bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plasma desmoplakin I biomarker of vascular recurrence after ischemic stroke
Authors: López‐Farré Antonio J. , Zamorano‐León José J. , Segura Antonio , Mateos‐Cáceres Petra J. , Modrego Javier , Rodríguez‐Sierra Pablo , Calatrava Laura , Tamargo Juan , Macaya Carlos 
Published: February 2012

J. Neurochem.(2012)121, 314–325.AbstractStroke patients have a high risk of vascular recurrence. Biomarkers related to vascular recurrence, however, remain to be identified. The aim of the study was to identify, through proteomic analysis, plasma biomarkers associated with vascular recurrence within one year after the first ischemic stroke. This is a substudy (n = 134) of a large prospective multicenter study of post‐stroke patients with an ischemic stroke. Plasma samples were obtained at inclusion. Among the identified proteins, only plasma levels of desmoplakin I were associated with protection against a new vascular event (Odds ratio: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.46–0.89;p = 0.009) after adjustment for hypercholesterolemia, statins and previous atherothrombotic stroke subtype. A greater number of patients without vascular recurrence had been treated with statins within three months of the recent ischemic stroke. Only patients who had been taking statins for 3 months after the ischemic stroke and did not suffer vascular recurrence over a follow‐up year, have higher levels of desmoplakin I at the time of inclusion (Odds ratio 0.49; 95% CI: 0.28–0.86;p = 0.013). Increased desmoplakin I levels, determined within 1–3 months of the first ischemic stroke, could be a biomarker for statin responsiveness against a new vascular event in post‐ischemic stroke patients taking statins early (1–3 months) after the ischemic stroke.
Drosophila as a model to study the genetic mechanisms of obesity‐associated heart dysfunction
Authors: Diop Soda Balla , Bodmer Rolf 
Published: February 2012

Abstract

Introduction
High fat diet feeding of Drosophila causes excess fat accumulation
Excess fat accumulation is associated with heart dysfunction in Drosophila
New players in the fat–heart relationship
Concluding remarks

Obesity and cardiovascular disease are among the world's leading causes of death, especially in Western countries where consumption of high caloric food is commonly accompanied by low physical activity. This lifestyle often leads to energy imbalance, obesity, diabetes and their associated metabolic disorders, including cardiovascular diseases. It has become increasingly recognized that obesity and cardiovascular disease are metabolically linked, and a better understanding of this relationship requires that we uncover the fundamental genetic mechanisms controlling obesity‐related heart dysfunction, a goal that has been difficult to achieve in higher organisms with intricate metabolic complexity. However, the high degree of evolutionary conservation of genes and signalling pathways allows researchers to use lower animal models such as Drosophila, which is the simplest genetic model with a heart, to uncover the mechanistic basis of obesity‐related heart disease and its likely relevance to humans. Here, we discuss recent advances made by using the power of the Drosophila as a powerful model to investigate the genetic pathways by which a high fat diet may lead to heart dysfunction.
Associations between oral health‐related quality of life and emotional statuses in children and preadolescents
Authors: Barbosa TS , Castelo PM , Leme MS , Gavião MBD 
Published: February 2012

Oral Diseases (2012) 18, 639–647Objectives:  To evaluate the associations between oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) and emotional statuses in children and preadolescents.Methods:  One hundred and forty‐five Brazilian students (8–14 years) were clinically examined for caries, gingivitis, fluorosis, malocclusions, and temporomandibular disorders (TMD). OHRQoL was measured using two global ratings of oral health (OH) and overall well‐being (OWB). The Revised Children’s Manifest Anxiety Scale (R‐CMAS) and Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI) were used to assess anxiety and depression, respectively. Saliva was collected 30 min after waking and at night to determine the diurnal decline in salivary cortisol (DDSC). The results were analyzed using non‐paired t test/one‐way ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation test, and multiple linear regression analyses.Results:  11–14‐year‐old participants had higher CDI scores (P < 0.01) and DDSC concentrations (P < 0.001). Participants with fewer caries and without gingivitis had higher DDSC concentrations (P < 0.05). TMD patients had higher DDSC concentrations and OWB ratings (P < 0.001). Girls had higher Revised Children’s Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS) scores (P < 0.01). There was positive correlation between RCMAS and CDI scores and OWB ratings (P < 0.05). The OH model retained age (β =0.312; P < 0.001) and the OWB model retained TMD (β = 0.271; P < 0.001) and CDI scores (β=0.175; P < 0.05).Conclusions:  Children and preadolescents with poor emotional well‐being are more sensitive to the impacts of OH and its effects on OWB.
Complete Genome Sequence of Virulence-Enhancing Siphophage VHS1 from Vibrio harveyi
Authors: Khemayan Krit , Prachumwat Anuphap , Sonthayanon Burachai , Intaraprasong Aungkul , Sriurairatana Siriporn , Flegel Timothy W. 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACT

Vibrio harveyi
siphophage 1 (VHS1) is a tailed phage with an icosahedral head of approximately 66 nm in diameter and an unornamented, flexible tail of approximately 153 nm in length. When
Vibrio harveyi
1114GL is lysogenized with VHS1, its virulence for the black tiger shrimp (
Penaeus monodon
) increases by more than 100 times, and this coincides with production of a toxin(s) associated with shrimp hemocyte agglutination. Curiously, the lysogen does not show increased virulence for the whiteleg shrimp (
Penaeus
[
Litopenaeus
]
vannamei
). Here we present and annotate the complete, circular genome of VHS1 (81,509 kbp; GenBank accession number
JF713456
). By software analysis, the genome contains 125 putative open reading frames (ORFs), all of which appear to be located on the same DNA strand, similar to the case for many other bacteriophages. Most of the putative ORFs show no significant homology to known sequences in GenBank. Notable exceptions are ORFs for a putative DNA polymerase and putative phage structural proteins, including a portal protein, a phage tail tape measure protein, and a phage head protein. The last protein was identified as a component of the species-specific toxin mixture described above as being associated with agglutination of hemocytes from
P. monodon
.
Abundance and Genetic Diversity of Aerobic Anoxygenic Phototrophic Bacteria of Coastal Regions of the Pacific Ocean
Authors: Ritchie Anna E. , Johnson Zackary I. 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTAerobic anoxygenic phototrophic (AAP) bacteria are photoheterotrophic microbes that are found in a broad range of aquatic environments. Although potentially significant to the microbial ecology and biogeochemistry of marine ecosystems, their abundance and genetic diversity and the environmental variables that regulate these properties are poorly understood. Using samples along nearshore/offshore transects from five disparate islands in the Pacific Ocean (Oahu, Molokai, Futuna, Aniwa, and Lord Howe) and off California, we show that AAP bacteria, as quantified by thepufMgene biomarker, are most abundant near shore and in areas with high chlorophyll orSynechococcusabundance. These AAP bacterial populations are genetically diverse, with most members belonging to the alpha- or gammaproteobacterial groups and with subclades that are associated with specific environmental variables. The genetic diversity of AAP bacteria is structured along the nearshore/offshore transects in relation to environmental variables, and unculturedpufMgene libraries suggest that nearshore communities are distinct from those offshore. AAP bacterial communities are also genetically distinct between islands, such that the stations that are most distantly separated are the most genetically distinct. Together, these results demonstrate that environmental variables regulate both the abundance and diversity of AAP bacteria but that endemism may also be a contributing factor in structuring these communities.
Distinct Ectomycorrhizospheres Share Similar Bacterial Communities as Revealed by Pyrosequencing-Based Analysis of 16S rRNA Genes
Authors: Uroz S. , Oger P. , Morin E. , Frey-Klett P. 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACT

Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences generated from
Xerocomus pruinatus
and
Scleroderma citrinum
ectomycorrhizospheres revealed that similar bacterial communities inhabited the two ectomycorrhizospheres in terms of phyla and genera, with an enrichment of the
Burkholderia
genus. Compared to the bulk soil habitat, ectomycorrhizospheres hosted significantly more
Alpha
-,
Beta
-, and
Gammaproteobacteria
.
Elevated Carbon Dioxide Alters the Structure of Soil Microbial Communities
Authors: Deng Ye , He Zhili , Xu Meiying , Qin Yujia , Van Nostrand Joy D. , Wu Liyou , Roe Bruce A. , Wiley Graham , Hobbie Sarah E. , Reich Peter B. , Zhou Jizhong 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACT

Pyrosequencing analysis of 16S rRNA genes was used to examine impacts of elevated CO
2
(eCO
2
) on soil microbial communities from 12 replicates each from ambient CO
2
(aCO
2
) and eCO
2
settings. The results suggest that the soil microbial community composition and structure significantly altered under conditions of eCO
2
, which was closely associated with soil and plant properties.
Dynamics of the Linuron HydrolaselibAGene Pool Size in Response to Linuron Application and Environmental Perturbations in Agricultural Soil and On-Farm Biopurification Systems
Authors: Bers Karolien , Sniegowski Kristel , De Mot René , Springael Dirk 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTlibA, a gene encoding a novel type of linuron hydrolase, was recently identified in the linuron-mineralizingVariovoraxsp. strain SRS16. In order to assess the contribution oflibAto linuron degradation in environmental settings,libAabundance was monitored in response to the application of linuron and to environmental perturbations in agricultural soil microcosms and microcosms simulating the matrix of on-farm biopurification systems.libAnumbers were measured by real-time PCR and linked to reported data ofVariovoraxcommunity composition and linuron mineralization capacity. In the soil microcosms and one biopurification system setup,libAnumbers responded to the application of linuron and environmental changes in congruency with the modulation of linuron mineralization capacity and the occurrence of a particularVariovoraxphylotype (phylotype A). However, in another biopurification system setup, no such correlations were found. Our data suggest that in the simulated environmental settings, the occurrence oflibAcan be linked to the linuron mineralization capacity and thatlibAis primarily hosted byVariovoraxphylotype A strains. However, the results also suggest that, apart fromlibA, other, as-yet-unknown isofunctional genes play an important role in linuron mineralization in the environment.
Acquired Tolerance to Oxidative Stress in Bifidobacterium longum 105-A via Expression of a Catalase Gene
Authors: He Jianlong , Sakaguchi Kouta , Suzuki Tohru 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACT

For improvement of tolerance to oxidative stress in
Bifidobacterium longum
105-A, we introduced the
Bacillus subtilis
catalase gene (
katE
) into it. The transformant showed catalase activity (39 U/mg crude protein) in the intracellular fraction, which increased survival by ∼100-fold after a 1-h exposure to 4.4 mM H
2
O
2
, decreased
de novo
H
2
O
2
accumulation, and increased survival in aerated cultures by 10
5
-fold at 24 h. The protection level was better than that conferred by exogenously added catalase.
Differential Biofilm Formation and Chemical Disinfection Resistance of Sessile Cells of Listeria monocytogenes Strains under Monospecies and Dual-Species (with Salmonella enterica) Conditions
Authors: Kostaki Maria , Chorianopoulos Nikos , Braxou Elli , Nychas George-John , Giaouris Efstathios 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to investigate the possible influence of bacterial intra- and interspecies interactions on the ability of
Listeria monocytogenes
and
Salmonella enterica
to develop mixed-culture biofilms on an abiotic substratum, as well as on the subsequent resistance of sessile cells to chemical disinfection. Initially, three strains from each species were selected and left to attach and form biofilms on stainless steel (SS) coupons incubated at 15°C for 144 h, in periodically renewable tryptone soy broth (TSB), under either monoculture or mixed-culture (mono-/dual-species) conditions. Following biofilm formation, mixed-culture sessile communities were subjected to 6-min disinfection treatments with (i) benzalkonium chloride (50 ppm), (ii) sodium hypochlorite (10 ppm), (iii) peracetic acid (10 ppm), and (iv) a mixture of hydrogen peroxide (5 ppm) and peracetic acid (5 ppm). Results revealed that both species reached similar biofilm counts (ca. 10
5
CFU cm
−2
) and that, in general, interspecies interactions did not have any significant effect either on the biofilm-forming ability (as this was assessed by agar plating enumeration of the mechanically detached biofilm bacteria) or on the antimicrobial resistance of each individual species. Interestingly, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis clearly showed that the three
L. monocytogenes
strains did not contribute at the same level either to the formation of mixed-culture sessile communities (mono-/dual species) or to their antimicrobial recalcitrance. Additionally, the simultaneous existence inside the biofilm structure of
S. enterica
cells seemed to influence the occurrence and resistance pattern of
L. monocytogenes
strains. In sum, this study highlights the impact of microbial interactions taking place inside a mixed-culture sessile community on both its population dynamics and disinfection resistance.
Diversity of Symbiotic Organs and Bacterial Endosymbionts of Lygaeoid Bugs of the Families Blissidae and Lygaeidae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Lygaeoidea)
Authors: Kuechler Stefan Martin , Renz Patricia , Dettner Konrad , Kehl Siegfried 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACT

Here we present comparative data on the localization and identity of intracellular symbionts among the superfamily Lygaeoidea (Insecta: Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomomorpha). Five different lygaeoid species from the families Blissidae and Lygaeidae (sensu stricto; including the subfamilies Lygaeinae and Orsillinae) were analyzed. Fluorescence
in situ
hybridization (FISH) revealed that all the bugs studied possess paired bacteriomes that are differently shaped in the abdomen and harbor specific endosymbionts therein. The endosymbionts were also detected in female gonads and at the anterior poles of developing eggs, indicating vertical transmission of the endosymbionts via ovarial passage, in contrast to the posthatch symbiont transmission commonly found among pentatomoid bugs (Pentatomomorpha: Pentatomoidea). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA and
groEL
genes showed that the endosymbionts of
Ischnodemus sabuleti
,
Arocatus longiceps
,
Belonochilus numenius
,
Orsillus depressus
, and
Ortholomus punctipennis
constitute at least four distinct clades in the
Gammaproteobacteria
. The endosymbiont phylogeny did not agree with the host phylogeny based on the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (
COI
) gene, but there was a local cospeciating pattern within the subfamily Orsillinae. Meanwhile, the endosymbiont of
Belonochilus numenius
(Lygaeidae: Orsillinae), although harbored in paired bacteriomes as in other lygaeoid bugs of the related genera
Nysius
,
Ortholomus
, and
Orsillus
, was phylogenetically close to “
Candidatus
Rohrkolberia cinguli,” the endosymbiont of
Chilacis typhae
(Lygaeoidea: Artheneidae), suggesting an endosymbiont replacement in this lineage. The diverse endosymbionts and the differently shaped bacteriomes may reflect independent evolutionary origins of the endosymbiotic systems among lygaeoid bugs.
Pathogenicity and Infection Cycle of Vibrio owensii in Larviculture of the Ornate Spiny Lobster (Panulirus ornatus)
Authors: Goulden Evan F. , Hall Michael R. , Bourne David G. , Pereg Lily L. , Høj Lone 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACT

The type strain of
Vibrio owensii
(DY05) was isolated during an epizootic of aquaculture-reared larvae (phyllosomas) of the ornate spiny lobster (
Panulirus ornatus
).
V. owensii
DY05 was formally demonstrated to be the etiological agent of a disease causing rapid and reproducible larval mortality with pathologies similar to those seen during disease epizootics. Vectored challenge via the aquaculture live feed organism
Artemia
(brine shrimp) caused consistent cumulative mortality rates of 84 to 89% after 72 h, in contrast to variable mortality rates seen after immersion challenge. Histopathological examination of vector-challenged phyllosomas revealed bacterial proliferation in the midgut gland (hepatopancreas) concomitant with epithelial cell necrosis. A fluorescent-protein-labeled
V. owensii
DY05 transconjugant showed dispersal of single cells in the foregut and hepatopancreas 6 h postexposure, leading to colonization of the entire hepatopancreas within 18 h and eventually systemic infection.
V. owensii
DY05 is a marine enteropathogen highly virulent to
P. ornatus
phyllosoma that uses vector-mediated transmission and release from host association to a planktonic existence to perpetuate transfer. This understanding of the infection process will improve targeted biocontrol strategies and enhance the prospects of commercially viable larviculture for this valuable spiny lobster species.
Polyphasic Screening, Homopolysaccharide Composition, and Viscoelastic Behavior of Wheat Sourdough from a Leuconostoc lactis and Lactobacillus curvatus Exopolysaccharide-Producing Starter Culture
Authors: Palomba Simona , Cavella Silvana , Torrieri Elena , Piccolo Alessandro , Mazzei Pierluigi , Blaiotta Giuseppe , Ventorino Valeria , Pepe Olimpia 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACT

After isolation from different doughs and sourdoughs, 177 strains of lactic acid bacteria were screened at the phenotypic level for exopolysaccharide production on media containing different carbohydrate sources. Two exopolysaccharide-producing lactic acid bacteria (
Lactobacillus curvatus
69B2 and
Leuconostoc lactis
95A) were selected through quantitative analysis on solid media containing sucrose and yeast extract. The PCR detection of homopolysaccharide (
gtf
and
lev
) and heteropolysaccharide (
epsA
,
epsB
,
epsD
and
epsE
, and
epsEFG
) genes showed different distributions within species and strains of the lactic acid bacteria studied. Moreover, in some strains both homopolysaccharide and heteropolysaccharide genes were detected. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectra suggest that
Lactobacillus curvatus
69B2 and
Leuconostoc lactis
95A produced the same exopolysaccharide, which was constituted by a single repeating glucopyranosyl unit linked by an α-(1→6) glycosidic bond in a dextran-type carbohydrate. Microbial growth, acidification, and viscoelastic properties of sourdoughs obtained by exopolysaccharide-producing and nonproducing lactic acid bacterial strains were evaluated. Sourdough obtained after 15 h at 30°C with exopolysaccharide-producing lactic acid bacteria reached higher total titratable acidity as well as elastic and dissipative modulus curves with respect to the starter not producing exopolysaccharide, but they showed similar levels of pH and microbial growth. On increasing the fermentation time, no difference in the viscoelastic properties of exopolysaccharide-producing and nonproducing samples was observed. This study suggests that dextran-producing
Leuconostoc lactis
95A and
Lactobacillus curvatus
69B2 can be employed to prepare sourdough, and this would be particularly useful to improve the quality of baked goods while avoiding the use of commercially available hydrocolloids as texturizing additives.
Effect of Soybean Coumestrol on Bradyrhizobium japonicum Nodulation Ability, Biofilm Formation, and Transcriptional Profile
Authors: Lee Hae-In , Lee Jin-Hwan , Park Ki-Hun , Sangurdekar Dipen , Chang Woo-Suk 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACT

Flavonoids, secondary plant metabolites which mainly have a polyphenolic structure, play an important role in plant-microbe communications for nitrogen-fixing symbiosis. Among 10 polyphenolic compounds isolated from soybean roots in our previous study, coumestrol showed the highest antioxidant activity. In this study, its effect on the soybean nodulation was tested. The soybean symbiont
Bradyrhizobium japonicum
USDA110 pretreated with 20 μM coumestrol enhanced soybean nodulation by increasing the number of nodules 1.7-fold compared to the control. We also tested the effect of coumestrol on
B. japonicum
biofilm formation. At a concentration of 2 μM, coumestrol caused a higher degree of biofilm formation than two major soybean isoflavonoids, genistein and daidzein, although no biofilm formation was observed at a concentration of 20 μM each compound. A genome-wide transcriptional analysis was performed to obtain a comprehensive snapshot of the
B. japonicum
response to coumestrol. When the bacterium was incubated in 20 μM coumestrol for 24 h, a total of 371 genes (139 upregulated and 232 downregulated) were differentially expressed at a 2-fold cutoff with a
q
value of less than 5%. No common
nod
gene induction was found in the microarray data. However, quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) data showed that incubation for 12 h resulted in a moderate induction (ca. 2-fold) of
nodD1
and
nodABC
, indicating that soybean coumestrol is a weak inducer of common
nod
genes. In addition, disruption of
nfeD
(bll4952) affected the soybean nodulation by an approximate 30% reduction in the average number of nodules.
Temperature-Dependent Production of Various PlcR-Controlled Virulence Factors in Bacillus weihenstephanensis Strain KBAB4
Authors: Réjasse A. , Gilois N. , Barbosa I. , Huillet E. , Bevilacqua C. , Tran S. , Ramarao N. , Stenfors Arnesen L. P. , Sanchis V. 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACT

The
Bacillus cereus
sensu lato complex has recently been divided into several phylogenetic groups with clear differences in growth temperature range. However, only a few studies have investigated the actual pathogenic potential of the psychrotolerant strains of the
B. cereus
group at low temperature, and little information is available concerning gene expression at low temperature. We found that vegetative cells of the psychrotolerant
B. weihenstephanensis
strain KBAB4 were pathogenic against the model insect
Galleria mellonella
at 15°C but not at 30°C. A similar temperature-dependent difference also was observed for the supernatant, which was cytotoxic to Vero epithelial cell lines and to murine macrophage J774 cells at 15°C but not at 30°C. We therefore determined the effect of low temperature on the production of various proteins putatively involved in virulence using two-dimensional protein gel electrophoresis, and we showed that the production of the Hbl enterotoxin and of two proteases, NprB and NprP2, was greater at a growth temperature of 15°C than at 30°C. The quantification of the mRNA levels for these virulence genes by real-time quantitative PCR at both temperatures showed that there was also more mRNA present at 15°C than at 30°C. We also found that at 15°C,
hbl
mRNA levels were maximal in the mid- to late exponential growth phase. In conclusion, we found that the higher virulence of the
B. cereus
KBAB4 strain at low temperature was accompanied by higher levels of the production of various known PlcR-controlled virulence factors and by a higher transcriptional activity of the corresponding genes.