bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Feeding strategies used by primary school meal staff and their impact on children’s eating
Authors: Moore S. N. , Tapper K. , Murphy S. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBackground:  In parent–child interactions, feeding strategies including pressure, restriction, modelling, rewards, encouragement and repeated taste exposure have been reliably shown to influence children’s eating. Because there is no evidence that the psychosocial interactions inherent in the strategies are context‐dependent, the present study investigated their utilisation during primary school meal supervision.Methods:  A case study of one Local Authority in Wales was conducted involving eleven primary schools stratified into socio‐economic quartiles. Focussed observations were carried out over two to three lunchtimes per school to explore the feeding strategies, outcomes and behaviours inherent in the dining hall context. These were supplemented by semi‐structured interviews with catering staff and midday supervisors, which were carried out after the observation session.Results:  Most feeding strategies used by school meal staff reflected those reported in the literature (e.g. pressure, encouragement and rewards), although purposeful modelling of eating behaviours was not found and the imposition of food norms, such as eating dessert last, was common. Dining hall staff readily, if not consistently, used these strategies, although the constraints and opportunities of each dining hall context influenced their selection and implementation. However, even if children left the service point with nutritionally balanced meals, they often failed to eat them.Conclusions:  Because repeated taste exposure is known to increase liking for foods, further studies are recommended to investigate how the naturally occurring feeding strategies evident in primary school dining halls could be harnessed to encourage children to taste the nutritionally balanced schools meals that school meal transformation programmes will expose them to.
Uncovering the tracks of a recent and rapid invasion: the case of the fruit fly pest Bactrocera invadens (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Africa
Authors: KHAMIS F. M. , KARAM N. , EKESI S. , DE MEYER M. , BONOMI A. , GOMULSKI L. M. , SCOLARI F. , GABRIELI P. , SICILIANO P. , MASIGA D. , KENYA E. U. , GASPERI G. , MALACRIDA A. R. , GUGLIELMINO C. R. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractPhytophagous insects of the genus Bactrocera are among the most economically important invasive fruit fly pests. In 2003, an unknown Bactrocera species was found in Kenya. First identified as an ‘aberrant form’ of the Asian B. dorsalis complex, it was later recognized as a new species, Bactrocera invadens. Within 2 years of its discovery, the species was recorded in several African countries, becoming an important quarantine pest. As this invasive fly was discovered only recently, no data are available on its invasion pattern in Africa. This pilot study attempts to infer from genetic data the dynamic aspects of the African invasion of this pest. Using microsatellite markers, we evaluated the level of genetic diversity and the extent of common ancestry among several African populations collected across the invaded areas. A sample from the Asian Sri Lankan population was analysed to confirm the Asian origin of this pest. Genetic data cast no doubt that Sri Lanka belongs to the native range, but only a small percentage of its genotypes can be found in Africa. African populations display relatively high levels of genetic diversity associated with limited geographical structure and no genetic footprints of bottlenecks. These features are indicative of processes of rapid population growth and expansion with possible multiple introductions. In the span of relatively few years, the African invasion registered the presence of at least two uncorrelated outbreaks, both starting from the East. The results of the analyses support that invasion started in East Africa, where B. invadens was initially isolated.
Activation of σ28‐dependent transcription in Escherichia coli by the cyclic AMP receptor protein requires an unusual promoter organization
Authors: Hollands Kerry , Lee David J. , Lloyd Georgina S. , Busby Stephen J. W. 
Published: October 2009

SummaryThe Escherichia coli aer regulatory region contains a single promoter that is recognized by RNA polymerase containing the flagellar sigma factor, σ28. Expression from this promoter is dependent on direct activation by the cyclic AMP receptor protein, which binds to a target centred 49.5 base pairs upstream from the transcript start. Activator‐dependent transcription from the aer promoter was reconstituted in vitro, and a tethered inorganic nuclease was used to find the position of the C‐terminal domains of the RNA polymerase α subunits in transcriptionally competent open complexes. We report that the ternary activator–RNA polymerase–aer promoter open complex is organized differently from complexes at previously characterized promoters. Among other E. coli promoters recognized by RNA polymerase containing σ28, only the trg promoter is activated directly by the cyclic AMP receptor protein. The organization of the different promoter elements and the activator binding site at the trg promoter is the same as at the aer promoter, suggesting a common activation mechanism.
Cytochrome P450 125 (CYP125) catalyses C26‐hydroxylation to initiate sterol side‐chain degradation in Rhodococcus jostii RHA1
Authors: Rosłoniec Kamila Z. , Wilbrink Maarten H. , Capyk Jenna K. , Mohn William W. , Ostendorf Martin , Van Der Geize Robert , Dijkhuizen Lubbert , Eltis Lindsay D. 
Published: October 2009

SummaryThe cyp125 gene of Rhodococcus jostii RHA1 was previously found to be highly upregulated during growth on cholesterol and the orthologue in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (rv3545c) has been implicated in pathogenesis. Here we show that cyp125 is essential for R. jostii RHA1 to grow on 3‐hydroxysterols such as cholesterol, but not on 3‐oxo sterol derivatives, and that CYP125 performs an obligate first step in cholesterol degradation. The involvement of cyp125 in sterol side‐chain degradation was confirmed by disrupting the homologous gene in Rhodococcus rhodochrous RG32, a strain that selectively degrades the cholesterol side‐chain. The RG32Ωcyp125 mutant failed to transform the side‐chain of cholesterol, but degraded that of 5‐cholestene‐26‐oic acid‐3β‐ol, a cholesterol catabolite. Spectral analysis revealed that while purified ferric CYP125RHA1 was < 10% in the low‐spin state, cholesterol (KDapp = 0.20 ± 0.08 μM), 5α‐cholestanol (KDapp = 0.15 ± 0.03 μM) and 4‐cholestene‐3‐one (KDapp = 0.20 ± 0.03 μM) further reduced the low spin character of the haem iron consistent with substrate binding. Our data indicate that CYP125 is involved in steroid C26‐carboxylic acid formation, catalysing the oxidation of C26 either to the corresponding carboxylic acid or to an intermediate state.
Direct activator/co‐activator interaction is essential for bacteriophage T4 middle gene expression
Authors: Yuan Andy H. , Hochschild Ann 
Published: October 2009

SummaryThe bacteriophage T4 AsiA protein is a bifunctional regulator that inhibits transcription from the major class of bacterial promoters and also serves as an essential co‐activator of transcription from T4 middle promoters. AsiA binds the primary σ factor in Escherichia coli, σ70, and modifies the promoter recognition properties of the σ70‐containing RNA polymerase (RNAP) holoenzyme. In its role as co‐activator, AsiA directs RNAP to T4 middle promoters in the presence of the T4‐encoded activator MotA. According to the current model for T4 middle promoter activation, AsiA plays an indirect role in stabilizing the activation complex by facilitating interaction between DNA‐bound MotA and σ70. Here we show that AsiA also plays a direct role in T4 middle promoter activation by contacting the MotA activation domain. Furthermore, we show that interaction between AsiA and the β‐flap domain of RNAP is important for co‐activation. Based on our findings, we propose a revised model for T4 middle promoter activation, with AsiA organizing the activation complex via three distinct protein–protein interactions.
Dual control by perfectly overlapping σ54‐ and σ70‐promoters adjusts small RNA GlmY expression to different environmental signals
Authors: Reichenbach Birte , Göpel Yvonne , Görke Boris 
Published: October 2009

SummaryIn Escherichia coli synthesis of glucosamine‐6‐phosphate synthase GlmS is feedback‐controlled by a regulatory cascade composed of small RNAs GlmY and GlmZ. When GlcN6P becomes limiting, GlmY accumulates and inhibits processing of GlmZ. Full‐length GlmZ base‐pairs with the glmS transcript and activates synthesis of GlmS, which re‐synthesizes GlcN6P. Here we show that glmY expression is controlled by two overlapping promoters with the same transcription start site. A σ70‐dependent promoter contributes to glmY transcription during exponential growth. Alternatively, glmY can be transcribed from a σ54‐dependent promoter, which requires the YfhK/YfhA two‐component system for activity. YfhK is a sensor kinase and YfhA is a response regulator that contains a σ54 interaction domain. YfhA binds to a DNA region located more than 100 bp upstream of glmY. Three copies of the conserved sequence TGTCN10GACA contribute to binding, and the two sites next to glmY are essential for activation of the σ54‐dependent promoter by YfhA. YfhK and YfhA upregulate GlmY when cells enter the stationary growth phase, whereas regulation by glucosamine‐6‐phosphate occurs post GlmY transcription. Target genes regulated by YfhK and YfhA were unknown so far. We propose to rename these proteins to GlrK and GlrR, for glmYregulating kinase and response regulator respectively.
Differential substrate specificity of group I and group II chaperonins in the archaeon Methanosarcina mazei
Authors: Hirtreiter Angela M. , Calloni Giulia , Forner Francesca , Scheibe Burghardt , Puype Magda , Vandekerckhove Joel , Mann Matthias , Hartl F. Ulrich , Hayer‐Hartl Manajit 
Published: October 2009

SummaryChaperonins are macromolecular machines that assist in protein folding. The archaeon Methanosarcina mazei has acquired numerous bacterial genes by horizontal gene transfer. As a result, both the bacterial group I chaperonin, GroEL, and the archaeal group II chaperonin, thermosome, coexist. A proteome‐wide analysis of chaperonin interactors was performed to determine the differential substrate specificity of GroEL and thermosome. At least 13% of soluble M. mazei proteins interact with chaperonins, with the two systems having partially overlapping substrate sets. Remarkably, chaperonin selectivity is independent of phylogenetic origin and is determined by distinct structural and biochemical features of proteins. GroEL prefers well‐conserved proteins with complex α/β domains. In contrast, thermosome substrates comprise a group of faster‐evolving proteins and contain a much wider range of different domain folds, including small all‐α and all‐β modules, and a greater number of large multidomain proteins. Thus, the group II chaperonins may have facilitated the evolution of the highly complex proteomes characteristic of eukaryotic cells.
High‐resolution architecture of the outer membrane of the Gram‐negative bacteria Roseobacter denitrificans
Authors: Jarosławski Szymon , Duquesne Katia , Sturgis James N. , Scheuring Simon 
Published: October 2009

SummaryThe outer membrane of Gram‐negative bacteria protects the cell against bactericidal substances. Passage of nutrients and waste is assured by outer membrane porins, beta‐barrel transmembrane channels. While atomic structures of several porins have been solved, so far little is known on the supramolecular structure of the outer membrane. Here we present the first high‐resolution view of a bacterial outer membrane gently purified maintaining remnants of peptidoglycan on the perisplasmic surface. Atomic force microscope images of outer membrane fragments of the size of ∼50% of the bacterial envelope revealed that outer membrane porins are by far more densely packed than previously assumed. Indeed the outer membrane is a molecular sieve rather than a membrane. Porins cover ∼70% of the membrane surface and form locally regular lattices. The potential role of exposed aromatic residues in the formation of the supramolecular assembly is discussed. Finally, we present first structural data of the outer membrane porin from the marine Gram‐negative bacteria Roseobacter denitrificans, and we perform a sequence alignment with porins of known structure.
Default during TB diagnosis: quantifying the problem
Authors: Khan Mishal S. , Khan Shoaib , Godfrey‐Faussett Peter 
Published: October 2009

SummaryObjectives  To quantify default during diagnosis in TB suspects and in smear‐positive cases; to investigate sex differences in default during diagnosis, in all of Pakistan.Methods  Data from laboratory registers were collected on 12 216 suspects in nine districts over the period July–September 2008.Results  A total of 1573 TB suspects (12.9%, 95% CI = 12.3–13.5) dropped out of the diagnostic process after initial sputum submission. A total of 2058 smear‐positive cases were detected, and of these 107 (5.2%, 95% CI = 4.2–6.2) defaulted during diagnosis and therefore could not be started on treatment. Male suspects defaulted slightly more frequently than female suspects (P = 0.0268).Conclusion  Default during diagnosis is a frequent occurrence in Pakistan that should be monitored and addressed by TB control programs.
Filaggrin mutations in the onset of eczema, sensitization, asthma, hay fever and the interaction with cat exposure
Authors: Schuttelaar M. L. A. , Kerkhof M. , Jonkman M. F. , Koppelman G. H. , Brunekreef B. , De Jongste J. C. , Wijga A. , McLean W. H. I. , Postma D. S. 
Published: October 2009

Background:  Filaggrin gene (FLG) mutations contribute to the development of eczema and asthma, but their contribution to sensitization and hay fever remains unclear.Methods:  FLG mutations R501X, 2282del4 and R2447X were genotyped in the Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allergy birth cohort (n = 934) to evaluate longitudinally, for up to 8 years, their association with eczema, sensitization, asthma, hay fever and their interaction with cat exposure.Results:  The combined FLG mutations were significantly associated with eczema at all ages when occurring in the first year of life (OR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.4–2.8). Combined FLG mutations were associated with both atopic and nonatopic eczema, as well as asthma (OR = 3.7; 95% CI: 1.8–7.5). When the FLG 2282del4 mutation was analysed separately, it was significantly associated with the development of eczema during the first year, having eczema up to 8 years and sensitization at the age of 8 years, which was enhanced by early‐life cat exposure (ORs being 8.2; 95% CI: 2.6–25.9, 6.0; 95% CI: 3.2–11.3 and 5.4; 95% CI: 1.2–23.6 respectively). FLG 2282del4 was significantly associated with hay fever from the age 5 years onwards (OR = 3.9; 95% CI: 1.5–10.5).Conclusions:  FLG mutations are associated both with atopic and nonatopic eczema starting in the first year of life. FLG mutations combined with eczema in the first year of life are associated with a later development of asthma and hay fever, a clear example of the atopic march. We confirm that cat exposure enhances the effect of a FLG mutation on the development of eczema and sensitization.
Bee venom immunotherapy – how early is it effective?
Authors: Goldberg A. , Confino‐Cohen R. 
Published: October 2009

To cite this article: Goldberg A, Confino‐Cohen R. Bee venom immunotherapy – how early is it effective? Allergy 2010; 65: 391–395.AbstractBackground:  Although the effectiveness of venom immunotherapy (VIT) in bee venom (BV) allergy has been well established over the past 30 years, no previous study has demonstrated its efficacy immediately after reaching the maintenance dose (MD). We examined the effectiveness of bee VIT within a week after the MD was achieved.Methods:  Bee venom allergic patients underwent conventional or rush VIT. Within 1 week after reaching the 100 μg MD, patients were challenged with a live bee sting.Results:  Seventy‐nine of 107 patients (73.8%) who reached the MD agreed to be challenged. Seventy patients (88.6%) tolerated the sting uneventfully. Four patients (5.1%) developed a very mild local transient rash and continued to receive the 100 μg MD. In five patients (6.3%), the sting resulted in a mild‐moderate systemic reaction. In four of these, the MD was increased to 200–250 μg. All four patients uneventfully tolerated a repeated sting that was performed within 1 week after achieving the increased MD in three patients and after 14 months in the fourth patient.Conclusions:  Bee VIT is effective in most patients immediately after the conventional MD has been reached. In the minority of patients who are not protected with this dose, an increased MD will provide appropriate protection immediately after it is achieved. Thus, the dosage of the MD seems to be the major factor affecting protection from re‐stings rather than the accumulated venom dose or the duration on the MD.
Allergic asthma in patients with common variable immunodeficiency
Authors: Agondi R. C. , Barros M. T. , Rizzo L. V. , Kalil J. , Giavina‐Bianchi P. 
Published: October 2009

To cite this article: Agondi RC, Barros MT, Rizzo LV, Kalil J, Giavina‐Bianchi P. Allergic asthma in patients with common variable immunodeficiency. Allergy 2010; 65: 510–515.AbstractBackground:  Many patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) have a clinical history suggestive of allergic respiratory disease. However, in such individuals, the prevalence of asthma and the role of atopy have not been well established. The objective of this study was to evaluate pulmonary function and identify asthma in patients with CVID. We also investigated the role of IgE as a trigger of asthma in these patients.Methods:  Sixty‐two patients diagnosed with CVID underwent spirometry, as well as skin prick testing and in vitro determination of serum‐specific IgE levels for aeroallergens, together with bronchial provocation with histamine and allergen.Results:  The most common alteration identified through spirometry was obstructive lung disease, which was observed in 29 (47.5%) of the 62 patients evaluated. Eighteen (29.0%) of the 62 patients had a clinical history suggestive of allergic asthma. By the end of the study, asthma had been diagnosed in nine (14.5%) patients and atopy had been identified in six (9.7%). In addition, allergic asthma had been diagnosed in four patients (6.5% of the sample as a whole; 22.2% of the 18 patients with a clinical history suggestive of the diagnosis).Conclusion:  In this study, CVID patients testing negative for specific IgE antibodies and suspected of having allergic asthma presented a positive response to bronchial provocation tests with allergens. To our knowledge, this is the first such study. When CVID patients with a history suggestive of allergic asthma test negative on traditional tests, additional tests designed to identify allergic asthma might be conducted.
Successful implementation of a national HLA‐B*5701 genetic testing service in Canada
Authors: Lalonde R. G. , Thomas R. , Rachlis A. , Gill M. J. , Roger M. , Angel J. B. , Smith G. , Higgins N. , Trottier B. 
Published: October 2009

Abstract Abacavir is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) that is used in combination antiretroviral therapy in HIV‐infected patients. It is currently recommended as a preferred or an alternative NRTI in antiretroviral‐naïve patients. The major toxicity of abacavir is a hypersensitivity reaction (HSR), which occurs in approximately 5% of treated patients. There is a strong association between the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐B*5701 allele and abacavir HSR, which has allowed for rapid acceptance of genetic screening for HLA‐B*5701 in clinical use. Canadian clinicians working in hospital centers with HLA typing capacity opted to launch a pilot project in 2006 to offer the screening test as standard of care to HIV‐infected patients. Currently, more than 11,000 HLA‐B*5701 tests have been performed, among which 6.3% are positive. Continued efforts have been made to ensure that testing is available to all HIV‐infected patients to widen the patients' therapeutic options. HLA‐B*5701 screening shows clinical use and preliminary data suggest cost‐effectiveness.
Progression of chronic periodontitis can be predicted by the levels of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Treponema denticola in subgingival plaque
Authors: Byrne S. J. , Dashper S. G. , Darby I. B. , Adams G. G. , Hoffmann B. , Reynolds E. C. 
Published: October 2009

Introduction:  Chronic periodontitis is an inflammatory disease of the supporting tissues of the teeth associated with bacteria. Diagnosis is achieved retrospectively by clinical observation of attachment loss. Predicting disease progression would allow for targeted preventive therapy. The aim of this study was to monitor disease progression in patients on a maintenance program and determine the levels of specific bacteria in subgingival plaque samples and then examine the ability of the clinical parameters of disease and levels of specific bacteria in the plaque samples to predict disease progression.Methods:  During a 12‐month longitudinal study of 41 subjects, 25 sites in 21 subjects experienced disease progression indicated by at least 2 mm of clinical attachment loss. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the levels of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, Tannerella forsythia, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Prevotella intermedia in subgingival plaque samples.Results:  No clinical parameters were able to predict periodontal disease progression. In sites undergoing imminent periodontal disease progression within the next 3 months, significant partial correlations were found between P. gingivalis and T. forsythia (r = 0.55, P < 0.001) and T. denticola and T. forsythia (r = 0.43, P = 0.04). The odds of a site undergoing imminent periodontal disease progression increased with increasing levels of P. gingivalis and T. denticola.Conclusion:  Monitoring the proportions of P. gingivalis and T. denticola in subgingival plaque has the potential to help identify sites at significant risk for progression of periodontitis, which would assist in the targeted treatment of disease.
Characterization of L‐cysteine desulfhydrase from Prevotella intermedia
Authors: Yano T. , Fukamachi H. , Yamamoto M. , Igarashi T. 
Published: October 2009

Introduction:  Hydrogen sulfide is responsible for lysis of red blood cells and is a major compound for oral malodor. To clarify the production mechanism of hydrogen sulfide in Prevotella intermedia, we found an l‐cysteine desulfhydrase gene (lcs) homologue on the genome database of P. intermedia ATCC25611 and characterized its gene product.Methods:  The lcs gene homologue cloned into pGEX6p‐1 vector was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified. Lcs activity was assayed by detection of the reaction products (hydrogen sulfide and pyruvate) or its derivatives from l‐cysteine. Site‐directed mutagenesis was used to convert an amino acid of the Lcs molecule.Results:  The purified lcs gene product catalysed the degradation of l‐cysteine to pyruvate, ammonia, and hydrogen sulfide, indicating that the protein is l‐cysteine desulfhydrase. The enzyme required pyridoxal 5′‐phosphate as a cofactor, and it was highly active at pH 7.0 and completely inhibited by ZnCl2. The Km and Vmax of the enzyme were 0.7 mm and 4.2 μmol/min/mg, respectively. Replacement of Tyr‐59, Tyr‐118, Asp‐198, and Lys‐233 with any of the amino acids resulted in the complete disappearance of Lcs activity, implying that these amino acids are essential for enzyme activity. In addition, hydrogen sulfide produced by this enzyme lysed sheep red blood cells and modified hemoglobin.Conclusion:  These results show the enzymatic properties of l‐cysteine desulfhydrase from P. intermedia ATCC25611 and also suggest that the Lcs enzyme, which produces hydrogen sulfide from l‐cysteine, is closely associated with the pathogenesis of P. intermedia.