bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diversity and population structure of sewage‐derived microorganisms in wastewater treatment plant influent
Authors: McLellan S. L. , Huse S. M. , Mueller‐Spitz S. R. , Andreishcheva E. N. , Sogin M. L. 
Published: October 2009

SummaryThe release of untreated sewage introduces non‐indigenous microbial populations of uncertain composition into surface waters. We used massively parallel 454 pyrosequencing of hypervariable regions in rRNA genes to profile microbial communities from eight untreated sewage influent samples of two wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in metropolitan Milwaukee. The sewage profiles included a discernible human faecal signature made up of several taxonomic groups including multiple Bifidobacteriaceae, Coriobacteriaceae, Bacteroidaceae, Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae genera. The faecal signature made up a small fraction of the taxa present in sewage but the relative abundance of these sequence tags mirrored the population structures of human faecal samples. These genera were much more prevalent in the sewage influent than standard indicators species. High‐abundance sequences from taxonomic groups within the Beta‐ and Gammaproteobacteria dominated the sewage samples but occurred at very low levels in faecal and surface water samples, suggesting that these organisms proliferate within the sewer system. Samples from Jones Island (JI – servicing residential plus a combined sewer system) and South Shore (SS – servicing a residential area) WWTPs had very consistent community profiles, with greater similarity between WWTPs on a given collection day than the same plant collected on different days. Rainfall increased influent flows at SS and JI WWTPs, and this corresponded to greater diversity in the community at both plants. Overall, the sewer system appears to be a defined environment with both infiltration of rainwater and stormwater inputs modulating community composition. Microbial sewage communities represent a combination of inputs from human faecal microbes and enrichment of specific microbes from the environment to form a unique population structure.
NifA is required for maximal expression of denitrification genes in Bradyrhizobium japonicum
Authors: Bueno Emilio , Mesa Socorro , Sanchez Cristina , Bedmar Eulogio J. , Delgado María J. 
Published: October 2009

SummaryIn Bradyrhizobium japonicum the napEDABC, nirK, norCBQD and nosRZDYFLX genes, which encode reductases for nitrate, nitrite, nitric oxide and nitrous oxide, respectively, are required for denitrification. Microaerobic induction of these genes depends on fixLJ and fixK2, whose products form the FixLJ‐FixK2 regulatory cascade. In B. japonicum, a second oxygen‐responsive regulatory cascade mediated by the nitrogen fixation regulatory protein, NifA, has been described. In this study, we show that disruption of nifA caused a growth defect in B. japonicum cells, when grown under denitrifying conditions, and decreased activity of periplasmic nitrate and nitrite reductase enzymes was also observed. Furthermore, expression of napE–lacZ, nirK–lacZ or norC–lacZ transcriptional fusions, as well as levels of nirK transcripts were significantly reduced in the nifA mutant after incubation under nitrate‐respiring conditions. Haem c staining analyses revealed that NifA is required for full synthesis of the NapC and NorC proteins, which are required for denitrification. A B. japonicum rpoN1/2 mutant, lacking both copies of the gene encoding the alternative sigma factor σ54, was able to grow anaerobically with nitrate as terminal electron acceptor and showed wild‐type levels of nitrate and nitrite reductase activities. We propose that the nitrogen fixation regulatory protein, NifA, is involved in the maximal expression of the denitrification genes in B. japonicum. This influence is independent of σ54.
Functional characterization of an anaerobic benzene‐degrading enrichment culture by DNA stable isotope probing
Authors: Herrmann Steffi , Kleinsteuber Sabine , Chatzinotas Antonis , Kuppardt Steffen , Lueders Tillmann , Richnow Hans‐Hermann , Vogt Carsten 
Published: October 2009

SummaryThe flow of carbon under sulfate‐reducing conditions within a benzene‐mineralizing enrichment culture was analysed using fully labelled [13C6]‐benzene. Over 180 days of incubation, 95% of added 13C‐benzene was released as 13C‐carbon dioxide. DNA extracted from cultures that had degraded different amounts of unlabelled or 13C‐labelled benzene was centrifuged in CsCl density gradients to identify 13C‐benzene‐assimilating organisms by density‐resolved terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and cloning of 16S rRNA gene fragments. Two phylotypes showed significantly increased relative abundance of their terminal restriction fragments in ‘heavy’ fractions of 13C‐benzene‐incubated microcosms compared with a 12C‐benzene‐incubated control: a member of the Cryptanaerobacter/Pelotomaculum group within the Peptococcaceae, and a phylotype belonging to the Epsilonproteobacteria. The Cryptanaerobacter/Pelotomaculum phylotype was the most frequent sequence type. A small amount of 13C‐methane was aceticlastically produced, as concluded from the linear relationship between methane production and benzene degradation and the detection of Methanosaetaceae as the only methanogens present. Other phylotypes detected but not 13C‐labelled belong to several genera of sulfate‐reducing bacteria, that may act as hydrogen scavengers for benzene oxidation. Our results strongly support the hypothesis that benzene is mineralized by a consortium consisting of syntrophs, hydrogenotrophic sulfate reducers and to a minor extent of aceticlastic methanogens.
Limits of life in hostile environments: no barriers to biosphere function?
Authors: Williams Jim P. , Hallsworth John E. 
Published: October 2009

SummaryEnvironments that are hostile to life are characterized by reduced microbial activity which results in poor soil‐ and plant‐health, low biomass and biodiversity, and feeble ecosystem development. Whereas the functional biosphere may primarily be constrained by water activity (aw) the mechanism(s) by which this occurs have not been fully elucidated. Remarkably we found that, for diverse species of xerophilic fungi at aw values of ≤ 0.72, water activity per se did not limit cellular function. We provide evidence that chaotropic activity determined their biotic window, and obtained mycelial growth at water activities as low as 0.647 (below that recorded for any microbial species) by addition of compounds that reduced the net chaotropicity. Unexpectedly we found that some fungi grew optimally under chaotropic conditions, providing evidence for a previously uncharacterized class of extremophilic microbes. Further studies to elucidate the way in which solute activities interact to determine the limits of life may lead to enhanced biotechnological processes, and increased productivity of agricultural and natural ecosystems in arid and semiarid regions.
Predicted annual costs for inpatients with diabetes and foot ulcers in a developing country—a simulation of the current situation in Brazil
Authors: Rezende K. F. , Ferraz M. B. , Malerbi D. A. , Melo N. H. , Nunes M. P. , Pedrosa H. C. , Chacra A. R. 
Published: October 2009

Diabet. Med.AbstractAims  The objective of this cost‐of‐illness analysis was to quantify the annual costs associated with hospital admission for people with diabetes and foot ulcers in Brazil.Methods  A hypothetical cohort was simulated using a decision tree model. Prevalence and incidence rates and clinical outcomes were estimated from published studies and applied to the general Brazilian population over 30 years. Costs were quoted in Brazilian real (BRL) and converted to US dollars ($US) at the 2008 currency exchange rate ($US1 = BRL 1.64). In the sensitivity analysis, we reduced and increased rates to assess the robustness of the cost estimates.Results  In this hypothetical cohort there are 6.48 million (95% confidence interval 4.47–7.12) Brazilians citizens with Type 2 diabetes. Each year, approximately 323 000 (89 500–484 500) of these people develop foot ulcers and almost 97 200 (17 900–169 600) require hospital admission as a result. Each year, almost 46 300 (8500–80 900) limb amputations and 12 400 (2300–21 700) deaths occur as a result of diabetic foot disease in Brazil. The annual cost associated with these hospital admissions is estimated to be almost $US264m ($US51m–461m). The estimated cost for patients with amputation is nearly $US128m ($US24.5m–222.3m).Conclusions  Our model shows that the social and economic impact of diabetic foot disease in Brazil is high. Government decision makers should reflect on the current situation and provide organized foot care throughout the whole country.
Co‐morbidity and the utilization of health care for Australian veterans with diabetes
Authors: Zhang Y. , Vitry A. , Roughead E. , Ryan P. , Gilbert A. 
Published: October 2009

Diabet. Med. 27, 65–71 (2010)AbstractObjective  To examine the impact of co‐morbidity on health service utilization by Australian veterans with diabetes.Methods  A retrospective cohort study was undertaken including veterans aged ≥ 65 years dispensed medicines for diabetes in 2006. Data were sourced from the Australian Department of Veterans’ Affairs health claims database. Utilization of preventive health services for diabetes was assessed, including claims for glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) test, microabuminuria, podiatry services, diabetes care plans, medication reviews, case conferences, general practitioner (GP) management plans and ophthalmology/optometry services.Results  Among the 17 095 veterans dispensed medicines for diabetes, more than 80% had four or more co‐morbid conditions. Those with a higher number of co‐morbidities were more likely to have had claims for optometry/ophthalmology services and podiatry services, but not for other services. Veterans with at least one diabetes‐related hospital admission had no more claims for diabetes health services than those who had no diabetics‐related hospital admission, except for endocrinology services (relative risk = 1.26, 95% confidence intervals 1.15–1.37). Veterans with dementia were less likely to have had claims for diabetes health services while patients with renal failure were more likely to have had claims for the services.Conclusions  Low utilization of preventive diabetes care services is apparent in all co‐morbidity groups. Patients with renal failure or dementia used more and less health services resources, respectively. Given the high mean age of this population, there may be valid reasons for the low use, such as competing health demands and patients’ preferences.
Understanding physical activity facilitators and barriers during and following a supervised exercise programme in Type 2 diabetes: a qualitative study
Authors: Casey D. , De Civita M. , Dasgupta K. 
Published: October 2009

Diabet. Med. 27, 79–84 (2010)AbstractAims  To assess barriers and facilitators of participation in a supervised exercise programme, and adherence to exercise after programme completion.Methods  Focus group discussions addressed factors which could facilitate attendance, current engagement in exercise, reasons for continuing or discontinuing regular exercise and ways to integrate exercise into daily life. Three focus groups, with a total of 16 participants, were led by a trained moderator; audiotapes were transcribed verbatim; transcripts were coded and themes were identified. Themes that recurred across all three focus groups were considered to have achieved saturation.Results  Motivation was the most critical factor in exercising both during and following the programme. Participants appreciated the monitoring, encouragement and accountability provided by programme staff. They voiced a need for better transition to post‐programme realities of less support and supervision. Co‐morbid conditions were apt to derail them from a regular exercise routine. They viewed the optimal programme as having even greater scheduling flexibility and being closer to them geographically. Post‐programme, walking emerged as the most frequent form of physical activity.Conclusions  Adults with Type 2 diabetes require long‐term monitoring and support for physical activity and exercise.
Biofeedback for foot offloading in diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy
Authors: Pataky Z. , de León Rodriguez D. , Allet L. , Golay A. , Assal M. , Assal J.‐P. , Hauert C.‐A. 
Published: October 2009

Diabet. Med. 27, 61–64 (2010)AbstractAims  The reduction of high plantar pressure in diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy is mandatory for prevention of foot ulcers and amputations. We used a new biofeedback‐based method to reduce the plantar pressure at an at‐risk area of foot in diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy.Methods  Thirteen diabetic patients (age 60.8 ± 12.3 years, body mass index 29.0 ± 5.0 kg/m2) with peripheral neuropathy of the lower limbs were studied. Patients with memory impairment were excluded. The portable in‐shoe foot pressure measurement system (PEDAR®) was used for foot offloading training by biofeedback. The learning procedure consisted in sequences of walking (10 steps), each followed by a subjective estimation of performance and objective feedback. The goal was to achieve three consecutive walking cycles of 10 steps, with a minimum of seven steps inside the range of 40–80% of the baseline peak plantar pressure. The peak plantar pressure was assessed during the learning period and at retention tests.Results  A significant difference in peak plantar pressure was recorded between the beginning and the end of the learning period (when the target for plantar pressure was achieved) (262 ± 70 vs. 191 ± 53 kPa; P = 0.002). The statistically significant difference between the beginning of learning and all retention tests persisted, even at the 10‐day follow‐up.Conclusions  Terminal augmented feedback training may positively affect motor learning in diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy and could possibly lead to suitable foot offloading. Additional research is needed to confirm the maintenance of offloading in the long term.
Perinatal risk factors for early onset of Type 1 diabetes in a 2000–2005 birth cohort
Authors: Algert C. S. , McElduff A. , Morris J. M. , Roberts C. L. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractAims  To examine perinatal risk factors for the onset of Type 1 diabetes before 6 years of age, in a 2000–2005 Australian birth cohort.Methods  Data from longitudinally linked delivery and hospital admission records (until June 2007) were analysed. Diabetes in mothers and children was identified from International Classification of Diseases 10 diagnosis codes in the hospital records.Results  There were 272 children admitted to hospital with a first diagnosis of diabetes out of 502 040 live births. Incidence for the infants born in 2000 was 16.0 per 100 000 person‐years. Maternal Type 1 diabetes was a significant risk factor [crude relative risk (RR) 6.33], but maternal Type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes were not significantly associated with diabetes in the child. Late preterm birth (34–36 weeks) (RR 1.64) and caesarean section (RR 1.30) increased the risk of a diabetes admission. Size‐for‐gestational‐age was significantly associated with onset of diabetes (small‐for‐gestational age RR 0.48), but neither birth weight categories nor birth weight as a continuous variable were associated with risk of diabetes. Increasing maternal age was associated with an increased risk of diabetes in the child (RR 1.13 for each additional 5 years of age).Conclusions  This study identified risk factors associated with onset of Type 1 diabetes before 6 years of age, in a recent birth cohort. Size‐for‐gestational‐age had a consistent association with risk of early onset of Type 1 diabetes, small size being protective. Size‐for‐gestational‐age measures should be preferred to birth weight thresholds when assessing risk of diabetes.
Population history of the plateau pika endemic to the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau based on mtDNA sequence data
Authors: Ci H. X. , Lin G. H. , Cai Z. Y. , Tang L. Z. , Su J. P. , Liu J. Q. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractWe studied 1616 bp of mtDNA sequence in plateau pika Ochotona curzoniae sampled from 10 geographical regional groups to study the population history as well as long‐term gene flow of O. curzoniae. We detected 153 haplotypes in 245 individuals. Mismatch analyses detected rapid population expansion in nine regional groups. Long‐term estimates of gene flow revealed a unidirectional manner from peripheral groups towards central plateau groups. In contrast, gene flow among central plateau groups was bidirectional. Our results indicate that the population expansion of most groups occurred 0.24–0.03 Mya, which mostly coincides with the interglacial period before the last glacial maximum. Gene flow of O. curzoniae was closely related to the different effects of the extensive glacial period (EGP) and the last glacial period (LGP) on the species. The EGP had caused extinction of all central populations, while the LGP had very limited influence on the populations that recolonized the central region. However, the glaciers in the relatively humid areas surrounding the interior of the plateau during the LGP were substantial and had prevented or greatly reduced the ‘counter’ gene flow from the central populations to the edge populations, resulting in a unidirectional gene flow. A hierarchical analysis of molecular variance showed that 55.1% of the total variance was explained by among‐groups structuring while 34.2% was explained by the differences among individuals within populations. Compared with other endemic species on the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau, O. curzoniae has a moderate level of the population genetic structure, which is higher than birds and lower than lizard, due to its limited dispersal ability.
Nemo‐like kinase is involved in NGF‐induced neurite outgrowth via phosphorylating MAP1B and paxillin
Authors: Ishitani Tohru , Ishitani Shizuka , Matsumoto Kunihiro , Itoh Motoyuki 
Published: October 2009

AbstractNerve growth factor (NGF) promotes neurite outgrowth through regulating cytoskeletal organization and cell adhesion. These activities are modulated by protein phosphorylation. Nemo‐like kinase (NLK) is an evolutionarily conserved MAP kinase‐like kinase that phosphorylates several transcription factors. Although NLK is known to be expressed at relatively high levels in the nervous system, its function is not well understood. We found that NGF promotes the translocation of NLK to PC12 cells’ leading edges, and triggers NLK kinase activity in them. Activated NLK directly phosphorylates microtubule‐associated protein‐1B (MAP1B) and the focal adhesion adaptor protein, paxillin. Knockdown of NLK attenuates the phosphorylation of both paxillin and MAP1B and inhibits both the NGF‐induced re‐distribution of F‐actin and neurite outgrowth. We also discovered that NLK is a LiCl‐sensitive kinase. LiCl is known to block NGF‐induced neurite outgrowth and the phosphorylation of MAP1B and paxillin in PC12 cells. Therefore, the effects of LiCl are mediated in part by blocking NLK activity. These results suggest that NLK controls the dynamics of the cytoskeleton downstream of NGF signaling.
Measuring the Effective Tax Burden in the Real World*
Authors: Polito Vito 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThis paper argues that forward‐looking indices of the effective tax burden on income from capital – namely, effective marginal and average tax rates – are negatively biased because traditional models overlook dividend constraints associated with financial tax incentives, such as accelerated depreciation. The paper presents measures of the two indices adjusted to remove the bias and compares the new indices with the traditional ones. Numerical simulations carried out to quantify the magnitude of the bias for France, Germany, Ireland, Italy and the UK give evidence of sizeable distortions in the unadjusted indices and, in turn, suggest significant mismeasurement in the current assessment of the effective tax burden.
Contract Type and the Cost of Provision: Evidence from Maintenance Service Contracts*
Authors: Jensen Paul H. , Stonecash Robin E. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractMore than half a billion dollars are spent each year on the maintenance of Australia's urban water and sewerage networks. Expenditure is governed through a mix of in‐house and outsourced maintenance service contracts. We re‐examine issues relating to the relationship between the cost of maintenance service provision and the type of contract used. We take advantage of the fact that water retailers in Melbourne use a mix of contract types – including fixed‐price (FP) and cost‐plus (C+) contracts – for the provision of water and sewerage network maintenance services. Our results suggest that the C+ contract results in substantial savings.
Lipid mediator interplay: resolvin D1 attenuates inflammation evoked by glutathione‐conjugated lipid peroxidation products
Authors: Filep János G 
Published: October 2009

Non‐enzymatic oxidation of cellular lipids, one of the characteristic features of inflammation, leads to formation of highly reactive and toxic α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes, such as 4‐hydroxy‐trans‐2‐nonenal (HNE). Conjugation of HNE with reduced glutathione (GS‐HNE) is widely believed to represent a form of detoxification. The study by Spite et al. in the current issue of the British Journal of Pharmacology shows that glutathiolation of HNE confers potent pro‐inflammatory properties on this α,β‐unsaturated aldehyde. They find that GS‐HNE directly activates human neutrophil granulocytes in vitro and evokes peritonitis in mice. Pre‐treatment with resolvin D1, which is derived from ω‐3 fatty acids, markedly attenuated the peritoneal leukocyte accumulation and production of prostaglandins and leukotrienes induced by GS‐HNE. Their findings have profound implications for the analysis of inflammation in describing the generation of a novel class of pro‐inflammatory mediators, through glutathione‐dependent metabolism of lipid‐peroxidation products, and emphasize the therapeutic potential of resolvin D1 in inflammatory diseases.This article is part of a themed issue on Mediators and Receptors in the Resolution of Inflammation. To view this issue visit http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/121548564/issueyear?year=2009
Proteases and antiproteases in chronic neutrophilic lung disease – relevance to drug discovery
Authors: Greene Catherine M , McElvaney Noel G 
Published: October 2009

Chronic inflammatory lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis and emphysema are characterized by higher‐than‐normal levels of pulmonary proteases. While these enzymes play important roles such as bacterial killing, their dysregulated expression or activity can adversely impact on the inflammatory process. The existence of efficient endogenous control mechanisms that can dampen or halt this overexuberant protease activityin vivois essential for the effective resolution of inflammatory lung disease. The function of pulmonary antiproteases is to fulfil this role. Interestingly, in addition to their antiprotease activity, protease inhibitors in the lung also often possess other intrinsic properties that contribute to microbial killing or termination of the inflammatory process. This review will outline important features of chronic inflammation that are regulated by pulmonary proteases and will describe the various mechanisms by which antiproteases attempt to counterbalance exaggerated protease‐mediated inflammatory events. These proteases, antiproteases and their modifiers represent interesting targets for therapeutic intervention.This article is part of a themed issue on Mediators and Receptors in the Resolution of Inflammation. To view this issue visithttp://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/121548564/issueyear?year=2009