bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ATP Synthesis by the F0F1 ATP Synthase from Thermophilic Bacillus PS3 Reconstituted into Liposomes with Bacteriorhodopsin
Authors: Pitard Bruno , Richard Peter , Duñach Mireia , Rigaud Jean‐Louis 
Published: August 2004

The correlation between the rate of ATP synthesis and light‐induced proton flux was investigated in proteoliposomes reconstituted with bacteriorhodopsin and ATP synthase from therinophilic Bacillus PS3. By variation of the actinic light intensity it was found that ATP synthase activity depended in a sigmoidal manner on the amplitude of the transmembrane light‐induced pH gradient. Maximal rates of ATP synthesis (up to 200 nmol ATP · min−1· mg protein–were obtained at saturating light intensities under a steady‐state pH gradient of about pH 1.25. It was detnonstrated that this was the maxmal pH attainable at 40°C in reconstituted proteoliposomes, due to the feedback inhibition of bacteriorhodopsin by the proton gradient it generates. In the absence of valinomycin, a small but significant transmembrane electrical potential could develop at 40°C. contributing to an increase in the rate of ATP synthesis, The H+/ATP stoichiometry was measured at the static‐head (equilbrium) conditions from the ratio of the phosphate potential to the size of the light‐induced pH gradient and a value of about four was obtained under the maximal electrochemical proton gradient.Increasing the amount of bacteriorhodopsin in the proteoliposomes at a constant F0F1 concentration led to a large increase in the rate of ATP synthesis whereas the inagnitude of pH remained the same or at very high bacteriorhodopsin levels, decreased. Consequently the H+/ATP stoichiometry was found to increase significantly with increasing bacteriorhodopsin content. Reconstitutions with mixtures of native and irnpaired bacteriorhodopsin (Asp96→Asn mutaled bactericirliodopsin) further demonnstreted that this increase in the coupling efficiency could not he related to protein‐protein interactions but rather to bacteriorhodopsin donating H+ to the ATP synthase. Increasing the amount of negatively chargcd phospholipids in the proteoliposomes also increased the coupling efficiency between bacteriorhodopsin and ATP synthase at a constant transtnenibrane pH grudient. Similar results were obtained with chloroplast ATP synthase. Furthermore, ATP synthase activities induced by dpH/Ψ transitions were independent of bacteriorhodopsin or anionic lipid levels. These observations were interpreted as indicating that, in bacteriorhodopsin/ATP synthase, proteoliposomes, a localized pathway for coupling light‐driven H+ transport by bacteriorhodopsin to ATP synthesis by F0F1 might exist under specific experimental conditions.
Haemolytic Rhodococcus equi Isolated from a Swine Lymph Node with Granulomatous Lesions
Authors: Pate M. , Pirš T. , Zdovc I. , Krt B. , Ocepek M. 
Published: August 2004

Summary Rhodococcus equi is generally thought to be non‐haemolytic although some earlier investigations reported minor haemolytic activity. A case of a haemolytic R. equi isolate from a swine lymph node with granulomatous lesions is described. This is a new contribution to knowledge of the cultural properties of R. equi.
Antimicrobial Resistance in Campylobacter spp., Escherichia coli and Enterococci Associated with Pigs in Australia
Authors: Hart W. S. , Heuzenroeder M. W. , Barton M. D. 
Published: August 2004

SummaryThe major influences on the amplification and spread of antibiotic‐resistant bacteria are the therapeutic use of antibiotics in human medicine and their use in livestock for therapy, prophylaxis and growth promotion. The use of veterinary antibiotics has many benefits to the livestock industries ensuring animal health and welfare, but use at subtherapeutic levels also exerts great selective pressure on emergence of resistant bacteria. The possible effect on human health is a problem of current debate. This study involved sampling pig carcasses, pig meat and assessing the level of resistance in zoonotic enteric bacteria of concern to human health. In South Australian pigs, thermophilic Campylobacter species showed widespread resistance (60–100%) to tylosin, erythromycin, lincomycin, ampicillin and tetracycline. No resistance was seen to ciprofloxacin. The enterococci demonstrated little resistance (0–30%) to vancomycin or virginiamycin, but the overall results from the antibiotic sensitivity testing of the enterococci have demonstrated how widespread their resistance has become. Escherichia coli strains showed widespread resistance to tetracycline and moderately common resistance (30–60%) to ampicillin and sulphadiazine. Resistance to more than one antibiotic was common. Pigs from New South Wales were also sampled and differences in resistance patterns were noted, perhaps reflecting different antibiotic use regimens in that state.
Female epispadias: are we missing the diagnosis?
Authors: Allen Lee , Rodjani Arry , Kelly Justin , Inoue Maki , Hutson John M. 
Published: August 2004

OBJECTIVETo describe three of four female patients with occult epispadias, as usually epispadias is reported to be a rare condition in females (1/480 000), and obvious and easy to diagnose, but less severe variants may still involve urethral sphincter incompetence in the absence of obvious clinical signs.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe hospital records over a 10‐year period (1 January 1991 to 31 December 2000) were reviewed to find all female patients diagnosed with epispadias. Data were collected from the Consultative Council on Obstetric and Paediatric Mortality and Morbidity for the number of live births per year for the decade studied, and the incidence of female epispadias determined.RESULTSOver the 10‐year period there were 13 patients with a diagnosis of epispadias, from 636 698 total live births; four were female and nine male. Each of the female patients had varying degrees of epispadias; three had subtle signs with apparently normal external genitalia, and only one had a bifid clitoris. However, even the most minor variant case had a palpable notch in the symphysis pubis, and an ‘oblong’ external urethral meatus. Thus the incidence of female epispadias is at least 1/160 000.CONCLUSIONEpispadias in females may be up to three times more common than previously expected, but even experienced clinicians can miss the diagnosis. The importance of a careful examination should be emphasized, especially in female patients with chronic wetting of unknown cause. A bifid clitoris is an important sign but not always present. Key diagnostic features include drug‐resistant wetting, a very low leak pressure on cystometrography, a palpable gap in the pubic symphysis and an abnormal oval‐shaped external urethral meatus.
Urinary continence after salvage radiation therapy following radical prostatectomy, assessed by a self‐administered questionnaire: a prospective study
Authors: Fontaine Eric , Ben Mouelli Sami , Thomas Laurent , Otmezguine Yves , Beurton Daniel 
Published: August 2004

OBJECTIVETo evaluate urinary continence after salvage radiotherapy following radical prostatectomy (RP) for clinically localized prostate cancer.PATIENTS AND METHODSIn all, 145 men had a retropubic RP in our department between 1992 and 2000. From this group, salvage radiotherapy with the dose of 65 Gy was given to 18 patients for a rising prostatic specific antigen (PSA) level. The mean (range) age at RP was 63 (50–72) years and the initial PSA level 14.95  (4.8–34) ng/mL. The radiotherapy was given at 46 (6–96) months after RP. A self‐administered questionnaire about their urinary status was mailed to the patients before and 18 months after radiotherapy. The mean follow‐up after radiotherapy was 34 (20–70) months.RESULTSBefore radiotherapy, 17 patients were continent (defining continence as no regular use of pads). After salvage radiotherapy, 16 men had had no change in their urinary status, even for the one patient using pads. One patient with stress urinary incontinence showed a slight worsening of his urinary status after radiotherapy. Another patient who was continent before radiotherapy developed urgency with no urinary leakage. Fourteen men stated that they were very satisfied or satisfied about their urinary status after radiotherapy and four were mildly satisfied. Nine would undergo radiotherapy again even with their present continence status and nine probably would.CONCLUSIONUsing an anonymous self‐administered questionnaire, salvage radiotherapy for a rising PSA level seems to be safe and does not worsen the continence achieved after RP in most patients.
Predictors of prostate cancer on extended biopsy in patients with high‐grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia: a multivariate analysis model
Authors: Abdel‐Khalek Mohamed , El‐Baz Mahmoud , Ibrahiem El‐Houssieny 
Published: August 2004

OBJECTIVETo define the importance of extended biopsy in patients with high‐grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) and to define predictors of cancer in extended biopsy in patients with HGPIN, using multivariate analysis.PATIENTS AND METHODSIn all, 83 patients with previous sextant biopsy of HGPIN had an extended 11‐core biopsy taken. Patients with a negative biopsy for cancer were followed by serum prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) and digital rectal examination (DRE) every 6 months. The extended biopsy was repeated in 21 patients. The criteria for second biopsy were an increase in PSA and/or abnormal changes on DRE. Overall, 49 patients had a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). The cancer‐detection rate on extended biopsy was correlated with risk factors using the chi‐square test and multivariate analysis.RESULTSExtended biopsy detected prostate cancer in 30 of the 83 men (36%), with positive cores in only 20 sextant biopsy sites (67%), in only seven in additional sites (23%), and both in three (10%). Of the 21 patients who had repeat extended biopsy, four (19%) had cancers. There were two carcinomas in the 49 TURP specimens (4%). The PSA level, DRE and transrectal ultrasonography findings were not predictive of cancer in extended biopsies (chi‐square test). Patient age, PSA density and the number of cores with HGPIN (all P < 0.001) had a significant effect on the cancer‐detection rate, and multivariate analysis showed that all three were independent predictors of cancer. A logistic regression model was designed to predict the probability of cancer in extended biopsy, with an overall accuracy of 78%.CONCLUSIONExtended biopsy improved the cancer detection rate by 23% in patients with HGPIN. Patient age, PSA density and the number of cores with HGPIN were the only independent predictors of cancer.
Prostate size influences the outcome after presenting with acute urinary retention
Authors: McNeill Alan S. , Rizvi Syed , Byrne Derek J. 
Published: August 2004

The relevance of prostatic size to treatment outcome has been stressed by many authors, in terms of likelihood of response to 5α‐reductase inhibitors and as a risk factor for future surgery or acute urinary retention. Authors from Scotland studied patients who developed acute retention and were treated with catheter removal and α‐adrenergic blockage. They found that, in this group of patients, prostate size was the key determinant as to whether surgery would be required or whether the more conservative treatment would be successful.OBJECTIVETo evaluate the long‐term outcome in an open follow‐up of a cohort of patients who had had a successful trial without catheter (TWOC) after an episode of acute urinary retention (AUR), as it is now widely accepted that giving an α‐blocker, e.g. alfuzosin, increases the success rate of TWOC.PATIENTS AND METHODSIn this prospective trial, 81 patients with a first episode of AUR related to benign prostatic obstruction received either sustained‐release alfuzosin (40) 5 mg twice daily or placebo (41) for 48 h. The catheter was removed after 24 h of treatment and the patient's ability to void assessed. Those who voided successfully entered an open follow‐up, the defined endpoints of which were the date of recurrent AUR, date of bladder outlet surgery, date of last follow‐up or death, and factors that influenced the long‐term outcome after a successful TWOC were examined.RESULTSOf the 34 patients who had a successful TWOC (22 on alfuzosin, 12 placebo, P= 0.03), 21 continued on an α‐blocker at the discretion of their urologist. In all, 26 had a further episode of AUR or surgery during the 6‐year follow‐up. The mean (median, range) time to the second episode of AUR in the 20 (59%) patients affected was 1.4 (0.6, 0–5.95) years. Nineteen (56%) men had bladder outlet surgery, 13 after a second episode of AUR. The mean time to operation after the first AUR was 1.85 (1.1, 0.04–5.4) years. The remaining eight (24%) patients remained free of further AUR and surgery. The size of the prostate assessed on a digital rectal examination by the admitting urologist was the only factor with a significant effect on the long‐term outcome. A postvoid residual of > 50 mL was associated with a greater likelihood of recurrent AUR or surgery, but this was not statistically significant.CONCLUSIONSThis study provides further evidence of the importance of prostate size as a prognostic factor in determining the outcome in patients with prostatic obstruction. Whilst most men presenting with AUR will eventually have prostatic surgery, a significant minority will not. An assessment of risk factors such as prostate size may identify those who require urgent intervention after a successful TWOC. The role of continued medical therapy with α‐blockers and/or 5α‐reductase inhibitors after a successful TWOC merits further investigation.
Antidiuretic hormone in elderly male patients with severe nocturia: a circadian study
Authors: Moon Du Geon , Jin Myeong Heon , Lee Jeong Gu , Kim Je Jong , Kim Myung Gon , Cha Dae Ryong 
Published: August 2004

OBJECTIVETo investigate the circadian variation of plasma antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and urine output in patients with severe nocturia (> three times per night) and to assess the effect of oral desmopressin on nocturnal urine output in these patients.PATIENTS AND METHODSTwelve patients with severe nocturia and five age‐matched controls without were assessed over 24 h (circadian sampling) during a 72‐h hospital admission. Blood levels of ADH and changes of urine output were measured in the patients before and after the oral administration of desmopressin (0.2 mg, at 22.00 hours in the second day), and in the controls not treated with desmopressin.RESULTSCompared with the normal control, the patients had no diurnal variation in urine output and greater nocturnal urine production, associated with a lack of nocturnal increase in ADH level. Compared with the baseline urine output, desmopressin significantly decreased night‐time (23.00–08.00 hour) urine output in the patients (P < 0.05). Desmopressin significantly increased the osmolality of night‐time urine (P < 0.05), and there was no systemic adverse reaction.CONCLUSIONSSevere nocturia in a large proportion of elderly men with lower urinary tract symptoms is caused by nocturnal polyuria and natriuresis, because they have no nocturnal increase in ADH. These results suggest that desmopressin may be effective in decreasing nocturnal urine production in patients with severe nocturia who do not respond to conventional treatment.
Self‐assessment of genital anatomy, sexual sensitivity and function in women: implications for genitoplasty
Authors: Schober Justine M. , Meyer‐Bahlburg Heino F.L. , Ransley Philip G. 
Published: August 2004

Authors from the USA and UK evaluate female patients’ perception of genital anatomy, and estimate the implications of this for genitoplasty. There are several important observations by the people who completed the questionnaire which should lead surgeons who perform genitoplasty to remember the functional aspects as well as the anatomical appearance after this operation.OBJECTIVETo assess the perceptions of healthy women of their genital anatomy and sexual sensitivity, and to provide suggestions for genitoplasty based on this information, as the success of genitoplasty has historically relied upon the surgeon's perception of the patient's anatomy and function, rather than the patient's perception of outcome in terms of appearance and erotic sensitivity.SUBJECTS AND METHODSFifty healthy, sexually active, adult women (aged 20–56 years) with no history of genital surgery completed the female version of the Self‐Assessment of Genital Anatomy and Sexual Function. This self‐ report questionnaire comprises written text and images enabling women to rate the appearance, size and position of clitoris and vagina, as well as the intensity of orgasm and effort required for achieving orgasm in specified areas around the clitoris and within the vagina. Anatomical locations were compared for these ratings by repeated‐measures analysis of variance.RESULTSAnatomically, 46% of women described their clitoris as ‘moderate‐sized and raised’, 42% as ‘small and raised’, and 78% reported that their vaginal opening was adequate for sexual penetration. The women reported the strongest orgasm and least effort to obtain an orgasm with stimulation of the area on and above the clitoris. For vaginal sensitivity, scores for orgasm intensity increased, and for orgasm effort decreased, with increasing vaginal depth, and they indicated less sexual sensitivity for the vagina than for the external genitalia.CONCLUSIONThe skin above the clitoris, and the clitoris itself, appeared to be the most sexually sensitive. During genitoplasty, attention to preserving skin‐flap integrity in this area seems appropriate.
Association of hyponatremia and hyperglycemia with outcome in dogs with congestive heart failure
Authors: Brady Colleen A. , Hughes Dez , Drobatz Kenneth J. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractObjective:To evaluate plasma sodium and glucose concentrations in dogs with congestive heart failure (CHF) prior to treatment and evaluate the differences between survivors and non‐survivors.Design:Retrospective study.Animals:Fifty‐nine dogs with CHF prior to receiving cardiac medication.Interventions:None.Measurements and main results:The mean plasma sodium concentration in dogs with CHF was below the reference range (144–156 mmol/L) and significantly lower (P=0.009) in non‐survivors (141±6 mmol/L) compared with survivors (147±4 mmol/L). The mean plasma glucose concentration was above the reference range (76–117 mg/dL) and significantly higher (P=0.004) in non‐survivors (128±52 mg/dL) compared with survivors (100±13 mg/dL). Forty‐four percent of non‐survivors had concurrent low plasma sodium and high plasma glucose concentrations, whereas no survivors had both abnormalities (P<0.0001).Conclusions:Lower plasma sodium and higher plasma glucose are associated with a worse outcome in dogs with CHF.
C‐reactive protein concentrations in canine acute pancreatitis
Authors: Holm Jennifer L. , Rozanski Elizabeth A. , Freeman Lisa M. , Webster Cynthia R. L. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractObjective:To determine if C‐reactive protein (CRP) concentration is elevated in spontaneously occurring canine acute pancreatitis (AP), and to measure changes in CRP during the course of hospitalization.Design:Prospective study.Setting:Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine Foster Hospital for Small Animals.Animals:Sixteen client‐owned dogs with AP and 16 healthy controls.Interventions:Blood samples were obtained from the AP group on the day of diagnosis (Day 1), and on Days 3 and 5, unless the dog died or was discharged from the hospital. Blood was obtained from the control dogs once.Measurements and main results:Serum CRP was measured using a commercial immunoassay for each dog with AP and for healthy controls. Day 1 CRP concentrations were significantly higher in the AP group (56.1±12.7 μg/mL) compared with controls (2.8±1.3 μg/mL;P<0.001). For the 7 dogs that had samples collected on all 3 days, the mean CRP concentrations decreased significantly (P=0.043) over the 5 days of measurement. Of the 16 dogs with AP, 14 were discharged from the hospital and 2 were euthanized.Conclusions:Serum CRP concentrations were elevated in this group of 16 dogs with spontaneously occurring AP. In the 7 dogs that had measurements on all 3 days, the mean CRP concentration decreased from the day of diagnosis to the measurement made 5 days later.
Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in humans and dogs
Authors: Johnson Valerie , Gaynor Alison , Chan Daniel L. , Rozanski Elizabeth 
Published: August 2004

AbstractObjective:To describe the clinical appearance and theories on the pathogenesis of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) in humans, and to review the evidence suggesting that a similar syndrome occurs in critically ill dogs.Human‐based studies:Currently, there are a multitude of publications describing the pathogenesis and clinical course of MODS in humans. Providing much of the basis for on‐going research and the development of clinical applications, a consensus statement made by the American College of Chest Physicians and Society of Critical Care Medicine defined parameters that had guided and shaped much of what is known about MODS.Veterinary‐based studies:To date, there are few publications describing MODS in dogs and much of what is known has been derived from case reports and reviews of various critical illnesses in dogs. While a similar syndrome of multiple organ dysfunction likely exists in dogs, a consensus statement defining clinical parameters has not been made.Data sources:Veterinary and human literature review.Conclusions:The development of MODS in human critical illness is widely recognized and major strides have been made in the understanding of this complex syndrome. Scoring schemes applied to human MODS patients have established that with increasing numbers of failing organs, there is a worse prognosis. As a similar finding likely exists in dogs, an awareness of MODS is vital to veterinary critical care clinicians and a consensus definition of MODS in dogs is warranted.
Efficiency Measurement in Australian Local Government: The Case of New South Wales Municipal Water Services
Authors: Woodbury Kim , Dollery Brian 
Published: August 2004

AbstractAustralian local government has experienced a series of reforms directed at increasing economic efficiency. An important element in the reform program has been the development of a number of partial indicators of local government service delivery in the states and territories. This paper attempts to augment this literature on performance measurement in Australian local government by using data envelopment analysis (DEA) with holistic indices of allocative and technical efficiency in New South Wales (NSW) municipal water services. It also seeks to incorporate qualitative indicators into efficiency measures. “Best‐practice” councils are identified and the underlying causes of municipal water service efficiency are analyzed.
The Government Centralization‐Decentralization Debate in Metropolitan Areas
Authors: Hamilton David K. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe extent of centralized or decentralized government has been an issue in America's governing system since the Revolutionary War. The major issues debated at the Constitutional Convention revolved around the amount of authority the national government should possess in relation to the states. The centralization‐decentralization issue is still a matter of contention, but a major focus of the debate has shifted to the metropolitan area. Despite the differences in time and levels of governments, many of the same arguments made during the constitutional debates are similar to the arguments made for and against government reform in metropolitan areas today. The author reconsiders the centralization‐decentralization issues debated at the Constitutional Convention and the ratification fight in the context of the current debate in metropolitan areas. Theoretical support for this exercise is provided by the international relations model. An application of the issues debated and resolved by the colonists to the current debate on the extent of centralized government in metropolitan areas would favor the establishment of metropolitan government.