of puf genes encoding proteins of the bacterial photosynthetic apparatus
Authors: Eisenhardt Katrin M.H. , Reuscher Carina M. , Klug Gabriele 
Published: July 2018

SummaryFacultative phototrophic bacteria like Rhodobacter sphaeroides can produce ATP by anoxygenic photosynthesis, which is of advantage under conditions with limiting oxygen. However, the simultaneous presence of pigments, light and oxygen leads to the generation of harmful singlet oxygen. In order to avoid this stress situation, the formation of photosynthetic complexes is tightly regulated by light and oxygen signals. In a complex regulatory network several regulatory proteins and the small non‐coding RNA PcrZ contribute to the balanced expression of photosynthesis genes. With PcrX this study identifies a second sRNA that is part of this network. The puf operon encodes pigment binding proteins of the light‐harvesting I complex (PufBA) and of the reaction center (PufLM), a protein regulating porphyrin flux (PufQ), and a scaffolding protein (PufX). The PcrX sRNA is derived from the 3′ UTR of the puf operon mRNA by RNase E‐mediated cleavage. It targets the pufX mRNA segment, reduces the half‐life of the pufBALMX mRNA and as a consequence affects the level of photosynthetic complexes. By its action PcrX counteracts the increased expression of photosynthesis genes that is mediated by protein regulators and is thus involved in balancing the formation of photosynthetic complexes in response to external stimuli.
The impact of DNA methylation in Alphaproteobacteria
Authors: Mouammine Annabelle , Collier Justine 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAlphaproteobacteria include bacteria with very different modes of life, from free‐living to host‐associated and pathogenic bacteria. Their genomes vary in size and organization from single circular chromosomes to multipartite genomes and are often methylated by one or more adenine or cytosine methyltransferases (MTases). These include MTases that are part of restriction/modification systems and so‐called orphan MTases. The development of novel technologies accelerated the analysis of methylomes and revealed the existence of epigenetic patterns in several Alphaproteobacteria. This review describes the known functions of DNA methylation in Alphaproteobacteria and also discusses its potential drawbacks through the accidental deamination of methylated cytosines. Particular emphasis is given to the strong connection between the cell cycle‐regulated orphan MTase CcrM and the complex network that controls gene expression and cell cycle progression in Alphaproteobacteria.