bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
DksA and ppGpp directly regulate transcription of the Escherichia coli flagellar cascade
Authors: Lemke Justin J. , Durfee Tim , Gourse Richard L. 
Published: November 2009

SummaryThe components of the Escherichia coli flagella apparatus are synthesized in a three‐level transcriptional cascade activated by the master regulator FlhDC. The cascade co‐ordinates the synthesis rates of a large number of gene products with each other and with nutritional conditions. Recent genome‐wide studies have reported that flagellar transcription is altered in cells lacking the transcription regulators DksA or ppGpp, but some or all reported effects could be indirect, and some are contradictory. We report here that the activities of promoters at all three levels of the cascade are much higher in strains lacking dksA, resulting in overproduction of flagellin and hyperflagellated cells. In vitro, DksA/ppGpp inhibits the flhDC promoter and the σ70‐dependent fliA promoter transcribing the gene for σ28. However, DksA and ppGpp do not affect the σ28‐dependent fliA promoter or the σ28‐dependent fliC promoter in vitro, suggesting that the dramatic effects on expression of those genes in vivo are mediated indirectly through direct effects of DksA/ppGpp on FlhDC and σ28 expression. We conclude that DksA/ppGpp inhibits expression of the flagellar cascade during stationary phase and following starvation, thereby co‐ordinating flagella and ribosome assembly and preventing expenditure of scarce energy resources on synthesis of two of the cell's largest macromolecular complexes.
A PhoQ/P‐regulated small RNA regulates sensitivity of Escherichia coli to antimicrobial peptides
Authors: Moon Kyung , Gottesman Susan 
Published: November 2009

SummaryNon‐coding small RNAs (sRNAs) play a major role in post‐transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Of the 80 sRNAs that have been identified in E. coli, one‐third bind to the RNA chaperone Hfq. Hfq both stabilizes these sRNAs in vivo and stimulates pairing to targets in vitro. A novel Hfq‐dependent RNA, called here MgrR, was identified by its ability to bind Hfq. Expression of MgrR requires the PhoQ/PhoP two‐component system; the PhoP response regulator is active under low Mg2+ concentrations and is an important virulence regulator in Salmonella; mgrR is also found in Salmonella species. Negatively regulated targets of MgrR identified using microarrays include eptB, involved in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) modification, and ygdQ, encoding a hypothetical protein. Cell sensitivity to the antimicrobial polymyxin B is affected by LPS modifications, and cells carrying an mgrR deletion were approximately 10 times more resistant than wild‐type cells to polymyxin B. Thus, lower Mg2+ concentrations, sensed by PhoQ/PhoP, lead to expression of MgrR, changing LPS. sRNAs have previously been shown to regulate many outer membrane proteins. This work demonstrates that LPS, a major contributor of bacterial interactions with mammalian cells, is also subject to regulation by sRNAs.
BosR (BB0647) governs virulence expression in Borrelia burgdorferi
Authors: Ouyang Zhiming , Kumar Manish , Kariu Toru , Haq Shayma , Goldberg Martin , Pal Utpal , Norgard Michael V. 
Published: November 2009

Summary Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb), the Lyme disease spirochaete, encodes a potential ferric uptake regulator (Fur) homologue, BosR (BB0647). Thus far, a role for BosR in Bb metabolism, gene regulation or pathogenesis has not been determined, largely due to the heretofore inability to inactivate bosR in low‐passage, infectious Bb isolates. Herein, we report the generation of the first bosR‐deficient mutant in a virulent strain of Bb. Whereas the bosR mutant persisted normally in ticks, the mutant was unable to infect mice, indicating that BosR is essential for Bb infection of a mammalian host. Moreover, transcriptional profiling of the bosR mutant showed that a number of genes were either positively or negatively influenced by BosR deficiency, suggesting that BosR may function both as a global repressor and activator in Bb. Strikingly, our study showed that BosR controls the expression of two major virulence‐associated Bb lipoproteins, OspC and DbpA, likely via an influence on the alternative sigma factor, RpoS. This study thus not only has elucidated another key virulence gene of Bb, but also provides new insights into a previously unknown layer of gene regulation governing RpoS in Bb.
Roles of the extreme N‐terminal region of FliH for efficient localization of the FliH–FliI complex to the bacterial flagellar type III export apparatus
Authors: Minamino Tohru , Yoshimura Shinsuke D. J. , Morimoto Yusuke V. , González‐Pedrajo Bertha , Kami‐ike Nobunori , Namba Keiichi 
Published: November 2009

SummaryMost bacterial flagellar proteins are exported by the flagellar type III protein export apparatus for their self‐assembly. FliI ATPase forms a complex with its regulator FliH and facilitates initial entry of export substrates to the export gate composed of six integral membrane proteins. The FliH–FliI complex also binds to the C ring of the basal body through a FliH–FliN interaction for efficient export. However, it remains unclear how these reactions proceed within the cell. Here, we analysed subcellular localization of FliI–YFP by fluorescence microscopy. FliI–YFP was localized to the flagellar base, and its localization required both FliH and the C ring. The ATPase activity of FliI was not required for its localization. FliI–YFP formed a complex with FliHΔ1 (missing residues 2–10) but the complex did not show any localization. FliHΔ1 did not interact with FliN, and alanine‐scanning mutagenesis revealed that only Trp‐7 and Trp‐10 of FliH are essential for the interaction with FliN. Overproduction of the FliH–FliI complex improved the export activity of the fliN mutant whereas neither of the FliH(W7A)‐FliI nor FliH(W10A)‐FliI complexes did, suggesting that Trp‐7 and Trp‐10 of FliH are also required for efficient localization of the FliH–FliI complex to the export gate.
Application of an automated cardiopulmonary resuscitation device for kidney transplantation from uncontrolled donation after cardiac death donors in the emergency department
Authors: Morozumi Junya , Matsuno Naoto , Sakurai Etsuo , Nakamura Yuki , Arai Takao , Ohta Shoichi 
Published: November 2009

Morozumi J, Matsuno N, Sakurai E, Nakamura Y, Arai T, Ohta S. Application of an automated cardiopulmonary resuscitation device for kidney transplantation from uncontrolled donation after cardiac death donors in the emergency department. Clin Transplant 2009 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399‐0012.2009.01140.x. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  Vital‐organ transplantation has become acceptable as the treatment of choice for end‐stage organ failure. If the patient, facing the end of life, wishes to donate organs after cardiac arrest (CA), donation after cardiac death (DCD) is increasingly important for the realization of the patient’s desires after CA. In Japan, kidney transplantation from uncontrolled DCD donors, who are identified in modified Maastricht categories II or V, is one of the critical factors in expanding the donor pool. However, according to the forensic code for post‐mortems and the requirement of legal consent for transplantation, the time required to meet all procedural requirements has sometimes prohibited organ procurement from uncontrolled DCD donors. We have therefore attempted to use an automated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) device and maintain arterial pressure for uncontrolled DCD donors during all interim procedures after sudden CA. Comparing kidneys procured from standard DCD donors (n = 10) and uncontrolled DCD donors (n = 4), significant differences were seen in warm ischemic time (WIT), defined as the time from CA to initiation of cooling in situ. However, our early experience showed good tolerance and viability of uncontrolled DCD kidneys. Immediate availability of an automated CPR device might provide a bridge to kidney procurement from uncontrolled DCD donors.
Changes in faecal microbiota of infants with cow’s milk protein allergy – a Spanish prospective case–control 6‐month follow‐up study
Authors: Thompson‐Chagoyan Oscar C. , Vieites Jose M. , Maldonado Jose , Edwards Christine , Gil Angel 
Published: November 2009

Thompson‐Chagoyan OC, Vieites JM, Maldonado J, Edwards C, Gil A. Changes in faecal microbiota of infants with cow’s milk protein allergy – a Spanish prospective case–control 6‐month follow‐up study. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2010: 21: e394–e400. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/SMajor differences have been found in gut microbiota between healthy and allergic children, and a possible association between allergy and altered microbiota patterns have been postulated. The main object of the study was to compare the faecal microbiota between healthy and cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA) infants at the baseline immediately after the diagnosis, and to evaluate the changes in the faecal microbiota after 6 months of treatment of CMPA infants fed on extensively cow’s milk protein hydrolyzed formulae without pre‐ or probiotics, compared with healthy children fed on standard milk formulae. The population comprised 92 infants aged 2–12 months who were non‐allergic (n = 46) or diagnosed with IgE‐mediated CMPA (n = 46). At baseline and at 6 months, faecal samples were collected into sterile plastic tubes, immediately placed into anaerobic jars and processed within 2 h of their collection. Weighed faeces samples were diluted from 10−1 to 10−7 and cultured in selective media for total count of aerobes, anaerobes, enterobacteria, bifidobacteria, lactobacilli, clostridia and yeasts. Samples from non‐allergic and allergic infants were compared at baseline and at 6 months using appropriate statistical tests, considering p < 0.05 to be significant. In comparison with healthy infants, CMPA infants had higher total bacteria and anaerobic counts and a lower yeast count at baseline, finding no difference in the proportions of each bacterial group between groups. After 6 months, CMPA infants showed higher anaerobic and lactobacilli counts, a higher proportion of lactobacilli, a lower count and proportion of bifidobacteria, and lower proportions of enterobacteria and yeasts. Comparison of faecal samples from CMPA infants between baseline and at 6 months showed an increase in count and proportion of lactobacilli and a decrease in counts and proportions of enterobacteria and bifidobacteria. Differences in the composition of gut microbiota between CMPA and healthy infants may influence in the development of or protection from this allergy.
Mate Choice for Genetic Benefits: Time to Put the Pieces Together
Authors: Hettyey Attila , Hegyi Gergely , Puurtinen Mikael , Hoi Herbert , Török János , Penn Dustin J. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractIt is thought that mate choice allows individuals to obtain genetic benefits for their offspring, and although many studies have found some support for this hypothesis, several critical questions remain unresolved. One main problem is that empirical studies on mate choice and genetic benefits have been rather piecemeal. Some studies (1) aimed to test how mate choice affects offspring fitness, but have not examined whether the benefits are because of genetic effects. Other studies tested whether mate choice provides (2) additive or (3) non‐additive genetic benefits and only a few studies (4) considered these genetic effects together. Finally, some studies (5) examined whether the potential benefits that might be gained from mate choice are due to additive genetic effects vs. non‐additive effects, and although they found evidence for both, they did not examine whether mate choice is relevant. Furthermore, previous studies have usually not controlled for non‐genetic sources of variation in offspring fitness. Thus, there remain gaping holes in our understanding, and it is the connections among the research approaches that now need more attention. We suggest that studies are needed that measure non‐genetic effects, the potential benefits from both additive and non‐additive genetic effects, and also determine whether mate choice exploits these potential benefits. Such integrative studies are necessary to put the pieces together and clarify the role of genetic benefits in the evolution of mate choice.
Relative Abundance ofXiphophorusFishes and Its Effect on Sexual Communication
Authors: Fisher Heidi S. , Rosenthal Gil G. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractAs major river drainages separated and stream capture occurred, some populations ofXiphophorusfishes became geographically isolated from one another, while others came into contact with newXiphophorusspecies. Sexual communication and mechanisms of reproductive isolation were likely influenced by the variation in community structure each population experienced. One swordtail species,Xiphophorus birchmanni, occurs both in streams where otherXiphophorusspecies are rare, or more typically with large populations of congeners. Using theX. birchmannisystem, we tested the theory that species recognition should be favored when the opportunity for hybridization is high. We found that at a site where the congener,X. variatus, is the predominant species, femaleX. birchmannihave a strong preference for conspecific cues; however, femaleX. birchmannifrom a location whereX. variatusare rare do not discriminate between conspecific and heterospecific cues. Moreover, we show evidence that chemosignals used by maleX. birchmannito attract females are unique between the two populations that differ in community structure. Our findings suggest that not only can the presence or absence of a congener influence sexual communication, both in terms of female preference and male trait, but the abundance of congeners may also be an equally important source of interpopulation variation.
A national evaluation of the Australian Occupational Therapy Competency Standards (1994): A multistakeholder perspective
Authors: Rodger Sylvia , Clark Michele , Banks Rebecca , O’Brien Mia , Martinez Kay 
Published: November 2009

This paper summarises results from an evaluation of the adequacy and utility of the Australian Competency Standards for Entry‐Level Occupational Therapists © (OT AUSTRALIA, 1994a). It comprised a two‐part study, incorporating an online survey of key national stakeholders (n = 26), and 13 focus groups (n = 152) conducted throughout Australia with occupational therapy clinicians, academics, OT AUSTRALIA association and Occupational Therapy Registration Board representatives, as well as university program accreditors. The key recommendations were that: (i) urgent revision to reflect contemporary practice, paradigms, approaches and frameworks is required; (ii) the standards should exemplify basic competence at graduation (not within two years following); (iii) a revision cycle of five years is required; (iv) the Australian Qualifications Framework should be retained, preceded by an introduction describing the scope and nature of occupational therapy practice in the national context; (v) access to the standards should be free and unrestricted to occupational therapists, students and the public via the OT AUSTRALIA (national) website; (vi) the standards should incorporate a succinct executive summary and additional tools or templates formatted to enable occupational therapists to develop professional portfolios and create working documents specific to their workplace; and (vii) language must accommodate contextual variation while striking an appropriate balance between providing instruction and encouraging innovation in practice.
Rater reliability of the adapted scoring criteria of the Minnesota Handwriting Assessment for children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Tam Cynthia , Ryan Stephen E. , Rigby Patty , Sophianopoulos Mary‐Beth 
Published: November 2009

Background/aim: Current handwriting assessment tools are standardised mostly on typically developing students. This study estimated the intrarater and interrater reliabilities of the adapted scoring criteria, titled the Minnesota Handwriting Assessment‐Cerebral Palsy (MHA‐CP), for evaluating the effectiveness of handwriting interventions for children with cerebral palsy.Methods: We scored two batches of 20 random samples each from 80 handwriting samples produced by 30 children with cerebral palsy using the MHA‐CP to estimate the intrarater and interrater reliabilities, respectively.Results: Intraclass correlation coefficients exceeded 0.95 for both intrarater and interrater reliabilities for all quality subscales of the MHA‐CP.Conclusions: The MHA‐CP is shown to be a reliable measure of the manuscript handwriting performance of children with cerebral palsy who are in Grades 1 and 2. Further empirical testing is recommended to confirm its validity as an outcome measure for this population.
A comparison of international occupational therapy competencies: Implications for Australian standards in the new millennium
Authors: Rodger Sylvia , Clark Michele , Banks Rebecca , O’Brien Mia , Martinez Kay 
Published: November 2009

Background/aim:  A timely evaluation of the Australian Competency Standards for Entry‐Level Occupational Therapists© (1994) was conducted. This thorough investigation comprised a literature review exploring the concept of competence and the applications of competency standards; systematic benchmarking of the Australian Occupational Therapy Competency Standards (OT AUSTRALIA, 1994) against other national and international competency standards and other affiliated documents, from occupational therapy and other cognate disciplines; and extensive nationwide consultation with the professional community. This paper explores and examines the similarities and disparities between occupational therapy competency standards documents available in English from Australia and other countries.Methods:  An online search for national occupational therapy competency standards located 10 documents, including the Australian competencies.Results:  Four ‘frameworks’ were created to categorise the documents according to their conceptual underpinnings: Technical‐Prescriptive, Enabling, Educational and Meta‐Cognitive. Other characteristics that appeared to impact the design, content and implementation of competency standards, including definitions of key concepts, authorship, national and cultural priorities, scope of services, intended use and review mechanisms, were revealed.Conclusion:  The proposed ‘frameworks’ and identification of influential characteristics provided a ‘lens’ through which to understand and evaluate competency standards. While consistent application of and attention to some of these characteristics appear to consolidate and affirm the authority of competency standards, it is suggested that the national context should be a critical determinant of the design and content of the final document. The Australian Occupational Therapy Competency Standards (OT AUSTRALIA, 1994) are critiqued accordingly, and preliminary recommendations for revision are proposed.
A qualitative study of mental health nurse identities: Many roles, one profession
Authors: Hurley John 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACTThe aim of the study was to clarify and build upon current understandings of mental health nurse (MHN) identity. The study adopted a framework of social constructionism and qualitative methodology. Semistructured interviews were conducted, which were thematically analyzed using Nvivo software. Twenty‐five MHN were recruited across three geographical sites in the UK. Participants constructed a cluster of seven MHN identity characteristics that constituted a unique contribution to talk‐based therapies. These themes of characteristics are: (i) the MHN as generic specialist; (ii) the MHN as adopting a service‐user focus; (iii) the MHN as positioning and utilizing the personal self; (iv) the MHN as spending time with the service user; (v) the MHN as delivering talk‐based therapies in versatile ways; (vi) the MHN as having an everyday attitude; and (vii) the MHN as having transferable skills. The distinctiveness, and thus, professional identity of mental health nursing, must be understood as a cluster of capabilities rather than a search for a singular point of difference. The breadth of capabilities employed by MHN highlights the value and worth of their contribution to service‐user care.
Comparison of mental health nurses' attitudes towards smoking and smoking behaviour
Authors: Dwyer Trudy , Bradshaw Julie , Happell Brenda 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACTSmoking is widely recognized as an important public health issue for the general population and in the mental health field where the rates are particularly high. Mental health nurses are well positioned to take an active role in encouraging and supporting people diagnosed with mental illness to cease smoking. Information about smoking behaviour and the attitudes of mental health nurses is necessary to develop strategies to prepare nurses for this important role. A cross‐sectional study was conducted to examine the smoking behaviour and attitudes of mental health nurses in Queensland, Australia, through a random selection of mental health nurses (n = 289). Smoking rates (16%) in this study were lower than those for the Australian population. Smokers were significantly (P < 0.001) less likely to agree that health‐care facilities should promote a healthy environment. All participants, but predominantly those who smoked (P < 0.001), supported the individual's right to smoke. Participants believed they possessed appropriate skills to deliver the antismoking message effectively, although stronger beliefs were characteristic of non‐smokers. Participants who smoked perceived that their smoking status assisted in facilitating interactions with consumers (P < 0.001). The findings have implications for the health promotion activities of mental health nurses.
Treatment regimes in a psychiatric hospital and apparent contradictions: Report from field work in a lock‐up ward illustrated with a constructed case
Authors: Skorpen Aina , Anderssen Norman , Øye Christine , Bjelland Anne Karen 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACTThe medical approach dominates in Norwegian psychiatry, but mental health nurses and other ward staff hold that milieu therapy constitutes an additional and important treatment approach for psychiatric patients. In this study, we wanted to explore these approaches as they are implemented in inpatient treatment. We conducted a 9‐month ethnographic study in two lock‐up psychiatric wards in a Norwegian psychiatric hospital. In this article, we present a constructed case, Mary, to illustrate the voices, experiences, and perspectives of patients and staff as observed primarily in the patients' smoking room, the corridor, and the staffroom. From the perspective of staff, we identified at least two professional perspectives concerning patients' daily life: a strong medical–psychiatric view and a weaker therapeutic milieu, which seemed difficult to implement. When considering the view of people in care, we observed that patients' experiences and points of view occurred and remained to a large degree in their smoking room, and patients seemed to have little impact on their own treatment programmes. This stands in sharp contrast to patients' legal rights to participate in any important decisions regarding their treatment and to the espoused person‐centred orientation in health care today.