bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Different plant trait scaling in dry versus wet Central European meadows
Authors: de Bello Francesco , Janeček Štěpán , Lepš Jan , Doležal Jiří , Macková Jana , Lanta Vojtěch , Klimešová Jitka 
Published: February 2012

AbstractQuestionTrait scaling relationships involve multiple trade‐offs and allometric constraints between the traits of co‐existing species. Alternative trait relationships, particularly between plant size and other traits, are expected in response to combinations of different biotic and abiotic filters. To what extent does the expected convergence in plant attributes to water shortage and disturbance produce different trait scaling relationships in dry vs wet meadows under various disturbance regimes?LocationsOne test meadow in South Bohemia and one in South Moravia (i.e. wet vs dry Central Europe meadows), Czech Republic.MethodsSelected species were sampled in mown and abandoned plots within each site. Several plant traits were measured to provide information on plant strategies related to growth, resource acquisition and carbon–water economy.ResultsTrait differentiation among co‐existing species was strong in both meadows, and generally stronger than differentiation caused by mowing and site effects. Different trait scaling relationships with plant height were observed across the meadows, particularly showing a more independent trait differentiation linked to water–carbon economy at the dry site. Mowing tended to reinforce the effect of water limitation on traits and on trait scaling. In contrast, mowing cessation tended to resemble the effect of humid conditions on trait relationships.ConclusionsThe results advocate incorporating trait scaling relationships between species into vegetation models and community assembly assessments, therefore accounting for processes of plant co‐existence along combined spectra of light, water and disturbance regimes. These gradients affect alternative life‐history strategies and possibly sustain different species co‐existence patterns based on different trait scaling. The results particularly advocate a convergence in traits and trait scaling relationships in response to the combination of disturbance and water limitation.
Recruiting and retaining postpartum women from areas of social disadvantage in a weight‐loss trial – an assessment of strategies employed in the WeighWell feasibility study
Authors: Macleod Maureen , Craigie Angela M. , Barton Karen L. , Treweek Shaun , Anderson Annie S. ,   on behalf of the WeighWell team
Published: January 2012

AbstractLittle is known about the response of post‐partum women from deprived backgrounds to weight management interventions, however behavioural intervention trials in disadvantaged communities are often characterised by recruitment difficulties. Recruitment and retention is key to the robust conduct of an effective trial, and exploratory work is essential prior to a definitive randomised controlled trial. This paper describes strategies used to recruit to the WeighWell feasibility study, which aimed to recruit 60 overweight or obese post‐partum women living in areas of deprivation to a trial of a weight‐loss intervention. Recruitment strategies included the following: (1) distribution of posters and ‘business cards’; (2) newspaper advertisements; (3) visits to community groups; and (4) personalised letters of invitation sent via the National Health Service (NHS). Potential participants were screened for eligibility following response to a Freephone number. Body mass index was calculated using self‐reported body weight and height. Over 6 months, 142 women responded of whom 65 (46%) met the eligibility criteria. The most effective methods for recruiting eligible women and those who went on to complete the study (n = 36) were visits to community groups (37% and 42%, respectively), personalised letters (26% and 17%, respectively) and posters and ‘business cards’ (22% and 31%, respectively). These results emphasise the need to utilise a range of strategies beyond traditional NHS settings. Current approaches might be enhanced by sending personal contact letters via their General Practitioner to women identified as eligible at post‐natal discharge. Under‐reporting of body weight by self‐report suggests that a threshold lower than 25 kg/m2 should be utilised for screening purposes.
Permanent Genetic Resources added to Molecular Ecology Resources Database 1 October 2011 – 30 November 2011
Authors:   Molecular Ecology Resources Primer Development Consortium, ABREU ALUANA G. , ALBAINA A. , ALPERMANN TILMAN J. , APKENAS VANESSA E. , BANKHEAD‐DRONNET S. , BERGEK SARA , BERUMEN MICHAEL L. , CHO CHANG‐HUNG , CLOBERT JEAN , COULON AURÉLIE , DE FERAUDY D. , ESTONBA A. , HANKELN THOMAS , HOCHKIRCH AXEL , HSU TSAI‐WEN , HUANG TSURNG‐JUHN , IRIGOIEN X. , IRIONDO M. , KAY KATHLEEN M. , KINITZ TIM , KOTHERA LINDA , LE HÉNANFF MAXIME , LIEUTIER F. , LOURDAIS OLIVIER , MACRINI CAMILA M. T. , MANZANO C. , MARTIN C. , MORRIS VERONICA R. F. , NANNINGA GERRIT , PARDO M. A. , PLIESKE JÖRG , POINTEAU S. , PRESTEGAARD TORE , QUACK MARKUS , RICHARD MURIELLE , SAVAGE HARRY M. , SCHWARCZ KAISER D. , SHADE JESSICA , SIMMS ELLEN L. , SOLFERINI VERA N. , STEVENS VIRGINIE M. , VEITH MICHAEL , WEN MEI‐JUAN , WICKER FLORIAN , YOST JENNIFER M. , ZARRAONAINDIA I. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThis article documents the addition of 139 microsatellite marker loci and 90 pairs of single‐nucleotide polymorphism sequencing primers to the Molecular Ecology Resources Database. Loci were developed for the following species: Aglaoctenus lagotis, Costus pulverulentus, Costus scaber, Culex pipiens, Dascyllus marginatus, Lupinus nanus Benth, Phloeomyzus passerini, Podarcis muralis, Rhododendron rubropilosum Hayata var. taiwanalpinum and Zoarces viviparus. These loci were cross‐tested on the following species: Culex quinquefasciatus, Rhododendron pseudochrysanthum Hay. ssp. morii (Hay.) Yamazaki and R. pseudochrysanthum Hayata. This article also documents the addition of 48 sequencing primer pairs and 90 allele‐specific primers for Engraulis encrasicolus.
Greenhouse gas emissions and abatement costs of biofuel production in South Africa
Authors: Tomaschek Jan , Özdemir Enver Doruk , Fahl Ulrich , Eltrop Ludger 
Published: February 2012

AbstractTransport accounts for about one quarter of South Africa's final energy consumption. Most of the energy used is based on fossil fuels causing significant environmental burdens. This threat becomes even more dominant as a significant growth in transport demand is forecasted, especially in South Africa's economic hub, Gauteng province. The South African government has realized the potential of biofuel usage for reducing oil import dependency and greenhouse gas (GHG) and has hence developed a National Biofuels Industrial Strategy to enforce their use. However, there is limited experience in the country in commercial biofuel production and some of the proposed crops (i.e. rapeseed and sugar beet) have not been yet cultivated on a larger scale. Furthermore, there is only limited research available, looking at the feasibility of commercial scale biofuel production or abatement costs of GHG emissions. To assess the opportunities of biofuel production in South Africa, the production costs and consumer price levels of the fuels recommended by the national strategy are analysed in this article. Moreover, the lifecycle GHG emissions and mitigation costs are calculated compared to the calculated fossil fuel reference including coal to liquid (CTL) and gas to liquid (GTL) fuels. The results show that the cost for biofuel production in South Africa are currently significantly higher (between 30% and 80%) than for the reference fossil fuels. The lifecycle GHG emissions of biofuels (especially for sugar cane) are considerably lower (up to 45%) than the reference fossil GHG emissions. The resulting GHG abatement costs are between 1000 and 2500 ZAR2007 per saved ton of carbon dioxide equivalent, which is high compared to the current European CO2 market prices of ca. 143 ZAR2007 t−1. The analysis has shown that biofuel production and utilization in South Africa offers a significant GHG‐mitigation potential but at relatively high cost.
Precision of a photogrammetric method to perform 3D wound measurements compared to standard 2D photographic techniques in the horse
Authors: LABENS R. , BLIKSLAGER A. 
Published: January 2012

SummaryReasons for performing study: Methods of 3D wound imaging in man play an important role in monitoring of healing and determination of the prognosis. Standard photographic assessments in equine wound management consist of 2D analyses, which provide little quantitative information on the wound bed.Hypotheses: 3D imaging of equine wounds is feasible using principles of stereophotogrammetry. 3D measurements differ significantly and are more precise than results with standard 2D assessments.Methods: Repeated specialised photographic imaging of 4 clinical wounds left to heal by second intention was performed. The intraoperator variability in measurements due to imaging and 3D processing was compared to that of a standard 2D technique using descriptive statistics and multivariate repeated measures ANOVA.Results: Using a custom made imaging system, 3D analyses were successfully performed. Area and circumference measurements were significantly different between imaging modalities. The intraoperator variability of 3D measurements was up to 2.8 times less than that of 2D results. On average, the maximum discrepancy between repeated measurements was 5.8% of the mean for 3D and 17.3% of the mean for 2D assessments.Conclusions: The intraoperator repeatability of 3D wound measurements based on principles of stereophotogrammetry is significantly increased compared to that of a standard 2D photographic technique indicating it may be a useful diagnostic and monitoring tool.Potential relevance: The equine granulation bed plays an important role in equine wound healing. When compared to 2D analyses 3D monitoring of the equine wound bed allows superior quantitative characterisation, contributing to clinical and experimental investigations by offering potential new parameters.
Pharmacy technicians' views of learning and practice implementation
Authors: Schafheutle Ellen I , Smith Clar , Cutts Christophe , Higginson Paula J , Noyce Peter R 
Published: February 2012

AbstractObjectiveRegistered pharmacy technicians are a new group of regulated healthcare professionals in Great Britain, who fall under the same requirements for undertaking and recording of continuing professional development (CPD) as pharmacists. Little is known about this group of pharmacy professionals, their understanding of CPD and learning, or how they implement their learning into practice. This study aimed to address this.MethodsA questionnaire was developed and sent to all 216 attendees of an interactive continuing education workshop provided in 12 different geographical locations in England.Key findingsOver a third (n = 146; 67.6%) responded. The majority (94.5%) were female, aged between 40 and 49 years (43.8%), and had qualified less than 10 years ago (49.4%). Most worked in community (56.2%) or hospital (19.9%) pharmacy. When asked about whether they had implemented any of the workshop learning into practice, 84.2% ticked at least one option from a predetermined list, and 83.6% provided detailed descriptions of a situation, what they did and its outcome. These were grouped into two themes: people and places. Places referred to comments made about changes to systems, operations or equipment within the workplace; people concerned changes within respondents themselves or others, such as staff or customers. More than two-thirds (70.3%) had used their learning to create a CPD record, and those who had not (n = 43) gave lack of time but also lack of understanding as reasons.ConclusionsThis study has provided detailed insights into pharmacy technicians' learning, reflection and practice implementation following an interactive workshop.
Simplified screening for overweight in children using the 2007 WHO Reference
Authors: Nainar S. M. H. 
Published: February 2012

SummaryObjectiveThe aim of this study was to develop a screening instrument for easy identification of overweight in children and adolescents.MethodsData derived from the 2007 Growth Reference published by the World Health Organization (WHO) were utilized to compute gender‐specific screening values for identification of overweight in 5‐ to 19‐year‐olds. Computations were based on age‐ and gender‐specific +1 standard deviation z‐scores for the body mass index and calculated for the various height percentiles at 6‐month age intervals.ResultsThe simplified approach for identification of overweight consisted of two tables, one each for girls and boys. Each table described the screening values for overweight at 6‐month age intervals for all the 11 height percentiles described in the 2007 WHO Reference.ConclusionThe simplified approach uses only the child's height and weight measurements and without any additional computation provides an assessment of overweight status in children and adolescents.
Ecological Succession of Bacterial Communities during Conventionalization of Germ-Free Mice
Authors: Gillilland Merritt G. , Erb-Downward John R. , Bassis Christine M. , Shen Michael C. , Toews Galen B. , Young Vincent B. , Huffnagle Gary B. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACT

Little is known about the dynamics of early ecological succession during experimental conventionalization of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract; thus, we measured changes in bacterial communities over time, at two different mucosal sites (cecum and jejunum), with germfree C57BL/6 mice as the recipients of cecal contents (input community) from a C57BL/6 donor mouse. Bacterial communities were monitored using pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicon libraries from the cecum and jejunum and analyzed by a variety of ecological metrics. Bacterial communities, at day 1 postconventionalization, in the cecum and jejunum had lower diversity and were distinct from the input community (dominated by either
Escherichia
or
Bacteroides
). However, by days 7 and 21, the recipient communities had become significantly diverse and the cecal communities resembled those of the donor and donor littermates, confirming that transfer of cecal contents results in reassembly of the community in the cecum 7 to 21 days later. However, bacterial communities in the recipient jejunum displayed significant structural heterogeneity compared to each other or the donor inoculum or the donor littermates, suggesting that the bacterial community of the jejunum is more dynamic during the first 21 days of conventionalization. This report demonstrates that (i) mature input communities do not simply reassemble at mucosal sites during conventionalization (they first transform into a “pioneering” community and over time take on the appearance, in membership and structure, of the original input community) and (ii) the specific mucosal environment plays a role in shaping the community.
Food as a Source for Quorum Sensing Inhibitors: Iberin from Horseradish Revealed as a Quorum Sensing Inhibitor of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Jakobsen Tim Holm , Bragason Steinn Kristinn , Phipps Richard Kerry , Christensen Louise Dahl , van Gennip Maria , Alhede Morten , Skindersoe Mette , Larsen Thomas Ostenfeld , Høiby Niels , Bjarnsholt Thomas , Givskov Michael 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACT

Foods with health-promoting effects beyond nutritional values have been gaining increasing research focus in recent years, although not much has been published on this subject in relation to bacterial infections. With respect to treatment, a novel antimicrobial strategy, which is expected to transcend problems with selective pressures for antibiotic resistance, is to interrupt bacterial communication, also known as quorum sensing (QS), by means of signal antagonists, the so-called QS inhibitors (QSIs). Furthermore, QSI agents offer a potential solution to the deficiencies associated with use of traditional antibiotics to treat infections caused by bacterial biofilms and multidrug-resistant bacteria. Several QSIs of natural origin have been identified, and in this study, several common food products and plants were extracted and screened for QSI activity in an attempt to isolate and characterize previously unknown QSI compounds active against the common opportunistic pathogen
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
. Several extracts displayed activity, but horseradish exhibited the highest activity. Chromatographic separation led to the isolation of a potent QSI compound that was identified by liquid chromatography-diode array detector-mass spectrometry (LC-DAD-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy as iberin—an isothiocyanate produced by many members of the
Brassicaceae
family. Real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and DNA microarray studies showed that iberin specifically blocks expression of QS-regulated genes in
P. aeruginosa
.
Phylogeny and Population Structure of Brown Rot- and Moko Disease-Causing Strains of Ralstonia solanacearum Phylotype II
Authors: Cellier G. , Remenant B. , Chiroleu F. , Lefeuvre P. , Prior P. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTThe ancient soilborne plant vascular pathogenRalstonia solanacearumhas evolved and adapted to cause severe damage in an unusually wide range of plants. In order to better describe and understand these adaptations, strains with very similar lifestyles and host specializations are grouped into ecotypes. We used comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) to investigate three particular ecotypes in the American phylotype II group: (i) brown rot strains from phylotypes IIB-1 and IIB-2, historically known as race 3 biovar 2 and clonal; (ii) new pathogenic variants from phylotype IIB-4NPB that lack pathogenicity for banana but can infect many other plant species; and (iii) Moko disease-causing strains from phylotypes IIB-3, IIB-4, and IIA-6, historically known as race 2, that cause wilt on banana, plantain, andHeliconiaspp. We compared the genomes of 72R. solanacearumstrains, mainly from the three major ecotypes of phylotype II, using a newly developed pangenomic microarray to decipher their population structure and gain clues about the epidemiology of these ecotypes. Strain phylogeny and population structure were reconstructed. The results revealed a phylogeographic structure within brown rot strains, allowing us to distinguish European outbreak strains of Andean and African origins. The pangenomic CGH data also demonstrated that Moko ecotype IIB-4 is phylogenetically distinct from the emerging IIB-4NPB strains. These findings improved our understanding of the epidemiology of important ecotypes in phylotype II and will be useful for evolutionary analyses and the development of new DNA-based diagnostic tools.
Nanoparticles Functionalized with Ampicillin Destroy Multiple-Antibiotic-Resistant Isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter aerogenes and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Brown Ashley N. , Smith Kathryn , Samuels Tova A. , Lu Jiangrui , Obare Sherine O. , Scott Maria E. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACT
We show here that silver nanoparticles (AgNP) were intrinsically antibacterial, whereas gold nanoparticles (AuNP) were antimicrobial only when ampicillin was bound to their surfaces. Both AuNP and AgNP functionalized with ampicillin were effective broad-spectrum bactericides against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Most importantly, when AuNP and AgNP were functionalized with ampicillin they became potent bactericidal agents with unique properties that subverted antibiotic resistance mechanisms of multiple-drug-resistant bacteria.
Factors Driving the Abundance of Ixodes ricinus Ticks and the Prevalence of Zoonotic I. ricinus-Borne Pathogens in Natural Foci
Authors: Ruiz-Fons Francisco , Fernández-de-Mera Isabel G. , Acevedo Pelayo , Gortázar Christian , de la Fuente José 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTEnvironmental factors may drive tick ecology and therefore tick-borne pathogen (TBP) epidemiology, which determines the risk to animals and humans of becoming infected by TBPs. For this reason, the aim of this study was to analyze the influence of environmental factors on the abundance of immature-stageIxodes ricinusticks and on the prevalence of two zoonoticI. ricinus-borne pathogens in natural foci of endemicity.I. ricinusabundance was measured at nine sites in the northern Iberian Peninsula by dragging the vegetation with a cotton flannelette, and ungulate abundance was measured by means of dung counts. In addition to ungulate abundance, data on variables related to spatial location, climate, and soil were gathered from the study sites.I. ricinusadults, nymphs, and larvae were collected from the vegetation, and a representative subsample ofI. ricinusnymphs from each study site was analyzed by PCR for the detection ofBorrelia burgdorferisensu lato andAnaplasma phagocytophilumDNA. Mean prevalences of these pathogens were 4.0% ± 1.8% and 20.5% ± 3.7%, respectively. Statistical analyses confirmed the influence of spatial factors, climate, and ungulate abundance onI. ricinuslarva abundance, while nymph abundance was related only to climate. Interestingly, cattle abundance rather than deer abundance was the main driver ofB. burgdorferisensu lato andA. phagocytophilumprevalence inI. ricinusnymphs in the study sites, where both domestic and wild ungulates coexist. The increasing abundance of cattle seems to increase the risk of other hosts becoming infected byA. phagocytophilum, while reducing the risk of being infected byB. burgdorferisensu lato. Controlling ticks in cattle in areas where they coexist with wild ungulates would be more effective for TBP control than reducing ungulate abundance.
Molecular Characterization of the EhaG and UpaG Trimeric Autotransporter Proteins from Pathogenic Escherichia coli
Authors: Totsika Makrina , Wells Timothy J. , Beloin Christophe , Valle Jaione , Allsopp Luke P. , King Nathan P. , Ghigo Jean-Marc , Schembri Mark A. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACT

Trimeric autotransporter proteins (TAAs) are important virulence factors of many Gram-negative bacterial pathogens. A common feature of most TAAs is the ability to mediate adherence to eukaryotic cells or extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins via a cell surface-exposed passenger domain. Here we describe the characterization of EhaG, a TAA identified from enterohemorrhagic
Escherichia coli
(EHEC) O157:H7. EhaG is a positional orthologue of the recently characterized UpaG TAA from uropathogenic
E. coli
(UPEC). Similarly to UpaG, EhaG localized at the bacterial cell surface and promoted cell aggregation, biofilm formation, and adherence to a range of ECM proteins. However, the two orthologues display differential cellular binding: EhaG mediates specific adhesion to colorectal epithelial cells while UpaG promotes specific binding to bladder epithelial cells. The EhaG and UpaG TAAs contain extensive sequence divergence in their respective passenger domains that could account for these differences. Indeed, sequence analyses of UpaG and EhaG homologues from several
E. coli
genomes revealed grouping of the proteins in clades almost exclusively represented by distinct
E. coli
pathotypes. The expression of EhaG (in EHEC) and UpaG (in UPEC) was also investigated and shown to be significantly enhanced in an
hns
isogenic mutant, suggesting that H-NS acts as a negative regulator of both TAAs. Thus, while the EhaG and UpaG TAAs contain some conserved binding and regulatory features, they also possess important differences that correlate with the distinct pathogenic lifestyles of EHEC and UPEC.