Commercial Tobacco Retailers Need to Be Included in Research on Policies Restricting the Sale of Menthol Cigarettes.

INTRODUCTION: Menthol cigarettes are disproportionately marketed and advertised in the commercial tobacco retail environment in Black communities across the United States, contributing to menthol cigarette-related disparities and lower likelihood of successful quitting among Black people who smoke. Policies restricting retail sales of menthol cigarettes are aimed at preventing initiation, promoting quitting, and reducing related disparities. METHODS: Structured phone interview surveys were conducted from January to July 2021 with commercial tobacco retailers in Los Angeles County, California, unincorporated communities with a high percentage of Black residents, eight months after a local policy restricting retail sales of menthol cigarettes and other flavored nicotine and commercial tobacco products became effective on May 20, 2020. Interviews examined menthol cigarette sales restrictions-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices. RESULTS: Among 22 retailers interviewed, most (86.4%) reported having knowledge of the local ban on menthol cigarettes, and more than half (54.5%) reported offering price promotions for menthol cigarettes. Additionally, more than half (54.5%) reported believing customers who buy menthol cigarettes would stop smoking altogether following the ban. CONCLUSIONS: Most retailers reported having knowledge of the menthol ban, yet half reported offering price promotions for menthol cigarettes. Findings suggest retail availability of menthol cigarettes in Los Angeles County unincorporated communities with a high percentage of Black residents, post ban. Public health and policy implications are discussed.

Motivation to Quit Smoking Among Black Adults Residing in Los Angeles County Communities With Menthol Cigarette Sales Restrictions.

Background: Research is needed to identify the determinants of motivation to quit smoking among non-Hispanic Black (NHB) adults who smoke menthol cigarettes and reside in communities covered by menthol cigarette bans. Objectives: This study examined the associations between motivation to quit smoking and a range of individual-level predictors, including measures of demographics, harm/risk perception of menthol cigarettes, and awareness of a ban on menthol cigarettes in Los Angeles County unincorporated communities. Self-identified NHB adults who currently smoke menthol cigarettes (N=50; M=47.2 years; SD=13.7; 46% female) were recruited in Los Angeles County unincorporated communities. Participants completed an interviewer-administered cross-sectional survey between January to September 2021. Results: Participants (74%) reported an annual household income of less than $25,000. Participants' mean age at cigarette initiation was 15.7 years old (SD=5.68). Most (88%) were aware of the ordinance banning menthol cigarette sales. Employing multivariable linear regression analysis, harm/risk perception of menthol cigarettes (B=14.69, p<0.01) and awareness of the local menthol ban (B=26.18, p<0.05) were found to be independently associated with motivation to quit smoking. Conclusions: Findings from this community-based sample suggest that among NHB adults who smoke menthol cigarettes, motivation to quit smoking is influenced by their perception of menthol cigarettes as harmful and awareness of local policy banning the sale of menthol cigarettes. Findings underscore the need for community-centered and culturally grounded interventions to facilitate quitting among NHB adults who smoke in order for communities covered by menthol bans to achieve health equity in reducing preventable racial inequities due to menthol cigarettes.

Overlooked Threats to Respondent Driven Sampling Estimators: Peer Recruitment Reality, Degree Measures, and Random Selection Assumption.

Intensive sociometric network data were collected from a typical respondent driven sample (RDS) of 528 people who inject drugs residing in Hartford, Connecticut in 2012-2013. This rich dataset enabled us to analyze a large number of unobserved network nodes and ties for the purpose of assessing common assumptions underlying RDS estimators. Results show that several assumptions central to RDS estimators, such as random selection, enrollment probability proportional to degree, and recruitment occurring over recruiter's network ties, were violated. These problems stem from an overly simplistic conceptualization of peer recruitment processes and dynamics. We found nearly half of participants were recruited via coupon redistribution on the street. Non-uniform patterns occurred in multiple recruitment stages related to both recruiter behavior (choosing and reaching alters, passing coupons, etc.) and recruit behavior (accepting/rejecting coupons, failing to enter study, passing coupons to others). Some factors associated with these patterns were also associated with HIV risk.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa GroEL Stimulates Production of PTX3 by Activating the NF-κB Pathway and Simultaneously Downregulating MicroRNA-9.

As one of the first lines of host defense, monocytes play important roles in clearing infected microbes. The defensive response is triggered by recognition of diverse microbial moieties, including released factors, which modulate host immune responses to establish a harsh environment for clinically important bacterial pathogens. In this study, we found that the expression of PTX3, a soluble form of pattern recognition receptor, was induced by infection with live Pseudomonas aeruginosa or treatment of cells with its supernatant. P. aeruginosa GroEL, a homolog of heat shock protein 60, was identified as one of the factors responsible for inducing the expression of PTX3 in host cells. GroEL induced PTX3 expression by activating the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-dependent pathway via nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), while simultaneously inhibiting expression of microRNA-9, which targets the PTX3 transcript. Finally, by acting as an opsonin, GroEL-induced PTX3 promoted the association and phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus into macrophages. These data suggest that the host defensive environment is supported by the production of PTX3 in response to GroEL, which thus has therapeutic potential for clearance of bacterial infections.

Using Ecological Momentary Assessment to Identify Common Smoking Situations Among Korean American Emerging Adults.

The present study provides detailed contextual information about smoking habits among young Korean American smokers with the goal of characterizing situations where they are most at risk for smoking. Relevant situational factors included location, social context, concurrent activities, time of day, affective states, and food and beverage consumption. Using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) over 7 days, participants (N = 78) were instructed to respond to smoking prompts (n = 2614) and non-smoking prompts (n = 2136) randomly scheduled throughout the day. At each prompt, participants completed a short survey about immediate contextual factors. We used multilevel models to evaluate the association between contextual factors and smoking and further explored the distribution of smoking locations and concurrent activities across each social context and reason for smoking. Compared to non-smoking events, smoking events were associated with being outside, the presence of Korean friends, socializing, consuming alcohol, and experiencing more stress relative to one's average stress level (all ps < .01). Further analyses involving only smoking events showed that when participants smoked alone, they were most commonly at home (50 %) and most often studying/working (28 %). When smoking with Korean friends, participants were most often outside (38 %) and socializing (54 %). When smoking to reduce craving, participants were most often at home (39 %) and studying/working (25 %). To our knowledge, this is the first study to provide detailed descriptions of real-time smoking contexts among young Korean American smokers. Information with this level of granularity is needed to develop effective just-in-time adaptive interventions (JITAIs) for smoking cessation.

Momentary negative moods and being with friends precede cigarette use among Korean American emerging adults.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to determine contextual antecedents to smoking among Korean American emerging adult (KAEA) smokers using ecological momentary assessment. Based on extant theory and data documenting the importance of negative affect (NA) and social context, we examined the extent to which being with friends and NA independently and concomitantly were associated with the likelihood of subsequent smoking, over and beyond other known situational correlates of smoking. METHODS: Twenty-two KAEA daily smokers recorded their smoking events in real time and participated in short surveys implemented on mobile phones for 7 days. Individual, interpersonal, and situational contexts immediately preceding and during smoking events were examined in comparison to nonsmoking events using a within-subject modeling approach. RESULTS: Both NA and being with friends independently were correlated with increased likelihood of smoking. We also found an interaction showing that the effects of NA on smoking were significant only in presence of friends. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike more established smokers, these younger smokers may be strongly influenced by peer contexts as well as unpleasant affect. The interaction between social contexts and NA highlights a potential window for intervention for the population of KAEA smokers.

Hypothetical e-liquid flavor ban and opinions among vape shop retailers in the Greater Los Angeles Area.

INTRODUCTION: Evaluating anticipated responses to flavor bans in the context of vape shops is needed to inform legislation and enforcement. This cross-sectional study examined vape shop retailers' opinions about the potential impacts of an e-liquid flavor ban on shop sales and customer behavior-change intentions. METHODS: From December 2019 to October 2020 we conducted structured interviews over the phone with 46 brick-and-mortar vape shop retailers in the Greater Los Angeles Area. RESULTS: Most participants were managers (43.5%), followed by owners (26.1%) and clerks (26.1%). More than half (52.2%) reported that sales would drop a lot if flavored e-liquids were banned in all vape shops. Controlling for store position, multivariable linear regression showed that opposition to a hypothetical ban on non-tobacco flavored e-liquids was associated with participants' opinions that customers would likely not purchase tobacco flavored e-liquids (b= -0.44, p<0.01), and would likely use combustible tobacco products (b=0.47, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this cross-sectional study, vape shop retailers in the Greater Los Angeles Area reported that if a ban on non-tobacco e-liquid flavors occurred, they would oppose strongly, and that a ban would have a negative impact on their shop (e.g. loss in sales) and customer behavior (e.g. would replace vaping with smoking combustible tobacco products). Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Whole Genome Sequence of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum HOM3204 and Its Antioxidant Effect on D-Galactose-Induced Aging in Mice.

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, previously named Lactobacillus plantarum, is a facultative, homofermentative lactic acid bacterium widely distributed in nature. Several Lpb. plantarum strains have been demonstrated to possess good probiotic properties, and Lpb. plantarum HOM3204 is a potential probiotic strain isolated from homemade pickled cabbage plants. In this study, whole-genome sequencing was performed to acquire genetic information and predict the function of HOM3204, which has a circular chromosome of 3,232,697 bp and two plasmids of 48,573 and 17,060 bp, respectively. Moreover, various oxidative stress-related genes were identified in the strain, and its antioxidant activity was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Compared to reference strains, the intracellular cell-free extracts of Lpb. plantarum HOM3204 at a dose of 1010 colony-forming units (CFU)/ml in vitro exhibited stronger antioxidant properties, such as total antioxidant activity, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging rate, superoxide dismutase activity, and glutathione (GSH) content. Daily administration of 109 CFU Lpb. plantarum HOM3204 for 45 days significantly improved the antioxidant function by increasing the glutathione peroxidase activity in the whole blood and GSH concentration in the livers of D-galactose-induced aging mice. These results suggest that Lpb. plantarum HOM3204 can potentially be used as a food ingredient with good antioxidant properties.

Toll-like receptor-based immuno-analysis of pathogenic microorganisms.

In this study, a novel mammalian cell receptor-based immuno-analytical method was developed for the detection of food-poisoning microorganisms by employing toll-like receptors (TLRs) as sensing elements. Upon infection with bacterium, the host cells respond by expressing TLRs, particularly TLR1, TLR2, and TLR4, on the outer membrane surfaces. To demonstrate the potential of using this method for detection of foodborne bacteria, we initially selected two model sensing systems, expression of TLR1 on a cell line, A549, for Escherichia coli and TLR2 on a cell line, RAW264.7, for Shigella sonnei (S. sonnei). Each TLR was detected using antibodies specific to the respective marker. We also found that the addition of immunoassay for the pathogen captured by the TLRs on the mammalian cells significantly enhanced the detection capability. A dual-analytical system for S. sonnei was constructed and successfully detected an extremely low number (about 3.2 CFU per well) of the pathogenic bacterium 5.1 h after infection. This detection time was 2.5 h earlier than the time required for detection using the conventional immunoassay. To endow the specificity of detection, the target bacterium was immuno-magnetically concentrated by a factor of 50 prior to infection. This further shortened the response to approximately 3.4 h, which was less than half of the time needed when the conventional method was used. Such enhanced performance could basically result from synergistic effects of bacterial dose increase and subsequent autocrine signaling on TLRs' up-regulation upon infection with live bacterium. This TLR-based immuno-sensing approach may also be expanded to monitor infection of the body, provided scanning of the signal is feasible.

A content analysis of website marketing for cooling flavored e-liquids in a sample of brick-and-mortar vape shops in the Greater Los Angeles area.

INTRODUCTION: Menthol is a characterizing flavor in combustible cigarettes and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). E-liquids are recognized as an important reason for ENDS use. Yet, compared to menthol cigarettes, menthol flavored e-liquids and other cooling flavors, including mint and 'ice' for ENDS, are an understudied area of investigation. The present study examined cooling flavored e-liquid website marketing among brick-and-mortar vape shops in Greater Los Angeles Area. METHODS: A total of 104 brick-and-mortar vape shops were identified, and 38 had active websites. Over a 30-day period (28 September - 28 October 2020), we collected marketing for all flavored refillable e-liquids (photos/images) from each website. Data were collected for 1330 products. Only refillable e-liquid bottles were selected for this study, excluding prefilled pod vapes and disposable vapes. Each e-liquid per website was coded (e.g. menthol or not) and grouped into categories (e.g. type of menthol). The three flavor descriptor categories that the e-liquids were grouped into were menthol, mint, or ice. An 'other' category was also created for identified e-liquids with flavor descriptors that did not mention menthol, mint, or ice. RESULTS: A total of 1330 e-liquid flavors were identified from 38 active websites. Among them, 219 were coded as menthol/mint/ice flavor e-liquids. Frequencies included ice/iced/icy (n=123; 56%), menthol (n=32; 15%), mint (n=23; 11%), and other (n=41; 19%). Of the 123 ice-flavor e-liquids, 70.3% (n=83) were in combination with fruit (e.g. 'Apple Ice', 'Grape Iced', 'Icy Mango'). Of the 32 menthol-flavored e-liquids, 63.3% (n=19) were in combination with fruit (e.g. 'Dragon Fruit Menthol', 'Blue Raspberry Menthol', 'Fresh Peach Menthol'). Flavors in the other category were ice-related flavor descriptors (e.g. 'Arctic Air', 'Brain Freeze', 'Frozen Hulk Tears'). CONCLUSIONS: Brick-and-mortar vape shops in the Greater Los Angeles Area market a variety of cooling flavor e-liquids on their websites. Such marketing focused largely on ice fruit flavor combinations. Future research is needed to understand how exposure to and appeal of cooling flavored e-liquid marketing differs among diverse consumer groups, including adult menthol cigarette smokers and non-smoking youth.

Marketing claims on websites of brick-and-mortar vape shops in the Greater Los Angeles area.

INTRODUCTION: Brick-and-mortar vape shops have increased in recent years, but there is limited research on the types of marketing claims consumers are exposed to on their websites - a dominant channel for marketing electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). We investigated the websites of vape shop retailers in the Greater Los Angeles Area to describe their ENDS marketing claims. METHODS: Data collection occurred between 25 March and 20 June 2020. Of the 104 brick-and-mortar vape shops identified, 37 were found to have active websites. Rules were established to analyze website content. ENDS Marketing Claims were coded as the presence or absence of: 1) a direct claim of ENDS as a quitting aid; 2) a disclaimer that ENDS are not approved as smoking cessation devices (i.e. ENDS products are not FDA-approved for smoking cessation); 3) a direct claim of ENDS as healthier/safer than combustible cigarettes; and 4) direct claims regarding social benefits, including that ENDS are less expensive, can be used in more places, are cleaner or less messy/smelly, and are more socially accepted than combustible cigarettes. RESULTS: Smoking cessation-related benefits were claimed most frequently (43%), followed by health-related claims (30%), and disclaimers that ENDS are not approved as smoking cessation devices (24%). More than half (56.4%) of websites had an age restriction, requiring the user to click on a box to state that they were aged ≥21 years to view the site. None required proof or outside verification of age. CONCLUSIONS: Brick-and-mortar vape shops in the Greater Los Angeles Area are marketing ENDS on their websites as a healthier alternative to smoking cigarettes. Although half of the websites had an age gate popup that consumers see when they enter the website, action is needed to better enforce age restriction on access to vape shop websites. Utility for smoking cessation was claimed most frequently, followed by the claims of healthier alternatives to smoking cigarettes, and disclaimers that ENDS are not approved as smoking cessation devices. We discuss implications for tobacco regulatory policy.

Use of Social Network Analysis to Identify Popular Opinion Leaders for a Youth-Led Sexual Violence Prevention Initiative.

In the current article, we describe an innovative sexual violence (SV) prevention initiative that used social network analysis to identify youth and adult popular opinion leaders who were subsequently trained in best practices in SV prevention (e.g., bystander intervention) at a kickoff event (i.e., camp) of the initiative. We provide information on recruitment strategies, participation rates and how those rates varied by some demographic factors, reasons for nonattendance, the initial impact of the camp, and lessons learned. Despite challenges with youth and adult engagement, this innovative approach has the potential to transform the way we approach SV prevention among youth.

Context-dependent transcriptional regulations between signal transduction pathways.

BACKGROUND: Cells coordinate their metabolism, proliferation, and cellular communication according to environmental cues through signal transduction. Because signal transduction has a primary role in cellular processes, many experimental techniques and approaches have emerged to discover the molecular components and dynamics that are dependent on cellular contexts. However, omics approaches based on genome-wide expression analysis data comparing one differing condition (e.g. complex disease patients and normal subjects) did not investigate the dynamics and inter-pathway cross-communication that are dependent on cellular contexts. Therefore, we introduce a new computational omics approach for discovering signal transduction pathways regulated by transcription and transcriptional regulations between pathways in signaling networks that are dependent on cellular contexts, especially focusing on a transcription-mediated mechanism of inter-pathway cross-communication. RESULTS: Applied to dendritic cells treated with lipopolysaccharide, our analysis well depicted how dendritic cells respond to the treatment through transcriptional regulations between signal transduction pathways in dendritic cell maturation and T cell activation. CONCLUSIONS: Our new approach helps to understand the underlying biological phenomenon of expression data (e.g. complex diseases such as cancer) by providing a graphical network which shows transcriptional regulations between signal transduction pathways. The software programs are available upon request.

Up-regulation of bradykinin B2 receptor by Pseudomonas aeruginosa via the NF-κB pathway.

As the first line of host defense, inflammatory responses in response to bacterial infection are initiated by the production of a range of mediators. Infection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been shown to stimulate the production of bradykinin (BK), which is known as a universal mediator for the induction of inflammatory reaction via the predominant interaction with the bradykinin B2 receptor (B2R). Thus, the interaction between BK and B2R represents an important host innate response against invading P. aeruginosa. However, the contribution of P. aeruginosa to the up-regulation of B2R expression remains unclear. Here, we report that P. aeruginosa is potent in inducing the expression of B2R at the mRNA and protein levels in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Components produced and secreted from P. aeruginosa could play an essential role in inducing B2R expression, and the secreted components are not under the control of Type III secretion system or quorum sensing. B2R expression in response to P. aeruginosa is mediated by the induction of cellular signaling that leads to the activation of transcription factor NF-κB. Thus, this study demonstrates that P. aeruginosa is able to up-regulate the expression of B2R during infection via the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Autoinduction of a genetic locus encoding putative acyltransferase in Corynebacterium glutamicum.

A genetic locus, encoding putative acyltransferase, was induced by autoinducers in Corynebacterium glutamicum. The autoinducers were maximally produced by the bacterium after 24 h culture. Those molecules are resistant to proteinase K treatment (300 µg ml(-1)) for 30 min at 37°C or at 121°C for 15 min, and remained stable after extensive storage at 4°C. Autoinducers in the cell-free culture fluids from Corynebacterium ammoniagenes and Pseudomonas aeruginosa also induced the expression of acyltransferase in C. glutamicum, suggesting possible cross-recognition of the autoinducers by C. glutamicum. C. glutamicum thus possesses an autoinduction system which secretes autoinducers during growth, triggering the expression of downstream genes, exemplified by the putative acyltransferase gene.

Perceptions of E-cigarettes and Flavor Restrictions among Tobacco Retailers in Los Angeles.

Objectives: In this study, we examined tobacco retailers' perceptions of e-cigarettes and associations with in-store availability of e-cigarettes. Methods: Retailers (N = 700) in multiple, racial/ethnic neighborhoods (black/African-American, N = 200); Hispanic/Latino, N = 200; white American, N = 200; Korean American, N = 100) in Los Angeles County participated in on-site interviews and store observations. Results: Controlling for individual and racial/ethnic neighborhood factors, retailers in majority-white neighborhoods had significantly higher odds of selling e-cigarettes and flavored e-cigarettes than retailers located in Hispanic/Latino (p < .001, OR = 0.14, 95% CI = 0.08-0.25; p < .001, OR = 0.19, 95% CI = 0.11-0.33) and Korean American (p < .05, OR = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.12-0.37; p < .05, OR = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.12-0.39) neighborhoods. Perceptions of e-cigarettes as being completely safe/safer than cigarettes were significantly associated with availability of flavored e-cigarettes (p < .05, OR = 2.03, 95% CI = 1.04-3.97); and opposition to flavored e-cigarette restrictions was marginally significantly associated with availability of flavored e-cigarettes (p < .10, OR = 1.56, 95% CI = 0.96-2.51). Adjusting for store type, perceptions of e-cigarettes as being completely safe/safer than cigarettes were marginally significantly associated with availability of flavored e-cigarettes (p < .10, OR = 1.78, 95% CI = 0.85-3.73). Conclusions: Targeted efforts are warranted for educating retailers and employees in these neighborhoods on the appeal and nicotine dependence potential of e-cigarette use for youth.

Smoking Diffusion through Networks of Diverse, Urban American Adolescents over the High School Period.

This study uses recent data to investigate if smoking initiation diffuses through friendship networks over the high school period and explores if diffusion processes differ across schools. One thousand four hundred and twenty-five racially and ethnically diverse youth from four high schools in Los Angeles were surveyed four times over the high school period from 2010 to 2013. Probit regression models and stochastic actor-based models for network dynamics tested for peer effects on smoking initiation. Friend smoking was found to predict adolescent smoking, and smoking initiation diffused through friendship networks in some but not all of the schools. School differences in smoking rates and the popularity of smokers may be linked to differences in the diffusion of smoking through peer networks. We conclude that there are differences in peer effects on smoking initiation across schools that will be important to account for in network-based smoking interventions.

T3SS effector ExoY reduces inflammasome-related responses by suppressing bacterial motility and delaying activation of NF-κB and caspase-1.

Type III-secreted effectors are essential for modulating host immune responses during the pathogenesis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. Little is known about the impact of one of the effectors, ExoY, on inflammasome activation, which results in IL-1ß production and pyroptotic cell death. In this study, we found that transcriptional expression of Il-1ß was induced to a lesser extent in response to an exoY-harboring strain than to a deleted mutant. This suppressive effect of ExoY was verified by complementation assay as well as by direct translocation of exoY into host cells. In addition to the production of IL-1ß, pyroptotic cell death was also diminished in response to an exoY-harboring strain. These inflammasome responses were mediated by the adenylate cyclase activity of ExoY, which plays a role in delaying the activation of NF-κB and caspase-1, a key component of inflammasome-mediated responses. Moreover, the negative effects of ExoY on these responses were in part conferred by the suppression of bacterial motility, which could reduce the degree of bacterial contact with cells. Together, these results demonstrate that the adenylate cyclase activity of P. aeruginosa ExoY can reduce inflammasome-related responses by influencing both the host and the bacterium itself by delaying the activation of inflammatory pathways and suppressing bacterial motility.

Associations among dispositional mindfulness, self-compassion, and executive function proficiency in early adolescents.

The study objective was to examine the effects of two conceptually related constructs, self-compassion and dispositional mindfulness, on executive function (EF) proficiency among early adolescents. Executive function refers to a set of psychological processes governing emotional regulation, organization, and planning. While the benefits of positive psychology appear evident for mental health and wellness, little is known about the etiological relationship between dispositional mindfulness and self-compassion in their associations with EF. Two hundred and ten early adolescents attending middle school (age M=12.5 years; SD=0.5; 21% Hispanic, 18% Mixed/bi-racial, 47% White, and 9% Other/Missing; 37.1% on free lunch program) self-reported levels of dispositional mindfulness (Mindful Attention Awareness Scale; MAAS), self-compassion (Self-Compassion Scale; SCS; self-judgment and self-kindness domains), and EF proficiency (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function; BRIEF-SR). A sequential linear regression stepwise approach was taken entering the independent variables as separate models in the following order: self-kindness, self-judgement, and dispositional mindfulness. All models controlled for participant age and sex. SCS self-kindness was not associated with EF proficiency, but SCS self-judgment (reverse-coded) contributed to the variance in EF (ß=0.40, p<.001). When adding MAAS to the model, MAAS scores were significantly associated with EF (ß=0.64, p<.001) and accounted for the initial variance explained by SCS. When considering the influence of positive psychology constructs on EF proficiency in adolescents, the measure of dispositional mindfulness appears to outweigh that of specific self-compassion domains, when independent of contemplative training.

Identification of D-amino acid dehydrogenase as an upstream regulator of the autoinduction of a putative acyltransferase in Corynebacterium glutamicum.

Expression of a putative acyltransferase encoded by NCgl- 0350 of Corynebacterium glutamicum is induced by cell-free culture fluids obtained from stationary-phase growth of both C. glutamicum and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, providing evidence for interspecies communication. Here, we further confirmed that such communication occurs by showing that acyltransferase expression is induced by culture fluid obtained from diverse Gram-negative and -positive bacterial strains, including Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhimurium, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Mycobacterium sp. strain JC1, and Mycobacterium smegmatis. A homologous acyltransferase encoded by PA5238 of P. aeruginosa was also induced by fluids obtained from P. aeruginosa as well as other bacterial strains, as observed for NCgl0350 of C. glutamicum. Because C. glutamicum is difficult to study using molecular approaches, the homologous gene PA5238 of P. aeruginosa was used to identify PA5309 as an upstream regulator of expression. A homologous D-amino acid dehydrogenase encoded by NCgl- 2909 of C. glutamicum was cloned based on amino acid similarity to PA5309, and its role in the regulation of NCgl0350 expression was confirmed. Moreover, NCgl2909 played positive roles in growth of C. glutamicum. Thus, we identified a D-amino acid dehydrogenase as an upstream regulator of the autoinduction of a putative acyltransferase in C. glutamicum.