bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Staphylococcus aureus in nasal lavage and biopsy of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Niederfuhr A. , Kirsche H. , Deutschle T. , Poppert S. , Riechelmann H. , Wellinghausen N. 
Published: September 2008

Background:  Staphylococcus aureus may play a relevant etiologic role in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and may explain the TH2 shift observed in CRS with nasal polyps (CRSNP+). Naturally occurring S. aureus small colony variants (SASCV) escape immune surveillance, antibiotic treatment and microbiologic routine diagnostic techniques. The frequency of S. aureus and SASCV in CRS patients and S. aureus‐related effects on the local immune response should be prospectively investigated.Methods:  Nasal lavages and mucosal biopsies of CRS patients were examined with bacterial culture suitable for detecting SASCV, real time PCR and fluorescence in situ hybridization. To assess the effects of S. aureus positivity, interleukin‐5 (IL‐5), interferon‐γ, total immunoglobulin E (IgE), eotaxin, granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor, and eosinophil cationic protein in nasal lavages were determined and gene transcription analysis of nasal biopsies from S. aureus positive and negative CRSNP+ patients was performed.Results:  Thirty‐one CRSNP+ patients, 13 CRS patients without polyps, and 21 control patients were evaluated. Staphylococcus aureus was detected by any method in 25 patients (39%). Staphylococcus aureus detection rates did not differ between the three disease groups (P = 0.3). Staphylococcus aureus small colony variants were not found. In nasal lavages, IL‐5 and total IgE levels were higher in CRSNP+ patients than in CRSNP− patients or controls (P < 0.05). Staphylococcus aureus positivity did not influence biomarker concentrations in nasal lavages. Genes for TH2 cytokines were not differentially transcribed.Conclusions:  We could not observe a higher prevalence of S. aureus in CRS patients with or without nasal polyps than in controls. We could not substantiate that S. aureus intensifies the TH2 shift in CRSNP+ patients. Staphylococcus aureus small colony variants were not detected in any sample.
Profiling Planctomycetales diversity with reference to anammox‐related bacteria in a South China Sea, deep‐sea sediment
Authors: Shu Qinglong , Jiao Nianzhi 
Published: September 2008

AbstractA systematic assessment of Planctomycetales diversity in a South China Sea, deep‐sea sediment (1657 m) was conducted using the 16S rRNA gene analysis approach. PCR amplification of the samples from seven sediment layers (0.1, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 m below the surface sediment) using the primer set Pla‐46‐F/1392‐R showed that the Planctomycetales existed within a limited range of sediment depths (≤ 5 m), and had a decreasing trend in diversity with increasing depth. The majority of the retrieved Pla‐46‐F/1392‐R sequences belonged to Pirellula‐related Planctomycetales, and two sequences retrieved from the 0.1‐m layer (GenBank accession numbers: DQ996944 and DQ996945) shared the same anammox‐related signature oligonucleotides and were closely related to commonly recognized anammox organisms. To identify new anammox‐related biomarkers, three primer sets were designed for amplifying the fragments of hydroxylamine oxidoreductase and S‐adenosylmethionine radical enzyme genes, but no related sequences were found. Our multiple 16S rRNA gene primer sets (Journal of Rapid Methods and Automation in Microbiology, 2008, in press) revealed even an higher diversity of Planctomycetales in the 0.1‐m layer of the sediment, especially at genus level. Our data profiled the distribution pattern of Planctomycetales diversity along sediment depths, and provided molecular evidence for the existence of anammox‐related bacteria in a new location, which broadens our understanding of Planctomycetales diversity in deep sea sediments.
Profiling police presentations of mental health consumers to an emergency department
Authors: Lee Soung , Brunero Scott , Fairbrother Greg , Cowan Darrin 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACT:  Public mental health systems have been called on to better meet the needs of consumers presenting to health services with the police, yet few studies have examined police presentations among mental health consumers in large public mental health systems. This study was designed to determine the frequency profile and characteristics of consumers of mental health services brought in by police to an emergency department (ED) in Sydney, Australia. Using data from the emergency department information system and obtaining the psychiatric assessment from the medical record, we have examined trends and characteristics in mental health presentations brought in by the police to a general ED between 2003 and 2005. The sample consisted of 542 consumers with a mental health problem brought in by the police to the ED of a 350‐bed community hospital. The characteristics of this group were compared with those of all mental health related ED presentations for the same period using logistic regression. Results indicated that police presentations are likely to be young males who are unemployed, have past and present alcohol and other drugs use, present after hours, and are admitted to hospital as a result of their presentation. These consumers are likely to have a presenting problem of a psychotic disorder, less likely to have a presenting problem of depression and/or anxiety, and given a triage code of three or higher.The study results highlight the importance of the availability of 24‐hour access to mental health care to ensure a quick care delivery response. Police presentations to EDs with mental health issues are an indicator of significant impact on health services, especially with the current overcrowding of EDs and the associated long waiting times. Systems need to be developed that facilitate collaboration between EDs, hospital security, police services, mental health, and ambulance services.
Shifts in microbial and chemical patterns within the marine sponge Aplysina aerophoba during a disease outbreak
Authors: Webster Nicole S. , Xavier Joana R. , Freckelton Marnie , Motti Cherie A. , Cobb Rose 
Published: September 2008

SummaryThe microbial community composition in affected and unaffected portions of diseased sponges and healthy control sponges of Aplysina aerophoba was assessed to ascertain the role of microbes in the disease process. Sponge secondary metabolites were also examined to assess chemical shifts in response to infection. The microbial profile and aplysinimine levels in unaffected tissue near the lesions closely reflected those of healthy sponge tissue, indicating a highly localized disease process. DGGE detected multiple sequences that were exclusively present in diseased sponges. Most notably, a Deltaproteobacteria sequence with high homology to a coral black band disease strain was detected in all sponge lesions and was absent from all healthy and unaffected regions of diseased sponges. Other potential pathogens identified by DGGE include an environmental Cytophaga strain and a novel Epsilonproteobacteria strain with no known close relatives. The disease process also caused a major shift in prokaryote community structure at a very high taxonomic level. Using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, only the diseased sponges were found to contain sequences belonging to the Epsilonproteobacteria and Firmicutes, and there was a much greater number of Bacteroidetes sequences within the diseased sponges. In contrast, only the healthy sponges contained sequences corresponding to the cyanobacteria and ‘OP1’ candidate division, and the healthy sponges were dominated by Chloroflexi and Gammaproteobacteria sequences. Overall bacterial diversity was found to be considerably higher in diseased sponges than in healthy sponges. These results provide a platform for future cultivation‐based experiments to isolate the putative pathogens from A. aerophoba and perform re‐infection trials to define the disease aetiology.
Effect of sulfate on methanogenic communities that degrade unsaturated and saturated long‐chain fatty acids (LCFA)
Authors: Sousa Diana Z. , Alves Joana I. , Alves M. Madalena , Smidt Hauke , Stams Alfons J. M. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryAnaerobic bacteria involved in the degradation of long‐chain fatty acids (LCFA), in the presence of sulfate as electron acceptor, were studied by combined cultivation‐dependent and molecular techniques. The bacterial diversity in four mesophilic sulfate‐reducing enrichment cultures, growing on oleate (C18:1, unsaturated LCFA) or palmitate (C16:0, saturated LCFA), was studied by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) profiling of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐amplified 16S rRNA gene fragments. These enrichment cultures were started using methanogenic inocula in order to assess the competition between methanogenic communities and sulfate‐reducing bacteria. Phylogenetic affiliation of rRNA gene sequences corresponding to predominant DGGE bands demonstrated that members of the Syntrophomonadaceae, together with sulfate reducers mainly belonging to the Desulfovibrionales and Syntrophobacteraceae groups, were present in the sulfate‐reducing enrichment cultures. Subculturing of LCFA‐degrading methanogenic cultures in the presence of sulfate resulted in the inhibition of methanogenesis and, after several transfers, archaea could no longer be detected by real‐time PCR. Competition for hydrogen and acetate was therefore won by sulfate reducers, but acetogenic syntrophic bacteria were the only known LCFA‐degrading organisms present after subculturing with sulfate. Principal component analysis of the DGGE profiles from methanogenic and sulfate‐reducing oleate‐ and palmitate‐enrichment cultures showed a greater influence of the substrate than the presence or absence of sulfate, indicating that the bacterial communities degrading LCFA in the absence/presence of sulfate are rather stable.
Biodegradation of 2,4,6‐TCA by the white‐rot fungusPhlebia radiatais initiated by a phase I (O‐demethylation)–phase II (O‐conjugation) reactions system: implications for the chlorine cycle
Authors: Campoy Sonia , Álvarez‐Rodríguez María Luisa , Recio Eliseo , Rumbero Angel , Coque Juan‐José R. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryThirteen species of white‐rot fungi tested have been shown to efficiently biodegrade 1 mM 2,4,6‐trichloroanisole (2,4,6‐TCA) in liquid cultures. The maximum biodegradation rate (94.5% in 10‐day incubations) was exhibited by aPhlebia radiatastrain. The enzymes of the ligninolytic complex, laccase, lignin peroxidase (LiP), manganese peroxidase (MnP) and versatile peroxidase (VP) were not able to transform 2,4,6‐TCA inin vitroreactions, indicating that the ligninolytic complex was not involved in the initial attack to 2,4,6‐TCA. Instead, the first biodegradative steps were carried out by a phase I and phase II reactions system. Phase I reaction consisted on a O‐demethylation catalysed by a microsomal cytochrome P‐450 monooxygenase to produce 2,4,6‐trichlorophenol (2,4,6‐TCP). Later, in a phase II reaction catalysed by a microsomal UDP‐glucosyltransferase, 2,4,6‐TCP was detoxified by O‐conjugation withd‐glucose to produce 2,4,6‐TCP‐1‐O‐d‐glucoside (TCPG). This compound accumulated in culture supernatants, reaching its maximum concentration between 48 and 72 h of growth. TCPG levels decreased constantly by the end of fermentation, indicating that it was subsequently metabolized. A catalase activity was able to breakin vitrothe glycosidic link to produce 2,4,6‐TCP, whereas ligninolytic enzymes did not have a significant effect on the biotransformation of that compound. Once formed, 2,4,6‐TCP was further degraded as detected by a concomitant release of 2.6 mol of chloride ions by 1 mol of initial 2,4,6‐TCA, indicating that this compound underwent almost a complete dehalogenation and biodegradation. It was concluded thatP. radiatacombines two different degradative mechanisms in order to biodegrade 2,4,6‐TCA. The significance of the capability of white‐rot fungi to O‐demethylate chloroanisoles for the global chlorine cycle is discussed.
The ‘Stage, Size, Grade and Necrosis’ score is more accurate than the University of California Los Angeles Integrated Staging System for predicting cancer‐specific survival in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Ficarra Vincenzo , Novara Giacomo , Galfano Antonio , Brunelli Matteo , Cavalleri Stefano , Martignoni Guido , Artibani Walter 
Published: September 2008

OBJECTIVETo compare the prognostic accuracy of the two most used integrated staging systems to predict the outcome of patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC).PATIENTS AND METHODSWe retrospectively evaluated the clinical and pathological data of 388 patients surgically treated for clear cell RCC between 1986 and 2000. The pathological slides of all specimens were reviewed by a pathologist unaware of patient outcome. All patients were classified according to the ‘Stage, Size, Grade and Necrosis’ (SSIGN) score and University of California Los Angeles Integrated Staging System (UISS) model, and the predictive accuracy of the two models was evaluated using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves.RESULTSThe median follow‐up was 56 months; the 10‐year cancer‐specific survival (CSS) probabilities according to the SSIGN score were 96% in the ‘0–2’ category, 78% in the ‘3–4’, 43% in the ‘5–6’, 25.8% in the ‘7–9’ and 0% in the ‘≥10’ group (P < 0.001). According to the UISS, in nonmetastatic patients the 10‐year CSS probabilities were 100% in low, 73% in intermediate and 62% in high‐risk groups; in metastatic patients the respective CSS probabilities were 37%, 33% and 12.5% (P < 0.001). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.870 for the SSIGN score and 0.832 for the UISS. Including only nonmetastatic patients in the analysis, the AUC was 0.830 for the SSIGN score and 0.760 for the UISS model.CONCLUSIONOur study shows for the first time that the SSIGN score offers a better stratification of clear cell RCC than the UISS model. These data should be considered in the design of future randomized controlled trials.
Transitional cell carcinomas of the renal pelvis and the ureter: comparative demographic characteristics, pathological grade and stage and 5‐year survival in a Taiwanese population
Authors: Tan Lia‐Beng , Chang Lin‐Li , Cheng Kuang‐I. , Huang Chun‐Hsiung , Kwan Aij‐Lie 
Published: September 2008

OBJECTIVETo compare the predictive value for 5‐year survival of demographic characteristics, pathological grade and stage between upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) of the renal pelvis (RPUC) and ureter (UUC) in a Taiwanese population.PATIENTS AND METHODSIn this study (1986–98) we analysed 141 patients with UTUC, including 71 with RPUC and 70 with UUC (median age 59 years; median follow‐up 54 months, sd 2.5). Prognostic indicators were examined by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.RESULTSA significant percentage of patients had tumour on the right side and a high proportion of those with UUC were women. Gross haematuria and hypertension were the most common symptoms of RPUC. The sensitivity of intravenous pyelography in diagnosing RPUC and UUC was 49% (34/69) and 36% (25/70), respectively. However, in patients assessed by retrograde pyelography the diagnostic sensitivity was 85% (60/71) for RPUC and 89% (55/62) for UUC. The incidence of tumour recurrence after nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff excision was significantly higher in those with UUC (13%) than RPUC (3.6%). Distant metastasis was detected in 37 of 141 (26%) patients, the most common sites being bone (46%), lung (22%), liver (14%) and colon (8%). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed significant differences in the prognosis for high‐grade and high‐stage tumours. The prognosis was particularly poor in patients aged >60 years. According to the multivariate logistic regression analysis, tumour stage and grade were the best outcome predictors for RPUC, but stage and age were the best outcome predictors for UUC.CONCLUSIONUUC is more common in women and has a more aggressive clinical outcome than RPUC after nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff incision. Tumour stage and grade are the best predictors of survival in patients with RPUC. Also, in patients with UUC the prognosis is poor in older patients and those with advanced stages of cancer.
Urolithiasis in the horseshoe kidney: a single‐centre experience
Authors: Symons Stephanie J. , Ramachandran Anil , Kurien Abraham , Baiysha Ramen , Desai Mahesh R. 
Published: September 2008

OBJECTIVETo report the operative management and subsequent stone‐free rates of patients with urolithiasis in a horseshoe kidney and treated at one centre.PATIENTS AND METHODSWe retrospectively reviewed all patients presenting to our centre with a horseshoe kidney and urolithiasis over a 15‐year period. The stone burden, surgical management, complications and stone clearance rates were recorded.RESULTSIn all, 55 patients with urolithiasis in horseshoe kidney were treated. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) was used in 60 renal units in 47 patients. Five patients had extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), two had flexible ureteroscopy and one had a laparoscopic pyelolithotomy for a stone extending into the isthmus. PCNL was used for large stones (mean digitized surface area = 614.32 mm2) and required one to four stages to achieve an overall stone clearance rate of 88%. Stones were cleared at one sitting in 77% of PCNL procedures, completely cleared in two‐thirds of patients treated by ESWL, and in both who had flexible ureteroscopy and the one treated with laparoscopic pyelolithotomy. Complications were minimal, with 15% minor and 3% major complications in the PCNL group only.CONCLUSIONAppropriate management of urolithiasis within the horseshoe kidney depends not only on stone burden, but also on stone location, calyceal configuration and malrotation. Stones can be cleared successfully in almost all patients providing that all techniques are available to the operating surgeon.
A canine model of irreversible urethral sphincter insufficiency
Authors: Eberli Daniel , Andersson Karl‐Erik , Yoo James J. , Atala Anthony 
Published: September 2008

OBJECTIVETo develop a canine model of external urinary sphincter insufficiency by creating irreversible damage to the sphincter, because there is a need for a reliable and reproducible large animal model for the study of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) caused by deficient sphincter function.MATERIALS AND METHODSAbout a quarter of the total external sphincter muscle was removed microsurgically from seven female dogs; three age‐matched dogs served as normal controls. The dogs had standard urodynamic and radiographic studies before and at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 months after surgery. Three dogs were killed at 4 months and four at 7 months after surgery for tissue analyses.RESULTSThe interventions produced a consistent outcome. Urodynamic studies showed a significant and sustained decrease in sphincter function, which included a static urethral pressure profile, stress urethral profile and detrusor leak‐point pressure. Furthermore, in vivo pudendal nerve stimulation and organ‐bath studies of the retrieved tissue strips confirmed the loss of sphincter tissue function. Histologically, absence of functional sphincter muscle was evident in the damaged sphincter region.CONCLUSIONSThese results show that a reliable and reproducible canine model of irreversible sphincter insufficiency can be created by microsurgical removal of sphincter muscle tissue. This model of external sphincter insufficiency could be used for evaluating methods (e.g. cell therapies) for treating SUI.
The single insult of hypoxic preconditioning induces an antiapoptotic response in human proximal tubular cells, in vitro, across cold storage
Authors: Daly Pádraig J. , Docherty Neil G. , Healy Declan A. , McGuire Barry B. , Fitzpatrick John M. , Watson R. William G. 
Published: September 2008

OBJECTIVETo examine whether hypoxia (one of the many components of ischaemic preconditioning) can induce a protective response in culture renal tubular cells, and thus determine if non‐lethal periods of hypoxia could confer protection against apoptotic injury to human proximal tubular cells during cold storage and subsequent cytotoxic insult, and establish the cellular mechanisms by which this protection is induced.MATERIALS AND METHODSHuman proximal tubular cells (HK‐2) were pre‐incubated for 24 h in normoxic or hypoxic conditions and then incubated at 4 °C for 6 h to mimic cold storage, before being returned to normal conditions and exposed to varying concentrations of cyclosporine A (CSA). Cell viability and apoptosis were measured using propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry. The expression of heat‐shock protein (HSP)‐70 was determined by Western blotting.RESULTSHypoxia had no effect on cell viability or apoptosis. Pre‐exposure of cells to hypoxia significantly protected against CSA‐induced damage even after a period of cold storage. Western blotting analysis showed that hypoxia up‐regulated the anti‐apoptotic protein HSP‐70. HK‐2 cells over‐expressing HSP‐70 mimicked hypoxia preconditioning, in that they were protected during cold storage and CSA‐induced apoptosis.CONCLUSIONExposure of renal tubular cells to a sequential model of cold storage, reperfusion and incubation with CSA resulted in apoptotic cell death. Preconditioning these cells with hypoxia induced a protective response and up‐regulation of the anti‐apoptotic protein HSP‐70. There was a similar response in non‐preconditioned cells over‐expressing HSP‐70. Further understanding of the cellular changes occurring during this period of preconditioning will allow the development of more targeted, clinically relevant methods of preconditioning in renal transplantation.
A phase II study of high‐dose calcitriol combined with mitoxantrone and prednisone for androgen‐independent prostate cancer
Authors: Chan Joseph S. , Beer Tomasz M. , Quinn David I. , Pinski Jacek K. , Garzotto Mark , Sokoloff Mitchell , Dehaze Daniel R. , Ryan Christopher W. 
Published: September 2008

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the preliminary efficacy, safety, and impact on quality of life (QoL) of high‐dose calcitriol (DN‐101) combined with mitoxantrone and glucocorticoids in androgen‐independent prostate cancer (AIPC).PATIENTS AND METHODSNineteen patients with metastatic AIPC and no previous chemotherapy received DN‐101 180 µg orally on day 1 and mitoxantrone 12 mg/m2 intravenously on day 2 every 21 days with continuous daily prednisone 10 mg orally for a maximum of 12 cycles. A confirmed decline in prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) levels by half was the primary endpoint. QoL was evaluated using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ‐C30 questionnaire, and pain and analgesic use were evaluated.RESULTSFive of 19 patients (26%; 95% confidence interval, CI, 9–51) achieved a ≥50% decline in PSA level. The median (95% CI) time to PSA progression was 16 (6–26) weeks. The overall median (95% CI) survival was 16 (6–26) months; 47 (21–73)% of patients achieved an analgesic response. Toxicity was similar to that expected with mitoxantrone and prednisone alone. The QoL analysis suggested a decrease in physical functioning and increase in fatigue, insomnia, and diarrhoea.CONCLUSIONSDN‐101 given every 3 weeks does not add significant activity to mitoxantrone and prednisone in AIPC, as measured by the PSA decline. The high rate of analgesic response is encouraging. The addition of DN‐101 does not appear to increase the toxicity of mitoxantrone.