Uncovering Genomic Features and Biosynthetic Gene Clusters in Endophytic Bacteria from Roots of the Medicinal Plant Alkanna tinctoria Tausch as a Strategy To Identify Novel Biocontrol Bacteria.

The world's population is increasing at a rate not seen in the past. Agriculture, providing food for this increasing population, is reaching its boundaries of space and natural resources. In addition, changing legislation and increased ecological awareness are forcing agriculture to reduce its environmental impact.

Herd management and subsistence practices as inferred from isotopic analysis of animals and plants at Bronze Age Politiko-Troullia, Cyprus.

The Bronze Age village of Politiko-Troullia, located in the foothills of the copper-bearing Troodos mountains of central Cyprus, was occupied ~2050-1850 cal BCE. Excavated evidence shows that community activities included copper metallurgy (ore processing, smelting and casting), crop cultivation, and rearing of livestock. Faunal analysis reveals day-to-day subsistence practices that included consumption of sheep, goat, cattle, and pig, as well as community-scale ritual feasting focused on fallow deer, Dama dama mesopotamica.

Genomic Aromatic Compound Degradation Potential of Novel Species: sp. nov., sp. nov. and sp. nov.

We performed a taxonomic and comparative genomics analysis of 67 novel isolates from forest soil. Phylogenetic analysis of the gene revealed that these isolates formed a coherent lineage within the genus that also included , , , , and and four unidentified soil isolates from earlier studies. A phylogenomic analysis, along with orthoANIu and digital DNA-DNA hybridization calculations revealed that they represented four different species including three novel species and .

Applying an active lumbopelvic control strategy during lumbar extension exercises: Effect on muscle recruitment patterns of the lumbopelvic region.

Objective: Examine whether implementing an active lumbopelvic control strategy during high load prone lumbar extension exercises affects posterior extensor chain recruitment and lumbopelvic kinematics.

Methods: Thirteen healthy adults acquired an optimal active lumbopelvic control strategy during guided/home-based training sessions. During the experimental session electromyography was used to evaluate the activity of the posterior extensor chain muscles during high load trunk/bilateral leg extension exercises with/without application of the strategy.

Economic and social activities on ancient Cypriot terraced landscapes.

We investigate ancient agricultural terraces and their associated social and economic activities across the site complex consisting of the village at Politiko-Troullia and its more extensive associated taskscape. Surface artifact distributions mapped over 12 ha are integrated with evidence excavated from this Bronze Age settlement in central Cyprus. Contrary to expectations, artifact densities do not diminish with distance from the village architecture.

Trunk extension exercises: How is trunk extensor muscle recruitment related to the exercise dosage?

Trunk extension exercises are used to train endurance and strength of the trunk extensor muscles. Appropriate exercise dosage is crucial to achieve specific training effects, however literature describing the relation between the predetermined exercise intensity and the actual trunk extensors activity is scarce and inconclusive. To examine whether the actual activity of the thoracic and lumbar extensors during extensions exercises correspond with the predetermined intensity, electromyographic evaluation of the trunk extensors was performed during trunk extension exercises at various intensities expressed as percentages of 1-RM.

Muscle functional MRI analysis of trunk muscle recruitment during extension exercises in asymptomatic individuals.

The present study examined the activity levels of the thoracic and lumbar extensor muscles during different extension exercise modalities in healthy individuals. Therefore, 14 subjects performed four different types of extension exercises in prone position: dynamic trunk extension, dynamic-static trunk extension, dynamic leg extension, and dynamic-static leg extension. Pre- and post-exercise muscle functional magnetic resonance imaging scans from the latissimus dorsi, the thoracic and lumbar parts of the longissimus, iliocostalis, and multifidus were performed.

Posterior muscle chain activity during various extension exercises: an observational study.

Background: Back extension exercises are often used in the rehabilitation of low back pain. However, at present it is not clear how the posterior muscles are recruited during different types of extension exercises. Therefore, the present study will evaluate the myoelectric activity of thoracic, lumbar and hip extensor muscles during different extension exercises in healthy persons.

The influence of dry needling of the trapezius muscle on muscle blood flow and oxygenation.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of dry needling on the blood flow and oxygen saturation of the trapezius muscle.

Methods: Twenty healthy participants participated in this study. One single dry needling procedure was performed in the right upper trapezius, at a point located midway between the acromion edge and the seventh cervical vertebrae.

Pediatric chronic illness (cancer, cystic fibrosis) effects on well siblings: parents' voices.

This study is a secondary analysis of data gathered during baseline data collection prior to a cognitive-psychosocial-respite intervention provided in a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Content analysis was used to identify themes in parents' responses to an open-ended item about their perceptions of the effects on siblings of having a brother or sister who has either cancer or cystic fibrosis (CF). Of 91 themes tallied in the cancer group (n = 29), 74.

Prevalence of traumatic brain injury among children, adolescents and young adults: prospective evidence from a birth cohort.

Background: Little is known about the incidence and prevalence of traumatic brain injury (TBI), particularly for infants, children and young adults.

Primary Objective: The purpose of this study was to provide an accurate estimate of the incidence and prevalence of TBIs for individuals between 0-25 years of age.

Method And Procedures: A birth cohort of 1265 individuals was used, for which information regarding TBI events, both hospitalized and non-hospitalized, had been recorded.

Conduct and attentional problems in childhood and adolescence and later substance use, abuse and dependence: results of a 25-year longitudinal study.

Background: This paper examines the linkages between conduct problems and attentional problems in middle childhood and adolescence and later substance use, abuse and dependence in young adulthood.

Methods: Data were gathered over the course of a 25-year longitudinal study of a birth cohort of 1265 New Zealand born children. These data included: (a) measures of conduct and attentional problems in middle childhood (7-9 years) and adolescence (14-16 years); (b) measures of substance use, abuse and dependence from 18-25 years; and (c) confounding social, family and related factors.

Symptom monitoring and dependent care during cancer treatment in children: pilot study.

Symptom monitoring by parents/caregivers of children with cancer and what the caregiver and child did to help alleviate symptoms during chemotherapy were studied. The Therapy-Related Symptom Checklist (TRSC) child version was administered to parents/caregivers of 11 children and adolescents (mean age, 10.4 years; SD, 6.

Randomized trial of the Early Start program of home visitation: parent and family outcomes.

Objective: To examine the extent to which the Early Start program of home visitation had beneficial consequences in the areas of maternal health, family functioning, family economic circumstances, and exposure to stress and adversity.

Methods: The study used a randomized, controlled trial design in which 220 families receiving the Early Start program were contrasted with a control series of 223 families not receiving the program. Families were enrolled in the program after population screening conducted by community health nurses.

Abortion in young women and subsequent mental health.

Background: The extent to which abortion has harmful consequences for mental health remains controversial. We aimed to examine the linkages between having an abortion and mental health outcomes over the interval from age 15-25 years.

Methods: Data were gathered as part of the Christchurch Health and Development Study, a 25-year longitudinal study of a birth cohort of New Zealand children.

Randomized trial of the Early Start program of home visitation.

Objective: To evaluate the extent to which a program of home visitation (Early Start), targeted at families who are facing stress and difficulty, had beneficial consequences for child health, preschool education, service utilization, parenting, child abuse and neglect, and behavioral adjustment.

Methods: The study used a randomized, controlled trial design in which 220 families who were participating in the Early Start program were contrasted with a control series of 223 families who were not participating in the program. Families were enrolled in the program after population screening that was conducted by community health nurses.

Show me the child at seven II: Childhood intelligence and later outcomes in adolescence and young adulthood.

Background: There has been ongoing interest in the role of intelligence in longer-term educational and occupational achievement and social adjustment. The aims of this study were to examine the extent to which IQ in middle childhood (8-9 years) was prognostic of future outcomes when due allowance was made for confounding personal and social factors.

Methods: Data were gathered on (WISC-R) IQ at ages 8-9 years and a range of educational and social adjustment measures over the course of the Christchurch Health and Development Study, a 25-year longitudinal study of a birth cohort of 1,265 New Zealand children.

Show me the child at seven: the consequences of conduct problems in childhood for psychosocial functioning in adulthood.

Background: This paper seeks to extend research into the adult sequelae of childhood conduct problems by investigating the associations between conduct problems in middle childhood and psychosocial outcomes in adulthood.

Method: Data were gathered during the course of a 25-year longitudinal study of a birth cohort of New Zealand young people. Information was collected on: a) parent and teacher reports of child conduct problems at ages 7, 8 and 9 years; b) measures of crime, substance use, mental health, sexual/partner relationships, education/employment; c) confounding factors, including childhood, family and educational characteristics.

Tests of causal linkages between cannabis use and psychotic symptoms.

Aim: To examine possible causal linkages between cannabis use and psychosis using data gathered over the course of a 25-year longitudinal study.

Design: A 25-year longitudinal study of the health, development and adjustment of a birth cohort of 1265 New Zealand children (635 males, 630 females).

Setting: The Christchurch Health and Development Study, a general community sample.

Subthreshold depression in adolescence and mental health outcomes in adulthood.

Background: There is increasing interest in the extent to which individuals with subthreshold depression face increased risks of subsequent major depression and other disorders.

Objective: To examine linkages between the extent of depressive symptoms (asymptomatic, subthreshold, major depression) at ages 17 to 18 years and mental health outcomes up to age 25 years in a New Zealand birth cohort.

Design: Data were gathered during the Christchurch Health and Development Study, a 25-year longitudinal study of a birth cohort of 1265 New Zealand children (635 males, 630 females).

Female presence affects male behavior and testosterone levels in the European starling (Sturnus vulgaris).

In this study, we confronted individually housed male European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) with a female conspecific for 60 min to study the consequences on behavior and plasma testosterone (T) concentrations. Control males experienced a similar procedure, the only difference being that they were tested in the absence of a female. Female presence significantly affected both behavior and plasma T levels of male starlings.

Castration does not decrease nonreproductive aggression in yearling male European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris).

In the nonbreeding season, some bird species express high levels of aggression despite basal plasma testosterone (T) concentrations. Consequently, nonreproductive aggression is believed to be independent of plasma T. In the present study, we investigated the effect of castration on nonreproductive aggressive behavior in yearling male European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris).