bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Molecular Epidemiology of Newcastle Disease in Mexico and the Potential Spillover of Viruses from Poultry into Wild Bird Species
Authors: Cardenas Garcia Stivalis , Navarro Lopez Roberto , Morales Romeo , Olvera Miguel A. , Marquez Miguel A. , Merino Ruben , Miller Patti J. , Afonso Claudio L. 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACTNewcastle disease, one of the most important health problems that affects the poultry industry around the world, is caused by virulent strains of Newcastle disease virus. Newcastle disease virus is considered to be endemic in several countries in the Americas, including Mexico. In order to control Newcastle disease outbreaks and spread, intensive vaccination programs, which include vaccines formulated with strains isolated at least 60 years ago, have been established. These vaccines are dissimilar in genotype to the virulent Newcastle disease viruses that had been circulating in Mexico until 2008. Here, 28 isolates obtained between 2008 and 2011 from different regions of Mexico from free-living wild birds, captive wild birds, and poultry were phylogenetically and biologically characterized in order to study the recent epidemiology of Newcastle disease viruses in Mexico. Here we demonstrate that, until recently, virulent viruses from genotype V continued to circulate and evolve in the country. All of the Newcastle disease viruses of low virulence, mostly isolated from nonvaccinated free-living wild birds and captive wild birds, were highly similar to LaSota (genotype II) and PHY-LMV42 (genotype I) vaccine strains. These findings, together with the discovery of two virulent viruses at the Mexican zoo, suggest that Newcastle disease viruses may be escaping from poultry into the environment.
Oral Administration of Live Exopolysaccharide-Producing Pediococcus parvulus, but Not Purified Exopolysaccharide, Suppressed Enterobacteriaceae without Affecting Bacterial Diversity in Ceca of Mice
Authors: Lindström Cecilia , Xu Jie , Öste Rickard , Holst Olle , Molin Göran 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACT

Growing evidence indicates that the gut microbiota could have an important role in the development of diet- and lifestyle-induced diseases. It has been shown that modulation of the gut microbiota by means of probiotics and prebiotics could improve host health. An oat-based product fermented by the exopolysaccharide (EPS)-producing organism
Pediococcus parvulus
2.6 has been reported to have a bifidogenic effect. To find out whether the effect could be attributed to the EPS or the bacterium, mice were fed a diet supplemented with 2% purified EPS or 10
8
CFU/g of live
P. parvulus
2.6 for 6 weeks. Both supplementations altered the gut microbiota composition but in different directions. Purified EPS not only significantly lowered the microbial diversity (
P
< 0.001) but decreased the bifidobacterial population (
P
= 0.01). In contrast, the live EPS-producing bacterium
P. parvulus
2.6 antagonized
Enterobacteriaceae
without disturbing the homeostasis of the cecal microbiota.
Diversity of Bacterial Endosymbionts Associated with Macrosteles Leafhoppers Vectoring Phytopathogenic Phytoplasmas
Authors: Ishii Yoshiko , Matsuura Yu , Kakizawa Shigeyuki , Nikoh Naruo , Fukatsu Takema 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACT

Here, we investigate the endosymbiotic microbiota of the
Macrosteles
leafhoppers
M. striifrons
and
M. sexnotatus
, known as vectors of phytopathogenic phytoplasmas. PCR, cloning, sequencing, and phylogenetic analyses of bacterial 16S rRNA genes identified two obligate endosymbionts, “
Candidatus
Sulcia muelleri” and “
Candidatus
Nasuia deltocephalinicola,” and five facultative endosymbionts,
Wolbachia
,
Rickettsia
,
Burkholderia
,
Diplorickettsia
, and a novel bacterium belonging to the
Rickettsiaceae
, from the leafhoppers. “
Ca
. Sulcia muelleri” and “
Ca
. Nasuia deltocephalinicola” exhibited 100% infection frequencies in the host species and populations and were separately harbored within different bacteriocytes that constituted a pair of coherent bacteriomes in the abdomen of the host insects, as in other deltocephaline leafhoppers.
Wolbachia
,
Rickettsia
,
Burkholderia
,
Diplorickettsia
, and the novel
Rickettsiaceae
bacterium exhibited infection frequencies at 7%, 31%, 12%, 0%, and 24% in
M. striifrons
and at 20%, 0%, 0%, 20%, and 0% in
M. sexnotatus
, respectively. Although undetected in the above analyses, phytoplasma infections were detected in 16% of
M. striifrons
and 60% of
M. sexnotatus
insects by nested PCR of 16S rRNA genes. Two genetically distinct phytoplasmas, namely, “
Candidatus
Phytoplasma asteris,” associated with aster yellows and related plant diseases, and “
Candidatus
Phytoplasma oryzae,” associated with rice yellow dwarf disease, were identified from the leafhoppers. These results highlight strikingly complex endosymbiotic microbiota of the
Macrosteles
leafhoppers and suggest ecological interactions between the obligate endosymbionts, the facultative endosymbionts, and the phytopathogenic phytoplasmas within the same host insects, which may affect vector competence of the leafhoppers.
Organization of Organelles within Hyphae of Ashbya gossypii Revealed by Electron Tomography
Authors: Gibeaux Romain , Hoepfner Dominic , Schlatter Ivan , Antony Claude , Philippsen Peter 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACT

Ashbya gossypii
grows as multinucleated and constantly elongating hyphae. Nuclei are in continuous forward and backward motion, also move during mitosis, and frequently bypass each other. Whereas these nuclear movements are well documented, comparatively little is known about the density and morphology of organelles which very likely influence these movements. To understand the three-dimensional subcellular organization of hyphae at high resolution, we performed large-scale electron tomography of the tip regions in
A. gossypii
. Here, we present a comprehensive space-filling model in which most membrane-limited organelles including nuclei, mitochondria, endosomes, multivesicular bodies, vacuoles, autophagosomes, peroxisomes, and vesicles are modeled. Nuclei revealed different morphologies and protrusions filled by the nucleolus. Mitochondria are very abundant and form a tubular network with a polarized spherical fraction. The organelles of the degradative pathways show a clustered organization. By analyzing vesicle-like bodies, we identified three size classes of electron-dense vesicles (∼200, ∼150, and ∼100 nm) homogeneously distributed in the cytoplasm which most likely represent peroxisomes. Finally, coated and uncoated vesicles with approximately 40-nm diameters show a polarized distribution toward the hyphal tip with the coated vesicles preferentially localizing at the hyphal periphery.
The Vibrio parahaemolyticus Small RNA RyhB Promotes Production of the Siderophore Vibrioferrin by Stabilizing the Polycistronic mRNA
Authors: Tanabe Tomotaka , Funahashi Tatsuya , Nakao Hiroshi , Maki Jun , Yamamoto Shigeo 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACT

High-affinity iron acquisition in
Vibrio parahaemolyticus
is mediated by the cognate siderophore vibrioferrin. We have previously reported that the vibrioferrin biosynthesis operon (
pvs
Op) is regulated at the transcriptional level by the iron-responsive repressor Fur (T. Tanabe, T. Funahashi, H. Nakao, S. Miyoshi, S. Shinoda, and S. Yamamoto, J. Bacteriol. 185:6938–6949, 2003). In this study, we identified the Fur-regulated small RNA RyhB and the RNA chaperone Hfq protein as additional regulatory proteins of vibrioferrin biosynthesis. We found that vibrioferrin production was greatly impaired in both the
ryhB
and
hfq
deletion mutants, and a TargetRNA search (
http://snowwhite.wellesley.edu/targetRNA/index2.html
) revealed that the 5′-untranslated region of
pvs
Op mRNA (
pvs
Op 5′-UTR) contains a potential base-pairing region required for the formation of the RyhB-
pvs
Op 5′-UTR duplex. An electrophoresis mobility shift assay indicated that RyhB can directly bind to the
pvs
Op 5′-UTR with the aid of Hfq. Rifampin chase experiments indicated that the half-life of
pvs
Op mRNA in the
ryhB
and
hfq
mutants was approximately 3-fold shorter than that in the parental strain, suggesting that both RyhB and Hfq are engaged in the stabilization of
pvs
Op mRNA. Chrome azurol S assays followed by electrophoresis mobility shift assays and rifampin chase experiments carried out for mutant strains indicated that base pairing between RyhB and the
pvs
Op 5′-UTR results in an increase in the stability of
pvs
Op mRNA, thereby leading to the promotion of vibrioferrin production. It is unprecedented that RyhB confers increased stability on a polycistronic mRNA involved in siderophore biosynthesis as a direct target.
Effect of an Oxygen-Tolerant Bifurcating Butyryl Coenzyme A Dehydrogenase/Electron-Transferring Flavoprotein Complex from Clostridium difficile on Butyrate Production in Escherichia coli
Authors: Aboulnaga El-Hussiny , Pinkenburg Olaf , Schiffels Johannes , El-Refai Ahmed , Buckel Wolfgang , Selmer Thorsten 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACT

The butyrogenic genes from
Clostridium difficile
DSM 1296
T
have been cloned and expressed in
Escherichia coli
. The enzymes acetyl-coenzyme A (CoA) C-acetyltransferase, 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase, crotonase, phosphate butyryltransferase, and butyrate kinase and the butyryl-CoA dehydrogenase complex composed of the dehydrogenase and two electron-transferring flavoprotein subunits were individually produced in
E. coli
and kinetically characterized
in vitro
. While most of these enzymes were measured using well-established test systems, novel methods to determine butyrate kinase and butyryl-CoA dehydrogenase activities with respect to physiological function were developed. Subsequently, the individual genes were combined to form a single plasmid-encoded operon in a plasmid vector, which was successfully used to confer butyrate-forming capability to the host.
In vitro
and
in vivo
studies demonstrated that
C. difficile
possesses a bifurcating butyryl-CoA dehydrogenase which catalyzes the NADH-dependent reduction of ferredoxin coupled to the reduction of crotonyl-CoA also by NADH. Since the reoxidation of ferredoxin by a membrane-bound ferredoxin:NAD
+
-oxidoreductase enables electron transport phosphorylation, additional ATP is formed. The butyryl-CoA dehydrogenase from
C. difficile
is oxygen stable and apparently uses oxygen as a co-oxidant of NADH in the presence of air. These properties suggest that this enzyme complex might be well suited to provide butyryl-CoA for solventogenesis in recombinant strains. The central role of bifurcating butyryl-CoA dehydrogenases and membrane-bound ferredoxin:NAD oxidoreductases (

R

hodobacter
n
itrogen
f
ixation [RNF]), which affect the energy yield of butyrate fermentation in the clostridial metabolism, is discussed.
Succinyl-CoA:3-Sulfinopropionate CoA-Transferase from Variovorax paradoxus Strain TBEA6, a Novel Member of the Class III Coenzyme A (CoA)-Transferase Family
Authors: Schürmann Marc , Hirsch Beatrice , Wübbeler Jan Hendrik , Stöveken Nadine , Steinbüchel Alexander 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACT

The
act
gene of
Variovorax paradoxus
TBEA6 encodes a succinyl-CoA:3-sulfinopropionate coenzyme A (CoA)-transferase, Act
TBEA6
(2.8.3.x), which catalyzes the activation of 3-sulfinopropionate (3SP), an intermediate during 3,3′-thiodipropionate (TDP) degradation. In a previous study, accumulation of 3SP was observed in a Tn
5
::
mob
-induced mutant defective in growth on TDP. In contrast to the wild type and all other obtained mutants, this mutant showed no growth when 3SP was applied as the sole source of carbon and energy. The transposon Tn
5
::
mob
was inserted in a gene showing high homology to class III CoA-transferases. In the present study, analyses of the translation product clearly allocated Act
TBEA6
to this protein family. The predicted secondary structure indicates the lack of a C-terminal α-helix. Act
TBEA6
was heterologously expressed in
Escherichia coli
Lemo21(DE3) and was then purified by Ni-nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) affinity chromatography. Analytical size exclusion chromatography revealed a homodimeric structure with a molecular mass of 96 ± 3 kDa. Enzyme assays identified succinyl-CoA, itaconyl-CoA, and glutaryl-CoA as potential CoA donors and unequivocally verified the conversion of 3SP to 3SP-CoA. Kinetic studies revealed an apparent
V
max
of 44.6 μmol min
−1
mg
−1
for succinyl-CoA, which corresponds to a turnover number of 36.0 s
−1
per subunit of Act
TBEA6
. For 3SP, the apparent
V
max
was determined as 46.8 μmol min
−1
mg
−1
, which corresponds to a turnover number of 37.7 s
−1
per subunit of Act
TBEA6
. The apparent

K
m

values were 0.08 mM for succinyl-CoA and 5.9 mM for 3SP. Nonetheless, the
V. paradoxus
Δ
act
mutant did not reproduce the phenotype of the Tn
5
::
mob-
induced mutant. This defined deletion mutant was able to utilize TDP or 3SP as the sole carbon source, like the wild type. Complementation of the Tn
5
::
mob
-induced mutant with pBBR1MCS5::
acd
DPN7
partially restored growth on 3SP, which indicated a polar effect of the Tn
5
::
mob
transposon on
acd
TBEA6
, located downstream of
act
TBEA6
.
Exercise and the platelet activator calcium chloride both influence the growth factor content of platelet-rich plasma (PRP): overlooked biochemical factors that could influence PRP treatment
Authors: Hamilton Bruce , Tol Johannes L , Knez Wade , Chalabi Hakim 
Published: June 2013

BackgroundThere is strong evidence that exercise affects platelet haemostasis factors, but this potential effect on growth factor concentrations in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has never been studied. In addition, there is a paucity of studies focusing on the effects of activating agents used in conjunction with PRP. The first aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of exercise on platelet and platelet-derived growth factors (PDGF)-AB, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentrations in PRP. The second aim was to study the effect of the activating agent calcium chloride (CaCl2) on growth factor concentration in relation to different exercise states.MethodsControlled laboratory study. Ten healthy participants performed 1 h of submaximal exercise with blood being withdrawn immediately pre, post and 18 h following. PRP was prepared in each condition in both an activated CaCl2and non-activated form. Concentrations of PDGF-AB, HGF, IGF-1 and VEGF were evaluated using standard ELISA systems.ResultsExercise had no significant effect on platelet concentration, but significantly suppressed both VEGF and PDGF-AB concentrations. Exercise state had no significant effect on IGF-1 or HGF concentration. Activation with CaCl2resulted in a significant increase in PDGF-AB and IGF-1 concentrations, unchanged VEGF and significantly reduced HGF concentrations.ConclusionsExercise significantly impacts on PDGFs in PRP with significantly reduced concentrations of VEGF and PDFG-AB. Furthermore, the activation of PRP with CaCl2results in a differentiated GF release from platelets. These relevant factors can potentially influence outcome in daily clinical practice and are recommended to be accounted for in future study design.
Implementing an interprofessional patient safety learning initiative: insights from participants, project leads and steering committee members
Authors: Jeffs Lianne , Abramovich Ilona Alex , Hayes Chris , Smith Orla , Tregunno Deborah , Chan Wai-Hin , Reeves Scott 
Published: June 2013

IntroductionEffective teamwork and interprofessional collaboration are vital for healthcare quality and safety; however, challenges persist in creating interprofessional teamwork and resilient professional teams. A study was undertaken to delineate perceptions of individuals involved with the implementation of an interprofessional patient safety competency-based intervention and intervention participants.MethodsThe study employed a qualitative study design that triangulated data from interviews with six steering committee members and five members of the project team who developed and monitored the intervention and six focus groups with clinical team members who participated in the intervention and implemented local patient safety projects within a large teaching hospital in Canada.ResultsOur study findings reveal that healthcare professionals and support staff acquired patient safety competencies in an interprofessional context that can result in improved patient and work flow processes. However, key challenges exist including managing projects amidst competing priorities, lacking physician engagement and sustaining projects.ConclusionsOur findings point to leaders to provide opportunities for healthcare teams to engage in interprofessional teamwork and patient safety projects to improve quality of patient care. Further research efforts should examine the sustainability of interprofessional safety projects and how leaders can more fully engage the participation of all professions, specifically physicians.
Prehospital use in emergency patients of a laryngeal mask airway by ambulance paramedics is a safe and effective alternative for endotracheal intubation
Authors: Bosch J , de Nooij J , de Visser M , Cannegieter S C , Terpstra N J , Heringhaus C , Burggraaf J 
Published: June 2013

BackgroundIn Dutch ambulance practice, failure or inability to intubate patients with altered oxygenation and/or ventilation leaves bag-valve mask ventilation as the only alternative, which is undesirable for patient outcome. A novel Laryngeal Mask Airway Supreme (LMA-S) device may be a suitable alternative.AimTo evaluate the effectiveness and suitability of the LMA-S for emergency medical services in daily out-of-hospital emergency practice.MethodsAfter a period of theoretical and practical training of ambulance paramedics in the use of the LMA-S, prospective data were collected on the utilisation of LMA-S in an observational study. Procedures for use were standardised and the evaluation included the number of direct intubation attempts before using LMA-S, attempts required, failure rate and the adequacy of ventilation. Data were analysed taking patient characteristics such as age and indication for ventilatory support into account.ResultsThe LMA-S was used 50 times over a period of 9 months (33 involving cardiorespiratory arrest, 14 primary and three rescue). The LMA-S could be applied successfully in all 50 cases (100%) and was successful in the first attempt in 49 patients (98%). Respiratory parameters showed adequate oxygenation. All paramedics were unanimously positive about the utilisation of LMA-S because of the easiness of the effort of insertion and general use, and emphasised its value as a useful resource for patients in need.ConclusionsEnsuring ventilation support by using LMA-S by paramedics in prehospital emergency practice is safe and effective.
Intrauterine device insertions: which variables matter?
Authors: Brown Windy Mary , Trouton Konia 
Published: June 2013

ObjectivesMany factors are suspected to influence the intrauterine device (IUD) insertion process. This study sought to examine the effects of a few key variables on IUD insertion tolerability, complications and follow-up issues.MethodsA retrospective chart review was undertaken of all IUD insertions over an 11-month period at an urban Canadian women's clinic. Linear regression analysis of 354 insertions assessed the effects of parity, age, local anaesthesia and other variables on insertion pain. Chi square (χ2) and analysis of variance statistics were employed to evaluate differences in insertion complications by parity and age. A χ2test was performed to compare follow-up expulsion or removal rates by parity.ResultsStatistically significant differences were found, with nulliparous women and those who received local anaesthesia reporting more insertion pain. Age, IUD type and recent abortion status did not affect insertion pain. Nulliparous women did not experience significantly more insertion difficulty or complications, nor did they have higher rates of expulsion or removal at follow-up.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that the practice of providing cervical anaesthesia at IUD insertion may cause slightly more pain, without any obvious additional benefit. The difference in insertion pain by parity, although statistically significant, is small enough to be of questionable clinical importance. Overall, these findings add to the growing body of evidence for IUDs being safe and well-tolerated in nulliparous women.
Misperceptions, misinformation and myths about modern contraceptive use in Ghana
Authors: Hindin Michelle J , McGough Laura J , Adanu Richard M 
Published: June 2013

ObjectiveGhana, like the rest of West Africa, has very low contraceptive prevalence and is one of a few nations that reports declines in contraceptive use over time based on two of the most recent national surveys. Fear of side effects is a leading cause of non-use of contraception, based on national surveys. The objective of this study was to gain a more holistic understanding of why Ghanaian women are not using contraception.MethodsWe used focus groups with vignettes to elicit normative beliefs about contraception. We recruited 91 women from three different clinics within Legon Hospital in Accra, Ghana: the antenatal clinic, the student clinic and the child welfare clinic. Focus groups were homogeneous with regard to age group and union status.ResultsWe found that women were most concerned with the menstrual irregularities caused by hormonal methods. In addition, women believed strongly that the hospital was the best place to get contraception as blood tests were needed to match women with the appropriate method. Knowledge of how methods worked and of basic reproductive biology was low.ConclusionsPoor knowledge of how to use modern methods combined with myths and misinformation should be the targets of programmes to increase modern contraceptive prevalence in Ghana.
THE POWER DISTRIBUTION NETWORK EXPANSION PLANNING BASED ON STACKELBERG MINIMUM WEIGHT K-STAR GAME
Authors: LIAO CHEN , WANG JIA , HU SHIYAN 
Published: June 2013

The reliability of power distribution network is important. For high reliability, it is necessary for some nodes to have backup connections to other feeders in the network. The substation operator wants to expand the network such that some nodes have k redundant connection lines (i.e., k redundancy) in case the current feeder line does not work. The corporation is given this task to design the expansion planning to construct new connection lines. The substation operator will choose the minimum charged k redundant connection lines based on both of the existing network and the expansion network, which is designed by the corporation. The existing network has the cost for the redundant connection due to the operational expense. The corporation proposes the design with its own price, which may include the operational expense and the construction expense. Thus, for the corporation, how to assign the low price on the connection lines while maximizing the revenue becomes a Stackelberg minimum weight k-star game for the power distribution network expansion. A heuristic algorithm is proposed to solve this Stackelberg minimum weight k-star game for the power distribution network expansion, using three heuristic rules for price setting in a scenario by scenario fashion. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm always outperforms the greedy algorithm which is natural to k-star game in terms of corporation revenue. Compared to the greedy algorithm, the proposed algorithm improves up to 60.7% in the corporation revenue in the chosen minimum weight k-star, which is the minimum charged k connection lines. The average improvement is 7.5%. This effectively handles k redundancy in the power distribution network expansion while maximizing the corporation revenue.