bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Power output and columbic efficiencies from biofilms of Geobacter sulfurreducens comparable to mixed community microbial fuel cells
Authors: Nevin K. P. , Richter H. , Covalla S. F. , Johnson J. P. , Woodard T. L. , Orloff A. L. , Jia H. , Zhang M. , Lovley D. R. 
Published: June 2008

SummaryIt has been previously noted that mixed communities typically produce more power in microbial fuel cells than pure cultures. If true, this has important implications for the design of microbial fuel cells and for studying the process of electron transfer on anode biofilms. To further evaluate this, Geobacter sulfurreducens was grown with acetate as fuel in a continuous flow ‘ministack’ system in which the carbon cloth anode and cathode were positioned in close proximity, and the cation‐selective membrane surface area was maximized in order to overcome some of the electrochemical limitations that were inherent in fuel cells previously employed for the study of pure cultures. Reducing the size of the anode in order to eliminate cathode limitation resulted in maximum current and power densities per m2 of anode surface of 4.56 A m−2 and 1.88 W m−2 respectively. Electron recovery as current from acetate oxidation was c. 100% when oxygen diffusion into the system was minimized. This performance is comparable to the highest levels previously reported for mixed communities in similar microbial fuel cells and slightly higher than the power output of an anaerobic sludge inoculum in the same ministack system. Minimizing the volume of the anode chamber yielded a volumetric power density of 2.15 kW m−3, which is the highest power density per volume yet reported for a microbial fuel cell. Geobacter sulfurreducens formed relatively uniform biofilms 3–18 μm thick on the carbon cloth anodes. When graphite sticks served as the anode, the current density (3.10 A m−2) was somewhat less than with the carbon cloth anodes, but the biofilms were thicker (c. 50 μm) with a more complex pillar and channel structure. These results suggest that the previously observed disparity in power production in pure and mixed culture microbial fuel cell systems can be attributed more to differences in the fuel cell designs than to any inherent superior capability of mixed cultures to produce more power than pure cultures.
Inverse nickel‐responsive regulation of two urease enzymes in the gastric pathogen Helicobacter mustelae
Authors: Stoof Jeroen , Breijer Simone , Pot Raymond G. J. , van der Neut Daan , Kuipers Ernst J. , Kusters Johannes G. , van Vliet Arnoud H. M. 
Published: June 2008

SummaryThe acidic gastric environment of mammals can be chronically colonized by pathogenic Helicobacter species, which use the nickel‐dependent urea‐degrading enzyme urease to confer acid resistance. Nickel availability in the mammal host is low, being mostly restricted to vegetarian dietary sources, and thus Helicobacter species colonizing carnivores may be subjected to episodes of nickel deficiency and associated acid sensitivity. The aim of this study was to investigate how these Helicobacter species have adapted to the nickel‐restricted diet of their carnivorous host. Three carnivore‐colonizing Helicobacter species express a second functional urea‐degrading urease enzyme (UreA2B2), which functions as adaptation to nickel deficiency. UreA2B2 was not detected in seven other Helicobacter species, and is in Helicobacter mustelae only expressed in nickel‐restricted conditions, and its expression was higher in iron‐rich conditions. In contrast to the standard urease UreAB, UreA2B2 does not require activation by urease or hydrogenase accessory proteins, which mediate nickel incorporation into these enzymes. Activity of either UreAB or UreA2B2 urease allowed survival of a severe acid shock in the presence of urea, demonstrating a functional role for UreA2B2 in acid resistance. Pathogens often express colonization factors which are adapted to their host. The UreA2B2 urease could represent an example of pathogen adaptation to the specifics of the diet of their carnivorous host, rather than to the host itself.
Quantitative microbial faecal source tracking with sampling guided by hydrological catchment dynamics
Authors: Reischer G. H. , Haider J. M. , Sommer R. , Stadler H. , Keiblinger K. M. , Hornek R. , Zerobin W. , Mach R. L. , Farnleitner A. H. 
Published: June 2008

SummaryThe impairment of water quality by faecal pollution is a global public health concern. Microbial source tracking methods help to identify faecal sources but the few recent quantitative microbial source tracking applications disregarded catchment hydrology and pollution dynamics. This quantitative microbial source tracking study, conducted in a large karstic spring catchment potentially influenced by humans and ruminant animals, was based on a tiered sampling approach: a 31‐month water quality monitoring (Monitoring) covering seasonal hydrological dynamics and an investigation of flood events (Events) as periods of the strongest pollution. The detection of a ruminant‐specific and a human‐specific faecal Bacteroidetes marker by quantitative real‐time PCR was complemented by standard microbiological and on‐line hydrological parameters. Both quantitative microbial source tracking markers were detected in spring water during Monitoring and Events, with preponderance of the ruminant‐specific marker. Applying multiparametric analysis of all data allowed linking the ruminant‐specific marker to general faecal pollution indicators, especially during Events. Up to 80% of the variation of faecal indicator levels during Events could be explained by ruminant‐specific marker levels proving the dominance of ruminant faecal sources in the catchment. Furthermore, soil was ruled out as a source of quantitative microbial source tracking markers. This study demonstrates the applicability of quantitative microbial source tracking methods and highlights the prerequisite of considering hydrological catchment dynamics in source tracking study design.
Epibiotic bacteria associated with the recently discovered Yeti crab,Kiwa hirsuta
Authors: Goffredi Shana K. , Jones William J. , Erhlich Hermann , Springer Armin , Vrijenhoek Robert C. 
Published: June 2008

SummaryThe Yeti crab,Kiwa hirsutaMacphersonet al., is the single known species in a recently discovered crab familyKiwaidae(Decapoda:Galatheoidea) from deep‐sea hydrothermal vents. Its chelipeds, walking legs and the ventral surface of its cephalothorax are covered with dense setae that, in turn, are covered with clusters of filamentous bacteria, making the crab appear extraordinarily ‘hairy’. Electron microscopy revealed dense bacterial clusters attached to the chitinous outer layer of the setae. Molecular phylogenetic analyses revealed the setae‐associated bacteria to be dominated by ε‐Proteobacteria(∼56% of the recovered ribotypes), γ‐Proteobacteria(∼25%) andBacteroidetes(∼10%). Fluorescencein situmicroscopy confirmed the attachment of filamentous ε‐Proteobacteriaon setae, but no specialized morphological structures appeared to exist for bacterial attachment. Key enzymes involved in the reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle (ATP‐dependent citrate lyase) and sulfite oxidation or dissimilatory sulfate reduction (bidirectional APS reductase) were detected. Consequently, the potential for carbon fixation and cycling of reduced and oxidized sulfur appear to exist in the dense microflora that grows on the crab's setae.
Excess glycaemic excursions after an oral glucose tolerance test compared with a mixed meal challenge and self‐measured home glucose profiles: is the OGTT a valid predictor of postprandial hyperglycaemia and vice versa?
Authors: Meier J. J. , Baller B. , Menge B. A. , Gallwitz B. , Schmidt W. E. , Nauck M. A. 
Published: June 2008

Introduction:  Postprandial hyperglycaemia is often assumed in individuals with high glucose excursions during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), but the relationship between glucose levels during the OGTT and after a mixed meal is yet unclear. We addressed whether (i) glucose concentrations after an oral glucose load are similar to those after a test meal or under daily life conditions and (ii) impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) predicts postprandial hyperglycaemia.Patients and Methods:  A total of 60 subjects with normal (NGT), IGT or diabetic (DM) glucose tolerance were examined with an OGTT, a mixed meal challenge (3433 kJ) and a self‐determined 10‐point home glucose profile.Results:  There was a significant correlation between the 120‐min OGTT glucose levels and the glycaemic excursions after the test meal and during everyday conditions. However, glucose excursions during the OGTT exceeded those after the test meal and during everyday conditions by ∼20 and ∼30% respectively. Likewise, insulin and C‐peptide levels rose to higher levels after oral glucose compared with mixed meal ingestion. The mean self‐determined diurnal glucose levels were already 10% higher in subjects with IGT compared with NGT subjects (p < 0.0001).Conclusions:  Glucose levels reached after an oral glucose challenge and during real life are correlated to some extent, but the absolute levels of glycaemia greatly differ between both conditions. Therefore, ‘postchallenge’ glucose levels measured during an OGTT might be used as a predictor of ‘postprandial hyperglycaemia’, but caution should be taken when both terms are used synonymously. Furthermore, subjects with IGT during an OGTT already exhibit increased postprandial glucose levels under real‐life conditions. This suggests that IGT should already be considered an overt disease condition rather than merely a high‐risk situation.
Glimepiride upregulates eNOS activity and inhibits cytokine‐induced NF‐κB activation through a phosphoinoside 3‐kinase–Akt‐dependent pathway
Authors: Jojima T. , Suzuki K. , Hirama N. , Uchida K. , Hattori Y. 
Published: June 2008

Aims: Several studies suggest increased mortality postcoronary angioplasty in patients on sulphonylureas. However, a theoretical reduction in cardiac risk has been suggested with the newer sulphonylurea agents, which differ from the first‐generation agents. In the present study, we investigated whether a third generation of sulphonylurea, glimepiride, might stimulate nitric oxide (NO) production and thereby inhibit cytokine‐induced nuclear factor (NF)‐κB activation in endothelial cells compared with the classical sulphonylurea glibenclamide.Methods and Results: We demonstrated that glimepiride, but not glibenclamide, induces NO production in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). A significant increase in endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) activity, measured in terms of citrulline production, was observed with glimepiride treatment. Akt phosphorylation followed by phosphorylation of eNOS (Ser1177) was observed with glimepiride treatment in HUVEC. Moreover, two phosphoinoside 3‐kinase inhibitors, wortmannin and LY294002, significantly inhibited glimepiride‐induced NO production. We also demonstrated inhibition of tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNFα)‐induced NF‐κB activation in HUVEC treated with glimepiride, which was attenuated by pretreatment with Nω‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester. We also demonstrated a marked increase in p65 in nuclear extracts from untreated HUVEC following stimulation with TNFα, which was dose dependently inhibited by glimepiride, but not by glibenclimide in association with NF‐κB levels.Conclusion: These data suggest that glimepiride might be a preferable sulphonylurea agent in the setting of type 2 diabetes and vascular disease because it may have protective effects on vascular endothelial cells.
Treatment of Zucker diabetic fatty rats with AVE7688 improves vascular and neural dysfunction
Authors: Oltman C. L. , Davidson E. P. , Coppey L. J. , Kleinschmidt T. L. , Yorek M. A. 
Published: June 2008

Aim: Vasopeptidase inhibitors are drugs that inhibit angiotensin‐converting enzyme and neutral endopeptidase (NEP). The latter is a protease that degrades vasoactive peptides and is increased in diabetes. We have previously shown that treating streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats, an animal model of type 1 diabetes, with AVE7688, a vasopeptidase inhibitor, improves neurovascular and neural function. In this study, we determined the effect of treating Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats, an animal model of type 2 diabetes, with AVE7688 on vascular and neural function.Methods: ZDF rats at 12 weeks of age were treated for 12 weeks with AVE7688 (500 mg/kg diet). Afterwards, vascular reactivity of epineurial arterioles of the sciatic nerve and nerve conduction velocity and blood flow was determined.Results: Vascular and neural function was significantly impaired in ZDF rats compared with age‐matched lean (control) rats. Treating ZDF rats with AVE7688 improved vascular relaxation to acetylcholine and calcitonin gene‐related peptide in epineurial arterioles. Motor and sensory nerve conduction velocity, endoneurial blood flow and thermal nociception end‐points were also improved by treatment compared with untreated ZDF rats. Superoxide and expression of NEP were increased in epineurial arterioles from ZDF rats and attenuated by treatment with AVE7688.Conclusions: AVE7688 is an effective treatment for microvascular and neural disease in ZDF rats. Thus, vasopeptidase inhibitors may be an effective treatment for diabetic microvascular and neural complication in type 2 diabetes.
Changes in the stage and surgical management of renal tumours during 1995–2005: an analysis of the Dutch national histopathology registry
Authors: Kümmerlin Intan P.E.D. , Ten Kate Fiebo J.W. , Wijkstra Hessel , De La Rosette Jean J.M.C.H. , Laguna M. Pilar 
Published: June 2008

OBJECTIVETo evaluate changes in the pathological characteristics, stage of primary renal tumours and their surgical management in the Netherlands during the period 1995–2005.METHODSExtracts from the records of all patients who had surgery for primary renal tumours in the Netherlands during the period 1995–2005 were reviewed. Data were collected from PALGA, the nationwide network and archive of histocytopathology. The 2002 Tumour‐Node‐Metastasis and the three‐tier Fuhrman grade were used for staging and grading.RESULTSIn all there were 12 471 operations for primary renal masses during the study period. The incidence of surgically removed renal cancers increased from 6.2 in 1995 to 7.5 cases per 100 000 inhabitants (P = 0.005) in 2005. The mean (sd, median) age of the patients was 63.3 (11.9, 65.0) years, with a male‐to‐female ratio of 3:2. The mean (sd) tumour size of malignant tumours decreased from 7.3 (3.6) to 6.9 (3.7) cm (P = 0.301). The percentage of benign removed tumours remained relatively stable (P = 0.056), with a mean of 5.4% of all resected tumours. There was an increase of grade 1 tumours; the incidence of T1 tumours increased from 36.6% to 44.2%, and advanced tumours decreased from 46.4% to 33.7%, respectively. The percentage of nephron‐sparing surgery increased from 3.5% in 1995 to 10.1% (P = 0.003) in 2005, mainly in the T1a tumours.CONCLUSIONSDuring the last decade there was an increase in the incidence of surgically treated renal tumours in the Netherlands. Tumours with favourable histopathological characteristics, low stage and grade, accounted for most of this increase. The percentage of surgically removed benign tumours remained stable. The use of nephron‐sparing surgery increased during the last decade, especially in T1a tumours.
The feasibility and safety of high‐intensity focused ultrasound as salvage therapy for recurrent prostate cancer following external beam radiotherapy
Authors: Zacharakis Evangelos , Ahmed Hashim U. , Ishaq Ayesha , Scott Rebecca , Illing Rowland , Freeman Alex , Allen Clare , Emberton Mark 
Published: June 2008

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the use of minimally invasive high‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) as a salvage therapy in men with localized prostate cancer recurrence following external beam radiotherapy (EBRT).PATIENTS AND METHODSA review of 31 cases treated using the Sonablate® 500 HIFU device, between 1 February 2005 and 15 May 2007, was carried out. All men had presumed organ‐confined, histologically confirmed recurrent prostate adenocarcinoma following EBRT.RESULTSThe mean (range) age was 65 (57–80) years with a mean preoperative PSA level of 7.73 (0.20–20) ng/mL. The patients were followed for a mean (range) of 7.4 (3–24) months. Side‐effects included stricture or intervention for necrotic tissue in 11 of the 31 patients (36%), urinary tract infection or dysuria syndrome in eight (26%), and urinary incontinence in two (7%). Recto‐urethral fistula occurred in two men, although one was due to patient movement due to inadequate anaesthesia, so the ‘true’ rate is 3%. Half of the patients had PSA levels of <0.2 ng/mL at the last follow‐up. Three patients had metastatic disease whilst another two had only local, histologically confirmed, failure. A further four patients had evidence of biochemical failure only. Overall, 71% had no evidence of disease following salvage HIFU.CONCLUSIONSSalvage HIFU is a minimally invasive daycase procedure that can achieve low PSA nadirs and good cancer control in the short term, with comparable morbidity to other forms of salvage treatment. The issue of accurate staging at the time of recurrence is still problematic, as a proportion of these men will harbour microscopic metastases undetected by conventional staging investigations.
Nocturia and associated morbidity in a Danish population of men and women aged 60–80 years
Authors: Bing Mette H. , Moller Lars A. , Jennum Poul , Mortensen Svend , Lose Gunner 
Published: June 2008

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the association between nocturia and medical diseases, medication, urinary incontinence (UI), recurrent cystitis, smoking, alcohol, parity, hysterectomy, pelvic organ prolapse surgery, UI surgery, and prostate surgery.SUBJECTS AND METHODSThe previously validated questionnaire the Nocturia, Nocturnal Enuresis and Sleep‐interruption Questionnaire was sent to 2000 women and 2000 men aged 60, 65, 70, 75, and 80 years. The population was selected at random from The Danish Civil Registration System.RESULTSUsing multiple logistic regressions UI and age were significantly associated with nocturia irrespective of severity. Nocturia of ≥1 voids was significantly associated with body mass index (BMI), hypertension, and smoking; and nocturia of ≥2 voids with gender, BMI, diabetes and recurrent cystitis, as well as between nocturia of ≥3 voids and gender, lung disease, diabetes, use of diuretics and recurrent cystitis. Summarising the associations in an ordinal regression analysis UI (odds ratio (OR) 2.17, 95% CI 1.76–2.68), recurrent cystitis (OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.30–2.97) and diabetes (OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.32–1.65) had the strongest associations with nocturia.CONCLUSIONSOur results show that various disorders are associated with nocturia. However, the associations are strongly dependent on the severity of the nocturia.
An adjustable continence therapy device for treating incontinence after prostatectomy: a minimum 2‐year follow‐up
Authors: Gilling Peter J. , Bell Deborah F. , Wilson Liam C. , Westenberg Andre M. , Reuther Rana , Fraundorfer Mark R. 
Published: June 2008

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of the ProACTTM (Uromedica, Inc., MN, USA) balloon device, an alternative for the surgical management of incontinence after prostatectomy.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe initial patients who received this device at our institution were evaluated, using urodynamics at baseline and at 6 months. Perioperative variables were recorded and pad usage, volume adjustments, an estimate of Incontinence Quality of Life (I‐QoL) and adverse events were recorded at baseline, and 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after surgery.RESULTSIn all, 37 patients were treated on this protocol between November 2001 and March 2005. Of these, 30 had had radical prostatectomy and seven holmium laser enucleation of the prostate. The mean (range) pad usage decreased from 2.81  (1–12) at baseline to 0.7 (0–4) pads at 24 months, and the I‐QOL increased from 49.7 (4.5–77) to 81.3 (13.6–100) over the same period. At 24 months, 62% of 34 men were pad‐free and 81% required one pad or less. Bilateral explantation was required in three patients (11%) for infection (one) and balloon migration (two). All other adverse events were mild and transient.CONCLUSIONSThe ProACT balloon device is an acceptable therapy for the surgical management of incontinence after prostatectomy.
Does topical haemostatic agent have an adverse effect on the function of the prostatic neurovascular bundle?
Authors: Zeltser Ilia , Dugi Daniel , Gupta Amit , Park Sangtae , Kabbani Wareef , Cadeddu Jeffrey 
Published: June 2008

OBJECTIVETo assess the functional and histological effects of a bovine thrombin topical haemostatic agent used clinically to aid in surgical haemostasis (FloSealTM, Baxter International Inc., Deerfield, IL, USA) on the cavernous nerves in a canine model of survival, as there are concerns that the fibrotic/inflammatory response to this product could affect neural function.MATERIALS AND METHODSIn phase I, nine adult male dogs had the bilateral neurovascular bundles (NVBs) dissected. A small intravenous catheter placed directly into the erectile bodies of the penis was used to record the intracorporal pressure (ICP). Erection was induced by electrical stimulation of the NVB on each side. After intraoperative randomization to treatment or control, 5 mL of FloSeal was unilaterally applied along the NVB on the treatment side. In phase II, after 2 weeks of survival, both control and treatment NVB were again dissected and re‐stimulated to produce an erectile response. The mean arterial pressure and ICP were recorded. The prostate and the NVBs were then removed for histological analysis.RESULTSAll dogs achieved erections after electrical stimulation on both the control and treatment side. There was no statistically significant difference in absolute ICP, pressure increase from baseline or systemic pressure after stimulating the NVB on the treatment side between phases I and II. Histological analysis showed a giant‐cell reaction around the FloSeal granules and mild focal perineural oedema, but the cavernous nerves were otherwise normal in appearance.CONCLUSIONIn this short‐term functional study, FloSeal did not adversely affect cavernous nerve function, measured as the erectile response to electrical stimulation. We found no evidence contraindicating its use during radical prostatectomy.