bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Temperature induced bacterial virulence and bleaching disease in a chemically defended marine macroalga
Authors: Case Rebecca J. , Longford Sharon R. , Campbell Alexandra H. , Low Adrian , Tujula Niina , Steinberg Peter D. , Kjelleberg Staffan 
Published: October 2010

SummaryHost–pathogen interactions have been widely studied in humans and terrestrial plants, but are much less well explored in marine systems. Here we show that a marine macroalga, Delisea pulchra, utilizes a chemical defence – furanones – to inhibit colonization and infection by a novel bacterial pathogen, Ruegeria sp. R11, and that infection by R11 is temperature dependent. Ruegeria sp. R11 formed biofilms, invaded and bleached furanone‐free, but not furanone‐producing D. pulchra thalli, at high (24°C) but not low (19°C) temperatures. Bleaching is commonly observed in natural populations of D. pulchra near Sydney, Australia, during the austral summer when ocean temperatures are at their peak and the chemical defences of the alga are reduced. Furanones, produced by D. pulchra as a chemical defence, inhibit quorum sensing (QS) in bacteria, and this may play a role in furanone inhibition of R11 infection of furanone‐free thalli as R11 produces QS signals. This interplay between temperature, an algal chemical defence mechanism and bacterial virulence demonstrates the complex impact environmental change can have on an ecosystem.
ppGpp is the major source of growth rate control in E. coli
Authors: Potrykus Katarzyna , Murphy Helen , Philippe Nadège , Cashel Michael 
Published: October 2010

SummaryIt is widely accepted that the DNA, RNA and protein content of Enterobacteriaceae is regulated as a function of exponential growth rates; macromolecular content increases with faster growth regardless of specific composition of the growth medium. This phenomenon, called growth rate control, primarily involves regulation of ribosomal RNA and ribosomal protein synthesis. However, it was uncertain whether the global regulator ppGpp is the major determinant for growth rate control. Therefore, here we re‐evaluate the effect of ppGpp on macromolecular content for different balanced growth rates in defined media. We find that when ppGpp is absent, RNA/protein and RNA/DNA ratios are equivalent in fast and slow growing cells. Moreover, slow growing ppGpp‐deficient cells with increased RNA content, display a normal ribosomal subunit composition although polysome content is reduced when compared with fast growing wild‐type cells. From this we conclude that growth rate control does not occur in the absence of ppGpp. Also, artificial elevation of ppGpp or introduction of stringent RNA polymerase mutants in ppGpp‐deficient cells restores this control. We believe these findings strongly argue in favour of ppGpp and against redundant regulation of growth rate control by other factors in Escherichia coli and other enteric bacteria.
Regressive progression, progressive regression or neither? Phylogeny and evolution of the Percopsiformes (Teleostei, Paracanthopterygii)
Authors: Dillman Casey B. , Bergstrom Dean E. , Noltie Douglas B. , Holtsford Timothy P. , Mayden Richard L. 
Published: October 2010

Dillman, C.B., Bergstrom, D.E., Noltie, D.B., Holtsford, T.P. & Mayden, R.L. (2010). Regressive progression, progressive regression or neither? Phylogeny and evolution of the Percopsiformes (Teleostei, Paracanthopterygii). —Zoologica Scripta, 40, 45–60.Cave animals have fascinated scientists for centuries, and clades consisting primarily of cave‐adapted species are even more intriguing. The percopsiforms are an enigmatic group of fishes comprised of nine species in seven genera, with four species in three genera exhibiting characteristic troglomorphic features, such as a lack of pigmentation and eyes. Nucleotide characters presented here provide the first test of monophyly for both the Percopsiformes and Amblyopsidae with this character type and taxonomic completeness. Characters of ND2 support a monophyletic Percopsiformes and Amblyopsidae and further document phylogeographic subdivision in two stygobitic genera, Amblyopsis and Typhlichthys, in Amblyopsidae. Age estimates from time‐calibrated branch lengths utilizing two independent intra‐lineage fossils indicate that the ancestor to amblyopsids is Eocene in age, and that phylogeographic subdivision in both Amblyopsis and Typhlichthys occurred primarily in the Miocene. Interestingly, ancestral character state reconstruction for the amblyopsids strongly supports the re‐evolution of eyes and body pigment. While certainly unconventional, but supported with this character set, the hypothesis provides continued challenge to Dollo’s Law.
Incidence and clinical significance of arterial injury in varicocele repair
Authors: Cuda Scott P. , Musser John E. , Belnap Christina M. , Thibault Gregory P. 
Published: October 2010

Study Type – Therapy (case series)  Level of Evidence 4OBJECTIVE
This study was performed to histologically determine the rate of arterial injury in varicocele ligation surgery and to determine the clinical significance of these arterial injuries.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
41 men who underwent varicocele ligation surgery, and had segments of each ligated vessel examined histologically.
The patients were followed prospectively to determine the effect of arterial injury on surgical results and clinical complications.
RESULTS
Arterial ligation was identified in 6 of 41 patients (12%), and in 7 of 132 specimens (5%), which is higher than previous reports.
Arterial injury was not associated with testicular atrophy and there was no apparent effect of arterial injury on surgical outcome.
CONCLUSION
The rate of arterial injury during varicocele repair is higher than previously reported, but the clinical significance of these injuries appears to be limited.
No excess mortality after prostate biopsy: results from the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer
Authors: Carlsson Sigrid V. , Holmberg Erik , Moss Sue M. , Roobol Monique J. , Schröder Fritz H. , Tammela Teuvo L.J. , Aus Gunnar , Auvinen Anssi P. , Hugosson Jonas 
Published: October 2010

Study Type – Harm (RCT)Level of Evidence 1b What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? Prostate biopsy can potentially have fatal outcome. This is, however, rare. In the literature a few fatal cases of septicaemia have been reported as well as life‐threatening rectal bleeding.Prostate biopsy is not associated with excess mortality and fatal complications seem to be very rare in a screening setting.OBJECTIVE• To assess possible excess mortality associated with prostate biopsy among screening participants of the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC).patientS AND METHODS• From three centres in the ERSPC (Finland, The Netherlands and Sweden) 50 194 screened men aged 50.2–78.4 years were prospectively followed. A cohort of 12 959 first‐time screening‐positive men (i.e. with biopsy indication) was compared with another cohort of 37 235 first‐time screening‐negative men.• Overall mortality rates (i.e. other cause than prostate cancer mortality) were calculated and the 120‐day and 1‐year cumulative mortality were calculated by the Kaplan–Meier method, with a log‐rank test for statistical significance.• Incidence rate ratios (RR) and statistical significance were evaluated using Poisson regression analyses, adjusting for age, total PSA level, screening centre and whether a biopsy indication was present, or whether a biopsy was actually performed or not.RESULTS• There was no statistically significant difference in cumulative 120‐day other cause mortality between the two groups of men: 0.24% (95% CI, 0.17–0.34) for screening‐positive men vs 0.24% (95% CI, 0.20–0.30) for screening‐negative men (P= 0.96). This implied no excess mortality for screening‐positive men.• Screening‐positive men who were not biopsied (n= 1238) had a more than fourfold risk of other cause mortality during the first 120 days compared to screening‐negative men: RR, 4.52 (95% CI, 2.63–7.74) (P < 0.001), adjusted for age, whereas men who were actually biopsied (n= 11 721) had half the risk: RR, 0.41 (95% CI, 0.23–0.73) (P= 0.002), adjusted for age.• Only 14/31 (45%) of the screening‐positive men who died within 120 days were biopsied and none died as an obvious complication to the biopsy.CONCLUSION• Prostate biopsy is not associated with excess mortality and fatal complications appear to be very rare.
Percutaneous renal access training: content validation comparison between a live porcine and a virtual reality (VR) simulation model
Authors: Mishra Shashikant , Kurien Abraham , Ganpule Arvind , Muthu Veeramani , Sabnis Ravindra , Desai Mahesh 
Published: October 2010

Study Type – Operational research (education) content analysis Level of Evidence 3bOBJECTIVE• To compare the content validity (realism and usefulness) of percutaneous renal access (PRA) obtained on a live porcine model and a high‐fidelity computer‐based surgical simulator (PERC Mentor, Simbionix; Lod, Israel) in our skills laboratory for trainees interested in PRA training, so as to determine which of the two is a more appropriate and effective training model.MATERIALS And METHODS• In all, 24 ‘experts’ performed PRA in a live porcine model and using the PERC Mentor.• The porcine model access required a live anaesthetized pig with a pre‐placed ureteric catheter. The access was done with flouroscopic guidance using a 22‐G ‘skinny’ needle (Cook Medical, Bloomington, IN, USA).• Then the specific task of PRA using a similar case scenario was done using the PERC Mentor.• The experts rated the models using a questionnaire based on a 5‐point Likert scale, consisting of 10‐ and three‐items of realism and usefulness, respectively.RESULTS• Of the 10 items of realism assessed, the porcine model was rated as better than the PERC Mentor for ‘overall realism’, ‘movement of the kidney’, ‘tactile feedback of perinephric space’, ‘fluoroscopic realism’ and ‘complications encountered’ (All P < 0.001).• It was inferior to the PERC Mentor for ‘orientation to the flank’, ‘aspiration’, ‘repetitive performance’ and ‘organisational feasibility’ (All P < 0.001).• ‘Tactile feedback of successful access’ was similar in both models (mean [sd] points, 4.24 [0.7] vs 4.6 [0.5]).• Of the three items of usefulness, ‘overall usefulness’ (4.6 [0.6] vs 4.65 [0.5]) and ‘use as a training tool’ (4.32 [0.5] vs 4.75 [0.4]) was similar; however, the porcine model was a much better assessment tool (P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONS• Both models have relative advantages and disadvantages. The live porcine model is a more realistic assessment tool for PRA. The specific advantage of the PERC Mentor is of repetitive tasking and easier set up feasibility.• The overall usefulness was same for both the models.
Novel methods for the diagnosis and treatment of ejaculatory duct obstruction
Authors: Xu Bin , Niu Xiaobing , Wang Zengjun , Li Pengchao , Qin Chao , Li Jie , Liu Bianjiang , Wang Peng , Jia Yuejun , Wu Hongfei , Zhang Wei 
Published: October 2010

Study Type – Therapy (case series)Level of Evidence 4OBJECTIVES• To investigate a new method of vas deferens radiography for ejaculatory duct obstruction (EDO).• To evaluate the effect of a procedure involving dilation of the ejaculatory duct by F9 seminal vesicoscopy.PATIENTS AND METHODS• Twenty‐two patients with EDO were diagnosed using semen analysis, semen fructose measurement, transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) and vas deferens radiography.• Of these, 18 patients were successfully treated by dilation of ejaculatory duct using F9 seminal vesicoscopy and four patients, whose treatment was unsuccessful, were treated by transurethral resection of the ejaculatory ducts (TURED).• All patients were followed up for at least 3 months after treatment.RESULTS• Semen analyses in all 22 patients showed oligoasthenozoospermia or azoospermia, low semen volume (0–1.9 mL), low pH level (5.6–7.0) and absent or low semen fructose. TRUS and radiography showed pure dilated seminal vesicles on both sides in three patients, partial dilated seminal vesicles in one patient, dilation of both the ejaculatory duct and seminal vesicles in ten patients, dilated seminal vesicles and a prostatic cyst in four patients, and dilated ejaculatory duct or cystic lesions without dilated seminal vesicles in the remaining four patients.• At >3‐month follow‐up after dilation or TURED, the semen characteristics of 18 patients were improved and sperm were present in the semen in 13 cases. Normal semen analyses were found in 7 patients and 6 patients had conceived.• Voiding urethral radiography showed that no patients who had undergone dilation by seminal vesicoscopy had urine reflux into the ejaculatory duct. Only one patient showed urine reflux into the seminal vesicle after TURED.• All patients felt that their symptoms had improved after treatment.CONCLUSIONS• The approach to vas deferens radiography using vas deferens aspiration has proved to be an effective and safe method for EDO diagnosis.• The procedure involving the dilation of the ejaculatory duct using F9 seminal vesicoscopy is equally effective but has fewer postoperative complications than TURED.
Are port wines stains a feature of tuberous sclerosis?
Authors: Ben‐Amitai D. , Halachmi S. , Lapidoth M. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractBackground Tuberous sclerosis complex is a multisystem inherited disorder characterized by the development of tumour‐like growths in brain, skin and other organs. Although cutaneous vascular anomalies are not considered a common manifestation, we have encountered co‐occurrence of port wine stains and tuberous sclerosis.Objective To assess the prevalence of port wine stain in patients with previously diagnosed tuberous sclerosis.Methods All cases diagnosed with tuberous sclerosis at two tertiary care centres from 2000 to 2009 were reviewed. Cases with clinically documented port wine stains were included for evaluation.Results Of 24 patients diagnosed with tuberous sclerosis, three (12.5%) had clinically evident port wine stains. The prevalence of port wine stains in this series of tuberous sclerosis patients was significantly higher than the 0.3% prevalence of port wine stain in the general population.Conclusion Port wine stain rate in this population was significantly greater than the expected rate. Further studies are needed to assess the frequency of port wine stains in tuberous sclerosis and to clarify whether the finding should be added to the list of cutaneous features of tuberous sclerosis.
Patients with profuse hair shedding may reveal anagen hair dystrophy: a diagnostic clue of alopecia areata incognita
Authors: Quercetani R. , Rebora A.E. , Fedi M.C. , Carelli G. , Mei S. , Chelli A. , Poli E. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractBackground  Several patients, especially women, seek advice because of hair loss. They may be diagnosed clinically as having telogen effluvium (TE) or androgenetic alopecia (AGA), but histopathology may reveal that a proportion of them have in fact alopecia areata incognita (AAI).Objectives  To detect dystrophic anagen hairs in such patients.Methods  We studied 1932 patients with hair loss and no signs of classical alopecia areata. They were submitted to the modified wash test (which counts the total number of telogen hairs lost and the percentage of vellus hairs) and divided into patients having pure TE (403), patients with AGA + TE (1235) and patients with pure AGA (294). Dystrophic hairs were detected with a low magnification microscope.Results  Dystrophic hairs were observed in 13 patients with TE (3.2%), in 54 with AGA + TE (4.4%) and in none with AGA. In addition, 7 patients with TE and 32 with AGA + TE developed small patches of alopecia areata in 6 to 9 weeks. No patches developed in patients with AGA.Conclusions  The presence of dystrophic hairs and the development of patches of alopecia areata (and their absence in pure AGA) provide a first evidence of the possibility that within the heterogenous condition named TE some patients have in fact AAI.
Subcutaneous injection of liquid and foamed polidocanol: extravasation is not responsible for skin necrosis during reticular and spider vein sclerotherapy
Authors: Schuller‐Petrović S. , Pavlović M.D. , Neuhold N. , Brunner F. , Wölkart G. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractBackground  Cutaneous necrosis is one of the most annoying complications of reticular and spider vein sclerotherapy. The precise incidence of the complication is not known, although various sources reported incidence between 0.2% and 1.2%. Among a few mechanisms proposed to explain it, extravasation of the sclerosant into the perivascular tissue has been cited as the major cause.Objectives  The aim of the experimental study in rats was to examine the potential of various concentrations and volumes of polidocanol in both liquid and foam forms to cause cutaneous necrosis after superficial subcutaneous injection.Methods  Twenty‐four female Sprague Dawley rats were injected subcutaneously different concentrations (0.5%, 1%, 2% and 3%) of polidocanol as well as different preparations of polidocanol (liquid vs. foam) and volumes (0.1–0.5 mL). The animals were sacrificed 10 days after injections and biopsy specimens were obtained.Results  Cutaneous necrosis was not seen at volumes <0.5 mL regardless of the concentration or form of polidocanol injected. Foam preparation was shown to be less potent in inducing necrosis with a minimal strength being 2% in comparison with the liquid form where 1% was sufficient to produce overt cutaneous necrosis.Conclusions  This experimental study shows that extravasation of polidocal in usual circumstances of sclerotherapy of spider and reticular veins cannot be a significant cause of cutaneous necrosis rarely observed in this setting. It is particularly true for the foamed polidocanol where 1% strength seems safe if injected extravascularly in volumes up to 0.5 mL.
Liver X receptor agonist treatment promotes the migration of granule neurons during cerebellar development
Authors: Xing Yan , Fan Xiaotang , Ying Dajun 
Published: October 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 115, 1486–1494.AbstractLiver X receptor α (LXRα) and β (LXRβ) are members of the nuclear receptor superfamily of ligand‐activated transcription factors, and expressed in the CNS. We have previously demonstrated that LXRβ is essential for migration of later‐born neurons during cerebral cortex development, although the underlying mechanism is not clear. The cerebellum is organized in an exquisitely foliated structure with a simple layered cytoarchitecture and considered to be a good model to study morphogenesis of lamination and neuronal migration. Here, we found that T0901317, a potent LXR receptor agonist, administration to neonatal C57/BL6 mice, increased dendritic growth of Purkinje cell, although the appearance of the cerebellar cortex was not affected. We further demonstrated T0901317 treatment promoted the migration of granule neurons from the external granular layer to the internal granular layer during cerebellum development. Bergmann glial fibers serve as scaffolds for granule cells inward migration during cerebellum postnatal development. T0901317 treatment also inhibited premature differentiation of Bergmann glia during cerebellum development, which is related to the decreased levels of TGF‐β1 and Smad4 in the cerebellum. Taken together, our findings suggest that endogenous LXR affects differentiation process of Bergmann glia and subsequently leads to promote the migration of granule neurons.
Project portfolio selection model, a realistic approach
Authors: Urli Bruno , Terrien François 
Published: October 2010

AbstractToday, more and more companies are moving towards a project‐oriented way of managing their businesses. It sets certain challenges to companies. How to make sure that the selected projects are implementing the strategy of the company? Are the scarce resources (financial, human capital) allocated to the right projects? Which projects to select, which projects to pursue and which to kill? Project portfolio management tackles these problems and has become an important topic in recent years. Nevertheless, different empirical studies highlighted the fact that these models are not used in practice. We propose an approach based on the generation of efficient portfolios by the metaheuristic SSPMO1 and on an “objective” analysis of these portfolios in order to make good recommendation to the portfolio committee or the decision makers.
Writing as a Tool in Teaching Sketching: Implications for Architectural Design Education
Authors: Soygenis Sema , Soygenis Murat , Erktin Emine 
Published: October 2010

AbstractThis article discusses the process of a study designed to develop university students' sketching skills in schools of architecture. Acknowledging the relationship between cognition and writing, it aims to investigate the role of writing in learning sketching among architecture students and to examine how students regulate their thoughts by writing as they work on their free hand sketches. It includes writing texts before and after sketching tasks to improve sketching. The study was implemented in a school of architecture at a Turkish university as part of an elective course on sketching. The students' works were evaluated in terms of their sketches, texts and self‐reports of their thinking and the views and comments of the tutor who carried out the programme. This article discusses how the study was conceived and developed. The results of this study may provide insights for educators in developing strategies in teaching and learning of sketching and design, using multi modes of thinking.
Sensitising Children to Ecological Issues through Textile Eco‐Design
Authors: Taieb Amine Hadj , Hammami Manel , Msahli Slah , Sakli Faouzi 
Published: October 2010

AbstractHuman health is affected by pollution caused by toxic chemical substances, particularly vulnerable groups like children. So how can we make things better for people and for the environment through the textile products we design? By thinking about the environment when designing, choosing and using environmental‐friendly technology, we can play an important role in building a better world for the future. If we are going to live in a sustainable way, the technology and materials that we use have to be sustainable. This article provides an insight into how textile product design can provide a better future. It describes the design of ecological textile messages for sensitising and educating children. In the long term, such design may help towards ensuring a better quality of life for everyone, now and in the future. In this survey, the design of the sensitising messages was done using ecological techniques and raw materials to accentuate the message and took into account the intellectual and psychological level of children. All of the raw materials, process and plant dyes used were analysed from an environmental perspective.