bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plasma concentration of selected neuropeptides in patients suffering from psoriasis
Authors: Reich Adam , Orda Alina , Wiśnicka Beata , Szepietowski Jacek C. 
Published: March 2007

Abstract:  The aim of this study was to evaluate plasma levels of substance P (SP), calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) during psoriasis course.Methods:  Seventy‐three patients with psoriasis and 32 healthy volunteers were included. Detailed demographic and disease anamnesis was obtained from every patient. The disease severity was assessed using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score. Plasma levels of SP, CGRP, VIP and NPY were measured radioimmunologically.Results:  Plasma levels of SP and NPY did not significantly differ between patients with psoriasis and controls (median SP: 52.8 and 57.9 pg/ml, respectively; P = 0.32; median NPY: 8.5 and 8.2 pg/ml, respectively; P = 0.67). CGRP plasma concentration was significantly elevated in psoriatic individuals both before (median 43.1 pg/ml) and after treatment (median 45.4 pg/ml), in comparison with healthy donors (median 13.5 pg/ml; P < 0.01 and P = 0.03, respectively). Treatment did not significantly influence plasma CGRP levels (P = 0.3). Median VIP plasma concentration in psoriatics before treatment was significantly higher compared with healthy controls (medians 66.9 and 60.1 pg/ml, respectively; P = 0.04), but the therapy resulted in significant decrease in VIP plasma level (median 19.0 pg/ml; P < 0.001). In psoriatic patients significant correlations were noted between NPY and VIP (R = 0.34; P < 0.01), and VIP and CGRP plasma levels, both before (R = 0.28; P = 0.03) and after the treatment (R = 0.44; P < 0.01).Conclusions:  Based on our results and previous literature data it could be suggested that neuropeptides may be involved in the development of psoriatic lesions.
The Best Interests Standard for Incompetent or Incapacitated Persons of All Ages
Authors: Kopelman Loretta M. 
Published: March 2007

When making decisions for adults lacking decision-making capacity and having no discernable preferences, widespread support exists for using the Best Interests Standard. For example, the President's Council on Bioethics supports this view in its publication, Taking Care: Ethical Caregiving in Our Aging Society. The President's Council maintains that decision-makers should seek the best available care for incapacitated adults, yet clarifies the best care does not always extend biological life for the longest time and advocates careful attention to comfort care and pain control. Their recommendations for making medical decisions for incapacitated adults match guidelines by American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) committees and by the U.K’.s Nuffield Council on Bioethics report for making medical decisions for children and infants.For reasons of consistency, fairness, and compassion, this guidance should be applied to all people lacking decision-making capacity. Uniform guidelines, however, would be incompatible with a policy for infants based on the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) amendments, widely known as the “Baby Doe” Rules.
Diversity of Lactic Acid Bacteria Associated with Fish and the Fish Farm Environment, Established by Amplified rRNA Gene Restriction Analysis
Authors: Michel Christian , Pelletier Claire , Boussaha Mekki , Douet Diane-Gaëlle , Lautraite Armand , Tailliez Patrick 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT

Lactic acid bacteria have become a major source of concern for aquaculture in recent decades. In addition to true pathogenic species of worldwide significance, such as
Streptococcus iniae
and
Lactococcus garvieae
, several species have been reported to produce occasional fish mortalities in limited geographic areas, and many unidentifiable or ill-defined isolates are regularly isolated from fish or fish products. To clarify the nature and prevalence of different fish-associated bacteria belonging to the lactic acid bacterium group, a collection of 57 isolates of different origins was studied and compared with a set of 22 type strains, using amplified rRNA gene restriction analysis (ARDRA). Twelve distinct clusters were delineated on the basis of ARDRA profiles and were confirmed by sequencing of
sodA
and 16S rRNA genes. These clusters included the following:
Lactococcus raffinolactis
,
L. garvieae
,
Lactococcus l
.,
S. iniae
,
S. dysgalactiae
,
S. parauberis
,
S. agalactiae
,
Carnobacterium
spp., the
Enterococcus
“
faecium
” group, a heterogeneous
Enterococcus
-like cluster comprising indiscernible representatives of
Vagococcus fluvialis
or the recently recognized
V. carniphilus
,
V. salmoninarum
, and
Aerococcus
spp. Interestingly, the
L. lactis
and
L. raffinolactis
clusters appeared to include many commensals of fish, so opportunistic infections caused by these species cannot be disregarded. The significance for fish populations and fish food processing of three or four genetic clusters of uncertain or complex definition, namely,
Aerococcus
and
Enterococcus
clusters, should be established more accurately.
Characterization of Nontoxic and Toxin-Producing Strains ofAlexandrium minutum(Dinophyceae) in Irish Coastal Waters
Authors: Touzet Nicolas , Franco Jose M. , Raine Robin 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTA comparative analysis of the morphology, toxin composition, and ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequences was performed on a suite of clonal cultures of the potentially toxic dinoflagellateAlexandrium minutumHalim. These were established from resting cysts or vegetative cells isolated from sediment and water samples taken from the south and west coasts of Ireland. Results revealed that strains were indistinguishable, both morphologically and through the sequencing of the D1-D2 domain of the large subunit and the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 regions of the rDNA. High-performance liquid chromatography fluorescence detection analysis, however, showed that only strains derived from retentive inlets on the southern Irish coast synthesized paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins (GTX2 and GTX3), whereas all strains ofA. minutumisolated from the west coast were nontoxic. Toxin analysis of net hauls, taken whenA. minutumvegetative cells were in the water column, revealed no PSP toxins in samples from Killary Harbor (western coast), whereas GTX2 and GTX3 were detected in samples from Cork Harbor (southern coast). These results confirm the identity ofA. minutumas the most probable causative organism for historical occurrences of contamination of shellfish with PSP toxins in Cork Harbor. Finally, random amplification of polymorphic DNA was carried out to determine the degree of polymorphism among strains. The analysis showed that all toxic strains from Cork Harbor clustered together and that a separate cluster grouped all nontoxic strains from the western coast.
Effect of Protein, Polysaccharide, and Oxygen Concentration Profiles on Biofilm Cohesiveness
Authors: Ahimou Francois , Semmens Michael J. , Haugstad Greg , Novak Paige J. 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT
It is important to control biofilm cohesiveness to optimize process performance. In this study, a membrane-aerated biofilm reactor inoculated with activated sludge was used to grow mixed-culture biofilms of different ages and thicknesses. The cohesions, or cohesive energy levels per unit volume of biofilm, based on a reproducible method using atomic force microscopy (F. Ahimou, M. J. Semmens, P. J. Novak, and G. Haugstad, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 73:2897-2904, 2007), were determined at different locations within the depths of the biofilms. In addition, the protein and polysaccharide concentrations within the biofilm depths, as well as the dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration profiles within the biofilms, were measured. It was found that biofilm cohesion increased with depth but not with age. Level of biofilm cohesive energy per unit volume was strongly correlated with biofilm polysaccharide concentration, which increased with depth in the membrane-aerated biofilm. In a 12-day-old biofilm, DO also increased with depth and may therefore be linked to polysaccharide production. In contrast, protein concentration was relatively constant within the biofilm and did not appear to influence cohesion.
Bacterial Degradation of
N,N
-Diethyl-
m
-Toluamide (DEET): Cloning and Heterologous Expression of DEET Hydrolase
Authors: Rivera-Cancel Giomar , Bocioaga Daniela , Hay Anthony G. 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT

Pseudomonas putida
DTB grew aerobically with
N,N
-diethyl-
m
-toluamide (DEET) as a sole carbon source, initially breaking it down into 3-methylbenzoate and diethylamine. The former was further metabolized via 3-methylcatechol and
meta
ring cleavage. A gene from DTB,
dthA
, was heterologously expressed and shown to encode the ability to hydrolyze DEET into 3-methylbenzoate and diethylamine.
Competition for Light between Toxic and Nontoxic Strains of the Harmful Cyanobacterium
Microcystis
Authors: Kardinaal W. Edwin A. , Tonk Linda , Janse Ingmar , Hol Suzanne , Slot Pieter , Huisman Jef , Visser Petra M. 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT

The cyanobacterium
Microcystis
can produce microcystins, a family of toxins that are of major concern in water management. In several lakes, the average microcystin content per cell gradually declines from high levels at the onset of
Microcystis
blooms to low levels at the height of the bloom. Such seasonal dynamics might result from a succession of toxic to nontoxic strains. To investigate this hypothesis, we ran competition experiments with two toxic and two nontoxic
Microcystis
strains using light-limited chemostats. The population dynamics of these closely related strains were monitored by means of characteristic changes in light absorbance spectra and by PCR amplification of the rRNA internal transcribed spacer region in combination with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, which allowed identification and semiquantification of the competing strains. In all experiments, the toxic strains lost competition for light from nontoxic strains. As a consequence, the total microcystin concentrations in the competition experiments gradually declined. We did not find evidence for allelopathic interactions, as nontoxic strains became dominant even when toxic strains were given a major initial advantage. These findings show that, in our experiments, nontoxic strains of
Microcystis
were better competitors for light than toxic strains. The generality of this finding deserves further investigation with other
Microcystis
strains. The competitive replacement of toxic by nontoxic strains offers a plausible explanation for the gradual decrease in average toxicity per cell during the development of dense
Microcystis
blooms.
Survival of
Mycobacterium avium
,
Legionella pneumophila
,
Escherichia coli
, and Caliciviruses in Drinking Water-Associated Biofilms Grown under High-Shear Turbulent Flow
Authors: Lehtola Markku J. , Torvinen Eila , Kusnetsov Jaana , Pitkänen Tarja , Maunula Leena , von Bonsdorff Carl-Henrik , Martikainen Pertti J. , Wilks Sandra A. , Keevil C. William , Miettinen Ilkka T. 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT

Most of the bacteria in drinking water distribution systems are associated with biofilms. In biofilms, their nutrient supply is better than in water, and biofilms can provide shelter against disinfection. We used a Propella biofilm reactor for studying the survival of
Mycobacterium avium
,
Legionella pneumophila
,
Escherichia coli
, and canine calicivirus (CaCV) (as a surrogate for human norovirus) in drinking water biofilms grown under high-shear turbulent-flow conditions. The numbers of
M. avium
and
L. pneumophila
were analyzed with both culture methods and with peptide nucleic acid fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) methods. Even though the numbers of pathogens in biofilms decreased during the experiments,
M. avium
and
L. pneumophila
survived in biofilms for more than 2 to 4 weeks in culturable forms. CaCV was detectable with a reverse transcription-PCR method in biofilms for more than 3 weeks.
E. coli
was detectable by culture for only 4 days in biofilms and 8 days in water, suggesting that it is a poor indicator of the presence of certain waterborne pathogens. With
L. pneumophila
and
M. avium
, culture methods underestimated the numbers of bacteria present compared to the FISH results. This study clearly proved that pathogenic bacteria entering water distribution systems can survive in biofilms for at least several weeks, even under conditions of high-shear turbulent flow, and may be a risk to water consumers. Also, considering the low number of virus particles needed to result in an infection, their extended survival in biofilms must be taken into account as a risk for the consumer.
Temperature-Dependent Expression ofListeria monocytogenesInternalin and Internalin-Like Genes Suggests Functional Diversity of These Proteins among the Listeriae
Authors: McGann Patrick , Ivanek Renata , Wiedmann Martin , Boor Kathryn J. 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTTheListeria monocytogenesgenome contains genes encoding several internalins and internalin-like proteins. AsL. monocytogenesis present in many environments and can infect numerous, diverse host species, the environmental temperature was hypothesized to be a signal that might affect internalin gene transcription. A subgenomic microarray was used to investigate temperature-dependent transcription of 24 members of the internalin gene family inL. monocytogenes10403S. The levels of internalin gene transcripts for cells grown at 37°C were compared to the levels of transcripts for cells grown at 16, 30, and 42°C using competitive microarray hybridization, and the results were confirmed by performing quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR for 14 internalin genes. Based on these studies, the internalin genes can be grouped into the following five temperature-dependent categories: (i) four σB-dependent internalin genes (inlC2,inlD, lmo0331, and lmo0610) with the highest levels of transcripts at 16°C and generally the lowest levels of transcripts at 37°C; (ii) three partially PrfA-dependent internalin genes (inlA,inlB, andinlC) with the lowest levels of transcripts at 16°C and the highest levels of transcripts at 37 and 42°C; (iii) four genes (inlG,inlJ, lmo0514, and lmo1290) with the lowest levels of transcripts at 16°C and the highest levels of transcripts at 30 and/or 37°C; (iv) one gene (lmo0327) with the highest levels of transcripts at 16°C and low levels of transcripts at higher temperatures; and (v) 12 internalin genes with no differences in the levels of transcripts at the temperatures used in this study. The temperature-dependent transcription patterns suggest that the relative importance of different internalins varies by environment, which may provide insight into the specific functions of these proteins.
Development of a Genetic System for the Chemolithoautotrophic Bacterium
Thiobacillus denitrificans
Authors: Letain Tracy E. , Kane Staci R. , Legler Tina C. , Salazar Edmund P. , Agron Peter G. , Beller Harry R. 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT

Thiobacillus denitrificans
is a widespread, chemolithoautotrophic bacterium with an unusual and environmentally relevant metabolic repertoire, which includes its ability to couple denitrification to sulfur compound oxidation; to catalyze anaerobic, nitrate-dependent oxidation of Fe(II) and U(IV); and to oxidize mineral electron donors. Recent analysis of its genome sequence also revealed the presence of genes encoding two [NiFe]hydrogenases, whose role in metabolism is unclear, as the sequenced strain does not appear to be able to grow on hydrogen as a sole electron donor under denitrifying conditions. In this study, we report the development of a genetic system for
T. denitrificans
, with which insertion mutations can be introduced by homologous recombination and complemented in
trans
. The antibiotic sensitivity of
T. denitrificans
was characterized, and a procedure for transformation with foreign DNA by electroporation was established. Insertion mutations were generated by in vitro transposition, the mutated genes were amplified by the PCR, and the amplicons were introduced into
T. denitrificans
by electroporation. The IncP plasmid pRR10 was found to be a useful vector for complementation. The effectiveness of the genetic system was demonstrated with the
hynL
gene, which encodes the large subunit of a [NiFe]hydrogenase. Interruption of
hynL
in a
hynL
::kan mutant resulted in a 75% decrease in specific hydrogenase activity relative to the wild type, whereas complementation of the
hynL
mutation resulted in activity that was 50% greater than that of the wild type. The availability of a genetic system in
T. denitrificans
will facilitate our understanding of the genetics and biochemistry underlying its unusual metabolism.
Expression and Interstrain Variability of the
YPS3
Gene of
Histoplasma capsulatum
Authors: Bohse Megan L. , Woods Jon P. 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT

The
YPS3
locus of the dimorphic fungus
Histoplasma capsulatum
encodes a secreted and surface-localized protein specific to the pathogenic yeast phase. In this study we examined this locus in 32
H. capsulatum
strains and variants. Although protein production is limited to a select group of strains, the North American restriction fragment length polymorphism class 2/NAm 2 isolates, the locus was present in all the strains we examined. The
YPS3
gene is well conserved in its 5′ and 3′ regions but displays an intragenic hypervariable region of tandem repeats that fluctuates in size between strains. This feature is similar to that seen with genes encoding several cell surface proteins in other fungi.
Spatial Patterns of DNA Replication, Protein Synthesis, and Oxygen Concentration within Bacterial Biofilms Reveal Diverse Physiological States
Authors: Rani Suriani Abdul , Pitts Betsey , Beyenal Haluk , Veluchamy Raaja Angathevar , Lewandowski Zbigniew , Davison William M. , Buckingham-Meyer Kelli , Stewart Philip S. 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT
It has long been suspected that microbial biofilms harbor cells in a variety of activity states, but there have been few direct experimental visualizations of this physiological heterogeneity. Spatial patterns of DNA replication and protein synthetic activity were imaged and quantified in staphylococcal biofilms using immunofluorescent detection of pulse-labeled DNA and also an inducible green fluorescent protein (GFP) construct. Stratified patterns of DNA synthetic and protein synthetic activity were observed in all three biofilm systems to which the techniques were applied. In a colony biofilm system, the dimensions of the zone of anabolism at the air interface ranged from 16 to 38 μm and corresponded with the depth of oxygen penetration measured with a microelectrode. A second zone of activity was observed along the nutrient interface of the biofilm. Much of the biofilm was anabolically inactive. Since dead cells constituted only 10% of the biofilm population, most of the inactive cells in the biofilm were still viable. Collectively, these results suggest that staphylococcal biofilms contain cells in at least four distinct states: growing aerobically, growing fermentatively, dead, and dormant. The variety of activity states represented in a biofilm may contribute to the special ecology and tolerance to antimicrobial agents of biofilms.
Genetic Analysis of
Helicobacter pylori
Strain Populations Colonizing the Stomach at Different Times Postinfection
Authors: Salama Nina R. , Gonzalez-Valencia Gerardo , Deatherage Brooke , Aviles-Jimenez Francisco , Atherton John C. , Graham David Y. , Torres Javier 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT

Genetic diversity of the human gastric pathogen
Helicobacter pylori
in an individual host has been observed; whether this diversity represents diversification of a founding strain or a mixed infection with distinct strain populations is not clear. To examine this issue, we analyzed multiple single-colony isolates from two to four separate stomach biopsies of eight adult and four pediatric patients from a high-incidence Mexican population. Eleven of the 12 patients contained isolates with identical random amplified polymorphic DNA, amplified fragment length polymorphism, and
vacA
allele molecular footprints, whereas a single adult patient had two distinct profiles. Comparative genomic hybridization using whole-genome microarrays (array CGH) revealed variation in 24 to 67 genes in isolates from patients with similar molecular footprints. The one patient with distinct profiles contained two strain populations differing at 113 gene loci, including the
cag
pathogenicity island virulence genes. The two strain populations in this single host had different spatial distributions in the stomach and exhibited very limited genetic exchange. The total genetic divergence and pairwise genetic divergence between isolates from adults and isolates from children were not statistically different. We also analyzed isolates obtained 15 and 90 days after experimental infection of humans and found no evidence of genetic divergence, indicating that transmission to a new host does not induce rapid genetic changes in the bacterial population in the human stomach. Our data suggest that humans are infected with a population of closely related strains that vary at a small number of gene loci, that this population of strains may already be present when an infection is acquired, and that even during superinfection genetic exchange among distinct strains is rare.
Developmental contexts and sporting success: birth date and birthplace effects in national hockey league draftees 2000–2005
Authors: Baker Joseph , Logan A Jane 
Published: March 2007

Objectives:To examine relative age and birth place effects in hockey players drafted to play in the National Hockey League (NHL) between 2000 and 2005 and determine whether these factors influenced when players were chosen in the draft.Methods:1013 North American draftees were evaluated from the official NHL website, which provided birthplace, date of birth and selection order in the draft. Population size was collected from Canadian and American census information. Athletes were divided into four quartiles on the basis of selection date to define age cohorts in hockey. Data between the Canadian and American players were also compared to see if the optimal city sizes differed between the two nations.Results:Relative age and birthplace effects were found, although the optimal city size found was dissimilar to that found in previous studies. Further, there were inconsistencies between the Canadian and American data.Conclusion:Contextual factors such as relative age and size of birthplace have a significant effect on likelihood of being selected in the NHL draft.