bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Internal borders for managing invasive marine species
Authors: Forrest Barrie M. , Gardner Jonathan P. A. , Taylor Michael D. 
Published: August 2008

Summary

This study discusses theoretical and practical issues around the definition of internal borders for the management of marine pests, drawing on principles from freshwater and terrestrial pest management. Internal borders are defined as post‐border intervention points around which vector management and related activities, such as pest surveillance and incursion response, can be undertaken.
Internal borders can be identified in marine systems based on knowledge of natural barriers to the dispersal or establishment of pests, including planktonic life stages. We highlight opportunities to define internal borders at broad spatial scales according to oceanographic features or environmental conditions. At smaller spatial scales, habitat barriers based on relatively permanent features (e.g. substratum) could be defined for target organisms (or suites of similar organisms), especially those having both restricted habitat requirements and a limited planktonic duration.
Where internal borders are identified, risk‐based approaches can be used to determine vector management priorities, incorporating knowledge of the connectivity and strength of interactions between hubs of vector activity. However, greater biosecurity and biodiversity benefits may arise from approaches that combine risk‐based measures for target pests, with generic measures (e.g. vessel hull anti‐fouling) that are applied equally across all human‐mediated invasion pathways.
Case studies of high‐profile marine pests in New Zealand illustrate situations where the benefits of internal border management have been realized. The challenge now is to identify how practical it is to widely apply internal borders in a marine biosecurity context, and to identify new internal borders around which management can practically be undertaken.
Synthesis and applications. Effective control of pest species in marine environments is possible even when they become relatively widespread and established. The definition of internal borders provides an approach to marine biosecurity that assists in elucidating opportunities and priorities for management. Although marine systems are regarded as relatively open, the principles and approaches necessary for the successful management of marine pests are conceptually the same as those applied in freshwater systems and on land.
Characterization of apoptosis induced by grouper iridovirus in two newly established cell lines from barramundi, Lates calcarifer (Bloch)
Authors: Lai Y‐S , Chiou P P , Chen W‐J , Chen Y‐C , Chen C‐W , Chiu I‐S , Chen S‐D , Cheng Y‐H , Chang C‐Y 
Published: August 2008

AbstractTwo new cell lines have been established from the muscle and swim bladder tissues of barramundi, Lates calcarifer, and designated as BM (barramundi muscle) and BSB (barramundi swimbladder), respectively. The cells multiplied well at 28 °C in Leibovitz’s L‐15 medium supplemented with 10% foetal bovine serum, and have been continuously subcultured more than 100 times to date. Morphologically, BM cells were mostly fibroblastic, whereas BSB were mostly epithelial. Both cell lines were susceptible to grouper iridovirus (GIV) and displayed characteristics of apoptosis after viral infection. The induction of apoptosis was further assayed in GIV‐infected BM and BSB cells by various methods. The inhibition of cell growth by GIV was demonstrated by MTT [3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay. Morphological observations revealed typical apoptotic features in the infected cells, including cell shrinkage and rounding, chromosome condensation and formation of apoptotic body‐like vesicles. Chromosome fragmentation was detected by DNA laddering and TUNEL assays. Finally, the appearance of phosphotidylserine on the outer leaflet of apoptotic cell membranes was confirmed by annexin V staining. This is the first report of apoptosis induced by GIV in fish cells.
Inactivated infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) vaccines
Authors: Anderson E , Clouthier S , Shewmaker W , Weighall A , LaPatra S 
Published: August 2008

AbstractThe inactivation dynamics of infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) by β‐propiolactone (BPL), binary ethylenimine (BEI), formaldehyde or heat and the antigenic and immunogenic properties of the inactivated vaccines were evaluated. Chemical treatment of IHNV with 2.7 mm BPL, 1.5 mm BEI or 50 mm formaldehyde abolished virus infectivity within 48 h whereas heat treatment at 50 or 100 °C rendered the virus innocuous within 30 min. The inactivated IHNV vaccines were recognized by rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, IHNV‐specific antibodies and were differentially recognized by antigenic site I or antigenic site II IHNV glycoprotein‐specific neutralizing monoclonal antibodies. The BPL inactivated whole virus vaccine was highly efficacious in vaccinated rainbow trout challenged by waterborne exposure to IHNV 7, 28, 42 or 56 days (15 °C) after immunization. The formaldehyde inactivated whole virus vaccine was efficacious 7 or 11 days after vaccination of rainbow trout but performed inconsistently when tested at later time points. The other vaccines tested were not efficacious.
The major and minor wall teichoic acids prevent the sidewall localization of vegetative dl‐endopeptidase LytF in Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Yamamoto Hiroki , Miyake Yukiko , Hisaoka Miharu , Kurosawa Shin‐ichirou , Sekiguchi Junichi 
Published: August 2008

SummaryCell separation in Bacillus subtilis depends on specific activities of dl‐endopeptidases CwlS, LytF and LytE. Immunofluorescence microscopy (IFM) indicated that the localization of LytF depended on its N‐terminal LysM domain. In addition, we revealed that the LysM domain efficiently binds to peptidoglycan (PG) prepared by chemically removing wall teichoic acids (WTAs) from the B. subtilis cell wall. Moreover, increasing amounts of the LysM domain bound to TagB‐ or TagO‐depleted cell walls. These results strongly suggested that the LysM domain specifically binds to PG, and that the binding may be prevented by WTAs. IFM with TagB‐, TagF‐ or TagO‐reduced cells indicated that LytF−6xFLAG was observed not only at cell separation site and poles but also as a helical pattern along the sidewall. Moreover, we found that LytF was localizable on the whole cell surface in TagB‐, TagF‐ or TagO‐depleted cells. These results strongly suggest that WTAs inhibit the sidewall localization of LytF. Furthermore, the helical LytF localization was observed on the lateral cell surface in MreB‐depleted cells, suggesting that cell wall modification by WTAs along the sidewall might be governed by an actin‐like cytoskeleton homologue, MreB.
Assembly of the translocase motor onto the preprotein‐conducting channel
Authors: Karamanou Spyridoula , Bariami Vassiliki , Papanikou Efrosyni , Kalodimos Charalampos G. , Economou Anastassios 
Published: August 2008

SummaryBacterial protein secretion is catalysed by the SecYEG protein‐conducting channel complexed with the SecA ATPase motor. To gain insight into the SecA–SecYEG interaction we used peptide arrays, thermodynamic quantification, mutagenesis and functional assays. Our data reveal that: (i) SecA binds with low affinity on several, peripheral, exposed SecYEG sites. This largely electrostatic association is modulated by temperature and nucleotides. (ii) Binding sites cluster in five major binding ‘regions’: three that are exclusively cytoplasmic and two that reach the periplasm. (iii) Both the N‐terminal and c‐terminal regions of SecA participate in binding interactions and share some sites. (iv) Several of these sites are essential for translocase catalysis. Our data provide residue‐level dissection of the SecYEG–SecA interaction. Two models of assembly of SecA on dimeric SecYEG are discussed.
Contact‐dependent growth inhibition requires the essential outer membrane protein BamA (YaeT) as the receptor and the inner membrane transport protein AcrB
Authors: Aoki Stephanie K. , Malinverni Juliana C. , Jacoby Kyle , Thomas Benjamin , Pamma Rupinderjit , Trinh Brooke N. , Remers Susan , Webb Julia , Braaten Bruce A. , Silhavy Thomas J. , Low David A. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryContact‐dependent growth inhibition (CDI) is a phenomenon by which bacterial cell growth is regulated by direct cell‐to‐cell contact via the CdiA/CdiB two‐partner secretion system. Characterization of mutants resistant to CDI allowed us to identify BamA (YaeT) as the outer membrane receptor for CDI and AcrB as a potential downstream target. Notably, both BamA and AcrB are part of distinct multi‐component machines. The Bam machine assembles outer membrane β‐barrel proteins into the outer membrane and the Acr machine exports small molecules into the extracellular milieu. We discovered that a mutation that reduces expression of BamA decreased binding of CDI+ inhibitor cells, measured by flow cytometry with fluorescently labelled bacteria. In addition, α‐BamA antibodies, which recognized extracellular epitopes of BamA based on immunofluorescence, specifically blocked inhibitor–target cells binding and CDI. A second class of CDI‐resistant mutants identified carried null mutations in the acrB gene. AcrB is an inner membrane component of a multidrug efflux pump that normally forms a cell envelope‐spanning complex with the membrane fusion protein AcrA and the outer membrane protein TolC. Strikingly, the requirement for the BamA and AcrB proteins in CDI is independent of their multi‐component machines, and thus their role in the CDI pathway may reflect novel, import‐related functions.
General stress response signalling: unwrapping transcription complexes by DNA relaxation via the sigma38 C‐terminal domain
Authors: Huo Yi‐Xin , Rosenthal Adam Z. , Gralla Jay D. 
Published: August 2008

Summary Escherichia coli responds to stress by a combination of specific and general transcription signalling pathways. The general pathways typically require the master stress regulator sigma38 (rpoS). Here we show that the signalling from multiple stresses that relax DNA is processed by a non‐conserved eight‐amino‐acid tail of the sigma 38 C‐terminal domain. By contrast, responses to two stresses that accumulate potassium glutamate do not rely on this short tail, but still require the overall C‐terminal domain. In vitro transcription and footprinting studies suggest that multiple stresses can target a poised RNA polymerase and activate it by unwrapping DNA from a nucleosome‐like state, allowing the RNA polymerase to escape into productive mode. This transition can be accomplished by either the DNA relaxation or potassium glutamate accumulation that characterizes many stresses.
A conserved anti‐repressor controls horizontal gene transfer by proteolysis
Authors: Bose Baundauna , Auchtung Jennifer M. , Lee Catherine A. , Grossman Alan D. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryThe mobile genetic element ICEBs1 is an integrative and conjugative element (a conjugative transposon) found in the Bacillus subtilis chromosome. The SOS response and the RapI‐PhrI sensory system activate ICEBs1 gene expression, excision and transfer by inactivating the ICEBs1 repressor protein ImmR. Although ImmR is similar to many characterized phage repressors, we found that, unlike these repressors, inactivation of ImmR requires an ICEBs1‐encoded anti‐repressor ImmA (YdcM). ImmA was needed for the degradation of ImmR in B. subtilis. Coexpression of ImmA and ImmR in Escherichia coli or co‐incubation of purified ImmA and ImmR resulted in site‐specific cleavage of ImmR. Homologues of immR and immA are found in many mobile genetic elements. We found that the ImmA homologue encoded by B. subtilis phage φ105 is required for inactivation of the φ105 repressor (an ImmR homologue). ImmA‐dependent proteolysis of ImmR repressors may be a conserved mechanism for regulating horizontal gene transfer.
Induction of Enzymes and Phenolic Compounds Related to the Natural Defence Response of Netted Melon Fruit by a Bio‐elicitor
Authors: Sánchez‐Estrada Alberto , Tiznado‐Hernández Martín Ernesto , Ojeda‐Contreras Angel Javier , Valenzuela‐Quintanar Ana Isabel , Troncoso‐Rojas Rosalba 
Published: August 2008

AbstractFungal disease in netted melon fruit is an important factor affecting their postharvest quality and therefore an important cause of large economic losses around the world. Among the alternatives to control fungal diseases, the induction of the natural defence response (NDR) in fruits is promising. The objective of this study was to induce the NDR in netted melon treated with a bio‐elicitor formulated from Fusarium oxysporum growth in a potato dextrose agar enriched with netted melon skin. Netted melon fruits (cv ‘Primo’) were not treated (C), untreated and inoculated with F. oxysporum (IN), treated with a bio‐elicitor (FES), or treated with the bio‐elicitor and inoculated (FES + IN). After treatments, fruits were stored for 8 days at 20°C with 90–92% relative humidity. Melon was sampled every 2 days at 20°C to evaluate the development of Fusarium rot symptoms as disease index percentage (DI), changes in phenolic compounds, changes in phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase (PAL) activity, chitinase activity (ChA) and β‐1,3‐glucanase activity (GA). It was found that DI in netted melon fruit was significantly reduced in the FES + IN as compared with the IN treatment. FES + IN and FES treatments showed the highest increase of phenolic acids. Higher levels of PAL activity were observed in the treatments IN, FES, and FES + IN with respect to C, after 4 days of storage. A large increase in ChA activity was observed in the treatments IN, FES and FES + IN after 6 days of storage. No differences in GA activity were found among FES, FES + IN and C treatments throughout storage. IN treatment showed the highest increase in GA activity after 4 days of storage. It is concluded that the bio‐elicitor activates the NDR as measured by the increase in phenolic acids synthesis, PAL and ChA enzymes activity, in a similar way as the infection by the living pathogen.
PANCREATICODUODENECTOMY FOR LOCALLY ADVANCED STOMACH CANCER: PRELIMINARY RESULTS
Authors: Chan Weng‐Hoong , Cheow Peng‐Chung , Chung Alexander Y. F. , Ong Hock‐Soo , Koong Heng‐Nung , Wong Wai‐Keong 
Published: August 2008

Background:  Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for locally advanced stomach cancer involving duodenum or/and pancreatic head was controversial and rarely carried out. It was mainly reported from the Japanese institutions.Methods:  A review of prospective database from January 2003 to December 2006 of patients who had locally advanced stomach cancer involving duodenum or/and head of pancreas that precluded curative subtotal gastrectomy who underwent diagnostic laparoscopy or exploratory laparotomy to exclude peritoneal metastatic disease. Patients were advised to undergo neoadjuvant chemotherapy before PD.Results:  Seven patients underwent PD during the above‐mentioned period. Only four patients had neoadjuvant chemotherapy before PD. The median operative time was 8 h (range 6–9 h). Five patients had combined tranverse colectomy done. There was no 30‐day operative mortality or re‐operation. Three patients developed controlled pancreatic leaks and fistulas that were successfully treated with conservative measures. The length of hospital stay was 10–53 days (median 15 days). Median survival was 13 months and 2‐year survival rate was 60%. Patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy seemed to have better survival rate (P = 0.039).Conclusion:  Our initial experience has shown that with careful and stringent patients selection, PD for locally advanced stomach cancer can be carried out with acceptable morbidity and mortality. Early results for patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy showed trend towards prolonged survival. However, longer follow up and further patient recruitment are needed to confirm our initial optimistic findings.
DIAGNOSTIC VALUE OF ROUTINE AQUEOUS CONTRAST SWALLOW EXAMINATION AFTER OESOPHAGECTOMY FOR DETECTING LEAKAGE OF THE CERVICAL OESOPHAGOGASTRIC ANASTOMOSIS
Authors: Boone Judith , Rinkes Inne Borel , Van Leeuwen Maarten , Van Hillegersberg Richard 
Published: August 2008

Background:  Water‐soluble contrast swallow examination is routinely carried out after oesophagectomy to detect leakage of the cervical oesophagogastric anastomosis. This study evaluated the diagnostic accuracy and clinical value.Methods:  Patients with oesophageal carcinoma who underwent oesophagectomy with gastric conduit formation and a hand‐sewn cervical anastomosis between 1989 and 2003 were reviewed on outcome of routine aqueous contrast swallow examination (RACSE) and appearance of clinical anastomotic leakage.Results:  An RACSE was carried out in 207 (82%) of 252 patients on postoperative day 8 (range 3–15). In 45 patients, no RACSE was executed, mainly because of a prolonged stay in intensive care unit. In 18 (9%) of 207 cases, the RACSE could not be interpreted by the radiologist. In 19 (53%) of 36 patients who developed a clinical leakage, the leak had already manifested clinically before the routine contrast examination was planned. Taken together, the false‐positive rate was 8%, the false‐negative rate 48%, sensitivity 52%, specificity 92%, positive predictive value 46% and negative predictive value 93%. No significant differences were found between the accuracy of RACSE in end‐to‐end or end‐to‐side cervical anastomoses.Conclusion:  Given the very low sensitivity and low positive predictive value and given the fact that in 53% of patients with a clinical leak, the leakage had appeared clinically before the contrast swallow examination was routinely planned, we propose to abandon the routine contrast swallow examination after oesophagectomy to detect cervical anastomotic leakage. Alternatively, anastomotic integrity can be tested by drinking small amounts of water with simultaneous observation of the cervical wound.
ACCIDENTALLY FALLING INSTRUMENTS DURING ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY: TIME TO WAKE UP!
Authors: Khan Shah A. , Kumar Ashok , Varshney Manish K. , Trikha Vivek , Yadav Chandershekar 
Published: August 2008

Background:  The aim of the study was to evaluate statistically the occurrence and causes of accidental fall of instruments and implants during orthopaedic procedures.Methods:  A prospective study was carried out over a period of 18 months. Total of 120 randomly chosen major orthopaedic surgeries were observed. The observer counted the number of times an instrument fell during surgery. The offending operating room personnel were identified. A note of the nature of instrument falling was made.Results:  A total of 120 surgeries were observed. There were 15 falls (38.5%) during elective surgeries and 24 (61.5%) during emergency (trauma) surgeries. Falls were classified as major and minor. There were a total of 39 falls with 11 major and 28 minor falls. Seven surgeries had two or more falls. In 26 instances (66.7%) the operating surgeon was responsible for the fall. In seven (17.9%) assisting surgeon and in three (7.7%) of the instances the scrub nurse was responsible for the fall of the instruments. Three falls (7.7%) were unaccountable. An average delay of 7.6 min was noted after the fall of the instrument or implant.Conclusions:  Fall of instruments in the theatre is a common problem all over the world. It leads to increased operating time and extra resources and can hamper the end result of surgery. Our study is the first of its kind to evaluate the problem. Most falls occurred because of the operating surgeon. A course in instrument handling similar to one conducted by the theatre nurses may be helpful in preventing such falls.
DEFICIENCIES IN PATHOLOGICAL REPORTING OF COLORECTAL CANCER IN VICTORIA
Authors: Winn Robert D. , Robinson Domenic R. , Farmer Keith C. , Bell Stephen W. 
Published: August 2008

Background:  Colorectal cancer (CRC) pathological reporting deficiencies have been shown to be common, with deviations from the suggested minimum dataset. Information from both surgeon and pathologist is necessary for a complete report. These deficiencies have been shown to be correctable with the use of synoptic reporting. We carried out an audit on a random sample of CRC pathological reports from the first 6 months of 2004 in Victoria, Australia, with the aim of documenting current CRC pathological reporting deficiencies.Methods:  A random sample of pathological reports for CRC was obtained from the Cancer Council of Victoria. One hundred and sixteen of these reports were reviewed by a team of surgical and pathology trainees. Presence or absence of the various fields of the 1999 National Health and Medical Research Council minimum dataset for CRC reporting was recorded.Results:  There were deviations from the minimal dataset. Most notable was the absence of the information on the apical node, the presence of distant metastasis and perineural invasion.Conclusions:  The opportunity exists for improvement in the pathological reporting of CRC in Victoria through the uniform introduction of synoptic reporting.
AN AUDIT OF OPERATIVE NOTES: FACTS AND WAYS TO IMPROVE*
Authors: Lefter Liviu P. , Walker Stuart R. , Dewhurst Fleur , Turner R. W. L. 
Published: August 2008

Background:  Accurate operation record keeping is an important element of risk management. Handwritten surgical notes are often produced as evidence in medico‐legal malpractice cases and incomplete and illegible notes may be a source of weakness in a surgeon’s defence. Therefore, we audited the surgical notes in a teaching hospital surgical department.Methods:  During 1 week 190 operative notes were audited for patient identity details, preoperative diagnosis, operation title and details, CMB code, postoperative instruction and author of the note. The operative notes were assessed by a medico‐legal lawyer and a medical expert to establish level of legibility and usefulness in a virtual court case.Results:  Several operative notes were found incomplete (51.57%) missing important information as CMB code (13.68%), patient details (6.8%) preoperative diagnosis (6.31%), operation title (6.31%) and postoperative instruction (14.73%). Overall, only 92 notes were complete.Conclusion:  This audit suggests that handwritten surgical notes generate several errors that could lead to confusion when notes are reviewed for further follow up or are produced as evidence in medico‐legal disputes.