bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A prospective multicentre study on the safety of long‐term intensive plasmapheresis in donors (SIPLA)
Authors: Schulzki T. , Seidel K. , Storch H. , Karges H. , Kiessig S. , Schneider S. , Taborski U. , Wolter K. , Steppat D. , Behm E. , Zeisner M. , Hellstern P. ,   for the SIPLA study group
Published: June 2006

Background and Objectives  The safety of chronic intensive donor plasmapheresis has not been determined in large prospective studies examining dropout rates, dropout reasons and predictors of withdrawals.

Materials and Methods  Twenty‐one plasma centres recruited 3783 donors who were switched from a moderate to an intensive plasmapheresis programme and observed over a 3‐year period. Individuals weighing < 70 kg and ≥ 70 kg donated 750 ml and 850 ml of plasma per session, respectively. The maximum of annual donations was limited to 60. Total serum protein (TSP) and haemoglobin (Hb) or haematocrit (Hct) were determined at each donation, and immunoglobulin G (IgG) at every fifth donation. Dropout rates, dropout reasons and potential predictors of withdrawal were analysed.

Results  Dropouts were predominantly due to socioeconomic (49·2% of all donors) or medical reasons not related to plasma donations (10·4% of all donors). Sixteen per cent of donors dropped out when IgG, TSP or Hb levels fell below threshold values. Severe clinical adverse events related to plasmapheresis were observed in five subjects. The incidence in severe cardiovascular diseases was lower in donors than in the general population. The risk factors that led to dropping out as a result of low IgG, TSP or Hb levels included younger age, female gender, low initial IgG levels and a high donation frequency. Neither body weight nor the amounts of plasma donated per kilogram of body weight per session were associated with ceasing due to medical reasons, whether related or unrelated to plasma donations. Females and males within the respective lowest body weight category were not at higher risk of dropping out.

Conclusion  Long‐term intensive donor plasmapheresis under conditions investigated in this study is safe. All donors weighing ≥ 70 kg are safely able to donate 850 ml of plasma in each session up to 60 times per year, provided that they are carefully monitored.
Current perceptions of Canadian autologous blood donors
Authors: Banning M. , Bormanis J. , Lander N. , Neurath D. , Rock G.
Published: June 2006

Background and Objectives  We determined the perceptions and motivations of autologous donors to establish their regard for this process and the new blood system established in 1999 in Canada.

Materials and Methods  Patients were surveyed before and after orthopaedic, cardiac, urological or gynecological procedures.

Results  Patients (n = 100; 57 men and 43 women) ranged in age from 19 to 83 years. Most had finished high school, and 21 had a university degree. Eighty‐four had undergone previous surgery and 27 a previous transfusion. Fifty‐one had been blood donors and 17 had been autologous donors. Specialists suggested donation to 78 of the patients. Seventy‐two participated because they knew that their blood would be there. Three had a mistrust of the blood provider. Sixty‐six believed that there is still a risk of receiving contaminated blood. Sixty‐nine thought any risk was ≥ 1 in 100 000; however, 16 thought the risk was < 1 in 1000.

 Postsurgery, 83 were happy to have donated their blood and 77 would do it again. Many felt that it improved their outcome. Most felt an increased sense of safety. Eighty‐three patients were confident that the Canadian blood system had improved, but 17 were unsure.

Conclusions  Concern about the safety of the allogeneic blood supply still drives the wish to autodonate. The process gives patients a sense of control and security. A large proportion of people felt that the Canadian blood system had improved, as determined by this 2003 study.
Histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A inhibits the growth of bladder cancer cells through induction of p21WAF1 and G1 cell cycle arrest
Authors: LI GONG‐CHENG , ZHANG XU , PAN TIE‐JUN , CHEN ZHONG , YE ZHANG‐QUN
Published: June 2006

Purpose:  To investigate whether Trichostatin A (TSA) possesses antitumor activity against human bladder cancer cells, and if any, its mechanism.

Materials and methods:  A human bladder cancer cell line, BIU‐87, was treated with different concentrations of TSA. After treatment, cell growth was measured by MTT assay. Cell apoptosis and cell cycle changes were examined by means of flow cytometry (FCM). Apoptosis was confirmed by apoptotic ladder formation assay. mRNA expression of p21WAF1 and p53 was assessed by differential reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction.

Results:  Trichostatin A significantly inhibited the proliferation of bladder cancer cell at nanomolar concentrations in a time‐ and dose‐dependent fashion. TSA treatment caused cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase and increased apoptotic cell death as shown by FCM and DNA fragmentation analysis, accompanied by increased p21WAF1 mRNA expression. In addition, TSA treatment did not alter p53 mRNA expression.

Conclusion:  Our results indicate that TSA is able to inhibit bladder cancer cell growth in vitro, possibly through p21WAF1 mediated cell cycle arrest and apoptotic cell death. This study suggests that TSA may be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of bladder cancer.
Long‐term results of living kidney transplantation from HLA‐identical sibling donors under calcineurin inhibitor immunosuppression
Authors: SHIMMURA HIROAKI , TANABE KAZUNARI , ISHIDA HIDEKI , MIYAMOTO NAOSHI , TOKUMOTO TADAHIKO , ISHIKAWA NOBUO , TOMA HIROSHI
Published: June 2006

Background: Recently, it has been revealed that alloantigen‐independent causes are important factors for late graft loss in kidney transplantation. We compared the results of living kidney transplantation from HLA‐identical siblings with those from HLA‐non‐identical siblings to analyse the impact of alloantigen‐independent factors on long‐term graft survival.

Methods: Two hundred and sixty‐six recipients who were grafted from their siblings between 1983 and 2002 were subdivided into those transplanted from HLA‐identical donors (n = 86) and those from HLA‐non‐identical donors (n = 180).

Results: The incidence of acute rejection was significantly lower in the HLA‐identical group than in the HLA‐non‐identical group (9.3% vs 53.9%, respectively;P < 0.0001). Graft survival was significantly higher in the HLA‐identical group than in the HLA‐non‐identical group (91.3% vs 79.2% at 5 years, 80.3% vs 66.8% at 10 years and 59.1% vs 51.7% at 15 years, respectively;P = 0.0372). Although acute rejection was not seen as a cause of graft loss in the HLA‐identical group, death with functioning graft, recurrence of the original disease or chronic allograft nephropathy were observed as the major causes of graft loss in the late period of the HLA‐identical group.

Conclusion: We concluded that alloantigen‐independent causes constitute a crucial factor for graft loss in the late period of HLA‐identical kidney transplantation.
Increasing expression of extracellular matrix metalloprotease inducer in renal cell carcinoma: Tissue microarray analysis of immunostaining score with clinicopathological parameters
Authors: JIN JONG‐SHIAW , HSIEH DAR‐SHIH , LIN YEH‐FENG , WANG JIA‐YI , SHEU LAI‐FA , LEE WEI‐HWA
Published: June 2006

Aim:  Renal tumor cell invasion is responsible for both local tissue destruction and distant metastasis. Invasion is largely mediated by matrix metalloproteases that are thought to be induced by tumor cell‐derived extracellular matrix metalloprotease inducer (EMMPRIN) in surrounding fibroblasts. We hypothesized that EMMPRIN and matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9) are over‐expressed in renal cell carcinoma.

Methods:  Immunohistochemical analysis of EMMPRIN and MMP‐9 was performed in tissue microarrays of 79 renal cell carcinomas including 12 cases of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (ChRCC), 53 cases of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CRCC), 8 cases of papillary renal cell carcinoma (PRCC), and 6 cases of carcinoma of the collecting ducts of Bellini (CoRCC).

Results:  All renal cell carcinomas showed significant immunohistochemical expression of EMMPRIN. The EMMPRIN score in ChRCC (321 ± 21) was significantly higher than in other histological subtypes of RCC (166 ± 19 for CRCC; 276 ± 24 for PRCC; 98 ± 17 for CoRCC). MMP‐9 was mainly expressed in tumor stromal cells and not in non‐cancerous fibrovascular regions. The percent positive staining of MMP‐9 at the invasive front of tumor cells was significantly higher in CRCC than in ChRCC, PRCC, or CoRCC. Higher EMMPRIN scores in CRCC were associated with shorter survival time, and correlated with higher T staging and nuclear grading.

Conclusions:  Our findings demonstrate for the first time that EMMPRIN is over‐expressed in renal cell carcinomas. Increased expression of EMMPRIN in tumor cells is associated with poor prognosis of patients with CRCC.
Protective effects of trapidil in ischemia–reperfusion injury due to testicular torsion and detorsion: An experimental study
Authors: SOMUNCU SALIH , CAKMAK MURAT , ERDOGAN SIBEL , CAGLAYAN OSMAN , AKMAN HÜLYA , KAYA MURAT
Published: June 2006

Objective: We aimed to detect the preventive effects of trapidil in ischemia–reperfusion (IR) injury due to testicular torsion and detorsion.

Methods: Forty prepubertal albino rats were used. In the IR group, torsion was created by rotating the left testis over 2 h, and detorsion was done by untwisting the testis. Bilateral orchiectomies were performed after 4 h. In study group, 2‐h torsion was performed and trapidil was administered as a single dose 1 h before detorsion. Bilateral orchiectomies were performed after 4 h. In the sham group, a sham operation was done. In the sham plus trapidil group, a sham operation was done and trapidil was administered as a single dose. Testicular tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) and total sulfhydryl (T‐SH) levels were determined for each group. The grades of interstitial injury were determined in histopathologic examination.

Results: The NO and MDA levels in the IR group were significantly higher than the study, sham and sham plus trapidil groups in the left testis (P < 0.05,P < 0.001 andP < 0.001, respectively). A statistical difference was not found among study, sham and sham plus trapidil groups in the left testis in NO and MDA levels (P > 0.05). The T‐SH level in the study group was significantly higher than in the IR, sham and sham plus trapidil groups in left testisP < 0.05). In the IR group (left testis), grade 1 interstitial injury was 30% (3/10), grade 2 injury was 60% (6/10) and grade 3 injury was 10% (1/10). In the study group (left testis), grade 1 interstitial injury was 30% (3/10) and there was no injury in 70% (7/10).

Conclusion: Trapidil decreased free oxygen radical formation in testicular torsion and detorsion, and attenuated histopathological damage in the ipsilateral twisted testis.
Primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the adrenal gland
Authors: KOMATSU SHUICHI , WATANABE RYUSUKE , NAITO MASAAKI , MIZUSAWA TAKAKI , OBARA KENJI , NISHIYAMA TSUTOMU , TAKAHASHI KOTA
Published: June 2006

Abstract  We report a rare case of primitive neuroectodermal tumor arising from adrenal gland in adulthood, diagnosed preoperatively as having non‐functional adrenocortical adenoma. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy was performed. Immunohistological examination revealed the definite diagnosis as primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the adrenal gland. Although primitive neuroectodermal tumor is a highly malignant neoplasm, there is no evidence of local recurrence and distant metastasis 16 months after surgery.
Accessory scrotum with multiple skeletal abnormalities
Authors: KENDIRCI MUAMMER , HORASANLI KAYA , MIROGLU CENGIZ
Published: June 2006

Abstract  Accessory scrotum is very uncommon. Here we report a 5‐year old Caucasian boy presenting with an accessory scrotum localized to the left side of the pubic area. The penis and the primary scrotum were completely normal, containing two dependent testicles. On the right side of the body there was type B proximal femoral focal deficiency and there was also diastasis of the symphisis pubis. As observed in this case, abnormalities of two different embryological organ systems (accessory labioscrotal fold and proximal femoral focal deficiency) may occur concurrently at the same intrauterine time point as part of an overall embryologic mesenchymal disorder.
Leiomyosarcoma of the renal vein: Arterial encasement on contrast‐enhanced dynamic computed tomography
Authors: MAEDA TETSUO , TATEISHI UKIHIDE , FUJIMOTO HIROYUKI , KANAI YAE , SUGIMURA KAZURO , ARAI YASUAKI
Published: June 2006

Abstract  We report a case of leiomyosarcoma of the renal vein, which is a rare tumor with no more than 30 cases found in the published English language literature. This case demonstrates encasement of the renal artery by the tumor mass, a previously unreported manifestation. The present study could be useful in considering this rare tumor in the differential diagnosis of renal hilar tumors.
Acute necrotizing pancreatitis as a rare complication of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy
Authors: KARAKAYALI FEZA , SEVMI ŞINASI , AYVAZ İBRAHIM , TEKIN İLTERIŞ , BOYVAT FATIH , MORAY GÖKHAN
Published: June 2006

Abstract  Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is considered the standard treatment for most renal and upper ureteral stones. Some centers use ESWL to treat bile duct stones and pancreatic calculi. Although ESWL is generally considered safe and effective, major complications, including acute pancreatitis, perirenal hematoma, urosepsis, venous thrombosis, biliary obstruction, bowel perforation, lung injury, rupture of an aortic aneurysm and intracranial hemorrhage, have been reported to occur in less than 1% of patients. Here, we present an extremely rare case of acute necrotizing pancreatitis occurring after ESWL for a right‐sided urinary stone, which was treated by non‐operative percutaneous interventions.
Transitional cell carcinoma of the navicular fossa detected human papillomavirus 16
Authors: SUMINO YASUHIRO , EMOTO AKIO , SATOH FUMINORI , NAKAGAWA MASAYUKI , MIMATA HIROMITSU
Published: June 2006

Abstract  We present a rare case of transitional cell carcinoma of the navicular fossa in an elderly man. We detected the expression of human papillomavirus type 16 specific DNA sequence in the tumor using polymerase chain reaction. Human papillomavirus dissemination into the urethra by urethral instrumentation might cause urethral tumors, such as squamous cell carcinoma or condyloma acuminatum, and also transitional cell carcinoma as seen in the present case.
Metachronous metastasis to the penis from carcinoma of the rectum
Authors: APPU SREE , LAWRENTSCHUK NATHAN , RUSSELL JOHN M , BRIGHT NEIL F
Published: June 2006

Abstract  Metastases to the penis are a rare event with most arising from pelvic organs, but occasionally the kidneys. Furthermore, very few cases exist where primary rectal carcinoma metastasising to the penis has been reported. We report on such a case and discuss the general management of penile metastases.
Aboriginal versus non‐Aboriginal ophthalmic disease: admission characteristics at the Royal Adelaide Hospital
Authors: Laforest Caroline , Durkin Shane , Selva Dinesh , Casson Robert , Newland Henry
Published: June 2006

Abstract

Background:  The purpose of the study is to compare characteristics of Aboriginal patient hospital admissions with non‐Aboriginal admissions to the Ophthalmology Unit of the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Methods:  A retrospective review of separation data was undertaken of hospital inpatient and day surgery admissions to the Royal Adelaide Hospital Ophthalmology Unit for the period July 1997 to January 2005.

Results:  There were 11 944 admissions to the Ophthalmology Unit (including inpatients and day surgery cases), of which 273 (2.29%) were Aboriginal patients. Of the total, 2779 (23.3%) patients were admitted for at least 24 h (inpatients), and 9165 (76.7%) stayed less than 24 h (mostly day surgery cases). Aboriginal patients comprised 6.8% of inpatient admissions, and 0.9% of admissions less than 24 h. The average age of Aboriginal patients (52.9 years) was significantly less than non‐Aboriginal patients (62.6 years; P < 0.0001). The median length of stay for Aboriginal patients was 5 days compared with 3 days in non‐Aboriginal patients. Aboriginal patients were more likely to be from interstate (RR 10.3 P < 0.0001), more likely to have diabetes mellitus (RR 2.7 P < 0.0001), and more likely to be admitted for cataract surgery (RR 4.18 P < 0.0001) and lid disorders (RR 6.04 P < 0.0001) than non‐Aboriginal patients.

Conclusion:  Aboriginal patients admitted to the Ophthalmology Unit were younger in age, more frequently from interstate, and had longer admissions than non‐Aboriginal patients. These results have important implications for ophthalmic health‐care planning.
Adaptive acetylcholinesterase splicing patterns attenuate 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine‐induced Parkinsonism in mice
Authors: Ben‐Shaul Y. , BenMoyal‐Segal L. , Ben‐Ari S. , Bergman H. , Soreq H.
Published: June 2006

Balanced dopaminergic cholinergic interactions are crucial for proper basal ganglia function. This is dramatically demonstrated by the worsening of Parkinson's disease symptoms following acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition. Typically, in the brain, the synapse‐anchored synaptic AChE (AChE‐S) variant is prevalent whereas the soluble readthrough AChE (AChE‐R) variant is induced in response to cholinesterase inhibition or stress. Because of the known functional differences between these variants and the fact that AChE‐R expression is triggered by various stimuli that themselves are often associated with Parkinson's disease risk, we hypothesized that the splice shift to AChE‐R plays a functional role in Parkinsonian progression. After establishing that Paraoxon‐induced AChE inhibition indeed aggravates experimental Parkinsonism triggered by the neurotoxin 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) in mice, we tested the roles of individual AChE variants by exposing transgenic mice overexpressing either the AChE‐S or AChE‐R variant to MPTP. Differential reductions of tyrosine hydroxylase levels in the striatum and substantia nigra indicated that transgenic AChE‐R expression confers resistance as compared with the parent FVB/N strain. In contrast, AChE‐S overexpression accelerated the MPTP‐induced damage. Survival, behavioral measures and plasma corticosterone levels were also compatible with the extent of the dopaminergic damage. Our findings highlight the functional differences between individual AChE variants and indicate that a naturally occurring stress or AChE inhibitor‐induced splicing shift can act to minimize dopaminergic cholinergic imbalances. We propose that inherited or acquired alternative splicing deficits could accelerate Parkinsonism and that, correspondingly, adaptive alternative splicing events may attenuate disease progression.
Caspase‐3‐dependent apoptosis in Escherichia coli‐infected urothelium: involvement of inducible nitric oxide synthase
Authors: ANDERSSON MARIA , POLJAKOVIC MIRJANA , PERSSON KATARINA
Published: June 2006

OBJECTIVE

To investigate if nitric oxide (NO) derived from inducible NO synthase (iNOS) regulates apoptosis and/or cell shedding in uroepithelial cells in vivo and in vitro, as bladder epithelial cells undergo shedding during urinary tract infection, which is considered a part of the host’s defence and is thought to take place via an apoptotic pathway.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Bladders and kidneys of mice infected with Escherichia coli were used to study caspase‐3 immunoreactivity at different times after infection. Wild‐type (E. coli 1177) and type‐1 recombinant (E. coli PKL4) bacteria were used. iNOS‐deficient mice were used to study the association of caspase‐3 with iNOS. Isolated human uroepithelial cells were used to examine the effect of the NO donor DETA/NO and the peroxynitrite generator SIN‐1 on caspase‐3 activity and cell shedding in vitro.

RESULTS

Many caspase‐3 immunoreactive neutrophils were found soon after infection and some superficial bladder epithelial cells were also immunoreactive for caspase‐3. Caspase‐3 immunoreactivity was also detected in neutrophils and bladder epithelial cells of infected iNOS‐deficient mice. There was no co‐expression between iNOS‐ and caspase‐3 in bladder epithelial cells. DETA/NO and SIN‐1 did not stimulate caspase‐3 activity or cell shedding in isolated human uroepithelial cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Caspase‐3 and iNOS are not co‐expressed in uroepithelial cells and apoptosis is evident in the absence of iNOS. Exogenous NO did not induce apoptosis or cell shedding in isolated human uroepithelial cells.
Botulinum toxin‐type A in the treatment of drug‐resistant neurogenic detrusor overactivity secondary to traumatic spinal cord injury
Authors: PATKI PRASAD S. , HAMID RIZWAN , ARUMUGAM KIRUPAKAR , SHAH P. JULIAN R. , CRAGGS MIKE
Published: June 2006

In this section, many different issues are written about by authors from the UK, France, the Netherlands, the USA and Denmark, respectively. Topics covered are botulinum toxin in drug‐resistant neurogenic detrusor overactivity in spinal cord injury, dutasteride and BPH, the effect of childbirth on bothersome LUTS, female urethral strictures, and a new bulking agent in treating female stress urinary incontinence.

OBJECTIVES

To assess, in a prospective study, whether botulinum toxin‐type A (BTX‐A) injected into the detrusor muscle, can be used as a day‐case treatment for drug‐resistant neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

BTX‐A (Dysport, Ipsen, Luxembourg; 1000 units) was injected cystoscopically into the detrusor muscle of 37 patients with drug‐resistant NDO and SCI, as a day‐case procedure. The maximum cystometric capacity (MCC), maximum detrusor pressure (MDP), NDO, continence, and anticholinergic requirement were used as outcome variables. The International Consultation on Incontinence questionnaire (ICIQ) was used to assess the patient’s quality of life before and after the BTX‐A injection.

RESULTS

The mean follow‐up was 7 months. The MCC increased from a mean of 259 to 522 mL, and the MDP decreased from a mean of 54 to 24 cmH2O. Incontinence and NDO were abolished in 82% and 76% patients, respectively. In all, 86% of the patients were able to stop or reduce anticholinergics, with a similar proportion of patients scoring favourably on the ICIQ. The mean duration of improvement was 9 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Injection with BTX‐A is an effective day‐case treatment that bridges the gap between oral and invasive surgical treatment of drug‐resistant NDO in patients with SCI.
Athermal Robotic Technique of prostatectomy in patients with large prostate glands (>75 g): technique and initial results
Authors: EL‐HAKIM ASSAAD , LEUNG ROBERT A. , RICHSTONE LEE , KIM TARA S. , TE ALEXIS E. , TEWARI ASHUTOSH K.
Published: June 2006

OBJECTIVE

To report our experience with robotic radical prostatectomy (rRP) for prostate glands of >75 g, as this technique is developing rapidly.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between January 2005 and November 2005, 30 men with prostates of >75 g had rRP. Their clinicopathological and operative data were reviewed. Technical considerations for successful rRP in patients with large glands are discussed, including the importance of surgical exposure and multiple traction sutures.

RESULTS

The mean (range) specimen weight was 116.1 (75.3–346.0) g, the patient age 65.0 (56–72) years, the body mass index 28.4 (21–41) kg/m2, the preoperative International Prostate Symptom Score 10 (0–32), and the prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level 7.54 (1.9–20.1) ng/mL. The clinical stage was T1c in 26 men and T2a in four. The biopsy Gleason scores were 3 + 3 = 6 in 25 men, 3 + 4 = 7 in four and 4 + 3 = 7 in one. The mean (range) estimated blood loss was 208 (100–600) mL and the operative duration 193 (150–270) min. The cancer was organ‐confined in all patients and all surgical margins were negative. The mean (range) duration of indwelling catheterization was 12.7 (11–14) days. There were no complications during or after rRP, and the PSA level was undetectable in all patients after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

RP for patients with large prostates is technically challenging. The robotic approach does not appear to compromise oncological control. We show the feasibility of rRP for men with large glands.
Laparoscopic vs open living donor nephrectomy: a contemporary series from one centre
Authors: POWER RICHARD E. , PRESTON JOHN M. , GRIFFIN ANTHONY , MARTIN IAN , WALL DARYL R. , NICOL DAVID L.
Published: June 2006

Laparoscopic versus open living‐donor nephrectomy has become a frequent debate amongst urologists involved in this area of expertise, with the laparoscopic argument being most popular at present. Authors from Australia describe a prospective comparative trial using both techniques, finding that the laparoscopic approach could be introduced without compromising results.

Authors from the USA describe their experience with cystinuria, and suggest measures that might be taken to reduce the number of surgical procedures required in their treatment.

OBJECTIVES

To report our experience of laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy (LDN) vs open donor nephrectomy (ODN), as LDN offers potential advantages to the donor and has become a routine procedure for live kidney procurement worldwide.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between February 2000 and August 2005 we performed 183 donor‐recipient operations at our institution (ODN, 83; LDN, 100). We prospectively collected information on all donors and recipients for the same period to audit our experience with the first 100 LDNs. Patients made their operative choice after discussions that included unit experience and published information. We present our findings with the emphasis on donor operative details and early recipient graft outcome.

RESULTS

Donor and recipient age, gender, body mass index, human leukocyte antigen mismatches, and vascular anastomotic times did not differ significantly between the groups. There were two conversions to an open operation in the LND group; neither affected recipient‐graft outcome. The mean (sd) operative duration was 178 (38) min for the LDN and 159 (34) min for the ODN (P < 0.05). The mean (sd) hospital stay was 4.7 (1.2) days in the LND group and 6.8 (1.5) days in the ODN group (P < 0.05). There was one case of delayed graft function in both groups. Serum creatinine levels at 1, 6 and 12 months after transplantation did not differ significantly between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our contemporaneous series shows the safe introduction of a laparoscopic living‐donor programme without compromising donor patient safety or allograft outcome.
Simultaneous pulmonary and cerebral oedema, and multiple CNS infarctions as complications of diabetic ketoacidosis: a case report
Authors: Dixon A. N. , Jude E. B. , Banerjee A. K. , Bain S. C.
Published: June 2006

We present a case of a 29‐year‐old woman with known Type 1 diabetes who presented with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Despite appropriate treatment and initial improvement, 12 h after initiation of treatment she deteriorated rapidly and developed pulmonary oedema, cerebral oedema and multiple infarctions of the brain and cervical spinal cord. This resulted in spastic quadraparesis and she has remained wheelchair‐bound. These complications of DKA are rare and unpredictable. In this case report we discuss the proposed aetiologies of these complications with reference to our case report and highlight the importance of vigilance for early signs of these complications during the treatment of all patients with DKA.
Insulin detemir under steady‐state conditions: no accumulation and constant metabolic effect over time with twice daily administration in subjects with Type 1 diabetes
Authors: Bott S. , Tusek C. , Jacobsen L. V. , Endahl L. , Draeger E. , Kapitza C. , Heise T.
Published: June 2006

Aims This study investigated the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic characteristics of the novel long‐acting insulin analogue insulin detemir (IDet) under single‐dose and steady‐state conditions in comparison with those of NPH insulin at steady state.

Methods Twenty‐five subjects with Type 1 diabetes [seven females, 18 males, mean age (± sd) 39 ± 12 years, body mass index 24 ± 3 kg/m2] participated in three 24‐h glucose clamps. IDet or NPH were given at 12‐h intervals in fixed, individualized doses. The first clamp assessed the metabolic effect of NPH at steady state, the second investigated the effect of two single injections of IDet. Subjects continued IDet treatment for 7–14 days, after which the third clamp was performed to investigate IDet at steady state.

Results At steady state, the metabolic effect of IDet was constant over 24 h while a clear peak in the metabolic effect [expressed as glucose infusion rates (GIR)] was observed with NPH after each injection. The fluctuation in the metabolic effect (maximum GIR divided by the average of the GIR values at the interval ends) was significantly lower in the second 12 h of the experiments with IDet under steady‐state conditions compared with NPH (fluctuation12−24 h1.27 ± 0.17 vs. 1.56 ± 0.72,P < 0.05). The overall metabolic effect of IDet at steady state was comparable with that of NPH [GIR‐area under curve (AUC)0−24 h: 5697 ± 1861 vs. 5929 ± 1965 mg/kg] whereas a significantly lower effect (5187 ± 1784 mg/kg,P = 0.01 vs. steady state) was observed following the first two IDet injections. GIR values at the end of clamp day 2 (first doses) and clamp day 3 (steady state) were comparable [GIRtrough 24 h3.7 ± 1.7 vs. 3.8 ± 1.6 mg/(kg × min) NS], indicating that IDet had reached steady state after the first two injections.

Conclusions IDet administered twice daily reached steady state after the second injection and showed a constant metabolic effect over time under steady‐state conditions. This should facilitate basal insulin substitution and decrease the risk of hypoglycaemia in insulin‐treated subjects.
Pregnancy in women with diabetes—after the CEMACH report, what now?
Authors: Casson I. F.
Published: June 2006

The second of three studies being undertaken by the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal and Child Health (CEMACH) has recently reported its findings and recommendations. The standards of diabetes and maternal care and the outcomes of 3808 pregnancies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are described. Pre‐pregnancy planning and care before conception is poor. Stillbirth rate (26.8 per thousand) and perinatal mortality (41.8 per thousand) were 4–5 times higher than the background population, and congenital anomaly (41.8 per thousand) double the background rate. Type 2 diabetes now represents 27.3% of pre‐gestational diabetes and more often of ethnic minority and deprived background than Type 1 diabetes. The ideals of the Diabetes National Service Framework and the target of the Saint Vincent declaration are far from being achieved. Much can be done to improve the outcomes of pregnancy within existing resources with better systems and organization of care. However, if significant progress is to be made, it is incumbent upon health‐care professionals and health‐care commissioners to direct resources specifically at improving pre‐pregnancy and maternity services. Research is needed firstly to analyse in greater detail the wealth of data collected in the CEMACH survey and consider the implications of health‐care costs. Further research to discover ways of reducing the adverse outcomes is urgently required. The need to educate, motivate and bring about improved pre‐pregnancy care in women with diabetes is a priority.
Temporal Limits of Selection and Memory Encoding
Authors: Nieuwenstein Mark R. , Potter Mary C.
Published: June 2006

People often fail to recall the second of two visual targets presented within 500 ms in rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP). This effect is called the attentional blink. One explanation of the attentional blink is that processes involved in encoding the first target into memory are slow and capacity limited. Here, however, we show that the attentional blink should be ascribed to attentional selection, not consolidation of the first target. Rapid sequences of six letters were presented, and observers had to report either all the letters (whole-report condition) or a subset of the letters (partial-report condition). Selection in partial report was based on color (e.g., report the two red letters) or identity (i.e., report all letters from a particular letter onward). In both cases, recall of letters presented shortly after the first selected letter was impaired, whereas recall of the corresponding letters was relatively accurate with whole report.
Infants Form Associations Between Memory Representations of Stimuli That Are Absent
Authors: Cuevas Kimberly , Rovee-Collier Carolyn , Learmonth Amy E.
Published: June 2006

Traditional models of learning assume that an association can be formed only between cues that are physically present. Here, we report that when two objects that had never appeared together were simultaneously activated in memory, young human infants associated the representations of those objects. Neither object was physically present at the time the association was formed. The association remained latent for up to 2 weeks, when the infants used it to perform a deferred imitation task. These findings reveal that what infants merely see “brings to mind” what they saw before and combines it in new ways. In addition to challenging a fundamental tenet of classic learning models, these findings have major theoretical and practical implications for early cognitive development. Every day, in the same manner, young infants probably form numerous associations between activated memories of objects that are physically absent, creating a potential knowledge base of untold dimensions.
Health Planning in the United States and the Decline of Public‐interest Policymaking
Authors: MELHADO EVAN M.
Published: June 2006

In the 1960s and 1970s, health planning formed a major theme of American health policy. Planners aimed to improve health services and make them broadly available while using resources efficiently. This article provides a history, both intellectual and political, of the origins of planning, its rise, and—in the face of mounting problems—its decline. The story also illustrates broader changes in the culture of policymaking in American health care. From the Progressive Era through the 1960s, reform‐minded experts in health worked to advance the public interest. Thereafter, they increasingly left behind public‐interest ideals and their underlying extramarket values in favor of organizing and improving health care markets. Whatever the deficiencies of traditional policymaking may be, this study suggests the need to resurrect extramarket values in health policy.
Use of hydraulic conductivity to evaluate the suitability of Vertisols for deep‐rooted crops in semiarid parts of central India
Authors: Pal D.K. , Kadu P.R. , Vaidya P.H. , Balpande S.S. , Satyavathi P.L.A. , Pal D.K.
Published: June 2006

Abstract. Detailed morphological, physical, chemical, mineralogical and micromorphological studies were carried out to identify properties that influence the yield of deep‐rooted crops in 29 Vertisols of semiarid central India, since existing land evaluation methods are not adequate to explain the yield of cotton obtained by farmers. The studies indicated that among the soil parameters, CaCO3 in the clay fraction, the exchangeable Ca/Mg ratio, exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) and saturated hydraulic conductivity (HC) were the yield‐influencing factors. The pedogenetic relationships between the semiarid climate, formation of pedogenic calcium carbonate, exchangeable Ca/Mg, ESP and HC have been established. In view of the pedogenetic processes that ultimately impair the drainage of soils, evaluation of Vertisols for deep‐rooted crops on the basis of HC alone may help in planning and management of soils, not only in the Indian semiarid tropics, but also in similar climatic areas elsewhere.
MOLECULAR SYSTEMATICS OFCERAMIUMANDCENTROCERAS(CERAMIACEAE, RHODOPHYTA) FROM BRAZIL1
Authors: De Barros‐Barreto Maria Beatriz , McIvor Lynne , Maggs Christine A. , Gomes Ferreira Paulo Cavalcanti
Published: June 2006

Morphological investigations identified 11CeramiumRoth species, of the 18 previously reported from Brazil. Phylogenetic analyses of sequences of the chloroplast‐encodedrbcL gene confirmed the presence of seven of these species. Three other species are reported from Brazil for the first time.Ceramium affineSetchell & Gardner andC. filiculaHarveyexWomersley were previously known only from the Pacific Ocean (Mexico and Australia, respectively). A new species,C. fujianumBarros‐Barreto et Maggs sp. nov., is described here. Its general habit is similar to that ofC. strictum sensuHarvey from Europe but it has one less periaxial cell thanC. strictum; its cortical filament arrangement is closest toC. deslongchampsiiChauvinexDuby, also from Europe, but whorled tetrasporangia partially covered by cortical cells differ strikingly from the naked protruding tetrasporangia ofC. deslongchampsii.Ceramiumspecies in which each periaxial cell cuts off transversely only a single basipetal cell formed a robust clade. The genusCeramiumas represented in Brazil is not monophyletic with respect toCentrocerasKützing andCorallophilaWeber‐van Bosse;Ceramium nitens, which has axial cells completely covered by rounded cortical cells formed by acropetal and basipetal filaments, did not group with anyCeramiumclade but was weakly allied to a species ofCorallophila. All three BrazilianCentrocerassequences were attributed to a single species,C. clavulatum.
Longitudinal Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study of the Alcohol‐Preferring Rat. Part I: Adult Brain Growth
Authors: Sullivan Edith V. , Adalsteinsson Elfar , Sood Rohit , Mayer Dirk , Bell Richard , McBride William , Li Ting‐Kai , Pfefferbaum Adolf
Published: June 2006

Background: The alcohol‐preferring (P) rat, a Wistar strain selectively bred to consume large amounts of alcohol voluntarily, has been used as an animal model of human alcoholism for 3 decades. Heretofore, knowledge about brain morphology has been confined to postmortem examination. Quantitative neuroimaging procedures make it feasible to examine the potential longitudinal effects of alcohol exposure in vivo, while controlling modifying factors, such as age, nutrition, and exercise. To date, few imaging studies have considered what morphological changes occur with age in the rodent brain, and none has systematically applied quantitative neuroimaging approaches to measure volume changes in regional brain structures over extended periods in the adult rat.

Methods: We used structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a longitudinal design to examine 2 cohorts of adult P rats, never exposed to alcohol: Cohort A included 8 rats, 7 of which survived the entire study (578 days) and 4 MRI sessions; Cohort B included 9 rats, all of which survived the study (452 days) and 5 MRI sessions.

Results: Growth in whole‐brain volume reached maximal levels by about 450 days of age, whereas body weight continued its gain without asymptote. Growth was not uniform across the brain structures measured. Over the initial 12 months of the study, the corpus callosum area expanded 36%, cerebellum 17%, and hippocampus 10%, whereas ventricle size was unchanged. Factors affecting growth rate estimates included litter effects, MR image signal‐to‐noise ratio, and measurement error.

Conclusion: Unlike longitudinal human reports of regional volume declines in aging brain tissue, several brain structures in adult rats continued growing, and some growth patterns were litter‐dependent. Determining normal regional growth patterns of brain and of the substantial variance exerted by litter differences, even in selectively bred rats, is essential for establishing baselines against which normal and aberrant dynamic changes can be detected in animal models of aging and disease.
Sol–Gel‐Processed SiO2/TiO2/Methylcellulose Composite Materials for Optical Waveguides
Authors: Chen Wei , Tao Xiaoming , Zhang Junying , Fang Qi , Yang Jun
Published: June 2006

SiO2–TiO2–methylcellulose (MC) composite materials processed by the sol‐gel technique were studied for optical waveguide applications. Dense, crack‐free and homogeneous films as thick as 2 μm were obtained via the organic binder MC‐assisted sol–gel process and single coating with low‐temperature treatment. Light waveguiding in such hybrid film was demonstrated at a wavelength of 650 nm. About 1.1 dB/cm or lower propagation loss for the SiO2 (80 mol%)–TiO2 (20 mol%)–MC (22 wt%) film can be achieved. The effects of thermal treatment on the structure and properties of the gel films were also investigated.
Investigation of Anelastic Creep Recovery in SiC Whisker‐Reinforced Alumina Composites
Authors: Quan G. C. , Conlon K. T. , Wilkinson D. S.
Published: June 2006

Anelastic strain recovery has been studied in SiC whisker‐reinforced alumina composites following tensile creep. The magnitude of the recovered strains were ∼10−3 with 20 vol% SiC whiskers upon unloading from 74 MPa at 1673 K, while no such behavior was observed with 10 vol% SiC whiskers. A strain recovery mechanism based on Hertzian contact deformation within a percolating whisker (or particle) network is suggested, which appears to be consistent with the experimental observations. Two models (for whiskers and particles) have been developed which seem to predict the magnitude of recoverable strain reasonably well.
Rapid Microwave–Hydrothermal Synthesis of Anatase Form of Titanium Dioxide
Authors: Baldassari Sara , Komarneni Sridhar , Mariani Emilia , Villa Carla
Published: June 2006

Pure anatase titanium dioxide was synthesized by a microwave (MW)‐assisted hydrolysis of diluted acidic solutions of titanium tetrachloride. MW irradiation combined with hydrothermal process has proved to be a very efficient and fast alternative to conventional hydrothermal technique, as an almost complete crystallization of anatase occurred in reaction times as short as 30 min. The addition of small amounts of sulfuric acid was necessary to obtain a pure anatase phase, as the presence of sulfate prevented the crystallization of trace amounts of brookite. Transmission electron micrographs showed nanoparticles arranged in spherical aggregates with 1% sulfuric acid, while less aggregated nanoparticles were obtained with 0.1% sulfuric acid.
Sol–Gel Preparation of Thick PZN–PZT Film Using a Diol‐Based Solution Containing Polyvinylpyrrolidone for Piezoelectric Applications
Authors: Choi Jong‐Jin , Park Gun‐Tae , Lee Sung‐Mi , Kim Hyoun‐Ee
Published: June 2006

Dense and crack‐free lead zinc niobate–lead zirconate titanate (PZN–PZT) films were deposited on silicon and glass substrates by spin coating using a sol containing propanediol and polyvinylpyrrolidone. Single‐layer PZN–PZT films as thick as 0.80 μm were deposited by a single spin coating with successive heat treatments at 250° and 700°C. After heat treatment, the films were dense, crack free, and optically transparent. In addition, the crystallographic orientation of the thick film was controllable by adjusting the heat‐treatment conditions. The ferroelectric properties of the (111)‐oriented film were superior to those of the (100)‐oriented film. On the other hand, the piezoelectric and dielectric properties of the (100)‐oriented film were better than those of the (111)‐oriented film. The piezoelectric coefficients (d33) of the PZN–PZT films of 4.0‐μm‐thickness were 192 and 110 pC/N for the (100)‐and (111)‐oriented films, respectively.
Nanostructure of TiO2 Nano‐Coated SiO2 Particles
Authors: Fujimoto Masayuki , Ohno Tomoya , Suzuki Hisao , Koyama Hiroshi , Tanaka Junzo
Published: June 2006

We characterized SiO2–TiO2 nano‐hybrid particles, prepared using the sol–gel method, using high‐resolution transmission microscopy. A few nanometer‐ordered TiO2 anatase crystallites could be observed on the monodispersed SiO2 nanoparticle surface. The quantum size effect of the TiO2 anatase crystallites is attributed to the blue shift of the absorption band. The rough surface of the SiO2–TiO2 nano‐hybrid particles was derived from the developed growth planes of the TiO2 anatase crystallites, grown from fully hydrolyzed Ti alkoxide that did not react with acetic acid during the crystallization process at 600°C thermal annealing.
A BIOSENSOR METHOD FOR DETECTION OF STAPHYLOCOCCAL ENTEROTOXIN A IN RAW WHOLE EGG*
Authors: MEDINA MARJORIE B.
Published: June 2006

Staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) is the most commonly recovered staphylococcal enterotoxin in food poisoning outbreaks. Our research objective was to develop a competitive immunoassay using a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor for the detection of SEA in raw eggs. Homogenized raw eggs were spiked with SEA and clarified by centrifugation at 14,989 × g. Anti‐SEA was added to aliquots of the egg supernatants allowing SEA to bind with anti‐SEA. The bound complex was separated from the free immunoglobulin G (IgG) by centrifugation. The supernatant was automatically sampled and injected over the SEA sensor surface of the SPR system. The IgG‐bound response units were plotted against spiked SEA concentration. SEA was detected in whole egg at 1–40 ng/mL (ppb). The biosensor analysis including the sensor regeneration was 15 min per sample in an automated system. This biosensor assay can be utilized for SEA detection in liquid eggs.
The 2,6‐Disubstituted Naphthalene Derivative FDDNP Labeling Reliably Predicts Congo Red Birefringence of Protein Deposits in Brain Sections of Selected Human Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Smid Lojze M. , Vovko Tomaz D. , Popovic Mara , Petrič Andrej , Kepe Vladimir , Barrio Jorge R. , Vidmar Gaj , Bresjanac Mara
Published: June 2006

Deposition of conformationally altered proteins prominently characterizes pathogenesis and pathomorphology of a number of neurodegenerative disorders. 2‐(1‐{6‐[(2‐[F‐18]fluoroethyl) (methyl)amino]‐2‐naphthyl} ethylidene) malononitrile ([F‐18]FDDNP), a hydrophobic, viscosity‐sensitive, solvent‐sensitive, fluorescent imaging probe has been used with positron emission tomography to visualize brain pathology in the living brain of Alzheimer disease (AD) patients. Its non‐radiofluorinated analog FDDNP was shown to label senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in brain tissue sections. This work aimed at evaluating FDDNP labeling of various protein deposits in fixed, paraffin‐embedded brain tissue sections of selected neurodegenerative disorders: AD, cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), Pick disease (PiD), Parkinson disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, multiple system atrophy (MSA). Cerebral hypertensive vascular hyalinosis (HVH) was used as negative control. Significant agreement between amyloid histochemical properties and FDDNP labeling of the deposits was established. FDDNP labeling showed high positive predictive value for birefringence in senile plaques and NFTs in AD, prion plaques and amyloid deposits in CAA. No FDDNP labeled structures were observed in HVH, PSP, PiD or MSA tissue sections. Our findings may be of significant value for the detection of neuropathological aggregates with [F‐18]FDDNP in some of these disorders in the living brain of human subjects.
Coherent State Evolution in a Superconducting Qubit from Partial-Collapse Measurement
Authors: Katz N. , Ansmann M. , Bialczak Radoslaw C. , Lucero Erik , McDermott R. , Neeley Matthew , Steffen Matthias , Weig E. M. , Cleland A. N. , Martinis John M. , Korotkov A. N.
Published: June 2006

Measurement is one of the fundamental building blocks of quantum-information processing systems. Partial measurement, where full wavefunction collapse is not the only outcome, provides a detailed test of the measurement process. We introduce quantum-state tomography in a superconducting qubit that exhibits high-fidelity single-shot measurement. For the two probabilistic outcomes of partial measurement, we find either a full collapse or a coherent yet nonunitary evolution of the state. This latter behavior explicitly confirms modern quantum-measurement theory and may prove important for error-correction algorithms in quantum computation.