bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cytolethal Distending Toxin Type I and Type IV Genes Are Framed with Lambdoid Prophage Genes in Extraintestinal Pathogenic
Escherichia coli
Authors: Tóth István , Nougayrède Jean-Philippe , Dobrindt Ulrich , Ledger Terence Neil , Boury Michèle , Morabito Stefano , Fujiwara Tamaki , Sugai Motoyuki , Hacker Jörg , Oswald Eric 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACT

Five types of cytolethal distending toxin (CDT-I to CDT-V) have been identified in
Escherichia coli
. In the present study we cloned and sequenced the
cdt-IV
operon and flanking region from a porcine extraintestinal pathogenic
E. coli
(ExPEC) strain belonging to serogroup O75. We confirmed that similar to other CDTs, CDT-IV induced phosphorylation of host histone H2AX, a sensitive marker of DNA double-strand breaks, and blocked the HeLa cell cycle at the G
2
-M transition. The
cdt-IV
genes were framed by lambdoid prophage genes. We cloned and sequenced the
cdt-I
operon and flanking regions from a human ExPEC O18:K1:H7 strain and observed that
cdt-I
genes were also flanked by lambdoid prophage genes. PCR studies indicated that a gene coding for a putative protease was always associated with the
cdtC-IV
gene but was not associated with
cdtC
genes in strains producing CDT-I, CDT-III, and CDT-V. Our results suggest that the
cdt-I
and
cdt-IV
genes might have been acquired from a common ancestor by phage transduction and evolved in their bacterial hosts. The lysogenic bacteriophages have the potential to carry nonessential “cargo” genes or “morons” and therefore play a crucial role in the generation of genetic diversity within ExPEC.
A RecB-Like Helicase in
Helicobacter pylori
Is Important for DNA Repair and Host Colonization
Authors: Wang Ge , Maier Robert J. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACT

The human gastric pathogen
Helicobacter pylori
encounters frequent oxidative and acid stress in its specific niche, and this causes bacterial DNA damage.
H. pylori
exhibits a very high degree of DNA recombination, which is required for repairing both DNA double-stranded (ds) breaks and blocked replication forks. Nevertheless, few genes encoding components of DNA recombinational repair processes have been identified in
H. pylori
. An
H. pylori
mutant defective in a putative helicase gene (HP1553) was constructed and characterized herein. The HP1553 mutant strain was much more sensitive to mitomycin C than the WT strain, indicating that HP1553 is required for repair of DNA ds breaks. Disruption of HP1553 resulted in a significant decrease in the DNA recombination frequency, suggesting that HP1553 is involved in DNA recombination processes, probably functioning as a RecB-like helicase. HP1553 was shown to be important for
H. pylori
protection against oxidative stress-induced DNA damage, as the exposure of the HP1553 mutant cells to air for 6 h caused significant fragmentation of genomic DNA and led to cell death. In a mouse infection model, the HP1553 mutant strain displayed a greatly reduced ability to colonize the host stomachs, indicating that HP1553 plays a significant role in
H. pylori
survival/colonization in the host.
Sustained Activation of Akt and Erk1/2 Is Required forCoxiella burnetiiAntiapoptotic Activity
Authors: Voth Daniel E. , Heinzen Robert A. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTCoxiella burnetiiis an obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen that directs biogenesis of a lysosome-like, parasitophorous vacuole in mammalian cells. We recently reported thatC. burnetiiinhibits apoptotic cell death in macrophages, presumably as a mechanism to sustain the host for completion of its lengthy infectious cycle. In the current study, we further investigatedC. burnetiimanipulation of host cell signaling and apoptosis by examining the effect ofC. burnetiiinfection on activation of 15 host proteins involved in stress responses, cytokine production, and apoptosis.C. burnetiiinfection of THP-1 human macrophage-like cells caused increased levels of phosphorylated c-Jun, Hsp27, Jun N-terminal protein kinase, and p38 at 2 h postinfection (hpi), and this activation rapidly decreased to near basal levels by 24 hpi. The prosurvival kinases Akt and Erk1/2 (extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2) were also activated at 2 to 6 hpi; however, the phosphorylation of these proteins increased coincident withC. burnetiireplication through at least 72 hpi. Sustained phosphorylation of Akt and Erk1/2 was abolished by treatment of infected cells with rifampin, indicating their activation is aC. burnetii-directed event requiring pathogen RNA synthesis. Moreover, pharmacological inhibition of Akt or Erk1/2 significantly decreasedC. burnetiiantiapoptotic activity. Collectively, these results indicate the importance ofC. burnetiimodulation of host signaling and demonstrate a critical role for Akt and Erk1/2 in successful intracellular parasitism and maintenance of host cell viability.
Function, Regulation, and Transcriptional Organization of the Hemin Utilization Locus of
Bartonella quintana
Authors: Parrow Nermi L. , Abbott Jasmin , Lockwood Amanda R. , Battisti James M. , Minnick Michael F. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACT

Bartonella quintana
is a gram-negative agent of trench fever, chronic bacteremia, endocarditis, and bacillary angiomatosis in humans.
B. quintana
has the highest known hemin requirement among bacteria, but the mechanisms of hemin acquisition are poorly defined. Genomic analyses revealed a potential locus dedicated to
h
emin
ut
ilization (
hut
) encoding a putative hemin receptor, HutA; a TonB-like energy transducer; an ABC transport system comprised of three proteins, HutB, HutC, and HmuV; and a hemin degradation/storage enzyme, HemS. Complementation analyses with
Escherichia coli hemA
show that HutA functions as a hemin receptor, and complementation analyses with
E. coli hemA tonB
indicate that HutA is TonB dependent. Quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR analyses show that
hut
locus transcription is subject to hemin-responsive regulation, which is mediated primarily by the iron response regulator (Irr). Irr functions as a transcriptional repressor of the
hut
locus at all hemin concentrations tested. Overexpression of the ferric uptake regulator (
fur
) represses transcription of
tonB
in the presence of excess hemin, whereas overexpression of the rhizobial iron regulator (
rirA
) has no effect on
hut
locus transcription. Reverse transcriptase PCR analyses show that
hutA
and
tonB
are divergently transcribed and that the remaining
hut
genes are expressed as a polycistronic mRNA. Examination of the promoter regions of
hutA
,
tonB
, and
hemS
reveals consensus sequence promoters that encompass an H-box element previously shown to interact with
B. quintana
Irr.
The effects of inhaled L-methamphetamine on athletic performance while riding a stationary bike: a randomised placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Dufka F , Galloway G , Baggott M , Mendelson J 
Published: November 2008

Objective:L-methamphetamine (the non-abused isomer of methamphetamine) is banned in athletic competition because it may improve athletic performance, but there are no studies assessing its effects on performance. In the United States L-methamphetamine is formulated in the non-prescription Vick’s Vapor Inhaler (VVI) nasal decongestant. VVIs sold elsewhere (we used ones from the UK) contain similar inactive ingredients (menthol, camphor and Siberian pine oil) but no L-methamphetamine. This study tested the effects of inhaled L-methamphetamine delivered from a widely available non-prescription product on athletic performance.Design:In a 2-session double-blind placebo-controlled study 12 participants (ages 14–17) were dosed with 4 (session 1) and 12 (session 2) inhalations from VVIs with (USA) or without (UK) L-methamphetamine and then performed two 20 minute rides on a stationary bike with rides separated by a 30 minute rest.Outcome measure:The main outcome measure was miles travelled during each 20 minute ride. Secondary outcome measures included postride urine toxicology; heart rate and blood pressure before, 1, 5 and 10 minutes postride; energy, performance, endurance, and ability to breathe; and VVI preference. Data were analysed using Excel statistical macros.Results:After ∼16 μg L-methamphetamine distance travelled was 5.26 (SD 0.53) miles vs 5.30 (0.55) with placebo; p = 0.81. After ∼48 μg L-methamphetamine distance travelled was 5.30 (0.51) vs 5.35 (0.43) with placebo; p = 0.85. The ∼16 μg dose increased systolic blood pressure from 72.6 (4.3) to 79.6 (6.6) mm Hg (p = 0.03) at 5 minutes postride but there were no other differences in outcomes.Conclusions:Modest doses of inhaled L-methamphetamine probably do not improve athletic performance but do minimally raise diastolic blood pressure.
Validation of the New Zealand Physical Activity Questionnaire (NZPAQ-LF) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-LF) with accelerometry
Authors: Boon R M , Hamlin M J , Steel G D , Ross J J 
Published: November 2008

BackgroundValidation of instruments used to measure physical activity patterns is essential when attempting to assess the effectiveness of physical activity interventions.ObjectivesTo assess the validity of two self-report physical activity questionnaires on a representative sample of New Zealand adults.Methods70 adults aged 18–65 years from around Christchurch, New Zealand were required to wear an ActiGraph GT1M accelerometer during all waking hours for 7 consecutive days. Immediately following the 7 day accelerometer period participants were required to complete the long forms of both the New Zealand Physical Activity Questionnaire (NZPAQ-LF) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-LF).ResultsBoth the NZPAQ-LF and the IPAQ-LF questionnaires showed small to moderate correlations with ActiGraph data for time spent in moderate-intensity physical activity (r=0.19–0.30) and total physical activity (sum of moderate and vigorous-intensity physical activity, r=0.30–0.32). In comparison with the ActiGraph data, both self-report questionnaires tended to overestimate activity levels by approximately 165%. Total physical activity levels gathered from both questionnaires were strongly correlated with each other (r=0.79) and showed good levels of agreement in the Bland–Altman plots.ConclusionsThe long forms of the NZPAQ and IPAQ were found to have acceptable validity when detecting participants' ability to meet activity guidelines based on exercise duration, but a significant amount of overestimation was evident. This presents a need for both instruments to be further developed and tested in order to increase validity.
A meta-analysis of impact exercise on postmenopausal bone loss: the case for mixed loading exercise programmes
Authors: Martyn-St James M , Carroll S 
Published: November 2008

Objectives:To assess the effects of differing impact exercise protocols on postmenopausal bone loss at the hip and spine.Design:Systematic review and meta-analysis.Data sources:Electronic bibliographic databases, key journals and reference lists of reviews and articles.Review methods:Two independent reviewers assessed controlled trials evaluating effects of impact exercise on lumbar spine, femoral neck and total hip bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women for inclusion. Heterogeneity amongst trials and publication bias were assessed. Trial quality assessment was also performed.Results:Impact protocols that included jogging mixed with walking and stair climbing, and protocols that incorporated impact exercise with high-magnitude loading (resistance exercises), were effective at lumbar spine (weighted mean difference (random effects) 0.025 g/cm295% CI (0.004 to 0.046) and 0.016 g/cm295% CI (0.005 to 0.027); p = 0.02 and p = 0.005 respectively), although heterogeneity was evident (I2 = 88% andI2 = 73%, whereI2measures the extent of inconsistency among the trials). Effects on femoral neck BMD following these types of protocols were significant (weighted mean difference (fixed effect) 0.022 g/cm295% CI (0.014 to 0.030); p<0.001 and 0.005 g/cm295% CI (0.001 to 0.010); p = 0.03 respectively). High-impact only and odd-impact only protocols were ineffective in increasing BMD at any site.Conclusion:Mixed loading exercise programmes combining jogging with other low-impact loading activity and programmes mixing impact activity with high-magnitude exercise as resistance training appear effective in reducing postmenopausal bone loss at the hip and spine. Other forms of impact exercise appear less effective at preserving BMD in this population. However, diverse methodological and reporting discrepancies are evident in current published trials.
Popular drugs in sport: descriptive analysis of the enquiries made via the Drug Information Database (DID)
Authors: Petróczi A , Naughton D P 
Published: November 2008

Objective:To analyse enquiries made in the Drug Information Database (DID) to develop a better understanding of athletes’ interests and concerns regarding the prohibited status of available substances.Setting:Retrospective analyses of anonymous enquiries recorded in the DID in 2006 and 2007.Participants:Athletes and supporting personnel.Results:The DID recorded 223 717 enquiries with 200 of the >6000 UK licensed pharmaceutical products receiving over 100 enquiries each. The majority (79.2%) of these enquiries were in the pharmaceutical product category, followed by recreational drugs (10.4%). A variety of common medications were subject to enquiry, with anti-inflammatory agents, decongestants and bronchodilators being most common; a trend in keeping with reported medication use by athletes. Of all enquiries, 42% were not found owing to misspelled words or enquiries about unregulated substances. The proportion of enquiries about substances not listed in the database is relatively high and has increased over the 24 month observation period.Conclusion:The DID is a well-used information resource with some 10 000 enquiries being made each month. Of the c. 60% of successful enquiries, the major focus was on pharmaceutical products. With some 73% of enquiries being made by the athletes themselves, further investigations are warranted to explore enquiry patterns in relation to specific sports. Of the unsuccessful enquiries, a large number were related to nutritional supplements, which warrants further investigation. The DID database appears to be a valid mirror of athletes’ chemically assisted practices and may be successfully used to inform health professionals as well as antidoping prevention programmes.
Eccentric exercises; why do they work, what are the problems and how can we improve them?
Authors: Rees J D , Wolman R L , Wilson A 
Published: November 2008

Eccentric exercises (EE) have proved successful in the management of chronic tendinopathy, particularly of the Achilles and patellar tendons, where they have been shown to be effective in controlled trials. However, numerous questions regarding EE remain. The standard protocols are time-consuming and require very motivated patients. EE are effective in some tendinopathies but not others. Furthermore, the location of the lesion can have a profound effect on efficacy; for example, standard EE in insertional lesions of the Achilles are ineffective.Until recently little was known of the effect of EE on tendinopathic tendons, although a greater understanding of this process is emerging. Additionally, recent in vivo evidence directly comparing eccentric and concentric exercises provides a possible explanation for the therapeutic benefit of EE. The challenge now is to make EE more effective. Suggestions on areas of future research are made.
Whole of community physical activity interventions: easier said than done
Authors: Mummery W K , Brown W J 
Published: November 2008

Objectives:To reflect on whole community intervention approaches to promoting physical activity, using experiences from the 10,000 Steps Rockhampton project.Design:Many studies are quasi-experimental with single site intervention and comparison communities.Setting and participants:Whole communities.Intervention:Coordinated multiple strategies designed to address individual, interpersonal and environmental determinants of physical activity.Main outcome measure:Physical activityResults:There are many challenges to conducting whole community interventions. Developing community partnerships and coalitions, reaching socially disadvantaged groups, and developing effective evaluation methods are identified as specific concerns.Conclusions:Despite the challenges, the whole community approach still offers tremendous potential for developing the social and cultural change which will be required for sustained improvements in population physical activity
Banning of Minarets: Addressing the Validity of a Controversial Swiss Popular Initiative
Authors: Stüssi Marcel 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe proposal to ban minarets is controversial by its very nature. On the one hand Swiss citizens are sovereign and act as the ultimate supreme authority. By their will they may seek via popular initiative to enact, revoke or alter such, and any, constitutional provision as they see fit. On the other hand there are so-called material bars to Swiss constitutional amendments—such as human rights—arising from the provisions of international law. Not surprisingly, these material bars to absolute sovereignty are fiercely contested because they mean either greater or lesser powers to the citizen and, indirectly, to the political parties. The popular initiative to ban minarets raises not only questions in respect of the relationship between domestic and international law, but also appears to challenge the legal architecture of Switzerland. The initiative may be held invalid by the Swiss General Assembly (henceforth 'General Assembly' or 'Assembly') on the grounds that it breaches the peremptory norms of international law. If this proves to be the case, the Swiss people will not be given the opportunity to vote on it. Arguably, such interference is feasible only if the material bar to initiatives is widened beyond its originally accepted scope. Apparently, the powers of the Swiss Sovereign became thereby unequivocally curbed. The relationship between Swiss domestic law and international law is pivotal also should the General Assembly declare the initiative to be valid. The people would as a consequence of the Assembly's decision possess the right to vote either for or against the initiative. But regardless of the poplar vote's outcome, the second option prima facie implies that the sovereignty of the Swiss citizens has been upheld, and concessions need only to be made by those who are either for or against the proposed ban. Yet in its international context the matter is more complex and more far-reaching than that. The first part of this paper concentrates on the question of whether it is advisable for the General Assembly to compromise the people's sovereignty by widening the original scope of peremptory norms. The second part explores what a popular vote in favour of the ban on minarets could mean in law. In order to raise the awareness of the subject matter beyond its legal dimension, the introduction and conclusion of this paper will shed specific light on the rule of law as a philosophical doctrine.
Covenants and Anglicans
Authors: Quinn Frederick 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTAlthough there is a strong movement within Anglicanism to produce a Covenant, this article argues against such an approach. Postponing dealing with today's problems by leaving them for a vaguely worded future document, instead of trying to clarify and resolve them now, and live in peace with one another, is evasive action that solves nothing. Also, some covenant proposals represent a veiled attempt to limit the role of women and homosexuals in the church.The article's core argument is that covenants were specifically rejected by Anglicans at a time when they swept the Continent in the sixteenth century. The Church of England had specifically rejected the powerful hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church and the legalism of the Puritans in favor of what was later to become the Anglican via media, with its emphasis on an informal, prayerful unity of diverse participants at home and abroad. It further argues the Church contains sufficient doctrinal statements in the Creeds, Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral of 1886, 1888, and the Baptismal Covenant in the American Church's 1979 Book of Common Prayer.Covenant proponents argue their proposed document follows in the tradition of classic Anglicanism, but Quinn demonstrates this is not the case. He presents Richard Hooker and Jeremy Taylor as major voices articulating a distinctly Anglican perspective on church governance, noting Hooker ‘tried to stake out parameters between positions without digging a ditch others could not cross. Hooker placed prudence ahead of doctrinal argument.’ Taylor cited the triadic scripture, tradition and reason so central to Anglicanism and added how religious reasoning differs from mathematical and philosophical reasoning. The author notes that the cherished Reformation gift of religious reasoning is totally unmentioned in the flurry of documents calling for a new Anglican Covenant.
Anglicanism in a Japanese Context
Authors: Kato John Hiromichi 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTThe standpoint adopted here is that of a diocesan bishop serving in the Nippon SeiKoKai (NSKK, Anglican Church). The NSKK is a small church and has a long history in Japan. Its public stance has been relatively moderate and approaches Japanese society and other Christian churches in a modest way. Government agencies have tended to regard Christianity as peculiar and even dangerous. The moderate approach of the NSKK has meant that it has tended to yield its social work to the government. Liturgy and in particular the Eucharist has been the sustaining focus of the life of the NSKK. Monotheistic religions are regarded as not as suitable for peace as Buddhism and this creates special concerns for witness in a pseudo-religious and pseudo-communal society. The NSKK faces real challenges of enculturation and needs to find resources in the networks of the Anglican Communion for different experiences to be shared.
A New Perspective for Anglicanism
Authors: Hiroto Kayama 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTThis article argues that Anglicans in North East Asia face a challenge to re-imagine their history in the light of the resources of the Anglican theological tradition. That history has been largely influenced by a narrative which has seen the Christian faith come from across the sea in the form of European missionaries in the Age of Discovery. But there is evidence of the presence of Christian faith long before this which came not through missionaries but through ordinary people who practised their faith. Anglicans can deploy a notion of via media which is not the assumption of a midpoint between contesting claims, but a method for sublating differing opinions by providing a new paradigm, integrating them into a new conceptual framework. Anglicans are thus called to aim for a church whose very mode of existence bears its message.
Anglicanism as Public Philosophy
Authors: Nishihara Renta 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTThe contrast in social life between a messhi bōkō (sacrificing one's personal interest to the public good) and mekkō hōshi(sacrificing the public for the sake of the individual) cannot be settled in terms of a dualism. The Christian Church from its earliest times was without doubt a ‘public’ community. Setting up a hypothesis that the concept of ‘publicness’ presented by public philosophy is actually closely related to the ‘catholicity’ that has been a characteristic of Christianity since the time of the Early Church, the main object of this essay will be to demonstrate, by introducing concrete theological illustrations, that Anglicanism has the potential to be a ‘public philosophy’.