bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Perceived control and involvement in self care in patients with colorectal cancer
Authors: Kidd Lisa , Hubbard Gill , O’Carroll Ronan , Kearney Nora 
Published: July 2009

Aim.  This paper reports the qualitative findings from a mixed methods study which explored patients’ understandings of perceived control in relation to their self care during chemotherapy for colorectal cancer.Background.  A greater degree of patient involvement in self care is increasingly being encouraged; however, little is known about how factors such as perceived control influence patients’ active involvement in self care.Design.  Qualitative, longitudinal study.Methods.  Semi structured interviews were conducted with 11 patients before and after six months of chemotherapy treatment for colorectal cancer in a Scottish cancer centre between March 2005–June 2006. The interviews, conducted as part of a larger study, explored patients’ understandings of their perceived control over managing treatment‐related side effects and how this influenced their attitudes toward, and role preferences in, self care.Results.  Patients fell into one of two groups: ‘high’ or ‘low’ perceived controllers. High‐perceived controllers were more likely to view their active involvement in self care positively, as being necessary in managing treatment‐related effects and were less likely to rely on nurses to take overall responsibility for the management of treatment‐related side effects. Low‐perceived controllers were less likely to believe in the importance or necessity of their active involvement in self care and more likely to perceive nurses as being the ones responsible for the management of treatment‐related side effects.Conclusions.  Perceived control during treatment for cancer influences patients’ perceptions toward, and role preferences in, self care.Relevance to clinical practice.  Clinical interventions designed to enhance involvement in self care would benefit from focussing on enhancing patients’ perceived control and understanding their role preferences in self care. Patients with different understandings of perceived control may require different help and support to encourage their involvement in self care.
Caspase‐dependent induction of apoptosis in barramundi, Lates calcarifer (Bloch), muscle cells by grouper iridovirus
Authors: Chiou P P , Chen Y‐C , Lai Y‐S 
Published: July 2009

AbstractWe recently reported that grouper iridovirus (GIV) can induce apoptosis in barramundi, Lates calcarifer, muscle (BM) and swim bladder (BSB) cell lines. In this paper, we further characterize the molecular mechanism underlying apoptotic death in BM cells triggered by GIV. DNA‐laddering and apoptotic cells were observed in BM cells infected with UV‐irradiated or untreated GIV but was absent in cells infected with heat‐inactivated GIV, indicating the involvement of viral protein in the apoptosis event. In GIV‐infected BM cells, the conversion of procaspase‐3 to caspase‐3 was evident and the level of caspase‐8 and ‐9 increased as early as 30 min post‐infection. When treated with a pancaspase inhibitor, the GIV‐induced apoptosis event was abolished. These observations indicate that GIV‐induced apoptosis is caspase‐dependent, and that both the external and internal routes in the caspase‐dependent pathway are likely involved in the apoptosis process.
Effects of a natural parasitical infection (Lernanthropus kroyeri) on the immune system of European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax L
Authors: HENRY M. A. , ALEXIS M. N. , FOUNTOULAKI E. , NENGAS I. , RIGOS G. 
Published: July 2009

SummaryThe immune response of European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax, to a natural infection by the copepod parasite Lernanthropus kroyeri was evaluated for the first time in vivo. The results clearly demonstrated the triggering of the fish immune system by the parasite. Lysozyme activity and alternative complement pathway were involved in the early action against the parasitical infection, whilst classical complement and respiratory burst (RB) activity took over in the later stages of infection. It was hypothesized that the levels of alternative and classical complement and RB stimulation indexes may determine the resistance capacity of the fish to the parasite. It is not clear how parasites can survive despite the strong immunological arsenal deployed by the fish. The continual increase of prevalence and severity of parasite infection suggested that the parasite’s mechanism of evasion of the immune system was extremely successful. The contrasting decrease in the negative effects of parasites on the fish health (such as gills anaemia) suggested that an equilibrium between the parasites and their hosts was reached in chronic infection. These dynamic interactions between parasites and fish hosts were probably the main determinant of host specificity.
Comparison of photoselective vaporization and standard transurethral resection of the prostate on urodynamics in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia
Authors: Nomura Hiroyuki , Seki Narihito , Yamaguchi Akito , Naito Seiji 
Published: July 2009

Objectives:  To compare photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.Methods:  Patients were enrolled in a prospective non‐randomized trial and underwent PVP (n = 78) and TURP (n = 51). Primary outcome variables included: International Prostate Symptom Score, quality‐of‐life score, urinary peak flow and post‐void residual urine volume at 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Secondary outcomes were urodynamic variables, including the index of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) and detrusor contractility.Results:  Improvement in all outcome variables after PVP was comparable to that after TURP within 12 months. Outcome based on urodynamic parameters was also similar. Pre/post median value of the BOO index was 63/2 in the PVP group and 61/5 in the TURP group. Pre/post rate of detrusor overactivity was 49%/27% in the PVP and 53%/29% in the TURP group. There was minimal change in detrusor contractility. Overall, morbidity was comparable in the two groups.Conclusions:  The 12‐month outcome after PVP is similar to that of TURP with an effective relief from BOO and detrusor overactivity and minimal change in detrusor contractility.
The role of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance in nature
Authors: Aminov Rustam I. 
Published: July 2009

SummaryInvestigations of antibiotic resistance from an environmental prospective shed new light on a problem that was traditionally confined to a subset of clinically relevant antibiotic‐resistant bacterial pathogens. It is clear that the environmental microbiota, even in apparently antibiotic‐free environments, possess an enormous number and diversity of antibiotic resistance genes, some of which are very similar to the genes circulating in pathogenic microbiota. It is difficult to explain the role of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance in natural environments from an anthropocentric point of view, which is focused on clinical aspects such as the efficiency of antibiotics in clearing infections and pathogens that are resistant to antibiotic treatment. A broader overview of the role of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance in nature from the evolutionary and ecological prospective suggests that antibiotics have evolved as another way of intra‐ and inter‐domain communication in various ecosystems. This signalling by non‐clinical concentrations of antibiotics in the environment results in adaptive phenotypic and genotypic responses of microbiota and other members of the community. Understanding the complex picture of evolution and ecology of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance may help to understand the processes leading to the emergence and dissemination of antibiotic resistance and also help to control it, at least in relation to the newer antibiotics now entering clinical practice.
Towards the human intestinal microbiota phylogenetic core
Authors: Tap Julien , Mondot Stanislas , Levenez Florence , Pelletier Eric , Caron Christophe , Furet Jean‐Pierre , Ugarte Edgardo , Muñoz‐Tamayo Rafael , Paslier Denis L. E. , Nalin Renaud , Dore Joel , Leclerc Marion 
Published: July 2009

SummaryThe paradox of a host specificity of the human faecal microbiota otherwise acknowledged as characterized by global functionalities conserved between humans led us to explore the existence of a phylogenetic core. We investigated the presence of a set of bacterial molecular species that would be altogether dominant and prevalent within the faecal microbiota of healthy humans. A total of 10 456 non‐chimeric bacterial 16S rRNA sequences were obtained after cloning of PCR‐amplified rDNA from 17 human faecal DNA samples. Using alignment or tetranucleotide frequency‐based methods, 3180 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were detected. The 16S rRNA sequences mainly belonged to the phyla Firmicutes (79.4%), Bacteroidetes (16.9%), Actinobacteria (2.5%), Proteobacteria (1%) and Verrumicrobia (0.1%). Interestingly, while most of OTUs appeared individual‐specific, 2.1% were present in more than 50% of the samples and accounted for 35.8% of the total sequences. These 66 dominant and prevalent OTUs included members of the genera Faecalibacterium, Ruminococcus, Eubacterium, Dorea, Bacteroides, Alistipes and Bifidobacterium. Furthermore, 24 OTUs had cultured type strains representatives which should be subjected to genome sequence with a high degree of priority. Strikingly, 52 of these 66 OTUs were detected in at least three out of four recently published human faecal microbiota data sets, obtained with very different experimental procedures. A statistical model confirmed these OTUs prevalence. Despite the species richness and a high individual specificity, a limited number of OTUs is shared among individuals and might represent the phylogenetic core of the human intestinal microbiota. Its role in human health deserves further study.
In situ measurement of methane fluxes and analysis of transcribed particulate methane monooxygenase in desert soils
Authors: Angel Roey , Conrad Ralf 
Published: July 2009

SummaryAerated soils are a biological sink for atmospheric methane. However, the activity of desert soils and the presence of methanotrophs in these soils have hardly been studied. We studied on‐site atmospheric methane consumption rates as well as the diversity and expression of the pmoA gene, coding for a subunit of the particulate methane monooxygenase, in arid and hyperarid soils in the Negev Desert, Israel. Methane uptake was only detected in undisturbed soils in the arid region (∼90 mm year−1) and vertical methane profiles in soil showed the active layer to be at 0–20 cm depth. No methane uptake was detected in the hyperarid soils (∼20 mm year−1) as well as in disturbed soils in the arid region (i.e. agricultural field and a mini‐catchment). Molecular analysis of the methanotrophic community using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T‐RFLP) and cloning/sequencing of the pmoA gene detected methanotrophs in the active soils, whereas the inactive ones were dominated by sequences of the homologous gene amoA, coding for a subunit of the ammonia monooxygenase. Even in the active soils, methanotrophs (as well as in situ activity) could not be detected in the soil crust, which is the biologically most important layer in desert soils. All pmoA sequences belonged to yet uncultured strains. Transcript analysis showed dominance of sequences clustering within the JR3, formerly identified in Californian grassland soils. Our results show that although active methanotrophs are prevalent in arid soils they seem to be absent or inactive in hyperarid and disturbed arid soils. Furthermore, we postulate that methanotrophs of the yet uncultured JR3 cluster are the dominant atmospheric methane oxidizers in this ecosystem.
Microbial diversity in modern marine stromatolites, Highborne Cay, Bahamas
Authors: Baumgartner Laura K. , Spear John R. , Buckley Daniel H. , Pace Norman R. , Reid R. Pamela , Dupraz Christophe , Visscher Pieter T. 
Published: July 2009

SummaryLiving marine stromatolites at Highborne Cay, Bahamas, are formed by microbial mat communities that facilitate precipitation of calcium carbonate and bind and trap small carbonate sand grains. This process results in a laminated structure similar to the layering observed in ancient stromatolites. In the modern marine system at Highborne Cay, lamination, lithification and stromatolite formation are associated with cycling between three types of microbial communities at the stromatolite surface (Types 1, 2 and 3, which range from a leathery microbial mat to microbially fused sediment). Examination of 923 universal small‐subunit rRNA gene sequences from these communities reveals that taxonomic richness increases during transition from Type 1 to Type 3 communities, supporting a previous model that proposed that the three communities represent different stages of mat development. The phylogenetic composition also changes significantly between these community types and these community changes occur in concert with variation in biogeochemical rates. The dominant bacterial groups detected in the stromatolites include Alphaproteobacteria, Planctomycetes, Cyanobacteria and Bacteroidetes. In addition, the stromatolite communities were found to contain novel cyanobacteria that may be uniquely associated with modern marine stromatolites. The implications of these findings are discussed in the context of current models for stromatolite formation.
OmpA influences Escherichia coli biofilm formation by repressing cellulose production through the CpxRA two‐component system
Authors: Ma Qun , Wood Thomas K. 
Published: July 2009

SummaryPreviously we discovered that OmpA of Escherichia coli increases biofilm formation on polystyrene surfaces (González Barrios et al., Biotechnol Bioeng, 93:188–200, 2006a). Here we show OmpA influences biofilm formation differently on hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces since it represses cellulose production which is hydrophilic. OmpA increased biofilm formation on polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyvinyl surfaces while it decreased biofilm formation on glass surfaces. Sand column assays corroborated that OmpA decreases attachment to hydrophilic surfaces. The ompA mutant formed sticky colonies, and the extracellular polysaccharide that caused stickiness was identified as cellulose. A whole‐transcriptome study revealed that OmpA induces the CpxRA two‐component signal transduction pathway that responds to membrane stress. CpxA phosphorylates CpxR and results in reduced csgD expression. Reduced CsgD production represses adrA expression and results in reduced cellulose production since CsgD and AdrA are responsible for 3,5‐cyclic diguanylic acid and cellulose synthesis. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction confirmed csgD and adrA are repressed by OmpA. Biofilm and cellulose assays with double deletion mutants adrA ompA, csgB ompA, and cpxR ompA confirmed OmpA decreased cellulose production and increased biofilm formation on polystyrene surfaces through CpxR and AdrA. Further evidence of the link between OmpA and the CpxRA system was that overproduction of OmpA disrupted the membrane and led to cell lysis. Therefore, OmpA inhibits cellulose production through the CpxRA stress response system, and this reduction in cellulose increases biofilm formation on hydrophobic surfaces.
Symptomatic anastomotic leakage diagnosed after hospital discharge following low anterior resection for rectal cancer
Authors: Matthiessen P. , Lindgren R. , Hallböök O. , Rutegård J. , Sjödahl R. ,   on behalf of the RECTODES (Rectal Cancer Trial on Defunctioning Stoma) Study Group
Published: July 2009

AbstractObjective  The aim of this study was to investigate patients with symptomatic anastomotic leakage diagnosed after hospital discharge.Method  Patients (n = 234) undergoing low anterior resection of the rectum for cancer who were included in a prospective multicentre trial (NCT 00636948) and who developed symptomatic anastomotic leakage diagnosed after hospital discharge (late leakage, LL; n = 18) were identified. Patient characteristics, operative details, recovery on postoperative day 5, length of hospital stay, and how the leakage was diagnosed were recorded. A comparison with those who did not develop symptomatic leakage (no leakage, NL; n = 189) was made. The minimum follow up was 24 months.Results  In the LL patients the median age was 69 years, 61% were female patients, and 6% had stage IV cancer disease. On postoperative day 5, the LL group had a postoperative course similar to the NL group regarding temperature, oral intake and bowel function. The proportion of patients on antibiotic treatment on postoperative day 5, regardless of indication, was 28% in the LL compared with 4% in the NL group (P < 0.001). The median initial hospital stay was 10 days for both groups. When readmission for any reason was added, the hospital stay rose to a median of 21.5 and 13 days in the LL and the NL groups respectively (P < 0.001).Conclusion  Symptomatic anastomotic leakage diagnosed after hospital discharge following low anterior resection of the rectum for cancer is not uncommon and has an immediate clinical postoperative course which may appear uneventful.
Clinical manifestations of cataracts in small breed dogs
Authors: Park Shin Ae , Yi Na Young , Jeong Man Bok , Kim Won Tae , Kim Se Eun , Chae Je Min , Seo Kang Moon 
Published: July 2009

AbstractObjective To determine the incidence, etiology, and concurrent ophthalmic findings in small breed dogs that presented with cataracts.Animal studied Five hundred and sixty‐one small breed dogs (942 eyes) were presented to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of Seoul National University between July 2002 and December 2007 with cataract.Procedure The medical records of small breed dogs with cataract were reviewed. The reason for presentation, cataract duration, bilaterality, breed, gender, age, vision, etiology, stage of cataract development, concurrent ophthalmic findings, IOP, ocular ultrasonography findings, and scotopic electroretinography (ERG) findings were investigated.Results The most frequently presented breeds were the Miniature/Toy Poodle (n = 112, 20.0%), Yorkshire Terrier (n = 110, 19.6%), and Shih Tzu (n = 95, 16.9%). The Miniature/Toy Poodle showed a significantly higher odds ratio for cataract formation (2.6). The proportion of female cataract patients was significantly higher than that of male cataract patients in the overall population (P < 0.05). The Miniature/Toy Poodles had significantly higher numbers of females affected with cataract (P < 0.01). The mean age for cataract formation was 8.3 ± 3.9 years. The mean age at onset in the Miniature/Toy Poodle and Yorkshire Terrier was significantly higher, whereas that in the Miniature Schnauzer group was significantly lower (P < 0.0001). Clinical signs related to lens induced uveitis had a tendency to increase with cataract progression (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the b‐wave amplitude for mixed rod cone response by stage (P = 0.137).Conclusions Small breed dogs with cataracts had characteristics with regard to age of onset and gender distribution, depending on the breed.
Immunohistochemical detection of NOD1 and NOD2 in the healthy murine and canine eye
Authors: Scurrell Emma , Stanley Rachael , Schöniger Sandra 
Published: July 2009

AbstractThe innate immune system provides the immediate defense against pathogens. NOD1 and NOD2 proteins are intracytoplasmic signaling receptors of the innate immune system and recognize conserved microbial molecular structures. The aim of this study was to analyze the expression of NOD1 and NOD2 proteins in healthy mouse and dog eyes using immunohistochemistry on formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded globes. In both the mouse and dog globes, a strong immunosignal for NOD1 and NOD2 was present within corneal epithelium, corneal endothelium and conjunctival epithelium. Scattered cells in the conjunctival substantia propria displayed moderate immunopositivity for NOD1 and NOD2. Additionally, in dog eyes, nonpigmented iridal epithelium was immunopositive for NOD1 and NOD2. No other examined ocular tissues were immunopositive for NOD1 or NOD2. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first description of an immunohistochemical study on NOD1 and NOD2 expression in healthy mouse and dog eyes. Since signaling molecules of the innate immune system mediate pro‐inflammatory responses in numerous organs, they likely also contribute to the pathogenesis of ocular inflammation.
Conjunctival effects of canine distemper virus‐induced keratoconjunctivitis sicca
Authors: De Almeida Denize E. , Roveratti Cristina , Brito Fábio L. C. , Godoy Guilherme S. , Duque Juan C. M. , Bechara Gervásio H. , Laus José L. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractObjective This study compared the histopathology of canine distemper virus (CDV)‐induced keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) to non‐infectious KCS in conjunctival tissues.Animals studied Forty mongrel dogs were assigned to three distinct groups: (i) non‐infectious KCS (G1,n = 10), (ii) CDV‐induced KCS (G2,n = 20), and (iii) healthy animals without any ocular alterations (G3,n = 10).Procedure IgG titers and physical and ophthalmic examinations (e.g. Schirmer tear test [STT], tonometry, biomicroscopy, indirect biomicroscopy, and fluorescein test) were performed on all dogs. Conjunctival biopsies were collected and examined microscopically.Results Non‐infectious and CDV‐induced KCS demonstrated similar histopathological changes. Both types of KCS correlated with low STT, conjunctival hyperemia, mucopurulent ocular discharge, predominant lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, and acantholysis and keratinization of the ocular surface. G1 had lower conjunctival goblet cell counts than G3. Inclusion bodies were sporadically found in conjunctival samples of dogs from G2. The severity of ocular lesions in G1 and G2 did not correlate with the histopathological findings.Conclusions Dogs with non‐infectious and CDV‐induced KCS had very similar conjunctival histopathology. Our findings suggest that the pathophysiology of CDV‐induced KCS is likely to be the same as non‐infectious KCS, that is, a result of lacrimal deficiency and inflammation of the ocular surface.
Antimicrobial susceptibility ofStaphylococciisolated from naturally occurring canine external ocular diseases
Authors: Varges Renato , Penna Bruno , Martins Gabriel , Martins Rodrigo , Lilenbaum Walter 
Published: July 2009

AbstractObjective The purpose of this study was to describe the species distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns ofStaphylococciisolated from naturally occurring canine ocular diseases.Samples and Procedures Samples obtained from 68 dogs with signs of external eye disease were processed for isolation of bacteria of the genusStaphylococcussp. Isolates were identified by biochemical reactions and tested for susceptibility to 11 antimicrobials of six classes.Results Forty (58.8%) samples yieldedStaphylococcussp. in pure culture. Coagulase‐positiveStaphylococciwere most common andStaphylococcus intermediuswas the most frequent (45%) species, followed byS.aureus(22.5%) and the coagulase‐negative speciesS. epidermidis(20%), andS.simulans(12.5%). Resistance to at least one drug was observed in 92.5% of the isolates, and multidrug resistance was a common finding (72.5%). The most effective drugs againstStaphylococcusstrains isolated from extra‐ocular canine ocular diseases were ceftiofur and cefalexin.Conclusion This study highlights the presence ofStaphylococcussp. genus in naturally occurring extra‐ocular canine ocular disease and the emergence of resistant strains to common antimicrobial drugs. It also emphasizes the need for bacterial culture with species identification and susceptibility testing in order to choose the appropriate antimicrobial therapy.