The discovery of a novel bacterial species in the genus Paenibacillus found in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI) is an effort to record all species within Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP). When it was first begun nearly 20 years ago, prokaryotic organisms were not included as targets of the ATBI, but the project has been expanded to include prokaryotic organism and even viruses. The purpose of this study was to fully characterize and identify a unique bacterium cultured from soil from the Kephart Prong area of GSMNP as a novel species to science and for inclusion in the ATBI. Previous work showed that the isolate being studied aligned to the genus Paenibacillus based on 16S rDNA analyses but it was not closely related to any known species. The isolate was tested using various phenotypic measurements including colony characteristics, growth assessment under numerous conditions and many media formulations, in addition to cellular features observed using microscopy (e.g., Gram staining, flagella staining, endospore staining). Phylogenetic analysis of the entire 16S rDNA was undertaken and whole genome sequencing was performed to better differentiate the isolate from its closest relatives. The isolate is a Gram-positive, spore-forming rod that grows best at a pH from 7-9, NaCl concentration of 0-1%, and temperatures from 25-30C. Transmission electron microscopy revealed cells that were rod shaped and 0.8m in diameter x 2.8-3.2 m in length, with flagella associated with the cells. The isolate was able to hydrolyze lipids, gelatin, casein, and starch in addition to having the ability to reduce nitrate to nitrite, and could utilize glucose via the butanediol fermentation pathway under anaerobic conditions. The isolate was resistant to the antibiotic colistin, but susceptible to tetracycline, chloramphenicol, nitrofurantoin, nalidixic acid, penicillin, and clindamycin. The 16S rDNA sequence of the isolate most closely matched Paenibacillus castaneae with an 84.6% similarity. Analysis of the whole genome showed the closest match to Paenibacillus harenae, but major DNA sequence differences exist between the two species. With the information obtained from the 16S rDNA analyses, whole genome sequencing, and the growth-based tests, it appears that this isolate is likely a novel species within the genus Paenibacillus. This work represents the most complete account of a species of Paenibacillus to date in GSMNP. Phenotypic testing and whole genome sequencing results suggest that this organism can break down insect and fungi material via the use of chitinase genes, it can break down blood cells and utilize heme, and that it is resistant to colistin and, potentially tetracycline based on putative genes. Some genes found within the genome suggest that this species could have pathogenic capabilities. Outside of GSMNP, this research can aid in the understanding of other Paenibacillus species throughout the world that may not have been discovered yet by providing a template genomic sequence from a closely related species. Understanding of this novel species could also provide information on new ecological capabilities that may have not been established in previously discovered Paenibacillus species

Probing and perceiving second graders' affective responses to movement experiences

The purpose of this study was to assess the personal meaning and significance of selected movement experiences of second graders as determined by self-report. The writer probed directly into the personal, affective dimensions of each child. The direct, open-ended inquiry tapped the attitudes and feelings of children with specific reference to five major categories which characterize physical education classes: environment, self, social interactions, content of physical education, and teacher. For the purpose of this study, only the categories of self-physical and emotional, and content of physical education were examined and interpreted. Self-report, the means of obtaining one's internal frame of reference of the self, was the technique used to gather the affective responses of the children. This included three distinct types of expression: (a) written--sentence and story completion, creative writing, poetry, and diaries; (b) artistic--drawing, painting, and bulletin boards; and (c) discussion—videotape playback, small group, total class, and the focused interviews. Questions and topics were designed to gather affective responses as a direct outgrowth of the physical education program. The technique of content analysis was used to identify common characteristics of the responses, for making inferences and for describing the content of the responses

An analysis of the production of Aurand Harris's The brave little tailor

This study records the evolution of a production of Aurand Harris's The Brave Little Tailor from the initial plans to its performances and contains a critical evaluation of the author's fulfillment of her duties as director. Chapter One describes the director's concept of the play and the designs created for her on the basis of this concept. The director states her intended approach to the interpretation of the theme, "Might does not make right." Chapter Two consists of the prompt book for the production, including notations of blocking, and photographic illustrations. Chapter Three is a critical evaluation of the final production, emphasizing those elements within the director's control

"The Crane Wife" Versus The Crane Wife: A Case Study in Novelizing a Folktale

An analysis of two stories- Patrick Ness’s The Crane Wife and Tsuru no Ongaeshi- through the lenses of four fairy tale elements- flatness, abstraction, intuitive logic, and normalized magic- in order to illustrate how Ness expands on these elements in his novel from the original Chinese fairytale

Relative commutants of strongly self-absorbing C*-algebras

The relative commutant $A'\cap A^{\mathcal{U}}$ of a strongly self-absorbing algebra $A$ is indistinguishable from its ultrapower $A^{\mathcal{U}}$. This applies both to the case when $A$ is the hyperfinite II$_1$ factor and to the case when it is a strongly self-absorbing C*-algebra. In the latter case we prove analogous results for $\ell_\infty(A)/c_0(A)$ and reduced powers corresponding to other filters on $\bf N$. Examples of algebras with approximately inner flip and approximately inner half-flip are provided, showing the optimality of our results. We also prove that strongly self-absorbing algebras are smoothly classifiable, unlike the algebras with approximately inner half-flip.Comment: Some minor correction

Circular Permutation of Red Fluorescent Proteins

Circular permutation of fluorescent proteins provides a substrate for the design of molecular sensors. Here we describe a systematic exploration of permutation sites for mCherry and mKate using a tandem fusion template approach. Circular permutants retaining more than 60% (mCherry) and 90% (mKate) brightness of the parent molecules are reported, as well as a quantitative evaluation of the fluorescence from neighboring mutations. Truncations of circular permutants indicated essential N- and C- terminal segments and substantial flexibility in the use of these molecules. Structural evaluation of two cp-mKate variants indicated no major conformational changes from the previously reported wild-type structure, and cis conformation of the chromophores. Four cp-mKates were identified with over 80% of native fluorescence, providing important new building blocks for sensor and complementation experiments

Controversies concerning the diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder in children

This commentary grows out of an interdisciplinary workshop focused on controversies surrounding the diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder (BP) in children. Although debate about the occurrence and frequency of BP in children is more than 50 years old, it increased in the mid 1990s when researchers adapted the DSM account of bipolar symptoms to diagnose children. We offer a brief history of the debate from the mid 90s through the present, ending with current efforts to distinguish between a small number of children whose behaviors closely fit DSM criteria for BP, and a significantly larger number of children who have been receiving a BP diagnosis but whose behaviors do not closely fit those criteria. We agree with one emerging approach, which gives part or all of that larger number of children a new diagnosis called Severe Mood Dysregulation or Temper Dysregulation Disorder with Dysphoria

Homocysteine-Lowering by B Vitamins Slows the Rate of Accelerated Brain Atrophy in Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: An increased rate of brain atrophy is often observed in older subjects, in particular those who suffer from cognitive decline. Homocysteine is a risk factor for brain atrophy, cognitive impairment and dementia. Plasma concentrations of homocysteine can be lowered by dietary administration of B vitamins.Objective: To determine whether supplementation with B vitamins that lower levels of plasma total homocysteine can slow the rate of brain atrophy in subjects with mild cognitive impairment in a randomised controlled trial (VITACOG, ISRCTN 94410159).Methods and Findings: Single-center, randomized, double-blind controlled trial of high-dose folic acid, vitamins B₆ and B₁₂ in 271 individuals (of 646 screened) over 70 y old with mild cognitive impairment. A subset (187) volunteered to have cranial MRI scans at the start and finish of the study. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups of equal size, one treated with folic acid (0.8 mg/d), vitamin B₁₂ (0.5 mg/d) and vitamin B₆ (20 mg/d), the other with placebo; treatment was for 24 months. The main outcome measure was the change in the rate of atrophy of the whole brain assessed by serial volumetric MRI scans.Results: A total of 168 participants (85 in active treatment group; 83 receiving placebo) completed the MRI section of the trial. The mean rate of brain atrophy per year was 0.76% [95% CI, 0.63-0.90] in the active treatment group and 1.08% [0.94-1.22] in the placebo group (P=0.001). The treatment response was related to baseline homocysteine levels: the rate of atrophy in participants with homocysteine &gt; 13μmol/L was 53% lower in the active treatment group (P=0.001). A greater rate of atrophy was associated with a lower final cognitive test scores. There was no difference in serious adverse events according to treatment category.Conclusions and significance: The accelerated rate of brain atrophy in elderly with mild cognitive impairment can be slowed by treatment with homocysteine-lowering B vitamins. Sixteen percent of those over 70 y old have mild cognitive impairment and half of these develop Alzheimer's disease. Since accelerated brain atrophy is a characteristic of subjects with mild cognitive impairment who convert to Alzheimer's disease, trials are needed to see if the same treatment will delay the development of Alzheimer's disease.</p

A multicenter randomized controlled trial evaluating the effect of small stitches on the incidence of incisional hernia in midline incisions

Contains fulltext : 95575.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)BACKGROUND: The median laparotomy is frequently used by abdominal surgeons to gain rapid and wide access to the abdominal cavity with minimal damage to nerves, vascular structures and muscles of the abdominal wall. However, incisional hernia remains the most common complication after median laparotomy, with reported incidences varying between 2-20%. Recent clinical and experimental data showed a continuous suture technique with many small tissue bites in the aponeurosis only, is possibly more effective in the prevention of incisional hernia when compared to the common used large bite technique or mass closure. METHODS/DESIGN: The STITCH trial is a double-blinded multicenter randomized controlled trial designed to compare a standardized large bite technique with a standardized small bites technique. The main objective is to compare both suture techniques for incidence of incisional hernia after one year. Secondary outcomes will include postoperative complications, direct costs, indirect costs and quality of life. A total of 576 patients will be randomized between a standardized small bites or large bites technique. At least 10 departments of general surgery and two departments of oncological gynaecology will participate in this trial. Both techniques have a standardized amount of stitches per cm wound length and suture length wound length ratio's are calculated in each patient. Follow up will be at 1 month for wound infection and 1 year for incisional hernia. Ultrasound examinations will be performed at both time points to measure the distance between the rectus muscles (at 3 points) and to objectify presence or absence of incisional hernia. Patients, investigators and radiologists will be blinded during follow up, although the surgeon can not be blinded during the surgical procedure. CONCLUSION: The STITCH trial will provide level 1b evidence to support the preference for either a continuous suture technique with many small tissue bites in the aponeurosis only or for the commonly used large bites technique