Jeotgalicoccus coquinae sp. nov. and Jeotgalicoccus aerolatus sp. nov., isolated from poultry houses.

Two Gram-stain-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming cocci (strains MK-7(T) and MPA-33(T)) were isolated from poultry houses. Strain MK-7(T) was isolated on marine broth agar from coquina, a food supplement for female ducks used in a duck-fattening farm. Strain MPA-33(T) was isolated from the air of a turkey house on TSA after filter sampling. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies, both strains were shown to belong to the genus Jeotgalicoccus; MK-7(T) was most closely related to Jeotgalicoccus psychrophilus YKJ-115(T) (99.3 % similarity) and MPA-33(T) was most closely related to Jeotgalicoccus halotolerans YKJ-101(T) (98.8 %). The quinone system of MK-7(T) was composed of equal amounts of menaquinones MK-7 and MK-6 and that of MPA-33(T) contained 76 % MK-7 and 24 % MK-6. The polar lipid profile of strain MK-7(T) consisted of the major compounds diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol and six unidentified lipids present in minor to moderate amounts. In strain MPA-33(T), diphosphatidylglycerol was the single predominant lipid, whereas phosphatidylglycerol was detected in moderate amounts. In addition, one unidentified phospholipid and four unidentified lipids were detected. Fatty acid profiles with iso-15 : 0 and anteiso-15 : 0 as major fatty acids supported the affiliation of the strains to the genus Jeotgalicoccus. The results of physiological and biochemical tests as well as DNA-DNA hybridizations allowed clear phenotypic differentiation of strains MK-7(T) and MPA-33(T) from the most closely related species. Strains MK-7(T) and MPA-33(T) therefore represent novel species, for which the names Jeotgalicoccus coquinae sp. nov. (type strain MK-7(T) =DSM 22419(T) =CCM 7682(T) =CCUG 57956(T)) and Jeotgalicoccus aerolatus sp. nov. (type strain MPA-33(T) =DSM 22420(T) =CCM 7679(T) =CCUG 57953(T)) are proposed.

A new approach to measure gross CO2 fluxes in leaves. Gross CO2 assimilation, photorespiration, and mitochondrial respiration in the light in tomato under drought stress.

We developed a new method using 13CO2 and mass spectrometry to elucidate the role of photorespiration as an alternative electron dissipating pathway under drought stress. This was achieved by experimentally distinguishing between the CO2 fluxes into and out of the leaf. The method allows us to determine the rates of gross CO2 assimilation and gross CO2 evolution in addition to net CO2 uptake by attached leaves during steady-state photosynthesis. Furthermore, a comparison between measurements under photorespiratory and non-photorespiratory conditions may give information about the contribution of photorespiration and mitochondrial respiration to the rate of gross CO2 evolution at photosynthetic steady state. In tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv Moneymaker) leaves, drought stress decreases the rates of net and gross CO2 uptake as well as CO2 release from photorespiration and mitochondrial respiration in the light. However, the ratio of photorespiratory CO2 evolution to gross CO2 assimilation rises with water deficit. Also the contribution of re-assimilation of (photo) respiratory CO2 to gross CO2 assimilation increases under drought.

Complex encounters at the macrophage-mycobacterium interface: studies on the role of the mannose receptor and CD14 in experimental infection models with Mycobacterium avium.

The initial interactions between mycobacterial cell wall components and receptor structures on the surface of macrophages may be critical in determining the outcome of infection. They may trigger the ingestion and digestion of microorganisms, but they may also promote the intracellular persistence and growth of mycobacteria. Using Mycobacterium avium as a model system, three approaches of different complexities were used to analyse some structural features and some functional consequences of M. avium interacting with the macrophage mannose receptor or CD14, a pattern recognition receptor. Binding specificities of a recombinant, truncated extracellular portion of the mannose receptor were assayed in a novel ELISA-formatted system using viable M. avium cells as ligands. Infection with M. avium strains differing in their virulence were performed in murine bone marrow-derived macrophages and in mice with a targeted deletion of the CD14 gene. These parallel and converging approaches not only help define the molecular basis for understanding early events in the pathogenesis of mycobacterial infections, but are also necessary to ultimately determine the relevance of in vitro findings in the context of actual manifestations of disease in vivo.

Self-management as a strategy to improve the classroom behavior of adolescents with ADHD.

This article reports on the application of a self-management strategy for improving the classroom behavior of students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Based on the work of Rhode, Morgan, and Young (1983), the intervention focuses on teaching students to systematically rate their own behavior according to the rating of their teacher. Although, historically, self-management strategies based on cognitive control have not been found to be effective for students with ADHD, strategies based on contingency management have not been widely reported in the literature. A description of the intervention and two case study illustrations are provided. Potential limitations and implications for research in using this strategy are discussed.

Relationship between hip external rotation and turnout angle for the five classical ballet positions.

Functional turnout for each of the five classical ballet positions involves lower extremity motion that occurs primarily through hip external rotation. Ballet dancers often attempt to increase turnout angle through excessive motions at the foot or knee that may be associated with the development of musculoskeletal pathology. The purpose of this study was to further the understanding of turnout by identifying the relationship between available hip external rotation an functional turnout for the five classical ballet positions. Subjects were 20 female ballet dancers between the ages of 11 and 14. The investigators measured hip external rotation as the sum of passive external rotation available at both hips of each subject. Functional turnout angle was measured for each subject as the subject stood in each of the five classical ballet positions. A repeated measures analysis of variance and Tukey Honestly Significant Difference test indicated that hip external rotation was significantly less than functional turnout for the five classical ballet positions. No significant differences in functional turnout angle were present among the five ballet functional turnout angle for each of the five ballet positions. Hip external rotation should not be used to predict functional turnout for the five classical ballet positions. Turnout in first position may be useful as guide for functional turnout for the crossed foot positions: third, fourth, and fifth.

Case study: audio feedforward treatment of selective mutism.

Selective mutism is a relatively rare and difficult-to-treat disorder. Audio feedforward is a potential intervention that involves having the individual with selective mutism listen to audiotapes edited to depict him or her speaking in situations in which he or she is not currently speaking. The successful use of this intervention for three children with selective mutism is reported. The intervention was used in both school and community settings. This intervention has not always proved successful, sometimes because children refused to make the audiotapes.

Ammonia assimilation by Aspergillus nidulans: [15N]ammonia study.

15N kinetic labelling studies were done on liquid cultures of wild-type Aspergillus nidulans. The labelling pattern of major amino acids under 'steady state' conditions suggests that glutamate and glutamine-amide are the early products of ammonia assimilation in A. nidulans. In the presence of phosphinothricin, an inhibitor or glutamine synthetase, 15N labelling of glutamate, alanine and aspartate was maintained whereas the labelling of glutamine was low. This pattern of labelling is consistent with ammonia assimilation into glutamate via the glutamate dehydrogenase pathway. In the presence of azaserine, an inhibitor of glutamate synthase, glutamate was initially more highly labelled than any other amino acid, whereas its concentration declined. Isotope also accumulated in glutamine. Observations with these two inhibitors suggest that ammonia assimilation can occur concurrently via the glutamine synthetase/glutamate synthase and the glutamate dehydrogenase pathways in low-ammonia-grown A. nidulans. From a simple model it was estimated that about half of the glutamate was synthesized via the glutamate dehydrogenase pathway; the other half was formed from glutamine via the glutamate synthase pathway. The transfer coefficients of nine other amino acids were also determined.

Effect of dissolved inorganic carbon on oxygen evolution and uptake by Chlamydomonas reinhardtii suspensions adapted to ambient and CO2-enriched air.

Mass spectrometric measurements of (16)O2 and (18)O2 isotopes were used to compare the rates of gross O2 evolution (E0), O2 uptake (U0) and net O2 evolution (NET) in relation to different concentrations of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) by Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cells grown in air (air-grown), in air enriched with 5% CO2 (CO2-grown) and by cells grown in 5% CO2 and then adapted to air for 6h (air-adapted).At a photon fluence rate (PFR) saturating for photosynthesis (700 µmol photons m(-2) s(-1)), pH=7.0 and 28°C, U0 equalled E0 at the DIC compensation point which was 10µM DIC for CO2-grown and zero for air-grown cells. Both E0 and U0 were strongly dependent on DIC and reached DIC saturation at 480 µM and 70 µM for CO2-grown and air-grown algae respectively. U0 increased from DIC compensation to DIC saturation. The U0 values were about 40 (CO2-grown), 165 (air-adapted) and 60 µmol O2 mg Chl(-1) h(-1) (air-grown). Above DIC compensation the U0/E0 ratios of air-adapted and air-grown algae were always higher than those of CO2-grown cells. These differences in O2 exchange between CO2- and air-grown algae seem to be inducable since air-adapted algae respond similarly to air-grown cells.For all algae, the rates of dark respiratory O2 uptake measured 5 min after darkening were considerably lower than the rates of O2 uptake just before darkening. The contribution of dark respiration, photorespiration and the Mehler reaction to U0 is discussed and the energy requirement of the inducable CO2/HCO3 (-) concentrating mechanism present in air-adapted and air-grown C. reinhardtii cells is considered.

Effect of Photon Fluence Rate on Oxygen Evolution and Uptake by Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Suspensions Grown in Ambient and CO(2)-Enriched Air.

A closed system consisting of an assimilation chamber furnished with a membrane inlet from the liquid phase connected to a mass spectrometer was used to measure O(2) evolution and uptake by Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cells grown in ambient (0.034% CO(2)) or CO(2)-enriched (5% CO(2)) air. At pH = 6.9, 28 degrees C and concentrations of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) saturating for photosynthesis, O(2) uptake in the light (U(o)) equaled O(2) production (E(o)) at the light compensation point (15 micromoles photons per square meter per second). E(o) and U(o) increased with increasing photon fluence rate (PFR) but were not rate saturated at 600 micromoles photons per square meter per second, while net O(2) exchange reached a saturation level near 500 micromoles photons per square meter per second which was nearly the same for both, CO(2)-grown and air-grown cells. Comparison of the U(o)/E(o) ratios between air-grown and CO(2)-grown C. reinhardtii showed higher values for air-grown cells at light intensities higher than light compensation. For both, air-grown and CO(2)-grown algae the rates of mitochondrial O(2) uptake in the dark measured immediately before and 5 minutes after illumination were much lower than U(o) at PFR saturating for net photosynthesis. We conclude that noncyclic electron flow from water to NADP(+) and pseudocyclic electron flow via photosystem I to O(2) both significantly contribute to O(2) exchange in the light. In contrast, mitochondrial respiration and photosynthetic carbon oxidation cycle are regarded as minor O(2) consuming reactions in the light in both, air-grown and CO(2)-grown cells. It is suggested that the "extra" O(2) uptake by air-grown algae provides ATP required for the energy dependent CO(2)/HCO(3) (-) concentrating mechanism known to be present in these cells.

Effect of carbon dioxide and temperature on photosynthetic CO2 uptake and photorespiratory CO 2 evolution in sunflower leaves.

Using an open gas-exchange system, apparent photosynthesis, true photosynthesis (TPS), photorespiration (PR) and dark respiration of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) leaves were determined at three temperatures and between 50 and 400 µl/l external CO2. The ratio of PR/TPS and the solubility ratio of O2/CO2 in the intercellular spaces both decreased with increasing CO2. The rate of PR was not affected by the CO2 concentration in the leaves and was independent of the solubility ratio of oxygen and CO2 in the leaf cell. At photosynthesis-limiting concentrations of CO2, the ratio of PR/TPS significantly increased from 18 to 30°C and the rate of PR increased from 4.3 mg CO2 dm(-2) h(-1) at 18°C to 8.6 mg CO2 dm(-2) h(-1) at 30°C. The specific activity of photorespired CO2 was CO2-dependent but temperature-independent, and the carbon traversing the glycolate pathway appeared to be derived both from recently fixed assimilate and from older reserve materials. It is concluded that PR as a percentage of TPS is affected by the concentrations of O2 and CO2 around the photosynthesizing cells, but the rate of PR may also be controlled by other factors.