bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Short‐term administration of uridine increases brain membrane phospholipid precursors in healthy adults: a 31‐phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy study at 4T
Authors: Agarwal Nivedita , Sung Young‐Hoon , Jensen J Eric , daCunha Grace , Harper David , Olson David , Renshaw Perry F 
Published: December 2010

Agarwal N, Sung YH, Jensen JE, daCunha G, Harper D, Olson D, Renshaw PF. Short‐term administration of uridine increases brain membrane phospholipid precursors in healthy adults: a 31‐phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy study at 4T. Bipolar Disord 2010: 12: 825–833. © 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Objectives:  Altered metabolism of membrane phospholipids has been implicated in bipolar disorder. In humans, uridine is an important precursor of cytidine diphosphate (CDP)‐choline, which plays a critical role in phospholipid synthesis and is currently being evaluated as a potential treatment for bipolar depression.Methods:  A total of 17 healthy males (mean age ± SD: 32.73 ± 7.2 years; range: 21.8–46.4 years) were enrolled in this study. Subjects underwent a 31‐phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P‐MRS) acquisition at baseline and then again after seven days of either 2 g of uridine or placebo administration. A two‐dimensional chemical shift imaging 31P‐MRS acquisition collected spectral data from a 4 × 4 cluster of voxels acquired in the axial plane encompassing the subcortical structures as well as frontal‐temporal cortical gray and white matter. The slab thickness was 3 cm and the approximate total volume of brain sampled was 432 cm3. The spectra obtained were analyzed using a fully automated in‐house fitting algorithm. A population‐averaged generalized estimating equation was used to evaluate changes both in phosphomonoesters (PME) [phosphocholine (PCho) and phosphoethanolamine (PEtn)] and phosphodiesters (PDE) [glycerophosphocholine (GPCho) and glycerophosphethanolamine (GPEtn)]. Metabolite ratios were reported with respect to the total integrated 31P resonance area.Results:  The uridine group had significantly increased total PME and PEtn levels over the one‐week period [6.32 and 7.17% for PME and PEtn, respectively (p < 0.001)]. Other metabolite levels such as PCho, PDE, GPEtn and GPCho showed no significant changes following either uridine or placebo (all p > 0.05).Conclusions:  This is the first study to report a direct effect of uridine on membrane phospholipid precursors in healthy adults using 31P‐MRS. Sustained administration of uridine appears to increase PME in healthy subjects. Further investigation is required to clarify the effects of uridine in disorders with altered phospholipid metabolism such as bipolar disorder.
Surgical procedures for benign prostatic hyperplasia: A nationwide survey in Japan
Authors: Masumori Naoya , Kamoto Toshiyuki , Seki Narihito , Homma Yukio 
Published: December 2010

AbstractWe investigated the trend in surgical procedures for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) during the past 10 years in Japan. A questionnaire inquiring about the number of operations and surgical procedures for BPH in 1999, 2004 and 2009 was sent to 1824 institutes belonging to the Japanese Urological Association and/or the Japanese Clinical Urologists Association. Responses were obtained from 767 institutes (42.1%). The number of operations showed a gradual increase during the 10 years (n = 17 221 in 1999, 18 772 in 2004, 20 413 in 2009). Transurethral resection of the prostate, including transurethral resection in saline, was consistently the most common procedure (72.5% to 79.2%). Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate and transurethral enucleation with a bipolar system have dramatically increased, becoming the second most common in 2009 (n = 3416), although enucleation by open prostatectomy was still a viable option in 2009 (n = 555). Photoselective vaporization of the prostate was the third most common method in 2009 (n = 572). Coagulation and thermotherapy have become uncommon (n = 2039 in 1999, 217 in 2009), whereas incision and stenting were unchanged during the period. Thus, surgical procedures for BPH have been increasing in Japan during the past decade. Transurethral resection remains the standard, whereas enucleation and vaporization have been increasing.
Microbial keratitis in Waikato, New Zealand
Authors: Pandita Archana , Murphy Christopher 
Published: December 2010

AbstractBackground:  Bacterial keratitis is a potentially sight‐threatening condition. This study is performed to identify the common causative organisms for bacterial keratitis in Waikato region and the antibiotic sensitivities to these organisms.Design:  Retrospective, observational, case series.Participants:  The microbiology records of all patients with bacterial keratitis who presented to the Ophthalmology department, Waikato Hospital, New Zealand between January 2003 and December 2007.Methods:  The corneal scrape results were reviewed. Antibiotic sensitivity for the organism was tested following National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) method.Main Outcome Measures:  In vitro laboratory susceptibility testing of ocular isolates to various antibiotics.Results:  A total of 265 scrapes were performed. Gram stain was positive in 35 (13.2%) eyes. Positive culture was seen in 174 (65.6%) scrapes; 78.2% were Gram‐positive and 20.2% were Gram‐negative organisms. Most common Gram‐positive organisms were coagulase‐negative Staphylococci (40.8%) and Staphylococcus aureus (11.5%). Most common Gram‐negative organisms were Moraxalla species (8.0%) and Pseudomonas aeroginosa (3.4%). Of the bacterial organisms 99% were sensitive to ciprofloxacin. All Gram‐negative organisms and 95.5% Gram‐positive organisms were sensitive to tobramycin; 96.6% Gram‐positive organisms and 98.3% Gram‐negative organisms were sensitive to cefuroxime.Conclusions:  Our results are comparable to other regions in New Zealand but the incidence of coagulase‐negative Staphylococcus is much higher in this region compared with other New Zealand studies. It seems appropriate to start patients with corneal ulcers initially on fluoroquinolone monotherapy while awaiting culture results.
The behavioural ecology and population dynamics of a cryptic ground‐dwelling mammal in an urban Australian landscape
Authors: FITZGIBBON SEAN I. , WILSON ROBBIE S. , GOLDIZEN ANNE W. 
Published: December 2010

AbstractUrbanization results in widespread habitat loss and fragmentation and generally has a negative impact upon native wildlife, in particular ground‐dwelling mammals. The northern brown bandicoot (Isoodon macrourus; Marsupialia: Peramelidae) is one of relatively few native Australian ground‐dwelling mammals that is able to survive within urbanized landscapes. As a consequence of extensive clearing and urban development within the city of Brisbane, bandicoots are now restricted to the mostly small (<10 ha) bushland fragments scattered across the city landscape. Our study examined the behavioural ecology of northern brown bandicoots within habitat fragments located on a major creek‐line, using mark‐recapture population monitoring and radio telemetry. Bandicoots at monitored sites were found to occur at high densities (typically one individual ha−1), although one‐third of the populations were transient. Radio tracking revealed that bandicoots had relatively small home ranges (mean 1.5 ± 0.2 ha) comprised largely of bushland/grassland with dense, often weed‐infested ground cover. Bandicoots sheltered by day in these densely covered areas and also spent most time foraging there at night, although they occasionally ventured small distances to forage in adjacent maintained parklands and residential lawns. We suggest that introduced tall grasses and other weeds contribute to high habitat quality within riparian habitat fragments and facilitate the persistence of high density populations, comprised of individuals with small home ranges. The generalized dietary and habitat requirements of northern brown bandicoots, as well as a high reproductive output, undoubtedly facilitate the survival of the species in urban habitat fragments. Further research is required on other native mammal species in urbanized landscapes to gain a greater understanding of how best to conserve wildlife in these heavily modified environments.
Mislocalization of near‐threshold tactile stimuli in humans: a central or peripheral phenomenon?
Authors: Braun Christoph , Eisele Effi , Wühle Anja , Stüttgen Maik C. , Schwarz Cornelius , Demarchi Gianpaolo 
Published: December 2010

AbstractPrinciples of brain function can be disclosed by studying their limits during performance. Tactile stimuli with near‐threshold intensities have been used to assess features of somatosensory processing. When stimulating fingers of one hand using near‐threshold intensities, localization errors are observed that deviate significantly from responses obtained by guessing – incorrectly located stimuli are attributed more often to fingers neighbouring the stimulated one than to more distant fingers. Two hypotheses to explain the findings are proposed. The ‘central hypothesis’ posits that the degree of overlap of cortical tactile representations depends on stimulus intensity, with representations less separated for near‐threshold stimuli than for suprathreshold stimuli. The ‘peripheral hypothesis’ assumes that systematic mislocalizations are due to activation of different sets of skin receptors with specific thresholds. The present experiments were designed to decide between the two hypotheses. Taking advantage of the frequency tuning of somatosensory receptors, their contribution to systematic misclocalizations was studied. In the first experiment, mislocalization profiles were investigated using vibratory stimuli with frequencies of 10, 20 and 100 Hz. Unambiguous mislocalization effects were only obtained for the 10‐Hz stimulation, precluding the involvement of Pacinian corpuscles in systematic mislocalization. In the second experiment, Pacinian corpuscles were functionally eliminated by applying a constant 100‐Hz vibratory masking stimulus together with near‐threshold pulses. Despite masking, systematic mislocation patterns were observed rendering the involvement of Pacinian corpuscles unlikely. The results of both experiments are in favor of the ‘central hypothesis’ assuming that the extent of overlap in somatosensory representations is modulated by stimulus intensity.
Enhanced root exudation induces microbial feedbacks to N cycling in a pine forest under long‐term CO2 fumigation
Authors: Phillips Richard P. , Finzi Adrien C. , Bernhardt Emily S. 
Published: December 2010

Ecology Letters (2011) 14: 187–194AbstractThe degree to which rising atmospheric CO2 will be offset by carbon (C) sequestration in forests depends in part on the capacity of trees and soil microbes to make physiological adjustments that can alleviate resource limitation. Here, we show for the first time that mature trees exposed to CO2 enrichment increase the release of soluble C from roots to soil, and that such increases are coupled to the accelerated turnover of nitrogen (N) pools in the rhizosphere. Over the course of 3 years, we measured in situ rates of root exudation from 420 intact loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) roots. Trees fumigated with elevated CO2 (200 p.p.m.v. over background) increased exudation rates (μg C cm−1 root h−1) by 55% during the primary growing season, leading to a 50% annual increase in dissolved organic inputs to fumigated forest soils. These increases in root‐derived C were positively correlated with microbial release of extracellular enzymes involved in breakdown of organic N (R2 = 0.66; P = 0.006) in the rhizosphere, indicating that exudation stimulated microbial activity and accelerated the rate of soil organic matter (SOM) turnover. In support of this conclusion, trees exposed to both elevated CO2 and N fertilization did not increase exudation rates and had reduced enzyme activities in the rhizosphere. Collectively, our results provide field‐based empirical support suggesting that sustained growth responses of forests to elevated CO2 in low fertility soils are maintained by enhanced rates of microbial activity and N cycling fuelled by inputs of root‐derived C. To the extent that increases in exudation also stimulate SOM decomposition, such changes may prevent soil C accumulation in forest ecosystems.
Congruence, non‐homology, and the phylogeny of basal turtles
Authors: Joyce Walter G. , Sterli Juliana 
Published: December 2010

AbstractJoyce, W.G. and Sterli J. 2010. Congruence, non‐homology, and the phylogeny of basal turtles.–Acta Zoologica (Stockholm)Modern cladistic analysis is characterized by the assembly of increasingly larger data sets coupled with the use of congruence as the final test of homology. Some critics of this development have recently called for a return to more detailed primary homology analysis while questioning the utility of congruence. This discussion appears to be central to the debate regarding the phylogenetic relationships of basal turtles, as the large data sets developed by us have been criticized recently for utilizing poorly constructed characters and including too many homoplasy‐prone characters. Our analysis of this critique reveals that (1) new information regarding poorly understood taxa has a greater impact on the outcome of turtle phylogenies than the characters under dispute; (2) most current turtle phylogenies differ in taxon sampling, not character sampling, and so it appears illogical to condemn a particular analysis for its character sampling; (3) even evolutionary taxonomists should agree that key characters utilized to resolve basal turtle relationships cannot be thought to be ‘infallible’; (4) whereas various criteria provide positive evidence for homology, only congruence provides positive evidence for non‐homology; and (5) a stalemate between conflicting camps within a congruence frame work is preferable to the ad hoc dismissal of data sets, because authoritative statements are untestable.
The Association of Public Health Observatories (APHO) Diabetes Prevalence Model: estimates of total diabetes prevalence for England, 2010–2030
Authors: Holman N. , Forouhi N. G. , Goyder E. , Wild S. H. 
Published: December 2010

Diabet. Med. 28, 575–582 (2011)AbstractAim  To provide robust estimates of the total prevalence of diabetes (including undiagnosed) in England to support effective planning and delivery of services.Methods  Age‐ and sex‐specific prevalence of diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes in people aged 16 years and older [based on HbA1c of 6.5% (48 mmol/mol) or greater] were taken from the Health Survey for England 2006. Data from the Health Survey for England 2004 were used to adjust for ethnic difference in prevalence. A deprivation adjustment refined the geographical distribution of diabetes prevalence. Projected diabetes prevalence was calculated using trends in overweight and obesity prevalence from the Health Surveys for England 2003 to 2008.Results  In 2010 there were an estimated 3.1 million (7.4%) people aged 16 years and older with diabetes in England. Comparisons between the 2008/2009 Quality and Outcomes Framework data and estimates for 2009 suggest that that 27.1% of the total number of people with diabetes are not included on general practice diabetes registers. The total number of adults with diabetes is projected to rise to 4.6 million or 9.5% by 2030. Approximately half of this increase is attributable to the changing age and ethnic group structure of the population and half is because of the rising prevalence of obesity.Conclusions  This model estimates that the prevalence of total diabetes (diagnosed and undiagnosed) in England is higher than previously suggested. An ageing population and increasing prevalence of obesity imply that the prevalence of diabetes will continue to rise and health services should be planned accordingly.
Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy contributes to left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in subjects with Type 2 diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance undergoing coronary angiography
Authors: Dinh W. , Füth R. , Lankisch M. , Bansemir L. , Nickl W. , Scheffold T. , Bufe A. , Krahn T. , Ziegler D. 
Published: December 2010

Diabet. Med. 28, 311–318 (2011)AbstractAims  Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction is considered a precursor of diabetic cardiomyopathy, while diabetic cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy is associated with an increased risk of mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the association between left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy, both diagnosed according to the current guidelines.Methods  We evaluated 145 patients referred for an elective coronary angiography, 52 of whom had Type 2 diabetes and 48 had impaired glucose tolerance, while 45 subjects had normal glucose tolerance. Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy was diagnosed using autonomic function tests, while left ventricular diastolic dysfunction was verified by tissue Doppler imaging echocardiography.Results  Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy was diagnosed in 15 (28.8%) patients with Type 2 diabetes and in six (12.5%) individuals with impaired glucose tolerance. The rates of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction were 81 and 33% in patients with and without cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy, respectively (P < 0.001). In the cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy group (n = 21), early diastolic relaxation velocity (Em) was significantly reduced (5.4 ± 0.9 vs. 7.3 ± 2.1 cm/s; P < 0.001) and the E/Em ratio was significantly higher (13.6 ± 4.6 vs. 10.3 ± 3.4 cm/s, P < 0.001) as compared with the group without cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (n = 79). These findings remained significant after adjustment for age, sex, coronary artery disease, hypertension and HbA1c. A severe form of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction was observed in 33 and 15% of patients with and without cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy, respectively (P = 0.001).Conclusion  Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy is associated with a higher prevalence and a more severe form of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients with diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance undergoing coronary angiography. Because both cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction are associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, screening for patients with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy with diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance may identify those at high risk.
CULTURE AND GROWTH: SOME EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE
Authors: Chambers Dustin , Hamer Susan 
Published: December 2010

ABSTRACTUsing Hofstede's cultural data set, this paper examines the impact of cultural characteristics on a nation's economic performance. Using a two‐step estimation procedure, we first estimate a panel growth regression and obtain estimates of each nation's fixed effects, which reflect idiosyncratic differences in growth performance. In the second step, we regress the fixed effects on invariant cultural and institutional variables. Our estimation results suggest that individuality and tolerance for uncertainty are the most important cultural factors in explaining nation‐specific growth performance. Furthermore, our findings suggest that political and property rights play a major role in determining idiosyncratic growth.
Hip fracture patients’ cognitive state affects family members’ experiences – a diary study of the hip fracture recovery
Authors: Hedman Ann‐Marie Rydholm , Strömberg Lars , Grafström Margareta , Heikkilä Kristiina 
Published: December 2010

Scand J Caring Sci; 2011; 25; 451–458

Hip fracture patients’ cognitive state affects family members’ experiences – a diary study of the hip fracture recovery Background:  Many patients with hip fractures suffer from dementia disease, which has shown to affect the outcome of recovery strongly, as well as care and treatment. As most hip fracture patients are discharged home early after surgery, caregiving often falls on family members – spouses, daughters, sons, or even neighbours become informal carers.Aim:  To explore how hip fracture patients’ cognitive state affect family members’ experiences during the recovery period.Methods:  Eleven diaries written by family members’ of hip fracture patients were analysed by means of qualitative content analysis.Findings:  The analysis generated two main categories with four categories. The first main category was; ‘Being a family member of a cognitively impaired patient’ with the categories ‘Dissatisfaction with lack of support’ and ‘Emotional distress due to the patient’s suffering’. The second main category was ‘Being a family member of a cognitively intact patient’ with the categories ‘Satisfaction with a relative’s successful recovery’ and ‘Strain due to their caring responsibilities’. Being a family member of a patient with cognitive impairment and a hip fracture meant being solely responsible for protecting the interests of the patient; in regard to care, rehabilitation and resources. The family members were also burdened with feelings of powerlessness and sadness due to the patients’ suffering. On the contrary, family members of cognitively intact hip fracture patients had positive experiences. The family members expressed pleasure from seeing their close ones make progress. However, when the healing process was delayed this led to strain on the family members.Conclusions:  The findings suggest the hip fracture patient’s cognitive state is more decisive than the hip fracture itself for the family members’ experiences.
A nutrient‐sensitive interaction between Sirt1 and HNF‐1α regulates Crp expression
Authors: Grimm Andrew A. , Brace Cynthia S. , Wang Ting , Stormo Gary D. , Imai Shin‐Ichiro 
Published: December 2010

SummarySilent information regulator 2 (Sir2) orthologs are an evolutionarily conserved family of NAD‐dependent protein deacetylases that regulate aging and longevity in model organisms. The mammalian Sir2 ortholog Sirt1 regulates metabolic and stress responses through the deacetylation of many transcriptional regulatory factors. To elucidate the mechanism by which Sirt1 controls gene expression in response to nutrient availability, we devised a bioinformatic screen combining gene expression analysis with phylogenetic footprinting to identify transcription factors as new candidate partners of Sirt1. One candidate target was HNF‐1α, a homeodomain transcription factor that regulates pancreatic β‐cell and hepatocyte functions and is commonly mutated in patients with maturity‐onset diabetes of the young (MODY). Interestingly, Sirt1 physically interacts with HNF‐1αin vitro but does so in vivo only in nutrient‐restricting conditions. This interaction requires 12–24 h of nutrient restriction and is dependent on protein synthesis. Both nutrient restriction and Sirt1 suppress HNF‐1α transcriptional activity and the expression of one of its target genes, C‐reactive protein (Crp), in mouse primary hepatocytes. Pharmacological inhibition of Sirt1 blocks the suppression of Crp by nutrient restriction. Similarly, Crp expression is also suppressed in fasted and diet‐restricted liver. Furthermore, Sirt1 and HNF‐1α co‐localize on two HNF‐1α binding sites on the Crp promoter, leading to decreased acetylation of lysine 16 of histone H4 at these sites only in response to nutrient restriction. These findings reveal a novel nutrient‐dependent interaction between Sirt1 and HNF‐1α and provide important insight into the molecular mechanism by which Sirt1 mediates the anti‐aging effects of diet restriction.