bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Outcome of foot examinations in Tanzanian and Swedish diabetic patients, a comparative study
Authors: Smide Bibbi 
Published: October 2008

Aims and objectives.  The aim of the current study was to present the outcome of clinical nurse performed foot examinations in a group of Tanzanian diabetic patients and make comparisons with matched Swedish patients.Background.  Nurses working with diabetic patients in any country need to be familiar with foot problems in diabetic patients to educate patients about foot care.Design.  A comparative study examining diabetic patients in Tanzania and Sweden with a quantitative approach.Method.  One hundred and forty‐five diabetic patients in each country were examined. They were matched in gender and age. All patients responded verbally to questions about individual foot‐care and underwent clinical foot examination concerning existing foot lesions, sensitivity testing using Semmes–Weinstein monofilament (5·07) and, vibratory perception using a tuning fork (128 Hz).Results.  The Tanzanians had more reported foot problems than the Swedes. The latter reported problems due to poorly fitting footwear whilst the Tanzanians reported pain issues of the feet irrespective of footwear. In the Tanzanian group 37 patients presented with peripheral neuropathy (PN), 13 with peripheral vascular disease (PVD) and six had both PN and PVD. In the Swedish group of patients four had PN, three PVD, but none had both PN and PVD. Only 20 Tanzanians reported carrying out self‐inspections of their feet, while 103 Swedes reported doing so.Conclusions.  Nurse performed foot examinations showed that the Tanzanian diabetic patients in this study had poorer foot status than the Swedish study sample.Relevance to clinical practice.  Knowledge about foot problems in diabetic patients worldwide will hopefully improve education about self foot‐care and therefore decrease incidence of foot lesions and other foot problems in this cohort.
MinJ (YvjD) is a topological determinant of cell division in Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Patrick Joyce E. , Kearns Daniel B. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryIn Bacillus subtilis, FtsZ ring formation and cell division is favoured at the midcell because the inhibitor proteins MinC and MinD are indirectly restricted to the cell poles by the protein DivIVA. Here we identify MinJ, a topological determinant of medial FtsZ positioning that acts as an intermediary between DivIVA and MinD. Due to unrestricted MinD activity, cells mutated for minJ exhibited pleiotropic defects in homologous recombination, swarming motility and cell division. MinJ restricted MinD activity by localizing MinD to the cell poles through direct protein–protein interaction. MinJ itself localized to cell poles in a manner that was dependent on DivIVA. MinJ is conserved in other low G+C Gram‐positive bacteria and may be an important component of cell division site selection in these organisms.
Intermediate filament‐like proteins in bacteria and a cytoskeletal function in Streptomyces
Authors: Bagchi Sonchita , Tomenius Henrik , Belova Lyubov M. , Ausmees Nora 
Published: October 2008

SummaryActin and tubulin cytoskeletons are conserved and widespread in bacteria. A strikingly intermediate filament (IF)‐like cytoskeleton, composed of crescentin, is also present in Caulobacter crescentus and determines its specific cell shape. However, the broader significance of this finding remained obscure, because crescentin appeared to be unique to Caulobacter. Here we demonstrate that IF‐like function is probably a more widespread phenomenon in bacteria. First, we show that 21 genomes of 26 phylogenetically diverse species encoded uncharacterized proteins with a central segmented coiled coil rod domain, which we regarded as a key structural feature of IF proteins and crescentin. Experimental studies of three in silico predicted candidates from Mycobacterium and other actinomycetes revealed a common IF‐like property to spontaneously assemble into filaments in vitro. Furthermore, the IF‐like protein FilP formed cytoskeletal structures in the model actinomycete Streptomyces coelicolor and was needed for normal growth and morphogenesis. Atomic force microscopy of living cells revealed that the FilP cytoskeleton contributed to mechanical fitness of the hyphae, thus closely resembling the function of metazoan IF. Together, the bioinformatic and experimental data suggest that an IF‐like protein architecture is a versatile design that is generally present in bacteria and utilized to perform diverse cytoskeletal tasks.
A Method to Measure Aggressiveness of Plasmopara halstedii (Sunflower Downy Mildew)
Authors: Sakr Nachaat , Ducher Mireille , Tourvieille Jeanne , Walser Pascal , Vear Félicity , De Labrouhe Denis Tourvieille 
Published: October 2008

AbstractFor the first time, a method was used to measure aggressiveness of two Plasmopara halstedii races (100 and 710), the parasite causing sunflower downy mildew. Two sunflower lines showing different levels of quantitative resistance were used to measure two aggressiveness criteria: latent period and sporulation density. A strain of race 100 had a shorter latent period and greater sporulation density than a strain of race 710. The sunflower inbred line BT, rather susceptible in the field, presented a greater sporulation density and a shorter latent period than another inbred line FU, which shows greater resistance in the field. These results indicated that race 100 was more aggressive than race 710. The behaviour in the field of the two inbred lines was confirmed in the laboratory observations.
Mode of Action of the Antibacterial Compound Ar26 Produced by Agrobacterium vitis Strain E26 with Activity against A. tumefaciens, A. rhizogenes and A. vitis
Authors: Li Jin‐Yun , Wang Jian‐Hui , Wang Hui‐Min 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThe biological control bacterium Agrobacterium vitis strain E26 was previously shown to produce an antibacterial compound, Ar26. This compound was involved in the biocontrol process and inhibited grapevine crown gall‐causing A. vitis strains in vitro by an unknown mechanism. This work was undertaken to determine the antibacterial properties and mode of action of Ar26. In a well agar plate diffusion assay against 29 tumorigenic isolates of Agrobacterium spp., Ar26 displayed broad inhibitory activity against 27. All of the 10 A. vitis, 8 of 9 A. tumefaciens and 9 of 10 A. rhizogenes strains were sensitive to this compound. Agrobacterium vitis strains were more sensitive to Ar26 than A. tumefaciens or A. rhizogenes strains, with larger inhibition zones and lower minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). Ar26 exhibited a bactericidal effect against A. vitis. This compound did not cause bacterial cell lysis, as determined by morphological observation with an electronic microscope. Also, no leakage of cytoplasmic materials from cells of A. vitis occurred after treatment with Ar26 at concentrations equivalent to the MIC. However, an inhibition of the incorporation of radiolabelled precursors into DNA, RNA and protein was observed after treatment with Ar26. Results obtained suggest that Ar26 inhibited DNA, RNA and protein syntheses in tumorigenic A. vitis.
Global change and species interactions in terrestrial ecosystems
Authors: Tylianakis Jason M. , Didham Raphael K. , Bascompte Jordi , Wardle David A. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThe main drivers of global environmental change (CO2 enrichment, nitrogen deposition, climate, biotic invasions and land use) cause extinctions and alter species distributions, and recent evidence shows that they exert pervasive impacts on various antagonistic and mutualistic interactions among species. In this review, we synthesize data from 688 published studies to show that these drivers often alter competitive interactions among plants and animals, exert multitrophic effects on the decomposer food web, increase intensity of pathogen infection, weaken mutualisms involving plants, and enhance herbivory while having variable effects on predation. A recurrent finding is that there is substantial variability among studies in both the magnitude and direction of effects of any given GEC driver on any given type of biotic interaction. Further, we show that higher order effects among multiple drivers acting simultaneously create challenges in predicting future responses to global environmental change, and that extrapolating these complex impacts across entire networks of species interactions yields unanticipated effects on ecosystems. Finally, we conclude that in order to reliably predict the effects of GEC on community and ecosystem processes, the greatest single challenge will be to determine how biotic and abiotic context alters the direction and magnitude of GEC effects on biotic interactions.
Universal and species‐specific bacterial ‘fungiphiles’ in the mycospheres of different basidiomycetous fungi
Authors: Warmink J. A. , Nazir R. , Van Elsas J. D. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryIn previous work, several bacterial groups that show a response to fruiting bodies (the mycosphere) of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Laccaria proxima were identified. We here extend this work to a broader range of fungal fruiting bodies sampled at two occasions. PCR‐DGGE analyses showed clear effects of the mycosphere of diverse fungi on the total bacterial and Pseudomonas communities in comparison with those in the corresponding bulk soil. The diversities of the Pseudomonas communities increased dramatically in most of the mycospheres tested, which contrasted with a decrease of the diversity of the total bacterial communities in these habitats. The data also indicated the existence of universal (i.e. Pseudomonas poae, P. lini, P. umsongensis, P. corrugata, P. antarctica and Rahnella aquatilis) as well as specific (i.e. P. viridiflava and candidatus Xiphinematobacter americani) fungiphiles, defined as bacteria adapted to the mycospheres of, respectively, three or more or just one fungal species. The selection of such fungiphiles was shown to be strongly related to their capacities to use particular carbonaceous compounds, as evidenced using principal components analyses of BIOLOG‐based substrate utilization tests. The differentiating compounds, i.e. l‐arabinose, l‐leucine, m‐inositol, m‐arabitol, d‐mannitol and d‐trehalose, were tentatively linked to compounds known to occur in mycosphere exudates.
Brachytherapy for prostate cancer: is the pretreatment prostate volume important?
Authors: Meyer Jon‐Paul , Bell C. Richard W. , Elwell Christine , Kunkler Roger B. 
Published: October 2008

OBJECTIVETo prospectively determine the effect of prostate volume on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in terms of changes in the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and to determine whether prostate volume affects the retention rate after brachytherapy, as there is concern that patients with larger prostates might develop more troublesome LUTS after brachytherapy.PATIENTS AND METHODSWe prospectively identified 100 consecutive patients who had brachytherapy for prostate cancer, using a real‐time three‐dimensional seed implantation technique, at one institution. At each follow‐up review the IPSS was recorded. To determine the effect of prostate volume on the IPSS after treatment the patients were divided into two groups according to prostate volume at brachytherapy (<50 and ≥50 mL).RESULTSThe median patient age was 62 years, the overall median prostate volume was 42 mL and the median intraoperative D90 was 190 Gy. The pretreatment IPSS was 4 and 8 for the <50 and ≥50 mL groups, respectively, and at 3 months after brachytherapy the median IPSS increased to 18 and 20 for the two groups, respectively. Eleven patients went into acute retention of urine after brachytherapy (six in the ≥50 mL group).CONCLUSIONSThis study shows that patients with prostates of ≥50 mL have an IPSS comparable with those who have prostates of <50 mL. Large prostates should not be considered an exclusion criterion when an intraoperative planning technique is used for brachytherapy.
High nuclear Livin expression is a favourable prognostic indicator in renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Haferkamp Axel , Bedke Jens , Vetter Caroline , Pritsch Maria , Wagener Nina , Buse Stephan , Crnkovic‐Mertens Irena , Hoppe‐Seyler Karin , Macher‐Goeppinger Stephan , Hoppe‐Seyler Felix , Autschbach Frank , Hohenfellner Markus 
Published: October 2008

OBJECTIVESTo assess the protein expression of Livin, an apoptosis inhibitor, in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and to determine its prognostic relevance.PATIENTS AND METHODSImmunohistochemical staining for Livin was performed in tissue microarrays (TMAs), including tumour tissue cores, from patients with RCC who had undergone renal surgery. In 682 TMAs cytoplasmatic staining intensity and nuclear staining quantity were evaluated, and the association of Livin expression with progression‐free survival (PFS) and cancer‐specific survival (CSS) was analysed with a multivariate Cox regression model.RESULTSOver a median (range) follow‐up of 5.2 (0–16.1) years, 204 patients (28%) had died from their disease. The CSS rates at 1 and 5 years for the entire cohort was 88% and 71%. Cytoplasmatic Livin staining was absent in 516 (76%) specimens; staining was positive in 166 (24%) specimens. Weak nuclear Livin staining (≤25%) was present in 571 (84%) specimens, strong nuclear staining (26–100%) in 111 (16%). In multivariate analysis, high (>25%) nuclear Livin expression was a favourable independent predictor of PFS and CSS even after adjusting for tumour stage, Fuhrman grade, age, sex and Karnofsky severity rating. Cytoplasmatic Livin expression did not offer additional prognostic information.CONCLUSIONHigh nuclear Livin expression is a favourable independent predictor of PFS and CSS in patients with RCC.
Transvesical robotic radical prostatectomy
Authors: Desai Mihir M. , Aron Monish , Berger Andre , Canes David , Stein Robert , Haber Georges‐Pascal , Kamoi Kazumi , Crouzet Sebastien , Sotelo Rene , Gill Inderbir S. 
Published: October 2008

OBJECTIVETo report the technical feasibility of performing transvesical robotic radical prostatectomy (TRRP) in a cadaver.MATERIALS AND METHODSTRRP was performed in two fresh male cadavers (prostate volume 46 and 30 mL). In the first procedure we used four laparoscopic transvesical trocars and in the second a single‐port device was placed percutaneously into the bladder. Pneumovesicum was established in both cases and the da Vinci‐S robotic system (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) was used for the TRRP. All steps of the procedure, including dissection of the seminal vesicles and vas deferens, ligation of prostatic pedicles, release of neurovascular bundles, apical dissection, urethral transection, and urethro‐vesical anastomosis, were done transvesically and robotically. Real time transrectal ultrasonography monitoring was used in the first cadaver.RESULTSBoth procedures were technically successful transvesically with no need for additional ports or conversion to standard laparoscopy. The operative duration for the multi‐port procedure was 3 h and for the single‐port procedure was 4.2 h. Clashing of the da Vinci arms was the primary technical difficulty with the single‐port procedure, but did not occur in the multi‐port procedure.CONCLUSIONSTRRP under pneumovesicum is technically feasible using multiple‐port or a single‐port approach in the cadaver. The clinical application of this novel approach is imminent. Further refinement of technique and instruments might lead to an increasing role of percutaneous intraluminal surgery in various surgical disciplines.
Effects of climate variation on the abundance and distribution of flamingos in the Galápagos Islands
Authors: Vargas F. H. , Barlow S. , Hart T. , Jimenez‐Uzcátegui G. , Chavez J. , Naranjo S. , Macdonald D. W. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractEl Niño Southern Oscillation events have been associated with large fluctuations in seabird and landbird populations of the Galápagos Islands. We reveal different effects of climatic variation on the abundance and distribution of a waterbird, as illustrated by the flamingosPhoenicopterus ruberliving in saline coastal lagoons of the arid Galápagos environment. Using time series analyses [autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA)] to model the temporal variations in abundance, we found significant correlations between rainfall, lagoon water level (LWL), lagoon temperature and flamingo abundance. Although these variables were good predictors of flamingo abundance, they explained <50% of the variance in monthly counts. During the strong El Niño event of 1982–1983, extreme rainfall resulted in an increase in LWLs (>300 mm above the long‐term mean) and a record decline in flamingo numbers. Monthly abundance of flamingos was lower, on average, during the rainy season (between January and May) when LWLs were above their seasonal mean. Flamingo abundance at the two lagoons on Isabela Island and those at ‘all other lagoons’ in the Archipelago showed a significant negative correlation. We infer that moderate reductions in the abundance of flamingos in the rainy season and significant temporary declines during El Niño events are explained by movements between lagoons within the Archipelago rather than by mortality. This illustrates the general principle that climate change may, without directly affecting population sizes, prompt adaptive behavioural changes with the potential to affect population biology.
Phylogeography of the white‐tailed mongoose (Herpestidae, Carnivora, Mammalia) based on partial sequences of the mtDNA control region
Authors: Dehghani R. , Wanntorp L. , Pagani P. , Källersjö M. , Werdelin L. , Veron G. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractThe phylogeography of the white‐tailed mongooseIchneumia albicaudais examined using phylogenetic analyses based on partial sequences of the mitochondrial control region. The phylogeny is used to: (1) Analyse the phylogeographic pattern ofI. albicauda; (2) discuss the existing delimitation of subspecies; (3) test if the coloration of the tail tip, generally white but occasionally black in West African specimens, is a species polymorphism or if it has phylogenetic significance. Our results suggest a north–south division within white‐tailed mongoose populations, and within the northern clade, we observe an east–west subdivision. This phylogenetic pattern is partly in concordance with the traditional division into six subspecies. The white‐tailed mongoose probably originated in southern Africa, from where it dispersed northwards and colonized eastern and western parts of Africa, as well as the Arabian Peninsula. Colour polymorphism observed in Western populations reflects variation at the individual level.
Foraging opportunities drive interspecific associations between rock kestrels and desert baboons
Authors: King A. J. , Cowlishaw G. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractInterspecific associations can arise for varied reasons including reduced predation risk and improved foraging success. In the case of bird–primate associations, birds typically appear to follow primate groups to harvest insects flushed by primates' movements. However, while previous studies have linked temporal changes in bird–primate associations to environmental conditions, few have assessed the additional effects of bird activity patterns and primate group behaviour and none have disentangled their potentially interdependent effects. Here, we test the hypothesis that foraging opportunities can drive interspecific associations in a previously undescribed bird–primate association between rock kestrels Falco rupicolus and chacma baboons Papio ursinus in central Namibia. Data were collected from two baboon groups and associated kestrels using instantaneous scan sampling during full‐day follows over a 7‐month field period, and analysed using generalized linear mixed models. We found that kestrel associations with baboons vary with season, show diurnal cycles and are more frequent when the baboons are in open desert habitat, engaged in travel foraging and in a large group. These patterns are statistically independent and consistent with the hypothesis that the kestrel–baboon association is driven by the foraging opportunities acquired by the kestrels. As the baboons do not appear to gain any benefits nor incur any costs from the association, we conclude that the kestrels are likely to be commensal with the baboons.
Ecological and anthropogenic influences on space use by spotted hyaenas
Authors: Kolowski J. M. , Holekamp K. E. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractDue to increasing human encroachment into the remaining habitat of many large carnivore species, there is an immediate need to understand the ecological and anthropogenic factors influencing carnivore space use decisions. In particular, knowledge of changes in space use in response to disturbance, and the costs associated with these changes, will be critical in guiding conservation efforts. To investigate the ecological factors influencing carnivore space use, we intensively radiotracked members of two large social groups (clans) of spotted hyaenasCrocuta crocutain the Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya. In addition, we studied the influence of livestock grazing by comparing space use between two study clans that differed dramatically in exposure to grazing. Logistic regression modeling indicated that space use in the absence of livestock was most influenced by the location of the clan's communal den. However, hyaenas were also found to select shrubland, areas of high prey density, and proximity to seasonal streams. Movements of hyaenas exposed to livestock grazing were most influenced by vegetation type, with a strong avoidance of open grass plains. Den location and prey density had less influence on space use decisions in the disturbed than the undisturbed clan. Livestock distribution did not directly influence hyaena movements either during daytime, when livestock were present, or at night. We suggest that direct livestock avoidance was unnecessary due to the observed increased use of vegetative cover by hyaenas exposed to grazing livestock. The greater distances from the den, and from areas of high prey density at which hyaenas were found in disturbed than undisturbed areas indicates potential energetic costs incurred by disturbed hyaenas. Our results therefore suggest that reduced vegetative cover, as is often found outside protected areas, may result in more dramatic modifications of hyaena movements in the presence of livestock.
Nonphosphate‐Binding Effects of Sevelamer—Are They of Clinical Relevance?
Authors: Marangon Nicola , Lindholm Bengt , Stenvinkel Peter 
Published: October 2008

AbstractSevelamer is an ion‐exchanging resin that binds phosphate in the gut. Because it does so without increasing the calcium load, treatment with sevelamer may lead to less vascular calcification and better survival in chronic kidney disease patients. However, the results of available clinical studies have not been consistent; recent observations challenge the hypothesis that the extra calcium load inherent in calcium‐based phosphate binder therapy increases cardiovascular mortality by accelerating vascular calcification. This reemphasizes the fact that we still lack detailed understanding on the complex relationships between vascular calcification, bone metabolism, vascular disease and outcome in the context of uremia. Thus, the role of phosphate binders may be more complex than initially anticipated and not limited to the extra calcium load. Even if detailed mechanisms of action for sevelamer are not yet clearly established (except for its lipid‐lowering action), sevelamer may have a number of additional nonphosphate‐lowering actions (including lipid lowering as well as improvement in endothelial function, modulation of inflammation and oxidative stress and binding of uremic toxin absorption). Whether these potentially very interesting pleiotropic effects of sevelamer may be translated into significant clinical benefits remains to be established.