bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
NAD(P)H oxidase p22phox polymorphism and cardiovascular function in amateur runners
Authors: Gallina S. , Di Francescomarino S. , Di Mauro M. , Izzicupo P. , D'Angelo E. , D'Amico M.A. , Pennelli A. , Amicarelli F. , Di Baldassarre A. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractAim
NAD(P)H system represents the major source of superoxide production at cardiovascular (CV) level. It has several genetic variants: in particular, the C242T polymorphism of its p22phox subunit is associated with a different oxidase activity, being the T allele related to a lower superoxide production. Although several authors investigated the protective effect of T allele in CV diseases, only few data are available on its functional role in physiological conditions. The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between the p22phox C242T polymorphism and CV function in amateur runners.MethodsSeventy‐three male amateur runners were screened for CYBA polymorphism. CV analysis was performed by echocardiographic‐Doppler examination and by PulsePen tonometer assessment.ResultsThe genetic subgroups (CC and CT/TT) did not differ for
VM
O2max and cardiac dimension. Nevertheless, T carriers (n = 40) were characterized by a more efficient myocardial contraction and left ventricular (LV) filling, as evidenced by significant higher values of the midwall fractional shortening, systolic excursion of the tricuspid annular plane and of early/late diastolic wave velocities ratio and by a lower E wave deceleration time. Pulse wave velocity and augmentation index, parameters related to the arterial stiffness, were higher in CC subjects compared with CT/TT also when the analysis was adjusted for weight and diastolic pressure.ConclusionIn amateur runners, CYBA variants may influence both systolic and diastolic function and arterial stiffness. We suppose that the lower oxidative activity that characterizes 242T subjects may positively influence the excitation–contraction and arterial–ventricular coupling mechanisms, thus leading to a more efficient CV function.
Computed tomography evaluation of craniofacial fibrous dysplasia in an African population
Authors: Ogbole G.I. , Akinmoladun V.I. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAim:  Fibrous dysplasia is a benign fibro‐osseous tumour of bones commonly involving the craniofacial region. Computed tomography (CT) imaging study of the disease is useful for evaluation and treatment planning. However, few studies have evaluated patient series in an African setting.Material and methods:  A total of 14 patients with complete medical records and CT images were included in this study. All patients were non‐syndromic fibrous dysplasia involving only the craniofacial region. None had skin pigmentation or other evidence of endocrine problems. Data analysis was essentially on clinical and CT appearances of the lesions.Results:  Facial swelling was the chief complaint in 79% of patients. Two patients were incidentally discovered after cranial CT scanning for head injury and stroke. The average number of bones involved was 5.4 per patient. Involvement of more than one craniofacial bone occurred in 78% of patients. The maxilla was involved in eight patients (57.14%), the ethmoidal, orbital and frontal bones were the most commonly jointly involved bones (64.3%). CT images appeared sclerotic or homogenous in 36%, ground glass or heterogeneous in 71% and cystic in 7%.Conclusion:  CT features of craniofacial dysplasia in patients of African descent are similar to that seen in other racial groups. Our findings further suggest that craniofacial fibrous dysplasia can hardly be described as monostotic.
Transplantation of oral mucosa explants using different biological and synthetic membranes in an attempt to achieve one‐stage reconstruction of soft‐tissue defects
Authors: Moharamzadeh K. , Smith L.E. , Franklin K. , Ryan A.J. , Freeman C. , Thornhill M.H. , Brook I.M. , MacNeil S. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAim:  The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of combining freshly excised oral mucosa tissue with different biological and synthetic scaffolds for production of graft material for one‐stage soft‐tissue reconstruction.Material and Methods:  Small oral mucosa biopsies were finely minced and transplanted onto a larger circular subcutaneous wound bed in rats. Test groups included explants seeded onto (1) an electrospun scaffold, (2) acellular dermis, and (3) directly on the muscle fascia. The soft‐tissue implants were examined using histology and immunohistochemical analysis for cytokeratins (CKs) 5, 10, 13, and 19.Results:  Mucosal explants grew into fully developed epithelium with keratinisation. Surprisingly, instead of spreading over the surface of the membranes, the epithelial explants curled up and formed cyst‐like structures in all test groups. The epithelial layer of the cysts originated from mucosal explants grown on the electrospun scaffold showed weak positive staining for CK5, CK10, and CK19 similar to native rat oral mucosa. Other groups showed negative staining for the CKs.Conclusions:  Subcutaneous transplantation of freshly excised oral mucosa explants resulted in the growth of the explants and formation of inclusion cyst‐like structures. The phenotype of the cyst epithelium was affected by the underlying connective tissue substrate.
Dental insurance, attitudes to dental care, and dental visiting
Authors: Teusner Dana N. , Brennan David S. , Spencer A. John 
Published: July 2012

AbstractObjective: Dental insurance status is strongly associated with service use. In models of dental visiting, insurance is typically included as an enabling factor. However, in Australia, people self‐select into health insurance (privately purchased) and levels of cover for dental services are modest. Rather than enabling access, insurance status may be a “marker” for unmeasured predisposing attitudes. This study aims to explore associations between dental insurance status and visiting while adjusting for dental care attitudes.Methods: Participants (South Australians aged 45‐54 years) of a 2‐year prospective cohort study (2005‐2007) investigating dental service use were surveyed on their attitudes to dental care and insurance status. Six attitudinal factors were assessed using a 23‐item Likert scale. Bivariate associations between insurance, attitudes, visiting, and other known covariates (age, sex, and household income) were explored. A series of regression models assessed whether prevalence ratios of visiting were attenuated after controlling for attitudinal factors.Results: Response rate was 85.0 percent. Analysis was limited to dentate adults with known dental insurance status (n = 529). The majority had dental insurance (75.2%) and made regular visits (63.7%). Insurance status, visiting, and attitudinal factors were significantly associated. Controlling for covariates, insured adults, compared with the uninsured, were 57 percent more likely to make regular visits. After adjusting for attitudinal factors, the significant association between insurance and visiting persisted.Conclusion: Dental care attitudes did not confound the association between dental insurance and visiting, indicating that dental insurance status was not a “marker” for predisposing attitudes.
Changes in carbon storage under alternative land uses in biodiverse Andean grasslands: implications for payment for ecosystem services
Authors: Farley Kathleen A. , Bremer Leah L. , Harden Carol P. , Hartsig James 
Published: July 2012

AbstractEcuadorian páramo grasslands have become the focus of Payment for Ecosystem Services programs that have promoted land‐use changes such as afforestation and reduction of burning, grazing of cattle or sheep, and agricultural expansion. However, limited information exists on the relationships between land use in páramos and the production of ecosystem services, including the direction and magnitude of changes in carbon storage. In an evaluation of eight sites representing incentivized land uses, we found significant differences in both soil carbon and aboveground carbon. The results support previous findings on the effects of pine plantations and suggest that limiting burning may be effective at enhancing carbon storage. They also indicate that, in highly productive grasslands such as the páramo, both belowground and aboveground C storage can be high, even when compared to some types of afforestation, providing support for greater attention to the role of grassland conservation in climate mitigation strategies.
Serum Iron Parameters and Acute Experimental EHV‐1 Infection in Horses
Authors: Brosnahan M.M. , Erb H.N. , Perkins G.A. , Divers T.J. , Borges A.S. , Osterrieder N. 
Published: July 2012

BackgroundResearch in humans has demonstrated that high serum iron (sFe) concentration can predispose to infection, and many infections subsequently result in alterations of host sFe. A decrease in sFe concentration is an early and sensitive indicator of systemic inflammation caused by tissue necrosis, bacterial infections, or endotoxemia in horses. Serum iron parameters in acute equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV‐1) infection have not been evaluated previously.ObjectivesTo document the sFe response to EHV‐1 infection and to determine whether or not significant differences in sFe concentration exist between EHV‐1 infected horses that develop neurologic disease and those that do not.AnimalsA total of 14 horses experimentally infected with EHV‐1.MethodsData were collected as an ancillary data set during a blinded experimental EHV‐1 infection. Horses were infected with the rAb4 strain of EHV‐1. Temperature, neurologic score, packed cell volume (PCV), and sFe parameters (sFe concentration, % saturation, and total iron‐binding capacity) were recorded daily for 2 weeks. Data were evaluated using Wilcoxon signed rank tests and Wilcoxon rank sum tests with Bonferroni corrections.Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceSerum iron concentration decreases significantly in a biphasic pattern after EHV‐1 infection. There was no significant difference in sFe concentration in horses that developed neurologic disease and those that did not in these experimentally infected animals. Serum iron parameters may be useful in monitoring the clinical course of viral infections such as EHV‐1.
Methane-Cycling Microbial Communities and Methane Emission in Natural and Restored Peatlands
Authors: Juottonen Heli , Hynninen Anu , Nieminen Mika , Tuomivirta Tero T. , Tuittila Eeva-Stiina , Nousiainen Hannu , Kell Dana K. , Yrjälä Kim , Tervahauta Arja , Fritze Hannu 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACT

We addressed how restoration of forestry-drained peatlands affects CH
4
-cycling microbes. Despite similar community compositions, the abundance of methanogens and methanotrophs was lower in restored than in natural sites and correlated with CH
4
emission. Poor establishment of methanogens may thus explain low CH
4
emissions on restored peatlands even 10 to 12 years after restoration.
Microbial Survey of a Full-Scale, Biologically Active Filter for Treatment of Drinking Water
Authors: White Colin P. , DeBry Ronald W. , Lytle Darren A. 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACT

The microbial community of a full-scale, biologically active drinking water filter was surveyed using molecular techniques.
Nitrosomonas
,
Nitrospira
,
Sphingomonadales
, and
Rhizobiales
dominated the clone libraries. The results elucidate the microbial ecology of biological filters and demonstrate that biological treatment of drinking water should be considered a viable alternative to physicochemical methods.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa Bacteriophage PA1Ø Requires Type IV Pili for Infection and Shows Broad Bactericidal and Biofilm Removal Activities
Authors: Kim Shukho , Rahman Marzia , Seol Sung Yong , Yoon Sang Sun , Kim Jungmin 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACT

We isolated a new lytic
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
phage that requires type IV pili for infection. PA1Ø has a broad bactericidal spectrum, covering Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and can eradicate biofilm cells. PA1Ø may be developed as a therapeutic agent for biofilm-related mixed infections with
P. aeruginosa
and
Staphylococcus aureus
.
Methanogenic Population and CH
4
Production in Swedish Dairy Cows Fed Different Levels of Forage
Authors: Danielsson R. , Schnürer A. , Arthurson V. , Bertilsson J. 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACT

Methanogenic community structure, methane production (CH
4
), and volatile fatty acid (VFA) profiles were investigated in Swedish dairy cows fed a diet with a forage/concentrate ratio of 500/500 or 900/100 g/kg of dry matter (DM) of total DM intake (DMI). The rumen methanogenic population was evaluated using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis, 16S rRNA gene libraries, and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Mean CH
4
yields did not differ (
P
> 0.05) between diets, being 16.9 and 20.2 g/kg DMI for the 500/500 and 900/100 diets, respectively. The T-RFLP analysis revealed that populations differed between individual cows and that each individual population responded differently to the diets. The 16S rRNA gene libraries revealed that
Methanobrevibacter
spp. dominated for both diets. CH
4
production was positively correlated with a dominance of sequences representing T-RFs related to
Methanobrevibacter thaueri
,
Methanobrevibacter millerae
, and
Methanobrevibacter smithii
relative to
Methanobrevibacter ruminantium
and
Methanobrevibacter olleyae
. Total numbers of methanogens and total numbers of
Methanobacteriales
were significantly higher with the 500/500 diet (
P
< 0.0004 and
P
< 0.002, respectively). However, no relationship was found between CH
4
production and total number of methanogens. No differences were seen in total VFA, propionic acid, or acetic acid contents, but the molar proportion of butyric acid in the rumen was higher for the 500/500 diet than for the 900/100 diet (
P
< 0.05). Interestingly, the results also revealed that a division of the identified methanogenic species into two groups, suggested in the work of King et al. (E. E. King, R. P. Smith, B. St-Pierre, and A. D. G. Wright, Appl. Environ. Microbiol.
77:
5682–5687, 2011), increased the understanding of the variation in CH
4
production between different cows.
Genetic Diversity, Symbiotic Evolution, and Proposed Infection Process of Bradyrhizobium Strains Isolated from Root Nodules of Aeschynomene americana L. in Thailand
Authors: Noisangiam Rujirek , Teamtisong Kamonluck , Tittabutr Panlada , Boonkerd Nantakorn , Toshiki Uchiumi , Minamisawa Kiwamu , Teaumroong Neung 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACTThe diversity of bacteria nodulatingAeschynomene americanaL. in Thailand was determined from phenotypic characteristics and multilocus sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene and 3 housekeeping genes (dnaK,recA, andglnB). The isolated strains were nonphotosynthetic bacteria and were assigned to the genusBradyrhizobium, in whichB. yuanmingensewas the dominant species. Some of the other species, includingB. japonicum,B. liaoningense, andB. canariense, were minor species. These isolated strains were divided into 2 groups—nod-containing and divergentnod-containing strains—based on Southern blot hybridization and PCR amplification ofnodABCgenes. The divergentnodgenes could not be PCR amplified and failed to hybridizenodgene probes designed fromB. japonicumUSDA110, but hybridized to probes from other bradyrhizobial strains under low-stringency conditions. The grouping based on sequence similarity ofnodgenes was well correlated with the grouping based on that ofnifHgene, in which thenod-containing and divergentnod-containing strains were obviously distinguished. The divergentnod-containing strains and photosynthetic bradyrhizobia shared closenifHsequence similarity and an ability to fix nitrogen in the free-living state. Surprisingly, the strains isolated fromA. americanacould nodulateAeschynomeneplants that belong to different cross-inoculation (CI) groups, includingA. afrasperaandA. indica. This is the first discovery of bradyrhizobia (nonphotosynthetic andnod-containing strain) originating from CI group 1 nodulating roots ofA. indica(CI group 3). An infection process used to establish symbiosis onAeschynomenedifferent from the classical one is proposed.
Consumption of Lysozyme-Rich Milk Can Alter Microbial Fecal Populations
Authors: Maga Elizabeth A. , Desai Prerak T. , Weimer Bart C. , Dao Nguyet , Kültz Dietmar , Murray James D. 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACT

Human milk contains antimicrobial factors such as lysozyme and lactoferrin that are thought to contribute to the development of an intestinal microbiota beneficial to host health. However, these factors are lacking in the milk of dairy animals. Here we report the establishment of an animal model to allow the dissection of the role of milk components in gut microbiota modulation and subsequent changes in overall and intestinal health. Using milk from transgenic goats expressing human lysozyme at 68%, the level found in human milk and young pigs as feeding subjects, the fecal microbiota was analyzed over time using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and the G2 Phylochip. The two methods yielded similar results, with the G2 Phylochip giving more comprehensive information by detecting more OTUs. Total community populations remained similar within the feeding groups, and community member diversity was changed significantly upon consumption of lysozyme milk. Levels of
Firmicutes
(
Clostridia
) declined whereas those of
Bacteroidetes
increased over time in response to the consumption of lysozyme-rich milk. The proportions of these major phyla were significantly different (
P
< 0.05) from the proportions seen with control-fed animals after 14 days of feeding. Within phyla, the abundance of bacteria associated with gut health (
Bifidobacteriaceae
and
Lactobacillaceae
) increased and the abundance of those associated with disease (
Mycobacteriaceae
,
Streptococcaceae
,
Campylobacterales
) decreased with consumption of lysozyme milk. This study demonstrated that a single component of the diet with bioactivity changed the gut microbiome composition. Additionally, this model enabled the direct examination of the impact of lysozyme on beneficial microbe enrichment versus detrimental microbe reduction in the gut microbiome community.
Lon Protease of Azorhizobium caulinodans ORS571 Is Required for Suppression of
reb
Gene Expression
Authors: Nakajima Azusa , Aono Toshihiro , Tsukada Shuhei , Siarot Lowela , Ogawa Tetsuhiro , Oyaizu Hiroshi 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACT

Bacterial Lon proteases play important roles in a variety of biological processes in addition to housekeeping functions. In this study, we focused on the Lon protease of
Azorhizobium caulinodans
, which can fix nitrogen both during free-living growth and in stem nodules of the legume
Sesbania rostrata
. The nitrogen fixation activity of an
A. caulinodans
lon
mutant in the free-living state was not significantly different from that of the wild-type strain. However, the stem nodules formed by the
lon
mutant showed little or no nitrogen fixation activity. By microscopic analyses, two kinds of host cells were observed in the stem nodules formed by the
lon
mutant. One type has shrunken host cells containing a high density of bacteria, and the other type has oval or elongated host cells containing a low density or no bacteria. This phenotype is similar to a
praR
mutant highly expressing the
reb
genes. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR analyses revealed that
reb
genes were also highly expressed in the
lon
mutant. Furthermore, a
lon reb
double mutant formed stem nodules showing higher nitrogen fixation activity than the
lon
mutant, and shrunken host cells were not observed in these stem nodules. These results suggest that Lon protease is required to suppress the expression of the
reb
genes and that high expression of
reb
genes in part causes aberrance in the
A. caulinodans
-
S. rostrata
symbiosis. In addition to the suppression of
reb
genes, it was found that Lon protease was involved in the regulation of exopolysaccharide production and autoagglutination of bacterial cells.
Upper Respiratory Tract Microbial Communities, Acute Otitis Media Pathogens, and Antibiotic Use in Healthy and Sick Children
Authors: Pettigrew Melinda M. , Laufer Alison S. , Gent Janneane F. , Kong Yong , Fennie Kristopher P. , Metlay Joshua P. 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACT

The composition of the upper respiratory tract microbial community may influence the risk for colonization by the acute otitis media (AOM) pathogens
Streptococcus pneumoniae
,
Haemophilus influenzae
, and
Moraxella catarrhalis
. We used culture-independent methods to describe upper respiratory tract microbial communities in healthy children and children with upper respiratory tract infection with and without concurrent AOM. Nasal swabs and data were collected in a cross-sectional study of 240 children between 6 months and 3 years of age. Swabs were cultured for
S. pneumoniae
, and real-time PCR was used to identify
S. pneumoniae
,
H. influenzae
, and
M. catarrhalis
. The V1-V2 16S rRNA gene regions were sequenced using 454 pyrosequencing. Microbial communities were described using a taxon-based approach. Colonization by
S. pneumoniae
,
H. influenzae
, and
M. catarrhalis
was associated with lower levels of diversity in upper respiratory tract flora. We identified commensal taxa that were negatively associated with colonization by each AOM bacterial pathogen and with AOM. The balance of these relationships differed according to the colonizing AOM pathogen and history of antibiotic use. Children with antibiotic use in the past 6 months and a greater abundance of taxa, including
Lactococcus
and
Propionibacterium
, were less likely to have AOM than healthy children (odds ratio [OR], 0.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.25 to 0.85). Children with no antibiotic use in the past 6 months, a low abundance of
Streptococcus
and
Haemophilus
, and a high abundance of
Corynebacterium
and
Dolosigranulum
were less likely to have AOM (OR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.31 to 0.83). An increased understanding of polymicrobial interactions will facilitate the development of effective AOM prevention strategies.