bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Borrelia burgdorferi lipoproteins are secreted to the outer surface by default
Authors: Schulze Ryan J. , Zückert Wolfram R. 
Published: January 2006

SummaryBorrelia spirochaetes are unique among diderm bacteria in their abundance of surface‐displayed lipoproteins, some of which play important roles in the pathogenesis of Lyme disease and relapsing fever. To identify the lipoprotein‐sorting signals in Borrelia burgdorferi, we generated chimeras between the outer surface lipoprotein OspA, the periplasmic oligopeptide‐binding lipoprotein OppAIV and mRFP1, a monomeric red fluorescent reporter protein. Localization of OspA and OppAIV point mutants showed that Borrelia lipoproteins do not follow the ‘+2’ sorting rule which targets lipoproteins to the cytoplasmic or outer membrane of Gram‐negative bacteria via the Lol pathway. Fusions of mRFP1 to short N‐terminal lipopeptides of OspA, and surprisingly OppAIV, were targeted to the spirochaetal surface. Mutagenesis of the OspA N‐terminus defined less than five N‐terminal amino acids as the minimal secretion‐facilitating signal. With the exception of negative charges, which can act as partial subsurface retention signals in certain peptide contexts, lipoprotein secretion occurs independent of N‐terminal sequence. Together, these data indicate that Borrelia lipoproteins are targeted to the bacterial surface by default, but can be retained in the periplasm by sequence‐specific signals.
Ano‐rectal motility responses to pelvic, hypogastric and pudendal nerve stimulation in the Göttingen minipig
Authors: Andersen I. S. , Buntzen S. , Rijkhoff N. J. M. , Dalmose A. L. , Djurhuus J. C. , Laurberg S. 
Published: January 2006

Abstract  We investigated the effect of efferent stimulation of the pelvic (PN), hypogastric (HGN) and pudendal (PuN) nerves on ano‐rectal motility in Göttingen minipigs using an impedance planimetry probe. Changes in the rectal cross‐sectional area (CSA) at five axial positions and pressures in the rectum and anal canal were investigated simultaneously. Pelvic nerve stimulation elicited a CSA decrease in the proximal part of the rectum and a simultaneous CSA increase in its distal part. Anal pressure also decreased. Hypogastric nerve and PuN stimulation elicited an increase in anal pressure, but no rectal response. Severing the HGN produced a persistent reduction in resting anal pressure, but no change was observed when the PN and the PuN were severed. Stimulation of the distal part of all three nerves produced a persistent response. Administration of phentolamine and pancouronium eliminated the response to stimulation of the HGN and the PuN, respectively.Conclusion:  Rectal responses to PN stimulation vary more than previously suggested. The HGN has an excitatory effect on the internal anal sphincter, and the PuN on the external anal sphincter. However, the PuN plays no major role in maintaining basal anal pressure.
Effects of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and calcium nutrition on strawberry anthracnose
Authors: Nam M. H. , Jeong S. K. , Lee Y. S. , Choi J. M. , Kim H. G. 
Published: January 2006

The effects of a range of concentrations of four nutrients – nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and calcium – in fertilizer solutions on the severity of anthracnose on strawberry cv. Nyoho cultivated under a noncirculation hydroponics system were determined after inoculation with Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Crop growth and tissue nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and calcium contents of the entire above‐ground parts of the plant were also investigated. Elevated nitrogen and potassium concentrations in the fertilizer solution increased disease severity in contrast to phosphorus and calcium. Treatment with either NH4 or NO3 nitrogen was not significantly different. The dry weight of the strawberry plants increased significantly with elevated concentrations of nitrogen (R2 = 0·9078) and phosphorus (R2 = 0·8842), but was not influenced by the elevated amounts of potassium (R2 = 0·8587) and calcium (R2 = 0·6526) concentrations.
Effects of weather variables on grain mould of sorghum in South Africa
Authors: Tarekegn G. , McLaren N. W. , Swart W. J. 
Published: January 2006

Effects of weather variables of mould development on sorghum grain were studied over three consecutive seasons in South Africa. Five sorghum hybrids planted at different dates ensured developing seeds were exposed to different weather conditions. Incidence of grain mould fungi was determined at harvest by incubating seeds on 2% malt extract agar. Averages of different weather variables (maximum and minimum temperatures, maximum relative humidity, total precipitation and frequency of precipitation) were determined for all permutations of weekly time intervals for a 2‐month postflowering period to identify when these variables and pathogen incidence were significantly correlated. Significant correlations were used to develop models to quantify relationships between variables. Significant positive correlations were observed between the incidence of mould fungi and weather 4–6 weeks after flowering in the shorter season hybrid cv. Buster, and 5–8 weeks after flowering in the remaining hybrids. In most hybrids, correlations between the incidence of grain mould pathogens, including Alternaria alternata, Curvularia spp. (C. lunata and C. clavata), Fusarium spp. (F. proliferatum and F. graminearum), and Drechslera sorghicola, and average minimum temperature, total rainfall and frequency of rainfall were significant (P = 0·05). In four hybrids, models showing a linear relationship between the logarithm of pathogen incidence and minimum temperature, and in one hybrid, between pathogen incidence and rainfall frequency, were developed. Depending on the hybrid, models that used minimum temperature as predictor described 60–82% of variation in the incidence of pathogens. Frequency of rainfall explained 93% of the variation in pathogen incidence in one sorghum hybrid genotype. Evaluation of the models using an independent data set yielded average prediction errors near zero, indicating that the models were acceptable.
Survival of Leptosphaeria maculans in soil on residues of Brassica napus in South Australia
Authors: Sosnowski M. R. , Scott E. S. , Ramsey M. D. 
Published: January 2006

The survival of Leptosphaeria maculans, which causes phoma stem canker (blackleg), on oilseed rape residues (Brassica napus) in South Australia was investigated. Using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for L. maculans DNA, the pathogen was mainly detected in the upper 5 cm of the soil profile, including residues on the soil surface. As the size of organic matter particles in the soil decreased, so did the quantity of L. maculans detected in them. To obtain representative data for a field, at least 30 subsamples needed to be collected over the 0·81 ha area studied. In a survey of 49 commercial fields in South Australia, most L. maculans was detected in fields 1 year after oilseed rape had been grown, with less detected after 2 years and negligible amounts 3 years or more after cropping. The diagnostic DNA‐based assay for L. maculans reduced the time and cost of studying L. maculans survival in soil and increased the sensitivity and accuracy of results compared with estimates of propagule number of colony‐forming units on a semiselective medium.
Seed production of Raphanus raphanistrum following herbicide application during reproduction and effects on wheat yield
Authors: MADAFIGLIO G P , MEDD R W , CORNISH P S , VAN DE VEN R 
Published: January 2006

SummaryThe influence of weather and agronomic factors on the activity of six selective herbicides applied at reproductive stages of development for the reduction in seed production of Raphanus raphanistrum in wheat was evaluated. The herbicides used in this way generally reduced seed production by between 80% and 100%. Triasulfuron and mixtures of triasulfuron + MCPA consistently provided the greatest reduction in seed production. This was greater when herbicides were applied at the bud and early flowering stages of R. raphanistrum and the efficacy of the herbicides increased as maximum temperature on the day of spraying increased over the range 14–24°C. An applied model developed from these results predicts the reduction in seed production of R. raphanistrum, for each herbicide, given the stage of weed development and maximum temperature on the day of its application. Wheat yield was significantly reduced as densities of R. raphanistrum increased, with predicted losses at low densities being approximately half of those reported in the literature. There was no consistent evidence that the late application of herbicides had any negative effect on wheat yield through crop injury, nor was there any indication of yield improvement. It is concluded that certain herbicides applied during the reproductive phase of development have considerable potential to reduce R. raphanistrum seed production in wheat crops. As part of an integrated strategy, such late post‐emergence application of selective herbicides to regulate seed production has a likely role for managing weed seedbanks, but little or no value for counteracting weed competition.
Evaluation of herbicides against Phalaris minor in wheat in north‐western Indian plains
Authors: CHHOKAR R S , SHARMA R K , CHAUHAN D S , MONGIA A D 
Published: January 2006

Summary Phalaris minor, the most serious weed in wheat in north‐western India, has developed extensive isoproturon resistance due to continuous isoproturon use. For its control, alternative herbicides (flufenacet, metribuzin and sulfosulfuron) at different application rates and timing were evaluated in wheat. In addition, herbicide carryover risk onto rotational crops (sorghum; maize and green gram, Vigina radiata) was also assessed. Isoproturon at 1 and 2 kg a.i. ha−1 provided only 10.5% and 51.8%P. minor control respectively. Of the other herbicides, early post‐emergent [15–21 days after sowing (DAS)] flufenacet at 180–480 g a.i. ha−1 provided acceptable control of P. minor, but failed to control broad‐leaved weeds and was phytotoxic to the wheat crop. Metribuzin at 210 g a.i. ha−1 was effective in controlling both Phalaris and dicotyledonous weeds. Mixtures of both flufenacet and metribuzin at reduced rates were better than flufenacet for weed control and grain yield. The efficacy of flufenacet and metribuzin was drastically reduced with later growth stages of P. minor (four to five leaf). Whereas sulfosulfuron at 25–30 g a.i. ha−1, applied either early post‐emergence (19 DAS) or post‐emergence (30–42 DAS), was quite effective. Overall, sulfosulfuron was the most effective treatment with regard to weed control and crop yield. However, maize and sorghum grown in rotation after harvest of sulfosulfuron‐treated wheat plots showed 65–73% crop biomass inhibition. The residual effect of sulfosulfuron was also noticed on Trianthema portulacastrum (Horse purslane), causing 73.5% dry matter reduction. By contrast, no carryover damage with flufenacet was observed on maize, sorghum and green gram. Glasshouse pot experiments and field trials investigating crop sensitivity to pre‐plant applications of sulfosulfuron found the decreasing order: sorghum > maize > green gram. The risk of carryover onto rotational crops should be considered when choosing alternative herbicides for P. minor control in wheat.
Oral and facial piercings: a case series and review of the literature
Authors: López‐Jornet Pía , Navarro‐Guardiola Cristina , Camacho‐Alonso Fabio , Vicente‐Ortega Vicente , Yánez‐Gascon Josefa 
Published: January 2006

AbstractIntroduction  Piercing is popular among young people, who view this practice as a sign of marginality, beauty, or group identity. This study is performed on healthy individuals with oral and facial piercings.Materials and methods  Seventy oral and facial piercings were evaluated (17 in the tongue, 13 in the lower lip, 18 in the nostril, 7 in the eyebrow, and 15 in the ear). A specifically designed protocol was used to assess possible complications (inflammatory reactions, pain, dental alterations). Nonparametric tests were used for the statistical analysis of the results.Results  The general complications recorded comprised pain (60% of cases), inflammatory reactions (34.3%), bleeding (24%), dental fractures or fissures (20%), and gingival damage (26.7%).Conclusion  Tongue piercing is associated with pain, inflammatory reactions, and dental problems.
Apert syndrome
Authors: Freiman Anatoli , Tessler Oren , Barankin Benjamin 
Published: January 2006

AbstractApert syndrome or acrocephalosyndactyly is a rare autosomal dominant malformation syndrome characterized by craniosynostosis, symmetric severe syndactyly, and a variety of abnormalities of the skin, skeleton, brain, and visceral organs. A case of Apert syndrome and the clinical and specific cutaneous manifestations of this condition are reviewed.
Plant–fungus mutualism affects spider composition in successional fields
Authors: Finkes Laura K. , Cady Alan B. , Mulroy Juliana C. , Clay Keith , Rudgers Jennifer A. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractMutualistic symbionts are widespread in plants and may have strong, bottom‐up influences on community structure. Here we show that a grass–endophyte mutualism shifts the composition of a generalist predator assemblage. In replicated, successional fields we manipulated endophyte infection byNeotyphodium coenophialumin a dominant, non‐native plant (Lolium arundinaceum). We compared the magnitude of the endophyte effect with manipulations of thatch biomass, a habitat feature of known importance to spiders. The richness of both spider families and morphospecies was greater in the absence of the endophyte, although total spider abundance was not affected. Thatch removal reduced both spider abundance and richness, and endophyte and thatch effects were largely additive. Spider families differed in responses, with declines in Linyphiidae and Thomisidae due to the endophyte and declines in Lycosidae due to thatch removal. Results demonstrate that the community impacts of non‐native plants can depend on plants’ mutualistic associates, such as fungal endophytes.
Publication rate of abstracts presented at the British Association of Urological Surgeons Annual Meeting
Authors: RAO AMRITH RAJ , BEATTY JOHN D. , LANIADO MARC , MOTIWALA HANIF G. , KARIM OMER M.A. 
Published: January 2006

OBJECTIVETo determine the number of peer‐reviewed publications arising from the abstracts presented at the annual meetings of the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS), and to assess urological trainees’ attitudes to research in relationship to the pursuit of Specialist Registrar (SpR) training numbers and their perception of academic urology in the UK.METHODSPublications resulting from presentations at the annual meetings of the BAUS 2001 and 2002 were searched for using the PubMed database. Variables that might influence the subsequent publication of abstracts in peer‐reviewed journals were analysed. Whether institutions from other countries had similar publication rates to those in the UK was also assessed. SpRs were interviewed about their motivation to convert presentations to publications before and after their appointment to SpR training.RESULTSIn July 2004, 142 of 449 abstracts presented at BAUS 2001 and 2002 were published, giving a publication rate of ≈ 42% on Kaplan‐Meier analysis. The rate of publication appeared to continue to the end of the period of searching for publications. The publication rate arising from UK presentations was lower than that from the non‐UK presentations (hazard ratio 0.75, 95% confidence interval 0.49–1.15, P = 0.14). Publication rates from podium and poster presentations were similar. Urology journals accounted for 75% of the publications. Of the SpRs evaluated, 83% did research and presented papers to obtain a training number rather than because of an inherent interest to pursue an academic career.CONCLUSIONSThe conversion rate from BAUS presentation to peer‐reviewed publication at 36 months was similar on Kaplan‐Meier analysis to that of the American Urological Association (AUA, 38%). Interestingly, the rate of publication from the AUA seems to be faster than from BAUS. In addition, presentations from outside the UK appeared to be published faster than those from the UK. Delegates attending these conferences need to consider this when deciding whether a particular presentation will influence their practice. British urology requires academics who are interested in pursuing high‐quality research, and which is presented at major conferences with an intention to publish it in peer‐reviewed journals.
Re‐exploration of the acute scrotum
Authors: BEN‐MEIR DAVID , DESHPANDE ANIRUDDH , HUTSON JOHN M. 
Published: January 2006

OBJECTIVETo investigate children and adolescents who had scrotal exploration more than once.PATIENTS AND METHODSBetween 1994 and 2004, 64 of 840 (7.6%) boys had more than one scrotal exploration at our institution. The age, laterality of the explorations, the interval between and findings at operation, whether the testes were managed by orchidopexy and how, and the complications, were reviewed from the medical records and the operating reports of the patients. All the boys were followed at the outpatient clinic 2–4 weeks after surgery.RESULTSThe median (range) age of the patients was 11.5 (2–15) years; 61 had two scrotal explorations and three were explored three times. Of the patients, 32 presented with right testicular pain, 31 had left pain, and one had bilateral testicular pain. In the second exploration, 56 of 64 had the contralateral testis explored, five had an ipsilateral exploration and three had bilateral exploration. Forty‐eight of the 64 boys (70%) had torsion of the contralateral appendix testis at the second exploration, and 5.3% (45/840) of the total number of children operated for acute scrotum had metachronous torsion of the appendix testis. The median interval between the first and second exploration was 8 months (1 day to 10.5 years). Two boys had three scrotal explorations, and three of 64 (4.7%) boys developed complications that required re‐exploration.CONCLUSIONSMost indications for recurrent scrotal exploration in this study are because of a twisted contralateral appendix testis, but the risk of developing this pathology is similar to the complication rate of repeat scrotal exploration. These data support our policy that the contralateral testis should not be routinely explored nor its appendix removed unless there is ipsilateral testicular torsion.
The epidemiology of trauma of the genitourinary system after traffic accidents: analysis of a register of over 43 000 victims
Authors: PAPAREL PHILIPPE , N’DIAYE AMINA , LAUMON BERNARD , CAILLOT JEAN‐LOUIS , PERRIN PAUL , RUFFION ALAIN 
Published: January 2006

OBJECTIVETo analyse the frequency and type of injury to the genitourinary system, by user category, after traffic accidents.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe register which forms the basis of this study is unique in Europe and includes 43 056 victims of road traffic accidents, and was compiled between 1996 and 2001. The categories of road users included: motorists, motorcyclists, cyclists, pedestrians, van and bus users, and roller skaters. The urological complication rate was analysed for each category.RESULTSIn all, 199 cases of trauma of the genitourinary system (0.46%) were recorded. The most frequent urological complications were renal (43%) and testicular trauma (24%), the former most frequent in motorists (65%) and pedestrians (29%), and the latter in motorcyclists (41%).CONCLUSIONSAn analysis of this register provides better knowledge of the urogenital injuries after traffic accidents. Renal and testicular injuries are the most frequent.
Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic features of dapoxetine, a novel drug for ‘on‐demand’ treatment of premature ejaculation
Authors: ANDERSSON KARL‐ERIK , MULHALL JOHN P. , WYLLIE MICHAEL G. 
Published: January 2006

Associate EditorMichael G. WyllieEditorial BoardIan Eardley, UKJean Fourcroy, USASidney Glina, BrazilJulia Heiman, USAChris McMahon, AustraliaBob Millar, UKAlvaro Morales, CanadaMichael Perelman, USAMarcel Waldinger, NetherlandsOBJECTIVETo describe the relationship between the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of dapoxetine, a drug specifically developed for treating premature ejaculation (PE).METHODSData from various stages of the clinical development programme were analysed using validated methods for assessing ejaculatory latency. The clinical characteristics were then compared with the pharmacokinetic profile, determined from measured plasma drug concentrations.RESULTSPharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic measurements confirm that ‘on demand’ dapoxetine has a rapid onset of action and is rapidly cleared after sexual intercourse.CONCLUSIONDapoxetine may represent the first of a new category of selective serotonin transport inhibitors. Although dapoxetine has pharmacological similarities to other selective serotonin transport inhibitors, its efficacy after acute administration sets it apart and suggests a different mode of action. Its physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties and its clinical efficacy make dapoxetine suitable for on‐demand treatment of PE.
What is the effect of overactive bladder symptoms on woman's quality of life during and after first pregnancy?
Authors: VAN BRUMMEN HENRIETTE JORIEN , BRUINSE HEIN W. , VAN DE POL GEERTE , HEINTZ A. PETER M. , VAN DER VAART C. HUUB 
Published: January 2006

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of overactive bladder symptoms (OAB) on women's quality of life (QoL) during and after the first pregnancy, using self‐reported symptom‐based QoL questionnaires.PATIENTS AND METHODSIn a prospective cohort study, 474 women were asked to complete four self‐reported questionnaires. Urogenital symptoms were assessed with the Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI) and the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ). A women was considered to experience ‘dry’ OAB if she replied positively to the following two questions: ‘do you experience a strong feeling of urgency to empty your bladder?’; and ‘do you experience frequent urination?’. A women was considered to experience ‘wet’ OAB if she replied positively to all of the following questions: ‘do you experience a strong feeling of urgency to empty your bladder?’; ‘do you experience frequent urination?’; and ‘do you experience urine leakage related to the feeling of urgency?’.RESULTSIn all, 344 (72.6%) women who returned all four questionnaires were included in the analysis. After first childbirth there was a rapid decline in the prevalence of dry OAB (45.2% to 7.9%, P < 0.001). In pregnancy the prevalence of wet OAB increased significantly, but a year after childbirth the prevalence of wet OAB decreased and was similar to that at 12 weeks of gestation (P = 0.289). Women with wet OAB had higher scores on all IIQ domains than those with no OAB symptoms at 36 weeks of gestation. Women with dry or wet OAB all had higher scores on the mobility domain than those with no OAB. The scores on the physical, social and emotional functioning domains were low, suggesting a minimal restriction of lifestyle.CONCLUSIONOAB symptoms are common during pregnancy; dry OAB had no negative effect on QoL, whereas wet OAB compromised QoL both during and after pregnancy, mainly in the ‘mobility’ and ‘embarrassment’ domains. The urge urinary incontinence symptom in wet OAB seems to profoundly compromise QoL. Apparently, in young mothers with wet OAB, limitations in mobility are especially stressful and these symptoms can be embarrassing.