bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The power of habits: Unhealthy snacking behaviour is primarily predicted by habit strength
Authors: Verhoeven Aukje A. C. , Adriaanse Marieke A. , Evers Catharine , de Ridder Denise T. D. 
Published: March 2012

Objective. Although increasing evidence shows the importance of habits in explaining health behaviour, many studies still rely solely on predictors that emphasize the role of conscious intentions. The present study was designed to test the importance of habit strength in explaining unhealthy snacking behaviour in a large representative community sample (N= 1,103). To test our hypothesis that habits are crucial when explaining unhealthy snacking behaviour, their role was compared to the ‘Power of Food’, a related construct that addresses sensitivity to food cues in the environment. Moreover, the relation between Power of Food and unhealthy snacking habits was assessed.Design and Methods. A prospective design was used to determine the impact of habits in relation to intention, Power of Food and a number of demographic variables. One month after filling out the questionnaire, including measures of habit strength and Power of Food, participants reported their unhealthy snacking behaviour by means of a 7‐day snack diary.Results. Results showed that habit strength was the most important predictor, outperforming all other variables in explaining unhealthy snack intake.Conclusions. The findings demonstrate that snacking habits provide a unique contribution in explaining unhealthy snacking behaviour, stressing the importance of addressing habit strength in further research and interventions concerning unhealthy snacking behaviour.Statement of contributionWhat is already known on this subject?Although increasing evidence shows the importance of habits in predicting a variety of behaviours (e.g., Aarts, Verplanken, & Van Knippenberg, 1998), including health behaviours (e.g., De Bruijn, 2010), with regard to unhealthy snacking behaviour, only one study demonstrated that habit strength is the most important predictor of unhealthy snacking behaviour (Verplanken, 2006). However, as this study was conducted among a student sample, the role of habits in unhealthy snacking behaviour has as of yet not been examined in a community sample. In addition, the role of habits has not yet been compared to the ‘Power of Food’, a related construct that addresses sensitivity to food cues in the environment.What does this study add?The present study was the first to examine unhealthy snacking behaviour among a large representative community sample (N = 1103), showing that the importance of habits in unhealthy snacking behaviour can be extended to the general population. In addition, the present study included the intention to eat more healthily, habit strength and the Power of Food, and demonstrated that habit strength is the most important predictor of unhealthy snacking behaviour, stressing the importance of addressing habits in further research and interventions concerning unhealthy snacking behaviour.
Functional Analysis of the Degradation of Cellulosic Substrates by a Chaetomium globosum Endophytic Isolate
Authors: Longoni Paolo , Rodolfi Marinella , Pantaleoni Laura , Doria Enrico , Concia Lorenzo , Picco Anna Maria , Cella Rino 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTMost photosynthetically fixed carbon is contained in cell wall polymers present in plant biomasses, the largest organic carbon source in the biosphere. The degradation of these polymers for biotechnological purposes requires the combined action of several enzymes. To identify new activities, we examined which enzymes are activated by an endophytic strain ofChaetomium globosumto degrade cellulose-containing substrates. After biochemical analyses of the secretome of the fungus grown on cellulose or woody substrates, we took advantage of the available genomic data to identify potentially involved genes. Afterin silicoidentification of putative genes encoding either proteins able to bind to cellulose or glycohydrolases (GHs) of family 7, we investigated their transcript levels by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Our data suggest that eight genes compose the core of the cellulose-degrading system ofC. globosum. Notably, the related enzymes belong structurally to the well-described GH families 5, 6, 7, 16, and 45, which are known to be the core of the cellulose degradation systems of several ascomycetes. The high expression levels of cellobiose dehydrogenase and two GH 61 enzymes suggest the involvement of this oxidoreductive synergic system inC. globosum. Transcript analysis along with relevant coding sequence (CDS) isolation and expression of recombinant proteins proved to be a key strategy for the determination of the features of two endoglucanases used byC. globosumfor the first attack of crystalline cellulose. Finally, the possible involvement of transcriptional regulators described for other ascomycetes is discussed.
Selection of a Bifidobacterium animalis subsp.
lactis
Strain with a Decreased Ability To Produce Acetic Acid
Authors: Margolles Abelardo , Sánchez Borja 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACT

We have characterized a new strain,
Bifidobacterium animalis
subsp.
lactis
CECT 7953, obtained by random UV mutagenesis, which produces less acetic acid than the wild type (CECT 7954) in three different experimental settings: De Man-Rogosa-Sharpe broth without sodium acetate, resting cells, and skim milk. Genome sequencing revealed a single Phe-Ser substitution in the acetate kinase gene product that seems to be responsible for the strain's reduced acid production. Accordingly, acetate kinase specific activity was lower in the low acetate producer. Strain CECT 7953 produced less acetate, less ethanol, and more yoghourt-related volatile compounds in skim milk than the wild type did. Thus, CECT 7953 shows promising potential for the development of dairy products fermented exclusively by a bifidobacterial strain.
Toward Homosuccinate Fermentation: Metabolic Engineering of Corynebacterium glutamicum for Anaerobic Production of Succinate from Glucose and Formate
Authors: Litsanov Boris , Brocker Melanie , Bott Michael 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACT

Previous studies have demonstrated the capability of
Corynebacterium glutamicum
for anaerobic succinate production from glucose under nongrowing conditions. In this work, we have addressed two shortfalls of this process, the formation of significant amounts of by-products and the limitation of the yield by the redox balance. To eliminate acetate formation, a derivative of the type strain ATCC 13032 (strain BOL-1), which lacked all known pathways for acetate and lactate synthesis (Δ
cat
Δ
pqo
Δ
pta-ackA
Δ
ldhA
), was constructed. Chromosomal integration of the pyruvate carboxylase gene
pyc
P458S
into BOL-1 resulted in strain BOL-2, which catalyzed fast succinate production from glucose with a yield of 1 mol/mol and showed only little acetate formation. In order to provide additional reducing equivalents derived from the cosubstrate formate, the
fdh
gene from
Mycobacterium vaccae
, coding for an NAD
+
-coupled formate dehydrogenase (FDH), was chromosomally integrated into BOL-2, leading to strain BOL-3. In an anaerobic batch process with strain BOL-3, a 20% higher succinate yield from glucose was obtained in the presence of formate. A temporary metabolic blockage of strain BOL-3 was prevented by plasmid-borne overexpression of the glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene
gapA
. In an anaerobic fed-batch process with glucose and formate, strain BOL-3/pAN6-
gap
accumulated 1,134 mM succinate in 53 h with an average succinate production rate of 1.59 mmol per g cells (dry weight) (cdw) per h. The succinate yield of 1.67 mol/mol glucose is one of the highest currently described for anaerobic succinate producers and was accompanied by a very low level of by-products (0.10 mol/mol glucose).
Identification of Potential Type III Secretion Proteins via Heterologous Expression of Vibrio parahaemolyticus DNA
Authors: Zhou Xiaohui , Nydam Seth D. , Christensen Jeffrey E. , Konkel Michael E. , Orfe Lisa , Friel Patrick , Call Douglas R. 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACT

We employed a heterologous secretion assay to identify proteins potentially secreted by type III secretion systems (T3SSs) in
Vibrio parahaemolyticus
. N-terminal sequences from 32 proteins within T3SS genomic islands and seven proteins from elsewhere in the chromosome included proteins that were recognized for export by the
Yersinia enterocolitica
flagellar T3SS.
Improved Thermostability of Clostridium thermocellum Endoglucanase Cel8A by Using Consensus-Guided Mutagenesis
Authors: Anbar Michael , Gul Ozgur , Lamed Raphael , Sezerman Ugur O. , Bayer Edward A. 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACT

The use of thermostable cellulases is advantageous for the breakdown of lignocellulosic biomass toward the commercial production of biofuels. Previously, we have demonstrated the engineering of an enhanced thermostable family 8 cellulosomal endoglucanase (EC 3.2.1.4), Cel8A, from
Clostridium thermocellum
, using random error-prone PCR and a combination of three beneficial mutations, dominated by an intriguing serine-to-glycine substitution (M. Anbar, R. Lamed, E. A. Bayer, ChemCatChem
2:
997–1003, 2010). In the present study, we used a bioinformatics-based approach involving sequence alignment of homologous family 8 glycoside hydrolases to create a library of consensus mutations in which residues of the catalytic module are replaced at specific positions with the most prevalent amino acids in the family. One of the mutants (G283P) displayed a higher thermal stability than the wild-type enzyme. Introducing this mutation into the previously engineered Cel8A triple mutant resulted in an optimized enzyme, increasing the half-life of activity by 14-fold at 85°C. Remarkably, no loss of catalytic activity was observed compared to that of the wild-type endoglucanase. The structural changes were simulated by molecular dynamics analysis, and specific regions were identified that contributed to the observed thermostability. Intriguingly, most of the proteins used for sequence alignment in determining the consensus residues were derived from mesophilic bacteria, with optimal temperatures well below that of
C. thermocellum
Cel8A.
Long-Range Transcriptional Control of an Operon Necessary for Virulence-Critical ESX-1 Secretion in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Hunt Debbie M. , Sweeney Nathan P. , Mori Luisa , Whalan Rachael H. , Comas Iñaki , Norman Laura , Cortes Teresa , Arnvig Kristine B. , Davis Elaine O. , Stapleton Melanie R. , Green Jeffrey , Buxton Roger S. 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTThe ESX-1 secretion system ofMycobacterium tuberculosishas to be precisely regulated since the secreted proteins, although required for a successful virulent infection, are highly antigenic and their continued secretion would alert the immune system to the infection. The transcription of a five-gene operon containingespACD-Rv3613c-Rv3612c, which is required for ESX-1 secretion and is essential for virulence, was shown to be positively regulated by the EspR transcription factor. Thus, transcription from the start site, found to be located 67 bp upstream ofespA, was dependent upon EspR enhancer-like sequences far upstream (between 884 and 1,004 bp), which we term theespAactivatingregion (EAR). The EAR contains one of the known binding sites for EspR, providing the firstin vivoevidence that transcriptional activation at theespApromoter occurs by EspR binding to the EAR and looping out DNA between this site and the promoter. Regulation of transcription of this operon thus takes place over long regions of the chromosome. This regulation may differ in some members of theM. tuberculosiscomplex, includingMycobacterium bovis, since deletions of the intergenic region have removed the upstream sequence containing the EAR, resulting in loweredespAexpression. Consequent differences in expression of ESX-1 in these bacteria may contribute to their various pathologies and host ranges. The virulence-critical nature of this operon means that transcription factors controlling its expression are possible drug targets.
Working Together for the Common Good: Cell-Cell Communication in Bacteria
Authors: Stevens Ann M. , Schuster Martin , Rumbaugh Kendra P. 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACT
The 4th ASM Conference on Cell-Cell Communication in Bacteria was held in Miami, FL, from 6 to 9 November 2011. This review highlights three key themes that emerged from the many exciting talks and poster presentations in the area of quorum sensing: sociomicrobiology, signal transduction mechanisms, and interspecies communication.
Characterization of the Flavonoid-Responsive Regulator FrrA and Its Binding Sites
Authors: Wenzel Mandy , Lang Kathrin , Günther Tobias , Bhandari Anita , Weiss Andy , Lulchev Pavel , Szentgyörgyi Erik , Kranzusch Bianca , Göttfert Michael 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACT

Previous microarray analyses revealed that in
Bradyrhizobium japonicum
, about 100 genes are induced by genistein, an isoflavonoid secreted by soybean. This includes the three genes
freC
,
freA
, and
freB
(systematic designations
bll4319
,
bll4320
, and
bll4321
), which are likely to form a genistein-, daidzein-, and coumestrol-inducible operon and to encode a multidrug efflux system. Upstream of
freCAB
and in the opposite orientation, FrrA (systematic designation Blr4322), which has similarity to TetR-type regulators, is encoded. A deletion of
frrA
leads to increased expression of
freB
in the absence of an inducer. We identified the correct translational start codon of
frrA
and showed that the gene is inducible by genistein and daidzein. The protein, which was heterologously expressed and purified from
Escherichia coli
, binds to two palindrome-like DNA elements (operator A and operator B), which are located in the intergenic region between
freC
and
frrA
. The replacement of several nucleotides or the insertion of additional spacer nucleotides prevented binding. Binding of FrrA was also affected by the addition of genistein. By mapping the transcription start sites, we found that operator A covers the transcriptional start site of
freC
and operator B is probably located between the −35 regions of the two divergently oriented genes. Operator A seems to be conserved in a few similar gene constellations in other proteobacteria. Our data indicate that in
B. japonicum
, besides NodD1 (the LysR family) and NodVW (a two-component response regulator), a third regulator type (a TetR family member) which responds to the plant signal molecules genistein and daidzein exists.
High antiphospholipid antibody levels are associated with statin use and may reflect chronic endothelial damage in non-autoimmune thrombosis: cross-sectional study
Authors: Broder Anna , Tobin Jonathan N , Putterman Chaim 
Published: March 2012

ObjectivePersistently elevated antiphospholipid antibodies and positive lupus anticoagulant (LAC) are associated with an increased risk of thrombosis. The objective of this study was to explore whether antiphospholipid antibody and/or LAC positivity were associated with the traditional risk factors for thrombosis or with medication use in patients without autoimmune diseases hospitalised with arterial or venous thrombosis.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingMontefiore Medical Center, a large urban tertiary care centre.Patients270 patients (93 with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE), and 177 with non-haemorrhagic stroke (cerebrovascular accident (CVA)) admitted between January 2006 and December 2010 with a discharge diagnosis of either DVT, PE or CVA, who had LAC and antiphospholipid antibodies measured within 6 months from their index admission. Patients with lupus or antiphospholipid syndrome were excluded.Main Outcome MeasuresThe main dependent variable was antiphospholipid antibodies of 40 units or greater (antiphospholipid antibody positivity) and/or LAC positivity. Independent variables were traditional thrombosis risk factors, statin use, aspirin use and warfarin use.Results31 (11%) patients were LAC positive and/or antiphospholipid antibody positive. None of the traditional risk factors at the time of DVT/PE/CVA was associated with antiphospholipid antibody positivity. Current statin use was associated with an OR of 3.2 (95% CI 1.3 to 7.9, p=0.01) of antiphospholipid antibody positivity, adjusted for age, ethnicity and gender. Aspirin or warfarin use was not associated with antiphospholipid antibody levels.ConclusionIf statin therapy reflects the history of previous hyperlipidaemia, high levels of antiphospholipid antibodies may be a marker for earlier endothelial damage caused by hyperlipidaemia.
Predictors of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 fluorescence in-situ hybridisation amplification in immunohistochemistry score 2+ infiltrating breast cancer: a single institution analysis
Authors: Dieci Maria Vittoria , Barbieri Elena , Bettelli Stefania , Piacentini Federico , Omarini Claudia , Ficarra Guido , Balduzzi Sara , Dominici Massimo , Conte Pierfranco , Guarneri Valentina 
Published: March 2012

AimsEligibility for anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) treatments in breast cancer requires a correct HER2 status assessment. Testing guidelines recommend fluorescence in-situ hybridisation (FISH) for samples scored as 2+ by immunohistochemistry. This study investigates the correlation between pathological features and FISH amplification in HER2 2+ breast cancer cases.Methods480 HER2 2+ breast cancer samples were included. The association between tumour grade, hormone receptor status, proliferation index (Ki67) and FISH amplification, using both US Food and Drug Administration (ratio ≥2) and American Society of Clinical Oncologists/College of American Pathologists cut-offs (ratio >2.2) was evaluated.Results90.2% of the samples were hormone receptor positive. The median Ki67 value was 23.5%; 311 (64.8%) samples showed a Ki67 value of 15% or greater. Tumour grade was evaluable in 421 cases (87.7%), 268 (55.8%) being grade 3. FISH amplification rates were 27.5% (ratio ≥2.0) and 20.8% (ratio >2.2). Grade 3 tumours were more frequently amplified than grades 1–2 tumours: 34% versus 18% (ratio ≥2.0, p<0.001) and 27% versus 9% (ratio >2.2, p<0.001). Samples with Ki67 of 15% or greater showed higher amplification rates than low Ki67 samples: 31% versus 21% (ratio ≥2.0, p=0.022) and 25% versus 12% (ratio >2.2, p=0.003). The OR for FISH amplification was significant in the case of grade 3 and high Ki67 with both cut-offs.ConclusionsIn this study, high tumour grade and high Ki67 significantly predicted FISH amplification in 480 HER2 2+ breast cancer samples.
Surgical access on the superior ophthalmic vein to the cavernous sinus dural fistula for embolization
Authors: Jiang Chuhan , Lv Xianli , Li Youxiang , Wu Zhongxue , Shi Jitong 
Published: March 2012

BackgroundDirect surgical exposure and cannulation (DSEC) of the superior ophthalmic vein (SOV) can be used as an alternative approach for the endovascular treatment of cavernous sinus dural fistulas (CSDF) that fail conventional endovascular access. The aim of this study was to report the techniques, effectiveness and safety of DSEC of the SOV in these cases.MethodsBetween June 2007 and June 2011, nine CSDF in nine patients who presented with ocular signs and symptoms were embolized using DSEC of the SOV when the CSDF could not be treated via the transarterial or transfemoral venous route.ResultsAll nine patients were successfully treated by introduction of Onyx in conjunction with detachable coils through the catheterized SOV to the affected cavernous sinus. No exposure or catheterization of the SOV proved difficult. Symptoms and signs resolved completely in all patients after successful occlusion of the CSDF. There were no intraoperative complications. All patients underwent follow-up cerebral angiography at least 3 months after treatment, and none showed recurrence of the fistula.ConclusionDSEC of the SOV for embolization of a CSDF is a good alternative treatment when conventional venous routes are inaccessible. Surgical access to the SOV is direct and can be performed safely. The use of Onyx in conjunction with detachable coils is safe and effective for symptomatic CSDF.
Intratracheal Administration of a Nanoparticle-Based Therapy with the Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor Gene Attenuates Lung Cancer Growth
Authors: Kawabata Atsushi , Baoum Abdulgader , Ohta Naomi , Jacquez Stephanie , Seo Gwi-Moon , Berkland Cory , Tamura Masaaki 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
Targeted gene delivery, transfection efficiency, and toxicity concerns remain a challenge for effective gene therapy. In this study, we dimerized the HIV-1 TAT peptide and formulated a nanoparticle vector (dTAT NP) to leverage the efficiency of this cell-penetrating strategy for tumor-targeted gene delivery in the setting of intratracheal administration. Expression efficiency for dTAT NP–encapsulated luciferase or angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2R) plasmid DNA (pDNA) was evaluated in Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells cultured in vitro or in vivo in orthotopic tumor grafts in syngeneic mice. In cell culture, dTAT NP was an effective pDNA transfection vector with negligible cytotoxicity. Transfection efficiency was further increased by addition of calcium and glucose to dTAT/pDNA NP. In orthotopic tumor grafts, immunohistochemical analysis confirmed that dTAT NP successfully delivered pDNA to the tumor, where it was expressed primarily in tumor cells along with the bronchial epithelium. Notably, gene expression in tumor tissues persisted at least 14 days after intratracheal administration. Moreover, bolus administration of dTAT NP–encapsulated AT2R or TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) pDNA markedly attenuated tumor growth. Taken together, our findings offer a preclinical proof-of-concept for a novel gene delivery system that offers an effective intratracheal strategy for administering lung cancer gene therapy. Cancer Res; 72(8); 2057–67. ©2012 AACR.
Triggering Fbw7-Mediated Proteasomal Degradation of c-Myc by Oridonin Induces Cell Growth Inhibition and Apoptosis
Authors: Huang Hui-Lin , Weng Heng-You , Wang Lu-Qin , Yu Chun-Hong , Huang Qiao-Juan , Zhao Pan-Pan , Wen Jun-Zhi , Zhou Hui , Qu Liang-Hu 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
The transcription factor c-Myc is important in cell fate decisions and is frequently overexpressed in cancer cells, making it an attractive therapeutic target. Natural compounds are among the current strategies aimed at targeting c-Myc, but their modes of action still need to be characterized. To explore the mechanisms underlying the anticancer activity of a natural diterpenoid, oridonin, we conducted miRNA expression profiling and statistical analyses that strongly suggested that c-Myc was a potential molecular target of oridonin. Furthermore, experimental data showed that oridonin significantly reduced c-Myc protein levels in vitro and in vivo and that this reduction was mediated by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Fbw7, a component of the ubiquitin-proteasome system and an E3 ubiquitin ligase of c-Myc, was upregulated rapidly in K562 cells and other leukemia and lymphoma cells, resulting in the rapid turnover of c-Myc. In cell lines harboring mutations in the WD domain of Fbw7, the degradation of c-Myc induced by oridonin was attenuated during short-term treatment. GSK-3, an Fbw7 priming kinase, was also activated by oridonin, along with an increase in T58-phosphorylated c-Myc. Furthermore, the knockdown of Fbw7 or the forced expression of stable c-Myc resulted in reduced sensitization to oridonin-induced apoptosis. Our observations help to clarify the anticancer mechanisms of oridonin and shed light on the application of this natural compound as an Fbw7-c-Myc pathway targeting agent in cancer treatment. Mol Cancer Ther; 11(5); 1155–65. ©2012 AACR.