bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Results from Colombia’s 2014 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth
Authors: González Silvia A. , Sarmiento Olga L. , Cohen Daniel D. , Camargo Diana M. , Correa Jorge E. , Páez Diana C. , Ramírez-Vélez Robinson 
Published: May 2014

Background:Physical activity (PA) is central to the global agenda for the prevention on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Although 80% of NCDs occur in low-to-middle-income countries, the evidence on PA comes mainly from high-income countries. In this context, the report card for Colombia is an advocacy tool to help in the translation of evidence into concrete actions. The aims of this paper were two-fold: to present the methodology used to develop the first Report Card on Physical Activity in Colombian Children and Youth and to summarize the results.Methods:Twelve indicators of PA were graded using numerical grades (5, highest, to 1, lowest) based on data from national surveys and policy documents.Results:National policy and obesity indicators were graded “4,” while departmental policy and overweight indicators were graded “3.” Overall PA levels, sports participation, sedentary behaviors and nongovernment initiatives were graded “2,” and school influence was graded “1.” Active transportation, active play, low cardiorespiratory fitness, and family and community influence received an incomplete.Conclusion:PA levels are low and sedentary behaviors are high in Colombian children and youth. Although the prevalence of obesity in Colombia is lower compared with other Latin American countries, it is increasing. A rich legal framework and availability of institutional arrangements provide unique opportunities to bridge the gap between knowledge and practice that need to be evaluated.
LL-37-Derived Peptides Eradicate Multidrug-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus from Thermally Wounded Human Skin Equivalents
Authors: Haisma Elisabeth M. , de Breij Anna , Chan Heelam , van Dissel Jaap T. , Drijfhout Jan W. , Hiemstra Pieter S. , El Ghalbzouri Abdoelwaheb , Nibbering Peter H. 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT

Burn wound infections are often difficult to treat due to the presence of multidrug-resistant bacterial strains and biofilms. Currently, mupirocin is used to eradicate methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) from colonized persons; however, mupirocin resistance is also emerging. Since we consider antimicrobial peptides to be promising candidates for the development of novel anti-infective agents, we studied the antibacterial activities of a set of synthetic peptides against different strains of
S. aureus
, including mupirocin-resistant MRSA strains. The peptides were derived from P60.4Ac, a peptide based on the human cathelicidin LL-37. The results showed that peptide 10 (P10) was the only peptide more efficient than P60.4Ac, which is better than LL-37, in killing MRSA strain LUH14616. All three peptides displayed good antibiofilm activities. However, both P10 and P60.4Ac were more efficient than LL-37 in eliminating biofilm-associated bacteria. No toxic effects of these three peptides on human epidermal models were detected, as observed morphologically and by staining for mitochondrial activity. In addition, P60.4Ac and P10, but not LL-37, eradicated MRSA LUH14616 and the mupirocin-resistant MRSA strain LUH15051 from thermally wounded human skin equivalents (HSE). Interestingly, P60.4Ac and P10, but not mupirocin, eradicated LUH15051 from the HSEs. None of the peptides affected the excretion of interleukin 8 (IL-8) by thermally wounded HSEs upon MRSA exposure. In conclusion, the synthetic peptides P60.4Ac and P10 appear to be attractive candidates for the development of novel local therapies to treat patients with burn wounds infected with multidrug-resistant bacteria.
Impacts of Plant-Based Foods in Ancestral Hominin Diets on the Metabolism and Function of Gut Microbiota
In Vitro
Authors: Frost Gary S. , Walton Gemma E. , Swann Jonathan R. , Psichas Arianna , Costabile Adele , Johnson Laura P. , Sponheimer Matt , Gibson Glenn R. , Barraclough Timothy G. 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT

Ancestral human populations had diets containing more indigestible plant material than present-day diets in industrialized countries. One hypothesis for the rise in prevalence of obesity is that physiological mechanisms for controlling appetite evolved to match a diet with plant fiber content higher than that of present-day diets. We investigated how diet affects gut microbiota and colon cells by comparing human microbial communities with those from a primate that has an extreme plant-based diet, namely, the gelada baboon, which is a grazer. The effects of potato (high starch) versus grass (high lignin and cellulose) diets on human-derived versus gelada-derived fecal communities were compared
in vitro
. We especially focused on the production of short-chain fatty acids, which are hypothesized to be key metabolites influencing appetite regulation pathways. The results confirmed that diet has a major effect on bacterial numbers, short-chain fatty acid production, and the release of hormones involved in appetite suppression. The potato diet yielded greater production of short-chain fatty acids and hormone release than the grass diet, even in the gelada cultures, which we had expected should be better adapted to the grass diet. The strong effects of diet on hormone release could not be explained, however, solely by short-chain fatty acid concentrations. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy found changes in additional metabolites, including betaine and isoleucine, that might play key roles in inhibiting and stimulating appetite suppression pathways. Our study results indicate that a broader array of metabolites might be involved in triggering gut hormone release in humans than previously thought.

IMPORTANCE
One theory for rising levels of obesity in western populations is that the body’s mechanisms for controlling appetite evolved to match ancestral diets with more low-energy plant foods. We investigated this idea by comparing the effects of diet on appetite suppression pathways via the use of gut bacterial communities from humans and gelada baboons, which are modern-day primates with an extreme diet of low-energy plant food, namely, grass. We found that diet does play a major role in affecting gut bacteria and the production of a hormone that suppresses appetite but not in the direction predicted by the ancestral diet hypothesis. Also, bacterial products were correlated with hormone release that were different from those normally thought to play this role. By comparing microbiota and diets outside the natural range for modern humans, we found a relationship between diet and appetite pathways that was more complex than previously hypothesized on the basis of more-controlled studies of the effects of single compounds.
Analysis of Two-Component Systems in Group B
Streptococcus
Shows That RgfAC and the Novel FspSR Modulate Virulence and Bacterial Fitness
Authors: Faralla Cristina , Metruccio Matteo M. , De Chiara Matteo , Mu Rong , Patras Kathryn A. , Muzzi Alessandro , Grandi Guido , Margarit Immaculada , Doran Kelly S. , Janulczyk Robert 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT

Group B
Streptococcus
(GBS), in the transition from commensal organisms to pathogens, will encounter diverse host environments and, thus, require coordinated control of the transcriptional responses to these changes. This work was aimed at better understanding the role of two-component signal transduction systems (TCS) in GBS pathophysiology through a systematic screening procedure. We first performed a complete inventory and sensory mechanism classification of all putative GBS TCS by genomic analysis. Five TCS were further investigated by the generation of knockout strains, and
in vitro
transcriptome analysis identified genes regulated by these systems, ranging from 0.1% to 3% of the genome. Interestingly, two sugar phosphotransferase systems appeared to be differentially regulated in the TCS-16 knockout strain (TCS loci were numbered in order of their appearance on the chromosome), suggesting an involvement in monitoring carbon source availability. High-throughput analysis of bacterial growth on different carbon sources showed that TCS-16 was necessary for the growth of GBS on fructose-6-phosphate. Additional transcriptional analysis provided further evidence for a stimulus-response circuit where extracellular fructose-6-phosphate leads to autoinduction of TCS-16, with concomitant dramatic upregulation of the adjacent operon, which encodes a phosphotransferase system. The TCS-16-deficient strain exhibited decreased persistence in a model of vaginal colonization. All mutant strains were also characterized in a murine model of systemic infection, and inactivation of TCS-17 (also known as RgfAC) resulted in hypervirulence. Our data suggest a role for the previously unknown TCS-16, here named FspSR, in bacterial fitness and carbon metabolism during host colonization, and the data also provide experimental evidence for TCS-17/RgfAC involvement in virulence.

IMPORTANCE
Two-component systems have been evolved by bacteria to detect environmental changes, and they play key roles in pathogenicity. A comprehensive analysis of TCS in GBS has not been performed previously. In this work, we classify 21 TCS and present evidence for the involvement of two specific TCS in GBS virulence and colonization
in vivo
. Although pinpointing specific TCS stimuli is notoriously difficult, we used a combination of techniques to identify two systems with different effects on GBS pathogenesis. For one of the systems, we propose that fructose-6-phosphate, a metabolite in glycolysis, is sufficient to induce a regulatory response involving a sugar transport system. Our catalogue and classification of TCS may guide further studies into the role of TCS in GBS pathogenicity and biology.
Uptake of Helicobacter pylori Vesicles Is Facilitated by Clathrin-Dependent and Clathrin-Independent Endocytic Pathways
Authors: Olofsson Annelie , Nygård Skalman Lars , Obi Ikenna , Lundmark Richard , Arnqvist Anna 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACT

Bacteria shed a diverse set of outer membrane vesicles that function as transport vehicles to deliver effector molecules and virulence factors to host cells.
Helicobacter pylori
is a gastric pathogen that infects half of the world’s population, and in some individuals the infection progresses into peptic ulcer disease or gastric cancer. Here we report that intact vesicles from
H. pylori
are internalized by clathrin-dependent endocytosis and further dynamin-dependent processes, as well as in a cholesterol-sensitive manner. We analyzed the uptake of
H. pylori
vesicles by gastric epithelial cells using a method that we refer to as quantification of internalized substances (qIS). The qIS assay is based on a near-infrared dye with a cleavable linker that enables the specific quantification of internalized substances after exposure to reducing conditions. Both chemical inhibition and RNA interference in combination with the qIS assay showed that
H. pylori
vesicles enter gastric epithelial cells via both clathrin-mediated endocytosis and additional endocytic processes that are dependent on dynamin. Confocal microscopy revealed that
H. pylori
vesicles colocalized with clathrin and dynamin II and with markers of subsequent endosomal and lysosomal trafficking. Interestingly, however, knockdown of components required for caveolae had no significant effect on internalization and knockdown of components required for clathrin-independent carrier (CLIC) endocytosis increased internalization of
H. pylori
vesicles. Furthermore, uptake of vesicles by both clathrin-dependent and -independent pathways was sensitive to depletion, but not sequestering, of cholesterol in the host cell membrane suggesting that membrane fluidity influences the efficiency of
H. pylori
vesicle uptake.

IMPORTANCE
Bacterial vesicles act as long-distance tools to deliver toxins and effector molecules to host cells. Vesicles can cause a variety of host cell responses via cell surface-induced cell signaling or internalization. Vesicles of diverse bacterial species enter host cells via different endocytic pathways or via membrane fusion. With the combination of a fluorescence-based quantification assay that quantifies internalized vesicles in a large number of cells and either chemical inhibition or RNA interference, we show that clathrin-mediated endocytosis is the major pathway for uptake of
Helicobacter pylori
vesicles and that lipid microdomains of the host cell membrane affect uptake of vesicles via clathrin-independent pathways. Our results provide important insights about membrane fluidity and its important role in the complex process that directs the
H. pylori
vesicle to a specific endocytic pathway. Understanding the mechanisms that operate in vesicle-host interactions is important to fully recognize the impact of vesicles in pathogenesis.
The Bacterial Phosphoenolpyruvate:Carbohydrate Phosphotransferase System: Regulation by Protein Phosphorylation and Phosphorylation-Dependent Protein-Protein Interactions
Authors: Deutscher Josef , Aké Francine Moussan Désirée , Derkaoui Meriem , Zébré Arthur Constant , Cao Thanh Nguyen , Bouraoui Houda , Kentache Takfarinas , Mokhtari Abdelhamid , Milohanic Eliane , Joyet Philippe 
Published: May 2014

SUMMARY
The bacterial phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP):carbohydrate phosphotransferase system (PTS) carries out both catalytic and regulatory functions. It catalyzes the transport and phosphorylation of a variety of sugars and sugar derivatives but also carries out numerous regulatory functions related to carbon, nitrogen, and phosphate metabolism, to chemotaxis, to potassium transport, and to the virulence of certain pathogens. For these different regulatory processes, the signal is provided by the phosphorylation state of the PTS components, which varies according to the availability of PTS substrates and the metabolic state of the cell. PEP acts as phosphoryl donor for enzyme I (EI), which, together with HPr and one of several EIIA and EIIB pairs, forms a phosphorylation cascade which allows phosphorylation of the cognate carbohydrate bound to the membrane-spanning EIIC. HPr of firmicutes and numerous proteobacteria is also phosphorylated in an ATP-dependent reaction catalyzed by the bifunctional HPr kinase/phosphorylase. PTS-mediated regulatory mechanisms are based either on direct phosphorylation of the target protein or on phosphorylation-dependent interactions. For regulation by PTS-mediated phosphorylation, the target proteins either acquired a PTS domain by fusing it to their N or C termini or integrated a specific, conserved PTS regulation domain (PRD) or, alternatively, developed their own specific sites for PTS-mediated phosphorylation. Protein-protein interactions can occur with either phosphorylated or unphosphorylated PTS components and can either stimulate or inhibit the function of the target proteins. This large variety of signal transduction mechanisms allows the PTS to regulate numerous proteins and to form a vast regulatory network responding to the phosphorylation state of various PTS components.
A pilot study of an online universal school-based intervention to prevent alcohol and cannabis use in the UK
Authors: Newton Nicola C , Conrod Patricia J , Rodriguez Daniel M , Teesson Maree 
Published: May 2014

ObjectivesThe online universalClimate Schoolsintervention has been found to be effective in reducing the use of alcohol and cannabis among Australian adolescents. The aim of the current study was to examine the feasibility of implementing this prevention programme in the UK.DesignA pilot study examining the feasibility of theClimate Schoolsprogramme in the UK was conducted with teachers and students from Year 9 classes at two secondary schools in southeast London. Teachers were asked to implement the evidence-basedClimate Schoolsprogramme over the school year with their students. The intervention consisted of two modules (each with six lessons) delivered approximately 6 months apart. Following completion of the intervention, students and teachers were asked to evaluate the programme.Results11 teachers and 222 students from two secondary schools evaluated the programme. Overall, the evaluations were extremely positive. Specifically, 85% of students said the information on alcohol and cannabis and how to stay safe was easy to understand, 84% said it was easy to learn and 80% said the online cartoon-based format was an enjoyable way to learn health theory topics. All teachers said the students were able to recall the information taught, 82% said the computer component was easy to implement and all teachers said the teacher's manual was easy to use to prepare class activities. Importantly, 82% of teachers said it was likely that they would use the programme in the future and recommend it to others.ConclusionsThe Internet-based universalClimate Schoolsprevention programme to be both feasible and acceptable to students and teachers in the UK. A full evaluation trial of the intervention is now required to examine its effectiveness in reducing alcohol and cannabis use among adolescents in the UK before implementation in the UK school system.
Extending the value of police crash reports for traffic safety research: collecting supplemental data via surveys of drivers
Authors: Durbin Dennis R , Myers Rachel K , Curry Allison E , Zonfrillo Mark R , Arbogast Kristy B 
Published: May 2014

BackgroundPolice crash reports have been used to advance motor vehicle safety research, though their value is limited by their focus on the crash event rather than outcomes of the crash.ObjectiveTo develop and evaluate the effect of enhanced recruitment methods, including a monetary incentive, on response rates of drivers identified on police reports in a national MVC surveillance system.MethodsThe National Automotive Sampling System-General Estimates System (NASS-GES) was used to identify passenger vehicle crashes between 1 July and 30 October 2012 involving drivers ≥16 years old with at least one child occupant ≤17 years old. We collected data from the driver via self-administered hardcopy or interviewer-administered telephone surveys. Within each survey mode, half the drivers were randomly assigned to receive a small monetary incentive. Response rates were calculated overall, and by mode of survey administration and incentive condition.Results495 drivers were eligible, and 127 completed the survey, yielding an overall response rate of 25.7% (95% CI 21.8% to 29.5%). The response rate across the two modes was higher for those who received an incentive than for those who did not (35.6% vs 15.7%, p<0.01). The highest response rate (45.9%) was for drivers allocated to the telephone survey who received an incentive.ConclusionsThe NASS-GES provides a surveillance system from which cases of interest can be identified and supplemental data collected via surveys of drivers identified on police reports. We adapted procedures commonly used in public health surveillance systems, including monetary incentives and branded recruitment materials, to improve driver response rates.
On Decompositions of Matrices over Distributive Lattices
Authors: Chen Yizhi , Zhao Xianzhong 
Published: May 2014

LetLbe a distributive lattice andMn,q(L)(Mn(L), resp.) the semigroup (semiring, resp.) ofn×q(n×n, resp.) matrices overL. In this paper, we show that if there is a subdirect embedding from distributive latticeLto the direct product∏i=1m‍Liof distributive latticesL1,L2, …,Lm, then there will be a corresponding subdirect embedding from the matrix semigroupMn,q(L)(semiringMn(L), resp.) to semigroup∏i=1m‍Mn,q(Li)(semiring∏i=1m‍Mn(Li), resp.). Further, it is proved that a matrix over a distributive lattice can be decomposed into the sum of matrices over some of its special subchains. This generalizes and extends the decomposition theorems of matrices over finite distributive lattices, chain semirings, fuzzy semirings, and so forth. Finally, as some applications, we present a method to calculate the indices and periods of the matrices over a distributive lattice and characterize the structures of idempotent and nilpotent matrices over it. We translate the characterizations of idempotent and nilpotent matrices over a distributive lattice into the corresponding ones of the binary Boolean cases, which also generalize the corresponding structures of idempotent and nilpotent matrices over general Boolean algebras, chain semirings, fuzzy semirings, and so forth.
Differential Effects of Dry Eye Disorders on Metabolomic Profile by1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Authors: Galbis-Estrada Carmen , Martinez-Castillo Sebastián , Morales José M. , Vivar-Llopis Bárbara , Monleón Daniel , Díaz-Llopis Manuel , Pinazo-Durán María Dolores 
Published: May 2014

We used1H NMR spectroscopy to analyze the metabolomic profile of reflex tears from patients with dry eye disorders (DEDs). 90 subjects were divided into 2 groups: (1) patients with DEDs (DEDG;n = 55) and (2) healthy subjects (CG;n = 35). Additionally, the DEDG was subdivided into 2 subgroups based on DED severity: mild-to-moderate and moderate (n = 22andn = 33, resp.). Personal interviews and systematized ophthalmologic examinations were carried out. Reflex tears (20–30 μL) were collected by gently rubbing in the inferior meniscus of both eyelids with a microglass pipette and stored at −80°C until analysis. NMR spectra were acquired using a standard one-dimensional pulse sequence with water suppression. Data were processed and transferred to MATLAB for further chemometric analysis. Main differences in tear composition between DEDG and CG were found in cholesterol,N-acetylglucosamine, glutamate, creatine, amino-n-butyrate, choline, acetylcholine, arginine, phosphoethanolamine, glucose, and phenylalanine levels. This metabolic fingerprint helped also to discriminate between the three additional subgroups of DEDG. Our results suggest that tear metabolic differences between DEDG and CG identified by NMR could be useful in understanding ocular surface pathogenesis and improving biotherapy.
Unifying Mechanism of Sustained Idiopathic Atrial and Ventricular Annular Tachycardia
Authors: Ip James E. , Liu Christopher F. , Thomas George , Cheung Jim W. , Markowitz Steven M. , Lerman Bruce B. 
Published: May 2014

Background—
Based on the current understanding of cardiac conduction system development and the observation that arrhythmogenic foci can originate in areas near the atrioventricular annuli, we hypothesized that focal annular tachycardias, whether atrial or ventricular, share a common mechanism. We, therefore, prospectively evaluated this hypothesis in patients with sustained atrial and ventricular tachycardia originating from the peri-tricuspid and mitral annuli.

Methods and Results—
Forty-nine consecutive patients with sustained, focal annular tachycardia comprised the study group. All underwent electrophysiological evaluation and the mode of tachycardia initiation, termination, sensitivity to catecholamine infusion, and response to adenosine/verapamil were evaluated. Electroanatomical activation maps identified the sites of arrhythmia origin. Tachycardias could be initiated or terminated or both with programmed stimulation in 46 of 46 patients and most (70%) were catecholamine facilitated. Of the 9 patients with sustained annular ventricular tachycardia, 3 were localized to the tricuspid annulus, and 6 to the mitral annulus. All the 9 ventricular tachycardias (100%) terminated with adenosine, 2 of 2 terminated with verapamil, and 2 of 2 terminated with Valsalva. Of the 40 patients with annular atrial tachycardia, 4 tachycardias were localized to the mitral annulus and 37 to the tricuspid annulus (including 9 para-Hisian), and all were adenosine sensitive.

Conclusions—
Peri-annular atrial and ventricular tissue correspond to a region enriched with arrhythmogenic foci, which may reflect a common developmental origin. Furthermore, the sensitivity of these tachycardias to adenosine provides evidence for a shared arrhythmia mechanism, consistent with intracellular calcium overload and triggered activity.