bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chromosome damage and repair in children with sickle cell anaemia and long‐term hydroxycarbamide exposure
Authors: McGann Patrick T. , Howard Thad A. , Flanagan Jonathan M. , Lahti Jill M. , Ware Russell E. 
Published: May 2011

SummaryHydroxycarbamide (hydroxyurea) provides laboratory and clinical benefits for adults and children with sickle cell anaemia (SCA). Given its mechanism of action and prior reports of genotoxicity, concern exists regarding long‐term toxicities and possible carcinogenicity. We performed cross‐sectional analyses of chromosome stability using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 51 children with SCA and 3–12 years of hydroxycarbamide exposure (mean age 13·2 ± 4·1 years), compared to 28 children before treatment (9·4 ± 4·7 years). Chromosome damage was less for children receiving hydroxycarbamide than untreated patients (0·8 ± 1·2 vs. 1·9 ± 1·5 breaks per 100 cells, P = 0·004). There were no differences in repairing chromosome breaks after in vitro radiation; PBMC from children taking hydroxycarbamide had equivalent 2 Gy‐induced chromosome breaks compared to untreated patients (30·8 ± 16·1 vs. 31·7 ± 8·9 per 100 cells, P = not significant). Radiation plus hydroxycarbamide resulted in similar numbers of unrepaired breaks in cells from children on hydroxycarbamide compared to untreated patients (95·8 ± 44·2 vs. 76·1 ± 23·1 per 100 cells, P = 0·08), but no differences were noted with longer exposure (97·9 ± 42·8 breaks per 100 cells for 3–6 years of hydroxycarbamide exposure vs. 91·2 ± 48·4 for 9–12 years of exposure). These observations provide important safety data regarding long‐term risks of hydroxycarbamide exposure for children with SCA, and suggest low in vivo mutagenicity and carcinogenicity.
Characteristics of thin‐layer drying and rehydration of nata de coco
Authors: Fan Huiping , Wu Yonghui , Hu Xiaosong , Wu Jihong , Liao Xiaojun 
Published: May 2011

SummaryNata is white gelatinous bacterial cellulose produced by Acetobacter aceti ssp. xylinum through fermentation of coconut water. Drying behaviour of nata de coco was conducted with a hot air dryer for a temperature range of 50–90 °C. The experimental data obtained were fitted into seven empirical and/or semi‐theoretical thin‐layer drying models using nonlinear regression analysis. Results showed that Logarithmic model, Wang and Singh model fitted better than Verma et al. model although all these three models were suitable for predicting the drying process of nata de coco. The rehydration capacity was lost severely when the moisture content of the samples was nearly zero, but it can almost rehydrate to its initial state when the moisture content was above 8%. The drying kinetic properties and rehydration capacity of nata de coco indicated that most of the moisture in nata de coco was free water.
Use of grape by‐product as a source of dietary fibre and phenolic compounds in sourdough mixed rye bread
Authors: Mildner‐Szkudlarz Sylwia , Zawirska‐Wojtasiak Renata , Szwengiel Artur , Pacyński Mariusz 
Published: May 2011

SummaryThe study evaluated the effect of grape by‐products (GP) on the chemical composition, soluble (SDF) and insoluble (IDF) dietary fibre, phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity (AA) and organoleptic characteristics of sourdough mixed rye bread. The following samples of sourdough mixed rye bread were prepared: control bread (BC) and breads with GP at four different levels: 4%, 6%, 8% and 10%. Addition of GP significantly improves dietary fraction contents, as bread with a 10% addition of GP accounts for 39% and 37% higher contents of IDF and SDF than BC. The assay of radical‐scavenging activity and reducing ability showed that GP addition greatly enhanced antioxidant properties of mixed rye breads. Profiles of phenolic compounds of supplemented breads were dominated by procyanidin B1 and B2, catechin, epicatechin, caffeic acid and myricetin. With an increase in the level of GP, the hardness and gumminess of the bread significantly increase. Although both BC and supplemented breads showed common volatile compound profiles, there were slight differences in the concentrations of those components. Sensory evaluation of GP‐enhanced breads revealed that a maximum of 6% GP could be incorporated to prepare acceptable products.
The ability of zinc to inhibit the sporulation and viability of Clostridium sporogenes and growth of other bacteria
Authors: Lee Ah Jin , Byun Bo Young , Kang Dong‐Hyun , Tang Juming , Kim Young‐Wan , Hwang Han‐Joon , Mah Jae‐Hyung 
Published: May 2011

SummaryThe objective of this study was to investigate the influence of zinc on the sporulation and viability of Clostridium sporogenes and on the growth of other bacteria. When 0.5% ZnCl2 was added to a sporulation medium, it completely inhibited C. sporogenes (PA 3679) sporulation for up to 3 weeks. At concentrations of 0.5% and 1.0%, ZnCl2 not only completely inactivated the vegetative cell viability (>7.0 Log reduction) but also significantly reduced the spore viability (<2.1 Log reduction) of C. sporogenes. Taken together, it was concluded that zinc blocks C. sporogenes sporulation by damaging (or killing) vegetative cells and probably by interfering with the biosynthesis of spore components. In addition to the inhibitory effect on the sporulation and viability of C. sporogenes, ZnCl2 was found to have a broad antimicrobial spectrum against all Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative spoilage and pathogenic bacteria tested. The minimal inhibitory concentration for inhibiting the bacteria ranged between 3.7 and 7.4 mm. Therefore, we expect that this compound or a combination thereof has a potential as a surface‐cleaning agent or disinfectant.
Multiplex PCR for the simultaneous detection of Salmonella spp. and Salmonella Enteritidis in food
Authors: Silva Daniel Santos Pinto , Canato Thayse , Magnani Marciane , Alves Juliane , Hirooka Elisa Yoko , de Oliveira Tereza Cristina Rocha Moreira 
Published: May 2011

SummaryMultiplex PCR assay (mPCR) for the detection of Salmonella spp. and S. Enteritidis was developed in this study using artificially contaminated chicken carcasses. The assay showed 100% specificity to detect approximately 1 CFU of Salmonella in 10 g of chicken skin after non‐selective enrichment. The mPCR was evaluated in Minas cheese, fresh pork sausage and chicken carcasses commercially available. Salmonella spp. was detected in nine of sixty‐six chicken carcasses, five of fifty‐two cheese samples, and five of fifty‐two sausage samples. The serovar Enteritidis was detected in two samples of contaminated sausage. The mPCR results were confirmed by conventional culture and biochemical identification of the isolates. Serotyping confirmed the presence of S. Enteritidis in sausage samples and showed contamination by serovars Schwarzengrund and Montevideo in chicken carcasses.
Quality changes in chilled Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) tail meat and the effects of delayed icing
Authors: Albalat Amaya , Gornik Sebastian G. , Mullen William , Crozier Alan , Atkinson Robert J. A. , Coombs Graham H. , Neil Douglas M. 
Published: May 2011

SummaryThe quality deterioration of Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) tail meat was monitored during ice storage. The K‐value started at 0.7% and reached a value of 39.7% on day 14. Muscle pH followed a sigmoidal pattern that reached a plateau on day 6. Bacterial load and trimethylamine (TMA) increased only after a lag phase to reach considerable levels by day 14 (5.3 log cfu and 10.2 mg (100 g)−1, respectively). These analytical data were compared with sensory data. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that laboratory measures were correlated positively with the smell strength of cooked product (increasingly strong) and negatively with the smell character of raw and cooked product (sour‐ammoniacal in raw and neutral in cooked products), flavour and aftertaste (both increasingly bland–bitter). The effects of icing delays on the quality of tail meat were also evaluated. Changes in K‐values, microbial load, muscle pH and TMA indicated that the delay to icing should be no more than 4 h (at 16 °C) to ensure that quality is not compromised during subsequent post‐harvest storage.
The impact of ‘best‐practice’ patient care in fibromyalgia on practice economics
Authors: Brown T. Michelle , Garg Suchita , Chandran Arthi B. , McNett Michael , Silverman Stuart L. , Hadker Nandini 
Published: May 2011

AbstractObjective  The office time required for primary care physicians (PCPs) to diagnose, treat and manage fibromyalgia (FM) patients can be extensive. The study objective was to determine if PCPs can positively impact practice economics by requiring fewer patient visits and less office time, while still achieving an acceptable quality of life, as reported by the physician.Study design  Survey of PCPs who diagnose, manage and treat FM patients.Methods  Surveys were administered to US private practice PCPs, obtaining information on the number of office visits, and time spent with FM patients. PCPs were allotted into two groups: FM‐efficient (FME; n = 40) and FM usual care (FMUC; n = 54), based on their reported ability to achieve an acceptable quality of life for ≥50% of their FM patients in less than four office visits post FM diagnosis. An economic model estimated the monetary value of each PCP cohorts' time spent with a newly diagnosed FM patient over a 2‐year timeframe.Results  Significant office time cost differences across 2 years exist between FME PCPs and FMUC PCPs ($840 vs. $1117, P < 0.05). FME PCPs had a significantly lower cost of scheduled time to confirm diagnosis ($243 vs. $339, P < 0.05) and time to find right treatment ($264 vs. $365, P < 0.05) than FMUC PCPs. Both groups incurred costs related to excess visit time, but it was less for FME PCPs ($119, 29 minutes) than FMUC PCPs ($182, 44 minutes, P < 0.01), driven by quicker diagnosis confirmation (P < 0.01) and treatment initiation (P < 0.01).Conclusions  Research suggests that efficient FM care delivery during diagnosis and treatment can be associated with improved practice economics.
Medication‐taking behaviours in young adults with schizophrenia: a pilot study
Authors: LEE H. , KANE I. , SEREIKA S. M. , CHO R. Y. , JOLLEY C. J. 
Published: May 2011

Accessible summary

Subjects who were adherent to medications showed a consistent dosing interval, while those who were not adherent exhibited multiple and sequential irregular medication‐taking behaviours.
Healthcare providers need to develop an effective communication strategy to assess medication adherence, given the fact that individuals with schizophrenia overestimate their medication adherence.
Environmental supports that cue young adults with schizophrenia to take medication as prescribed, such as a pill organizer with an alarm system or self‐monitoring systems, are needed.

AbstractThe purpose of this prospective and observational study was to explore medication‐taking behaviours in community‐based young adults with schizophrenia using an electronic monitoring system and patient self‐report questionnaires. The Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS®), the Index for Medication Adherence (IMA) and the Brief Evaluation of Medication Influences and Beliefs (BEMIB) measured medication‐taking behaviours. Data were collected at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks. Descriptive statistics were used in analysis. A total of 11 subjects were recruited; one dropped out. Five were male, and five were female. Average age was 32.64 (SD = 5.70) years. Four (40%) were White people; six (60%) were non‐White people. The average number of medications treating schizophrenia was 1.9 (SD = 0.57). MEMS® identified 71.77% (SD = 30.47) dose adherence and 55.92% (SD = 31.27) day adherence. Most subjects took medications irregularly (early, late or missing). The BEMIB demonstrated that 50%, 20% and 30% of subjects considered themselves to be adherent to their medications at baseline, 4 weeks and 8 weeks, while the IMA reported 90%, 90% and 80% at baseline, 4 weeks and 8 weeks, respectively. Regarding the observed discrepancies between patients' reports and their actual medication‐taking behaviours, clinical implications were discussed. Effective interventions improving medication adherence in schizophrenia are needed for practice and for future studies.
Work‐related behaviour and experience pattern in nurses: impact on physical and mental health
Authors: SCHULZ M. , DAMKRÖGER A. , VOLTMER E. , LÖWE B. , DRIESSEN M. , WARD M. , WINGENFELD K. 
Published: May 2011

Accessible summary

Nursing is associated with high levels of emotional strain and heavy workloads.
Work‐related behaviour is linked to health.
Nurses with unhealthy work‐related behaviour and experience have a higher risk of reduced mental and physical health.
Prevention of burnout and illness needs to focus on both the individual and the working conditions.

AbstractNursing is associated with high levels of emotional strain and heavy workloads. Changing working conditions raise the importance of investigating job satisfaction, stress and burnout and its consequences for nurses. The aim of the study was to investigate whether work‐related behaviour and experience patterns are associated with mental and physical health status in nurses. A sample of 356 nurses in four German hospitals were interviewed using questionnaires regarding work‐related behaviour and experience patterns, work stress, depression, anxiety and physical symptoms (‘Work‐related Behaviour and Experience Pattern’– AVEM and ERI). The main result of this study is that unhealthy work‐related behaviour and experience patterns (i.e. the excessive ambitious type and the resigned type) are associated with reduced mental and physical health. Preventive, as well as intervention, strategies are needed that focus both on the individual as well as on working conditions.
Structural model of the gas vesicle protein GvpA and analysis of GvpA mutants in vivo
Authors: Strunk Timo , Hamacher Kay , Hoffgaard Franziska , Engelhardt Harald , Zillig Martina Daniela , Faist Karin , Wenzel Wolfgang , Pfeifer Felicitas 
Published: May 2011

SummaryGas vesicles are gas‐filled protein structures increasing the buoyancy of cells. The gas vesicle envelope is mainly constituted by the 8 kDa protein GvpA forming a wall with a water excluding inner surface. A structure of GvpA is not available; recent solid‐state NMR results suggest a coil‐α‐β‐β‐α‐coil fold. We obtained a first structural model of GvpA by high‐performance de novo modelling. Attenuated total reflection (ATR)‐Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) supported this structure. A dimer of GvpA was derived that could explain the formation of the protein monolayer in the gas vesicle wall. The hydrophobic inner surface is mainly constituted by anti‐parallel β‐strands. The proposed structure allows the pinpointing of contact sites that were mutated and tested for the ability to form gas vesicles in haloarchaea. Mutations in α‐helix I and α‐helix II, but also in the β‐turn affected the gas vesicle formation, whereas other alterations had no effect. All mutants supported the structural features deduced from the model. The proposed GvpA dimers allow the formation of a monolayer protein wall, also consistent with protease treatments of isolated gas vesicles.
Haemophilus influenzae protein E recognizes the C‐terminal domain of vitronectin and modulates the membrane attack complex
Authors: Singh Birendra , Jalalvand Farshid , Mörgelin Matthias , Zipfel Peter , Blom Anna M. , Riesbeck Kristian 
Published: May 2011

Summary Haemophilus influenzae protein E (PE) is a 16 kDa adhesin that induces a pro‐inflammatory immune response in lung epithelial cells. The active epithelial binding region comprising amino acids PE 84–108 also interferes with complement‐mediated bacterial killing by capturing vitronectin (Vn) that prevents complement deposition and formation of the membrane attack complex (MAC). Here, the interaction between PE and Vn was characterized using site‐directed mutagenesis. Protein E variants were produced both in soluble forms and in surface‐expressed molecules on Escherichia coli. Mutations within PE84–108 in the full‐length molecule revealed that K85 and R86 residues were important for the Vn binding. Bactericidal activity against H. influenzae was higher in human serum pre‐treated with full‐length PE as compared with serum incubated with PEK85E, R86D, suggesting that PE quenched Vn. A series of truncated Vn molecules revealed that the C‐terminal domain comprising Vn353–363 harboured the major binding region for PE. Interestingly, MAC deposition was significantly higher on mutants devoid of PE due to a decreased Vn‐binding capacity when compared with wild‐type H. influenzae. Our results define a fine‐tuned interaction between H. influenzae and the innate immune system, and identify the mode of control of the MAC that is important for pathogen complement evasion.
Substrate recognition by the POTRA domains of TpsB transporter FhaC
Authors: Delattre Anne‐Sophie , Saint Nathalie , Clantin Bernard , Willery Eve , Lippens Guy , Locht Camille , Villeret Vincent , Jacob‐Dubuisson Françoise 
Published: May 2011

SummaryWidespread in Gram‐negative bacteria, the two‐partner secretion (TPS) pathway mediates the secretion of large, β‐helical ‘TpsA’ proteins with various functions. TpsA proteins harbour a conserved, N‐proximal TPS domain essential for secretion. TpsB transporters specifically recognize their TpsA partners in the periplasm and mediate their translocation across the outer membrane through a hydrophilic channel. The FHA/FhaC pair of Bordetella pertussis represents a model TPS system. FhaC is composed of a β barrel preceded by two periplasmic POTRA domains in tandem. Here we show that both POTRAs are involved in FHA recognition. Surface plasmon resonance analyses indicated an interaction of micromolar affinity between the POTRAs and the TPS domain with fast association and dissociation steps, consistent with the transient character of this interaction in vivo. Major interaction sites in POTRAs correspond to hydrophobic grooves formed by a β sheet edge and the flanking α helix, well‐suited to accommodate extended, amphipathic strands of the substrate and consistent with β augmentation. The initial recruitment of the TPS domain to POTRAs appears to be facilitated by electrostatic attractions. A domain corresponding to the first part of the repeat‐rich central region of FHA is also recognized by the POTRAs, suggesting successive interactions in the course of secretion.
The biological activity of botulinum neurotoxin type C is dependent upon novel types of ganglioside binding sites
Authors: Strotmeier Jasmin , Gu Shenyan , Jutzi Stephan , Mahrhold Stefan , Zhou Jie , Pich Andreas , Eichner Timo , Bigalke Hans , Rummel Andreas , Jin Rongsheng , Binz Thomas 
Published: May 2011

SummaryThe seven botulinum neurotoxins (BoNT) cause muscle paralysis by selectively cleaving core components of the vesicular fusion machinery. Their extraordinary activity primarily relies on highly specific entry into neurons. Data on BoNT/A, B, E, F and G suggest that entry follows a dual receptor interaction with complex gangliosides via an established ganglioside binding region and a synaptic vesicle protein. Here, we report high resolution crystal structures of the BoNT/C cell binding fragment alone and in complex with sialic acid. The WY‐motif characteristic of the established ganglioside binding region was located on an exposed loop. Sialic acid was co‐ordinated at a novel position neighbouring the binding pocket for synaptotagmin in BoNT/B and G and the sialic acid binding site in BoNT/D and TeNT respectively. Employing synaptosomes and immobilized gangliosides binding studies with BoNT/C mutants showed that the ganglioside binding WY‐loop, the newly identified sialic acid‐co‐ordinating pocket and the area corresponding to the established ganglioside binding region of other BoNTs are involved in ganglioside interaction. Phrenic nerve hemidiaphragm activity tests employing ganglioside deficient mice furthermore evidenced that the biological activity of BoNT/C depends on ganglioside interaction with at least two binding sites. These data suggest a unique cell binding and entry mechanism for BoNT/C among clostridial neurotoxins.
Divergent host plant specialization as the critical driving force in speciation between populations of a phytophagous ladybird beetle
Authors: MATSUBAYASHI K. W. , KAHONO S. , KATAKURA H. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractDetecting the isolating barrier that arises earliest in speciation is critically important to understanding the mechanism of species formation. We tested isolating barriers between host races of a phytophagous ladybird beetle,Henosepilachna diekei(Coleoptera: Coccinellidae: Epilachnine), that occur sympatrically on distinct host plants. We conducted field surveys for the distribution of the beetles and host plants, rearing experiments to measure six potential isolating factors (adult host preference, adult and larval host performance, sexual isolation, egg hatchability, F1hybrid inviability, and sexual selection against F1hybrids), and molecular analyses of mitochondrial ND2 and the nuclear ITS2 sequences. We found significant genetic divergence between the host races, and extremely divergent host preference (i.e. habitat isolation) and host performance (i.e. immigrant inviability), but no other isolating barriers. The fidelity to particular host plants arises first and alone can prevent gene flow between differentiating populations of phytophagous specialists.
Sexual conflict in Gerris gillettei (Insecta: Hemiptera): intraspecific intersexual correlated morphology and experimental assessment of behaviour and fitness
Authors: GAGNON M.‐C. , TURGEON J. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThe contemporary dynamics of sexually antagonistic coevolution caused by sexual conflicts have seldom been investigated at the intraspecific level. We characterized natural populations of Gerris gillettei and documented significant intersexual correlations for morphological traits previously related to sexual conflict in water striders. These results strongly indicate that sexually antagonistic coevolution contributed to population differentiation and resulted in different balances of armaments between the sexes within natural populations of this species. No‐choice mating experiments further revealed that both male and male–female relative arms levels influence copulation duration. However, there were no asymmetries in reproductive behaviour and fitness between sympatric and allopatric mating pairs, suggesting that differentiation by sexual conflict was not sufficient to influence the outcome of mating interactions. Altogether, these results question the relative importance of female connexival spines vs. genitalia traits in mediating pre‐ and post‐copulatory conflict in Gerris.