bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A fratricidal mechanism is responsible for eDNA release and contributes to biofilm development of Enterococcus faecalis
Authors: Thomas Vinai Chittezham , Hiromasa Yasuaki , Harms Nathan , Thurlow Lance , Tomich John , Hancock Lynn E. 
Published: April 2009

SummaryExtracellular DNA (eDNA), a by‐product of cell lysis, was recently established as a critical structural component of the Enterococcus faecalis biofilm matrix. Here, we describe fratricide as the governing principle behind gelatinase (GelE)‐mediated cell death and eDNA release. GFP reporter assays confirmed that GBAP (gelatinase biosynthesis‐activating pheromone) quorum non‐responders (GelE–SprE–) were a minority subpopulation of prey cells susceptible to the targeted fratricidal action of the quorum responsive predatorial majority (GelE+SprE+). The killing action is dependent on GelE, and the GelE producer population is protected from self‐destruction by the co‐production of SprE as an immunity protein. Targeted gene inactivation and protein interaction studies demonstrate that extracellular proteases execute their characteristic effects following downstream interactions with the primary autolysin, AtlA. Finally, we address a mechanism by which GelE and SprE may modify the cell wall affinity of proteolytically processed AtlA resulting in either a pro‐ or anti‐lytic outcome.
Expression of the meningococcal adhesin NadA is controlled by a transcriptional regulator of the MarR family
Authors: Schielke Stephanie , Huebner Claudia , Spatz Carolin , Nägele Virginie , Ackermann Nikolaus , Frosch Matthias , Kurzai Oliver , Schubert‐Unkmeir Alexandra 
Published: April 2009

SummaryTwo closely related pathogenic species have evolved in the genus Neisseria: N. meningitidis and N. gonorrhoeae, which occupy different host niches and cause different clinical entities. In contrast to the pathogen N. gonorrhoeae, N. meningitidis is a commensal and only rarely becomes invasive. Little is known about the genetic background of the entirely different lifestyles in these closely related species. Meningococcal NMB1843 encodes a transcriptional regulator of the MarR family. The gonococcal homologue FarR regulates expression of farAB, mediating fatty acid resistance. We show that NmFarR also directly interacts with NmfarAB. Yet, by contrast to N. gonorrhoeae, no significant sensitivity to fatty acids was observed in a ΔfarR mutant due to intrinsic resistance of meningococci. Further analyses identified an NmFarR‐repressed protein absent from N. gonorrhoeae. This protein is the meningococcus‐specific adhesin and vaccine component NadA that has most likely been acquired by horizontal gene transfer. NmFarR binds to a 16 base pair palindromic repeat within the nadA promoter. De‐repression of nadA resulted in significantly higher association of a ΔfarR strain with epithelial cells. Hence NmFarR has gained control over a meningococcus‐specific gene involved in host colonization and thus contributed to divergent niche adaptation in pathogenic Neisseriae.
Distribution of fasting plasma glucose and prevalence of impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes in the Mexican paediatric population
Authors: Guerrero‐Romero Fernando , Violante Rafael , Rodríguez‐Morán Martha 
Published: April 2009

SummaryPublished data on the distribution of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) in children are scarce. We therefore set out to examine the distribution of FPG and determine the prevalence of impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and type 2 diabetes (T2‐DM) in Mexican children aged 6–18 years in a community‐based cross‐sectional study. A total of 1534 apparently healthy children were randomly enrolled and underwent an oral glucose tolerance test. IFG was defined by an FPG value between ≥100 and <126 mg/dL, IGT by glucose concentration 2‐h post‐load between ≥140 and <200 mg/dL, and T2‐DM by glucose concentration 2‐h post‐load ≥200 mg/dL.The FPG level at the 75th percentile of distribution was 98.0, 100.0 and 99.0 mg/dL for children aged 6–9, 10–14 and 15–18 years, respectively; the 95th percentile of FPG was greater than 100 mg/dL for all the age strata. In the population overall, the prevalences of IFG, IGT, and T2‐DM were 18.3%, 5.2% and 0.6%, respectively. Among obese children and adolescents, the prevalences of IFG, IGT, IFG + IGT and T2‐DM were 19.1%, 5.7%, 2.5% and 1.3%. Our study shows a high prevalence of prediabetes and is the first that reports the distribution of FPG in Mexican children and adolescents.
Stratigraphic architecture and infill history of a deglaciated bedrock valley based on georadar, seismic profiling and drilling
Authors: HANSEN LOUISE , BEYLICH ACHIM , BURKI VALENTIN , EILERTSEN RAYMOND S. , FREDIN OLA , LARSEN EILIV , LYSÅ ASTRID , NESJE ATLE , STALSBERG KNUT , TØNNESEN JAN F. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe sediment fill of a silled bedrock valley in Western Norway has been investigated with respect to stratigraphy and infill history using a combination of mapping, georadar, seismic profiling and drilling. A small outlet glacier occupies the head of the valley that displays a stepwise down‐valley profile and terminates in a lake at 29 m above sea‐level. The valley is surrounded by high, steep bedrock slopes and is characterized by a series of filled basins each limited by sills of bedrock or moraine accumulations. Till, glacial outwash and/or rockslide deposits fill in the lower half of the two larger basins. (Fan) delta deposits fringed by the deposits of alluvial fans and colluvial cones dominate the upper fill of most basins. (Fan) delta deposits interfinger downstream with lake sediments in the larger basins and fluvial deposits comprise the top fill. The overall infill pattern was controlled by deglaciation as well as basin size and shape. An overall decreasing sediment supply following deglaciation is shown in the fill of a larger basin down‐valley, whereas a recently increasing sediment supply during glacier growth is reflected primarily in an upstream basin. Only the lowermost basin was exposed to a sea‐level drop from 75 m above sea‐level to the present lake level associated with incision and river migration. This observation is in contrast to the basins above marine influence where incision has been limited due to fixed downstream sills resulting in insignificant erosion except for some fan‐head entrenchment. It follows that the fills of these small valley basins display progradational and aggradational trends of deposition and paraglacial reworking has been limited. Additionally, the study demonstrates that georadar profiling, combined with other methods, is very useful for comprehensive investigation of valley basins.
HLA‐DRB1 associations with disease susceptibility and clinical course in Australians with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Stankovich J. , Butzkueven H. , Marriott M. , Chapman C. , Tubridy N. , Tait B. D. , Varney M. D. , Taylor B. V. , Foote S. J. ,   The ANZgene Consortium, Kilpatrick T. J. , Rubio J. P. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractHuman leucocyte antigen (HLA)‐DRB1*1501 and other class II alleles influence susceptibility to multiple sclerosis (MS), but their contribution if any to the clinical course of MS remains uncertain. Here, we have investigated DRB1 alleles in a large sample of 1230 Australian MS cases, with some enrichment for subjects with primary progressive (PPMS) disease (n = 246) and 1210 healthy controls. Using logistic regression, we found that DRB1*1501 was strongly associated with risk (P = 7 × 10−45), as expected, and after adjusting for DRB1*1501, a predisposing effect was also observed for DRB1*03 (P = 5 × 10−7). Individuals homozygous for either DRB1*15 or DRB1*03 were considerably more at risk of MS than heterozygotes and non‐carriers. Both the DRB1*04 and the DRB1*01/DRB1*15 genotype combination, respectively, protected against PPMS in comparison to subjects with relapsing disease. Together, these data provide further evidence of heterogeneity at the DRB1 locus and confirm the importance of HLA variants in the phenotypic expression of MS.
25‐Hydroxyvitamin D levels in prevalent Australian dialysis patients
Authors: CLAYTON PHILIP , SINGER RICHARD 
Published: April 2009

SUMMARY:Aim:  Vitamin D deficiency is a common problem in the general population. A high frequency of vitamin D deficiency in the pre‐dialysis and dialysis populations has been observed overseas, but there is limited information regarding vitamin D levels in Australian dialysis patients.Method:  We measured 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels in 120 haemodialysis (HD) and 31 peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. We defined vitamin D deficiency as a level <50 nmol/L and insufficiency as a level of 50–74 nmol/L. We assessed for correlation between vitamin D levels and markers of bone and mineral metabolism, age, sex, dialysis type, dialysis duration, haemoglobin and erythropoietin dose.Results:  Of the HD patients, 59 (49%) were frankly deficient and 39 (33%) had insufficiency. Of the PD patients, 24 (77%) were frankly deficient and 6 (19%) had insufficiency. Overall, only 23 patients (19%) had sufficient levels of vitamin D. Vitamin D levels were significantly lower in PD patients (P = 0.001), in females (P = 0.002) and in those with diabetic nephropathy (P = 0.03). There was no correlation between vitamin D levels and markers of bone and mineral metabolism, age, dialysis duration, haemoglobin or erythropoietin dose.Conclusion:  Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were very common in this cohort of prevalent Australian dialysis patients. Lower levels were associated with PD as treatment modality, female sex and diabetic nephropathy.
Review article: Bone biopsy in chronic kidney disease: Patient level end‐point or just another test?
Authors: JORGETTI VANDA 
Published: April 2009

SUMMARYThe reduction of renal function in chronic kidney disease leads to disturbed calcium and phosphorus metabolism, impaired action of calcitriol, increased parathyroid hormone, FGF‐23 levels and ultimately bone disorders. These disturbances have been traditionally termed renal osteodystrophy, which evaluation and diagnosis require a bone biopsy. In the last four decades, researchers from different countries have developed new techniques and have introduced concepts that allowed the development of bone histomorphometry, considered the key tool to study bone metabolism, remodelling and structure. In this review we focus on the relevance of bone biopsy and its respective histomorphometric analysis to help nephrologists to evaluate patients with chronic kidney disease.
Medication adherence and significant others' support of consumers with schizophrenia in Australia
Authors: McCann Terence V. , Lu Sai 
Published: April 2009

AbstractMedication adherence is problematic in people with chronic illness. The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the effects of the perceived support from significant others on the oral antipsychotic medication taking of consumers with schizophrenia. A convenience sample of 81 consumers took part in the study. The consumers were recruited by case managers from the community in the western region of Melbourne and in regional and rural Victoria, Australia. No difference was found in self‐reported medication adherence between the consumers with significant others' support and those without significant others' support. The perceived effect of having a supportive relationship with significant others was not associated with increased medication adherence. The findings indicated that the significant others' support did not influence the self‐reported medication adherence of the consumers with schizophrenia. The results highlighted the importance of considering medication adherence as a multidimensional concept.
Evaluation of the birthweight values of newborns presenting at the Mother–Child Health and Family Planning Center in Yenibosna, Istanbul, Turkey
Authors: Dolgun Gülümser , Cimen Saniye , Yazıcı Saadet , Savaşer Sevim 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThis study was conducted to examine the effect of a number of variables related to the mother (age, educational level, employment status, cigarette smoking during pregnancy) and to the baby (sex and birth order) on newborns' birthweight. The research was carried out in the province of Istanbul, one of Turkey's large metropolises, at the Mother–Child Health and Family Planning Center in the district of Yenibosna, where 0–1 month old infants had been brought in for phenylketonuria screening and vaccinations. The mean age of the mothers was 26.1 ± 4.8 years and the mean birthweight of the newborns was 3236.7 ± 542.2 g. Of the infants, 6.3% were classified as having a low birthweight and 8.3% were large infants. The mean birthweight showed a statistical significance depending upon the infants' sex and birth order. The mean birthweight of the infants of the working mothers, as opposed to the unemployed mothers and the mothers in nuclear families, as opposed to the mothers in extended families, was higher.
Effects of providing a nutrition education program for teenagers: Dietary and physical activity patterns
Authors: Tse Mimi M. Y. , Yuen Dorothy T. W. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThis study enhanced nutritional knowledge in an education program and encouraged healthy dietary habits and regular physical activity among teenagers. A total of 203 adolescents from a secondary school in Hong Kong took part in the study. Their Body Mass Index, dietary habits, and physical exercise pattern were recorded and examined before and after the health education program. The prevalence of overweight and obesity, together with the fat composition, were high among the participants before the nutrition education program. There was a marked gain in knowledge upon its completion. A follow‐up action conducted 3 months later revealed positive outcomes in relation to the diet and physical activity level. The teenagers were able to take control of their health and requested the tuck shop to sell more healthy food and reduce the supply of unhealthy items. The educational initiatives in dietary habits and physical activities proved to be effective in encouraging the teenagers to eat more healthily and to adopt an active lifestyle.
Re‐establishing a saltmarsh vegetation structure in a changing climate
Authors: Green Joanne , Reichelt‐Brushett Amanda , Jacobs Surrey W. L. 
Published: April 2009

Summary  A major management decision in an ecological restoration or rehabilitation project is whether supplementary planting or natural vegetation regeneration is the better alternative or if a combination can be applied. Management decisions are further complicated when the project involves saltmarsh as tidal cycles, the effects of salinity and sea level rise add to the complexity of decisions. The ecological values of the saltmarsh community in Australia were only recognized relatively recently but the endangered ecological community listing in 1994 (under the New South Wales Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995) highlighted the need to protect, rehabilitate and restore saltmarsh.This project measured vegetation change after soil profile reconstruction in saltmarsh surrounding Sponsors Lagoon, Fingal Peninsula in north coastal New South Wales, Australia. Restored sites (planted and non‐planted) were compared with nearby disturbed (control) and reference sites. The dominant species in the community to be restored were Saltwater Couch (Sporobolus virginicus), Suaeda (Suaeda australis), Sarcocornia (Sarcocornia quinqueflora ssp. quinqueflora and Sea Rush (Juncus kraussii ssp. australiensis). Changes in percentage cover of the species in the first three years after soil reconstruction work showed that the dominant Saltwater Couch established only from vegetative growth arising from remnant vegetation but there was strong seedling regeneration of several other species. It was concluded that planting is important for species that are less vagile, in larger, denuded parts of this site where their resilience is lower and natural regeneration potential is limited. An understanding of the biology of the individual species is therefore likely to be essential in saltmarsh restoration projects. A combination of techniques, incorporating planting of slower establishing species and encouragement of seed‐germinated colonizers is useful for initial site stabilization and progressive ecological recovery at this site. The inclusion of migration zones in the planning phase will allow for the long‐term viability of this restoration project.
The child who refuses to undergo anesthesia and surgery – a case scenario‐based discussion of the ethical and legal issues
Authors: WALKER HEIDI 
Published: April 2009

SummarySituations where children refuse to undergo anesthesia and surgery can be challenging for anesthetists. Clear legal guidelines are lacking and decisions often need to be made with a degree of urgency. When a child refuses to cooperate with the induction of anesthesia, it is important to consider the autonomous capacity of the child, the presence of a legally valid consent from a suitable guardian, the urgency with which the surgery needs to proceed and the practical implications of proceeding without the child’s cooperation. In this article, case scenarios are used to demonstrate how these considerations can be applied in practice.
The number of procedures required to achieve optimal competency with male circumcision: findings from a randomized trial in Rakai, Uganda
Authors: Kiggundu Valerian , Watya Stephen , Kigozi Godfrey , Serwadda David , Nalugoda Fred , Buwembo Denis , Settuba Absolom , Anyokorit Margaret , Nkale James , Kighoma Nehemiah , Ssempijja Victor , Wawer Maria , Gray Ronald H. 
Published: April 2009

OBJECTIVETo assess the number of procedures required to achieve optimal competency (time required for surgery with minimal adverse events) in Rakai, Uganda, and thus facilitate the development of guidelines for training providers, as male circumcision reduces the acquisition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in men and is recommended for HIV prevention.PATIENTS AND METHODSIn a randomized trial, 3011 men were circumcised, using the sleeve method, by six physicians who had completed training, which included 15–20 supervised procedures. The duration of surgery from local anaesthesia to wound closure, moderate or severe surgery‐related adverse events (AEs), and wound healing were assessed in relation to the number of procedures done by each physician.RESULTSThe median age of the patients was 24 years. The number of procedures per surgeon was 20–981. The mean time required to complete surgery was ≈40 min for the first 100 procedures and declined to 25 min for the subsequent 100 circumcisions. After controlling for the number of procedures there was no significant difference in duration of the surgery by patient HIV status or age. The rate of moderate and severe AEs was 8.8% (10/114) for the first 19 unsupervised procedures after training, 4.0% for the next 20–99 (13/328) and 2.0% for the last 100 (P for trend, 0.003). All AEs resolved with management.CONCLUSIONThe completion of more than 100 circumcisions was required before newly trained physicians achieved the optimum duration of surgery. AEs were higher immediately after training and additional supervision is needed for at least the first 20 procedures after completing training.
Renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena caval extention: impact of tumour extent on surgical outcome
Authors: Al Otaibi Mohammed , Youssif Tamer Abou , Alkhaldi Abdulaziz , Sircar Kanishka , Kassouf Wassim , Aprikian Armen , Mulder David , Tanguay Simon 
Published: April 2009

OBJECTIVETo evaluate our experience with surgical resection of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with inferior vena cava (IVC) involvement and examine the relationship between prognosis and tumour extent.PATIENTS AND METHODSA retrospective review of nephrectomy performed between 1985 and 2005 identified 50 patients presenting with tumour thrombus extension into the IVC. Clinical characteristics and outcome were evaluated.RESULTSOf the 50 patients evaluated, 7, 26, 10 and 7 presented with level I, II, III and IV thrombus, respectively. Major postoperative complications occurred in 16% of patients. Local or distant failure occurred in 25 (64%) patients. The mean time to recurrence was 10 months. Only supra‐diaphragmatic extension of the tumour thrombus was predictive of disease recurrence.CONCLUSIONLocally advanced RCC with IVC thrombus remains associated with significant local and distant failure rate. The level of thrombus extension is significantly associated with disease recurrence. Effective adjuvant therapy is needed to improve outcome in this patient population.
The potential association between fruit intake and body weight – a review
Authors: Alinia S. , Hels O. , Tetens I. 
Published: April 2009

SummaryBoth national and international bodies recommend an increased intake of fruits and vegetables in order to decrease the risk of overweight and obesity. However, there is a rationale to investigate the separate role of fruits. The aim of this paper was to systematically review and analyse published human intervention, prospective observational and cross‐sectional studies on fruit intake and body weight in adults. We identified three intervention, eight prospective observational and five cross‐sectional studies that explored this relationship. Two of the intervention studies showed that fruit intake reduced body weight, five of the prospective observational studies showed that fruit consumption reduced the risk of developing overweight and obesity, and four of the cross‐sectional studies found an inverse association between fruit intake and body weight. Important methodological differences and limitations in the studies make it difficult to compare results. However, the majority of the evidence points towards a possible inverse association between fruit intake and overweight. Future intervention and prospective observational studies examining the direct and independent role of fruit in body‐weight management in free‐living individuals are needed. Moreover, important determinants such as energy density, energy content, fruit and vegetable consumption, physical form of fruit and preparation methods need to be included in future studies.
Individuality and epigenetics in obesity
Authors: Campión J. , Milagro F. I. , Martínez J. A. 
Published: April 2009

SummaryExcessive weight gain arises from the interactions among environmental factors, genetic predisposition and the individual behavior. However, it is becoming evident that interindividual differences in obesity susceptibility depend also on epigenetic factors. Epigenetics studies the heritable changes in gene expression that do not involve changes to the underlying DNA sequence. These processes include DNA methylation, covalent histone modifications, chromatin folding and, more recently described, the regulatory action of miRNAs and polycomb group complexes. In this review, we focus on experimental evidences concerning dietary factors influencing obesity development by epigenetic mechanisms, reporting treatment doses and durations. Moreover, we present a bioinformatic analysis of promoter regions for the search of future epigenetic biomarkers of obesity, including methylation pattern analyses of several obesity‐related genes (epiobesigenes), such as FGF2, PTEN, CDKN1A and ESR1, implicated in adipogenesis, SOCS1/SOCS3, in inflammation, and COX7A1 LPL, CAV1, and IGFBP3, in intermediate metabolism and insulin signalling. The identification of those individuals that at an early age could present changes in the methylation profiles of specific genes could help to predict their susceptibility to later develop obesity, which may allow to prevent and follow‐up its progress, as well as to research and develop newer therapeutic approaches.