A proposed new bacteriophage subfamily: “Jerseyvirinae”

© 2015, Springer-Verlag Wien. Based on morphology and comparative nucleotide and protein sequence analysis, a new subfamily of the family Siphoviridae is proposed, named “Jerseyvirinae” and consisting of three genera, “Jerseylikevirus”, “Sp3unalikevirus” and “K1glikevirus”. To date, this subfamily consists of 18 phages for which the genomes have been sequenced. Salmonella phages Jersey, vB_SenS_AG11, vB_SenS-Ent1, vB_SenS-Ent2, vB_SenS-Ent3, FSL SP-101, SETP3, SETP7, SETP13, SE2, SS3e and wksl3 form the proposed genus “Jerseylikevirus”. The proposed genus “K1glikevirus” consists of Escherichia phages K1G, K1H, K1ind1, K1ind2 and K1ind3. The proposed genus “Sp3unalikevirus” contains one member so far. Jersey-like phages appear to be widely distributed, as the above phages were isolated in the UK, Canada, the USA and South Korea between 1970 and the present day. The distinguishing features of this subfamily include a distinct siphovirus morphotype, genomes of 40.7-43.6kb (49.6-51.4mol% G+C), a syntenic genome organisation, and a high degree of nucleotide sequence identity and shared proteins. All known members of the proposed subfamily are strictly lytic

Biochar composition-dependent impacts on soil nutrient release, carbon mineralization, and potential environmental risk: A review

Biochar application has multiple benefits for soil fertility improvement and climate change mitigation. Biochar can act as a source of nutrients and sequester carbon (C) in the soil. The nutrient release capacity of biochar once applied to the soil varies with the composition of the biochar, which is a function of the feedstock type and pyrolysis condition used for biochar production. Biochar has a crucial influence on soil C mineralization, including its positive or negative priming of microorganisms involved in soil C cycling. However, in various cases, biochar application to the soil may cause negative effects in the soil and the wider environment. For instance, biochar may suppress soil nutrient availability and crop productivity due to the reduction in plant nutrient uptake or reduction in soil C mineralization. Biochar application may also negatively affect environmental quality and human health because of harmful compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated dibenzodioxins, and dibenzofurans (PCDD/DF). In this review, we discuss the linkage between biochar composition and function, evaluate the role biochar plays in soil fertility improvement and C sequestration, and discuss regulations and concerns regarding biochar's negative environmental impact. We also summarize advancements in biochar production technologies and discuss future challenges and priorities in biochar research

Predictors of Self-Care in Adolescents With Cystic Fibrosis: A Test of Orem\u27s Theories of Self-Care and Self-Care Deficit

Pediatric nurses often struggle to find ways to encourage adolescents with cystic fibrosis (CF) to engage in self-care that is essential to their health and life. A study of predictors of self-care was conducted to provide a stronger evidence base for nursing practice with these youth. Orem\u27s theories of self-care and self-care deficit were tested to explain and predict the universal and health deviation self-care of 123 adolescents with CF. Four dimensions of self-care agency emerged as predictors of universal self-care, two of which were also predictive of health deviation self-care. Seventy percent of the variance or change in universal self-care scores and 40% of health deviation self-care variance were explained. Clarification and extension of Orem\u27s theories were also an important outcome. Development of nursing interventions designed to strengthen predictors of universal and health deviation-specific self-care identified in this research holds the potential to improve length and quality of life for adolescents with CF

The genome and proteome of Serratia bacteriophage η which forms unstable lysogens

Background:Serratia marcescensphageηis a temperate unclassified member of theSiphoviridaewhich had beenreported as containing hypermodified guanine residues. Methods:The DNA was characterized by enzymatic digestion followed by HPLC analysis of the nucleosidecomposition, and by DNA sequencing and proteomic analysis. Its ability to form stable lysogens and integrate wasalso investigated. Results:Enzymatic digestion and HPLC analysis revealed phageηDNA did not contain modified bases. Thegenome sequence of this virus, determined using pyrosequencing, is 42,724 nucleotides in length with a mol% GCof 49.9 and is circularly permuted. Sixty-nine putative CDSs were identified of which 19 encode novel proteins.While seven close genetic relatives were identified, they shared sequence similarity with only genes40to69of thephageηgenome, while gp1 to gp39 shared no conserved relationship. The structural proteome, determined bySDS-PAGE and mass spectrometry, revealed seven unique proteins. This phage forms very unstable lysogens withits hostS. marcescens.ISSN:1743-422

Phytotechnologies – Preventing Exposures, Improving Public Health

Phytotechnologies have the potential to reduce the amount and/or toxicity of deleterious chemicals/agents, and thereby, prevent human exposures to hazardous substances. As such, phytotechnologies are a tool for primary prevention within the context of public health. Research advances demonstrate that phytotechnologies can be uniquely tailored for effective exposure prevention for a variety of applications. In addition to exposure prevention, phytotechnologists have advanced the use of plants as sensors to delineate environmental contaminants and potential exposures. The applications presented in this paper are at various stages of development and are presented in a framework to reflect how phytotechnologies can help meet basic public health needs for access to clean water, air, and food resources. As plant-based technologies can often be integrated into communities at minimal cost and with low infrastructure needs, their use in improving environmental quality can be applied broadly to minimize potential contaminant exposure. These natural treatment systems concurrently provide ecosystem services of notable value to communities and society. In the future, integration and coordination of phytotechnology activities with public health research will allow technology development that focuses on prevention of environmental exposures. Such an approach will lead to an important role of phytotechnologies in providing sustainable solutions to environmental exposure challenges that improve public health and potentially reduce the burden of disease

REFLEXÕES ACERCA DOS CONCEITOS AUTO-CUIDADO E COMPETÊNCIA/PODER PARA O AUTO-CUIDADO

In this paper the author presents some aspects of Orem's self-care theory and discusses her views of self-care agency, utilizing a cognitive approach based on Perry's theory of cognitive development. Some studies which offer support to her approach are reviewed.Neste trabalho a autora apresenta alguns aspectos da teoria de auto-cuidado de Orem e discute sua visão sobre poder/competência para abordagem cognitiva, baseada na teoria de desenvolvimento cognitivo de Perry. Alguns estudos que dão suporte a sua abordagem são revistas