bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sexual Functioning and Vaginal Changes after Radical Vaginal Trachelectomy in Early Stage Cervical Cancer Patients: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Froeding Ligita Paskeviciute , Ottosen Christian , Rung-Hansen Helle , Svane Danny , Mosgaard Berit Jul , Jensen Pernille Tine 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Introduction
Radical vaginal trachelectomy (RVT) offers low complication rate, good survival, and possibility for future childbearing for young women with early stage cervical cancer. However, the literature on quality of life (QOL) and sexual functioning in patients undergoing RVT is scarce.

Aim
The aims of this study were to prospectively assess sexual function after RVT and to compare scores of sexual function in patients operated by RVT and radical abdominal hysterectomy (RAH) with those of age-matched control women from the general population.

Methods
Eighteen patients with early stage cervical cancer operated with RVT were prospectively included and assessed preoperatively, and 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively using validated questionnaires. RAH patients were included consecutively and assessed once at 12 months postsurgery, while an age-matched control group of 30 healthy women was assessed once.

Main Outcome Measure
Sexual dysfunction total score as measured by the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was the main outcome measure.

Results
During the 12 months posttreatment, RVT patients tended to have persistent sexual dysfunction as measured by FSFI (mean overall score &lt;26.55 at each assessment) and Female Sexual Distress Scale (mean overall score &gt; 11). Sexual worry (P &lt; 0.001) and lack of sexual desire (P = 0.038) were more frequently reported among patients in both treatment groups compared with control women. Sexual activity increased significantly during the observation time for the RVT group (P = 0.023) and reached that of healthy women. Global Health Status score improved over time for the RVT group but never reached that of healthy control women (P = 0.029).

Conclusions
Our data suggest that patients treated with RVT for early stage cervical cancer experience persistent sexual dysfunction up to one year post surgery influencing negatively on their QOL.
Australian Gay and Bisexual Men's Use of Erectile Dysfunction Medications During Recent Sexual Encounters
Authors: Prestage Garrett , Jin Fengyi , Bavinton Benjamin , Grulich Andrew , Brown Graham , Pitts Marian , Hurley Michael 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Aim
Use of erectile dysfunction medications (EDMs) is relatively common among gay and bisexual men and has been associated with human immunodeficiency virus sexual risk behavior. We aimed to determine what factors were related to EDM use on occasions when participants engaged in protected anal intercourse (PAIC) and when they engaged in unprotected anal intercourse (UAIC) with casual partners.

Methods
An online cross-sectional survey was conducted, resulting in a sample of 1,376 Australian gay and bisexual men who reported an occasion of anal intercourse with casual male partners in the previous year.

Main Outcome Measure
The main outcome measure was the use of EDM during most recent occasions of PAIC and UAIC.

Results
Men were as likely to use EDM on occasions when they were using condoms (11.6%) as they were on occasions when they did not use condoms (13.0%). There was no association between use of EDM and self-esteem, nor was there an association between sexual risk behavior and self-esteem. Men who used EDM were more sexually active overall and appeared to often use EDM to enhance and extend their sexual experiences.

Conclusions
Men did not appear to use EDM specifically for the purposes of risk-taking and mainly used EDM to enhance sexual pleasure. Mental health issues were not indicated by use of EDM.
DoLeucochloridiumsporocysts manipulate the behaviour of their snail hosts?
Authors: Wesołowska W. , Wesołowski T. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe conspicuous broodsacs ofLeucochloridiumspp. sporocysts, invading tentacles of their intermediate terrestrial snail hosts, are presented as a classic textbook example of the manipulation of host behaviour by a parasite. However, the conspicuous features indicated as facilitating the transmission of the parasite to its final avian hosts are characteristics of the appearance and behaviour of the parasite and not of its intermediate hosts. The demonstration that the sporocysts also manipulate the behaviour of the snails is still largely missing. In order to find out whetherLeucochloridium paradoxumcould manipulate the behaviour of itsSuccinea putrishosts, we compared the behaviour ofLeucochloridium‐infected snails with that of control animals (showing no signs of infection) living side by side, in the same habitat patches, in the field (BiałowieżaNationalPark,Poland). We had assumed that the ‘moving caterpillar’ display of the broodsacs was addressed to day‐active, visually hunting, insectivorous birds and that the ‘signalling’ parasites should change the behaviour of their hosts to make the broodsacs more visible and/or more accessible to the group of predators mentioned. The infected snails with pulsating broodsacs behaved differently from their apparently non‐infected counterparts. They moved farther, positioned themselves in more exposed and better illuminated places, situated higher in the vegetation. These alterations of behaviour would be beneficial for the parasites, would increase their visibility (detectability) and accessibility to the potential definite hosts. Thus, we demonstrated that, apart from their own phenotypic modifications,L. paradoxumsporocysts also changed the behaviour of their intermediateS. putrishosts. Such combination of modified host behaviour and strikingly visible parasite behaviour is rather unique, it is likely increasing the likelihood of parasite transmission to avian hosts.
Formae speciales of cereal powdery mildew: close or distant relatives?
Authors: Troch Veronique , Audenaert Kris , Wyand Rebecca A. , Haesaert Geert , Höfte Monica , Brown James K. M. 
Published: November 2013

SummaryPowdery mildew is an important disease of cereals, affecting both grain yield and end‐use quality. The causal agent of powdery mildew on cereals, Blumeria graminis, has been classified into eight formae speciales (ff.spp.), infecting crops and wild grasses. Advances in research on host specificity and resistance, and on pathogen phylogeny and origins, have brought aspects of the subspecific classification system of B. graminis into ff.spp. into question, because it is based on adaptation to certain hosts rather than strict host specialization. Cereals therefore cannot be considered as typical non‐hosts to non‐adapted ff.spp. We introduce the term ‘non‐adapted resistance’ of cereals to inappropriate ff.spp. of B. graminis, which involves both pathogen‐associated molecular pattern‐triggered immunity (PTI) and effector‐triggered immunity (ETI). There is no clear distinction between the mechanisms of resistance to adapted and non‐adapted ff.spp. Molecular evolutionary data suggest that the taxonomic grouping of B. graminis into different ff.spp. is not consistent with the phylogeny of the fungus. Imprecise estimates of mutation rates and the lack of genetic variation in introduced populations may explain the uncertainty with regard to divergence times, in the Miocene or Holocene epochs, of ff.spp. of B. graminis which infect cereal crop species. We propose that most evidence favours divergence in the Holocene, during the course of early agriculture. We also propose that the forma specialis concept should be retained for B. graminis pathogenic on cultivated cereals to include clades of the fungus which are strongly specialized to these hosts, i.e. ff.spp. hordei, secalis and tritici, as well as avenae from cultivated A. sativa, and that the forma specialis concept should no longer be applied to B. graminis from most wild grasses.
A pathogenic progranulin mutation and C9orf72 repeat expansion in a family with frontotemporal dementia
Authors: Lashley Tammaryn , Rohrer Jonathan D. , Mahoney Colin , Gordon Elizabeth , Beck Jon , Mead Simon , Warren Jason , Rossor Martin , Revesz Tamas 
Published: November 2013

AimsFrontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease and is the second most common form of young onset dementia after Alzheimer's disease (AD). An autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance is present in around 25–50% of FTLD cases indicating a strong genetic component. Major pathogenic mutations of FTLD have been demonstrated independently in the progranulin (GRN) gene and the C9orf72 hexanucleotide expansion repeat. In this study we present a family that have been identified as carrying both a GRN Cys31fs mutation and the C9orf72 hexanucleotide expansion repeat.MethodsIn the present study we describe the clinical and genetic details of family members and pathological features of two family members that have come to post‐mortem.ResultsThe mean age at disease onset was 57 years (48–61 years) and mean duration 4 years (2–7 years). The most common presenting syndrome was behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia. Brain imaging from available cases showed a symmetrical pattern of atrophy particularly affecting the frontal and temporal lobes. Pathologically two cases were classified as FTLD‐TDP type A with TDP‐43 positive inclusions, with additional p62‐positive ‘star‐like’ inclusions found in the hippocampal formation and cerebellum.ConclusionsThe type and distribution of the pathological lesions in these two cases were in keeping with FTLD cases carrying only the C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat. However the driving force of the pathological process may be either pathogenic mutation or a combination of both converging on a singular mechanism.
Distensibility of the anal canal in patients with idiopathic fecal incontinence: a study with the Functional Lumen Imaging Probe
Authors: Sørensen G. , Liao D. , Lundby L. , Fynne L. , Buntzen S. , Gregersen H. , Laurberg S. , Krogh K. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractBackgroundAnatomical structures and their distensibility vary along the length of the anal canal. The anal sphincter muscles have dynamic properties that are not well‐reflected by standard manometry. Abnormal distensibility of the anal canal may be of importance in idiopathic fecal incontinence (IFI). The functional lumen imaging probe (FLIP) allows detailed studies of the distensibility and axial variation of sphincters. We aimed at comparing segmental distensibility of the anal canal in patients with IFI and healthy subjects.MethodsThe FLIP was used for distension of the anal canal in 22 patients with IFI (17 female, age 27–82 years) and 21 healthy volunteers (18 female, age 32–73 years). The distensibility was determined from changes in luminal diameter. Closure of the anal canal during voluntary squeeze was computed as the combined length of closed anal canal and time. Pressure‐strain elastic modulus was computed at rest.Key ResultsIn all subjects, the proximal anal canal was the most distensible segment. During distension at rest and during squeeze the middle and distal anal canal became significantly larger in IFI than in healthy (F < 22.4, p < 0.05). The closure of the anal canal during voluntary squeeze did not differ between healthy (75.9 ± 92.9 mm s) and IFI patients (90.4 ± 105 mm s; p = 0.6). Compared with healthy, IFI patients had lower pressure‐strain elastic modulus of the middle and distal (q > 4.5, p < 0.05) but not the proximal anal canal (q < 0.7, p > 0.05).Conclusions & InferencesPatients with IFI have increased distensibility of the middle and distal parts of the anal canal.
Bodyweight in Patients with Idiopathic Gastroparesis: Roles of Symptoms, Caloric Intake, Physical Activity, and Body Metabolism
Authors: Homko C. J. , Zamora L. C. , Boden G. , Parkman H. P. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractBackgroundMost gastroparetic patients are underweight probably because of frequently experienced early satiety, nausea, and vomiting. Some gastroparesis (GP) patients, however, are overweight, for reasons that are not well understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors that influence bodyweight such as resting energy and exercise‐related expenditure, symptoms of early satiety, nausea and vomiting, and caloric intake in patients with idiopathic GP and in healthy controls.MethodsThirty‐nine healthy controls and 29 subjects with idiopathic GP were studied. Resting energy expenditure (indirect calorimetry), body composition (bioelectrical impedance), dietary intake (Block Food Frequency Questionnaire), symptoms (Patient Assessment of Upper GI Symptoms), and physical activity (Paffenbarger exercise survey) were assessed.Key ResultsBoth median caloric intake (1242 vs 1804 kcal; p = 0.005) and caloric expenditure (486 vs 2172 kcal; p < 0.01) were significantly lower in patients with GP as compared to controls although BMI (25.8 ± 5.8 vs 24.3 ± 4.0 kg/m2) and resting energy expenditure (1327 ± 293 vs 1422 ± 243 kcal) were similar. On the other hand, the 12 GP patients who had gained weight (GW) since diagnosis had lower symptom severity (12.9 ± 4.4 vs 19.3 ± 6.3; p < 0.05), consumed more calories (1342 vs 1134 kcal; p = 0.08) and expended less calories for activity per week (406 vs 644 median kcal; p = 0.45) compared to the 17 GP patients who had lost weight or remained weight neutral (LW).Conclusions & InferencesPatients with GP, although in energy balance, consumed and expended less calories than healthy controls. A subgroup of patients with GP who were less symptomatic, gained weight because of increased caloric intake and reduced energy expenditure.
Accessory mental foramina: anatomy and histology of neurovascularisation in four cases with apical surgery
Authors: von Arx T. , Lozanoff S. , Bosshardt D. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe anatomical, radiographic and histological features of accessory mental foramina were assessed in four patients undergoing apical surgery of mandibular premolars or molars. In three cases, the accessory foramina were detected preoperatively, and in one case, the accessory foramen was observed accidentally during surgery. Histologically, the excised soft tissue bundles exiting the accessory foramina contained nerve tissue with fascicles, which contained mainly myelinated nerve fibres, and accompanying small blood vessels and adipocytes. Only one patient reported numbness following surgery. According to the suggested classification of supplementary mandibular buccal foramina, one case was classified as presenting a double mental foramen, two cases as having an accessory mental foramen and one case as displaying a so‐called additional buccal foramen.
Mechanical Sensitization of Cutaneous Sensory Fibers in the Spared Nerve Injury Mouse Model
Authors: Smith Amanda K , O'Hara Crystal L , Stucky Cheryl L 
Published: November 2013

Background The spared nerve injury (SNI) model of neuropathic pain produces robust and reproducible behavioral mechanical hypersensitivity. Although this rodent model of neuropathic pain has been well established and widely used, peripheral mechanisms underlying this phenotype remain incompletely understood. Here we investigated the role of cutaneous sensory fibers in the maintenance of mechanical hyperalgesia in mice post-SNI. Findings SNI produced robust, long-lasting behavioral mechanical hypersensitivity compared to sham and naïve controls beginning by post-operative day (POD) 1 and continuing through at least POD 180. We performed teased fiber recordings on single cutaneous fibers from the spared sural nerve using ex vivo skin-nerve preparations. Recordings were made between POD 16–42 after SNI or sham surgery. Aδ-mechanoreceptors (AM) and C fibers, many of which are nociceptors, from SNI mice fired significantly more action potentials in response to suprathreshold mechanical stimulation than did fibers from either sham or naïve control mice. However, there was no increase in spontaneous activity. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first study evaluating the contribution of primary afferent fibers in the SNI model. These data suggest that enhanced suprathreshold firing in AM and C fibers may play a role in the marked, persistent mechanical hypersensitivity observed in this model. These results may provide insight into mechanisms underlying neuropathic pain in humans.
Attainable region analysis for continuous production of second generation bioethanol
Authors: Scott Felipe , Conejeros Raúl , Aroca Germán 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Background
Despite its semi-commercial status, ethanol production from lignocellulosics presents many complexities not yet fully solved. Since the pretreatment stage has been recognized as a complex and yield-determining step, it has been extensively studied. However, economic success of the production process also requires optimization of the biochemical conversion stage. This work addresses the search of bioreactor configurations with improved residence times for continuous enzymatic saccharification and fermentation operations. Instead of analyzing each possible configuration through simulation, we apply graphical methods to optimize the residence time of reactor networks composed of steady-state reactors. Although this can be easily made for processes described by a single kinetic expression, reactions under analysis do not exhibit this feature. Hence, the attainable region method, able to handle multiple species and its reactions, was applied for continuous reactors. Additionally, the effects of the sugars contained in the pretreatment liquor over the enzymatic hydrolysis and simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) were assessed.

Results
We obtained candidate attainable regions for separate enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF) and SSF operations, both fed with pretreated corn stover. Results show that, despite the complexity of the reaction networks and underlying kinetics, the reactor networks that minimize the residence time can be constructed by using plug flow reactors and continuous stirred tank reactors. Regarding the effect of soluble solids in the feed stream to the reactor network, for SHF higher glucose concentration and yield are achieved for enzymatic hydrolysis with washed solids. Similarly, for SSF, higher yields and bioethanol titers are obtained using this substrate.

Conclusions
In this work, we demonstrated the capabilities of the attainable region analysis as a tool to assess the optimal reactor network with minimum residence time applied to the SHF and SSF operations for lignocellulosic ethanol production. The methodology can be readily modified to evaluate other kinetic models of different substrates, enzymes and microorganisms when available. From the obtained results, the most suitable reactor configuration considering residence time and rheological aspects is a continuous stirred tank reactor followed by a plug flow reactor (both in SSF mode) using washed solids as substrate.
Comparative secretome analysis of Trichoderma asperellum S4F8 and Trichoderma reesei Rut C30 during solid-state fermentation on sugarcane bagasse
Authors: Marx Isa Jacoba , van Wyk Niël , Smit Salome , Jacobson Daniel , Viljoen-Bloom Marinda , Volschenk Heinrich 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Background
The lignocellulosic enzymes of Trichoderma species have received particular attention with regard to biomass conversion to biofuels, but the production cost of these enzymes remains a significant hurdle for their commercial application. In this study, we quantitatively compared the lignocellulolytic enzyme profile of a newly isolated Trichoderma asperellum S4F8 strain with that of Trichoderma reesei Rut C30, cultured on sugarcane bagasse (SCB) using solid-state fermentation (SSF).

Results
Comparison of the lignocellulolytic enzyme profiles of S4F8 and Rut C30 showed that S4F8 had significantly higher hemicellulase and β-glucosidase enzyme activities. Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry analysis of the two fungal secretomes enabled the detection of 815 proteins in total, with 418 and 397 proteins being specific for S4F8 and Rut C30, respectively, and 174 proteins being common to both strains. In-depth analysis of the associated biological functions and the representation of glycoside hydrolase family members within the two secretomes indicated that the S4F8 secretome contained a higher diversity of main and side chain hemicellulases and β-glucosidases, and an increased abundance of some of these proteins compared with the Rut C30 secretome.

Conclusions
In SCB SSF, T. asperellum S4F8 produced a more complex lignocellulolytic cocktail, with enhanced hemicellulose and cellobiose hydrolysis potential, compared with T. reesei Rut C30. This bodes well for the development of a more cost-effective and efficient lignocellulolytic enzyme cocktail from T. asperellum for lignocellulosic feedstock hydrolysis.
Tracking the cellulolytic activity of Clostridium thermocellum biofilms
Authors: Dumitrache Alexandru , Wolfaardt Gideon M , Allen David Grant , Liss Steven N , Lynd Lee R 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Background
Microbial cellulose conversion by Clostridium thermocellum 27405 occurs predominantly through the activity of substrate-adherent bacteria organized in thin, primarily single cell-layered biofilms. The importance of cellulosic surface exposure to microbial hydrolysis has received little attention despite its implied impact on conversion kinetics.

Results
We showed the spatial heterogeneity of fiber distribution in pure cellulosic sheets, which made direct measurements of biofilm colonization and surface penetration impossible. Therefore, we utilized on-line measurements of carbon dioxide (CO2) production in continuous-flow reactors, in conjunction with confocal imaging, to observe patterns of biofilm invasion and to indirectly estimate microbial accessibility to the substrate’s surface and the resulting limitations on conversion kinetics. A strong positive correlation was found between cellulose consumption and CO2 production (R2 = 0.996) and between surface area and maximum biofilm activity (R2 = 0.981). We observed an initial biofilm development rate (0.46 h-1, 0.34 h-1 and 0.33 h-1) on Whatman sheets (#1, #598 and #3, respectively) that stabilized when the accessible surface was maximally colonized. The results suggest that cellulose conversion kinetics is initially subject to a microbial limitation period where the substrate is in excess, followed by a substrate limitation period where cellular mass, in the form of biofilms, is not limiting. Accessible surface area acts as an important determinant of the respective lengths of these two distinct periods. At end-point fermentation, all sheets were digested predominantly under substrate accessibility limitations (e.g., up to 81% of total CO2 production for Whatman #1). Integration of CO2 production rates over time showed Whatman #3 underwent the fastest conversion efficiency under microbial limitation, suggestive of best biofilm penetration, while Whatman #1 exhibited the least recalcitrance and the faster degradation during the substrate limitation period.

Conclusion
The results showed that the specific biofilm development rate of cellulolytic bacteria such as C. thermocellum has a notable effect on overall reactor kinetics during the period of microbial limitation, when ca. 20% of cellulose conversion occurs. The study further demonstrated the utility of on-line CO2 measurements as a method to assess biofilm development and substrate digestibility pertaining to microbial solubilization of cellulose, which is relevant when considering feedstock pre-treatment options.