bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improving medication adherence through technology: analyzing the managing meds video challenge
Authors: Laffer Matthew S. , Feldman Steven R. 
Published: June 2013

BackgroundPoor adherence to medication is an enormous problem. While many measures to improve adherence have been proposed, patients may be a good source of novel approaches. The Managing Meds Video Challenge was designed, by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in collaboration with the National Consumers League Script Your Future campaign, for patients to create short videos containing ideas on how to better take medications as directed.PurposeDetermine what forms of technology patients use to help adhere to their medication regimens.MethodsThe 17 available videos from the Managing Meds Video Challenge were analyzed to determine what forms of technology patients use to help adhere to their medication regimens.ResultsApproaches to improve adherence included calendar and reminder applications, and third‐party applications such as MedCoach Medication Reminder, Walgreens Pharmacy, and CVS/Pharmacy. Patients also improved adherence by using the Internet to access websites such as www.rememberitnow.com to manage medications, access electronic health records, and to order medications from online pharmacies.LimitationsThis study only analyzes the 17 available videos from the Managing Meds Video Challenge.ConclusionsPatients are using a variety of technology to manage their medications. They appear to rely primarily on reminder systems.
Cross‐reaction and co‐sensitization among related and unrelated allergens in canine intradermal tests
Authors: Buckley Laura , Schmidt Vanessa , McEwan Neil , Nuttall Tim 
Published: June 2013

BackgroundIntradermal tests are used to identify allergens for avoidance and immunotherapy in atopic dogs.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo evaluate cross‐reaction or co‐sensitization among 53 intradermal test allergens.AnimalsSix hundred and fifty‐one client‐owned dogs with atopic dermatitis.MethodsIntradermal tests were performed with 53 house dust/storage mite, epidermal, insect, tree, weed and grass pollen and mould allergens. Pairwise comparisons were used to calculate the odds ratios (ORs), 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and statistical significance for the results of each allergen pair, with significance at P < 0.0006 (Holm–Bonferroni correction to reduce the false‐detection rate).ResultsApart from cotton, cockroach, red clover, grain smut and Penicillium, the results for the allergens within each group were statistically associated [ORs from 4.7 (CI 2.5–8.9) to 1229.4 (CI 166.5–1795.1); P = 0.0005 to P < 0.0001]. Excluding red clover and cotton, 94% of results between tree, weed and grass pollens were also statistically associated [ORs from 8.3 (CI 3.6–24.7) to 117 (CI 29.1–341); P = 0.0005 to P < 0.0001]. In contrast, few allergens from unrelated groups were statistically associated [ORs from 0.12 (CI 0.03–1.1) to 27.7 (CI 0.2–93); P = 1.0 to P < 0.0001]. The mean (SD) of the log e transformed ORs for the related and statistically associated allergens [5.3 (1.3)] was significantly greater than those for related but nonstatistically associated [1.7 (1.6)] or unrelated allergens [1.4 (1.4); P < 0.0001].Conclusions and clinical importanceThis suggests that there is cross‐reaction or co‐sensitization between related allergens. This could have implications for allergen selection in testing and immunotherapy, but further studies are required to differentiate cross‐reaction from co‐sensitization.
Elevated blood pressure, heart rate and body temperature in mice lacking the XLαs protein of the Gnas locus is due to increased sympathetic tone
Authors: Nunn Nicolas , Feetham Claire H. , Martin Jennifer , Barrett‐Jolley Richard , Plagge Antonius 
Published: June 2013

New Findings
What is the central question of this study?Previously, we showed that Gnasxl knock‐out mice are lean and hypermetabolic, with increased sympathetic stimulation of adipose tissue. Do these mice also display elevated sympathetic cardiovascular tone? Is the brain glucagon‐like peptide‐1 system involved?
What is the main finding and its importance?Gnasxl knock‐outs have increased blood pressure, heart rate and body temperature. Heart rate variability analysis suggests an elevated sympathetic tone. The sympatholytic reserpine had stronger effects on blood pressure, heart rate and heart rate variability in knock‐out compared with wild‐type mice. Stimulation of the glucagon‐like peptide‐1 system inhibited parasympathetic tone to a similar extent in both genotypes, with a stronger associated increase in heart rate in knock‐outs. Deficiency of Gnasxl increases sympathetic cardiovascular tone.
Imbalances of energy homeostasis are often associated with cardiovascular complications. Previous work has shown that Gnasxl‐deficient mice have a lean and hypermetabolic phenotype, with increased sympathetic stimulation of adipose tissue. The Gnasxl transcript from the imprinted Gnas locus encodes the trimeric G‐protein subunit XLαs, which is expressed in brain regions that regulate energy homeostasis and sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity. To determine whether Gnasxl knock‐out (KO) mice display additional SNS‐related phenotypes, we have now investigated the cardiovascular system. The Gnasxl KO mice were ∼20 mmHg hypertensive in comparison to wild‐type (WT) littermates (P≤ 0.05) and hypersensitive to the sympatholytic drug reserpine. Using telemetry, we detected an increased waking heart rate in conscious KOs (630 ± 10 versus 584 ± 12 beats min−1, KO versus WT, P≤ 0.05). Body temperature was also elevated (38.1 ± 0.3 versus 36.9 ± 0.4°C, KO versus WT, P≤ 0.05). To investigate autonomic nervous system influences, we used heart rate variability analyses. We empirically defined frequency power bands using atropine and reserpine and verified high‐frequency (HF) power and low‐frequency (LF) LF/HF power ratio to be indicators of parasympathetic and sympathetic activity, respectively. The LF/HF power ratio was greater in KOs and more sensitive to reserpine than in WTs, consistent with elevated SNS activity. In contrast, atropine and exendin‐4, a centrally acting agonist of the glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor, which influences cardiovascular physiology and metabolism, reduced HF power equally in both genotypes. This was associated with a greater increase in heart rate in KOs. Mild stress had a blunted effect on the LF/HF ratio in KOs consistent with elevated basal sympathetic activity. We conclude that XLαs is required for the inhibition of sympathetic outflow towards cardiovascular and metabolically relevant tissues.
Critical assessment of intramodality 3D ultrasound imaging for prostate IGRT compared to fiducial markers
Authors: van der Meer Skadi , Bloemen‐van Gurp Esther , Hermans Jolanda , Voncken Robert , Heuvelmans Denys , Gubbels Carol , Fontanarosa Davide , Visser Peter , Lutgens Ludy , van Gils Francis , Verhaegen Frank 
Published: June 2013

Purpose:A quantitative 3D intramodality ultrasound (US) imaging system was verified for daily in‐room prostate localization, and compared to prostate localization based on implanted fiducial markers (FMs).Methods:Thirteen prostate patients underwent multiple US scans during treatment. A total of 376 US‐scans and 817 matches were used to determine the intra‐ and interoperator variability. Additionally, eight other patients underwent daily prostate localization using both US and electronic portal imaging (EPI) with FMs resulting in 244 combined US‐EPI scans. Scanning was performed with minimal probe pressure and a correction for the speed of sound aberration was performed. Uncertainties of both US and FM methods were assessed. User variability of the US method was assessed.Results:The overall US user variability is 2.6 mm. The mean differences between US and FM are: 2.5 ± 4.0 mm (LR), 0.6 ± 4.9 mm (SI), and −2.3 ± 3.6 mm (AP). The intramodality character of this US system mitigates potential errors due to transducer pressure and speed of sound aberrations.Conclusions:The overall accuracy of US (3.0 mm) is comparable to our FM workflow (2.2 mm). Since neither US nor FM can be considered a gold standard no conclusions can be drawn on the superiority of either method. Because US imaging captures the prostate itself instead of surrogates no invasive procedure is required. It requires more effort to standardize US imaging than FM detection. Since US imaging does not involve a radiation burden, US prostate imaging offers an alternative for FM EPI positioning.
Identification and Characterization of a Novel Flagellum-Dependent Salmonella-Infecting Bacteriophage, iEPS5
Authors: Choi Younho , Shin Hakdong , Lee Ju-Hoon , Ryu Sangryeol 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACT

A novel flagellatropic phage of
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium, called iEPS5, was isolated and characterized. iEPS5 has an icosahedral head and a long noncontractile tail with a tail fiber. Genome sequencing revealed a double-stranded DNA of 59,254 bp having 73 open reading frames (ORFs). To identify the receptor for iEPS5, Tn
5
transposon insertion mutants of
S
. Typhimurium SL1344 that were resistant to the phage were isolated. All of the phage-resistant mutants were found to have mutations in genes involved in flagellar formation, suggesting that the flagellum is the adsorption target of this phage. Analysis of phage infection using the Δ
motA
mutant, which is flagellated but nonmotile, demonstrated the requirement of flagellar rotation for iEPS5 infection. Further analysis of phage infection using the Δ
cheY
mutant revealed that iEPS5 could infect host bacteria only when the flagellum is rotating counterclockwise (CCW). These results suggested that the CCW-rotating flagellar filament is essential for phage adsorption and required for successful infection by iEPS5. In contrast to the well-studied flagellatropic phage Chi, iEPS5 cannot infect the Δ
fliK
mutant that makes a polyhook without a flagellar filament, suggesting that these two flagellatropic phages utilize different infection mechanisms. Here, we present evidence that iEPS5 injects its DNA into the flagellar filament for infection by assessing DNA transfer from SYBR gold-labeled iEPS5 to the host bacteria.
Broad Distribution of Diverse Anaerobic Ammonium-Oxidizing Bacteria in Chinese Agricultural Soils
Authors: Shen Li-dong , Liu Shuai , Lou Li-ping , Liu Wei-ping , Xu Xiang-yang , Zheng Ping , Hu Bao-lan 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACT

Anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing (anammox) bacteria have been detected in many marine and freshwater ecosystems. However, little is known about the distribution, diversity, and abundance of anammox bacteria in terrestrial ecosystems. In this study, anammox bacteria were found to be present in various agricultural soils collected from 32 different locations in China. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA genes showed “
Candidatus
Brocadia,” “
Candidatus
Kuenenia,” “
Candidatus
Anammoxoglobus,” and “
Candidatus
Jettenia” in the collected soils, with “
Candidatus
Brocadia” being the dominant genus. Quantitative PCR showed that the abundance of anammox bacteria ranged from 6.38 × 10
4
± 0.42 × 10
4
to 3.69 × 10
6
± 0.25 × 10
6
copies per gram of dry weight. Different levels of diversity, composition, and abundance of the anammox bacterial communities were observed, and redundancy analysis indicated that the soil organic content and the distribution of anammox communities were correlated in the soils examined. Furthermore, Pearson correlation analysis showed that the diversity of the anammox bacteria was positively correlated with the soil ammonium content and the organic content, while the anammox bacterial abundance was positively correlated with the soil ammonium content. These results demonstrate the broad distribution of diverse anammox bacteria and its correlation with the soil environmental conditions within an extensive range of Chinese agricultural soils.
An Improved Method for
oriT
-Directed Cloning and Functionalization of Large Bacterial Genomic Regions
Authors: Kvitko Brian H. , McMillan Ian A. , Schweizer Herbert P. 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACT

We have made significant improvements to a broad-host-range system for the cloning and manipulation of large bacterial genomic regions based on site-specific recombination between directly repeated
oriT
sites during conjugation. Using two suicide capture vectors carrying flanking homology regions,
oriT
sites are recombined on either side of the target region. Using a broad-host-range conjugation helper plasmid, the region between the
oriT
sites is conjugated into an
Escherichia coli
recipient strain, where it is circularized and maintained as a chimeric mini-F vector. The cloned target region is functionalized in multiple ways to accommodate downstream manipulation. The target region is flanked with Gateway
attB
sites for recombination into other vectors and by rare 18-bp I-SceI restriction sites for subcloning. The Tn
7
-functionalized target can also be inserted at a naturally occurring chromosomal
att
Tn
7
site(s) or maintained as a broad-host-range plasmid for complementation or heterologous expression studies. We have used the oriTn
7
capture technique to clone and complement
Burkholderia pseudomallei
genomic regions up to 140 kb in size and have created isogenic
Burkholderia
strains with various combinations of genomic islands. We believe this system will greatly aid the cloning and genetic analysis of genomic islands, biosynthetic gene clusters, and large open reading frames.
Proposed Model for the High Rate of Rearrangement and Rapid Migration Observed in Some IncA/C Plasmid Lineages
Authors: Meinersmann R. J. , Lindsey R. L. , Bono J. L. , Smith T. P. , Oakley B. B. 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACT

IncA/C plasmids are a class of plasmids from the
Enterobacteriaceae
that are relatively large (49 to >180 kbp), that are readily transferred by conjugation, and that carry multiple antimicrobial resistance genes. Reconstruction of the phylogeny of these plasmids has been difficult because of the high rate of remodeling by recombination-mediated horizontal gene transfer (HGT). We hypothesized that evaluation of nucleotide polymorphisms relative to the rate of HGT would help to develop a clock to show whether anthropic practices have had significant influences on the lineages of the plasmid. A system was developed to rapidly sequence up to 191 known open reading frames from each of 39 recently isolated IncA/C plasmids from a diverse panel of
Salmonella enterica
and
Escherichia coli
strains. With these data plus sequences from GenBank, we were able to distinguish six distinct lineages that had extremely low numbers of polymorphisms within each lineage, especially among the largest group designated as group 1. Two regions, each about half the plasmid in size, could be distinguished with a separate lineal pattern. The distribution of group 1 showed that it has migrated extremely rapidly with fewer polymorphisms than can be expected in 2,000 years. Remodeling by frequent HGT was evident, with a pattern that appeared to have the highest rate just upstream of the putative conjugation origin of transfer (oriT). It seems likely that when an IncA/C plasmid is transferred by conjugation there is an opportunity for plasmid remodeling adjacent to the oriT, which was also adjacent to a multiple antimicrobial resistance gene cassette.
Bacterial Cell Wall Synthesis GeneuppPIs Required for Burkholderia Colonization of the Stinkbug Gut
Authors: Kim Jiyeun Kate , Lee Ho Jin , Kikuchi Yoshitomo , Kitagawa Wataru , Nikoh Naruo , Fukatsu Takema , Lee Bok Luel 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACTTo establish a host-bacterium symbiotic association, a number of factors involved in symbiosis must operate in a coordinated manner. In insects, bacterial factors for symbiosis have been poorly characterized at the molecular and biochemical levels, since many symbionts have not yet been cultured or are as yet genetically intractable. Recently, the symbiotic association between a stinkbug,Riptortus pedestris, and its beneficial gut bacterium,Burkholderiasp., has emerged as a promising experimental model system, providing opportunities to study insect symbiosis using genetically manipulated symbiotic bacteria. Here, in search of bacterial symbiotic factors, we targeted cell wall components of theBurkholderiasymbiont by disruption ofuppPgene, which encodes undecaprenyl pyrophosphate phosphatase involved in biosynthesis of various bacterial cell wall components. Under culture conditions, the ΔuppPmutant showed higher susceptibility to lysozyme than the wild-type strain, indicating impaired integrity of peptidoglycan of the mutant. When administered to the host insect, the ΔuppPmutant failed to establish normal symbiotic association: the bacterial cells reached to the symbiotic midgut but neither proliferated nor persisted there. Transformation of the ΔuppPmutant withuppP-encoding plasmid complemented these phenotypic defects: lysozyme susceptibilityin vitrowas restored, and normal infection and proliferation in the midgut symbiotic organ were observedin vivo. The ΔuppPmutant also exhibited susceptibility to hypotonic, hypertonic, and centrifugal stresses. These results suggest that peptidoglycan cell wall integrity is a stress resistance factor relevant to the successful colonization of the stinkbug midgut byBurkholderiasymbiont.
Clostridium perfringens Is Not Suitable for the Indication of Fecal Pollution from Ruminant Wildlife but Is Associated with Excreta from Nonherbivorous Animals and Human Sewage
Authors: Vierheilig J. , Frick C. , Mayer R. E. , Kirschner A. K. T. , Reischer G. H. , Derx J. , Mach R. L. , Sommer R. , Farnleitner A. H. 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACTDuring a 3-year study,Clostridium perfringenswas investigated in defined fecal sources from a temperate alluvial backwater area of a large river system. The results reveal that usingC. perfringensas a conservative water quality indicator for total fecal pollution monitoring is no longer justified but suggest that it can be used as a tracer for excreta from nonherbivorous wildlife and human sewage.
Spatial Reorganization of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Enolase To Alter Carbon Metabolism under Hypoxia
Authors: Miura Natsuko , Shinohara Masahiro , Tatsukami Yohei , Sato Yasuhiko , Morisaka Hironobu , Kuroda Kouichi , Ueda Mitsuyoshi 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACT

Hypoxia has critical effects on the physiology of organisms. In the yeast
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
, glycolytic enzymes, including enolase (Eno2p), formed cellular foci under hypoxia. Here, we investigated the regulation and biological functions of these foci. Focus formation by Eno2p was inhibited temperature independently by the addition of cycloheximide or rapamycin or by the single substitution of alanine for the Val22 residue. Using mitochondrial inhibitors and an antioxidant, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was shown to participate in focus formation. Focus formation was also inhibited temperature dependently by an
SNF1
knockout mutation. Interestingly, the foci were observed in the cell even after reoxygenation. The metabolic turnover analysis revealed that [U-
13
C]glucose conversion to pyruvate and oxaloacetate was accelerated in focus-forming cells. These results suggest that under hypoxia,
S. cerevisiae
cells sense mitochondrial ROS and, by the involvement of SNF1/AMPK, spatially reorganize metabolic enzymes in the cytosol via
de novo
protein synthesis, which subsequently increases carbon metabolism. The mechanism may be important for yeast cells under hypoxia, to quickly provide both energy and substrates for the biosynthesis of lipids and proteins independently of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and also to fit changing environments.
Lipid Composition of Multilamellar Bodies Secreted by Dictyostelium discoideum Reveals Their Amoebal Origin
Authors: Paquet Valérie E. , Lessire René , Domergue Frédéric , Fouillen Laetitia , Filion Geneviève , Sedighi Ahmadreza , Charette Steve J. 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACT

When they are fed with bacteria,
Dictyostelium discoideum
amoebae produce and secrete multilamellar bodies (MLBs), which are composed of membranous material. It has been proposed that MLBs are a waste disposal system that allows
D. discoideum
to eliminate undigested bacterial remains. However, the real function of MLBs remains unknown. Determination of the biochemical composition of MLBs, especially lipids, represents a way to gain information about the role of these structures. To allow these analyses, a protocol involving various centrifugation procedures has been developed to purify secreted MLBs from amoeba-bacterium cocultures. The purity of the MLB preparation was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy and by immunofluorescence using H36, an antibody that binds to MLBs. The lipid and fatty acid compositions of pure MLBs were then analyzed by high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) and gas chromatography (GC), respectively, and compared to those of amoebae as well as bacteria used as a food source. While the bacteria were devoid of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylinositol (PI), these two polar lipid species were major classes of lipids in MLBs and amoebae. Similarly, the fatty acid composition of MLBs and amoebae was characterized by the presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids, while cyclic fatty acids were found only in bacteria. These results strongly suggest that the lipids constituting the MLBs originate from the amoebal metabolism rather than from undigested bacterial membranes. This opens the possibility that MLBs, instead of being a waste disposal system, have unsuspected roles in
D. discoideum
physiology.
Large Linear Plasmids of Borrelia Species That Cause Relapsing Fever
Authors: Miller Shelley Campeau , Porcella Stephen F. , Raffel Sandra J. , Schwan Tom G. , Barbour Alan G. 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACT

Borrelia
species of relapsing fever (RF) and Lyme disease (LD) lineages have linear chromosomes and both linear and circular plasmids. Unique to RF species, and little characterized to date, are large linear plasmids of ∼160 kb, or ∼10% of the genome. By a combination of Sanger and next-generation methods, we determined the sequences of large linear plasmids of two New World species:
Borrelia hermsii
, to completion of its 174-kb length, and
B. turicatae
, partially to 114 kb of its 150 kb. These sequences were then compared to corresponding sequences of the Old World species
B. duttonii
and
B. recurrentis
and to plasmid sequences of LD
Borrelia
species. The large plasmids were largely colinear, except for their left ends, about 27 kb of which was inverted in New World species. Approximately 60% of the
B. hermsii
lp174 plasmid sequence was repetitive for 6 types of sequence, and half of its open reading frames encoded hypothetical proteins not discernibly similar to proteins in the database. The central ∼25 kb of all 4 linear plasmids was syntenic for orthologous genes for plasmid maintenance or partitioning in
Borrelia
species. Of all the sequenced linear and circular plasmids in
Borrelia
species, the large plasmid's putative partition/replication genes were most similar to those of the 54-kb linear plasmids of LD species. Further evidence for shared ancestry was the observation that two of the hypothetical proteins were predicted to be structurally similar to the LD species' CspA proteins, which are encoded on the 54-kb plasmids.