bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Placing local plant species richness in the context of environmental drivers of metacommunity richness
Authors: STEVENS M. HENRY H. 
Published: December 2005

Summary

Ecologists seem poised to reap the benefits of recent work examining the effects of energy and resources on plant taxonomic richness in local communities. My goal here is to present a qualitative model to further our understanding about the driving forces of plant taxonomic richness across spatial scales.
The model attempts to predict local plant species richness based on previous work regarding (i) correlations between temperature, precipitation and richness, (ii) correlations between soil nutrient availability and richness derived from both descriptions and experimental manipulations, and (iii) empirical demonstrations of the importance of the species pool in regulating local species richness.
The model consists of a phenomenlogical submodel of the multiplicative effects of temperature, water and mineral nutrients on plant species richness, with a spatially implicit submodel of immigration and extinction of species in local communities.
The model makes the following five testable predictions. (i) Local richness increases linearly with immigration rate of new species and curvilinearly with local extinction rate. (ii) The effects of altered local immigration and extinction rates will be most apparent in local communities embedded in species‐rich metacommunities. (iii) Local communities are not saturated, but rather increase in richness directly with increasing metacommunity richness. (iv) Unimodal or hump‐shaped productivity‐richness relations arise when low water or temperature limit diversity at low productivity and mineral nutrients limit diversity at high productivity. (v) An apparent scale‐dependence of the effect productivity on richness should arise when there exists a matching scale‐dependence of the underlying environmental drivers. These predictions do not contrast sharply with available data, but remain largely untested.
I suggest that continued attempts to synthesize the most predictive patterns emerging from the burgeoning global data bases of both taxonomic and genetic diversity will guide us toward mechanistic explanations of the determinants of species richness, suggest why special cases differ from general patterns, and provide additional novel predictions not currently apparent.
PRELIMINARY STUDY ON BACTERIAL INFLUENCE IN ISCHEMIC COLITIS
Authors: Tamayama Takaaki , Kakemura Tadayoshi , Fujinuma Sumio , Sakai Yoshihiro 
Published: December 2005

Background:  It is necessary to exclude infectious colitis by fecal culture for diagnosis of ischemic colitis. But even if pathogenic bacteria are excluded, it is expected that the population of normal bacterial flora of the lesion is probably changing. We have performed bacterial culture using colonoscopic sampling in order to detect more important bacteria, when we diagnose ischemic colitis on colonoscopy.Methods:  The subject group comprised 81 patients diagnosed with ischemic colitis between January 1998 and July 2004. During initial colonoscopy, we sprayed 20 mL saline on the most severe site of the inflammatory lesion and collected the fluid by suction for culture (colonoscopic spraying wash culture). When only one species of bacteria was isolated, we registered the bacteria as the predominant organism. When two or more species of bacteria were isolated, we registered the bacteria that were isolated most superior in number.Results:  Escherichia coli (48 patients), Klebsiella (22 patients), Enterococcus (22 patients), Enterobacter (12 patients) and others were registered. Generally, younger patients (under 50 years) had prominently E. coli, and elderly patients (above 70 years) had Klebsiella. Patients with baseline disease such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia generally had Enterococcus. Patients without baseline disease generally had E. coli. Sex and the length of period after onset were not significantly different. Colonoscopic features of the cases isolated only one species of bacteria by colonoscopic spraying wash culture that were different to each other.Conclusion:  It is expected that age and baseline diseases contribute to the onset of ischemic colitis and to the disruption of normal flora. Meanwhile, it is supposed that the disruption of normal flora is related to the induction of various configurations of ischemic colitis.
CLINICAL AND ENDOSCOPIC HEALING AFTER INFLIXIMAB TREATMENT IN PATIENTS WITH CROHN's DISEASE
Authors: Sou Suketo , Matsui Toshiyuki , Yao Tsuneyoshi , Yorioka Makoto , Tsuda Sumio , Kikuchi Yosuke , Wada Yoko , Nagahama Takashi , Yao Kenshi 
Published: December 2005

Background:  Intestinal mucosal lesions in Crohn's disease were endoscopically evaluated before and after giving infliximab, and the usefulness of this treatment was investigated.Patients and methods:  The present study included 12 patients with active Crohn's disease who could undergo colonoscopy before and after giving infliximab. (i) The treatment assessment consisted of evaluations of short‐term and long‐term therapeutic effects. The clinical evaluation was conducted using the Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI). The results of the clinical evaluation were compared with those of the colonoscopic evaluation. (ii) The endoscopic evaluation findings were divided into polyposis, ulcer and stenosis, and the area ranging from the rectum to the terminal ileum. The scores for the findings at seven sites were totaled. In the short‐term therapeutic effect, characteristics of ulcer morphology and background factors were investigated endoscopically.Results:  (i) The efficacy rate was 92% clinically and 67% endoscopically in the evaluation of short‐term therapeutic effects. The efficacy rate was 86% clinically and 86% endoscopically in the evaluation of long‐term therapeutic effects. (ii) On the endoscopic evaluation, the ulcer score was significantly (P = 0.03) improved after giving infliximab, while there was no remarkable change in the polyposis score and the stenosis score tended to worsen. On the evaluation of therapeutic effects based on ulcer morphology, infliximab was endoscopically effective in patients with longitudinal ulcers. On the evaluation of therapeutic effects based on background factors, the treatment was effective in patients given a combination of infliximab and immunosuppressants.Conclusion:  The ulcerative lesions were found to be markedly improved, but the intestinal stenosis tended to worsen, after giving infliximab. It is necessary that the severity of intestinal stenosis be adequately understood before giving infliximab. Giving immunosuppressants should be used for combined treatment.
CLINICAL USE OF THE NEWLY DEVELOPED ELECTRONIC RADIAL ULTRASOUND ENDOSCOPE
Authors: Ogawa Masami , Yasuda Kenjiro , Cho Eisai , Tanaka Kiyohito , Uno Koji , Nakajima Masatsugu 
Published: December 2005

Background:  Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is widely accepted as a diagnostic tool for bilio‐pancreatic and gastrointestinal tract diseases. Recently, an ultrasound endoscope with an electronic radial scan transducer has been developed. To evaluate the clinical usefulness of this system, its image quality, advantages and disadvantages were evaluated.Materials and methods:  Ultrasound endoscope with electronic radial scan transducer and its monitor unit were used. The direction of the imaging plane was similar to that of the mechanical radial models. Color Doppler function and tissue harmonic imaging were feasible by this system. To evaluate this endoscope, we investigated the image quality and distance resolution by in‐vitro study using thin papers, and 50 patients were examined by this system.Results:  Comparison with the mechanical radial endoscope GF‐UM2000 revealed that the image quality was almost equivalent. However, the ultrasound penetration of the electronic radial scanner was better and more satisfactory with less echoic reduction. In addition, the blood‐flow signal could be obtained by using the color Doppler function. In contrast, the diameter of the new endoscope was bigger than the advanced mechanical radial models, the monitor unit was bigger than that of the mechanical radial system, and the operation of this unit was complicated.Conclusion:  A prototype of the ultrasound endoscope with electronic radial scan showed satisfactory results regarding the image quality, ultrasound penetration, and clinical diagnosis. The blood flow could be investigated by using the color Doppler function, which is useful to diagnose lesions and detect involvement of the blood vessels in cancers.
Community and cultivation analysis of arsenite oxidizing biofilms at Hot Creek
Authors: Salmassi Tina M. , Walker Jeffrey J. , Newman Dianne K. , Leadbetter Jared R. , Pace Norman R. , Hering Janet G. 
Published: December 2005

SummaryAt Hot Creek in California, geothermally derived arsenite is rapidly oxidized to arsenate. This process is mediated by microorganisms colonizing the surfaces of submerged aquatic macrophytes in the creek. Here we describe a multifaceted approach to characterizing this biofilm community and its activity. Molecular techniques were used to describe the community as a function of 16S‐rRNA gene diversity. Cultivation‐based strategies were used to enumerate and isolate three novel arsenite oxidizers, strains YED1‐18, YED6‐4 and YED6‐21. All three strains are β‐Proteobacteria, of the genus Hydrogenophaga. Because these strains were isolated from the highest (i.e. million‐fold) dilutions of disrupted biofilm suspensions, they represent the most numerically significant arsenite oxidizers recovered from this community. One clone (Hot Creek Clone 44) obtained from an inventory of the 16S rDNA sequence diversity present in the biofilm was found to be 99.6% identical to the 16S rDNA sequence of the isolate YED6‐21. On the basis of most probable number (MPN) analyses, arsenite‐oxidizing bacteria were found to account for 6–56% of the cultivated members of the community. Using MPN values, we could estimate an upper bound on the value of Vmax for the community of 1 × 10−9µmole arsenite min−1 cell−1. This estimate represents the first normalization of arsenite oxidation rates to MPN cell densities for a microbial community in a field incubation experiment.
Microbial life in ridge flank crustal fluids
Authors: Huber Julie A. , Johnson H. Paul , Butterfield David A. , Baross John A. 
Published: December 2005

SummaryTo determine the microbial community diversity within old oceanic crust, a novel sampling strategy was used to collect crustal fluids at Baby Bare Seamount, a 3.5 Ma old outcrop located in the north‐east Pacific Ocean on the eastern flank of the Juan de Fuca Ridge. Stainless steel probes were driven directly into the igneous ocean crust to obtain samples of ridge flank crustal fluids. Genetic signatures and enrichment cultures of microorganisms demonstrate that these crustal fluids host a microbial community composed of species indigenous to the subseafloor, including anaerobic thermophiles, and species from other deep‐sea habitats, such as seawater and sediments. Evidence using molecular techniques indicates the presence of a relatively small but active microbial population, dominated by bacteria. The microbial community diversity found in the crustal fluids may indicate habitat variability in old oceanic crust, with inputs of nutrients from seawater, sediment pore‐water fluids and possibly hydrothermal sources. This report further supports the presence of an indigenous microbial community in ridge flank crustal fluids and advances our understanding of the potential physiological and phylogenetic diversity of this community.
Stable carbon isotope fractionation during degradation of dichloromethane by methylotrophic bacteria
Authors: Nikolausz Marcell , Nijenhuis Ivonne , Ziller Katja , Richnow Hans‐Hermann , Kästner Matthias 
Published: December 2005

SummaryStable carbon isotope fractionation during dichloromethane (DCM) degradation by methylotrophic bacteria was investigated under aerobic and nitrate‐reducing conditions. The strains studied comprise several Hyphomicrobium strains, Methylobacterium, Methylopila, Methylophilus and Methylorhabdus spp. that are considered to degrade DCM by a glutathione (GSH)‐dependent dehalogenase enzyme system in the initial step. The stable carbon isotope fractionation factors (αC) of the strains varied under aerobic conditions between 1.043 and 1.071 and under nitrate‐reducing conditions between 1.048 and 1.065. Comparison of isotope fractionation under aerobic and nitrate‐reducing conditions by individual strains revealed only minor to no differences. The variability in isotope fractionation among strains was found to be related to the polymorphism of the functional genes encoding the DCM dehalogenase.
Does the interval between prostate biopsy and radical prostatectomy affect the immediate postoperative outcome?
Authors: LEE DANIEL K. , ALLAREDDY VEERASUTHPURSH , O'DONNELL MICHAEL A. , WILLIAMS RICHARD D. , KONETY BADRINATH R. 
Published: December 2005

OBJECTIVETo determine whether the interval between prostate biopsy and radical prostatectomy (RP) affects the immediate postoperative outcome.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe study was a retrospective chart review of 169 patients who had retropubic RP at our institution. Using a series of univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, we evaluated whether the interval between biopsy and RP was a significant independent predictor of operative duration, estimated blood loss, transfusion rate, nerve‐sparing (yes/no), positive margin rate, length of stay, complications, and urinary continence after RP.RESULTSThe interval from biopsy to RP was 14–378 days; there were no significant differences in operative duration, estimated intraoperative blood loss, nerve‐sparing rate, transfusion rate and amount, hospitalization time, positive margin rate, major postoperative complications, and continence in patients with biopsy to RP intervals above and below the median. The biopsy to RP interval was not an independent predictor of outcomes during or after RP. There were no direct or indirect correlations between biopsy to RP interval and any of the postoperative outcomes.CONCLUSIONThe interval between prostate biopsy and retropubic RP appears to have no effect on immediate postoperative outcomes. We were unable to determine a specific minimum required interval beyond 2 weeks after prostate biopsy before proceeding with RP.
Mini‐flank supra‐11th rib incision for open partial or radical nephrectomy
Authors: DiBLASIO CHRISTOPHER J. , SNYDER MARK E. , RUSSO PAUL 
Published: December 2005

Authors from New York describe their experience with a supra‐11th rib mini‐flank incision as a practical alternative to traditional open or laparoscopic nephrectomy. They used a small 8‐cm incision and found that it did not compromise cancer, and gave excellent cosmetic results.OBJECTIVETo report our approach to partial (PN) or radical nephrectomy (RN) using a supra‐11th mini‐flank incision, as the widespread availability of advanced imaging has increased the detection of incidental, lower‐stage renal tumours that are generally amenable to resection using smaller incisions.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe study included 167 consecutive patients undergoing PN/RN for renal tumours treated between February 2000 and March 2003 using the supra‐11th rib mini‐flank approach. Variables analysed were age, gender, nephrectomy type (PN vs RN), operative duration, estimated blood loss (EBL), hospital stay, tumour size and location, pathological stage and histology, perioperative transfusions, and complications. Patients undergoing PN were examined for ischaemia type (cold, warm, none) and duration of renal artery clamping. The interval after surgery to initiate solid diet and discontinue patient‐controlled analgesia, and overall pain control, were analysed and compared between PN and RN.RESULTSIn all, 133 patients (80%) underwent PN and 34 (20%) RN, at a median age of 61.7 years. The median operative duration was 2.9 h, the EBL 400 mL, tumour size 3.2 cm and median hospital stay 5 days. At a median follow‐up of 18.2 months, there were seven (4%) late complications: six patients had a flank bulge and one had a reducible hernia. Surgical margins were negative in 164 (98%) patients.CONCLUSIONSThe supra‐11th rib mini‐flank incision offers a practical alternative to traditional open or laparoscopic PN or RN. Using a small (8 cm) incision with no rib resection, this approach affords optimum exposure without compromising cancer control, with excellent cosmetic results and a lower risk of late complications at the wound site.
Severity categories of the International Prostate Symptom Score before, and urinary morbidity after, permanent prostate brachytherapy
Authors: GUTMAN SARAH , MERRICK GREGORY S. , BUTLER WAYNE M. , WALLNER KENT E. , ALLEN ZACHARIAH , GALBREATH ROBERT W. , ADAMOVICH EDWARD 
Published: December 2005

OBJECTIVETo determine if the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) before seed implantation, stratified into mild (0–7), moderate (8–19) and severe (>20) categories, predicts brachytherapy‐related morbidity in terms of IPSS resolution, catheter dependency and the need for surgical intervention after brachytherapy.PATIENTS AND METHODSFrom January 1998 to September 2003, 1034 consecutive patients had permanent interstitial brachytherapy for clinical stage T1b‐T3a NXM0 (2002 system) prostate cancer. Of the 1034 patients, 739 (71.5%) presented with an IPSS of 0–7, 287 (27.7%) of 8–19, and eight (0.8%) of ≥ 20. The IPSS 8–19 cohort was further stratified into 8–14 (237 men) and 15–19 (50 men) subgroups. The median follow‐up was 38.2 months. In all patients, an α‐blocker was initiated before brachytherapy and continued at least until the IPSS normalized, the latter defined as a return to within 1 point of that before implantation. A median of 21 IPSS questionnaires were obtained per patient. Several clinical, treatment and dosimetric variables were evaluated as predictors of urinary morbidity.RESULTSFor the entire cohort, the IPSS peaked at a mean of 0.5 months after implantation and resolved at a mean of 1.7 months. At 5 years after brachytherapy, 90.1% of patients at risk (88.8%, 95.5%, and four of eight patients with a pre‐implant IPSS of 0–7, 8–19 and ≥ 20, respectively) were within the IPSS 0–7 category. Compared to the pre‐implant IPSS, 13 patients (8%) were assigned to a higher IPSS severity category. Neither prolonged urinary catheter dependency (>5 days; 16 patients, 1.5%) or transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP, 17 patients, 1.6%) depended on the pre‐implant IPSS subgroup. In Cox regression analysis, IPSS resolution was best predicted by pre‐implant IPSS, prolonged catheter dependency by patient age, and TURP by any catheter dependency, the maximum IPSS increase and the maximum urethral dose.CONCLUSIONSThe IPSS before implantation predicted the resolution of IPSS after brachytherapy, but did not correlate with substantial urinary morbidity, including catheter dependency or the need for TURP. At 5 years after brachytherapy, 90.1% of patients at risk were assigned to the IPSS 0–7 category.
Proteinuria on dipstick urine analysis after sexual intercourse
Authors: DOMACHEVSKY LIRAN , GRUPPER MOTI , SHOCHAT TZIPPORA , ADIR YOCHAI 
Published: December 2005

OBJECTIVETo examine the role of sexual intercourse as a cause of proteinuria, and establishes its duration, as a knowledge of benign causes of proteinuria is required to avoid unnecessary testing.SUBJECTS AND METHODSTwenty‐four married couples were instructed to produce a urine sample before and after sexual intercourse; their urine was tested for proteinuria by dipstick analysis.RESULTSSamples were assayed from 22 men and 11 women. Whereas none of the 24 men originally assessed for the study had proteinuria before sexual intercourse, six of the 22 who were eventually enrolled had proteinuria after intercourse (27.3%, 95% confidence interval, 10–50%; P = 0.008). None of the women had proteinuria after sexual intercourse (95% confidence interval, 70–100%). The time to disappearance of proteinuria was <12 h.CONCLUSIONSexual intercourse is confirmed as a benign cause of proteinuria in men. Whenever possible, it is wise to avoid sexual intercourse at least 12 h before urinary dipstick testing.
Mumps orchitis in the non‐immune postpubertal male: a resurgent threat to male fertility?
Authors: PHILIP JOE , SELVAN DAVID , DESMOND ANTHONY D. 
Published: December 2005

OBJECTIVETo report clinical findings associated with an increased incidence of mumps orchitis in Liverpool, UK, as in the last 2 years there has been a four‐fold increase in the number of notified viral mumps cases in the UK.PATIENTS AND METHODSIn the 8 months before April 2005, patients presenting to the Accident and Emergency/Urology Departments of the Royal Liverpool University Hospital with a diagnosis of epididymo‐orchitis were identified from the emergency urological admission database.RESULTSOf 195 males presenting with an acute history of testicular pain and swelling, 25 gave a history of mumps parotitis 4–11 days earlier. Three had bilateral orchitis and two needed scrotal exploration to exclude torsion. Scrotal ultrasonography findings varied from increased vascularity to abnormal testicular echo texture. Treatment included analgesia, scrotal support, re‐hydration and broad‐spectrum antibiotics. Of the 10 patients followed‐up to date, four had testicular abnormalities; one had persistent testicular pain, one a change in testicular consistency, one a noticeably reduced size of one testis, and one significant testicular atrophy.CONCLUSIONAs postpubertal mumps in males is associated with a 40% incidence of orchitis, parents should be made aware that failing to immunize their children threatens the future fertility of their sons. Young men not immunized as children should be counselled and offered urgent vaccination. Clinicians should be aware that epididymo‐orchitis may be secondary to mumps infection even with no history or clinical evidence of parotitis.
OPTIMAL DEBT AND ENDOGENOUS GROWTH IN MODELS OF INTERNATIONAL FINANCE
Authors: STEIN JEROME L. 
Published: December 2005

The International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the bond rating agencies did not anticipate the crises in Asia 1997–98 and in Argentina 2001. With this statement in mind, we consider some multi‐stage inter‐temporal stochastic optimisation models in international finance that imply theoretically founded and empirically measurable Early Warning Signals. The mathematical technique is dynamic programming/stochastic optimal control (DP/SOC).The variables of interest are the optimal foreign debt, consumption, capital and the growth rate of GDP. They are used as benchmarks of economic performance. By comparing the actual debt to the optimal debt we derive a measure of the sustainability of the debt and vulnerability to default problems. The two sources of uncertainty – the productivity of capital and the real interest rate on the foreign debt – are modeled as stochastic processes. Specific applications of the DP/SOC techniques are given for country defaults in Asia and Latin America, and the US current account deficits.
Forecast Encompassing and Parameter Estimation*
Authors: Harvey David I. , Newbold Paul 
Published: December 2005

AbstractA desirable property of a forecast is that it encompasses competing predictions, in the sense that the accuracy of the preferred forecast cannot be improved through linear combination with a rival prediction. In this paper, we investigate the impact of the uncertainty associated with estimating model parameters in‐sample on the encompassing properties of out‐of‐sample forecasts. Specifically, using examples of non‐nested econometric models, we show that forecasts from the true (but estimated) data generating process (DGP) do not encompass forecasts from competing mis‐specified models in general, particularly when the number of in‐sample observations is small. Following this result, we also examine the scope for achieving gains in accuracy by combining the forecasts from the DGP and mis‐specified models.