bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Monitoring of Waterborne Pathogens in Surface Waters in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and the Potential Health Risk Associated with Exposure to
Cryptosporidium
and
Giardia
in These Waters
Authors: Schets F. M. , van Wijnen J. H. , Schijven J. F. , Schoon H. , de Roda Husman A. M. 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACT

The water in the canals and some recreational lakes in Amsterdam is microbiologically contaminated through the discharge of raw sewage from houseboats, sewage effluent, and dog and bird feces. Exposure to these waters may have negative health effects. During two successive 1-year study periods, the water quality in two canals (2003 to 2004) and five recreational lakes (2004 to 2005) in Amsterdam was tested with regard to the presence of fecal indicators and waterborne pathogens. According to Bathing Water Directive 2006/7/EC, based on
Escherichia coli
and intestinal enterococcus counts, water quality in the canals was poor but was classified as excellent in the recreational lakes.
Campylobacter
,
Salmonella
,
Cryptosporidium
, and
Giardia
were detected in the canals, as was rotavirus, norovirus, and enterovirus RNA. Low numbers of
Cryptosporidium
oocysts and
Giardia
cysts were detected in the recreational lakes, despite compliance with European bathing water legislation. The estimated risk of infection with
Cryptosporidium
and
Giardia
per exposure event ranged from 0.0002 to 0.007% and 0.04 to 0.2%, respectively, for occupational divers professionally exposed to canal water. The estimated risk of infection at exposure to incidental peak concentrations of
Cryptosporidium
and
Giardia
may be up to 0.01% and 1%, respectively, for people who accidentally swallow larger volumes of the canal water than the divers. Low levels of viable waterborne pathogens, such as
Cryptosporidium
and
Giardia
, pose a possible health risk from occupational, accidental, and recreational exposure to surface waters in Amsterdam.
Syntrophorhabdus aromaticivoransgen. nov., sp. nov., the First Cultured Anaerobe Capable of Degrading Phenol to Acetate in Obligate Syntrophic Associations with a Hydrogenotrophic Methanogen
Authors: Qiu Yan-Ling , Hanada Satoshi , Ohashi Akiyoshi , Harada Hideki , Kamagata Yoichi , Sekiguchi Yuji 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACTPhenol degradation under methanogenic conditions has long been studied, but the anaerobes responsible for the degradation reaction are still largely unknown. An anaerobe, designated strain UIT, was isolated in a pure syntrophic culture. This isolate is the first tangible, obligately anaerobic, syntrophic substrate-degrading organism capable of oxidizing phenol in association with an H2-scavenging methanogen partner. Besides phenol, it could metabolizep-cresol, 4-hydroxybenzoate, isophthalate, and benzoate. During the degradation of phenol, a small amount of 4-hydroxybenzoate (a maximum of 4 μM) and benzoate (a maximum of 11 μM) were formed as transient intermediates. When 4-hydroxybenzoate was used as the substrate, phenol (maximum, 20 μM) and benzoate (maximum, 92 μM) were detected as intermediates, which were then further degraded to acetate and methane by the coculture. No substrates were found to support the fermentative growth of strain UITin pure culture, although 88 different substrates were tested for growth. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain UITbelongs to an uncultured clone cluster (group TA) at the family (or order) level in the classDeltaproteobacteria. Syntrophorhabdus aromaticivoransgen. nov., sp. nov., is proposed for strain UIT, and the novel familySyntrophorhabdaceaefam. nov. is described. Peripheral 16S rRNA gene sequences in the databases indicated that the proposed new familySyntrophorhabdaceaeis largely represented by abundant bacteria within anaerobic ecosystems mainly decomposing aromatic compounds.
Natural Populations of
Saccharomyces kudriavzevii
in Portugal Are Associated with Oak Bark and Are Sympatric with
S. cerevisiae
and
S. paradoxus
Authors: Sampaio José Paulo , Gonçalves Paula 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACT

Here we report the isolation of four
Saccharomyces
species (former
Saccharomyces
sensu stricto group) from tree bark. The employment of two temperatures (10°C in addition to the more commonly used 30°C) resulted in the isolation of
S. kudriavzevii
and
S. uvarum
, two species that grow at low temperatures, in addition to
S. cerevisiae
and
S. paradoxus
. A clear bias was found toward the bark of certain trees, particularly certain oak species. Very often, more than one
Saccharomyces
species was found in one locality and occasionally even in the same bark sample. Our evidence strongly suggests that (markedly) different growth temperature preferences play a fundamental role in the sympatric associations of
Saccharomyces
species uncovered in this survey.
S. kudriavzevii
was isolated at most of the sites sampled in Portugal, indicating that the geographic distribution of this species is wider than the distribution assumed thus far. However, the Portuguese
S. kudriavzevii
population exhibited important genetic differences compared to the type strain of the species that represents a Japanese population. In this study,
S. kudriavzevii
stands out as the species that copes better with low temperatures.
Traceability of Asian
Matsutake
, Specialty Mushrooms Produced by the Ectomycorrhizal Basidiomycete
Tricholoma matsutake
, on the Basis of Retroelement-Based DNA Markers
Authors: Murata Hitoshi , Babasaki Katsuhiko , Saegusa Tomoki , Takemoto Kenji , Yamada Akiyoshi , Ohta Akira 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACT

The ectomycorrhizal basidiomycete
Tricholoma matsutake
produces commercially valuable fruit bodies,
matsutake
, in forests. Here we report a PCR system targeting retroelement integration sites to differentiate among individual Asian isolates of
T. matsutake
based on their geographical origins, such as Japan, the area of South Korea through North Korea, the northeastern provinces of China, and the area of the southwestern provinces of China through Bhutan. The overall misjudgment rate of the analytical system was approximately 5% based on 95 samples of
T. matsutake
examined including those from cultures and from commodities. We also provide evidence that
T. matsutake
isolates grown throughout the Far East, including the northeastern provinces of China, are closely related to each other while distinct from those in the area of the southwestern provinces of China through Bhutan. The method allows us to trace back geographical origins of Asian
matsutake
, thus contributing to food safety, appropriate tariffs, and proper price setting.
Evidence of a Continuous Endoplasmic Reticulum in the Protozoan Parasite
Entamoeba histolytica
Authors: Teixeira Jose E. , Huston Christopher D. 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACT

Entamoeba histolytica
, the cause of amebiasis, is believed to have no continuous endoplasmic reticulum (ER), with ER functions occurring in vesicles. Here, using an ER-targeted green fluorescent protein fusion protein and fluorescence loss in photobleaching, we have unambiguously demonstrated the presence of a continuous ER compartment in living
E. histolytica
trophozoites.
Evidence of Recombination in Mixed-Mating-Type and α-Only Populations of
Cryptococcus gattii
Sourced from Single
Eucalyptus
Tree Hollows
Authors: Saul Nathan , Krockenberger Mark , Carter Dee 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACT

Disease caused by the pathogenic yeast
Cryptococcus gattii
begins with the inhalation of an infectious propagule. As
C. gattii
is heavily encapsulated, this propagule is most likely to be a basidiospore. However, most
C. gattii
strains are infertile in laboratory crosses, and population studies indicate that recombination and dispersal are very restricted. In addition, strains of the α mating type predominate, which would not be expected in a mating population.
C. gattii
comprises four genetically distinct molecular genotypes, designated VGI to VGIV.
C. gattii
molecular type VGI has a strong association with
Eucalyptus camaldulensis
and can be found in high numbers in
E. camaldulensis
hollows. Previous work on isolates obtained from
E. camaldulensis
suggested that environmental populations of
C. gattii
are highly fragmented, have limited ability to disperse, and are confined to individual tree hollows. In the current study, we examined large numbers of isolates from three separate hollows for evidence of recombination. In two hollows, the α and
a
mating types were present in approximately equal numbers. The third hollow had α cells only and was from a region where
a
isolates have never been found. Statistical analysis of multilocus genotypes revealed recombining subpopulations in the three
Eucalyptus
hollows. Recombination was equally present in the α-
a
and α-only populations. This is consistent with recent studies that have found evidence suggestive of α-α mating in
C. gattii
and
Cryptococcus neoformans
and raises the possibility this may be a widespread phenomenon, allowing these fungi to recombine despite a paucity of
a
mating partners.
Molecular and Biochemical Characterization of a Cathepsin B-Like Protease Family Unique toTrypanosoma congolense
Authors: Mendoza-Palomares Carlos , Biteau Nicolas , Giroud Christiane , Coustou Virginie , Coetzer Theresa , Authié Edith , Boulangé Alain , Baltz Théo 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACTCysteine proteases have been shown to be essential virulence factors and drug targets in trypanosomatids and an attractive antidisease vaccine candidate forTrypanosoma congolense. Here, we describe an important amplification of genes encoding cathepsin B-like proteases unique toT. congolense. More than 13 different genes were identified, whereas only one or two highly homologous genes have been identified in other trypanosomatids. These proteases grouped into three evolutionary clusters: TcoCBc1 to TcoCBc5 and TcoCBc6, which possess the classical catalytic triad (Cys, His, and Asn), and TcoCBs7 to TcoCBs13, which contains an unusual catalytic site (Ser, Xaa, and Asn). Expression profiles showed that members of the TcoCBc1 to TcoCBc5 and the TcoCBs7 to TcoCBs13 groups are expressed mainly in bloodstream forms and localize in the lysosomal compartment. The expression of recombinant representatives of each group (TcoCB1, TcoCB6, and TcoCB12) as proenzymes showed that TcoCBc1 and TcoCBc6 are able to autocatalyze their maturation 21 and 31 residues, respectively, upstream of the predicted start of the catalytic domain. Both displayed a carboxydipeptidase function, while only TcoCBc1 behaved as an endopeptidase. TcoCBc1 exhibited biochemical differences regarding inhibitor sensitivity compared to that of other cathepsin B-like proteases. Recombinant pro-TcoCBs12 did not automature in vitro, and the pepsin-matured enzyme was inactive in tests with cathepsin B fluorogenic substrates. In vivo inhibition studies using CA074Me (a cell-permeable cathepsin B-specific inhibitor) demonstrated that TcoCB are involved in lysosomal protein degradation essential for survival in bloodstream form. Furthermore, TcoCBc1 elicited an important immune response in experimentally infected cattle. We propose this family of proteins as a potential therapeutic target and as a plausible antigen forT. congolensediagnosis.
An Internal Polarity Landmark Is Important for Externally Induced Hyphal Behaviors in
Candida albicans
Authors: Brand Alexandra , Vacharaksa Anjalee , Bendel Catherine , Norton Jennifer , Haynes Paula , Henry-Stanley Michelle , Wells Carol , Ross Karen , Gow Neil A. R. , Gale Cheryl A. 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACT

Directional growth is a function of polarized cells such as neurites, pollen tubes, and fungal hyphae. Correct orientation of the extending cell tip depends on signaling pathways and effectors that mediate asymmetric responses to specific environmental cues. In the hyphal form of the eukaryotic fungal pathogen
Candida albicans
, these responses include thigmotropism and galvanotropism (hyphal turning in response to changes in substrate topography and imposed electrical fields, respectively) and penetration into semisolid substrates. During vegetative growth in
C. albicans
, as in the model yeast
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
, the Ras-like GTPase Rsr1 mediates internal cellular cues to position new buds in a prespecified pattern on the mother cell cortex. Here, we demonstrate that Rsr1 is also important for hyphal tip orientation in response to the external environmental cues that induce thigmotropic and galvanotropic growth. In addition, Rsr1 is involved in hyphal interactions with epithelial cells in vitro and its deletion diminishes the hyphal invasion of kidney tissue during systemic infection. Thus, Rsr1, an internal polarity landmark in yeast, is also involved in polarized growth responses to asymmetric environmental signals, a paradigm that is different from that described for the homologous protein in
S. cerevisiae
. Rsr1 may thereby contribute to the pathogenesis of
C. albicans
infections by influencing hyphal tip responses triggered by interaction with host tissues.
Histone H1 of
Trypanosoma cruzi
Is Concentrated in the Nucleolus Region and Disperses upon Phosphorylation during Progression to Mitosis
Authors: Gutiyama Luciana M. , da Cunha Julia P. Chagas , Schenkman Sergio 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACT

Phosphorylation of histone H1 is intimately related to the cell cycle progression in higher eukaryotes, reaching maximum levels during mitosis. We have previously shown that in the flagellated protozoan
Trypanosoma cruzi
, which does not condense chromatin during mitosis, histone H1 is phosphorylated at a single cyclin-dependent kinase site. By using an antibody that recognizes specifically the phosphorylated
T. cruzi
histone H1 site, we have now confirmed that
T. cruzi
histone H1 is also phosphorylated in a cell cycle-dependent manner. Differently from core histones, the bulk of nonphosphorylated histone H1 in G
1
and S phases of the cell cycle is concentrated in the central regions of the nucleus, which contains the nucleolus and less densely packed chromatin. When cells pass G
2
, histone H1 becomes phosphorylated and starts to diffuse. At the onset of mitosis, histone H1 phosphorylation is maximal and found in the entire nuclear space. As permeabilized parasites preferentially lose phosphorylated histone H1, we conclude that this modification promotes its release from less condensed and nucleolar chromatin after G
2
.
Lineage-Specific Amino Acid Substitutions in Region 2 of the RNA Polymerase σ Subunit Affect the Temperature of Promoter Opening
Authors: Barinova N. , Zhilina E. , Bass I. , Nikiforov V. , Kulbachinskiy A. 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACT
Highly conserved amino acid residues in region 2 of the RNA polymerase σ subunit are known to participate in promoter recognition and opening. We demonstrated that nonconserved residues in this region collectively determine lineage-specific differences in the temperature of promoter opening.
Determination of Molecular Phylogenetics of
Vibrio parahaemolyticus
Strains by Multilocus Sequence Typing
Authors: González-Escalona Narjol , Martinez-Urtaza Jaime , Romero Jaime , Espejo Romilio T. , Jaykus Lee-Ann , DePaola Angelo 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACT

Vibrio parahaemolyticus
is an important human pathogen whose transmission is associated with the consumption of contaminated seafood. There is a growing public health concern due to the emergence of a pandemic strain causing severe outbreaks worldwide. Many questions remain unanswered regarding the evolution and population structure of
V. parahaemolyticus
. In this work, we describe a multilocus sequence typing (MLST) scheme for
V. parahaemolyticus
based on the internal fragment sequences of seven housekeeping genes. This MLST scheme was applied to 100
V. parahaemolyticus
strains isolated from geographically diverse clinical (
n
= 37) and environmental (
n
= 63) sources. The sequences obtained from this work were deposited and are available in a public database (
http://pubmlst.org/vparahaemolyticus
). Sixty-two unique sequence types were identified, and most (50) were represented by a single isolate, suggesting a high level of genetic diversity. Three major clonal complexes were identified by eBURST analysis. Separate clonal complexes were observed for
V. parahaemolyticus
isolates originating from the Pacific and Gulf coasts of the United States, while a third clonal complex consisted of strains belonging to the pandemic clonal complex with worldwide distribution. The data reported in this study indicate that
V. parahaemolyticus
is genetically diverse with a semiclonal population structure and an epidemic structure similar to that of
Vibrio cholerae
. Genetic diversity in
V. parahaemolyticus
appears to be driven primarily by frequent recombination rather than mutation, with recombination ratios estimated at 2.5:1 and 8.8:1 by allele and site, respectively. Application of this MLST scheme to more
V. parahaemolyticus
strains and by different laboratories will facilitate production of a global picture of the epidemiology and evolution of this pathogen.
Complete Genome Sequence ofLeuconostoc citreumKM20
Authors: Kim Jihyun F. , Jeong Haeyoung , Lee Jung-Sook , Choi Sang-Haeng , Ha Misook , Hur Cheol-Goo , Kim Ji-Sun , Lee Soohyun , Park Hong-Seog , Park Yong-Ha , Oh Tae Kwang 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACTLeuconostoc citreumis one of the most prevalent lactic acid bacteria during the manufacturing process of kimchi, the best-known Korean traditional dish. We have determined the complete genome sequence ofL. citreumKM20. It consists of a 1.80-Mb chromosome and four circular plasmids and reveals genes likely involved in kimchi fermentation and its probiotic effects.
An Extracellular Glycoprotein Is Implicated in Cell-Cell Contacts in the Toxic CyanobacteriumMicrocystis aeruginosaPCC 7806
Authors: Zilliges Yvonne , Kehr Jan-Christoph , Mikkat Stefan , Bouchier Christiane , de Marsac Nicole Tandeau , Börner Thomas , Dittmann Elke 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACTMicrocystins are the most common cyanobacterial toxins found in freshwater lakes and reservoirs throughout the world. They are frequently produced by the unicellular, colonial cyanobacteriumMicrocystis aeruginosa; however, the role of the peptide for the producing organism is poorly understood. Differences in the cellular aggregation ofM. aeruginosaPCC 7806 and a microcystin-deficient ΔmcyBmutant guided the discovery of a surface-exposed protein that shows increased abundance in PCC 7806 mutants deficient in microcystin production compared to the abundance of this protein in the wild type. Mass spectrometric and immunoblot analyses revealed that the protein, designated microcystin-related protein C (MrpC), is posttranslationally glycosylated, suggesting that it may be a potential target of a putative O-glycosyltransferase of the SPINDLY family encoded downstream of themrpCgene. Immunofluorescence microscopy detected MrpC at the cell surface, suggesting an involvement of the protein in cellular interactions in strain PCC 7806. Further analyses of field samples ofMicrocystisdemonstrated a strain-specific occurrence of MrpC possibly associated with distinctMicrocystiscolony types. Our results support the implication of microcystin in the colony specificity of and colony formation byMicrocystis.
The Iron-Responsive Fur Regulon in
Yersinia pestis
Authors: Gao He , Zhou Dongsheng , Li Yingli , Guo Zhaobiao , Han Yanping , Song Yajun , Zhai Junhui , Du Zongmin , Wang Xiaoyi , Lu Jingmei , Yang Ruifu 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACT

The ferric uptake regulator (Fur) is a predominant bacterial regulator controlling the iron assimilation functions in response to iron availability. Our previous microarray analysis on
Yersinia pestis
defined the iron-Fur modulon. In the present work, we reannotated the iron assimilation genes in
Y. pestis
, and the resulting genes in complementation with those disclosed by microarray constituted a total of 34 genome loci (putative operons) that represent the potential iron-responsive targets of Fur. The subsequent real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) in conjunction with the primer extension analysis showed that 32 of them were regulated by Fur in response to iron starvation. A previously predicted Fur box sequence was then used to search against the promoter regions of the 34 operons; the homologue of the above box could be predicted in each promoter tested. The subsequent electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) demonstrated that a purified His
6
tag-fused Fur protein was able to bind in vitro to each of these promoter regions. Therefore, Fur is a global regulator, both an activator and a repressor, and directly controls not only almost all of the iron assimilation functions but also a variety of genes involved in various non-iron functions for governing a complex regulatory cascade in
Y. pestis
. In addition, real-time RT-PCR, primer extension, EMSA, and DNase I footprinting assay were used to elucidate the Fur regulation of the
ybt
locus encoding a virulence-required iron uptake system. By combining the published data on the YbtA regulation of
ybt
, we constructed a concise Fur/YbtA regulatory network with a map of the Fur-promoter DNA interactions within the
ybt
locus. The data presented here give us an overview of the iron-responsive Fur regulon in
Y. pestis
.
Freedom of Expression on the Internet: A Case Study of Uzbekistan
Authors: Kozhamberdiyeva Zhanna 
Published: February 2008

AbstractAgainst the framework of international human rights law, this article studies the regulatory approach towards the exercise of the human right to freedom of expression on the Internet in the legal system of the Central Asian state of Uzbekistan. The mechanisms of state censorship of Internet communication for Uzbek citizens and the restrictions that narrow the scope of freedom of expression in the context of the Internet are the issues in focus. The article argues that the Uzbek government, although publicly committed to democracy and respect for the rule of law under the Constitution, favors regulation that undermines the human right to freedom of expression on both legal and ideological grounds—namely, by enforcing the legal rules on information security and the ideological 'idea of national independence'. The article demonstrates that the absence of legal guarantees of the effective exercise of freedom of expression on the Internet reflects upon the general weakness of Uzbekistan's domestic system of human rights protection. This system gives absolute priority to state interests in legitimizing restrictions upon human rights. The article concludes that the impairment of the right to freedom of expression is inevitable in Uzbekistan unless the government makes an effort to pay full respect to human rights and implement in practice its obligations under international human rights law.
The 'Anti-Manichaean' Passage in Confessions 3 and its 'Manichaean Audience'
Authors: Kotzé Annemaré 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe article is an analysis of Confessions 3.6.10 to 3.10.18 to support an argument that many strategies in Augustine's masterpiece are eminently suited to communicate with a Manichaean audience and designed to convince such an audience of the errors of Manichaeism. In Book 3 the narrative reaches the stage of Augustine's life where he joins the Manichees. The description of the encounter presented here, however, is much more than the communication of information on this crucial stage in his spiritual journey. The passage is generally described as strongly anti-Manichaean, but I argue that the argumentative and emotional tone of the passage combined with the amount of space spent on a few core aspects of Manichaeism make the passage an effective protreptic directed at a specific category of 'Manichaean' readers.