bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Novel host‐specific iron acquisition system in the zoonotic pathogenVibrio vulnificus
Authors: Pajuelo David , Lee Chung‐Te , Roig Francisco J. , Hor Lien‐I. , Amaro Carmen 
Published: January 2015

SummaryVibrio vulnificusis a marine bacterium associated with human and fish (mainly farmed eels) diseases globally known as vibriosis. The ability to infect and overcome eel innate immunity relies on a virulence plasmid (pVvbt2) specific for biotype 2 (Bt2) strains. In the present study, we demonstrated that pVvbt2 encodes a host‐specific iron acquisition system that depends on an outer membrane receptor for eel transferrin calledVep20. The inactivation ofvep20did not affect either bacterial growth in human plasma or virulence for mice, while bacterial growth in eel blood/plasma was abolished and virulence for eels was significantly impaired. Furthermore,vep20is an iron‐regulated gene overexpressed in eel blood during artificially induced vibriosis bothin vitroandin vivo. Interestingly, homologues tovep20were identified in the transferable plasmids of two fish pathogen species of broad‐host range,Vibrio harveyi(pVh1) andPhotobacterium damselaesubsp.damselae(pPHDD1). These data suggest thatVep20 belongs to a new family of plasmid‐encoded fish‐specific transferrin receptors, and the acquisition of these plasmids through horizontal gene transfer is likely positively selected in the fish‐farming environment. Moreover, we proposeFtbp (fish transferrin binding proteins) as a formal name for this family of proteins.
‘Ménage à trois’: a selfish genetic element uses a virus to propagate within Thermotogales
Authors: Lossouarn Julien , Nesbø Camilla L. , Mercier Coraline , Zhaxybayeva Olga , Johnson Milo S. , Charchuck Rhianna , Farasin Julien , Bienvenu Nadège , Baudoux Anne‐Claire , Michoud Grégoire , Jebbar Mohamed , Geslin Claire 
Published: January 2015

SummaryProkaryotic viruses play a major role in the microbial ecology and evolution. However, the virosphere associated with deep‐sea hydrothermal ecosystems remains largely unexplored. Numerous instances of lateral gene transfer have contributed to the complex and incongruent evolutionary history of Thermotogales, an order well represented in deep‐sea hydrothermal vents. The presence of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) loci has been reported in all Thermotogales genomes, suggesting that these bacteria have been exposed to viral infections that could have mediated gene exchange. In this study, we isolated and characterized the first virus infecting bacteria from the order Thermotogales, Marinitoga piezophila virus 1 (MPV1). The host, Marinitoga piezophila is a thermophilic, anaerobic and piezophilic bacterium isolated from a deep‐sea hydrothermal chimney. MPV1 is a temperate Siphoviridae‐like virus with a 43.7 kb genome. Surprisingly, we found that MPV1 virions carry not only the viral DNA but preferentially package a plasmid of 13.3 kb (pMP1) also carried by M. piezophila. This ‘ménage à trois’ highlights potential relevance of selfish genetic elements in facilitating lateral gene transfer in the deep‐sea biosphere.
Enzymes of the benzoyl‐coenzyme A degradation pathway in the hyperthermophilic archaeon Ferroglobus placidus
Authors: Schmid Georg , René Sandra Bosch , Boll Matthias 
Published: January 2015

SummaryThe Fe(III)‐respiring Ferroglobus placidus is the only known archaeon and hyperthermophile for which a complete degradation of aromatic substrates to CO2 has been reported. Recent genome and transcriptome analyses proposed a benzoyl‐coenzyme A (CoA) degradation pathway similar to that found in the phototrophic Rhodopseudomonas palustris, which involves a cyclohex‐1‐ene‐1‐carboxyl‐CoA (1‐enoyl‐CoA) forming, ATP‐dependent key enzyme benzoyl‐CoA reductase (BCR). In this work, we demonstrate, by first in vitro studies, that benzoyl‐CoA is ATP‐dependently reduced by two electrons to cyclohexa‐1,5‐dienoyl‐CoA (1,5‐dienoyl‐CoA), which is further degraded by hydration to 6‐hydroxycyclohex‐1‐ene‐1‐carboxyl‐CoA (6‐OH‐1‐enoyl‐CoA); upon addition of NAD+, the latter was subsequently converted to β‐oxidation intermediates. The four candidate genes of BCR were heterologously expressed, and the enriched, oxygen‐sensitive enzyme catalysed the two‐electron reduction of benzoyl‐CoA to 1,5‐dienoyl‐CoA. A gene previously assigned to a 2,3‐didehydropimeloyl‐CoA hydratase was heterologously expressed and shown to act as a typical 1,5‐dienoyl‐CoA hydratase that does not accept 1‐enoyl‐CoA. A gene previously assigned to a 1‐enoyl‐CoA hydratase was heterologously expressed and identified to code for a bifunctional crotonase/3‐OH‐butyryl‐CoA dehydrogenase. In summary, the results consistently provide biochemical evidence that F. placidus and probably other archaea predominantly degrade aromatics via the Thauera/Azoarcus type and not or only to a minor extent via the predicted R. palustris‐type benzoyl‐CoA degradation pathway.
Globally invading populations of the fungal plant pathogen Verticillium dahliae are dominated by multiple divergent lineages
Authors: Short Dylan P. G. , Gurung Suraj , Gladieux Pierre , Inderbitzin Patrik , Atallah Zahi K. , Nigro Franco , Li Guoqing , Benlioglu Seher , Subbarao Krishna V. 
Published: January 2015

SummaryThe spread of aggressive fungal pathogens into previously non‐endemic regions is a major threat to plant health and food security. Analyses of the spatial and genetic structure of plant pathogens offer valuable insights into their origin, dispersal mechanisms and evolution, and have been useful to develop successful disease management strategies. Here, we elucidated the genetic diversity, population structure and demographic history of worldwide invasion of the ascomycete Verticillium dahliae, a soil‐borne pathogen, using a global collection of 1100 isolates from multiple plant hosts and countries. Seven well‐differentiated genetic clusters were revealed through discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC), but no strong associations between these clusters and host/geographic origin of isolates were found. Analyses of clonal evolutionary relationships among multilocus genotypes with the eBURST algorithm and analyses of genetic distances revealed that genetic clusters represented several ancient evolutionary lineages with broad geographic distribution and wide host range. Comparison of different scenarios of demographic history using approximate Bayesian computations revealed the branching order among the different genetic clusters and lineages. The different lineages may represent incipient species, and this raises questions with respect to their evolutionary origin and the factors allowing their maintenance in the same areas and same hosts without evidence of admixture between them. Based on the above findings and the biology of V. dahliae, we conclude that anthropogenic movement has played an important role in spreading V. dahliae lineages. Our findings have implications for the development of management strategies such as quarantine measures and crop resistance breeding.
Hydrogen sulfide can inhibit and enhance oxygenic photosynthesis in a cyanobacterium from sulfidic springs
Authors: Klatt Judith M. , Haas Sebastian , Yilmaz Pelin , de Beer Dirk , Polerecky Lubos 
Published: January 2015

SummaryWe used microsensors to investigate the combinatory effect of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and light on oxygenic photosynthesis in biofilms formed by a cyanobacterium from sulfidic springs. We found that photosynthesis was both positively and negatively affected by H2S: (i) H2S accelerated the recovery of photosynthesis after prolonged exposure to darkness and anoxia. We suggest that this is possibly due to regulatory effects of H2S on photosystem I components and/or on the Calvin cycle. (ii) H2S concentrations of up to 210 μM temporarily enhanced the photosynthetic rates at low irradiance. Modelling showed that this enhancement is plausibly based on changes in the light‐harvesting efficiency. (iii) Above a certain light‐dependent concentration threshold H2S also acted as an inhibitor. Intriguingly, this inhibition was not instant but occurred only after a specific time interval that decreased with increasing light intensity. That photosynthesis is most sensitive to inhibition at high light intensities suggests that H2S inactivates an intermediate of the oxygen evolving complex that accumulates with increasing light intensity. We discuss the implications of these three effects of H2S in the context of cyanobacterial photosynthesis under conditions with diurnally fluctuating light and H2S concentrations, such as those occurring in microbial mats and biofilms.
Physical Activity, Gender Difference, and Depressive Symptoms
Authors: Zhang Jun , Yen Steven T. 
Published: January 2015

ObjectiveTo investigate the roles of physical activity (exercise) and sociodemographic factors in depressive symptoms among men and women in the United States.Data Source2011 U.S. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).Study DesignPatient Health Questionnaire Depression Scale (PHQ‐8) scores are aggregated and divided into five categories. An ordered switching probability model with binary endogenous physical activity is developed to accommodate ordinality of depression categories and ameliorate statistical biases due to endogeneity of physical activity.Principal FindingsAverage treatment effects suggest physical activity ameliorates depressive symptoms among mildly and moderately depressed individuals, most notably among mildly depressed women. Gender differences exist in the roles of sociodemographic factors, with age, income, race, education, employment status, and recent mental health condition playing differentiated roles in affecting depressive symptoms.ConclusionsRegular physical activity reduces depressive symptoms among both men and women with mild to moderate depression, notably among women.
Panic escape polyethism in worker and soldier Coptotermes formosanus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)
Authors: Wang Cai , Henderson Gregg , Gautam Bal K. , Chen Jie , Bhatta Dependra 
Published: January 2015

AbstractTermites were the first animal to form societies. Two hundred million years of evolution provide for a multitude of innate social behaviors that can be experimentally dissected. These fine‐tuned patterns of behavior are especially interesting when observing group decision making in the panic mode. In this study, we examined behavioral patterns of termites under panic conditions to gain insight into how an escape flow self‐organizes. One hundred worker and 10 soldier Coptotermes formosanus were released into agar plates. After a disturbance was created most workers followed each other and ran along the wall of dishes, thus forming a unidirectional escape flow, whereas soldiers showed a significantly higher frequency of moving to the center of the arena or on periphery of the escape flow as compared to workers. Agonistic behavior was usually observed as soldiers moved to center or periphery. This is the first report on the behavioral repertoire of termites when panicked, with details on the behavioral polymorphism of workers and soldiers during an escape.
Reappraisal of the role of postoperative radiation therapy in patients with pIIIa‐N2 non‐small cell lung cancer: A propensity score matching analysis
Authors: Cao Qinchen , Zhang Baozhong , Zhao Lujun , Wang Changli , Gong Liqun , Wang Jun , Pang Qingsong , Li Kai , Liu Weishuai , Li Xue , Wang Peng , Wang Ping 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBackgroundReappraisal of the role of postoperative radiotherapy in pN2 non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients according to N1 lymph node involvement.MethodsA total of 218 pIIIa‐N2 NSCLC patients who underwent complete surgical resection with systematic nodal dissections were enrolled. Propensity scores were used for matching N1 involvement. Overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS) were analyzed retrospectively.ResultsAfter matching, pN2b patients without N1 involvement (pN0N2b) exhibited better prognoses than those with N1 involvement (pN1N2b) (5‐year OS: 37.5% vs. 7.1%, P = 0.008; 5‐year DFS: 31.8% vs. 4.6%, P = 0.004). Similar results were not detected in pN2a disease (5‐year OS: 37.8% vs. 31.0%, P = 0.517; 5‐year DFS: 27.1% vs. 20.2%, P = 0.788). The five‐year OS of patients who received no adjuvant therapy (22 pN2a cases, 7 pN0N2b, 5 pN1N2b), adjuvant chemotherapy alone (74 pN2a cases, 11 pN0N2b, 17 pN1N2b) or chemoradiotherapy (25 pN2a cases, 7 pN0N2b, 6 pN1N2b) were compared (pN2a: 31.3%, 37.0%, and 32.0%, P = 0.808; pN0N2b: 0.0%, 18.2%, and 71.4%, P = 0.108; pN1N2b: 0.0%, 0.0%, and 33.3%, P < 0.0001). The five‐year DFS was also analyzed (pN2a: 31.6%, 24.0%, and 18.3%, P = 0.410; pN0N2b: 0.0%, 11.1%, and 57.1%, P = 0.192; pN1N2b: 0.0%, 0.0%, and 16.7%, P < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis revealed that the novel classification based on N1 involvement and pN2a/pN2b staging was an independent prognostic factor of OS and DFS.ConclusionN1 involvement significantly impacted the prognosis of pN2b NSCLC patients. The benefit of adjuvant therapy in pN2a and pN0N2b patients requires confirmation by further study.
Prognostic value and clinicopathological significance of epithelial cadherin expression in non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Qiu Zhi‐Xin , Zhao Shuang , Li Lei , Li Wei‐Min 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBackgroundEpithelial cadherin (E‐cadherin), a calcium‐dependent cell‐cell adhesion molecule, as an important adhesion and signaling pathway mediator plays key roles in the maintenance of tissue integrity. However, the available results of E‐cadherin expression and its prognostic value on non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain controversial. Therefore, a meta‐analysis of published studies investigating the prognostic value of E‐cadherin expression and its association with clinicopathological characteristics with NSCLC was performed.MethodsA literature search via PubMed, EMBASE, and MEDLINE (Ovid) databases was conducted. Data from eligible studies were extracted. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA 12.0.ResultsA total of 2412 patients from 15 studies were included in the meta‐analysis. The results showed that the pooled hazard ratio (HR) for overall survival was 0.55 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.44–0.69) by univariate analysis and 0.68 (95% CI: 0.43–1.08) by multivariate analysis. In addition, the results showed a significant association between E‐cadherin expression and the presence of lymph node metastasis (odds ratio = 0.37, 95% CI=0.05–0.69, P = 0.001).ConclusionOur study showed that positive expression of E‐cadherin was associated with a favorable prognosis in patients with NSCLC, and might act as an inhibition factor of metastasis. However, adequately designed prospective studies are required to confirm this finding.
The Effects of a Web‐Based Nursing Process Documentation Program on Stress and Anxiety of Nursing Students in South Korea
Authors: Lee Eunjoo , Noh Hyun Kyung 
Published: January 2015

AimTo examine the effects of a web‐based nursing process documentation system on the stress and anxiety of nursing students during their clinical practice.MethodsA quasi‐experimental design was employed. The experimental group (n = 110) used a web‐based nursing process documentation program for their case reports as part of assignments for a clinical practicum, whereas the control group (n = 106) used traditional paper‐based case reports. Stress and anxiety levels were measured with a numeric rating scale before, 2 weeks after, and 4 weeks after using the web‐based nursing process documentation program during a clinical practicum. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t tests, chi‐square tests, and repeated‐measures analyses of variance.ResultsNursing students who used the web‐based nursing process documentation program showed significant lower levels of stress and anxiety than the control group.ConclusionA web‐based nursing process documentation program could be used to reduce the stress and anxiety of nursing students during clinical practicum, which ultimately would benefit nursing students by increasing satisfaction with and effectiveness of clinical practicum.
Rhizobacteria that produce auxins and contain 1‐amino‐cyclopropane‐1‐carboxylic acid deaminase decrease amino acid concentrations in the rhizosphere and improve growth and yield of well‐watered and water‐limited potato (Solanum tuberosum)
Authors: Belimov A.A. , Dodd I.C. , Safronova V.I. , Shaposhnikov A.I. , Azarova T.S. , Makarova N.M. , Davies W.J. , Tikhonovich I.A. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractPlant‐growth‐promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) utilise amino acids exuded from plant root systems, but hitherto there have been no direct measurements of rhizosphere concentrations of the amino acid 1‐amino‐cyclopropane‐1‐carboxylic acid (ACC) following inoculation with PGPR containing the enzyme ACC deaminase. When introduced to the rhizosphere of two potato (Solanum tuberosum) cultivars (cv. Swift and cv. Nevsky), various ACC deaminase containing rhizobacteria (Achromobacter xylosoxidans Cm4, Pseudomonas oryzihabitans Ep4 and Variovorax paradoxus 5C‐2) not only decreased rhizosphere ACC concentrations but also decreased concentrations of several proteinogenic amino acids (glutamic acid, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, valine). These effects were not always correlated with the ability of the bacteria to metabolise these compounds in vitro, suggesting bacterial mediation of root amino acid exudation. All rhizobacteria showed similar root colonisation following inoculation of sand cultures, thus species differences in amino acid utilisation profiles apparently did not confer any selective advantage in the potato rhizosphere. Rhizobacterial inoculation increased root biomass (by up to 50%) and tuber yield (by up to 40%) in pot trials, and tuber yield (by up to 27%) in field experiments, especially when plants were grown under water‐limited conditions. Nevertheless, inoculated and control plants showed similar leaf water relations, indicating that alternative mechanisms (regulation of phytohormone balance) were responsible for growth promotion. Rhizobacteria generally increased tuber number more than individual tuber weight, suggesting that accelerated vegetative development was responsible for increased yield.
PIM‐1 modulates cellular senescence and links IL‐6 signaling to heterochromatin formation
Authors: Jin Bo , Wang Yu , Wu Chen Lin , Liu Kai Yu , Chen Hao , Mao Ze Bin 
Published: January 2015

SummaryCellular senescence is a stable state of proliferative arrest that provides a barrier against malignant transformation and contributes to the antitumor activity of certain chemotherapies. Unexpectedly, we found that the expression of proto‐oncogene PIM‐1, which can promote tumorigenesis, is induced at transcriptional level during senescence. Inhibition of PIM‐1 alleviated both replicative and oncogene‐induced senescence. Conversely, ectopic expression of PIM‐1 resulted in premature senescence. We also revealed that PIM‐1 interacts with and phosphorylates heterochromatin protein 1γ (HP1γ) on Ser93. This PIM‐1‐mediated HP1γ phosphorylation enhanced HP1γ's capacity to bind to H3K9me3, resulting in heterochromatin formation and suppression of proliferative genes, such as CCNA2 and PCNA. Analysis of the mechanism underlying the up‐regulation of PIM‐1 expression during senescence demonstrated that IL‐6, a critical regulator of cellular senescence, is responsible for PIM‐1 induction. Our study demonstrated that PIM‐1 is a key component of the senescence machinery that contributes to heterochromatin formation. More importantly, we demonstrated that PIM‐1 is also a direct target of IL‐6/STAT3 signaling and mediates cytokine‐induced cellular senescence.
Predicting performance and survival across topographically heterogeneous landscapes: the global pest insect Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner, 1808) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Barton Madeleine G , Terblanche John S 
Published: January 2015

AbstractSpecies distribution models provide a means of better understanding how climate constrains the survival of organisms. Although effective in predicting the presence or absence of species across the landscape, model outputs are not necessarily relevant to, or easily interpreted for, local management and conservation programs. An alternative approach, however, would be to use species distribution models as a tool for applied ecological projects. Integrative pest management programs, for example, which aim to control the abundance and distribution of agricultural insect pests may benefit from a model that predicts the relative performance and survival of the target pest on its host plant. We present a microclimate model to predict ambient, and thus the equilibrium body, temperature of the globally significant agricultural pest the bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera. We allow the different life‐history stages of H. armigera to select specific microclimates within a host apple tree, thus developing a realistic framework for predicting core‐body temperatures, and proxies for physiological performance and fitness, of this species. Subsequently, we incorporate the predicted body temperature with established data for developmental rates and critical‐temperature thresholds to predict how fluctuations in temperature and variation in topography may affect phenology and survival. Although the model requires further validation against empirical data, the current outputs allow insights into how variation in local topography, farming practices and climate change will affect the relative phenology and survival of H. armigera. Moreover, the biophysical nature of the model means that with some modifications to parameter inputs, the fitness and survival of a range of pest insects on their host plants can be explored more readily.
Effects of treatment beyond the treated: a general equilibrium impact evaluation of Lesotho's cash grants program
Authors: Filipski Mateusz J. , Taylor J. Edward , Thome Karen E. , Davis Benjamin 
Published: January 2015

AbstractAfrica's social cash transfer programs target the most resource‐constrained households, unlikely to expand supply in response to transfer‐induced demand. We propose a local economy‐wide impact evaluation model and use it to evaluate local spillovers from Lesotho's Child Grants Program. We report Monte‐Carlo confidence bounds around impact‐simulation results. We find significant spillovers to nonrecipient households and significant real income multipliers, although the latter are dampened if factor supply constraints generate excessive inflationary pressures. Our findings raise questions about how to measure the impacts of cash transfers. Evaluations focusing only on eligible households are likely to significantly understate program impacts.
Adverse reactions to immunotherapy are associated with different patterns of sensitization to grass allergens
Authors: Sastre J. , Rodríguez F. , Campo P. , Laffond E. , Marín A. , Alonso M. D. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThe aim of the study was to investigate whether adverse drug reactions (ADRs) during immunotherapy with a grass extract (AVANZ® Phleum, ALK‐Abelló) are related to the different patterns of sensitization of patients to grass allergens. A total of 192 patients with rhinitis and/or asthma sensitized to grass pollen received a 4‐week updosing with five injections. ADRs were evaluated following EAACI guidelines. A total of 432 ADRs in 133 (69%) patients were recorded, 64% local and 31% systemic. There was a significant association between the number of grass allergens that sensitized the patients and the total number of ADRs (P = 0.004) occurred locally (P = 0.003) and systemically (P = 0.01). Sensitization to Phl p1 + Phl p5 or Phl p1 + Phl p5 + Phl p12 was significantly associated with a higher frequency of local or systemic reactions (P = 0.001, both). Different patterns of sensitization to grass allergens may potentially be considered a risk marker to the development of ADRs to immunotherapy.