Global homogenization of the structure and function in the soil microbiome of urban greenspaces

The structure and function of the soil microbiome of urban greenspaces remain largely undetermined. We conducted a global field survey in urban greenspaces and neighboring natural ecosystems across 56 cities from six continents, and found that urban soils are important hotspots for soil bacterial, protist and functional gene diversity, but support highly homogenized microbial communities worldwide. Urban greenspaces had a greater proportion of fast-growing bacteria, algae, amoebae, and fungal pathogens, but a lower proportion of ectomycorrhizal fungi than natural ecosystems. These urban ecosystems also showed higher proportions of genes associated with human pathogens, greenhouse gas emissions, faster nutrient cycling, and more intense abiotic stress than natural environments. City affluence, management practices, and climate were fundamental drivers of urban soil communities. Our work paves the way toward a more comprehensive global-scale perspective on urban greenspaces, which is integral to managing the health of these ecosystems and the well-being of human populations.

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Contribution of Crk Adaptor Proteins to Host Cell and Bacteria Interactions

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2014/372901 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-13 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Narcisa Martinez-Quiles ◽

Leigh Ann Feuerbacher ◽

María Benito-León ◽

Philip R. Hardwidge

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Cell Adhesion ◽

Host Cell ◽

Adaptor Proteins ◽

Structure And Function ◽

Future Research ◽

Human Pathogens ◽

Wide Range ◽

Alternatively Spliced ◽

And Function

The Crk adaptor family of proteins comprises the alternatively spliced CrkI and CrkII isoforms, as well as the paralog Crk-like (CrkL) protein, which is encoded by a different gene. Initially thought to be involved in signaling during apoptosis and cell adhesion, this ubiquitously expressed family of proteins is now known to play essential roles in integrating signals from a wide range of stimuli. In this review, we describe the structure and function of the different Crk proteins. We then focus on the emerging roles of Crk adaptors during Enterobacteriaceae pathogenesis, with special emphasis on the important human pathogensSalmonella,Shigella,Yersinia, and enteropathogenicEscherichia coli. Throughout, we remark on opportunities for future research into this intriguing family of proteins.

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Beyond sex differences: new approaches for thinking about variation in brain structure and function

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rstb.2015.0451 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 371 (1688) ◽

pp. 20150451 ◽

Cited By ~ 49

Author(s):

Daphna Joel ◽

Anne Fausto-Sterling

Keyword(s):

Sex Differences ◽

Brain Structure ◽

Well Being ◽

Structure And Function ◽

Laboratory Animals ◽

Sex And Gender ◽

Sex Effects ◽

Brain Structure And Function ◽

And Function ◽

The Brain

In the study of variation in brain structure and function that might relate to sex and gender, language matters because it frames our research questions and methods. In this article, we offer an approach to thinking about variation in brain structure and function that pulls us outside the sex differences formulation. We argue that the existence of differences between the brains of males and females does not unravel the relations between sex and the brain nor is it sufficient to characterize a population of brains. Such characterization is necessary for studying sex effects on the brain as well as for studying brain structure and function in general. Animal studies show that sex interacts with environmental, developmental and genetic factors to affect the brain. Studies of humans further suggest that human brains are better described as belonging to a single heterogeneous population rather than two distinct populations. We discuss the implications of these observations for studies of brain and behaviour in humans and in laboratory animals. We believe that studying sex effects in context and developing or adopting analytical methods that take into account the heterogeneity of the brain are crucial for the advancement of human health and well-being.

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Sociology

Urban Health ◽

10.1093/oso/9780190915858.003.0020 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 188-197

Author(s):

Lei Jin ◽

Chenyu Ye ◽

Eric Fong

Keyword(s):

Urban Health ◽

Critical Role ◽

Well Being ◽

Ethnic Relations ◽

Structure And Function ◽

Urban Environments ◽

Racial And Ethnic Relations ◽

And Function ◽

Development Structure ◽

Health And Well Being

Sociology is perhaps best seen classically as the study of the development, structure, and function of human societies, and sociologists have long been interested in urbanization and the ways in which urban living influences people’s health and well-being. These interests intersect with other core sociological concerns, such as socioeconomic inequality, racial and ethnic relations, migration, social cohesion, and social control to inform unique sociological perspectives on urban health. Urban environments, bringing together heterogeneous populations in dynamic, rapidly evolving settings, are natural laboratories for understanding human societies, thus suggesting a critical role for sociological perspectives in the study of urban health. This chapter introduces a sociological lens to the study of urban health, offering how sociology can advance our understanding of the health of urban populations.

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The Structure and Function of Social Networks of Mothers of Young Children With Disabilities

Topics in Early Childhood Special Education ◽

10.1177/0271121418767306 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 39 (4) ◽

pp. 250-259 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Janice E. Kilburn ◽

Cheri J. Shapiro

Keyword(s):

Social Networks ◽

Early Intervention ◽

Young Children ◽

Children With Disabilities ◽

Well Being ◽

Structure And Function ◽

Older Children ◽

Early Intervention Services ◽

Education Act ◽

And Function

The current exploratory study examines the structure and function of social support for mothers of very young children (under 24 months) with a range of disabilities who are receiving Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C early intervention services. The psychological well-being and social networks of 88 mothers in one state were assessed. Associations between network characteristics and maternal stress were found for the total network, along with a connection between lowered depression and concrete support from the spouse/partner and lowered stress and emotional support from professional helpers. This study mirrors some findings of similar studies of mothers with older children with disabilities but uniquely found spouse/partner support to be prominent. Implications for both research and early intervention practitioners are considered.

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Long-Term Results of Surgically Treated Radial Polydactyly – An Outcome Correlation Study

The Journal of Hand Surgery (Asian-Pacific Volume) ◽

10.1142/s2424835519500322 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 24 (03) ◽

pp. 264-269

Author(s):

Ching Man Yeung ◽

Alexander Kai Yiu Choi ◽

Jennifer Wing Sze Tong ◽

Winnie Fok ◽

Yat Fai Chan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Surgical Treatment ◽

Well Being ◽

Structure And Function ◽

Long Term Results ◽

Activity Restriction ◽

Patient Reported ◽

And Function

Background: Thumb polydactyly is one of the commonest congenital hand differences. Traditional surgeon-based outcome scores capture outcomes mainly on bodily structure and function. Outcomes on the long-term well-being of the patients in the domains of activity and participation are not fully studied. Methods: Forty-eight thumbs in forty-five Chinese patients with radial polydactyly underwent surgical treatment at or before 3 years old were recruited. Mean follow-up was 11.6 years. Surgical outcomes were collected and compared to the normal opposite thumb. The results were compiled into the Japanese Society for Surgery of the Hand (JSSH) score, Cheng score and Tada score. Patients’ activity involving hands were assessed by both objective tools and patient-reported outcome measure while their health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was assessed by Patient- and Parent-reported Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL). Correlations between outcomes were analysed. Results: Overall, both parents and patients themselves reported good quality of life with mean score of 86.6% and 92.1% respectively in PedsQL. The combined surgical scores ranged from 52% good or excellent results using JSSH score to 100% good result using Cheng score. None of the outcomes on bodily structure and function showed positive correlation with patient’s well-being. Negative correlation was noted in total passive range of movement, active movement and Cheng score. All patients reported no activity restriction. Writing test did not show significant slowing. The operated hands had significantly poorer fine motor dexterity than normal. No significant correlation is noted between activity outcomes and PedsQL. Conclusions: Outcomes on bodily structure, function and activity showed little correlation with patients’ well-being after thumb polydactyly correction. It should be careful in using or analysing patient/parent-reported outcome measures on HRQoL as outcome assessment of surgical treatment of radial polydactyly.

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Insights into the soil microbiome and prospects for its manipulation for improved pasture resilience

NZGA: Research and Practice Series ◽

10.33584/rps.17.2021.3475 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 ◽

Author(s):

Maureen O'Callaghan ◽

Shengjing Shi ◽

Sean Marshall ◽

Nicole Schon ◽

Bryony Dignam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nutrient Cycling ◽

Structure And Function ◽

Molecular Techniques ◽

Disease Suppression ◽

Soil Microbiome ◽

Soil Functions ◽

Plant Pest ◽

And Function ◽

Improved Pasture

• The soil microbiome refers to the diverse collection of microorganisms present in soil, many of which can mediate essential soil functions such as nutrient cycling and plant pest and disease suppression. • There is growing international interest in the potential to manipulate the soil microbiome to deliver improved agricultural and environmental outcomes. • Molecular techniques are rapidly increasing understanding of the soil microbiome structure and function but manipulating soil microbiomes for pasture resilience still presents significant science challenges.

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Intein Inhibitors as Novel Antimicrobials: Protein Splicing in Human Pathogens, Screening Methods, and Off-Target Considerations

Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences ◽

10.3389/fmolb.2021.752824 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Diana A. Wall ◽

Seanan P. Tarrant ◽

Chunyu Wang ◽

Kenneth V. Mills ◽

Christopher W. Lennon

Keyword(s):

Hedgehog Signaling ◽

Structure And Function ◽

Screening Methods ◽

Protein Splicing ◽

Proof Of Concept ◽

Human Pathogens ◽

Microbial World ◽

Essential Proteins ◽

And Function ◽

Translational Process

Protein splicing is a post-translational process by which an intervening polypeptide, or intein, catalyzes its own removal from the flanking polypeptides, or exteins, concomitant with extein ligation. Although inteins are highly abundant in the microbial world, including within several human pathogens, they are absent in the genomes of metazoans. As protein splicing is required to permit function of essential proteins within pathogens, inteins represent attractive antimicrobial targets. Here we review key proteins interrupted by inteins in pathogenic mycobacteria and fungi, exciting discoveries that provide proof of concept that intein activity can be inhibited and that this inhibition has an effect on the host organism’s fitness, and bioanalytical methods that have been used to screen for intein activity. We also consider potential off-target inhibition of hedgehog signaling, given the similarity in structure and function of inteins and hedgehog autoprocessing domains.

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The Mental Health Act Commission

Psychiatric Bulletin ◽

10.1192/pb.18.6.328 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 18 (6) ◽

pp. 328-332 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Christopher Curran ◽

William Bingley

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Well Being ◽

Structure And Function ◽

Mental Health Act ◽

And Function ◽

Development Structure

The aim of this article is to promote a clearer understanding of the Mental Health Commission's development, structure and function. Over recent years, mental health professionals and patients have become more aware of the organisation and its work, although some may remain uncertain about its function and how it fits into the overall care of detained patients. The Commission's fundamental job is to safeguard the well-being and interests of patients detained under the Act. Its remit does not extend to informal patients. Unless otherwise indicated, all statutory references are to the 1983 Mental Health Act.

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From SARS to MERS, Thrusting Coronaviruses into the Spotlight

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v11010059 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 59 ◽

Cited By ~ 345

Author(s):

Zhiqi Song ◽

Yanfeng Xu ◽

Linlin Bao ◽

Ling Zhang ◽

Pin Yu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Animal Models ◽

Potential Role ◽

Mortality Rates ◽

Structure And Function ◽

Human Populations ◽

Respiratory Pathogens ◽

Species Barrier ◽

International Borders ◽

And Function

Coronaviruses (CoVs) have formerly been regarded as relatively harmless respiratory pathogens to humans. However, two outbreaks of severe respiratory tract infection, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), as a result of zoonotic CoVs crossing the species barrier, caused high pathogenicity and mortality rates in human populations. This brought CoVs global attention and highlighted the importance of controlling infectious pathogens at international borders. In this review, we focus on our current understanding of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment of SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, as well as provides details on the pivotal structure and function of the spike proteins (S proteins) on the surface of each of these viruses. For building up more suitable animal models, we compare the current animal models recapitulating pathogenesis and summarize the potential role of host receptors contributing to diverse host affinity in various species. We outline the research still needed to fully elucidate the pathogenic mechanism of these viruses, to construct reproducible animal models, and ultimately develop countermeasures to conquer not only SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, but also these emerging coronaviral diseases.

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Mammalia, Lagomorpha, Leporidae, Oryctolagus cuniculus Linneaus, 1758: new record and its potential dispersal corridors for northern Mendoza, Argentina

Check List ◽

10.15560/7.4.565 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 565 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Maria Fernanda Cuevas ◽

Veronica Chillo ◽

Ariadna Marchetta ◽

Ricardo A. Ojeda

Keyword(s):

Exotic Species ◽

New Record ◽

Oryctolagus Cuniculus ◽

Structure And Function ◽

European Rabbit ◽

Natural Ecosystems ◽

Natural Reserve ◽

Dispersal Corridors ◽

Surrounding Areas ◽

And Function

The introduction of exotic species can cause important changes in the structure and function of natural ecosystems. This note reports the introduction of the European rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus, into Villavicencio Natural Reserve in Mendoza, Argentina. Individuals were introduced from a breeding facility within the reserve. This study assessed the possible establishment of the species as well as its potential dispersal corridors. Our findings suggest that the rabbit could be using the riverbeds as dispersal corridors. We consider that O. cuniculus is in the establishment stage and can become a potential invader of new environments in the reserve and surrounding areas.

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