Spores of Bacillus subtilis spoVF strains that cannot synthesize dipicolinic acid (DPA) but take it up during sporulation were prepared in medium with various DPA concentrations, and the germination and viability of these spores as well as the DPA content in individual spores were measured. Levels of some other small molecules in DPA-less spores were also measured. These studies have allowed the following conclusions. (i) Spores with no DPA or low DPA levels that lack either the cortex-lytic enzyme (CLE) SleB or the receptors that respond to nutrient germinants could be isolated but were unstable and spontaneously initiated early steps in spore germination. (ii) Spores that lacked SleB and nutrient germinant receptors and also had low DPA levels were more stable.

Abstarct Aims:  To determine roles of coats in staining Bacillus subtilis spores, and whether spores have membrane potential. Methods and Results:  Staining by four dyes and autofluorescence of B. subtilis spores that lack some (cotE, gerE) or most (cotE gerE) coat protein was measured. Wild‐type, cotE and gerE spores autofluorescenced and bound dyes, but cotE gerE spores did not autofluorescence and were stained only by two dyes. A membrane potential‐sensitive dye DiOC6(3) bound to dormant Bacillus megaterium and B. subtilis spores. While this binding was abolished by the protonophore FCCP, DiOC6(3) bound to heat‐killed spores, but not to dormant B. subtilis cotE gerE spores. However, DiOC6(3) bound well to all germinated spores. Conclusions:  The autofluorescence of dormant B. subtilis spores and the binding of some dyes are due to the coat. There is no membrane potential in dormant Bacillus spores, although membrane potential is generated when spores germinate. Significance and Impact of the Study:  The elimination of the autofluorescence of B. subtilis spores may allow assessment of the location of low abundance spore proteins using fluorescent reporter technology. The dormant spore’s lack of membrane potential may allow tests of spore viability by assessing membrane potential in germinating spores.

Purpose A comparatively high prevalence of co-morbidities among African-American/Blacks (AA/B) has been implicated in disparate survival in breast cancer. There is a scarcity of data, however, if this effect persists when accounting for the adverse triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) subtype which occurs at three-fold the rate in AA/B compared to white breast cancer patients. Methods We reviewed charts of 214 white and 202 AA/B breast cancer patients in the NCI-SEER Connecticut Tumor Registry who were diagnosed in 2000-07. We employed the Charlson Co-Morbidity Index (CCI), a weighted 17-item tool to predict risk of death in cancer populations. Cox Survival Analyses estimated hazard ratios (HR) for all-cause mortality in relation to TNBC and CCI adjusting for clinicopathological factors. Results Among patients with SEER-Local Stage, TNBC increased the risk of death (HR=2.18, 95% CI 1.14-4.16), which was attenuated when the CCI score was added to the model (Adj. HR=1.50, 95% CI 0.74-3.01). Conversely, the adverse impact of the CCI score persisted when controlling for TNBC (Adj. HR=1.49, 95% CI 1.29-1.71; per one point increase). Similar patterns were observed in SEER-Regional Stage but estimated HRs were lower. AA/B patients with a CCI score of ≥3 had a significantly higher risk of death compared to AA/B patients without comorbidities (Adj. HR=5.65, 95% CI 2.90-11.02). A lower and non-significant effect was observed for whites with a CCI of ≥3 (Adj. HR=1.90, 95% CI 0.68-5.29). Conclusions Co-morbidities at diagnosis increase risk of death independent of TNBC, and AA/B patients may be disproportionately at risk.

Background: Bronchiectasis is a condition of increasing incidence and prevalence in the United States, defined by the presence of bronchial dilatation on chest-computed tomography. Most patients suffer from chronic daily cough and sputum production. Patients suffering from this disease often have a poor healthrelated quality of life (HRQoL), with increased morbidity and mortality, and increased health care burden.Little is known about trends in HRQoL among patients with bronchiectasis, therefore, we examined these trends over 2 years using a bronchiectasis-specific HRQoL instrument. Methods: We present data obtained from administering the Quality of Life-Bronchiectasis (QOL-B) questionnaires at three time points: (I) baseline at the time of first visit to the University of Connecticut Center for Bronchiectasis Care; (II) 1 year follow-up; and (III) a 2-year follow-up. Responses from the 36-item questionnaire evaluate eight scales (Physical Functioning, Role Functioning, Vitality, Emotional Functioning, Social Functioning, Treatment Burden, Health Perceptions, and Respiratory Symptoms);scores are standardized on a 0-100 point scale with higher scores indicating better HRQoL.Results: Twenty-six patients provided baseline QOL-B data, with seven lost to follow-up, leaving nineteen patients in the longitudinal study. Statistically significant improvement between the initial visit and the oneyear follow-up visit was shown in three of the eight domains: Physical Functioning, Role Functioning, and Health Perceptions. At 2 years, these improved HRQoL scores were generally maintained.Conclusions: This study demonstrates patients with bronchiectasis can demonstrate improved HRQoL after treatment at a specialized care center and these improvements are maintained for most patients 2 years after the initial visit.

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