bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Pseudomonas aeruginosa quinolone signal (PQS) has an iron‐chelating activity
Authors: Bredenbruch Florian , Geffers Robert , Nimtz Manfred , Buer Jan , Häussler Susanne 
Published: April 2006

SummaryVirulence factor production and the development of biofilms in Pseudomonas aeruginosa have been shown to be regulated by two hierarchically organized quorum‐sensing systems activated by two types of small acyl‐homoserine lactone signal molecules. Recently, a third type of bacterial signal molecule, the Pseudomonas quinolone signal (PQS), has been identified, which positively regulates a subset of genes dependent on the quorum‐sensing systems. However, the molecular mechanism underlying PQS signalling has remained poorly understood. In this study the global transcriptional profile of P. aeruginosa in response to PQS revealed a marked upregulation of genes belonging to the tightly interdependent functional groups of the iron acquisition and the oxidative stress response. Remarkably, most of the differentially regulated genes, as well as the induction of rhlR, could be traced back to an iron‐chelating effect of PQS. Our results amount to the elucidation of how PQS affects P. aeruginosa and have important implications for the understanding of the complex regulatory circuits involved in P. aeruginosa gene regulation.
Apolipoprotein E genotype affects the response to lipid‐lowering therapy in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Tavintharan S. , Lim S. C. , Chan Y. H. , Sum C. F. 
Published: April 2006

Objective:  To evaluate the effect of apolipoprotein E (apoE) genotype on baseline lipid levels and the response to hydroxy‐methyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) therapy in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).Research design and methods:  We consecutively recruited Chinese patients with type 2 DM requiring lipid‐lowering therapy according to current guidelines. Patients were started on either simvastatin 10 mg daily or given an equivalent dose of lovastatin 20 mg. After 12 weeks of statin therapy, patients had fasting lipid profiles repeated. ApoE genotyping was performed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP).Results:  Ninety‐six patients were studied. The ɛ3/ɛ3 genotype was in 62.5%, ɛ2/ɛ3 and ɛ3/ɛ4, 16.7 and 20.8%, respectively. After adjusting for confounding variables, baseline total cholesterol (TC) and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) levels were significantly higher in those with ɛ3/ɛ4 compared with ɛ2/ɛ3 genotype (6.7 vs. 5.5 mm for TC, 4.5 vs. 3.6 mm for LDL‐C; p = 0.015 and p = 0.025, respectively). With statin therapy, ɛ3/ɛ4 patients had significantly greater LDL‐C lowering compared with ɛ2/ɛ3 patients (48 vs. 27.7%; p = 0.04). There was no gender difference in baseline lipid parameters or response to statin therapy.Conclusions:  ApoE genotype accounts for interindividual variability of baseline cholesterol levels, and response to statin therapy in Chinese patients with type 2 DM.
Abundance of hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) in relation to the density and distribution of badgers (Meles meles)
Authors: Young R. P. , Davison J. , Trewby I. D. , Wilson G. J. , Delahay R. J. , Doncaster C. P. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractBadgers Meles meles are intraguild predators of hedgehogs Erinaceus europaeus and have been shown to have a major effect on their abundance and behaviour at a localized scale. Previous studies have predicted the exclusion of hedgehogs from rural habitats in areas where badgers are abundant. The two species coexist at the landscape scale, however, as hedgehogs use suburban habitats, which are thought to provide a refuge from the effects of badger predation. We carried out surveys of hedgehog abundance and studied the use of spatial refugia by hedgehogs in relation to badger density and distribution in 10 study sites in the Midlands and south‐west regions of England. Surveys confirmed that hedgehogs were almost absent from pasture fields in rural habitats, with their distribution concentrated in amenity grassland fields in suburban areas. However, although suburban habitats are less frequently used by badgers than rural areas, and therefore represented spatial refugia for hedgehogs, the probability of occurrence and abundance of hedgehogs varied in relation to the density of badger setts in the surrounding area. As sett density increased, both the probability of occurrence of hedgehogs and their abundance decreased. A generalized linear model predicted that the probability of hedgehog occurrence in suburban habitats declined towards zero in areas of high badger density. The most probable explanation is the negative effect of high badger abundance on the ability of hedgehogs to move between patches of suburban habitat. The present study concords with results from previous surveys and experimental studies, which found a strong negative spatial relationship between hedgehogs and badgers. It also provides correlative evidence that intraguild predation can exclude intraguild prey from productive habitats.
Inhibition of protein synthesis by activation of NMDA receptors in cultured retinal cells: a new mechanism for the regulation of nitric oxide production
Authors: Cossenza Marcelo , Cadilhe Daniel V. , Coutinho Rodrigo N. , Paes‐de‐Carvalho Roberto 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThe synthesis of nitric oxide (NO) is limited by the intracellular availability of l‐arginine. Here we show that stimulation of NMDA receptors promotes an increase of intracellular l‐arginine which supports an increase in the production of NO. Although l‐[3H]arginine uptake measured in cultured chick retina cells incubated in the presence of cycloheximide (CHX, a protein synthesis inhibitor) was inhibited approximately 75% at equilibrium, quantitative thin‐layer chromatography analysis showed that free intracellular l‐[3H]arginine was six times higher in CHX‐treated than in control cultures. Extracellular l‐[3H]citrulline levels increased threefold in CHX‐treated groups, an effect blocked by NG‐nitro‐l‐arginine, a NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor. NMDA promoted a 40% increase of free intracellular l‐[3H]arginine in control cultures, an effect blocked by the NMDA antagonist 2‐amino 5‐phosphonovaleric acid. In parallel, NMDA promoted a reduction of 40–50% in the incorporation of 35[S]methionine or l‐[3H]arginine into proteins. Western blot analysis revealed that NMDA stimulates the phosphorylation of eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2, a factor involved in protein translation), an effect inhibited by (+)‐5‐methyl‐10,11‐dihydro‐5H‐dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten‐5,10‐imine maleate (MK801). In conclusion, we have shown that the stimulation of NMDA receptors promotes an inhibition of protein synthesis and a consequent increase of an intracellular l‐arginine pool available for the synthesis of NO. This effect seems to be mediated by activation of eEF2 kinase, a calcium/calmodulin‐dependent enzyme which specifically phosphorylates and blocks eEF2. The results raise the possibility that NMDA receptor activation stimulates two different calmodulin‐dependent enzymes (eEF2 kinase and NOS) reinforcing local NO production by increasing precursor availability together with NOS catalytic activity.
Thermal structure of the Alboran Domain in the Rif (northern Morocco) and the Western Betics (southern Spain). Constraints from Raman spectroscopy of carbonaceous material
Authors: NEGRO F. , BEYSSAC O. , GOFFÉ B. , SADDIQI O. , BOUYBAOUÈNE M. L. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractIn the Rif (northern Morocco) and the Western Betics (southern Spain), the Alboran Domain forms a complex stack of metamorphic nappes including mantle peridotites (Beni Bousera and Ronda). We present in this paper new temperature data obtained in the Alboran Domain based on Raman spectroscopy of carbonaceous material (RSCM thermometry). In the lower metamorphic nappes of the Alboran Domain (lower Sebtides–Alpujárrides) temperature ranges from > 640 °C at the base of the metapelitic sequence to 500 °C at the top. The relationships between field isotherms and nappe structure show that peak temperatures were reached during strong ductile thinning of these nappes whereas they partly postdate this main episode in the Rif. In the upper nappes of the Alboran Domain (Ghomarides–Maláguides), generally supposed to be only weakly metamorphosed, temperatures range from ∼500 °C at their base down to < 330 °C at the top. This temperature gradient is consistent with progressive Cenozoic resetting of K–Ar and 40Ar–39Ar ages. These nappes were thus affected by a significant thermal metamorphism, and the available age data in the underlying Sebtides–Alpujárrides show that this metamorphism is related to the metamorphic evolution of the whole Alboran Domain during the Late Oligocene–Early Miocene. Such thermal structure and metamorphic evolution can be explained by generalized extension in the whole Alboran Domain crustal sequence. At a larger scale, the present thermal structure of the Alboran Domain is roughly spatially consistent around the Beni Bousera peridotites in the Rif, but much more affected by late brittle tectonics around the Ronda peridotites in the Western Betics. Therefore, on the basis of the observed thermal structure, the metamorphic evolution of the Alboran Domain can be interpreted as the result of the ascent of hot mantle units contemporaneous with thinning of the whole lithosphere during an Oligo‐Miocene extensional event. The resulting structure has however been dismembered by late brittle tectonics in the Western Betics.
Performance‐Based Measures of Physical Function for High‐Function Populations
Authors: Curb J. David , Ceria‐Ulep Clementina D. , Rodriguez Beatriz L. , Grove John , Guralnik Jack , Willcox Brad J. , Donlon Tim A. , Masaki Kamal H. , Chen Randi 
Published: April 2006

OBJECTIVES: To improve and broaden the applicability of performance‐based measures of function for use in clinical and research settings.DESIGN: Cross‐sectional repeated‐measures study.SETTING: Research clinic.PARTICIPANTS: Population‐based sample of Japanese Americans without significant functional impairments aged 35 to 55 and 56 to 71 (N=203).MEASUREMENTS: Performance‐based measures of physical function, including range of standard tests, newer automated measures of balance and strength and data on cognitive function, lifestyle, medical history, and physical activity.RESULTS: Of the nonplatform balance measures, only the one‐leg stand was reliable (reliability coefficient (rc) =0.69) and able to discriminate between functional levels. Combining the Fourth National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey protocol of folded arm position while standing on a foam pad with the more‐sophisticated balance platform test had the highest reliability and discrimination. With the strength chair, high rcs (0.88–0.96) were found for upper and lower extremity tests. Timed chair stands, a test of lower extremity and central strength were reliable. The 6‐minute walk had a high rc (0.90).CONCLUSION: Many performance tests used today are not reliable. Only a few discriminate between the most highly functioning individuals and individuals with good function. Thus, a new recommended battery includes unassisted single‐leg stand, balance platform “foam pad, eyes closed,” elbow flexion and knee extension strength (strength chair), grip strength, timed chair stands, and the 6‐minute walk. These simple performance‐based tests have good reliability and discrimination across the range of function and can be used in most clinical and research settings to quickly assess global functional level.
Meaningful Change and Responsiveness in Common Physical Performance Measures in Older Adults
Authors: Perera Subashan , Mody Samir H. , Woodman Richard C. , Studenski Stephanie A. 
Published: April 2006

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the magnitude of small meaningful and substantial individual change in physical performance measures and evaluate their responsiveness.DESIGN: Secondary data analyses using distribution‐ and anchor‐based methods to determine meaningful change.SETTING: Secondary analysis of data from an observational study and clinical trials of community‐dwelling older people and subacute stroke survivors.PARTICIPANTS: Older adults with mobility disabilities in a strength training trial (n=100), subacute stroke survivors in an intervention trial (n=100), and a prospective cohort of community‐dwelling older people (n=492).MEASUREMENTS: Gait speed, Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), 6‐minute‐walk distance (6MWD), and self‐reported mobility.RESULTS: Most small meaningful change estimates ranged from 0.04 to 0.06 m/s for gait speed, 0.27 to 0.55 points for SPPB, and 19 to 22 m for 6MWD. Most substantial change estimates ranged from 0.08 to 0.14 m/s for gait speed, 0.99 to 1.34 points for SPPB, and 47 to 49 m for 6MWD. Based on responsiveness indices, per‐group sample sizes for clinical trials ranged from 13 to 42 for substantial change and 71 to 161 for small meaningful change.CONCLUSION: Best initial estimates of small meaningful change are near 0.05 m/s for gait speed, 0.5 points for SPPB, and 20 m for 6MWD and of substantial change are near 0.10 m/s for gait speed, 1.0 point for SPPB, and 50 m for 6MWD. For clinical use, substantial change in these measures and small change in gait speed and 6MWD, but not SPPB, are detectable. For research use, these measures yield feasible sample sizes for detecting meaningful change.
Ankle Brachial Index as a Predictor of Cognitive Impairment in the General Population: Ten‐Year Follow‐Up of the Edinburgh Artery Study
Authors: Price Jacqueline F. , McDowell Sarah , Whiteman Martha C. , Deary Ian J. , Stewart Marlene C. , Fowkes F. Gerald R. 
Published: April 2006

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the ankle brachial index (ABI, a marker of generalized atherosclerosis) is associated with cognitive impairment after 10 years in older people.DESIGN: Cohort study (Edinburgh Artery Study).SETTING: Eleven general practices in Edinburgh, Scotland.PARTICIPANTS: Seven hundred seventeen men and women aged 55 to 74 from the general population, followed for 10 years.MEASUREMENTS: ABI measured at baseline and major cognitive functions (including premorbid function using the National Adult Reading Test, NART) tested after 10 years.RESULTS: After adjustment for age and sex, a low ABI was associated with lower scoring (bottom tertile vs top tertile) on Raven's Matrices (odds ratio (OR)=1.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) =1.0–2.6), Verbal Fluency (OR =1.8, 95% CI =1.1–3.0), and Digit Symbol Test (OR =2.3, 95% CI =1.3–4.2), suggesting that the ABI is predictive of poorer performance in nonverbal reasoning, verbal fluency, and information processing speed. The association between ABI and the Digit Symbol Test remained significant after further adjustment for premorbid cognitive function (tested using the NART), suggesting that the ABI is also predictive of decline in information processing speed (from premorbid ability to that measured here in older age).CONCLUSION: The ABI may be useful in identifying older individuals at higher risk of cognitive impairment. In the future, preventive measures developed to target individuals with a low ABI should consider measures to reduce vascular‐related cognitive decline as well as cardiovascular events, in an effort to reduce the incidence and consequences of subsequent cognitive impairment and dementia.
Chlamydia pneumoniae is not detectable in subretinal neovascular membranes in the exudative stage of age‐related macular degeneration
Authors: Kessler Werner , Jantos Christian A. , Dreier Jens , Pavlovic Sima 
Published: April 2006

Abstract.Purpose:  Age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most frequent cause of severe visual impairment in western countries, but its aetiology remains unclear. A growing body of evidence suggests that inflammation contributes to the pathogenesis of AMD, similarly to that shown for atherosclerosis. In view of a number of shared risk factors between the two entities and the hypothesized link between Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and atherosclerosis, we investigated whether C. pneumoniae might be involved in exudative AMD. Methods:  To examine whether C. pneumoniae contributes to the development of subretinal neovascular (SRNV) membranes in AMD, 13 consecutive SRNV membranes surgically excised from patients with exudative AMD were collected and assayed for the presence of C. pneumoniae or other bacterial pathogens by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results:  The age of patients ranged from 68 to 85 years (median 73.5 years). In all 13 SRNV membranes, no DNA of either C. pneumoniae or other pathogens was found by PCR. Conclusions:  These findings indicate that C. pneumoniae is not associated with the development of SRNV membranes in exudative AMD.
The Clinical Characteristics of Peyronie’s Patients with Notching Deformity
Authors: Cakan Murat , Akman Tolga , Oktar Tayfun , Gurkan Levent , Celtik Murat , Kadioglu Ates 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Peyronie’s patients with notching deformity represent a small percentage of disease population, and the features of these patients have not been well established yet.

Aim
To analyze the characteristics of Peyronie’s patients with notching deformity.

Main Outcome Measures
Peyronie’s patients with notching deformity were compared with those with other type of penile deformities with regard to clinical features.

Methods
During a 13-year period, a total of 703 patients with Peyronie’s disease were evaluated at our institution. The patients were divided into two groups: group I consists of Peyronie’s patients with notching deformity (N=89) and group II patients with any other kind of penile curvature (N=614). The clinical characteristics, presence of co-morbidities including diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease, erectile status, and penile deformities were compared between the two groups.

Results
Pure notching deformity was detected in 12.6% (N=89) of the patients. The mean age of men was 53.1 ± 10.2 and 52.7 ± 10.7 years in groups I and II, respectively, (P  = 0.8). The leading presenting symptom was erectile dysfunction (68.5%), followed by penile deformity (51.6%), and pain on erection (17.9%) in group I, while it was penile curvature (77.1%), erectile dysfunction (54.6%), and pain on erection (14.4%) in group II. In group I, 27 patients (30.3%) were diagnosed during a standard evaluation for erectile dysfunction. Hypertension was significantly higher in group I (25.8%) than in group II (15.4%) (P =0.022); whereas hypercholesterolemia was more common in group II (P =0.008). There was no significant correlation between the presence or the number of co-morbid conditions and the presence of the notching deformity. Combined injection and stimulation test revealed a diminished erectile capacity in 46.1% of the patients in group I, while it was 31.7% in group II (P  = 0.008). In group I, 62.9% had unilateral notching deformity, 34.8% had hourglass deformity, and 2.2% had combined hourglass and notching deformity. Overall, the notching deformity was localized in the distal penile shaft in 50.5%, proximal shaft in 40.4%, and mid-shaft in 8.9% of the patients in group I.

Conclusions
In this large-scale series, pure notching deformity was detected in about one-tenth of patients with Peyronie’s disease. Patients presented at the first half of the sixth decade of life and more than half of the patients were in the acute phase of the disease. The most common presenting symptom was erectile dysfunction. The notching deformity was more frequently localized at the base and tip of the penis.
Understanding the impact of cultural and religious water use
Authors: Smith A. , Ali M. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThis paper investigates the effect that cultural and religious backgrounds have on water consumption patterns among ethnic minorities in UK cities. District meter area data were combined with ethnicity and religion data from the 2001 UK census to highlight particular areas of interest. The research identifies startling differences in water use patterns, which are clearly linked directly with religious and cultural practices. The overall conclusion is that it would be extremely unwise to exclude these social parameters in any further research into understanding domestic water demand. The research has application in the wider context of research or practice outside the western world, where the factors identified in this research may characterise the vast majority of water supply systems.
On the generality of habitat distribution models: a case study of capercaillie in three Swiss regions
Authors: F. Graf Roland , Bollmann Kurt , Sachot Sébastien , Suter Werner , Bugmann Harald 
Published: April 2006

Predictive habitat distribution models are normally assumed to sacrifice generality for precision and reality. Nevertheless, such models are often applied to predict the distribution of a species outside the area for which the model has been calibrated.We investigated how the geographic extent of the data used for calibration influenced the performance of habitat distribution models applied on independent data. We took a multi‐scale logistic regression approach by varying the grain size to develop six habitat models for capercaillieTetrao urogallusin Switzerland: three regional models, for the northern Pre‐Alps, eastern Central Alps and Jura mountains, respectively, and three pooled models, each using data from two of the three regions. The six models were validated with data from the region(s) not used for model building. We used Cohen's Kappa and the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve as accuracy measures. The regional models performed well in the region where they had been calibrated, but poorly to moderately well in the other regions. The pooled models classified almost as well in their calibration regions as the corresponding regional models, but generally better when validated on data from the independent region. Hence, models built with data from single regions provide less certain predictions of species’ distributions in other regions. We recommend building more general models using data pooled from several regions, when the aim is to predict species’ distributions in independent regions.
Nesirah: Myth and Androgyny in Late Kabbalistic Practice
Authors: Giller Pinchas 
Published: April 2006

AbstractJewish mysticism, in its classical period, is replete with images and theories that employ a mythic view of gender. This article will review a motif that has not been the subject of particular scholarly attention, that of the nesirah. The motif of the nesirah clearly has its origins in the most ancient understandings on the proclivities of the feminine aspects of Divinity. That a mythic motif that encompassed such a brazen sexuality was retained and worked into the core of classical Kabbalah is indicative of the resonance of the myth, and the reluctance of the creators of the mystical canon to relinquish a tradition that they clearly viewed as essential, notwithstanding its challenges to the monotheistic ideal of classical, exoteric Judaism.