bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Escherichia coli DNA translocase FtsK
Authors: Sherratt David J. , Arciszewska Lidia K. , Crozat Estelle , Graham James E. , Grainge Ian 
Published: March 2010

Escherichia coli FtsK is a septum-located DNA translocase that co-ordinates the late stages of cytokinesis and chromosome segregation. Relatives of FtsK are present in most bacteria; in Bacillus subtilis, the FtsK orthologue, SpoIIIE, transfers the majority of a chromosome into the forespore during sporulation. DNA translocase activity is contained within a ~ 512-amino-acid C-terminal domain, which is divided into three subdomains: α, β and γ. α and β comprise the translocation motor, and γ is a regulatory domain that interacts with DNA and with the XerD recombinase. In vitro rates of translocation of ~ 5 kb·s−1 have been measured for both FtsK and SpoIIIE, whereas, in vivo, SpoIIIE has a comparable rate of translocation. Translocation by both of these proteins is not only rapid, but also directed by DNA sequence. This directionality requires interaction of the γ subdomain with specific 8 bp DNA asymmetric sequences that are oriented co-directionally with replication direction of the bacterial chromosome. The γ subdomain also interacts with the XerCD site-specific recombinase to activate chromosome unlinking by recombination at the chromosomal dif site. In the present paper, the properties in vivo and in vitro of FtsK and its relatives are discussed in relation to the biological functions of these remarkable enzymes.
Are synapses targets of nanoparticles?
Authors: Fedorovich Sergei V. , Alekseenko Alexandra V. , Waseem Tatyana V. 
Published: March 2010

The last few years have been marked by real breakthroughs in the field of nanotechnology. Application of nanoparticles was proposed for diagnosis and treatment of different central nervous system diseases. Exposure to nanoparticles in vivo increases the risk of onset of neurodegenerative diseases and nanoparticles are apparently able to kill neurons in vitro. We suggested that presynaptic terminals of neurons are another target for nanoparticles, beyond the already established microglial cells. Ferritin was chosen as a prototypic nanoparticle model. We found that even a high concentration of ferritin, 800 μg/ml, was not able to induce spontaneous release of [14C]glutamate. In contrast, [14C]glutamate uptake was inhibited by ferritin in a dose-dependent fashion. As a next step, the influence of ferritin on the formation of reactive oxygen species was monitored using the fluorescent dye DCFH-DA (2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein diacetate). It was shown that ferritin leads to a dose-dependent formation of free radicals. We found that the ferritin-mediated changes in glutamatergic neurotransmission at presynaptic endings can result in neuronal damage and finally neurodegeneration.
Expanding metabolism for total biosynthesis of the nonnatural amino acid L-homoalanine
Authors: Zhang Kechun , Li Han , Cho Kwang Myung , Liao James C. 
Published: March 2010

The dramatic increase in healthcare cost has become a significant burden to the world. Many patients are denied the accessibility of medication because of the high price of drugs. Total biosynthesis of chiral drug intermediates is an environmentally friendly approach that helps provide more affordable pharmaceuticals. Here we have expanded the natural metabolic capability to biosynthesize a nonnatural amino acid L-homoalanine, which is a chiral precursor of levetiracetam, brivaracetam, and ethambutol. We developed a selection strategy and altered the substrate specificity of ammonium-assimilating enzyme glutamate dehydrogenase. The specificity constant
k
cat
/
K

m

of the best mutant towards 2-ketobutyrate is 50-fold higher than that towards the natural substrate 2-ketoglutarate. Compared to transaminase IlvE and NADH-dependent valine dehydrogenases, the evolved glutamate dehydrogenase increased the conversion yield of 2-ketobutyrate to L-homoalanine by over 300% in aerobic condition. As a result of overexpressing the mutant glutamate dehydrogenase and
Bacillus subtilis
threonine dehydratase in a modified threonine-hyperproducing
Escherichia coli
strain (ATCC98082,
ΔrhtA
), 5.4 g/L L-homoalanine was produced from 30 g/L glucose (0.18 g/g glucose yield, 26% of the theoretical maximum). This work opens the possibility of total biosynthesis of other nonnatural chiral compounds that could be useful pharmaceutical intermediates.
Outbreak of Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in Puerto Rico Associated with a Novel Carbapenemase Variant
Authors: Gregory Christopher J. , Llata Eloisa , Stine Nicholas , Gould Carolyn , Santiago Luis Manuel , Vazquez Guillermo J. , Robledo Iraida E. , Srinivasan Arjun , Goering Richard V. , Tomashek Kay M. 
Published: March 2010

Background.Carbapenem-resistantKlebsiella pneumoniae(CRKP) is resistant to almost all antimicrobial agents, and CRKP infections are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality.Objective.To describe an outbreak of CRKP in Puerto Rico, determine risk factors for CRKP acquisition, and detail the successful measures taken to control the outbreak.Design.Two case-control studies.Setting.A 328-bed tertiary care teaching hospital.Patients.Twenty-six CRKP case patients identified during the outbreak period of February through September 2008, 26 randomly selected uninfected control patients, and 26 randomly selected control patients with carbapenem-susceptibleK. pneumoniae(CSKP) hospitalized during the same period.Methods.We performed active case finding, including retrospective review of the hospital's microbiology database and prospective perirectal surveillance culture sampling in high-risk units. Case patients were compared with each control group while controlling for time at risk. We sequenced theblaKPCgene with polymerase chain reaction for 7 outbreak isolates and subtyped these isolates with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.Results.In matched, multivariable analysis, the presence of wounds (hazard ratio, 19.0 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 2.5-142.0]) was associated with CRKP compared with noK. pneumoniae.Transfer between units (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 7.5 [95% CI, 1.8-31.1]), surgery (adjusted OR, 4.0 [95% CI, 1.0-15.7]), and wounds (adjusted OR, 4.9 [95% CI, 1.1-21.8]) were independent risk factors for CRKP compared to CSKP. A novelK. pneumoniaecarbapenemase variant (KPC-8) was present in 5 isolates. Implementation of active surveillance for CRKP colonization and cohorting of CRKP patients rapidly controlled the outbreak.Conclusions.Enhanced surveillance for CRKP colonization and intensified infection control measures that include limiting the physical distribution of patients can reduce CRKP transmission during an outbreak.
Absence of Association between Use of Ertapenem and Change in Antipseudomonal
Carbapenem Susceptibility Rates in 25 Hospitals
Authors: Eagye Kathryn J. , Nicolau David P. 
Published: March 2010

Objective.
Ertapenem exposure has been reported to select for cross-resistance to
other carbapenems in Pseudomonas aeruginosa in
vitro. Single-center investigations report conflicting results. We evaluated
ertapenem use and antipseudomonal carbapenem susceptibility for 6 years
spanning the time of ertapenem adoption at each of 25 US hospitals.

Design.
Retrospective primary and secondary data analysis.

Methods.
Use density ratios for imipenem and meropenem (collectively, “other
carbapenems”) and ertapenem were derived from data in a commercial database on
the total number of grams used in the 3 years before and the 3 years after
adoption of ertapenem at each hospital. A general linear model using repeated
measures analysis of variance was used to explore associations between the
6-year change in antipseudomonal carbapenem susceptibility rates (determined
from hospital antibiograms) and ertapenem use in each year, while controlling
for other carbapenem use.

Results.
Ertapenem use increased once adopted. With regard to the postadoption
period, the median use density ratio for year 4 was 4.1 (interquartile range
[IQR], 1.7-5.2), for year 5 was 6.0 (IQR, 2.7-8.5), and for year 6 was 6.5
(IQR, 4.0-11.6). The median use density ratio for other carbapenem use for year
1 was 8.7 (IQR, 5.7-13.5), and by year 6 it had increased to 19.3 (IQR,
9.6-26.2). Change in mean antipseudomonal carbapenem susceptibility across time
(85% in year 1 to 82% in year 6) was not significant
(P = .22). Change in 6-year antipseudomonal
carbapenem susceptibility was not associated with ertapenem use in any year
while controlling for other carbapenem use (P
&gt; .20 for all years of ertapenem use).

Conclusion.
Although significant change in P. aeruginosa
susceptibility to antipseudomonal carbapenems was not detected during this
multicenter study, which to our knowledge is the most extensive assessment to
date of this important drug use-susceptibility relationship, continued
evaluation of the relationship is prudent.
Intravenous levosimendan vs. dobutamine in acute decompensated heart failure patients on beta‐blockers
Authors: Bergh Claes‐Håkan , Andersson Bert , Dahlström Ulf , Forfang Kolbjorn , Kivikko Matti , Sarapohja Toni , Ullman Bengt , Wikström Gerhard 
Published: March 2010

AimsThe aim of this study is to compare the effects of a 24 h intravenous infusion of levosimendan and a 48 h infusion of dobutamine on invasive haemodynamics in patients with acutely decompensated chronic NYHA class III–IV heart failure. All patients were receiving optimal oral therapy including a β‐blocker.Methods and resultsThis was a multinational, randomized, double‐blind, phase IV study in 60 patients; follow‐up was 1 month. There was a significant increase in cardiac index and a significant decrease in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) at 24 and 48 h for both dobutamine and levosimendan. The improvement in cardiac index with levosimendan was not significantly different from dobutamine at 24 h (P = 0.07), but became significant at 48 h (0.44 ± 0.56 vs. 0.66 ± 0.63 L/min/m2; P = 0.04). At 24 h, the reduction in the mean change in PCWP from baseline was similar for levosimendan and dobutamine, however, at 48 h the difference was more marked for levosimendan (−3.6 ± 7.6 vs. −8.3 ± 6.7 mmHg; P = 0.02). No difference was observed between the groups for change in NYHA class, β‐blocker use, hospitalizations, treatment discontinuations or rescue medication use. Reduction in B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP) was significantly greater with levosimendan at 48 h (P = 0.03). According to physician's assessment, the improvement in fatigue (P = 0.01) and dyspnoea (P = 0.04) was in favour of dobutamine treatment, and hypotension was significantly more frequent with levosimendan (P = 0.007). No increase in atrial fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia was seen in either group.ConclusionA 24 h levosimendan infusion achieved haemodynamic and neurohormonal improvement that was at least comparable at 24 h and superior at 48 h to a 48 h dobutamine infusion.
Science-to-management pathways in US Atlantic herring management: using governance network structure and function to track information flow and potential influence
Authors: Hartley Troy W. , Glass Christopher 
Published: March 2010

AbstractHartley, T. W., and Glass, C. 2010. Science-to-management pathways in US Atlantic herring management: using governance network structure and function to track information flow and potential influence. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 67: 1154–1163. Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) are crucial members of the ecosystem and economy of the Northwest Atlantic, and a challenging species for management, which in the United States is a multistakeholder process, involving commercial and recreational fishing interests, conservation organizations, state and federal governments, and other interested parties. Given the large number of stakeholders, fisheries management has been conceptualized as a governance network, through which multiple parties access the decision-making process and seek to influence the process or outcome. Network analysis is employed to assess the access pathways for scientific information, i.e. collaborative acoustic-survey data, into stock-assessment decisions and the development process for the fisheries management plan. The governance network map was constructed for US Atlantic herring management in 2006 and 2007. The pathways of information flow in the network showed that participants in the collaborative acoustic survey were well connected to the stock-assessment and fisheries-management processes and decision-makers, particularly through key individuals bridging between the industry, science, and management communities. Heavy reliance on those individuals serving a bridging role made the network connectivity vulnerable, however. The network structure also demonstrated significant influence potential for acoustic-survey information. Ramifications for science-to-management pathways in fisheries are discussed.
Deterministic assembly of land snail communities according to species size and diet
Authors: Schamp Brandon , Horsák Michal , Hájek Michal 
Published: March 2010

Summary1. We investigated whether coexisting snail species in 145 treeless fen communities in the Western Carpathian Mountains differed more in size and diet than would be expected by chance, as predicted for traits commonly associated with competition and differential resource acquisition under limiting similarity theory.2. Contrary to expectations, coexisting snail species were no more different in body size than expected by chance under a null model. However, variation in body size played a significant role in structuring snail communities: coexisting snail species were significantly more similar with respect to body size.3. We developed two new test statistics to expand our investigation of limiting similarity to include diet, a nominal trait. We tested whether communities of snails were characterized by a greater richness of diet, and whether different diets were represented more or less evenly within communities. Communities of snails were significantly less evenly distributed than expected by chance, with detritivores being over‐represented relative to predatory strategies.4. We also examined the effect of water pH and conductivity, herbaceous cover, and bryophyte and vascular plant richness, on these trends by examining how the effect size of our tests varied across these gradients. Convergence in species size increased with increasing habitat pH. Specifically, smaller snail species were over‐represented in fen communities in general, and this effect was accentuated in increasingly calcareous fens.5. Theory predicts that traits related strongly to environmental conditions are more likely to be convergent. Our findings support this suggestion, as small snail species have an advantage in tolerating freezing conditions over winter when refuges are limited.6. These results add to the growing body of literature demonstrating that variation in body size and diet play a strong role in structuring communities, although frequently in ways not predicted by limiting similarity theory. Finally, our results increase our understanding of how species are assembled non‐randomly into communities with respect to important traits.
Peritraumatic Distress Inventory as a predictor of post‐traumatic stress disorder after a severe motor vehicle accident
Authors: Nishi Daisuke , Matsuoka Yutaka , Yonemoto Naohiro , Noguchi Hiroko , Kim Yoshiharu , Kanba Shigenobu 
Published: March 2010

Aim:  The aim of this study was to examine the utility of the Peritraumatic Distress Inventory (PDI) as a predictor of subsequent post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in severe motor vehicle accident survivors.Methods:  Patients consecutively admitted to the intensive care unit were assessed immediately and 1 month after accidents in this prospective study. The predictive value for post‐traumatic stress symptoms at 1 month of the PDI at initial assessment was examined by using multivariate regression analysis. Moreover, the accuracy of the PDI as a predictor of PTSD was determined using receiver operator characteristic curve analysis. Post‐traumatic stress symptoms were assessed using the Impact of Event Scale – Revised questionnaire, and PTSD was assessed using the Clinician‐Administered PTSD Scale.Results:  Seventy‐nine patients completed the Impact of Event Scale – Revised questionnaire, and 64 patients participated in a structured interview. Of 64 patients, 13 met the diagnostic criteria of full or partial PTSD. The PDI was an independent predictor of post‐traumatic stress symptoms (P = 0.003). The data indicated that a cut‐off score of 23 maximized the balance between sensitivity (77%) and specificity (82%) in this study. Compared with negative predictive value (93%), positive predictive value was not high (53%).Conclusion:  The study suggests the predictive usefulness of the PDI for subsequent PTSD in accident survivors. Its adequate usage should be further elaborated.
A single‐blind, comparative study of zotepine versus haloperidol in combination with a mood stabilizer for patients with moderate‐to‐severe mania
Authors: Chan Hung‐Yu , Jou Shaw‐Hua , Juang Yeong‐Yuh , Chang Ching‐Jui , Chen Jiahn‐Jyh , Chen Chiung‐Hsu , Chiu Nan‐Ying 
Published: March 2010

Aims: Atypical antipsychotics are increasingly used in the management of acute mania. This study was conducted to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of zotepine compared to haloperidol in combination with a mood stabilizer (lithium or valproate) for treatment of acute mania.Methods: This was a multi‐center, randomized, rater‐blinded, parallel‐group, flexible‐dose study. Forty‐five hospitalized patients with moderate‐to‐severe manic, bipolar disorder (DSM‐IV) were randomly assigned to a zotepine or a haloperidol 4‐week treatment group.Results: There was no significant between‐group difference in the Young Mania Rating Scale total scores between the zotepine and haloperidol groups (−23.7 ± 12.1 vs –22.3 ± 11.0, respectively). The adverse events in both groups were mild to moderate. The haloperidol group reported a higher incidence of treatment‐related adverse events, especially parkinsonism and akathisia, compared to the zotepine group. Serum uric acid decreased more in the zotepine group than in the haloperidol group.Conclusion: In combination with a mood stabilizer, zotepine appears to be as effective as haloperidol in treating moderate‐to‐severe mania in the acute phase, but has the advantages of lowering hyperuricemia and fewer extrapyramidal side‐effects. Double‐blinded studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to confirm these findings.
The prevalence of restless legs syndrome in Taiwanese adults
Authors: Chen Ning‐Hung , Chuang Li‐Pang , Yang Cheng‐Ta , Kushida Clete A. , Hsu Shih‐Chieh , Wang Pa‐Chun , Lin Shih‐Wei , Chou Yu‐Ting , Chen Rou‐Shayn , Li Hsueh‐Yu , Lai Szu‐Chia 
Published: March 2010

Aim:  Few studies have examined the prevalence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in Asian populations, with existing data suggesting substantially lower rates of RLS in Asian populations compared with Caucasians. However, varying definitions of RLS as well as problematic methodology make conclusions about RLS prevalence in Asian populations difficult to interpret. The current study therefore examines the prevalence of RLS in Taiwanese adults.Methods:  Subjects were 4011 Taiwanese residents over the age of 15 years. Data was collected using a computer‐assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) system between 25 October 2006 and 6 November 2006.Results:  The prevalence of RLS in Taiwanese adults was found to be 1.57%. In addition, individuals with RLS had a higher body mass index (BMI) and incidence of chronic conditions and comorbidities including insomnia, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, arthritis, backache and mental illness. Women with RLS also had a higher incidence of post‐menopausal syndrome.Conclusion:  Findings from the current study suggest that the prevalence of RLS in Taiwan is 1.57% by telephone interview. Individuals with RLS had a higher incidence of chronic insomnia and many other chronic disorders. The association and long‐term consequences of RLS with these chronic disorders warrants further longitudinal observation and study.
Characteristics of the tree‐drawing test in chronic schizophrenia
Authors: Kaneda Ayako , Yasui‐Furukori Norio , Saito Manabu , Sugawara Norio , Nakagami Taku , Furukori Hanako , Kaneko Sunao 
Published: March 2010

Aims:  A tree‐drawing test acts as both a projective psychological examination as well as a supplementary psychodiagnostic tool. There is little information relating the characteristics of schizophrenia and the tree‐drawing test. The present study compared the structural and morphological differences in the results of the tree‐drawing test between schizophrenic patients and healthy individuals, as well as between schizophrenic patients who responded well to treatment and those who responded poorly.Methods:  The subjects included 202 chronic schizophrenic patients and 113 healthy individuals. The schizophrenic patients were categorized as ‘good responders’ or ‘poor responders’ based on their response to medical treatments. The tree‐drawing test was performed on all subjects. The tree drawn by each subject was analyzed structurally and morphologically.Results:  There were significant differences between the trunk and branches drawn by schizophrenic patients and those drawn by healthy controls. There were no significant differences between the good responders and the poor responders in any aspect of the tree drawings. Multiple regression models showed that the ratio of the tree area to the total area of the drawing paper, the width of the trunk, the trunk base opening, and the size of the branch ends were significantly associated with schizophrenia.Conclusion:  The present study suggests that the trees drawn by schizophrenic patients are significantly different from those drawn by healthy individuals, but among schizophrenic patients, it is difficult to distinguish between good responders and poor responders using the tree‐drawing test.
c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase signaling pathway in excitotoxic cell death following kainic acid‐induced status epilepticus
Authors: Spigolon Giada , Veronesi Carlo , Bonny Christophe , Vercelli Alessandro 
Published: March 2010

AbstractSystemic injections of kainic acid (KA) cause epileptic seizures with delayed neuronal damage in the limbic system, particularly in the hippocampus. KA excitotoxicity activates complex signal transduction events that trigger apoptotic cell death. The c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) pathway plays an important role in cell death, and the peptide D‐JNKI1, a competitive JNK inhibitor, is a potent neuroprotective agent. To analyse the role of JNK and the effects of D‐JNKI1 administration on excitotoxic neuronal death, we induced epileptic seizures by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of KA in adult male Sprague–Dawley rats; a group of rats received i.p. D‐JNKI1 2 h after KA. KA caused massive cell death in the hippocampus: in Nissl‐stained sections, stereological counts showed a significant decrease in neuronal density in all CA fields, both at 1 and 5 days after seizures, which was partially prevented by D‐JNKI1 treatment. These results were confirmed by counts of degenerating neurons in CA3 in FluoroJade B‐stained sections. Seizure activity also induced marked gliosis as observed with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunohistochemistry. We also analysed c‐Jun activation as a target of JNK and central transcriptional effector in the adult rat brain following KA injection. Phospho‐c‐Jun immunoreactivity was absent in the hippocampus of untreated animals, whereas strong nuclear neuronal labeling could be observed, starting from 3 h after KA administration, in microtubule‐associated protein‐2‐positive neurons but not in GFAP‐positive astrocytes. D‐JNKI1 treatment also reduced the positivity for phospho‐c‐Jun in the hippocampus, thus confirming the specificity of the peptide in blocking JNK. Therefore, JNK is a promising target for blocking seizure‐induced cell death.