bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Propagule abundance and richness are equivalent or higher in communities restored with local ecotypes relative to cultivars of dominant species
Authors: Willand Jason E. , Baer Sara G. , Gibson David J. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractQuestionDoes population source of dominant species influence propagule abundance and richness for ecological restoration, and are effects consistent across different species pools?LocationIllinois, USA.MethodsAbundance and richness of ramets, emerged seedlings, seed rain and the soil seed bank were measured in a restoration experiment consisting of a split‐plot design with population source of dominant grasses (cultivar vs local ecotype) as the whole‐plot factor and sown subordinate species (three unique pools of non‐dominant species) as the subplot factor, respectively. Different sown species pools were included to assess whether any observed differences in propagule abundance or richness between the dominant species sources was generalizable across varying interspecific interactions.ResultsAbundance of emerged ramets was similar between communities sown with cultivar and local ecotypes of the dominant grasses, but differed among sown species pools in prairie restored with cultivars but not with local ecotypes. Number of emerged seedlings also differed among species pools, but only in communities sown with local ecotypes of the dominant grasses. There was also higher seedling emergence in communities sown with local ecotypes relative to cultivars of the dominant grasses in one species pool. Richness of the seed rain was influenced by an interaction between dominant grass population source and sown species pool, resulting from (1) higher richness in prairie restored with local ecotypes than cultivars of the native grasses in one species pool, and (2) differences in richness among species pools that occurred only in prairie restored with the local ecotype grass source. Abundance and richness of the seed bank was not affected by dominant grass population source.ConclusionsThis study addressed a poorly understood potential effect of using cultivars in ecological restoration, specifically on the abundance and supply of propagules for community assembly. We found no consistent negative effect of dominant grass cultivars on propagule supply. These results suggest that if both local ecotype and cultivar sources are available for restoration, using local ecotypes could result in more seedling germination and richness in the seed rain.
Deficiency of PdxR in Streptococcus mutans affects vitamin B6 metabolism, acid tolerance response and biofilm formation
Authors: Liao S. , Bitoun J.P. , Nguyen A.H. , Bozner D. , Yao X. , Wen Z.T. 
Published: November 2014

SummaryStreptococcus mutans, a key etiological agent of the human dental caries, lives primarily on the tooth surface in tenacious biofilms. The SMU864 locus, designated pdxR, is predicted to encode a member of the novel MocR/GabR family proteins, which are featured with a winged helix DNA‐binding N‐terminal domain and a C‐terminal domain highly homologous to the pyridoxal phosphate‐dependent aspartate aminotransferases. A pdxR‐deficient mutant, TW296, was constructed using allelic exchange. PdxR deficiency in S. mutans had little effect on cell morphology and growth when grown in brain heart infusion. However, when compared with its parent strain, UA159, the PdxR‐deficient mutant displayed major defects in acid tolerance response and formed significantly fewer biofilms (P < 0.01). When analyzed by real‐time polymerase chain reaction, PdxR deficiency was found to drastically reduce expression of an apparent operon encoding a pyridoxal kinase (SMU865) and a pyridoxal permease (SMU866) of the salvage pathway of vitamin B6 biosynthesis. In addition, PdxR deficiency also altered the expression of genes for ClpL protease, glucosyltransferase B and adhesin SpaP, which are known to play important roles in stress tolerance and biofilm formation. Consistently, PdxR‐deficiency affected the growth of the deficient mutant when grown in defined medium with and without vitamin B6. Further studies revealed that although S. mutans is known to require vitamin B6 to grow in defined medium, B6 vitamers, especially pyridoxal, were strongly inhibitory at millimolar concentrations, against S. mutans growth and biofilm formation. Our results suggest that PdxR in S. mutans plays an important role in regulation of vitamin B6 metabolism, acid tolerance response and biofilm formation.
Synthesis and regulation of chlorogenic acid in potato: Rerouting phenylpropanoid flux in HQT‐silenced lines
Authors: Payyavula Raja S. , Shakya Roshani , Sengoda Venkatesan G. , Munyaneza Joseph E. , Swamy Prashant , Navarre Duroy A. 
Published: November 2014

SummaryChlorogenic acid (CGA) is the major phenolic sink in potato tubers and can constitute over 90% of total phenylpropanoids. The regulation of CGA biosynthesis in potato and the role of the CGA biosynthetic gene hydroxycinnamoyl CoA:quinate hydroxycinnamoyl transferase (HQT) was characterized. A sucrose induced accumulation of CGA correlated with the increased expression of phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase (PAL) rather than HQT. Transient expression of the potato MYB transcription factor StAN1 (anthocyanin 1) in tobacco increased CGA. RNAi suppression of HQT resulted in over a 90% reduction in CGA and resulted in early flowering. The reduction in total phenolics and antioxidant capacity was less than the reduction in CGA, suggesting flux was rerouted into other phenylpropanoids. Network analysis showed distinct patterns in different organs, with anthocyanins and phenolic acids showing negative correlations in leaves and flowers and positive in tubers. Some flavonols increased in flowers, but not in leaves or tubers. Anthocyanins increased in flowers and showed a trend to increase in leaves, but not tubers. HQT suppression increased biosynthesis of caffeoyl polyamines, some of which are not previously reported in potato. Decreased PAL expression and enzyme activity was observed in HQT suppressed lines, suggesting the existence of a regulatory loop between CGA and PAL. Electrophysiology detected no effect of CGA suppression on potato psyllid feeding. Collectively, this research showed that CGA in potatoes is synthesized through HQT and HQT suppression altered phenotype and redirected phenylpropanoid flux.
Phototoxic Plant Burns: Report of a Case and Review of Topical Wound Treatment in Children
Authors: Pfurtscheller Klaus , Trop Marija 
Published: November 2014

AbstractAcute photodermatitis provoked by skin contact with giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) and exposure to ultraviolet radiation is a rare cause of phytophotodermatitis in children. We report the case of a 10‐year‐old girl with extensive photodermatitis after contact with giant hogweed and prolonged exposure to sunlight. The lesions involved 10% of the body surface area, mainly the lower extremities. After initial application of topical steroids to the skin erythema, the topical approach was changed due to extensive bullae. Debridement and temporary wound closure with an adequate dressing was undertaken. This is the first case report of application of Suprathel (PolyMedics Innovations, Denkendorf, Germany) on a phytophototoxic burn‐like wound with a favorable outcome.
Isolated Benign Primary Cutaneous Plasmacytosis in a Child
Authors: On Hye Rang , Lee Sang Eun , Kim You Chan , Kim Soo‐Chan 
Published: November 2014

AbstractIsolated benign primary cutaneous plasmacytosis in a child is a very rare and benign disease. Herein we present a case of this condition occurring in a child who showed good response to topical corticosteroid.
Self‐assembled adult adipose‐derived stem cell spheroids combined with biomaterials promote wound healing in a rat skin repair model
Authors: Hsu Shan‐hui , Hsieh Pai‐Shan 
Published: November 2014

AbstractAdult adipose‐derived stem cells (ASCs) are a type of multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with easy availability and serve as a potential cell source for cell‐based therapy. Three‐dimensional MSC spheroids may be derived from the self‐assembly of individual MSCs grown on certain polymer membranes. In this study, we demonstrated that the self‐assembled ASC spheroids on chitosan‐hyaluronan membranes expressed more cytokine genes (fibroblast growth factor 1, vascular endothelial growth factor, and chemokine [C‐C motif] ligand 2) as well as migration‐associated genes (chemokine [C‐X‐C motif] receptor type 4 and matrix metalloprotease 1) compared with ASC dispersed single cells grown on culture dish. To evaluate the in vivo effects of these spheroids, we applied ASC single cells and ASC spheroids in a designed rat skin repair model. Wounds of 15 × 15 mm were created on rat dorsal skin, where ASCs were administered and covered with hyaluronan gel/chitosan sponge to maintain a moist environment. Results showed that skin wounds treated with ASC spheroids had faster wound closure and a significantly higher ratio of angiogenesis. Tracking of fluorescently labeled ASCs showed close localization of ASC spheroids to microvessels, suggesting enhanced angiogenesis through paracrine effects. Based on the in vitro and in vivo results, the self‐assembled ASC spheroids may be a promising cellular source for skin tissue engineering and wound regeneration.
In vitro burn model illustrating heat conduction patterns using compressed thermal papers
Authors: Lee Jun Yong , Jung Sung‐No , Kwon Ho 
Published: November 2014

AbstractTo date, heat conduction from heat sources to tissue has been estimated by complex mathematical modeling. In the present study, we developed an intuitive in vitro skin burn model that illustrates heat conduction patterns inside the skin. This was composed of tightly compressed thermal papers with compression frames. Heat flow through the model left a trace by changing the color of thermal papers. These were digitized and three‐dimensionally reconstituted to reproduce the heat conduction patterns in the skin. For standardization, we validated K91HG‐CE thermal paper using a printout test and bivariate correlation analysis. We measured the papers' physical properties and calculated the estimated depth of heat conduction using Fourier's equation. Through contact burns of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 seconds on porcine skin and our burn model using a heated brass comb, and comparing the burn wound and heat conduction trace, we validated our model. The heat conduction pattern correlation analysis (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.846, p < 0.001) and the heat conduction depth correlation analysis (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.93, p < 0.001) showed statistically significant high correlations between the porcine burn wound and our model. Our model showed good correlation with porcine skin burn injury and replicated its heat conduction patterns.
Structure and characteristics of community‐based multidisciplinary wound care teams in Ontario: An environmental scan
Authors: Abrahamyan Lusine , Wong Josephine , Pham Ba' , Trubiani Gina , Carcone Steven , Mitsakakis Nicholas , Rosen Laura , Rac Valeria E. , Krahn Murray 
Published: November 2014

AbstractMultidisciplinary team approach is an essential component of evidence‐based wound management in the community. The objective of this study was to identify and describe community‐based multidisciplinary wound care teams in Ontario. For the study, a working definition of a multidisciplinary wound care team was developed, and a two‐phase field evaluation was conducted. In phase I, a systematic survey with three search strategies (environmental scan) was conducted to identify all multidisciplinary wound care teams in Ontario. In phase II, the team leads were surveyed about the service models of the teams. We identified 49 wound care teams in Ontario. The highest ratio of Ontario seniors to wound team within each Ontario health planning region was 82,358:1; the lowest ratio was 14,151:1. Forty‐four teams (90%) participated in the survey. The majority of teams existed for at least 5 years, were established as hospital outpatient clinics, and served patients with chronic wounds. Teams were heterogeneous in on‐site capacity of specialized diagnostic testing and wound treatment, team size, and patient volume. Seventy‐seven percent of teams had members from three or more disciplines. Several teams lacked essential disciplines. More research is needed to identify optimal service models leading to improved patient outcomes.
Reduction of Veterinary Antimicrobial Use in the Netherlands. The Dutch Success Model
Authors: Speksnijder D. C. , Mevius D. J. , Bruschke C. J. M. , Wagenaar J. A. 
Published: November 2014

SummaryUse of antimicrobials in animals poses a potential risk for public health as it contributes to the selection and spread of antimicrobial resistance. Although knowledge of the negative consequences of extensive antimicrobial use in humans and animals accumulated over the decades, total therapeutic antimicrobial use in farm animals in the Netherlands doubled between 1990 and 2007. A series of facts and events formed a window of opportunity to reduce antimicrobial use in farm animals. The recent discovery of significant reservoirs of antimicrobial‐resistant pathogens such as methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and extended spectrum beta‐lactamase‐producing bacteria (ESBL) in farm animals, with potential public health implications, combined with an increasing lack of confidence of the public in intensive livestock industries, and discrepancy between the very low antimicrobial use in humans and high use in animals, resulted in intensive collaboration between the government, veterinary professional organizations and important stakeholders within the livestock sector. A combination of compulsory and voluntary actions with clear reduction goals resulted in a 56% reduction in antimicrobial use in farm animals in the Netherlands between 2007 and 2012 and aims at accomplishing a 70% reduction target in 2015. This article describes and analyses the processes and actions behind this transition from an abundant antimicrobial use in farm animals towards a more prudent application of antimicrobials in farm animals in the Netherlands.
Outdoor Temperature, Precipitation, and Wind Speed Affect Physical Activity Levels in Children: A Longitudinal Cohort Study
Authors: Edwards Nicholas M. , Myer Gregory D. , Kalkwarf Heidi J. , Woo Jessica G. , Khoury Philip R. , Hewett Timothy E. , Daniels Stephen R. 
Published: November 2014

Objective:Evaluate effects of local weather conditions on physical activity in early childhood.Methods:Longitudinal prospective cohort study of 372 children, 3 years old at enrollment, drawn from a major US metropolitan community. Accelerometer-measured (RT3) physical activity was collected every 4 months over 5 years and matched with daily weather measures: day length, heating/cooling degrees (degrees mean temperature < 65°F or ≥ 65°F, respectively), wind, and precipitation. Mixed regression analyses, adjusted for repeated measures, were used to test the relationship between weather and physical activity.Results:Precipitation and wind speed were negatively associated with total physical activity and moderate-vigorous physical activity (P < .0001). Heating and cooling degrees were negatively associated with total physical activity and moderate-vigorous physical activity and positively associated with inactivity (all P < .0001), independent of age, sex, race, BMI, day length, wind, and precipitation. For every 10 additional heating degrees there was a 5-minute daily reduction in moderatevigorous physical activity. For every additional 10 cooling degrees there was a 17-minute reduction in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.Conclusions:Inclement weather (higher/lower temperature, greater wind speed, more rain/snow) is associated with less physical activity in young children. These deleterious effects should be considered when planning physical activity research, interventions, and policies.
Temporal and Seasonal Changes of Genetic Polymorphisms Associated with Altered Drug Susceptibility to Chloroquine, Lumefantrine, and Quinine in Guinea-Bissau between 2003 and 2012
Authors: Jovel Irina Tatiana , Kofoed Poul-Erik , Rombo Lars , Rodrigues Amabelia , Ursing Johan 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACT

In 2008, artemether-lumefantrine was introduced in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa, but quinine has also been commonly prescribed for the treatment of uncomplicated
Plasmodium falciparum
malaria. An efficacious high-dose chloroquine treatment regimen was used previously. Temporal and seasonal changes of genetic polymorphisms associated with altered drug susceptibility to chloroquine, lumefantrine, and quinine have been described.
P. falciparum
chloroquine resistance transporter (
pfcrt
) K76T,
pfmdr1
gene copy numbers,
pfmdr1
polymorphisms N86Y and Y184F, and
pfmdr1
sequences 1034 to 1246 were determined using PCR-based methods. Blood samples came from virtually all (
n =
1,806) children <15 years of age who had uncomplicated
P. falciparum
monoinfection and presented at a health center in suburban Bissau (from 2003 to 2012). The
pfcrt
K76T and
pfmdr1
N86Y frequencies were stable, and seasonal changes were not seen from 2003 to 2007. Since 2007, the mean annual frequencies increased (
P
< 0.001) for
pfcrt
76T (24% to 57%),
pfmdr1
N86 (72% to 83%), and
pfcrt
76 +
pfmdr1
86 TN (10% to 27%), and
pfcrt
76T accumulated during the high transmission season (
P
= 0.001). The
pfmdr1
86 + 184 NF frequency increased from 39% to 66% (from 2003 to 2011;
P
= 0.004). One sample had two
pfmdr1
gene copies.
pfcrt
76T was associated with a lower parasite density (
P
< 0.001). Following the discontinuation of an effective chloroquine regimen, probably highly artemether-lumefantrine-susceptible
P. falciparum
(with
pfcrt
76T) accumulated, possibly due to suboptimal use of quinine and despite a fitness cost linked to
pfcrt
76T. (The studies reported here were registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT00137514 [PSB-2001-chl-amo], NCT00137566 [PSB-2004-paracetamol], NCT00426439 [PSB-2006-coartem], NCT01157689 [AL-eff 2010], and NCT01704508 [Eurartesim 2012].)
Antisense Growth Inhibition of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus by Locked Nucleic Acid Conjugated with Cell-Penetrating Peptide as a Novel FtsZ Inhibitor
Authors: Meng Jingru , Da Fei , Ma Xue , Wang Ning , Wang Yukun , Zhang Huinan , Li Mingkai , Zhou Ying , Xue Xiaoyan , Hou Zheng , Jia Min , Luo Xiaoxing 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACT

Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) infections are becoming increasingly difficult to treat, owing to acquired antibiotic resistance. The emergence and spread of MRSA limit therapeutic options and require new therapeutic strategies, including novel MRSA-active antibiotics. Filamentous temperature-sensitive protein Z (FtsZ) is a highly conserved bacterial tubulin homologue that is essential for controlling the bacterial cell division process in different species of
S. aureus
. We conjugated a locked nucleic acid (LNA) that targeted
ftsZ
mRNA with the peptide (KFF)
3
K, to generate peptide-LNA (PLNA). The present study aimed to investigate whether PLNA could be used as a novel antibacterial agent. PLNA787, the most active agent synthesized, exhibited promising inhibitory effects on four pathogenic
S. aureus
strains
in vitro
. PLNA787 inhibited bacterial growth and resolved lethal Mu50 infections in epithelial cell cultures. PLNA787 also improved the survival rates of Mu50-infected mice and was associated with reductions of bacterial titers in several tissue types. The inhibitory effects on
ftsZ
mRNA and FtsZ protein expression and inhibition of the bacterial cell division process are considered to be the major mechanisms of PLNA. PLNA787 demonstrated activity against MRSA infections
in vitro
and
in vivo
. Our findings suggest that
ftsZ
mRNA is a promising new target for developing novel antisense antibiotics.
A New Nonpolar
N
-Hydroxy Imidazoline Lead Compound with Improved Activity in a Murine Model of Late-Stage Trypanosoma brucei brucei Infection Is Not Cross-Resistant with Diamidines
Authors: Ríos Martínez Carlos H. , Miller Florence , Ganeshamoorthy Kayathiri , Glacial Fabienne , Kaiser Marcel , de Koning Harry P. , Eze Anthonius A. , Lagartera Laura , Herraiz Tomás , Dardonville Christophe 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACT

Treatment of late-stage sleeping sickness requires drugs that can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to reach the parasites located in the brain. We report here the synthesis and evaluation of four new
N
-hydroxy and 12 new
N
-alkoxy derivatives of bisimidazoline leads as potential agents for the treatment of late-stage sleeping sickness. These compounds, which have reduced basicity compared to the parent leads (i.e., are less ionized at physiological pH), were evaluated
in vitro
against
Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense
and
in vivo
in murine models of first- and second-stage sleeping sickness. Resistance profile, physicochemical parameters,
in vitro
BBB permeability, and microsomal stability also were determined. The
N
-hydroxy imidazoline analogues were the most effective
in vivo
, with 4-((1-hydroxy-4,5-dihydro-1
H
-imidazol-2-yl)amino)-
N
-(4-((1-hydroxy-4,5-dihydro-1
H
-imidazol-2-yl)amino)phenyl)benzamide (14d) showing 100% cures in the first-stage disease, while 15d, 16d, and 17d appeared to slightly improve survival. In addition, 14d showed weak activity in the chronic model of central nervous system infection in mice. No evidence of reduction of this compound with hepatic microsomes and mitochondria was found
in vitro
, suggesting that
N
-hydroxy imidazolines are metabolically stable and have intrinsic activity against
T. brucei
. In contrast to its unsubstituted parent compound, the uptake of 14d in
T. brucei
was independent of known drug transporters (i.e.,
T. brucei
AT1/P2 and HAPT), indicating a lower predisposition to cross-resistance with other diamidines and arsenical drugs. Hence, the
N
-hydroxy bisimidazolines (14d in particular) represent a new class of promising antitrypanosomal agents.
Novel Conjugative Plasmid from Escherichia coli of Swine Origin That Coharbors the Multiresistance Gene
cfr
and the Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase Gene
bla
CTX-M-14b
Authors: Zhang Wan-Jiang , Wang Xiu-Mei , Dai Lei , Hua Xin , Dong Zhimin , Schwarz Stefan , Liu Siguo 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACT

Two porcine
Escherichia coli
isolates harbored the
cfr
gene on conjugative plasmids of 38,405 bp (pGXEC6) and 41,646 bp (pGXEC3). In these two plasmids, the
cfr
gene was located within a 4,612-bp region containing a
tnpA
-IS
26-cfr
-IS
26
-Δ
hyp
element. Plasmid pGXEC3 was almost identical to pGXEC6 except for a 3,235-bp IS
Ecp1-bla
CTX-M-14b
insertion. The colocation of the multiresistance
cfr
gene with an extended-spectrum-β-lactamase gene on a conjugative plasmid may support the dissemination of these genes by coselection.