bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
THE INFLUENCE OF SAE LOCUS KNOCKOUT ON EXOPROTEINS IN STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS
Authors: TANG JUNNI , KANG MINGSONG , CHEN HUANCHUN , ZHENG YUCAI , TANG SHANHU , ZI XIANG‐DONG , ZHANG RONG , ZHOU RUI , SHI XIANMING 
Published: April 2010

ABSTRACT The sae operon is a key regulator in Staphylococcus aureus, which is known as an important infective and toxigenic bacterial pathogen. For the exploration of virulence factors expressed in the secreted exoprotein fraction are being controlled by sae operon, the relationship between the sae locus and exoproteins was investigated in this study. The homologous recombination vector pBT2Δsae was constructed and the sae deletion mutant strain was successfully obtained. The results showed that the sae locus played an important role in the production of thermonucleases and other exoproteins. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed different exoprotein profiles between parent strain and mutant strain, in which three bands were visibly weakened. The results revealed that sae locus was involved in the regulation on exoproteins, some of which play a known fundamental role in the virulence of S. aureus.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThis study presents that knocking out the sae gene locus in a specific Staphylococcus aureus strain results in reduced thermonuclease action, and also in reduced levels of proteins in the vicinity of 42 and 32 kDa molecular weight in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) gels, indicating that their production is dependent on the sae locus. Practically, these proteins are associated with virulence traits, and with the pathogen's response to the environment and in potential hosts, which could be helpful for understanding the pathogenicity of S. aureus and also for further studies on the role of selected genes in the pathogenicity of S. aureus.
DEVELOPMENT OF AN ACOUSTIC MEASUREMENT SYSTEM FOR ANALYZING CRISPINESS DURING MECHANICAL AND SENSORY TESTING
Authors: ARIMI J.M. , DUGGAN E. , O'SULLIVAN M. , LYNG J.G. , O'RIORDAN E.D. 
Published: April 2010

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to develop an acoustic measurement system for analyzing crispiness and correlate its results with sensory evaluation. Four biscuits (Crackerbread, Table Water, Rich Tea and Shortbread) were punctured using an Instron Universal Testing Machine. The force–displacement and sound amplitude–time signals were simultaneously recorded during puncturing. The acoustic recording system was also used to capture sound emitted during sensory evaluation. From the force–displacement signal, the number of peaks, maximum force, curve length, work, crispiness work and initial slope were extracted. From the sound data, the maximum sound pressure, number of sound peaks, sound curve length and area under amplitude–time curve were obtained. The number of force and sound peaks, spatial ruptures, sound curve length and area under the sound curve correlated well (R2 > 0.77) with sensory crispiness data. An acoustic measurement system for analyzing crispiness was developed which can be used with most food texture‐analyzing instruments and during sensory evaluation.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThe method proposed in this study provides an acoustic system for capturing and analyzing sound data during mechanical testing of crispy foods using Instron Universal Testing Machine. The system is designed in such a way that it can be used as an attachment with any food texture‐analyzing system. In addition, the acoustic system can be used independently from texture‐analyzing instrument especially during sensory evaluation.
Handgrip contraction induces a linear increase in arterial pressure by peripheral vasoconstriction, increased heart rate and a decrease in stroke volume
Authors: Toska K. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractAim:  The hypothesis that isometric handgrip induces a progressive increase in arterial pressure and a linear increase in setpoint for arterial pressure control was tested.Methods:  The continuous time course of changes in heart rate (HR), stroke volume (SV) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) was recorded during a 2‐min handgrip contraction of 40% of maximal voluntary contraction force. Twice during the development of the handgrip‐induced, gradual pressure increase of ∼25 mmHg, additional, transient changes in arterial pressure were mechanically induced. The subsequent baroreflex responses to these additional pressure changes were studied. The additional steep increase in arterial pressure (∼10 mmHg) was induced both after 70 and 100 s of handgrip contraction, by inflating bilateral thigh cuffs to suprasystolic pressure. Cuff pressure was released after 10 s, thus introducing a steep decrease in MAP.Results:  During the development of the handgrip‐induced pressure increase, HR increased, SV decreased, cardiac output (CO) increased slightly and total peripheral conductance (TPC = CO/MAP) increased (i.e. peripheral vasoconstriction). The circulatory responses to the additional, sudden increase and subsequent decrease in arterial pressure after 70 and 100 s perfectly adjusted arterial pressure back to the linear increase in MAP, indicating an effective baroreflex response.Conclusion:  The increase in MAP which characterizes handgrip‐induced pressure response can be regarded as a result of a gradual increase in the set point of the arterial baroreflexes, with no change in the time course and magnitude of the baroreflex responses to additional, induced changes in MAP.
Sulfur Deficiency Changes Mycosporine‐like Amino Acid (MAA) Composition of Anabaena variabilis PCC 7937: A Possible Role of Sulfur in MAA Bioconversion
Authors: Singh Shailendra P. , Klisch Manfred , Sinha Rajeshwar P. , Häder Donat‐Peter 
Published: April 2010

AbstractIn the present investigation we show for the first time that bioconversion of a primary mycosporine‐like amino acid (MAA) into a secondary MAA is regulated by sulfur deficiency in the cyanobacterium Anabaena variabilis PCC 7937. This cyanobacterium synthesizes the primary MAA shinorine (RT = 2.2 min, λmax = 334 nm) under normal conditions (PAR + UV‐A + UV‐B); however, under sulfur deficiency, a secondary MAA palythine‐serine (RT = 3.9 min, λmax = 320 nm) appears. Addition of methionine to sulfur‐deficient cultures resulted in the disappearance of palythine‐serine, suggesting the role of primary MAAs under sulfur deficiency in recycling of methionine by donating the methyl group from the glycine subunit of shinorine to tetrahydrofolate to regenerate the methionine from homocysteine. This is also the first report for the synthesis of palythine‐serine by cyanobacteria which has so far been reported only from corals. Addition of methionine also affected the conversion of mycosporine‐glycine into shinorine, consequently, resulted in the appearance of mycosporine‐glycine (RT = 3.6 min, λmax = 310 nm). Our results also suggest that palythine‐serine is synthesized from shinorine. Based on these results we propose that glycine decarboxylase is the potential enzyme that catalyzes the bioconversion of shinorine to palythine‐serine by decarboxylation and demethylation of the glycine unit of shinorine.
Impact of Residential Soil Disturbance on Infiltration Rate and Stormwater Runoff1
Authors: Woltemade Christopher J. 
Published: April 2010

Woltemade, Christopher J., 2010. Impact of Residential Soil Disturbance on Infiltration Rate and Stormwater Runoff. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 46(4): 700‐711. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐1688.2010.00442.xAbstract:  Soil disturbances such as excavation and compaction in residential developments affect lawn infiltration rates and stormwater runoff. These effects were investigated via measuring saturated infiltration rates at 108 residential sites and 18 agricultural sites near Shippensburg, south‐central Pennsylvania, using a double‐ring infiltrometer. Residential sites included four neighborhoods distributed across three soil series classified as hydrologic soil group (HSG) B. Additional parcel data included date of house construction, percentage impervious area, lawn condition, and woody vegetation condition. Measured infiltration rates ranged from 0 to >40 cm/hour. Analysis of variance indicated significantly different mean infiltration rates (p < 0.001) for lots constructed pre‐2000 (9.0 cm/hour) and those constructed post‐2000 (2.8 cm/hour). Test results were used to determine a “field‐tested” HSG for each site, representing disturbed soil conditions. Stormwater runoff was estimated from residential lots for a range of 24‐hour design storms using the TR‐55 model and several alternative methods of determining curve numbers, including five different representations of soil conditions. Curve numbers and stormwater runoff were substantially higher when based on field‐tested HSGs for lots constructed post‐2000 compared with lots built pre‐2000 and when based on the HSG for undisturbed soils, documenting the magnitude of possible error in stormwater runoff models that neglect soil disturbance.
Switching from a preserved to a preservative‐free prostaglandin preparation in topical glaucoma medication
Authors: Uusitalo Hannu , Chen Enping , Pfeiffer Norbert , Brignole‐Baudouin Françoise , Kaarniranta Kai , Leino Markku , Puska Päivi , Palmgren Elina , Hamacher Thomas , Hofmann Günter , Petzold Gernot , Richter Ulrich , Riedel Tobias , Winter Martin , Ropo Auli 
Published: April 2010

Abstract.Purpose:  The purpose of this study was to investigate the tolerability and intraocular pressure (IOP) reducing effect of the first preservative‐free prostaglandin tafluprost (Taflotan®) in patients exhibiting ocular surface side‐effects during latanoprost (Xalatan®) treatment.Methods:  A total of 158 patients were enrolled in this open‐label multicentre study. Eligible patients had to have at least two ocular symptoms, or one sign and one symptom, during treatment with latanoprost. At baseline, the patients were directly switched from latanoprost to preservative‐free tafluprost for 12 weeks. The patients were queried for ocular symptoms, and ocular signs were assessed by using tear break‐up time, Schirmer’s test, fluorescein staining and evaluation of conjunctival hyperaemia and blepharitis. In addition, HLA‐DR and MUC5AC in conjunctival impression cytology specimens were analyzed, and a drop discomfort/quality of life (QoL) questionnaire was employed. IOP was measured at all visits.Results:  Preservative‐free tafluprost maintained IOP at the same level after 12‐ weeks treatment (16.4 ± 2.7 mmHg) as latanoprost at baseline (16.8 ± 2.5 mmHg). During treatment with preservative‐free tafluprost, the number of patients having irritation/burning/stinging (56.3%), itching (46.8%), foreign body sensation (49.4%), tearing (55.1%) and dry eye sensation (64.6%) decreased to 28.4%, 26.5%, 27.1%, 27.1% and 39.4% correspondingly. The number of the patients with abnormal fluorescein staining of cornea (81.6%) and conjunctiva (84.2%), blepharitis (60.1%), conjunctival hyperaemia (84.2%) and abnormal Schirmer’s test (71.5%) was also reduced significantly to 40.6%, 43.2%, 40.6%, 60.0% and 59.4% correspondingly. The tear break‐up time improved significantly from 4.5 ± 2.5 seconds to 7.8 ± 4.9 seconds. A reduction in the number of patients with abnormal conjunctival cells based on HLA‐DR and MUC5AC was also detected.Conclusions:  Preservative‐free tafluprost maintained IOP at the same level as latanoprost, but was better tolerated in patients having signs or symptoms while on preserved latanoprost. Preservative‐free tafluprost treatment resulted in improved QoL, increased patient satisfaction and drop comfort.
Aboveground plant biomass, carbon, and nitrogen dynamics before and after burning in a seminatural grassland of Miscanthus sinensis in Kumamoto, Japan
Authors: TOMA YO , FERNÁNDEZ FABIÁN G. , NISHIWAKI AYA , YAMADA TOSHIHIKO , BOLLERO GERMÁN , STEWART J. RYAN 
Published: April 2010

AbstractAlthough fire has been used for several thousand years to maintain Miscanthus sinensis grasslands in Japan, there is little information about the nutrient dynamics in these ecosystems immediately after burning. We investigated the loss of aboveground biomass; carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) dynamics; surface soil C change before and after burning; and carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) fluxes 2 h after burning in a M. sinensis grassland in Kumamoto, Japan. We calculated average C and N accumulation rates within the soil profile over the past 7300 years, which were 58.0 kg C ha−1 yr−1 and 2.60 kg N ha−1 yr−1, respectively. After burning, 98% of aboveground biomass and litter were consumed. Carbon remaining on the field, however, was 102 kg C ha−1. We found at least 43% of C was possibly lost due to decomposition. However, remaining C, which contained ash and charcoal, appeared to contribute to C accumulation in soil. There was no difference in the amount of 0–5 cm surface soil C before and after burning. The amount of remaining litter on the soil surface indicated burning appeared not to have caused a reduction in soil C nor did it negatively impact the sub‐surface vegetative crown of M. sinensis. Also, nearly 50 kg N ha−1 of total aboveground biomass and litter N was lost due to burning. Compared with before the burning event, postburning CO2 and CH4 fluxes from soil appeared not to be directly affected by burning. However, it appears the short time span of measurements of N2O flux after burning sufficiently characterized the pattern of increasing N2O fluxes immediately after burning. These findings indicate burning did not cause significant reductions in soil C nor did it result in elevated CO2 and CH4 emissions from the soil relative to before the burning event.
Neurological aspects of urospermia in the horse
Authors: Mayhew I. G. 
Published: April 2010

SUMMARYFrom a neurological point of view the evaluation of horses suffering from urination disorders and abnormalities of erection and ejaculation must include a thorough neurological evaluation. Some consideration should be given to the use of diagnostic aids.The case presented on p62 emphasises that careful and sensible management is more likely to be effective, compared to the random use of adrenergic and cholinergic agonists and antagonists. However, some consideration should be given to the probable innervation of the bladder (Fig 1), if the use of pharmacological agents is to be attempted.
The Chiwaukum Structural Low, eastern Cascade Range, Washington
Authors: Cheney E.S , Hayman Nicholas W. 
Published: April 2010

Abstract
A prevailing hypothesis for the central Cascade Range of Washington State is that it underwent regional extension or transtension during the Eocene. This hypothesis is based on the idea that kilometers-thick, clastic, Eocene formations were deposited syntectonically in local basins. Our mapping and structural analysis indicate that these formations are preserved in fault-bounded, regional synclines, not in separate depositional basins. Thus, the type area for the hypothesis, the so-called Chiwaukum graben, is here renamed the Chiwaukum Structural Low. The Eocene arkosic Chum-stick Formation, which was thought to have been syntectonically deposited in the graben, is the proximal equivalent of the Roslyn Formation 25 km southwest of the graben. Because the name “Roslyn Formation” has precedence, the name “Chumstick Formation” should be abandoned. Additionally, several areas previously mapped as Chumstick Formation in the Chiwaukum Structural Low probably are parts of the older Swauk Formation and younger Wenatchee Formation.
The southwestern boundary of the Chiwaukum Structural Low includes the Leav-enworth fault zone, which consists of postdepositional, northwest-striking reverse faults with adjacent northwest-striking folds. The reverse faults place the regionally extensive early-Eocene, arkosic Swauk Formation over the mid-Eocene, arkosic Chumstick Formation. A diamictite, which previously was placed in the Chumstick Formation and inferred to have been syntectonically derived from the Leavenworth fault zone, is part of the older Swauk Formation. We mapped a 0.6–1-km-thick conglomerate-bearing sandstone as a robust marker unit in the Chumstick Formation; instead of being spatially related to the bounding faults, this unit has a &gt;30 km strike length around the limbs of folds in the structural low. The northwest-striking reverse faults and fold hinges of the structural low are cut by north-striking strike-slip faults, which likely are late Eocene to Oligocene; these north-south faults partially bound the structural low. The Eocene folds and faults were reactivated by deformation of the Miocene Columbia River Basalt Group; this younger folding largely defines the regional map pattern, including the structural low.
A model to account for the above characteristics is that all of the Eocene formations, not just the Roslyn Formation, are kilometers thick and are remnants of regional unconformity-bounded sequences that were deposited on the Eocene margin of this part of North America. Their present distribution is governed by younger faults, folds, and erosion. Thus, the Eocene to Recent history of the central Cascade region is characterized not by crustal extension, but by episodes of folding (with related reverse faults) and strike-slip faulting.
Mesozoic sedimentation, magmatism, and tectonics in the Blue Mountains Province, northeastern Oregon
Authors: LaMaskin Todd A. , Schwartz Joshua J. , Dorsey Rebecca J. , Snoke Arthur W. , Johnson Kenneth , Vervoort Jeffery D. 
Published: April 2010

Abstract
This field trip guide describes a two-day excursion through Mesozoic accreted terranes of the Blue Mountains Province in northeastern Oregon. Day 1 is focused on sedimentary rocks of the Izee terrane. These deposits are divided into two unconformity-bounded megasequences, MS-1 and MS-2, that record two stages of syntectonic basin formation. MS-1 (Late Triassic to Early Jurassic) accumulated in fault-bounded marine sub-basins on the flank of an inferred growing Baker terrane thrust belt. MS-1 sandstones, derived from the Baker terrane, contain abundant Paleozoic, Late Paleoproterozoic, and Late Archean detrital-zircon grains. These observations suggest affinity of the Baker terrane and MS-1 in the Izee area to portions of the Klamath and Sierra Nevada terranes that contain similar detrital-zircon age distributions. MS-2 (Early to early-Late Jurassic) accumulated in a large marine basin that received input from low-grade metavolcanic rocks to the east (modern coordinates). Detrital zircons are dominated by Mesozoic, Neoproterozoic, and Mesoproterozoic grains. Two possible interpretations for MS-2 are: (1) the Jurassic Izee basin was fed directly by the large Mesozoic trans-cratonal sediment-dispersal system, or (2) trans-cratonal sediment was deposited in a Triassic backarc basin in Nevada and was later recycled into the Jurassic Izee basin during Cordilleran orogenesis.
Day 2 of the field trip is focused on Jurassic–Cretaceous magmatism in the Baker terrane. Late Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous igneous rocks in the Blue Mountains Province record three distinct pulses of plutonism that are characterized by distinctive spatial and geochemical signatures. These episodes consist of: (1) late Middle to Late Jurassic small gabbro to quartz diorite plutons (ca. 162–154 Ma; low Sr/Y); (2) Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous plutons and batholiths (ca. 148 and 137 Ma; includes spatially distinct belts of low and high Sr/Y at 147–145 Ma); and (3) Early Cretaceous small plutons of tonalitic and trondhjemitic composition (ca. 124–111 Ma). Temporal transitions in geochemical characteristics between these suites raise fundamental questions regarding the origins of plutonism in the Baker terrane. In particular, the transition from low Sr/Y (group 1) to high Sr/Y (group 2) magmatism in the Greenhorn subterrane occurred ~ 7 Ma after regional contraction, and may record partial melting of thickened crust as a direct result of Late Jurassic orogenesis.
Comparisons of leisure-time physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness as predictors of all-cause mortality in men and women
Authors: Lee D-C , Sui X , Ortega F B , Kim Y-S , Church T S , Winett R A , Ekelund U , Katzmarzyk P T , Blair S N 
Published: April 2010

ObjectiveTo examine the combined associations and relative contributions of leisure-time physical activity (PA) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) with all-cause mortality.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingAerobics centre longitudinal study.Participants31 818 men and 10 555 women who received a medical examination during 1978–2002.Assessment of risk factorsLeisure-time PA assessed by self-reported questionnaire; CRF assessed by maximal treadmill test.Main outcome measuresAll-cause mortality until 31 December 2003.ResultsThere were 1492 (469 per 10 000) and 230 (218 per 10 000) deaths in men and women, respectively. PA and CRF were positively correlated in men (r=0.49) and women (r=0.47) controlling for age (p<0.001 for both). PA was inversely associated with mortality in multivariable Cox regression analysis among men, but the association was eliminated after further adjustment for CRF. No significant association of PA with mortality was observed in women. CRF was inversely associated with mortality in men and women, and the associations remained significant after further adjustment for PA. In the PA and CRF combined analysis, compared with the reference group “not meeting the recommended PA (<500 metabolic equivalent-minute/week) and unfit”, the relative risks (95% CIs) of mortality were 0.62 (0.54 to 0.72) and 0.61 (0.44 to 0.86) in men and women “not meeting the recommended PA and fit”, 0.96 (0.61 to 1.53) and 0.93 (0.33 to 2.58) in men and women “meeting the recommended PA and unfit” and 0.60 (0.51 to 0.70) and 0.56 (0.37 to 0.85) in men and women “meeting the recommended PA and fit”, respectively.ConclusionsCRF was more strongly associated with all-cause mortality than PA; therefore, improving CRF should be encouraged in unfit individuals to reduce risk of mortality and considered in the development of future PA guidelines.
Is daily walking when living in the Paralympic village different to the typical home environment?
Authors: Burkett Brendan 
Published: April 2010

BackgroundLife within the Paralympic village is exciting, and the preparation for competition of upmost importance. Due to the shear geographic size of the Paralympic village and associated competition venues, the amount of incidental walking could be different to an athlete's home environment, and any extra walking could potentially diminish athletic performance.ObjectivesTo quantify the change (if any) in the amount of daily walking an athlete does during a typical day at home, when compared with when they are preparing for competition and competing.MethodsThe total number of steps per day was quantified using calibrated pedometers for 31 participants in four environments: at home, within a home-based national training camp, while abroad for an international training camp and when in the Paralympic village.ResultsThere was a significant change in the daily step count with an average increase of 947 steps (or 13%) while in the national training camp, an increase of 3488 steps (or 53%) when in the international camp and an increase of 5472 steps (or 83%) when in the Paralympic village.ConclusionTo enable the maximum possible sporting performance at the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond, athletes should monitor their incidental walking and adjust levels of activity accordingly. The layout and design of the Olympic and Paralympic village should consider the significant increase in incidental walking and provide improved mechanisms to avoid this unwanted issue.