Novel Small Rnas Expressed By Bartonella Bacilliformis Under Multiple Conditions Reveal Potential Mechanisms For Persistence In The Sand Fly Vector And Human Host,
2020
University of Montana, Missoula
Novel Small Rnas Expressed By Bartonella Bacilliformis Under Multiple Conditions Reveal Potential Mechanisms For Persistence In The Sand Fly Vector And Human Host, Shaun Wachter, Linda D. Hicks, Rahul Raghavan, Michael F. Minnick
Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations
Bartonella bacilliformis, the etiological agent of Carrión’s disease, is a Gram-negative, facultative intracellular alphaproteobacterium. Carrión’s disease is an emerging but neglected tropical illness endemic to Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador. B. bacilliformis is spread between humans through the bite of female phlebotomine sand flies. As a result, the pathogen encounters significant and repeated environmental shifts during its life cycle, including changes in pH and temperature. In most bacteria, small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs) serve as effectors that may post-transcriptionally regulate the stress response to such changes. However, sRNAs have not been characterized in B. bacilliformis, to date. We …
Cepheid
Evaluation Of The Xpert Carba-R Nxg Assay For Detection Of Carbapenemase Genes In A Global Challenge Set Of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Isolates, Fred C. Tenover, Christian M. Gill, Tomefa E. Asempa, Isabella A. Tickler, Caitlin M. Dela Cruz, David P. Nicolau
Biology Faculty Publications
The growing prevalence and diversity of carbapenemase producers among carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) isolates warrants an expansion of detection capabilities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of the commercially available Xpert Carba-R (Carba-R) and the research-use-only Xpert Carba-R NxG (Carba-R NxG) in a global collection of P. aeruginosa. The challenge set included 123 P. aeruginosa clinical isolates from 12 countries. Isolates were previously categorized via PCR or whole-genome sequencing. Carbapenemase classes tested include VIM, IMP, NDM, SPM, KPC, and GES. Non-carbapenemase (non-CP)-harboring isolates were also tested (negative control). Isolates were tested using the Carba-R NxG and …
Biophysical Analysis Of Pseudomonas-Phage Pap3 Small Terminase Suggests A Mechanism For Sequence-Specific Dna-Binding By Lateral Interdigitation.,
2020
Thomas Jefferson University
Biophysical Analysis Of Pseudomonas-Phage Pap3 Small Terminase Suggests A Mechanism For Sequence-Specific Dna-Binding By Lateral Interdigitation., Marzia Niazi, Tyler J. Florio, Ruoyu Yang, Ravi K. Lokareddy, Nicholas A. Swanson, Richard E. Gillilan, Gino Cingolani
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Faculty Papers
The genome packaging motor of tailed bacteriophages and herpesviruses is a powerful nanomachine built by several copies of a large (TerL) and a small (TerS) terminase subunit. The motor assembles transiently at the portal vertex of an empty precursor capsid (or procapsid) to power genome encapsidation. Terminase subunits have been studied in-depth, especially in classical bacteriophages that infect Escherichia coli or Salmonella, yet, less is known about the packaging motor of Pseudomonas-phages that have increasing biomedical relevance. Here, we investigated the small terminase subunit from three Podoviridae phages that infect Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We found TerS is polymorphic in solution but …
Effects Of Nitrogen Fertilization And Bioenergy Crop Species On Central Tendency And Spatial Heterogeneity Of Soil Glycosidase Activities,
2020
Tennessee State University
Effects Of Nitrogen Fertilization And Bioenergy Crop Species On Central Tendency And Spatial Heterogeneity Of Soil Glycosidase Activities, Min Yuan, Jianjun Duan, Jianwei Li, Siyang Jian, Lahiru Gamage, Kudjo E. Dzantor, Dafeng Hui, Philip A. Fay
Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research
Extracellular glycosidases in soil, produced by microorganisms, act as major agents for decomposing labile soil organic carbon (e.g., cellulose). Soil extracellular glycosidases are significantly affected by nitrogen (N) fertilization but fertilization effects on spatial distributions of soil glycosidases have not been well addressed. Whether the effects of N fertilization vary with bioenergy crop species also remains unclear. Based on a 3-year fertilization experiment in Middle Tennessee, USA, a total of 288 soil samples in topsoil (0–15 cm) were collected from two 15 m2 plots under three fertilization treatments in switchgrass (SG: Panicum virgatum L.) and gamagrass (GG: Tripsacum dactyloides L.) …
Spatio-Temporal Dynamics Of Fungal Communities And Their Effects On Plants,
2020
University of New Mexico
Spatio-Temporal Dynamics Of Fungal Communities And Their Effects On Plants, Kel Cook
Biology ETDs
Fungi perform several critical functions in the environment. Spatiotemporal distributions of fungal communities will mediate when and where these functions happen and how they vary across the landscape. I first explored tropical tree canopy fungal community variation at small spatial scales and documented near total turnover of fungi across sub-meter distances and among adjacent substrates. The second chapter analyzed fungal turnover over the course of three years, where community stability was driven primarily by abundant fungi. In the third chapter, I tested effects of the environment, including host plant and habitat, on canopy fungal communities and found only small effects, …
Environmental Influences On Expression Of Virulence- And Survival-Associated Genes And Epigenetic Modifications Of Dna In Vibrio Vulnificus,
2020
University of South Florida
Environmental Influences On Expression Of Virulence- And Survival-Associated Genes And Epigenetic Modifications Of Dna In Vibrio Vulnificus, James W. Conrad
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Vibrio vulnificus is an autochthonous inhabitant of warm, brackish coastal waters and is an opportunistic pathogen that causes the highest mortality of all seafood-related illnesses (1). These fatal infections are generally caused by the clinically-associated vcgC/16S rRNA type B genotypes within the biotype I group (2–5). However, the reasons for the heightened infectiousness of the clinically-associated strains over environmentally-associated ones remains elusive, as no unique clinically-associated virulence genes have been identified through genomic sequencing or other strategies. DNA methylation may contribute to regulation of virulence by affecting gene transcription, and was investigated in the highly virulent V. vulnificus strain CMCP6. …
Posttranslational Modification And Protein Disorder Regulate Protein-Protein Interactions And Dna Binding Specificity Of P53,
2020
University of South Florida
Posttranslational Modification And Protein Disorder Regulate Protein-Protein Interactions And Dna Binding Specificity Of P53, Robin Levy
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
p53 is an intrinsically disordered transcription factor that suppresses tumor development by arresting the cell cycle and promoting DNA repair. p53 deletions or mutations can lead to cancer due to the inability of cells to respond to stress. The protein levels and post-translational modification state of p53 changes in response to cellular stress like DNA damage. Previous studies have shown that p53 can undergo coupled folding and binding with the E3 ubiquitin ligase, Mdm2, and the histone deacetylase, p300. In normal cells, p53 is kept at a low level by Mdm2, which marks it with ubiquitin, targeting p53 for proteasome …
Spatial And Temporal Determinants Associated With Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus Activity In Florida,
2020
University of South Florida
Spatial And Temporal Determinants Associated With Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus Activity In Florida, Kristi M. Miley
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEEV) is considered the most pathogenic mosquito-borne illness in the United States. Human mortality has been estimated to range between 35 to 75%, with horses experiencing mortality rates greater than 90%. A large number of EEEV cases occur in Florida. Though we have come a long way since the first human infection was identified in the 1930s, there is still much to learn regarding the virus’s ability to maintain transmission year-round in Florida. Phylogenic studies support that Florida may serve as the geographic reservoir for EEEV. This research investigated spatiotemporal and ecological variables associated with risk …
Evaluation Of Anti-Cancer Function In Natural Killer Cells Generated From Rat Hematopoietic Stem Cells,
2020
Universiti Malaya
Evaluation Of Anti-Cancer Function In Natural Killer Cells Generated From Rat Hematopoietic Stem Cells, Alireza Pirahmadian
Student Works (2020-2029)
Natural killer cells (NK) cells are lymphocytes and they are the most important key constituent of mammalian immune system against cancer tumour cells. The genome of NK cells is categorically divided to inhibitory and activator genes that code ligands on the surface of NK cells. Indeed, these ligands are cancer tumour cells destroyer arms of the NK cells. On the other hand, hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are the origin of all blood cells, derives from BM and mature to immune cells. NK cells cannot defeat CTCs on their own. The main reason is their population (numbers are low), they cannot …
Aspergillus Niger Decreases Bioavailability Of Arsenic(V) Via Biotransformation Of Manganese Oxide Into Biogenic Oxalate Minerals,
2020
Comenius University in Bratislava
Aspergillus Niger Decreases Bioavailability Of Arsenic(V) Via Biotransformation Of Manganese Oxide Into Biogenic Oxalate Minerals, Bence Farkas, Marek Kolenčík, Miroslav Hain, Edmund Dobročka, Gabriela Kratošová, Marek Bujdoš, Huan Feng, Yang Deng, Qian Yu, Ramakanth Illa, B. Ratna Sunil, Hyunjung Kim, Peter Matúš, Martin Urík
Department of Earth and Environmental Studies Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works
The aim of this work was to evaluate the transformation of manganese oxide (hausmannite) by microscopic filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger and the effects of the transformation on mobility and bioavailability of arsenic. Our results showed that the A. niger strain CBS 140837 greatly affected the stability of hausmannite and induced its transformation into biogenic crystals of manganese oxalates—falottaite and lindbergite. The transformation was enabled by fungal acidolysis of hausmannite and subsequent release of manganese ions into the culture medium. While almost 45% of manganese was bioextracted, the arsenic content in manganese precipitates increased throughout the 25-day static cultivation of fungus. …
A Genomic Catalog Of Earth’S Microbiomes,
2020
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
A Genomic Catalog Of Earth’S Microbiomes, Brian Hedlund, More Than 200 Other International Authors
Life Sciences Faculty Research
The reconstruction of bacterial and archaeal genomes from shotgun metagenomes has enabled insights into the ecology and evolution of environmental and host-associated microbiomes. Here we applied this approach to >10,000 metagenomes collected from diverse habitats covering all of Earth’s continents and oceans, including metagenomes from human and animal hosts, engineered environments, and natural and agricultural soils, to capture extant microbial, metabolic and functional potential. This comprehensive catalog includes 52,515 metagenome-assembled genomes representing 12,556 novel candidate species-level operational taxonomic units spanning 135 phyla. The catalog expands the known phylogenetic diversity of bacteria and archaea by 44% and is broadly available for …
Evaluation Of The Attitudes Of Phytotherapists Towards The Herbal Treatment Of Obesity In The Light Of Ancient And Modern Theoretical Knowledge - Field Study In Tlemcen (Algeria),
2020
University Center of Naama, Algeria
Evaluation Of The Attitudes Of Phytotherapists Towards The Herbal Treatment Of Obesity In The Light Of Ancient And Modern Theoretical Knowledge - Field Study In Tlemcen (Algeria), Chahrazed Bessenouci
Journal of the Arab American University مجلة الجامعة العربية الامريكية للبحوث
This research aimed to reveal the phytotherapists attitudes towards medicinal plants therapy used to treat obesity through identifying the nature of these attitudes and their degree of compatibility with what is in the ancient scientific manuscripts and the research publications in the modern chemistry. To do this, a choice was made of an intentional sample of 34 Herbalists-Phytotherapists (from several regions of the province of Tlemcen). Then the researchers used a face-to-face interview to survey the attitudes using a 27-item Likert-scale test. To determine the nature of the sample's attitudes and also the level of their knowledge, a descriptive analytical …
Varroa Destructor Mites Vector And Transmit Pathogenic Honey Bee Viruses Acquired From An Artificial Diet,
2020
Old Dominion University
Varroa Destructor Mites Vector And Transmit Pathogenic Honey Bee Viruses Acquired From An Artificial Diet, Francisco Posada-Florez, Eugene V. Ryabov, Matthew C. Heerman, Yanping Chen, Jay D. Evans, Daniel E. Sonenshine, Steven C. Cook
Biological Sciences Faculty Publications
The ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructoris one of the most destructive pests of the honey bee (Apis mellifera) and the primary biotic cause of colony collapse in many regions of the world. These mites inflict physical injury on their honey bee hosts from feeding on host hemolymph and fat body cells/cellular components, and serve as the vector for deadly honey bee viruses, including Deformed wing virus (DWV) and the related Varroa destructor virus-1 (VDV-1) (i.e., DWV-like viruses). Studies focused on elucidating the dynamics of Varroa-mediated vectoring and transmission of DWV-like viruses may be confounded by viruses present in …
Potential Virus-Mediated Nitrogen Cycling In Oxygen-Depleted Oceanic Waters,
2020
Old Dominion University
Potential Virus-Mediated Nitrogen Cycling In Oxygen-Depleted Oceanic Waters, M. Consuelo Gazitúa, Dean R. Vik, Simon Roux, Ann C. Gregory, Benjamin Bolduc, Brittany Widner, Margaret R. Mulholland, Steven J. Hallam, Osvaldo Ulloa, Matthew B. Sullivan
OES Faculty Publications
Viruses play an important role in the ecology and biogeochemistry of marine ecosystems. Beyond mortality and gene transfer, viruses can reprogram microbial metabolism during infection by expressing auxiliary metabolic genes (AMGs) involved in photosynthesis, central carbon metabolism, and nutrient cycling. While previous studies have focused on AMG diversity in the sunlit and dark ocean, less is known about the role of viruses in shaping metabolic networks along redox gradients associated with marine oxygen minimum zones (OMZs). Here, we analyzed relatively quantitative viral metagenomic datasets that profiled the oxygen gradient across Eastern Tropical South Pacific (ETSP) OMZ waters, assessing whether OMZ …
Direct Binding Of Tfeα Opens Dna Binding Cleft Of Rna Polymeras,
2020
Korea Basic Science Institute
Direct Binding Of Tfeα Opens Dna Binding Cleft Of Rna Polymeras, Sung-Hoon Jun, Jaekyung Hyun, Hoyoung Kim, Michael S. Bartlett, Hyun-Soo Cho, Katsuhiko S. Murakami
Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations
Opening of the DNA binding cleft of cellular RNA polymerase (RNAP) is necessary for transcription initiation but the underlying molecular mechanism is not known. Here, we report on the cryo-electron microscopy structures of the RNAP, RNAP-TFEα binary, and RNAPTFEα-promoter DNA ternary complexes from archaea, Thermococcus kodakarensis (Tko). The structures reveal that TFEα bridges the RNAP clamp and stalk domains to open the DNA binding cleft. Positioning of promoter DNA into the cleft closes it while maintaining the TFEα interactions with the RNAP mobile modules. The structures and photo-crosslinking results also suggest that the conserved aromatic residue in the extended winged-helix …
Investigating Microbial And Host Factors That Modulate Severity Of Clostridioides Difficile Associated Disease,
2020
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Investigating Microbial And Host Factors That Modulate Severity Of Clostridioides Difficile Associated Disease, Armando Lerma
Department of Food Science and Technology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research
Clostridioides difficile is recognized as one of the most important pathogens in hospital and community healthcare settings. The clinical outcome of infection of toxigenic C. difficile infection (CDI) ranges from asymptomatic colonization to fulminant pseudomembranous colitis and death. In recent studies, it has been suggested that a high proportion of nosocomial CDI cases are transmitted from asymptomatic carriers which might be acting as infection reservoirs. Understanding what causes the different responses to infection could lead to the development of novel prevention and treatment strategies. Although several explanations have been proposed to explain variations in susceptibility, understanding of the exact mechanisms …
Evaluating The Microbial Experience Influence On Anti-Tumor Immune Response,
2020
Grand Valley State University
Evaluating The Microbial Experience Influence On Anti-Tumor Immune Response, Jessica A. Ensing
Student Summer Scholars Manuscripts
Despite the steady increase of hygienic standards, the CDC continues to report an increase of immune-mediated diseases such as allergies and asthma. Human avoidance of microbial exposure and subsequently less experienced immune systems may be the cause for this increase. We investigated if increased microbial exposure results in increased immunity to cancer (B16 melanoma) by measuring activated lymphocytes between two groups of C57Bl/6 mice: specific pathogen free (SPF) mice (which had little microbial exposure) and cohoused (COH) mice (which were exposed to numerous microbes). Previous research shows that the CoH mouse model mimics a human adult’s immune system, while the …
Significance Of Viral Activity For Regulating Heterotrophic Prokaryote Community Dynamics Along A Meridional Gradient Of Stratification In The Northeast Atlantic Ocean,
2020
University of Southern Mississippi
Significance Of Viral Activity For Regulating Heterotrophic Prokaryote Community Dynamics Along A Meridional Gradient Of Stratification In The Northeast Atlantic Ocean, Kristina D.A. Mojica, Corina P.D. Brussaard
Faculty Publications
How microbial populations interact influences the availability and flux of organic carbon in the ocean. Understanding how these interactions vary over broad spatial scales is therefore a fundamental aim of microbial oceanography. In this study, we assessed variations in the abundances, production, virus and grazing induced mortality of heterotrophic prokaryotes during summer along a meridional gradient in stratification in the North Atlantic Ocean. Heterotrophic prokaryote abundance and activity varied with phytoplankton biomass, while the relative distribution of prokaryotic subpopulations (ratio of high nucleic acid fluorescent (HNA) and low nucleic acid fluorescent (LNA) cells) was significantly correlated to phytoplankton mortality mode …
Detection Of Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase Producing Escherichia Coli From Urinary Tract Infection In General Hospital, Minna,
2020
Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria
Detection Of Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase Producing Escherichia Coli From Urinary Tract Infection In General Hospital, Minna, Nasiru U. Adabara, Naimat D. Bakinde, Sherifat O. Enejiyon, Tijani Salami, Doosuur Iorzua
Tanzania Journal of Science
Possession of virulence factors such as extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) by pathogens generally exacerbates morbidity as well as increases healthcare costs. This study determined the production of ESBL among Escherichia coli isolated from the urinary tracts of subjects attending General Hospital, Minna, Nigeria. One hundred and fifty (150) urine samples were collected from subjects and cultured on CLED agar for the isolation of E. coli. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was done using Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method, while the phenotypic identification of ESBL-producing strains was carried out using double disk synergy test. All results were interpreted based on Clinical and …
Dengue Vector Distribution And Their Infection Status In Selected Regions In Tanzania,
2020
Department of Zoology and Wildlife Conservation, University of Dar es Salaam, P. O. Box 35064 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Dengue Vector Distribution And Their Infection Status In Selected Regions In Tanzania, Anitha Philbert, Amina Msonga
Tanzania Journal of Science
Dengue fever is an important arboviral infection globally. Tanzania has experienced multiple dengue outbreaks since 2010 leading to mortalities and public distress. Dengue is caused by viruses which are transmitted to humans by vector mosquitoes. Nevertheless, the abundance, distribution and extent of viral infections of these vectors are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to characterize dengue vectors and determine their virus infection rates. Adult mosquitoes were collected from selected regions in Tanzania including Dar es Salaam, Tanga, Coast, and Arusha regions using CO2 baited mosquito magnet traps between December 2018 to February 2019, additional samples were collected …
