bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Negative screening colonoscopy after a positive guaiac faecal occult blood test: not a contraindication to continued screening
Authors: Carrera A. , McClements P. L. , Watling C. , Libby G. , Weller D. , Brewster D. H. , Carey F. A. , Fraser C. G. , Steele R. J. C. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractAim  In guaiac faecal occult blood test (gFOBT) screening at least 50% of positive individuals will have a colonoscopy negative for colorectal neoplasia. The question of continuing screening in this group has not been addressed.Method  Data on participants aged 50–69 years with a positive gFOBT result and a negative colonoscopy were followed through the biennial screening pilot conducted between 2000 and 2007 in Scotland.Results  In the first screening round, 1527 colonoscopies were negative for neoplasia. 1300 were re‐invited in the second round, 905 accepted, and 157 had a positive gFOBT result, giving a positivity rate of 17.4%. Colonoscopy revealed 20 subjects with adenoma and six with invasive cancer. In the third screening round 1031 were invited for a third time and 730 accepted: 55 had a positive gFOBT test, giving a positivity rate of 7.5%. In this group, six colonoscopies revealed adenomas but there were no cancers diagnosed. In the third screening round, 108 individuals had had two positive gFOBT results and two subsequent negative colonoscopies. Eighty‐four were invited for a third gFOBT, 66 accepted and 19 (25.6%) had a positive result none of whom had an adenoma or carcinoma.Conclusion  These data indicate that a negative colonoscopy following a positive gFOBT is not a contraindication for further screening, although this is likely to have a low yield of neoplastic pathology after two negative colonoscopies.
Adaptive responses to alloxan‐induced mild oxidative stress ameliorate certain tauopathy phenotypes
Authors: Yoshiike Yuji , Yamashita Shunji , Mizoroki Tatsuya , Maeda Sumihiro , Murayama Miyuki , Kimura Tetsuya , Sahara Naruhiko , Soeda Yoshiyuki , Takashima Akihiko 
Published: October 2011

SummaryOxidative stress is considered to promote aging and age‐related disorders such as tauopathy. Although recent reports suggest that oxidative stress under certain conditions possesses anti‐aging properties, no such conditions have been reported to ameliorate protein‐misfolding diseases. Here, we used neuronal and murine models that overexpress human tau to demonstrate that mild oxidative stress generated by alloxan suppresses several phenotypes of tauopathy. Alloxan treatment reduced HSP90 levels and promoted proteasomal degradation of tau, c‐Jun N‐amino terminal kinase, and histone deacetylase (HDAC) 6. Moreover, reduced soluble tau (phosphorylated tau) levels suppressed the formation of insoluble tau in tau transgenic mice, while reduced HDAC6 levels contributed to microtubule stability by increasing tubulin acetylation. Age‐dependent decreases in HDAC2 and phospho‐tau levels correlated with spatial memory enhancement in alloxan‐injected tau mice. These results suggest that mild oxidative stress, through adaptive stress responses, operates counteractively against some of the tauopathy phenotypes.
Dysregulated expression of miR‐146a contributes to age‐related dysfunction of macrophages
Authors: Jiang Minghong , Xiang Yang , Wang Dongsheng , Gao Jing , Liu Dan , Liu Yanxin , Liu Shilian , Zheng Dexian 
Published: October 2011

SummaryAge‐associated immune dysfunction, characterized by increased systemic levels of cytokines, manifests as an increased susceptibility to infections. Thus, understanding these negative regulators of the immune response has paved the way to delineating signaling pathways that impact immune senescence. In the present study, we found that miR‐146a, which negatively regulated the expression of IL‐1β and IL‐6, was highly expressed in aged mice. However, there was a lack of response to the stimulation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and proinflammatory cytokines in macrophages of aged mice. As a result, the negative feedback regulation loop with miR‐146a involving down‐regulation of inflammation factors was interrupted in aged mice. Aberrant NF‐κB binding to the miR‐146a promoter was demonstrated to be associated with the abnormal expression of miR‐146a in aged mice. The DNA methyltransferase inhibitor (5‐aza‐2‐deoxycytidine) and the histone deacetylase inhibitor [trichostatin A (TSA)] both significantly up‐regulated miR‐146a transcriptional activation by altering the DNA‐binding activity of NF‐κB in macrophages isolated from aged mice, which suggests that DNA methylation and histone acetylation are involved in the suppression of age‐dependent miR‐146a expression. Additionally, high levels of histone deacetylase (HDACs) expressions contributed to the inhibition of miR‐146a expression in LPS‐stimulated macrophages from aged mice in vitro. While the suppression of HDACs activities by TSA could improve LPS‐induced inflammatory responses owing to up‐regulation of miR‐146a expression in macrophages from aged mice. These data indicate that the dysregulated expression of miR‐146a results in the age‐associated dysfunction of macrophages, and miR‐146a may be a good target for the treatment of age‐related inflammatory diseases.
Effects of long‐term use of antiretroviral therapy on the prevalence of oral Epstein–Barr virus
Authors: Amornthatree Korntip , Sriplung Hutcha , Mitarnun Winyou , Nittayananta Wipawee 
Published: October 2011

J Oral Pathol Med (2012) 41: 249–254Background:  The objectives of this study were to determine (i) the prevalence of oral Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) in HIV‐infected subjects compared to non‐HIV controls and (ii) the effects of long‐term use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on the prevalence of oral EBV.Methods:  A cross‐sectional study was performed in HIV‐infected subjects with and without ART, and non‐HIV individuals. DNA in saliva samples was extracted and used as a template to detect EBV BamH1W and EBNA1 by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Student t‐test and ANOVA test were performed to determine the prevalence rates among groups.Results:  Forty‐nine HIV‐infected subjects: 37 on ART (age range 23–54 year, mean 37 year), 12 not on ART (age range 20–40 year, mean 31 year), and 20 non‐HIV controls (age range 19–53 year, mean 31 year) were enrolled. The numbers of EBV BamH1W in saliva were found to be significantly higher in HIV‐infected subjects than non‐HIV controls (80% vs. 20%, mean = 12 118 vs. 134 copies/105 cells, P < 0.001). HIV‐infected subjects who were on ART had significantly lower numbers of EBV BamH1W than those who were not (mean = 4102 vs. 138 613 copies/105 cells, P = 0.011). The numbers were significantly lower in those who received long‐term ART compared with short‐term (mean = 1401 vs. 11 124 copies/105 cells, P = 0.034). No significant difference was observed between the groups when using EBNA1 primers.Conclusions:  Prevalence of oral EBV was significantly higher in HIV‐infected subjects than non‐HIV‐controls. The numbers of the virus were significantly decreased by ART. Long‐term use of ART did not increase oral EBV.
Inhibition of coding region determinant binding protein sensitizes melanoma cells to chemotherapeutic agents
Authors: Craig Evisabel A. , Spiegelman Vladimir S. 
Published: October 2011

SummaryWe previously reported that malignant melanomas express high levels of the mRNA binding protein coding region determinant binding protein (CRD‐BP). This molecule is important for the activation of anti‐apoptotic pathways, a mechanism often linked to insensitivity to therapeutics. However, it is not known whether CRD‐BP plays a role in the resistance of melanomas to anti‐cancer treatment. Here we demonstrate that knockdown of CRD‐BP with a specific sh‐RNA enhances the effect of dacarbazine, temozolomide, vinblastine, and etoposide on both primary and metastatic melanoma cell lines. CRD‐BP down‐regulation contributes to cell sensitization by increasing apoptosis and diminishing melanoma cell growth in response to chemotherapeutic agents. Furthermore, inhibition of CRD‐BP decreases microphthalmia‐associated transcription factor (MITF) expression and reintroduction of MITF partially compensates for the absence of CRD‐BP. These findings suggest that high expression of CRD‐BP in melanoma cells confers resistance to chemotherapy and that these CRD‐BP responses are mediated, at least in part, by MITF.
The Dent Stage of Maize Kernels Is the Most Conducive for Fumonisin Biosynthesis under Field Conditions
Authors: Picot Adeline , Barreau Christian , Pinson-Gadais Laï¿½titia , Piraux Franï¿½ois , Caron Daniel , Lannou Christian , Richard-Forget Florence 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACT

The fungal pathogen
Fusarium verticillioides
infects maize ears and produces fumonisins, known for their adverse effects on human and animal health. Basic questions remain unanswered regarding the kernel stage(s) associated with fumonisin biosynthesis and the kernel components involved in fumonisin regulation during
F. verticillioides
-maize interaction under field conditions. In this 2-year field study, the time course of
F. verticillioides
growth and fumonisin accumulation in developing maize kernels, along with the variations in kernel pH and amylopectin content, were monitored using relevant and accurate analytical tools. In all experiments, the most significant increase in fumonisin accumulation or in fumonisin productivity (i.e., fumonisin production per unit of fungus) was shown to occur within a very short period of time, between 22/32 and 42 days after inoculation and corresponding to the dent stage. This stage was also characterized by acidification in the kernel pH and a maximum level of amylopectin content. Our data clearly support published results based on
in vitro
experiments suggesting that the physiological stages of the maize kernel play a major role in regulating fumonisin production. Here we have validated this result for
in planta
and field conditions, and we demonstrate that under such conditions the dent stage is the most conducive for fumonisin accumulation.
Wastewater Utilization for Poly-β-Hydroxybutyrate Production by the Cyanobacterium Aulosira fertilissima in a Recirculatory Aquaculture System
Authors: Samantaray Shilalipi , Nayak Jitendra Kumar , Mallick Nirupama 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACT

Intensive aquaculture releases large quantities of nutrients into aquatic bodies, which can lead to eutrophication. The objective of this study was the development of a biological recirculatory wastewater treatment system with a diazotrophic cyanobacterium,
Aulosira fertilissima
, and simultaneous production of valuable product in the form of poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB). To investigate this possible synergy, batch scale tests were conducted under a recirculatory aquaculture system in fiber-reinforced plastic tanks enhanced by several manageable parameters (e.g., sedimentation, inoculum size, depth, turbulence, and light intensity), an adequate combination of which showed better productivity. The dissolved-oxygen level increased in the range of 3.2 to 6.9 mg liter
−1
during the culture period. Nutrients such as ammonia, nitrite, and phosphate decreased to as low as zero within 15 days of incubation, indicating the system's bioremediation capability while yielding valuable cyanobacterial biomass for PHB production. Maximum PHB accumulation in
A. fertilissima
was found in sedimented fish pond discharge at 20-cm culture depth with stirring and an initial inoculum size of 80 mg dry cell weight (dcw) liter
−1
. Under optimized conditions, the PHB yield was boosted to 92, 89, and 80 g m
−2
, respectively for the summer, rainy, and winter seasons. Extrapolation of the result showed that a hectare of
A. fertilissima
cultivation in fish pond discharge would give an annual harvest of ∼17 tons dry biomass, consisting of 14 tons of PHB with material properties comparable to those of the bacterial polymer, with simultaneous treatment of 32,640 m
3
water discharge.
Evaluation of Subsampling-Based Normalization Strategies for Tagged High-Throughput Sequencing Data Sets from Gut Microbiomes
Authors: Aguirre de Cárcer Daniel , Denman Stuart E. , McSweeney Chris , Morrison Mark 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACT
Several subsampling-based normalization strategies were applied to different high-throughput sequencing data sets originating from human and murine gut environments. Their effects on the data sets' characteristics and normalization efficiencies, as measured by several β-diversity metrics, were compared. For both data sets, subsampling to the median rather than the minimum number appeared to improve the analysis.
Characterization of the Poly-β-1,6-
N
-Acetylglucosamine Polysaccharide Component of Burkholderia Biofilms
Authors: Yakandawala Nandadeva , Gawande Purushottam V. , LoVetri Karen , Cardona Silvia T. , Romeo Tony , Nitz Mark , Madhyastha Srinivasa 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACT

We demonstrated the production of poly-β-1,6-
N
-acetylglucosamine (PNAG) polysaccharide in the biofilms of
Burkholderia multivorans
,
Burkholderia vietnamiensis
,
Burkholderia ambifaria
,
Burkholderia cepacia
, and
Burkholderia cenocepacia
using an immunoblot assay for PNAG. These results were confirmed by further studies, which showed that the PNAG hydrolase, dispersin B, eliminated immunoreactivity of extracts from the species that were tested (
B. cenocepacia
and
B. multivorans
). Dispersin B also inhibited biofilm formation and dispersed preformed biofilms of
Burkholderia
species. These results imply a role for PNAG in the maintenance of
Burkholderia
biofilm integrity. While PNAG was present in biofilms of all of the wild-type test organisms, a Δ
pgaBC
mutant of
B. multivorans
(Mu5) produced no detectable PNAG, indicating that these genes are needed for
Burkholderia
PNAG formation. Furthermore, restoration of PNAG production in PNAG negative
E. coli
TRXWMGΔC (Δ
pgaC
) by complementation with
B. multivorans pgaBCD
confirmed the involvement of these genes in
Burkholderia
PNAG production. While the confocal scanning laser microscopy of untreated wild-type
B. multivorans
showed thick, multilayered biofilm, Mu5 and dispersin B-treated wild-type biofilms were thin, poorly developed, and disrupted, confirming the involvement of PNAG in
B. multivorans
biofilm formation. Thus, PNAG appears to be an important component of
Burkholderia
biofilms, potentially contributing to its resistance to multiple antibiotics and persistence during chronic infections, including cystic fibrosis-associated infection.
In Vitro
Fermentation of Sugar Beet Arabino-Oligosaccharides by Fecal Microbiota Obtained from Patients with Ulcerative Colitis To Selectively Stimulate the Growth of Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp
Authors: Vigsn�s Louise Kristine , Holck Jesper , Meyer Anne S. , Licht Tine Rask 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACT

The potential prebiotic properties of arabino-oligosaccharides (AOS) derived from sugar beet pulp was studied using mixed cultures of human fecal bacteria from patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), in remission or with active disease, and in healthy controls. These results were compared to those for fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), which are known to have a prebiotic effect. Fermentation studies were carried out using a small-scale static batch system, and changes in the fecal microbial communities and metabolites were monitored after 24 h by quantitative real-time PCR and short-chain fatty acid analysis. With a few minor exceptions, AOS affected the communities similarly to what was seen for FOS. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that
Bifidobacterium
spp. and
Lactobacillus
spp. were selectively increased after fermentation of AOS or FOS by fecal microbiota derived from UC patients. The stimulation of growth of
Lactobacillus
spp. and
Bifidobacterium
spp. was accompanied by a high production of acetate and hence a decrease of pH. The fermentation of AOS may help improve the inflammatory conditions in UC patients through stimulation of bacteria eliciting anti-inflammatory responses and through production of acetate. AOS may therefore represent a new prebiotic candidate for reduction of the risk of flare-ups in UC patients. However, human trials are needed to confirm a health-promoting effect.
Quantitative PCR Enumeration of Total/Toxic Planktothrix rubescens and Total Cyanobacteria in Preserved DNA Isolated from Lake Sediments
Authors: Savichtcheva Olga , Debroas Didier , Kurmayer Rainer , Villar Clement , Jenny Jean Philippe , Arnaud Fabien , Perga Marie Elodie , Domaizon Isabelle 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACT

The variability of spatial distribution and the determinism of cyanobacterial blooms, as well as their impact at the lake scale, are still not understood, partly due to the lack of long-term climatic and environmental monitoring data. The paucity of these data can be alleviated by the use of proxy data from high-resolution sampling of sediments. Coupling paleolimnological and molecular tools and using biomarkers such as preserved DNA are promising approaches, although they have not been performed often enough so far. In our study, a quantitative PCR (qPCR) technique was applied to enumerate total cyanobacterial and total and toxic
Planktothrix
communities in preserved DNA derived from sediments of three lakes located in the French Alps (Lake Geneva, Lake Bourget, and Lake Annecy), containing a wide range of cyanobacterial species. Preserved DNA from lake sediments was analyzed to assess its quality, quantity, and integrity, with further application for qPCR. We applied the qPCR assay to enumerate the total cyanobacterial community, and multiplex qPCR assays were applied to quantify total and microcystin-producing
Planktothrix
populations in a single reaction tube. These methods were optimized, calibrated, and applied to sediment samples, and the specificity and reproducibility of qPCR enumeration were tested. Accurate estimation of potential inhibition within sediment samples was performed to assess the sensitivity of such enumeration by qPCR. Some precautions needed for interpreting qPCR results in the context of paleolimnological approaches are discussed. We concluded that the qPCR assay can be used successfully for the analysis of lake sediments when DNA is well preserved in order to assess the presence and dominance of cyanobacterial and
Planktothrix
communities.
Fate of Escherichia coli O26 in Corn Silage Experimentally Contaminated at Ensiling, at Silo Opening, or after Aerobic Exposure, and Protective Effect of Various Bacterial Inoculants
Authors: Dunière Lysiane , Gleizal Audrey , Chaucheyras-Durand Frédérique , Chevallier Isabelle , Thévenot-Sergentet Delphine 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACT

Shiga toxin-producing
Escherichia coli
(STEC) strains are responsible for human illness. Ruminants are recognized as a major reservoir of STEC, and animal feeds, such as silages, have been pointed out as a possible vehicle for the spread of STEC. The present study aimed to monitor the fate of pathogenic
E. coli
O26 strains in corn material experimentally inoculated (10
5
CFU/g) during ensiling, just after silo opening, and after several days of aerobic exposure. The addition of 3 bacterial inoculants,
Propionibacterium
sp.,
Lactobacillus buchneri
, and
Leuconostoc mesenteroides
(10
6
CFU/g), was evaluated for their abilities to control these pathogens. The results showed that
E. coli
O26 could not survive in corn silage 5 days postensiling, and the 3 inoculants tested did not modify the fate of pathogen survival during ensiling. In the case of direct contamination at silo opening,
E. coli
O26 could be totally eradicated from corn silage previously inoculated with
Leuconostoc mesenteroides
. The combination of proper ensiling techniques and the utilization of selected bacterial inoculants appears to represent a good strategy to guarantee nutritional qualities of cattle feed while at the same time limiting the entry of pathogenic
E. coli
into the epidemiological cycle to improve the microbial safety of the food chain.
Ruminant Rhombencephalitis-Associated Listeria monocytogenes Alleles Linked to a Multilocus Variable-Number Tandem-Repeat Analysis Complex
Authors: Balandyt� Lina , Brodard Isabelle , Frey Joachim , Oevermann Anna , Abril Carlos 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACT

Listeria monocytogenes
is among the most important food-borne pathogens and is well adapted to persist in the environment. To gain insight into the genetic relatedness and potential virulence of
L. monocytogenes
strains causing central nervous system (CNS) infections, we used multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA) to subtype 183
L. monocytogenes
isolates, most from ruminant rhombencephalitis and some from human patients, food, and the environment. Allelic-profile-based comparisons grouped
L. monocytogenes
strains mainly into three clonal complexes and linked single-locus variants (SLVs). Clonal complex A essentially consisted of isolates from human and ruminant brain samples. All but one rhombencephalitis isolate from cattle were located in clonal complex A. In contrast, food and environmental isolates mainly clustered into clonal complex C, and none was classified as clonal complex A. Isolates of the two main clonal complexes (A and C) obtained by MLVA were analyzed by PCR for the presence of 11 virulence-associated genes (
prfA
,
actA
,
inlA
,
inlB
,
inlC
,
inlD
,
inlE
,
inlF
,
inlG
,
inlJ
, and
inlC2H
). Virulence gene analysis revealed significant differences in the
actA
,
inlF
,
inlG
, and
inlJ
allelic profiles between clinical isolates (complex A) and nonclinical isolates (complex C). The association of particular alleles of
actA
,
inlF
, and newly described alleles of
inlJ
with isolates from CNS infections (particularly rhombencephalitis) suggests that these virulence genes participate in neurovirulence of
L. monocytogenes
. The overall absence of
inlG
in clinical complex A and its presence in complex C isolates suggests that the InlG protein is more relevant for the survival of
L. monocytogenes
in the environment.
Axl2 Integrates Polarity Establishment, Maintenance, and Environmental Stress Response in the Filamentous Fungus Ashbya gossypii
Authors: Anker Jonathan F. , Gladfelter Amy S. 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACT

In budding yeast, new sites of polarity are chosen with each cell cycle and polarization is transient. In filamentous fungi, sites of polarity persist for extended periods of growth and new polarity sites can be established while existing sites are maintained. How the polarity establishment machinery functions in these distinct growth forms found in fungi is still not well understood. We have examined the function of Axl2, a transmembrane bud site selection protein discovered in
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
, in the filamentous fungus
Ashbya gossypii
.
A. gossypii
does not divide by budding and instead exhibits persistent highly polarized growth, and multiple axes of polarity coexist in one cell.
A. gossypii
axl2
Δ
(Ag
axl2
Δ
) cells have wavy hyphae, bulbous tips, and a high frequency of branch initiations that fail to elongate, indicative of a polarity maintenance defect. Mutant colonies also have significantly lower radial growth and hyphal tip elongation speeds than wild-type colonies, and Ag
axl2
Δ
hyphae have depolarized actin patches. Consistent with a function in polarity, AgAxl2 localizes to hyphal tips, branches, and septin rings. Unlike
S. cerevisiae
Axl2, AgAxl2 contains a Mid2 homology domain and may function to sense or respond to environmental stress. In support of this idea, hyphae lacking AgAxl2 also display hypersensitivity to heat, osmotic, and cell wall stresses. Axl2 serves to integrate polarity establishment, polarity maintenance, and environmental stress response for optimal polarized growth in
A. gossypii.