bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Compensatory renal hypertrophy following uninephrectomy is calcineurin‐independent
Authors: Williams Clintoria R. , Wynne Brandi M. , Walker Makeeva , Hoover Robert S. , Gooch Jennifer L. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractCalcineurin is a calcium‐dependent phosphatase that is involved in many cellular processes including hypertrophy. Inhibition or genetic loss of calcineurin blocks pathological cardiac hypertrophy and diabetic renal hypertrophy. However, calcineurin does not appear to be involved in physiological cardiac hypertrophy induced by exercise. The role of calcineurin in a compensatory, non‐pathological model of renal hypertrophy has not been tested. Therefore, in this study, we examined activation of calcineurin and the effect of calcineurin inhibition or knockout on compensatory hypertrophy following uninephrectomy (UNX). UNX induces ~15% increase in the size of the remaining kidney; the data show no change in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), Nox4 or transforming growth factor‐β expression confirming the model as one of compensatory hypertrophy. Next, analyses of the remaining kidney reveal that total calcineurin activity is increased, and, to a lesser extent, transcriptional activity of the calcineurin substrate nuclear factor of activated T cell is up‐regulated following UNX. However, inhibition of calcineurin with cyclosporine failed to prevent compensatory renal hypertrophy. Likewise, hypertrophy was comparable to WT in mice lacking either isoform of the catalytic subunit of calcineurin (CnAα−/− or CnAβ−/−). In conclusion, similar to its role in the heart, calcineurin is required for pathological but not compensatory renal hypertrophy. This separation of signalling pathways could therefore help further define key factors necessary for pathological hypertrophy including diabetic nephropathy.
Phenotypic characterization and genetic diversity of Flavobacterium columnare isolated from red tilapia, Oreochromis sp., in Thailand
Authors: Dong H T , LaFrentz B , Pirarat N , Rodkhum C 
Published: October 2014

AbstractFlavobacterium columnare is the aetiological agent of columnaris disease and severely affects various freshwater aquaculture fish species worldwide. The objectives of this study were to determine the phenotypic characteristics and genetic variability among F. columnare isolates isolated from red tilapia in Thailand. Forty‐four F. columnare isolates were recovered from diseased fish in different geographical locations. The isolates exhibited homologous phenotypic characteristics but exhibited genetic diversity. One isolate was assigned to genomovar I, and the remainder were assigned to genomovar II, indicating the coexistence of these genomovars but predominance of genomovar II. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S‐23S ISR sequences revealed that a subset of the Thai isolates (n = 25) contained a smaller intergenic spacer region (ISR) (523–537 bp) and formed a unique ISR phylogenetic group. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene supported the unique cluster of Thai isolates. This is the first description of the phenotypic and molecular characteristics of F. columnare isolated from red tilapia in Thailand as well as five isolates of F. columnare derived from other fish species including Nile tilapia, koi carp and striped catfish.
Probiotics, immunostimulants, plant products and oral vaccines, and their role as feed supplements in the control of bacterial fish diseases
Authors: Newaj‐Fyzul A , Austin B 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThere is a rapidly increasing literature pointing to the success of probiotics, immunostimulants, plant products and oral vaccines in immunomodulation, namely stimulation of the innate, cellular and/or humoral immune response, and the control of bacterial fish diseases. Probiotics are regarded as live micro‐organisms administered orally and leading to health benefits. However, in contrast with the use in terrestrial animals, a diverse range of micro‐organisms have been evaluated in aquaculture with the mode of action often reflecting immunomodulation. Moreover, the need for living cells has been questioned. Also, key subcellular components, including lipopolysaccharides, have been attributed to the beneficial effect in fish. Here, there is a link with immunostimulants, which may also be administered orally. Furthermore, numerous plant products have been reported to have health benefits, namely protection against disease for which stimulation of some immune parameters has been reported. Oral vaccines confer protection against some diseases, although the mode of action is usually linked to humoral rather than the innate and cellular immune responses. This review explores the relationship between probiotics, immunostimulants, plant products and oral vaccines.
The Future of the Clinical Nurse Specialist Role in Finland
Authors: Jokiniemi Krista , Haatainen Kaisa , Meretoja Riitta , Pietilä Anna‐Maija 
Published: October 2014

AbstractPurposeTo identify and examine the expert panelists’ visions on the future implementation of the clinical nurse specialist (CNS) role in Finland.Design and MethodsA policy Delphi design was conducted in 2013. A purposive sampling method was used to recognize expert panelists in the areas of advanced practice nursing (APN), healthcare management, and advanced practice nurse education. Three iterative Web‐based survey rounds were conducted (n = 25, n = 22, n = 19). Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to analyze the data.FindingsThe expert panelists envisioned the future of the CNS role in Finland. This study portrayed the CNS role in Finland as generally consistent with the international role. CNS have comprehensive skills and knowledge that they use to guide and develop nursing practice; however, several threats may affect their role achievement. The existing national consensus, contradiction, and ambivalence related to CNS roles were revealed through the examination of the results, thus pointing out the areas for consideration when further developing these roles and role policies.ConclusionsThis is the first national study to examine the implementation of the CNS role in Finland. Expert panelists’ views regarding the CNS role will be valuable in the forthcoming national policy formulation process. Although the policy Delphi design is not often utilized, this study reveals that it is very well suited to guide and inform national and international APN policy development.Clinical RelevanceThis study contributes to CNS role development and describes the methods facilitating the essential policy formulation process.
Transcranial Doppler Sonography: Atypical Dicrotic Pulse Waveforms in a Man with HIV Infection and Severe Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Suwatcharangkoon Sureerat , Meads Dana B. , Tegeler Charles H. , Reynolds Patrick S. 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTA 27‐year‐old human immunodeficiency virus—positive man presented with abdominal pain. Computed tomography of the abdomen revealed large right pleural effusion, pericardial effusion and marked ascites with diffuse intra‐ and extraperitoneal lymphadenopathy. Echocardiography showed severely reduced left ventricular systolic function. After drainage of pleural and pericardial fluid, the patient developed severe hypotension and hypoxic respiratory failure. Extra‐ and intracranial neurovascular sonography demonstrated low carotid artery flow volume and dicrotic pulse waveforms in all vessels insonated bilaterally. This case report demonstrates an atypical dicrotic waveform pattern of transcranial Doppler in advanced ventricular dysfunction with shock.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP, INFORMATION, AND GROWTH
Authors: michelle bunten devin , Weiler Stephan , Thompson Eric , Zahran Sammy 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTWe examine the contribution to economic growth of entrepreneurial marketplace information within a regional endogenous growth framework. Entrepreneurs are posited to provide an input to economic growth through the information revealed by their successes and failures. We empirically identify this information source with the regional variation in establishment births and deaths. To account for the potential endogeneity caused by forward‐looking entrepreneurs, we utilize instruments based on historic mining activity. We find that the information spillover component of local establishment birth and death rates have significant positive effects on subsequent entrepreneurship and employment growth for U.S. counties and metropolitan areas.
RESIDENTIAL SORTING AND ENVIRONMENTAL EXTERNALITIES: THE CASE OF NONLINEARITIES AND STIGMA IN AVIATION NOISE VALUES
Authors: Thanos Sotirios , Bristow Abigail L. , Wardman Mark R. 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTThis paper explores the sorting process in response to differing levels of aviation noise exposure in a housing market. Spatiotemporal hedonic pricing (HP) and stated choice (SC) results reflect nonlinearities and stigma. The HP models reveal nonlinear noise depreciation increasing from 0.40 to 2.38 percent per decibel as noise increases, while the SC noise values are lower in an area with high long‐term noise exposure. These nonlinearities are attributed to the spatial sorting of noise tolerant individuals. HP results from the same “noisy” area show a “stigma” from noise during the first year after the complete removal of aviation noise.
Effects of Reduced Soybean‐Meal Diets Containing Moringa oleifera or Leucaena leucocephala Leaf Meals on Growth Performance, Plasma Lysozyme, and Total Intestinal Proteolytic Enzyme Activity of Juvenile Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, in Outdoor Tanks
Authors: Kasiga Tom , Chen Ruguang , Sink Todd , Lochmann Rebecca 
Published: October 2014

AbstractLeaf meals are potential alternatives to soybean meal (SBM) in fish diets in developing countries because they are cheaper. Moringa oleifera (MOR) and Leucaena leucocephala (LEU) reduced nutrient digestibility of diets compared with SBM in an earlier study. However, fish raised outdoors consume natural foods, which might offset the negative effects of leaf‐meal diets. We conducted a feeding trial using mixed‐sex Nile tilapia (5.2 g) to assess performance of fish fed 36% protein diets with different concentrations of MOR and LEU leaf meals in place of SBM. Fish in static pools were fed daily to apparent satiation for 59 d. Individual weight gain (30.4–34.7 g), survival (91.8–97.3%), feed conversion ratio (FCR, 1.6–1.9), proximate composition, plasma lysozyme activity, and intestinal proteolytic enzyme activity were similar among diets. However, fish fed diets containing leaf meals had higher concentrations of n‐3 fatty acids than those fed the SBM control. Despite lower nutrient availability of the leaf‐meal diets compared with the soy diet, MOR or LEU could replace up to 30% of the SBM protein without reducing fish performance. Inclusion of poultry meal in the diets and probable nutrient supplementation from natural foods appeared to compensate for the lower nutritional value of the leaf meals compared with SBM.
Development of Loop‐mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) for the Rapid Detection of Streptococcus agalactiae in Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus
Authors: Ke Xiaoli , Huo Huanhuan , Lu Maixin , Liu Zhigang , Zhu Huaping , Gao Fengying 
Published: October 2014

AbstractStreptococcus agalactiae is one of the major causative agents of tilapia streptococcosis, which has caused severe economic losses in aquaculture. Rapid and accurate detection of the pathogen is necessary to limit losses because of this disease. In this study, a loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay was developed for the detection of S. agalactiae. Firstly, a set of four primers was designed to target the cfb gene of S. agalactiae. Then, using Bst DNA polymerase, the LAMP assay was performed at 65 C for 60 min and terminated at 80 C for 10 min in a simple water bath. Positive or negative results could be observed by direct visual inspection. There were no cross reactions with other bacterial species, indicating high specificity of the LAMP assay. The sensitivity of the LAMP assay for detecting S. agalactiae was about 20 cells per reaction. Moreover, the developed closed‐tube step has greatly improved the LAMP system. The LAMP method was also applied to detect S. agalactiae in infected tilapia tissue, demonstrating usefulness in diagnostics. Overall, this study showed that the cfb‐based LAMP assay was an effective method to detect S. agalactiae rapidly.
In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Plant Ethanolic Extracts against Fish Pathogens
Authors: Bulfon Chiara , Volpatti Donatella , Galeotti Marco 
Published: October 2014

AbstractFifteen commercial ethanolic extracts from medicinal plants were in vitro screened for antibacterial activity against Listonella anguillarum (serotypes O1 and O2), Yersinia ruckeri, Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida, and Lactococcus garvieae. Their antimicrobial potential was assessed by the disc diffusion assay, then minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) were established by the broth microdilution method. The extracts of lavender, Lavandula officinalis; lemon balm, Melissa officinalis; basil, Ocimum basilicum; oregano, Origanum vulgare; rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis; common sage, Salvia officinalis; and red bilberry, Vaccinium vitis‐idaea, showed a broad spectrum of inhibitory effects. The extracts of yarrow, Achillea millefolium; arnica, Arnica montana; marigold, Calendula officinalis; Icelandic lichen, Cetraria islandica; horsetail, Equisetum arvense; grindelia, Grindelia robusta; java tea, Orthosiphon stamineus; and thyme, Thymus vulgaris, were less or not active. P. damselae subsp. piscicida was the most susceptible bacterial strain, while Y. ruckeri was the most resistant. These results can be considered for further investigations aimed to identify novel natural antimicrobial compounds that could be used in aquaculture for the control of bacterial infections.
Survival analysis of proposed BCLC‐B subgroups in hepatocellular carcinoma patients
Authors: Weinmann Arndt , Koch Sandra , Sprinzl Martin , Kloeckner Roman , Schulze‐Bergkamen Henning , Düber Christoph , Lang Hauke , Otto Gerd , Wörns Marcus A. , Galle Peter R. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractBackground & AimsThe BCLC‐staging system is used to facilitate treatment decisions in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Owing to the observed clinical heterogeneity of the intermediate stage BCLC‐B, a subclassification was proposed taking Child–Pugh score and extended criteria for transplantation into account. Analysis of the prognostic significance of a proposed subclassification of the BCLC‐B score in a European cohort of HCC patients.MethodsEight hundred and eighty four consecutive HCC patients were retrospectively analysed. Patients with stage BCLC‐B were grouped according to the proposed subclassification. Baseline patient and tumour characteristics, therapy and overall survival were analysed.ResultsTwo hundred and fifty four patients with stage BCLC‐B were classified as B1/B2/B3 and B4 in 16.1/56.7/7.9 and 19.3%. OS compared between adjacent subgroups (B1 vs. B2, B2 vs. B3, B3 vs. B4) did not reach statistical significance. Groupwise comparison showed significant differences between B1 vs. B3 (P = 0.035), B1 vs. B4 (P = 0.006) and B2 vs. B4 (P < 0.0001). OS was significantly improved in patients undergoing OLT (P < 0.0001). Cox regression showed no significant influence of the BCLC‐B substage on survival.ConclusionsNo significant survival differences between subgroups were found in the retrospective analysis. We could not confirm the BCLC‐B subclassification to be prognostically meaningful in our cohort. As liver function and therapy influenced survival in this study, a more refined BCLC‐B subclassification has the potential to be a useful tool to better stratify treatment decisions. Further studies in larger collectives with homogenous staging and treatment strategies are warranted to confirm the prognostic significance of the proposed subclassifications.
A β1‐6/β1‐3 galactosidase from Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bl‐04 gives insight into sub‐specificities of β‐galactoside catabolism within Bifidobacterium
Authors: Viborg Alexander Holm , Fredslund Folmer , Katayama Takane , Nielsen Stinne Kirketerp , Svensson Birte , Kitaoka Motomitsu , Lo Leggio Leila , Abou Hachem Maher 
Published: October 2014

SummaryThe Bifidobacterium genus harbours several health promoting members of the gut microbiota. Bifidobacteria display metabolic specialization by preferentially utilizing dietary or host‐derived β‐galactosides. This study investigates the biochemistry and structure of a glycoside hydrolase family 42 (GH42) β‐galactosidase from the probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bl‐04 (BlGal42A). BlGal42A displays a preference for undecorated β1‐6 and β1‐3 linked galactosides and populates a phylogenetic cluster with close bifidobacterial homologues implicated in the utilization of N‐acetyl substituted β1‐3 galactosides from human milk and mucin. A long loop containing an invariant tryptophan in GH42, proposed to bind substrate at subsite + 1, is identified here as specificity signature within this clade of bifidobacterial enzymes. Galactose binding at the subsite − 1 of the active site induced conformational changes resulting in an extra polar interaction and the ordering of a flexible loop that narrows the active site. The amino acid sequence of this loop provides an additional specificity signature within this GH42 clade. The phylogenetic relatedness of enzymes targeting β1‐6 and β1‐3 galactosides likely reflects structural differences between these substrates and β1‐4 galactosides, containing an axial galactosidic bond. These data advance our molecular understanding of the evolution of sub‐specificities that support metabolic specialization in the gut niche.
Isolation and characterization of a prokaryotic cell organelle from the anammox bacterium Kuenenia stuttgartiensis
Authors: Neumann Sarah , Wessels Hans J. C. T. , Rijpstra W. Irene C. , Sinninghe Damsté Jaap S. , Kartal Boran , Jetten Mike S. M. , van Niftrik Laura 
Published: October 2014

SummaryAnaerobic ammonium oxidizing (anammox) bacteria oxidize ammonium with nitrite to nitrogen gas in the absence of oxygen. These microorganisms form a significant sink for fixed nitrogen in the oceans and the anammox process is applied as a cost‐effective and environment‐friendly nitrogen removal system from wastewater. Anammox bacteria have a compartmentalized cell plan that consists of three separate compartments. Here we report the fractionation of the anammox bacterium Kuenenia stuttgartiensis in order to isolate and analyze the innermost cell compartment called the anammoxosome. The subcellular fractions were microscopically characterized and all membranes in the anammox cell were shown to contain ladderane lipids which are unique for anammox bacteria. Proteome analyses and activity assays with the isolated anammoxosomes showed that these organelles harbor the energy metabolism in anammox cells. Together the experimental data provide the first thorough characterization of a respiratory cell organelle from a bacterium and demonstrate the essential role of the anammoxosome in the production of a major portion of the nitrogen gas in our atmosphere.
Mycobacterium smegmatis BioQ defines a new regulatory network for biotin metabolism
Authors: Tang Qing , Li Xinfeng , Zou Tingting , Zhang Huimin , Wang Yingying , Gao Rongsui , Li Zhencui , He Jin , Feng Youjun 
Published: October 2014

SummaryBiotin (vitamin H), the sulfur‐containing enzyme cofactor, is an essential micronutrient for three domains of life. Given the fact that biotin is an energetically expensive molecule whose de novo biosynthesis demands 20 ATP equivalents each, it is reasonable that bacteria have evolved diversified mechanisms in various microorganisms to tightly control biotin metabolism. Unlike the Escherichia coli BirA, the prototypical bi‐functional version of biotin protein ligase (BPL) in that it acts as a repressor for biotin biosynthesis pathway, the BirA protein of Mycobacterium smegmatis (M. smegmatis), a closely relative of the tuberculosis‐causing pathogen, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, lacked the DNA‐binding activity. It raised a possibility that an alternative new regulator might be present to compensate the loss of regulatory function. Here we report that this is the case. Genomic context analyses of M. smegmatis detected a newly identified BioQ homolog classified into the TetR family of transcription factor and its recognizable palindromes. The M. smegmatis BioQ protein was overexpressed and purified to homogeneity. Size‐exclusion chromatography combined with chemical cross‐linking studies demonstrated that the BioQ protein had a propensity to dimerize. The promoters of bioFD and bioQ/B were mapped using 5′‐RACE. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed that BioQ binds specifically to the promoter regions of bioFD and bioQ/B. Further DNase I foot‐printing elucidated the BioQ‐binding palindromes. Site‐directed mutagenesis suggested the important residues critical for BioQ/DNA binding. The isogenic mutant of bioQ (ΔbioQ) was generated using the approach of homologous recombination. The in vivo data from the real‐time qPCR combined with the lacZ transcriptional fusion experiments proved that removal of bioQ gave significant increment with expression of bio operons. Also, expression of bio operons were repressed by exogenous addition of biotin, and this repression seemed to depend on the presence of BioQ protein. Thereby, we believed that M. smegmatis BioQ is not only a negative auto‐regulator but also a repressor for bioFD and bioB operons involved in the biotin biosynthesis pathway. Collectively, this finding defined the two‐protein paradigm of BirA and BioQ, representing a new mechanism for bacterial biotin metabolism.
Investigation of minor species Candida africana, Candida stellatoidea and Candida dubliniensis in the Candida albicans complex among Yaoundé (Cameroon) HIV‐infected patients
Authors: Ngouana Thierry K. , Krasteva Donika , Drakulovski Pascal , Toghueo Rufin K. , Kouanfack Charles , Ambe Akaba , Reynes Jacques , Delaporte Eric , Boyom Fabrice F. , Mallié Michèle , Bertout Sébastien 
Published: October 2014

SummaryMinor species of the Candida albicans complex may cause overestimation of the epidemiology of C. albicans, and misidentifications could mask their implication in human pathology. Authors determined the occurrence of minor species of the C. albicans complex (C. africana, C. dubliniensis and C. stellatoidea) among Yaoundé HIV‐infected patients, Cameroon. Stool, vaginal discharge, urine and oropharyngeal samples were analysed by mycological diagnosis. Isolates were identified by conventional methods and mass spectrometry (MS; carried out by the matrix‐assisted laser desorption–ionisation time‐of‐flight MS protocol). Candida albicans isolates were thereafter submitted to the PCR amplification of the Hwp1 gene. The susceptibility of isolates to antifungal drugs was tested using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute M27‐A3 protocol. From 115 C. albicans obtained isolates, neither C. dubliniensis nor C. stellatoidea was observed; two strains of C. africana (422PV and 448PV) were identified by PCR electrophoretic profiles at 700 bp. These two C. africana strains were vaginal isolates. The isolate 448PV was resistant to ketoconazole at the minimal inhibitory concentration of 2 μg ml−1, and showed reduced susceptibility to amphotericin B at 1 μg ml−1. This first report on C. africana occurrence in Cameroon brings clues for the understanding of the global epidemiology of this yeast as well as that of minor species of the C. albicans complex.