bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The presence of the glycolysis operon in SAR11 genomes is positively correlated with ocean productivity
Authors: Schwalbach M. S. , Tripp H. J. , Steindler L. , Smith D. P. , Giovannoni S. J. 
Published: November 2009

SummaryBacteria in the SAR11 clade are highly abundant in marine surface waters, but currently little is known about the carbon compounds that support these large heterotrophic populations. To better understand the carbon requirements of these organisms, we conducted a multiphasic exploration of carbohydrate utilization among SAR11 isolates from the Northeast Pacific Ocean and the Sargasso Sea. A comparison of three SAR11 genomes showed they all lacked a recognizable PTS system, the oxidative portion of the pentose phosphate shunt (zwf‐, pgl‐), genes for the Embden–Meyerhoff–Parnas (pfk‐, pyk‐) and Entner–Doudoroff (eda‐) pathways of glycolysis. Strain HTCC7211, isolated from an ocean gyre, was missing other glycolysis genes as well. Growth assays, radioisotopes, metagenomics and microarrays were used to test the hypothesis that these isolates might be limited in their abilities to transport and oxidize exogenous carbohydrates. Galactose, fucose, rhamnose, arabinose, ribose and mannose could not serve as carbon sources for the isolates tested. However, differences in glucose utilization were detected between coastal and ocean gyre isolates, with the coastal isolates capable of transporting, incorporating and oxidizing glucose while the open ocean isolate could not. Subsequent microarray analysis of a coastal isolate suggested that an operon encoding a variant of the Entner–Doudoroff pathway is likely responsible for the observed differences in glucose utilization. Metagenomic analysis indicated this operon is more commonly found in coastal environments and is positively correlated with chlorophyll a concentrations. Our results indicated that glycolysis is a variable metabolic property of SAR11 metabolism and suggest that glycolytic SAR11 are more common in productive marine environments.
Beyond antibiotic resistance: integrating conjugative elements of the SXT/R391 family that encode novel diguanylate cyclases participate to c‐di‐GMP signalling in Vibrio cholerae
Authors: Bordeleau Eric , Brouillette Eric , Robichaud Nathaniel , Burrus Vincent 
Published: November 2009

SummaryIn Vibrio cholerae, the second messenger bis‐(3′−5′)‐cyclic dimeric guanosine monophosphate (c‐di‐GMP) increases exopolysaccharides production and biofilm formation and decreases virulence and motility. As such, c‐di‐GMP is considered an important player in the transition from the host to persistence in the environment. c‐di‐GMP level is regulated through a complex network of more than 60 chromosomal genes encoding predicted diguanylate cyclases (DGCs) and phosphodiesterases. Herein we report the characterization of two additional DGCs, DgcK and DgcL, encoded by integrating conjugative elements (ICEs) belonging to the SXT/R391 family. SXT/R391 ICEs are self‐transmissible mobile elements that are widespread among vibrios and several species of enterobacteria. We found that deletion of dgcL increases the motility of V. cholerae, that overexpression of DgcK or DgcL modulates gene expression, biofilm formation and bacterial motility, and that a single amino acid change in the active site of either enzyme abolishes these phenotypes. We also show that DgcK and DgcL are able to synthesize c‐di‐GMP in vitro from GTP. DgcK was found to co‐purify with non‐covalently bound flavin mononucleotide (FMN). DgcL's enzymatic activity was augmented upon phosphorylation of its phosphorylatable response‐regulator domain suggesting that DgcL is part of a two‐component signal transduction system. Interestingly, we found orthologues of dgcK and dgcL in several SXT/R391 ICEs from two species of Vibrio originating from Asia, Africa and Central America. We propose that besides conferring usual antibiotic resistances, dgcKL‐bearing SXT/R391 ICEs could enhance the survival of vibrios in aquatic environments by increasing c‐di‐GMP level.
A qualitative evaluation of patients’ experiences of an enhanced recovery programme for colorectal cancer
Authors: Blazeby J. M. , Soulsby M. , Winstone K. , King P. M. , Bulley S. , Kennedy R. H. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractAim  We explored the patients’ views and experiences of surgery for colorectal cancer within an enhanced recovery programme (ERP).Method  Semi‐structured home interviews were performed within 6 weeks of hospital discharge with participants of a randomized trial comparing laparoscopically assisted surgery with open surgery for colorectal cancer within an ERP. Interviews were tape‐recorded, transcribed and analysed using qualitative techniques of constant comparison based upon grounded theory.Results  Interviewees (n = 22) had similar baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes to participants in the full trial. Many participants were pleased to be discharged quickly and they considered that being in their own home‐improved recovery because it allowed them to choose how and when to undertake daily activities rather than following the hospital routine. Some participants (n = 9) were less satisfied with the process, and the reasons for this were related to complications requiring readmission or needing to contact a health professional for information after discharge.Conclusion  Although many participants reported benefits from an ERP, the study highlighted areas for improvement. In particular participants reported the need for better access to information and specialist advice in the early days after hospital discharge.
Defining pathological variables to predict biochemical failure in patients with positive surgical margins at radical prostatectomy: implications for adjuvant radiotherapy
Authors: Resnick Matthew J. , Canter Daniel J. , Guzzo Thomas J. , Magerfleisch Laurie , Tomaszewski John E. , Brucker Benjamin M. , Bergey Meredith R. , Sonnad Seema S. , Wein Alan J. , Malkowicz S. Bruce 
Published: November 2009

Study Type – Prognosis (individual cohort series) Level of Evidence 2bOBJECTIVETo evaluate the utility of estimated tumour volume, number of positive surgical margins (PSMs), and margin location for predicting biochemical failure in patients with PSM, in an attempt to better risk‐stratify the heterogeneous group of patients at high risk of biochemical failure after radical prostatectomy (RP) for prostate cancer.PATIENTS AND METHODSWe reviewed our database of 2410 patients who had RP, and isolated 423 with PSMs who had a prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) nadir at undetectable levels. Kaplan‐Meier curves were used for univariate survival analysis, with the log‐rank test used to examine differences between survival curves. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to assess the independent main effect of estimated tumour volume, number of PSMs and margin location on biochemical‐free survival.RESULTSIncreasing estimated tumour volume was directly associated with increasing risk of biochemical failure in patients with PSMs (P = 0.041). Patients with more than one PSM were at greater risk of biochemical failure than those with one PSM (P = 0.001). Margin location had no effect on biochemical‐free survival in patients with PSMs. When incorporated into a multivariate Cox regression model including age, preoperative PSA level and pathological Gleason score, estimated tumour volume and number of PSMs remained independent predictors of biochemical recurrence.CONCLUSIONSCoupled with other variables before and after RP, both estimated tumour volume and number of PSMs might serve to further discriminate those patients most likely to benefit from immediate adjuvant radiotherapy after RP.
The adjunctive use of power Doppler imaging in the preoperative assessment of prostate cancer
Authors: Eisenberg Michael L. , Cowan Janet E. , Carroll Peter R. , Shinohara Katsuto 
Published: November 2009

Study Type – Diagnostic (exploratory cohort) Level of Evidence 2bOBJECTIVETo determine if the adjunctive use of power Doppler imaging (PDI) could provide prognostic utility in the treatment of prostate cancer, as an accurate prediction of the clinical behaviour of prostate cancer is important to determine appropriate treatment.PATIENTS AND METHODSMost centres rely on a digital rectal examination or transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) to assess the clinical stage of patients. In 2002, we began using a standardized form to evaluate TRUS findings and PDI findings. We compared preoperative clinical findings with those from pathological analysis of 620 radical prostatectomy specimens from 2002 to 2007.RESULTSThe mean (sd) patient age was 58 (6.6) years with a mean prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level of 7.0 (4.5) ng/mL. Of the 620 specimens 157 (25.3%) had evidence of extracapsular extension on pathological evaluation; 443 (71.5%) men had a hypervascular lesion seen on TRUS, while 177 (28.5%) patients had none. There was no difference in preoperative PSA level, grade or stage of tumour. Furthermore, rates of biochemical recurrence or secondary treatment did not differ based on PDI findings. As a tool to help locate prostate tumours, PDI improved the specificity of TRUS but did not improve the overall accuracy or sensitivity.CONCLUSIONPDI provides little prognostic utility to assess risk in prostate cancer. However, PDI might improve the specificity of TRUS in identifying prostate tumours and could have a role in image guidance for focal therapy of prostate cancer.
The Boari bladder flap: an effective continent stoma for the high‐compliance neurogenic bladder
Authors: Baumgart Egbert , Stoffel John T. 
Published: November 2009

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4OBJECTIVETo determine if a continent urinary stoma can be created effectively using a Boari bladder flap (BBF) technique.PATIENTS AND METHODSSelected patients (15, eight women and seven men) with a neurogenic bladder and a bladder compliance of >20 mL/cmH2O had a procedure to create a BBF continent urinary stoma. The technique consisted of tubularising a trapezoidal, full‐thickness detrusor flap 10 cm long, 5–6 cm wide at the base and 2 cm at the tip, over a 12 F catheter, and plication of detrusor muscle around the stomal base. Outcomes after surgery were assessed by reviewing stomal continence, stomal patency, and stability of the upper urinary tract.RESULTSTen BBF procedures were performed using native detrusor muscle, four with enterocystoplasty tissue and one in a defunctionalized bladder. Over a mean follow‐up of 13 months, 11 patients had functioning stomas and 10 of these reported complete stomal continence. The mean change in serum creatinine level from the preoperative baseline for all patients was 0.1 mg/dL. The odds ratio for procedural failure, defined as a stoma unusable for self‐catheterization, was 7.5 (P = 0.04) when the BBF was created from augmented or defunctionalized bladder tissue, compared to native high‐compliance detrusor.CONCLUSIONA BBF can be used to create a viable, functional stoma in the high‐compliance neurogenic bladder, although the rate of stomal complications is high when the BBF is created from enterocystoplasty tissue.
Urodynamic evaluation of fesoterodine metabolite, doxazosin and their combination in a rat model of partial urethral obstruction
Authors: Füllhase Claudius , Soler Roberto , Gratzke Christian , Brodsky Marina , Christ George J. , Andersson Karl‐Erik 
Published: November 2009

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the urodynamic effects of fesoterodine, a new antimuscarinic agent, alone and combined with doxazosin, in a rat model of partial urethral obstruction (PUO), as 35–83% of men with bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) have overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome, and as the combination of α1‐adrenoceptor‐ and muscarinic‐receptor antagonists has been proposed to be beneficial for these patients.MATERIALS AND METHODSThirty‐seven male Sprague‐Dawley rats (250 g) had surgically induced PUO; 2 weeks later they were evaluated by cystometry with no anaesthesia or any restraint. After a 1‐h period either 5‐hydroxymethyl tolterodine (5‐HMT, the active metabolite of fesoterodine, previously known as SPM 7605), doxazosin or a combination of both, was given intravenously (0.1 mg/kg body weight), and cystometry was continued for another 45 min. Fifteen healthy, age‐matched rats served as a control.RESULTSAt 2 weeks after surgery the obstructed rats had an greater bladder weight, threshold pressure (TP) and micturition frequency (MF), and lower bladder capacity (BCap) and micturition volume (MV) than the controls. 5‐HMT did not cause urinary retention in obstructed rats, but decreased TP, maximum pressure (MP), spontaneous bladder activity (SA) and, paradoxically, increased MF. Doxazosin alone decreased TP, MP, MF and increased BCap and MV. 5‐HMT and doxazosin together did not depress the ability to empty the bladder, and showed decreased TP, MP and SA.CONCLUSIONS5‐HMT, alone and in combination, did not impair the voiding ability in obstructed rats. Doxazosin counteracted some of the ‘negative’ effects of 5‐HMT in this model (increase of MF) and did not attenuate the ‘positive’ effects (decrease of bladder SA). In this model, the combination of 5‐HMT and doxazosin appeared to be urodynamically safe and well tolerated.
Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for technically challenging tumours
Authors: Shikanov Sergey , Lifshitz David A. , Deklaj Tom , Katz Mark H. , Shalhav Arieh L. 
Published: November 2009

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4OBJECTIVETo investigate the outcomes of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) for endophytic tumours and those located near the hilum or the posterior upper‐pole, as these pose a technical challenge.PATIENTS AND METHODSTechnically challenging tumours were defined as endophytic, hilar, or at the posterior upper‐pole (group 1), and were compared to tumours in other locations (group 2). We collected data prospectively for all patients undergoing LPN at our institution, including baseline patient and tumour characteristics, surgical and postoperative outcomes. Two‐sided t‐test or rank‐sum test, and chi‐square or exact tests were used as appropriate for comparison of continuous and categorical variables, respectively, with P < 0.05 considered to indicate statistical significance.RESULTSThere were 184 patients treated with LPN (42 in group 1 and 142 in group 2) between 2002 and 2008 by one surgeon (A.L.S.). Groups 1 and 2 were similar in terms of baseline variables (age, sex, body mass index, comorbidities, previous surgery, renal function and haematocrit) and in tumour size. LPN for challenging tumours resulted in a higher rate of collecting system repair (78% in group 1, 61% in group 2, P = 0.03). However, operative (surgery time, warm ischaemia time, blood loss, intraoperative complications) and postoperative outcomes (renal function, nadir haematocrit, complication rate, hospital stay and positive margin rate) were similar between the groups.CONCLUSIONSWith developing experience LPN can be safe for technically challenging renal tumours in well selected patients.
Robot‐assisted extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: experience in a high‐volume laparoscopy reference centre
Authors: Ploussard Guillaume , Xylinas Evanguelos , Salomon Laurent , Vordos Dimitri , Hoznek Andras , Abbou Claude‐Clément , De La Taille Alexandre 
Published: November 2009

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4OBJECTIVETo describe our current procedure of robot‐assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP), and to assess the effect of the learning curve on perioperative data, early oncological outcomes and functional results, as RALP has increasingly become a treatment option for men with localized prostate cancer.PATIENTS AND METHODSIn all, 206 consecutive men had a RALP between July 2001 and November 2008 for localized prostate cancer. Among the overall cohort, the 175 men operated on by the same surgeon were distributed into five groups according to the chronological order of the procedures. The mean follow‐up after RALP was 18.3 months. Patient demographics, surgical data and postoperative variables were collected into a prospective database. Data were compared by chronological groups into single‐surgeon cohort.RESULTSThe median operative time and blood loss were 140 min and 350 mL, respectively. The complication rate was 8.3%. Cancers were pT3‐4 in 34.5%. The mean hospital stay and duration of bladder catheterization were 4.3 and 8.2 days, respectively. The rate of positive surgical margins (PSMs) was 17.2% in pT2 cancers. The recovery rate of continence was 98% at 12 months. Intraoperative time, blood loss and length of hospital stay were significantly improved after a short learning curve. The continence recovery, the rate and the length of PSM were also improved beyond the learning curve, but difference was not statistically significant.CONCLUSIONSRALP is a safe and reproducible procedure and offers a short learning curve for experienced laparoscopic surgeons. Beyond the learning curve, continued experience might also provide further improvements in terms of operative, pathological and functional results.
Visible skin condition and perception of human facial appearance
Authors: Samson N. , Fink B. , Matts P. J. 
Published: November 2009

SynopsisEvolutionary psychology suggests that certain human beauty standards have evolved to provide reliable cues of fertility and health. Hence, preferences for some physical characteristics of the face and body are thought to reflect adaptations for the promotion of mate choice. Studies that have investigated facial attractiveness have concentrated mainly on features such as symmetry, averageness and sex‐typical traits, which are developed under the influence of sex steroids. Few studies, however, have addressed the effect of human skin condition on perception of facial appearance in this context, and possible implications for sexual selection. There is now accumulating evidence that skin pigmentation and skin surface topography cues, particularly in women, have a significant influence on attractiveness judgements, as they seem primarily to signal aspects of age and health. This article (i) reviews briefly some of the main determinants of visible skin condition, (ii) presents recent evidence on its signalling value in face perception and (iii) suggests areas for future research with reference to an evolutionary psychology framework.
Lipopeptides in cosmetics
Authors: Kanlayavattanakul M. , Lourith N. 
Published: November 2009

SynopsisLipopeptides are biosurfactants extensively used in cosmetics. The consumption of cosmetics containing lipopeptides is increasing as a result of the exceptional surface properties and diverse biological activities of lipopeptides which facilitate a vast number of applications not only in the pharmaceutics industry which includes cosmetics but also in the food industry. Cosmetics containing lipopeptides are available in various dosage forms according to their beneficial surface properties, which include anti‐wrinkle and moisturizing activities and cleansing cosmetics. The microbial production of lipopeptides particularly those with biological and surface activities applicable to cosmetics are summarized based on appropriate studies and patents up to the year 2008 to manage the information and sufficiently review the data.
Biophysic evaluation of polysaccharide gel from durian’s fruit hulls for skin moisturizer
Authors: Futrakul B. , Kanlayavattanakul M. , Krisdaphong P. 
Published: November 2009

SynopsisDurian or Dutio zibethinus Murr. (Bombacaceae) is a tropical fruit native to Southeast Asia particularly cultivated in Thailand as an economic plant. Once it is consumed, the fruit hulls are discarded as waste products. Polysaccharide gel (PG) from durian’s fruit hulls is obviously efficient for use in the preparations of food and pharmaceutical products. This research focused on biophysical assessment of PG durian’s fruit hulls for cosmetic formulation. The efficacy of facial skin capacitance and firmness increment of PG formulation were evaluated. Its application showed significant effect on skin capacitance after 28 and 56 days (P = 0.024 and P = 0.003) and significantly increased skin firmness after 56 days of treatment (P = 0.017) with non‐allergic effect as there were no positive patch tests.
Simple and rapid analytical method for the simultaneous determination of cetrimonium chloride and alkyl alcohols in hair conditioners
Authors: Terol A. , Gómez‐Mingot M. , Maestre S. E. , Prats S. , Luis Todolí J. , Paredes E. 
Published: November 2009

SynopsisA simple method for the simultaneous determination of a cationic surfactant (cetrimonium chloride) and four non‐ionic surfactants (1‐tetradecanol, 1‐hexadecanol, 1‐octadecanol and 1‐eicosanol) has been developed. Direct extraction of the analytes from the sample with methanol and a subsequent separation using reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography with refractive index detection are the steps followed in the procedure. The column used was a Luna C18 and the mobile phase consisted of a 0.1 M KClO4 solution prepared on a 95:5 mixture of methanol and water. This solution was adjusted to pH 2.8 with phosphoric acid. Recoveries close to 100% were obtained in spiked commercial hair conditioner samples for the surfactants assayed using this method. Limits of detection were 10.4, 16.7 and 22.9 mg kg−1 of cetrimonium chloride, 1‐hexadecanol, 1‐hexadecanol and 1‐1‐octadecanol respectively. The methodology was successfully applied to nine commercial hair conditioners of several types and different brands. All hair conditioners but one contained at least two of the surfactants included in this study.
Long‐term results after reconstruction of full thickness scalp defects with a dermal regeneration template
Authors: Faulhaber J , Felcht M , Teerling G , Klemke C‐D , Wagner C , Goerdt S , Koenen W 
Published: November 2009

AbstractObjective  Large scalp defects in which the pericranium has to be resected can be reliably reconstructed using Integra®. In the present study, we retrospectively analysed the long‐term outcome of our patients.Methods  Nineteen patients were included who had received Integra® dermal regeneration template for treatment of full thickness scalp defects after resection of various malignant tumours. All patients were followed up with a mean follow‐up time of 31 months (14–72).Results  All transplants were on almost equal levels with the surrounding skin. Cosmetic results were acceptable and scars were stable. Nodal ultrasound status was negative in all patients. During the follow‐up period of up to 72 months, no local recurrences were observed. One patient with a leiomyosarcoma received radiotherapy after transplantation. In the irradiated area, multiple small regular‐shaped round ulcerations and later on partial necrosis of the transplant occurred when the patient developed renal failure 29 months after the initial operation. Five patients died of disease not related to the primary skin tumour. All other patients are alive and free of disease without any complications.Conclusion  After reconstruction of full thickness scalp defects with Integra®, the cosmetic results are appealing and we observed no local recurrences during the follow‐up period.