bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
GABAergic transmission and enhanced modulation by opioids and endocannabinoids in adult rat rostral ventromedial medulla
Authors: Li Ming‐Hua , Suchland Katherine L. , Ingram Susan L. 
Published: October 2014

Key points
Electrical stimulation of the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) facilitates pain behaviours in neonates but inhibits these behaviours in adults. The cellular mechanisms underlying these changes in RVM modulation of pain behaviours are not known.
We optimized whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings for RVM neurons in animals older than postnatal day 30 and compared the results to postnatal day 10–21 animals.
Our results demonstrate that the γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) release is lower and opioid effects are more evident in adult rats compared to early postnatal rats.
A cannabinoid receptor antagonist significantly increased GABA release in mature but not in immature RVM neurons suggesting the presence of local endocannabinoid tone in mature RVM.
AbstractNeurons in the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) play critical and complex roles in pain modulation. Recent studies have shown that electrical stimulation of the RVM produces pain facilitation in young animals (postnatal (PN) day < 21) but predominantly inhibits pain behaviours in adults. The cellular mechanisms underlying these changes in RVM modulation of pain behaviours are not known. This is in part because whole‐cell patch‐clamp studies in RVM to date have been in young (PN day < 18) animals because the organization and abundance of myelinated fibres in this region make the RVM a challenging area for whole‐cell patch‐clamp recording in adults. Several neurotransmitter systems, including GABAergic neurotransmission, undergo developmental changes that mature by PN day 21. Thus, we focused on optimizing whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings for RVM neurons in animals older than PN day 30 and compared the results to animals at PN day 10–21. Our results demonstrate that the probability of GABA release is lower and that opioid and endocannabinoid effects are more evident in adult rats (mature) compared to early postnatal (immature) rats. Differences in these properties of RVM neurons may contribute to the developmental changes in descending control of pain from the RVM to the spinal cord.
Activation of muscarinic receptors by ACh release in hippocampal CA1 depolarizes VIP but has varying effects on parvalbumin‐expressing basket cells
Authors: Bell L. Andrew , Bell Karen A. , McQuiston A. Rory 
Published: October 2014

Key points
Optogenetically released acetylcholine (ACh) from medial septal afferents activates muscarinic receptors on both vasoactive intestinal peptide‐expressing (VIP) and parvalbumin‐expressing (PV) basket cells (BCs) in mouse hippocampal CA1.
ACh release depolarized VIP BCs whereas PV BCs depolarized, hyperpolarized or produced biphasic responses.
Depolarizing responses in VIP or PV BCs resulted in increased amplitudes and frequencies of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) in CA1 pyramidal neurons.
The instantaneous frequency of sIPSCs that result from excitation of VIP or PV BCs primarily occurred within the low gamma frequency band (25–50 Hz).
AbstractWe investigated the effect of acetylcholine release on mouse hippocampal CA1 perisomatically projecting interneurons. Acetylcholine was optogenetically released in hippocampal slices by expressing the excitatory optogenetic protein oChIEF‐tdTomato in medial septum/diagonal band of Broca cholinergic neurons using Cre recombinase‐dependent adeno‐associated virally mediated transfection. The effect of optogenetically released acetylcholine was assessed on interneurons expressing Cre recombinase in vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) or parvalbumin (PV) interneurons using whole cell patch clamp methods. Acetylcholine released onto VIP interneurons that innervate pyramidal neuron perisomatic regions (basket cells, BCs) were depolarized by muscarinic receptors. Although PV BCs were also excited by muscarinic receptor activation, they more frequently responded with hyperpolarizing or biphasic responses. Muscarinic receptor activation resulting from ACh release increased the frequency of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) in downstream hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons with peak instantaneous frequencies occurring in both the gamma and theta bandwidths. Both PV and VIP BCs contributed to the increased sIPSC frequency in pyramidal neurons and optogenetic suppression of PV or VIP BCs inhibited sIPSCs occurring in the gamma range. Therefore, we propose acetylcholine release in CA1 has a complex effect on CA1 pyramidal neuron output through varying effects on perisomatically projecting interneurons.
Species‐dependent adaptation of the cardiac Na+/K+ pump kinetics to the intracellular Na+ concentration
Authors: Lewalle Alexandre , Niederer Steven A. , Smith Nicolas P. 
Published: October 2014

Key Points
The sodium/potassium pump is a membrane protein that maintains the Na+ and K+ concentration gradients across the plasma membrane and is therefore a key component of the cardiac contraction mechanism.
Numerical models of the pump provide insight into its physiological role but most existing models neglect the significant known quantitative differences in pump kinetics between different species.
We developed a biophysical mechanistic modelling framework, designed specifically to enable a fully consistent species‐specific characterisation of the pump function.
We applied this framework to generate two separate species‐specific models, for the guinea pig and rat, and compared their respective kinetics in terms of objectively characterised biophysical parameters.
We incorporated our rat‐specific Na+/K+ ATPase model into a whole‐cell simulation and, for the first time, were able to reproduce measurements of the steady‐state intracellular sodium concentration as a function of pacing frequency.
AbstractThe Na+/K+ ATPase (NKA) plays a critical role in maintaining ionic homeostasis and dynamic function in cardiac myocytes, within both the in vivo cell and in silico models. Physiological conditions differ significantly between mammalian species. However, most existing formulations of NKA used to simulate cardiac function in computational models are derived from a broad range of experimental sources spanning many animal species. The resultant inability of these models to discern species‐specific features is a significant obstacle to achieving a detailed quantitative and comparative understanding of physiological behaviour in different biological contexts. Here we present a framework for characterising the steady‐state NKA current using a biophysical mechanistic model specifically designed to provide a mechanistic explanation of the NKA flux supported by self‐consistent species‐specific data. We thus compared NKA kinetics specific to guinea‐ pig and rat ventricular myocytes. We observe that the apparent binding affinity for sodium in the rat is significantly lower, whereas the overall pump cycle rate is doubled, in comparison to the guinea pig. This sensitivity of NKA to its regulatory substrates compensates for the differences in Na+ concentrations between the cell types. NKA is thereby maintained within its dynamic range over a wide range of pacing frequencies in these two species, despite significant disparities in sodium concentration. Hence, by replacing a conventional generic NKA model with our rat‐specific NKA formula into a whole‐cell simulation, we have, for the first time, been able to accurately reproduce the action potential duration and the steady‐state sodium concentration as functions of pacing frequency.
The effectiveness of web-based interprofessional learning modules on health professional students’ behavioural intentions in relation to medication safety: A quasi- experimental study
Authors: Lapkin S , Levett-Jones T , Gilligan C 
Published: October 2014

Background: Safe medication practices are a key focus of the global strategy to improve patient safety. Emerging evidence demonstrates that learning experiences focusing on developing collaborative skills such as mutual understanding of others’ roles, teamwork and interprofessional communication can enhance medication safety. However, interprofessional education for undergraduate students is limited by factors such timetabling restrictions and curricular constraints. Web-based approaches provide the opportunity to overcome these barriers. However, currently there is little empirical evidence of the effectiveness of web-based approaches in changing the behaviour of health professional students in relation to medication safety and collaborative practice.Aim: To examine the impact of web-based interprofessional learning modules on health professional students’ behavioural intentions in relation to medication safety and team work.Methods: A quasi-experimental approach was employed to evaluate the effectiveness of the learning modules and 320 undergraduate health professions students were recruited. Students were allocated to either an experimental (n= 155) or control group (n= 165). Participants in the experimental group completed a multimedia web-based learning module. The purpose-designed Theory of Planned Behaviour Medication Safety Questionnaire was used to compare behavioural intentions, attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control in relation to medication safety between the control and experimental groups.Results: Participants in the experimental group demonstrated significantly greater intention to practice in a way that enhances medication safety and collaborative practice than those in the control group, as evidenced by higher scores on all outcomes: behavioural intention (p < 0.001); attitude (p < 0.001); perceived behavioural control (p= 0.107); and subjective norm (p = 0.115).Conclusion: The web-based interprofessional learning modules were an effective learning strategy for developing the behavioural intentions and attitudes inherent in safe medication practices.
X-Ray Structure of the Amidase Domain of AtzF, the Allophanate Hydrolase from the Cyanuric Acid-Mineralizing Multienzyme Complex
Authors: Balotra Sahil , Newman Janet , Cowieson Nathan P. , French Nigel G. , Campbell Peter M. , Briggs Lyndall J. , Warden Andrew C. , Easton Christopher J. , Peat Thomas S. , Scott Colin 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACT

The activity of the allophanate hydrolase from
Pseudomonas
sp. strain ADP, AtzF, provides the final hydrolytic step for the mineralization of
s
-triazines, such as atrazine and cyanuric acid. Indeed, the action of AtzF provides metabolic access to two of the three nitrogens in each triazine ring. The X-ray structure of the N-terminal amidase domain of AtzF reveals that it is highly homologous to allophanate hydrolases involved in a different catabolic process in other organisms (i.e., the mineralization of urea). The smaller C-terminal domain does not appear to have a physiologically relevant catalytic function, as reported for the allophanate hydrolase of
Kluyveromyces lactis
, when purified enzyme was tested
in vitro
. However, the C-terminal domain does have a function in coordinating the quaternary structure of AtzF. Interestingly, we also show that AtzF forms a large, ca. 660-kDa, multienzyme complex with AtzD and AtzE that is capable of mineralizing cyanuric acid. The function of this complex may be to channel substrates from one active site to the next, effectively protecting unstable metabolites, such as allophanate, from solvent-mediated decarboxylation to a dead-end metabolic product.
Improving Detection of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli by Molecular Methods by Reducing the Interference of Free Shiga Toxin-Encoding Bacteriophages
Authors: Quirós Pablo , Martínez-Castillo Alexandre , Muniesa Maite 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACT

Detection of Shiga toxin-producing
Escherichia coli
(STEC) by culture methods is advisable to identify the pathogen, but recovery of the strain responsible for the disease is not always possible. The use of DNA-based methods (PCR, quantitative PCR [qPCR], or genomics) targeting virulence genes offers fast and robust alternatives. However, detection of
stx
is not always indicative of STEC because
stx
can be located in the genome of temperate phages found in the samples as free particles; this could explain the numerous reports of positive
stx
detection without successful STEC isolation. An approach based on filtration through low-protein-binding membranes and additional washing steps was applied to reduce free Stx phages without reducing detection of STEC bacteria. River water, food, and stool samples were spiked with suspensions of phage 933W and, as a STEC surrogate, a lysogen harboring a recombinant Stx phage in which
stx
was replaced by
gfp
. Bacteria were tested either by culture or by qPCR for
gfp
while phages were tested using qPCR targeting
stx
in phage DNA. The procedure reduces phage particles by 3.3 log
10
units without affecting the recovery of the STEC population (culturable or assessed by qPCR). The method is applicable regardless of phage and bacteria densities and is useful in different matrices (liquid or solid). This approach eliminates or considerably reduces the interference of Stx phages in the detection of STEC by molecular methods. The reduction of possible interference would increase the efficiency and reliability of genomics for STEC detection when the method is applied routinely in diagnosis and food analysis.
Evaluation of the Porcine Gastric Mucin Binding Assay for High-Pressure-Inactivation Studies Using Murine Norovirus and Tulane Virus
Authors: Li Xinhui , Chen Haiqiang 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACT
We compared the results of high-hydrostatic-pressure (HHP) inactivation of murine norovirus type 1 (MNV-1) and Tulane virus (TV) obtained by a porcine gastric mucin binding assay followed by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (referred to here as the PGM-MB/PCR assay) and a plaque assay and evaluated HHP inactivation of a human norovirus (HuNoV) genogroup I genotype 1 (GI.1) strain and a HuNoV GII.4 strain by using the PGM-MB/PCR assay. Viruses were treated at different pressure levels for 2 min at 4 or 21°C in culture medium of neutral pH and in culture medium of pH 4 at 21°C. The log reductions of infectious MNV-1 and TV particles caused by HHP were assessed using the PGM-MB/PCR and plaque assays, while the log reductions of HuNoVs were assessed by the PGM-MB/PCR assay only. For TV and MNV-1, the two pressure inactivation curves obtained using the plaque and PGM-MB/PCR assays were almost identical at ≤2-log-reduction levels regardless of the treatment temperature and pH. Further increasing the pressure over the 2-log-reduction level resulted in higher log reductions of TV and MNV-1, as assessed by the plaque assay, but did not increase the log reductions, as assessed by the PGM-MB/PCR assay. HHP treatments could achieve maximum reductions of ∼3 and 3.5 log units for GI.1 and GII.4, respectively, as assessed by the PGM-MB/PCR assay. On the basis of these results, it can reasonably be concluded that the PGM-MB/PCR assay would very likely be able to estimate HHP inactivation of HuNoV at ≤2-log-reduction levels. It would also likely conservatively quantify HHP inactivation of the GI.1 strain at 2- to 3-log-reduction levels and the GII.4 strain at 2- to 3.5-log-reduction levels.
In Vitro
Activity of Glucosinolates and Their Degradation Products against Brassica-Pathogenic Bacteria and Fungi
Authors: Sotelo T. , Lema M. , Soengas P. , Cartea M. E. , Velasco P. 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACT

Glucosinolates (GSLs) are secondary metabolites found in
Brassica
vegetables that confer on them resistance against pests and diseases. Both GSLs and glucosinolate hydrolysis products (GHPs) have shown positive effects in reducing soil pathogens. Information about their
in vitro
biocide effects is scarce, but previous studies have shown sinigrin GSLs and their associated allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) to be soil biocides. The objective of this work was to evaluate the biocide effects of 17 GSLs and GHPs and of leaf methanolic extracts of different GSL-enriched
Brassica
crops on suppressing
in vitro
growth of two bacterial (
Xanthomonas campestris
pv. campestris and
Pseudomonas syringae
pv. maculicola) and two fungal (
Alternaria
brassicae
and
Sclerotinia
scletoriorum
)
Brassica
pathogens. GSLs, GHPs, and methanolic leaf extracts inhibited the development of the pathogens tested compared to the control, and the effect was dose dependent. Furthermore, the biocide effects of the different compounds studied were dependent on the species and race of the pathogen. These results indicate that GSLs and their GHPs, as well as extracts of different
Brassica
species, have potential to inhibit pathogen growth and offer new opportunities to study the use of
Brassica
crops in biofumigation for the control of multiple diseases.
Vegetation-Associated Impacts on Arctic Tundra Bacterial and Microeukaryotic Communities
Authors: Shi Yu , Xiang Xingjia , Shen Congcong , Chu Haiyan , Neufeld Josh D. , Walker Virginia K. , Grogan Paul 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACT

The Arctic is experiencing rapid vegetation changes, such as shrub and tree line expansion, due to climate warming, as well as increased wetland variability due to hydrological changes associated with permafrost thawing. These changes are of global concern because changes in vegetation may increase tundra soil biogeochemical processes that would significantly enhance atmospheric CO
2
concentrations. Predicting the latter will at least partly depend on knowing the structure, functional activities, and distributions of soil microbes among the vegetation types across Arctic landscapes. Here we investigated the bacterial and microeukaryotic community structures in soils from the four principal low Arctic tundra vegetation types: wet sedge, birch hummock, tall birch, and dry heath. Sequencing of rRNA gene fragments indicated that the wet sedge and tall birch communities differed significantly from each other and from those associated with the other two dominant vegetation types. Distinct microbial communities were associated with soil pH, ammonium concentration, carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio, and moisture content. In soils with similar moisture contents and pHs (excluding wet sedge), bacterial, fungal, and total eukaryotic communities were correlated with the ammonium concentration, dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) content, and C/N ratio. Operational taxonomic unit (OTU) richness, Faith's phylogenetic diversity, and the Shannon species-level index (
H
′) were generally lower in the tall birch soil than in soil from the other vegetation types, with pH being strongly correlated with bacterial richness and Faith's phylogenetic diversity. Together, these results suggest that Arctic soil feedback responses to climate change will be vegetation specific not just because of distinctive substrates and environmental characteristics but also, potentially, because of inherent differences in microbial community structure.
Draft Genome Sequence of Ristocetin-Producing Strain
Amycolatopsis
sp. Strain MJM2582 Isolated in South Korea
Authors: Kwun Min Jung , Cheng Jinhua , Yang Seung Hwan , Lee Dong-Ryung , Suh Joo-Won , Hong Hee-Jeon 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACT

The draft genome sequence of a ristocetin-producing
Amycolatopsis
strain (sp. MJM2582) isolated in South Korea is reported here. This strain has a genome of approximately 8.9 Mb containing 7,933 predicted genes, including the ristocetin cluster and 32 additional predicted secondary metabolite biosynthesis clusters.
Draft Genome Sequences of Two
Vibrionaceae
Species, Vibrio ponticus C121 and Photobacterium aphoticum C119, Isolated as Coral Reef Microbiota
Authors: Al-saari Nurhidayu , Meirelles Pedro Milet , Mino Sayaka , Suda Wataru , Oshima Kenshiro , Hattori Masahira , Ohkuma Moriya , Thompson Fabiano L. , Gomez-Gil Bruno , Sawabe Toko , Sawabe Tomoo 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACT

Here, the draft genome sequences of two
Vibrionaceae
,
Vibrio ponticus
C121 and
Photobacterium aphoticum
C119, which were isolated from the coral reef vicinity in Okinawa, Japan, are reported. The genome provides further insight into the genomic plasticity, biocomplexity, and ecophysiology, including pathogenicity and evolution, of these genera.
Draft Genome Sequences of Amoeba-Resistant
Aeromonas
spp. Isolated from Aquatic Environments
Authors: Kenzaka Takehiko , Nakahara Mayu , Higuchi Shoko , Maeda Kento , Tani Katsuji 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACT

Amoeba-resistant
Aeromonas veronii
ARB3 and
Aeromonas media
ARB13 and ARB20, which may be important intracellular pathogens of eukaryotic hosts, were isolated from pond and river waters. The draft genome sequences indicate that the strains harbor multiple protein secretion systems and toxins that induce disruption of the actin cytoskeleton.
Parental child-rearing attitudes are associated with functional constipation in childhood
Authors: van Dijk Marieke , de Vries Giel-Jan , Last Bob F , Benninga Marc A , Grootenhuis Martha A 
Published: October 2014

ObjectiveParenting factors are assumed to play a role in the development and maintenance of childhood constipation. However, knowledge about the association between parenting factors and childhood constipation is limited. This study investigates the association between parental child-rearing attitudes and prominent symptoms of functional constipation and assesses the strength of this association.DesignCross-sectional data of 133 constipated children and their parents were collected.SettingThe gastrointestinal outpatient clinic at the Emma Children's Hospital in the Netherlands.PatientsChildren with functional constipation aged 4–18 years referred by general practitioners, school doctors and paediatricians.Main outcome measuresParental child-rearing attitudes were assessed by the Amsterdam version of the Parental Attitude Research Instrument (A-PARI). Symptoms of constipation in the child were assessed by a standardised interview. Negative binomial and logistic regression models were used to test the association between child-rearing attitudes and constipation symptoms.ResultsParental child-rearing attitudes are associated with defecation and faecal incontinence frequency. Higher and lower scores on the autonomy attitude scale were associated with decreased defecation frequency and increased faecal incontinence. High scores on the overprotection and self-pity attitude scales were associated with increased faecal incontinence. More and stronger associations were found for children aged ≥6 years than for younger children.ConclusionsParental child-rearing attitudes are associated with functional constipation in children. Any parenting issues should be addressed during treatment of children with constipation. Referral to mental health services is needed when parenting difficulties hinder treatment or when the parent–child relationship is at risk.Trial registration numberISRCTN2518556.