bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High-Resolution
In Situ
Genotyping of
Legionella pneumophila
Populations in Drinking Water by Multiple-Locus Variable-Number Tandem-Repeat Analysis Using Environmental DNA
Authors: Kahlisch Leila , Henne Karsten , Draheim Josefin , Brettar Ingrid , Höfle Manfred G. 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACT

Central to the understanding of infections by the waterborne pathogen
Legionella pneumophila
is its detection at the clonal level. Currently, multiple-locus variable-number tandem-repeat (VNTR) analysis (MLVA) of
L. pneumophila
isolates can be used as a tool for high-resolution genotyping. Since
L. pneumophila
is difficult to isolate, the isolation of outbreak strains often fails due to a viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state of the respective environmental population. Therefore, we developed a cultivation-independent approach to detect single clones in drinking water. This approach is based on the extraction of DNA from drinking water followed by PCR using a set of eight VNTR primer pairs necessary for MLVA genotyping of
L. pneumophila
. The PCR amplicons were analyzed by single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and capillary electrophoresis to obtain the respective MLVA profiles. Parallel to the high-resolution analysis, we used the same environmental DNA to quantify the number of
L. pneumophila
cells in drinking water using real-time PCR with 16S rRNA gene-targeted primers. We used a set of drinking water samples from a small-scale drinking water network to test our approach. With these samples we demonstrated that the developed approach was directly applicable to DNA obtained from drinking water. We were able to detect more
L. pneumophila
MLVA genotypes in drinking water than we could detect by isolation. Our approach could be a valuable tool to identify outbreak strains even after the outbreak has occurred and has the potential to be applied directly to clinical material.
Expression and Physiological Role of Three
Myxococcus xanthus
Copper-Dependent P
1B
-Type ATPases during Bacterial Growth and Development
Authors: Moraleda-Muñoz Aurelio , Pérez Juana , Extremera Antonio Luis , Muñoz-Dorado José 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACT

Myxococcus xanthus
is a soil-dwelling bacterium that exhibits a complex life cycle comprising social behavior, morphogenesis, and differentiation. In order to successfully complete this life cycle, cells have to cope with changes in their environment, among which the presence of copper is remarkable. Copper is an essential transition metal for life, but an excess of copper provokes cellular damage by oxidative stress. This dual effect forces the cells to maintain a tight homeostasis.
M. xanthus
encodes a large number of genes with similarities to others reported previously to be involved in copper homeostasis, most of which are redundant. We have identified three genes that encode copper-translocating P
1B
-ATPases (designated
copA
,
copB
, and
copC
) that exhibit the sequence motifs and modular organizations of those that extrude Cu
+
. The expression of the ATPase
copC
has not been detected, but
copA
and
copB
are differentially regulated by the addition of external copper. However, while
copB
expression peaks at 2 h,
copA
is expressed at higher levels, and the maximum is reached much later. The fact that these expression profiles are nearly identical to those exhibited by the multicopper oxidases
cuoA
and
cuoB
suggests that the pairs CuoB-CopB and CuoA-CopA sequentially function to detoxify the cell. The deletion of any ATPase alters the expression profiles of other genes involved in copper homeostasis, such as the remaining ATPases or the Cus systems, yielding cells that are more resistant to the metal.
Characterization of a Family GH5 Xylanase with Activity on Neutral Oligosaccharides and Evaluation as a Pulp Bleaching Aid
Authors: Gallardo Óscar , Fernández-Fernández María , Valls Cristina , Valenzuela Susana Valeria , Roncero M. Blanca , Vidal Teresa , Díaz Pilar , Pastor F. I. Javier 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACT

A new bacterial xylanase belonging to family 5 of glycosyl hydrolases was identified and characterized. The xylanase, Xyn5B from
Bacillus
sp. strain BP-7, was active on neutral, nonsubstituted xylooligosaccharides, showing a clear difference from other GH5 xylanases characterized to date that show a requirement for methyl-glucuronic acid side chains for catalysis. The enzyme was evaluated on
Eucalyptus
kraft pulp, showing its effectiveness as a bleaching aid.
The Aspergillus fumigatus
cspA
Gene Encoding a Repeat-Rich Cell Wall Protein Is Important for Normal Conidial Cell Wall Architecture and Interaction with Host Cells
Authors: Levdansky Emma , Kashi Oren , Sharon Haim , Shadkchan Yana , Osherov Nir 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACT

cspA
(for cell surface protein A) encodes a repeat-rich glycophosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored cell wall protein (CWP) in the pathogenic fungus
Aspergillus fumigatus
. The number of repeats in
cspA
varies among isolates, and this trait is used for typing closely related strains of
A. fumigatus
. We have previously shown that deletion of
cspA
is associated with rapid conidial germination and reduced adhesion of dormant conidia. Here we show that
cspA
can be extracted with hydrofluoric acid (HF) from the cell wall, suggesting that it is a GPI-anchored CWP. The
cspA
-encoded CWP is unmasked during conidial germination and is surface expressed during hyphal growth. Deletion of
cspA
results in weakening of the conidial cell wall, whereas its overexpression increases conidial resistance to cell wall-degrading enzymes and inhibits conidial germination. Double mutant analysis indicates that
cspA
functionally interacts with the cell wall protein-encoding genes
ECM33
and
GEL2
. Deletion of
cspA
together with
ECM33
or
GEL2
results in strongly reduced conidial adhesion, increased disorganization of the conidial cell wall, and exposure of the underlying layers of chitin and β-glucan. This is correlated with increasing susceptibility of the Δ
cspA
, Δ
ECM33
, and Δ
cspA
Δ
ECM33
mutants to conidial phagocytosis and killing by human macrophages and hyphal damage induced by neutrophils. However, these strains did not exhibit altered virulence in mice with infected lungs. Collectively, these results suggest a role for
cspA
in maintaining the strength and integrity of the cell wall.
The KtrA and KtrE Subunits Are Required for Na
+
-Dependent K
+
Uptake by KtrB across the Plasma Membrane in
Synechocystis
sp. Strain PCC 6803
Authors: Zulkifli Lalu , Akai Masaro , Yoshikawa Asuka , Shimojima Mie , Ohta Hiroyuki , Guy H. Robert , Uozumi Nobuyuki 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACT

The Na
+
-dependent K
+
uptake KtrABE system is essential for the adaptation of
Synechocystis
to salinity stress and high osmolality. While KtrB forms the K
+
-translocating pore, the role of the subunits KtrA and KtrE for Ktr function remains elusive. Here, we characterized the role of KtrA and KtrE in Ktr-mediated K
+
uptake and in modulating Na
+
dependency. Expression of KtrB alone in a K
+
uptake-deficient
Escherichia coli
strain conferred low K
+
uptake activity that was not stimulated by Na
+
. Coexpression of both KtrA and KtrE with KtrB increased the K
+
transport activity in a Na
+
-dependent manner. KtrA and KtrE were found to be localized to the plasma membrane in
Synechocystis
. Site-directed mutagenesis was used to analyze the role of single charged residues in KtrB for Ktr function. Replacing negatively charged residues facing the extracellular space with residues of the opposite charge increased the apparent

K
m

for K
+
in all cases. However, none of the mutations eliminated the Na
+
dependency of Ktr-mediated K
+
transport. Mutations of residues on the cytoplasmic side had larger effects on K
+
uptake activity than those of residues on the extracellular side. Further analysis revealed that replacement of R262, which is well conserved among Ktr/Trk/HKT transporters in the third extracellular loop, by Glu abolished transport activity. The atomic-scale homology model indicated that R262 might interact with E247 and D261. Based on these data, interaction of KtrA and KtrE with KtrB increased the K
+
uptake rate and conferred Na
+
dependency.
The Ascetic Jesus
Authors: Joseph Simon 
Published: July 2010

AbstractNew Testament scholars have long been divided on the question of Jesus' asceticism. This study will argue that the historical Jesus should be identified as a first-century Jewish ascetic. Here, asceticism is conceptualized as a sociological, cross-cultural and comparative lens through which a range of behaviors can be understood. Consequently, by comparing the early Jesus tradition with other contemporary manifestations of ascetic practice in antiquity, this study will illustrate that an ascetic model for the historical Jesus is not only compatible with(in) first-century Judaism but has the explanatory power to reconcile conflicting portraits of Jesus and advance a theoretical lens through which additional future work on the historical Jesus can be conducted.
BBC World Service Hebrew Section (1949-1968): The 'Voice of London' for Israelis or the 'Voice of Israel' from London?
Authors: Nossek Hillel 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThis article seeks to ask the question why, when and how the BBC World Service Hebrew Section broadcast became part of British media diplomacy towards Israel and integral to British foreign policy towards the Middle East and the Cold War. It also seeks to understand why it was closed down and how it became a professional training ground for Israel's public broadcasting system tasked with enhancing democracy as a part of BBC WS' policy. The article tries to answer these questions by analyzing background documents and transcripts of the broadcasts at several critical moments, and by interviewing a key professional who served on the Israeli staff of the BBCWS Hebrew section in its last three years. The points in time were: the establishment of the service, 1949; the Suez/Sinai Campaign of 1956; the Eichmann Trial in Jerusalem, 1961; Ten Years to the Suez/Sinai Campaign, 1966; the Six Day War, 1967; and the closure of the service in 1968.
Altered production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor by peripheral blood immune cells in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Yoshimura Satoshi , Ochi Hirofumi , Isobe Noriko , Matsushita Takuya , Motomura Kyoko , Matsuoka Takeshi , Minohara Motozumi , Kira Jun-ichi 
Published: July 2010

Background: Within multiple sclerosis lesions, brain-derived neurotrophic factor is detected in neurons and immunocytes. Objective: To clarify brain-derived neurotrophic factor production by peripheral blood immunocytes and its relationship with clinical parameters in multiple sclerosis. Methods: Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels were measured by conventional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay while brain-derived neurotrophic factor production by immunocytes was determined by an in situ enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 74 multiple sclerosis patients, 32 healthy controls, and 86 patients with other neurological diseases. The tyrosine kinase receptor TrkB expression level in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Multiple sclerosis patients showed significantly higher serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels than healthy controls and patients with other neurological diseases. Multiple sclerosis patients with high brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels were younger, and showed fewer relapse numbers than those with low brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor production by T cells increased with age in healthy controls, but not in multiple sclerosis patients. Interferon beta induced a significant increase in serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor production from T cells and TrkB expression levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were significantly enhanced in interferon beta-treated multiple sclerosis patients compared with untreated ones. Conclusions: A high brain-derived neurotrophic factor level is related to early mild disease in young multiple sclerosis patients. Interferon beta potentiates brain-derived neurotrophic factor production and brain-derived neurotrophic factor receptor expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, which may act beneficially.
Severe pandemic H1N1 and seasonal influenza in children and young adults with sickle cell disease
Authors: Strouse John J. , Reller Megan E. , Bundy David G. , Amoako Martha , Cancio Maria , Han Rachel N. , Valsamakis Alexandra , Casella James F. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractInfluenza causes excess morbidity in sickle cell disease (SCD). H1N1 pandemic influenza has been severe in children. To compare H1N1 with seasonal influenza in SCD (patients younger than 22), we reviewed medical records (1993-2009). We identified 123 cases of laboratory-confirmed influenza (94 seasonal, 29 H1N1). Those with seasonal influenza were younger (median 4.4 vs 8.7 years old, P = .006) and had less asthma (24% vs 56%, P = .002). Those with H1N1 influenza more often had acute chest syndrome (ACS; 34% vs 13%, P = .01) and required intensive care (17% vs 3%, P = .02), including mechanical ventilation (10% vs 0%, P = .02). In multivariate analysis, older age (odds ratio [OR] 1.1 per year, P = .04) and H1N1 influenza (OR 3.0, P = .04) were associated with ACS, and older age (OR 1.1 per year, P = .02) and prior ACS (OR 3.3 per episode in last year, P < .006) with intensive care. Influenza, especially H1N1, causes critical illness in SCD and should be prevented.
Bioconcentration of perfluorinated compounds in blackrock fish, Sebastes schlegeli, at different salinity levels
Authors: Jeon Junho , Kannan Kurunthachalam , Lim Han Kyu , Moon Hyo Bang , Kim Sang D. 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
Bioconcentration of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) was studied in a biphasic (uptake and elimination) study with blackrock fish, Sebastes schlegeli. The blackrock fish was acclimated to varying salinities over a two-week period before the present study. Among the four selected PFCs: perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluoro-octanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), and perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA), PFUnDA accumulated significantly in serum, followed by PFDA, PFOS, and PFOA, in that order, while the accumulation profile in liver was PFOS &gt; PFUnDA &gt; PFDA &gt; PFOA. Total PFC levels in plasma were approximately four times greater than those found in liver. The uptake and elimination rate constants (Ku and Ke) of PFCs decreased as salinity decreased, suggesting delayed diffusion of PFCs between water and fish, possibly associated with the osmolality gradient. A significant correlation was found between bioconcentration factors (BCF) of PFCs and salinity, except for PFOA, possibly resulting from the effects of salinity on biological responses and chemical activity of PFCs. Even though salinity did not affect the kinetics of PFC accumulation in serum and liver, the results provide useful information on the toxicokinetics of PFCs for saltwater fish. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:2529–2535. © 2010 SETAC
Linking toxicity in algal and bacterial assays with chemical analysis in passive samplers deployed in 21 treated sewage effluents
Authors: Vermeirssen Etiënne L.M. , Hollender Juliane , Bramaz Nadine , Voet Jürgen van der , Escher Beate I. 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
A diverse mix of micropollutants, including pesticides, biocides, and pharmaceuticals, reaches the aquatic environment through treated sewage effluents. We sampled 21 final effluents with polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCIS) and investigated to what extent chemical analyses of six photosystem II (PS-II) inhibitors and 12 other chemicals explain the toxic burdens quantified with two bioassays. Baseline toxicity equivalent concentrations (TEQ) were determined with a bacterial bioluminescence inhibition assay using Vibrio fischeri (baseline-TEQbacteria) and by assessing toxicity on algal growth using Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (baseline-TEQalgae). Inhibition PS-II was also determined with algae and expressed using diuron equivalent concentrations (DEQbio). Concentrations of chemicals and toxicities varied appreciably between effluents, typically spanning two orders of magnitude. Across 21 independent effluents, a DEQ calculated by concentration addition of PS-II inhibitors (DEQchem) proved a very good predictor of DEQbio; DEQchem explained 65% of DEQbio. However, baseline-TEQbacteria,bio correlated poorly with baseline-TEQalgae,bio, because baseline-TEQalgae were strongly influenced by PS-II inhibitors. Using data on the 18 quantified compounds, and their estimated toxicities in the bacterial assay, we calculated a baseline-TEQbacteria,chem. With one exception, a site with a high load of diclofenac, less than 1% of baseline-TEQbacteria,bio was explained by the analyzed chemicals. We conclude that for the analyses of final effluents, DEQbio is a robust endpoint and useful screening tool for PS-II inhibitors; in the presence of herbicides, baseline-TEQbacteria,bio proves a more robust measure of baseline toxicity than baseline-TEQalgae,bio. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:2575–2582. © 2010 SETAC
Gemeinsam für Europa am Lago Maggiore
Authors: Kotzias Dimitrios , Anklam Elke 
Published: July 2010

AbstractDas nachhaltige Management von Ressourcen hat eine hohe Priorität für die Gemeinsame Forschungsstelle der Europäischen Kommission. Das Zentrum unterstützt wissenschaftlich‐technisch und nachfrageorientiert die Entwicklung und Überwachung europäischer Politik.
Wasserstoff durch mehrkernige Metallkomplexe
Authors: Rau Sven , Schwalbe Matthias , Schmitt Michael , Popp Jürgen 
Published: July 2010

AbstractGelänge es, Wasser durch Licht effizient in Wasserstoff und Sauerstoff zu spalten, wäre das die Lösung der Energieprobleme der Menschheit. Ein inspirierendes Vorbild für diese katalytische Umsetzung ist die biologische Photosynthese. Die Herausforderung für die Chemie besteht darin, geeignete Photokatalysatoren zu entwickeln.
Aufbruch in die Champions League
Authors: Remenyi Christian 
Published: July 2010

AbstractBis 2010 wollen Universität und Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe zum Karlsruher Institut für Technologie fusionieren. Mit diesem Zukunftskonzept überzeugte die Universität bei der ersten Runde der Exzellenzinitiative. Wächst jetzt zusammen, was zusammen gehört? Ein Gespräch mit Horst Hippler, dem Rektor der Universität Karlsruhe.
A Quantitative Trait Locus for Chlorophyll Content and its Association with Leaf Photosynthesis in Rice
Authors: Takai Toshiyuki , Kondo Motohiko , Yano Masahiro , Yamamoto Toshio 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
Leaf photosynthesis, an important determinant of yield potential in rice, can be estimated from measurements of chlorophyll content. We searched for quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for Soil and Plant Analyzer Development (SPAD) value, an index of leaf chlorophyll content, and assessed their association with leaf photosynthesis. QTL analysis derived from a cross between japonica cultivar Sasanishiki and high-yielding indica cultivar Habataki detected a QTL for SPAD value on chromosome 4. This QTL explained 31% of the total phenotypic variance, and the Habataki allele increased the SPAD value. Chromosomal segment substitution line (CSSL) with the corresponding segment from Habataki had a higher leaf photosynthetic rate and SPAD value than Sasanishiki, suggesting an association between SPAD value and leaf photosynthesis. The CSSL also had a lower specific leaf area (SLA) than Sasanishiki, reflecting its thicker leaves. Substitution mapping under Sasanishiki genetic background demonstrated that QTLs for SPAD value and SLA were co-localized in the 1,798-kb interval. The results suggest that the phenotypes for SPAD value and SLA are controlled by a single locus or two tightly linked loci, and may play an important role in increasing leaf photosynthesis by increasing chlorophyll content or leaf thickness, or both.
Self‐efficacy is more important than fear of movement in mediating the relationship between pain and disability in chronic low back pain
Authors: Costal Luciola da C. Menezes , Maherl Christopher G. , McAuleyl James H. , Hancockl Mark J. , Smeetsl Rob J.E.M. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractPain self‐efficacy and fear of movement have been proposed to explain how pain can lead to disability for patients with chronic low back pain. However the extent to which pain self‐efficacy and fear of movement mediate the relationship between pain and disability over time has not been investigated. This study aimed to investigate whether pain self‐efficacy and/or fear of movement mediate the relationship between pain intensity and disability in patients with recent onset chronic low back pain. In a two‐wave longitudinal design, 184 chronic low back pain patients completed measures for pain intensity, disability, pain self‐efficacy and fear of movement at baseline and 12 months after the onset of chronic low back pain. Regression analyses were used to test the mediational hypothesis. We found that, when measured at the same time, both pain self‐efficacy and fear of movement beliefs partially mediated the effects of pain intensity on disability at the onset of chronic low back pain. However, in the longitudinal analyses, only improvements in self‐efficacy beliefs partially mediated the relationship between changes in pain and changes in disability over a 12 months period. We found no support for the theory that fear of movement beliefs mediate this relationship. Therefore, we concluded that pain self‐efficacy may be a more important variable than fear of movement beliefs in terms of understanding the relationship between pain and disability.
Effects of product unit image on consumption of snack foods
Authors: Madzharov Adriana V. , Block Lauren G. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractAcross a series of three studies, we demonstrate that the number of product units displayed on a package biases consumers' perceptions of product quantity (i.e., the number of snack items the package contains) and actual consumption. Specifically, we demonstrate that consumers use an anchoring heuristic to infer that packages that display a greater number of product units (e.g., 15 pretzels vs. 3 pretzels) have a higher product quantity inside. Importantly, we demonstrate that actual consumption of the food product follows this anchor judgment. The studies demonstrate that these effects are moderated by level of visual processing and that they are robust even in the presence of verbal information.