bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pelagic fish hydrolysates as peptones for bacterial culture media
Authors: Beaulieu Lucie , Desbiens Michel , Thibodeau Jacinthe , Thibault Sharon 
Published: November 2009

For several years in the Quebec fisheries’ industry,landings of pelagic fish have been calculated at over 4000 tons. These under-exploited species, rich in lipids and proteins, could be used in valuable new products. In the present study, hydrolysates of mackerel and herring were produced and utilized as sources of peptones in the formulation of new bacterial culture media. The molecular weight distribution analysis showed that molecules present in the hydrolysates were lower than 1300 Da for herring, and lower than 930 Da for mackerel. The formulated media were compared with reference media using 6 bacterial strains (3 lactic acid (LAB) and 3 non-lactic). The absorbance (OD) and carbohydrate measurements revealed that the formulated media possessed similar yields in comparison with the reference media. Finally, the inhibition of Listeria innocua by LAB bacteriocins was evaluated. Results obtained for Pediococcus acidilactici demonstrated high activities for each medium studied. Thus, the medium containing herring peptones generated the highest bacteriocin titre (32768 AU/mL), followed by both the medium containing mackerel peptones and the MRS7 medium (16384 AU/mL). Each medium containing the fish hydrolysates efficiently supported the growth of the bacterial strains. Pelagic fish peptones are promising as a novel bacterial culture media.
Cold-active extracellular alkaline protease from an alkaliphilicStenotrophomonas maltophilia: production of enzyme and its industrial applications
Authors: Kuddus Mohammed , Ramteke Pramod W. 
Published: November 2009

A novel psychro-tolerant bacterium Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (MTCC 7528) with an ability to produce extracellular, cold-active, alkaline, and detergent-stable protease was isolated from soil samples obtained from Gangotri glacier, Western Himalaya, India. The culture conditions for higher protease production were optimized with respect to incubation time, agitation, substrate, pH, and temperature. Maximum protease production of 56.2 U·mL–1was achieved in the medium at 20 °C and pH 9.0 after 120 h incubation. The protease was partially purified by ion-exchange chromatography and approximately 55-fold purification was achieved. The purified enzyme was a 75 kDa protease with maximum activity and stability at pH 10 and 20 °C. The activity of enzyme is stimulated by Mn2+and inhibited completely by metalloprotease inhibitors, indicating that it is a metalloprotease. The protease showed excellent stability and compatibility with commercial detergents and exhibited high efficiency for the removal of different types of protein-containing stains at low temperature. The wash performance analysis of blood and grass stains on cotton fabric showed an increase in reflectance by 26% and 23%, respectively, after treatment with enzyme in comparison to detergent only. These results indicate that it may be a potential component to use as a detergent additive for cold washing and in environmental bioremediation in cold regions.
Rapid method for extracting the antibiotic mutacin 1140 from complex fermentation medium yeast extract
Authors: Chaney Noel , Wilson-Stanford Shawanda , Kastrantas James , Dahal Neeti , Smith Leif 
Published: November 2009

The peptide antibiotic mutacin 1140 belongs to the group of antibiotics called lantibiotics. They are ribosomally synthesized and undergo extensive enzymatic modifications before being excreted into the culture medium. By using reverse-phase – high-performance liquid chromatography (RP–HPLC) and a semiquantitative bacteriocin bioassay to track mutacin 1140, an efficient ammonium sulfate (AS) precipitation method has been developed for removing mutacin 1140 from a complex medium containing 5% yeast extract. This method minimizes the amounts of fermentation by-products and media components that make downstream purification processes more difficult and economically infeasible. The method may be adaptable for the initial purification step of other lantibiotics. A threefold decrease in the precipitation of the medium components found in yeast extract, at pH 8.0 vs. pH 2.0, may have broad utility for the isolation of secondary metabolites produced in this complex medium. The average yield of mutacin 1140 from the fermentation medium was determined as 66%.
ExprAlign - the identification of ESTs in non-model species by alignment of cDNA microarray expression profiles
Authors: Li Weizhong , Gracey Andrew Y , Mello Luciane Vieira , Brass Andrew , Cossins Andrew R 
Published: November 2009

Abstract

Background
Sequence identification of ESTs from non-model species offers distinct challenges particularly when these species have duplicated genomes and when they are phylogenetically distant from sequenced model organisms. For the common carp, an environmental model of aquacultural interest, large numbers of ESTs remained unidentified using BLAST sequence alignment. We have used the expression profiles from large-scale microarray experiments to suggest gene identities.

Results
Expression profiles from ~700 cDNA microarrays describing responses of 7 major tissues to multiple environmental stressors were used to define a co-expression landscape. This was based on the Pearsons correlation coefficient relating each gene with all other genes, from which a network description provided clusters of highly correlated genes as 'mountains'. We show that these contain genes with known identities and genes with unknown identities, and that the correlation constitutes evidence of identity in the latter. This procedure has suggested identities to 522 of 2701 unknown carp ESTs sequences. We also discriminate several common carp genes and gene isoforms that were not discriminated by BLAST sequence alignment alone. Precision in identification was substantially improved by use of data from multiple tissues and treatments.

Conclusion
The detailed analysis of co-expression landscapes is a sensitive technique for suggesting an identity for the large number of BLAST unidentified cDNAs generated in EST projects. It is capable of detecting even subtle changes in expression profiles, and thereby of distinguishing genes with a common BLAST identity into different identities. It benefits from the use of multiple treatments or contrasts, and from the large-scale microarray data.
Pharmaceutical cost control in primary care: opinion and contributions by healthcare professionals
Authors: Prados-Torres Alexandra , Calderón-Larrañaga Amaia , Sicras-Mainar Antoni , March-Llull Sebastià , Oliván-Blázquez Bárbara 
Published: November 2009

AbstractBackgroundStrategies adopted by health administrations and directed towards drug cost control in primary care (PC) can, according to earlier studies, generate tension between health administrators and healthcare professionals. This study collects and analyzes the opinions of general practitioners (GPs) regarding current cost control measures as well as their proposals for improving the effectiveness of these measures.MethodsA qualitative exploratory study was carried out using 11 focus groups composed of GPs from the Spanish regions of Aragon, Catalonia and the Balearic Islands. A semi-structured guide was applied in obtaining the GPs' opinions. The transcripts of the dialogues were analyzed by two investigators who independently considered categorical and thematic content. The results were supervised by other members of the team, with overall responsibility assigned to the team leader.ResultsGPs are conscious of their public responsibility with respect to pharmaceutical cost, but highlight the need to spread responsibility for cost control among the different actors of the health system. They insist on implementing measures to improve the quality of prescriptions, avoiding mere quantitative evaluations of prescription costs. They also suggest moving towards the self-management of the pharmaceutical budget by each health centre itself, as a means to design personalized incentives to improve their outcomes. These proposals need to be considered by the health administration in order to pre-empt the feelings of injustice, impotence, frustration and lack of motivation that currently exist among GPs as a result of the implemented measures.ConclusionFuture investigations should be oriented toward strategies that involve GPs in the planning and management of drug cost control mechanisms. The proposals in this study may be considered by the health administration as a means to move toward the rational use of drugs while avoiding concerns about injustice and feelings of impotence on the part of the GPs, which can lead to lack of interest in and disaffection with the current measures.
Bacillus amyloliquefaciens GA1 as a source of potent antibiotics and other secondary metabolites for biocontrol of plant pathogens
Authors: Arguelles-Arias Anthony , Ongena Marc , Halimi Badre , Lara Yannick , Brans Alain , Joris Bernard , Fickers Patrick 
Published: November 2009

Abstract

Background
Phytopathogenic fungi affecting crop and post-harvested vegetables are a major threat to food production and food storage. To face these drawbacks, producers have become increasingly dependent on agrochemicals. However, intensive use of these compounds has led to the emergence of pathogen resistance and severe negative environmental impacts. There are also a number of plant diseases for which chemical solutions are ineffective or non-existent as well as an increasing demand by consumers for pesticide-free food. Thus, biological control through the use of natural antagonistic microorganisms has emerged as a promising alternative to chemical pesticides for more rational and safe crop management.

Results
The genome of the plant-associated B. amyloliquefaciens GA1 was sample sequenced. Several gene clusters involved in the synthesis of biocontrol agents were detected. Four gene clusters were shown to direct the synthesis of the cyclic lipopeptides surfactin, iturin A and fengycin as well as the iron-siderophore bacillibactin. Beside these non-ribosomaly synthetised peptides, three additional gene clusters directing the synthesis of the antibacterial polyketides macrolactin, bacillaene and difficidin were identified. Mass spectrometry analysis of culture supernatants led to the identification of these secondary metabolites, hence demonstrating that the corresponding biosynthetic gene clusters are functional in strain GA1. In addition, genes encoding enzymes involved in synthesis and export of the dipeptide antibiotic bacilysin were highlighted. However, only its chlorinated derivative, chlorotetaine, could be detected in culture supernatants. On the contrary, genes involved in ribosome-dependent synthesis of bacteriocin and other antibiotic peptides were not detected as compared to the reference strain B. amyloliquefaciens FZB42.

Conclusion
The production of all of these antibiotic compounds highlights B. amyloliquefaciens GA1 as a good candidate for the development of biocontrol agents.
Relationship between the EQ-5D index and measures of clinical outcomes in selected studies of cardiovascular interventions
Authors: Goldsmith Kimberley A , Dyer Matthew T , Schofield Peter M , Buxton Martin J , Sharples Linda D 
Published: November 2009

Abstract

Background
The EuroQoL 5D (EQ-5D) has been widely used in studies of cardiac disease, but its measurement properties in this group are not well established. The study aimed to quantify the relationship between measures commonly used in studies of cardiac disease and the EQ-5D index across different levels of disease severity.

Methods
Patient-level data from 7 studies of cardiac interventions were used, which included randomised trials and observational studies. Relationships between the EQ-5D index and commonly used cardiac measures, Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) angina severity class, treadmill exercise time (ETT) and scales of the Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) were examined. Mixed effects linear regression was used to assess these relationships, with the EQ-5D index as the response.

Results
Study sample sizes ranged from 68 to 2419. Mean baseline EQ-5D index ranged from 0.77 in patients at diagnosis (95% CI 0.75, 0.78) to 0.43 in patients with advanced disease (95% CI 0.39, 0.48) and differed significantly across studies (p < 0.001). There was evidence of a ceiling effect in patients at diagnosis. The minimum clinically important difference of a one minute increase in ETT was associated with a 0.019 (95% CI 0.014, 0.025) increase in EQ-5D index. One class increase in CCS was associated with a 0.11 (95% CI 0.09, 0.13) decrease in EQ-5D index. A 10 unit increase in SAQ scales was associated with increases between 0.04 and 0.07 in EQ-5D index (95% CIs 0.03, 0.05 and 0.05, 0.08). Tests of heterogeneity indicated the EQ-5D-covariate relationships were consistent across levels of disease severity for ETT and the treatment satisfaction scale of the SAQ, but heterogeneous for age, gender, CCS angina class and other scales of the SAQ.

Conclusion
The EQ-5D index varies with coronary disease severity. The relationship between the EQ-5D index and an outcome measure used in cardiac intervention studies, ETT, was consistent across disease severity levels, but the relationship between demographic variables, CCS angina class and most of the SAQ scales and the EQ-5D index was heterogeneous for patients with different levels of coronary disease. Differences in the EQ-5D index associated with clinically important differences in cardiac measures can be quantified and vary between three important examples - angina class, ETT and SAQ.
Let-7 microRNAs are developmentally regulated in circulating human erythroid cells
Authors: Noh Seung-Jae , Miller Samuel H , Lee Y Terry , Goh Sung-Ho , Marincola Francesco M , Stroncek David F , Reed Christopher , Wang Ena , Miller Jeffery L 
Published: November 2009

Abstract

Background
MicroRNAs are ~22nt-long small non-coding RNAs that negatively regulate protein expression through mRNA degradation or translational repression in eukaryotic cells. Based upon their importance in regulating development and terminal differentiation in model systems, erythrocyte microRNA profiles were examined at birth and in adults to determine if changes in their abundance coincide with the developmental phenomenon of hemoglobin switching.

Methods
Expression profiling of microRNA was performed using total RNA from four adult peripheral blood samples compared to four cord blood samples after depletion of plasma, platelets, and nucleated cells. Labeled RNAs were hybridized to custom spotted arrays containing 474 human microRNA species (miRBase release 9.1). Total RNA from Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines provided a hybridization reference for all samples to generate microRNA abundance profile for each sample.

Results
Among 206 detected miRNAs, 79% of the microRNAs were present at equivalent levels in both cord and adult cells. By comparison, 37 microRNAs were up-regulated and 4 microRNAs were down-regulated in adult erythroid cells (fold change > 2; p < 0.01). Among the up-regulated subset, the let-7 miRNA family consistently demonstrated increased abundance in the adult samples by array-based analyses that were confirmed by quantitative PCR (4.5 to 18.4 fold increases in 6 of 8 let-7 miRNA). Profiling studies of messenger RNA (mRNA) in these cells additionally demonstrated down-regulation of ten let-7 target genes in the adult cells.

Conclusion
These data suggest that a consistent pattern of up-regulation among let-7 miRNA in circulating erythroid cells occurs in association with hemoglobin switching during the fetal-to-adult developmental transition in humans.
Investigation on the occurrence of Echinococcus multilocularisin Central Italy
Authors: Calderini Pietro , Magi Marta , Gabrielli Simona , Brozzi Alberto , Kumlien Susanna , Grifoni Goffredo , Iori Albertina , Cancrini Gabriella 
Published: November 2009

Abstract

Background
Recent studies on geographic distribution of Echinococcus multilocularis in Europe show that it has a wider range than previously thought. It is unclear, however, if the wider distribution is due to its recent spreading or to a lack of previous data from the new areas. Italy, previously considered E. multilocularis-free, is now part of these new areas: infected foxes (the main definitive host of the tapeworm) have been observed in a Northern Alpine territory. Thus, more surveys need to be done in other Italian regions in order to monitor the spreading of E. multilocularis. The aim of the present study was to look for this parasite in 283 foxes collected in an Apennine area of Central Italy by different diagnostic methods.

Results
The foxes were heavily parasitized by 11 helminthic genera, but none of the animals was infected by E. multilocularis neither by E. granulosus (harboured adult worms or their DNA). Low specificity was observed in commercially available ELISA kits for the detection of E. multilocularis antigens in the faeces. Molecular diagnostics were sensitive and specific for the detection and identification of tapeworm eggs in faeces, but less sensitive, although specific, to adult tapeworms in the intestinal content.

Conclusion
Preliminarily, we can say that no E. multilocularis could be found in the study area. These data will enable us to follow temporal changes of the spatial distribution of the parasite in the study area of the Central Apennines. Due to its low specificity the ELISA kit for E. multilocularis coproantigens is not suitable for epidemiological surveys, whereas molecular diagnostics applied to faecal samples give useful results. Finally, absence of E. granulosus in foxes living in the endemic areas studied confirms the thought that this tapeworm prefers a different definitive host.
Schwannoma of the vagus nerve, a rare middle mediastinal neurogenic tumor: case report
Authors: Rammos Kyriakos St , Rammos Stylianos K , Foroulis Christophoros N , Zaramboukas Thomas K 
Published: November 2009

Abstract
Schwannoma originating from the vagus nerve within the mediastinum is a rare, usually benign tumor. A 44-year old male was presented with chest pain. Chest radiography, CT scan and MRI showed a well circumscribed mass, 5 × 4 cm located in the aortopulmonary window. The mass was found at surgery to be in close proximity with the aortic arch and the left pulmonary hilum, alongside the left vagus nerve. The encapsulated tumor was completely resected through a left thoracotomy incision and it was found to be a benign schwannoma in pathology. The patient is free of recurrence 6 years after surgery.
A questionnaire for determining prevalence of diabetes related foot disease (Q‐DFD): construction and validation
Authors: Bergin Shan M , Brand Caroline A , Colman Peter G , Campbell Donald A 
Published: November 2009

AbstractBackgroundCommunity based prevalence for diabetes related foot disease (DRFD) has been poorly quantified in Australian populations. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a survey tool to facilitate collection of community based prevalence data for individuals with DRFD via telephone interview.MethodsAgreed components of DRFD were identified through an electronic literature search. Expert feedback and feedback from a population based construction sample were sought on the initial draft. Survey reliability was tested using a cohort recruited through a general practice, a hospital outpatient clinic and an outpatient podiatry clinic. Level of agreement between survey findings and either medical record or clinical assessment was evaluated.ResultsThe Questionnaire for Diabetes Related Foot Disease (Q‐DFD) comprised 12 questions aimed at determining presence of peripheral sensory neuropathy (PN) and peripheral vascular disease (PVD), based on self report of symptoms and/or clinical history, and self report of foot ulceration, amputation and foot deformity. Survey results for 38 from 46 participants demonstrated agreement with either clinical assessment or medical record (kappa 0.65, sensitivity 89.0%, and specificity 77.8%). Correlation for individual survey components was moderate to excellent. Inter and intrarater reliability and test re‐test reliability was moderate to high for all survey domains.ConclusionThe development of the Q‐DFD provides an opportunity for ongoing collection of prevalence estimates for DRFD across Australia.
Foot posture influences the electromyographic activity of selected lower limb muscles during gait
Authors: Murley George S , Menz Hylton B , Landorf Karl B 
Published: November 2009

AbstractBackgroundSome studies have found that flat‐arched foot posture is related to altered lower limb muscle function compared to normal‐ or high‐arched feet. However, the results from these studies were based on highly selected populations such as those with rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare lower limb muscle function of normal and flat‐arched feet in people without pain or disease.MethodsSixty adults aged 18 to 47 years were recruited to this study. Of these, 30 had normal‐arched feet (15 male and 15 female) and 30 had flat‐arched feet (15 male and 15 female). Foot posture was classified using two clinical measurements (the arch index and navicular height) and four skeletal alignment measurements from weightbearing foot x‐rays. Intramuscular fine‐wire electrodes were inserted into tibialis posterior and peroneus longus under ultrasound guidance, and surface EMG activity was recorded from tibialis anterior and medial gastrocnemius while participants walked barefoot at their self‐selected comfortable walking speed. Time of peak amplitude, peak and root mean square (RMS) amplitude were assessed from stance phase EMG data. Independent samples t‐tests were performed to assess for significant differences between the normal‐ and flat‐arched foot posture groups.ResultsDuring contact phase, the flat‐arched group exhibited increased activity of tibialis anterior (peak amplitude; 65 versus 46% of maximum voluntary isometric contraction) and decreased activity of peroneus longus (peak amplitude; 24 versus 37% of maximum voluntary isometric contraction). During midstance/propulsion, the flat‐arched group exhibited increased activity of tibialis posterior (peak amplitude; 86 versus 60% of maximum voluntary isometric contraction) and decreased activity of peroneus longus (RMS amplitude; 25 versus 39% of maximum voluntary isometric contraction). Effect sizes for these significant findings ranged from 0.48 to 1.3, representing moderate to large differences in muscle activity between normal‐arched and flat‐arched feet.ConclusionDifferences in muscle activity in people with flat‐arched feet may reflect neuromuscular compensation to reduce overload of the medial longitudinal arch. Further research is required to determine whether these differences in muscle function are associated with injury.