bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Co‐ordinated functions ofMmsproteins define the surface structure of cubo‐octahedral magnetite crystals in magnetotactic bacteria
Authors: Arakaki Atsushi , Yamagishi Ayana , Fukuyo Ayumi , Tanaka Masayoshi , Matsunaga Tadashi 
Published: June 2014

SummaryMagnetotactic bacteria synthesize magnetosomes comprised of membrane‐enveloped single crystalline magnetite (Fe3O4). The size and morphology of the nano‐sized magnetite crystals (< 100 nm) are highly regulated and bacterial species dependent. However, the control mechanisms of magnetite crystal morphology remain largely unknown. The group of proteins, calledMms(Mms5,Mms6,Mms7, andMms13), was previously isolated from the surface of cubo‐octahedral magnetite crystals inMagnetospirillum magneticumstrainAMB‐1. Analysis of anmms6gene deletion mutant suggested that theMms6protein plays a major role in the regulation of magnetite crystal size and morphology. In this study, we constructed variousmmsgene deletion mutants and characterized the magnetite crystals formed by the mutant strains. Comparative analysis showed that allmmsgenes were involved in the promotion of crystal growth in different manners. The phenotypic characterization of magnetites also suggested that these proteins are involved in controlling the geometries of the crystal surface structures. Thus, the co‐ordinated functions ofMmsproteins regulate the morphology of the cubo‐octahedral magnetite crystals in magnetotactic bacteria.
The squeeze cell hypothesis for the activation of jasmonate synthesis in response to wounding
Authors: Farmer Edward E. , Gasperini Debora , Acosta Iván F. 
Published: June 2014

SummaryJasmonates are lipid mediators that control defence gene expression in response to wounding and other environmental stresses. These small molecules can accumulate at distances up to several cm from sites of damage and this is likely to involve cell‐to‐cell jasmonate transport. Also, and independently of jasmonate synthesis, transport and perception, different long‐distance wound signals that stimulate distal jasmonate synthesis are propagated at apparent speeds of several cm min–1 to tissues distal to wounds in a mechanism that involves clade 3 GLUTAMATE RECEPTOR‐LIKE (GLR) genes. A search for jasmonate synthesis enzymes that might decode these signals revealed LOX6, a lipoxygenase that is necessary for much of the rapid accumulation of jasmonic acid at sites distal to wounds. Intriguingly, the LOX6 promoter is expressed in a distinct niche of cells that are adjacent to mature xylem vessels, a location that would make these contact cells sensitive to the release of xylem water column tension upon wounding. We propose a model in which rapid axial changes in xylem hydrostatic pressure caused by wounding travel through the vasculature and lead to slower, radially dispersed pressure changes that act in a clade 3 GLR‐dependent mechanism to promote distal jasmonate synthesis.
Maintaining distances with the engineer: patterns of coexistence in plant communities beyond the patch‐bare dichotomy
Authors: Pescador David S. , Chacón‐Labella Julia , de la Cruz Marcelino , Escudero Adrian 
Published: June 2014

Summary

Two‐phase plant communities with an engineer conforming conspicuous patches and affecting the performance and patterns of coexisting species are the norm under stressful conditions.

To unveil the mechanisms governing coexistence in these communities at multiple spatial scales, we have developed a new point‐raster approach of spatial pattern analysis, which was applied to a Mediterranean high mountain grassland to show how Festuca curvifolia patches affect the local distribution of coexisting species.

We recorded 22 111 individuals of 17 plant perennial species. Most coexisting species were negatively associated with F. curvifolia clumps. Nevertheless, bivariate nearest‐neighbor analyses revealed that the majority of coexisting species were confined at relatively short distances from F. curvifolia borders (between 0–2 cm and up to 8 cm in some cases).

Our study suggests the existence of a fine‐scale effect of F. curvifolia for most species promoting coexistence through a mechanism we call ‘facilitation in the halo’. Most coexisting species are displaced to an interphase area between patches, where two opposite forces reach equilibrium: attenuated severe conditions by proximity to the F. curvifolia canopy (nutrient‐rich islands) and competitive exclusion mitigated by avoiding direct contact with F. curvifolia.
Immunology of Taenia solium taeniasis and human cysticercosis
Authors: Garcia H. H. , Rodriguez S. , Friedland J. S. ,   for The Cysticercosis Working Group in Peru
Published: June 2014

SummaryThe life cycle of Taenia solium, the pork tapeworm, is continuously closed in many rural settings in developing countries when free roaming pigs ingest human stools containing T. solium eggs and develop cysticercosis, and humans ingest pork infected with cystic larvae and develop intestinal taeniasis, or may also accidentally acquire cysticercosis by faecal‐oral contamination. Cysticercosis of the human nervous system, neurocysticercosis, is a major cause of seizures and other neurological morbidity in most of the world. The dynamics of exposure, infection and disease as well as the location of parasites result in a complex interaction which involves immune evasion mechanisms and involutive or progressive disease along time. Moreover, existing data are limited by the relative lack of animal models. This manuscript revises the available information on the immunology of human taeniasis and cysticercosis.
Medical Treatment for Pyometra in Dogs
Authors: Fieni F , Topie E , Gogny A 
Published: June 2014

ContentsPyometra is a reproductive disorder very common in bitches over 8 years of age in which physiological effects of progesterone on the uterus play a major role. The traditional therapy for pyometra is ovariohysterectomy. The main advantage of ovariohysterectomy over medical management is that it is both curative and preventive for recurrence of pyometra. However, surgery is associated with the risk of anaesthesia and renders the bitch sterile. During the last 10 years, numerous medical treatments have been proposed to treat both open and closed cervix pyometra. The most effective medical treatment with minor side effects seems to be the repeated administration of aglepristone with or without the additional treatment with low doses of prostaglandins.
Suppression of Fertility in Adult Dogs
Authors: Maenhoudt C , Santos NR , Fontbonne A 
Published: June 2014

ContentsUnfortunately, the overpopulation of dogs is still a problem in the majority of countries and even though surgical methods of sterilization, the most traditional and commonly used technique, have been intensively performed, the impact on the dog population is negligible. The neutering of companion animals as ovariohysterectomy (spaying) or orchidectomy (castration) has its limitations because of the cost, the need of a surgical environment and the risk of surgical and/or anaesthetical complications (ACCD 2009). In fact, surgical castration has been banished in some northern European countries and has limited acceptance in other countries. In a survey performed in Sao Paulo, Brazil, 56.5% of the owners of adopted shelter dogs were against the surgical procedure for different reasons (Soto et al. 2005). Currently, the options for contraception, defined as suppression of fertility are based on hormonal treatment. The treatments can be divided into analogues of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), progestins and androgens. Other possibilities of contraception are via the immunological system with vaccinations against GnRH, the luteinizing hormone (LH) receptor and the zona pellucida proteins. Finally, there is also the intra‐epididymal or intratesticular injection of sclerosing substances in dogs. Mechanical devices to disrupt fertility are not used anymore due to the side effects. Suppression of fertility in adult dogs will be reviewed in order of use and possible impact on the dog population.
Raising to object inwager/assure‐class verbs: a pf account of the defective paradigm
Authors: Ito Yuki 
Published: June 2014

AbstractWager‐class andassure‐class verbs exhibit a peculiarly defective paradigm where they allowECMif the element undergoingECMis an A′‐trace but not if the element is fully lexical. This article offers new data that reveal parallelism of these verbs with regularECMverbs. Specifically, it is shown (i) that inwager‐class verbs theECMsubject can remain in the embedded subject position and optionally raises to the Agreement projection of the embedding verb and (ii) that this raising to object is not possible withassure‐class verbs due to Minimality. Based on these observations, it is suggested that the defective paradigm exhibited bywager/assure‐class verbs stems from aPFconstraint rather than a syntactic Case‐theoretic mechanism.
Molecular phylogeny of Nitidulidae: assessment of subfamilial and tribal classification and formalization of the family Cybocephalidae (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea)
Authors: CLINE ANDREW R. , SMITH TREVOR R. , MILLER KELLY , MOULTON MATTHEW , WHITING MICHAEL , AUDISIO PAOLO 
Published: June 2014

AbstractWe present a molecular phylogeny of Nitidulidae based on thirty ingroup taxa representing eight of the ten currently recognized subfamilies. Approximately 10 K base pairs from seven loci (12S, 16S, 18S, 28S, COI, COII and H3) were used for the phylogenetic reconstruction. The phylogeny supports the following main conclusions: (i) Cybocephalidae are formally recognized as a distinct family not closely related to Nitidulidae and its constituent taxa are defined; (ii) Kateretidae are sister to Nitidulidae; (iii) Cryptarchinae are monophyletic and sister to the remaining nitidulid subfamilies; (iv) subfamily Prometopinae stat. res. is reinstated and defined, to accommodate taxa allied to Axyra Erichson, Prometopia Erichson and Megauchenia MacLeay; (v) Amphicrossinae, Carpophilinae and Epuraeinae are shown to be closely related taxa within a well‐supported monophyletic clade; (vi) tribal affinities and respective monophyly within Nitidulinae are poorly resolved by our data and must be more rigorously tested as there was little or no support for prior morphologically based tribes or genus‐level complexes; (vii) Nitidulinae are found to be paraphyletic with respect to Cillaeinae and Meligethinae, suggesting that they should either be subsumed as tribes, or Nitidulinae should be divided into several subfamilies to preserve the status of Cillaeinae and Meligethinae; (viii) Teichostethus Sharp stat. res. is not a synonym of Hebascus Erichson and the former is reinstated as a valid genus. These conclusions and emendations are discussed in detail and presented within a morphological framework.
Where did platelets go in 2012? A survey of platelet transfusion practice in the North of England
Authors: Charlton A. , Wallis J. , Robertson J. , Watson D. , Iqbal A. , Tinegate H. 
Published: June 2014

SUMMARYObjectivesTo record the fate of transfused platelet doses in the North of England, and thereby assist with demand‐planning and help target teaching on appropriate use.BackgroundPlatelet use has risen recently to the extent that donation practice has changed to meet demand. Two national comparative audits have shown inappropriate use and the 2010 audit concluded that current UK guidelines for platelet usage should be completely implemented at a local level. It is necessary to know how platelets are used and by whom in order to facilitate guideline concordance.MethodsAll hospital trusts in the North East and Cumbria recorded data on all platelet doses transfused in two separate 4‐week periods in 2012. Data were entered onto an electronic survey tool.ResultsOne thousand and five hundred and seventy‐four reports were received, documenting 1937 transfused doses – 96% of total issues for the study periods. One thousand and forty‐five platelet doses (54%) were given for haematological indications. The second commonest indication was cardiac surgery (201 doses, 10% of the total) followed by non‐haematological oncology (127 doses, 6.5%), critical care (106 doses, 5%) and liver disease (50 doses, 2·5%).The commonest haematological indication was acute myeloid leukaemia, 310 doses, (16% of all platelet use), followed by stem cell transplantation, 271 doses (14%).Seventy‐two percent of platelet doses were given prophylactically, the majority without any planned procedure.ConclusionThe commonest indication for platelet use, where reinforcement of guidelines will be productive, is prophylaxis in haematological disease. Use of platelets in cardiac surgery is also worthy of close scrutiny.
The genomic landscape underlying phenotypic integrity in the face of gene flow in crows
Authors: Poelstra J. W. , Vijay N. , Bossu C. M. , Lantz H. , Ryll B. , Müller I. , Baglione V. , Unneberg P. , Wikelski M. , Grabherr M. G. , Wolf J. B. W. 
Published: June 2014

Crows of a feather flock togetherClosely related species with overlapping ranges typically evolve genetic barriers to prevent crossbreeding. Poelstraet al.sequenced genes from two species of central European crows: gray-bodied hooded crows and black carrion crows (see the Perspective by de Knijff). Although most of the genomes shared genes between the two species, one region that affected coat color and color vision differed. The authors suggest that black and gray-coated crows prefer to mate with birds like themselves.Science, this issue p.1410; see also p.1345
Serratia marcescens
arn
, a PhoP-Regulated Locus Necessary for Polymyxin B Resistance
Authors: Lin Quei Yen , Tsai Yi-Lin , Liu Ming-Che , Lin Wei-Cheng , Hsueh Po-Ren , Liaw Shwu-Jen 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACT

Polymyxins, which are increasingly being used to treat infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria, perform poorly against
Serratia marcescens
. To investigate the underlying mechanisms, Tn
5
mutagenesis was performed and two mutants exhibiting increased polymyxin B (PB) susceptibility were isolated. The mutants were found to have Tn
5
inserted into the
arnB
and
arnC
genes. In other bacteria,
arnB
and
arnC
belong to the seven-gene
arn
operon, which is involved in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) modification. LPSs of
arn
mutants had greater PB-binding abilities than that of wild-type LPS. Further, we identified PhoP, a bacterial two-component response regulator, as a regulator of PB susceptibility in
S. marcescens
. By the reporter assay, we found PB- and low-Mg
2+
-induced expression of
phoP
and
arn
in the wild-type strain but not in the
phoP
mutant. Complementation of the
phoP
mutant with the full-length
phoP
gene restored the PB MIC and induction by PB and low Mg
2+
levels, as in the wild type. An electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) further demonstrated that PhoP bound directly to the
arn
promoter. The PB challenge test confirmed that pretreatment with PB and low Mg
2+
levels protected
S. marcescens
from a PB challenge in the wild-type strain but not in the
phoP
mutant. Real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR also indicated that PB serves as a signal to regulate expression of
ugd
, a gene required for LPS modification, in
S. marcescens
through a PhoP-dependent pathway. Finally, we found that PB-resistant clinical isolates displayed greater expression of
arnA
upon exposure to PB than did susceptible isolates. This is the first report to describe the role of
S. marcescens
arn
in PB resistance and its modulation by PB and Mg
2+
through the PhoP protein.
Mathematical Model To Quantify the Effects of Risk Factors on Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Tan Michelle W. , Lye David C. , Ng Tat-Ming , Nikolaou Michael , Tam Vincent H. 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACT

Carbapenem-resistant
Acinetobacter baumannii
(CRAB) infections are increasing, and they are associated with an increased risk of mortality in hospitalized patients. Linear regression is commonly used to identify concurrent trends, but it cannot quantify the relationship between risk factors and resistance. We developed a model to quantify the impact of antibiotic consumption on the prevalence of CRAB over time. Data were collected from January 2007 to June 2013 from our institution. Quarterly antibiotic consumption was expressed as defined daily dose/1,000 inpatient days. Six-month prevalence of CRAB was expressed as a percentage of all nonrepeat
A. baumannii
isolates tested. Individual trends were identified using linear regression. Antibiotic consumption from 2007 to 2011 was input as a step function in a relationship with CRAB. Model fit was evaluated by visual inspection and the residual sum of squares. The final model was validated using the best-fit (95% confidence interval) parameter estimates and antibiotic consumption to predict CRAB prevalence from January 2012 to June 2013. Cefepime, ertapenem, and piperacillin-tazobactam consumption and CRAB prevalence increased significantly over time. CRAB prevalence was best correlated to ertapenem (use sensitive;
r
2
= 0.76), and accounting for additional concurrent antibiotic use did not significantly improve model fit. Prospective validation with ertapenem consumption correlated well with CRAB observations, suggesting good predicting ability of the model. Our model provided the quantitative impact of antibiotic consumption on CRAB. We plan to further refine this model to account for multiple risk factors. Interventions should focus on controlling risk factors with the highest impact on resistance.
Renal Handling of Amphotericin B and Amphotericin B-Deoxycholate and Potential Renal Drug-Drug Interactions with Selected Antivirals
Authors: Trejtnar František , Mandíková Jana , Kočíncová Jana , Volková Marie 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACT

Amphotericin B (AmB) is excreted via the renal excretion route. This excretion process may result in nephrotoxicity. However, relevant information on the precise renal excretion mechanisms is not available. The aim of the study was to analyze the possible interaction of AmB or its prodrug AmB deoxycholate (AmB-DOC) with the typical renal organic anion transporters (OATs) and organic cation transporters (OCTs), using cellular and organ models. The relevant transport systems were then investigated in terms of the drug-drug interactions of AmB-DOC with antivirals that might potentially be used concomitantly. To analyze the renal excretion mechanisms of [
3
H]AmB, perfused rat kidney was employed. HeLa and MDCK II cells transiently transfected with human OAT1 (hOAT1) or hOCT2 were used as the cellular models. A significant tubular secretion of AmB was demonstrated in the perfused rat kidney. The cellular studies performed confirmed the active transport of AmB into cells. AmB did not interact with hOAT1 but strongly inhibited hOCT2. In contrast, AmB-DOC inhibited both hOAT1 and hOCT2. However, [
3
H]AmB cellular uptake by hOAT1 and hOCT2 was not found. AmB-DOC interacted significantly with adefovir, tenofovir, and cidofovir in hOAT1-transfected cells at supratherapeutic concentrations. In conclusion, the significant potency of AmB and AmB-DOC for inhibiting the transporters was demonstrated in this study. The secretion of AmB in the renal tubules is likely not related to the transporters here, since the drug was not proven to be a substrate for them. Drug-drug interactions of AmB and the antivirals used in this study on the investigated transporters are not probable.
Prevention of Transmission of Multidrug-Resistant Organisms during Catheter Exchange using Antimicrobial Catheters
Authors: Jamal Mohamed A. , Rosenblatt Joel , Jiang Ying , Hachem Ray , Chaftari Ann-Marie , Raad Issam I. 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACT

Exchanging a central venous catheter (CVC) over a guide wire for a fresh uncoated CVC in the presence of bacteremia can result in cross-infection of the newly exchanged CVC. A recent retrospective clinical study showed that exchanging a catheter over a guide wire in the presence of bacteremia using an antimicrobial minocycline-rifampin (M/R) catheter may improve outcomes. To expand on this, we developed an
in vitro
cross-contamination model of exchange to evaluate the efficacy of different antimicrobial CVCs in preventing cross-contamination of multidrug-resistant organisms during exchange. Uncoated CVCs were allowed to form biofilm by methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA),
Staphylococcus epidermidis
,
Escherichia coli
,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, and
Candida albicans
. After 24 h, the biofilm-colonized CVCs were placed in a glass tube containing bovine calf serum plus Mueller-Hinton broth, and each catheter was exchanged over a guide wire for a fresh uncoated or an M/R-, chlorhexidine-silver sulfadiazine (CHX/SS)-, or chlorhexidine-M/R (CHX-M/R)-coated CVC. Cross-contamination of exchanged catheters was enumerated by sonication and quantitative plating methods. The exchange of M/R CVCs completely prevented cross-contamination by MRSA biofilms compared to control exchanged CVCs (
P
< 0.0001). Exchange with CHX/SS CVCs reduced but did not completely prevent cross-contamination by MRSA (
P
= 0.005). Exchange with CHX-M/R CVCs completely prevented cross-contamination by MRSA,
P. aeruginosa
, and
C. albicans
biofilms (
P
< 0.0001). Furthermore, CHX-M/R CVCs were superior to M/R CVCs against
P. aeruginosa
and
C. albicans
(
P
= 0.003) and were superior to CHX/SS CVCs against MRSA and
P. aeruginosa
(
P
= 0.01). In conclusion, exchange with the novel CHX-M/R CVC was the only exchange effective in completely and concurrently preventing cross-contamination from bacteria and
Candida
.
Draft Genome Sequence of a Legionella pneumophila Serogroup 4 Strain Causing Legionellosis
Authors: Okamoto Akira , Lee Hiromichi , Yabutani Mitsutaka , Yamada Keiko , Ohta Michio 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACT

Here, we report the draft genome sequence of the
Legionella pneumophila
Nagoya-1 strain, serogroup 4, which was isolated from a clinical sample from a patient with legionellosis. Several virulence-associated genes, including those encoding the type IV (Dot/Icm) secretion system and effector proteins, were highly conserved.