bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Predicting species distributions from small numbers of occurrence records: a test case using cryptic geckos in Madagascar
Authors: Pearson Richard G. , Raxworthy Christopher J. , Nakamura Miguel , Townsend Peterson A. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractAim  Techniques that predict species potential distributions by combining observed occurrence records with environmental variables show much potential for application across a range of biogeographical analyses. Some of the most promising applications relate to species for which occurrence records are scarce, due to cryptic habits, locally restricted distributions or low sampling effort. However, the minimum sample sizes required to yield useful predictions remain difficult to determine. Here we developed and tested a novel jackknife validation approach to assess the ability to predict species occurrence when fewer than 25 occurrence records are available.Location  Madagascar.Methods  Models were developed and evaluated for 13 species of secretive leaf‐tailed geckos (Uroplatus spp.) that are endemic to Madagascar, for which available sample sizes range from 4 to 23 occurrence localities (at 1 km2 grid resolution). Predictions were based on 20 environmental data layers and were generated using two modelling approaches: a method based on the principle of maximum entropy (Maxent) and a genetic algorithm (GARP).Results  We found high success rates and statistical significance in jackknife tests with sample sizes as low as five when the Maxent model was applied. Results for GARP at very low sample sizes (less than c. 10) were less good. When sample sizes were experimentally reduced for those species with the most records, variability among predictions using different combinations of localities demonstrated that models were greatly influenced by exactly which observations were included.Main conclusions  We emphasize that models developed using this approach with small sample sizes should be interpreted as identifying regions that have similar environmental conditions to where the species is known to occur, and not as predicting actual limits to the range of a species. The jackknife validation approach proposed here enables assessment of the predictive ability of models built using very small sample sizes, although use of this test with larger sample sizes may lead to overoptimistic estimates of predictive power. Our analyses demonstrate that geographical predictions developed from small numbers of occurrence records may be of great value, for example in targeting field surveys to accelerate the discovery of unknown populations and species.
Dental attrition models predicting temporomandibular joint disease or masticatory muscle pain versus asymptomatic controls
Authors: SELIGMAN D. A. , PULLINGER A. G. 
Published: September 2006

summary  Aims:  To determine whether patients with temporomandibular joint disease or masticatory muscle pain can be usefully differentiated from asymptomatic controls using multifactorial classification tree models of attrition severity and/or rates.Methods:  Measures of attrition severity and rates in patients diagnosed with disc displacement (n = 52), osteoarthrosis (n = 74), or masticatory muscle pain only (n = 43) were compared against those in asymptomatic controls (n = 132). Cross‐validated classification tree models were tested for fit with sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and log likelihood accountability.Results:  The model for identifying asymptomatic controls only required the three measures of attrition severity (anterior, mediotrusive and laterotrusive posterior) to be differentiated from the patients with a 74·2 ± 3·8% cross‐validation accuracy. This compared with cross‐validation accuracies of 69·7 ± 3·7% for differentiating disc displacement using anterior and laterotrusive attrition severity, 68·7 ± 3·9% for differentiating disc displacement using anterior and laterotrusive attrition rates, 70·9 ± 3·3% for differentiating osteoarthrosis using anterior attrition severity and rates, 94·6 ± 2·1% for differentiating myofascial pain using mediotrusive and laterotrusive attrition severity, and 92·0 ± 2·1% for differentiating myofascial pain using mediotrusive and anterior attrition rates. The myofascial pain models exceeded the ≥75% sensitivity and ≥90% specificity thresholds recommended for diagnostic tests, and the asymptomatic control model approached these thresholds.Conclusion:  Multifactorial models using attrition severity and rates may differentiate masticatory muscle pain patients from asymptomatic controls, and have some predictive value for differentiating intracapsular temporomandibular disorder patients as well.
Regulation of cytotoxin expression by converging eukaryotic‐type and two‐component signalling mechanisms in Streptococcus agalactiae
Authors: Rajagopal Lakshmi , Vo Anthony , Silvestroni Aurelio , Rubens Craig E. 
Published: September 2006

SummarySignal transducing mechanisms are essential for regulation of gene expression in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. Regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes is accomplished by serine/threonine and tyrosine kinases and cognate phosphatases. In contrast, gene expression in prokaryotes is controlled by two‐component systems that comprise a sensor histidine kinase and a cognate DNA binding response regulator. Pathogenic bacteria utilize two‐component systems to regulate expression of their virulence factors and for adaptive responses to the external environment. We have previously shown that the human pathogen Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococci, GBS) encodes a single eukaryotic‐type serine/threonine kinase Stk1, which is important for virulence of the organism. In this study, we aimed to understand how Stk1 contributes to virulence of GBS. Our results indicate that Stk1 expression is important for resistance of GBS to human blood, neutrophils and oxidative stress. Consistent with these observations, Stk1 positively regulates transcription of a cytotoxin, β‐haemolysin/cytolysin (β‐H/C) that is critical for survival of GBS in the bloodstream and for resistance to oxidative stress. Interestingly, positive regulation of β‐H/C by Stk1 requires the two‐component regulator CovR. Further, we show that Stk1 can negatively regulate transcription of CAMP factor in a CovR‐dependent manner. As Stk1 phosphorylates CovR in vitro, these data suggest that serine/threonine phosphorylation impacts CovR‐mediated regulation of GBS gene expression. In summary, our studies provide novel information that a eukaryotic‐type serine/threonine kinase regulates two‐component‐mediated expression of GBS cytotoxins.
Characterization of CidR‐mediated regulation in Bacillus anthracis reveals a previously undetected role of S‐layer proteins as murein hydrolases
Authors: Ahn Jong‐Sam , Chandramohan Lakshmi , Liou Linda E. , Bayles Kenneth W. 
Published: September 2006

SummaryRecent studies have shown that the Staphylococcus aureus cidABC and lrgAB operons are involved in the regulation of cell death and lysis. The transcription of cidABC and lrgAB was shown to be induced by acetic acid and was dependent on the cidR gene encoding a new member of the LysR‐type transcription regulator (LTTR) family of proteins. In the study presented here, we examined the phenotypic and regulatory effects of disrupting a cidR homologue in Bacillus anthracis. As in S. aureus, the cidR mutation affected expression of the B. anthracis cid and lrg homologues, murein hydrolase activity and cell viability in stationary phase. Interestingly, the predominant murein hydrolase affected was an 85 kDa protein that was identified as Sap, a primary constituent of the S‐layer in B. anthracis. The ability of Sap, as well as its counterpart EA1, to exhibit murein hydrolase activity was confirmed by cloning their respective genes in Escherichia coli and showing that the overexpressed proteins contained this activity. Northern blot analyses revealed that the cidR mutation caused reduced transcription of the genes encoding Sap and EA1, as well as CsaB involved in the attachment of the S‐layer proteins to the cell wall. The results of these studies not only establish the existence of the cid and lrg murein hydrolase regulatory network in B. anthracis, but also help to define the function and regulation of the S‐layer proteins.
Thellungiella halophila, a salt‐tolerant relative of Arabidopsis thaliana, has specific root ion‐channel features supporting K+/Na+ homeostasis under salinity stress
Authors: Volkov Vadim , Amtmann Anna 
Published: September 2006

Summary Thellungiella halophila is a salt‐tolerant relative of Arabidopsis thaliana with high genetic and morphological similarity. In a saline environment, T. halophila accumulates less sodium and retains more potassium than A. thaliana. Detailed electrophysiological comparison of ion currents in roots of both species showed that, unlike A. thaliana, T. halophila exhibits high potassium/sodium selectivity of the instantaneous current. This current differs in its pharmacological profile from the current through inward‐ and outward‐rectifying K+ channels insofar as it is insensitive to Cs+ and TEA+, but resembles voltage‐independent channels of glycophytes as it is inhibited by external Ca2+. Addition of Cs+ and TEA+ to the growth medium confirmed the key role of the instantaneous current in whole‐plant sodium accumulation. A negative shift in the reversal potential of the instantaneous current under high‐salt conditions was essential for decreasing sodium influx to twofold lower than the corresponding value in A. thaliana. The lower overall sodium permeability of the T. halophila root plasma membrane resulted in a smaller membrane depolarization during salt exposure, thus allowing the cells to maintain their driving force for potassium uptake. Our data provide quantitative evidence that specific features of ion channels lead to superior sodium/potassium homeostasis in a halophyte compared with a closely related glycophyte.
Simultaneous exposure of several allergens has an additive effect on multisensitized basophils
Authors: Nopp A. , Johansson S. G. O. , Lundberg M. , Öman H. 
Published: September 2006

Background:  Patients immunoglobulin (Ig)E‐sensitized to more than one allergen in their environment often have more symptoms than mono‐sensitized individuals, which indicates that the allergens may have an additive effect. In order to study if such an effect could be detected on the inflammatory, cellular level, multisensitized basophils were challenged with various dose combinations of two relevant allergens.Methods:  Basophils from patients IgE‐sensitized to timothy/cat, birch/cat, timothy/mite and cat/mite were challenged with serial dilutions of different combinations of the two allergens. The basophil response was measured as CD63 expression analysed by flow cytometry.Results:  The doses of each allergen in the pair had an additive effect resulting in a shift of the dose–response curve to higher CD63 percentages and higher CD‐sens.Conclusions:  If a patient has IgE antibodies and thus sensitized basophils to more than one allergen, to which he is simultaneously exposed, the additive effect should be considered. Even low concentrations of IgE antibodies could be of clinical relevance in such a situation.
Differentiation of chronic sinus diseases by measurement of inflammatory mediators
Authors: Van Zele T. , Claeys S. , Gevaert P. , Van Maele G. , Holtappels G. , Van Cauwenberge P. , Bachert C. 
Published: September 2006

Background:  Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) clinically is a heterogeneous group of sinus diseases, which may cover different disease entities, or may represent a disease continuum. Studying inflammatory cells and mediators in clearly defined disease subgroups may lead to a better differentiation of chronic sinus diseases.Methods:  Sinonasal mucosal tissue from 10 nasal polyp (NP) patients, 13 cystic fibrosis patients (CF‐NP), eight CRS subjects without polyps, and nine control patients were stained for CD3, CD25, CD68, CD20, myeloperoxidase (MPO), CD138 and tissue homogenates were assayed for eotaxin, interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐2sRα, IL‐5, interferon (IFN)‐γ, IL‐8, transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1, tumor necrosis factor‐α, and MPO by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay or UNICAP system.Results:  Nasal polyp and CF‐NP showed increased numbers and activation of T cells, while only NP displayed an increase in plasma cells. Nasal polyp had significantly higher levels of eosinophilic markers [eosinophils, eotaxin, and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP)] compared with CRS, controls and CF‐NP. Chronic rhinosinusitis was characterized by a Th1 polarization with high levels of IFN‐γ and TGF‐β, while NP showed a Th2 polarization with high IL‐5 and immunoglobulin (Ig) E concentrations. Nasal polyp and CF‐NP were discriminated by edema from CRS and controls, with CF‐NP displaying a very prominent neutrophilic inflammation.Conclusion:  Based on cellular and mediator profiles, we suggest that CRS, NP, and CF‐NP are distinct disease entities within the group of chronic sinus diseases.
Swimming pool attendance and hay fever rates later in life
Authors: Kohlhammer Y. , Döring A. , Schäfer T. , Wichmann H.‐E. , Heinrich J. ,   the KORA Study Group
Published: September 2006

Background:  Exposure to chlorination by‐products through swimming pool attendance showed adverse health effects on children. The aim of our study was to assess whether pool attendance in childhood would be related to higher rates of allergic diseases in adulthood, with special regard to hay fever.Methods:  2606 adults aged 35–74 years provided retrospectively collected information on swimming pool attendance and medical history, including data on atopic diseases. Information was assessed by a combination of a personal interview and a self‐administered questionnaire. Logistic regression models were applied to study associations between hay fever and swimming pool attendance, adjusted for potentially relevant confounders, such as age, gender, region, education and smoking.Results:  Higher rates of hay fever could be seen when frequently exposed at school age (aOR: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.09–2.77), frequently exposed during the past 12 months (aOR: 1.32, 95% CI: 0.92–1.89) and ever exposed (aOR: 1.65, 95% CI: 0.98–2.78). Strongest associations were found for the youngest subjects and were dose‐related to the extent of current and school‐age pool attendance.Conclusions:  Impaired integrity of the lung epithelial by exposure to chlorination by‐products might facilitate a closer contact to allergens and therefore could result in higher rates of hay fever.
Naftopidil monotherapy vs naftopidil and an anticholinergic agent combined therapy for storage symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia: A prospective randomized controlled study
Authors: MARUYAMA OSAMU , KAWACHI YOSHIO , HANAZAWA KISABURO , KOIZUMI KAZUO , YAMASHITA RYO , SUGIMURA SOSUKE , HONDA SHIN‐ICHI , SUGIYAMA YOSHIKI , SAITOH TOSHIHIKO , NOTO KENSHO 
Published: September 2006

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of α1‐adrenoceptor (α1‐AR) antagonist monotherapy with combination therapy using α1‐AR antagonist and anticholinergic agent for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with storage symptoms as the chief complaint.Methods: In this prospective comparative study, either 25–75 mg/day of naftopidil monotherapy (monotherapy group) or combination therapy using 25–75 mg/day of naftopidil and an anticholinergic agent (10–20 mg/day of propiverine hydrochloride or 2–6 mg/day of oxybutynin hydrochloride; cotherapy group) were administered for 12 weeks to 101 BPH patients with storage symptoms.Results: International prostate symptom score (IPSS) and quality of life (QOL) index improved significantly in both groups, with no marked differences between groups. Maximum flow rate (Qmax) and residual urine volume (RUV) tended to improve in both groups, again with no marked differences between groups. However, median post‐therapeutic RUV was significantly worse for the cotherapy group (45.0 mL) than for the monotherapy group (13.5 mL; P = 0.0210). Ratio of patients with increased RUV was also significantly worse for cotherapy (22.9%) than for monotherapy (5.0%; P = 0.038).Conclusions: Although the anticholinergic dosage was low, the present results suggest that naftopidil monotherapy was as useful as combination therapy of naftopidil and an anticholinergic agent. Therefore, naftopidil is a useful agent as the first choice in BPH patients with storage symptoms.
Evaluation of the duration of ureteral stenting following endopyelotomy: Animal study
Authors: SORIA FEDERICO , RIOJA LUIS A , BLAS MIGUEL , DURAN ESTHER , USON JESUS 
Published: September 2006

Background: The purpose of the present paper was to evaluate whether it is possible to reduce the duration of ureteral stenting following endopyelotomy, and thus reduce side‐effects.Methods: Seventeen pigs were used. They were distributed at random into three groups. The study was divided as follows: phase I included baseline study of the urinary system and the creation of a ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) model. Phase II, 1 month later, consisted of diagnosing UPJO, Acucise endopyelotomy of the same, and the placement of a ureteral stent. Ureteral stents were left in situ for 1 week in group I, for 3 weeks in group II and 6 weeks in group III. Phase III, 3 months after treatment, consisted of follow up and post‐mortem studies of the animals. The following procedures were carried out during each phase: ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) diameter measurement, ultrasound percutaneous and endoluminal studies, urine culture and determination of blood urea and creatinine levels.Results: On removal of the stent, the presence of urinoma was observed in two animals in group I. There were statistically significant differences between group I and III with regard to evolution of the internal diameter of the UPJ. However, the least severe histological lesion at the UPJ level was found in group II.Conclusions: Ureteral stent placement for 1 week is insufficient in order to assure correct healing and evolution of the UPJ following endopyelotomy. Stenting for 3 weeks is effective, and it is not necessary to extend stenting time to 6 weeks. Endoluminal ultrasound is of great use in determining the effects of endourological techniques in the ureter and the retroperitoneal space. It is also useful for deciding which therapeutic technique to use, and for inserting the Acucise in order to prevent iatrogenic problems.
Computer simulated additional deep apical biopsy enhances cancer detection in palpably benign prostate gland
Authors: MATSUMOTO KAZUMASA , EGAWA SHIN , SATOH TAKEFUMI , KURUMA HIDETOSHI , YANAGISAWA NOBUYUKI , BABA SHIRO 
Published: September 2006

Objectives: The objective of this study was to use computer simulation to investigate the optimal biopsy scheme for enhancing the detection of cancer in palpably benign prostate glands.Methods: The predominant distribution of palpably benign prostate cancer is anterior apex to mid‐prostate. We used computer simulation to optimize apical samplings and to simulate the biopsy procedure, including angle and length. A total of 254 consecutive patients with palpably benign prostate glands underwent sextant biopsy plus two additional deep apical biopsies.Results: Based on the computer simulation, lateral sextant and two additional medially located deep apical cores with a sagittal penetration angle of 80° had the maximum cancer detection. Of the 254 patients, 58 (22.8%) had prostate cancer: 28 (48.3%) were positive only at the standard sextant sites, 12 (20.7%) were positive exclusively at the deep apical sites, and the remaining 18 (31.0%) were positive at both sites. Patients with gray‐zone prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) ranges of 4.1–10.0 ng/mL had increased cancer detection rates of 24% compared to sextant biopsy. Enhanced cancer detection by the deep apical biopsy was also evident in patients with a prostatic volume >40 cm3 (by 36.4%) and PSA 2.1–4.0 ng/mL (by 13.3%).Conclusions: Using a computer simulation‐based biopsy scheme with deep apical sampling cores enhanced the detection of prostate cancer in palpably benign glands, especially in men with PSA ranges of 4.1–10.0 ng/mL or a gland volume of >40 cm3. Our approach with fewer sampling cores may have been more cost‐effective than other extensive biopsy schemes, but further studies with larger samples are warranted.
How many uncomplicated male and female overactive bladder patients reveal detrusor overactivity during urodynamic study?
Authors: SEKIDO NORITOSHI , HINOTSU SHIRO , KAWAI KOJI , SHIMAZUI TORU , AKAZA HIDEYUKI 
Published: September 2006

Objective: We retrospectively evaluated the incidence of detrusor overactivity (DO) in uncomplicated overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) patients.Methods: From December 1993 to October 2003, 139 adult patients were referred to an urodynamic clinic for urodynamic evaluation of frequency and/or urinary incontinence. Of these, 50 patients (12 males and 38 females) with urgency, without any overt pathological conditions, were retrospectively evaluated in regard to patient age, storage symptoms, urodynamic parameters, and the presence or absence of DO (DO patients or no DO patients, respectively).Results: The overall incidence of DO was 75% (nine of 12 patients) and 36.8% (14 of 38 patients) in male and female patients, respectively. Two of nine male DO patients and five of 14 female DO patients revealed DO after provocative maneuvers. In male patients, all DO patients were OAB wet. In female patients, 13 of 14 DO patients were OAB wet (92.9%), whereas 17 of 24 no DO patients were also OAB wet (70.8%). Compared with no DO patients, female DO patients revealed statistically significant lower maximum cystometric capacity (P = 0.0139) and lower vesical compliance (P = 0.0002). Although aged 60 years or more was associated with DO in univariate analysis in female patients, any symptoms, even incontinence, were not associated with DO in both sexes.Conclusion: It is supposed that, in contrast to male OAB, DO might not be a major underlying cause of uncomplicated female OAB.
Sexuality and seeking medical help for erectile dysfunction in young adults with spina bifida
Authors: SHIOMI TSUTOME , HIRAYAMA AKIHIDE , FUJIMOTO KIYOHIDE , HIRAO YOSHIHIKO 
Published: September 2006

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the correlation between the sexual function of spina bifida (SB) patients and Sharrard classification, touch sensation on the penis, to examine if SB patients who are sexually active have erectile dysfunction (ED) on the International Index of Erectile Function‐5 (IIEF5), and to clarify if they seek medical treatment for ED.Methods: Thirty‐six male SB patients aged over 18 years were enrolled. A questionnaire was sent to all patients that included the following items: touch sensation on the penis, psychogenic erection, rigidity at erection, ejaculation, orgasm and experience in sexual intercourse. In addition, patients who had experience in sexual intercourse were asked about ED through the use of the IIEF5 and whether or not they sought medical help for their ED.Results: Twenty‐six patients responded. The positive rates of psychogenic erection, rigidity at erection, ejaculation and orgasm were 85%, 54%, 88% and 65% respectively. Psychogenic erection and ejaculation correlated with Sharrard classification. Rigidity at erection and orgasm correlated with touch sensation on the penis. Eleven patients had experience in sexual intercourse and six of them were diagnosed as having ED on the IIEF5. There were no factors correlating with ED. None of the patients sought medical advice and none was treated for ED.Conclusions: Sexual function of SB patients could be predicted by Sharrard classification and touch sensation on the penis to some degree. However, ED did not correlate with sexual function. Therefore, we should not evaluate the neurological loss but instead provide adequate information.