bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Older patients suffer from adverse histopathological features after radical cystectomy
Authors: Rink Michael , Dahlem Roland , Kluth Luis , Minner Sarah , Ahyai Sascha A , Eichelberg Christian , Fisch Margit , Chun Felix KH 
Published: June 2011

Objectives:  Radical cystectomy (RC) remains a complex procedure in older patients. Perioperative morbidity can be significant and it can represent a limitation for its indication in this population. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the outcomes of RC in elderly patients from a large single‐center cohort.Methods:  A total of 447 patients who underwent RC between 1996 and 2009 at our institution were considered. Patients were stratified by age (≤70 vs >70 years). Logistic regression analyses were carried out comparing both groups regarding clinical, perioperative and histopathological findings, as well as complications according to the modified Clavien system and survival.Results:  Data of 390 patients were available for the analysis. Of these, 265 (67.9%) versus 125 (32.1%) patients were <70 versus ≥70 years‐of‐age. The median age was 61 and 75 years, respectively. In the elderly, ASA score (P < 0.001), delay between transurethral resection of the bladder (TURBT) and RC (P = 0.004), and number of perioperative blood transfusions (P = 0.002) were significantly higher. Additionally, a clear trend towards higher stages (pT3–4) was observed (P = 0.04). However, complications, and overall and cancer‐specific mortality were not increased in older patients. Finally, age was identified as a significant risk factor for upstaging (P = 0.04). Upstaging between TURBT and final histopathology in patients <70 versus ≥70 years occurred in 45% versus 58%, respectively (P = 0.03).Conclusions:  RC is equally feasible in older patients without increasing morbidity or mortality. On the contrary, older patients have a higher risk of significant upstaging and advanced stages at final histopathology. These findings suggest that RC should neither be delayed in nor withheld from elderly patients.
A conceptual framework for the evolution of ecological specialisation
Authors: Poisot Timothée , Bever James D. , Nemri Adnane , Thrall Peter H. , Hochberg Michael E. 
Published: June 2011

Ecology Letters(2011)14: 841–851AbstractEcological specialisation concerns all species and underlies many major ecological and evolutionary patterns. Yet its status as a unifying concept is not always appreciated because of its similarity to concepts of the niche, the many levels of biological phenomena to which it applies, and the complexity of the mechanisms influencing it. The evolution of specialisation requires the coupling of constraints on adaptive evolution with covariation of genotype and environmental performance. This covariation itself depends upon organismal properties such as dispersal behaviour and life history and complexity in the environment stemming from factors such as species interactions and spatio‐temporal heterogeneity in resources. Here, we develop a view on specialisation that integrates across the range of biological phenomena with the goal of developing a more predictive conceptual framework that specifically accounts for the importance of biotic complexity and coevolutionary events.
Combination Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy and Transverse Corrective Osteotomy of the Proximal Tibia for the Treatment of Complex Tibial Deformities in 12 dogs
Authors: Weh Jennifer L. , Kowaleski Michael P. , Boudrieau Randy J. 
Published: June 2011

Objective: To describe a surgical technique, and outcome, for treatment of proximal tibial deformity (varus, valgus, excessive tibial plateau angle [eTPA], tibial torsion and patellar luxation) by combined tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) and transverse corrective osteotomy.Study Design: Cases series.Animals: Dogs (n=12; 19 stifle joints).Methods: Medical records of dogs that had combination TPLO and transverse corrective osteotomy, were reviewed. Pre‐ and postoperative tibial angulation, tibial torsion, tibial plateau angle (TPA), corrective osteotomy technique, method of fixation, and complications were recorded. In hospital re‐evaluation of limb function and alignment and length of time to radiographic healing were reviewed. Long‐term outcome was assessed by visual analog scale (VAS) questionnaire and owner telephone interview.Results: Proximal tibial varus or valgus was present in 68.4%; 73.7% had eTPA; and 47.4% had both. Medial patellar luxation (MPL) was present in 57.9%, of which 47.4% had tibial tuberosity displacement. Severe tibial torsion was present in 68.4%. Mean pre‐ and postoperative TPA was 37.5° and 5.7°, respectively. The mean postoperative mechanical medial proximal tibial angle (mMPTA) and mechanical medial distal tibial angle (mMDTA) were 92.2° (range, 88–96°) and 96.1° (range, 94–101°), respectively. Postoperative surgical complications were documented in 21.0%, which included implant loosening or breakage (5.3%), seroma (5.3%), septic arthritis (5.3%), and infection of the proximal tibia (5.3%). All complications were considered major because they required additional surgery. Mean time to document radiographic healing was 10.4 weeks. In‐hospital re‐evaluation of lameness was obtained at the same time; 82.4% were not lame or had a mild lameness, 17.6% had severe lameness (2/3 with infection). The VAS evaluation revealed excellent results and owner satisfaction in all ten dogs in which long‐term follow‐up was obtained.Conclusions: Long‐term clinical outcome of combination TPLO and transverse corrective osteotomy was excellent, and had a high owner satisfaction. Healing times were comparable to standard TPLO with a similar complication rate.
Effect of Illiteracy on Neuropsychological Tests and Glucose Metabolism of Brain in Later Life
Authors: Kwon Oh Dae , Cho Sang Soo , Seo Sang Won , Na Duk L. 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND AND PURPOSEThe acquisition of literacy during childhood may affect the functional organization of the brain. We studied the effects of illiteracy on neuropsychological tests and brain glucose metabolism in later life.METHODSWe recruited 12 illiterate elderly farmers who never attended school and acquired no knowledge of reading or writing. These illiterate subjects were compared with literate subjects in terms of neuropsychological performance and brain glucose metabolism. All subjects were over 65 years and had same socioeconomic environment and normal activities of daily living.RESULTSNeuropsychological tests indicated that the performance of illiterate subjects was worse than that of literate subjects in all cognitive domains with the exception of forward digit span, tool‐use and tool‐free gestures, and verbal generation of grocery items. The SPM analysis showed that illiterate subjects had reduced FDG‐uptake relative to literate subjects, predominantly in the rostral part of the left superior frontal gyrus and less strikingly in the left rectal gyrus, right cerebellar declive, and right cerebellar tonsil. In contrast, hypermetabolism was found only in the left precuneus.CONCLUSIONThese results suggest that reading and writing during childhood is associated with activation of the frontal pole that may play a critical role in complex aspects of human cognition.
Bovine Bacillus anthracis in Cameroon
Authors: Pilo Paola , Rossano Alexandra , Bamamga Hamadou , Abdoulkadiri Souley , Perreten Vincent , Frey Joachim 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACT

Bovine
Bacillus anthracis
isolates from Cameroon were genetically characterized. They showed a strong homogeneity, and they belong, together with strains from Chad, to cluster Aβ, which appears to be predominant in western Africa. However, one strain that belongs to a newly defined clade (D) and cluster (D1) is penicillin resistant and shows certain phenotypes typical of
Bacillus cereus
.
Isolation and Characterization of Methanothermobacter crinale sp. nov., a Novel Hydrogenotrophic Methanogen from the Shengli Oil Field
Authors: Cheng Lei , Dai Lirong , Li Xia , Zhang Hui , Lu Yahai 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACTSyntrophic acetate oxidation coupled with hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis is an alternative methanogenic pathway in certain thermophilic anaerobic environments such as high-temperature oil reservoirs and thermophilic biogas reactors. In these environments, the dominant thermophilic methanogens were generally related to uncultured organisms of the genusMethanothermobacter. Here we isolated two representative strains, Tm2Tand HMD, from the oil sands and oil production water in the Shengli oil field in the People's Republic of China. The type strain, Tm2T, was nonmotile and stained Gram positive. The cells were straight to slightly curved rods (0.3 μm in width and 2.2 to 5.9 μm in length), but some of them possessed a coccal shape connecting with the rods at the ends. Strain Tm2Tgrew with H2-CO2, but acetate is required. Optimum growth of strain Tm2Toccurred in the presence of 0.025 g/liter NaCl at pH 6.9 and a temperature of 65°C. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 40.1 mol% ± 1.3 mol% (by the thermal denaturation method) or 41.1 mol% (by high-performance liquid chromatography). Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that Tm2Twas most closely related toMethanothermobacter thermautotrophicusΔHTandMethanothermobacter wolfeiiVKM B-1829T(both with a sequence similarity of 96.4%). Based on these phenotypic and phylogenic characteristics, a novel species was proposed and namedMethanothermobacter crinalesp. nov. The type strain is Tm2T(ACCC 00699T= JCM 17393T).
Biochemical and Mutational Studies of the Bacillus cereus CECT 5050T Formamidase Support the Existence of a C-E-E-K Tetrad in Several Members of the Nitrilase Superfamily
Authors: Soriano-Maldonado Pablo , Martínez-Gómez Ana Isabel , Andújar-Sánchez Montserrat , Neira José L. , Clemente-Jiménez Josefa María , Las Heras-Vázquez Francisco Javier , Rodríguez-Vico Felipe , Martínez-Rodríguez Sergio 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACT

Formamidases (EC 3.5.1.49) are poorly characterized proteins. In spite of this scarce knowledge, ammonia has been described as playing a central role in the pathogenesis of human pathogens such as
Helicobacter pylori
, for which formamidase has been shown to participate in the nitrogen metabolic pathway. Sequence analysis has revealed that at least two different groups of formamidases are classified as EC 3.5.1.49: on the one hand, the derivatives of the FmdA-AmdA superfamily, which are the best studied to date, and on the other hand, the derivatives of
Helicobacter pylori
AmiF. Here we present the cloning, purification, and characterization of a recombinant formamidase from
Bacillus cereus
CECT 5050T (BceAmiF), the second member of the AmiF subfamily to be characterized, showing new features of the enzyme further supporting its relationship with aliphatic amidases. We also present homology modeling-based mutational studies confirming the importance of the Glu140 and Tyr191 residues in the enzymatic activities of the AmiF family. Moreover, we can conclude that a second glutamate residue is critical in several members of the nitrilase superfamily, meaning that what has consistently been identified as a C-E-K triad is in fact a C-E-E-K tetrad.
Antimicrobial Resistance and Virulence Determinants in European Salmonella Genomic Island 1-Positive Salmonella enterica Isolates from Different Origins
Authors: Beutlich Janine , Jahn Silke , Malorny Burkhard , Hauser Elisabeth , Hühn Stephan , Schroeter Andreas , Rodicio Maria Rosario , Appel Bernd , Threlfall John , Mevius Dik , Helmuth Reiner , Guerra Beatriz 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACTSalmonellagenomic island 1 (SGI1) contains a multidrug resistance region conferring the ampicillin-chloramphenicol-streptomycin-sulfamethoxazole-tetracycline resistance phenotype encoded byblaPSE-1,floR,aadA2,sul1, andtet(G). Its increasing spread via interbacterial transfer and the emergence of new variants are important public health concerns. We investigated the molecular properties of SGI1-carryingSalmonella entericaserovars selected from a European strain collection. A total of 38 strains belonging toS. entericaserovar Agona,S. entericaserovar Albany,S. entericaserovar Derby,S. entericaserovar Kentucky,S. entericaserovar Newport,S. entericaserovar Paratyphi B dT+, andS. entericaserovar Typhimurium, isolated between 2002 and 2006 in eight European countries from humans, animals, and food, were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing, molecular typing methods (XbaI pulsed-field gel electrophoresis [PFGE], plasmid analysis, and multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis [MLVA]), as well as detection of resistance and virulence determinants (PCR/sequencing and DNA microarray analysis). Typing experiments revealed wide heterogeneity inside the strain collection and even within serovars. PFGE analysis distinguished a total of 26 different patterns. In contrast, the characterization of the phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial resistance revealed serovar-specific features. Apart from the classical SGI1 organization found in 61% of the strains, seven different variants were identified with antimicrobial resistance properties associated with SGI1-A (S. Derby), SGI1-C (S. Derby), SGI1-F (S. Albany), SGI1-L (S. Newport), SGI1-K (S. Kentucky), SGI1-M (S.Typhimurium), and, eventually, a novel variant similar to SGI1-C with additional gentamicin resistance encoded byaadB. Only minor serovar-specific differences among virulence patterns were detected. In conclusion, the SGI1 carriers exhibited pathogenetic backgrounds comparable to the ones published for susceptible isolates. However, because of their multidrug resistance, they may be more relevant in clinical settings.
Diversity and Antibiotic Resistance Patterns of Sphingomonadaceae Isolates from Drinking Water
Authors: Vaz-Moreira Ivone , Nunes Olga C. , Manaia Célia M. 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACTSphingomonadaceae(n= 86) were isolated from a drinking water treatment plant (n= 6), tap water (n= 55), cup fillers for dental chairs (n= 21), and a water demineralization filter (n= 4). The bacterial isolates were identified based on analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence, and intraspecies variation was assessed on the basis ofatpDgene sequence analysis. The isolates were identified as members of the generaSphingomonas(n= 27),Sphingobium(n= 28),Novosphingobium(n= 12),Sphingopyxis(n= 7), andBlastomonas(n= 12). The patterns of susceptibility to five classes of antibiotics were analyzed and compared for the different sites of isolation and taxonomic groups. Colistin resistance was observed to be intrinsic (92%). The highest antibiotic resistance prevalence values were observed in members of the generaSphingomonasandSphingobiumand for beta-lactams, ciprofloxacin, and cotrimoxazole. In tap water and in water from dental chairs, antibiotic resistance was more prevalent than in the other samples, mainly due to the predominance of isolates of the generaSphingomonasandSphingobium. These two genera presented distinct patterns of association with antibiotic resistance, suggesting different paths of resistance development. Antibiotic resistance patterns were often related to the species rather than to the site or strain, suggesting the importance of vertical resistance transmission in these bacteria. This is the first study demonstrating that members of the familySphingomonadaceaeare potential reservoirs of antibiotic resistance in drinking water.
Comparing Nonsynergy Gamma Models and Interaction Models To Predict Growth of Emetic Bacillus cereus for Combinations of pH and Water Activity Values
Authors: Biesta-Peters Elisabeth G. , Reij Martine W. , Zwietering Marcel H. , Gorris Leon G. M. 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACTThis research aims to test the absence (gamma hypothesis) or occurrence of synergy between two growth-limiting factors, i.e., pH and water activity (aw), using a systematic approach for model selection. In this approach, preset criteria were used to evaluate the performance of models. Such a systematic approach is required to be confident in the correctness of the individual components of the combined (synergy) models. WithBacillus cereusF4810/72 as the test organism, estimated growth boundaries for the aw-lowering solutes NaCl, KCl, and glucose were 1.13 M, 1.13 M, and 1.68 M, respectively. The accompanying awvalues were 0.954, 0.956, and 0.961, respectively, indicating that equal awvalues result in similar effects on growth. Out of the 12 models evaluated using the preset criteria, the model of J. H. T. Luong (Biotechnol. Bioeng. 27:280–285, 1985) was the best model to describe the effect of awon growth. This awmodel and the previously selected pH model were combined into a gamma model and into two synergy models. None of the three models was able to describe the combined pH and awconditions sufficiently well to satisfy the preset criteria. The best matches between predicted and experimental data were obtained with the gamma model, followed by the synergy model of Y. Le Marc et al. (Int. J. Food Microbiol. 73:219–237, 2002). No combination of models that was able to predict the impact of both individual and combined hurdles correctly could be found. Consequently, in this case we could not prove the existence of synergy nor falsify the gamma hypothesis.
Evidence of an American Origin for Symbiosis-Related Genes in Rhizobium lusitanum
Authors: Valverde Angel , Velázquez Encarna , Cervantes Emilio , Igual José M. , van Berkum Peter 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACT

Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was used to investigate the diversity of 179 bean isolates recovered from six field sites in the Arcos de Valdevez region of northwestern Portugal. The isolates were divided into 6 groups based on the fingerprint patterns that were obtained. Representatives for each group were selected for sequence analysis of 4 chromosomal DNA regions. Five of the groups were placed within
Rhizobium lusitanum
, and the other group was placed within
R. tropici
type IIA. Therefore, the collection of Portuguese bean isolates was shown to include the two species
R. lusitanum
and
R. tropici
. In plant tests, the strains P1-7, P1-1, P1-2, and P1-16 of
R. lusitanum
nodulated and formed nitrogen-fixing symbioses both with
Phaseolus vulgaris
and
Leucaena leucocephala
. A methyltransferase-encoding
nodS
gene identical with the
R. tropici
locus that confers wide host range was detected in the strain P1-7 as well as 24 others identified as
R. lusitanum
. A methyltransferase-encoding
nodS
gene also was detected in the remaining isolates of
R. lusitanum
, but in this case the locus was that identified with the narrow-host-range
R. etli
. Representatives of isolates with the
nodS
of
R. etli
formed effective nitrogen-fixing symbioses with
P. vulgaris
and did not nodulate
L. leucocephala
. From sequence data of
nodS
, the
R. lusitanum
genes for symbiosis were placed within those of either
R. tropici
or
R. etli
. These results would support the suggestion that
R. lusitanum
was the recipient of the genes for symbiosis with beans from both
R. tropici
and
R. etli
.
Molecular Tracking, through Processing, of Campylobacter Strains Colonizing Broiler Flocks
Authors: Elvers Karen T. , Morris Victoria K. , Newell Diane G. , Allen Vivien M. 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACT

Many of the poultry flocks produced in the United Kingdom are colonized with
Campylobacter
, and the intensive nature of poultry processing usually results in contaminated carcasses. In this study, a previously reported molecular oligonucleotide probe method was used to track a specific flock-colonizing strain(s) on broiler carcasses during processing in two United Kingdom commercial poultry processing plants. Five
Campylobacter
-positive flocks were sampled at four points along the processing line, postbleed, postpluck, prechill, and postchill, and two
Campylobacter
-negative flocks processed immediately after positive flocks were sampled prechill.
flaA
was sequenced from
Campylobacter
strains isolated from these flocks, and strain-specific probes were synthesized. Skin and cecal samples were plated onto selective agar to give individual colonies, which were transferred onto membranes. These were then hybridized with the strain- and genus-specific probes. For all the 5 positive flocks, there was a significant reduction in campylobacters postbleed compared to postpluck but no subsequent fall on sampling pre- and postchill, and the strain(s) predominating on the carcasses throughout processing came from the flock being processed. This indicates that strains from the abattoir environment were not a significant cause of carcass contamination in flocks with well-established campylobacter colonization. However, negative flocks that were preceded by positive flocks were contaminated by strains that did not generally originate from the predominating strains recovered from the ceca of the previous positive flocks. This suggests that the abattoir environment has a significant role in the contamination of carcasses from negative but not fully colonized flocks.
Spatial and Temporal Analysis of the Microbial Community in the Tailings of a Pb-Zn Mine Generating Acidic Drainage
Authors: Huang Li-Nan , Zhou Wen-Hua , Hallberg Kevin B. , Wan Cai-Yun , Li Jie , Shu Wen-Sheng 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACT

Analysis of spatial and temporal variations in the microbial community in the abandoned tailings impoundment of a Pb-Zn mine revealed distinct microbial populations associated with the different oxidation stages of the tailings. Although
Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans
and
Leptospirillum
spp. were consistently present in the acidic tailings, acidophilic archaea, mostly
Ferroplasma acidiphilum
, were predominant in the oxidized zones and the oxidation front, indicating their importance to generation of acid mine drainage.
Potential Pathogenicity and Host Range of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli Isolates from Healthy Poultry
Authors: Bortolaia Valeria , Larsen Jesper , Damborg Peter , Guardabassi Luca 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACT

Thirty of 33 epidemiologically unrelated extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing
Escherichia coli
isolates from healthy poultry lacked the virulence genes commonly associated with human-pathogenic strains. The main zoonotic risk is associated with the broad host range of avian
E. coli
belonging to sequence type complex 10 and of IncN and IncI1 plasmids carrying
bla
CTX-M
or
bla
SHV
.
Detection of New Francisella-Like Tick Endosymbionts in Hyalomma spp. and Rhipicephalus spp. (Acari: Ixodidae) from Bulgaria
Authors: Ivanov Ivan N. , Mitkova Nadia , Reye Anna L. , Hübschen Judith M. , Vatcheva-Dobrevska Rossitza S. , Dobreva Elina G. , Kantardjiev Todor V. , Muller Claude P. 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACT

We report on the identification of two new
Francisella
-like endosymbionts (FLEs) found in three different tick species from Bulgaria. The FLEs were characterized by 16S rRNA and
tul4
gene sequencing and seem to lack the molecular marker RD1. These two new taxa seem to be facultative secondary endosymbionts of ticks.