Identification of a Novel Regulator for the Escherichia coli fit Iron Transport System

The Escherichia coli fit iron transport system consists of 6 genes, fitA, B, C, D, E and fitR. Based on in silico analysis, FitA-E composes a typical bacterial iron transporter, while FitR was deduced to be a regulator. In this paper the regulation of fit expression by FitR was studied using a quantitative RT-PCR technique and a lacZ reporter assay. It was found that fit expression was repressed when FitR was over-expressed and de-repressed when fitR was knocked out by mutation. When the mutation in fitR was complemented in trans- with the wild type fitR gene, repression of fit expression by FitR was restored. Finally, recombinant FitR was found to bind to the fit promoter DNA when employed in an electrophoretic mobility-shift assay. These results demonstrated that fitR encodes an auto-repressor for the E. coli fit system

Vaccination against Lawsonia intracellularis decreases shedding of Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium in co-infected pigs and changes the host gut microbiome

Salmonella enterica is a leading cause of foodborne illness in the world. Attribution studies have suggested pork as a major source for human salmonellosis in different countries (Mughini-Gras et al., 2013, Pires et al., 2014). In the United States, efforts to reduce the incidence of salmonellosis have mainly remained ineffective, the incidence of salmonellosis has not been reduced appreciably since 1996 (Boore et al., 2015). There is a consensus in the field that there is a lack of on farm cost-effective strategies to reduce the prevalence of salmonellosis (Dickson & Hurd, 2013). The source of S. enterica that contaminates pork products are the animals themselves (Dickson & Hurd, 2013) and novel intervention strategies are much needed

Gravitational Radiation in the Limit of High Frequency

This dissertation deals with a technique for obtaining approximate radiative solutions to the Einstein equations of general relativity in situations where the gravitational fields of interest are quite strong. In the first chapter, we review the history of the problem and discuss previous work along related lines. In the second chapter, we assume the radiation to be of high frequency and expand the field equations in powers of the small wavelength this supplies. This assumption provides an approximation scheme valid for all orders of 1/r, for arbitrary velocities up to that of light, and for arbitrary intensities of the gravitational field. To lowest order we obtain a gauge invariant linear wave equation for gravitational radiation, which is a covariant generalization of that for massless spin-two fields in flat space, This wave equation is then solved by the W.K.B. approximation to show that gravitational waves travel on null geodesics with amplitude and frequency modified by gravitational fields in exactly the same way as are those of light waves, and with their polarization parallel transported along the geodesics, again as is the case for light. The metric containing high frequency gravitational waves is shown to be type N to lowest order, and some limits to the methods used are discussed. In the third chapter we go beyond the linear terms in the high frequency expansion, and consider the lowest order non-linear terms. They are shown to provide a natural, gauge invariant, averaged effective stress tensor for the energy localized in the high frequency radiation. By assuming the W.K.B. form for the field, this tensor is found to have the same structure as that for an electromagnetic null field. A Poynting vector is used to investigate the flow of energy and momentum in the gravitational wave field, and it is seen that high frequency waves propagate along null hypersurfaces and are not backscattered off by the curvature of space. Expressions for the total energy and momentum carried by the field to flat null infinity are given in terms of coordinate independent integrals valid within regions of strong field strength. The formalism is applied to the case of spherical gravitational waves where a news function is obtained, and where the source is found to lose exactly the energy and momentum contained in the radiation field

Impact of a brief faculty training to improve patient-centered communication while using electronic health records

Objective Despite rapid EHR adoption, few faculty receive training in how to implement patient-centered communication skills while using computers in exam rooms. We piloted a patient-centered EHR use training to address this issue. Methods Faculty received four hours of training at Cleveland Clinic and a condensed 90-minute version at the University of Chicago. Both included a lecture and a Group-Objective Structured Clinical Exam (GOSCE) experience. Direct observations of 10 faculty in their clinical practices were performed pre- and post-workshop. Results Thirty participants (94%) completed a post-workshop evaluation assessing knowledge, attitude, and skills. Faculty reported that training was important, relevant, and should be required for all providers; no differences were found between longer versus shorter training. Participants in the longer training reported higher GOSCE efficacy, however shorter workshop participants agreed more with the statement that they had gained new knowledge. Faculty improved their patient-centered EHR use skills in clinical practice on post- versus pre-workshop ratings using a validated direct-observation rating tool. Conclusion A brief lecture and GOSCE can be effective in training busy faculty on patient-centered EHR use skills. Practice Implications Faculty training on patient-centered EHR skills can enhance patient-doctor communication and promotes positive role modeling of these skills to learners

A Practical Algorithm for Managing Alzheimer\u27s Disease: What, When, and Why?

Alzheimer\u27s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and its prevalence is increasing. Recent developments in AD management provide improved ways of supporting patients and their caregivers throughout the disease continuum. Managing cardiovascular risk factors, maintaining an active lifestyle (with regular physical, mental and social activity) and following a Mediterranean diet appear to reduce AD risk and may slow cognitive decline. Pharmacologic therapy for AD should be initiated upon diagnosis. All of the currently available cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs; donepezil, galantamine, and rivastigmine) are indicated for mild-to-moderate AD. Donepezil (10 and 23 mg/day) and rivastigmine transdermal patch (13.3 mg/24 h) are indicated for moderate-to-severe AD. Memantine, an N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist, is approved for moderate-to-severe AD. ChEIs have been shown to improve cognitive function, global clinical status and patients\u27 ability to perform activities of daily living. There is also evidence for reduction in emergence of behavioral symptoms with ChEI therapy. Treatment choice (e.g., oral vs. transdermal) should be based on patient or caregiver preference, ease of use, tolerability, and cost. Treatment should be individualized; patients can be switched from one ChEI to another if the initial agent is poorly tolerated or ineffective. Memantine may be introduced in moderate-to-severe disease stages. Clinicians will regularly monitor symptoms and behaviors, manage comorbidities, assess function, educate and help caregivers access information and support, evaluate patients\u27 fitness to drive or own firearms, and provide advice about the need for legal and financial planning. Review of caregiver well-being and prompt referral for support is vital

Escherichia coli K99 pili are composed of one subunit species

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/24207/1/0000466.pd

Search for Nanosecond Near-infrared Transients around 1280 Celestial Objects

Stars and planetary system

Black Hole Data via a Kerr-Schild Approach

We present a new approach for setting initial Cauchy data for multiple black hole spacetimes. The method is based upon adopting an initially Kerr-Schild form of the metric. In the case of non-spinning holes, the constraint equations take a simple hierarchical form which is amenable to direct numerical integration. The feasibility of this approach is demonstrated by solving analytically the problem of initial data in a perturbed Schwarzschild geometry.Comment: 13 pages, RevTeX forma