bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Are Population and Land Use Changes Perceived as Threats to Sense of Place in the New West? A Multilevel Modeling Approach
Authors: Keske Catherine M. H. , Bixler R. Patrick , Bastian Christopher T. , Cross Jennifer E. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe Intermountain West's rapid changes in population growth and land use may be welcome to some, but others perceive such changes as threats to sense of place. The objective of this study is to assess whether New West and Old West contextual variables predict how agricultural landowners view threats to agricultural lifestyles and sense of place. We analyze survey data collected from 2,270 agricultural landowners in Colorado and Wyoming utilizing a multilevel regression model (MLM). We posit that this analytical approach is effective for evaluating hierarchal New West or Old West economic configurations that may otherwise be difficult to observe. Our study specifically examines whether population pressures threaten agricultural lifestyles in the amenity‐based New West or in Old West economic regimes with proclivity toward large‐scale agricultural production. Our results show that landowners in farming‐dependent counties and in high‐amenity areas express greater concern than other landowners surveyed about increases in population growth that could threaten an agricultural way of life. Furthermore, we demonstrate that these perceptions relate to whether individuals reside in New West or Old West counties. In summary, some of the contextual variables of New West and Old West economic structures predict whether individuals perceive population growth and land use changes as threats to sense of place.
A naturally occurring promoter polymorphism of the Arabidopsis FUM2 gene causes expression variation, and is associated with metabolic and growth traits
Authors: Riewe David , Jeon Hea‐Jung , Lisec Jan , Heuermann Marc C. , Schmeichel Judith , Seyfarth Monique , Meyer Rhonda C. , Willmitzer Lothar , Altmann Thomas 
Published: August 2016

SummaryFumarate and malate are known intermediates of the TCA cycle, a mitochondrial metabolic pathway generating NADH for respiration. Arabidopsis thaliana and other Brassicaceae contain an additional cytosolic fumarase (FUM2) that functions in carbon assimilation and nitrogen use. Here, we report the identification of a hitherto unknown FUM2 promoter insertion/deletion (InDel) polymorphism found between the Col‐0 and C24 accessions, which also divides a large number of Arabidopsis accessions carrying either the Col‐0 or the C24 allele. The polymorphism consists of two stretches of 2.1 and 3.8 kb, which are both absent from the promotor region of Col‐0 FUM2. By analysing mutants as well as mapping and natural populations with contrasting FUM2 alleles, the promotor insertion was linked to reduced FUM2 mRNA expression, reduced fumarase activity and reduced fumarate/malate ratio in leaves. In a large population of 174 natural accessions, the polymorphism was also found to be associated with the fumarate/malate ratio, malate and fumarate levels, and with dry weight at 15 days after sowing (DAS). The association with biomass production was confirmed in an even larger (251) accession population for dry weight at 22 DAS. The dominant Col‐0 allele that results in increased fumarate/malate ratios and enhanced biomass production is predominantly found in central/eastern European accessions, whereas the C24 type allele is prevalent on the Iberian Peninsula, west of the Rhine and in the British Isles. Our findings support the role of FUM2 in diurnal carbon storage, and point to a growth advantage of accessions carrying the FUM2 Col‐0 allele.
Histiocytic chorioretinitis in a dog
Authors: Sherman Amanda B. , Cullen John M. , Westermeyer Hans D. , Grindem Carol , Gilger Brian C. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractA 3‐year‐old castrated male mixed‐breed dog presented with an acute bullous retinal detachment and thickened choroid of the right eye. Subretinal cytology revealed an atypical cell proliferation suggestive of neoplasia. The eye was enucleated, and the original diagnosis was a histologically benign choroidal melanocytic tumor. Further diagnostics revealed no other systemic abnormalities other than a nonhealing shoulder wound. Six months later, the left eye developed a bullous retinal detachment. This eye responded well to systemic steroids and the dog regained vision within a few weeks of initiating therapy. Results of immunohistochemistry with Melan‐A and CD204 of the previously enucleated right eye caused a revision of the histologic diagnosis from melanocytic tumor to histiocytic chorioretinitis. This case highlights the subtle and sometimes confusing distinction between neoplastic and inflammatory processes on both cytology and histopathology.
Intra‐ and interobserver reliability of lens equatorial length measurement using 35‐MHz ultrasound biomicroscopy in dogs with cataract
Authors: Barbé Charlotte , Harran Nathaniel , Goulle Frédéric 
Published: August 2016

AbstractPurposeTo determine intra‐ and interobserver reliability of lens equatorial length measurement using 35‐MHz ultrasound biomicroscopy in dogs with cataract.MethodsOcular ultrasonography was performed on 28 dogs (50 eyes) before phacoemulsification. Lens equatorial length was measured on still images obtained at 35 MHz in all dogs. Each observer (A and B) obtained the measurements independently. Coefficients of variation (CVs) were used to assess intraobserver repeatability and interobserver reproducibility. Intraobserver repeatability was assessed by comparing measurements obtained on the same image on four different occasions by observer A. Interobserver reproducibility was assessed by comparing measurements obtained independently by both observers on the same image.ResultsCV used to assess intraobserver repeatability was 2.4% with good agreement and no significant difference between repetitions (P> 0.05).CVused to assess interobserver reproducibility was 5.8% without significant difference between measurements obtained by the two observers (P> 0.05).ConclusionsIntraobserver repeatability and interobserver reproducibility were considered good for lens equatorial length measurement at 35 MHz in dogs with cataract. Ultrasound biomicroscopy could be an acceptable method to assess lens equatorial dimension before phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation in dogs with cataract.
Human hypertension, sympathetic activity and the selfish brain
Authors: Hart Emma C. 
Published: August 2016

New Findings
What is the topic of this review?
This review article revisits an historical hypothesis that cerebral hypoperfusion, caused by elevated cerebral vascular resistances, causes the onset of high sympathetic nerve activity and hypertension in humans.

What advances does it highlight?
The review article highlights new evidence indicating that congenital cerebrovascular abnormalities, namely vertebral artery hypoplasia and an incomplete posterior circle of Willis, may play a role in the onset of hypertension.

Despite the harmful consequences of high blood pressure (hypertension; e.g. stroke, renal failure, dementia and even death), the underlying physiological mechanisms that cause the onset of hypertension are poorly understood. The most established finding is that hypertension occurs alongside activation of the sympathetic nervous system, yet exactly what triggers this in humans is ambiguous. This review discusses evidence for elevated sympathetic nerve activity, particularly in human hypertension, and revisits an historical theory regarding the aetiology underlying human hypertension that was proposed by Seymour Kety and John Dickinson in the 1940s–1950s. My research group hypothesizes that elevated sympathetic nerve activity and hypertension develop as a fundamental mechanism to maintain adequate cerebral blood flow, which is now termed Cushing's mechanism or the selfish brain hypothesis. Moreover, it goes against the traditional belief that high cerebrovascular resistance is a consequence of hypertension; we propose that this elevated resistance drives hypertension. This review discusses historical and new evidence in animals and humans supporting this hypothesis. In particular, unique human data indicating a higher prevalence of congenital cerebral vascular abnormalities in hypertension are considered.
Antimicrobial and Virulence-Modulating Effects of Clove Essential Oil on the Foodborne Pathogen Campylobacter jejuni
Authors: Kovács Judit K. , Felső Péter , Makszin Lilla , Pápai Zoltán , Horváth Györgyi , Ábrahám Hajnalka , Palkovics Tamás , Böszörményi Andrea , Emődy Levente , Schneider György 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACT

Our study investigated the antimicrobial action of clove (
Syzygium aromaticum
) essential oil (EO) on the zoonotic pathogen
Campylobacter jejuni
. After confirming the clove essential oil's general antibacterial effect, we analyzed the reference strain
Campylobacter jejuni
NCTC 11168. Phenotypic, proteomic, and transcriptomic methods were used to reveal changes in cell morphology and functions when exposed to sublethal concentrations of clove EO. The normally curved cells showed markedly straightened and shrunken morphology on the scanning electron micrographs as a result of stress. Although, oxidative stress, as a generally accepted response to essential oils, was also present, the dominance of a general stress response was demonstrated by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR). The results of RT-PCR and two-dimensional (2D) PAGE revealed that clove oil perturbs the expression of virulence-associated genes taking part in the synthesis of flagella, PEB1, PEB4, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and serine protease. Loss of motility was also detected by a phenotypic test. Bioautographic analysis revealed that besides its major component, eugenol, at least four other spots of clove EO possessed bactericidal activity against
C. jejuni
. Our findings show that clove EO has a marked antibacterial and potential virulence-modulating effect on
C. jejuni
.

IMPORTANCE
This study demonstrates that the components of clove essential oil influence not only the expression of general stress genes but also the expression of virulence-associated genes. Based on this finding, alternative strategies can be worked on to control this important foodborne pathogen.
Lysine and Threonine Biosynthesis from Aspartate Contributes to Staphylococcus aureus Growth in Calf Serum
Authors: Oogai Yuichi , Yamaguchi Masaya , Kawada-Matsuo Miki , Sumitomo Tomoko , Kawabata Shigetada , Komatsuzawa Hitoshi 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACT

Staphylococcus aureus
is a human pathogen, and
S. aureus
bacteremia can cause serious problems in humans. To identify the genes required for bacterial growth in calf serum (CS), a library of
S. aureus
mutants with randomly inserted transposons were analyzed for growth in CS, and the aspartate semialdehyde dehydrogenase (
asd
)-inactivated mutant exhibited significantly reduced growth in CS compared with the wild type (WT). The mutant also exhibited significantly reduced growth in medium, mimicking the concentrations of amino acids and glucose in CS. Asd is an essential enzyme for the biosynthesis of lysine, methionine, and threonine from aspartate. We constructed inactivated mutants of the genes for lysine (
lysA
), methionine (
metE
), and threonine (
thrC
) biosynthesis and found that the inactivated mutants of
lysA
and
thrC
exhibited significantly lower growth in CS than the WT, but the growth of the
metE
mutant was similar to that of the WT. The reduced growth of the
asd
mutant was recovered by addition of 100 μg/ml lysine and threonine in CS. These results suggest that
S. aureus
requires lysine and threonine biosynthesis to grow in CS. On the other hand, the
asd
-,
lysA
-,
metE
-, and
thrC
-inactivated mutants exhibited significantly reduced growth in mouse serum compared with the WT. In mouse bacteremia experiments, the
asd
-,
lysA
-,
metE
-, and
thrC
-inactivated mutants exhibited attenuated virulence compared with WT infection. In conclusion, our results suggest that the biosynthesis of
de novo
aspartate family amino acids, especially lysine and threonine, is important for staphylococcal bloodstream infection.

IMPORTANCE
Studying the growth of bacteria in blood is important for understanding its pathogenicity in the host.
Staphylococcus aureus
sometimes causes bacteremia or sepsis. However, the factors responsible for
S. aureus
growth in the blood are not well understood. In this study, using a library of 2,914 transposon-insertional mutants in the
S. aureus
MW2 strain, we identified the factors responsible for bacterial growth in CS. We found that inactivation of the lysine and threonine biosynthesis genes led to deficient growth in CS. However, the inactivation of these genes did not affect
S. aureus
growth in general medium. Because the concentration of amino acids in CS is low compared to that in general bacterial medium, our results suggest that lysine and threonine biosynthesis is important for the growth of
S. aureus
in CS. Our findings provide new insights for
S. aureus
adaptation in the host and for understanding the pathogenesis of bacteremia.
Light-Controlled Cell Factories: Employing Photocaged Isopropyl-β-
d
-Thiogalactopyranoside for Light-Mediated Optimization of
lac
Promoter-Based Gene Expression and (+)-Valencene Biosynthesis in Corynebacterium glutamicum
Authors: Binder Dennis , Frohwitter Jonas , Mahr Regina , Bier Claus , Grünberger Alexander , Loeschcke Anita , Peters-Wendisch Petra , Kohlheyer Dietrich , Pietruszka Jörg , Frunzke Julia , Jaeger Karl-Erich , Wendisch Volker F. , Drepper Thomas 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACT

Precise control of microbial gene expression resulting in a defined, fast, and homogeneous response is of utmost importance for synthetic bio(techno)logical applications. However, even broadly applied biotechnological workhorses, such as
Corynebacterium glutamicum
, for which induction of recombinant gene expression commonly relies on the addition of appropriate inducer molecules, perform moderately in this respect. Light offers an alternative to accurately control gene expression, as it allows for simple triggering in a noninvasive fashion with unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution. Thus, optogenetic switches are promising tools to improve the controllability of existing gene expression systems. In this regard, photocaged inducers, whose activities are initially inhibited by light-removable protection groups, represent one of the most valuable photoswitches for microbial gene expression. Here, we report on the evaluation of photocaged isopropyl-β-
d
-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) as a light-responsive control element for the frequently applied
tac
-based expression module in
C. glutamicum
. In contrast to conventional IPTG, the photocaged inducer mediates a tightly controlled, strong, and homogeneous expression response upon short exposure to UV-A light. To further demonstrate the unique potential of photocaged IPTG for the optimization of production processes in
C. glutamicum
, the optogenetic switch was finally used to improve biosynthesis of the growth-inhibiting sesquiterpene (+)-valencene, a flavoring agent and aroma compound precursor in food industry. The variation in light intensity as well as the time point of light induction proved crucial for efficient production of this toxic compound.

IMPORTANCE
Optogenetic tools are light-responsive modules that allow for a simple triggering of cellular functions with unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution and in a noninvasive fashion. Specifically, light-controlled gene expression exhibits an enormous potential for various synthetic bio(techno)logical purposes. Before our study, poor inducibility, together with phenotypic heterogeneity, was reported for the IPTG-mediated induction of
lac
-based gene expression in
Corynebacterium glutamicum
. By applying photocaged IPTG as a synthetic inducer, however, these drawbacks could be almost completely abolished. Especially for increasing numbers of parallelized expression cultures, noninvasive and spatiotemporal light induction qualifies for a precise, homogeneous, and thus higher-order control to fully automatize or optimize future biotechnological applications.
Whole-Genome Sequencing Analysis of Salmonella enterica Serovar Enteritidis Isolates in Chile Provides Insights into Possible Transmission between Gulls, Poultry, and Humans
Authors: Toro Magaly , Retamal Patricio , Ayers Sherry , Barreto Marlen , Allard Marc , Brown Eric W. , Gonzalez-Escalona Narjol 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACT

Salmonella enterica
subsp.
enterica
serotype Enteritidis is a major cause of human salmonellosis worldwide; however, little is known about the genetic relationships between
S
. Enteritidis clinical strains and
S
. Enteritidis strains from other sources in Chile. We compared the whole genomes of 30
S
. Enteritidis strains isolated from gulls, domestic chicken eggs, and humans in Chile, to investigate their phylogenetic relationships and to establish their relatedness to international strains. Core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) analysis showed that only 246/4,065 shared loci differed among these Chilean strains, separating them into two clusters (I and II), with cluster II being further divided into five subclusters. One subcluster (subcluster 2) contained strains from all surveyed sources that differed at 1 to 18 loci (of 4,065 loci) with 1 to 18 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), suggesting interspecies transmission of
S
. Enteritidis in Chile. Moreover, clusters were formed by strains that were distant geographically, which could imply that gulls might be spreading the pathogen throughout the country. Our cgMLST analysis, using other
S
. Enteritidis genomes available in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database, showed that
S
. Enteritidis strains from Chile and the United States belonged to different lineages, which suggests that
S
. Enteritidis regional markers might exist and could be used for trace-back investigations.

IMPORTANCE
This study highlights the importance of gulls in the spread of
Salmonella
Enteritidis in Chile. We revealed a close genetic relationship between some human and gull
S
. Enteritidis strains (with as few as 2 of 4,065 genes being different), and we also found that gull strains were present in clusters formed by strains isolated from other sources or distant locations. Together with previously published evidence, this suggests that gulls might be spreading this pathogen between different regions in Chile and that some of those strains have been transmitted to humans. Moreover, we discovered that Chilean
S
. Enteritidis strains clustered separately from most of
S
. Enteritidis strains isolated throughout the world (in the GenBank database) and thus it might be possible to distinguish the geographical origins of strains based on specific genomic features. This could be useful for trace-back investigations of foodborne illnesses throughout the world.
High serum selenium levels are associated with increased risk for diabetes mellitus independent of central obesity and insulin resistance
Authors: Lu Chia-Wen , Chang Hao-Hsiang , Yang Kuen-Cheh , Kuo Chia-Sheng , Lee Long-Teng , Huang Kuo-Chin 
Published: August 2016

ObjectiveSelenium is an essential micronutrient for human health. Although many observational and interventional studies have examined the associations between selenium and diabetes mellitus, the findings were inconclusive. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum selenium levels and prevalence of diabetes, and correlated the relationship to insulin resistance and central obesity.Research design and methodsThis was a hospital-based case–control study of 847 adults aged more than 40 years (diabetes: non-diabetes =1:2) in Northern Taiwan. Serum selenium was measured by an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer. The association between serum selenium and diabetes was examined using multivariate logistic regression analyses.ResultsAfter adjusting for age, gender, current smoking, current drinking, and physical activity, the ORs (95% CI, p value) of having diabetes in the second (Q2), third (Q3), and fourth (Q4) selenium quartile groups were 1.24 (95% CI 0.78 to 1.98, p>0.05), 1.90 (95% CI 1.22 to 2.97, p<0.05), and 5.11 (95% CI 3.27 to 8.00, p<0.001), respectively, compared with the first (Q1) quartile group. Further adjustments for waist circumference and homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) largely removed the association of serum selenium levels with diabetes but not in the highest quartile (compared with Q1, Q3: 1.57, 95% CI 0.91 to 2.70, Q4: 3.79, 95% CI 2.17 to 6.32).ConclusionsWe found that serum selenium levels were positively associated with prevalence of diabetes. This is the first human study to link insulin resistance and central obesity to the association between selenium and diabetes. Furthermore, the association between selenium and diabetes was independent of insulin resistance and central obesity at high serum selenium levels. The mechanism behind warrants further confirmation.
Socioeconomic disparities in coverage of full immunisation among children of adolescent mothers in India, 1990–2006: a repeated cross-sectional analysis
Authors: Kumar Chandan , Singh Prashant Kumar , Singh Lucky , Rai Rajesh Kumar 
Published: August 2016

ObjectiveStudies have highlighted that children of adolescent (aged 15–19 years) mothers are likely to receive relatively poor healthcare. With an unacceptably high adolescent birth rate, India houses the highest number of adolescent mothers globally, putting children at risk of inadequate vaccination. This paper assesses trends and extent of socioeconomic disparities in the coverage of full immunisation among children of adolescent mothers in India.DesignRepeated cross-sectional analytical study.Data sources3 consecutive rounds of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) conducted during 1992–1993, 1998–1999 and 2005–2006 were used. Besides, the required information is also extracted from the 2011 Indian Census.ParticipantsChildren (aged 12–23 months) of adolescent (aged 15–19 years) mothers. Sample inclusion criteria involved the last child of the adolescent eligible to avail full immunisation.SettingNationally representative sample.Data analysisThe Cochran-Armitage test, χ2test and binary logistic regression methods were applied to attain the study objective.ResultsBetween 1990 and 2006, a non-significant increase of 4 percentage points in full immunisation of children of adolescent mothers was estimated. During the same period, a large difference between the probability of children of adolescent mothers receiving full immunisation belonging to the least (predicted probability (PP): 0.196 in 1990–1993, and PP: 0.213 in 2003–2006) and the most (PP: 0.589 in 1990–1993, and PP: 0.645 in 2003–2006) socioeconomically privileged group was estimated, and this disparity persisted over the survey period.ConclusionsDuring 1990–2006, an insufficient improvement in provision of full immunisation to children born to adolescent mothers was recorded. The study underscored the suboptimum immunisation of rural, illiterate and poor children of adolescent women. The programme and policymakers could focus on district-wise concentration of adolescent women, especially those belonging to the underprivileged groups, to design a targeted intervention to elevate the level of immunisation of children of adolescent mothers.