Sample records for aureofaciens strain tx-1

  1. Metabolism of Tryptophans by Pseudomonas aureofaciens

    PubMed Central

    Elander, Richard P.; Mabe, James A.; Hamill, Robert H.; Gorman, Marvin

    1968-01-01

    Twenty-nine strains of Pseudomonas, classified as P. fluorescens biotype D or E or as P. multivorans, were examined for the production of pyrrolnitrin, an antifungal agent synthesized in P. aureofaciens. Eight strains were shown to produce pyrrolnitrin in shake-flask fermentation. Four cultures were from the multivorans taxon, and the remaining four were members of the fluorescens group. The antifungal agent produced in these strains was isolated and shown to be pyrrolnitrin by comparison with an authentic sample. The strains differed markedly with respect to the amount of pyrrolnitrin produced and in their utilization of exogenous tryptophan. Secondary metabolites, not related to pyrrolnitrin, were also examined and compared with those synthesized in P. aureofaciens. Marked differences were noted in both phenazine pigments and phenolic metabolites. The results of the study suggest that the production of pyrrolnitrin may be widespread in selected taxonomic groups of Pseudomonas. Images Fig. 1 PMID:4968963

  2. Analysis of the site-specific integration system of the Streptomyces aureofaciens phage μ1/6.

    PubMed

    Farkašovská, Jarmila; Godány, Andrej

    2012-03-01

    The bacteriophage μ1/6 integrates its DNA into the chromosome of tetracycline producing strains of Streptomyces aureofaciens by a site-specific recombination process. A bioinformatic analysis of the μ1/6 genome revealed that orf5 encodes a putative integrase, a basic protein of 416 amino acids. The μ1/6 integrase was found to belong to the integrase family of site-specific tyrosine recombinases. The phage attachment site (attP) was localized downstream of the int gene. The attachment junctions (attL and attR) were determined, allowing identification of the bacterial attachment site (attB). All attachment sites shared a 46-bp common core sequence within which a site-specific recombination occurs. This core sequence comprises the 3' end of a putative tRNA(Thr) gene (anticodon TGT) which is completely restored in attL after integration of the phage into the host genome. An integration vector containing μ1/6 int-attP region was inserted stably into the S. aureofaciens B96, S. lividans TK24, and S. coelicolor A3. The μ1/6 integrase was shown to be functional in vivo in heterologous Escherichia coli without any other factors encoded by Streptomyces. In vitro recombination assay using purified μ1/6 integrase demonstrated its ability to catalyze integrative recombination in the presence of a crude extract of E. coli cells.

  3. phzO, a Gene for Biosynthesis of 2-Hydroxylated Phenazine Compounds in Pseudomonas aureofaciens 30-84

    PubMed Central

    Delaney, Shannon M.; Mavrodi, Dmitri V.; Bonsall, Robert F.; Thomashow, Linda S.

    2001-01-01

    Certain strains of root-colonizing fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. produce phenazines, a class of antifungal metabolites that can provide protection against various soilborne root pathogens. Despite the fact that the phenazine biosynthetic locus is highly conserved among fluorescent Pseudomonas spp., individual strains differ in the range of phenazine compounds they produce. This study focuses on the ability of Pseudomonas aureofaciens 30-84 to produce 2-hydroxyphenazine-1-carboxylic acid (2-OH-PCA) and 2-hydroxyphenazine from the common phenazine metabolite phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA). P. aureofaciens 30-84 contains a novel gene located downstream from the core phenazine operon that encodes a 55-kDa aromatic monooxygenase responsible for the hydroxylation of PCA to produce 2-OH-PCA. Knowledge of the genes responsible for phenazine product specificity could ultimately reveal ways to manipulate organisms to produce multiple phenazines or novel phenazines not previously described. PMID:11114932

  4. Deciphering and engineering of the final step halogenase for improved chlortetracycline biosynthesis in industrial Streptomyces aureofaciens.

    PubMed

    Zhu, Tao; Cheng, Xueqing; Liu, Yuntian; Deng, Zixin; You, Delin

    2013-09-01

    Chlortetracycline (CTC) is an important member from antibiotics tetracycline (TC) family, which inhibits protein synthesis in bacteria and is widely involved in clinical therapy, animal feeds and aquaculture. Previous works have reported intricately the biosynthesis of CTC from the intermediates in random mutants of Streptomyces aureofaciens and the crucial chlorination remained unclear. We have developed the genetic manipulation in an industrial producer, in which about 15.0g/l CTC predominated along with 1.2g/l TC, and discovered that chlorination by ctcP (an FADH2-dependent halogenase gene) is the last inefficient step during CTC biosynthesis. Firstly, the ΔctcP strain accumulated about 18.9g/l "clean" TC without KBr addition and abolished the production of CTC. Subsequently, CtcP was identified to exhibit a substrate stereo-specificity to absolute TC (4S) rather than TC (4R), with low kcat of 0.51±0.01min(-1), while it could halogenate several TC analogs. Accordingly, we devised a strategy for overexpression of ctcP in S. aureofaciens and improved CTC production to a final titer of 25.9g/l. We anticipate that our work will provide a biotechnological potential of enzymatic evolution and strain engineering towards new TC derivatives in microorganisms. © 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  5. A draft whole genome sequence of “Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus” strain TX2351 from Asian citrus psyllids in Texas, USA

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The draft genome sequence of “Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus” strain TX2351 collected from ACP in South Texas has been determined. The TX2351 genome is 1,252,043 bp in size with a 36.5% G+C content, encoding 1,184 predicted open reading frames and 51 RNA genes....

  6. Complete genome sequence of Enterococcus faecium strain TX16 and comparative genomic analysis of Enterococcus faecium genomes

    PubMed Central

    2012-01-01

    Background Enterococci are among the leading causes of hospital-acquired infections in the United States and Europe, with Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium being the two most common species isolated from enterococcal infections. In the last decade, the proportion of enterococcal infections caused by E. faecium has steadily increased compared to other Enterococcus species. Although the underlying mechanism for the gradual replacement of E. faecalis by E. faecium in the hospital environment is not yet understood, many studies using genotyping and phylogenetic analysis have shown the emergence of a globally dispersed polyclonal subcluster of E. faecium strains in clinical environments. Systematic study of the molecular epidemiology and pathogenesis of E. faecium has been hindered by the lack of closed, complete E. faecium genomes that can be used as references. Results In this study, we report the complete genome sequence of the E. faecium strain TX16, also known as DO, which belongs to multilocus sequence type (ST) 18, and was the first E. faecium strain ever sequenced. Whole genome comparison of the TX16 genome with 21 E. faecium draft genomes confirmed that most clinical, outbreak, and hospital-associated (HA) strains (including STs 16, 17, 18, and 78), in addition to strains of non-hospital origin, group in the same clade (referred to as the HA clade) and are evolutionally considerably more closely related to each other by phylogenetic and gene content similarity analyses than to isolates in the community-associated (CA) clade with approximately a 3–4% average nucleotide sequence difference between the two clades at the core genome level. Our study also revealed that many genomic loci in the TX16 genome are unique to the HA clade. 380 ORFs in TX16 are HA-clade specific and antibiotic resistance genes are enriched in HA-clade strains. Mobile elements such as IS16 and transposons were also found almost exclusively in HA strains, as previously reported

  7. MmTX1 and MmTX2 from coral snake venom potently modulate GABAA receptor activity.

    PubMed

    Rosso, Jean-Pierre; Schwarz, Jürgen R; Diaz-Bustamante, Marcelo; Céard, Brigitte; Gutiérrez, José M; Kneussel, Matthias; Pongs, Olaf; Bosmans, Frank; Bougis, Pierre E

    2015-02-24

    GABAA receptors shape synaptic transmission by modulating Cl(-) conductance across the cell membrane. Remarkably, animal toxins that specifically target GABAA receptors have not been identified. Here, we report the discovery of micrurotoxin1 (MmTX1) and MmTX2, two toxins present in Costa Rican coral snake venom that tightly bind to GABAA receptors at subnanomolar concentrations. Studies with recombinant and synthetic toxin variants on hippocampal neurons and cells expressing common receptor compositions suggest that MmTX1 and MmTX2 allosterically increase GABAA receptor susceptibility to agonist, thereby potentiating receptor opening as well as desensitization, possibly by interacting with the α(+)/β(-) interface. Moreover, hippocampal neuron excitability measurements reveal toxin-induced transitory network inhibition, followed by an increase in spontaneous activity. In concert, toxin injections into mouse brain result in reduced basal activity between intense seizures. Altogether, we characterized two animal toxins that enhance GABAA receptor sensitivity to agonist, thereby establishing a previously unidentified class of tools to study this receptor family.

  8. Comparative studies of the endonucleases from two related Xenopus laevis retrotransposons, Tx1L and Tx2L: target site specificity and evolutionary implications.

    PubMed

    Christensen, S; Pont-Kingdon, G; Carroll, D

    2000-01-01

    In the genome of the South African frog, Xenopus laevis, there are two complex families of transposable elements, Tx1 and Tx2, that have identical overall structures, but distinct sequences. In each family there are approximately 1500 copies of an apparent DNA-based element (Tx1D and Tx2D). Roughly 10% of these elements in each family are interrupted by a non-LTR retrotransposon (Tx1L and Tx2L). Each retrotransposon is flanked by a 23-bp target duplication of a specific D element sequence. In earlier work, we showed that the endonuclease domain (Tx1L EN) located in the second open reading frame (ORF2) of Tx1L encodes a protein that makes a single-strand cut precisely at the expected site within its target sequence, supporting the idea that Tx1L is a site-specific retrotransposon. In this study, we express the endonuclease domain of Tx2L (Tx2L EN) and compare the target preferences of the two enzymes. Each endonuclease shows some preference for its cognate target, on the order of 5-fold over the non-cognate target. The observed discrimination is not sufficient, however, to explain the observation that no cross-occupancy is observed - that is, L elements of one family have never been found within D elements of the other family. Possible sources of additional specificity are discussed. We also compare two hypotheses regarding the genome duplication event that led to the contemporary pseudotetraploid character of Xenopus laevis in light of the Tx1L and Tx2L data.

  9. A Second Quorum-Sensing System Regulates Cell Surface Properties but Not Phenazine Antibiotic Production in Pseudomonas aureofaciens

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, Zhongge; Pierson, Leland S.

    2001-01-01

    The root-associated biological control bacterium Pseudomonas aureofaciens 30-84 produces a range of exoproducts, including protease and phenazines. Phenazine antibiotic biosynthesis by phzXYFABCD is regulated in part by the PhzR-PhzI quorum-sensing system. Mutants defective in phzR or phzI produce very low levels of phenazines but wild-type levels of exoprotease. In the present study, a second genomic region of strain 30-84 was identified that, when present in trans, increased β-galactosidase activity in a genomic phzB::lacZ reporter and partially restored phenazine production to a phzR mutant. Sequence analysis identified two adjacent genes, csaR and csaI, that encode members of the LuxR-LuxI family of regulatory proteins. No putative promoter region is present upstream of the csaI start codon and no lux box-like element was found in either the csaR promoter or the 30-bp intergenic region between csaR and csaI. Both the PhzR-PhzI and CsaR-CsaI systems are regulated by the GacS-GacA two-component regulatory system. In contrast to the multicopy effects of csaR and csaI in trans, a genomic csaR mutant (30-84R2) and a csaI mutant (30-84I2) did not exhibit altered phenazine production in vitro or in situ, indicating that the CsaR-CsaI system is not involved in phenazine regulation in strain 30-84. Both mutants also produced wild-type levels of protease. However, disruption of both csaI and phzI or both csaR and phzR eliminated both phenazine and protease production completely. Thus, the two quorum-sensing systems do not interact for phenazine regulation but do interact for protease regulation. Additionally, the CsaI N-acylhomoserine lactone (AHL) signal was not recognized by the phenazine AHL reporter 30-84I/Z but was recognized by the AHL reporters Chromobacterium violaceum CV026 and Agrobacterium tumefaciens A136(pCF240). Inactivation of csaR resulted in a smooth mucoid colony phenotype and formation of cell aggregates in broth, suggesting that CsaR is involved in

  10. Decrease in zinc adsorption onto soil in the presence of EPS-rich and EPS-poor Pseudomonas aureofaciens.

    PubMed

    Drozdova, O Yu; Pokrovsky, O S; Lapitskiy, S A; Shirokova, L S; González, A G; Demin, V V

    2014-12-01

    The adsorption of Zn onto the humic and illuvial horizons of the podzol soil in the presence of soil bacteria was studied using a batch-reactor technique as a function of the pH (from 2 to 9) and the Zn concentration in solution (from 0.076mM to 0.760mM). Exopolysaccharides-forming aerobic heterotrophs Pseudomonas aureofaciens were added at 0.1 and 1.0gwetL(-1) concentrations to two different soil horizons, and Zn adsorption was monitored as a function of the pH and the dissolved-Zn concentration. The pH-dependent adsorption edge demonstrated more efficient Zn adsorption by the humic horizon than the mineral horizon at otherwise similar soil concentrations. The Zn adsorption onto the EPS-poor strain was on slightly lower than that onto EPS-rich bacteria. Similar differences in the adsorption capacities between the soil and bacteria were also detected by "langmuirian" constant-pH experiments conducted in soil-Zn and bacteria-Zn binary systems. The addition of 0.1gwetL(-1)P. aureofaciens to a soil-bacteria system (4gdryL(-1)soil) resulted in statistically significant decrease in the adsorption yield, which was detectable from both the pH-dependent adsorption edge and the constant-pH isotherm experiments. Increasing the amount of added bacteria to 1gwetL(-1) further decreased the overall adsorption in the full range of the pH. This decrease was maximal for the EPS-rich bacteria and minimal for the EPS-poor bacteria (a factor of 2.8 and 2.2 at pH=6.9, respectively). These observations in binary and ternary systems were further rationalized by linear-programming modeling of surface equilibria that revealed the systematic differences in the number of binding sites and the surface-adsorption constant of zinc onto the two soil horizons with and without bacteria. The main finding of this work is that the adsorption of Zn onto the humic soil-bacteria system is lower than that in pure, bacteria-free soil systems. This difference is statistically significant (p<0.05). As such

  11. Draft Genome Sequence of Pseudomonas nitroreducens Strain TX1, Which Degrades Nonionic Surfactants and Estrogen-Like Alkylphenols.

    PubMed

    Huang, Shir-Ly; Chen, Hsin; Hu, Anyi; Tuan, Nguyen Ngoc; Yu, Chang-Ping

    2014-01-30

    Pseudomonas nitroreducens TX1 ATCC PTA-6168 was isolated from rice field drainage in Taiwan. The bacterium is of special interest because of its capability to use nonionic surfactants (alkylphenol polyethoxylates) and estrogen-like compounds (4-t-octylphenol and 4-nonylphenol) as a sole carbon source. This is the first report on the genome sequence of P. nitroreducens.

  12. Draft Genome Sequence of Pseudomonas nitroreducens Strain TX1, Which Degrades Nonionic Surfactants and Estrogen-Like Alkylphenols

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Hsin; Hu, Anyi; Tuan, Nguyen Ngoc

    2014-01-01

    Pseudomonas nitroreducens TX1 ATCC PTA-6168 was isolated from rice field drainage in Taiwan. The bacterium is of special interest because of its capability to use nonionic surfactants (alkylphenol polyethoxylates) and estrogen-like compounds (4-t-octylphenol and 4-nonylphenol) as a sole carbon source. This is the first report on the genome sequence of P. nitroreducens. PMID:24482523

  13. A Venom-derived Neurotoxin, CsTx-1, from the Spider Cupiennius salei Exhibits Cytolytic Activities*

    PubMed Central

    Kuhn-Nentwig, Lucia; Fedorova, Irina M.; Lüscher, Benjamin P.; Kopp, Lukas S.; Trachsel, Christian; Schaller, Johann; Vu, Xuan Lan; Seebeck, Thomas; Streitberger, Kathrin; Nentwig, Wolfgang; Sigel, Erwin; Magazanik, Lev G.

    2012-01-01

    CsTx-1, the main neurotoxic acting peptide in the venom of the spider Cupiennius salei, is composed of 74 amino acid residues, exhibits an inhibitory cysteine knot motif, and is further characterized by its highly cationic charged C terminus. Venom gland cDNA library analysis predicted a prepropeptide structure for CsTx-1 precursor. In the presence of trifluoroethanol, CsTx-1 and the long C-terminal part alone (CT1-long; Gly-45–Lys-74) exhibit an α-helical structure, as determined by CD measurements. CsTx-1 and CT1-long are insecticidal toward Drosophila flies and destroys Escherichia coli SBS 363 cells. CsTx-1 causes a stable and irreversible depolarization of insect larvae muscle cells and frog neuromuscular preparations, which seem to be receptor-independent. Furthermore, this membranolytic activity could be measured for Xenopus oocytes, in which CsTx-1 and CT1-long increase ion permeability non-specifically. These results support our assumption that the membranolytic activities of CsTx-1 are caused by its C-terminal tail, CT1-long. Together, CsTx-1 exhibits two different functions; as a neurotoxin it inhibits L-type Ca2+ channels, and as a membranolytic peptide it destroys a variety of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell membranes. Such a dualism is discussed as an important new mechanism for the evolution of spider venomous peptides. PMID:22613721

  14. TX-100 manufacturing final project report.

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Ashwill, Thomas D.; Berry, Derek S.

    This report details the work completed under the TX-100 blade manufacturing portion of the Carbon-Hybrid Blade Developments: Standard and Twist-Coupled Prototype project. The TX-100 blade is a 9 meter prototype blade designed with bend-twist coupling to augment the mitigation of peak loads during normal turbine operation. This structural coupling was achieved by locating off axis carbon fiber in the outboard portion of the blade skins. The report will present the tooling selection, blade production, blade instrumentation, blade shipping and adapter plate design and fabrication. The baseline blade used for this project was the ERS-100 (Revision D) wind turbine blade. Themore » molds used for the production of the TX-100 were originally built for the production of the CX-100 blade. The same high pressure and low pressure skin molds were used to manufacture the TX-100 skins. In order to compensate for the difference in skin thickness between the CX-100 and the TX-100, however, a new TX-100 shear web plug and mold were required. Both the blade assembly fixture and the root stud insertion fixture used for the CX-100 blades could be utilized for the TX-100 blades. A production run of seven TX-100 prototype blades was undertaken at TPI Composites during the month of October, 2004. Of those seven blades, four were instrumented with strain gauges before final assembly. After production at the TPI Composites facility in Rhode Island, the blades were shipped to various test sites: two blades to the National Wind Technology Center at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Boulder, Colorado, two blades to Sandia National Laboratory in Albuquerque, New Mexico and three blades to the United States Department of Agriculture turbine field test facility in Bushland, Texas. An adapter plate was designed to allow the TX-100 blades to be installed on existing Micon 65/13M turbines at the USDA site. The conclusion of this program is the kick-off of the TX-100 blade testing at the

  15. Summary of stretch and flex program for TxDOT operations : [summary].

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2014-06-01

    Strain- and sprain-related incidents account for : 40 percent of the total injuries of Texas : Department of Transportation (TxDOT) : employees. Over the past 5 years, the most : common strain or sprain injury was of the lower : back; 50 percent of t...

  16. Growth of Pseudomonas sp. TX1 on a wide range of octylphenol polyethoxylate concentrations and the formation of dicarboxylated metabolites.

    PubMed

    Lin, Yi-Wen; Guo, Gia-Luen; Hsieh, Hsiao-Cheng; Huang, Shir-Ly

    2010-04-01

    Pseudomonas sp. TX1, is able to use octylphenol polyethoxylates (OPEO(n), or Triton X-100; average n = 9.5) as a sole carbon source. It can grow on 0.05-20% of OPEO(n) with a specific growth rate of 0.34-0.44 h(-1). High-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer analysis of OPEO(n) degraded metabolites revealed that strain TX1 was able to shorten the ethoxylate chain and produce octylphenol (OP). Furthermore, formation of the short carboxylate metabolites, such as carboxyoctylphenol polyethoxylates (COPEO(n), n = 2, 3) and carboxyoctylphenol polyethoxycarboxylates (COPEC(n), n = 2, 3) began at the log stage, while octylphenol polyethoxycarboxylates (OPEC(n), n = 1-3) was formed at the stationary phase. All the short-ethoxylated metabolites, OPEO(n), OPEC(n), COPEO(n), and COPEC(n), accumulated when the cells were in the stationary phase. This study is the first to demonstrate the formation of COPEO(n) and COPEC(n) from OPEO(n) by an aerobic bacterium. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  17. A potent and Kv1.3-selective analogue of the scorpion toxin HsTX1 as a potential therapeutic for autoimmune diseases

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rashid, M. Harunur; Huq, Redwan; Tanner, Mark R.; Chhabra, Sandeep; Khoo, Keith K.; Estrada, Rosendo; Dhawan, Vikas; Chauhan, Satendra; Pennington, Michael W.; Beeton, Christine; Kuyucak, Serdar; Norton, Raymond S.

    2014-03-01

    HsTX1 toxin, from the scorpion Heterometrus spinnifer, is a 34-residue, C-terminally amidated peptide cross-linked by four disulfide bridges. Here we describe new HsTX1 analogues with an Ala, Phe, Val or Abu substitution at position 14. Complexes of HsTX1 with the voltage-gated potassium channels Kv1.3 and Kv1.1 were created using docking and molecular dynamics simulations, then umbrella sampling simulations were performed to construct the potential of mean force (PMF) of the ligand and calculate the corresponding binding free energy for the most stable configuration. The PMF method predicted that the R14A mutation in HsTX1 would yield a > 2 kcal/mol gain for the Kv1.3/Kv1.1 selectivity free energy relative to the wild-type peptide. Functional assays confirmed the predicted selectivity gain for HsTX1[R14A] and HsTX1[R14Abu], with an affinity for Kv1.3 in the low picomolar range and a selectivity of more than 2,000-fold for Kv1.3 over Kv1.1. This remarkable potency and selectivity for Kv1.3, which is significantly up-regulated in activated effector memory cells in humans, suggest that these analogues represent valuable leads in the development of therapeutics for autoimmune diseases.

  18. ProTx-II, a selective inhibitor of NaV1.7 sodium channels, blocks action potential propagation in nociceptors.

    PubMed

    Schmalhofer, William A; Calhoun, Jeffrey; Burrows, Rachel; Bailey, Timothy; Kohler, Martin G; Weinglass, Adam B; Kaczorowski, Gregory J; Garcia, Maria L; Koltzenburg, Martin; Priest, Birgit T

    2008-11-01

    Voltage-gated sodium (Na(V)1) channels play a critical role in modulating the excitability of sensory neurons, and human genetic evidence points to Na(V)1.7 as an essential contributor to pain signaling. Human loss-of-function mutations in SCN9A, the gene encoding Na(V)1.7, cause channelopathy-associated indifference to pain (CIP), whereas gain-of-function mutations are associated with two inherited painful neuropathies. Although the human genetic data make Na(V)1.7 an attractive target for the development of analgesics, pharmacological proof-of-concept in experimental pain models requires Na(V)1.7-selective channel blockers. Here, we show that the tarantula venom peptide ProTx-II selectively interacts with Na(V)1.7 channels, inhibiting Na(V)1.7 with an IC(50) value of 0.3 nM, compared with IC(50) values of 30 to 150 nM for other heterologously expressed Na(V)1 subtypes. This subtype selectivity was abolished by a point mutation in DIIS3. It is interesting that application of ProTx-II to desheathed cutaneous nerves completely blocked the C-fiber compound action potential at concentrations that had little effect on Abeta-fiber conduction. ProTx-II application had little effect on action potential propagation of the intact nerve, which may explain why ProTx-II was not efficacious in rodent models of acute and inflammatory pain. Mono-iodo-ProTx-II ((125)I-ProTx-II) binds with high affinity (K(d) = 0.3 nM) to recombinant hNa(V)1.7 channels. Binding of (125)I-ProTx-II is insensitive to the presence of other well characterized Na(V)1 channel modulators, suggesting that ProTx-II binds to a novel site, which may be more conducive to conferring subtype selectivity than the site occupied by traditional local anesthetics and anticonvulsants. Thus, the (125)I-ProTx-II binding assay, described here, offers a new tool in the search for novel Na(V)1.7-selective blockers.

  19. Proton Testing of nVidia Jetson TX1

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wyrwas, Edward J.

    2017-01-01

    Single-Event Effects (SEE) testing was conducted on the nVidia Jetson TX1 System on Chip (SOC); herein referred to as device under test (DUT). Testing was conducted at Massachusetts General Hospitals (MGH) Francis H. Burr Proton Therapy Center on October 16th, 2016 using 200MeV protons. This testing trip was purposed to provide a baseline assessment of the radiation susceptibility of the DUT as no previous testing had been conducted on this component.

  20. Fate and distribution of brevetoxin (PbTx) following lysis of Karenia brevis by algicidal bacteria, including analysis of open A-ring derivatives.

    PubMed

    Roth, Patricia B; Twiner, Michael J; Wang, Zhihong; Bottein Dechraoui, Marie-Yasmine; Doucette, Gregory J

    2007-12-15

    Flavobacteriaceae (strain S03) and Cytophaga sp. (strain 41-DBG2) are algicidal bacteria active against the brevetoxin (PbTx)-producing, red tide dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis. Little is known about the fate of PbTx associated with K. brevis cells following attack by such bacteria. The fate and distribution of PbTx in K. brevis cultures exposed to these algicidal strains were thus examined by receptor binding assay and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) in three size fractions (>5, 0.22-5, <0.22microm) over a 2-week time course. In control cultures, brevetoxin concentrations in the >5microm particulate size fraction correlated with changes in cell density, whereas significant increases in dissolved (i.e., <0.22microm) toxin were observed in the later stages of culture growth. Exposure of K. brevis to either of the two algicidal bacteria tested caused cell lysis, coinciding with a rapid decline in the >5microm PbTX size fraction and a simultaneous release of dissolved toxin into the growth medium. Upon cell lysis, dissolved brevetoxin accounted for ca. 60% of total toxin and consisted of 51-82% open A-ring derivatives. Open A-ring PbTx-2 and PbTx-3 derivatives bound with lower affinity (approximately 22- and 57-fold, respectively) to voltage-gated sodium channels and were considerably less cytotoxic (86- and 142-fold, respectively) to N2A cells than their individual parent toxins (i.e., PbTx-2 and PbTx-3). These novel findings of changes in PbTx size-fractioned distribution and overall reduction in K. brevis toxicity following attack by algicidal bacteria improve our understanding of potential trophic transfer routes and the fate of PbTx during red tide events. Moreover, this information will be important to consider when evaluating the potential role of algicidal bacteria in harmful algal bloom (HAB) management strategies involving control of bloom populations.

  1. Antihyperalgesic effects of ProTx-II, a Nav1.7 antagonist, and A803467, a Nav1.8 antagonist, in diabetic mice.

    PubMed

    Tanaka, Ken-Ichiro; Sekino, Shota; Ikegami, Megumi; Ikeda, Hiroko; Kamei, Junzo

    2015-01-01

    The present study investigated the effects of intrathecal administration of ProTx-II (tarantula venom peptide) and A803467 (5-[4-chloro-phenyl]-furan-2-carboxylic acid [3,5-dimethoxy-phenyl]-amide), selective Nav1.7 and Nav1.8 antagonists, respectively, on thermal hyperalgesia in a painful diabetic neuropathy model of mice. Intrathecal administration of ProTx-II at doses from 0.04 to 4 ng to diabetic mice dose-dependently and significantly increased the tail-flick latency. Intrathecal administration of A803467 at doses from 10 to 100 ng to diabetic mice also dose-dependently and significantly increased the tail-flick latency. However, intrathecal administration of either ProTx-II (4 ng) or A803467 (100 ng) had no effect on the tail-flick latency in nondiabetic mice. The expression of either the Nav1.7 or Nav1.8 sodium channel protein in the dorsal root ganglion in diabetic mice was not different from that in nondiabetic mice. The present results suggest that ProTx-II and A803467, highly selective blockers of Nav1.7 and Nav1.8 sodium channels, respectively, in the spinal cord, can have antihyperalgesic effects in diabetic mice.

  2. Optical photometry of TX0506+056

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Keel, William; Santander, Marcos

    2017-10-01

    The blazar TX0506+056 has attracted recent attention through its location in the error box of a high-energy Ice Cube neutrino detection (https://gcn.gsfc.nasa.gov/gcn3/21916.gcn3) and gamma-ray flaring (Atel #10791) We report recent photometry of TX0506+056 obtained in Johnson V and Cousins R passbands using the 1-meter Kapteyn telescope at La Palma, operated remotely by the SARA consortium.

  3. Human metabolites of brevetoxin PbTx-2: Identification and confirmation of structure

    PubMed Central

    Guo, Fujiang; An, Tianying; Rein, Kathleen S.

    2010-01-01

    Four metabolites were identified upon incubation of brevetoxin (PbTx-2) with human liver microsomes. Chemical transformation of PbTx-2 confirmed the structures of three known metabolites BTX-B5, PbTx-9 and 41, 43-dihydro-BTX-B5 and a previously unknown metabolite, 41, 43-dihydro-PbTx-2. These metabolites were also observed upon incubation of PbTx-2 with nine human recombinant cytochrome P450s (1A1, 1A2, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1, 3A4 and 3A5). Cytochrome P450 3A4 produced oxidized metabolites while other CYPs generated the reduced products. PMID:20600229

  4. The novel hypoxic cytotoxin, TX-2098 has antitumor effect in pancreatic cancer; possible mechanism through inhibiting VEGF and hypoxia inducible factor-1{alpha} targeted gene expression

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Miyake, Kotaro, E-mail: hif.panc@gmail.com; Nishioka, Masanori; Imura, Satoru

    Tumor hypoxia has been considered to be a potential therapeutic target, because hypoxia is a common feature of solid tumors and is associated with their malignant phenotype. In the present study, we investigated the antitumor effect of a novel hypoxic cytotoxin, 3-[2-hydroxyethyl(methyl)amino]-2-quinoxalinecarbonitrile 1,4-dioxide (TX-2098) in inhibiting the expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1{alpha} (HIF-1{alpha}), and consequently vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) expression in pancreatic cancer. The antitumor effects of TX-2098 under hypoxia were tested against various human pancreatic cancer cell lines using WST-8 assay. VEGF protein induced pancreatic cancer was determined on cell-free supernatant by ELISA. Moreover, nude mice bearingmore » subcutaneously (s.c.) or orthotopically implanted human SUIT-2 were treated with TX-2098. Tumor volume, survival and expression of HIF-1 and associated molecules were evaluated in treatment versus control groups. In vitro, TX-2098 inhibited the proliferation of various pancreatic cancer cell lines. In s.c model, tumors from nude mice injected with pancreatic cancer cells and treated with TX-2098 showed significant reductions in volume (P < 0.01 versus control). Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR analysis revealed that TX-2098 significantly inhibited mRNA expression of the HIF-1 associated molecules, VEGF, glucose transporter 1 and Aldolase A (P < 0.01 versus control). These treatments also prolong the survival in orthotopic models. These results suggest that the effect of TX-2098 in pancreatic cancer might be correlated with the expression of VEGF and HIF-1 targeted molecules. -- Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer We designed and synthesized novel hypoxic cytoxin, TX-2098. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer TX-2098 inhibited the proliferation of human pancreatic cancer cells than TPZ. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer TX-2098 reduced VEGF protein level than TPZ. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer TX

  5. 75 FR 31677 - Amendment of Class E Airspace; Corpus Christi, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-06-04

    ...-0089; Airspace Docket No. 10-ASW-1] Amendment of Class E Airspace; Corpus Christi, TX AGENCY: Federal... the Corpus Christi, TX area. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Standard... E airspace for the Corpus Christi, TX area, reconfiguring controlled airspace at Aransas County...

  6. 76 FR 61687 - City of College Station, TX; Notice of Filing

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-10-05

    ... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. TX11-2-000] City of College Station, TX; Notice of Filing Take notice that on September 27, 2011, pursuant to sections 210, 211, and... Commission's (Commission) Regulations, 18CFR 36.1, the City of College Station, TX filed an application...

  7. The detached eclipsing binary TX Her revisited

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Erdem, A.; Aliçavuş, F.; Soydugan, F.; Doğru, S. S.; Soydugan, E.; Çiçek, C.; Demircan, O.

    2011-12-01

    This paper presents new CCD Bessell BVRI light curves and photometric analysis of the Algol-type binary star TX Her. The CCD observations were carried out at Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Observatory in 2010. New BVRI light curves from this study and radial velocity curves from Popper (1970) were solved simultaneously using modern light and radial velocity curves synthesis methods. The general results show that TX Her is a well-detached eclipsing binary, however, both component stars fill at least half of their Roche lobes. A significant third light contribution to the total light of the system could not be determined. Using O- C residuals formed by the updated minima times, an orbital period study of the system was performed. It was confirmed that the tilted sinusoidal O- C variation corresponds to an apparent period variation caused by the light travel time effect due to an unseen third body. The following absolute parameters of the components were derived: M1 = 1.62 ± 0.04 M ⊙, M2 = 1.45 ± 0.03 M ⊙, R1 = 1.69 ± 0.03 R ⊙, R2 = 1.43 ± 0.03 R ⊙, L1 = 8.21 ± 0.90 L ⊙ and L2 = 3.64 ± 0.60 L ⊙. The distance to TX Her was calculated as 155 ± 10 pc, taking into account interstellar extinction. The position of the components of TX Her in the HR diagram are also discussed. The components are young stars with an age of ˜500 Myr.

  8. Pharmacological characterization of potent and selective NaV1.7 inhibitors engineered from Chilobrachys jingzhao tarantula venom peptide JzTx-V.

    PubMed

    Moyer, Bryan D; Murray, Justin K; Ligutti, Joseph; Andrews, Kristin; Favreau, Philippe; Jordan, John B; Lee, Josie H; Liu, Dong; Long, Jason; Sham, Kelvin; Shi, Licheng; Stöcklin, Reto; Wu, Bin; Yin, Ruoyuan; Yu, Violeta; Zou, Anruo; Biswas, Kaustav; Miranda, Les P

    2018-01-01

    Identification of voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.7 inhibitors for chronic pain therapeutic development is an area of vigorous pursuit. In an effort to identify more potent leads compared to our previously reported GpTx-1 peptide series, electrophysiology screening of fractionated tarantula venom discovered the NaV1.7 inhibitory peptide JzTx-V from the Chinese earth tiger tarantula Chilobrachys jingzhao. The parent peptide displayed nominal selectivity over the skeletal muscle NaV1.4 channel. Attribute-based positional scan analoging identified a key Ile28Glu mutation that improved NaV1.4 selectivity over 100-fold, and further optimization yielded the potent and selective peptide leads AM-8145 and AM-0422. NMR analyses revealed that the Ile28Glu substitution changed peptide conformation, pointing to a structural rationale for the selectivity gains. AM-8145 and AM-0422 as well as GpTx-1 and HwTx-IV competed for ProTx-II binding in HEK293 cells expressing human NaV1.7, suggesting that these NaV1.7 inhibitory peptides interact with a similar binding site. AM-8145 potently blocked native tetrodotoxin-sensitive (TTX-S) channels in mouse dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons, exhibited 30- to 120-fold selectivity over other human TTX-S channels and exhibited over 1,000-fold selectivity over other human tetrodotoxin-resistant (TTX-R) channels. Leveraging NaV1.7-NaV1.5 chimeras containing various voltage-sensor and pore regions, AM-8145 mapped to the second voltage-sensor domain of NaV1.7. AM-0422, but not the inactive peptide analog AM-8374, dose-dependently blocked capsaicin-induced DRG neuron action potential firing using a multi-electrode array readout and mechanically-induced C-fiber spiking in a saphenous skin-nerve preparation. Collectively, AM-8145 and AM-0422 represent potent, new engineered NaV1.7 inhibitory peptides derived from the JzTx-V scaffold with improved NaV selectivity and biological activity in blocking action potential firing in both DRG neurons and C-fibers.

  9. Pharmacological characterization of potent and selective NaV1.7 inhibitors engineered from Chilobrachys jingzhao tarantula venom peptide JzTx-V

    PubMed Central

    Murray, Justin K.; Ligutti, Joseph; Andrews, Kristin; Favreau, Philippe; Jordan, John B.; Lee, Josie H.; Liu, Dong; Long, Jason; Sham, Kelvin; Shi, Licheng; Stöcklin, Reto; Wu, Bin; Yin, Ruoyuan; Yu, Violeta; Zou, Anruo; Biswas, Kaustav; Miranda, Les P.

    2018-01-01

    Identification of voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.7 inhibitors for chronic pain therapeutic development is an area of vigorous pursuit. In an effort to identify more potent leads compared to our previously reported GpTx-1 peptide series, electrophysiology screening of fractionated tarantula venom discovered the NaV1.7 inhibitory peptide JzTx-V from the Chinese earth tiger tarantula Chilobrachys jingzhao. The parent peptide displayed nominal selectivity over the skeletal muscle NaV1.4 channel. Attribute-based positional scan analoging identified a key Ile28Glu mutation that improved NaV1.4 selectivity over 100-fold, and further optimization yielded the potent and selective peptide leads AM-8145 and AM-0422. NMR analyses revealed that the Ile28Glu substitution changed peptide conformation, pointing to a structural rationale for the selectivity gains. AM-8145 and AM-0422 as well as GpTx-1 and HwTx-IV competed for ProTx-II binding in HEK293 cells expressing human NaV1.7, suggesting that these NaV1.7 inhibitory peptides interact with a similar binding site. AM-8145 potently blocked native tetrodotoxin-sensitive (TTX-S) channels in mouse dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons, exhibited 30- to 120-fold selectivity over other human TTX-S channels and exhibited over 1,000-fold selectivity over other human tetrodotoxin-resistant (TTX-R) channels. Leveraging NaV1.7-NaV1.5 chimeras containing various voltage-sensor and pore regions, AM-8145 mapped to the second voltage-sensor domain of NaV1.7. AM-0422, but not the inactive peptide analog AM-8374, dose-dependently blocked capsaicin-induced DRG neuron action potential firing using a multi-electrode array readout and mechanically-induced C-fiber spiking in a saphenous skin-nerve preparation. Collectively, AM-8145 and AM-0422 represent potent, new engineered NaV1.7 inhibitory peptides derived from the JzTx-V scaffold with improved NaV selectivity and biological activity in blocking action potential firing in both DRG neurons and C

  10. The tarantula toxins ProTx-II and huwentoxin-IV differentially interact with human Nav1.7 voltage sensors to inhibit channel activation and inactivation.

    PubMed

    Xiao, Yucheng; Blumenthal, Kenneth; Jackson, James O; Liang, Songping; Cummins, Theodore R

    2010-12-01

    The voltage-gated sodium channel Na(v)1.7 plays a crucial role in pain, and drugs that inhibit hNa(v)1.7 may have tremendous therapeutic potential. ProTx-II and huwentoxin-IV (HWTX-IV), cystine knot peptides from tarantula venoms, preferentially block hNa(v)1.7. Understanding the interactions of these toxins with sodium channels could aid the development of novel pain therapeutics. Whereas both ProTx-II and HWTX-IV have been proposed to preferentially block hNa(v)1.7 activation by trapping the domain II voltage-sensor in the resting configuration, we show that specific residues in the voltage-sensor paddle of domain II play substantially different roles in determining the affinities of these toxins to hNa(v)1.7. The mutation E818C increases ProTx-II's and HWTX-IV's IC(50) for block of hNa(v)1.7 currents by 4- and 400-fold, respectively. In contrast, the mutation F813G decreases ProTx-II affinity by 9-fold but has no effect on HWTX-IV affinity. It is noteworthy that we also show that ProTx-II, but not HWTX-IV, preferentially interacts with hNa(v)1.7 to impede fast inactivation by trapping the domain IV voltage-sensor in the resting configuration. Mutations E1589Q and T1590K in domain IV each decreased ProTx-II's IC(50) for impairment of fast inactivation by ~6-fold. In contrast mutations D1586A and F1592A in domain-IV increased ProTx-II's IC(50) for impairment of fast inactivation by ~4-fold. Our results show that whereas ProTx-II and HWTX-IV binding determinants on domain-II may overlap, domain II plays a much more crucial role for HWTX-IV, and contrary to what has been proposed to be a guiding principle of sodium channel pharmacology, molecules do not have to exclusively target the domain IV voltage-sensor to influence sodium channel inactivation.

  11. LC-MS/MS Detection of Karlotoxins Reveals New Variants in Strains of the Marine Dinoflagellate Karlodinium veneficum from the Ebro Delta (NW Mediterranean).

    PubMed

    Krock, Bernd; Busch, Julia A; Tillmann, Urban; García-Camacho, Francisco; Sánchez-Mirón, Asterio; Gallardo-Rodríguez, Juan J; López-Rosales, Lorenzo; Andree, Karl B; Fernández-Tejedor, Margarita; Witt, Matthias; Cembella, Allan D; Place, Allen R

    2017-12-18

    A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed for the detection and quantitation of karlotoxins in the selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode. This novel method was based upon the analysis of purified karlotoxins (KcTx-1, KmTx-2, 44-oxo-KmTx-2, KmTx-5), one amphidinol (AM-18), and unpurified extracts of bulk cultures of the marine dinoflagellate Karlodinium veneficum strain CCMP2936 from Delaware (Eastern USA), which produces KmTx-1 and KmTx-3. The limit of detection of the SRM method for KmTx-2 was determined as 2.5 ng on-column. Collision induced dissociation (CID) spectra of all putative karlotoxins were recorded to present fragmentation patterns of each compound for their unambiguous identification. Bulk cultures of K. veneficum strain K10 isolated from an embayment of the Ebro Delta, NW Mediterranean, yielded five previously unreported putative karlotoxins with molecular masses 1280, 1298, 1332, 1356, and 1400 Da, and similar fragments to KmTx-5. Analysis of several isolates of K. veneficum from the Ebro Delta revealed small-scale diversity in the karlotoxin spectrum in that one isolate from Fangar Bay produced KmTx-5, whereas the five putative novel karlotoxins were found among several isolates from nearby, but hydrographically distinct Alfacs Bay. Application of this LC-MS/MS method represents an incremental advance in the determination of putative karlotoxins, particularly in the absence of a complete spectrum of purified analytical standards of known specific potency.

  12. Functional expression and purification of recombinant Tx1, a sodium channel blocker neurotoxin from the venom of the Brazilian "armed" spider, Phoneutria nigriventer.

    PubMed

    Diniz, Marcelo R V; Theakston, R David G; Crampton, Julian M; Nascimento Cordeiro, Marta do; Pimenta, Adriano M C; De Lima, Maria Elena; Diniz, Carlos R

    2006-11-01

    Tx1 from the venom of the Brazilian spider, Phoneutria nigriventer, is a lethal neurotoxic polypeptide of M(r) 8600 Da with 14 cysteine residues. It is a novel sodium channel blocker which reversibly inhibits sodium currents in CHO cells expressing recombinant sodium (Nav1.2) channels. We cloned and expressed the Tx1 toxin as a thioredoxin fusion product in the cytoplasm of Escherichia coli. After semipurification by immobilized Ni-ion affinity chromatography, the recombinant Tx1 was purified by reverse phase chromatography and characterized. It displayed similar biochemical and pharmacological properties to the native toxin, and it should be useful for further investigation of structure-function relationship of Na channels.

  13. LC-MS/MS Detection of Karlotoxins Reveals New Variants in Strains of the Marine Dinoflagellate Karlodinium veneficum from the Ebro Delta (NW Mediterranean)

    PubMed Central

    Krock, Bernd; Busch, Julia A.; García-Camacho, Francisco; Sánchez-Mirón, Asterio; Gallardo-Rodríguez, Juan J.; López-Rosales, Lorenzo; Andree, Karl B.; Fernández-Tejedor, Margarita; Witt, Matthias; Place, Allen R.

    2017-01-01

    A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed for the detection and quantitation of karlotoxins in the selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode. This novel method was based upon the analysis of purified karlotoxins (KcTx-1, KmTx-2, 44-oxo-KmTx-2, KmTx-5), one amphidinol (AM-18), and unpurified extracts of bulk cultures of the marine dinoflagellate Karlodinium veneficum strain CCMP2936 from Delaware (Eastern USA), which produces KmTx-1 and KmTx-3. The limit of detection of the SRM method for KmTx-2 was determined as 2.5 ng on-column. Collision induced dissociation (CID) spectra of all putative karlotoxins were recorded to present fragmentation patterns of each compound for their unambiguous identification. Bulk cultures of K. veneficum strain K10 isolated from an embayment of the Ebro Delta, NW Mediterranean, yielded five previously unreported putative karlotoxins with molecular masses 1280, 1298, 1332, 1356, and 1400 Da, and similar fragments to KmTx-5. Analysis of several isolates of K. veneficum from the Ebro Delta revealed small-scale diversity in the karlotoxin spectrum in that one isolate from Fangar Bay produced KmTx-5, whereas the five putative novel karlotoxins were found among several isolates from nearby, but hydrographically distinct Alfacs Bay. Application of this LC-MS/MS method represents an incremental advance in the determination of putative karlotoxins, particularly in the absence of a complete spectrum of purified analytical standards of known specific potency. PMID:29258236

  14. Quantification of biofilm structures by the novel computer program COMSTAT.

    PubMed

    Heydorn, A; Nielsen, A T; Hentzer, M; Sternberg, C; Givskov, M; Ersbøll, B K; Molin, S

    2000-10-01

    The structural organization of four microbial communities was analysed by a novel computer program, COMSTAT, which comprises ten features for quantifying three-dimensional biofilm image stacks. Monospecies biofilms of each of the four bacteria, Pseudomonas: putida, P. aureofaciens, P. fluorescens and P. aeruginosa, tagged with the green fluorescent protein (GFP) were grown in flow chambers with a defined minimal medium as substrate. Analysis by the COMSTAT program of four variables describing biofilm structure - mean thickness, roughness, substratum coverage and surface to volume ratio - showed that the four Pseudomonas: strains represent different modes of biofilm growth. P. putida had a unique developmental pattern starting with single cells on the substratum growing into micro-colonies, which were eventually succeeded by long filaments and elongated cell clusters. P. aeruginosa colonized the entire substratum, and formed flat, uniform biofilms. P. aureofaciens resembled P. aeruginosa, but had a stronger tendency to form micro-colonies. Finally, the biofilm structures of P. fluorescens had a phenotype intermediate between those of P. putida and P. aureofaciens. Analysis of biofilms of P. aureofaciens growing on 0.03 mM, 0.1 mM or 0.5 mM citrate minimal media showed that mean biofilm thickness increased with increasing citrate concentration. Moreover, biofilm roughness increased with lower citrate concentrations, whereas surface to volume ratio increased with higher citrate concentrations.

  15. An 8/15-channel Tx/Rx head neck RF coil combination with region-specific B1 + shimming for whole-brain MRI focused on the cerebellum at 7T.

    PubMed

    Pfaffenrot, Viktor; Brunheim, Sascha; Rietsch, Stefan H G; Koopmans, Peter J; Ernst, Thomas M; Kraff, Oliver; Orzada, Stephan; Quick, Harald H

    2018-02-09

    To design and evaluate an 8/15-channel transmit/receive (Tx/Rx) head-neck RF coil combination with region-specific B1+ shimming for whole-brain MRI with focus on improved functional MRI of the cerebellum at 7 T. An 8-channel transceiver RF head coil was combined with a 7-channel receive-only array. The noise parameters and acceleration capabilities of this 8Tx/15Rx coil setup were compared with a commercially available 1Tx/32Rx RF head coil. Region-specific 8-channel B1+ shimming was applied when using the 8Tx/15Rx RF coil. To evaluate the capability for functional MRI of the cerebellum, temporal SNR and statistical nonparametric maps for finger-tapping experiments with 14 healthy subjects were derived by applying a variable slice thickness gradient-echo echo-planar functional MRI sequence. The 8Tx/15Rx setup had a lower maximum noise correlation between channels, but higher average correlations compared with the 1Tx/32Rx coil. Both RF coils exhibited identical g-factors in the cerebellum with R = 3 acceleration. The enlarged FOV of the 8Tx/15Rx coil in combination with region-specific B1+ shimming increased homogeneity of the transmission field and temporal SNR in caudal cerebellar regions. Temporal SNR losses in cranial parts were reduced, resulting in more highly significant voxels in the caudally activated areas and identical patterns in the cranial cerebellar parts during a finger-tapping task. Compared with the 1Tx/32Rx RF coil, the presented 8Tx/15Rx RF coil combination successfully improves functional MRI of the human cerebellum at 7 T while maintaining whole-brain coverage. A clear temporal SNR gain in caudal cerebellar regions is shown. © 2018 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

  16. 76 FR 70365 - Prevailing Rate Systems; Redefinition of the Austin, TX and Waco, TX, Appropriated Fund Federal...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-11-14

    ... 3206-AM50 Prevailing Rate Systems; Redefinition of the Austin, TX and Waco, TX, Appropriated Fund... the Federal Prevailing Rate Advisory Committee to best match the counties proposed for redefinition to... Prevailing Rate Advisory Committee (FPRAC), the national labor-management committee responsible for advising...

  17. Hanford Single Shell Tank Leak Causes and Locations - 241-TX Farm

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Girardot, C. L.; Harlow, D> G.

    This document identifies 241-TX Tank Farm (TX Farm) leak causes and locations for the 100 series leaking tanks (241-TX-107 and 241-TX-114) identified in RPP-RPT-50870, Rev. 0, Hanford 241-TX Farm Leak Inventory Assessment Report. This document satisfies the TX Farm portion of the target (T04) in the Hanford Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order milestone M-045-91F.

  18. Altering the Ratio of Phenazines in Pseudomonas chlororaphis (aureofaciens) Strain 30-84: Effects on Biofilm Formation and Pathogen Inhibition▿

    PubMed Central

    Maddula, V. S. R. K.; Pierson, E. A.; Pierson, L. S.

    2008-01-01

    Pseudomonas chlororaphis strain 30-84 is a plant-beneficial bacterium that is able to control take-all disease of wheat caused by the fungal pathogen Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici. The production of phenazines (PZs) by strain 30-84 is the primary mechanism of pathogen inhibition and contributes to the persistence of strain 30-84 in the rhizosphere. PZ production is regulated in part by the PhzR/PhzI quorum-sensing (QS) system. Previous flow cell analyses demonstrated that QS and PZs are involved in biofilm formation in P. chlororaphis (V. S. R. K. Maddula, Z. Zhang, E. A. Pierson, and L. S. Pierson III, Microb. Ecol. 52:289-301, 2006). P. chlororaphis produces mainly two PZs, phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA) and 2-hydroxy-PCA (2-OH-PCA). In the present study, we examined the effect of altering the ratio of PZs produced by P. chlororaphis on biofilm formation and pathogen inhibition. As part of this study, we generated derivatives of strain 30-84 that produced only PCA or overproduced 2-OH-PCA. Using flow cell assays, we found that these PZ-altered derivatives of strain 30-84 differed from the wild type in initial attachment, mature biofilm architecture, and dispersal from biofilms. For example, increased 2-OH-PCA production promoted initial attachment and altered the three-dimensional structure of the mature biofilm relative to the wild type. Additionally, both alterations promoted thicker biofilm development and lowered dispersal rates compared to the wild type. The PZ-altered derivatives of strain 30-84 also differed in their ability to inhibit the fungal pathogen G. graminis var. tritici. Loss of 2-OH-PCA resulted in a significant reduction in the inhibition of G. graminis var. tritici. Our findings suggest that alterations in the ratios of antibiotic secondary metabolites synthesized by an organism may have complex and wide-ranging effects on its biology. PMID:18263718

  19. Registration of sorghum germplasm Tx3408 and Tx3409 with tolerance to sugarcane aphid [Melanaphis saccari (Zehntner)

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) germplasm lines Tx3408 and Tx3409 were developed and released from Texas A&M AgriLife Research and the USDA-ARS in 2015. Both of these lines were developed from intentional crosses using the pedigree method of plant breeding. The breeding crosses for these l...

  20. TxACOL workshop : Texas asphalt concrete overlay design and analysis system.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2010-01-01

    General Information: : -Two workshops were held respectively on Aug. 25 at Paris, Tx and on Oct. 6 at Austin, Tx, : -More than 30 representatives from TxDOT attended, : -Introduction of TxACOL software, key input parameters, and related lab and field...

  1. Two new karlotoxins found in Karlodinium veneficum (strain GM2) from the East China Sea.

    PubMed

    Cai, Pengjie; He, Shan; Zhou, Chengxu; Place, Allen R; Haq, Saddef; Ding, Lijian; Chen, Haimin; Jiang, Ying; Guo, Cheng; Xu, Yaru; Zhang, Jinrong; Yan, Xiaojun

    2016-09-01

    The dinoflagellate Karlodinium veneficum is a harmful algal bloom species with a worldwide distribution. This small athecate dinoflagellate makes a family of polyketide toxins that are hemolytic, cytotoxic and ichthyotoxic. The first chemical structure for karlotoxins from East China Sea (ECS) is reported here. The two new karlotoxins, namely 4,5-dihydro-KmTx 2 (compound 1) and 4,5-dihydro-dechloro-KmTx 2 (compound 2), were isolated and purified from monoalgal cultures of K. veneficum strain GM2. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis, including tandem mass spectrometry as well as 1D and 2D NMR experiments. These new karlotoxin congeners feature a saturated polyol arm different from previously reported for KmTx 2 that appears to increase hemolytic activity. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  2. TxDOT can help pave the way for distribution centers.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2010-05-01

    TxDOT supports economic development in Texas. : Working through its district offices, TxDOT can help : developers avoid common transportation-related : problems associated with selected center sites. TxDOT : may also be able to help distribution cent...

  3. 76 FR 318 - Designation for the Columbus, OH; Dallas, TX; and Decatur, IN Areas

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-01-04

    ... DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration Designation for the Columbus, OH; Dallas, TX; and Decatur, IN Areas AGENCY: Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards... Location: Bucyrus, OH. Gulf Country Dallas, TX (214-500-5212)..... 1/1/2011 12/31/2011 Northeast Indiana...

  4. 75 FR 13453 - Proposed Amendment of Class E Airspace; Corpus Christi, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-03-22

    ...-0089; Airspace Docket No. 10-ASW-1] Proposed Amendment of Class E Airspace; Corpus Christi, TX AGENCY... action proposes to amend Class E airspace in the Corpus Christi, TX area. Additional controlled airspace... adding additional Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface in the Corpus Christi...

  5. 77 FR 47816 - Foreign-Trade Zone 12-McAllen, TX Application for Subzone TST NA TRIM, LLC Hidalgo, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-08-10

    ... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Foreign-Trade Zones Board [S-90-2012] Foreign-Trade Zone 12--McAllen, TX Application for Subzone TST NA TRIM, LLC Hidalgo, TX An application has been submitted to the Foreign-Trade...-purpose subzone status for the facility of TST NA TRIM, LLC, located in Hidalgo, Texas. The application...

  6. 76 FR 44254 - Amendment of Class D Airspace; Denton, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-07-25

    ...-1327; Airspace Docket No. 10-ASW-19] Amendment of Class D Airspace; Denton, TX AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This action amends Class D airspace for Denton, TX, to... rulemaking to amend Class D airspace for Denton, TX, creating additional controlled airspace at Denton...

  7. 75 FR 31677 - Amendment of Class E Airspace; Austin, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-06-04

    ...-1152; Airspace Docket No. 09-ASW-31] Amendment of Class E Airspace; Austin, TX AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This action amends Class E airspace for the Austin, TX... Procedures (SIAPs) at Austin Executive Airport, Austin, TX. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the...

  8. 75 FR 13669 - Amendment of Class E Airspace; Dumas, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-03-23

    ...-1151; Airspace Docket No. 09-ASW-30] Amendment of Class E Airspace; Dumas, TX AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This action amends Class E airspace for Dumas, TX, adding... published in the Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking to amend Class E airspace for Dumas, TX...

  9. 76 FR 35260 - Texas Disaster # TX-00375

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-06-16

    ... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 12538 and 12539] Texas Disaster TX-00375 AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration. ACTION: Amendment 1. SUMMARY: This is an amendment of the Administrative declaration of a disaster for the State of TEXAS dated 04/26/2011. Incident: Rock House Wildfire...

  10. "60x30TX" 2017 Progress Report

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, 2017

    2017-01-01

    Central to the goals of "60x30TX" is maintaining Texas as a global economic player by having an educated population, making them aware of their marketable skills, and helping them manage their student loan debt. If the 2016 progress report for "60x30TX" was about getting out the word, this report is about expanding that reach…

  11. TxDOT administration research : tasks completed in FY2009.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2010-01-01

    Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Project 0-6581-TI, TxDOT Administration : Research, encompasses multiple tasks that explore and support administrative aspects of : transportation research. : The project term began in October 2008 and has b...

  12. 75 FR 15360 - Proposed Amendment of Class E Airspace; Austin, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-03-29

    ...-1152; Airspace Docket No. 09-ASW-31] Proposed Amendment of Class E Airspace; Austin, TX AGENCY: Federal... proposes to amend Class E airspace in the Austin, TX area. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) at Austin Executive Airport, Austin, TX. The...

  13. 76 FR 62131 - Texas Disaster Number TX-00382

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-10-06

    ... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 12848 and 12849] Texas Disaster Number TX-00382 AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration. ACTION: Amendment 1. SUMMARY: This is an amendment of.... (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers 59002 and 59008) James E. Rivera, Associate Administrator...

  14. Development of criteria and guidelines for installing, operating, and removing TxDOT ramp control signals.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2009-05-01

    The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) uses ramp control signals (also called ramp meters or : flow signals) to control the rate at which vehicles enter the freeway. This helps TxDOT (1) promote a more : consistent and uniform flow of traffic...

  15. 76 FR 53352 - Proposed Amendment of Class E Airspace; Alice, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-08-26

    ... procedures at Old Hoppe Place Airport, Agua Dulce, TX, has made this action necessary for the safety and..., area. Controlled airspace extending upward from 700 feet above the surface is being removed at Old... extending upward from 700 feet or more above the surface of the earth. * * * * * ASW TX E5 Alice, TX...

  16. Greening America's Capitals - Austin, TX

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    Report on the technical assistance project to help Austin, TX, develop a vision for the South Central Waterfront that incorporates green infrastructure to manage stormwater runoff, makes streets safer, and spurs investment.

  17. 76 FR 36613 - Environmental Impact Statement; Nueces County, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-06-22

    ... County, TX AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of Intent (NOI). SUMMARY... (TxDOT) are issuing this notice to advise the public that an environmental impact statement (EIS) will...--Texas Division, 300 East 8th Street, Austin, Texas 78701. Telephone: 512-536-5960. SUPPLEMENTARY...

  18. 75 FR 63533 - Environmental Impact Statement: Cameron County, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-10-15

    ...: Cameron County, TX AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT. ACTION: Rescind Notice of Intent..., 300 East 8th Street, Room 826, Austin, Texas 78701, Telephone (512) 536-5960. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 6, 2007, TxDOT and FHWA announced their revised Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS...

  19. 75 FR 67806 - Environmental Impact Statement; Nueces County, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-11-03

    ... County, TX AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT. ACTION: Rescind Notice of Intent (NOI) to... Street, Room 826, Austin, Texas 78701, Telephone (512) 536-5960. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 6, 2007, TxDOT and FHWA announced their revised Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS pursuant to 40 CFR 1508...

  20. Registration of high-oleic peanut germplasm line ARSOK-S1 (TX996784) with enhanced resistance to Sclerotinia blight and pod rot

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The high oleic Spanish peanut (Arachis hypogaea L. subsp. fastigiata var. vulgaris) germplasm line ARSOK-S1 was developed cooperatively between the USDA Agricultural Research Service, Texas AgriLife Research, and Oklahoma State University, and was released in 2013. ARSOK-S1 (tested early as TX99678...

  1. Houston, TX, USA

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1989-01-01

    Most of the greater metropolitan Houston, TX (30.0N, 95.0W) region is captured in this single photograph. The continuing progress of construction of the outer beltway system enveloping the majority of the city is very evident. The downtown business district including the new George R. Brown Convention Center, the Astrodome Stadium, Intercontinental Airport and Hobby International Airport as well as Johnson Space Center are all easily seen.

  2. 77 FR 58799 - Radio Broadcasting Services; Roaring Springs, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-09-24

    ...] Radio Broadcasting Services; Roaring Springs, TX AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission. ACTION... Subjects in 47 CFR Part 73 Radio, Radio broadcasting. Federal Communications Commission. Nazifa Sawez... Communications Commission proposes to amend 47 CFR part 73 as follows: PART 73--RADIO BROADCAST SERVICES 1. The...

  3. 75 FR 17851 - Amendment of Class E Airspace; Dallas-Fort Worth, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-04-08

    ...-0926; Airspace Docket No. 09-ASW-26] Amendment of Class E Airspace; Dallas-Fort Worth, TX AGENCY... airspace in the Dallas-Fort Worth, TX area. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new... proposed rulemaking to amend Class E airspace for the Dallas- Fort Worth, TX area (74 FR 57617) Docket No...

  4. 75 FR 64972 - Proposed Revocation of Class E Airspace; Lone Star, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-10-21

    ...-0772; Airspace Docket No. 10-ASW-10] Proposed Revocation of Class E Airspace; Lone Star, TX AGENCY... action proposes to remove Class E airspace at Lone Star, TX. Abandonment of the former Lone Star Steel... need for controlled airspace in the Lone Star, TX, area. The FAA is taking this action to ensure the...

  5. Software development to implement the TxDOT culvert rating guide.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2013-05-01

    This implementation project created CULVLR: Culvert Load Rating, Version 1.0.0, a Windows-based : desktop application software package that automates the process by which Texas Department of Transportation : (TxDOT) engineers and their consultants ...

  6. Characterization of in-use emissions from TxDOT's non-road equipment fleet : phase 1 report.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2009-06-01

    The objective of this document is to present the preliminary findings of the study characterizing in-use : TxDOT non-road diesel equipment emissions. This document presents literature reviews of emissions : reduction technologies and emissions contro...

  7. LyeTxI-b, a Synthetic Peptide Derived From Lycosa erythrognatha Spider Venom, Shows Potent Antibiotic Activity in Vitro and in Vivo.

    PubMed

    Reis, Pablo V M; Boff, Daiane; Verly, Rodrigo M; Melo-Braga, Marcella N; Cortés, María E; Santos, Daniel M; Pimenta, Adriano M de C; Amaral, Flávio A; Resende, Jarbas M; de Lima, Maria E

    2018-01-01

    The antimicrobial peptide LyeTxI isolated from the venom of the spider Lycosa erythrognatha is a potential model to develop new antibiotics against bacteria and fungi. In this work, we studied a peptide derived from LyeTxI, named LyeTxI-b, and characterized its structural profile and its in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial activities. Compared to LyeTxI, LyeTxI-b has an acetylated N-terminal and a deletion of a His residue, as structural modifications. The secondary structure of LyeTxI-b is a well-defined helical segment, from the second amino acid to the amidated C-terminal, with no clear partition between hydrophobic and hydrophilic faces. Moreover, LyeTxI-b shows a potent antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative planktonic bacteria, being 10-fold more active than the native peptide against Escherichia coli. LyeTxI-b was also active in an in vivo model of septic arthritis, reducing the number of bacteria load, the migration of immune cells, the level of IL-1β cytokine and CXCL1 chemokine, as well as preventing cartilage damage. Our results show that LyeTxI-b is a potential therapeutic model for the development of new antibiotics against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

  8. 78 FR 48293 - Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace; San Marcos, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-08-08

    ..., TX [Amended] San Marcos Municipal Airport, TX (Lat. 29[deg]53'34'' N., long. 97[deg]51'47'' W.) That...] San Marcos Municipal Airport, TX (Lat. 29[deg]53'34'' N., long. 97[deg]51'47'' W.) Lockhart Municipal Airport, TX (Lat. 29[deg]51'01'' N., long. 97[deg]40'21'' W.) That airspace extending upward from 700 feet...

  9. 78 FR 48298 - Amendment of Class E Airspace; Commerce, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-08-08

    ...-0269; Airspace Docket No. 13-ASW-3] Amendment of Class E Airspace; Commerce, TX AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This action amends Class E airspace at Commerce, TX. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Area Navigation (RNAV...

  10. 76 FR 40598 - Establishment of Class E Airspace; Campbellton, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-07-11

    ...-1053; Airspace Docket No. 10-ASW-15] Establishment of Class E Airspace; Campbellton, TX AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This action establishes Class E airspace... proposed rulemaking to establish Class E airspace for Campbellton, TX, creating controlled airspace at 74...

  11. 76 FR 43822 - Establishment of Class E Airspace; Hearne, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-07-22

    ...-0214; Airspace Docket No. 11-ASW-2] Establishment of Class E Airspace; Hearne, TX AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This action establishes Class E airspace... notice of proposed rulemaking to establish Class E airspace for Hearne, TX, creating controlled airspace...

  12. 77 FR 56761 - Amendment of Class E Airspace; Kerrville, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-09-14

    ...-1399; Airspace Docket No. 11-ASW-14] Amendment of Class E Airspace; Kerrville, TX AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This action amends Class E airspace at... Class E airspace for the Kerrville, TX, area, creating additional controlled airspace at Kerrville...

  13. 76 FR 43821 - Establishment of Class E Airspace; Ranger, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-07-22

    ...-1240; Airspace Docket No. 10-ASW-18] Establishment of Class E Airspace; Ranger, TX AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This action establishes Class E airspace... Register a notice of proposed rulemaking to establish Class E airspace for Ranger, TX, creating controlled...

  14. Space Awareness Program - Spacemobile - TX

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2009-10-01

    Photo documentation of NASA Public Affairs Office Personnel from Education Office and Public Information Office at Space Awareness lectures/demonstrations in San Antonio and El Paso, TX. Tom Hill, a Spacemobile lecturer, is seen in the view showing a model to children.

  15. The selective A-type K+ current blocker Tx3-1 isolated from the Phoneutria nigriventer venom enhances memory of naïve and Aβ(25-35)-treated mice.

    PubMed

    Gomes, Guilherme M; Dalmolin, Gerusa D; Cordeiro, Marta do Nascimento; Gomez, Marcus V; Ferreira, Juliano; Rubin, Maribel A

    2013-12-15

    Potassium channels regulate many neuronal functions, including neuronal excitability and synaptic plasticity, contributing, by these means, to mnemonic processes. In particular, A-type K(+) currents (IA) play a key role in hippocampal synaptic plasticity. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of the peptidic toxin Tx3-1, a selective blocker of IA currents, extracted from the venom of the spider Phoneutria nigriventer, on memory of mice. Administration of Tx3-1 (i.c.v., 300 pmol/site) enhanced both short- and long-term memory consolidation of mice tested in the novel object recognition task. In comparison, 4-aminopyridine (4-AP; i.c.v., 30-300 pmol/site), a non-selective K(+) channel blocker did not alter long-term memory and caused toxic side effects such as circling, freezing and tonic-clonic seizures. Moreover, Tx3-1 (i.c.v., 10-100 pmol/site) restored memory of Aβ25-35-injected mice, and exhibited a higher potency to improve memory of Aβ25-35-injected mice when compared to control group. These results show the effect of the selective blocker of IA currents Tx3-1 in both short- and long-term memory retention and in memory impairment caused by Aβ25-35, reinforcing the role of IA in physiological and pathological memory processes. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  16. LyeTxI-b, a Synthetic Peptide Derived From Lycosa erythrognatha Spider Venom, Shows Potent Antibiotic Activity in Vitro and in Vivo

    PubMed Central

    Reis, Pablo V. M.; Boff, Daiane; Verly, Rodrigo M.; Melo-Braga, Marcella N.; Cortés, María E.; Santos, Daniel M.; Pimenta, Adriano M. de C.; Amaral, Flávio A.; Resende, Jarbas M.; de Lima, Maria E.

    2018-01-01

    The antimicrobial peptide LyeTxI isolated from the venom of the spider Lycosa erythrognatha is a potential model to develop new antibiotics against bacteria and fungi. In this work, we studied a peptide derived from LyeTxI, named LyeTxI-b, and characterized its structural profile and its in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial activities. Compared to LyeTxI, LyeTxI-b has an acetylated N-terminal and a deletion of a His residue, as structural modifications. The secondary structure of LyeTxI-b is a well-defined helical segment, from the second amino acid to the amidated C-terminal, with no clear partition between hydrophobic and hydrophilic faces. Moreover, LyeTxI-b shows a potent antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative planktonic bacteria, being 10-fold more active than the native peptide against Escherichia coli. LyeTxI-b was also active in an in vivo model of septic arthritis, reducing the number of bacteria load, the migration of immune cells, the level of IL-1β cytokine and CXCL1 chemokine, as well as preventing cartilage damage. Our results show that LyeTxI-b is a potential therapeutic model for the development of new antibiotics against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. PMID:29681894

  17. 78 FR 48294 - Amendment of Class E Airspace; Mason, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-08-08

    ...-1141; Airspace Docket No. 12-ASW-12] Amendment of Class E Airspace; Mason, TX AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This action amends Class E airspace at Mason, TX... Approach Procedures at Mason County Airport. This action enhances the safety and management of Instrument...

  18. 76 FR 52563 - Special Local Regulations; Sabine River, Orange, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-08-23

    ...-AA08 Special Local Regulations; Sabine River, Orange, TX AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. ACTION: Temporary Final rule. SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary Special Local Regulation on the Sabine River within the Port Arthur, TX Captain of the Port Zone. This Special Local Regulation is intended to...

  19. 77 FR 46282 - Amendment of Class E Airspace; Sweetwater, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-08-03

    ...-0829; Airspace Docket No. 11-ASW-9] Amendment of Class E Airspace; Sweetwater, TX AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This action amends Class E airspace at... Register a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend Class E airspace for the Sweetwater, TX, area...

  20. 78 FR 67296 - Establishment of Class D Airspace; Mesquite, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-11-12

    ...-0580; Airspace Docket No. 12-ASW-2] Establishment of Class D Airspace; Mesquite, TX AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This action establishes Class D airspace... establish Class D airspace for Mesquite Metro Airport, Mesquite, TX (78 FR 48842) Docket No. FAA-2012- 0580...

  1. 76 FR 28888 - Revocation of Class E Airspace; Gruver Cluck Ranch Airport, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-05-19

    ...-0272; Airspace Docket No. 11-ASW-3] Revocation of Class E Airspace; Gruver Cluck Ranch Airport, TX... Class E airspace at Gruver, Cluck Ranch Airport, TX. The airport has been abandoned, thereby eliminating the need for controlled airspace in the Gruver, Cluck Ranch Airport, TX, area. The FAA is taking this...

  2. TxDOT uses of real-time commercial traffic data : opportunity matrix.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2012-01-01

    Based on a TxDOT survey, a review of other state DOTs, and researcher understanding of Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) needs, the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) team developed a comprehensive list of opportunities for TxDOT to consider ...

  3. Dosimetric characteristics of Novalis Tx system with high definition multileaf collimator

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Chang Zheng; Wang Zhiheng; Wu, Q. Jackie

    A new Novalis Tx system equipped with a high definition multileaf collimator (HDMLC) recently became available to perform both image-guided radiosurgery and conventional radiotherapy. It is capable of delivering a highly conformal radiation dose with three energy modes: 6 MV photon energy, 15 MV photon energy, and 6 MV photon energy in a stereotactic radiosurgery mode with 1000 MU/min dose rate. Dosimetric characteristics of the new Novalis Tx treatment unit with the HDMLC are systematically measured for commissioning. A high resolution diode detector and miniion-chamber detector are used to measure dosimetric data for a range of field sizes from 4x4more » mm to 400x400 mm. The commissioned Novalis Tx system has passed the RPC stereotactic radiosurgery head phantom irradiation test. The Novalis Tx system not only expands its capabilities with three energy modes, but also achieves better beam conformity and sharer beam penumbra with HDMLC. Since there is little beam data information available for the new Novalis Tx system, we present in this work the dosimetric data of the new modality for reference and comparison.« less

  4. Synthesis and electrochemical performance of Ti3C2Tx with hydrothermal process

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Libo; Zhang, Heng; Wang, Bo; Shen, Changjie; Zhang, Chuanxiang; Hu, Qianku; Zhou, Aiguo; Liu, Baozhong

    2016-09-01

    In this study, a simple hydrothermal method has been developed to prepare Ti3C2Tx from Ti3AlC2 as a high-performance electrode material for supercapacitors. This method is environmentally friendly and has a low level of danger. The morphology and structure of the Ti3C2Tx can be controlled by hydrothermal reaction time, temperature and NH4F amounts. The prepared Ti3C2Tx was characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Brunauer-Emmet-Teller. The results show that the prepared Ti3C2Tx is terminated by O, OH, and F groups. The electrochemical properties of the Ti3C2Tx sample exhibit specific capacitance up to 141 Fcm-3 in 3 M KOH aqueous electrolyte, and even after 1000 cycles, no significant degradation of the volumetric capacitance was observed. These results indicate that the Ti3C2Tx material prepared by this hydrothermal method can be used in high performance supercapacitors.

  5. Evaluation of TxDOT'S traffic data collection and load forecasting process

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2001-01-01

    This study had two primary objectives: (1) compare current Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) procedures and protocols with the state-of-the-practice and the needs of its data customers; and (2) develop enhanced traffic collection, archival, ...

  6. 75 FR 66301 - Amendment of Class E Airspace; Corpus Christi, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-10-28

    ... the Corpus Christi, TX, area. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAP) at Corpus Christi International Airport, Corpus Christi, TX. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at the...

  7. TxDOT wildland fire management training.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2014-06-01

    In 2011, the Texas Tech Center for Multidisciplinary Research in Transportation (TechMRT) was contracted by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to analyze best practices for the department in responding to wildfires. This project (0-6735) ...

  8. Effectiveness Comparison of TxDOT Quality Control/Quality Assurance and Method Specifications

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1998-12-01

    Original Report date: October 1997. This is the first and final report for research project 0-1721, "Effectiveness Comparison of TxDOT Quality Control/Quality Assurance and Method Specifications." This study was established and sponsored by TxDOT to ...

  9. Borehole Data Package for 1998 Wells Installed at Single-Shell Tank Waste Management Area TX-TY

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    DG Horton; FN Hodges

    1999-03-23

    Four new Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) groundwater monitoring wells were installed at the single-shell tank farm Waste Management Area (WMA) TX-TY during August through November of 1998 in fi,dfillment of Tri-Party Agreement (Eoology 1996) milestone M-24-38. The wells are 299-W1O-26, 299-W14-13, 299-W14-14, and 299-W15-40. Well 299-W1O-26 is located outside the east fence of the TY tank farm and replaces downgradient well299-W1O-18; well 299-W14-13 is located along the east fence near the northeast corner of the TX tank f- and replaces downgradient well 299-W14-12; well 299-W14-14 is located outside the east fence in the south ha.lfof the TX tankmore » fiirm and is anew downgradient well; and well 299-W15-40 is located on the west side of the TX tank farm and is anew upgradient well. The locations of all wells in the monitoring network are shown on Figure 1. The groundwater monitoring plan for WMA TX-TY (Caggiano and Goodwin 1991) describes the hydrogeology of the 200 West Area and WMA TX-TY. An Interim Change Notice to the groundwater monitoring plan provides justification for the new wells. The new wells were constructed to the speciii- cations and requirements described in Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 173-160 and WAC 173-303. This document compiles &fiormation on the drilling and construction, well development pump instal- latio~ groundwater sampling, and sediment testing applicable to wells 299-W1O-26, 299-W14-13, 299-W14-14, and 299-W15-40. Appendix A contains the geologist's log, the Well Construction Sum- mary Repo~ and Well Summary Sheet (as-built diagram); Appendix B contains results of laboratory analyses of particle size distribution, p~ conductivity, calcium carbonate conten~ major cation and anion concentrations from 1:1 water: sediment extracts, and moisture conten~ Appendix C contains geophysical logs; and Appendix D contains the analytical results from groundwater samples obtained during well construction. Aqutier tests

  10. 76 FR 5303 - Proposed Amendment of Class E Airspace; Carrizo Springs, Glass Ranch Airport, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-01-31

    ...-0877; Airspace Docket No. 10-ASW-13] Proposed Amendment of Class E Airspace; Carrizo Springs, Glass... rulemaking (NPRM). SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Class E airspace for the Carrizo Springs, Glass.... * * * * * ASW TX E5 Carrizo Springs, Glass Ranch Airport, TX [Amended] Carrizo Springs, Glass Ranch Airport, TX...

  11. 75 FR 6319 - Proposed Amendment of Low Altitude Area Navigation Route T-254; Houston, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-02-09

    ... Amendment of Low Altitude Area Navigation Route T-254; Houston, TX AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration... altitude Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-254 in the Houston, TX, terminal area by eliminating the segment..., TX, VORTAC. This action would eliminate a portion of T-254 that is no longer needed; thus, enhance...

  12. Presynaptic Proteins as Markers of the Neurotoxic Activity of BmjeTX-I and BmjeTX-II Toxins from Bothrops marajoensis (Marajó Lancehead) Snake Venom.

    PubMed

    Lisboa, Antonio; Melaré, Rodolfo; Franco, Junia R B; Bis, Carolina V; Gracia, Marta; Ponce-Soto, Luis A; Marangoni, Sérgio; Rodrigues-Simioni, Léa; da Cruz-Höfling, Maria Alice; Rocha, Thalita

    2016-01-01

    Neuromuscular preparations exposed to B. marajoensis venom show increases in the frequency of miniature end-plate potentials and twitch tension facilitation followed by presynaptic neuromuscular paralysis, without evidences of muscle damage. Considering that presynaptic toxins interfere into the machinery involved in neurotransmitter release (synaptophysin, synaptobrevin, and SNAP25 proteins), the main objective of this communication is to analyze, by immunofluorescence and western blotting, the expression of the synaptic proteins, synaptophysin, synaptobrevin, and SNAP25 and by myography, light, and transmission electron microscopy the pathology of motor nerve terminals and skeletal muscle fibres of chick biventer cervicis preparations (CBC) exposed in vitro to BmjeTX-I and BmjeTX-II toxins from B. marajoensis venom. CBC incubated with toxins showed irreversible twitch tension blockade and unaffected KCl- and ACh-evoked contractures, and the positive colabelling of acetylcholine receptors confirmed that their action was primarily at the motor nerve terminal. Hypercontraction and loose myofilaments and synaptic vesicle depletion and motor nerve damage indicated that the toxins displayed both myotoxic and neurotoxic effect. The blockade resulted from interference on synaptophysin, synaptobrevin, and SNAP25 proteins leading to the conclusion that BmjeTX-I and BmjeTX-II affected neurotransmitter release machinery by preventing the docking of synaptic vesicles to the axolemma of the nerve terminal.

  13. 75 FR 43886 - Proposed Amendment of Class E Airspace; Corpus Christi, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-07-27

    ...-0404; Airspace Docket No. 10-ASW-7] Proposed Amendment of Class E Airspace; Corpus Christi, TX AGENCY... action proposes to amend Class E airspace in the Corpus Christi, TX area. Additional controlled airspace is necessary to accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) at Corpus Christi...

  14. TX Cnc AS A MEMBER OF THE PRAESEPE OPEN CLUSTER

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Zhang, X. B.; Deng, L.; Lu, P.

    2009-08-15

    We present B-, V-, and I-band CCD photometry of the W UMa-type binary system TX Cnc, which is a member star of the Praesepe open cluster. Based on the observations, new ephemeris and a revised photometric solution of the binary system were derived. Combined with the results of the radial velocity solution contributed by Pribulla et al., the absolute parameters of the system were determined. The mass, radius, and luminosity of the primary component are derived to be 1.35 {+-} 0.02 M {sub sun}, 1.27 {+-} 0.04 R {sub sun}, and 2.13 {+-} 0.11 L {sub sun}. Those for themore » secondary star are computed as 0.61 {+-} 0.01 M {sub sun}, 0.89 {+-} 0.03 R {sub sun}, and 1.26 {+-} 0.07 L {sub sun}, respectively. Based on these results, a distance modulus of (m - M) {sub V} = 6.34 {+-} 0.05 is determined for the star. It confirms the membership of TX Cnc to the Praesepe open cluster. The evolutionary status and the physical nature of the binary system are discussed compared with the theoretical model.« less

  15. TxDOT Video Analytics System User Manual

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2012-08-01

    The TxDOT video analytics demonstration system is designed to monitor traffic conditions by collecting data such as speed and counts, detecting incidents such as stopped vehicles and reporting such incidents to system administrators. : As illustrated...

  16. 78 FR 33263 - Proposed Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace; San Marcos, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-06-04

    ...] San Marcos Municipal Airport, TX (Lat. 29[deg]53'34'' N., long. 97[deg]51'47'' W.) That airspace... [Amended] San Marcos Municipal Airport, TX (Lat. 29[deg]53[min]34[sec] N., long. 97[deg]51'47'' W.) Lockhart Municipal Airport, TX (Lat. 29[deg]51'01'' N., long. 97[deg]40'21'' W.) That airspace extending...

  17. 75 FR 58339 - Prevailing Rate Systems; Redefinition of the Shreveport, LA; Texarkana, TX; Milwaukee, WI; and...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-09-24

    ... 3206-AM28 Prevailing Rate Systems; Redefinition of the Shreveport, LA; Texarkana, TX; Milwaukee, WI...; Texarkana, TX; Milwaukee, WI; and Southwestern Wisconsin appropriated fund Federal Wage System (FWS) wage areas. The proposed rule would redefine Upshur County, TX, from the Texarkana wage area to the...

  18. 76 FR 9639 - Prevailing Rate Systems; Redefinition of the Shreveport, LA; Texarkana, TX; Milwaukee, WI; and...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-02-22

    ... Shreveport, LA; Texarkana, TX; Milwaukee, WI; and Southwestern Wisconsin Appropriated Fund Federal Wage... Shreveport, LA; Texarkana, TX; Milwaukee, WI; and Southwestern Wisconsin appropriated fund Federal Wage System (FWS) wage areas. The final rule redefines Upshur County, TX, from the Texarkana wage area to the...

  19. RadNet Air Data From Dallas, TX

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    This page presents radiation air monitoring and air filter analysis data for Dallas, TX from EPA's RadNet system. RadNet is a nationwide network of monitoring stations that measure radiation in air, drinking water and precipitation.

  20. RadNet Air Data From Houston, TX

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    This page presents radiation air monitoring and air filter analysis data for Houston, TX from EPA's RadNet system. RadNet is a nationwide network of monitoring stations that measure radiation in air, drinking water and precipitation.

  1. RadNet Air Data From Amarillo, TX

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    This page presents radiation air monitoring and air filter analysis data for Amarillo, TX from EPA's RadNet system. RadNet is a nationwide network of monitoring stations that measure radiation in air, drinking water and precipitation.

  2. RadNet Air Data From Laredo, TX

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    This page presents radiation air monitoring and air filter analysis data for Laredo, TX from EPA's RadNet system. RadNet is a nationwide network of monitoring stations that measure radiation in air, drinking water and precipitation.

  3. RadNet Air Data From Harlingen, TX

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    This page presents radiation air monitoring and air filter analysis data for Harlingen, TX from EPA's RadNet system. RadNet is a nationwide network of monitoring stations that measure radiation in air, drinking water and precipitation

  4. RadNet Air Data From Lubbock, TX

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    This page presents radiation air monitoring and air filter analysis data for Lubbock, TX from EPA's RadNet system. RadNet is a nationwide network of monitoring stations that measure radiation in air, drinking water and precipitation.

  5. RadNet Air Data From Austin, TX

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    This page presents radiation air monitoring and air filter analysis data for Austin, TX from EPA's RadNet system. RadNet is a nationwide network of monitoring stations that measure radiation in air, drinking water and precipitation.

  6. Cellular and Transcriptional Responses of Crassostrea gigas Hemocytes Exposed in Vitro to Brevetoxin (PbTx-2)

    PubMed Central

    Mello, Danielle F.; de Oliveira, Eliza S.; Vieira, Renato C.; Simoes, Erik; Trevisan, Rafael; Dafre, Alcir Luiz; Barracco, Margherita Anna

    2012-01-01

    Hemocytes mediate a series of immune reactions essential for bivalve survival in the environment, however, the impact of harmful algal species and their associated phycotoxins upon bivalve immune system is under debate. To better understand the possible toxic effects of these toxins, Crassostrea gigas hemocytes were exposed to brevetoxin (PbTx-2). Hemocyte viability, monitored through the neutral red retention and MTT reduction assays, and apoptosis (Hoechst staining) remained unchanged during 12 h of exposure to PbTx-2 in concentrations up to 1000 µg/L. Despite cell viability and apoptosis remained stable, hemocytes incubated for 4 h with 1000 µg/L of PbTx-2 revealed higher expression levels of Hsp70 (p < 0.01) and CYP356A1 (p < 0.05) transcripts and a tendency to increase FABP expression, as evaluated by Real-Time quantitative PCR. The expression of other studied genes (BPI, IL-17, GSTO, EcSOD, Prx6, SOD and GPx) remained unchanged. The results suggest that the absence of cytotoxic effects of PbTx-2 in Crassostrea gigas hemocytes, even at high concentrations, allow early defense responses to be produced by activating protective mechanisms associated to detoxification (CYP356A1 and possibly FABP) and stress (Hsp70), but not to immune or to antioxidant (BPI, IL-17, EcSOD, Prx6, GPx and SOD) related genes. PMID:22611355

  7. Synthesis and antimicrobial evaluation of two peptide LyeTx I derivatives modified with the chelating agent HYNIC for radiolabeling with technetium-99m.

    PubMed

    Fuscaldi, Leonardo Lima; Dos Santos, Daniel Moreira; Pinheiro, Natália Gabriela Silva; Araújo, Raquel Silva; de Barros, André Luís Branco; Resende, Jarbas Magalhães; Fernandes, Simone Odília Antunes; de Lima, Maria Elena; Cardoso, Valbert Nascimento

    2016-01-01

    Current diagnostic methods and imaging techniques are not able to differentiate septic and aseptic inflammation. Thus, reliable methods are sought to provide this distinction and scintigraphic imaging is an interesting option, since it is based on physiological changes. In this context, radiolabeled antimicrobial peptides have been investigated as they accumulate in infectious sites instead of aseptic inflammation. The peptide LyeTx I, from the venom of Lycosa erythrognatha, has potent antimicrobial activity. Therefore, this study aimed to synthesize LyeTx I derivatives with the chelating compound HYNIC, to evaluate their antimicrobial activity and to radiolabel them with (99m)Tc. Two LyeTx I derivatives, HYNIC-LyeTx I (N-terminal modification) and LyeTx I-K-HYNIC (C-terminal modification), were synthesized by Fmoc strategy and purified by RP-HPLC. The purified products were assessed by RP-HPLC and MALDI-ToF-MS analysis. Microbiological assays were performed against S. aureus (ATCC® 6538) and E. coli (ATCC® 10536) in liquid medium to calculate the MIC. The radiolabeling procedure of LyeTx I-K-HYNIC with (99m)Tc was performed in the presence of co-ligands (tricine and EDDA) and reducing agent (SnCl2 (.) 2H2O), and standardized taking into account the amount of peptide, reducing agent, pH and heating. Radiochemical purity analysis was performed by thin-layer chromatography on silica gel strips and the radiolabeled compound was assessed by RP-HPLC and radioactivity measurement of the collected fractions. Data were analyzed by ANOVA, followed by Tukey test (p-values < 0.05). Both LyeTx I derivatives were suitably synthesized and purified, as shown by RP-HPLC and MALDI-ToF-MS analysis. The microbiological test showed that HYNIC-LyeTx I (N-terminal modification) did not inhibit bacterial growth, whereas LyeTx I-K-HYNIC (C-terminal modification) showed a MIC of 5.05 μmol(.)L(-1) (S. aureus) and 10.10 μmol(.)L(-1) (E. coli). Thus, only the latter was radiolabeled

  8. 78 FR 39822 - Texas Disaster #TX-00409

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-07-02

    ... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 13631 and 13632] Texas Disaster TX-00409 AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: This is a notice of an...: Submit completed loan applications to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement...

  9. Streptomyces venezuelae TX-TL - a next generation cell-free synthetic biology tool.

    PubMed

    Moore, Simon J; Lai, Hung-En; Needham, Hannah; Polizzi, Karen M; Freemont, Paul S

    2017-04-01

    Streptomyces venezuelae is a promising chassis in synthetic biology for fine chemical and secondary metabolite pathway engineering. The potential of S. venezuelae could be further realized by expanding its capability with the introduction of its own in vitro transcription-translation (TX-TL) system. TX-TL is a fast and expanding technology for bottom-up design of complex gene expression tools, biosensors and protein manufacturing. Herein, we introduce a S. venezuelae TX-TL platform by reporting a streamlined protocol for cell-extract preparation, demonstrating high-yield synthesis of a codon-optimized sfGFP reporter and the prototyping of a synthetic tetracycline-inducible promoter in S. venezuelae TX-TL based on the tetO-TetR repressor system. The aim of this system is to provide a host for the homologous production of exotic enzymes from Actinobacteria secondary metabolism in vitro. As an example, the authors demonstrate the soluble synthesis of a selection of enzymes (12-70 kDa) from the Streptomyces rimosus oxytetracycline pathway. © 2017 The Authors. Biotechnology Journal published by WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  10. Production of the Antibiotic Phenazine-1-Carboxylic Acid by Fluorescent Pseudomonas Species in the Rhizosphere of Wheat

    PubMed Central

    Thomashow, Linda S.; Weller, David M.; Bonsall, Robert F.; Pierson, Leland S.

    1990-01-01

    Pseudomonas fluorescens 2-79 and P. aureofaciens 30-84 produce the antibiotic phenazine-1-carboxylic acid and suppress take-all, an important root disease of wheat caused by Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici. To determine whether the antibiotic is produced in situ, wheat seeds were treated with strain 2-79 or 30-84 or with phenazine-nonproducing mutants or were left untreated and then were sown in natural or steamed soil in the field or growth chamber. The antibiotic was isolated only from roots of wheat colonized by strain 2-79 or 30-84 in both growth chamber and field studies. No antibiotic was recovered from the roots of seedlings grown from seeds treated with phenazine-nonproducing mutants or left untreated. In natural soils, comparable amounts of antibiotic (27 to 43 ng/g of root with adhering soil) were recovered from roots colonized by strain 2-79 whether or not the pathogen was present. Roots of plants grown in steamed soil yielded larger bacterial populations and more antibiotic than roots from natural soils. In steamed and natural soils, roots from which the antibiotic was recovered had significantly less disease than roots with no antibiotic, indicating that suppression of take-all is related directly to the presence of the antibiotic in the rhizosphere. PMID:16348176

  11. 76 FR 43339 - Hunt Fee at Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-07-20

    ... Fee at Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge, TX AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION...), announce our intent to implement a hunt fee at Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge), located in.... Caddo Lake NWR is within RMU 16 where deer densities increased from 8.7 to 15.1 deer per 1,000 acres and...

  12. Increased cavernosal relaxation by Phoneutria nigriventer toxin, PnTx2-6, via activation at NO/cGMP signaling.

    PubMed

    Nunes, K P; Wynne, B M; Cordeiro, M N; Borges, M H; Richardson, M; Leite, R; DeLima, M E; Webb, R C

    2012-01-01

    Erectile dysfunction (ED) mechanisms in diabetic patients are multifactorial and often lead to resistance to current therapy. Animal toxins have been used as pharmacological tools to study penile erection. Human accidents involving the venom of Phoneutria nigriventer spider are characterized by priapism. We hypothesize that PnTx2-6 potentiates cavernosal relaxation in diabetic mice by increasing cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). This effect is neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) dependent. Cavernosal strips were contracted with phenylephrine (10(-5) M) and relaxed by electrical field stimulation (20 V, 1-32 Hz) in the presence or absence of PnTx2-6 (10(-8) M). Cavernosal strips from nNOS- and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)-knockout (KO) mice, besides nNOS inhibitor (10(-5) M), were used to evaluate the role of this enzyme in the potentiation effect evoked by PnTx2-6. Tissue cGMP levels were determined after stimulation with PnTx2-6 in presence or absence of N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (10(-4) M) and ω-conotoxin GVIA (10(-6) M), an N-type calcium channel inhibitor. Results showed that PnTx2-6 enhanced cavernosal relaxation in diabetic mice (65%) and eNOS KO mice, but not in nNOS KO mice. The toxin effect in the cavernosal relaxation was abolished by nNOS inhibitor. cGMP levels are increased by PnTx2-6, however, L-NAME abolished this enhancement as well as ω-conotoxin GVIA. We conclude that PnTx2-6 facilitates penile relaxation in diabetic mice through a mechanism dependent on nNOS, probably via increasing nitric oxide/cGMP production.

  13. Effects of Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom and its toxin TsTX-V on neurotransmitter uptake in vitro

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Cecchini, Alessandra L.; Vollum Institute, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, Oregon 9701; Vasconcelos, Flavio

    2006-12-01

    Scorpion neurotoxins targeting the Na{sub v} channel can be classified into two classes: {alpha}- and {beta}-neurotoxins and are reported as highly active in mammalian brain. In this work, we evaluate the effects of Tityus serrulatus venom (Ts venom) and its {alpha}-neurotoxin TsTX-V on {gamma}-aminobutyric acid (GABA), dopamine (DA) and glutamate (Glu) uptake in isolated rat brain synaptosomes. TsTX-V was isolated from Ts venom by ion exchange chromatography followed by reverse-phase (C18) high-performance liquid chromatography. Neither Ts venom nor TsTX-V was able to affect {sup 3}H-Glu uptake. On the other hand, Ts venom (0.13 {mu}g/mg) significantly inhibited both {sup 3}H-GABA andmore » {sup 3}H-DA uptake ({approx} 50%). TsTX-V showed IC{sub 5} values of 9.37 {mu}M and 22.2 {mu}M for the inhibition of {sup 3}H-GABA and {sup 3}H-DA uptake, respectively. These effects were abolished by pre-treatment with tetrodotoxin (TTX, 1 {mu}M), indicating the involvement of voltage-gated Na{sup +} channels in this process. In the absence of Ca{sup 2+}, and at low Ts venom concentrations, the reduction of {sup 3}H-GABA uptake was not as marked as in the presence of Ca{sup 2+}. TsTX-V did not reduce {sup 3}H-GABA uptake in COS-7 cells expressing the GABA transporters GAT-1 and GAT-3, suggesting that this toxin indirectly reduces the transport. The reduced {sup 3}H-GABA uptake by synaptosomes might be due to rapid cell depolarization as revealed by confocal microscopy of C6 glioma cells. Thus, TsTX-V causes a reduction of {sup 3}H-GABA and {sup 3}H-DA uptake in a Ca{sup 2+}-dependent manner, not directly affecting GABA transporters, but, in consequence of depolarization, involving voltage-gated Na{sup +} channels.« less

  14. 76 FR 9640 - Prevailing Rate Systems: Santa Clara, CA, Tulsa County, OK, and Angelina County, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-02-22

    ... System (FWS) wage area and Angelina County, Texas, as an area of application to the Dallas, TX, NAF FWS... County, Texas, as an area of application to the Dallas, TX, NAF FWS wage area. The Federal Prevailing... area listing for the Oklahoma, OK, and Dallas, TX, NAF wage areas to read as follows: Appendix D to...

  15. 77 FR 24756 - Texas Disaster #TX-00387

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-04-25

    ... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 13063 and 13064] Texas Disaster TX-00387 AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: This is a notice of an Administrative declaration of a disaster for the State of Texas dated 04/17/2012. Incident: Multiple Tornadoes...

  16. 76 FR 24555 - Texas Disaster #TX-00375

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-05-02

    ... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 12538 and 12539] Texas Disaster TX-00375 AGENCY: Small Business Administration. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: This is a notice of an Administrative declaration of a disaster for the State of Texas. Dated 04/26/2011. Incident: Rock House Wildfire. Incident...

  17. 75 FR 62437 - Texas Disaster #TX-00364

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-10-08

    ... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 12337 and 12338] Texas Disaster TX-00364 AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: This is a notice of an Administrative declaration of a disaster for the State of Texas dated 09/29/2010. Incident: Remnants of Hurricane...

  18. 78 FR 27468 - Texas Disaster # TX-00401

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-05-10

    ... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 13559 and 13560] Texas Disaster TX-00401 AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: This is a notice of an Administrative declaration of a disaster for the State of Texas dated May 2, 2013. Incident: West Fertilizer...

  19. 78 FR 36631 - Texas Disaster #TX-00408

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-06-18

    ... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 13616 and 13617] Texas Disaster TX-00408 AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: This is a notice of an Administrative declaration of a disaster for the State of Texas dated 06/12/2013. Incident: Severe Weather and...

  20. 75 FR 70763 - Texas Disaster #TX-00363

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-11-18

    ... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 12377 and 12378] Texas Disaster TX-00363 AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: This is a notice of an Administrative declaration of a disaster for the State of Texas dated 11/09/2010. Incident: Tropical Storm...

  1. 77 FR 6620 - Texas Disaster #TX-00385

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-02-08

    ... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 12998 and 12999] Texas Disaster TX-00385 AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: This is a notice of an Administrative declaration of a disaster for the State of Texas dated 01/30/2012. Incident: Severe Storms and...

  2. Solution structure for Pandinus toxin K-alpha (PiTX-K alpha), a selective blocker of A-type potassium channels.

    PubMed

    Tenenholz, T C; Rogowski, R S; Collins, J H; Blaustein, M P; Weber, D J

    1997-03-11

    PiTX-K alpha, a 35-residue peptide recently isolated from the venom of Pandinus imperator, blocks the rapidly inactivating (A-type) K+ channel(s) in rat brain synaptosomes and the cloned Kv 1.2 potassium channel at very low toxin concentrations (6 nM and 32 pM, respectively) [Rogowski, R. S., Collins, J. H., O'Neil, T. J., Gustafson, T. A., Werkman, T. A., Rogawski, M. A., Tenenholz, T. C., Weber, D. J., & Blaustein, M. P. (1996) Mol. Pharmacol. 50, 1167-1177]. The three-dimensional structure of PiTX-K alpha was determined using NMR spectroscopy in order to understand its selectivity and affinity toward K+ channels. PiTX-K alpha was found to have an alpha-helix from residues 10 to 21 and two beta-strands (betaI, 26-28; betaII, 33-35) connected by a type II beta-turn to form a small antiparallel beta-sheet. Three disulfide bonds, which are conserved in all members of the charybdotoxin family (alpha-K toxins), anchor one face of the alpha-helix to the beta-sheet. The N-terminal portion of PiTX-K alpha has three fewer residues than other alpha-K toxins such as charybdotoxin. Rather than forming a third beta-strand as found for other alpha-K toxins, the N-terminal region of PiTX-K alpha adopts an extended conformation. This structural difference in PiTX-K alpha together with differences in sequence at Pro-10, Tyr-14, and Asn-25 (versus Ser-10, Trp-14, and Arg-25 in CTX) may explain why PiTX-K alpha does not block maxi-K+ channels. Differences in three-dimensional structure between PiTX-K alpha and charybdotoxin are also observed in both the tight turn and the loop that connects the first beta-strand to the alpha-helix. As a result, side chains of two residues (Tyr-23 and Arg-31) are in regions of PiTX-K alpha that probably interact with rapidly inactivating A-type K+ channels. The analogous residues in charybdotoxin are positioned differently on the toxin surface. Thus, the locations of Tyr-23 and Arg-31 side chains in PiTX-K alpha could explain why this toxin blocks A

  3. Isolation and chemical characterization of agelaiatoxin8 (AvTx8) from Agelaia vicina wasp venom and its biological effects on GABA neurotransmission.

    PubMed

    Pizzo, Andrea B; Beleboni, Renê O; Gomes Carolino, Ruither O; de Oliveira, Luciana; Miranda, Antonio; Coutinho-Netto, Joaquim; Fontana, Andréia C K; Dos Santos, Wagner Ferreira

    2017-10-01

    Arthropod venoms are sources of molecules that may be useful tools to investigate molecular mechanisms of putative new medicines and laboratory drugs. Here we show the effects of the compound agelaiatoxin-8 (AVTx8), isolated from Agelaia vicina venom, on γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmission in rat brain synaptosomes. Analysis reveals that AvTx8 is composed by 14 amino acid residues with a molecular weight (MW) of 1567 Da. AvTx8 increased GABA release and inhibited GABA uptake in synaptosomes from rat cerebral cortex. AvTx8 inhibited GABA uptake and increased GABA release in the presence of Ca + , Na + , and K + channel blockers, suggesting that it acts directly on GABA transporters. In addition, AvTx8 significantly decreases GABA binding in synaptic membranes from rat brain cortex, suggesting that it also modulates the activity of GABA receptors. Moreover, AvTx8 decreased GAT-1- and GAT-3-mediated GABA uptake in transfected COS-7 cells. Accordingly, we suggest that AvTx8 modulates GABA neurotransmission and might provide a novel entry point for identifying a new class of GABA-modulating neuroprotective drugs. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  4. PhcrTx2, a New Crab-Paralyzing Peptide Toxin from the Sea Anemone Phymanthus crucifer

    PubMed Central

    Garateix, Anoland; Salceda, Emilio; Zaharenko, André Junqueira; Pons, Tirso; Santos, Yúlica; Arreguín, Roberto; Ständker, Ludger; Forssmann, Wolf-Georg; Tytgat, Jan; Vega, Rosario

    2018-01-01

    Sea anemones produce proteinaceous toxins for predation and defense, including peptide toxins that act on a large variety of ion channels of pharmacological and biomedical interest. Phymanthus crucifer is commonly found in the Caribbean Sea; however, the chemical structure and biological activity of its toxins remain unknown, with the exception of PhcrTx1, an acid-sensing ion channel (ASIC) inhibitor. Therefore, in the present work, we focused on the isolation and characterization of new P. crucifer toxins by chromatographic fractionation, followed by a toxicity screening on crabs, an evaluation of ion channels, and sequence analysis. Five groups of toxic chromatographic fractions were found, and a new paralyzing toxin was purified and named PhcrTx2. The toxin inhibited glutamate-gated currents in snail neurons (maximum inhibition of 35%, IC50 4.7 µM), and displayed little or no influence on voltage-sensitive sodium/potassium channels in snail and rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, nor on a variety of cloned voltage-gated ion channels. The toxin sequence was fully elucidated by Edman degradation. PhcrTx2 is a new β-defensin-fold peptide that shares a sequence similarity to type 3 potassium channels toxins. However, its low activity on the evaluated ion channels suggests that its molecular target remains unknown. PhcrTx2 is the first known paralyzing toxin in the family Phymanthidae. PMID:29414882

  5. 75 FR 1421 - Texas Disaster # TX-00354

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-01-11

    ... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 12000 and 12001] Texas Disaster TX-00354... Administrative declaration of a disaster for the State of Texas dated 01/04/2010. Incident: Severe Storms and Tornado. Incident Period: 12/23/2009. Effective Date: 01/04/2010. Physical Loan Application Deadline Date...

  6. 78 FR 33464 - Texas Disaster #TX-00405

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-06-04

    ... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 13590 and 13591] Texas Disaster TX-00405... Administrative declaration of a disaster for the State of Texas dated 05/29/2013. Incident: Severe Weather and Tornadoes. Incident Period: 05/15/2013. Effective Date: 05/29/2013. Physical Loan Application Deadline Date...

  7. 75 FR 48384 - Texas Disaster #TX-00361

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-08-10

    ... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 12266 and 12267] Texas Disaster TX-00361 AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: This is a Notice of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for the State of Texas (FEMA-1931-DR), dated 08/03/2010. Incident: Hurricane...

  8. 76 FR 28841 - Texas Disaster # TX-00376

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-05-18

    ... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Disaster Declaration 12564 and 12565 Texas Disaster TX-00376 AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: This is a notice of an Administrative declaration of a disaster for the State of Texas dated 05/09/2011. Incident: Wichita County Complex Wildfires...

  9. 76 FR 58329 - Texas Disaster #TX-00381

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-09-20

    ... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 12815 and 12816 Texas Disaster TX-00381 AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration. ACTION: Notice SUMMARY: This is a Notice of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for the State of Texas (FEMA-4029-DR), dated 09/09/2011. Incident: Wildfires...

  10. 78 FR 72140 - Texas Disaster # TX-00417

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-12-02

    ... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 13823 and 13824] Texas Disaster TX-00417 AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration ACTION: Notice SUMMARY: This is a notice of an Administrative declaration of a disaster for the State of Texas dated 11/22/2013. Incident: Severe Storms and Flooding...

  11. Operating guidelines for TxDOT ramp control signals.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2009-01-01

    The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) currently maintains a Traffic Signals Manual. : Originally published in 1999, this manual provides a guide and reference for handling requests : for traffic signals on the designated State Highway System...

  12. Group Shot - Nucleus - 1960 Flight Operations Division - Houston, TX

    NASA Image and Video Library

    1964-07-08

    Group shot of the nucleus of the 1960 Flight Operations Division for the Mercury Program. Image taken at the Houston Petroleum Center (HPC) in Houston, TX, prior to their move to the Manned Spacecraft Center (MSC). This photo was published in the Space News Roundup, 07/08/1964. The women are (L-R): Doris Folkes, Cathy Osgood, Shirley Hunt and Mary Shep Burton. The men are (L-R): Dick Koos, Paul Brumberg, John O'Loughlin, Emil Schiesser, Jim Dalby, Morris Jenkins, Carl Huss, John Mayer, Bill Tindall, Hal Beck, Charlie Allen, Ted Skopinski, Jack Hartung, Glynn Lunney, John Shoosmith, Bill Reini, Lyn Dunseith, Jerry Engel, Harold Miller and Clay Hicks. ( 26644 ); Houston, TX

  13. Ultrastructural aspects of mouse nerve-muscle preparation exposed to Bothrops jararacussu and Bothrops bilineatus venoms and their toxins BthTX-I and Bbil-TX: Unknown myotoxic effects.

    PubMed

    Melaré, Rodolfo; Floriano, Rafael Stuani; Gracia, Marta; Rodrigues-Simioni, Léa; Cruz-Höfling, Maria Alice da; Rocha, Thalita

    2016-11-01

    Bites by Bothrops snakes normally induce local pain, haemorrhage, oedema and myonecrosis. Mammalian isolated nerve-muscle preparations exposed to Bothrops venoms and their phospholipase A 2 toxins (PLA 2 ) can exhibit a neurotoxic pattern as increase in frequency of miniature end-plate potentials (MEPPs) as well as in amplitude of end-plate potentials (EPPs); neuromuscular facilitation followed by complete and irreversible blockade without morphological evidence for muscle damage. In this work, we analysed the ultrastructural damage induced by Bothrops jararacussu and Bothrops bilineatus venoms and their PLA 2 toxins (BthTX-I and Bbil-TX) in mouse isolated nerve-phrenic diaphragm preparations (PND). Under transmission electron microscopy (TEM), PND preparations previously exposed to B. jararacussu and B. bilineatus venoms and BthTX-I and Bbil-TX toxins showed hypercontracted and loosed myofilaments; unorganized sarcomeres; clusters of edematous sarcoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria; abnormal chromatin distribution or apoptotic-like nuclei. The principal affected organelles, mitochondria and sarcoplasmic reticulum, were those related to calcium buffering and, resulting in sarcomeres and myofilaments hypercontraction. Schwann cells were also damaged showing edematous axons and mitochondria as well as myelin sheath alteration. These ultrastructural changes caused by both of Bothrops venoms and toxins indicate that the neuromuscular blockade induced by them in vitro can also be associated with nerve and muscle degeneration. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  14. 76 FR 77245 - Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge, Austin and Colorado Counties, TX...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-12-12

    ...-FF02R06000] Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge, Austin and Colorado Counties, TX..., TX 77434; phone: (979) 234-3021; fax: (979) 234-3278. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Introduction With... elements conduct research on of hog movement corridors; impacts of red depending on results of imported...

  15. RadNet Air Data From Corpus Christi, TX

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    This page presents radiation air monitoring and air filter analysis data for Corpus Christi, TX from EPA's RadNet system. RadNet is a nationwide network of monitoring stations that measure radiation in air, drinking water and precipitation.

  16. RadNet Air Data From Fort Worth, TX

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    This page presents radiation air monitoring and air filter analysis data for Fort Worth, TX from EPA's RadNet system. RadNet is a nationwide network of monitoring stations that measure radiation in air, drinking water and precipitation.

  17. RadNet Air Data From San Angelo, TX

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    This page presents radiation air monitoring and air filter analysis data for San Angelo, TX from EPA's RadNet system. RadNet is a nationwide network of monitoring stations that measure radiation in air, drinking water and precipitation.

  18. RadNet Air Data From El Paso, TX

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    This page presents radiation air monitoring and air filter analysis data for El Paso, TX from EPA's RadNet system. RadNet is a nationwide network of monitoring stations that measure radiation in air, drinking water and precipitation.

  19. RadNet Air Data From San Antonio, TX

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    This page presents radiation air monitoring and air filter analysis data for San Antonio, TX from EPA's RadNet system. RadNet is a nationwide network of monitoring stations that measure radiation in air, drinking water and precipitation.

  20. Variation in energy sorghum hybrid TX08001 biomass composition and lignin chemistry during development under irrigated and non-irrigated field conditions

    PubMed Central

    Olson, Sara N.; Ritter, Kimberley B.; Herb, Dustin W.; Karlen, Steven D.; Lu, Fachuang; Ralph, John; Rooney, William L.; Mullet, John E.

    2018-01-01

    This study was conducted to document the extent and basis of compositional variation of shoot biomass of the energy Sorghum bicolor hybrid TX08001 during development under field conditions. TX08001 is capable of accumulating ~40 Mg/ha of dry biomass under good growing conditions and this genotype allocates ~80% of its shoot biomass to stems. After 150 days of growth TX08001 stems had a fresh/dry weight ratio of ~3:1 and soluble biomass accounted for ~30% of stem biomass. A panel of diverse energy sorghum genotypes varied ~6-fold in the ratio of stem structural to soluble biomass after 150 days of growth. Near-infrared spectroscopic analysis (NIRS) showed that TX08001 leaves accumulated higher levels of protein, water extractives and ash compared to stems, which have higher sugar, cellulose, and lignin contents. TX08001 stem sucrose content varied during development, whereas the composition of TX08001 stem cell walls, which consisted of ~45–49% cellulose, ~27–30% xylan, and ~15–18% lignin, remained constant after 90 days post emergence until the end of the growing season (180 days). TX08001 and Della stem syringyl (S)/guaiacyl (G) (0.53–0.58) and ferulic acid (FA)/para-coumaric acid (pCA) ratios were similar whereas ratios of pCA/(S+G) differed between these genotypes. Additionally, an analysis of irrigated versus non-irrigated TX08001 revealed that non-irrigated hybrids exhibited a 50% reduction in total cell wall biomass, an ~2-fold increase in stem sugars, and an ~25% increase in water extractives relative to irrigated hybrids. This study provides a baseline of information to help guide further optimization of energy sorghum composition for various end-uses. PMID:29684037

  1. TxDOT ITS data archiving research project activities

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2001-09-01

    The objective of this project was to assemble guidance for the Texas Department of Trasportation (TxDOT) in further developing data archiving systems across the state. This guidance, which is contained in the companion Report 2127-3, includes informa...

  2. 76 FR 62130 - Texas Disaster Number TX-00381

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-10-06

    ... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 12815 and 12816] Texas Disaster Number TX-00381 AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration. ACTION: Amendment 5. SUMMARY: This is an amendment of... information in the original declaration remains unchanged. (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers...

  3. 75 FR 55618 - Texas Disaster Number TX-00362

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-09-13

    ... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 12268 and 12269] Texas Disaster Number TX-00362 AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration. ACTION: Amendment 4. SUMMARY: This is an amendment of... of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers 59002 and 59008) Roger B. Garland, Acting Associate...

  4. 76 FR 22011 - Amendment of Class E Airspace; Carizzo Springs, Glass Ranch Airport, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-04-20

    ...-0877; Airspace Docket No. 10-ASW-13] Amendment of Class E Airspace; Carizzo Springs, Glass Ranch... amends Class E airspace for the Carizzo Springs, Glass Ranch Airport, TX, airspace area, to accommodate... rulemaking to amend Class E airspace for the Carizzo Springs, Glass Ranch Airport, TX, airspace area...

  5. Genome sequencing of Deutsch strain of cattle ticks, Rhipicephalus microplus: Raw Pac Bio reads.

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Pac Bio RS II whole genome shotgun sequencing technology was used to sequence the genome of the cattle tick, Rhipicephalus microplus. The DNA was derived from 14 day old eggs from the Deutsch Texas outbreak strain reared at the USDA-ARS Cattle Fever Tick Research Laboratory, Edinburg, TX. Each corre...

  6. 78 FR 33015 - Proposed Amendment of Class D Airspace; Waco, TX, and Establishment of Class D Airspace; Waco...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-06-03

    ...-0136; Airspace Docket No. 13-ASW-4] Proposed Amendment of Class D Airspace; Waco, TX, and Establishment of Class D Airspace; Waco, TSTC-Waco Airport, TX AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT... Waco, TX, by separating the Class D airspace at Waco Regional Airport from the Class D airspace at TSTC...

  7. 75 FR 19907 - Television Broadcasting Services; Beaumont, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-04-16

    ... FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 47 CFR Part 73 [DA 10-606; MB Docket No. 10-49; RM-11593] Television Broadcasting Services; Beaumont, TX AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Final rule.../ecfs/ ). This document may be purchased from the Commission's duplicating contractor, Best Copy and...

  8. 76 FR 59480 - Texas Disaster Number TX-00381

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-09-26

    ... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 12815 and 12816] Texas Disaster Number TX-00381 AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration. ACTION: Amendment 2. SUMMARY: This is an amendment of... declaration remains unchanged. (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers 59002 and 59008) James E...

  9. 76 FR 68804 - Texas Disaster Number TX-00382

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-11-07

    ... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 12848 and 12849] Texas Disaster Number TX-00382 AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration. ACTION: Amendment 4. SUMMARY: This is an amendment of... unchanged. (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers 59002 and 59008) James E. Rivera, Associate...

  10. 77 FR 7228 - Texas Disaster Number TX-00382

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-02-10

    ... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 12848 and 12849] Texas Disaster Number TX-00382 AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration. ACTION: Amendment 7. SUMMARY: This is an amendment of... remains unchanged. (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers 59002 and 59008) Jane M. D. Pease...

  11. 76 FR 59766 - Texas Disaster Number TX-00381

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-09-27

    ... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 12815 and 12816] Texas Disaster Number TX-00381 AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration. ACTION: Amendment 3. SUMMARY: This is an amendment of... Assistance Numbers 59002 and 59008) James E. Rivera, Associate Administrator for Disaster Assistance. [FR Doc...

  12. 76 FR 70528 - Texas Disaster Number TX-00382

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-11-14

    ... SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION [Disaster Declaration 12848 and 12849] Texas Disaster Number TX-00382 AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration. ACTION: Amendment 5. SUMMARY: This is an amendment of... Assistance Numbers 59002 and 59008) James E. Rivera, Associate Administrator for Disaster Assistance. [FR Doc...

  13. The effect of water on the microstructure of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate/TX-100/benzene ionic liquid microemulsions.

    PubMed

    Gao, Yan'an; Li, Na; Zheng, Liqiang; Zhao, Xueyan; Zhang, Jin; Cao, Quan; Zhao, Mingwei; Li, Zhen; Zhang, Gaoyong

    2007-01-01

    The ionic liquid (IL) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([bmim][BF4]) forms nonaqueous microemulsions with benzene with the aid of nonionic surfactant TX-100. The phase diagram of the ternary system was prepared, and the microstructures of the microemulsion were recognized. On the basis of the phase diagram, a series of ionic liquid-in-oil (IL/O) microemulsions were chosen and characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), which shows a similar swelling behavior to typical water-in-oil (W/O) microemulsions. The existence of IL pools in the IL/O microemulsion was confirmed by UV/Vis spectroscopic analysis with CoCl2 and methylene blue (MB) as the absorption probes. A constant polarity of the IL pool is observed, even if small amounts of water are added to the microemulsion, thus suggesting that the water molecules are solubilized in the polar outer shell of the microemulsion, as confirmed by FTIR spectra. 1H NMR spectroscopic analysis shows that these water molecules interact with the electronegative oxygen atoms of the oxyethylene (OE) units of TX-100 through hydrogen-bonding interactions, and the electronegative oxygen atoms of the water molecules attract the electropositive imidazolium rings of [bmim][BF4]. Hence, the water molecules are like a glue that stick the IL and OE units more tightly together and thus make the microemulsion system more stable. Considering the unique solubilization behavior of added water molecules, the IL/O microemulsion system may be used as a medium to prepare porous or hollow nanomaterials by hydrolysis reactions.

  14. Maternal choline modifies fetal liver copper, gene expression, DNA methylation, and neonatal growth in the tx-j mouse model of Wilson disease.

    PubMed

    Medici, Valentina; Shibata, Noreene M; Kharbanda, Kusum K; Islam, Mohammad S; Keen, Carl L; Kim, Kyoungmi; Tillman, Brittany; French, Samuel W; Halsted, Charles H; LaSalle, Janine M

    2014-02-01

    Maternal diet can affect fetal gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms. Wilson disease (WD), which is caused by autosomal recessive mutations in ATP7B encoding a biliary copper transporter, is characterized by excessive hepatic copper accumulation, but variability in disease severity. We tested the hypothesis that gestational supply of dietary methyl groups modifies fetal DNA methylation and expression of genes involved in methionine and lipid metabolism that are impaired prior to hepatic steatosis in the toxic milk (tx-j) mouse model of WD. Female C3H control and tx-j mice were fed control (choline 8 mmol/Kg of diet) or choline-supplemented (choline 36 mmol/Kg of diet) diets for 2 weeks throughout mating and pregnancy to gestation day 17. A second group of C3H females, half of which were used to cross foster tx-j pups, received the same diet treatments that extended during lactation to 21 d postpartum. Compared with C3H, fetal tx-j livers had significantly lower copper concentrations and significantly lower transcript levels of Cyclin D1 and genes related to methionine and lipid metabolism. Maternal choline supplementation prevented the transcriptional deficits in fetal tx-j liver for multiple genes related to cell growth and metabolism. Global DNA methylation was increased by 17% in tx-j fetal livers after maternal choline treatment (P<0.05). Maternal dietary choline rescued the lower body weight of 21 d tx-j mice. Our results suggest that WD pathogenesis is modified by maternal in utero factors, including dietary choline.

  15. Maternal choline modifies fetal liver copper, gene expression, DNA methylation, and neonatal growth in the tx-j mouse model of Wilson disease

    PubMed Central

    Medici, Valentina; Shibata, Noreene M; Kharbanda, Kusum K; Islam, Mohammad S; Keen, Carl L; Kim, Kyoungmi; Tillman, Brittany; French, Samuel W; Halsted, Charles H; LaSalle, Janine M

    2014-01-01

    Maternal diet can affect fetal gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms. Wilson disease (WD), which is caused by autosomal recessive mutations in ATP7B encoding a biliary copper transporter, is characterized by excessive hepatic copper accumulation, but variability in disease severity. We tested the hypothesis that gestational supply of dietary methyl groups modifies fetal DNA methylation and expression of genes involved in methionine and lipid metabolism that are impaired prior to hepatic steatosis in the toxic milk (tx-j) mouse model of WD. Female C3H control and tx-j mice were fed control (choline 8 mmol/Kg of diet) or choline-supplemented (choline 36 mmol/Kg of diet) diets for 2 weeks throughout mating and pregnancy to gestation day 17. A second group of C3H females, half of which were used to cross foster tx-j pups, received the same diet treatments that extended during lactation to 21 d postpartum. Compared with C3H, fetal tx-j livers had significantly lower copper concentrations and significantly lower transcript levels of Cyclin D1 and genes related to methionine and lipid metabolism. Maternal choline supplementation prevented the transcriptional deficits in fetal tx-j liver for multiple genes related to cell growth and metabolism. Global DNA methylation was increased by 17% in tx-j fetal livers after maternal choline treatment (P < 0.05). Maternal dietary choline rescued the lower body weight of 21 d tx-j mice. Our results suggest that WD pathogenesis is modified by maternal in utero factors, including dietary choline. PMID:24220304

  16. 75 FR 9859 - Television Broadcasting Services; Beaumont, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-03-04

    ... FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 47 CFR Part 73 [DA 10-307; MB Docket No. 10-49; RM-11593] Television Broadcasting Services; Beaumont, TX AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Proposed...: Federal Communications Commission, Office of the Secretary, 445 12th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554. In...

  17. Special studies for TxDOT administration in FY 2009.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2009-12-01

    This research project was established by TxDOTs Research and Technology Implementation Office to address : special studies required by the departments Administration during FY 2009. Five short-term, quick turnaround : tasks were completed and a...

  18. 75 FR 18047 - Amendment of Low Altitude Area Navigation Route T-254; Houston, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-04-09

    ...-0015; Airspace Docket No. 09-ASW-18] RIN 2120-AA66 Amendment of Low Altitude Area Navigation Route T... action amends low altitude Area Navigation (RNAV) route T-254 in the Houston, TX, terminal area by... the College Station, TX, VORTAC. The FAA is taking this action to eliminate a portion of T-254 that is...

  19. 78 FR 28801 - Foreign-Trade Zone 117-Orange, TX, Authorization of Production Activity, Signal International...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-05-16

    ... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Foreign-Trade Zones Board [B-2-2013] Foreign-Trade Zone 117--Orange, TX, Authorization of Production Activity, Signal International Texas GP, LLC (Shipbuilding), Orange, TX On January 10, 2013, the Foreign Trade Zone of Southeast Texas, Inc., grantee of FTZ 117, submitted a...

  20. 78 FR 48290 - Amendment of Class D Airspace; Waco, TX, and Establishment of Class D Airspace; Waco, TSTC-Waco...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-08-08

    ...-0136; Airspace Docket No. 13-ASW-4] Amendment of Class D Airspace; Waco, TX, and Establishment of Class D Airspace; Waco, TSTC-Waco Airport, TX AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This action amends Class D airspace at Waco, TX, by separating the Class D airspace...

  1. Functional Analysis of Genes for Biosynthesis of Pyocyanin and Phenazine-1-Carboxamide from Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1

    PubMed Central

    Mavrodi, Dmitri V.; Bonsall, Robert F.; Delaney, Shannon M.; Soule, Marilyn J.; Phillips, Greg; Thomashow, Linda S.

    2001-01-01

    Two seven-gene phenazine biosynthetic loci were cloned from Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. The operons, designated phzA1B1C1D1E1F1G1 and phzA2B2C2D2E2F2G2, are homologous to previously studied phenazine biosynthetic operons from Pseudomonas fluorescens and Pseudomonas aureofaciens. Functional studies of phenazine-nonproducing strains of fluorescent pseudomonads indicated that each of the biosynthetic operons from P. aeruginosa is sufficient for production of a single compound, phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA). Subsequent conversion of PCA to pyocyanin is mediated in P. aeruginosa by two novel phenazine-modifying genes, phzM and phzS, which encode putative phenazine-specific methyltransferase and flavin-containing monooxygenase, respectively. Expression of phzS alone in Escherichia coli or in enzymes, pyocyanin-nonproducing P. fluorescens resulted in conversion of PCA to 1-hydroxyphenazine. P. aeruginosa with insertionally inactivated phzM or phzS developed pyocyanin-deficient phenotypes. A third phenazine-modifying gene, phzH, which has a homologue in Pseudomonas chlororaphis, also was identified and was shown to control synthesis of phenazine-1-carboxamide from PCA in P. aeruginosa PAO1. Our results suggest that there is a complex pyocyanin biosynthetic pathway in P. aeruginosa consisting of two core loci responsible for synthesis of PCA and three additional genes encoding unique enzymes involved in the conversion of PCA to pyocyanin, 1-hydroxyphenazine, and phenazine-1-carboxamide. PMID:11591691

  2. Nitric oxide-induced vasorelaxation in response to PnTx2-6 toxin from Phoneutria nigriventer spider in rat cavernosal tissue.

    PubMed

    Nunes, Kenia P; Cordeiro, Marta N; Richardson, Michael; Borges, Marcia N; Diniz, Simone O F; Cardoso, Valbert N; Tostes, Rita; De Lima, Maria Elena; Webb, Robert Clinton; Leite, Romulo

    2010-12-01

    Priapism is one of several symptoms observed in accidental bites by the spider Phoneutria nigriventer. The venom of this spider is comprised of many toxins, and the majority has been shown to affect excitable ion channels, mainly sodium (Na(+) ) channels. It has been demonstrated that PnTx2-6, a peptide extracted from the venom of P. nigriventer, causes erection in anesthetized rats and mice. We investigated the mechanism by which PnTx2-6 evokes relaxation in rat corpus cavernosum. PnTx2-6 toxin potentiates nitric oxide (NO)-dependent cavernosal relaxation. Rat cavernosal strips were incubated with bretylium (3 × 10(-5) M) and contracted with phenylephrine (PE; 10(-5) M). Relaxation responses were evoked by electrical field stimulation (EFS) or sodium nitroprusside (SNP) before and after 4 minutes of incubation with PnTx2-6 (10(-8) M). The effect of PnTx2-6 on relaxation induced by EFS was also tested in the presence of atropine (10(-6) M), a muscarinic receptor antagonist, N-type Ca(2+) channel blockers (ω-conotoxin GVIA, 10(-6) M) and sildenafil (3 × 10(-8) M). Technetium99m radiolabeled PnTx2-6 subcutaneous injection was administrated in the penis. Whereas relaxation induced by SNP was not affected by PnTx2-6, EFS-induced relaxation was significantly potentiated by this toxin as well as PnTx2-6 plus SNP. This potentiating effect was further increased by sildenafil, not altered by atropine, however was completely blocked by the N-type Ca(2+) channels. High concentrated levels of radiolabeled PnTx2-6 was specifically found in the cavernosum tissue, suggesting PnTx2-6 is an important toxin responsible for P. nigriventer spider accident-induced priapism. We show that PnTx2-6 slows Na(+) channels inactivation in nitrergic neurons, allowing Ca(2+) influx to facilitate NO/cGMP signalling, which promotes increased NO production. In addition, this relaxation effect is independent of phosphodiesterase enzyme type 5 inhibition. Our data displays PnTx2-6 as possible

  3. 76 FR 73504 - Amendment of Class E Airspace; Alice, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-11-29

    ..., area. Cancellation of all standard instrument approach procedures at Old Hoppe Place Airport, Agua... Old Hoppe Place Airport, Agua Dulce, TX, due to the cancellation of all standard instrument approach...

  4. 78 FR 11816 - Foreign-Trade Zone 168-Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX, Authorization of Production Activity, Richemont...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-02-20

    ... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Foreign-Trade Zones Board [B-76-2012] Foreign-Trade Zone 168--Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX, Authorization of Production Activity, Richemont North America, Inc. dba Cartier (Eyewear Assembly/Kitting), Grand Prairie, TX On October 17, 2012, Metroplex International Trade Development...

  5. Biological suppression of potato ring rot by fluorescent pseudomonads.

    PubMed Central

    de la Cruz, A R; Poplawsky, A R; Wiese, M V

    1992-01-01

    Three strains of fluorescent pseudomonads (IS-1, IS-2, and IS-3) isolated from potato underground stems with roots showed in vitro antibiosis against 30 strains of the ring rot bacterium Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus. On the basis of morphological and biochemical tests and fatty acid analysis, IS-1 and IS-2 were identified as Pseudomonas aureofaciens and IS-3 was identified as P. fluorescens biovar III. IS-1 was the most inhibitory to C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus strains in vitro, followed by IS-3 and IS-2. Suppression of ring rot by these antagonists was demonstrated in greenhouse trials with stem-cultured potato (cv. Russet Burbank) seedlings. Although each antagonist significantly reduced C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus populations, only IS-1 reduced infection by C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus. In a second experiment, treatment with IS-1 (10(9) CFU/ml) significantly reduced ring rot infection by 23.4 to 26.7% after 5 to 8 weeks. The average C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus population was also significantly reduced by 50 to 52%. Application of different combinations of antagonist strains was not more effective than single-strain treatment. Images PMID:1622275

  6. Incorporating sustainability into TxDOT's transportation decision making : summary of work performed, methods used, and results achieved.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2011-02-01

    This report summarizes the work performed in Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 and 2010 under TxDOT : Implementation Project 5-5541-01 Regional Workshops on Sustainability Enhancement : Tool. TxDOT Research Project 0-5541, Developing Sustainable Tra...

  7. 78 FR 4125 - Foreign-Trade Zone 265-Conroe, TX; Authorization of Production Activity; Bauer Manufacturing, Inc...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-01-18

    ... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Foreign-Trade Zones Board [B-70-2012] Foreign-Trade Zone 265--Conroe, TX; Authorization of Production Activity; Bauer Manufacturing, Inc. (Pile Drivers and Boring Machinery), Conroe, TX On September 12, 2012, the City of Conroe, Texas, grantee of FTZ 20, submitted a notification of...

  8. Molecular typing of Brucella melitensis endemic strains and differentiation from the vaccine strain Rev-1.

    PubMed

    Noutsios, Georgios T; Papi, Rigini M; Ekateriniadou, Loukia V; Minas, Anastasios; Kyriakidis, Dimitrios A

    2012-03-01

    In the present study forty-four Greek endemic strains of Br. melitensis and three reference strains were genotyped by Multi locus Variable Number Tandem Repeat (ML-VNTR) analysis based on an eight-base pair tandem repeat sequence that was revealed in eight loci of Br. melitensis genome. The forty-four strains were discriminated from the vaccine strain Rev-1 by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) and Denaturant Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE). The ML-VNTR analysis revealed that endemic, reference and vaccine strains are genetically closely related, while most of the loci tested (1, 2, 4, 5 and 7) are highly polymorphic with Hunter-Gaston Genetic Diversity Index (HGDI) values in the range of 0.939 to 0.775. Analysis of ML-VNTRs loci stability through in vitro passages proved that loci 1 and 5 are non stable. Therefore, vaccine strain can be discriminated from endemic strains by allele's clusters of loci 2, 4, 6 and 7. RFLP and DGGE were also employed to analyse omp2 gene and reveled different patterns among Rev-1 and endemic strains. In RFLP, Rev-1 revealed three fragments (282, 238 and 44 bp), while endemic strains two fragments (238 and 44 bp). As for DGGE, the electrophoretic mobility of Rev-1 is different from the endemic strains due to heterologous binding of DNA chains of omp2a and omp2b gene. Overall, our data show clearly that it is feasible to genotype endemic strains of Br. melitensis and differentiate them from vaccine strain Rev-1 with ML-VNTR, RFLP and DGGE techniques. These tools can be used for conventional investigations in brucellosis outbreaks.

  9. Platelet aggregation caused by Carybdea rastonii toxins (CrTX-I, II and III) obtained from a jellyfish, Carybdea rastonii.

    PubMed

    Azuma, H; Sekizaki, S; Satoh, A; Nakajima, T

    1986-05-01

    The pharmacological mechanisms of platelet aggregation induced by highly toxic proteins (CrTX-I, CrTX-II, and CrTX-III) obtained from tentacles of a jellyfish, Carybdea rastonii, were investigated. When the partially purified toxin (pCrTX) and CrTXs were added to the citrated platelet-rich plasma (PRP), aggregation was produced in a concentration-dependent manner. The activity of CrTXs was approximately 100 times more potent than pCrTX. The CrTXs-induced aggregation was little affected by indomethacin and quinacrine at concentrations sufficient to inhibit arachidonic acid- and collagen-induced aggregation. The CrTXs-induced aggregation in washed platelets was significantly augmented in the presence of Ca2+. The pretreatment with verapamil failed to modify this augmentation of aggregation. The concentration of cytoplasmic-free calcium ([Ca2+]i) of platelets was increased by CrTXs at the same concentrations that produced aggregation. This effect of CrTXs was again little affected by verapamil. CrTXs at the same concentrations as those that produced aggregation and increased [Ca2+]i caused depolarization of platelets, which was unchanged after pretreatment with sodium or potassium transport inhibitors. CrTX-I significantly increased the 22Na flux into platelets and this effect of CrTX-I was unaffected by tetrodotoxin. The CrTX-I-induced aggregation, depolarization, and increase in [Ca2+]i were all significantly attenuated in the low Na+ medium. These results suggest that CrTXs cause a massive depolarization by increasing cation permeability and this generalized depolarization permits an inward movement of Ca2+ down its electrochemical gradient which, in turn, triggers platelet aggregation.

  10. GOC-TX: A Reliable Ticket Synchronization Application for the Open Science Grid

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hayashi, Soichi; Gopu, Arvind; Quick, Robert

    2011-12-01

    One of the major operational issues faced by large multi-institutional collaborations is permitting its users and support staff to use their native ticket tracking environment while also exchanging these tickets with collaborators. After several failed attempts at email-parser based ticket exchanges, the OSG Operations Group has designed a comprehensive ticket synchronizing application. The GOC-TX application uses web-service interfaces offered by various commercial, open source and other homegrown ticketing systems, to synchronize tickets between two or more of these systems. GOC-TX operates independently from any ticketing system. It can be triggered by one ticketing system via email, active messaging, or a web-services call to check for current sync-status, pull applicable recent updates since prior synchronizations to the source ticket, and apply the updates to a destination ticket. The currently deployed production version of GOC-TX is able to synchronize tickets between the Numara Footprints ticketing system used by the OSG and the following systems: European Grid Initiative's system Global Grid User Support (GGUS) and the Request Tracker (RT) system used by Brookhaven. Additional interfaces to the BMC Remedy system used by Fermilab, and to other instances of RT used by other OSG partners, are expected to be completed in summer 2010. A fully configurable open source version is expected to be made available by early autumn 2010. This paper will cover the structure of the GOC-TX application, its evolution, and the problems encountered by OSG Operations group with ticket exchange within the OSG Collaboration.

  11. 75 FR 41119 - Special Local Regulations; Sabine River, Orange, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-07-15

    ... Regulation is intended to restrict vessels from portions of the Sabine River during the Thunder on the Sabine... Orange, TX, Thunder on the Sabine boat races. The powerboat race and associated testing will occur...

  12. 76 FR 19276 - Television Broadcasting Services; El Paso, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-04-07

    ... FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 47 CFR Part 73 [MB Docket No. 11-4; RM-11616, DA 11-530] Television Broadcasting Services; El Paso, TX AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Final rule... the station terminated its analog service and transitioned to post-transition channel 9 and believes...

  13. RTI special studies for TxDOT administration in FY 2010.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2011-01-01

    This research project was established by TxDOTs Research and Technology Implementation Office to address : special studies required by the departments Administration during FY 2010. Six short-term, quick-turnaround : tasks were completed and ar...

  14. 77 FR 66743 - Radio Broadcasting Services; Crowell, Knox City, Quanah, and Rule, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-11-07

    ... Broadcasting Services; Crowell, Knox City, Quanah, and Rule, TX AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission... Channel 293A for vacant Channel 291A at Knox City, Texas; Channel 288C2 for vacant Channel 239C2 at Rule... Knox City, Texas at reference coordinates 33-25-55 NL and 99-47-43 WL, at a site 2.7 km (1.6 miles...

  15. Characterization of brevetoxin (PbTx-3) exposure in neurons of the anoxia-tolerant freshwater turtle (Trachemys scripta).

    PubMed

    Cocilova, Courtney C; Milton, Sarah L

    2016-11-01

    Harmful algal blooms are increasing in frequency and extent worldwide and occur nearly annually off the west coast of Florida where they affect both humans and wildlife. The dinoflagellate Karenia brevis is a key organism in Florida red tides that produces a suite of potent neurotoxins collectively referred to as the brevetoxins (PbTx). Brevetoxins bind to and open voltage gated sodium channels (VGSC), increasing cell permeability in excitable cells and depolarizing nerve and muscle tissue. Exposed animals may thus show muscular and neurological symptoms including head bobbing, muscle twitching, paralysis, and coma; large HABs can result in significant morbidity and mortality of marine life, including fish, birds, marine mammals, and sea turtles. Brevetoxicosis however is difficult to treat in endangered sea turtles as the physiological impacts have not been investigated and the magnitude and duration of brevetoxin exposure are generally unknown. In this study we used the freshwater turtle Trachemys scripta as a model organism to investigate the effects of the specific brevetoxin PbTx-3 in the turtle brain. Primary turtle neuronal cell cultures were exposed to a range of PbTx-3 concentrations to determine excitotoxicity. Agonists and antagonists of voltage-gated sodium channels and downstream targets were utilized to confirm the toxin's mode of action. We found that turtle neurons are highly resistant to PbTx-3; while cell viability decreased in a dose dependent manner across PbTx-3 concentrations of 100-2000nM, the EC 50 was significantly higher than has been reported in mammalian neurons. PbTx-3 exposure resulted in significant Ca 2+ influx, which could be fully abrogated by the VGSC antagonist tetrodotoxin, NMDA receptor blocker MK-801, and tetanus toxin, indicating that the mode of action in turtle neurons is the same as in mammalian cells. As both turtle and mammalian VGSCs have a high affinity for PbTx-3, we suggest that the high resistance of the turtle

  16. 75 FR 18776 - Regulated Navigation Area; Galveston Channel, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-04-13

    ... that the proposed regulated navigation area covers a small area and vessels are allowed to travel...-AA11 Regulated Navigation Area; Galveston Channel, TX AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking. SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to establish a regulated navigation area across the...

  17. 76 FR 28946 - Television Broadcasting Services; El Paso, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-05-19

    ...] Television Broadcasting Services; El Paso, TX AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Proposed...''), licensee of station KVIA-TV, El Paso, Texas, requesting the substitution of channel 17 for channel 7 at El..., Word 97, and/or Adobe Acrobat.) This document may be purchased from the Commission's duplicating...

  18. 76 FR 5120 - Television Broadcasting Services; El Paso, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-01-28

    ...] Television Broadcasting Services; El Paso, TX AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Proposed rule. SUMMARY: The Commission has before it a petition for rulemaking filed by Comcorp of El Paso License Corp. the licensee of station KTSM-TV, channel 9, El Paso, Texas, requesting the substitution of...

  19. Teaming for success "TxDOT is here to help" : site selection and access for large distribution centers.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2010-06-18

    These slides are intended to be used as a free-standing brief presentation or within larger presentations to describe and promote the advantages of involving TxDOT early in the distribution center site selection process. The purpose is to involve TxD...

  20. Kidney Transplantation in a Patient Lacking Cytosolic Phospholipase A2 Proves Renal Origins of Urinary PGI-M and TX-M.

    PubMed

    Mitchell, Jane A; Knowles, Rebecca B; Kirkby, Nicholas S; Reed, Daniel M; Edin, Matthew L; White, William E; Chan, Melissa V; Longhurst, Hilary; Yaqoob, Magdi M; Milne, Ginger L; Zeldin, Darryl C; Warner, Timothy D

    2018-02-16

    The balance between vascular prostacyclin, which is antithrombotic, and platelet thromboxane A 2 , which is prothrombotic, is fundamental to cardiovascular health. Prostacyclin and thromboxane A 2 are formed after the concerted actions of cPLA 2 α (cytosolic phospholipase A 2 ) and COX (cyclooxygenase). Urinary 2,3-dinor-6-keto-PGF 1α (PGI-M) and 11-dehydro-TXB 2 (TX-M) have been taken as biomarkers of prostacyclin and thromboxane A 2 formation within the circulation and used to explain COX biology and patient phenotypes, despite concerns that urinary PGI-M and TX-M originate in the kidney. We report data from a remarkable patient carrying an extremely rare genetic mutation in cPLA 2 α, causing almost complete loss of prostacyclin and thromboxane A 2 , who was transplanted with a normal kidney resulting in an experimental scenario of whole-body cPLA 2 α knockout, kidney-specific knockin. By studying this patient, we can determine definitively the contribution of the kidney to the productions of PGI-M and TX-M and test their validity as markers of prostacyclin and thromboxane A 2 in the circulation. Metabolites were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Endothelial cells were grown from blood progenitors. Before kidney transplantation, the patient's endothelial cells and platelets released negligible levels of prostacyclin (measured as 6-keto-prostaglandin F 1α ) and thromboxane A 2 (measured as TXB 2 ), respectively. Likewise, the urinary levels of PGI-M and TX-M were very low. After transplantation and the establishment of normal renal function, the levels of PGI-M and TX-M in the patient's urine rose to within normal ranges, whereas endothelial production of prostacyclin and platelet production of thromboxane A 2 remained negligible. These data show that PGI-M and TX-M can be derived exclusively from the kidney without contribution from prostacyclin made by endothelial cells or thromboxane A 2 by platelets in the general circulation

  1. EnviroAtlas -- Austin, TX -- One Meter Resolution Urban Land Cover Data (2010)

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    The Austin, TX EnviroAtlas One Meter-scale Urban Land Cover (MULC) Data were generated from United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Imagery Program (NAIP) four band (red, green, blue, and near infrared) aerial photography at 1 m spatial resolution from multiple dates in May, 2010. Six land cover classes were mapped: water, impervious surfaces, soil and barren land, trees, grass-herbaceous non-woody vegetation, and agriculture. An accuracy assessment of 600 completely random and 55 stratified random photo interpreted reference points yielded an overall User's fuzzy accuracy of 87 percent. The area mapped is the US Census Bureau's 2010 Urban Statistical Area for Austin, TX plus a 1 km buffer. This dataset was produced by the US EPA to support research and online mapping activities related to EnviroAtlas. EnviroAtlas (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas) allows the user to interact with a web-based, easy-to-use, mapping application to view and analyze multiple ecosystem services for the contiguous United States. The dataset is available as downloadable data (https://edg.epa.gov/data/Public/ORD/EnviroAtlas) or as an EnviroAtlas map service. Additional descriptive information about each attribute in this dataset can be found in its associated EnviroAtlas Fact Sheet (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas/enviroatlas-fact-sheets).

  2. 75 FR 8491 - Security Zones; Brazos River, Freeport, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-02-25

    ... DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Coast Guard 33 CFR Part 165 [Docket No. USCG-2009-0501] RIN 1625-AA87 Security Zones; Brazos River, Freeport, TX AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has established four permanent security zones in the Brazos River in Freeport, Texas...

  3. 77 FR 58800 - Radio Broadcasting Services; Knox City, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-09-24

    ...] Radio Broadcasting Services; Knox City, TX AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Proposed... substituting Channel 277A for vacant Channel 291A, at Knox City, Texas. The proposal is part of a contingently filed ``hybrid'' application and rule making petition. Channel 277A can be allotted at Knox City, Texas...

  4. Incorporating sustainability into TxDOT's transportation decision-making : interactive workshop

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2010-01-01

    The workshop is intended for new and experienced technical staff in TxDOT headquarters, district, and area offices to better understand how sustainability performance measures can be used at the sketch-planning level of project consideration. The wor...

  5. 77 FR 47519 - Annual Marine Events in the Eighth Coast Guard District, Sabine River; Orange, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-08-09

    ... DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Coast Guard 33 CFR Part 100 [Docket No. USCG-2012-0656] Annual Marine Events in the Eighth Coast Guard District, Sabine River; Orange, TX AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS... Regulations for the S.P.O.R.T. Power Boat Neches River in Orange, TX from 3 p.m. on September 21, 2012...

  6. Framework for development of TxDOT construction inspector training program.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2017-02-01

    To meet the need for a larger number of inspectors and to improve the experience and knowledge level on inspectors, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is reviewing construction inspector training needs and training programs that are avail...

  7. SU-F-T-460: Dosimetric Matching Between Trilogy Tx and TrueBeam STx

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Choi, Y; Kwak, J; Jeong, C

    Purpose: To compare the commissioned beam data for one flattening filter photon mode (6 MV) and two flattening filter-free (FFF) photon modes (6 and 10 MV-FFF) between Trilogy Tx and TrueBeam STx and evaluate the possibility of dosimetric matching Methods: Dosimetric characteristics of the new Trilogy Tx including percent depth doses (PDDs), profiles, and output factors were measured for commissioning. Linear diode array detector and ion chambers were used to measure dosimetric data. The depth of dose maximum (dmax) and PDD at 10 cm (PDD10) were evaluated: 3×3 cm{sup 2}, 10×10 cm{sup 2}, and 40×40 cm{sup 2}. The beam profilesmore » were compared and then penumbras were evaluated. As a further test of the dosimetric matching, the same VMAT plans were delivered, measured with film, and compared with TPS calculation. Results: All the measured PDDs matched well across the two units. PDD10 showed less than 0.5% variation and dmax were within 1.5 mm at the field sizes evaluated. Within the central 80% of transverse axis, profile data were almost identical. TrueBeam data resulted in a slightly greater penumbra width (up to 1.9 mm). The greatest differences of output factors were found at 40 × 40 cm{sup 2}: 2.40%, 2.03%, and 2.22% for 6 MV, 6 MV-FFF, and 10 MV-FFF, respectively. For smaller field sizes, less than 1% differences were observed. The film measurements demonstrated over 97.3% pixels passing-gamma analysis (2%/2mm). The results showed excellent agreement between measurements of two machines. Conclusion: The differences between Trilogy Tx and TrueBeam STx found could possibly affect small field and also very large field sizes in dosimetric matching considerations. These differences encountered are mostly related with the changes in the head design of the TrueBeam. Although it cannot guarantee full interchangeability of two machines, dosimetric matching by field size of 25 × 25 cm{sup 2} might be clinically acceptable.« less

  8. Crash testing and evaluation of TxDOT burn ban signs.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2009-08-01

    Texas counties expressed a desire to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to post : advisory signs on the roadside to alert motorists when a burn ban is in effect. For obvious economic reasons, : the preferred method of implementation is to...

  9. 78 FR 76052 - Amendment of Class E Airspace; Gainesville, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-12-16

    ... Airport has made reconfiguration necessary for standard instrument approach procedures and for the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at the airport. DATES: Effective date: 0901... for standard instrument approach procedures at Gainesville Municipal Airport, Gainesville, TX...

  10. 77 FR 66068 - Amendment of Class E Airspace; Breckenridge, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-11-01

    ...) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures at Stephens County Airport. The airport's geographic coordinates... controlled airspace at Stephens County Airport (77 FR 50648) Docket No. FAA-2012-0653. Interested parties... instrument approach procedures at Stephens County Airport, Breckenridge, TX. This action is necessary for the...

  11. Warrants and criteria for installing and sunsetting TxDOT ITS equipment.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2014-01-01

    Over the past several decades, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has made a significant : investment in deploying and developing intelligent transportation systems (ITS) devices, such as closedcircuit : television (CCTV), traffic sensors...

  12. Solution Plasma-assisted Bimetallic Oxide Alloy Nanoparticles of Pt and Pd Embedded within Two-dimensional Ti3C2Tx Nanosheets as Highly Active Electrocatalysts for Overall Water-splitting.

    PubMed

    Cui, Bingbing; Hu, Bin; Liu, Jiameng; Wang, Minghua; Song, Yingpan; Tian, Kuan; Zhang, Zhihong; He, Linghao

    2018-06-25

    Exploiting high-efficiency and low-cost bifunctional electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution (HER) and oxygen evolution reactions (OER) has been actively encouraged because of their potential applications in the field of clean energy. In this paper, we reported a novel electrocatalyst based on an exfoliated two-dimensional (2D) MXene (Ti3C2Tx) loaded with bimetallic oxide alloy nanoparticles (NPs) of Pt and Pd (represented by PtOaPdObNPs@Ti3C2Tx), which was synthesized via solution plasma (SP) modification. The prepared materials were then utilized as highly efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts toward HER and OER in alkaline solution. At a high plasma input power (200 W), bimetallic oxide alloy nanoparticles of Pt and Pd or nanoclusters with different metallic valence states deposited onto the Ti3C2Tx nanosheets. Due to the synergism of the noble metal NPs and the Ti3C2Tx nanosheets, the electrocatalytic results revealed that the as-prepared PtOaPdObNPs@Ti3C2Tx nanosheets under the plasma input power of 200 W for 3 min catalyst only required a low overpotential to attain 10 mA cm-2 for HER (57 mV) in 0.5 M H2SO4 solution and OER (1.63 V) in 0.1 M KOH sollution. Moreover, water electrolysis using this catalyst achieved a water splitting current density of 10 mA cm-2 at a low cell voltage of 1.53 V in 1.0 M KOH solution. These results suggested that the hybridization of the ultra-extremely low usage of PtOa/PdOb NPs (1.07 μg cm-2) and Ti3C2Tx nanosheets by SP will expand the applications of other clean energy reactions to achieve sustainable energy.

  13. 78 FR 9907 - TGP Development Company, LLC; TGP Flying Cloud Holdings, LLC; WEC TX Company, LLC v. Arizona...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-02-12

    ... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. EL13-45-000] TGP Development Company, LLC; TGP Flying Cloud Holdings, LLC; WEC TX Company, LLC v. Arizona Public Service Company... Cloud Holdings, LLC, and WEC TX Company, LLC (collectively, Complainants) filed a formal complaint...

  14. Hybridizing polypyrrole chains with laminated and two-dimensional Ti3C2Tx toward high-performance electromagnetic wave absorption

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tong, Yuan; He, Man; Zhou, Yuming; Zhong, Xi; Fan, Lidan; Huang, Tingyuan; Liao, Qiang; Wang, Yongjuan

    2018-03-01

    In this study, multilayer sandwich heterostructural Ti3C2Tx MXenes decorated with polypyrrole chains have been synthesized successfully via HF etching treatment and in-situ chemical oxidative polymerization approach. The hybrids were investigated as EM wave absorbers for the first time. It is found that the composites consisting of 25 wt% Ti3C2Tx/PPy hybrids in a paraffin matrix exhibit a minimum reflection loss of -49.2 dB (∼99.99% absorption) at the thickness of 3.2 mm and a maximum effective absorption bandwidth of 4.9 GHz (12.4-17.3 GHz) corresponding to an absorber thickness of 2.0 mm. Additionally, a broad effective absorption bandwidth of 13.7 GHz (4.3-18.0 GHz) can be reached up by adjusting the thickness from 1.5 to 5.0 mm. Furthermore, the highest effective absorption bandwidth of 5.7 GHz can be reached when the mass fraction is 15 wt%. The enhanced comprehensive electromagnetic wave absorption has close correlation with the well-designed heterogeneous multilayered microstructure, generated heterogeneous interfaces, conductive paths, surface functional groups, localized defects and synergistic effect between laminated Ti3C2Tx and conductive polypyrrole network, which significantly improve impedance matching and attenuation abilities. The superior absorbing performance together with strong absorption and broad bandwidth endows the Ti3C2Tx/PPy hybrids with the potential prospect to be advanced EM wave absorbers.

  15. 78 FR 48842 - Proposed Establishment of Class D Airspace; Mesquite, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-08-12

    ...: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). SUMMARY: This action proposes to establish Class D airspace at Mesquite, TX. Establishment of an air traffic control tower at Mesquite Metro Airport [[Page 48843

  16. A Seven-Gene Locus for Synthesis of Phenazine-1-Carboxylic Acid by Pseudomonas fluorescens 2-79

    PubMed Central

    Mavrodi, Dmitri V.; Ksenzenko, Vladimir N.; Bonsall, Robert F.; Cook, R. James; Boronin, Alexander M.; Thomashow, Linda S.

    1998-01-01

    Pseudomonas fluorescens 2-79 produces the broad-spectrum antibiotic phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA), which is active against a variety of fungal root pathogens. In this study, seven genes designated phzABCDEFG that are sufficient for synthesis of PCA were localized within a 6.8-kb BglII-XbaI fragment from the phenazine biosynthesis locus of strain 2-79. Polypeptides corresponding to all phz genes were identified by analysis of recombinant plasmids in a T7 promoter/polymerase expression system. Products of the phzC, phzD, and phzE genes have similarities to enzymes of shikimic acid and chorismic acid metabolism and, together with PhzF, are absolutely necessary for PCA production. PhzG is similar to pyridoxamine-5′-phosphate oxidases and probably is a source of cofactor for the PCA-synthesizing enzyme(s). Products of the phzA and phzB genes are highly homologous to each other and may be involved in stabilization of a putative PCA-synthesizing multienzyme complex. Two new genes, phzX and phzY, that are homologous to phzA and phzB, respectively, were cloned and sequenced from P. aureofaciens 30-84, which produces PCA, 2-hydroxyphenazine-1-carboxylic acid, and 2-hydroxyphenazine. Based on functional analysis of the phz genes from strains 2-79 and 30-84, we postulate that different species of fluorescent pseudomonads have similar genetic systems that confer the ability to synthesize PCA. PMID:9573209

  17. GIS applications in eco-logical grant projects : peer exchange summary report Austin, TX July 22-23, 2009

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2009-10-31

    This report provides a summary of a 1.5-day peer exchange convened with select recipients of FHWA's first Eco-Logical grant. The purpose of the exchange, which was held in Austin, TX, in July 2009, was to allow grant recipients the opportunity to sha...

  18. 77 FR 25075 - Special Local Regulation; Galveston Bay, Kemah, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-04-27

    ...-AA08 Special Local Regulation; Galveston Bay, Kemah, TX AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. ACTION: Temporary final rule. SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary special local regulation in Galveston Bay in the vicinity of Kemah, Texas. This temporary special local regulation is necessary to provide...

  19. 75 FR 13668 - Amendment of Class E Airspace; Georgetown, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-03-23

    ...-0934; Airspace Docket No. 09-ASW-29] Amendment of Class E Airspace; Georgetown, TX AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This action amends Class E airspace at... Register a notice of proposed rulemaking to amend Class E airspace for Georgetown Municipal Airport...

  20. Tour-based model development for TxDOT : evaluation and transition steps.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2009-10-30

    The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), in conjunction with the metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) : under its purview, oversees the travel demand model development and implementation for most of the urban areas in : Texas. In these u...

  1. Antibodies Against the Current Influenza A(H1N1) Vaccine Strain Do Not Protect Some Individuals From Infection With Contemporary Circulating Influenza A(H1N1) Virus Strains.

    PubMed

    Petrie, Joshua G; Parkhouse, Kaela; Ohmit, Suzanne E; Malosh, Ryan E; Monto, Arnold S; Hensley, Scott E

    2016-12-15

    During the 2013-2014 influenza season, nearly all circulating 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus (A[H1N1]pdm09) strains possessed an antigenically important mutation in hemagglutinin (K166Q). Here, we performed hemagglutination-inhibition (HAI) assays, using sera collected from 382 individuals prior to the 2013-2014 season, and we determined whether HAI titers were associated with protection from A(H1N1)pdm09 infection. Protection was associated with HAI titers against an A(H1N1)pdm09 strain possessing the K166Q mutation but not with HAI titers against the current A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccine strain, which lacks this mutation. These data indicate that contemporary A(H1N1)pdm09 strains are antigenically distinct from the current A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccine strain. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, e-mail journals.permissions@oup.com.

  2. E3 Success Story - Reducing Electrical Demand in San Antonio, TX

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    To meet its goal of reducing electrical demand by 9 megawatts CPS Energy in San Antonio, TX partnered with the Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center (TMAC) and the Southwest Research Institute to provide lean, clean and energy efficiency training.

  3. [Virulence markers of Escherichia coli O1 strains].

    PubMed

    Makarova, M A; Kaftyreva, L A; Grigor'eva, N S; Kicha, E V; Lipatova, L A

    2011-01-01

    To detect virulence genes in clinical isolates of Escherichia coli O1 using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). One hundred and twenty strains of E.coli O1 strains isolated from faeces of patients with acute diarrhea (n = 45) and healthy persons (n = 75) were studied. PCR with primers for rfb and fliC genes, which control synthesis of O- and H- antigens respectively, was used. Fourteen virulence genes (pap, aaf, sfa, afa, eaeA, bfpA, ial, hly, cnf, stx1, stx2, lt, st, and aer) were detected by PCR primers. K1-antigen was determined by Pastorex Meningo B/E. coli O1 kit (Bio-Rad). rfb gene controlling O-antigen synthesis in serogroup O1 as well as fliC gene controlling synthesis of H7 and K1 antigens were detected in all strains. Thus all E. coli strains had antigenic structure O1:K1 :H-:F7. Virulence genes aafl, sfa, afa, eaeA, bfpA, ial, hly, cnf, stx1, stx2, lt, and st were not detected. All strains owned pap and aer genes regardless of the presence of acute diarrhea symptoms. It was shown that E. coli O1:KI:H-:F7 strains do not have virulence genes which are characteristic for diarrhea-causing Escherichia. In accordance with the presence of pap and aer genes they could be attributed to uropathogenic Escherichia (UPEC) or avian-pathogenic Escherichia (APEC). It is necessary to detect virulence factors in order to determine E. coli as a cause of intestinal infection.

  4. The cytotoxic mechanism of karlotoxin 2 (KmTx 2) from Karlodinium veneficum (Dinophyceae)

    PubMed Central

    Deeds, Jonathan R.; Hoesch, Robert E.; Place, Allen R.; Kao, Joseph P.Y.

    2015-01-01

    This study demonstrates that the polyketide toxin karlotoxin 2 (KmTx 2) produced by Karlodinium veneficum, a dinoflagellate associated with fish kills in temperate estuaries worldwide, alters vertebrate cell membrane permeability. Microfluorimetric and electrophysiological measurements were used to determine that vertebrate cellular toxicity occurs through non-selective permeabilization of plasma membranes, leading to osmotic cell lysis. Previous studies showed that KmTx 2 is lethal to fish at naturally-occurring concentrations measured during fish kills, while sub-lethal doses severely damage gill epithelia. This study provides a mechanistic explanation for the association between K. veneficum blooms and fish kills that has long been observed in temperate estuaries worldwide. PMID:25546005

  5. 75 FR 55968 - Special Local Regulations, Sabine River; Orange, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-09-15

    ...-AA08 Special Local Regulations, Sabine River; Orange, TX AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. ACTION: Temporary final rule. SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary Special Local Regulation in the Port Arthur Captain of the Port Zone on the Sabine River, Orange, Texas. This Special Local Regulation is...

  6. 77 FR 29874 - Establishment of Class E Airspace; Freer, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-05-21

    ... Instrument Approach Procedures at Seven C's Ranch Airport. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations at the airport. DATES: Effective date... accommodate new standard instrument approach procedures at Seven C's Ranch Airport, Freer, TX. This action is...

  7. 75 FR 65227 - Revocation of Class E Airspace; Franklin, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-10-22

    ...-0603; Airspace Docket No. 10-ASW-9] Revocation of Class E Airspace; Franklin, TX AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This action removes Class E airspace for... published in the Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking to remove Class E airspace for Franklin...

  8. The 2055 freight transportation system and the impact of near term rail movements on TxDOT planning : project summary.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2017-01-01

    Based on the research and input from the private sector, four themes emerged that frame the role of TxDOT in preparing for an efficient, reliable, and safe freight transportation system in 2055: : TxDOT is expected to be a facilitator/manager of ...

  9. Flavisolibacter metallilatus sp. nov., isolated from an automotive air conditioning system and emended description of the genus Flavisolibacter.

    PubMed

    Kim, Dong-Uk; Lee, Hyosun; Lee, Suyeon; Kim, Song-Gun; Park, A-Young; Ahn, Jae-Hyung; Ka, Jong-Ok

    2018-03-01

    A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped and pale yellow-pigmented bacterium, designated strain TX0661 T , was isolated from an automotive air conditioning system collected in the Republic of Korea. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the strain TX0661 T was grouped with members of the genus Flavisolibacter and the strain had 98.2-95.3 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to the species of the genus Flavisolibacter. DNA-DNA relatedness between TX0661 T and Flavisolibacter ginsenosidimutans KCTC 22818 T and Flavisolibacter ginsengisoli KCTC 12657 T was less than 30 %. The low levels of DNA-DNA relatedness identified strain TX0661 T as a novel species in the genus Flavisolibacter. The strain grew at 28-37 °C (optimum, 37 °C), at pH 6.0-7.0 (optimum, pH 6.5) and in the presence of 0-0.5 % (w/v, optimum, 0.5 %) NaCl. It contained summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c), iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH as major fatty acids and MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone. The polar lipid profile revealed that the presence of phosphatidylethanolamine, aminoglycophospholipid, two unidentified aminolipids and two unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C content of the strain was 49.1 mol%. Based on phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic data, strain TX0661 T represents a novel species in the genus Flavisolibacter, for which the name Flavisolibactermetallilatus sp. nov. (=KACC 19145 T =KCTC 52779 T =NBRC 111784 T ) is proposed.

  10. Single gene reassortants identify a critical role for PB1, HA, and NA in the high virulence of the 1918 pandemic influenza virus

    PubMed Central

    Pappas, Claudia; Aguilar, Patricia V.; Basler, Christopher F.; Solórzano, Alicia; Zeng, Hui; Perrone, Lucy A.; Palese, Peter; García-Sastre, Adolfo; Katz, Jacqueline M.; Tumpey, Terrence M.

    2008-01-01

    The 1918 influenza pandemic was exceptionally severe, resulting in the death of up to 50 million people worldwide. Here, we show which virus genes contributed to the replication and virulence of the 1918 influenza virus. Recombinant viruses, in which genes of the 1918 virus were replaced with genes from a contemporary human H1N1 influenza virus, A/Texas/36/91 (Tx/91), were generated. The exchange of most 1918 influenza virus genes with seasonal influenza H1N1 virus genes did not alter the virulence of the 1918 virus; however, substitution of the hemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase (NA), or polymerase subunit PB1 genes significantly affected the ability of this virus to cause severe disease in mice. The 1918 virus virulence observed in mice correlated with the ability of 1918 recombinant viruses to replicate efficiently in human airway cells. In a second series of experiments, eight 1918 1:7 recombinants were generated, in which each Tx/91 virus gene was individually replaced by a corresponding gene from 1918 virus. Replication capacity of the individual 1:7 reassortant viruses was assessed in mouse lungs and human airway cells. Increased virus titers were observed among 1:7 viruses containing individual 1918 HA, NA, and PB1 genes. In addition, the 1918 PB1:Tx/91 (1:7) virus showed a distinctly larger plaque size phenotype than the small plaque phenotype of the 1918 PA:Tx/91 and 1918 PB2:Tx/91 1:7 reassortants. These results highlight the importance of the 1918 HA, NA, and PB1 genes for optimal virus replication and virulence of this pandemic strain. PMID:18287069

  11. 78 FR 52714 - Proposed Amendment of Class E Airspace; Gainesville, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-08-26

    ...: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Class E airspace at Gainesville, TX. Decommissioning of the Gainesville radio... developing reasoned regulatory decisions on the proposal. Comments are specifically invited on the overall...

  12. 77 FR 25112 - Radio Broadcasting Services; Centerville and Midway, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-04-27

    ... Broadcasting Services; Centerville and Midway, TX AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Proposed..., proposing the allotment of Channel 267A at Midway, Texas, as its first local service; and the substitution... reference coordinates for Channel 267A at Midway are 31-03-42 NL and 95-49-06 WL. Additionally, Channel 232A...

  13. Biocontrol and plant growth-promoting activity of rhizobacteria from Chinese fields with contaminated soils

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Xuefei; Mavrodi, Dmitri V; Ke, Linfeng; Mavrodi, Olga V; Yang, Mingming; Thomashow, Linda S; Zheng, Na; Weller, David M; Zhang, Jibin

    2015-01-01

    The aim of this study was to inventory the types of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) present in the rhizosphere of plants grown in soils contaminated with heavy metals, recalcitrant organics, petroleum sewage or salinity in China. We screened 1223 isolates for antifungal activity and about 24% inhibited Rhizoctonia solani or Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Twenty-four strains inhibitory to R. solani, Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici and/or S. sclerotiorum and representing the dominant morphotypes were assayed for PGPR activity. Seven strains contained phlD, prnD, pltC or phzF genes and produced the antibiotics 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol, pyrrolnitrin, pyoluteorin and phenazines respectively. Six strains contained acdS, which encodes 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid deaminase. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA and phlD, phzF and acdS genes demonstrated that some strains identified as Pseudomonas were similar to model PGPR strains Pseudomonas protegens Pf-5, Pseudomonas chlororaphis subsp. aureofaciens 30–84 and P. brassicacearum Q8r1-96. Pseudomonas protegens- and P. chlororaphis-like strains had the greatest biocontrol activity against Rhizoctonia root rot and take-all of wheat. Pseudomonas protegens and P. brassicacearum-like strains showed the greatest promotion of canola growth. Our results indicate that strains from contaminated soils are similar to well-described PGPR found in agricultural soils worldwide. Growth-promoting rhizobacteria in polluted soils PMID:25219642

  14. 49 CFR 372.237 - Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy Counties, TX.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... REGULATIONS EXEMPTIONS, COMMERCIAL ZONES, AND TERMINAL AREAS Commercial Zones § 372.237 Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy Counties, TX. (a) Transportation within a zone comprised of Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr... common control, management, or arrangement for shipment to or from points beyond such zone, is partially...

  15. 49 CFR 372.237 - Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy Counties, TX.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... REGULATIONS EXEMPTIONS, COMMERCIAL ZONES, AND TERMINAL AREAS Commercial Zones § 372.237 Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy Counties, TX. (a) Transportation within a zone comprised of Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr... common control, management, or arrangement for shipment to or from points beyond such zone, is partially...

  16. 49 CFR 372.237 - Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy Counties, TX.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... REGULATIONS EXEMPTIONS, COMMERCIAL ZONES, AND TERMINAL AREAS Commercial Zones § 372.237 Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy Counties, TX. (a) Transportation within a zone comprised of Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr... common control, management, or arrangement for shipment to or from points beyond such zone, is partially...

  17. 49 CFR 372.237 - Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy Counties, TX.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... REGULATIONS EXEMPTIONS, COMMERCIAL ZONES, AND TERMINAL AREAS Commercial Zones § 372.237 Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy Counties, TX. (a) Transportation within a zone comprised of Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr... common control, management, or arrangement for shipment to or from points beyond such zone, is partially...

  18. 49 CFR 372.237 - Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy Counties, TX.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... REGULATIONS EXEMPTIONS, COMMERCIAL ZONES, AND TERMINAL AREAS Commercial Zones § 372.237 Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy Counties, TX. (a) Transportation within a zone comprised of Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr... common control, management, or arrangement for shipment to or from points beyond such zone, is partially...

  19. 75 FR 3877 - Proposed Amendment of Class E Airspace; Killeen, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-01-25

    ... accommodate new Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs) at the renamed Skylark Field Airport, Killeen, TX. The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules.... ADDRESSES: Send comments on this proposal to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, 1200...

  20. Degradation of 1,2-Dibromoethane by Mycobacterium sp. Strain GP1

    PubMed Central

    Poelarends, Gerrit J.; van Hylckama Vlieg, Johan E. T.; Marchesi, Julian R.; Freitas Dos Santos, Luisa M.; Janssen, Dick B.

    1999-01-01

    The newly isolated bacterial strain GP1 can utilize 1,2-dibromoethane as the sole carbon and energy source. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the organism was identified as a member of the subgroup which contains the fast-growing mycobacteria. The first step in 1,2-dibromoethane metabolism is catalyzed by a hydrolytic haloalkane dehalogenase. The resulting 2-bromoethanol is rapidly converted to ethylene oxide by a haloalcohol dehalogenase, in this way preventing the accumulation of 2-bromoethanol and 2-bromoacetaldehyde as toxic intermediates. Ethylene oxide can serve as a growth substrate for strain GP1, but the pathway(s) by which it is further metabolized is still unclear. Strain GP1 can also utilize 1-chloropropane, 1-bromopropane, 2-bromoethanol, and 2-chloroethanol as growth substrates. 2-Chloroethanol and 2-bromoethanol are metabolized via ethylene oxide, which for both haloalcohols is a novel way to remove the halide without going through the corresponding acetaldehyde intermediate. The haloalkane dehalogenase gene was cloned and sequenced. The dehalogenase (DhaAf) encoded by this gene is identical to the haloalkane dehalogenase (DhaA) of Rhodococcus rhodochrous NCIMB 13064, except for three amino acid substitutions and a 14-amino-acid extension at the C terminus. Alignments of the complete dehalogenase gene region of strain GP1 with DNA sequences in different databases showed that a large part of a dhaA gene region, which is also present in R. rhodochrous NCIMB 13064, was fused to a fragment of a haloalcohol dehalogenase gene that was identical to the last 42 nucleotides of the hheB gene found in Corynebacterium sp. strain N-1074. PMID:10094681

  1. Degradation of 1,2-dibromoethane by Mycobacterium sp. strain GP1.

    PubMed

    Poelarends, G J; van Hylckama Vlieg, J E; Marchesi, J R; Freitas Dos Santos, L M; Janssen, D B

    1999-04-01

    The newly isolated bacterial strain GP1 can utilize 1, 2-dibromoethane as the sole carbon and energy source. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the organism was identified as a member of the subgroup which contains the fast-growing mycobacteria. The first step in 1,2-dibromoethane metabolism is catalyzed by a hydrolytic haloalkane dehalogenase. The resulting 2-bromoethanol is rapidly converted to ethylene oxide by a haloalcohol dehalogenase, in this way preventing the accumulation of 2-bromoethanol and 2-bromoacetaldehyde as toxic intermediates. Ethylene oxide can serve as a growth substrate for strain GP1, but the pathway(s) by which it is further metabolized is still unclear. Strain GP1 can also utilize 1-chloropropane, 1-bromopropane, 2-bromoethanol, and 2-chloroethanol as growth substrates. 2-Chloroethanol and 2-bromoethanol are metabolized via ethylene oxide, which for both haloalcohols is a novel way to remove the halide without going through the corresponding acetaldehyde intermediate. The haloalkane dehalogenase gene was cloned and sequenced. The dehalogenase (DhaAf) encoded by this gene is identical to the haloalkane dehalogenase (DhaA) of Rhodococcus rhodochrous NCIMB 13064, except for three amino acid substitutions and a 14-amino-acid extension at the C terminus. Alignments of the complete dehalogenase gene region of strain GP1 with DNA sequences in different databases showed that a large part of a dhaA gene region, which is also present in R. rhodochrous NCIMB 13064, was fused to a fragment of a haloalcohol dehalogenase gene that was identical to the last 42 nucleotides of the hheB gene found in Corynebacterium sp. strain N-1074.

  2. Lipid and apolipoproteins (ApoAI, ApoB, Apo CIII, ApoE) disturbance in hemodialysis (HD) and renal transplant (Tx) patients.

    PubMed

    Janicki, Krzysztof; Solski, Janusz; Janicka, Lucyna; Kimak, Elzbieta; Bednarek-Skublewska, Anna; Stettner, Seweryn; Molas, Grzegorz

    2004-01-01

    The aim of the study was to evaluate the serum lipid and apolipoprotein profiles among patients after renal transplantation (Tx) and to compare them with the profiles obtained for permanently hemodialysed patients (HD). The investigations were performed at 15 Tx, 40 HD patients and the control group of 40 healthy subjects. There were significantly increased TG, ApoAIII, ApoE, TC/ HDL-C, ApoCIII non B, ApoCIII:B and decreased HDL-C, ApoAI, HDL-C/ApoAI, ApoAI/ApoCIII, ApoB/ApoCIII ratios comparing HD patients to the control group. There were increased TG, ApoCIII, ApoCIII non B, ApoB/ApoCIII ratios and decreased ApoAI/ApoCIII ratios in Tx patients as compared to the control subjects. Moreover, there were significantly higher HDL, ApoAI, HDL/ApoAI, ApoCIII non B and lower ApoE, ApoE/ApoB, ApoCIII:B ratios in Tx patients as compared to these of HD patients. Significant inverse correlation of the time which passed from executed Tx and ApoCIII:B ratio (r = -0.67; p < 0.01) at renal transplant patients were observed, which means the diminished risk of development of atherosclerosis.

  3. Characterization of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([Emim][Tf2N])∕TX-100∕cyclohexane ternary microemulsion: investigation of photoinduced electron transfer in this RTIL containing microemulsion.

    PubMed

    Sarkar, Souravi; Pramanik, Rajib; Ghatak, Chiranjib; Rao, Vishal Govind; Sarkar, Nilmoni

    2011-02-21

    In this study we have characterized a ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethyl- sulfonyl)imide containing ternary nonaqueous microemulsion ([Emim][Tf(2)N]∕∕TX-100∕cyclo- hexane). The phase behavior and dynamic light scattering study show that the [Emim][Tf(2)N]∕TX-100∕cyclohexane three component system can form microemulsion with [Emim][Tf(2)N] as polar core at suitable condition. We have investigated photoinduced electron transfer (PET) using dimethyl aniline as electron donor and several Coumarin dyes as electron acceptor molecules at two different R values (R = [ionic liquid]∕[surfactant]) to observe how the dynamics of the PET rate is affected in this type of confined microenvironment compared to that of the PET dynamics in neat ionic liquid and other pure solvent media. The plot of observed k(q) values with the free energy change (ΔG(0)) for electron transfer reaction shows an apparent inversion in the observed rate as predicted by the Marcus theory.

  4. Applicability of the 2-nitroimidazole-sodium borocaptate-10B conjugate, TX-2060, as a 10B-carrier in boron neutron capture therapy.

    PubMed

    Masunaga, Shin-Ichiro; Nagasawa, Hideko; Hiraoka, Masamitsu; Sakurai, Yoshinori; Uto, Yoshihiro; Hori, Hitoshi; Nagata, Kenji; Suzuki, Minoru; Maruhashi, Akira; Kinashi, Yuko; Ono, Koji

    2004-01-01

    It is difficult to deliver a therapeutic amount of 10B from conventional 10B-carriers for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) throughout the target tumors, especially into the intratumor hypoxic cells which have low uptake capacities. We evaluated the usefulness of 5 new 10B-compounds (TX-2041, TX-2042, TX-2058, TX-2059 and TX-2060) as 10B-carriers in BNCT. They are 2-nitroimidazole-sodium borocaptate-10B (BSH) conjugates, that is, hybrid compounds that have both a hypoxic tumor cell sensitizing unit under gamma-ray irradiation, 2-nitroimidazoles and a thermal neutron-sensitizing unit, BSH. The 5 new compounds were administered to SCC VII tumor-bearing mice intraperitoneally. As a control, BSH was also administered in the same manner. Then, the 10B concentrations in the tumors and normal tissues were measured by gamma-ray spectrometry. Based on the data of the pharmacokinetics analyses, TX-2060 was chosen for a subsequent tumor-irradiation study. SCC VII tumor-bearing mice were continuously given 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) to label all proliferating (P) cells in the tumors, then treated with TX-2060 or BSH in the same manner as in the pharmacokinetics analyses. To obtain similar intratumor 10B concentrations during radiation exposure, irradiation with thermal neutrons or gamma-rays was started from 60 min after administration of the 10B-carrier. Right after irradiation, the tumors were excised, minced and trypsinized. The tumor cell suspensions thus obtained were incubated with cytochalasin-B (a cytokinesis blocker), and the micronucleus (MN) frequency in cells without BrdU-labelling (= quiescent (Q) cells) was determined using immunofluorescence staining for BrdU. Meanwhile, the MN frequency in total (P + Q) tumor cells was determined from the tumors that were not pretreated with BrdU. The clonogenic cell survival was also determined in mice given no BrdU. 10B distribution analyses in tumors, muscles, blood and liver indicated that TX-2060 has the most

  5. Strain-based HLA association analysis identified HLA-DRB1*09:01 associated with modern strain tuberculosis.

    PubMed

    Toyo-Oka, L; Mahasirimongkol, S; Yanai, H; Mushiroda, T; Wattanapokayakit, S; Wichukchinda, N; Yamada, N; Smittipat, N; Juthayothin, T; Palittapongarnpim, P; Nedsuwan, S; Kantipong, P; Takahashi, A; Kubo, M; Sawanpanyalert, P; Tokunaga, K

    2017-09-01

    Tuberculosis (TB) occurs as a result of complex interactions between the host immune system and pathogen virulence factors. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II molecules play an important role in the host immune system. However, no study has assessed the association between HLA class II genes and susceptibility to TB caused by specific strains. This study investigated the possible association of HLA class II genes with TB caused by modern and ancient Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). The study included 682 patients with TB and 836 control subjects who were typed for HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 alleles. MTB strains were classified using a large sequence polymorphism typing method. Association analysis was performed using common HLA alleles and haplotypes in different MTB strains. HLA association analysis of patients infected with modern MTB strains showed significant association for HLA-DRB1*09:01 (odds ratio [OR] = 1.82; P-value = 9.88 × 10 -4 ) and HLA-DQB1*03:03 alleles (OR = 1.76; P-value = 1.31 × 10 -3 ) with susceptibility to TB. Haplotype analysis confirmed that these alleles were in strong linkage disequilibrium and did not exert an interactive effect. Thus, the results of this study showed an association between HLA class II genes and susceptibility to TB caused by modern MTB strains, suggesting the importance of strain-specific analysis to determine susceptibility genes associated with TB. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  6. Preliminary X-ray crystallographic studies of BthTX-II, a myotoxic Asp49-phospholipase A{sub 2} with low catalytic activity from Bothrops jararacussu venom

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Corrêa, L. C.; Marchi-Salvador, D. P.; Cintra, A. C. O.

    2006-08-01

    A myotoxic Asp49-PLA{sub 2} with low catalytic activity from B. jararacussu (BthTX-II) was crystallized in the monoclinic crystal system; a complete X-ray diffraction data set was collected and a molecular-replacement solution was obtained. The oligomeric structure of BthTX-II resembles those of the Asp49-PLA{sub 2} PrTX-III and all bothropic Lys49-PLA{sub 2}s. For the first time, a complete X-ray diffraction data set has been collected from a myotoxic Asp49-phospholipase A{sub 2} (Asp49-PLA{sub 2}) with low catalytic activity (BthTX-II from Bothrops jararacussu venom) and a molecular-replacement solution has been obtained with a dimer in the asymmetric unit. The quaternary structure of BthTX-II resemblesmore » the myotoxin Asp49-PLA{sub 2} PrTX-III (piratoxin III from B. pirajai venom) and all non-catalytic and myotoxic dimeric Lys49-PLA{sub 2}s. In contrast, the oligomeric structure of BthTX-II is different from the highly catalytic and non-myotoxic BthA-I (acidic PLA{sub 2} from B. jararacussu). Thus, comparison between these structures should add insight into the catalytic and myotoxic activities of bothropic PLA{sub 2}s.« less

  7. 78 FR 73109 - Radio Broadcasting Services; Benjamin and Cisco, TX; De Beque, CO; Port Lions, AK; Rule and...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-12-05

    ... Broadcasting Services; Benjamin and Cisco, TX; De Beque, CO; Port Lions, AK; Rule and Shamrock, TX AGENCY... 237C3 at Benjamin, Texas; Channel 261C3 at Cisco, Texas; Channel 288C2 at Rule, Texas; and Channel 225C2..., Channel 237C3; by removing Cisco, Channel 261C3; by removing Channel 288C2 at Rule; and by removing...

  8. Receiver deghosting in the t-x domain based on super-Gaussianity

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lu, Wenkai; Xu, Ziqiang; Fang, Zhongyu; Wang, Ruiliang; Yan, Chengzhi

    2017-01-01

    Deghosting methods in the time-space (t-x) domain have attracted a lot of attention because of their flexibility for various source/receiver configurations. Based on the well-known knowledge that the seismic signal has a super-Gaussian distribution, we present a Super-Gaussianity based Receiver Deghosting (SRD) method in the t-x domain. In our method, we denote the upgoing wave and its ghost (downgoing wave) as a single seismic signal, and express the relationship between the upgoing wave and its ghost using two ghost parameters: the sea surface reflection coefficient and the time-shift between the upgoing wave and its ghost. For a single seismic signal, we estimate these two parameters by maximizing the super-Gaussianity of the deghosted output, which is achieved by a 2D grid search method using an adaptively predefined discrete solution space. Since usually a large number of seismic signals are mixed together in a seismic trace, in the proposed method we divide the seismic trace into overlapping frames using a sliding time window with a step of one time sample, and consider each frame as a replacement for a single seismic signal. For a 2D seismic gather, we obtain two 2D maps of the ghost parameters. By assuming that these two parameters vary slowly in the t-x domain, we apply a 2D average filter to these maps, to improve their reliability further. Finally, these deghosted outputs are merged to form the final deghosted result. To demonstrate the flexibility of the proposed method for arbitrary variable depths of the receivers, we apply it to several synthetic and field seismic datasets acquired by variable depth streamer.

  9. 78 FR 70900 - Proposed Modification of Area Navigation (RNAV) Route Q-20, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-11-27

    ... reduced track distances. Q-20 extends between the Corona, NM, VHF Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Air... States Area Navigation Routes. * * * * * Q-20 CNX, NM to JCT, TX [Amended] Corona (CNX), NM VORTAC (Lat...

  10. 78 FR 14512 - Foreign-Trade Zone 196-Fort Worth, TX, Foreign-Trade Subzone 196A-TTI, Inc., Approval of...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-03-06

    ... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Foreign-Trade Zones Board [S-2-2013] Foreign-Trade Zone 196--Fort Worth, TX, Foreign-Trade Subzone 196A--TTI, Inc., Approval of Additional Subzone Site, Fort Worth, TX On January 4, 2013, the Executive Secretary of the Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZ) Board docketed an application submitted by Alliance Corridor, Inc., grantee of...

  11. Klymollins T-X, bioactive eunicellin-based diterpenoids from the soft coral Klyxum molle.

    PubMed

    Chang, Fang-Yu; Hsu, Fang-Jung; Tai, Chi-Jen; Wei, Wen-Chi; Yang, Ning-Sun; Sheu, Jyh-Horng

    2014-05-22

    Five new eunicellin-based diterpenoids, klymollins T-X (1-5), along with two known compounds (6 and 7) have been isolated from the soft coral Klyxum molle. The structures of these new metabolites were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis and by comparison with related known compounds. Compound 5 was found to exert significant in vitro anti-inflammatory activity against LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Furthermore, compounds 4 and 7 were shown to exhibit cytotoxicity against a limited panel of human cancer cell lines.

  12. The 2055 freight transportation system and the impact of near term rail improvements on TxDOT planning : project management plan.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2016-03-01

    The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is the sponsor of the project. The : project goals are to: (1) produce a framework for Texas freight transportation system in : 2055 and (2) develop a set of rail planning recommendations that will be...

  13. Comparative Proteome Analysis of Brucella melitensis Vaccine Strain Rev 1 and a Virulent Strain, 16M

    PubMed Central

    Eschenbrenner, Michel; Wagner, Mary Ann; Horn, Troy A.; Kraycer, Jo Ann; Mujer, Cesar V.; Hagius, Sue; Elzer, Philip; DelVecchio, Vito G.

    2002-01-01

    The genus Brucella consists of bacterial pathogens that cause brucellosis, a major zoonotic disease characterized by undulant fever and neurological disorders in humans. Among the different Brucella species, Brucella melitensis is considered the most virulent. Despite successful use in animals, the vaccine strains remain infectious for humans. To understand the mechanism of virulence in B. melitensis, the proteome of vaccine strain Rev 1 was analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and compared to that of virulent strain 16M. The two strains were grown under identical laboratory conditions. Computer-assisted analysis of the two B. melitensis proteomes revealed proteins expressed in either 16M or Rev 1, as well as up- or down-regulation of proteins specific for each of these strains. These proteins were identified by peptide mass fingerprinting. It was found that certain metabolic pathways may be deregulated in Rev 1. Expression of an immunogenic 31-kDa outer membrane protein, proteins utilized for iron acquisition, and those that play a role in sugar binding, lipid degradation, and amino acid binding was altered in Rev 1. PMID:12193611

  14. Comparative proteome analysis of Brucella melitensis vaccine strain Rev 1 and a virulent strain, 16M.

    PubMed

    Eschenbrenner, Michel; Wagner, Mary Ann; Horn, Troy A; Kraycer, Jo Ann; Mujer, Cesar V; Hagius, Sue; Elzer, Philip; DelVecchio, Vito G

    2002-09-01

    The genus Brucella consists of bacterial pathogens that cause brucellosis, a major zoonotic disease characterized by undulant fever and neurological disorders in humans. Among the different Brucella species, Brucella melitensis is considered the most virulent. Despite successful use in animals, the vaccine strains remain infectious for humans. To understand the mechanism of virulence in B. melitensis, the proteome of vaccine strain Rev 1 was analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and compared to that of virulent strain 16M. The two strains were grown under identical laboratory conditions. Computer-assisted analysis of the two B. melitensis proteomes revealed proteins expressed in either 16M or Rev 1, as well as up- or down-regulation of proteins specific for each of these strains. These proteins were identified by peptide mass fingerprinting. It was found that certain metabolic pathways may be deregulated in Rev 1. Expression of an immunogenic 31-kDa outer membrane protein, proteins utilized for iron acquisition, and those that play a role in sugar binding, lipid degradation, and amino acid binding was altered in Rev 1.

  15. 78 FR 74008 - Amendment of Class E Airspace; Del Rio, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-12-10

    ... Laughlin Air Force Base (AFB). The FAA is taking this action to enhance the safety and management of... at Laughlin AFB, Del Rio, TX. An additional segment to the north is needed to contain approach category E military aircraft conducting circling approaches to the airport, to retain the safety and...

  16. 75 FR 31463 - Comal County Regional Habitat Conservation Plan, Comal County, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-06-03

    ... as school development, road construction and maintenance, and parkland. The ITP will cover Comal... activities including, but not limited to: Public or private construction and development, utility... Wildlife Service, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78758 or 512-490-0057. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION...

  17. MASH test 3-11 of the TxDOT T222 bridge rail.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2016-07-01

    The objective of this research was to evaluate the impact performance of the TxDOT Type T222 : Bridge Rail according to the Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) TL-3. The crash testing was : performed in accordance with the requirements of MAS...

  18. Complete Genome Sequences of Lactobacillus johnsonii Strain N6.2 and Lactobacillus reuteri Strain TD1.

    PubMed

    Leonard, Michael T; Valladares, Ricardo B; Ardissone, Alexandria; Gonzalez, Claudio F; Lorca, Graciela L; Triplett, Eric W

    2014-05-08

    We report here the complete genome sequences of Lactobacillus johnsonii strain N6.2, a homofermentative lactic acid intestinal bacterium, and Lactobacillus reuteri strain TD1, a heterofermentative lactic acid intestinal bacterium, both isolated from a type 1 diabetes-resistant rat model.

  19. Spherical nanoindentation stress-strain analysis, Version 1

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Weaver, Jordan S.; Turner, David; Miller, Calvin

    Nanoindentation is a tool that allows the mechanical response of a variety of materials at the nano to micron length scale to be measured. Recent advances in spherical nanoindentation techniques have allowed for a more reliable and meaningful characterization of the mechanical response from nanoindentation experiments in the form on an indentation stress-strain curve. This code base, Spin, is written in MATLAB (The Mathworks, Inc.) and based on the analysis protocols developed by S.R. Kalidindi and S. Pathak [1, 2]. The inputs include the displacement, load, harmonic contact stiffness, harmonic displacement, and harmonic load from spherical nanoindentation tests in themore » form of an Excel (Microsoft) spreadsheet. The outputs include indentation stress-strain curves and indentation properties as well their variance due to the uncertainty of the zero-point correction in the form of MATLAB data (.mat) and figures (.png). [1] S. Pathak, S.R. Kalidindi. Spherical nanoindentation stress–strain curves, Mater. Sci. Eng R-Rep 91 (2015). [2] S.R. Kalidindi, S. Pathak. Determination of the effective zero-point and the extraction of spherical nanoindentation stress-strain curves, Acta Materialia 56 (2008) 3523-3532.« less

  20. 78 FR 52716 - Proposed Amendment of Class E Airspace; Del Rio, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-08-26

    ..., Del Rio, TX. An additional segment to the north is needed to contain approach category E military aircraft conducting circling approaches to the airport, to retain the safety and management of IFR aircraft... to enhance the safety and management of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations for instrument...

  1. Decolorization of sulfonated azo dye Metanil Yellow by newly isolated bacterial strains: Bacillus sp. strain AK1 and Lysinibacillus sp. strain AK2.

    PubMed

    Anjaneya, O; Souche, S Yogesh; Santoshkumar, M; Karegoudar, T B

    2011-06-15

    Two different bacterial strains capable of decolorizing a highly water soluble azo dye Metanil Yellow were isolated from dye contaminated soil sample collected from Atul Dyeing Industry, Bellary, India. The individual bacterial strains Bacillus sp. AK1 and Lysinibacillus sp. AK2 decolorized Metanil Yellow (200 mg L(-1)) completely within 27 and 12h respectively. Various parameters like pH, temperature, NaCl and initial dye concentrations were optimized to develop an economically feasible decolorization process. The maximum concentration of Metanil Yellow (1000 mg L(-1)) was decolorized by strains AK2 and AK1 within 78 and 84 h respectively. These strains could decolorize Metanil Yellow over a broad pH range 5.5-9.0; the optimum pH was 7.2. The decolorization of Metanil Yellow was most efficient at 40°C and confirmed by UV-visible spectroscopy, TLC, HPLC and GC/MS analysis. Further, both the strains showed the involvement of azoreductase in the decolorization process. Phytotoxicity studies of catabolic products of Metanil Yellow on the seeds of chick pea and pigeon pea revealed much reduction in the toxicity of metabolites as compared to the parent dye. These results indicating the effectiveness of strains AK1 and AK2 for the treatment of textile effluents containing azo dyes. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  2. 75 FR 8994 - Certification of the Attorney General; Williamson County, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-02-26

    ... DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Certification of the Attorney General; Williamson County, TX In accordance with Section 8 of the Voting Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. 1973f, I hereby certify that in my judgment the... Section 4(b) of the Voting Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. 1973b(b), and published in the Federal Register on...

  3. 0-6622 : implementation of a Texas Mechanistic-Empirical Thickness Design System (TxME).

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2013-10-01

    The current flexible pavement design system (FPS) : used at the Texas Department of Transportation : (TxDOT) has limitations in that it does not use any : results from laboratory testing, so it is impossible to : determine benefits from improved base...

  4. 76 FR 73587 - Foreign-Trade Zone 183-Austin, Tx; Site Renumbering Notice

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-11-29

    ... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Foreign-Trade Zones Board Foreign-Trade Zone 183--Austin, Tx; Site... Research site located in north central Austin at the intersection of Burnett Road and Longhorn Boulevard... (Board Order 1366). FTZ 183 currently consists of 8 ``sites'' totaling some 2,818 acres in the Austin...

  5. Anaerobic Dehalogenation of Chloroanilines by Dehalococcoides mccartyi Strain CBDB1 and Dehalobacter Strain 14DCB1 via Different Pathways as Related to Molecular Electronic Structure.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Shangwei; Wondrousch, Dominik; Cooper, Myriel; Zinder, Stephen H; Schüürmann, Gerrit; Adrian, Lorenz

    2017-04-04

    Dehalococcoides mccartyi strain CBDB1 and Dehalobacter strain 14DCB1 are organohalide-respiring microbes of the phyla Chloroflexi and Firmicutes, respectively. Here, we report the transformation of chloroanilines by these two bacterial strains via dissimilar dehalogenation pathways and discuss the underlying mechanism with quantum chemically calculated net atomic charges of the substrate Cl, H, and C atoms. Strain CBDB1 preferentially removed Cl doubly flanked by two Cl or by one Cl and NH 2 , whereas strain 14DCB1 preferentially dechlorinated Cl that has an ortho H. For the CBDB1-mediated dechlorination, comparative analysis with Hirshfeld charges shows that the least-negative Cl discriminates active from nonactive substrates in 14 out of 15 cases and may represent the preferred site of primary attack through cob(I)alamin. For the latter trend, three of seven active substrates provide strong evidence, with partial support from three of the remaining four substrates. Regarding strain 14DCB1, the most positive carbon-attached H atom discriminates active from nonactive chloroanilines in again 14 out of 15 cases. Here, regioselectivity is governed for 10 of the 11 active substrates by the most positive H attached to the highest-charge (most positive or least negative) aromatic C carrying the Cl to be removed. These findings suggest the aromatic ring H as primary site of attack through the supernucleophile Co(I), converting an initial H bond to a full electron transfer as start of the reductive dehalogenation. For both mechanisms, one- and two-electron transfer to Cl (strain CBDB1) or H (strain 14DCB1) are compatible with the presently available data. Computational chemistry research into reaction intermediates and pathways may further aid in understanding the bacterial reductive dehalogenation at the molecular level.

  6. Effect of the spider toxin Tx3-3 on spinal processing of sensory information in naive and neuropathic rats: an in vivo electrophysiological study.

    PubMed

    Dalmolin, Gerusa D; Bannister, Kirsty; Gonçalves, Leonor; Sikandar, Shafaq; Patel, Ryan; Cordeiro, Marta do Nascimento; Gomez, Marcus Vinícius; Ferreira, Juliano; Dickenson, Anthony H

    2017-07-01

    Drugs that counteract nociceptive transmission in the spinal dorsal horn preferentially after nerve injury are being pursued as possible neuropathic pain treatments. In a previous behavioural study, the peptide toxin Tx3-3, which blocks P/Q- and R-type voltage-gated calcium channels, was effective in neuropathic pain models. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effect of Tx3-3 on dorsal horn neuronal responses in rats under physiological conditions and neuropathic pain condition induced by spinal nerve ligation (SNL). In vivo electrophysiological recordings of dorsal horn neuronal response to electrical and natural (mechanical and thermal) stimuli were made in rats under normal physiological state (naive rats) or after the SNL model of neuropathic pain. Tx3-3 (0.3-100 pmol/site) exhibited greater inhibitory effect on electrical-evoked neuronal response of SNL rats than naive rats, inhibiting nociceptive C-fibre and Aδ-fibre responses only in SNL rats. The wind-up of neurones, a measurement of spinal cord hyperexcitability, was also more susceptible to a dose-related inhibition by Tx3-3 after nerve injury. Moreover, Tx3-3 exhibited higher potency to inhibit mechanical- and thermal-evoked neuronal response in conditions of neuropathy. Tx3-3 mediated differential inhibitory effect under physiological and neuropathic conditions, exhibiting greater potency in conditions of neuropathic pain.

  7. 33 CFR 165.813 - Security Zones; Ports of Houston and Galveston, TX.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... Security Zones; Ports of Houston and Galveston, TX. (a) Location. Within the Ports of Houston and Galveston, Texas, moving security zones are established encompassing all waters within 500 yards of a cruise ship... entire transit of the cruise ship and continues while the cruise ship is moored or anchored. (b...

  8. 33 CFR 165.813 - Security Zones; Ports of Houston and Galveston, TX.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... Security Zones; Ports of Houston and Galveston, TX. (a) Location. Within the Ports of Houston and Galveston, Texas, moving security zones are established encompassing all waters within 500 yards of a cruise ship... entire transit of the cruise ship and continues while the cruise ship is moored or anchored. (b...

  9. 33 CFR 165.813 - Security Zones; Ports of Houston and Galveston, TX.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... Security Zones; Ports of Houston and Galveston, TX. (a) Location. Within the Ports of Houston and Galveston, Texas, moving security zones are established encompassing all waters within 500 yards of a cruise ship... entire transit of the cruise ship and continues while the cruise ship is moored or anchored. (b...

  10. 33 CFR 165.813 - Security Zones; Ports of Houston and Galveston, TX.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... Security Zones; Ports of Houston and Galveston, TX. (a) Location. Within the Ports of Houston and Galveston, Texas, moving security zones are established encompassing all waters within 500 yards of a cruise ship... entire transit of the cruise ship and continues while the cruise ship is moored or anchored. (b...

  11. 33 CFR 165.813 - Security Zones; Ports of Houston and Galveston, TX.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... Security Zones; Ports of Houston and Galveston, TX. (a) Location. Within the Ports of Houston and Galveston, Texas, moving security zones are established encompassing all waters within 500 yards of a cruise ship... entire transit of the cruise ship and continues while the cruise ship is moored or anchored. (b...

  12. cAMP Response Element-binding Protein (CREB) and Nuclear Factor κB Mediate the Tamoxifen-induced Up-regulation of Glutamate Transporter 1 (GLT-1) in Rat Astrocytes*

    PubMed Central

    Karki, Pratap; Webb, Anton; Smith, Keisha; Lee, Kyuwon; Son, Deok-Soo; Aschner, Michael; Lee, Eunsook

    2013-01-01

    Tamoxifen (TX), a selective estrogen receptor modulator, exerts antagonistic effects on breast tissue and is used to treat breast cancer. Recent evidence also suggests that it may act as an agonist in brain tissue. We reported previously that TX enhanced the expression and function of glutamate transporter 1 (GLT-1) in rat astrocytes, an effect that was mediated by TGF-α. To gain further insight into the mechanisms that mediate TX-induced up-regulation of GLT-1 (EAAT2 in humans), we investigated its effect on GLT-1 at the transcriptional level. TX phosphorylated the cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and recruited CREB to the GLT-1 promoter consensus site. The effect of TX on astrocytic GLT-1 was attenuated by the inhibition of PKA, the upstream activator of the CREB pathway. In addition, the effect of TX on GLT-1 promoter activity was abolished by the inhibition of the NF-κB pathway. Furthermore, TX recruited the NF-κB subunits p65 and p50 to the NF-κB binding domain of the GLT-1 promoter. Mutation of NF-κB (triple, −583/-282/-251) or CRE (-308) sites on the GLT-1 promoter led to significant repression of the promoter activity, but neither mutant completely abolished the TX-induced GLT-1 promoter activity. Mutation of both the NF-κB (-583/-282/-251) and CRE (-308) sites led to a complete abrogation of the effect of TX on GLT-1 promoter activity. Taken together, our findings establish that TX regulates GLT-1 via the CREB and NF-κB pathways. PMID:23955341

  13. EnviroAtlas -- Austin, TX -- One Meter Resolution Urban Land Cover Data (2010) Web Service

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    This EnviroAtlas web service supports research and online mapping activities related to EnviroAtlas (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas ). The Austin, TX EnviroAtlas One Meter-scale Urban Land Cover (MULC) Data were generated from United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Imagery Program (NAIP) four band (red, green, blue, and near infrared) aerial photography at 1 m spatial resolution from multiple dates in May, 2010. Six land cover classes were mapped: water, impervious surfaces, soil and barren land, trees, grass-herbaceous non-woody vegetation, and agriculture. An accuracy assessment of 600 completely random and 55 stratified random photo interpreted reference points yielded an overall User's fuzzy accuracy of 87 percent. The area mapped is the US Census Bureau's 2010 Urban Statistical Area for Austin, TX plus a 1 km buffer. This dataset was produced by the US EPA to support research and online mapping activities related to EnviroAtlas. EnviroAtlas (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas) allows the user to interact with a web-based, easy-to-use, mapping application to view and analyze multiple ecosystem services for the contiguous United States. The dataset is available as downloadable data (https://edg.epa.gov/data/Public/ORD/EnviroAtlas) or as an EnviroAtlas map service. Additional descriptive information about each attribute in this dataset can be found in its associated EnviroAtlas Fact Sheet (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas/enviroatlas

  14. Electronic structure in 1T-ZrS2 monolayer by strain

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xin, Qianqian; Zhao, Xu; Ma, Xu; Wu, Ninghua; Liu, Xiaomeng; Wei, Shuyi

    2017-09-01

    We report electronic structure of 1T-ZrS2 monolayer with biaxial strain from -10% to 15%, basing the first principles calculations. Our calculation results indicate that the band structure of ZrS2 monolayer was changed clearly. The location of conduction band minimum (CBM) and valence band maximum (VBM) changed with the variation of isotropic strain. At compressive strain, the location of CBM and VBM retains at M and Γ point, respectively. The band gap of ZrS2 monolayer decreases from 1.111 eV to 0 eV when compressive strain increases from 0% to -8%, which means that the ZrS2 monolayer turns to metal at -8% compressive strain. Under the tensile strain, the ZrS2 monolayer also retains be an indirect band gap semiconductor. The location of CBM moves from M to Γ point and the location of VBM moves along Γ-A-K-Γ direction. The band gap of ZrS2 monolayer firstly increases and then decreases and the biggest band gap is 1.577 eV at tensile strain 6%. We can see the compression strain is more effective than tensile strain in modulating band gap of 1T-ZrS2 monolayer.

  15. Evaluation of Texas native grasses for TxDOT right of ways : technical report.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2009-05-01

    The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has one of the largest right-of-way areas in the : United States with over 127,138 km of state maintained highway. In 2003, the new guidelines for Texas : Pollution Discharge Elimination System went into...

  16. EnviroAtlas - Austin, TX - Block Groups

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    This EnviroAtlas dataset is the base layer for the Austin, TX EnviroAtlas area. The block groups are from the US Census Bureau and are included/excluded based on EnviroAtlas criteria described in the procedure log. This dataset was produced by the US EPA to support research and online mapping activities related to EnviroAtlas. EnviroAtlas (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas) allows the user to interact with a web-based, easy-to-use, mapping application to view and analyze multiple ecosystem services for the contiguous United States. The dataset is available as downloadable data (https://edg.epa.gov/data/Public/ORD/EnviroAtlas) or as an EnviroAtlas map service. Additional descriptive information about each attribute in this dataset can be found in its associated EnviroAtlas Fact Sheet (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas/enviroatlas-fact-sheets).

  17. Iron Corrosion Induced by Nonhydrogenotrophic Nitrate-Reducing Prolixibacter sp. Strain MIC1-1

    PubMed Central

    Ito, Kimio; Wakai, Satoshi; Tsurumaru, Hirohito; Ohkuma, Moriya; Harayama, Shigeaki

    2014-01-01

    Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) of metallic materials imposes a heavy economic burden. The mechanism of MIC of metallic iron (Fe0) under anaerobic conditions is usually explained as the consumption of cathodic hydrogen by hydrogenotrophic microorganisms that accelerates anodic Fe0 oxidation. In this study, we describe Fe0 corrosion induced by a nonhydrogenotrophic nitrate-reducing bacterium called MIC1-1, which was isolated from a crude-oil sample collected at an oil well in Akita, Japan. This strain requires specific electron donor-acceptor combinations and an organic carbon source to grow. For example, the strain grew anaerobically on nitrate as a sole electron acceptor with pyruvate as a carbon source and Fe0 as the sole electron donor. In addition, ferrous ion and l-cysteine served as electron donors, whereas molecular hydrogen did not. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain MIC1-1 was a member of the genus Prolixibacter in the order Bacteroidales. Thus, Prolixibacter sp. strain MIC1-1 is the first Fe0-corroding representative belonging to the phylum Bacteroidetes. Under anaerobic conditions, Prolixibacter sp. MIC1-1 corroded Fe0 concomitantly with nitrate reduction, and the amount of iron dissolved by the strain was six times higher than that in an aseptic control. Scanning electron microscopy analyses revealed that microscopic crystals of FePO4 developed on the surface of the Fe0 foils, and a layer of FeCO3 covered the FePO4 crystals. We propose that cells of Prolixibacter sp. MIC1-1 accept electrons directly from Fe0 to reduce nitrate. PMID:25548048

  18. Registration of seed sterile, perennial Sorghum spp. [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench x S. halepense (L.) Pers.] hybrid 'PSH09TX15'

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    A novel, Perennial Sorghum spp. Hybrid (PSH) [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench x S. halepense (L.) Pers.] ('PSH09TX15'; PI ______) was identified that possessed complete seed sterility, only rare occurrences (< 0.1%) of flowering, and significantly higher mean leaf number per tiller than S. halepense. I...

  19. Cyclic strain increases protease-activated receptor-1 expression in vascular smooth muscle cells

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Nguyen, K. T.; Frye, S. R.; Eskin, S. G.; Patterson, C.; Runge, M. S.; McIntire, L. V.

    2001-01-01

    Cyclic strain regulates many vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) functions through changing gene expression. This study investigated the effects of cyclic strain on protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) expression in VSMCs and the possible signaling pathways involved, on the basis of the hypothesis that cyclic strain would enhance PAR-1 expression, reflecting increased thrombin activity. Uniaxial cyclic strain (1 Hz, 20%) of cells cultured on elastic membranes induced a 2-fold increase in both PAR-1 mRNA and protein levels. Functional activity of PAR-1, as assessed by cell proliferation in response to thrombin, was also increased by cyclic strain. In addition, treatment of cells with antioxidants or an NADPH oxidase inhibitor blocked strain-induced PAR-1 expression. Preincubation of cells with protein kinase inhibitors (staurosporine or Ro 31-8220) enhanced strain-increased PAR-1 expression, whereas inhibitors of NO synthase, tyrosine kinase, and mitogen-activated protein kinases had no effect. Cyclic strain in the presence of basic fibroblast growth factor induced PAR-1 mRNA levels beyond the effect of cyclic strain alone, whereas no additive effect was observed between cyclic strain and platelet-derived growth factor-AB. Our findings that cyclic strain upregulates PAR-1 mRNA expression but that shear stress downregulates this gene in VSMCs provide an opportunity to elucidate signaling differences by which VSMCs respond to different mechanical forces.

  20. Characterization of in-use emissions from TxDOT's non-road equipment fleet : final report.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2010-08-01

    The objective of this document is to present the findings of the study characterizing in-use emissions of TxDOT's non-road diesel equipment. This document presents literature reviews of emission reduction technologies and emission control measures pr...

  1. Desulfurization of dibenzothiophene by Corynebacterium sp. strain SY1.

    PubMed Central

    Omori, T; Monna, L; Saiki, Y; Kodama, T

    1992-01-01

    Strain SY1, identified as a Corynebacterium sp., was isolated on the basis of the ability to utilize dibenzothiophene (DBT) as a sole source of sulfur. Strain SY1 could utilize a wide range of organic and inorganic sulfur compounds, such as DBT sulfone, dimethyl sulfide, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethyl sulfone, CS2, FeS2, and even elemental sulfur. Strain SY1 metabolized DBT to dibenzothiophene-5-oxide, DBT sulfone, and 2-hydroxybiphenyl, which was subsequently nitrated to produce at least two different hydroxynitrobiphenyls during cultivation. These metabolites were separated by silica gel column chromatography and identified by nuclear magnetic resonance, UV, and mass spectral techniques. Resting cells of SY1 desulfurized toluenesulfonic acid and released sulfite anion. On the basis of these results, a new DBT degradation pathway is proposed. PMID:1575493

  2. BmTx3, a scorpion toxin with two putative functional faces separately active on A-type K+ and HERG currents.

    PubMed

    Huys, Isabelle; Xu, Chen-Qi; Wang, Cheng-Zhong; Vacher, Hélène; Martin-Eauclaire, Marie-France; Chi, Cheng-Wu; Tytgat, Jan

    2004-03-15

    A novel HERG channel blocker was isolated from the venom of the scorpion Buthus martensi Karsch, sequenced and characterized at the pharmacological level after chemical synthesis. According to the determined amino acid sequence, the cDNA and genomic genes were then cloned. The genomic gene consists of two exons interrupted by an intron of 65 bp at position -6 upstream from the mature toxin. The protein sequence of this toxin was completely identical with that of a known A-type K+ current blocker BmTx3, belonging to scorpion alpha-KTx subfamily 15. Thus BmTx3 is the first reported alpha-KTx peptide also showing HERG-blocking activity, like gamma-KTx peptides. Moreover, different from classical alpha-KTx peptides, such as charybdotoxin, BmTx3 cannot block Shaker -type K+ channels. Phylogenetic tree analysis reveals that this toxin takes an intermediate position between classical alpha-KTx and gamma-KTx toxins. From a structural point of view, we propose that two separate functional faces might exist on the BmTx3 molecule, responsible for the two different K+-current-blocking functions. Face A, composed of Arg18 and Lys19 in the alpha-helix side, might correspond to HERG blocking activity, whereas Face B, containing a putative functional dyad (Lys27 and Tyr36) in the beta-sheet side, might correspond to A-type blocking activity. A specific deletion mutant with the disrupted Face B, BmTx3-Y36P37del, loses the A-type current-blocking activity, but keeps a similar HERG-blocking activity, as seen with the wild-type toxin.

  3. Full Genome Sequence of Giant Panda Rotavirus Strain CH-1

    PubMed Central

    Guo, Ling; Yang, Shaolin; Wang, Chengdong; Chen, Shijie; Yang, Xiaonong; Hou, Rong; Quan, Zifang; Hao, Zhongxiang

    2013-01-01

    We report here the complete genomic sequence of the giant panda rotavirus strain CH-1. This work is the first to document the complete genomic sequence (segments 1 to 11) of the CH-1 strain, which offers an effective platform for providing authentic research experiences to novice scientists. PMID:23469354

  4. MASH TL-4 evaluation of the TxDOT type C2P bridge rail.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2017-02-01

    The objective of this research was to evaluate the impact performance of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Type C2P Bridge Rail according to the safety-performance evaluation guidelines included in the American Association of State Highw...

  5. 75 FR 52065 - SharePlus Federal Bank, Plano, TX; Approval of Conversion Application

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-08-24

    ... DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Office of Thrift Supervision [AC-50: OTS Nos. 17972 and H4743] SharePlus Federal Bank, Plano, TX; Approval of Conversion Application Notice is hereby given that on August 12, 2010, the Office of Thrift Supervision approved the application of SharePlus Federal Bank, Piano...

  6. 78 FR 57545 - Proposed Amendment of Class D Airspace; Dallas, Addison Airport, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-09-19

    ...-0749; Airspace Docket No. 13-ASW-16] Proposed Amendment of Class D Airspace; Dallas, Addison Airport... airspace ceiling at Addison Airport, Dallas, TX, is being withdrawn. Upon review, the FAA determined that the proposed rulemaking action is premature in that an existing Dallas/Fort Worth Class B airspace...

  7. Desulfurization of dibenzothiophene by Corynebacterium sp. strain SY1

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Omori, Toshio; Monna, L.; Saiki, Yuko

    1992-03-01

    Strain SY1, identified as a Corynebacterium sp., was isolated on the basis of the ability to utilize dibenzothiophene (DBT) as a sole source of sulfur. Strain SY1 could utilize a wide range of organic and inorganic sulfur compounds, such as DBT sulfone, dimethyl sulfide, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethyl sulfone, CS{sub 2}, FeS{sub 2}, and even elemental sulfur. Strain SY1 metabolized DBT to dibenzothiophene-5-oxide, DBT sulfone, and 2-hydroxybiphenyl, which was subsequently nitrated to produce at least two different hydroxynitrobiphenyls during cultivation. These metabolites were separated by silica gel column chromatography and identified by nuclear magnetic resonance, UV, and mass spectral techniques. Restingmore » cells of SY1 desulfurized toluenesulfonic acid and released sulfite anion. On the basis of these results, a new DBT degradation pathway is proposed.« less

  8. Tx/Rx Head Coil Induces Less RF Transmit-Related Heating than Body Coil in Conductive Metallic Objects Outside the Active Area of the Head Coil

    PubMed Central

    Nagy, Zoltan; Oliver-Taylor, Aaron; Kuehne, Andre; Goluch, Sigrun; Weiskopf, Nikolaus

    2017-01-01

    The transmit–receive (Tx/Rx) birdcage head coil is often used for excitation instead of the body coil because of the presumably lower risk of heating in and around conductive implants. However, this common practice has not been systematically tested. To investigate whether the Tx/Rx birdcage head coil produces less heating than the body coil when scanning individuals with implants, we used a 3T clinical scanner and made temperature measurements around a straight 15 cm conductor using either the Tx/Rx body or the head coil for excitation. Additionally, the transmitted fields of a Tx/Rx head coil were measured both in air and in gel using a resonant and a non-resonant B field probes as well as a non-resonant E field probe. Simulations using a finite-difference time domain solver were compared with the experimental findings. When the body coil was used for excitation, we observed heating around the 15 cm wire at various anatomical locations (both within and outside of the active volume of the head coil). Outside its active area, no such heating was observed while using the Tx/Rx head coil for excitation. The E and B fields of the Tx/Rx birdcage head coil extended well-beyond the physical dimensions of the coil. In air, the fields were monotonically decreasing, while in gel they were more complex with local maxima at the end of the ASTM phantom. These experimental findings were line with the simulations. While caution must always be exercised when scanning individuals with metallic implants, these findings support the use of the Tx/Rx birdcage head coil in place of the body coil at 3T in order to reduce the risk of heating in and around conductive implants that are remote from the head coil. PMID:28184184

  9. Electrochemical and optical study of carotenoids in TX 100 micelles: Electron transfer and a large blue shift

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    He, Z.; Kispert, L.D.

    1999-10-21

    The first oxidation waves of 8{prime}-apo-{beta}-caroten-8{prime}-al (I) and 8{prime}-apo-{beta}-caroten-8{prime}nitrile (II) in TX100 micelles are clearly observed in their cyclic voltammograms (CVs). The CV of {beta}-carotene (III) in TX100 micelles shows that III is not oxidized. It is proposed that the hydrophobic barrier of the micelle is an important reason for the failure to oxidize III, which is totally located in the hydrophobic center of the micelle. The oxidation of I and II demonstrates that electrons can be transferred through the terminal groups over a distance of ca. 22 {angstrom}. An unusually large blue band shift (100 nm, relative to thatmore » in CH{sub 2}Cl{sub 2}) is observed in the optical absorption spectrum of 7{prime}-apo-7{prime},7{prime}-dicyano-{beta}-carotene (IV) in TX100 micelles. This phenomenon is not observed in the absorption spectra of other studied carotenoids. A change in the ground-state electronic structure of IV, due to the influence of water near the terminal dicyanomethylidene group, is proposed to be the major reason for this large band shift.« less

  10. EnviroAtlas - Austin, TX - Atlas Area Boundary

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    This EnviroAtlas dataset shows the boundary of the Austin, TX Atlas Area. It represents the outside edge of all the block groups included in the EnviroAtlas Area.This dataset was produced by the US EPA to support research and online mapping activities related to EnviroAtlas. EnviroAtlas (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas) allows the user to interact with a web-based, easy-to-use, mapping application to view and analyze multiple ecosystem services for the contiguous United States. The dataset is available as downloadable data (https://edg.epa.gov/data/Public/ORD/EnviroAtlas) or as an EnviroAtlas map service. Additional descriptive information about each attribute in this dataset can be found in its associated EnviroAtlas Fact Sheet (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas/enviroatlas-fact-sheets).

  11. PET attenuation correction for rigid MR Tx/Rx coils from 176Lu background activity

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lerche, Christoph W.; Kaltsas, Theodoris; Caldeira, Liliana; Scheins, Jürgen; Rota Kops, Elena; Tellmann, Lutz; Pietrzyk, Uwe; Herzog, Hans; Shah, N. Jon

    2018-02-01

    One challenge for PET-MR hybrid imaging is the correction for attenuation of the 511 keV annihilation radiation by the required RF transmit and/or RF receive coils. Although there are strategies for building PET transparent Tx/Rx coils, such optimised coils still cause significant attenuation of the annihilation radiation leading to artefacts and biases in the reconstructed activity concentrations. We present a straightforward method to measure the attenuation of Tx/Rx coils in simultaneous MR-PET imaging based on the natural 176Lu background contained in the scintillator of the PET detector without the requirement of an external CT scanner or PET scanner with transmission source. The method was evaluated on a prototype 3T MR-BrainPET produced by Siemens Healthcare GmbH, both with phantom studies and with true emission images from patient/volunteer examinations. Furthermore, the count rate stability of the PET scanner and the x-ray properties of the Tx/Rx head coil were investigated. Even without energy extrapolation from the two dominant γ energies of 176Lu to 511 keV, the presented method for attenuation correction, based on the measurement of 176Lu background attenuation, shows slightly better performance than the coil attenuation correction currently used. The coil attenuation correction currently used is based on an external transmission scan with rotating 68Ge sources acquired on a Siemens ECAT HR  +  PET scanner. However, the main advantage of the presented approach is its straightforwardness and ready availability without the need for additional accessories.

  12. 76 FR 1511 - Amendment of Class D Airspace; Fort Worth NAS JRB (Carswell Field), TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-01-11

    ... navigation aids, at the request of the U.S. Navy, that are listed in the description. This action does not...) Class D airspace, Fort Worth, TX, and the navigation aids, to coincide with the FAAs Aeronautical...

  13. Staubli TX-90XL robot qualification at the LLIHE.

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Covert, Timothy Todd

    The Light Initiated High Explosive (LIHE) Facility uses a robotic arm to spray explosive material onto test items for impulse tests. In 2007, the decision was made to replace the existing PUMA 760 robot with the Staubli TX-90XL. A qualification plan was developed and implemented to verify the safe operating conditions and failure modes of the new system. The robot satisfied the safety requirements established in the qualification plan. A performance issue described in this report remains unresolved at the time of this publication. The final readiness review concluded the qualification of this robot at the LIHE facility.

  14. Immunological strain specificity within type 1 poliovirus*

    PubMed Central

    Gard, Sven

    1960-01-01

    The demonstration of immunological differences between poliovirus strains of any one type is a valuable procedure in epidemiological research as it may allow a virus strain to be identified as derived from or unrelated to a given possible source of infection. It is obviously of particular importance in connexion with live poliovirus vaccination campaigns. Both kinetic tests and conventional neutralization and complement-fixation techniques have been used to this end, the former involving a more complicated test procedure and the latter demanding greater nicety in the pre-standardization of reagents. The present paper reports on attempts to establish a simplified technique. Neutralization titres of sera obtained by immunization of guinea-pigs with three strains of type 1 poliovirus (including one isolated from a patient in the 1958-59 epidemic in Léopoldville described in the two preceding papers) indicated a degree of strain specificity sufficient to permit the design of a simple screening method for the purpose of a rough immunological classification. Preliminary observations on isolates from persons fed attenuated virus indicate that antigenic changes may occur in the course of multiplication of the virus in the human intestinal tract. PMID:13826481

  15. 33 CFR 165.808 - Corpus Christi Ship Channel, Corpus Christi, TX, safety zone.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Corpus Christi Ship Channel, Corpus Christi, TX, safety zone. 165.808 Section 165.808 Navigation and Navigable Waters COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) PORTS AND WATERWAYS SAFETY REGULATED NAVIGATION AREAS AND LIMITED ACCESS AREAS Specific Regulated Navigatio...

  16. 78 FR 54795 - Proposed Amendment of Class D Airspace; Dallas, Addison Airport, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-09-06

    ...-0749; Airspace Docket No. 13-ASW-16] Proposed Amendment of Class D Airspace; Dallas, Addison Airport...). SUMMARY: This action proposes to amend Class D airspace at Addison Airport, Dallas, TX. Changes to air traffic flows in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area has made it necessary to lower the ceiling of the...

  17. 77 FR 60103 - Approval of Subzone Status; TST NA TRIM, LLC; Hidalgo, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-10-02

    ... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Foreign-Trade Zones Board [S-90-2012] Approval of Subzone Status; TST NA TRIM, LLC; Hidalgo, TX On August 3, 2012, the Executive Secretary of the Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZ..., requesting subzone status subject to the existing activation limit of FTZ 12, on behalf of TST NA TRIM, LLC...

  18. 75 FR 16514 - Maxim Integrated Products, Formerly Known as Dallas Semiconductor, Dallas, TX; Amended...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-04-01

    ... DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employment and Training Administration [TA-W-70,291] Maxim Integrated Products, Formerly Known as Dallas Semiconductor, Dallas, TX; Amended Certification Regarding Eligibility To Apply... (``Act''), 19 U.S.C. 2273, the Department of Labor issued a Certification of Eligibility to Apply for...

  19. Margatoxin-bound quantum dots as a novel inhibitor of the voltage-gated ion channel Kv1.3.

    PubMed

    Schwartz, Austin B; Kapur, Anshika; Wang, Wentao; Huang, Zhenbo; Fardone, Erminia; Palui, Goutam; Mattoussi, Hedi; Fadool, Debra Ann

    2017-02-01

    Venom-derived ion channel inhibitors have strong channel selectivity, potency, and stability; however, tracking delivery to their target can be challenging. Herein, we utilized luminescent quantum dots (QDs) conjugated to margatoxin (MgTx) as a traceable vehicle to target a voltage-dependent potassium channel, Kv1.3, which has a select distribution and well-characterized role in immunity, glucose metabolism, and sensory ability. We screened both unconjugated (MgTx) and conjugated MgTx (QD-MgTx) for their ability to inhibit Shaker channels Kv1.1 to Kv1.7 using patch-clamp electrophysiology in HEK293 cells. Our data indicate that MgTx inhibits 79% of the outward current in Kv1.3-transfected cells and that the QD-MgTx conjugate is able to achieve a similar level of block, albeit a slightly reduced efficacy (66%) and at a slower time course (50% block by 10.9 ± 1.1 min, MgTx; vs. 15.3 ± 1.2 min, QD-MgTx). Like the unbound peptide, the QD-MgTx conjugate inhibits both Kv1.3 and Kv1.2 at a 1 nM concentration, whereas it does not inhibit other screened Shaker channels. We tested the ability of QD-MgTx to inhibit native Kv1.3 expressed in the mouse olfactory bulb (OB). In brain slices of the OB, the conjugate acted similarly to MgTx to inhibit Kv1.3, causing an increased action potential firing frequency attributed to decreased intraburst duration rather than interspike interval. Our data demonstrate a retention of known biophysical properties associated with block of the vestibule of Kv1.3 by QD-MgTx conjugate compared to that of MgTx, inferring QDs could provide a useful tool to deliver ion channel inhibitors to targeted tissues in vivo. © 2016 International Society for Neurochemistry.

  20. Metabolism of hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride in Pseudomonas strain B1.

    PubMed Central

    van Ginkel, C G; van Dijk, J B; Kroon, A G

    1992-01-01

    A bacterium (strain B1) utilizing hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride as a carbon and energy source was isolated from activated sludge and tentatively identified as a Pseudomonas sp. This bacterium only grew on alkyltrimethylammonium salts (C12 to C22) and possible intermediates of hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride breakdown such as hexadecanoate and acetate. Pseudomonas strain B1 did not grow on amines. Simultaneous adaptation studies suggested that the bacterium oxidized only the alkyl chain of hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride. This was confirmed by the stoichiometric formation of trimethylamine from hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride. The initial hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride oxygenase activity, measured by its ability to form trimethylamine, was NAD(P)H and O2 dependent. Finally, assays of aldehyde dehydrogenase, hexadecanoyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase, and isocitrate lyase in cell extracts revealed the potential of Pseudomonas strain B1 to metabolize the alkyl chain via beta-oxidation. PMID:1444422

  1. Flavisolibacter carri sp. nov., isolated from an automotive air-conditioning system.

    PubMed

    Lee, Hyosun; Kim, Dong-Uk; Lee, Suyeon; Kim, Song-Gun; Park, A-Young; Ahn, Jae-Hyung; Ka, Jong-Ok

    2018-04-18

    A Gram-stain negative, aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped and yellow bacterium, designated TX0651 T , was isolated from an automotive air-conditioning system. Phylogenetically, the strain groups with the members of the genus Flavisolibacter and exhibits high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with Flavisolibacter ginsenosidimutans Gsoil 636 T (97.4%), Flavisolibacter ginsengiterrae Gsoil 492 T (96.3%) and Flavisolibacter ginsengisoli Gsoil 643 T (96.2%). DNA-DNA relatedness between TX0651 T and F. ginsenosidimutans KCTC 22818 T and F. ginsengiterrae KCTC 12656 T were determined to be less than 40%. The low levels of DNA-DNA relatedness identifies the strain TX0651 T as a novel species in the genus Flavisolibacter. The major cellular fatty acids were identified as iso-C 15:0 , summed feature 3 (C 16:1 ω7c and/or C 16:1 ω6c), iso-C 15:1 G and iso-C 17:0 3-OH. The predominant respiratory quinone was identified as MK-7. The polar lipids were found to be comprised of phosphatidylethanolamine, unidentified amino-glycophospholipids, an unidentified aminophospholipid, an unidentified amino lipid and unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C content of the strain was determined to be 31.2 mol%. On the basis of the phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain TX0651 T should be classified in a novel species in the genus Flavisolibacter, for which the name Flavisolibacter carri sp. nov. (= KACC 19014 T  = KCTC 52836 T  = NBRC 111784 T ) is proposed.

  2. 77 FR 65360 - Foreign-Trade Zone 168-Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX; Notification of Proposed Production Activity...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-10-26

    ... (Eyewear Assembly/Kitting), Grand Prairie, TX The Metroplex International Trade Development Corporation... facility is located within Site 4 of FTZ 168. The facility is used for the assembly/kitting of eyewear...

  3. 75 FR 16336 - Establishment of Low Altitude Area Navigation Route (T-284); Houston, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-04-01

    ... (T-284); Houston, TX AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This action establishes a low altitude area navigation (RNAV) route, designated T-284, in the Houston... Register a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to establish low altitude area navigation route T-284 (74...

  4. 76 FR 14052 - Notice of Inventory Completion: Sabine River Authority of Texas, Quitman, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-03-15

    ... associated funerary objects are non-human bone fragments. Dr. Harrell Gill-King, Anthropologist, University... the determinations in this notice. A detailed assessment of the human remains was made by University... sent the remains to the University of North Texas, Denton, TX, for forensic evaluation. The human...

  5. Virulence of Serovar C-1 Strains of Avibacterium paragallinarum.

    PubMed

    Trujillo-Ruíz, H H; Shivaprasad, H L; Morales-Erasto, V; Talavera-Rojas, M; Salgado-Miranda, C; Salazar-García, F; Blackall, P J; Soriano-Vargas, E

    2016-12-01

    The bacterium Avibacterium paragallinarum is the etiologic agent of infectious coryza of chickens. There are nine serovars of A. paragallinarum , and serovar C-1 has emerged in outbreaks of infectious coryza in layer hens in the Americas, with all isolates having been obtained from infectious coryza-vaccinated chickens. In the current study, the clinical and histopathologic outcomes of experimental infections in chickens with A. paragallinarum of serovar C-1 were investigated. The Japanese serovar reference strain, H-18, and a Mexican isolate, ESV-135, were included in the study. No differences in clinical sign scores or morbidity were observed between the two strains. The two bacterial strains caused microscopic lesions of lymphoplasmacytic inflammation in the mucosa of the nasal cavity, infraorbital sinus, and trachea. Similar severe lesions were observed in birds inoculated with both H-18 and ESV-135 strains. The lesions were present 48 hr after inoculation and persisted until day 10 after inoculation. Slight to severe, extensive hemorrhages were observed in the lumen, mucous membranes, and lamina propria of the nasal cavity and infraorbital sinus in most of the chickens inoculated with either the reference strain H-18 or the ESV-135 isolate. Hemorrhages in the upper respiratory tract of chickens experimentally infected with A. paragallinarum are reported here for the first time. The results have confirmed the high virulence of the reference strain H-18 as previously reported and have shown that the Mexican isolate was as virulent as the reference strain. The virulence of A. paragallinarum isolates may play a role in explaining why severe infectious coryza outbreaks are being seen in both vaccinated and nonvaccinated chicken flocks.

  6. The neuromuscular activity of Bothriopsis bilineata smaragdina (forest viper) venom and its toxin Bbil-TX (Asp49 phospholipase A2) on isolated mouse nerve-muscle preparations.

    PubMed

    Floriano, Rafael Stuani; Rocha, Thalita; Carregari, Victor Corasolla; Marangoni, Sergio; da Cruz-Höfling, Maria Alice; Hyslop, Stephen; Rodrigues-Simioni, Léa; Rowan, Edward G

    2015-03-01

    The presynaptic action of Bothriopsis bilineata smaragdina (forest viper) venom and Bbil-TX, an Asp49 PLA2 from this venom, was examined in detail in mouse phrenic nerve-muscle (PND) preparations in vitro and in a neuroblastoma cell line (SK-N-SH) in order to gain a better insight into the mechanism of action of the venom and associated Asp49 PLA2. In low Ca(2+) solution, venom (3μg/ml) caused a quadriphasic response in PND twitch height whilst at 10μg/ml the venom additionally induced an abrupt and marked initial contracture followed by neuromuscular facilitation, rhythmic oscillations of nerve-evoked twitches, alterations in baseline and progressive blockade. The venom slowed the relaxation phase of muscle twitches. In low Ca(2+), Bbil-TX [210nM (3μg/ml)] caused a progressive increase in PND twitch amplitude but no change in the decay time constant. Venom (10μg/ml) and Bbil-TX (210nM) caused minor changes in the compound action potential (CAP) amplitude recorded from sciatic nerve preparations, with no significant effect on rise time and latency; tetrodotoxin (3.1nM) blocked the CAP at the end of the experiments. In mouse triangularis sterni nerve-muscle (TSn-m) preparations, venom (10μg/ml) and Bbil-TX (210nM) significantly reduced the perineural waveform associated with the outward K(+) current while the amplitude of the inward Na(+) current was not significantly affected. Bbil-TX (210nM) caused a progressive increase in the quantal content of TSn-m preparations maintained in low Ca(2+) solution. Venom (3μg/ml) and toxin (210nM) increased the calcium fluorescence in SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells loaded with Fluo3 AM and maintained in low or normal Ca(2+) solution. In normal Ca(2+), the increase in fluorescence amplitude was accompanied by irregular and frequent calcium transients. In TSn-m preparations loaded with Fluo4 AM, venom (10μg/ml) caused an immediate increase in intracellular Ca(2+) followed by oscillations in fluorescence and muscle contracture

  7. Construction of improved temperature-sensitive and mobilizable vectors and their use for constructing mutations in the adhesin-encoding acm gene of poorly transformable clinical Enterococcus faecium strains.

    PubMed

    Nallapareddy, Sreedhar R; Singh, Kavindra V; Murray, Barbara E

    2006-01-01

    Inactivation by allelic exchange in clinical isolates of the emerging nosocomial pathogen Enterococcus faecium has been hindered by lack of efficient tools, and, in this study, transformation of clinical isolates was found to be particularly problematic. For this reason, a vector for allelic replacement (pTEX5500ts) was constructed that includes (i) the pWV01-based gram-positive repAts replication region, which is known to confer a high degree of temperature intolerance, (ii) Escherichia coli oriR from pUC18, (iii) two extended multiple-cloning sites located upstream and downstream of one of the marker genes for efficient cloning of flanking regions for double-crossover mutagenesis, (iv) transcriptional terminator sites to terminate undesired readthrough, and (v) a synthetic extended promoter region containing the cat gene for allelic exchange and a high-level gentamicin resistance gene, aph(2'')-Id, to distinguish double-crossover recombination, both of which are functional in gram-positive and gram-negative backgrounds. To demonstrate the functionality of this vector, the vector was used to construct an acm (encoding an adhesin to collagen from E. faecium) deletion mutant of a poorly transformable multidrug-resistant E. faecium endocarditis isolate, TX0082. The acm-deleted strain, TX6051 (TX0082Deltaacm), was shown to lack Acm on its surface, which resulted in the abolishment of the collagen adherence phenotype observed in TX0082. A mobilizable derivative (pTEX5501ts) that contains oriT of Tn916 to facilitate conjugative transfer from the transformable E. faecalis strain JH2Sm::Tn916 to E. faecium was also constructed. Using this vector, the acm gene of a nonelectroporable E. faecium wound isolate was successfully interrupted. Thus, pTEX5500ts and its mobilizable derivative demonstrated their roles as important tools by helping to create the first reported allelic replacement in E. faecium; the constructed this acm deletion mutant will be useful for assessing the

  8. The outer atmosphere of the carbon star TX Piscium

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Eriksson, K.; Gustafsson, B.; Johnson, H. R.; Querci, F.; Querci, M.

    1986-01-01

    A high-resolution LWP IUE spectrum of the bright N-type carbon star TX Psc demonstrates that the Mg II h and k emission profiles are strongly affected by absorption from Mg II, Mn I, probably Fe I, and possibly from molecules. The indication that the absorbing matter has a column density of not less than 10 to the 20th H atoms or molecules per sq cm is consistent with absorption in a slowly expanding envelope. The integrated Mg II line flux is found to be much greater than in 1981, and the radio CO (J = 1 - 0) line from the circumstellar shell is detected. Results for a column density of not larger than 10 to the 22nd H2 molecules/sq cm, and a radial velocity close to that of the star, are in agreement with those obtained from UV data. Some dust emission from carbon grains is suggested by the far infrared flux distribution, and a mass-loss rate estimation for the star of 10 to the -6th to 10 to the -8th solar masses is obtained.

  9. Immunity against influenza A(H1N1) infections is determined by age at the time of initial strain circulation.

    PubMed

    Delabre, R M; Salez, N; Lapidus, N; Lemaitre, M; Leruez-Ville, M; de Lamballerie, X; Carrat, F

    2017-01-01

    We explored age-dependent patterns in haemagglutination inhibition (HI) titre to seasonal [1956 A(H1N1), 1977 A(H1N1), 2007 A(H1N1)] and pandemic [A(H1N1)pdm09] influenza strains using serological data collected from an adult French influenza cohort. Subjects were recruited by their general practitioners from 2008 to 2009 and followed until 2010. We explored age-related differences between strain-specific HI titres using 1053 serological samples collected over the study period from 398 unvaccinated subjects. HI titres against the tested seasonal and pandemic strains were determined using the HI technique. Geometric mean titres (GMTs) were estimated using regression models for interval-censored data. Generalized additive mixed models were fit to log-transformed HI estimates to study the relationship between HI titre and age (age at inclusion and/or age at initial strain circulation). GMT against one strain was consistently highest in the birth cohort exposed to that strain during childhood, with peak titres observed in subjects aged 7-8 years at the time of initial strain circulation. Our results complete previous findings on influenza A(H3N2) strains and identify a strain-dependent relationship between HI titre and age at initial strain circulation.

  10. 75 FR 13433 - Safety Zone; Invista Inc Facility Docks, Victoria Barge Canal, Victoria, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-03-22

    ...-AA00 Safety Zone; Invista Inc Facility Docks, Victoria Barge Canal, Victoria, TX AGENCY: Coast Guard... safety zone for a partial blockage of the Victoria Barge Canal when the Invista Inc facility is... channel will be substantially reduced. The safety zone is necessary to help ensure the safety of the...

  11. Rotavirus A genotype G1P[8]: a novel method to distinguish wild-type strains from the Rotarix vaccine strain.

    PubMed

    Rose, Tatiana L; Miagostovich, Marize P; Leite, José Paulo G

    2010-12-01

    Rotaviruses are important enteric pathogens for humans and animals. Group A rotaviruses (RV-A) are the most common agents of severe gastroenteritis in infants and young children and vaccination is the most effective method to reduce RV-A-associated diseases. G1P[8], the most prevalent RV-A genotype worldwide, is included in the RV-A vaccine Rotarix®. The discrimination between wild-type G1P[8] and vaccine G1P[8] strains is an important topic in the study of RV-A epidemiology to manage outbreaks and to define control measures for vaccinated children. In this study, we developed a novel method to segregate the wild-type and vaccine strains using restriction endonucleases. The dsRNA from the Rotarix® vaccine was sequenced and the NSP3 gene was selected as the target gene. The vaccine strain has a restriction pattern that is different than that of wild-type RV-A G1P[8] isolates after digestion with the restriction endonuclease BspHI. This pattern could be used as a marker for the differentiation of wild-type G1P[8] strains from the vaccine strain.

  12. Complete genome sequence of Rhodospirillum rubrum type strain (S1).

    PubMed

    Munk, A Christine; Copeland, Alex; Lucas, Susan; Lapidus, Alla; Del Rio, Tijana Glavina; Barry, Kerrie; Detter, John C; Hammon, Nancy; Israni, Sanjay; Pitluck, Sam; Brettin, Thomas; Bruce, David; Han, Cliff; Tapia, Roxanne; Gilna, Paul; Schmutz, Jeremy; Larimer, Frank; Land, Miriam; Kyrpides, Nikos C; Mavromatis, Konstantinos; Richardson, Paul; Rohde, Manfred; Göker, Markus; Klenk, Hans-Peter; Zhang, Yaoping; Roberts, Gary P; Reslewic, Susan; Schwartz, David C

    2011-07-01

    Rhodospirillum rubrum (Esmarch 1887) Molisch 1907 is the type species of the genus Rhodospirillum, which is the type genus of the family Rhodospirillaceae in the class Alphaproteobacteria. The species is of special interest because it is an anoxygenic phototroph that produces extracellular elemental sulfur (instead of oxygen) while harvesting light. It contains one of the most simple photosynthetic systems currently known, lacking light harvesting complex 2. Strain S1(T) can grow on carbon monoxide as sole energy source. With currently over 1,750 PubMed entries, R. rubrum is one of the most intensively studied microbial species, in particular for physiological and genetic studies. Next to R. centenum strain SW, the genome sequence of strain S1(T) is only the second genome of a member of the genus Rhodospirillum to be published, but the first type strain genome from the genus. The 4,352,825 bp long chromosome and 53,732 bp plasmid with a total of 3,850 protein-coding and 83 RNA genes were sequenced as part of the DOE Joint Genome Institute Program DOEM 2002.

  13. Prevalence of genes encoding virulence factors among Escherichia coli with K1 antigen and non-K1 E. coli strains.

    PubMed

    Kaczmarek, Agnieszka; Budzynska, Anna; Gospodarek, Eugenia

    2012-10-01

    Multiplex PCR was used to detect genes encoding selected virulence determinants associated with strains of Escherichia coli with K1 antigen (K1(+)) and non-K1 E. coli (K1(-)). The prevalence of the fimA, fimH, sfa/foc, ibeA, iutA and hlyF genes was studied for 134 (67 K1(+) and 67 K1(-)) E. coli strains isolated from pregnant women and neonates. The fimA gene was present in 83.6 % of E. coli K1(+) and in 86.6 % of E. coli K1(-) strains. The fimH gene was present in all tested E. coli K1(+) strains and in 97.0 % of non-K1 strains. E. coli K1(+) strains were significantly more likely to possess the following genes than E. coli K1(-) strains: sfa/foc (37.3 vs 16.4 %, P = 0.006), ibeA (35.8 vs 4.5 %, P<0.001), iutA (82.1 vs 35.8 %, P<0.001) and hlyF (28.4 vs 6.0 %, P<0.001). In conclusion, E. coli K1(+) seems to be more virulent than E. coli K1(-) strains in developing severe infections, thereby increasing possible sepsis or neonatal bacterial meningitis.

  14. Generation of a Listeria vaccine strain by enhanced Caspase-1 activation

    PubMed Central

    Warren, Sarah E.; Duong, Hien; Mao, Dat Phat; Armstrong, Abraham; Rajan, Jayant; Miao, Edward A.; Aderem, Alan

    2012-01-01

    The immunostimulatory properties conferred by vaccine adjuvants require Caspase-1 for processing of IL-1β and IL-18. Caspase-1 is activated in response to a breach of the cytosolic compartment by microbes and the process is initiated by intracellular pattern recognition receptors within inflammasomes. Listeria monocytogenes is detected in the cytosol by the NLRC4, NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammasomes. NLRC4 is activated by flagellin, and L. monocytogenes evades this detector by repressing flagellin expression. We generated an L. monocytogenes strain that was forced to express flagellin in the host cell cytosol. This strain hyperactivated Caspase-1 and was preferentially cleared via NLRC4 detection in an IL-1β/IL-18 independent manner. We also created a strain of L. monocytogenes with forced expression of another NLRC4 agonist, PrgJ from the Type III secretion system of S. typhimurium. Forced expression of flagellin or PrgJ resulted in attenuation, yet both strains conferred protective immunity in mice against lethal challenge with L. monocytogenes. This work is the first demonstration of specific targeting of the Caspase-1 activation pathway to generate a safe and potent L. monocytogenes based vaccine. Moreover, the attenuated strains with embedded flagellin or PrgJ adjuvants, represent attractive vectors for vaccines aimed at eliciting T cell responses. PMID:21538346

  15. 0-6754 : review of tolling approaches for implementation within TxDOT's travel demand models : [project summary].

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2013-11-01

    The urban travel demand models developed and applied by the Transportation Planning and Programming Division of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT-TPP) are daily three-step models without feedback. In other words, trip generation, trip dis...

  16. Chemical Contamination of the Lower Rio Grande near Laredo, TX

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Flores, B.; Ren, J.; Krishnamurthy, S.; Belzer, W.

    2006-12-01

    The Rio Grande River stretches over 2000 miles from the southern Rocky Mountains in Colorado to the tip of Texas where the Rio Grande meets the Gulf of Mexico. It is the natural boundary between U.S. and Mexico from El Paso, TX, to Brownsville, TX. The communities along the border heavily rely upon the Rio Grande as a primary source of water for consumption, agricultural uses, supporting wildlife and recreation. For many years the Rio Grande has been polluted with municipal, industrial, agricultural and farming contaminants from both sides of the border. This pollution has led to the extinction or reduction of certain wildlife species as well as affecting the health of the residences along the border. Even though great strides have been made in monitoring the Rio Grande, there has been a lack of intense monitoring data collection for pollutants such as pesticides. Three sampling sites including Manadas Creek, the Rio Grande River at International Bridge I, and USGS monitoring site 08459200 off of Highway 83 were chosen. The water quality parameters focused include temperature, pH, conductivity, dissolve oxygen (DO), salinity, total dissolved solids, nutrients, metals and pesticides. Preliminary results have shown elevated concentration of total phosphorus and ortho-phosphorus in the Manadas Creek site. Organochlorinated pesticides such as heptachlor and 4, 4 DDE were detected at various concentrations at all sites and endrin aldehyde was found at Manadas Creek site. This research has provided more information on the current chemical contamination level of the Rio Grande in the Laredo area.

  17. Physiological cyclic strain promotes endothelial cell survival via the induction of heme oxygenase-1

    PubMed Central

    Liu, Xiao-ming; Peyton, Kelly J.

    2013-01-01

    Endothelial cells (ECs) are constantly subjected to cyclic strain that arises from periodic change in vessel wall diameter as a result of pulsatile blood flow. Application of physiological levels of cyclic strain inhibits EC apoptosis; however, the underlying mechanism is not known. Since heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a potent inhibitor of apoptosis, the present study investigated whether HO-1 contributes to the antiapoptotic action of cyclic strain. Administration of physiological cyclic strain (6% at 1 Hz) to human aortic ECs stimulated an increase in HO-1 activity, protein, and mRNA expression. The induction of HO-1 was preceded by a rise in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Nrf2 protein expression. Cyclic strain also stimulated an increase in HO-1 promoter activity that was prevented by mutating the antioxidant responsive element in the promoter or by overexpressing dominant-negative Nrf2. In addition, the strain-mediated induction of HO-1 and activation of Nrf2 was abolished by the antioxidant N-acetyl-l-cysteine. Finally, application of cyclic strain blocked inflammatory cytokine-mediated EC death and apoptosis. However, the protective action of cyclic strain was reversed by the HO inhibitor tin protoporphyrin-IX and was absent in ECs isolated from HO-1-deficient mice. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that a hemodynamically relevant level of cyclic strain stimulates HO-1 gene expression in ECs via the ROS-Nrf2 signaling pathway to inhibit EC death. The ability of cyclic strain to induce HO-1 expression may provide an important mechanism by which hemodynamic forces promote EC survival and vascular homeostasis. PMID:23604711

  18. Duplex PCR for differentiation of the vaccine strain Brucella suis S2 and B. suis biovar 1 from other strains of Brucella spp.

    PubMed

    Nan, Wenlong; Tan, Pengfei; Wang, Yong; Xu, Zouliang; Mao, Kairong; Peng, Daxin; Chen, Yiping

    2014-09-01

    Immunisation with attenuated Brucella spp. vaccines prevents brucellosis, but may also interfere with diagnosis. In this study, a duplex PCR was developed to distinguish Brucella suis vaccine strain S2 from field strains of B. suis biovar 1 and other Brucella spp. The PCR detected 60 fg genomic DNA of B. suis S2 or biovar 1 field strains and was able to distinguish B. suis S2 and wild-type strains of B. suis biovar 1 among 76 field isolates representing all the common species and biovars, as well as four vaccine strains, of Brucella. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  19. Analysis of Escherichia coli Strains Causing Bacteriuria during Pregnancy: Selection for Strains That Do Not Express Type 1 Fimbriae

    PubMed Central

    Graham, J. C.; Leathart, J. B. S.; Keegan, S. J.; Pearson, J.; Bint, A.; Gally, D. L.

    2001-01-01

    Escherichia coli isolates from patients with bacteriuria of pregnancy were compared by PCR with isolates from patients with community-acquired cystitis for the presence of established virulence determinants. The strains from patients with bacteriuria of pregnancy were less likely to carry genes for P-family, S-family, and F1C adhesins, cytotoxic necrotizing factor 1, and aerobactin, but virtually all of the strains carried the genes for type 1 fimbriae. Standard mannose-sensitive agglutination of yeast cells showed that only 15 of 42 bacteriuria strains (36%) expressed type 1 fimbriae compared with 32 of 42 strains from community-acquired symptomatic infections (76%) (P < 0.01). This difference was confirmed by analysis of all isolates for an allele of the type 1 fimbrial regulatory region (fim switch), which negates type 1 fimbrial expression by preventing the fim switch from being inverted to the on phase. This allele, fimS49, was found in 8 of 47 bacteriuria strains from pregnant women (17.0%) compared with 2 of 60 strains isolated from patients with cystitis (3.3%) (P < 0.05). Determination of the phase switch orientation in vivo by analysis of freshly collected infected urine from patients with bacteriuria showed that the fim switch was detectable in the off orientation in 17 of 23 urine samples analyzed (74%). These data indicate that type 1 fimbriae are not necessary to maintain the majority of E. coli bacteriurias in pregnant women since there appears to be selection against their expression in this particular group. This is in contrast to the considered role of this adhesin in community-acquired symptomatic infections. The lack of type 1 fimbria expression is likely to contribute to the asymptomatic nature of bacteriuria in pregnant women, although approximately one-third of the bacteriuria isolates do possess key virulence determinants. If left untreated, this subset of isolates pose the greatest threat to the health of the mother and unborn child. PMID

  20. Development of a genetic sexing strain in Bactrocera carambolae (Diptera: Tephritidae) by introgression of sex sorting components from B. dorsalis, Salaya1 strain

    PubMed Central

    2014-01-01

    Background The carambola fruit fly, Bactrocera carambolae Drew & Hancock is a high profile key pest that is widely distributed in the southwestern ASEAN region. In addition, it has trans-continentally invaded Suriname, where it has been expanding east and southward since 1975. This fruit fly belongs to Bactrocera dorsalis species complex. The development and application of a genetic sexing strain (Salaya1) of B. dorsalis sensu stricto (s.s.) (Hendel) for the sterile insect technique (SIT) has improved the fruit fly control. However, matings between B. dorsalis s.s. and B. carambolae are incompatible, which hinder the application of the Salaya1 strain to control the carambola fruit fly. To solve this problem, we introduced genetic sexing components from the Salaya1 strain into the B. carambolae genome by interspecific hybridization. Results Morphological characteristics, mating competitiveness, male pheromone profiles, and genetic relationships revealed consistencies that helped to distinguish Salaya1 and B. carambolae strains. A Y-autosome translocation linking the dominant wild-type allele of white pupae gene and a free autosome carrying a recessive white pupae homologue from the Salaya1 strain were introgressed into the gene pool of B. carambolae. A panel of Y-pseudo-linked microsatellite loci of the Salaya1 strain served as markers for the introgression experiments. This resulted in a newly derived genetic sexing strain called Salaya5, with morphological characteristics corresponding to B. carambolae. The rectal gland pheromone profile of Salaya5 males also contained a distinctive component of B. carambolae. Microsatellite DNA analyses confirmed the close genetic relationships between the Salaya5 strain and wild B. carambolae populations. Further experiments showed that the sterile males of Salaya5 can compete with wild males for mating with wild females in field cage conditions. Conclusions Introgression of sex sorting components from the Salaya1 strain to a

  1. Development of a genetic sexing strain in Bactrocera carambolae (Diptera: Tephritidae) by introgression of sex sorting components from B. dorsalis, Salaya1 strain.

    PubMed

    Isasawin, Siriwan; Aketarawong, Nidchaya; Lertsiri, Sittiwat; Thanaphum, Sujinda

    2014-01-01

    The carambola fruit fly, Bactrocera carambolae Drew & Hancock is a high profile key pest that is widely distributed in the southwestern ASEAN region. In addition, it has trans-continentally invaded Suriname, where it has been expanding east and southward since 1975. This fruit fly belongs to Bactrocera dorsalis species complex. The development and application of a genetic sexing strain (Salaya1) of B. dorsalis sensu stricto (s.s.) (Hendel) for the sterile insect technique (SIT) has improved the fruit fly control. However, matings between B. dorsalis s.s. and B. carambolae are incompatible, which hinder the application of the Salaya1 strain to control the carambola fruit fly. To solve this problem, we introduced genetic sexing components from the Salaya1 strain into the B. carambolae genome by interspecific hybridization. Morphological characteristics, mating competitiveness, male pheromone profiles, and genetic relationships revealed consistencies that helped to distinguish Salaya1 and B. carambolae strains. A Y-autosome translocation linking the dominant wild-type allele of white pupae gene and a free autosome carrying a recessive white pupae homologue from the Salaya1 strain were introgressed into the gene pool of B. carambolae. A panel of Y-pseudo-linked microsatellite loci of the Salaya1 strain served as markers for the introgression experiments. This resulted in a newly derived genetic sexing strain called Salaya5, with morphological characteristics corresponding to B. carambolae. The rectal gland pheromone profile of Salaya5 males also contained a distinctive component of B. carambolae. Microsatellite DNA analyses confirmed the close genetic relationships between the Salaya5 strain and wild B. carambolae populations. Further experiments showed that the sterile males of Salaya5 can compete with wild males for mating with wild females in field cage conditions. Introgression of sex sorting components from the Salaya1 strain to a closely related B. carambolae

  2. Role of the BK channel (KCa1.1) during activation of electrogenic K+ secretion in guinea pig distal colon

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, Jin; Halm, Susan T.

    2012-01-01

    Secretagogues acting at a variety of receptor types activate electrogenic K+ secretion in guinea pig distal colon, often accompanied by Cl− secretion. Distinct blockers of KCa1.1 (BK, Kcnma1), iberiotoxin (IbTx), and paxilline inhibited the negative short-circuit current (Isc) associated with K+ secretion. Mucosal addition of IbTx inhibited epinephrine-activated Isc (epiIsc) and transepithelial conductance (epiGt) consistent with K+ secretion occurring via apical membrane KCa1.1. The concentration dependence of IbTx inhibition of epiIsc yielded an IC50 of 193 nM, with a maximal inhibition of 51%. Similarly, IbTx inhibited epiGt with an IC50 of 220 nM and maximal inhibition of 48%. Mucosally added paxilline (10 μM) inhibited epiIsc and epiGt by ∼50%. IbTx and paxilline also inhibited Isc activated by mucosal ATP, supporting apical KCa1.1 as a requirement for this K+ secretagogue. Responses to IbTx and paxilline indicated that a component of K+ secretion occurred during activation of Cl− secretion by prostaglandin-E2 and cholinergic stimulation. Analysis of KCa1.1α mRNA expression in distal colonic epithelial cells indicated the presence of the ZERO splice variant and three splice variants for the COOH terminus. The presence of the regulatory β-subunits KCaβ1 and KCaβ4 also was demonstrated. Immunolocalization supported the presence of KCa1.1α in apical and basolateral membranes of surface and crypt cells. Together these results support a cellular mechanism for electrogenic K+ secretion involving apical membrane KCa1.1 during activation by several secretagogue types, but the observed K+ secretion likely required the activity of additional K+ channel types in the apical membrane. PMID:23064759

  3. Genetic characterization and construction of an auxotrophic strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae JP1, a Brazilian industrial yeast strain for bioethanol production.

    PubMed

    Reis, Viviane Castelo Branco; Nicola, André Moraes; de Souza Oliveira Neto, Osmar; Batista, Vinícius Daniel Ferreira; de Moraes, Lidia Maria Pepe; Torres, Fernando Araripe Gonçalves

    2012-11-01

    Used for millennia to produce beverages and food, Saccharomyces cerevisiae also became a workhorse in the production of biofuels, most notably bioethanol. Yeast strains have acquired distinct characteristics that are the result of evolutionary adaptation to the stresses of industrial ethanol production. JP1 is a dominant industrial S. cerevisiae strain isolated from a sugarcane mill and is becoming increasingly popular for bioethanol production in Brazil. In this work, we carried out the genetic characterization of this strain and developed a set of tools to permit its genetic manipulation. Using flow cytometry, mating type, and sporulation analysis, we verified that JP1 is diploid and homothallic. Vectors with dominant selective markers for G418, hygromycin B, zeocin, and ρ-fluoro-DL-phenylalanine were used to successfully transform JP1 cells. Also, an auxotrophic ura3 mutant strain of JP1 was created by gene disruption using integration cassettes with dominant markers flanked by loxP sites. Marker excision was accomplished by the Cre/loxP system. The resulting auxotrophic strain was successfully transformed with an episomal vector that allowed green fluorescent protein expression.

  4. Extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 activation in endothelial cells exposed to cyclic strain

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ikeda, M.; Takei, T.; Mills, I.; Kito, H.; Sumpio, B. E.

    1999-01-01

    The aim of this study was to determine whether extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/ERK2) are activated and might play a role in enhanced proliferation and morphological change induced by strain. Bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) were subjected to an average of 6 or 10% strain at a rate of 60 cycles/min for up to 4 h. Cyclic strain caused strain- and time-dependent phosphorylation and activation of ERK1/ERK2. Peak phosphorylation and activation of ERK1/ERK2 induced by 10% strain were at 10 min. A specific ERK1/ERK2 kinase inhibitor, PD-98059, inhibited phosphorylation and activation of ERK1/ERK2 but did not inhibit the increased cell proliferation and cell alignment induced by strain. Treatment of BAEC with 2,5-di-tert-butyl-1, 4-benzohydroquinone, to deplete inositol trisphosphate-sensitive calcium storage, and gadolinium chloride, a Ca2+ channel blocker, did not inhibit the activation of ERK1/ERK2. Strain-induced ERK1/ERK2 activation was partly inhibited by the protein kinase C inhibitor calphostin C and completely inhibited by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein. These data suggest that 1) ERK1/ERK2 are not critically involved in the strain-induced cell proliferation and orientation, 2) strain-dependent activation of ERK1/ERK2 is independent of intracellular and extracellular calcium mobilization, and 3) protein kinase C activation and tyrosine kinase regulate strain-induced activation of ERK1/ERK2.

  5. Intrahippocampal injection of TsTX-I increases the levels of INF-γ in the cerebral tissue but not the levels of glutamate.

    PubMed

    Rodriguez, Renan Volner; Dorce, Valquiria Abrão Coronado; de Freitas, Lucas Alves; Dorce, Ana Leticia Coronado; Lebrun, Ivo; Sobral, Ana Claudia Martins; Portaro, Fernanda Calheta Vieira; Kuniyoshi, Alexandre Kazuo; Carvalho, Daniela Cajado; Nencioni, Ana Leonor Abrahão

    2015-09-01

    TsTX-I, isolated from Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom, causes epileptic-like discharges when injected into the central nervous system. The involvement of excitatory amino acids and cytokines in this activity was investigated. Our results have demonstrated that TsTX-I increases the release of IFN-γ but does not alter the intracerebral concentration of the excitatory amino acids in rats. Thus, this cytokine seems to be more important in the convulsive process than glutamate. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  6. Arsenic Removal from Drinking Water by Adsorptive Media. U.S. EPA Demonstration Project at Oak Manor Municipal Utility District at Alvin, TX. Final Performance Evaluation Report

    EPA Science Inventory

    This report documents the activities performed and the results obtained for the EPA arsenic removal technology demonstration project at the Oak Manor Municipal Utility District (MUD) facility in Alvin, TX. The objectives of the project were to evaluate 1) the effectiveness of a ...

  7. Genomic Analysis of Phylotype I Strain EP1 Reveals Substantial Divergence from Other Strains in the Ralstonia solanacearum Species Complex

    PubMed Central

    Li, Peng; Wang, Dechen; Yan, Jinli; Zhou, Jianuan; Deng, Yinyue; Jiang, Zide; Cao, Bihao; He, Zifu; Zhang, Lianhui

    2016-01-01

    Ralstonia solanacearum species complex is a devastating group of phytopathogens with an unusually wide host range and broad geographical distribution. R. solanacearum isolates may differ considerably in various properties including host range and pathogenicity, but the underlying genetic bases remain vague. Here, we conducted the genome sequencing of strain EP1 isolated from Guangdong Province of China, which belongs to phylotype I and is highly virulent to a range of solanaceous crops. Its complete genome contains a 3.95-Mb chromosome and a 2.05-Mb mega-plasmid, which is considerably bigger than reported genomes of other R. solanacearum strains. Both the chromosome and the mega-plasmid have essential house-keeping genes and many virulence genes. Comparative analysis of strain EP1 with other 3 phylotype I and 3 phylotype II, III, IV strains unveiled substantial genome rearrangements, insertions and deletions. Genome sequences are relatively conserved among the 4 phylotype I strains, but more divergent among strains of different phylotypes. Moreover, the strains exhibited considerable variations in their key virulence genes, including those encoding secretion systems and type III effectors. Our results provide valuable information for further elucidation of the genetic basis of diversified virulences and host range of R. solanacearum species. PMID:27833603

  8. A case study : benefits associated with the sharing of ATMS-related video data in San Antonio, TX

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1998-08-11

    This paper summarizes various findings relating to the integration of Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) components of video data in San Antonio, TX. Specifically, the paper examines the perceived benefits derived from the sharing of video dat...

  9. Diversification of the vacAs1m1 and vacAs2m2 Strains of Helicobacter pylori in Meriones unguiculatus

    PubMed Central

    Mendoza-Elizalde, Sandra; Arteaga-Resendiz, Nancy K.; Valencia-Mayoral, Pedro; Luna, Raúl C.; Moreno-Espinosa, Sarbelio; Arenas-Huertero, Francisco; Zúñiga, Gerardo; Velázquez-Guadarrama, Norma

    2016-01-01

    The bacterium Helicobacter pylori exhibits great genetic diversity, and the pathogenic roles of its virulence factors have been widely studied. However, the evolutionary dynamics of H. pylori strains during stomach colonization are not well-characterized. Here, we analyzed the microevolutionary dynamics of the toxigenic strain vacAs1m1, the non-toxigenic strain vacAs2m2, and a combination of both strains in an animal model over time. Meriones unguiculatus were inoculated with the following bacteria: group 1-toxigenic strain vacAs1m1/cagA+/cagE+/babA2+; ST181, group 2-non-toxigenic strain vacAs2m2/cagA+/cagE+/babA2+; ST2901, and group 3-both strains. The gerbils were euthanized at different time points (3, 6, 12, and 18 months). In group 1, genetic alterations were observed at 6 and 12 months. With the combination of both strains, group 3 also exhibited genetic alterations at 3 and 18 months; moreover, a chimera, vacA m1-m2, was detected. Additionally, four new sequence types (STs) were reported in the PubMLST database for H. pylori. Synonymous and non-synonymous mutations were analyzed and associated with alterations in amino acids. Microevolutionary analysis of the STs (PHYLOViZ) identified in each group revealed many mutational changes in the toxigenic (vacAs1m1) and non-toxigenic (vacAs2m2) strains. Phylogenetic assessments (eBURST) did not reveal clonal complexes. Our findings indicate that the toxigenic strain, vacAs1m1, and a combination of toxigenic and non-toxigenic strains acquired genetic material by recombination. The allelic combination, vacAs2m1, displayed the best adaptation in the animal model over time, and a chimera, m1-m2, was also identified, which confirmed previous reports. PMID:27877163

  10. Diversification of the vacAs1m1 and vacAs2m2 Strains of Helicobacter pylori in Meriones unguiculatus.

    PubMed

    Mendoza-Elizalde, Sandra; Arteaga-Resendiz, Nancy K; Valencia-Mayoral, Pedro; Luna, Raúl C; Moreno-Espinosa, Sarbelio; Arenas-Huertero, Francisco; Zúñiga, Gerardo; Velázquez-Guadarrama, Norma

    2016-01-01

    The bacterium Helicobacter pylori exhibits great genetic diversity, and the pathogenic roles of its virulence factors have been widely studied. However, the evolutionary dynamics of H. pylori strains during stomach colonization are not well-characterized. Here, we analyzed the microevolutionary dynamics of the toxigenic strain vacAs1m1 , the non-toxigenic strain vacAs2m2 , and a combination of both strains in an animal model over time. Meriones unguiculatus were inoculated with the following bacteria: group 1-toxigenic strain vacAs1m1/cagA+/cagE+/babA2+ ; ST181, group 2-non-toxigenic strain vacAs2m2/cagA+/cagE+/babA2+ ; ST2901, and group 3-both strains. The gerbils were euthanized at different time points (3, 6, 12, and 18 months). In group 1, genetic alterations were observed at 6 and 12 months. With the combination of both strains, group 3 also exhibited genetic alterations at 3 and 18 months; moreover, a chimera, vacA m1-m2 , was detected. Additionally, four new sequence types (STs) were reported in the PubMLST database for H. pylori . Synonymous and non-synonymous mutations were analyzed and associated with alterations in amino acids. Microevolutionary analysis of the STs (PHYLOViZ) identified in each group revealed many mutational changes in the toxigenic ( vacAs1m1 ) and non-toxigenic ( vacAs2m2 ) strains. Phylogenetic assessments (eBURST) did not reveal clonal complexes. Our findings indicate that the toxigenic strain, vacAs1m1 , and a combination of toxigenic and non-toxigenic strains acquired genetic material by recombination. The allelic combination, vacAs2m1 , displayed the best adaptation in the animal model over time, and a chimera, m1-m2 , was also identified, which confirmed previous reports.

  11. 77 FR 8806 - Foreign-Trade Zone 183-Austin, TX; Application for Reorganization Under the Alternative Site...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-02-15

    ... Gardner Road, Austin; Site 2 (50 acres)--Balcones Research site located in north central Austin at the... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Foreign-Trade Zones Board [Docket 8-2012] Foreign-Trade Zone 183--Austin, TX; Application for Reorganization Under the Alternative Site Framework An application has been...

  12. Identification and genetic characterization of unique HIV-1 A1/C recombinant strain in South Africa.

    PubMed

    Musyoki, Andrew M; Rakgole, Johnny N; Selabe, Gloria; Mphahlele, Jeffrey

    2015-03-01

    HIV isolates from South Africa are predominantly subtype C. Sporadic isolation of non-C strains has been reported mainly in cosmopolitan cities. HIV isolate j51 was recovered from a rural South African heterosexual female aged 51 years. Near full length amplification of the genome was attempted using PCR with primers targeting overlapping segments of the HIV genome. Analysis of 5593 bp (gag to vpu) at a bootstrap value greater than 70% found that all but the vpu gene was HIV-1 subtype A1. The vpu gene was assigned HIV-1 subtype C. The recombination breaking point was estimated at position 6035+/- 15 bp with reference to the beginning of the HXB2 reference strain. Isolate j51 revealed a unique genome constellation to previously reported recombinant strains with parental A/C backbones from South Africa though a common recombination with subtype C within the vpu gene. Identification of recombinant strains supports continued surveillance of HIV genetic diversity.

  13. Eop1 from a Rubus strain of Erwinia amylovora functions as a host-range limiting factor.

    PubMed

    Asselin, J E; Bonasera, J M; Kim, J F; Oh, C-S; Beer, S V

    2011-08-01

    Strains of Erwinia amylovora, the bacterium causing the disease fire blight of rosaceous plants, are separated into two groups based on host range: Spiraeoideae and Rubus strains. Spiraeoideae strains have wide host ranges, infecting plants in many rosaceous genera, including apple and pear. In the field, Rubus strains infect the genus Rubus exclusively, which includes raspberry and blackberry. Based on comparisons of limited sequence data from a Rubus and a Spiraeoideae strain, the gene eop1 was identified as unusually divergent, and it was selected as a possible host specificity factor. To test this, eop1 genes from a Rubus strain and a Spiraeoideae strain were cloned and mutated. Expression of the Rubus-strain eop1 reduced the virulence of E. amylovora in immature pear fruit and in apple shoots. Sequencing the orfA-eop1 regions of several strains of E. amylovora confirmed that forms of eop1 are conserved among strains with similar host ranges. This work provides evidence that eop1 from a Rubus-specific strain can function as a determinant of host specificity in E. amylovora.

  14. Complete genome sequence of Thauera aminoaromatica strain MZ1T

    PubMed Central

    Jiang, Ke; Sanseverino, John; Chauhan, Archana; Lucas, Susan; Copeland, Alex; Lapidus, Alla; Del Rio, Tijana Glavina; Dalin, Eileen; Tice, Hope; Bruce, David; Goodwin, Lynne; Pitluck, Sam; Sims, David; Brettin, Thomas; Detter, John C.; Han, Cliff; Chang, Y.J.; Larimer, Frank; Land, Miriam; Hauser, Loren; Kyrpides, Nikos C.; Mikhailova, Natalia; Moser, Scott; Jegier, Patricia; Close, Dan; DeBruyn, Jennifer M.; Wang, Ying; Layton, Alice C.; Allen, Michael S.; Sayler, Gary S.

    2012-01-01

    Thauera aminoaromatica strain MZ1T, an isolate belonging to genus Thauera, of the family Rhodocyclaceae and the class the Betaproteobacteria, has been characterized for its ability to produce abundant exopolysaccharide and degrade various aromatic compounds with nitrate as an electron acceptor. These properties, if fully understood at the genome-sequence level, can aid in environmental processing of organic matter in anaerobic cycles by short-circuiting a central anaerobic metabolite, acetate, from microbiological conversion to methane, a critical greenhouse gas. Strain MZ1T is the first strain from the genus Thauera with a completely sequenced genome. The 4,496,212 bp chromosome and 78,374 bp plasmid contain 4,071 protein-coding and 71 RNA genes, and were sequenced as part of the DOE Community Sequencing Program CSP_776774. PMID:23407619

  15. [Antimicrobial sensitivity of Escherichia coli strains with K1 antigen isolated from pregnant women and newborns].

    PubMed

    Kaczmarek, Agnieszka; Budzyńska, Anna; Gospodarek, Eugenia

    2011-01-01

    The aim of this study was comparison of the susceptibility to antibiotics of E. coli strains with K1 antigen (E. coli K1+) and non-K1 E. coli strains (E. coli K1-). This study included 67 of E. coli K1+ and 67 of E. coli K1- strains isolated in the time period from June to September of 2008 from pregnant women and newborns hospitalized at dr. J. Biziel University Hospital number 2 L. Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń. Antimicrobial susceptibility of E. coli strains was tested by the disc-diffusion method, on the Mueller Hinton 2 Agar (Becton Dickinson). It was found that 64,2% of E. coli K1+ strains and 53,7% of E. coli K1-strains were susceptible to all tested antibiotics and chemioterapeutics. E. coli K1- strains were more often than E. coli K1+ nonsusceptible to at least one antimicrobial agent. The obtained results indicate that E. coli K1+ strains significant differed in the susceptibility to ampicillin/sulbactam (85,1% versus 95,5%) (p=0,041), cephalothin (70,1% versus 85,1%) (p=0,038) and tetracycline (91,0% versus 74,6%) (p=0,012) from E. coli K1-strains. All tested E. coli K1+ and K1-strains were sensitive to piperacillin/tazobactam, cefoperazone/sulbactam, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, cefepime, imipenem, amikacin, netilmicin and tigecycline. There weren't the ESBL-producing strains among tested E. coli K1+ and K1- rods.

  16. Transmission of Hemagglutinin D222G Mutant Strain of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Virus

    PubMed Central

    Facchini, Marzia; Spagnolo, Domenico; De Marco, Maria A.; Calzoletti, Laura; Zanetti, Alessandro; Fumagalli, Roberto; Tanzi, Maria L.; Cassone, Antonio; Rezza, Giovanni; Donatelli, Isabella

    2010-01-01

    A pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus strain carrying the D222G mutation was identified in a severely ill man and was transmitted to a household contact. Only mild illness developed in the contact, despite his obesity and diabetes. The isolated virus reacted fully with an antiserum against the pandemic vaccine strain. PMID:20409386

  17. Genetic relatedness of ciprofloxacin-resistant Shigella dysenteriae type 1 strains isolated in south Asia.

    PubMed

    Talukder, Kaisar A; Khajanchi, Bijay K; Islam, M Aminul; Dutta, Dilip K; Islam, Zhahirul; Safa, Ashrafus; Khan, G Y; Alam, Khorshed; Hossain, M A; Malla, Sarala; Niyogi, S K; Rahman, Mustafizur; Watanabe, Haruo; Nair, G Balakrish; Sack, David A

    2004-10-01

    The aim of the present study was to determine the clonal relationships of ciprofloxacin-resistant Shigella dysenteriae type 1 strains isolated from south Asia, and S. dysenteriae 1 strains associated with epidemics in 1978, 1984 and 1994. The antimicrobial susceptibilities were examined by NCCLS methods. Molecular epidemiological characterization was performed by plasmid profiling, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and mutation analysis of the quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR) of gyrA by sequencing. Plasmid patterns of the current ciprofloxacin-resistant strains from India, Nepal and Bangladesh were very similar to those of the 1978, 1984 and 1994 epidemic isolates of S. dysenteriae 1, except for the presence of a new plasmid of approximately 2.6 MDa, which was found in one recent ciprofloxacin-resistant strain isolated in Bangladesh. PFGE analysis showed that the ciprofloxacin-resistant strains isolated in Bangladesh, India and Nepal belonged to a PFGE type (type A), which was possibly related to that of the 1984 and 1994 clone of S. dysenteriae 1, but different from 1978 epidemic strains. The current ciprofloxacin-resistant strains belong to five subtypes (A3-A7), all of which were found in India, but in Bangladesh and Nepal, only A3 existed. Mutation analysis of the QRDR of gyrA revealed that amino acid substitutions at positions 83 and 87 of ciprofloxacin-resistant strains isolated in Bangladesh were similar to those of the strains isolated in Nepal, but different (at position 87) from ciprofloxacin-resistant strains isolated in India. PFGE and mutation analysis of gyrA showed differences between the current ciprofloxacin-resistant S. dysenteriae 1 strains isolated in south Asia and those associated with epidemics in 1978, 1984 and 1994.

  18. Draft genome sequences of Streptococcus bovis strains ATCC 33317 and JB1

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    We report the draft genome sequences of Streptococcus bovis type strain ATTC 33317 (CVM42251) isolated from cow dung and strain JB1 (CVM42252) isolated from a cow rumen in 1977. Strains were subjected to Next Generation sequencing and the genome sizes are approximately 2 MB and 2.2 MB, respectively....

  19. Divergent strains of human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) within the Cosmopolitan subtype in Argentina.

    PubMed

    Eirin, Maria E; Dilernia, Dario A; Berini, Carolina A; Jones, Leandro R; Pando, Maria A; Biglione, Mirna M

    2008-10-01

    HTLV-1 Cosmopolitan subtype Transcontinental subgroup A has been described among aboriginal communities from the northwest endemic area of Argentina. Moreover, Transcontinental subgroup A and the Japanese subgroup B were reported among blood donors from the nonendemic central region of the country. We carried out the first HTLV-1 phylogenetic study in individuals residing in Buenos Aires capital city. Phylogenetic analysis performed on the LTR region showed that all 44 new strains clustered within the Cosmopolitan subtype, with 42 (95.4%) belonging to Transcontinental subgroup A. Of them, 20 (45.5%) strains grouped in the large Latin American cluster and 4 (9.1%) in the small Latin American cluster. The majority of them belonged to individuals of nonblack origin, grouped with Amerindian strains. Three (6.8%) were closely related to South African references and two monophyletic clusters including only HIV/HTLV-1 coinfected individuals were observed. Interestingly, two (4.5%) new sequences (divergent strains) branched off from all five known Cosmopolitan subgroups in a well-supported clade. In summary, these findings show that HTLV-1 Cosmopolitan subtype Transcontinental subgroup A is infecting residents of Buenos Aires, a nonendemic area of Argentina, and confirm the introduction of divergent strains in the country.

  20. 78 FR 55214 - Annual Marine Events in the Eighth Coast Guard District, Sabine River; Orange, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-09-10

    ... DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Coast Guard 33 CFR Part 100 [Docket No. USCG-2013-0723] Annual Marine Events in the Eighth Coast Guard District, Sabine River; Orange, TX AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. ACTION: Notice of enforcement of regulation. SUMMARY: The Coast Guard will enforce Special Local...

  1. [GM1-dot-EIA for the detection of toxin-producing Vibrio cholerae strains].

    PubMed

    Markina, O V; Alekseeva, L P; Telesmanich, N R; Chemisova, O S; Akulova, M V; Markin, N V

    2011-05-01

    A new variant of enzyme immunoassay (EIA) has been developed on the basis of GM1 gangliosides to detect the toxin-producing Vibrio cholerae strains--GM1-dot-EIA. Experiments were run using a nitrocellulose membrane to bind GM1 gangliosides and polyclonal antitoxic serum to detect cholerogen. GM1-dot-EIA testing identified cholera toxin in 11 of 13 supernatants of V. cholerae eltor ctx(+) strains isolated from man and in 3 of 7 supernatants of V. cholerae eltor ctx(+) strains isolated from water. These data agree with those obtained in CM1-EIA. There was no reaction with the supernatants of other microorganisms. The sensitivity of the technique was 10 ng/ml. Thus, the simple and specific GM1-dot-EIA may be recommended to detect toxin-producing V cholerae strains isolated from man and water.

  2. Calcium-independent activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 by cyclic strain

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ikeda, M.; Takei, T.; Mills, I.; Sumpio, B. E.

    1998-01-01

    We have previously demonstrated that cyclic strain induces extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) activation in endothelial cells (EC). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Ca2+ on the activation of ERK1/2. Bovine aortic EC were pretreated with a chelator of extracellular Ca2+, ethylaneglycol-bis(aminoethylether)-tetra-acetate (EGTA), a depleter of Ca2+ pools, 2,5-Di-(tert-butyl)-1,4-benzohydroquinone (BHQ), or a Ca2+ channel blocker, GdCl3, and subjected to an average 10 % strain at a rate of 60 cycles/min for 10 min. BHQ and GdCl3 did not inhibit the strain-induced ERK1/2 activation. Chelation of normal extracellular Ca2+ (1.8 mM) medium with EGTA (3 mM) acutely stimulated baseline phosphorylation and activation of ERK1/2, thereby obscuring any strain-induced activation of ERK1/2. However, in EC preincubated for 24 hours in Ca2+-free medium, elevated baseline phosphorylation was minimally activated by EGTA (200 microM) such that cyclic strain stimulated ERK1/2 in the presence or absence of BHQ. These results suggest a Ca2+ independence of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway by cyclic strain. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.

  3. Effects of the probiotic strain Lactobacillus johnsonii strain La1 on autonomic nerves and blood glucose in rats.

    PubMed

    Yamano, Toshihiko; Tanida, Mamoru; Niijima, Akira; Maeda, Keiko; Okumura, Nobuaki; Fukushima, Yoichi; Nagai, Katsuya

    2006-10-12

    Oral administration of Lactobacillus casei reportedly reduces blood glucose concentrations in a non-insulin-dependent diabetic KK-Ay mouse model. In order to determine if other lactobacillus strains affect glucose metabolism, we evaluated the effect of the probiotic strain Lactobacillus johnsonii La1 (LJLa1) strain on glucose metabolism in rats. Oral administration of LJLa1 via drinking water for 2 weeks inhibited the hyperglycemia induced by intracranial injection of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG). We found that the hyperglucagonemic response induced by 2DG was also suppressed by LJLa1. Oral administration of LJLa1 for 2 weeks also reduced the elevation of blood glucose and glucagon levels after an oral glucose load in streptozotocin-diabetic rats. In addition, we recently observed that intraduodenal injection of LJLa1 reduced renal sympathetic nerve activity and enhanced gastric vagal nerve activity, suggesting that LJLa1 might affect glucose metabolism by changing autonomic nerve activity. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of intraduodenal administration of LJLa1 on adrenal sympathetic nerve activity (ASNA) in urethane-anesthetized rats, since the autonomic nervous system, including the adrenal sympathetic nerve, may be implicated in the control of the blood glucose levels. Indeed, we found that ASNA was suppressed by intraduodenal administration of LJLa1, suggesting that LJLa1 might improve glucose tolerance by reducing glucagon secretion via alteration of autonomic nerve activities.

  4. Genetic homogeneity of Clostridium botulinum type A1 strains with unique toxin gene clusters.

    PubMed

    Raphael, Brian H; Luquez, Carolina; McCroskey, Loretta M; Joseph, Lavin A; Jacobson, Mark J; Johnson, Eric A; Maslanka, Susan E; Andreadis, Joanne D

    2008-07-01

    A group of five clonally related Clostridium botulinum type A strains isolated from different sources over a period of nearly 40 years harbored several conserved genetic properties. These strains contained a variant bont/A1 with five nucleotide polymorphisms compared to the gene in C. botulinum strain ATCC 3502. The strains also had a common toxin gene cluster composition (ha-/orfX+) similar to that associated with bont/A in type A strains containing an unexpressed bont/B [termed A(B) strains]. However, bont/B was not identified in the strains examined. Comparative genomic hybridization demonstrated identical genomic content among the strains relative to C. botulinum strain ATCC 3502. In addition, microarray data demonstrated the absence of several genes flanking the toxin gene cluster among the ha-/orfX+ A1 strains, suggesting the presence of genomic rearrangements with respect to this region compared to the C. botulinum ATCC 3502 strain. All five strains were shown to have identical flaA variable region nucleotide sequences. The pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns of the strains were indistinguishable when digested with SmaI, and a shift in the size of at least one band was observed in a single strain when digested with XhoI. These results demonstrate surprising genomic homogeneity among a cluster of unique C. botulinum type A strains of diverse origin.

  5. Permanent draft genomes of the Rhodopirellula maiorica strain SM1.

    PubMed

    Richter, Michael; Richter-Heitmann, Tim; Klindworth, Anna; Wegner, Carl-Eric; Frank, Carsten S; Harder, Jens; Glöckner, Frank Oliver

    2014-02-01

    The genome of Rhodopirellula maiorica strain SM1 was sequenced as a permanent draft to complement the full genome sequence of the type strain Rhodopirellula baltica SH1(T). This isolate is part of a larger study to infer the biogeography of Rhodopirellula species in European marine waters, as well as to amend the genus description of R. baltica. This genomics resource article is the fifth of a series of five publications reporting in total eight new permanent daft genomes of Rhodopirellula species. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  6. GC–MS-Based Metabonomic Profiling Displayed Differing Effects of Borna Disease Virus Natural Strain Hu-H1 and Laboratory Strain V Infection in Rat Cortical Neurons

    PubMed Central

    Liu, Siwen; Bode, Liv; Zhang, Lujun; He, Peng; Huang, Rongzhong; Sun, Lin; Chen, Shigang; Zhang, Hong; Guo, Yujie; Zhou, Jingjing; Fu, Yuying; Zhu, Dan; Xie, Peng

    2015-01-01

    Borna disease virus (BDV) persists in the central nervous systems of a wide variety of vertebrates and causes behavioral disorders. Previous studies have revealed that metabolic perturbations are associated with BDV infection. However, the pathophysiological effects of different viral strains remain largely unknown. Rat cortical neurons infected with human strain BDV Hu-H1, laboratory BDV Strain V, and non-infected control (CON) cells were cultured in vitro. At day 12 post-infection, a gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC–MS) metabonomic approach was used to differentiate the metabonomic profiles of 35 independent intracellular samples from Hu-H1-infected cells (n = 12), Strain V-infected cells (n = 12), and CON cells (n = 11). Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was performed to demonstrate discrimination between the three groups. Further statistical testing determined which individual metabolites displayed significant differences between groups. PLS-DA demonstrated that the whole metabolic pattern enabled statistical discrimination between groups. We identified 31 differential metabolites in the Hu-H1 and CON groups (21 decreased and 10 increased in Hu-H1 relative to CON), 35 differential metabolites in the Strain V and CON groups (30 decreased and 5 increased in Strain V relative to CON), and 21 differential metabolites in the Hu-H1 and Strain V groups (8 decreased and 13 increased in Hu-H1 relative to Strain V). Comparative metabonomic profiling revealed divergent perturbations in key energy and amino acid metabolites between natural strain Hu-H1 and laboratory Strain V of BDV. The two BDV strains differentially alter metabolic pathways of rat cortical neurons in vitro. Their systematic classification provides a valuable template for improved BDV strain definition in future studies. PMID:26287181

  7. Denitrifying metabolism of the methylotrophic marine bacterium Methylophaga nitratireducenticrescens strain JAM1.

    PubMed

    Mauffrey, Florian; Cucaita, Alexandra; Constant, Philippe; Villemur, Richard

    2017-01-01

    Methylophaga nitratireducenticrescens strain JAM1 is a methylotrophic, marine bacterium that was isolated from a denitrification reactor treating a closed-circuit seawater aquarium. It can sustain growth under anoxic conditions by reducing nitrate ([Formula: see text]) to nitrite ([Formula: see text]). These physiological traits are attributed to gene clusters that encode two dissimilatory nitrate reductases (Nar). Strain JAM1 also contains gene clusters encoding two nitric oxide (NO) reductases and one nitrous oxide (N 2 O) reductase, suggesting that NO and N 2 O can be reduced by strain JAM1. Here we characterized further the denitrifying activities of M. nitratireducenticrescens JAM1. Series of oxic and anoxic cultures of strain JAM1 were performed with N 2 O, [Formula: see text] or sodium nitroprusside, and growth and N 2 O, [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and N 2 concentrations were measured. Ammonium ([Formula: see text])-free cultures were also tested to assess the dynamics of N 2 O, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. Isotopic labeling of N 2 O was performed in 15 NH 4 + -amended cultures. Cultures with the JAM1Δ narG1narG2 double mutant were performed to assess the involvement of the Nar systems on N 2 O production. Finally, RT-qPCR was used to measure the gene expression levels of the denitrification genes cytochrome bc -type nitric oxide reductase ( cnorB1 and cnorB2 ) and nitrous oxide reductase ( nosZ ), and also nnrS and norR that encode NO-sensitive regulators. Strain JAM1 can reduce NO to N 2 O and N 2 O to N 2 and can sustain growth under anoxic conditions by reducing N 2 O as the sole electron acceptor. Although strain JAM1 lacks a gene encoding a dissimilatory [Formula: see text] reductase, [Formula: see text]-amended cultures produce N 2 O, representing up to 6% of the N-input. [Formula: see text] was shown to be the key intermediate of this production process. Upregulation in the expression of c norB1 , cnorB2, nnrS and nor

  8. A pain-inducing centipede toxin targets the heat activation machinery of nociceptor TRPV1

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yang, Shilong; Yang, Fan; Wei, Ningning; Hong, Jing; Li, Bowen; Luo, Lei; Rong, Mingqiang; Yarov-Yarovoy, Vladimir; Zheng, Jie; Wang, Kewei; Lai, Ren

    2015-09-01

    The capsaicin receptor TRPV1 ion channel is a polymodal nociceptor that responds to heat with exquisite sensitivity through an unknown mechanism. Here we report the identification of a novel toxin, RhTx, from the venom of the Chinese red-headed centipede that potently activates TRPV1 to produce excruciating pain. RhTx is a 27-amino-acid small peptide that forms a compact polarized molecule with very rapid binding kinetics and high affinity for TRPV1. We show that RhTx targets the channel's heat activation machinery to cause powerful heat activation at body temperature. The RhTx-TRPV1 interaction is mediated by the toxin's highly charged C terminus, which associates tightly to the charge-rich outer pore region of the channel where it can directly interact with the pore helix and turret. These findings demonstrate that RhTx binding to the outer pore can induce TRPV1 heat activation, therefore providing crucial new structural information on the heat activation machinery.

  9. Whole-genome sequence of “Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum” strain R1 from California

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The draft whole-genome sequence of “Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum” strain R1, isolated from a tomato plant in California, United States, is reported. The R1 strain genome is 1,204,257 bp in size (G+C content of 35.3%), encoding 1,101 open reading frames and 57 RNA genes....

  10. Variability of ultraviolet emission in the carbon star TX Piscium

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Johnson, Hollis R.; Baumert, John H.; Querci, Francois; Querci, Monique

    1986-01-01

    Multiple low-resolution IUE observations of the cool carbon star TX Psc (N0; C6, 2) permit an analysis of the variations in strength of the strongest emission lines - the Mg II line at 2800 A, the C II line at 2330 A, and certain Fe II lines. The integrated flux of the Mg II line varied by at least a factor of eight, while that of the C II line varies by at least a factor of five. The variations in Fe II may be considerably larger. The lines appear to vary together. The continuous flux in the best observed range from 2800 to 3200 A does not vary noticeably.

  11. Complete genome sequence of Rhodospirillum rubrum type strain (S1T)

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Munk, Christine; Copeland, A; Lucas, Susan

    2011-01-01

    Rhodospirillum rubrum (Esmarch 1887) Molisch 1907 is the type species of the genus Rho- dospirillum, which is the type genus of the family Rhodospirillaceae in the class Alphaproteo- bacteria. The species is of special interest because it is an anoxygenic phototroph that pro- duces extracellular elemental sulfur (instead of oxygen) while harvesting light. It contains one of the most simple photosynthetic systems currently known, lacking light harvesting complex 2. Strain S1T can grow on carbon monoxide as sole energy source. With currently over 1,750 PubMed entries, R. rubrum is one of the most intensively studied microbial species, in partic- ularmore » for physiological and genetic studies. Next to R. centenum strain SW, the genome se- quence of strain S1T is only the second genome of a member of the genus Rhodospirillum to be published, but the first type strain genome from the genus. The 4,352,825 bp long chro- mosome and 53,732 bp plasmid with a total of 3,850 protein-coding and 83 RNA genes were sequenced as part of the DOE Joint Genome Institute Program DOEM 2002.« less

  12. Measurements of Local Strain Variation in Si(1-x)Ge(x)/Si Heterostructures

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bell, L. D.; Kaiser, W. J.; Manion, S. J.; Milliken, S. J.; Pike, W. T.; Fathauer, R. W.

    1995-01-01

    The energy splitting of the conduction-band minimum of Si(1-x), Ge(x), due to strain has been directly measured by the application of ballistic-electron-emission microscope (BEEM) spectroscopy to Ag/Si(1-x), Ge(x) structures. Experimental values for this conduction-band splitting agree well with calculations. For Au/Si(1-x), Ge(x), however, heterogeneity in the strain of the Si(1-x), Ge(x) layer is introduced by deposition of the Au. This variation is attributed to species interdiffusion, which produces a rough Si(1-x)Ge(x) surface. Preliminary modeling indicates that the observed roughness is consistent with the strain variation measured by BEEM.

  13. PROJECT MERCURY SUMMARY CONFERENCE - NASA - HOUSTON, TX

    NASA Image and Video Library

    1963-10-01

    In October 1963, the Project Mercury Summary Conference was held in the Houston, TX, Coliseum. This series of 44 photos is documentation of that conference. A view of the Houston, TX, Coliseum, and parking area in front with a Mercury Redstone Rocket setup in the parking lot for display (S63-16451). A view of an Air Force Atlas Rocket, a Mercury Redstone Rocket, and a Mercury Spacecraft on a test booster on display in the front area of the Coliseum (S63-16452). A view an Air Force Atlas Rocket and a Mercury Redstone Rocket set up for display with the Houston City Hall in the background (S63- 16453). This view shows the Atlas Rocket, Mercury Redstone, and Mercury Test Rocket with the Houston, TX, Coliseum in the background (S63- 16454). A balcony view, from the audience right side, of the attendees looking at the stage (S63-16455). A view of the NASA Space Science Demonstration with equipment setup on a table, center stage and Space Science Specialist briefing the group as he pours Liquid Oxygen into a beaker (S63-16456). View of the audience from the balcony on the audience right showing the speakers lecturn on stage to the audience left (S63-16457). A view of attendees in the lobby. Bennet James, MSC Public Affairs Office is seen to the left of center (S63-16458). Another view of the attendees in the lobby (S63- 16459). In this view, Astronaut Neil Armstrong is seen writing as others look on (S63-16460). In this view of the attendees, Astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Walt Cunningham are seen in the center of the shot. The October Calendar of Events is visable in the background (S63-16461). Dr. Charles Berry is seen in this view to the right of center, seated in the audience (S63-16462). View of " Special Registration " and the five ladies working there (S63-16463). A view from behind the special registration table, of the attendees being registered (S63-16464). A view of a conference table with a panel seated. (R-L): Dr. Robert R. Gilruth, Hugh L. Dryden, Walter C

  14. Aggregation study in mixture surfactant system TX-100+SDS in heavy water solutions by SANS method

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rajewska, A.; Islamov, A. Kh.; Bakeeva, R. F.

    2018-03-01

    The mixing of amphiphiles in water may lead to the formation of mixed micelles which often present new properties with respect to the pure component solutions [1,2]. The mixture system of classic surfactants SDS (sodium dodecyl sulfate)+TX-100(p-(1,1,3,3- tetramethyl) poly(oxyethylene) (anionic + non-ionic) in heavy water solutions was investigated at temperatures 30°, 50°, 70°C for compositions 1:1, 2:1, 3:1 by the small-angle neutron scattering(SANS) method on spectrometer (‘YuMO’) at the IBR-2 pulsed neutron source at FLNP, JINR in Dubna (Russia). Measurements have covered Q range from 8x10-3 to 0.4 Å-1. From the measured dependence of the scattered intensity on the scattering angle, we derived the size, shape of micelles, aggregation number at various compositions and temperatures. The size of mixed micelle is a weak function of the mixing ratio between the two components.

  15. Permanent draft genome sequence of the gliding predator Saprospira grandis strain Sa g1 (= HR1)

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Mavromatis, K; Chertkov, Olga; Lapidus, Alla L.

    2012-01-01

    Saprospira grandis Gross et al. 1911 is a member of the Saprospiraceae, a family in the class 'Sphingobacteria' that remains poorly characterized at the genomic level. The species is known for preying on other marine bacteria via 'ixotrophy'. S. grandis strain Sa g1 was isolated from decaying crab carapace in France and was selected for genome sequencing because of its isolated location in the tree of life. Only one type strain genome has been published so far from the Saprospiraceae, while the sequence of strain Sa g1 represents the second genome to be published from a non-type strain of S.more » grandis. Here we describe the features of this organism, together with the complete genome sequence and annotation. The 4,495,250 bp long Improved-High-Quality draft of the genome with its 3,536 protein-coding and 62 RNA genes is a part of the Genomic Encyclopedia of Bacteria and Archaea project.« less

  16. Cafestol Inhibits Cyclic-Strain-Induced Interleukin-8, Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1, and Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 Production in Vascular Endothelial Cells

    PubMed Central

    Hao, Wen-Rui; Sung, Li-Chin; Chen, Chun-Chao; Chen, Jin-Jer

    2018-01-01

    Moderate coffee consumption is inversely associated with cardiovascular disease mortality; however, mechanisms underlying this causal effect remain unclear. Cafestol, a diterpene found in coffee, has various properties, including an anti-inflammatory property. This study investigated the effect of cafestol on cyclic-strain-induced inflammatory molecule secretion in vascular endothelial cells. Cells were cultured under static or cyclic strain conditions, and the secretion of inflammatory molecules was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The effects of cafestol on mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) signaling pathways were examined using Western blotting and specific inhibitors. Cafestol attenuated cyclic-strain-stimulated intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), monocyte chemoattractant protein- (MCP-) 1, and interleukin- (IL-) 8 secretion. Cafestol inhibited the cyclic-strain-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and p38 MAPK. By contrast, cafestol upregulated cyclic-strain-induced HO-1 and Sirt1 expression. The addition of zinc protoporphyrin IX, sirtinol, or Sirt1 silencing (transfected with Sirt1 siRNA) significantly attenuated cafestol-mediated modulatory effects on cyclic-strain-stimulated ICAM-1, MCP-1, and IL-8 secretion. This is the first study to report that cafestol inhibited cyclic-strain-induced inflammatory molecule secretion, possibly through the activation of HO-1 and Sirt1 in endothelial cells. The results provide valuable insights into molecular pathways that may contribute to the effects of cafestol. PMID:29854096

  17. Draft Genome Sequence of Gordonia sp. Strain UCD-TK1 (Phylum Actinobacteria)

    PubMed Central

    Koenigsaecker, Tynisha M.; Coil, David A.

    2016-01-01

    Here, we present the draft genome of Gordonia sp. strain UCD-TK1. The assembly contains 5,470,576 bp in 98 contigs. This strain was isolated from a disinfected ambulatory surgery center. PMID:27738036

  18. Resistance to alpha/beta interferon is a determinant of West Nile virus replication fitness and virulence.

    PubMed

    Keller, Brian C; Fredericksen, Brenda L; Samuel, Melanie A; Mock, Richard E; Mason, Peter W; Diamond, Michael S; Gale, Michael

    2006-10-01

    The emergence of West Nile virus (WNV) in the Western Hemisphere is marked by the spread of pathogenic lineage I strains, which differ from typically avirulent lineage II strains. To begin to understand the virus-host interactions that may influence the phenotypic properties of divergent lineage I and II viruses, we compared the genetic, pathogenic, and alpha/beta interferon (IFN-alpha/beta)-regulatory properties of a lineage II isolate from Madagascar (MAD78) with those of a new lineage I isolate from Texas (TX02). Full genome sequence analysis revealed that MAD78 clustered, albeit distantly, with other lineage II strains, while TX02 clustered with emergent North American isolates, more specifically with other Texas strains. Compared to TX02, MAD78 replicated at low levels in cultured human cells, was highly sensitive to the antiviral actions of IFN in vitro, and demonstrated a completely avirulent phenotype in wild-type mice. In contrast to TX02 and other pathogenic forms of WNV, MAD78 was defective in its ability to disrupt IFN-induced JAK-STAT signaling, including the activation of Tyk2 and downstream phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of STAT1 and STAT2. However, replication of MAD78 was rescued in cells with a nonfunctional IFN-alpha/beta receptor (IFNAR). Consistent with this finding, the virulence of MAD78 was unmasked upon infection of mice lacking IFNAR. Thus, control of the innate host response and IFN actions is a key feature of WNV pathogenesis and replication fitness.

  19. Encounters with Wisdom: A Case Study of Community Worker Reflection Circles in San Antonio, TX

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Arispe, Don D.

    2013-01-01

    This case study focuses upon the transformational experiences of 28 social service and pastoral workers engaged in a Reflection Circle Process (RCP) in San Antonio, TX. The RCP involves the writing of a holistic journal entry, known as a process note, coupled with an in-depth exploration of the note with the help of a group of trusted peers, known…

  20. Coherently Strained Si-SixGe1-x Core-Shell Nanowire Heterostructures.

    PubMed

    Dillen, David C; Wen, Feng; Kim, Kyounghwan; Tutuc, Emanuel

    2016-01-13

    Coherently strained Si-SixGe1-x core-shell nanowire heterostructures are expected to possess a positive shell-to-core conduction band offset, allowing for quantum confinement of electrons in the Si core. We report the growth of epitaxial, coherently strained Si-SixGe1-x core-shell heterostructures through the vapor-liquid-solid mechanism for the Si core, followed in situ by the epitaxial SixGe1-x shell growth using ultrahigh vacuum chemical vapor deposition. The Raman spectra of individual nanowires reveal peaks associated with the Si-Si optical phonon mode in the Si core and the Si-Si, Si-Ge, and Ge-Ge vibrational modes of the SixGe1-x shell. The core Si-Si mode displays a clear red-shift compared to unstrained, bare Si nanowires thanks to the lattice mismatch-induced tensile strain, in agreement with calculated values using a finite-element continuum elasticity model combined with lattice dynamic theory. N-type field-effect transistors using Si-SixGe1-x core-shell nanowires as channel are demonstrated.

  1. Immunization by intrabronchial administration to 1-week-old foals of an unmarked double gene disruption strain of Rhodococcus equi strain 103+.

    PubMed

    Pei, Yanlong; Nicholson, Vivian; Woods, Katharine; Prescott, John F

    2007-11-15

    Rhodococcus equi causes fatal granulomatous pneumonia in foals and immunocompromised animals and humans. However, there is no effective vaccine against this infection. In this study, the chromosomal genes isocitrate lyase (icl) and cholesterol oxidase (choE) were chosen as targets for mutation and assessment of the double mutant as an intrabronchial vaccine in 1-week-old foals. Using a modification of a suicide plasmid previously developed in this laboratory, we developed a choE-icl unmarked deletion mutant of R. equi strain 103+. Five 1-week-old foals were infected intrabronchially with the mutant and challenged intrabronchially with the parent, virulent, strain 2 weeks later. Three of the foals were protected against pneumonia caused by the virulent strain, but the other two foals developed pneumonia caused by the mutant strain during the post-challenge period. Since infection of 3-week-old foals by an icl mutant in an earlier study had shown complete attenuation of the strain, we conclude that a proportion of foals in the 1st week or so of life are predisposed to developing R. equi pneumonia because of an inability to mount an effective immune response. This has been suspected previously but this is the first time that this has been demonstrated experimentally.

  2. Genetic characterization of enterovirus strains identified in Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD): Emergence of B1c, C1 subgenotypes, E2 sublineage of CVA16, EV71 and CVA6 strains in India.

    PubMed

    Ganorkar, Nital N; Patil, Pooja R; Tikute, Sanjay S; Gopalkrishna, Varanasi

    2017-10-01

    Hand, Foot and Mouth disease (HFMD) is a common childhood disease and caused due to Enterovirus-A (EV-A), EV-B and EV-C species worldwide. Cases of HFMD were reported from, Ahmedabad (Gujarat, 2012) and Pune (Maharashtra, 2013-2014) in India. The present study highlights the identification of EV strains (CVA16, CVA6, CVA4 and Echo12), characterization of subgenotypes of CVA16, CVA6 strains during 2012-14 and CVA16, CVA6, EV71 strains reported from the earlier study (2009-10) in HFMD cases from India. A total 158 clinical specimens collected from 64 HFMD cases (2012-2014) were included in the study. EV detection was carried out by 5'NCR based RT-PCR, molecular typing and subgenotyping was by VP1/2A junction or VP1, full VP1 gene amplification respectively followed by phylogenetic analysis. The present study reports 63.92% (101/158) EV positivity by RT-PCR. Ninety four of the 101 (93.06%) EV positive strains were amplified by VP1/2A junction or VP1 regions. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of CVA16 (61.7%), CVA6 (34.04%), CVA4 and Echo12 (4.3%). A total of 114 EV positive strains were genotyped using full and partial VP1 region. All CVA16 Indian strains (n=70) clustered with rarely reported B1c subgenotype, CVA6 (n=43) and EV71 (n=1) strains clustered with sub-lineage E2 and C1 subgenotypes respectively. In summary, the study reports genetic characterization of CVA16, CVA6, CVA4 and Echo12 strains in HFMD cases from India. Circulation of B1c subgenotype of CVA16, E2 sub-lineage of CVA6 and C1 subgenotype of EV 71 strains in HFMD cases were reported for the first time from India. This study helps to understand the genotype distribution, genetic diversity of EV strains associated with HFMD from Eastern, Western and Southern regions in India. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  3. Rapidly Characterizing the Fast Dynamics of RNA Genetic Circuitry with Cell-Free Transcription–Translation (TX-TL) Systems

    PubMed Central

    2014-01-01

    RNA regulators are emerging as powerful tools to engineer synthetic genetic networks or rewire existing ones. A potential strength of RNA networks is that they may be able to propagate signals on time scales that are set by the fast degradation rates of RNAs. However, a current bottleneck to verifying this potential is the slow design-build-test cycle of evaluating these networks in vivo. Here, we adapt an Escherichia coli-based cell-free transcription-translation (TX-TL) system for rapidly prototyping RNA networks. We used this system to measure the response time of an RNA transcription cascade to be approximately five minutes per step of the cascade. We also show that this response time can be adjusted with temperature and regulator threshold tuning. Finally, we use TX-TL to prototype a new RNA network, an RNA single input module, and show that this network temporally stages the expression of two genes in vivo. PMID:24621257

  4. RiseTx: testing the feasibility of a web application for reducing sedentary behavior among prostate cancer survivors receiving androgen deprivation therapy.

    PubMed

    Trinh, Linda; Arbour-Nicitopoulos, Kelly P; Sabiston, Catherine M; Berry, Scott R; Loblaw, Andrew; Alibhai, Shabbir M H; Jones, Jennifer M; Faulkner, Guy E

    2018-06-07

    Given the high levels of sedentary time and treatment-related side effects in prostate cancer survivors (PCS), interventions targeting sedentary behavior (SED) may be more sustainable compared to physical activity (PA). To examine the feasibility of a web-based intervention (RiseTx) for reducing SED and increasing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among PCS undergoing ADT. Secondary outcomes include changes in SED, MVPA, light intensity PA, and quality of life. Forty-six PCS were recruited from two cancer centres in Toronto, Ontario, Canada between July 2015-October 2016. PCS were given an activity tracker (Jawbone), access to the RiseTx website program, and provided with a goal of increasing walking by 3000 daily steps above baseline levels over a 12-week period. A range of support tools were progressively released to reduce SED time (e.g., self-monitoring of steps) during the five-phase program. Objective measures of SED, MVPA, and daily steps were compared across the 12-week intervention using linear mixed models. Of the 46 PCS enrolled in the study, 42 completed the SED intervention, representing a 9% attrition rate. Measurement completion rates were 97 and 65% at immediately post-intervention and 12-week follow-up for all measures, respectively. Overall adherence was 64% for total number of logins (i.e., > 3 visits each week). Sample mean age was 73.2 ± 7.3 years, mean BMI was 28.0 ± 3.0 kg/m 2 , mean number of months since diagnosis was 93.6 ± 71.2, and 72% had ADT administered continuously. Significant reductions of 455.4 weekly minutes of SED time were observed at post-intervention (p = .005). Significant increases of + 44.1 for weekly minutes of MVPA was observed at immediately post-intervention (p = .010). There were significant increases in step counts of + 1535 steps from baseline to post-intervention (p < .001). RiseTx was successful in reducing SED and increasing MVPA in PCS. PCS were satisfied with the

  5. Desulfurization of Dibenzothiophene and Diesel Oils by a Newly Isolated Gordona Strain, CYKS1

    PubMed Central

    Rhee, Sung-Keun; Chang, Je Hwan; Chang, Yong Keun; Chang, Ho Nam

    1998-01-01

    A dibenzothiophene (DBT)-desulfurizing bacterial strain was isolated and identified as Gordona strain CYKS1. Strain CYKS1 was found to transform DBT to 2-hydroxybiphenyl via the 4S pathway and to be able to also use organic sulfur compounds other than DBT as a sole sulfur source. Its desulfurization activity was susceptible to sulfate repression. Active resting cells for desulfurization could be prepared only in the early growth phase. When two types of diesel oils, middle distillate unit feed (MDUF) and light gas oil (LGO) containing various organic sulfur compounds including DBT, were treated with resting cells of strain CYKS1 for 12 h, the total sulfur content significantly decreased, from 0.15% (wt/wt) to 0.06% (wt/wt) for MDUF and from 0.3% (wt/wt) to 0.25% (wt/wt) for LGO. The newly isolated strain CYKS1 is considered to have good potential for application in the biodesulfurization of fossil fuels. PMID:9603863

  6. 75 FR 8741 - Notice of Intent to Repatriate Cultural Items: Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-02-25

    ...: Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. ACTION... Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 3005, of the intent to repatriate cultural items in the control of Stephen F... of Oklahoma, which was under contract with Stephen F. Austin State University. In 1957, 15 cultural...

  7. 75 FR 4355 - Reorganization of Foreign-Trade Zone 39 Under Alternative Site Framework Dallas/Fort Worth, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-01-27

    ... Zone 39 Under Alternative Site Framework Dallas/Fort Worth, TX Pursuant to its authority under the... establishment or reorganization of general-purpose zones; Whereas, the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport..., filed 7/17/2009) for authority to reorganize under the ASF with a service area of Dallas, Tarrant...

  8. Prevalence of toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST-1)-producing strains of Staphylococcus aureus and antibody to TSST-1 among healthy Japanese women.

    PubMed

    Parsonnet, Jeffrey; Goering, Richard V; Hansmann, Melanie A; Jones, Michaelle B; Ohtagaki, Kumiko; Davis, Catherine C; Totsuka, Kyoichi

    2008-08-01

    Many cases of neonatal toxic shock syndrome (TSS)-like exanthematous disease but few cases of menstrual TSS (mTSS) have been reported in Japan. We determined the prevalence of mucosal colonization with Staphylococcus aureus and of positive antibodies to TSS toxin 1 (TSST-1) among 209 healthy Japanese women in Tokyo. S. aureus isolates from mucosal sites were characterized with respect to TSST-1 production and resistance genotype. Antibody titers were determined for test subjects and for 133 Japanese and 137 Caucasian control women living in the United States. S. aureus was isolated from at least one site in 108 of 209 women (52%) in Tokyo. Of the 159 S. aureus isolates recovered, 14 (9%) were TSST-1 positive (12 unique strains). Twelve of 209 women (6%) were colonized with a TSST-1-producing strain; two (<1%) had vaginal colonization. Only 2 of 12 unique toxigenic strains (14%) were methicillin resistant. Of the 12 TSST-1-positive strains isolated, 6 (50%) were pulsed-field gel electrophoresis type USA200, multilocus sequence type clonal complex 30. Fewer Japanese women in Tokyo (47%) than Caucasian and Japanese women in the United States (89% and 75%, respectively) had TSST-1 antibodies. The prevalences of colonization with TSST-1-producing S. aureus were comparable in Japan and the United States, despite low seropositivity to TSST-1 in Japan. Environmental factors appear to be important in promoting the development of anti-TSST-1 antibodies, as there was a significant difference in titers between Japanese women living in Tokyo and those living in the United States. Most colonizing TSST-1-producing S. aureus strains in Japan were genotypically similar to mTSS strains found in the United States.

  9. Draft Genome Sequence of Thalassospira xiamenensis Strain MCCC 1A03042T

    PubMed Central

    Li, Meiqing; Yang, Shuo; Lai, Qiliang

    2017-01-01

    ABSTRACT Thalassospira xiamenensis strain MCCC 1A03042T was isolated from deep-sea sediment of the Indian Ocean, and it was characterized with heavy-metal arsenic tolerance. Here, we present the draft genome of strain MCCC 1A03042T, which contains 4,786,207 bp with a G+C content of 52.6% and 4,359 protein-coding genes. PMID:28254975

  10. Draft Genome Sequence of Thalassospira xiamenensis Strain MCCC 1A03042T.

    PubMed

    Li, Meiqing; Yang, Shuo; Lai, Qiliang; Shao, Zongze

    2017-03-02

    Thalassospira xiamenensis strain MCCC 1A03042 T was isolated from deep-sea sediment of the Indian Ocean, and it was characterized with heavy-metal arsenic tolerance. Here, we present the draft genome of strain MCCC 1A03042 T , which contains 4,786,207 bp with a G+C content of 52.6% and 4,359 protein-coding genes. Copyright © 2017 Li et al.

  11. TLR-2 Recognizes Propionibacterium acnes CAMP Factor 1 from Highly Inflammatory Strains

    PubMed Central

    Ollagnier, Guillaume; Désiré, Nathalie; Sayon, Sophie; Raingeaud, Jöel; Marcelin, Anne-Geneviève; Calvez, Vincent; Khammari, Amir; Batteux, Frédéric; Dréno, Brigitte; Dupin, Nicolas

    2016-01-01

    Background Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is an anaerobic, Gram-positive bacteria encountered in inflammatory acne lesions, particularly in the pilosebaceous follicle. P. acnes triggers a strong immune response involving keratinocytes, sebocytes and monocytes, the target cells during acne development. Lipoteicoic acid and peptidoglycan induce the inflammatory reaction, but no P. acnes surface protein interacting with Toll-like receptors has been identified. P. acnes surface proteins have been extracted by lithium stripping and shown to induce CXCL8 production by keratinocytes. Methodology and principal findings Far-western blotting identified two surface proteins, of 24.5- and 27.5-kDa in size, specifically recognized by TLR2. These proteins were characterized, by LC-MS/MS, as CAMP factor 1 devoid of its signal peptide sequence, as shown by N-terminal sequencing. Purified CAMP factor 1 induces CXCL8 production by activating the CXCL8 gene promoter, triggering the synthesis of CXCL8 mRNA. Antibodies against TLR2 significantly decreased the CXCL8 response. For the 27 P. acnes strains used in this study, CAMP1-TLR2 binding intensity was modulated and appeared to be strong in type IB and II strains, which produced large amounts of CXCL8, whereas most of the type IA1 and IA2 strains presented little or no CAMP1-TLR2 binding and low levels of CXCL8 production. The nucleotide sequence of CAMP factor displays a major polymorphism, defining two distinct genetic groups corresponding to CAMP factor 1 with 14 amino-acid changes from strains phylotyped II with moderate and high levels of CAMP1-TLR2 binding activity, and CAMP factor 1 containing 0, 1 or 2 amino-acid changes from strains phylotyped IA1, IA2, or IB presenting no, weak or moderate CAMP1-TLR2 binding. Conclusions Our findings indicate that CAMP factor 1 may contribute to P. acnes virulence, by amplifying the inflammation reaction through direct interaction with TLR2. PMID:27902761

  12. TLR-2 Recognizes Propionibacterium acnes CAMP Factor 1 from Highly Inflammatory Strains.

    PubMed

    Lheure, Coralie; Grange, Philippe Alain; Ollagnier, Guillaume; Morand, Philippe; Désiré, Nathalie; Sayon, Sophie; Corvec, Stéphane; Raingeaud, Jöel; Marcelin, Anne-Geneviève; Calvez, Vincent; Khammari, Amir; Batteux, Frédéric; Dréno, Brigitte; Dupin, Nicolas

    2016-01-01

    Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is an anaerobic, Gram-positive bacteria encountered in inflammatory acne lesions, particularly in the pilosebaceous follicle. P. acnes triggers a strong immune response involving keratinocytes, sebocytes and monocytes, the target cells during acne development. Lipoteicoic acid and peptidoglycan induce the inflammatory reaction, but no P. acnes surface protein interacting with Toll-like receptors has been identified. P. acnes surface proteins have been extracted by lithium stripping and shown to induce CXCL8 production by keratinocytes. Far-western blotting identified two surface proteins, of 24.5- and 27.5-kDa in size, specifically recognized by TLR2. These proteins were characterized, by LC-MS/MS, as CAMP factor 1 devoid of its signal peptide sequence, as shown by N-terminal sequencing. Purified CAMP factor 1 induces CXCL8 production by activating the CXCL8 gene promoter, triggering the synthesis of CXCL8 mRNA. Antibodies against TLR2 significantly decreased the CXCL8 response. For the 27 P. acnes strains used in this study, CAMP1-TLR2 binding intensity was modulated and appeared to be strong in type IB and II strains, which produced large amounts of CXCL8, whereas most of the type IA1 and IA2 strains presented little or no CAMP1-TLR2 binding and low levels of CXCL8 production. The nucleotide sequence of CAMP factor displays a major polymorphism, defining two distinct genetic groups corresponding to CAMP factor 1 with 14 amino-acid changes from strains phylotyped II with moderate and high levels of CAMP1-TLR2 binding activity, and CAMP factor 1 containing 0, 1 or 2 amino-acid changes from strains phylotyped IA1, IA2, or IB presenting no, weak or moderate CAMP1-TLR2 binding. Our findings indicate that CAMP factor 1 may contribute to P. acnes virulence, by amplifying the inflammation reaction through direct interaction with TLR2.

  13. Effect of strain on evolution of dynamic recrystallization in Nb-1 wt%Zr-0.1 wt%C alloy at 1500 and 1600 °C

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Behera, A.N.

    Uniaxial compression tests were carried out on Nb-1 wt%Zr-0.1 wt%C alloy at temperature of 1500 and 1600 °C and strain rate of 0.1 s{sup −1} to study the evolution of dynamic recrystallization with strain. Electron back scatter diffraction was used to quantify the microstructural evolution. Nb-1Zr-0.1C alloy showed a necklace structure at a strain of 0.9 when deformed at 1500 °C and at strain of 0.6 when deformed at 1600 °C, both at strain rate of 0.1 s{sup −1}. This suggested the occurrence of dynamic recrystallization. At 1500 °C and strain of 0.9 the local average misorientation and the grainmore » orientation spread was low confirming the presence of dynamic recrystallization at this deformation condition. At both 1500 and 1600 °C and all measured strains the recrystallized grains had a strong fiber component of <001>. - Highlights: • Necklace formation of dynamically recrystallized grains occurred at strain of 0.6 and 0.9 for 1500 and 1600 °C, respectively. • Equiaxed microstructures were seen with increase in strain for both 1500 and 1600 °C. • At large strains the predominant recrystallized texture evolved to <001> pole.« less

  14. Detection of cholera (ctx) and zonula occludens (zot) toxin genes in Vibrio cholerae O1, O139 and non-O1 strains.

    PubMed

    Rivera, I G; Chowdhury, M A; Sanchez, P S; Sato, M I; Huq, A; Colwell, R R; Martins, M T

    1995-09-01

    Vibrio cholerae O1 and V. cholerae non-O1 strains isolated from environmental samples collected in São Paulo, Brazil, during cholera epidemics and pre-epidemic periods were examined for the presence of toxin genes. V. cholerae O1 strains isolated from clinical samples in Peru and Mexico, and V. cholerae O139 strains from India were also examined for the presence of ctx (cholera toxin gene) and zot (zonula occludens toxin gene) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A modified DNA-extraction method applied in this study yielded satisfactory recovery of genomic DNA from vibrios. Results showed that strains of V. cholerae O1 isolated during the preepidemic period were ctx (-)/zot (-) whereas strains isolated during the epidemic were ctx (+)/zot (+). All V. cholerae non-O1 strains tested in the study were ctx (-)/zot (-), whereas all V. cholerae O139 strains were ctx (+)/zot (+). Rapid detection of the virulence genes (ctx and zot) can be achieved by PCR and this can serve as an important tool in the epidemiology and surveillance of V. cholerae.

  15. Fumonisin B(1)-nonproducing strains of Fusarium verticillioides cause maize (Zea mays) ear infection and ear rot.

    PubMed

    Desjardins, A E; Plattner, R D

    2000-11-01

    Fumonisins are polyketide mycotoxins produced by Fusarium verticillioides (synonym F. moniliforme), a major pathogen of maize (Zea mays) worldwide. Most field strains produce high levels of fumonisin B(1) (FB(1)) and low levels of the less-oxygenated homologues FB(2) and FB(3), but fumonisin B(1)-nonproducing field strains have been obtained by natural variation. To test the role of various fumonisins in pathogenesis on maize under field conditions, one strain producing FB(1), FB(2), and FB(3), one strain producing only FB(2), one strain producing only FB(3), and one fumonisin-nonproducing strain were applied to ears via the silk channel and on seeds at planting. Disease severity on the harvested ears was evaluated by visible symptoms and by weight percent symptomatic kernels. Fumonisin levels in kernels were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The presence of the applied FB(1)-nonproducing strains in kernels was determined by analysis of recovered strains for fumonisin production and other traits. All three FB(1)-nonproducing strains were able to infect ears following either silk-channel application or seed application at planting and were as effective as the FB(1)-producing strain in causing ear rot following silk-channel application. These results indicate that production of FB(1), FB(2), or FB(3) is not required for F. verticillioides to cause maize ear infection and ear rot.

  16. 1.55 um aluminum gallium indium arsenide strained MQW laser diodes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yang, Chi

    At the 1.55 mum eye-safe, telecommunications operating wavelength, semiconductor diode lasers must have low threshold currents and operate at high temperatures without thermoelectric coolers. Existing diode lasers in this wavelength range based on the GaInAsP/InP materials system are very sensitive to operating temperature. To obtain high temperature, high power 1.55 mum semiconductor diode lasers, the AlGaInAs/InP materials system with strained quantum well (QW) active regions was investigated with the goal of improving temperature performance. A set of lasers with active regions consisting of different numbers of QWs (2 to 4) and different QW strains (1.2% and 1.6%) were designed taking into account the quaternary alloy bandgap of AlGaInAs, the effect of strain on the bandgap, and the quantum size effects within the QW. The active region growth temperature was optimized using photoluminescence intensity. The wafers were first processed into broad-area lasers and measured under pulsed injection. The characteristic threshold current temperature, T0, for all AlGaInAs lasers was higher (60-70 K) than for GaInAsP lasers. No strong dependence of temperature parameters on strain was observed, while properties varied significantly with the number of QWs. With more QWs, both internal efficiency and T0 increases, but internal loss increases, reducing the characteristic temperature of the differential efficiency T1. The results show that uncooled laser operation at 1.55 mum is very promising with strained AlGaInAs QWs. Ridge waveguide devices demonstrated low threshold and high output power as well as good temperature performance under continuous wave operation. Devices with different ridge heights were fabricated from one wafer and their performance was compared. It was found that current spreading was significant in these devices and a simple current density-versus-applied voltage analysis was developed to determine the spreading factor. The analysis shows that the

  17. The Fibronectin-Binding Protein Fnm Contributes to Adherence to Extracellular Matrix Components and Virulence of Enterococcus faecium

    PubMed Central

    Somarajan, Sudha R.; La Rosa, Sabina Leanti; Singh, Kavindra V.; Roh, Jung H.; Höök, Magnus

    2015-01-01

    The interaction between bacteria and fibronectin is believed to play an important role in the pathogenicity of clinically important Gram-positive cocci. In the present study, we identified a gene encoding a predicted fibronectin-binding protein of Enterococcus faecium (fnm), a homologue of Streptococcus pneumoniae pavA, in the genomes of E. faecium strain TX82 and all other sequenced E. faecium isolates. Full-length recombinant Fnm from strain TX82 bound to immobilized fibronectin in a concentration-dependent manner and also appeared to bind collagen type V and laminin, but not other proteins, such as transferrin, heparin, bovine serum albumin, mucin, or collagen IV. We demonstrated that the N-terminal fragment of Fnm is required for full fibronectin binding, since truncation of this region caused a 2.4-fold decrease (P < 0.05) in the adhesion of E. faecium TX82 to fibronectin. Deletion of fnm resulted in a significant reduction (P < 0.001) in the ability of the mutant, TX6128, to bind fibronectin relative to that of the wild-type strain; in situ reconstitution of fnm in the deletion mutant strain restored adherence. In addition, the Δfnm mutant was highly attenuated relative to TX82 (P ≤ 0.0001) in a mixed-inoculum rat endocarditis model. Taken together, these results demonstrate that Fnm affects the adherence of E. faecium to fibronectin and is important in the pathogenesis of experimental endocarditis. PMID:26371130

  18. Diversity of HIV-1 subtype C strains isolated in Romania.

    PubMed

    Paraschiv, Simona; Foley, Brian; Otelea, Dan

    2011-03-01

    Two unique aspects particularities of the HIV-1 epidemics in Romania are the high prevalence of subtype F1 strains and the large pediatric population infected in the late 1980s and early 1990s. During recent years, more infections with other subtypes have been seen in newly diagnosed patients. After subtype B, subtype C was the most frequent one. This subtype is prevalent in countries from sub-Saharan Africa and India, being responsible for half of the total HIV-1 infections in the world. We have identified 37 patients infected with subtype C, sequenced the reverse transcriptase and protease regions of their pol genes, and applied phylogenetic analyses to the sequences. We have also included 20 subtype F1 strains isolated from both teenagers (children at the time of diagnosis) and adults. The phylogenetic analysis was performed by using the PhyML method, the GTR (general time reversible) model of evolution and gamma distribution of variability of rates between sites, empirically calculated from the data. The epidemiological data indicates that the main route of transmission for the adult subjects was by heterosexual contact and a relatively small number of patients were possibly infected abroad. In three cases, blood transfusion prior to 1989 or surgical procedures at early ages were suspected to be the cause of the HIV infection and three other patients were most probably parenterally infected. The phylogenetic analyses showed that the Romanian C strains are very diverse overall, clustered in several groups characterized by common transmission route (transfusion/surgical procedures) or local geographical relatedness. The HIV-1 epidemics in Romania apparently followed different patterns for subtypes F and C. While subtype F1 seems to have been monoclonally introduced and extensively spread in the 80s, the subtype C strains, although present in the late 80s, failed to spread to the same extent. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  19. Genetic variation of viral protein 1 genes of field strains of waterfowl parvoviruses and their attenuated derivatives.

    PubMed

    Tsai, Hsiang-Jung; Tseng, Chun-hsien; Chang, Poa-chun; Mei, Kai; Wang, Shih-Chi

    2004-09-01

    To understand the genetic variations between the field strains of waterfowl parvoviruses and their attenuated derivatives, we analyzed the complete nucleotide sequences of the viral protein 1 (VP1) genes of nine field strains and two vaccine strains of waterfowl parvoviruses. Sequence comparison of the VP1 proteins showed that these viruses could be divided into goose parvovirus (GPV) related and Muscovy duck parvovirus (MDPV) related groups. The amino acid difference between GPV- and MDPV-related groups ranged from 13.1% to 15.8%, and the most variable region resided in the N terminus of VP2. The vaccine strains of GPV and MDPV exhibited only 1.2% and 0.3% difference in amino acid when compared with their parental field strains, and most of these differences resided in residues 497-575 of VP1, suggesting that these residues might be important for the attenuation of GPV and MDPV. When the GPV strains isolated in 1982 (the strain 82-0308) and in 2001 (the strain 01-1001) were compared, only 0.3% difference in amino acid was found, while MDPV strains isolated in 1990 (the strain 90-0219) and 1997 (the strain 97-0104) showed only 0.4% difference in amino acid. The result indicates that the genome of waterfowl parvovirus had remained highly stable in the field.

  20. Genome Sequence of Oxalobacter formigenes Strain HC-1

    PubMed Central

    Allison, Milton J.; Yu, Fahong; Farmerie, William

    2017-01-01

    ABSTRACT The lack of Oxalobacter formigenes colonization of the human gut has been correlated with the formation of calcium oxalate kidney stones and also with the number of recurrent kidney stone episodes. Here, we present the genome sequence of HC-1, a human strain isolated from an individual residing in Iowa, USA. PMID:28684568

  1. Low strain, long life creep fatigue of AF2-1DA and INCO 718

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Thakker, A. B.; Cowles, B. A.

    1983-01-01

    Two aircraft turbine disk alloys, GATORIZED AF2-DA and INCO 718 were evaluated for their low strain long life creep-fatigue behavior. Static (tensile and creep rupture) and cyclic properties of both alloys were characterized. The cntrolled strain LCF tests were conducted at 760 C (1400 F) and 649 C (1200 F) for AF2-1DA and INCO 718, respectively. Hold times were varied for tensile, compressive and tensile/compressive strain dwell (relaxation) tests. Stress (creep) hold behavior of AF2-1DA was also evaluated. Generally, INCO 718 exhibited more pronounced reduction in cyclic life due to hold than AF2-1DA. The percent reduction in life for both alloys for strain dwell tests was greater at low strain ranges (longer life regime). Changing hold time from 0 to 0.5, 2.0 and 15.0 min. resulted in corresponding reductions in life. The continuous cycle and cyclic/dwell initiation failure mechanism was predominantly transgranular for AF2-1DA and intergranular for INCO 718.

  2. 33 CFR 165.T08-0240 - Safety Zone; Kemah Boardwalk Summer Season Fireworks, Galveston Bay, Kemah, TX.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters 2 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Safety Zone; Kemah Boardwalk Summer Season Fireworks, Galveston Bay, Kemah, TX. 165.T08-0240 Section 165.T08-0240 Navigation and... Areas Eighth Coast Guard District § 165.T08-0240 Safety Zone; Kemah Boardwalk Summer Season Fireworks...

  3. 78 FR 45909 - Designation for the Amarillo, TX; Cairo, IL; Baton Rouge, LA; Raleigh, NC; and Belmond, IA Areas

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-07-30

    ... DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration Designation for the Amarillo, TX; Cairo, IL; Baton Rouge, LA; Raleigh, NC; and Belmond, IA Areas AGENCY: Grain... designation of Amarillo Grain Exchange, Inc. (Amarillo), Cairo Grain Inspection Agency, Inc. (Cairo...

  4. The biological characteristics of predominant strains of HIV-1 genotype: modeling of HIV-1 infection among men who have sex with men.

    PubMed

    Dai, Di; Shang, Hong; Han, Xiao-Xu; Zhao, Bin; Liu, Jing; Ding, Hai-Bo; Xu, Jun-Jie; Chu, Zhen-Xing

    2015-04-01

    To investigate the molecular subtypes of prevalent HIV-1 strains and characterize the genetics of dominant strains among men who have sex with men. Molecular epidemiology surveys in this study concentrated on the prevalent HIV-1 strains in Liaoning province by year. 229 adult patients infected with HIV-1 and part of a high-risk group of men who have sex with men were recruited. Reverse transcription and nested PCR amplification were performed. Sequencing reactions were conducted and edited, followed by codon-based alignment. NJ phylogenetic tree analyses detected two distinct CRF01_AE phylogenetic clusters, designated clusters 1 and 2. Clusters 1 and 2 accounted for 12.8% and 84.2% of sequences in the pol gene and 17.6% and 73.1% of sequences in the env gene, respectively. Another six samples were distributed on other phylogenetic clusters. Cluster 1 increased significantly from 5.6% to 20.0%, but cluster 2 decreased from 87.5% to 80.0%. Genetic distance analysis indicated that CRF01_AE cluster 1 in Liaoning was homologous to epidemic CRF01_AE strains, but CRF01_AE cluster 2 was different from other scattered strains. Additionally, significant differences were found in tetra-peptide motifs at the tip of V3 loop between cluster 1 and 2; however, differences in coreceptor usage were not detected. This study shows that subtype CRF01_AE strain may be the most prevalent epidemic strain in the men who have sex with men. Genetic characteristics of the subtype CRF01_AE cluster strain in Liaoning showed homology to the prevalent strains of men who have sex with men in other parts of China. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  5. Genetic characterization of circulating seasonal Influenza A viruses (2005-2009) revealed introduction of oseltamivir resistant H1N1 strains during 2009 in eastern India.

    PubMed

    Agrawal, Anurodh S; Sarkar, Mehuli; Ghosh, Swati; Roy, Tapasi; Chakrabarti, Sekhar; Lal, Renu; Mishra, Akhilesh C; Chadha, Mandeep S; Chawla-Sarkar, Mamta

    2010-12-01

    Influenza surveillance was implemented in Kolkata, eastern India in 2005 to identify the circulating subtypes and characterize their genetic diversity. Throat and nasal swabs were collected from outpatients with influenza-like illness (ILI). Of 2844 ILI cases identified at two referral hospitals during October 2005-September 2009, 309 (10.86%) were positive for Influenza A by real time RT-PCR, of which 110 (35.60%) were subtyped as H1N1 and 199 (64.40%) as H3N2. Comparison of the nucleotide (nt) and amino acid (aa) sequences of the HA1 gene for H1N1 and H3N2 strains showed that a subset of strains precede WHO recommended contemporary strains by 1-2 years. The Kolkata H1N1 strains clustered in Clade II, subgroup 2B with A/Brisbane/59/2007 but were distant from the corresponding vaccine strains (New Caledonia/20/99 and A/Solomon Island/3/06). The 2005-06 and 2007 H3N2 strains (15/17) clustered either A/Brisbane/10/2007-like (n=8) or A/Nepal/921/2006 like (n=7) strains, whereas 2008 strains (8/12) and 2009 strains (4/4) were similar to the 2010-11 vaccine strain A/Perth/16/2009. More aa substitutions were found in HA or NA genes of H3N2 than in H1N1 strains. No mutation conferring neuraminidase resistance was observed in any of the strain during 2005-08, however in 2009, drug resistant marker (H275Y) was present in seasonal H1N1, but not in co-circulating H3N2 strains. This is the first report of genetic characterization of circulating Influenza A strains from India. The results also highlight the importance of continuing Influenza surveillance in developing countries of Asia for monitoring unusual strains with pandemic potential and mutations conferring antiviral resistance. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  6. Whole-genome sequencing of the efficient industrial fuel-ethanol fermentative Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain CAT-1.

    PubMed

    Babrzadeh, Farbod; Jalili, Roxana; Wang, Chunlin; Shokralla, Shadi; Pierce, Sarah; Robinson-Mosher, Avi; Nyren, Pål; Shafer, Robert W; Basso, Luiz C; de Amorim, Henrique V; de Oliveira, Antonio J; Davis, Ronald W; Ronaghi, Mostafa; Gharizadeh, Baback; Stambuk, Boris U

    2012-06-01

    The Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains widely used for industrial fuel-ethanol production have been developed by selection, but their underlying beneficial genetic polymorphisms remain unknown. Here, we report the draft whole-genome sequence of the S. cerevisiae strain CAT-1, which is a dominant fuel-ethanol fermentative strain from the sugarcane industry in Brazil. Our results indicate that strain CAT-1 is a highly heterozygous diploid yeast strain, and the ~12-Mb genome of CAT-1, when compared with the reference S228c genome, contains ~36,000 homozygous and ~30,000 heterozygous single nucleotide polymorphisms, exhibiting an uneven distribution among chromosomes due to large genomic regions of loss of heterozygosity (LOH). In total, 58 % of the 6,652 predicted protein-coding genes of the CAT-1 genome constitute different alleles when compared with the genes present in the reference S288c genome. The CAT-1 genome contains a reduced number of transposable elements, as well as several gene deletions and duplications, especially at telomeric regions, some correlated with several of the physiological characteristics of this industrial fuel-ethanol strain. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that some genes were likely associated with traits important for bioethanol production. Identifying and characterizing the allelic variations controlling traits relevant to industrial fermentation should provide the basis for a forward genetics approach for developing better fermenting yeast strains.

  7. Spirosoma carri sp. nov., isolated from an automobile air conditioning system.

    PubMed

    Kim, Dong-Uk; Lee, Hyosun; Lee, Suyeon; Park, Sooyeon; Yoon, Jung-Hoon; Park, So Yoon; Ka, Jong-Ok

    2017-10-01

    A Gram-stain-negative and yellow-pigmented bacterial strain, designated TX0406 T , was isolated from an automobile evaporator core collected in Korea. The cells were non-motile, aerobic and rod-shaped. The strain grew at 15-37 °C (optimum, 25 °C), at pH 6.0-7.0 (optimum, 6.5) and in the presence of 0-1.5 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetically, the strain was related to members of the genus Spirosoma(93.7-90.7 % 16S rRNA sequence similarities) and showed the highest sequence similarity of 93.7 % to Spirosomapulveris JSH5-14 T . The major fatty acids of the strain were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c), C16 : 1ω5c and C16 : 0. The predominant menaquinone was MK-7. The polar lipid profile revealed the presence of phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified aminolipid, unidentified aminophospholipids and unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C content of the strain was 58.7 mol%. Based on phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic data, strain TX0406 T represents a novel species in the genus Spirosoma, for which the name Spirosoma carri sp. nov. (=KACC 19013 T =NBRC 112494 T ) is proposed.

  8. Neonatal thymectomy favors Helicobacter pylori-promoted gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma lesions in BALB/c mice.

    PubMed

    Chrisment, Delphine; Dubus, Pierre; Chambonnier, Lucie; Hocès de la Guardia, Anaïs; Sifré, Elodie; Giese, Alban; Capone, Myriam; Khairallah, Camille; Costet, Pierre; Rousseau, Benoît; Hubert, Christophe; Burlen-Defranoux, Odile; Varon, Christine; Bandeira, Antonio; Mégraud, Francis; Lehours, Philippe

    2014-08-01

    Neonatal thymectomy in BALB/c mice has been described as a model of gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma (GML). By using this experimental system, we screened, for the first time to our knowledge, Helicobacter pylori GML-associated strains for their capacity to promote disease. A cohort of BALB/c mice underwent thymectomy at day 3 after birth (d3Tx). Successful thymic ablation was evaluated by the degree of lymphopenia in blood samples collected at 4 weeks of age. d3Tx and non-thymectomized controls were infected with either GML strains (B38 or B47) or control strains (SS1 or TN2GF4). Gastric samples collected at 6, 12, and 18 months after infection were studied for bacteria content, and submitted to histological, immunochemical, molecular, and immunological analyses. Severe gastric inflammation was only observed in d3Tx mice. In these animals, the gastric lamina propria was infiltrated with lymphoid cells organized in follicles composed of B cells with few infiltrating T cells. PCR of D/J IgH gene segments proved the monoclonality of infiltrating B cells, which strongly correlated with the presence of lymphoepithelial lesions. B-cell infiltrates were particularly prominent in mice infected with the B47-GML strain. No pathological changes were detected in noninfected d3Tx mice. We identified new H. pylori isolates adapted to the mouse stomach with high potential of GML development, which is only revealed in hosts rendered lymphopenic by neonatal thymic ablation. Copyright © 2014 American Society for Investigative Pathology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  9. 76 FR 18395 - Safety Zone; Naval Air Station Corpus Christi Air Show, Oso Bay, Corpus Christi, TX

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-04-04

    ...-AA00 Safety Zone; Naval Air Station Corpus Christi Air Show, Oso Bay, Corpus Christi, TX AGENCY: Coast... zone on the navigable waters of Oso Bay in Corpus Christi, Texas in support of the 2011 Naval Air Station Corpus Christi Air Show. This temporary safety zone is necessary to provide for the safety of...

  10. 78 FR 7429 - Adequacy Status of the Dallas-Fort Worth, TX Reasonable Further Progress 8-Hour Ozone Motor...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-02-01

    ... ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL-9774-9] Adequacy Status of the Dallas-Fort Worth, TX... notifying the public that it has found that the motor vehicle emissions budgets (MVEBs) in the Dallas-Fort... Planning Section (6PD-L), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, Texas...

  11. MASH test 3-11 of the TxDOT single slope bridge rail (type SSTR) on pan-formed bridge deck

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2011-03-01

    The objective of this crash test was to determine whether the TxDOT Single Slope Traffic Rail (Type : SSTR) would perform acceptably on a pan-formed deck when tested according to the guidelines set forth in : Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MAS...

  12. Genomic comparison of Escherichia coli K1 strains isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with meningitis.

    PubMed

    Yao, Yufeng; Xie, Yi; Kim, Kwang Sik

    2006-04-01

    Escherichia coli is a major cause of enteric/diarrheal diseases, urinary tract infections, and sepsis. E. coli K1 is the leading gram-negative organism causing neonatal meningitis, but the microbial basis of E. coli K1 meningitis is incompletely understood. Here we employed comparative genomic hybridization to investigate 11 strains of E. coli K1 isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with meningitis. These 11 strains cover the majority of common O serotypes in E. coli K1 isolates from CSF. Our data demonstrated that these 11 strains of E. coli K1 can be categorized into two groups based on their profile for putative virulence factors, lipoproteins, proteases, and outer membrane proteins. Of interest, we showed that some open reading frames (ORFs) encoding the type III secretion system apparatus were found in group 2 strains but not in group 1 strains, while ORFs encoding the general secretory pathway are predominant in group 1 strains. These findings suggest that E. coli K1 strains isolated from CSF can be divided into two groups and these two groups of E. coli K1 may utilize different mechanisms to induce meningitis.

  13. A new human male diploid cell strain, TIG-7: its age-related changes and comparison with a matched female TIG-1 cell strain.

    PubMed

    Yamamoto, K; Kaji, K; Kondo, H; Matsuo, M; Shibata, Y; Tasaki, Y; Utakoji, T; Ooka, H

    1991-01-01

    A new human diploid cell strain, TIG-7, which has the male karyotype, was established and characterized. Isozyme and histocompatibility typing of the cell strain was performed. The average in vitro life span of the cells is 73 population doublings. Changes in cell volume, doubling time, saturation density, the efficiency of cell attachment, plating efficiency, and relative DNA content were examined during in vitro cellular aging. Hydrocortisone slightly prolongs the life span of the cell strain when the hormone is administered to the cultures during middle passages. The age-related changes in the parameters of TIG-7 are not appreciably different from those of the previously established TIG-1 cell strain. These results show that this cell strain is useful for research on cellular aging; further profit is anticipated from research using a combination of these two sexually different cell strains.

  14. Biosynthesis and hyper production of pullulan by a newly isolated strain of Aspergillus japonicus-VIT-SB1.

    PubMed

    Mishra, Bishwambhar; Suneetha, V

    2014-07-01

    The main focus of this study was to screen and characterize novel microbial strains isolated from culinary leaf samples, capable of producing high concentrations of pullulan. Hundred isolates were screened from the phylloplane of different plants. The results revealed that eight strains had the capability to produce exopolysaccharide (EPS) and only one potential strain (designated as VIT-SB1) could produce the significant amount of EPS (3.9 ± 0.02%) on the 6th day of the fermentation without optimisation. The EPS synthesized by VIT-SB1 strain was confirmed to be pullulan on the basis of the results of FT-IR, HPLC and the enzymatic (Pullulanase) analysis. More than 91% hydrolysis of pullulan by pullulanase enzyme also indicated the presence of α (1 → 6) glycosidic linkages of α (1 → 4) linked maltotriose units. This VIT-SB1 strain was identified as Aspergillus japonicus based on the nucleotide sequence of the D1/D2 domain of Large-Subunit rRNA gene. The sequence was submitted to the GenBank Nucleotide sequence database with Accession No: KC128815. This study has confirmed that pullulan production capacity of this novel strain and Aureobasidium pullulans are comparable. Hence Aspergillus japonicus-VIT-SB1 strain can be commercially exploited as a potential pullulan producing strain.

  15. Genetic and Phenotypic Comparison of Facultative Methylotrophy between Methylobacterium extorquens Strains PA1 and AM1

    PubMed Central

    Nayak, Dipti D.; Marx, Christopher J.

    2014-01-01

    Methylobacterium extorquens AM1, a strain serendipitously isolated half a century ago, has become the best-characterized model system for the study of aerobic methylotrophy (the ability to grow on reduced single-carbon compounds). However, with 5 replicons and 174 insertion sequence (IS) elements in the genome as well as a long history of domestication in the laboratory, genetic and genomic analysis of M. extorquens AM1 face several challenges. On the contrary, a recently isolated strain - M. extorquens PA1- is closely related to M. extorquens AM1 (100% 16S rRNA identity) and contains a streamlined genome with a single replicon and only 20 IS elements. With the exception of the methylamine dehydrogenase encoding gene cluster (mau), genes known to be involved in methylotrophy are well conserved between M. extorquens AM1 and M. extorquens PA1. In this paper we report four primary findings regarding methylotrophy in PA1. First, with a few notable exceptions, the repertoire of methylotrophy genes between PA1 and AM1 is extremely similar. Second, PA1 grows faster with higher yields compared to AM1 on C1 and multi-C substrates in minimal media, but AM1 grows faster in rich medium. Third, deletion mutants in PA1 throughout methylotrophy modules have the same C1 growth phenotypes observed in AM1. Finally, the precision of our growth assays revealed several unexpected growth phenotypes for various knockout mutants that serve as leads for future work in understanding their basis and generality across Methylobacterium strains. PMID:25232997

  16. Survival and death of the haloarchaeon Natronorubrum strain HG-1 in a simulated martian environment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Peeters, Z.; Vos, D.; ten Kate, I. L.; Selch, F.; van Sluis, C. A.; Sorokin, D. Yu.; Muijzer, G.; Stan-Lotter, H.; van Loosdrecht, M. C. M.; Ehrenfreund, P.

    2010-11-01

    Halophilic archaea are of interest to astrobiology due to their survival capabilities in desiccated and high salt environments. The detection of remnants of salty pools on Mars stimulated investigations into the response of haloarchaea to martian conditions. Natronorubrum sp. strain HG-1 is an extremely halophilic archaeon with unusual metabolic pathways, growing on acetate and stimulated by tetrathionate. We exposed Natronorubrum strain HG-1 to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, similar to levels currently prevalent on Mars. In addition, the effects of low temperature (4, -20, and -80 °C), desiccation, and exposure to a Mars soil analogue from the Atacama desert on the viability of Natronorubrum strain HG-1 cultures were investigated. The results show that Natronorubrum strain HG-1 cannot survive for more than several hours when exposed to UV radiation equivalent to that at the martian equator. Even when protected from UV radiation, viability is impaired by a combination of desiccation and low temperature. Desiccating Natronorubrum strain HG-1 cells when mixed with a Mars soil analogue impaired growth of the culture to below the detection limit. Overall, we conclude that Natronorubrum strain HG-1 cannot survive the environment currently present on Mars. Since other halophilic microorganisms were reported to survive simulated martian conditions, our results imply that survival capabilities are not necessarily shared between phylogenetically related species.

  17. Financial strain, inflammatory factors, and haemoglobin A1c levels in African American women.

    PubMed

    Cutrona, Carolyn E; Abraham, William T; Russell, Daniel W; Beach, Steven R H; Gibbons, Frederick X; Gerrard, Meg; Monick, Martha; Philibert, Robert

    2015-09-01

    Type 2 diabetes disproportionately affects African American women, a population exposed to high levels of stress, including financial strain (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, 2011, http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/pdf/ndfs_2011.pdf). We tested a mediational model in which chronic financial strain among African American women contributes to elevated serum inflammation markers, which, in turn, lead to increased haemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) levels and risk for type 2 diabetes. We assessed level of financial strain four times over a 10-year period and tested its effect on two serum inflammation markers, C-reactive protein (CRP) and soluble interleukin-6 receptor (sIL-6R) in year 11 of the study. We tested the inflammation markers as mediators in the association between chronic financial strain and HbA1c, an index of average blood glucose level over several months. Data were from 312 non-diabetic African American women from the Family and Community Health Study (FACHS; Cutrona et al., 2000, J. Pers. Soc. Psychol., 79, 1088). Chronic financial strain predicted circulating sIL-6R after controlling for age, BMI, health behaviours, and physical health measures. In turn, sIL-6R significantly predicted HbA1c levels. The path between chronic financial strain and HbA1c was significantly mediated by sIL-6R. Contrary to prediction, CRP was not predicted by chronic financial strain. Results support the role of inflammatory factors in mediating the effects of psychosocial stressors on risk for type 2 diabetes. Findings have implications for interventions that boost economic security and foster effective coping as well as medical interventions that reduce serum inflammation to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. © 2014 The British Psychological Society.

  18. High mortality among patients infected with hypervirulent antimicrobial-resistant capsular type K1 Klebsiella pneumoniae strains in Taiwan.

    PubMed

    Lin, Yi-Tsung; Cheng, Yi-Hsiang; Juan, Chih-Han; Wu, Ping-Feng; Huang, Yi-Wei; Chou, Sheng-Hua; Yang, Tsuey-Ching; Wang, Fu-Der

    2018-06-12

    Capsular type K1 Klebsiella pneumoniae, highly virulent strains which are common in Asian countries, can cause pyogenic infections. These hypervirulent strains are usually susceptible to most antimicrobials, except for ampicillin. Little is known regarding the clinical and molecular characteristics of antimicrobial-resistant K1 K. pneumoniae strains. This retrospective study evaluated patients infected with capsular type K1 K. pneumoniae strains in a Taiwanese medical centre between April 2013 and March 2016. Antimicrobial-resistant strains were defined based on non-susceptibility to antimicrobial agents except ampicillin. We compared the clinical outcome of patients infected with and without antimicrobial-resistant strains. The in vivo virulence, genetic relatedness, and resistance mechanisms of these hypervirulent antimicrobial-resistant strains were also investigated. A total of 182 capsular type K1 K. pneumoniae strains were identified, including 18 antimicrobial-resistant strains. The 28-day mortality rate among the 18 cases caused by antimicrobial-resistant strains was significantly higher than that among 164 cases caused by antimicrobial-sensitive strains (50% vs. 10.4%, p < 0.001). Infection with antimicrobial-resistant strain independently increased the 28-day mortality risk. Most antimicrobial -resistant strains were not clonally related, and they exhibited high in vivo virulence in a mouse lethality experiment. The major resistance mechanisms involved the presence of β-lactamases and the overexpression of efflux pumps. In conclusion, hypervirulent antimicrobial-resistant capsular type K1 K. pneumoniae strains can predispose to a fatal outcome. These strains may represent an emerging threat to public health in Taiwan. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  19. Feasibility of using Geant4 Monte Carlo simulation for IMRT dose calculations for the Novalis Tx with a HD-120 multi-leaf collimator

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jung, Hyunuk; Shin, Jungsuk; Chung, Kwangzoo; Han, Youngyih; Kim, Jinsung; Choi, Doo Ho

    2015-05-01

    The aim of this study was to develop an independent dose verification system by using a Monte Carlo (MC) calculation method for intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) conducted by using a Varian Novalis Tx (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA, USA) equipped with a highdefinition multi-leaf collimator (HD-120 MLC). The Geant4 framework was used to implement a dose calculation system that accurately predicted the delivered dose. For this purpose, the Novalis Tx Linac head was modeled according to the specifications acquired from the manufacturer. Subsequently, MC simulations were performed by varying the mean energy, energy spread, and electron spot radius to determine optimum values of irradiation with 6-MV X-ray beams by using the Novalis Tx system. Computed percentage depth dose curves (PDDs) and lateral profiles were compared to the measurements obtained by using an ionization chamber (CC13). To validate the IMRT simulation by using the MC model we developed, we calculated a simple IMRT field and compared the result with the EBT3 film measurements in a water-equivalent solid phantom. Clinical cases, such as prostate cancer treatment plans, were then selected, and MC simulations were performed. The accuracy of the simulation was assessed against the EBT3 film measurements by using a gamma-index criterion. The optimal MC model parameters to specify the beam characteristics were a 6.8-MeV mean energy, a 0.5-MeV energy spread, and a 3-mm electron radius. The accuracy of these parameters was determined by comparison of MC simulations with measurements. The PDDs and the lateral profiles of the MC simulation deviated from the measurements by 1% and 2%, respectively, on average. The computed simple MLC fields agreed with the EBT3 measurements with a 95% passing rate with 3%/3-mm gamma-index criterion. Additionally, in applying our model to clinical IMRT plans, we found that the MC calculations and the EBT3 measurements agreed well with a passing rate of greater

  20. Genetic diversity of environmental Vibrio cholerae O1 strains isolated in Northern Vietnam.

    PubMed

    Takemura, Taichiro; Murase, Kazunori; Maruyama, Fumito; Tran, Thi Luong; Ota, Atsushi; Nakagawa, Ichiro; Nguyen, Dong Tu; Ngo, Tu Cuong; Nguyen, Thi Hang; Tokizawa, Asako; Morita, Masatomo; Ohnishi, Makoto; Nguyen, Binh Minh; Yamashiro, Tetsu

    2017-10-01

    Cholera epidemics have been recorded periodically in Vietnam during the seventh cholera pandemic. Since cholera is a water-borne disease, systematic monitoring of environmental waters for Vibrio cholerae presence is important for predicting and preventing cholera epidemics. We conducted monitoring, isolation, and genetic characterization of V. cholerae strains in Nam Dinh province of Northern Vietnam from Jul 2013 to Feb 2015. In this study, four V. cholerae O1 strains were detected and isolated from 110 analyzed water samples (3.6%); however, none of them carried the cholera toxin gene, ctxA, in their genomes. Whole genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the four O1 isolates were separated into two independent clusters, and one of them diverged from a common ancestor with pandemic strains. The analysis of pathogenicity islands (CTX prophage, VPI-I, VPI-II, VSP-I, and VSP-II) indicated that one strain (VNND_2014Jun_6SS) harbored an unknown prophage-like sequence with high homology to vibriophage KSF-1 phi and VCY phi, identified from Bangladesh and the USA, respectively, while the other three strains carried tcpA gene with a distinct sequence demonstrating a separate clonal lineage. These results suggest that the aquatic environment can harbor highly divergent V. cholera strains and serve as a reservoir for multiple V. cholerae virulence-associated genes which may be exchanged via mobile genetic elements. Therefore, continuous monitoring and genetic characterization of V. cholerae strains in the environment should contribute to the early detection of the sources of infection and prevention of cholera outbreaks as well as to understanding the natural ecology and evolution of V. cholerae. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  1. Genotyping of Yersinia enterocolitica biotype 1A strains from clinical and nonclinical origins by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.

    PubMed

    Campioni, Fábio; Falcão, Juliana P

    2014-06-01

    Yersinia enterocolitica biotype 1A (B1A) strains are considered mainly nonpathogenic. However, some studies considered strains of this biotype to be the causal agents of infections in humans and animals. In South America, there are no studies that have compared clinical and nonclinical strains of B1A typed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and none that have compared the capability of different enzymes on typing these strains. This study typed 51 Y. enterocolitica B1A strains isolated in Brazil and Chile by PFGE, testing the enzymes XbaI, NotI, and XhoI. The resulting dendrograms discriminated the strains in 47, 40, and 49 pulsotypes generated by the cleavage with the enzymes XbaI, NotI, and XhoI, respectively. The majority of the strains were grouped independently of their clinical or nonclinical origins. The high discriminatory power of PFGE confirmed the heterogeneity of B1A strains but could not divide the strains studied into clusters that differed in the frequency of some virulence genes as observed in studies using other methodologies.

  2. Ganglioside GM1 mimicry in Campylobacter strains from sporadic infections in the United States.

    PubMed

    Nachamkin, I; Ung, H; Moran, A P; Yoo, D; Prendergast, M M; Nicholson, M A; Sheikh, K; Ho, T; Asbury, A K; McKhann, G M; Griffin, J W

    1999-05-01

    To determine whether GM1-like epitopes in Campylobacter species are specific to O serotypes associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) or whether they are frequent among random Campylobacter isolates causing enteritis, 275 random enteritis-associated isolates of Campylobacter jejuni were analyzed. To determine whether GM1-like epitopes in Campylobacter species are specific to O serotypes associated with Guillan-Barre syndrome (GBS) or whether they are frequent among random Campylobacter isolates causing enteritis, 275 enteritis-associated isolates, randomly collected in the United States, were analyzed using a cholera-toxin binding assay [corrected]. Overall, 26.2% of the isolates were positive for the GM1-like epitope. Of the 36 different O serotypes in the sample, 21 (58.3%) contained no strains positive for GM1, whereas in 6 serotypes (16.7%), >50% of isolates were positive for GM1. GBS-associated serotypes were more likely to contain strains positive for GM1 than were non-GBS-associated serotypes (37.8% vs. 15.1%, P=.0116). The results suggest that humans are frequently exposed to strains exhibiting GM1-like mimicry and, while certain serotypes may be more likely to possess GM1-like epitopes, the presence of GM1-like epitopes on Campylobacter strains does not itself trigger GBS.

  3. Membrane-aerated biofilm reactor for the removal of 1,2-dichloroethane by Pseudomonas sp. strain DCA1.

    PubMed

    Hage, J C; Van Houten, R T; Tramper, J; Hartmans, S

    2004-06-01

    A membrane-aerated biofilm reactor (MBR) with a biofilm of Pseudomonas sp. strain DCA1 was studied for the removal of 1,2-dichloroethane (DCA) from water. A hydrophobic membrane was used to create a barrier between the liquid and the gas phase. Inoculation of the MBR with cells of strain DCA1 grown in a continuous culture resulted in the formation of a stable and active DCA-degrading biofilm on the membrane. The maximum removal rate of the MBR was reached at a DCA concentration of approximately 80 micro M. Simulation of the DCA fluxes into the biofilm showed that the MBR performance at lower concentrations was limited by the DCA diffusion rate rather than by kinetic constraints of strain DCA1. Aerobic biodegradation of DCA present in anoxic water could be achieved by supplying oxygen solely from the gas phase to the biofilm grown on the liquid side of the membrane. As a result, direct aeration of the water, which leads to undesired coagulation of iron oxides, could be avoided.

  4. 75 FR 23690 - Order Finding That the NGPL TxOk Financial Basis Contract Traded on the IntercontinentalExchange...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-05-04

    ... particular calendar month at the Natural Gas Pipeline Co. of America's (``NGPL's'') TxOk \\12\\ hub, as..., serves as a juncture for 13 different pipelines. These pipelines bring in natural gas from fields in the... a juncture where two or more natural gas pipelines are connected. Hubs also serve as pricing points...

  5. Protein Degradation in a TX-TL Cell-free Expression System Using ClpXP Protease

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2014-07-14

    function in TX-TL, as well as bacteriophage assembly [2, 6]. Circuits can also be prototyped from basic parts within 8 hours, avoiding cloning and...mRFP, and Venus and variants eGFP-ssrA, mRFP-ssrA, and Venus-ssrA, coding sequences were cloned into a T7-lacO inducible vector containing a N...12672L12677.! 6.! Shin,!J.,!P.!Jardine,!and!V.!Noireaux,!Genome(Replication,(Synthesis,(and( Assembly(of(the( Bacteriophage (T7(in(a(Single(Cell9Free

  6. Clonal relationship among Vibrio cholerae O1 El Tor strains isolated in Somalia.

    PubMed

    Scrascia, Maria; Pugliese, Nicola; Maimone, Francesco; Mohamud, Kadigia A; Grimont, Patrick A D; Materu, Sadiki F; Pazzani, Carlo

    2009-03-01

    One hundred and three Vibrio cholerae O1 strains, selected to represent the cholera outbreaks which occurred in Somalia in 1998-1999, were characterized by random amplified polymorphic DNA patterns, ribotyping, and antimicrobial susceptibility. All strains showed a unique amplified DNA pattern and 2 closely related ribotypes (B5a and B8a), among which B5a was the more frequently identified. Ninety-one strains were resistant to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, spectinomycin, streptomycin, sulfamethoxazole, and trimethoprim, conferred, except for spectinomycin, by a conjugative plasmid IncC. These findings indicated that the group of strains active in Somalia in the late 1990s had a clonal origin.

  7. 77 FR 48960 - Foreign-Trade Zone 12-McAllen, TX Notification of Proposed Export Production Activity TST NA Trim...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-08-15

    ... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Foreign-Trade Zones Board [B-62-2012] Foreign-Trade Zone 12--McAllen, TX Notification of Proposed Export Production Activity TST NA Trim, LLC (Fabric/Leather Lamination and Cutting... cutting of automotive upholstery material for export (no shipments for U.S. consumption would occur...

  8. Molecular dynamics simulations showing 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-phosphatidylcholine (POPC) membrane mechanoporation damage under different strain paths.

    PubMed

    Murphy, M A; Mun, Sungkwang; Horstemeyer, M F; Baskes, M I; Bakhtiary, A; LaPlaca, Michelle C; Gwaltney, Steven R; Williams, Lakiesha N; Prabhu, R K

    2018-04-09

    Continuum finite element material models used for traumatic brain injury lack local injury parameters necessitating nanoscale mechanical injury mechanisms be incorporated. One such mechanism is membrane mechanoporation, which can occur during physical insults and can be devastating to cells, depending on the level of disruption. The current study investigates the strain state dependence of phospholipid bilayer mechanoporation and failure. Using molecular dynamics, a simplified membrane, consisting of 72 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-phosphatidylcholine (POPC) phospholipids, was subjected to equibiaxial, 2:1 non-equibiaxial, 4:1 non-equibiaxial, strip biaxial, and uniaxial tensile deformations at a von Mises strain rate of 5.45 × 10 8 s -1 , resulting in velocities in the range of 1 to 4.6 m·s -1 . A water bridge forming through both phospholipid bilayer leaflets was used to determine structural failure. The stress magnitude, failure strain, headgroup clustering, and damage responses were found to be strain state-dependent. The strain state order of detrimentality in descending order was equibiaxial, 2:1 non-equibiaxial, 4:1 non-equibiaxial, strip biaxial, and uniaxial. The phospholipid bilayer failed at von Mises strains of .46, .47, .53, .77, and 1.67 during these respective strain path simulations. Additionally, a Membrane Failure Limit Diagram (MFLD) was created using the pore nucleation, growth, and failure strains to demonstrate safe and unsafe membrane deformation regions. This MFLD allowed representative equations to be derived to predict membrane failure from in-plane strains. These results provide the basis to implement a more accurate mechano-physiological internal state variable continuum model that captures lower length scale damage and will aid in developing higher fidelity injury models.

  9. Synthesis, characterization, and application of cy-dye- and alexa-dye-labeled hongotoxin(1) analogues. The first high affinity fluorescence probes for voltage-gated K+ channels.

    PubMed

    Pragl, Bernt; Koschak, Alexandra; Trieb, Maria; Obermair, Gerald; Kaufmann, Walter A; Gerster, Uli; Blanc, Eric; Hahn, Christoph; Prinz, Heino; Schütz, Gerhard; Darbon, Herve; Gruber, Hermann J; Knaus, Hans-Günther

    2002-01-01

    Hongotoxin(1) (HgTX(1)), a 39-residue peptide recently isolated from the venom of Centruroides limbatus, blocks the voltage-gated K+ channels K(v)1.1, K(v)1.2, and K(v)1.3 at picomolar toxin concentrations (Koschak, A., Bugianesi, R. M., Mitterdorfer, J., Kaczorowski, G. J., Garcia, M. L., and Knaus, H. G. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 2639-2644). In this report, we determine the three-dimensional structure of HgTX(1) using NMR spectroscopy (PDB-code: 1HLY). HgTX(1) was found to possess a structure similar to previously characterized K+ channel toxins (e.g. margatoxin) consisting of a three-stranded antiparallel beta-sheet (residues 2-4, 26-30, and 33-37) and a helical conformation (part 3(10) helix and part alpha helix; residues 10-20). Due to the importance of residue Lys-28 for high-affinity interaction with the respective channels, lysine-reactive fluorescence dyes cannot be used to label wild-type HgTX(1). On the basis of previous studies (see above) and our NMR data, a HgTX(1) mutant (HgTX(1)-A19C) was engineered, expressed, and purified. HgTX(1)-A19C-SH was labeled using sulfhydryl-reactive Cy3-, Cy5-, and Alexa-dyes. Pharmacological characterization of fluorescently labeled HgTX(1)-A19C in radioligand binding studies indicated that these hongotoxin(1) analogues retain high-affinity for voltage-gated K+ channels and a respective pharmacological profile. Cy3- and Alexa-dye-labeled hongotoxin(1) analogues were used to investigate the localization of K+ channels in brain sections. The distribution of toxin binding closely follows the distribution of K(v)1.2 immunoreactivity with the highest expression levels in the cerebellar Purkinje cell layer. Taken together, these results demonstrate that fluorescently labeled HgTX(1) analogues comprise novel probes to characterize a subset of voltage-gated K+ channels.

  10. Unusual strain glassy phase in Fe doped Ni2Mn1.5In0.5

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nevgi, R.; Priolkar, K. R.

    2018-01-01

    Fe doped Ni2Mn1.5In0.5, particularly, Ni2Mn1.4Fe0.1In0.5, despite having an incommensurate, modulated 7M martensitic structure at room temperature exhibits frequency dependent behavior of storage modulus and loss which obeys the Vogel-Fulcher law as well as shows ergodicity breaking between zero field cooled and field cooled strain measurements just above the transition temperature. Both frequency dependence and ergodicity breaking are characteristics of a strain glassy phase and occur due to the presence of strain domains which are large enough to present signatures of long range martensitic order in diffraction but are non-interacting with other strain domains due to the presence of Fe impurities.

  11. Comparative c-type cytochrome expression analysis in Shewanella oneidensis strain MR-1 and Anaeromyxobacter dehalogenans strain 2CP-C grown with soluble and insoluble oxidised metal electron acceptors

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Nissen, Silke; Liu, Xiaoxin; Chourey, Karuna

    2012-01-01

    The genomes of Shewanella oneidensis strain MR-1 and Anaeromyxobacter dehalogenans strain 2CP-C encode 40 and 69 putative c-type cytochrome genes, respectively. Deletion mutant and biochemical studies have assigned specific functions to a few c-type cytochromes involved in electron transfer to oxidised metals in Shewanella oneidensis strain MR-1. Although promising, the genetic approach is limited to gene deletions that produce a distinct phenotype, and organism for which a genetic system is available. To more comprehensively investigate and compare c-type cytochrome expression in Shewanella oneidensis strain MR-1 and Anaeromyxobacter dehalogenans strain 2CP-C, proteomic measurements were used to characterise lysates of cells grownmore » with soluble Fe(III) (as ferric citrate) and insoluble Mn(IV) (as MnO2) as electron acceptors. Strain MR-1 expressed 19 and 20, and strain 2CP-C expressed 27 and 25 c-type cytochromes when grown with Fe(III) and Mn(IV), respectively. The majority of c-type cytochromes (77% for strain MR-1 and 63% for strain 2CP-C) were expressed under both growth conditions; however, the analysis also revealed unique c-type cytochromes that were specifically expressed in cells grown with soluble Fe(III) or insoluble Mn(IV). Proteomic characterisation proved to be a promising approach for determining the c-type cytochrome complement expressed under different growth conditions, and will help elucidating the specific functions of more c-type cytochromes that are the basis for Shewanella and Anaeromyxobacter respiratory versatility.« less

  12. Decreased ethyl carbamate generation during Chinese rice wine fermentation by disruption of CAR1 in an industrial yeast strain.

    PubMed

    Wu, Dianhui; Li, Xiaomin; Shen, Chao; Lu, Jian; Chen, Jian; Xie, Guangfa

    2014-06-16

    Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolizes arginine to ornithine and urea during wine fermentations. In the fermentation of Chinese rice wine, yeast strains of S. cerevisiae do not fully metabolize urea, which will be secreted into the spirits and spontaneously reacts with ethanol to form ethyl carbamate, a potential carcinogenic agent for humans. To block the pathway of urea production, we genetically engineered two haploid strains to reduce the arginase (encoded by CAR1) activity, which were isolated from a diploid industrial Chinese rice wine strain. Finally the engineered haploids with opposite mating type were mated back to diploid strains, obtaining a heterozygous deletion strain (CAR1/car1) and a homozygous defect strain (car1/car1). These strains were compared to the parental industrial yeast strain in Chinese rice wine fermentations and spirit production. The strain with the homozygous CAR1 deletion showed significant reductions of urea and EC in the final spirits in comparison to the parental strain, with the concentration reductions by 86.9% and 50.5% respectively. In addition, EC accumulation was in a much lower tempo during rice wine storage. Moreover, the growth behavior and fermentation characteristics of the engineered diploid strain were similar to the parental strain. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  13. Phylogenetic Reconstruction of the Legionella pneumophila Philadelphia-1 Laboratory Strains through Comparative Genomics

    PubMed Central

    Ensminger, Alexander W.

    2013-01-01

    Over 20 years ago, two groups independently domesticated Legionella pneumophila from a clinical isolate of bacteria collected during the first recognized outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease (at the 1976 American Legion’s convention in Philadelphia). These two laboratory strains, JR32 and Lp01, along with their derivatives, have been disseminated to a number of laboratories around the world and form the cornerstone of much of the research conducted on this important pathogen to date. Nevertheless, no exhaustive examination of the genetic distance between these strains and their clinical progenitor has been performed thus far. Such information is of paramount importance for making sense of several phenotypic differences observed between these strains. As environmental replication of L. pneumophila is thought to exclusively occur within natural protozoan hosts, retrospective analysis of the domestication and axenic culture of the Philadelphia-1 progenitor strain by two independent groups also provides an excellent opportunity to uncover evidence of adaptation to the laboratory environment. To reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships between the common laboratory strains of L. pneumophila Philadelphia-1 and their clinical ancestor, we performed whole-genome Illumina resequencing of the two founders of each laboratory lineage: JR32 and Lp01. As expected from earlier, targeted studies, Lp01 and JR32 contain large deletions in the lvh and tra regions, respectively. By sequencing additional strains derived from Lp01 (Lp02 and Lp03), we retraced the phylogeny of these strains relative to their reported ancestor, thereby reconstructing the evolutionary dynamics of each laboratory lineage from genomic data. PMID:23717549

  14. ARSENIC REMOVAL FROM DRINKING WATER BY ADSORPTIVE MEDIA U.S. EPA DEMONSTRATION PROJECT AT BRUNI, TX, SIX-MONTH EVALUATION REPORT

    EPA Science Inventory

    This report documents the activities performed and the results obtained from the first six months of the arsenic removal treatment technology demonstration project at the Webb Consolidated Independent School District (Webb CISD) site at Bruni, TX. The main objective of the projec...

  15. The Physiological Opportunism of Desulfitobacterium hafniense Strain TCE1 towards Organohalide Respiration with Tetrachloroethene

    PubMed Central

    Duret, Aurélie; Holliger, Christof

    2012-01-01

    Desulfitobacterium hafniense strain TCE1 is capable of metabolically reducing tetra- and trichloroethenes by organohalide respiration. A previous study revealed that the pce gene cluster responsible for this process is located on an active composite transposon, Tn-Dha1. In the present work, we investigated the effects on the stability of the transposon during successive subcultivations of strain TCE1 in a medium depleted of tetrachloroethene. At the physiological level, an increased fitness of the population was observed after 9 successive transfers and was correlated with a decrease in the level of production of the PceA enzyme. The latter observation was a result of the gradual loss of the pce genes in the population of strain TCE1 and not of a regulation mechanism, as was postulated previously for a similar phenomenon described for Sulfurospirillum multivorans. A detailed molecular analysis of genetic rearrangements occurring around Tn-Dha1 showed two independent but concomitant events, namely, the transposition of the first insertion sequence, ISDha1-a, and homologous recombination across identical copies of ISDha1 flanking the transposon. A new model is proposed for the genetic heterogeneity around Tn-Dha1 in D. hafniense strain TCE1, along with some considerations for the cleavage mechanism mediated by the transposase TnpA1 encoded by ISDha1. PMID:22729540

  16. 75 FR 43564 - TA-W-71,483, Continental Airlines, Inc., Reservations Division, Houston, TX; TA-W-71,483A...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-07-26

    ... DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employment and Training Administration TA-W-71,483, Continental Airlines, Inc., Reservations Division, Houston, TX; TA-W-71,483A, Continental Airlines, Inc., Reservations Division, Tampa, FL; TA-W-71,483B, Continental Airlines, Inc., Reservations Division, Salt Lake City, UT; Notice of Negative Determination Regarding...

  17. Source Hierarchy List. Volume 1. A through D

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1994-07-01

    TECHNOLOGY DIV 04 LAKE CITY ARMY AMMUNITION PLANT INDEPENDENCE MO INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING DIV 03 LONE STAR ARMY AMMUNITION PLANT TEXARKANA TX 03...INDEPENDENCE MO INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING DIV 03 LONE STAR ARMY AMMUNITION PLANT TEXARKANA TX 03 LONGHORN ARMY AMMUNITION PLANT MARSHALL TX 03 LOUISIANA...STORAGE ACTIVITY SAN ANTONIO TX* 02 COATING AND CHEMICAL LAB ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND MD 02 DARCOM INTERN TRAINING CENTER TEXARKANA TX 03 ARMY MATERIEL

  18. Enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus sequences and the PCR to generate fingerprints of genomic DNAs from Vibrio cholerae O1, O139, and non-O1 strains.

    PubMed

    Rivera, I G; Chowdhury, M A; Huq, A; Jacobs, D; Martins, M T; Colwell, R R

    1995-08-01

    Enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC) sequence polymorphism was studied in Vibrio Cholerae strains isolated before and after the cholera epidemic in Brazil (in 1991), along with epidemic strains from Peru, Mexico, and India, by PCR. A total of 17 fingerprint patterns (FPs) were detected in the V. cholerae strains examined; 96.7% of the toxigenic V. cholerae O1 strains and 100% of the O139 serogroup strains were found to belong to the same FP group comprising four fragments (FP1). The nontoxigenic V. cholerae O1 also yielded four fragments but constituted a different FP group (FP2). A total of 15 different patterns were observed among the V. cholerae non-O1 strains. Two patterns were observed most frequently for V. cholerae non-01 strains, 25% of which have FP3, with five fragments, and 16.7% of which have FP4, with two fragments. Three fragments, 1.75, 0.79, and 0.5 kb, were found to be common to both toxigenic and nontoxigenic V. cholerae O1 strains as well as to group FP3, containing V. cholerae non-O1 strains. Two fragments of group FP3, 1.3 and 1.0 kb, were present in FP1 and FP2 respectively. The 0.5-kb fragment was common to all strains and serogroups of V. cholerae analyzed. It is concluded from the results of this study, based on DNA FPs of environmental isolates, that it is possible to detect an emerging virulent strain in a cholera-endemic region. ERIC-PCR constitutes a powerful tool for determination of the virulence potential of V. cholerae O1 strains isolated in surveillance programs and for molecular epidemiological investigations.

  19. Efficacy of Live-Attenuated H9N2 Influenza Vaccine Candidates Containing NS1 Truncations against H9N2 Avian Influenza Viruses.

    PubMed

    Chen, Sujuan; Zhu, Yinbiao; Yang, Da; Yang, Yang; Shi, Shaohua; Qin, Tao; Peng, Daxin; Liu, Xiufan

    2017-01-01

    H9N2 avian influenza virus is a zoonotic agent with a broad host range that can contribute genetic information to H5 or H7N9 subtype viruses, which are significant threats to both humans and birds. Thus, there is a great need for a vaccine to control H9N2 avian influenza. Three mutant viruses of an H9N2 virus A/chicken/Taixing/10/2010 (rTX-NS1-73, rTX-NS1-100, and rTX-NS1-128) were constructed with different NS1 gene truncations and confirmed by western blot analysis. The genetic stability, pathogenicity, transmissibility, and host immune responses toward these mutants were evaluated. The mutant virus rTX-NS1-128 exhibited the most attenuated phenotype and lost transmissibility. The expression levels of interleukin 12 in the nasal and tracheal tissues from chickens immunized with rTX-NS1-128 were significantly upregulated on day 3 post-immunization and the IgA and IgG antibody levels were significantly increased on days 7, 14, and 21 post-immunization when compared to chickens that received an inactivated vaccine. rTX-NS1-128 also protected chickens from challenge by homologous and heterologous H9N2 avian influenza viruses. The results indicate that rTX-NS1-128 can be used as a potential live-attenuated vaccine against H9N2 avian influenza.

  20. The Analysis of the T+X Program and a Proposal for a New Pilot

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2013-07-01

    analyze how suitable the T+X ratings are for expansion from a 4-year obligation ( 4YO ) to a 5YO. We start by looking at these ratings in 2008 through...a training pipeline of 7.8 months, on average. In combination with a 60-month PST, there was a 20-month deficit between the sailors’ 4YO and the...had a training pipeline of 6.5 months before June 2011 and about 6.0 months since then. Previously, PSTs varied from 54 to 60 months; thus, 4YO

  1. Complete Genome Sequence of the Diesel-Degrading Acinetobacter sp. Strain DR1

    PubMed Central

    Jung, Jaejoon; Baek, Jeong-Hun; Park, Woojun

    2010-01-01

    The genus Acinetobacter is ubiquitous in soil, aquatic, and sediment environments and includes pathogenic strains, such as A. baumannii. Many Acinetobacter species isolated from various environments have biotechnological potential since they are capable of degrading a variety of pollutants. Acinetobacter sp. strain DR1 has been identified as a diesel degrader. Here we report the complete genome sequence of Acinetobacter sp. DR1 isolated from the soil of a rice paddy. PMID:20639327

  2. 0-6759 : developing a business process and logical model to support a tour-based travel demand model design for TxDOT.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2013-08-01

    The Texas Department of Transportation : (TxDOT) created a standardized trip-based : modeling approach for travel demand modeling : called the Texas Package Suite of Travel Demand : Models (referred to as the Texas Package) to : oversee the travel de...

  3. Enhanced cell-surface display of a heterologous protein using SED1 anchoring system in SED1-disrupted Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain.

    PubMed

    Bamba, Takahiro; Inokuma, Kentaro; Hasunuma, Tomohisa; Kondo, Akihiko

    2018-03-01

    Yeast displaying enzymes on the cell surface are used for developing whole-cell biocatalysts. High enzyme activity on the cell surface is required in certain applications such as direct ethanol production from lignocellulosic materials. However, the cell surface enzyme activity is limited by several factors, one of which is the protein amount of the yeast cell wall. In this study, we attempted to improve the incorporation capacity of a displayed heterologous enzyme by disrupting a native cell-wall protein. β-Glucosidase (BGL1) from Aspergillus aculeatus was fused with Saccharomyces cerevisiae Sed1 and displayed on the cell surface of S. cerevisiae BY4741 strain and its SED1 disruptant. Sed1 is one of the most abundant stationary phase yeast cell wall protein. A time course analysis revealed that BGL1 activity of the control strain reached saturation after 48 h of cultivation. In contrast, the BGL1 activity of the SED1 disruptant increased until 72 h of cultivation and was 22% higher than that of the control strain. We also performed relative quantification of cell wall proteins of these strains by nanoscale ultra pressure liquid chromatography electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (nano-UPLC-MS E ). The amount of the cell wall-associated BGL1 per unit dry cell-weight of the SED1 disruptant was 19% higher than that of the control strain. These results suggested that the incorporation capacity of the cell wall for BGL1 was increased by disruption of SED1. Disruption of SED1 would be a promising approach for improving display efficiency of heterologous protein fused with Sed1. Copyright © 2017 The Society for Biotechnology, Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  4. Efficacy of a trivalent influenza vaccine against seasonal strains and against 2009 pandemic H1N1: A randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

    PubMed

    Mcbride, William J H; Abhayaratna, Walter P; Barr, Ian; Booy, Robert; Carapetis, Jonathan; Carson, Simon; De Looze, Ferdinandus; Ellis-Pegler, Rod; Heron, Leon; Karrasch, Jeff; Marshall, Helen; Mcvernon, Jodie; Nolan, Terry; Rawlinson, William; Reid, Jim; Richmond, Peter; Shakib, Sepehr; Basser, Russell L; Hartel, Gunter F; Lai, Michael H; Rockman, Steven; Greenberg, Michael E

    2016-09-22

    Before pandemic H1N1 vaccines were available, the potential benefit of existing seasonal trivalent inactivated influenza vaccines (IIV3s) against influenza due to the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza strain was investigated, with conflicting results. This study assessed the efficacy of seasonal IIV3s against influenza due to 2008 and 2009 seasonal influenza strains and against the 2009 pandemic H1N1 strain. This observer-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study enrolled adults aged 18-64years during 2008 and 2009 in Australia and New Zealand. Participants were randomized 2:1 to receive IIV3 or placebo. The primary objective was to demonstrate the efficacy of IIV3 against laboratory-confirmed influenza. Participants reporting an influenza-like illness during the period from 14days after vaccination until 30 November of each study year were tested for influenza by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Over a study period of 2years, 15,044 participants were enrolled (mean age±standard deviation: 35.5±14.7years; 54.4% female). Vaccine efficacy of the 2008 and 2009 IIV3s against influenza due to any strain was 42% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 30%, 52%), whereas vaccine efficacy against influenza due to the vaccine-matched strains was 60% (95% CI: 44%, 72%). Vaccine efficacy of the 2009 IIV3 against influenza due to the 2009 pandemic H1N1 strain was 38% (95% CI: 19%, 53%). No vaccine-related deaths or serious adverse events were reported. Solicited local and systemic adverse events were more frequent in IIV3 recipients than placebo recipients (local: IIV3 74.6% vs placebo 20.4%, p<0.001; systemic: IIV3 46.6% vs placebo 39.1%, p<0.001). The 2008 and 2009 IIV3s were efficacious against influenza due to seasonal influenza strains and the 2009 IIV3 demonstrated moderate efficacy against influenza due to the 2009 pandemic H1N1 strain. Funded by CSL Limited, ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT00562484. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier

  5. Characterization of P fimbriae on O1, O7, O75, rough, and nontypable strains of Escherichia coli.

    PubMed Central

    Pere, A; Selander, R K; Korhonen, T K

    1988-01-01

    P fimbriae of 37 uropathogenic Escherichia coli O1:K1, O7:K1, O22, O75, rough:K1, and nontypable strains were characterized by immunoprecipitation with 14 fimbria-specific rabbit antisera. The fimbrial composition of these strains, as reflected by the apparent molecular weights of the fimbrial peptides, was correlated with the O serogroup of the strains, but serological cross-reactivity of P fimbriae of different E. coli serogroups was frequently observed. The genetic clonal relationships of the strains were analyzed by determining the electrophoretic types, based on 18 chromosomally encoded enzymes. Among the O1:K1 strains, the same P-fimbrial variants occurred on strains that were either closely related or very distinct in their electrophoretic types, indicating that the P fimbriae have evolved in association with the O and K antigens. In contrast, certain O7:K1 and R:K1 strains as well as some O22 and O75 strains were genotypically identical and shared similar P-fimbrial variants, which differed serologically from those of other E. coli serogroups. Our results show that, despite the structural variability seen in electrophoretic analysis of P fimbriae of different serogroups, many P-fimbrial variants share common antigenic determinants that are recognized by rabbit antisera. Based on immunoprecipitation analyses, three anti-P-fimbria sera have now been identified that react with P fimbriae of 82 of 84 uropathogenic E. coli strains characterized in Finland. Images PMID:2895742

  6. Arsenic Removal from Drinking Water by Adsorptive Media U.S. EPA Demonstration Project at Wellman, TX, Final Performance Evaluation Report

    EPA Science Inventory

    This report documents the activities performed and the results obtained from the arsenic removal treatment technology demonstration project in the City of Wellman, TX. The main objective of the project was to evaluate the effectiveness of AdEdge Technologies’ AD-33 media in remo...

  7. Arsenic Removal from Drinking Water by Adsorptive Media U.S. EPA Demonstration Project at Alvin, TX, Six-Month Evaluation Report

    EPA Science Inventory

    This report documents the activities performed and the results obtained from the first six months of the EPA arsenic removal technology demonstration project at the Oak Manor Municipal Utility District (MUD) facility at Alvin, TX. The main objective of the project is to evaluate...

  8. Arsenic Removal from Drinking Water by Adsorptive Media U.S. EPA Demonstration Project at Wellman, TX, Six-Month Evaluation Report

    EPA Science Inventory

    This report documents the activities performed and the results obtained from the first six months of the arsenic removal treatment technology demonstration project in the City of Wellman, TX. The main objective of the project was to evaluate the effectiveness of AdEdge Technolog...

  9. Triggered Firing and Atrial Fibrillation in Transgenic Mice With Selective Atrial Fibrosis Induced by Overexpression of TGF-β1

    PubMed Central

    Choi, Eue-Keun; Chang, Po-Cheng; Lee, Young-Soo; Lin, Shien-Fong; Zhu, Wuqiang; Maruyama, Mitsunori; Fishbein, Michael C.; Chen, Zhenhui; der Lohe, Michael Rubart-von; Field, Loren J.; Chen, Peng-Sheng

    2013-01-01

    Background Calcium transient triggered firing (CTTF) is induced by large intracellular calcium (Cai) transient and short action potential duration (APD). We hypothesized that CTTF underlies the mechanisms of early afterdepolarization (EAD) and spontaneous recurrent atrial fibrillation (AF) in transgenic (Tx) mice with overexpression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1). Methods and Results MHC-TGFcys33ser Tx mice develop atrial fibrosis because of elevated levels of TGF-β1. We studied membrane potential and Cai transients of isolated superfused atria from Tx and wild-type (Wt) littermates. Short APD and persistently elevated Cai transients promoted spontaneous repetitive EADs, triggered activity and spontaneous AF after cessation of burst pacing in Tx but not Wt atria (39% vs. 0%, P=0.008). We were able to map optically 4 episodes of spontaneous AF re-initiation. All first and second beats of spontaneous AF originated from the right atrium (4/4, 100%), which is more severely fibrotic than the left atrium. Ryanodine and thapsigargin inhibited spontaneous re-initiation of AF in all 7 Tx atria tested. Western blotting showed no significant changes of calsequestrin or sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase 2a. Conclusions Spontaneous AF may occur in the Tx atrium because of CTTF, characterized by APD shortening, prolonged Cai transient, EAD and triggered activity. Inhibition of Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum suppressed spontaneous AF. Our results indicate that CTTF is an important arrhythmogenic mechanism in TGF-β1 Tx atria. PMID:22447020

  10. The utility of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in systems-oriented obesity intervention projects: the selection of comparable study sites for a quasi-experimental intervention design--TX CORD.

    PubMed

    Oluyomi, Abiodun O; Byars, Allison; Byrd-Williams, Courtney; Sharma, Shreela V; Durand, Casey; Hoelscher, Deanna M; Butte, Nancy F; Kelder, Steven H

    2015-02-01

    The Texas Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration project (TX CORD) uses a systems-oriented approach to address obesity that includes individual and family interventions, community-level action, as well as environmental and policy initiatives. Given that randomization is seldom possible in community-level intervention studies, TX CORD uses a quasi-experimental design. Comparable intervention and comparison study sites are needed to address internal validity bias. TX CORD was designed to be implemented in low-income, ethnically diverse communities in Austin and Houston, Texas. A three-stage Geographical Information System (GIS) methodology was used to establish and ascertain the comparability of the intervention and comparison study sites. Census tract (stage 1) and school (stage 2) data were used to identify spatially exclusive geographic areas that were comparable. In stage 3, study sites were compared on demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status (SES), food assets, and physical activity (PA) assets. Student's t-test was used to examine significant differences between the selected sites. The methodology that was used resulted in the selection of catchment areas with demographic and socioeconomic characteristics that fit the target population: ethnically diverse population; lower-median household income; and lower home ownership rates. Additionally, the intervention and comparison sites were statistically comparable on demographic and SES variables, as well as food assets and PA assets. This GIS approach can provide researchers, program evaluators, and policy makers with useful tools for both research and practice. Area-level information that allows for robust understanding of communities can enhance analytical procedures in community health research and offer significant contributions in terms of community assessment and engagement.

  11. Polymorphisms and resistance mutations in the protease and reverse transcriptase genes of HIV-1 F subtype Romanian strains.

    PubMed

    Paraschiv, Simona; Otelea, Dan; Dinu, Magdalena; Maxim, Daniela; Tinischi, Mihaela

    2007-03-01

    To evaluate the prevalence of resistance mutations in the genome of HIV-1 F subtype strains isolated from Romanian antiretroviral (ARV) treatment-naïve patients and to assess the phylogenetic relatedness of these strains with other HIV-1 strains. Twenty-nine HIV-1 strains isolated from treatment-naïve adolescents (n=15) and adults (n=14) were included in this study. Resistance genotyping was performed by using Big Dye Terminator chemistry provided by the ViroSeq Genotyping System. The sequences of the protease and reverse transcriptase genes were aligned (ClustalW) and a phylogenetic tree was built (MEGA 3 software). For subtyping purposes, all the nucleotide sequences were submitted to the Stanford database. All the studied strains were found to harbor accessory mutations in the protease gene. The most frequent mutation was M36I (29 of 29 strains), followed by L63T, K20R, and L10V. The number of polymorphisms associated with protease inhibitor resistance was different for the two age groups. Intraphylogenetic divergence was greater for adults than for adolescents infected in childhood. All the strains were found to belong to the F1 subtype. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that Romanian strains clustered together, but distinctly from F1 HIV-1 strains isolated in other parts of the world (Brazil, Finland, and Belgium). Protease secondary mutations are present with high frequency in the HIV-1 F subtype strains isolated from Romanian ARV treatment-naïve patients, but no major resistance mutations were found.

  12. Yielding of tantalum at strain rates up to 10{sup 9 }s{sup −1}

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Crowhurst, Jonathan C., E-mail: crowhurst1@llnl.gov; Armstrong, Michael R., E-mail: armstrong30@llnl.gov; Gates, Sean D.

    2016-08-29

    We have used a 45 μJ laser pulse to accelerate the free surface of fine-grained tantalum films up to peak velocities of ∼1.2 km s{sup −1}. The films had thicknesses of ∼1–2 μm and in-plane grain widths of ∼75–150 nm. Using ultrafast interferometry, we have measured the time history of the velocity of the surface at different spatial positions across the accelerated region. The initial part of the histories (assumed to correspond to the “elastic precursor” observed previously) exhibited measured strain rates of ∼0.6 to ∼3.2 × 10{sup 9 }s{sup −1} and stresses of ∼4 to ∼22 GPa. Importantly, we find that elastic amplitudes exhibit littlemore » variation with strain rate for a constant peak surface velocity, even though, via covariation of the strain rate with peak surface velocity, they vary with strain rate. Furthermore, by comparison with data obtained at lower strain rates, we find that amplitudes are much better predicted by peak velocities rather than by either strain rate or sample thickness.« less

  13. Genome-wide analyses of HTLV-1aD strains from Cape Verde, Africa.

    PubMed

    Zanella, Louise; Pina-Araujo I, Isabel de; Morgado, Mariza G; Vicente, Ana Carolina

    2016-09-01

    We characterised and reported the first full-length genomes of Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 subgroup HTLV-1aD (CV21 and CV79). This subgroup is one of the major determinants of HTLV-1 infections in North and West Africa, and recombinant strains involving this subgroup have been recently demonstrated. The CV21 and CV79 strains from Cape Verde/Africa were characterised as pure HTLV-1aD genomes, comparative analyses including HTLV-1 subtypes and subgroups revealed HTLV-1aD signatures in the envelope, pol, and pX regions. These genomes provide original information that will contribute to further studies on HTLV-1a epidemiology and evolution.

  14. Strain Background Modifies Phenotypes in the ATP8B1-Deficient Mouse

    PubMed Central

    Vargas, Julie C.; Xu, Hongmei; Groen, Annamiek; Paulusma, Coen C.; Grenert, James P.; Pawlikowska, Ludmila; Sen, Saunak; Elferink, Ronald P. J. Oude; Bull, Laura N.

    2010-01-01

    Background Mutations in ATP8B1 (FIC1) underlie cases of cholestatic disease, ranging from chronic and progressive (progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis) to intermittent (benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis). The ATP8B1-deficient mouse serves as an animal model of human ATP8B1 deficiency. Methodology/Principal Findings We investigated the effect of genetic background on phenotypes of ATP8B1-deficient and wild-type mice, using C57Bl/6 (B6), 129, and (B6-129) F1 strain backgrounds. B6 background resulted in greater abnormalities in ATP8B1-deficient mice than did 129 and/or F1 background. ATP8B1-deficient pups of B6 background gained less weight. In adult ATP8B1-deficient mice at baseline, those of B6 background had lower serum cholesterol levels, higher serum alkaline phosphatase levels, and larger livers. After challenge with cholate-supplemented diet, these mice exhibited higher serum alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin levels, greater weight loss and larger livers. ATP8B1-deficient phenotypes in mice of F1 and 129 backgrounds are usually similar, suggesting that susceptibility to manifestations of ATP8B1 deficiency may be recessive. We also detected differences in hepatobiliary phenotypes between wild-type mice of differing strains. Conclusions/Significance Our results indicate that the ATP8B1-deficient mouse in a B6 background may be a better model of human ATP8B1 deficiency and highlight the importance of informed background strain selection for mouse models of liver disease. PMID:20126555

  15. The 14alpha-Demethylasse(CYP51A1) Gene is Overexpressed in Venturia inaequalis Strains Resistant to Myclobutanil.

    PubMed

    Schnabel, G; Jones, A L

    2001-01-01

    ABSTRACT We identified the cytochrome P450 sterol 14alpha-demethylase (CYP51A1) gene from Venturia inaequalis and optional insertions located upstream from CYP51A1 and evaluated their potential role in conferring resistance to the sterol demethylation-inhibitor (DMI) fungicide my-clobutanil. The CYP51A1 gene was completely sequenced from one my-clobutanil sensitive (S) and two myclobutanil-resistant (R) strains. No nucleotide variation was found when the three sequences were aligned. Allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis indicated that a previously described single base pair mutation that correlated with resistance to DMI fungicides in strains of other filamentous fungi was absent in 19 S and 32 R strains of V. inaequalis from Michigan and elsewhere. The sequencing results and PCR analyses suggest that resistance in these strains was not due to a mutation in the sterol demethylase target site for DMI fungicides. Expression of CYP51A1 was determined for strains from an orchard that had never been sprayed with DMI fungicides (baseline orchard), and the data provided a reference for evaluating the expression of strains collected from a research orchard and from three commercial Michigan apple orchards with a long history of DMI use and a high frequency of R strains. Overexpression of CYP51A1 was significantly higher in 9 of 11 R strains from the research orchard than in S strains from the baseline orchard. The high expression was correlated with the presence of a 553-bp insertion located upstream of CYP51A1. Overexpression of the CYP51A1 gene was also detected in eight of eight, five of nine, and nine of nine R strains from three commercial orchards, but the insertion was not detected in the majority of these strains. The results suggest that overexpression of the target-site CYP51A1 gene is an important mechanism of resistance in some field resistant strains of V. inaequalis, but other mechanisms of resistance also appear to exist.

  16. 40 CFR 180.1181 - Bacillus cereus strain BPO1; exemption from the requirement of a tolerance.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... FOOD Exemptions From Tolerances § 180.1181 Bacillus cereus strain BPO1; exemption from the requirement... strain BPO1 in or on all raw agricultural commodities when applied/used in accordance with label...

  17. 40 CFR 180.1181 - Bacillus cereus strain BPO1; exemption from the requirement of a tolerance.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... FOOD Exemptions From Tolerances § 180.1181 Bacillus cereus strain BPO1; exemption from the requirement... strain BPO1 in or on all raw agricultural commodities when applied/used in accordance with label...

  18. Deletion of JJJ1 improves acetic acid tolerance and bioethanol fermentation performance of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains.

    PubMed

    Wu, Xuechang; Zhang, Lijie; Jin, Xinna; Fang, Yahong; Zhang, Ke; Qi, Lei; Zheng, Daoqiong

    2016-07-01

    To improve tolerance to acetic acid that is present in lignocellulosic hydrolysates and affects bioethanol production by Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains with improved tolerance to acetic acid were obtained through deletion of the JJJ1 gene. The lag phase of the JJJ1 deletion mutant BYΔJJJ1 was ~16 h shorter than that of the parent strain, BY4741, when the fermentation medium contained 4.5 g acetic acid/l. Additionally, the specific ethanol production rate of BYΔJJJ1 was increased (0.057 g/g h) compared to that of the parent strain (0.051 g/g h). Comparative transcription and physiological analyses revealed higher long chain fatty acid, trehalose, and catalase contents might be critical factors responsible for the acetic acid resistance of JJJ1 knockout strains. JJJ1 deletion improves acetic acid tolerance and ethanol fermentation performance of S. cerevisiae.

  19. Spirosoma metallum sp. nov., isolated from an automobile air conditioning system.

    PubMed

    Kim, Dong-Uk; Lee, Hyosun; Lee, Suyeon; Park, Sooyeon; Yoon, Jung-Hoon; Park, So Yoon; Ka, Jong-Ok

    2018-01-01

    A Gram-stain-negative and yellow-pigmented bacterial strain, designated TX0653 T , was isolated from an automobile evaporator core collected in Korea. The cells were aerobic and rod-shaped. The strain grew at 10-28 °C (optimum, 25 °C), at pH 6.0-7.5 (optimum, 6.5), and in the presence of 0-1% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0%). Phylogenetically, the strain was related to members of the genus Spirosoma (95.1-90.8% 16S rRNA sequence similarity) and distantly related to Spirosoma pulveris JSH5-14 T (95.1%), Spirosoma fluviale MSd3 T (95.0%), Spirosoma endophyticum DSM 26130 T (94.8%), and Spirosoma linguale DSM 74 T (94.6%). The major fatty acids of the strain were summed feature 3 (C 16:1 ω6c and/or C 16:1 ω7c), C 16:1 ω5c, iso-C 15:0 , iso-C 17:0 3-OH, and C 16:0 . MK-7 was identified as the predominant menaquinone. The polar lipids profile indicated the presence of one phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminolipid, one unidentified aminophospholipid, two unidentified phospholipids, and three unidentified lipids. On the basis of the phenotypic, genotypic, and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain TX0653 T represents a novel species in the genus Spirosoma, for which the name Spirosoma metallum sp. nov. (= KACC 19278 T  = NBRC 112495 T ) is proposed.

  20. The genome sequence of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli strain O1:K1:H7 shares strong similarities with human extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli genomes.

    PubMed

    Johnson, Timothy J; Kariyawasam, Subhashinie; Wannemuehler, Yvonne; Mangiamele, Paul; Johnson, Sara J; Doetkott, Curt; Skyberg, Jerod A; Lynne, Aaron M; Johnson, James R; Nolan, Lisa K

    2007-04-01

    Escherichia coli strains that cause disease outside the intestine are known as extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) and include human uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) and avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC). Regardless of host of origin, ExPEC strains share many traits. It has been suggested that these commonalities may enable APEC to cause disease in humans. Here, we begin to test the hypothesis that certain APEC strains possess potential to cause human urinary tract infection through virulence genotyping of 1,000 APEC and UPEC strains, generation of the first complete genomic sequence of an APEC (APEC O1:K1:H7) strain, and comparison of this genome to all available human ExPEC genomic sequences. The genomes of APEC O1 and three human UPEC strains were found to be remarkably similar, with only 4.5% of APEC O1's genome not found in other sequenced ExPEC genomes. Also, use of multilocus sequence typing showed that some of the sequenced human ExPEC strains were more like APEC O1 than other human ExPEC strains. This work provides evidence that at least some human and avian ExPEC strains are highly similar to one another, and it supports the possibility that a food-borne link between some APEC and UPEC strains exists. Future studies are necessary to assess the ability of APEC to overcome the hurdles necessary for such a food-borne transmission, and epidemiological studies are required to confirm that such a phenomenon actually occurs.

  1. Phase 1 Environmental Baseline Survey Nellis Terrace Housing Area, Parcel E-1, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2010-03-01

    Program Manger, Nellis AFB, Henry Rodriguez , Toxics Program Manger, Nellis AFB, John Roe, Water Quality Program Manger, Nellis AFB, Charles...Hunt Building Company, LTD " 440 1 N. Mesa St. El Paso, TX 79912 Project: Nellis Air Force Base 174 Swaab Blvd. & 10 Jones Street Las Vegas...Company, Ltd 4401 N. Mesa St. El Paso, TX 79912 Project: Chlordane Soil Sampling Nellis Air Force Base 174 Swaab Blvd. & 10 Jones St. Las Vegas

  2. Strain-relaxation and critical thickness of epitaxial La 1.85Sr 0.15CuO 4 films

    DOE PAGES

    Meyer, Tricia L; Jiang, Lu; Park, Sungkyun; ...

    2015-12-08

    We report the thickness-dependent strain-relaxation behavior and the associated impacts upon the superconductivity in epitaxial La 1.85Sr 0.15CuO 4 films grown on different substrates, which provide a range of strain. We have found that the critical thickness for the onset of superconductivity in La 1.85Sr 0.15CuO 4 films is associated with the finite thickness effect and epitaxial strain. In particular, thin films with tensile strain greater than ~0.25% revealed no superconductivity. We attribute this phenomenon to the inherent formation of oxygen vacancies that can be minimized via strain relaxation.

  3. Pathoadaptive Conditional Regulation of the Type VI Secretion System in Vibrio cholerae O1 Strains

    PubMed Central

    Ishikawa, Takahiko; Sabharwal, Dharmesh; Bröms, Jeanette; Milton, Debra L.; Sjöstedt, Anders; Uhlin, Bernt Eric

    2012-01-01

    The most recently discovered secretion pathway in Gram-negative bacteria, the type VI secretion system (T6SS), is present in many species and is considered important for the survival of non-O1 non-O139 Vibrio cholerae in aquatic environments. Until now, it was not known whether there is a functionally active T6SS in wild-type V. cholerae O1 strains, the cause of cholera disease in humans. Here, we demonstrate the presence of a functionally active T6SS in wild-type V. cholerae O1 strains, as evidenced by the secretion of the T6SS substrate Hcp, which required several gene products encoded within the putative vas gene cluster. Our analyses showed that the T6SS of wild-type V. cholerae O1 strain A1552 was functionally activated when the bacteria were grown under high-osmolarity conditions. The T6SS was also active when the bacteria were grown under low temperature (23°C), suggesting that the system may be important for the survival of the bacterium in the environment. A test of the interbacterial virulence of V. cholerae strain A1552 against an Escherichia coli K-12 strain showed that it was strongly enhanced under high osmolarity and that it depended on the hcp genes. Interestingly, we found that the newly recognized osmoregulatory protein OscR plays a role in the regulation of T6SS gene expression and secretion of Hcp from V. cholerae O1 strains. PMID:22083711

  4. Draft Genome Sequence of Pseudomonas sp. Strain B1, Isolated from a Contaminated Sediment

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Pathak, Ashish; Jaswal, Rajneesh; Stothard, Paul

    ABSTRACT The draft genome sequence of Pseudomonas sp. strain B1, isolated from a contaminated soil, is reported. The genome comprises 6,706,934 bases, 6,059 coding sequences, and 70 RNAs and has a G+C content of 60.3%. A suite of biodegradative genes, many located on genomic islands, were identified from strain B1, further enhancing our understanding of the versatile pseudomonads.

  5. Draft Genome Sequence of Pseudomonas sp. Strain B1, Isolated from a Contaminated Sediment

    DOE PAGES

    Pathak, Ashish; Jaswal, Rajneesh; Stothard, Paul; ...

    2018-06-21

    ABSTRACT The draft genome sequence of Pseudomonas sp. strain B1, isolated from a contaminated soil, is reported. The genome comprises 6,706,934 bases, 6,059 coding sequences, and 70 RNAs and has a G+C content of 60.3%. A suite of biodegradative genes, many located on genomic islands, were identified from strain B1, further enhancing our understanding of the versatile pseudomonads.

  6. 76 FR 55268 - Chromobacterium subtsugae Strain PRAA4-1T

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-09-07

    ... (irritation symptoms cleared by 24 hours; Toxicity Category IV). 9. Dermal sensitization--guinea pig... that Chromobacterium subtsugae strain PRAA4-1\\T\\ was not a dermal sensitizer to guinea pigs. IV... production (NAICS code 111). Animal production (NAICS code 112). Food manufacturing (NAICS code 311...

  7. Copper tolerance in Frankia sp. strain EuI1c involves surface binding and copper transport.

    PubMed

    Rehan, Medhat; Furnholm, Teal; Finethy, Ryan H; Chu, Feixia; El-Fadly, Gomaah; Tisa, Louis S

    2014-09-01

    Several Frankia strains have been shown to be copper-tolerant. The mechanism of their copper tolerance was investigated for Frankia sp. strain EuI1c. Copper binding was shown by binding studies. Unusual globular structures were observed on the surface of the bacterium. These globular structures were composed of aggregates containing many relatively smaller "leaf-like" structures. Scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDAX) analysis of these structures indicated elevated copper and phosphate levels compared to the control cells. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis indicated an increase in extracellular phosphate on the cell surface of copper-stressed cells. Bioinformatics' analysis of the Frankia sp. strain EuI1c genome revealed five potential cop genes: copA, copZ, copC, copCD, and copD. Experiments with Frankia sp. strain EuI1c using qRT-PCR indicated an increase in messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of the five cop genes upon Cu(2+) stress. After 5 days of Cu(2+) stress, the copA, copZ, copC, copCD, and copD mRNA levels increased 25-, 8-, 18-, 18-, and 25-fold, respectively. The protein profile of Cu(2+)-stressed Frankia sp. strain EuI1c cells revealed the upregulation of a 36.7 kDa protein that was identified as FraEuI1c_1092 (sulfate-binding periplasmic transport protein). Homologues of this gene were only present in the genomes of the Cu(2+)-resistant Frankia strains (EuI1c, DC12, and CN3). These data indicate that copper tolerance by Frankia sp. strain EuI1c involved the binding of copper to the cell surface and transport proteins.

  8. Increasing ethanol titer and yield in a gpd1Δ gpd2Δ strain by simultaneous overexpression of GLT1 and STL1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

    PubMed

    Wang, Jingyu; Liu, Wen; Ding, Wentao; Zhang, Guochang; Liu, Jingjing

    2013-11-01

    We have investigated whether simultaneous modification of cofactor metabolism and glycerol in a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae can eliminate glycerol synthesis during ethanol production. Two strains, S812 (gpd1Δ gpd2Δ PGK1p-GLT1) and LE17 (gpd1Δ gpd2Δ PGK1p-GLT1 PGKp-STL1) were generated that showed a 8 and 8.2 % increase in the ethanol yield, respectively, compared to the wild type KAM-2 strain. The ethanol titer was improved from 90.4 g/l for KAM-2 to 97.6 g/l for S812 and 97.8 g/l for LE17, respectively. These results provide a new insight into rationalization of metabolic engineering strategies for improvement of ethanol yield through elimination of glycerol production.

  9. Energy dependence of the spin excitation anisotropy in uniaxial-strained BaFe 1.9Ni 0.1As 2

    DOE PAGES

    Song, Yu; Lu, Xingye; Abernathy, Douglas L.; ...

    2015-11-06

    In this study, we use inelastic neutron scattering to study the temperature and energy dependence of the spin excitation anisotropy in uniaxial-strained electron-doped iron pnictide BaFe 1.9Ni 0.1As 2 near optimal superconductivity (T c = 20K). Our work has been motivated by the observation of in-plane resistivity anisotropy in the paramagnetic tetragonal phase of electron-underdoped iron pnictides under uniaxial pressure, which has been attributed to a spin-driven Ising-nematic state or orbital ordering. Here we show that the spin excitation anisotropy, a signature of the spin-driven Ising-nematic phase, exists for energies below 60 meV in uniaxial-strained BaFe 1.9Ni 0.1As 2. Sincemore » this energy scale is considerably larger than the energy splitting of the d xz and d yz bands of uniaxial-strained Ba(Fe 1–xCox) 2As 2 near optimal superconductivity, spin Ising-nematic correlations are likely the driving force for the resistivity anisotropy and associated electronic nematic correlations.« less

  10. A 1,3-1,4-β-glucan utilization regulon in Paenibacillus sp. strain JDR-2

    Treesearch

    Virginia Chow; Young Sik Kim; Mun Su Rhee; Neha Sawhney; Franz J. St. John; Guang Nong; John D. Rice; James F. Preston

    2016-01-01

    Paenibacillus sp. strain JDR-2 (Paenibacillus JDR-2) secretes a multimodular cell-associated glycoside hydrolase family 10 (GH10) endoxylanase (XynA10A1) that catalyzes the depolymerization of methylglucuronoxylan (MeGXn) and rapidly assimilates the products of depolymerization....

  11. Ethyl pyruvate reduces acute lung damage following trauma and hemorrhagic shock via inhibition of NF-κB and HMGB1.

    PubMed

    Relja, Borna; Wagner, Nils; Franz, Niklas; Dieteren, Scott; Mörs, Katharina; Schmidt, Julia; Marzi, Ingo; Perl, Mario

    2018-03-01

    After blunt thoracic trauma (TxT) and hemorrhagic shock with resuscitation (H/R) intense local inflammatory response and cell loss frequently impair the pulmonary function. Ethyl pyruvate (EP) has been reported to improve the pathophysiologic derangements in models of acute inflammation. Here, we studied the effects of EP on inflammation and lung damage after TxT+H/R. Twenty four female Lewis rats (180-240g) were randomly divided into 3 groups: two groups underwent TxT followed by hemorrhagic shock (35±3mmHg) for 60min and resuscitation with either Ringers-Lactat (RL) alone or RL supplemented with EP (EP, 50mg/kg). Sham operated animals underwent surgical procedures. Two hours later bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL), lung tissue and blood were collected for analyses. EP significantly improved pO 2 levels compared to RL after TxT+H/R. TxT+H/R induced elevated levels of lactate dehydrogenase, total protein concentration in BAL and lung damage as evidenced by lung histology; these effects were significantly reduced by EP. Local inflammatory markers, lung TNF-alpha protein levels and infiltration with polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) significantly decreased in EP vs. RL group after TxT+H/R. Indicators of apoptosis as reduced BCL-2 and increased FAS gene expression after TxT+H/R were significantly increased or decreased, respectively, by EP after TxT+H/R. EP reduced TxT+H/R-induced p65 phosphorylation, which was concomitant with reduced HMGB1 levels in lung sections. Taken together, TxT+H/R induced strong inflammatory response and apoptotic changes as well as lung injury which were markedly diminished by EP. Our results suggest that this might be mediated via NF-κB and/or HMGB1 dependent mechanism. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

  12. Genetic diversity of FLO1 and FLO5 genes in wine flocculent Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains.

    PubMed

    Tofalo, Rosanna; Perpetuini, Giorgia; Di Gianvito, Paola; Schirone, Maria; Corsetti, Aldo; Suzzi, Giovanna

    2014-11-17

    Twenty-eight flocculent wine strains were tested for adhesion and flocculation phenotypic variability. Moreover, the expression patterns of the main genes involved in flocculation (FLO1, FLO5 and FLO8) were studied both in synthetic medium and in presence of ethanol stress. Molecular identification and typing were achieved by PCR-RFLP of the 5.8S ITS rRNA region and microsatellite PCR fingerprinting, respectively. All isolates belong to Saccharomyces cerevisiae species. The analysis of microsatellites highlighted the intraspecific genetic diversity of flocculent wine S. cerevisiae strains allowing obtaining strain-specific profiles. Moreover, strains were characterized on the basis of adhesive properties. A wide biodiversity was observed even if none of the tested strains were able to form biofilms (or 'mats'), or to adhere to polystyrene. Moreover, genetic diversity of FLO1 and FLO5 flocculating genes was determined by PCR. Genetic diversity was detected for both genes, but a relationship with the flocculation degree was not found. So, the expression patterns of FLO1, FLO5 and FLO8 genes was investigated in a synthetic medium and a relationship between the expression of FLO5 gene and the flocculation capacity was established. To study the expression of FLO1, FLO5 and FLO8 genes in floc formation and ethanol stress resistance qRT-PCR was carried out and also in this case strains with flocculent capacity showed higher levels of FLO5 gene expression. This study confirmed the diversity of flocculation phenotype and genotype in wine yeasts. Moreover, the importance of FLO5 gene in development of high flocculent characteristic of wine yeasts was highlighted. The obtained collection of S. cerevisiae flocculent wine strains could be useful to study the relationship between the genetic variation and flocculation phenotype in wine yeasts. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  13. 78 FR 2657 - Foreign-Trade Zone 196-Fort Worth, TX, Foreign-Trade Subzone 196A-TTI, Inc.; Application for...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-01-14

    ... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Foreign-Trade Zones Board [S-2-2013] Foreign-Trade Zone 196--Fort Worth, TX, Foreign-Trade Subzone 196A--TTI, Inc.; Application for Additional Subzone Site An application has been submitted to the Foreign-Trade Zones Board (the Board) by Alliance Corridor, Inc., grantee of FTZ 196, requesting an additional site for Subzone...

  14. 77 FR 47511 - New Animal Drugs; Cephalexin; Fentanyl; Milbemycin Oxime and Praziquantel

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-08-09

    .... Chewable Tablets for treatment of secondary 520.376 Worth, TX 76137. Dogs. superficial bacterial pyoderma in dogs caused by susceptible strains of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius. 141-337 Nexcyon RECUVYRA... 53703. dogs. 141-338 Novartis Animal INTERCEPTOR SPECTRUM Original approval for New yes CE \\1\\ Health US...

  15. Biological treatment of closed landfill leachate treatment by using Brevibacillus panacihumi strain ZB1

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Er, X. Y.; Seow, T. W.; Lim, C. K.; Ibrahim, Z.; Mat Sarip, S. H.

    2018-04-01

    Landfills are widely used for solid waste disposal due to cost effectiveness and ease of operation. Poor landfill management generally accompanied with production of toxic leachate. Leachate refers to heavily polluted liquid produced due to waste decomposition and rainwater percolation. Direct discharge of untreated leachate into the environment will lead to environmental degradation and health hazards. The aim of this study was to study the efficiency of leachate biological treatment by B. panacihumi strain ZB1. In this study, leachate wastewater was treated by B. panacihumi strain ZB1 via 42-days anaerobic-aerobic treatment. Leachate characterization of both raw and treated samples was carried out based on ammonia nitrogen content, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and heavy metal content. Through leachate characterization, raw leachate carried high concentrations of ammonia nitrogen (1977 mg/L), COD (5320 mg/L) and certain heavy metals exceeding discharge standard. From this study, B. panacihumi strain ZB1 able to remove COD nearly 40%, ammonia nitrogen nearly 50% and different degrees of heavy metals from the leachate sample after combined anaerobic-aerobic treatment. As a result, B. panacihumi strain ZB1was expected to treat the leachate wastewater with certain treatment efficiency via combined anaerobic-aerobic treatment.

  16. HOLEGAGE 1.0 - Strain-Gauge Drilling Analysis Program

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hampton, Roy V.

    1992-01-01

    Interior stresses inferred from changes in surface strains as hole is drilled. Computes stresses using strain data from each drilled-hole depth layer. Planar stresses computed in three ways: least-squares fit for linear variation with depth, integral method to give incremental stress data for each layer, and/or linear fit to integral data. Written in FORTRAN 77.

  17. The Utility of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in Systems-Oriented Obesity Intervention Projects: The Selection of Comparable Study Sites for a Quasi-Experimental Intervention Design—TX CORD

    PubMed Central

    Byars, Allison; Byrd-Williams, Courtney; Sharma, Shreela V.; Durand, Casey; Hoelscher, Deanna M.; Butte, Nancy F.; Kelder, Steven H.

    2015-01-01

    Abstract Background: The Texas Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration project (TX CORD) uses a systems-oriented approach to address obesity that includes individual and family interventions, community-level action, as well as environmental and policy initiatives. Given that randomization is seldom possible in community-level intervention studies, TX CORD uses a quasi-experimental design. Comparable intervention and comparison study sites are needed to address internal validity bias. Methods: TX CORD was designed to be implemented in low-income, ethnically diverse communities in Austin and Houston, Texas. A three-stage Geographical Information System (GIS) methodology was used to establish and ascertain the comparability of the intervention and comparison study sites. Census tract (stage 1) and school (stage 2) data were used to identify spatially exclusive geographic areas that were comparable. In stage 3, study sites were compared on demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status (SES), food assets, and physical activity (PA) assets. Student's t-test was used to examine significant differences between the selected sites. Results: The methodology that was used resulted in the selection of catchment areas with demographic and socioeconomic characteristics that fit the target population: ethnically diverse population; lower-median household income; and lower home ownership rates. Additionally, the intervention and comparison sites were statistically comparable on demographic and SES variables, as well as food assets and PA assets. Conclusions: This GIS approach can provide researchers, program evaluators, and policy makers with useful tools for both research and practice. Area-level information that allows for robust understanding of communities can enhance analytical procedures in community health research and offer significant contributions in terms of community assessment and engagement. PMID:25587670

  18. Metagenome-Assembled Genome Sequences of Acetobacterium sp. Strain MES1 and Desulfovibrio sp. Strain MES5 from a Cathode-Associated Acetogenic Microbial Community.

    PubMed

    Ross, Daniel E; Marshall, Christopher W; May, Harold D; Norman, R Sean

    2017-09-07

    Draft genome sequences of Acetobacterium sp. strain MES1 and Desulfovibrio sp. strain MES5 were obtained from the metagenome of a cathode-associated community enriched within a microbial electrosynthesis system (MES). The draft genome sequences provide insight into the functional potential of these microorganisms within an MES and a foundation for future comparative analyses. Copyright © 2017 Ross et al.

  19. Pseudovibrio denitrificans strain Z143-1, a heptylprodigiosin-producing bacterium isolated from a Philippine tunicate.

    PubMed

    Sertan-de Guzman, Alice A; Predicala, Rey Z; Bernardo, Evelyn B; Neilan, Brett A; Elardo, Sheila P; Mangalindan, Gina C; Tasdemir, Deniz; Ireland, Chris M; Barraquio, Wilfredo L; Concepcion, Gisela P

    2007-12-01

    Microbial isolate Z143-1 found to be associated with an unidentified tunicate was characterized due to its significant antimicrobial activity. Z143-1 is similar to Pseudovibrio ascidiaceicola and Pseudovibrio denitrificans in morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics, except for its ability to ferment glucose and produce a characteristic red pigment. Fatty acid methyl ester analysis revealed a predominance of the fatty acid 18:1 omega7c at 80.55%, at levels slightly lower than the Pseudovibrio denitrificans type strain DN34(T) (87.7%). The mol% G+C of Z143-1 is 54.02, relatively higher than the Pseudovibrio denitrificans type strain DN34(T) and Pseudovibrio ascidiaceicola with mol% G+C of 51.7 and 51.4, respectively. However, phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of Z143-1 showed 100% similarity with the Pseudovibrio denitrificans type strain DN34(T). In this study, the bacterium Z143-1 is reported as a new strain of Pseudovibrio denitrificans. While there is no report of a secondary metabolite for Pseudovibrio denitrificans, Z143-1 produces the red pigment heptylprodigiosin, also known as 16-methyl-15-heptyl-prodiginine, which shows anti-Staphylococcus aureus activity.

  20. Molecular epidemiology of 58 new African human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) strains: identification of a new and distinct HTLV-1 molecular subtype in Central Africa and in Pygmies.

    PubMed Central

    Mahieux, R; Ibrahim, F; Mauclere, P; Herve, V; Michel, P; Tekaia, F; Chappey, C; Garin, B; Van Der Ryst, E; Guillemain, B; Ledru, E; Delaporte, E; de The, G; Gessain, A

    1997-01-01

    To gain new insights on the origin, evolution, and modes of dissemination of human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-1), we performed a molecular analysis of 58 new African HTLV-1 strains (18 from West Africa, 36 from Central Africa, and 4 from South Africa) originating from 13 countries. Of particular interest were eight strains from Pygmies of remote areas of Cameroon and the Central African Republic (CAR), considered to be the oldest inhabitants of these regions. Eight long-term activated T-cell lines producing HTLV-1 gag and env antigens were established from peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures of HTLV-1 seropositive individuals, including three from Pygmies. A fragment of the env gene encompassing most of the gp21 transmembrane region was sequenced for the 58 new strains, while the complete long terminal repeat (LTR) region was sequenced for 9 strains, including 4 from Pygmies. Comparative sequence analyses and phylogenetic studies performed on both the env and LTR regions by the neighbor-joining and DNA parsimony methods demonstrated that all 22 strains from West and South Africa belong to the widespread cosmopolitan subtype (also called HTLV-1 subtype A). Within or alongside the previously described Zairian cluster (HTLV-1 subtype B), we discovered a number of new HTLV-1 variants forming different subgroups corresponding mainly to the geographical origins of the infected persons, Cameroon, Gabon, and Zaire. Six of the eight Pygmy strains clustered together within this Central African subtype, suggesting a common origin. Furthermore, three new strains (two originating from Pygmies from Cameroon and the CAR, respectively, and one from a Gabonese individual) were particularly divergent and formed a distinct new phylogenetic cluster, characterized by specific mutations and occupying in most analyses a unique phylogenetic position between the large Central African genotype (HTLV-1 subtype B) and the Melanesian subtype (HTLV-1 subtype C). We have

  1. Anaerobic chemolithotrophic growth of the haloalkaliphilic bacterium strain MLMS‑1 by disproportionation of monothioarsenate

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Planer-Friedrich, B.; Hartig, C.; Lohmayer, R.; Suess, E.; McCann, Shelley; Oremland, Ronald S.

    2015-01-01

    A novel chemolithotrophic metabolism based on a mixed arsenic−sulfur species has been discovered for the anaerobic deltaproteobacterium, strain MLMS-1, a haloalkaliphile isolated from Mono Lake, California, U.S. Strain MLMS‑1 is the first reported obligate arsenate-respiring chemoautotroph which grows by coupling arsenate reduction to arsenite with the oxidation of sulfide to sulfate. In that pathway the formation of a mixed arsenic−sulfur species was reported. That species was assumed to be monothioarsenite ([H2AsIIIS−IIO2] −), formed as an intermediate by abiotic reaction of arsenite with sulfide. We now report that this species is monothioarsenate ([HAsVS−IIO3] 2−) as revealed by X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Monothioarsenate forms by abiotic reaction of arsenite with zerovalent sulfur. Monothioarsenate is kinetically stable under a wide range of pH and redox conditions. However, it was metabolized rapidly by strain MLMS-1 when incubated with arsenate. Incubations using monothioarsenate confirmed that strain MLMS-1 was able to grow (μ = 0.017 h−1 ) on this substrate via a disproportionation reaction by oxidizing the thio-group-sulfur (S−II) to zerovalent sulfur or sulfate while concurrently reducing the central arsenic atom (AsV) to arsenite. Monothioarsenate disproportionation could be widespread in nature beyond the already studied arsenic and sulfide rich hot springs and soda lakes where it was discovered.

  2. Near-Isogenic Cry1F-Resistant Strain of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to Investigate Fitness Cost Associated With Resistance in Brazil.

    PubMed

    Horikoshi, Renato J; Bernardi, Oderlei; Bernardi, Daniel; Okuma, Daniela M; Farias, Juliano R; Miraldo, Leonardo L; Amaral, Fernando S A; Omoto, Celso

    2016-04-01

    Field-evolved resistance to Cry1F maize in Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) populations in Brazil was reported in 2014. In this study, to investigate fitness costs, we constructed a near-isogenic S. frugiperda-resistant strain (R-Cry1F) using Cry1F-resistant and Cry1F-susceptible strains sharing a close genetic background. A near-isogenic R-Cry1F strain was obtained by eight repeated backcrossings, each followed by sib-mating and selection among resistant and susceptible strains. Fitness cost parameters were evaluated by comparing the biological performance of resistant, susceptible, and heterozygous strains on artificial diet. Fitness parameters monitored included development time and survival rates of egg, larval, pupal, and egg-to-adult periods; sex ratio; adult longevity; timing of preoviposition, oviposition, and postoviposition; fecundity; and fertility. A fertility life table was also calculated. The near-isogenic R-Cry1F strain showed lower survival rate of eggs (32%), when compared with Sus and reciprocal crosses (41 and 55%, respectively). The number of R-Cry1F insects that completed the life cycle was reduced to ∼25%, compared with the Sus strain with ∼32% reaching the adult stage. The mean generation time (T) of R-Cry1F strain was ∼2 d shorter than R-Cry1F♂×Sus♀ and Sus strains. The reproductive parameters of R-Cry1F strain were similar to the Sus strain. However, fewer females were produced by R-Cry1F strain than R-Cry1F♀×Sus♂ and more females than R-Cry1F♂×Sus♀. In summary, no relevant fitness costs are observed in a near-isogenic Cry1F-resistant strain of S. frugiperda, indicating stability of resistance to Cry1F protein in Brazilian populations of this species in the absence of selection pressure.

  3. Biodegradation of buprofezin by Rhodococcus sp. strain YL-1 isolated from rice field soil.

    PubMed

    Li, Chao; Zhang, Ji; Wu, Zhi-Guo; Cao, Li; Yan, Xin; Li, Shun-Peng

    2012-03-14

    A buprofezin-degrading bacterium, YL-1, was isolated from rice field soil. YL-1 was identified as Rhodococcus sp. on the basis of the comparative analysis of 16S rDNA sequences. The strain could use buprofezin as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen for growth and was able to degrade 92.4% of 50 mg L(-1) buprofezin within 48 h in liquid culture. During the degradation of buprofezin, four possible metabolites, 2-tert-butylimino-3-isopropyl-1,3,5-thiadiazinan-4-one, N-tert-butyl-thioformimidic acid formylaminomethyl ester, 2-isothiocyanato-2-methyl-propane, and 2-isothiocyanato-propane, were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The catechol 2,3-dioxygenase activity was strongly induced during the degradation of buprofezin. A novel microbial biodegradation pathway for buprofezin was proposed on the basis of these metabolites. The inoculation of soils treated with buprofezin with strain YL-1 resulted in a higher degradation rate than that observed in noninoculated soils, indicating that strain YL-1 has the potential to be used in the bioremediation of buprofezin-contaminated environments.

  4. Insights about minority HIV-1 strains in transmitted drug resistance mutation dynamics and disease progression.

    PubMed

    Leda, Ana Rachel; Hunter, James; Oliveira, Ursula Castro; Azevedo, Inacio Junqueira; Sucupira, Maria Cecilia Araripe; Diaz, Ricardo Sobhie

    2018-04-19

    The presence of minority transmitted drug resistance mutations was assessed using ultra-deep sequencing and correlated with disease progression among recently HIV-1-infected individuals from Brazil. Samples at baseline during recent infection and 1 year after the establishment of the infection were analysed. Viral RNA and proviral DNA from 25 individuals were subjected to ultra-deep sequencing of the reverse transcriptase and protease regions of HIV-1. Viral strains carrying transmitted drug resistance mutations were detected in 9 out of the 25 patients, for all major antiretroviral classes, ranging from one to five mutations per patient. Ultra-deep sequencing detected strains with frequencies as low as 1.6% and only strains with frequencies >20% were detected by population plasma sequencing (three patients). Transmitted drug resistance strains with frequencies <14.8% did not persist upon established infection. The presence of transmitted drug resistance mutations was negatively correlated with the viral load and with CD4+ T cell count decay. Transmitted drug resistance mutations representing small percentages of the viral population do not persist during infection because they are negatively selected in the first year after HIV-1 seroconversion.

  5. Construction and Immunogenicity Evaluation of Recombinant Influenza A Viruses Containing Chimeric Hemagglutinin Genes Derived from Genetically Divergent Influenza A H1N1 Subtype Viruses

    PubMed Central

    McCormick, Kara; Jiang, Zhiyong; Zhu, Longchao; Lawson, Steven R.; Langenhorst, Robert; Ransburgh, Russell; Brunick, Colin; Tracy, Miranda C.; Hurtig, Heather R.; Mabee, Leah M.; Mingo, Mark; Li, Yanhua; Webby, Richard J.

    2015-01-01

    Background and Objectives Influenza A viruses cause highly contagious diseases in a variety of hosts, including humans and pigs. To develop a vaccine that can be broadly effective against genetically divergent strains of the virus, in this study we employed molecular breeding (DNA shuffling) technology to create a panel of chimeric HA genes. Methods and Results Each chimeric HA gene contained genetic elements from parental swine influenza A viruses that had a history of zoonotic transmission, and also from a 2009 pandemic virus. Each parental virus represents a major phylogenetic clade of influenza A H1N1 viruses. Nine shuffled HA constructs were initially screened for immunogenicity in mice by DNA immunization, and one chimeric HA (HA-129) was expressed on both a A/Puerto Rico/8/34 backbone with mutations associated with a live, attenuated phenotype (PR8LAIV-129) and a A/swine/Texas/4199-2/98 backbone (TX98-129). When delivered to mice, the PR8LAIV-129 induced antibodies against all four parental viruses, which was similar to the breadth of immunity observed when HA-129 was delivered as a DNA vaccine. This chimeric HA was then tested as a candidate vaccine in a nursery pig model, using inactivated TX98-129 virus as the backbone. The results demonstrate that pigs immunized with HA-129 developed antibodies against all four parental viruses, as well as additional primary swine H1N1 influenza virus field isolates. Conclusion This study established a platform for creating novel genes of influenza viruses using a molecular breeding approach, which will have important applications toward future development of broadly protective influenza virus vaccines. PMID:26061265

  6. Comparison and Assessment of Mechanical and Herbicide-Chemical Side-Trimming Methods of Managing Roadside Vegetation by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2012-09-01

    The project compared and assessed the mechanical and herbicide-chemical side-trimming methods : that TxDOT uses to manage roadside vegetation. This report discusses safety, effectiveness, and economic : costs of these methods. It also shares industry...

  7. Molecular identification of pathogenicity genes and ERIC types in Vibrio cholerae O1 epidemic strains from Mozambique.

    PubMed Central

    Folgosa, E.; Mastrandrea, S.; Cappuccinelli, P.; Uzzau, S.; Rappelli, P.; Brian, M. J.; Colombo, M. M.

    2001-01-01

    The phenotypic and genotypic profiles of the V. cholerae strains causing the Mozambican 1997-8 epidemic were characterized to provide a reference for comparison with other epidemic strains. A total of 75 strains of V. cholerae O1 isolated in different provinces, were analysed. Strains were characterized by PCR for detecting toxin genes (ctxA, zot and ace), virulence associated genes (tcpA. nanH, hlyA and torR) and ERIC sequences. All V. cholerae strains were serotype O1, Ogawa, biotype El Tor. MIC testing showed a high proportion of strains multi-resistant to drugs (100% to cotrimoxazole and 52% to tetracycline) and susceptibility to ciprofloxacin. The isolates contained two intact copies of the CTX genetic element and all other genes tested. PCR of restricted DNA revealed two ERIC types: the first in provincial isolates, also predominant in other African epidemic strains, and the second in Maputo isolates (the national capital). PMID:11561970

  8. Ethyl pyruvate ameliorates hepatic injury following blunt chest trauma and hemorrhagic shock by reducing local inflammation, NF-kappaB activation and HMGB1 release.

    PubMed

    Wagner, Nils; Dieteren, Scott; Franz, Niklas; Köhler, Kernt; Mörs, Katharina; Nicin, Luka; Schmidt, Julia; Perl, Mario; Marzi, Ingo; Relja, Borna

    2018-01-01

    The treatment of patients with multiple trauma including blunt chest/thoracic trauma (TxT) and hemorrhagic shock (H) is still challenging. Numerous studies show detrimental consequences of TxT and HS resulting in strong inflammatory changes, organ injury and mortality. Additionally, the reperfusion (R) phase plays a key role in triggering inflammation and worsening outcome. Ethyl pyruvate (EP), a stable lipophilic ester, has anti-inflammatory properties. Here, the influence of EP on the inflammatory reaction and liver injury in a double hit model of TxT and H/R in rats was explored. Female Lewis rats were subjected to TxT followed by hemorrhage/H (60 min, 35±3 mm Hg) and resuscitation/R (TxT+H/R). Reperfusion was performed by either Ringer`s lactated solution (RL) alone or RL supplemented with EP (50 mg/kg). Sham animals underwent all surgical procedures without TxT+H/R. After 2h, blood and liver tissue were collected for analyses, and survival was assessed after 24h. Resuscitation with EP significantly improved haemoglobin levels and base excess recovery compared with controls after TxT+H/R, respectively (p<0.05). TxT+H/R-induced significant increase in alanine aminotransferase levels and liver injury were attenuated by EP compared with controls (p<0.05). Local inflammation as shown by increased gene expression of IL-6 and ICAM-1, enhanced ICAM-1 and HMGB1 protein expression and infiltration of the liver with neutrophils were also significantly attenuated by EP compared with controls after TxT+H/R (p<0.05). EP significantly reduced TxT+H/R-induced p65 activation in liver tissue. Survival rates improved by EP from 50% to 70% after TxT+H/R. These data support the concept that the pronounced local pro-inflammatory response in the liver after blunt chest trauma and hemorrhagic shock is associated with NF-κB. In particular, the beneficial anti-inflammatory effects of ethyl pyruvate seem to be regulated by the HMGB1/NF-κB axis in the liver, thereby, restraining

  9. 76 FR 33333 - Use of Small Area Fair Market Rents for Project Base Vouchers in the Dallas TX Metropolitan Area

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-06-08

    ... number). Persons with hearing or speech impairments may access this number through TTY by calling the... decreased in value by as much as 35 percent. These decreases may put the some PBV properties at risk for... Market Rents for Project Base Vouchers in the Dallas TX Metropolitan Area AGENCY: Office of the Assistant...

  10. Bacterial treatment of alkaline cement kiln dust using Bacillus halodurans strain KG1.

    PubMed

    Kunal; Rajor, Anita; Siddique, Rafat

    2016-01-01

    This study was conducted to isolate an acid-producing, alkaliphilic bacterium to reduce the alkalinity of cement industry waste (cement kiln dust). Gram-positive isolate KG1 grew well at pH values of 6-12, temperatures of 28-50°C, and NaCl concentrations of 0-16% and thus was further screened for its potential to reduce the pH of an alkaline medium. Phenotypic characteristics of the KG1 isolate were consistent with those of the genus Bacillus, and the highest level of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity was found with Bacillus halodurans strain DSM 497 (94.7%). On the basis of its phenotypic characteristics and genotypic distinctiveness from other phylogenetic neighbors belonging to alkaliphilic Bacillus species, the isolated strain was designated B. halodurans strain KG1, with GenBank accession number JQ307184 (= NCIM 5439). Isolate KG1 reduced the alkalinity (by 83.64%) and the chloride content (by 86.96%) of cement kiln dust and showed a potential to be used in the cement industry for a variety of applications. Copyright © 2015 Sociedade Brasileira de Microbiologia. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.

  11. Amino Acid and Peptide Utilization Profiles of the Fluoroacetate-Degrading Bacterium Synergistetes Strain MFA1 Under Varying Conditions.

    PubMed

    Leong, Lex E X; Denman, Stuart E; Hugenholtz, Philip; McSweeney, Christopher S

    2016-02-01

    Synergistetes strain MFA1 is an asaccharolytic ruminal bacterium isolated based on its ability to degrade fluoroacetate, a plant toxin. The amino acid and peptide requirements of the bacterium were investigated under different culturing conditions. The growth of strain MFA1 and its fluoroacetate degradation rate were enhanced by peptide-rich protein hydrolysates (tryptone and yeast extract) compared to casamino acid, an amino acid-rich protein hydrolysate. Complete utilization and preference for arginine, asparagine, glutamate, glycine, and histidine as free amino acids from yeast extract were observed, while the utilization of serine, threonine, and lysine in free form and peptide-bound glutamate was stimulated during growth on fluoroacetate. A predominant peptide in yeast extract preferentially utilized by strain MFA1 was partially characterized by high-liquid performance chromatography-mass spectrometry as a hepta-glutamate oligopeptide. Similar utilization profiles of amino acids were observed between the co-culture of strain MFA1 with Methanobrevibacter smithii without fluoroacetate and pure strain MFA1 culture with fluoroacetate. This suggests that growth of strain MFA1 could be enhanced by a reduction of hydrogen partial pressure as a result of hydrogen removal by a methanogen or reduction of fluoroacetate.

  12. Complete genome sequence of Methanospirillum hungatei type strain JF1

    DOE PAGES

    Gunsalus, Robert; Cook, Lauren E.; Crable, Bryan R.; ...

    2016-01-06

    Methanospirillum hungatei strain JF1 (DSM 864) is a methane-producing archaeon and is the type species of the genus Methanospirillum, which belongs to the family Methanospirillaceae within the order Methanomicrobiales. Its genome was selected for sequencing due to its ability to utilize hydrogen and carbon dioxide and/or formate as a sole source of energy. Ecologically, M. hungatei functions as the hydrogen- and/or formate-using partner with many species of syntrophic bacteria. Its morphology is distinct from other methanogens with the ability to form long chains of cells (up to 100 m in length), which are enclosed within a sheath-like structure, and terminalmore » cells with polar flagella. The genome of M. hungatei strain JF1 is the first completely sequenced genome of the family Methanospirillaceae, and it has a circular genome of 3,544,738 bp containing 3,239 protein coding and 68 RNA genes. Furthermore, the large genome of M. hungatei JF1 suggests the presence of unrecognized biochemical/physiological properties that likely extend to the other Methanospirillaceae and include the ability to form the unusual sheath-like structure and to successfully interact with syntrophic bacteria.« less

  13. Relative importance of bacteriocin-like genes in antagonism of Xanthomonas perforans tomato race 3 to Xanthomonas euvesicatoria tomato race 1 strains.

    PubMed

    Hert, A P; Roberts, P D; Momol, M T; Minsavage, G V; Tudor-Nelson, S M; Jones, J B

    2005-07-01

    In a previous study, tomato race 3 (T3) strains of Xanthomonas perforans became predominant in fields containing both X. euvesicatoria and X. perforans races T1 and T3, respectively. This apparent ability to take over fields led to the discovery that there are three bacteriocin-like compounds associated with T3 strains. T3 strain 91-118 produces at least three different bacteriocin-like compounds (BCN-A, BCN-B, and BCN-C) antagonistic toward T1 strains. We determined the relative importance of the bacteriocin-like compounds by constructing the following mutant forms of a wild-type (WT) T3 strain to evaluate the antagonism to WT T1 strains: Mut-A (BCN-A-), Mut-B (BCN-B-), Mut-C (BCN-C-), Mut-AB, Mut-BC, and Mut-ABC. Although all mutant and WT T3 strains reduced the T1 populations in in planta growth room experiments, Mut-B and WT T3 were significantly more effective. Mutants expressing BCN-B and either BCN-A or BCN-C reduced T1 populations less than mutants expressing only BCN-A or BCN-C. The triple-knockout mutant Mut-ABC also had a significant competitive advantage over the T1 strain. In pairwise-inoculation field experiments where plants were coinoculated with an individual mutant or WT T3 strain and the T1 strain, the mutant strains and the WT T3 strain were reisolated from more than 70% of the lesions. WT T3 and Mut-B were the most frequently reisolated strains. In field experiments where plants were group inoculated with Mut-A, Mut-B, Mut-C, Mut-ABC, and WT T1 and T3 strains, Mut-B populations dominated all three seasons. In greenhouse and field experiments, the WT and mutant T3 strains had a selective advantage over T1 strains. Bacterial strains expressing both BCN-A and BCN-C appeared to have a competitive advantage over all other mutant and WT strains. Furthermore, BCN-B appeared to be a negative factor, with mutant T3 strains lacking BCN-B having a selective advantage in the field.

  14. DNA repair properties of Escherichia coli tif-1, recAo281 and lexA1 strains deficient in single-strand DNA binding protein.

    PubMed

    Whittier, R F; Chase, J W

    1983-01-01

    Mutations affecting single-strand DNA binding protein (SSB) impair induction of mutagenic (SOS) repair. To further investigate the role of SSB in SOS induction and DNA repair, isogenic strains were constructed combining the ssb+, ssb-1 or ssb-113 alleles with one or more mutations known to alter regulation of damage inducible functions. As is true in ssb+ strains tif-1 (recA441) was found to allow thermal induction of prophage lambda + and Weigle reactivation in ssb-1 and ssb-113 strains. Furthermore, tif-1 decreased the UV sensitivity of the ssb-113 strain slightly and permitted UV induction of prophage lambda + at 30 degrees C. Strains carrying the recAo281 allele were also constructed. This mutation causes high constitutive levels of RecA protein synthesis and relieves much of the UV sensitivity conferred by lexA- alleles without restoring SOS (error-prone) repair. In contrast, the recAo281 allele failed to alleviate the UV sensitivity associated with either ssb- mutation. In a lexA1 recAo281 background the ssb-1 mutation increased the extent of postirradiation DNA degradation and concommitantly increased UV sensitivity 20-fold to the level exhibited by a recA1 strain. The ssb-113 mutation also increased UV sensitivity markedly in this background but did so without greatly increasing postirradiation DNA degradation. These results suggest a direct role for SSB in recombinational repair apart from and in addition to its role in facilitating induction of the recA-lexA regulon.

  15. Phylogenetic and nucleotide sequence analysis of influenza A (H1N1) HA and NA genes of strains isolated from Saudi Arabia.

    PubMed

    Al-Qahtani, Ahmed Ali; Mubin, Muhammad; Dela Cruz, Damian M; Althawadi, Sahar Isa; Ul Rehman, Muhammad Shah Nawaz; Bohol, Marie Fe F; Al-Ahdal, Mohammed N

    2017-01-30

    In early 2009, a novel influenza A (H1N1) virus appeared in Mexico and rapidly disseminated worldwide. Little is known about the phylogeny and evolutionary dynamics of the H1N1 strain found in Saudi Arabia. Nucleotide sequencing and bioinformatics analyses were used to study molecular variation between the virus isolates. In this report, 72 hemagglutinin (HA) and 45 neuraminidase (NA) H1N1 virus gene sequences, isolated in 2009 from various regions of Saudi Arabia, were analyzed. Genetic characterization indicated that viruses from two different clades, 6 and 7, were circulating in the region, with clade 7, the most widely circulating H1N1 clade globally in 2009, being predominant. Sequence analysis of the HA and NA genes revealed a high degree of sequence identity with the corresponding genes from viruses circulating in the South East Asia region and with the A/California/7/2009 strain. New mutations in the HA gene of pandemic H1N1 (pH1N1) viruses, that could alter viral fitness, were identified. Relaxed-clock and Bayesian Skyline Plot analyses, based on the isolates used in this study and closely related globally representative strains, indicated marginally higher substitution rates than the type strain (5.14×10-3 and 4.18×10-3 substitutions/nucleotide/year in the HA and NA genes, respectively). The Saudi isolates were antigenically homogeneous and closely related to the prototype vaccine strain A/California/7/2009. The antigenic site of the HA gene had acquired novel mutations in some isolates, making continued monitoring of these viruses vital for the identification of potentially highly virulent and drug resistant variants.

  16. HOLEGAGE 1.0 - STRAIN GAGE HOLE DRILLING ANALYSIS PROGRAM

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hampton, R. W.

    1994-01-01

    There is no simple and perfect way to measure residual stresses in metal parts that have been welded or deformed to make complex structures such as pressure vessels and aircraft, yet these locked-in stresses can contribute to structural failure by fatigue and fracture. However, one proven and tested technique for determining the internal stress of a metal part is to drill a test hole while measuring the relieved strains around the hole, such as the hole-drilling strain gage method described in ASTM E 837. The program HOLEGAGE processes strain gage data and provides additional calculations of internal stress variations that are not obtained with standard E 837 analysis methods. The typical application of the technique uses a three gage rosette with a special hole-drilling fixture for drilling a hole through the center of the rosette to produce a hole with very small gage pattern eccentricity error. Another device is used to control the drilling and halt the drill at controlled depth steps. At each step, strains from all three strain gages are recorded. The influence coefficients used by HOLEGAGE to compute stresses from relieved hole strains were developed by published finite element method studies of thick plates for specific hole sizes and depths. The program uses a parabolic fit and an interpolating scheme to project the coefficients to other hole sizes and depths. Additionally, published experimental data are used to extend the coefficients to relatively thin plates. These influence coefficients are used to compute the stresses in the original part from the strain data. HOLEGAGE will compute interior planar stresses using strain data from each drilled hole depth layer. Planar stresses may be computed in three ways including: a least squares fit for a linear variation with depth, an integral method to give incremental stress data for each layer, or by a linear fit to the integral data (with some surface data points omitted) to predict surface stresses before

  17. Copper Induces Apoptosis of Neuroblastoma Cells Via Post-translational Regulation of the Expression of Bcl-2-family Proteins and the tx Mouse is a Better Model of Hepatic than Brain Cu Toxicity.

    PubMed

    Chan, Hsien W; Liu, Tianbing; Verdile, Giuseppe; Bishop, Glenda; Haasl, Ryan J; Smith, Mark A; Perry, George; Martins, Ralph N; Atwood, Craig S

    2008-01-01

    The basic mechanism(s) by which altered Cu homeostasis is toxic to hepatocytes and neurons, the two major cell types affected in copper storage diseases such as Wilson's disease (WD), remain unclear. Using human M17 neuroblastoma cells as a model to examine Cu toxicity, we found that there was a time- and concentration-dependent induction of neuronal death, such that at 24 h there was a approximately 50 % reduction in viability with 25 muM Cu-glycine(2). Cu-glycine(2) (25:50 muM) treatment for 24 h significantly altered the expression of 296 genes, including 8 genes involved with apoptosis (BCL2-associated athanogene 3, BCL2/adenovirus E1B 19kDa interacting protein caspase 5, regulator of Fas-induced apoptosis, V-jun sarcoma virus 17 oncogene homolog, claudin 5, prostaglandin E receptor 3 and protein tyrosine phosphatase, non-receptor type 6). Surprisingly, changes in the expression of more 'traditional' apoptotic genes (Bcl-2, Bax, Bak and Bad) did not vary more than 20 %. To test whether the induction of apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells was via post-translational mechanisms, we measured the protein expression of these apoptotic markers in M17 neuroblastoma cells treated with Cu-glycine(2) (0-100 muM) for 24-48 h. Compared with glycine treated cells, Cu-glycine(2) reduced Bcl-2 expression by 50 %, but increased Bax and Bak expression by 130% and 400 %, respectively. To assess whether Cu also induced apoptotic cell death in a mouse model of WD, we measured the expression of these apoptotic markers in the liver and brain of mice expressing an ATP7b gene mutation (tx(J) mice) at 10 months of age (near the end of their lives when overt liver pathology is displayed). Changes in the liver expression of these apoptotic markers in tx(J) mice compared to background mice mirrored those of Cu treated neuroblastoma cells. In contrast, few changes in apoptotic protein expression were detected in the brain between tx(J) and background mice, indicating the tx(J) mouse is a good

  18. Strain IMB-1, a novel bacterium for the removal of methyl bromide in fumigated agricultural soils

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Connell, Hancock T.L.; Costello, A.M.; Lidstrom, M.E.; Oremland, R.S.

    1998-01-01

    A facultatively methylotrophic bacterium, strain IMB-1, that has been isolated from agricultural soil grows on methyl bromide (MeBr), methyl iodide, methyl chloride, and methylated amines, as well as on glucose, pyruvate, or acetate. Phylogenetic analysis of its 16S rRNA gene sequence indicates that strain IMB-1 classes in the alpha subgroup of the class Proteobacteria and is closely related to members of the genus Rhizobium. The ability of strain IMB-1 to oxidize MeBr to CO2 is constitutive in cells regardless of the growth substrate. Addition of cell suspensions of strain IMB-1 to soils greatly accelerates the oxidation of MeBr, as does pretreatment of soils with low concentrations of methyl iodide. These results suggest that soil treatment strategies can be devised whereby bacteria can effectively consume MeBr during field fumigations, which would diminish or eliminate the outward flux of MeBr to the atmosphere.

  19. Direct evidence for high affinity blockade of NaV1.6 channel subtype by huwentoxin-IV spider peptide, using multiscale functional approaches.

    PubMed

    Gonçalves, Tânia C; Boukaiba, Rachid; Molgó, Jordi; Amar, Muriel; Partiseti, Michel; Servent, Denis; Benoit, Evelyne

    2018-05-01

    The Chinese bird spider huwentoxin-IV (HwTx-IV) is well-known to be a highly potent blocker of Na V 1.7 subtype of voltage-gated sodium (Na V ) channels, a genetically validated analgesic target, and thus promising as a potential lead molecule for the development of novel pain therapeutics. In the present study, the interaction between HwTx-IV and Na V 1.6 channel subtype was investigated using multiscale (from in vivo to individual cell) functional approaches. HwTx-IV was approximatively 2 times more efficient than tetrodotoxin (TTX) to inhibit the compound muscle action potential recorded from the mouse skeletal neuromuscular system in vivo, and 30 times more effective to inhibit nerve-evoked than directly-elicited muscle contractile force of isolated mouse hemidiaphragms. These results strongly suggest that the inhibition of nerve-evoked skeletal muscle functioning, produced by HwTx-IV, resulted from a toxin-induced preferential blockade of Na V 1.6, compared to Na V 1.4, channel subtype. This was confirmed by whole-cell automated patch-clamp experiments performed on human embryonic kidney (HEK)-293 cells overexpressing hNa V 1.1-1.8 channel subtypes. HwTx-IV was also approximatively 850 times more efficient to inhibit TTX-sensitive than TTX-resistant sodium currents recorded from mouse dorsal root ganglia neurons. Finally, based on our data, we predict that blockade of the Na V 1.6 channel subtype was involved in the in vivo toxicity of HwTx-IV, although this toxicity was more than 2 times lower than that of TTX. In conclusion, our results provide detailed information regarding the effects of HwTx-IV and allow a better understanding of the side-effect mechanisms involved in vivo and of channel subtype interactions resulting from the toxin activity. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  20. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of repetitive transnasal sphenopalatine ganglion blockade with tx360(®) as acute treatment for chronic migraine.

    PubMed

    Cady, Roger; Saper, Joel; Dexter, Kent; Manley, Heather R

    2015-01-01

    To determine if repetitive sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) blocks with 0.5% bupivacaine delivered through the Tx360(®) are superior in reducing pain associated with chronic migraine (CM) compared with saline. The SPG is a small concentrated structure of neuronal tissue that resides within the pterygopalatine fossa (PPF) in close proximity to the sphenopalatine foramen and is innervated by the maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve. From an anatomical and physiological perspective, SPG blockade may be an effective acute and preventative treatment for CM. This was a double-blind, parallel-arm, placebo-controlled, randomized pilot study using a novel intervention for acute treatment in CM. Up to 41 subjects could be enrolled at 2 headache specialty clinics in the US. Eligible subjects were between 18 and 80 years of age and had a history of CM defined by the second edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders appendix definition. They were allowed a stable dose of migraine preventive medications that was maintained throughout the study. Following a 28-day baseline period, subjects were randomized by computer-generated lists of 2:1 to receive 0.5% bupivacaine or saline, respectively. The primary end-point was to compare numeric rating scale scores at pretreatment baseline vs 15 minutes, 30 minutes, and 24 hours postprocedure for all 12 treatments. SPG blockade was accomplished with the Tx360(®) , which allows a small flexible soft plastic tube that is advanced below the middle turbinate just past the pterygopalatine fossa into the intranasal space. A 0.3 cc of anesthetic or saline was injected into the mucosa covering the SPG. The procedure is performed similarly in each nostril. The active phase of the study consisted of a series of 12 SPG blocks with 0.3 cc of 0.5% bupivacaine or saline provided 2 times per week for 6 weeks. Subjects were re-evaluated at 1 and 6 months postfinal procedure. The final dataset included 38 subjects, 26 in the

  1. A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Repetitive Transnasal Sphenopalatine Ganglion Blockade With Tx360® as Acute Treatment for Chronic Migraine

    PubMed Central

    Cady, Roger; Saper, Joel; Dexter, Kent; Manley, Heather R

    2015-01-01

    Objective To determine if repetitive sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) blocks with 0.5% bupivacaine delivered through the Tx360® are superior in reducing pain associated with chronic migraine (CM) compared with saline. Background The SPG is a small concentrated structure of neuronal tissue that resides within the pterygopalatine fossa (PPF) in close proximity to the sphenopalatine foramen and is innervated by the maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve. From an anatomical and physiological perspective, SPG blockade may be an effective acute and preventative treatment for CM. Method This was a double-blind, parallel-arm, placebo-controlled, randomized pilot study using a novel intervention for acute treatment in CM. Up to 41 subjects could be enrolled at 2 headache specialty clinics in the US. Eligible subjects were between 18 and 80 years of age and had a history of CM defined by the second edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders appendix definition. They were allowed a stable dose of migraine preventive medications that was maintained throughout the study. Following a 28-day baseline period, subjects were randomized by computer-generated lists of 2:1 to receive 0.5% bupivacaine or saline, respectively. The primary end-point was to compare numeric rating scale scores at pretreatment baseline vs 15 minutes, 30 minutes, and 24 hours postprocedure for all 12 treatments. SPG blockade was accomplished with the Tx360®, which allows a small flexible soft plastic tube that is advanced below the middle turbinate just past the pterygopalatine fossa into the intranasal space. A 0.3 cc of anesthetic or saline was injected into the mucosa covering the SPG. The procedure is performed similarly in each nostril. The active phase of the study consisted of a series of 12 SPG blocks with 0.3 cc of 0.5% bupivacaine or saline provided 2 times per week for 6 weeks. Subjects were re-evaluated at 1 and 6 months postfinal procedure. Results The final dataset

  2. Cadophora malorum Cs-8-1 as a new fungal strain producing gibberellins isolated from Calystegia soldanella.

    PubMed

    You, Young-Hyun; Yoon, Hyeokjun; Kang, Sang-Mo; Woo, Ju-Ri; Choo, Yeon-Sik; Lee, In-Jung; Shin, Jae-Ho; Kim, Jong-Guk

    2013-07-01

    Fourteen endophytic fungi with different colony morphologies were isolated from the roots of Calystegia soldanella. Endophytic fungi isolated from C. soldanella were identified by internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. To verify plant growth promotion (PGP), culture filtrates of isolated endophytic fungi were treated in Waito-c rice (WR) and C. soldanella seedlings. Culture filtrates of Cs-8-1 fungal strain had advanced PGP activity. The presence of physiologically bioactive gibberellins (GA) GA(1) (1.213 ng ml(-1)), GA(3) (1.292 ng ml(-1)), GA(4) (3.6 ng ml(-1)), GA(7) (1.328 ng ml(-1)), other inactive GA(9) (0.796 ng ml(-1)) and GA(12) (0.417 ng ml(-1)), GA(20) (0.302 ng ml(-1)), GA(24) (1.351 ng ml(-1)), GA(34) (0.076 ng ml(-1)), and GA(53) (0.051 ng ml(-1)) in culture filtrates of Cs-8-1 fungal strain was detected. The Cs-8-1 fungal strain was confirmed as a producer of GAs. Molecular analysis of sequences showed high similarity of 99% to Cadophora malorum. Consequentially, the Cs-8-1 fungal strain was identified as a new C. malorum producing GAs. © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  3. Increased Toxicity of Karenia brevis during Phosphate Limited Growth: Ecological and Evolutionary Implications

    PubMed Central

    Hardison, Donnie Ransom; Sunda, William G.; Shea, Damian; Litaker, Richard Wayne

    2013-01-01

    Karenia brevis is the dominant toxic red tide algal species in the Gulf of Mexico. It produces potent neurotoxins (brevetoxins [PbTxs]), which negatively impact human and animal health, local economies, and ecosystem function. Field measurements have shown that cellular brevetoxin contents vary from 1–68 pg/cell but the source of this variability is uncertain. Increases in cellular toxicity caused by nutrient-limitation and inter-strain differences have been observed in many algal species. This study examined the effect of P-limitation of growth rate on cellular toxin concentrations in five Karenia brevis strains from different geographic locations. Phosphorous was selected because of evidence for regional P-limitation of algal growth in the Gulf of Mexico. Depending on the isolate, P-limited cells had 2.3- to 7.3-fold higher PbTx per cell than P-replete cells. The percent of cellular carbon associated with brevetoxins (%C-PbTx) was ∼ 0.7 to 2.1% in P-replete cells, but increased to 1.6–5% under P-limitation. Because PbTxs are potent anti-grazing compounds, this increased investment in PbTxs should enhance cellular survival during periods of nutrient-limited growth. The %C-PbTx was inversely related to the specific growth rate in both the nutrient-replete and P-limited cultures of all strains. This inverse relationship is consistent with an evolutionary tradeoff between carbon investment in PbTxs and other grazing defenses, and C investment in growth and reproduction. In aquatic environments where nutrient supply and grazing pressure often vary on different temporal and spatial scales, this tradeoff would be selectively advantageous as it would result in increased net population growth rates. The variation in PbTx/cell values observed in this study can account for the range of values observed in the field, including the highest values, which are not observed under N-limitation. These results suggest P-limitation is an important factor regulating cellular

  4. Measurement of high temperature strain by the laser-speckle strain gauge

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Yamaguchi, I.

    1984-01-01

    By using the laser-speckle strain gauge, the strain of metal at the temperature lower than 250 C is measured. The principle of the gauge is to measure the expansion or contraction of the fine structures of surface by detecting the resultant speckle displacement in an optoelectronic way, whereby the effect of rigid-body motion is automatically cancelled out with the aid of a differential detection system. A transportable apparatus was built and a comparison experiment performed with a resistance strain gauge at room temperature. It has a strain sensitivity of .00002, a gauge length smaller than 1 mm, and no upper limit in a range of strain measurement. In the measurement of high-temperature strain it is free from the need for a dummy gauge and insensitive to an electric drift effect. As examples of strain measurement at high-temperature, thermal expansion and contraction of a top of a soldering iron are measured. The interval of the measurement can be made at shortest 1.6 sec. and the change in the strain is clearly followed until the ultimate stationary temperature is reached.

  5. Spirosoma metallilatum sp. nov., isolated from an automotive air conditioning system.

    PubMed

    Kim, Dong-Uk; Lee, Hyosun; Lee, Suyeon; Park, Sooyeon; Yoon, Jung-Hoon; Ka, Jong-Ok

    2018-02-01

    A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped and yellow-pigmented bacterial strain, designated TX0405 T , was isolated from an automotive air conditioning system. Colonies were circular, convex, semi-translucent, smooth and yellow. The strain grew at 20-28°C (optimum, 28°C), at pH 6.0-7.5 (optimum, pH 6.5) and in the presence of 0-1 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that the strain was grouped with the members of the genus Spirosoma, with the sequence similarities of 93.0 and 92.3 % with Spirosoma panaciterrae DSM 21099 T and Spirosoma swuense JBM2-3 T , respectively. The major fatty acids of the strain were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) (33.2 %), C16 : 1ω5c (25.4 %), iso-C15 : 0 (15.0 %), C16 : 0 (6.5 %) and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH (6.2 %). The predominant menaquinone was MK-7. The polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified aminolipid, two unidentified aminophospholipids and three unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C content of the type strain was 51.9 mol%. On the basis of the data presented, strain TX0405 T represents a novel species of the genus Spirosoma, for which the name Spirosomametallilatum sp. nov. (=KACC 19012 T =NBRC 112493 T ) is proposed.

  6. Description of chlorophenol-degrading Pseudomonas sp. strains KF1T, KF3, and NKF1 as a new species of the genus Sphingomonas, Sphingomonas subarctica sp. nov.

    PubMed

    Nohynek, L J; Nurmiaho-Lassila, E L; Suhonen, E L; Busse, H J; Mohammadi, M; Hantula, J; Rainey, F; Salkinoja-Salonen, M S

    1996-10-01

    Gram-negative polychlorophenol-degrading bacterial strains KF1T (T = type strain), KF3, and NKF1, which were described previously as Pseudomonas saccharophila strains, were studied by chemotaxonomic, genetic, and physiological methods and by electron microscopy and compared with selected xenobiotic compound-degrading bacteria. These strains contained sphingolipids with d-18:0, d-20:1, and d-21:1 as the main dihydrosphingosines, ubiquinone 10 as the main respiratory quinone, and spermidine as the major polyamine, and the DNA G + C content was 66 mol%. The cellular fatty acids included about 60% octadecenoic acid, 9% 2-hydroxymyristic acid, 14% cis-9-hexadecenoic acid, and 10% hexadecanoic acid. These strains exhibited less than 97% 16S ribosomal DNA sequence similarity to all of the other taxa studied. In the DNA-DNA reassociation studies the highest levels of reassociation between these strains and previously described species were less than 40%. Thin sections of cells of strains KF1T, KF3, and NKF1 were examined by electron microscopy, and the results showed that the cells had peculiar concentrically arranged layered membranous blebs that extruded from the outer membrane, especially at the cell division points. On the basis of the results of this study, polychlorophenol-degrading strains KF1T, KF3, and NKF1 are considered members of a new species of the genus Sphingomonas, Sphingomonas subarctica. The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-degrading organism Sphingomonas paucimobilis EPA 505 was closely related to Sphingomonas chlorophenolica as determined by chemotaxonomic, phylogenetic, and physiological criteria. The xenobiotic compound degraders Alcaligenes sp. strain A175 and Pseudomonas sp. strain BN6 were identified as members of species of the genus Sphingomonas.

  7. Draft Genome Sequence of Pedobacter sp. Strain Hv1, an Isolate from Medicinal Leech Mucosal Castings

    PubMed Central

    Ott, Brittany M.; Beka, Lidia; Graf, Joerg

    2015-01-01

    The Pedobacter sp. Hv1 strain was isolated from the medicinal leech, Hirudo verbana, mucosal castings. These mucosal sheds have been demonstrated to play a role in horizontal symbiont transmission. Here, we report the draft 4.9 Mbp genome sequence of Pedobacter sp. strain Hv1. PMID:26679583

  8. Genome Sequence of Lactobacillus johnsonii Strain W1, Isolated from Mice.

    PubMed

    Wu, Xiaolin; Zhao, Chunyan; Guo, Zhonghe; Hao, Yuchong; Li, Jinghua; Shi, Hongyan; Sun, Yanbo

    2016-06-16

    Lactobacillus johnsonii, a member of the gut lactobacilli, plays an important role in normal gut functioning. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of L. johnsonii strain W1 isolated from ICR mice. Copyright © 2016 Wu et al.

  9. Homogentisate 1-2-Dioxygenase Downregulation in the Chronic Persistence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Australian Epidemic Strain-1 in the CF Lung

    PubMed Central

    Harmer, Christopher J.; Wynn, Matthew; Pinto, Rachel; Cordwell, Stuart; Rose, Barbara R.; Harbour, Colin; Triccas, James A.; Manos, Jim

    2015-01-01

    Some Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains including Australian Epidemic Strain-1 (AES-1 or AUS-01) cause persistent chronic infection in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, with greater morbidity and mortality. Factors conferring persistence are largely unknown. Previously we analysed the transcriptomes of AES-1 grown in Luria broth, nematode growth medium for Caenorhabditis elegans assay (both aerobic) and artificial sputum medium (mainly hypoxic). Transcriptional comparisons included chronic AES-1 strains against PAO1 and acute AES-1 (AES-1R) against its chronic isogen (AES-1M), isolated 10.5 years apart from a CF patient and not eradicated in the meantime. Prominent amongst genes downregulated in AES-1M in all comparisons was homogentisate-1-2-dioxygenase (hmgA); an oxygen-dependent gene known to be mutationally deactivated in many chronic infection strains of P. aeruginosa. To investigate if hmgA downregulation and deactivation gave similar virulence persistence profiles, a hmgA mutant made in UCBPP-PA14 utilising RedS-recombinase and AES-1M were assessed in the C. elegans virulence assay, and the C57BL/6 mouse for pulmonary colonisation and TNF-α response. In C. elegans, hmgA deactivation resulted in significantly increased PA14 virulence while hmgA downregulation reduced AES-1M virulence. AES-1M was significantly more persistent in mouse lung and showed a significant increase in TNF-α (p<0.0001), sustained even with no detectable bacteria. PA14ΔhmgA did not show increased TNF-α. This study suggests that hmgA may have a role in P. aeruginosa persistence in chronic infection and the results provide a starting point for clarifying the role of hmgA in chronic AES-1. PMID:26252386

  10. Efficient Vpu-Mediated Tetherin Antagonism by an HIV-1 Group O Strain

    PubMed Central

    Mack, Katharina; Starz, Kathrin; Sauter, Daniel; Langer, Simon; Bibollet-Ruche, Frederic; Learn, Gerald H.; Stürzel, Christina M.; Leoz, Marie; Plantier, Jean-Christophe; Geyer, Matthias; Hahn, Beatrice H.

    2017-01-01

    ABSTRACT Simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIVs) use their Nef proteins to counteract the restriction factor tetherin. However, a deletion in human tetherin prevents antagonism by the Nef proteins of SIVcpz and SIVgor, which represent the ape precursors of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). To promote virus release from infected cells, pandemic HIV-1 group M strains evolved Vpu as a tetherin antagonist, while the Nef protein of less widespread HIV-1 group O strains acquired the ability to target a region adjacent to this deletion. In this study, we identified an unusual HIV-1 group O strain (RBF206) that evolved Vpu as an effective antagonist of human tetherin. While both RBF206 Vpu and Nef exert anti-tetherin activity in transient-transfection assays, mainly Vpu promotes RBF206 release in infected CD4+ T cells. Although mutations distinct from the adaptive changes observed in group M Vpus (M-Vpus) were critical for the acquisition of its anti-tetherin activity, RBF206 O-Vpu potently suppresses NF-κB activation and reduces CD4 cell surface expression. Interestingly, RBF206 Vpu counteracts tetherin in a largely species-independent manner, degrading both the long and short isoforms of human tetherin. Downmodulation of CD4, but not counteraction of tetherin, by RBF206 Vpu was dependent on the cellular ubiquitin ligase machinery. Our data present the first example of an HIV-1 group O Vpu that efficiently antagonizes human tetherin and suggest that counteraction by O-Nefs may be suboptimal. IMPORTANCE Previous studies showed that HIV-1 groups M and O evolved two alternative strategies to counteract the human ortholog of the restriction factor tetherin. While HIV-1 group M switched from Nef to Vpu due to a deletion in the cytoplasmic domain of human tetherin, HIV-1 group O, which lacks Vpu-mediated anti-tetherin activity, acquired a Nef protein that is able to target a region adjacent to the deletion. Here we report an unusual exception, identifying a strain of

  11. Isolated Norrie disease in a female caused by a balanced translocation t(X,6).

    PubMed

    Meire, F M; Lafaut, B A; Speleman, F; Hanssens, M

    1998-12-01

    This is the second report of Norrie disease in a female patient with a de-novo balanced translocation t(X,6) with breakpoint at the location of the Norrie gene. At the age of 3 months, a girl was referred for suspected congenital glaucoma. The right eye was microphthalmic and ultrasonography was compatible with persistent hyperplasia of the primary vitreous. The left eye was also microphthalmic. The left cornea was larger than the right. The anterior chamber was virtual and leukocoria was evident. The eye felt hard digitally. Ultrasonography indicated an organized retinal detachment. The pathologic findings are reported and are compatible with Norrie disease.

  12. De novo Transcriptome Analysis of Rhizoctonia solani AG1 IA Strain Early Invasion in Zoysia japonica Root.

    PubMed

    Zhu, Chen; Ai, Lin; Wang, Li; Yin, Pingping; Liu, Chenglan; Li, Shanshan; Zeng, Huiming

    2016-01-01

    Zoysia japonica brown spot was caused by necrotrophic fungus Rhizoctonia solani invasion, which led to severe financial loss in city lawn and golf ground maintenance. However, little was known about the molecular mechanism of R. solani pathogenicity in Z. japonica. In this study we examined early stage interaction between R. solani AG1 IA strain and Z. japonica cultivar "Zenith" root by cell ultra-structure analysis, pathogenesis-related proteins assay and transcriptome analysis to explore molecular clues for AG1 IA strain pathogenicity in Z. japonica. No obvious cell structure damage was found in infected roots and most pathogenesis-related protein activities showedg a downward trend especially in 36 h post inoculation, which exhibits AG1 IA strain stealthy invasion characteristic. According to Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database classification, most DEGs in infected "Zenith" roots dynamically changed especially in three aspects, signal transduction, gene translation, and protein synthesis. Total 3422 unigenes of "Zenith" root were predicted into 14 kinds of resistance (R) gene class. Potential fungal resistance related unigenes of "Zenith" root were involved in ligin biosynthesis, phytoalexin synthesis, oxidative burst, wax biosynthesis, while two down-regulated unigenes encoding leucine-rich repeat receptor protein kinase and subtilisin-like protease might be important for host-derived signal perception to AG1 IA strain invasion. According to Pathogen Host Interaction (PHI) database annotation, 1508 unigenes of AG1 IA strain were predicted and classified into 37 known pathogen species, in addition, unigenes encoding virulence, signaling, host stress tolerance, and potential effector were also predicted. This research uncovered transcriptional profiling during the early phase interaction between R. solani AG1 IA strain and Z. japonica, and will greatly help identify key pathogenicity of AG1 IA strain.

  13. Draft Genome Sequence of Thermus scotoductus Strain K1, Isolated from a Geothermal Spring in Karvachar, Nagorno Karabakh

    PubMed Central

    Saghatelyan, Ani; Poghosyan, Lianna

    2015-01-01

    The 2,379,636-bp draft genome sequence of Thermus scotoductus strain K1, isolated from geothermal spring outlet located in the Karvachar region in Nagorno Karabakh is presented. Strain K1 shares about 80% genome sequence similarity with T. scotoductus strain SA-01, recovered from a deep gold mine in South Africa. PMID:26564055

  14. Demonstration test of burner liner strain measurements using resistance strain gages

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Grant, H. P.; Anderson, W. L.

    1984-01-01

    A demonstration test of burner liner strain measurements using resistance strain gages as well as a feasibility test of an optical speckle technique for strain measurement are presented. The strain gage results are reported. Ten Kanthal A-1 wire strain gages were used for low cycle fatigue strain measurements to 950 K and .002 apparent strain on a JT12D burner can in a high pressure (10 atmospheres) burner test. The procedure for use of the strain gages involved extensive precalibration and postcalibration to correct for cooling rate dependence, drift, and temperature effects. Results were repeatable within + or - .0002 to .0006 strain, with best results during fast decels from 950 K. The results agreed with analytical prediction based on an axisymmetric burner model, and results indicated a non-uniform circumferential distribution of axial strain, suggesting temperature streaking.

  15. Age of the magnetically active WW Psa and TX Psa members of the β Pictoris association

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Messina, S.; Santallo, R.; Tan, T. G.; Elliott, P.; Feiden, G. A.; Buccino, A.; Mauas, P.; Petrucci, R.; Jofré, E.

    2017-05-01

    Context. There are a variety of different techniques available to estimate the ages of pre-main-sequence stars. Components of physical pairs, thanks to their strict coevality and the mass difference, such as the binary system analyzed in this paper, are best suited to test the effectiveness of these different techniques. Aims: We consider the system WW Psa + TX Psa whose membership of the 25-Myr β Pictoris association has been well established by earlier works. We aim to investigate which age-dating technique provides the best agreement between the age of the system and that of the association. Methods: We have photometrically monitored WW Psa and TX Psa and measured their rotation periods as P = 2.37 d and P = 1.086 d, respectively. We have retrieved their Li equivalent widths from the literature and measured their effective temperatures and luminosities. We investigated whether the ages of these stars derived using three independent techniques, that is based on rotation, Li equivalent widths, and the position in the HR diagram are consistent with the age of the β Pictoris association. Results: We find that the rotation periods and the Li contents of both stars are consistent with the distribution of other bona fide members of the cluster. On the contrary, the isochronal fitting provides similar ages for both stars, but a factor of about four younger than the quoted age of the association, or about 30% younger when the effects of magnetic fields are included. Conclusions: We explore the origin of the discrepant age inferred from isochronal fitting, including the possibilities that either the two components may be unresolved binaries or that the basic stellar parameters of both components are altered by enhanced magnetic activity. The latter is found to be the more reasonable cause, suggesting that age estimates based on Li content are more reliable than isochronal fitting for pre-main-sequence stars with pronounced magnetic activity.

  16. EnviroAtlas - Austin, TX - Tree Cover Configuration and Connectivity, Water Background Web Service

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    This EnviroAtlas web service supports research and online mapping activities related to EnviroAtlas (https://enviroatlas.epa.gov/EnviroAtlas). The EnviroAtlas Austin, TX tree cover configuration and connectivity map categorizes forest land cover into structural elements (e.g. core, edge, connector, etc.). In this community, Forest is defined as Trees & Forest (Trees & Forest - 40 = 1; All Else = 0). Water was considered background (value 129) during the analysis to create this dataset, however it has been converted into value 10 to distinguish it from land area background. This dataset was produced by the US EPA to support research and online mapping activities related to EnviroAtlas. EnviroAtlas (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas) allows the user to interact with a web-based, easy-to-use, mapping application to view and analyze multiple ecosystem services for the contiguous United States. The dataset is available as downloadable data (https://edg.epa.gov/data/Public/ORD/EnviroAtlas) or as an EnviroAtlas map service. Additional descriptive information about each attribute in this dataset can be found in its associated EnviroAtlas Fact Sheet (https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas/enviroatlas-fact-sheets).

  17. Isolation and characterization of a furfural-degrading bacterium Bacillus cereus sp. strain DS1.

    PubMed

    Zheng, Dan; Bao, Jianguo; Lu, Jueming; Gao, Chunlei

    2015-02-01

    Furfural was found to be the main organic pollutant in the wastewater coming from the Diosgenin factory. This substance is derived from acidic pentosan in Dioscorea zingiberensis and is also found in a variety of agricultural byproducts, including corncobs, oat, wheat bran, and sawdust. It is regarded as a toxicant and an inhibitor to the growth of microorganism in both sewage disposal and biological fermentation. A furfural-degrading strain (DS1) was isolated from activated sludge of wastewater treatment plant in a diosgenin factory by continuous enrichment culture. The strain was identified as Bacillus cereus based on morphological, physiological tests, as well as on 16S rDNA sequence and Biolog analyses. The capacity of this strain to grow on a mineral salt medium, utilizing furfural as the sole carbon and energy source to degrade furfural, was investigated in this study. Under the condition of pH 9.0, temperature 35 °C, with rotating speed of 150 rpm, and an inoculum of 6 %, the strain showed that the furfural degradation capacity reaches 35 % in 7 days, as measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. The addition of inorganic carbon sources could bring down the biodegradation efficiency of the furfural. The strain DS1 showed better furfural removal capacity, as compared to other inorganic carbon sources in the media. Furthermore, a furfural concentration of as high as 4,000 mg L(-1) was tolerated by the culture. The capacity to degrade furfural was demonstrated for the first time by using the genus B. cereus. This study suggests the possible application in biodegradation strategies.

  18. Contribution of the collagen adhesin Acm to pathogenesis of Enterococcus faecium in experimental endocarditis.

    PubMed

    Nallapareddy, Sreedhar R; Singh, Kavindra V; Murray, Barbara E

    2008-09-01

    Enterococcus faecium is a multidrug-resistant opportunist causing difficult-to-treat nosocomial infections, including endocarditis, but there are no reports experimentally demonstrating E. faecium virulence determinants. Our previous studies showed that some clinical E. faecium isolates produce a cell wall-anchored collagen adhesin, Acm, and that an isogenic acm deletion mutant of the endocarditis-derived strain TX0082 lost collagen adherence. In this study, we show with a rat endocarditis model that TX0082 Deltaacm::cat is highly attenuated versus wild-type TX0082, both in established (72 h) vegetations (P < 0.0001) and for valve colonization 1 and 3 hours after infection (P or=50-fold reduction relative to an Acm producer) were found in three of these five nonadherent isolates, including the sequenced strain TX0016, by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR, indicating that acm transcription is downregulated in vitro in these isolates. However, examination of TX0016 cells obtained directly from infected rat vegetations by flow cytometry showed that Acm was present on 40% of cells grown during infection. Finally, we demonstrated a significant reduction in E. faecium collagen adherence by affinity-purified anti-Acm antibodies from E. faecium endocarditis patient sera, suggesting that Acm may be a potential immunotarget for strategies to control this emerging pathogen.

  19. Immune mechanisms induced by an HSV-1 mutant strain: Discrepancy analysis of the immune system gene profile in comparison with a wild-type strain.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Xiaolong; Jiang, Quanlong; Xu, Xingli; Wang, Yongrong; Liu, Lei; Lian, Yaru; Li, Hao; Wang, Lichun; Zhang, Ying; Jiang, Guorun; Zeng, Jieyuan; Zhang, Han; Han, Jing-Dong Jackie; Li, Qihan

    2018-04-25

    Herpes simplex virus is a prevalent pathogen of humans of various age groups. The fact that no prophylactic or therapeutic vaccine is currently available suggests a significant need to further investigate the immune mechanisms induced by the virus and various vaccine candidates. We previously generated an HSV-1 mutant strain, M3, with partial deletions in ul7, ul41 and LAT that produced an attenuated phenotype in mice. In the present study, we performed a comparative analysis to characterize the immune responses induced by M3 versus wild-type HSV-1 in a mouse model. Infection with wild-type HSV-1 triggered an inflammatory-dominated response and adaptive immunity suppression and was accompanied by severe pathological damage. In contrast, infection with M3 induced a systematic immune response involving full activation of both innate and adaptive immunity and was accompanied by no obvious pathological changes. Furthermore, the immune response induced by M3 protected mice from lethal challenge with wild-type strains of HSV-1 and restrained virus proliferation and impaired latency. These data are useful for further HSV-1 vaccine development using a mutant strain construction strategy. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  20. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the coding region of six common rotavirus strains: evidence for intragenogroup reassortment among co-circulating G1P[8] and G2P[4] strains from the United States.

    PubMed

    Bányai, K; Mijatovic-Rustempasic, S; Hull, J J; Esona, M D; Freeman, M M; Frace, A M; Bowen, M D; Gentsch, J R

    2011-03-01

    The segmented genome of rotaviruses provides an opportunity for rotavirus strains to generate a large genetic diversity through reassortment; however, this mechanism is considered to play little role in the generation of mosaic gene constellations between Wa-like and DS-1-like strains in genes other than the neutralization antigens. A pilot study was undertaken to analyze these two epidemiologically important strains at the genomic level in order to (i) identify intergenogroup reassortment and (ii) to make available additional reference genome sequences of G1P[8] and G2P[4] for future genomics analyses. The full or nearly complete coding region of all 11 genes for 3 G1P[8] (LB2719, LB2758, and LB2771) and 3 G2P[4] (LB2744, LB2764, and LB2772) strains isolated from children hospitalized with severe diarrhea in Long Beach, California, where these strains were circulating at comparable rates during 2005-2006 are described in this study. Based on the full-genome classification system, all G1P[8] strains had a conserved genomic constellation: G1-P[8]-I1-R1-C1-M1-A1-N1-T1-E1-E1-H1 and were mostly identical to the few Wa-like strains whose genome sequences have already been determined. Similarly, the genome sequences of the 3 G2P[4] strains were highly conserved: G2-P[4]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A2-N2-T2-E2-E2-H2 and displayed an overall lesser genetic divergence with reference DS-1-like strains. While intergenogroup reassortment was not seen between the G1P[8] and G2P[4] strains studied here, evidence for intragenogroup reassortment events was identified. Similar studies in the post-rotavirus genomic era will help uncover whether intergenogroup reassortment affecting the backbone genes could play a significant role in any potential vaccine breakthrough events by evading immunity of vaccinated children. Copyright © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

  1. Distinct SagA from Hospital-Associated Clade A1 Enterococcus faecium Strains Contributes to Biofilm Formation

    PubMed Central

    Paganelli, F. L.; de Been, M.; Braat, J. C.; Hoogenboezem, T.; Vink, C.; Bayjanov, J.; Rogers, M. R. C.; Huebner, J.; Bonten, M. J. M.; Willems, R. J. L.

    2015-01-01

    Enterococcus faecium is an important nosocomial pathogen causing biofilm-mediated infections. Elucidation of E. faecium biofilm pathogenesis is pivotal for the development of new strategies to treat these infections. In several bacteria, extracellular DNA (eDNA) and proteins act as matrix components contributing to biofilm development. In this study, we investigated biofilm formation capacity and the roles of eDNA and secreted proteins for 83 E. faecium strains with different phylogenetic origins that clustered in clade A1 and clade B. Although there was no significant difference in biofilm formation between E. faecium strains from these two clades, the addition of DNase I or proteinase K to biofilms demonstrated that eDNA is essential for biofilm formation in most E. faecium strains, whereas proteolysis impacted primarily biofilms of E. faecium clade A1 strains. Secreted antigen A (SagA) was the most abundant protein in biofilms from E. faecium clade A1 and B strains, although its localization differed between the two groups. sagA was present in all sequenced E. faecium strains, with a consistent difference in the repeat region between the clades, which correlated with the susceptibility of biofilms to proteinase K. This indicates an association between the SagA variable repeat profile and the localization and contribution of SagA in E. faecium biofilms. PMID:26209668

  2. Distinct SagA from Hospital-Associated Clade A1 Enterococcus faecium Strains Contributes to Biofilm Formation.

    PubMed

    Paganelli, F L; de Been, M; Braat, J C; Hoogenboezem, T; Vink, C; Bayjanov, J; Rogers, M R C; Huebner, J; Bonten, M J M; Willems, R J L; Leavis, H L

    2015-10-01

    Enterococcus faecium is an important nosocomial pathogen causing biofilm-mediated infections. Elucidation of E. faecium biofilm pathogenesis is pivotal for the development of new strategies to treat these infections. In several bacteria, extracellular DNA (eDNA) and proteins act as matrix components contributing to biofilm development. In this study, we investigated biofilm formation capacity and the roles of eDNA and secreted proteins for 83 E. faecium strains with different phylogenetic origins that clustered in clade A1 and clade B. Although there was no significant difference in biofilm formation between E. faecium strains from these two clades, the addition of DNase I or proteinase K to biofilms demonstrated that eDNA is essential for biofilm formation in most E. faecium strains, whereas proteolysis impacted primarily biofilms of E. faecium clade A1 strains. Secreted antigen A (SagA) was the most abundant protein in biofilms from E. faecium clade A1 and B strains, although its localization differed between the two groups. sagA was present in all sequenced E. faecium strains, with a consistent difference in the repeat region between the clades, which correlated with the susceptibility of biofilms to proteinase K. This indicates an association between the SagA variable repeat profile and the localization and contribution of SagA in E. faecium biofilms. Copyright © 2015, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

  3. Newcastle disease B1 vaccine strain in wild rock pigeons in Atlanta, Georgia

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    From June to October of 2012, samples were collected from wild Rock Pigeons (Columba livia) in urban neighborhoods of Atlanta, Georgia to ascertain the prevalence of pigeon paramyxovirus serotype-1 (PPMV-1). PPMV-1 strains are a subset of avian paramyxovirus serotype-1 (APMV-1) commonly isolated fro...

  4. vacA s1m1 genotype and cagA EPIYA-ABC pattern are predominant among Helicobacter pylori strains isolated from Mexican patients with chronic gastritis.

    PubMed

    Atrisco-Morales, Josefina; Martínez-Santos, Verónica I; Román-Román, Adolfo; Alarcón-Millán, Judit; De Sampedro-Reyes, José; Cruz-Del Carmen, Iván; Martínez-Carrillo, Dinorah N; Fernández-Tilapa, Gloria

    2018-03-01

    Virulent genotypes of Helicobacter pylori vacA s1m1/cagA + /babA2 + have been associated with severe gastric diseases. VacA, CagA and BabA are polymorphic proteins, and their association with the disease is allele-dependent. The aims of this work were: (i) to determine the prevalence of H. pylori by type of chronic gastritis; (ii) to describe the frequency of cagA, babA2 and vacA genotypes in strains from patients with different types of chronic gastritis; (iii) to characterize the variable region of cagA alleles. A total of 164 patients with chronic gastritis were studied. Altogether, 50 H. pylori strains were isolated, and the status of cagA, babA2 and vacA genotypes was examined by PCR. cagA EPIYA segment identification was performed using PCR and sequencing of cagA fragments of six randomly selected strains.Results/Key findings. The overall prevalence of H. pylori was 30.5 %. Eighty percent of the isolated strains were vacA s1m1, and the cagA and babA2 genes were detected in 74 and 32 % of the strains, respectively. The most frequent genotypes were vacA s1m1/cagA + /babA2 - and vacA s1m1/cagA + /babA2 + , with 40 % (20/50) and 28 % (14/50), respectively. In cagA + , the most frequent EPIYA motif was -ABC (78.4 %), and EPIYA-ABCC and -ABCCC motifs were found in 10.8 % of the strains. A modified EPIYT-B motif was found in 66.6 % of the sequenced strains. H. pylori strains carrying vacA s1m1, cagA + and babA2 - genotypes were the most prevalent in patients with chronic gastritis from the south of Mexico. In the cagA + strains, the EPIYA-ABC motif was the most common.

  5. vacA s1m1 genotype and cagA EPIYA-ABC pattern are predominant among Helicobacter pylori strains isolated from Mexican patients with chronic gastritis

    PubMed Central

    Atrisco-Morales, Josefina; Martínez-Santos, Verónica I.; Román-Román, Adolfo; Alarcón-Millán, Judit; De Sampedro-Reyes, José; Cruz-del Carmen, Iván; Martínez-Carrillo, Dinorah N.; Fernández-Tilapa, Gloria

    2018-01-01

    Purpose Virulent genotypes of Helicobacter pylori vacA s1m1/cagA+/babA2+ have been associated with severe gastric diseases. VacA, CagA and BabA are polymorphic proteins, and their association with the disease is allele-dependent. The aims of this work were: (i) to determine the prevalence of H. pylori by type of chronic gastritis; (ii) to describe the frequency of cagA, babA2 and vacA genotypes in strains from patients with different types of chronic gastritis; (iii) to characterize the variable region of cagA alleles. Methodology A total of 164 patients with chronic gastritis were studied. Altogether, 50 H. pylori strains were isolated, and the status of cagA, babA2 and vacA genotypes was examined by PCR. cagA EPIYA segment identification was performed using PCR and sequencing of cagA fragments of six randomly selected strains. Results/Key findings The overall prevalence of H. pylori was 30.5 %. Eighty percent of the isolated strains were vacA s1m1, and the cagA and babA2 genes were detected in 74 and 32 % of the strains, respectively. The most frequent genotypes were vacA s1m1/cagA+/babA2- and vacA s1m1/cagA+/babA2+, with 40 % (20/50) and 28 % (14/50), respectively. In cagA+, the most frequent EPIYA motif was -ABC (78.4 %), and EPIYA-ABCC and -ABCCC motifs were found in 10.8 % of the strains. A modified EPIYT-B motif was found in 66.6 % of the sequenced strains. Conclusion H. pylori strains carrying vacA s1m1, cagA+ and babA2- genotypes were the most prevalent in patients with chronic gastritis from the south of Mexico. In the cagA+ strains, the EPIYA-ABC motif was the most common. PMID:29458667

  6. Isolation of endosulfan sulfate-degrading Rhodococcus koreensis strain S1-1 from endosulfan contaminated soil and identification of a novel metabolite, endosulfan diol monosulfate

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Ito, Koji; Kawashima, Fujimasa; Organochemicals Division, National Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences, 3-1-3 Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8604

    2016-05-13

    An aerobic endosulfan sulfate-degrading bacterium, Rhodococcus koreensis strain S1-1, was isolated from soil to which endosulfan had been applied annually for more than 10 years until 2008. The strain isolated in this work reduced the concentration of endosulfan sulfate (2) from 12.25 μM to 2.11 μM during 14 d at 30 °C. Using ultra performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectroscopy (UPLC-ESI-MS), a new highly water-soluble metabolite possessing six chlorine atoms was found to be endosulfan diol monosulfate (6), derived from 2 by hydrolysis of the cyclic sulfate ester ring. The structure of 6 was elucidated by chemical synthesis of the candidate derivatives and by HR-MSmore » and UPLC-MS analyses. Therefore, it was suggested that the strain S1-1 has a new metabolic pathway of 2. In addition, 6 was expected to be less toxic among the metabolites of 1 because of its higher water-solubility. -- Highlights: •A novel endosulfan sulfate-degrading bacterium was isolated and named strain S1-1. •Strain S1-1 degraded endosulfan sulfate into a novel metabolite endosulfan diol monosulfate. •Endosulfan diol monosulfate showed higher polarity than other known metabolites of endosulfan. •We proposed the plausible metabolic pathway of endosulfan in terms of organic chemistry.« less

  7. Draft Genome Sequence of Thermus scotoductus Strain K1, Isolated from a Geothermal Spring in Karvachar, Nagorno Karabakh.

    PubMed

    Saghatelyan, Ani; Poghosyan, Lianna; Panosyan, Hovik; Birkeland, Nils-Kåre

    2015-11-12

    The 2,379,636-bp draft genome sequence of Thermus scotoductus strain K1, isolated from geothermal spring outlet located in the Karvachar region in Nagorno Karabakh is presented. Strain K1 shares about 80% genome sequence similarity with T. scotoductus strain SA-01, recovered from a deep gold mine in South Africa. Copyright © 2015 Saghatelyan et al.

  8. H2 Control of Natural T Regulatory Cell Frequency in the Lymph Node Correlates with Susceptibility to Day Three Thymectomy Induced Autoimmune Disease

    PubMed Central

    Rio, Roxana del; Sun, Yuefang; Alard, Pascale; Tung, Kenneth S.K.; Teuscher, Cory

    2010-01-01

    Day 3 thymectomy (D3Tx) results in a loss of peripheral tolerance mediated by natural T regulatory cells (nTR) and development of autoimmune ovarian dysgenesis (AOD) and dacryoadenitis (ADA) in A/J and (C57BL/6J × A/J) F1 hybrids (B6A) but not in C57BL/6J (B6) mice. Previously, using quantitative trait locus (QTL) linkage analysis, we showed that D3Tx-AOD is controlled by five unlinked QTL (Aod1-Aod5) and H2. In the present study, using D3Tx B6-ChrA/J/NaJ chromosome substitution strains, we confirm that QTL on chromosome (Chr) 16 (Aod1a/Aod1b), Chr3 (Aod2), Chr1 (Aod3), Chr2 (Aod4), Chr7 (Aod5), and Chr17 (H2) control D3Tx-AOD susceptibility. Additionally, we present the first data mapping QTL controlling D3Tx-ADA to Chr17 (Ada1/H2), Chr1 (Ada2), and Chr3 (Ada3). Importantly, B6-ChrXA/J mice were as resistant to D3Tx-AOD and D3Tx-ADA as B6 mice thereby excluding Foxp3 as a susceptibility gene in these models. Moreover, we report quantitative differences in the frequency of nTR cells in the lymph nodes (LNs), but not spleen or thymus, of AOD/ADA-resistant B6 and AOD/ADA-susceptible A/J, B6A, and B6-Chr17A/J mice. Similar results correlating with experimental allergic encephalomyelitis and orchitis susceptibility were seen with B10.S and SJL/J mice. Using H2-congenic mice we show that the observed difference in frequency of LN nTR cells is controlled by H2. These data support the existence of a LN-specific, H2-controlled mechanism regulating the prevalence of nTR cells in autoimmune disease susceptibility. PMID:21135167

  9. Myocardial strain in healthy adults across a broad age range as revealed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging at 1.5 and 3.0T: Associations of myocardial strain with myocardial region, age, and sex.

    PubMed

    Mangion, Kenneth; Clerfond, Guillaume; McComb, Christie; Carrick, David; Rauhalammi, Samuli M; McClure, John; Corcoran, David S; Woodward, Rosemary; Orchard, Vanessa; Radjenovic, Aleksandra; Zhong, Xiaodong; Berry, Colin

    2016-11-01

    To assess myocardial strain using cine displacement encoding with stimulated echoes (DENSE) using 1.5T and 3.0T MRI in healthy adults. Healthy adults without any history of cardiovascular disease underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 1.5T and 3.0T within 2 days. The MRI protocol included balanced steady-state free-precession (b-SSFP), 2D cine-echo planar imaging (EPI)-DENSE, and late gadolinium enhancement in subjects >45 years. Acquisitions were divided into six segments; global and segmental peak longitudinal and circumferential strain were derived and analyzed by field strength, age, and gender. In all, 89 volunteers (mean age 44.8 ± 18.0 years, range: 18-87 years) underwent MRI at 1.5T, and 88 of these subjects underwent MRI at 3.0T (1.4 ± 1.4 days between the scans). Compared with 3.0T, the magnitudes of global circumferential (-19.5 ± 2.6% vs. -18.47 ± 2.6%; P = 0.001) and longitudinal (-12.47 ± 3.2% vs. -10.53 ± 3.1%; P = 0.004) strain were greater at 1.5T. At 1.5T, longitudinal strain was greater in females than in males: -10.17 ± 3.4% vs. -13.67 ± 2.4%; P = 0.001. Similar observations occurred for circumferential strain at 1.5T (-18.72 ± 2.2% vs. -20.10 ± 2.7%; P = 0.014) and at 3.0T (-17.92 ± 1.8% vs. -19.1 ± 3.1%; P = 0.047). At 1.5T, longitudinal and circumferential strain were not associated with age after accounting for sex (longitudinal strain P = 0.178, circumferential strain P = 0.733). At 3.0T, longitudinal and circumferential strain were associated with age (P < 0.05). Longitudinal strain values were greater in the apico-septal, basal-lateral, and mid-lateral segments and circumferential strain in the inferior, infero-lateral, and antero-lateral LV segments. Myocardial strain parameters as revealed by cine-DENSE at different MRI field strengths were associated with myocardial region, age, and sex. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:1197-1205. © 2016 The Authors Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging published by Wiley Periodicals

  10. Structural studies on lipopolysaccharides of serologically non-typable strains of Helicobacter pylori, AF1 and 007, expressing Lewis antigenic determinants.

    PubMed

    Knirel, Y A; Kocharova, N A; Hynes, S O; Widmalm, G; Andersen, L P; Jansson, P E; Moran, A P

    1999-11-01

    In contrast to other Helicobacter pylori strains, which have serologically detectable Lewis(x)+ (Le(x)) and Lewis(y)++ (++Le(y)) antigenic determinants in the O-specific polysaccharide chains of the lipopolysaccharides, H. pylori AF1 and 007 were non-typable with anti-Le(x) and anti-Le(y) antibodies. The carbohydrate portions of the lipopolysaccharides were liberated by mild acid hydrolysis and subsequently studied by sugar and methylation analyses, 1H-NMR spectroscopy and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry. Compared with each other, and with lipopolysaccharides of strains studied previously, the lipopolysaccharides of both AF1 and 007 showed similarities, but also differences, in the structures of the core region and O-specific polysaccharide chains. The O-specific polysaccharide chains of both strains consisted of a short or long polyfucosylated poly-N-acetyl-beta-lactosamine chains, which were distinguished from those of other strains by a high degree of fucosylation producing a polymeric Le(x)chain terminating with Le(x) or Le(y) units:[sequence: see text] where n = 0 or 1 in strain AF1 and 0 in strain 007, m = 0-2, 6-7 in strain AF1 and m = 0-2, 6-7 or approximately 40 in strain 007, the medium-size species being predominant. Therefore, compared with other strains, the lack of reactivity of lipopolysaccharide of H. pylori AF1 and 007 with anti-Le(x) and anti-Le(y) may reflect the presence of a polymeric Le(x) chain and has important implications for serological and pathogenesis studies. As the substitution pattern of a D-glycero-D-manno-heptose residue in the outer core varied in the two strains, and an extended DD-heptan chain was present in some lipopolysaccharide species but not in others, this region was less conservative than the inner core region. The inner core L-glycero-D-manno-heptose region of both strains carried a 2-aminoethyl phosphate group, rather than a phosphate group, as reported previously for other H. pylori strains.

  11. Comparative analysis of the Rotarix™ vaccine strain and G1P[8] rotaviruses detected before and after vaccine introduction in Belgium.

    PubMed

    Zeller, Mark; Heylen, Elisabeth; Tamim, Sana; McAllen, John K; Kirkness, Ewen F; Akopov, Asmik; De Coster, Sarah; Van Ranst, Marc; Matthijnssens, Jelle

    2017-01-01

    G1P[8] rotaviruses are responsible for the majority of human rotavirus infections worldwide. The effect of universal mass vaccination with rotavirus vaccines on circulating G1P[8] rotaviruses is still poorly understood. Therefore we analyzed the complete genomes of the Rotarix™ vaccine strain, and 70 G1P[8] rotaviruses, detected between 1999 and 2010 in Belgium (36 before and 34 after vaccine introduction) to investigate the impact of rotavirus vaccine introduction on circulating G1P[8] strains. All rotaviruses possessed a complete Wa-like genotype constellation, but frequent intra-genogroup reassortments were observed as well as multiple different cluster constellations circulating in a single season. In addition, identical cluster constellations were found to circulate persistently over multiple seasons. The Rotarix™ vaccine strain possessed a unique cluster constellation that was not present in currently circulating G1P[8] strains. At the nucleotide level, the VP6, VP2 and NSP2 gene segments of Rotarix™ were relatively distantly related to any Belgian G1P[8] strain, but other gene segments of Rotarix™ were found in clusters also containing circulating Belgian strains. At the amino acid level, the genetic distance between Rotarix™ and circulating Belgian strains was considerably lower, except for NSP1. When we compared the Belgian G1P[8] strains collected before and after vaccine introduction a reduction in the proportion of strains that were found in the same cluster as the Rotarix™ vaccine strain was observed for most gene segments. The reduction in the proportion of strains belonging to the same cluster may be the result of the vaccine introduction, although natural fluctuations cannot be ruled out.

  12. Attenuated Phenotype and Immunogenic Characteristics of a Mutated Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Strain in the Rhesus Macaque.

    PubMed

    Fan, Shengtao; Xu, Xingli; Liao, Yun; Wang, Yongrong; Wang, Jianbin; Feng, Min; Wang, Lichun; Zhang, Ying; He, Zhanlong; Yang, Fengmei; Fraser, Nigel W; Li, Qihan

    2018-05-02

    Herpes simplex virus type 1(HSV-1) presents a conundrum to public health worldwide because of its specific pathogenicity and clinical features. Some experimental vaccines, such as the recombinant viral glycoproteins, exhibit the viral immunogenicity of a host-specific immune response, but none of these has achieved a valid epidemiological protective efficacy in the human population. In the present study, we constructed an attenuated HSV-1 strain M3 through the partial deletion of UL7, UL41 , and the latency-associated transcript ( LAT ) using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. The mutant strain exhibited lowered infectivity and virulence in macaques. Neutralization testing and ELISpot detection of the specific T-cell responses confirmed the specific immunity induced by M3 immunization and this immunity defended against the challenges of the wild-type strain and restricted the entry of the wild-type strain into the trigeminal ganglion. These results in rhesus macaques demonstrated the potential of the attenuated vaccine for the prevention of HSV-1 in humans.

  13. Vitamin K epoxide reductase complex subunit 1 (Vkorc1) haplotype diversity in mouse priority strains

    PubMed Central

    Song, Ying; Vera, Nicole; Kohn, Michael H

    2008-01-01

    Background Polymorphisms in the vitamin K-epoxide reductase complex subunit 1 gene, Vkorc1, could affect blood coagulation and other vitamin K-dependent proteins, such as osteocalcin (bone Gla protein, BGP). Here we sequenced the Vkorc1 gene in 40 mouse priority strains. We analyzed Vkorc1 haplotypes with respect to prothrombin time (PT) and bone mineral density and composition (BMD and BMC); phenotypes expected to be vitamin K-dependent and represented by data in the Mouse Phenome Database (MPD). Findings In the commonly used laboratory strains of Mus musculus domesticus we identified only four haplotypes differing in the intron or 5' region sequence of the Vkorc1. Six haplotypes differing by coding and non-coding polymorphisms were identified in the other subspecies of Mus. We detected no significant association of Vkorc1 haplotypes with PT, BMD and BMC within each subspecies of Mus. Vkorc1 haplotype sequences divergence between subspecies was associated with PT, BMD and BMC. Conclusion Phenotypic variation in PT, BMD and BMC within subspecies of Mus, while substantial, appears to be dominated by genetic variation in genes other than the Vkorc1. This was particularly evident for M. m. domesticus, where a single haplotype was observed in conjunction with virtually the entire range of PT, BMD and BMC values of all 5 subspecies of Mus included in this study. Differences in these phenotypes between subspecies also should not be attributed to Vkorc1 variants, but should be viewed as a result of genome wide genetic divergence. PMID:19046458

  14. Vaccination with a modified-live bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) type 1a vaccine completely protected calves against challenge with BVDV type 1b strains.

    PubMed

    Xue, Wenzhi; Mattick, Debra; Smith, Linda; Umbaugh, Jerry; Trigo, Emilio

    2010-12-10

    Vaccination plays a significant role in the control of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection and spread. Recent studies revealed that type 1b is the predominant BVDV type 1 subgenotype, representing more than 75% of field isolates of BVDV-1. However, nearly all current, commercially available BVDV type 1 vaccines contain BVDV-1a strains. Previous studies have indicated that anti-BVDV sera, induced by BVDV-1a viruses, show less neutralization activity to BVDV-1b isolates than type 1a. Therefore, it is critically important to evaluate BVDV-1a vaccines in their ability to prevent BVDV-1b infection in calves. In current studies, calves were vaccinated subcutaneously, intradermally or intranasally with a single dose of a multivalent, modified-live viral vaccine containing a BVDV-1a strain, and were challenged with differing BVDV-1b strains to determine the efficacy and duration of immunity of the vaccine against these heterologous virus strains. Vaccinated calves, in all administration routes, were protected from respiratory disease caused by the BVDV-1b viruses, as indicated by significantly fewer clinical signs, lower rectal temperatures, reduced viral shedding and greater white blood cell counts than non-vaccinated control animals. The BVDV-1a vaccine elicited efficacious protection in calves against each BVDV-1b challenge strain, with a duration of immunity of at least 6 months. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  15. Culture supernatants from V. cholerae O1 El Tor strains isolated from different geographic areas induce cell vacuolation and cytotoxicity.

    PubMed

    Vidal, Jorge E; Enríquez-Rincón, Fernando; Giono-Cerezo, Silvia; Ribas-Aparicio, Rosa María; Figueroa-Arredondo, Paula

    2009-01-01

    To investigate whether the HlyA-induced vacuolating effect is produced by V. cholerae O1 ElTor strains isolated from different geographic origins, including Mexico. Supernatant-induced haemolysis, vacuolating activity and cytotoxicity in Vero cells were recorded. PCR, RFLP analysis and molecular cloning were performed. All ElTor strains analyzed induced cellular vacuolation. Ribotype 2 strains isolates from the U.S. gulf coast yielded the highest titer of vacuolating activity. Eight of nine strains were haemolytic, while all strains were PCR positive for the hlyA gene. We cloned the hlyA gene from two ElTor strains, a toxigenic (2514-88, ctxAB+) and a non-toxigenic Mexican strain (CM 91-3, ctxAB-). Supernatant from those recombinant E. coli strains induced haemolysis, cell vacuolation and cytotoxicity. RFLP-PCR analysis revealed similarities in the hlyA gene from all strains tested. The HlyA-induced vacuolating effect is a widespread phenotype of epidemic V. cholerae O1 ElTor strains.

  16. Effect of Aspergillus versicolor strain JASS1 on low density polyethylene degradation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gajendiran, A.; Subramani, S.; Abraham, J.

    2017-11-01

    Low density polyethylene (LDPE) waste disposal remains one of the major environmental concerns faced by the world today. In past decades, major focus has been given to enhance the biodegradation of LDPE by microbial species. In this present study, Aspergillus versicolor with the ability to degrade LDPE was isolated from municipal landfill area using enrichment technique. Based on 18S rRNA gene sequencing confirmed its identity as Aspergillus versicolor. The biodegradation study was carried out for 90 d in M1 medium. The degradation behaviour of LDPE films by Aspergillus versicolor strain JASS1 were confirmed by weight loss, CO2 evolution, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, Atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) technique. From current investigation, it can be concluded that our isolated strain JASS1 had the potential to degrade LDPE films and it can be useful in solving the problem caused by polyethylene in the environment.

  17. Comparative Genomics and Identification of an Enterotoxin-Bearing Pathogenicity Island, SEPI-1/SECI-1, in Staphylococcus epidermidis Pathogenic Strains.

    PubMed

    Argemi, Xavier; Nanoukon, Chimène; Affolabi, Dissou; Keller, Daniel; Hansmann, Yves; Riegel, Philippe; Baba-Moussa, Lamine; Prévost, Gilles

    2018-02-25

    Staphylococcus epidermidis is a leading cause of nosocomial infections, majorly resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics, and may transfer several mobile genetic elements among the members of its own species, as well as to Staphylococcus aureus ; however, a genetic exchange from S. aureus to S. epidermidis remains controversial. We recently identified two pathogenic clinical strains of S. epidermidis that produce a staphylococcal enterotoxin C3-like (SEC) similar to that by S. aureus pathogenicity islands. This study aimed to determine the genetic environment of the SEC-coding sequence and to identify the mobile genetic elements. Whole-genome sequencing and annotation of the S. epidermidis strains were performed using Illumina technology and a bioinformatics pipeline for assembly, which provided evidence that the SEC-coding sequences were located in a composite pathogenicity island that was previously described in the S. epidermidis strain FRI909, called SePI-1/SeCI-1, with 83.8-89.7% nucleotide similarity. Various other plasmids were identified, particularly p_3_95 and p_4_95, which carry antibiotic resistance genes ( hsrA and dfrG , respectively), and share homologies with SAP085A and pUSA04-2-SUR11, two plasmids described in S. aureus . Eventually, one complete prophage was identified, ΦSE90, sharing 30 out of 52 coding sequences with the Acinetobacter phage vB_AbaM_IME200. Thus, the SePI-1/SeCI-1 pathogenicity island was identified in two pathogenic strains of S. epidermidis that produced a SEC enterotoxin causing septic shock. These findings suggest the existence of in vivo genetic exchange from S. aureus to S. epidermidis .

  18. Comparative Genomics and Identification of an Enterotoxin-Bearing Pathogenicity Island, SEPI-1/SECI-1, in Staphylococcus epidermidis Pathogenic Strains

    PubMed Central

    Nanoukon, Chimène; Affolabi, Dissou; Keller, Daniel; Hansmann, Yves; Riegel, Philippe; Baba-Moussa, Lamine; Prévost, Gilles

    2018-01-01

    Staphylococcus epidermidis is a leading cause of nosocomial infections, majorly resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics, and may transfer several mobile genetic elements among the members of its own species, as well as to Staphylococcus aureus; however, a genetic exchange from S. aureus to S. epidermidis remains controversial. We recently identified two pathogenic clinical strains of S. epidermidis that produce a staphylococcal enterotoxin C3-like (SEC) similar to that by S. aureus pathogenicity islands. This study aimed to determine the genetic environment of the SEC-coding sequence and to identify the mobile genetic elements. Whole-genome sequencing and annotation of the S. epidermidis strains were performed using Illumina technology and a bioinformatics pipeline for assembly, which provided evidence that the SEC-coding sequences were located in a composite pathogenicity island that was previously described in the S. epidermidis strain FRI909, called SePI-1/SeCI-1, with 83.8–89.7% nucleotide similarity. Various other plasmids were identified, particularly p_3_95 and p_4_95, which carry antibiotic resistance genes (hsrA and dfrG, respectively), and share homologies with SAP085A and pUSA04-2-SUR11, two plasmids described in S. aureus. Eventually, one complete prophage was identified, ΦSE90, sharing 30 out of 52 coding sequences with the Acinetobacter phage vB_AbaM_IME200. Thus, the SePI-1/SeCI-1 pathogenicity island was identified in two pathogenic strains of S. epidermidis that produced a SEC enterotoxin causing septic shock. These findings suggest the existence of in vivo genetic exchange from S. aureus to S. epidermidis. PMID:29495323

  19. Compressive strain induced dynamical stability of monolayer 1T-MX2 (M  =  Mo, W; X  =  S, Se)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Xiaoyong; Wu, Musheng; Xu, Bo; Liu, Ruifan; Ouyang, Chuying

    2017-11-01

    The lattice dynamical properties of 1T-MX2 (M  =  Mo, W; X  =  S, Se) under different strains were studied by using density functional perturbation theory method. Our results show that all MX2 with 1T phase in our calculations are dynamical instable under zero strain or tensile strain as obvious imaginary frequencies (soft modes) exist. When 3% biaxial compressive strains are applied, the imaginary frequencies remain except that the absolute values of maximum imaginary frequency decrease. With the increase of compressive strain to be 6%, 1T-MoS2, 1T-MoSe2, 1T-WS2 become stable, whereas 1T-WSe2 has small imaginary frequencies. When biaxial compressive strain reaches 9%, all 1T-MX2 are dynamical stable without imaginary frequencies in the phonon dispersion curves. Energy band structures show that all 1T-MX2 are metallic, regardless of zero strain or compressive strain. Therefore, compressive strain could be a practical approach to enhance the stability of 1T-MX2 while maintaining the metallic property.

  20. Non-toxigenic environmental Vibrio cholerae O1 strain from Haiti provides evidence of pre-pandemic cholera in Hispaniola.

    PubMed

    Azarian, Taj; Ali, Afsar; Johnson, Judith A; Jubair, Mohammad; Cella, Eleonora; Ciccozzi, Massimo; Nolan, David J; Farmerie, William; Rashid, Mohammad H; Sinha-Ray, Shrestha; Alam, Meer T; Morris, J Glenn; Salemi, Marco

    2016-10-27

    Vibrio cholerae is ubiquitous in aquatic environments, with environmental toxigenic V. cholerae O1 strains serving as a source for recurrent cholera epidemics and pandemic disease. However, a number of questions remain about long-term survival and evolution of V. cholerae strains within these aquatic environmental reservoirs. Through monitoring of the Haitian aquatic environment following the 2010 cholera epidemic, we isolated two novel non-toxigenic (ctxA/B-negative) Vibrio cholerae O1. These two isolates underwent whole-genome sequencing and were investigated through comparative genomics and Bayesian coalescent analysis. These isolates cluster in the evolutionary tree with strains responsible for clinical cholera, possessing genomic components of 6 th and 7 th pandemic lineages, and diverge from "modern" cholera strains around 1548 C.E. [95% HPD: 1532-1555]. Vibrio Pathogenicity Island (VPI)-1 was present; however, SXT/R391-family ICE and VPI-2 were absent. Rugose phenotype conversion and vibriophage resistance evidenced adaption for persistence in aquatic environments. The identification of V. cholerae O1 strains in the Haitian environment, which predate the first reported cholera pandemic in 1817, broadens our understanding of the history of pandemics. It also raises the possibility that these and similar environmental strains could acquire virulence genes from the 2010 Haitian epidemic clone, including the cholera toxin producing CTXϕ.