bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is the fluoride/creatinine ratio of a spot urine sample indicative of 24‐h urinary fluoride?
Authors: Zohouri F. V. , Swinbank C. M. , Maguire A. , Moynihan P. J. 
Published: March 2006

Abstract –  Objective:  The main aim of this study was to determine how representative the fluoride/creatinine (F/Cr) ratio of a spot urinary sample is of the fluoride content of a 24‐h urine sample in young children aged 12–36 months. Subsidiary objectives were to: (a) evaluate the use of 24‐h urine samples in monitoring fluoride exposure and (b) estimate the retention of fluoride in very young children.Methods:  Seven healthy children residing in a fluoridated area completed the study. Dietary information was obtained using a 3‐day estimated food diary followed by an interview on the fourth day. Samples of foods and drinks were analysed for fluoride content. Ingestion of fluoride from toothpaste was also measured. A 24‐h urine sample and a morning spot urine sample were collected from each child.Results:  The mean age of the children was 32 months (range: 16–36 months). The mean total daily intake of fluoride was 0.71 (±0.41) mg or 0.05 (±0.02) mg/kg bodyweight, of which 37% came from the diet, the remainder being from toothpaste ingestion. None of the children used any other sources of fluoride such as fluoride tablets or fluoridated salt. The mean F/Cr ratio was 1.49 (±0.63) mg F/g creatinine. A positive correlation (Pearson's correlation = 0.76, P = 0.05) between fluoride excretion estimated using the F/Cr ratio in a morning spot urine sample and fluoride excretion in a 24‐h urine sample was found. There was also a positive correlation (Pearson's correlation = 0.83, P = 0.02) between total daily fluoride intake and 24‐h urinary fluoride excretion. Less than half (43%) of the total daily fluoride intake was retained in the body.Conclusions:  The F/Cr ratio of a morning spot urine sample may be used to estimate mean 24‐h urinary excretion of fluoride and therefore has potential application for larger‐scale epidemiological studies where 24‐h samples are impractical. Estimates of 24‐h urinary fluoride excretion can be used to gauge fluoride exposure.
Attitudes to fluorosis and dental caries by a response latency method
Authors: Williams D. M. , Chestnutt I. G. , Bennett P. D. , Hood K. , Lowe R. , Heard P. 
Published: March 2006

Abstract –  Background:  Understanding socially relevant attitudes to fluorosis and dental caries is important. Previous studies have concentrated mainly on aesthetic implications.Aims:  To investigate social judgements beyond the aesthetic, made when viewing digitally manipulated extraoral images of dental fluorosis of varying degrees of severity and images of dental caries.Methodology:  Using a response latency technique, which allowed both the direction and strength of attitudes to be measured, 40 volunteers made judgements on 144 image/characteristic combinations.Results:  Participants made social judgements which extended beyond the aesthetic to factors such as sociability, reliability and cleanliness. Judgements on mild fluorosis were not markedly different from those made about the same individual with normal enamel, but severe fluorosis had a significant negative impact on social judgements. Untreated dental caries was judged less favourably than normal enamel and mild fluorosis.Conclusions:  Attribution of characteristics that go beyond the aesthetic are significantly influenced by altered tooth appearance.
Detection and molecular characterization of foamy viruses in Central African chimpanzees of the Pan troglodytes troglodytes and Pan troglodytes vellerosus subspecies
Authors: Calattini Sara , Nerrienet Eric , Mauclère Philippe , Georges‐Courbot Marie‐Claude , Saib Ali , Gessain Antoine 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBackground  Foamy viruses are exogenous retroviruses that are highly endemic in non‐human primates (NHPs). Recent studies, mainly performed in North America, indicated frequent simian foamy virus (SFV) infection in persons occupationally exposed to NHPs. This zoonotic infection was demonstrated mainly after bites by chimpanzees [Pan troglodytes (P. t.)] of the West African P. t. verus subspecies in primatology centers or zoos in the USA.Methods  We studied 32 chimpanzees from the Central African subspecies P. t. troglodytes and P. t. vellerosus, originating from Cameroon (29 cases) or Gabon (3 cases). We screened first plasma or sera of the animals with a Western blot detecting the SFVs Gag doublet proteins. Then, we performed two nested polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) amplifying a fragment of the integrase and LTR regions and, finally, we made phylogenetical analyses on the sequences obtained from the integrase PCR products.Results  By serological and/or molecular assays, we detected foamy viruses (FVs) infection in 14 chimpanzees. Sequence comparison and phylogenetic analyses of a 425 bp fragment of the integrase gene obtained for 10 of the 14 positive apes, demonstrated a wide diversity of new FVs strains that belong phylogenetically either to the P. t. troglodytes or P. t. vellerosus foamy viral clade.Conclusions  This study shows that chimpanzees living in these areas of Central Africa are infected by several specific foamy viruses. This raises, in such regions, the potential risk of a human retroviral infection of zoonotic origin linked to chimpanzees contacts, as already exemplified for STLV‐1 and SIV infections.
Effect of betel chewing, tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption on oral submucous fibrosis: a case–control study in Sri Lanka
Authors: Ariyawardana A. , Athukorala A. D. S. , Arulanandam A. 
Published: March 2006

Background: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic, insidious, disabling potentially malignant condition of the oral mucosa seen predominantly in south and Southeast Asia. No reports are hitherto available on the aetiological factors of OSMF based on Sri Lankan patients.Methods: A total of 74 patients with OSMF and 74 controls who consecutively attended the Oral Medicine clinic at the Dental Hospital (Teaching) Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka were included in the study. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to model the influence of betel chewing, smoking and alcohol use and to determine the effects of different combinations of chewing habits on OSMF.Results: Betel chewing was the only significantly associated factor in the aetiology of OSMF (OR = 171.83, 95% CI: 36.35–812.25). There were no interaction effects of chewing, smoking and alcohol consumption in the causation of OSMF.Conclusion: The present study has shown a strong association of betel quid chewing (including tobacco as an ingredient) with the causation of OSMF.
Cytologic and DNA‐cytometric examination of oral lesions in lichen planus
Authors: Maraki Dimitra , Yalcinkaya Sebnem , Pomjanski Natalia , Megahed Mosaad , Boecking Alfred , Becker Juergen 
Published: March 2006

Backround:  The aim of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of exfoliative cytology (EC) and DNA image cytometry applied to oral lesions of lichen planus (LP; n = 56), in order to detect or exclude malignant transformation.Methods:  Brush and excisional biopsies were obtained from 56 patients. In cases of oral LP in which brush biopsies were suspicious for tumor cells, nuclear DNA contents were measured, using a TV Image Analysis System.Results:  In 50 patients EC yielded tumor cell‐negative, doubtful in four cases and suspicious results obtained in two cases. DNA image cytometry revealed DNA‐aneuploidy only in the two suspicious cases. The comparison between cytologic/DNA‐cytometric diagnosis and biopsy histology resulted in a total agreement (LP without dysplasia: 54 and squamous cell carcinoma in LP: two cases).Conclusions:  In conclusion, cytology with DNA‐cytometry is a highly sensitive, specific, and non‐invasive method, which can be used for periodical follow up of oral LP lesions in order to early detect or exclude malignancy.
The long‐term effect of partial defoliation on the yield of short‐rotation coppice willow
Authors: Bell A.C. , Clawson S. , Watson S. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractFive varieties of willow were planted in a randomised block design at the Northern Ireland Horticulture and Plant Breeding Station, Loughgall, County Armagh in 1997. Three treatments were applied: control (no treatment), manual defoliation and routine control (spraying) of willow beetles. The defoliation was carried out at 75% for the first 2 years and thereafter 25% up to the first harvest in January 2001. During the second production cycle, no manual defoliation was applied in order to observe the ability of the different varieties to recover from earlier damage. The variety 78112 exhibited the highest yield loss in the first cycle as a result of defoliation (∼70%), while the vigorous variety Tora suffered least yield loss (35–43%). In the recovery phase (second production cycle 2001–2003), all the varieties showed little improvement in yields in plots that had been defoliated previously, indicating a long‐term legacy of yield loss as a result of defoliation. The possible reasons for this inability to recover are discussed.
The infrared jet in Centaurus A: multiwavelength constraints on emission mechanisms and particle acceleration
Authors: Hardcastle M. J. , Kraft R. P. , Worrall D. M. 
Published: March 2006

Abstract
We report on Spitzer and Gemini observations of the jet of Centaurus A in the infrared, which we combine with radio, ultraviolet and X-ray data. Spitzer detects jet emission from about 2 arcmin from the nucleus, the emission becoming particularly bright after the jet flare point at ∼3.4 arcmin. Where X-ray and infrared emission are seen together the broad-band data strongly support a synchrotron origin for the X-rays. The jet flare point is marked by a broad, diffuse region of X-rays which may be associated with a shock: we discuss possible physical mechanisms for this. The infrared jet persists after the flare point region although X-ray emission is absent; it is plausible that here we are seeing the effects of particle acceleration followed by downstream advection with synchrotron losses. Gemini data probe the inner regions of the jet, putting limits on the mid-infrared flux of jet knots.
Quantifying heavy metal inputs to agricultural soils in England and Wales
Authors: Nicholson F. A. , Smith S. R. , Alloway B. J. , Carlton‐Smith C. , Chambers B. J. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractHeavy metal inputs to agricultural soils in England and Wales were estimated from major sources, including atmospheric deposition, biosolids, livestock manures, inorganic fertilisers and lime, industrial by‐product ‘wastes’ and composts (year 2000). Across the whole agricultural land area, atmospheric deposition was the main source of most metals ranging from 25 to 85% of total inputs. Livestock manures and biosolids were also important sources representing 37 and 8% of total zinc (Zn) inputs, 40 and 17% for copper (Cu), and 10 and 4% for cadmium, respectively. The highest heavy metal input rates on a field basis were generally from biosolids, although Zn and Cu inputs from pig manures were equivalent to 46–52% of biosolids inputs (both applied at a rate of 250 kg/ha total N). The study provided baseline information to develop and focus policies limiting heavy metal inputs to and accumulation in topsoils.
CatM Regulation of the
benABCDE
Operon: Functional Divergence of Two LysR-Type Paralogs in
Acinetobacter baylyi
ADP1
Authors: Ezezika Obidimma C. , Collier-Hyams Lauren S. , Dale Haley A. , Burk Andrew C. , Neidle Ellen L. 
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACT

Two LysR-type transcriptional regulators, BenM and CatM, control benzoate consumption by the soil bacterium
Acinetobacter baylyi
ADP1. These homologs play overlapping roles in the expression of multiple genes. This study focuses on the
benABCDE
operon, which initiates benzoate catabolism. At this locus, BenM and CatM each activate transcription in response to the catabolite
cis
,
cis
-muconate. BenM, but not CatM, additionally responds to benzoate as an effector. Regulation by CatM alone is insufficient for growth on benzoate as the sole carbon source. However, three point mutations independently increased CatM-activated
benA
transcription and enabled growth on benzoate without BenM. Two mutations generate variants with one amino acid change in the 303-residue CatM, CatM(V158M) and CatM(R156H). These substitutions affected regulation of
benA
differently than that of
catB
, another CatM-regulated gene involved in benzoate catabolism. In relation to CatM, CatM(V158M) increased
cis
,
cis
-muconate-dependent transcription of
benA
but decreased that of
catB
. CatM(R156H) increased effector-independent expression of
catB
compared to CatM. In contrast,
cis
,
cis
-muconate was required with CatM(R156H) to activate unusually high
benA
expression. Thus, induction by
cis
,
cis
-muconate depends on both the sequence of CatM and the promoter. A point mutation at position −40 of the
benA
promoter enhanced CatM-activated gene expression and altered regulation by CatM(R156H). BenM and CatM bound to the same locations on
ben
region DNA. The frequency with which spontaneous mutations allow CatM to substitute for BenM might predict that one regulator would be sufficient for controlling benzoate consumption. This prediction is discussed in light of current and previous studies of the BenM-CatM regulon.
Conjugal Transfer of a Toxin-Coding Megaplasmid from
Bacillus thuringiensis
subsp.
israelensis
to Mosquitocidal Strains of
Bacillus sphaericus
Authors: Gammon Katherine , Jones Gareth W. , Hope Steven J. , de Oliveira Cláudia M. F. , Regis Lêda , Silva Filha Maria Helena N. L. , Dancer Brian N. , Berry Colin 
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACT

Both
Bacillus sphaericus
and
Bacillus thuringiensis
subsp.
israelensis
produce mosquitocidal toxins during sporulation and are extensively used in the field for control of mosquito populations. All the known toxins of the latter organism are known to be encoded on a large plasmid, pBtoxis. In an attempt to combine the best properties of the two bacteria, an erythromycin resistance-marked pBtoxis plasmid was transferred to
B. sphaericus
by a mating technique. The resulting transconjugant bacteria were significantly more toxic to
Aedes aegypti
mosquitoes and were able to overcome resistance to
B. sphaericus
in a resistant colony of
Culex quinquefasciatus
, apparently due to the production of Cry11A but not Cry4A or Cry4B. The stability of the plasmid in the
B. sphaericus
host was moderate during vegetative growth, but segregational instability was observed, which led to substantial rates of plasmid loss during sporulation.
In Vivo Enzyme Immobilization by Use of Engineered Polyhydroxyalkanoate Synthase
Authors: Peters Verena , Rehm Bernd H. A. 
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACTThis study demonstrated that engineered polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthases can be employed as molecular tools to covalently immobilize enzymes at the PHA granule surface. The β-galactosidase was fused to the N terminus of the class II PHA synthase fromPseudomonas aeruginosa. The open reading frame was confirmed to encode the complete fusion protein by T7 promoter-dependent overexpression. Restoration of PHA biosynthesis in the PHA-negative mutant ofP. aeruginosaPAO1 showed a PHA synthase function of the fusion protein. PHA granules were isolated and showed β-galactosidase activity. PHA granule attached proteins were analyzed and confirmed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry. Surprisingly, the β-galactosidase-PHA synthase fusion protein was detectable at a high copy number at the PHA granule, compared with PHA synthase alone, which was barely detectable at PHA granules. Localization of the β-galactosidase at the PHA granule surface was confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using anti-β-galactosidase antibodies. Treatment of these β-galactosidase-PHA granules with urea suggested a covalent binding of the β-galactosidase-PHA synthase to the PHA granule. The immobilized β-galactosidase was enzymologically characterized, suggesting a Michaelis-Menten reaction kinetics. AKmof 630 μM and aVmaxof 17.6 nmol/min for orthonitrophenyl-β-d-galactopyranoside as a substrate was obtained. The immobilized β-galactosidase was stable for at least several months under various storage conditions. This study demonstrated that protein engineering of PHA synthase enables the manufacture of PHA granules with covalently attached enzymes, suggesting an application in recycling of biocatalysts, such as in fine-chemical production.
Characterization of the Terephthalate Degradation Genes of
Comamonas
sp. Strain E6
Authors: Sasoh Mikio , Masai Eiji , Ishibashi Satoko , Hara Hirofumi , Kamimura Naofumi , Miyauchi Keisuke , Fukuda Masao 
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACT

We isolated
Comamonas
sp. strain E6, which utilizes terephthalate (TPA) as the sole carbon and energy source via the protocatechuate (PCA) 4,5-cleavage pathway. Two almost identical TPA degradation gene clusters,
tphR
I
C
I
A2
I
A3
I
B
I
A1
I
and
tphR
II
C
II
A2
II
A3
II
B
II
A1
II
, were isolated from this strain. Based on amino acid sequence similarity, the genes
tphR
,
tphC
,
tphA2
,
tphA3
,
tphB
, and
tphA1
were predicted to code, respectively, for an IclR-type transcriptional regulator, a periplasmic TPA binding receptor, the large subunit of the oxygenase component of TPA 1,2-dioxygenase (TPADO), the small subunit of the oxygenase component of TPADO, a 1,2-dihydroxy-3,5-cyclohexadiene-1,4-dicarboxylate (DCD) dehydrogenase, and a reductase component of TPADO. The growth of E6 on TPA was not affected by disruption of either
tphA2
I
or
tphA2
II
singly; however, the
tphA2
I
tphA2
II
double mutant no longer grew on TPA, suggesting that both TPADO genes are involved in TPA degradation. Introduction of a plasmid carrying
tphR
II
C
II
A2
II
A3
II
B
II
A1
II
conferred the TPA utilization phenotype on
Comamonas testosteroni
IAM 1152, which is able to grow on PCA but not on TPA. Disruption of either
tphR
II
or
tphC
II
on this plasmid resulted in the loss of the growth of IAM 1152 on TPA, suggesting that these genes are essential to convert TPA to PCA in E6. The genes
tphA1
II
,
tphA2
II
,
tphA3
II
, and
tphB
II
were expressed in
Escherichia coli
, and the resultant cell extracts containing TphA1
II
, TphA2
II
, and TphA3
II
converted TPA in the presence of NADPH into a product which was transformed to PCA by TphB
II
. On the basis of these results, TPADO was strongly suggested to be a two-component dioxygenase which consists of the terminal oxygenase component (TphA2 and TphA3) and the reductase (TphA1), and
tphB
codes for the DCD dehydrogenase.
Survival and Transmission ofSalmonella entericaSerovar Typhimurium in an Outdoor Organic Pig Farming Environment
Authors: Jensen Annette Nygaard , Dalsgaard Anders , Stockmarr Anders , Nielsen Eva Møller , Baggesen Dorte Lau 
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACTIt was investigated how organic rearing conditions influence theSalmonella entericainfection dynamics in pigs and whetherSalmonellapersists in the paddock environment. Pigs inoculated withS. entericaserovar Typhimurium were grouped withSalmonella-negative tracer pigs. Bacteriological and serological testing indicated that organic pigs were susceptible toSalmonellainfections, as 26 of 46 (56%) tracer pigs turned culture positive. An intermittent and mainly low-level excretion ofSalmonella(<100 cells g−1) partly explains why the bacteriological prevalence appeared lower than the seroprevalence.Salmonellapersisted in the paddock environment, asSalmonellawas isolated from 46% of soil and water samples (n= 294). After removal of pigs,Salmonellawas found in soil samples for up to 5 weeks and in shelter huts during the entire test period (7 weeks). Subsequent introduction ofSalmonella-negative pigs into four naturallySalmonella-contaminated paddocks causedSalmonellainfections of pigs in two paddocks. In one of these paddocks, all tracer pigs (n= 10) became infected, coinciding with a previous highSalmonellainfection rate and highSalmonellaexcretion level. Our results showed that pigs reared under organic conditions were susceptible toSalmonellainfections (just like conventional pigs) and thatSalmonellapersisting in the paddock environment could pose an infection risk. A driving force for these infections seemed to be pigs with a highSalmonellaexcretion level, which caused substantial contamination of the environment. This suggests that isolation of animals as soon as aSalmonellainfection is indicated by clinical symptoms of diarrhea could be a means of reducing and controlling the spread and persistence ofSalmonellain outdoor organic pig production environments.
Using DNA Microarrays To Identify Library-Independent Markers for Bacterial Source Tracking
Authors: Soule Marilyn , Kuhn Edward , Loge Frank , Gay John , Call Douglas R. 
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACT

Bacterial source tracking is used to apportion fecal pollution among putative sources. Within this context, library-independent markers are genetic or phenotypic traits that can be used to identify the host origin without a need for library-dependent classification functions. The objective of this project was to use mixed-genome
Enterococcus
microarrays to identify library-independent markers. Separate shotgun libraries were prepared for five host groups (cow, dog, elk/deer, human, and waterfowl), using genomic DNAs (gDNAs) from ca. 50
Enterococcus
isolates for each library. Microarrays were constructed (864 probes per library), and 385 comparative genomic hybridizations were used to identify putative markers. PCR assays were used to screen 95 markers against gDNAs from isolates from known sources collected throughout the United States. This validation process narrowed the selection to 15 markers, with 7 having no recognized homologues and the remaining markers being related to genes involved in metabolic pathways and DNA replication. In most cases, each marker was exclusive to one of four
Enterococcus
species (
Enterococcus casseliflavus
,
E. faecalis
,
E. hirae
, or
E. mundtii
). Eight markers were highly specific to either cattle, humans, or elk/deer, while the remaining seven markers were positive for various combinations of hosts other than humans. Based on microarray hybridization data, the prevalence of host-specific markers ranged from 2% to 45% of isolates collected from their respective hosts. A 20-fold difference in prevalence could present challenges for the interpretation of library-independent markers.
Engineering of Cyclodextrin Glucanotransferase on the Cell Surface ofSaccharomyces cerevisiaefor Improved Cyclodextrin Production
Authors: Wang Zhankun , Qi Qingsheng , Wang Peng George 
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACTThe cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase) gene (cgt) fromBacillus circulans251 was cloned into plasmid pYD1, which allowed regulated expression, secretion, and detection. The expression of CGTase with a-agglutinin at the N-terminal end on the extracellular surface ofSaccharomyces cerevisiaewas confirmed by immunofluorescence microscopy. This surface-anchored CGTase gave the yeast the ability to directly utilize starch as a sole carbon source and the ability to produce the anticipated products, cyclodextrins, as well as glucose and maltose. The resulting glucose and maltose, which are efficient acceptors in the CGTase coupling reaction, could be consumed by yeast fermentation and thus facilitated cyclodextrin production. On the other hand, ethanol produced by the yeast may form a complex with cyclodextrin and shift the equilibrium in favor of cyclodextrin production. The yeast with immobilized CGTase produced 24.07 mg/ml cyclodextrins when it was incubated in yeast medium supplemented with 4% starch.