bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A no‐contact vibration device for measuring implant stability
Authors: Hayashi Makoto , Kobayashi Chiaki , Ogata Hidehiro , Yamaoka Masaru , Ogiso Bunnai 
Published: May 2010

AbstractObjectives: Monitoring implant stability is an important factor in determining the long‐term success rate of implants. Periotest values and resonance frequency analysis have been widely used for this purpose, but these indicators mainly reflect the mobility and/or stability of implants. Thus, a no‐contact electromagnetic vibration device was developed and tested for monitoring both tooth mobility and periodontal tissue conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of a no‐contact electromagnetic vibration device to measure implant stability under various peri‐implant conditions using mechanical parameters.Material and methods: The device consisted of three components: the vibrator, detector, and analyzer. The mechanical parameters resonant frequency, elastic modulus, and coefficient of viscosity were used to measure simulated atrophic bone defects in periodontal tissues.Results: The resonant frequency and the elastic modulus increased with an increase in supporting bone height. In contrast, the coefficient of viscosity decreased with bone height. Values for the three parameters for the formed urethane models were lower than those for the urethane models.Conclusions: A no‐contact electromagnetic vibration device may be capable of monitoring implant stability, and mechanical parameters may be useful for assessing the condition of periodontal tissues around implants. To cite this article:
Hayashi M, Kobayashi C, Ogata H, Yamaoka M, Ogiso B. A no‐contact vibration device for measuring implant stability. Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 21, 2010; 931–936. doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐0501.2010.01934.x
Lenalidomide plus dexamethasone vs. lenalidomide plus melphalan and prednisone: a retrospective study in newly diagnosed elderly myeloma
Authors: Gay Francesca , Vincent Rajkumar S. , Falco Patrizia , Kumar Shaji , Dispenzieri Angela , Petrucci Maria Teresa , Gertz Morie A. , Boccadoro Mario , Keith Stewart A. , Palumbo Antonio 
Published: May 2010

AbstractBackground:  The goal of this retrospective study was to compare the efficacy and toxicity of lenalidomide–dexamethasone (len/dex) vs. melphalan–prednisone–lenalidomide (MPR) as upfront therapy for newly diagnosed elderly patients with myeloma.Methods:  Data from 51 patients enrolled in an Italian phase I/II trial and treated with MPR were analyzed and compared with data from 38 patients, seen at the Mayo Clinic, treated with len/dex and enrolled in phase II/III trials.Results:  On intention‐to‐treat analysis, time to progression (median: 24.7 vs. 27.5 months in MPR and len/dex groups, respectively, P = 0.903), progression‐free survival (median: 24.7 vs. 27.5 months in MPR and len/dex groups, respectively, P = 0.926), and overall survival (2‐yr overall survival: 86.2% in MPR vs. 89.1% in len/dex, P = 0.730) were not significantly different between the two groups. Results were confirmed when the analysis was restricted to MPR and len/dex matched pair mates. Hematologic grade 3–4 toxicities were more common with MPR (neutropenia: 66.7% vs. 21.1%, P < 0.001; thrombocytopenia: 31.4% vs. 2.6%, P < 0.001). Grade 3–4 gastrointestinal events (13.2% vs. 3.9%, P = 0.132), thrombotic events (13.2% vs. 5.9%, P = 0.279), and fatigue (10.5% vs. 3.9%, P = 0.395) were more common with len/dex.Conclusions:  Results show that both MPR and len/dex are efficacious regimens for elderly patients with myeloma. Randomized trials are needed to confirm these results.
Activity budget of inshore Indo‐Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus): A critical evaluation of methods and comparison among other populations
Authors: Steiner Aude 
Published: May 2010

AbstractActivity budgets are widely used to compare behavior patterns but sampling methods vary, rendering comparisons difficult. The two main methods used are instantaneous and continuous sampling. Their comparability was examined by applying them to data obtained from bottlenose dolphins in the Port River estuary, South Australia. They gave comparable results for activity budgets, but instantaneous sampling did not detect most of the behavioral events. Individual differences in behavior and/or follow duration influenced results. Variability in activity definitions and categories among studies makes comparative analysis difficult. Comparison of the Port River dolphin's activity budget with other inshore populations indicated the former spent more time feeding and resting, and less time traveling. The greater feeding time seemed to be due to small prey size rather than reduced abundance or unpredictable distribution. The reduced traveling time, possibly the result of low predation pressure and/or evenly distributed prey, gave them more time to rest. They traveled mostly at 2.5 kn or less, consistent with studies from other shallow areas. Most feeding was individual, probably on demersal species. Surface feeding incorporated physical barriers rather than cooperative behavior. Activity durations ranged from 2 s to 2.9 h, with mean durations varying from 7.8 to 22.9 min.
Dose‐Related Effect of Aspirin on Laboratory‐Defined Platelet Aggregation and Clinical Outcome After Coronary Stenting
Authors: Kojuri Javad , Mahmoody Yadollah , Sabegh Bardia Zangbar , Jannati Mansoor , Mahboodi Ali , Khalili Andia 
Published: May 2010

SUMMARY Background: Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) is widely used in the secondary prevention of coronary artery disease. There is controversy regarding the prevalence of aspirin resistance in patients with coronary artery disease and the effect of dose on resistance. Our primary aims were to determine the degree of platelet responsiveness to aspirin, and to study the influence of dose on platelet inhibition and clinical outcomes after coronary stenting. Methods and Results: We prospectively studied the effect of aspirin on platelet function in 106 stable outpatients 6 months after successful percutaneous coronary angioplasty. Participants were randomized in a double‐blind, double‐crossover study (80 or 500 mg per day for 6 months). The platelet response to aspirin was determined by 10 μmol/L adenosine‐5‐diphosphate‐induced aggregation with light transmission aggregometry. The clinical outcome was determined by single photon emission computed tomography with Tc‐99m, and major adverse cardiac events were recorded (myocardial infarction, death, unstable angina or need for revascularization). In both groups 30.2% of the participants were resistant to aspirin. There was no significant difference between the dose of 80 mg compared to 500 mg aspirin in the incidence of aspirin resistance (P= 0.3). No correlation was found between aspirin resistance and clinical outcome (P= 0.4). Female sex and smoking were strongly associated with aspirin resistance. Conclusion: The frequency of aspirin resistance is not dependent on the dose of aspirin. Female sex and smoking were the strongest predictors of aspirin resistance. Aspirin resistance is not a predictor of poor clinical outcome in patients who received double antiplatelet therapy.
Listeria monocytogenes
σ
B
Has a Small Core Regulon and a Conserved Role in Virulence but Makes Differential Contributions to Stress Tolerance across a Diverse Collection of Strains
Authors: Oliver H. F. , Orsi R. H. , Wiedmann M. , Boor K. J. 
Published: May 2010

ABSTRACT

Listeria monocytogenes
strains are classified in at least three distinct phylogenetic lineages. There are correlations between lineage classification and source of bacterial isolation; e.g., human clinical and food isolates usually are classified in either lineage I or II. However, human clinical isolates are overrepresented in lineage I, while food isolates are overrepresented in lineage II. σ
B
, a transcriptional regulator previously demonstrated to contribute to environmental stress responses and virulence in
L. monocytogenes
lineage II strains, was hypothesized to provide differential abilities for
L. monocytogenes
survival in various niches (e.g., food and human clinical niches). To determine if the contributions of σ
B
to stress response and virulence differ across diverse
L. monocytogenes
strains, Δ
sigB
mutations were created in strains belonging to lineages I, II, IIIA, and IIIB. Paired parent and Δ
sigB
mutant strains were tested for survival under acid and oxidative stress conditions, Caco-2 cell invasion efficiency, and virulence using the guinea pig listeriosis infection model. Parent and Δ
sigB
mutant strain transcriptomes were compared using whole-genome expression microarrays. σ
B
contributed to virulence in each strain. However, while σ
B
contributed significantly to survival under acid and oxidative stress conditions and Caco-2 cell invasion in lineage I, II, and IIIB strains, the contributions of σ
B
were not significant for these phenotypes in the lineage IIIA strain. A core set of 63 genes was positively regulated by σ
B
in all four strains; different total numbers of genes were positively regulated by σ
B
in the strains. Our results suggest that σ
B
universally contributes to
L. monocytogenes
virulence but specific σ
B
-regulated stress response phenotypes vary among strains.
Highly Discriminatory Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism Interrogation of
Escherichia coli
by Use of Allele-Specific Real-Time PCR and eBURST Analysis
Authors: Sheludchenko Maxim S. , Huygens Flavia , Hargreaves Megan H. 
Published: May 2010

ABSTRACT

In total, 782
Escherichia
coli
strains originating from various host sources have been analyzed in this study by using a highly discriminatory single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) approach. A set of eight SNPs, with a discrimination value (Simpson's index of diversity [
D
]) of 0.96, was determined using the Minimum SNPs software, based on sequences of housekeeping genes from the
E. coli
multilocus sequence typing (MLST) database. Allele-specific real-time PCR was used to screen 114
E. coli
isolates from various fecal sources in Southeast Queensland (SEQ). The combined analysis of both the MLST database and SEQ
E. coli
isolates using eight high-
D
SNPs resolved the isolates into 74 SNP profiles. The data obtained suggest that SNP typing is a promising approach for the discrimination of host-specific groups and allows for the identification of human-specific
E. coli
in environmental samples. However, a more diverse
E. coli
collection is required to determine animal- and environment-specific
E. coli
SNP profiles due to the abundance of human
E. coli
strains (56%) in the MLST database.
Quantification of the Effect of Culturing Temperature on Salt-Induced Heat Resistance of
Bacillus
Species
Authors: den Besten Heidy M. W. , van der Mark Eric-Jan , Hensen Lonneke , Abee Tjakko , Zwietering Marcel H. 
Published: May 2010

ABSTRACT

Short- and long-term exposure to mild stress conditions can activate stress adaptation mechanisms in pathogens, resulting in a protective effect toward otherwise lethal stresses. The mesophilic strains
Bacillus cereus
ATCC 14579 and ATCC 10987 and the psychrotolerant strain
B. weihenstephanensis
KBAB4 were cultured at 12°C and 30°C until the exponential growth phase (i) in the absence of salt, (ii) in the presence of salt, and (iii) with salt shock after they reached the exponential growth phase and subsequently heat inactivated. Both the first-order model and the Weibull model were fitted to the inactivation kinetics, and statistical indices were calculated to select for each condition the most appropriate model to describe the inactivation data. The third-decimal reduction times (which reflected the times needed to reduce the initial number of microorganisms by three decimal powers) were determined for quantitative comparison. The heat resistance of both mesophilic strains increased when cells were salt cultured and salt shocked at 30°C, whereas these salt-induced effects were not significant for the psychrotolerant strain. In contrast, only the psychrotolerant strain showed salt-induced heat resistance when cells were cultured at 12°C. Therefore, culturing temperature and strain diversity are important aspects to address when adaptive stress responses are quantified. The activated adaptive stress response had an even larger impact on the number of surviving microorganisms when the stress factor (i.e., salt) was still present during inactivation. These factors should be considered when stress-integrated predictive models are developed that can be used in the food industry to balance and optimize processing conditions of minimally processed foods.
Verotoxin 2 Enhances Adherence of Enterohemorrhagic
Escherichia coli
O157:H7 to Intestinal Epithelial Cells and Expression of β1-Integrin by IPEC-J2 Cells
Authors: Liu Bianfang , Yin Xianhua , Feng Yanni , Chambers James R. , Guo Aiguang , Gong Joshua , Zhu Jing , Gyles Carlton L. 
Published: May 2010

ABSTRACT

Verotoxin (VT) has been implicated in the promotion of adherence to and colonization of intestinal epithelial cells by enterohemorrhagic
Escherichia coli
(EHEC) O157:H7. The present study investigated the effect of VT2 on the adherence of EHEC O157:H7 strain 86-24 to porcine jejunal (IPEC-J2), human colon (CaCo-2), and human laryngeal carcinoma (HEp-2) cell lines and on the expression in IPEC-J2 cells of synthases for β1-integrin and nucleolin, both of which are implicated in bacterial adherence. The effect on expression of globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) synthase, the receptor for VT, was also examined. Data were obtained by adherence assays and quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR, using EHEC O157 strain 86-24, a
vt2
deletion mutant, a
vt2
phage-negative strain, and complemented mutants in which the
vt2
gene was restored. Compared with the adherence of the parent and complemented mutant strains, the
vt2
-negative strains adhered significantly less to all three types of cells. Adherence of the wild-type EHEC strain to IPEC-J2 cells was accompanied by increased expression of β1-integrin, nucleolin, and Gb3 synthase. IPEC-J2 cells in association with wild-type EHEC O157:H7 or the complemented mutants expressed higher levels of β1-integrin than did cells in association with the
vt2
-negative strains or with no bacteria. Expression of nucleolin was decreased by association with the
vt2
-negative mutant, but complementation failed to restore wild-type expression. The data indicate that VT2 plays a role in the adherence of EHEC O157:H7 to intestinal epithelial cells, possibly by increasing the expression of the host receptor β1-integrin.
Adsorption of Extracellular Chromosomal DNA and Its Effects on Natural Transformation of
Azotobacter vinelandii
Authors: Lu Nanxi , Zilles Julie L. , Nguyen Thanh H. 
Published: May 2010

ABSTRACT

To better understand the influence of environmental conditions on the adsorption of extracellular chromosomal DNA and its availability for natural transformation, the amount and conformation of adsorbed DNA were monitored under different conditions in parallel with transformation assays using the soil bacterium
Azotobacter vinelandii
. DNA adsorption was monitored using the technique of quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D). Both silica and natural organic matter (NOM) surfaces were evaluated in solutions containing either 100 mM NaCl or 1 mM CaCl
2
. The QCM-D data suggest that DNA adsorbed to silica surfaces has a more compact and rigid conformation in Ca
2+
solution than in Na
+
solution and that the reverse is true when DNA is adsorbed to NOM surfaces. While the amounts of DNA adsorbed on a silica surface were similar for Ca
2+
and Na
+
solutions, the amount of DNA adsorbed on an NOM-coated surface was higher in Ca
2+
solution than in Na
+
solution. Transformation frequencies for dissolved DNA and DNA adsorbed to silica and to NOM were 6 × 10
−5
, 5 × 10
−5
, and 2.5 × 10
−4
, respectively. For NOM-coated surfaces, transformation frequencies from individual experiments were 2- to 50-fold higher in the presence of Ca
2+
than in the presence of Na
+
. The results suggest that groundwater hardness (i.e., Ca
2+
concentration) will affect the amount of extracellular DNA adsorbed to the soil surface but that neither adsorption nor changes in the conformation of the adsorbed DNA will have a strong effect on the frequency of natural transformation of
A. vinelandii
.
Fluorescent Reporters for Studies of Cellular Localization of Proteins in
Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Pereira Pedro M. , Veiga Helena , Jorge Ana M. , Pinho Mariana G. 
Published: May 2010

ABSTRACT

We have constructed a set of plasmids that allow expression, from their native chromosomal loci, of
Staphylococcus aureus
proteins fused to one of four different fluorescent proteins (green fluorescent protein [GFP], cyan fluorescent protein [CFP], yellow fluorescent protein [YFP], and mCherry), using two different resistance markers (kanamycin and erythromycin). We have also constructed a plasmid that allows expression of proteins from the ectopic
spa
locus in the
S. aureus
chromosome. This toolbox can be used for studies of the localization of proteins in
S. aureus
, a prominent pathogen in both health care and community settings.
Inactivation and Augmentation of the Primary 3-Ketosteroid-Δ
1
- Dehydrogenase in
Mycobacterium neoaurum
NwIB-01: Biotransformation of Soybean Phytosterols to 4-Androstene- 3,17-Dione or 1,4-Androstadiene-3,17-Dione
Authors: Wei Wei , Wang Feng-qing , Fan Shu-yue , Wei Dong-zhi 
Published: May 2010

ABSTRACT

3-Ketosteroid-Δ
1
-dehydrogenase, KsdD
M
, was identified by targeted gene disruption and augmentation from
Mycobacterium neoaurum
NwIB-01, a newly isolated strain. The difficulty of separating 4-androstene-3,17-dione (AD) from 1,4-androstadiene-3,17-dione (ADD) is a key bottleneck to the microbial transformation of phytosterols in industry. This problem was tackled via genetic manipulation of the KsdD-encoding gene. Mutants in which KsdD
M
was inactivated or augmented proved to be good AD(D)-producing strains.
Pilot-Scale Production of Fatty Acid Ethyl Esters by an Engineered
Escherichia coli
Strain Harboring the p(Microdiesel) Plasmid
Authors: Elbahloul Yasser , Steinbüchel Alexander 
Published: May 2010

ABSTRACT

Fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) were produced in this study by the use of an engineered
Escherichia coli
p(Microdiesel) strain. Four fed-batch pilot scale cultivations were carried out by first using glycerol as sole carbon source for biomass production before glucose and oleic acid were added as carbon sources. Cultivations yielded a cell density of up to 61 ± 3.1 g of cell dry mass (CDM) per liter and a maximal FAEE content of 25.4% ± 1.1% (wt/wt) of CDM.
Cloning and Characterization of a Gene Cluster for Hatomarubigin Biosynthesis in
Streptomyces
sp. Strain 2238-SVT4
Authors: Kawasaki Takashi , Hirashima Reiko , Maruta Tomoka , Sato Haruka , Maeda Ayumi , Yamada Yuki , Takeda Maho , Hayakawa Yoichi 
Published: May 2010

ABSTRACT

Streptomyces
sp. strain 2238-SVT4 produces hatomarubigins A, B, C, and D, which belong to the angucycline family. Among them, hatomarubigin D has a unique dimeric structure with a methylene linkage. PCR using aromatase and cyclase gene-specific primers identified the
hrb
gene cluster for angucycline biosynthesis in
Streptomyces
sp. 2238-SVT4. The cluster consisted of 30 open reading frames, including those for the minimal polyketide synthase, ketoreductase, aromatase, cyclase,
O
-methyltransferase, oxidoreductase, and oxygenase genes. Expression of a part of the gene cluster containing
hrbR1
to
hrbX
in
Streptomyces lividans
TK23 resulted in the production of hatomarubigins A, B, and C. Hatomarubigin D was obtained from the conversion of hatomarubigin C by a purified enzyme encoded by
hrbY
, among the remaining genes.
Fluorescence
In Situ
Hybridization Method Using a Peptide Nucleic Acid Probe for Identification of
Salmonella
spp. in a Broad Spectrum of Samples
Authors: Almeida C. , Azevedo N. F. , Fernandes R. M. , Keevil C. W. , Vieira M. J. 
Published: May 2010

ABSTRACT

A fluorescence
in situ
hybridization (FISH) method for the rapid detection of
Salmonella
spp. using a novel peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probe was developed. The probe theoretical specificity and sensitivity were both 100%. The PNA-FISH method was optimized, and laboratory testing on representative strains from the
Salmonella
genus subspecies and several related bacterial species confirmed the predicted theoretical values of specificity and sensitivity. The PNA-FISH method has been successfully adapted to detect cells in suspension and is hence able to be employed for the detection of this bacterium in blood, feces, water, and powdered infant formula (PIF). The blood and PIF samples were artificially contaminated with decreasing pathogen concentrations. After the use of an enrichment step, the PNA-FISH method was able to detect 1 CFU per 10 ml of blood (5 × 10
9
± 5 × 10
8
CFU/ml after an overnight enrichment step) and also 1 CFU per 10 g of PIF (2 × 10
7
± 5 × 10
6
CFU/ml after an 8-h enrichment step). The feces and water samples were also enriched according to the corresponding International Organization for Standardization methods, and results showed that the PNA-FISH method was able to detect
Salmonella
immediately after the first enrichment step was conducted. Moreover, the probe was able to discriminate the bacterium in a mixed microbial population in feces and water by counter-staining with 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). This new method is applicable to a broad spectrum of samples and takes less than 20 h to obtain a diagnosis, except for PIF samples, where the analysis takes less than 12 h. This procedure may be used for food processing and municipal water control and also in clinical settings, representing an improved alternative to culture-based techniques and to the existing
Salmonella
PNA probe, Sal23S10, which presents a lower specificity.
NtcA from
Microcystis aeruginosa
PCC 7806 Is Autoregulatory and Binds to the Microcystin Promoter
Authors: Ginn H. P. , Pearson L. A. , Neilan B. A. 
Published: May 2010

ABSTRACT

NtcA is a transcription factor that has been found in a diverse range of cyanobacteria. This nitrogen-controlled factor was focused on as a key component in the yet-to-be-deciphered regulatory network controlling microcystin production. Adaptor-mediated PCR was utilized to isolate the
ntcA
gene from
Microcystis aeruginosa
PCC 7806. This gene was cloned, and the recombinant (His-tagged) protein was overexpressed and purified for use in mobility shift assays to analyze NtcA binding to putative sites identified in the microcystin
mcyA
/
D
promoter region. Autoregulation of NtcA in
M. aeruginosa
was shown via NtcA binding in the upstream
ntcA
promoter region. The observation of binding of NtcA to the
mcyA
/
D
promoter region has direct relevance for the regulation of microcystin biosynthesis, as transcription of the
mcyABCDEFGHIJ
gene cluster appears to be under direct control of nitrogen.