bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pathogenicity of Dodecyltrimethylammonium Chloride-Resistant Salmonella enterica
Authors: Kautz Megan J. M. , Dvorzhinskiy Aleksey , Frye Jonathan G. , Stevenson Natalie , Herson Diane S. 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACT

Salmonella
infection causes a self-limiting gastroenteritis in humans but can also result in a life-threatening invasive disease, especially in old, young, and/or immunocompromised patients. The prevalence of antimicrobial and multidrug-resistant
Salmonella
has increased worldwide since the 1980s. However, the impact of antimicrobial resistance on the pathogenicity of
Salmonella
strains is not well described. In our study, a microarray was used to screen for differences in gene expression between a parental strain and a strain of
Salmonella enterica
serovar Enteritidis with reduced susceptibility (SRS) to the widely used antimicrobial sanitizer dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride (DTAC). Three of the genes, associated with adhesion, invasion, and intracellular growth (
fimA
,
csgG
, and
spvR
), that showed differences in gene expression of 2-fold or greater were chosen for further study. Real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (real-time RT-PCR) was used to confirm the microarray data and to compare the expression levels of these genes in the parental strain and four independently derived SRS strains. All SRS strains showed lower levels of gene expression of
fimA
and
csgG
than those of the parental strain. Three of the four SRS strains showed lower levels of
spvR
gene expression while one SRS strain showed higher levels of
spvR
gene expression than those of the parental strain. Transmission electron microscopy determined that fimbriae were absent in the four SRS strains but copiously present in the parental strain. All four SRS strains demonstrated a significantly reduced ability to invade tissue culture cells compared to the parental strains, suggesting reduced pathogenicity of the SRS strains.
Colonization and Internalization of Salmonella enterica in Tomato Plants
Authors: Zheng Jie , Allard Sarah , Reynolds Sara , Millner Patricia , Arce Gabriela , Blodgett Robert J. , Brown Eric W. 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACT

The consumption of fresh tomatoes has been linked to numerous food-borne outbreaks involving various serovars of
Salmonella enterica
. Recent advances in our understanding of plant-microbe interactions have shown that human enteric pathogenic bacteria, including
S. enterica
, are adapted to survive in the plant environment. In this study, tomato plants (
Solanum lycopersicum
cv. Micro-Tom) grown in sandy loam soil from Virginia's eastern shore (VES) were inoculated with
S. enterica
serovars to evaluate plausible internalization routes and to determine if there is any niche fitness for certain serovars. Both infested soil and contaminated blossoms can lead to low internal levels of fruit contamination with
Salmonella. Salmonella
serovars demonstrated a great ability to survive in environments under tomato cultivation, not only in soil but also on different parts of the tomato plant. Of the five serovars investigated,
Salmonella enterica
serovars Newport and Javiana were dominant in sandy loam soil, while
Salmonella enterica
serovars Montevideo and Newport were more prevalent on leaves and blossoms. It was also observed that
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium had a poor rate of survival in all the plant parts examined here, suggesting that postharvest contamination routes are more likely in
S
. Typhimurium contamination of tomato fruit. Conversely,
S
. Newport was the most prevalent serovar recovered in both the tomato rhizosphere and phyllosphere. Plants that were recently transplanted (within 3 days) had an increase in observable internalized bacteria, suggesting that plants were more susceptible to internalization right after transplant. These findings suggest that the particular
Salmonella
serovar and the growth stage of the plant were important factors for internalization through the root system.
Differential Decay of Enterococci and Escherichia coli Originating from Two Fecal Pollution Sources
Authors: Korajkic Asja , McMinn Brian R. , Harwood Valerie J. , Shanks Orin C. , Fout G. Shay , Ashbolt Nicholas J. 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACT

Using
in situ
subtropical aquatic mesocosms, fecal source (cattle manure versus sewage) was shown to be the most important contributor to differential loss in viability of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB), specifically enterococci in freshwater and
Escherichia coli
in marine habitats. In this study, sunlight exposure and indigenous aquatic microbiota were also important contributors, whose effects on FIB also differed between water types.
Roles of Different Peptide Transporters in Nutrient Acquisition in Candida albicans
Authors: Dunkel Nico , Hertlein Tobias , Franz Renate , Reuß Oliver , Sasse Christoph , Schäfer Tina , Ohlsen Knut , Morschhäuser Joachim 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACT

Fungi possess two distinct proton-coupled peptide transport systems, the dipeptide/tripeptide transporters (PTR) and the oligopeptide transporters (OPT), which enable them to utilize peptides as nutrients. In the pathogenic yeast
Candida albicans
, peptide transporters are encoded by gene families consisting of two
PTR
genes and eight
OPT
genes. To gain insight into the functions and importance of specific peptide transporters, we generated mutants lacking the two dipeptide/tripeptide transporters Ptr2 and Ptr22, as well as the five major oligopeptide transporters Opt1 to Opt5. These mutants were unable to grow in media containing peptides as the sole nitrogen source. Forced expression of individual peptide transporters in the septuple mutants showed that Ptr2 and Ptr22 could utilize all tested dipeptides as substrates but differed in their abilities to transport specific tripeptides. Interestingly, several oligopeptide transporters, which are thought to transport peptides consisting of more than three amino acids, also mediated the uptake of tripeptides. Opt1 especially turned out to be a highly flexible transporter that enabled growth on all tripeptides tested and could even utilize a dipeptide, a function that has never been ascribed to this family of peptide transporters. Despite their inability to grow on proteins or peptides, the
opt1
Δ
opt2
Δ
opt3
Δ
opt4
Δ
opt5
Δ
ptr2
Δ
ptr22
Δ septuple mutants had no
in vivo
fitness defect in a mouse model of gastrointestinal colonization. Therefore, the nutritional versatility of
C. albicans
enables it to utilize alternative nitrogen sources in this host niche, which probably contributes to its success as a commensal and pathogen in mammalian hosts.
Cellulolytic Protist Numbers Rise and Fall Dramatically in Termite Queens and Kings during Colony Foundation
Authors: Shimada Keisuke , Lo Nathan , Kitade Osamu , Wakui Akane , Maekawa Kiyoto 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACTAmong the best-known examples of mutualistic symbioses is that between lower termites and the cellulolytic flagellate protists in their hindguts. Although the symbiosis in worker termites has attracted much attention, there have been only a few studies of protists in other castes. We have performed the first examination of protist population dynamics in queens and kings during termite colony foundation. Protist numbers, as well as measurements of hindgut and reproductive tissue sizes, were undertaken at five time points over 400 days in incipient colonies ofReticulitermes speratus, as well as in other castes of mature colonies of this species. We found that protist numbers increased dramatically in both queens and kings during the first 50 days of colony foundation but began to decrease by day 100, eventually disappearing by day 400. Hindgut width followed a pattern similar to that of protist numbers, while ovary and testis widths increased significantly only at day 400. Kings were found to contain higher numbers of protists than queens in incipient colonies, which may be linked to higher levels of nutrient transfer from kings to queens than vice versa, as is known in some other termite species. Protists were found to be abundant in soldiers from mature colonies but absent in neotenics. This probably reflects feeding of soldiers by workers via proctodeal trophallaxis and of reproductives via stomodeal trophallaxis. The results reveal the dynamic nature of protist numbers during colony foundation and highlight the trade-offs that exist between reproduction and parental care during this critical phase of the termite life cycle.
Extremely Reduced Levels of Heterozygosity in the Vertebrate Pathogen Encephalitozoon cuniculi
Authors: Selman Mohammed , Sak Bohumil , Kváč Martin , Farinelli Laurent , Weiss Louis M. , Corradi Nicolas 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACT

The genomes of microsporidia in the genus
Encephalitozoon
have been extensively studied for their minimalistic features, but they have seldom been used to investigate basic characteristics of the biology of these organisms, such as their ploidy or their mode of reproduction. In the present study, we aimed to tackle this issue by mapping Illumina sequence reads against the genomes of four strains of
E. cuniculi
. This approach, combined with more conventional molecular biology techniques, resulted in the identification of heterozygosity in all strains investigated, a typical signature of a diploid nuclear state. In sharp contrast with similar studies recently performed on a distant microsporidian lineage (
Nematocida
spp.), the level of heterozygosity that we identified across the
E. cuniculi
genomes was found to be extremely low. This reductive intraindividual genetic variation could result from the long-term propagation of these strains under laboratory conditions, but we propose that it could also reflect an intrinsic capacity of these vertebrate pathogens to self-reproduce.
Identification, Localization, and Functional Implications of the Microdomain-Forming Stomatin Family in the Ciliated Protozoan Paramecium tetraurelia
Authors: Reuter Alexander T. , Stuermer Claudia A. O. , Plattner Helmut 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACT

The SPFH protein superfamily is assumed to occur universally in eukaryotes, but information from protozoa is scarce. In the
Paramecium
genome, we found only Stomatins, 20 paralogs grouped in 8 families,
STO1
to
STO8
. According to cDNA analysis, all are expressed, and molecular modeling shows the typical SPFH domain structure for all subgroups. For further analysis we used family-specific sequences for fluorescence and immunogold labeling, gene silencing, and functional tests. With all family members tested, we found a patchy localization at/near the cell surface and on vesicles. The Sto1p and Sto4p families are also associated with the contractile vacuole complex. Sto4p also makes puncta on some food vacuoles and is abundant on vesicles recycling from the release site of spent food vacuoles to the site of nascent food vacuole formation. Silencing of the STO1 family reduces mechanosensitivity (ciliary reversal upon touching an obstacle), thus suggesting relevance for positioning of mechanosensitive channels in the plasmalemma. Silencing of STO4 members increases pulsation frequency of the contractile vacuole complex and reduces phagocytotic activity of
Paramecium
cells. In summary, Sto1p and Sto4p members seem to be involved in positioning specific superficial and intracellular microdomain-based membrane components whose functions may depend on mechanosensation (extracellular stimuli and internal osmotic pressure).
Expression of
kinA
and
kinB
of Bacillus subtilis, Necessary for Sporulation Initiation, Is under Positive Stringent Transcription Control
Authors: Tojo Shigeo , Hirooka Kazutake , Fujita Yasutaro 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACT

Bacillus subtilis
cells were exposed to decoyinine to trigger stringent transcription control through inhibition of GMP synthase; amino acid starvation results in the same control through inhibition of GMP kinase by 5′-diphosphate 3′-diphosphate guanosine. The positive and negative transcription control of the stringent genes involves adenine and guanine at the transcription initiation sites, whereby they sense an increase and a decrease in the
in vivo
ATP and GTP pools, respectively. Decoyinine also induces sporulation in minimum medium. DNA microarray analysis revealed that decoyinine induced two major sensor kinase genes,
kinA
and
kinB
, involved in the phosphorelay leading to spore formation.
lacZ
fusion experiments involving the core promoter regions of
kinA
and
kinB
, whose transcription initiation bases are adenines, indicated that decoyinine induced their expression. This induction was independent of CodY and AbrB. When the adenines were replaced with guanines or cytosines, the induction by decoyinine decreased. The
in situ
replacement of the adenines with guanines actually affected this decoyinine-induced sporulation as well as massive sporulation in nutrient medium. These results imply that operation of the positive stringent transcription control of
kinA
and
kinB
, which is mediated by an increase in the ATP pool, is likely a prerequisite for the phosphorelay to transfer the phosphoryl group to Spo0A to initiate sporulation.
The Herpes Simplex Virus Host Shutoff RNase Degrades Cellular and Viral mRNAs Made before Infection but Not Viral mRNA Made after Infection
Authors: Taddeo Brunella , Zhang Weiran , Roizman Bernard 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACT
A herpes simplex virus tegument protein brought into the cell during infection and designated the virion host shutoff protein (VHS) is an endoribonuclease that degrades mRNA. The prevailing view for many years has been that the VHS-RNase does not discriminate between cellular and viral RNAs and that the viruses prevail because the accumulation of viral transcripts outpaces their degradation. Here we report the following. (i) The degradation of viral mRNA made during infection of Vero or HEp-2 cells proceeds at a much-reduced rate compared to that of cellular mRNA. In effect, viral mRNAs are largely stable, whereas cellular mRNAs are rapidly degraded or, in the case of AU-rich mRNA, cleaved and rendered dysfunctional. (ii) In contrast to viral mRNAs made after infection, viral mRNAs expressed by plasmids transfected into cells prior to infection are degraded after infection at a rate comparable to that of cellular mRNAs. Moreover, the mRNA encoded by the transfected plasmid is hyperadenylated in the infected cell. Hyperadenylation but not degradation of mRNAs is blocked by actinomycin D. The results indicate that VHS-mRNA discriminates between viral and cellular mRNA but only in the context of infection and that discrimination is not based on the sequence of the mRNA but most likely on one or more viral factors expressed in the infected cell.
Sympathetic Nervous System Responses to Acupuncture and Non-Penetrating Sham Acupuncture in Experimental Forearm Pain: A Single-Blind Randomised Descriptive Study
Authors: Paulson Krista Lynne , Shay Barbara L 
Published: February 2013

Objective To quantify the sympathetic nervous system response to acupuncture and non-penetrating sham acupuncture in volunteers with pain. Methods A single-blind, randomised controlled study of 36 healthy adults with no recent participation in forearm strengthening or occupations involving repeated forceful wrist motion was carried out. A fatiguing wrist extension exercise protocol was completed to induce delayed onset muscle soreness. Group 1 received no treatment, group 2 a single session of acupuncture and group 3 a single session of sham acupuncture. Outcomes included skin conductance, skin temperature and perfusion measured for 20 min before treatment, during the 15 min treatment and for 10 min after treatment. Results The acupuncture group showed a significant increase from baseline in ipsilateral perfusion (135%) and bilateral skin conductance (144 and 146%) and a significant decrease from baseline in bilateral distal skin temperature (98%). The acupuncture and sham acupuncture groups showed decreased ipsilateral proximal skin temperature. Conclusions Acupuncture appears to activate the sympathetic nervous system, indicated by a bilateral increase in skin conductance and a bilateral decrease in distal skin temperature after needle insertion. The unilateral increase in perfusion near the needle site seen with acupuncture treatment may be due to local circulatory, rather than systemic, control.
Acute and chronic inflammatory responses induced by smoking in individuals susceptible and non-susceptible to development of COPD: from specific disease phenotyping towards novel therapy. Protocol of a cross-sectional study
Authors: Lo Tam Loi Adèle T , Hoonhorst Susan J M , Franciosi Lorenza , Bischoff Rainer , Hoffmann Roland F , Heijink Irene , van Oosterhout Antoon J M , Boezen H Marike , Timens Wim , Postma Dirkje S , Lammers Jan-Willem , Koenderman Leo , ten Hacken Nick H T 
Published: February 2013

IntroductionChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous disease with pulmonary and extra-pulmonary manifestations. Although COPD is a complex disease, diagnosis and staging are still based on simple spirometry measurements. Different COPD phenotypes exist based on clinical, physiological, immunological and radiological observations. Cigarette smoking is the most important risk factor for COPD, but only 15–20% of smokers develop the disease, suggesting a genetic predisposition. Unfortunately, little is known about the pathogenesis of COPD, and even less on the very first steps that are associated with an aberrant response to smoke exposure. This study aims to investigate the underlying local and systemic inflammation of different clinical COPD phenotypes, and acute effects of cigarette smoke exposure in individuals susceptible and non-susceptible for the development of COPD. Furthermore, we will investigate mechanisms associated with corticosteroid insensitivity. Our study will provide valuable information regarding the pathogenetic mechanisms underlying the natural course of COPD.Methods and analysisThis cross-sectional study will include young and old individuals susceptible or non-susceptible to develop COPD. At a young age (18–40 years) 60 ‘party smokers’ will be included who are called susceptible or non-susceptible based on COPD prevalence in smoking family members. In addition, 30 healthy smokers (age 40–75 years) and 110 COPD patients will be included. Measurements will include questionnaires, pulmonary function, low-dose CT scanning of the lung, body composition, 6 min walking distance and biomarkers in peripheral blood, sputum, urine, exhaled breath condensate, epithelial lining fluid, bronchial brushes and biopsies. Non-biased approaches such as proteomics will be performed in blood and epithelial lining fluid.Ethics and disseminationThis multicentre study was approved by the medical ethical committees of UMC Groningen and Utrecht, the Netherlands. The study findings will be presented at conferences and will be reported in peer-reviewed journals.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov,NCT00807469(study 1) andNCT00850863(study 2).
A national survey of the infrastructure and IT policies required to deliver computerised cognitive behavioural therapy in the English NHS
Authors: Andrewes Holly , Kenicer David , McClay Carrie-Anne , Williams Christopher 
Published: February 2013

ObjectiveThis study aimed to identify if patients have adequate access to Computerised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (cCBT) programmes in all mental health trusts across England.DesignThe primary researcher contacted a targeted sample of information technology (IT) leads in each mental health trust in England to complete the survey.SettingTelephone, email and postal mail were used to contact an IT lead or nominated expert from each mental health trust.Participants48 of the 56 IT experts from each mental health trust in England responded. The experts who were chosen had sufficient knowledge of the infrastructure, technology, policies and regulations to answer all survey questions.Results77% of trusts provided computers for direct patient use, with computers in all except one trust meeting the specifications to access cCBT. However, 24% of trusts acknowledged that the number of computers provided was insufficient to provide a trust-wide service. 71% stated that the bandwidth available was adequate to provide access to cCBT sites, yet for many trusts, internet speed was identified as unpredictable and variable between locations. IT policies in only 56% of the trusts allowed National Health Service (NHS) staff to directly support patients as they complete cCBT courses via emails to the patients’ personal email account. Only 37% allowed support via internet video calls, and only 9% allowed support via instant messaging services.ConclusionsPatient access to cCBT in English NHS mental health trusts is limited by the inadequate number of computers provided to patients, unpredictable bandwidth speed and inconsistent IT policies, which restrict patients from receiving the support needed to maximise the success of this therapy. English NHS mental health trusts need to alter IT policy and improve resources to reduce the waiting time for psychological resources required for patients seeking this evidence-based therapy.
Correlates of unprotected sexual intercourse among women who inject drugs or who have sexual partners who inject drugs in St Petersburg, Russia
Authors: Abdala Nadia , Hansen Nathan B , Toussova Olga V , Krasnoselskikh Tatiana V , Verevochkin Sergei , Kozlov Andrei P , Heimer Robert 
Published: February 2013

ObjectivesTo assess risk for unintended pregnancy, this study describes the correlates of unprotected sexual intercourse (UPSI) among women who inject illicit drugs or who have sexual partners who inject drugs in St Petersburg, Russia.MethodsData from a cross-sectional survey and biological test results collected between 2005 and 2008 from 202 Russian women (143 drug injectors and 59 non-drug injectors) were analysed. Multivariate regression was used to investigate the correlates of UPSI occurring at the women's last sexual act. Independent variables included socio-demographics, age at sexual debut, first sexual encounter perceived as involuntary, number of pregnancies and number of children for which the participant is the primary caretaker, heavy sporadic drinking (i.e. consuming more than five drinks in 2 hours at least twice a month), at-risk drinking per the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT-C) score, and sexually transmitted infections (HIV-1, syphilis serology,Chlamydia trachomatisandNeisseria gonorrheae).ResultsSixty-seven percent of women reported UPSI at last intercourse. UPSI was independently associated with heavy sporadic drinking [odds ratio (OR) 2.8, 95% CI 1.2–6.6] and having been pregnant (OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.1–4.6).ConclusionsDespite the high risk for HIV acquisition or transmission and unintended pregnancy, condom use among the study population is low. Programmes to investigate and improve contraceptive use, including condom use, among this vulnerable group of women are needed. Such programmes may require identifying and targeting female reproductive health concerns and problem drinking, particularly heavy sporadic drinking, rather than conventional measures of alcohol misuse.