bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Molecular Fingerprint Technique to Detect Pollution‐Related Changes in River Cyanobacterial Diversity
Authors: Rodríguez Virginia , Aguirre de Cárcer Daniel , Loza Virginia , Perona Elvira , Mateo Pilar 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACTHumans now have a strong influence on almost every major aquatic ecosystem, and our activities have dramatically altered the quality of receiving waters worldwide. Thus, there is a continuous need to develop and apply novel and effective technologies to detect, manage, and correct human‐induced degradation of aquatic systems. In the present work, we evaluated the molecular approach using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (TGGE) to measure changes in cyanobacterial diversity along a pollution gradient in a river and compared it with that of using microscopic observations of field‐fixed and cultured samples. The different 16S rDNA genes present in the cyanobacterial community of each sampling point of the river were separated by TGGE, giving a characteristic pattern of bands for each site. This pattern represents a “fingerprint” of the community, allowing direct comparisons of the different samples. The TGGE results revealed that the structure of the cyanobacterial community differed along the pollution gradient of the river. Microscopic and molecular approaches showed that cyanobacterial diversity decreased in a downstream direction. Similar results were obtained by the two methods, as indicated by the high correlation between them. We suggest PCR‐TGGE could be a useful and rapidly applied technique for the routine analysis of changes in cyanobacterial diversity in response to pollution, which would allow us to monitor rivers in surveillance networks of watercourse quality.
Microbial Biomass Governs Enzyme Activity Decay during Aging of Worm‐Worked Substrates through Vermicomposting
Authors: Aira Manuel , Monroy Fernando , Domínguez Jorge 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACTVermicomposting is the biooxidation and stabilization of organic matter involving the joint action of earthworms and microorganisms, thereby turning wastes into a valuable soil amendment called vermicompost. Studies have focused on the changes in the type of substrates available before and after vermicomposting, but little is known on how these changes take place, especially those changes related with maturation of vermicompost. This study investigated the effects of aging on the microbiological properties of fresh vermicompost produced from pig slurry by analyzing the substrate after the earthworms had left it. We incubated 16‐wk‐old vermicompost and sampled it after 15, 30, 45, and 60 d analyzing microbial biomass and activity (assessed as microbial biomass N and basal respiration respectively) and four enzymatic activities (β‐glucosidase, cellulase, protease, and alkaline phosphatase). Aging of vermicompost resulted in decreases of microbial biomass and activity. Three of the four enzymes analyzed also showed decrease. An initial increase followed by a rapid decrease in alkaline phosphatase was also recorded. High and significant correlations between microbial biomass and β‐glucosidase (r = 0.62, P < 0.001), cellulase (r = 0.56, P < 0.01), and protease (r = 0.82, P < 0.001) were found. Results suggest that there may be two steps involved in the aging dynamics of vermicompost with regards to extracellular enzyme activity; the first step was characterized by a decrease in microbial populations, which resulted in a reduction in the synthesis of new enzymes. The second step was the degradation of the pool of remaining enzymes. This dynamic does not seem to be affected by earthworms because similar decaying patterns of microbial biomass and activity were found in substrate where earthworms were present.
Effect of Dissolved Organic Carbon on Zinc Solubility in Incubated Biosolids‐Amended Soils
Authors: Antoniadis Vasileios , Tsadilas Christos D. , Stamatiadis Stamatis 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACTSoil organic carbon (SOC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) affect long‐term heavy metal solubility in biosolids‐amended soils, but their role needs to be further studied under Mediterranean climatic conditions. We investigated Zn solubility, as assessed by water extraction, in two typical Greek soils amended with biosolids at 0, 20, and 100 Mg ha−1during a 310‐d incubation period. It was found that SOC decreased by nearly 30% over time in the 100 Mg ha−1treatment. There was evidence that DOC affected Zn solubility, because DOC increased significantly on Day 23, probably due to a flush in microbial activity, and water‐extractable Zn followed the same trend. After that, both DOC and water‐extractable Zn decreased back to values similar to those of the unamended soils. Although Zn solubility did not increase overall even at high biosolids application rates, this study shows that time‐limited fluctuations in Zn solubility due to sudden DOC flushes, can be significant, and need to be further investigated.
Impact of Self-Reported Patient Characteristics Upon Assessment of Glycemic Control in the Veterans Health Administration
Authors: Maney Miriam , Tseng Chin-Lin , Safford Monika M. , Miller Donald R. , Pogach Leonard M. 
Published: January 2007

OBJECTIVE— The purpose of this article was to evaluate the impact of self-reported patient factors on quality assessment of Veterans Health Administration medical centers in achieving glycemic control.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS— We linked survey data and administrative records for veterans who self-reported diabetes on a 1999 national weighted survey. Linear regression models were used to adjust A1C levels in fiscal year 2000 for socioeconomic status (education level, employment, and concerns of having enough food), social support (marital status and living alone), health behaviors (smoking, alcohol use, and exercise level), physical and mental health status, BMI, and diabetes duration. Medical centers were ranked by deciles, with and without adjustment for patient characteristics, on proportions of patients achieving A1C &lt;7 or &lt;8%.
RESULTS— There was substantial medical center level variation in patient characteristics of the 56,740 individuals from 105 centers, e.g., grade school education (mean 15.3% [range 2.3–32.7%]), being retired (38.3% [19.9−59.7%]) or married (65.2% [43.7–77.8%]), food insufficiency (13.9% [7.2–24.6%]), and no reported exercise (43.2% [31.1–53.6%]). The final model had an R2 of 7.8%. The Spearman rank coefficient comparing the thresholds adjusted only for age and sex to the full model was 0.71 for &lt;7% and 0.64 for &lt;8% (P &lt; 0.0001). After risk adjustment, 4 of the 11 best-performing centers changed at least two deciles for the &lt;7% threshold, and 2 of 11 changed two deciles for the &lt;8% threshold.
CONCLUSIONS— Adjustment for patient self-reported socioeconomic status and health impacts medical center rankings for glycemic control, suggesting the need for risk adjustment to assure valid inferences about quality.
Physical Activity in U.S. Adults With Diabetes and At Risk for Developing Diabetes, 2003
Authors: Morrato Elaine H. , Hill James O. , Wyatt Holly R. , Ghushchyan Vahram , Sullivan Patrick W. 
Published: January 2007

OBJECTIVE—Given the risk of obesity and diabetes in the U.S., and clear benefit of exercise in disease prevention and management, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of physical activity among adults with and at risk for diabetes.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey is a nationally representative survey of the U.S. population. In the 2003 survey, 23,283 adults responded when asked about whether they were physically active (moderate or vigorous activity, ≥30 min, three times per week). Information on sociodemographic characteristics and health conditions were self-reported. Additional type 2 diabetes risk factors examined were age ≥45 years, non-Caucasian ethnicity, BMI ≥25 kg/m2, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease.
RESULTS—A total of 39% of adults with diabetes were physically active versus 58% of adults without diabetes. The proportion of active adults without diabetes declined as the number of risk factors increased until dropping to similar rates as people with diabetes. After adjustment for sociodemographic and clinical factors, the strongest correlates of being physically active were income level, limitations in physical function, depression, and severe obesity (BMI ≥40 kg/m2). Several traditional predictors of activity (sex, education level, and having received past advice from a health professional to exercise more) were not evident among respondents with diabetes.
CONCLUSIONS—The majority of patients with diabetes or at highest risk for developing type 2 diabetes do not engage in regular physical activity, with a rate significantly below national norms. There is a great need for efforts to target interventions to increase physical activity in these individuals.
Effect of Periodontitis on Overt Nephropathy and End-Stage Renal Disease in Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Shultis Wendy A. , Weil E. Jennifer , Looker Helen C. , Curtis Jeffrey M. , Shlossman Marc , Genco Robert J. , Knowler William C. , Nelson Robert G. 
Published: January 2007

OBJECTIVE—The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of periodontitis on development of overt nephropathy, defined as macroalbuminuria, and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in type 2 diabetes.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Individuals residing in the Gila River Indian Community aged ≥25 years with type 2 diabetes, one or more periodontal examination, estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥60 ml/min per 1.73 m2, and no macroalbuminuria (urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio ≥300 mg/g) were identified. Periodontitis was classified as none/mild, moderate, severe, or edentulous using number of teeth and alveolar bone score. Subjects were followed to development of macroalbuminuria or ESRD, defined as onset of renal replacement therapy or death attributed to diabetic nephropathy.
RESULTS—Of the 529 individuals, 107 (20%) had none/mild periodontitis, 200 (38%) had moderate periodontitis, 117 (22%) had severe periodontitis, and 105 (20%) were edentulous at baseline. During follow-up of up to 22 years, 193 individuals developed macroalbuminuria and 68 developed ESRD. Age- and sex-adjusted incidence of macroalbuminuria and ESRD increased with severity of periodontitis. After adjustment for age, sex, diabetes duration, BMI, and smoking in a proportional hazards model, the incidences of macroalbuminuria were 2.0, 2.1, and 2.6 times as high in individuals with moderate or severe periodontitis or those who were edentulous, respectively, compared with those with none/mild periodontitis (P = 0.01). Incidences of ESRD in individuals with moderate or severe periodontitis or in those who were edentulous were 2.3, 3.5, and 4.9 times as high, respectively, compared with those with none/mild periodontitis (P = 0.02).
CONCLUSIONS—Periodontitis predicts development of overt nephropathy and ESRD in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Whether treatment of periodontitis will reduce the risk of diabetic kidney disease remains to be determined.
Serum Adiponectin and Renal Dysfunction in Men With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Lin Julie , Hu Frank B. , Curhan Gary 
Published: January 2007

OBJECTIVE—Inflammation is associated with both chronic kidney dysfunction and type 2 diabetes. Adiponectin, a novel circulating anti-inflammatory protein made by adipocytes, has been reported to be lower in diabetic than nondiabetic subjects. In contrast, serum levels of adiponectin are elevated in end-stage renal disease. We sought to investigate the relation between adiponectin and mild to moderate renal dysfunction in men with type 2 diabetes.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the relation between serum adiponectin concentrations and the presence of renal dysfunction (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] &lt;60 ml/min per 1.73 m2 by the four-variable Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation) in participants with type 2 diabetes in the Health Professionals’ Follow-Up Study. A total of 733 men were included in this cross-sectional analysis.RESULTS—Adiponectin was positively correlated with age (Spearman coefficient, r = 0.19, P &lt; 0.001) and negatively correlated with weight (Spearman coefficient, r = −0.18, P &lt; 0.001). Those with adiponectin in the second quartile or higher (&gt;10 μg/ml) compared with those in the first quartile had a reduced odds for renal dysfunction (multivariate odds ratio 0.48 [95% CI 0.28–0.81]). These results were unchanged when serum lipids were included in the multivariate model.CONCLUSIONS—We conclude that a higher serum adiponectin concentration is associated with reduced odds of moderate renal dysfunction in men with type 2 diabetes.
Total and High–Molecular Weight Adiponectin in Relation to Metabolic Variables at Baseline and in Response to an Exercise Treatment Program
Authors: Blüher Matthias , Brennan Aoife M. , Kelesidis Theodoros , Kratzsch Jürgen , Fasshauer Mathias , Kralisch Susan , Williams Catherine J. , Mantzoros Christos S. 
Published: January 2007

OBJECTIVE—Adiponectin, an adipocyte-secreted hormone, circulates in the serum in several multimeric forms. Compared with total adiponectin, high–molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin has been suggested to be a better predictor of metabolic parameters and insulin sensitivity in humans. Our objective was to compare total adiponectin with HMW adiponectin as predictors of metabolic variables and insulin sensitivity at both baseline and after an exercise intervention.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—We obtained blood samples from 60 men and women with normal glucose tolerance (n = 20), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) (n = 20), or type 2 diabetes (n = 20) at baseline and after 4 weeks of training to measure metabolic variables. Using commercially available assays, we measured plasma total adiponectin using LINCO, Mediagnost, and ALPCO assays and HMW adiponectin using an ALPCO assay.
RESULTS—HMW adiponectin and total adiponectin (ALPCO) had similar ability to predict the presence of insulin resistance. Total adiponectin, as measured by radioimmunoassay (LINCO) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (Mediagnost), correlated most strongly with measures of insulin sensitivity (P &lt; 0.01) and lipid profile (P &lt; 0.01) at baseline, showed greater improvements of adiponectin levels (P &lt; 0.001), was more closely associated with improvements of lipid measures with exercise training (P &lt; 0.01), and more accurately predicted insulin resistance and IGT in comparison with total adiponectin or HMW measured with the ALPCO ELISA.
CONCLUSIONS—These results do not support the superiority of HMW over total adiponectin (measured using currently available assays) in assessing metabolic variables at baseline or in response to physical training. Moreover, there are significant differences in the ability of commercially available assays for total adiponectin to predict metabolic variables.
Progression From Newly Acquired Impaired Fasting Glusose to Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Nichols Gregory A. , Hillier Teresa A. , Brown Jonathan B. 
Published: January 2007

OBJECTIVE—We sought to estimate the rate of progression from newly acquired (incident) impaired fasting glucose (IFG) to diabetes under the old and new IFG criteria and to identify predictors of progression to diabetes.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—We identified 5,452 members of an HMO with no prior history of diabetes, with at least two elevated fasting glucose tests (100–125 mg/dl) measured between 1 January 1994 and 31 December 2003, and with a normal fasting glucose test before the two elevated tests. All data were obtained from electronic records of routine clinical care. Subjects were followed until they developed diabetes, died, left the health plan, or until 31 December 2005.
RESULTS—Overall, 8.1% of subjects whose initial abnormal fasting glucose was 100–109 mg/dl (added IFG subjects) and 24.3% of subjects whose initial abnormal fasting glucose was 110–125 mg/dl (original IFG subjects) developed diabetes (P &lt; 0.0001). Added IFG subjects who progressed to diabetes did so within a mean of 41.4 months, a rate of 1.34% per year. Original IFG subjects converted at a rate of 5.56% per year after an average of 29.0 months. A steeper rate of increasing fasting glucose; higher BMI, blood pressure, and triglycerides; and lower HDL cholesterol predicted diabetes development.
CONCLUSIONS—To our knowledge, these are the first estimates of diabetes incidence from a clinical care setting when the date of IFG onset is approximately known under the new criterion for IFG. The older criterion was more predictive of diabetes development. Many newly identified IFG patients progress to diabetes in &lt;3 years, which is the currently recommended screening interval.
Visceral Fatness and Insulin Sensitivity in Women With a Previous History of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Lim Soo , Choi Sung Hee , Park Young Joo , Park Kyong Soo , Lee Hong Kyu , Jang Hak C. , Cho Nam H. , Metzger Boyd E. 
Published: January 2007

OBJECTIVE—The purpose of this study was to investigate the insulin sensitivity and visceral fatness in women with previous gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), who are prone to develop type 2 diabetes.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—A 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) performed 1 year postpartum identified 21 GAD− women with previous GDM and impaired glucose tolerance (GDM-IGT). Sixty age- and BMI-matched women with normal glucose tolerance (GDM-NGT) were selected by 1:3 matching to the GDM-IGT group. Another 18 women with normal glucose metabolism during a previous pregnancy and no family history of diabetes were recruited as the normal control group. Age and BMI matching was performed using a range of ±1.0 years and ±1.0 kg/m2, respectively. Total body fat was measured by tetrapolar bioelectrical impedance, and visceral fat was determined using a single cut of a computed tomography scan. Insulin sensitivity was determined by the minimal model technique using the frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test.
RESULTS—One year postpartum, visceral fat was greater in the GDM-IGT group than in the age- and BMI-matched GDM-NGT or normal control groups. The insulin sensitivity index was lower in the GDM-IGT group than in the GDM-NGT or normal control groups. β-Cell function, as measured by the acute insulin response to glucose, was also lower in GDM-IGT.
CONCLUSIONS—High body fat content, especially visceral fat content, and a low insulin response to glucose seem to contribute simultaneously to the development of impaired glucose metabolism in Korean women with previous GDM.
Probe-to-Bone Test for Diagnosing Diabetic Foot Osteomyelitis
Authors: Lavery Lawrence A. , Armstrong David G. , Peters Edgar J.G. , Lipsky Benjamin A. 
Published: January 2007

OBJECTIVE—We sought to assess the accuracy of the probe-to-bone (PTB) test in diagnosing foot osteomyelitis in a cohort of diabetic patients with bone culture proven disease.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—In this 2-year longitudinal cohort study, we enrolled 1,666 consecutive diabetic individuals who underwent an initial standardized detailed foot assessment, followed by examinations at regular intervals. Patients were instructed to immediately come to the foot clinic if they developed a lower-extremity complication. For all patients with a lower-extremity wound, we compared the results of the PTB test with those of a culture of the affected bone. We called PTB positive if the bone or joint was palpable and defined osteomyelitis as a positive bone culture.
RESULTS—Over a mean of 27.2 months of follow-up, 247 patients developed a foot wound and 151 developed 199 foot infections. Osteomyelitis was found in 30 patients: 12% of those with a foot wound and 20% in those with a foot infection. When all wounds were considered, the PTB test was highly sensitive (0.87) and specific (0.91); the positive predictive value was only 0.57, but the negative predictive value was 0.98.
CONCLUSIONS—The PTB test, when used in a population of diabetic patients with a foot wound among whom the prevalence of osteomyelitis was 12%, had a relatively low positive predictive value, but a negative test may exclude the diagnosis.
The Loss of Postprandial Glycemic Control Precedes Stepwise Deterioration of Fasting With Worsening Diabetes
Authors: Monnier Louis , Colette Claude , Dunseath Gareth J. , Owens David R. 
Published: January 2007

OBJECTIVE— The aim of the study was to determine whether the loss of fasting and postprandial glycemic control occurs in parallel or sequentially in the evolution of type 2 diabetes.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS— In 130 type 2 diabetic patients, 24-h glucose profiles were obtained using a continuous glucose monitoring system. The individuals with type 2 diabetes were divided into five groups according to A1C levels: 1 (&lt;6.5%, n = 30), 2 (6.5–6.9%, n = 17), 3 (7–7.9%, n = 32), 4 (8–8.9%, n = 25), and 5 (≥9%, n = 26). The glucose profiles between the groups were compared. The overall glucose concentrations for the diurnal, nocturnal, and morning periods, which represent the postprandial, fasting, and the dawn phenomenon states, respectively, were also compared.
RESULTS— Glucose concentrations increased steadily from group 1 to 5 in a stepwise manner. The initial differences in mean glucose concentrations reaching statistical significance occurred 1) between groups 1 and 2 (6.4 vs. 7.7 mmol/l, P = 0.0004) for daytime postprandial periods, followed by differences; 2) between groups 2 and 3 (7.5 vs. 9.3 mmol/l, P = 0.0003) for the morning periods (dawn phenomenon); and finally 3) between groups 3 and 4 (6.3 vs. 8.4 mmol/l, P &lt; 0.0001) for nocturnal fasting periods.
CONCLUSIONS— The deterioration of glucose homeostasis in individuals with type 2 diabetes progressed from postprandial to fasting hyperglycemia following a three-step process. The first step related to the three diurnal postmeal periods considered as a whole, the second step occurred during the morning period, and the third and final step corresponded to sustained hyperglycemia over the nocturnal fasting periods. Such a description of the key stages in the evolution of type 2 diabetes may be of interest for implementing antidiabetes treatment.