bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology of pleural infections in Taiwan from 1997 through 2008
Authors: SHEN HSIU‐NIEN , LU CHIN‐LI , LI CHUNG‐YI 
Published: July 2012

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  Population‐based data on pleural infections are limited. This study describes the temporal trends in the incidence, management and outcomes of pleural infections in Taiwan.Methods:  The Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database was used to analyse data on 26 385 patients with a first episode of pleural infection between 1997 and 2008.Results:  During the study period, the median age of the patients increased from 60 to 65 years. The majority of patients were men (75%); this proportion remained constant over time. The standardized annual incidence of pleural infection increased from 5.2 per 100 000 in 1997 and reached a plateau of 8.4 to 9.6 per 100 000 between 2002 and 2008. Over time, there was an increase in the use of computed tomography (from 47.3% in 1997–1998 to 59.4% in 2007–2008), pigtail catheters (from 1.5% to 18.9%), fibrinolytics (from 0.9% to 9.3%) and surgery (from 27.7% to 33.6%), to treat pleural infections. Furthermore, the use of life‐support resources, including haemodialysis, mechanical ventilation and intensive care, also increased by 3.1%, 11.0% and 12.8%, respectively. Median hospital charges per patient increased by 63.6% over the 12 years. Although the proportion of patients with organ dysfunction (i.e. severe sepsis) increased from 26.5% to 47.7%, 30‐day mortality decreased from 15.0% to 13.1% (P‐value for trend = 0.001).Conclusions:  These findings suggest that advances in the management of pleural infections and subsequent severe sepsis may have led to a reduction in the risk of short‐term mortality in Taiwan.
Update on yttrium‐90‐based radio‐embolization for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Kan Raymond Wai Man , Tsang Simon Hing Yin , Poon Ronnie Tung Ping , Cheung Tan To 
Published: July 2012

AbstractBackground:  Catheter‐based intra‐arterial therapies provided effective tumour control for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma without distant metastasis. There was a renewed interest in the advancement of yttrium‐90 radio‐embolization.Method:  An extensive search on the MEDLINE databases identified seven case series and two comparative studies regarding yttrium‐90 radio‐embolization.Results:  Case series on yttrium‐90 radio‐embolization indicated a tumour response rate that ranged from 20% to 70%, and median survival that ranged from 7.7 to 26.6 months. Two comparative studies did not demonstrate significant difference in terms of tumour response rate and survival. One of these comparative studies demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in treatment‐related neutropaenia.Conclusion:  The current use of yttrium‐90 radio‐embolization was mainly based on small case series. Yttrium‐90 radio‐embolization seemed equivalent to conventional chemo‐embolization in terms of tumour response rate and survival benefit. Emerging evidence suggested that yttrium‐90 radio‐embolization may have a more favourable side effects profile, in particular in reducing the chance of neutropaenia. Cost and logistics arrangement were two important considerations in generalizing the application of yttrium‐90 radio‐embolization.
COX‐2 mRNA is increased in oesophageal mucosal cells by a proton pump inhibitor
Authors: Mayne George C. , Watson David I. , Hussey Damian J. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractBackground:  Barrett's oesophagus develops in some individuals with gastro‐oesophageal reflux and is the precursor to oesophageal adenocarcinoma. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) suppress gastric acid production and are used to treat reflux. Clinical trials suggest that cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors might prevent oesophageal cancer, although PPIs could offset this by increasing COX‐2 expression in Barrett's oesophagus. To investigate this, we evaluated the impact of a PPI on COX expression in oesophageal mucosal cells.Methods:  The effect of the PPI esomeprazole on COX‐1 and COX‐2 mRNA levels in oesophageal cells was determined. Oesophageal cell lines OE33 (adenocarcinoma‐derived) and HET‐1A (immortalized squamous cells) and a control intestinal cell line HT29 (colon carcinoma) were treated for 24 h, with increasing concentrations of the esomeprazole.Results:  COX‐2, but not COX‐1, mRNA levels dose‐dependently increased in OE33 and HET‐1A cells versus esomeprazole concentration. COX‐2 mRNA levels did not increase in HT29 cells.Conclusions:  Exposure to esomeprazole increases COX‐2 mRNA in oesophageal cells. This might contribute to the lack of benefit for COX inhibitors for oesophageal cancer prevention in recent clinical studies.
Management of ductal carcinoma in situ according to Van Nuys Prognostic Index in Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Whitfield Robert , Kollias James , de Silva Primali , Turner Jenna , Maddern Guy 
Published: July 2012

AbstractIntroduction:  Clinicians often use the Van Nuys Prognostic Index (VNPI) to determine management of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). The VNPI uses age, extent of DCIS, pathological grade and resection margins to stratify patients into three groups pertaining to risk of local recurrence: low‐risk (where breast‐conserving surgery – BCS – alone appears adequate), intermediate‐risk (where BCS plus radiotherapy is recommended) and high‐risk (where mastectomy may be the safest option). The purpose of this study was to determine patterns of management of DCIS in Australia and New Zealand according to the VNPI.Methods:  Using the National Breast Cancer Audit for the period 2004–2009, 4578 cases of DCIS were identified where complete data were available. Patterns of management according to the VNPI were determined. The chi‐squared test was used for statistical analysis.Results:  In VNPI group 1, 77% of patients were treated with BCS compared with 63% in group 2 and 32% in group 3. Of patients in group 1 who underwent BCS, 58% also received adjuvant radiotherapy, compared with 80% in group 2. In group 3, 68% were treated with mastectomy, and of those who underwent BCS, 86% received radiotherapy. Overall, 23% of DCIS cases did not conform to best practice according to individual VNPI prognostic groupings.Conclusions:  Significant differences in the management of DCIS according to VNPI groups were observed. The results suggest the possibility that some patients in the low‐risk group were over‐treated, while a proportion of patients in the intermediate‐ and high‐risk groups were under‐treated.
Sociality, density‐dependence and microclimates determine the persistence of populations suffering from a novel fungal disease, white‐nose syndrome
Authors: Langwig Kate E. , Frick Winifred F. , Bried Jason T. , Hicks Alan C. , Kunz Thomas H. , Marm Kilpatrick A. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractDisease has caused striking declines in wildlife and threatens numerous species with extinction. Theory suggests that the ecology and density‐dependence of transmission dynamics can determine the probability of disease‐caused extinction, but few empirical studies have simultaneously examined multiple factors influencing disease impact. We show, in hibernating bats infected withGeomyces destructans, that impacts of disease on solitary species were lower in smaller populations, whereas in socially gregarious species declines were equally severe in populations spanning four orders of magnitude. However, as these gregarious species declined, we observed decreases in social group size that reduced the likelihood of extinction. In addition, disease impacts in these species increased with humidity and temperature such that the coldest and driest roosts provided initial refuge from disease. These results expand our theoretical framework and provide an empirical basis for determining which host species are likely to be driven extinct while management action is still possible.
Ecological interactions drive evolutionary loss of traits
Authors: Ellers Jacintha , Toby Kiers E. , Currie Cameron R. , McDonald Bradon R. , Visser Bertanne 
Published: July 2012

AbstractLoss of traits can dramatically alter the fate of species. Evidence is rapidly accumulating that the prevalence of trait loss is grossly underestimated. New findings demonstrate that traits can be lost without affecting the external phenotype, provided the lost function is compensated for by species interactions. This is important because trait loss can tighten the ecological relationship between partners, affecting the maintenance of species interactions. Here, we develop a new perspective on so‐called ˋcompensated trait loss' and how this type of trait loss may affect the evolutionary dynamics between interacting organisms. We argue that: (1) the frequency of compensated trait loss is currently underestimated because it can go unnoticed as long as ecological interactions are maintained; (2) by analysing known cases of trait loss, specific factors promoting compensated trait loss can be identified and (3) genomic sequencing is a key way forwards in detecting compensated trait loss. We present a comprehensive literature survey showing that compensated trait loss is taxonomically widespread, can involve essential traits, and often occurs as replicated evolutionary events. Despite its hidden nature, compensated trait loss is important in directing evolutionary dynamics of ecological relationships and has the potential to change facultative ecological interactions into obligatory ones.
Drivers of cyanobacterial diversity and community composition in mangrove soils in south‐east Brazil
Authors: Rigonato Janaina , Kent Angela D. , Alvarenga Danillo O. , Andreote Fernando D. , Beirigo Raphael M. , Vidal‐Torrado Pablo , Fiore Marli F. 
Published: July 2012

SummaryCyanobacteria act as primary producers of carbon and nitrogen in nutrient‐poor ecosystems such as mangroves. This important group of microorganisms plays a critical role in sustaining the productivity of mangrove ecosystems, but the structure and function of cyanobacteria assemblages can be perturbed by anthropogenic influences. The aim of this work was to assess the community structure and ecological drivers that influence the cyanobacterial community harboured in two Brazilian mangrove soils, and examine the long‐term effects of oil contamination on these keystone species. Community fingerprinting results showed that, although cyanobacterial communities are distinct between the two mangroves, the structure and diversity of the assemblages exhibit similar responses to environmental gradients. In each ecosystem, cyanobacteria occupying near‐shore areas were similar in composition, indicating importance of marine influences for structuring the community. Analysis of 16S rRNA sequences revealed the presence of diverse cyanobacterial communities in mangrove sediments, with clear differences among mangrove habitats along a transect from shore to forest. While near‐shore sites in both mangroves were mainly occupied by Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus genera, sequences retrieved from other mangrove niches were mainly affiliated with uncultured cyanobacterial 16S rRNA. The most intriguing finding was the large number of potentially novel cyanobacteria 16S rRNA sequences obtained from a previously oil‐contaminated site. The abundance of cyanobacterial 16S rRNA sequences observed in sites with a history of oil contamination was significantly lower than in the unimpacted areas. This study emphasized the role of environmental drivers in determining the structure of cyanobacterial communities in mangrove soils, and suggests that anthropogenic impacts may also act as ecological filters that select cyanobacterial taxa. These results are an important contribution to our understanding of the composition and relative abundance of previously poorly described cyanobacterial assemblages in mangrove ecosystems.
Mollicutes‐related endobacteria thrive inside liverwort‐associated arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi
Authors: Desirò Alessandro , Naumann Maria , Epis Sara , Novero Mara , Bandi Claudio , Genre Andrea , Bonfante Paola 
Published: July 2012

SummaryArbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can host Gram‐positive endobacteria (BLOs) in their cytoplasm. These have been identified as Mollicutes‐related microbes based on an inventory of AMF spores from fungal collections. Bacteria‐like organisms (BLOs) of unknown identity have also been reported in the cytoplasm of AMF associated with liverworts, the earliest‐diverged extant lineage of land plants. A combination of morphological, molecular and phylogenetic analyses revealed that three samples of two liverwort species (Conocephalum conicum and Lunularia cruciata) growing spontaneously in a botanical garden harboured AMF belonging to Glomerales, and these, in turn, hosted coccoid BLOs. 16S rDNA sequences from these BLOs clustered with the Mollicutes sequences identified from the spore collections but revealed the presence of novel phylotypes. Electron microscopy and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) confirmed the presence of BLOs inside the cytoplasm of AMF hyphae colonizing the liverwort thalli. The high genetic variability of BLOs in liverwort–AMF associations thriving in the same ecological niche raises questions about the mechanisms underlying such diversity.
Birds as reservoirs for Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. in Western Europe: circulation of B. turdi and other genospecies in bird–tick cycles in Portugal
Authors: Norte A. C. , Ramos J. A. , Gern L. , Núncio M. S. , Lopes de Carvalho I. 
Published: July 2012

SummaryBirds are important in the ecology of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) because they are important hosts for vector tick immature stages and are known reservoirs for some Borrelia genospecies. The aim of our study was to assess the role of common passerine bird species as reservoirs for B. burgdorferi s.l. in Western Europe. We surveyed birds in enzootic areas in Portugal, where no information is available for birds as reservoirs for this aetiologic agent and where B. lusitaniae, for which few reservoirs have been identified, is the dominant genospecies. Twenty‐three birds (2.9%), including Turdus merula, T. philomelos, Parus major and Fringilla coelebs harboured infected ticks, but only Turdus sp. harboured infected tick larvae. In one study area, although B. lusitaniae was dominant in questing Ixodes ricinus, no ticks feeding on birds were infected with this genospecies, and B. valaisiana was the dominant genospecies in I. ricinus larvae feeding on birds. In the other area ticks collected from birds were mainly I. frontalis which were infected with B. turdi. Two skin biopsies (4.2%) from two T. merula were positive, one for B. valaisiana and the other for B. turdi. This is the first report for B. turdi in Western Europe.
Postoperative recurrence of Crohn’s disease: impact of endoscopic monitoring and treatment step‐up
Authors: De Cruz P. , Bernardi M.‐P. , Kamm M. A. , Allen P. B. , Prideaux L. , Williams J. , Johnston M. J. , Keck J. , Brouwer R. , Heriot A. , Woods R. , Brown S. , Bell S. J. , Elliott R. , Connell W. R. , Desmond P. V. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAim  Eighty per cent of patients with Crohn’s disease require surgery, of whom 70% will require a further operation. Recurrence occurs at the anastomosis. Although often recommended, the impact of postoperative colonoscopy and treatment adjustment is unknown.Method  Patients with a bowel resection over a 10‐year period were reviewed and comparison made between those who did and did not have a postoperative colonoscopy within 1 year of surgery, and those who did or did not have a step‐up in drug therapy.Results  Of 222 patients operated on, 136 (65 men, mean age 33 years, mean disease duration 8 years, median follow‐up 4 years) were studied. Of 70 patients with and 66 without postoperative colonoscopy, clinical recurrence occurred in 49% and 48% (NS) and further surgery in 9% and 5% (NS). Eighty‐nine per cent of colonoscoped patients had a decision based on the colonoscopic findings: of these, 24% had a step‐up of drug therapy [antibiotics (n = 10), aminosalicylates (n = 2), thiopurine (n = 5), methotrexate (n = 1)] and 76% had no step‐up in drug therapy. In colonoscoped patients clinical recurrence occurred in 9 (60%) of 15 patients with, and 23 (49%) of 47 without step‐up and surgical recurrence in 2 (13%) of 15 and 4 (9%) of 47 (NS).Conclusion  Clinical recurrence occurs in a majority of patients soon after surgery. In this cohort, there was no clinical benefit from colonoscopy or increased drug therapy within 1 year after operation. However, the response to the endoscopic findings was not standardized and immunosuppressive therapy was uncommon. Standardizing timing of colonoscopy and drug therapy, including more intense therapy, may improve outcome, although this remains to be proven.
Reproductive morphology of the male Tuatara, Sphenodon punctatus
Authors: Rheubert Justin L. , Cree Alison , Downes Matthew , Sever David M. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractOver the past decade, studies on reproductive morphology in the Squamata (snakes and lizards) have expanded tremendously. With the accumulation of these studies and revisions of the terminology based on structural similarities and differences, it is imperative to review the work on tuataras to determine whether the structural organization fits the revised terminology of vertebrates. We investigated the morphology of the male reproductive system in the Tuatara, Sphenodon punctatus (Rhynchocephalia), the sister taxon to the Squamata. Previous studies on the Tuatara used a nomenclature for the testicular ducts different from the current terminology for amniotes. The reproductive system in the Tuatara is consistent with reports in the Squamata. Two rete testis tubules exit the testis within a connective tissue sheath similar to that shown in other squamate species and the protherian Echidna. Each rete testis divides into multiple ductuli efferentes that fuse with the epididymis. The epididymis transitions into the ductus deferens where the sperm become more concentrated into spherical bundles. The ductus deferens enters the cloacal urodeum separately from the ureter. An ampulla ureter or ampulla urogenital papilla was not observed, which differs from previous studies of lepidosaurians. Furthermore, a sexual segment of the kidney (SSK) was not observed, consistent with previous studies on the Tuatara.
Effect of long‐term injection of dopamine on the ovarian growth of Cherax quadricarinatus juvenile females (Parastacidae, Decapoda)
Authors: Tropea Carolina , López Greco Laura S. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) modulates many physiological processes in decapod crustaceans, including reproduction. This study was aimed at evaluating whether the long‐term injection of DA affects ovarian growth in the freshwater crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus. Three experiments were performed with females of different mean initial size: 4.15 g (Group A); 9.65 g (Group B); and 13.98 g (Group C). Treated females were injected with DA and control females with physiological saline twice a week for 90 (Group B), 105 (Group A) and 120 (Group C) days. At the end of the experiments, the animals were killed, and the stage of ovarian development, gonadosomatic index, and mean oocyte diameter were determined. DA had a differential effect according to female size: it negatively affected ovarian growth of females in a weight range of 4–14 g and had no effect on ovarian maturation when injected to females with an initial weight of 14 g. The results are compared with previous reports in freshwater decapod crustaceans.
Importance of citrate and the calcium : citrate ratio in patients with calcium renal lithiasis and severe lithogenesis
Authors: Arrabal‐Polo Miguel Angel , Arrabal‐Martin Miguel , Arias‐Santiago Salvador , Garrido‐Gomez Juan , Poyatos‐Andujar Antonio , Zuluaga‐Gomez Armando 
Published: July 2012

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?
Different studies have shown the importance of citrate in the formation of calcium stones. It has further been shown that the states of metabolic acidosis result in an increase in bone resorption and lower urinary citrate levels. Increasing the intake of citrate in these patients can reduce the lithogenic risk and improve bone mineral density (BMD), contributing to control of both diseases.
The study shows the importance of citrate in patients with calcium stones and BMD loss. The deficit in citrate excretion is associated with a decrease in bone mineralization and increased β‐crosslaps. A calcium : citrate ratio >0.25 in patients with calcium stones and loss of mineral density may predict severe lithogenic activity.
Objective
To analyse the importance of urinary citrate and the urinary calcium : citrate ratio in patients with calcium renal lithiasis and severe lithogenesis compared with a control group of patients without lithiasis.
Material and Methods
A cross‐sectional study of 115 patients in eastern Andalusia, Spain was conducted.
The patients were divided into two groups: Group A: 56 patients aged 25–60 years without calcium renal lithiasis; Group B: 59 patients aged 25–60 years, presenting with calcium renal lithiasis and severe lithogenesis.
The citrate levels and the calcium : citrate ratio in the patients’ urine and the relationship of these two factors to lithiasic activity were analysed and compared.
Results
In Group B, 32.2% of the patients presented with hypocitraturia, compared with 14.3% of the patients in Group A (P = 0.02).
The urinary citrate levels were lower in Group B than in Group A (P = 0.001) and the calcium : citrate ratio was higher in Group B than in Group A (P = 0.005).
The results suggest that a patient urinary calcium : citrate ratio > 0.25 indicates severe lithogenesis (with a sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 57%).
After linear regression analysis, we found that the urinary citrate level is an independent factor associated with the changes in bone densitometry T‐score values of patients.
Conclusions
The patients with severe lithogenesis presented with hypocitraturia, which was associated with lower bone mineral density.
The calcium : citrate ratio, which is linearly related to the bone resorption marker β‐crosslaps, could be useful in evaluating the risk of severe lithogenesis when this ratio is >0.25.