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Thomas A, Seaton F, Dhiedt E, Cosby BJ, Feeney C, Lebron I, Maskell L, Wood C, Reinsch S, Emmett BA, Robinson DA. Topsoil porosity prediction across habitats at large scales using environmental variables. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 922:171158. [PMID: 38387558 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Soil porosity and its reciprocal bulk density are important environmental state variables that enable modelers to represent hydraulic function and carbon storage. Biotic effects and their 'dynamic' influence on such state variables remain largely unknown for larger scales and may result in important, yet poorly quantified environmental feedbacks. Existing representation of hydraulic function is often invariant to environmental change and may be poor in some systems, particularly non-arable soils. Here we assess predictors of total porosity across two comprehensive national topsoil (0-15 cm) data sets, covering the full range of soil organic matter (SOM) and habitats (n = 1385 & n = 2570), using generalized additive mixed models and machine learning. Novel aspects of this work include the testing of metrics on aggregate size and livestock density alongside a range of different particle size distribution metrics. We demonstrate that porosity trends in Great Britain are dominated by biotic metrics, soil carbon and land use. Incorporating these variables into porosity prediction improves performance, paving the way for new dynamic calculation of porosity using surrogate measures with remote sensing, which may help improve prediction in data sparse regions of the world. Moreover, dynamic calculation of porosity could support representation of feedbacks in environmental and Earth System Models. Representing the hydrological feedbacks from changes in structural porosity also requires data and models at appropriate spatial scales to capture conditions leading to near-saturated soil conditions. Classification. Environmental Sciences.
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Robinson DA, Thomas A, Reinsch S, Lebron I, Feeney CJ, Maskell LC, Wood CM, Seaton FM, Emmett BA, Cosby BJ. Analytical modelling of soil porosity and bulk density across the soil organic matter and land-use continuum. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7085. [PMID: 35490195 PMCID: PMC9056517 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11099-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The thin layer of soil at the earth's surface supports life, storing water and nutrients for plant uptake. These processes occur in the soil pore space, often half the soil volume, but our understanding of how this volume responds to environmental change is poor. Convention, has been to predict soil porosity, or its reciprocal bulk density (BD), from soil texture using pedotransfer functions (PTFs). A texture based approach, invariant to environmental change, prevents feedback from land use or climate change to soil porosity. Moreover, PTFs are often limited to mineral soils with < 20% soil organic matter (SOM) content. Here, we develop an analytical model to predict soil porosity, or BD, as a function of SOM. We test it on two comprehensive, methodologically consistent, temperate national-scale topsoil data sets (0-15 cm) (Wales, n = 1385; Great Britain, n = 2570). The purpose of the approach is to generate an analytical function suitable for predicting soil porosity change with SOM content, while providing insight into the main grain-scale factors determining the porosity emergence. The newly developed function covering the entire SOM gradient allows for impacts of land use, management or climate change to feedback on soil porosity or bulk density through decadal dynamic changes in SOM.
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Edwards MA, Robinson DA, Ren H, Cheyne CG, Tan CS, White HS. Nanoscale electrochemical kinetics & dynamics: the challenges and opportunities of single-entity measurements. Faraday Discuss 2019; 210:9-28. [PMID: 30264833 DOI: 10.1039/c8fd00134k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The development of nanoscale electrochemistry since the mid-1980s has been predominately coupled with steady-state voltammetric (i-E) methods. This research has been driven by the desire to understand the mechanisms of very fast electrochemical reactions, by electroanalytical measurements in small volumes and unusual media, including in vivo measurements, and by research on correlating electrocatalytic activity, e.g., O2 reduction reaction, with nanoparticle size and structure. Exploration of the behavior of nanoelectrochemical structures (nanoelectrodes, nanoparticles, nanogap cells, etc.) of a characteristic dimension λ using steady-state i-E methods generally relies on the well-known relationship, λ2 ∼ Dt, which relates diffusional lengths to time, t, through the coefficient, D. Decreasing λ, by performing measurements at a nanometric length scales, results in a decrease in the effective timescale of the measurement, and provides a direct means to probe the kinetics of steps associated with very rapid electrochemical reactions. For instance, steady-state voltammetry using a nanogap twin-electrode cell of characteristic width, λ ∼ 10 nm, allows investigations of events occurring at timescales on the order of ∼100 ns. Among many other advantages, decreasing λ also increases spatial resolution in electrochemical imaging, e.g., in scanning electrochemical microscopy, and allows probing of the electric double layer. This Introductory Lecture traces the evolution and driving forces behind the "λ2 ∼ Dt" steady-state approach to nanoscale electrochemistry, beginning in the late 1950s with the introduction of the rotating ring-disk electrode and twin-electrode thin-layer cells, and evolving to current-day investigations using nanoelectrodes, scanning nanocells for imaging, nanopores, and nanoparticles. The recent focus on so-called "single-entity" electrochemistry, in which individual and very short redox events are probed, is a significant departure from the steady-state approach, but provides new opportunities to probe reaction dynamics. The stochastic nature of very fast single-entity events challenges current electrochemical methods and modern electronics, as illustrated using recent experiments from the authors' laboratory.
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Hanis CL, Garrett KE, Essigmann HT, Robinson DA, Gunter SM, Nyitray AG, Brown EL. Household aggregation of Staphylococcus aureus by clonal complex and methicillin resistance profiles in Starr County, Texas. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2017; 36:1787-1793. [PMID: 28474178 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-017-2992-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 04/17/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most common causes of skin and soft tissue infections in health-care and community settings, but transmission of S. aureus in community-based populations is incompletely understood. S. aureus carriage phenotypes (persistent, intermittent, and non-carriers) were determined for households from Starr County, TX. Nasal swabs were collected from a cohort of 901 residents and screened for the presence of S. aureus. Isolated strains were spa-typed and assigned to clonal complexes. Of the 901 participants there were 134 pairs, 28 trios, 11 quartets, 3 quintets and 1 septet residing in the same household. There was a significant increase in "ever" carriers (persistent and intermittent carriers combined) in these households over that expected based on population frequencies (p = 0.029). There were 42 ever carrier pairs of individuals with 21 concordant for clonal complex type whereas only 4.7 were expected to be so (p = 6.9E-11). These results demonstrated clear aggregation of S. aureus carriage and concordance for strain types within households. As antibiotic-resistant S. aureus strains increase in community settings, it is important to better understand risk factors for colonization, mechanisms of transmission, clonal complexes present, and the role of household concordance/transmission.
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Robinson DA, Duay J, Kondajji AM, Stevenson KJ. Mechanistic aspects of hydrazine-induced Pt colloid instability and monitoring aggregation kinetics with nanoparticle impact electroanalysis. Faraday Discuss 2016; 193:293-312. [DOI: 10.1039/c6fd00121a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Here we investigate the mechanistic aspects of Pt nanoparticle (NP) aggregation in solutions typically used for detecting NP/electrode impacts by electrocatalytic amplification (ECA). We previously proposed a general mechanism for Pt colloid destabilization that involved the participation of both the hydrazine redox probe and the pH buffer species as coagulants. Herein the Pt NP coagulation and aggregation mechanisms were further investigated with microscopic kinetic NP concentration monitoring and zeta potential measurements using nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), as well as open circuit potential experiments with a citrate-treated polycrystalline Pt surface to assess electrical double layer potential. After considering the combined results of these experiments we propose that the colloidal stability of citrate-capped platinum nanoparticles involves much more than the typical physicochemical interactions predicted by DLVO theory. A structure based on intermolecular H-bonding in the citrate capping layer is the most plausible explanation for the exceptional stability of large Pt NPs in high ionic strength buffers. Thus, the mechanism of Pt NP aggregation includes specific reactive contributions from hydrazine. The catalytic decomposition of hydrazine, in particular, is thought to occur to some extent at the citrate-coated Pt surface while the citrate remains adsorbed. Evolved gases such as ammonia and possible surface bound intermediates from Pt-catalyzed decomposition of hydrazine may disrupt the stability of the citrate layer, causing colloidal instability and thus promoting Pt NP coagulation. In the closing section, we demonstrate nanoparticle impact electroanalysis by ECA detection as a method to quantify Pt NP concentration with adequate time resolution for monitoring the kinetics of Pt NP coagulation.
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Joudrey SD, Robinson DA, Kearney MT, Papich MG, da Cunha AF. Plasma concentrations of lidocaine in dogs following lidocaine patch application over an incision compared to intact skin. J Vet Pharmacol Ther 2015; 38:575-80. [DOI: 10.1111/jvp.12224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2014] [Accepted: 02/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Nimmo GR, Steen JA, Monecke S, Ehricht R, Slickers P, Thomas JC, Appleton S, Goering RV, Robinson DA, Coombs GW. ST2249-MRSA-III: a second major recombinant methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus clone causing healthcare infection in the 1970s. Clin Microbiol Infect 2015; 21:444-50. [PMID: 25708549 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2014.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2014] [Revised: 12/04/2014] [Accepted: 12/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Typing of healthcare-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from Australia in the 1970s revealed a novel clone, ST2249-MRSA-III (CC45), present from 1973 to 1979. This clone was present before the Australian epidemic caused by the recombinant clone, ST239-MRSA-III. This study aimed to characterize the genome of ST2249-MRSA-III to establish its relationship to other MRSA clones. DNA microarray analysis was conducted and a draft genome sequence of ST2249 was obtained. The recombinant structure of the ST2249 genome was revealed by comparisons to publicly available ST239 and ST45 genomes. Microarray analysis of genomic DNA of 13 ST2249 isolates showed gross similarities with the ST239 chromosome in a segment around the origin of replication and with ST45 for the remainder of the chromosome. Recombination breakpoints were precisely determined by the changing pattern of nucleotide polymorphisms in the genome sequence of ST2249 isolate SK1585 compared with ST239 and ST45. One breakpoint was identified to the right of oriC, between sites 1014 and 1065 of the gene D484_00045. Another was identified to the left of oriC, between sites 1185 and 1248 of D484_01632. These results indicate that ST2249 inherited approximately 35.3% of its chromosome from an ST239-like parent and 64.7% from an ST45-like parent. ST2249-MRSA-III resulted from a major recombination between parents that resemble ST239 and ST45. Although only limited Australian archival material is available, the oldest extant isolate of ST2249 predates the oldest Australian isolate of ST239 by 3 years. It is therefore plausible that these two recombinant clones were introduced into Australia separately.
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Rowe EC, Emmett BA, Frogbrook ZL, Robinson DA, Hughes S. Nitrogen deposition and climate effects on soil nitrogen availability: influences of habitat type and soil characteristics. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2012; 434:62-70. [PMID: 22245213 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2011.12.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2011] [Revised: 12/02/2011] [Accepted: 12/04/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The amount of plant-available nitrogen (N) in soil is an important indicator of eutrophication of semi-natural habitats, but previous studies have shown contrasting effects of N deposition on mineralisable N in different habitats. The stock of readily mineralisable N (N(rm)) was measured in 665 locations across Britain from a range of intensively and extensively managed habitats, allowing N availability to be studied in relation to soil and vegetation type, and also to variation in climate and in reactive N deposition from the atmosphere. Mineralisable N contents were correlated with deposition in extensively managed habitats but not in intensively managed habitats. The following statements apply only to extensively managed habitats. All habitats showed a similar increase in N(rm) with N deposition. However, soil characteristics affected the relationship, and soil carbon content in particular was a major control on mineralisation. The N(rm) stock increased more with N deposition in organic than in mineral soils. The nitrate proportion of N(rm) also increased with N deposition but, conversely, this increase was greater in mineral than in organic soils. The measurements could be used as indicators of eutrophication, e.g. deposition rates of over 20 kg N ha(-1) y(-1) are associated with nitrate proportions of >41% in a mineral soil (2% carbon), and with N(rm) stocks of over 4.8 kg N ha(-1) in an organic soil (55% carbon). Both N(rm) and nitrate proportion increased with mean annual temperature of the sampling location, despite consistent incubation temperature, suggesting that increasing temperatures are likely to increase the eutrophying effects of N pollution on semi-natural ecosystems.
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Nada AN, Debnath UK, Robinson DA, Jordan C. Treatment of massive rotator-cuff tears with a polyester ligament (Dacron) augmentation: clinical outcome. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 92:1397-402. [PMID: 20884978 DOI: 10.1302/0301-620x.92b10.24299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
We describe the clinical outcome of a technique of surgical augmentation of chronic massive tears of the rotator cuff using a polyester ligament (Dacron) in 21 symptomatic patients (14 men, seven women) with a mean age of 66.5 years (55.0 to 85.0). All patients had MRI and arthroscopic evidence of chronic massive tears. The clinical outcome was assessed using the Constant and Murley and patient satisfaction scores at a mean follow-up of 36 months (30 to 46). The polyester ligament (500 mm × 10 mm) was passed into the joint via the portal of Neviaser, medial to the tear through healthy cuff. The two ends of the ligament holding the cuff were passed through tunnels made in the proximal humerus at the footprint of the insertion of the cuff. The ligament was tied with a triple knot over the humeral cortex. All the patients remained free from pain (p < 0.001) with improvement in function (p < 0.001) and range of movement (p < 0.001). The mean pre-operative and post-operative Constant scores were 46.7 (39.0 to 61.0) and 85.4 (52.0 to 96.0), respectively (p < 0.001). The mean patient satisfaction score was 90%. There were two failures, one due to a ruptured ligament after one year and the other due to deep-seated infection. The MR scan at the final follow-up confirmed intact and thickened bands in 15 of 17 patients. This technique of augmentation gives consistent relief from pain with improved shoulder movement in patients with symptomatic massive tears of the rotator cuff.
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Barr CC, Schultheis LW, Robinson DA. Voluntary, Non-Visual Control of The Human Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex. Acta Otolaryngol 2009. [DOI: 10.3109/00016487609119974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 200] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Robinson DA, Bremner SN, Sethi K, Shah SB, Sirsi SR, Lutz GJ. In vivo expression of myosin essential light chain using plasmid expression vectors in regenerating frog skeletal muscle. Gene Ther 2004; 12:347-57. [PMID: 15538392 DOI: 10.1038/sj.gt.3302411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
It is well established that mutations in specific structural elements of the motor protein myosin are directly linked to debilitating diseases involving malfunctioning striated muscle cells. A potential way to study the relationship between myosin structure and function is to express exogenous myosin in vivo and determine contractile properties of the transgenic muscle cells. However, in vivo expression of functional levels of contractile proteins using transient transgenesis in skeletal muscle has not been demonstrated. Presently, we used in vivo gene transfer to express high levels of full-length myosin light chain (MLC) in skeletal muscle fibers of Rana pipiens. Anterior tibialis (AT) muscles were injected with cardiotoxin to cause degeneration and then injected at various stages of regeneration with plasmid expression vectors encoding full-length MLC1(f). In fibers from the most robustly transfected muscles 3 weeks after plasmid injections, trans-MLC1(f) expression averaged 22-43% of the endogenous MLC1(f). Trans-MLC1(f) expression was the same whether a small epitope tag was placed on the C- or N-terminus and was highly variable along individual fibers. Confocal microscopy of skinned fibers showed correct sarcomeric incorporation of trans-MLC1(f). The expression profile of myosin heavy chain isoforms 21 days after transfection was similar to normal AT muscle. These data demonstrate the feasibility of using in vivo gene transfer to probe the structural basis of contractile protein function in skeletal muscle. Based on these promising results, we discuss how further improvements in the level and consistency of myosin transgene expression may be achieved in future studies, and the therapeutic potential of plasmid gene transfer in regenerating muscle.
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O'Brien FG, Lim TT, Chong FN, Coombs GW, Enright MC, Robinson DA, Monk A, Saïd-Salim B, Kreiswirth BN, Grubb WB. Diversity among community isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Australia. J Clin Microbiol 2004; 42:3185-90. [PMID: 15243080 PMCID: PMC446257 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.42.7.3185-3190.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Community methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CMRSA) strains are being isolated with increasing frequency around the world. In Western Australia CMRSA are endemic in geographically remote communities and have been found to belong to five different contour-clamped homogeneous electric field (CHEF) electrophoretic patterns. Representatives of each of these CHEF patterns have been compared to CMRSA representative of CHEF patterns from other Australian states and New Zealand. With one exception, all of the isolates were nonmultiresistant and were not resistant to many antimicrobial agents other than the beta-lactams. With one exception, which is not believed to be a CMRSA, all of the isolates harbored a beta-lactamase plasmid. Erythromycin resistance was associated with a 2-kb plasmid. One of the beta-lactamase plasmids was found to be able to acquire additional resistance determinants to become a multiple resistance plasmid. There were 10 multilocus sequence types belonging to eight distantly related clonal complexes of S. aureus. One new sequence type was found. Although most of the CMRSA harbored the type IVa SCCmec, a type IV structural variant was found and two new SCCmec types were identified. Protein A gene (spa) typing revealed two new spa types and, with two exceptions, corresponded to multilocus sequence typing. In contrast to other reports on CMRSA, most of the CMRSA strains studied here did not contain the Panton-Valentine leukocidin genes. The results also demonstrate that nonmultiresistant hospital strains such as UK EMRSA-15 may be able to circulate in the community and could be mistaken for CMRSA based on their resistance profiles.
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Rajagopalan S, Robinson DA, Hargest R. An Epigastric Swelling. Med Chir Trans 2004; 97:393-4. [PMID: 15286195 PMCID: PMC1079562 DOI: 10.1177/014107680409700810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Vasilopoulos Y, Cork MJ, Murphy R, Williams HC, Robinson DA, Duff GW, Ward SJ, Tazi-Ahnini R. Genetic association between an AACC insertion in the 3'UTR of the stratum corneum chymotryptic enzyme gene and atopic dermatitis. J Invest Dermatol 2004; 123:62-6. [PMID: 15191543 DOI: 10.1111/j.0022-202x.2004.22708.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Atopic dermatitis is a disease with an impaired skin barrier that affects 15%-20% of children. In the normal epidermis, the stratum corneum chymotryptic enzyme (SCCE) thought to play a central role in desquamation by cleaving proteins of the stratum corneum (e.g., corneodesmosin and plakoglobin). Genetic variations within the SCCE gene could be associated with dysregulation of SCCE activity leading to an abnormal skin barrier. We screened the SCCE gene for variations and performed a case-control study on 103 atopic dermatitis patients and 261 matched controls. 16 synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been identified and a 4 bp (AACC) insertion has been found in the 3'UTR. We performed an association study of the SCCE AACC insertion in the 3'UTR, and found a significant trend between the AACC allele with the two insertions and disease in the overall data set [odds ratio (OR)=2.31; p=0.0007]. The AACC insertion in the SCCE gene may result in a change to SCCE activity within the skin barrier. These findings suggest that SCCE could have an important role in the development of atopic dermatitis.
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Robinson DA, Enright MC. Multilocus sequence typing and the evolution of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Clin Microbiol Infect 2004; 10:92-7. [PMID: 14759234 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2004.00768.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in many countries is increasing and, in hospitals in some areas, more than half of all S. aureus disease isolates are MRSA. MRSA strains are becoming increasingly multiresistant, and have recently developed resistance to vancomycin, used successfully to treat MRSA for more than 30 years. This review summarises recent studies that have elucidated the evolutionary history of MRSA. The first MRSA isolate evolved from a sensitive, epidemic strain prevalent in Europe, and its progeny-the first MRSA clone-quickly spread to other continents. Analyses of epidemic MRSA isolates from hospitals in different countries by molecular methods, including multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and DNA microarray analysis, reveal that MRSA strains have evolved separately within five distinct epidemic, sensitive lineages. However, resistance has been transferred to S. aureus on many more than five occasions, as some lineages have acquired different structural types of the element carrying the methicillin resistance gene. The emergence of MRSA as a community pathogen has been noted in several countries, and MLST and SCCmec typing have been used to demonstrate that community-acquired MRSA strains are typically related only distantly to hospital MRSA strains, and thus represent novel acquisitions of SCCmec.
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Coggins JR, Abell C, Evans LB, Frederickson M, Robinson DA, Roszak AW, Lapthorn AP. Experiences with the shikimate-pathway enzymes as targets for rational drug design. Biochem Soc Trans 2003; 31:548-52. [PMID: 12773154 DOI: 10.1042/bst0310548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The background and current context of work on the shikimate-pathway enzymes as potential targets for anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-parasitic drugs is reviewed. Recent work on the third enzyme of the pathway, dehydroquinase, which occurs in two structurally and mechanistically distinct forms, is used to illustrate the present state of studies into rational drug design.
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Robinson DA, Friedman SP. A method for measuring the solid particle permittivity or electrical conductivity of rocks, sediments, and granular materials. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2003. [DOI: 10.1029/2001jb000691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Larese RJ, Robinson DA, Brassine WF, Canady WJ. HIGH SPEED STIRRING TECHNIQUES IN SOLUBILITY STUDIES: A CRITICAL APPRAISAL AND APPLICATION TO HIPPURIC ACID ESTERS1. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2002. [DOI: 10.1021/j100811a033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Robinson DA, Wei F, Wang GD, Li P, Kim SJ, Vogt SK, Muglia LJ, Zhuo M. Oxytocin mediates stress-induced analgesia in adult mice. J Physiol 2002; 540:593-606. [PMID: 11956346 PMCID: PMC2290243 DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2001.013492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2001] [Accepted: 01/23/2002] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
As a neurohormone and as a neurotransmitter, oxytocin has been implicated in the stress response. Descending oxytocin-containing fibres project to the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, an area important for processing nociceptive inputs. Here we tested the hypothesis that oxytocin plays a role in stress-induced analgesia and modulates spinal sensory transmission. Mice lacking oxytocin exhibited significantly reduced stress-induced antinociception following both cold-swim (10 degrees C, 3 min) and restraint stress (30 min). In contrast, the mice exhibited normal behavioural responses to thermal and mechanical noxious stimuli and morphine-induced antinociception. In wild-type mice, intrathecal injection of the oxytocin antagonist dOVT (200 microM in 5 microl) significantly attenuated antinociception induced by cold-swim. Immunocytochemical staining revealed that, in the mouse, oxytocin-containing neurones in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus are activated by stress. Furthermore, oxytocin-containing fibres were present in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. To test whether descending oxytocin-containing fibres could alter nociceptive transmission, we performed intracellular recordings of dorsal horn neurones in spinal slices from adult mice. Bath application of oxytocin (1 and 10 microM) inhibited excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) evoked by dorsal root stimulation. This effect was reversed by the oxytocin antagonist dOVT (1 microM). Whole-cell recordings of dorsal horn neurones in postnatal rat slices revealed that the effect of oxytocin could be blocked by the addition of GTP-gamma-S to the recording pipette, suggesting activation of postsynaptic oxytocin receptors. We conclude that oxytocin is important for both cold-swim and restraint stress-induced antinociception, acting by inhibiting glutamatergic spinal sensory transmission.
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Mattu A, Brady WJ, Perron AD, Robinson DA. Prominent R wave in lead V1: electrocardiographic differential diagnosis. Am J Emerg Med 2001; 19:504-13. [PMID: 11593472 DOI: 10.1053/ajem.2001.25776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Tall lead V1 (tall RV1), defined as an R/S ratio equal to or greater than 1, is not an infrequent occurrence in emergency department patients. This electrocardiographic finding exists as a normal variant in only 1% of patients. Physicians should therefore be familiar with the differential diagnosis for this important QRS configuration. The electrocardiographic entities which can present with this finding include right bundle branch block, left ventricular ectopy, right ventricular hypertrophy, acute right ventricular dilation (acute right heart strain), type a Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, posterior myocardial infarction, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, progressive muscular dystrophy, dextrocardia, misplaced precordial leads, and normal variant. Various cases are presented to highlight the different causes of the tall RV1.
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McFadden TC, Hoffman MG, Robinson DA, Gutowski KA. Silicone breast implants—are they associated with connective tissue disease?: Part 5 of the 6-part series on current concepts in breast reconstruction. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2001; 58:430-6. [PMID: 16093059 DOI: 10.1016/s0149-7944(01)00496-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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McFadden TC, Hoffman MG, Robinson DA, Gutowski KA. Alternative flaps as secondary approaches to breast reconstruction: Part 4 of the 6-part series on current concepts in breast reconstruction. CURRENT SURGERY 2001; 58:364-75. [PMID: 15727768 DOI: 10.1016/s0149-7944(01)00468-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
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Robinson DA, Edwards KM, Waites KB, Briles DE, Crain MJ, Hollingshead SK. Clones of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from nasopharyngeal carriage and invasive disease in young children in central Tennessee. J Infect Dis 2001; 183:1501-7. [PMID: 11319686 DOI: 10.1086/320194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2000] [Revised: 01/26/2001] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
To determine whether nasopharyngeal carriage isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae are of the same genetic background as isolates that caused invasive disease in one community, IS1167 and boxA genotypes were obtained for 182 pneumococcal isolates from children living in central Tennessee. The isolates represented 70 combined IS1167-boxA genotypes. The genotypic diversity of the invasive isolates was significantly less than that of the total population (P=.003). Most of the carriage isolates belonged to genotypes unique to carriage, whereas most of the invasive isolates belonged to genotypes common to carriage and disease (P=.02). Monte Carlo simulations showed a greater number of genotypes unique to carriage than can be explained by chance (P<.05 in all cases). Two genotypes were identified by multilocus sequence typing as members of globally disseminated clones, and one such genotype that was strictly carriage in this sample caused disease in other studies. Thus, clones can have different propensities for carriage and invasion.
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Arnold DB, Robinson DA, Leigh RJ. Nystagmus induced by pharmacological inactivation of the brainstem ocular motor integrator in monkey. Vision Res 2001; 39:4286-95. [PMID: 10755164 DOI: 10.1016/s0042-6989(99)00142-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
A common cause of pathological nystagmus is malfunction of the mechanism by which the brain integrates eye velocity signals to produce eye position commands. For horizontal gaze, neurons in the nucleus prepositus hypoglossi-medial vestibular nucleus region (NPH-MVN) play a vital role in this neural integrator function. We studied the effects on gaze stability of pharmacological intervention in the NPH-MVN of monkeys by microinjections of eight drugs. Agents with agonist or antagonist actions at gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate, and kainate receptors all caused gaze-evoked nystagmus with centripetal eye drifts; glycine and strychnine had no effect. When the GABAA-agonist muscimol was injected near the center of MVN, the eyes drifted away from the central position with increasing-velocity waveforms, implying an unstable neural integrator. The observed effects of these drugs on gaze stability may be related to inactivation either of neurons within NPH-MVN or the cerebellar projections to them that control the fidelity of neural integration. Drugs that influence GABA or glutamine transmission may have a role in the treatment of nystagmus due to an abnormal neural integrator.
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