bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The prevalence of urinary incontinence in women in four European countries
Authors: Hunskaar S. , Lose G. , Sykes D. , Voss S. 
Published: February 2004

OBJECTIVETo determine the prevalence, type and treatment behaviour of women with urinary incontinence in four European countries.SUBJECTS AND METHODSData were collected using a postal survey which was sent to 29 500 community‐dwelling women aged ≥ 18 years in France, Germany, Spain and the UK. Subjects were asked about the type of urinary incontinence they had experienced and their treatment behaviour.RESULTSOf the women who responded, 35% reported involuntary loss of urine in the preceding 30 days; stress urinary incontinence was the most prevalent type. The lowest prevalence was in Spain (23%), while the prevalence was 44%, 41% and 42% for France, Germany and the UK, respectively. About a quarter of women with urinary incontinence in Spain (24%) and the UK (25%) had consulted a doctor about it; in France (33%) and Germany (40%) the percentages were higher. Overall, < 5% of the women had ever undergone surgery for their condition. While pads were used by half of the women, there were some differences among the countries.CONCLUSIONSMillions of women in Europe have urinary incontinence; the consultation and treatment rates were low in the European countries included in this study.
Unilateral multicystic dysplastic kidney: experience in children
Authors: Kuwertz‐Broeking E. , Brinkmann O.A. , Von Lengerke H.‐J. , Sciuk J. , Fruend S. , Bulla M. , Harms E. , Hertle L. 
Published: February 2004

OBJECTIVESTo report a retrospective study of unilateral multicystic dysplastic kidneys (MCDK) in children, assessing the contralateral kidneys and urinary tract, the functional consequences, and the urological and nephrological management and outcome, as unilateral MCDK is the most common cause of renal cystic disease in children, and malformations of the contralateral urinary tract and kidney (pelvi‐ureteric obstruction, megaureter, reflux, renal dysplasia) have been reported.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe study included 97 patients (60 boys, 37 girls) with MCDK seen between 1985 and 1998; 82 were diagnosed in utero by ultrasonography (US). After birth, the diagnosis was verified by US, renal scanning (in 93) or intravenous urography (in four), and 89 (92%) had voiding cysto‐urethrography (VCUG). Of the 97 children, 87 (90%) had a mean (range) follow‐up of 44.3 (15–115) months.RESULTSThe MCDK was removed in 17 children; the follow‐up of 75 children (five lost to follow‐up) showed total involution of the MCDK in 25%, shrinkage in 60% and a stable size in 15%. None had any sign of malignancy. The contralateral kidney showed anomalies in 19 of 97 children (20%); 12 had a dilated renal pelvis (two with megaureter), six had a high echogenicity of the contralateral kidney (one had reflux, and two also pelvic dilatation). In only four of the 89 children was reflux found by VCUG; 16 of the 19 anomalies were detected by US. Five children needed surgery on the contralateral urinary tract (three a pyeloplasty, and one each a pyeloplasty plus ureteroneocystostomy, and an antireflux procedure). Of the contralateral kidneys 43% showed compensatory hypertrophy. There was mild renal insufficiency in three children; renal function seemed to be slightly impaired in many. Five infants had hypertension (four with spontaneous resolution) caused by renal scarring after pyelonephritis or inborn dysplasia of the contralateral kidney. There were symptomatic urinary tract infections in seven children.CONCLUSIONUS can be used safely to diagnose unilateral MCDKs and malformations of the contralateral urinary tract and kidney. In cases where US of the dysplastic kidney remains uncertain renal scintigraphy is necessary to detect the lack of renal function. The low rate of reflux makes routine VCUG unnecessary if the contralateral upper urinary tract and kidney appear to be normal on US. Nephrectomy of the dysplastic kidney in typical cases is also unnecessary. A long‐term nephro‐urological follow‐up of children with MCDK is recommended.
Increased expression of caveolin‐1 and microvessel density correlates with metastasis and poor prognosis in clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Joo H.J. , Oh D.K. , Kim Y.S. , Lee K.B. , Kim S.J. 
Published: February 2004

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship of caveolin‐1 expression and microvessel density (MVD), a reflection of angiogenesis, with metastasis and prognosis in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC).PATIENTS AND METHODSFormalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissue sections of clear cell RCC from 67 patients who had undergone radical nephrectomy were stained immunohistochemically with specific antibodies against caveolin‐1 and CD34. Caveolin‐1 immunostaining was semi‐quantitatively estimated based on the proportion (percentage of positive cells) and intensity. MVD was determined with CD34‐stained slides. The expression pattern of caveolin‐1 and MVD was compared with the clinicopathological variables.RESULTSEighteen patients had either synchronous or metachronous metastases and 11 died during the follow‐up. Caveolin‐1 intensity was significantly correlated with tumour size (P = 0.005), TNM stage (P = 0.028), M stage (P = 0.012), grade (P = 0.015), and metastasis (synchronous or metachronous; P < 0.001). The caveolin‐1 proportion (P = 0.037) and MVD (P = 0.011) were significantly correlated with metastasis. MVD was correlated with caveolin‐1 intensity (r = 0.385, P = 0.001) and caveolin‐1 proportion (r = 0.388, P = 0.001). There was no difference in the expression of caveolin‐1 and MVD between primary and metastatic sites. The survival of patients with higher caveolin‐1 intensity was significantly worse than that of patients with lower caveolin‐1 intensity. Multivariate analyses indicated that only M‐stage was an independent prognostic factor for cancer‐specific survival and caveolin‐1 expression was not an independent factor.CONCLUSIONSIncreased expression of caveolin‐1 and MVD is associated with metastasis and a worse prognosis in clear cell RCC. Caveolin‐1 expression is correlated with MVD. These results suggest that caveolin‐1 may be important in the progression of clear cell RCC and angiogenesis may be affected by caveolin‐1 during the progression of RCC.
Behavioural, emotional and family functioning of hospitalized children in China and Hong Kong
Authors: Kennedy C. , Kools S. , Kong S. K. F. , Chen J.‐L. , Franck L. , Wong T. K. S. 
Published: February 2004

Abstract Purpose: This study examined behavioural and emotional problems, social competence and family functioning of hospitalized Chinese children in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland. Method: A sample of 210 hospitalized children (ages 2–11 years) and their families participated in the study. The families were from a cross‐section of geographical areas in Hong Kong (two hospitals) and the Chinese Mainland (five hospitals). Parents completed an age‐appropriate Chinese version of the Child Behaviour Checklist and the Family Assessment Device. Multiple regression models were used to examine predictors of children's behaviour problems. Results:  Behavioural patterns appeared to be specific to the developmental stage. Children had greater problems when their families demonstrated poorer affective involvement. Hospitalized children on the Chinese Mainland experienced more internalizing and externalizing behaviour problems than those in Hong Kong. Sick children, according to their parents, however, demonstrate some resiliency based on social and academic competency factors. Conclusions: Hospitalized Chinese children manifest behavioural, emotional and family problems that vary by region, the child's development and gender. Problems predominantly of an internalizing nature characterized this group. The findings support the need for culturally appropriate behavioural assessments and interventions with hospitalized children.
Why Do Managers Explain Their Earnings Forecasts?
Authors: BAGINSKI STEPHEN P. , HASSELL JOHN M. , KIMBROUGH MICHAEL D. 
Published: February 2004

ABSTRACTManagers often explain their earnings forecasts by linking forecasted performance to their internal actions and the actions of parties external to the firm. These attributions potentially aid investors in the interpretation of management forecasts by confirming known relationships between attributions and profitability or by identifying additional causes that investors should consider when forecasting earnings. We investigate why managers choose to provide attributions with their forecasts and whether the attributions are related to security price reactions to management earnings forecasts. Using a sample of 951 management earnings forecasts issued from 1993 to 1996, we find that attributions are more likely for larger firms, less likely for firms in regulated industries, less likely for forecasts issued over longer horizons, more likely for bad news forecasts, and more likely for forecasts that are maximum type. Furthermore, attributions are associated with greater absolute price reactions to management forecasts, more negative price reactions to management forecasts (forecast news held constant), and a greater price reaction per dollar of unexpected earnings. Our findings hold after control for the aforementioned determinants of attributions and after control for other firm‐ and forecast‐specific variables that are often associated with security prices.
Reliability‐Relevance Trade‐Offs and the Efficiency of Aggregation
Authors: DYE RONALD A. , SRIDHAR SRI S. 
Published: February 2004

ABSTRACTThis paper studies how an accountant's method of aggregating information in a financial report is affected by differences in the reliability and relevance of components of the report. We study a firm that hires an accountant to produce a report that reveals information to investors regarding the returns to the firm's past investments. In constructing the report, the accountant must combine information elicited from the firm's manager with other information directly observable to the accountant. The manager's information is assumed to be directly observable only by the manager and to be of superior quality to the other information available to the accountant. Reliability‐relevance trade‐offs arise because as the accountant places more weight on the manager's report, potentially more useful information gets included in the report, at the cost of encouraging the manager to distort his or her information to a greater extent. Capital market participants anticipate this behavior and price the firm accordingly. We show how the market's price response to the release of the firm's aggregate report, the efficiency of the firm's investment decisions, and the manager's incentives to manipulate the soft information under his or her control are all affected by—and affect—the aggregation procedure the accountant adopts. In addition, we identify a broad range of circumstances under which aggregated reports are strictly more efficient than disaggregated reports because aggregation tempers the manager's misreporting incentives. We also demonstrate that, as any given component of the aggregated accounting report becomes softer, the equilibrium level of the firm's investment diminishes and the market places greater weight on the remaining components of the report.
OppA, the Substrate-Binding Subunit of the Oligopeptide Permease, Is the Major Ecto-ATPase ofMycoplasma hominis
Authors: Hopfe Miriam , Henrich Birgit 
Published: February 2004

ABSTRACTMost ATPases, involved in energy-driven processes, act in the cytoplasm. However, external membrane-bound ATPases have also been described in parasites and eukaryotic cells. InMycoplasma hominis, a bacterium lacking a cell wall, the surface-exposed substrate-binding protein OppA of an oligopeptide permease (Opp) contains an ATP binding P-loop structure in the C-terminal region. With ATP affinity chromatography and tryptic digestion in the presence or absence of ATP, the functionality of the Mg2+-dependent ATP binding site is demonstrated. In addition to ATP, ADP also could bind to OppA. The presence of an ATPase activity on the surface ofM. hominisis indicated by the inactivation of ATP hydrolyzing activity of intact mycoplasma cells by the impermeable ATPase inhibitor 4′,4′-diisothiocyanostilbene-2′,2′-disulfonic acid and influenced by the ATP analog 5′-fluorosulfonyl-benzoyladenosine. Comparing equimolar amounts of OppA in intact mycoplasma cells and in the purified form indicated that more than 80% of the surface-localized ATPase activity is derived from OppA, implying that OppA is the main ATPase on the surface of mycoplasma cells. Together, these data present the first evidence that the cytoadhesive substrate binding protein OppA of the oligopeptide permease also functions as an ecto-ATPase inMycoplasma hominis.
Structural and Functional Characterization of Gene Clusters Directing Nonribosomal Synthesis of Bioactive Cyclic Lipopeptides in
Bacillus amyloliquefaciens
Strain FZB42
Authors: Koumoutsi Alexandra , Chen Xiao-Hua , Henne Anke , Liesegang Heiko , Hitzeroth Gabriele , Franke Peter , Vater Joachim , Borriss Rainer 
Published: February 2004

ABSTRACT

The environmental strain
Bacillus amyloliquefaciens
FZB42 promotes plant growth and suppresses plant pathogenic organisms present in the rhizosphere. We sampled sequenced the genome of FZB42 and identified 2,947 genes with >50% identity on the amino acid level to the corresponding genes of
Bacillus subtilis
168. Six large gene clusters encoding nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPS) and polyketide synthases (PKS) occupied 7.5% of the whole genome. Two of the PKS and one of the NRPS encoding gene clusters were unique insertions in the FZB42 genome and are not present in
B. subtilis
168. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry analysis revealed expression of the antibiotic lipopeptide products surfactin, fengycin, and bacillomycin D. The fengycin (
fen
) and the surfactin (
srf
) operons were organized and located as in
B. subtilis
168. A large 37.2-kb antibiotic DNA island containing the
bmy
gene cluster was attributed to the biosynthesis of bacillomycin D. The
bmy
island was found inserted close to the
fen
operon. The responsibility of the
bmy
,
fen
, and
srf
gene clusters for the production of the corresponding secondary metabolites was demonstrated by cassette mutagenesis, which led to the loss of the ability to produce these peptides. Although these single mutants still largely retained their ability to control fungal spread, a double mutant lacking both bacillomycin D and fengycin was heavily impaired in its ability to inhibit growth of phytopathogenic fungi, suggesting that both lipopeptides act in a synergistic manner.
Differential Expression of Two Paralogous Genes of
Bacillus subtilis
Encoding Single-Stranded DNA Binding Protein
Authors: Lindner Cordula , Nijland Reindert , van Hartskamp Mariska , Bron Sierd , Hamoen Leendert W. , Kuipers Oscar P. 
Published: February 2004

ABSTRACT

The
Bacillus subtilis
genome comprises two paralogous single-stranded DNA binding protein (SSB) genes,
ssb
and
ywpH
, which show distinct expression patterns. The main
ssb
gene is strongly expressed during exponential growth and is coregulated with genes encoding the ribosomal proteins S6 and S18. The gene organization
rpsF-ssb-rpsR
as observed in
B. subtilis
is found in many gram-positive as well as some gram-negative bacteria, but not in
Escherichia coli
. The
ssb
gene is essential for cell viability, and like other SSBs its expression is elevated during SOS response. In contrast, the paralogous
ywpH
gene is transcribed from its own promoter at the onset of stationary phase in minimal medium only. Its expression is ComK dependent and its gene product is required for optimal natural transformation.
Mechanism of Transcription Activation at the
comG
Promoter by the Competence Transcription Factor ComK of
Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Susanna K. A. , van der Werff A. F. , den Hengst C. D. , Calles B. , Salas M. , Venema G. , Hamoen L. W. , Kuipers O. P. 
Published: February 2004

ABSTRACT

The development of genetic competence in
Bacillus subtilis
is regulated by a complex signal transduction cascade, which results in the synthesis of the competence transcription factor, encoded by
comK
. ComK is required for the transcription of the late competence genes that encode the DNA binding and uptake machinery and of genes required for homologous recombination. In vivo and in vitro experiments have shown that ComK is responsible for transcription activation at the
comG
promoter. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of this transcription activation. The intrinsic binding characteristics of RNA polymerase with and without ComK at the
comG
promoter were determined, demonstrating that ComK stabilizes the binding of RNA polymerase to the
comG
promoter. This stabilization probably occurs through interactions with the upstream DNA, since a deletion of the upstream DNA resulted in an almost complete abolishment of stabilization of RNA polymerase binding. Furthermore, a strong requirement for the presence of an extra AT box in addition to the common ComK-binding site was shown. In vitro transcription with
B. subtilis
RNA polymerase reconstituted with wild-type α-subunits and with C-terminal deletion mutants of the α-subunits was performed, demonstrating that these deletions do not abolish transcription activation by ComK. This indicates that ComK is not a type I activator. We also show that ComK is not required for open complex formation. A possible mechanism for transcription activation is proposed, implying that the major stimulatory effect of ComK is on binding of RNA polymerase.
ArgR and AhrC Are Both Required for Regulation of Arginine Metabolism in
Lactococcus lactis
Authors: Larsen Rasmus , Buist Girbe , Kuipers Oscar P. , Kok Jan 
Published: February 2004

ABSTRACT

The DNA binding proteins ArgR and AhrC are essential for regulation of arginine metabolism in
Escherichia coli
and
Bacillus subtilis
, respectively. A unique property of these regulators is that they form hexameric protein complexes, mediating repression of arginine biosynthetic pathways as well as activation of arginine catabolic pathways. The
gltS-argE
operon of
Lactococcus lactis
encodes a putative glutamate or arginine transport protein and acetylornithine deacetylase, which catalyzes an important step in the arginine biosynthesis pathway. By random integration knockout screening we found that derepression mutants had IS
S1
integrations in, among others,
argR
and
ahrC
. Single as well as double regulator deletion mutants were constructed from
Lactococcus lactis
subsp.
cremoris
MG1363. The three arginine biosynthetic operons
argCJDBF
,
argGH
, and
gltS-argE
were shown to be repressed by the products of
argR
and
ahrC
. Furthermore, the arginine catabolic
arcABD1C1C2TD2
operon was activated by the product of
ahrC
but not by that of
argR
. Expression from the promoter of the
argCJDBF
operon reached similar levels in the single mutants and in the double mutant, suggesting that the regulators are interdependent and not able to complement each other. At the same time they also appear to have different functions, as only AhrC is involved in activation of arginine catabolism. This is the first study where two homologous arginine regulators are shown to be involved in arginine regulation in a prokaryote, representing an unusual mechanism of regulation.
Identification of Genes Controlled by the Essential YycG/YycF Two-Component System ofStaphylococcus aureus
Authors: Dubrac Sarah , Msadek Tarek 
Published: February 2004

ABSTRACTThe YycG/YycF essential two-component system (TCS), originally identified inBacillus subtilis, is very highly conserved and appears to be specific to low-G+C gram-positive bacteria, including several pathogens such asStaphylococcus aureus. By studying growth ofS. aureuscells where theyycoperon is controlled by an isopropyl-β-d-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG)-inducible promoter, we have shown that this system is essential inS. aureusduring growth at 37°C and that starvation for the YycG/YycF regulatory system leads to cell death. During a previous study of the YycG/YycF TCS ofB. subtilis, we defined a potential YycF consensus recognition sequence, consisting of two hexanucleotide direct repeats, separated by five nucleotides [5′-TGT(A/T)A(A/T/C)-N5-TGT(A/T)A(A/T/C)-3′]. A detailed DNA motif analysis of theS. aureusgenome indicates that there are potentially 12 genes preceded by this sequence, 5 of which are involved in virulence. An in vitro approach was undertaken to determine which of these genes are controlled by YycF. The YycG and YycF proteins ofS. aureuswere overproduced inEscherichia coliand purified. Autophosphorylation of the YycG kinase and phosphotransfer to YycF were shown in vitro. Gel mobility shift and DNase I footprinting assays were used to show direct binding in vitro of purified YycF to the promoter region of thessaAgene, encoding a major antigen and previously suggested to be controlled by YycF. YycF was also shown to bind specifically to the promoter regions of two genes, encoding the IsaA antigen and the LytM peptidoglycan hydrolase, in agreement with the proposed role of this system in controlling virulence and cell wall metabolism.
γ-Glutamyltranspeptidase, but Not YwrD, Is Important in Utilization of Extracellular Glutathione as a Sulfur Source in
Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Minami Hiromichi , Suzuki Hideyuki , Kumagai Hidehiko 
Published: February 2004

ABSTRACT

γ-Glutamyltranspeptidase (EC 2.3.2.2) of
Bacillus subtilis
, which is an extracellular enzyme, hydrolyzes the γ-glutamyl linkage of glutathione. YwrD, which is homologous to γ-glutamyltranspeptidase, was speculated to have a similar physiological role. It was shown that γ-glutamyltranspeptidase, but not YwrD, is important in utilizing glutathione as the sole sulfur source in
Bacillus subtilis
.
Architecture of the
Bacteroides cellulosolvens
Cellulosome: Description of a Cell Surface-Anchoring Scaffoldin and a Family 48 Cellulase
Authors: Xu Qi , Bayer Edward A. , Goldman Milana , Kenig Rina , Shoham Yuval , Lamed Raphael 
Published: February 2004

ABSTRACT

A large gene downstream of the primary
Bacteroides cellulosolvens
cellulosomal scaffoldin (
cipBc
, now renamed
scaA
) was sequenced. The gene, termed
scaB
, contained an N-terminal leader peptide followed by 10 type I cohesins, an “X” domain of unknown structure and function, and a C-terminal S-layer homology (SLH) surface-anchoring module. In addition, a previously identified gene in a different part of the genome, encoding for a dockerin-borne family 48 cellulosomal glycoside hydrolase (Cel48), was sequenced completely, and a putative cellulosome-related family 9 glycosyl hydrolase was detected. Recombinant fusion proteins, comprising dockerins derived from either the ScaA scaffoldin or Cel48, were overexpressed. Their interaction with ScaA and ScaB cohesins was examined by immunoassay. The results indicated that the ScaB type I cohesin of the new anchoring protein binds selectively to the ScaA dockerin, whereas the Cel48 dockerin binds specifically to the type II ScaA cohesin 5. Thus, by virtue of the 11 type II ScaA cohesins and the 10 type I ScaB cohesins, the relatively simple two-component cellulosome-integrating complex would potentially incorporate 110 enzyme molecules onto the cell surface via the ScaB SLH module. Compared to previously described cellulosome systems, the apparent roles of the
B. cellulosolvens
cohesins are reversed, in that the type II cohesins are located on the enzyme-binding primary scaffoldin, whereas the type I cohesins are located on the anchoring scaffoldin. The results underscore the extensive diversity in the supramolecular architecture of cellulosome systems in nature.