bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prediction of alcohol‐related harm from controlled drinking strategies and alcohol consumption trajectories
Authors: Toumbourou J. W. , Williams I. R. , White V. M. , Snow P. C. , Munro G. D. , Schofield P. E. 
Published: March 2004

ABSTRACTAims  To establish predictors of age 21 alcohol‐related harm from prior drinking patterns, current levels of alcohol consumption and use of controlled drinking strategies.Participants  One thousand, five hundred and ninety‐six students recruited from an initial sample of 3300 during their final year of high school in 1993.Design  Longitudinal follow‐up across five waves of data collection.Setting  Post high school in Victoria, Australia.Measurements  Self‐administered surveys examining a range of health behaviours, including alcohol consumption patterns and related behaviour.Findings  Drinking behaviours at age 21 were found to be strongly predicted by drinking trajectories established through the transition from high school. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that alcohol‐related harms at age 21 were reduced where current levels of alcohol use fell within limits recommended in Australian national guidelines. After controlling for this effect it was found that the range of strategies employed by participants to control alcohol use maintained a small protective influence. Post‐high‐school drinking trajectories continued to demonstrate a significant effect after controlling for current behaviours. Findings revealed that over one quarter of males and females drank alcohol, but on a less‐than‐weekly basis. This pattern of alcohol use demonstrated considerable stability through the post‐school transition and was associated with a low level of subsequent harm at age 21.Conclusions  Future research should investigate whether encouraging more Australian adolescents to drink alcohol on a less‐than‐weekly basis may be a practical intervention target for reducing alcohol‐related harms.
Observations of Dermocystidium sp. infections in bullheads, Cottus gobio L., from a river in southern England
Authors: Feist S W , Longshaw M , Hurrell R H , Mander B 
Published: March 2004

AbstractBullheads, Cottus gobio, with macroscopic external cysts on the skin and fins measuring up to 3 mm in diameter were detected in the River Allen and its tributaries in southern England between 1992 and 1998. The prevalence of these cysts was up to 50% at some sites. Examination of cyst contents revealed the presence of numerous spores, typical of the genus Dermocystidium, measuring 8 μm in diameter. The parasite developed within well‐defined cysts, which were located in the hypodermal connective tissues of the host. No cysts were present on the fins of any of the fish examined. Histological examination revealed a cyst wall consisting of an inner layer of dense eosinophilic material similar to that reported for Dermocystidium spp. forming coenocytic hyphae. No evidence was found of systemic infection or hyphal formation. Spores contained a prominent refractile body, which gave a weakly positive reaction for polysaccharides with the periodic‐acid Schiff reaction and was positively stained with acidic dyes. Several examples of ruptured cysts were seen in histological sections and in some of these cases the host epithelial layer was breached, allowing release of the spores to the environment. Morphological features of, and host response towards, the Dermocystidium sp. in bullheads are compared with similar infections in salmonids and other freshwater fish species.
Teratogenicity of elevated egg incubation temperature and egg vitamin A status in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.
Authors: Ørnsrud R , Gil L , Waagbø R 
Published: March 2004

AbstractThe present study was undertaken to investigate the possibility that high egg vitamin A (VA) status in combination with elevated egg incubation temperatures may cause deformities in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. Egg batches selected for their total VA concentration were exposed to low (normal, 8 °C) or elevated (14 °C) egg incubation temperatures. Temperature was the main factor causing bone deformities such as warped gill opercula, fin and jaw deformities, but not for the development of spinal deformities where all groups displayed a ‘baseline’ occurrence of mild deformity (decreased vertebral size in the cephalic region) and no systematic variation in the occurrence of serious spinal deformities (fused vertebrae). A possible effect of egg incubation temperature fluctuation was found for the groups reared at low temperatures. An indication of a negative effect of elevated egg VA status for the development of organ deformities such as missing septum transversum and situs inversus was found in addition to temperature effects, however, no firm conclusions could be drawn from the present data. The phenotypes for temperature‐induced deformities resembled the phenotype of VA‐induced deformities, but no clear conclusions on the causality of the deformities found in the present study could be drawn. Egg incubation temperatures, both absolute temperature and temperature variations, should therefore be strictly controlled.
Postmenopausal hormone therapy: the pros and cons
Authors: Rivera‐Woll L. M. , Davis S. R. 
Published: March 2004

Abstract The use of postmenopausal hormone therapy (HT) has recently generated much debate following the results of various large randomised controlled trials. This has challenged physicians to reassess the use of HT in each individual woman within the realm of her symptomatology and risk profile for long‐term illnesses. There are several areas of definite benefit or risk and many areas of uncertainty. The results of recent randomised controlled trials pertain to the specific HT regimens used and the characteristics of the study groups, such that the conclusions cannot be extrapolated to the use of HT in general. (Intern Med J 2004; 34: 109−114)
Prevention of falls and fall‐related fractures in community‐dwelling older adults: a meta‐analysis of estimates of effectiveness based on recent guidelines
Authors: Weatherall M. 
Published: March 2004

Abstract Background: Two recent falls prevention guidelines have been published but did not include quantitative estimates of effectiveness based on the published reports that were reviewed to support their recommendations. Aim: To produce quantitative estimates of effectiveness of falls prevention programs from the randomised controlled trials cited in the guidelines together with an updated search of the available published reports to August 2002. Methods: A meta‐analysis of randomised controlled trials cited in falls guidelines and studies identified by an updated search of the available published reports was carried out. Randomised controlled trials were identified from the falls guidelines and a search, which met the following criteria: trials in community‐dwelling older people; 1‐year follow up; and outcome measures reported as the number of subjects with at least one fall or the number of subjects with a fracture. Results: The guidelines identified four studies of ‘exercise as a sole intervention’, which when combined with one further study identified in a search of the published reports, gave a fixed effects odds ratio (OR) favouring this strategy of 0.81 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.58–1.14); the number of patients needed to be treated to prevent one person having a fall was 19.5. The guidelines identified seven studies of a ‘multiple intervention’ strategy that gave a random effects OR favouring this strategy of 0.64 (95% CI 0.47–0.88). Four further studies were identified by the search of the published reports. The updated OR favouring this intervention strategy was 0.65 (95% CI 0.52–0.81); the number of patients needed to be treated to prevent one person having a fall was 9.8. Only two studies had data for fracture and a fixed effects OR favouring falls interventions for fracture prevention was 0.50 (95% CI 0.18–1.40); the number of patients needed to be treated to prevent one person having a fracture was 45.5. Conclusion: Semiquantitative statements of evidence can both understate and overstate the effectiveness of falls prevention strategies. There is moderate evidence of efficacy for falls prevention particularly for multiple intervention strategies. (Intern Med J 2004; 34: 102–108)
Spatial and temporal changes in microbial community structure associated with recharge‐influenced chemical gradients in a contaminated aquifer
Authors: Haack Sheridan K. , Fogarty Lisa R. , West Toby G. , Alm Elizabeth W. , McGuire Jennifer T. , Long David T. , Hyndman David W. , Forney Larry J. 
Published: March 2004

SummaryIn a contaminated water‐table aquifer, we related microbial community structure on aquifer sediments to gradients in 24 geochemical and contaminant variables at five depths, under three recharge conditions. Community amplified ribsosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA) using universal 16S rDNA primers and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) using bacterial 16S rDNA primers indicated: (i) communities in the anoxic, contaminated central zone were similar regardless of recharge; (ii) after recharge, communities at greatest depth were similar to those in uncontaminated zones; and (iii) after extended lack of recharge, communities at upper and lower aquifer margins differed from communities at the same depths on other dates. General aquifer geochemistry was as important as contaminant or terminal electron accepting process (TEAP) chemistry in discriminant analysis of community groups. The Shannon index of diversity (H) and the evenness index (E), based on DGGE operational taxonomic units (OTUs), were statistically different across community groups and aquifer depths. Archaea or sulphate‐reducing bacteria 16S rRNA abundance was not clearly correlated with TEAP chemistry indicative of methanogenesis or sulphate reduction. Eukarya rRNA abundance varied by depth and date from 0 to 13% of the microbial community. This contaminated aquifer is a dynamic ecosystem, with complex interactions between physical, chemical and biotic components, which should be considered in the interpretation of aquifer geochemistry and in the development of conceptual or predictive models for natural attenuation or remediation.
Ascomycete diversity in soil‐feeding termite nests and soils from a tropical rainforest
Authors: Roose‐Amsaleg Céline , Brygoo Yves , Harry Myriam 
Published: March 2004

SummaryMolecular microbial ecology has revealed remarkable biodiversity – prokaryotic and eukaryotic – in numerous soil environments. However, no culture‐independent surveys of the termitosphere exists, although termites dominate tropical rainforests. Here, we focused on soil feeders, building nests with their soil‐born faeces, enriched with clay–organic complexes, thus contributing to the improvement of soil fertility. In order to assess the fungal community composition of these termitaries compared with soils not foraged by termites, samples of the two types were collected in the Lopé rainforest, Gabon, and processed for generation of fungal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) clone libraries. Although primers were universal, most of the recovered sequences represented Ascomycete that were previously uncharacterized and the proportions of which reached 72.5% in soils and 80% in termitaries. Their affiliation with identified fungi was analysed in performing a phylogenetic tree based on 5.8S rDNA. Furthermore, the ascomycete communities of soil‐feeding termitaries and soils shared only 6.3% of sequences. This discrepancy of composition between soil and nest may result from the building behaviour of termites, as the organic matter in the nest is chemically modified, and some vacant ecological microniches are available for more specialized fungi.
Micromanipulation and further identification of FISH‐labelled microcolonies of a dominant denitrifying bacterium in activated sludge
Authors: Thomsen T.R. , Nielsen J. L. , Ramsing N. B. , Nielsen P. H. 
Published: March 2004

SummaryThe activated sludge process relies on the formation of strong microbial flocs. The knowledge about dominant floc‐forming bacteria is at present very limited, especially from a phylogenetic perspective. In this study, numerous microcolonies in the activated sludge flocs were found to be targeted by a Betaproteobacteria‐group‐specific oligonucleotide probe using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Some of these were micromanipulated and further identified by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and sequencing to belong to the Aquaspirillum genus in the Neisseriaceae family. A specific oligonucleotide probe, Aqs997, was designed to target the identified bacteria. A survey in nine different wastewater treatment plants with nutrient removal (WWTP) showed a high abundance of bacteria hybridizing to the oligonucleotide probe developed. Microautoradiography (MAR) combined with FISH on activated sludge incubated with radiolabelled substrate showed uptake of substrate with oxygen, nitrate and nitrite as electron acceptor demonstrating a denitrifying potential of the bacteria investigated. The Aquaspirillum‐related bacteria seemed to be abundant denitrifiers in WWTPs with nitrogen removal and they were particularly numerous in plants mainly receiving domestic wastewater, where they constituted up to 30% of all bacteria.
Molecular differentiation of Erwinia amylovora strains from North America and of two Asian pear pathogens by analyses of PFGE patterns and hrpN genes
Authors: Jock Susanne , Geider Klaus 
Published: March 2004

SummaryIn order to determine a possible genomic divergence of Erwinia amylovora‘fruit tree’ and raspberry strains from North America, several isolates were differentiated by pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis, the size of short DNA sequence repeats (SSRs) and the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of their hrpN genes. By PFGE analysis European strains are highly related, whereas strains from North America were diverse and were further distinguished by the SSR numbers from plasmid pEA29. The E. amylovora strains from Europe showed identical HrpN sequences in contrast to the American isolates from fruit trees and raspberry. Those were related to each other, but distinguishable by their HrpN patterns. The Asian pear pathogens differed in HrpN among each other and from E. amylovora. Erwinia pyrifoliae isolates and the Erwinia strains from Japan were ordered via their HrpN sequences in agreement with the PFGE patterns. For all three pathogens, dendrograms from PFGE and sequence data indicate an evolutionary diversity within the species in spite of a genetic conservation for parts of the hrpN genes suggesting a long persistence of the Asian pear pathogens in Korea and Japan as well as of fire blight in North America. Some of the divergent American E. amylovora isolates share PFGE patterns with the relatively uniform European strains.
Decreasing mortality rates for prostate cancer: possible role of hormonal therapy?
Authors: Damber J.‐E. 
Published: March 2004

Mortality rates for prostate cancer have started to fall in some parts of the world. Is this because of better diagnostic methods and screening, earlier and more aggressive treatment, or an increase in early hormone therapy? This controversial subject is reviewed in this section.Another area of interest currently is the use of botulinum toxin in the lower urinary tract; its role in treating lower urinary tract pathology and the way that it can be used is reviewed. The reader will be able to assess its value and have a deeper insight into the relevant literature.The other two mini‐reviews describe the current thoughts on the use of minimally invasive therapies in renal cancer and cryosurgery in prostate cancer. Once again, two controversial areas of general interest in urological oncology.SUMMARYWithin the last decade prostate cancer mortality rates have started to decrease in some countries. Although it is tempting to assume that these trends are a result of earlier diagnosis and aggressive therapeutic intervention, as a consequence of prostate‐specific antigen screening, definitive results from randomized trials of screening will not be available for several years. Moreover, there is mounting evidence that the effects of screening cannot be entirely responsible for this reduction in mortality rates. This review explores the possibility that other factors, particularly the increased uptake of early hormonal therapy, are contributing to the observed changes in mortality.
Time trends in case selection, stage and prostate‐specific antigen recurrence after radical prostatectomy: a multicentre audit
Authors: Winkler M.H. , Khan F.A. , Hoh I.M. , Okeke A.A. , Sugiono M. , McInerney P. , Boustead G.B. , Persad R. , Kaisary A.V. , Gillatt D.A. 
Published: March 2004

OBJECTIVESTo report an audit of preoperative staging variables, case selection, stage migration and prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) recurrence at five large centres in the south of England. To establish PSA outcome values after radical prostatectomy for clinically localized prostate cancer in the UK, and enable appropriate patient counselling.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe notes of 854 patients were audited for preoperative staging variables and follow‐up data obtained. Patients with neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatment, and with incomplete data and follow‐up, were excluded.RESULTSThe median follow‐up was 52 months for the remaining 663 patients; the median PSA level was 10 ng/mL. There was a large migration towards lower PSA and stage; this translated into improved PSA survival rates. The overall Kaplan‐Meier PSA recurrence‐free survival probability at 1, 3, 5 and 8 years was 0.83, 0.69, 0.60 and 0.48, respectively. The 5‐year PSA recurrence‐free survival probabilities for PSA levels of < 4, 4.1–10, 10.1–20 and > 20 ng/mL were 0.82, 0.73, 0.59 and 0.20, respectively (Wilcoxon, P < 0.001). The PSA recurrence‐free survival probabilities for biopsy Gleason grade 2–4, 5 and 6, 7 and 8–10 at 5 years were 0.70, 0.61, 0.55 and 0.21, respectively (Wilcoxon, P < 0.001). Similarly, the 5‐year PSA recurrence‐free survival probabilities for clinical stages T1a and 1b, T1c, T2a and T2b were 0.79, 0.62, 0.57 and 0.44, respectively (Wilcoxon, P = 0.0012).CONCLUSIONWith better case selection the intermediate oncological outcome has improved over time in the UK. PSA recurrence‐free survival estimates are less optimistic than the frequently quoted American values. The present values may be used to help in counselling British patients before radical prostatectomy.
Evidence of prostate cancer screening in a UK region
Authors: Gavin A. , McCarron P. , Middleton R.J. , Savage G. , Catney D. , O'Reilly D. , Keane P.F. , Murray L.J. 
Published: March 2004

OBJECTIVETo examine the pattern of use of prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) testing in a UK region, where National Health Service policy does not recommend screening for prostate cancer.SUBJECTS AND METHODSData were collected on all PSA tests in Northern Ireland between 1990 and 1999. Annual rates of PSA testing were calculated by age, GP Practice and year.RESULTSIn all, 165 862 PSA tests were performed on 84 669 men, and over a third of men aged ≥ 50 years had at least one PSA test. Men aged < 50 years accounted for 12.9% of first tests. The proportion of tests from primary care increased from 47.2% in 1993 to 67.0% in 1999. The mean age of men tested once decreased from 65.6 to 61.9 years (P trend < 0.001) and the proportion with an elevated PSA level also declined during the period. Repeat testing increased with PSA level (P < 0.001) but 29.4% of men with a PSA level of ≤ 4 ng/mL also had repeat testing. Raised PSA values were more common from hospital than primary care (32.4% vs 20.6%, P < 0.001) and in older men. Test rates varied 100‐fold across general practices, a finding not explained by sociodemographic factors, but one which reflects differential adherence to national guidelines, suggesting that general practitioners are key targets for attempting to rationalise the use of the PSA test.CONCLUSIONThese findings suggest that PSA screening is taking place against evidence‐based advice and has resulted in over 20 000 men being designated as having a raised PSA level, creating a need for further assessment.
Intra‐individual variation of serum prostate specific antigen levels in men with benign prostate biopsies
Authors: Boddy J.L. , Dev S. , Pike D.J. , Malone P.R. 
Published: March 2004

OBJECTIVETo determine the intra‐individual (physiological) variation of prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) measurements in men after a benign prostatic biopsy.PATIENTS AND METHODSSixty‐four men were prospectively assessed, all of whom had a benign prostatic biopsy within the preceding 13 months. The degree of intra‐individual variability was established by calculating the coefficient of variation on four PSA levels obtained from each patient weekly over a month.RESULTSSix patients were subsequently diagnosed with prostate cancer and their data are presented separately. In the remaining 58 patients the median (range) individual mean PSA value was 6.3 (0.5–34.1) ng/mL. The median (range) coefficient of variation within the group was 9.5 (2.4–76.1)%. There was a clear linear relationship between mean PSA level and the standard deviation.CONCLUSIONIn 48 of the 63 patients analysed, the coefficient of variation for serum PSA values in the group as a whole was greater than the variation claimed for the assay technique. The significance of the linear relationship between PSA and the standard deviation is discussed, with particular reference to those men who had a benign prostate biopsy.
Bladder cancer in patients with spinal cord injuries
Authors: Subramonian K. , Cartwright R.A. , Harnden P. , Harrison S.C.W. 
Published: March 2004

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the age‐standardized incidence rate of bladder cancer in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) and the overall risk for this population.PATIENTS AND METHODSWe reviewed 1334 patients with SCI whose dates of SCI, or first attendance at our centre, were between 1940 and 1998. The length of follow‐up was calculated for each patient and age‐specific incidence rates of bladder cancer calculated using 5‐year age bands. This was used to calculate the overall incidence rate, using direct standardization with the European standard population. The cancers were analysed histochemically to characterize the phenotype.RESULTSThe 1324 patients contributed a total of 12 444 person‐years of follow‐up. There were four cases of bladder cancer, giving an age‐standardized incidence rate of 30.7 per 100 000 person‐years. Histochemistry showed areas were positive for cytokeratin 14, which was also positive in the undifferentiated areas. Immunohistochemical staining was positive for cytokeratin 14 and consistently negative for cytokeratin 20, suggesting a pure squamous phenotype.CONCLUSIONSThe age‐standardized incidence of invasive bladder cancer in patients in our SCI unit is not statistically different from that of the general population. However, the incidence of invasive bladder cancer in the present study appears to be lower than that reported in other series. Histochemical analysis confirmed a squamous cell phenotype in these tumours.