bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thylakoid Membrane Maturation and PSII Activation Are Linked in Greening Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 Cells
Authors: Barthel Sandra , Bernát Gábor , Seidel Tobias , Rupprecht Eva , Kahmann Uwe , Schneider Dirk 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
Thylakoid membranes are typical and essential features of both chloroplasts and cyanobacteria. While they are crucial for phototrophic growth of cyanobacterial cells, biogenesis of thylakoid membranes is not well understood yet. Dark-grown Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 cells contain only rudimentary thylakoid membranes but still a relatively high amount of phycobilisomes, inactive photosystem II and active photosystem I centers. After shifting dark-grown Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 cells into the light, “greening” of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 cells, i.e. thylakoid membrane formation and recovery of photosynthetic electron transport reactions, was monitored. Complete restoration of a typical thylakoid membrane system was observed within 24 hours after an initial lag phase of 6 to 8 hours. Furthermore, activation of photosystem II complexes and restoration of a functional photosynthetic electron transport chain appears to be linked to the biogenesis of organized thylakoid membrane pairs.
Comparative genomics and transcriptomics analysis of experimentally evolved Escherichia coli MC1000 in complex environments
Authors: Puentes‐Téllez Pilar Eliana , Kovács Ákos T. , Kuipers Oscar P. , van Elsas Jan Dirk 
Published: August 2013

SummaryIt has recently become feasible to study the basis and nature of evolutionary changes in bacteria in an experimental setting using defined media. However, assessment of adaptive changes in complex environments has been scarce. In an effort to describe the responses in such environments, we unravel, in a comparative approach, the transcriptional and genetic profiles of 19 Escherichia coli strains that evolved in Luria Bertani medium under three different oxygen regimes over 1000 generations. A positive relationship between upregulation of gene expression and the number of mutations was observed, suggesting that a number of metabolic pathways were activated. Phenotypic polymorphisms were observed in parallel cultures, of which some were related with mutations at the regulatory level. Non‐parallel responses were observed at the intrapopulational level, which is indicative of diversifying selection. Parallel responses encompassed transcriptome diversity, and their effects were directly affected by differing genomic backgrounds. A fluctuating selective force produced higher phenotypic diversity compared with constant forces. This study demonstrates how phenotypic innovations may depend on the relationship between genomic changes and local ecological conditions. Using both comparative genomics and transcriptomics approaches, the results help elucidating various adaptive responses in cultures in unexplored complex environments.
Urban Geographies of Hesitant Transition: Tracing Socioeconomic Segregation in Post‐Ceauşescu Bucharest
Authors: Marcińczak Szymon , Gentile Michael , Rufat Samuel , Chelcea Liviu 
Published: August 2013

AbstractScholars have raised concerns about the social costs of the transition from state socialism to capitalism in Central and Eastern Europe, and geographers are particularly interested in the spatial expressions and implications of these costs, including apparently increasing residential segregation. Applying a range of segregation measures to 1992 and 2002 census data, this contribution studies socio‐occupational residential segregation in Bucharest. The conclusion is that Bucharest was relatively socio‐spatially mixed at both times; in fact, a modest, yet fully legible, decreasing overall trend is observable. This is at odds with many popular assumptions of the past 20 years.
Maternal and perinatal outcomes among nulliparous adolescents in low‐ and middle‐income countries: a multi‐country study
Authors: Ganchimeg T , Mori R , Ota E , Koyanagi A , Gilmour S , Shibuya K , Torloni MR , Betran AP , Seuc A , Vogel J , Souza JP 
Published: August 2013

ObjectiveTo investigate the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes and caesarean section among adolescents in low‐ and middle‐income countries.DesignSecondary analysis using facility‐based cross‐sectional data from the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Survey on Maternal and Perinatal Health.SettingTwenty‐three countries in Africa, Latin America, and Asia.PopulationWomen admitted for delivery in 363 health facilities during 2–3 months between 2004 and 2008.MethodsWe constructed multilevel logistic regression models to estimate the effect of young maternal age on risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes.Main outcome measuresRisk of adverse pregnancy outcomes among young mothers.ResultsA total of 78 646 nulliparous mothers aged ≤24 years and their singleton infants were included in the analysis. Compared with mothers aged 20–24 years, adolescents aged 16–19 years had a significantly lower risk of caesarean section (adjusted OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.71–0.79). When the analysis was restricted to caesarean section indicated for presumed cephalopelvic disproportion, the risk of caesarean section was significantly higher among mothers aged ≤15 years (aOR 1.27, 95% CI 1.07–1.49) than among those aged 20–24 years. Higher risks of low birthweight and preterm birth were found among adolescents aged 16–19 years (aOR 1.10, 95% CI 1.03–1.17; aOR 1.16, 95% CI 1.09–1.23, respectively) and ≤15 years (aOR 1.33, 95% CI 1.14–1.54; aOR 1.56, 95% CI 1.35–1.80, respectively).ConclusionsAdolescent girls experiencing pregnancy at a very young age (i.e. <16 years) have an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Inhibition of Cronobacter sakazakii by Heat Labile Bacteriocins Produced by Probiotic LAB Isolated from Healthy Infants
Authors: Awaisheh Saddam S. , Al‐Nabulsi Anas A. , Osaili Tareq M. , Ibrahim Salam , Holley Richard 
Published: August 2013

AbstractCronobacter sakazakii is an opportunistic pathogen that can cause bacteremia, meningitis, and necrotizing enterocolitis, most often in neonates with case‐fatality rates that may reach 80%. The antimicrobial activity of lactic acid bacteria against a wide range of foodborne pathogens is well‐established in different types of food products. The objective of the current study was to investigate the antibacterial activity of Lactobacillus acidophilus and L. casei isolated from feces of healthy infants against different strains of C. sakazakii in agar and a rehydrated infant milk formula (RIMF) model. The inhibition zones of C. sakazakii around L. acidophilus or L. casei ranged from 22 to 32 mm on eMan Rogosa Sharpe (MRS) agar under aerobic conditions, while a slight reduction in antibacterial activity was noted on modified MRS (0.2% glucose) under anaerobic conditions. It was observed that pH‐neutralized cell‐free supernatant (CFS) of L. acidophilus or L. casei was inhibitory against tested C. sakazakii strains. The inhibition zones of neutralized CFS were lower than the antibacterial activities of live cultures. The antibacterial activity of CFS was abolished when CFS from L. acidophilus or L. casei was heated at 60 or 80 °C for either 10 min or 2 h, or treated with trypsin or pepsin. This was considered strong evidence that the inhibition was due to the production of bacteriocins by L. casei and L. acidophilus. Both the CFS and active growing cells of L. casei and L. acidophilus were able to reduce the viability of C. sakazakii in the RIMF model. The results may extend the use of natural antimicrobials instead of conventional preservation methods to improve the safety of RIMF.
DNA barcoding in Mexico: an introduction
Authors: Elías‐Gutiérrez M. , León‐Regagnon V. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractDNA barcoding has become an important current scientific trend to the understanding of the world biodiversity. In the case of mega‐diverse hot spots like Mexico, this technique represents an important tool for taxonomists, allowing them to concentrate in highlighted species by the barcodes instead of analyzing entire sets of specimens. This tendency resulted in the creation of a national network named Mexican Barcode of Life (MEXBOL) which main goals are to train students, and to promote the interaction and collective work among researchers interested in this topic. As a result, the number of records in the Barcode of Life Database (BOLD) for some groups, such as the Mammalia, Actinopterygii, Polychaeta, Branchiopoda, Ostracoda, Maxillopoda, Nematoda, Pinophyta, Ascomycota and Basidiomycota place Mexico among the top ten countries in the generation of these data. This special number presents only few of the many interesting findings in this region of the world, after the use of this technique and its integration with other methodologies.
Mitochondrial energetics is impaired in vivo in aged skeletal muscle
Authors: Gouspillou Gilles , Bourdel‐Marchasson Isabelle , Rouland Richard , Calmettes Guillaume , Biran Marc , Deschodt‐Arsac Véronique , Miraux Sylvain , Thiaudiere Eric , Pasdois Philippe , Detaille Dominique , Franconi Jean‐Michel , Babot Marion , Trézéguet Véronique , Arsac Laurent , Diolez Philippe 
Published: August 2013

SummaryWith aging, most skeletal muscles undergo a progressive loss of mass and strength, a process termed sarcopenia. Aging‐related defects in mitochondrial energetics have been proposed to be causally involved in sarcopenia. However, changes in muscle mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation with aging remain a highly controversial issue, creating a pressing need for integrative approaches to determine whether mitochondrial bioenergetics are impaired in aged skeletal muscle. To address this issue, mitochondrial bioenergetics was first investigated in vivo in the gastrocnemius muscle of adult (6 months) and aged (21 months) male Wistar rats by combining a modular control analysis approach with 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy measurements of energetic metabolites. Using this innovative approach, we revealed that the in vivo responsiveness (‘elasticity’) of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation to contraction‐induced increase in ATP demand is significantly reduced in aged skeletal muscle, a reduction especially pronounced under low contractile activities. In line with this in vivo aging‐related defect in mitochondrial energetics, we found that the mitochondrial affinity for ADP is significantly decreased in mitochondria isolated from aged skeletal muscle. Collectively, the results of this study demonstrate that mitochondrial bioenergetics are effectively altered in vivo in aged skeletal muscle and provide a novel cellular basis for this phenomenon.
Chemical, morphological and microhardness changes of dentine after chemomechanical caries removal
Authors: Hamama HH , Yiu CKY , Burrow MF , King NM 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBackgroundThis study compared the chemical, morphological and microhardness changes in carious dentine following application of NaOCl‐based (Carisolv), papain‐based (Papacarie) chemomechanical caries removal agents with conventional rotary method.MethodsThirty‐two carious and eight non‐carious human permanent molars were used. The carious molars were randomly distributed into four groups: Group 1 (positive control) – molars were left without caries removal; Group 2 – caries excavated with rotary method; Group 3 – caries excavated with Carisolv; Group 4 – caries excavated with Papacarie. Group 5 (negative control) consisted of eight sound molars. After caries excavation, all specimens were prepared for chemical, morphological analysis and Vickers hardness testing.ResultsEDX analysis showed no significant difference in Ca wt%, P wt% and Ca/P ratio among Groups 2 to 5. Vickers hardness of dentine from Groups 3 and 4 was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than for Groups 2 and 5. The use of Papacarie resulted in a dentine surface without smear layer and patent tubules, while Carisolv resulted in a dentine surface exhibiting two patterns: (1) the presence of smear layer or (2) patent tubules with partial smear layer formation.ConclusionsPapain‐based (Papacarie) chemomechanical caries removal method is a reliable alternative to conventional rotary and NaOCl‐based (Carisolv) caries removal.
Validation and further characterization of a major quantitative trait locus associated with host response to experimental infection with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus
Authors: Boddicker N. J. , Garrick D. J. , Rowland R. R. R. , Lunney J. K. , Reecy J. M. , Dekkers J. C. M. 
Published: August 2013

SummaryInfectious diseases are costly to the swine industry; porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is the most devastating. In earlier work, a quantitative trait locus associated with resistance/susceptibility to PRRS virus was identified on Sus scrofa chromosome 4 using approximately 560 experimentally infected animals from a commercial cross. The favorable genotype was associated with decreased virus load and increased weight gain (WG). The objective here was to validate and further characterize the association of the chromosome 4 region with PRRS resistance using data from two unrelated commercial crossbred populations. The validation populations consisted of two trials each of approximately 200 pigs sourced from different breeding companies that were infected with PRRS virus and followed for 42 days post‐infection. Across all five trials, heritability estimates were 0.39 and 0.34 for viral load (VL; area under the curve of log‐transformed viremia from 0 to 21 days post‐infection) and WG to 42 days post‐infection respectively. Effect estimates of SNP WUR10000125 in the chromosome 4 region were in the same directions and of similar magnitudes in the two new trials as had been observed in the first three trials. Across all five trials, the 1‐Mb region on chromosome 4 explained 15 percent of genetic variance for VL and 11 percent for WG. The effect of the favorable minor allele at SNP WUR10000125 was dominant. Ordered genotypes for SNP WUR10000125 showed that the effect was present irrespective of whether the favorable allele was paternally or maternally inherited. These results demonstrate that selection for host response to PRRS virus infection could reduce the economic impact of PRRS.
Causes of SLIT discontinuation and strategies to improve the adherence: a pragmatic approach
Authors: Savi E. , Peveri S. , Senna G. , Passalacqua G. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractSublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is often discontinued, and many patients do not renew the prescription. We evaluated the reasons for discontinuation and set up an educational/follow‐up plan to improve the adherence. In a first phase, the adherence at 4 months was directly assessed. Based on those results, an action plan (education, frequent contacts, and strictly scheduled visits) was developed and tested in other patients. A group of matched patients did not undergo the follow‐up plan (controls). In the first phase, involving 252 subjects, at 4 months, there were 30% dropouts, mainly due to side‐effects. In the second phase, 149 patients underwent education/follow‐up and 90 received no intervention. In the first group, discontinuations at 4 months were 5%, vs 18% in the controls (P = 0.01). After one year, 12% of patients were lost in the first group and 35% in the control group (P < 0.001). An adequate education and a strict follow‐up can significantly reduce SLIT's discontinuations.
Modulation of allergen‐induced bronchoconstriction by fluticasone furoate and vilanterol alone or in combination
Authors: Oliver A. , Bjermer L. , Quinn D. , Saggu P. , Thomas P. , Yarnall K. , Lötvall J. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBackgroundThis placebo‐controlled study assessed the effects of the once‐daily inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) fluticasone furoate (FF) and long‐acting beta2‐agonist (LABA) vilanterol (VI) on early and late asthmatic responses (EAR/LAR) and airway hyper‐responsiveness (AHR).MethodsPatients (n = 27) were randomized to FF (100 μg), VI (25 μg), FF/VI (100/25 μg), and placebo for 21 days (four periods). Allergen challenge was performed 1 h post‐dose on day 21. AHR was assessed on day 22 using methacholine.ResultsAllergen challenge caused an early change (0–2 h) in minimum forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) of −1.091 l (95% CI: −1.344; −0.837) following placebo therapy; changes were −0.955 l (−1.209; −0.702), −0.826 l (−1.070; −0.581), and −0.614 l (−0.858; −0.370) following VI, FF, or FF/VI therapy, respectively. Treatment differences were significant for all comparisons between therapies. Mean changes in 0–2 h %FEV1 were as follows: −28.05 (placebo), −23.10 (VI), −22.33 (FF), and −16.10 (FF/VI). Following placebo, the late change (4–10 h) in weighted mean FEV1 was −0.466 l (−0.589; −0.343) and −0.298 l (−0.415; −0.181) after VI, and was +0.018 l with both FF/VI (−0.089; 0.124) and FF (−0.089; 0.125). Treatment differences were significant for all comparisons between therapies except FF/VI vs FF. Mean changes in 4–10 h %FEV1 were as follows: −21.08 (placebo), −14.30 (VI), −5.02 (FF), and −5.83 (FF/VI). AHR 24 h after allergen challenge was significantly reduced with FF/VI and FF vs placebo, and FF/VI was superior to either component.ConclusionCombined treatment with FF/VI provides additive protection from the EAR relative to its components, significant protection over VI alone from the LAR, and confers sustained protection from hyper‐responsiveness 24 h post‐dose.
Indirect comparison analysis of efficacy and safety between olanzapine and aripiprazole for schizophrenia
Authors: Kunitomi Taro , Hashiguchi Masayuki , Mochizuki Mayumi 
Published: August 2013

AimsIndirect comparison (IC) and direct comparison (DC) between aripiprazole and olanzapine for schizophrenia were conducted to compare their efficacy and safety. The objective was to determine the usability of IC and consistency of results delivered by the two comparisons. Factors that might influence the inconsistency of results were also investigated.MethodsICs and DCs were conducted using the change from baseline of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score as an efficacy endpoint and the dropout rate was selected as a safety endpoint. Placebo and risperidone were used as common comparators for ICs.ResultsA literature search identified 20 articles. The efficacy analysis gave results on the mean difference in PANSS change (95% CI) of −5.72 (−10.22, −1.22) in ICs using placebo as a common comparator and −7.41 (−15.96, 1.14) in DCs. When using risperidone as a common comparator, it was −9.15 (−20.12, 1.82). In rate ratio analysis of the all cause dropout rate, the IC result was 1.17 (0.83, 1.65) using placebo as a common comparator and 1.56 (0.57, 4.26) using risperidone as a common comparator. Both analyses gave consistent results between ICs and DCs. A slightly lower estimated value was observed in ICs using placebo.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that ICs between olanzapine and aripiprazole can deliver results consistent with those of DCs. It is also suggested that the selection of a common comparator is important when control group bias is suspected in the data set.
Percutaneous suprapubic tube bladder drainage after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy: a step‐by‐step guide
Authors: Ghani Khurshid R. , Trinh Quoc‐Dien , Sammon Jesse D. , Jeong Wooju , Simone Andrea , Dabaja Ali , Dusik Stacey , Peabody James O. , Menon Mani 
Published: August 2013

Objective
To describe our technique of maintaining bladder drainage after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) using a percutaneous suprapubic tube (PST) in place of a urethral catheter.
Methods
A watertight anastomosis permits placement of the PST. Contraindications include morbid obesity, concomitant inguinal hernia mesh repair, anticoagulation therapy, limited hand dexterity in the patient, bladder neck reconstruction and extensive adhesiolysis at RARP.
The necessary equipment includes a 14‐F PST balloon catheter set, a three‐way connector, a connecting tube, a suture passer, 1/0 polypropylene sutures on a CT1 needle, a sterile plastic button, adhesive and steri‐strips.
Results
The important steps for PST placement are: Step 1: robot‐assisted placement of a bladder wall anchor suture; Step 2: transferring the bladder wall suture to anterior abdominal skin; Step 3: guided placement of the PST under robotic vision; Step 4: securing the PST within the bladder and abdominal wall; Step 5. postoperative care: clamping the PST on postoperative day 5, recording each void and post‐void residual urine volumes in a patient diary, removal of the PST on postoperative day 7 after 48 h of voiding with residual urine <100 mL per void.
Conclusion
We provide a concise step‐by‐step guide for placement of a PST during RARP as well as important management aspects for the successful adoption of this technique.
Comparative Kinetics of Qi Site Inhibitors of Cytochrome bc1 Complex: Picomolar Antimycin and Micromolar Cyazofamid
Authors: Li Hui , Zhu Xiao‐Lei , Yang Wen‐Chao , Yang Guang‐Fu 
Published: August 2013

Antimycin and cyazofamid are specific inhibitors of the mitochondrial respiratory chain and bind to the Qi site of the cytochrome bc1 complex. With the aim to understand the detailed molecular inhibition mechanism of Qi inhibitors, we performed a comparative investigation of the inhibitory kinetics of them against the porcine bc1 complex. The results showed that antimycin is a slow tight‐binding inhibitor of succinate–cytochrome c reductase (SCR) with Ki = 0.033 ± 0.00027 nm and non‐competitive inhibition with respect to cytochrome c. Cyazofamid is a classical inhibitor of SCR with Ki = 12.90 ± 0.91 μm and a non‐competitive inhibitor with respect to cytochrome c. Both of them show competitive inhibition with respect to substrate DBH2. Further molecular docking and quantum mechanics calculations were performed. The results showed that antimycin underwent significant conformational change upon the binding. The energy barrier between the conformations in the crystal and in the binding pocket is ~13.63 kcal/mol. Antimycin formed an H‐bond with Asp228 and two water‐bridged H‐bonds with Lys227 and His201, whereas cyazofamid formed only one H‐bond with Asp228. The conformational change and the different hydrogen bonding network might account for why antimycin is a slow tight‐binding inhibitor, whereas cyazofamid is a classic inhibitor.
Short‐term evaluation of autologous transplantation of bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells in patients with cirrhosis: Egyptian study
Authors: Amin Mona A. , Sabry Dina , Rashed Laila A. , Aref Wael M. , el‐Ghobary Mohamed Ahmed , Farhan Marwa Salah , Fouad Hany Ahmed , Youssef Youssef Abdel‐Aziz 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBackgroundStem cell–based therapy has received attention as a possible alternative to organ transplantation. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of autologous transplantation of bone marrow (BM)–derived stromal cells in post‐HCV liver cirrhosis patients.Methodology10 × 106 of isolated human bone marrow (HBM)‐stromal cells in 10 mL normal saline were injected in the spleen of 20 patients with end‐stage liver cirrhosis guided by the ultrasonography, and then patients were followed up on monthly basis for six months.ResultsA statistically significant decrease was detected in the total bilirubin, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) (p‐value<0.01), prothrombin time (PT), and international normalized ratio (INR) levels (p‐value<0.05), while a statistically significant increase in the albumin and PC (p‐value<0.05) after follow‐up.ConclusionThis study suggested the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of the intrasplenic injection of autologous BM stromal cells in improving liver function in Egyptian patients with cirrhosis.