scholarly journals Changes in Sodium, Calcium, and Magnesium Ion Concentrations That Inhibit Geobacillus Biofilms Have No Effect on Anoxybacillus flavithermus Biofilms

2015 ◽  
Vol 81 (15) ◽  
pp. 5115-5122 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Somerton ◽  
D. Lindsay ◽  
J. Palmer ◽  
J. Brooks ◽  
S. Flint
Keyword(s):  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Magnesium Ion ◽  
Content Type ◽  
High Sodium ◽  
Ion Concentrations ◽  
Sodium Calcium ◽  
Viable Cells ◽  
Anoxybacillus Flavithermus ◽  
Calcium And Magnesium ◽  
The Difference

ABSTRACTThis study investigated the effects of varied sodium, calcium, and magnesium concentrations in specialty milk formulations on biofilm formation byGeobacillusspp. andAnoxybacillus flavithermus. The numbers of attached viable cells (log CFU per square centimeter) after 6 to 18 h of biofilm formation by three dairy-derived strains ofGeobacillusand three dairy-derived strains ofA. flavithermuswere compared in two commercial milk formulations. Milk formulation B had relatively high sodium and low calcium and magnesium concentrations compared with those of milk formulation A, but the two formulations had comparable fat, protein, and lactose concentrations. Biofilm formation by the threeGeobacillusisolates was up to 4 log CFU cm−2lower in milk formulation B than in milk formulation A after 6 to 18 h, and the difference was often significant (P≤ 0.05). However, no significant differences (P≤ 0.05) were found when biofilm formations by the threeA. flavithermusisolates were compared in milk formulations A and B. Supplementation of milk formulation A with 100 mM NaCl significantly decreased (P≤ 0.05)Geobacillusbiofilm formation after 6 to 10 h. Furthermore, supplementation of milk formulation B with 2 mM CaCl2or 2 mM MgCl2significantly increased (P≤ 0.05)Geobacillusbiofilm formation after 10 to 18 h. It was concluded that relatively high free Na+and low free Ca2+and Mg2+concentrations in milk formulations are collectively required to inhibit biofilm formation byGeobacillusspp., whereas biofilm formation byA. flavithermusis not impacted by typical cation concentration differences of milk formulations.

STUDY OF SOME FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE DISTRIBUTION OF NUCLEAR VOLUMES IN PREPARATIONS OF RAT LIVER NUCLEI

1967 ◽  
Vol 45 (7) ◽  
pp. 1175-1183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Umaña
Keyword(s):  
Rat Liver ◽  
Dna Content ◽  
Direct Relationship ◽  
Magnesium Ion ◽  
Homogenization Procedure ◽  
Ion Concentrations ◽  
Ph Values ◽  
Sucrose Solutions ◽  
Liver Nuclei ◽  
Calcium And Magnesium

The effect of the homogenization procedure, the centrifugation scheme, and the composition of the suspension medium on the distribution of nuclear volumes has been studied.It has been shown that the Waring Blendor not only destroys a greater number of the nuclei during homogenization, but also that this destruction is a selective one. At neutral pH values, no direct relationship appears to exist between the DNA content of the nuclei and their density. For this reason, purification in concentrated sucrose solutions produces a selective loss of the lighter nuclei, which includes small diploid stromal nuclei and some of the larger polyploid type of parenchymal nuclei.The study of the effect of increasing the calcium and magnesium ion concentrations (from 0.001 to 0.005 M) on the nuclear distribution showed that these ions produce a selective shrinkage and condensation of the nuclei, probably through different mechanisms.

Ratiometric Optical PEBBLE Nanosensors for Real-Time Magnesium Ion Concentrations Inside Viable Cells

2003 ◽  
Vol 75 (15) ◽  
pp. 3784-3791 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edwin J. Park ◽  
Murphy Brasuel ◽  
Caleb Behrend ◽  
Martin A. Philbert ◽  
Raoul Kopelman
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Magnesium Ion ◽  
Ion Concentrations ◽  
Viable Cells

scholarly journals Expression of an Extracellular Protein (SMU.63) Is Regulated by SprV in Streptococcus mutans

2020 ◽  
Vol 86 (24) ◽  
Author(s):  
Satya Deo Pandey ◽  
Indranil Biswas
Keyword(s):  
Streptococcus Mutans ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Ion Concentration ◽  
Magnesium Ion ◽  
Genetic Competence ◽  
Ionization Time ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Flight Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Tolerance Response ◽  
Pleiotropic Regulator

ABSTRACT In Streptococcus mutans, SprV (SMU.2137) is a pleiotropic regulator that differentially regulates genes related to competence, mutacin production, biofilm formation, and the stress tolerance response, along with some other pathways. In this study, we established a link between SprV and an ∼67-kDa protein in the culture supernatant of strain UA159 that was later confirmed as SMU.63 by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) analysis. We discovered that SprV downregulates the transcription and translation of SMU.63. We found that the seven amino acids from the C-terminal region of SprV were also crucial for the expression of SMU.63. Deletion of smu.63 led to increased sucrose-independent biofilm formation and competence. The sprV deletion also increased biofilm formation although this could be partially attributed to the downregulation of smu.63. In an smu.63 sprV double mutant, a synergistic effect was observed in biofilm formation in contrast to effects on competence development. We found that low or excess magnesium ion repressed sprV transcription that, in turn, affected the expression of smu.63. As expected, a magnesium ion-dependent effect of competence and biofilm formation was observed in the UA159 strain. We also replicated the results of SMU.63 expression and competence in S. mutans GS5 that encodes both SprV and SMU.63 homologs and found that the GS5 strain behaves similarly to the UA159 strain, indicating that SprV’s effect is strain independent. IMPORTANCE We previously identified a pleiotropic regulator, SprV, in Streptococcus mutans. This regulator appears to be highly conserved among streptococci. Here, we showed that SprV regulates the expression of a secreted protein encoded by SMU.63 in S. mutans. SMU.63 has been known to impact biofilm formation and genetic competence, two important characteristics that help in colonization of the organism. SMU.63 is also unique since it is known to form amyloid fiber. We found that SprV regulates the expression of SMU.63 at both the transcriptional and translational levels. We also found that the expression of SprV is regulated by magnesium ion concentration. Interestingly, both low and high magnesium ion concentrations affected biofilm formation and genetic competence. Since SMU.63 is also highly conserved among streptococci, we hypothesized that SprV will have a similar effect on its expression.

scholarly journals Preconditioning with Cations Increases the Attachment of Anoxybacillus flavithermus and Geobacillus Species to Stainless Steel

2013 ◽  
Vol 79 (13) ◽  
pp. 4186-4190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben Somerton ◽  
Steve Flint ◽  
Jon Palmer ◽  
John Brooks ◽  
Denise Lindsay
Keyword(s):  
Stainless Steel ◽  
Milk Powder ◽  
Steel Product ◽  
Physiological Factors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Manufacturing Plants ◽  
Viable Cells ◽  
Anoxybacillus Flavithermus ◽  
Contact Surfaces ◽  
Powder Manufacturing

ABSTRACTPreconditioning ofAnoxybacillus flavithermusE16 andGeobacillussp. strain F75 with cations prior to attachment often significantly increased (P≤ 0.05) the number of viable cells that attached to stainless steel (by up to 1.5 log CFU/cm2) compared with unconditioned bacteria. It is proposed that the transition ofA. flavithermusandGeobacillusspp. from milk formulations to stainless steel product contact surfaces in milk powder manufacturing plants is mediated predominantly by bacterial physiological factors (e.g., surface-exposed adhesins) rather than the concentrations of cations in milk formulations surrounding bacteria.

Blood Changes in Calcium and Magnesium Ion Concentrations after Whole-Body X-Irradiation

1970 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 560 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Ababei ◽  
C. Haler ◽  
M. Trandafirescu ◽  
D. Cernătescu ◽  
M. Ionescu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Whole Body ◽  
Magnesium Ion ◽  
Ion Concentrations ◽  
X Irradiation ◽  
Calcium And Magnesium

What makes the difference? Employee social media brand engagement

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (7) ◽  
pp. 1459-1467 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sherese Y. Duncan ◽  
Raeesah Chohan ◽  
João José Ferreira
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Brand Equity ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Word Use ◽  
Brand Engagement ◽  
Analytical Thinking ◽  
Industry Competition ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Business To Business

Purpose This paper aims to explore, using the employee lens of business-to-business firms, word use through brand engagement and social media interaction to understand the difference between employees who rate their employer brands highly on social media and those who don't. Design/methodology/approach We conducted a textual content analysis of posts published on the social media job evaluation site glassdoor.com. LIWC software package was used to analyze 30 of the top 200 business-to-business brands listed on Brandwatch using four variables, namely, analytical thinking, clout, authenticity and emotional tone. Findings The results show that employees who rate their employer’s brand low use significantly more words, are significantly less analytic and write with significantly more clout because they focus more on others than themselves. Employees who rate their employer’s brand highly, write with significantly more authenticity, exhibit a significantly higher tone and display far more positive emotions in their reviews. Practical implications Brand managers should treat social media data disseminated by individual stakeholders, like the variables used in this study (tone, word count, frequency), as a valuable tool for brand insight on their industry, competition and their own brand equity, now and especially over time. Originality/value This study provides acknowledgement that social media is a significant source of marketing intelligence that may improve brand equity by better understanding and managing brand engagement.

scholarly journals In VitroAnalyses of the Effects of Heparin and Parabens on Candida albicans Biofilms and Planktonic Cells

2011 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 148-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marisa H. Miceli ◽  
Stella M. Bernardo ◽  
T. S. Neil Ku ◽  
Carla Walraven ◽  
Samuel A. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Metabolic Activity ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Planktonic Cells ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Heparin Sodium ◽  
The Individual

ABSTRACTInfections and thromboses are the most common complications associated with central venous catheters. Suggested strategies for prevention and management of these complications include the use of heparin-coated catheters, heparin locks, and antimicrobial lock therapy. However, the effects of heparin onCandida albicansbiofilms and planktonic cells have not been previously studied. Therefore, we sought to determine thein vitroeffect of a heparin sodium preparation (HP) on biofilms and planktonic cells ofC. albicans. Because HP contains two preservatives, methyl paraben (MP) and propyl paraben (PP), these compounds and heparin sodium without preservatives (Pure-H) were also tested individually. The metabolic activity of the mature biofilm after treatment was assessed using XTT [2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide] reduction and microscopy. Pure-H, MP, and PP caused up to 75, 85, and 60% reductions of metabolic activity of the mature preformedC. albicansbiofilms, respectively. Maximal efficacy against the mature biofilm was observed with HP (up to 90%) compared to the individual compounds (P< 0.0001). Pure-H, MP, and PP each inhibitedC. albicansbiofilm formation up to 90%. A complete inhibition of biofilm formation was observed with HP at 5,000 U/ml and higher. When tested against planktonic cells, each compound inhibited growth in a dose-dependent manner. These data indicated that HP, MP, PP, and Pure-H havein vitroantifungal activity againstC. albicansmature biofilms, formation of biofilms, and planktonic cells. Investigation of high-dose heparin-based strategies (e.g., heparin locks) in combination with traditional antifungal agents for the treatment and/or prevention ofC. albicansbiofilms is warranted.

Disposition effect at the market level: evidence from Indian stock market

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-82
Author(s):  
Sravani Bharandev ◽  
Sapar Narayan Rao
Keyword(s):  
Trading Volume ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Reference Points ◽  
Disposition Effect ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ex Post ◽  
Abnormal Trading Volume ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Trading Volumes ◽  
Indian Stock Market

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to test the disposition effect at market level and propose an appropriate reference point for testing disposition at market level. Design/methodology/approach This is an empirical study conducted on 500 index stocks of NSE500 (National Stock Exchange). Winning and losing days for each stock are calculated using 52-week high and low prices as reference points. To test disposition effect, abnormal trading volumes of stocks are regressed on their percentage of winning (losing) days. Further using ANOVA, the difference between mean of percentage of winning (losing) days of high abnormal trading volume deciles and low abnormal trading volume deciles is tested. Findings Results show that a stock’s abnormal trading volume is positively influenced by the percentage of winning days whereas percentage of losing days show no such effect. Findings are consistent even after controlling for volatility and liquidity. ANOVA results show the presence of high percentage of winning days in higher deciles of abnormal trading volumes and no such pattern in case of losing days confirms the presence of disposition effect. Further an ex post analysis indicates that disposition prone investors accumulate losses. Originality/value This is the first study, which proposes the use of 52-week high and low prices as reference points to test the market-level disposition effect. Findings of this study enhance the limited literature available on disposition effect in emerging markets by providing evidence from Indian stock markets.

Workspace, dexterity and dimensional optimization of microhexapod

2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 341-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Rouhani ◽  
M. J. Nategh
Keyword(s):  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Optimization Problem ◽  
Screw Theory ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Dimensional Synthesis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Workspace Analysis ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Flexure Joints ◽  
6 Degrees Of Freedom

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study the workspace and dexterity of a microhexapod which is a 6-degrees of freedom (DOF) parallel compliant manipulator, and also to investigate its dimensional synthesis to maximize the workspace and the global dexterity index at the same time. Microassembly is so essential in the current industry for manufacturing complicated structures. Most of the micromanipulators suffer from their restricted workspace because of using flexure joints compared to the conventional ones. In addition, the controllability of micromanipulators inside the whole workspace is very vital. Thus, it is very important to select the design parameters in a way that not only maximize the workspace but also its global dexterity index. Design/methodology/approach – Microassembly is so essential in the current industry for manufacturing complicated structures. Most of the micromanipulators suffer from their restricted workspace because of using flexure joints compared to the conventional ones. In addition, the controllability of micromanipulators inside the whole workspace is very vital. Thus, it is very important to select the design parameters in a way that not only maximize the workspace but also its global dexterity index. Findings – It has been shown that the proposed procedure for the workspace calculation can considerably speed the required calculations. The optimization results show that a converged-diverged configuration of pods and an increase in the difference between the moving and the stationary platforms’ radii cause the global dexterity index to increase and the workspace to decrease. Originality/value – The proposed algorithm for the workspace analysis is very important, especially when it is an objective function of an optimization problem based on the search method. In addition, using screw theory can simply construct the homogeneous Jacobian matrix. The proposed methodology can be used for any other micromanipulator.

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