bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Measuring quality of life in older people: Reliability and validity of WHOQOL‐OLD
Authors: Peel Nancye M , Bartlett Helen P , Marshall Alison L 
Published: November 2007

Objectives:  The World Health Organization (WHO) recently developed a generic Quality of Life (QOL) measure, the WHOQOL‐OLD, specifically for use with older adults. This pilot study aimed to test the psychometric properties of the new measure to determine its suitability for evaluating outcomes of healthy ageing interventions. Methods:  A random sample of 100 participants aged 65 years and older, selected from a database of community research volunteers, was invited to complete a mailed questionnaire administered at two time points. The questionnaire included the WHOQOL‐OLD, a generic health‐related QOL measure, the SF‐12, as well as psychological and physical well‐being measures and demographic data. Results and conclusion:  Overall, the WHOQOL‐OLD demonstrated good performance on tests of reliability and validity and had features that made it a more suitable outcome measure of QOL in older people compared with the frequently used measure, the SF‐12.
Selenium and zinc in hair and toenails in relation to the physical and mental health status of older adults: The Freemasons Health study in New Zealand
Authors: Islam Shaheenul , Carter Kristie , Mhurchu Cliona Ni , Anderson Craig S 
Published: November 2007

Objectives:  To determine the associations of selenium and zinc on health. Methods:  A cross‐sectional study; adults (mean age 65 years), Freemasons or spouses resident of the North Island of New Zealand; measures of cognition, the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and hair and toenail zinc and selenium levels. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine significant associations. Results:  Univariate analyses showed a significant association of decreased likelihood of impaired performance (> 9.5 seconds) on the TUG test with increasing quartiles of nail selenium (odds ratio 0.73; 95% confidence interval 0.61–0.87). The association persisted in a multivariate model. No associations were seen for any of the other measures. Conclusion:  Low nail selenium levels were associated with impaired physical function, as a result of chance from multiplicity problems, bias or a true adverse effect of selenium deficiency. Prospective studies are necessary to more reliably discern temporal associations of micronutrients on health.
Efficiency for Gene Silencing Induction in Nicotiana Species by a Viral Satellite DNA Vector
Authors: Xu You‐Ping , Zheng Lu‐Ping , Xu Qiu‐Fang , Wang Chang‐Chun , Zhou Xue‐Ping , Wu Zu‐Jian , Cai Xin‐Zhong 
Published: November 2007

Abstract Virus‐induced gene silencing (VIGS) is a useful technique for rapid plant gene function analysis. We recently reported a new VIGS vector modified from Tomato yellow leaf curl China virus (TYLCCNV) DNAβ (DNAmβ). In this study we compared in detail DNAmβ‐induced gene silencing in four Nicotiana species including N. benthamiana, N. glutinosa, N. tabacum and N. paniculata. We found that DNAmβ‐induced gene silencing in the four species was distinct in developing dynamics, tissue specificity, efficiency, and constancy in the plant life span. It was most efficient in N. benthamiana, where development of VIGS was most rapid, without tissue specificity and nearly 100% efficient. DNAmβ‐induced gene silencing in N. glutinosa was also efficient despite being slightly less than in N. benthamiana. It initially occurred in veins, later was scattered to mesophyll, finally led to complete silencing in whole leaves. In both species, VIGS constantly expressed until the plants died. However, DNAmβ‐mediated VIGS in the other two Nicotiana species, N. tabacum and N. paniculata, was significantly less efficient. It was strictly limited within the veins of the silenced leaves, and constantly occurred only over 3–4 weeks. The upper leaves that emerged later stopped showing the silencing phenotype. DNAmβ‐induced gene silencing in N. benthamiana and N. glutinosa was not significantly influenced by the growth stage when the plants were agro‐inoculated, and was not sensitive to high growth temperature up to 32 °C. Our results indicate that this system has great potential as a versatile VIGS system for routine functional analysis of genes in some Nicotiana species.
Genetic Analysis and Molecular Mapping of a Rolling Leaf Mutation Gene in Rice
Authors: Yi Ji‐Cai , Zhuang Chu‐Xiong , Wang Xu‐Jie , Cao You‐Pei , Liu Yao‐Guang , Mei Man‐Tong 
Published: November 2007

Abstract A rice mutant with rolling leaf, namely γ‐rl, was obtained from M2 progenies of a native indica rice stable strain Qinghuazhan (QHZ) from mutagenesis of dry seeds by γ‐rays. Genetic analysis using the F2 population from a cross between this mutant and QHZ indicated the mutation was controlled by a single recessive gene. In order to map the locus for this mutation, another F2 population with 601 rolling leaf plants was constructed from a cross between γ‐rl and a japonica cultivar 02428. After primary mapping with SSR (simple sequence repeats) markers, the mutated locus was located at the short arm of chromosome 3, flanked by RM6829 and RM3126. A number of SSR, InDel (insertion/deletion) and SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) markers within this region were further developed for fine mapping. Finally, two markers, SNP121679 and InDel422395, were identified to be flanked to this locus with genetic distances of 0.08 cM and 0.17 cM respectively, and two SNP markers, SNP75346 and SNP110263, were found to be co‐segregated with this locus. These results suggested that this locus was distinguished from all loci for the rolling leaf mutation in rice reported so far, and thus renamed rl10(t). By searching the rice genome database with closely linked markers using BLAST programs, an e‐physical map covering rl10(t) locus spanning about a 50 kb region was constructed. Expression analysis of the genes predicted in this region showed that a gene encoding putative flavin‐containing monooxygenase (FMO) was silenced in γ‐rl, thus this is the most likely candidate responsible for the rolling leaf mutation.
Use of Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Analysis for Economically Important Food Crops
Authors: Salem Halima Hassan , Ali Bahy Ahmed , Huang Tian‐Hua , Qin Da‐Nian , Wang Xiao‐Mei , Xie Qing‐Dong 
Published: November 2007

Abstract The objective of this review is to summarize numerous studies on the use of the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique on rice, corn, wheat, sorghum, barley, rye, and oats to examine its feasibility and validity for assessment of genetic variation, population genetics, mapping, linkage and marker assisted selection, phylogenetic analysis, and the detection of somaclonal variation. Also we discuss the advantages and limitations of RAPD. Molecular markers have entered the scene of genetic improvement in different fields of agricultural research. The simplicity of the RAPD technique made it ideal for genetic mapping, plant and animal breeding programs, and DNA fingerprinting, with particular utility in the field of population genetics.
Internal arsenite bioassay calibration using multiple bioreporter cell lines
Authors: Wackwitz Anke , Harms Hauke , Chatzinotas Antonis , Breuer Uta , Vogne Christelle , Van Der Meer Jan Roelof 
Published: November 2007

SummaryBioassays with bioreporter bacteria are usually calibrated with analyte solutions of known concentrations that are analysed along with the samples of interest. This is done as bioreporter output (the intensity of light, fluorescence or colour) does not only depend on the target concentration, but also on the incubation time and physiological activity of the cells in the assay. Comparing the bioreporter output with standardized colour tables in the field seems rather difficult and error‐prone. A new approach to control assay variations and improve application ease could be an internal calibration based on the use of multiple bioreporter cell lines with drastically different reporter protein outputs at a given analyte concentration. To test this concept, different Escherichia coli‐based bioreporter strains expressing either cytochrome c peroxidase (CCP, or CCP mutants) or β‐galactosidase upon induction with arsenite were constructed. The reporter strains differed either in the catalytic activity of the reporter protein (for CCP) or in the rates of reporter protein synthesis (for β‐galactosidase), which, indeed, resulted in output signals with different intensities at the same arsenite concentration. Hence, it was possible to use combinations of these cell lines to define arsenite concentration ranges at which none, one or more cell lines gave qualitative (yes/no) visible signals that were relatively independent of incubation time or bioreporter activity. The discriminated concentration ranges would fit very well with the current permissive (e.g. World Health Organization) levels of arsenite in drinking water (10 µg l−1).
C‐Phycocyanin ameliorates 2‐acetylaminofluorene induced oxidative stress and MDR1 expression in the liver of albino mice
Authors: Roy Karnati R. , Nishanth Reddy P. , Sreekanth Devalraju , Reddy Gorla Venkateswara , Reddanna Pallu 
Published: November 2007

Aim:  To study the effect of C‐Phycocyanin (C‐PC), a biliprotein isolated from Spirulina platensis, on 2‐acetylaminofluorene (2‐AAF) induced oxidative stress and MDR1 expression in the liver of albino mice.Methods:  In the present study, albino mice aged 40–60 days were used. The mice were randomly assigned to four groups of six animals each. The first group was treated with the vehicle (absolute alcohol), the second group was treated with C‐PC (50 mg/kg body weight), the third group was treated with 2‐AAF (25 mg/kg body weight) and the fourth group was treated with C‐PC (50 mg/kg body weight) and 2‐AAF, daily for 3 days. The mice were sacrificed and the tissues were collected and stored for histology and biochemical studies.Results:  2‐AAF induced liver tissue damage in albino mice. 2‐AAF treatment resulted in upregulation of MDR1 expression and enhanced the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). It also induced phosphorylation of Akt and nuclear translocation of NF‐κB. Co‐administration of C‐PC and 2‐AAF inhibited the expression of MDR1 by preventing ROS generation, Akt phosphorylation and NF‐κB nuclear translocation.Conclusion:  2‐AAF‐induced oxidative stress is reduced by C‐PC treatment. C‐PC inhibited the 2‐AAF induced expression of MDR1 by interfering at the level of ROS generation, Akt phosphorylation and NF‐κB translocation. This study reveals the usefulness of C‐PC in preventing oxidative stress and downregulation of MDR1 induced by xenobiotics like 2‐AAF.
Cytotoxic Activity of
N
-Chlorotaurine on
Acanthamoeba
spp
Authors: Fürnkranz Ursula , Nagl Markus , Gottardi Waldemar , Köhsler Martina , Aspöck Horst , Walochnik Julia 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACT

Acanthamoeba
spp. are the causative agents of
Acanthamoeba
keratitis (AK), which mainly occurs in contact lens wearers, and of skin lesions, granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE), and disseminating diseases in the immunocompromised host. AK therapy is complex and irritating for the eye, skin lesions are difficult to treat, and there is no effective treatment for GAE. Therefore, new anti-
Acanthamoeba
drugs are needed. We investigated the anti-
Acanthamoeba
activity of
N
-chlorotaurine (NCT), an endogenous mild antiseptic. It was shown that NCT has amoebicidal qualities, both in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and in amoebic culture medium. After 6 h of treatment with 10 mM NCT in PBS, the levels of trophozoites of all strains investigated already showed at least a 2-log reduction. When the trophozoites were treated with 20 mM NCT in culture medium, they showed a 2-log reduction after 24 h. The addition of NH
4
Cl to NCT led to a faster decrease in the numbers of living cells, if tests were carried out in PBS. A delay of excystation was observed when cysts were treated with 55 mM (1%) NCT in culture medium. A complete failure of excystment was the result of treatment with 1% NCT plus 1% NH
4
Cl in PBS. Altogether, NCT clearly demonstrated amoebicidal activity at concentrations well tolerated by human tissues and might be useful as a topical drug for the treatment of
Acanthamoeba
infections. The addition of ammonium chloride can be considered to enhance the activity.
Factors Associated with the Selection of Mutations Conferring Resistance to Protease Inhibitors (PIs) in PI-Experienced Patients Displaying Treatment Failure on Darunavir
Authors: Lambert-Niclot Sidonie , Flandre Philippe , Canestri Ana , Peytavin Gilles , Blanc Christine , Agher Rachid , Soulié Cathia , Wirden Marc , Katlama Christine , Calvez Vincent , Marcelin Anne-Geneviève 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to characterize the mutations selected by darunavir (DRV) use in protease inhibitor (PI)-experienced patients and the associated factors. We analyzed treatment failure in 54 PI-experienced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients on a DRV- and ritonavir-containing regimen. Viral genotyping was carried out at the baseline, at between 1 and 3 months of treatment, and at between 3 and 6 months of treatment to search for the selection of mutations conferring resistance to PIs. The median baseline HIV RNA level was 4.9 log
10
copies/ml, and the median CD4 count was 87 cells/mm
3
. At the baseline, the median numbers of resistance mutations were as follows: 3 DRV resistance mutations, 4 major PI resistance mutations, and 10 minor PI resistance mutations. The most common mutations that emerged at rebound included V32I (44%), I54M/L (24%), L33F (25%), I84V (21%), and L89V (12%). Multivariate analysis showed that higher baseline HIV RNA levels and smaller numbers of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor simultaneously used with DRV were associated with a higher risk of DRV resistance mutation selection. By contrast, L76V, a known DRV resistance mutation, was found to decrease the risk of selection of another DRV resistance mutation. The occurrence of virological failure while a patient was on DRV was associated with the selection of mutations that increased the level of DRV resistance without affecting susceptibility to tipranavir (TPV). In these PI-treated patients who displayed treatment failure while they were on a DRV-containing regimen, we confirmed the set of emerging mutations associated with DRV failure and identified the factors associated with the selection of these mutations. TPV susceptibility does not seem to be affected by the selection of a DRV resistance mutation.
Effect of Resiquimod 0.01% Gel on Lesion Healing and Viral Shedding When Applied to Genital Herpes Lesions
Authors: Fife Kenneth H. , Meng Tze-Chiang , Ferris Daron G. , Liu Ping 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACT

Resiquimod, a Toll-like receptor 7/8 agonist developed as a topical treatment to decrease recurrences of anogenital herpes, induces proinflammatory cytokines that may delay lesion healing. Adults with frequently recurring anogenital herpes were randomized within 24 h of onset of a recurrence to vehicle or resiquimod 0.01% gel two times per week for 3 weeks. Subjects underwent daily lesion assessments and sampling for herpes simplex virus DNA PCR for 21 days or until investigator-determined healing of lesion(s). Eighty-two subjects with a mean age of 39 ± 10.5 years and a median of seven recurrences per year were enrolled in the study. The qualifying recurrence was positive by PCR for herpes simplex virus in 68% of subjects. No difference was observed between the vehicle (39 subjects) and resiquimod (43 subjects) groups with respect to time to healing (median of 7.0 days versus median of 6.5 days, respectively; Cox proportional hazard model ratio of 1.229; 95% confidence interval, 0.778 to 1.942;
P
= 0.376). The distributions of maximum severity scores for any investigator-assessed local skin signs and for subject-assessed local symptoms were similar between treatment groups (
P
= 0.807 and
P
= 0.103, respectively). For subjects with at least one positive PCR result, no difference was observed for time to cessation of viral shedding (median of 7 days versus median of 5 days for vehicle and resiquimod groups, respectively; Cox proportional hazard model ratio of 1.471; 95% confidence interval, 0.786 to 2.754;
P
= 0.227). Application of resiquimod 0.01% two times per week for 3 weeks did not delay the healing of genital herpes lesions or reduce acute viral shedding.
Complete Genomic Sequence of Bacteriophage φEcoM-GJ1, a Novel Phage That Has Myovirus Morphology and a Podovirus-Like RNA Polymerase
Authors: Jamalludeen Nidham , Kropinski Andrew M. , Johnson Roger P. , Lingohr Erika , Harel Josée , Gyles Carlton L. 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACT

The complete genome of φEcoM-GJ1, a lytic phage that attacks porcine enterotoxigenic
Escherichia coli
of serotype O149:H10:F4, was sequenced and analyzed. The morphology of the phage and the identity of the structural proteins were also determined. The genome consisted of 52,975 bp with a G+C content of 44% and was terminally redundant and circularly permuted. Seventy-five potential open reading frames (ORFs) were identified and annotated, but only 29 possessed homologs. The proteins of five ORFs showed homology with proteins of phages of the family
Myoviridae
, nine with proteins of phages of the family
Podoviridae
, and six with proteins of phages of the family
Siphoviridae
. ORF 1 encoded a T7-like single-subunit RNA polymerase and was preceded by a putative
E. coli
σ
70
-like promoter. Nine putative phage promoters were detected throughout the genome. The genome included a tRNA gene of 95 bp that had a putative 18-bp intron. The phage morphology was typical of phages of the family
Myoviridae
, with an icosahedral head, a neck, and a long contractile tail with tail fibers. The analysis shows that φEcoM-GJ1 is unique, having the morphology of the
Myoviridae
, a gene for RNA polymerase, which is characteristic of phages of the T7 group of the
Podoviridae
, and several genes that encode proteins with homology to proteins of phages of the family
Siphoviridae
.
Characterization of the Structural Gene Encoding Nisin F, a New Lantibiotic Produced by a
Lactococcus lactis
subsp.
lactis
Isolate from Freshwater Catfish (
Clarias gariepinus
)
Authors: de Kwaadsteniet M. , ten Doeschate K. , Dicks L. M. T. 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACT

Lactococcus lactis
F10, isolated from freshwater catfish, produces a bacteriocin (BacF) active against
Staphylococcus aureus
,
Staphylococcus carnosus
,
Lactobacillus curvatus
,
Lactobacillus plantarum
, and
Lactobacillus reuteri
. The operon encoding BacF is located on a plasmid. Sequencing of the structural gene revealed no homology to other nisin genes. Nisin F is described.
Subfossil 16S rRNA Gene Sequences of Green Sulfur Bacteria in the Black Sea and Their Implications for Past Photic Zone Anoxia
Authors: Manske Ann K. , Henßge Uta , Glaeser Jens , Overmann Jörg 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACT

The Black Sea is the largest extant anoxic water body on Earth. Its oxic-anoxic boundary is located at a depth of 100 m and is populated by a single phylotype of marine green sulfur bacteria. This organism,
Chlorobium
sp. strain BS-1, is extraordinarily low light adapted and can therefore serve as an indicator of deep photic zone anoxia (A. K. Manske, J. Glaeser, M. M. M. Kuypers, and J. Overmann, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 71:8049-8060, 2005). In the present study, two sediment cores were retrieved from the bottom of the Black Sea at depths of 2,006 and 2,162 m and were analyzed for the presence of subfossil DNA sequences of BS-1 using ancient-DNA methodology. Using optimized cultivation media, viable cells of the BS-1 phylotype were detected only at the sediment surface and not in deeper layers. In contrast, green sulfur bacterial 16S rRNA gene fragments were amplified from all the sediment layers investigated, including turbidites. After separation by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and sequencing, 14 different sequence types were distinguished. The sequence of BS-1 represented only a minor fraction of the amplification products and was found in 6 of 22 and 4 of 26 samples from the 2,006- and 2,162-m stations, respectively. Besides the sequences of BS-1, three additional phylotypes of the marine clade of green sulfur bacteria were detected. However, the majority of sequences clustered with groups from freshwater habitats. Our results suggest that a considerable fraction of green sulfur bacterial chemofossils did not originate in a low-light marine chemocline environment and therefore were likely to have an allochthonous origin. Thus, analysis of subfossil DNA sequences permits a more differentiated interpretation and reconstruction of past environmental conditions if specific chemofossils of stenoec species, like
Chlorobium
sp. strain BS-1, are employed.
Iron Starvation and Culture Age Activate Metacaspases and Programmed Cell Death in the Marine Diatom
Thalassiosira pseudonana
Authors: Bidle Kay D. , Bender Sara J. 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACT

In the modern ocean, phytoplankton maintain extremely high primary production/biomass ratios, indicating that they bloom, die, and are replaced weekly. The molecular mechanisms regulating cellular mortality and turnover are largely unknown, even though they effectively short-circuit carbon export to the deep ocean and channel primary productivity to microbial food webs. Here, we present morphological, biochemical, and molecular evidence of caspase-mediated, autocatalytic programmed cell death (PCD) in the diatom
Thalassiosira pseudonana
in response to iron starvation. Transmission electron microscopy revealed internal degradation of nuclear, chloroplastic, and mitochondrial organelles, all while the plasma membranes remained intact. Cellular degradation was concomitant with dramatic decreases in photosynthetic efficiency, externalization of phosphatidylserine, and significantly elevated caspase-specific activity, with the addition of a broad-spectrum caspase inhibitor rescuing cells from death. A search of the
T. pseudonana
genome identified six distinct putative metacaspases containing a conserved caspase domain structure. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR and Western blot analysis revealed differential gene and protein expression of
T. pseudonana
metacaspases, some of which correlated with physiological stress and caspase activity. Taken together with the recent discovery of the metacaspase-mediated viral infection of phytoplankton (K. D. Bidle, L. Haramaty, J. Barcelos-Ramos, and P. G. Falkowski, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA
104:
6049-6054, 2007), our findings reveal a key role for metacaspases in the turnover of phytoplankton biomass in the oceans. Furthermore, given that Fe is required for photosynthetic electron transfer and is chronically limiting in a variety of oceanic systems, including high-nutrient low-chlorophyll regions, our findings provide a potential ecological context for PCD in these unicellular photoautotrophs.