bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Excretion of cytoplasmic proteins (ECP) in Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Ebner Patrick , Prax Marcel , Nega Mulugeta , Koch Iris , Dube Linda , Yu Wenqi , Rinker Janina , Popella Peter , Flötenmeyer Matthias , Götz Friedrich 
Published: May 2015

SummaryExcretion of cytoplasmic proteins (ECP) is a common physiological feature in bacteria and eukaryotes. However, how these proteins without a typical signal peptide are excreted in bacteria is poorly understood. We studied the excretion pattern of cytoplasmic proteins using two glycolytic model enzymes, aldolase and enolase, and show that their excretion takes place mainly during the exponential growth phase in Staphylococcus aureus very similar to that of Sbi, an IgG‐binding protein, which is secreted via the Sec‐pathway. The amount of excreted enolase is substantial and is comparable with that of Sbi. For localization of the exit site, we fused aldolase and enolase with the peptidoglycan‐binding motif, LysM, to trap the enzymes at the cell wall. With both immune fluorescence labeling and immunogold localization on electron microscopic thin sections aldolase and enolase were found apart from the cytoplasmic area particularly in the cross wall and at the septal cleft of dividing cells, whereas the non‐excreted Ndh2, a soluble NADH:quinone oxidoreductase, is only seen attached to the inner side of the cytoplasmic membrane. The selectivity, the timing and the localization suggest that ECP is not a result of unspecific cell lysis but is mediated by an as yet unknown mechanism.
Transfer of penicillin resistance from Streptococcus oralis to Streptococcus pneumoniae identifies murE as resistance determinant
Authors: Todorova Katya , Maurer Patrick , Rieger Martin , Becker Tina , Bui Nhat Khai , Gray Joe , Vollmer Waldemar , Hakenbeck Regine 
Published: May 2015

SummaryBeta‐lactam resistant clinical isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae contain altered penicillin‐binding protein (PBP) genes and occasionally an altered murM, presumably products of interspecies gene transfer. MurM and MurN are responsible for the synthesis of branched lipid II, substrate for the PBP catalyzed transpeptidation reaction. Here we used the high‐level beta‐lactam resistant S. oralis Uo5 as donor in transformation experiments with the sensitive laboratory strain S. pneumoniae R6 as recipient. Surprisingly, piperacillin‐resistant transformants contained no alterations in PBP genes but carried murEUo5 encoding the UDP‐N‐acetylmuramyl tripeptide synthetase. Codons 83–183 of murEUo5 were sufficient to confer the resistance phenotype. Moreover, the promoter of murEUo5, which drives a twofold higher expression compared to that of S. pneumoniae R6, could also confer increased resistance. Multiple independent transformations produced S. pneumoniae R6 derivatives containing murEUo5, pbp2xUo5, pbp1aUo5 and pbp2bUo5, but not murMUo5 sequences; however, the resistance level of the donor strain could not be reached. S. oralis Uo5 harbors an unusual murM, and murN is absent. Accordingly, the peptidoglycan of S. oralis Uo5 contained interpeptide bridges with one L‐Ala residue only. The data suggest that resistance in S. oralis Uo5 is based on a complex interplay of distinct PBPs and other enzymes involved in peptidoglycan biosynthesis.
Rice responds to endophytic colonization which is independent of the common symbiotic signaling pathway
Authors: Chen Xi , Miché Lucie , Sachs Sabrina , Wang Qi , Buschart Anna , Yang Haiyuan , Vera Cruz Casiana M. , Hurek Thomas , Reinhold‐Hurek Barbara 
Published: May 2015

Summary

As molecular interactions of plants with N2‐fixing endophytes are largely uncharacterized, we investigated whether the common signaling pathway (CSP) shared by root nodule symbioses (RNS) and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbioses may have been recruited for the endophytic Azoarcus sp.–rice (Oryza sativa) interaction, and combined this investigation with global approaches to characterize rice root responses to endophytic colonization.

Putative homologs of genes required for the CSP were analyzed for their putative role in endophytic colonization. Proteomic and suppressive subtractive hybridization (SSH) approaches were also applied, and a comparison of defense‐related processes was carried out by setting up a pathosystem for flooded roots with Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae strain PXO99 (Xoo).

All tested genes were expressed in rice roots seedlings but not induced upon Azoarcus sp. inoculation, and the oscyclops and oscastor mutants were not impaired in endophytic colonization. Global approaches highlighted changes in rice metabolic activity and Ca2+‐dependent signaling in roots colonized by endophytes, including some stress proteins. Marker genes for defense responses were induced to a lesser extent by the endophytes than by the pathogen, indicating a more compatible interaction.

Our results thus suggest that rice roots respond to endophytic colonization by inducing metabolic shifts and signaling events, for which the CSP is not essential.
The terrestrial biota prior to the origin of land plants (embryophytes): a review of the evidence
Authors: Wellman Charles H. , Strother Paul K. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractIt is often assumed that life originated and diversified in the oceans prior to colonizing the land. However, environmental constraints in chemical evolution models point towards critical steps leading to the origin of life as having occurred in subaerial settings. The earliest fossil record does not include finds from terrestrial deposits, so much of our understanding about the presence of a terrestrial microbial cover prior to the Proterozoic is based on inference and geochemical proxies that indicate biospheric carbon cycling during the Archaean. Our assessment is that by 2.7 Ga, microbial ecosystems in terrestrial settings were driven by oxygen‐generating, photosynthetic cyanobacteria. Studies of modern organisms indicate that both the origin and primary diversification of the eukaryotes could have occurred in terrestrial settings, shortly after 2.0 Ga, but there is no direct fossil evidence of terrestrial eukaryotes until about 1.1 Ga. At this time, it appears that the diversity of life in non‐marine habitats exceeded that found in marine settings where sulphidic seas may have impaired eukaryotic physiology and retarded evolution. Geochemical proxies indicate the establishment of an extensive soil‐forming microbial cover by 850 Ma, and it is possible that a rise in atmospheric oxygen at this time was due to the evolutionary expansion of green algae into terrestrial habitats. Direct fossil evidence of the earliest terrestrial biotas in the Phanerozoic consists of problematical palynomorphs from the Cambro‐Ordovician of Laurentia. These indicate that the evolution of the first land plants (embryophytes) during the Middle Ordovician took place within a landscape that included aeroterrestrial algae which were actively adapting to selection in subaerial settings.
Expressivism and the Normativity of Attitudes
Authors: Toppinen Teemu 
Published: May 2015

AbstractMany philosophers believe that judgments about propositional attitudes, or about which mental states are expressed by which sentences, are normative judgments. If this is so, then metanormative expressivism must be given expressivist treatment. This might seem to make expressivism self‐defeating or worrisomely circular, or to frustrate the explanatory ambitions central to the view. I argue that recent objections along these lines to giving an expressivist account of expressivism are not successful. I shall also suggest that in order to deal with these worries, Dreier's influential response to the so‐called ‘problem of creeping minimalism’ must be slightly revised.
Justification and Forgetting
Authors: Naylor Andrew 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThis article sets forth a view about how epistemic justification figures in the ongoing justification of memory belief, a view that I callmoderate justificational preservationism(MJP). MJP presupposes a nontraditional notion ofmemorial justificationaccording to which what makes one's present belief that pprima faciejustified is that which provided one withprima faciejustification to believe that p originally (or some portion thereof). The article offers support for MJP by examining a series of cases that involve forgetting, and in doing so, criticizes views of Jennifer Lackey, David Owens, Michael Huemer, and George Pappas.
Inventory of Personal Factors Influencing Conditioned Pain Modulation in Healthy People: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Hermans Linda , Van Oosterwijck Jessica , Goubert Dorien , Goudman Lisa , Crombez Geert , Calders Patrick , Meeus Mira 
Published: May 2015

AbstractBackgroundConditioned pain modulation (CPM) is believed to play an important role in the development and exacerbation of chronic pain, because dysfunction of CPM is associated with a shift in balance between pain facilitation and pain inhibition. In many patients with central sensitization, CPM is less efficacious. Besides that, efficacy of CPM is highly variable in healthy people. Consequently, it seems that several individual variables may influence CPM. A systematic review examining personal factors influencing CPM was conducted.MethodsThis systematic review follows the PRISMA guidelines. “Pubmed” and “Web of Science” were searched using different synonyms of CPM. Full‐text clinical reports addressing the influence of personal factors on CPM in healthy adults were included. Checklists for RCTs and case–control studies provided by the Dutch Institute for Healthcare Improvement (CBO) and the Dutch Cochrane Centre were utilized to assess methodological quality. Levels of evidence and strength of conclusion were assigned using the CBO guidelines.ResultsForty‐six articles were identified that reported the influence of personal factors on CPM. Quality assessment revealed 10 studies with a methodological quality less than 50% wherefore they were excluded (21.8%), resulting in a general total methodological quality score of 72.5%. Overall younger adult age, male gender, ovulatory phase, positive expectations, attention to the conditioning stimulus, and carrier of the 5‐HTTLPR long allele result in better CPM.ConclusionIt is advised for future studies to take these factors into account. Further research regarding the influence of oral contraceptives, catastrophizing, information about conditioning stimulation, distraction, physical activity, and genetics on CPM magnitude is required.
Impact of Threat Level, Task Instruction, and Individual Characteristics on Cold Pressor Pain and Fear among Children and Their Parents
Authors: Boerner Katelynn E. , Noel Melanie , Birnie Kathryn A. , Caes Line , Petter Mark , Chambers Christine T. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThe cold pressor task (CPT) is increasingly used to induce experimental pain in children, but the specific methodology of the CPT is quite variable across pediatric studies. This study examined how subtle variations in CPT methodology (eg. provision of low‐ or high‐threat information regarding the task; provision or omission of maximum immersion time) may influence children's and parents' perceptions of the pain experience. Forty‐eight children (8 to 14 years) and their parents were randomly assigned to receive information about the CPT that varied on 2 dimensions, prior to completing the task: (i) threat level: high‐threat (task described as very painful, high pain expressions depicted) or low‐threat (standard CPT instructions provided, low pain expressions depicted); (ii) ceiling: informed (provided maximum immersion time) or uninformed (information about maximum immersion time omitted). Parents and children in the high‐threat condition expected greater child pain, and these children reported higher perceived threat of pain and state pain catastrophizing. For children in the low‐threat condition, an informed ceiling was associated with less state pain catastrophizing during the CPT. Pain intensity, tolerance, and fear during the CPT did not differ by experimental group, but were predicted by child characteristics. Findings suggest that provision of threatening information may impact anticipatory outcomes, but experienced pain was better explained by individual child variables.
Fentanyl Buccal Tablet: A New Breakthrough Pain Medication in Early Management of Severe Vaso‐Occlusive Crisis in Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: De Franceschi Lucia , Mura Paolo , Schweiger Vittorio , Vencato Elisa , Quaglia Francesca Maria , Delmonte Letizia , Evangelista Maurizio , Polati Enrico , Olivieri Oliviero , Finco Gabriele 
Published: May 2015

AbstractBackgroundSickle cell disease (SCD) is a worldwide distributed hereditary red cell disorder. The principal clinical manifestations of SCD are the chronic hemolytic anemia and the acute vaso‐occlusive crisis (VOCs), which are mainly characterized by ischemic/reperfusion tissue injury. Pain is the main symptom of VOCs, and its management is still a challenge for hematologists, requiring a multidisciplinary approach.MethodsWe carried out a crossover study on adult SCD patients, who received two different types of multimodal analgesia during two separate severe VOCs with time interval between VOCs of at least 6 months. The first VOC episode was treated with ketorolac (0.86 mg/kg/day) and tramadol (7.2 mg/kg/day) (TK treatment). In the second VOC episode, fentanyl buccal tablet (FBT; 100 μg) was introduced in a single dose after three hours from the beginning of TK analgesia (TKF treatment). We focused on the first 24 hours of acute pain management. The primary efficacy measure was the time‐weighted‐sum of pain intensity differences (SPID24). The secondary efficacy measures included the pain intensity difference (PID), the total pain relief (TOTPAR), and the time‐wighted sum of anxiety (SAID24).ResultsSPID24 was significantly higher in TKF than in TK treatment. All the secondary measures were significantly ameliorated in TKF compared to TK treatment, without major opioid side effects. Patients satisfaction was higher with TKF treatment than with TK one.ConclusionsWe propose that VOCs might require breakthrough pain drug strategy as vaso‐occlusive phenomena and enhanced vasoconstriction promoting acute ischemic pain component exacerbate the continuous pain of VOCs. FBT might be a powerful and feasible tool in early management of acute pain during VOCs in emergency departments.
Multiplexed, targeted gene editing in Nicotiana benthamiana for glyco‐engineering and monoclonal antibody production
Authors: Li Jin , Stoddard Thomas J. , Demorest Zachary L. , Lavoie Pierre‐Olivier , Luo Song , Clasen Benjamin M. , Cedrone Frederic , Ray Erin E. , Coffman Andrew P. , Daulhac Aurelie , Yabandith Ann , Retterath Adam J. , Mathis Luc , Voytas Daniel F. , D'Aoust Marc‐André , Zhang Feng 
Published: May 2015

SummaryBiopharmaceutical glycoproteins produced in plants carry N‐glycans with plant‐specific residues core α(1,3)‐fucose and β(1,2)‐xylose, which can significantly impact the activity, stability and immunogenicity of biopharmaceuticals. In this study, we have employed sequence‐specific transcription activator‐like effector nucleases (TALENs) to knock out two α(1,3)‐fucosyltransferase (FucT) and the two β(1,2)‐xylosyltransferase (XylT) genes within Nicotiana benthamiana to generate plants with improved capacity to produce glycoproteins devoid of plant‐specific residues. Among plants regenerated from N. benthamiana protoplasts transformed with TALENs targeting either the FucT or XylT genes, 50% (80 of 160) and 73% (94 of 129) had mutations in at least one FucT or XylT allele, respectively. Among plants regenerated from protoplasts transformed with both TALEN pairs, 17% (18 of 105) had mutations in all four gene targets, and 3% (3 of 105) plants had mutations in all eight alleles comprising both gene families; these mutations were transmitted to the next generation. Endogenous proteins expressed in the complete knockout line had N‐glycans that lacked β(1,2)‐xylose and had a significant reduction in core α(1,3)‐fucose levels (40% of wild type). A similar phenotype was observed in the N‐glycans of a recombinant rituximab antibody transiently expressed in the homozygous mutant plants. More importantly, the most desirable glycoform, one lacking both core α(1,3)‐fucose and β(1,2)‐xylose residues, increased in the antibody from 2% when produced in the wild‐type line to 55% in the mutant line. These results demonstrate the power of TALENs for multiplexed gene editing. Furthermore, the mutant N. benthamiana lines provide a valuable platform for producing highly potent biopharmaceutical products.
Changes in the current classification of IIP: A critical review
Authors: Neurohr Claus , Behr Juergen 
Published: May 2015

AbstractIdiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIP) are a heterogeneous group characterized by unknown aetiology. Establishment of a correct diagnosis of a distinct IIP requires a multidisciplinary approach integrating clinical presentation, physiological data, radiological appearance and histological findings. The 2013 update of the American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society classification summarises progress in the field of IIP and outlines potential areas for future research. The main entities defined by the 2002 statement on IIP are preserved, but major IIP are now distinguished from rare IIP and the new category of unclassifiable IIP is introduced. In addition, the existence of idiopathic non‐specific interstitial pneumonia as a separate chronic fibrosing IIP and idiopathic pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis as a specific rare entity are acknowledged. Moreover, the major IIP are categorized according to the features chronic fibrosing, smoking‐related and acute/subacute clinical course. Furthermore, a clinical classification of IIP according to disease behaviour with suggestions for treatment goals and monitoring strategies is provided. The goal of this review is to discuss the areas of uncertainty in the updated multidisciplinary classification of IIP and point out potential consequences for clinical management.
Effects of chymostatin, a chymase inhibitor, on blood pressure, plasma and tissue angiotensin II, renal haemodynamics and renal excretion in two models of hypertension in the rat
Authors: Roszkowska‐Chojecka Malwina Monika , Walkowska Agnieszka , Gawryś Olga , Baranowska Iwona , Kalisz Małgorzata , Litwiniuk Anna , Martyńska Lidia , Kompanowska‐Jezierska Elżbieta 
Published: May 2015

New Findings
What is the central question of this study?
We examined, in hypertensive rats, whether the angiotensin‐converting enzyme‐independent enzymes generating angiotensin II in the tissues modulate blood pressure, peripheral circulation and renal function.
What is the main finding and its importance?
The results suggest that chymostatin‐sensitive enzymes diminish vascular tone in renal and extrarenal vascular beds. Chymase or similar chymostatin‐sensitive enzymes have a significant role in the synthesis of angiotensin II in different tissues but do not control blood pressure in the short term, similarly in salt‐dependent or Goldblatt‐type rat hypertension. In salt‐dependent hypertension, chymase blockade protected renal outer medullary perfusion, probably by reducing the angiotensin II content in the kidney.
Chymase is presumed to be a crucial enzyme of the non‐angiotensin‐converting enzyme pathway of angiotensin II (Ang II) generation in tissues, a process involved in vascular remodelling and development of hypertension. We examined the role of chymase in hypertension induced by exposure of uninephrectomized rats to high dietary salt intake (UNX HS) and in the Goldblatt renal artery stenosis (two‐kidney, one‐clip) model. In acute experiments with anaesthetized rats of either model, chymostatin at 2 mg kg−1 h−1 or 0.05% DMSO solvent was infused i.v. Mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate, iliac blood flow (a measure of hindlimb perfusion), total renal blood flow and intrarenal regional perfusion (laser‐Doppler technique) were measured continuously, along with the glomerular filtration rate and renal excretion. In both models, chymase blockade distinctly decreased plasma and tissue Ang II without lowering mean blood pressure or consistently altering the other functional parameters measured. Unexpectedly, in Goldblatt hypertensive rats the blockade increased the renal and hindlimb vascular resistances by 51 and 33%, respectively (P < 0.05). In UNX HS hypertensive rats, chymase blockade abolished the solvent‐induced decrease in outer medullary blood flow. We conclude that chymase or similar chymostatin‐sensitive enzyme(s) has a significant role in the synthesis of Ang II in different tissues but does not participate in short‐term control of blood pressure in salt‐dependent or Goldblatt‐type rat hypertension. In the Goldblatt model, chymase appeared to reduce the renal and hindlimb vascular resistances by an unknown mechanism. In salt‐dependent hypertension, chymase blockade protected renal outer medullary perfusion, probably by reducing Ang II content in the kidney.
The Effects of Frontal- and Sagittal-Plane Plyometrics on Change-of-Direction Speed and Power in Adolescent Female Basketball Players
Authors: McCormick Brian T. , Hannon James C. , Newton Maria , Shultz Barry , Detling Nicole , Young Warren B. 
Published: May 2015

Plyometrics is a popular training modality for basketball players to improve power and change-of-direction speed. Most plyometric training has used sagittal-plane exercises, but improvements in change-of-direction speed have been greater in multidirection programs.Purpose:To determine the benefits of a 6-wk frontal-plane plyometric (FPP) training program compared with a 6-wk sagittal-plane plyometric (SPP) training program with regard to power and change-of-direction speed.Methods:Fourteen female varsity high school basketball players participated in the study. Multiple 2 × 2 repeated-measures ANOVAs were used to determine differences for the FPP and SPP groups from preintervention to postintervention on 4 tests of power and 2 tests of change-of-direction speed.Results:There was a group main effect for time in all 6 tests. There was a significant group × time interaction effect in 3 of the 6 tests. The SPP improved performance of the countermovement vertical jump more than the FPP, whereas the FPP improved performance of the lateral hop (left) and lateral-shuffle test (left) more than the SPP. The standing long jump, lateral hop (right), and lateral-shuffle test (right) did not show a significant interaction effect.Conclusions:These results suggest that basketball players should incorporate plyometric training in all planes to improve power and change-of-direction speed.