bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
E‐PTFE (Gore‐Tex®) implant with or without low‐dosage mitomycin‐C as an adjuvant in penetrating glaucoma surgery: 2 year randomized clinical trial
Authors: Cillino Salvatore , Zeppa Lucio , Di Pace Francesco , Casuccio Alessandra , Morreale Daniele , Bocchetta Fabio , Lodato Gaetano 
Published: November 2007

Abstract.Purpose:  To test the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) as a new adjuvant in trabeculectomy.Methods:  Consecutive glaucoma surgical inpatients were observed at the Department of Ophthalmology of Palermo University. Sixty patients (60 eyes) were randomly assigned to undergo trabeculectomy (T), trabeculectomy with mitomycin‐C (TMMC), with ePTFE (TG) or with mitomycin‐C and ePTFE (TGMMC). Postoperative visits were scheduled at 24 hr, 7 days, 1, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. Complete success and qualified success were assessed at two target intraocular pressure (IOP) levels –≤21 and ≤17 mmHg – by Kaplan–Meier curves.Results:  The postoperative IOP reduction was significant (P < 0.01) at the endpoint in all groups, with a mean IOP of 16.9 (±2.9), 16.2 (±2.7), 15.3 (±3.4) and 15.2 (±4.3) mmHg in T, TMMC, TG and TGMMC eyes, respectively. No intergroup difference was found at either IOP targets. The Kaplan–Meier curves relating to either the ≤21 mmHg or the ≤17 mmHg target IOP did not show significant intergroup differences for complete and qualified success rate. When ePTFE was used, a trend favouring the medium‐term survival rate was noted. No adverse reaction to the ePTFE was present, and no membrane extrusion or conjuctival erosion were noted in any cases. Hypotony was significantly more frequent (P = 0.035) in groups without ePTFE. Moreover, the late MMC‐related complications were more frequent when MMC was applied.Conclusion:  Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene implant in trabeculectomy is well tolerated and could act as a filtration modulating device. Therefore, it is useful in reducing early hypotony‐related complications and contributes to attaining medium‐term IOP control that is comparable to the low‐dosage MMC.
Association between severity of vitreous haemorrhage and visual outcome in primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment
Authors: Yeung Ling , Yang Ko‐Jen , Chen Tun‐Lu , Wang Nan‐Kai , Chen Yen‐Po , Ku Wan‐Chen , Lai Chi‐Chun 
Published: November 2007

Abstract.Purpose:  To elucidate the relationship between the severity of vitreous haemorrhage (VH) and visual outcome in primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) without previous vitreoretinal surgery.Methods:  We carried out a retrospective review of patients presenting with RRD and VH between January 1993 and December 2002. Diabetic retinopathy, retinal vessel occlusion and open‐globe injury patients were excluded. Study patients were separated into group 1 (eyes with mild to moderate VH) and group 2 (eyes with severe VH).Results:  Our sample included 71 eyes of 71 patients (mean age 48.0 years, range 7–78 years) (median follow‐up period 19 months, range 12–140 months), of which 21 had mild, 17 had moderate and 33 had severe VH. The mean visual acuity (VA) in logMAR (logarithm of minimum angle of resolution) of the 38 eyes in group 1 improved from 1.90 (Snellen equivalent [SE] 20/1589) to 0.68 (SE 20/96). In the 33 eyes in group 2, mean logMAR VA improved from 2.42 (SE 20/5261) to 1.63 (SE 20/853). Group 2 patients were significantly older (p = 0.002), had longer duration of preoperative haemorrhage (p = 0.004), lower presenting VA (p < 0.001), worse final VA (p < 0.001), and a higher incidence of severe (grade C) proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) (p = 0.002). More eyes in group 2 required silicone oil tamponade, although this was not statistically significant (p = 0.133). The overall recurrence rate of retinal detachment after primary surgery was around 21% in both groups.Conclusions:  Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with severe VH is associated with longer duration of preoperative haemorrhage, a higher incidence of severe PVR and worse visual outcome. Close follow‐up and aggressive surgical interventions are suggested in these patients.
Increased expression of CC chemokine ligand 18 in extrinsic atopic dermatitis patients
Authors: Park Chang Ook , Lee Hee Jung , Lee Ju Hee , Wu Wen Hao , Chang Nam Soo , Hua Liu , Lee Min‐Geol , Lee Kwang Hoon 
Published: November 2007

Background:  Although most patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) show high total and allergen‐specific serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, a small subgroup of AD patients have normal total IgE levels and negative serum allergen‐specific IgE. This subgroup has been termed ‘intrinsic’ AD (IAD) as a counterpart to ‘extrinsic’ AD (EAD). However, the difference of chemokines between IAD and EAD has not yet been evaluated.Objective:  We investigated the expression of CC chemokine ligand (CCL) 17, CCL22, and CCL18 in patients with IAD and EAD, which are known to be highly expressed in AD patients.Methods:  We assessed the protein levels of these chemokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), sera and lesional skins. We also evaluated CCL18 mRNA levels in monocytes, Langerhans cell (LC)‐like dendritic cells (DCs) and inflammatory dendritic epidermal cell (IDEC)‐like DCs from both types of AD patients.Results:  There were no significant differences in CCL17 and CCL22 expression in PBMCs, sera and lesional skins of patients with IAD and EAD. CCL18 expression did not differ in PBMCs, sera and LC‐like DCs from the two subgroups, but strong CCL18 expression was observed in lesional skins and IDEC‐like DCs in patients with EAD. Lastly, serum CCL18 levels significantly decreased after immunotherapy.Conclusion:  This study suggests that the chemokine micromilieu, especially the level of CCL18, is different between EAD and IAD patients. High FcεRI surface‐expressing DCs, such as IDEC, were the major source of CCL18, and produced a prominent CCL18 microenvironment in EAD patients compared with IAD patients.
Integrating socio‐economic analysis into decision‐support methodology for flood risk management at the development scale (Scotland)
Authors: Haynes H. , Haynes R. , Pender G. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractLegislation for Scotland increasingly requires that environmental enhancement schemes must be integral in property construction. With the introduction of the Water Framework Directive and the Water Environment and Water Services Act, developments on areas surrounding an existing watercourse often include river restoration and sustainable flood alleviation schemes. To support this, a decision‐making tool is proposed that considers the hazard, exposure and vulnerability of a residential development to flooding. Rather than assessing flood risk purely in terms of hydraulic performance, it is shown that appropriate channel design selection also requires information on the socio‐economic impacts. This paper takes a novel stance in predicting the social impact of flooding by using statistical evaluation of census data. This holistic approach to flood risk investigation is suitable for use by developers, planners and councils at a local (development) scale to strategically aid flood alleviation works, emergency planning and housing development.
Motor units in cranial and caudal regions of the upper trapezius muscle have different discharge rates during brief static contractions
Authors: Falla D. , Farina D. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractAim:  To compare the discharge patterns of motor unit populations from different locations within the upper trapezius muscle during brief submaximal constant‐force contractions.Methods:  Intramuscular and surface electromyographic (EMG) signals were collected from three sites of the right upper trapezius muscle distributed along the cranial‐caudal direction in 11 volunteers during 10 s shoulder abduction at 25% of the maximum voluntary force.Results:  A total of 38 motor units were identified at the cranial location, 36 from the middle location and 17 from the caudal location. Initial discharge rate was greatest at the caudal location (P < 0.05; mean ± SD, cranial: 16.7 ± 3.6 pps, middle: 16.9 ± 4.0 pps, caudal: 19.2 ± 3.3 pps). Discharge rate decreased during the contraction for the most caudal location only (P < 0.05). Initial estimates of surface EMG root mean square values were highest at the most caudal location (P < 0.05; cranial: 32.3 ± 20.9 μV, middle: 41.3 ± 21.0 μV, caudal: 51.6 ± 23.6 μV).Conclusion:  This study demonstrates non‐uniformity of motor unit discharge within the upper trapezius muscle during a brief submaximal constant‐force contraction. Location‐dependent modulation of discharge rate may reflect spatial dependency in the control of motor units necessary for the development and maintenance of force output.
Effects of UV Radiation on Photolyase and Implications with Regards to Photoreactivation following Low- and Medium-Pressure UV Disinfection
Authors: Hu Jiangyong , Quek Puay Hoon 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACT
Photolyase activity following exposure to low-pressure (LP) and medium-pressure (MP) UV lamps was evaluated. MP UV irradiation resulted in a greater reduction in photolyase activity than LP UV radiation. The results suggest that oxidation of the flavin adenine dinucleotide in photolyase may have caused the decrease in activity.
Analysis of Fungal Flora in Indoor Dust by Ribosomal DNA Sequence Analysis, Quantitative PCR, and Culture
Authors: Pitkäranta M. , Meklin T. , Hyvärinen A. , Paulin L. , Auvinen P. , Nevalainen A. , Rintala H. 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACT

In recent years increasing attention has been given to the potential health effects of fungal exposure in indoor environments. We used large-scale sequencing of the fungal internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) of nuclear ribosomal DNA to describe the mycoflora of two office buildings over the four seasons. DNA sequencing was complemented by cultivation, ergosterol determination, and quantitative PCR analyses. Sequences of 1,339 clones were clustered into 394 nonredundant fungal operational taxonomical units containing sequences from 18 fungal subclasses. The observed flora differed markedly from that recovered by cultivation, the major differences being the near absence of several typical indoor mold genera such as
Penicillium
and
Aspergillus
spp. and a high prevalence of basidiomycetes in clone libraries. A total of 55% of the total diversity constituted of unidentifiable ITS sequences, some of which may represent novel fungal species. Dominant species were
Cladosporium cladosporioides
and
C. herbarum
,
Cryptococcus victoriae
,
Leptosphaerulina americana
and
L. chartarum
,
Aureobasidium pullulans
,
Thekopsora areolata
,
Phaeococcomyces nigricans
,
Macrophoma
sp., and several
Malassezia
species. Seasonal differences were observed for community composition, with ascomycetous molds and basidiomycetous yeasts predominating in the winter and spring and
Agaricomycetidae
basidiomycetes predominating in the fall. The comparison of methods suggested that the cloning, cultivation, and quantitative PCR methods complemented each other, generating a more comprehensive picture of fungal flora than any of the methods would give alone. The current restrictions of the methods are discussed.
Quantifying Community Dynamics of Nitrifiers in Functionally Stable Reactors
Authors: Wittebolle Lieven , Vervaeren Han , Verstraete Willy , Boon Nico 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACT

A sequential batch reactor (SBR) and a membrane bioreactor (MBR) were inoculated with the same sludge from a municipal wastewater treatment plant, supplemented with ammonium, and operated in parallel for 84 days. It was investigated whether the functional stability of the nitrification process corresponded with a static ammonia-oxidizing bacterial (AOB) community. The SBR provided complete nitrification during nearly the whole experimental run, whereas the MBR showed a buildup of 0 to 2 mg nitrite-N liter
−1
from day 45 until day 84. Based on the denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis profiles, two novel approaches were introduced to characterize and quantify the community dynamics and interspecies abundance ratios: (i) the rate of change [Δ

t

(week)
] parameter and (ii) the Pareto-Lorenz curve distribution pattern. During the whole sampling period, it was observed that neither of the reactor types maintained a static microbial community and that the SBR evolved more gradually than the MBR, particularly with respect to AOB (i.e., average weekly community changes of 12.6% ± 5.2% for the SBR and 24.6% ± 14.3% for the MBR). Based on the Pareto-Lorenz curves, it was observed that only a small group of AOB species played a numerically dominant role in the nitritation of both reactors, and this was true especially for the MBR. The remaining less dominant species were speculated to constitute a reserve of AOB which can proliferate to replace the dominant species. The value of these parameters in terms of tools to assist the operation of activated-sludge systems is discussed.
Subsurface Microbial Diversity in Deep-Granitic-Fracture Water in Colorado
Authors: Sahl Jason W. , Schmidt Raleigh , Swanner Elizabeth D. , Mandernack Kevin W. , Templeton Alexis S. , Kieft Thomas L. , Smith Richard L. , Sanford William E. , Callaghan Robert L. , Mitton Jeffry B. , Spear John R. 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACT

A microbial community analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed on borehole water and a granite rock core from Henderson Mine, a >1,000-meter-deep molybdenum mine near Empire, CO. Chemical analysis of borehole water at two separate depths (1,044 m and 1,004 m below the mine entrance) suggests that a sharp chemical gradient exists, likely from the mixing of two distinct subsurface fluids, one metal rich and one relatively dilute; this has created unique niches for microorganisms. The microbial community analyzed from filtered, oxic borehole water indicated an abundance of sequences from iron-oxidizing bacteria (
Gallionella
spp.) and was compared to the community from the same borehole after 2 weeks of being plugged with an expandable packer. Statistical analyses with UniFrac revealed a significant shift in community structure following the addition of the packer. Phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis suggested that
Nitrosomonadales
dominated the oxic borehole, while PLFAs indicative of anaerobic bacteria were most abundant in the samples from the plugged borehole. Microbial sequences were represented primarily by
Firmicutes
,
Proteobacteria
, and a lineage of sequences which did not group with any identified bacterial division; phylogenetic analyses confirmed the presence of a novel candidate division. This “Henderson candidate division” dominated the clone libraries from the dilute anoxic fluids. Sequences obtained from the granitic rock core (1,740 m below the surface) were represented by the divisions
Proteobacteria
(primarily the family
Ralstoniaceae
) and
Firmicutes
. Sequences grouping within
Ralstoniaceae
were also found in the clone libraries from metal-rich fluids yet were absent in more dilute fluids. Lineage-specific comparisons, combined with phylogenetic statistical analyses, show that geochemical variance has an important effect on microbial community structure in deep, subsurface systems.
Mutations in the
lux
Operon of Natural Dark Mutants in the Genus
Vibrio
Authors: O'Grady Elizabeth A. , Wimpee Charles F. 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACT

Bacterial bioluminescence can display a wide range of intensities among strains, from very bright to undetectable, and it has been shown previously that there are nonluminous vibrios that possess
lux
genes. In this paper, we report the isolation and characterization of completely dark natural mutants in the genus
Vibrio
. Screening of over 600
Vibrio
isolates with a
luxA
gene probe revealed that approximately 5% carried the
luxA
gene. Bioluminescence assays of the
luxA
-positive isolates, followed by repetitive extragenic palindromic-PCR fingerprinting, showed three unique genotypes that are completely dark. The dark mutants show a variety of lesions, including an insertion sequence, point mutations, and deletions. Strain BCB451 has an IS
10
insertion sequence in
luxA
, a mutated
luxE
stop codon, and a truncated
luxH
. Strain BCB494 has a 396-bp deletion in
luxC
, and strain BCB440 has a frameshift in
luxC
. This paper represents the first molecular characterization of natural dark mutants and the first demonstration of incomplete
lux
operons in natural isolates.
Formation of
N
-Ethylmaleimide (NEM)-Glutathione Conjugate and
N
-Ethylmaleamic Acid Revealed by Mass Spectral Characterization of Intracellular and Extracellular Microbial Metabolites of NEM
Authors: Mojica Elmer-Rico E. , Kim Sungpyo , Aga Diana S. 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACT

The extracellular and intracellular metabolites formed upon exposure of activated sludge microorganisms to a sublethal concentration of
N
-ethylmaleimide were monitored by liquid chromatography with ion trap mass spectrometry. The metabolite
N
-ethylsuccinimido-
S
-glutathione (
m
/
z
433) was converted rapidly to
N
-(2-oxoethyl)-2,2-(propionylamino)propanamide (
m
/
z
187) and
N
-ethylmaleamic acid (
m
/
z
144).
Short-Term Temporal Variability in Airborne Bacterial and Fungal Populations
Authors: Fierer Noah , Liu Zongzhi , Rodríguez-Hernández Mari , Knight Rob , Henn Matthew , Hernandez Mark T. 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACT

Airborne microorganisms have been studied for centuries, but the majority of this research has relied on cultivation-dependent surveys that may not capture all of the microbial diversity in the atmosphere. As a result, our understanding of airborne microbial ecology is limited despite the relevance of airborne microbes to human health, various ecosystem functions, and environmental quality. Cultivation-independent surveys of small-subunit rRNA genes were conducted in order to identify the types of airborne bacteria and fungi found at a single site (Boulder, CO) and the temporal variability in the microbial assemblages over an 8-day period. We found that the air samples were dominated by ascomycete fungi of the
Hypocreales
order and a diverse array of bacteria, including members of the proteobacterial and
Cytophaga-Flavobacterium-Bacteroides
groups that are commonly found in comparable culture-independent surveys of airborne bacteria. Bacterium/fungus ratios varied by 2 orders of magnitude over the sampling period, and we observed large shifts in the phylogenetic diversity of bacteria present in the air samples collected on different dates, shifts that were not likely to be related to local meteorological conditions. We observed more phylogenetic similarity between bacteria collected from geographically distant sites than between bacteria collected from the same site on different days. These results suggest that outdoor air may harbor similar types of bacteria regardless of location and that the short-term temporal variability in airborne bacterial assemblages can be very large.
Species of Environmental Mycobacteria Differ in Their Abilities To Grow in Human, Mouse, and Carp Macrophages and with Regard to the Presence of Mycobacterial Virulence Genes, as Observed by DNA Microarray Hybridization
Authors: Harriff Melanie J. , Wu Martin , Kent Michael L. , Bermudez Luiz E. 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACT

There are many species of environmental mycobacteria (EM) that infect animals that are important to the economy and research and that also have zoonotic potential. The genomes of very few of these bacterial species have been sequenced, and little is known about the molecular mechanisms by which most of these opportunistic pathogens cause disease. In this study, 18 isolates of EM isolated from fish and humans (including strains of
Mycobacterium avium
,
Mycobacterium peregrinum
,
Mycobacterium chelonae
, and
Mycobacterium salmoniphilum
) were examined for their abilities to grow in macrophage lines from humans, mice, and carp. Genomic DNA from 14 of these isolates was then hybridized against DNA from an
M. avium
reference strain, with a custom microarray containing virulence genes of mycobacteria and a selection of representative genes from metabolic pathways. The strains of EM had different abilities to grow within the three types of cell lines, which grouped largely according to the host from which they were isolated. Genes identified as being putatively absent in some of the strains included those with response regulatory functions, cell wall compositions, and fatty acid metabolisms as well as a recently identified pathogenicity island important to macrophage uptake. Further understanding of the role these genes play in host specificity and pathogenicity will be important to gain insight into the zoonotic potential of certain EM as well as their mechanisms of virulence.
Fitness Variation of
Borrelia burgdorferi
Sensu Stricto Strains in Mice
Authors: Hanincová Klára , Ogden Nicholas H. , Diuk-Wasser Maria , Pappas Christopher J. , Iyer Radha , Fish Durland , Schwartz Ira , Kurtenbach Klaus 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACT

Lyme borreliosis in North America is caused by the tick-borne spirochete
Borrelia burgdorferi
, a zoonotic bacterium that is able to persistently infect a wide range of vertebrate species. Given the pronounced strain structure of
B. burgdorferi
in the northeastern United States, we asked whether the fitness of the different genotypes varies among susceptible vertebrate hosts. The transmission dynamics of two genetically divergent human isolates of
B. burgdorferi
, BL206 and B348, were analyzed experimentally in white-footed mice and in C3H/HeNCrl mice over a time period of almost 3 months. We found that the initially high transmission efficiency from white-footed mice to ticks declined sharply for isolate B348 but remained considerably high for isolate BL206. In contrast, in C3H/HeNCrl mice, high transmission efficiency persisted for both isolates. Our findings provide proof-of-principle evidence for intrinsic fitness variation of
B. burgdorferi
strains in vertebrate host species, perhaps indicating the beginnings of adaptive radiation.