bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identity and Substrate Specificity of Reductive Dehalogenases Expressed in Dehalococcoides-Containing Enrichment Cultures Maintained on Different Chlorinated Ethenes
Authors: Liang Xiaoming , Molenda Olivia , Tang Shuiquan , Edwards Elizabeth A. 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACT

Many reductive dehalogenases (RDases) have been identified in organohalide-respiring microorganisms, and yet their substrates, specific activities, and conditions for expression are not well understood. We tested whether RDase expression varied depending on the substrate-exposure history of reductive dechlorinating communities. For this purpose, we used the enrichment culture KB-1 maintained on trichloroethene (TCE), as well as subcultures maintained on the intermediates
cis
-dichloroethene (cDCE) and vinyl chloride (VC). KB-1 contains a TCE-to-cDCE dechlorinating
Geobacter
and several
Dehalococcoides
strains that together harbor many of the known chloroethene reductases. Expressed RDases were identified using blue native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, enzyme assays in gel slices, and peptide sequencing. As anticipated but never previously quantified, the RDase from
Geobacter
was only detected transiently at the beginning of TCE dechlorination. The
Dehalococcoides
RDase VcrA and smaller amounts of TceA were expressed in the parent KB-1 culture during complete dechlorination of TCE to ethene regardless of time point or amended substrate. The
Dehalococcoides
RDase BvcA was only detected in enrichments maintained on cDCE as growth substrates, in roughly equal abundance to VcrA. Only VcrA was detected in subcultures enriched on VC. Enzyme assays revealed that 1,1-DCE, a substrate not used for culture enrichment, afforded the highest specific activity.
trans
-DCE was substantially dechlorinated only by extracts from cDCE enrichments expressing BvcA. RDase gene distribution indicated enrichment of different strains of
Dehalococcoides
as a function of electron acceptor TCE, cDCE, or VC. Each chloroethene reductase has distinct substrate preferences leading to strain selection in mixed communities.
Bacteriophages Isolated from Chicken Meat and the Horizontal Transfer of Antimicrobial Resistance Genes
Authors: Shousha Amira , Awaiwanont Nattakarn , Sofka Dmitrij , Smulders Frans J. M. , Paulsen Peter , Szostak Michael P. , Humphrey Tom , Hilbert Friederike 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACT

Antimicrobial resistance in microbes poses a global and increasing threat to public health. The horizontal transfer of antimicrobial resistance genes was thought to be due largely to conjugative plasmids or transposons, with only a minor part being played by transduction through bacteriophages. However, whole-genome sequencing has recently shown that the latter mechanism could be highly important in the exchange of antimicrobial resistance genes between microorganisms and environments. The transfer of antimicrobial resistance genes by phages could underlie the origin of resistant bacteria found in food. We show that chicken meat carries a number of phages capable of transferring antimicrobial resistance. Of 243 phages randomly isolated from chicken meat, about a quarter (24.7%) were able to transduce resistance to one or more of the five antimicrobials tested into
Escherichia coli
ATCC 13706 (DSM 12242). Resistance to kanamycin was transduced the most often, followed by that to chloramphenicol, with four phages transducing tetracycline resistance and three transducing ampicillin resistance. Phages able to transduce antimicrobial resistance were isolated from 44% of the samples of chicken meat that we tested. The statistically significant (
P
= 0.01) relationship between the presence of phages transducing kanamycin resistance and
E. coli
isolates resistant to this antibiotic suggests that transduction may be an important mechanism for transferring kanamycin resistance to
E. coli
. It appears that the transduction of resistance to certain antimicrobials, e.g., kanamycin, not only is widely distributed in
E. coli
isolates found on meat but also could represent a major mechanism for resistance transfer. The result is of high importance for animal and human health.
2,3-Butanediol Metabolism in the Acetogen Acetobacterium woodii
Authors: Hess Verena , Oyrik Olga , Trifunović Dragan , Müller Volker 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACT

The acetogenic bacterium
Acetobacterium woodii
is able to reduce CO
2
to acetate via the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway. Only recently we demonstrated that degradation of 1,2-propanediol by
A. woodii
was not dependent on acetogenesis, but that it is disproportionated to propanol and propionate. Here, we analyzed the metabolism of
A. woodii
on another diol, 2,3-butanediol. Experiments with growing and resting cells, metabolite analysis and enzymatic measurements revealed that 2,3-butanediol is oxidized in an NAD
+
-dependent manner to acetate via the intermediates acetoin, acetaldehyde, and acetyl coenzyme A. Ethanol was not detected as an end product, either in growing cultures or in cell suspensions. Apparently, all reducing equivalents originating from the oxidation of 2,3-butanediol were funneled into the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway to reduce CO
2
to another acetate. Thus, the metabolism of 2,3-butanediol requires the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway.
Unraveling the Function of the Response Regulator BcSkn7 in the Stress Signaling Network of Botrytis cinerea
Authors: Viefhues Anne , Schlathoelter Ina , Simon Adeline , Viaud Muriel , Tudzynski Paul 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACT

Important for the lifestyle and survival of every organism is the ability to respond to changing environmental conditions. The necrotrophic plant pathogen
Botrytis cinerea
triggers an oxidative burst in the course of plant infection and therefore needs efficient signal transduction to cope with this stress. The factors involved in this process and their precise roles are still not well known. Here, we show that the transcription factor Bap1 and the response regulator (RR)
B. cinerea
Skn7 (BcSkn7) are two key players in the oxidative stress response (OSR) of
B. cinerea
; both have a major influence on the regulation of classical OSR genes. A yeast-one-hybrid (Y1H) approach proved direct binding to the promoters of
gsh1
and
grx1
by Bap1 and of
glr1
by BcSkn7. While the function of Bap1 is restricted to the regulation of oxidative stress, analyses of Δ
bcskn7
mutants revealed functions beyond the OSR. Involvement of BcSkn7 in development and virulence could be demonstrated, indicated by reduced vegetative growth, impaired formation of reproductive structures, and reduced infection cushion-mediated penetration of the host by the mutants. Furthermore, Δ
bcskn7
mutants were highly sensitive to oxidative, osmotic, and cell wall stress. Analyses of Δ
bap1 bcskn7
double mutants indicated that loss of BcSkn7 uncovers an underlying phenotype of Bap1. In contrast to
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
, the ortholog of the glutathione peroxidase Gpx3p is not required for nuclear translocation of Bap1. The presented results contribute to the understanding of the OSR in
B. cinerea
and prove that it differs substantially from that of yeast, demonstrating the complexity and versatility of components involved in signaling pathways.
Body mass index in school-aged children and the risk of routinely diagnosed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in adulthood: a prospective study based on the Copenhagen School Health Records Register
Authors: Zimmermann Esther , Gamborg Michael , Holst Claus , Baker Jennifer L , Sørensen Thorkild I A , Berentzen Tina L 
Published: May 2015

ObjectiveThe relation between childhood overweight and adult non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is largely unknown. We investigated if weight and weight gain in childhood increases the risk of being diagnosed with NAFLD in routine clinical settings in adulthood.ParticipantsWe studied 244 464 boys and girls, born between 1930 and 1989, who attended school in Copenhagen, Denmark. Their heights and weights were measured by physicians or nurses at mandatory school health examinations at ages 7–13 years. Body mass index (BMI) z-scores were calculated from an internal age-specific and sex-specific reference.Outcome measuresNAFLD reported in the National Patient Register and the National Register of Pathology at 18 years of age or older. HRs with 95% CIs were estimated.ResultsDuring follow-up, 1264 and 1106 NAFLD cases, respectively, occurred in men and women. In both sexes, childhood BMI z-score was not consistently associated with adult NAFLD. Change in BMI z-score between 7 and 13 years of age was positively associated with NAFLD in both sexes. When adjusted for BMI z-score at age 7 years, the HRs of adult NAFLD were 1.15 (95% CI 1.05 to 1.26) and 1.12 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.23) per 1-unit gain in BMI z-score in men and women, respectively. Associations were similar when adjusted for BMI z-score at age 13 years, and were consistent across birth years.ConclusionsA BMI gain in school-aged children is associated with adult NAFLD. Intriguingly, BMI gain appears to have an effect on adult NAFLD irrespective of either the initial or the attained BMI. Taken together, our results suggest that BMI gain in childhood, rather than the level of BMI per se, is important in the development of adult NAFLD.
3D-manufactured patient-specific models of congenital heart defects for communication in clinical practice: feasibility and acceptability
Authors: Biglino Giovanni , Capelli Claudio , Wray Jo , Schievano Silvia , Leaver Lindsay-Kay , Khambadkone Sachin , Giardini Alessandro , Derrick Graham , Jones Alexander , Taylor Andrew M 
Published: May 2015

ObjectivesTo assess the communication potential of three-dimensional (3D) patient-specific models of congenital heart defects and their acceptability in clinical practice for cardiology consultations.DesignThis was a questionnaire-based study in which participants were randomised into two groups: the ‘model group’ received a 3D model of the cardiac lesion(s) being discussed during their appointment, while the ‘control group’ had a routine visit.SettingOutpatient clinic, cardiology follow-up visits.Participants103 parents of children with congenital heart disease were recruited (parental age: 43±8 years; patient age: 12±6 years). In order to have a 3D model made, patients needed to have a recent cardiac MRI examination; this was the crucial inclusion criterion.InterventionsQuestionnaires were administered to the participants before and after the visits and an additional questionnaire was administered to the attending cardiologist.Main outcome measuresRating (1–10) for the liking of the 3D model, its usefulness and the clarity of the explanation received were recorded, as well as rating (1–10) of the parental understanding and their engagement according to the cardiologist. Furthermore, parental knowledge was assessed by asking them to mark diagrams, tick keywords and provide free text answers. The duration of consultations was recorded and parent feedback collected.ResultsParents and cardiologists both found the models to be very useful and helpful in engaging the parents in discussing congenital heart defects. Parental knowledge was not associated with their level of education (p=0.2) and did not improve following their visit. Consultations involving 3D models lasted on average 5 min longer (p=0.02).ConclusionsPatient-specific models can enhance engagement with parents and improve communication between cardiologists and parents, potentially impacting on parent and patient psychological adjustment following treatment. However, in the short-term, parental understanding of their child's condition did not improve.
Subacute complications during recovery from severe traumatic brain injury: frequency and associations with outcome
Authors: Godbolt Alison K , Stenberg Maud , Jakobsson Jan , Sorjonen Kimmo , Krakau Karolina , Stålnacke Britt-Marie , Nygren DeBoussard Catharina 
Published: May 2015

BackgroundMedical complications after severe traumatic brain injury (S-TBI) may delay or prevent transfer to rehabilitation units and impact on long-term outcome.ObjectiveMapping of medical complications in the subacute period after S-TBI and the impact of these complications on 1-year outcome to inform healthcare planning and discussion of prognosis with relatives.SettingProspective multicentre observational study. Recruitment from 6 neurosurgical centres in Sweden and Iceland.Participants and assessmentsPatients aged 18–65 years with S-TBI and acute Glasgow Coma Scale 3–8, who were admitted to neurointensive care. Assessment of medical complications 3 weeks and 3 months after injury. Follow-up to 1 year. 114 patients recruited with follow-up at 1 year as follows: 100 assessed, 7 dead and 7 dropped out.Outcome measureGlasgow Outcome Scale Extended.Results68 patients had ≥1 complication 3 weeks after injury. 3 weeks after injury, factors associated with unfavourable outcome at 1 year were: tracheostomy, assisted ventilation, on-going infection, epilepsy and nutrition via nasogastric tube or percutaneous endoscopic gastroscopy (PEG) tube (univariate logistic regression analyses). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that tracheostomy and epilepsy retained significance even after incorporating acute injury severity into the model. 3 months after injury, factors associated with unfavourable outcome were tracheostomy and heterotopic ossification (Fisher's test), infection, hydrocephalus, autonomic instability, PEG feeding and weight loss (univariate logistic regression). PEG feeding and weight loss at 3 months were retained in a multivariate model.ConclusionsSubacute complications occurred in two-thirds of patients. Presence of a tracheostomy or epilepsy at 3 weeks, and of PEG feeding and weight loss at 3 months, had robust associations with unfavourable outcome that were incompletely explained by acute injury severity.
Development and validation of a socioculturally competent trust in physician scale for a developing country setting
Authors: Gopichandran Vijayaprasad , Wouters Edwin , Chetlapalli Satish Kumar 
Published: May 2015

Trust in physicians is the unwritten covenant between the patient and the physician that the physician will do what is in the best interest of the patient. This forms the undercurrent of all healthcare relationships. Several scales exist for assessment of trust in physicians in developed healthcare settings, but to our knowledge none of these have been developed in a developing country context.ObjectivesTo develop and validate a new trust in physician scale for a developing country setting.MethodsDimensions of trust in physicians, which were identified in a previous qualitative study in the same setting, were used to develop a scale. This scale was administered among 616 adults selected from urban and rural areas of Tamil Nadu, south India, using a multistage sampling cross sectional survey method. The individual items were analysed using a classical test approach as well as item response theory. Cronbach's α was calculated and the item to total correlation of each item was assessed. After testing for unidimensionality and absence of local dependence, a 2 parameter logistic Semajima's graded response model was fit and item characteristics assessed.ResultsCompetence, assurance of treatment, respect for the physician and loyalty to the physician were important dimensions of trust. A total of 31 items were developed using these dimensions. Of these, 22 were selected for final analysis. The Cronbach's α was 0.928. The item to total correlations were acceptable for all the 22 items. The item response analysis revealed good item characteristic curves and item information for all the items. Based on the item parameters and item information, a final 12 item scale was developed. The scale performs optimally in the low to moderate trust range.ConclusionsThe final 12 item trust in physician scale has a good construct validity and internal consistency.
Neighbourhood environment, sitting time and motorised transport in older adults: a cross-sectional study in Hong Kong
Authors: Barnett Anthony , Cerin Ester , Ching Claudia S-K , Johnston Janice M , Lee Ruby S Y 
Published: May 2015

ObjectivesSitting time is a public health concern. This study examined associations of objectively measured neighbourhood environmental attributes with non-transport sitting time and motorised transport in 484 Hong Kong older adults. Neighbourhood attributes encouraging walking may help older adults replace some sitting time at home and on motorised transport with light-to-moderate-intensity activities such as strolling around the neighbourhood or walking to/from neighbourhood destinations. Thus, we hypothesised environmental attributes found to be related to walking would show associations with non-transport sitting time and motorised transport opposite to those seen for walking.DesignCross-sectional.SettingHong Kong, an ultradense urban environment.Participants484 ethnic Chinese Hong Kong residents aged 65+ recruited from membership lists of four Hong Kong Elderly Health Centres representing catchment areas of low and high transport-related walkability stratified by socioeconomic status (response rate: 78%).Primary and secondary outcome measuresAttributes of participants’ neighbourhood environments were assessed by environmental audits, while non-transport sitting time and motorised transport were ascertained using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire—Long Form (Chinese version).ResultsDaily non-transport sitting minutes were 283 (SD=128) and motorised transport 23 (SD=28). Prevalence of signs of crime/disorder, streetlights, public facilities (toilets and benches) and pedestrian safety were independently negatively related, and sloping streets positively related, to sitting outcomes. Places of worship in the neighbourhood were predictive of more, and prevalence of public transit points of less, non-transport sitting. Associations of either or both sitting outcomes with prevalence of food/grocery stores and presence of parks were moderated by path obstructions and signs of crime/disorder.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that access to specific destinations and relatively low-cost, minimal impact modifications to the urban form, such as street lighting, public toilets, benches and public transit points, could potentially reduce sitting time and associated negative health outcomes in Hong Kong older adults.
Improving critical care discharge summaries: a collaborative quality improvement project using PDSA
Authors: Goulding Lucy , Parke Hannah , Maharaj Ritesh , Loveridge Robert , McLoone Anne , Hadfield Sophie , Helme Eloise , Hopkins Philip , Sandall Jane 
Published: May 2015

AbstractAround 110,000 people spend time in critical care units in England and Wales each year. The transition of care from the intensive care unit to the general ward exposes patients to potential harms from changes in healthcare providers and environment. Nurses working on general wards report anxiety and uncertainty when receiving patients from critical care.An innovative form of enhanced capability critical care outreach called ‘iMobile’ is being provided at King’s College Hospital (KCH). Part of the remit of iMobile is to review patients who have been transferred from critical care to general wards. The iMobile team wished to improve the quality of critical care discharge summaries.A collaborative evidence-based quality improvement project was therefore undertaken by the iMobile team at KCH in conjunction with researchers from King's Improvement Science (KIS). Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) methodology was used. Three PDSA cycles were undertaken.Methods adopted comprised: a scoping literature review to identify relevant guidelines and research evidence to inform all aspects of the quality improvement project; a process mapping exercise; informal focus groups / interviews with staff; patient story-telling work with people who had experienced critical care and subsequent discharge to a general ward; and regular audits of the quality of both medical and nursing critical care discharge summaries.The following behaviour change interventions were adopted, taking into account evidence of effectiveness from published systematic reviews and considering the local context: regular audit and feedback of the quality of discharge summaries, feedback of patient experience, and championing and education delivered by local opinion leaders.The audit results were mixed across the trajectory of the project, demonstrating the difficulty of sustaining positive change. This was particularly important as critical care bed occupancy and through-put fluctuates which then impacts on work-load, with new cohorts of staff regularly passing through critical care. In addition to presenting the results of this quality improvement project, we also reflect on the lessons learned and make suggestions for future projects.
Threats of dismissal and symptoms of major depression: a study using repeat measures in the Swedish working population
Authors: Magnusson Hanson Linda L , Chungkham Holendro Singh , Ferrie Jane , Sverke Magnus 
Published: May 2015

BackgroundJob insecurity is considered a profound work stressor. While previous research has indicated that job insecurity represents a substantial mental health burden, few studies have examined its relationship with symptoms of major depression. The aim of this study was to assess whether episodic and repeated self-reported threats of dismissal increase the risk of subsequent symptoms of major depression and whether symptoms of major depression are related to subsequent experience of threats of dismissal.MethodsThe study is based on the Swedish Longitudinal Occupational Survey of Health (SLOSH) study, a cohort study with multiple repeated measurements. The sample consisted of 6275 participants who were in regular paid employment and who provided data in 2008, 2010 and 2012. Severity of depression was assessed with a brief Symptom Checklist scale and categorised according to symptoms of major depression or not.ResultsResults based on generalised estimating equations logit models showed that prior threats of dismissal predicted symptoms of major depression OR 1.37; 95% CI 1.04 to 1.81) after adjustment for prior depression and major confounders. Especially related threats increased the risk of major depression symptoms (OR 1.74 CI 1.09 to 2.78). Major depression symptoms also increased the odds of subsequent threats of dismissal (OR 1.52, CI 1.17 to 1.98).ConclusionsThese findings support a prospective association between threats of dismissal and symptoms of major depression, in particular repeated exposure to threats of dismissal. The results also indicate that threats of dismissal are more likely to be reported by workers with symptoms of major depression.