bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Wet-days: are they better indicators of Ascaris infection levels?
Authors: Gunawardena G.S.A. , Karunaweera N.D. , Ismail M.M. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractSeasonal variation in a particular area may influence the occurrence of helminth infections and determining such fluctuations may help to maximize the beneficial effects of mass treatment. This study determined the seasonal variations in infection levels of Ascaris lumbricoides between March 2000 and June 2001 in two selected low-country plantations. Four hundred and seventy seven persons aged between 2 and 74 years (median 13) participated. Stools were tested using the Kato-Katz method and the prevalence and intensity of infection determined. All persons were treated with a single dose of mebendazole. Monthly follow-ups were undertaken with similar stool examinations and treatment given if found positive. Infection and re-infection rates were calculated each month. Rainfall and temperature were recorded each day. Total rainfall, number of wet-days and mean temperature was calculated for each month. The prevalence of Ascaris infection was 53.4% and 51.0% at Maliboda and Ayr estates respectively. Highest infection and re-infection rates at Maliboda (37.7%, 37.2%) occurred in June and at Ayr (13.3%, 25.9%) in October 2000 respectively. During the study period, the mean rainfall was 28.1 cm (range 7.4–63.9 cm) and mean temperature 27.6°C (range 22.1°–34.4°C). Significant correlations (P<0.05) were found between the re-infection rate and rainfall, temperature and the number of wet-days. Similar correlations were observed with the infection rate and temperature and the number of wet-days. Ascaris infections were found to correlate significantly only with the number of wet-days in a month (P<0.01). Thus, the number of wet-days appears to be a better indicator of Ascaris infections than total rainfall or mean temperature.
Intestinal helminth parasites in flounder Platichthys flesus from the River Thames: an infracommunity analysis
Authors: Guillen-Hernandez S. , Whitfield P.J. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAn analysis was undertaken of intestinal helminth communities in flounder Platichthys flesus from two sites on the River Thames. A comparison was made between helminth community richness and diversity from these sites at the component and infracommunity levels. At the component community level, a richer and more diverse parasite community was found in flounder from the Tilbury location (marine influence) than that from the Lots Road location (freshwater influence). At the infracommunity level, more parasite species and parasite individuals per host were found at Lots Road and the percentage of similarity values were low at both locations. Helminth species with high prevalence values in the parasite communities of the flounder are the dominant species in any individual fish, harbouring multi-specific infections. The presence of more invertebrate species, which are intermediate hosts in the helminth life cycle in the Thames, fish vagility and the high prevalence and abundance values of Pomphorhynchus laevis in the flounder, may explain the differences between the two locations.
Helminth infracommunities of a population of the Gran Canaria giant lizard Gallotia stehlini
Authors: Martin J.E. , Roca V. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractA survey of gastro-intestinal helminth communities of Gallotia stehlini (Sauria: Lacertidae) from Gran Canaria island (Canary Archipelago, Spain), was conducted to determine the prevalence, abundance and species diversity of intestinal parasites in these lizards. Pharyngodonid nematodes were the most common intestinal helminths, three species being Gallotia specialists. Helminth infracommunities of G. stehlini were rich and appear to be closer to the interactive end of the continuum isolationist–interactive helminth communities, according to the high values of helminth diversity. It is the first case of a saurian reptile showing this kind of diverse helminth infracommunity, produced by a large size, a wide-ranging plant diet and exposure to helminths with direct life-cycles.
Elliptic equations with BMO coefficients in Lipschitz domains
Authors: Byun Sun-Sig 
Published: December 2004

In this paper, we study inhomogeneous Dirichlet problems for elliptic equations in divergence form. Optimal regularity requirements on the coefficients and domains for theW1,p (1>p>∞)W^{1,p}\ (1>p>\infty )estimates are obtained. The principal coefficients are supposed to be in the John-Nirenberg space with small BMO semi-norms. The domain is supposed to have Lipschitz boundary with small Lipschitz constant. These conditions for theW1,pW^{1,p}theory do not just weaken the requirements on the coefficients; they also lead to a more general geometric condition on the domain.
Efficiency Wage and the Family: An Explanation for the Impact of the Agricultural Minimum Wage in Morocco
Authors: Azam Jean‐Paul 
Published: December 2004

SUMMARYThis paper shows two points: (1) there is a statistically significant positive relationship between the real value of the agricultural minimum wage and the level of agricultural output in Morocco, for eight important crops; (ii) the latter may be explained using a theoretical model where the productivity of the laborers depends on their consumption level, and where wage incomes are shared among family members to fund consumption. The Nash equilibrium is then inefficient.ZUSAMMENFASSUNGDieser Artikel zeigt zweierlei: a) Für acht Feldfnichte existiert eine statistisch sigrufikante Beziehung zwischen realem Mindestlohn und Produktionsniveau in der marokkanischen Landwirtschaft; b) Diese Beziehung lasst sich mit einem theoretischen Modell erklären. Darin hangt die Produktivitat der Arbeiter von ihrem Lebensstandard ab. Zur Konsumfinanzierung werden die Lohneinkunfte zwischen den Mitgliedern der Familie aufgeteilt. Das Nash‐Gleichgeèicht ist somit ineffizient.RÉSUMÉCet article montre deux choses: (a) il y a une relation statistiquement significative entre la valeur réelle du salaire minimum agricole et le niveau de la production agricole au Maroc, pour huit cultures importantes; (b) celle‐ci peut s'expliquer au moyen d'un modèle théorique où la productivité des travailleurs dépend de leur niveau de consommation, et où les revenus salariaux sont partagés entre les membres de la famille pour financer la consommation. L'équilibre de Nash est alors inefficient.
Review article: surgical and endoscopic therapy of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease in Japan
Authors: Katada N. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryTreatment of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with lifestyle changes to avoid the conditions that make the symptoms worse and medication to lower the acid content of the refluxed material are generally very effective therapies. However, some individuals do not benefit enough from these approaches, and surgical intervention is warranted. Laparoscopic surgery is the procedure of choice among surgeons performing operations for reflux disease. This surgical technique allows for shorter hospitalization, fewer post surgical complications and less pain than open surgery while maintaining a high success rate. Data from Japan confirms that laparoscopic fundoplication is a safe and effective technique for controlling both typical and atypical symptoms of GERD. Recently, several endoscopic or luminally delivered techniques have been developed as an alternative to laparoscopic surgery. These new surgical options, currently under evaluation in Japan, may offer a valuable alternative to patients who are not responsive to, or who do not wish to persist with lifelong medical therapy for GERD.
Review article: Barrett's oesophagus and carcinoma in Japan
Authors: Hongo M. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryIn Asia, oesophageal diseases, such as Barrett's oesophagus and oesophageal carcinoma, have traditionally been less common than in America and Europe. In recent years, however, the number of reported cases of these conditions in Japan has increased. Two large prospective studies, the Sendai Barrett's Esophagus Study (S‐BEST) and the Far East Study (FEST), on the geographic prevalence of Barrett's oesophagus, have recently investigated the epidemiology of Barrett's oesophagus in Japan. Results from both studies showed that overall prevalence of the condition is lower than in the West: 0.9–1.2% in Japan compared with 1–4% in Europe and 5–12% in USA. Similar to the situation in the West, the condition was shown to be most prevalent in elderly male patients and least prevalent in patients with Helicobacter pylori. Adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus is still rare in this region, although there has been an increase in the annual death rate from 3.7 (1960) to 6.9 (1995) per 100,000 population. Risk factors for oesophageal carcinoma include a strong association with the prevalence of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GERD). With the increasing prevalence of GERD in the Japanese population, continued surveillance of changes in the epidemiology of columnar‐lined oesophagus (a precursor of Barrett's oesophagus), Barrett's oesophagus and adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus is strongly recommended.
Outcome of endoleak following endoluminal abdominal aortic aneurysm repair
Authors: Mandziak Daniel M. , Stanley Brendan M. , Foreman Robert K. , Walsh John A. , Burnett Jim R. 
Published: December 2004

Background:  The most important complication of endoluminal abdominal aortic aneurysm repair is endoleak, in which there is persistent blood flow outside the graft but within the aneurysm sac. Depending on endoleak type, there is an ongoing potential for aneurysm expansion or rupture. Conversely, some endoleaks may resolve spontaneously. Absolute indications for interventional management of endoleaks remain elusive due to the heterogeneous nature of leaks and uncertainty in predicting their outcome.Methods:  A retrospective review was conducted on all endoluminal graft recipients with endoleaks at Repatriation General Hospital over a 3‐year period. Data were collected via a database maintained by the Department of Vascular Surgery, and hospital casenotes.Results:  Sixty‐six patients underwent endoluminal graft insertion in the study period. Fourteen endoleaks were observed in 11 patients, representing an endoleak rate of 21.2%. There were three type I leaks and 11 type II leaks. One type I leak resolved spontaneously, one resolved immediately following interventional management, and one resolved 6 months after interventional management. Interventional treatment was undertaken in seven cases of type II leak due to increase in aneurysm diameter by 5 mm. Two type II endoleaks resolved spontaneously. Aneurysm diameter increased in two patients following radiographic resolution of their endoleaks. There were no cases of aneurysm rupture.Conclusions:  Initial observation is a reasonable management option in most cases of type II endoleak, because some will spontaneously resolve during follow up. Those associated with increase in aneurysm size should undergo interventional treatment. Conservative management of type I endoleaks may be undertaken in extreme isolated cases.
Oral iron therapy for anaemia after orthopaedic surgery: randomized clinical trial
Authors: Weatherall Mark , Maling Timothy J. 
Published: December 2004

Background:  Oral iron therapy is often used after orthopaedic surgery to improve haemoglobin levels. The aim of the present trial was to determine if administration of oral iron after orthopaedic surgery results in a better improvement of haemoglobin levels than a control treatment.Methods:  This was a double blind randomized controlled trial at a tertiary referral orthopaedic centre. The participants were patients undergoing elective hip or knee replacement surgery with normal iron and folic acid stores and no history of iron deficiency, and the primary outcome was the haemoglobin level 10 weeks after surgery.Results:  At 10 weeks the mean ± SD haemoglobin in the iron group was 132.8 ± 13.4 g/L and in the control group it was 128.0 ± 10.6 g/L, a difference of 4.8 g/L with a 95% confidence interval for the difference of −1.2 to 10.7 g/l, P = 0.12.Conclusions:  Iron taken after elective hip or knee replacement surgery does not result in higher haemoglobin 10 weeks after surgery, or a faster rate of increase in haemoglobin than a control treatment.
Clinicopathological characteristics of signet ring cell carcinoma of the stomach
Authors: Kim Dong Yi , Park Young Kyu , Joo Jae Kyoon , Ryu Seong Yeob , Kim Young Jin , Kim Shin Kon , Lee Jae Hyuk 
Published: December 2004

Background:  Signet ring cell (SRC) carcinoma of the stomach is characterized by its poor prognosis and potential to infiltrate the wall of stomach, although survival studies comparing carcinomas with and without SRC features have yielded inconsistent results. This study compared the clinicopathological features and prognosis of patients with SRC carcinoma with those with non‐signet ring cell carcinoma of the stomach (NSRC).Methods:  We reviewed the records of 2358 patients diagnosed with gastric carcinoma who were treated surgically between January 1980 and December 1999 at the Department of Surgery, Chonnam National University Hospital. There were 204 patients (8.7%) with SRC carcinoma as compared to 2154 with NSRC.Results:  Significant differences were noted in the mean patient age, mean tumour size, depth of invasion, prevalence of hepatic and regional lymph node metastases, tumour stage, and curability between the patients with SRC histology and NSRC. There were no statistically significant differences in patient gender, location, or peritoneal dissemination between patients with SRC carcinoma and NSRC. SRC carcinoma of the stomach had a higher prevalence of early gastric carcinoma (46.1%) than NSRC (21.7%). The overall 5‐year survival of all the patients with SRC carcinoma was 60.2% as compared with 48.9% for the patients with NSRC (P < 0.01). Using Cox proportional hazards model, lymph node metastasis and curability were significant factors affecting the outcome. Signet ring cell histology itself was not an independent prognostic factor.Conclusions:  Patients with SRC histology do not have a worse prognosis than patients with other types of gastric carcinoma.
Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: early safety and efficacy
Authors: Wilson Liam C. , Kennett Katie M. , Gilling Peter J. 
Published: December 2004

Background:  To evaluate the initial results of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy at this institution.Methods:  Between January 2000 and September 2003, 30 patients underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Peri‐ and postoperative data were accumulated prospectively and maintained in a database. All patients have a minimum of 6 month follow up.Results:  There were no conversions to open surgery, and there were no re‐operations. Mean operating time was 328 (195−490) min. There was one intraoperative rectal injury which was repaired laparoscopically. Three patients (10%) required blood transfusion. Postoperatively, there were two cases of respiratory depression, one case of haemoptysis and one upper gastrointestinal bleed. Two anastomotic leaks were successfully treated conservatively, one of which was the only readmission to hospital. There was one case of clot retention requiring manual irrigation of the bladder. Mean hospital stay was 2.75 (1−10) days, with six of the last 10 patients being discharged on the first postoperative day. Continence rates at 6 months are 83%. Positive surgical margins occurred in seven patients (23%). At 12 months of follow up, one patient (4.5%) has had biochemical recurrence.Conclusions:  Our initial results are comparable to, or better than, the initial series in high volume centres. The procedure is feasible in appropriately selected cases in the Australasian environment.
Use of
Pseudomonas putida
EstA as an Anchoring Motif for Display of a Periplasmic Enzyme on the Surface of
Escherichia coli
Authors: Yang Taek Ho , Pan Jae Gu , Seo Yeon Soo , Rhee Joon Shick 
Published: December 2004

ABSTRACT

The functional expression of proteins on the surface of bacteria has proven important for numerous biotechnological applications. In this report, we investigated the N-terminal fusion display of the periplasmic enzyme β-lactamase (Bla) on the surface of
Escherichia coli
by using the translocator domain of the
Pseudomonas putida
outer membrane esterase (EstA), which is a member of the lipolytic autotransporter enzymes. To find out the transport function of a C-terminal domain of EstA, we generated a set of Bla-EstA fusion proteins containing N-terminally truncated derivatives of the EstA C-terminal domain. The surface exposure of the Bla moiety was verified by whole-cell immunoblots, protease accessibility, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting. The investigation of growth kinetics and host cell viability showed that the presence of the EstA translocator domain in the outer membrane neither inhibits cell growth nor affects cell viability. Furthermore, the surface-exposed Bla moiety was shown to be enzymatically active. These results demonstrate for the first time that the translocator domain of a lipolytic autotransporter enzyme is an effective anchoring motif for the functional display of heterologous passenger protein on the surface of
E. coli
. This investigation also provides a possible topological model of the EstA translocator domain, which might serve as a basis for the construction of fusion proteins containing heterologous passenger domains.
Design and Production in
Aspergillus niger
of a Chimeric Protein Associating a Fungal Feruloyl Esterase and a Clostridial Dockerin Domain
Authors: Levasseur Anthony , Pagès Sandrine , Fierobe Henri-Pierre , Navarro David , Punt Peter , Belaïch Jean-Pierre , Asther Marcel , Record Eric 
Published: December 2004

ABSTRACT

A chimeric enzyme associating feruloyl esterase A (FAEA) from
Aspergillus niger
and dockerin from
Clostridium thermocellum
was produced in
A. niger
. A completely truncated form was produced when the dockerin domain was located downstream of the FAEA (FAEA-Doc), whereas no chimeric protein was produced when the bacterial dockerin domain was located upstream of the FAEA (Doc-FAEA). Northern blot analysis showed similar transcript levels for the two constructs, indicating a posttranscriptional bottleneck for Doc-FAEA production. The sequence encoding the first 514 amino acids from
A. niger
glucoamylase and a dibasic proteolytic processing site (
kex
-
2
) were fused upstream of the Doc-FAEA sequence. By using this fusion strategy, the esterase activity found in the extracellular medium was 20-fold-higher than that of the wild-type reference strain, and the production yield was estimated to be about 100 mg of chimeric protein/liter. Intracellular and extracellular production was analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, dockerin-cohesin interaction assays, and Western blotting. Labeled cohesins detected an intact extracellular Doc-FAEA of about 43 kDa and a cleaved-off dockerin domain of about 8 kDa. In addition, an intracellular 120-kDa protein was recognized by using labeled cohesins and antibodies raised against FAEA. This protein corresponded to the unprocessed Doc-FAEA form fused to glucoamylase. In conclusion, these results indicated that translational fusion to glucoamylase improved the secretion efficiency of a chimeric Doc-FAEA protein and allowed production of the first functional fungal enzyme joined to a bacterial dockerin.
Microarray and Functional Gene Analyses of Sulfate-Reducing Prokaryotes in Low-Sulfate, Acidic Fens Reveal Cooccurrence of Recognized Genera and Novel Lineages
Authors: Loy Alexander , Küsel Kirsten , Lehner Angelika , Drake Harold L. , Wagner Michael 
Published: December 2004

ABSTRACT

Low-sulfate, acidic (approximately pH 4) fens in the Lehstenbach catchment in the Fichtelgebirge mountains in Germany are unusual habitats for sulfate-reducing prokaryotes (SRPs) that have been postulated to facilitate the retention of sulfur and protons in these ecosystems. Despite the low in situ availability of sulfate (concentration in the soil solution, 20 to 200 μM) and the acidic conditions (soil and soil solution pHs, approximately 4 and 5, respectively), the upper peat layers of the soils from two fens (Schlöppnerbrunnen I and II) of this catchment displayed significant sulfate-reducing capacities. 16S rRNA gene-based oligonucleotide microarray analyses revealed stable diversity patterns for recognized SRPs in the upper 30 cm of both fens. Members of the family “
Syntrophobacteraceae
” were detected in both fens, while signals specific for the genus
Desulfomonile
were observed only in soils from Schlöppnerbrunnen I. These results were confirmed and extended by comparative analyses of environmentally retrieved 16S rRNA and dissimilatory (bi)sulfite reductase (
dsrAB
) gene sequences;
dsrAB
sequences from
Desulfobacca
-like SRPs, which were not identified by microarray analysis, were obtained from both fens. Hypotheses concerning the ecophysiological role of these three SRP groups in the fens were formulated based on the known physiological properties of their cultured relatives. In addition to these recognized SRP lineages, six novel
dsrAB
types that were phylogenetically unrelated to all known SRPs were detected in the fens. These
dsrAB
sequences had no features indicative of pseudogenes and likely represent novel, deeply branching, sulfate- or sulfite-reducing prokaryotes that are specialized colonists of low-sulfate habitats.
Broad-Host-Range Plasmid pJB658 Can Be Used for Industrial-Level Production of a Secreted Host-Toxic Single-Chain Antibody Fragment in
Escherichia coli
Authors: Sletta H. , Nedal A. , Aune T. E. V. , Hellebust H. , Hakvåg S. , Aune R. , Ellingsen T. E. , Valla S. , Brautaset T. 
Published: December 2004

ABSTRACT

In industrial scale recombinant protein production it is often of interest to be able to translocate the product to reduce downstream costs, and heterologous proteins may require the oxidative environment outside of the cytoplasm for correct folding. High-level expression combined with translocation to the periplasm is often toxic to the host, and expression systems that can be used to fine-tune the production levels are therefore important. We previously constructed vector pJB658, which harbors the broad-host-range RK2 minireplicon and the inducible
Pm/xylS
promoter system, and we here explore the potential of this unique system to manipulate the expression and translocation of a host-toxic single-chain antibody variable fragment with affinity for hapten 2-phenyloxazol-5-one (phOx) (scFv-phOx). Fine-tuning of scFv-phOx levels was achieved by varying the concentrations of inducers and the vector copy number and also different signal sequences. Our data show that periplasmic accumulation of scFv-phOx leads to cell lysis, and we demonstrate the importance of controlled and high expression rates to achieve high product yields. By optimizing such parameters we show that soluble scFv-phOx could be produced to a high volumetric yield (1.2 g/liter) in high-cell-density cultures of
Escherichia coli
.