bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lipoarabinomannan biosynthesis in Corynebacterineae: the interplay of two α(1→2)‐mannopyranosyltransferases MptC and MptD in mannan branching
Authors: Mishra Arun K. , Krumbach Karin , Rittmann Doris , Appelmelk Ben , Pathak Vibha , Pathak Ashish K. , Nigou Jerome , Geurtsen Jeroen , Eggeling Lothar , Besra Gurdyal S. 
Published: March 2011

SummaryLipomannan (LM) and lipoarabinomannan (LAM) are key Corynebacterineae glycoconjugates that are integral components of the mycobacterial cell wall, and are potent immunomodulators during infection. LAM is a complex heteropolysaccharide synthesized by an array of essential glycosyltransferase family C (GT‐C) members, which represent potential drug targets. Herein, we have identified and characterized two open reading frames from Corynebacterium glutamicum that encode for putative GT‐Cs. Deletion of NCgl2100 and NCgl2097 in C. glutamicum demonstrated their role in the biosynthesis of the branching α(1→2)‐Manp residues found in LM and LAM. In addition, utilizing a chemically defined nonasaccharide acceptor, azidoethyl 6‐O‐benzyl‐α‐D‐mannopyranosyl‐(1→6)‐[α‐D‐mannopyranosyl‐(1→6)]7‐D‐mannopyranoside, and the glycosyl donor C50‐polyprenol‐phosphate‐[14C]‐mannose with membranes prepared from different C. glutamicum mutant strains, we have shown that both NCgl2100 and NCgl2097 encode for novel α(1→2)‐mannopyranosyltransferases, which we have termed MptC and MptD respectively. Complementation studies and in vitro assays also identified Rv2181 as a homologue of Cg‐MptC in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Finally, we investigated the ability of LM and LAM from C. glutamicum, and C. glutamicumΔmptC and C. glutamicumΔmptD mutants, to activate Toll‐like receptor 2. Overall, our study enhances our understanding of complex lipoglycan biosynthesis in Corynebacterineae and sheds further light on the structural and functional relationship of these classes of polysaccharides.
Campylobacter jejuni survival within human epithelial cells is enhanced by the secreted protein CiaI
Authors: Buelow Daelynn R. , Christensen Jeffrey E. , Neal‐McKinney Jason M. , Konkel Michael E. 
Published: March 2011

SummaryAlthough it is known that Campylobacter jejuni invade the cells that line the human intestinal tract, the bacterial proteins that enable this pathogen to survive within Campylobacter‐containing vacuoles (CCV) have not been identified. Here, we describe the identification and characterization of a protein that we termed CiaI for Campylobacter invasion antigen involved in intracellular survival. We show that CiaI harbours an amino‐terminal type III secretion sequence and is secreted from C. jejuni through the flagellar type III secretion system. In addition, the ciaI mutant was impaired in intracellular survival when compared with a wild‐type strain, as judged by the gentamicin‐protection assay. Fluorescence microscopy examination of epithelial cells infected with the C. jejuni ciaI mutant revealed that the CCV were more frequently co‐localized with Cathepsin D (a lysosomal marker) than the CCV in cells infected with a C. jejuni wild‐type strain. Ectopic expression of CiaI‐GFP in epithelial cells yielded a punctate phenotype not observed with the other C. jejuni genes, and this phenotype was abolished by mutation of a dileucine motif located in the carboxy‐terminus of the protein. Based on the data, we conclude that CiaI contributes to the ability of C. jejuni to survive within epithelial cells.
Two steps away from novelty – principles of bacterial DNA uptake
Authors: Krüger Nora‐Johanna , Stingl Kerstin 
Published: March 2011

SummaryTransport of DNA across bacterial membranes during natural transformation is a fascinating and elaborate process. It requires the functional integrity of huge multi‐protein complexes present in the bacterial envelope at distinct loci. After successful mapping of essential gene products involved in natural transformation, current research focuses on the functional interplay of these components in order to understand the mechanisms how DNA enters the bacterium. Here, we discuss the model of a two‐step DNA uptake process in competent Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacteria. The first step comprises the transfer of DNA from the bacterial surface to the cytoplasmic membrane. For this purpose, bacteria use a variety of machineries, mostly, but not necessarily, sharing key homologous components. The second step is the translocation of DNA across the cytoplasmic membrane, a tight barrier at which ion gradients are established for energization of the cell. Crossing the latter is mediated by a protein complex harbouring a highly conserved membrane channel. On the basis of current data, at least the first step is uncoupled from the second. This review intends to highlight mechanistic features of both steps of bacterial DNA uptake by the integrative interpretation of genetic, biochemical and biophysical data.
Weed management practices determine plant and arthropod diversity and seed predation in vineyards
Authors: SANGUANKEO P P , LEÓN R G 
Published: March 2011

Sanguankeo PP & León RG (2011). Weed management practices determine plant and arthropod diversity and seed predation in vineyards. Weed Research51, 404–412.SummaryIn the Central Coast of California, USA, wine grape growers are making efforts to identify weed control practices that preserve biodiversity in their vineyards while maintaining yields. A field study was conducted in Paso Robles, California in 2006 and 2007 evaluating the effect on plant and ground dwelling arthropod communities of five weed control practices conducted under the vines within the row (berm): (i) flumioxazin, (ii) simazine, (iii) cultivation, (iv) cover crop and (v) untreated control. The cover crop, cultivation and untreated control had 4–50 times higher plant density and more than 15 times higher plant diversity compared with the herbicide treatments. The arthropod activity‐density differed among treatments only in 2007, being higher in the cover crop and untreated control. There was a positive relationship between plant and arthropod diversity (r2 = 0.42, P = 0.02 in 2006; r2 = 0.64, P < 0.001 in 2007). Laboratory seed predation tests of the two most frequently captured carabid beetles, Calathus ruficollis and Tanystoma maculicolle, indicated they predated more of the common weed species Brassica nigra and Capsella bursa‐pastoris, than other weed species tested. Under field conditions, treatments with higher plant diversity and density favoured arthropod seed predation of these weeds. Predation rates were 20–40% in the cover crop and untreated control, double that observed in the herbicide treatments. The cultivation treatment balanced the benefits of promoting diversity while minimising yield reductions caused by weed competition. The results indicate that weed management practices that promote higher plant diversity and density have the potential to yield ecological benefits within vineyards, for example, enhancing the activity of beneficial organisms.
Comparative effects of water level variations on growth characteristics of Myriophyllum aquaticum
Authors: WERSAL R M , MADSEN J D 
Published: March 2011

Wersal RM & Madsen JD (2011). Comparative effects of water level variations on growth characteristics of Myriophyllum aquaticum. Weed Research 51, 386–393.Summary Myriophyllum aquaticum is a non‐native aquatic plant that has invaded a range of habitats in the United States and Europe. Myriophyllum aquaticum reduces native species richness at local scales, water quality, habitat quality for fish and wildlife and impacts on human uses. Despite the submersed leaf form, M. aquaticum is not typically a weed problem as water level increases, although little data exist describing basic biological and ecological mechanisms affecting growth. The objective of this study was to quantify changes in M. aquaticum growth as water levels increase from 0 (representing shoreline habitat) to 137 cm under controlled mesocosm conditions. Total biomass at 0 cm was 96% greater than plants grown at a depth of 137 cm. Biomass of emergent shoots, stolons and roots were also greater when M. aquaticum was grown at the 0 cm water level. Submersed shoot biomass was on average 99% greater between 37 and 77 cm. Submersed shoots comprised a small fraction, 0.1–12% of total biomass, depending on water level. Total plant length was 25% greater when plants were grown at water levels from 0 to 77 cm, compared with plants grown at 97, 117 or 137 cm. Nuisance growth is dependent upon plants emerging from the water column; as water levels increase, this becomes more difficult for plants, as a result of the reduced photosynthetic ability of submersed leaves. These results can be used to identify optimal areas for M. aquaticum growth and possibly predict areas of new infestations.
Identification of two components of the female sex pheromone of the sugarcane‐borer Diatraea flavipennella (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)
Authors: Kalinová B. , Do Nascimento R. R. , Hoskovec M. , Mendonça A. L. , Silva E. L. , De Freitas M. R. T. , Cabral‐Jr C. R. , Silva C. E. , Sant’Ana A. E. G. , Svatoš A. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractAnalysis by gas chromatography with electroantennographic detection of extracts of pheromone glands derived from calling females of the sugarcane‐borer Diatraea flavipennella revealed two antennally active compounds. These components were identified as (Z)‐9‐hexadecenal (Z9–16:Ald) and (Z)‐11‐hexadecenal (Z11–16:Ald) by comparison of the retention times of the natural compounds and the synthetic compounds supported by two‐dimensional gas chromatography – time‐of‐flight mass spectrometric analysis and the positions of the double bounds in the chains were confirmed from the mass spectral fragmentation patterns of their dimethyldisulphide adducts. The analysis indicated that Z9–16:Ald and Z11–16:Ald were present in the sex pheromone in the proportions 25 : 75. Trace amounts of tetradecanal, hexadecanal, (Z)‐7‐hexadecenal (Z7–16:Ald), (Z)‐9‐hexadecen‐1‐ol and (Z)‐11‐hexadecen‐1‐ol were also found in the extract, but of these only Z9–16:Ald and Z11–16:Ald appeared to be antennally active. Behavioural bioassays demonstrated that a binary blend composed of Z9–16:Ald and Z11–16:Ald in the ratio of 25 : 75 induced a response in D. flavipennella virgin males similar to that elicited by live virgin females or by an hexane extract of the pheromone glands of calling females. Z9–16:Ald and Z11–16:Ald are, therefore, considered to be the major constituents of the female sex pheromone of D. flavipennella.
Role of intraguild predation in aphidophagous guilds
Authors: Hemptinne J.‐L. , Magro A. , Saladin C. , Dixon A. F. G. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThe concept of intraguild predation (IGP) appeared in 1987–1989 to describe trophic interactions within a guild of arthropods inhabiting a sand dune desert: consumers B prey on consumers A and both of them prey on a common resource. Theory predicts that the two types of consumers should only coexist if consumer A is more efficient in the conversion of the common resource than B. As a consequence, this resource is more abundant in the presence than in the absence of intraguild predators. Such a theoretical prediction probably explains the vivid interest shown by ecologists involved in biological control for IGP. It is therefore not surprising that many papers report on IGP among natural enemies of aphids. A close examination of these reported cases indicates that they rarely fulfil the theoretical requirements for IGP. That is, guilds of aphidophagous insects are rarely the theatre of IGP but frequently of interspecific predation. This is confirmed by experimental assessment of the cost of attacking and eating intraguild prey instead of extraguild in ladybird beetles.
Mate choice by wild and mass‐reared females of the Mediterranean fruit fly
Authors: Shelly T. E. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThe sterile insect technique (SIT) is used to control Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), but its effectiveness is limited by low sexual competitiveness of mass‐reared males. This study investigated whether wild and mass‐reared [from a temperature sensitive lethal (tsl) genetic sexing strain] females display similar mate preferences and thus exert similar selective forces on the evolution of male courtship behaviour. Wild females preferred wild males over tsl males, whereas tsl females mated indiscriminately. The probability that mounting resulted in copulation was related to the duration of pre‐mount courtship for wild females, and wild males performed longer courtships than tsl males. Copulation occurred independently of courtship duration in tsl females. Counter to the aim of the SIT, female choice by tsl females appears to promote the evolution of male behaviour disfavoured by wild females.
Generation of residual stress and plastic strain in a fracture mechanics specimen to study the formation of creep damage in type 316 stainless steel
Authors: HOSSAIN S. , TRUMAN C. E. , SMITH D. J. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTResidual stresses are created in type 316H stainless steel fracture mechanics specimens using the process of local out‐of‐plane compression (LOPC). Three sets of LOPC tools are used to create different distributions of residual stress near to the crack tip. Also the tools create different levels of prior plastic strain. Residual stresses are measured using the neutron diffraction method and compared with the stress predictions obtained from finite element (FE) simulations of LOPC. The specimens are then subjected to thermal exposure at 550 °C for several thousand hours. A creep deformation and damage model is introduced into the FE analysis to predict the relaxation of stresses and creation of damage in the specimens. Neutron diffraction experiments are undertaken to measure the relaxed residual stresses and fractographic analysis of thermally exposed samples measured the extent of creep damage. A comparison between measured and simulated results demonstrates that the prior plastic strain has a significant effect on damage accumulation but this is not accounted for in the current creep damage models.
IS ECONOMIC GROWTH IN COTE D'IVOIRE PRO‐POOR? EVIDENCE FROM LSMS DATA: A NOTE
Authors: Jacques Esso Loesse 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTThis paper analyses the impact of the economic growth in Cote d'Ivoire on the poor people. We use household data from two LSMS (1992 and 2002) led by the National Statistical Office of Côte d'Ivoire. We show that the situation in this country is characterized by a trickle‐down growth: the poverty growth curve and the growth incidence curve computed show that growth reduces poverty but the poor people receive proportionally fewer benefits than the non‐poor.
Effect of chronic kidney disease on excessive daytime sleepiness in Parkinson disease
Authors: Baba Y. , Higuchi M.‐A. , Fukuyama K. , Abe H. , Uehara Y. , Inoue T. , Yamada T. 
Published: March 2011

Background and purposes:  Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is a common sleep disorder in patients with Parkinson disease (PD). Non‐ergot dopamine agonists increase the risk of unanticipated sleep episodes.Objective:  We aimed to assess the influence of renal function on EDS in patients with PD.Methods:  Sixty‐two patients treated with ropinirole or pramipexole were recruited for this study. We evaluated the historical and clinical characteristics including the motor symptom rating scales, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). An ESS score of 10 or greater was defined as EDS. Participants with eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 were determined to have chronic kidney disease (CKD). Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the predictive factors of EDS.Results:  Chronic kidney disease was found to be a significant predictive factor for EDS in all patients (P = 0.014). We observed a negative correlation between the severity of daytime sleepiness and renal function in patients treated with pramipexole alone (rs = −0.637, P < 0.001).Conclusions:  Chronic kidney disease may be a risk factor for EDS, especially in patients treated with pramipexole, which is directly excreted in the urine.
Long‐term satisfaction after neurological second opinions and tertiary referrals
Authors: Wieske L. , Richard E. , Wijers D. , Stam J. , Smets E. M. A. , Vergouwen M. D. I. 
Published: March 2011

Background and purpose:  The number of second opinions (SO) and tertiary referrals (TR) in neurology is increasing. Previously, we showed that a day‐care admission for neurological SO’s and TR’s often results in a new diagnosis and/or treatment advice and increases patient satisfaction. However, long‐term satisfaction for these consultations has never been studied. The main purpose of this study was to investigate long‐term satisfaction in these groups of patients.Methods:  A 2‐year follow‐up study in 300 patients who had attended a day‐care clinic for SO and TR. Long‐term satisfaction was assessed with a questionnaire using four Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) satisfaction items (ranging 0–10). Patients were asked if they had sought further consultations for the same problem after they had consulted the day‐care clinic. A model was constructed to assess predictors for seeking new consultations.Results:  Overall satisfaction decreased 2.4 (SD 2.4) points during follow‐up to the same level as before the consultation. The decrease was similar in SO and TR patients. Twenty‐eight per cent of the patients consulted other health‐care workers. Greater satisfaction immediately after the consultation was the only predictor for not seeking additional consultations (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.61–0.99 for every point increase on VAS).Conclusion:  Despite a high rate of new diagnoses and advised treatments, long‐term satisfaction decreased after 2 years to baseline levels. These results question the long‐term efficacy of a day‐care clinic to evaluate neurological second opinions and tertiary referrals.
Efficacy of blue light vs. red light in the treatment of psoriasis: a double‐blind, randomized comparative study
Authors: Kleinpenning M.M. , Otero M.E. , van Erp P.E.J. , Gerritsen M.J.P. , van de Kerkhof P.C.M. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractBackground  Protoporphyrin IX is present in psoriatic skin without the preceding application of aminolevulinic acid. Therefore, endogenous photosensitizers in psoriasis are a potential target for photodynamic treatment with high‐dose visible light.Objectives  In the present pilot study, treatment with high‐dose blue and red light in psoriasis were analysed with respect to clinical improvement and potential side‐effects.Methods  In 20 patients, two stable psoriatic plaques were treated with either blue or red light, three times weekly for four consecutive weeks. To remove scaling that could potentially interfere with penetration of the light into the skin, daily application of 10% salicylic acid in petrolatum was started at the screening visit and continued until the end of the study.Results  Clinical improvement was seen after treatment with blue as well as after treatment with red light. With respect to scaling and induration, no major differences between both light sources were seen. Improvement of erythema, however, continued in blue light irradiated plaques throughout the whole study period, whereas after red light no significant improvement was seen after six illuminations.Conclusions  The clinical improvement of psoriasis, with respect to erythema, in particular after blue light and to a lesser extent after red light indicates that visible light treatment could represent a treatment option for psoriasis.
Multiple familial and pigmented basal cell carcinomas in early childhood – Bazex–Dupré–Christol syndrome
Authors: Abuzahra F. , Parren L.J.M.T. , Frank J. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractBackground  Bazex–Dupré–Christol syndrome (BDCS) is an X‐linked dominantly inherited disorder affecting hair follicle structures. Currently, hypotrichosis, follicular atrophoderma and basal cell carcinomas are considered frequent symptoms of the disorder whereas milia are supposed to reflect infrequent clinical signs. Usually, basal cell carcinomas in this disease manifest from the second decade of life onwards.Case report  Here, we studied a novel multigeneration family of German origin with BDCS. Interestingly, two family members developed pigmented basal cell carcinomas in early childhood, at the age of 3 and 5 years, respectively. The differentiation from other pigmented lesions was accomplished by both dermoscopy and histopathology. A thorough survey of the current literature revealed that milia were present in almost all patients with BDCS reported, as is the case in our family.Conclusions  We suggest that milia should also be considered frequent symptoms in BDCS. For the first time, to the best of our knowledge, we describe the occurrence of pigmented basal cell carcinomas in BDCS during the first decade of life. Our observation emphasizes the importance of screening for cutaneous malignancies in this disorder already at young age.
Rapid, complete and large‐scale generation of post‐mitotic neurons from the human LUHMES cell line
Authors: Scholz Diana , Pöltl Dominik , Genewsky Andreas , Weng Matthias , Waldmann Tanja , Schildknecht Stefan , Leist Marcel 
Published: March 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 119, 957–971.AbstractWe characterized phenotype and function of a fetal human mesencephalic cell line (LUHMES, Lund human mesencephalic) as neuronal model system. Neurodevelopmental profiling of the proliferation stage (d0, day 0) of these conditionally‐immortalized cells revealed neuronal features, expressed simultaneously with some early neuroblast and stem cell markers. An optimized 2‐step differentiation procedure, triggered by shut‐down of the myc transgene, resulted in uniformly post‐mitotic neurons within 5 days (d5). This was associated with down‐regulation of some precursor markers and further up‐regulation of neuronal genes. Neurite network formation involved the outgrowth of 1–2, often > 500 μm long projections. They showed dynamic growth cone behavior, as evidenced by time‐lapse imaging of stably GFP‐over‐expressing cells. Voltage‐dependent sodium channels and spontaneous electrical activity of LUHMES continuously increased from d0 to d11, while levels of synaptic markers reached their maximum on d5. The developmental expression patterns of most genes and of the dopamine uptake‐ and release‐machinery appeared to be intrinsically predetermined, as the differentiation proceeded similarly when external factors such as dibutyryl‐cAMP and glial cell derived neurotrophic factor were omitted. Only tyrosine hydroxylase required the continuous presence of cAMP. In conclusion, LUHMES are a robust neuronal model with adaptable phenotype and high value for neurodevelopmental studies, disease modeling and neuropharmacology.
Current progress in DNA barcoding and future implications for entomology
Authors: JINBO Utsugi , KATO Toshihide , ITO Motomi 
Published: March 2011

AbstractDNA barcoding is a technique for identifying organisms based on a short, standardized fragment of genomic DNA. The standardized sequence region is called a DNA barcode because it is like a barcode tag for each taxon. Since the proposition of this concept and the launch of a large project named the Barcode of Life, this simple technique has attracted attention from taxonomists, ecologists, conservation biologists, agriculturists, plant‐quarantine officers and others, and the number of studies using the DNA barcode has rapidly increased. The extreme diversity of insects and their economical, epidemiological and agricultural importance have made this group a major target of DNA barcoding. However, there is some controversy about the utility of DNA barcoding. In this review, we present an overview of DNA barcoding and its application to entomology. We also introduce current advances and future implications of this promising technique.