bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development and validation of a food frequency questionnaire for consumption of polyphenol‐rich foods in pregnant women
Authors: Vian Izabele , Zielinsky Paulo , Zilio Ana Maria , Mello Anne , Lazzeri Bruna , Oliveira Andressa , Lampert Kenya Venusa , Piccoli Antônio , Nicoloso Luis Henrique , Bubols Guilherme Borges , Garcia Solange Cristina 
Published: January 2013

AbstractPrevious studies have shown that maternal consumption of polyphenol‐rich foods after the third trimester of pregnancy may interfere with the anatomical and functional activity of the fetal heart as, to our knowledge, there are no validated instruments to quantify total polyphenols in pregnant women. The aim of this study was evaluate the reproducibility and validity of a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), with 52 items, to assess the intake of polyphenol‐rich foods in pregnant women in Brazil. This cross‐sectional study included 120 pregnant women who participated in nutritional interviews in two moments. The intake of polyphenols estimated by the developed FFQ was compared with the average of two 24‐h recalls (24HR), with the average intake measured by a 3‐day food diary (D3days) and with the urinary excretion of total polyphenols. The triangular method was applied to calculate Pearson's correlation coefficients, intraclass correlation and Bland–Altman plots for the FFQ, using an independent biochemical marker, in addition to classification by quarters of consumption. The questionnaires were log transformed, adjusted for body mass index and gestational age. The adjustment for energy was applied only of 24HR and D3days. Analysis of the reproducibility between the FFQ showed a very high correlation (r = 0.72; P < 0.05). A low but significant association was observed between the FFQ and urinary excretion (0.23; P = 0.01). The association between the dietary survey methods was moderate to very high (r = 0.36 to r = 0.72; P < 0.001). In conclusion, this questionnaire showed reproducibility and validity for the quantification of consumption of total polyphenols in pregnant women.
The transcriptional regulator TamR from Streptomyces coelicolor controls a key step in central metabolism during oxidative stress
Authors: Huang Hao , Grove Anne 
Published: January 2013

SummaryMultiple antibiotic resistance regulator (MarR) family transcriptional regulators usually regulate gene activity by responding to specific ligands. Here we show that TamR (trans‐aconitate methyltransferase regulator), a MarR homologue from Streptomyces coelicolor, functions in oxidative stress responses to regulate a key step in central metabolism. The gene encoding TamR is oriented divergently from the tam gene, which encodes trans‐aconitate methyltransferase. Trans‐aconitate methyltransferase methylates trans‐aconitate, which is formed when cis‐aconitate is released during aconitase‐mediated isomerization of citrate to isocitrate; trans‐aconitate, but not its methyl ester, is a potent inhibitor of aconitase. We show that TamR binds with high affinity to the intergenic region between the tamR and tam genes. Notably, trans‐aconitate attenuates DNA‐binding by TamR, as do citrate, cis‐aconitate and isocitrate, which are the substrate, intermediate and product of aconitase respectively. In vivo, hydrogen peroxide and citrate induce significant upregulation of the tam (SCO3132), tamR (SCO3133) and aconitase (SCO5999) genes. Since oxidative stress leads to disassembly of the [4Fe‐4S] cluster that is essential for aconitase activity, resulting in accumulation of citrate and release of cis‐aconitate and its subsequent conversion to trans‐aconitate, we propose that TamR mediates a novel regulatory function in which the inhibitory effects of trans‐aconitate and accumulated citrate are alleviated.
Propranolol Treatment of Infantile Hemangiomas: Anticipatory Guidance for Parents and Caretakers
Authors: Martin Kari , Bleib Francine , Chamlin Sarah L. , Chiu Yvonne E. , Frieden Ilona J. , Frommelt Peter C. , Garzon Maria C. , Kwon Eun‐Kyung M. , MacLellan‐Tobert Susan , Mancini Anthony J. , Seefeldt Marcia , Sidbury Robert , Siegel Dawn H. , Drolet Beth A. , Boucek Robert J. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractInfantile hemangiomas (IH) are benign tumors of endothelial‐like cells. Occurring in 4.5% of children, they are the most common tumor of childhood. The great majority of patients with IH will not need treatment, but 10% require systemic treatment. Many treatments have been described for the treatment of IH, but the Food and Drug Administration has not approved any. Over the last decade, numerous reports of successful treatment of IH with propranolol have been published. Despite its widespread use, little is known regarding the proper dosing, safety monitoring, and during of treatment or long‐term outcomes for propranolol treatment of IH. Given its potential side effects, detailed education regarding proper administration of the medication as well as warning signs to watch for is necessary for parents and caretakers. Herein, we provide a parental handout that practitioners can individually tailor for use in their clinics when educating parents and caretakers about the use of propranolol for IH. Updates will also need to be made as more is learned regarding the optimal dosing and safety monitoring when using propranolol for this indication.
Mesenchymal stem cells and the lung
Authors: Sinclair Kenneth , Yerkovich Stephanie T. , Chambers Daniel C. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractMesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are a population of tissue‐resident adult progenitor cells that were originally identified in bone marrow, but have now been identified in many organs including the lung. Although their precise role in organ function remains incompletely defined, mounting evidence suggests that they are an important component of the parenchymal progenitor cell niche and orchestrate organ homeostasis and repair following injury. In this review, what is known about MSC biology will be outlined with particular emphasis on lung biology, and the therapeutic potential of MSC‐based cell therapy will also be highlighted.
Education and counselling group intervention for women treated for gynaecological cancer: does it help?
Authors: Sekse Ragnhild Johanne Tveit , Blaaka Gunnhild , Buestad Ingjerd , Tengesdal Ellen , Paulsen Anita , Vika Margrethe 
Published: January 2013

BackgroundWomen who have been through gynaecological cancer, experience challenges on many levels after diagnosis and treatment. Studies show that, in order to help women in their rehabilitation process, there is a need for holistic care and follow‐up.AimThe aim of this qualitative study is to provide insight into women's own lived experiences of participating in an education and counselling group intervention after curative treatment for gynaecological cancer.MethodA qualitative study based on data from three focus groups with 17 women who had participated in a nurse‐led education and counselling group intervention after treatment for gynaecological cancer.ResultsThe main findings show that participation in the rehabilitation group was described as a special community of mutual understanding and belonging. Education and the sharing of knowledge provided a clearer vocabulary for, and understanding of, the women's own lived experiences. The presence of dedicated and professional care workers was reported to be essential for the outcome of the group intervention.ConclusionAttending a nurse‐led education and counselling group intervention had a positive impact on various aspects of the women's lived experiences. The programme also provided professionals with important insights into the patients' views and feelings regarding cancer treatment, trajectories and rehabilitation. This knowledge has already proven itself useful in clinical practice for improving staff communication skills and psycho‐social support related to gynaecological cancer care.
Tryptophan Inhibits Biofilm Formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Brandenburg Kenneth S. , Rodriguez Karien J. , McAnulty Jonathan F. , Murphy Christopher J. , Abbott Nicholas L. , Schurr Michael J. , Czuprynski Charles J. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT

Biofilm formation by
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
has been implicated in the pathology of chronic wounds. Both the
d
and
l
isoforms of tryptophan inhibited
P. aeruginosa
biofilm formation on tissue culture plates, with an equimolar ratio of
d
and
l
isoforms producing the greatest inhibitory effect. Addition of
d
-/
l
-tryptophan to existing biofilms inhibited further biofilm growth and caused partial biofilm disassembly. Tryptophan significantly increased swimming motility, which may be responsible in part for diminished biofilm formation by
P. aeruginosa
.
A New Local Variant (ST764) of the Globally Disseminated ST5 Lineage of Hospital-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Carrying the Virulence Determinants of Community-Associated MRSA
Authors: Takano Tomomi , Hung Wei-Chun , Shibuya Michiko , Higuchi Wataru , Iwao Yasuhisa , Nishiyama Akihito , Reva Ivan , Khokhlova Olga E. , Yabe Shizuka , Ozaki Kyoko , Takano Misao , Yamamoto Tatsuo 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT

The ST5 lineage of methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) is one of the most globally disseminated hospital-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA) lineages. We isolated a new local variant (designated ST764) over at least 5 years that causes invasive infections, including necrotizing fasciitis, and is carried by medical students, as well as household members. Analysis of the genome sequence of one isolate compared to that of the reference ST5 strain revealed that ST764 had acquired virulence traits similar to those of community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) through the acquisition of two new mobile genetic elements, ACMEII and SaPInn54, which carried ACME
arcA
and the staphylococcal enterotoxin B gene (
seb
), respectively, and through enhanced expression of cytolytic peptide genes, although ST764 was negative for Panton-Valentine leukocidin. Other differences between ST764 and ST5 included the acquisition of an ACMEII-related cassette (cJR1), prophage φ2
NN54
, and streptococcal Tn
5251
and decreased numbers of copies of Tn
554
. As for superantigen genes, although the two possessed
seg
,
sei
,
sem
,
sen
, and
seo
, ST764 lacked
tst
,
sec
,
sel
, and
sep
. The data suggest that ST764 MRSA is a novel hybrid variant of ST5 HA-MRSA with the characteristics of CA-MRSA and that the evolution of ST764 includes multiple steps, e.g., acquisition of novel or nonstaphylococcal mobile elements.
Emergence of Imipenem-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacilli in Intestinal Flora of Intensive Care Patients
Authors: Armand-Lefèvre Laurence , Angebault Cécile , Barbier François , Hamelet Emilie , Defrance Gilles , Ruppé Etienne , Bronchard Régis , Lepeule Raphaël , Lucet Jean-Christophe , El Mniai Assiya , Wolff Michel , Montravers Philippe , Plésiat Patrick , Andremont Antoine 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT

Intestinal flora contains a reservoir of Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) resistant to cephalosporins, which are potentially pathogenic for intensive care unit (ICU) patients; this has led to increasing use of carbapenems. The emergence of carbapenem resistance is a major concern for ICUs. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to assess the intestinal carriage of imipenem-resistant GNB (IR-GNB) in intensive care patients. For 6 months, 523 consecutive ICU patients were screened for rectal IR-GNB colonization upon admission and weekly thereafter. The phenotypes and genotypes of all isolates were determined, and a case control study was performed to identify risk factors for colonization. The IR-GNB colonization rate increased regularly from 5.6% after 1 week to 58.6% after 6 weeks in the ICU. In all, 56 IR-GNB strains were collected from 50 patients: 36
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
strains, 12
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
strains, 6
Enterobacteriaceae
strains, and 2
Acinetobacter baumannii
strains. In
P. aeruginosa
, imipenem resistance was due to chromosomally encoded resistance (32 strains) or carbapenemase production (4 strains). In the
Enterobacteriaceae
strains, resistance was due to AmpC cephalosporinase and/or extended-spectrum β-lactamase production with porin loss. Genomic comparison showed that the strains were highly diverse, with 8 exceptions (4 VIM-2 carbapenemase-producing
P. aeruginosa
strains, 2
Klebsiella pneumoniae
strains, and 2
S. maltophilia
strains). The main risk factor for IR-GNB colonization was prior imipenem exposure. The odds ratio for colonization was already as high as 5.9 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.5 to 25.7) after 1 to 3 days of exposure and increased to 7.8 (95% CI, 2.4 to 29.8) thereafter. In conclusion, even brief exposure to imipenem is a major risk factor for IR-GNB carriage.
Elucidating the Regulon of Multidrug Resistance Regulator RarA in Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: De Majumdar Shyamasree , Veleba Mark , Finn Sarah , Fanning Séamus , Schneiders Thamarai 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT

RarA is an AraC-type regulator in
Klebsiella pneumoniae
, which, when overexpressed, confers a low-level multidrug-resistant (MDR) phenotype linked to the upregulation of both the
acrAB
and
oqxAB
efflux genes. Increased
rarA
expression has also been shown to be integral in the development of tigecycline resistance in the absence of
ramA
in
K. pneumoniae
. Given its phenotypic role in MDR, microarray analyses were performed to determine the RarA regulon. Transcriptome analysis was undertaken using strains Ecl8Δ
rarA
/pACrarA-2 (
rarA
-expressing construct) and Ecl8Δ
rarA
/pACYC184 (vector-only control) using bespoke microarray slides consisting of probes derived from the genomic sequences of
K. pneumoniae
MGH 78578 (NC_009648.1) and Kp342 (NC_011283.1). Our results show that
rarA
overexpression resulted in the differential expression of 66 genes (42 upregulated and 24 downregulated). Under the COG (clusters of orthologous groups) functional classification, the majority of affected genes belonged to the category of cell envelope biogenesis and posttranslational modification, along with genes encoding the previously uncharacterized transport proteins (e.g., KPN_03141,
sdaCB
, and
leuE
) and the porin OmpF. However, genes associated with energy production and conversion and amino acid transport/metabolism (e.g.,
nuoA
,
narJ
, and
proWX
) were found to be downregulated. Biolog phenotype analyses demonstrated that
rarA
overexpression confers enhanced growth of the overexpresser in the presence of several antibiotic classes (i.e., beta-lactams and fluoroquinolones), the antifungal/antiprotozoal compound clioquinol, disinfectants (8-hydroxyquinoline), protein synthesis inhibitors (i.e., minocycline and puromycin), membrane biogenesis agents (polymyxin B and amitriptyline), DNA synthesis (furaltadone), and the cytokinesis inhibitor (sanguinarine). Both our transcriptome and phenotypic microarray data support and extend the role of RarA in the MDR phenotype of
K. pneumoniae
.
High Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistance and Molecular Characterization of Integrons among Shigella Isolates in Eastern China
Authors: Shen Yun , Qian Huimin , Gong Junjun , Deng Feifei , Dong Chen , Zhou Lu , Guo Hongxiong 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT

A total of 747
Shigella
isolates were collected from hospitals in Jiangsu Province of China. Susceptibilities to antimicrobials and integrons were tested. A total of 78.3% of
S. flexneri
isolates and a total of 74.3%
S. sonei
isolates were resistant to at least three antibiotics. Of the
Shigella
isolates, 74.7% had integron I and 82.6% had integron II. The conjunction of the high prevalence of integrons in
Shigella
and high resistance to antimicrobials will lead to rapid dissemination of resistant genes in this region.
Streptomycin Inhibits Quorum Sensing in Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Saroj Sunil D. , Rather Philip N. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT

Streptomycin at subinhibitory concentrations was found to inhibit quorum sensing in
Acinetobacter baumannii
. Conditioned medium prepared by growth of
A. baumannii
in the presence of subinhibitory concentrations of streptomycin exhibited reduced activation of two quorum-sensing-regulated genes,
abaI
, encoding an autoinducer synthase, and A1S_0112. The reduced expression of AbaI resulted in greatly decreased levels of 3-OH-C
12
-HSL as confirmed by direct analysis using thin-layer chromatography. The effect on acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) signal production was specific to streptomycin, as gentamicin and myomycin had no significant effect at subinhibitory levels.
Involvement of MarR and YedS in Carbapenem Resistance in a Clinical Isolate of Escherichia coli from China
Authors: Warner Douglas M. , Yang Qiwen , Duval Valérie , Chen Minjun , Xu Yingchun , Levy Stuart B. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT

A carbapenem-resistant clinical isolate of
Escherichia coli
, which lacked OmpF and OmpC porins, carried a
marR
mutation and expressed a functional
yedS
, a normally nontranslated gene. MarR and YedS are described here as having effects on the ability of this strain to resist carbapenems. Additionally, expression of YedS was regulated by the small RNA MicF in a MarA-dependent way. These findings illustrate how broadly bacteria can mutate within a selective clinical setting, in this case, resistance to carbapenems, by altering three porin genes and one regulatory gene.
Recycling of Peptidyl-tRNAs by Peptidyl-tRNA Hydrolase Counteracts Azithromycin-Mediated Effects on Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Gödeke Julia , Pustelny Christian , Häussler Susanne 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT

Acute and chronic infections caused by the opportunistic pathogen
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
pose a serious threat to human health worldwide, and its increasing resistance to antibiotics requires alternative treatments that are more effective than available strategies. Clinical studies have clearly demonstrated that cystic fibrosis (CF) patients with chronic
P. aeruginosa
infections benefit from long-term low-dose azithromycin (AZM) treatment. Immunomodulating activity, the impact of AZM on the expression of quorum-sensing-dependent virulence factors, type three secretion, and motility in
P. aeruginosa
seem to contribute to the therapeutic response. However, to date, the molecular mechanisms underlying these AZM effects have remained elusive. Our data indicate that the AZM-mediated phenotype is caused by a depletion of the intracellular pools of tRNAs available for protein synthesis. Overexpression of the
P. aeruginosa
peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase, which recycles the tRNA from peptidyl-tRNA drop-off during translation, counteracted the effects of AZM on stationary-phase cell killing, cytotoxicity, and the production of rhamnolipids and partially restored swarming motility. Intriguingly, the exchange of a rare for a frequent codon in
rhlR
also explicitly diminished the AZM-mediated decreased production of rhamnolipids. These results indicate that depletion of the tRNA pools by AZM seems to affect the translation of genes that use rare aminoacyl-tRNA isoacceptors to a great extent and might explain the selective activity of AZM on the
P. aeruginosa
proteome and possibly also on the protein expression profiles of other bacterial pathogens.
Nicotinic Acid Modulates Legionella pneumophila Gene Expression and Induces Virulence Traits
Authors: Edwards Rachel L. , Bryan Andrew , Jules Matthieu , Harada Kaoru , Buchrieser Carmen , Swanson Michele S. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT

In response to environmental fluctuations or stresses, bacteria can activate transcriptional and phenotypic programs to coordinate an adaptive response. The intracellular pathogen
Legionella pneumophila
converts from a noninfectious replicative form to an infectious transmissive form when the bacterium encounters alterations in either amino acid concentrations or fatty acid biosynthesis. Here, we report that
L. pneumophila
differentiation is also triggered by nicotinic acid, a precursor of the central metabolite NAD
+
. In particular, when replicative
L. pneumophila
are treated with 5 mM nicotinic acid, the bacteria induce numerous transmissive-phase phenotypes, including motility, cytotoxicity toward macrophages, sodium sensitivity, and lysosome avoidance. Transcriptional profile analysis determined that nicotinic acid induces the expression of a panel of genes characteristic of transmissive-phase
L. pneumophila
. Moreover, an additional 213 genes specific to nicotinic acid treatment were altered. Although nearly 25% of these genes lack an assigned function, the gene most highly induced by nicotinic acid treatment encodes a putative major facilitator superfamily transporter, Lpg0273. Indeed,
lpg0273
protects
L. pneumophila
from toxic concentrations of nicotinic acid as judged by analyzing the growth of the corresponding mutant. The broad utility of the nicotinic acid pathway to couple central metabolism and cell fate is underscored by this small metabolite's modulation of gene expression by diverse microbes, including
Candida glabrata
,
Bordetella pertussis
,
Escherichia coli
, and
L. pneumophila
.
Diverse Genetic Regulon of the Virulence-Associated Transcriptional Regulator MucR in Brucella abortus 2308
Authors: Caswell Clayton C. , Elhassanny Ahmed E. M. , Planchin Emilie E. , Roux Christelle M. , Weeks-Gorospe Jenni N. , Ficht Thomas A. , Dunman Paul M. , Roop R. Martin 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT

The Ros-type regulator MucR is one of the few transcriptional regulators that have been linked to virulence in
Brucella
. Here, we show that a
Brucella abortus
in-frame
mucR
deletion strain exhibits a pronounced growth defect during
in vitro
cultivation and, more importantly, that the
mucR
mutant is attenuated in cultured macrophages and in mice. The genetic basis for the attenuation of
Brucella mucR
mutants has not been defined previously, but in the present study the genes regulated by MucR in
B. abortus
have been elucidated using microarray analysis and real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR). In
B. abortus
2308, MucR regulates a wide variety of genes whose products may function in establishing and maintaining cell envelope integrity, polysaccharide biosynthesis, iron homeostasis, genome plasticity, and transcriptional regulation. Particularly notable among the MucR-regulated genes identified is
arsR6
(
nolR
), which encodes a transcriptional regulator previously linked to virulence in
Brucella melitensis
16 M. Importantly, electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) determined that a recombinant MucR protein binds directly to the promoter regions of several genes repressed by MucR (including
arsR6
[
nolR
]), and in
Brucella
, as in other alphaproteobacteria, MucR binds to its own promoter to repress expression of the gene that encodes it. Overall, these studies have uncovered the diverse genetic regulon of MucR in
Brucella
, and in doing so this work has begun to define the MucR-controlled genetic circuitry whose misregulation contributes to the virulence defect of
Brucella mucR
mutants.